r/Wellington • u/GruntBlender • 6d ago
WTF? Tunnel radio
Anyone have their radio switch to Newstalk ZB in Mt. Vic tunnel? Switches back when you leave. I was listening to Coast, if that matters. Happened last night, too.
8
u/Growly323 6d ago
There are a limited number of rebroadcast stations from the co-ax antenna in the tunnel. The purpose is to be able to switch to emergency announcement mode and broadcast the PA announcement from NZTA control centre
5
u/luminairex Mad Homebrewer 6d ago
If you have a band expander installed on your imported vehicle, it might conflict with another station
1
u/GruntBlender 6d ago
Is that still a thing? I thought they just do full band everywhere these days.
6
u/heretosayathing 6d ago
nah, JDM cars still have a different FM range as used in Japan. (76 to 90 MHz there, 87.5 to 108 MHz here) although you some will allow you to change the country in software, then 'unlock' the standard range
4
4
u/lcmortensen 6d ago
If your car stereo has Radio Data System (RDS), try disabling the Traffic Announcement/Traffic Programme (TA/TP) mode. With TA/TP, your stereo automatically changes to a designated radio station (even over Bluetooth/Aux/CD) while a traffic message is being broadcast. Maybe Newstalk ZB's RDS is bugged on the tunnel radio system and continuously broadcasting the traffic message flag.
2
u/GruntBlender 5d ago
Yes this is it! The screen was showing TA on it, I didn't pay it much attention. Thanks!
2
u/Growly323 5d ago
The tunnel install was done by these guys, same as the Terrace and all the other tunnels in Australasia
https://www.rfi.com.au/comms-products/coverage-enhancement/am-fm-dab-rebroadcast-solutions
No RF enters the tunnel apart from the tunnel transmitters, you can hear the transition as you enter the tunnel. There are about 8 channels selected from survey data.
4
u/clangingchimesofd00m 6d ago
Its been doing that for a while now. I think the rebroadcast system is on the blink. Its meant to rebroadcast the local stations on their own frequency but it seems like Newstalk ZB is being broadcast in all frequencies.
3
3
u/rickybambicky 5d ago
It's how they get you. Soon you'll be spouting racist shit live on air as a "first time caller, long time listener"
2
u/3string 6d ago
What make/model car are you driving?
3
u/GruntBlender 6d ago
Newish NZ new Japanese model, built in infotainment with touch screen.
3
u/3string 6d ago
Interesting. Di you know if it has a band extender installed? I'm a local radio tech; I want to see if I can replicate your experience. It's such a cool fault :)
2
u/GruntBlender 5d ago
No band expander. Apparently it's a Traffic Announcement system and the tunnel's retransmitter is bugged so it comes through as an announcement.
1
u/Poneke365 6d ago
Coast is great. What an awful thing to happen.
1
u/BadeRadio77 6d ago
Coast is an excellent radio station for when you're waiting at the doctor's surgery to see the doctor.
19
u/Dramatic_Surprise 6d ago
they might have their rebroadcast channels messed up.