Nearest antenna transmitting TMC data in Newcastle area?

RobertV

I have a NUVI 660 and have been unable to even get my subscription set up. Where can I go to park near an antenna transmitting TicketMaster TMC data in the Newcastle Upon Tyne area?
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

mikealder · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

Robert, check your e-mail as I have sent you a POI file that details the RDS-TMC transmitter locations that Traffic Master use, also is a user guide detailing how to use it on the device - Mike

RobertV · Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 8:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks a lot Mike. Much appreciated. -- Robert
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

madhatter · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 22, 2005 Posts: 78

Hi just to let you know metro fm transmits the tmc data for newcastle. I live in cramlington and can pick up the tmc data fine as long as i am on the south side of Cramlintgton. If i goto Newcastle i can also pick up the tmc. Hope this helps.

RobertV · Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

In looking at the POIs that MIke supplied I find that I am less than 3 miles from the Fenham transmitter site. I have yet to pick up any TMC data anywhere. When I look on the NUVI for subscription information there is nothing showing. As I understand it from the NUVI manual the subscription should be set up automatically when I receive a signal. At this point I do not know whether I have a defective GTM21 or whether it is a signal strength issue. I know that my athermic windscreen should not affect normal radio signal reception but am wondering.
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

madhatter · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 22, 2005 Posts: 78

I was told leave it turned on in the car for about an hour. The ideal position for the aerial is an L shape down the rh side of the windscreen and horizontal where the windscreen meets the dashboard. I got my 660 exchanged for a 660FM because the GTM21 died after the last firmware update. I had to leave mine in the drive for 1 hour then all worked. Hope this helps. I'm off to Newcastle this afternoon so will confirm ncle is still ok.

adrian_anastas · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 73

I'm less than a mile from the closest transmitter that is on the list that Mike has, but I've never received one message from that transmitter (Alexandra Palace). I have received messages from other transmitters (Croydon, Oxford, Dunstable etc). So my guess is that Fenham is either not currently transmitting, or no longer transmitting.

From what I can understand Traffic Master and their competitor Itis Holdings have contracts with media companies to broadcast their signals. As these media companies buy and sell radio stations (and transmitters) their coverage evolves. If you read through the forum you'll see that those in the Northwest were hit when the TM affiliated network sold the Winter Hill transmitter to the Itis affiliated network.

As a general rule if you the media companbies that Traffic Master has an agreement with you can see which stations "could" be broadcasting TM data. These are:

GCapMedia http://commercial.gcapmedia.com/index.php?id=3
Chrysalis - now owned by Global Radio http://www.globalradiosales.com/global/
Capital Radio (Now owned by GCap)

What is interesting is that GCap purchased Classic FM earlier this year, and they transmit the Itis information. Here's hoping that they'll switch to TM.

RobertV · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:30 pm Post subject:

I have used the NUVI 660 in our Renault Scenic for two of the four weeks that I have owned the unit. In that time I have never had any indication that the TMC setup is working. So I attached the mount to a bedroom window and powered the system up from the mains. After about ten minutes I was able to see traffic messages. I checked the subscriptions and encountered the "Subscription not yet activated" message. What I did find that was odd was that clicking on the OK button for that message showed two active subscriptions. One was a TTN (US) 3 month subscription. The other was a MICHELIN (FR) Lifetime subscription. I know that others have been receiving UK traffic data when there is no UK subscription shown so I assume that it is a software issue with the GTM21. The fact that I was able to solidly receive traffic data in the house indicates to me that the other issue is one of signal level that is likely related to my type of windscreen that, though theoretically should not affect FM transmissions, does in fact attenuate just enough for an already weak signal to drop out completely. I wonder how many of those people experiencing similar loss of signal also have the new athermic windscreens.
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

RobertV · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:37 pm Post subject:

I have used the NUVI 660 in our Renault Scenic for two of the four weeks that I have owned the unit. In that time I have never had any indication that the TMC setup is working. So I attached the mount to a bedroom window and powered the system up from the mains. After about ten minutes I was able to see traffic messages. I checked the subscriptions and encountered the "Subscription not yet activated" message. What I did find that was odd was that clicking on the OK button for that message showed two active subscriptions. One was a TTN (US) 3 month subscription. The other was a MICHELIN (FR) Lifetime subscription. I know that others have been receiving UK traffic data when there is no UK subscription shown so I assume that it is a software issue with the GTM21. The fact that I was able to solidly receive traffic data in the house indicates to me that the other issue is one of signal level that is likely related to my type of windscreen that, though theoretically should not affect FM transmissions, does in fact attenuate just enough for an already weak signal to drop out completely. I wonder how many of those people experiencing similar loss of signal also have the new athermic windscreens.
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

RobertV · Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 11:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry about the second, duplicate message. It seems that whenever the webpage expires and I press the refresh button it submits my last message again. Is there any way for me to delete the duplicate message?
_________________
Garmin NUVI 660 with 2010 maps, Navman 550, Garmin Etrex Vista, Garmin 775

GPS_fan · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:23 am Post subject:

adrian_anastas · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 73

swing · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 11:18 am Post subject:

Certainly in the early days of my Nuvi ownership, I could get an occasional signal from my GTM12 in my car, but my wife's car (with an athermic windscreen) NEVER got a TMC signal. Not tried it since.
_________________
Please don't be offended if I do not reply to a PM - please ask questions via the forums.

adrian_anastas · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 73

swing · Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

Soon after the car manufacturer provided a SatNav CD with TMC, so I have never felt the need to try the GTM12 with the athermic windscreen since.

For my own car, I now use a GTM10 permanently wired into the car aerial, although I still use the GTM12 from time to time.
_________________
Please don't be offended if I do not reply to a PM - please ask questions via the forums.

	PocketGPS
	Web