Taxi Driver Online

A chap has e-mailed the site with his concerns, asking if anyone can give him any advice.

Alex


Hi

I do hope that somebody from your organisation might be able to assist me with any background information regarding the “TETRA Airwave” Security Telecomms Masts disabling TX1 Taxis. I am another innocent public victim caught up in this debacle which I now understand could possibly affect millions of motorists.

My Subaru’s ignition/alarm system is increasingly being completely immobilised and my case has been featured recently on BBC Radio & TV as well as the national press. I have contacted all companies and authorities involved and no-one will accept liability! Unfortunately due to a stalemate situation, it would seem that I am going to have to take a legal action in court in order to resolve my damages and losses. I have also contacted the car manufacturers association with no support as well as writing to my MP, MEP, the Home Office as well as Trading Standards (who I am pleased to say are supporting my case). I am therefore investigating the story that has been reported in the Edinburgh News, with regards fleets of TX1 Taxis being similarly affected.

In researching this now nationwide problem I understand that the “Airwave” security forces communications frequency (as featured in the OFCOM R.A.K.E. Guidelines) can effect both Taxis and other vehicle makes (millions according to AA & RAC data).

Are you able to confirm the judgement and any replacement/repairs that have been carried out with effected taxi fleets to-date?

I do hope you will understand my concern and I look forward to hearing from you asap.

Thanks

_________________
ʎɐqǝ uo pɹɐoqʎǝʞ ɐ ʎnq ı ǝɯıʇ ʇsɐן ǝɥʇ sı sıɥʇ

Simply the best taxi forum in the whole wide world. www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Well that'll be a fault of the vehicles unless the Tetra transmitters are out of their licenced specification (unlikely). The receiver in the car will not be able to 'see' the keyfob due to the keyfob's transmisson being drowned out by the Tetra one. (this is by the way presuming the story is about the keyfob not working to unlock and mobillse the vehicle).

The 'blame' is down to the receiver, it is not very selective and needs improving to reject unwanted signals, and blame should not be because someone who is legally transmitting happens to affect it.

So in this case it's up to Subaru to find a suitable fix so that the electronics is not affected by transmissions on 380 - 400 MHz (AFAIK the range used for Tetra in the UK).

A suitable filter circuit added to the keyfob receiver amplifier in the car will sort it out - not too difficult.

I remember a few weeks ago on the telly this chap who could never get his car started after visiting the local supermarket.

Everytime he went the shop he had to get the AA to come and move him a mile away before his car would start.

Which does beg the question, WTF doesn't he get rid of it?

_________________
IDFIMH

I have a friend that has a car dealership that has a similar and embarassing problem. The location of their showroom near to a telecom mast means that non of the cars central locking sytems work. It's not Subaru and I promissed never to disclose the actual dealership or make.
I drive an Alpha and experiance locking difficulties in certain locations. It's a real pain but it is down to the simple receivers at the car end of things rather than the telecom sites.

Bill

It seems to affect older 415mhz (might be 418??) systems.

Also discussed here;

http://www.fastblacks.com/fasttalk/viewtopic.php?t=305&highlight=