tomtom 720t

[jimmy3839]

Hi All

As I understand it my new tom-tom 720t receives its rds TMC data via Classic FM. Which I believe transmits between 100 and 102 FM. I have selected the UK as my RDS-TMC country, yet my tom-tom still scans all other frequencies seemingly random between 87 - 108. Its hard enough trying to get it to lock on Classic Fm as it is, without scanning all over the place. Does anybody know of a reason for this?

I find it strange that I must select the country I'm in, for the RDS-TMC to work. If only my sat nav had some form of locating device inside to tell the software where it was !!!!!!

Even after a lock I have twice now travelled through the M1 roadwork's works just north of M25 after being told that I have a 277 min delay on both days. (Think this has already been covered in other posts)

I'm using software 7.221 in my unit and finding the RDS-TMC totally rubbish.

Other than that what a brilliant device it is. Really pleased with it.

[DennisN]

As I understand it, it doesn't use just one Classic FM frequency, it piggybacks on it, at lower power. It hunts, just the same as Classic FM when it loses signal (sadly, rather frequently). With luck, somebody clever will come on here and explain it all to you, if you haven't already found out more via the Search button.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[mikealder]

Welcome to the forum, the RDS device is desinged to work accross all of Europe, although I do agree that selecting the UK option should reduce the scan range - however iTIS (the information provider) have been extending their network of transmitters which now includes additional stations over and above Classic FM - Once this enhancement is complete the following freqencies will be used:

-4.008554,50.550221,100.0 North Hessary Tor (160)
-2.987408,56.554351,100.1 Angus (10)
-1.834595,52.600374,100.1 Sutton Coldfield (250)
-2.333352,51.387169,100.2 Bath (200)
-4.492208,54.141397,100.2 Douglas (1)
-1.753815,53.832607,100.3 Idle (0.5)
-1.77248,54.868862,100.3 Pontop Pike (130)
-1.368741,50.676452,100.3 Rowridge (250)
-0.670078,51.998731,100.4 Bow Brickhill (10)
-2.540321,51.996903,100.4 Ridge Hill (4.8)
-0.173768,53.336218,100.5 Belmont (6.4)
-7.36984,55.00404,100.5 Londonderry (31)
-2.400854,57.385892,100.5 Meldrum (150)
-4.655178,51.943918,100.5 Preseli (7.3)
-0.075526,51.424001,100.6 Crystal Palace (2)
-4.272027,52.99229,100.7 Arfon (19)
-1.794897,51.608655,100.8 Blunsdon (0.72)
-2.794171,55.555714,100.9 Selkirk (5.4)
0.287541,51.320349,100.9 Wrotham (250)
-1.664065,54.977345,101.0 Fenham (0.05)
-4.102794,52.358824,101.1 Blaen Plwyf (10)
-1.858144,53.53347,101.1 Holme Moss (250)
-4.290592,55.579116,101.3 Darvel (8)
-3.920041,51.629095,101.3 Kilvey Hill (1)
-1.179334,51.79029,101.3 Oxford (46)
-4.278492,57.591446,101.4 Mounteagle (11)
-2.563052,51.485198,101.4 Pur Down/ Tapton Hill (0.2)
-5.238885,50.20942,101.5 Redruth (10)
1.139416,52.518394,101.5 Tacoineston (250)
-1.150559,54.358337,101.6 Bllsdale West Moor (2)
-3.854554,53.333076,101.6 Great Ormes Head (2.5)
-3.874109,55.86119,101.7 Black Hill (250)
-1.514416,53.378865,101.7 Shefield (0.5)
-3.282434,51.459753,101.7 Wenvoe (250)
1.247402,51.111455,101.8 Dover (5.2)
-0.978983,51.48031,101.8 Hemdean (0.5)
-3.168098,54.201978,101.8 Morecambe Bay (6.4)
-6.01098,54.60667,101.9 Divis (250)
-0.340911,52.507954,101.9 Peterborough (40)
-0.113051,50.824773,101.9 Whitehawk Hill (0.5)
-3.14181,54.747772,99.9 Sandale (250)
-0.086189,51.409787,102.2 Croydon (2)
-2.515544,53.625022,105.4 Winter Hill (5)
-1.715164,54.821113,101.8 Burnhope (10)
-1.150559,54.358337,"100.7 Billsdale West More (8,9)"
-1.945281,54.982289,"96.4 Newton (0,2)"
-1.664065,54.977345,"96.2 Fenham (0,05)"
-2.515544,53.625022,105.4 Winter Hill (5)
-0.801481,52.801201,"106.6 Waltham (10,8)"
-1.834595,52.600374,105.7 Sutton Coalfield (11)
-2.871475,53.507905,"102.4 Billinge Hill (0,1)"
-2.581377,53.354165,"107.2 High Warren (0,1)"
-2.281753,53.027154,102.6 Alsagers Bank (4)
-2.101766,53.205426,"96.4 Sutton Common (0,25)"
-2.020688,52.728141,"96.9 Pye Green (0,2)"
-2.728802,54.67457,"102.5 Penrith (0,1)"
-3.462638,54.683211,"102.2 Broughton Moor (0,815)"
-3.557854,54.495975,"103.4 Whitehaven (0,4)"
-3.091207,54.772503,"96.4 Caldbeck 1,25)"
-0.086189,51.409787,100 Croydon (2)
-0.086189,51.409787,105.4 Croydon (4)
-2.627334,51.236698,101 Mendip (40)
-2.562852,51.469014,"97.2 Pur Down (0,3)"
-0.248153,52.617206,"107.7 Gunthope (0,2)"
1.330888,52.574313,106.1 Stoke Holy Cross (4)
1.106125,52.23418,106.4 Mendlesham (20)
0.036074,52.215236,105.6 Madingley (1)
-1.948942,50.728508,"105.8 Poole (0,625)"
-1.3295,50.649254,105.2 Chillerton Down (10)
-4.06736,51.818132,105.2 Carmel (3)
-3.097905,51.806906,"105.2 Abergavenny (0,3)"
-3.403277,51.45747,105.4 St Hilary (5)
-4.66099,51.943786,"105.7 Pesely (9,4)"
-2.93556,51.601507,105.9 Christchurch (1)
-3.399257,51.702099,"105.9 Aberdare (0,02)"
-3.920041,51.629095,106 Kilvey Hill (1)
-4.307853,51.867612,"106 Carmarthen (0,02)"
-3.220237,51.771532,"106.1 Ebbw Vale (0,02)"
-4.997342,52.012143,"106.2 Fish Guard (0,5)"

As you can see from the list above the frequency range is considerably wider than just Classic FM - Mike

[DennisN]

PS - Welcome to the forum and do a backup, using Windows Explorer, NOW and at future regular intervals.

Useful stuff here
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[DennisN]

Don't you just HATE it when Mike does that? I bet he didn't type it all out himself.
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

[mikealder]

[jimmy3839]

Thanks for your replies guys. its making more sense now. I didn't realise other station also transmitting the data. Thanks to mike for the list. I know this post was a cut and paste, but the original still had to be made. Thank you.

Will be backing up often to. you can never do to many backups.

[mikealder]

Perhaps a Map showing where the locations would be a better way to illustrate where these are in the country - Mike



Red ones are the existing Tx units, Green ones are the newer one that have to still come on line at the time of writing

[AndyVaughan]

Mike,

You are just showing off now :-)

Next you will be offering out a custom POI set with all that transmitter info in

Andy

[mikealder]

[AndyVaughan]

12mths ago we needed it so that we could drive round one handed trying to manually tune in whilst soldering extra aerials on!

Still got the copy from ages ago thanks, as you say I don't seem to use it anymore - although I can't wait for the new transmitters to come on line to see if they cure the M66 TMC Bermuda Triangle!

Andy

[twvw]

Through Classic FM?

I thought it was received via your mobile phone?

Am I completely confused?

[mikealder]

Welcome to the forum, RDS-TMC is received via a dedicated add on module that connects to some TomTom PNA devices currently x10, x20, One XL, One Third Edition.
The add on device is a radio receiver that pulls in information broadcast over Classic FM and a few other frequencies. Once the receiver is purchaced it is free to use for life, the subscription service is totally different and uses the Mobile Phone GPRS connection this costs a set amount per year plus data traffic related charges your phone network provider applies - there are two ways to receive Traffic, if your device supports the connection - Mike

[twvw]

Thank you so much for that rapid response!

I have the TomTom 720T. It came with a receiver thingy in the box. Does this mean I can use the Classic FM method or the GPRS?

[mikealder]

If you connect the RDS receiver the device will use that by default and ignore any GPRS connection that might be available to it from your phone.

There are subtle differences between the two systems though, whilst they both use data from the same provider (iTIS Holdings) the GPRS information is full country coverage, the RDS-TMC provides more regional feeds, that said in use it is not a problem. The area coverage is very large and device will re-tune as you move up or down the country providing information prior to you entering an area.

The big gripe with RDS though is still reception, it is by far better than it was last year, but it is no substitute for a mobile phone signal which works nearly everywhere. As you have the receiver plug it in to the base of the device and give it a try, if it works it will save you the running costs of using GPRS via your phone, and remember no further subscription charges - Mike

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