SA Outback Roadsigns out of action... Satellite issue..
Submitted: Friday, May 10, 2024 at 16:30
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Member - Duncan2H
Thuraya??
Signs out
Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:01
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:01
Sorry I don't really get this - is this just a joke? ie. manual sign so how does the satellite outage affect this?
Anyway on a side note, we are being interviewed by the ABC NT radio next week to talk about road signs in the outback - and I wanted to get some input from the
Forum to share with the listeners. If you're like us and travelling the outback extensively you've no doubt seen some funny/quirky/unique signs such as skulls and oil drum lids to mark turnoffs, but also hand written funny signs (like Lift' em foot" on the
Mereenie Loop). Prompt me with some that you reckon are newsworthy and I'll be sure to include them.
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:07
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:07
err.. no joke.. not sure what part was misunderstood?
They are electronically controlled signs showing road conditions in outback SA.. they are controlled remotely, data communications via satellite .. the whole network of signs is currently not being updated.
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Follow Up By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:35
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 18:35
Oh ok! I thought that was a manual signboard.
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Follow Up By: IvanTheTerrible - Friday, May 10, 2024 at 21:34
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 21:34
I dont know of any manual sign boards. Most if not all are now automated.
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Follow Up By: Candace S. - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 08:18
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 08:18
Back in the day...June 2008, in this case:
Manually-updated track conditions sign, Oodnadatta, June 2008
D&M, are you going to create a new thread for us to share pics of signs?
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Reply By: Andrew L - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 09:13
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 09:13
No doubt an effect from solar storms hitting the earth yesterday
and today
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan2H - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 09:18
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 09:18
Ah that's a more plausible explanation..
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Follow Up By: Member - Warren H - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 13:53
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 13:53
Stephen L and Cuppa reported that they were down about the same time as the Thuraya satellite failed. There have been ongoing solar storms for several weeks, I reckon that it's quite likely they were responsible for the T3 loss.
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Follow Up By: Member - David M (SA) - Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 16:12
Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 16:12
I wonder what their "fail safe" setting is. Just a blank screen. ?
Dave.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:37
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 11:37
As I understand it, those signs operate on a "targeted command" basis via satellite.
That is, they are not in constant communication but receive a command when change is required so without command they will maintain the last status indefinitely.
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Follow Up By: Member - David M (SA) - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 12:19
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 12:19
Would be interesting if the last status was open when they just had 25mm of rain 100km up the road.
Dave. :)
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 12:23
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 12:23
.
Who would believe that anything could possibly go wrong?
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 08:08
Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 08:08
This is not the first time that there have been issues with these signs after they were “automated”. In 2017, there was a communication drop out with the sign at the
Marla end of The
Oodnadatta. The signs stated the track was closed. When I asked at the
Marla Roadhouse, they advised they had nothing to do with the signs anymore and could not tell me what the road conditions were like. Down the highway at
Cadney Park, the signs stated the track was open. We diverted to The
Oodnadatta there.
When we got to
William Creek the signs there stated the Track was open all the way to
Marla. We asked why the signs at
Marla stated that the Track was closed, they advised that there are sometimes occasions when the comms go down, and the signs can be incorrect. At that point in time, there was no “manual back up” processes in place. Sound like nothing has changed in the intervening 7 years.
Macca.
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