Why can I sometimes here the radio right through dartford tunnel, but usually not?

Question

I regulary drive though the dartford tunnel for work, while listening to the radio, and 99% of the time as I enter the tunnel the signal cuts out until I leave the tunnel again (as you'd expect). But rarley I get the signal fine right the way through the tunnel, maybe a bit hazzy, but good enough to listen - I just wondered why this could be?

Answer 1

It might have something to do with the current that could be affecting the radio signal. I don't live far from the tunnel and my radio works very well.

Answer 2

I don't know the tunnel you speak of, but a tunnel is a tunnel and radio is radio. there are some good answers posted. I'm curious if it's AM or FM or DAB.

I also wonder if someone didn't finally get approval and get a small repeater set in there? In the states there are certain times of the year when some types of stations have to make signal changes to accommodate the coming of winter and ending of Daylight Savings Time - tis especially true of AM stations. It could be something similar in the UK. One answerer mentioned it's been getting cooler, some radio signals are affected to the good when the weather is cooler.

-a guy named duh

Answer 3

you are going down hill under the Thames the signal cant penetrate that deep.there is talk of fitting transponders inside the 2 tunnels for radio reception.

Answer 4

There is a transmitter in Dartford Tunnel but I can't remember which station(s) it relays.

Maybe it depends if you're listening to a station carried by that TX.

Answer 5

its to do with the way radio waves fall,

For the most part, FM and TV signals are line-of-sight. Although this means that FM stations don't interfere with each other, this characteristic creates a couple of other problems.

First, these waves go in a straight line and don't bend around the earth as AM ground waves do. They quickly disappear into space — which may be fine if you are sitting on Mars trying to listen to your FM radio.

I work with a company that for years has tried to get a booster signal in that tunnel, but ofcom wont allow it.  but until a booster is put in its the best its going to get.

In the mean time a AM radio station will be picked up in the tunnel.

Answer 6

might be something to do with signal strength, it might vary occaisionally??

i hate the dartford tunnel, it stinks

Answer 7

the signal strength and the weather will have everything to do with it.

next time you get the signal all the way through the tune see what the weather is like and remember for the next time it happens

regards x Kitti x

Answer 8

I've been finding this too, usually I just get static, but for about the last week I've picked up the signal all the way through (I listen to capital in case that makes a difference)

I'm assuming it's down to signal strength which may also be affected by atmospheric conditions (mornings have been a little colder and damper the past week or so)

I've also noticed the signal is better in the right hand tunnel compared to the lefdt, not sure if one is deeper than the other but that also might be contributing.