Repairs to Wonga TV repeater station, but more disruptions likely
TV RECEPTION
Residents of Wonga and nearby suburbs have been told to expect a few more disruptions to their TV signals before the area’s repeater station is fixed.
Paul Turnbull of Newell-based Aerials Up North told Newsport that the local TV repeater facility – shared by Telstra and Optus – suffered water damage during recent heavy rainfall events.
“So it’s not just a simple matter of replacing a fuse or something like that,” Mr Turnbull said. “The whole circuit box and lockbox have to be replaced,” he said, estimating costs could be $10,000 or more.
Not only do the electrical circuits and electronics need repair – the structures housing the equipment, off Wonga Beach Road, are in a below average state of repair and will most likely be upgraded, according to Mr Turnbull, who’s installed antennas and aerials in the area for over 25 years.
Another issue causing the delays in repairs is a disagreement between Optus and Telstra over who will pay the technician contractor for the work.
“There’s a bit of politics in this too,” he said.
“Technician won't fix until that's sorted,” one resident of Wonga, Claire Durrant, said in a message to Newsport, adding that they’ve already been without free-to-air TV since last week.
Dozens of complaints about no TV reception – or intermittent signals – were posted on social media, and details of the disruptions of TV, which started last Friday, were also sent to Newsport.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) said it has contacted the broadcasters responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Wonga Beach transmission site to confirm the status of the television transmission services broadcast from that site.
“The broadcasters advised that the site experienced transmission problems due to major power supply issues from Friday 10 March 2023 till Tuesday 14 March 2023,” an ACMA spokesperson told Newsport.
“During that period, all television services were unavailable most of the time. A temporary generator was installed on site, and all services were restored at approximately 7pm on Tuesday 14 March.”
Mr Turnbull also confirmed that after initial problems with one generator brought in as a temporary power measure, another generator has been up and running the TV signal repeater since Tuesday evening.
But there will be further disruptions for an hour or two each time, when repairs are finally done.