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GPS killer spots (or something else)?

by simonmb
Tue, Feb 18, 2025 18:36
8

My commute takes me past a spot where, without fail, every day, my Garmin (almost) shuts down. Edensor Road, Chiswick. Exact same spot every time. It kind of goes into half-dead mode and displays the start-up screen, and beeps that I'm off course. With enough button pressing and while continuing to move away, it comes back to life. Does anyone have any idea about what's there? Has anyone experienced similar here or elsewhere?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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matthewn5 | 1 month ago
2 likes

If it is indeed the Moldovan Embassy there, it could be their own electronic surveillance stuff - or perhaps, Russian surveillance of Moldovan embassy staff ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66320894

https://tvn24.pl/tvn24-news-in-english/surveillance-devices-on-the-roofs...

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simonmb replied to matthewn5 | 1 month ago
0 likes

I'm not entirely sure Moldova is a real country. I thought it was created in the 1960s to feature in spy films starring Peter Sellers and David Niven. It's a joke that's gone too far.

I can't imagine I'm the only cyclist or runner who passes the spot, and it can't be a unique situation nationwide. It just struck me as odd.

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brooksby replied to simonmb | 1 month ago
1 like

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moldova

Quote:

Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe, on the northeastern corner of the Balkans. The country spans a total of 33,483 km2 (12,928 sq mi) and has a population of approximately 2.42 million as of January 2024. Moldova is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south.

You're thinking of Lugash - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Pink_Panther

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mdavidford replied to simonmb | 1 month ago
3 likes

simonmb wrote:

I'm not entirely sure Moldova is a real country.

You are Vladimir Putin, and I claim my 10 roubles.

Avatar
chrisonabike replied to mdavidford | 1 month ago
1 like

You're confusing him with Donald Trump... (who is probably hazy on Moldova also).

Here's a cheerful ditty from Eurovision which might help him (info on it here)!  OTOH it was kinda suggesting that maybe it shouldn't be...

Avatar
cqexbesd | 1 month ago
1 like

If its not just losing the GPS signal, which presumably shouldn't lead it to being half-dead, then there is probably a strong EM field there. Have you checked any other devices? DAB radios are often susceptible.

If you happen to know any local radio amateurs they might be able to put you in touch with someone with the equipment to investigate. In theory you can complain to Ofcom but I don't expect they would act unless there were lots of complaints (or complaints from "important people").

If you are into that kind of thing there are some interesting YouTube videos with people tracking down all sorts of interference.

Avatar
Tom_77 | 1 month ago
2 likes

Does it happen outside the Moldavian Embassy?

Or maybe it's the chip shop.

Avatar
simonmb replied to Tom_77 | 1 month ago
3 likes

It can't be the chip shop. Only positive vibes come from chip shops.

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