Wyoming DOT Highway Advisory Radio Station WQBJ389 Rock Springs, WY

This is a clip of the Wyoming DOT Highway Advisory Radio system along I-80 at Rock Springs, WY. This was captured August 2019.
Wyoming DOT operates 20 HAR sites throughout the state at key decision points in addition to a few portable transmitters as well licensed statewide for 530/1610 AM. The present HAR system was apparently implemented in the mid 2000s. Most of the sites are found at 1610 AM. Flashing signs exist on roads near each of the HAR sites. The flashing signage is apparently still DTMF tone operated to this day as I have heard these stations break into DTMF tones before. Some of these station also can carry local tourism information. The programming was different at one point. WyDOT originally had some pre recorded segments with the station ID, tourist messages or construction advisories and text to speech with real time road condition reports, some also had segments that told you the current time and date as well (in vintage speech synthesis) and then they would cut into local NOAA Weather Radio every couple cycles. Between voice segments would be the audible ear piercing DTMF tones to ensure communication with the advisory signage. The service is fully automated and originally ran by an inexpensive "Raspberry Pi" computer interface in the day.
As of 2017, they integrated the programming of the HAR into the 511 system so now programming is all in the same automated voice as when you dial 511 (this apparently means they retired using "Raspberry Pi" in favor of a newer system). Unfortunately I do not have recordings of the original "Raspberry Pi" set up sadly but I do have stuff with the DTMF tones audible in the present set up (yes they still have to broadcast DTMF tones to activate the advisory flashers on the signs).Wyoming DOT found through surveys in 2022 that an older population still uses HAR in the state and tune it in from their homes. Because of this, they feel their HAR is unaffected by the AM radio access being dropped in EVs putting Wyoming in the "leans strongly in favor of HAR" category. If the AM band is entirely dropped, then HAR any place would go away and WyDOT would premote 511 and its mobile app but HAR will remain a choice in Wyoming at this time!
According to copyright.gov, "Fair use is a legal doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances. Section 107 of the Copyright Act provides the statutory framework for determining whether something is a fair use and identifies certain types of uses-such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research-as examples of activities that may qualify as fair use."

[@GeneSavage]

LOL... this station has their legal ID requirements covered. 🤣

[@travelerinforadiofan9566]

They are looping it because there is nothing they were needing to broadcast at that time.

[@johnguild8850]

Bored in Wyoming

[@weldrider1]

Cool...That could be several different places along the I-5 in Cali too...They look the same..

[@travelerinforadiofan9566]

Yeah