Analogue and digital signal strength
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Many people ask why they can receive an OK analogue picture, but need to upgrade their aerial to get Freeview, or sometimes get perfect Freeview reception when the analogue picture is very poor.
The digital signals are currently broadcast at low power (this will change as switchover happens) to prevent interference with the existing analogue signals. Thankfully most Freeview boxes can work with these weak signals. The following list shows the strength of the digital signal compared to the analogue for the 80 Freeview transmitters.
Expr2
Aberdare: 15%
Angus: 2000%
Beacon Hill: 1%
Belmont: 1.43%
Bilsdale: 1.15%
Black Hill: 4%
Blaenplwyf: 1.66%
Bluebell Hill: 8.88%
Bressay: 10%
Brierley Hill: 1.22%
Bristol Kings Weston: 4.5%
Bromsgrove: 1550%
Brougher Mountain: 0.5%
Caldbeck: 0.82%
Caradon Hill: 0.76%
Carmel: 2%
Chatton: 4.16%
Chesterfield: 1.8%
Craigkelly: 2%
Crystal Palace: 2%
Darvel: 2%
Divis: 0.49%
Dover: 1%
Durris: 2%
Eitshal: 0.8%
Emley Moor: 0.93%
Fenham: 1%
Fenton: 0.5%
Guildford: 1%
Hannington: 4%
Hastings: 18.3%
Heathfield: 1.2%
Hemel Hempstead: 2%
Huntshaw Cross: 3.66%
Idle: 2%
Ilchester Crescent: 4%
Keelylang Hill: 1%
Keighley: 0.91%
Kilvey Hill: 3.83%
Knock More: 1%
Lancaster: 1.83%
Lark Stoke: 416.66%
Limavady: 0.8%
Llanddona: 1%
Malvern: 10%
Mendip: 1.83%
Midhurst: 1.25%
Moel-Y-Parc: 0.41%
Nottingham: 1.85%
Olivers Mount: 9.1%
Oxford: 1.6%
Pendle Forest: 18.2%
Plympton: 9.15%
Pontop Pike: 1.93%
Pontypool: 6%
Presely: 0.83%
Redruth: 1.85%
Reigate: 1500%
Ridge Hill: 2%
Rosemarkie: 10%
Rosneath: 2%
Rowridge: 4%
Rumster Forest: 1.33%
Saddleworth: 1.8%
Salisbury: 6.9%
Sandy Heath: 1.83%
Selkirk: 6%
Sheffield: 1%
Stockland Hill: 1%
Storeton: 2550%
Sudbury: 2.01%
Sutton Coldfield: 0.8%
Tacolneston: 2.66%
The Wrekin: 1%
Torosay: 0.62%
Tunbridge Wells: 1%
Waltham: 1.8%
Wenvoe: 1.16%
Whitehawk Hill: 3.67%
Winter Hill: 1.83%
9:22 PM
I live in Margate, Kent which has always had reception problems. I have heard of the inversion effect, which is the probable cause of our lack of reception, but don't know of any solution. Any ideas?
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Irena Abbott: See this posting from someone else in Margate:
What is the Inversion Effect and why does it effect my Freeview TV reception?
| ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
I have just noticed that Margate used Group A channels (bottom third of the band of TV frequencies) for analogue, and now uses C/D (top third band of frequencies) ones. Consequently, there will be a lot of Group A aerials, some of which may need replacing because they aren't sensitive enough on C/D channels.
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11:31 PM
Halifax
Irena Abbott.The only solution to reception difficulties due to the inversion effect in mainly anti-cyclonic conditions is to leave well alone and let nature take its course.
Sometimes if you were to rescan in atmospherics you could end up losing all your current channels set up and instead gain short term distant alien (not the ET type) transmissions which often dissipate soon after often within a few minutes.
You can always take a gamble with risks involved !
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:34 PM
I have been told having researched this - For information,Company who runs TV Mast at Limavady is called - Arqiva they can be contact directly at www.arqiva.com or on +44 (0) 1962 823434. 0.8% IS TRUELY AWAFUL HOW IS ANYONE SUSSPOSSED TO GET PICTURE WITH THAT COMPARED TO SIGNAL CURRENTLY....
I do hope that problem I highlighted is successfully resolved asap if any problems with switchover this is the place to contact above to report/issues/problems.
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9:26 AM
Mostly will still need roof mounted directional ariels but some may not where signals strongest.
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2:29 PM
Benfleet
since thursday 21 feb 2013 i have not been able to get signal on my tv except all bbc programmes are ok
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jack's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
6:23 PM
since the change over i cannot get a tv signal bought a set top box no luck! got sky round! too many trees to get reception same with getting a new arial.. so i have to pay an extra 30 pounds to get a tv reception from virgin this and my tv licence? why why am i punnished just because of this??
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susan hudson: The TV Licence permits one to view broadcast programmes and gives no warranties as to availability of signals and no assistance to receive any available signals.
The Public Service Broadcasters, which includes the BBC to which the Licence Fee goes, must ensure that most of the population can receive its services via a terrestrial aerial. There are always spots where reception isn't possible, either because the terrain precludes it or because of another obstruction such as trees.
In your case you are most unfortunate if you cannot receive any digital terrestrial (Freeview) signals particularly if you could pick up the former analogue. Was the analogue poor? I imagine that it might have been affected as the wind blew the trees and probably worse in summer when leaves were on the trees.
There are two main satellite platforms: Sky with its subscription service (although it does offer its own "Freesat from Sky" service) and Freesat. Freesat (not to be confused with "Freesat from Sky") is the satellite equivalent of Freeview - there are some channel differences.
You say you had Sky round to look at putting up a dish. I'm not familiar with Sky but I wonder whether engineers have limits as to what they will do. For example, if in your case it is possible to receive a satellite signal but the dish would need to be mounted on a very long pole above the roof line, would a Sky engineer go to this length? If the answer is "no" then you need an independent rigger who can fit the dish high up.
However, if you've already had a rigger to look at installing a terrestrial aerial and he's said it's not possible, I imagine that he may have also pondered the possibility of satellite reception and come to the same conclusion.
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7:51 PM
susan hudson:
As I understand planning law, it not legal to mount a dish so that it is above the line of the highest point of your roof, excluding chimneys. If the roof is a typical ridged design with a row of tiles along the top, the dish may not be above that. So it should not be mounted above that on a long pole that would sway in the wind and give variable reception.
Best to ask you local Council Planning Department for advice on mounting dishes in your location.
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susan hudson: Further to MikeP's comment, these might be useful to you:
A householder's planning guide for the installation of antennas (including satellite dishes) - Detailed guidance - GOV.UK
Planning Portal - Satellite,TV and Radio Antenna
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