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Automatic postcode fixes

The site now has a feature that corrects a few problems with the automatic postcode feature.

The site now has a feature that corrects a few problems with th
published on UK Free TV

I have created an administration facility for UK Free TV that deals with the "automatic postcode" facility that provides links to the mapping, Digital UK trade view and BBC fault reporting system.

The first "feature" is that posts that have provided a postcode as part of the input text now use the provided postcode for the "automatic system". Before, the message creator would have had to put their details into the box at the top right for this postcode to show the automatic links. Only fully validated postcodes (with the usual space between the two parts) work for this.

The second feature is that postcodes that have been stored but do not validate will no longer show the "automatic" links. The invalid postcode is now showing as text at the end of the post.

The third "feature" is that a bug was causing some text inputs to be hidden from the end of posts. All these posts now display their text in full.



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Comments
Friday, 8 July 2011
A
Alan
1:18 PM
Godstone

Hi,

I have recently noticed a problem with your postcode prediction system in my area. If I search using a local postcode like RH8 9HT or RH9 8ET it lists Crystal Palace as the main transmitter and Heathfield, Croydon,Tunbridge Wells, Dover, Midhurst as others available. It doesn't mention the Reigate Hill transmitter at all and its location is not even marked on the map! Reigate Hill normally provides this strongest signal in the area and it used to be listed on the prediction search. Don't think I am doing anything dumb!
Alan


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Alan's 2 posts GB flag
Alan's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

6:11 PM

Alan : Although this is really Briantists domain, just out of interest I carried out a "trade" predictor check on your (not as in example) post code, revealed that at this present time reception is shown as being only possible on three Mux's, although only the first (Mux1/ Ch31) being at a level whereby reasonable reception could be expected, the other two not!

This situation doesn't alter that much until Reigate's switchover stage 2 on the18th April 2012 when reception of all Mux's should then be possible, this also applying to Crystal Palace on the same date.

Other additions being Tunbridge Wells on 13th June 2012, and likewise Heathfield on the same date.

I have purposely not mentioned a few odd changes on dates preceding the changes mentioned, as these involve situations whereby only an odd Mux may be receivable and not a full compliment of stations.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Ash
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

2:30 PM

Hi Brian,

I like your postcode feature, but I dislike the way the site then makes it public for all to see. That's why I have made posts with more than one email address, this one doesn't reveal the street I live in to the outside world. It would be nice to have some kind of privacy setting!

Ash

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Ash's 27 posts GB flag
Monday, 11 July 2011
A
Alan
7:50 PM

jb38: The post codes provided do report a low level in trade view. It seems that they have re adjusted the predicted levels in the area, you can actually pick up a 40 - 45dB signal on channels 21,24,27 and 31. I know there will always be differences in predicted / received levels, I was just surprised that the closest transmitter (Reigate Hill - less than 7 miles) is not listed at all, especially as the Dover (+ Midhurst) transmitter is over 70 miles away and you have no hope receiving a signal before or after the switch over yet they are on the map and listed. Seems strange to me - maybe a simple answer.

Thanks
Alan

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Alan's 2 posts GB flag
J
jb38
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

9:15 PM

Alan: I fully agree with what you say about predicted / received levels, as any predictions made involving RF signals in frequency band ranges such as is used by Freeview is open to wide variations for all sorts of reasons, even at relatively short distances.

However as far as Reigate is concerned I wouldn't really know about what you mention, as it "is" listed in both predictors I use, Digital UK's trade predictor being the main one used to assess what's expected signal / quality wise across all the transmitters applicable to a particular post code, and secondly Wolfbane being used purely for its distance measurements and Mux channel number references, as it's notorious for being way-out on some of its other statements.

But as originally mentioned, your question was really in Briantists domain as far as an answer was concerned for that particular question, and it was only because I was interested myself in what you said that I sort of ad-libbed in a fashion by giving the indications that I was getting for the post code concerned.

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jb38's 7,179 posts GB flag
Friday, 15 July 2011
C
chris
10:36 AM

Retuned TVs after switch over and 4 of five switch off afteer 10 minutes and say no signal or display freeview sign?.

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chris's 2 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:09 PM

chris: As posted elsewhere, you have too much signal. Remove any booster or amplifier from your system.

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Briantist's 38,914 posts GB flag
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:52 PM

Ash: The postcodes are never shown as text, but they have to be used to pass the links to Digital UK and the BBC...

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Briantist's 38,914 posts GB flag
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Ash
sentiment_satisfiedBronze

9:55 PM

Briantist: OK, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I thought they appeared next to people's usernames but it now seems a placename appears instead.

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Ash's 27 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:06 PM

Ash: I don't think they have ever appeared - at least they shouldn't have! The post town is a little less .. specific.

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Briantist's 38,914 posts GB flag
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