The Wrekin overnight 18th-20th January tests will affect Sutton Coldfield
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV An essential part of the tests on the new aerials at The Wrekin transmitter - so they will function correctly on switchover day, 20th April 2011 - full power overnight testing is done.
During the test, all the existing Freeview services will remain on air.
However, the analogue services will be switched off as follows:
Tuesday 18th January: BBC ONE, BBC TWO from 0020 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Wednesday 19th January: BBC ONE from 0110, BBC TWO from 0010 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Thursday 20th January: BBC ONE from 0150, BBC TWO from 0010 (plus ITV1, Channel 4 and FIVE).
Because the commercial multiplexes will use C41, C44 and C47 at The Wrekin after switchover (and hence, during these tests) this will clash with Freeview multiplexes 1, 2 and A on the Sutton Coldfield transmitter.
This means that many Sutton Coldfield Freeview users will not have usable service overnight during the testing period.
8:00 PM
John: The COM muxes from The Wrekin do not enter service on the high power channels until switchover has taken place at Sutton Coldfield.
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1:36 AM
The above gives the times of service being lost, do we know what time will normal service be resumed? - John
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10:47 PM
Dumb Question from a Wrekin tuned viewer... From the viewpoint of people tuned into the Wrekin this announcement means that there will be NO ANALOGUE service available over night on 18-20 January but Digital services will continue as normal - is that correct?
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11:07 PM
Lincoln
That's true. Wrekin Freeview service should continue uninterrupted. Viewers to some digital services from Sutton Coldfield transmitter will have poor or no reception on some channels, due to the Wrekin doing tests on the dates shown.
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Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:43 AM
If Sutton Coldfield is off air, will it affect relay stations ie: Brierley Hill
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2:44 PM
As so often with journalism the truth is tucked away at the very end of the story!
"This means that many Sutton Coldfield Freeview users will not have usable service overnight during the testing period."
It shouldn't be that big a concern - So the Wrekin's test may add some noise to a few viewers watching three of Sutton Coldfield's analogue services overnight.
What happens after the 20th April?
"After the PSB multiplexes switch at The Wrekin, the Arqiva multiplexes will remain on their pre-switchover frequencies and powers, and SDN will use a temporary frequency, for a short period before all three multiplexes adopt their final frequencies and powers during September 2011. During this transition period the commercial multiplexes will use the following frequencies: SDN ch49 and ch31 both 2kW), Arqiva A ch53(1kW), Arqiva B ch57 (1kW).
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6:40 PM
Correction to your information,Sam.
For the transition period,SDN ch39 and ch31 both 2kw will be used,not ch49.
Wrekin A=ch39
Wrekin B=ch31
Can't wait until it is 'all done and dusted'what a headache!
Final re-tune for final channel allocations and omni-directional signals from The Wrekin,is on September 28th,and i will go and have a lie down then.lol
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6:43 PM
Briantist,thank you for this information.It will be interesting to measure signal levels,as long as i can stay up long enough,on Tuesday night.
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