Full Freeview on the Rowridge (Isle Of Wight, England) transmitter

_{sentiment_very_satisfied}Platinum

3:35 PM

Steve: The "problems" that are reported are those issued by the broadcasting authorities rather than those of viewers.

The Commercial (COM) from aren't as strong horizontally and this is because they overlap with and which uses the same three channels. The weaker and high error rate "could" be a symptom of that, the remedy being to switch the to vertical polarisation to take advantage of the stronger COM signals and "rejection" of a co-channel transmitter.

This assumes that you haven't already switched your aerial.

S

Steve
4:06 PM

Hi Dave,

I just tested Dave (the TV ) and that's shows as level 80 on the TV; so if I'm reading the above info correctly that's at the same TX power as the chan's I have issues with.

My is an old one, but I live near the coast opposite (Stubbington), and thought I may get away with it.

I have to say that your answer confused me a bit: I thought I could only have a horizontal Ae pointed at Rowridge! If you have a sec could you dumb it down just a tad bud?

I could go and buy a digital Ae, but whenever I see them in shops they seem to be wide-band . I guess shops don't like to stock all the different kinds.

Perhaps I'll wait until tomorrow, and if it's not working try a digital Ae.

Steve's 4 posts GB flag

J

Jamie Stevens

_{sentiment_satisfied}Silver

4:48 PM
Portsmouth

STEVE

Hi, I am a approved installer in your area.

If you aerial and cabling is of good condition you should be able to turn your aerial from horizontal to virtical which should correct your issues.

The now transmits on both horizontal and vertical polarisation.

Its very important the your do not buy nonsense aerials from local diy stores. they can pickup all signals being sent from different transmitters, they also dont perform too well on rowridge.

You should only use a group A aerial on rowridge, this is something you cannot buy in the shop.

If you continue to have issues and want someone credible to do the repairs then my contact details are

Jays Cabling
jayscabling@yahoo.co.uk
www.jayscabling.co.uk

Jamie Stevens's 207 posts GB flag

Jamie's: J's Freeview map J's terrain plot J's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage

_{sentiment_very_satisfied}Platinum

5:03 PM

Steve: Since the changes in April, transmits vertically as well as horizontally.

The PSB (Public Service) are 200kW horizontally and 200kW vertically. The COMs are 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically.

The main reason for the horizontal signals are for backward-compatibility with aerials that are already fitted (horizontally).

I mentioned replacements, but they shouldn't (generally speaking) be needed for Rowridge and a aerial isn't needed. These tend to have less on the (lower) channels/frequencies that Rowridge uses so a Group A aerial (the "non-wideband" type you probably have) is the best. Turning it to vertical should do the trick.

S

Steve
7:02 PM

Hi Dave and Jamie,

The change to vertical has given me back my . Thank you very much for helping.

The level for the returned channels is still significantly lower than all the others however: 85 for BBC and just about all that are not on COM6; COM6 only gives me 60 on my TV's strength tester.

I note that COM6 is the highest out of and am wondering if my old Ae may not cope due to that.

If it's not my Ae I have to assume that COM6 is indeed low on power at the moment.

Jamie: Cheers for the Ae advice bud; I have looked on Amazon and it's simple for me to order a correct one from there.

Steve's 4 posts GB flag

_{sentiment_very_satisfied}Platinum

7:49 PM

Steve: If you are looking for an or information on them, see ATV's site:

Rowridge Transmitter

If there is a good clear path to the , then the could be a bit on the high side. The effect can appear the same as too little a signal:

Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice

An attenuator may be useful, e.g. (other suppliers are available):

TV Aerial Attenuator Variable 0-20Db Freeview Digital | eBay

S

Steve
11:47 PM

Hola,

I quick final post from me (I so anyway).

I just went back and tested all the COM6 again, and today they are at 82, pretty much the same as all the others. I think that this means that was indeed low on yesterday when I was only getting 60 after the shift to vertical, and didly horizontal.

Steve's 4 posts GB flag

M

Mike Wells
1:17 PM
Sturminster Newton

I live in North Dorset (DT10) at the edge of . My is set for horizontal polarisation but I don't know if I can rotate it for vertical. I have another aerial directed at , would I create a problem if I rotated this one and aimed it at rowridge thus giving both vertical and horizontal set up at the same time?

Mike Wells's 6 posts GB flag

Mike's: M's Freeview map M's terrain plot M's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage

_{sentiment_very_satisfied}Platinum

2:55 PM

Mike Wells: The may be a Group C/D one. If it is a aerial, then this will work to a degree for . Wideband yagi aerials aren't as good for Group A , of which Rowridge uses exclusively:

Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial

It's not possible to receive horizontally and vertically at the same time with a yagi aerial.

Rowridge broadcasts PSBs at 200kW horizontally and vertically. Its COMs are 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically. The restriction horizontally is primarily due to the overlap with and which use the same three channels (but don't share PSB channels).

The UK Postcode Checker suggests "good" of Stockland Hill's PSBs and none of its COMs. The same goes for Rowridge for both polarisations. Whilst it should always be born in mind that such predictors are calculated and may not be what is found to be possible, it could suggest that the only transmitter you may pick up the COMs from is Mendip.

It is possible that even though the vertical signals from Rowridge are the same that they don't serve the same areas because the are different. For example, maybe its COMs are restricted to the south for international reasons. Similarly, maybe they are restricted in the direction of Stockland Hill so as not to interfere. This is possible speculation on my part which may be worth bearing in mind.

Refer to this page:

The commercial multiplex after switchover: ArqA, ArqB and SDN | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice

It shows that around one third of Rowridge viewers are likely to be unable to receive the COMs.

J

Jamie Stevens

_{sentiment_satisfied}Silver

3:47 PM
Portsmouth

MIKE WELLS

SIMPLY :)

if you change your to vertical it will not affect your 2nd aerial which is on another .

Changing the polarisation of the rowridge aerial to VP will only enable to receive the with a better signal, the mux's which VP receive are exactly the same as the mux's you are receiving on HP.

The aerial doesnt know its receiving HP or VP so cannot cause issues when combining with your 2nd aerial. It is simply receiving reception from certain mux's which do not conflict with the 2nd aerial.

regards

Jamie.