New and improved Freeview radiation patterns
What are radiation patterns?
All ground-based broadcast transmitter – be it for a Freeview, DAB, AM/FM radio or mobile phones – can and do broadcast their output at different levels in different directions.
The diagrams here on UK Free TV show all the known patterns. In theory each transmitter can have a different pattern for each transmission frequency.
This diagram shows how the Primrose Hill Freeview transmitter's coverage map and the radiation pattern for it.
Why did you say "known patterns"?
Because, and I quote
- disclosure of the antenna radiation patterns into the public domain could lead to these being available to foreign administrations, which would substantially weaken HM Government's negotiating position with respect to international frequency clearance;
- a weaker negotiating position for HM Government may lead to additional cost for the broadcasters (where antenna systems have to be re-built as a result of international coordination) and lower coverage for viewers (where antenna systems have to be restricted in order to protect foreign transmissions); and
- the BBC is required to provide coverage of its services on digital terrestrial television to a certain proportion of the population by the completion of switchover and a failure or suboptimal result from international co-ordination may harm the BBC's ability to meet this obligation.
The number of sites that we have data is limited to the data released by the BBC in 2009 – see Update on transmitter radiation patterns (BBC FOI request) – plus the new data from Ofcom.
What is the new data?
With help from Dave Lindsay, I contacted Ofcom to ask them to release the data related to the upcoming UK Digital Terrestrial Television: International Coordination Agreements
Do the new patterns match the output?
"While you are already aware of this, I would like to emphasise that the powers and antenna templates in these files represent the upper limit of the UK’s internationally agreed rights for specific frequency assignments, and the actual antenna patterns and/or powers used by the broadcasters are often more restricted. Additionally, not all of the assignments which have been co-ordinated are currently in use." - Ofcom
New SVG format
UK Free TV was using "HTML5 canvas" to draw the radiation patterns. However the site now uses the SVG format for the graphics. This has the several advantages, in particular that it is now easy to embed more than one diagram in a page where necessary.
Some examples of the new data
Where the diagrams show (CCN) this is the new "Co-ordination combined nominal template derived from International co-ordination technical agreements" data. A pattern with a "F" prefix is for a frequency not currently used at that mast for a live TV service (F570 is 570MHz also known as UHF C33).
What next?
The site's coverage maps will be regenerated soon to include all this new data.
3:58 PM
I am unable to get channel 95 (Free Sports)
Can you tell me why? When on page 100 (Free Info.) it say I should!
I Live in Pudsey LS28
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5:03 PM
Bill Pollard: We need a full postcode to access the coverage prediction for your location. Do you get BBC 1 HD on channel 101? Do you get the QVC HD shopping channels on 111 and 112?
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4:59 PM
At Tiptree our 3 storey over 55 complex is experiencing intermittent Freeview signal loss but not a blanket loss over the whole complex. There's talk of nearby radio mast work affecting our signal. Has anyone else heard this?
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6:39 PM
harry:
I suggest you contact whoever manages your complex as there would likely be a fault with the aerial system or else it is being affected by local interference.
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9:26 AM
How do I connect my Philips TV (from ~2000) Model 32PF9641D/10 to the internet to receive Planet Knowledge channel 276, please?
I look forward to hearing from forat your earliest.
Kind regards
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10:51 AM
Edmond Condillac: An 18 year old TV won't be able to be directly connected to the internet, you would need a set top box that supported internet streamed channels such as the Manhattan Plaza HD-T2 Freeview HD box (available via Amazon, Argos & various other retailers) which would connect to your broadband router via ethernet cable and via SCART cable to your TV.
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1:48 PM
Edmond Condillac: I have no idea how Planet Knowledge operates as a channel, but assuming its via a smart box, then you'll need an HD box connected via the HDMI's.
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8:15 PM
Why is the BBC mux signal so weak from Carmel? Whenever it rains the picture breaks up and the sound is useless. ITV channels, channels 4 and 5 and all the variants, individual channels such as S4C, Yesterday, Dave or advertising/selling channels are not affected by rain but every BBC channel including News and Parliament drop out together.
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8:43 PM
Swansea
Why is the BBC mux signal so weak from Carmel (at SA3 2AL)? Whenever it rains the picture breaks up and the sound is useless. ITV channels, channels 4 and 5 and all the variants, individual channels such as S4C, Yesterday, Dave or advertising/selling channels are not affected by rain but every BBC channel including News and Parliament drop out together.
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Glyn's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage