All posts by KMJ, Derby
Below are all of KMJ, Derby's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Greg: You do not say whether it is Freeview reception on your TV or FM radio reception that is showing a low signal strength. If it is FM radio a BBC reception report shows both Radio 2 and Radio 3 from Black Hill have a weak signal since 15:00 on 5th January 2012.
| link to this comment |
Mandy: Which transmitter is your aerial pointing to? Mendip is SW with aerial rods horizontal, Oxford is ENE with rods horizontal and Cirencester relay is NNW with rods vertical. It is likely that you have tuned in to the wrong transmitter, at least as far as Mux D3+4 (ITV1&2, C4, C5 etc) is concerned. Check if there is an ITV1 that works in the 800s of the channel list. This could also be the case with the COM muxes, although it should be noted that these muxes are transmitting at reduced power at both Mendip and Oxford. If you are tuned to the wrong frequencies clear the channel list, then if possible do a manual tune for the correct set of frequencies. Insert C53, C60, C62, C59, C55 (and C57(HD) if required). For Mendip use C61, C54, C48, C67, C52 and C58(HD). Less likely is Cirencester which only transmits the PSB muxes on C23, C29 and C26 for HD.
| link to this comment |
sue: The installer is quite correct in that Hastings gives freeview reception at the present time, but the Digital UK postcode checker predicts that you will lose Mux1/BBCA on 30th May and the remaining muxes on 13th June as Hastings will use the same frequencies after switchover as Crystal Palace. Whilst you would still be in range of signals from Hastings reception from there would be dependent on the aerial being positioned in a null for Crystal Palace before any usable reception was obtained. Heathfield , meanwhile is your best option after switchover, albeit with variable reception. You should have Mux BBCA from 30th May 2012, the remaining muxes (except possibly mux SDN) from 13th June 2012. Mux SDN from Heathfield changes frequency and increases power on 27th June 2012.
| link to this comment |
Briantist: According to Digital UK Woodbridge is shown as transmitting Mux D3+4 on C64 until 27th June 2012, then changes to C52.
| link to this comment |
A.A.Wright: Whether your friend can receive the preferred news service really depends on which transmitter the aerial is pointing to on the housing complex. If it is pointing at Emley Moor (NNW, with rods set horizontal) or Crosspool (roughly SE with rods set vertical), there should be no problem, it is just a matter of the TV being tuned to the correct frequency. As a matter of interest check in the 800s of the channel list on your friend's TV to look for additional versions of BBC1. It is likely that the South Yorkshire variant will be found there. There might even be a BBC East Midlands as reception is also shown as possible from Waltham at your friend's location. To get the correct set of frequencies tuned in the best way is to clear the channel list, then tune in manually the set of frequencies for the transmitter that the aerial is pointing to. An alternative method is to start the scan with the aerial unplugged to miss out C22, which is the unwanted Belmont frequency for Lincolnshire, then plug the aerial back in before your local frequencies are found. If Emley Moor this means about C38; however if Crosspool is the transmitter of choice it would mean having the aerial unplugged for C22, but plugged in for C24, and also C21 if it is an HD receiver, so is a bit trickier to achieve.
| link to this comment |
Ali: If your aerial is pointing W to Sutton Coldfield the frequency for the BBC channels should be C43. Do a check on your receiver for the actual frequency being received, as C61 (Waltham) and C27 (Sandy Heath) are also possible at your location. Also check in the 800s of the channel list for another BBC1 that works correctly. If incorrect tuning is a problem, clear the channel list then do a manual tune for the correct set of frequencies. If manual tuning is not an option, start the scan with the aerial unplugged, then, for Sutton Coldfield, plug it in around C35 then unplug it again after C47. This should leave out any unwanted channels.
| link to this comment |
daniel badman: The Digital UK postcode checker predicts that the HD mux from Crystal Palace on C30 will give good reception after switchover, but shows poor or zero reception on those frequencies which are shared with Hastings. Hastings, meanwhile shows no predictions after switchover. If Digital UK has over estimated the effect of the signal from Crystal Palace you will no doubt find that Hastings will give good reception in some locations, however it has been found that interfering signals can have an influence some way outside their normal reception areas. Out of interest you could try tuning an analogue receiver to the present Crystal Palace analogue frequencies to see if there is a hint of any reception from CP. The postcode checker predictions take the terrain into account, also including general problems such as a forest or heavily built up area in the signal path, but do not include the influence of local obstructions such as individual trees or tall buildings. The prediction for Heathfield at your location is not that brilliant, but (with careful aerial positioning in some locations) should give reasonably reliable reception.
| link to this comment |
Jane: What is the postcode of the flat so reception possibilities can be checked. Basically an "analogue" aerial will receive Freeview in Freeview areas, that is almost everywhere after switchover. Satellite reception requires a satellite box connected to your TV,either a Sky box without a subscription, a freesat box or generic satellite receiver will give the free to air channels available to your dish.
| link to this comment |
David: The power of the Haslemere transmitter does not change from the level set at switchover in March. What does happen in April, which causes the predicted deterioration in reliability of reception of the Haslemere signal is the introduction of high power working at Crystal Palace and Rowridge on the same frequencies as are used at Haselmere. As you say, you won't really know how badly your reception is affected (if at all) until these high power COM muxes are switched on on 18th April 2012. It is worth mentioning that you are predicted to have good reception from Midhurst on all six muxes, since Haslemere is a PSB only/Freeview Light transmitter you might prefer to have an aerial installed for Midhurst after switchover.
| link to this comment |
Sunday 8 January 2012 11:13AM
Jon Oliver: The BBC national mux is shown as giving robust reception at a test postcode in Leamington Spa. This mux is transmitted from Sutton Coldfield at 10kW, so unless you have a big hill or a tall building blocking the signal path you should be able to receive it. If DAB reception is not possible you could still listen via the TV as Freeview Mux BBCA carries the radio stations you require, as do both Sky and Freesat.