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All posts by Chris.SE

Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.


Robert Lee:

Hi. Just an update for you, still no BBC reports about any issues with Holme Moss.
Silly point really, but I assume you've checked you are tuned to 93.7 for R4 and not 93.3 Llangollen transmitter?

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Robert Lee:

Well definitely a bit odd. If you've given your aerial system and connections a checkout then it could still be an unreported fault or engineering. If it were propagation, then I'd expected the signal to make a gradual change (although it could do so fairly quickly) rather than suddenly much weaker. There's still no propagation predictions suggesting this might be the cause, but there could be temperature inversion which is probably something you can't readily predict in a particular location, but I would have expected other signals to be affected in some way.

Have you had a look for any very strong signals on adjacent frequencies - it's possible some sort of interference might be causing the receiver to be desensitised around 93.7 - some electrical/electronic gadgets, LED Christmas lights etc. or even a pirate radio station!!

I can't think of any other possibilities at present, if I do I'll post again and I'll check for any BBC reports as well.

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Carol Burson:

Most claims by these "indoor" aerial which claim suitable for so many miles etc. are complete rubbish. Some indoor aerials can be better than others. What make and model is the one you have?

The Wenvoe transmitter is 7km (4&1/3 miles) from you at compass bearing 281 degrees - that's 11 degrees N of due West and is the way the aerial needs to point, ideally through a clear window. If you have thick walls, large metal objects such as fridges/freezers in the way it will affect or stop any signal.
If you can't point it that way, try compass bearing 121 degrees, that's 14 degrees E of SE. Although the signal will be weaker you might get some from the Mendip transmitter.
If this aerial has any rods, they should be horizontal. But tell us the make and model, as well as what line of vieew you have, and we should be able to advise further.

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Robert Lee:

I've seen some strange things with standing waves in cables over time and nothing is predictable!
I note you had the TV aerial replaced (and presumably the coax downlead) a while ago.
Is it a totally separate downlead for the FM?
If so, does it terminate in a coax plug that goes straight into the receiver or does it terminate in a wall plate where you have a flylead to the receiver?
Whichever,, remove the coax plug if it goes straight to the receiver, or undo the wall plate and look at the end of the coax - disconnect if need be. Any sign of any corrosion or dampness/wetness which would show water has got in at the aerial and tracked down the coax?

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George:

As far as we are aware there is no streaming service for London Live.
For other information see LONDON LIVE | free and easy
and London Live - The Capital's TV Channel - London Live although note that the "Having Trouble watching London Live?" page is history, there have been no recent changes since the 700MHz Clearance programme.

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maureen elizabeth carpenter:

What device/box/set are you trying to watch on?
I assume you are trying to use iPlayer on it, is that correct? If not, please explain what you are watching and exactly what you do, and what the error message says precisely.

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Gordon palmer:

I would have thought it highly unlikely that your new tv requires a much stronger signal. Also depending on the signal strength you do get, using an aerial amplifier might overload your receiver which can lead to all sorts of unexpected issues as the receiver can be "de-sensitised".

I get conflicting results from different predicted reception checkers for some postcodes that can receive Brougher Mountain so without having any idea about your predicted reception, for which we need a full postcode, it's almost impossible to suggest potential causes of your problem other than obvious standard checks.

Apart from that full postcode, it would be useful to know what the indicated Signal Strength and Quality (or Error/BER) figures are WITHOUT the amplifier for each of the multiplexes RF channels. Also try a manual tune on RF C21, sometimes auto-tuning can miss a weaker signal..

Obvious basic checks are look at your aerial and check it's still intact and pointing in the correct direction and that the downlead isn't flapping in the wind. Recent strong winds may have resulted in it moving or being damaged. If the downlead terminates in a wall-plate check for connection, water & corrosion problems behind it. Check your coax plug connections for bad or short connections etc. Such problem don't always appear to affect all RF Channels due to standing waves that can get set up in the cable which can make a particular channel very weak or one appear exceptionally strong.

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graham clapperton:

As noted on the Innerleithen transmitter page, there was a brief fault on the 29th December but how/if it impacted DTV is not mentioned.
There are currently no reported faults at the transmitter and it's not on the list for Planned Engineering.

If you retuned at all when you had no signal or very badly pixellated pictures it will most likely just have cleared your correct tuning and you'll need to retune again when signals are normal.
Also do basic checks, such as make sure all you coax plugs/connections behind your TV are ok. Look at your aerial and check it looks intact and is still pointing in the correct direction and that the downlead is secure and not flapping in the wind.

If you still have a problem, check with neighbours if they have the same issue and post back if so.

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carol tedstone:

Just doing some preliminary checks, that doesn't appear to be true, there is a local relay transmitter as well as the possibility of receiving the main Sutton Coldfield transmitter. However, it may depend on exactly where you are within the postcode, you may be in a "not" spot. I will need to do some more extensive checks and post any further information later.

In any event, you do not have to pay Sky. You should be able to get Freesat which is a subscription free satellite service similar to Freeview.

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C
Tenbury Wells (Worcestershire, England) Freeview Light transmit
Saturday 7 January 2023 4:59AM
Tenbury Wells

carol tedstone:

Most locations in St.Michaels don't have the postcode WR15 8TF, not that it seems to make much difference, different reception predictors give slightly differing/conflicting results for the area.

There doesn't appear to be a clear line of sight to the Sutton Coldfield transmitter (compass bearing ~57 degrees, that's 12 degrees east of NE), yet some predictors are saying "good" reception. As it's some 38 miles away the signal is not going to be strong and might be readily subject to interference issues in some weather conditions.
You do have line of sight to the Tenbury Wells relay (almost due North of you) assuming you don't have any very local obstructions like tall trees or adjacent buildings etc. but it is a very low power transmitter.

Have a look at your immediate neighbours aerials (if any) to see which way they point. Ask your neighbours about their reception, how reliable is it in different weather conditions etc.

See Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview for which TV channels are carried on which multiplex. Relay transmitters only have the PSB1,2 & 3 multiplexes (BBCA, D3&4, BBCB HD).

If you want the widest choice of subscription free channels then your best bet might be to consider Freesat. Most modern TVs have an in-built satellite tuner so all you'd need to add would be a Dish and LNB, and of course an unobstructed elevation view 28.2 degrees E (azimuth ~143 degrees) for the Astra satellite (no trees, buildings, etc.). See if your neighbours have one.
If the set doesn't have the satellite tuner, Freesat boxes are available.

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