All posts by Chris.SE
Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Francis Byrne:
Hi Francis.
Some predictions were showing the possibility of some weak ducting, but one showing possible unstable air masses earlier in the evening when heavy and/or scattered rain can disrupt signal paths with rapid variations in signal strength, it can be more pronounced at night and also ahead of warm fronts. A warm front was forecast with the rain that's moving through but the front should now have passed.
Whilst I know you are in a marginal reception area, I'm slightly surprised that things are so variable and, for example, using your paper shredder causes the signals to break-up!
I'm trying to think of anything that's not been mentioned as well as the best way of trying to eliminate any other possibilities however unlikely they might be.
Let's check the obvious silly first, at any point when you've retuned, have you checked you're still tuned to Limavady's UHF channels and not inadvertently picked up a weaker signal from another transmitter. They are ( as I'm sure you know) C41,C44,C47,C40,C43,C46 in the order PSBs1-3, COMs4-6.
I know one thing i don't see mentioned anytime previously, especially as you've mentioned a Freesat box, do you have anything connected with HDMI cables? HDMI has been know to cause interference in some cases and the leads should be kept well away from any aerial or flyleads especially if those aren't high quality double screened coax.
Do you still have a DAB aerial diplexed into your aerial lead? If so where is the diplexer, is it out on the roof or is it internal (eg.loft) or anywhere you could easily disconnect the DAB aerial to see what effect (if any) it has on your Freeview signal strength and errors.
You mentioned about the possibility of maybe having to rely on a nearer Freeview Light transmitter. Which one would that be, would it be Strabane by any chance? Albeit a very low power relay (400W) it supposedly has some coverage into your area, it's also vertical polarisation not horizontal as Limavady. It's also on Planned Engineering this week!! The only reason I mention it is that aerials can be funny things, they have reception side lobes and are capable of receiving different polarisation in some situations. If it is Strabane you could out of curiosity (without moving your aerial of course) try a manual tune for it's PSBs1-3 on UHF C32, C34, C35. If nothing, try again next week if it's no longer on Planned Engineering, just to see.
| link to this comment |
Geoff Harris:
Interesting idea, I'll have to give it a try sometime over the weekend.
| link to this comment |
jack:
Hi jack.
I'm sceptical that it's any transmitter issue, I would have expected lots more posts all over the place if that were the case.
Interference is certainly something that shouldn't be dismissed, there's several possibilities to check.
First, I mentioned HDMI a while back, I assume you've made sure any leads are well away from aerial or flyleads.
You mentioned you aren't the only one with the problem. Also there's this mysterious C26 signal with 100%Q but no channels, did you check in the 800's for anything?
Has anyone else got a C26 signal?
The other possibilities to consider are CB Radio interference, Radio Amateur's equipment can sometimes cause an issue, Pirate Radio stations are another to check.
| link to this comment |
Dave Purnell:
Are any neighbours or nearby friends having anything similar? Apart from the possibility of the Dish or LNB having moved slightly - how do signal levels on the channels you get compare with what was normal before the problem? The other possibilities are the LNB or receiver has gone faulty. Can you borrow or try another receiver to check?
| link to this comment |
Ian Gault:
No Freeview Light transmitter such as Allesley Park is ever likely to be upgraded to add the COM (commercial) multiplexes.
It is simply that the commercial operators who are responsible for the multiplexes which are not transmitted by small relays, do not think that the investment in extra transmitters etc is worth it for the small communities involved, they would not see a return on the investment considering that it's the advertising revenue that has to pay for it. If you were to contact all the commercial broadcasters involved, they would likely say well, its all there (well most of it is and extra) on Freesat. If you want extra channels and are unable to receive a main transmitter, the consider Freesat. A lot of modern TVs already have a satellite tuner built-in, so all you need is a Disn and LNB.
Can you not receive any signals from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter in your location?
If you provide a full postcode we might be able to check if it's a possibility using the Detailed Coverage Checker.
| link to this comment |
Cynthia harris :
As per the post before yours, the Transmitter is on Planned Engineering. Service interruptions are usually short, considering the time of your post, I would have expected signals to have been back some while ago.
Unfortunately it looks as though the Planned Engineering continues next week so there could be further interruptions.
| link to this comment |
andrew:
Across the TS13 postcode reception will be very varied due to the nature of the terrain between you and the various transmitters. There are very few parts of the postcode that would have had reliable reception from the main Bilsdale mast before the fire, judging by your post you may have been one who did, there are still some parts that may get a signal from the Bilsdale Quarry Mast.
BUT, as you haven't given a full postcode I can't even give you an idea about what the various reception predictors may suggest (I've just had conflicting results for one postcode!) and it's in a situation that is changing as I post.
This is because Arqiva have just started another relay transmitter at Loftus.
There's even confusion in transmitter names on one part of the BBC engineering site, what I assume is actually Skinningrove get's referred to as Staithes! However I guess BBC engineers may be currently working on predictions for the area as initially when I checked, Loftus was not included but now is.
One point, you are incorrect about the HD channels - all Relay (Freeview Light) transmitters including the current temporary ones have and always have got the BBCB HD multiplex carrying BBC1/2, ITV1,Ch.4 & Ch.5.
I refer you to my earlier post here Bilsdale (North Yorkshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | free and easy which has links to the various pages of information about the Bilsdale situation - the Freeview one now includes an update from the 29th October.
Channel information for Bilsdale Temporary Mast, Eston Nab, and Arncliffe Wood | Freeview also lists all the relay transmitters and UHF channels including the latest two additions.
I would try a manual tune (auto-tune can sometimes miss weaker signals) on the UHF channels of those transmitters nearest to you, aerial polarisation and direction may not have an effect if the signals are strong enough as aerials have "side-lobes" etc.
Whilst you might not be able to readily reposition a roof aerial, you mention a loft aerial, are you not able to easily reposition it if need be?
If you are disabled or otherwise vulnerable, you might qualify for the free help mentioned on the main Freeview page (ring the free 0800 121 4828) which could include aerial repositioning. You should also have received a letter from Arqiva/Freeview.
| link to this comment |
Tuesday 26 October 2021 7:44AM
Bob:
I suspect the only way is to write constant complaints to the BBC/ITV/Ch4/Ch5 Broadcasters about this issue. Until such as they hassle the producers and makers of these programmes, nothing will change!