All posts by Chris.SE
Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Jimmy:
Hi, sometimes information can be found at BBC Transmitter Engineeering information | free and easy for 21 years but it doesn't always cover everything, yours being missing at present despite others being mentioned!
Otherwise for general information try Latest engineering works and warnings | Help receiving TV and radio
For specific information about your (BBC) transmitter Check transmitter faults | Help receiving TV and radio select Freeview and put in your postcode and house name/number there.
Conditions for your area have changed slightly so you'll see the previous "faults" in the last 5 days.
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Steve Donaldson:
As she had 160 channels art one point, I suspect the weather/mobile interference could be the primary culprits.
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A parks:
Whilst Arqiva do strive to avoid interruptions to prime time viewing when there is Planned Engineering, sometimes it can be unavoidable if parts of the work are essential.
Having said that I can't currently trace any record of faults or interruptions, however if they are operating at reduced power or from the reserve antenna then you might be more vulnerable to interference to your normal signals, either due to weather conditions or from new/upgrade phone masts especially as you are about 62km from the transmitter.
Roughly how old is your aerial?
Since the 700MHz Clearance and closure of the temporary multiplexes COMs 7&8, they are all now back in aerial Group A (where they were in the old analogue days pre-Ch.5). In the interim you would have needed a Group T/Wideband to receive all channels. If your aerial was replaced in the last 10 years you may have one of those, if it's been replaced in the last year, it should be a Group A (or possibly a Group K), the latter two significantly reducing reception above UHF Channel C48 where new/upgraded phone masts may be operating and so could cause interference.
Your postcode area should have had postcards from https://restoretv.uk
You may need a Free Filter which can be obtained from them.
Current weather conditions are also a problem. There's been quite a lot of strong "Tropospheric Ducting" which can occur with high pressure. This causes signals from distant transmitters in Europe of the UK to travel considerably further and cause interference to your wanted signals. However, whilst this can last for seconds, minutes and sometimes longer periods, it's unusual for ALL multiplexes (and hence all channels) to be affected at the same time.
Whatever the source of any interference, or if there is no signal/badly pixellated pictures, one thing that is NOT advised is to retine if you were previously correctly tuned as this can result in it clearing your correct tuning.
There are 5 possible transmitters you could receive in your locale (and that could be enhanced with current conditions), so do check that you are correctly tuned to Belmont's UHF channels (as listed at the very top of this page).
Also check things like your aerial looks intact is still pointing correctly, roughly NNW (compass bearing 341 degrees), that the downlead is undamaged, secure and not flapping in the wind, that your coax plug connections are clean, dry and free from corrosion. Also that you don't have any HDMI leads running close to your aerial or flyleads as this can sometimes be a source of interference.
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No "South Today" Saturday 9th September
Essential engineering work affecting viewers of BBC One South on Saturday 9th September 2023 | Help receiving TV and radio
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Fiona Beattie:
Hi. Current weather conditions may not be helping either. There's very variable strong "Tropospheric Ducting" around at present affecting various parts of the UK (inc. NI). This causes interference from more distant transmitters as signals travel further interfering with the wanted signal. This should settle down when the weather changes, this may change the situation.
However, I can't help thinking that whatever the source of interference, to consistently have the problem with the same one TV channel suggests something a bit more complicated. As Steve suggests check the current firmware.
There's also still some bugs in the EPG which don't seem to have a widespread effect (not which been observed) but might be the reason. Steve mentioned an issue that was affecting several other DVD recorders but that one was fixed.
IIRC there was another poster a while ago with a similar problem but in a different region and a different TV Channel, but it was the same problem, channel missing from the EPG, and that was also a Humax Aura! I'd suggest that Humax need to be investigating the issue with Freeview in much more depth.
One thing I've not seen mentioned (which might? help with any another further ideas) are the rods (or squashed Xs) on your aerial vertical or horizontal, and which way (rough compass bearing) is your aerial pointing?
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Fiona Beattie:
I do agree that this is most likely a software bug as Steve says BUT such things can cause strange behaviour in the presence of interference or any bugs in the EPG transmission which currently exist, so I don't like to rule out things that could be having adverse effects even though they are quite unlikely. Note, I also draw a distinction between a "reception" issue and an "interference" issue.
Once the weather changes, and now as you have a filter, all the interference issues that your previous figures suggest, should disappear, so the case should become clear cut.
I will also point out again, that other EPG errors that existed more recently but were fixed, caused problems with a number of DVD recorders. That's why I don't rule out such things as possibly contributory, though I still think decent device firmware should cope with more minor issues.
One thing though that will add weight to your case with Humax is that I've now found that previous case involving a Humax Aura which was many months ago. I didn't quite recall the detail correctly, the "missing channel" was in the EPG (not missing as I thought) but was otherwise blank screen and no sound.
So an identical case to yours. Additionally the comment was "Humax didn't have an answer" and "a full reset of the box loses the current saved schedule".
So try hassling Humax again, they are obviously not taking this seriously enough to investigate properly.
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len bridgeman:
Most likely because this, like some (not all) other +1 channels, only broadcast limited hours of the day (this one 3am-5am IIRC).
Yesterday+1, ITVBe+1 and ITV3+1, Great Moivies+1, & Great Christmas+1 - all time share multiplex space (on other multiplexes).
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Whilst a lot of work has been taking place to restore all services to the original tower, the temporary tower is now being dismamtled.
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Wednesday 6 September 2023 4:45AM
Jeni Spyby:
First, a flat "stick on the wall" aerial is a total waste of money. You live in a VERY awkward spot (assuming that it's the general Waterside Lane area) and if a good loft aerial doesn't get adequate signal then a stick on the wall one certainly won't - they don't have the gain or proper directional; properties needed.
A particular problem at present is current weather conditions which could be why you are seeing variable results and I'm afraid there is absolutely nothing you can do about that!
"Tropospheric Ducting" which sometimes comes with High Pressure weather systems, causes signals from distant transmitters to travel a lot further than normal, and you can get interference from Continental and UK transmitters. Currently parts of the East/South East could be affected.
Both the BBC and Freeview have issued general warnings about variable short term disruption to reception which could affect various parts of the UK.
I'm assuming that the property is a fairly new development and some of the reception "predictors" give "variable" results, some suggesting only a signal from an East Anglia transmitter (to the NNE compass direction).is possible, whilst others suggest Bluebell Hill, Gillingham Test Centre and Crystal Palace are possibilities. However the East Anglia transmitter predictions are worse than the others!
Your loft aerial needs to be pointing correctly with its rods (or squashed Xs) horizontal. Bluebell Hill is roughly SSW whereas Gillingham test Centre is roughly slightly S of SSE. The aerial needs to be positioned so that it is not pointing through water tanks, metal objects, solar panels, very thick walls etc. You could also "try" pointing it due S which may enable you to get signals from either transmitter. Steve has given you a very good technical response to your other post here Get to see your Freeview predictions map | free and easy for 21 years
In addition to reception problems currently caused by weather conditions, you may also suffer interference from new/upgraded mobile phone masts (your area should have received postcards).
Your aerial needs to be a Group K to cover the range of UHF channels used, although a Group T/Wideband would work it can also readily receive the mobile signals whereas the Group K will reduce the interference. You can also get a Free Filter from https://restoretv.uk/ give them a call on 0808-1313-800 or email them via the Contact Us page and request a free filter.
In present conditions you may have to keep trying to get an adequate signal by manual tuning (as per Steve's reply). IF when things settle down (you have a filter and weather conditions change) and you still can't get an adequate signal then you might like to consider FreeSat. This is subscription free just like Freeview. A lot of modern TV sets have a satellite tuner built-in so all you need is a Dish and LNB (and connecting cable).