All posts by Chris.SE
Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Ian Brown :
There appears to have been a fault with the ArqA/COM5 and ArqB/COM6 multiplexes as I've seen another viewer report but unfortunately finding fault reports that only affect commercial multiplexes is almost impossible!
Those signals should now be restored (I hope!).
The Channel 21 sound issue. I assume you mean 5USA. I hope the sound has returned but this issue seems to have affected other transmitters, so it could be/have been an issues at a "Play-out centre".
if you still have no sound on 5USA, please contact Channel 5.
See https://help.channel5.com…ces-
It was a mistake to retune - you cannot tune to signals that are not there or cannot be decoded (bad pixilation/sound breakup). The usual result is to clear your correct tuning.
IF you were correctly tuned do not retune in those circumstances, it doesn't matter if it's due to Engineering, Faults, Weather conditions or a problem with your own installation.
Check you are correctly tuned to Knockmore's UHF channels which are C31, C37, C29, C33, C36 & C48 - that's in multiplex order PSBs1/BBCA, PSB2/D3&4, PSB3/BBCB HD, COM4/SDN, COM5/ArqA, COM6/ArqB
For which TV channels are carried on which multiplex, see
Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview
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Adrian Crafer :
Thanks for updating us on the outcome. A process of elimination had at least pointed the finger in a suitable direction and final diagnosis would have been tricky without specialist equipment other than by equipment substitution. Remote diagnosis is often difficult.
I hope the aerial man didn't charge a huge arm and leg!
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Bruce:
Hello again Bruce. Prior to the 8th January, there had been some "work" going on at Mendip, despite it not being on the list, as a couple of the main multiplexes were either on the Reserve Antenna or Reduced power. Everything seems to be running as normal at present.
However, considering your location and the fact that you have line-of-sight to Mendip I think maybe it's things closer to home, and we need to go through everything bit by bit to check it all out.
Might firstly be an idea to check your recorder is still tuned to Mendip's UHF channels!
Knowing that you've had a few issues on and off in recent times and given info on some of your equipment, I've had a look back at your recent posts to check some information, so now I'll ask a few questions and make some comments.
Have you had a new aerial since February 2018 particularly, or even since 2013?
Is it on the roof or in the loft?
You've not mentioned having any amp/splitter for more than one TV/box so I assume you haven't got one, just as previously mentioned, your various boxes daisy chained.
Signal strength figures you mentioned in some previous posts don't seem what I'd expect, so next questions -
Do you know where to look on your TV for Signal Strength and Quality figures?
Have a look at the coax plug on the end of the cable from the aerial - does it look free of corrosion and is it dry - no water?
Plug it direct into the TV and check the Strength and Quality figures for each of Mendip's UHF channels and post those figures.
Then plug it back to it's normal box with the following daisy chain, then check and post the figures on the TV again.
I think this will do for starters, don't want to get things over complicated at once.
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Clive:
Hello Clive. The BBC aren't reporting any problems with the transmitter (nor in the last 5 days) so it's presumably on air - unless you've been experiencing lots of recent power cuts and have one now!
You should get a good signal from Lairg although it may not be that strong.
I assume you've got your aerial with its rods (or squashed Xs) vertical.
If you retuned at all at some point in the previous weeks when you had no signal, that wasn't a good idea as it will probably have cleared your correct tuning.
Check in the TV Tuning section that you are tuned to Lairg's UHF channels - C41, C47 & C44, if not then do a retune.
If you still have a problem, post back with any additional info you can think of, do your immediate neighbours also have a problem?
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Clark:
Well as you haven't given a full postcode we don't know where you are so can't check your predicted reception. There are no faults currently listed for Pontop Pike but as above it;s listed for Planned Engineering so there could be brief interruptions. Do NOT retune if you have No signal, it'll most likely clear your correct tuning, you cannot tune to a signal that's not there or can't be decoded (badly pixellated/sound breakup).
Do check that your aerial is still on the roof and pointing correctly!
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nick horrex:
Absolutely nothing. Maybe I should have made the BUT in my last post in capitals and the post clearer.
IF note the IF, there are no other issues - ie. no strong local interference of any description which could come from mobile masts, even faulty street lighting, a radio ham, CB operator etc etc. then -
CCI where ever it comes from is CCI nothing will stop that in itself until there's a change in the "weather" conditions.
IF you have other interference present then the signal to noise ratio will already be worse, so when the CCI occurs you will have problems at lower levels of CCI ie. it'll happen more easily.
You've already mentioned that fitting an amp made matters worse which also suggest there's interference present which an amp will make worse.
In this instance interference from a mobile cell seems the most likely issue, postcards have been sent to your postcode (even if you didn't get one - not an uncommon occurrence it seems).
So we need to eliminate this possibility and hope that it solves the problem.
I would also say that CCI from Oxford MIGHT occur more easily without the traditional "tropo" just plain temperature inversion which could occur more readily.
Stop trying to understand it if you still don't, just get the filter and fit it and let's see the results. If the problem is still there then it's thinking caps on again.
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Lance Spencer :
As per the post just before yours, the transmitter is subject to Planned Engineering, the multiplex may be on reduced power or the Reserve Antenna.
You may already be in a poorer reception area for ArqB but as you haven't given a full postcode we can't check your predicted reception.
In addition to which there's been a little bit of "Tropospheric Ducting" affecting parts of the S/SE caused by current weather pressure systems which can result in interference from other transmitters in Europe or the UK, but that should clear quite quickly. Do NOT retune!
Another possibility is interference from a recent new/upgraded mobile phone mast. Have you had a postcard from https://restoretv.uk/post…ure/
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Cammy:
Hi Cammy. Classic FM changed it's transmission mode at the beginning of January from plain DAB to DAB+. If your receiver isn't DAB+ you may not get the sound. Some non-DAB+ sets wouldn't even recognise the station.
Classic FM is on the D1 National Commercial multiplex which in Scotland is Block 12A: 223.936MHz
There are now only 5 (i think it is) stations not DAb+ -they're all mono - KISS, KISSTORY, LBC, Magic and TalkSport, so you should get those.
The SDL National Commercial multiplex is Block 11A: 216.928 MHz but you may or may not get it as the nearest transmitter with it I think could be Craigkelly or Black Hill, but again there's only 6 stations not DAB+ also all mono - Fix Radio, PremierChristian, Premier Praise, Sunrise Radio UK, Times Radio and Virgin Radio.
There's a Local Commercial multiplex Block 12D: 229.072 MHz
with BBC Scotland and 11 commercial stations, none are DAB+, they're stereo or mono.
And the BBC National multiplex Block 12B: 225.648 MHz none are DAB+ yet.
There's a "Trial" multiplex in Edinburgh Block 9B: 204.640 MHz but they're all DAB+
Hope that's of some help.
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Friday 19 January 2024 4:32PM
Sandra Johnson:
Update. I hope the sound has returned but this issue seems to have affected other transmitters, so it could be/have been an issues at a "Play-out centre".
if you still have no sound on 5USA, please contact Channel 5.