All posts by Chris.SE
Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
D Graham:
It seems there have been numerous power cuts in the Kilkeel area (never mind the rest of NI !).
I suspect this will have been the reason for the "faults".
The BBC have reported that the transmitter was back on air at 8.21pm.
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nick horrex:
Any mobile interference may not be suppressed adequately.
Is this "low power amp" external on the mast? If so I suggest you ask Restore TV for the external waterproof one. They should offer to come and fit it (free of charge).
Or of course you could tell them you can do the job yourself, try the external filter internally to see if it helps.
Ultimately, take the aerial down and fit it externally - you might want to try another aerial as you like experimenting, if you do so - a Group K, maybe the highest gain (56 element) Blake Log periodic I believe we mentioned many posts back.
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nick horrex:
Yes, they will come and fit external ones for free (sometimes a new aerial), that is their job, they are paid by the mobile operators, that was a condition of the 700MHz licences that mobile operators bought, to fix any interference issues..
Visit their website and read!
Blake 56 element log-periodic, yes every rod!
https://www.blake-uk.com/56-element-log-periodic-group-k-aerial-new-double-element-design.html
As I've said previously, your postcode has been sent postcards, so there should be no argument UNLESS you are daft enough to make out the issue isn't that great and only affects that one channel C37.
You need just to egg it a bit, start by saying you didn't used to have a problem that you really noticed a year or so ago, except when weather conditions gave tropospheric ducting but now problems are more frequent on the COM multiplexes with some Quality figures going up and down like a yo-yo, and sometimes but less frequently an issue with the HD PSB multiplex. You didn't really know why this was happening, did all you could to check your own aerial system. Recently you were advised that it looked like interference from a mobile mast!
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Bruce:
Did you not see the reply? Despite the Planned Engineering (whatever they're doing) the answers to the questions will be helpful.
Transmissions seem down a bit on all mutliplexes except PSB2 and PSB3 at time of posting.
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A Wilton.:
You may not be in a location that has the best of reception (of the HD mux).
As StevensOnln1 has said, in normal circumstances (when the transmitter isn't listed for Planned Engineering) you may not notice a problem, and don't assume that if you have a faulty connection somewhere it would affect all the multiplexes because such faults can create standing waves in the cable which will be frequency dependant.
If you provide a full postcode, we can check your predicted reception.
What sort of aerial do you have and where is it located?
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nick horrex:
The fact that you might be the only one in the area is irrelevant, others may have cable, satellite or an aerial that might be "screened" a bit from the mobile mast by obstructions etc.
I've so far not come across a single person that's had an issue like that.
If your standard aerial is mounted on a pole in the garden, amd from what I recall from some of your earlier posts makes it readily accessible I would suggest you tell them you have a masthead amp but can fit a weatherproof filter yourself if they could please send one. I think that would be a sensible option for all concerned.
Strikes me that you are still prevaricating a bit. Just get on with it.
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John :
Unfortunately the commercial SDL multiplex doesn't have anything like the coverage of the commercial D1 multiplex. The BBC National multiplex is of course the most widespread but even that is patchy in many parts of Wales.
Kilvey Hill is one of the few transmitters in South and West Wales that has SDL, the other two being Wenvoe and Eglwysilan.
In the current economic climate and the general situation with commercial advertising I wouldn't hold out hope for any additional transmitters in the near future.
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Bob:
It may depend on exactly where you are in Dungiven. A full postcode would help. The area seems generally flat terrain and doing a random check you ought to be able to get the main BBC National multiplex 12B and a Commercial multiplex 12D carrying BBC Radio Foyle and BBC Radio Ulster as well as a small number of commercial stations.
This from both the Limavady and Strabane transmitters, neither having any current reported faults BUT Limavady does currently have Planned Engineering, so it's possible it may be on reduced power.
With a clear line of site to the north, can you not get a signal on your car DAB? And likewise to the WSW anything from Strabane?
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nick horrex:
I meant to comment on the log-periodic in my last post, if you compare it to the 28 element you'll see.
https://www.blake-uk.com/28-element-log-periodic-group-k-aerial.html
Just a brief comment, there are so many different type of Lithium battery technology. To name two common ones, Lithium Polymer (LiPo) - the type you will most likely find in your smart phone, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) - you will find 12V replacement car batteries of this type, Typical cell voltage for both those is 3.6v, so for a car battery there are 4 cells (cf. lead acid car batteries have 6 cells).
Lithium Coin cell batteries (generally referred to as Li-ion), maybe in your watch, backup battery in many devices are 3v - these are not rechargeable according to most, but I've seen some claim they are!
Rechargeable types need treating with respect, overcharging can cause a fire, as can over discharging!!
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Monday 22 January 2024 2:35AM
Ian Kemp:
Update: The BBC are reporting faults at the Sandale transmitter - their stations either reduced quality or off-air due to a "fault" from 8.31pm/8.51pm
They won't of course include Classic FM as it's a commercial station but I'd guess that it's similarly affected. It could be storm damage or a power cut, you could check the Electricity DNO for postcode CA71EW