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All posts by Michael Perry

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


Ken Robottom:

To offer any meaningful advice we need a full post code so we can look at the reception conditions as well as whether there is any engineering work currently. Transmitters do not normally have a reduction in signal strength unless there is engineering work being done.

You should carefully check all the aerial connections and cables.



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GB flag

In my considered opinion, as a retired electronics engineer, FM and Freeview must remain in use. As others have said, digital introduces a time delay, about 4 seconds, so time signals are in accurate. Most DAB stations are now mono only and with limited bit rates so frequency response is poorer than FM radio.

Mobile networks already occupy far greater bandwidth than digital TV and I think they already have too much.

Digital is not always better and a lot of the usage of mobile signals is better handled by cabled networks.

Mobile phones have clear usage benefits as phone on the move. If your car breaks down it is essential to get it fixed and mobile allows you to call RAC, AA, Green Flag, etc.

Otiginally, mobile phones we meant to be an outdoor extension of the voice phone networks. A lot of people still use it as such and not everyone has, nor wants, a so-called 'smart' phone.



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GB flag
Map of all DAB transmitters
Monday 8 May 2017 9:22AM

Nicholas:

Digital TV does not use the same frequencies as DAB or FM radio. It is highly unlikely that the frequencies used for radio will provide much use for DTV transmissions, too low in frequency so little available dandwidth for high bit rate transmissions - that's why many DAB services are in mono. HD TV, or UHD, needs much higher bit rates than DAB stereo.



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GB flag

Doreen Urquhart :

We need to know your full post code so that we can look up the transmitter coverage in your area. Without that we have no idea where you are nor what transmitter you are using nor of the coverage nor whether there are any engineering works. Please supply the full post code.

You say you have adjusted your aerial (not arial, that's a type face) in the loft but whay have you used to check it is aimed at the correct transmitter? Have you checked all the aerial cables and connections?



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Front Runner TV
Wednesday 10 May 2017 9:52AM
Trowbridge

Neil:

Front Runner is on COM8 on some transmitters. So it is broadcast using DVB-T2 encoding which means you need to have a TV equipped with that type of tuner so it can receive Freeview HD programmes (even if Front Runner is not in HD). It also means you need to be in an area covered by pone of the transmitters carrying COM8.

If you do have that equipment and live in such an area it should be found on Channel 91.

If you provide a full post code we could find out if your area is covered by a transmitter that carries COM8 and whther it reaches your location.



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Drama
Wednesday 10 May 2017 9:57AM
Trowbridge

Mr D. Rheman-Johnson :

This is not Drama channel's website and they are unlikely to see your comments here.

It is likely that your TV set has a feature to allow automatic aspect ratio change, so check the settings on your TV.

If it doesn't, then you may have a manual option to use. Not all TVs have those features though.



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Rowridge (Isle Of Wight, England) transmitter
Thursday 11 May 2017 8:45AM
Trowbridge

R Murchie:

The BBC does not decide on the transmitter power for any of the services. That is agreed between the transmitter operator (arqiva) and Ofcom and has to be within agreed international parameters.
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Dawlish (Devon, England) Freeview Light transmitter
Thursday 11 May 2017 8:50AM
Trowbridge

nick:

As MikeB states, entering you post code will show you the nearby transmitter. Click on the 'gear wheel' at the right hand end of the red header bar and put in a full post code.



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Rowridge (Isle Of Wight, England) transmitter
Friday 12 May 2017 8:56AM
Trowbridge

Alphonso:

The original question I answered was about the power of COM7. The BBC do not decide what the power output of any transmitter is, as stated earlier that is a matter for Arqiva, Ofcom and international agreements. Others here, MikeB and StevensOnln1 have explained the history of why BBC4 is on COM7. If there was available capacity on PSB3 then it is likely that BBC would use it for BBC4 but there is no spare capacity between 7 PM and midnight (or later) so they cannot provide the service they desire via that multiplex. Hence having to pay for use of COM7.

Note that COM7 and COM8 are due to cease in the next round of service allocations.



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N/A:

Disconnect the mains supply to the box for at least 5 minutes. Then reconnect it and wait a further 5 minutes whilst it sets itself up again. Then check whether it is working.

If it is not then return it to where you bought it so they can check it and repair/replace it as needed. Under the current consumer legislation they are responsible for ensuring it works (not the manufacturer) and replacing it if it has failed.



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