All posts by jb38
Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
alexei romanov : Irrespective of any other advice given, as these intermittent problems with reception stretch back to around August last year, one thing I haven't seen mentioned as yet is if they are also being experienced by others in your "immediate" vicinity, i.e: neighbours?, as knowing whether they are or not would at least allow the elimination of one of the two possible causes of said problem, that of (1) a deficiency in your
installation, or (2) due to external factors remote to your household, likewise beyond your control.
My reason for enquiring is basically due to the fact that although you are indicated as having a clear line-of-sight with the Blackhill transmitter its only just and no more, as the terrain (ground only) signal path indicator (Megalithia) shows the signal skimming over a high spot of land at approx 1.5 miles prior to your location, the area in question roughly coinciding with two ranges of trees located to the East side of the M8 motorway, the first (and worst from the TX) being on either side of the old Greenock road a tad to the North of the high voltage overhead line distribution depot.
Reception in situations such as described can on occasions (usually weather / atmospheric dependant) have an element of the erratic involved, trees having a dastardly effect on the data carried by RF signals, this resulting in some muxes being affected whereas others aren't, although any that are usually suffer from quality related issues and not necessarily strength, which in many cases can remain high.
Therefore, the next time you see a weak or no signal warning on BBC HD, go into your TV's tuning menu and select "manual tune" followed by entering C40 / 626.0 MHz into the channel box but "not" followed by pressing search or scan, as in most Freeview devices if any signal is being received, nomatter how low it might be, the strength and quality of the signal will appear on the indicator bars.
However, that said is on the assumption that if any HDMI type cables are being used in your installation to connect your TV into other devices or vice-versa, that said cables are "not " running close to the aerial lead, as the radiation emitted from some HDMI cables can be of a frequency selective nature, i.e: affecting some Mux numbers and not others.
Further advice dependant on reply.
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Martin Rosen: It's the name of the large BT building in Edgeware Road London, its located next door to the Suzuki garage. Post code NW9 6LB
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john coombes: It would appear that no info has been published as yet with regards the multiplex transmitter channel number EPG87 will be carried on, however, if its on either COM 4/ 5 /6 it will be viewable in your area, but not if on COM7, as Stockland Hill is not one of the stations fitted with additional COM7 & COM8 HD multiplexes.
This info will be updated as necessary.
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TIMOTHY GAUNTLETT: Excellent news!, really pleased to see that you have succeeded in rectifying the problem, because as an engineer (albeit RF) of many years standing, I am always interested in the outcome of problems which could be said to come into the category of "odd".
Many thanks for the kind comments.
Regards / jb.
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dave : If everything you have said preceding - "on freeview i got break up all the time" - is referring to Freesat signal levels? then variation in levels between channels is quite normal, as jumping about satellite channels not only involves receiving signals broadcast on different polarities but also from different transponders, i.e: the satellite equivalent of transmitter.
As far as your box freezing etc, if the previously mentioned "is" applicable i.e: Freesat, although the signal levels given are perfectly OK, try observing one of the channels for at least a minute or so watching for any signs of intermittent dips in quality, as this can result in intermittent freezing of the picture / audio squeaks etc, if evident? then the problem could be caused by a less than perfect fitting of the "F" connector at each end of the coax.
Another possible reason, being that the satellite dish has been positioned where it doesn't have a completely clear view of the S/SE skyline and is being intermittently obstructed by tree foliage etc. (usually shows up more on windy days)
That said, some Freesat boxes (Bush / Goodmans etc) have a reputation for glitching for no apparent reason, maybe you could mention the brand you happen to be using?
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alexei romanov: If the problem referred to is still in existence? try removing the aerial connection then reinserting same "whilst you are viewing the screen", the purpose of being to see if the picture flashes on the screen then off again the instant you remove the aerial connection.
If though it doesn't, then try switching the TV or box off for 10 seconds or so before switching it back on again, checking if this action has resolved the problem. If any of the two procedures have? then this is inclined to point to a deficiency in your TV or boxes software.
By the way, as you have mentioned that your Freeview device does not have individual strength and quality indications, it would be of assistance to know the model number of the device in question.
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alexei romanov : If you have now found how to access your Freeview receivers support menu and are able to view the BER level, 200 being a measure of the data corruption on the signal received which on a good installation is zero, however, BER indications (quality in non technical terms) are always accompanied by signal strength, should this now be the case, what level is it indicated as being?
I also noticed in your reply to MikeP (May 23rd / 7.11pm) you had said that you need to use the booster to watch anything, if you are now able to view signal strength on its own? I would like you to try a test by leaving your Freeview device on BBCHD, noting the signal strength / BER level then see what happens by removing the booster from the equation.
The reason for this being, that receiving a signal that's a tad too strong for a tuners front end will nearly always result in false level readings being obtained, i.e: strength usually indicating much lower than it actually is but always accompanied by a high bit error rate (BER).
I would also be interested to know the dB level indicated on your booster, that is in addition to the model number of your Freeview receiver, as this enables specifications to be checked.
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john coombes: Re; query on Keep it Country music channel (EPG87), according to information just seen, this programme is to be broadcast on the COM7 HD multiplex, unfortunately Stockland Hill not being one of the stations fitted with additional COM7/COM8 HD multiplexes.
This meaning that the programme can only be received by viewers within the coverage area of a station operating with a COM7 HD transmitter and who have a TV or box capable of HD reception, i.e: fitted with DVB-T2 tuners, HD ready types not being.
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D.G.Cawton: CBS drama (71) is now transmitted by a COM7 HD multiplex, Preseli not being one of the stations fitted with additional COM7 / COM8 HD multiplexes, unfortunately a situation unlikely to change in the immediate future.
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Tuesday 24 May 2016 7:43PM
Gordon Doherty: Engineering work of a comprehensive nature is presently in progress at the Westerglen transmitting station and which can affect R4 LW / 5 MW etc, said work due to be completed by June 5th.
You can view details of same by opening the undermentioned link.
BBC - Engineering Announcement - Planned work at Westerglen - Help Receiving TV and Radio