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All posts by jb38

Below are all of jb38's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.

J
C33 (570.0MHz) after switchover
Monday 28 July 2014 9:02PM

Bill McDonald: Although I did say in my previous reply that further advice was dependant on the outcome of the signal test, however, purely for information purposes, my reason for suggesting the Mux33 signal test is basically because that "if" you are already enjoy "stable" reception of HD channels (e.g: 101/2/3 etc) on Mux C58 (BBC B), then irrespective of what type (group) of aerial you are using the problem of zero reception from Mux 33 might simply be caused by your "overall" signal level being a tad on the low side.

Of course "if" your aerial is of other than a wideband type this would exacerbate the situation as far as Mux 33 is concerned, a high band aerial being used to receive a low band channel being much less efficient than if the reverse situation applied, i.e: a low band aerial being used to receive a high band channel.

The COM7 HD transmitter on C33 has an ERP (power) level of 72.35Kw compared to BBC-B's 100Kw HD Mux on C58, and so the differential is not by any means massive compared to that experienced on some other stations.

By the way, if you do get an indication of a signal on C33, let it sit on that channel for about a minute or so for the purpose of checking if the quality indication remains reasonably stable or not, such as frequently observed to dive downwards, because if it doesn't, then a simple (but excellent) variable gain booster of the type sold by Argos, item number 107 / 1533 @ £11.99 could well solve the problem.

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michele: In addition to that said by MikeB. It all depends on where the "existing" coaxial cable referred to is coming from / going to? because if you are meaning to intercept the coax cable coming down from one of your two chimney mounted aerials, then yes.

As far as the aerial in the loft is concerned, have any tests been carried out on the loft aerial to make sure that it can actually receive a signal when mounted in that position?, a small portable Freeview TV being temporarily installed in the loft being ideal for this purpose, the cable from the TV's aerial socket being coupled directly into the aerial before carrying out an auto-tune on the set.

It would though be advantageous if the TV in question had the programmes already stored in its memory, basically by it having already been installed elsewhere and with no attempts having been made to retune it.

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Peter Royle: Your particular locality sits in an almost direct line between the Oxford and Mendip transmitters, likewise its possible to receive Freeview from either station on each end of your aerial.

Although most aerials are seen to be facing towards Mendip (@ 42 miles / 239 degrees) and which is indicated as providing a slightly better signal, there are however a number of aerials facing in the direction of Oxford (@ 31 miles / 57 degrees), this being the case its really a question of which station your aerial is facing towards? then ensuring that your TV is actually tuned to that station and not the one being picked up on the reverse of your aerial, which on "some" types can be very much lower than the signal being received from the front.

Carry out a signal check on both BBC1 and ITV and note the Mux number seen along with the strength / quality indication, then check the number seen with the following.

Mendip - BBC Ch49 / ITV Ch54.

Oxford - BBC Ch53 / ITV Ch60.

By the way, its noticed that there are a number of trees in your area, and if any are in line with the direction your aerial is facing towards then the moisture content of the foliage can cause variations in the signal level being received.

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J
Freeview modes | Installing
Wednesday 30 July 2014 6:58PM

Jackson G: Excellent news! pleased that the software download has indeed cured the problem.

Thanks also for taking the time to send an update on the situation, as its always nice to know the outcome of any remedial action taken.

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Phil: Nothing is seen listed as yet as far as any failure of Malvern's HD transmitter is concerned, if its not possible to check with a neighbour to find out if they are also being similarly affected, then try disconnecting your box from the mains for about 60 seconds or so before reconnecting it again.

However, should it subsequently be found that the situation remains the same, then carry out a manufacturers reset on the box, this also known as "first time installation".

By the way, what brand / model of box is being referred to?

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J
Untitled
Thursday 31 July 2014 9:43AM

Michael: As a pin number was required in order to record this film in the first place, if you now find that you are unable to view the recording then the pin number on the card you are presently using is different to that used when the recording was made, access to the viewing or recording of Sky's subscription programmes based on a system of pin number access codes in conjunction with the serial number of a particular box, the reason why a subscribers viewing card cannot be used in another subscribers box without losing access to various features connected with the recording / playback side of the box.

The only way you will be able to overcome the problem is by contacting Sky, as they keep a record of any / all changes made to the standard method based on using the last four digits on the card, you should however be prepared for them asking a series of questions relating to your account details.

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Mr C Gardner: Digital UK is indicating that Blackhill's L-GLW Mux is transmitting on C51, although only on a power of 5 Kw compared to 100Kw as used by the other six main transmitters, the new COM7 Mux (HD only) on C32 being on 42.899Kw.

Needless to say, whether or not you will be able to receive the L-GLW transmission depends entirely on where you are located relative to that of the transmitter.

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Mr C Gardner : Although STV Glasgow is indeed on LCN 23 in the programme listings, its transmitted by the L-GLW Mux on C51, and so if LCN 23 is not seen listed on the EPG listings its most likely due to you not receiving the L-GLW transmitter.

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J
Feedback | Feedback
Friday 1 August 2014 12:20AM

Steve Coombs : Another point to note being, that aerials have to be vertically mounted to take full advantage of the high power COM transmissions from Rowridge, these being on 200Kw compared to 50Kw on the horizontally polarised transmissions, the PSB transmissions being on 200Kw on both polarities.

If your aerials are already mounted vertically? then your problem could be due to the aforementioned trees, or possibly related to the atmospheric conditions prevailing at this present time, as a terrain check indicates that the signal path from the Rowridge transmitter suffers from multiple obstructions starting from around 8 miles prior to your location, this meaning that reception is via diffraction (signal bending), signals received in this way being extremely vulnerable to problems caused by atmospheric conditions.

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Jeremy Flint: Out of interest, what strength / quality indicates do you see if you leave the box sitting on either the BBC or ITV and carry out a signal condition check? this achieved by pressing "menu" and selecting then pressing on the bottom icon on the left.

View the indications for about a couple of minutes for the purpose of observing if any fluctuations are seen in either the strength or quality indications.

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