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All posts by Syd Wall

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

S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Tuesday 15 March 2011 4:52PM
Shipston-on-stour

I'm embarrassed to ask this as I am sure I should be able to work it out myself, but I haven't been able to so here goes. I live in Admington (postcode CV36 4JN), less than 2 miles from the Lark Stoke transmitter. I have two aerials on my roof (the reasons for which are lost in the mists of time - I can't remember), one pointing to Lark Stoke, one to Sutton Coldfield. One aerial feeds the TVs in the kitchen and bedroom, the other feeds to the main TV in the lounge. How can I tell if the lounge TV is receiving from Lark Stoke or Sutton Coldfield?

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Wednesday 16 March 2011 9:13AM
Shipston-on-stour

Thanks LutonFan. I knew it would be simple. I'll point both aerials to Lark Stoke so I can take advantage of Lark Stoke's earlier analogue switch off.

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Tuesday 29 March 2011 12:15PM
Shipston-on-stour

Hi again - the Lark Stoke transmitter starts digital switchover next Wednesday, with the first stage being 'PSB1 starts on C26'.

Then on Apr 20th, we get this:
"Freeview power increases from 25W (average) to 1,260W, 50 times stronger.
COM4 starts on C41. COM5 starts on C44. COM6 starts on C47. NEW7 starts on C48. PSB2 starts on C23. PSB3 starts on C30".

I presume that some time on Wed Apr 6th, I must do a rescan. But all the action seems to be on the 20th, when I rescan again. So what will I notice on Apr 6th? What happens between the 6th & 20th? What are COM/NEW/PSB?
Thanks

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Thursday 31 March 2011 4:22PM
Shipston-on-stour

Thanks for the comprehensive answer, Mike

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Wednesday 6 April 2011 9:27AM
Shipston-on-stour

First experience of initial changeover at Lark Stoke is a rater odd result. My LG TV gets BBC1 ok, but my Topfield PVR gives perfect BBC1 reception (on Ch26) for 5 seconds then picture and sound completely disappear even though data shows reception at 99% quality and strength. Topfield BBC2 and other Ch26 PSB1 channels are all fine. I guess I'll just have to wait until April 20th to get everything right.

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Wednesday 6 April 2011 9:48PM
Shipston-on-stour

thanks Mike. I've retuned it a number of times before and this is the first problem I've seen, but there's always a first time so I'll check on updates.

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Wednesday 20 April 2011 9:04AM
Shipston-on-stour

Lark Stoke update: I retuned my Topfield mid week last week and the BBC1 4 second problem I reported above went away. Hurrah! Topfield forums had not come across this problem before - but before I tried any of their suggestions, the retune cleared it.

So I expected great things this morning with the analogue switch-off and digital power increase. But I retuned at 6am (and a few times since then) and things are worse than before April 6th. I have always had problems seeing much of the MUX D channels, but at least the Topfield recognised ITV4/Film4/Yesterday and showed them in the EPG guide. After this morning's retune, they have disappeared completely.
I am receiving Ch 26 and 23 (at Topfield level/quality 99%/99%) Ch 31 (62%/99%) and a few programmes on Ch 57 (40%/35%).
Also, all BBC TV and radio were perfect at 6am but in the last 15 minutes, all BBC TV/Radio stations have almost gone - picture blocked and no sound.

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S
Lark Stoke (Gloucestershire, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Wednesday 20 April 2011 10:34AM
Shipston-on-stour

Right - I've read through the transmission details at the top and note this foreboding section

'Following switchover at Lark Stoke, Arqiva A and Arqiva B will remain on their existing frequencies and powers, and the SDN multiplex will use a temporary frequency. All three multiplexes will adopt their final frequencies and powers during September 2011.'

I'm only 2 miles from Larkstoke so why can't I get, admittedly low power, ArqB? Aerial? I had a new aerial when I got my first freeview box 5/6 yrs ago. I've scanned on Ch60 where ArqB is found at present and get absolutely nothing.
Looks like I have to wait until Sept before I can get my cycling/isle of Man TT/motor sport on ITV4.
Can any reader in this area (I'm in Admington) get ITV4 from Lark Stoke?
Another question - why isn't ITV4, a relatively mainstream channel, on PSB2 instead of minor interest garbage like Rabbit and Gay Rabbit?

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