All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
John Keen: Do we have to guess that you might be somewhere in Suffolk, Essex or surrounding area?
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craig smith: Where is your aerial pointing? If it is pointing at Clacton transmitter (for which you posted your message on) then you will only get the channels you get. It does not broadcast Bid TV, Five US, Film 4 etc.
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Stephen: It is not simply the distance from the transmitter that determines strength. One other factor is line of sight.
For example, there are people who live within a few miles of high-power transmitters but cannot get a signal from it because they live behind a hill down in a valley.
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Rod Roberts: Ditto JimF's comments. I would manually tune in your case.
Alternatively, run the scan with the aerial unplugged and plug it in when it gets to 61%.
If, once you've done this, ITV3 is missing, then manually tune to Ch48 and this will add it and associated channels.
If Yesterday is missing, tune to Ch52. If ITV1 is missing, tune to Ch54.
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sheila taiar: The Digital UK predictor isn't too sparkling and the channels you identify are predicted as being the least best.
Try manually tuning to Ch22.
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Bob Brundrett: The power of the digital signal will be increased at switchover. It will therefore serve areas that it didn't before, or improve those which were iffy.
All transmitters that broadcast Freeview prior to switchover will broadcast all the channels (including the commercial ones) post-switchover.
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SARA: I think that it's likely that there is nothing wrong with the tuning on your TV/box. Therefore, there is no point in retuning because the frequencies that it has selected are correct.
It is probably, as jb38 suggests, the location you are in. It is something that you will have to live with until April when switchover occurs. I would be optimistic about the chances after then. The thing that is in your favour (which might not be taken into account with the predictor - jb38, do they take into account height of buildings?) is that you're in a three-storey building (plus roof space) which means that your aerial is higher up and hence increases the chances of a better reception.
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Bob Brudrett, jb38: Bob, the predictor shows a much better result for Midhurst at what I believe to be your address than at the Ryde Post Office.
Go to the Digital UK website and enter your post code and house number and click the box to say that you are in the trade and it will come up with the prediction of reception both pre and post switchover.
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Alec: I'm not an aerial installer myself, but I will offer you my thoughts.
If water has got into the cable once, then it can do again. It is also likely that the water has damaged the cable as it obviously ran along its length.
Maybe the cable has been blowing in the wind and chafing against a roof tile, flashing or gutter, perhaps blown by the wind. Once it's worn a hole in it, that's it and it should be replaced (taking care to install it such that the same thing won't happen again).
At 10 miles with line of sight you shouldn't have any issues, even before switchover. This terrain tool shows that you do have line of sight with the transmitter, *but this doesn't take into account obstructions such as buildings and trees*:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
Below the picture of the ground between you and the transmitter, if you click on the link "View map of area..." this will show you a line between you and the transmitter. Clearly there is an approximation as I've taken your postcode (which will be a number of properties) and converted it to a OS grid reference.
On that map, if you switch to satellite view (or hybrid) you can see that the line passes close to Burghley Tower. You may or may not have that in your way (depending on your exact location). Some neighbours may have difficulty (and therefore larger aerials) because of this (or you may also be in the shadow).
As a matter of principle though, I would have the cable replaced. If you have a friend or family member who might be able to do it for you, then have a look at ATV Sheffield which has loads of information on this and they sell it mail order as well:
Satellite, Television, FM, DAB, Aerial, Coaxial Cable, Plugs, Sockets, Connectors & Leads
If it turns out, having replaced the cable, that the reception isn't too good, then you can always look at your options for replacement of aerial (particularly if you can get someone who you know to do it).
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Monday 19 December 2011 2:48PM
G A BARTLETT: On 18th April 2012 the power of the commercial channels from Stockland Hill will be increased.
If your aerial points to Bridport, then it will never broadcast the commercial channels.