All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
geoffrey jagger: I'm not sure I know the answer as Channel 4 and Channel 5 are carried on the same multiplex as ITV1, it would seem not to be a reception issue.
Bring up the signal strength screen whilst on Channel 4 and see what UHF channel it is tuned to. For Bilsdale it is C21.
Luxor appears to be and Asda brand and as such its not surprising not to find a user manual online. I repeat what I said above; try unplugging the aerial before it gets to C34 (and once it's scanned C31). Then plug it in again so it can get C42. Then look to see if it works, barring the fact that Mux C (C34) is missing. If there is manual tuning, try adding C34. Failing that, it may right itself in two weeks time when the rest of the multiplexes change.
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Jake: If you have BBC One where BBC Two analogue was, then this has happened because the new BBC digital (Freeview) signal is on the UHF channel (frequency) that BBC One used to occupy.
At the first stage of switchover at all transmitters, BBC Two analogue is turned off to allow for BBC standard definition digital services.
In some cases the UHF channel used by the BBC standard definition services is that of one of the other analogue channels and in such circumstances the other channel takes the place of BBC Two analogue for the fortnight until switchover completes.
If this is the case, then you cannot be receiving your TV directly from Bilsdale as its new BBC digital signal is on the channel used by its BBC Two (and therefore BBC One analogue remains where it has always been). However, its relays at Bainbridge, Guisborough, Peterlee and Whitby are all broadcasting BBC One analogue on the channel that was formerly used by BBC Two analogue and hence BBC One will appear under button number 2.
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shirley: If you could not get Freeview before switchover, then the only channels you will have now are the BBC ones. Without knowledge of where you are it is difficult to give any answer.
Which channels are you referring to being in the wrong order? Is it BBC One analogue that now appears on analogue button 2?
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susan burton: Only the BBC standard definition services have "switched". On the 26th the rest will follow.
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john : Could you receive Freeview before the switchover yesterday? What is the make and model of your TV?
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janette: It's probably the case that at the time the TV performed the automatic tuning scan, the signal that carries ITV1, C4, C5 and others wasn't quite good enough.
Try manually tuning to UHF channel 55 for these service (if the TV allows manual tuning).
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Jannette: It is likely that this won't be an issue when they have switched to full power on 26th. It is the weaker signal that is making it hit and miss for you.
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Ray Black: Try a manual tune on UHF channel 63 (specifying DVB-T2 mode if there is such an option).
DVB-T is the mode of standard definition multiplexes and DVB-T2 is that of the high-definition one.
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Alan McGregor: As this query is about reception, knowledge of your location is imperative so as to get a prediction of the signals available in your area. A postcode is best, or a postcode of a nearby location such as a shop.
Signal boosters or amplifiers make signals bigger. They are not "bad" per se, but can have a negative impact if not used appropriately.
Making a poor quality small signal bigger using an amplifier will yield a bigger poor quality signal - so the amp will be of no benefit. Or a signal that is of a great enough magnitude for the receiver may be made too big with an amplifier - here the amp will have a negative impact.
In the case of an amp that is used for distribution (has multiple outputs), the main function is to increase the level of the signal and therefore counteract any reduction caused by splitting it.
If it is an amplifier with one output, then really this is best at the aerial end of the cable, if indeed it is needed.
There is no such thing as a "digital aerial" other than, perhaps that one might refer to one's aerial as a "digital" one because that is the only type of signals that it is used to receive. Aerials work based on the frequency of the signals that the attached receiver is tuned to.
In some cases, after switchover, a replacement aerial is required to provide a full service and this is because the UHF channels (frequencies) that some of the new digital signals are on are outside of the "group" used for former analogue and hence outside of the aerial's range (where the aerial is one which is best for a particular "group" or portion of the TV frequency band).
Prior to switchover, whilst the weaker signals will be adequate for those closer to the transmitter, those a bit further away may find that their aerial is not sufficient to pick up those signals (but is likely to be sufficient after switchover).
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Wednesday 12 September 2012 2:05PM
Mat: Mendip, if possible, aerial horizontal.
The Portishead relay is on the top of Hanover House, although it carries PSB channels only. Aerials should be vertical.
Or Wenvoe which broadcasts PSB and COM channels, although carries the Wales regional variants of BBC One, BBC Two and ITV1. If Mendip is out and Wenvoe is therefore your only full-service transmitter, you could have another aerial pointing at Hanover House, either connected to a separate receiver or diplexed (combined) into one downlead.
For a list of services by multiplex (including which are PSB and which are COM), see:
DTG :: DTT Services by Multiplex
See ATV Sheffield's site for lots of information:
Mendip Transmitter
Mendip is all Group C/D so no wideband aerial is necessary. However, you may decide to get a wideband aerial just incase the authorities decide to change it all again so as to sell the spectrum off to the highest bidder...
Plus, if you get a wideband, it will also be suitable for Wenvoe (which is all Group B), should you find that Mendip isn't good enough.
If you are looking at receiving from Hanover House, then I assume that you can see its roof from yours, so a DM Log should do. Logs are wideband but have a flatter response than yagis. See here for examples:
Gain (curves), Again
I am wondering why your current aerial gives you nothing. Is there a fault that needs fixing and once it's fixed will give you the full service (if it points to Mendip)?
Even if it points to Hanover House, it will still be expected to give you PSB channels.
If your existing aerial points to Hanover House and you can get it working, then it's probably best to keep it as a backup. And if you find that Mendip isn't an option, you may decide to diplex it with one on Wenvoe.
It is worth looking to see where other aerials are pointing. Also, see if you can see anything that could be an obstruction that might be to the detriment of reception from your chosen transmitter.