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All posts by Dave Lindsay

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

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Sunday 3 November 2013 4:52PM

Anna: It's unlikely that a laptop will interfere with the TV reception. You could always try powering down your laptop as that would prove either way.

It may be worth finding out if there is a 4G testing in your area which may interfere with TV reception. The body set-up by the mobile operators and charged with alleviating interference is at800. Give them a ring and explain the issue, giving times of the interference if you have them and they should be able to tell you whether those times coincided with a 4G base station being on the air.

See here for contact details:

Contact at800 / DMSL | General Enquiries | at800

If it appears to be a possible case of 4G interference then they will probably send you a free filter to put on your aerial lead.

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LouiseB: There is a wealth of information on ATV's site:

Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial

They also have an online shop - other retailers are available.

If you get a yagi type, go with a Group K, which is Group A and B combined. This will work for both Crystal Palace and Bluebell Hill.

If you are sure that you will only be attempting reception from Crystal Palace then a Group A will work. The point is that a Group A isn't really designed for Bluebell Hill.

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jonathan: No you can't.

YouView uses the terrestrial "Freeview" system to receive TV services (other than those that it gets "on demand" over your broadband connection). It isn't compatible with any satellite platform, whether it be Sky or Freesat.

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LouiseB: A 4G filter is unlikely to be required, and if it is it can be added later. Those at greatest risk of interference use a transmitter which broadcasts on C60 or C59 which are the closest to 4G signals.

According to publically available data, the closest base stations to you are on the hospital (or at least within its grounds).

I've posted on the Crystal Palace page: I suggest that you get a Group K aerial if it's a yagi; a wideband is unnecessary. Invariably DIY shops and other outlets sell wideband aerials.

Do your homework and track down a model that professional installers would use.

Also, bear in mind that if all else fails you might have to have it put on the roof.

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Clermont Carn Saorview transmitter
Monday 4 November 2013 12:19AM

Ian: The difference in predicted coverage is due to the difference in published radiation patterns of the two muxes. See above under the heading "Is the transmitter output the same in all directions?".

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mike jones: No.

The Commercial broadcasters aren't likely to be broadcasting from Llandrindod Wells transmitter and over 1,000 other similar small relays, ever. See here for an explanation:

Londonderry (Northern Ireland) transmitter | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice

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john hope: There aren't likely to be any more services available on terrestrial television (Freeview) from the Newton transmitter. This is down to the Commerial broadcasters having free reign on where they transmit from, a decision driven by their objective to generate a return by showing adverts to as many as possible for least possible cost.

See here for a further explanation:

Londonderry (Northern Ireland) Freeview Light transmitter | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice

In general, a satellite service is likely to be the only was Hexham residents will increase the number of services.

In spots where reception from Pontop Pike is possible, be aware that its Commercial channels from Pontop Pike (those that aren't carried by the Newton relay) are co-channel (same frequencies) with the Haltwhistle relay transmitter. So some viewers could potentially end up no better off, or at least suffer interference at times.


DAB will be available in Hexham within two years. Last month the BBC announced that it will be installing 162 new DAB transmitters for its national network, including one in Hexham:

Where will the 162 new BBC DAB transmitters be? | Digital radio | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice

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Monday 4 November 2013 11:11PM

Richard Wicks: You can still watch local news with your aerials combined as they were previously. The added difficulty is with COM5 and COM6 from Belmont being on C53 and C60 respectively.

In answer to your question, I've made a suggestion before:

Freeview reception - all about aerials | Installing | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice

This requires two diplexers, a King's Lynn aerial and two Belmont aerials or one Belmont aerial fed into a splitter.

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John Layton: Firstly, any receiver that does not have a manual tune function is not fit for purpose in the "real world".

There is quite a simple answer and you might kick yourself when you find out what it is.

All of Tacolneston's channels are high up and Belmont's PSBs (which carry BBC and ITV regional services) are low down. Have your aerial lead unplugged whilst the box is scanning channels up to about 35. As a percentage (if the box gives percentage progress) then that is about 30%.

Once you've completed, check that COM5 (Pick TV) is tuned to C45 and not C53 (which is Belmont). Also check that COM6 (4Music) is tuned to C39 and not C60. This information is usually given on the signal strength screen.

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Paul McIlfatrick: The NIMM isn't expected to be extended to relays.

It is currently available from Black Mountain (which is adjacent to Divis), Carnmoney Hill which serves Newtownabbey and surrounding area and Brougher Mountain.

Its purpose is to complement the overspill from the South, which is why the main transmitter at Limavady doesn't carry it.

Ofcom published a factsheet here:

http://consumers.ofcom.or….pdf

The map shows a little hole in the coverage where you are. It would appear that Clermont can't help you either.

If an aerial installer confirms that you have no chance of receiving RT terrestrially, then perhaps Saorsat is your only option.

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