All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Mr KN Young: I suspect that the changes to channels at Steyning are to do with the clearance of C61 upwards for mobile 4G use. A number of transmitters are affected and this October seems to be at least one of the times when retunes are going to be needed.
Unfortunately there is no such change due for Haslemere.
One of the issues is that C31 to C37 are being cleared at switchover. This is (or was if the powers that be can make up their minds) going to be used (auctioned off, naturally!) for other TV channels. Consequently, Group A channels that are available for use went from 21 through to 34 to only 21 to 30. As aerials (particularly in the past) tended to be for a particular Group rather than the whole band, most transmitters have kept the same Group (for Public Service channels at least). So now there are effectively less Group A channels available, which is why Haslemere clashes with CP. In other areas, *some* Group A transmitters have some or all Commercial channels (Pick TV, Yesterday etc) out of Group (higher up channels), requiring most people who use them to get a new aerial if they want to watch these channels. As I say, in most cases Public Service channels are in Group.
Even though Midhurst is less than six miles away, you don't have line of sight and from what I can see, the hills that the signal comes over to get to you are covered in trees which isn't good:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
Perhaps you could contact your local newspaper about this.
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PurpleV: From Pontop Pike all channels are on the same power. There is engineering work there too.
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Terry: Bring up the signal strength screen and check that it is tuned to C55 and not C22 which is Fenham.
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Mary Middleton: You live high up appear to have direct line of sight to Hannington (21 miles), Oxford (16 miles) and Crystal Palace (43 miles). This, on the face of it, would appear to mean that you may be in an excellent reception area.
As jb38 says, check that you are tuned to the transmitter to which your aerial faces.
If it's not tuned correctly, a workaround can be suggested.
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Mary Middleton: I cross-posted with you.
In answer to your question, BBC1 is tuned to Hannington and ITV1 is tuned to Crystal Palace.
Because of the way in which the frequencies of these three transmitters are spread out, you can unplug the aerial lead during the scan to avoid picking up the ones you don't want.
Oxford is north north west and transmits BBC Oxford and ITV Central. To ensure that you are only tuned to it, run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up until 57%.
Hannington is south south west and if your aerial is pointing at it, then start the scan with the aerial unplugged up until 30% and then unplug at 57%.
If, after doing this, you are missing and channels and you have manual tuning on your TV, tell us what they are and we will tell you what you need to manually tune to in order to add them. You will need to say what transmitter you are using.
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Mary Middleton: Your problem appears to be that the aerial faces one way and the TV has tuned to another transmitter(s) which would explain poor reception. This can happen in areas where signals from different transmitters can be picked up.
You need to establish which transmitter the aerial faces so as to get it tuned correctly. My suggestions for Oxford and Hannington are above. Hannington broadcasts ITV Meridian by the way.
If your aerial faces Crystal Palace which broadcasts London programming and is east, then run the scan with the aerial plugged in and unplug at 30% and leave it unplugged until the scan completes.
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According to Ofcom, C48 is subject to "reactive power reduction of 87,000 Watts if
required". Does this mean that they (somehow) monitor it and if it starts to carry in to Pontop Pike's area, then they turn it down?
http://licensing.ofcom.or….pdf
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Mary Middleton: Now you are sure that your aerial is facing Oxford, you need to get all the channels tuned in from there, as you have different ones from different transmitters.
The user manual for the Panasonic is here:
Support - Downloads - Panasonic UK & Ireland
(Choose the bottom of the four that says it is 11.8MB)
Page 47 talks about tuning. Basically you have three options:
1. Auto-Setup Restart - This wipes the stored channels and scans for available channels.
2. DVB Manual Tuning - This allows specific channels to be added.
3. Add New DVB Services - This doesn't wipe what channels that are stored, but scans to see if any new ones are available.
If you use number 2, manual tuning, without clearing what you already have, you may find that it achieves nothing. This depends on the design of the receiver. As the Oxford channels may be stored in the 800s, as soon as you manually tune to them it may consider that they are already stored, and therefore do nothing. What you are trying to do is get Oxford in their proper logical channel number positions (1 through to 728).
For this reason you need to wipe what channels are stored using some method. Running the Auto-Setup Restart may accomplish this.
The go to DVB Manual Tuning. For Oxford you need to add the following five channels: C53 (BBC One), C60 (ITV1), C62 (ITV3), C59 (Pick TV), C55 (Yesterday). Note that C62 is expected to change to C50 in October next year.
On the DVB Manual Tuning screen, use the up/down buttons to select a channel number. Then press OK and it will look at that UHF channel and after a short wait it will list all services carried on it. Depending on how it works, you may be able to carry on adding the other channels, or you may have to press EXIT and then go back into DVB Manual Tuning and do the next.
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Helping you with the Bush TV may be a little more tricky as the manual does not appear to be available online.
However, if it has manual tuning, then follow the same general procedure as outlined above. That is, aim to clear what's stored and then add the five channels.
Alternatively, whilst performing its automatic tuning scan it gives a percentage progress, then start it off with the aerial unplugged and then plug in when it gets to 57%. If there is manual tuning and you are missing any channels, then use it to add them (using channel numbers given above).
The objective of unplugging the aerial is to have the aerial disconnected whilst it is scanning frequencies used by Crystal Palace and Hannington, thereby irradicating the possibility that it will store them instead of the Oxford ones.
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jb38: With apparent clear line of sight as Mary has, surely the likely prediction would be 100s right across the board (or near 100s), except where signals from distance station(s) may interfere. Therefore is it not likely to be the case that the lower scores are as a result of other transmitters?
It would surely be useful if the Digital UK Tradeview predictor would indicate which station(s) it thinks may degrade reception as the level to which they will do in practice surely depends on factors such as the design of the aerial and its location such as if there is an obstruction to help block the unwanted signal.
Also, the fact that Mary has a high gain aerial surely reduces her chance of interference, particularly where it originates from outside the main acceptance angle. Or is the true in a way, except for where there is a reflection of the unwanted signal that is in the direction to which the aerial faces.
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Briantist: There are some pages which appear to have the comments turned off, yet there is a box to make a comment.
I've just posted on this page but the comment is not showing:
Compare Freeview and Freesat TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The comment I made was the fact that "ITV3 (CI)" is showing as being available on Freesat but not full Freeview. I gather this has something to do with ITV3 being available on PSB2 on the Channel Islands.
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Anne billinge: The Leek transmitter does not carry the Commercial services which include ITV3, ITV4 and Film 4 as it is used by the Public Service Broadcasters only.
The Commercial broadcasters operate to make a profit with no "Public Service" requirement. They choose where to site their transmitters and do so in locations where they can get as many potential viewers for as little cost as possible.
They achieve a 90% coverage of the population by broadcasting from 81 of the largest transmitters (largest by viewer population). There are around 1,100 small "filler-in" relay transmitters such as the one in Leek. However, to transmit from all these sites would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base.
For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The problem for you is that the hills are blocking reception from main stations such as Sutton Coldfield, which is why the Leek transmitter was installed.
Probably your only and best way of getting extra free to air channels is Freesat.
See here for a comparison:
Compare Freeview and Freesat TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
ITV3 is available on Freesat.
Dave and Yesterday are not.
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Nik: What is this subsidy that your refer to as paying? Is there a by-law in Bishops Castle that requires such a payment to be made?
A TV Licence is required by law to watch television services as they are broadcast. It does not guarantee receipt any signals.
However, the money from the TV Licence goes to the BBC and as a Public Service broadcaster, the BBC transmits Oakeley Mynd.
The Commercial broadcasters choose where to site their transmitters. The operate on a profit driven basis and have no "Public Service" obligation, unlike BBC, ITV1, C4 and C5. The cost for them to transmit from the remaining 1,000 or so relays would increase their potential viewer base by 8.5% of the population whilst requiring them to expend roughly the same amount as they have done to cover 90% of the population now. This is capitalism for you; if it isn't likely to generate a worthwhile return, then it won't get done.
So in areas where the Commercial broadcasters decide not to serve (such as yours), how does paying the same amount to the BBC (which does broadcast) amount to a subsidy when none of that revenue goes to the Commercial broadcasters???
I sympathise with your position and am concerned that the private interests of broadcasters are being allowed to affect the availability of services. The same is true in other areas such as postal services and telecommunications and is the case for broadly the same reasons.
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Mary Middleton: Prior to switchover, the digital signals were on lower power and hence weaker and there was therefore less places where they overlapped. It also meant that some areas weren't served, which is why the power of the signals had to go up. The problem of overlap and receivers picking up neighbouring transmitters was also present in the days of analogue.
It is more a case of how well a receiver deals with such a situation when it performs its automatic tuning procedure, which goes on to answer your next question. Some leave a lot to be desired and may have worked fine in the lab when presented with signals from one transmitter, but that's often not what it's like in the real world. The simplest scan the frequencies and use the first ones they find, putting any subsequent duplicates in the 800s. This is fine only in those locations where the desired transmitter is the first to be found (lowest frequencies out of all those present). Others go on strength and others seemingly have little logic attached to their decision process of which channels may be the "desired" ones.
Based on what you've said, your receiver does not even check to ensure that it is picking up all services from the same transmitter, even if it may not be the "right" one.
More recent sets are better and ask the user which "Region" they wish to use where multiple ones have been picked up. They are essentially asking "which set of channels from which transmitter do you want to use?" The transmitter is not identified by name, but by the principal area it serves. This should hopefully mean that all the main channels that it has stored are those of your chosen transmitter and the "others" will be put in the 800s.
Because of all of the above, I don't trust automatic tuning to pick up the right set of channels and always check that they are indeed coming from the desired transmitter (by checking the signal strength screen). When you repeatedly retuned, what was probably happening is that the procedure was picking the same signals to go with which, as it turns out, are wrong. So you (well your receiver was!) were probably achieving the same wrong result.
With any technical fault finding, there can be different causes for the fault. Moisture in the cable is one possibility, although due to the likelihood of the above, I would tend to check that everything is tuned correctly first.
Once you have it tuned correctly, then make a note of what you did. You may wish to print this out for future use if you have a printer.
If you continue to have issues with reception, then they will not be down to receiving signals that the aerial was not installed for. Therefore, the tuning is correct and should not be adjusted.
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sgk: The box is of no use after switchover.
The design did not extend to full compliance with the DVB-T specification which is what is used for standard definition broadcasts in the UK. It was only ever designed to work in 2k mode and not 8k mode.
The broadcasters or regulators don't offer any recompense to owners of devices that don't fully comply with the DVB-T specification.
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Pat Brock: If your daughter is using the Bishop's Stortford relay transmitter, then she will only get the Public Service channels which are BBC TV and radio, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD channels.
BBC One should be tuned to C59 and ITV1 to C55 for this transmitter which is located on the Raynham Road Industrial Estate. This information is usually given on the signal strength screen.
If this isn't right, then run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged and plug in at 60% (or around UHF Channel 50). This should avoid the receiver picking up signals from other transmitters.
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Brian O'Keefe: Oh dear. If you intend to fix it yourself, then I recommend looking at www.aerialsandtv.com
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Pat Brock: Yes, a receiver "can" tune BBC and ITV from different transmitters, but it is usually the case that one transmitter is used for all channels. Where this happens, then one (or both) must be tuned incorrectly (tuned to the wrong transmitter). This is liable to result in poor or intermittent reception due to the fact that signal being received does not come from the direction to which the aerial faces.
HD services from Bishop's Stortford transmitter are on C50, so if it's not a HD receiver, then it won't find anything, even if there is a signal present.
What your daughter needs to establish is what transmitter is the aerial points to. Crystal Palace is a bit clockwise of south and aerials are horizontal (elements flat).
For Bishop's Stortford relay transmitter, aerials are vertical (elements up/down) and will be pointing in the direction of Raynham Road Industrial Estate.
For ITV1, C4 etc from Crystal Palace, tune to C26.
A full factory reset "may" be necessary. Some devices remember remnants of previous configurations which could conflict now things have changed at switchover.
If it is Crystal Palace, then all its channels are low down (in the 20s). So when the automatic tuning scan is run, all its channels will be picked up in the first 30%, so unplug the aerial lead once it's passed that point as there's nothing else to pick up.
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Pat Brock: Is it a fixed aerial that your daughter is using and is there a booster plugged in?
If there is a booster and it was needed prior to switchover, then I think that it is likely that the aerial points to Crystal Palace. Remove the booster as it could be causing the problem.
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Big Mart: I don't know whether this has been raised, but where HDMI leads run near to aerial leads, they can degrade the signal. The same goes for USB leads near to aerial leads.
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David Parker: I think that it is possible that Emley Moor's signal could interfere with the Pontop Pike. This would seem to be the only logical explanation for C48 to have this restriction placed on it until the date that Pontop Pike ceases use of that channel.
The "low" power of 87kW is still very high and is higher than quite a few other main stations. So evidently it is anticipated that any potential interference would only be caused above 87kW.
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David Parker: But Bradford is on the edge of the Pennines and as such the terrain goes up and down. Those who are down in the valleys will therefore be quite a way off having line of sight and therefore will have difficulty, which is why relays such as Idle and Wharfdale exist.
The fact that this is the case does not stop the signal going further for those who do have line of sight. It is not solely the distance from the transmitter but what degree of line-of-sight there is!
I believe that the coverage map at the top of this page assumes an omnidirectional radiation pattern as the powers that be won't release them. The green area reaches County Durham so a signal strong enough to cause interference may go further.
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Edmund Janes: No, the Commercial broadcasters don't wish to pay for the installation and upkeep of transmitter equipment at Portslade and over 1,000 other similar small sites. Unlike the broadcasters that do transmit from Portslade, they have no "Public Service" obligation.
See here for a further explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
A few houses in Graham Close have aerials on Rowridge which will give you the full service. It carries BBC South, unlike Portslade, as a relay of Whitehawk, which now carries BBC South East.
Assuming that you can receive from Rowridge, you could either go for the full service from it or combine with your existing aerial so as to watch BBC South East. Or you may be able to pick up directly from Whitehawk; its post-switchover power is greater than the equivalent former analogue power. The only thing that concerns me about Whitehawk is that the prediction for one of the Commercial channels gets worse in October of this year and I can't see why. I assume that another transmitter somewhere will be changing channel, but can't work out which one.
How feasible these options are will be subject to relevant tests by an installer on-site. You're certainly not in a good area for these transmitters, so you will probably need more of a substantial aerial.
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KMJ,Derby: Thanks. Is it just me or would it not be useful for Digital UK Tradeview to convey this information? Surely the degree to which the co-channel transmitter actually interferes depends on the direction and polarisation of the aerial, as well as its rejection characteristics, particularly in the direction of the interfering transmitter.
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Mary Middleton: You can use a separate set-top box for the Bush TV, connecting it with a scart lead (or HDMI if both have it). Indeed, as your TV can you display HD pictures, you could attach a HD receiver so you can watch the four HD programme channels (you will need to use a HDMI lead to link that receiver and TV).
However, despite the Bush's tuner being so basic, I think that there is a good chance of getting it tuned entirely to Oxford if it gives a percentage or UHF channel number as it scans. This is due to the spacing of the channels which mean that unplugging the aerial trick is a possibility. If it doesn't give a percentage or channel number as it scans, and it is just a bar that goes across the screen, you can have a guess, but it will be more tricky.
When a tuner scans, it looks at channel 21 through to 69.
Oxford's lowest channel is 53 which is BBC One etc.
Hannington's highest is 47 which is Yesterday etc.
So your target is to get it plugged in somewhere between the two. If the signal strength screen gives the channel number, then having completed the scan, you can check each of the following are correct:
BBC One = C53
ITV1 = C60
ITV3 = C62
Pick TV = C59
Yesterday = C55
In October next year C62 is expected to move to C50, so the gap between the two which is your "target" for getting it plugged in, reduces.
You may have to do this a number of times before you get it right. If you get the aerial in too late and it misses BBC on C53, then try again but plug it in sooner. You may find that if you get it in too soon and it scans 47 from Hannington it puts them in the 800s and chooses to go with the Oxford equivalent. The next channel down that Hannington uses and which it may pick up if plugged in too soon is C45 which is its BBC.
Finally, this may be helpful, the programme channels are broadcast in groups of which there are five for standard definition services. See under the heading "After switchover configuration" here:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
So when I gave you the channel numbers above, I referred to the first service in each of these groups. BBC Two and other BBC standard definition TV and radio are on the same channel as BBC One, for example.
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Colin: The three multiplexes that Barskeoch transmits are the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) ones and there are over 1,000 other Freeview Lite transmitters that each cover a small area.
The other three muxes are operated by the Commercial (COM) broadcasters and they choose where to site their transmitter as they have no "Public Service" obligation. They cover 90% of the population by broadcasting from 81 of the largest sites (largest by population).
The projected cost of them using the rest of the transmitters would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% off the population to their potential viewer base. Due to the profit-driven motive of these organisations, they decided not to bother with the smaller transmitters.
For a more in-depth explanation, see Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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P Thomson: The thing with Belmont is that it used to be Group A only, but is now wideband due to the use of C53 and C60.
Has your daughter's Group A aerial been replaced by a wideband one? Does the signal strength on C60 (Yesterday etc) show as being markedly lower than that of BBC One, ITV1 and ITV3?
If there is manual tuning, tune to C53. See if on the screen it gives you an indication of the level of the signal. Maybe it is just below that needed to work.
The Sheffield transmitter is "semi-"wideband and was wideband for analogue Channel 5, so you may have had your aerial replaced for a similar reason.
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P Thomson: The Blackburn relay uses C53 and C60. It is next to the M1 and beams its signal to its north west. I wonder if this is the problem.
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P Thomson: It is only 2W to its north west!
I'm not sure whether that might have an affect at 1.4 miles off-beam of the main signal. Just a thought anyway.
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P Thomson: Blackburn is vertically polarised whereas Belmont is horizontal, so a horizontal aerial should act to "reject" any unwanted signals to a degree.
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Debbie: Too much signal into your receiver could be a possibility. See here:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Tom,Horsham: Not receiving C50 does not necessarily contradict KMJ,Derby as he did not say that you would be able to receive. It is, according to information from the powers that be, a fact that C50 is now up to its full final power of 10kW.
Before switchover, Midhurst's lowest channel was 55. I therefore wonder if your aerial system has a filter in place that is preventing C50 from going through it from the Midhurst aerial.
Below 55, there is only C50, so perhaps there is a filter that cuts off signals somewhere between the two.
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John: Excessive strength of signals coming down aerial leads can be a problem, particularly after switchover.
It is generally expected that where Freeview was available before switchover, that afterwards a full service will be available. In some cases there are exceptions.
At some transmitters, these services are on low power for a period after switchover and this is usually to protect against interference to viewers of other transmitters that haven't switched.
Another thing is that some receivers don't work or don't work in part after switchover, due to various issues.
When the engineer adjusted the amplifier underneath the aerial, did he make any mention of why it is you might not be receiving the missing channels?
As far as satellite services goes, Freesat is available. You can have a Sky+ box without subscription, but you will not be able to use the recording facilities. I understand that you must pay Sky £10 per month for the privilege.
See here for a comparison:
Compare Freeview and Freesat TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
ITV3 is on Freesat; ignore the icon that says that it isn't.
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John: Perhaps with knowledge of your location and maybe transmitter, as well as the make and model of your receiver, we may be able to shed some light on why it may be that you aren't picking up some channels.
If you would like some help, for each of the following, please indicate whether you have it or not: BBC One, ITV1 (or STV if you are in parts of Scotland), ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday.
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Andrew: The power of the COMs from Midhurst will not increase in power.
I fear that your problem isn't so much low power signal from Midhurst, but the Steyning relay transmitter which is on King's Barn Lane adjacent to Broadfield Stables.
The transmitter doesn't broadcast its signal omnidirectionally. Whilst the powers that be won't release the radiation pattern under FOI, examination of photographs of the transmit antennas on the mast leads me to believe that it beams its signal in your general direction, as well as that of Steyning. (The radiation pattern is the plot of how much signal it throws out in each direction.) Whilst it is vertically polarised, at such close proximity it's probably not surprising that a horizontal aerial picks it up to a degree.
Steyning transmitter broadcasts only the Public Service (PSB) channels (i.e. it doesn't carry the COMs you're having difficulty with). But the three channels that it uses are the same as those used by Midhurst for its COMs. A similar situation exists in Horndean and in some other cases elsewhere that are near to low power relays like Steyning. This is obviously one of the reasons that Midhurst's COMs are restricted in power with respect to the PSBs.
In October of this year the three channels used by Steyning will change and one of Midhurst's COMs will do as well. At this time some of Midhurst's services will cease being co-channel with Steyning's.
I see that there are quite a few aerials on your road that appear to be on Crystal Palace. This may give you the Commercial channels.
I sympathise that you may have a decision to make; to do nothing now and wait until October or spend money making changes to your aerial(s) so as to receive the COMs from another transmitter until October.
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Christopher: You really need a professional installer to answer the question.
However, I will make some observations:
- The three storey block on the opposite side may be an issue.
- This plot shows that you're at the bottom of a drop which is blocking your line of sight of Wenvoe (as well as other terrain that is in the way):
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
If any booster/amplifier is to aid your reception of the Commercial channels from Wenvoe, then it needs professionally fitting on the roof.
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chunkylover57: The channels you do not get are the Commercial ones and the broadcasters have decided not to bother with the Porth transmitter and over 1,000 similar small "filler-in" relays nationwide. They operate on a profit driven basis and cover 90% of the population from 81 of the largest transmitter sites (largest by viewer population). To transmit from the 1,000 plus relays would roughly double their cost of transmission whilst only adding 8.5% of the population to their potential viewer base.
For a more in-depth explanation, see here:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Dinna: The answer may be to switch the aerial from horizontal to vertical, as shown in this picture: http://bit.ly/IKM4PE
Prior to switchover, Rowridge transmitted only horizontally, hence your aerial is horizontal. However, after switchover it broadcasts horizontally and vertically.
The Public Service channels, which are BBC, ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5 and some others, are equally as strong horizontally and vertically and the signals are as powerful as the former analogue and so can cover the same area.
However, the Commercial channels (ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film 4, Dave etc) are as strong as the Public Service channels vertically only. Consequently your horizontal aerial may not be picking up sufficient signal on one or more of the Commercial channels.
If you have a signal booster that you can remove easily, then try removing it and try again.
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Mike James: It's probably best to have the aerial switched to vertical.
There are two reasons:
1. The Commercial multiplexes are stronger vertically that horizontally, whereas the Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc) are the same with both polarisations.
2. Other transmitters use the same channels as the Rowridge Commercial multiplexes, notably Crystal Palace which is in the opposite direction and therefore could be being picked up off the back of the aerial. Crystal Palace is horizontal only, so switching to vertical should help with the "rejection" of its (probably weak) signals.
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Gary: I Googled and the results suggest that "Philex SLx Pro" is in fact a model or range of distribution amplifiers.
If the aerial has an amplifier mounted on it, then this will need to be powered in order for any signal to come out of it.
I found this manual for the SLx6 which is the 6-output distribution amplifier. On its input (the one you connect to the aerial) it can supply the power to the aerial's amplifier.
If you have good line of sight to the transmitter (is it Fenton??), then I wouldn't think that an aerial amplifier was necessary.
With your set-top aerial, confirm which you are tuned to. For each of the following, bring up the signal strength screen and see what UHF channel it is tuned to:
BBC One = C24
ITV1 = C27
ITV3 = C25
Pick TV = C22
Yesterday = C28
These channel numbers are those of Fenton. If any are different, then let us me and I will identify which it is that you are picking up.
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Gary: Sorry, I missed the link to the Philex manual:
http://www.philex.com/ass….pdf
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Ruth: Perhaps there isn't an aerial and the poor signal you have is being picked up by the cable you have connected to the TV's aerial input.
What about other equipment such as a PVR or another television? Do they find more channels?
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Richard Baguley: As far as I know there is only one retune on 9th May and that is for the SDN multiplex (ITV3 etc) from Sandy Heath.
Your TV may have some of Sandy Heath's channels stored, possibly in the 800s.
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Peter: If you are using Rowridge, then switch your aerial from horizontal to vertical. The Commercial channels are lower power horizontally.
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Peter: Is the booster accessible and can you try either reducing the level of amplification? Or try bypassing it so that the aerial feeds only one aerial socket as a test?
I suggest these as possible lines of investigation prior to adjusting your aerial.
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Mike James: The vertical element of the Commercial channels from Rowridge was only introduced on 18th April. The vertical element of the Public Service channels was introduced at switchover on 7th and 21st March.
So it's probably safe to say that it will be horizontal.
Whilst it is the case that wideband yagi aerials are less sensitive at Group A channels, I don't see this being a potential issue here though. If it worked before switchover, then it should be sufficient to pick up signals now.
I believe that the likely issue is the marked difference in strength of the Commercial channels with respect to the Public Service ones. Plus possible interference from Crystal Palace of course.
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jb38: Is an excessive level of signal likely to cause damage to the tuner? Or does it only happen in extreme cases?
Where it does happen, does this happen instantly or is it a matter of time? Or in general it is both, depending on how extreme it is?
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John Slater: If you're picking up BBC Midlands Today instead of BBC Look East, then you're not tuned to Sandy Heath (for BBC One and probably other BBC standard definition channels). If your aerial is directed to Sandy Heath, then receiving a signal from elsewhere may be likely to result in poor reception.
The Digital UK Tradeview predictor suggests that the most likely candidate at your location is Waltham. Most receivers give the UHF channel number (equivalent to frequency) that it is tuned to for any particular programme channel and this is usually on the signal strength screen.
Go to BBC One and bring up the signal strength screen. My guess is that it will say C61, which is BBC standard definition services from Waltham. This is BBC One East Midlands region.
To fix the problem, here's the science bit. The programme channels are broadcast in six groups; five for the standard definition services and one for the HD ones.
See here under the heading "After switchover configuration" for the groups (known as multiplexes or "muxes"):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
BBC B carries all four HD services and is therefore only applicable for HD receivers.
If your receiver has manual tuning, then do the following. If not, then the workaround may be more tricky and I can suggest something to try if this is the case.
The end objective is to be tuned to all five (or six) Sandy Heath muxes with none from Waltham (which I've included in brackets):
BBC One = C27 (Waltham 61)
ITV1 = C24 (Waltham 54)
BBC One HD = C21 (Waltham 58)
ITV3 = C31* (Waltham 29)
Pick TV = C52 (Waltham 56)
Yesterday = C48 (Waltham 57)
* SDN (ITV3 etc) will move to C51 on 9th May. Its transmission power will also go up to its full final level. This is the retune event you have been told about and it therefore only affects services on SDN.
In the list above, I've referred to the first service within each group. Focus your attention on getting these right and the others within each group should be right.
During the automatic tuning scan, it is possible to prevent the receiver from finding certain channels by having the aerial lead unplugged when it is scanning them. Some receivers give UHF channel numbers as they scan and some give percentage. The scan runs from C21 to C69, so if it's percentage only, then you can convert.
It is easier said that done to unplug the aerial at a particular channel due to the speed that the scan runs. However, if you aim to unplug too soon, if you are missing the wanted channels you can add them manually.
All but one of Waltham's muxes are at the top end. You need to avoid picking up 29.
If, for example, you run the tuning with the aerial plugged in and then unplug at 8%, you should get ITV1 on C24. Then use the manual tuning function to add the others.
Or, depending on the design of the receiver, you may be able to run the tuning scan through with the aerial unplugged to clear the channel memory. Having done this, use the manual tuning function to add all five (or six) muxes.
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Ertriad: That's the lot from Chartham; it isn't likely that there will be more. This is because the Commercial broadcasters only wish to stick with 81 of the largest transmitters (largest by population). Evidently they have decided that the cost to include the 1,000 or so small transmitters like Chartham outways the benefit (to them). That cost would roughly equal that of the 81 main/large transmitters whilst only adding less than 10% to the potential viewer base.
See here for a more in-depth explanation: Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The only thing you can do with regards receiving the Commercial terrestrial channels is to investigate the possibility of receiving from one of the transmitting stations that carry them. This will, of course, mean you having to have another aerial and is also not guaranteed.
The other main option for additional free-to-air channels is Freesat.
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steve hooper: I think that the likely answer is yes.
The problem you have is probably due to the difference in strength of the Commercial channels relative to the Public Service ones. The Commercial channels are, after all, 50kW horizontally, which is stronger than some smaller main stations.
The higher power signals could be acting to desensitise your receiver making it more difficult to pick up the (relatively speaking) weaker ones.
You "may" be able to attenuate (all signals) and find a sweet spot where all will work fine, without the need to adjust your aerial. A variable attenuator allows adjustment, and these are usually (up to) 20dB. If you do try this, 20dB might not be enough, judging by your close proximity to the transmitter. You may need another attenuator, say 18dB or 24dB, and have this connected inline with the variable one.
See: Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Attenuators are available for a few pounds from sources such as eBay and Amazon.
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Magnus: Are you talking about analogue reception? Analogue signals only provided the four channels you mention (plus Channel 5 in some areas).
If it is analogue, which I suspect it is, then this was turned off last month.
If you're not sure, then perhaps you could post the make and model of the set you are using so we might check the specification.
If it is a TV, and it does not have the means to receive digital broadcasts (Freeview), then it will need a separate set-top box receiver.
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Esme Read: Freesat may be your only way.
The terrestrial transmitters that cover your area best don't carry the Commercial channels, which include ITV3.
It is very doubtful as to whether you will be able to receive the Commercial channels from Rowridge. Only an installer who is on site can tell you with certainty.
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Simon Jacobs: Ditto Stephen P's post.
You have two unknowns. That is you need the TV tuned in order to use it to help you site the aerial and in order to tune the TV you need to site the aerial where it can pick up all channels.
The answer is to remove one of the unknowns by tuning the TV in using an aerial that is known to work.
Your set-top aerial should be pointed to Rowridge and should be set vertically. Your chances of success diminish as you get more things in the way. For example, it is best to be at the side of the house to which the signal originates.
Whilst I cannot be absolute, a correctly sited set-top aerial at your distance from the transmitter should work fine without any amplification. I emphasise that this is no guarantee that it will work where you want it to work.
I have a Labgear Set-top Aerial and have used it successfully without a booster before switchover when the transmitter was at 10kW at a distance of about 25 miles with pretty good line of sight (at roof level).
I suggest that you look at siting the aerial without any booster. Get a feel for where is the best place.
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Ian P: See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Ian P: What you have said subsequently adds weight to the suggestion that the problem is too high a signal level.
As the tuner gets more overloaded, the signal strength meter is of less and less value as they usually start to indicate lower levels being present until such a point where it will say no signal is present when in fact the opposite is true, being that the signal is extremely OTT.
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Steve Swift: Crystal Palace uses channel numbers 22 to 30 and Hannington uses those from 39 to 47. Thus if you unplug the aerial lead for the part of the scan of Crystal Palace channels, it won't pick them up.
The scan runs C21 to C69, so if it only gies a percentage on the scale as it scans, then you can convert.
Should the device, at a later time, take it upon itself to scan and then change the tuned channels to those of Crystal Palace, then you will have to look at installing a filter to block Group A channels.
For information and an example:
Television Aerial Boosters / Amplifiers, Splitters, Diplexers & Triplexers
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Andrew: Whilst BN2 is a large area and signal strength will vary across it, the Whitehawk transmitter is near the centre. In which case, if you are receiving directly from Whitehawk and have good line of sight, then your receiver could be suffering from signal overload:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
However, if you are using the transmitter at Ovingdean or Saltdean, then they do not broadcast ITV3 and the other Commercial channels. In their main service area, the Commercial signals will be weak or non-existant, so the above does not apply.
As I say, it is impossible to be specific because you have specified an area that has wide varying signal expectations.
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Andrew: As you received ITV3 prior to switchover, you are clearly in an area served by a full-Freeview transmitter and Whitehawk would seem the most likely.
If this is so, then I suggest signal overload.
Before you look at the possibility that it is too much signal, check that it is tuned to C57 for ITV3 and not C25 which is Rowridge. Do this by bringing up the signal strength screen.
If it turns out that this, or any of the channels, are tuned to Rowridge instead of Whitehawk, then you can avoid the former by unplugging the aerial lead for the first 50% of the scan.
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Toni Bucior: Putting your post code into BBC Reception website returns no problems for Winter Hill and Bacup.
BBC - Help receiving TV and radio
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David: No, Burnham will remain a Freeview Light transmitter. See this page for an explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
For this reason, you will probably be best of sticking with Sudbury. Interestingly, the Digital UK predictor thinks you will get better reception from Sudbury with it being "good", whereas Burnham goes to "variable" when its channels change on 27th June. I suspect this might be to do with another transmitter being co-channel (possibly Heathfield).
The Commercial channels from Sudbury are on low power until 27th June, so if you are having difficulty with them, you will probably have to wait until then for them to become reliable.
If you're looking at DIYing, or just wish to be informed, see here for some ideas:
Sudbury Transmitter
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Dino: The change on 9th May will mean that the transmission power of CITV, ITV etc (which are currently on C31) will go up and move to C51.
You may or may not need a signal booster after then. The important thing about digital signals is quality. So long as there is enough signal strength to produce a "good" quality picture all the time.
Siting a booster behind the TV set where it only feeds a single receiver (or where more than one is daisy-chained) can cause issues. If this is what you have, then come 9th May I suggest that you remove it and see how you go and not make an assumption that it is needed.
Different receivers have different scales. But "if" the strength is 50% and quality is reliably at 100%, then you have the best picture you can get.
Contrast this with analogue where the signal strength needed to be as good as it could be in order to improve the quality of the picture.
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Brian: According to the Digital UK Industry Update, it will be completed by 6am:
http://www.digitaluk.co.u….pdf
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James: Have you replaced your Group B aerial with either a Group E one or a wideband one?
COM5 and COM6 are on the highest channels which are therefore the furthest away from Group B.
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Andrew Healy: I suspect that your problem is different to James's.
You would appear to be outside of HH's main area. Also, Digital UK Tradeview suggests that Midhurst's C55 BBC A mux could be the cause of your trouble. This is co-channel with HH's ArqB.
HH's two other Commercial multiplexes, 50 and 59, are co-channel with two of Midhurst's COMs, but these are at half transmission power with respect to its PSBs (including BBC A on C55).
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John Robinson: Looking at the channel allocations of the three transmitters, what I suggest you do is run the automatic tuning scan through and unplug the aerial at 30%.
Then, once it has completed the automatic tuning procedure, plug the aerial back in.
This should get you the three PSBs from Craigkelly; 27, 24, 21.
Then go to the manual tuning function and add the three COMs; 42, 45, 39.
This removes the possibility that it will ever "see" the other two transmitters when it carries out its scan.
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Bryan: ArqB on C48 is known to have "reactive power reduction of 87,000 Watts if required" until September and this is believed to be because one of Pontop Pike's pre-switchover is co-channel.
I'm surprised that you're tuned to Emley in Brough. I guess that Belmont, which provides news for your area, isn't an option.
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Colin: Some receivers have known issues picking up signals after switchover. This may affect certain ones using certain transmitters.
The model number and transmitter being used will be useful. An idea of the location may be as well.
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andrew watson: I don't think that you are going to get anything from Tunbridge Wells until switchover.
One of the main issues you have to contend with is that it shares some digital channels with Bluebell Hill before switchover. The Digital UK Tradeview predictor (click the link next to your posting) thinks that Bluebell will be good where you are. Plus TW is on very low power to avoid interference.
After switchover, the situation will be different and Tunbridge Wells is expected to be excellent for you.
If you have a set-top aerial, you "may" find that you are able to receive some level of service from Bluebell now, until TW completes switchover on 13th June.
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Colin: According to the comments on this page, that model isn't likely to be able to receive all channels from Belmont:
ZERO digital channels on Panasonic TV after DSO - Technical - Digital Spy Forums
It appears as if it might be the negative offset problem in 8k mode.
8k mode is the mode of transmission used after switchover (it is 2k mode before).
A TV signal is transmitted on a channel which is at a particular frequency. For example, channel 30 is at 546MHz. C30 with a negative offset (C30-) is at a 545.8MHz which is a slightly lower frequency than the "centre" of C30, but higher than C29.
It is known that ITV3 is carried on C30- from Belmont, so if the problem is that it won't pick up negative offset channels, then I would expect ITV3 to be missing as well.
Yesterday is on C60 and according to Digital UK Tradeview, this also has a negative offset, although some other sources don't say that it has such an offset. Perhaps it does have an offset, but this was not originally planned which is why in some places it isn't mentioned.
Refer under the heading "After switchover configuration" here:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
This shows the five standard definition groups (BBC B carries HD services). One of these is "SDN" which carries ITV3, so if it is missing, then I expect all others on that line to be as well. Similarly, Yesterday is on ArqB which also carries Film 4, ITV4 and others.
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Colin: I should point out that the problem may be that the TV cannot tune to 8k signals that have a negative offset.
Not all transmitters have any channels with negative offsets, but in the case of Belmont it is definately so with SDN and probably ArqB.
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Deep: It might be worth noting that COM6 is on channel 50 from Midhurst. It is the lowest channel number that is used now.
Before switchover, the lowest one was 55 which is now the second lowest.
Perhaps your aerial system is filtered so as to only allow channels or a range of channels used by the designated transmitter. If this is the case, then it will need adjustment in order to let the COM6 signal through.
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Colin: Other than manually tuning to C60 (if the set allows), I'm not sure what else to suggest. Perhaps one of the pros could suggest something.
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Roger: I don't think that you will be able to receive from Reigate at your location. I think that the most likey transmitter is Crystal Palace which is 22 degrees anti-clockwise from Reigate and is horiztonal.
If you have re-aligned due to not being able to pick up the COMs (that's the Commercial channels including ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film 4, Dave etc) from Hannington, then the reason for this is probably down to the Chepping Wycombe relay transmitter using the same channels and therefore drowning out Hannington's COMs.
You should be aware that if your aerial is a Group B one, which it might be for Hannington, then it won't be optimum for Crystal Palace which is Group A. If it is a wideband aerial (or Group K), then it will be fine (although widebands aren't as sensitive at the bottom of the band (Group A channels)).
See:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
Gain (curves), Again
If it is the case that you can't get the COMs from Hannington, then you could theoretically combine an aerial on Hannington and one on Crystal Palace to give you Meridian with Commercial channels from CP.
You should be able to identify which transmitter(s) your receiver is tuned to by looking for the UHF channel number on the signal strength screen.
There are five full Freeview standard definition channels and one HD one. Refer to each transmitter's page for details of the channels used by each.
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Deep: You need to think about how you might prove (with good certainty at least) whether the problem is the aerial system.
Some ideas:
- Do you have other receivers (TVs with in-built Freeview, PVRs etc) that won't pick up C50? Try manual tuning to C50 for those that allow. They may (it depends on design) give you an indication of signal strength when you do this. It may indicate a low signal, and not one that it high enough to produce a picture.
- Ask you neighbours if they have the same problem. Bear in mind that some may not use the terrestrial aerial system, if they use a satellite service. This will perhaps provide the most positive proof, although, they need to be certain that they are missing these services.
- If you have a set-top aerial, try it. The aim is to prove if you *can* receive C50; a negative result isn't necessarily helpful. If you have all other channels (except C50/COM6) tuned in correctly, then use manual tuning to add it; don't do a full retune. Once you have it stored, then don't retune as your problem is lack of signal and not incorrect tuning. Having tuned it in, connect it to the aerial system and see if it works.
You then need to contact the organisation responsible for the aerial system. In a block of flats, this is probably the landlord.
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Steven: Assuming you are receiving from Sudbury, which would seem the most likely, then you should be aware that the three Commercial multiplexes are on low power until 27th June when a retune will be necessary as they each change channel.
I suggest that your problem could be the difference between the high power (Public Service) channels and the Commercial ones.
The high power ones probably act to desensitise your receiver thus making it less sensitive when attempting to pick up the weaker ones. Different equipment has different tolerances.
Until 27th June, you "may" be able to restore Film 4 (and others on ArqB which is on C63 until then) by placing an attenuator in line with the incoming aerial lead. The objective being to reduce the level of the high power signals so as to increase the sensitivity of the receiver, but in so doing you will be reducing the level of the low power signals as well. You would be looking for a sweet spot where all channels work. There is no guarantee that you will get to such a solution as obviously you may end up attenuating the weak ones too much for them not to work.
You can pick up a variable attenuator (usually 20dB) online for around £3 or £4.
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John Bates: The delay of two weeks will affect ITV3 and the other services carried on the "SDN" multiplex. See here under the heading "After switchover configuration" for those carried on SDN:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The reason for the delay is because the Dover transmitter is currently broadcasting on the same channel/frequency that will be used by TW for SDN after it switches over (Ch42). Dover completes its switchover on 27th June and it is then that it relinquishes use of that channel.
Thus, the interim low power from TW is so as to protect against causing interference to some people who are receiving C42 from Dover.
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Ted: If your aerial is at 51 degrees, then you're not pointing it to Rowridge. I guess that you're on Mendip.
A more specific location might help us, e.g. post code or nearby post code. It may also be helpful to see where nearby aerials are pointing for ideas as to what might be possible and what might not be.
As a test, I found the post code for the Anchor Inn and put it into the Digital UK Tradeview predictor. It suggests that Brushford transmitter is the only one. This is a Freeview Light transmitter as it only carries Public Service channels.
So what transmitter is your aerial pointing to *and* what channels has it tuned to? The latter part of the question will help us establish which transmitter the signal(s) are coming from.
Refer under the heading "After switchover configuration" on this page:
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
For full Freeview, there are six multiplexes, one being for HD services.
So, for the first service in each one, go to it and bring up the signal strength screen and read off the UHF channel that it is tuned to.
E.g. Go to BBC One, bring up the signal strength screen. If it says 61 then it's Mendip, if it is 27 then it's Brushford, 26 is Stockland.
Then do the same for ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday. Brushford doesn't transmit the last three.
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Ted: You asked about switching your aerial to vertical. It depends on which transmitter you are using (with the exception of a few that transmit horizontally and vertically).
If you ask the question because everyone else's aerials are vertical, then they may be on a relay transmitter that doesn't carry the Commercial multiplexes.
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Clive Field: My understanding of the Humax HD machines is that when you manually tune, you need to specify the appropriate mode of the signal in question or else it won't find it.
So for HD it needs to be set to DVB-T2, rather than DVB-T which is the mode used for standard definition broadcasts.
I'm not familiar with them, but I should imagine that somewhere near to where you enter the UHF channel number you want to manually tune to, there will be a way of selecting DVB-T or DVB-T2.
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G Thompson: It's clear that you do not wish to address the issues. You are fortunate in that you do not reside in a so-called "Freeview Light" area.
If the problem is that the local news you are getting on BBC One and ITV1 is wrong for the transmitter your aerial faces, then this may be an indication that it is tuned to a transmitter to which the aerial doesn't face. In your particular area there are a number of overlapping signals.
This was the case with analogue before switchover.
For example, your receiver could be tuned to Yorkshire from Belmont (in Lincolnshire) instead of Anglia from the King's Lynn relay transmitter (even though your aerial faces the latter).
If this is the case, I am not sure by reading your postings that you wish to get to the bottom of the problem and find a solution.
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John: It's due to happen on 27th June when a retune will be necessary for all Commercial channels as they all change UHF channels.
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Roger: Because there are a limited number of ITV1 HD regions. See:
ITV1+1, ITV1HD, BBC One HD regional services on Freeview | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Liam Boyle: This one isn't going to be easy.
Refer to the Digital UK Tradeview link beside your posting for the channel numbers used by Belmont and Sandy.
They are neighbouring or a few apart. In some cases a workaround is to unplug the aerial lead for part of the scan. E.g. if all the channels you want are in the 20s, and there are troublesome ones in the 40s, you could unplug the aerial at 30%.
If you can reduce the level of amplification then that might help as it will reduce the level of the unwanted signals and hopefully the Sandy signals will still be strong.
If you can, the answer may be to wipe what's stored and manually tune the five standard definition services (and one HD mux if applicable).
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Marty: Bilsdale does not broadcast HD until switchover.
My guess is that either you are either picking it up from Pontop Pike which hasn't switched over yet, but is one of a handful of transmitters that has a pre-switchover HD signal.
To find out which you have, go to one of the HD programe channels and bring up the signal strength screen. If it says that it is tuned to C63, then it is coming from Pontop Pike. The other possibility is Emley Moor which is on C41.
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Marty: Aerials pick up signals from other transmitters, usually to a lesser degree than the one they are intended for. How much (and if at all) you could say depends on luck.
Evidently your aerial is picking up a HD signal from somewhere, and as Bilsdale doesn't broadcast HD at the moment, your receiver has tuned to it. So don't be surprised if reception isn't perfect because an off-beam signal is being received.
Yes, Pontop Pike will continue broadcasting HD as it does now until switchover. As I say, HD isn't part of the standard offering before switchover. A handful of transmitters nationwide that operate (and operated) before switchover were selected to carry HD services and Pontop Pike was one of them. This does not affect Bilsdale's HD signals that will come on air at switchover in September.
So come 26th September you should be able to receive HD services from Bilsdale.
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Matt: I wonder if it is interference from another transmitter that uses the same three channels (41, 44 and 47). Hemel Hempstead uses those channels and it switched last month (although its signals are vertical as opposed to Hannington's which are horizontal so that should help rejection to a degree).
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stuart smith: I don't think that you've got any chance of getting more channels until 24th October, and even then I don't think that your chances are tremendous, particularly with the loft aerial.
There re two types of broadcaster multiplex (signal): Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) and these carry BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, C4, C4+1, E4, More 4, C5 and the four HD services from BBC, ITV1 and C4. The rest are Commercial broadcasters (COMs).
The transmission power of the PSBs from Caldbeck are 100kW and the COMs are currently at 15kW. The power of the COMs will go up to their full final power of 50kW on 24th October when Divis vacates those channels at its switchover. Divis is serves the eastern side of Northern Ireland.
On the basis that one of the 100kW PSBs is a bit hit and miss with your current aerial (in its current location), then I don't think that you could pick up the 15kW COMs.
I used the tool on the Megalithia website to get an idea of how your line of sight to the transmitter is affected. See the plot here:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
This assumes that your receive aerial is 10m of the ground, although the exact figure is probably not that important. What it does show is that the ground a mile away from you is around 100m above line of sight.
If you are looking at a different aerial, I would definately go with a Group A one. All Caldbeck's channels are Group A and wideband yagi aerial' gain drops off at Group A channels. See here for some traces that illustrate my point:
Gain (curves), Again
My sympathy goes out to you. You can replace your aerial (or move your aerial, e.g. to outside) now so as to get good reception of ITV1, C4, C5 etc, but you have no way of knowing whether it will be sufficient to pick up the COMs come October and you may therefore have to set too again at that time in an attempt to get them.
Alternatively, you may move your aerial outside (for example) and find that you can pick up the COMs now on an intermittant basis. You may read into that that when the power increase comes in October that the aerial will (fingers crossed) be sufficient to pull them in reliably.
I'm not an aerial installer; I'm just a technically minded person giving my thoughts and observations.
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stuart smith: There may be another possibility and that is that you may be able to receive from the Greystoke relay transmitter. This carries PSB channels only, but you will be no worse off, not at least until October. It's only really low power of 2.3W, so if you don't have line of sight, then you really don't have a chance. You will need your aerial to be vertical. If it is a wideband aerial it will be suitable.
It may also be worth checking that your receiver isn't tuned to Greystoke even though the aerial faces Caldbeck. That is, that you aren't thinking that you're receiving Caldbeck when in fact you're picking up Greystoke.
You do this by viewing the signal strength screen. On BBC One for Caldbeck it will be tuned to C25 and Greystoke C60. For ITV1 Caldbeck is C28 and Greystoke C53.
The reason I came across Greystoke transmitter is because I looked on Google Streetview. The Google car has not been along the roads in your post code, but only along the main roads in Greystoke (Icold Road, Berrier Road etc). I spotted vertical aerials and wondered at what transmitter they are pointing.
As I say, Greystoke transmitter is so low power that if you can't see it, you aren't likely to be able to receive from it. You may have a better idea whether you can or can't see it from where you are.
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Adina: I looked at your earlier postings and noticed that your aerial is pointing to the Woolwich transmitter.
This is a Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) transmitter only which means that it carries only BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, C4, C4+1, E4, More 4, C5 and the four HD services. If your receiver picks up any of the Commercial channels (ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday etc) then they are being broadcast from another transmitter and therefore are being picked up with the aerial being in the wrong direction and wrong polarisation so reception may be hit and miss.
What you need to do is ensure that you are tuned to the Woolwich transmitter for the services it broadcasts and not another transmitter such as Crystal Palace.
One reason that your TV may tune to Crystal Palace is because its signals are at the low end of the band of frequencies used for TV. So when it performs the scan, it "might" simply go with the first one it finds. Not all receivers do it this way.
If your aerial faces Woolwich, then what you need to do is go to BBC One and bring up the signal strength screen. Hopefully it will say what UHF channel (equivalent to frequency) it is tuned to. For Woolwich it will be C60 and for Crystal Palace it is C23. Do the same for ITV1. For Woolwich it is C57 and Crystal Palace is C26. If the receiver picks up HD services, then they are on C53 from Woolwich and C30 from Crystal Palace.
If any of these are wrong, then you need to correct them. Because Crystal Palace is at the low end of band and Woolwich is at the high end, you should be able to have the aerial unplugged for the first part of the scan to avoid Crystal Palace; say plug in at 60%. Then check again to see that BBC One and ITV1 are tuned to the channels used by Woolwich.
You will be missing the Commercial channels; those which Woolwich does not broadcast. If your receiver has manual tuning, you may be able to tune in those from Crystal Palace, although you should be mindful that reception of them may be poor because the aerial is facing the wrong way.
For the Commercial channels from Crystal Palace, ITV3 is on C25, Pick TV is C22 and Yesterday is on C28. The programme channels are broadcast in groups, so for each of these three channels, there are others; I've just given you the first service carried on each channel.
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Tony: No, see the Wooburn page:
Wooburn digital TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
You may be lucky and be able to pick up the Commercial channels from another transmitter such as Crystal Palace or Hannington.
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Brian Smith: I suspect that the main issue that you have is the difference between the relatively low level and the high level signals.
The Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels that you have (BBC, ITV1, ITV2, C4, C5 etc) are at higher power horizontally than the Commercial (COM) ones (ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film 4 etc).
Before switchover Rowridge broadcast only horizontally. After switchover, it broadcasts in both polarisations.
The PSBs are at a transmission power of 200kW horizontally and vertically, whereas the COMs are 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically.
Whilst 50kW probably doesn't mean a "weak" signal at your location, it is probably the marked difference between the two that is causing you difficulties with your receiver.
The strong PSBs are probably acting to desensitise the receiver, making it more difficult to pick up the nearby (weaker) COMs. This can be likened to bright car headlights in the dark reducing the ability to see the darker surroundings.
You could try connecting an attenuator inline with the aerial lead to reduce the level of the signals. A variable one will allow you to adjust. Of course it would be reducing the level of all signals (the stronger PSBs and the COMs). The objective would be to find the sweet spot (if it exists) where the PSBs are attenuated enough (to increase the sensitivity of the tuner) but where the COMs aren't reduced too much that they are too weak to be picked up.
Manual tuning is helpful here. Having got the PSBs tuned, your objective is to adjust the attenuator and then try manually tuning each of the three COM channels. If there is no manual tuning, every time you adjust the attenuator, you must complete a full scan (which obviously takes longer). If there is no manual tuning, but a way of scanning for new services, then this might be the best option as it won't wipe the PSBs you already have stored.
The attenuator route is a potentially cheaper if you will have to get someone in to change the aerial. However, it's not guaranteed.
You can pick them up for £3 or £4 online from sources such as eBay and Amazon.
As for the question of why it worked before 18th April; I can only wonder if it was due to the fact that the frequencies used by the low power COMs were further away from the PSBs. Now they are on neighbouring channels (i.e. each COM has a PSB on an adjacent channel).
jb38, does this sound as if it might be right?
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Col: If you don't wish to subscribe to Sky, there is Freesat available. You use the same satellite dish to receive it. There are differences in what channels are available.
See: Compare Freeview and Freesat TV | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Gareth Williams: If your aerial is facing the Micklefield transmitter, then you should be aware that it only broadcasts Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels. These are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD channels. The Commercial broadcasters (known as the "COMs") do not wish to be bothered transmitting from those stations that reach potentially relatively few viewers.
If you are picking up any of the COMs, then you are not getting them from Micklefield. Because you are receiving them from another direction to which your aerial faces (and probably different polarisation), it is to be expected that poor or intermittant reception may ensue on those channels (if at all).
What you need to do is ensure that the PSBs that are tuned are those from Micklefield. It could have been the case that those which you are viewing were/are not from Micklefield. Did you check?
For BBC One, bring up the signal strength screen and for Micklefield it will be tuned to C57. Likewise for ITV1, it is C60. If your set is HD, then those are on C53.
Click the Digital UK Tradeview link next to your posting at it will show you the transmitters that are likely to be available to you and which UHF channels they broadcast on. That way, you can identify which transmitter(s) you are picking up.
See under the head "After switchover configuration" here (might need to refresh it once loaded to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
This shows which services are broadcast on each multiplex. The best thing is to focus on the first service in each rather than trying to check each service individually, i.e. BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD, ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday.
If, let's say, you are picking up the COMs, then maybe you are getting them from Crystal Palace. The PSBs aren't forced to be tuned to the same transmitter, but let's suppose that you find that they are (i.e. 23, 26 and 30[HD]). Because Micklefield's channels are high up, and these are low, you can avoid them by unplugging the aerial for part of the scan. The scan runs from channels 21 to 69, so if it gives only a percentage, you can convert. I suggest that you plug in about 60%.
Note (see Tradeview) that if you are picking up from High Wycombe, it uses channels within the Micklefield range, so this will be more tricky and you may have to manually tune.
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Adina: How did you get on?
If your aerial faces Woolwich, then the best you can hope for is that the Public Service channels (those which it broadcasts) are good. You may need to do some work (as I suggested yesterday at 12:58) to get your TV/box tuned to them rather than their counterparts from another transmitter. You could add the Commercial channels from another transmitter (probably Crystal Palace), knowing that they may be poor or unavailable when you wish to watch something on them (but there's nothing more you can do with an aerial facing Woolwich).
"If" you have an aerial installed that will receive from Crystal Palace, then you will be able to pick up all of the Commercial channels (they are the channels that which Woolwich doesn't broadcast). As the Public Service channels that Woolwich does broadcast are the same as those of Crystal Palace, then there is no need for the Woolwich aerial and you would therefore receive all channels from Crystal Palace.
A predictor cannot say for certain either way whether reception is possible or not at a particular location as there are many factors involved. Such a system should is more a guide than gospel.
Whether you can receive from Crystal Palace and what sort of aerial (size) you will need can really only be determined by an installer testing whilst on site.
The reason you have this problem (where you can't get all channels from your native transmitter) is because those that you don't get are operated on a purely commercial profit-driven basis. The operators decided that the cost of broadcasting from 1,000 or so small "filler-in" transmitters like Woolwich wasn't justified by the benefit. This leaves a small proportion of the population unable to view them at all, and some others able to do so if they choose to spend money on changing their aerials.
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Mike O'Pray: If the two aerials are diplexed into one downlead, then that could be your problem.
Sandy Heath is traditionally Group A. Waltham is traditionally Group C/D. By "traditionally" I mean in the days of four-channel analogue.
For an explanation of aerial groups, see here:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
The diplexer will allow certain channels to pass from each aerial. For example, see here:
Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
SDN from Waltham is on C29 which is a Group A channel and therefore won't reach your receiver if there is a diplexer. Also, Sandy Heath's SDN is now on C51 which could be filtered out in favour of the Waltham aerial.
The question is, which aerial are you using to pick up ArqA and ArqB. To find out, go to Pick TV and Yesterday and find out what channels they are on. They may both be coming from Waltham which are 56 and 57 respectively. Or for Sandy they are 52 and 48.
If you are picking up ArqA and ArqB from Waltham, then you will either have to replace the whole lot with a single wideband aerial, or just turn the Waltham aerial round to face Sandy. The suggestion latter assumes that the channel at which the diplexer splits is below C48.
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jb38 / Mike O'Pray: Surely if the aerial on Sandy is a wideband one, then it will work on its own (i.e. remove the diplexer and connect only the Sandy aerial).
However, if it is Group A (see the link I provided at 12:04AM), then it won't be suitable for receiving the COMs from Sandy on 48, 51 and 52. In which case, perhaps the solution is to swing the Waltham aerial around to Sandy (so that they are both facing the same way).
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Andrew Lees: Yes but you will obviously need a terrestrial aerial for the Freeview receiver; the satellite dish won't work for it.
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Mike O'Pray: TV is broadcast on (UHF) channel numbers and these go from 21 to 69. They equate to frequencies. So 21 is a lower frequency than 41, for example.
The channel numbers are divided up into three Groups "A", "B" and "C/D" which are roughly the first third, middle third and top third of the band used for TV. For a table of which channel ranges relate to which Group, see here:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
Back in the day of four-channel analogue, each transmitter broadcast on four channels that were all within the same Group. Sandy Heath used four channels in Group A (21, 24, 27, 31) and Waltham used four channels in Group C/D (54, 58, 61, 64).
In order to join the two leads from your aerials together a diplexer was needed; they can't just be connected together. A diplexer filters the feed from each aerial. See here for some examples:
Online TV Splitters, Amps & Diplexers sales
Suppose that your diplexer "splits" at channel 36 (C36); therefore it allows C21 to C35 through from your Sandy aerial and C37 to C69 from your Waltham aerial. This worked fine with the former analogue channels mentioned above.
Due to the channel allocations of Sandy Heath and Waltham now, such a setup will mean that some are unreceivable.
Sandy Heath now uses channels 27, 24, 21, 51, 52, 48
Waltham now uses channels 61, 54, 58, 29, 56, 57
I'll come on to which carries what in a moment. But hopefully you can now appreciate that if your diplexer is as suggested, you will be unable to receive 51, 52 and 48 from Sandy and 29 from Waltham. All the other channels would be expected to come through.
For some transmitters, including these two, "out of group" channels have had to be used for Freeview. That is, some channels are outside that of the Group used by the former analogue. This is because there aren't enough spare ones, now that six are needed instead of four.
Digital channels carry a number of services whereas previously one analogue service occupied one UHF channel. See the graphic under the heading "After switchover configuration" on this page (you may need to refresh by pressing F5 to get the graphic to show):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
You will see that there are six groups or multiplexes and each occupies one UHF channel:
PSB1 = "BBCA" (BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three etc)
PSB2 = "D3&4" (ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 5 etc)
PSB3 = "BBCB" (BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD)
COM4 = "SDN" (ITV3, ITV2+1, 5* etc)
COM5 = "ArqA" (Pick TV, Dave, Really etc)
COM6 = "ArqB" (Yesterday, Film 4, 4Music etc)
The six UHF channel numbers that I gave above for Sandy and Waltham those which these six multiplexes broadcast on in that respective order.
If your aerial diplexer is as I suggested, then you could theoretically receive the three PSBs from Sandy and the three PSBs from Waltham. You could only receive COM5 and COM6 from Waltham, but you won't be able to receive COM4 from either because they are outside of the range of channels that the diplexer allows through for each respective aerial.
On the 9th May there was a change to the channel used by one multiplex at Sandy Heath and that was COM4 which was on C31 up to that date. This was within the channel range allowed from your Sandy aerial which probably explains why you could pick it up then.
Receivers usually give the UHF channel number that they are tuned to on the signal strength screen. You may be able to ascertain what transmitter(s) the Panasonic is tuned to for which multiplexes. I suggest that you focus on the first service from each multiplex, i.e. BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD (if applicable), ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday.
My guess is that Pick TV and Yesterday will be coming in on 56 and 57 respectively, which means that you are receiving them from Waltham.
If there are duplicates, then you will find them in the 800s. So you will probably have duplicate PSBx services. The signal strength screen should allow you to identify which is which.
Perhaps you are receiving the PSBs from Sandy and COM5 and COM6 from Waltham (with Waltham's PSBs being in the 800s). Therefore your regional programming will be BBC East/ITV Anglia.
As for why the Goodmans hasn't tuned-in as many services, perhaps it doesn't cope too well with signals from different transmitters or perhaps during its automatic tuning sequence it stores channels from only one transmitter. This is speculation on my part and a clearer picture of what's happened may be gained through some investigation. If the Goodmans gives the tuned UHF channel number on the signal strength screen you will be able to piece together what it is picking up. Perhaps it only has the two (standard definition) PSBs from Sandy tuned.
If it has manual tuning, you may be able to add missing channels. However, before you do this, I suggest that you use the Panasonic to find out what it is that you are receiving; are COM5 and COM6 coming from Waltham? If they are and the Goodmans has a manual tune function, then you need to try and manually tune C56 and C57.
I suggested in an earlier posting that a possible solution may be to turn your Waltham aerial to face Sandy Heath. Obviously you will no longer be able to receive BBC East Midlands/ITV Central from Waltham, but the UHF channel spacings (if you wish to receive COM4) have probably put paid to that anyway.
My reason for making this suggestion is down to the likelihood that your aerials will be "Group" ones rather than widebands. That is, they will be designed with maximum sensitivity on channels within their respective Groups only. I think that we can safely say that this is so as they are 20 years old.
This is why I think that using one or the other may not work satisfactorily. For example, if removed the diplexer (and therefore Waltham aerial) from the equation by connecting the Sandy aerial directly to your downlead, then being a Group A aerial, it may not be sensitive enough for the high Group C/D channels that Sandy's COMs operate at.
There will be many people who will only have a single Group A aerial and who will now have to replace it with a wideband one in order to receive the COMs.
However, as you have another aerial that works at the desired channels (48, 51 and 52), I suggest that the cheapest solution may be to turn the C/D (Waltham) aerial to face Sandy.
Whether this will work hinges on what channel the diplexer splits at. If it is as I suggested above (36), then it should work. If, however, it splits at C51 (for example), then obviously it's not going to work. It needs to split below C48.
It is also to be hoped that the securing bolts can be undone!
I respect jb38's comments as he's a professional and I'm not. However, I suggest this as being a possibility, primarily because it seems to be the cheapest option.
Whilst there is signal loss with using the diplexer (and I couldn't say to what degree), it would appear that you picked up COM4 (via your diplexer) prior to 9th May when it was on C31 and radiated at a transmission power of 20kW. Now it is at 170kW, so you have a much stronger signal to play with.
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Harri Ackone: The most likely and most ideal solution is probably to switch your aerial from horizontal to vertical.
See the postings here from and in response to Brian Smith:
ITV 3 | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
As for why one might be unable to cope with the difference in signal levels where others will can, not all are the same. There are differing factors:
1. The sensitivity/tolerance of the components in the tuner.
2. The loss in the cable and connectors from the point that the signals are distributed.
You could try swapping your receivers from different aerial points, as a test. Before you move any, observe the signal strength (where they give such information) and see if the signal is shown as being stronger at another outlet.
If the Sony fairs better in another room, then maybe a bit of attenuation will lower signal levels and provide a more stable result.
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Gareth: According to mb21, it is located at TQ374776.
This resolves to the junction with Creek Road and Deptford Church Street. Other than that, I haven't found any information online as to what channels and polarisation it uses.
Perhaps Ofcom could advise you.
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Beverley Hampton: See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Harri Ackone: I would like to clarify my last sentence of my earlier posting. There is no guarantee that attenuating will work. It is a try it and see sort of thing.
An attenuator reduces signal levels and an amplifier increases them. If you have an amplifier which splits the feed from your aerial to different rooms and it has a variable control on it and it is accessible, then you should try reducing the level of amplification before introducing an attenuator.
An attenuator connects in line with the aerial lead. Variable ones are available for £3 or £4 online from souces such as eBay and Amazon. One such example is here:
1-20dB variable digital tv aerial signal attenuator | eBay
The problem is that the signals that you are having difficulty with are weaker horizontally than the Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc). Vertically they are the same. So you have a marked difference in strength.
Resolution of a picture with digital signals works or it doesn't work. There is a threshold known as the "cliff edge". So a slight change in signal (which happens all the time) has meant that the services are viewable again. Therefore, I wouldn't be surprised if it goes again.
Therefore, for reliable reception you need sufficient signal so that the natural slight changes do not leave you without enough (at some times).
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John: Have you confirmed that it is Waltham that you are tuned to for the BBC services? The signal strength screen should tell you what UHF channel you are tuned to and for BBC One etc it should be C61.
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Jim Bell: Don't read too much into coverage predictors; use them as a guide only.
The fact that you have had two different results suggests that the method of calculation is different or has changed.
Digital UK Tradeview predictor puts Gartley Moor a little behind Durris.
However, Durris is a full service transmitter and Gartley only carries Public Service (PSB) multiplexes/channels, so you will probably wish to receive from Durris, even "if" relatively speaking, it does not provide as good a reception as Gartley at your location.
Durris uses Group A channels and Gartley uses C/D ones, so if you have a Group aerial, then it will be less sensitive for one.
The three Commercial (COM) channels from Durris (those that Gartley doesn't transmit) are at half transmission power to its PSBs. The COMs also use a less robust transmission mode (so that they can fit in more services). What this means is that if you are going to have difficulty picking up any channels from Durris, then it is likely to be the COMs.
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Jim Bell: This plot to Durris shows that your line of sight is blocked roughly between 5 and 6 miles away:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
Why are you asking about re-aligning your aerial anyway?
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Jon D: I posted previously to you about checking that the receiver is tuned to Sandy Heath channels rather than Crystal Palace (or any other transmitter):
Freeview on Sandy Heath TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
You should confirm that you are tuned to Sandy Heath by bringing up the signal strength screen on the following and checking that they tuned correctly:
BBC One = C27
ITV1 = C24
BBC One HD = C21
ITV3 = C51
Pick TV = C52
Yesterday = C48
If they all show 100% quality and they remain so, then you have nothing to worrry about.
For digital reception, so long as the signal strength is above the threshold needed to resolve the picture, and it remains so, then the picture quality is the best that it can be.
Not all the strength scales (shown on the screen) are the same so I wouldn't go comparing expecting them to be the same.
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Steve: The problem is that the Commercial channels are lower power horizontally. This is higher than all channels were before switchover, but the neighbouring high power Public Service channels (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc) will be acting to desensitise your tuner, thus making it less sensitive to the (relatively) weaker ones.
See here:
ITV 3 | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
The solution most likely to cure it is to switch your aerial to vertical polarisation.
Or attenuation "may" improve matters.
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Tom Smith: See:
ITV1+1, ITV1HD, BBC One HD regional services on Freeview | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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nc: According to the user manual, you need to press "Input Sel." to select the appropriate Scart input (from the TV).
The tuner is analogue only and so is therefore of no use now, so there is no point in looping the aerial lead through it (except for where you watch the output of the Samsung via the aerial lead rather than Scart lead). Autosetup is therefore a waste of time as it won't find anything.
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nc: A digital box will allow you to record, although it requires the digital box to be turned on and set to the desired channel *and* the Samsung to be on.
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Derek: Try manually tuning if your receiver allows.
For Sandy Heath they are 27, 24, 21 (HD), 51, 52, 48
Unfortunately Crystal Palace's channels are in the 20s, so there is no workaround with unplugging the aerial during the scanning of its channels.
Ideally, wipe what's stored and add the five (or six if it's HD) channels. Simply manually tuning without clearing what's already there may achieve nothing as these channels will probably be stored in the 800s, and therefore when they are manual tuned, the TV may consider that they are already stored.
If you would like some more help/pointers with this, let us know what make and model you are using.
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Jim Cassidy: See the posting immediately above yours from "Transmitter engineering" which says that over the next week digital TV will be "liable to interruption". I expect that they are carrying out engineering work in preparation for switchover.
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Nicky: The 40BL702B model does not have a built-in HD tuner. The specifications say DVB-T only, which is what standard definition broadcasts use. High definition broadcasts use DVB-T2.
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Nicky: "HD Ready" is term that is attributed to TVs that can show HD pictures but do not have the means to receive them off the air. So they need a separate box to receive the HD signal and have it fed in using a HDMI lead.
"Full HD" means that it will show HD pictures in the highest resolution, which is 1080p. It does not give any qualification to receipt of signals over the air.
"Freeview HD" means that the TV has the means to receive HD signals (as well as show them).
I think that you have interpretted the inclusion of the "Full HD" log and the absence of the "HD Ready" one as meaning that it is "Freeview HD" when it is not. I think that this could be made much clearer.
There is a further confusion and that is the simple fact that these TVs carry the "Freeview" logo. One may assume that a "Freeview" and "Full HD" TV is a "Freeview HD" model when that is not necessarily the case.
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Jon: It may be worth pointing out that before switchover, Hannington didn't throw out the same level of signal all the way around. In your general direction it was lower so as to protect against interfering with those receiving from Guildford as it used the same channels up to its switchover last month.
Consequently, the much greater marked difference in pre-switchover and post-switchover signal strengths on your side of the transmitter. This could mean that where an aerial system was installed to pick up the pre-switchover signals, it is now too sensitive for the post-switchover signals and is therefore providing too much signal to tuners that are connected.
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jacqui: Before switchover the Wrexham Rhos transmitter did not carry Freeview. This means that you must have been receiving it from another transmitter that did. Furthermore, it is likely that the transmitter that you were receiving from was in its pre-switchover mode and therefore lower transmission power (and hence weaker signals) than it uses now (after switchover).
All transmitters that provided Freeview signals before switchover provide the full range of channels after switchover. Ones that did not provide any Freeview before switchover (such as Rhos) broadcast only Public Service channels after switchover (they are sometimes described as "Freeview Lite"/"Freeview Light" transmitters). I assume that you only have the Public Service channels tuned which provides the following services (in Wales): BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, S4C, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
Without knowing your exact location, it is difficult to be quite certain, but in your general area, signals from the Winter Hill transmitter come in well. Winter Hill situated near Bolton and is the main transmitter that serves a large area of North West England. Due to the topography, it be can picked up in parts of North Wales.
What I suggest that you do is attempt tuning of the Commercial channels (the ones that aren't broadcast from Rhos) from Winter Hill. What you do is dependent on the design of your receiver:
1. If it allows manual tuning, then try tuning to UHF channels (equivalent to frequencies) 58, 61 and 55 which are those which Winter Hill broadcasts the Commercial services on.
2. If it does not have manual tuning, then what you can do is more limited. Run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 60% if its scale shows percentage progress (or if it gives UHF channels as it is scanning, plug it in at C50).
The objective here is to avoid picking up signals from Rhos (which are lower than 60%) and scan Winter Hill channels. This will obviously give you BBC North West and ITV1 Granada from Winter Hill, but the point is more as a test to see what can be received from Winter Hill. See if ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday are present on logical channel numbers 10, 11 and 12 respectively. For each, bring up the signal strength screen and check to see what UHF channel they are each tuned to. They should read 58, 61 and 55 respectively if they are from Winter Hill.
It may be that the Commercial channels can no longer be picked up with your aerial as it is due to the change in transmission mode which will have a detrimental affect in poor reception circumstances. The fact that your aerial is pointing in the wrong direction and is vertical, whereas Winter Hill's signals are horizontal is clearly reducing your chances.
The objective of the above is to see whether you can pick up some level of service on the Commercial channels (those that you're missing), if for whatever reason, the automatic tuning is missing them out, what with the signals from Rhos presumably being a lot stronger.
If you didn't follow the above, then in short, you "may" be able to receive all Freeview channels and Wales regional programming with a second aerial, probably on Winter Hill.
With the above, I can probably be more specific with knowledge of the make and model of device that you are using, along with your location, preferably in the form of a post code or nearby post code (e.g. shop).
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michael: Follow the link:
Postcode Checker - Trade View
Ilfracombe C61- will change to C49
Carmel C61 will move to C49
This is expected to happen in May next year.
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Richard Hillier: As Mark says, HD services are now available from Rowridge. They came on air at the second stage of switchover on 21st March.
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nicholas greenwood: Which channels are you missing and which can you get?
See under the heading "After switchover configuration" on this page (you may have to press F5 to refresh to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Which groups are you missing? Has it been like this since switchover last April?
Is is the three Commercial ones which are SDN, ArqA and ArqB?
Roughly how old is your aerial?
Did you get any channels before switchover, and if so, which ones (refer to "Before switchover configuration" and identify which rows you didn't get and which you did)?
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Ron Kennedy: It is because the Commercial broadcasters (of which ITV3 is carried on one of their multiplexes) do not wish to transmit from over 1,000 small transmitters such as that you use. See here for a fuller explanation:
Will there ever be more services on the Freeview Light transmitters? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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John: In October the Banbridge relay transmitter will become a Freeview Light transmitter. This means that it will carry Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) services only, those being BBC, UTV, UTV+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5, and the four HD services.
In order to receive the full range of services, you will need to receive from a main station, probably Divis, if you can.
If you have an aerial on Divis now which picks up the four analogue channels, then it is "likely" to work after switchover.
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betty_chienne: I have just found out that your post code resolves to a block of flats.
Is it a communal aerial system? If it is and it turns out to be at fault, then it is the responsibility of whoever maintains it to provide rectification.
From your test, it would seem to be the case that the signal coming out of the aerial socket is too strong for your receiver to cope with.
This sort of thing can particularly affect communal aerial systems because they often have amplifiers in which make signals bigger. Now that the signals going in at the aerial end are bigger than they were before 18th April, it stands to reason that the level of signals coming out of aerial sockets will also be bigger (if no changes to the system have been made). In some cases, the (higher level) signals coming out of aerial wall sockets may be too high after switchover.
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JC: Heathfield switchover starts on Wednesday and completes on 13th June.
I suggest that you wait until 13th June to assess whether you need a different aerial. Before switchover, for four channel analogue, Heathfield is Group C/D (roughly top third of the band used for TV).
The current digital broadcasts have a much lower transmission power than will be used after switchover and some are out of group as well.
After switchover it will be Group B (middle third of the band). However, there is a bit of overlap between the official definitions of B and C/D. Also, aerials drop off in sensitivity and don't receive nothing on "out of group" channels.
See here for some example gain (sensitivity) curves:
Gain (curves), Again
The link takes you to the C/D group traces.
Information on aerial groups is here:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
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John White: If your post code is BN2 9YJ, then I don't think you have any chance of ever receiving from Dover!
Considering that you are around 600 metres from the Whitehawk Hill transmitter, then why would your aerial not be directed at it???
It switched over in March and even before switchover you would have been expected to have had good reception at such close proximity.
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Eugene: See Television Aerial Boosters / Amplifiers, Splitters, Diplexers & Triplexers
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Colin: UHF channel 29 (equivalent to frequency) means that you're receiving the signal from the Waltham-on-the-Wolds transmitter, near Melton Mowbray.
For Sandy Heath, you may need a wideband aerial. This would replace the "traditional" aerial type (Group A) used in the days of four-channel analogue.
If you are receiving Pick TV on C52 and Yesterday on C48, then this suggests that your aerial is fine. (You found that ITV3 is on C29, so carry out the same procedure to find out what channels Pick TV and Yesterday are coming in on.)
The objective, therefore, is to get ITV3 tuned to C51, which is that used by Sandy Heath.
If your receiver has manual tuning, then this may be the way around the problem.
You may be able to run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged so as to "blank" the memory, so that no channels are stored. Then manually add the five (or six) groups of programme channels (known as multiplexes).
For Sandy Heath they are 27, 24, 21(HD), 51, 52, 48. These correspond to BBC One, ITV1, BBC One HD, ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday, respectively.
As a matter of good practice, I suggest that, having tuned, you check that these are all correct so that you know that it is tuned fully to Sandy Heath.
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Sarah C: If your receiver has manual tuning, then you should go to the manual tuning function and tune to UHF channel 42.
When you do this, it may add the Pick TV and other programme channels broadcast on C42. Or it may give an indication that the signal strength is just under that needed to resolve a picture, in which case all you can do is try again at another time.
What has probably happened is that the signal strength has dropped under that which is needed to resolve a picture. The first thing NOT to do in such circumstances is do a full retune, as all that is achieved is the loss of the services from the receiver's memory. All you can do is try selecting the affected services (Pick TV etc) to see if they have returned. If they have not returned, you could have brought up the signal strength screen to see if there is a signal there, albeit it too low. As you have wiped the memory, you can't do this.
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Sarah C: Hopefully it will be better come switchover next month.
Judging by the Digital UK predictor, you may be affected (before switchover only) by the Dover transmitter. So it's not forced to be a lowering of signal level from Bluebell, but the Dover signal is carrying a little further to affect your reception.
This won't be a problem after switchover because Bluebell and Dover don't share any frequencies.
Plus there is the fact that you're at the bottom of a 40m drop, but the transmitter is only 1.3 miles away. The higher power signal will hopefully get around the fact that you are at the bottom of a drop (and unable to "see" the transmitter):
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
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charlotte harvey: I am not sure that the post code you've given is right.
If you are in Portreath, then you may have your aerial directed to the Portreath relay "filler-in" transmitter. This does not broadcast the Commercial multiplexes (which carry Viva, 4Music and other channels; it is used by Public Service Broadcasters only.
The reason for this is because the Commercial broadcasters' primary motivation is profit. They don't consider it worthwhile to pay for transmission equipment to be installed at Portreath and over 1,000 similar sites nationwide.
If you confirm your location, we may be able to assess the likelihood of receiving the Commercial channels from another transmitter. This will obviously require another aerial.
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Colin Drinkwater: Those you have are those broadcast by the Tenbury Wells transmitter.
You "may" be able to receive from Sutton Coldfield at your location to give you the full complement of Freeview channels.
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Dr W Thatcher: The answer to the question may depend on what transmitter(s) they are using.
The West Runton transmitter broadcasts Anglia regional programming, but does not carry the Commercial channels such as ITV3 or Film 4.
Those south of The Wash, along the North Norfolk coast, may have two aerials which were installed for analogue so that BBC Two and Channel 4 could be received from Belmont (the Yorkshire region transmitter) and BBC One and ITV could be received from a local relay. This allowed reception of Anglia regional programming. However, depending on the set-up, this may cause difficulty with reception of some digital services and may therefore require adjustment.
As well as answering the question, what transmitter(s) are they using, can you say whether they have more than one aerial connected (diplexed) together because this will likely have a bearing?
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Trevor Wilson: Because there are fewer ITV1 HD regions than there are for ITV1. See ITV1+1, ITV1HD, BBC One HD regional services on Freeview | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Mrs Morris: What's the model number of the Sony? This may help us find the user manual so as to be more specific in suggesting a fix.
The problem is because it is picking up signals from one of the transmitters in Wales, probably Moel-y-Parc.
Could you describe what Sony instructed you to do?
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Jeff: Perhaps the signal level is on the high side, verging on being excessive at times.
See here:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
It might be worth fitting an attenuator. These are available for £3 or £4 from various online sources.
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Ted Hopper: Attenuation is probably the only thing you can try.
There is the possibility that some of the problem is interference from another transmitter which attenuation won't fix and which polarising your aerial vertically will probably help.
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Gary: It could be that the signal is now on the high side and that a little attenuation may help you. See:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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Clive Dale: The Randwick transmitter carries only Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels only. These are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
If the set has manual tuning, then there are three channels used by Randwick:
BBC standard definition: C50
ITV1, ITV2, C4 etc: C43
The four HD services: C46
You appear to be in an area where you can receive the full complement of Freeview channels from Wenvoe, and on Streetview I can see some of your neighbours have gone down this route. However, Wenvoe provides Welsh regional programming.
The unfortunate thing is that because of the frequencies used by Wenvoe and Stroud, it is not possible to have an aerial on each and combine the feeds into one downlead.
You may wish to consider Freesat which will work with your existing dish. There are a few channels that are on full Freeview that are not on Freesat.
If you used an aerial on Wenvoe (without one on Stroud), you could then receive all Freeview channels, including those not on Freesat. You would have to view your native regional programming using Freesat in this case. Unless you had a more complicated set-up where you have a receiver for Stroud and a receiver for Wenvoe.
These are just ideas I'm throwing your way.
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Samuel McCollum: See the page for Limavady. There is engineering works going on which I imagine is in preparation for switchover. Don't do anything such as retuning; you will have to sit it out.
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MFD: The Commercial (COM) multiplexes (which are the three from Hastings that are co-channel with the three [Public Service/PSB] channels from Eastbourne) don't get as good a channels. In some cases new aerials will be needed to receive them and in others they will be unavailable.
In general, the Public Service channels will serve the same areas as the current analogue.
Due to this clash, you will, as you have already found out, not be able to receive the COMs from Hastings.
Rowridge's COMs are also co-channel with Hastings' PSBs, so they "may" act to your detriment.
It looks like the best full service transmitter after switchover will be Heathfield. This will probably mean a new aerial (if your current one is a Group A one). If it is a wideband one, it will be OK.
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eric: If your set has manual tuning, then manually tune to C27 for ITV1, ITV2, C4, C5 etc from Hastings. This will change to C28 from 13th June.
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Anne Pearson: Yes. See the posting from Transmitter engineering immediately above yours.
There is engineering work going on at Pontop Pike and you should not retune if you loose reception. The date of the next retune is 12th September.
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Graham: You probably wont wish to do that unless you've got no other option.
Bexhill will only carry Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels which are BBC, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
The transmitters that broadcast Freeview before switchover will broadcast the full complement of channels after switchover.
If you have difficulty receiving from Hastings, then I suggest you direct your aerial to Heathfield.
Hastings' PSBs will be co-channel with three of Rowridge's channels, so that may or may not affect your reception.
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Andrew Dandridge: If your small TV runs off a set-top aerial, and the main aerial (that serves the main TV) faces the same transmitter, then take the TV to it to tune it.
If you are tuning to the Newhaven transmitter, then it is currently broadcasting only one multiplex and thus there is only one UHF channel to scan for. It is C50, so if you the device has manual tuning, use it.
You should also be aware that the Newhaven transmitter will carry Public Service channels only; it will not carry Commercial channels such as Film4 and Dave.
If you received Freeview before switchover, then you must have been picking it up from another transmitter. All transmitters that carry low-power Freeview before switchover are full-service transmitters after switchover. In such circumstances, you may be able to receive the full service from another transmitter such as Whitehawk or Rowridge.
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Mike: A filter could be used to avoid Rowridge, however Poole's channels are interleaved with those of Mendip.
Before you go down the filter route, try attenuating the signals. Attenuators are a few pounds online.
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Mike: You didn't say that you had a Rowridge aerial !!
The thinking with the attenuator is that the signal from the transmitter to which the aerial faces is the strongest. Therefore, reducing them all should leave the one you want the strongest.
However, as you have two aerials, then obviously Mendip and Rowridge may well be the strongest.
What you do depends on what regional programming you want. Also, if you go with Rowridge's PSBs and Mendip's COMs, this may cause issues with the recording aspect of your PVR (programmes not recording). Some devices don't cope well with signals from different transmitters.
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Jonathan: What transmitter are you using? If your receiver has manual tuning, then try using it. Knowing which transmitter it is will allow us to find out what channel you need to manually tune to.
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Lexy: Perhaps the upstairs TV is tune to Grassington for BBC and elsewhere (maybe Winter Hill) for other channels.
This could suggest that Grassington has gone off (or went off earlier).
In circumstances such as this, the last thing to do is to wipe the memory and retune as this just creates a second problem which is that the set is now not tuned. When the transmitter comes on air, the signals will be as they were before. If there is something causing interference or a poor connection; then the signals will be as they were before.
For manual tuning to Grassington, BBC is on C23 and ITV1, C4 etc is on C26. HD services are on C29.
You should be able to find out which transmitter your upstairs TV is tuned to for BBC standard definition services by going to BBC One and bringing up the signal strength screen. If it is C23, then it is Grassington. C62 is Winter Hill which is North West regional programming rather than Yorkshire.
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Colin: It's probably always worth trying changing bits that are easy to change, like swapping the aerial lead. If this turns out to be the problem, then you might find you don't need another aerial.
For an explanation of aerial groups, see here: Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
Before 9th May, ITV3 was on C31 which is within Group A which might explain why you could pick it up then.
One final thing, some people have two aerials on different transmitters that are connected to one downlead. This allows reception of signals from both, e.g. to allow viewing of different regional programming. If this is the case here, then it probably has a bearing on the problem you are experiencing.
Failing that, you may have a Group A aerial which is not sensitive enough on 48, 51 and 52, hence replacement with a wideband one may be necessary.
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Lexy: If there is someone else you know who uses the Grassington transmitter, you could ask them if they have the same problem.
Do you have ITV1, C4, C5 etc from Grassington? (For these, you need to tune to C26.)
It could be a fault, which by their very nature are unplanned. A local power failure is one reason that a transmitter might go off. Obviously, this might not affect the power at your location.
I checked the websites for BBC Reception and Digital UK and none report issues with Grassington.
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Lexy: I think that you have rather confirmed that there was a power outage to the site.
If not that, then there was engineering works which necessitated the transmitters to be turned off, although the fact that no website advises that works are in progress suggests that this is very unlikely.
The site on Edge Lane, which is home to the TV transmitter, is also home to base stations for O2, Orange and Vodafone, as well as Airwave which is the network used by the emergency services.
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JS: The first thing to check is that the receiver will work after switchover. Some older devices won't work with the signals as they are after switchover. What is the make and model of your receiver?
The Digital UK Tradeview prediction should be regarded more as a guide to likelihood of success than what any individual will actually achieve.
However, for your location I do note that there is a channel clash of BBCA and D3&4 from Heathfield and two of Guildford's channels. BBCA is what is on full power now and which carries BBC standard definition services; D3&4 carries ITV1, Channel 4, Channel 5 etc. "If" this appears to be the problem, then you may be able to adjust or replace your aerial with one that picks up less interference from Guildford.
Before you think about this, if your receiver has manual tuning, then go to it and tune to C52 (this being the UHF channel, equivalent to frequency, of BBCA from Heathfield).
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JS: Out of interest, do you get (or did you get before you retuned yesterday) the full complement of channels before switchover?
In particular do (or did you get) BBC One, BBC Four, ITV1, ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday?
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JS: The signals after switchover are different to those before switchover.
Before switchover they are transmitted using 2k mode and afterwards they use 8k mode. Some older equipment will not work in 8k mode.
At the first stage of switchover, the standard definition BBC services change to 8k mode. The rest stay in their pre-switchover state (in 2k mode).
Hence after the first stage of switchover, an affected piece of equipment will not be able to receive the new 8k signals. At the second stage of switchover, it will no longer pick up anything because the remaining 2k signals have been turned off.
This is why I asked what the model is so the specifications may be checked on as to whether it will function in 8k mode.
With analogue, one service is carried on one signal. With digital, multiple services (programme channels) are carried on a single signal known as a multiplex or "mux".
There are six multiplexes before switchover and six after switchover. At switchover, some services move multiplex. Consequently, between the first and final stages of switchover, BBC Four and BBC Parliament are carried on two muxes simultaneously.
See this page for the six muxes before switchover and the six after (you may need to press F5 to see the graphics below the headings):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Each row is a single multiplex.
Prior to yesterday, Heathfield was broadcasting the six muxes that are under the heading "Before switchover configuration" (on the page I've just linked to). You will note that BBC Four and BBC Parliament are carried on Mux B whereas the other BBC services were on Mux 1.
After switchover, BBC Four and BBC Parliament are carried on a multiplex along with other BBC services (BBCA mux).
At the first stage of switchover, pre-switchover Mux 1 is replaced with post-switchover BBCA (in 8k mode). The other five pre-switchover muxes continue as they were (in 2k mode).
At the "end" of switchover in two weeks time, the other five pre-switchover muxes will be replaced by the other five post-switchover muxes.
Hence, between the first and second stage of switchover, BBC Four and BBC Parliament are carried on (post-switchover) BBCA and (pre-switchover) Mux B.
From what you describe, you are missing BBCA. I guess that the BBC Four that you have on number 803 is likely to be that which is carried on Mux B.
Receivers usually give the UHF channel number (equivalent to frequency) that they are tuned to and this is usually given on the signal strength screen. Go to 803 and bring up the signal strength screen and you will probably find that it is tuned to C47, which is Mux B from Heathfield (and not C52 which is BBCA).
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Stu: At the first stage of switchover, only BBC services go on full power (or go on air for the first time from relay transmitters).
If you have your aerial directed to the Newhaven transmitter, then the commercial Public Service channels will come on air in two weeks time. These are ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV2, Channel 4, E4, More 4, Channel 5 and the four HD services.
Only transmitters that carried low-power Freeview before switchover will carry all Freeview channels after switchover. This is because the Commercial (COM) broadcasters do not have a "Public Service" obligation and operate purely on a profit-making basis. They stick to the biggest transmitters to cover the greatest amount of the population and lowest cost.
So the Newhaven transmitter will be a Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) one only.
If you can receive from another transmitter such as Heathfield or Whitehawk Hill, then you may be in with a shot of watching the COMs. If not, then you will only be able to receive the PSBs via terrestrial Freeview.
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Trevor: With your aerial on Marlborough, you can expect to receive the Commercial channels sometime never.
The Commercial broadcasters operate purely on a profit-driven basis. They site their transmitters where it suits them and have no "Public Service" obligation, unlike those that broadcast from Marlborough.
I think that the only way you can get more free to air channels is Freesat.
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Andy_y: At 19.3 miles from the transmitter, I think that you should try it without the amplifier.
The terrain plot looks as though you may have a good line of sight:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
If removing the amp doesn't sort it, then connect the aerial directly to one of the feeds and see if it works OK then.
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D Ruff: It would be helpful to know more about your situation. In particular, what is the model of the TV? Is it Crystal Palace that you are using?
If by "only goes to 29" means that the scan stops at C29, then I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that Crystal Palace's C28 has a negative offset and that this set can't handle it. If you provide a make and model number this might help because chances are that someone else has encountered the same problem.
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L George: If your receiver allows, try manual tuning.
Where abouts are you and what transmitter are you using? Or if you don't know which transmitter, a location and direction of the aerial should suffice.
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Colin: As Mark says, the question of where these aerials point and whether they are connected to the same cable going to one (or more) of the rooms. This will probably have a bearing on the problem.
I should imagine that Digital UK does not have a responsibility to change viewers' aerial systems where work is necessary. If you are referring to the Switchover Help Scheme, then I'm not familiar with it.
The first thing is to try and establish what the problem may be.
As I say, multiple aerials connected together to the same downlead will probably inhibit reception of the Commercial services from Sandy Heath. Prior to 9th May, ITV3 and other services on the "SDN" multiplex may well have been receivable.
This is not the same as separate aerials feeding different rooms.
Sandy Heath now uses low frequency channels and high frequency channels. Aerials fitted during in the days of four-channel analogue may well have been suitable only for low frequency (Group A channels) as those are the frequencies it used. Thus, one possibility is that the aerial may need replacing with a wideband one which will work better across all frequencies.
I and others can't help much more without knowledge of the situation. I'm not writing a long explanation with ifs buts and maybes because little information about the setup has been provided.
In particular, do you know if the aerial has been replaced over the last few years or decade?
What are these three aerials you mention and are they for three different rooms?
Are the aerials all facing the same transmitter? If not, then which transmitters (or directions) do they face? In order for the direction to identify which transmitters they are, then a location will be required.
One other factor is whether this is a private aerial system or a communal aerial system, for example in sheltered housing.
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John: Following the change on 18th April, you may benefit from changing your aerial from horizontal to vertical.
Rowridge is mixed polarisation. The Public Service channels are 200kW horizontally and vertically, whereas the Commercial channels are 50kW horizontally and 200kW vertically.
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Max: If you are using the Rowridge transmitter, then switchover has completed and it is in its final state.
Switch your aerial to vertical polarisation to improve reception of the Commercial multiplexes as they are not as strong horizontally.
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Fred STreeter: I think that the problem you have is that the Steyning relay transmitter uses the same channel as the "SDN" multiplex from Midhurst. It will stay like this until October of this year when Midhurst SDN will change channel.
See here a response I wrote to Andrew at BN44 3TB: Freeview on Midhurst TV transmitter | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
See here under the heading "After switchover configuration" (you may need to refresh by pressing F5 to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
This gives the six multiplexes and explains which services are carried on each.
As you can see, SDN carries ITV3, ITV2+1, %*, 5USE, Quest and Channel 5+1, plus some others, including radio.
A more comprehensive list is here:
DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations (BN44 3TB)
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andre: Many people are in the same position as you. The long-awaited power increase of the Commercial channels from Sudbury happens on 27th June when a retune will be necessary.
The best thing is probably to sit it out, knowing that it should be OK come the 27th.
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George Parker: The answer is probably because your receiver believes that it knows best!
As a matter of principle, I think that they should stay as set by the user. Maybe the designer was mindful enough to provide a setting in the menu somewhere to disable the annoying retuning.
I should imagine it goes on signal strength. Hopefully when Heathfield goes full power it will be OK.
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ANGRY: Before switchover, the digital signals are lower power and consequently not as strong as they will be afterwards.
This means that before switchover there will be those who can receive all channels reliably, those who find all or some hit and miss and some who can't get any.
From what you describe, your reception is hit and miss. Frustrating as it is, I'm not sure what the purpose of being angry might be. You could switch off your digital receiver altogether, which is just the same as those who cannot receive the pre-switchover signals at all. That would relieve the stress of intermittant reception.
Constantly retuning will not have any affect on whether a signal is above or below the threshold level for your receiver to work. It is a waste of time.
The best thing that you can do is leave it as it is, having tuned it in. If you are missing channels and the set has manual tuning, then use it to attempt to add them.
BBC is now on full final power and therefore is as it will be after 12th June.
Until 12th June, ITV1, C4, C5 etc is on C29, so go to the manual tune function and attempt a manual tune to C29. Depending on the design of the receiver, it may give you an indication as to whether there is a signal there (if it isn't big enough to produce a picture).
Those who cannot receive pre-switchover digital at all will now only receive BBC via digital (because it is on full power). Therefore, they will have to watch BBC Two through digital and revert to analogue for ITV1 and Channel 4. They will be able to view BBC One via analogue and digital until 12th.
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Maurice: The Philips will work in 8k mode and I think that it's safe to say that a recent TV will do as well. Silly question, have you perform a rescan? If that hasn't worked, maybe a factory reset or some other type of reset?
Are you using the Tunbridge Wells transmitter?
What transmitter is your son using? Does he have more than one aerial (facing different transmitters) connected together?
If it is Sandy Heath he is using, then ITV3 changed channel on 9th May, hence a retune is required.
Does he receive Pick TV and Yesterday successfully?
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Paul Shipgood: I should imagine that the reason why these and some others such as Dave are not on Freesat is due to the fact that they are available via the satellite subscription service operated by Sky.
These channels are operated purely on a profit-driven basis and therefore perhaps they see it as better for them to generate revenue from Sky subscribers through subscription fees and advertising.
As you are in a full Freeview area, then why not view them via terrestrial TV? Surely it is good practice to have a back-up incase of failure. As you used a terrestrial aerial before switching to Freesat, you must have one, so why leave it disconnected?
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Ian Crowther: You will be able to view it via satellite.
Or if you are in a location where you can receive from one of the English transmitters, then you may be able to have another aerial installed.
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Frank: Are you receiving from Waltham?
The first thing I would do is check that it is tuned to the correct transmitter for all services. It may have opted for Sutton Coldfield, for example.
You can check what it is tuned to if it gives this information. I found this manual but cannot see where it gives the signal strength:
http://www.tescotechsuppo….pdf
The information you're looking for is usually given on the signal strength screen. If it isn't mentioned in the manual, it could still be there, it's just a poorly written manual.
The signal strength screen usually gives the UHF channel (equivalent to frequency) that it is tuned to.
Focus your attention on the following six services (or five if it does not have HD):
BBC One - Waltham=C61 (Sutton Coldfield=C43)
ITV1 - Waltham=C54 (SC=C46)
BBC One HD - Waltham=C58 (SC=C40)
ITV3 - Waltham=C29 (SC=C42)
Pick TV - Waltham=C56 (SC=C45)
Yesterday - Waltham=C57 (SC=C39)
I've given the channel numbers for Sutton Coldfield so you can see if any are tuned to it.
If it turns out that it is picking up Sutton Coldfield when it should be choosing Waltham, then run the automatic tuning scan with the aerial unplugged up to 60%. This will miss out Sutton Coldfield because it uses lower frequencies than Waltham (except for one of Waltham's).
According to page 18 of the manual I linked to, the Technika sets have a Manual Search option. Use it to tune to C29 to add ITV3 from Waltham.
Having performed this retuning, you can then check to see that the channels are tuned correctly, as described above.
It may also be useful for you to know that the services are broadcast in groups. See under the heading "After switchover configuration" on this page (you may need to refresh by pressing F5 if you are using a PC in order to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
For example, the "SDN" signal that carries ITV3 also carries ITV2+1, 5*, 5USA and others. That's why I suggest that you concentrate on getting the the first in each group correct.
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Maurice: The programme channels (services) are broadcast in groups. See under the heading "After switchover configuration" on this page and identify which are missing (you may need to refresh to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If the box and the TV are connected to the same aerial and there is just one aerial, then at least one of them is not tuned to the transmitter to which the aerial faces if BBC One and/or ITV1 are different regions. Transmitters only broadcast one region, hence this tends to suggest that something may be tuned incorrectly.
I should point out that ITV1+1 and ITV1HD carry different regions for some regions because there are less variations of them, so don't read anything into them being "wrong".
The first thing I would always do is check that the channels are tuned to the transmitter to which the aerial faces. Automatic tuning sequences are in no way infallible and in particular areas where signals from more than one transmitter can be picked up, relying on them can mean poor reception because the signal is being received from a direction other than which the aerial faces.
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George: Yes, 27th is the date that all services from Sudbury are due to go up to their full final power (finally!).
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David: You are not getting two different signals from one transmitter. You cannot be getting BBC South from Crystal Palace because it broadcasts BBC London!
If the BBC South signal is coming from Hannington (the signal strength screen will say it is tuned to C45), then run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%. This will have the aerial plugged in for Crystal Palace and unplugged for Hannington and a few other transmitters that "may perhaps" be available to you.
Looking around the streets on Streetview there are quite a few aerials on Hannington, so you may be able to get it if you want BBC South and Meridian.
Failing that you may be able to pick up from Hemdean, which is a relay of Hannington, although it doesn't carry the Commercial channels. A way round this may be to combine the Crystal Palace aerial with a Hemdean one or if you can receive from Hannington directly, you could always retain your CP aerial and combine with a Hannington one to give you BBC South, ITV Meridian, BBC London, and ITV London.
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David: From what I can see on the map, you're a little low lying of Burghfield Hill. The trees beyond there look to be in the line between the transmitter and you and they appear as if they may be on the brow of the hill over which the signal comes. If so, then they are probably a detriment to your reception.
Those living in the valley in which the Thames runs also look to be affected with regards poor to non-existant reception from Hannington. This probably explains why Hemdean transmitter was built.
You are of course near to the Kennet, so that explains why your area might not be so good.
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David: One other thing to point out is that Hannington's Commercial multiplexes (known as "COMs") are not as strong as the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) ones. Hemdean relays Hannington's PSBs, but does not transmit the COMs.
So you may find that you can receive Hannington's PSBs but not its COMs. If you are unable to receive Hannington's COMs, then its PSBs are also available from Hemdean (as it is a relay).
If you combined the Crystal Palace aerial (assuming that you can receive CP's COMs), then you will be able to watch Hannington's PSBs and the COMs.
For a list of multiplexes, see this page under the heading "After switchover configuration" (you may need to refresh to see the graphic):
Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
BBCA, D3&4 and BBCB are the PSBs and SDN, ArqA and ArqB are the COMs. BBCB is the HD multiplex.
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Robert: As a non-professional like yourself, I wonder if 6dB attenuation is way too low for your location. Have you tried a higher level such as 24dB?
Perhaps the aerial cable is picking up more signal, particularly if it is not low loss and if it is the thin flimsy stuff you get on set-top aerials.
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johnmc: What's the model number of the Toshiba? I will see if I can find a user manual for it, in order to answer your question.
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John Archer: The reason for the "low" power of 87kW is because Pontop Pike uses C48 for one of its pre-switchover channels. It will vacate the channel on 12th September when the power of Emley will increase.
The Digital UK predictor thinks that Pontop's current signals are "good" for you, except for C48. So this is probably your problem.
As a temporary measure, until September, you could try tuning to C42 which is the same multiplex from Bilsdale or C53 which is likewise from Pontop.
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H. Gravett: Which transmitter is the aerial directed to?
Have you been able to receive Freeview on the main TV before last Wednesday?
Have you tried taking the two TVs to the main room and tuning them in?
Which channels have and have not been picked up? In particular, I ask the question in relation to BBC One, ITV1, ITV3, Pick TV and Yesterday.
Are there any channels numbered from 800 onwards?
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Maurice: A factory reset won't clear programmes that have been recorded on the hard drive; only a reformatting of the hard disk will do this.
From what you've found, it would appear that you will have to carry out a factory reset on 13th.
Your son should also carry out a factory reset and see what channels he can get.
It sounds like he does receive from Sandy Heath (south from his location). For Sandy Heath, aerials installed in the days of four-channel analogue "may" need to be replaced in order to receive the Commercial channels (ITV3, Pick TV, Yesterday, Film 4, Dave etc).
Even if his aerial is one that needs replacing, then he will probably have been able to receive ITV3 prior to 9th May. If he can get Pick TV and Yesterday now, then this suggests that his aerial will be OK and that a retune will probably restore ITV3 and other services on the SDN mux.
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H. Gravett: In answer to your question of why some receivers may pick up some channels and not others are:
- differing sensitivities of the tuners, particularly affected where signals are near borderline.
- differing leads from the point of distribution.
Do these channel totals include radio channels as well as TV ones?
I would be more concerned with whether you are receiving all channels that are being broadcast by the transmitter to which the aerial faces. You've said that they all use the same aerial, so where is it pointing? Is it to the Newhaven transmitter which is at 134 degrees with the aerial vertical? Or maybe it's Heathfield at 37 degrees with the aerial horizontal?
With any, you should certainly be receiving all BBC standard definition TV and radio channels as they are now on full power; i.e. they have "switched".
For a full list of post-switchover services, see here:
DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations
You should have all those in the PSB1 (BBC) table where there is a bullet in the "E" (England) column.
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Tom Farrell: Perhaps see:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
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johnmc: I've been unable to find a manual for this exact model. However, I wonder if you need to press the button that allows you to select different inputs (scart inputs, PC etc). It may be a circle with an arrow pointing in.
The analogue TV part may be (on the list that appears on the screen) "ATV" or something similar.
I suggest that you tune the Sky box to programme number 1 (formerly used for BBC One analogue).
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Tony Kendrick: I think that the most likely solution is to change your aerial to vertical.
Other people have posted on this site saying that they have changed their aerials and that it has rectified the problem.
That may be a costly exercise if you can't do it yourself.
"Maybe" some attenuation to reduce the level of signals might help. Whether it will work will depend on whether you can find a sweet spot where the higher power signals are reduced enough but the lower ones are reduced too much.
This is probably exacerbated by the fact that the powers that be decided to put the low power (50kW) horizontal signals on adjacent channels to the relatively high power (200kW) horizontal signals.
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david: See the message at the top of this page. Tacolneston TV is "liable to interruption" which suggests that engineering work is ongoing, so there is the possibility that what you're experiencing is caused by this.
The message is sourced from Digital UK which you can view by visiting www.digitaluk.co.uk/engineeringworks
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nc: You will have to change the channel on the new Goodmans receiver.
I wouldn't take the output from the boxes using RF signals. Only do this where scart is not an option or where you are feeding this to a TV in another room. Scart should give you better quality pictures that via the RF lead and it will also give you stereo sound rather than mono.
Because there are no analogue signals, there is no need to loop the aerial lead through the VCR/DVD. The aerial lead should go into the Goodmans and out to the TV.
If the design allows, then turn off the modulators in the Goodmans and DVD/VCR. The modulators are the parts that produce the RF signals (which you set to 60 and 57). On some devices, where the UHF channel is set, there is an option to set to "Off" or something similar.
I found the manual for the DVD/VCR here http://downloadcenter.sam….pdf
Page 16 shows that it has two Scart sockets. The bottom socket (AV1) needs connecting to the TV and the top socket (AV2) needs connecting to the Goodmans. To view the Goodmans, select press INPUT SEL. until it shows AV2. Because AV2 is all you will ever view, leave it on that input (if it will stay on that input). There is no tuning on the DVD/VCR necessary; the tuning (auto setup) on that box relates to tuning in the old analogue signals which are now no longer broadcast.
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Terry: Yes, vertical will be better as all signals are the same power vertically.
Horizontally the Commercial multiplexes (which include Film 4) are weaker than the Public Services ones (BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 etc).
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Nigel Vickers: At 9 miles, it "could" be too much signal, depending on your aerial system:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
If you have a booster, trying removing it or turning it down if it allows.
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Vince: See Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
BBC Two analogue has been turned off to allow the new full BBC digital service to use the same frequency.
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Deb: At the first stage of switchover, BBC channels go up to full final power; the rest remain as they were. Two weeks later, the rest follow and the rest of the analogue is switched off.
You haven't said which transmitter your aerial is directed to, so I will guess at the most likely ones which are probably Hastings and Heathfield. These are inbetween first and final phases of switchover, and thus ITV1, C4 etc may still be unavailable or intermittent.
The two regional options you are given are in fact a selection of transmitter. The transmitters carry the name of their main service area.
I guess that you need to select "East Sussex" for Hastings or Heathfield transmitters.
If having done this, you still have no ITV1, C4, then you may be able to try manually tuning it, if the receiver has a manual tune facility and if you can identify which transmitter you are using.
Are you referring to digital (Freeview) or analogue reception of ITV1 and C4? Do these sets use the same aerial?
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Terry, Mark Fletcher: I think even if Terry's aerial is a wideband, that it will work if it has worked before, which it clearly has.
Whilst it is true that the gain of wideband yagi aerials is lower on Group A channels, if it has been proven to work, then I see no reason to replace it.
I think that one of the main issues that Terry and other users of Rowridge have to contend with is the fact that the Commercial multiplexes are only 50kW horizontally whereas they are 200kW vertically (and the Public Service channels are 200kW vertically and horizontally).
So there is a marked difference in strength horizontally and this is probably the biggest issue.
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H. Gravett: Whilst Newhaven will probably be your best transmitter from a signal strength point of view, it will not provide the full range of Freeview channels as it will only carry Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) multiplexes.
Refer to DMOL Post-DSO Multiplex Channel Allocations for the three PSB multiplexes ("muxes"). The Commercial muxes, known as the COMs, are only broadcast from the bigger transmitters. The COMs are shown below the PSBs on that page.
For this reason, you will probably wish to attempt reception from a transmitter that carries the COMs. You "may" find that the aerial needs to be outside above roof level in order get enough signal from one of these other transmitters. There is probably little to be lost by experimenting in the loft.
I think that Heathfield will probably be the first one to try. As Newhaven is a relay of Heathfield, you will get the same regional programming.
If your neighbour's property adjoins yours in the direction of Heathfield, then this will probably rule out reception in the loft. That is, if the aerial is to be pointed through your neighbour's loft space, then I think that there is little hope of success.
If your Newhaven aerial is a Group B one, Heathfield is Group B as well (or it will be once switchover has completed). For Heathfield you will need to switch the aerial from vertical to horizontal. Heathfield's full-power post-DSO BBC mux is on C52 (this is what Newhaven is rebroadcasting on C50). All other digital channels from Heathfield are still on their pre-DSO low power and so may be unavailable.
There isn't forced to be a need to replace the lower grade cable. With digital, there is signal strength and signal quality. The strength needs to be above the threshold at which the receiver will resolve a picture. Signal strength can vary a little, e.g. with the weather. With analogue, a slight variation would have some direct impact on the picture, maybe slightly more grain. With digital, there will be no impact unless it puts the level below the threshold, at which point the picture will be lost or perhaps intermittent break-up will occur.
From what you've said, the channels for which some receivers pick up and some don't are those from another transmitter (for which the aerial wasn't installed for and for which you aren't likely to watch). So they may be marginal strength anyway plus the fact that different receivers have differing sensitivity to (presumably) such small signals.
As you're using one aerial for more than one set, then there should be a proper method of splitting the signal. A distribution amplifier will ensure that equal levels of signal are given to each feed. An unpowered splitter may be sufficient where there is sufficient signal going in.
The downleads should not be connected under the aerial terminals or connected using a terminal block or twisted and taped together; a proper splitter should be used.
If you are looking at DIYing, or just wish to be briefed before getting in a professional, then have a look at www.aerialsandtv.com which has a page with guidance on selection of aerial for the transmitter: Heathfield Transmitter
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Maurice: It's good to hear that your son now has his channels back.
Let us know if you have any issues next week.
You will have to retune again on 27th because SDN (ITV3 etc) from Tunbridge Wells will be changing channel. It will also remain at a power of 100W until 27th, so you may have difficulty picking it up until then.
I presume that this delay is due to Blue Bell Hill and Dover transmitters using C42 until they complete switchover on 27th. C42 is the channel used by TW for SDN after switchover.
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Terry: If you have a booster, then try removing it. Keep the aerial vertical as that is definately the best for Rowridge.
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Terry: If you do decide to get another aerial, you might like to take a look at Rowridge Transmitter
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Gerald Maguire: You should have BBC channels as they have switched over.
The rest will follow next week; they remain on their pre-switchover low (restricted) power until then.
If you have difficulties then, let us know on here and we may be able to suggest how to proceed.
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Friday 27 April 2012 7:18PM
Mr KN Young: Have you looked through your 800s to see if there is Meridian in there?
Have you confirmed that C28 and C22 (from Haslemere) are not receivable?
The predictor at your location reckons that Guildford is the best. A long shot perhaps, but I wonder if it has tuned to that which is off the back of your aerial and that in actual fact Haslemere is still receivable. You may have already have gone along this road, but if not then I suggest that you check.
To avoid the possibility of picking up Guildford, run the automatic tuning scan and unplug the aerial when it gets to 30%.
Then see what BBC and ITV you have by bringing up the signal strength screen. For Haslemere it should be 28 and 22 respectively. It may be 23 and 26 which is CP. If it is, then see if Yesterday is on programme number 12. This is C28 from CP. Similarly look for Pick TV on number 11 which is C22 from CP.
If you find that Pick TV and Yesterday are coming in on 22 and 28, then you know that CP is swamping the Haslemere signals, even though the aerial doesn't face it. If they aren't there, then see if BBC and ITV from Haslemere are in your 800s.
If you manually tune to 22 and 28 and get a signal but no quality, then you know that the two are interfering with one another with no winner.
Hope this helps. As I say, I commend this to you in case you haven't already tried it.
If you do find that Haslemere's channels are in there, then it may need a bit of work to get them under the proper logical channel numbers. I can offer further suggestions should that turn out to be the case.