All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Bharat: Bypass it and see if you get any picture.
There are two types of amplifier:
1. Ones where the mains electricity goes directly into the amplifier.
2. Ones - often referred to as "mast head" amplifiers - which have a separate power supply.
In the case of type number 2, the power supply could be mistaken for an amplifier itself. The power supply connects to the aerial lead and feeds a low voltage up the aerial lead to the amplifier which is usually on the roof (or in the loft).
If you have type number 2 then you would need to bypass the amplifier. Removing the power supply alone would leave you with the amplifier still connected and an amplifier with no power going into it will give little or nothing out.
If you are using an amplifier in order to split the feed to different rooms then connect the incoming aerial feed to one of the feeds out to a room. Then go to that room and see if you have a picture. In order to do this you could potentially require an adaptor, depending on the gender of the connectors.
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Bharat: The make an model number of the device should allow me to work out what it is.
I will explain what I mean by "bypass" with knowledge of the model.
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COM7 on UHF channel 33 is now on air from Emley Moor. Al Jazeera HD is broadcasting and BBC News HD has a graphic which says it launches at 08:30 tomorrow.
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Malcolm Styring : I doubt you will receive BBC Radio Sheffield in Torksey. It is carried on the South Yorkshire multiplex which is on 11C:
Details of 11C_Sheffield DAB multiplex | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
Your most likely FM transmitter is Holme Moss on 104.1MHz.
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Briantist: My apologies, I meant to say it is on UHF channel 32.
How about updating the ERPs? Is there a primary source? Digital UK Coverage Checker quotes higher ERPs. For example, COM7 from Emley is apparently at 50.1kW rather than 16.7kW as quoted above.
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Bharat: I gather it's this model here:
Commtel White 2 Way High Gain Antenna Amplifier (1 in 2 out). Blister
That is not a masthead amplifier; it is type 1 as described previously.
By bypassing it I'm talking about removing it. So rather than having the aerial cable come from the aerial socket, into the amplifier and then out into the TV, run the aerial lead from the aerial socket to the TV (or box, e.g. recorder if you have one).
If you installed the amplifier so as to receive digital television before switchover then it probably isn't needed now because the signals are much stronger.
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sally: The latest generation of mobile phone services (known as "4G") operate on frequencies just above those given to television broadcasts, these being in and around 800MHz. Consequently, some TV receivers will be affected by these signals - these will typically be in close proximity to the 4G mobile transmitters.
Because of this interference, the mobile companies were compelled to set-up a company to remedy it. The company's name is "at800" - it has "800" in its name in reference to the aforementioned frequency of 4G signals that can affect TV reception.
The solution is a filter, which is a little box that is connected into the aerial lead. This blocks the offending 800MHz 4G signal coming down the aerial lead whilst allowing the TV signals through. at800 provides one of these devices per affected household and they are free of charge.
The 4G transmitters have only been coming on the air over the last half-year. I mentioned that proximity is a factor in who is likely to be affected. Where a TV transmitter being used uses frequencies closer to 800MHz (which is where the 4G signals are) then this increases likelihood of an issue. Woolwich transmitter's signals are just below 800MHz whereas Crystal Palace's are a lot lower. (Because you received the channels ITV3, ITV4, Pick, Dave, Yesterday etc. you must have been receiving from Crystal Palace.)
I think the first possibility which must be tested is whether your issue is caused by a 4G transmitter. It is a cost-free service; an aerial engineer is likely to charge for his time, even if it turns out to be interference caused by 4G.
You don't have to have received correspondence from at800 previously in order to speak to them. Their website is at800 | 4G & Freeview | 4G Interference | 4G Filters | at 800 MHz
Pictures on this page shows filters being fitted:
The Solution to 4G Interference in the UK | at800
They send them out to people who are suspected as having an issue caused by 4G. In your case I suggest you contact them and they may post one out to you.
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Bharat: If you've tried another television or a set-top box in place of the TV that is registering no signal then this rather suggests as though it's something between your aerial and your wall socket. Do the obvious visual checks where you can.
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Andy L: No. Unfortunately Stockland Hill isn't getting the new HD multiplexes, so the HD streams of BBC Four, CBeebies, BBC News and Al Jazeera won't be available.
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Monday 9 December 2013 1:17PM
Bharat: The thing that springs to mind when someone has lost all channels is that an amplifer (booster) is being used and that it has failed. The power light being illuminated is not an indication that it is functioning normally.
I can think of two reasons which at800 has stated that you aren't affected by 4G base stations operating at 800MHz:
1. There aren't any in your area.
2. You are far enough away from them that they aren't likely to pose a problem.
According to O2 Coverage Checker O2 | O2 | Network Coverage | Coverage Checker you aren't in a 4G area for its network. I would think that with 4G being the latest thing that the networks would be quick to update their coverage checkers when coverage is extended.
"3" also says you have no 4G coverage Coverage - Support - Three