All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Pam Johnson: Go to the UK Power Networks website:
UK Power Networks - Distribution Network Operator
Enter the postcode for the transmitter, CT4 7LP, given at the top of this page. It says that there is a power cut which occurred at about 15:30 which is due to an overhead line fault. See the website for more detail. (CT4 7LP)
| link to this comment |
L Otter: Maybe it's just me. The posting immediately above yours indicates that there is a power supply failure to the transmitter site...
| link to this comment |
Beverley: You're in a blocks of flats which begs the question: are you using a communal aerial system? If you are then this must be the first suspect. Ask neighbours if they have the same issue, ensuring that they are using the terrestrial system and not satellite.
| link to this comment |
Steve: Digital UK Coverage Checker reports it as being vertically polarised. However, photos on mb21 clearly show it uses horizontal polarisation:
mb21 - The Transmission Gallery
| link to this comment |
Terry: Where (which transmitter) is you aerial pointing?
Due to the hilly terrain of the area there isn't just one transmitter used.
The signal strength screen usually gives the UHF channel or frequency the receiver is tuned to. This will allow you to identify whether it is tuned to the transmitter to which your aerial faces, or incorrectly to another one.
The two main transmitters which serve the area are Keighley and Idle. Reception Emley Moor may be possible in places.
All the services you identify are carried on the same multiplex (same signal). So if it's wrong for one it will be wrong for all. For that reason just focus on checking one (e.g 19).
If your aerial points to Keighley then it should be tuned to C60 (786MHz). If it is Idle then it is C39 (618MHz).
If it's on the wrong one then rectification may be to have the aerial unplugged during the portion of the scan which the unwanted one is scanned. More advice on this based on your findings.
| link to this comment |
A T Howard: This is incorrect. R&T Investigation, which reports issues with BBC transmitters, says Keswick from 08:29 this morning.
The ukfree.tv website gets updated at intervals because it must query R&T Investigation every so often - i.e. R&T Investigation does not supply the information, ukfree.tv has to query for it.
| link to this comment |
DougA: The Licence Fee pays for the BBC and, as a Public Service Broadcaster you have access to the BBC.
The channels that don't broadcast do so because they have no obligation to provide a Public Service, their main interest being to turn a profit.
Thus, if it weren't for Public Service Broadcasting you wouldn't have any TV.
| link to this comment |
DougA: It's worth adding that the "problem" of not receiving the full complement of Freeview channels isn't confined to the Channel Islands. Many other transmitters which serve relatively few viewers also carry only Public Service channels.
| link to this comment |
Monday 23 December 2013 4:53PM
annick: The short answer is that there is a two-tier system which means a small proportion of viewers only get the Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) channels.
This is because the Commercial (COM) broadcasters are allowed to pick and choose which transmitters to broadcast from, them choosing those which cover the most people for least cost (the basic law of capitalism). This gives them coverage of 90% of the population whereas the PSBs cover 98.5%, so there are approximately 10% of terrestrial TV viewers who are without the COMs. The cost to the Commercial broadcasters to serve this extra 8.5% of the population is about that which it costs them to serve the current 90%, so it's easy to see why they don't bother. The PSBs have an obligation to provide a Public Service which is why they install small transmiters such as Newhaven to fill in the coverage.
In your general area it is hit and miss as to whether the COM channels can be received from Whitehawk Hill, which is adjacent to Brighton Racecourse, or Rowridge of the Isle of Wight.
However, as you would appear to be using a communal aerial system you are bound by what it provides.
What is the reason for retuning? If it's tuned incorrectly in the first place then it would surely be better practice to correct it then. Or does the TV retune itself periodically, something which needs seeing if it can be addressed?
You will know if you have any of the COM channels. Check for these three services: 10 - ITV3, 11 - Pick, 18 - 4Music. If you do then you might have an outside chance of receiving some degree of service, possibly from Whitehawk which is on about the same bearing as the Newhaven transmitter you get PSB channels from, this meaning that the aerial effectively points at both.