All posts by Dave Lindsay
Below are all of Dave Lindsay's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
gab: Please let us know your location, preferably in the form of postcode or nearby postcode (e.g. a shop) for the purposes of prediction of signal in your area.
Lots of information on aerials at www.aerialsandtv.com
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gab: I get the impression that you are in a very good signal area, in which case a log periodic (DM Log) should work fine (follow the link to ATV below).
The terrain plot suggests a good view of the transmitter at 12 miles:
Terrain between ( m a.g.l.) and (antenna m a.g.l.) - Optimising UK DTT Freeview and Radio aerial location
Obviously this does not take into account any obstructions such as trees or buildings which may adversely affect the signal.
A cursory look on Streetview shows most aerials to be regular size which tends to suggest that a log will be sufficient. (Obviously just because someone has a large high-gain aerial fitted doesn't necessarily mean that it is required.)
See:
Crystal Palace Transmitter
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graham : You could do, although it only broadcasts PSB channels. Thus, if the drop-outs affect only the COMs then you will be no better off.
For a full list of Freeview channels, including which are PSB and which are COM, see:
DTG :: DTT Services by Multiplex
The difficulty with Heathfield would appear to be the high ground in and around Awbrook. There are also a lot of trees around, including some which appear to be in the way of HH transmitter for some houses. This perhaps explains the use of higher gain aerials on some houses for HH.
If your HH aerial is a Group B one (yellow tip), then this is suitable for Heathfield, albeit that perhaps you need a higher gain one. Or then again, maybe it needs mounting higher up.
See:
Aerials, TV Aerial and Digital Aerial
Prior to switchover, Heathfield used Group C/D channels but now the COMs are below C/D and a B aerial should be used in cases where a Group aerial is used.
See here for more information about Heathfield:
Heathfield Transmitter
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graham: Check that your TV/box is tuned to the correct transmitter and that you aren't unwittingly watching the signals from a different transmitter. View the signal strength screen and check that the following are tuned to the right UHF channel:
BBC One C52
ITV1 C49
BBC One HD C47
ITV3 C42
Pick TV C44
Film4 C41
Haywards Heath's are 45, 46 and 43.
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ADRIAN: I don't think that doing a factory reset would revert you back to the later firmware (software).
Once you have exhausted all other avenues, then a factory reset would appear to be the only thing left.
What options you have depend on the design. In some cases it is possible to delete individual multiplexes or services. Or running the scan through with the aerial unplugged may "blank" the memory. Perhaps due to the fact that the channels are/were tuned in on C53 that some remnant of this still remains in the memory and is preventing the C52 mux from working. I don't know exactly how it works, so that is just my thought and possible explanation should it turn out that a full reset does the trick.
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Gary: Is this the device?
Sharman multiCOM Ltd. - ALTAI T103C 8-WAY AERIAL AMPLIFIER
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Alex: Mobile base stations are typically located within a few miles.
According to Ofcom Sitefinder, the Midhurst transmitting station is home to a 3 base station but it is only likely to serve you if you live within a few miles of it and probably that there isn't a closer 3 base station.
Ofcom Sitefinder shows the location of mobile phone base stations:
'Sitefinder' Mobile Phone Base Station Database
I seem to recall reading somewhere that not all operators keep it updated on where their base stations are, so it isn't forced to be a true picture.
Click on the map and then enter a location or postcode. Then zoom in or out. You need to be zoomed in so much to show the base stations which are blue pins. Click on one and it will show the operator(s)/network(s) at that location.
UMTS is 3G of which O2, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and 3 have such networks.
This may allow you to work out where your local 3 base station(s) are (or were). This may be helpful in yielding an explanation. For example, if you find that there is one on the roof of a building that is now undergoing work, it could have perhaps necessitated it to be turned off. Or, having found out the location of the station, you may be able to observe some object that is now between you and it and therefore potentially acting to reduce the signal strength at your location.
As I say, it is "may" help yield an explanation.
Another possibility is that 3 has re-sited the local base station which isn't as good at your location as the previous one.
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anne hoey: OTA means "over the air".
Knowledge of the model number might be useful.
Perhaps it is an update to the firmware (in-built software), in which case knowledge of the model number would allow us to see whether an update for that model is being broadcast. Or perhaps your TV has tuned in signals from Moel y Parc transmitter in Wales. Early this morning one of its channels changed frequency, so maybe it is reacting to that.
These are just possible ideas. Did it stop after a while? If so, how long was it like that?
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Gary: It seems a bit of a coincidence that a different device from a different manufacturer would have the same model number. Perhaps it is the same device (the electronics inside) but in a different box.
In any case, try turning off the amplifier having checked to see what the strength is on the Freeview TV that is working. See if having the amp turned off reduces the strength. If it doesn't, then it certainly points to it being defective.
The other thing to try is connecting the incoming lead from the aerial onto the outgoing feed to the room with the TV in. This may require an adaptor if the two connectors are the same gender.
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Monday 12 November 2012 9:27PM
Joanne Lomas: If, having tuned it to Emley Moor, you still have difficulty, then your receiver could perhaps be being overloaded due to too high a signal level brought about by its close proximity to the transmitter. See:
Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - 10 years of independent, free digital TV advice
It may also be worth checking that it is tuned to Emley Moor by viewing the signal strength screen whilst on each of the following and ensuring that the tuned UHF/RF channel number (frequency) is that of Emley:
PSB1 | BBC One | C47
PSB2 | ITV1 | C44
PSB3 | BBC One HD (if applicable) | C41
COM4 | ITV3 | C51
COM5 | Pick Tv | C52
COM6 | Film4 | C48