Full Freeview on the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmitter
Brian Butterworth first published this on - UK Free TV
Google Streetview | Google map | Bing map | Google Earth | 51.237,-2.626 or 51°14'12"N 2°37'33"W | BA5 3LB |
The symbol shows the location of the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmitter which serves 720,000 homes. The bright green areas shown where the signal from this transmitter is strong, dark green areas are poorer signals. Those parts shown in yellow may have interference on the same frequency from other masts.
_______
Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below.
64QAM 8K 3/4 27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
DTG-12 QSPK 8K 3/4 8.0Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which Freeview channels does the Mendip transmitter broadcast?
If you have any kind of Freeview fault, follow this Freeview reset procedure first.Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below.
64QAM 8K 3/4 27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
DTG-12 QSPK 8K 3/4 8.0Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which BBC and ITV regional news can I watch from the Mendip transmitter?
ITV West Country News (East) 0.9m homes 3.4%
from Bristol BS4 3HG, 23km north (11°)
to ITV West region - 61 masts.
All of lunch, weekend and 50% evening news is shared with West Country (West)
Are there any self-help relays?
Cheddar | Transposer | 15 km E Weston-super-Mare | 1674 homes |
Luccombe | Active deflector | 6 km w Minehead | 38 homes |
How will the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmission frequencies change over time?
1984-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-2010 | 2010-13 | 2013-18 | 2013-17 | 27 Feb 2018 | |||
C/D E | E | E | C/D E | C/D E T | W T | W T | |||
C30 | _local | ||||||||
C32 | BBCA | ||||||||
C33 | com7 | com7 | |||||||
C34 | D3+4 | ||||||||
C35 | com8 | com8 | |||||||
C36 | ArqB | ||||||||
C37 | C5waves | C5waves | |||||||
C48 | SDN | SDN | SDN | SDN | |||||
C49tv_off | BBCA | BBCA | |||||||
C51tv_off | LBS | LBS | |||||||
C52tv_off | ArqB | ArqB | ArqB | ||||||
C54tv_off | C4waves | C4waves | C4waves | D3+4 | D3+4 | D3+4 | |||
C55tv_off | com7tv_off | ||||||||
C56tv_off | ArqA | ArqA | ArqA | COM8tv_off | |||||
C58tv_off | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | BBCB | BBCB | BBCB | |||
C61 | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | BBCA | |||||
C64 | BBC2waves | BBC2waves | BBC2waves |
tv_off Being removed from Freeview (for 5G use) after November 2020 / June 2022 - more
Table shows multiplexes names see this article;
green background for transmission frequencies
Notes: + and - denote 166kHz offset; aerial group are shown as A B C/D E K W T
waves denotes analogue; digital switchover was 24 Mar 10 and 7 Apr 10.
How do the old analogue and currrent digital signal levels compare?
Analogue 1-4 | 500kW | |
Analogue 5 | (-6dB) 126kW | |
SDN, ARQA, ARQB, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB | (-7dB) 100kW | |
com7 | (-8.4dB) 72.4kW | |
com8 | (-8.6dB) 69.1kW | |
Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D*, LBS | (-17dB) 10kW |
Which companies have run the Channel 3 services in the Mendip transmitter area
|
|
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
M
Mark Fletcher3:00 PM
Halifax
Colin.Can we assist you !
link to this comment |
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
J
jb388:49 PM
Ben Ward: If the signal strength / quality on the Humax is indeed as you have reported then provided that you used exactly the same connections (jump lead from same socket) into the Panasonic then there is no reason whatsoever for it likewise not doing the same, that is unless the signal is slightly too strong or that the actual set has a problem, as although Humax tuners are undeniably excellent Panasonic types still has the edge on them for sensitivity.
Have you as yet tried resetting your Panasonic to its shipping condition? this then followed by an "Auto-set up" automatically starting after the set is switched on again. Another thing I would like you to try albeit that it might be a bit of a bother, is to leave the Humax on the same signal test screen that you had used for your report and then switch off the mains power supply to your 4 way splitter, this followed by a further check being made on the signal level that's indicated the Humax to see if it has changed any by doing this, which of course it should "if" the splitter is working OK, as this is the best way to verify for certain if a splitter or booster is working.
That said though, I noted in an earlier posting that you do refer to a second rooftop aerial, and if this is the case and your Humax / Panasonic is fed directly from this then there isn't any point in trying the power off check on the splitter, although you should still try the shipping condition test on the Panasonic.
NB: Regarding the Humax, although you haven't mentioned as such but its assumed that you did carry out a visual quality check the output from the Humax via a scart coupling into the Panasonic?
link to this comment |
C
Charles Stuart10:57 PM
I recently moved from Kettering to Bristol. In Kettering my TV signal was strong enough to pass through a Freeview HD box, a Humax PVR, a Panasonic DVD recorder and still give a decent picture on the TV. In Bristol, the signal doesn't get past the Freeview HD box unless it's on, in which case I can also use the PVR. However, I cannot get Com 6/Arq B even on the HD box. The aerial is on the roof. But it gets complicated. There's a loft aerial feeding my bedroom TV and that receives all multiplexes. I can also receive all multiplexes on my Eye TV for Mac using an indoor aerial. The roof aerial is minute. The loft aerial is somewhat larger but not a high gain aerial. The house was built in the 1970s and the aerial socket in the living room looks like the original. How do I tell if the problem is the cable, the aerial or even that the aerial is in a null point?
My idea is to intercept the aerial cable in the loft and fit a new, higher gain aerial there. (The rooftop aerial is too high for me to get to it.) If the problem is the cable, will a high gain aerial have any chance of working? I'm looking for a solution that avoids having to call out an aerial installer as I have a low income and I do know how to fit an aerial and find the signal. (51.4634,-2.5264)
link to this comment |
Thursday, 5 July 2012
J
jb387:20 AM
Charles Stuart: Unfortunately the signal levels expected at your new location cannot be assessed as the post code provided indicates a disallowed characters error.
However as far as the signal not passing through the box is concerned, make sure that the "power saving on standby" is NOT switched on (if a newer type box) as that will kill the signal.
link to this comment |
C
Charles Stuart7:31 PM
@jb38 - Thanks. Changing the box setting from "passive" to "active" allows the signal through. I am about half way up Two Mile Hill Road on a side road about 200 yards from the junction. I am quite high up and when I entered my post code, the system suggested that I could receive good signals from Mendip (best), Bristol Kings Weston, Bristol Ilchester Crescent or Wenvoe.
Can anyone advise how to tell if the co-axial cable needs replacing? (51.4634,-2.5264)
link to this comment |
Friday, 6 July 2012
J
jb383:06 PM
Charles Stuart: Whatever method you are using to enter your post code is still resulting in a disallowed characters indication on DUK's reception predictor whereby I am still unable to properly assess your situation, however as far as your loft aerial is concerned I wouldn't really advise fitting a high gain aerial in a loft, as for any so called high gain aerial to operate as such it has to be "precisely" aimed at the transmitter, this meaning that there has to be a reasonable line-of-site situation applying in the first place with no obstructions between the aerial and the transmitter, the loft roof being the first obstruction as well as being more so if wet depending on the type of tiles used.
I fully realise that many people use a high gain aerial in situations such as this but there is always an element of self delusion about the results that's achieved, as an ordinary aerial (pref Log type) with a 10+db amplifier mounted close by will always give better results, thereby I would suggest that an aerial such as the type mentioned used in conjunction with a combined booster / splitter to feed the signal to the various positions is liable to result in a more satisfactory situation.
That said, based on what you have reported even just a booster / splitter used with the present loft aerial would likely be suffice, the log being favoured as it has a virtually even response across all channels provided its not one of the larger versions, a type called a DM log (even DM18) being ideal for most loft situations.
An example of the type referred to seen on the link.
ATV`s Choice Of Aerials for digital TV
link to this comment |
C
Colin8:36 PM
Hi Mark Fletcher,
Sorry about that one letter post but for some reason I was not getting the regular email updates. I entered my details again and site said "already registered" which I knew.
I then sent that post as a test and the updates are now coming again.
link to this comment |
C
Charles Stuart11:31 PM
@ jb38 - When I entered my post code into this site it converted it into degrees longitude and latitude.
What is weird is that I can now receive the missing channels. I connected up the DVD recorder/player that I hadn't yet connected when I had the problem and it picked up the missing multiplex, though slightly weaker than the others, and then so did the PVR, TV and HD box. Is it possible that there might have been a short interruption to service on that multiplex on the 26th June? I cannot think why else I would have had tuning trouble then but not now. (51.4634,-2.5264)
link to this comment |
M
Mark Fletcher11:47 PM
Halifax
Colin:No problem whatsoever !
link to this comment |
Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 7 July 2012
J
jb3811:30 AM
Shepton Mallet
Charles Stuart: Well although its not exactly impossible for that to have been applying at the time you carried out the test, on having checked out Mendip's engineering page I don't see anything listed since June 10th, that is of course "if" you know for certain that you are receiving from that station as you did mention that good reception was being indicated from another three different transmitters albeit that I am unable to assess this for the reason mentioned.
I use DUK's trade view reception predictor as my main reference source as well as info on transmitter channels etc, and DUK's in common with other reception predictors works purely on an actual post code, so if you click on "Digital UK trade view" 3rd down the list at the right hand side of this posting you will get the prediction for reception at a Shepton Mallet test post code, if though you try the same on your own posting you will (or should) get the disallowed characters indication I mentioned.
The procedure to use is enter your post code in the site settings box provided (top right hand of page) and click on predict, then click on the transmitter name that is then indicated, and finally enter your query under the listings that appears for that particular transmitter.
Other possible reasons for the reception problem you were having could be due to atmospheric conditions applying at the time, or its simply the case that the signal you are receiving is not that terribly high above the reception cut off threshold level and that it had dipped under it, and so whilst reception is OK its always best to make a few signal strength checks across various channels such as 1 - 3 - 50 (only if HD is used) - 10 - 11 -12 as these programme numbers covers all six mux transmitters that's used for Freeview (full service) transmission, then if at any time a programme selected results in a blank screen carry out a signal check "whilst on that programme number" to see what the signal level is indicated as being, because unless the transmitter has failed an indication of strength will always be seen.
link to this comment |
jb38's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Select more comments
Your comment please