Full Freeview on the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) transmitter
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The symbol shows the location of the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) transmitter which serves 270,000 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.
Are there any planned engineering works or unexpected transmitter faults on the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) mast?
Ridge Hill transmitter - Ridge Hill transmitter: Possible effect on TV reception week commencing 04/11/2024 Pixelation or flickering on some or all channels 
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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
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which Freeview channels does the Ridge Hill 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
H/V: aerial position (horizontal or vertical)
Which BBC and ITV regional news can I watch from the Ridge Hill transmitter?
BBC Midlands Today 2.9m homes 10.9%
from Birmingham B1 1RF, 69km northeast (39°)
to BBC West Midlands region - 66 masts.
ITV Central News 2.9m homes 10.9%
from Birmingham B1 2JT, 69km northeast (39°)
to ITV Central (West) region - 65 masts.
All of lunch, weekend and 80% evening news is shared with Central (East)
Are there any self-help relays?
| Whitton | Transposer | 35 km NW Hereford | 40 homes |
How will the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) transmission frequencies change over time?
| 1968-80s | 1984-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-2011 | 2011-13 | 1 Mar 2018 | ||||
| VHF | A K T | A K T | A K T | W T | W T | ||||
| C6 | ITVwaves | ||||||||
| C21 | +SDN | SDN | |||||||
| C22 | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | BBC1waves | +BBCB | BBCB | ||||
| C24 | ArqA | ArqA | |||||||
| C25 | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | ITVwaves | D3+4 | D3+4 | ||||
| C27 | ArqB | ArqB | |||||||
| C28 | BBC2waves | BBC2waves | BBC2waves | BBCA | BBCA | ||||
| C29 | D3+4 | ||||||||
| C30 | _local | ||||||||
| C32 | C4waves | C4waves | C4waves | com7 | |||||
| C34 | com8 | ||||||||
| C35 | C5waves | C5waves | |||||||
| C51tv_off | _local | _local | |||||||
| C55tv_off | com7tv_off | ||||||||
| C56tv_off | COM8tv_off |
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 6 Apr 11 and 20 Apr 11.
How do the old analogue and currrent digital signal levels compare?
| Analogue 1-5 | 100kW | |
| BBCA, D3+4, PSB2 iw, BBCB | (-7dB) 20kW | |
| com7 | (-9.8dB) 10.5kW | |
| SDN, ARQA, ARQB | (-10dB) 10kW | |
| com8 | (-10.1dB) 9.8kW | |
| Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D* | (-17dB) 2kW |
Which companies have run the Channel 3 services in the Ridge Hill transmitter area
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Is the transmitter output the same in all directions?
Radiation patterns withheldFriday, 22 December 2023
P
Peter Neville6:17 PM
Cheltenham
No HD reception on Freeview for approx a week... prior to that it was working well for some months, though has been patchy in the past. SD is working fine.
Location: GL54 5DZ - house number 5
Loft aerial - professionally installed
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Peter's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Saturday, 23 December 2023
N
Nick 6:20 PM
You must have an aerial problem or something interfering.
I'm in stroud so not really in the normal coverage area but I've checked HD channels from Ridge hill.
100% signal strength and 100% quality so moving wrong with the transmitter
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C
Chris.SE8:05 PM
Peter Neville:
I'd meant to reply yesterday, but didn't have time. I couldn't find any reports of faults or Planned Engineering for Ridge Hill in the last five days, so no obvious transmitter issue.
Thanks Nick, that's useful to know that you haven't a problem, it'd mean me messing about with an aerial for me to do a check.
Peter, have you got any trees moderately close on the line-of-sight in the direction of the transmitter (almost due W for you)?
Or has there been an other external things that could upset the signal such as scaffolding very close by, nothing like solar panels installed, new flue pipes etc.?
All these sorts of things won't necessarily have a noticeable effect on several multiplexes, it could affect just one.
Do of course check that there's nothing in the loft that may have disturbed the aerial.
Have a look in your TV Tuning section and make sure you are correctly tuned to Ridge Hill's UHF channels especially C22 for the HD multiplex.
Also have look for the Signal Strength and Quality figures for each UHF channel and post the figures for each which may give some clue about what could be happening.
Have you altered anything in your setup recently, any new or changed equipment?
Check all your accessible coax connections for corrosion or water, and make sure everything is correctly plug in,
Again any problems of this sort won't necessarily have a noticeable effect on all multiplexes.
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Saturday, 30 December 2023
C
Charlie S10:06 AM
Pershore
Hello;
I am going to post a couple of questions on different pages of this excellent site; related to trying to figure out the cause of an intermittent loss of some terrestrial programmes by my mothers TV.
This question is related to observations from my own stuff, located about 3 miles away, that I am using as a comparison point / debug tool.
At WR10 3EW, external pole mounted antenna, horizontal, pointing approximately at 270 degrees.
Inside, a signal booster box (installed at the same time as the antenna) provides the signal to a new-ish PVR (meaning bought ~ 4 months ago, but physical design is maybe 5 years old ?? ) ; and an old TV (Panasonic TX-L32G10B) is connected to both the "RF loop output" and the HDMI output of the PVR.
I am aware that the TV tuner will not pick up the HD channels; that is OK.
The PVR is internet connected ( & iPlayer, Channel 4 players work as expected), and should be updating it's software automatically (but the system info menu says it is up-to-date at April/May '21); the TV has an ethernet port, but cannot/will not use the ethernet unless it is also connected to a satellite dish (which I do not have) ; any software updates in the TV will have had to have been done "OTA".
Both tuners find a set of programmes broadcast by the Ridge Hill transmitter ; I am a "bit surprised" that they are not picking up the Malvern transmitter, but I can discuss that with the aerial guy (I am happy to let him climb up and check aerial orientation etc).
According to Ridge Hill (including relays) | free and easy for 21 years we are in a "cyan" area; the signal info sections of both PVR and TV indicate > 70% RSSI for all programmes that I have checked and 100% quality ; the weather has to be "very bad" to affect reception.
What I cannot understand, and would appreciate any views from the forum here are why the PVR is not picking up some programmes (shown as preset number == ?LCN? below, not listed on PVR EPG, cannot be shown using the number directly), whilst they are shown/viewable on the Panasonic device when I select 'TV' (ie screen shows what it's own tuner can decode from the RF in, assuming there is no "software mix-up" of HDMI vs RF inputs in the TV).
Are there any other possible causes other than "PVR software bug" ? (eg could the PVR be getting the EPG information from the internet, vs the Panasonic that can only get the EPG from the broadcast data, so it could be an "EPG content issue") ?
Multiplex. PVR missing programme Panasonic tuner reaction
SDN 68, 277*, 286, 287 277 = blank screen, 286 = message re internet connection needed
ArqA 65** 65 plays as "That's Christmas"
ArqB 56, 61, 63 56 plays as "That's TV
BBCB 205 none expected
277* means PVR gives warning message about proceeding to view non-regulated internet content ; does the lack of a link for 277 (from Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | free and easy for 21 years )">Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | free and easy for 21 years to a page equivalent to eg Absolute Radio | free and easy for 21 years mean that the UK Radio Portal (and any other programme with no link) is an internet stream only service ?
65** means that "That's Christmas" should be showing, as confirmed by the "which channels from this transmitter" section of Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | free and easy for 21 years ; and is shown on the Pansonic device ; BUT on the PVR, it is showing the "That's TV" programme that should be visible on preset # 56 (which is completely missing from the PVR).
thanks &
regards,
Charlie.
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Charlie's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
S
Steve Donaldson1:24 PM
Charlie S: Malvern's PSBs on 41, 44 and 47 are now co-channel with The Wrekin's COMs @ 10kW. At your location The Wrekin is about 70 degrees clockwise of Ridge Hill and you have or are not far off line-of-sight at 46 miles.
A few years ago TV transmitter channels were reorganised to clear the 700MHz band for use by mobile phone services. This meant clearing channels 49 to 60 of TV. As part of this programme, on 7th March 2018 Malvern's PSBs changed to 41, 44 and 47. The Wrekin did not change any time during the 700MHz Clearance.
Additionally, Oxford changed to the same six channels as Malvern uses, meaning the two are co-channel on all six channels, but you have a lot of terrain in the way.
As your aerial is horizontal, it may be picking up a higher level of interfering signal from The Wrekin than if it had been VP, and this is acting against successful reception of the Malvern PSB signals which are VP. The question is: can you receive Malvern's COMs on 29, 31 and 37?
Malvern is/was used in Worcester. To counter the problem of co-channel interference in the area as a result of the change, a new transmitter was installed at Elbury Park Reservoir. It is a single-frequency network (SFN) with Ridge Hill, meaning it uses the same six channels without each interfering with one another.
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Sunday, 31 December 2023
C
Chris.SE2:12 AM
Charlie S:
I've read your post several times to try and sort out and separate the issues.
Firstly for Ridge Hill, the aerial should be pointing at about compass bearing 253 degrees for the quoted postcode. The Rods (or squashed Xs) should be horizontal. That should be visible from ground level without anyone having to climb up.
The predicted reception from Ridge Hill is very good for all multiplexes.
The Malvern transmitter is at compass bearing 280 degrees, which whilst just being within the typical beamwidth of an aerial at 253 degrees, as Steve has pointed out it is Vertical polarisation which will significantly reduce the strength of any signal that might be picked up!
That doesn't mean that there won't be circumstances where those signals will be picked up.
You say the PVR is Internet connected and iPlayer and Channel 4 players work ok, but what about My5 and ITVX, the latter in particular gives some idea about the streaming capabilities of the PVR which will be related to some of your "missing" channels?
The PVR should have some sort of System Menu where you can select how/when it would look for system updates so have a look for that and make sure it has the latest - you should be able to find out from the PVR maker's Support website.
The TV set should be capable of doing Software Updates without any satellite dish connected if the Ethernet port is connected to a router with internet connection. See p50 of the TV's manual. It should be possible to set it to "Auto Update Search in Standby" set to On, or "System Update Search Now" then when prompted "OK". How long it will take to download depends on the Internet connection.
For which TV channels are carried on which multiplex (this site/page isn't always fully up-to-date), see Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview
There is no Local multiplex at Ridge Hill (or Malvern). Steve has explained about the possible co-channel issues between Malvern and The Wrekin, nevertheless predicted reception from Malvern is good. However, if you get good reliable reception from Ridge Hill, why change - you'd have to pay an aerial guy to change your aerial providing he can assure you that reception from Malvern will be satisfactory.
Now these "missing" TV channels.
First to say it has nothing to do with which transmitter you use (providing they have all 6 main multiplexes), it has to do with the software & hardware & streaming capabilities of the TV and/or PVR.
Secondly, some of these channels only broadcast very limited hours, and stream outside of them provided the equipment is of a suitable standard (generally it's those channels with LCNs below 100).
Those with LCNs in the 260+ range will only stream (again only with suitable equipment). Whether they appear in the EPG may again be equipment dependent.
There's been cases where a channel about to/should be streaming says an Internet connection is needed - even when you have one - this is to do with the transmission standard and equipment standard (it's not a bug in the equipment).
All channels that stream should warn that you are about to view content via the internet, channels that only stream should show a warning message about proceeding to view non-regulated internet content - that doesn't mean it's anything "nasty", it's just not subject to the same rules as stuff that's transmitted, but I believe there's an upcoming change to OFCOM's rules on that.
Clarification on some TV channel names - both Great! and That's channels often rename some of their channels upto and over the Christmas period (see the link I posted above). Many names will start reverting to "normal" after January 3rd.
Your EPG may not be up-to-date if you haven't retuned a relevant multiplex (COMs only), sometimes it's best to do a full retune as some channels might otherwise end up in the wrong places, usually 800s.
LCN56 That's TV (UK) broadcasts 6.00am to 4.00am
LCN61 GREAT! movies extra broadcasts 4.00am to 6.00am
If the set/PVR is capable, when the channel is streaming, it may see a "Data" logo and eventually a screen that says Press Red to view the service.
LCN62 GREAT! tv +1 broadcasts 3.00am to 5.00am. Outside those hours you may see a screen saying a new service will be launching shortly (which we take to mean the broadcast hours!).
LCN63 GREAT! christmas mix broadcasts 3.00am to 5.00am displays Press Red when streaming
LCN65 That's Christmas broadcast 9.00am to 3.00am then IIRC Press Red.....
LCN67, LCN68 TRUE CRIME / TRUE CRIME XTRA broadcast 24/7
LCN71 That's 60s broadcasts 4.00am to 6.00am then Press Red......
LCN75 That's 90s broadcasts 3.00am to 9.00am then Press Red.....
LCN85 Create & Craft broadcasts 7.00am to 10.00pm then stream with a choice of two services
(Not sure if I may have missed any in the above range)
None of the following streamed services have broadcast hours, many will give the Press Red or Press OK to View/Watch option usually with the internet warning (some take time to load).
Remember some take a while to load and you think you have a blank screen.
LCNs 263 to 271, 273 to 276, 278 to 284, 286 to 290 can sometimes be a bit iffy loading/selecting options to watch a choice
LCN272 MBC & LCN291 TV Extra will only work on some of the latest equipment
LCN277 is called the UK RADIO PORTAL with a choice of stations
LCN285 can say you need to be connected to the internet
I trust you have checked you are correctly tuned to Ridge Hill's UHF channels -
They are C28, C25, C22, C21, C24, & C27 that's in multiplex order -
BBCA/PSB1, D3&4/PSB2, BBCB HD/PSB3, SDN/COM4, ArqA/COM5, ArqB/COM6
If the PVR has a HD/T2 tuner you should get LCNs 101-107, 204 & 205.
Also remember the BBC children's channels are daytime hours only.
Children's channels 209 to 213 are streaming only.
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S
Steve Donaldson3:34 AM
Charlie S: (Read my earlier comment in response to yours, where I explain the situation from March 2018 onwards with respect to The Wrekin causing co-channel interference to the PSB channels of Malvern.)
Reading between the lines, I think you might be about to tell us that your mother is using Malvern and that the programme channels she has variable reception on are those carried on the three PSB multiplexes, meaning channels including all the BBC ones, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, E4, Film4, More4 and all the HD channels.
I think you have made the observation that you are unable to pick up Malvern on your horizontal aerial directed to Ridge Hill when you would expect to and perhaps could do in the past. I don't think your intention is to receive Malvern at your property, other than for test purposes, in effort to understand why your mother has intermittent reception on some channels.
If I am correct then the only solution may be to change your mother's aerial to face another transmitter, such as Lark Stoke or Sutton Coldfield, if these or any other can be received at her property.
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C
Chris.SE6:03 PM
Steve Donaldson:
Whilst you may be correct about which transmitter his mother is receiving, we'll have to wait and see, I feel sure you have got the wrong end of the stick with regards to the "missing" channels, they are all related to issues to do with Streaming. What works and what doesn't depend very much on the standard of the receiving equipment as well as the standard being used for transmission which in some cases is the latest standard of HbbTV and no MHEG.
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Monday, 1 January 2024
C
Charlie S11:50 PM
Pershore
Steve, Chris;
many thanks for these updates; let's take Malvern "out of the picture" ; as my TV+PVR only receive the COMs from Ridge Hill (on Channels 24, 27 & 21+).
Steve, your "reading between the lines" is nearly correct; except my mother's TV is tuned to Lark Hill (I will put details in a separate post) and I am not contemplating moving my aerial to pick up a different transmitter for test purposes..
The list of "visible" transmitters according to Freeview | All your favourite TV shows, all in one place and all for free confirms that Ridge Hill is "correct" at WR10 3EW, from the ground, the aerial seems to be at a bearing of 230 - 240 degrees; vs coverage checker report of 253 for Ridge Hill and 280 for Malvern (and I think the Malvern transmitter is not on the top of the hill, so it is even less likely that I will get any signal from it).
I reviewed the references provided, and things are a lot clearer thanks (but I think Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview could "maybe benefit" from an indication of which LCNs are not full-time and can "switch" to streaming mode..).
I am well impressed that your website has the Panasonic manual on it; I will be even more impressed if an update is available from the internet 15 years after the product was released.
The offset in a couple of the Panasonic presets that was visible the other day seems to have corrected itself; it is showing everything it is expected to according to the freeview channel listings, given it is not HD compatible or internet connected.
The PVR has a couple of "disconnects" for the presets 56 - 70 ; these may be cleared by a "complete Freeview reset", & maybe a software upgrade if the manufacturer supplies one; but that will have to wait until after the holiday TV recording/watching festival is finished.
thanks again &
regards,
Charlie
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Charlie's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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