All posts by chrisw
Below are all of chrisw's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
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Where are the public service (Freeview Light) transmitters? | SThursday 1 September 2011 4:38PM
Otley
Thanks Mick,
I had a look & ticked the "Aerial Installer" box which I hadn't done before. It looks as if there will be some signal, but probablty not useable, as I expected. I shall stick to the Wharfedale transmitter. I may have a look with a spectrum analyser once switchover has occurred to compare the signal levels from Emeley Moor & Wharfedale.
Chris
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SeaBee:
While the Licence Fee is effectively a tax, the Government hand it all to the BBC. It is to fund a Public Service therefore it is right that the public should have a say in it's output, currently through the BBC trust. The system may not be perfect, and should always be open to public debate, but the BBC is by far the best quality broadcast organisation in the World. I detest Adverts.
The Government lay down PSB service requirements, including levels of news, current affairs, proportion of original domestically produced programming and a requirement to cover 98.5% of the UK population by terrestrial broadcast, and availability on other platforms. This is why the BBC pay the Platform Contribution Charge. I do agree it is obscene for Sky to be allowed to charge for this though.
The Government DO NOT have a direct influence on BBC programming. Parliament and individual MPs do of course (quite rightly) comment.
The BBC World Service is directly funded by the UK government NOT the Licence fee. It does seem reasonable that they should proscribe the service levels (but not the programme content!)
Chris
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C
Switchover starts in 4 million homes in Yorkshire, West MidlandWednesday 7 September 2011 9:28AM
Otley
Wharfedale switched over sometime between 7.00am and 7.45am. No problems, BBC A now available. I have tuned 2 of my four(!) devices in this morning. The analogue channels had come back on before this, with ITV on the old BBC2 channel.
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Rob: BBC2 Analogue has been switched off. ITV1 is currently on the old BBC2 channel (C28). The BBCA multiplex, which carries all the Standard Definition BBC channels is now transmitted on C25, the old ITV1 frequency.
On 21st September, the other analogue signals will be switched off, and the D3+4 and BBCB multiplexes will begin transmission.
Chris
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Where are the public service (Freeview Light) transmitters? | STuesday 20 September 2011 11:41PM
Otley
I decided to carry out an experiment, so ordered an aerial. It is a Maxview 25 element, CAI standard 2 wideband.
I received this today, so went up into the loft and connected it up to my old CRT TV. I was able to receive the analogue channels from Emley Moor, albeit fairly noisy.
I then took up my Grundig GUD20USB3 digital box and connected that up. (This is for a kitchen TV normally). I did a full scan and was rewarded with 42 channels.
21 from Wharfedale (off the back of the beam and wrong polarisation) and 21 from BBCA on Emley Moor.
The quality report from the Grundig box varied between 2 & 4 out of 10, and there was occasional pixelation.
I will try this again later in the week after switchover and see how the other multiplexes come in after power up.
It seems to me that with a class 2 Group B aerial properly installed (professionally I might add... ) I should be able to get a reasonably reliable signal, as it should be at least 10dB up. I would also consider adding a masthead amplifier, probably worthwhile in order to overcome the cable loss.
Chris
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A Baxter: I am also seeing very weak analogue signals. My aerial is pointing roughly North fom Otley. I expect these are coming from Bilsdale in my case. (One of them is Channel 5)
Chris
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Just what Freeview needs taking up a valuable slot, another shopping channel; what amounts to advertising and high pressure sales.
Chris
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Briantst: I know any licenced channel can operate, and Arqiva have to accept the highest bidder. I just despair that this sort of channel is so successful.
On the other hand I suppose there are only a limited number of entertainment/news/sport etc. channels that wish to and/or can be supported by audience demand.
Chris.
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Thursday 1 September 2011 1:12PM
Otley
Hi,
I currently receive analogue transmissions from the Wharfedale transmitter (Postcode is LS21 3PN)
I am expecting to be receiving the three PSB multiplexes after switchover (7th to 21st September)
According to your reception predictor the signal strength from Emley Moor is higher now, and after switchover than from the Wharfedale Transmitter. This seems unlikely as I have line of sight to Wharfedale, but have a steep valley side in the direction of Emley Moor & everyone around here has their aerials pointed at Wharfedale.
How accurate is your predictor? Is it worth me experimenting to discover if there is any signal available from Emley Moor? I could try buying an aerial and seeing if I can get a signal from the top bedroom window (Which faces the correct direction)
I don't really want to pay a fitter to go up on my (rather tall) 3 storey house, unless there is a reasonable chance of success.
Any comments?
Chris