All posts by Steve Donaldson
Below are all of Steve Donaldson's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
Chris.SE: Bernard didn't enter a postcode -- the site analysed his posting and erroneously interpreted the 'CH48. An' part as a postcode.
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Maureen Mair: According to BBC Reception, the two BBC multiplexes came back on air just before 4 o'clock this afternoon.
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Adrian Holroyd: There are engineering works at Beacon Hill, which is where Dartmouth gets its signal from:
Planned engineering works | Freeview
I wonder if it could be related to this.
Don't retune because this will just delete the tuning in your TV which may be correct. If the TV is tuned then when the signal comes back it will show again on your TV.
I have just checked with BBC Reception [bbc.co.uk/reception] and it is saying there are no faults with Dartmouth. BBC Reception reports on the two BBC multiplexes only, so this doesn't include PSB2 which carries standard definition ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and others. The PSB3 multiplex which carries all the HD channels is one of the two multiplexes operated by the BBC, the other being PSB1 which carries BBC standard definition TV which you say is OK.
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D Graham: It might be worth giving BBC Reception a ring to see if they have any further information and a time when it is expected to be restored: Tel: 03700 100123 Opening times: Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Contact BBC Reception Advice | Help receiving TV and radio
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Paul Fearn : When you made your last posting on here in October, I did some research and put together two long postings which are here:
Belmont (Lincolnshire, England) Full Freeview transmitter | free and easy for 21 years
In those comments I explained that prior to digital switchover (DSO) in 2007, Bridlington was identified by TV-frequency planners as one of a nine places requiring its own transmitter. This was cited in an Arqiva report, Arqiva the company that run all the TV transmitters today. Seven of the other places got a new transmitter -- Bridlington did not. An eighth place saw increased transmission power from nearby transmitters to improve coverage.
I suggested you use this such as to lobby your MP. Also, raise awareness with other groups, such as those supporting the elderly. Your message would be to refer to the fact that poor reception in Brid had been discussed along with a number of other areas for improvement, and that all other areas saw steps taken, yours got nothing.
I then referenced a BBC document of September 2008 on the subject of TV coverage post-DSO. It identified the proposed site for a Bridlington TV transmitter as Buckton Barn. If I were you, I would be looking to find out why this got canned. How about an FOI request to the BBC asking for the document or documents in which this proposed transmitter is discussed and decided against (presumably after September 2008)? This is an idea in the early stages, so it may be worth giving it more thought as to the exact question which may me most useful to have an answer for.
Writing to others, such as your MP, and complaining is one thing. But with the sources I have referenced you can make a stronger case, pointing to the facts that the planners have said there is a problem and identified a potential solution in the form of a transmission site.
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Neil: The only Pevensey I am aware of is the one on the south coast, just outside Eastbourne. If you are there then you definitely aren't using Ridge Hill, which is not far from Hereford.
Which transmitter are you using? The most common one used in Pevensey is Heathfield. Maybe you are using that, or Hastings if you can't receive from Heathfield.
If you are looking for more specific advice, then a full postcode is really required to get an idea of what reception may be like in the area. Also, if this affects some channels and not others, which channels does it affect?
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Dylan green: Is it not Bilsdale you're picking up? I think you may get Bilsdale in North Frodingham.
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Steve Mitchdll: Have you confirmed that you are actually tuned to Felixstowe and not Sudbury or another transmitter, if one is available?
Felixstowe PSB1 / BBC A multiplex (which carries standard definition BBC TV and BBC radio) is on UHF channel 33 (570MHz).
PSB1 from Sudbury is UHF channel 44 (658MHz).
Are you still getting BBC HD channels OK? All HD channels, BBC and non-BBC ones, are carried on the same multiplex.
Having confirmed you are tuned to Felixstowe, then are you aware of receiving a postcard from Restore TV and if not, check on its website by entering your postcode: https://restoretv.uk/post…ure/
Restore TV is the organisation charged with alleviating TV reception issues caused by mobile phone masts. If you have received a postcard, then they will send you a free filter. This must go before any amplifier/booster. If there is an amplifier outside such as on the roof then tell them and they should send an engineer to fit a suitable waterproof filter on the aerial cable before it enters the amplifier.
If you have no amplifier and the most straightforward and common configuration of an aerial with single aerial cable coming down from the roof to where the TV is, then none of what I said in the last paragraph applies.
The other thing I should say is that faulty aerial, connector or cable can potentially cause an issue with one or more but not all channels.
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Davy McDonald: If you are receiving from the Newcastle transmitter then you won't.
There are a lot of smaller, filler-in transmitters such as Newcastle that carry the PSB (Public Service Broadcaster) channels only (these include the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, along with some ITV and Channel 4 sister channels).
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Sunday 14 January 2024 4:37PM
Bernard Aldymon: Sandy Heath is still listed as having engineering works:
Planned engineering works | Freeview