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2025 updates
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Freeview is on a very sad decline.
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Would a "contact your MP" function be useful - based on your Freeview transmitter?
Ofcom Report: Future of TV distribution.
Help with Freeview, aerials?
Wednesday, 19 March 2025
C
Chris.SE1:53 PM
Roger Goodland:
Yes, it's quite possible that the engineering work is the cause of your issue. I wouldn't do anything at this point other than check that your aerial looks intact and is still pointing correctly and that the coax downlead isn't flapping about in the wind. Also check your connections behind the TV are all correctly plugged in and all connectors are ok, and check any wall-plate or the plug on the end of the downlead for corrosion or moisture.
Roughly how old is your aerial system?
As you haven't given a full postcode, we can't check if you are in a weaker signal area or possibly vulnerable to additional interference from a new/upgraded phone mast. Have you received a postcard from Restore TV at all?
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Sunday, 23 March 2025
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Roger Goodland1:09 PM
Chris.SE:
Hi Chris, thanks for your reply and apologies for the delay in reply but i have only just seen/found your reply on this site!
To answer your questions:
I have checked all connections from the roof to the back of the TV, all appear to me to be of good fitting and dry, the aerial is unmoved from the position it's been in for approximately the last 10 years at least, if the coax was flapping in the wind this would mean the roof has blown of as the aerial is and always has been situated in the loft
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Chris.SE2:14 PM
Roger Goodland:
Hi. Glad no problems with the aerial installation and the roof hasn't blown off :) For reference, your aerial should be pointing roughly compass bearing 321 degrees - that's fractionally N of NW, with it's rods (or squashed Xs) horizontal for Mendip.
A couple of things to check here -
Check in the tuning section that you are correctly tuned to Mendip's UHF channels, if you retuned at any time when you had no Mendip signal it will most likely have cleared the correct tuning (you can't tune to signals that aren't there or can't be decoded), and considering you are so close to the Bruton relay, you might be tuned to that even though it's vertical polarisation and Mendip is horizontal. You might also get weak signals from Stockland Hill. -
Mendip's correct UHF channels are C32, C34, C35, C48, C33, C36, & C30. That's is the multiplex order BBCA/PSB1, D3&4/PSB2, BBCB HD/PSB3, SDN/COM4, ArqA/COM5, ArqB/COM6 & Local mux.
(You aren't predicted to get the Local Mux but that doesn't mean you won't, you can always see).
If you aren't correctly tuned, then manually (not auto) tune each UHF channel as needed.
For which TV Channels are carried on which multiplex, see -
https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/platform-management/channel-listings-industry-professionals
Another problem is possible interference from a new/upgraded phone mast now using the 700MHz band. The Bruton relay may carry some mobile stuff as well, and in any event there's at least one other mast not far away.
You should have received a postcard from Restore TV, see -
https://restoretv.uk/postcards-not-sure/
If you are correctly tuned, then you should contact Restore TV for a Free (700MHz) Filter.
You haven't mentioned whether you have an amp/splitter to feed more than one TV/box, but if so, a filter must be fitted before that (on its input). But also check the amp/splitter isn't faulty by using a coax coupler to connect the aerial input direct to one of the output cables (and switch off the amp in case it's generating interference.
Tell us how you get on.
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Roger Goodland3:36 PM
Chris.SE:
Thanks Chris, I'm going to have a busy time! I will do what I can.
Definitely not received a postcard from Restore TV, i will contact them.
I have not re-tuned the TV recently, i was waiting until the notification regarding the engineering works had disappeared from your webpage before attempting it.
Yes i do have an amp in the loft, i will check aerial direction & amp using your advise above.
Today we have been getting a picture on ITV (3) which we have none all last week. We do use ITV HD (103) but that tunes to Central TV which is not much use to us here in Bruton Somerset.
I will get back to you in the next few days......hopefully.
Roger.
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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Roger Goodland4:13 PM
Roger Goodland:
Hello again Chris, sorry to be your PIA on a Sunday afternoon;)
I have just checked aerial direction, it was 334 degrees, have now reset to precisely 321degrees.
Have also just re-tuned manually, ITV (3) now working perfectly but will do this again tomorrow as i forgot to run an auto-tune first without the aerial lead plugged in first to clear the original channels.
I am still going to contact Restore TV tomorrow though for a filter as this may help prevent future issues.
Regards,
Roger
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Monday, 24 March 2025
C
Chris.SE12:37 AM
Roger Goodland:
Hi again. No problem, not being a PIA. Sounds like you got it all under control.
With regard aerial direction, that is of course the correct theoretical Line-of-Sight to Mendip. Local terrain and things like buildings and trees might mean an optimal may be slightly either way.
Check the signal strength and quality (or lowest errors) across the multiplexes and maybe tweak it a bit either way to see whether it makes any difference.
Just explain to Restore TV that you've been suffering all sorts of interference problems for a while and would like the Free Filter, and yes, even if it's not a direct problem at this time it should help any future issues.
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Roger Goodland3:26 PM
Chris.SE:
Hi Chris,
TV re-tuned, results as follows...
Channel 32 Signal Strength 86% Quality 100%
Channel 34 Signal Strength 86% Quality 100%
Channel 35 Signal Strength 0% Quality 0%
Channel 48 Signal Strength 73% Quality 100%
Channel 33 Signal Strength 87% Quality 100%
Channel 36 Signal Strength 87% Quality 100%
Channel 30 Signal Strength 0% Quality 0%
Total Freeview Channels Found 155
No major changes to signal strength by moving aerial direction up to 5 degrees West or East of the Mendip direction 321 degrees from my house so have reset to original position of 321 degrees.
I have spoken to Restore Tv, they are sending out a filter for delivery in the next 1-5 days also the possibility of an engineer visit if there is anyone in the area. (apparently they did send a postcard.... In 2017 :)
I really appreciate your advice you really have been a great help and manage to write in a language that is understandable to us old guys.
Thankyou. Roger
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R
Roger Goodland3:26 PM
Chris.SE:
Hi Chris,
TV re-tuned, results as follows...
Channel 32 Signal Strength 86% Quality 100%
Channel 34 Signal Strength 86% Quality 100%
Channel 35 Signal Strength 0% Quality 0%
Channel 48 Signal Strength 73% Quality 100%
Channel 33 Signal Strength 87% Quality 100%
Channel 36 Signal Strength 87% Quality 100%
Channel 30 Signal Strength 0% Quality 0%
Total Freeview Channels Found 155
No major changes to signal strength by moving aerial direction up to 5 degrees West or East of the Mendip direction 321 degrees from my house so have reset to original position of 321 degrees.
I have spoken to Restore Tv, they are sending out a filter for delivery in the next 1-5 days also the possibility of an engineer visit if there is anyone in the area. (apparently they did send a postcard.... In 2017 :)
I really appreciate your advice you really have been a great help and manage to write in a language that is understandable to us old guys.
Thankyou. Roger
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Tuesday, 25 March 2025
C
Chris.SE12:53 AM
Roger Goodland:
Hi Roger. Those figures look very good, the 100% Quality is the essential part and the Signal Strength is very adequate.
With 0% on C35, I assume your Humax doesn't do the HD multiplex.
Let us know how you get on with the Filter.
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C
Chris.SE1:05 AM
Roger Goodland:
To add to the above, if you continue to issues with ITV4 let us know, this could be a Humax issue! Is it the Aura box?
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