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All posts by Chris.SE
Below are all of Chris.SE's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
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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BN Butterworth:
Brian, see my post https://ukfree.tv/extras/inreplyto/1126096 about Durris and Brougher Mountain.
I'm now finding this occurring on a number of transmitter pages (and not always showing posts on the last page) - a refresh does correct it, but I'd reckon many average posters won't have a clue and think there's no post. Can you look into this please.
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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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Mr Kevin Greenhill:
If this was anything to do with signal (because of say engineering works - currently there are some) then you'd be having problems with most of the ITV sister channels, likewise Ch4 and Ch5, which you did briefly remark on previously but without any detail.
Any poor signal could also be related to your aerial installation and certain problems can affect individual multiplexes without having any obvious effect on others. We need some more detail to help give some constructive advice.
If you go into your TV set tuning section, did you check you are correctly tuned? But also give us the Signal Strength and Quality figures for each multiplex's UHF channel. That may help identify what could be happening.
You may also be suffering interference from a new/upgraded phone mast, have you had a postcard from Restore TV? As you still haven't give a full postcode we can't check that or advise on signal strength in your specific locale. Some postcodes in your locale will have had a card from Restore TV.
You can check at https://restoretv.uk/postcards-not-sure/
If/when the engineering works are not affecting the D3&4/PSB2 multiplex signals it cannot be "boosted" in any event. Transmitter powers are determined by international agreements.
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Simon:
Hi, well at least that's some progress. Thanks for the update. Keep us posted if there's any more issues.
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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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BN Butterworth:
YUK! The sudden appearance this evening of Adverts that appear in between lines of a post are an absolute PITA. Especially if it's a complex reply, it will make it extremely difficult for non-techies that one could be replying to, to read the detail and they may in fact miss important lines.
If you can please do something about that.
Ads that appear over the page that one can then cancel are fine EXCEPT when they are in Russian as just happened here!
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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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Roger Goodland:
Yes, DVB-T2 is the transmission mode setting you need for the BBCB HD/PSB3 multiplex. It has the HD channels and there are also 2 SD channels on that mux.
Glad your ITV4 is ok.
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Friday 21 March 2025 1:40PM
Richie:
Hi. Personally I don't find F-connectors any easier to work with than BL coax. I'd say changing to F-connectors is just creating a bit more work.
I'd get the coax coupler and do the checks before deciding what else to do.
Unfortunately I see Pontop Pike is on Planned Engineering again, like many main transmitters have been, on and off for some considerable time now. As they don't say what they are doing, we can only guess, but as it's over 10yrs since DSO, a lot of maintenance is likely to be needed to ensure things carry on working for the next 10yrs and masts don't fall down etc.!
If they are operating on the Reserve antenna, with the hill in the way, it would have a greater impact on your signal, but I still think there's more to it.
If your checks don't come up with anything obvious, I'd take up Restore TV's offer of sending an engineer. As I said before, they have all the kit and will do what ever is needed.