Essex multiplexes
Stations on Essex multiplex
BBC EssexCapitalGOLDHeart EssexRadio EssexSmooth EssexMasts transmitting Essex multiplex
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
G
Gregory2126:43 PM
Clacton on sea really needs dab digital radio it is verry poor in that location
| link to this comment |
Monday, 30 December 2019
M
Mr A Reid8:06 PM
We live in Kirby Cross. Why are we having dreadful signal problems with DAB radio and TV for last 4 or 5 days. Its almost unwatchable and unlistenable. Don't tell me weather! Analogue signals are fine - Radio Caroline coming through loud and clear on 648am and FM broadcasts are ok. When is the problem going to be fixed or do we get a rebate?
| link to this comment |
C
Chris.SE11:16 PM
Mr A Reid:
I'm afraid it IS the weather. The Analogue signals you mention are on the AM MW frequency band. The sort of interference we have will affect different frequencies differently. It's currently affect FM & DAB radio and Freeview. Please read on.
There are unusually high levels of "Tropospheric propagation" at present, often associated with High Pressure weather systems.
These levels of propagation are unusual at this time of year - they cause signals from more distant transmitters to travel a lot further than normal. It is currently affecting different parts of the country by varying degrees and signals can change by the second or remain stable for much longer periods.
In the old "analogue" days there was a lot of talk about "continental" interference often in the summer months, but the interference can come from transmitters anywhere in the UK or Europe and even further afield. At the moment some people are getting DAB radio from the Netherlands and FM Radio from France as well as the interference to DTV.
It is predicted to continue for a couple more days, and you are advise NOT to retune as you will likely lose the correct tuning that you had. The "propagation" can be very frequency dependent, and it can only affected one frequency or several, but it can/will be different for others.
People will however have noticed the unusually mild weather which the Met office is referring to as a "Foehn effect" but it's not helpful that it seems none of the major broadcasters were making any reference to the interference being caused to TV and Radio reception! So it's no surprise that people wonder what is going on and think there is a transmitter problem. It is now getting mentioned in some quarters!
For those that have retuned and lost correct tuning, you will have to try again and it could be hit and miss whilst the unusual propagation continues. If you are able to do a manual tune for the correct UHF channels, you may still receive interference or the wrong programmes.
| link to this comment |