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Single frequency interference

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all on the same 'multiplex'

What to do when several channels are missing, but they are all
published on UK Free TV

There are several different type of interference that cause problems. This page deals with the situation where:

There are two main causes of this type of intermitted interference: The current Freeview mulitplexes are shown in this diagram. If all of your missing channels are on a single row, you have "single frequency interference":



Local analogue interference

Local analogue interference is caused by household video devices that you can attach to a television such as:
  • Sky Digibox;
  • Video cassette recorder (VCR);
  • Personal digital video recorder (PVR);
  • Games console;
If you have any of these devices, you will need to work out which of these is blocking the reception of a Freeview multiplex by turning off the suspect device and then rescanning for channels on the Freeview box.

If powering off the device restores the Freeview channels from the blocked multiplex, you will need to either stop using the problem device's RF output by disconnecting the RF output cable permanently, or by changing the RF channel number that that device uses. See, for example, How do I change the RF output channel on a Sky Digibox?

You can find a list of the frequencies that are not in use at your location by putting your postcode into the My Freeview reception and looking under the "Free RF channels" section.

Non-wideband aerial in some areas

In some places you will need a wideband aerial to receive all the Freeview multiplexes. For example in Central Birmingham, the Sutton Coldfield has multiplex D on an 'out of group', so you cannot view Film4 or ITV2+1 without an aerial upgrade.

To find out if you need an aerial upgrade, see My Freeview reception.

Help with Freeview, aerials?
How do I get a test card with Freeview1
I would like to know if it is possible to receive UK terrestrial Freeview servic2
I have been told I would receive too much singal from my Freeview tansmitter as 3
Can my Freeview box receive more than one BBC and ITV region?4
Is it true that my 87 year old mother is entitled to a FREE upgrade when the ana5
In this section
Official aerial installers guide to the TV spectrum future1
Which free digital TV system will give me the most reliable reception?2
High pressure causing channel loss through "Inversion"3
Digital Region Overlap4
Freeview reception has changed?5
Two frequency interference 6

Comments
Friday, 20 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:21 PM

jas4u: Is this using analogue or Freeview?

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Saturday, 21 May 2011
A
AlvinF
9:01 PM
Birmingham

Thanks Briantist, its easy when you know where to look.


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AlvinF's 19 posts GB flag
AlvinF's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
C
Chris Cawthorne
10:45 PM
Winchester

I'm in SO21 2JW - prior to the weekend of May 14th/15th I could receive all the normal digital freeview channels, but now I can't receive any. My PVR9200T says that the signal strength is only 20% and quality 0%. Probably a silly question but has the signal strength been reduced?

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Chris Cawthorne's 1 post GB flag
Chris's: mapC's Freeview map terrainC's terrain plot wavesC's frequency data C's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Sunday, 22 May 2011
D
Darren Amos
3:22 PM
Wellingborough

Hi. After the 2 retunes in March I received all channels well, including BBC4 which had previously been erratic. About a month later I started getting a lot of break up on Film4 and then after a few days it kept saying "No Signal" on all channels on the D 'plex.I have tried retuning but this hasn't helped. Before you refer me to "Single channel Interference" please note that I receive Freeview via a TVonics PVR, which is attached by its RF socket AND Scart to my TV. There is no other equipment attached (I don't even own a games console!) Why have I suddenly lost these channels?

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Darren Amos's 9 posts GB flag
Darren's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
D
DaveM
4:35 PM
Sheffield

I have taken note of all the advice but i am still getting loads of breakup. the reception is even worse when it is windy.Same problem with Arials in the loft.It is obvious that there is some technical problem here that the authorities are not telling us about.Without the fall back of analogue TV (which never has a problem) I fear we will be without any TV at switchover time (If we can't get a decent reception do we pay our licence fee?)
S36 1GE Emley moor receiver.

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DaveM's 3 posts GB flag
DaveM's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

9:33 PM

Chris Cawthorne: No, the signal strength has not been reduced. Can you please see Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

10:08 PM

Darren Amos: You should have good reception of multiplex ARQB, but it is possible you will have to wait for the multiplex to go to full power on 14 Sep 11 for the signal to stabilise.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Monday, 23 May 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

8:16 AM

DaveM: Your problems are more-or-less expected with a loft aerial. If you move the aerial to the roof you are predicted to have 100% reception.

No one is lying to you, you've got a substandard aerial installation.

The law says you must pay the licence fee if you have a television set. Obtaining reception is still your responsibility.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
G
Gary
11:08 AM
Frinton-on-sea

Hi I live in a bungalow I had a free view box fitted to my portable tv in my bed room so I can still use the tv when the switch over comes into affect from this July I also had a roof Aerial fitted so I could get the reception, I can get all the main channels plus a few more and radio stations. My main TV is in my lounge and it is a Digital HD ready with DTV built in, on that tv I use sky satellite so I still get all the main tv stations. I put a splice on the new Aerial what runs to my portable tv so I could use the DTV on my main tv but when I tuned into the DTV I can't get any of the ITV's or channel 4 but I can on the portable the roof aerial supplies the free view and has no problems so why can't I get these channels on my main tv

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Gary's 1 post GB flag
Gary's: mapG's Freeview map terrainG's terrain plot wavesG's frequency data G's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

3:10 PM

Gary: That is probably the case, the signal from Sudbury will be poor for Multiplex 2/D3+4 until swithover on 20th July 2011. Your commercial channels will be poor until the final stage on 27th June 2012.

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Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
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