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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.


Keith Tait:

Hi. That does sound rather like the problem is probably "Tropospheric Ducting" As the CCI increases, (could be Europe or the UK). the BER increases to the point where the set can't tell if it's a signal and thinks it's noise so the strength goes to zero.
This type of problem doesn't always affect all muxes the same at any given instant and of course will depend on where the CCI is coming from as to which channels may be affected, and of course the ducting can be frequency dependant!

Whilst one coverage map shows parts of Hawick not well covered, predictions for your postcode are good by both the BBC and Freeview.
Both of them have issued warnings over the last week or two about reception being affected by the "high pressure" (hmm, as you probably know such ducting doesn't always come with every high pressure!).
Tropo predictions show it's likely to come and go and be quite variable over the coming days. Nowt one can do about it of course!

When you've had the problem recently are the other muxes affected PSB2/D3&4 and COM4/SDN by any chance?

If the HD mux is a persistent problem, you could try tuning UHF C30 for the Hawick relay as it's so close to you, you may get it off a sidelobe!

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GREAT! tv | free and easy
Saturday 6 August 2022 4:29PM

Christopher Lumsden:

Not that I'm aware, and there's nothing mentioned on their website. They are on Freesat and Virgin (and Sky) I don't know if any of them have any form of catchup/on demand, I wouldn't have thought so.

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Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter
Sunday 7 August 2022 12:20AM

Neil Scragg:

There is not normally any reduction in power / signal strength at any specific time.
Are you monitoring just signal strength or are you also checking signal quality/Bits Error Rate? Are there any changes there.

If the quality is dropping or BER increasing and signal decreasing at exactly the same time everyday then it's more likely that this is some form interference from some equipment or maybe discharge lighting, controlled by a time switch. It may not be yours but a near neighbour or eg. street lighting but perhaps 2300 is a bit late for the latter.

Is this affecting all multiplexes or eg. just one or two. When it happens does it remain "stable" or is it continually fluctuating?

Whilst Winter Hill isn't currently listed for Planned Engineering, that doesn't mean work is not going on, the lists aren't always 100% but again it's not likely to be exactly the same time each day.

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C Russell :

For Bluebell Hill the full list of UHF channels are C32, C34, C45, C40, C43, C46, & C21 for the multiplexes in the order BBCA/PSB1, D3&4/PSB2, BBCB HD/PSB3, SDN/COM4, ArqA/COM5, ArqB/COM6 & the Local multiplex.

Bluebell Hill has been currently listed for Planned Engineering with the possible effect "Screen may go black on all or certain channels". As you haven't given a full postcode we can't say if you are in a weak signal area where such engineering may have greater impact.

To complicate matters, current weather conditions have resulted in some very variable Tropospheric Ducting resulting in periodic interference with signals from distant transmitters in Europe or the UK affecting reception.- do NOT retune, as this will likely just clear your correct tuning.

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Jim:

It sounds like you have an unreliable data/broadband connection for some reason.

The way you have phrased your post, it's unclear if you are streaming via a mobile connection (ie have mobile broadband - MBB) or are streaming over a landline - in which case you may have a bad line or just very slow because it's a long line in a rural area.

We'll need more information to make any helpful suggestions.
Is it MBB or Landline? Who is the provider? Your full postcode - but not any personal information.
Are you streaming on a Smart TV or a computer (or mobile phone even)?

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Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter
Sunday 7 August 2022 2:19PM

Neil Scragg:

It could just be weather conditions. TV set signal level indicators can jump up and down slightly between levels if the signal is on the cusp so to speak.
Ideally signal quality should be 100% and if it remains there, lower signal strengths shouldn't be an issue.
It sounds like you might be in a slightly difficult signal area which won't help, but as long as the quality remains high, it shouldn't be a problem if it doesn't cause pixellation or sound issues.

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patrick timney:

Your best bet will be to contact the special Freeview/Arqiva helpline on 0800-121-4828

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All free TV channels in the UK
Wednesday 10 August 2022 11:50AM

Abdul Majid:

Freeview is the terrestrial system where signals are transmitted from land based transmitters which you receive via a TV aerial connected to you set.

Freesat is the satellite based system for which you need a satellite dish connected to a satellite receiver which is connected to your TV. Some modern TVs have the satellite receiver built-in so there is no need for a separate one (unless you want a recorder).

Both those systems are funded by the major broadcasters.

Sky is satellite based system which is a subscription based service and you need to contact Sky for that.

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All free TV channels in the UK
Wednesday 10 August 2022 11:52AM

Abdul Majid:

Oh, should also have mentioned, whichever system you use, you need a TV Licence to watch live TV.

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GREAT! tv | free and easy
Wednesday 10 August 2022 4:46PM

Graham Scott:

There is a channel (LCN) 50 on Freeview but it is broadcast on a Local multiplex, so you will only get it if you receive a Local News station at LCN 7 or 8.
See Channel listings for Industry Professionals | Freeview for which channels are carried on which multiplex.

Only a limited number of main Transmitters have a Local multiplex and it is usually beamed towards the large urban area covered by the transmitter.

As per the top of the page, Great! TV is on Freesat channel 142.
I have no idea if MASH is broadcast on any other channels I'm afraid.

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