Poor TV Reception in NE

Big Dee

I hope this is the correct place to post this query, if not, appologies.
I live in Dundalk. The 4 UK channels (BBC1, BBC2, UTV and Channel4) have become unwatchable this past 5-6 days. We always had excellent reception of these channels. Initially I assumed it was the weather, then my connections, but in recent days have found that the problem is widespread in the Dundalk area.
In addition TnaG has worsened greatly in the past approx 4 weeks with interference similar to that on the Freeview TopBox on poor channels (lines of pixels dissapearing intermittantly).
I suspect something is happening at Clermont Carn. Any ideas what is going on and is it likely to last, as I was contemplating getting a satellite dish to receive the Freeview channels .
Regards

watty

Freeview = Terrestrial UK Digital TV: uses aerial.
FTA= Free To Air form anywhere including UK: Usually means Satellite and needs a dish. Unaffected by ground based TV transmitters.

Re Clermont Carn:
Could be DAB interfernce: Unlikely
Could be start of DTT tests: Thought not due for a month or two.

Big Dee

Thanks Watty
I meant change from Freeview to FTA.
I have a TopBox (£25 stg in Belfast) and was getting quite good reception on most Freeview channels since Christmas - it too has deteriorated in past few days. The "ordinary" UK TV terrestrial channels have become very bad.
There have been no obvious changes in the locality eg. cranes/masts/obstructions that might cause the reduction in quality, so I assumed it has something to do with Clermont Carn.

Ulsterman 1690

A bit of a mystery

It sounds likely to be either your aerial or some local source of interference (someones masthead amp gone haywire maybe)

It must be REALLY bad if its affecting TG4 (reception on Ch 68 in Belfast fine on Saturday)

I presume youre getting your BBC's from Divis (since you mention DTT as well) maybe there is something work going on there ? (although It shouldnt affect Ch 68)

Geemac

Well I'm about 6 miles from Dundalk, near Forkhill and reception from both Divis & Clermont Carn is fine with no change over the last few days. Divis is of course amplified here and has always been just about acceptable. I also have a TV with integrated Freeview and Mux A & B are also watchable.

DMC

Would Camlough not be a better analogue for you in Forkhill?

Geemac

Tried it with no success. Slieve Gullion is in the way of any signal. Local Radio from Camlough is poor as well for the same reason.

Ulsterman 1690

Given that its okay in Forkhill Its sounding more andd more like an Aerial or local interference problem affecting Divis with the TG4 problems being coincedental but unrelated

Big Dee

Thanks all. My Dad lives over a mile from me and he's been having similar problems with 4 UK channels and TnaG. I'll check with a few others over coming days and see how widespread it is.

Big Dee

All back to normal since Friday 17th.