BBC1 Reception Problems in Dundalk

theceltichitman

Hi there,
Not sure if this is the right place for this, but...
Lived in the middle of dundalk all my life, always had perfect reception on bbc1, bbc2, utv, ch4 as well as the irish channels wherever we lived.
In the last year or so though, our BBC1 reception has gone to hell. Very bad grainy picture and static-y sound. Surprising since it used to be the best reception we had. Reception on the other channels hasnt changed at all, they`re all grand. We havent changed our TV setup in the last few years either.
And we dont have any satellite packages or anything.
Also we`ve noticed its not just a problem in ours. Some neighbours and even people in other parts of the town have the same problem. Is this a known issue? Tried tuning it in again but no joy.
Do we have to change some settings or something or adjust the antenna?
Iv no idea tbh.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

watty

Replace the coax?

Ulsterman 1690

If neigbours are having the same problem what good will replacing coax do

According to http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/transmitters/today.shtml Divis is on reduced power at the moment but its only BBC 2 thats affected

Is it possible that a nearby growing tree or new building could be partially blocking you and your neighbours path to Divis (or Camlough)

DMC

Just to ask, what channels are you getting the stations on?

watty

If they installed around same time all the coax could be waterlogged. Unless seriously outdoor grade it lasts about 4 years...

byte

I would think it unlikely that the cable is teh problem for so many simultaneously. (though not to be ruled out!)

I don't know what Tx people from Limerick use for NI channels. MOre info would be good.

DMC

Dundalk, byte! Just seeing if the OP is getting it from Camlough or Divis. Kilkeel is less possible in this instance. BBC 1 on Camlough is on ch 58, and with RTE 2 from Clermont Carn on 56, I wonder.....

theceltichitman

it will be the weekend b4 i can check the channels, not at home at present

byte

DMC wrote:

Dundalk, byte!

Uhm. Yes! Dunno where Limerick came from!

lawhec

DMC wrote:

Dundalk, byte! Just seeing if the OP is getting it from Camlough or Divis. Kilkeel is less possible in this instance. BBC 1 on Camlough is on ch 58, and with RTE 2 from Clermont Carn on 56, I wonder.....

My inital reaction was to see if there was the possibility of a DTT allocation nearby interfering, but neither Three Rock or Clermont Carn have either Channel 31 (Divis) or 58 (Camlough) assigned for DTT.

Maybe someone's masthead amp has gone haywire?

watty

byte wrote:

Uhm. Yes! Dunno where Limerick came from!

When I'm in Dundalk I'll use channels well away from BBC/RTE et al for transmitting DTT.

For RECEIVING in Dundalk I imagine Divis will be best. In Limerick if I go up Keeper or Tountenna, I imagine a very big aerial might get Brougher Mt. but unfortunately it seems quite low power.

lucernarian

I see from a BBC website that a few sites use channel 39, which is what I get my BBC reception from. Is Kilkeel the most likely source of the signal?

DMC

There is a really low powered relay called Newry South, BBC 1 is on ch39 there.... Kilkeel is unlikely because of the Cooleys.

lucernarian

Just on that point- I went up to the top of the hill near me to see the direction the aerials were pointing in. They're all pointing too much to the East to be Newry and also the direct path between here and to the north of the town of Kilkeel misses the Cooley Mts by about 4 miles.

Basically I answered my own question:rolleyes:

btw I'm in South Louth. Dundalk wouldn't really have a chance of getting Kilkeel it seems.

DMC

Very much so. Dundalk would almost certainly be blocked, but if you can see round the peninsula, like folk in North Co. Dublin can, then it is a good option for the 4 analogue channels. Not much use for Freeview. I'd like to find out where is the furthest north Kilkeel can be got....

Mayo Exile

Most of Dundalk Town gets its BBC 1/2/ITV/CH4 from Divis, Grp. A Horizontal. Channels are 31, 27, 24, 21. However certain areas in the east of the town (Riverside Drive etc.) gets these channels from Camlough, Grp. C/D vertical (channels are 58, 64, 61, 54), as they are blocked from Divis by the Cooley Hills. I get mine from Divis. No change in quality in the last while. Only that BBC2 has persistent herring bone pattern interference most of the time. Any cause for this? Its been like this for the last 9 months or so.

Ulsterman 1690

Only that BBC2 has persistent herring bone pattern interference most of the time. Any cause for this? Its been like this for the last 9 months or so.

Would the signal from RTE Claremont Carn (same polarisation/group as Camlough) be overloading your masthead amp maybe ?

theceltichitman

Hey, channels here for BBC1/BBC2/ITV/CH4 are 31/27/24/21.
Just asked around there and nobodies BBC1 is near as bad as ours, though some arent great. Must have been imagining that.

Ulsterman 1690

Hey, channels here for BBC1/BBC2/ITV/CH4 are 31/27/24/21

Its Divis youre getting your TV from so (if you try Ch 37 you might get a weak grainy Ch 5)

Just asked around there and nobodies BBC1 is near as bad as ours,

Sounds like it could be your coax so although a damaged/corroded aerial is another possibility

byte

Yup, I agree with Ulsterman, your coaxial or aerial are most likely culprits.

Though, I've seen masthead amps act up similarly, though much less common. I suggest changing coaxial first and use double screened cable, CT100 or similar (copper braid over copper foil) if possible.

Mayo Exile

Would the signal from RTE Claremont Carn (same polarisation/group as Camlough) be overloading your masthead amp maybe ?

Not sure if that would be the cause, U. 1690. My BBC 2 is Grp. A(H), ch. 27 from Divis.

watty

If you have a VERY strong signal it can cause herring bone even if quite far off on channels. You can get helican filters. Also fine adjust the polarisation and direction to minimise Local TX pickup and ensure aerial for local TX is added in after the preamp.