Massive increases in DTT TX power at UK analog switch off

JHMEG

Looking here all the UK 'freeview' transmitters are getting a major boost in power when analog is switched off:

Brogher Mountain 1st February 2013: power increase from 500 W to 11000 W, 22 times stronger.
Divis 1st March 2013: power increase from 2133 W to 75000 W:eek:, 35 times stronger.
Llandudno 30th November 2009: power increase from 1000 W to 15000 W, 15 times stronger.
Blaenplwyf 1st March 2010: power increase from 1666 W to 25000 W, 15 times stronger.
Presely 1st August 2009: power increase from 1333 W to 15000 W, 11 times stronger.

What are the implications for us? Will reception of the UK channels be relatively easy, especially in the East and along the Border?

Ulsterman 1690

DTT power increaces have been on the cards since its introduction but the need to protect existing analouge services meant it had to be postponed until analouge switch off.

In theory it should make reception of UK DTT services in the Republic easier. in practice though the eventual roll out of the Republics own DTT services may cause interference problems in some areas.

But theres always FTA satellite.

Onikage

Ulsterman 1690 wrote: »

But theres always FTA satellite.

Not everything available on DTT is available on FTA, see E4 et al.

christo82

Onikage wrote: »

Not everything available on DTT is available on FTA, see E4 et al.

yes, but won't C4's channels be going FTA before most of the Analogue switch off?

lawhec

The figures quoted from ukfree.tv are a bit misleading - Brougher is going up to 20kW for the PSB multiplexes but just 2kW for the commercial multiplexes (with a switch to 64QAM, it'll probably give just a slightly enlarged coverage area than right now except for Mux A). Divis is to be increased to 100kW across the board. As a rule of thumb, the maximum ERP for DTT will be 7db down on the analogue equivalent or to make it easier, 1/5 of the analogue maximum ERP.

david23

Channel 4's contract with Sky for encryption expires during 2008. They are likely to join the BBC/ITV Freesat consortium when this happens.

Channel 4's HD service launches on satellite in December 2007.

Ulsterman 1690

They are likely to join the BBC/ITV Freesat consortium when this happens.

While it is likely it is not necessairly the foregone conclusion that a lot of people seem to assume.

lawhec wrote: »

Brougher is going up to 20kW for the PSB multiplexes but just 2kW for the commercial multiplexes .

Ive always wondered why the power on Brougher is so low. Oficial coverage maps show some rather large gaps (particularly around the Beleek/Garrison/Belcoo area) while in theory there may be the need to restrict ERP to protect RoI services in border areas its hard to imagine the broadcast spectrum along the Fermanagh/Letrim border being that overcrowded ??

lucernarian

If I remember correctly, Brougher's commercial multiplexes are on the same frequencies as Divis' PSB multiplexes. Belfast's gain is Enniskillen's loss.

lawhec

Ulsterman 1690 wrote: »

While it is likely it is not necessairly the foregone conclusion that a lot of people seem to assume.



Ive always wondered why the power on Brougher is so low. Oficial coverage maps show some rather large gaps (particularly around the Beleek/Garrison/Belcoo area) while in theory there may be the need to restrict ERP to protect RoI services in border areas its hard to imagine the broadcast spectrum along the Fermanagh/Letrim border being that overcrowded ??

There's some hilly areas around that part of Fermanagh that provides an effective block to UHF signals.
I know that for VHF Band II there is a slight reduction to avoid co-channel interference with Limerick.

Onikage

Ulsterman 1690 wrote: »

While it is likely it is not necessairly the foregone conclusion that a lot of people seem to assume.

Says it all really. Plus there's the matter of Five, Sky Three, UKTV History, TMF, Five US, Five Life and (?) Nuts TV, none of which are FTA on satellte.

Sponge Bob

Not forgetting Wales are we ??

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SN172306

Presely 6x

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SH583810

Llandona ( nearest Dublin) 15x

http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SN569757

Blaenplwyf 15x

And all will likely be boosted before we have finished our Truskmores and our Mt Leinsters so nyah boo.

JHMEG

Sponge Bob, I quoted all the Welsh ones too!

Reception of the UK channels on DTT is far more preferable to getting them on satellite, as
a) One device, be it a STB or a TV with a DVB tuner can receive all Irish and UK digital channels.
b) All the FTV ones (4, five etc) are free free on DTT
c) The channels mentioned above (eg E4) are free and are not available on satellite without a Sky sub.

I know that where I live reception of the UK channels is possible with a 30 or 40ft mast on my roof. Not keen on this, but would definitely put an aerial on the chimney if it was on a small (eg 4ft) pole.

EDIT: I just read here (minutes from an Seanad meeting on the Broadcasting Bill in Feb 2007) that Noel Dempsey said:
"At every available opportunity, the issue of full coverage in Northern Ireland is raised frequently by my colleagues at a technical and political level, which will be welcomed by Members. In the talks about the different multiplexes, digital terrestrial television might allow for arrangements that are not currently possible. We will try to ensure all the channels will be available in both directions, which would foster better relations."

Mmm. What could that mean?