RTÉ DTT Tests: Mullaghanish

More Music

I can confirm work has commenced at Mullaghanish. On air tests are bit away yet but I will provide updates.

Apogee

Has the work on extending the mast been completed yet?

TheDriver

Cheers More Music, we will be awaiting your reports with baited breath!! Can you give indication from your observations are we talking weeks or months??

More Music

Mast work is not complete, only some groundworks. That new mast will not be finished until Autumn 09 at the earliest. As I posted many months ago the new mast is not necessary for this stage of DTT. The existing panels and feeder on the current tower will work just fine for DTT and analog. They will just combine the DTT and analog signals on the ground and send them out over the same antenna.

Work has begun with the combiners and DTT feeders on the ground. This work won't be wasted when the new mast goes up. They will just rejoin it to the feeder on the new mast.

2 months approx. all going well.

TheDriver

Thanks Music, excellent news. Wondering will they still work off the Red UHF channels or require new aerials seeing as most people have a UHF aerial pointing at Mullaghanish for TV3 as it is!

pa990

TheDriver wrote: »

Thanks Music, excellent news. Wondering will they still work off the Red UHF channels or require new aerials seeing as most people have a UHF aerial pointing at Mullaghanish for TV3 as it is!

I believe that they will still be using Group A channels

see here for a full list
http://www.geocities.com/corkradio/uhfdig.txt

this list is not entirely accurate, changes have been made to some of the spur hill channels but they were all kept within Group C/D.

The Cush

Mullaghanish UHF Frequencies

DTT 21 24 25 28
Analogue 27 31

TheDriver

Which Mux will be FTA one? Mux 1?

fat-tony

TheDriver wrote: »

Which Mux will be FTA one? Mux 1?

The domestic channels are transmitted on Mux 1 on Three Rock and Greystones - assume it's the same for other areas.

TheDriver

announcements on Radio 2/2fm this afternoon that from 5pm, we would have to retune if getting from Mullaghanish due to work at the site for digital. Presume this is for the tv or are they also installing radio equipment?

Galway

I wonder when DTT work at Maghera will commence?

barnicles

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss


Finally!!

Is DAB coming too?

The Cush

The Cush wrote: »

Mullaghanish UHF Frequencies

DTT 21 24 25 28
Analogue 27 31

I wonder will the channel 28 carrier interfere with TV3 analogue?

lawhec

Karsini wrote: »

I wonder will the channel 28 carrier interfere with TV3 analogue?

Shouldn't do if it's set up correctly.

TheDriver

What does the work involve? Is it merely compression equipment being installed into the cabin and nothing for the mast?

barnicles

When will DTT transmissions start?

slegs

TheDriver wrote: »

What does the work involve? Is it merely compression equipment being installed into the cabin and nothing for the mast?

Wouldn't say its a simple as you make it sound. I imagine there is new equipment that needs to be installed on probably a new footprint with power and other cabling. The analog equipment also has to remain so this new footprint might need a new cabin. Then there is the antenna work to merge the feeders. Then it all needs to be configured, optimised and tested.

2 or 3 weeks work for a team of guys I'd say once the equipment is in place.

watty

TheDriver wrote: »

What does the work involve? Is it merely compression equipment being installed into the cabin and nothing for the mast?

All encoding/compression and creation of transport streams would be in a central location. The sites connect to Microwave or Fibre backhaul (possibly IP based) and a modulator (or pair for redundancy) is fed with a transport stream for an entire Mux.

This feeds PA (s) and then if several MUX share a feed and aerial array, there is a combiner.

The biggest bit is the Power Amplifiers (actual transmitters). There may be a generator outside.

Rippy

Heard from a very good source that Mulliganish DTT is switched next week, though only for a week initially, probally only blank carriers though.
I should be able to receive at home OK
I will be checking and reporting here.

Pity the setup in my parents' place in Listowel is pointing towards Maghera, probably would have tried it when I go down that way next.

TheDriver

Rippy wrote: »

Heard from a very good source that Mulliganish DTT is switched next week, though only for a week initially, probally only blank carriers though.
I should be able to receive at home OK
I will be checking and reporting here.

Thanks Rippy, will check same and report on my findings. I have a mpeg4 tv and also usb dtt on laptop so will check how both go in Bandon

More Music

The programme feeds for the RTE Mux are coming from the existing microwave distribution network.

The are just combining the DTT transmissions with the existing analog ones. This is done at ground level, with the analog and DTT signals going out over the same antenna.

All of the DTT transmitters are in place and ready to go with 6 channels per mux. They were powered up last week into a test load with programme feed.

The transmit frequency is around 520MHz, which is very low to allow for the mountainous terrain.

The DTT is not yet combined into the antenna system. Test transmissions probably won't be next week, but are very close.

Antenna

Rippy wrote: »

Heard from a very good source that Mulliganish DTT is switched next week, though only for a week initially, probally only blank carriers though.

Mullaghanish DTT UHF channels
Ch centre frequency
21 (474MHz)
24 (498MHz)
25 (506MHz)
28 (530MHz)

I presume 21 is RTE FTA MUX and 24,25,28 will be Boxer's

South Coast TV's deflector for the Fermoy area (from Ballyhooley) uses Ch 21 I think, they will have to move the current Ch21 - up a channel?

TheDriver

Still nothing happening here, anyone have any updates?

Rippy

Antenna wrote: »

Mullaghanish DTT UHF channels
Ch centre frequency
21 (474MHz)
24 (498MHz)
25 (506MHz)
28 (530MHz)

I presume 21 is RTE FTA MUX and 24,25,28 will be Boxer's

South Coast TV's deflector for the Fermoy area (from Ballyhooley) uses Ch 21 I think, they will have to move the current Ch21 - up a channel?

Correct.
South Coast will also be moving frequencies form Hilltown( Carrigaline) and Camden (Crosshaven). Mostly up 1.

More Music

TheDriver wrote: »

Still nothing happening here, anyone have any updates?

Unexpected delays and the weather situation hasn't helped. Going to be another 3 weeks approx.

Confirmed line up:

RTE 1
RTE 2
TV3
TG4

barnicles

Any more updates?

pa990

Does anyone have a map that shows the coverage of Mulliganish.

I am living between it and Spur hill (closer to spur hill)
But Mullaghanish has a higher output, and i am in a bot of a fringe reception area.

Myxomatosis

pa990 wrote: »

Does anyone have a map that shows the coverage of Mulliganish.

I am living between it and Spur hill (closer to spur hill)
But Mullaghanish has a higher output, and i am in a bot of a fringe reception area.

http://www.irish-tv.com/mullag.asp

pa990

I'm presuming that the map is accounting for VHF.

I was looking for a UHF only map. I'm due to have a sat dish and UHF antenna installed soon, and i don't know if i should go for a C/D for Spur Hill or A for Mulla.

i'm about 15miles from Spur Hill. (but terrible reception even with outdoor antenna and booster)

I'm about 25/30 miles from Mulla.

Rippy

pa990 wrote: »

I'm presuming that the map is accounting for VHF.

I was looking for a UHF only map. I'm due to have a sat dish and UHF antenna installed soon, and i don't know if i should go for a C/D for Spur Hill or A for Mulla.

i'm about 15miles from Spur Hill. (but terrible reception even with outdoor antenna and booster)

I'm about 25/30 miles from Mulla.

What's your exact location?

pa990

Rippy wrote: »

What's your exact location?

PM sent


(i dont want every lu-la knowing where i live... only selected lu-la's )

pa990

Hey Rippy..

Are u gonna offer me some help.. or are u just trying to track me down

TheDriver

any more update more music about turn on, I am awfully impatient!!!!

Rippy

pa990 wrote: »

Hey Rippy..

Are u gonna offer me some help.. or are u just trying to track me down

Sorry , forgot all about you. :eek:
From where you are you are not gonna get a sniff of DTT from Spur Hill.
Put up a good group A for Mullaganish. Not long to wait now.

pa990

Rippy wrote: »

Sorry , forgot all about you. :eek:
From where you are you are not gonna get a sniff of DTT from Spur Hill.
Put up a good group A for Mullaganish. Not long to wait now.

Hmmm... that's not what i wanted to hear.


is DTT from spur hill running at the same power output as analogue ?

btw.. dtt from spur hill is showing up as Black fuzz on the neighbours analogue TV... so... maybe i will get a sniff of dtt from spur



UPDATE..
Perfect DTT pic received from spur on c/d contract yagi. deeelighted







smell my finger

TheDriver

Its like waiting for Christmas morning, dying to see the outcome!!!

The Cush

Mullaghanish DTT IS not yet LIVE

Update: FALSE ALARM not Mullaghanish, I'm picking up Woodcock Hill on Ch. 47 with my antenna pointing to Mullaghanish (still very :D:D).
I was surprised to receive the DTT signal from Woodcock Hill as the analogue signal is not receivable.

RTE 1, RTE 2, TG4 and the 4 radio channels. TV3 test card only. No epg info.
Didn't have to do a scan on my Sony KDL-26V4500, pictures appeared when I selected digital on the remote control.

Antenna

pa990 wrote: »

is DTT from spur hill running at the same power output as analogue ?

no, the DTT is much more powerful - 50 kW

also probably helping your reception is the lower channel (45) for RTE DTT - which would have somewhat better propagation (than the analogue channels on 53,57,60,63) in the distance to where you are (towards Macroom I think?). lower channels less affected by trees etc.

pa990

50kw Brilliant

I cant see my self taking up pay DTT.. but one day when it all becomes free (fingers crossed) i might have problems with the higher channels.

i'm going off topic here... back to Mulla

Rippy

Mullaganish DTT testing has comenced this morning .
I mux only at the moment, Ch 21 (471 mhz).
All 4 Irish channels and radio present.
C/N ratio > 27db (ok)
VBER < 1 -6 (excellent)
Quite low power , 20db below ch27 TV3. Received in Carrigaline.

TheDriver

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

slegs

The rollout seems to be really gathering pace now. Cairn Hill, Woodcock Hill and Mullaghanish all active in last week.

Galway

Does anyone in the know have an idea when MAGHERA is due to go DTT?

Kippure, Maghera, Truskmore, Holywell Hill are still waiting.

RTÉNL has plans for new tranposers at Tonabruky just outside Galway city and in Loughrea. Kilduff is the midlands is also planned.

TheDriver

picking it up grand on Parents samsung (sound only as mpeg2 tv). Need to upgrade my own aerial, Rippy where in Cork can I pick up a wideband contract aerial or is it just dwyers for them?

Rippy

TheDriver wrote: »

picking it up grand on Parents samsung (sound only as mpeg2 tv). Need to upgrade my own aerial, Rippy where in Cork can I pick up a wideband contract aerial or is it just dwyers for them?

Better to get a group A than a wide band if you can. Contract aerials are also best avoided. Dwyers may have one or try KD Electronics in Ballycurreen.
They are supposed to be trade only though.
Or give me the job!

TheDriver

Thanks Rippy! As much as you would be my first choice, i prefer the diy route all the same! I need wideband as I currently have GpB contract aerial for Bandon relay and hopefully throw up a wideband like my neighbours have to get the whole lot altogether as they all point kinda the same direction, my gpb as it stands gets a weak signal for ch21 but not enough for DTT.
What exactly do you mean by a contract aerial by the way??

The Cush

I pick up my analogue tv from Mullaghanish with amplified aerial and live in N.E. Co Limerick - nothing on Digital, signal is too weak.

According to the RTÉNL rollout schedule submitted with the DTT applications to the BCI last year, Mullaghanish will start at 20 Kw, increasing to 40 Kw (following Mast & Antenna Replacement) by the end of Q3 2009. Low power due to restrictions with other analogue transmitters. It will only transmit at full power (200 Kw) in 2012 after analogue switch off.

TheDriver

got mine working after throwing a colourking into the attic with a booster today, 9/10 quality. Have text but no epg. Bandon area

Rippy

TheDriver wrote: »

got mine working after throwing a colourking into the attic with a booster today, 9/10 quality. Have text but no epg. Bandon area

Well done.

More Music

Some more interruptions for engineering tests on the way as they are going to be testing the various RF channels.

As we all know the the RTE PSB MUX is CH21.

21 (474MHz)
24 (498MHz)
25 (506MHz)
28 (530MHz)