DTT Tests @ Truskmore

byrnefm

Hi,

my brother lives in SW Donegal and last night he texted me to say that using their roof antenna, he has started getting a very good signal on channels 52 and 56. However, as of yet there are no stations (TV or radio) being broadcast.

I presume that this has to be from Truskmore? Yesterday was the very first time he received any DTT signal from the house.

scath

This would be very good if it has started tests. It was to be brought on stream later this year but with lower revenues at RTÉ it was vulnerable to delay for a year. But if it escaped that delay that is very good as would mean could defo receive signal in my hometown in Leitrim. If I get home next week I'll do a scan there for it. Not sure if Carrick picks up from Cairn Hill or Truskmore. Would assume Truskmore.

lawhec

Went into the attic workshop, getting some very strong signals on E52 (724MHz) and E56 (754MHz).

My Thomson DTI1000 packed up a few days ago (won't come out of standby, I think the tuner's gone), so using a Bush DFTA1001 Signal level is 100% on both multiplexes and quality is "Good", for the Brougher Multiplexes, signal levels are around 50-70% with quality medium to good.

However there are no channels TV or radio at present.

lawhec

UPDATE: 4 TV and 4 Radio services now broadcasting on E53 (730MHz).

Additional: Transmissions appear to have now been shifted to E53 (730MHz) and E57 (762MHz). E57 is "live" but not carrying any video or audio streams.

All TV and Radio streams are being labelled as encrypted for some strange reason.

byte

All working here too, on C53. I've signal on C57 but no channels.

I'm surprised it's working at all; my analogue level on C60 (TV3) is just a meagre 40dB (with 20dB amp, which tbh, isn't much good as all I am amplifying is noise)!

Anyway, I have 4 TV channels and 4 radio. 30 mins ago, TV channels showing a signal leve (on TM6900Super) of 38% and working OK. Now though, the signal has increased to 83-90%. So they must be messing with teh output levels from Tx?

Only have test card on TG4.

Anyway, it's on just in time for football later, no ghosty VHF RTÉ for me this evening (my NI Sky subscription blocks football on RTÉ)

egal

I wonder what's the chances of a useable signal on the western edges of Omagh town?

Mayo Exile

With Truskmore on 53, are there any possibilities of interference with Clermont Carn also being on 53?

lawhec

egal wrote: »

I wonder what's the chances of a useable signal on the western edges of Omagh town?

Well analogue from my Group C/D UHF aerial pointing towards Truskmore for TV3 (E60) and TG4 (E63) varies from watchable to drowned with snow depending on the weather and analogue tuner of the TV in question. Both UHF and VHF services need masthead amps. The current DTT signal on E53 is coming in much stronger than the signals from Brougher less than 10 miles south! I'll need to try and see just how bad compared to analogue reception DTT from Truskmore can still work, as long as it still keeps up a strong transmission output (which for pre-2013 is 63kW per multiplex maximum - I'd take an educated guess its running at or close to that).

With Truskmore on 53, are there any possibilities of interference with Clermont Carn also being on 53?

I'd say that a different polarity might help, not to mention the directional restrictions in place for each TX right now. I'd reckon the testing on E52 and E56 was to do a brief test against analogue services from Clermont Carn.

byrnefm

In Kilcar (10 miles from Killybegs on the way to Glencolmkille), the report is that the four channels are coming in at about 75% signal quality with only two brief breakups during watching "Nothing to Declare" on TV3. RTÉ reception is poor there and TV3/TG4 equally bad (requiring a second aerial to pick it up at all).

The basic rectangular antenna won't pick it up but one of the more directional higher gain antennas is picking them up, despite it being in the attic. I was told that even with a 'TV-top' UHF antenna, it's possible to pick up the radio stations without any breakup.

The Irish channels rarely comes in very well there - I think it's the first time that clear reception has been reported on a non-Sky platform!

In order to view the stations, it was necessary to connect the antenna to a TV-card in a computer.

sesswhat

South of Ballybofey, I haven't been using Truskmore for years. The VHF channels can be picked up with the right aerial but UHF was always much more difficult through the hills. There are other easier options for the Irish channels now so no reason for most people to even try for UHF from Truskmore.

However the new signals on C53 have knocked out the Freeview MUX from Limavady on the same channel for me so they seem to be quite strong. This is using a grid aerial mounted with its back to a gable wall and facing in the opposite direction to Truskmore.

the_wabbitt

Greetings all,
Truskmore is banging in here in Sligo. Just texted one of the engineers working on it to congratulate him in the good work.
RTE 1
NET 2
TV 3 (ITV WEST) LOL
TG 4

plus 4 radio ch

Rory

I live in Ballisodare Co. Sligo and would i be able to pick up these transmissions on a 'rabbits ears' type aerial on a second tv and what is the best value set top box you would recommend?

TheDriver

theres a good few threads about boxes but no one will advise you too much until official launch

scath

Good to hear Truskmore testing has started. So might we assume that Truskmore DTT will proceed through to launch? If so that it very good for the North West. Might I correct myself, of course subject to interruptions and outages for the period of the trial. Quiet right Rory to remind me. Its actually nice to be part of the testing experience of things going on and off. Viewers of DTT should for sure not expect perfection which is not possible in a testing phase. Rather its fun I think to be part of the realities of testing where things are interrupted, testcards. I think actually a minute or 30 seconds of film of testcard, no signal, engineers putting the equipment on the mast, the multiplex centre and a person scanning on their laptop with the usb DVB-T stick and set top box could be part of the DTT launch promo.

My Ma is in the Leitrim and I'm not going to be down there for a few days not sure when but am to go down there some of these days, but will be interested when I go down their to pick it up. Am not receiving DTT in Rathmines from 3Rock. Is it completed I wonder or is coverage being tested with Kippure on the same channel? Haven't outdoor aerial. These 2 sentences prob are for the 3Rock thread.

But definitely pre-launch and not to be considered operational are watch words. Immense work for sure and well done to the engineers! Great work!

the_wabbitt

NO DO NOT ASSUME THIS

******Please remember that this is a PRE LAUNCH TRIAL and as the name suggests, as a trial it is subject to interuptions, outages etc for the period of the trial. While, yes I will be frustraded when this happens, please understand that this happens for a reason. I have seen the level of work that has being going on here, and make my works - "IT IS EMMENCE" and it is not finished yet***********

So keep watching and reporting, but temper all your comments with the fact that this is a PRE LAUNCH TRIAL

Rory

byte

byrnefm wrote: »

In Kilcar (10 miles from Killybegs on the way to Glencolmkille), the report is that the four channels are coming in at about 75% signal quality with only two brief breakups during watching "Nothing to Declare" on TV3. RTÉ reception is poor there and TV3/TG4 equally bad (requiring a second aerial to pick it up at all).

The basic rectangular antenna won't pick it up but one of the more directional higher gain antennas is picking them up, despite it being in the attic. I was told that even with a 'TV-top' UHF antenna, it's possible to pick up the radio stations without any breakup.

The Irish channels rarely comes in very well there - I think it's the first time that clear reception has been reported on a non-Sky platform!

In order to view the stations, it was necessary to connect the antenna to a TV-card in a computer.

Interesting about Kilcar. Is this in the village itself, or outside it?

I'd imagine the DTT would be OK too up around Teelin near Carrick (doubt if much hope for Carrick itself, though ya never know). Or anywhere along that coastline.

Of course, since it's tests, the levels being outputted at the moment may be well above the levels that will be the norm.

As it stands, I notice that the testcard on TG4 is gone, though my TM6900 is now reporting 35% signal (not a great indicator, I know, but the only reference I have at present).

Mike 1972

Transmissions appear to have now been shifted to E53 (730MHz) and E57 (762MHz). E57 is "live" but not carrying any video or audio streams.

Any idea why the initial tests on 52/56 (surely these would play havoc with analouge from Claremont if any serious power was being used) ? Hopefully the RTE multiplex wont be on a directional ("NI shielded") pattern or a channel that clashes with Limavady etc.

Dont see why 53/57 would be an issue though. Apart from the fact that polorisation and aerial directivity would mitigate any problems (DTT protection ratios being far better than analouge) isint DTT supposed to be capable of SFN operation anyway ?

(Indeed after analouge switch off I dont see why they cant move all multiplexes in the UK and Ireland onto SFN's bar a single regionalised UK one for BBC1/2 ITV1 and S4C/TeleG/TG4-NI)

Anyone know likely start dates for Maghera and Castlebar (relay) ?

byrnefm

byte wrote: »

Interesting about Kilcar. Is this in the village itself, or outside it?

I'd imagine the DTT would be OK too up around Teelin near Carrick (doubt if much hope for Carrick itself, though ya never know). Or anywhere along that coastline.

It's two miles outside of Kilcar - in a valley (called "The Glen") a mile outside of the town, between Kilcar and Carrick. Fingers crossed they'll keep the signal strength up! I have relatives living in Teelin - must get my brother to test out the signal there if they let him

Me, I'm waiting for Holywell to be enabled, in the hope I can get it in the outskirts of Letterkenny (I think I'm high enough up out of the town to get it, fingers crossed).

sesswhat

Mike 1972 wrote: »

Hopefully the RTE multiplex wont be on a directional ("NI shielded") pattern or a channel that clashes with Limavady etc.

Dont see why 53/57 would be an issue though.

53 seems to be the one earmarked for the RTE MUX. As I reported earlier, this is clashing with an existing MUX from Limavady at the current power levels. The Limavady MUX on 57 is also being seriously affected by the test signals on this channel from Truskmore. (CBeebies is on this one so this time it's serious )

Of course this is all dependant on location and I may be one of only a very small number of people affected.

srfc1928

Is it possible to get these channels with rabbit's ears or freesat?

byte

srfc1928 wrote: »

Is it possible to get these channels with rabbit's ears or freesat?

Rabbits ears will depend on location. If you can receive the analogue channels (specifically TG4 or TV3) with rabbits ears (watchable), then yea, should work.

These channels won't work on Freesat, and probably never will.

the_wabbitt

I live in the Caltragh area of Sligo, which is fairly well positioned for receiving stuff. I am Line of Sight to Truskmore (about 30kms). I tried a VERY cheap UHF settop antennae on the floor of my living room and guess what....... IT WORKED!!!!

I am just thinking that Truskmore at night will be an interesting sight to look at soon, as those little blue dots that you see on the side of the mountain at night will be the SHEEP!!!

Rory

the_wabbitt

Just one more interesting thing about Truskmore , they have started the construction of the new tower. This is due to be changed out either later this year or early next year.

I see some serious headaches for the engineers coming up

The Cush

the_wabbitt wrote: »

Just one more interesting thing about Truskmore , they have started the construction of the new tower. This is due to be changed out either later this year or early next year.

I see some serious headaches for the engineers coming up

The RTÉNL DTT Rollout Schedule has Truskmore & Mullaghanish mast & antenna replacement completed by the end of Q3 2009, originally went to tender last August.

snaps

Great news....Im in Ballinrobe south Mayo with UHF grid aerial pointing to castlebar. Ive got 3 channels coming in at 98/95%. Channel 48, channel 53 & channel 57.

Channel 48 the strongest (Could it be castlebar relay?) showing RTE1, RTE2, TV3, TG4.
Channel 53 nearly as strong but not quite showing RTE1, RTE2, TV3, TG4.
Channel 57 showing strong signal like 53 but no channels broadcasting!

slegs

snaps wrote: »

Great news....Im in Ballinrobe south Mayo with UHF grid aerial pointing to castlebar. Ive got 3 channels coming in at 98/95%. Channel 48, channel 53 & channel 57.

Channel 48 the strongest (Could it be castlebar relay?) showing RTE1, RTE2, TV3, TG4.
Channel 53 nearly as strong but not quite showing RTE1, RTE2, TV3, TG4.
Channel 57 showing strong signal like 53 but no channels broadcasting!

Channel 53 is Truskmore.

But the really interesting one is that 48 could be MAGHERA, it is planned to use Ch 48.

snaps

My aerial is pointing N, from my position, so im not sure if it would be maghera as that is south of me opposite direction?

slegs

snaps wrote: »

My aerial is pointing N, from my position, so im not sure if it would be maghera as that is south of me opposite direction?

Maybe it isnt Maghera but I know that the signals being broadcast are very strong. I can pick up bot Mt Leinster and Kippure from a single arial even though they are 90 degrees apart in direction.

snaps

Possible, but i know i cannot get any analouge through my aerial from Maghera.

My friend now in Galway is getting CH48 loud & clear but not 53/57. Chance it could be maghera????

I bought a cheap freeview set top box from Argos in Enniskillen and i hooked it up last night at 10pm and could pick up the RTE output from Truskmore only on audio though, no picture!

givecredit

zorro2566 wrote: »

I bought a cheap freeview set top box from Argos in Enniskillen and i hooked it up last night at 10pm and could pick up the RTE output from Truskmore only on audio though, no picture!

Hope you kept the receipt. Freeview uses an older technology. Rep of Ireland uses mpeg4 technology, Freeview uses MPEG2.

Suggust you return your freeview box and try to sourse a mpeg4 dtt receiver. Have a look at other threads on this forum for ideas.

It is this one ....

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321856/Trail/searchtext%3EFREEVIEW.htm

snaps

UK FREEVIEW uses MPEG2, The new irish DTT is using MPEG4! You will get sound but no picture on an mpeg2 receiver, ie the freeview one you brought.

Pat Gleeson

Freeview boxes won't work with Irish DTT. Freeview uses MPEG-2, Irish DTT uses MPEG-4. Freeview boxes used in Ireland will only get you sound, no picture.

scath

At the moment Pat is correct. This is already outlined at http://www.digitaltelevision.ieThe problem is the lack of DTT Public Info Campaign as people then buy first and consult here next rather than the other way around. What made you want to buy the Freeview box Zorro? Had you heard something about Irish DTT? You may well get UK DTT reception in Sligo. But it would be better value for you to return it and wait until the Irish one comes around, source other ones or buy a future proof Freeview HD box when it comes out later this year for the Manchester region (Granada).

Those HD boxes will be compatible with Irish DTT as they will be DVB-T2, MPEG4. T2 is compatible with DVB-T. However these are not yet released or available from retailers. Switchover to DVB-T2+MPEG4 is from DVB-T+MPEG2 is not scheduled to happen until 2012 during switchoff of analogue terrestrial. The HD multiplex conversion for UK DTT is following the switchoff phasing. So Northern Ireland will have HD via Freeview later than some other areas. So you have options there, but getting the Freeview HD box in NI may be awkward. Best thing is wait I would say, return the Freeview box. The one you would buy with MPEG4 would get you UK DTT and Irish DTT, so much better value for you.

Pat Gleeson

As STB related to me in this post: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=59306818&postcount=14

the UK are using MPEG-2 for the forseeable future and only using MPEG-4 DVB-T2 for future HD DTT broadcasts.

I'll bring it back,although they told me in the shop that i can't when i told them i was from the south but i am sure i am entitled to a refund!

What is the cheapest set top box available for use in Ireland with mpeg 4?:)

lawhec

zorro2566 wrote: »

I'll bring it back,although they told me in the shop that i can't when i told them i was from the south but i am sure i am entitled to a refund!

Freeview STB's are not a part of Argos' 30 day money back guarantee. Only if the box was faulty would they be obliged to at least exchange it.

snaps

There really needs to be some kind of campaign here about the digital switchover. I know quite a few people that are buying TV's & set top boxes from the UK for the digital DTT service that will be starting here. NOBODY apart from the likes of people on these boards knows anything about this DTT service in Ireland and what is needed. Perhaps retailers i the north should be instructed to tell southern shoppers that the freeview boxes/tv's wont work here.

sesswhat

snaps wrote: »

There really needs to be some kind of campaign here about the digital switchover. I know quite a few people that are buying TV's & set top boxes from the UK for the digital DTT service that will be starting here. NOBODY apart from the likes of people on these boards knows anything about this DTT service in Ireland and what is needed. Perhaps retailers i the north should be instructed to tell southern shoppers that the freeview boxes/tv's wont work here.

I don't recall even seeing a news item about it on RTE.

However, it can hardly be left to some teenager in Argos to explain the technicalities. Even if you live in the North, there is no guarantee of Freeview reception. Every piece of Freeview equipment I have seen or bought has a warning on the box to the effect that people should make sure they are in Freeview coverage area, with phone and text numbers where you can check your UK postcode.

Freeview products do exactly what they say on the tin. They allow you to watch Freeview channels if you are in a Freeview coverage area.

If people don't understand what a particular product feature does, they should not be buying the product on the basis of that feature.

Having said that, neither our national broadcaster or local retailers do anything much to combat the confusion.

byte

snaps wrote: »

There really needs to be some kind of campaign here about the digital switchover. I know quite a few people that are buying TV's & set top boxes from the UK for the digital DTT service that will be starting here. NOBODY apart from the likes of people on these boards knows anything about this DTT service in Ireland and what is needed. Perhaps retailers i the north should be instructed to tell southern shoppers that the freeview boxes/tv's wont work here.

There probably will be a campaign whenever the service officially launches.

As we know here, still a test phase atm, with channels coming and going, testcards, etc.

byrnefm

My brother and I used a portable UHF antenna and a DVB-T meter this afternoon to measure the signal strength from Truskmore, driving from Kilcar to Teelin. On the descent into Carrick town - and through the town to the main street in Carrick we were getting a reading of dB uV = 60 (two green LEDs on the meter bought at Argos UK). To put this in context, the higher the reading, the better and we can get a picture just outside of Kilcar with a reading of 50 and the max measurement on the meter is 80, going up in tens. In Teelin, we only got a reading of 50, despite having a very good view of much of Sligo / Mayo.

The signal strengh in Teelin (SW Donegal) was such that with the portable antenna indoors, we got full signal strength on the old Wharfedale DVB-T box I had from a few years back. No amplifier was required. Regular RTÉ will not come in at all without a good outdoor antenna. We tried in vain to get the UK Freeview from near Omagh but it could either be down to polarization or just pointing slightly in the wrong direction - we didn't have the details for transmitter.

Sponge Bob

PLEASE remember that there will be large changes in power output over the next few years on MOST main transmitters .

http://www.bci.ie/DTT/boxer/appendix7.3_coverageplotsmapsA3.pdf

Truskmore starts at 63kw
Goes to 160kw in Jan 2013 as UK analogue is switched off which is 2.5 times stronger.

byte

Is Trusky down today? I can't get any DTT atm, signal level on stb just jumps up to 20% and down again constantly.

sesswhat

byte wrote: »

Is Trusky down today? I can't get any DTT atm, signal level on stb just jumps up to 20% and down again constantly.

Seems to be down alright. I've got 53 back from Limavady for now.

snaps

I watched the united match all the way through on channel 53 from truskmore last night? Ive noticed the Maghera signal has dropped right back.

the_wabbitt

Heres an interesting one.......
My EPG from Truskmore has vanished and i am now only getting TELETEXT on RTE 1.

I have a Philips 42PFL9803 set to sweedish settings, anyone got any idea if it is something wrong on my side or truskmore ?

Rory

sesswhat

the_wabbitt wrote: »

Heres an interesting one.......
My EPG from Truskmore has vanished and i am now only getting TELETEXT on RTE 1.

I have a Philips 42PFL9803 set to sweedish settings, anyone got any idea if it is something wrong on my side or truskmore ?

Rory

I think they have just started to do a bit of tweaking again this week after the holidays. The signal strength on 53 has been reduced and the test signal on 57 has been up and down over the last couple of days.

byte

snaps wrote: »

I watched the united match all the way through on channel 53 from truskmore last night? Ive noticed the Maghera signal has dropped right back.

Ah well. Must be just reduced power so. My signal levels were marginal as it was, so now they've just totally gone.

I sure hope they put the power back up again soon, as due to hills, I can't achieve good signal levels. A Triax C/D UNIX100 might be overkill

Mike 1972

Was parked in a layby with LOS to Truskmore last Tuesday with a "USB stick" and laptop

Did a scan and found an RTE multiplex on 729.875 MHz

TV services:RTE1, RTE2, TV3 and TG4
Radio Services: RADIO 1, 2FM, LYRIC and RnaG (no RTE Pulse etc :mad:)

All services (including radio) were suffixed "(Locked) (H.264)"

No video or audio on TV channels but teletext on RTE1 and TG4
Audio on radio services

Full EPG on all services

Video PID's on TV channels 1101-1104 (no audio PID's found)
Audio PID's on radio services 1226-1229

Why were the services flagged as "locked" and why had I no video/audio on the TV channels ?

Im assuming here (open to correction) that with a DVB stick the MPEG decoding is done at software level so MPEG4 is not an issue ????

byrnefm

I'm told that as of about three days ago, the RTÉ digital transmissions must be at much lower power as my brother isn't able to pick them up in Kilcar any longer. He went half way to Killybegs ("Blue Haven") and tried it from there (good view of Sligo) and can still pick them up there... as well as BBC digital from Northern Ireland (c53 or c55 he said). That really surprised him as he was just using a laptop + a small indoor UHF antenna... Only the BBC Mux came in strong, the other commercial ones kept breaking up.