List of Transposers/Relays upgraded to DTT?

Mayo Exile

I was enquiring to RTE/RTENL about when the Castlebar relay would be upgraded to DTT and got the following response from RTÉ Network Support:

DTT transmission equipment is currently being installed at a number of relay sites around the country, including our Castlebar transposer. Test transmissions will commence when these installations are complete and, all going well, we would expect some DTT activity to commence over the next few weeks or so. You should note that these test transmissions are liable to frequent interruptions, power reductions, etc. and therefore they should not be considered a proper service until after the service is launched on 31st October 2010.

Regards,

RTÉ Network Support

Thought it might be an idea to keep a list of these (due 31/10/2010) in one place and posters in different areas of the country could then post if and when DTT begins from these relays. Of course some in the list (main Tx's plus some relays) are already active. Mod request: maybe this could be a sticky?

Appendix I
1 Mullaghanish Co. Cork
2 Truskmore Co. Sligo
3 Clermont Carn Co. Louth
4 Three Rock Co. Dublin
5 Mount Leinster Co. Carlow
6 Cairn Hill Co. Longford
7 Kippure Co. Wicklow
8 Maghera Co. Clare
9 Woodcock Hill Co. Limerick
10 Spur Hill Co. Cork
11 Dungarvan Co. Waterford
12 Holywell Hill Co. Donegal
13 Greystones Co. Wicklow
14 Castlebar Co. Mayo
15 Forth Mountain Co. Wexford
16 Arklow Co. Wicklow
17 Gorey Co. Wexford
18 Suir Valley Co. Waterford
19 Waterford
20 Tonabrocky Co. Galway
21 Collins Barracks Cork City
22 Crosshaven Co. Cork
23 Mitchelstown Co. Cork
24 Knockmoyle Co. Kerry
25 Drogheda Co. Louth

John mac

I will check on a daily basis . (tv only has mpeg2 but should get some signal)

The Cush

Since I posted that Appendix in mid May the number of sites expected to be available for the technical launch by the end of Oct is 28 covering 94.5% of the population according to RTÉ's Conor Hayes in his submission to the Joint Committee on Communications last week. The list of sites was not included in the submission.

Full launch date is at the Minister's direction but could be the second quarter of 2011 i.e. 97.2% of the population from 49 sites.

I will set out RTE Network Limited’s current predictions for population coverage of the first free-to-air national public service multiplex, which will be operational from October 2010. The company predicts that by that month, the system will have been installed on 28 sites nationally. We reckon we will have approximately 94.5% population coverage. Members should bear in mind that our statutory remit is to provide for 90% coverage. We would exceed that from the outset. Our level of DTT coverage at that stage would exceed TV3’s current level of analogue coverage, which is 85%. By the second quarter of 2011, we predict we will cover 97.2% of the population from 49 sites, which would be approximately the same as TG4’s current level of analogue coverage.

We will continue to install more sites from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2012. As these sites will interact with each other, the overall level of population coverage will not materially alter. By the fourth quarter of 2012, we estimate we will reach the statutory requirement to have approximately replicated our current level of analogue coverage, which is 98% of the population. The equivalent population coverage for the second national DTT public service multiplex will be achieved by the third quarter of 2013, and possibly earlier. The delay in that regard can be attributed to the fact that one cannot achieve that until after the analogue switch-off. In addition, there are power restrictions in how the South of Ireland interfaces with the North of Ireland and with the UK, in terms of spectrum and planning. All of these things have to be co-ordinated.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=MAJ20100714.XML&Ex=All&Page=1

Mr. Conor Hayes: October 2010 is the switch-on from a technical basis. The date for the public national launch must be decided by the Minister but we recommend the second quarter of next year.

Gerry Wicklow

"...how the South of Ireland interfaces with the North of Ireland and with the UK, in terms of spectrum and planning. All of these things have to be co-ordinated."

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=MAJ20100714.XML&Ex=All&Page=1

They're certainly off to a good start with ML/Preseli.

Sam Russell

Fron Conor Hayes RTE
In addition, there are power restrictions in how the South of Ireland interfaces with the North of Ireland and with the UK, in terms of spectrum and planning. All of these things have to be co-ordinated.

What is he talking about. The South of Ireland (Cork - Kerry) do not have much interface with The North of Ireland (Donegal - Leitrim) that RTE cannot sort out themselves. On the other hand, there is some need for planning between Ireland and the UK (Northern Ireland - Wales) for spectrum planning, etc. Maybe even Mount Leinster and Preseli might be a good place to start.

Digifriendly

Anyone any idea if Clermont Carn DTT will be increased in power radiating northwards by end of October?

Mayo Exile

Not until early 2013 I think when NI ASO is completed. Power should go then from 50KW to 160 KW ERP.

Digifriendly

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Not until early 2013 I think when NI ASO is completed. Power should go then from 50KW to 160 KW ERP.

Many thanks for that. At present I'm picking up the DTT signal from CC but I have a high gain 52 element Triax with masthead amplification. I guess there are quite a lot of homes in NI who are getting the analogue from CC fine but struggling to pick up the digital signals.

Mayo Exile

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Not until early 2013 I think when NI ASO is completed. Power should go then from 50KW to 160 KW ERP.

Should have added for total clarity that the restriction towards the north is meant to be removed at the same time as the power increase.

Mayo Exile

RTENL themselves also emailed me this re the Castlebar relay:

Castlebar is included in the list of sites to be DTT enabled by 31st October. Work is ongoing on this site and test transmissions will commence in the coming weeks. I don’t have an exact date for this as yet. Test transmissions are subject to interruption and cannot be relied upon as a service.

OneWayBet

Mayo Exile wrote: »

I was enquiring to RTE/RTENL about when the Castlebar relay would be upgraded to DTT and got the following response from RTÉ Network Support:



Thought it might be an idea to keep a list of these (due 31/10/2010) in one place and posters in different areas of the country could then post if and when DTT begins from these relays. Of course some in the list (main Tx's plus some relays) are already active. Mod request: maybe this could be a sticky?

Appendix I
1 Mullaghanish Co. Cork
2 Truskmore Co. Sligo
3 Clermont Carn Co. Louth
4 Three Rock Co. Dublin
5 Mount Leinster Co. Carlow
6 Cairn Hill Co. Longford
7 Kippure Co. Wicklow
8 Maghera Co. Clare
9 Woodcock Hill Co. Limerick
10 Spur Hill Co. Cork
11 Dungarvan Co. Waterford
12 Holywell Hill Co. Donegal
13 Greystones Co. Wicklow
14 Castlebar Co. Mayo
15 Forth Mountain Co. Wexford
16 Arklow Co. Wicklow
17 Gorey Co. Wexford
18 Suir Valley Co. Waterford
19 Waterford
20 Tonabrocky Co. Galway
21 Collins Barracks Cork City
22 Crosshaven Co. Cork
23 Mitchelstown Co. Cork
24 Knockmoyle Co. Kerry
25 Drogheda Co. Louth

Is this really the list due end of Oct? I didn't realise Collins Barracks was included.... hope it is though as my aerial is designed for that relay even though I get a pretty good signal from Spur Hill despite wrong grouping, polarisation and direction!

Mayo Exile

See The Cush's post (#3). Now meant to be 28. But no list of these as yet.

tvman2

Digifriendly wrote: »

Many thanks for that. At present I'm picking up the DTT signal from CC but I have a high gain 52 element Triax with masthead amplification. I guess there are quite a lot of homes in NI who are getting the analogue from CC fine but struggling to pick up the digital signals.

There are no DTT Tx panels directed North at the moment. RTENL will have to install additional ones or use the analogue ones after switchover. See attached picture

Digifriendly

tvman2 wrote: »

There are no DTT Tx panels directed North at the moment. RTENL will have to install additional ones or use the analogue ones after switchover. See attached picture

Many thanks for that. Notice no analogue panels facing NE yet signal picked up in parts of Scotland. Shows strength of analogue signal.

STB

Mayo that list may have changed. I understand there may be a few additions and substractions.

deaglan169

is there any plans to update the old vhf relay in monaghan to DTT at present most of co.monaghan can get CC my neighbour can get DTT from CC but i cant signal is slighly weaker on my side of road but analogue is grand

The Cush

deaglan169 wrote: »

is there any plans to update the old vhf relay in monaghan to DTT at present most of co.monaghan can get CC my neighbour can get DTT from CC but i cant signal is slighly weaker on my side of road but analogue is grand

The only transmitter details we have at the moment is the list of 25 sites announced by the Minister last May which is posted in previous posts.

Mayo Exile

DTT from Castlebar now available on UHF channel 22.

John mac

I checked this am (the radio wet dead for 4 mins before 10 am) so i thought they may be doing something.

all fine here full signal. (still only have a mpeg2 tv so no picture)

Sponge Bob

The list of sites due in 2010 was given to Liz McManus in the Dáil and posted here by the Cush some time back. About 8 more to do I reckon.

1 MullaghanishCo. Cork
2 TruskmoreCo. Sligo
3 Clermont CarnCo. Louth
4 Three RockCo. Dublin
5 Mount LeinsterCo. Carlow
6 Cairn HillCo. Longford
7 KippureCo. Wicklow
8 MagheraCo. Clare
9 Woodcock HillCo. Limerick
10 Spur HillCo. Cork
11 DungarvanCo. Waterford
12 Holywell HillCo. Donegal
13 GreystonesCo. Wicklow
14 CastlebarCo. Mayo
15 Forth MountainCo. Wexford
16 ArklowCo. Wicklow
17 GoreyCo. Wexford
18 Suir ValleyCo. Waterford
19 Waterford Co. Waterford
20 TonabrockyCo. Galway
21 Collins BarracksCork City
22 CrosshavenCo. Cork
23 MitchelstownCo. Cork
24 KnockmoyleCo. Kerry
25 DroghedaCo. Louth

The Cush

Sponge Bob wrote: »

The list of sites due in 2010 was given to Liz McManus in the Dáil and posted here by the Cush some time back. About 8 more to do I reckon.

A recent post indicated that the concrete base is down for the Arklow transmitter.

galtee boy posted in May that Mitchlestown was up and running.

Wasn't there a problem with the Waterford city transmitter last year interfering with cable TV in Waterford, I think it may also be up and running.

If those two sites are transmitting that would be six remaining from that list and a further three sites to be on-line by the Oct date as indicated by RTÉ in mid July.

The Cush

DTT live on Knockmoyle Ch52 posted by Apogee

We could be down to five sites remaining from that list of 25 plus three others to be upgraded by the Oct date as indicated by RTÉ in Jul.

Mr. Conor Hayes: ... I will set out RTE Network Limited’s current predictions for population coverage of the first free-to-air national public service multiplex, which will be operational from October 2010. The company predicts that by that month, the system will have been installed on 28 sites nationally. We reckon we will have approximately 94.5% population coverage. Members should bear in mind that our statutory remit is to provide for 90% coverage. We would exceed that from the outset. Our level of DTT coverage at that stage would exceed TV3’s current level of analogue coverage, which is 85%. By the second quarter of 2011, we predict we will cover 97.2% of the population from 49 sites, which would be approximately the same as TG4’s current level of analogue coverage.

We will continue to install more sites from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2012. As these sites will interact with each other, the overall level of population coverage will not materially alter. By the fourth quarter of 2012, we estimate we will reach the statutory requirement to have approximately replicated our current level of analogue coverage, which is 98% of the population. The equivalent population coverage for the second national DTT public service multiplex will be achieved by the third quarter of 2013, and possibly earlier. The delay in that regard can be attributed to the fact that one cannot achieve that until after the analogue switch-off. In addition, there are power restrictions in how the South of Ireland interfaces with the North of Ireland and with the UK, in terms of spectrum and planning. All of these things have to be co-ordinated.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate...&Ex=All&Page=1

28 sites by Oct 2010 - 94.5% population coverage
1 Mullaghanish Co. Cork
2 Truskmore Co. Sligo
3 Clermont Carn Co. Louth
4 Three Rock Co. Dublin
5 Mount Leinster Co. Carlow
6 Cairn Hill Co. Longford
7 Kippure Co. Wicklow
8 Maghera Co. Clare
9 Woodcock Hill Co. Limerick
10 Spur Hill Co. Cork
11 Dungarvan Co. Waterford
12 Holywell Hill Co. Donegal
13 Greystones Co. Wicklow
14 Castlebar Co. Mayo
15 Forth Mountain Co. Wexford
16 Arklow Co. Wicklow
17 Gorey Co. Wexford
18 Suir Valley Co. Waterford
19 Waterford
20 Tonabrocky Co. Galway
21 Collins Barracks Cork City
22 Crosshaven Co. Cork
23 Mitchelstown Co. Cork
24 Knockmoyle Co. Kerry
25 Drogheda Co. Louth
26 ?
27 ?
28 ?

49 sites by Q2 2011 - 97.2% population coverage
29 - 49 ?

51 sites by Q4 2012 - 98% population coverage
50 - 51 ?

tlaavtech

The Cush wrote: »

Wasn't there a problem with the Waterford city transmitter last year interfering with cable TV in Waterford, I think it may also be up and running.

Waterford City DTT is up and running on Ch.22. UPC customers had to re-tune their analogue RTE1.

Sponge Bob

I'll hazard the last 3 off the top of me head.

26 ? Kilduff?
27 ? Arranmore?
28 ? Navan?

Galway

I notice Clifden Co. Galway isnt on that list, its 10 kw analogue relay, so I wonder a great swathe of Connemara wont be able to receive DTT.

The Cush

Galway wrote: »

I notice Clifden Co. Galway isnt on that list, its 10 kw analogue relay, so I wonder a great swathe of Connemara wont be able to receive DTT.

It was on the original 53 site list in 2008 so it could on the list yet. We don't officially know where the other 26 sites will be.

I speculated previously which of the 53 sites from the 2008 list might not make the present list.

The Minister said the following in May

The exact areas to be covered in each county, is dependent on a number of factors including transmitter location, signal strength and topography.

STB

Anything down the Gaeltacht area ? Inis Mór / Meain / Oirr /Connemara.

I would have thought that would be among the sites to be upgraded early on. For TG4 alone!

Sponge Bob

Casla will cover the Aran Islands, that is safely on the 2011 list and I will bet on that. Clifden will also be done.

The current RTE plan is for 51 transmitters and the original 'pre' switchoff plan was 53 transmitters.

I reckon Kinsale and Dooncarton(Iorras) are for the chop from the original list ..for the same reason as The Cush (pop coverage) and because the terrain intended to be covered from those two is suitable for satellite and because they are at the extreme end of the network.

You could drop Achill rather than Dooncarton (Iorras) if Westport and Dooncarton(Iorras) had slightly higher masts and a bit more power. I predict one of the transmitters to be dropped if satellite is chosen for infill will be in West Mayo

I also predict that one of the last two (delayed until 2012) is because a new mast is going in to either Dooncarton(Iorras) Westport or Achill if not indeed two of the three.

Westport is safe, it is located in a hole north of a mountain and cannot be serviced from a satellite.

What RTENL have not admitted is that neither the original list of 53 transmitters nor the chopped list of 51 willl deal with the problems in the like of Leenane, namely satellite shadow and transmitter shadow ( both)

There is a shaggin mountain in the way lads

The Cush

STB wrote: »

Anything down the Gaeltacht area ? Inis Mór / Meain / Oirr /Connemara.

I would have thought that would be among the sites to be upgraded early on. For TG4 alone!

Remember this article from the Irish Independent at the end of June - West the loser as RTE cuts digital TV coverage

This will result in areas of the west coast being unable to avail of the new service.

The plans will have huge implications for TG4 in particular. The station draws its core audience from Irish-speaking communities in the locations certain to be worst-hit.

While RTE has argued that the terrestrial channels will be available via satellite, this would involve additional cost for households subscribing to a satellite service, including the erection of a satellite dish.

Management at TG4 declined to comment, but are understood to be of the view that RTE must fulfil its remit under the Broadcasting Act to provide universal, free-to-air digital TV reception.

Discussed here

L1011

STB wrote: »

Anything down the Gaeltacht area ? Inis Mór / Meain / Oirr /Connemara.

I would have thought that would be among the sites to be upgraded early on. For TG4 alone!

Arranmore's a Gaeltacht... in law anyway!

watty

Can anyone help everyone else?

I'm trying to compile reference information for DTT Transmitter sites here http://www.techtir.ie/tv-radio/Irish-DTT-Sites

Any information via PM (here or techtir), post on this thread or comment techtir etc. appreciated.

Thanks


P.S. suggestions on improving it also accepted.

Note that Techtir exists as an Engineering / Technical resource / Magazine. It's not in competition with Boards (largely a chat / forum with ephemeral mutual help. that you can't search for DTT, RTE or other three letter abbreviations, you can on Techtir which is largely going to be articles).
Techtire has no adverts and is non-profit.

Sponge Bob

watty wrote: »

Can anyone help everyone else?

I'm trying to compile reference information for DTT Transmitter sites here http://www.techtir.ie/tv-radio/Irish-DTT-Sites

Kilduff is a mast complex on Tipp/Offaly border, try Latitude = 53 05 50.990N
Longitude = 07 35 27.041W

Gorey may be on Ask Hill, here is a specimen

Latitude = 52 41 59.161N
Longitude = 06 15 10.268W

Forth Mountain has a large eircom mast here and no RTE owned asset, I would hazard a guess

Latitude = 52 18 56.339N
Longitude = 06 33 46.029W

Collins Barracks RTE Mast

Latitude_Coord = 51 54 15N
Longitude_Coord = 08 28 8W

Drogheda is ( I think) on the hospital

53.7223N and 6.3545w ( 40m ASL + Height of Hospital + Whatever RTE did on top)

If you get a login HERE http://www.rtenl.ie/telecoms.htm you can get the data easily , these are the sites ( minus co ordinates)

http://www.rtenl.ie/downloads/television-frequencies.pdf

HTH

Sponge Bob

Arranmore

Latitude = 54 58 59.703N
Longitude = 08 30 30.171W

watty

Ta.

I must find my IG to lat/long converter too. Maybe put a Java version on the site.

khumbu

site coordinates listed here
http://www.rtenl.ie/tlc_currentsites.asp

watty

Updated
http://www.techtir.ie/tv-radio/Irish-DTT-Sites
Is Navan = Skreen?

Anyone remember location of document with all the Irish DTT mux allocations for channels missing in table?

Sponge Bob

Re missing data. I can batch convert to Long and Lat from Northing Easting, simply give me a csv with

Name,Easting,Northing

The location of the antennae on the structure is here, page 29 with EIRP page 30

http://www.rte.ie/about/tenders/antennasystemfordtt/Section%202%20-%20Specification%208025AN-02%20%28Technical%20Specification%29.pdf

Channel plan by mast

http://www.rte.ie/about/tenders/antennasystemfordtt/Section%203%20-%20Specification%208025AN-03%20-%20%20HRP-VRP%20requirement.pdf

I would advise a link to this very neat aerials page too

http://www.aerialsandtv.com/aerials.html

Sponge Bob

khumbu wrote: »

site coordinates listed here
http://www.rtenl.ie/tlc_currentsites.asp

There are some iffy ones there. One in virgin bog in Galway for example.

watty

Thanks bit more done. I shall re-read the docs I have.

Sponge Bob

watty wrote: »

Thanks bit more done. I shall re-read the docs I have.

And Forth Mountain is in Wexford not Wicklow.

tlaavtech

Waterford Ciy in-fills are:

22 (currently on-air), 25, 28 and 32. I am receiving on a horizontal pointed at Mt. Leinster, so I am assuing H, but the signal is so strong ... )

The name I refer to the site as is Carrigpherish, but I'm not sure if that is the name used in RTE.

EDIT: Approximate co-ordinates from Google earth: 52.262525, -7.113. Area is lo-res on Google, so I am doing it by memory - it may be a bit off.

watty

Fixed My Wicklow/Wexford Geography not good. I guessed looking at a pin on a Map

RTE don't seem to be 100% consistent on names.

Updated again http://www.techtir.ie/tv-radio/Irish-DTT-Sites

roverdublin

Hi,
does anybody know when Mount Gabriel in West Cork will be equipped with DTT?


They tent to forget the deep SouthWest!!

watty

watty wrote: »

Fixed My Wicklow/Wexford Geography not good. I guessed looking at a pin on a Map

RTE don't seem to be 100% consistent on names.

Updated again http://www.techtir.ie/tv-radio/Irish-DTT-Sites

My bearings aren't very good either.
From sponges rtenl link,the bearing of the arklow tx's main gain is 15 degree's ??
Is that east,south,West or what?

Also it doesn't say what power it is,only that it is vertical.

I can see the tx mast from my own aerial mast and would be approximately 2km's west/northwest of it as the crow flies.

9db gain,it seems low power ? Will I have to install quad group A's and a high gain masthead to receive it ?

I posted a picture of the arklow tx here

lucernarian

The skryne site is on or near the Hill of Tara, if I recall correctly there's some short mastwork with a few large microwave dishes on it. No TV transmission from it anyway. The navan one was to be located in or right beside the town if the initial DTT licence coverage maps were to be believed.

watty

There are a lot of blanks to fill in. Hopefully most sites running by June 2011

28 sites by Oct 2010 - 94.5% population coverage: Soft or Technical Launch of Saorview (see full article with estimated time line)

49 sites by Q2 2011 - 97.2% population coverage: Public Launch and Saorsat available

51 sites by Q4 2012 - 98% population coverage

Earlier list of 53 sites 11 main, 42 infill (pdf) . Some of the 51 may not correspond with the 53.

lucernarian

Where is Gallows Hill? Google maps gives me two suggestions, Kilkenny City and not too far from Skibbereen near the road to Cork.

watty

There are LOADs of Gallows Hills (One near Woodcock, Co. Clare, but channels are wrong) Guess why

lucernarian

Oh dear. Well hopefully there won't be too many Gallows Hills with a rusty lattice mast on top of them:D

Also, I see the Drogheda relay will have just south and west facing panels, which makes sense. But I fear the west-facing one will affect me enough to stop me receiving a Northern mux, particularly when the 2nd mux launches:( Though it does have a second set of muxes (same as Analogue Brougher Mtn) which won't affect anyone in the area.

roverdublin

This does not look very good for the deep south west!
Schull not on the teresttrial Digital roadmap, unless you go for Sat.

The Cush

roverdublin wrote: »

Hi,
does anybody know when Mount Gabriel in West Cork will be equipped with DTT?


They tent to forget the deep SouthWest!!

roverdublin wrote: »

This does not look very good for the deep south west!
Schull not on the teresttrial Digital roadmap, unless you go for Sat.

Is DTT from Mullaghanish available in the area? Even though analogue may not be available from there it may be possible DTT is, the signal is more robust and travels further.

Do remember we don't know where all the DTT site are yet?