Divis S1/S2 antenna installation underway

Sam the Aerialman

Just a quick post and few photos of the antenna installation that's currently underway at Divis. The 12 tier S1 stack and the 6x 12 tier wrap round S2 antenna are currently on the ground. The work is being undertaken by Babcock Networks who have been responsible for the work at Brougher and Limavady.

http://s663.photobucket.com/albums/uu358/AerialServices/Divis%20-%20June%208/

lucernarian

About time! Has the helicopter lift already gone ahead?

Rick_

Do we know when work is expected to be finished on Divis? Tis a pity that no matter when they finish, the signal won't be improved or strengthened for another year and few months at least.

Sam the Aerialman

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

About time! Has the helicopter lift already gone ahead?

No it hasn't - Mike Stewart of Babcock Networks says no helicopter lift is planned for and this is due in part to the height of the mast. The jib pole is erected up 1 face and will lift both antennas into place. I'm currently following up inquiries to see if access to site is allowed to take a better set of photos but sadly it
appears Arqiva have spat the dummy out and have refused.

I would estimate that over the next week this work will be complete weather compliant of course. There will be a feeder pull required, new DTT combiner built with rigid feeders and the transmitter installation at a later stage. The only thing is this work may all be completed in 1 whack, due in part to the mark 1 mast requiring work, the new mast will be brought into action relatively quickly to maintain service levels. The extra gain factor of that antenna might improve reception in marginal areas certainly this was reported at other sites that followed the same process.

reboot

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

No it hasn't - Mike Stewart of Babcock Networks says no helicopter lift is planned for and this is due in part to the height of the mast. The jib pole is erected up 1 face and will lift both antennas into place. I'm currently following up inquiries to see if access to site is allowed to take a better set of photos but sadly it
appears Arqiva have spat the dummy out and have refused.

I would estimate that over the next week this work will be complete weather compliant of course. There will be a feeder pull required, new DTT combiner built with rigid feeders and the transmitter installation at a later stage. The only thing is this work may all be completed in 1 whack, due in part to the mark 1 mast requiring work, the new mast will be brought into action relatively quickly to maintain service levels. The extra gain factor of that antenna might improve reception in marginal areas certainly this was reported at other sites that followed the same process.

Am I seeing a Digital signal from camlough?

Peter Rhea

reboot wrote: »

Am I seeing a Digital signal from camlough?

What UHF channel, does it display any services carried (off topic, again)?

reboot

Peter Rhea wrote: »

What UHF channel, does it display any services carried (off topic, again)?

Sorry on both counts,not at that location,will have to get back to you,only carrier,if anything detected.
I think Sam has mentioned Newry/Camlough recently,but perhaps wrt Dab.

Sam the Aerialman

reboot wrote: »

Sorry on both counts,not at that location,will have to get back to you,only carrier,if anything detected.
I think Sam has mentioned Newry/Camlough recently,but perhaps wrt Dab.

There would certainly be no digital carrier from Camlough. Yes it will be DAB that the Camlough relay will broadcast shortly.

Are they trade testing any additional frequencies in the south for a second multiplex, i heard from someone inside RFS that they had been contracted to supply kit to "test signal robustness" and additional frequencies for DTT services. I know for a fact work was undertaken by RFS and their contractor at Clermont Carn but to what end is unclear.

Mayo Exile

Sam the Aerialman wrote: »

There would certainly be no digital carrier from Camlough. Yes it will be DAB that the Camlough relay will broadcast shortly.

Are they trade testing any additional frequencies in the south for a second multiplex, i heard from someone inside RFS that they had been contracted to supply kit to "test signal robustness" and additional frequencies for DTT services. I know for a fact work was undertaken by RFS and their contractor at Clermont Carn but to what end is unclear.

Channel 57 is now active from Clermont Carn. Just a signal, no stations yet. Due to carry RTE2 HD from September.

Sam the Aerialman

Mayo Exile wrote: »

Channel 57 is now active from Clermont Carn. Just a signal, no stations yet. Due to carry RTE2 HD from September.

Thanks that explains the errant multiplex i was picking up on the analyzer.