Saorview Coverage Map Anomalies

Peddyr

Hmm.. Check this out lads. Go to http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/ and type in "Port Erin, Isle of Mann" (nearest location to mine that the coverage map recognises) and you'll be amazed at which Tx is suggested that I use. It must be pumping out some juice to reach here (which of course it isn't and cannot be received here)!!

Can this coverage map checker be trusted at all then? It ignores the nearest Txes and suggests Achill!! My SV comes from 3R/Kippure in actual fact. Just thought I'd enlighten you all to this anomaly and maybe even give you lads a laugh!

Anyone else getting way off the mark results with this?

Gerry Wicklow

Maybe some kind of island affinity?

watty

It uses Google. But the RTE TX info only works properly if the address is on the Island of Ireland. I think other non-Irish addresses can be strange.

I think it's supposed to work eventually with N.I. Post codes.

Peddyr

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Maybe some kind of island affinity?

Aye, maybe.

Gerry Wicklow

Big island off the west coast....

PressTheButton

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Maybe some kind of island affinity?

Island Affinity - More Proof:

http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/

Enter 'Tory Island'.....!

Good observation Gerry!

Peddyr

PressTheButton wrote: »

Island Affinity - More Proof:

http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/

Enter 'Tory Island'.....!

Good observation Gerry!

Think we're on to something here with the "Island Affinity" concept. Going to try Rathlin now...

Peddyr

Rathlin is covered by Moville so that theory is now scuppered!

Machinehead

When I zoom in real tight on my location I'm told "Search result: We're sorry. Saorview coverage is a challenge in your area". Sat here in front of my TV which says I've go 80% quality & 100% strength (Maghera):D:p

PressTheButton

Peddyr wrote: »

Anyone else getting way off the mark results with this?

Your neighbours picking up strong signal too.
Check out Anglesey Island, Wales, UK!

Peddyr

PressTheButton wrote: »

Your neighbours picking up strong signal too.
Check out Anglesey Island, Wales, UK!

From Clifden!

PressTheButton

Peddyr wrote: »

From Clifden!

Clifden Casla.

PressTheButton

Peddyr: Particular anomalies 'fixed'. Above UK examples when entered no longer return suggested Tx. Quick fix by RTÉ NL.

Peddyr

PressTheButton wrote: »

Peddyr: Particular anomalies 'fixed'. Above UK examples when entered no longer return suggested Tx. Quick fix by RTÉ NL.

Well isn't that a shame. Fun while it lasted!

reboot

Peddyr wrote: »

Well isn't that a shame. Fun while it lasted!

I'm sure I must be mistaken,but.
I have been seeing Cairn Hill muxs,on Ch 44 and 47 into Castlewellan Co.Down,but no great shakes sig wise,as you might expect,but a lockable picture sometimes.
Thinking Monaghan looks closer ,I checked on RTE NL DTT Coverage,and sure enough there are the details on the Tx.
Upon looking at MPEG 4 Ireland.com Saorview aerial setup,gone.Seems to be saying CC and no sign of a Tx in Monaghan,its not on the map?
Must be me?

Peter Rhea

reboot wrote: »

no sign of a Tx in Monaghan,its not on the map?

It's there alright, Saorview on UHF 55 & 59, horizontal polarisation.

It was never intended as a main transmitter so is not a particularly high site or mast & the digital transmissions don't seem to be overly powerful (I'm about 10 miles from Monaghan tx). Maybe RTE will eventually reveal the ERPs. . .

Your best bet in Castlewellan is just to wait for Clermont to reach its full coverage (the red areas on the RTE coverage checker).

lucernarian

Cairn Hill is far more powerful and the antennae will be designed to output this power across a very wide area. I would say that Cairn Hill has the largest coverage in sq. km of any TV transmitter in Ireland. Though Mt. Leinster VHF covers a goodly amount of Ireland, from Waterford to Kildare and as far west as Tipperary roughly.

In comparison, Monaghan/Lugad's designed to cover the immediate areas around north and central Monaghan and signal strength would fall more quickly as you move further away from Lugad than would be the case if you moved further away from Cairn Hill.

reboot

Peter Rhea wrote: »

It's there alright, Saorview on UHF 55 & 59, horizontal polarisation.

It was never intended as a main transmitter so is not a particularly high site or mast & the digital transmissions don't seem to be overly powerful (I'm about 10 miles from Monaghan tx). Maybe RTE will eventually reveal the ERPs. . .

Your best bet in Castlewellan is just to wait for Clermont to reach its full coverage (the red areas on the RTE coverage checker).

Thanks for the info,without ERP's I have been looking in the wrong direction ,it would seem.As for the Monaghan/map,I was confused by the fact that the Tx was on one map and not the other.
As discussed before on the threads,I am told Clermont will be nulled to the North,I can almost see it LOS,but no sig,until DSO UK is complete.This may not happen I am told until 2013.The reason pointed out is that it would infringe European regs regarding interference?
Perhaps Cairn Hill may be worth persuing in the meantime,for reasons posted above?

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Cairn Hill is far more powerful and the antennae will be designed to output this power across a very wide area. I would say that Cairn Hill has the largest coverage in sq. km of any TV transmitter in Ireland. Though Mt. Leinster VHF covers a goodly amount of Ireland, from Waterford to Kildare and as far west as Tipperary roughly.

In comparison, Monaghan/Lugad's designed to cover the immediate areas around north and central Monaghan and signal strength would fall more quickly as you move further away from Lugad than would be the case if you moved further away from Cairn Hill.

In that case do you think it worth persisting with Cairn Hill from Castlewellan,for reasons regarding Carn Tx posted above?
ie is the ERP likely to be increased soon ,or is this it?

lucernarian

Clermont Carn won't be nulled to the north by the time DSO comes around. Do you already enjoy analogue RTE from there? It's hard to keep track of your circumstances when you keep popping up in different threads:)

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Clermont Carn won't be nulled to the north by the time DSO comes around. Do you already enjoy analogue RTE from there? It's hard to keep track of your circumstances when you keep popping up in different threads:)

If popping up in different threads is a bad thing ,then I apologise.I learn a lot that way.
Essientialy I am only discussing two locations in S.Down,with a variety of Dx problems at present and looking to the future and solutions.
In Annalong it seems nigh on impossible for me to receive Ch50 HD from IOM."Help with Freeview from across the sea to S.Down."C Carn nulled to me ,but seeing 3 rock or Kippure DTT.Thread,pretty much exhausted,on my part but I learned a lot.
Second location outside Castlewellan,receiving Analouge C Carn and Camlough.Some channels still 4.3 aspect ratio.Recently seeing DVB-T from Cairn Hill on Ch 44 and 47,weak but a locked picture sometimes,with little height availably at that location.
Can't just find the posting which seemed to be saying CC nulled to North until after UK DSO,but I don't think I imagined it?
Main thing I have learned from the IOM and HD TX has been the following.Just because I was seeing Freeview SD since last Oct,at DSO,with Sig strength and quality 100%,does not mean that I will necessarily receive HD at all.
So a word of caution in this instance would seem to suggest waiting for SO in your area,and not assuming that because you can look out the windown and see the source of the TX,perhaps low ERP,I accept,does not mean you should spend on an HD box or new HD Tele. RTE no problem,not even an Amp required.Ch 54 and 58.
Sorry if this rambles a bit, but hard to get it all on one thread at one time,when I don't have use of a broadband computer very often.

lucernarian

I know of the null from actually seeing the original DTT antenna stack on the mast (I think there are photos of it from a few years ago), the RTENL rollout plans for each of the 3 commercial multiplex bidders about 4 years ago, to a certain degree from talking to RTÉ directly about Clermont Carn and finally the significant amount of Northern Ireland that is marked as being in Saorview coverage from the end of 2012 here: http://coverage.rtenl.ie/index.php

I know there is a power increase expected at 2012, I don't know for certain if the DTT antennae have been replaced with more omnidirectional (Ignoring the null towards Wales) antennae yet. But places that enjoy good Clermont Carn analogue, will get Saorview, it'll just take a little longer than the other Saorview sites around the country. Anywhere that can basically see Clermont Carn from a window will certainly enjoy Saorview at switchover, with the right aerial.

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I know of the null from actually seeing the original DTT antenna stack on the mast (I think there are photos of it from a few years ago), the RTENL rollout plans for each of the 3 commercial multiplex bidders about 4 years ago, to a certain degree from talking to RTÉ directly about Clermont Carn and finally the significant amount of Northern Ireland that is marked as being in Saorview coverage from the end of 2012 here: http://coverage.rtenl.ie/index.php

I know there is a power increase expected at 2012, I don't know for certain if the DTT antennae have been replaced with more omnidirectional (Ignoring the null towards Wales) antennae yet. But places that enjoy good Clermont Carn analogue, will get Saorview, it'll just take a little longer than the other Saorview sites around the country. Anywhere that can basically see Clermont Carn from a window will certainly enjoy Saorview at switchover, with the right aerial.

Very happy with all that and many thanks for your input.The way things
stand here at the Analong location are very good and certainly well ahead of expectations of a year or even six months ago,with very little spent on gear.
Isle of Mann Freeview (Lite) 0n Ch 43 and 46,good steady pictures.No HD.
3 Rock /Kippure RTE 2 HD and Future Services in HD,Ch 54 and 58.Good steady pictures.
Not forgetting the excellent radio services,RTE Gold and Choice ,and radio 4,which is not available on FM.
Very good RTE Dab signal,with the only radio source of BBC world on RTE Choice.Shame on you BBC.May have to strike that last comment.

lucernarian

I thought you eventually got the BBC HD multiplex working on Ch. 50 after adjusting the aerial?

reboot

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

I thought you eventually got the BBC HD multiplex working on Ch. 50 after adjusting the aerial?

Moving the aerial off pan by about 5 degrees did improve HD reception and it stayed a bit longer,but was not reliable.Some evenings Caldbeck would romp in,and I was moved to try the Group A/H with fantastic results during the recent high pressure lift.It also then vanished ,the hope being the good HD signal on Ch 30,well away from others.
They used to say working in transmitters could drive you mad,they should try this end.
I think the clue lies in the thread title"Across the sea to S.Down"?

L1011

PressTheButton wrote: »

Island Affinity - More Proof:

http://www.saorview.ie/make-the-switch/coverage-checker/coverage-map/

Enter 'Tory Island'.....!

Good observation Gerry!

Still returns an island - just the correct one this time