Can I get UK Freeview in Clogherhead?

CRM Ireland

I have freesat, but was wondering if its possible to pickup the UK Freeview service from Clogherhead, and if so, what kind of antenna would I need?

Peter Rhea

After switchover (starts in NI October 10th), you should certainly be able to receive Freeview from the Kilkeel transmitter, but only the 'public service' channels.

For the full Freeview service, you'll need to be able to pick up the Divis transmitter (Belfast) & I'm not sure if that will be possible where you are. The aerial you need will depend on which transmitter you go for & what the signal is like at your location.

CRM Ireland

Peter Rhea wrote: »

After switchover (starts in NI October 10th), you should certainly be able to receive Freeview from the Kilkeel transmitter, but only the 'public service' channels.

For the full Freeview service, you'll need to be able to pick up the Divis transmitter (Belfast) & I'm not sure if that will be possible where you are. The aerial you need will depend on which transmitter you go for & what the signal is like at your location.

What do you mean by 'public service' channels?

The Cush

CRM Ireland wrote: »

What do you mean by 'public service' channels?

See the list of channels available from the Kilkeel transmitter in Oct here - http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=IJ281180

FREETV

CRM Ireland wrote: »

I have freesat, but was wondering if its possible to pickup the UK Freeview service from Clogherhead, and if so, what kind of antenna would I need?

I would be pretty confident that you will be able to receive all of the multiplexes from Divis on October 24 depending on how high you are above sea level, otherwise a tall rooftop mast, a very high gain Group A aerial and a very low noise masthead amp with a good boost would be needed to receive the stations from the Divis transmitter. A Group A Triax Unix 100 or the equivalent should suffice. I wouldn't use any satellite cable of a lower spec than Webro WF100.

Ronnie Raygun

Once you go outside of the protected service area of those transmitters, there's no guarantee you'll get even a half reliable service. There's a lot of potential for co-channel interference on the east coast & it's no coincidence that Kilkeel has been given a power rating 4 times higher than the norm for analogue to digital conversion.

stam

I see the switchover starts october 10th does this mean it will be on full power from then or do we have to wait till the 24th october

FREETV

stam wrote: »

I see the switchover starts october 10th does this mean it will be on full power from then or do we have to wait till the 24th october

Hi, only the BBCA Multiplex on channel 27 will be on full power on Oct 10th, the rest will be on full power on the 24th.

mrdtv2010

Clogherhead can receive good analogue from Divis as I recall so it should work on 24th October. The new Divis B mast radiates at 100kW ERP with an omnidirectional antenna at least for the PSB multiplexes, it is also slightly taller than the old Divis A mast.

mrdtv2010

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

Once you go outside of the protected service area of those transmitters, there's no guarantee you'll get even a half reliable service. There's a lot of potential for co-channel interference on the east coast & it's no coincidence that Kilkeel has been given a power rating 4 times higher than the norm for analogue to digital conversion.

This is to counter interference from Moel-y-Parc in the primary Kilkeel service area which is shielded from the East Coast of ROI. In addition Mount Leinster is changing channels so there may in fact be less interference along the Eastern seaboard but we'll see very soon.

Ronnie Raygun

I was thinking of CCI from across the water as far as reception of Kilkeel in the OP's area is concerned. Mt. L. will now be co-channel with Divis SDN mux.

Gary The Gamer

My apartment in Dublin has an aerial feed that I assume is on the roof that gets all the NI channels in great quality so it will be interesting to see what happens with the switchover. What transmitter would they be likely getting it from?

FREETV

Gary The Gamer wrote: »

My apartment in Dublin has an aerial feed that I assume is on the roof that gets all the NI channels in great quality so it will be interesting to see what happens with the switchover. What transmitter would they be likely getting it from?

Well Divis analogue transmits on Channels 21 24 27 and 31. TG4 is on 59 but a local service as far as I remember. Try to check the channel numbers on your set. Divis Freeview should be flying in for you on October 10th and October 24th if that is the Transmitter the aerial is pointed towards. If it is horizontally mounted on the mast then it is receiving from Divis outside Belfast. Vertical is for Kilkeel.

Peter Rhea

Gary The Gamer wrote: »

My apartment in Dublin has an aerial feed that I assume is on the roof that gets all the NI channels in great quality ... What transmitter would they be likely getting it from?

How many channels? It might be the output from satellite receivers modulated onto UHF analogue channels. As mentioned already, if you can identify the UHF channel nos. used, the transmitter (terrestrial or otherwise) can be identified.

Gary The Gamer

UTV is on 62 and C4 is on 64. I have sky news and film4 as well I think.

Peter Rhea

Those channels aren't being received from a terrestrial transmitter. Some kind of cable system, maybe in-house fed from satellite receivers.