UK Freeview Reception issues in Drogheda

R.O.R

Wondering if any of the kind experts can shed some light on the issue I'm having?

I have a roof mounted aerial that's always been a bit patchy for reception of the UK analogue channels. BBC1 was pretty good, BBC2 was sometimes perfect, sometimes unwatchable due to snow. UTV has always been more or less unwatchable (and causes the TV to freeze) and C4 comes and goes with the weather.

I have a Finlux SAO634 box connected to the aerial (aerial seems amplified in the attic, then signal is split 5 ways for the rest of TV points). This is picking up the IRL Digital channels perfectly on channel 53 (Clermont Carn I guess) with 100% quality and circa 95% strength.

Based on other posts in this forum I should be able to pick up the UK Freeview from one of the following channels. Did a bit of testing last night and got the following results:

Channel 27 - Nothing, nada, nowt. No signal coming in
Channel 45 - 0% quality. Strength flicking between 0% and circa 75%
Channel 59 - 0% quality. Strength flicking between 0% and circa 75%

I'm guessing there should be a stable signal coming from either 45 or 59?

Haven't a clue what type of aerial I have and it was too dark last night to even see it. Best I could gather is that it's pointing in a Northern direction.

Any ideas on what can be done to receive the UK channels? I will be totally lost without BBC after the 24th

Are there any further tests I can do to gather more info that will get to the bottom of this issue, or can someone PM me the details of a local installer who can sort it?

Thanks.

Peter Rhea

Is the signal quality equally bad at all tv points?

Your description of UK analogue reception doesn't exactly seem like what would be delivered by a healthy aerial system.

R.O.R

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Is the signal quality equally bad at all tv points?

Your description of UK analogue reception doesn't exactly seem like what would be delivered by a healthy aerial system.

Quality is equally as bad for all TV's in the house on Anologue, but I will only need the aerial for one TV. I might try plugging that one TV straigh in to the Amp and bypass the splitter tomorrow, see if that give any better picture.

We were told it was a bad area for reception when the aerial was installed (about 6 years ago), but the in-laws are roughly 1km away (as the crow flies) and they have perfect reception for all channels (they were picking up all UK Freeview channels a couple of months ago). We are probably at a slightly lower elevation, but only 20ft max.

Poor Aerial install perhaps?

*Edit*
Based on a great idea from b318isp in another thread (who seems to be having a very similar issue), here is a google map image of my aerial. Seems to be the same for other houses that are nearby.

big mce

Your aerial is adjusted to vertical polarity, Divis is horizontal. Also you are using a grid which isn't ideal as you are trying to receive signals from two different transmitters. Ideally you would have a grouped aerial (See hirschmann in other threads) for Belfast, then use your current grid for the Irish channels. The last time I was in Drogheda there was approximately a 10-30 degree difference in the direction the grid is pointed and the direction the Grouped aerial is pointed.

R.O.R

big mce wrote: »

Your aerial is adjusted to vertical polarity, Divis is horizontal. Also you are using a grid which isn't ideal as you are trying to receive signals from two different transmitters. Ideally you would have a grouped aerial (See hirschmann in other threads) for Belfast, then use your current grid for the Irish channels. The last time I was in Drogheda there was approximately a 10-30 degree difference in the direction the grid is pointed and the direction the Grouped aerial is pointed.

Guessing it's new/upgrade aerial time then

Anyone any recommendations for a decent supplier in Drogheda? PM if not allowed by charter.

Thanks,

Mullaghteelin

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Your description of UK analogue reception doesn't exactly seem like what would be delivered by a healthy aerial system.

My thoughts too.
If the aerial was working properly there shouldn't be a HUGE difference in performance in the different analogue channels from the same transmitter. For instance, if BBC 1 is fine, UTV shouldn't be MUCH weaker.
I suspect improving/upgrading the cable feeds and amps may work wonders in this case... assuming the trouble isn't being caused by the aerial pointing into trees, etc. It can be suprising how tv reception can deteriorate over the years from weather-worn coax cables.

Also, the aerial was probably erected for reception of Kilkeel (currently on ch45), so there is no point investing in an expensive new aerial for Divis unless its certain Divis is possible, and Kilkeel has been ruled out.

In Balbriggan, I can report that a little old contract aerial and lossy cable feed which provided underwhelming Kilkeel analogue reception now has a great freeview signal.

lennymc

im using an aerial in the attic and can pick up saorview (Clermont Cairn) and (what i'm assuming) is kilkeel with no problems. My aerial is this one (i think). Analogue signal was fairly non existent before hand. I didnt adjust the aerial after the 10th, just did a rescan and picked up the BBC channels.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/tri-fold-43-element-high-gain-digital-tv-aerial-221128

Im based on the southside, and am higher than martello tower.

R.O.R

Mullaghteelin wrote: »

My thoughts too.
If the aerial was working properly there shouldn't be a HUGE difference in performance in the different analogue channels from the same transmitter. For instance, if BBC 1 is fine, UTV shouldn't be MUCH weaker.
I suspect improving/upgrading the cable feeds and amps may work wonders in this case... assuming the trouble isn't being caused by the aerial pointing into trees, etc. It can be suprising how tv reception can deteriorate over the years from weather-worn coax cables.

Also, the aerial was probably erected for reception of Kilkeel (currently on ch45), so there is no point investing in an expensive new aerial for Divis unless its certain Divis is possible, and Kilkeel has been ruled out.

In Balbriggan, I can report that a little old contract aerial and lossy cable feed which provided underwhelming Kilkeel analogue reception now has a great freeview signal.

You think a bit of tidying up in the attic should be my first port of call? I do think the cable into the splitter for this TV is fairly loose. Any movement in the attic usually results in a total loss of picture just on this TV. It's usually the only one we use for terrestrial, but the one in the Kitchen (that gets turned on once in a blue moon) has a worse picture than this. Suspect the 6 way splitter (which is actually a amplified thing from homebase) might not be helping the issue.

Will try that tomorrow and report back. Cheaper option than aerial upgrade anyway.

Cheers.

big mce

Actually looking at the photo, the lid of your amplifier looks to be open. Might be water in your system?

R.O.R

big mce wrote: »

Actually looking at the photo, the lid of your amplifier looks to be open. Might be water in your system?

Reception has got even worse recently, but as I don't have a ladder and even if I did, I'd probably fall off it, that's not great news to hear.

reslfj

R.O.R wrote: »

...I have a roof mounted aerial that's always been a bit patchy for reception of the UK analogue channels. BBC1 was pretty good, BBC2 was sometimes perfect, sometimes unwatchable due to snow. UTV has always been more or less unwatchable (and causes the TV to freeze) and C4 comes and goes with the weather.

Which UHF channels do (for BBC 2 did) you receive analogue UK channels?
Here is a list of the channels, from where do you receive analogue now? - maybe some from each?

Camlough analogue  58  64  61  54   digital  59  55  50   500W
Kilkeel  analogue  39  45  29  42   digital  45  42  39+  400W

Now both Camlough ch 59 and Kilkeel ch 45 have a relative more robust digital signal compared to the earlier analogue BBC2 signal. From the 24. this will also be the case for channel 55, 50 and 42, 39+ from these TX sites.

R.O.R wrote: »

I'm guessing there should be a stable signal coming from either 45 or 59?
Haven't a clue what type of aerial I have ....

This should be possible with this type of aerial - if your installation is otherwise OK.

Your aerial type seems to be OK, but you should inspect it, the cables, amps, splitters - all the way to your box.
I think, it is more like this type - turned 90 deg for vertical signals ((c)Triax UK web)


Can you borrow another box and test it ? How is ch 45 (or 59) received in the houses around you?

If you buy a new box - be sure to get a Freeview HD model for the UK HD channels (on UHF ch 39+ or 50)

R.O.R wrote: »

Reception has got even worse recently, but as I don't have a ladder and even if I did, I'd probably fall off it, that's not great news to hear.

If you do get a ladder, the first thing to do is to increase your life insurance - so a least your wife can live happily ever after.
But maybe calling an aerial installer would be much better. He has instruments and is already insured.

Take a closer look at the big trees on the picture of your house and aerial - had the changing (analogue) signal quality any relation to summer/winter? or sun/rain ?

Lars

R.O.R

Quick Update.

I unplugged the splitter and plugged the cable straight in to the aerial amp. I actually got a slighlty worse analogue signal doing it that way, so the 6 way (amplified) splitter is actually doing something. With a bit of moving of the coax in the attic I managed to get a bit of a better picture than I'd had so left it at that.

Last night I decided to see if there was any change to channel 45 (where I guess I should be picking up BBC from?) but accidently put in 42 which popped up as 100% quality and 77% strength, so did a full re-scan and I'm now getting:

UTV, E4, More 4 etc. and 2 sets of Saorview, but still not picking up any of the BBC channels.

I've read elsewhere on the forum that there is a possibility of interference on channel 45 from the analogue signal, which should rectify on the 7th November.

Based on the fact I'm now getting some Freeview channels, does anyone think it sounds like interference for the BBC channels?

While I'm delighted to be getting UTV and Channel 4 with a decent signal, Daybreak is not a patch on BBC Breakfast news to drink my morning cuppa to.

lucernarian

Given what you've described so far, you need someone to come in and look at the installation! Or at the very least do a crash course with books or online on how to wire up TV cables, what kind of cable to use and how to handle it (like not bending it too much) etc. or amplifier use.

But it does look like the amplifier on the aerial is exposed to the rain, which would make it worse than useless. Even wiring a new, unbroken cable direct from the aerial to the TV would probably work much better.

One name that springs to mind for aerial installers in the area is Falcon Aerials I think.

R.O.R

To_be_confirmed wrote: »

Given what you've described so far, you need someone to come in and look at the installation! Or at the very least do a crash course with books or online on how to wire up TV cables, what kind of cable to use and how to handle it (like not bending it too much) etc. or amplifier use.

But it does look like the amplifier on the aerial is exposed to the rain, which would make it worse than useless. Even wiring a new, unbroken cable direct from the aerial to the TV would probably work much better.

One name that springs to mind for aerial installers in the area is Falcon Aerials I think.

If I was still getting nothing but Saorview channels I'd agree with you, but getting perfect pictures for the Channel 4 and UTV channels makes me think that the cabling is good enough to bring a signal through to the box, but there is definately some other issue.

I must be picking up Channel 42 from either Kilkeel or Rostrevor. Looking at a map it looks more likely to be Rostrevor as that's the closest NI transmitter to Clermont Cairn in my line of sight. Why I'm not picking up the same strong (77%) robust signal on Channels 39 and 45 has me puzzled.

If I had nothing but Saorview I would have bit the bullet and got a pro in, now I have faint hope that I'll get BBC without having to spend a cent.

Peter Rhea

Firstly, I'll just once again mention the dodgy looking box pictured on the aerial mast, that has already been referred to by others.

Secondly, do you have any Sky boxes or other equipment in your distribution system?

R.O.R

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Firstly, I'll just once again mention the dodgy looking box pictured on the aerial mast, that has already been referred to by others.

Secondly, do you have any Sky boxes or other equipment in your distribution system?

The dodgy looking box on the mast doesn't look as dodgy now as it did in that picture. Doesn't look like it's open, but it may have just blown back over but not be firmly closed.

We have 2 Sky boxes downstairs, and the main one was still plugged in to the aerial and I have a funny feeling I had the out lead plugged back in to the aerial system.

Just removed both aerial cables from the back of the box and will check again.

lucernarian

R.O.R wrote: »

If I was still getting nothing but Saorview channels I'd agree with you, but getting perfect pictures for the Channel 4 and UTV channels makes me think that the cabling is good enough to bring a signal through to the box, but there is definately some other issue.

I must be picking up Channel 42 from either Kilkeel or Rostrevor. Looking at a map it looks more likely to be Rostrevor as that's the closest NI transmitter to Clermont Cairn in my line of sight. Why I'm not picking up the same strong (77%) robust signal on Channels 39 and 45 has me puzzled.

If I had nothing but Saorview I would have bit the bullet and got a pro in, now I have faint hope that I'll get BBC without having to spend a cent.

It just doesn't work like that. Rostrevor is used to cover a few square miles and has nothing like the range of Kilkeel. And if you read through the threads on the forum, you'll see the only report of Rostrevor reception so far is from someone in Cooley.

What you said about the cabling is simply isn't true I'm afraid, unless there's already top-grade cable being used. And that doesn't tell us how well the plugs or any joins in the cable are wired.

Some channels will be received better than others from the exact same broadcasting site, by the one aerial. For analogue reception from Kilkeel, BBC2 and CH4 probably had the best reception in my house while BBC1 would be much snowier than the others.

Now with digital reception, all it takes is a slightly worse signal for one to go from appearing perfect to having breakup and interference.

Also if the amp box was opened at one point and subsequently closed over, there could still be damage caused by ongoing corrosion from the time. More importantly unless it was properly closed up and sealed shut, it was probably still allowing water into the box.

Finally, having the aerial system going through a sky box first will add an extra thing the signal has to go through (along with extra cable to and from the box) and removing that even as a temporary measure may help.

larchill

I'm on the north side of Drogheda, & I'm using my aerial which is pointed towards Clermont Cairn for Saorview to receive both ch 42(UTV, CH4, CH5, More 4, etc), & 45(BBC1 2 3 4, BBC News, CBBC, CBeebies, etc) from Kilkeel. You should be able to receive Kilkeel on that aerial!

R.O.R

Unplugged everything from the back of the Sky box downstairs and it hasn't made any difference.

Think I'll wait until after the 9th November when the possible interference issue is due to be resolved and if there is no improvement after that then I'll call a pro in.

In-Laws just up the road installed their Saorview box yesterday and they are picking up all the channels from Divis so it probably is just a crappy aerial. Wasn't a great install to begin with, but just seems like a lot of work for only 1 TV that doesn't even get a lot of use (20 mins in the morning, 30 mins at night).

Thanks for all the input.

emmetlyons

Aerial should be fine i have a grid aerial in south of drogheda (grange rath) which i set up in the attic nd recieves all the stations from kilkeel nd claremount carn with no problems even with going through the tiles nd trees behind me can have a look at it for ya if ya want

R.O.R

Turned on this morning to a message that the standby scan identified that the BBC channels were no longer available and did I want to remove them.

Said no and flicked through the channels. All info was there when I went through, but no sound or picture. Checked signal level and was flickering as usual on C45. Left it a few minutes and checked again, and all BBC channels (Freeview lite) were there, signal steady on C45 at 100% quality and 80% strength.

Have a feeling I won't keep the BBC channels and the good reception this morning is more to do with the current weather conditions than anything else.

Peter Rhea

R.O.R wrote: »

. . . the good reception this morning is more to do with the current weather conditions than anything else.

Doubt it. All the evidence points to a problem with your aerial system. Only effect the good weather will have is stop the exposed amplifier on the aerial mast getting wet.

emmetlyons

R.O.R wrote: »

If I was still getting nothing but Saorview channels I'd agree with you, but getting perfect pictures for the Channel 4 and UTV channels makes me think that the cabling is good enough to bring a signal through to the box, but there is definately some other issue.

I must be picking up Channel 42 from either Kilkeel or Rostrevor. Looking at a map it looks more likely to be Rostrevor as that's the closest NI transmitter to Clermont Cairn in my line of sight. Why I'm not picking up the same strong (77%) robust signal on Channels 39 and 45 has me puzzled.

If I had nothing but Saorview I would have bit the bullet and got a pro in, now I have faint hope that I'll get BBC without having to spend a cent.

You wont get anything on 39 from kilkeel with the box you have as the stations on ch39 are broadcast in dvbt2 (all uk hd channels are broadcast in dvbt2 and standard definition are broadcast in dvbt )

noelo

anyone any issues in dublin 15?????? mines completely out the last 3 days even after a retune, dish looks fine, saorview works fine on my aerial, i use a combi box. All help very welcome, no telly for christmas bugger!!!!

FREETV

Down with my almost eighty year old Dad earlier in Trim and he was annoyed/disappointed now that one of his favourite channels Quest is not receivable, it says zero quality for Ch. 23 on his Metronic Freeview HD box and he is missing lots of stations because of the stupid idea of RTENL using CH.23 for Mount Leinster. It boggles the mind and I don't care or want to hear about there not being enough frequencies available, they should just change Mount Leinster to another channel and keep in touch with Digital UK and only allocate other stations which will not cause co-channel interference in future. He asked me why RTENL would use the same channel frequency so I had to tell him the reason obviously. Typical stupid assways way of doing things in Ireland. Amateurs. I don't want to hear about Divis being an outside of the R.O.I territory either as lots of people want to watch Quest in Meath and they should just change to another bloody channel. I doubt it if checking or changing his set up will help much. Happy Christmas everybody regardless of this warranted rant. I am annoyed for him. Two metre long log periodics in an array or lead sheets perhaps may help.

L1011

noelo wrote: »

anyone any issues in dublin 15?????? mines completely out the last 3 days even after a retune, dish looks fine, saorview works fine on my aerial, i use a combi box. All help very welcome, no telly for christmas bugger!!!!

Dish? You have freesat not freeview, and you don't get localised issues on satellite - the issue is with your equipment.

FREETV

noelo wrote: »

anyone any issues in dublin 15?????? mines completely out the last 3 days even after a retune, dish looks fine, saorview works fine on my aerial, i use a combi box. All help very welcome, no telly for christmas bugger!!!!

Your dish may have a poor quality Chinese made clamp that bends in a bit of a gale and has gone out of alignment, or a water logged cable, loose connectors, dodgy LNB unfortunately. I had to change my Dad's clamp for him, the dish would move a few times every year and would drive him batty.

Gonzo

FREETV wrote: »

Down with my almost eighty year old Dad earlier in Trim and he was annoyed/disappointed now that one of his favourite channels Quest is not receivable, it says zero quality for Ch. 23 on his Metronic Freeview HD box and he is missing lots of stations because of the stupid idea of RTENL using CH.23 for Mount Leinster. It boggles the mind and I don't care or want to hear about there not being enough frequencies available, they should just change Mount Leinster to another channel and keep in touch with Digital UK and only allocate other stations which will not cause co-channel interference in future. He asked me why RTENL would use the same channel frequency so I had to tell him the reason obviously. Typical stupid assways way of doing things in Ireland. Amateurs. I don't want to hear about Divis being an outside of the R.O.I territory either as lots of people want to watch Quest in Meath and they should just change to another bloody channel. I doubt it if checking or changing his set up will help much. Happy Christmas everybody regardless of this warranted rant. I am annoyed for him. Two metre long log periodics in an array or lead sheets perhaps may help.

totally agree with the above. Missing some decent channels from channel 23 like 5* and 5USA and ITV3 which is very annoying.

Ronnie Raygun

Rubbish. Even within Northern Ireland, the commercial multiplexes aren't entitled to anywhere near the same protection as the PSBs. And not just from other countries' broadcasts: see the com. frequency allocations at Brougher Mtn., co-channel with the Divis PSBs & very limited in power.

s4dd

Hi all,

Same issues as above - my mother's combibox (located between Drogheda and Dundalk) working fine up until a few days before Christmas only to have a bunch of her favorites come up as "no signal" for the holiday break.

After a few re-tunes with no joy, thought it might be the wind messing with the positioning of the dish - so up on the roof with me, only to find it bolted 10 times into the chimney - I could pretty much swing out of the thing without it budging.

So if I understand it, there are issues with conflicting highpoints/masts from here in the Republic and the UK? (excuse my ignorance in this domain!). I tried to call the provider who installed the dish for some pointers etc. but it seems they're still closed for the break.

Would anyone be able to tell me (so I can relay to me ma!) is there anything that can be done to get her faves back or are we now stuck in the dark ages of no "True Entertainment"

watty

A dish will work even on the ground if it has a view of the satellite. About elevation 22.5 Degrees from South East and 22,000 miles away.

s4dd

watty wrote: »

A dish will work even on the ground if it has a view of the satellite. About elevation 22.5 Degrees from South East and 22,000 miles away.

Thanks Watty,

Had a good read up on the subject and of the documentation on the combi-box - only getting signal quality of 10% on the appropriate astra 2 channels. I guess it'll be back up on the roof tomorrow for some jiggling. I still don't understand how the signal quality has dropped so sharply on some of the channels at the same time as others on this board.