Signal Problems - Reception of Brougher Mountain near Cavan

danm14

I am located near Cavan, and I have been having trouble with reception of Freeview from Brougher Mountain. Below is the signal strength and quality of the 7 Freeview multiplexes (and the 2 Saorview multiplexes from Cairn Hill) which I am receiving right now, while the weather is good.

Freeview - Brougher Mountain
Multiplex|Channel No.|Signal Strength (%)|Signal Quality (%)
PSB1|28|95|100
PSB2|22|96|100
PSB3|25|97|100
COM4|21|90|81
COM5|24|92|100
COM6|27|78|8 (no breakup despite low quality)
NIMM|30|100|100


Saorview - Cairn Hill
Multiplex|Channel No.|Signal Strength (%)|Signal Quality (%)
2RN1|47|100|100
2RN2|44|100|100


The problems are as follows:
In good weather (no rain or wind), all channels are receivable with no blockiness etc, as seen above.

In bad weather (wind, rain etc.), the signal quality on the COM4 multiplex always increases to 100%. The signal quality on either the COM5 or COM6 multiplex, but NEVER both, always reduces to 0%. If COM5 reduces to 0%, COM6 increases to around 50%. If COM6 reduces to 0%, COM5 reduces to
around 50%.

I understand this is weird, however my TV does not seem to be faulty, as the signal strength and quality are always similar on the other TVs in the house.

Does anyone have any advice on what could be at fault, or whether this problem can be rectified and if so, how? I would also like to know why the NIMM multiplex is always 100% strength and quality despite it being the weakest signal broadcast from Brougher Mountain.

I should add that with the same aerial setup and television, previous to switchover, despite the broadcasts being between 2 and 40 times weaker depending on the multiplex, I could receive all 6 of the multiplexes with little or no disruption to the picture, even in the worst weather conditions.

Thank you for your help.

Thurston?

Brougher com. muxes, as well as being on considerably less power than the PSBs, are co-channel with the PSB muxes from the Divis transmitter in Belfast, so you could be getting interference from there. The NImux uses more robust, lower bitrate transmission parameters than any of the other muxes, making it easier for the receiver to decode a noisier signal, & show a good quality reading.

I wouldn't read too much into the seeming weather-related effects, unless you think there might be water getting in somewhere or, the aerial or cables are moving excessively in wind, maybe worsening an already dodgy connection.

It might be possible to sort the com. mux problems with some aerial work, maximising the Brougher signal, while minimising Divis, if Divis is indeed a factor.

Galway

danm14 wrote: »

\
Freeview - Brougher Mountain
Multiplex|Channel No.|Signal Strength (%)|Signal Quality (%)
PSB1|28|95|100
PSB2|22|96|100
PSB3|25|97|100
COM4|21|90|81
COM5|24|92|100
COM6|27|78|8 (no breakup despite low quality)
NIMM|30|100|100


Saorview - Cairn Hill
Multiplex|Channel No.|Signal Strength (%)|Signal Quality (%)
2RN1|47|100|100
2RN2|44|100|100


\.

PSB 2 and 3 are also co-channel with Castlebar which although on just 2 kw ERP reaches well beyond its intended service area and can be received all the way down to Galway without a masthead amp.