Loss of Freeview (UK) DTT just outside of Dundalk

holidaysong

Hi all

My parents have lost the Freeview channels on both of their TVs in the last couple of months in a rural location west of Dundalk. They've been picking up Freeview from Divis with no problems since it's launch.

A retune is bringing back no signal at all, so it's not related to a change in channels. I haven't been able to find anything about a change in signal strengths online but just posting to see if anyone is aware of any other Divis changes in the last couple of months that might be the cause, or otherwise I'll assume it's an aerial / cable issue, as it's the most obvious issue.

The nearest neighbours they've asked are using satellite for their UK channels, so I don't have anything reliable to know that the signal itself is still fine in the area.

The aerial is in a very high and awkward location, so trying to eliminate other issues as much as I can before biting the bullet.

Thanks.

doney84

South of Dundalk myself and picking up Divis without any issues. Sounds like it is an aerial/cable problem.

Antenna

Reception disappeared abruptly, or was there breaking up reception before disappearing altogether???

Nearby lightning strikes can cause masthead amplifiers to fail, which might be a cause of abrupt loss.

And have you tried a different power supply unit (for the masthead amplifier) , or checked the one you have is OK?

holidaysong

Thanks a lot for the responses.

They lost the reception abruptly at the time, but were just hoping it would come back until they've eventually told me about it. I don't live near them anymore so I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but was looking to rule out any broadcasting changes first before I to have a look.

Their Saorview is still working fine and combines to come into the house on the same cable so the cabling should be fine. I'll start with checking the masthead amplifier power.

dxhound2005

In Dundalk, LG TV and very old chimney aerial. Divis Channels 27, 21 and 24 very strong. Nothing on 23,26 or 30. The difference between 100 Kilowatt and 50 is obvious on my setup. Do you know if they were getting all the Freeview channels?

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Divis

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/camlough

42 and 45 from Clermont should be 100% on Saorview. But you could check to see if there are any signal readings from Divis/Camlough, even though there is no picture. I am getting over 94% Strength and 100% Quality on the high power ones from Divis and similar from Camlough. Also some Saorview signal from Kippure.

Ideally you would have someone looking at the signal readings as you carry out any adjustments.

holidaysong

They were getting all of the 100kW and 50kW channel muxes from Divis.

I was able up get up to them for a look today and their aerial for Freeview is pointing about 70 to 90 degrees in the wrong direction compared to any other houses with two aerials. It was easy to spot this, in comparison to the directions of aerials they all have for Saorview.

The wind must have caught it during one of the storms. Hopefully that's the only issue once I get that repositioned.

Thanks a lot for the help everyone.

creedp

I don’t really know much about satellite dish tuning/positioning. Just do a retune on the tv every now and again when channels go awry.

I do notice that every now and again the freeview stations go off air completely or the signal becomes weak and unwatchable. Can last a few days or even weeks sometimes before it sorts itself out and back to normal. No idea what causes this. As I said I don’t understand how to trouble shoot the system myself. Must try and find someone to have a look at it at some point when it annoys me enough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123720900#Comment_123720900

Interesting you can get both Camlough & Divis. Out here on the Carrick Road (just past Oriel Park), Divis (21, 24 & 27) is ok, but not a peep from Camlough. 0% for both strength & quality. Poor reception on 23 & 26 from Divis, sometimes none at all. Co-channel interference from Mt Leinster causing this I think.