Welsh digital switch over-Irish reception questions answered

ocj · 09-06-2010 08:40AM

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info, I'll have to look at getting a better aerial as suggested.
I'm in Skerries right by the sea.
Last week I was messing with different connections and the aerial I showed picked up bbc1 and all the epg lists for about 10 min then went completly.
This was just with the aerial in the attic.

09-06-2010 09:09AM

That was due to a temporary athmospheric lift though.
Happens about 20 days in the year on average where signals from far away get briefly very strong due to high or fast changing pressure.

ocj · 09-06-2010 09:27AM

Black Briar

Thanks for the fast reply.
That would explain it alright,
I've read through alot of these posts but seem to be confusing myself more.
Would one of these do the job

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Outdoor-Freeview-Digital-TV-Aerial-48-Element-Hi-Gain-/260609660402?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ConElec_TVAerials_RL&hash=item3cad8bd5f2

or

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=30001&catalogId=1500002201&langId=-1&searchTerms=5352069

Appreciate your help guys

09-06-2010 10:44AM

Both are designed for good reception areas.
They haven't enough elements for weaker areas.
They are a step up from the contract aerial and similar to a grid aerial in performance.

They are used down here in south wicklow and wexford in good presely areas and work perfectly.
You need one treble that length to be honest as you are wanting extreme fringe reception

There don't seem to be any suitable on ebay.

09-06-2010 10:53AM

You will need to be on the roof with the aerial and need an amp and power supply aswell and a digital signal meter.

It's very complicated for a beginer.

http://www.dastv.co.uk/shop/Vision_V10761F_Aerial_76_Element_CDW_2235.php

Thats better than the ones you linked and wideband/cd so might pull in llandonna for you or the isle of man.

You can do much better but I havent the time now to look for you.
You need to be spending circa €60 on the aerial alone.

By the way,there was one for give away on adverts.ie that would do the job!
Thread here somewhere ,cant find the link.

ocj · 09-06-2010 10:58AM

Thanks Black Briar,

I'll look into getting one such as the one you linked.
I'm just curious now to see if I can get it to work

Thanks for your help

10-06-2010 01:41PM

I got the new over the air software update for my humax 9200t last night courtesy of presely!
It seems to have fixed a few bugs!

prioryc · 06-07-2010 08:46AM

hoping someone here has the answer to this
i'm looking to get a new freeview box and wondering if the freeviewHD boxes will work with the irish signal?
...at the moment i have a usb tuner on win7 which is getting me all the uk SD freeview(now including BT1 & 2 test channels..on the freeview epg number is 41,42) & the irish dtt channels now on (729-744epg) so is it possible to get a one for all 3 box or are t2 & dvb-t & irish dtt not all back compatable etc.

cheers

marclt · 06-07-2010 11:49AM

Blackbriar has reported that the Freeview HD boxes work well... in fact he has posted so in some other thread.

All these DTT threads are getting confusing!

prioryc · 06-07-2010 12:26PM

marclt wrote: »

Blackbriar has reported that the Freeview HD boxes work well... in fact he has posted so in some other thread.

All these DTT threads are getting confusing!

cheers ...yup lots of threads for lots of confused people

06-07-2010 12:28PM

See the thread on presely hd and my separate thread on my sagemcom t2 box

The same issue applies in gorey however with ch45 RTE wipe out :mad:

ITV1 hd is beautifull from presely though

06-07-2010 12:56PM

I see from the BCI table that Mt Leinster is operating at erp 94kw at the moment with UK restrictions meaning that there is actually less power being fired up to wexford.

It's to have no UK restrictions from quarter 1 of 2011 and ups power to 160kw :eek::eek:

I'd hate to be in pembrokeshire when that happens.. Marclt might even get coverage on ch 45 :eek:

marclt · 06-07-2010 01:09PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I see from the BCI table that Mt Leinster is operating at erp 94kw at the moment with UK restrictions meaning that there is actually less power being fired up to wexford.

It's to have no UK restrictions from quarter 1 of 2011 and ups power to 160kw :eek::eek:

I'd hate to be in pembrokeshire when that happens.. Marclt might even get coverage on ch 45 :eek:

I can't understand why RTE is being so secretive about what power they are actually using now? Surely they, during the testing phase, are liaising with aerial installers and seeking feedback??

I think they will have to put in restrictions to the ESE, or else there will be trouble! Fishguard viewers, on the fringe of Preseli (due to the hills getting in the way) will certainly be in trouble!

Ger Roe · 08-07-2010 02:15PM

I haven't posted in a while here, but am receiving UK DTT in Kilpedder,
Wicklow - from Blaen with a reasonable level of success using a group A antenna and wideband masthead amp. The problem is that it is not totally consitent and still prone to breakup at times - after having positioned the antenna using a meter. Channel 22 (Sky and Dave) seems to be the most inconsistent and first to drop out when weather fronts change.

I was thinking of using this antenna (Yagi 18 element group

....

http://www.vanjak.com/product_details.php?category_id=135&item_id=144

...to try for Presley. During high pressure conditions I can receive signals from Presley (according to the channel numbers displayed on receiver) on the current group A pointed at Blaen.

Would the radial pattern for Presley, or reports received here, indicate that it might be an option in North Wicklow? I had tried with a wideband antenna for Presley before, but the grouped antenna for Blaen is providing better results, if not perfect at the moment.

Advice appreciated.

08-07-2010 02:45PM

You could try a twin or a quad set up for blaen-meaning buying another 3 group a aerials or just the one.
It would increase signal.

How often do you completely lose all channels from BP as opposed to just those on ch21?

Ger Roe · 08-07-2010 03:11PM

Hi Black Briar,

I would loose them all when weather fronts change - high to low pressure and vice versa. It might drop for just for a few mins to hours or it could be longer in mist/fog conditions. Generally all is well when the sun shines (stable high condition?).

If that's as good as it gets, I can live with it (have FTA satellite and Irish DTT as main viewing). I was mainly interested in the extra channels that are not FTA satellite (and in the exercise of trying something new) In the old days, even analogue from Arfon here was prone to weather related conditions.

I have heard reports of Presley reception in Newcastle, Wicklow (not too far away) and thought that it might be worth a try. Unfortunately I don't have any details such as aerial used or consistency. I might take a drive around and see if I can spot any recent antenna developments. Have you heard/seen reports of reliable Presley this far north on a manageable domestic installation?

Regards,

Ger Roe.

08-07-2010 03:47PM

I'd say presely would be just about too far for you.

With presely here using a twin aerial,I just have drop outs in fog the odd time but never more than 2 minutes at a time.
I've never had a total loss.

Co channel in high pressure can also affect presely but then it used hammer analogue aswell.
Both situations are rare.

If you want someone good who can do a twin set up for BP for you and who has a kick ass digital meter[a grands worth],just pm me and I'll give you a number.

mrdtv2010 · 08-07-2010 03:52PM

Ger Roe wrote: »

Hi Black Briar,

I would loose them all when weather fronts change - high to low pressure and vice versa. It might drop for just for a few mins to hours or it could be longer in mist/fog conditions. Generally all is well when the sun shines (stable high condition?).

If that's as good as it gets, I can live with it (have FTA satellite and Irish DTT as main viewing). I was mainly interested in the extra channels that are not FTA satellite (and in the exercise of trying something new) In the old days, even analogue from Arfon here was prone to weather related conditions.

I have heard reports of Presley reception in Newcastle, Wicklow (not too far away) and thought that it might be worth a try. Unfortunately I don't have any details such as aerial used or consistency. I might take a drive around and see if I can spot any recent antenna developments. Have you heard/seen reports of reliable Presley this far north on a manageable domestic installation?

Regards,

Ger Roe.

The COM muxes from B-P are 3dB down on PSB muxes so they will always be first to go. If you have a good high performance antenna system then that's as good as it gets without too much spend.

On a related matter LLanddona HD begins next week on the 16th which means that all the Welsh transmitters receivable in Ireland will be HD from then. Black Briar: in a Caradon Hill lift you should be able to see 4HD.

08-07-2010 04:41PM

Is redruth hd?
I get thta more often than caradon for the simple reason that the twins are B as is th amasthead.

mrdtv2010 · 08-07-2010 04:49PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Is redruth hd?
I get thta more often than caradon for the simple reason that the twins are B as is th amasthead.

From 21 September at Redruth. Nice very high site.

08-07-2010 04:55PM

Do you have a ch number for that mr dtv?

I'm thinking of a separate kippure cd amped high gain if RTE don't bugger off ch 45 mt leinster just to receive the irish digitals come october.

I'll need a notch filter and a separate feed so as to kill ch50 llandonna which would come in more often with an aerial pointed kippures way.
When combined I wouldn't want llandonna interfering with presely hd!

whats llandonnas hd ch number btw?

mrdtv2010 · 08-07-2010 06:39PM

Llanddona HD: E53 20kW next week
Redruth : E47 20KW 21/09

Caradon HD live now: E22 100kW

david23 · 08-07-2010 06:46PM

Interesting article in the Welsh newspaper Western Mail about TV viewers in Pembrokeshire suffering interference from Ireland.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2010/07/08/disappearing-channels-leave-viewers-fed-up-91466-26808646/

Sam Russell · 08-07-2010 07:10PM

Wrong post.

Macy0161 · 09-07-2010 10:11AM

Got hold of a wideband aeriel to have a go at getting Preseli - initially at roof level rather than chimney. I've one of those cheap DTT metres from argos, but I've only ever used the Satellite versions. Should I be using it straight from the aerial, or after the masthead amp?

09-07-2010 11:04AM

You will need the psu and masthead connected for the cheapo meters I'm afraid.
The expensive ones are better as they have a built in amp.

Where are you located.

As someone who gives advice on the topic I get frustrated when questions are asked and no location given.

Without location most answers are useless on this forum as we need to know where you are to advise whether you are wasting your time!!!!

Macy0161 · 09-07-2010 11:35AM

Sorry, I'm in Roundwood. I was getting (albeit poor) preseli analogue through the back of a loft mounted grid pointing at Kippure pre aso, so I'm hopeful if not confident.

My plan/ thought was to try and get some signal on channel 43 at ladder height, before investing time and money at a chimney level. I've a Satellite set up for UK TV, so can't really justify a punt with no chance of success! The aerial is similar to this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=217681 and I've a 26db masthead amp. (The set up was previously used in Longford for Brougher Mountain, but I've replaced that with Freesat for a relative).

09-07-2010 12:35PM

Are you quite high? And although you can't see it [or maybe you can?] but do you think that you are higher than any ground between you and the sea?
Are you sure it was analogue presely?

Did you have it most if not all the time albeit very weak?

You see in Roundwood,you are most likely higher than any obstruction in the way.
More often or not I advise people to forget about it when north of Wicklow town due to Wicklow head and the high ground between there and Britas bay.

However I'd be pretty sure you are higher than that by a good couple of hundred feet and crucially if there is no higher hill towards just south of wicklow town,then by George by some fluke you could be in luck!

That maplin aerial you linked is working well for freeview round north wexford/South wicklow at chimney height for those who aren't down in a hole.

Macy0161 · 09-07-2010 01:02PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Are you quite high? And although you can't see it [or maybe you can?] but do you think that you are higher than any ground between you and the sea?

Fairly high - direction would be through a gap from what I've done on google maps. I'm not looking into a hill, but probably don't have line of sight either. It might need to bend a bit!

Deleted User wrote: »

Are you sure it was analogue presely?

Did you have it most if not all the time albeit very weak?

It was the right channel for ITV Wales (Channel 43) from Preseli. I don't think there's anywhere else it could be?

I don't recall getting black screen, but I wouldn't have been checking it that often really with having a Sat set up tbh. It was picked up when I did the autotune when we got the tele.

Deleted User wrote: »

However I'd be pretty sure you are higher than that by a good couple of hundred feet and crucially if there is no higher hill towards just south of wicklow town,then by George by some fluke you could be in luck!

Definitely higher than that, it would be local obstructions that could be the issue. I know neighbours had aeriels pointing towards Preseli, but they've long since been surpassed by Satellite.

Deleted User wrote: »

That maplin aerial you linked is working well for freeview round north wexford/South wicklow at chimney height for those who aren't down in a hole.

It's an older version, but nothing ventured nothing gained. If I can get some kind of signal, even not enough for pictures, I'll investigate further.

09-07-2010 01:09PM

A big height above sea level extends reach for distant signals a good bit.
If there are tree's in the way,you would be better off being above them.

Welsh digital switch over-Irish reception questions answered

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