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Divis New mast complete - 27/10/10

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Comments

  • #32
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,126 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    championc wrote: »
    I read down through some of it. I assume it only provided for the legalized "allowing" of both territories to view the other sides' programming or was there anything to actually provide for the re-broadcasting of channels ?

    This post and thread in general discussed that some months ago - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=67556503#post67556503


  • #33
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    lawhec wrote: »
    Surely E56 from Divis would be unusable considering it's allocated (post analogue switchover) to Clermont Carn (who may use this frequency to get better northern coverage) and to a lesser extent, Truskmore (if Irish DTT plans to use more than two multiplexes on UHF).

    The potential co-channelling of the PSB multiplexes from Divis and the COM multiplexes from Brougher are already potential headaches.

    Ofcom commissioned Arqiva to perform a Spectrum analysis report for a potential further multiplex in Northern Ireland. Just a few bullet points of what was raised in this reference offer document.

    As the UK plan is an MFN plan and existing receive aerials are banded into 3 different sections of the UHF band. Band IV, Lower Band V and Upper Band V, generally main stations are in one section, with the relays of that main station occupying the other two sections. As main stations also cause interference significantly beyond their service boundaries, this presents planners with challenges to find available frequencies for a further multiplex without causing disruption to the DSO frequency plan and so on...

    These were the agreed next steps and with 2 years to go still no further on it seems...

    *Ofcom to advise on the level of protection required to Caldbeck PSB from Divis Ch 30 or Moel-y-Parc COM from Divis Ch 48.

    *Ofcom to comment on whether investigation on changing the channel allocations for Caldbeck PSB Ch 30 for Caldbeck Scottish PSB Ch 22 is worthwhile to reduce impact from Ch 30 at Divis.

    *Assess the impact on other UK stations from these proposals to determine if other restrictions are required if JPP proposed restriction requirements for interleaved spectrum are required, these restrictions could significantly reduce coverage and require use of specific antenna systems.

    *Find alternative channels for Whitehead, Rostrevor and Bellair DSO plan due to use of channel 48 at Divis.

    *Discuss channels for Divis, Limavady and Brougher Mountain with Ireland, especially channel 48 which has been informally discussed with the UK for use at Clermont Carn - This has been deemed as No longer applicable?

    *Discuss antenna and aperture availability with site landlords.


  • #34
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    Strange fault on Divis -

    I just briefly noticed about 30 seconds of programming on BBC1 (Freeview) were the picture was removed and followed by out of sync audio. Then the picture returned with no audio, the audio has now been out of sync for around 25 minutes. I fetched the Promax and it is measuring DTT signals down about 4db, it isn't measuring any audio carriers at all - Not a peep. Give my own equipment the once over all seemed fine and checked analogue signals in the garage was perfect. I was then in the van and stuck on radio2 FM which is broadcasting in mono, Black Mountain's outputs are struggling in Mono. Cool FM is very patchy and broadcasting in mono with a very noticeable din.

    Wonder did one or both masts get struck by lightening and short a few of the BT feeds going in and out of Black mountain? Mux1 is fed by DSAT so can't answer that problem.

    A friend confirmed Downtown was patchy in Newcastle so that seems to be a possible fault at Black Mountain.


  • #35
    Rick_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭Rick_


    Just fired up the DTT box in the bedroom, BBC 1 from Divis is fine for me. Is this problem still ongoing for you?


  • #36
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    Paddy C wrote: »
    Just fired up the DTT box in the bedroom, BBC 1 from Divis is fine for me. Is this problem still ongoing for you?

    BBC1 Freeview has been absolutely fine for around an hour now. Very strange fault to occur in DTT, on analogue an audio sync problem is usually a severe drop in db of the audio Tx input. The absence of the audio carrier i can't explain.

    There is something up with the FM broadcasts because the 38khz carrier is dead and the pilot tone keeps appearing randoming. Every FM station from BM and Divis is broadcasting in mono. My only explanation is the RC filter caused the band stop filter to fail triggered by a lightening strike that blew the anti surge. But then i have to ask why both sites went unless the Manchester Exchange failed and they decided to take off air feeds locally.


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  • #37
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    New DSO Transmitter Details released by OFCOM.

    Still no inclusion of Tyne Tees or Northern Ireland FFS....


    http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/tech-guidance/dsodetails/


    What do they expect installers to do swan around hundreds of sites retuning and changing filters on a f*cking whim! Winds me up....


  • #38
    The Cush
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,126 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    Sam the Aerialman wrote: »
    New DSO Transmitter Details released by OFCOM.

    Still no inclusion of Tyne Tees or Northern Ireland FFS....

    Regarding the NI details could the delay be due to the planned new mux and the ASO planning between the two jurisdictions but that doesn't explain Tyne Tees.


  • #39
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    The Cush wrote: »
    Regarding the NI details could the delay be due to the planned new mux and the ASO planning between the two jurisdictions but that doesn't explain Tyne Tees.

    I suppose we may just thank our lucky stars we don't have to service Sandy Heath. I count around 6 channel changes before the year's out.

    I would like to venture that all these channel changes and transitional arrangements are a complete f*cking mess.


  • #40
    Peter Henderson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 116 ✭✭Peter Henderson


    Regarding the NI details could the delay be due to the planned new mux

    That's what I was thinking.

    Wonder when Ofcom will release details ?


  • #41
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    Peter Henderson wrote: »
    Wonder when Ofcom will release details ?

    That is the 64 million dollar question. I cannot understand why there is not on paper a DSO plan for Northern Ireland. The meridian region which had cross polarisation issues, French DSO to contend with is now on it's 3rd version.
    Regardless of the issues with the mini mux, they could be inserted in a later edition. All i want to see how the frequencies line up, any potential co-channel problems. What provisions need to be made for systems work, i.e filters amps etc. What channel changes will happen and how long will potential restricted service be. As an installer it's like wandering in the dark, keep being referred to the D UK website well it's proved in Yorkshire that a lot of it is wrong.


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  • #42
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    The new mast is now standing on a complete set of permanent stays - AWL's were being outfitted and additional framework is being added presumably mount's for antenna's. There is no word of any new antenna's but it's fair to say after December they must be a few weeks behind schedule. Engineers appear to re-routing feeders from the main gantry of the older mast and over the roof of the main Tx building, i can only surmise they're the reserve feeders and possibly a spare FM feeder that they're trying to track to the new mast. Interesting proposal if they plan to re-locate the FM stack, there is a downside of considerable loss of aerial height. There is a feeder gantry in the planning application to the new mast as yet un-built but if i was to guess the aim is to move service to the new mast and then work on the older mast cold.

    Pics attached below.


  • #43
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Sam the Aerialman wrote: »
    That is the 64 million dollar question. I cannot understand why there is not on paper a DSO plan for Northern Ireland.

    Because they want to Co-ordinate with ASO here, but there is STILL no official date set by Minister Ryan. Retailers and Public are morally at least entitled to two years advance Notice. He ought to have signed a date in Q4 2012 back in Q3 to Q4 2010. He still has about 4 weeks before they dissolve the Dail. I bet he won't! RTE in a recent press release confirm only Q4 2012 and no Official date.


  • #44
    gtg60
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,759 ✭✭✭gtg60


    watty wrote: »
    Because they want to Co-ordinate with ASO here, but there is STILL no official date set by Minister Ryan. Retailers and Public are morally at least entitled to two years advance Notice. He ought to have signed a date in Q4 2012 back in Q3 to Q4 2010. He still has about 4 weeks before they dissolve the Dail. I bet he won't! RTE in a recent press release confirm only Q4 2012 and no Official date.

    Well, he's not going to be signing anything now is he!! Another fine mess...


  • #45
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,461 ✭✭✭✭watty


    I suppose the Taoiseach or who ever is temporarily assigned could sign it. But I suspect it will be a Fine Gael Minister signing it.

    Apparently Pat Carey is Minister for Communications, Energy, Natural Resources, Transport, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for next few weeks.

    Maybe we should email him?


  • #46
    Digifriendly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,112 ✭✭✭Digifriendly


    watty wrote: »
    I suppose the Taoiseach or who ever is temporarily assigned could sign it. But I suspect it will be a Fine Gael Minister signing it.

    Apparently Pat Carey is Minister for Communications, Energy, Natural Resources, Transport, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for next few weeks.

    Maybe we should email him?

    Mr Carey's inbox as well as his intray must be pretty full at the moment with all those responsibilities (must make him feel pretty powerful if only for a few days/weeks until the Dail dissolves) so maybe we should leave it until after the election!


  • #47
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    Heads up - Anyone with a camera and bit of time on their hands. The new S1/ S2 antennas are being installed this coming week at Divis using a helicopter. Nice to get a few photos.


  • #48
    Sam the Aerialman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Sam the Aerialman


    Rather disappointingly not an antenna or a helicopter in sight. Wonder what the bloody hold up is here? If they're going to work on the old mast cold it would make sense to have the new mast in service and be testing the radiation patterns by this stage. Note the combiner building extension has only begun because planning approval was only passed on the 17th Feb...

    In image six now that the existing switch room is gone you can make out the original BBC building complete with crest.

    http://tinypic.com/r/2hhol0i/7

    http://tinypic.com/r/xsx7n/7

    http://tinypic.com/r/rsa2a9/7

    http://tinypic.com/r/2zgduuv/7

    http://tinypic.com/r/11sdnb9/7

    http://tinypic.com/r/2hschg4/7


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