TV Freeview picture breaking up, New 4G transmitter and Aeroplanes

[tony sayer]

In article , john west scribeth thus

I would have thought that from where you are Heathrow operations would have had no effect whatsoever. You might be under a flight path which might just upset the whole shooting match to elstree or northolt but consider where you are there would-be a lot of others experiencing the same effects ?

I think there something really odd going on there I wonder if there might be some odd effect from aircraft radio somehow or similar. Have you tried asking the neighbours what their reception is like and if they get the same as you?.

I would have thought you're on the Crystal place TX there wonder if you might be using for some odd obscure reason an alternative TX according the some TX sites you should be using the Finchley relay perhaps you are on something else somewhere. Really needs someone there who knows what their doing aerial wise that is and they are very far and few between!.

Ask locally or post up a picture of your aerial on flicker that will help.

[charles]

I'm slightly concerned by a statement in the original post: "I bought a new aerial, but that hasn't helped". To me, there's an implication of an indoor aerial. obviously just buying a new aerial would have no effect whatsoever, but what was done with it? Did the OP get a ladder our and replace the old aerial or do something much simpler?

[Graham.]

That's our Bill ameliorating in public again.

[Bill Wright]

When dealing with common situations like this I think you'll find 45 years in the aerial trade a better guide than sums.

Bill

[Bill Wright]

Ah, now you're presenting up with an entirely different scenario!

Bill

[Bill Wright]

I could well believe that these might make your signal strength or quality wobble a bit, based partly on wind turbine experience, also on a little problem we used to have in the analogue days in the village of Blaxton, which was near an RAF station.

Digital TV is remarkably good at ignoring all sorts of problems like this, but . . . BUT . . . the crux of all this is that the signal strength and quality must be good enough for the disturbance not to take it below the threshold. The thing with digital telly is that it will work absolutely perfectly for ever with a signal that is JUST adequate ("Oh that's a good picture! Better than we had with the old analgestic or whatever they call it!") as long as that signal stays just (or better than just) adequate. But even a tiny drop in strength or quality will cause complete breakdown. So the thing is, if you have an abnormal susceptibility to interference of any kind, the issue isn't the interference it's the question of whether your installation is able to produce, at the receiver, a good strong signal with the noise a long long way below it. If not then you will suffer break up from any damn stupid little thing that comes along.

If the planes were affecting everyone the way they are affecting you it would be headline news really wouldn't it? But it's just you. And what's special about you? Your installation, and the field strength available to it.

Bill

[Bill Wright]

Yes it is NOW! It was high ones to start with. The goal has been moved.

Bill

[Bill Wright]

All other things being equal. Which they ain't.

Bill

[Bill Wright]

My list was by no means complete!

Bill

[Bill Wright]

They can't touch you for it!

Bill

[Geo]

Maybe post the Argos order number?

[Martin]

Whilst stating the obvious, you omitted to point out that Freeview doesn't exist

15 miles from Schiphol. :-)

[Graham.]

[Jim Lesurf]

Of course it does! You just need to be up high enough in one of the planes to be able to receive it. Admittedly, arranging for an antenna directional enough to choose your TX would be a challenge, though. :-)

Jim

[Martin]

Long ago I worked out that I needed to be at an altitude of around 10,000 feet to get line of sight VHF from Manningtree, which is about 120 miles away.

Maybe I'll watch Freeview from the top of a local mountain or make my own mountain out of a mole hill. :-)

[Jim Lesurf]

I appreciate that this can be particularly difficult from some parts of Holland. :-)

Jim

[john west]

The signal strength is 63% according to the signal strength meter on our Humax DTRT2000 digi box. The new Aerial put up on the wall facing the transmitter is from Blake-UK and of the type recommended for use with the Crystal Palace Transmitter. The at800 engineer is coming again this Monday. Thanks to all.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

That seems low for the London area. Does it show quality too?

[Jim Lesurf]

Alas, such values tend not to be very good indicators in situations like this.

See if he uses a spectrum analyser or equivalent and ask him about the results. Then let us know what he does and how you get on.

Jim

[tony sayer]

There might be the problem. It does seem you'd be better off using the Finchley relay thats intended for your area:)

Hang on thats one of they that doesn't do all channels;(

Where is this aerial John?, indoors, outdoors on a wall on the chimney does it point into the air as it were is there a stonking tower block in line locally or some other obstruction?.

anyone any experience with AT 800 "engineers" or are thy much the same as channel 5 re-tuners;?.

John, it would be of much use to post a few pictures of the aerial and where its located a pix is often worth a 100000 words;!.