Freeview: Divis (Northern Ireland) Full Freeview transmitter
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Full Freeview on the Divis (Northern Ireland) transmitter

Google StreetviewGoogle mapBing mapGoogle Earth54.607,-6.009 or 54°36'24"N 6°0'34"WBT17 0NG

4G at 800MHz (at800) Freeview reception issues

When 800MHz 4G mobile broadband services start there will be 2 multiplexes in the higher risk range (C21-23, C30, C59-60): C23: SDN, C21: D3+4
See How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? and Full UK map of 4G issue areas for details.

This transmitter has no current reported problems

The BBC and Digital UK report there are no faults or engineering work on the Divis (Northern Ireland) transmitter. Click to recheck

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The symbol shows the location of the Divis (Northern Ireland) transmitter which serves 440,000 homes.

Other maps:Divis DABDivis AM/FMDivis regionBBC Northern IrelandUTV

Radiation patterns

Radiation patterns withheld

Map key

The bright green areas shown where the signal from this transmitter is strong, dark green areas are poorer signals. Those parts shown in yellow may have interference on the same frequency from other masts.


List by multiplex|List by channel number|List by channel name|See terrain plot

Divis transmitter Freeview broadcasts

If you have any kind of Freeview fault, follow this Freeview reset procedure first.

Digital television services are broadcast on a multiplexes (or Mux) where many stations occupy a single broadcast frequency, as shown below.

MuxAerial positionFrequencyHeightModeWatts
PSB1
BBCA
 horizontal max
C27 (522.0MHz)551m64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
Channel icons
1 BBC One Northern Ireland, 2 BBC Two Northern Ireland, 7 BBC Three, 9 BBC Four, 70 CBBC Channel, 71 CBeebies, 80 BBC News, 81 BBC Parliament, 301 301, plus 14 others

PSB2
D3+4
 horizontal max
C21+ (474.2MHz)551m64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
Channel icons
3 UTV (UTV), 4 Channel 4 NI ads, 5 Channel 5 NI ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 NI ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 UTV+1 (UTV), plus 1 others

PSB3
BBCB
 horizontal max
C24 (498.0MHz)551m256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s DVB-T2 MPEG4		100,000W
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD Northern Ireland, 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 UTV HD (UTV), 104 Channel 4 HD NI ads, plus 1 others

COM4
SDN
 horizontal -3dB
C23 (490.0MHz)551m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		50,000W
Channel icons
10 ITV 3, 20 G.O.L.D. (not free), 25 Dave ja vu, 26 Home (not free), 27 ITV 2 +1, 30 5*, 31 5USA, 34 ESPN UK (not free), 38 Quest, 39 The Zone, 44 Channel 5 +1, 72 CITV, plus 22 others

COM5
ArqA
 horizontal -3dB
C26 (514.0MHz)528m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		50,000W
Channel icons
11 PICK TV, 12 Dave, 17 Really, 29 E4+1, 32 Movie Mix, 46 Challenge, 48 Food Network, 82 Sky News, 87 Community Channel, plus 9 others

COM6
ArqB
 horizontal -3dB
C29 (538.0MHz)528m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		50,000W
Channel icons
15 Film 4, 18 4Music, 19 Yesterday, 21 VIVA, 24 ITV 4, 41 Sky Sports 1 (not free), 42 Sky Sports 2 (not free), 47 4seven, 83 Al Jazeera English, 85 RT English , plus 21 others



Regional news from the Divis transmitter


BBC Newsline 0.6m homes 2.5%
from Belfast BT2 8HQ, 1,044km northeast
to BBC Northern Ireland region - 46 masts.

UTV Live 0.6m homes 2.5%
from Belfast BT7 1EB, 1,044km northeast
to UTV region - 46 masts.

Self-help relays

Chapel FieldsTransposerCentral Belfast61 homes

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1950s~851984-971997-981998-20122012-132013-182013-182019-
aerial groupVHFA KA KKA KA KA KA K
C1BBCtv
C21C4C4C4+D3+4+D3+4+D3+4BBCB
C22SDN
C23-ASDNSDNSDN
C24ITVITVITVBBCBBBCBBBCBD3+4
C25ArqA
C26-BArqAArqAArqA
C27BBC2BBC2BBC2BBCABBCABBCABBCA
C28ArqB
C291ArqBArqBArqB
C30local
600C31BBC1BBC1BBC1
C33-2com7
C34+Dcom8
C48C

orange background for multiplexes names moregreen background for transmission frequencieslilac background for power levels in watts800MHz band: 4G mobile to start in 2013700MHz band: possible 4G in 2019 more600MHz band: new or moved digital TV services more
Notes: + and - denote 166kHz offset; aerial group are shown as A B C/D E K W
Italics for analogue, digital switchover was Wednesdays 10th October and 24th October 2012.

  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Belfast including Lisburn could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Divis transmitter using C30
  • COM7, COM8 projected for 2013-16.

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-4 500kW
com7, com8, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-7dB) 100kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB(-10dB) 50kW
Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*(-23.4dB) 2.3kW
Mux C*(-24dB) 2kW
Mux D*(-24.9dB) 1.6kW

History of Channel 3 in the Divis transmitter area

Oct 1959-Dec 2014Ulster Television
Feb 1983-Dec 1992TV-am•
Jan 1993-Sep 2010GMTV•
Sep 2010-Dec 2014ITV Daybreak•
• Breakfast ◊ Weekends ♦ Friday night and weekends † Weekdays only. Divis was not an original Channel 3 VHF 405-line mast: the historical information shown is the details of the company responsible for the transmitter when it began transmitting Channel 3.


Your comments: most recent posts are at the bottom

firstFirst comments prevEarlier comments  ◊  Later commentsnext Latest commentslast

Your comments are always welcome. Please use the form below to add your thoughts or questions to this page. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Jordy
Thursday 17 December 2009 11:28AM
Brian - The HRP still looks about spot on... Would the official NGR's be of any help to you?
Transmitter engineering
Monday 11 January 2010 11:09AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio 1 Weak signal - From 0000 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 11 January 2010 11:09AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio 1 Weak signal - From 0000 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 12 January 2010 3:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 12 January 2010 3:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC]
Peter Henderson
Thursday 14 January 2010 12:50AM
"I have nothing against Irish speaking people or their medium's but from a broadcasting point of view it's as useless as a snowflake in hell..."

It's a shame if TG4 aren't on the local multiplex after DSO. In fact, it would be nice if all four of the ROI chanels were carried, though that's probably wishful thinking. TG4 does broadcast a number of sporting events (they did the Belfast snooker when it was on for example)and they do show a fair number of programmes in english so it is worth watching, certainly more to view than the useless shopping/porno/chat/ channels that we now have on Freeview.

Isn't there some free space in NI due to our archaic gambling laws (there's a gaming channel in the rest of the UK, as afar as I know). Personally, I think UTV are flaunting these by broadcasting brainbox but that's another story.

I think NVTV do have plans to get on Freeview after DSO though.
Jordy
Sunday 17 January 2010 2:39AM
Hi Peter - All four RTE channels will never be carried on UK Freeview, we've already seen UTV'S gross objection to TV3... My problem with TG4 in it's current form is it is nothing more than a off air broadcast, strung over two broadband panels.

I was asked personally by a group of people "How hard would it be to swamp out a TG4 broadcast" I didn't answer but not hard...

There will be interleaved frequencies that may suit TG4, of course as we have no locked down spectrum planning who knows...
michael
Monday 18 January 2010 10:29PM Lisburn
Occasionally,like today, I cannot receive some or most of the freeview channels.Would transmitter repairs be to blame or is the fault on my side do you think.Most of the time I have no problems at all.thanks
Jordy
Tuesday 19 January 2010 11:22PM
michael - There have been no problems and no periods of reduced power...
Peter Henderson
Sunday 24 January 2010 12:15AM
How's the work on the new mast progressing Jordy ? Can't see anything visible while driving around Belfast. According to Wikipedia you will be able to see two masts at some point.
Jordy
Sunday 24 January 2010 1:21AM
Peter - You won't see anything fantastic still probably September... The civils/ ground workings are due for completion May 2010. Remember DSO is still little under three years away... There will be two masts for around 18 months possibly three structures to hold a temp aerial, under the planning leg it states the existing is to be retained. Whats that means long term i have no idea and neither have the planning service. Pics are on geograph and mb21...
Jordy
Wednesday 27 January 2010 12:14AM
The latest of the DSO work at Divis - The new anchor blocks are going into place. s663.photobucket.com link icon Divis DSO pictures by AerialServices - Photobucket
Briantist
Wednesday 27 January 2010 7:35AM
Jordy: Thanks for the pictures.
Jordy
Thursday 28 January 2010 9:03PM
Brian - No prob... BlaenPlwyf had really got the lift on today. It's being murdering Divis FM. Any idea why Radio 1 has been on low power for the better part of 2 months??
Briantist
Friday 29 January 2010 12:10PM
Jordy: It certainly seems odd that it's been like that for so long. Perhaps the BBC can't afford to fix it?
Peter Henderson
Tuesday 2 February 2010 12:15AM
Interesting news today regarding TG4 (and RTE) on Freeview post DSO:
From the DCMS in: www.culture.gov.uk link icon Boost for Irish Language Broadcasting - Irish and UK Governments sign Memorandum of Understanding on Digital Television www.dcenr.gov.ie link icon 
Boost for Irish Language Broadcasting - Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Looks like we're not only going to get TG4 on Freeview post DSO, but RTE's 1 and 2 as well. Happy days.
Briantist
Tuesday 2 February 2010 7:15AM
Peter Henderson: BBC News - Cooperation pledged on RTE signal also.
Peter Henderson
Tuesday 2 February 2010 11:54AM
Noticed that one as well Brian.

Even if we didn't get TV3, it would still be pretty good. There's not a lot on TV3 that isn't on UTV in any case. It'll be interesting to see how this one pans out.
Briantist
Tuesday 2 February 2010 12:18PM
Peter Henderson: It is going to be interesting as Northern Ireland will have DVB-T/DVB-T2 and the rest will have DVB-T/MPEG4 - not the best start to a common standard.
Jordy
Thursday 4 February 2010 6:02PM
It's important to remember how pathetic RTE are historically at trying to launch new technology... They still haven't switched off the VHF ffs. As for a standard they'll just have to follow the UK, as for analogue all sets have analogue tuners so it'll not make a button of difference if Clermont Carn boots out 300kw 625 for the next 5 years. Likewise this is going to be a fascinating watch...
Transmitter engineering
Friday 5 February 2010 11:34AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio Ulster Weak signal - From 0941 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 5 February 2010 11:34AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio Ulster Weak signal - From 0941 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 5 February 2010 12:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio Ulster Weak signal - 0941-1054 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 5 February 2010 12:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] Radio Ulster Weak signal - 0941-1054 [BBC]
Briantist
Sunday 7 February 2010 1:22PM
Jordy: I've just been doing some catchup about RTE at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_in_Ireland - you are right, it's a been quite a task.

Sticking an extra Mux on the Northern Ireland transmitters in 2013 sounds like a good option.
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 10 February 2010 3:34PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 1023 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 10 February 2010 3:34PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 1023 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 12 February 2010 9:09AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] BBC One Weak signal - From 0833 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 12 February 2010 9:09AM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] BBC One Weak signal - From 0833 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 12 February 2010 12:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] BBC One Weak signal - 0833-0938 [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 12 February 2010 12:09PM
DIVIS transmitter - Radio 1 FM Weak Signal - From 0000 [BBC] BBC One Weak signal - 0833-0938 [BBC]
Jordy
Wednesday 24 February 2010 2:02PM
Another OFCOM document that tells us almost nohting...

www.ofcom.org.uk link icon http://www.ofcom.org.uk/c….pdf

Northern Ireland MOU
3.15 There are two agreements in place between the governments of the UK and the Republic of Ireland concerning the relay of Irish television services in Northern Ireland. The first is the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998. This committed the UK Government to exploring urgently the scope for achieving more widespread availability of Irish language television service TG4, in Northern Ireland. The second is the MOU on the reciprocal relay of television services, signed on 1 February 2010.11

3.16 Both governments wrote to their respective spectrum regulators (us in the UK, the Commission for Communications Regulation in the Republic) in May 2009 asking that the spectrum negotiations between the two countries aim to identify suitable interleaved spectrum whose preferred use would be the relay of an additional low-capacity, low-power DTT multiplex in Northern Ireland capable of carrying the three services RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4 on the three Northern Ireland main transmitters. The UK Government has indicated it is minded to direct us for this purpose. Suitable spectrum would need to be identified and awarded in line with any such direction.

3.17 There are some uncertainties in realising such a multiplex. The technical feasibility and the quality of available interleaved spectrum have both yet to be established. Because of these and other uncertainties, the option of carrying TG4 on the Digital 3&4 PSB multiplex in Northern Ireland after DSO in 2012 is being held open by DCMS. It is anticipated that RTÉ One, RTÉ Two and TG4 will, in any event, continue to be available in Northern Ireland after DSO by overspill from transmitters in the Republic. The extent of predicted coverage for this overspill has yet to be established.

I quite like this idea - It would certainly be seen as a bit wasteful to have large areas of spillover, however I get the assumption from the document that at present anyone who wants to get RTÉ via analogue terrestrial can pretty much do already - this is obviously not the case for a substantial amount of people. A previous Ofcom commissioned report stated that an interleaved multiplex (MUX7) should prove possible for the three main transmitters - Limavady for E51, while E30 and E48 were identified for both Divis and Brougher Mountain with E30 being favoured for Divis (despite potential interference problems with Caldbeck) and E48 for Brougher Mountain. However this spectrum, like most proposed interleaved spectrum, would be subject to power and interference limits. How such spectrum could be used would depend on agreements on it being sold off like is being done in Britain, or a political agreement on a unique plan (similar to the broadcasting of TG4 from Divis) which would involve public/commercial compromise (a public broadcasting only plan I reckon would not get effective backing). To me for the former only Divis would appear to have any potential bidder for MUX7, as the coverage and audience for Limavady and Brougher Mountain IMO would be unviable at least at this present time. If RTÉ delivery via MUX7 could not be practical, small powered transmitters co-sited with the main multiplexes could be used to deliver RTÉ into reception shadow areas e.g. much of Belfast, Newcastle, Ballycastle etc. Which would help avoid needless coverage duplication, spare spectrum could be more easily found (due to reduced powers and/or more directional aerials) and still help fulfil the MOU.

Peter Henderson
Thursday 25 February 2010 4:43PM
I wonder what they mean by Low power ? i.e. what power levels are "low power".
Briantist
Friday 26 February 2010 9:35AM
Jordy: I love the "There are some uncertainties in realising such a multiplex. The technical feasibility and the quality of available interleaved spectrum have both yet to be established" bit, that is very telling.

The problem with the "continue to be available in Northern Ireland after DSO by overspill from transmitters in the Republic" fails to note that it's MPEG4/DVB-T.

I would have thought that the coverage of overspill+interleaved could be reasonably high, but this is very dependant on what is done in the end.
Jordy
Friday 26 February 2010 9:08PM
Peter Henderson - 30kw and that's entirely bound by channel availability i.e Channel 30 equals a re-shuffle with Caldbeck... Channel 48's feasibility is reliant on smooth running with Brougher, the loss of Divis coverage to Brougher with the ability to fill in. Omagh would then require a fill in relay. It's low power because it using interleaved spectrum... It's a dogs breakfast
ralph.guastella
Friday 26 February 2010 11:59PM Newtownabbey
what aerial do i need, to get freeview. post code bt36 5de.
Jordy
Saturday 27 February 2010 12:45AM
ralph guastella - A 14 element...
Peter Henderson
Friday 19 March 2010 8:56PM
"30kw and that's entirely bound by channel availability"

at least 30kw is a lot better than 2.3kw for some of the multiplexes at presnt Jordy.

I had my aerials raised on a new mast about a week or so ago. Made a big improvement to Freeview. Channel 23 even comes in well now so 30 kw for RTE post DSO should be no problem.

Strangely, Clermont Cairn is a bit weaker than before. Some snow/very slight ghosting on TV3 and TG4 analogue for some odd reason. The weak digital test signal I had has gone. Any suggestions ?

I'm really pleased with the Freeview though. Stayed solid last week, even during the lift conditions (I normally lose some channels when there's a lift on).
Jordy
Friday 19 March 2010 10:30PM
Peter - I think you missed the point i was making... It's 30kw with "Handcuffs on". The main reason Divis's DTT output couldn't be lifted above 2.3kw even with the 3db offset change is because of Brougher. They're both group A Tx's sitting within 16mhz of each other, Brougher takes Divis's output which causes havoc as Brougher's input has to be screened from it's own output. Put that into a future digital picture were overlaps are getting greater and service areas are increasing dramatically... 30kw highly directional, possibly two restricted lobes, likely won't share aperature with the main array. Restricted due to Brougher and Caldbeck unless some serious spectrum clearance is under taken. You just proved the point, getting your own rig higher improved your viewing because it's turning out that the paneled arrays used for the DTT service are so directional. Slightest hint of anti-phase creeps in, aerial at an rx site that's the slightest of kinter (main beam) equals loss of a mux...

I still have certain RTE Mpeg4 transmissions from Clermont 4 channels, RTE NL and EWTN has appeared... Channel 59 Kippure had it's lift on over the past few weeks. I've noticed that Clermont has been been ropey for 2 of the channels, seems to be maximisation of 2 means the lower two fall down in gain... You've got the PSU plugged in and working for the masthead amp for the RTE? I know it's a silly thing but often forgotten when a rig get's changed or simply a short.
Peter Henderson
Monday 19 April 2010 8:14PM
Re. Channel 30 for RTE etc. post DSO. Just noticed this:

www.irish-tv.com link icon Irish TV - Over forty years of Irish TV History

Transmitter Mux 1 Mux 2 Mux 3 Mux 4 Mux 5 Mux 6 ERP Polarisation Area Served

Clermont Carn 53 57 60 63 30 34 25kW V North East

Is there going to be a clash here ? What about all those people with Divis/Clermont Carn diplexed aerials ?
Briantist
Tuesday 20 April 2010 7:12AM
Peter Henderson: As we don't know the post-DSO allocations for Divis yet, then it is not possible to say exactly how this will work out, but there is not supposed to be a clash.

There clearly is on C34, however.

Jordy
Tuesday 20 April 2010 9:51AM
Peter/ Brian - Those are very old channel allocations. Initially i believe every main tx in Ireland was given 6 channel allocations. In reality there will only be 4 multiplex's, 1 RTE (PSB), 3 commercial muxes. Clermont will only use 4 channels 53 57 60 63, clearly some concern on RTE's part is maintaining a share of viewers in Northern Ireland. It would make great sense to keep the transmissions in the C/D group. There will be no clash of diplexed aerial systems as they divide before and after channel E51...
Briantist
Tuesday 20 April 2010 3:50PM
Jordy: Perhaps the listing is there to 'protect' the allocations used in Northern Ireland so there can be cross-border reception?
Jordy
Friday 23 April 2010 9:43PM
Brian - Unless they were planning a SFN i wouldn't think so...
Peter Henderson
Saturday 24 April 2010 12:16PM
"Peter Henderson: As we don't know the post-DSO allocations for Divis yet, then it is not possible to say exactly how this will work out, but there is not supposed to be a clash."

I see Divis has been allocated both channel 56 for NEW 8 (I assume this will carry NVTV ?) and channel 30 for NEW 8 (RTE maybe ?) ?

The other channels post DSO are also listed above:

"Freeview power increases from 2,133 W to 75,000 W, 35 times stronger.
COM4 starts on C23. COM5 starts on C26. COM6 starts on C29. PSB2 starts on C24. PSB3 starts on C27. NEW8 starts on C56. NEW7 starts on C30."


Jordy
Saturday 24 April 2010 8:17PM
Peter Henderson - The interleaved muxes are the interesting ones... Issues for RSL's such as NVTV will they get a look in post dso. They will have to apply for digital licenses, we've just seen what happened to Channel M, a channel with healthy viewing figures. Certainly good enough to be added to a Astra transponder and available via Sky... The same can't be said for these RSL's, I know the argument will be interleaved local muxes need local programming. If they haven't the finance to rent space on a multiplex (2 years ago myself and Brian worked it out at around £68000 per annum to rent the space) Tell me if i'm wrong but there will be nothing local about these interleaved muxes. I wouldn't get ahead of yourself RTE being added as regional programming is nothing more than hear say. What is said and what actually takes place is completely different. I was speaking to that halfwit Nelson McCausland (DUP) who wants the local multiplex's open to the Ulster Scots channel and other such nonsense. I have nothing against TG4 the channel has a large following on this side of the border. But included as part of the Divis aperture has started silly season... I personally would like to see interleaved multiplex's used to increase coverage of RTE1 & NETWORK2. Under the GE-06 plan channel 30 can't be used at Divis as i've mentioned before this would warrant a major retune. Like it not Divis is going to overlap Caldbeck and romp up and down the Scottish coast...
Peter Henderson
Sunday 16 May 2010 8:24PM
"channel 30 can't be used at Divis"

Then why on earth is it allocated to Divis if Caldbeck is such a problem ??????

I can't quite understand the situation. If either transmitter is going to be causing problems then surely one or other should move ? It's not surely due to the lack of frequencies ?

Anyway, with respect to RTE services being available on Freeview, discussions/debates are apparantly in progress:

Government agreement: Free-To-Air RTE in NI, BBC in RoI on DTT platform - boards.ie

"This debate from the Seanad recently indicates that meetings are underway between the two governments in relation to matters covered under the memorandum of understanding"

The memorandum of understanding provides for TG4 to be carried on the digital network in Northern Ireland. In regard to RTE, the memorandum of understanding commits the two Governments to seeking to find a technical and cost-effective solution to the provision of RTE services throughout Northern Ireland.

Since it was signed, officials from the two Governments have continued to meet and work together to provide for full implementation of the memorandum of understanding. The most recent meeting took place in March and a further meeting is planned for May. The meetings are examining practical ways in which the memorandum of understanding can be used to provide for a smooth transition from analogue to digital television services across the island of Ireland and how best to provide for RTE and TG4 services to be made available throughout Ireland.

---------------------------------------

So, things certainly are looking promising.

Peter Henderson
Sunday 16 May 2010 8:37PM
P.S. I've e-mailed NVTV Jordy Re. the digital switchover. It'll be interesting to see their reply.
Jordy
Thursday 20 May 2010 11:18PM
Then why on earth is it allocated to Divis if Caldbeck is such a problem ?

Because in band 4 there are only four available channels that can be used at Divis, three of these being Brougher's PSB's leaves channel 30...

Channel 30 is being broadcast at high power from Caldbeck, Channel 30 is also being RBL via Caldbeck's relays. Channel 30 usage at Divis would cause CCI problems for incoming signals at most of Caldbeck's border relays.

Areas such as the west coast of Scotland would suffer greatly if Channel 30 usage was allowed at Divis. The great overlap problem would all but wipe out coverage along this coast plus cost attributing to line feeding sites.

An alternative approach may be to swap the channel allocated to the Caldbeck Scottish PSB1 service (Ch 22) for Channel 30. Further work would be required to see if this is a workable solution.

If use of Channel 30 at Divis is not possible, Arqiva believe that only channel 48 in retained spectrum is likely to be available for a further multiplex at Divis at any significant ERP. This channel is used at three Divis relays (Whitehead, Rostrevor and Bellair), which would need re-channelling.

There is no significant use of 48 in the Border TV region, but 48 is used for
COM services at Moel-y-Parc...
Briantist
Friday 21 May 2010 7:11AM
Jordy: Thanks for that, a great reminder of how complicated it can be to allocate frequencies, in particular with cross-border cooperation.
Jordy
Friday 21 May 2010 11:36AM
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...

• 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 - No longer applicable...

• Discuss antenna and aperture availability with site landlords.

Briantist
Saturday 22 May 2010 7:30AM
Jordy: Thanks for all that. It is quite interesting to see that much of the original UHF planning can still be seen in the digital coverage plans.



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