Freeview: Black Hill (North Lanarkshire, Scotland) Full Freeview transmitter
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Full Freeview on the Black Hill (North Lanarkshire, Scotland) transmitter

Google StreetviewGoogle mapBing mapGoogle Earth55.861,-3.874 or 55°51'40"N 3°52'27"WML7 4NZ

This transmitter has no current reported problems

The BBC and Digital UK report there are no faults or engineering work on the Black Hill (North Lanarkshire, Scotland) transmitter. Click to recheck

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The symbol shows the location of the Black Hill (North Lanarkshire, Scotland) transmitter which serves 940,000 homes.

Other maps:Black Hill DABBlack Hill AM/FMBlack Hill regionBBC ScotlandSTV Central (Glasgow micro region)

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

Black Hill 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
C46 (674.0MHz)576m64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
Channel icons
1 BBC One Scotland, 2 BBC Two Scotland, 7 BBC Three, 8 BBC Alba, 9 BBC Four, 70 CBBC Channel, 71 CBeebies, 80 BBC News, 81 BBC Parliament, 301 301, plus 14 others

PSB2
D3+4
 horizontal max
C43 (650.0MHz)576m64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
Channel icons
3 STV (STV Central (Glasgow micro region)), 4 Channel 4 Scotland ads, 5 Channel 5 Scotland ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 Scotland ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 STV+1 (STV Edinburgh),

PSB3
BBCB
 horizontal max
C40 (626.0MHz)576m256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s DVB-T2 MPEG4		100,000W
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD Scotland, 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 STV HD (STV West), 104 Channel 4 HD Scotland ads, plus 1 others

COM4
SDN
 horizontal max
C41+ (634.2MHz)576m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
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 max
C44 (658.0MHz)576m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
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 max
C47 (682.0MHz)576m64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s DVB-T MPEG2		100,000W
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 Black Hill transmitter


BBC Reporting Scotland 2.4m homes 9.2%
from Glasgow G51 1DA, 26km west
to BBC Scotland region - 230 masts.

STV News 1.3m homes 4.8%
from Glasgow G51 1PQ, 26km west
to STV Central (Glasgow) region - 94 masts.

Self-help relays

Ardtornish ATransposer22 km NW Oban15 homes
BalquhidderTransposer12 km NW Callander42 homes
Benmore BActive deflector50 m WNW Glasgow7 homes
Blair DrummondTransposer5 homes caravan park
Blyth BridgeActive deflector30 km SW Edinburgh50 homes
GlendaruelActive deflector40 hotel40 homes hotel
Glendaruel BActive deflector12 homes (second level)

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1957~851984-971997-981998-20112011-132013-182013-18
aerial groupVHFB EB EEB E KB E KW
C10ITV
600C32com7
C35com8
C37C5C5
C40BBC1BBC1BBC1BBCBBBCBBBCB
C41+1+SDN+SDN+SDN
C43ITVITVITVD3+4D3+4D3+4
C44+AArqAArqAArqA
C46BBC2BBC2BBC2BBCABBCABBCA
C47+2ArqBArqBArqB
700C50C4C4C4
C51+Blocal
C55C
C56local
800C65D

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 8th June and 22nd June 2011.

  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Glasgow including East Kilbride, Motherwell, Paisley could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Black Hill transmitter using C51
  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Falkirk including Stirling could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Black Hill transmitter using C56
  • COM7, COM8 projected for 2013-16. COM9 UK-wide SFN

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-5 500kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB, com7, com8, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-7dB) 100kW
Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D*(-14dB) 20kW
PreDSO-BBCB*(-17dB) 10kW

History of Channel 3 in the Black Hill transmitter area

Aug 1957-Dec 2014Scottish Television
Feb 1983-Dec 1992TV-am•
Jan 1993-Sep 2010GMTV•
Sep 2010-Dec 2014ITV Daybreak•
• Breakfast ◊ Weekends ♦ Friday night and weekends † Weekdays only.


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.

Pete
Sunday 18 July 2010 10:06PM
Tour de France highlights are on ITV1 overnight odd nights check your guide for times.
Briantist
Wednesday 21 July 2010 8:39AM
Aitken: Black Hill has not in any way 'switched', it will do this on Wednesday 22nd June 2011.
RodG
Sunday 1 August 2010 1:35PM Callander
FK17 8HN location is fed from a local transmitter with only the basic 4 channels. Although the signal is weak I did have some success with a Televes 75 aerial and masthead amp setup towards Blackhill. Water penetration to the balun killed this. I am now looking at a 91-Element High-Gain Digital TV Aerial from Maplin. Question is do you think this will be sufficient or better/worse than previous experimental installation for Freeview?
Briantist
Sunday 1 August 2010 1:55PM
RodG: Your reception of Black Hill will only improve if you can mount the aerial up high enough to get a line-of-sight. Without that, you won't get a better digital service as the problem is not lack of signal power in your direction, but lack of direct sight.

RodG
Sunday 1 August 2010 3:48PM Callander
Thanks BrianT I am pretty low down and resorted to a 4m pole through the roof for the Televes setup. Great in Winter but hit&miss in heavy rain etc. Assuming theres forestation inline I cant unfortunately chop out of my way. Aerial sticks out a mile but I dont mind that. I have 3 televisions with built in free view tuners which i wouldnt mind trying to get some use of before 2012 switchover. Just wondered what aerial setup would be best to test with forgetting the costs. I also have a 2M motorised dish but dont wish to set it for freesat . Any advice would be well appreciated.
Briantist
Sunday 1 August 2010 3:56PM
RodG: Switchover is 22nd June 2011 for this transmitter, not 2012.

I'm not sure if you are going to get any value for money out of a huge aerial.

On the costs grounds, it would certainly probably be more effective to add Freesat HD to your home, and then you will probably have an OK Freeview service in 12 months time.
RodG
Sunday 1 August 2010 4:27PM Callander
Thanks BrianT I think the kids will just have to wait until next year and make do with the basic 4 from the local transmitter as at present. I have SKY piped into all rooms from the main box and wanted to stop them hogging a particular channel. Refuse to give SKY any more for multi room as its already very expensive with HD package and all channels. Picture quality is brilliant mind you. Rollon switchover. Once again big thanks for taking the time to answer.
Briantist
Sunday 1 August 2010 4:30PM
RodG: Adding in Freesat won't cost you more than the cost of the boxes and cables though. www.ukfree.tv link icon How much is it going to cost to get High Definition TV? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
RodG
Sunday 1 August 2010 4:49PM Callander
Yes agree but then I will have either an additional dish/lock my 2M down or add a widget to the existing SKY dish and run more cables. House is wired in CT100 to all rooms so distibution should be okay. A seperate additional freesat tuner for each room when TVs already have freeview. A little messy but as you say more than possible. Thing is I really wanted to drop Sky when freeview becomes available but I`ve gotten so used to the HD quality on the multi channel package that I dont think anything free could match it even then. Fingers crossed some real competition comes along in the future.
Briantist
Sunday 1 August 2010 4:56PM
RodG: The picture quality on Freesat is exactly the same as Sky - they are the same broadcasts on the same satellites.

Yes, you can fit any number of devices up to one dish, but you would need to use a quad-LNB if you want more than four.

Having both Freesat and Sky provides the largest possible selection of free to air channels.
RodG
Sunday 1 August 2010 5:19PM Callander
Hi Brian I can spin the big dish to 28oE and get Freesat through the Technomate just now from my main viewing room. What I mean by matching SKY is in terms of variety. There is only a couple of the common channels in HD from Freesat whereas SKY has over 40 and planned for more. I hate paying the extra every month however the movies and sports in particular are worth the costs. If Freesat supplied other HD channels in packages to even match SKY then I would be sorely tempted. For the kids rooms they would be happy enough when Freeview comes along. Cheers!
Briantist
Sunday 1 August 2010 8:09PM
RodG: Sky have entered into restrictive contracts with other broadcasters just to keep their HD channels off Freesat, so it will probably be a few years before there are lots on Freesat.
anon
Wednesday 4 August 2010 3:13PM
Is ITV1 HD on this transmitter STV HD or is it really ITV1 HD?
Briantist
Wednesday 4 August 2010 5:39PM
anon: I think they call it STV HD, I'll have to check.
Graham
Monday 13 September 2010 10:33AM Bellshill
I posted in july about the failure on a Fetch TV box to pickup HD from Blackhill (I'm in Bellshill). Well i took the Fetch and bought the Humax hdr-t2 instead, and it picks up HD without any problems, with the same loft aerial! So it appears the box/tuner can have a big impact on your ability to get freeview hd signals....
Briantist
Monday 13 September 2010 11:50AM
Graham: Yes, that is very true, especially with services that are at very low power levels.
Lynne
Wednesday 6 October 2010 9:46AM Edinburgh
Hi, can't get HD from Blackhill with 3view box. Do you know, should I be able to pick up HD once analogue is switched off? Thanks.
Briantist
Wednesday 6 October 2010 10:35AM
Lynne: Yes, the HD signal will be ten times more powerful after switchover.
I MacRae
Friday 15 October 2010 8:29PM Edinburgh
My postcode is eh16 5jj. I have had no BBC1,2 or 3 signal since Monday 11th October. I have re-tuned and tried a different set top box. Please advise me what the problem could be.
John
Tuesday 26 October 2010 7:22PM
Blackhill - This transmitter has no current reported problems - thats odd since I have reported that during the winter the signal quality from this transmitter does not allow me to see some channels (eg Virgin 1). Having paid for all the recommended changes the final wisdom was wait until the switch and the power will be redistributed to allow signal strength to deliver all the channels.
Briantist
Wednesday 27 October 2010 7:57AM
John: Yes, that is entirely correct.
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 27 October 2010 3:14PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... FAILURE from 13:25 today to 13:30 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 27 October 2010 3:14PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... FAILURE from 13:25 today to 13:30 today [BBC]
Matt
Wednesday 27 October 2010 4:06PM Coleford
We have had 3 calls from customers using the Blackhill transmitter reporting that when they tune in their HD freeview box they are given two options for Central Scotland one contains only 3 HD channels and no SD channels and the other option contains only SD channels and no HD channels, is there any know issues reported?
Briantist
Wednesday 27 October 2010 4:22PM
Matt: Yes, I have also been told of this problem. It appears that there is an extra period after the "Central Scotland" transmitter discriptor in the HD Multiplex from Black Hill.

It seems to be making some boxes think there are two regions, one "Central Scotland" and the other "Central Scotland .".

I suggested manual tuning, but you can't do that apparently on the HD boxes that are presenting the options.

The most obvious way is for the multiplex operator to fix this, as there doesn't seem to be a box work around. Contact the BBC via www.ukfree.tv link icon BBC - Reception problems and also ask your customers to do that same, I would think.
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 28 October 2010 4:12AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... FAILURE from 13:25 yesterday to 13:30 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 28 October 2010 4:12AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... FAILURE from 13:25 yesterday to 13:30 yesterday [BBC]
MarkC
Thursday 28 October 2010 7:09PM
Re: The conflicting Tx Descriptor data for Black Hill, the (right) people within the BBC are aware of this now, and it should be fixed soon. Please post when the problem has been observed to have cleared
Briantist
Thursday 28 October 2010 10:44PM
MarkC: I have heard the same too, so let's hope it gets fixed quickly.
Matt
Friday 29 October 2010 9:41AM Wisbech
Thank you Briantist, We had three reports of the issue on the 27th but have had no reports since but as this only occurs when performing a first time installation i cannot confirm if the issue is resolved, can anyone in the Black Hill reigon confirm the status of this situation?
Briantist
Friday 29 October 2010 11:29AM
Matt: I would guess they've fixed it, do you have a box you can try a first time install on? I'm no in the coverage area.
Transmitter engineering
Friday 29 October 2010 4:13PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 14:44 today to 15:03 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 29 October 2010 4:13PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 14:44 today to 15:03 today [BBC]
John
Saturday 30 October 2010 1:36AM
Another night when signal strength made most of the channels unwatchable, I find it odd that nobody seems to be responsible or accountable for making sure the quality of signal is fit for purpose.
Transmitter engineering
Saturday 30 October 2010 4:13AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 14:44 yesterday to 15:03 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Saturday 30 October 2010 4:13AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 14:44 yesterday to 15:03 yesterday [BBC]
Briantist
Saturday 30 October 2010 6:24AM
John: Well, yes they do and it is. If you have these problems you need to see Freeview intermittent interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Icky
Saturday 30 October 2010 7:31AM Edinburgh
Anyone else experiencing loss of most Mux's from Black Hill Txer over last 12 hours? Only Mux 1 & D are good quality. Rest are unwatchable. I am on fringe for Black Hill (EH41) but have always got an excellent signal through an expensive aerial setup.
Icky
Saturday 30 October 2010 10:32AM Haddington
Sorry for the above post. Just looked at my expensive aerial and seen the wind has blown it off direction !!
J Wilkie
Saturday 30 October 2010 11:55AM
i have bt vision feeding from my ancient analogue aerial vis their box etc....what happens when the ana signal is cut off...will my origianl aerial still be ok?
Briantist
Saturday 30 October 2010 12:11PM
J Wilkie: Yes, it should be, and you will get all the multiplexes, which you won't get at the moment without a wideband aerial.
Matt
Monday 1 November 2010 9:59AM Glasgow
I am also not in a coverage area but asume is has been fixed as no more reports.
Kenneth Bennett
Monday 1 November 2010 7:57PM
1900 Monday 1 November Powmill

Where are Channels 3 4 5 et al ???? Digital that is.

My wife is a committed soapie fan and she is distraught!

Best regards Ken Bennett
John
Monday 1 November 2010 11:25PM
It seems that although I live in Edinburgh it is not possible to maintain a signal in winter to this small area (colour coded white on the map) I can get a signal from Mux A during the summer but its very poor in winter and yes I have tried all the suggestions but they don't work. Just retuned my BT Vision box and lost everything from Mux A - is it down or just not reaching me?
Fred
Tuesday 2 November 2010 9:21AM Livingston
I received my Humax Freeview HD receiver yesterday but it cant pick up any of the HD channels! Blackhill is my nearest transmitter and we have a wide band ariel in the loft. Anyone any ideas?
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 2 November 2010 12:42PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal; DSO related from 12:02 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 2 November 2010 12:42PM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal; DSO related from 12:02 today [BBC]
John
Tuesday 2 November 2010 9:10PM Edinburgh
Just a quick update, just after 8 tonight the signal strength from Mux A suddenly jumped and the BT Box could register the stations again.
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 3 November 2010 4:42AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal; DSO related from 12:02 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 3 November 2010 4:42AM
BLACK HILL transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal; DSO related from 12:02 yesterday [BBC]
Matt
Wednesday 3 November 2010 4:26PM
Another report today of two options found for Central Scotland splitting SD channels and HD channels when performing first time installation, looks to be an ongoing problem now.



Please post a question, answer or commentIf you have Freeview reception problems before posting a question your must first do this Freeview reset procedure then see: Freeview reception has changed, Single frequency interference, and Freeview intermittent interference.

If you have no satellite signal, see Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'

If you have other problems, please provide a full (not partial) postcode (or preferably enter it in box at the top right) and indicate where if aerial is on the roof, in the loft or elsewhere.

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