Freeview: Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham, England) full-Freeview transmitter
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Freeview on the Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham, England) transmitter

Google StreetviewGoogle mapBing mapGoogle Earth52.600,-1.835 or 52°36'1"N 1°50'5"WB75 5JJ

Transmitter fauls and engineering works

SUTTON COLDFIELD transmitter - Over the next week Sutton Coldfield main transmitter: TV (digital) working normally, Radio (analogue) Possible weak signal, Radio (digital) working normally. Digital tick
Want to better understand the current TV faults? See the all new UK Free TV page


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The symbol shows the location of the Sutton Coldfield transmitter which serves 1,870,000 homes.

Other maps:Sutton Coldfield DABSutton Coldfield AM/FMSutton Coldfield regionBBC West MidlandsCentral (West 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.

Sutton Coldfield 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. The rating shown takes in account the output power level and the various Freeview transmission modes and do not indicate an ongoing fault.

MuxEffective power level, aerial positionRatingModeWatts
PSB1
BBCA
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		200,000
Channel icons
1 BBC One West Midlands, 2 BBC Two England, 7 BBC Three, 9 BBC Four, 70 CBBC Channel, 71 CBeebies, 80 BBC News, 81 BBC Parliament, 301 301, plus 12 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C43 (650.0MHz) from 433m datum.
PSB2
D3+4
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		200,000
Channel icons
3 ITV (Central (West micro region)), 4 Channel 4 Midlands ads, 5 Channel 5 Part Network ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 Midlands ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 ITV +1 (Central west),
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C46 (674.0MHz) from 433m datum.
PSB3
BBCB
 horizontal
Maximum256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s
DVB-T2 MPEG4		200,000
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD (England no regional news), 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 ITV HD (ITV Central West), 104 Channel 4 HD Midlands ads, plus 1 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C40+ (626.2MHz) from 433m datum.
COM4
SDN
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		200,000
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
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C42 (642.0MHz) from 433m datum.
COM5
ArqA
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		200,000
Channel icons
 TV News,  TV Stars, 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
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C45 (666.0MHz) from 403m datum.
COM6
ArqB
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		200,000
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
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C39+ (618.2MHz) from 433m datum.


Regional news from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter


BBC Midlands Today 2.9m homes 10.9%
from Birmingham B1 1RF, 15km south-southwest
to BBC West Midlands region - 66 masts.

ITV Central News 2.6m homes 9.9%
from Birmingham B1 2JT, 15km south-southwest
to ITV Central (West) region - 46 masts.

Self-help relays

Burton (shobnall)Transposer1 km W Burton-on-Trent60 homes
CoalvilleTransposer18 km NW Leicester600 homes
SolihullTransposerLand Rover building400 homes

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1950s~851984-971997-981998-20112011-132013-182013-18
aerial groupVHFB EB EEB E KB E KW
C4BBCtv
600C33com7
C35com8
C39+ArqB+ArqB+ArqB
C40BBC2BBC2BBC2+BBCB+BBCB+BBCB
C41+1
C42SDNSDNSDN
C43ITVITVITVBBCABBCABBCA
C44+2
C45ArqAArqAArqA
C46BBC1BBC1BBC1D3+4D3+4D3+4
C47+A
700C50C4C4C4
C51+Blocal
C52+C
C55D

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 7th September and 21st September 2011.

  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Birmingham including Greater Birmingham area, part of Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Sutton Coldfield transmitter using C51
  • COM7, COM8 projected for 2013-16. COM7 and COM8 to operate as Bromsgrove,Sutton Coldfield, The Wrekin SFN.

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-4 1000kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB, com7, com8, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-7dB) 200kW
Mux 1*, Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*, Mux C*, Mux D*(-21dB) 8kW

History of Channel 3 in the Sutton Coldfield transmitter area

• Breakfast ◊ Weekends ♦ Friday night and weekends † Weekdays only. Sutton Coldfield 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.

Dave
Friday 9 September 2011 3:55PM
Im in Stafford and have a freeview HD TV and although i have re-tuned i cant get HD channels. I have never had these previously but was hoping that i would get them following the DSO. The DSO website says i should be able to get them? Any ideas as would really like to get the full benefits?
Dennis
Friday 9 September 2011 4:04PM
Paul,the Freeview HD service starts from the second retune,we have to do,on the 21st of this month.
It is already being transmitted from the Lichfield site,but on low power,but this will stop then,and the high power HD signal will come from Sutton.

The above assumes that you have a TV or PVR that can receive HD in the first place,there has been a lot confusion about that,people thinking they have a HD set,when it's only HD ready,not the same thing.
Dennis
Friday 9 September 2011 4:18PM
Dave,the low power Freeview HD service from Lichfield,that is on 'now',is directional towards Birmingham,so I think that is why you can't get it.

After the 21st of this month,when you have done the second re-scan,you should then get it,as it will coming from the Sutton Coldfield site,and at about fifty times the power as it is from Lichfield,right now.
Paul
Saturday 10 September 2011 8:43AM
In response to a earlier post. I am an aerial installer from the Coventry area. The new mux now on full power (CH43) is defiantly transmitting on full power . We have noticed a average of 13dB – 20dB increase of signal.
Liz Hodge
Saturday 10 September 2011 12:47PM Evesham
aerial is up on the roof pointing at lSutton Coldfield, reception fine until re tune, now cant get any BBC chanels or mega breakup including radio on the freeview box. Am in the Evesham area.
Liz Hodge
Saturday 10 September 2011 12:51PM Evesham
forgot to mention aerial is actually pointing towards Malvern which is I believe a S Coldfield relay!
freeview box now calls it either west midlands or gloucester, it jumps from one to the other.
jb38
Saturday 10 September 2011 2:03PM
Liz Hodge: Having a look on the trade predictor using the code provided, indications are that your best reception should be from Lark Stoke, with BBC1 being on Mux Ch26, Ridge Hill is also shown as being good with BBC1 being on Mux Ch28, Sutton Coldfield also good on BBC1 Mux Ch43, but with ITV1 etc being variable until the 21st of the month when switchover stage 2 takes place.

Malvern, the station you mentioned, indicating either variable, poor, or not at all right across the entire range of multiplexes.

If using anything other than Lark Stoke you may have to manually tune the channels in, as Lark Stoke being on a lower mux number will take up EPG1 position and so on.
dillon
Saturday 10 September 2011 2:52PM Halesowen
hi
trying to help a friend, her bedroom freeview tv will only show a few analogue channels and just itv1 on digital. trying a rescan doesnt change anything. on other digital channels the display says signal not available at the moment. does she need a new ariel or will it all work ok when all transmitters have been switched over? i think the ariel points to sutton coldfield
thanks
jb38
Saturday 10 September 2011 3:29PM
dillon: I wouldn't touch anything until the 21st, as on that date all channels from Sutton Coldfield as well Brierley Hill are indicated as becoming available, with Brierly Hill joining them on September the 28th.

Of course only then will it be found what in reality is your best bet, as elements of "in theory" always apply with predictors due to the fact that they cannot fully cater for local conditions.
Transmitter engineering
Saturday 10 September 2011 3:31PM
SUTTON COLDFIELD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Reduced Quality from 13:59 today [BBC]
jb38
Saturday 10 September 2011 5:02PM
dillon: I should of course have said "The Wrekin" joining Sutton Coldfield and Brierley Hill on the 28th of this month.
Briantist
Saturday 10 September 2011 5:17PM
Paul: Freeview HD from Sutton Coldfield starts on Wednesday 21st September 2011.
Billy
Saturday 10 September 2011 7:26PM
Liz and others losing BBC and it will only sadly likely get worse, I'll repeat my post from the Waltham thread, okay:

HUGE MISTAKE.

Had I been in charge, I'd have had ch 61 at 30,000 max.

It makes no sense, cause over the last decade most on this and other transmitters, struggling to get them, got what, better aerial and cable and amps and box, oops, now signals boosted, too darn strong.

For me, YAY, no worries, wish 57 was 50,000 kws, for you, arghhhh, no, turn them down, too much.

What an absolute mess as usual, no wonder last 8 years and still, I enjoy satellite, simply the best, glitch what glitch, VERY rare, but on-digital, disaster, ITV, much the same, no Freeview also messes it up.

Maybe if enough complain to www.arqiva.com link icon Arqiva or whoever it is in charge they may drop them.

BBC mux 1 far far too powerful, crazy, no need for it, unless, unless one knocks the others up, but I suspect that they can not cause of co channel interference, which again from what i'm reading on here and else where, is also causing trouble for many.

A complete mess it seems.

==============

See over the years those struggling or those close and not needing anything, now find after switchover, ouch, not coming in, overload, may day may day, :(.

You need an antenuator or however you spell it, from maplins, to reduce the signal, alternative, add cable and connection and so on, might help, lower amps, or remove them.

Fortunately for Sutton, think all are going to be 200,000, Waltham that is not the case, same at Lark Stoke, so those in weak, or fringe areas like me, in a dip, so can not get sutton at 16 miles away need amps, better aerial, but then you have problems, cause of the difference in power of the public ones like BBC, too strong, if you want the commerical ones, and so on, what a mess eh.
Emma Jeremy
Saturday 10 September 2011 10:34PM
I live in the Longbridge area and can only receive the BBC TV channels and radio stations since the changeover. Before the changeover I could get all the channels. Someone please help
Briantist
Saturday 10 September 2011 10:41PM
Emma Jeremy: Can you possibly provide both your full postcode and the make and model of your equipment?
Matt
Sunday 11 September 2011 1:26PM
What's the reduced quality about, in the engineering?
Bit rate, resolution, power?
Phil
Sunday 11 September 2011 5:56PM
I notice that after 21st September we'll be using channels 39+, 40+, 42, 43, etc. I couldn't find any explanation on this site of what the + refers to but a bit of digging on google returns some info on the 166khz offsets. I'm just wondering if the numbers without + need to be offset by -166khz? (or not at all?).

Many thanks,

Phil
R.Mynett
Sunday 11 September 2011 6:59PM
I have a TV set which picks up BBc1 and BBC2 and all other stations when I re-tune.

However, when I switch off and switch on again BBC1 and 2 are recognised but there is no picture or sound. Display information shows that the signal strength has dropped from 80 to 54%. Manufscturers say it is BBC's fault. Is this true and if so when will the fault be rectified?

R.Mynett
Briantist
Sunday 11 September 2011 7:17PM
Matt: From memory, it's code for the BBC services are being taken from the backup satellite transponder and are not as well statmuxed, so whilst the number of bits remains the same, the perceptual quality can be down.
Briantist
Sunday 11 September 2011 7:33PM
Phil: You apply a negative ofset if there is a minus sign after the number, by convention.

The ofsets are shown at the top of the page, but they are rounded up or down to 0.2MHz.

Geoff Hawkins
Sunday 11 September 2011 7:46PM Stoke-on-trent
Since retune on 07/09 I can now get radio channels in 700 and also 800s did a full reset any ideas ?
Martyn
Sunday 11 September 2011 8:16PM
I have a proline digital set top box and I have tried all the ways to retune including manual. I have even tried just tuning in channel 43 but every time my box after a short while just seem to retune itself and says it has added 7 new programmes or if I only tune 43 it sets up ALL channels, and then I cannot get any of the BBC programmes, except BBC1 seems to come and go. I am in B13 and tuning into Sutton Coldfield.
Mike Dimmick
Sunday 11 September 2011 10:06PM
Geoff Hawkins: For the two weeks between DSO stage 1 and 2, the BBC radio stations - and also BBC Four, CBeebies, and BBC Parliament - are broadcast on both their new home on BBC A (C43) and on their old location on Mux B (C51).
JH
Sunday 11 September 2011 10:56PM
I have no BBC1, 2 or 3 through set top box. All disappeared a week ago but are received OK on the other 2 TVs in the house (the other two are digital TVs not through set top). On the set top the missing channels only show the 'no signal' symbol but they are fully listed on the EPG. All signals come in via good new (last year) aerial, splitter and we have powered signal booster in loft as historically analogue reception was not good (DY7). I have reset,rescanned over and over, checked the selected channels but still can't get BBC1,2,3. All other channels coming in with perfect pictures. We've been digital here for ages and it has always been fine. Is there anything else I can do?
Paul whiston
Monday 12 September 2011 12:01AM Worcester
Hi. I live in worcester wr4 0jw.
I retuned on the 7-9-2011. My ariel is on the roof/chimney.it serves 4 tv's and has always been ok, even for digital stations before switch over.
After retune I have all chanels on all tv;s
BUT on one tv if I switch off and then on again I loose bbc1 and bbc2.the chanel shows it is there but the screen is black. If I retune again they are back untill I turn off again. Any advice would be great Thank You.
dutchman
Monday 12 September 2011 12:36AM
Hello all Pioneer DBR-TF100GB users (the best STB ever made).

I've been asking around and it seems we're all screwed after DSO. Attenuators won't help, changing aerials won't help. Pioneer are allegedly aware of the problem but aren't interested in helping due to the age of the box.

My guess is it's the combination of 8K and 64QAM which have screwed it. I have a more modern Alba box but it doesn't have the refined features of the Pioneer so I will sorely miss it (sniff).
R.Anderson
Monday 12 September 2011 3:42AM Wolverhampton
freeview reception hss severe pixalation and intermitant ''no signal'' on the following channels: itv, channel 4 & 5, itv2, 4+1, more4, qvc, bid tv, itv2+1, e4, 5 star, 5usa, itv1+1, quest, tv has been checked and all is ok, all leads are ok, the ariel [externaly wall mounted] gives good reception on all the other channels, previous reception was good, is the problem due to the transmiters power output for these channels? if so do i need to change my ariel to one suited for a poor or very poor signal area? i have limited resources so don't want to spend if it can be avoided, can't diy as i'm disabled. thank you for your assistance. bob
KMJ,Derby
Monday 12 September 2011 6:09AM
R Anderson: Check in the 800s of the channel list for a set of channels that work correctly. It is possible that you have stored channels from a weak signal from The Wrekin in the normal slots. Otherwise wait for switchover step 2 on 21st September when all muxes will be using 200kW transmitters at Sutton Coldfield.
Briantist
Monday 12 September 2011 9:07AM
dutchman: It's going to be 8k mode that is the issue, 64QAM has been in used since the very start of ONdigital.

There are actually some really good Freeview+ and Freeview+HD boxes out there, but I personally think that Windows 7 Media Center is the best - you can use any size hard drive with it and also FOUR TUNERS.
Briantist
Monday 12 September 2011 9:10AM
JH: I would suspect your non-working box is on the "condemned" list - www.ukfree.tv link icon TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Mike Dimmick
Monday 12 September 2011 12:22PM
JH: Do check that your box is actually tuning in Sutton Coldfield and not something else. Signals from The Wrekin/Bromsgrove/Lark Stoke might be strong enough to be stored - they are on lower frequencies and many boxes, particularly older models, just store the first version they find. You might find a working version somewhere else in the channel list - perhaps around 800.

There's a possibility that the box might even try to store Kinver BBC A, though that is on C48, so it's less likely. The aerial is actually pointing north-east to Sutton Coldfield, and with the elements going side-to-side?

Also check whether your box is known to have a problem with a larger Network Information Table: www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
Geoff Hawkins
Monday 12 September 2011 7:27PM Stoke-on-trent
Mike Dimmock
Thanks for that Mike.
Can now see from the listings above what you are saying . Thanks mate
JH
Monday 12 September 2011 9:01PM Stourbridge
Thanks Brian/Mike. It's a Thompson DTI6300 and not on Brian's list but is on the link from Mike, listed as "Products that have not received an OAD freeze when receiving the first multiplex". Sorry but I'm a non-techie - does this mean it's time to shell out (again) for new equipment or will this right itself at switch over?
Lisa
Monday 12 September 2011 9:36PM
We have noticed over the last few weeks that our TV picture is stuttering quite badly when our Thomson Top-up TV digibox is recording a programme on another channel. It affects both the live TV and the recorded programme such that they are unwatchable. I read on another forum that this could partly be caused by the box's buffer (and switching this off helps a little), but might also be linked to digital switchover works on the transmitter? Can anyone advise whether this is true? Am wondering whether we should return our digibox as faulty or if it's a problem that will resolve when switchover is complete.
I'm in B49 (Alcester).
Briantist
Monday 12 September 2011 10:29PM
JH: Just to translate, if the box was not on when the required update was broadcast (OAD = over-the-air download) then it will fail when it first detects a multiplex in "8k" mode.

In theory, if you have a TUTV box and you run a "firmware upgrade" on it, it should be able to get the latest version of the software, as it is proved alongside TUTV and not a part of the normal "engineering channel".

From memory, these automatic upgrades are normally enabled in the menus so either you turn the box off overnight, or someone has disabled the "auto update" on the box at some time.

Or ... you have got the latest "6.01" version of the firmware and everything will be just fine.
Briantist
Tuesday 13 September 2011 7:43AM
Lisa: Please can you see Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice ?
JH
Tuesday 13 September 2011 11:20AM Stourbridge
Thanks. I think the software is up to date (v.7.04).

Just been on phone to Digital Uk who say that there is problem with reduced signal strength for these channels during switch over but that it will be resolved after the 21st. Time will tell then.
jordan
Tuesday 13 September 2011 6:51PM
will every multiplex go to 200,000 watts seen as all of them were 8,000 watts
Briantist
Tuesday 13 September 2011 7:50PM
jordan: Yes, see "Comparison of analogue and digital signal levels" above.
jordan
Tuesday 13 September 2011 8:20PM Wolverhampton
brian so ArqB goes up to 200,000 watts and ArqA
Briantist
Tuesday 13 September 2011 8:27PM
jordan: Yes, that's what it says.
ken
Wednesday 14 September 2011 9:18AM Alcester
Lisa. I live in B49 and Freeview is still poor. I live near the high street. Wideband antenna with masthead amp. I am sitting with fingers crossed hoping the extra power will fix it next wednesday.

Family who live Kinwarton side of Gunnings bridge have no problems :)
Briantist
Wednesday 14 September 2011 2:21PM
ken: You shouldn't really have problems - you might need to see www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Dennis Leech
Wednesday 14 September 2011 6:14PM Coventry
I have retuned to Freeview and suddenly lost the mux1 channels on one TV. I am using a booster (Wolsey WPS 100/1). I have tried switching off the booster and also bypassing it, but there is no reception. The TV is on the ground floor (as is the booster, next to the TV).

The other TV (on the first floor in a bedroom) has tuned in to all the channels on Freeview fine.
Briantist
Wednesday 14 September 2011 7:19PM
Dennis Leech: Have a look at Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice please.
Nathalie
Thursday 15 September 2011 9:09AM
I live in the Watford area and I've lost many channels from the night of 13/14 September, including Quest. I rebooted the the set top box, deleted all channels and re-installing, to no avail.
I believe my local transmitter is Hemel Hempstead. According to the Freeview website I shouldn't have any problem in my area... What could be the cause and is it only temporary?
Briantist
Thursday 15 September 2011 11:25AM
Nathalie: Please see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
pete N
Friday 16 September 2011 8:33AM Smethwick
Anyone else not getting much digital from Sutton Coldfield right now went off last night still only BBC1 ,2 and BBC News nothing else nothing on scan either no work supposed to be going on until the 21st of the month . nothing on 2 computers and 1 TV the computer is the main TV here
Briantist
Friday 16 September 2011 8:35AM
pete N: The transmitter is operating quite normally. Please see www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
andy
Friday 16 September 2011 1:40PM
I have uploaded a video comparing the new high power mux and the old muxes.

www.youtube.com link icon 
Sutton coldfields new BBCA s mux signal strength
- YouTube

As you will see the high power mux is booming in here at a distance of 72 miles.
I will post another video after dso 2 next week.



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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