Freeview: Guildford (Surrey, England) full-Freeview transmitter
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Freeview on the Guildford (Surrey, England) transmitter

Google mapBing mapGoogle Earth51.228,-0.605 or 51°13'42"N 0°36'18"WGU2 7RW

Transmitter fauls and engineering works



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The symbol shows the location of the Guildford transmitter which serves 48,000 homes.

Other maps:Guildford DABGuildford AM/FMCrystal Palace regionBBC LondonLondon

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.

Guildford 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
 vertical
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		2,000
Channel icons
1 BBC One London, 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 192m datum.
PSB2
D3+4
 vertical
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		2,000
Channel icons
3 ITV (London), 4 Channel 4 London ads, 5 Channel 5 London ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 London ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 ITV +1 (London),
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C46 (674.0MHz) from 192m datum.
PSB3
BBCB
 vertical
Maximum256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s
DVB-T2 MPEG4		2,000
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD (England no regional news), 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 ITV HD (ITV London), 104 Channel 4 HD London ads, plus 1 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C40 (626.0MHz) from 192m datum.
COM4
SDN
 vertical
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		2,000
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 C48 (690.0MHz) from 192m datum.
COM5
ArqA
 vertical
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		2,000
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 C52 (722.0MHz) from 191m datum.
COM6
ArqB
 vertical
Maximum64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		2,000
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 C49 (698.0MHz) from 191m datum.


Regional news from the Guildford transmitter


BBC London 4.9m homes 18.4%
from London W1A 1AA, 45km northeast
to BBC London region - 55 masts.

ITV London News 4.9m homes 18.4%
from London WC1X 8XZ, 47km northeast
to ITV London region - 55 masts.

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1984-971997-981998-20122012-132013-182013-18
aerial groupB EB EEB EB EB E
C40BBC1BBC1BBC1BBCBBBCBBBCB
C41+A
C43ITVITVITVBBCABBCABBCA
C44+2
C46BBC2BBC2BBC2D3+4D3+4D3+4
C47+C
C48SDNSDNSDN
700C49-1ArqBArqBArqB
C50C4C4C4
C51+Blocal
C52ArqAArqAArqA
C54D

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 4th April and 18th April 2012.

  • Ofcom have projected that a local television service for Guildford including Parts of Woking could use an Interleaved Frequency on the Guildford transmitter using C51

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-4 10kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB, BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-7dB) 2kW
Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*(-17dB) 200W
Mux 1*, Mux C*, Mux D*(-20dB) 100W

History of Channel 3 in the Crystal Palace transmitter area

Sep 1955-Jul 1968Associated-Rediffusion†
Sep 1955-Jul 1968Associated TeleVision◊
Jul 1968-Dec 1992Thames†
Jul 1968-Feb 2004London Weekend Television♦
Jan 1993-Feb 2004Carlton†
Feb 2004-Dec 2014ITV plc♦
Feb 2004-Dec 2014ITV plc†
• Breakfast ◊ Weekends ♦ Friday night and weekends † Weekdays only. Guildford 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  ◊ 

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.

Mike O'Sullivan
Saturday 17 March 2012 6:32PM
Many thanks for the info. I have used "satellite grade" co-ax cable, unbroken length properly terminated with 'F' Connectors, but the length is a factor I'm sure.
jb38
Saturday 17 March 2012 7:29PM
Mike O'Sullivan: Just to add to that already said by KMJ, although its not worth altering anything at this late stage the problem you are experiencing is nearly always found in cases where the aerial has been split without using a two (or more) way powered splitter, as this is the only way of ensuring that the signal received by each device is at roughly at the same level.

This said of course assuming (maybe incorrectly!) that a powered splitter isnt used.

However as KMJ has suggested, come switchover to high powered operation your problems will most likely vanish.
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 27 March 2012 11:29AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Weak Signal from 07:59 on 25 Mar to 13:51 on 25 Mar [BBC]
Mike O'Sullivan
Saturday 31 March 2012 5:21PM Guildford
Thanks for the addition. I do use a good quality splitter, but not a powered one.
jb38
Saturday 31 March 2012 8:49PM
Mike O'Sullivan: Yes, but the point is though that "all" non-powered splitters reduce the signal no matter what the brand name might be, the test being to temporarily try the TV in the other room on the lead used by the main TV, or even just try by-passing the two way splitter by connecting the aerial straight into the extension lead, this slightly lifting the signal level.

Although neither test really simulates using a powered splitter which is always superior, although as aforementioned, its hardly worth the bother doing anything at this late stage as the situation will (or should!) be rectified on April 18th.
Transmitter engineering
Sunday 1 April 2012 11:27PM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:31 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 2 April 2012 6:27AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:31 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 2 April 2012 5:28PM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:31 yesterday to 15:21 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 3 April 2012 4:30AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:31 on 01 Apr to 15:21 yesterday [BBC]
Adrian
Wednesday 4 April 2012 12:24AM Wokingham
Has DSO started yet?
Mark Fletcher
Wednesday 4 April 2012 12:38AM Halifax
Adrian,Wokingham.Anytime now DSO1.DSO2 in two weeks time on Wednesday 18 April 2012.
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 4 April 2012 4:30AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Analogue BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:31 on 01 Apr to 15:21 on 02 Apr [BBC]
CJH
Thursday 5 April 2012 12:01AM Woking
I have retuned my Sony Digital TV on 4th April.
It lists all BBC services on the EPG (including radio) but claims no signal on any BBC service.
On manual tune it finds and presents BBC services (sound and picture) which if I 'store' and then select I still get 'no signal'.
All non-BBC services work fine.
Before April 4th all Digital BBC and non BBC services were fine.
My Humax Fox T2 digital recorder has the same ariel signal feed and delivers all BBC services and non BBC services.
How can this be?
What should I do/ try next?
My postcode is GU21 4TE and I believe I am on the Guildford transmitter.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 5 April 2012 12:07AM
CJH: What's the model number of the Sony TV?

Some models won't work after switchover. See these links for some lists (which aren't exhaustive):

www.ukfree.tv link icon TVs and boxes that do not support the 8k-mode | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u…ment

www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon http://www.digitaluk.co.u…tnit
Pedro dd
Thursday 5 April 2012 9:16AM
@CJH-according to digital UK, you should be on Crystal palace, not Guildford. The BBC channels have increased in power exponentially, which could mean they are swamping your tv, if the above post doesn;t answer your question.
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 10 April 2012 10:29AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Over the next week Guildford main transmitter: TV (digital) working normally, Radio (analogue) working normally, Radio (digital) working normally. [DUK]
rob cain
Tuesday 10 April 2012 11:13PM Godalming
i really have a problem making sense of this info.

i live in Godalming, near Guildford(GU73AQ)and since (part 1?) of the change over last week we can no longer receive Channel4 or ITV - though BBC's are all OK. Have been retuning frequently to no avil - no Channel4/ITV anywhere.

before that, we could receive all stations fine (apart from occasional drop-outs over weekends die to low signal strength).

we use Freeview with loft mounted aerial (3 stories up) + signal amplifier.

i read that the Guildford Tansmitter is due for a further upgrade on 18th April 2012.

should this solve our problems with Channel 4 reception?

can anyone make sense of this?

who can we complain to if it doesn't improve?

thanks for any advise/light on the matgter.
Briantist
Saturday 14 April 2012 10:43PM
rob cain: Please can you have a look at the Freeview signals: too much of a good thing is bad for you | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page?
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 18 April 2012 4:29AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air; DSO related from 00:20 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 18 April 2012 6:27AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air; DSO related from 00:20 today to 00:48 today [BBC]
Stuart
Wednesday 18 April 2012 8:15PM
Rescaned today (post digital switchover) and now have, in my Windows Media Center, 4 new sparkly HD channels!

3 of them work pretty well - but ITV 1 HD is very distorted/pixelating.

Anyone else having this problem?
jb38
Wednesday 18 April 2012 9:21PM
Stuart: You haven't mentioned your location in relation to the transmitter and its important to know this, but you should ensure that your signal isn't excessively high as that can cause the problem you are referring to, as overloading always usually affects HD before SD.

If you have any type of aerial booster in line then by pass it, or if you do not have a booster then try a test using a set top aerial.
Briantist
Wednesday 18 April 2012 9:22PM
Stuart: Interesting. As the HD channels are carried together on a single multiplex, you would not expect problems with one service and everything else be OK.

I have a PC here that uses WMC on Windows 7 and all four channels (BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV 1 HD and Channel 4 HD) perform OK.

I must admit that they didn't before the video card was upgraded on this particular machine.
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 19 April 2012 10:30AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air; DSO related from 00:20 yesterday to 00:48 yesterday [BBC]
MIKE B
Thursday 19 April 2012 3:35PM West Byfleet
hi all great forum
my aerial commtel 32 element mounted in loft horizontal
icecrypt hd reciever not bad dim epg
hd stations no good looked on map looks like a BIG hole over us
looks as though will have to wait for guildfod
to come on line any comments?
Transmitter engineering
Friday 20 April 2012 4:29AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air; DSO related from 00:20 on 18 Apr to 00:48 on 18 Apr [BBC]
Briantist
Friday 18 May 2012 6:24PM
MIKE B: You would be best advised to point your aerial at the Crystal Palace transmitter if you want the best possible signals.
Transmitter engineering
Friday 10 August 2012 5:00AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 23:18 yesterday to 23:19 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Saturday 11 August 2012 5:00AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 23:18 on 09 Aug to 23:19 on 09 Aug [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 22 October 2012 10:59AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 today HD Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 22 October 2012 1:50PM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 today to 10:53 today HD Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 today to 10:56 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 23 October 2012 4:49AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 yesterday to 10:53 yesterday HD Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 yesterday to 10:56 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 24 October 2012 4:49AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 on 22 Oct to 10:53 on 22 Oct HD Digital TV Off Air from 08:48 on 22 Oct to 10:56 on 22 Oct [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 15 January 2013 8:02PM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview - No reported problems -. [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 15 January 2013 8:59PM
GUILDFORD transmitter - Freeview No problems on any service. [BBC]
quitequick
Tuesday 22 January 2013 6:40PM
I just installed a loft aerial in GU27 pointing at the Guildford transmitter, connected it to a new Technika TV and did an auto-tune. I am getting a good signal (89%) from all MUXes except from COM5 ArqA which is pretty much 0%. I'm a bit confused why this one MUX would be so weak when the others are so strong.

Any ideas?
Dave Lindsay
Tuesday 22 January 2013 8:19PM
quitequick: Could it be the co-channel signal from Heathfield? If so, could you re-site the aerial where it picks up the interfering signal less?
Roger Huxtable
Sunday 12 May 2013 3:52PM Cranleigh
Last May I fitted a 12dB High Gain Aerial on
my roof, it seemed ok but just lately the
reception is bad, sometimes no signal at all.
Do I need a 48 element aerial?
Roger Huxtable
Sunday 12 May 2013 3:59PM Cranleigh
I have changed my digi box as my digital
recorder could not cope with the interference.
jb38
Sunday 12 May 2013 7:30PM
Roger Huxtable: Your location is indicated as being able (in theory) to receive about the same level of signal from either the Guildford transmitter (@ 6 miles / 316 degrees) with aerial mounted vertically or Midhurst (@ 13 miles / 218 degrees) with the aerial being mounted horizontally? would you know which of the two applies?

The way to check being to carry out a signal test on BBC1 and note the mux channel number shown along with the strength / quality indication, Guildford being Ch43 whereas Midhurst is Ch55.

However irrespective of which of the two you are receiving from its noticed that the signal path from both sources is being obstructed by reasonably dense trees, these not just being in the immediate vicinity but at various points along the way and which could well be responsible for your problems by intermittently blocking the signal, should this be the case then a so called higher gain aerial is very likely to make the situation worse by the fact that high gain aerials are only that because they effectively focus on the signal, but if this is being obstructed / scattered by being reflected from the trees then a wider pick up aerial such as a Log type used in conjunction with a high gain variable booster is more likely to improve the situation, albeit that it will never be perfect.

Further advice dependant on reply.
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 16 May 2013 8:58AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Weak Signal from 04:39 on 14 May to 05:18 yesterday. FM: Radio 1 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 yesterday, Radio 2 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 yesterday, Radio 3 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 y [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Friday 17 May 2013 4:32AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - DAB: BBC National DAB Radio Weak Signal from 04:39 on 14 May to 05:18 on 15 May. FM: Radio 1 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 on 15 May, Radio 2 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 on 15 May, Radio 3 FM Off Air from 04:57 on 14 May to 05:18 o [BBC]
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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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