Freeview: Guildford (Surrey, England) full-Freeview transmitter
Site settings
For an enhanced Freeview reception
prediction please enter your
full postcode, a national grid reference or
a UK latitude and longitude pair. 
Most popular
On other sites

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

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
Want to better understand the current TV faults? See the all new UK Free TV page


map is loading, please wait...

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

  ◊  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.

Tim Davies
Thursday 18 January 2007 11:57PM
We live in Elstead and our analogue TV comes from the Guildford relay via a high gain group B aerial vertically polarised. We cannot get any digital TV from Guildford relay but can get a mimimum signal on multipex 1 (only) on Ch 22 which is Crystal Palace Main. (By coincidence Guildford Relay and Crystal Palace Main are in line of sight from here).Presumably we can't get the others from CP because our aerial is vertically polarised not horizontal for Crystal Palace Main.

Local aerial company say that this is because digital matrixes on Guildford Relay are currently insufficient power to provide full coverage to this village. Are there plans to increase the power from the Guildford Relay and if so, when? Thanks.

Dave Isherwood
Saturday 27 January 2007 9:32PM
We live in Peaslake, (GU59RL). Analogue reception has always been poor, but with a new high gain aerial and masthead amp we managed to get freeview last summer (together with improved analogue on all but ITV). All muxes were there, though 2 and A were poor and often unwatchable. I have recently added a second amp with split outputs and variable gain, we now have all muxes fine, except 2, which has gone totally - CH44 reports no signal. This coincided with the recent storms, although the alignment of the aerial still seems fine and all other reception is OK. I've not found any reports of transmitter problems and have tried clearing and re-installing the freeview box with no success. Any ideas what this could be?
Grant Walch
Thursday 14 June 2007 8:52PM
I live in Chilworth, until about 2 weeks ago I could recieve most freeview channels. But now I seem to have lost mux 2 and D. Your web site indicates there are no known problems at either Guildford or CP transmitter. Can anyone explain why I can no longer tune them in?
Briantist
Friday 15 June 2007 3:14PM
Grant Walch: I can't really say without your full postcode.
Grant Walch
Monday 18 June 2007 1:24PM Guildford
My full postcode is GU4 8NQ
Edward Paice
Monday 1 October 2007 12:02AM Godalming
I live in Witley (GU8 5PQ) and all we get is 1 (always) and C (most of the time) even though you say that B should be the strongest?
Briantist
Monday 1 October 2007 8:10AM
Edward Paice: You need to take all your reception criteria into consideration, please see www.ukfree.tv link icon Find out how to receive Freeview at postcode GU85PQ | ukfree.tv - independent digital TV and switchover advice
Gemunu Peries
Saturday 13 October 2007 3:25PM Guildford
We live in Guildford GU2 7TH and have direct line of sight from our roof to the transmitter. Installed a Televes DAT45. Signal strength showing 86% but pretty much only BBC1 and 2 was picked up. Switched polarisation and pointed at Reigate and Crystal Palace and signal strength is under 70% but everything is fine. Analogue reception is great from Guildford transmtter though. All you need is to connect the coax - no aerial needed to get a half decent picture!
Briantist
Monday 15 October 2007 7:53AM
Gemunu Peries: You are less than 1 kilometer from the Guildford transmitter!
Brian Hooper
Friday 19 October 2007 5:12PM
My question regarding channel to Mux allocation appears to have been removed. Could you please let me know why? I'm pretty sure it wasn't offensive.
Noitv
Friday 26 October 2007 2:18PM
Help....

I also live in central Guildford GU1. Up until about 8 weeks ago (just before Rugby World Cup) I had a great siganl / picture on all Freeview channels. Suddenly I lost ITV, CH4, CH5 etc (most on the list above as being low signal).

I tried re-tuning box, but no luck. Thought maybe the box had bust since nothing else had changed (as far as I know). Since then I have got a new box, and still have the same problem.

I have tried getting an aerial amplifier, but this hasn't helped (other than improving my analogue ITV and CH4).

What I'd like to know is... what happened to make them all disappear, and how can I get them back please?

Many thanks.
Brian Hooper
Saturday 27 October 2007 11:07PM
Hello again. Who do I contact to comment about channel to mux allocation? It's really bugging me that I cant get UKTV History and Film4 due to my standard aerial.
Thanks.
Briantist
Sunday 28 October 2007 9:32AM
Brian Hooper: It is your responsibility to get the correct equipment to receive the services you wish to receive.
Brian Hooper
Monday 29 October 2007 1:57PM
Fair enough. Thanks.
Noitv
Monday 29 October 2007 7:57PM Guildford
Briantist - Thanks for the response. I read the page on single frequency interference with interest, and promptly disconnected the video and re-scanned. However, this hasn't fixed the problem. Looking at the interference page, it seems that I'm missing all of the MUX 2 and MUX A channels. They all worked perfectly before, and all vanished at the same time. I'm pretty baffled as to what I need to do. As I mentioned in the previous post, I changed the Freeview box, with no effect. If anyone could advise it would be great. Many thanks.
Briantist
Tuesday 30 October 2007 7:04AM
Noitv: Is the aerial mounted on the roof with a good line of sight to the transmitter?
Noitv
Tuesday 30 October 2007 11:45AM
It is mounted on the roof, yes. As far as I can tell my aerial is pointing in the same direction as all the neighbouring houses. Also, it used to work fine - until 8 weeks ago, and suddenly I've lost MUX 2 and MUX A. Seems very strange.
Briantist
Tuesday 30 October 2007 6:58PM
Noitv: It's just got to be either a bad connection or the aerial has been moved by accident... Mux 2 and A will go first.
Noitv
Wednesday 31 October 2007 10:12AM
OK, I guess I'll have to get onto the roof (somehow) and see if I can move the aerial around a bit. I don't really see how it can have moved, as the roof is pretty inaccessible. Given that my old aerial WAS working fine for all channels, is there any point in upgrading the aerial while I'm at it for something better (it's not a new aerial, so not manufactured with digital in mind as far as I know), but did work fine until this problem.

Thanks.
Briantist
Wednesday 31 October 2007 10:43AM
Noitv: The weather is usually the cause of damage to aerials and cables, not visitors. You might want to get a nice new aerial whilst you are up there. Get a Class I for best results. You should also consider running in new cable.
Noitv
Monday 5 November 2007 11:13AM
Briantist: Thanks for that advice. Getting on to my roof might be tricky.... so I was thinking I might (reluctantly) call in an aerial company. I was also thinking that I would go out and buy a new aerial before I did so, and get them to fit it - with new cables. I don't own a ladder, so at the very least I would have to hire one anyway, so I was thinking that perhaps getting an aerial company in was a good idea..... just don't want to get ripped off. Know anyone good in the Guildford area please?
Briantist
Monday 5 November 2007 11:42AM
Noitv: If you don't want to get ripped off get three quotes before you start.
Noitv
Tuesday 6 November 2007 12:17PM
Briantist: Excellent, problem solved. Turned out that it was a dodgy cable running from the aerial to the tv.... so aerial was ok! Was already an unused second cable coming from the aerial, so have re-routed that instead and all is good. The cable that I was using had a few connections in it. I reckon some moisture had probably got inside. MANY thanks for the help/suggestions along the way.
Briantist
Tuesday 6 November 2007 1:02PM
Noitv: I'm glad it's fixed for you, it was a pleasure to help.
Nick Jillings
Saturday 5 January 2008 10:14AM Crowthorne
The radius of the Guildford Transmitter is inaccurate. I live in KT22 8QJ and get freeview from the Guildford transmitter perfectly, it might just be worth updating this as I know people who live nearby who cannot get Crystal Palace, but can get the Guildford transmitter
J Medhurst
Thursday 24 January 2008 9:59AM
We lost all Freeview reception and most analogue reception yesterday (Weds 23rd Jan 08) - GU1 postcode. Has anyone else encountered this problem? TV (with integrated box) is less than a year old so unlikely to be that.
Briantist
Thursday 24 January 2008 11:27AM
J Medhurst: Loss of ALL services, analogue and digital usually indicates a critical fault with the aerial, or a disconnected lead or connector. Loss of all services from a transmitter for any length of time happens rarely and has to be contractually fixed within hours.
FatBaz
Tuesday 29 January 2008 10:17AM Guildford
I live in the black hole for TV reception both analogue and digital, Post Code GU5 9LH, Gomshall. I have had installed a satellite dish, but on the switch over will probably install aerial for Freeview as some freeview channels are unavailable via satellite. I have checked the coverage map from 2012 for this area as being Midhurst. Is this correct and would I be able to receive the transmission at present albeit only poorly? I note the ERP at this moment is only 1KW but increasing substantially from 2012.
Briantist
Wednesday 30 January 2008 6:46AM
FatBaz: You will use the Guildford transmitter (which you can use already). www.ukfree.tv link icon Find out how to receive Freeview at postcode GU59LH | ukfree.tv - independent digital television and switchover advice, since 2002
Max Taylor
Monday 28 July 2008 7:12PM
Reception on all ITV channels is pathetic, is there a reason for this?
L D Cowan
Sunday 28 September 2008 12:39PM
I am unable to receive channel 5 on Freeview. My set(s) are correctly tuned to Guildford and the station identidy comes up when selecting the Channel but the set shows 'no signal' I have 100% signal strength for the other freeview channels. Is this a problem of polarisation?
Briantist
Tuesday 30 September 2008 7:17AM
L D Cowan: Polorisation? No! Please see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent digital television and switchover advice, since 2002 for help
L D Cowan
Tuesday 30 September 2008 9:38AM Cobham
Briantist. Thank you for your helpful answer. I'll follow the suggestions in the link you sent. L D Cowan
Briantist
Tuesday 30 September 2008 1:14PM
L D Cowan: I hope it works for you.
Happy in Ash
Wednesday 31 December 2008 9:19AM
Reception is PERFECT in Ash
Only 8 miles away from transmitter, so I installed a loft aerial and pointed it roughly at the Guildford transmitter.
Reception is perfect and all channels listed above are available.
Briantist
Wednesday 31 December 2008 9:22AM
Happy in Ash: Glad to hear it, but you may still have problems with the Freeview HD service with a loft aerial - the one being tried out on this transmitter!
Xamas
Sunday 31 May 2009 9:32PM Guildford
I lost all ITV and Channel4....well....they are somehow now in position 800+ and the quality is not good at all

I live in Guildford, GU29GB

Anybody experiencing the same problem in the last couple of weeks?

Thanks
Matt
Monday 1 June 2009 4:30PM Mansfield
Are you sure you've lost them on LCN 3 and 4... LCNs 800+ are usually channels which are duplicated from another transmitter. So for example I get central and yorkshire (east) itv regions... central appears on 3 with yorkshire as the second region on 802? Just a thought. If it is this and you've somehow lost the other versions, a rescan may cure it?
Barry
Wednesday 3 June 2009 1:57PM
There is an EU election tomorrow yet few know about the issues. For instance I have spoken to many people over the years and few are aware that up to 95% of the EU Budget amounting to trillions over 14 years is unaccounted for/missing according to the EU Auditors. The British contribution is £40 millions daily = £14 billions Yearly =£190 Billions over 14 years during which time the EU Auditors have refused to sign off the books is missing. No questions have been raised in parliament nor have the media raised the question about this most galactic of scandals. This is the elephant in the room how about reporting on this before the Elections tomorrow?
Matt Ross
Saturday 21 November 2009 9:42PM Guildford
I live in GU1 and had no problem getting a fair range of channels until three weeks ago (some time after the retune) and now only get BBC channels. Any ideas?
chris
Wednesday 25 November 2009 4:58PM
I live in GU2 very very close to the Guildford transmitter. I am intending to get Freeview. On looking at many neighbouring arials I note they are not pointing at Guildford but towards Crystal Palaca (I think). Any reason for this?
Briantist
Thursday 26 November 2009 7:17AM
chris: Very hard to say without a full postcode.
chris
Thursday 26 November 2009 10:07AM Guildford
thanks Briantist. My full postcode is GU27PR
Briantist
Thursday 26 November 2009 11:48AM
chris: It's hard to see why anyone would want to use Crystal Palace, Guildford has a full Freeview service. It's even the same BBC and ITV region. I would go for Guildford with a standard-sized aerial.
Transmitter engineering
Monday 4 January 2010 9:34AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - BBC Two Weak Signal - From 0852
Transmitter engineering
Monday 4 January 2010 10:09AM
GUILDFORD transmitter - BBC Two Weak Signal - From 0852 [BBC]
Matt Clarke
Friday 27 August 2010 9:26PM
Going back to Chris's post about all the aerials on Crystal Palace, he's right. I drive past every day nearly and can almost see the Guildford transmitter from the houses. However, apparently, there is a severe ghosting problem on analogue from Guildford from that postcode, hence why CP is used. Digital UK also recommends CP. www.digitaluk.co.uk link icon Digital UK - Postcode checker (PE356EA)
Steve
Sunday 26 September 2010 8:23AM
Hi all
I have just up graded to a Sony with freeveiw HD tuner. I have all the channels with good strong and top quility signal and no interferance. But I have none of the HD channels. I am in Cranleigh Surrey and tuned to the Guildford transmitter any ideas. Or is Guildford not transmitting in HD.
Thanks Steve 07785 503515



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.

UK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.