Freeview: Dover (Kent, England) full-Freeview transmitter
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Freeview on the Dover (Kent, England) transmitter

Google StreetviewGoogle mapBing mapGoogle Earth51.112,1.247 or 51°6'41"N 1°14'51"ECT15 7AQ

4G at 800MHz (at800) Freeview reception issues

When 800MHz 4G mobile broadband services start there will be 1 multiplex in the higher risk range (C21-23, C30, C59-60): C59: ArqA
See How do I know if the 4G broadband will overload my Freeview? and Full UK map of 4G issue areas for details.

Transmitter fauls and engineering works



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The symbol shows the location of the Dover transmitter which serves 190,000 homes.

Other maps:Dover DABDover AM/FMDover regionBBC South EastMeridian (East 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.

Dover 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		80,000
Channel icons
1 BBC One South East, 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 C50 (706.0MHz) from 370m datum.
PSB2
D3+4
 horizontal
Maximum64QAM 8K 2/3
24.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		80,000
Channel icons
3 ITV (Meridian (East micro region)), 4 Channel 4 South ads, 5 Channel 5 Part Network ads, 6 ITV 2, 13 Channel 4+1 South ads, 14 More 4, 28 E4, 33 ITV +1 (Meridian south coast),
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C51 (714.0MHz) from 370m datum.
PSB3
BBCB
 horizontal
Maximum256QAM 32KE 2/3
40.2Mb/s
DVB-T2 MPEG4		80,000
Channel icons
101 BBC One HD (England no regional news), 102 BBC Two HD (England), 103 ITV HD (ITV Meridian Southampton), 104 Channel 4 HD South ads, plus 1 others
• as a digital multiplex transmitted on frequency C53 (730.0MHz) from 370m datum.
COM4
SDN
 horizontal
Above average64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		40,000
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 C55 (746.0MHz) from 370m datum.
COM5
ArqA
 horizontal
Above average64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		40,000
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 C59 (778.0MHz) from 370m datum.
COM6
ArqB
 horizontal
Above average64QAM 8K 3/4
27.1Mb/s
DVB-T MPEG2		40,000
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 C48 (690.0MHz) from 370m datum.


Regional news from the Dover transmitter


BBC South East Today 0.8m homes 3.2%
from Tunbridge Wells TN1 1QQ, 69km west
to BBC South East region - 45 masts.

ITV Meridian News 0.8m homes 3.1%
from Maidstone ME14 5NZ, 52km west-northwest
to ITV Meridian (East) region - 39 masts.

How the transmission frequencies change over time

years1960~851984-971997-981998-20122012-132013-182013-182019-
aerial groupVHFC/D EC/D EC/D EC/D EC/D EC/D EK
C10ITV
C22SDN
C25ArqA
C28ArqB
C39BBCB
C42D3+4
C45BBCA
C48ArqBArqBArqB
700C50BBC1BBC1BBC1BBCABBCABBCA
C51D3+4D3+4D3+4
C53C4C4C4BBCBBBCBBBCB
C55-ASDNSDNSDN
C56BBC2BBC2BBC2
C57+Clocal
C58+B
C59ArqAArqAArqA
C60-D
800C61+2
C66ITVITVITV
C681

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 13th June and 27th June 2012.

Comparison of old analogue and current digital signal levels

Analogue 1-4 100kW
BBCA, D3+4, BBCB(-1dB) 80kW
SDN, ARQA, ARQB(-4dB) 40kW
Mux 2*, Mux A*, Mux B*(-17dB) 2kW
Mux 1*, Mux C*(-20dB) 1000W
Mux D*(-23dB) 500W

History of Channel 3 in the Dover transmitter area

Aug 1958-Jan 1992Southern Television
Jan 1982-Dec 1992Television South (TVS)
Jan 1993-Feb 2004Meridian
Feb 2004-Dec 2014ITV plc
• 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.

Transmitter engineering
Monday 20 February 2012 4:32AM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 23:55 on 15 Feb to 05:40 on 16 Feb BBC TWO Off Air; DSO related from 05:31 on 16 Feb to 05:40 on 16 Feb [BBC] Over the next week Dover main transmitter: TV (analogue) Liable to interruption, TV (digital) Liable to interruption, Radio (analogue) working normally, Radio (digital) working normally. [DUK]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 20 February 2012 12:38PM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 23:55 on 15 Feb to 05:40 on 16 Feb BBC TWO Off Air; DSO related from 05:31 on 16 Feb to 05:40 on 16 Feb [BBC]
Petra Gensch
Thursday 22 March 2012 7:56PM
Hello
I hope you are the right people to address with this issue. In the past two weeks our TV set has temporarily lost its signal. It has always come back, but with varying degrees of efficiency. We are gradually preparing for the switchover, and have the new TV set, but not yet the digital box nor the satellite dish. We have, however, paid our TV licence in full until the end of May 2012 and expect a faultless reception or a refund. Please undersdtand how annoying it is to lose the signal during important programmes such as the Budget speech on the BBC News. Please advise
Thank you
Petra Gensc
Briantist
Thursday 5 April 2012 12:08PM
Petra Gensch: You pay your TV Licence because you own a TV set, and the BBC use the money to make and broadcast programmes.

However, it does not cover payment for fixing your reception problems.

I suggest you have a look at www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview reception has changed? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice but you should probably consult a local installer and get them to fix your reception problem.
m kinsella
Thursday 12 April 2012 7:34PM Canvey Island
Hello since the switch over i get meridian instead of crystal palace can you please tell me how to get crystal palace back
thank you mike
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 12 April 2012 9:07PM
m kinsella: Please turns off Caps Lock - typing in capitals is akin to shouting and is therefore rude!

It may help others who may wish to help you that you have already asked the question once and a suggestion has been provided. The previous discussion is here: Crystal Palace digital switchover date | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

You say you have Meridian, but from which transmitter? It would help to know what you have so as to know what you are seeking to avoid!

Select ITV Meridian, bring up the signal strength screen and see if it says what UHF channel it is tuned to. This will tell us what transmitter it is. I am anticipating it is C24, providing that the last time you ran the automatic tuning scan you unplugged the aerial when it got to 30% as I suggested.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 12 April 2012 10:07PM
m kinsella: If you run the scan and unplug at 30%, you should have the aerial unplugged for channels/frequencies above CP. If you are still picking up Meridian then, without confirmation, I would assume that it is picking up the Meridian from Bluebell Hill which is within the window you have your aerial plugged in for. Channels are as follows:

22 CP ITV1 [Mux 2]
23 CP BBC One (full power) [BBC A]
24 BB ITV1
27 BB ITV3
28 CP BBC Four [Mux B] - probably not needed
29 CP Yesterday [Mux D]
32 CP ITV3 [Mux A]
34 CP Pick TV [Mux C]

Channel scan is 21 to 69. Unplugging at 30% is around C35.

I suggest that you are seeking to avoid C24 and C27, as above. This is why I suggest you check which channel ITV Meridian is on.

If so, then I would run the tuning scan with the aerial unplugged, plug in at 15% and unplug at 30%. This will have your aerial unplugged for 24 and 27 (which you don't want). It will also have missed out BBC from CP, so you need to go to manual tune and tune to C23 to add this.

Likewise, ITV1 will be missing, so go to manual tune again and go to C22. If you are missing Yesterday on number 12, then manual tune to C29. And ITV3 is C32.

See here for list of services on each mux:

www.ukfree.tv link icon Freeview multiplexes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

Mux B on C28 is probably not needed as it duplicates services already on BBC A (C23).
Chris Baldwin
Saturday 14 April 2012 2:47PM
I am able to receive bbc 4 and cbbs on my digital tv near Boulogne France ( Wimereux)but no other freview stations except sometimes one of the shopping channels. I think I am receiving the tv signal from Dover. The aerial is on the roof of a high building near the channel. When the analogue signal is switched off and the digital signal enhanced, what are the chances of receiving all freeview programs?

Thanks for your help
David
Saturday 14 April 2012 2:51PM
m kinsella: easier option is 2 wait until 18th and then re-tune. As Crystal Place will be on full power 4 both commercial and BBC. Trust me a wire will then pickup the signal at 200kw.
Dave Lindsay
Saturday 14 April 2012 3:21PM
m kinsella: I would second David's suggestion!

It should sort itself out then. In the mean time, switch to analogue to watch BBC and ITV regional programmes.
Dave Lindsay
Saturday 14 April 2012 3:37PM
Chris Baldwin: Try tuning to Dover's analogue services which are 50, 56, 66 and 53.

It does depend on whether there are any French transmitters that are co-channel that may interfere at your location.

The green coverage area above suggests that along the French coast it may be possible to pick it up.

Due to the fact that the powers that be will not release the radition patterns of Dover's post-DSO multiplexes, the above is an assumption.
Transmitter engineering
Wednesday 25 April 2012 5:29PM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Off Air from 14:07 today to 14:13 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 26 April 2012 4:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Off Air from 14:07 yesterday to 14:13 yesterday [BBC]
Julian Hicks
Thursday 26 April 2012 6:08PM Ashford
Just wondered why different transmitters in the South East will have different 'transmission power' values post DSO.

I'm in Ashford, some parts of which have traditionally had poor coverage from Dover. Like many others, my rooftop aerial was changed to 'point the other way' to Heathfield and the signal boosted to get any chance of Freeview coverage, which is 'sort of' OK most of the time.

Obviously it will get much better when Heathfield gets DSO, but I note that Heathfield goes from 1.6kW/1kW to 20kW 'post DSO' whereas Dover goes from 2kW/1kW/500W to 80kW/40kW.
Transmitter engineering
Friday 27 April 2012 4:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Off Air from 14:07 on 25 Apr to 14:13 on 25 Apr [BBC]
Briantist
Friday 18 May 2012 10:11AM
Julian Hicks: The output levels are changed so that the coverage of the three PSB multiplexes matches that of the four analogue channels before switchover.

In Kent, in particular, the levels have to be selected with great care, because France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are very close, at least as far as radio signals are concerned.

Transmitter engineering
Sunday 27 May 2012 4:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 today to 02:25 today BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 yesterday to 23:10 yesterday Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 yesterday to 22:36 yesterday BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 yesterday to 22:36 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Sunday 27 May 2012 2:27PM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 yesterday to 23:10 yesterday BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 today to 02:25 today Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 yesterday to 22:36 yesterday BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 yesterday to 22:36 yesterday [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 28 May 2012 4:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 yesterday to 02:25 yesterday BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 23:10 on 26 May Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Monday 28 May 2012 8:27AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 23:10 on 26 May BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 yesterday to 02:25 yesterday Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 29 May 2012 10:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 23:10 on 26 May BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 on 27 May to 02:25 on 27 May Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 29 May 2012 3:28PM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 on 27 May to 02:25 on 27 May BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 23:10 on 26 May Analogue BBC ONE Off Air from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May BBC TWO Weak Signal from 22:29 on 26 May to 22:36 on 26 May [BBC]
Josh
Wednesday 30 May 2012 9:01AM
@Briantist: You DO NOT need a TV licence to own a TV set! If you read the information at tvlicensing.co.uk, it will even tell you that you don't need a TV licence if you use a TV for the purpose of not watching live broadcasts, but instead watching DVDs, using a games console etc. Sorry to seem blunt.
Transmitter engineering
Thursday 31 May 2012 4:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Freeview BBC Digital TV (Four, Cbeebies, Parliament, 3... Weak Signal from 01:55 on 27 May to 02:25 on 27 May [BBC]
Pete S
Monday 4 June 2012 6:36PM Canterbury
No question or answer.
I can't find any other way of getting notification of comments about the Dover Transmitter
david
Sunday 10 June 2012 1:18PM
Do you no why BBC One analogue swaps to C56. on stage one of the switch over
Dave Lindsay
Sunday 10 June 2012 2:19PM
david: This happens with some transmitters at switchover, where one of the analogue services takes the place of BBC Two analogue so as to throw another free.

C56 is not used at all by Dover after switchover as it is to be used by Sudbury for one of its Commercial multiplexes. These are on temporary channels at very low power which has caused many complaints from people who now can't receive them.
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 12 June 2012 4:28AM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 01:23 today BBC TWO Off Air; DSO related from 00:22 today [BBC]
Transmitter engineering
Tuesday 12 June 2012 6:26AM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Weak Signal; DSO related from 05:02 today BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 01:23 today to 05:02 today BBC TWO Off Air; DSO related from 00:22 today to 05:04 today BBC TWO Weak Signal; DSO related from 05:05 today [BBC]
John Gorham
Wednesday 13 June 2012 3:45PM Rye
Hello.
Since this morning, BBC 1 and BBC 2 digital have a very "fuzzy" picture. This is via our digital TV with built in free view. We have a Freeview recorder box, and the picture is better on that.
Why has our picture degraded since last night, how do we put it right. we have retuned, twice.
Thanks
Andrew Walter
Wednesday 13 June 2012 9:45PM Dover
Since retuning this morning we have not been able to get the BBC channels very clearly. Reading earlier comments and one in particular from David Lindsay explaining about the usage of C56. Am I right in thinking that the reception of the BBC channels will get better on the 27th June and until then we are stuck with unwatchable BBC.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 14 June 2012 12:33AM
Andrew Walter: The BBC channels from Dover on C50 are as they will be after 27th. That is, they have "switched". Obviously check that they are coming in on C50 and not another channel which would indicate that your receiver is tuned elsewhere which would therefore be the problem.

At under 3 miles from the 80kW transmitter your receiver could be being overwhelmed by the strength of the signal. Therefore this could get worse when all the other channels go up to full power.

You may need to get yourself an attenuator:

www.ukfree.tv link icon ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice
Gordon Ormston
Thursday 14 June 2012 8:48PM
Hi
Before the switch over in the Dover area yesterday I had no problems whatsoever in receiving all the usual channels on my Sony Digital TV. Following the switch over I am having problems with all BBC channels. ITV and most of the other channels are still perfect. I have re-tuned numberous times to no avail. The problem is constant image pixellation, broken sound quality and frequent loss of tuning. I have spoken three times to 'digitaluk' and despite their best efforts they have no idea why this is happening. Prior to switch over no problems receiving digital signals and nothing my end has changed can you help? Tried fitting an inline booster, this improved the tuning issue on the BBC channels but not the pixellation and sound problems.
david
Thursday 14 June 2012 9:09PM
hello Gordon Ormston have you rescaned by doing first install. as for using a booster i would remove it as you wont need it as the signel was boost yesterday. also see if the tv is tuned to ch50 that bbc A is using or put it in your self.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 14 June 2012 9:30PM
Gordon Ormston: Confirm that it is tuned to C50.

If that doesn't fix it, then I would suspect that the signal level being fed into it is now too high and is in need of attenuation.

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
Gordon Ormston
Thursday 14 June 2012 9:45PM
Hi David

Thanks for your comments, re-tuned using all options but whilst all ITV channels are still OK the BBC channels are breaking up. 'Loss of tuning' was a bit misleading, I meant loss of picture and BBC tuned in correctly to ch50. 'digitaluk' suggested the signal too strong as situated within 5km from transmitter. If thats the case I can't be the only person affected and begs the question was this not taken into account during the planning stage?
Gordon Ormston
Thursday 14 June 2012 10:29PM
Hi Dave

Thanks for your reply. Have double checked and BBC definitely tuned into ch50. Am I right in thinking that on the final changeover on the 27th the same problem could occur with the other channels. Please explain what's involved in attenuation.
Dave Lindsay
Thursday 14 June 2012 11:41PM
Gordon Ormston: The high power post-switchover signals are such so as to provide equivalent coverage to that of the former analogue (at least for BBC, ITV1, C4, C5 and other Public Service channels).

Due to fewer frequencies being available, transmission powers had to be kept down so that they could be re-used by transmitters within a closer proximity than they otherwise would have been. Also, power was low so as not to interfere with analogue transmissions already on air which were co-channel.

In essence, it was a quasi-national network; i.e. there were gaps in coverage which is why we have a "switchover" and not just a "switch-off" (of analogue).

I assume that they covered as much of the population as they could with this network giving greater preference to those transmitters with more viewers (the assumed objective being to cover as many as possible). In any case, international clearance would have had to be granted with any signals along the coast being more likely to affect the continent.

So there was probably little that could be done if the pre-switchover service was to be crammed in.

-----

See www.ukfree.tv link icon ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice

A variable attenuator such as that shown on that page will cost £3 or £4 from online sources such as eBay. These are usually 20dB ones.

As an example (others are available!) I found this one:

www.ebay.co.uk link icon VARIABLE ATTENUATOR TV SIGNAL REDUCER 20dB 3 5 6 9 10 12 15 18 DIGITAL FREEVIEW | eBay
Dave Lindsay
Friday 15 June 2012 12:11AM
Gordon Ormston: Yes, come the 27th it could happen to other channels.
Andrew Walter
Friday 15 June 2012 7:28AM Dover
It seems that myself and Gordon have the same problem. I already had a signal amplifier on the aerial as I live under the shadow of hill that improved things vastly pre switchover. Since the switchover I have not been able to get the BBC channels. I have checked, rechecked, retuned and can confirm that the BBC channels are on C50. Yesterday with the amplifier still in place I had a signal strength of 60% and quality jumped from 40% upto 100% constantly. The suggestion of fitting an attenuator was proved by removing the amplifier (thought that this would prove one way or another without buying one) this made things even worse. The signal strength went down to 20% and quality (still jumping) from 0% upto 20%. By the way I live within 3 miles of the Dover mast. It looks like I might have to call in an aerial guy and spend a vast amount of money just because of the switchover.
Transmitter engineering
Friday 15 June 2012 10:29AM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Weak Signal; DSO related from 00:37 on 13 Jun BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 23:57 on 12 Jun to 00:36 on 13 Jun BBC ONE Weak Signal; DSO related from 05:02 on 12 Jun to 23:57 on 12 Jun BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 01:23 on 12 Jun to 05:02 [BBC]
Dave Lindsay
Friday 15 June 2012 10:35AM
Andrew Walter: There is always the possibility that you need even more attenuation than you have. Perhaps connecting two attenuators inline with one another, one of them being a variable one.

The mast head amp needs removing, no doubt. With it in installed, its the signal from the aerial could be too high for the amp to cope with. Thus the signal will distort at the amp.

So the output of the amp will always be distorted. Adding attenuation will therefore give you a smaller distorted signal.


To pick-up less signal, whilst tuned to C50, try a 12 to 18 inch piece of wire inserted into the inner part of the aerial socket. Or use a set-top aerial. Or, as a crude attenuator, try your roof top aerial with a section of the screening removed so as to "loose" some signal.
David
Friday 15 June 2012 2:08PM
so how come im ok with my signal here in sandwich then. also my aerial is in the loft & i get 90%
Dave Lindsay
Friday 15 June 2012 3:22PM
David: The two main factors that increase the likelihood are:

1. Proximity - the closer you are, the stronger the signal that is in the air. (Obviously the more off line of sight you are, the less likely that you are going to get too much signal, e.g. if you are in a valley but not very far from the transmitter).

2. People who upgraded their aerials because there old ones weren't sufficiently sensitive to pick up the low power pre-switchover signals may find that their aerials are now too sensitive. These would "tend" to be further away than those who aerials were sensitive enough.

Again, distance isn't everything. People can live close but with obstructions and without line of sight.


The point is that the difference between the pre-switchover digital and post switchover digital is big.

Digital reception is about thresholds. So you need enough level of signal to get a picture (the lower threshold) and not too much as to exceed the upper threshold.

Those who, before switchover, had sufficient signal level (to be above the lower threshold), but which was below the upper threshold by an amount greater than the increase in strength (before vs after) will therefore be OK.
Kathie
Friday 15 June 2012 5:20PM
Following switchover on Wednesday I could not receive any BBC channels. After speaking with the helpdesk of my digibox supplier I managed to complete the "factory retune" and all of the BBC channels appeared. Now however I can't get Yesterday or ITV4. My signal comes from the Dover transmitter covering the "south east area" (rather than the Kent area which only has 17 available channels). Any ideas what else I can do to recover Yesterday and ITV4 without losing BBC? Thanks
Dave Lindsay
Friday 15 June 2012 6:56PM
Kathie: Yesterday, ITV4 etc from Dover is currently on C55, so if your set has manual tuning, try tuning to it.

If you can't get it, it could be that previously you were "only just" able to receive it due to its weak strength. The strong BBC signal may have had an adverse effect on reception of other channels. This should correct itself when you retune on 27th.
derek strand
Friday 15 June 2012 10:53PM Ashford
Just to say that we are in Ashford and have had problems with our digital recorder not saving BBC1 after the switch over on 13th - since reading this forum we have turned our booster down and it appears that this has corrected the missing BBC chanels from Dover, many thanks - it is just a shame that this information is not made available via local press etc so that those who do not have internet could be aware.
Transmitter engineering
Saturday 16 June 2012 8:27AM
DOVER transmitter - Analogue BBC ONE Weak Signal; DSO related from 00:37 on 13 Jun BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 01:23 on 12 Jun to 05:02 on 12 Jun BBC ONE Off Air; DSO related from 23:57 on 12 Jun to 00:36 on 13 Jun BBC ONE Weak Signal; DSO related from 05:02 on 12 Jun to 23:57 [BBC]
Kathie
Saturday 16 June 2012 4:45PM
Thanks for the advice, I will wait until after 27th to see what happens. Interestingly our neighbour can get channels that we can't, don't know whether he's got better equipment than us or whether he's just lucky. Not much of this information is available anywhere else, we were beginning to worry that we'd bought all this new equipment only for the TV service to be WORSE.
Gordon Ormston
Saturday 16 June 2012 8:49PM Dover
Hi Dave
Sorry to bother you again but I have spent most part of today trying to resolve the reception problem without any success. To recap I had no problems at all receiving BBC broadcasts prior to switch over even without a booster, only used a booster because some of the commercial channels were sometimes a bit weak. Following change over and re-tuning BBC reception has been constantly poor with lots of pixellation and intermitant breaking up of sound signals to the extent the programmes are unwatchable. Have followed your advice by removing the booster and fitting a 12dB attenuator. This has resulted in nil signal strength and nil quality on ch50 and ch55 and very week signal and quality on ch42 with pixelation and intermitant loss of sound. Removing the attenuator makes no differance to ch50 or ch55 but much improves reception for ch42. Changing back to the booster resulted in variable signal strengths between 0% and 47% for ch50 and variable quality up to a max of 36% but mostly well below 20%. Similar variable signal strength and quality for ch55 but much more stable signal strength of 73% for ch42 with 100% quality. The loft aerial is not of the high gain type and I have made no changes other than re-tuning several times. I know from what you have said in other posts that attenuation should have worked and would be grateful for your further advice. Is it possible to make contact with whoever is responsible at the Dover transmitter to let them know people are experiencing problems.
Dave Lindsay
Saturday 16 June 2012 10:26PM
Gordon Ormston: What sort of reception do you get on the three remaining analogue channels? (56, 66, 53)

Try with and without attenuation.

Some other things to try are:

- a 12 to 18 inch piece of wire inserted into the inner part of the aerial socket.

- a set-top aerial.

- connect the inner part of the aerial socket to the lead from your aerial leaving a gap unscreened so as to "loose" some signal.


The transmitter is only 3 miles away and you're not far of having line of sight.
Declan
Sunday 17 June 2012 12:00AM Canterbury
As luck would have it the the outside aerial pole broke in the high wind the other day. I have a HD TV and am considering installing a loft aerial. However, reading some of the information on the net it seems that an indoor loft aerial will not be sufficient for Freeview HD. Is this correct? Or can I get away with a loft aerial. Digital UK indicates that I need a C/D aerial for the Dover transmitter.



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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