Is there _anywhere_ I can get _definitive_ transmitter status
information these days?
I've had the "new channels available" message the last day or two; this usually just means something has _changed_ rather than actually new
channels - as often as not, some have dropped out.
I just did a retune - a "manual" one (where I pick which channel),
because - like most TVs/STBs an "automatic" one forgets what's already
there, whereas it _seems_ a "manual" one doesn't. On two of the
multiplexes, it actually said "1 new channel", so the message was
correct for once.
But as part of the scan, I get a quality and strength indication for
each channel I look at, and I noticed some were noticeably down.
(The current weather condition might be increasing distant interference,
but would that make local _strength_ show as down? I could understand it making _quality_ show as worse.)
But try as I might, I can find nowhere on the web where transmitter
_status_ is given - the sort of thing the old "engineering information" bulletins (used to be in the morning before 24-hour TV, and I _think_ on
old teletext) showed. The best I can find are "no problems have been reported", which sounds like it's collecting reports from the public,
and a general "pixellation may be seen on all channels", but though that latter is _presented_ as if transmitter-specific, it's the same for many
tens of - so I presume all - transmitters, and due to the weather.
I'm TN27 0DD, pretty sure Heathfield transmitter, and I see (channels, quality out of 10, strength out of 10):
40: 9 or 10 4 (quality bar is green)
41: 10 4 (green)
43: 6 to 8 4 (green)
44: 10 3 to 4 (green)
46: 5 or 6 3 (green)
47: 0 3 (it's only a T1 set, so can't decode this mux)
Earlier, I was sometimes getting lower quality readings, and a yellow
rather than green bar - but only on some of the multiplexes.
(Normally, I get quality 9 or 10 on all [except 47], strength at least 8 IIRR.)
On 2025/6/19 16:53:22, Woody wrote:
On Thu 19/06/2025 08:18, J. P. Gilliver wrote:[]
[](The current weather condition might be increasing distant
interference, but would that make local _strength_ show as down? I
could understand it making _quality_ show as worse.)
I'm TN27 0DD, pretty sure Heathfield transmitter, and I see
(channels, quality out of 10, strength out of 10):
40: 9 or 10 4 (quality bar is green)
41: 10 4 (green)
43: 6 to 8 4 (green)
44: 10 3 to 4 (green)
46: 5 or 6 3 (green)
47: 0 3 (it's only a T1 set, so can't decode this mux) >>>
Earlier, I was sometimes getting lower quality readings, and a yellow
rather than green bar - but only on some of the multiplexes.
(Normally, I get quality 9 or 10 on all [except 47], strength at
least 8 IIRR.)
Ch47 carrying PSB3 (DVB-T2) is on both Heathfield and Tunbridge Wells,
respectively H and V.
Thanks. I think I get all the T2 channels OK on my bedroom TV, which has
a T2 box; my main TV is only a T1, which is fine - I sit far enough from
it that HD wouldn't make much noticeable difference. (OK, I think
there's one channel - in the LCN sense - that isn't available to a T1 decoder, but it's not one I watch much.)
Bluebell Hill is nearer to you but may be obstructed.
Yes, I'd assumed I would be Blue Bell hill, but I think it _is_ - all my neighbours (and my) aerial)s( point south.>
Given the current weather it could well be atmospheric conditions that
are causing your signal issues.
Having another look now - 40: Q7S4; 41: Q9/8S3; 43: Q4/3S3; 44: Q9/10S3;
46: Q2/3S3; 47: Q0S3. 43 & 46 yellow, rest green.
I was expecting _quality_ to be down - stronger distant signals making
the data harder to decode - but I was surprised at _strength_ being
down; if anything, I'd have expected it to show higher. (But then I
don't know whether the on-screen indication in the average set is
actually truly a signal strength indication, e. g. a tap off the AGC circuitry in the RF or IF stages, or just some fudge from the digital decoding. Though since it gives a quality reading as well, I'd have
hoped it is a true strength indicator.)
I haven't actually noticed any problems on the channels I watch, so far,
this heatwave.>
If you have an Android phone or tablet try UK Aerial Alignment or DTVNo smartphone (of either OS) at the moment; the amount I go out, not worthwhile. (I do have a dumbphone for emergencies, primarily against
Antennas apps which are both free.
car breakdown; that's on a PAYG contract, and those are hard to find
these days!)>
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