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All posts by John Fox

Below are all of John Fox's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.

J
Tacolneston (Norfolk, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Sunday 31 August 2014 12:37AM
Norwich

Hi. we receive from Tacolneston, usually with little problem except picked up traffic interference(masthead amp.)
Today (Sat. 30/8/14) we lost at least 10 channels, plus reduced signals on some others. They did briefly re-appear, then cut out again.
Still able to get ITV3, Quest, Sky News, CBS Reality, QVC, amongst others, but no BBC 1 - 4, BBC news, BBC HD 1 - 3, ITV1, and probably a few others.
This looks to me like one or more multiplexes gone down, though digitaluk just suggested I retune. Since I get the same result on the TV AND the PVR, I shall ignore this as a standard pat response.
Anyone else have the same problems in Anglia, (or elsewhere) or any useful suggestions?

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MikeB:
Thanks, but I already suspect that my amp & cable may be compromised, as I poured a half-cup of water out of the amp last week. Also it's 30 yeas old.
New one + co-ax cable on order.
However, once I cleared & WD40's the box, we had perfect reception.
Still doesn't explain why only a few channels have disappeared, either. I would have thought a short would kill all reception(as it did before I dried it out!).
Any further thoughts?
As to the transmitter reporting no faults, I have yet to find a way of reporting a loss of signal to them, so can we believe them? Digitaluk only work office hours, so we can't get them interested either. Cheers.

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J
Tacolneston (Norfolk, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Monday 1 September 2014 12:17AM
Norwich

MikeB: Most people in this village have masthead amps.
Presumably, 'cause that 23km is from the other side of hilly Norwich, and we are in a bit of a hollow. Not my choice, anyway as there was already a one fitted when we moved in, and the aerial fitter replaced it with the current unit & new power supply.
Anyway, as an update, I have removed an in-line anti interference filter, and recovered all channels, albeit with very low signal strength on some. Still weird.
The new filter has splitter & 4G filtering, as well as adjustable gain, so may work better anyway. I'll let you know. Extra cable to replace some & add a feed to another room.
Cheers



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J
Tacolneston (Norfolk, England) Full Freeview transmitter
Monday 8 September 2014 8:10PM
Norwich

MikeB: New AMP, PSU & cable fitted, & now have apparently clear reception.
However, although re-tuning shows a signal QUALITY at 10 on all channels, spinning through them individually with info panels up, showing a signal STRENGTH bar, some are still barely registering. Obviously with digital it is either on or off, but it is worrying to see such variety in strength. across both TV & radio channels.
This is with the amp at full 15db gain, and I have a high gain wideband aerial, too.
I'll let you know if any further faults develop, or interference occurs.
BTW, I haven't re-installed the filter, as this amp is shielded & 4G ready.
Cheers

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