Interruptions on some Freeview Channels

[Cyril Eaton]

Hi all,

Slightly strange one this - I think.

Reception on the BBC Channels and one or two other Digital Channels breaks down now and again and I lose the reception.

I live in the North West and receive signals from Winter Hill.

Most channels are OK all of the time, but now and again (and it seems to be getting more) we lose reception on the BBC Channels - that's BBCs 1, 2 and 4 and the BBC News Channel. This uses the equivalent of the old Channel 50 from the analogue days. It also affects the odd channel using the old Channel 49 too, but not every channel in that cluster.

I've had the aerial and cabling checked and I'm told there's nothing wrong with it.

I was made aware of a potential for 4G interference and contacted the 4G operator who provided me with a Filter, but that's made no difference. The Filter is for Channel 59 as the 4G runs at 800MHz.

Anyone any idea what's likely to be the cause, please?

I'm tearing my hair out and the Freeview Advice line ain't much help.

 

[westward10]

Out in the sticks near the Leicestershire border.

 

[Cyril Eaton]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Let's see if I can encapsulate the responses into one post.

1 - Static Zap, Overamplified. When getting the installation checked I asked that question and was told it wasn't a problem.
2 - littlespark, installation. Yes, it is off one aerial, but it impacts every TV at the same time. It is not regular, just happens when it happens and I have to live with it. I've been trying to identify if there are any common factors that could give me a cause, but haven't found anything. Time is random - day, night, wet, dry.
3 - Charlie_, neighbours. Some have had the problem, but most now use Satellite; either Freesat or Sky. I did wonder if there was another transmitter, but am told Birmingham is the next nearest and apparently it is too far away. I may have to give it a try.
4 - Vortigern - 4G. I'm only aware of the one 4G, but will do a trawl and see whether there are any others.
5 - westward10. It was the end of the France/USA Women's World Cup match that I missed this week. Lost signal on all BBC Channels about 9:45 p.m.
6 - anthonybragg, location. Sorry, Anthony. I'm in the North West, not Northamptonshire.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Have you tried checking the signal quality and strength on each of your televisions and set top boxes? Most should show this in one of the menus - it might help indicate potential causes of the problem.

 

[UNG]

I would suggest retuning your TV there has been various changes going on at Winter Hill, I have retuned my TV's a few times recently due to channel changes

 

[mhar]

Look up 'digital uk 700MHz clearance' for updates for your main or local transmitter. There is a lot going on at the moment as uhf tv frequencies are being freed up for mobile phone use

 

[Alk]

Have you tried checking the signal quality and strength on each of your televisions and set top boxes? Most should show this in one of the menus - it might help indicate potential causes of the problem.

You should check as Jim_e_Jib has said, when you are able to watch the channels and then when you are not able to. Make a note of the signal quality and strength so that you can compare.

Perhaps you have an intermittent fault with your splitter.

 

[Charlie_]

Sounds like a valid reason not to pay the tv license

 

[Toneyz]

Sounds like a valid reason not to pay the tv license

We only watch ITV so don't need TVlicence!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Charlie_]

We only watch ITV so don't need TVlicence!!!!!!!!!!

I have never even passed my test !

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

Too much signal can cause digital blocking on the screen.Try an inline attenuator.
Here is a variable attenuator

VARIABLE ATTENUATOR TV AERIAL SIGNAL REDUCER 20dB 3 5 6 8 9 10 12 15 18 FREEVIEW | eBay

5-470MHz - 20dB. 470-860MHz - 20dB. 860-100MHz - 20dB. VARIABLE ATTENUATOR. Variable Attenuator IEC 0-20db 5-1000MHz. Insertion Loss - Min. Insertion Loss - Max. 0-20dB CONTINUOUS VARIABLE ATTENUATION.

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