Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Hi All,

I'm going to spend the bank holiday weekend with my great aunt and being
the one that the family turn to for all things technical I thought I
would seek a little advice before going.

I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011 but like most areas a digital signal is available now. The
last time I was down she had commented that several of her neighbours
had got "digital" aerials fitted ready and commented as to the cost they
were charged. I don't want to see her get ripped off so I'm going down
with a cheep digital box to see what she can get through her existing
aerial. Presently she gets 1, 2, ITV & Ch4 with no problems. Channel 5
is available but very "snowy". Also I'm guessing she only has a group A
aerial fitted. She lives in Tensing Road, post code GL53 9LX.

Could somebody give me a pointer as to a suitable aerial so, if I have
to climb the ladders and change things over I would only have to climb
them once! Looking at the information, if I read it right, the
recommended aerial is a Group A now for analogue and Group E for
digital. After the switch over is complete and Group A is all that will
be required. Is it a case of fit two aerials and combine, filter the
output or is there something simpler ... I know how wide band aerials
are regarded on this group :-)

Also I know there was a thread a little while ago about digital PVRs and
which ones were simple enough to be used by those who are challenged by
technology. I will look it up but if anybody's thoughts have change
please post. My aunt is 83 and technology is not her strongest point.
The last time we changed her video over I spent several months talking
her through what to do with VideoPlus over the phone until she got the
hang of it.

Many thanks for any help and pointers
Ryan

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Ryan wrote:
Hi All,

I'm going to spend the bank holiday weekend with my great aunt and being
the one that the family turn to for all things technical I thought I
would seek a little advice before going.

I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing, if she's using a horizontally polarized
Group A, she's using Ridge Hill which is near Ledbury in Herefordshire.
Although it has nearly the power of a main transmitter on analogue, it's
actually a relay for Sutton Coldfield and at the moment only transmits
digital at very low power and will almost certainly not be strong enough
for Cheltenham. If you don't have any obstructions in the way, you may
be able to get a digital signal from Sutton Coldfield. If you don't
fancy going to all the trouble, you could always wait until switch-over.

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Silk wrote:
Ryan wrote:
Hi All,

I'm going to spend the bank holiday weekend with my great aunt and
being the one that the family turn to for all things technical I
thought I would seek a little advice before going.

I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing, if she's using a horizontally
polarized Group A, she's using Ridge Hill which is near Ledbury in
Herefordshire. Although it has nearly the power of a main transmitter
on analogue, it's actually a relay for Sutton Coldfield and at the
moment only transmits digital at very low power and will almost
certainly not be strong enough for Cheltenham. If you don't have any
obstructions in the way, you may be able to get a digital signal from
Sutton Coldfield. If you don't fancy going to all the trouble, you
could always wait until switch-over.
Ridge Hill provides a good signal in Cheltenham with a moderately sized
aerial.

A

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Andy Dee wrote in
:

Silk wrote:
Ryan wrote:
Hi All,

I'm going to spend the bank holiday weekend with my great aunt and
being the one that the family turn to for all things technical I
thought I would seek a little advice before going.

I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing, if she's using a horizontally
polarized Group A, she's using Ridge Hill which is near Ledbury in
Herefordshire. Although it has nearly the power of a main transmitter
on analogue, it's actually a relay for Sutton Coldfield and at the
moment only transmits digital at very low power and will almost
certainly not be strong enough for Cheltenham. If you don't have any
obstructions in the way, you may be able to get a digital signal from
Sutton Coldfield. If you don't fancy going to all the trouble, you
could always wait until switch-over.
Ridge Hill provides a good signal in Cheltenham with a moderately sized
aerial.

A

Wolfbane (http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd....10&OS=GL53+9LX)
also recommends Ridge Hill. Power is 2Kw and the map shows that it is line-
of-sight with no obstructions but 22 miles.

Malvern is only 200W and almost as far (20 miles), also LOS and no
obstructions.

Peter

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Thanks to all for the information so far. I could remember the address,
or the name for that matter, of the wolfbane site. I think she is on
Ridge Hill but will check when I go down.

I just get this feeling that the conversation will come up and with no
internet access to double check things I want to have the information
straight in my head before I go.

Thanks again
Ryan

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Andy Dee wrote:
Silk wrote:
Ryan wrote:
Hi All,

I'm going to spend the bank holiday weekend with my great aunt and
being the one that the family turn to for all things technical I
thought I would seek a little advice before going.

I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011

I'm not sure, but I'm guessing, if she's using a horizontally
polarized Group A, she's using Ridge Hill which is near Ledbury in
Herefordshire. Although it has nearly the power of a main transmitter
on analogue, it's actually a relay for Sutton Coldfield and at the
moment only transmits digital at very low power and will almost
certainly not be strong enough for Cheltenham. If you don't have any
.....
No this is wrong, it IS strong enough, I have picked up all muxes on a
Wideband Aerial in Leckhampton, Charlton Kings and Central areas of
Cheltenham.

Ridge Hill provides a good signal in Cheltenham with a moderately sized
aerial.


Yes confirmed, no problems in around 6 years of picking up digital from
Ridge Hill. One oddity is that here are currently two analogue ITV1's
transmitting to Cheltenham, West (HTV ?) and Central (Abingdon
Oxfordshire version I think).

Chris

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

Ryan wrote:

Thanks to all for the information so far. I could remember the address,
or the name for that matter, of the wolfbane site. I think she is on
Ridge Hill but will check when I go down.

I just get this feeling that the conversation will come up and with no
internet access to double check things I want to have the information
straight in my head before I go.

Also be aware that Ridge Hill now transmits two different ITV regions
towards the Cheltenham area. ITV Central West, and ITV West (HTV
Bristol), so if she is on Ridge Hill, there should be six analogue
channels available. I only mention that, because the presence of ITV
West might lead someone to think they were getting Mendip. ITV West is
on UHF Ch 30. ITV Central on 25.

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

On 13 Aug., 09:41, Ryan wrote:
Hi All,


I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011
.....
My aunt is 83 and technology is not her strongest point.
The last time we changed her video over I spent several months talking
her through what to do with VideoPlus over the phone until she got the
hang of it.

Be sure the change is for her and not for yourself.
Otherwise save the money now and give her a new
IDTV with FreeviewHD for her 85th birthday.

Real group A aerials will not work - not even a little .
with the present Ridge Hill multiplex channels.

Post DSO all 6 MUXes plus Ridge Hill West will
be available - with her present aerial.
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodec...2da67879771391
The signal level will be 10 times higher for
the PSB MUXes and 5 times for the COM MUXes.

If she has a wideband it may work. but the predicted
signal is not strong.
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd....10&OS=GL53+9LX

It is strange that Ch5 is very "snowy". From
Ridge Hill CH 5 transmits with 100kW as the
other analogue channels and Ch 35 is in group A.
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva....&OS=GL53%209LX
unless she is using channel 48 from Churchdown Hill,

Try first to document the current installation:
aerial size&type, the mast, direction, cable,
amplification, filters? etc.
And check that the channels used are from Ridge Hill.
Try to fix here Ch 5 problem next.

Third look around. and note the aerials used.
You may install a group W with its own cable directly
to the STB and keep the present aerial unchanged
for use after DSO.

I find this site very informative.
http://www.aerialsandtv.com/atvstockaerialtests.html

Lars :)

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

wrote in
:

On 13 Aug., 09:41, Ryan wrote:
Hi All,


I see that the transmitters that serve Cheltenham don't switch over
until 2011
.....
My aunt is 83 and technology is not her strongest point.
The last time we changed her video over I spent several months
talking her through what to do with VideoPlus over the phone until
she got the hang of it.

Be sure the change is for her and not for yourself.
Otherwise save the money now and give her a new
IDTV with FreeviewHD for her 85th birthday.

Real group A aerials will not work - not even a little .
with the present Ridge Hill multiplex channels.

Post DSO all 6 MUXes plus Ridge Hill West will
be available - with her present aerial.
http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodec...3+9LX/NA/0/8af
0c293b3b7e12d372da67879771391 The signal level will be 10 times higher
for the PSB MUXes and 5 times for the COM MUXes.

If she has a wideband it may work. but the predicted
signal is not strong.
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tvd....10&OS=GL53+9LX

It is strange that Ch5 is very "snowy". From
Ridge Hill CH 5 transmits with 100kW as the
other analogue channels and Ch 35 is in group A.
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva....&OS=GL53%209LX
unless she is using channel 48 from Churchdown Hill,

Try first to document the current installation:
aerial size&type, the mast, direction, cable,
amplification, filters? etc.
And check that the channels used are from Ridge Hill.
Try to fix here Ch 5 problem next.

Third look around. and note the aerials used.
You may install a group W with its own cable directly
to the STB and keep the present aerial unchanged
for use after DSO.

I find this site very informative.
http://www.aerialsandtv.com/atvstockaerialtests.html

Lars :)


Older group A aerials were not good on high channels (35-37) ISTR. We
replaced ours as C5 was hopeless from Croydon when it started despite the
other four from Crystal Palace being fine. All 5 are excellent now (as is
DTT). We are 20 miles away from CP but it is 10dB ERP up on Ridge Hill.

Peter

Cheltenham - Digital Advice
 

wrote:

It is strange that Ch5 is very "snowy". From
Ridge Hill CH 5 transmits with 100kW as the
other analogue channels and Ch 35 is in group A.
http://www.wolfbane.com/cgi-bin/tva....&OS=GL53%209LX
unless she is using channel 48 from Churchdown Hill,

C5 Ridge Hill is co-channel with C5 at The Wrekin, not that far away,
and in the same general direction as viewed from Cheltenham. I would
expect signs of CCI, rather than 'random' noise. Is the picture actually
grainy, or does it have thin horizontal lines.