freeview question

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able to
receive the same channels?

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?

Morphix

"Morphix" wrote in message
...

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able to
receive the same channels?

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?

Morphix

Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If it
doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.

Ask a reputable local aerial supplier if he thinks he can get reception from
Lark Stoke for you. If not then just enjoy all the extra BBC channels until
2011.

"Malcolm H" wrote in message
...


Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If
it doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.


No read the small print on Argos policy of Freeview boxes.
Only refund if box faulty.

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group

Malcolm H wrote:


"Morphix" wrote in message
...

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able to
receive the same channels?

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?

Morphix

Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If
it doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.

Ask a reputable local aerial supplier if he thinks he can get reception
from Lark Stoke for you. If not then just enjoy all the extra BBC channels
until 2011.


Thanks! When you put it like that it's worth giving it a try. I'm subscribed
to cable at moment and so may be able to save a few bob if I can get the
channels.

David wrote:



"Malcolm H" wrote in message
...


Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If
it doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.


No read the small print on Argos policy of Freeview boxes.
Only refund if box faulty.


Ok noted, I will probably buy a digital TV PC card as I'm using
mythtv / PC pvr mostly.

"Morphix" wrote in message
...
Malcolm H wrote:


"Morphix" wrote in message
...

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able to
receive the same channels?

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?

Morphix

Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If
it doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.

Ask a reputable local aerial supplier if he thinks he can get reception
from Lark Stoke for you. If not then just enjoy all the extra BBC
channels
until 2011.


Thanks! When you put it like that it's worth giving it a try. I'm
subscribed
to cable at moment and so may be able to save a few bob if I can get the
channels.


Due to local terrain Redditch actually has a low power relay station which
currently transmits 1,2,3,4 analogue only. Location etc here
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/redditch.php
After analogue switch off, it this relay continues it will provide only the
3 PSB multiplexes. If you are using this relay your aerial will have
vertical rods, if you are using Sutton Coldfield your aerial will have
horizontal rods.

This relay is currently using adjacent channels to Lark Stoke for analogue
and some digital channels (also with vertical polarization). I know of very
few people using Lark Stoke in Redditch, certainly not for digital anyway.
If you currently receive a good Sutton Coldfield analogue signal, I would
certainly try a Freeview box (can you borrow one?) If you're using the
Redditch relay, or Lark Stoke your chances of digital are slimmer even with
a new aerial (an old group A aerial for Lark Stoke would need to replaced by
higher gain wideband version.) Lark Stoke and Redditch aerials will be
identical so you will need to get your map and compass out to find out which
you're using. Lark Stoke is SW of Stratford or ESE of Evesham.

I live 5 miles south of Inkberrow on a hilly bit, and SC reception is okay
here though it is starting to run out of steam.

"Morphix" wrote in message
...
David wrote:



"Malcolm H" wrote in message
...


Definitely! It's hardly a large investment ~£20 from Argos for a box. If
it doesn't give you satiusfaction Argos will give you a refund.


No read the small print on Argos policy of Freeview boxes.
Only refund if box faulty.


Ok noted, I will probably buy a digital TV PC card as I'm using
mythtv / PC pvr mostly.


Get a Freeview box and try it. From £13 at Tesco.

You might have aerial pionting at wrong transmitter.

--
Regards,
David

Please reply to News Group

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
Morphix wrote:

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able
to receive the same channels?

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?

Morphix

ISTR that Redditch is quite hilly - particularly in the Headless Cross area.
If you are the wrong side of the hill for Sutton Coldfield, this could have
quite an effect on reception.

However, the official party line tends to err on the side of caution, so you
may be ok - even if it says you ain't. If you get a good analog picture from
SC, it's worth giving it a try.

I live just outside Warwick, on the wrong side of Hatton Hill and -
officially - I'm not supposed to be able to get any digital channels. In
reality, I can most of the time - although some of the muxes disappear in
unfavourable weather conditions. In good conditions I can get all 6 muxes
even though one of them is technically outside the range of my Group B
aerial.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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"Morphix" wrote in message
...

I've been checking on the freeview website for years hoping to see
receiption for my area (B98 Redditch - West Midlands) and was pleased
to see this year partial receiption is available (full receiption not
available until 2011), however what's puzzling is, half the town seems
to be able to get the majority of the channels and the other half
(the side I live in) can only get the BBC channels!!

How can this be? The town is only small, and the two areas of the town
I'm referring to are just 20 mins walk apart, surely I should be able to
receive the same channels?

Redditch isn't flat , so depending on where you are you may not have a clear
view of the transmitter.

I noticed on the freeview site it says my side of the town uses the
Sutton Coldfield transmitter whilst the other side uses the Lark Stoke
transmitter.

Is it worth me getting freeview to see if I can receive more channels
than just BBC?


We've got an office in B98 and we get all the freeview multiplexes with a
roof mounted aerial , but we do suffer some breakup on the BBC channels.
I've not looked to see which way it's pointing , but it is on the roof a
three storey office building so a bit higher than a normal house aerial
would be.

I'd just get a freeview box and give it a go , or see if you can borrow one.

How old is your aerial?
If it's really old with decaying cable then that won't help

--
Alex

"I laugh in the face of danger , then I hide until it goes away"

www.drzoidberg.co.uk