Freeview channel changes

[Deleted User]

tried and can't, signal at 6% there so Ariel needs repositioning 

SaabManWestonTurville

I receive TV signals on Freeview Play via rooftop aerial.  Since around the beginning of 2020 the signal quality for BBC channels has been completely inconsistent. Even within the same day I can have signal strength readings (via my BTTV box) on the HD channels ranging from 94% with perfect reception down to 0%.  BBC SD channels are similarly inconsistent and whilst I still can receive something it is often prone to breakup of picture and sound meaning recording anything to my PVR is a waste of time.  By the same virtue, trying to watch sport live on BBC can be most frustrating.  Non BBC channels in SD and HD seem fine so my thinking is that the aerial must be OK, particularly when some days the BBC HD is perfect, others not.  Up to the end of last year I had consistently perfect HD reception of BBC channels so what has changed, why, when will it be resolved and can I claim a refund on my TV licence for failure to provide a working service (I wish!)?

[Deleted User]

 Phone freeview. I did, took almost an hour to speak to someone! But they then booked a visit to fix the problem at no cost to me. The guy changed the aerial on the roof and I now have all my bbc channels back. 

SaabManWestonTurville

I did speak to Freeview a couple of times.  First off they said it was High Pressure Weather Systems and would come right in a few days.  It did (sort of) but not for long, then another contact said that the Oxford Transmitter (where my signal comes from) was downgraded to make ready for 5G and wouldn't be resolved until maybe July 2020 when the channel allocations would be changed.  Can they just do that without a fallback and no notice?

Rodders53

SaabManWestonTurville said:

I did speak to Freeview a couple of times.  First off they said it was High Pressure Weather Systems and would come right in a few days.  It did (sort of) but not for long, then another contact said that the Oxford Transmitter (where my signal comes from) was downgraded to make ready for 5G and wouldn't be resolved until maybe July 2020 when the channel allocations would be changed.  Can they just do that without a fallback and no notice?

Sound like you have an aerial problem that needs investigating by a competent installer after you've first gone over all the cables and connections with a fine-toothed comb to eliminate damage and loose joints which might help/correct an issue.

From your username I guess you are near Aylesbury and the Rugby Football Club's postcode HP22 5RN in your village gives Oxford as most likely with Sandy Heath as an alternative.  Wolfbane predicts a clear line of sight (receiving aerial outside at 10m above ground) with 52dBuV/m field strength which should give fairly easy reception with a good quality directional aerial.  (The same levels as the Five Bells pub  HP22 5RW postcode, but the Freeview predictor syas Sandy is more likely there).

Your home's predictions may (will) differ from those I've looked at.

The last major transmitter frequency change at Oxford was in May 2018 when channels moved as part of the 700MHz clearance project that is virtually complete now. https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/platform-management/700mhz-clearance/clearance-events-2020

Aerials have a finite life and they, together with their downlead cables, degrade over time. Add in terrain and other issues, such as wet swaying trees that grow, and a working installation can fail as time passes.

Do check with neighbours nearby if their reception is good or troublesome as well.  Rarely there can be things local that cause interference and affect a few households near to the source.  Some may, of course, be watching Sandy Heath in your locality?

SaabManWestonTurville

I have changed out everything from aerial socket inbound to TV including HDMI from BT YouView Box.  Don't know how old the aerial is since inherited it when we bought the place in 2013.  However, the things that inclined me to discount aerial itself as an issue is that the signal quality is so inconsistent.  Sometimes perfect HD and SD signals, other times nothing at all in HD and some breakup on SD.  In addition it is only BBC signals that are poor. These factors make me think the aerial itself is OK.

Rodders53

SaabManWestonTurville said:

Sometimes perfect HD and SD signals, other times nothing at all in HD and some breakup on SD.  In addition it is only BBC signals that are poor. These factors make me think the aerial itself is OK.

Those factors make me think your reception is always close to the digital cliff edge and almost certainly down to an old and failing aerial installation.

Have you asked your near neighbours about their reception?

For 10 years of my technical career with a major broadcaster I was paid to diagnose and give this sort of advice to the Trade and Public.