Trouble in t'Republic? (Bilsdale transmitter fire)

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
Over 65s & vulnerable in "not-spots" to receive vouchers for streaming sticks:


Sounds like the idea of installing Freesat systems has been quietly dropped. Also no mention of covering the cost of the internet connection, or overcoming the download speeds in remote areas.

Is there a streaming stick or IPTV service that operates identically to Freeview with channel numbers & without the faff of having to sign up for multiple services?
 

Lazarus

Retired Moderator
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
27,167
Reaction score
8,716
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
80cm Motorised.
Several small Dishes.
Much else.
My Location
North York Moors
Had a twiddle with the aerial. Couldn't improve Emley Moor, but found I could get reflected signals from Pontop Pike - I get the full Freeview Play EP Guide, which is all I want anyway.
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
Some close ups of the fallen mast:
Code:
https://twitter.com/grumpycyclist72/status/1449782160211255301
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
"Following testing of the signal from the temporary mast using helicopter, we now believe around 16,000 homes are still in so-called “not spots” and receive only a poor or no TV signal."

Sounds like a great way to minimise the number of 'not spots'. A helicopter will always have better line of sight than a house..

The reward for living in a 'not spot' is a £50 Currys voucher to spend on a streaming stick. If a person claims the voucher they will receive no future assistance from Arqiva.

Code:
https://www.recognitionpr.co.uk/clients/arqiva-/50-currys-voucher-to-buy-tv-streaming-devices-in-not-spot-areas-with-poor-or-no-signal/
 

Lazarus

Retired Moderator
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
27,167
Reaction score
8,716
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
80cm Motorised.
Several small Dishes.
Much else.
My Location
North York Moors
I already have a ROKU .......

Also, whilst there is no precise correlation, it is likely that the very same locations with no DTT are amongst those that also have poor Broadband.

Cop-out.
 

astra19

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2019
Messages
375
Reaction score
206
Points
43
My Satellite Setup
98cm motorised technomate. 50e to 34.5w
My Location
Europe
The streaming stick idea seems like a waste of time. They should have gone with Freesat.
 

mapperuo

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Aug 16, 2012
Messages
1,143
Reaction score
1,215
Points
113
Age
33
Location
Fife, Scotland
My Satellite Setup
2x 1.8m Raven
1.5m Gibby
2x 1.2m Gibby
My Location
Fife, Scotland
The streaming stick idea seems like a waste of time. They should have gone with Freesat.

Well if they cant afford to keep qualified staff to maintain their masts, Im not surprised they are being as cheap as possible for these unlucky folk.

A £50 streaming stick will be fairly rubbish and theres no EPG? You'd need to download various apps.
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
I already have a ROKU .......

"What if I’ve already purchased an alternative device to watch TV through?

We are unable to reimburse you for money already spent but please keep the e-voucher and spend it on another item of your choice."
 

Lazarus

Retired Moderator
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
27,167
Reaction score
8,716
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
80cm Motorised.
Several small Dishes.
Much else.
My Location
North York Moors
I'd rather reserve the right to chunter at Arqiva :p
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
If they send me a voucher I'll blow it on one of those fancy gold plated SCART cables they tried to flog me the last time I ventured into Currys :cool:
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
Two more relays installed to cover Loftus and Thirsk areas covering 6000 homes & work started on second 80m mast at Bilsdale:

Code:
https://www.recognitionpr.co.uk/clients/arqiva-/new-tv-relay-sites-switched-on-as-latest-step-in-project-restore-reaching-6000-more-households

Wonder if those in Loftus & Thirsk were offered £50 vouchers or if Arqiva held off :confused
 

scopus

Specialist Contributor
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
3,267
Reaction score
3,923
Points
113
Age
60
My Satellite Setup
Primesat/Famaval 1.8 PF C/ku/Ka, Octagon SX8HD1, SX88, Openbox S3 Mini HD-V8S Freesat V7 HD-V8 Finder, Amiko A4K Combo, Satlook Colour HD Spectrum, Sansui A909 Amp and BOSE Acoustimass speakers for the audio.
My Location
Staffs UK
If they send me a voucher I'll blow it on one of those fancy gold plated SCART cables they tried to flog me the last time I ventured into Currys :cool:
Probably trying it on with HDMI cables now...They tried the scart sale with me last time I went in there..Told him he was talking to the wrong bloke and to just give me my TV...
 

Lazarus

Retired Moderator
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
27,167
Reaction score
8,716
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
80cm Motorised.
Several small Dishes.
Much else.
My Location
North York Moors
Two more relays installed to cover Loftus and Thirsk areas covering 6000 homes & work started on second 80m mast at Bilsdale:

Code:
https://www.recognitionpr.co.uk/clients/arqiva-/new-tv-relay-sites-switched-on-as-latest-step-in-project-restore-reaching-6000-more-households

Wonder if those in Loftus & Thirsk were offered £50 vouchers or if Arqiva held off :confused

Still sod all for me other than an occasional sniff of summat remote.
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
Power boosted at Eston Nab to 2kW aimed at improving reception in Teesside and Hartlepool:

Code:
https://www.recognitionpr.co.uk/clients/arqiva-/power-increase-at-eston-nab-relay-transmitter-viewers-advised-to-re-scan-for-more-channels/

From Eston Nab I can now receive Arqiva B on ch48 as well as the local mux on ch30 on the indoor loop aerial, not a peep from the other multiplexes.

Meanwhile I notice the signal quality from BBC A ch29 from Arncliffe Wood is now very variable. From Bilsdale Quarry ch43 SDN has also weakened and ch46 Arqiva A is no longer receivable.
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham
The planning application for the additional temporary tower on the original site:

Code:
http://planning.northyorkmoors.org.uk/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/Generic/StdDetails.aspx?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningPK.xml&PARAM0=817128&XSLT=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/NorthYorkMoors/xslt/PL/PLDetails.xslt&FT=Planning%20Application%20Details&PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/Northgate/PlanningExplorer/SiteFiles/Skins/NorthYorkMoors/Menus/PL.xml&DAURI=PLANNING

Interesting they say it's needed for three years, perhaps that's how long they expect it to take to replace the original mast :confused
 

ozumo

te wo tsuite
Staff member
Joined
May 26, 2020
Messages
5,296
Reaction score
2,685
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
Raven mk2 zone 2 x4, Channel Master: 90cm x3, 1.2m x2, 1.8m PF. CM polar mount x2, Az/El x3.
My Location
South Durham

Lazarus

Retired Moderator
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
27,167
Reaction score
8,716
Points
113
My Satellite Setup
80cm Motorised.
Several small Dishes.
Much else.
My Location
North York Moors
I didn't notice .........
 
Top