Trouble in t'Republic? (Bilsdale transmitter fire)

[ozumo]

Over 65s & vulnerable in "not-spots" to receive vouchers for streaming sticks:

Home | Bilsdale Mast: Project Restore

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]

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]

Some close ups of the fallen mast:

https://twitter.com/grumpycyclist72/status/1449782160211255301

 

[ozumo]

"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.

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]

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]

The streaming stick idea seems like a waste of time. They should have gone with Freesat.

 

[mapperuo]

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]

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]

I'd rather reserve the right to chunter at Arqiva

 

[ozumo]

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

 

[ozumo]

Two more relays installed to cover Loftus and Thirsk areas covering 6000 homes & work started on second 80m mast at Bilsdale:

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

 

[scopus]

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

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]

Two more relays installed to cover Loftus and Thirsk areas covering 6000 homes & work started on second 80m mast at Bilsdale:

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

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

 

[ozumo]

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

Did Arqiva send you a letter?

 

[Lazarus]

Did Arqiva send you a letter?

No. Am I bovvered?

 

[ozumo]

Power boosted at Eston Nab to 2kW aimed at improving reception in Teesside and Hartlepool:

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]

The planning application for the additional temporary tower on the original site:

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

 

[ozumo]

Two new(?) relays installed, one at Bainbridge and the other at Kirkbymoorside to serve Pickering area.

New masts switched on to improve TV services for households affected after the Bilsdale fire

Two new masts have been switched on to restore or improve television services for more households affected after the Bilsdale fire.

www.gazetteherald.co.uk

Not sure the Bainbridge one is new as it was already in the list of relays on the Freeview website

 

[ozumo]

Ice formation on Bilsdale Quarry temporary mast caused an outage this afternoon for nearly an hour, storm Barra to blame.

Storm Barra Update 2 07/12/21 | Bilsdale Mast: Project Restore

www.bilsdalemast.co.uk

 

[Lazarus]

I didn't notice .........