Trouble in t'Republic? (Bilsdale transmitter fire)

[ozumo]

Continued upgrades at Eston Nab and an additional 15m mast to be installed at Arncliffe Wood by this weekend. Should see Freeview signals return to Darlington, Stockton, Catterick, Leyburn, Masham and Ripon.

Latest update on incident at Bilsdale mast

An update on our efforts to restore services following the incident at the Bilsdale mast

arqiva.com

More drivel from BBC Look North this evening: "Most TV and Radio sevices have been restored"

 

[Lazarus]

Continued upgrades at Eston Nab and an additional 15m mast to be installed at Arncliffe Wood by this weekend. Should see Freeview signals return to Darlington, Stockton, Catterick, Leyburn, Masham and Ripon.

Latest update on incident at Bilsdale mast

An update on our efforts to restore services following the incident at the Bilsdale mast

arqiva.com

More drivel from BBC Look North this evening: "Most TV and Radio sevices have been restored"

Well they have - just not for most people!

 

[ozumo]

I believe the only TV & radio service that was not available by other means was a version of Radio Tees that could broadcast live football commentary. That was quickly sorted and no matches were missed.

 

[ozumo]

I wonder if transmissions have started at Arncliffe Wood, currently receiving PSB1 on channel 40.

edit: Also getting PSB2 on channel 43 now.

 

[Lazarus]

I'll see if I can sniff it here.

Edit: Nae, lad.

BTW, my friends in Northallerton are revolting and planning to seek a Licence Free rebate. Not a scooby.

 

[ozumo]

BTW, my friends in Northallerton are revolting and planning to seek a Licence Free rebate. Not a scooby.

On Look North a few days ago they were in Northallerton and claimed the repointing of a rooftop aerial towards Pontop Pike was successful. This map suggests it's possible:

 

[Lazarus]

On Look North a few days ago they were in Northallerton and claimed the repointing of a rooftop aerial towards Pontop Pike was successful. This map suggests it's possible:

View attachment 138185

It is. I'm another few miles (other measures of distance are available) away and get weak signals off an antenna facing south and mounted on a south facing wall!

But most folk won't want to fanny about. We Tykes would far prefer to chunter into our pint and pickled egg.

 

[jeallen01]

It is. I'm another few miles (other measures of distance are available) away and get weak signals off an antenna facing south and mounted on a south facing wall!

But most folk won't want to fanny about. We Tykes would far prefer to chunter into our pint and pickled egg.

Chunter (or more likely, chunder!) away - the death of the t'republic is nigh!

 

[rodscha]

Well,now I realise I thought "t'republic" was that of Ireland...hence my misunderstanding...
So,what is this Yorkshire Republic?

 

[Lazarus]

Well,now I realise I thought "t'republic" was that of Ireland...hence my misunderstanding...
So,what is this Yorkshire Republic?

It is an enclave running Eastwards fom the Pennine Mountain Range and largely bounded by the Humber and Tees Rivers.

It is the home of Rhubarb and Pontefract Cakes and our President For Life is Sir Geoffrey Boycott (ably assisted by his Grannie).

 

[Analoguesat]

Well,now I realise I thought "t'republic" was that of Ireland...hence my misunderstanding...
So,what is this Yorkshire Republic?

Its just an unofficial designation for the large area covered by the various counties of Yorkshire

Yorkshire - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[rodscha]

and is Geoffrey Boycott the one who demanded extortionate rents from Irish farmers,and so coined the term "boycott"? Or a different person?

 

[Lazarus]

and is Geoffrey Boycott the one who demanded extortionate rents from Irish farmers,and so coined the term "boycott"? Or a different person?

He is the world's greatest ever Cricketer.

 

[rodscha]

sorry... my knowledge of cricket is still..infinitesimal

 

[rodscha]

and here's the one Boycott we know here:

Charles Boycott - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ozumo]

Confirmed by Freeview that Arncliffe Wood is active, though I'm not getting a sniff of anything from BBC B on channel 46.

Channel information for Bilsdale Temporary Mast, Eston Nab, and Arncliffe Wood

Channel information for Bilsdale Temporary Mast, Eston Nab, Arncliffe Wood and relays.

www.freeview.co.uk

My rooftop aerial is from the analogue days and appears to be a group A, ch40 on it is 'fair', with nothing from ch43 & ch46. A set-top aerial is receiving ch40 'good', ch43 'strong', with again nothing from ch46.

edit: BBC B is DVB-T2 so obviously there's no reception on my old DVB-T DVD recorder or television.

I imagine there are many other houses with group A aerials in the Bilsdale service area, so unfortunately reception from Arncliffe Wood may still be problematic

 

[Adam792]

So it seems like they're using Bilsdale's three commercial multiplex frequencies for the new transmitter at Arncliffe Wood.

Pictures of the temporary mast have gone up here - a couple of dishes (at least one Triax) being used to downlink the two BBC multiplexes off 27.5°W, and the new PSB2 back-up off 28.2°E as its feed!

 

[Lazarus]

Reminds me of my 144MHz DX Field Days!

 

[ozumo]

Wonder if the Bilsdale mast is condemned, will these smaller sites become more permanent (for as long as Freeview exists), or does Bilsdale's other uses mean a new, similar mast will replace it. I imagine the cost to replace it is quite substantial, and as we can see there's no expense spent on those little dishes at Arncliffe Wood.

I expected it to rebroadcast multiplexes from Pontop Pike but I suppose these temporary masts are designed to be installed anywhere, and using satellite(s) to feed them allows that.

Chunter (or more likely, chunder!) away - the death of the t'republic is nigh!

Oi stop stirring! Last thing those of us to the north need is trouble spilling over t'border!

 

[Analoguesat]

If there is any suggestion that the structural integrity of the Bilsdale tube is compromised its coming down asap. They cant risk another Emley Moor type collapse. Although quite how you remove a tower thats weakened to an unknown degree without precipitating it falling over is an interesting excersise in engineering....