Meridian and London DSO

IS

Inspector Sands 22 March 2012 11:26am

Only two problems that I'm aware of:-

Oxford's antenna bursting into flames during the high power proving tests (a year or so before DSO)

Hannington's upper and lower halves of the antenna getting fed anti-phase on the morning of DSO 1, with hilarious reception consequences !

In Hannington's case it was still an improvement over what you got before wasn't it?

It surprises me that a paper like The Daily Mail hasn't had some sort of DSO scare or criticism story story yet.

MA

Markymark 22 March 2012 12:22pm

Inspector Sands posted:

Markymark posted:

Only two problems that I'm aware of:-

Oxford's antenna bursting into flames during the high power proving tests (a year or so before DSO)

Hannington's upper and lower halves of the antenna getting fed anti-phase on the morning of DSO 1, with hilarious reception consequences !

In Hannington's case it was still an improvement over what you got before wasn't it?

Pah !! Actually, I'm sure I spotted an Arqiva van parked outside the Basingstoke Plumb Centre that morning

Inspector Sands posted:

It surprises me that a paper like The Daily Mail hasn't had some sort of DSO scare or criticism story story yet.

Only a matter of time I think !

ME

meridiantvfan 27 March 2012 12:13pm

Tumble Tower posted:

DSO Stage 2 happened at Rowridge and Whitehawk Hill transmitter groups overnight. With such a large area affected, I'm surprised this thread is so quiet. Don't tell me no-one receiving from those two main transmitters, or any of their relays, have been without problems.

The excellent ukfreetv forums are full of what you want to read about re all this. I think Meridian Tonight are a joke for not even mentioning the final switchoff, they could have easily done a film of the actual switchoff from Rowridge, no big deal with tiny handycams etc

OV

Orry Verducci 27 March 2012 6:25pm

meridiantvfan posted:

The excellent ukfreetv forums are full of what you want to read about re all this. I think Meridian Tonight are a joke for not even mentioning the final switchoff, they could have easily done a film of the actual switchoff from Rowridge, no big deal with tiny handycams etc

I think a lot of the ITV regions with later switchovers haven't mentioned much, I don't recall Anglia reporting on any of the switchovers other than the reminders beforehand that it was happening.

I would say with the southern regions that the switchover hasn't been as big as deal as with the northern regions, given the fewer terrain issues and therefore all round better digital coverage, meaning more viewers have already switched.

MA

Markymark 27 March 2012 6:51pm

Orry Verducci posted:

I would say with the southern regions that the switchover hasn't been as big as deal as with the northern regions, given the fewer terrain issues and therefore all round better digital coverage, meaning more viewers have already switched.

Don't assume pre DSO digital reception is any easier in the south of England, than anywhere else.

All the Meridian area transmitters had less than optimum pre DSO transmission powers, and/or geographically restricted patterns. Still the case for the unswitched Meridian East region of course. Coupled with co-channel interference that often wiped out Rowridge's DTT signals during settled weather, it's hardly been a bed of roses down here !

(February 2012)