TV Transmitter question

24-08-2005, 20:43

Ok I been wondering this today.

Sutton Coldfield transmitter is about 12 miles from me. And I got a few relays around me. Now I am thinking relays basically get signals from bigger masts so people can get better signals in the area.

My question is this.

Why is every aerial still pointing at Sutton and not at the relays?

Thanks

Roy MM · 24-08-2005, 20:48

The relays are sending microwave transmissions to the next transmitter.

24-08-2005, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy MM

The relays are sending microwave transmissions to the next transmitter.

Are you sure. I thought a relay was to help poorer signals in some areas

altis · 24-08-2005, 22:08

But the signal from Sutton Coldfield may still be stronger. It's pumping out 1 megawatt compared with just a few watts for most of the others:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/trans...suttoncf.shtml

..and it will have Freeview when most (possibly all) of the relays will not.

24-08-2005, 22:12

So is 1mw alot

nffc · 24-08-2005, 22:20

Yes. Use Sutton Coldfield if you can. Kin'ell, I can pick it up where I was at uni- on the west of Nottingham- and only a nearby hill prevents it reaching here. Still talking freeview quality here as well.

There is little point in using a local relay that close to a main TX, when it probably will carry neither five nor freeview, when all it is, is a second-hand transmission of the main TX (SC) via either fibre-optic or just receiving the signal, boosting it, then sending it out on a separate channel.

altis · 24-08-2005, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus

So is 1mw alot

1000 watts = 1 kilowatt
1000 kilowatts = 1 megawatt

An average UK home requires up to 5 kilowatts, so this transmitter pumps out enough power to drive around 200 homes - just imagine the electricity bill!

nffc · 24-08-2005, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelus

So is 1mw alot

1000 watts = 1 kilowatt
1000 kilowatts = 1 megawatt

An average UK home requires up to 5 kilowatts, so this transmitter pumps out enough power to drive around 200 homes - just imagine the electricity bill!

1 MW total ERP or on one channel?

altis · 24-08-2005, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

1 MW total ERP or on one channel?

Looks like it's 1MW ERP per channel.

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/info/tvtxlist.shtml

nffc · 24-08-2005, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

1 MW total ERP or on one channel?

Looks like it's 1MW ERP per channel.

http://tx.mb21.co.uk/info/tvtxlist.shtml

Field strength is a better indicator though.

altis · 25-08-2005, 11:19

Here's a good'n.

If you don't know it already, work out your grid reference using:
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/
Submit your postcode and then, at the bottom of the map, you'll see a link called 'Click here to convert/measure coordinates'. Follow that and you'll see your Landranger grid reference on the row marked 'LR'. Copy that and then go to:
http://www.kswindells.34sp.com/freev.../transmitters?
Pop in the grid reference, select your transmitter and away you go. It draws a profile of the ground between you and the transmitter. Ideally, there should be no obstacles above the red curve.

nffc · 25-08-2005, 17:53

Wolfbane is good too.