Countdown to Channel 5 and digital TV; (Haywards Heath)

Digital TV and Channel 5 will start broadcasting for the first time in this area on;
 30/05/2012 (Wednesday the 30th of May, 2012)

On this date BBC2 analogue will close down for good.
All the BBC standard definition TV channels and BBC radio stations will start on digital.

On the 13th of June 2012 the other three analogue channels (BBC1, ITV and Channel 4) will close down for good.
All the old analogue channels will now be available on digital, plus Channel 5 and some other new extra channels. (See below)
All the high-definition channels will also start on this date.

Note:
On 11/05/2011 the new switch over dates where announced for Haywards Heath.
Stage one has now moved from Friday, 1/06/2012 to Wednesday, 30/05/2012 (The BBC channels)
Stage two has now moved from Saturday, 30/06/2012 to Wednesday, 13/06/2012 (Channel 5 and other independent channels)
This also means that the time from stage one to the completion of digital switchover has been reduced from one month down to two weeks.

 
Haywards Heath transmitter.
Haywards Heath transmitter.
(View from Sussex Road)
Note:
On 13/06/2012 you will not be able to receive ITV or Channel 4, form midnight when the analogue channels end, to 2:00pm when the digital channels start.
For a list of programs you will not be able to see and videos. (Click here)

Please note;
The information on this page was correct when written in 2005,
but some of the dates, channels, channel numbers, allocated multiplexes, etc may change.
Eg.  On 30/09/2009,
 PSB1 moved from multiplex 1 to multiplex A.
 Multiplex A is now allocated for Haywards Heath and multiplex 1 will not be available from Haywards Heath.
 Channel 5 added, ITV3 and ITV4 removed, etc. etc.
 Crystal Palace and Heathfield will now get 10 multiplexes after analogue switch off. (Was 6 multiplexes)
 Haywards Heath will now get 3 and possably a local multiplex after analogue switch off. (Was 4 multiplexes)
 On 11/05/2011,
 The switch over dates moved forward a few days to 30/05/2012 and 13/06/2012.

Haywards Heath relay transmitter engineering;


The history of TQ333234 and other local TV transmitters;
 Heathfield (OS; TQ566220) 
 Main UHF TV transmitter
625-line analogue.
Up to 576-line, digital standard definition.
1,080-line, digital high definition.
Channel nº;Channel name;TV or data;Power output;
UHF 49 hBBC 1 (South East)Analogue TV (625 line)100,000 Watts
UHF 64 hITV MeridianAnalogue TV (625 line)100,000 Watts
UHF 52 hBBC 2 (South East)Analogue TV (625 line)100,000 Watts
UHF 67 hChannel 4 (South)Analogue TV (625 line)100,000 Watts
-Channel 5N/A    (Never started)Zero Watts
Digital information for Heathfield. (As of 16/06/2012) 
01
UHF 52 h
BBC 1 (South East)Digital TV20,000 watts
02
UHF 52 h
BBC 2 (England)Digital TV20,000 watts
03
UHF 49 h
ITV 1, MeridianDigital TV20,000 watts
04
UHF 49 h
Channel 4Digital TV20,000 watts
05
UHF 49 h
Channel 5Digital TV20,000 watts
06
UHF 49 h
ITV 2Digital TV20,000 watts
07
UHF 52 h
BBC 3Digital TV20,000 watts
08
UHF 29 h
Local TV channel
if allocated
Digital TVUnknown
09
UHF 52 h
BBC 4Digital TV20,000 watts
' '' '' '' '
' '' 'Digital TV, radio or text1,000 watts to 20,000 watts
For the full list, see Freeview TV channel and Multiplexes below.
 
 Haywards Heath (OS; TQ333234) 
 Heathfield TV relay 
625-line analogue.
Up to 576-line, digital standard definition.
1,080-line, digital high definition.
Channel nº;Channel name;TV or data;Power output;
UHF 39 vBBC 1 (South East)Analogue TV (625 line)35 Watts
UHF 43 vITV MeridianAnalogue TV (625 line)35 Watts
UHF 45 vBBC 2 (South East)Analogue TV (625 line)35 Watts
UHF 41 vChannel 4 (South)Analogue TV (625 line)35 Watts
-Channel 5N/A    (Never started)Zero Watts
UHF 23 vMultiplex BBC A
(PSB 1)
BBC1 (South East), BBC2 (England), BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Red button 301, BBC Red button 302, BBC radio stations, BBC Text and Testcard page7 Watts
UHF 26 vMultiplex D3+D4
(PSB 2)
ITV1 (Meridian), Channel 4 (South), Channel 5, ITV2, More4, Film4, E4, ITV1 +1, Channel 4 +17 Watts
UHF 30 vMultiplex BBC B (HD)
(PSB 3)
BBC1 HD (England), BBC2 HD (England), ITV1 HD (Meridian), Channel4 HD, The Spice, BBC HD Red button 3037 Watts

Haywards Heath digital stations should be about 3/8 of the Heathfield stations.
(3 out of the 8 multiplexes)

Digital TV information at; http://www.freeview.co.uk


Old VHF 405 line Black and White TV Transmiters for the Haywards Heath area.
Channel nº;Old channel name;New channel name;Transmitter;ERP;Closed on;
1 Vertical
TQ 339712
BBC
(London and the South East)
BBC 1 (London)Crystal Palace (London)200kW3/01/1985
( 4/01/85 -12:07am)
9 Vertical
TQ 332696
IBA / ITA
(Thames / LondonWeekend)
ITV 1 (London)Croydon (London)400kW 3/01/1985

In 1969, all BBC and ITV studios switched over to UHF 625 line production. Standards convertors were installed at the transmitters, each one using more than 2000 transistors. The VHF 405 line network had been extended to 47 transmitters covering 98.7% of the population. But the start of colour on UHF in 1969 signalled the eventual demise of the 405 system which ended in 1985.



Transmitter location;
(Ordnance Survey coordinates)
BBC ABBC B   (HD)Mux D3+D4Local MuxAqr AAqr BMux SDNMux NEW7
(HD)
Mux NEW 8
(HD)
Mux NEW 9
(HD)
Old multiplex name;Mux 1
(PSB1)
BBC B
(PSB3)
Mux 2
(PSB2)
-Mux C
(COM5)
Mux D
(COM6)
Mux A
(COM4)
(Com7)(Com8)(Com9)
Crystal Palace (Horizontal)
(TQ339712)
Analogue power 1,000,000 watts
Digital power 200,000 watts
Already
transmitting
Channel 23 *
15/11/1998 (SD)
  2/12/2009 (HD)
Channel 30 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 26 *
London Live
Starting on
27/02/2014
Channel 29 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 22 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 28 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 25 *
Starting in 2014
Channel 33
Starting in 2014
Channel 35
Not allocated
Channel 36
Heathfield (Horizontal)
(TQ566220)
Analogue power 100,000 watts
Digital power 20,000 watts
Already
transmitting
Channel 52 *
Already
transmitting (SD)
13/06/2012 (HD)
Channel 47 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 49 *
Short listed
after 13/06/2012
Channel 29 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 44 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 41 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 42 *
Not allocated
Channel 32
Not allocated
Channel 34
Not allocated
Channel 36
Haywards Heath (Vertical)
(TQ333234)
Analogue power 35 watts
Digital power 7 watts
Started on
30/05/2012
Channel 45
Starting on
13/06/2012
(SD & HD)
Channel 43
Starting on
13/06/2012
Channel 46
Short listed
after 13/06/2012
Channel 29 *
Not allocatedNot allocatedNot allocatedNot allocatedNot allocatedNot allocated
Midhurst (Horizontal)
(SU912250)
Analogue power 100,000 watts
Digital power 20,000 watts
Already
transmitting
Channel 55 *
Already
transmitting (SD)
14/03/2012 (HD)
Channel 58 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 61 *
Not allocatedAlready
transmitting
Channel 55 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 50 *
Already
transmitting
Channel 62 *
Not allocated
Channel 31
Not allocated
Channel 37
Not allocated
Channel 36
Multiplex BBC B
(SD) = Standard-Definition TV   (Upto 576 lines)
(HD) = High-Definition TV         (1,080 lines)

* Note: The frequencies are from May/June 2012. Crystal Palace, Heathfield and Midhurs will use different frequencies on some multiplexes before this date.


For an update when the digital signal will start and the analogue signal will end, for the Haywards Heath TV relay please see the web sites at;
http://www.ukfree.tv/tcloses.php
http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ333234
    More Transmitter Information;

  • Haywards Heath (TQ333234) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ333234
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ333234
    http://www.ukfree.tv/transmitters.php?dt=2012-05-30&g=grpB&s=name&P=RH164NB

  • Heathfield (TQ566220) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ566220
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ566220

  • Crystal Palace (TQ339712) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ339712
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ339712

  • Croydon (TQ332696) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ332696
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ332696
    Note; The Croydon transmitter is closing down on 4/04/2012
    This was the very first ITV transmitter in the UK.
    BBC (1) London (VHF 405-line B&W) was transmitted from Crystal Palace only.
    Rediffusion/TeleVision (Later Thames/London Weekend, VHF B&W)
    was only transmitted from Croydon.
    When UHF 625-line started (Colour TV) you could get BBC1, BBC2 and Thames/London Weekend from Crystal Palace.
    In 1985 all VHF TV closed down. Channel 5 started later in the year and was transmitted from Croydon as Crystal Palace could only transmit four UHF TV channels.

  • Midhurst (TQ333234) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=SU912250
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=SU912250

  • Bluebell Hill (TQ757613) transmitter information at;
    http://www.ukfree.tv/shutdowndetail.php?tx=TQ757613
    http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TQ757613

  • Transmitter power levels at the transmitter;
    Javascript will update this text.
    Remember:
    These are the levels at the transmitters and not at Haywards Heath.
    So Haywards Heath with the lowest signal strength of 7 watts is stronger than Crystal Palace at 200,000 watts in Haywards Heath.
    Note:
    The power lines below are to scale from analogue to digital within each transmitter, but not from transmitter to transmitter.
    7 watts in Haywards to 1,000 kilowatts in London would make some lines too small and some too big to display at the same scale.
     Haywards Heath (TQ333234) - Strongest signal in Haywards Heath. (D.S.O. May-June 2012)
     Group B, vertical. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 South East, ITV Meridian, BBC 2 and Channel 4 
     
    35 W (B)
     Analogue: Channel 5
     
    Never transmitted. 
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2 and PSB3
     
    7 W (-7dB) (B)
     Digital: Aqr A, Aqr B, Mux SDN, New 7 and New 8
     
    Not transmitted. 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Unknown. (W) 
     Heathfield (TQ566220) - 2nd strongest signal in Haywards Heath. (D.S.O. May-June 2012)
     B or W, horizontal. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 South East, ITV Meridian, BBC 2 and Channel 4 
     
    100 kW (C/D)
     Analogue: Channel 5 
     
    Never transmitted. 
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2, PSB3, Aqr A, Aqr B and Mux SDN
     
    20 kW (-7dB) (B)
     Digital: New 7 and New 8
     
    Unknown. (C/D) 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Unknown. (W) 
     Crystal Palace (TQ339712) - 3rd strongest signal in Haywards Heath. (D.S.O. April 2012)
     Group A, horizontal. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 London, ITV London, BBC 2 and Channel 4
     
    1,000 kW (A)
     Analogue: Channel 5
     
    Never transmitted. 
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2, PSB3, AqrA, AqrB and Mux SDN
     
    200 kW (-7dB) (A)
     Digital: New 7 and New 8
     
    Unknown. (A) 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Unknown. (A) 
     Croydon (TQ332696) - 4th strongest signal in Haywards Heath until 18/04/2012.
     Group B, horizontal. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 London, ITV London, BBC 2 and Channel 4  (Was ITV London on VHF until 1985) Never transmitted. 
     Analogue: Channel 5
     
    1,000 kW (B)
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2 and PSB3
     
    Closing down. 
     Digital: Aqr A, Aqr B, Mux SDN, New 7 and New 8
     
    Closing down. 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Closing down. 
     Midhurst (SU912249) - 5nd strongest signal in Haywards Heath. (D.S.O. February-March 2012)
     Group C/D, horizontal. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 South, ITV Meridian, BBC 2 and Channel 4
     
    100 kW (C/D)
     Analogue: Channel 5
     
    Never transmitted. 
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2 and PSB3
     
    20 kW (-7dB) (C/D)
     Digital: Aqr A, Aqr B and Mux SDN
     
    10 kW (-10dB) (C/D)
     Digital: New 7 and New 8
     
    Unknown. (C/D) 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Not transmitted. 
     Bluebell Hill (TQ757613) - 6th strongest signal in Haywards Heath. (D.S.O. June 2012)
     Group E, horizontal. 
     Analogue: BBC 1 South East, ITV Meridian, BBC 2 and Channel 4
     
    30 kW (E)
     Analogue: Channel 5
     
    Never transmitted. 
     Digital: PSB1, PSB2, PSB3, Aqr A, Aqr B and Mux SDN
     
    20 kW (-1.8dB) (E)
     Digital: New 7 and New 8
     
    Unknown. (E) 
     Digital: Local Mux
     
    Unknown. (W) 

  • digitaluk information. (RH16...)
    Information for the Haywards Heath postcode area at;
    http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/postcodechecker/main/trade/RH16...
    Note:
    This is the post code of the nearest building to the north of the Haywards Heath transmitter.
    You will need to edit the postcode to your postcode to get the correct bearing direction.
    The Haywards Heath transmitter is at the end of South Road, Sussex Road (Wivelsfield Road) and Grower Road.
    See the Haywards Heath map.

  • Transmitters in other areas. See http://www.ukfree.tv/closedown.php
    The final area to start digital TV in the UK is in the Northern Ireland area on 1/03/2013.
    So you should have digital TV before or on this date.
    In Northern Ireland, BBC2 analogue is planed to end on 1/03/2013 and the first few digital TV and radio stations on this date.
    This will include BBC2 on digital, BBC1 on digital and other new BBC channels.
    On or before 30/03/2013 all the other analogue TV channels will close down for good. (BBC1, ITV and Channel 4)
    ITV (Now named ITV1), Channel 4 and other new channels will be available on digital TV.
    This means that Channel 5 and ITV2 will be national channels.
    ITV3, ITV4, Film4 and other channels will still not be national and only availably in selected areas from 81 main transmitters.
    Only about 8% of the UK (81/1074 transmitters) will get all the digital channels.
    All areas will get BBC1, BBC1 HD, ITV1, ITV1+1, ITV1 HD, Channel 4, Channel 4+1, Channel 4 HD so repeated channels in all areas and only a few areas with more than a couple of channels!

    See; http://www.ukfree.tv/simulation.php for a full list of digital transmitter switchover dates.
Haywards Heath (OS; TQ333234) Transmitter Information Update.
The digital TV start dates and channels are;
    Note;
    The freeview channel numbers and channels have change in the past
    and may change again.

    The transmitter will first transmit multiplex BBC A (PSB1) (Replacing BBC2 analogue).
    Then later D3+D4 (PSB2) and BBC B (PSB3) will be added. (PSB3 includes the HD channels)


    Channel name;
    Channel region;
    Analogue end date;
    Analogue channel;
    Digital start date;
    Digital freeview channel;
    BBC 1
    South East.
    13st of June, 2012.
    Channel 39.
    South East England.
    30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 1.
    South East England.
    ITV    (ITV 1)
    Meridian Maidstone.
    13st of June, 2012.
    Channel 43.
    ITV Meridian
    13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 3.
    ITV Meridian.
    BBC 2
    South East England / England.
    30th of May, 2012.
    Channel 45.
    South East England.
    30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 2.
    All of England.
    Channel 4
    South East England / England.
    13st of June, 2012.
    Channel 41.
    South East England.
    13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 4.
    All of England.
    Channel 5
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 5.
    South East England.
    BBC Three
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 7.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Four
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 9.
    Whole UK.
    BBC News 24
    This is a new channel.
    13st of June, 2012.
    Transmitted on BBC1
    at night.
    30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 80.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Parliament
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 85.
    Whole UK.
    CBBC
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 70.
    Whole UK.
    CBeebies
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 71.
    Whole UK.
    ITV 2
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 6.
    Whole UK.
    ITV 3
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.Not available
    in this area.
    ITV 4
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.Not available
    in this area.
    CITV
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.Not available
    in this area.
    E4
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 29.
    Whole UK.
    More 4
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 14.
    Whole UK.
    Film4
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.Not available
    in this area.
    Community Channel
    This is a new channel.
    Never transmitted.Not available
    in this area.
    Teletext
    Teletext service from ITV/Channel 4.
    -13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 100.
    Whole UK.
    Rabbit
    Dating teletext service.
    -13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 102.
    Whole UK.
    BBCi
    Teletext service for all
    BBC TV channels.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 105.
    Whole UK.
    Directgov
    Teletext service from the Government.
    -Not available
    in this area.
    Gay Rabbit
    Teletext service from a
    gay dating agency.
    -13st of June, 2012.
    Freeview channel 107.
    Whole UK.
    301
    Data stream. (BBCi video)
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 301.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 1
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 700.
    Whole UK.
    BBC 1Xtra
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 701.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 2
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 702.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 3
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 703.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 4
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 704.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 5 Live
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 705.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Radio 5 Live Sports
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 706.
    Whole UK.
    BBC 6 Music
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 707.
    The BBC wish to close this station.
    BBC 7 BBC Radio 4 Extra
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 708.
    Whole UK.
    BBC Asian Network
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 709.
    The BBC wish to close this station.
    BBC World Service
    Radio station.
    -30th of May, 2012.
    Freeview channel 710.
    Whole World.

Haywards Heath (OS; TQ333234) Transmitter Frequency Information.
The digital TV multiplexes and start dates are;
    Channel;Old analogue TV station;New digital multiplex;
    UHF 29 v
    Wideband aerial
    Not used for analogue TVLocal Mux
    (Haywards Heath local TV channel)
    UHF 39 vBBC 1 (South East)
    Ending on; 13/06/2012
    Not used
    UHF 41 vChannel 4 (South England)
    Ending on; 13/06/2012
    Not used
    UHF 43 vITV (1) Meridian
    Ending on; 13/06/2012
    PSB3 (BBC B)
    (High-Definition TV)
    Starting on; 13/06/2012
    UHF 45 vBBC 2 (South East)
    Ending on;  30/05/2012
    PSB1 (BBC A)
    (BBC channels)
    Starting on;  30/05/2012
    Not allocated
    Channel 5
    (Never transmitted on analogue UHF)
    -
    UHF 46 vNot used for analogue TVPSB2 (D3 & D4)
    (Independent channels)
    Starting on; 13/06/2012
    Not allocated
    -COM 5 (Aqr A)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -COM 6 (Aqr B)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -COM 4 (SDN)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -Mux New 7
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -Mux New 8
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -Mux New 9
    (Independent channels)

    Multiplex name;UHF channel;Start date;
    PSB 1 (BBC A)
    (BBC channels)
    UHF 45 v 30/05/2012
    PSB 2 (D3 & D4)
    (Independent channels)
    UHF 46 v13/06/2012
    PSB 3 (BBC B)
    (High-Definition TV)
    UHF 43 v13/06/2012
    Local Mux
    (Haywards Heath local channel)
    UHF 29 vAfter
    13/06/2012
    COM4 (SND)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -
    COM5 (Aqr A)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -
    COM6 (Aqr B)
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -
    New 7
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -
    New 8
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -
    New 9
    (Independent channels)
    Not allocated
    -

Do you need a new aerial?
The Haywards Heath (OS; TQ333234) relay will still use the 'group B' aerial * mounted vertical and pointing towards the Sussex roundabout at the south end of South Road.
So if you have a 'group B' or a 'group W' aerial and can receive a good analogue signal, your current aerial should be ok.
* If Haywards Heath dose get a local multiplex (which seams unlikely) then you will need a wideband aerial for the local channel.
Analogue / Digital aerial groups:
Analogue and digital television is transmitted using groups. (Frequencies)
Each group has a colour marking on the aerial.
To help reduce interference from other transmitters most transmitters try to
keep all the channels within one of the following groups.
Group name;Frequency channel number;
A 21 - 37
B 35 - 53
C/D48 - 68
E 35 - 68
K 21 - 48
W (Wideband)21 - 68
The wideband aerial group covers all frequencies, but to receive the same
signal strength you will need a bigger and more expensive aerial.
It will also be more receptive to interference from other transmitters.
All the public service channels will be in the same group, but you may need
a wideband aerial to receive the commercial multiplexes from the same or a
different transmitter.
If Haywards Heath dose get a local multiplex, (which is unlikely) then you will need a new aerial for this station.
If you are using a  group B  aerial.
You can replace your aerial with a  wideband  aerial or add a  group A  aerial next to your old  group B  aerial.
Note;
If you have a weak analogue signal your picture may be a bit snowy.
If you have a weak digital signal you will not be able to view any channels.
To check your signal strength repeat the following test for BBC1, ITV(1), BBC2 and Channel 4 in turn.
Tune into your analogue TV channel and press your 'TEXT' or 'Teletext' button, then goto page 284.
(The test pattern is a sub-page on page 284, so you may need to wait for the text in other sub-pages to go before you can see this pattern.)
If you have any missing squares then you do not have a perfect reception and may need to check your aerial direction or get a new aerial and/or aerial cable.
    The Teletext test pattern page. Ignore top (header) and bottom (footer) rows.
    A good analogue signal; A bad or weak analogue signal;
      P284  CEEFAX 1 284  
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     Digital  K  TV Guide Enter  inment News 
    Things to do before   30/05/2012. (Haywards Heath relay)
  • Check the quality of your TV signal on BBC1, ITV, BBC2 and Channel 4, using the above teletext page 284.
    ITV (Channel 43) will become the High-Definition channels on PSB3.
    BBC2 (Channel 45) will become the BBC channels on PSB1.
    One frequency up from BBC2 (Channel 46) will become the Independent channels on PSB2.
    So the tests for ITV and BBC2 are the most important.
  • Upgrade your TV aerial, aerial cable and/or aerial direction if you have a poor signal.
  • Upgrade your analogue TV to one that can also receive digital freeview TV or buy a freeview box to attach to your analogue TV.
    You will need a freeview box for every TV and video recorder you need to convert.
    If you want to receive the High-Definition channels, then you will need a High-Definition digital TV or a High-Definition freeview box.
  • Keep on checking this page or other web sites that the switch over date from analogue to digital has not changed.
  • On 30/05/2012, * scan for the BBC freeview channels on PSB1, using your digital TV or freeview box.
  • On 13/06/2012, * scan for the Independent channels on PSB2 and the High-Definition channels on PSB3.
    * If you get your TV from Heathfield or Crystal Palace, then you can receive digital standard-definition TV now.
    * The Heathfield transmitter will increase the signal strength on the above date
    * and Crystal Palace in April 2012.
Freeview TV channel and Multiplex list;
  • Updated on; 28/11/2008
    In November 2008 Channel 5 satellite frequency stopped being encrypted.
    This is good news as it means that you can now get Channel 5 nationally without needing a Sky decryption card.
    Also;
    Channel 4 is no longer encrypted.
    ITV4 +1 is not listed on Sky's EPG, but is available on satellite. (Named as 10015)
    Channel 5 moved to the BBC News 24 channel frequency and BBC News 24 moved to a new frequency. (Still un-encrypted)
      The new frequencies are;
      Channel 5 frequency;
      Satellite;Astra 28.2 East
      Frequency;10.773 GHz
      Polarisation;Horizontal
      Symbol rate (Mbaud)22.0
      FEC5/6
      Sky EPG channel nọ;5
      BBC News 24 frequency;
      Satellite;Astra 28.2 East
      Frequency;11.954 GHz
      Polarisation;Horizontal
      Symbol rate (Mbaud)27.5
      FEC2/3
      Sky EPG channel nọ;503
      Channel 4 frequency;
      Satellite;Astra 28.2 East
      Frequency;10.714 GHz
      Polarisation;Horizontal
      Symbol rate (Mbaud)22.0
      FEC5/6
      Sky EPG channel nọ;4
      ITV4 +1 (Listed name '10015')
      Satellite;Astra 28.2 East
      Frequency;10.831 GHz
      Polarisation;Horizontal
      Symbol rate (Mbaud)22.0
      FEC5/6
      Sky EPG channel nọ;* 180
      BBC London 94.9FM (Radio)
      Satellite;Astra 28.2 East
      Frequency;11.954 GHz
      Polarisation;Horizontal
      Symbol rate (Mbaud)27.5
      FEC2/3
      Sky EPG channel nọ;Not listed
      * ITV4+1 was not listed on Sky's EPG.
      It has now been added as channel 180. (Added on 6/12/2008)
      ITV4+1 was removed from Sky's EPG when ITV1+1 was added on 11/01/2011

      See; http://www.lyngsat.com
      UK = http://www.lyngsat.com/28east.html
      for a list of satellite frequencies.
  Switchover help scheme evens:
  See the full list of events for Meridian at;  http://www.helpscheme.co.uk/meridian/events
 Billingshurston 25/11/2011, at the Library Car Park, Mill Lane, RH14 9JZ.
 Horshamon 25/11/2011, 29/02/2012, 1/03/2012, 14/03/2012 and 15/03/2012,
 at the War Memorial, Carfax, RH12 1EE.
 Brightonon 13/01/2012, at Asda, Brighton Marina, BN2 5UT.
 Brightonon 14/01/2012, at Churchill Square Shopping Centre, BN1 2RG.
 Haywards Heath  on 29/02/2012, at Sainsbury's, Bannister Way, RH16 1DG.
 Brightonon 7/03/2012, 8/03/2012, 21/03/2012 and 22/03/2012,
 at the Theatre Royal, New Road, BN1 1SD.

Ofcom DSO licence documents. (Click here)

Electronic Program Guide channel list. (Click here)

Images and maps of the Haywards Heath transmitter. (Click here)

List all satellites with position and other information. (Click here)

Lists all UK TV transmitters and DSO dates. (Click here)

This page was created on;   27/02/2005
Page moved to this site on;
and last updated on;
Todays date is;
International date format; Day/Month/Year (Time)
Copyright; Mark Agius ©2008

URL; http://markagius.co.uk