Berwick-upon-Tweed relay - Technical

Steven Oliver · 25-11-2006, 09:57

Was at a meeting in Berwick last night and can confirm that the changeover of the Berwick transmitter from Border to Tyne Tees will be happening shortly. This is AFAIK the first twin-parent relay to be dealt with as part of the DTTV switchover (there are 30 in all throughout the UK, with a fair number of them in the Border area).

ITV are quite keen to have Berwick dealt with ASAP and so they are locating new transposers for it which will be fitted as part of the work. The date I was given for it was sometime during December.

Quite surprised it's happening so quick, though!

David (2) · 26-11-2006, 10:56

December this year? Strange, the switchover plan doesnt kick in until this time next year (Whiteheaven being the first to switchover).

but nonetheles, its good news for the peolple living in that area - has anyone said if the transmitter will carry all the 6 frequencies used by Freeview (you would get all the freeview channels), or only half the frequencies (in which case you would only be able to pick up about half the channels on freeview)?

Dave

Steven Oliver · 26-11-2006, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by David (2)

December this year? Strange, the switchover plan doesnt kick in until this time next year (Whiteheaven being the first to switchover).

but nonetheles, its good news for the peolple living in that area - has anyone said if the transmitter will carry all the 6 frequencies used by Freeview (you would get all the freeview channels), or only half the frequencies (in which case you would only be able to pick up about half the channels on freeview)?

Dave

Selkirk and its relays go digital in 2008 - the main mast at Selkirk Hill has already been rebuilt and re-equipped. The problem at Berwick is that as it's currently a twin-parent relay, it would have gone dark in two years' time as relay stations have to take all feeds off the same parent station under DTT, and changing its BBC feed to take BBC Scotland was a non-starter.

I did read somewhere that the Berwick relay is due to be re-engineered to carry all six multiplexes at DSO. As it's now not due to go digital until 2012, it gives everybody breathing space...

chunkymagmonkey · 28-11-2006, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Oliver

Was at a meeting in Berwick last night and can confirm that the changeover of the Berwick transmitter from Border to Tyne Tees will be happening shortly. This is AFAIK the first twin-parent relay to be dealt with as part of the DTTV switchover (there are 30 in all throughout the UK, with a fair number of them in the Border area).

ITV are quite keen to have Berwick dealt with ASAP and so they are locating new transposers for it which will be fitted as part of the work. The date I was given for it was sometime during December.

Quite surprised it's happening so quick, though!

I hope that the residents of Berwick receive decent news coverage from Tyne Tees. Perhaps the decision might provide a "kick up" the pants to the BBC & BBC Radio Newcastle!

Adam792 · 28-11-2006, 22:29

How do the "relays" receive their off air feed for DVB-T?

Will they eventually all have their own feeds, or will some/do some at the moment take their feed off air from the main transmitter?

Steven Oliver · 30-11-2006, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

I hope that the residents of Berwick receive decent news coverage from Tyne Tees. Perhaps the decision might provide a "kick up" the pants to the BBC & BBC Radio Newcastle!

Tyne Tees are enhancing their coverage of Berwick and North Northumberland by basing a video journalist in the area.

The impending switch to Tyne Tees for Berwick viewers also made Border's Lookaround news programme on Tuesday - guess who missed the item!

chunkymagmonkey · 01-12-2006, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Oliver

Tyne Tees are enhancing their coverage of Berwick and North Northumberland by basing a video journalist in the area.

The impending switch to Tyne Tees for Berwick viewers also made Border's Lookaround news programme on Tuesday - guess who missed the item!

Are you one of the lucky few who can receive from view from two transmitters: Chatton & Selkirk? If so does it upset your Freeview box?

Steven Oliver · 01-12-2006, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

Are you one of the lucky few who can receive from view from two transmitters: Chatton & Selkirk? If so does it upset your Freeview box?

Yes, Duns is in the path of both Chatton and Selkirk, as is most of Eastern Berwickshire and indeed parts of Berwick. It doesn't upset the Freeview box, indeed if you have a Selkirk-facing aerial, both Tyne Tees (which is reflected on analogue) and Border can be picked up on digital no problem. My dad has Freeview and can receive signals from both Chatton and Selkirk despite his aerial facing towards Selkirk.

I live in a part of Duns which is screened from Selkirk and so gets analogue TV from the Eyemouth relay, though I have a loft aerial in my house which faces Chatton and so receive my Freeview from there.

chunkymagmonkey · 02-12-2006, 23:34

[quote=Steven Oliver]Yes, Duns is in the path of both Chatton and Selkirk, as is most of Eastern Berwickshire and indeed parts of Berwick. It doesn't upset the Freeview box, indeed if you have a Selkirk-facing aerial, both Tyne Tees (which is reflected on analogue) and Border can be picked up on digital no problem. My dad has Freeview and can receive signals from both Chatton and Selkirk despite his aerial facing towards Selkirk.

Interesting.
How do the Freeview channels show up on your dad's television? When he tunes to channel 3 does he pick up Border or Tyne Tees Television or does he have a number of strange channel numbers for the duplicate stations?

Steven Oliver · 03-12-2006, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkymagmonkey

Interesting.
How do the Freeview channels show up on your dad's television? When he tunes to channel 3 does he pick up Border or Tyne Tees Television or does he have a number of strange channel numbers for the duplicate stations?

Channel 3 is Border - the duplicates are in the high 90s, Tyne Tees is Channel 95 (I think). This came in handy a few years back when Border was put off the air due to the flooding in Carlisle, as he was able to watch Tyne Tees until the Border signal was restored.

Although, when I've rescanned the set a few times, it has placed Tyne Tees on channel 3 and Border on channel 95, which I then swap around.

25-11-2006, 09:57	#1
Steven Oliver Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Duns, Berwickshire Posts: 762	Berwick-upon-Tweed relay Was at a meeting in Berwick last night and can confirm that the changeover of the Berwick transmitter from Border to Tyne Tees will be happening shortly. This is AFAIK the first twin-parent relay to be dealt with as part of the DTTV switchover (there are 30 in all throughout the UK, with a fair number of them in the Border area). ITV are quite keen to have Berwick dealt with ASAP and so they are locating new transposers for it which will be fitted as part of the work. The date I was given for it was sometime during December. Quite surprised it's happening so quick, though!

26-11-2006, 10:56	#2
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the middle of nowhere Services: Sony Bravia LCD, Freesat-HD, Freeview HDD/DVD combi, DAB, 6.3Mb Broadband Posts: 10,712	December this year? Strange, the switchover plan doesnt kick in until this time next year (Whiteheaven being the first to switchover). but nonetheles, its good news for the peolple living in that area - has anyone said if the transmitter will carry all the 6 frequencies used by Freeview (you would get all the freeview channels), or only half the frequencies (in which case you would only be able to pick up about half the channels on freeview)? Dave

28-11-2006, 22:29	#5
Adam792 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Gender: Male Location: Staffordshire Services: Freeview, FTA&TNT Sat(19.2/13°E), Virgin TV+BB, vodafone PAYM & Nokia 6220C Posts: 2,139 Blog Entries: 8	How do the "relays" receive their off air feed for DVB-T? Will they eventually all have their own feeds, or will some/do some at the moment take their feed off air from the main transmitter?

02-12-2006, 23:34	#9
chunkymagmonkey Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sunderland Pontop Pike Services: Sony KDL-32U2000, Pure Evoke 1 DAB, Bt Openworld Posts: 489	[quote=Steven Oliver]Yes, Duns is in the path of both Chatton and Selkirk, as is most of Eastern Berwickshire and indeed parts of Berwick. It doesn't upset the Freeview box, indeed if you have a Selkirk-facing aerial, both Tyne Tees (which is reflected on analogue) and Border can be picked up on digital no problem. My dad has Freeview and can receive signals from both Chatton and Selkirk despite his aerial facing towards Selkirk. Interesting. How do the Freeview channels show up on your dad's television? When he tunes to channel 3 does he pick up Border or Tyne Tees Television or does he have a number of strange channel numbers for the duplicate stations?