Digital Switchover Transmitter Details. Central Region

Transcription

1 Digital Switchover Transmitter Details Central Region Issue 1.0 Issued: 4 November 2008

2 1 Digital Switchover Transmitter Details: Central Region This document contains details of the transmission characteristics which the television transmitter network will adopt at digital switchover. Information on current digital frequencies is available on the Ofcom website ( This information is primarily intended to help systems installers make initial preparations for switchover by highlighting those transmitters where frequency allocations and aerial group requirements are likely to change. A key to column headings is provided in the Glossary. Please note that although we anticipate that this frequency plan will remain relatively stable in the run-up to switchover, it may prove necessary to make changes to some aspects of the plan with the aim of maximising coverage across the UK. If you would like to be kept informed of any changes, please join our digital transmitter mailing list by sending an to broadcast.technical@ofcom.org.uk, with the word 'subscribe' as the message subject. Disclaimer: While every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the information provided in this document is accurate, no guarantees for the currency or accuracy of information are or can be made. The information contained in this document is provided without any representation or endorsement made and without warranty of any kind, whether express or implied. 1

3 Bromsgrove transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Bromsgrove SO W W W K/WV AV Bromsgrove Transmitter Group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Bromsgrove a SO W W W K/WV AV Lark Stoke transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Lark Stoke SP kW kW kW K/WV AV a At Bromsgrove, the commercial multiplexes will adopt their final frequencies and powers some months after the PSB multiplexes during During the transition period, SDN will remain on ch 33 (25W), Arqiva A will use ch34 (50W) and Arqiva B will use ch 29 (25W). 2

4 Lark Stoke transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Lark Stoke b SP kW kW kW K/WV AV Malvern transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Malvern SO W W W C/DV C/DV Malvern transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Malvern SO W W W C/DV C/DV b After the PSB multiplexes switch at Lark Stoke, the Arqiva multiplexes will remain on their existing frequencies and powers and the SDN multiplex will use a temporary frequency for a short period before all three adopt their final frequencies and powers later in During this transition period the commercial multiplexes will use the following frequencies: SDN ch 31 (25W), Arqiva A ch 57 (25W), Arqiva B ch 60 (25W). 3

5 Nottingham transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Nottingham SK W W W WV AV Nottingham transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Nottingham c SK W W W WV AV c After the PSB multiplexes switch at Nottingham, the commercial multiplexes will use temporary frequencies for some months before adopting their final frequencies and powers. During this transition period, the commercial multiplexes will use the following frequencies SDN ch 67 (40W), Arqiva A ch 39 (40W), Arqiva B ch 63 40W). 4

6 Oxford transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Oxford SP C/DH Ascott under SP AV Wychwood Details for the Oxford transmitter group will be added shortly Charlbury SP BV Guiting Power SP BV Icomb Hill SP AV Over Norton SP C/DV Oxford transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Oxford SP C/DH

7 Ridge Hill transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Ridge Hill SO kW 25 20kW 22 20kW AH AH Andoversford SP W 59 11W 55 11W C/DV C/DV Eardiston SO W 61 2W 58 2W C/DV C/DV Ewyas Harold SO W 41 2W 47 2W BV E/WV Garth Hill HP SO W 60 7W 57 7W C/DH C/DH Garth Hill VP SO W 60 5W 57 5W C/DV C/DV Hazler Hill SO W 42 5W 49 5W BV BV Hereford SO W 41 7W 47 7W BV BV Hope Under Dinmore SO W 60 2W 53 2W C/DV C/DV Kington SO W 41 20W 47 20W BV BV Knucklas SO W 42 2W 45 2W BV BV Ludlow SO W 42 5W 49 5W BV BV New Radnor SO W 41 25W 47 25W BV BV Oakeley Mynd SO W 49 10W 42 10W BV BV Peterchurch SO W 60 15W 57 15W C/DV C/DV Presteigne SO W 42 3W 49 3W BV C/DV Ridge Hill West d SO kW AH AH 30 Ross On Wye SO W 59 2W 55 2W C/DV C/DV St Briavels SO W 43 5W 50 5W BV BV d Carries the ITV West regional service targeted at Cheltenham and north Gloucestershire. 6

8 Upper Soudley SO W 43 2W 50 2W BV BV Ridge Hill transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Ridge Hill SO kW 24 10kW 27 10kW AH AH Sutton Coldfield transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Sutton Coldfield PSB SK kW kW kW BH BH Allesley Park SP W 22 7W 28 7W AV AV Brailes SP W 21 8W 27 8W AV WV Bretch Hill SP W 48 87W 52 87W C/DV C/DV Bridgnorth SO W 62 3W 55 3W C/DV C/DV Brierley Hill PSB SO kW 57 2kW 53 2kW C/DV C/DV Cheadle SK W 48 5W 52 5W C/DV C/DV Earl Sterndale SK W 58 40W 54 40W C/DV C/DV

9 Edgbaston SP W 21 4W 27 4W AV AV Fenton SJ kW 27 2kW 21 2kW AV AV Gib Heath SP W 59 3W 55 3W C/DV C/DV Gravelly Hill SP W 59 3W 55 3W C/DH C/DH Hamstead SP W 21 2W 27 2W AV AV Harborne SP W 52 40W 48 40W C/DV WV Hartington SK W 48 7W 52 7W C/DV C/DV Ipstones Edge SK W 57 6W 53 6W C/DV C/DV Ironbridge SJ W 58 2W 54 2W C/DV C/DV Kenilworth SP W 57 10W 53 10W C/DV C/DV Kidderminster SO W W W C/DV C/DV Kinver SO W 48 5W 52 5W C/DH C/DH Leamington Spa SP W 62 40W 55 40W C/DV C/DV Leek SJ W W W AV AV Long Compton SP W 22 4W 28 4W AV AV Oakamoor SK W 21 2W 27 2W AV AV Perry Beeches SP W 22 2W 28 2W AV AV Queslett SP W 58 3W 54 3W C/DV C/DV Redditch SP W 22 2W 28 2W AV AV Repton SK W 57 8W 53 8W C/DV C/DV Rugeley SK W 52 8W 48 8W C/DV C/DV Tenbury Wells SO W 57 3W 53 3W C/DV C/DV

10 Turves Green SP W 59 2W 55 2W C/DV C/DV Whittingslow SO W 57 11W 53 11W C/DV C/DV Winchcombe SP W 58 2W 54 2W C/DV C/DV Winshill SK W 57 60W 53 60W C/DV C/DV Woodford Halse SP W 22 2W 28 2W AV AV Sutton Coldfield transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Sutton Coldfield e SK kW kW kW BH BH Brierley Hill SO kW 59 2kW 55 2kW C/DV C/DV Fenton SJ kW 22 1kW 28 1kW AV AV e At Sutton Coldfield, the SDN (ch42) and Arqiva A (ch45) multiplexes will launch at 20kW ERP initially and adopt their final power later in

11 The Wrekin transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes The Wrekin SJ kW 23 20kW 30 20kW K/WH AH Bucknell SO W 49 2W 42 2W BV BV Clun SO W 59 11W 62 11W C/DV C/DV Coalbrookdale SJ W 43 2W 46 2W BV BV Haden Hill SO W 48 16W 52 16W C/DV BV Halesowen SO W 61 2W 54 2W C/DV C/DV The Wrekin transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes The Wrekin f SJ kW 44 10kW 47 10kW K/WH AH f After the PSB multiplexes switch at The Wrekin, the Arqiva multiplexes will remain on their existing frequencies and powers and the SDN multiplex will use a temporary frequency for a short period before all three adopt their final frequencies and powers later in During this transition period the commercial multiplexes will use the following frequencies: SDN ch 31 and 32 (both 2kW), Arqiva A ch 53 (1kW), Arqiva B ch 57 (1kW). 10

12 Waltham transmitter group - Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) Multiplexes Waltham SK kW 54 50kW 58 50kW WH C/DH Ambergate SK W 28 37W 22 37W AV BV Ashbourne SK W 28 50W 22 50W AV AV Ashford in the Water SK W 26 3W 30 3W AV AV Belper SK W 62 6W 55 6W C/DV C/DV Birchover SK W 45 5W 42 5W BH BH Bolehill SK W W W C/DV C/DV Darley Dale SK W 41 3W 47 3W BV K/WV Derby SK W 51 40W 48 40W E/WH K/WH Eastwood SK W 26 2W 30 2W AV AV Leicester SK W 28 2W 22 2W AV AV Little Eaton SK W 26 4W 30 4W AV AV Matlock SK W 27 3W 21 3W AV AV Parwich SK W 27 2W 21 2W AV AV Stamford TF W 41 2W 44 2W BV BV Stanton Moor SK W W W C/DV C/DV

13 Waltham transmitter group - Commercial (COM) Multiplexes Waltham g SK kW 56 25kW 57 25kW WH C/DH g At Waltham, the commercial multiplexes will adopt their final frequencies and powers a few weeks ahead of the PSB multiplexes in

14 Glossary : The name of the transmitter site. Main transmitters are highlighted in bold, with their dependent relays listed alphabetically below them. Public Service Broadcaster (PSB) and Commercial (COM) multiplexes are shown in separate tables. : The location of the transmitter site, in Ordnance Survey National Grid Reference (Landranger) format. Multiplex names: The post-switchover name of the multiplex. See below for more details Channel ERP DSO The UHF channel number of the multiplex. The nominal centre frequency, F c (in Megahertz) of the multiplex can be calculated using F c =8n+306, where n is the UHF channel number. The Effective Radiated Power of the multiplex, in watts (W) or kilowatts (kw) Digital Switchover DSO Aerial Group: DSO Aerial Group Colour codes: Pre-DSO Aerial Group: Analogue channels: Single Frequency networks (SFNs) Suggested aerial group for reception of all multiplexes from this transmitter after digital switchover. See below for more information on aerial groups. The final character in this column indicates whether signals are horizontally (H) or vertically (V) polarised. All DSO frequencies at this transmitter are re-assigned analogue frequencies. If aerials and cabling are in good condition, viewers should not need to replace them. One or more DSO frequencies were previously unused at this transmitter by analogue TV, but all DSO channels fall within the analogue aerial group. If aerials and cabling are in good condition, replacement should not be necessary. Some changes may be required to larger systems which contain channelised components, such as communal aerial (MATV / IRS) systems. One or more DSO frequencies were previously unused at this transmitter by analogue TV, and these also fall outside the existing analogue aerial group. Therefore a replacement aerial of a different group may be required. Some changes may be required to larger systems which contain channelised components, such as communal aerial (MATV / IRS) systems. Suggested aerial group for reception of analogue services from this transmitter. The aerial groups shown are based upon four-channel reception and do not take into account Channel 5 s analogue frequencies where these are out of group. The UHF channel numbers of the analogue services currently broadcast from this transmitter site. The nominal analogue vision carrier frequency, F v (in Megahertz) of the service can be calculated using F v =8n , where n is the UHF channel number. In order to maximise digital coverage, some transmitter sites will operate as Single Frequency Networks (SFNs) at switchover. In an SFN, neighbouring transmitters use the same frequencies as each other. 13

15 Multiplex Names The current designations of the six multiplexes will change at switchover, and the table below compares their current and future names: Current Multiplex Name Post-Switchover Name Operator 1 BBC A BBC 2 D3&4 Digital 3 & 4 A* SDN SDN B BBC B BBC C Arqiva A Arqiva D Arqiva B Arqiva * We expect that five, currently carried on multiplex A, will move to a PSB multiplex prior to switchover. Aerial Groups Television aerials are designed to operate most efficiently over a specific range of frequencies, as shown in the table below. For guidance, this document suggests a suitable aerial group for reception of the digital services from each transmitter. Where a transmitter uses a semi-wideband channel grouping (E or K), a wideband (W) aerial is also suggested as an alternative. The colour codes in the table below are often used by aerial manufacturers to aid identification of the aerial s group. Aerial Group Channels Colour Code A Red B Yellow C/D Green E Brown K Grey W Black Transmission Mode It is anticipated that the post-switchover transmission mode for all multiplexes, except BBC B, will be 64QAM modulation, rate 2/3. The BBC B multiplex will be converted to the DVB-T2 standard as switchover occurs in each region from the end of 2009 onwards, though the modulation mode to be adopted is not yet known. The BBC B multiplex will be converted after switchover in regions where switchover happens before the end of dates will be announced in due course. Transitional Transmission Characteristics Transmission frequencies are intensively used in many parts of the UK. To avoid unnecessary interference being caused to viewers, a certain number of multiplexes will need to operate with 'transitional' transmission characteristics for a limited period following switchover at particular transmitters. These transitional characteristics are only likely to affect a small proportion of sites. For example, some channels may need to operate at slightly reduced power levels compared to the final post-switchover allocations shown in this booklet. This is primarily in order to prevent interference being caused to neighbouring transmitters which may not switchover until later in the regional sequence. Full power operation will be adopted when these interference constraints are removed, generally when 14

16 the neighbouring transmitter or region switches over. Details of known transitional arrangements affecting particular transmitters are given in the footnotes on each page. Analogue Channel Changes For practical engineering reasons, some analogue channel allocations may need to be altered in the period immediately before switchover begins at a particular transmitter. This may involve swapping the frequencies of some programme services. In other cases, a previously unused analogue frequency may need to be used temporarily to allow high-power digital broadcasts to begin. Viewers will be informed of any such channel changes by Digital UK and the broadcasters in the run up to switchover. Switchover Dates Up-to-date information on switchover dates is available from Digital UK Transmitter Locations Maps showing the location of TV transmitters within individual regions are available on Ofcom s website at: 15

17 Document History Version Date Details 1.0 4/11/08 Document Issued 16