California Dreaming

I am currently having problems receiving the ITV channels on Digital Freeview.

My Freeview set-top box is indicating a reduced power incoming signal on all the ITV channels multiplexed onto analogue UHF channel 22 (Transmission frequency 479 MHz approx ?). I get, in the following order of degradation, loss of sound, pixellated screen and total loss of signal.

Remaining Freeview channels, including the BBC Ok, although the signal strength is reduced.

This has only happened in the last three weeks and may be coincident with a box re-scan following re-location of the History channel. I've re-scanned the box several times since, but the problem persists.

Prior to this no real problems with Freeview for the last three years, though I do recall a similar incident, at about the same time of year, 2 years ago. This self-righted in a couple of months.

Contacted ITV, Freeview and BBC, the latter control my nearest line of sight Freeview transmitter, at Croydon ? They all say that signal strength is as usual. They don't keep records of new buildings/structures likely to block the signal or of other devices transmitting at co-channel positions !

Have had problems in th past with breakthrough from transmissions of a local taxi firm, but that has different characteristics to what I'm currently experiencing.

There are a couple of large building cranes about 500 yards to my east, but they been there about 3 months before I started experiencing problems.

Is it my kit or the signal ? Any advice appreciated.

My location Harrow, N.W. London. Kit, 20 element director aerial, loft mounted, pointing somewhere between Cystal Palace and Croydon i.e. SSE. Aerial mounted signal amplifier + set mounted amplifier, Goodmans GDB2 set-top box (Piece of cr*p) + Sony 14" tele (1990 vintage) - usual average signal strength about 70-80%, now about 30-40%

Nick,

23/10/07