[mythtv-users] UK Crystal Palace OTA reception issue on CH55

[David Watkins]

I'm a long time UK MythTV user, originally recording analog TV and now
DVBT2 dfreeview,  always broadcast from the Crystal Palace transmitter to
the same roof mounted aerial that was on the house when I bought it.  I'm 5
miles from the transmitter, with a reasonably good line of sight.

The aerial looks like this one

https://www.toolstation.com/loft-outdoor-tv-aerial-kit/p79595?

but it's showing its 25+ years age and has a couple of bent elements which
can't help.

Nevertheless I've not had reception problems till recently when I've
started getting regular MythTV recording failures for BBC 4 HD.

BBC 4 HD is a relatively recent addition to the lineup and I think I can
see the likely issue.  It's on a high-frequency low power multiplex.

Looking here:

https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Crystal_Palace

I see that BBC 4HD is on the highest frequency multiplex (CH55 746MHZ) at
43kW, whereas all the other multiplexes I record from are below 700MHz and
at 200kW.

When the Crystal Palace Transmitter went digital I think I determined my
aerial was suitable, but I'm fairly sure that at that time all multiplexes
were on channel numbers less than 40?  I'm guessing that my aerial may not
be suitable for the higher frequency multiplexes that have since appeared?

So I've got two questions:

Should my aerial be suitable for 746MHz - in which case I might look at the
cabling and splitters.

Is it worth worrying about that multiplex when the above website says this
about it.

*Being removed from Freeview (for 5G use) after November 2020*

Does anyone here have any inside information about when/if that is likely
to happen?  I could just remove BBC4 HD from my lineup and make do with the
SD version.
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