mb21 - The Transmission Gallery

	UK Broadcast Transmission

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My Freeview box has lost some channels - is there a problem?
Most Freeview boxes lock up from time to time. The first thing to do is reboot them which is easily done by unplugging them from the mains power, waiting 10-15 seconds and then plugging them in again. After a short time they should spring back to life again.

The broadcasters sometimes add new channels or make changes to the channels broadcast on Freeview. Unfortunately most Freeview boxes don't automatically pick up these changes and you will need to do a rescan in order to restore these lost channels.
The way you do this on a particular box varies from make to make so I can't give you precise instructions, but what you will need to do is explore the menu system of the set-top box and look for something like the installation or setup section; from there you will need to select a station scan, which is often called Automatic Search, or similar. Use this in preference to Manual Search, as the latter can get truly complicated!

You will probably be asked to confirm that you wish to do perform the Automatic Search and may even be asked to enter a 4-digit code which, unless you've previously specified otherwise, will be something simple like 0000 or 1234.

The scanning process should then start immediately but will take up to a minute or so to complete. After this, if asked, you should choose to Save the results. After this your box will give you the latest channel line-up. You may find that one or two channels are not quite where you left them, but they should all be there somewhere!
When will I be able to get the full range of channels from Freeview?
If you are waiting for more channels to be added to your local Freeview transmitter, please don't hold your breath, it's not going to happen. Freeview has become a two-tier service. All the transmitters which provided the original interim Freeview service prior to switchover, continue to provide the full service of PSB (Public Service broadcasters) and COM (commercial broadcasters), but the remaining transmitters which were converted to digital at switchover carry only the PSB services provided by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. This is sometimes referred to as 'Freeview Lite'. This was a commercial decision made by the broadcasters; the situation is not going to change, and there was never any plan that it would.

If you would like to receive more services I would advise you to consult a local aerial installer. In some places it is possible to receive more services simply by changing your aerial, and only someone with local knowledge can advise you about that. Alternatively, you might like to consider Freesat, all the benefits of digital satellite tv without having to pay a Sky subscription.
I think my local transmitter is off-the air / faulty. Who should I contact?
You should contact the broadcasters. Click here for more details
I would like to visit Emley Moor. Who should I contact?
Sorry. It can't be done. Years ago it was possible to take a guided tour around Emley Moor but those tours are no longer offered. For security reasons is not possible for the public to visit inside any of the UK's broadcasting stations.
I live near a broadcast / mobile phone / TETRA site. Should I be worried?
I don't think so. There is no reason why you should be concerned. Broadcast sites are specificallly designed with safety in mind. There has been a lot of public concern about the TETRA network which has been set up for the police and other emergency services but there is no evidence to suggest that these sites less than completely safe. You are at greater risk from holding a mobile phone close to your head rather than using a headset. In fact, if you use a mobile 'phone, the nearer you are to a base station the less power your phone will use in order to communicate with it!
Some sites are not featured on your site. Why is that?
Because no-one has been there, photographed it and send us the photos yet. Not every mast or tower is a broadcast site, some carry other services like mobile phone, police or other emergency services, for example. These installations are not within the remit of this site.
How can I find out what a particular mast does?
We are often asked about a mast or tower at a particular place, a question which is sometimes made more difficult because correspondents may know the site by a local or geographical name which differs from the 'official' site name. The answer is to use our Google Maps facility which shows all (or very nearly all) of the UK's Broadcast sites. If the mast or tower is not shown here then it is not strictly a broadcast site and you will have to search elsewhere.
How do I submit photos to your site?
Click here for more information.
But I sent you some photos and they're still not on the site.
Please be patient. There is now a small editorial team handling the day-to-day updates to this site but it remains a hobby site and only receives attention when we have the time.
Why don't you update your web site more often?
Because it's a hobby site and only receives attention when I have the time.