DTT (TDT) Portugal(Madeira Island) Reception of TV Canarias

[CSB]

Hello all,

Can someone help me with a reception issue I have come across with DTT (TDT) in Madeira Island.

We visit older family 4 times a year over there and on our last visit purchased a DTT box "Shop+2100HD" as the local anologue signal could barely recieve 1 channel (RTP Madeira). To our surprise the reception of all the FTA channels (RTP1, RTP2, RTP Madeira, SIC and TVI) was perfect.

Out of curiosity, I would rescan on different days depending on the weather to see if there were any digital radio stations available. One day after a scan I picked up another 10 or so channels from Spanish TV, of note, Telecinco, Boing, TV24, TV Canarias 1+2, TVE1+2 (LA1=LA2) and Antena3.

However our joy was short lived as sometimes the channel would lock-on for a few hours and then be NO Signal for hours/days.

The arial is less than 5 years old and of a common type seen on other houses.

Therefore my question is can I improve the reception of these spanish channels?


PS Usefull link in English for TDT Portugal ANACOM

http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=2963

Our house is about 750m above sea level with a south east view to the ocean.

 

[Adam792]

By the looks of things, you're periodically receiving Spanish TDT signals from the Canary Islands, 400-ish km to the South of Madeira.

At this distance, normal reception is not possible due to the curvature of the Earth, but becomes possible due to troposperic ducting (atmospheric conditions); when these conditions are 'just right' you start to receive signals from much further afield than usual. This is most likely the reason you've been sporadically receiving these Spanish channels. As the conditions change dependent on pressure this is why you can't receive the channels all the time - there's nothing wrong with your aerial.

You can see the same sort of effect here in the UK where (especially in Eastern/South-Eastern areas), on good days you can hear lots of French, Belgian, Dutch and even German radio stations, and even in very good conditions pick up their DTT signals.

Nonetheless, reception of DTT over 400km is pretty good going! Your high location obviously helps.

The only advice I can give is to enjoy it as and when it happens! :-righton

 

[CSB]

Many thanks Adam,

I thought it was a bit too good to be true.

Telecinco being my wifes favourite channel is only available on subscription via satellite. So looks like I'll need to find a local dish distributer over there.

PS Of particular note, the ocean is very flat to the horizon for most of he time.

 

[Analoguesat]

You might even find the reception changes as the tide goes in & out!.

However as mentioned you are probably experiencing the skip phenomena, which has greater chance of success when there is high pressure around.

(25 years ago I once managed to get analogue Dutch TV near Stafford in the UK Midlands )

 

[Adam792]

(25 years ago I once managed to get analogue Dutch TV near Stafford in the UK Midlands )

Well, this is very near to my current location and I've never managed that unfortunately! The best I had was a few years back when it was a very intense lift - the French national radio stations from Lille were receivable with RDS; France Info on 105.2 totally obliterating Kerrang from Sutton Coldfield.

Another phenomenon that us who are interested in this kind of thing look out for is Sporadic E. It's currently E skip season; a couple of guys in the East of the UK briefly received Saudi Arabian radio a few days ago! Band I TV signals from Eastern Europe and Portugal also come through very regularly but I've not managed to set up a Band I antenna to have a look yet.

 

[rolfw]

Used to get a couple of Dutch channels very regularly during skip conditions from South of Reading with an antenna pointed toward Crystal Palace.

 

[Analoguesat]

Well, this is very near to my current location and I've never managed that unfortunately! The best I had was a few years back when it was a very intense lift - the French national radio stations from Lille were receivable with RDS; France Info on 105.2 totally obliterating Kerrang from Sutton Coldfield.

My folks live in Cannock & every time the pressure rose I could get Anglia analogue via Sandy Heath. All reception was with a battered old 4 foot tv aerial I had been given It hung out of my bedroom window tied to the frame using old washing line. One of the reflectors had snapped off as well

Once and once only I managed Granada off Winter Hill as well, with poor signal strength.

 

[Adam792]

Once and once only I managed Granada off Winter Hill as well, with poor signal strength.

Here in Stone Winter Hill is a fairly decent signal, especially now after digital switchover. There've been reports of the BBC A Mux. reaching Walsall on a loft aerial!

Unfortunately the fairly powerful Stoke relay at Fenton is far too strong here for Sandy Heath to make an appearance.

 

[CSB]

In addition to the Canarias channels, we got an Arabic channel which definately didn't come from a Spanish Island, probably from Morroco.

 

[Adam792]

Stumbled back on this thread after years!

I think a likely contender for the Canary Islands transmitter received on Madeira would be the Izaña transmitter on Tenerife. It's over 2000m above sea level near the Teide observatory!

If you had a dedicated roof antenna facing Tenerife, who knows! You might get a signal for some or most of the time.