Somerset Launch Preparations

Here at MuxCo HQ we’re gearing up for the next multiplex launch – Somerset. We’ve just started test transmissions on two of our three transmitters – Taunton and Hutton. These consist of a ‘barker’ giving details about the launch. We’ll add these test broadcasts to our third transmitter – Mendip – early next week. Sometime…

Written by

Matt

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Here at MuxCo HQ we’re gearing up for the next multiplex launch – Somerset.

We’ve just started test transmissions on two of our three transmitters – Taunton and Hutton. These consist of a ‘barker’ giving details about the launch. We’ll add these test broadcasts to our third transmitter – Mendip – early next week.

Sometime in that week (edit: actually early next week now) it’s likely we’ll continue tests and use some live or presented audio from our service providers. Like all tests, this is susceptible to interruption.

The official launch of the multiplex will then be on Friday 26th September at around 8.30am.

Comments

22 responses to “Somerset Launch Preparations”

  1. George avatar
    George

    Hiya – So will the Mendip transmitter serve area’s like Puriton, near Bridgwater? Is that why at the moment – can’t get the test transmissions?

    Reply
  2. Rob avatar
    Rob

    Yes this area will be served by Mendip

    Reply
  3. Mark avatar
    Mark

    I have family in Yeovil, who have had real problems with TV and FM radio reception as the town is set down in a bowl. Will Yeovil get a good DAB signal?

    Reply
  4. Rob avatar
    Rob

    I think Yeovil is later on in the roll out of the Somerset Mux for areas which have intermittent signal from Mendip

    Reply
  5. Steve avatar
    Steve

    Only “intermittent” reception ?
    What about the rest of the time ?

    Reply
    1. Rob avatar
      Rob

      I believe Coker Hill is a possible launch site in the future, perhaps next year – I know reception both DAB and FM is poor in Yeovil, especially in and around the town itself.

      Reply
  6. Andy avatar
    Andy

    Hi

    Will there be more stations added?

    Reply
    1. Matt avatar
      Matt

      There are no plans to add any additional stations at the moment.

      Reply
      1. Andy avatar
        Andy

        Thanks Matt

        Reply
  7. Phil England avatar
    Phil England

    I thought that Triple Hits is due to launch?

    Reply
    1. Rob avatar
      Rob

      It will be – Triple Hits launches 1st of October, this probably goes down an initial launch station for the mux so won’t count as an additional

      Reply
  8. Mark avatar
    Mark

    Rob – Good to hear that there will be a transmitter for Yeovil, but I find it surprising that the second largest town in Somerset isn’t properly served from the start. Also concerned about the lack of a precise date for the Yeovil transmitter, given Muxco’s unconvincing track record of delivering on time.

    Reply
    1. Rob avatar
      Rob

      I’d hope that a rough date will come up next year. A Transmitter for Yeovil would be a definite boost for BBC Somerset where 95.5 struggles to reach Yeovil fully.

      Reply
  9. daniel avatar
    daniel

    is there plans for any community stations in somerset to go on the dab?

    Reply
  10. Mark avatar
    Mark

    Totally agree, Rob!

    Reply
    1. Andy avatar
      Andy

      It’s all down to costs of being on the multiplex, it’s not cheap and with community radio stations being on FM and the costs that involves makes it harder, but it would be great to have stations like Tone FM and Pulse 104.4 given a bigger platform.

      Reply
  11. Rob avatar
    Rob

    Mendip is now live broadcasting test transmissions

    Reply
  12. Steve avatar
    Steve

    Test transmissions are as follows:
    MuxCo 3 = Smooth (pty: Easy listening 112kbps Joint Stereo)
    MuxCo 1 = Heart (pty: Pop Music 112 kbps Joint Stereo)
    MuxCo 4 = BBC Somerset (pty: Varied Speech 128 kbps Joint Stereo) MuxCo 2 = Capital FM (pty: Pop Music 96 kbps Mono)
    Triple Hits will be here later.

    Reply
    1. Steve avatar
      Steve

      I think these stations will in the similar order on the multiplex as Gloucestershire

      Reply
  13. Mike avatar
    Mike

    Hi,

    I can currently get good tv and fm signal from mendip – in fact i can see it from here – but will i be able to at least get this in my car here in Westbury, Wiltshire?

    Reply
  14. Ryan avatar
    Ryan

    I can receive the tests here in cwmbran NP44 8 area indoors with full signal please can we have a full list of channels that will broadcast, Many Thanks,

    Reply
  15. Andy Saunders avatar
    Andy Saunders

    All services have now got labels and audio

    Reply

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