BBC Radio 4 long wave reception problems etc.

[electrogram]

The only time in the last 15 years that we have had the audio quality that we should have was for a few weeks in Sept/Oct last year, there have been various alterations and messings about before and since. As long as R4 LW is in operation why can't we have a decent service ?

[threeseven]

I concur, it is back.

[stevehertz]

Apologies, I haven't waded through all the posts, but has there been any contact with the BBC on this, and what, if any, has been their response?

[Station X]

If you can find a way to contact the BBC online to report transmitter faults I'd be pleased to hear it.

[stevehertz]

Well, there's the phone number as previously linked to by yourself:https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...23&postcount=7

I haven't experienced the problem because having recently come back to vintage radio and having been thoroughly disappointed with the effect that digital hash has had on AM transmissions, I'm currently getting my kicks with vintage FM sets. That's not to say that this matter does not concern me, it does. Has anyone had any luck with ringing that number on this matter?

[Junk Box Nick]

I have a novel way of registering my complaints that uses a method that older participants here might recall.

It involves a message written on paper placed in an envelope with the organisation's head office written on the front and a stamp - a little sticky thing with an image of the Queen's head upon it - placed in the top right hand corner. For younger viewers: you'll find more information at your local post office.

Serious point: When other methods disappear into a black hole or a never ending telephone queue, IME, the above method, whilst not instantaneous has allowed me to resolve issues that conventional methods do not.

In another direction Martin G7MRV has been of assistance in the past.

[stevehertz]

Great post, great humour, and oh so true. How people have forgotten the ancient art of writing.

[Station X]

Originally Posted by Junk Box Nick

I have a novel way of registering my complaints that uses a method that older participants here might recall.

It involves a message written on paper placed in an envelope with the organisation's head office written on the front and a stamp - a little sticky thing with an image of the Queen's head upon it - placed in the top right hand corner. For younger viewers: you'll find more information at your local post office.

In my experience not worth bothering with unless you're going to use a signed for (not recorded delivery) service. You get no reply from the organisation concerned and when you phone them to query this you'll be told that your letter hasn't been received. That's if you can be bothered to listen to endless "Your important call is in a queue" messages.

[PaulR]

It seemed a bit better this morning listening in the car on the way to work

[Restoration73]

Just listened on a repaired Grundig, I have heard better audio on a C-60.
This transmitter which I believe was a converted Marconi MW unit, has rarely been without it's troubles from installation in 1989.
However there is a London transmitter (Spectrum 558) that listeners may care to check.
The internet or satellite audio feeds often have such severe hum or distortion I am surprised the listeners put up with it.

[Hybrid tellies]

The distortion is now really bad and is totally unlistenable to. I am starting to think that it might be better to put the old girl out of her misery. Such a shame after all that work that was done at Droitwich over the summer months.

I have reported the fault. Found a number on the BBC RTIS site. They were not aware of any problems but they are now.

[ian rose]

I have the distinct impression that powers that be do not attach much importance to R4 LW any more since they know that it is not going to be in operation for much longer.
The continuity when they switch from LW to FM is now disgusting. A switch is 'thrown' by somebody at a particular time and interviews are cut off mid sentence when diverting to and from cricket and to and from the daily service.
The answer to a complaint is usually; ''move to DAB''.

[stevehertz]

Well I posted words 'to this effect' a few days ago and the post was quickly deleted. I don't think you're supposed to talk ill of auntie on here!

[paulsherwin]

Please stay on topic.

[Arqiva BOC]

This fault is known about by our engineers, but it is not a simple fix on equipment of this vintage (something I'm sure should be appreciated by most on here!)

Rest assured also that the BBC are fully aware of the issue and are themselves very keen on a resolution.

Martin.

[Hybrid tellies]

It sounds a lot better and I am listening to the news as I type on my Hacker Hunter RP38A. The modulation level and clarity is good with only a lower level of sibilance.

[threeseven]

With my conspiracy hat on, the sibilance could be a strategy to fool those that know no better that LW is poor quality compared to FM or DAB, because obviously the Beeb and Arqiva know how to fix the problem.

[Arqiva BOC]

The fix is to repair a fault on very elderly and extremely complex equipment.
A very difficult, time consuming and expensive task.

[Junk Box Nick]

Listening to TMS today and the quality is much better.

[threeseven]

Originally Posted by Arqiva BOC

The fix is to repair a fault on very elderly and extremely complex equipment.
A very difficult, time consuming and expensive task.

It would be of interest to know of some more detail of the fault and the equipment concerned.