BBC Radio 4 long wave reception problems etc.

[60 oldjohn]

I don't think this is Sibilance, but listening to R4 LW there was what I would call Static or electrical storm noise which stopped at 12 noon in time for the news and shipping forecast then started again in time to ruin the next program. Is this typical of the problem? or is this a different issue?
I should add the weather was fine at the time.

John.

[paulsherwin]

No, this sounds like a different issue. There is no noise with the sibilance problem, just a rough gravelly texture to the sound and a top end that sounds like a mistuned radio.

Maybe somebody is poking around in the distribution network at long last.

[ThePillenwerfer]

I didn't notice anything amiss during the Test Matches and have had the mid-night news on Long Wave for the last few days and it sounds fine to me.

- Joe

[60 oldjohn]

Thank you Paul,I don't listen to R4 LW much so can not compare to recent R4 transmissions. I suppose it could have been a thunder storm a long way from here. Very strange how noise stopped in time for news "different feed"?

John.

[PaulR]

It seems to be working ok now. I listen to it every night when I get into bed and it has been better for several days now. Hopefully the improvement will last this time

[paulsherwin]

merlinmaxwell and his fancy computer radio provides the definitive analysis

merlinmaxwell and his fancy computer radio provides the definitive analysis

Well it would if one of the N connectors in the garden hadn't sucummed to complete corrosion of the centre pin (there is 12V DC on it) after years of operation, new connector being installed this afternoon, I will let you know.

New connectors installed plus loads of Vaseline and self amalgamating tape, result... Radio 4 LW seems to be free from sibilance now see attached picture, the gain was set up a bit to show anything above (local, which is quite horrible now) noise.

P.S. I hate soldering in the garden, in the wet, and wind, in the end as Paul(Sherwin) says

...and his fancy computer radio provides the definitive analysis

there it is, always best to measure if you can.

[AC/HL]

I'm sure we'd all like to thank Martin for all he's done to help resolve this situation.

[Martin G7MRV]

Cheers! But to be honest, all I do is moan on your behalf to the people on our radio desk, who then moan officially at the field guys! Although it does help by bypassing the official audience services!

Although if you moan about Moorside Edge, I dont need to say anything, as our man John sees all! ;-)

[AC/HL]

Martin,
Before we close the thread, is there anything you can say as to the possible/probable cause.

[paulsherwin]

I would imagine that would be very difficult because of Martin's position and the multiple commercially confidential contracts involved.

[happytiger]

The BBC have had this sibilant problem on R4 for years, it's also bad on VHF. I was once told by the BBC that it was due to the ground drying out at the transmitter.!
Other stations don't have this problem

[Leon Crampin]

The wrong kind of rain.

Leon.

[Aub]

Hi all,

I'm trying to listen to the cricket on Radio 4 Longwave. It's almost impossible due to the heavy sillabance. I thought that had gone away. Anyone else think its bad?

( I searched for the old thread, using both ways of spelling silabance, but didn't find anything, hence the new one )

Cheers

Aub

[Aub]

Ah! it's sibilance!

Doh!

[Phil G4SPZ]

Yes, it's been quite bad for a few weeks. I get Droitwich very strongly here but it normally sounds much better.

[Junk Box Nick]

It has been so bad today that I have turned off the cricket commentary.

I listen at night on the bedside radio (Grundig 27 years old so getting on for vintage?) and quality has been poor for some time but todau it is unbearable.

RTE on 252 sounds exellent.

PS - I did a search and the old thread was closed. There is some useful information on there - perhaps we should bombard the BBC with complaints?

[Aub]

I turned on again at 5.25pm, and it was a lot better.

[Refugee]

How does the LW transmitter get its feed?

I have tuned up and down the R4 signals on the FM band and the strongest signal has the problem but weak signals do not. Perhaps this could be a clue?