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experience problems, e.g. with certain MUXES disappearing. First try rescanning your
TV / set top box (do it manually if possible), but if this fails to work check on transmitter work
or call the reception advice phone numbers. Also see basic digital fault finding.
Chesterfield television transmitter was built in 1971 and it is one of the few which
broadcast Digital but not C5. Originally an A group the addition of Digital TV has
unfortunately made it a wideband.
Worse still it is Vertically polarised (it is a repeater off Emley Moor) which can contribute
to ghosting problems in poor signal areas. Significantly, MUX 1 (basically most of the
BBC1 programmes) is on channel 34 and therefore one should at least get that on an
A group antenna. In addition MUX 2 should be receivable in reasonable signal areas with
many A group antennas. See Chesterfield`s graph.
Some sources classify Chesterfield as a wideband, but if you need all the signal you can
get and you really need a “high gain aerial” (which most people don`t....) the graph shows
quite clearly that a Yagi18K or an XB16K is the way to go.
Note how 5 of the 6 digital MUXES are on the same frequencies as Emley Moor and there are further co-
The frequencies given are for the analogue channels, for (most) digital MUXES add 3MHz.
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Chesterfield / Unstone transmitter at dusk. Picture Justin Smith (ATV)
Chesterfield TV transmitter “Up Close” Picture Justin Smith (ATV)
Chesterfield`s channels in relation to the UHF TV band and the gain curves of the aerials
we recommend for it. DM Log Log40 Yagi18K XB10K XB16K
Note the channels out of the original A group of the transmitter, but also that MUX1 and MUX2 should be available to most people in reasonable signal areas.
(see Channel Allocation Guide below)
Some sources classify Chesterfield as a wideband, but if you need all the signal you can
get and you really need a “high gain aerial” (which most people don`t....) the above graph shows quite clearly that an XB16K is the way to go. It will be noted that for Chesterfield transmitters output both these aerials outperform widebands, including Tri booms.
Note that the “original A group curve” is that for post 1995 aerials, when the A group was extended up to CH37 from CH34. Thus the response curve for aerials fitted prior to this
date would be about 3 channels down.
Also see other relevant Wideband curves and K group curves.
For Chesterfield we recommend the DM log for strong signal areas, the Log 40
for medium signal areas and the Yagi18K or XB10K for poor signal areas,
the latter aerial being particularly well suited to loft mounting.
The XB16K is for those with the most marginal signals.
The dimensions and test performance of the aerials can be found on the relevant tables.
The TX is situated mid way between Dronfield and Chesterfield and is a steel RSJ
spaceframe design. It can be seen on the hill top from the Dronfield By-
(ex Midland) Railway line which passes by in the valley. The former opened in 1975 and
the latter in 1870, doesn`t time fly......
Ofcom quote Chesterfield`s maximum population coverage as being about 145 thousand,
but that includes households which may well be on another transmitter with overlapping coverage.
The transmitter is a repeater off Emley Moor and it`s power is 2kW analogue and 40w
for Digital. Those living in Dronfield may find problems with it because the transmitter is attenuated in a Northerly direction. Full output is to the SW with good signals in an arc
from SE to NW. Worse still, 4 of the 5 Digital / Freeview MUXES are transmitted on the same channels as Emley Moor (see Chesterfield`s Channel Allocations) which can
lead to co-
The Channel Guide also includes the frequencies for most of the other transmitters
receivable within Chesterfields coverage area, namely Emley Moor, Belmont, Waltham,
Sutton Coldfield, Sheffield, Nottingham, Hasland and Brockwell. This information
can be most useful for identifying the causes of co-
find a spare channel for a modulated output (e.g. for a Sky box or CCTV system) to
be added to your TV setup/distribution system without suffering from co-
DSO is due to occur in 2011 (possibly in September). It has been confirmed by Ofcom that Chesterfield will stay a wideband at DSO, but the main 1st three PSB MUXES will be receivable on an A group.
At switchover Chesterfield`s digital power output will increase from the pre DSO level of 40W output up to the post DSO level of 400 to 800W.
Chesterfield has no interleaved spectrum channels allocated to it.
External links
It should be remembered that because of Wideband antennas poor response at the
bottom of the band nobody should ever fit a “high gain” wideband on any
K group transmitter, e.g. Chesterfield.
If the site is in a poor spot a “high gain” K group aerial should be
used. On the other hand if the signal is strong (or medium) then by definition it
doesn`t need a “high gain” antenna anyway ! Under these circumstances a
Log Periodic should be fitted instead. See Chesterfield transmitter`s graph
