The Mendip transmitter and its 61 relays, serving Bristol, parts of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, completed the digital switchover on 24 March 2010 and 07 April 2010.

Digital switchover (DSO) complete at Mendip transmitter group

The Mendip transmitter and its 61 relays serving Bristol, parts of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershires made the switch in two stages:

At Stage 1 (DSO1) - 24 March 2010 
BBC Two analogue ceased broadcasting permanently and the first BBC multiplex, Mux BBC A, launched at 8k and 64QAM.

At Stage 2 (DSO2) - 7 April 2010
All other analogue and DTT services ceased broadcasting permanently and high powered digital multiplexes launched at 8k and 64QAM.

For futher information on 8k and 64QAM transmission modes please click here.

Later technical events

On 28 September 2011, at the Mendip transmitter, SDN, ARQ A and ARQ B adopted final DSO channels.  They also increased in power levels but not to their final DSO power levels. ARQ A and ARQ B adopted 64QAM using the 8k transmission mode;

On 28 September 2011, at Portishead and Woodcombe relay transmitters, BBC A adopted its final DSO channels;

On 28 September 2011, at Cirencester, Portishead and Woodcombe relay transmitters, D34 adopted its final DSO channels;

On 28 March 2012, at the Mendip transmitter, SDN, ARQ A  and ARQ B  adopt their final DSO powers post switchover. In addition SDN will adopt the 8k transmission mode.

Self Helps in the Mendip transmitter group

Ofcom confirmed that there are no active licensed self helps in the Mendip transmitter group.

For further information about self helps please visit the Ofcom website.

Aerials, group changes

At Mendip and all its relays, all muxes move into the analogue aerial group by the end of DSO programme;

Exceptions:

At Bristol Kings Weston, while analogue uses group B, a group E or Wideband antenna will be required for DTT. Currently the low power DTT muxes are out the analogue aerial group, therefore existing viewers who have already changed to a wideband antenna will not need to make any further changes at DSO;

At Porlock, the aerial group changes from group B to group A. The new channels are lower than the existing channels and so existing aerials may not need any changes to be made. Viewers are advised to wait and see.

Aerials, communal systems

Channel changes at - Mendip, Crockerton, Bristol Kings Weston, Bristol Ilchester Crescent, West Lavington, Coleford, Monksilver, Washford, Roadwater, Stroud, Cirencester, Porlock, Countisbury, Cerne Abbas, Hutton, Bristol Montpelier, Frome, Bristol Barton House, Portishead, Chiseldon, Clearwell, Redbrook, Woodcombe, Kilve, Chilfrome, Corsham, Siston and Bristol Warmley mean that channelised aerial systems will need to be reconfigured at DSO1 and DSO2.

Adjacent transmitter groups

A household in Bristol, parts of Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire is most likely to be watching the Mendip transmitter group. However, they could also be watching the Beacon Hill, Hannington, Huntshaw Cross, Oxford, Ridge Hill, Stockland Hill, Rowridge or Wenvoe transmitter groups.