Madam,

I would like to comment on the article ‘Villagers lose channels as TV frequencies are sold’.

Since that article was published I have become aware that the problem affects TV viewers over a larger area. Apparently, some viewers are affected in Aberdyfi and up the Dyfi Valley.

While there are many houses locally with inadequate aerials the suggestion by a Freeview spokesperson to get a new aerial will not reliably work.

The fundamental problem is that the two transmitters are on the same frequencies and the Dôl-y-bont signal is reflected from the hills to the south in the same general direction as Preseli. They therefore cannot be separated by a more expensive aerial.

I can confirm this as I have a top-of-the-range aerial system. I also have a qualification in radio frequency engineering and have actually made the effort to study the issue.

If they will not move the interfering frequencies then the only reliable solution would be for locals to receive the missing channels via satellite dishes. Are they prepared to pay for these?

The Freeview officials have not even made the effort to look at the problem as they are clearly unaware of the local geography. They even think that we receive our TV signals from the ‘Preseli transmitter in Carmarthenshire’. Perhaps someone may correct me but the last time I looked at a map Preseli was in west Pembrokeshire!

I wonder would they adopt such a cavalier attitude if the problem arose in the London area?

Yours etc, James Davies, Borth.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page