This years CAI tour ended with a huge turnout at Wetherby Racecourse despite the CAI exhibitors and staff battling blizzards, road closures and accidents that made for a treacherous journey from a successful visit to Falkirk in Scotland. The earlier in the month visit to South Wales was somewhat disappointing with a lower than expected turnout but our trek across to Sandown Park was well rewarded with the usual large gathering of South-Eastern attendees. The presentations were all well attended and additional time was found to present the ASTRA2connect story in Falkirk and Wetherby due to the rural nature of the landscape and the potential for broadband via other means rather than cable networks.
Digital UK's David Harby looked at the switchover success in areas completed so far and the transmitter overlap problem that could occur in areas the show visited. David was directly followed by Peter Barnett's research as Mandercom on how systems would be affected by the introduction of an HD multiplex. Peter also localised his presentation showing where HD muxes would appear in the spectrum local to where we visited. Both presentations gave rise to lively debate before Freesat gave a brief rundown on the launch of BBC iPlayer and looking forward to the addition of ITV's iPlayer very soon. CAI Director Les Hampson did an illustrated guide to safety on individual receiving systems.
To sum up, this was another resounding success and the CAI now turns its attention to its annual show at Stoneleigh in June.
The presentations made by on the roadshows can be downloaded by members from the members section of the CAI website.
