- Oxford transmitting station
-
Oxford Height of mast 165.7 metres (544 ft) Built 1968 BBC region BBC South (Oxford) ITV region ITV Central South The Oxford transmitting station (sometimes known as the Beckley transmitter[1]) is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated on land 129.5 metres (425 ft) above Ordnance Datum (mean sea level) to the north east of the city of Oxford, in Oxfordshire, England (grid reference SP567105). It has a guyed steel lattice mast which is 154.4 metres (507 ft) [2] in height to the top of the main steel structure. Mounted above that are the UHF television antennas, contained within a GRP shroud. These antennas have an average height above Ordnance Datum of 289 metres (948 ft).[3], or 159.5 metres (523 ft) above ground level. The total height of the structure is 165.7 metres (544 ft)[4]. It is owned and operated by Arqiva.
The effective radiated power of the analogue TV transmissions was 500 kW except for Channel 5 which had an ERP of only 40 kW. This was to avoid causing co-channel interference to other transmissions in surrounding areas.[5] In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Oxford would be reverting to a C/D group transmitter at DSO (Digital Switchover).
Contents
History
- The station was originally constructed by the BBC to provide VHF/FM transmissions of the BBC's three national radio networks and one 405-line VHF TV service. The mast carried a two-tier Band I array above a six-tier slot array for Band II FM. A smaller 150 foot tower in the western corner of the site carried receiving aerials.[6]
- The station was extended in 1968, having been chosen as a suitable site for high power colour UHF transmissions, which entered service on 17 February 1968 carrying BBC Two. ITV (ATV/Central) and BBC One followed in June 1970. Channel 4 was carried from launch day in 1982.
- In 1997, the station began analogue transmissions of Channel 5 at high power.
- In 1998, the station began digital transmissions of all six ONdigital multiplexes.
- In 1999, the station began analogue transmissions of Oxford's RSL local channel, Six TV on low-power.
May 2010 Incident
On 13 May 2010 the digital and analogue television transmitters (except Channel 5) went off the air at about 13:20 UTC following an incident when smoke was seen drifting from the top of the mast. The fire service reported that there had been an intense fire and that the cause was unknown. Engineering work to reinstate service began once fire crews left and the mast was made safe. Transmissions were restored via the reserve transmitter at reduced power by 20:30 UTC.[1]
The incident occurred during testing of a new main antenna which had been installed during the previous few months in readiness for the proposed digital switchover. Investigation into the cause of the fire and the damage to the antenna may result in daytime interruptions in service.[7]. The new antenna was damaged beyond repair and a replacement is expected to be installed for the end of September 2010.[8]
Coverage area
It serves the south Midlands, including Oxfordshire (excluding Henley-on-Thames), most of Buckinghamshire, north Berkshire, north east Wiltshire, south east Gloucestershire and south west Northamptonshire. It is sometimes called the Beckley mast, a reference to an adjacent village, or the Ot Moor mast, this referring to the area on which it is located.
From 2006, a new non-franchise regional news area ITV Thames Valley was provided from the ITV Meridian studios at Whiteley, Hampshire. This programme was replaced in February 2009, in a cost-saving reorganisation, by ITV Meridian's Meridian Tonight. However, Central Independent Television remains the licencee and broadcaster.
Services listed by frequency
Analogue radio (AM Mediumwave)
Frequency kW Service 1197 kHz 0.25 Absolute Radio Analogue radio (FM VHF)
Frequency kW Service 89.5 MHz 46 BBC Radio 2 91.7 MHz 46 BBC Radio 3 93.9 MHz 46 BBC Radio 4 95.2 MHz 5.8 BBC Radio Oxford 99.1 MHz 46 BBC Radio 1 101.3 MHz 46 Classic FM 102.6 MHz 9 Heart Oxfordshire Digital radio (DAB)
Frequency Block kW[9] Operator 215.072 MHz 10D N/A NOW Digital (yet to launch) 222.064 MHz 11D 7.8 Digital One 225.648 MHz 12B 10 BBC National DAB Analogue television
Analogue television is no longer transmitted from Oxford. BBC Two closed on UHF 63 on 14 September 2011. Channel 4 temporarily moved into its frequency at the time to allow BBC A to launch on UHF 53. The remaining analogue signals ceased on 28 September.
Frequency UHF kW Service 695.25 MHz 49 40 Channel 5 727.25 MHz 53 500 Channel 4 759.25 MHz 57 500 BBC One 783.25 MHz 60 500 ITV1 807.25 MHz 63 500 BBC Two Digital television
Frequency UHF kW Operator 730.2 MHz 53+ 100 BBC A 746.0 MHz 55 12.5 Arqiva B 762.0 MHz 57 100 BBC B 777.8 MHz 59- 12.5 Arqiva A 785.8 MHz 60- 100 Digital 3&4 802.0 MHz 62 12.5 SDN - Arqiva A & B and SDN will increase 50 kW in the future.
Before switchover
Frequency UHF kW Operator 538.0 MHz 29 8 Arqiva (Mux D) 578.0 MHz 34 10 BBC (Mux 1) 690.0 MHz 48 8 Arqiva (Mux C) 713.8 MHz 51- 6 SDN (Mux A) 721.8 MHz 52- 6 BBC (Mux B) 850.0 MHz 68 10 Digital 3&4 (Mux 2) - Mux 1 closed on UHF 34 on 14 September 2011.
- Mux C temporarily operated on UHF 34 between 14 - 28 September 2011.
See also
- List of masts
- List of tallest buildings and structures in the United Kingdom
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ a b http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8680692.stm
- ^ http://tx.mb21.co.uk/info/sitedata/index.asp
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/transmitters/tv/tv_oxford.shtml
- ^ http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/planning/ApplicationDetails.jsp?REF=P09/W0496
- ^ http://www.aerialsandtv.com/oxfordtx.html#OxfordsChannels
- ^ http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/planning/HistoryDetails.jsp?REF=P60/M0403&MAP=NO
- ^ http://www.arqiva.com/corporate/press/archive/2010/2010-5-13%20-%20Oxford%20transmitter%20incident%20-%20latest%20%289.30%20pm%20Thursday%29.pdf
- ^ http://www.arqiva.com/corporate/press/archive/2010/2010-5-26%20-%20Oxford%20Transmitter%20Update%20-%20Full%20TV%20Services%20Restored%20by%20September.pdf
- ^ Radio Listeners Guide 2010
External links
Categories:- 1968 establishments in England
- Buildings and structures in Oxfordshire
- Media in Oxford
- Transmitter sites in the United Kingdom
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