Oxford transmitting station
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| Oxford | |
| Height of mast | 169.0 metres (554 ft) |
|---|---|
| Built | 1968 |
| BBC region | BBC South (Oxford) |
| ITV region | ITV Meridian |
The Oxford transmitting station 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) [1] 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 m (948 ft).[2], or 159.5 metres (523 ft) above ground level. The total height of the structure is 169.0 metres (554 ft)[3]. It is owned and operated by Arqiva.
The effective radiated power of the analogue TV transmissions is 500 kW except for Five which has an ERP of only 40 kW. This is to avoid causing co-channel interference to other transmissions in surrounding areas.[4] In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Oxford would be reverting to a C/D group transmitter at DSO (Digital Switchover).
Contents |
[edit] History
- The station was constructed in 1968 by the BBC, having been chosen as a suitable site for high power colour UHF transmissions. It entered service on 17 February 1968 carrying BBC Two, with ITV and BBC One following later in June 1970. Originally the site was host to a low power BBC monochrome 405-line VHF television relay, which was mounted on a much smaller tower. The latter is still on the site and is presently used for microwave dishes.
- In 1997, the station began analogue transmissions of Five 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.
[edit] 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. In 2006 ITV broadcasts were reallocated from the ITV Central region (along with the Meridian Hannington transmitter in Berkshire) to create a new non-franchise news area ITV Thames Valley, provided from the ITV Meridian studios at Whitely, Hampshire. In February 2009, under cost-saving reorganisations, the transmitter now carries ITV Meridian (West), therefore extending the franchise for the South and South East well into the Midland counties.
[edit] Channels listed by Frequency
- Analogue Radio (AM Mediumwave)
- 1197 kHz Virgin Radio (250watts)
- Analogue Radio (FM VHF)
- 89.5 MHz - BBC Radio 2 (46KW)
- 91.7 MHz - BBC Radio 3 (46KW)
- 93.9 MHz - BBC Radio 4 (46KW)
- 95.2 MHz - BBC Radio Oxford (5.8KW)
- 99.1 MHz - BBC Radio 1 (46KW)
- 101.3 MHz - Classic FM (23KW)
- 102.6 MHz - Heart 102.6 (9KW)
- 106.4 MHz - Jack FM Oxfordshire (Power outage not known)
- Digital Radio (DAB)
- Block 10D: 215.072 MHz - Awarded to Now Digital (Yet to launch)
- Block 11D: 222.064 MHz - Digital One (7.8KW)
- Block 12B: 225.648 MHz - BBC (10KW)
- Analogue Television
- Digital Television
- UHF 29 - Multiplex D National Grid Wireless (8KW)
- UHF 34 - Multiplex 1 BBC (10KW)
- UHF 48 - Multiplex C National Grid Wireless (8KW)
- UHF 51 - Multiplex A SDN (6KW)
- UHF 52 - Multiplex B BBC (6KW)
- UHF 68 - Multiplex 2 Digital 3&4 (10KW)
Digital switchover expected in late 2011/early 2012. [6]
[edit] See also
- List of masts
- List of tallest buildings and structures in the United Kingdom
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
[edit] References
- ^ http://tx.mb21.co.uk/info/sitedata/index.asp
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/transmitters/tv_trans/tv_oxford.shtml
- ^ http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/planning/ApplicationDetails.jsp?REF=P99/N0820
- ^ http://www.aerialsandtv.com/oxfordtx.html#OxfordsChannels
- ^ Radio Listeners Guide 2010
- ^ Television Viewers Guide 2009
