Heathfield transmitting station

Heathfield

Coordinates	50°58′36″N 0°13′50″E
Grid reference	TQ566220
Built	1969
BBC region	BBC South East
ITV region	ITV Meridian

The Heathfield transmitting station is a facility for FM and television transmission at Heathfield, East Sussex, UK (grid reference TQ566220). Opened in 1969 it uses as its antenna mast a 135 metre tall guyed structure, giving average transmitter height 256 metres above sea level. A wideband horizontally polarised aerial is required to receive both digital and analog TV signals, although the original analogue signals are in band C/D. In July 2007 was confirmed by Ofcom that Heathfield would become a B group transmitter at DSO (Digital Switchover), though all the digital MUXES would be still be receivable on a C/D group aerial (see graph) in most areas. The station's coverage area suffers from co-channel interference problems, particularly to the south, not only with Brighton (Whitehawk Hill) but with the continent as well. It is owned and operated by Arqiva.

Along with Dover and Bluebell Hill, Heathfield transmits regional television services from BBC One South East and Meridian South East.

Services listed by frequency

Analogue radio

Frequency	kW	Service	Notes
102.4 MHz	8.2	Heart Sussex	Originally Southern FM
104.5 MHz	10	BBC Sussex	Split from BBC Southern Counties Radio

Digital radio

Frequency	Block	kW	Operator
222.064 MHz	11D	1	Digital One
225.648 MHz	12B	5	BBC National DAB

Analogue television

Frequency	UHF	kW	Service
695.25 MHz	49	100	BBC One
719.25 MHz	52	100	BBC Two
815.25 MHz	64	100	ITV1
839.25 MHz	67	100	Channel 4

• Aerial group: C/D
• Polarisation: horizontal
• Digital switchover is expected to take place between 30 May and 13 June 2012.

Digital television

Frequency	UHF	kW	Operator
538.0 MHz	29	1.6	Digital 3&4 (Mux 2)
578.0 MHz	34	1.6	BBC (Mux 1)
681.8 MHz	47-	1	BBC (Mux B)
689.8 MHz	48-	1	SDN (Mux A)
713.8 MHz	51-	1	Arqiva (Mux D)
738.0 MHz	54	1	Arqiva (Mux C)

• A wideband aerial (group W) is required to receive all channels.

After switchover

Frequency	UHF	kW	Operator
634.2 MHz	41+	20	Arqiva B
642.2 MHz	42+	20	SDN
658.0 MHz	44	20	Arqiva A
682.0 MHz	47	20	BBC B
698.0 MHz	49	20	Digital 3&4
722.0 MHz	52	20	BBC A

• SDN is expected to temporarily operate on UHF 48 at 2 kW for a short period after switchover.

External links

• The Transmission Gallery: Heathfield Transmitter photographs and information
• Pictures and info on Heathfield transmitter including co-receivable transmitters