Droitwich transmitting station

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Droitwich Transmitting Station, Wychbold

The Droitwich transmitting station is a large broadcasting facility for longwave and mediumwave transmissions, established in 1934 close to the village of Wychbold, near Droitwich, Worcestershire, England (grid reference SO929663). This transmission site is the location of the strongest long-wave transmitter of the British Broadcasting Corporation, which together with the two Scottish longwave transmitters at Burghead and Westerglen forms a network on the same frequency. The transmission frequency was 200 kHz until 1989 and is now 198 kHz. The carrier frequency is controlled by a rubidium atomic frequency standard in the transmitter building, enabling the transmission to be used as an off-air frequency standard. The Radio 4 LW signal from Droitwich is by far the strongest in the UK, covering most of England and Wales. Supplementary medium-wave transmitters are found in London, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The BBC had wanted to drop Radio 4 on LW, but was forced to retreat after widespread criticism from long-wave 'die-hards'. Radio 4 LW transmits the Daily Service at 9.45am and Test Match Special in the summer.

For the long-wave transmission, a T-aerial is used, which is suspended between two 700 ft (213.4 metre) high guyed steel lattice masts.

When driving north up the M5 motorway, the masts are close by on the right hand side, between Droitwich and Bromsgrove. At night, the two sets of aircraft warning lights are visible from a long distance.

Furthermore there are two guyed mast radiators at the site, which are used for transmitting AM medium-wave radio programmes on 693 kHz, 1053 kHz and 1215 kHz. Radio Five Live is broadcast on 693 kHz, which apart from Brookmans Park and Moorside Edge, is one of the strongest signals in the UK, covering most of the Midlands and Wales. It should be noted that in the southern-central part of England, the Five Live MW signal is not strong, due to few transmitters, as Droitwich or Brookmans Park are the nearest.

The station is owned and operated by National Grid Wireless.