Lichfield transmitting station

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The Lichfield transmitting station is situated close to Tamworth in Staffordshire in the West Midlands between the A5 and A51. The nearest geographical feature is Hopwas Hill.

The transmitter was the main 405-line ITV transmitter for the Midlands from 1956 until 1985. It has a 305.2 metre tall guyed mast, built in 1961.

625-line colour transmitters for the region were all co-sited at Sutton Coldfield until 1997, when Lichfield began broadcasting Channel 5 in the Midlands. At 1000 kW it is the joint most powerful C5 transmitter in the country. Lichfield effectively works in conjunction with Sutton Coldfield (4 miles to the SW) to supply the full five analogue channels. Reception of five from Lichfield is also receivable at viewable quality throughout the borders of North Wales. The station is owned by Arqiva.

[edit] Output

At present, the mast only broadcasts analogue five at 1000 kW ERP. Its television broadcasting fate after digital switchover is unknown, as all six digital multiplexes for reception of DTT are broadcast from Sutton Coldfield, and are expected to continue after the analogue switch-off. It is possible the mast could be used for a local restricted service licence multiplex, or any other "new" multiplexes that may appear after digital switchover.

• UHF 37: five

In addition to the broadcast of five, the mast also broadcasts local radio station Centre 101.6 and digital radio multiplex, CE Birmingham.

[edit] See also

• List of masts
• List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain
• List of radio stations in the United Kingdom

[edit] External links

• The Transmission Gallery: Lichfield Transmitter photographs and information
• Bob Cotton's Lichfield Memories
• http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&X=417500&Y=305000&width=500&height=300&gride=416400&gridn=304300&srec=0&coordsys=gb&db=&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&keepicon=&zm=1&scale=25000