Caldbeck transmitting station

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The Caldbeck transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated close to the village of Caldbeck, in Cumbria, England (Grid Reference: NY299425). It is owned and operated by Arqiva.

It has a 306.6 m (1006 ft) high guyed steel lattice mast. The transmission antennas surmounting the structure are contained within a fibreglass cylinder.

1 History
2 Digital Switch Over
3 Channels listed by Frequency
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

It was originally commissioned by the Independent Television Authority to bring ITV signals (provided by Border Television) to Northern Cumbria and South West Scotland, including Carlisle and Dumfries on 405-line VHF, using Channel 11 (Band III). Constructed in 1961, it came into service on 1 September of that year. The BBC's VHF television and radio services were carried by the nearby Sandale transmitting station. 405 line television was discontinued in the UK in 1985.

When UHF television started in the UK in 1969, Caldbeck was selected to carry all the UHF services for the area. The original three channel line-up came into service in September 1971. Channel Four began from Caldbeck from its launch in November 1982.

In 1993, CFM Radio launched from Caldbeck on 96.4 MHz FM, and later in 2001 the national digital multiplex Digital One entered service.

[edit] Digital Switch Over

Caldbeck is set to be one of the first transmitters in the UK to be upgraded to high power digital only TV broadcasting. At this time, the analogue signal will be permanently switched off. The process is known as Digital Switchover and is scheduled for June 2009.

Caldbeck will require major engineering work to accommodate the new transmitters and aerials. The work will entail complete replacement of the existing mast with a brand new 337 metre mast, scheduled for construction in 2008. According to Arqiva, This will make the Caldbeck mast the third tallest structure in the UK. Other masts that will require engineering work include Black Hill, (Lanarkshire) which will also need a replacement mast, and Wenvoe (Glamorgan), Sandy Heath, (Bedfordshire) and Divis (Northern Ireland), all of which will require mechanical strengthening.

[edit] Channels listed by Frequency

Analogue Radio (FM VHF)
- 96.4 MHz CFM Radio

Digital Radio (DAB)
- Block 11D: 222.06 MHz - Digital One

Analogue Television
- UHF 24 - ITV1 (Border Television Scotland)
- UHF 28 - ITV1 (Border Television England)
- UHF 30 - BBC One North East and Cumbria
- UHF 32 - Channel 4
- UHF 34 - BBC Two
- UHF 56 - Five

Digital Television
- UHF 23 - Multiplex 2 ITV
- UHF 25 - Multiplex 1 BBC
- UHF 26 - Multiplex A SDN
- UHF 39 - Multiplex B BBC
- UHF 42 - Multiplex D National Grid Wireless
- UHF 45 - Multiplex C National Grid Wireless