Caldbeck transmitting station
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This article contains information about a building currently under construction. It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically and frequently as construction progresses and new information becomes available. |
| Caldbeck | |
| Height | 337 metres (1,110 ft) |
|---|---|
| Built | 2008 |
| BBC Region | BBC North East and Cumbria |
| ITV Region | ITV Border |
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 includes a 337 metres (1,110 ft) high guyed steel lattice mast, which is the third highest structure in the United Kingdom. The transmission antennas surmounting the structure are contained within a fibreglass cylinder.
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[edit] History
The station 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 originally included a 306.6 metres (1,006 ft) tall guyed steel lattice mast that 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 4 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 is currently undergoing major engineering work to accommodate the new transmitters and aerials. The work entails complete replacement of the existing mast with a brand new 337 metre mast, work on which began on 26th April, 2007. Construction of the new mast structure was completed at the beginning of March 2008.[1] Once installation of the transmitting aerials on the new mast is complete, the old one will be dismantled.
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
- 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
[edit] See also
- List of masts
- List of tallest structures in the United Kingdom
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Help, tips and advice as Cumbria leads the way to digital television
- The Transmission Gallery: Caldbeck Transmitter photographs and information
- The Transmission Gallery: TV Coverage Map
- http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b61323
- http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=61324
- Arqiva Caldbeck Mast Build Mini-site
