Ferryside Relay

Ferryside Relay is a small TV relay in the village of Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, Wales (national grid reference: SN371104). Ferryside Relay is one of the few broadcasting transmitters using a wooden pole as aerial tower.

Contents

Digital switchover

The Ferryside relay is also unique because it was chosen as the site of the UK's experimental switchover trial, and as such became the first UK TV transmitter to be converted to digital[1], turning off the old analogue TV signal. At the end of 2004, the relay was equipped to provide the four primary DTT multiplexes (Multiplex 1, 2, A and B) and after a three month period, all local residents were given Freeview boxes.[2][3] Three of the four analogue services were switched off at midnight on 30 March 2005.

BBC Two Wales analogue remained on due to the differing content of the BBC 2W digital service. On 6 March 2009, BBC Two Wales analogue was finally switched off in preparation for the full digital switchover in the region, on 19 August and 16 September 2009. There was reportedly some local concerns, as BBC Two Wales analogue still having different programmes compared to those on digital version BBC 2W.

Transmitted services

Analogue television

BBC One Wales, ITV1 Wales and S4C were all switched off in March 2005. BBC Two Wales was switched off in March 2009.

Frequency UHF kW Service
471.25 MHz 21 0.023 BBC One Wales
495.25 MHz 24 0.023 ITV1 Wales
519.25 MHz 27 0.023 BBC Two Wales
551.25 MHz 31 0.023 S4C

Digital television

Frequency UHF kW Operator
474.2 MHz 21+ 0.025 BBC A
498.0 MHz 24 0.025 BBC B
522.0 MHz 27 0.025 SDN
545.8 MHz 30- 0.025 Digital 3&4

References

  1. ^ "Villages tune in to digital trial". BBC News. 2004-12-01. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4058069.stm. Retrieved 2007-01-06. 
  2. ^ "Report of a digital switchover technical trial at Ferryside and Llansteffan" (pdf). Department for Culture, Media and Sport. July 2005. http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/46606024-5B0C-4692-8298-BFC2EE1BA023/0/Digital_Trial_Report_Final_190705.pdf. Retrieved 2007-01-06. 
  3. ^ "Report Hails Success of Digital Switchover Trial". Department for Culture, Media and Sport. July 2005. http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Press_notices/archive_2005/dcms101_005.htm. Retrieved 2007-01-06. 

External links

Transmitter sites in Wales
Transmitter stations

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