Skelton Transmitting Station

Skelton
Location Skelton, Cumbria
Height of mast 365 metres (1,198 ft)
Built 2001 (current)

The Skelton Transmitting Station is a radio transmitter site at grid reference NY433376 near Skelton, Cumbria, England about 5 miles (8 km) north west of Penrith, run by Babcock International and owned by the MOD.

In 1946, the BBC was heralding the site as being "the World's largest and most powerful (shortwave) radio station".[1]

The main purpose of it is shortwave broadcasting. The site is capable of DRM on at least 3955 kHz and 3975 kHz (75m broadcast band) beamed at 121° towards Germany and Central Europe.[2][3] On AM then frequencies of 5995 kHz and 6195 kHz (49m broadcast band) and 9410 kHz (31m broadcast band) and 12095 kHz (25m broadcast band) are known.[4]

A VLF transmitter is also located there. It is used to transmit coded orders to submarines. It uses as its aerial a 365 metre high guyed steel lattice mast, which is insulated against ground and is the tallest structure in the UK. The transmitter went into service in 2001 and is the successor to the GBR transmitter at Rugby Radio Station.

See also

References

  1. "Skelton memories". Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  2. "'Baseportal' DRM List". Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  3. "'Mediumwave Info' DRM List". Retrieved 2010-11-21.
  4. "Bandscan List". Retrieved 2010-11-21.

External links

Coordinates: 54°43′56″N 2°53′1″W / 54.73222°N 2.88361°W