Caldbeck transmitting station

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Caldbeck
Cumbria UK location map.svg
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Caldbeck transmitting station (Cumbria)
Mast height337 metres (1,106 ft)
Coordinates 54°46′24″N3°05′26″W / 54.773333°N 3.090556°W / 54.773333; -3.090556 Coordinates: 54°46′24″N3°05′26″W / 54.773333°N 3.090556°W / 54.773333; -3.090556
Grid reference NY299425
Built1961 (original)
2008 (current)
Demolished2008 (original)
BBC region BBC North East and Cumbria
BBC Scotland
ITV region ITV Border
Local TV serviceThat's Cumbria

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.

Contents

It includes a 337-metre-high (1,106 ft) 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.

History

The station was originally commissioned by the Independent Television Authority to bring ITV signals (provided by Border Television) to South West Scotland and Northern parts of Cumberland and Westmorland, including Carlisle and Dumfries using 405-line on VHF 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.

When UHF television started in the UK in 1969, Caldbeck was selected to carry all the 625-line 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. 405 line television was discontinued in the UK in 1985.

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

Digital switchover

Caldbeck was one of the first transmitters in the UK to be upgraded to high power digital only TV broadcasting. The Digital Switchover took place between June & July 2009. At this time, the analogue signal was permanently switched off. Extra multiplexes for BBC Scotland and ITV Border (Scotland) were added to the transmitter at the time.

Caldbeck underwent major engineering work to accommodate the new transmitters and aerials. The work entailed complete replacement of the existing mast with a brand new 337 m (1,106 ft) mast, work on which began on 26 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 was complete, the old one was dismantled.

Services listed by frequency

Analogue radio (FM VHF)

FrequencykW [2] Service
96.4 MHz3 Greatest Hits Radio Cumbria

Digital radio (DAB)

FrequencyBlockkW [3] Operator
222.064 MHz11D2.8 Digital One

Digital television

FrequencyUHFkWOperatorBBC regionITV regionSystem
473.833  MHz 21-50 BBC B Scotland Border (Scotland) DVB-T2
481.833  MHz 22-100BBC BNE & CumbriaBorder (England)DVB-T2
489.833  MHz 23-50 SDN DVB-T
497.833  MHz 24-50 Digital 3&4 Border (Scotland)DVB-T
505.833  MHz 25-100BBC A NE & Cumbria DVB-T
513.833  MHz 26-50 Arqiva ADVB-T
521.833  MHz 27-50BBC AScotlandDVB-T
529.833  MHz 28-100Digital 3&4Border (England)DVB-T
538.000  MHz 294LTVmuxDVB-T
545.833  MHz 30-50Arqiva BDVB-T
570.000  MHz 335LTVmuxDVB-T

Before switchover

Digital television
FrequencyUHFkWOperator
490.000  MHz 2315 Digital 3&4 (Mux 2)
506.000  MHz 2510 BBC (Mux 1)
514.166  MHz 26+15 SDN (Mux A)
618.000  MHz 393.2BBC (Mux B)
642.000  MHz 421.6 Arqiva (Mux D)
666.000  MHz 451.6Arqiva (Mux C)
Analogue television
FrequencyUHFkWService
527.25  MHz 28500 Border
543.25  MHz 30500 BBC1 North East
559.25  MHz 32500 Channel 4
575.25  MHz 34500 BBC2 North East
751.25  MHz 5610 Channel 5

See also

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References

  1. News & Star
  2. Radio Listeners Guide 2010
  3. Radio Listeners Guide 2010