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Oxford transmitting station
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The Oxford transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated on land 129.5 metres (425 ft) above Ordnance Datum (mean sea level) to the north east of the city of Oxford, in Oxfordshire, England (grid reference SP567105). It has a guyed steel lattice mast which is 154.4 metres (507 ft) [1] in height to the top of the main steel structure. Mounted above that are the UHF television antennas, contained within a GRP shroud. These antennas have an average height above Ordnance Datum of 289 m (948 ft).[2], or 159.5 metres (523 ft) above ground level. It is owned and operated by National Grid Wireless.
The transmitter puts out analogue TV at 500kW erp except for Five which is only transmitted at 40kW. The reason for the latter is the Oxford transmitter's well known problems with co-channel interference from other co-receivable transmitters (see external links). In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Oxford would be reverting to a C/D group transmitter at DSO (Digital Switchover).
History
- The transmitter was constructed in 1968 by the BBC, having been chosen as a suitable site for high power colour UHF transmissions. The transmitter entered service on 17 February 1968 carrying BBC Two, with ITV and BBC One following later in June 1970. Originally the site was host to a low power BBC monochrome 405-line VHF television relay, which was mounted on a much smaller tower. The latter is still on the site and is presently used for microwave dishes.
- In 1997, the transmitter began analogue transmissions of Five at high power.
- In 1998, the transmitter began digital transmissions of all six ONdigital multiplexes.
- In 1999, the transmitter began analogue transmissions of Oxford's RSL local channel, Six TV on low-power.
Coverage area
It serves the south midlands, including Oxfordshire (excuding Henley-on-thames which is seved by the Hannington transmitter in Hampshire and the Crystal Palace transmitter in London), most of Buckinghamshire, north east Wiltshire, south east Gloucestershire and south west Northamptonshire. It is sometimes called the Beckley mast, a reference to an adjacent village, or the Ot Moor mast, this referring to the area on which it is located.
Channels listed by Frequency
See also
External links
Coordinates: 51°47′26″N 1°10′45″W / 51.79056, -1.17917
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