Washford transmitting station
 Washford transmitting station masts | |
  Washford  Mendip | |
| Location | Washford, Somerset |
|---|---|
| Mast height | 152 metres (499 ft) (MW) 45.7 metres (150 ft) (UHF) |
| Coordinates | 51°09′38″N 3°20′55″W / 51.1606°N 3.3486°W |
| Grid reference | ST058410 |
| Built | 1933 |
| Relay of | Mendip |
| BBC region | BBC West |
| ITV region | ITV West Country |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Washford Transmitting Station |
| Designated | 25 January 1984 |
| Reference no. | 1057461 |
Washford transmitting station is a medium wave broadcasting station and low-power digital terrestrial television relay near Washford, Somerset.
It was built in 1933[1] and uses as antenna a T-antenna between two 152 metres (499 ft) tall guyed masts separated by a distance of 159 metres (174 yards). Originally the station used cage antennas around each mast. The station uses the frequencies 882 kHz with 100 kW, and 1089 kHz with 50 kW
A smaller 45.7 metres (150 ft) mast is used to relay digital terrestrial television services from the Mendip transmitting station. This mast carries the three public service multiplexes at an E.R.P. of 12.4 W.
The front portions of the old transmitter building are now part of the Tropiquaria wildlife park and house their tropical hall, aquarium, and nocturnal house.[2] The majority of the old building became surplus to the BBC's requirements in 1981 when new, smaller equipment was installed in a separate building to the rear. Two schemes subsequently failed to materialise for the old building: one to transform it into a public swimming pool and another to replace it with a Little Chef restaurant. In 1987, a £100,000 scheme to transform the site into an aquarium and reptile house was proposed by the consortium Ark Enterprises Ltd, headed by Stephen Smith. Both a 21-year lease on the building and planning permission were acquired in 1987,[3] and Tropiquaria opened in 1989.[4]
The transmitter building is a Grade II listed building.[5]
Services available[edit]
Analogue radio (AM medium wave)[edit]
| Frequency | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 882 kHz | 100 | BBC Radio Wales |
| 1089 kHz | 50 | Talksport |
Digital television[edit]
Digital television began transmitting from Washford during the digital switchover in 2010. As a low-power relay, it only carries the three public service multiplexes.
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Operator | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 546.000 MHz | 30 | 0.0124 | BBC A | DVB-T |
| 554.000 MHz | 31 | 0.0124 | Digital 3&4 | DVB-T |
| 602.000 MHz | 37 | 0.0124 | BBC B | DVB-T2 |
Analogue television[edit]
Analogue television was transmitted from Washford until the digital switchover of the Mendip transmitter group between 24 March - 7 April 2010.
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 615.25 MHz | 39 | 0.062 | HTV West |
| 695.25 MHz | 49 | 0.062 | BBC1 West |
| 831.25 MHz | 66 | 0.062 | BBC2 West |
| 847.25 MHz | 68 | 0.062 | Channel 4 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Washford". Radio Rewind. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ "1930s BBC radio station, Washford Cross, Williton". Somerset Historic Environment Record. Somerset County Council. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ^ Stokes, Ray (30 May 1987). "Ex-BBC station set to go wild". Western Daily Press. p. 5. Retrieved 28 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Collins, Dick (4 May 1989). "Council power – a new energy source". Central Somerset Gazette. p. 32. Retrieved 28 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Historic England. "Washford Transmitting Station (1057461)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 20 March 2012.