Bilsdale transmitting station
 The original (1969) Bilsdale mast stood high above the hills of the North York Moors. | |
.svg)  Bilsdale transmitting station (North Yorkshire) | |
| Mast height | 314 metres (1,030 ft) |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°21′31″N 1°09′01″W / 54.358611°N 1.150278°W |
| Grid reference | SE553962 |
| Built | 1969[1] |
| BBC region | BBC North East and Cumbria |
| ITV region | ITV Tyne Tees |
| Local TV service | Local TV Teesside |
The Bilsdale transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, located at Bilsdale West Moor above Bilsdale, close to Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England. The original facility included a guyed steel tubular mast that was primarily used for radio and television transmission. The height of the mast was 314 metres (1,030 ft) to the pinnacle.[2] Until a fire disabled the transmitter on 10 August 2021 it was among the most powerful transmitters in the UK. The power for analogue was 500 kW ERP and it was 100 kW / 50 kW for digital. The mast was equipped with aircraft warning lights, in the form of arrays of red LEDs. The station was owned and operated by Arqiva.[3] After the main mast was disabled a temporary 80 metres (260 ft) mast was installed at the site. The temporary mast commenced operations on 13 October 2021.[4]
History
[edit]Original mast (1969–2021)
[edit]Bilsdale was constructed by J. L. Eve Construction for the BBC in 1969[5] to bring 625-line colour television on UHF to Teesside and the surrounding areas for the first time. Having added UHF TV to the existing VHF TV stations at Pontop Pike and Emley Moor, it was quickly established that a new station would be required to cover County Durham and north North Yorkshire where existing coverage was poor, and thus the new station was built.
Colour broadcasts on BBC1 started on Saturday 31 October 1970.[6]
Fire and demolition
[edit]
On 10 August 2021, a fire started at the complex which included the mast. At 13:19 an engineer working at the transmitter called the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stating that he believed the mast was on fire and could see smoke coming from below the first stay level 50–60 metres (160–200 ft) from the ground.[7] It was reported that up to one million homes had lost TV and radio signals.[8] Concerns remained about the structural integrity of the mast, which now needed to have a structural engineering assessment.[9] Arqiva confirmed that they were working on restoring service using a combination of temporary structures and existing infrastructure around the region, but were unable to provide a timescale for this.[10] Viewers in the Hartlepool and Redcar and the eastern edges of Middlesbrough were able to receive their television services from the Eston Nab transmitting station. The frequencies of the Eston Nab relay were altered to match the frequencies of the out-of-service Bilsdale frequencies for the PSB services, and COM TV services are provided by a temporary mast to the same area, using Eston Nab’s frequencies.[11] On 19 August, transmitter operator Arqiva announced that an increase in power would enable 250,000 households in the area to receive a signal from the Eston Nab transmitter.[12] Viewers in most parts of North Yorkshire were able to switch to a different transmitter which broadcast news and television programmes from another region, and areas such as York, Harrogate, Thirsk, Pickering, Malton and some parts of Ripon who received the Bilsdale transmitter were able to receive the Emley Moor transmitter situated near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. [13] On 6 October 2021, Arqiva carried out a controlled demolition of the old mast, as the structure was found to be irreparably damaged. Sections of the mast have been retained for investigation purposes. [14]
Temporary mast (2021– 2023)
[edit]Following the destruction of the first mast, Arqiva constructed a temporary mast in a nearby former quarry site. The mast is 80 metres (260 ft) high and commenced operation on 13 October 2021.[4]
Replacement
[edit]
A new mast of similar height and capability to the old one has been built on the site. The new mast is a guyed lattice type with total structure height of 294.6 metres (967 ft). The top mounted UHF DTV antenna giving a total height of 306.2 metres (1,005 ft). The replacement mast was completed in February 2023.[15] Transmission equipment for the new mast was switched on in the early hours of Monday 22 May 2023, thereby fully restoring Standard Definition TV signals. HDTV signals, Radio and mobile services are still on the temporary mast, thus not reaching as far.[16][17]
Coverage
[edit]Coverage extends throughout Teesside and the surrounding regions, encompassing north North Yorkshire and southern County Durham. This included Harrogate and York to the south, Filey and Whitby to the east, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Peterlee, some areas of Seaham and some areas of Sunderland to the north, and Barnard Castle and Worton to the west as main reception areas. TV coverage extends particularly at the coast up to Alnwick, Northumberland in the north being useful for areas where the main signal from Pontop Pike is shaded, and southwards as far as north Nottinghamshire / Lincolnshire as an alternative to regional programming from Leeds and Birmingham / Nottingham.
Channels listed by frequency
[edit]Analogue radio
[edit]| Frequency | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 89.0 MHz | 5 | BBC Radio 2 |
| 91.2 MHz | 5 | BBC Radio 3 |
| 93.4 MHz | 5 | BBC Radio 4 |
| 95.0 MHz | 10 | BBC Radio Tees |
| 96.6 MHz | 8.9 | Hits Radio Teesside |
| 98.6 MHz | 5 | BBC Radio 1 |
| 100.7 MHz | 8.9 | Heart North East |
| 101.6 MHz | 1 | Classic FM |
| 106.4 MHz | 8.9 | Capital North East |
| 107.7 MHz | 0.4 | Smooth North East (not receivable in York) |
Digital radio
[edit]| Frequency | Block | kW[18] | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 213.360 MHz | 10C | 10 | MuxCo North Yorkshire |
| 216.928 MHz | 11A | 5 | SDL National |
| 218.640 MHz | 11B | 3 | Teesside |
| 222.064 MHz | 11D | 4.7 | Digital One |
| 225.648 MHz | 12B | 2 | BBC National DAB |
Digital television
[edit]In July 2007, it was confirmed by Ofcom that the television frequency assignment after digital switchover would be such that a wideband or group K aerial would be required for reception of all six multiplexes. However, the three public service multiplexes would still fall within the station's original analogue frequency range assignment of aerial group A.[19] The digital switchover started at Bilsdale on 12 September 2012 and was one of the last transmitters in England to complete this operation on 26 September 2012, the others being Pontop Pike and Chatton in the same region.[20]
On 13 November 2019, due to the 700 MHz Clearance Programme, the following multiplexes moved frequencies:
- BBC A from UHF 26 to UHF 21.
- Digital 3&4 from UHF 29 to UHF 24.
- BBC B from UHF 23 to UHF 27.
- Arqiva C and D moving to UHF 55 and UHF 56 respectively.
On 12 March, BBC A and BBC B swap UHF Channel allocations, with BBC A on UHF 27 and BBC B on UHF 21.
On 25 June 2020, COM 8 was switched off permanently due to the effects of the 700 MHz clearance programme.
All broadcasting from Bilsdale temporarily ceased on 10 August 2021 due to damage to the mast by fire.
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Operator | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 474.000 MHz | 21 | 100 | BBC B | DVB-T2 |
| 498.000 MHz | 24 | 100 | Digital 3&4 | DVB-T |
| 522.000 MHz | 27 | 100 | BBC A | DVB-T |
| 626.000 MHz | 40 | 50 | Arqiva B | DVB-T |
| 650.000 MHz | 43 | 50 | SDN | DVB-T |
| 674.000 MHz | 46 | 50 | Arqiva A | DVB-T |
| 746.000 MHz | 55 | 26.9 | Arqiva C | DVB-T2 |
Before switchover
[edit]| Frequency | UHF | kW[21] | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 474.000 MHz | 21 | 6 | Digital 3&4 (Mux 2) |
| 498.000 MHz | 24 | 6 | BBC (Mux B) |
| 522.000 MHz | 27 | 6 | Arqiva (Mux C) |
| 554.000 MHz | 31 | 6 | SDN (Mux A) |
| 578.000 MHz | 34 | 4.8 | BBC (Mux 1) |
| 642.000 MHz | 42 | 1.6 | Arqiva (Mux D) |
Analogue television
[edit]Analogue television is no longer available from Bilsdale; BBC2 was closed on 12 September 2012, followed by the remaining four channels on 26 September 2012.
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 487.25 MHz | 23 | 500 | Channel 4 |
| 511.25 MHz | 26 | 500 | BBC2 North East |
| 535.25 MHz | 29 | 500 | Tyne Tees |
| 567.25 MHz | 33 | 500 | BBC1 North East |
| 583.25 MHz | 35 | 500 | Channel 5 |
Relays
[edit]Below is a list of transmitters that relayed Bilsdale.
Digital television
[edit]| transmitter | kW | BBC-A | BBC-B | D3&4 | SDN | ARQ-A | ARQ-B | Pol. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aislaby | 0.0076 | 45 | 42 | 39 | — | — | — | BV |
| Bainbridge | 0.0076 | 57 | 53 | 60 | — | — | — | CDV |
| Castleton | 0.002 | 50 | 55 | 59 | — | — | — | CDV |
| Eston Nab | 0.003 | 52 | 48 | 51 | — | — | — | BV |
| Grinton Lodge | 0.005 | 45 | 49 | 42 | — | — | — | BV |
| Guisborough | 0.01 | 57 | 53 | 60 | — | — | — | CDV |
| Limber Hill | 0.008 | 47 | 44 | 41 | — | — | — | BV |
| Peterlee | 0.002 | 45 | 39 | 42 | — | — | — | BV |
| Ravenscar | 0.033 | 56 | 53 | 58 | — | — | — | CDV |
| Romaldkirk | 0.012 | 44 | 47 | 41 | — | — | — | BV |
| Rookhope | 0.002 | 45 | 49 | 42 | — | — | — | BV |
| Rosedale Abbey | 0.002 | 45 | 42 | 39 | — | — | — | BV |
| Skinningrove | 0.006 | 52 | 48 | 51 | — | — | — | BV |
| West Burton | 0.002 | 45 | 42 | 39 | — | — | — | BV |
| Whitby | 0.1 | 55 | 50 | 59 | — | — | — | CDV |
See also
[edit]- List of masts
- List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
References
[edit]- ^ "Bilsdale Transmitter". ATV aerial sales. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ http://www.muxco.com/docs/muxco-yorks.pdf Archived 5 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine MuxCo Ofcom DAB application document
- ^ Joe Willis (11 August 2021). "Temporary equipment to be used to restore TV and radio after Bilsdale transmitter fire". Richmondshire Today. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Latest update on incident at Bilsdale mast". www.arqiva.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ "The Big Tower Bilsdale". The Big Tower. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
- ^ The Stage Thursday 22 October 1970, page 14
- ^ "Fire at Bilsdale transmitting centre". North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Homes lose TV reception as smoke billows from Bilsdale signal station fire". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Bilsdale transmitter fire: TV and radio disrupted in 1m homes". BBC News. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ @Arquiva (11 August 2021). "Following the incident at Bilsdale yesterday ..." (Tweet). Retrieved 11 August 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Problems with television and radio services in North Yorkshire and Teesside - 10th August 2021 | Help receiving TV and radio". BBC News. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Mast latest: Transmitter bosses say increased power brings coverage to 250,000 homes". The Northern Echo. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
- ^ "Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) Full Freeview transmitter". UK Free TV. 1 May 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Bilsdale mast felled in controlled demolition". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Planning Application Number NYM/2021/1004/EIA".
- ^ "Arqiva Announcement May 18 2023".
- ^ "BBC Tees interview with Arqiva Chief of Operations Adrian Twyning".
- ^ Radio Listeners Guide 2010
- ^ "Digital Switchover Transmitter Details" (PDF). Ofcom. 24 October 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
- ^ "Digital UK – Tyne Tees region". Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ Television Viewers Guide 2009
External links
[edit]