Mast height 337 metres (1,106 ft) ITV region ITV Border Opened March 2008 | Grid reference NY299425 Local TV service That's Carlisle Demolished 2008 (original) | |
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Built 1961 (original)
2008 (current) BBC region BBC North East and Cumbria
BBC Scotland Similar Hannington transmitting station, Mendip transmitting station, Waltham transmitting station, Durris transmitting station, Beacon Hill transmitting station | ||
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.
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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 Northern Cumbria and South West Scotland, 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 metre mast, work on which began on 26 April 2007. Construction of the new mast structure was completed at the beginning of March 2008. Once installation of the transmitting aerials on the new mast was complete, the old one was dismantled.
Other masts that required engineering work included Black Hill, (Lanarkshire) which also needed a replacement mast, and Wenvoe (Glamorgan), Sandy Heath, (Bedfordshire) and Divis (Northern Ireland), all of which required mechanical strengthening.