Chillerton Down transmitting station
Encyclopedia
The Chillerton Down transmitter is a broadcasting
facility for FM and DAB radio at Chillerton Down on the Isle of Wight
off the south coast of England
. The transmitter was erected in 1958 and uses as aerial a 228.9 metres (751 ft) high guyed
steel lattice mast of triangular cross section.
It was originally used to transmit Southern Television
, and later TVS
, until the end of VHF television
transmissions in the UK at the beginning of 1985. It now transmits Wave 105
, 103.2 Capital FM, Jack FM, Isle of Wight Radio
, the local Arqiva
(NOW S. Hampshire) DAB multiplex and the national Digital One
DAB multiplex.
The site is owned and operated by Arqiva
.
decided to build the band III transmitter as close as possible to the existing BBC band I Rowridge transmitting station on the island. To begin with there was large opposition to building a second television mast on the island, however the alternative was to extend the current transmitter at Rowridge to carry both the ITA and BBC television services which proved even more unpopular. Thus, the proposal to use Chillerton Down for a slim 750 ft mast was accepted. After construction, Chillerton Down first went into service on 30 August 1958.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
facility for FM and DAB radio at Chillerton Down on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
off the south coast of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The transmitter was erected in 1958 and uses as aerial a 228.9 metres (751 ft) high guyed
Guyed mast
A guyed mast is a tall thin vertical structure that receives support from guy lines.Guyed masts are frequently used for radio masts. The mast can either support aerials mounted at its top, or the entire structure itself can function as an antenna ; this is called a mast radiator...
steel lattice mast of triangular cross section.
It was originally used to transmit Southern Television
Southern Television
Southern Television was the first ITV broadcasting licence holder for the south and south-east of England from 30 August 1958 until the night of 31 December 1981. The company was launched as Southern Television Limited and the title Southern Television was consistently used on-air throughout its life...
, and later TVS
Television South
Television South was the ITV franchise holder in the south and south east of England between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1992. The company operated under various names, initially as Television South plc and then following reorganisation in 1989 as TVS Entertainment plc, with its UK...
, until the end of VHF television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
transmissions in the UK at the beginning of 1985. It now transmits Wave 105
Wave 105
Wave 105 is a UK regional commercial radio station broadcasting across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and parts of West Sussex and Wiltshire. Playing a mix of adult contemporary music, it combines presenter-led shows with local news and information, entertainment guides and competitions. The...
, 103.2 Capital FM, Jack FM, Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio
Isle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990...
, the local Arqiva
Arqiva
Arqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
(NOW S. Hampshire) DAB multiplex and the national Digital One
Digital One
Digital One is a national commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, owned by Arqiva. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the populationfrom a total of 137 transmitters...
DAB multiplex.
The site is owned and operated by Arqiva
Arqiva
Arqiva is a telecommunications company which provides infrastructure and broadcast transmission facilities in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The present company, with headquarters located at Crawley Court in the village of Crawley, Hampshire, was formed by National Grid Wireless...
.
History
The Chillerton Down transmitting station was the first of two stations built to serve the south and south-east coastal areas of Britain. To conform with the Government's policy the Isle of Wight CouncilIsle of Wight Council
The Isle of Wight Council is a local council. It is a unitary authority covering the Isle of Wight, South East England. It is currently made up of 40 seats, with the Conservatives as ruling party with 24 councillors at the latest local election in June 2009....
decided to build the band III transmitter as close as possible to the existing BBC band I Rowridge transmitting station on the island. To begin with there was large opposition to building a second television mast on the island, however the alternative was to extend the current transmitter at Rowridge to carry both the ITA and BBC television services which proved even more unpopular. Thus, the proposal to use Chillerton Down for a slim 750 ft mast was accepted. After construction, Chillerton Down first went into service on 30 August 1958.
Analogue Radio
| Frequency | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 103.2 MHz | 2 | Capital South Coast |
| 105.2 MHz | 10 | Wave 105 Wave 105 Wave 105 is a UK regional commercial radio station broadcasting across Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and parts of West Sussex and Wiltshire. Playing a mix of adult contemporary music, it combines presenter-led shows with local news and information, entertainment guides and competitions. The... |
| 106.0 MHz | 4 | Jack FM Jack FM JACK FM is the alternative name and on-air brand of 60 radio stations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Jack stations play a mix of 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s hits with some current hot adult contemporary singles. Jack's slogan "playing what we want" can also be... |
| 107.0 MHz | 0.1 | Isle of Wight Radio Isle of Wight Radio Isle of Wight Radio is an independent local radio station in Newport on the Isle of Wight. The station began transmitting from Briddlesford Farm AM transmitter on April 15, 1990... |
Digital radio
| Frequency | Block | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 221.352 MHz | 11C | 1.6 | NOW South Hampshire NOW South Hampshire NOW South Hampshire is a local commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, which serves Hampshire. It launched in February 2003 and is operated by NOW Digital, who are owned by Arqiva after being sold by Global Radio.... |
| 222.064 MHz | 11D | 5 | Digital One Digital One Digital One is a national commercial digital radio multiplex in the United Kingdom, owned by Arqiva. , the multiplex covers more than 90% of the populationfrom a total of 137 transmitters... |