Arfon transmitting station
Encyclopedia
The Arfon transmitting station is a facility for FM
radio and television
transmission at Nasareth
, Caernarfon
, Gwynedd
in northwestern Wales
. It includes a 308.5 metres (1,012 ft) guyed mast
with antennas
attached at various heights. The mast is surmounted by a television transmitting antenna, which brings the total height of the structure to 317.4 metres (1,041 ft), making it the tallest structure in Wales. It is owned and operated by Arqiva
.
in the 1960s to provide a 405-line
ITV
Band III
(VHF) TV service for north west Wales. Unlike the BBC
, which served the area from Llanddona (on the island of Anglesey
), Arfon gave better coverage
to some areas. 405-line TV was discontinued in the UK in 1985.
In October 1975 the site became a medium power 625 line UHF
TV relay of Llandonna, at the time carrying BBC One
, BBC Two
and ITV
. S4C
was added in 1982. More recently, Police and Ambulance communications have been added, in addition to mobile (cellular) telephone antennas. In 1993, Classic FM
began using the site for FM coverage of north west Wales in preference to Llanddona (the BBC's regional FM site), partly due to a dispute over BBC charges for sharing fees of its transmitter masts and antennas, but more because Arfon, in conjunction with Great Orme's Head (near Llandudno
) gave Classic FM better coverage than the BBC sites.
On 16 November 1998, local commercial radio station Champion 103 launched from studios in Bangor
with its transmitter at Arfon.
The mast had its aircraft warning lights
replaced in Summer 2006 to red lamps employing arrays of ultrabright LEDs
.
On 18 July 2006, national digital radio network Digital One
began broadcasting from the station.
, however many viewers in south Dublin and north County Wicklow
can also receive Arfon's broadcasts. The radio service area is slightly larger, reaching further down Cardigan Bay
towards Tonfanau
near Tywyn
.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/mcamaps/al222.pdf
Analogue radio (FM
Digital Radio (DAB
channels. As with all Welsh transmissions, Arfon was required to carry S4C
instead of Channel 4
which is broadcast to the rest of the United Kingdom
. Analogue signals from Arfon were switched off between 21 October & 18 November 2009.
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
radio and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
transmission at Nasareth
Nasareth
Nasareth , is a hamlet in the Nantlle Valley in Gwynedd, north Wales.-Population:The Current population of Nasareth is approx. 3,000,000....
, Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
, Gwynedd
Gwynedd
Gwynedd is a county in north-west Wales, named after the old Kingdom of Gwynedd. Although the second biggest in terms of geographical area, it is also one of the most sparsely populated...
in northwestern Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It includes a 308.5 metres (1,012 ft) guyed mast
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...
with antennas
Antenna (radio)
An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...
attached at various heights. The mast is surmounted by a television transmitting antenna, which brings the total height of the structure to 317.4 metres (1,041 ft), making it the tallest structure in Wales. It 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 station was built by the ITAIndependent Television Authority
The Independent Television Authority was an agency created by the Television Act 1954 to supervise the creation of "Independent Television" , the first commercial television network in the United Kingdom...
in the 1960s to provide a 405-line
405-line
The 405-line monochrome analogue television broadcasting system was the first fully electronic television system to be used in regular broadcasting....
ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Band III
Band III
Band III is the name of a radio frequency range within the very high frequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum.Band III ranges from 174 to 230 MHz, and it is primarily used for radio and television broadcasting...
(VHF) TV service for north west Wales. Unlike the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, which served the area from Llanddona (on the island of Anglesey
Anglesey
Anglesey , also known by its Welsh name Ynys Môn , is an island and, as Isle of Anglesey, a county off the north west coast of Wales...
), Arfon gave better coverage
Coverage map
Coverage maps are designed to indicate the service areas of radiocommunication transmitting stations. Typically these may be produced for radio or television stations, for mobile telephone networks and for satellite networks. Such maps are alternatively known as propagation maps...
to some areas. 405-line TV was discontinued in the UK in 1985.
In October 1975 the site became a medium power 625 line UHF
Ultra high frequency
Ultra-High Frequency designates the ITU Radio frequency range of electromagnetic waves between 300 MHz and 3 GHz , also known as the decimetre band or decimetre wave as the wavelengths range from one to ten decimetres...
TV relay of Llandonna, at the time carrying BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
and ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
was added in 1982. More recently, Police and Ambulance communications have been added, in addition to mobile (cellular) telephone antennas. In 1993, Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
began using the site for FM coverage of north west Wales in preference to Llanddona (the BBC's regional FM site), partly due to a dispute over BBC charges for sharing fees of its transmitter masts and antennas, but more because Arfon, in conjunction with Great Orme's Head (near Llandudno
Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
) gave Classic FM better coverage than the BBC sites.
On 16 November 1998, local commercial radio station Champion 103 launched from studios in Bangor
Bangor, Gwynedd
Bangor is a city in Gwynedd, north west Wales, and one of the smallest cities in Britain. It is a university city with a population of 13,725 at the 2001 census, not including around 10,000 students at Bangor University. Including nearby Menai Bridge on Anglesey, which does not however form part of...
with its transmitter at Arfon.
The mast had its aircraft warning lights
Aircraft warning lights
Aircraft warning lights are high-intensity lighting devices that are attached to tall structures and are used as collision avoidance measures. Such devices make structures more visible to passing aircraft and are usually used at night, although they may be used during the day as well...
replaced in Summer 2006 to red lamps employing arrays of ultrabright LEDs
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
.
On 18 July 2006, national digital radio network 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...
began broadcasting from the station.
Coverage area
The primary television service area includes most of Anglesey and central parts of the Llŷn PeninsulaLlŷn Peninsula
The Llŷn Peninsula extends into the Irish Sea from north west Wales, south west of the Isle of Anglesey. It is part of the modern county and historic region of Gwynedd. The name is thought to be of Irish origin, and to have the same root Laigin in Irish as the word Leinster...
, however many viewers in south Dublin and north County Wicklow
County Wicklow
County Wicklow is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Wicklow, which derives from the Old Norse name Víkingalág or Wykynlo. Wicklow County Council is the local authority for the county...
can also receive Arfon's broadcasts. The radio service area is slightly larger, reaching further down Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay is a large inlet of the Irish Sea, indenting the west coast of Wales between Bardsey Island, Gwynedd in the north, and Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire at its southern end. It is the largest bay in Wales....
towards Tonfanau
Tonfanau
Tonfanau is a village in Gwynedd, Wales, located on the coast just under 20 miles north of Aberystwyth.During the Second World War there was an army base near the village. In 1972, many years after originally closing, it was used as a refugee centre...
near Tywyn
Tywyn
Tywyn is a town and seaside resort on the Cardigan Bay coast of southern Gwynedd , in north Wales. The name derives from the Welsh tywyn and the town is sometimes referred to as Tywyn Meirionnydd...
.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/mcamaps/al222.pdf
Analogue radio (FMFrequency modulationIn telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
VHF)
| Frequency | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 100.7 MHz | 3.75 (H) 15 (V) |
Classic FM Classic FM (UK) Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:... |
| 103.0 MHz | 2.5 | Heart Cymru |
| 107.2 MHz | 2.5 | Real Radio Wales |
Digital Radio (DABDigital audio broadcastingDigital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
)
| Frequency | Block | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 215.072 MHz | 10D | N/A | MuxCo North East Wales & West Cheshire MuxCo North East Wales & West Cheshire MuxCo is the DAB multiplex operator for North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside. It is a consortium made up of four companies - Dee 106.3, UTV Radio, Town & Country Broadcasting and transmitter company National Grid Wireless all owning 25%.... |
| 222.064 MHz | 11D | 1.9 | 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... |
| 225.648 MHz | 12B | 4 | BBC National DAB |
- MuxCo North East Wales & West Cheshire has yet to launch from this transmitter.
Analogue television
Arfon transmitted four of the five analogue terrestrial televisionTerrestrial television
Terrestrial television is a mode of television broadcasting which does not involve satellite transmission or cables — typically using radio waves through transmitting and receiving antennas or television antenna aerials...
channels. As with all Welsh transmissions, Arfon was required to carry S4C
S4C
S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on...
instead of Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
which is broadcast to the rest of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Analogue signals from Arfon were switched off between 21 October & 18 November 2009.
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 631.25 MHz | 41 | 3.6 | ITV1 Wales |
| 655.25 MHz | 44 | 3.6 | BBC Two Wales BBC Two Wales BBC Two Wales is the national variation of BBC Two for BBC Cymru Wales. It is broadcast to Wales from Broaadcasting House in Cardiff. The channel can opt out from the main BBC Two schedule to show Welsh made programming, however this is used less frequently than in the past.Between 5 November 2001... |
| 679.25 MHz | 47 | 3.6 | S4C S4C S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Welsh television channel broadcast from the capital, Cardiff. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, it is the fifth oldest British television channel .The channel - initially broadcast on... |
| 711.25 MHz | 51 | 3.6 | BBC One Wales |
Digital television
Digital switchover for north west Wales occurred between 21 October & 18 November 2009. The analogue television transmissions from Arfon ceased and were replaced by digital transmissions. In preparation for this, the transmitting antenna at the top of the mast was replaced in March 2008. This new antenna is slightly taller than the previous one, resulting in the mast's total height increasing to 317.4 metres (1,041 ft) from its previous height of 313.9 metres (1,030 ft).| Frequency | UHF | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 634.2 MHz | 41+ | 2 | BBC BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff... A |
| 658.0 MHz | 44 | 2 | Digital 3&4 Digital 3&4 Digital 3&4 is a consortium consisting of regional Channel 3 companies and Channel 4 Television Corporation, which operates a multiplex broadcasting from a number of transmitter sites in the UK, carrying television and radio channels from both ITV and Channel 4; however three per-cent of the... |
| 682.0 MHz | 47 | 2 | BBC B |
See also
- :Category:Transmitter sites in the United Kingdom
- List of masts
- List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
External links
- The Transmission Gallery: Photographs and Information
- The Transmission Gallery: Coverage Map
- http://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b54126
- Arfon Transmitter at thebigtower.com