  Selkirk transmitting station (Scottish Borders) | |
| Mast height | 238.8 metres (783 ft) |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°33′21″N 2°47′36″W / 55.555833°N 2.793333°W |
| Grid reference | NT500294 |
| Built | 1961 |
| BBC region | BBC Scotland |
| ITV region | ITV Border (Scotland) |
The Selkirk transmitting station is a telecommunications facility located next to Lindean Loch, near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. It includes a 229.1 metres (752 ft) high guyed steel lattice mast, surmounted by a UHF television transmitting antenna array, which brings the overall height of the structure to 238.8 metres (783 ft). [1] It is owned and operated by Arqiva.
Services
It is the main television broadcasting station for the Borders area, and is the first high power main station in the United Kingdom to be upgraded as part of digital switchover. This upgrade was completed on 20 November 2008, when the analogue signal was turned off and replaced by high power digital television signals.
Selkirk also broadcasts a number of radio services, including local commercial station Greatest Hits Radio Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, national station Classic FM, and DAB multiplexes from the BBC and Digital One.
History
Selkirk was built by the Independent Television Authority (ITA) in 1961 in order to bring ITV to south east Scotland, using the 405 line monochrome system on VHF channel 13. [2] 405 line television was discontinued in the UK in 1985. 625 line UHF television was introduced at Selkirk in 1972, carrying BBC1 (channel 55), BBC2 (channel 62) and ITV (channel 59). Channel 4 was added on channel 65 when it launched in November 1982, and Channel 5 was added on channel 52 in March 1997. Radio Borders started from Selkirk in January 1990, with Classic FM following in November 1996. The Digital One and BBC DAB services both commenced in October 2007. BBC national FM services are transmitted from neighbouring Ashkirk transmitting station.
Channels listed by frequency
Digital television
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 562.000 MHz | 32 | 10 | BBC A |
| 570.000 MHz | 33 | 5 | SDN |
| 577.833 MHz | 34 | 10 | Digital 3&4 |
| 586.000 MHz | 35 | 10 | BBC B |
| 594.000 MHz | 36 | 5 | Arqiva A |
| 689.833 MHz | 48 | 5 | Arqiva B |
Analogue radio (FM VHF)
| Frequency | kW [3] | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 96.8 MHz | 5 | Greatest Hits Radio Scottish Borders and North Northumberland |
| 100.9 MHz | 5 | Classic FM |
Digital radio (DAB)
| Frequency | Block | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223.936 MHz | 12A | 10 | Digital One |
| 225.648 MHz | 12B | 10 | BBC National DAB |
See also
- List of masts
- List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain
- List of radio stations in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ "Scottish Borders Council planning department". 3 February 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
- ^ "mb21 Transmission Gallery". Retrieved 5 November 2008.
- ^ Radio Listeners Guide 2010