Westerglen transmitting station

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Westerglen
The four masts at the Westerglen transmitting station
The four masts at the Westerglen transmitting station
Location2 miles (3 km) south west of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Coordinates55°58′30″N 3°49′6″W / 55.97500°N 3.81833°W / 55.97500; -3.81833
Grid referenceNS868773
BuiltMay 1932

The Westerglen transmitting station is a facility for longwave and mediumwave broadcasting established in 1932 at Westerglen Farm, 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland (grid reference NS868773).

Transmission

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Three medium-wave radio programmes are broadcast from the site on frequencies of 810, 909 and 1089, and a long wave service on 198 kHz. The transmitter also carried Absolute Radio on 1215 kHz until Bauer ended all station transmissions on MW in January 2023.[1]

The medium-wave broadcast is strong enough to be heard as far south as Cornwall at certain times of the day, and in south-western Germany at night with good conditions.

Structure

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There are three guyed steel lattices mast radiators on the site, which are insulated against the ground. These carry combinations of the above services. There is a shorter fourth mast that carries non-broadcast services.

One of the masts carries the long wave transmission in a synchronised group with the transmitters at Droitwich and Burghead on the same frequency (198 kHz; previously, until February 1988, 200kHz). This mast is of guyed steel lattice construction with triangular cross-section, and it carries a 'capacity hat', which increases the antenna's efficiency, at the top.

The site is owned and operated by Arqiva.

History

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The new structure was announced in December 1930. It would replace transmitters in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. It would be the BBC's third twin transmitter.[2] There would be 70kW on each wavelength.[3] Construction was complete by December 1931. Test transmissions began in April 1932, the National on 288.5 metres, and Regional on 376.4 metres (797 kHz). Tests on the Regional service began from Monday 2 May 1932.[4]

The site officially opened on 20 May 1932. The Regional service broadcast from Sunday 12 June 1932.[5] The National programme began on Sunday 25 September 1932.[6]

Services available

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Frequency kW[7] Service
198 kHz 50 BBC Radio 4
909 kHz 50 BBC Radio 5 Live
810 kHz 100 BBC Radio Scotland
1089 kHz 50 Talksport

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Absolute Radio ends AM broadcasts". Digital Radio Choice. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  2. ^ Dundee Courier Tuesday 16 December 1930, page 4
  3. ^ The Scotsman Friday 9 October 1931, page 8
  4. ^ Falkirk Herald Saturday 30 April 1932, page 7
  5. ^ The Scotsman Friday 10 June 1932, page 7
  6. ^ The Scotsman Saturday 24 September 1932, page 9
  7. ^ Radio Listeners Guide 2010
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