Brookmans Park transmitting station
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| Mast height | 152 metres (499 ft) |
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| Coordinates | 51°43′44″N 0°10′39″W / 51.7289°N 0.1775°WCoordinates: 51°43′44″N 0°10′39″W / 51.7289°N 0.1775°W |
| Grid reference | TL259050 |
The Brookmans Park transmitting station is a facility for medium wave broadcasting at Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire, north of London (grid reference TL259050). The station was built by the BBC as the first of a network of regional dual ("twin wave" was the term then used) transmitter stations, replacing the city based ones used previously, and this was to cover the Home Counties, London and South East. The first station, on 842 kHz, (356m) 50 kW, went into service in on October 21, 1929, the second on 1148 kHz, (261m) initially 30 kW, followed on 9 March 1930.
The original antenna configuration for the station was two T-antennas hung from four 200 ft (61m) towers, one T-antenna to the north of the station and the other to the south of the station.
Shortly after commencement of transmissions, the channels were identified by a name denoting its function. The National channel was carried on 842 kHz, and a "Regional" service on 1148 kHz.
The transmitting station itself featured the latest transmitters from the Marconi Company. No public electricity supply was available so large generators were installed and extensive support staff was recruited and trained by the BBC.
In 1939 a 91.4 m mast was built on the south side of the station, which along with the existing south T-antenna made a directional array pointing towards central London. This antenna configuration would be used after the war for the BBC Light Programme.
During the second world war an extension was added to the northern side of the transmitter building and a 140 kW STC transmitter was installed.
In the mid-1950s a 152.4 m mast radiator was constructed on a field around half a mile north of station for the BBC Home Service and the original north T-antenna would be become a reserve antenna for that service.
The station was re-engineered in the late 1970s and an extra T-antenna (mini T) was hung between two 18.3 m poles constructed a few hundred feet north from the original north T-antenna, and new transmission equipment was installed replacing the original Marconi transmitters, the 140 kW STC transmitter, and other BBC-designed transmission equipment which was installed in the 1960s.
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