Oxford transmitting station
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| Mast height | 165.7 metres (544 ft) |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°47′26″N 1°10′45″W / 51.7906°N 1.1792°WCoordinates: 51°47′26″N 1°10′45″W / 51.7906°N 1.1792°W |
| Grid reference | SP567105 |
| Built | 1962 (original) 1968 (current) |
| BBC region | BBC South (Oxford) |
| ITV region |
ABC (1962-1968) ATV (1962-1981) ITV Central (1982-2006) ITV Thames Valley (2006-2009) ITV Meridian (2009-present) |
| Local TV service | That's Oxfordshire |
The Oxford transmitting station (sometimes known as the Beckley transmitter) is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated on land 129.5 metres (425 ft) above Ordnance Datum (mean sea level) to the north east of the city of Oxford, in Oxfordshire, England (grid reference SP567105). It has a guyed steel lattice mast which is 154.4 metres (507 ft) in height to the top of the main steel structure. Mounted above that are the UHF television antennas, contained within a GRP shroud. These antennas have an average height above Ordnance Datum of 289 metres (948 ft)., or 159.5 metres (523 ft) above ground level. The total height of the structure is 165.7 metres (544 ft). It is owned and operated by Arqiva.
The effective radiated power of the analogue TV transmissions was 500 kW except for Channel 5 which had an ERP of only 40 kW. This was to avoid causing co-channel interference to other transmissions in surrounding areas. In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Oxford would be reverting to a C/D group transmitter at DSO (Digital Switchover).
On 13 May 2010 the digital and analogue television transmitters (except Channel 5) went off the air at about 13:20 UTC following an incident when smoke was seen drifting from the top of the mast. The fire service reported that there had been an intense fire and that the cause was unknown. Engineering work to reinstate service began once fire crews left and the mast was made safe. Transmissions were restored via the reserve transmitter at reduced power by 20:30 UTC.
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