Start Point transmitting station
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| Location | Start Point, Devon |
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| Mast height | 137 metres (449 ft) |
| Coordinates | 50°13′42″N 3°39′51″W / 50.2283°N 3.6642°WCoordinates: 50°13′42″N 3°39′51″W / 50.2283°N 3.6642°W |
| Grid reference | SX8131437875 |
| Built | 1939 |
The Start Point transmitting station is a broadcasting facility at Start Point, Devon, owned by Arqiva. The site is just north-west of the Start Point lighthouse.
The station currently transmits a single broadcast: BBC Radio 5 Live on 693 kHz.
In 1935 the BBC started looking for transmitter sites to improve radio coverage in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall. After investigating 23 sites and carrying out extensive tests, two sites were selected: Start Point and Clevedon in Somerset. Start Point came on air on June 14, 1939 using an ST&C type C100 100 kW transmitter on 1050 kHz, and broadcast the West of England regional programme. A directional aerial array was used to avoid wasting power over the English Channel and to enhance the signal to the east and west. It consisted of two 137 metres (449 ft) stayed lattice masts, one being a mast radiator and the other a parasitic reflector. Both masts had a break at 94.5 metres (310 ft) to allow for the insertion of a loading coil.
The station obtained power from two 11 kV mains feeders and a 400 kW diesel alternator.
The building design followed L. Rome Guthrie's earlier work at the Brookmans Park transmitting station. By agreement, the BBC obtained copyright in the Brookmans Park elevation drawings and was able to follow them, with changes to allow for building size, for several other sites.
The station closed on September 1, 1939, in anticipation of the outbreak of war between Britain and Germany two days later.
In October 1939 BBC Research engineers experimented with horizontally-polarised transmissions at Start Point. The idea was to see if broadcasts could be made without providing enemy aircraft with a navigational radio beacon. A horizontal dipole antenna was suspended between the two masts. The test was reasonably successful and between February 18 and September 15, 1940 regular transmission were carried in the evenings, on 877 kHz, of what became the "Forces' Programme".
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