The Heathfield transmitting station is a facility for FM and television transmission at Heathfield, East Sussex, UK (grid reference TQ566220). Opened in 1969, its antenna mast is a 135 m (443 ft) tall guyed structure, giving the transmitter a height of 256 m (840 ft) above sea level. A Group B (or wideband or K group) horizontally polarised aerial is required to receive digital TV signals. The original analogue signals were in the Group C/D band, but all the digital MUXES should still be receivable on a C/D group aerial in reasonable signal areas (see graph).
 | |
  Heathfield Location in East Sussex | |
| Mast height | 135 metres (443 ft) |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 50°58′36″N 0°13′50″E / 50.976667°N 0.230556°E |
| Grid reference | TQ566220 |
| Built | 1969 |
| BBC region | BBC South East |
| ITV region | ITV Meridian (East) |
The station's coverage area suffers from co-channel interference problems, particularly to the south, not only with Brighton (Whitehawk Hill) but with the continent as well. It is owned and operated by Arqiva.
The transmitter broadcasts television and radio services to East Sussex and parts of West Sussex. This includes towns such as Eastbourne, Heathfield, Lewes, Seaford, Newhaven, Crowborough, Hailsham, Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and East Grinstead.
Along with Dover, Bluebell Hill and Brighton Whitehawk Hill, Heathfield transmits regional television services from BBC One South East and ITV Meridian (east).
Services listed by frequency
Analogue radio
| Frequency | kW[1] | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 102.4 MHz | 8.2 | Heart South |
| 104.5 MHz | 10 | BBC Radio Sussex |
Digital radio
| Frequency | Block | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 211.648 | 10B | 1 | Sussex Coast |
| 222.064 MHz | 11D | 2 | Digital One |
| 225.648 MHz | 12B | 5 | BBC National DAB |
- Aerial Group: B
- Polarisation: Horizontal
- Heathfield completed 700 MHz clearance on 19 July 2018, therefore ceasing the use of UHF 49 and UHF 52.
Before switchover
| Frequency | UHF | kW | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|
| 538.000 MHz | 29 | 1.6 | Digital 3&4 (Mux 2) |
| 578.000 MHz | 34 | 1.6 | BBC (Mux 1) |
| 681.833 MHz | 47- | 1 | BBC (Mux B) |
| 689.833 MHz | 48- | 1 | SDN (Mux A) |
| 713.833 MHz | 51- | 1 | Arqiva (Mux D) |
| 738.000 MHz | 54 | 1 | Arqiva (Mux C) |
- Aerial group: W
Analogue television
BBC2 closed on 30 May 2012. The remaining analogue services closed on 13 June 2012.
| Frequency | UHF | kW[2] | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 695.25 MHz | 49 | 100 | BBC1 South East |
| 719.25 MHz | 52 | 100 | BBC2 South East |
| 815.25 MHz | 64 | 100 | Meridian |
| 839.25 MHz | 67 | 100 | Channel 4 |
- Aerial group: C/D
- Polarisation: horizontal
References
External links
- The Transmission Gallery: Heathfield Transmitter photographs and information
- Info and pictures of Heathfield transmitter including historical power/frequency changes and present co-receivable transmitters
- Heathfield Transmitter at thebigtower.com