Hillsborough
Sheffield
S6 2LL
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Some of the transmitters to which Ridge Hill is often used as an alternative are Mendip, Wenvoe, The Wrekin, Sutton Coldfield, Bromsgrove, Malvern, Lark Stoke and Oxford and the channels for these transmitters are included on the Ridge Hill Channel Allocation Guides (for before & after the DSO) which lists the transmitters frequencies. Note how they all “dove tail” together. The Channel Allocation Guides can be very useful in the diagnosis of co-
As with all main transmitters Ridge Hill is horizontally polarised, It was originally an A
group for analogue transmissions, before (temporarily) becoming a wideband whilst digital and analogue were being transmitted, finally reverting back to an A group when analogue went off. Most locations which received digital OK on a wideband aerial before switchover will still receive it at least as well (on that same aerial) after switchover.
Digital is broadcast at 20kW MUXES 1 to 3 (the PSBs) and 10kW for MUXES 4 to 6.
Pre switchover Ridge Hill`s digital power was 2kW.
The transmitter has eighteen smaller repeaters to improve its coverage in poor reception areas. Ridge Hill has been transmits MUX2 twice, with ITV West (on CH29) on [but only to the South/SE ? ] and also with ITV Central (on CH25).
In addition there is a possibility of 2 or 3 more MUXES being transmitted between CHs 31 and 37, all of these possible channels will be receivable on an A group aerial.
Ridge Hill from an outer stay point.
This is my wife`s favourite picture on the entire site. As I was prone on the floor trying to get the right angle for this shot (hopefully not lying in anything too unmentionable...), a herd of bullocks became very interested and were advancing towards me in a menacing fashion. Believe me they look big and frightening when they`re towering over you so I sprang up and promptly landed in a pile of something or other (probably the other....),
all the while my good
lady was beside herself with laughter. I hope
you appreciate the resultant picture.......
Picture Justin Smith ATV
Close up of the very bottom of Ridge Hill, a cable stayed mast. Note that the design allows
a certain amount of movement necessary to enable the structure to sway slightly and thus
avoid too much stress on the space frame steelwork. Picture Justin Smith ATV
Note. There are huge forces on the base of “stayed” masts. This design of structure
weighs between 150 and 250 tons (depending on the size) but the tubular types,
e.g. Mendip, are about twice this weight. Then you have the additional force imparted by
the tension on the stays, in approximate terms this would double the effective “weight”.
For details of self supporting towers see Taylors of Oldham`s Catalogue.
Ridge Hill television transmitter showing some of the fabulous views.
The base of Ridge Hill TV transmitter.
Note the cables carrying all the various signals up to the transmitting aerials, also see picture below.
Pictures
Justin Smith ATV
Ridge Hill`s channels in relation to the UHF TV band and the gain curves of the aerials
we recommend for it. DM Log Log40 Yagi18A XB10A XB16A
Also see other relevant A group curves.
The frequencies given are for (most) digital MUXES, for analogue channels deduct 3MHz.
* There are a few retune events (temporary MUX reallocations) just before and after DSO which may not be shown on these tables.
Also check Ridge Hill`s eighteenteen smaller repeaters
For Ridge Hill we recommend the DM log for strong signal areas, the Log 40 for medium signal areas, the Yagi18A for outside installs in poor signal areas,
the XB10A for loft installations in poor signal areas, and the XB16A for those with the
most marginal signals. Unless you have a massive loft we`d normally recommend the XB10A over the XB16A for a loft install due the smaller size of the former aerial
The dimensions and test performance of the aerials can be found on the relevant tables.
Ridge Hill opened for VHF (405 line) transmissions of ITV in 1968, UHF broadcasting (on analogue) started in 1973 before being switched off (for only digital transmissions) in 2011.
The height of the mast is 160m (a.g.l) and it has 4 sets of stays to keep it up, also see How High is High ? The site height is 203m and this gives wonderful views over to the East. Clearly visible to the NE is the Herefordshire Beacon (site of the Iron Age "British Fort") which has an altitude of 338m and if you get a chance to visit the latter I would do
so as the views are stunning for almost 360 degrees. In fact the only obstructions are
North Hill (397m) and its neighbour the Worcestershire Beacon which is the highest of the lot at 425m. Surely one of the best 360 degree views in the country. Note for those not
keen on walking up mountains the Herefordshire Beacon is much the easiest to ascend !
The transmitter can be seen from miles around including from the M50 which runs about
5 miles to the South. The latter was opened (from the present Junc 1, A38 turn off) in 1960 and was extended Eastwards to the M5 (Northbound) in 1962. The Southbound M5 from
this point didn`t open until 1970. The railway was what really put this area (The Malverns)
on the map and the Worcester & Hereford Railway opened in stages from 1859 to 1861, this subsequently became the West Midland and finally part of the Great Western.
The Ex Hereford to Ross line passes to the West and was opened from 1855 to 1964 and
to the East the line from Ledbury to Gloucester opened in 1885, closed as far as Dymock
in 1959 and the remaining stub to Gloucester in 1964.
External links
Ridge Hill transmitter page on MB21
Ridge Hill transmitter page on Wikipedia
Digital UK details of Central transmitters
Ridge Hill Transmitter OS Grid Ref SO 630 333
Note, as work takes place on various digital transmitters (to prepare for the DSO) you may
experience problems, e.g. with certain MUXES disappearing. First try rescanning your
TV / set top box (do it manually if possible), but if this fails to work check on transmitter work
or call the reception advice phone numbers. Also see basic digital fault finding.
We are more than willing to give advice to those actually purchasing from us.
Could those only seeking information please just find the answer somewhere on this site,
or ring an aerial installer local to them, or call the reception advice phone numbers.
Spectrum = Interleaved Spectrum Channels
Some post switchover MUX allocations (particularly CHs 61/62 and 49/50) may well be changed due to the 800MHz clearance.
If you`ve found this site informative and, hopefully, interesting as well,
