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Sutton Coldfield`s TV frequencies / Channel Allocation Guide.
Also check Sutton Coldfield`s thirty eight smaller repeaters.
The frequencies given are for (most) digital MUXES, for analogue channels deduct 3MHz.
* There are a few retune events (temporary MUX reallocations) which may not be shown on this table.
On the “Post DSO” version (below), Note the gaps in the table below for channels 31 to 35, 37 and 61 to 68, they`re reserved for “other uses”.
Sutton Coldfield TV transmitter was one of the first in this country when it began broadcasting the BBC on the old 405 line VHF system in 1949, UHF colour transmissions started in 1965. The original mast was demolished in 1985 and the replacement is a 225m high (see How High is High ? ) mast which was built in 1983. Apparently the older structure was insufficiently strong to take the weight of the increasing number of transmitting antennas required. To make things even more complicated a 225m temporary mast was erected in the spring of 2009 so that work could proceed in raising the height of the original mast by 31m (to a total height of 271m).
The site is not quite in Sutton Coldfield but being just North of its namesake it is visible from most areas North of Birmingham. The railway line to Lichfield runs near to the site, this particular section being opened by the London & North Western Railway in 1884.
Overall view of Sutton Coldfield`s (original) television transmitter.
Sutton Coldfield transmitter looking majestic against the spring sunshine.
View of Lichfield transmitter from one of Sutton Coldfield`s outer most stay anchor points. Note the tensioning mechanisms for the stay ropes.
Sutton Coldfield`s channels in relation to the UHF TV band and the gain curves of the
aerials we recommend for it. DM Log Log36 Yagi18B XB10B XB16B
Also see other relevant B group curves, and inconsistent gain curves of some Contract aerials.
For Sutton Coldfield we recommend the DM log for strong signal areas, the Log36 for medium signal areas, the Yagi18B for outdoor installs in poor signal areas, the XB10B for loft installations in poor signal areas, and the XB16B for those with the most marginal signals. Unless you have a massive loft we`d normally recommend an XB10B for loft installs over an XB16 due to smaller size of the former aerial. The dimensions and test performance of the aerials can be found on the relevant tables.
The two masts at Sutton Coldfield (the original mast is on the left).
As part of the work required for DSO a 225m temporary mast was erected in the spring of 2009 so that work could proceed in raising the height of the original mast by 31m. Thus the mast will eventually be a total height of 271m. Ofcom report that the main mast is due back in use in the summer of 2010.
Sutton Coldfield Transmitter OS Grid Ref SK 113 003
Note, due to the new phenomenon of MUXICAL chairs you may experience problems with certain MUXES disappearing. First try rescanning your TV / set top box, do it manually if possible.
If this fails to sort it check on transmitter work or call the reception advice phone numbers.
Also see basic digital fault finding.
Switchover occurred at Sutton Coldfield in September 2011.
Luckily the channel planners were able to fit all the Digital MUXES within the B group, (which was Sutton Coldfield`s original analogue group) so an aerial change should not be necessary to receive all the Freeview channels. Furthermore those in poor reception areas can take advantage of the superior performance of an B group aerial over a wideband.
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.
Sutton Coldfield transmits all six MUXES at 200kW, making Sutton Coldfield the (joint) most powerful transmitter in the UK.
Note the huge increase in power at digital switchover.
Sutton Coldfield has the third highest population coverage (approx 5 million) of any transmitter in the UK and broadcasts to many major towns and cities including Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Leicester, Derby and Stoke.
Sutton Coldfield is a B group and aerials on it should be horizontally polarised.
The transmitter has thirty eight (including Bromsgrove and Lark Stoke) smaller repeaters to help improve its coverage.
There is one interleaved spectrum channel allocated to Sutton Coldfield, CH51, which is within the B group and may be used for a local Birmingham TV station.
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 a (decent) B group aerial.
For Sutton Coldfield`s frequencies see its channel allocation guide. This table also
include the same information for some of the other transmitters receivable in the
area, Waltham, Sandy, Oxford, Lark Stoke, Ridge Hill, Bromsgrove, Malvern, Brierley
Hill, The Wrekin, Winter Hill, Emley Moor and Belmont. Note how they “dovetail” together
in an attempt to minimise co-
External Links
Sutton Coldfield transmitter Page at MB21
Sutton Coldfield transmitter Page at The Big Tower
Sutton Coldfield transmitter Page on Wikipedia
Digital UK Sutton Coldfield transmitter
Digital UK details of Central transmitters
Ofcom details of Central transmitters
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