Heathfield transmitting station

Heathfield

Heathfield Location in East Sussex
Mast height	135 metres (443 ft)
Coordinates	50.976667°N 0.230556°E / 50.976667; 0.230556
Grid reference	TQ566220
Built	1969
BBC region	BBC South East
ITV region	ITV Meridian (East)

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).

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.

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	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

Digital television

Frequency	UHF	kW	Operator	System
626.000 MHz	40	20	SDN	DVB-T
634.000 MHz	41	20	BBC A	DVB-T
650.000 MHz	43	20	Arqiva A	DVB-T
658.000 MHz	44	20	Digital 3&4	DVB-T
674.000 MHz	46	20	Arqiva B	DVB-T
682.000 MHz	47	20	BBC B	DVB-T

• 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	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

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