Rory: Like many valley relays, Blaina was under-utilised for much of its early life, most households having already adopted cable (“piped”) tv from Rediffusion and its ilk to receive BBC2 and alternative regions. 

It really came into its own in the early 80s when the cable system was freed up for pay-tv (which never happened) and the companies installed aerials for subscribers to receive the four main channels off-air.

This transmitter hasn’t worked properly since the introduction of NICAM in the early 90s. The pictures were prone to pattern interference on all four channels. I was told by an IBA engineer that the problem was that relays don’t use discrete amplifiers for each element of the broadcast signal and were thus more prone to cross modulation, etc …  They paid a visit to the site and increased the signal-to-noise ratio (treating the symptom rather than the illness?) but nothing much improved. 

The BBC engineering department were very solicitous and asked for a tape which I duly sent and the problem on BBC1 and BBC2 was quickly cured. HTV Wales and S4C remain poor.

Phil: On spotting this transmitter mast from the road, something in my head said 'take pics' so I got on the road that was heading for the site, it was a winding road, I thought I would turn around and face back the way I came, but the road came to an abrupt end so had to turn round in some ones drive!

There were a few houses close to the this site which I believe is a relay of Abertillery.

There isn't much of a view from the site, but took one picture of the view I could see.

If you have any photos of UK broadcast transmitter sites please get in touch.
Your contribution will be greatly appreciated.