The
Clyro mast overlooks the friendly border town of Hay-on Wye, best known
for its book shops.
Whilst
Clyro is a relay Wenvoe, it does so via the chain of Ebbw Vale, Abergavenny
& then Brecon. Therefore being co-channel with its original parent station
is not a disadvantage, because direct reception of Wenvoe is impossible
at the relay station location. The twin installation of choice in this location
was usually an MBM48A or XG21A receiving Ridge Hill with a masthead amplifier,
diplexed with a smaller group B aimed at Clyro. Most residents of this “English”
area were keener in having Ch4 and five from Ridge Hill than S4C, although
in some locations Clyro is the only useable programme source. The extra
cost of a diplexer and small group B aerial makes very little difference
when you consider the cost of masting and brackets for an XG21A, amplifier
and PSU, so twin installations are common.
Incidentally,
at ground level around the site of the Clyro relay it is possible to receive
Ridge Hill very well on an unamplified 18 element group A aerial. Ridge
Hill would provide a much stronger signal source than Brecon at the relay,
and some of the locals would be happier with English programming.
