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THE TRANSMISSION GALLERY
BIRMINGHAM (METROPOLITAN HOUSE)
| Photos by Simon Cross | Page last updated: 2021-12-28 |
| Metropolitan House was originally the transmit site for Buzz FM on 102.4 MHz - the third local FM station for Birmingham which was on-air from 14 May 1990. It seems the station initially struggled due to poor advertising revenue, lower power and reduced coverage compared to BRMB and BBC WM. At the end of 1994 the Radio Authority refused to renew the licence. Buzz FM ceased operations on 31 December 1994 and Choice FM took over - from the same site but on 102.2 MHz and higher ERP. The Lindenblad array shown in the photos is understood to have been supplied by Alan Dick & Co. Choice FM became in turn Galaxy (under the ownership of Chrysalis) and Capital (as part of Global). We have no information as to the pre-1995 arrangements. Intriguingly the detailed Ofcom data for the site, shown as with effect from 1 January 1995, states maximum ERP is on bearing 060 with up to 5 dB reduction west of south. This pattern may be due to the presence of the adjacent lattice tower. The Birmingham DAB multiplex was added on 27 June 2006. This is also shown as having maximum ERP on bearing 060. |
| This 'pixel plot' map of the predicted coverage area of the Met House station was produced by Mike Smith using Radio Mobile [link below]. The result is apparently quite similar to the official map produced by ntl at the time. |
Birmingham (Metropolitan House) index
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