mb21 - The Transmission Gallery

	UK Broadcast Transmission

THE TRANSMISSION GALLERY

RUMSTER FOREST

Photos by Jack Richardson

Page last updated: 2023-11-27

Detailed photos - November 2023

A short break in Wick saw me stop at Rumster Forest. It seems like there's been a few changes since the previous photos. These photos show the new main DTT antenna, reserve DTT antenna, DAB antenna and replacement FM antennas, as well as any other detail. I also note the removal of one of the trough aerials looking at Rosemarkie, which was just below the DAB antenna.

From nearby Ben-a-chielt (which has it's own collection of masts and towers), there was a clear view to the Moray Firth coastline and hills in the distance. I find Rumster gets into that part of the world quite well.

From top to bottom - DTT main, FM radio, DTT reserve, a trough looking at Rosemarkie, and the DAB antenna.

DTT main. Note how the panels on tiers 2 & 3 stand slightly forward of the other panels. This is usually done to provide some null filling of the vertical radiation pattern (VRP).

BBC FM radio. Mean height 209m. These band II panels look like Kathrein type K5332187/8. I am not sure when the original CSA slant slot panels were replaced?

[Ed] mb21 understands that the new band II antenna was probably installed in 2021.

DTT reserve

A trough looking at Rosemarkie. Possibly the old RBS/RBL antenna?

The DAB antennas. Ofcom data has these down as 156m, but that seems a little bit low to me?

The BBC National DAB multiplex entered service at Rumster Forest on 19-Jun-2009.

On the left, twin band II logs receiving BBC Radio Scotland from Rosemarkie (55 miles away). The reason Meldrum can't be used is that it transmits the Aberdeenshire opt of Radio Scotland, Rosemarkie transmits the Highland opt.

On the right, twin band II logs receiving Meldrum, 74 miles away, mainly over a sea path. Unusually, there is only 0.3 MHz between Rx and Tx on the R4 RBL, as Meldrum is on 95.3 MHz, and Rumster is on 95.6 MHz. An answer might lie in the fact that 95.6 MHz is not the original R4 frequency at Rumster. R4 was on 104.5 MHz until 7 May 2002, when R. Nan Gàidheal replaced it on 104.6 MHz. This was probably to provide enough spacing between Meldrum R. Nan Gàidheal on 104.2 MHz and Rumster R. Nan Gàidheal on 104.6 MHz. I imagine the incoming signal from Meldrum is better than Rosemarkie, but Rosemarkie would provide more separation as it transmits R4 on 103.6 MHz.

The DAB yagis above are a mystery. Perhaps they are a backup to the main DAB antenna?