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THE TRANSMISSION GALLERY
WOOFFERTON
| Photos by Alexander Heath & Peter Bigwood | Page last updated: 2020-03-25 |
| Owned by Merlin Communications, Woofferton is primarily an HF (Shortwave) site transmitting BBC World Service and VOA (Voice of America). It was built during WWII and opened on 17-Oct-1943 equipped with 6 RCA 50 kW HF transmitters. The aerial system consisted of 26 arrays for world coverage. These arrays were supported between 15 stayed, lattice masts of heights ranging between 150 ft and 325 ft. The transmitters were removed during the final stages of WWII for use by the Services for counter-measure work to deal with the threat from V2 rockets. It later transpired that the guidance system used on V2's was not radio controlled, but a sophisticated gyro-stabilised system. The station was completely closed down from 28-Aug-1944 until Oct/Nov of that year, when 4 or the transmitters were returned. A fifth transmitter returned to service in May 1946. The station was again closed down on 26-Jun-1948 for economic reasons. It re-opened on 18-Jul-1948, financed by VOA. On 11-Jul-1949, with the intensification of the jamming of BBC and VOA transmissions by the USSR, Woofferton started to carry BBC Russian programmes in addition to the VOA Schedule. More about the history of Woofferton can be found at the link at the bottom of this page. Radio Shropshire launched on 23-Apr-1985 on 1584 kHz. This transmitter was transferred to BBC Hereford & Worcester on 31-Mar-2003. (Update 2013 - the facility is now owned by Babcocks) |
| Our first stunning shot of the Woofferton site from the air shows the eastern end of the site with transmitter building. The open wire feeders going from switch station to the older antenna arrays can be seen. |
| A general view of pretty much the whole site from the West, looking East. The central line of "trunk feeders" with five switching stations can be seen. (These are open wire balanced feeders supported from poles about 3 to 4m above ground.) The large number of white blobs visible are sheep grazing the land! |
| A view of the transmitter building showing the screened balanced feeders coming out of the roof going to the first switch station. Similar feeders go to the newer antenna arrays - many of the elements (made of aluminium alloy wire) and insulators of which can be seen strung between the masts, caught in the early evening sun. ________________________________________________ Meanwhile, back on the ground... |
| This last photo of Peter's shows more of the sheep. The mast (nearest) in the NE corner of the site carrying the wire for BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester's 1584kHz service. (Update April 2013 - this has now been moved to a different support mast on the site) Woofferton is one of six UK sites owned by Merlin Communications. The others are Fareham, London, Orfordness, Rampisham, Skelton and Warwick. |
Fifty years of transmitting at BBC Woofferton 1943 - 1993
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