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Digital switchover occurred at The Wrekin in April 2011. Although the transmitter is now a K group the three PSBs are still available off an original A group aerial, see The Wrekin graph.
There are no ”Local” MUXES allocated to The Wrekin in the latest scheme.
A slight chance exists of more TV channels being transmitted between CHs 31 and 37, These can by picked up be decent K groups aerials (or widebands).
For the most up to date MUX to channel allocations see The Wrekin at DUK checker
For The Wrekin`s frequencies see its channel allocation guide. This table also includes
the same information for some of the other transmitters receivable in the area Sutton
Coldfield, Waltham, Fenton, Winter Hill, Moel Y Parc, Blaenplwyf, Ridge Hill, Malvern,
Bromsgrove and Brierley Hill. Note how the transmissions “dovetail” together in an
attempt to minimise co-
Note that The Wrekin, Bromsgrove and Lark Stoke are a Single Frequency Network.
The Wrekin, that`s the hill and the transmitter can be clearly seen from the M54 as one passes Wellington, it`s a mile or so to the South. This section of the M54 (from junction 5 to junction 7) was opened in 1975, the remaining length to the M6 didn`t open until 1983. The Railway opened rather earlier than that, in 1849, as the Shrewsbury and Birmingham, and it passes about 2 miles to the North of The Wrekin. Fortunately it`s still open unlike
the ex Wellington & Severn Junction line which used to run 3 miles to the East. The latter opened in 1854 and remained open until 1962, though the Telford Steam Railway now utilises a short section of the line.
The Iron Bridge Museum is also close by and is definitely worth a visit.
External Links
The Wrekin Transmitter Page at MB21
The Wrekin Transmitter Page on Wikipedia
For The Wrekin we recommend the DM log for strong signal areas, the Log36 for medium signal areas, and the Yagi18K or XB10K for poor signal areas, the latter aerial being particularly well suited to loft mounting. The XB16K is for those with the most marginal signals. The dimensions and test performance of the aerials can be found on the relevant tables.
The Wrekin TV Transmitter, note the fabulous view in the background.
The Wrekin`s Digital transmitting arrays as they were before switchover.
Note the mesh panels behind each array to restrict the radiation pattern (s).
The View to the East from The Wrekin, Telford is visible centre left. The path up the hill can be quite steep but the vast majority can ascend it, taking their time if lacking fitness ! Be warned that there are three or four “false brows” on the route, you keep thinking you`re near the top, only to be confronted by another “brow” ahead of you as you reach what you thought was the summit !
The Wrekin transmitter`s channels in relation to the UHF TV band and the gain curves of the aerials we recommend for it. DM Log Log36 Yagi18K XB10K XB16K
It can be seen from the graph that the three PSB MUXES can be received on an A group aerial.
Also see other relevant K group curves.
The Wrekin transmitter`s channel guide.
For the most up to date MUX to channel allocations see The Wrekin at DUK checker
The frequencies given are for (most) digital MUXES, for analogue channels deduct 3MHz.
The Wrekin Transmitter OS Grid Ref SJ 628 082
Note, due to the new phenomenon of MUXICAL chairs you may experience problems with certain MUXES disappearing. First try rescanning your TV / set top box, do it manually if possible.
If this fails to sort it check on transmitter work or call the reception advice phone numbers.
Also see basic digital fault finding.
700MHz clearance occurred at The Wrekin in March 2018, nothing changed !
The Wrekin transmitter is situated 4 miles W of Telford on a 400m high hill which is called, funnily enough, The Wrekin ! The tower is about 50m high with the (analogue) transmitting array adding around 10m on top of that. It was constructed in 1975 amid great controversy due to the scenic and historic nature of the site. I can certainly testify to the former, the views are fantastic and well worth the mile and a half walk up the hill. Getting planning permission for the tower was made even more problematic by The Wrekin being the site of a large Iron Age hill fort ! The BBC`s 1977 estimate for The Wrekin`s population coverage was about 160,000. Ofcom now quote The Wrekin`s maximum population coverage as being around 282,000 homes (half a million people ?) but that includes many households which will be on another transmitter with overlapping coverage.
The Wrekin`s digital transmitting power is 20kW for MUXES 1 to 3 (the PSBs) and 10kW for MUXES 4 to 6.
Before the April 2011 switchover digital output was only 1kW.
Coverage is increased by four small repeater transmitters.
The Wrekin transmitter is Horizontally polarised and was originally an A group for analogue but for digital it is now a K group [or wideband].
Because of wideband antennas poor response at the bottom of the band, anyone who really requires a “high gain” aerial on a K group transmitter, e.g. The Wrekin, should actually fit a K group ! See The Wrekin`s graph
(But not that many people actually need a high gain aerial anyway........)
We are more than willing to give advice to those actually purchasing from us. Could those only seeking information please just find the answer somewhere on this site, or ring an aerial installer local to them, or call the reception advice phone numbers.
Below is a close up of the panel showing all the features which could be visible from the top.
It was erected by the Rotary Club for the Queen`s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
If you`ve found this site informative and, hopefully, interesting as well,
please help us increase the number of people reading it.
