• R4 Long wave announcement

    From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Mon May 11 18:50:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am
    (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.

    Is there any update on the proposal to give Droitwich transmitter
    listed status? Can we assume no changes will take place to the
    antennas until medium wave transmissions end?
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Old John@watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 06:31:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 11 May 2026 at 18:50:59 BST, "Scott" <newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.

    Is there any update on the proposal to give Droitwich transmitter
    listed status? Can we assume no changes will take place to the
    antennas until medium wave transmissions end?

    Sic transit gloria mundi.
    --
    God made the integers. All else is the work of man.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 09:14:39 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 06:31:36 -0000 (UTC), Old John
    <watcombeman@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

    Sic transit gloria mundi

    Mirabile dictu.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 09:31:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    Is there any update on the proposal to give Droitwich transmitter
    listed status?


    Can an item of equipment, like that, be listed?




    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 09:35:56 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.


    They might not have given an exact date previously but it is hardly a surprise.

    How much per day does cost to keep Long Wave and Medium running?

    How many million pounds per listener?



    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From John Williamson@johnwilliamson@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 09:59:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 09:31, JMB99 wrote:
    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    Is there any update on the proposal to give Droitwich transmitter
    listed status?


    Can an item of equipment, like that, be listed?




    The structures and buildings can. They can even require that the
    equipment remains in place under certain circumstances, such as it being unique or the first of its type to be made.
    --
    Tciao for Now!

    John.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 11:26:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.
    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they said programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the
    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who are actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally shutting the
    RTS service on June 17th.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for
    another 10 days !?
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 11:27:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 09:35, JMB99 wrote:
    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.


    They might not have given an exact date previously but it is hardly a surprise.

    How much per day does cost to keep Long Wave and Medium running?

    How many million pounds per listener?
    Nothing for 198 LW (well nothing from the licence fee, the money comes
    from your energy supplier)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 14:11:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 09:31:50 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    Is there any update on the proposal to give Droitwich transmitter
    listed status?

    Can an item of equipment, like that, be listed?

    I believe the Post Office (BT) Tower was.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 14:14:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 11:26:09 +0100, Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com>
    wrote:

    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am
    (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.
    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they said >programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the
    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who are >actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally shutting the
    RTS service on June 17th.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for >another 10 days !?

    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same position?
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Andy Burns@usenet@andyburns.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 15:02:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Scott wrote:

    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same position?

    <https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2026/05/08/also-in-gb2rs-this-week-519>


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 15:48:44 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 15:02:40 +0100, Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk>
    wrote:

    Scott wrote:

    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same
    position?

    <https://rsgb.org/main/blog/news/gb2rs/headlines/2026/05/08/also-in-gb2rs-this-week-519>

    Thanks. No mention of the same date ('the Scottish Long Wave
    transmitters at Burghead and Westerglen will also be turned off').

    There was some discussion earlier about whether 27 June marks the end
    of R4 service or the end of transmissions. The wording ('the BBC is
    committing to providing two monthsA notice to listeners') implies the
    former as people do not routinely listen either to RDS or recorded
    messages. I note that two months' notice has apparently not been
    given.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:22:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 14:11, Scott wrote:
    I believe the Post Office (BT) Tower was.



    The structure but what about the equipment inside?

    Some magnificent prewar buildings were butchered - were any of them listed?




    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:26:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 15:48, Scott wrote:
    Thanks. No mention of the same date ('the Scottish Long Wave
    transmitters at Burghead and Westerglen will also be turned off').

    There was some discussion earlier about whether 27 June marks the end
    of R4 service or the end of transmissions. The wording ('the BBC is committing to providing two monthsrCO notice to listeners') implies the former as people do not routinely listen either to RDS or recorded
    messages. I note that two months' notice has apparently not been
    given.


    Sure they have been saying for ages thatt the services will be closed
    even if no date given, so hardly a surprise!


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:28:32 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same position?



    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?





    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:48:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:22:18 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:11, Scott wrote:
    I believe the Post Office (BT) Tower was.

    The structure but what about the equipment inside?

    Some magnificent prewar buildings were butchered - were any of them listed?

    I don't think the proposal [at Droitwich] was ever to list indoor
    equipment. It was AIUI the 'devil's horns' as a landmark and the
    antennas as historically one of the first high-power radio
    transmitters. I believe at the BT Tower they tried to list the
    microwave dishes as part of the structure but BT persuaded them that
    removal was needed for safety reasons.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:50:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:26:13 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 15:48, Scott wrote:
    Thanks. No mention of the same date ('the Scottish Long Wave
    transmitters at Burghead and Westerglen will also be turned off').

    There was some discussion earlier about whether 27 June marks the end
    of R4 service or the end of transmissions. The wording ('the BBC is
    committing to providing two monthsA notice to listeners') implies the
    former as people do not routinely listen either to RDS or recorded
    messages. I note that two months' notice has apparently not been
    given.

    Sure they have been saying for ages thatt the services will be closed
    even if no date given, so hardly a surprise!

    A pedant (such as members of some other groups) would say the two
    months' notice referred to the date, not the intention.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 16:53:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:28:32 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same
    position?

    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?

    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Rink@rink.hof.haalditmaarweg@planet.nl to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 19:50:48 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Op 12-5-2026 om 12:26 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am
    (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.

    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they said programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the
    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who are actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally shutting the
    RTS service on June 17th.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for another 10 days !?


    Mark,
    Do you have a link to this edition of the Midnight News?
    ( I'm not in the UK and I can't find it)

    Or if possible a mp3?

    Because
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw
    says BBC R4 LW will close on the 27th June 2026.

    Rink
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From John Williamson@johnwilliamson@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 19:00:57 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 18:50, Rink wrote:
    Mark,
    Do you have a link to this edition of the Midnight News?
    ( I'm not in the UK and I can't find it)

    Or if possible a mp3?

    Because
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw
    says BBC R4 LW will close on the 27th June 2026.


    They say the notice sill be broadcast daily until closedown.
    --
    Tciao for Now!

    John.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 20:23:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:28:32 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same
    position?

    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?

    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.

    You mean RTS, RDS is a totally different kettle of fish.

    I think it's safe to assume all three 198 sites will cease the same day
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 20:25:14 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 18:50, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 12:26 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am
    (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.

    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they
    said programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the
    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who are
    actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally shutting
    the RTS service on June 17th.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for
    another 10 days !?


    Mark,
    Do you have a link to this edition of the Midnight News?
    ( I'm not in the UK and I can't find it)

    Or if possible a mp3?
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of
    this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4 weeks.

    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th,
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Rink@rink.hof.haalditmaarweg@planet.nl to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 22:36:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 12/05/2026 18:50, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 12:26 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 11/05/2026 18:50, Scott wrote:
    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am
    (presumably at the end of the shipping forecast). I thought the BBC
    had committed to give two months' notice.

    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they
    said programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the
    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who
    are actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally
    shutting the RTS service on June 17th.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for
    another 10 days !?


    Mark,
    Do you have a link to this edition of the Midnight News?
    ( I'm not in the UK and I can't find it)

    Or if possible a mp3?

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of
    this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4 weeks.

    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th,


    Well, if I click on your link I see the page for 1 second,
    then it disappaers and goes to
    https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m002w5qz

    and this page shows:
    "Error 404 - Oops, the page you're looking for is no longer here".

    I think it's because I'm not in the UK.....

    Rink
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 20:38:37 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:28:32 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same >>>> position?

    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?

    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.

    You mean RTS, RDS is a totally different kettle of fish.

    I think it's safe to assume all three 198 sites will cease the same day


    I found https://www.bbceng.info/Operations/transmitter_ops/Reminiscences/Droitwich/droitwich_calling.htm
    to be interesting

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 23:42:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.


    It is nothing to do with RDS which is only used on VHF FM.

    I meant that there will be publicity about Radio 4 LW closing but not
    Scotland so some, particularly in the South of Scotland will not be sure
    if they will be affected.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 23:45:47 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 16:48, Scott wrote:
    I believe at the BT Tower they tried to list the
    microwave dishes as part of the structure but BT persuaded them that
    removal was needed for safety reasons.


    I thought the GPO Tower used horns, not dishes?


    Didn't Daventry open nearly ten years before Droitwich.





    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Tue May 12 23:47:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.


    I don't understand how RDS is used more in the Highlands then elsewhere?

    It is obviously useful in the Highlands but it struggles here because
    there is often not continuous coverage.



    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From J. P. Gilliver@G6JPG@255soft.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 03:41:15 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Op 12-5-2026 om 12:26 schreef Mark Carver:
    []
    On the Midnight R4 news (I've just replayed it on BBC Sounds) they said
    programmes would cease on LW at the end of this month, with the

    So 31 May?

    frequency finally shutting down, just before 1am on June 27th.

    Nearly 4 weeks of dead carrier ...

    So, expect a retune barker from the end of May until June 27th.

    This makes sense, as apparently the energy companies (the folk who are
    actually paying Arqiva to keep 198 on the air) are finally shutting the
    RTS service on June 17th.

    ... though not for the first 2+ weeks.

    I'm wondering why they are willing (seemingly) to carry on paying for
    another 10 days !?Indeed!
    []
    --
    J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

    Veni, Vidi, VO5 (I came, I saw, I washed my hair)
    - Mik from S+AS Limited (mik@saslimited.demon.co.uk), 1998
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 08:16:47 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 23:45:47 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 16:48, Scott wrote:
    I believe at the BT Tower they tried to list the
    microwave dishes as part of the structure but BT persuaded them that
    removal was needed for safety reasons.

    I thought the GPO Tower used horns, not dishes?

    Sorry, that's what I meant. I wanted to use a different word as
    'devil's horns' at Droitwich refers to the antennas, which it is
    claimed look like horns from the distance.

    Didn't Daventry open nearly ten years before Droitwich.

    I think 'one of the first' is the argument. Droitwich is more famous
    than Daventry!

    Has anyone heard about any listing proposal?
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 08:17:48 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 20:23:27 +0100, Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com>
    wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:28:32 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same >>>> position?

    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?

    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.

    You mean RTS, RDS is a totally different kettle of fish.

    YES :-)

    I think it's safe to assume all three 198 sites will cease the same day
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 08:18:50 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 20:38:37 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
    <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

    Mark Carver <mark@invalid.com> wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    On Tue, 12 May 2026 16:28:32 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 14:14, Scott wrote:
    Is it established that Burghead and Westerglen are in exactly the same >>>>> position?

    Won't it just cause unnecessary confusion if they remained on?

    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.

    You mean RTS, RDS is a totally different kettle of fish.

    I think it's safe to assume all three 198 sites will cease the same day

    I found >https://www.bbceng.info/Operations/transmitter_ops/Reminiscences/Droitwich/droitwich_calling.htm
    to be interesting

    I think I saw that when I visited the Radio Museum in Droitwich Spa.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Scott@newsgroups@gefion.myzen.co.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 08:19:57 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On Tue, 12 May 2026 23:47:52 +0100, JMB99 <mb@nospam.net> wrote:

    On 12/05/2026 16:53, Scott wrote:
    Not to the RDS equipment which seems to be particularly used in the
    highlands as a rural area.

    I don't understand how RDS is used more in the Highlands then elsewhere?

    It is obviously useful in the Highlands but it struggles here because
    there is often not continuous coverage.

    Mr Carver has already picked me up on this one :-)
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From John Williamson@johnwilliamson@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 08:44:08 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 12/05/2026 21:36, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of
    this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4 weeks.

    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th,


    Well, if I click on your link I see the page for 1 second,
    then it disappaers and goes to
    https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m002w5qz

    and this page shows:
    "Error 404 - Oops, the page you're looking for is no longer here".

    I think it's because I'm not in the UK.....
    #
    Yes, the BBC radio website is geofenced using ypur IP address. You can
    only get it outside thw UK if you use a VPN with one end here.

    The built in VPN using the Firefox web Browser may help.
    --
    Tciao for Now!

    John.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Wed May 13 11:05:59 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 13/05/2026 08:44, John Williamson wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 21:36, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of
    this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June 27th.

    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4 weeks.

    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th,


    Well, if I click on your link I see the page for 1 second,
    then it disappaers and goes to
    https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m002w5qz

    and this page shows:
    "Error 404 - Oops, the page you're looking for is no longer here".

    I think it's because I'm not in the UK.....
    #
    Yes, the BBC radio website is geofenced using ypur IP address. You can
    only get it outside thw UK if you use a VPN with one end here.

    The built in VPN using the Firefox web Browser may help.


    It's not worth the effort, what I quoted in the post with the link, is
    more or less an entire transcript
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Rink@rink.hof.haalditmaarweg@planet.nl to uk.tech.broadcast on Thu May 14 13:29:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Op 13-5-2026 om 12:05 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 13/05/2026 08:44, John Williamson wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 21:36, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of
    this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June 27th. >>>>
    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4 weeks. >>>>
    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th,


    Well, if I click on your link I see the page for 1 second,
    then it disappaers and goes to
    https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m002w5qz

    and this page shows:
    "Error 404 - Oops, the page you're looking for is no longer here".

    I think it's because I'm not in the UK.....
    #
    Yes, the BBC radio website is geofenced using ypur IP address. You can
    only get it outside thw UK if you use a VPN with one end here.

    The built in VPN using the Firefox web Browser may help.


    It's not worth the effort, what I quoted in the post with the link, is
    more or less an entire transcript


    Thank you, Mark

    I posted your message on radiotrefpunt.nl ,
    but they don't believe me (and you),
    because in all internet news messages
    only the date 27 June is mentioned
    as the end of "Radio 4's Long Wave Service".

    for example
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw

    "Radio 4rCOs Long Wave (LW) service will close on the 27th June 2026. "

    Because BBC Reception is writing this, I think:
    close = switching transmitter off.
    That's the end of their service.


    My English is not good enough to understand the second sentence:
    "We will broadcast daily on-air reminders
    to help everyone switch to other ways of listening."

    1.
    Who are "we"?
    BBC Radio 4 or BBC Reception?

    2.
    on-air reminders:
    during the BBC Radio 4 programmes on LW (by BBC Radio 4)?
    or special announcements after ending of BBC Radio 4 LW programmes?
    or both?

    (I guess: both)

    Rink
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From John Williamson@johnwilliamson@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Thu May 14 13:00:36 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 14/05/2026 12:29, Rink wrote:
    Op 13-5-2026 om 12:05 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 13/05/2026 08:44, John Williamson wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 21:36, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of >>>>> this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June
    27th.

    So, going by that, a barker from the end of May, running for 3-4
    weeks.

    Makes sense if the Energy Cos will be finished with RTS on June 17th, >>>>

    Well, if I click on your link I see the page for 1 second,
    then it disappaers and goes to
    https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/m002w5qz

    and this page shows:
    "Error 404 - Oops, the page you're looking for is no longer here".

    I think it's because I'm not in the UK.....
    #
    Yes, the BBC radio website is geofenced using ypur IP address. You
    can only get it outside thw UK if you use a VPN with one end here.

    The built in VPN using the Firefox web Browser may help.


    It's not worth the effort, what I quoted in the post with the link, is
    more or less an entire transcript


    Thank you, Mark

    I posted your message on radiotrefpunt.nl ,
    but they don't believe me (and you),
    because in all internet news messages
    only the date 27 June is mentioned
    as the end of "Radio 4's Long Wave Service".

    for example
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/radio4lw

    "Radio 4rCOs Long Wave (LW) service will close on the 27th June 2026. "

    Because BBC Reception is writing this, I think:
    close = switching transmitter off.
    That's the end of their service.


    My English is not good enough to understand the second sentence:
    "We will broadcast daily on-air reminders
    to help everyone switch to other ways of listening."

    Google translate gives a reasonable Dutch version. "We zullen dagelijks herinneringen op de radio uitzenden om iedereen te helpen over te
    stappen op andere manieren van luisteren." My Dutch isn't brilliant, but
    it seems to mean what I read in English.

    In simpler words, the announcement tell us that Radio 4 Long Wave will
    be off the air after 27th June 2026, so you will need to use FM, DAB, Freeview (Until it gets closed down in 2034) or listen on line.

    If you are not in the UK,the only way to listen on line is to use a
    Virtual Private Network with an exit node in the UK. Unfortunately, as
    they discover these end points, they are blocking therm.

    1.
    Who are "we"?
    BBC Radio 4 or BBC Reception?

    Radio 4.

    2.
    on-air reminders:
    during the BBC Radio 4 programmes on LW (by BBC Radio 4)?
    or special announcements after ending of BBC Radio 4 LW programmes?
    or both?

    They are being broadcast on all Radio 4 networks at the same time,
    shortly before the shipping forecasts.
    --
    Tciao for Now!

    John.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Chris J Dixon@chris@cdixon.me.uk to uk.tech.broadcast on Thu May 14 13:41:09 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    Scott wrote:

    I have just heard on Radio 4's Six O'Clock News that Arqiva has
    announced that R4 long wave will close on 27 June just before 1 am >(presumably at the end of the shipping forecast).

    My then employer, Brush Electrical Machines, owned a Cessna 421,
    which I flew in a few times. The most memorable occasion was from
    VEsteros to East Midlands, in headwinds which were so strong that
    we had to stay below about 10,000 ft in order to make significant
    progress, which wasn't particularly comfortable.

    I was in the right hand seat for the trip, doing my best to keep
    away from anything that moved.

    At this height, way out over the North Sea, the auto pilot
    couldn't get a very good radio beacon signal and kept dropping
    out. However, after a few adjustments, Droitwich was selected,
    confirmed by the familiar sound of the BBC, which was perfectly
    adequate until we were nearer home.

    Chris
    --
    Chris J Dixon Nottingham UK
    chris@cdixon.me.uk @ChrisJDixon1

    Plant amazing Acers.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From NY@me@privacy.net to uk.tech.broadcast on Thu May 14 15:40:11 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 14/05/2026 13:00, John Williamson wrote:
    In simpler words, the announcement tell us that Radio 4 Long Wave will
    be off the air after 27th June 2026, so-a you will need to use FM, DAB, Freeview (Until it gets closed down in 2034) or listen on line.
    Are BBC radio channels disappearing from Freeview? Does that include
    Freesat as well? I'll need to find a new way of recording radio, if not
    from DVB-T or DVB-S using TVHeadend.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From John Williamson@johnwilliamson@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Thu May 14 17:22:30 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 14/05/2026 15:40, NY wrote:
    On 14/05/2026 13:00, John Williamson wrote:
    In simpler words, the announcement tell us that Radio 4 Long Wave will
    be off the air after 27th June 2026, so you will need to use FM, DAB,
    Freeview (Until it gets closed down in 2034) or listen on line.
    Are BBC radio channels disappearing from Freeview? Does that include
    Freesat as well? I'll need to find a new way of recording radio, if not
    from DVB-T or DVB-S using TVHeadend.

    I've not seen a clear explanation of what will disappear off Freeview,
    but the reports and the press releases suggest that the shutdown will be complete. Suggestions are that Freesat will be gone by 2030.

    It will be replaced by the IP based Freely, which currently seems to
    carry everything I can get on Freeview. Some TVs made now have it on
    board as a native android app. It is currently only available for TVs
    and some boxes (Sound familiar?), not yet for other Android devices.
    --
    Tciao for Now!

    John.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Carver@mark@invalid.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Fri May 15 09:42:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 14/05/2026 12:29, Rink wrote:
    Op 13-5-2026 om 12:05 schreef Mark Carver:
    On 13/05/2026 08:44, John Williamson wrote:
    On 12/05/2026 21:36, Rink wrote:
    Op 12-5-2026 om 21:25 schreef Mark Carver:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002w5qz

    Spool forward to 25:25. They said programmes would end at the end of >>>>> this month, the service itself will cease just before 1am on June
    27th.
    Well, I think that's (June 27th ) when the carrier will finally drop.

    What is unclear, and the BBC news report may actually be incorrect, is
    when the programme service ends. With other AM shut downs, the programme service ends a week or two before the carrier drops, and those days are
    filled with a recorded loop.

    That may happen, but 1 month of a loop seems excessive.

    I don't regard a recorded loop to be 'service', but others might

    The 1am time quoted does rather imply programme service right to the
    bitter end, so my guess is that will happen, albeit with the warning
    message being dropped into the LF Tx feeds with increasing regularity.
    At present it seems to be only at 07:59, 12:59, 17:59, and 23:59 ?
    No one knows for sure, because no one is listening to LF !

    I think the June 27th date for the carrier dropping is accurate, because
    a number of energy suppliers are now quoting final RTS switch off dates
    for them, as between June 17th and June 30th
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Mark Fraser@mfraz74@btinternet.com to uk.tech.broadcast on Sat May 16 16:21:40 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.tech.broadcast

    On 14/05/2026 15:40, NY wrote:
    On 14/05/2026 13:00, John Williamson wrote:
    In simpler words, the announcement tell us that Radio 4 Long Wave will
    be off the air after 27th June 2026, so-a you will need to use FM, DAB,
    Freeview (Until it gets closed down in 2034) or listen on line.
    Are BBC radio channels disappearing from Freeview? Does that include
    Freesat as well? I'll need to find a new way of recording radio, if not
    from DVB-T or DVB-S using TVHeadend.
    Can you use a DVB-T USB stick and Qt-DAB instead? https://github.com/JvanKatwijk/qt-dab
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2