5XX Daventry Wavelength - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

saddlestone-man · 19th Jul 2017, 7:41 pm

Does anyone know what wavelength 5XX broadcast on from Daventry in the late 1920s? I have a radio with a front panel switch showing positions for 5XX, 1BBC and 2BBC, and I suspect that the 5XX position effectively selects the long wave.

Would 1BBC and 2BBC be medium wave broadcasts?

best regards ... Stef

Stuart R · 19th Jul 2017, 8:16 pm

Hello Stef,

The 1928 BBC Handbook gives:

Daventry 5XX 1604.3m
Daventry Experimental 5GB 491.8m

I've recently read one of Tim Wander's books on the history of radio broadcasting, where the Daventry transmitter is said to be the world's first LW broadcasting station. It is also mentioned that Daventry did operate on 1554m before 1604.3m.

Can't help with the other markings, sorry.

Regards,

Stuart.

Graham G3ZVT · 19th Jul 2017, 8:22 pm

Interesting history that I wasn't aware of
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davent...itting_station
197.5KHz correlates to 1600 Metres with the usual approximation for C

I'd like to see a picture of that set, 1BBC and 2BBC were quite prophetic!
Graham.
G3ZVT

saddlestone-man · 19th Jul 2017, 8:23 pm

Thanks Stuart, that's most useful.

Best regards ... Stef

ms660 · 19th Jul 2017, 8:30 pm

So far as I can make out all 5XX wavelengths/frequencies are in here along with other transmitters and timelines etc:

http://www.bbceng.info/Technical%20R...m_tx_nw_6a.pdf

Lawrence.

saddlestone-man · 19th Jul 2017, 9:33 pm

Thanks Lawrence, that's a very useful document.

I've attached here a photo of the radio's front panel.

best regards .. Stef

crusher19860138 · 26th Jul 2017, 7:04 pm

Fascinating reading,one point i would like to raise is i have seen 2 powers quoted over the years for Droitwich 1053Khz, 150Kw and 500Kw.

I don't know which one is accurate,maybe someone from Arqiva could confirm?

19th Jul 2017, 7:41 pm	#1
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	5XX Daventry Wavelength Does anyone know what wavelength 5XX broadcast on from Daventry in the late 1920s? I have a radio with a front panel switch showing positions for 5XX, 1BBC and 2BBC, and I suspect that the 5XX position effectively selects the long wave. Would 1BBC and 2BBC be medium wave broadcasts? best regards ... Stef

19th Jul 2017, 8:16 pm	#2
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength Hello Stef, The 1928 BBC Handbook gives: Daventry 5XX 1604.3m Daventry Experimental 5GB 491.8m I've recently read one of Tim Wander's books on the history of radio broadcasting, where the Daventry transmitter is said to be the world's first LW broadcasting station. It is also mentioned that Daventry did operate on 1554m before 1604.3m. Can't help with the other markings, sorry. Regards, Stuart.

19th Jul 2017, 8:22 pm	#3
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,714	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength Interesting history that I wasn't aware of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davent...itting_station 197.5KHz correlates to 1600 Metres with the usual approximation for C I'd like to see a picture of that set, 1BBC and 2BBC were quite prophetic! Graham. G3ZVT

19th Jul 2017, 8:23 pm	#4
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength Thanks Stuart, that's most useful. Best regards ... Stef

19th Jul 2017, 8:30 pm	#5
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength So far as I can make out all 5XX wavelengths/frequencies are in here along with other transmitters and timelines etc: http://www.bbceng.info/Technical%20R...m_tx_nw_6a.pdf Lawrence. Last edited by ms660; 19th Jul 2017 at 8:37 pm.

19th Jul 2017, 9:33 pm	#6
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength Thanks Lawrence, that's a very useful document. I've attached here a photo of the radio's front panel. best regards .. Stef Attached Thumbnails

26th Jul 2017, 7:04 pm	#7
crusher19860138 Hexode Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 434	Re: 5XX Daventry Wavelength Fascinating reading,one point i would like to raise is i have seen 2 powers quoted over the years for Droitwich 1053Khz, 150Kw and 500Kw. I don't know which one is accurate,maybe someone from Arqiva could confirm?