Droitwich, past and present - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

AC/HL · 12th Sep 2023, 2:40 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYjmuwR1cPc

Vintage Engr · 12th Sep 2023, 4:59 pm

What an excellent short presentation. Very nostalgic, it reminds me of the time many years ago, when I was installing so CCTV equipment at Brookman's Park transmitter.
It was in the days when such cameras where tube-based, and so the front-end was wide open from DC to around 6MHz.

To effectively see which of the transmitters was causing the severe RF patterning on the TV monitor, I joked with the site engineer, and asked if he could kindly turn off the transmitters, one by one... ''If only, but not possible" he said.

After a short tea break, the sky over Brookman's Park turned black, & a torrential thunderstorm ensued.
Sheet lightning came to my rescue as one by one the transmitters automatically shut down! It was fairly terrifying, as I'd only just come down from the roof, where the camera was situated.
I quickly checked the TV monitor again, no RFI. The site engineer was just about to switch the TX's back on, when I persuaded him to do it slowly, one by one, which of course he did. I was thus able to fit various filters, & the outcome was a very clean display.

As a reward, I was given a guided tour around the establishment, which at the time, included the remains of the old 2LO transmitter.

That was a great experience, though long ago, It's a pity that the magnificent period architecture of the Wychbold site is unlikely to remain.

David.

David.

lesmw0sec · 12th Sep 2023, 7:28 pm

I have an old R1155 by my bed which often keeps me company for the world service on R4 if I can't sleep. It will be a sad day when Droitwitch closes.

Tractorfan · 21st Sep 2023, 1:04 pm

Hi,
40 odd years ago we were driving home from Cornwall in our moth eaten Car which sported a cheap mail-order catalogue lw/mw radio installed by myself. It was tuned to some local station.
As we approached Droitwich, Terry Wogan's dulcet tones appeared and wiped out the entire medium wave from one end of the tuning scale to the other. Thus he remained until we were a couple of miles beyond the towers.
Happy days!
Cheers, Pete.

G6Tanuki · 21st Sep 2023, 4:10 pm

Yes, Droitwich LW would often intrude on my drive-pasts along M5 when I was trying to listen to Atlantic 252.

Going past the old Rugby LW telegraphy station, car radio reception was also often interrupted by the obvious thumpings of CW traffic.

"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die."

Hartley118 · 21st Sep 2023, 5:04 pm

My Grandparents lived not far from Droitwich. As a youngster, it was a joy to take along one of my home built radios of doubtful design: Droitwich always came through loud and clear despite the difficulty I was having at home 100 miles away. On one occasion, I was having problems until Dad parked the car next to the transmitter. That solved my problem, though I suspect that in that location a rusty nail would have served as a radio.

Martin

12th Sep 2023, 2:40 pm	#1
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,632	Droitwich, past and present https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYjmuwR1cPc __________________ Bill, BVWS member

12th Sep 2023, 4:59 pm	#2
Vintage Engr Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK. Posts: 734	Re: Droitwich, past and present What an excellent short presentation. Very nostalgic, it reminds me of the time many years ago, when I was installing so CCTV equipment at Brookman's Park transmitter. It was in the days when such cameras where tube-based, and so the front-end was wide open from DC to around 6MHz. To effectively see which of the transmitters was causing the severe RF patterning on the TV monitor, I joked with the site engineer, and asked if he could kindly turn off the transmitters, one by one... ''If only, but not possible" he said. After a short tea break, the sky over Brookman's Park turned black, & a torrential thunderstorm ensued. Sheet lightning came to my rescue as one by one the transmitters automatically shut down! It was fairly terrifying, as I'd only just come down from the roof, where the camera was situated. I quickly checked the TV monitor again, no RFI. The site engineer was just about to switch the TX's back on, when I persuaded him to do it slowly, one by one, which of course he did. I was thus able to fit various filters, & the outcome was a very clean display. As a reward, I was given a guided tour around the establishment, which at the time, included the remains of the old 2LO transmitter. That was a great experience, though long ago, It's a pity that the magnificent period architecture of the Wychbold site is unlikely to remain. David. David.

12th Sep 2023, 7:28 pm	#3
lesmw0sec Octode Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Carmel, Llannerchymedd, Anglesey, UK. Posts: 1,465	Re: Droitwich, past and present I have an old R1155 by my bed which often keeps me company for the world service on R4 if I can't sleep. It will be a sad day when Droitwitch closes.

21st Sep 2023, 1:04 pm	#4
Tractorfan Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Frajou, l'Isle en Dodon, Haute Garonne, France.(Previously: Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.) Posts: 3,147	Re: Droitwich, past and present Hi, 40 odd years ago we were driving home from Cornwall in our moth eaten Car which sported a cheap mail-order catalogue lw/mw radio installed by myself. It was tuned to some local station. As we approached Droitwich, Terry Wogan's dulcet tones appeared and wiped out the entire medium wave from one end of the tuning scale to the other. Thus he remained until we were a couple of miles beyond the towers. Happy days! Cheers, Pete. __________________ "Hello?, Yes, I'm on the train, I might lose the signal soon as we're just going into a tunn..." Last edited by Cobaltblue; 21st Sep 2023 at 1:39 pm. Reason: Automotive

21st Sep 2023, 4:10 pm	#5
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 13,481	Re: Droitwich, past and present Yes, Droitwich LW would often intrude on my drive-pasts along M5 when I was trying to listen to Atlantic 252. Going past the old Rugby LW telegraphy station, car radio reception was also often interrupted by the obvious thumpings of CW traffic. "All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die." __________________ I can hear an Owl.

21st Sep 2023, 5:04 pm	#6
Hartley118 Nonode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Cambridge, Cambs. UK. Posts: 2,174	Re: Droitwich, past and present My Grandparents lived not far from Droitwich. As a youngster, it was a joy to take along one of my home built radios of doubtful design: Droitwich always came through loud and clear despite the difficulty I was having at home 100 miles away. On one occasion, I was having problems until Dad parked the car next to the transmitter. That solved my problem, though I suspect that in that location a rusty nail would have served as a radio. Martin __________________ BVWS Member