Editing Belmont transmitting station

{{Short description|Broadcasting and telecommunications facility in Lincolnshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}

{{Infobox UK Transmitter
|name = Belmont
|image = Belmont - geograph.org.uk - 619487.jpg
|caption = Then the tallest structure in the UK, seen in November 2007
|map_name = Lincolnshire
|height = {{convert|1154|ft|m|1}}
|gridref = TF217837
|coordinates = {{coord|53.335861|-0.172|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:GB}}
|built = 1965 (height increased in 1967)
|demolished =
|collapsed =
|BBC = [[BBC Yorkshire]] (1965–2004)<br />[[BBC Yorkshire and Lincolnshire]] (2004–present)
|ITV = [[Anglia Television]] (1965–74)<br />[[ITV Yorkshire]] (1974–present)
|localtv = That’s Humber
}}

The '''Belmont transmitting station''' is a [[broadcasting]] and [[telecommunication]]s facility next to the B1225, {{convert|1|mile}} west of the village of [[Donington on Bain]] in the civil parish of [[South Willingham]], near [[Market Rasen]] and [[Louth, Lincolnshire|Louth]] in [[Lincolnshire]], England ({{gbmapping|TF217837}}). It is owned and operated by [[Arqiva]].

It has a [[Radio masts and towers#Tubular steel|guyed tubular steel mast]], with a lattice upper section. The mast was shortened in April 2010 and is now {{convert|1154|ft|m|1}} in height.<ref name="planningapp">{{cite web|url=http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/planning/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=100407|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927072319/http://www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/planning/AcolNetCGI.gov?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=100407|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 September 2011|title=Arqiva planning application|publisher=East Lindsey District Council|date=29 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/transmitters/belmont-transmitter |title=Belmont Transmitter |publisher=A.T.V. Poles, Brackets & Aerials |access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref> Before this it was {{convert|1272|ft|m|1}} high and was considered to be the tallest structure of its kind in the world (taller masts, such as the [[KVLY-TV mast]] in the United States, use [[Radio masts and towers#Steel lattice|steel lattice]] construction), and the tallest structure of any type in the United Kingdom. After the top section was removed, the mast's reduced height relegated it to the second-highest in the UK after [[Skelton Transmitting Station|Skelton]] in Cumbria.

Despite the mast being shortened it can be seen in daylight on clear days from most areas close to and within the [[Lincolnshire Wolds]]. On clear nights its bright red [[aircraft warning lights]] can be very widely seen across much of Lincolnshire from as far north as the [[Humber|Humber estuary]] and [[Barton-Upon-Humber]]; from the west of the county it can be seen from [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]], [[Gainsborough, Lincolnshire|Gainsborough]] and [[Grantham]]; from the south of the county it can be seen from [[Spalding, Lincolnshire|Spalding]] and [[Bourne, Lincolnshire|Bourne]]; and from the east it can be seen from [[Skegness]], [[Mablethorpe]] and most areas along the Lincolnshire coast. The lights can also be seen from many parts of [[Nottinghamshire]], coastal areas of [[Norfolk|North West Norfolk]] and a few parts of [[Derbyshire]] on very clear nights.

==Construction==
[[File:Belmont TV Mast From The Air - geograph.org.uk - 625310.jpg|thumb|right|View from the air in July 1990]]

A planning application was made in October 1963 to [[Louth Rural District]].<ref>''Grimsby Evening Telegraph'' Thursday 17 October 1963, page 12</ref> Work had started by April 1964.<ref>''Skegness Standard'' Wednesday 22 April 1964, page 11</ref>

The foundations were laid on 30 June 1964.<ref>''Grantham Journal'' Friday 3 July 1964, page 16</ref> The concrete foundation was built by the end of October 1964, with tube sections being added from November 1964 at the site, near [[Benniworth]].<ref>''Louth Standard'' Friday 30 October 1964, page 23</ref>

It would be the seventh highest mast in the world. The first 900 ft would be a 9-ft diameter steel cylinder, with the rest a steel lattice. There would be a 12 ft cylinder around this lattice, with the top 150 ft being 9 ft wide. 1200 cubic feet of concrete was poured into its 32 square feet foundations. 12 people would work on the site.<ref>''Grimsby Evening Telegraph'' Wednesday 1 July 1964, page 7</ref><ref>''Horncastle News'' Friday 3 July 1964, page 6</ref>

The mast was constructed in 1965 and it came into service on 20 December of that year. As built it was a tubular pipe {{convert|900|ft|m|1}} long by {{convert|9|ft|m|1}} in diameter, surmounted by a {{convert|365|ft|m|1}} lattice upper section (an identical mast was constructed in 1964 at [[Emley Moor transmitting station|Emley Moor]] near [[Huddersfield]] in [[Yorkshire]], but the other mast collapsed due to guy failure caused by icing and high winds on 19 March 1969). Its ropes weigh 85 tons, made by [[British Ropes]], with steel from [[Steel, Peech and Tozer]] of [[Templeborough]] in South Yorkshire. The column weighs 210 tons and has 375 segments, with steel from [[United Steel Companies]] at [[Scunthorpe]] in northern [[Lincolnshire]].<ref>''Times'' Friday 10 September 1965, page 9</ref>

In September 1967, meteorological equipment was added to the {{convert|1265|ft|m|1}} mast extending its height to {{convert|1272|ft|m|1}}. The imperial measurement was the accepted value quoted by publications including the 1993 edition of the ''[[Guinness World Records|Guinness Book of Records]]''.<ref name="Guinness 1993">Guinness Book of Records 39th Edition (1993), page 93 – {{ISBN|0-85112-978-1}}</ref> The metric measurement quoted by the current owners is {{convert|0.2|m|in|0|abbr=on}} shorter.

Between October 2009 and April 2010, the mast was shortened as part of the Digital Switchover works. Most of the top section above [https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/transmitters/belmont-transmitter#belmont-transmitter-shortened the fifth stay level was removed] (along with the sixth stay level) and the mast now stands {{convert|1154|ft|m|1}} high.

==Coverage==
From its location, high in the [[Lincolnshire Wolds]], it broadcasts digital television and both analogue and digital radio to [[Lincolnshire]], eastern [[East Riding of Yorkshire|Yorkshire]], northern parts of [[Norfolk]] and some eastern parts of [[Nottinghamshire]]. Belmont is the main transmitter that covers the cities of [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]] and [[Lincoln, England|Lincoln]]. When it was first operated it transmitted (amongst others) [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] station [[ITV Anglia|Anglia Television]]. Following a re-organisation of ITV coverage in 1972, from 1974 it started transmitting neighbouring station [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]] instead, which it continues to do to this day.

==Transmission==
Due to bad weather in late 1965, it did not offer a full ITV service until Monday 16 May 1966. But BBC and VHF radio would start in autumn 1966. Emley Moor, its twin, came into full service on 15 August 1966.<ref>''Louth Standard'' Friday 27 May 1966, page 23</ref>

The transmitters were not installed by the end of September 1966, but BBC equipment was being tested by early 1966,<ref>''Lincolnshire Standard'' Friday 30 September 1966, page 8</ref> with full BBC service on Saturday 19 November 1966, and test transmissions from 5 November, with Peterborough able to receive these broadcasts.<ref>''Peterborough Evening Telegraph'' Wednesday 9 November 1966, page 6</ref> This was the same month that Pontop Pike also began transmissions. Tacolneston went into full service on 9 September 1967.<ref>''Horncastle News'' Thursday 10 November 1966, page 7</ref>

On 19 February 1969 wintry weather caused an eight-hour power cut, and staff were cut off by snow drifts, with a small amount of food. One month later, wintry weather brought down an identical mast, Emley Moor. Emley Moor was the highest man-made structure in Europe
<ref>''Grimsby Evening Telegraph'' Friday 21 February 1969, page 1</ref><ref>''Skegness Standard'' Wednesday 26 February 1969, page 3</ref>

The first colour tests from Monday 18 January 1971; Sandy Heath began full colour broadcasting on 8 February 1971; Tacolneston went colour on 1 October 1970.

Full colour on channel 22 for BBC1 began on Monday 15 February 1971, 
<ref>''Lincolnshire Standard'' Friday 12 February 1971, page 11</ref> ITV would be later on Monday 24 May 1971.<ref>''Lincolnshire Standard'' Friday 14 May 1971, page 16</ref>

==Transmitter power==
In the analogue era Belmont, at 500 [[Kilowatt|kW]] [[Effective radiated power|E.R.P.]] for the four main analogue television channels, was one of the most powerful transmitters in the UK, though there were four UK transmitters which were more powerful; Sutton Coldfield, Crystal Palace and Sandy Heath were all at 1000&nbsp;kW and Emley Moor was 870&nbsp;kW. After [[digital switchover]] Belmont's digital transmitting power was 50&nbsp;kW for SDN (previously Mux A), 100&nbsp;kW for Arqiva A & B (Mux C, D) and 150&nbsp;kW for BBC A, D3&4 and BBC B (Mux 1, 2, B).

==700MHz clearance==
On 4 March 2020, Belmont was due to complete its 700MHz clearance and will become an A group transmitter, excluding the temporary MUXES 7 and 8 (see [https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/transmitters/belmont-transmitter#belmont-transmitter-graph graph]). Since Belmont started out as an A group for (just) analogue it returns to that band after being a wideband for 21 years. Technically the advent of C5 analogue complicated the issue for a few months prior to (dual) running digital transmissions started in 1998.

==Services listed by frequency==

===Analogue television===

====20 December 1965 – 19 November 1966====
First transmissions from the site: ITV's 405-line television service was fed by off-air reception of Mendlesham at Great Massingham in Norfolk, with an onward microwave link to Belmont via an intermediate point at Winceby in Lincolnshire.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}VHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=7}}
|7V
|20
|[[Anglia Television|Anglia]]
|}

====19 November 1966 – 24 May 1971====
The BBC's services came online on both VHF and UHF. BBC1 was initially fed by means of an off-air rebroadcast of [[Holme Moss transmitting station|Holme Moss]] but this was plagued by co-channel interference from the continent. BBC2 was an off-air rebroadcast from [[Emley Moor transmitting station|Emley Moor]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/rd/pubs/reports/1967-06.pdf |title=U.H.F. TRANSMITTING AERIAL FOR THE BELMONT TELEVISION STATION |date=1967 |website=downloads.bbc.co.uk |access-date=16 May 2019}}</ref> On 19 March 1969, the Emley Moor mast collapsed, taking Belmont's BBC2 transmissions off-air for several days.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url=http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Belmont/131P24000403071.htm|title=TheBigTower Belmont Dates|work=thebigtower.com}}</ref>

Despite the programme sources on VHF and UHF being (for many years) off-air rebroadcasts of other transmitters in the vicinity, Belmont was always regarded by the BBC as being a "main station" both on VHF and UHF. The IBA initially regarded it as a relay of [[Mendlesham transmitting station|Mendlesham]] (and numbered it 14.2 in their numbering of VHF stations) but from 1974 it became a "main station" for Yorkshire Television (renumbered as 20.0 in the IBA's numbering of VHF stations)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolfbane.com/uk405.htm|title=Former U.K. Television Stations|work=wolfbane.com}}</ref> after changes in the minor franchise areas.

It was always number 120.0 in the BBC/IBA numbering scheme for UHF stations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wolfbane.com/articles/uktv2.htm|title=Former U.K. Television Stations (UHF Analogue System)|work=wolfbane.com}}</ref>).

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}VHF
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=7}}
|7V
|—
|20
|Anglia
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=13}}
|13V
|—
|20
|[[BBC1|BBC1 North]]
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|—
|28
|500
|[[BBC2|BBC2 North]]
|}

====24 May 1971 – 30 July 1974====
ITV's UHF service began.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://txlib.mb21.co.uk/main.php?g2_itemId=2209&g2_imageViewsIndex=3|title=ITV75p146w|work=mb21.co.uk|access-date=7 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531170842/http://txlib.mb21.co.uk/main.php?g2_itemId=2209&g2_imageViewsIndex=3|archive-date=31 May 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}VHF
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=7}}
|7V
|—
|20
|Anglia
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=13}}
|13V
|—
|20
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=22}}
|—
|22
|500
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|—
|25
|500
|Anglia
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|—
|28
|500
|BBC2 North
|}

====30 July 1974 – 2 November 1982====
After changes to the regional structure of ITV in 1972, Belmont stopped being a relay of [[Mendlesham transmitting station|Mendlesham]] and became a main station for Yorkshire TV.<ref name="timeline" />   It was fed by a Post Office (later BT) microwave link from Leeds, allowing Yorkshire TV to supply Belmont with a separate 7-minute segment of their regional news magazine programme "Calendar", a Belmont titled version of Anglia's weather forecast, as well as having the ability to sell advertising separately in the Belmont and Emley Moor areas.     The microwave link from Leeds to Belmont apparently ran via Emley Moor, where the IBA could insert test transmissions, such as Test Card "F"

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}VHF
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=7}}
|7V
|—
|20
|[[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire]]
|-
|{{UK System A|ch=13}}
|13V
|—
|20
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=22}}
|—
|22
|500
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|—
|25
|500
|Yorkshire
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|—
|28
|500
|BBC2 North
|}

====2 November 1982 – 30 March 1997====
Both the BBC and ITV 405-line VHF TV services from Belmont were discontinued early<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbceng.info/Eng_Inf/EngInf_4.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=7 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106011307/http://www.bbceng.info/Eng_Inf/EngInf_4.pdf |archive-date=6 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> in mid-1982, and when Channel 4 began formal transmissions in November that year it was radiated on UHF from the site:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=22}}
|22
|500
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|25
|500
|Yorkshire
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|28
|500
|BBC2 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=32}}
|32
|500
|[[Channel 4]]
|}

====30 March 1997 – 15 November 1998====
Belmont started transmitting the UK's final terrestrial analogue UHF TV service: Channel 5. This was done well out-of-band and at reduced power compared with the main group.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=22}}
|22
|500
|BBC1 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|25
|500
|Yorkshire
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|28
|500
|BBC2 North
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=32}}
|32
|500
|Channel 4
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=56}}
|56
|50
|[[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]]
|}

===Analogue and digital television===

====15 November 1998 – 3 August 2011====
Belmont began transmitting digital TV, with the new digital [[Multiplexer|multiplexes]] spaced far from the existing analogue channels. In July 2007 it was confirmed by Ofcom that Belmont would be remaining a wideband transmitter after [[UK digital transition|digital switchover]].

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service/Operator
!{{no2}}System
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=22}}
|22
|500
|BBC1 North
|[[PAL]] System I
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|25
|500
|Yorkshire
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|28
|500
|BBC2 North
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30}}
|30
|10
|[[BBC]] (Mux 1)
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=32}}
|32
|500
|Channel 4
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=48}}
|48
|20
|[[Digital 3&4]] (Mux 2)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=56}}
|56
|50
|Channel 5
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=57|off=pos}}
|57+
|4
|[[Arqiva]] (Mux D)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=60}}
|60
|4
|Arqiva (Mux C)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=66}}
|66
|10
|BBC (Mux B)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=68}}
|68
|10
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]] (Mux A)
|DVB-T
|}

====3 August 2011 – 17 August 2011====
BBC2 closed on UHF 28. BBC1 was moved on to that channel for its final three weeks of service. Pre-DSO Multiplex 1 (BBC) on UHF 30 was closed and was replaced by BBC A on UHF 22.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Service/Operator
!{{no2}}System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=25}}
|25
|500
|Yorkshire
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=28}}
|28
|500
|BBC1 North
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=32}}
|32
|500
|Channel 4
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=48}}
|48
|20
|[[Digital 3&4]] (Mux 2)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK System I|ch=56}}
|56
|50
|Channel 5
|PAL System I
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=57|off=pos}}
|57+
|4
|[[Arqiva]] (Mux D)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=60}}
|60
|4
|Arqiva (Mux C)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=66}}
|66
|10
|BBC (Mux B)
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=68}}
|68
|10
|SDN (Mux A)
|DVB-T
|}

===Digital television===

====17 August 2011 – 26 November 2013====
All the remaining analogue and existing digital signals were turned off and replaced with higher-power digital signals.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
!{{no2}}System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=25}}
|25
|150
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=28}}
|28
|150
|BBC B
|[[DVB-T2]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30|off=neg}}
|30-
|50
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=53}}
|53
|100
|[[Arqiva]] A
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=60}}
|60
|100
|Arqiva B
|DVB-T
|}

*Arqiva A and Arqiva B were limited to 4&nbsp;kW until 23 November 2011, when they were increased to 100&nbsp;kW.

====26 November 2013 – 4 February 2020====
Local TV, carrying Estuary TV, and Arqiva C, carrying additional HD services, launched on 26 November 2013.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
!{{no2}}Multiplex
!{{no2}}System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|PSB1
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=25}}
|25
|150
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|PSB2
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=28}}
|28
|150
|BBC B
|PSB3
|[[DVB-T2]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30|off=neg}}
|30-
|50
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|COM4
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=32}}
|32
|5
|Local TV
|LOC
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=33}}
|33
|37.1
|Arqiva C
|COM7
|DVB-T2
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=53}}
|53
|100
|[[Arqiva]] A
|COM5
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=56}}
|56
|39
|Arqiva D
|COM8
|DVB-T2
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=60}}
|60
|100
|Arqiva B
|COM6
|DVB-T
|}

====5 February 2020 – 3 March 2020====
Arqiva A moved from UHF 53 to UHF 23, in accordance with the 700MHz clearance.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!{{no2}}Frequency
!{{no2}}UHF
!{{no2}}kW
!{{no2}}Operator
!{{no2}}Multiplex
!{{no2}}System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|PSB1
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=23}}
|23
|75
|[[Arqiva]] A
|COM5
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=25}}
|25
|150
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|PSB2
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=28}}
|28
|150
|BBC B
|PSB3
|[[DVB-T2]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30|off=neg}}
|30-
|64
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|COM4
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=32}}
|32
|5
|Local TV
|LOC
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=55}}
|55
|37.1
|Arqiva C
|COM7
|DVB-T2
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=56}}
|56
|39
|Arqiva D
|COM8
|DVB-T2
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=60}}
|60
|100
|Arqiva B
|COM6
|DVB-T
|}

====4 March 2020 – 24 June 2020====
Arqiva B moved from UHF 60- to UHF 26, and a power increase of the Local multiplex, in accordance with the 700MHz clearance.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!UHF
!kW
!Operator
!Multiplex
!System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|PSB1
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=23}}
|23
|75
|[[Arqiva]] A
|COM5
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=25}}
|25
|150
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|PSB2
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=26}}
|26
|75
|Arqiva B
|COM6
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=28}}
|28
|150
|BBC B
|PSB3
|[[DVB-T2]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30|off=neg}}
|30-
|64
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|COM4
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=32}}
|32
|10
|Local TV
|LOC
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=55}}
|55
|37.1
|Arqiva C
|COM7
|DVB-T2
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=56}}
|56
|39
|Arqiva D
|COM8
|DVB-T2
|-
|}

====25 June 2020 – Present====
COM 8 was switched off permanently in accordance with the 700MHz clearance programme.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!UHF
!kW
!Operator
!Multiplex
!System
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=22}}
|22
|150
|[[BBC]] A
|PSB1
|[[DVB-T]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=23}}
|23
|75
|[[Arqiva]] A
|COM5
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=25}}
|25
|150
|[[Digital 3&4]]
|PSB2
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=26}}
|26
|75
|Arqiva B
|COM6
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=28}}
|28
|150
|BBC B
|PSB3
|[[DVB-T2]]
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=30|off=neg}}
|30-
|64
|[[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]
|COM4
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=32}}
|32
|10
|Local TV
|LOC
|DVB-T
|-
|{{UK DVB-T|ch=55}}
|55
|37.1
|Arqiva C
|COM7
|DVB-T2
|}

===Analogue radio (FM VHF)===

====19 November 1966 – 11 November 1980====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!kW
!Service
|-
|88.8&nbsp;MHz
|8
|BBC Light Programme (later [[BBC Radio 2]])
|-
|90.9&nbsp;MHz
|8
|BBC Third Programme (later [[BBC Radio 3]])
|-
|93.1&nbsp;MHz
|8
|BBC Home Service (later [[BBC Radio 4]])
|}

====11 November 1980 – February 1992====
BBC Radio Lincolnshire started broadcasting. BBC Radio 1 officially launched in 98.3 on 27 July 1990<ref  name="Radio 1 Transmission History">[http://www.frequencyfinder.org.uk/Radio1_Transmission_History.pdf Frequency Finder – Radio 1 Transmission History]</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!kW<ref name="Ofcom - FM Technical Parameters">[https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/file/0020/91307/TxParamsVHF.csv Ofcom Technical Parameters (CSV file)]</ref>
!Service
|-
|88.8&nbsp;MHz
|16
|BBC Radio 2
|-
|90.9&nbsp;MHz
|16
|BBC Radio 3
|-
|93.1&nbsp;MHz
|16
|BBC Radio 4
|-
|94.9&nbsp;MHz
|6
|[[BBC Radio Lincolnshire]]
|-
|98.3&nbsp;MHz
|16
|BBC Radio 1
|}

====February 1992 – present day====
Lincs FM (launched 1 March 1992) and Classic FM (launched 1 September 1992) join the set of FM broadcasts.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!kW <ref name="Ofcom - FM Technical Parameters" />
!Service
|-
|88.8&nbsp;MHz
|16
|[[BBC Radio 2]]
|-
|90.9&nbsp;MHz
|16
|[[BBC Radio 3]]
|-
|93.1&nbsp;MHz
|16
|[[BBC Radio 4]]
|-
|94.9&nbsp;MHz
|6
|[[BBC Radio Lincolnshire]]
|-
|98.3&nbsp;MHz
|16
|[[BBC Radio 1]]
|-
|100.5&nbsp;MHz
|6.2
|[[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]]
|-
|102.2&nbsp;MHz
|6.4
|[[Greatest Hits Radio|Greatest Hits Radio Lincolnshire]]
|}

===Digital radio (DAB)===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Frequency
!Block
!kW<ref name="Radio Listeners Guide 2010">Radio Listeners Guide 2010</ref>
!Service
|-
|215.072&nbsp;MHz
|12A
|—
|[[MuxCo Lincolnshire]]
|-
|216.928&nbsp;MHz
|11A
|—
|[[Sound Digital]]
|-
|222.064&nbsp;MHz
|11D
|5
|[[Digital One]]
|-
|225.648&nbsp;MHz
|12B
|5
|[[BBC National DAB]]
|}

==Relays==
Below is a list of transmitters that relay Belmont.

===Digital television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!transmitter
!kW
!BBC-A
!BBC-B
!D3&4
!SDN
!ARQ-A
!ARQ-B
!<abbr title="Polarisation">Pol.</abbr>
|-
|[[Grimsby]]
|0.002
|45
|39
|42
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|BV
|-

|[[Lincoln, England|Lincoln Central]]
|0.02
|44
|47
|41
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|BV
|-
|[[Weaverthorpe]]
|0.009
|39
|45
|42
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|{{n/a}}
|BV
|}

==See also==
* [[List of tallest buildings and structures]]
* [[List of tallest structures in the United Kingdom]]
* [[List of masts]]
* [[List of radio stations in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Belmont transmitting station}}
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=807 The Transmission Gallery: Belmont index].
* [https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/transmitters/belmont-transmitter Info and pictures of Belmont, including co-receivable channels].
* [http://www.ukfree.tv/txdetail.php?a=TF218836 Belmont at UK Free TV].
* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/TF2183 Pictures of Belmont at Geograph].
* [http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Belmont/Index.htm Belmont Transmitter at thebigtower.com]

===Relay stations===
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/grimsby.php Grimsby]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=810 Hunmanby]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/lincoln-central.php Lincoln Central]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=809 Oliver's Mount]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/weaverthorpe.php Weaverthorpe]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box
| title=Tallest structure in [[European Union|EU]]<br/><small>1,272&nbsp;ft (387.7&nbsp;m)</small>
| before=[[Gerbrandy Tower]]<br/><small>1,255&nbsp;ft (382.5&nbsp;m)</small>
| after=[[Torreta de Guardamar]]<br/><small>1,210&nbsp;ft (368.8&nbsp;m)</small>
| years=1973–2010}}
{{s-end}}

{{Television transmitters in the UK}}
{{Mendlesham_VHF_405-line_Transmitter_Group}}
{{Belmont_VHF_405-line_Transmitter_Group}}
{{Supertall}}

[[Category:Radio masts and towers in Europe]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Lincolnshire]]
[[Category:Transmitter sites in England]]
[[Category:Infrastructure completed in 1965]]
[[Category:1965 in British television]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in England]]
[[Category:East Lindsey District]]
[[Category:Mass media in the East Midlands]]
[[Category:West Lindsey District]]
[[Category:Yorkshire Television]]