Transmitter maintenance to affect BBC Shipping Forecast 

Radio 4 antenna due to be replaced on Thursday 26 June 2014 as part of essential maintenance to the Droitwich transmitter.

The BBC has advised that Long Wave will not be able to transmit from Droitwich between 0430 and 2230 on Thursday 26 June 2014.

0521 – Shipping bulletin not transmitted from Droitwich but available on FM/DAB as normal
1201 – Shipping Forecast not transmitted from Droitwich
1754 – Shipping Forecast not transmitted from Droitwich

This is due to major upgrade work to the Long Wave transmitter at Droitwich, which involves the replacement of the Radio 4 antenna (subject to suitable weather conditions).

Replacing the antenna is vital to the long term wellbeing of Radio 4 Long Wave.

The removal of the old antenna, the installation of the new one and testing needs to be done as one operation. June has been chosen to allow the team carrying out the work as much daylight as possible.

The antenna was last replaced in 2001.

The Burghead and Westerglen LW transmitters will be unaffected.