GBR TRANSMITTER
The GBR Transmitter finally opened for service on 1st January 1926. Its unique wavelength and input power meant that the service had worldwide coverage, a fact hugely important to the Government as it meant it could now freely communicate with the whole of the Empire...
CONSTRUCTION
On 16th November 1923 Secretary to the Post Office, Sir Evelyn Murray stated that it was “as a matter of high politics” that six weeks should be saved on the construction of Rugby Radio Station. The main building was designed by H.M. Office of Works architect Mr F. A. Llewellyn OBE.
The contract for the construction was signed by the contractors Chessums Ltd. on 14th December 1923...
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EHT MACHINES FROM BTH RUGBY
Rugby Radio Station’s EHT machines were made by British Thomson Houston Co. Ltd of Rugby and were installed into the Power House on 15th April 1925...
CONSTRUCTION OF THE MASTS
The masts were designed and constructed by Head, Wrightson & Co. Ltd. of Thornaby-on-Tees. Although the original plan was for 16 masts, tests confirmed that the field strength of 12 was more than adequate. This also helped to control costs.
Each mast was 820ft high, triangular in shape, with 10ft sides and weighed (including stays) 200 tons. Each one rested on a hemisphere and socket joint (to allow movement at the top) and was held up with fifteen stays made of galvanized, high-tensile steel wires. It took one hundred men to move the longest stays into position...
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PURCHASE OF THE SITE / WW1 AIRFIELD
On 5th March 1923, the Prime Minister, Mr Bonar Law announced in the House of Commons that a… “Government Wireless Station capable of communicating with the Dominions” was to be built...
NEWSLETTER
Our Houlton newsletter will keep you up to date on everything from our heritage project, local events, Dollman Farm and our visitor centre and café, as well as progress on the development.
