First VHF transmitter opens at Wrotham

The start of VHF broadcasts from the transmitter at Wrotham on 2 May 1955 was greeted with much ceremony. The chance for better quality sound, free from the interference that dogged the existing Medium and Long wavebands, was a huge improvement to the radio service. Wrotham, situated on the North Downs in Kent, reached 13 million people in the London area. However it was made clear that 83% of the population would be covered by the end of the following year as 12 more transmitters were planned. VHF allowed for the introduction of stereo radio and helped the medium hold its own against the booming popularity of television.

The opening ceremony, broadcast on the Home Service, included speeches from Postmaster General Dr Charles Hill and BBC Chairman Sir Alexander Cadogan, plus a talk by Director-General Sir Ian Jacob. Furthermore Harold Bishop, the Director of Technical Services, extolled the virtues of VHF in the Radio Times. As consumers needed a new radio to receive VHF broadcasts, he was careful to point out that the existing wavebands would continue.

Wrotham’s first VHF broadcasts were of the 3 national stations at the time, the Home, Light and Third Services. Today the station still transmits the FM signal of Radios 2, 3 and 4 on the same wavelengths. Wrotham now also hosts the DAB signal.