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Heathfield was opened in 1969 and is located 13 miles NNW of Eastbourne. The top of the mast is 998ft (302m) from sea level and the total mast height is 145m, though the height to the bottom of the antenna shroud is 135m, see How High is High ?
Heathfield`s population coverage is around 500 thousand and it has sixteen (including Hastings) smaller repeaters off it to improve its signal coverage in poor areas. Being a main transmitter it is horizontally polarised and it was a C/D group but in order to accommodate digital it is now (technically) a wideband. That said, C/Ds often pick up signal quite well below their designed for band, so reception may still be possible (see Heathfield`s graph ), though this may not apply to some cheap crappy Contract aerials. MUXES 3 to 6 are still within the original band so should be available with a C/D group aerial, it`s MUXES 1 & 2 which may require the aerial change. I find this somewhat bizarre because the first two MUXES are the most important (the main BBC and ITV programmes) so one would have thought that these would be the channels to be broadcast within the original band. For obvious reasons this scenario is the one usually adopted.
Heathfield television transmitter
Heathfield TV transmitter
Heathfield transmitter “Up Close”
For Heathfield we recommend the DM log for strong signal areas, the Log 40 for medium signal areas, the DY14WB for poor signal areas, and the XB16E for those with the most marginal signals. The dimensions and test performance of the aerials can be found on the relevant tables. If requiring a “high gain aerial” in the loft we recommend the DY14WB over the XB16 because of the former aerial`s smaller size.
Heathfield`s channels in relation to the UHF TV band and the gain curves of the aerials we recommend for it. DM Log Log40 DY14WB XB16E
Note the channels out of the original C/D group of the transmitter, MUXES 1 & 2 being particularly badly affected. That said, even these two MUXES would be receivable to those in decent signal areas.
After DSO in 2012 Heathfield will officially be a B group and four of the six MUXES will be technically out of the original C/D group. But the graph shows quite clearly that the “cut off” for C/D group aerials is not precipitous and that most people in reasonable signal areas will get all the Digital OK off their “old” C/D group aerial, particularly as the power is going to be increased at DSO by a large margin. Though this may not apply to some cheap crappy Contract aerials.
For Heathfield`s frequencies see its channel allocation guide.
Also see other relevant Wideband curves.
Heathfield`s TV frequencies/channels*.
Note the various co-
The frequencies given are for (most) digital MUXES, for analogue channels deduct 3MHz.
* There are a few retune events (temporary MUX reallocations) just before and after DSO which may not be shown on these tables.
Just under a mile to the East is the trackbed of the ex London, Brighton and South Coast railway which was opened in 1880 from Redgate Mill down to Hailsham. Unfortunately the station at Heathfield, and line North of it, closed in 1965, the line South to Hailsham lasted until 1968. More positively the trackbed down to Hailsham is now a walking and cycling route. Two preserved railways are located near to Heathfield, The Lavender Line is 7 miles to the SW whilst The Rother Valley Line is about 10 miles to the ENE.
External Links
Digital UK Heathfield transmitters
For Heathfield`s channels/frequencies see its channel allocation guide, this also
include the frequencies for Crystal Palace, Bluebell Hill, Tunbridge Wells, Dover,
Hastings, Whitehawk Hill (Brighton), Midhurst, Guildford and Reigate. This data can
be very useful for identifying other transmitter options, see importance of "line
of sight". The Channel Allocation Guides can also be very useful in the diagnosis
of co-
Heathfield Transmitter OS Grid Ref TQ 566 220
Note, as work takes place on various digital transmitters (to prepare for the DSO) you may experience problems, e.g. with certain MUXES disappearing. First try rescanning your TV / set top box (do it manually if possible), but if this fails to work check on transmitter work or call the reception advice phone numbers. Also see basic digital fault finding.
Digital switchover at Heathfield is due on the 30 May and the 13 June 2012.
All the digital output is attenuated to the South so as not to cause co-
We are more than willing to give advice to those actually purchasing from us. Could those only seeking information please just find the answer somewhere on this site, or ring an aerial installer local to them, or call the reception advice phone numbers.
Heathfield transmits the four main analogue channels at 100kW. For its digital output see the table (above). DSO at Heathfield occurs on the 30 May and the 13 June 2012, though MUX4 will temporarily operate on CH48 at 2kW for a short period after this.
There are two interleaved spectrum channels allocated to Heathfield, CH 54 and CH45, which are both within the previously announced post DSO group. In addition there is a possibility of 2 or 3 more MUXES being transmitted between CHs 31 and 37, but all of these can by picked up be (decent) B or E group aerials.
Heathfield will become a B group at DSO, however those still on C/D group aerials should still get reception OK. Our own tests prove that decent C/D group aerials work just as well as a wideband in the B group, though obviously a B will give more gain than either. This may not apply to some Contract aerials though. In any event the main 3 PSB MUXES will almost certainly be receivable on a C/D.
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