RW
I suppose as since High Wycombe is in Bucks, and the 'Three Counties' are Beds, Herts and Bucks, it makes most sense for the High Wycombe transmitter to carry 3CR. However I seem to remember before that transmitter was opened, it was Radio Berkshire that used to cover the southern parts of Bucks. These days, they cover the northern parts of Hampshire, including Basingstoke, instead. But looking at BBC Radio Oxford's FM service area...
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/oxford/oxford-local-ms-map.jpg
Seeing as the Oxford transmitter already splurges over much of Bucks, I wonder why it wasn't originally decided to give that county to Radio Oxford to cover, with the Bow Brickhill and High Wycombe transmitters filling in the north and south respectively. Then Three Counties Radio could have been Two Counties Radio instead, which would have evened things up a bit between the two stations, instead the situation we have now where 3CR has a vast area to cover with a TSA of 1,332,000, while Radio Oxford has a TSA of just 523,000.
I can't speak for the rest of East Surrey, but BBC London is certainly on 101 in Reigate. Incidentally, the upcoming Surrey DAB multiplex will be using Crystal Palace as one of its initial three transmitters, which means BBC Surrey will soon coming through loud and clear throughout South and West London, well outside its editorial area!
Robert Williams
Founding member
Yes, I've never really understood why High Wycombe carries 3CR, but it can be split from the rest of the station, generally for commentaries of Wycombe Wanderers.
I suppose as since High Wycombe is in Bucks, and the 'Three Counties' are Beds, Herts and Bucks, it makes most sense for the High Wycombe transmitter to carry 3CR. However I seem to remember before that transmitter was opened, it was Radio Berkshire that used to cover the southern parts of Bucks. These days, they cover the northern parts of Hampshire, including Basingstoke, instead. But looking at BBC Radio Oxford's FM service area...
http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/oxford/oxford-local-ms-map.jpg
Seeing as the Oxford transmitter already splurges over much of Bucks, I wonder why it wasn't originally decided to give that county to Radio Oxford to cover, with the Bow Brickhill and High Wycombe transmitters filling in the north and south respectively. Then Three Counties Radio could have been Two Counties Radio instead, which would have evened things up a bit between the two stations, instead the situation we have now where 3CR has a vast area to cover with a TSA of 1,332,000, while Radio Oxford has a TSA of just 523,000.
Just to add to BBC local radio editorial areas not matching tv region areas.
BBC Surrey is part of BBC South East's administrative area, yet the tv region for the vast majority of the county, including the towns of Guildford, Reigate and Redhill are in BBC London's editorial area and covered by the local transmitters which are relays of CP. (Some viewers using satellite may have SET on Sky 101 in East Surrey/North Sussex).
BBC Surrey is part of BBC South East's administrative area, yet the tv region for the vast majority of the county, including the towns of Guildford, Reigate and Redhill are in BBC London's editorial area and covered by the local transmitters which are relays of CP. (Some viewers using satellite may have SET on Sky 101 in East Surrey/North Sussex).
I can't speak for the rest of East Surrey, but BBC London is certainly on 101 in Reigate. Incidentally, the upcoming Surrey DAB multiplex will be using Crystal Palace as one of its initial three transmitters, which means BBC Surrey will soon coming through loud and clear throughout South and West London, well outside its editorial area!
