17-06-2013, 11:02 PM
Apparently the delay at the start of the transmission was caused by a switching error, it was designed so as transmissions could be sent from Alexander Palace to Birmingham, or vice versa from Birmingham to Alley Pally, but at opening they only had one feed available, which was configured in the wrong direction, which probably caused a bit of panic and a quick switch over.
I also found this bit of information about the link:
I also found this bit of information about the link:
Quote:The London Birmingham Radio Relay System (IJS)
The Sutton Coldfield station was opened in 1949 and was connected to London via an experimental 900MHz Radio Relay system supplied to the Post Office Radio Branch by the General Electric Co.Ltd. Originally, to meet BBC requirements, the specification called for simultaneous transmission in both directions between London and Birmingham. However it was not possible to provide the full two way installation in time for the opening of Sutton Coldfield and it was agreed that the BBC would, in the beginning, accept one channel provided that the direction of transmission should be 'capable of being reversed at will in less than ten seconds'. The BBC carried out acceptance tests from the old TV Switching Centre in BH Room G28. All went well until, at the end of the London to Birmingham tests we asked for the direction of transmission to be reversed (according to the specification, in under 10 seconds) .This proved to be a great mistake as the system collapsed and it was well over three hours before it was back in service! The 90OMHz links could not meet the BBC performance requirements and late in 1950 they were replaced with a 0.975in. coaxial cable system which provided more reliable simultaneous two-way transmission between Alexandra Palace, Broadcasting House London, Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield.
