100 years of Big Ben on the Radio - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

linescan87 · 31st Dec 2023, 10:34 pm

Hi All,

I read this earlier, interesting that it's been a hundred years. With the switch off of Droitwich eminent, it could well be the last.

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67632538

Station X · 31st Dec 2023, 11:42 pm

Presumably it'll still be broadcast on BBC R4 FM.

linescan87 · 31st Dec 2023, 11:55 pm

Indeed, I should of said last in it's original format, AM. No doubt it will continue on FM, DAB and I Player! Not the same though.

Dave Moll · 1st Jan 2024, 9:59 am

Certainly, DAB and iPlayer are less useful, owing to the latency of digital. FM should be as accurate as AM.

edit: The first relay of them would also have suffered a small delay owing to being received "on a rooftop opposite".

Graham G3ZVT · 1st Jan 2024, 12:48 pm

I always find that silence between the quarter bells and the first strike of BB particularly poignant on New Year. In previous years, Radio 4 have filled that "dead air" with a station ID, "This is BBC Radio Four. It's midnight".
Completely ruins the moment! Did they do it again or this year?

BBC1 television announced "This programme contains flashing images", 20210812 but at least that preceded the quarter bells and they left my "poignant pause" intact

Regards, Angry of Manchester!

31st Dec 2023, 10:34 pm	#1
linescan87 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Meath, Ireland Posts: 551	100 years of Big Ben on the Radio Hi All, I read this earlier, interesting that it's been a hundred years. With the switch off of Droitwich eminent, it could well be the last. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67632538 __________________ All the best, John Joe www.youtube.com/c/ojnojirishvintagetvandradio

31st Dec 2023, 11:42 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,289	Re: 100 years of Big Ben on the Radio Presumably it'll still be broadcast on BBC R4 FM. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

31st Dec 2023, 11:55 pm	#3
linescan87 Heptode Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Meath, Ireland Posts: 551	Re: 100 years of Big Ben on the Radio Indeed, I should of said last in it's original format, AM. No doubt it will continue on FM, DAB and I Player! Not the same though. __________________ All the best, John Joe www.youtube.com/c/ojnojirishvintagetvandradio

1st Jan 2024, 9:59 am	#4
Dave Moll Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Cumbria (CA13), UK Posts: 6,133	Re: 100 years of Big Ben on the Radio Certainly, DAB and iPlayer are less useful, owing to the latency of digital. FM should be as accurate as AM. edit: The first relay of them would also have suffered a small delay owing to being received "on a rooftop opposite". __________________ Mending is better than Ending (cf Brave New World by Aldous Huxley) Last edited by Dave Moll; 1st Jan 2024 at 10:06 am.

1st Jan 2024, 12:48 pm	#5
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,726	Re: 100 years of Big Ben on the Radio I always find that silence between the quarter bells and the first strike of BB particularly poignant on New Year. In previous years, Radio 4 have filled that "dead air" with a station ID, "This is BBC Radio Four. It's midnight". Completely ruins the moment! Did they do it again or this year? BBC1 television announced "This programme contains flashing images", 20210812 but at least that preceded the quarter bells and they left my "poignant pause" intact Regards, Angry of Manchester! __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT