Mast Work

On the afternoon of 3 September 2009, under darkening skies, a group of Arqiva engineers replaced the passive reflector attached to the aerial mast that broadcasts Gold Gloucestershire. They were good enough to let me get in their way and take some photographs of their work.

First, the transmitter was disconnected from the mast, and the mast itself was connected directly to earth. Then, two riggers climbed the mast, trailing a rope.

The rope was attached to a pulley at the top of the mast, and let down to the ground, where it was attached to a well-greased steel cable connected to one end of the ladder-like reflector. The reflector was then heaved up to the top of the mast.

The steel cable attached to the loose end of this reflector - again, well-greased - was then attached to an anchor point in the ground, and the two copper cables taken to a termination cabinet. The two riggers could then return to the ground, after spending almost three hours clinging to the top of the mast.

Finally, the transmitter was tuned to the new match, and returned to service. A fascinating job!