Planning and operation of an HF broadcast relay station

International short wave broadcasting has expanded on a worldwide scale and in order to maintain a UK presence in this field of broadcasting the BBC has expanded and improved its transmission facilities to meet the increased competition that exists in the HF broadcast spectrum. This has been achieved within the UK by a progressive replacement of old 100kW HF transmitters by modern high efficiency high power 500kW transmitters. Overseas, the building of strategically positioned HF relay stations complements the UK bases so that today the BBC operates 5 stations within the UK and 8 overseas stations. The most recent addition to these relay bases is that at Hong Kong which was officially opened on September 27th 1987. The authors describe the need for such a station, aspects associated with the planning and construction and operational considerations.<>