Ohura loses Television Transmitter

From: Roger Moore - Tokirima - New Zealand
20.07.06

Ohura loses Television Transmitter

In the recent lightening storms the transmitter (technically called a translator) that serves the area around the small King Country community of Ohura, including Tokirima, was struck. All the local residents have lost both Ch1 and Ch2 - Sky reception remains unaffected.

Calling TVNZ, who have the duty to provide rural coverage, the operator said it was "blown up" and "probably not a priority so don't hold your breath" for repairs. She referred to BCL who are the company responsible for maintaining the transmitters .

BCL General Manager of Network Services, Derek Nielsen, agreed that it was "completely trashed by lightening". He said that "We know about it and have a project team working on it".

It leaves many families without any reception and there is no indication of when it may be restored.

Nigel Wilson, the project engineer from BCL, later reported that work has started. The damage was very extensive and requires that new electronics be manufactured. Mr Wilson said "We often get lightening strikes but not normally this bad." He estimated that it would be approximately two weeks before the translator was fully operational again

The actual site is on a private farm and the owner has reported that the concrete exploded when the strike occurred.

Information:
TVNZ responsibility to maintain coverage in less commercially viable [areas] of the country
www.mch.govt.nz/agency/tvnz.html

BCL information:
www.bclnz.com

ENDS

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