History

Contract 21831 was awarded to GEC in September 1958, for a 2 GHz system. Effectively this was to be a replacement for the earlier 900 MHz system, providing additional capacity. The original cost was £16,456 however this had risen to £87,379 by April 1966 - probably reflecting the inclusion of further channels. The initial use is likely to have been for the expansion of ITA television links as more regions became operational.

The link used the same sites as the 900 MHz system (omitting Turners Hill) and existing structures. Photos of Charwelton show dishes for the 2 GHz system were on a stayed mast and were not transerred to the new concrete tower, similarly at Dunstable the dishes were on the small tower used for the 900 MHz system. It is likely the system closed when new London - Birmingham - Manchester links on L6 GHz entered service in the late 1960s, however the 2 GHz band may have been used subsequently once other allocations were full. The choice of 2 GHz in 1958 may have been to avoid conflict with the planned 4 and L6 GHz systems.