BBC Secret PAWN Bunker - Prof Simon

[@TheSecretVault]

WOW Me and the dog and PAWN made the new years eve edition of Prof Simon, wow... I told the dog and in such good spirits she was very pleased and said so vows to no longer want to eat the goat ;-) Glad you liked the drone footage. Happy new year.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Great footage...I included a link to your ch and film....many thanks....simon

[@MonsterExcurision]

Yup 👍🏻 super cool mate

[@myleneobh.nbh.tvc33dekwaad92]

Broadcasting House in?????? ( London,Cardiff)

[@myleneobh.nbh.tvc33dekwaad92]

That building above the bunker, his name is: Bredon Wing ( BW)

[@myleneobh.nbh.tvc33dekwaad92]

Source: Google

[@Behindstage]

This video is a perfect compliment to Matt Williams original secret vault video...interesting stuff.

[@botabob]

Love the hidden in plain sight theme of the recent stories - Happy New Year 2020

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@grahammitchell9415]

Hi Simon, I worked for the BBC for 30 years and did two courses at Wood Norton (1989 & 1996) and asked to visit the shelter both times. In 89 the class was told the site was under top security clearance only and was told to never mention it again, in 96 we were told it didn't exist and to not mention it again(?). Technicians and engineers I have spoken to about it after had visited the shelter and also said that in time of war it would have been staffed from BBC Pebble Mill. Hope this helps.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

thanks Graham.....when I was there in the 1990s...we never went down.

[@aeon136]

Tom Baker was my favourite Dr. Who!😎

[@ghostindamachine]

Great story professor! It takes me back to my childhood: I have a fascination with bunkers. Mostly due to the fact that my brother, nephews, nieces and I played a lot in the big abandoned bunkers of the Atlantic Wall at Hoek van Holland. We roamed around the underground corridors and bunker buildings carrying a mechanically powered flashlight as a light source. In my home town we still have dozens of small and large WOII and Cold War bunkers left. Modern castles.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

thank you for all your input in 2019

[@ghostindamachine]

Professor Simon Holland Wishing the best for 2020!

[@ghostindamachine]

And your welcome :) I was about to write some details to you about Rendelsham Forest. Will do this weekend.

[@deadfreightwest5956]

9:23 - Tom Baker and Lalla Ward. From Wikipedia's entry on Lalla Ward: "Her father was the BBC's war correspondent in Finland at the beginning of World War II, while her mother was a writer and BBC producer specialising in dramatised documentaries."

[@pjs617]

So interesting, as you worked for the BBC were you aware of the BBC presence on Orford Ness the same place as the lighthouse in the Rendlesham story, they were based in the old "Cobra Mist" building allegedly broadcasting the world service, was never convinced that they were doing just that, another hidden in plain sight me thinks. Happy New year

[@AlexThomson-EasternApproaches]

3:48 _the large transmitter in the Midlands_ : Hillmorton (near Rugby, Warwickshire)

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thanks Alex

[@gary3561]

Hillmorton or Rugby radio transmitter is i believe a VLF transmitter. Which would have some explanation re BBC and Submarines if the VLF signal were to be lost the last check which vould be made is to check and see if the broadcast band was still in use.

[@phill633vgs]

Looks like Sutton Coldfield to me

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@gary3561 the Submarines used the TOWED ARRAY for VLF. Funnily enough I always thought it was a Code Name Toad Away. English is a weird language if you don't listen correctly lol.

[@plug4uk696]

@PSH : Was the transmitter in the Midlands that you're referring to called Barr Beacon I wonder? I think it was shut down when the Sutton Coldfield one came online ;-)

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

@@ArferNower pass that on the way to Cheltenham.

[@snakeplissken5928]

Professor Holland, Great videos, Have a Happy New Year from all of us across the pond in the USA

[@SimonHollandfilms]

happy new year Scott

[@cebudave]

Very interesting; would you know what Maiden House in Maidenhead was used for by the BBC before it was sublet to Altos?

[@MarkHarmer]

By the way we stayed at Abbey Manor hotel on our first course at Wood Norton. It's down the road and at the time was run by a couple of dear old ladies. They took us on a tour of the hotel and there was a room with remnants of a BBC studio in it. It must have dated from WW2 when the monitoring service set up at WN. There's a fascinating book about the wartime goings-on at Wood Norton called "Assigned to Listen" which tells the story of the service, including the extraordinary mix of people who went there to work at that time.

[@danielbailey4990]

The story in my family is that my grandfather, who worked for BBC radio and I also never met, had an allocated place in an underground bunker at the peak of the cold war. My mum remembers their car being packed full of food and fuel, at all times during this period, so that if they received the signal they could flee to Wales and camp out...

[@hojedias7139]

How very interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed that. Happy New Year to you and yours.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@stecrawley6590]

Love your films professor Simon always really interesting and informative happy new year

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@robertwagner7439]

Thank you for the drone footage.🍀

[@alisonmary1443]

All the information I have never thought of and you can always throw in more, amazing lol 😁 Great channel but not the type to binge on, I've a lot to catch up on and I like to have a good chew. A very warm and peaceful new year Professor Simon and many thanks.

[@sunjamm222]

Hi Simon, a few in the area knew about the bunker. The big transmitter is either Bromsgrove or over to Sutton Coldfield.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thanks Neil....yes Sutton Coldfield......that’s what I remember

[@experimentsrus]

Hi Prof, the BBC used the term Protected Accommodation for all of their Wartime Broadcasting Service (WTBS) facilities which had fall-out protection. Many of the WTBS Transmitter site were equipped with fall-out shelters and were referred to as PA Transmitters - Transmitters Protected Accommodation. The fall-out protected WTBS facility at Wood Norton was occasionally referred to as Protected Accommodation Wood Norton - not Protected Area Wood Norton. In the BBC War Books and the Wartime Broadcasting Instructions (WTBI) it is either referenced simply as Wood Norton or WTBS Headquarters - never PAWN.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thanks for the additional info

[@badfairy9554]

I am here to learn. Happy new year Simon and thank you.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@curtishill6490]

Interesting stuff for sure!! They still have security there maybe it's in use by some agency!! Thank you Professor💯👍👍👀☝

[@tonysargent1699]

Nice one to end the year on prof. Thanks for so far and here's to many more in the new year! 🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾

[@SimonHollandfilms]

happy new year Tony

[@tonysargent1699]

Happy new year. 🍻🍻🍻

[@Moodymongul]

The thing about a PAWN; they are a sacrificial piece ... ;-)

[@jeremytravis360]

I hope they have upgraded the system Professor, another snippet I didn't know about. Thank you. It would be bizarre if they expected the public to dig out their old UHF 625 lines TV and the odd SW radio for good luck.

[@lizardywizard]

I doubt any living thing could or would but if there were a chance to survive initial blast of a worldwide nuclear conflagration which included the UK - would anyone reading this wish to survive long enough to emerge from a bunker and see what remains. Bearing in mind that what remains would surely be incredibly radioactive? PS drones rock - thanks to the contributor. PPS that video editing course is still working for your viewers - thanks "Aunty" for looking after the Prof. Today's mushroom fact... in the average cubic inch of soil... how's about there being around 9 miles of mucelium?! Yup nine miles, not a typo. Giving around 400 miles under the average footprint. Biggest living organism on the planet? Yup, of course - a mushroom... specifically one living in the Pacific northwest of USA and which covers an area of 22,000 acres. Imagine a creature so large - it must be petrified of reproducing?

[@bangersnmash4856]

My late father in law was a local builder in evesham who worked on the bunker and was told not to say what it was to locals but did say it had 3ft thick walls

[@jasonbecraft2358]

Thank you for the awesome video. I think military and government top secret bunkers are fascinating. Keep the videos coming.

[@boydmutch2084]

Thanks for another fantastic film Professor Simon. Hope you have a lovely new year.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Boyd

[@gigiwilson9124]

Thanks again for another great film, Happy new year and Lang may yir lum reek.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy Hogmanay

[@gigiwilson9124]

@@SimonHollandfilms you too, do you celebrate in the auld Scottish way or is it different over there

[@vadikturgenev5175]

Wishing you a Happy New Year prof. My daughter and I love your videos, we try and watch at least one every evening, but usually end up watching three or four. Keep up the good work in 2020!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Bendrix ...and greeting from all of us on the farm to your family....Wallace the goat says hi too.

[@Customwinder1]

Thank you Professor for more great information. Happy New Year.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@steverichmond3903]

Loving the hidden in plain sight theme lately, You got me thinking when on a day trip recently, just west of the Cheivley services on the M4 there is a "works unit only" turn off on just the Eastbound carriageway. Any way after watching your films I google mapped it and lo and behold it leads to Raf Welford which a suspicious looking camp with no runway and a lot of underground bunkers. Check it out sometime I would love to know what it does!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Interesting

[@ianparkes5930]

It's a US weapons storage dump .

[@steverichmond3903]

@@ianparkes5930 That's what I love about this channel, The truth is always out there! Thanks for the info.

[@jonpeddel9616]

Look up mark Thomas and secret bases.

[@steverichmond3903]

@@jonpeddel9616 will do, thanks for the tip.

[@soldier-Dave]

The two masts at 3:55is at wychbold just off the m5.

[@TheUphillracer]

Sutton Coldfield is the Midlands mast you refer to

[@TheUphillracer]

Also, I stand to be corrected but I’m sure that the Wood Norton site is on the market with potential uses as hotel and conference centre. Will put out feelers via my ex-RRE friends

[@TheUphillracer]

Within moments my Sound Engineer friend (ex Challenge Anneka and Treasure Hunt amongst many) comes back with ‘proposed retirement housing development’, he describes situation with WN as ‘criminal’

[@nathanjgtaylor1985]

Very interesting, happy new year Simon!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@m7dgz]

As you say, the Wood Norton site was used in episodes of Doctor Who. In fact, if you watch "Spearhead from Space", some scenes are actually filmed inside the bunker itself.

[@platformstrange1794]

To you Mrs H.. and the menagerie. Have a great 2020😉

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year to you

[@ScotlandsGold]

Protected accomodations are One of my favourite subjects. Rocking it prof 💛 have a good one🍻

[@kenrussell2301]

One of the things to consider is how close Wood Norton is to Defford which is where Radar was developed! My father in law was based at Wood Norton in 1939 to unknown , I suspect engaged in classified work

[@SimonHollandfilms]

defford

[@ThisisRubbishlo]

Happy New Year nice video wonder how big it is underneath.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year....I heard 10 floors...seems unlikely

[@asdeaff]

Big enough to stash the BBC gold. Cos after the bomb goes off there will be nobody left to collect the TV licence fee from Maybe just maybe the BBC detector vans will just hunt you down for the £154 . The truth is out there !

[@casualpreparedness2347]

Happy New Year Professor Simon, from the Gulf Coast of Alabama. 💯👍👍🎉🎊🥂😎💥

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@albclean]

Well done!!

[@wooley6914]

The large transmitter in the Midlands is called Barr Beacon, I suspect that also has a bunker. There is definitely an underground reservoir next to it anyway.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thanks

[@redpilledpict2747]

Great content as usual "Scotland's Secret Bunker" near Crail is open to the public these days.There is another one in Edinburgh at Barnton Quarry that is in private hands.

[@mouthagapeape8732]

Happy new year to you and your wife professor.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

happy new year

[@Lamvesp]

Happy new year to you prof

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@babakbandpey]

Happy new year sir. Thanks a lot for 2019 🙏🏼❤️

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Babak

[@zjzozn]

Enjoying your vlogs 👍🌲😇

[@MultiNacnud]

A good new year to you prof .You forgot to mention the swimming pool and the phoenix club though.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year...swimming pool?....I missed that during my course at wood norton

[@MINIMOTOMADNESS]

can you tell me what the bbc in crowley park do in sonning common?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Interesting...I don’t know.

[@woodnorton]

@@SimonHollandfilms isn't that the receiving stations for Caversham as was?

[@jenniferwilliams4447]

Interesting info but have you not just blown their cover? Maybe there is more to the underground bunker.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

It’s in the public domain...I would not expose a real secret

[@renejensen5656]

Hi Simon. Great story, working at the national broadcaster in Denmark, we used BBC Wood Norton for several training courses in the 90s. I myself have been there many times. On one of the cources there was guy from Israel attending the same camera cource as us from Denmark, and he asked what are in the bunker, and the teacher said, if I tell you that, I have to kill you 😂😂😂 We had a similar facility in Denmark to make radio if a war broke out. But actually us 3 guys from Denmark had a tour inside, but im not able to tell you what we saw down there, but it has something to do with radio and television😊😊😊 The picture you have with the BBC guys in training, I actually know one of them, not from the BBC, but from Sony. Phill Spiegelhalter was teacher in Basingstoke at Sony Proff division, for many years on camera and visionmixers. Great guy. When I was there we stayed in the students dorm, and later in the Wood Norton House. We had some great trips there, and learned a lot from the BBC guys. Mostly technical traning.

[@paulb4877]

Great videos 👍. Keep them coming in 2020..

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Paul.

[@SteveMallison]

I was there as a BBC trainee on a television engineering course 1964 - 1965. we knew that Wood Norton was a "regional seat of government" to be used if things got too hot in London. Back then there were two microwave links of which I suspect one was directed at the long wave transmitter at Droitwich and the other to somewhere in London. The tower also had FM radio antennas for monitoring. I am sure the bunker was constructed well before the outbreak of WW2 and is much more extensive, burrowing beneath the adjacent hillside. Looking at the recent footage showing a multitude of satellite dishes, it is clear that the site has come a long way since i was there. Clearly the government of the day is very reliant on the BBC for its undoubted expertise in the field of radio communication. I would venture to opine that this is the reason why indiscretions at the BBC tend to be suppressed.

[@johnkean6852]

Thank you very much very interesting indeed. An _"end-of-decade"_ unexpected pleasure.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@johnkean6852]

@@SimonHollandfilms HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020 🤩😍

[@johnfearn4979]

The submarine communication. Is that why radio 4 still uses long wave?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Sry true...thanks John..

[@HAPPY--SQUAD--0]

HAPPY NEW YEAR PROFESSOR SIMON 🥳🥳🥳

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Ryan

[@robertwagner7439]

Connie just got the Unix epoch in her messages. December 31 1969. That's the real time on the other side of grenich. I hope it clears at midnight. Happy New Year.🎉

[@janetwinslow2039]

I was there on my engineering A, B and C courses! From that B&W photo it seems we could have been in the canteen at the same time - late 70s early 80s!! The building of which you speak is Bredon Wing is it not?! Small world... BBC Monitoring moved from WN to Caversham around 1941 for technical reasons. All remaining Caversham BBCM staff moved to BH in 2018. I think the Today Programme submarine reception story (only on 198 kHz LW) is a bit of a red herring. At least I hope so! BTW, BBCWN main building is now a rather nice hotel. There is still a BBC training presence on the site, but only a shadow of what it was in our day... :(

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thank you so much JANET.

[@patrickbrett1552]

They always build hotels above bunkers. Good cover.

[@robedwrds3879]

Well, you have persuaded me to subscribe, Excellent Video. Ah, and I see "the secret vault has found you". He is one of the good guys. And his dog is the channel star.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Welcome rob

[@robedwrds3879]

@@SimonHollandfilms , I shall peruse your output later with a pint of bishops finger.

[@poorboybmx2511]

Is it Hinckley, I remember the antenna arrays

[@poorboybmx2511]

Just off the M1?

[@bremnersghost948]

Curious if the Emley Moor Transmitter has a Bunker beneath it?

[@Sparky-vj2dq]

Bremner's Ghost Unlikely as that station was built and managed by the Independent Television Authority ITA (later the IBA then ITC) rather than the BBC.

[@aadrianlee]

Great video keep them coming ( ;

[@radionutio81ij79]

Thanks for uploading prof interesting and informative as always. Just subbed and a happy new 2020.✌peace

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year HobNob

[@donaldwyant3483]

🎉Happy New Year🎉! Prof. Holland

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@donaldwyant3483]

Prof. Holland, I hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions. Like, are you still in the US, or now back in the UK?..i was looking at the structure of your house, and wondering if it's old world or new world construction? What type of stone is it? Anyway..no matter which one, I think it's cool, I like it. Looks cozy warm, and safe..lol..and what's it really like having a goat as a pet, like personalities they have, how smart are they? Sorry, it's off path of the subject..God bless you, and yours..Thank you, for all your shows. i watch all of them.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

we live in a 16th c watermill in France built of limestone.

[@donaldwyant3483]

Lucky! guy..Thanks, how cool. Love it...

[@leeallen7491]

I live in Coventry 45 min from Evesham and didn't know this place even existed

[@FilmFactry]

Happy New Year!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

happy new year

[@trespire]

Don't worry Professor, I won't tell ! ( and nether should you !! ) Happy new year.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@almericussaxon8023]

nice find

[@matthewmorrissey3656]

Happy new years professor:)

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@robinwells8879]

We must be watching the same KZbin stuff at about the same time. I had wondered if it was a satellite up link for the bbcs commercial international services.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

The bbc needs tv sat links

[@DogSerious]

Interesting hand signs you're doing when naming specific things!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

i can't keep still

[@cdenver]

Ever heard of a guy that worked in the BBC during the 50s/60s/70s, he was from Belfast and was called Harry O'Lenny?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Never knew him

[@_John_Sean_Walker]

How does radar jamming work, and do modern fighter jets still use it?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

yes i think so...

[@allangibson8494]

That is the job of the EF-18G Hornet for example. They have got cleverer in that they now play back exactly modulated versions of the incoming signal but spoofed to show targets where they are not, in real time, amongst other tricks beyond just pumping out random noise.

[@jibbajabba4597]

The 50m rule the drone pilot mentioned presumes there were no other restrictions in place, for instance the Port of Dover has a 2.5nm flight restriction zone around it now same as all airports (it is the first non-airport to have an FRZ so expect more to come). So assuming there was no nuclear power stations or critical infrastructure nearby then he was fine to fly over the place assuming there was not more than a thousand people on site, he maintained 50 meter altitude and had the land owners permission to take off from where he did. The rules for drone use in the UK are tighter than General Aviation now, and that doesn't even take into consideration the new exams people have to take and CAA registration fee payable annually. So if he pissed off security by flying over because they booted him and his dog off the property, good on him lol.

[@glyph2011]

As always, ruddy fascinating :-)

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Thanks time

[@CSkwirl]

Fun fact- On New Years eve 1999/2000 i was working in one of the Telstra (Australia) control centres in case the millennium bug shut down Australias telecommunications system. Since nothing happened we might have been watching a *cough* non legitimate copy of The Matrix.

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

I was sat in a Medium Secure Psychiatric Unit. They were afraid all the door were going to fail. 🤔🙄😂

[@leehauxwell1149]

Hoping that the BBC shielded all their electronics, no point having a bunker studio if your above ground transmitters are taken out by EMP.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

I guess....never went down there

[@Mick7391]

Another great video, you're not related to Cliff Hanley at all, are you? I always think of him when I watch! Have a guid New Year.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

who's cliff hanley?

[@Mick7391]

Cliff Hanley was a broadcaster in the 60's and 70's, he was from Glasgow and I can remember him on the TV (only in black and white) an intelligent and witty bloke just like yourself!

[@mjengel84]

All of the preparations during the Cold War are fascinating to learn about. There is a decommissioned Minute Man launch control center that is now a museum you would likely find interesting. Happy New Year!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Cool...I visited the one at elsworth afb.

[@simongray7620]

Hello Professor Holland i think the transmitter in the midlands that you were trying to remember could well be the Pye Green tower which is situated on Cannock chase between Rugeley and Hednesford, i myself am from Rugeley and i use to drive under the tower every day to work in Cannock. The tower its self is at a place called Pye Green. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Simon Gray Staffordshire.

[@paulkchin]

Happy New Year

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@DarrenPeet]

Happy new year

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year Darren

[@timnewton6297]

remember folks: a Professor Simon is for life, not just Christmas.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Like our goats....

[@refugeg271]

Don't worry prof, we all knew about the broadcast, trident and the bunker. We used to lectures on the russian embassy spies and how it was a shame that vital factoies were within 30 mile inclusion zone. Snag was that British organised crime was already at work within, so much for security. Guess you have heard about system X. If you want an interesting film, check out the Russian woodpecker system, it was huge. When a mig fighter was examined, the engineers laughed at the fact they were using tubes not semi conductors.that was until a technician pointed out something. I made an observation of weird effect whilst in training, imany years later in the year 2000 finally had answer. I keep that a secret. Happy New Year.Wallace!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Interesting

[@Dinkum_Aussie]

Great video and interesting story, so long as the BBC were broadcasting , all is well! LoL How did you find the guy to film the drone footage? Happy New Year 2020! 🎉 💪😎👍

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@patrickbeane4826]

try thesecretvault youtube channel.

[@micki6676]

Happy 20/20 all!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Happy new year

[@simonbrazington3233]

its now a hotel and spa

[@SimonHollandfilms]

BBC still have part of the site

[@damianphelps]

Do they (as in the bbc) really expect to keep transmitting after a nuclear strike..? What about the EMP from the blast...!?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

faraday cage?

[@damianphelps]

@@SimonHollandfilms good point.. Haha!! 😁 but I guess they would only be transmitting to the other bunkers dotted around England...

[@edcooper2396]

I don’t suppose it was intended to be much use after a full exchange with the USSR.

[@garethevans9789]

You should do a video about the bunkers of Westminster (although that may be sailing too close to the wind). I've heard some interesting 'rumours'. It's no secret that there are a series of tunnels under Westminster, and it would be naive to think there's been no significant development since Churchhill's War Rooms. I will say that 10 Downing Street does seem to be a bit of a tardis (following the Dr Who theme😉).

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Interesting info in the book....under the city streets.

[@Nuts-Bolts]

@@SimonHollandfilmsYes, that’s a very illuminating read. It does includes plans of the London Citadel under Westminster and the BBC’s perceived roll in WWIII. If current facilities still rely on thermionic valves, then it might be useful after the next magnetic polar excursion for those of us that still have wireless sets. Its correct title is Beneath the City Streets by Peter Laurie.

[@danapussyone]

@@SimonHollandfilms I know some of the entrances to that system.

[@DistracticusPrime]

So, what if: a Royal Navy submarine hasn't heard from the High Command in quite a while, so it surfaces, tunes in to BBC4, and hears this: "Good morning citizens! It's a beautiful day. Isn't it, Svetlana? Yes it is, Ivan. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are happy to be on the air. Rumors of BBC's demise are greatly exaggerated. Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Yes, folks, BBC4 is still on the air, and everything is fine..." I think there was once an "Outer Limits" episode along those lines.

[@patricknoble5112]

Pretty cool neat story

[@michaelkaliski7651]

The Millennium Bug was merely an artifact of programming year dates as two digits. During early software development in the 1960s, computer memory was expensive, so dates were programmed using just two digits for the year. Given the pace of development at the time, no one imagined that essentially the same software would still be in use 40 years later. The software bug in most instances was simply that rolling the year over to a double zero would result in a divide by zero error. The whole issue was vastly overblown for the most part and mainly affected industrial plant where conservative design, reliability and longevity of component parts is the primary objective. Where software couldn't be updated, the simplest solution was to roll the date and time back to midnight of the 1st of January 1980 and remember to add 20 years to the date at some later stage where necessary. Otherwise, just reprogram the system to use four digit dates.

[@allangibson8494]

A lot of other systems have similar roll over issues. GPS clocks have rolled over twice because the internal binary counters ran out of digits and the calculated time needed to be updated. It is not just a Unix issue (which was what Y2K was really about).

[@michaelkaliski7651]

Allan Gibson I was actively involved in dealing with this issue at the time and ensuring all the computers in the building where I worked didn't fall over. The biggest problem was finding people that could understand and rewrite nearly 40 year old routines that were often written in spaghetti code. The personnel and pay systems were the hardest to address as the code needed to be edited but still run on the original hardware, the limitations of which caused the two digit date problem in the first place! The original hardware needed to be maintained because there was no immediate prospect of replacing it due to budget limitations and ensuring data security was maintained. I earned my money in those days.

[@arblist]

Large transmitter is at Wychbold. It transmits Radio4 on 198 Khz LW to the world. That is the signal the nuke subs listen for.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Interesting

[@ocker2000]

Not sure as a EU broadcast industry professional how I feel about exposing the BBC backup facility today... We all have backup facilities. But extreme forces foreign or domestic could abuse this detailed information. The russians already know this place for sure and have the modern version of an SS20 pointed right at it... mixed feelings Professor.

[@Imperia_Classicus]

I had to watch this as I saw the cyberman in the thumbnail and im a big fan of doctor who as you can see by my profile picture 😀

[@SimonHollandfilms]

Very cool...loved working on DR Who...at the beeb.

[@Shane_O.5158]

i like watching pawn

[@misterjib]

My partner is BBC (an unfortunate affliction) series producer on one of the flagship magazine programmes, she's been staff for almost 25 years. Out of interest, are you retired or were you made redundant?

[@SimonHollandfilms]

I worked at Ealing, line grove and the on horizon for years....now semi retired after becoming freelance by choice.

[@misterjib]

@@SimonHollandfilms Nice! Thanks for your reply and Happy New Year Prof 👍

[@elviolette]

Typical British understatement. Clearly this is at least a rook, possibly even a bishop.

[@Uap-i3o]

You would find the film third eye spy's very interesting lots of data in that film that was declassified.