Weißkirchen radio transmitter

The transmitter Weißkirchen is a medium wave broadcasting facility located near Weißkirchen, Oberursel, Germany. It is the most powerful European AM transmitter of the American Forces Network and transmits on 873 kHz with a power of 150 kilowatts. It started operation in May 1951 on 872kHz and moved its frequency to 873kHz in 1978 according the regulations of Waveplan of Geneva. Its aerial consists of three guyed lattice steel masts built in 1954/55. These masts, which are each 86 metres tall and insulated against ground are arranged in a row with a distance of 140 metres between each mast. At daytime omnidirectional radiation is used, whereby usually the mast in the middle of the row is used. At nighttime directional radiation by usage of all three masts is applied.

As the numbers of American forces stationed in Europe has waxed and waned over the years, in response to developments in politics such as the end of the Cold War, this transmitter has remained operational, though its observed signal strength today (2006) appears far less able to compete with other Medium-Wave broadcasters compared to reception reports made in the early to mid 1970s. For many European listeners in the 1970s and 80s, its relays of United States domestic networks provided the only American radio receivable in the home, excluding stations specifically intended for overseas reception, such as the Voice of America.

ee also

* List of masts

External links

* http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&ie=UTF8&ll=50.183693,8.611919&spn=0.002858,0.007317&om=1