Monte Ceneri transmitter

Monte Ceneri transmitter

The Monte Ceneri transmitter is the nationwide transmitter for Italian speaking Switzerland, working on 558 kHz, located on Monte Ceneri in Ticino, Switzerland.

Contents

1933 tower

From 1933 to 1979 it stood on Monte Ceneri Pass at 46°8'26"N 8°54'56"E and used, as its transmission antenna, a free-standing lattice tower insulated from the ground. This was originally 120 metres tall. Today this tower is used for DAB and DVB-T broadcasting. For this purpose a 15 metres tall antenna was installed on its top, so its height is 135 metres today.

1978 mast

The 1978 tower stands 220 meters tall.

In 1978 a new facility north of Isone at 46°8'19"N 8°59'25"E was built for the Monte Ceneri transmitter. This uses, as its main antenna, a 220 metres tall guyed lattice-steel mast insulated from the ground and, as backup, a T-antenna, which is spun between two guyed tubular steel masts. The main mast, which is the only tall guyed mast, and the second-tallest tower-type structure in Switzerland, is equipped with an elevator, whose machinery is installed in a cabinet just above the basement insulator. In spite of the location change, the old name of the transmitter has remained until today. On June 30, 2008 the transmitter was shut down. Radio Moscow later expressed interest in acquiring the 558 kHz frequency[1], and received permission from the Swiss Federal Office of Communications to transmit on February 9, 2011[2]. Transmissions are due to start on April 1, 2011.[3]

Italian transmitter

A radio station in Southern Italy works on the same frequency as the Monte Ceneri transmitter so one can still receive Italian language broadcasts on 558 kHz.

References

  1. ^ Schweiz: Stimme Russlands will Mittelwelle Monte Ceneri (German)]
  2. ^ Medium wave frequency for the "Voice of Russia" radio station (German)]
  3. ^ Schweiz: VOR startet erst am 1. April auf Mittelwelle (German)

External links

Coordinates: 46°08′26.21″N 8°54′56.16″E / 46.1406139°N 8.9156°E / 46.1406139; 8.9156