The date and time have been announced for the removal of one of the mediumwave masts at Lopik, in accordance with the agreement signed a few weeks ago. On Saturday 21st August at 08.50 (0650 UTC) the mast, approximately 160 meters tall, will be demolished with explosives. This method was chosen in order not to disrupt the transmissions of Arrow Rock Radio on 675 kHz. It would not be possible to safely dismantle the mast piece by piece while the Arrow transmissions were being radiated from an adjacent mast.
on Jul 31st, 2004 at 11:34
What a waste! This site would have been perfectly suitable to radiate 1395, 1035 or 1224 kHz with about 10 kW. Even with that sort of power, several millions of listeners in the densily populated western part of the Netherlands could have been reached, while not causing harmfull interference or costing a lot.
on Jul 31st, 2004 at 12:08
What a shame!
For me this is an intentional destruction of useful and expensive equipment.
on Jul 31st, 2004 at 13:19
It may be that the Lopik mast may have corroded with age and it would be safer if the structure was removed. It has been there for some time. These structures don’t last for ever.
on Aug 1st, 2004 at 10:19
I will try to go down there and film this….in the archives there is a film of the demolition of the wooden PCJJ masts in Huizen…no sound though. Not that spectacular as a result.
on Aug 1st, 2004 at 14:10
The masts were completed in 1940, but they have been maintained properly. The only reason this mast has to go is a political one: the local council decided to build a lot of homes close to the towers (especially this 168 metre one) and people are fed up with the interferance. After years of trouble, 675 has been reduced to 100 kW and other transmissions could not take place except for a 40 kW standby unit for 747 kHz. No replacement site has been organised, leaving possible MW stations out in the cold.
on Aug 1st, 2004 at 15:22
Well this just underlines the desirability of having a properly organised and constituted organisation planning for and developing the industry. Hopefully The Netherlands will have an effective and foresighted regulator soon.
on Aug 2nd, 2004 at 10:41
Outright vandalism; thankfully not as bad as Rugby Radio where 8 out of 12 masts were demolished.