The Swiss mediumwave transmitter at Beromünster on 531 kHz is to close by the end of 2008, as it no longer complies with stringent regulations on electromagnetic radiation. The 600 kW transmitter has in recent years been operated at the reduced power of 180 kW. In 2003 the antenna feeder cable was damaged by lightning. It was planned to replace it, but the plans were cancelled because of protests from local residents.
on Jul 28th, 2008 at 13:35
This is SRG’s spin, but when looking at the hard numbers one can only conclude that they reduced the power to comply these regulations. To my knowledge the fieldstrength limit for inhabited places in Switzerland is 8 V/m. The complaint against the transmitter was that it produced 12.6 V/m at such a place when running full 600 kW. Reducing the power to 170 kW (some sources specify the currently run level as 160 kW) brings the fieldstrength down to 7 V/m. If these figures and my maths are correct (there is a possibility that nearfield conditions would have to be considered, the affair appears to concern a place less than 400 metres away from the antenna) there is no problem with electromagnetic radiation.
Swiss DXer Christian Brülhart says that acc. engineering circles it is still unclear what will happen to the transmitter. The possibilities range from continued operation for another broadcaster (since SRG almost definitely leaves on 31 Dec) to a complete demolition of the station.
on Jul 28th, 2008 at 14:05
The possibilities for another broadcaster using 531 are very slim.
Some 10 years ago SRG abandoned 1566 kHz, also from B-Muenster, but a commercial Zuerich broadcaster could not make it profitable.The AM situation has worsened since.
Only an oldies station with just the electricity costs at 160 kW (low charges for the old TX and site) would be an option.
on Jul 31st, 2008 at 19:45
Ruud, forget about the oldies! The Swiss transmitter guys should get in touch with China Radio International quick. CRI will be happy to rent 531 24×7 for its German, French, Italian, English and Chinese broadcasts. CRI has more money than it can possibly spend, anyway.
BTW, my nick has nothing to do with radio operation on 531 kHz
on Sep 11th, 2008 at 11:46
The cable from the transmiter to the main-antenne on the Blosenberg had been replaced in may 2004
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 10:38
Hello ruud
Im MW (AM) is the future and not the oldies … Yes DRM can only be made in MW and SW for national coverage or DX (oversea coverage ) and certanly not with DAB . DRM (Digital Radio Mondial ) is the future. Imagine one transmission from 7000 miles one CD quality …
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 12:14
You can imagine it, but it cannot be achieved. First, DRM quality is nowhere near CD quality - at best it compares with mono FM. The signal needs to be reasonably strong to be decoded by the receiver. That means local/national AM or single hop shortwave transmissions. Multiple hop shortwave transmissions are sometimes possible, but dropots can occur because there is more fading of the signal. DRM is NOT, repeat NOT, intended for DX reception, either on shortwave or mediumwave. Making exaggerated claims is not the way to sell the technology. The way to hear CD quality at 7000 miles is via the Internet
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 13:23
CRI could,in theory,transmit on 531kHz MW to Europe on that transmitter provided the power is increased back to it\’s original 600kW erp output, but for European coverage it would need modification to a 360deg omnidirectional antenna which would spread the signal all over the European continent at night and provide good coverage to parts of Europe during the day. This way RTL in Luxembourg could give up 1440kHz/208m MW 300kW erp which is used for WRN\’s CRI transmission in German/French and English broadcasts to Europe on the night aerials and put the UK intended Classic Rock service in English on that frequency and RTL/bce could ramp up the power back to the original 1.2million watts output at 1200kW to provide a Europewide night-time coverage. It seems a waste of transmitter to shut it down without looking at other possibilities to put it to good use in other ways ie relaying other broadcasters on it.