Transmitter Roumoules
Encyclopedia
The Roumoules transmitter is the main broadcasting
facility for longwave
and mediumwave
broadcasting of Radio Monte Carlo
near Roumoules, France
. The transmitters installed there are among the most powerful in the world and can be received well at nighttime throughout Europe.
The longwave transmitter uses a directional aerial with a maximum strength pointing northwest (azimuth: 309°). It consists of three 300 metres (984.3 ft)-high guyed masts, which are insulated against ground and ground-fed. As backup for this antenna a 330 metres (1,082.7 ft)-high guyed, ground-fed lattice steel mast radiator
is available on the site. This mast allows of course only an omnidirectional radiation pattern.
The grounding system of the long wave transmitter is very large. The total length of all wires of the grounding system is 200 kilometre, covering an area of 150 hectares (370.7 acre). Because the area around the mast is used for agriculture, the ground wires are laid to a depth of 80 centimetres (31.5 in).
Changing the signal direction takes only 5 seconds. There are no matching network buildings at the bottom of the masts used for medium wave transmission – the devices for tuning the masts to the transmission line are placed in the open air, similar to those in the longwave antenna system.
The medium wave Roumoules transmitter has an output power of 1000 kW. It is also used for transmitting the religious programmes of Trans World Radio
. In comparison to the longwave transmitter, which can be received well both at day and night in Southern France, Northern Italy, Switzerland and Southern Germany, this transmitter cannot be normally received well more than 100 kilometre from Roumoules
. However at night its transmissions may have at least the same range as those of the longwave system due to its skywave propagation.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
facility for longwave
Longwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
and mediumwave
Mediumwave
Medium wave is the part of the medium frequency radio band used mainly for AM radio broadcasting. For Europe the MW band ranges from 526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz...
broadcasting of Radio Monte Carlo
Radio Monte Carlo
Radio Monte Carlo is the name of six radio stations owned and managed by three different entities:*RMC Info is a French-speaking station, broadcasting in France and Monaco from Paris with some contributions from Monaco. Radio Monte-Carlo was one of 23 founding broadcasting organisations of the...
near Roumoules, France
Roumoules
Roumoules is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.-Population:-See also:* Roumoules radio transmitter*Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department-References:*...
. The transmitters installed there are among the most powerful in the world and can be received well at nighttime throughout Europe.
Longwave transmitter
The longwave transmitter at Roumoules, which was inaugurated in 1974, transmits at 216 kHz (until 1988: 218 kHz) with a transmission power of 1400 kW (until 1976: 2000 kW). It consists of two 1000 kW transmitters switched in parallel, which are however run with 700 kW output power. A third 1000 kW unit has been available since 1983. Although this unit is only used as backup unit, it is possible to switch all three units in parallel, which would allow an operation with a transmission power of 3000 kW.The longwave transmitter uses a directional aerial with a maximum strength pointing northwest (azimuth: 309°). It consists of three 300 metres (984.3 ft)-high guyed masts, which are insulated against ground and ground-fed. As backup for this antenna a 330 metres (1,082.7 ft)-high guyed, ground-fed lattice steel mast radiator
Mast radiator
A mast radiator is a radio mast or tower in which the whole structure itself functions as an antenna. This design is commonly used for transmitting antennas operating at low frequencies, in the VLF, LF and MF ranges, in particular those used for AM broadcasting. The metal mast is electrically...
is available on the site. This mast allows of course only an omnidirectional radiation pattern.
The grounding system of the long wave transmitter is very large. The total length of all wires of the grounding system is 200 kilometre, covering an area of 150 hectares (370.7 acre). Because the area around the mast is used for agriculture, the ground wires are laid to a depth of 80 centimetres (31.5 in).
Medium wave transmitter
In 1987 a switchable directional antenna consisting of five ground-fed guyed masts was built nearby for the 1467 kHz medium wave frequency, which was previously transmitted from a transmitter at La Madonne. This antenna allows a switchable directional radiation in the following directions:| Destination | Azimuth |
|---|---|
| Scandinavia | 25° |
| Eastern Europe | 85° |
| Italy and Greece | 150° |
| Spain, Portugal, Northern Africa | 241° |
| UK | 325° |
Changing the signal direction takes only 5 seconds. There are no matching network buildings at the bottom of the masts used for medium wave transmission – the devices for tuning the masts to the transmission line are placed in the open air, similar to those in the longwave antenna system.
The medium wave Roumoules transmitter has an output power of 1000 kW. It is also used for transmitting the religious programmes of Trans World Radio
Trans World Radio
Trans World Radio is a multinational Christian evangelistic broadcaster. TWR broadcasts from 14 countries using mediumwave or high-powered AM transmitters, shortwave as well as through local radio stations, cable, satellite, and the Internet to reach millions of people in 160 nations in their own...
. In comparison to the longwave transmitter, which can be received well both at day and night in Southern France, Northern Italy, Switzerland and Southern Germany, this transmitter cannot be normally received well more than 100 kilometre from Roumoules
Roumoules
Roumoules is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.-Population:-See also:* Roumoules radio transmitter*Communes of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department-References:*...
. However at night its transmissions may have at least the same range as those of the longwave system due to its skywave propagation.
Power supply
The Roumoules Transmitter consumes significant amounts of power, supplied by two transformers each capable of providing 5000 kW. The power is delivered to the transformers by a 150 kV and a 220 kV power line. The transmitter's power supply is larger than required (an equivalent supply would provide a community of 5000 with its own substation to the 150 kV grid supply). This redundant supply ensures reliable power for the transmitter. There is a backup generating set of 2460 kW on the site and a possibility to supply the station at reduced power from the local 20 kV grid.External links
- http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b45468
- http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b45469
- http://www.skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?b45470
- http://perso.orange.fr/monte-carlo-radiodiffusion/anglais/indexan.htm
- http://perso.orange.fr/tvignaud/galerie/am/04roumoules.htm
- http://mcstory.free.fr/antennes.html