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LONGWAVE

Longwave can also refer to the economics concept of Kondratiev waves, also called cycles, surges, or K-waves, or to the rock band Longwave.

The Longwave radio broadcasting band are those frequencies between 153 - 279 kHz, which correspond to wavelengths longer than 600 meters. This range is included within the low frequency band (but the low frequency band extends above and below longwave signals). Longwave signals have the property of following the curvature of the earth, making them ideal for continuous, continental communications. Unlike shortwave radio, longwave signals do not reflect or refract using the ionosphere, so there are fewer interference-caused fadeouts. Instead, the D-layer of the ionosphere and the surface of the earth serve as a waveguide directing the signal.

The earliest radio transmitters were all longwave transmitters, because propagation of radio waves of higher frequency was not yet understood. Radio alternator or spark-gap transmitters were commonly used to generate the radio frequency carrier wave.

Contents

Broadcasting

In Europe, North Africa and Asia, longwave radio frequencies between 153 and 279 kHz are used for domestic and international broadcasting.

Radio navigation

In the Americas, frequencies between 200 and 430 kHz are used for non-directional beacons (NDBs), and do not necessarily follow the same 9 kHz spacing that other areas do.


List of longwave broadcasting transmitters

List of the most important longwave broadcasting transmitters (Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langwelle).

Frequency Name of transmitter Country Location Kind of aerial Power Remarks
153 kHz Deutschlandfunk Germany Donebach directional aerial, two guyed steel framework masts, 363 m high, fed at the top 500 kW night 250 kW
Radio Romania Romania Braşov T-aerial on 2 guyed steel framework masts with a height of 250 metres 1200 kW  
NRK Finnmark Norway Ingoy omnidirectional aerial, guyed steel framework mast of 362 m height 100 kW  
162 kHz France Inter France Allouis two guyed steel framework masts, height 350 m, fed on the top 2000 kW  
171 kHz Radio Medi Morocco Nador directional aerial consisting of at least two guyed steel framework masts, 380 metres high 2000 kW  
Radio Rossiya Russia Kaliningrad 1200 kW  
177 kHz Deutschlandradio Kultur Germany Zehlendorf near Oranienburg cage aerial mounted on 359.7 m high guyed mast, triangle aerial on 3 150 m high guyed steel framework masts 500 kW since August 29th, 2005 in DRM-Mode
183 kHz Europe 1 Germany Felsberg directional aerial, 4 insulated guyed steel framework masts, heights: 282 m, 280 m, 276 m and 270 m, 2 234 metre tall guyed steel framework masts, which are insulated against ground as backup antenna 2000 kW French Program
189 kHz RÚV Iceland Hellissandur omnidirectional aerial, guyed steel framework mast insulated against ground, height 412 m 300 kW
RAI Italia Caltanissetta omnidirectional aerial, guyed steel framework mast, height 282 m 10 kW inactive since August 2004
198 kHz BBC Radio 4 United Kingdom Droitwich T-aerial on 2 guyed steel framework masts insulated against ground with a height of 213 metres 500 kW BBC World Service
BBC Radio 4 United Kingdom Burghead Guyed steel framework mast 50 kW  
BBC Radio 4 United Kingdom Westerglen Guyed steel framework mast, height 152 m 50 kW  
Polish Radio 1 Poland Raszyn Guyed insulated mast, 335 m high 500 kW only active at daytime
207 kHz Deutschlandfunk Germany Aholming directional aerial, two guyed steel framework masts, 265 m high, fed at the top 500 kW night 250 kW
216 kHz Radio Monte Carlo France Roumoules directional aerial, 3 300 metre high guyed steel framework masts, 330 metre high guyed steel framework mast as backup aerial 1200 kW Transmitter site exterritorial, exclave of Monaco
225 kHz Polish Radio 1 Poland Solec Kujawski 2 guyed radio masts fed on the top, heights 330 m and 289 m 1000 kW Earlier tranmitter site Konstantynow
234 kHz RTL Luxemburg Beidweiler directional aerial, 3 guyed grounded steel framework masts, 290 m high, with vertikal cage aerials 2000 kW Spare transmitter site Junglinster
243 kHz Danmarks Radio Danmark Kalundborg Alexanderson aerial, carried from 2 118 Meter high freestanding steel framework towers 300 kW  
252 kHz RTA Algier Algeria Tipaza 1500 kW French programme; during nighttime half transmitter-power
RTÉ Radio 1 Ireland Clarkestown Guyed steel framework mast, insulated against ground, height 248 m 500 kW Earlier used by Atlantic 252 and TeamTalk 252, decreases power at night
261 kHz Transmitter Burg Germany Burg Cage aerial on 324 m high guyed steel framework mast, 210 m high steel tube mast, insulated against ground, omnidirectional radiation 200 kW inactive at the moment, former used by Radio Wolga and Radioropa Info
Radio Rossiya Russia Taldom 2500 kW Most powerful transmitter in the world
Radio Horizont Bulgaria Vakarel 60 kW
270 kHz ČRO 1 - Radiožurnál Czech Republic Topolna two grounded guyed steel framework mast with cage aerials, height 257 m, directional radiation with maximum of radiation in East-West direction 500 kW  
279 kHz Musicmann279 Isle of Man ± 5 km off Ramsey Crossed field antenna 500 kW Tests planned to begin in early 2005 pending a summer 2005 launch
BR1 Belarus Minsk 500 kW  

See also


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Radio spectrum
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