Very High-Power Long-Wave Broadcasting Station

The most powerful radio broadcasting station in Europe began regular operation in August, 1953. The unique features include a 5.2 million watt complete diesel power station with fuel oil storage of 264,000 gallons. A "vapor phase system" cools the diesel engines. Transmitter metering, tuning, and power controls are centralized in a console type unit. The output of dual high powered transmitters are normally combined, but can be fed separately to the antenna system and dummy load. The over-all efficiency of the transmitter from power source to antenna is over 50 per cent and is unusually stable under extremely heavy modulation. The high-efficiency amplifier employs thoriated-tungsten filament triodes with a power gain of 33. The transmitter-output load has parallel-resonant symmetry. The 12-inch coaxial transmission line feeds an 837-foot top loaded tower optimized fof maximum ground wave. The extensive ground system extends out 0.5 mile from the tower and consists of over 100 miles of no. 6 copper wire.