Langenberg transmitter
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Langenberg transmitter
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| Place: | Langenberg | ||||||||||||||||
| Country : | North Rhine-Westphalia | ||||||||||||||||
| Country: | Germany | ||||||||||||||||
| Altitude : | 242 m above sea level NN | ||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates: 51 ° 21 '22.7 " N , 7 ° 8' 2.8" E | |||||||||||||||||
| Use: | Broadcasting station | ||||||||||||||||
| Accessibility: | Transmission system not accessible to the public | ||||||||||||||||
| Owner : | West German radio | ||||||||||||||||
| Data on the transmission system | |||||||||||||||||
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| Wavebands : | VHF band II and III , UHF band IV, V | ||||||||||||||||
| Radio : | Radio , television | ||||||||||||||||
| Send type: | FM , DAB + , DVB-T2 HD | ||||||||||||||||
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The transmitter Langenberg is a transmitter of the West German Broadcasting Corporation (WDR) in Langenberg , a district of Velbert . In addition to the basic network transmitter on Band IV / V for digital television in the DVB-T2 HD standard , it houses further transmission systems for the distribution of public and private radio in analog ( FM on ultra-short wave / Band II ) and digital ( DAB + on Band III ) technology . The Central Transmitter Network Monitoring (ZSÜ) of the WDR, which controls large parts of the WDR transmitter operations, is located in Langenberg.
Components that can be seen from afar are the two transmission masts that are about 650 m apart . The larger one with a height of 301 meters is 244.4 m above sea level due to its location on the Hordtberg . NHN is also a popular destination. The 170 meter high second transmitter mast is located southeast of it near the village of Rommel.
The VHF radio programs broadcast by the system can be received in good quality in large parts of North Rhine-Westphalia , the southern part of the Netherlands and the north-east of Belgium . With a catchment area of well over 10 million people, the Langenberg transmitter - in addition to the transmitters on the Brocken and the Wendelstein transmitter - has one of the highest " technical range " of all German transmitters, so it can be heard by most people.
The Langenberg location is one of the oldest in the history of radio in Germany . The first medium wave transmitter was built in 1926 and was the most powerful in Europe at the time. With the television station of what was then Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk (NWDR), which went into operation in September 1952 , Langenberg is also one of the oldest broadcasting locations in German television history .
General
The transmitter is for the transmission of seven DVB-T - Bouquets , a local radio program, all WDR radio programs and of Germany radio culture used.
Until the cessation of operations on the frequency 1593 kHz at the end of 1993, the Langenberg transmitter at the "upper" (short-wave) end of the medium wave range was one of the most distinctive medium wave transmitters in Central Europe .
history
1925 to 1927
The Münster- based WEFAG ( Westdeutsche Funkstunde AG , from 1927 Westdeutsche Rundfunk AG - WERAG based in Cologne) put two secondary transmitters on medium wave into operation on September 18 and 19, 1925 to improve coverage of the Ruhr area . It was the transmitter Dortmund-Dorstfeld or Elberfeld ( location ), today a district of Wuppertal.
Immediately after the end of the occupation of the Ruhr , the Telegraph Technical Reichsamt (from 1928 Reichspostzentralamt ) of the Reichspost began investigating the location for the new "Rhineland transmitter", which was to replace the two transmitters in Dortmund and Elberfeld. On the basis of field strength measurements, the Langenberger Hordtberg was determined to be the location for the strongest medium-wave transmitter built in Europe to date.
In just six months of construction, the Berlin Telefunken Society for wireless telegraphy built a transmitter with 15 kW carrier power . Two 100 m high steel transmission masts, insulated from the ground , placed at a distance of approx. 110 meters, served until 1934 as supports for an 8 m wide triple T antenna .
After the new Langenberg transmitter went into operation, the Elberfeld transmitter was initially shut down, followed by the Dorstfeld system on December 15, 1927.
1927 to 1945
On January 15, 1927, at 8 p.m., the Langenberg transmitter went on air for the first time on wave 468.8 m (640 kHz).
At the beginning of the 1930s there were several attempts by communist groups to tap into the transmitter's modulation line and thus to broadcast a call for world communism via the transmitter. One night a red star was secretly hung on one of the two towers.
Since neighboring foreign transmitters were meanwhile in operation with higher outputs, the necessity arose to bring the Langenberg transmitter into line with the new state of large-scale transmitter technology. In order to avoid a downtime of several months, the Reichspost built a completely new transmitter house with a 60 kW Telefunken transmitter next to the previous one, which was put into service on December 20, 1932. Its structure corresponded to the large radio broadcaster Rothsürben of the Silesian Radio Hour , which was put into operation on August 27, 1932 (from April 1, 1934 Reichssender Breslau ). The old Langenberg 15 kW transmitter was dismantled and temporarily used as a replacement when other transmitters were being converted. After modernization, it was used at the Heusweiler transmitter in Saarland from December 23, 1935 , until its operation there ended in 1945.
In Langenberg, the two steel towers were replaced by a 160 m high wooden transmission tower in 1934 and the transmission power increased to 100 kW. A total of 230 m³ of wood was held together by 17 t of copper dowels. A hollow copper cable with an outer diameter of 25 mm was suspended as an antenna in the middle of the wooden structure. This tower was already destroyed on October 10, 1935 by a windpipe with wind force 12. A triangular antenna with three 45 m high timber lattice towers was erected as a replacement and was completed in December 1935.
The three timber lattice towers were supplemented in 1940/41 by a 240 m high, self-radiating tubular steel mast that was insulated from the ground .
On April 12, 1945, the entire antenna system of the Langenberg transmitter was blown up by members of the SS postal service .
1945 to 1975
After the Second World War, the British occupying forces erected two triangular antennae, each attached to three 50 m high guyed tubular steel masts. One of these systems was dismantled in 1948, as a 160 m high transmission mast, insulated from earth, was erected in its place. At the other facility, two masts were destroyed by a storm in 1949, the third transmission mast was converted into a self-radiating transmission mast that was in service until 1957.
In 1949 a second transmission mast with a height of 120 m was built, which was followed in 1952 by a 210 m high transmission mast for VHF and television. While the 120 m high transmission mast was insulated from earth as a transmission mast for medium waves, the 210 m mast was earthed.
In the mid-1960s, the medium-wave transmitter was heavily upgraded and retuned to the frequency 1586 kHz. This often enabled reception as far as the USA during the night . In the course of this measure, the 120 m high transmitter mast was reduced to 95 m in height and divided by means of two isolators.
1975 to 1995
In the course of drafting the Geneva Wave Plan (1974/75), WDR had to give up its exclusive frequency of 1586 kHz and retune the MW station to 1593 kHz. Since this frequency was also used by other stations, interference problems occasionally occurred at night despite the high transmission power of 800 kW . To compensate for this, West German Broadcasting received the second medium wave frequency 720 kHz, which was only allowed to be used during daytime operation. Between 1988 and 1990, the 95 m high MW transmission mast and the 210 m high VHF and television transmission mast were replaced by a 301 m high, earthed, guyed steel truss mast with a trap antenna for the medium wave in the lower part. At the end of 1993 the MW transmitter for the frequency 1593 kHz was shut down because it contained components containing PCBs . The MW frequency 720 kHz remained in operation, but was only allowed to be operated during the day until re-coordination in 1995. At that time there were two transmission masts in Langenberg: the 160 m high transmission mast for medium wave, built in 1948, and the 301 m high transmission mast for MW, VHF and television.
From 1995
In 1995, the transmission power of the medium-wave transmitters in Langenberg had to be drastically reduced for reasons of electromagnetic environmental compatibility (EMVU). Only 85 kW were permitted after 1,000 kW (800 kW for 1593 kHz and 200 kW for 720 kHz) had been sent at the beginning of the 1990s. Until then, the station could be heard on 1593 kHz throughout northern and southwestern Europe.
The 160 m high transmission mast had to be renovated in 1996. During this work, an auxiliary rope broke and it collapsed on September 2, 1996. Subsequently, the transmission power even had to be reduced to 20 kW.
Soon afterwards, the WDR planned to replace the collapsed mast with a new construction in the form of a guyed, grounded steel truss mast with a trap antenna for medium waves. For night operation of the medium wave frequency 720 kHz, it was necessary to fade out in a westerly direction, so that one of the pots was built so that it could be fed separately. The medium wave frequency 1593 kHz was given to Radio Free Europe . Construction of the new transmission mast began in mid-1999, but completion was delayed until July 2000 due to a faulty foundation. With the commissioning of the new 170 m high transmission mast, the transmission power of the remaining medium wave frequency 720 kHz was increased again to 63 kW.
From 2006 up to and including December 31, 2011, various WDR radio programs ( WDR 2 Klassik , KiRaKa ) were broadcast in DRM mode on the frequency 1593 kHz . For this purpose, a trap antenna attached to the 301 m high mast and specially adapted for DRM operation was used.
On November 20, 2007, at 1:00 a.m., the analogue television station (Channel 9, ARD ) of the Langenberg station, which had previously supplied large parts of the Rhineland and Ruhr area with the ARD's analogue program, was switched off. Television has been broadcast on this channel from Langenberg since 1952, making it one of the oldest and longest continuously operated television stations in Europe . The medium-wave transmitter Langenberg was switched off permanently on July 6, 2015 at 2:01 am CEST, corresponding to 00:01 Coordinated Universal Time .
Current programs and frequencies
In the case of directed radiation, the main radiation directions are given in degrees in the antenna diagram.
Analog radio (VHF)
|
Frequency (in MHz) |
program | RDS PS | RDS PI | Regionalization |
ERP (in kW) |
Antenna pattern round (ND) / directional (D) |
Polarization horizontal (H) / vertical (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88.8 | WDR 5 | WDR_5___ | D395 | - | 100 | ND | H |
| 95.1 | WDR 3 | WDR_3___ | D393 | - | 100 | ND | H |
| 96.5 | Deutschlandfunk culture | Dlf_Kult | D220 | - | 45 | ND | H |
| 97.6 | Radio Neandertal | NEANDER_ | D359 | - | 4th | D (190–240 °) | H |
| 99.2 | WDR 2 | WDR_2___ WDR_2_RR (regional) | D392
D792 (regional) |
Rhine-Ruhr | 100 | ND | H |
| 101.3 | WDR 4 | WDR_4___ | D394 | - | 100 | ND | H |
| 103.3 | COSMO | WDRcosmo | D496 | - | 100 | ND | H |
| 106.7 | 1 live | _1LIVE__ | D391 | - | 80 | ND | H |
The range of the transmitter Langenberg under normal conditions extends from Eindhoven in the west to Arnsberg in the east, from Münster in the north to Bonn in the south. The main supply areas are the Ruhr area and the Lower Rhine.
Digital radio (DAB +)
Since July 29, 2011, the radio station Langenberg has been broadcasting digital radio programs in DAB +. The nationwide multiplex is broadcast in horizontal polarization in DAB block 5C. On August 29, 2012, the change from DAB block 12D to block 11D took place. The multiplex radio for NRW with the programs of the WDR and the cathedral radio with an output of 10 kW ERP is currently being transmitted via this .
Digital television (DVB-T2 HD)
In addition to the existing DVB-T distribution, the station Langenberg already broadcast a program bouquet from May 31, 2016, Das Erste, RTL, ProSieben, SAT.1, VOX and ZDF on channel 43 in the DVB-T2 HD standard with HEVC image coding out.
The switch to control mode for all programs was 29 March 2017. The DVB-T2 broadcasts take place in the single-frequency operation (Single Frequency Network) with other sites. The public broadcasters are free to receive ( FTA ), while the private broadcasters are broadcast largely encrypted via the freenet TV platform .
| channel |
Frequency (MHz) |
Multiplex | Programs in multiplex |
ERP (kW) |
Antenna pattern round (ND) / directional (D) |
Polarization horizontal (H) / vertical (V) |
Modulation method |
FEC |
Guard interval |
Bit rate (Mbit / s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | 506 | WDR (middle) | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 1/2 | 19/128 | ||||
| 29 | 538 | ZDF | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 3/5 | 19/128 | ||||
| 35 | 586 | ARD |
|
50.12 | 64-QAM | 1/2 | 19/128 | |||
| 40 | 626 | Freenet TV Mux 1 | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 2/3 | 1/16 | ||||
| 43 | 650 | Freenet TV Mux 2 | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 2/3 | 1/16 | ||||
| 46 | 674 | WDR (West) | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 3/5 | 19/128 | ||||
| 48 | 690 | Freenet TV Mux 3 | 50.12 | 64-QAM | 2/3 | 1/16 |
Previous programs and frequencies
Analog radio (VHF)
Up until August 1, 2010, the following programs were broadcast analogously on ultra-short wave :
|
Frequency (MHz) |
program |
ERP (kW) |
Transmission diagram round (ND) / directional (D) |
Polarization horizontal (H) / vertical (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96.5 (initially to 89.1) | BFBS Radio 1 | 50 (at times with 35 and 60) | ND | H |
Analog radio (MW)
Up until July 6, 2015, the following programs were broadcast analogue via medium wave :
|
Frequency (kHz) |
program |
ERP (kW) |
Transmission diagram round (ND) / directional (D) |
Regionalization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 720 | WDR 2 , at times WDR VERA , WDR Event | 63.5 | ND (day), D (night) | Rhineland |
Digital television (DVB-T)
From November 8, 2004 to March 29, 2017, the Langenberg radio station broadcast up to 24 digital television programs. Since March 29, 2017, it has only broadcast the new DVB-T2 standard.
| channel |
Frequency (MHz) |
Multiplex | Programs in multiplex |
ERP (kW) |
Antenna pattern round (ND) / directional (D) |
Polarization horizontal (H) / vertical (V) |
Modulation method |
FEC |
Guard interval |
Bit rate (Mbit / s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25th | 506 | WDR (Dortmund) |
|
50 | D (40–90 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 |
| 29 | 538 | RTL-NRW |
|
50 | D (210–90 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 |
| 35 | 586 | ZDFmobil | 50 | ND | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 | |
| 46 | 674 | WDR (Düsseldorf / Duisburg) |
|
50 | D (210-10 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 |
| 48 | 690 | ARD digital | 50 | D (210–90 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 | |
| 52 | 722 | LfM | 50 | D (210–90 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 | |
| 55 | 746 | ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG |
|
50 | D (210–90 °) | V | 16-QAM | 2/3 | 1/4 | 13.27 |
Analog television (PAL)
From September 1952 (initially NWDR trial broadcasts - the program operation did not begin until December 25, 1952) until the switch to DVB-T in 2004, the TV program of ARD (today Das Erste ) was broadcast analogously and some filling stations and cable headends were supplied:
| channel |
Frequency (MHz) |
program |
ERP (kW) |
Transmission diagram round (ND) / directional (D) |
Polarization horizontal (H) / vertical (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 203.25 | Das Erste (WDR) | 100 | ND | H |
Picture gallery
The 301 meter high transmission mast on the Hordtberg (2006)
The 170 meter high Langenberg-Rommel transmitter mast (2006)
Night shot of the Hordtberg transmitter mast (2012)
The Hordtberg transmitter mast (bottom view)
Information board for antenna equipment on the transmission mast on the Hordtberg
Aerial photo with the two transmission masts (2015)
The two transmission masts seen from the Toelleturm in Wuppertal, around 12 km away
See also
literature
- Jürgen Lohbeck: "The Langenberger Sender 1926 until today - The 90-year history of the landmark of a region in the context of radio history in Germany". Scala Verlag, Velbert 2016, ISBN 978-3-9816362-7-7 (short version)
Web links
- History of the station Langenberg
- 55 years ago: Langenberg TV station is inaugurated: Between Wuppertal and Essen , contribution from September 12, 2007 in the series “ Stichtag” of the WDR Cologne
- Transmitter Langenberg near Velberter views
- Langenberg transmitter. In: Structurae (transmitter in operation since 1990)
- Langenberg transmitter. In: Structurae (Former broadcaster until 1990)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Geoserver NRW (interactive query) , accessed on January 7, 2013
- ↑ Gustav Heinz Engelhardt: The search for the transmitter. Where was the Elberfeld radio station? ( Memento from August 3, 2017 in the Internet Archive ) (pdf, 247 kB)
- ↑ Peter Fuchs (Ed.): Chronicle of the History of the City of Cologne , Volume 2, 1991, p. 203
- ↑ Bernd Waniewski: Langenberg-Rommel MW Diplexer.Retrieved on March 2, 2013.
- ↑ Bernd Waniewski: Langenberg Hordt MW ENW . Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ↑ Medium wave transmitters Bonn and Langenberg switched off WDR compactinfo from July 6, 2015
- ↑ WDR switched off medium wave ( memento of the original from May 6, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. on radioeins.de Author: Kai Ludwig; As of July 6, 2015
