ORF: Moosbrun rotating antenna to be demolished

11 Replies

Drehbare Hochleistungsrichtantenne ORF Moosbrunn (Daniel Csiky – Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adi, who shares the following news about Austria’s historic 500-kilowatt shortwave transmitter in Moosbrunn:

ORF has Austria’s 500-kilowatt short-wave transmitter blown up

This massive, unique rotating HF antenna, capable of broadcasting to the furthest corners of the globe, is set to be demolished. The article explores its rich history, technical capabilities, and the broader implications of its loss for global communications.

Read the full story on heise online.

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11 thoughts on “ORF: Moosbrun rotating antenna to be demolished”

  5. Willi Wollenweber

    Traurig, dass diese imposante Antennenanlage bald Geschichte ist.
    Aber leider ist das der Lauf in der heutigen Zeit.
    Sie war eine Ingenieursleistung.

    Reply ↓
  6. Adi

    from this page
    https://www.digitalfernsehen.de/news/empfang/radio/kurzwellenanlage-moosbrunn-wird-nun-doch-gesprengt-1132655/
    I google translate this

    When will we blow up?
    The 31st was agreed. January 2025. On this day the big turning antenna definitv should be razed to the ground.
    We must assume that the blast of the facility was decided and terminated a long time ago. Finally, blasting requires certain preparatory work that takes time. This also makes it clear that the ORF head days were not interested in preserving the system. There have been several plans and intensive efforts. There was talk of selling the facility. But in view of the last events, we must seriously ask ourselves whether the ORF was not simply rumoured, without one of the people responsible actually touching a finger.
    Replacement plans were rejected or ignored immediately. It had looked for a while as if those responsible at ORF were jumping to plan a stand-by operation or the construction of a museum. In the meantime, however, the suspicion has already been expressed several times that all this has only happened, so as not to give rise to protest.

    Why all these things camouflage and deceiving?

    The ORF simply wants to create facts. And he doesn’t want to have any spectators, no sensation. Therefore, nothing is said, nothing is communicated. If it is too late, you still have time enough to communicate something.
    The person responsible for the Moosbrunn matter is a great deal. For example, that the appointment communicated outside is not correct and is already being blown up a day before. How do we get the idea? According to a brief message that became known this morning, the 30th century was obviously shown. The second blasting date was agreed on January 2025, the weather conditions on the 23rd Do not allow explosion on January

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  8. qwertyamdx

    Very suspicious decision. In 2022 the ORF has expanded their shortwave broadcast and stated, among other, the following:

    “Critical infrastructure has recently become more and more of a public concern. This also includes broadcasting stations, because the dissemination of information is extremely important, especially in the event of a crisis.”

    “Radio and television programs will continue to be broadcast – even if the power goes out and the mobile phone networks collapse. Obtaining information offline via antenna could then suddenly become more important for those who otherwise only get their information digitally. As a public broadcaster, the ORF is obliged by its statutory supply mandate to continue producing programs and broadcasting them via the transmitters in the event of a crisis.”

    “The fact that radio can also be particularly important in other crisis situations is demonstrated by Austria’s last shortwave transmitter in Moosbrunn (Bruck an der Leitha district) south of Vienna.”

    “Because listening to the radio leaves no trace, you can provide information to people without anyone being able to trace how they consume this information. In addition, it is not subject to censorship and no local licenses are required for shortwave,” explains Ernst Spitzbart, head of the Moosbrunn transmitter facility. “We started broadcasting a few days after the war began in Ukraine.”

    (google: “In der Krise schlägt das Radio das Internet” site:noe.orf.at)

    So the importance of this site was well-understood both the broadcaster and owner of the facility, which is a also subsidiary of ORF. Switching off transmisions is one thing, but blowing and dismantling the equipment makes it absolutely sure that they won’t be able to get on the air again – the damage is irreparable. One can only wonder why it’s happening so fast, just weeks after the final broadcast.

    Reply ↓

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