Tag Archives: RTE Longwave

David shares a recording of the RTE longwave interval signal

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Shannon, who writes:

Hi Thomas

A little treat for my fellow readers of your blog (is that the right word?). The RTE interval signal, a rendition of O’Donnell Abú (“O’Donnell Forever”), that is played at 0529 daily, apart from the weekend when it’s played at 0629 (even interval signals need a lie in) and received on longwave here in Scotland.

I know that longwave broadcasting is a very European thing with the exception of the likes of Mongolia (holy grail stuff for me) but it’s where my fascination for the bands started way back in 1978/9.

Sláinte mhaith gach duine
(Irish Gaelic for good health everyone)

That’s a beautiful interval signal, David. Thank you so much for sharing it with your fellow Post readers! There are few things in this world that make me feel more nostalgic than an off-air recording of an interval signal. Go Raibh Maith Agat!

Spread the radio love

RTÉ to continue longwave radio service into 2022

3 Replies

(Source: Southgate ARC)

RTÉ is going to spend €250,000 per year transmitting its Radio One station to the Irish diaspora in Britain – while closing down all its digital stations.

The station is shutting down RTÉ Gold, RTE Junior, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, but would not specify how much this will save.

However, it has confirmed that it is going to continue its Longwave radio service to the Irish diaspora in Britain up to 2022.

Read the full story at
https://www.businesspost
.ie/news/rte-continue-spending-e250k-year-longwave-radio-service-axed-457245

Spread the radio love

RTÉ returns to longwave after maintenance

7 Replies

(Source: Radio Today)

RTÉ Radio 1 has reappeared on 252 LW after being off-air for the last six weeks for significant remedial works.

The essential maintenance work will ensure the service can continue for at least another couple of years, according to a Fine Gael TD.

Chair of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, Hildegarde Naughton, welcomed RTE’s decision to undertake the work earlier this year. Deputy Naughton said: “The maintenance of long wave radio for the Irish diaspora is a significant concern to the Committee. The UK regulator, Ofcom, will not grant RTÉ, as a non-UK broadcaster, the necessary licence to broadcast on digital in the UK at this time.

“I welcome the efforts being made to continue this service, which serves as an invaluable link between the diaspora and home.

“However I intend to work with the committee to explore other longer-term alternative solutions to ensure this service continues.”

RTÉ has explored broadcasting on at least one DAB multiplex in the UK but has yet to gain permission, as Ofcom only allows UK-registered companies to be granted a licence.

Click here to read this article at Radio Today.

Spread the radio love

RTÉ longwave service temporarily suspended

4 Replies

(Source: Southgate ARC)

RTÉ on 252 Khz is now off air for a possible 10 weeks or so and in the UK we can hear signals from Algeria Chaine 3 even now in the middle of the day.

Earlier this year the chair of Ireland’s Oireachtas Communications Hildegarde Naughton TD (Galway West and South Mayo) announced that a major antenna upgrade will ensure the transmission of RTÉ on long-wave will continue for at least the next two years.: “The maintenance of long wave radio for the Irish diaspora is a significant concern to the Committee.”

She announced that service will have to be “temporarily suspended” for approximately ten weeks, but RTÉ has said it will endeavour to complete the works as quickly as possible.

“I welcome the efforts being made to continue this service, which serves as an invaluable link between the diaspora and home,” she added.

See http://www.theirishworld.com/reprieve-for-rte-longwave/

Spread the radio love

Antenna upgrade for RTE Radio 1 “will ensure transmission of longwave radio continues”

2 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Hoad, who shares the following news and notes:

Interesting information about the continuation of broadcasting of RTE Radio 1 on 252 kHz from Summerhill, County Meath Ireland:

(Source: Hildegarde Naughton)

Longwave Radio to continue for the benefit of Diaspora

Thursday, 25th April 2019

Major antenna upgrade will ensure transmission of longwave radio continues – Naughton

Upgrade works will ensure that the transmission of longwave radio continues for the Irish diaspora, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Chair of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, Hildegarde Naughton, welcomed RTE’s decision to undertake significant remedial works on transmission equipment which will guarantee the continuance of the longwave service for a minimum of two years.

Deputy Naughton said: “The maintenance of long wave radio for the Irish diaspora is a significant concern to the Committee.

“The UK regulator, Ofcom, will not grant RTE, as a non-UK broadcaster, the necessary licence to broadcast on digital in the UK at this time.

“After engagement between the Committee and RTE, I received a letter from the Director General of the national broadcaster committing to maintain service into the future.

“The antenna upgrade requires bespoke manufacturing from a specialist supplier based in Canada and delivery of this element is expected by mid-September.

“The relevant mast at Summerhill is 248 metres in height and is a high-risk work environment.

“I am told that the weather, and more particularly wind speeds, will be the main determining factor on the commencement and the duration of the works.

“Unfortunately once this remedial work commences, the long wave service will have to be temporarily suspended.

“I understand that it will be out of commission for approximately ten weeks, but RTE has said it will endeavour to complete the works as quickly as possible.

“I welcome the efforts being made to continue this service, which serves as an invaluable link between the diaspora and home.

“However I intend to work with the committee to explore other longer term alternative solutions to ensure this service continues,” Deputy Naughton concluded.

Click here to read the full press release.

Spread the radio love

RTÉ longwave 252: maintenance shutdown June 27 – July 8, 2017

7 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Leary, who shares the following news and audio clip from RTÉ:

Hi Thomas, I heard this announcement the other day about RTE 252 and thought it might be of interest for your site. I think it’s also going to shut down permanently in 2019.

Received on a Tecsun PL-390 in NW UK.

Click here to download the audio as an MP3.

Thanks for the news and recording, James!

You’re correct: according to an article from Radio Today, RTÉ has agreed to continue its longwave 252 service until the end of June 2019.

Impressive that RTÉ’s longwave transmission equipment has been in continuous operation for over 27 years! I’m not surprised the antenna needs maintenance.

Spread the radio love

RTÉ to continue on longwave through June 2019

1 Reply

(Source: Radio Today)

RTÉ has agreed to continue its longwave 252 service in the UK until the end of June 2019.

After that, RTÉ hopes Radio 1 will gain approval from UK authorities to launch via a chain of small broadcast networks which cover main urban centres. Currently, a broadcaster has to be based in the UK to obtain an Ofcom licence.

RTÉ says using the DAB+ platform will be considerably less (approx one fifth) than the present quarter of a million per annum that RTÉ expends in running costs for 252.[…]

Continue reading at Radio Today.

Spread the radio love