[HCDX]: Trans World Radio's New Transmitter on Bonaire

["Kevin" <kevinmaly@xxxxxxxxx>]

A Legacy Continues; Trans World Radio's Commitment to Latin America Bolstered
by New Transmitter on Bonaire 
 
 
Updated 2:30 PM ET February 22, 2000 
CARY, N.C., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- In a reaffirmation of a longstanding
commitment to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to Latin America,
international Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) will formally
dedicate Wednesday a new 100,000-watt AM transmitter and directional antenna
system on the Caribbean island of Bonaire.
Local government officials and church leaders will join TWR staff in a joyous
ceremony, celebrating more than 35 years of faithful ministry throughout the
region, as well as entrusting to God all future outreach.

Since August 1964, TWR has been utilizing a 500,000-watt AM transmitter on
Bonaire to broadcast Christian programming to Latin America. But powering this
transmitter was an expensive undertaking, because electricity costs are high
and maintaining older equipment can be extremely time-consuming.

As a result, a Nautel NA 100 (100,000-watt solid state medium wave 
transmitter)
was recently installed and is now fully operational. At the same time, four
480-foot towers designed by Kintronic Laboratories have been erected replacing
aging ones. With a strong signal, this new system will enable TWR to continue
broadcasting to Latin America more than 100 hours of weekly Christian
programming in five languages.

The switch from the 500,000-watt transmitter to the new 100,000-watt equipment
will not diminish the ability to minister to key audiences who depend on TWR's
programs. Tom Corcoran, regional director for The Americas, says, "By taking
these steps forward in technology on Bonaire, we will be able to more
effectively bring Christ's message to key target areas such as Cuba, 
Venezuela,
Haiti, Dominican Republic, and the vast Amazon basin for years to come."

Trans World Radio also has an effective ministry to the Caribbean. Last year,
TWR launched the Caribbean Gospel Network (CGN), linking by satellite more 
than
a dozen Christian radio stations scattered on islands throughout the region.
Stations can elect to use all or portions of TWR's 24-hour daily programming,
which is a mix of news, Caribbean music, and Bible teaching from both local
pastors and North American broadcasters.

To lower its overall operational costs while maintaining ease of travel to the
Caribbean, CGN staff moved to the Miami, Florida, area earlier this year.
Though they now reside in south Florida, through the wonders of satellite
technology, the CGN staff are still able to maintain a Caribbean flavor in
their programming and reach listeners throughout the islands with a familiar
voice.

In addition, TWR works with eight national partners in Latin America. Many of
them produce programs, and they all do listener follow-up. These partner
ministries broadcast the Gospel through transmitters in Argentina, Bonaire,
Brazil, and Uruguay, and via more than 75 local stations, as well as through
the far-reaching ALAS Satellite Network, which feeds programming to more than
65 affiliates. The ALAS network is based in Quito, Ecuador, and is in
cooperation with international Christian broadcaster HCJB World Radio. This
service targets Latin America's megacities, home to three-quarters of the
region's 455 million people. Because of the popularity of AM and FM radio 
among
listeners in Latin America, TWR discontinued its shortwave operation from
Bonaire on June 30, 1993. 

Contact: Richard Greene, 919-460-3760, or Eugene Williams, on Bonaire,
599-7-8800, both of Trans World Radio 

-- 
Kevin 
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Thought for the day:
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