Re: [Swprograms] European MW broadcaster sites

[Richard Cuff <rdcuff@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am not a historian, but I'll speculate a couple answers:

> Why are the MW stations in Europe so high-powered, anyhow? 

There was no centralized coordination when broadcasters were
established; they have these high powers so they can be heard over
other stations on the same frequencies.  It's a "power play", you
could say.

> And on average, how far should a 50kW MW transmitter be able to transmit a
> signal under normal conditions?

That is a very loaded question, based on at least six factors:

-- daytime vs. nighttime propagation, 
-- how an antenna is designed to emphasize skywave vs. ground wave propagation,
-- ground conductivity near the transmitter
-- interference from other stations
-- Amount of water between transmitter and listener
-- Directionality of antenna pattern

For example, WJR's AM 760 signal from Detroit easily reaches Buffalo,
215 miles distant, during the day -- because much of that path is over
water.  WPHT, a nondirectional 50KW Philly clear-channel station,
looks it reaches Lancaster, PA -- 70 miles away.  WCBS from NYC
probably reaches roughly 80 miles without straining the capabilities
of receivers.

Dallas, TX-based MW stations have remarkable ranges due to the
regionally high ground conductivity.

I've squandered many hours looking up contour maps at
http://www.radio-locator.com for fun.  From a station listing, click
the yellow "i" box and then click the "View Coverage" links.

Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA  USA


On 7/25/05, Ted Schuerzinger <fedya@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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