Topolna transmitter
Encyclopedia
The Topolna transmitter is the central longwave
broadcasting facility of the Czech Republic
situated westward of the village Topolná
at the Morava River.
The Topolna transmitter, which was established in 1951, was in the Communist era often mentioned as "Ceskoslovensko 1", in order to keep the location of the transmitter secret. It uses a directional antenna, whose maxima pointed in an East-West direction. By this radiation pattern, it is assured that Topolna transmitter can be received well in parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia
.
For the realization of this directional antenna pattern two 257 metre (835 feet) tall guyed lattice steel masts are used. These masts were, until the mid of the 1970s, used as ground-fed mast radiators and are therefore insulated against ground. In the mid-1970s the transmission power was increased to 1500 kW, making the Topolna transmitter to one of the most powerful transmitters in Europe
.
By this measure, both masts were equipped with cage wire antennas, which made their electrical insulation against ground obsolete. After inauguration of these cage antennas the basement insulators were bridged, but remained in place.
As in other high power transmission facilities in Eastern Europe the Topolna transmitter uses special overhead lines for transmitting the RF-power from the transmitter building to the masts.
After the end of communist era the transmission power of Topolna transmitter was reduced to 650 kW. Although it was several times announced to shut down Topolna transmitter it is still in use for transmitting the program of "CRo 1 - Radiožurnál", which can be received by the circumstance, that there is nearly no other transmitter working on the frequency of the Topolna transmitter (270 kHz), well in whole Europe, especially at nighttime.
Longwave
In radio, longwave refers to parts of radio spectrum with relatively long wavelengths. The term is a historic one dating from the early 20th century, when the radio spectrum was considered to consist of long, medium and short wavelengths...
broadcasting facility of the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
situated westward of the village Topolná
Topolná
Topolná is a village and municipality in Uherské Hradiště District in the Zlín Region of the Czech Republic.The municipality covers an area of , and has a population of 1,585 ....
at the Morava River.
The Topolna transmitter, which was established in 1951, was in the Communist era often mentioned as "Ceskoslovensko 1", in order to keep the location of the transmitter secret. It uses a directional antenna, whose maxima pointed in an East-West direction. By this radiation pattern, it is assured that Topolna transmitter can be received well in parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
.
For the realization of this directional antenna pattern two 257 metre (835 feet) tall guyed lattice steel masts are used. These masts were, until the mid of the 1970s, used as ground-fed mast radiators and are therefore insulated against ground. In the mid-1970s the transmission power was increased to 1500 kW, making the Topolna transmitter to one of the most powerful transmitters in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
By this measure, both masts were equipped with cage wire antennas, which made their electrical insulation against ground obsolete. After inauguration of these cage antennas the basement insulators were bridged, but remained in place.
As in other high power transmission facilities in Eastern Europe the Topolna transmitter uses special overhead lines for transmitting the RF-power from the transmitter building to the masts.
After the end of communist era the transmission power of Topolna transmitter was reduced to 650 kW. Although it was several times announced to shut down Topolna transmitter it is still in use for transmitting the program of "CRo 1 - Radiožurnál", which can be received by the circumstance, that there is nearly no other transmitter working on the frequency of the Topolna transmitter (270 kHz), well in whole Europe, especially at nighttime.
