RTE RADIO 1 LW confirmed!

icdg

RTE have confirmed that RTE RADIO 1 will be given a Long Wave frequency (252 LW from Trim, no surprise there!) - planned to launch on October 1st.

The programmes will be the same as RTE RADIO 1 MW from Tullamore.

I can just hear their announcements now "Radio Telefis Eireann, this is RTE Radio One on 88-90FM, 567khz Medium Wave, 252Khz Long Wave, and on the Astra Satellite from Ireland". Getting way too long.

http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html

watty

Will this be *EXACTLY* the MW o/p or same as WRN RTE1 feed which has bits of sport and RnaG stitched in as RTE Europe?

Should be gettable in bits of France and Spain, esp after dark. I can get French LW in Car radio in Limerick as well as of course R4.

Be good many bits of UK in Car. (Sky or FTA Satellite better in house).

Finally almost an Irish based External Service after 81 years of broadcasting!

icdg

Well, the website seems to imply that it will be the same as Medium Wave.

Then again, the same website also implies that "RTE Europe" is identical to Tullamore, which its not - the RnaG programming is there too.

Back in the day, 2FM was broadcast overnight on that service too, but now since RTE Radio 1 is 24 hour I don't think that happens.

ActingThe Magot

:mad: The latest from Montrose is that the new Long Wave Broadcast of RTE Radio 1 will launch in January 2004!

As an exile from Dublin, now living in The Hague, The Netherlands, I had been enjoying listening to Radio 1 for the last few weeks, but there it was-gone! as of yesterday evening (September 18th).
I have read (On the RTE website) the reassuring news (!) that the service will also be "tested' for the GAA football final on Sunday 28th.

I have e-mailed RTE to ask for an explanation, but of course I've got no reply.

So please RTE, stop acting the magot and continue broadcasting using the LW transmitter....

spockety

What e-mail address did you send your query to?

ActingThe Magot

I went to the bother of sending my reply to 3 e-mail addresses:
radio1@rte.ie
glory@rte.ie (This was complying with the request made on the Saturday morning edition of Morning Glory)
and longwave@rte.ie.

A reply by e-mail from RTE to explain the postponing of the service to 2004 would be welcome, but so far I have received no feedback.

The irony here is the fact that RTE have requested people to e-mail them about the signal strength!

spockety

I'll see what I can find out for you.


The Insider.

spockety

Ok one of the senior engineers has told me that there's a fair bit more testing they need to do before putting it live full time.

No idea why you didn't get an e-mail reply, that's another matter entirely. I know the people on the end of the addresses and a prompt reply is normally forthcoming. Sorry it hasn't been your experience mate.

ActingThe Magot

Here’s the reply-
The tone of which is in contrast to the statement on the RTE website...

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a proposed launch date of 1 January 2004. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.


whereas the e-mail I received is a lot more non-committal....

At the moment RTÉ is studying the possibility of
transmitting Radio 1 on Long Wave 252 and tests are
being carried out. Listeners tuning in may hear music
or chat intermittantly on this frequency.

The decision whether to proceed awaits a review by RTÉ
of the overall distribution of our radio services on
terrestrial and digital platforms and of the costs
involved in a long wave service. That review is ongoing
and is expected to conclude toward the end of this year.

Overseas, RTÉ radio broadcasts its four services on
Satellite to the UK and Ireland. Radio 1 is also
available throughout Europe on satellite and segments
of Radio 1 output are on Satellite and Short wave
throughout the world.

We are particularly interested in public feedback and
would encourage those hearing the service to contact us
on a dedicated email address - 'longwave@rte.ie'.

Best wishes
Radio 1

My interpretation of the e-mail is that RTE are luke-warm on proceeding with this LW Service, considering the fact that they previously indicated an October 1 launch date, are now talking (on their webpage) about a Jan. 2004 launch date, and in this e-mail are planning "to conclude a review" ..."toward the end of the year"


So, unfortunately "an Irish based External Service after 81 years of broadcasting!" seems some way off, and is less definite than the posting on the RTE website seem to indicate.

sunbeam

How far does the medium wave signal travel after dark? Would have thought it might be audible in parts of Europe-then again maybe not...

watty

Yes R1 MW is available in Europe after dark, but Satellite is better.

Depends on area etc.

As a guide, try tuning in French, German, Dutch, Spanish stations on your own radio after dark.


Radio conditions seem poor on MW/SW at present. I'm getting two LW french stations during daytime in Limerick, though.

SW is abysmal at present, but all the "Broadcast" stuff I used to listen to is mostly on Satellite (Astra / Hotbird rather than Sky).

VHF is still having periodic "lifts" though. Receiving VHF up to 1000km away is possible, rather than the "normal" limit of about 80km

ActingThe Magot

This is the latest now on the RTÉ website:

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a planned launch date of 1st Oct. 2003. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.

HOWEVER, I draw your attention to previous posts and the e-mail I received recently indicating a (possible) January 2004 launch date

Here's hoping that the date has now been moved back to October.

Mossy Monk

we'll find out tomorrow. if they don't launch the LW service what are the possibilities of them selling the frequency to someone who would use it

ActingThe Magot

On closer inspection of the RTÉ Radio website I discovered the following inconsistencies

In the Tuning information section the following is stated:

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a planned launch date of 1st Oct. 2003. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.

whereas in the RTÉ Radio Worldwide section the following is stated

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a planned launch date of 1st January, 2004. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.

I've listened to 567 at night in the french alps surrounded by mountains!
It doesn't make it's way across to Italy though

Reception by day is ok in North west France and perfect by night.

Even 2fm on medium wave from Cork is receivable by night in Brittany but Athlone is not.

mm

Mossy Monk

where does the 1278 2FM come from
likewise for 612 (i think thats it)

DMC

1278 is Dublin
612 is Athlone.

FIRE

I was retuneing my amp the other day and heard rte on 252 that was last saturday.

Has it offically launched today 1-10-03

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by DMC
1278 is Dublin
612 is Athlone.

so what is Cork. didnt know 2FM had 3 MW frequencies

rlogue

All I've heard is silence on 252 since Sunday.

I got pretty good reception at home here in NW London during the tests, but poor car reception. I guess that's really down to my car radio being crap.

Capt'n Midnight

Wern't 2RN on LW ???

ActingThe Magot

RTÉ Radio 1 on LW 252 Due date is January 2004...

According to the RTÉ website

(Tuning Information)

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a planned launch date of 1st January 2004. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.

Spockety tells me that this is not a conspiracy,(October 1 was the previously promised date) and hopefully when the service is launched properly, there be a clear signal here in The Netherlands, I am sure there are a number of Irish expats in the UK and here in mainland Europe who will be keen to listen into the new service.

watty

Originally posted by rlogue
All I've heard is silence on 252 since Sunday.

I got pretty good reception at home here in NW London during the tests, but poor car reception. I guess that's really down to my car radio being crap.

Fit a full size fibreglass body CB aerial for the car radio.

Most modern car aerials are more optimised for VHF.

Cloud

I would have thought the RTE Europe feed would be more suitable for LW... But maybe there isn't that much difference.

rlogue

Well, I wonder if it will go ahead in January or not...

I got an email from RTE in response to a query and this is what it says:

Richard, I'm not sure if X X replied to you but he has just told me that we don't know if 252 kHz LW is going ahead in January. No final decision has been made. I'm sorry I can't be more positive at this time.

I really hope they do decide to go ahead, but this can't be exactly a ringing endorsement from RTE can it?

ActingThe Magot

I’m getting serious withdrawal symptoms waiting for the return of RTÉ Radio 1 to 252m LW. And now it sounds more doubtful (See Richard Logues post) that Rté will proceed with this in January, if at all.

So Spockety…put us expats out of our misery!

What’s the inside track, have they pulled the plug, are more tests likely before the end of the year?

Or should we give up dialing in 252 LW, hoping to hear RTÉ Radio 1 forever!

rlogue

Given the deafening silence on this matter, I fear RTÉ have indeed pulled the plug on this...

ActingThe Magot

I e-mailed Montrose today, and got an "instant" reply (within 20 minutes!)

Dear

---

Yes, the launch date of January 2004 is still on
schedule.

Best wishes
Radio 1

My E-mail to

'radio1@rte.ie'

'longwave@rte.ie'; 'glory@rte.ie'
was

>
> Dear all,
> Is the information on the website still accurate
> re: a January 1, 2004 launch date for this
> service?
> If this is the case, will there be further test
> transmissions in 2003?
>
> I would appreciate any update you can give on
> this matter.
[

ActingThe Magot

Here is the latest news of the delay in the launch of the LW service


From: radio1@rte.ie
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 18:11
To: ******
Subject: RE: FW: Long wave signal disappeared!!!

Dear ******

An update - It now appears that due to unforseen
circumstances the January 2004 launch of our longwave
service has been postponed, but it is anticipated that
the launch will take place sometime in the new year.

We will be making an announcement as soon as a definite
date has been decided upon.

Best wishes
Radio 1

Perhaps the title of this thread should be changed?

stuartfanning

Originally posted by ActingThe Magot
I’m getting serious withdrawal symptoms waiting for the return of RTÉ Radio 1 to 252m LW. And now it sounds more doubtful (See Richard Logues post) that Rté will proceed with this in January, if at all.

So Spockety…put us expats out of our misery!

What’s the inside track, have they pulled the plug, are more tests likely before the end of the year?

Or should we give up dialing in 252 LW, hoping to hear RTÉ Radio 1 forever!

I suggest you get Sky Digital where you can hear all the RTE Radio Stations, plus BBC Radio Ulster, BBC1 NI, BBC2 NI & UTV.

rlogue

If anyone can advise me how I can mount a Sky Digital system in the car so I can listen to Radio 1 on the move I'd be grateful.

ActingThe Magot

Originally posted by stuartfanning
I suggest you get Sky Digital where you can hear all the RTE Radio Stations, plus BBC Radio Ulster, BBC1 NI, BBC2 NI & UTV.

I know that you can go on-line to hear RTÉ Radio broadcasts, use sky digital..., BUT, the sheer convenience of just tuning in an ordinary Radio and listening in while doing other things is why Irish expats in Britain and on the continent would really welcome this LW service.

You see I'm Irish and my wife is Dutch-we are (trying) to raise our 3 kids bilingually-Unfortunately I find myself tuning in quite a bit to BBC Radio 5 live (A poor replacement for RTÉ Radio 1)

Obviously I would much prefer my kids to hear "proper Irish English"!

So come on RTÉ, save my kids from growing up with BBC Radio 5 Live English accents!

stuartfanning

Originally posted by ActingThe Magot


Obviously I would much prefer my kids to hear "proper Irish English"!

So come on RTÉ, save my kids from growing up with BBC Radio 5 Live English accents!

Without knowing the ages of your kids I would be surprised if they would be interested in listening to BBC Radio 5 Live or RTE Radio 1. I assume you live in Eastern England, as you are unable to pick up RTE Radio 1 on Medium Wave. The idea that your kids will grow up to sound like anything other than the English kids that surround them is bizarre. If it's so important that they learn to speak and use Irish English rather than English English, you will have to consider moving back to Ireland. But then there would be the impossibility of picking up Dutch radio, which you and your wife no doubt can in England.

ActingThe Magot

Just for the Record, and as listed in my Profile, I am living in The Netherlands!

I guess my point all along is that this LW service is a great opportunity for RTÉ to reach a large number of expats, second-generation Irish etc.

To be honset, RTÉ seem luck-warm on the idea at this time, which I consider a shame.

I'm hoping that shedding a little light on the issue in this forum will put a little more pressure on RTÉ to stick with the idea.

stuartfanning

Originally posted by ActingThe Magot
Just for the Record, and as listed in my Profile, I am living in The Netherlands!

I guess my point all along is that this LW service is a great opportunity for RTÉ to reach a large number of expats, second-generation Irish etc.

To be honset, RTÉ seem luck-warm on the idea at this time, which I consider a shame.

I'm hoping that shedding a little light on the issue in this forum will put a little more pressure on RTÉ to stick with the idea.

Sorry I misunderstood. Even if you wanted to you cannot get Sky Digital very easily in Holland as it is aimed at the UK & ROI only. Unfortunately even when RTE Radio comes on to 252LW it may prove frustrating for you. In the Evenings the power from the transmitter is lowered significantly. The Irish radio authorities had to agree to this when their use of the frequency was agreed Internationally. This is one of the reasons why the music station Atlantic 252 eventually failed. In the populous London and the South East of England the reception in the Evening was dreadful. Being further away reception in Holland would be even worse.

Although you will still have to put up with English accents for current affairs I would suggest the BBC World Service on 648AM. Having lived and worked in Holland myself I can say the reception is brilliant.

I think the big problem that RTE has in launching, with a few exceptions, the domestic Radio 1 service on 252LW is how will it be financed. As its main market is the UK, and given its coverage problems in the Evening, it will find it hard to sell advertising.

ActingThe Magot

So Maybe RTÉ Radio Long Wave 252 by Paddys Day 2004?

From RTÉ website

Exciting news from RTÉ Radio
New service on Long Wave 252
RTÉ are planning to launch RTÉ Radio 1 services on LW 252. At present test transmissions are being carried out with a planned launch date scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2004. This channel will carry the same programming as the RTÉ Radio 1 medium wave service.

Mossy Monk

how hard is it for RTÉ to put something on that frequency?

rlogue

Can we please have the inside scoop on what the fugh is going on regarding the 252 frequency?

If RTÉ aren't willing to use it - I'm sure that Chris Cary would leap at the chance of getting his hands on it...:mad:

DMC

I wonder what the outcome of this "output platform policy review" will be?

spockety

The "Inside scoop" is the same as the outside scoop, and that is that the intention is to have Radio 1 broadcasting on 252 LW in the first quarter of 2004...

ActingThe Magot

Dear **********

On behalf of RTÉ can I acknowledge your contribution to our longwave 252 tests and apologise for the delay in reporting back to you. The tests have concluded for the time being and our next objective is to bring the issue to decision.



It has been fantastic to read your responses; from those with a professional or collegiate interest; from those hearing echoes from home; from those with an interest in Ireland and from those who simply liked the programmes. Sincere thanks to you all!



Unfortunately, the volume of responses we have collated and mapped means that we cannot respond individually. However, below are some short answers to the most frequent questions you asked.



FAQs



Where is the transmitter?

Summerhill, Co. Meath, Ireland



What service is proposed?

Transmission of RTÉ Radio 1 – a talk and music channel from Ireland’s public service broadcaster that is the most popular in the country. The station is particularly strong in spoken content and public interaction.



When will you make a decision/go on air?

We envisage presenting a proposal to our Authority (Governing Body) by the year end and, if approved, starting the service in Spring 2004 (perhaps there may be an appropriate date in the middle of March?!). I will mail you when we have a decision.



How will you decide?

The basic factors are:

Desire to provide All Ireland service on one frequency – related to Good Friday agreement and exchange of cultures on our island.
Concurrent benefit of transmission to UK - to serve the Irish community there and to bring our output to a new audience.
Potential demand for the service. We know that RTÉ has a strong audience at home but the wider audience remains unknown. Your mails have been extremely instructive and encouraging in this respect.
Cost of service - the power bill alone for a LW service is considerable.
Mix of existing services. Overseas, RTÉ radio broadcasts its four services on Satellite to the UK and Ireland, Radio 1 is also available throughout Europe on satellite and segments of R1 output are on Satellite throughout the world. We have to be sure that our mix of services is as effective as possible.




Thanks once again – hopefully you’ll hear from us soon!



John Paul Coakley

Head of Operations

RTÉ Radio

Greenman

Got this today!!!!!!!:)


Hi John

Thanks for your interest in the RTE LW 252 radio service. We are delighted to be able to report to you first, as someone who took part in our tests of the service in September 03, that we expect shortly to announce a launch date for the service. The LW 252 service will carry RTE Radio 1 Medium Wave programming.

Keep an eye on our web site, http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html, for the actual announcement.

Happy listening!

Cheers,

JP Coakley

Head of Operations

Radio

Capt'n Midnight

Welcome back 2RN

ActingThe Magot

From: Longwave.rte.ie [longwave@rte.ie]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 19:01
To: ***********
Subject: Re: Long wave signal disappeared!!!
Hi ************
Thanks for your interest in the RTE LW 252 radio service. We are delighted to be able to report to you first, as someone who took part in our tests of the service in September 03, that we expect shortly to announce a launch date for the service. The LW 252 service will carry RTE Radio 1 Medium Wave programming.
Keep an eye on our web site, http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html, for the actual announcement.
Happy listening!
Cheers,
JP Coakley
Head of Operations
Radio

DMC

Threads merged.

ActingThe Magot

Originally posted by ActingThe Magot
From: Longwave.rte.ie [longwave@rte.ie]
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 19:01
To: ***********
Subject: Re: Long wave signal disappeared!!!
Hi ************
Thanks for your interest in the RTE LW 252 radio service. We are delighted to be able to report to you first, as someone who took part in our tests of the service in September 03, that we expect shortly to announce a launch date for the service. The LW 252 service will carry RTE Radio 1 Medium Wave programming.
Keep an eye on our web site, http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html, for the actual announcement.
Happy listening!
Cheers,
JP Coakley
Head of Operations
Radio

I understand that March 17th is likely to be announced as the launch date of this new service.

stuartfanning

Originally posted by ActingThe Magot
I understand that March 17th is likely to be announced as the launch date of this new service.

If it was going to start on March 17th wouldn't they have announced it by now?

rlogue

radiowaves.fm seem to think so.

MarkK

RTÉ have announced it.

17 March.

http://www.rte.ie/about/organisation/releases/radio_reachingout_2004.html

DMC

The DAB part of it is interesting...

According to todays papers, I could take 5 years. I hope they start testing sooner rather than later!

Greenman

I can hear it here testing on 252Khz LW!!!:)