One of the Athlone transmitter masts dismantled

coylemj

Drove to Athlone on Saturday and noticed that one of the masts of the old Radio Eireann MW transmitter has been dismantled. The surviving mast now has a load of microwave dishes pointing in all directions, probably earning a few bob for RTE Networks from the phone companies.

rlogue

What a pity and obviously RTE NL have no intention of sending any MW transmissions from the historic Athlone site in the future.

What are the long term plans for the Tullamore site?

coylemj

rlogue wrote: »

What are the long term plans for the Tullamore site?

I looked at the RTE NL website and they have a Telecoms section which has a map of Ireland with a network connecting the transmitter locations, including Athlone but significantly Tullamore doesn't feature in the national network.

The town of Tulamore is marked on the map which suggests they might reduce the tower height and offer a local transmission service to mobile phone and broadband companes but it's lack of a link to the national network suggets that Tullamore won't be available as a network hub.

The web page says 'Click on a province to see a detailed map' but there are no clickable links within the map.

http://www.rtenl.ie/telecoms.html

Fuzzy Clam

coylemj wrote: »

Drove to Athlone on Saturday and noticed that one of the masts of the old Radio Eireann MW transmitter has been dismantled. The surviving mast now has a load of microwave dishes pointing in all directions, probably earning a few bob for RTE Networks from the phone companies.

It was pulled down in September, morning of the 21st or 22nd I think. I saw the site being cleared the day after.
AFAIK the 3 transmitters, the Marconie, Brown Boverie and the Contintental, are still in situ.
There's mobile phone gear there now, some of it on a newer mast near where the vertical part of the "T" antenna used to be.

coylemj

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

There's mobile phone gear there now, some of it on a newer mast near where the vertical part of the "T" antenna used to be.

I noticed a new smaller mast ok, couldn't tell from the motorway if it was located within the Moydrum complex or on a nearby hill.

watty

Vandalism.

If they ever did MW DRM they would have needed the mast. Closing MW and targeting UK and holes in FM coverage with LW a questionable philosophy.

Fuzzy Clam

watty wrote: »

Vandalism.

If they ever did MW DRM they would have needed the mast. Closing MW and targeting UK and holes in FM coverage with LW a questionable philosophy.

They still have the mast in Tullamore.

zg3409

Meeting to discuss sites future this wednesday:
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/67905/views-sought-on-the-future-of-rt-transmitter-at-moydrum

Sorry for bringing up old thread but the locals on here might be interested.