RÚV Longwave transmitter, Vatnsendi built in 1930. Former logo (2011–2019)
The station began broadcasts on 20 December 1930, using the call-sign Útvarp Reykjavík (Radio Reykjavík). A transmission site was chosen at Vatnsendi (also known as Vatnsendahæð) in Kópavogur, then uninhabited, due to its prominence over Reykjavik as well as its relatively flat land. Two 150 metre tall steel masts made by Telefunken were erected and a wire strung between them forming a T-antenna.
As was the norm for the time, broadcasts were on AMlongwave band, initially at a wavelength of 1200 metres (249.8 kHz) with a power of 16kW. Marconi transmission equipment was used.
New transmission equipment was acquired in 1935, and in 1938, the transmitted power was increased 100kW.[3][4]
Also in 1938, the Eiðar transmission relay site serving the East Iceland was opened, initially at a power of 1kW using two 25m masts, at 614kHz (488 m). In 1951 a taller mast was constructed, 75 m high, and a new 5kW medium-wave transmitter was installed.[5] In 1966, a second 75m mast was constructed, and the transmitter was converted to longwave, at a power of 20kW with the same frequency as the main Vatnsendi site.[6] Around a dozen small medium-wave relay transmitters were constructed in the 1950s to fill in coverage gaps of the longwave service from Reykjavík, including at Akureyri and Höfn.[7][8] Longwave transmission equipment at the main Vatnsendi site was renewed in 1951 and in 1964.[9][10]
Until the 1960s RÚV's transmission frequency went through many changes, due to interference with other stations in Europe. Below is a list of known frequencies RÚV transmitted at their main Vatnsendi site:
Rás 1 longwave frequencies and power since its inception
On 3 February 1991, one of the original 1930 transmission masts at Vatnsendi collapsed during a winter storm.[19][22] They had been due for replacement since the late 1970s, and were in a bad state of repair, however their replacement was never funded.[23] On 3 March 1991, the remaining tower was felled for safety reasons. Two 70m tall spare masts obtained from Iceland Telecom were erected and longwave transmissions began again in November 1991, albeit with much reduced coverage.[21]
Icelandic radio transmission network in 1981.
RÚV's responsibility as public broadcaster and emergency broadcasts (for civil protection, severe weather alerts etc.) were questioned, In addition, much of the fishing fleet and rural areas were out of reach by radio.[24] However some questioned the obselecence and cost of LW radio as FM broadcasts were of better quality and more popular.[25] To meet its responsibilities, RÚV took the decision to revamp its longwave service in the 1990s. On 9 September 1997, Hellissandur longwave transmitter began broadcasting at 300kW, converted from a recently disused 412m tall LORAN-C mast.[22] In 1999 the Eiðar mast was reconstructed at a height of 220m and its power increased to 100kW, at 207kHz.[26] Broadcasts over longwave are now split between Rás 1 content and Rás 2 content by schedule.
RÚV has since announced the retirement of its longwave transmissions in 2024, citing its inadequacy as an emergency broadcasting service as most vehicles and radios do not support longwave broadcasts anymore.[27][28] In 2023, the Eiðar longwave transmitter was demolished, ceasing 207kHz transmissions.[27][28]The Hellissandur longwave radio mast went off the air on 5 September 2024. On October 17 RÚV announced that the transmitter would not be returning to service. [29]
Shortwave and medium-wave broadcasting
Shortwave broadcasts were used for long distance transmission, mostly for seafarers and Icelanders abroad. They began in 1948 and were used intermittently for important broadcasts (e.g. election nights) and regular newscasts. They were sent from the Rjúpnahæð site (mainly used for HF ship-to-shore and air-to-ground comms), adjacent to the Vatnsendi site. Shortwave broadcasts ceased on 1 July 2007, after the introduction of satellite broadcasts.[30][6]
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting began in 1959 at its main Vatnsendi site, later expanding nationwide. Stereo transmissions began in 1980.[6]
The station adopted its present name on 1 December 1983 when RÚV began transmitting a second radio channel, which is known as Rás 2.
Programming
Rás 1 carries primarily news, weather, current affairs coverage, and cultural programming dealing with the arts, history, the Icelandic language, literature, and social and environmental issues.
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