[HCDX]: Fw: hard-core-dx V4 #608

["Robert Foxworth" <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

-----Original Message-----
Subject: hard-core-dx V4 #608


>Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 14:02:00 +0200
>From: "Stig Hartvig Nielsen" <hartvig@xxxxxx>
>Subject: [HCDX]: (HCDX):  Silent periods
>
>All AM transmitters need to be maintained and some are done so on a regular
>basis when the transmitters are switched off. Among DXers called "SILENT
>PERIODS" - providing excellent possibilies of some fine DXing.
>
>Would anyone have a listing of those silent periods for European mediumwave
>stations ??
>
>Stig Hartvig Nielsen
>Denmark

>End of hard-core-dx V4 #608

>***************************

In the U.S., silent periods were common on Mondays from about
01 to 05 hours, local time (fewest listeners then) until about the
1970's, for transmitter maintenance. Most radio stations of any
importance solved that problem by installing a second transmitter,
generally licensed as an "alternate main". This allowed use of
either xmtr, at any time, so the maintenance period disappeared.
Now maintenance (silent period) is only needed for work on the
antenna system. The second xmtr may not be the same power as
the primary e.g. when I worked at WCBS-880 the secondary xmtr
was 10 kW (main was 50 kW) and they ran 10 kW every Monday
morning, maybe they still do for all I know. I would not be surprised
to learn European stations now do this. If they are not off Sunday or
Monday mornings, then I doubt they ever will be silent.
Bob F
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