Bhadravati AIR: Testing of new 10Kw transmitter soon

Testing of a new 10 kW FM transmitter in Shivamogga to enhance Bhadravati Akashvani's reach, operational within a month.

The testing of the 10 kW FM transmitter installed at Shivamogga to enhance the reach of programmes aired by Bhadravati Akashvani is expected to be conducted later this month, and the new facility would become operational within a month.

At present, the programmes are available at a frequency of 103.5 MHz. Once the new facility is ready, the frequency of the new FM transmitter will be 101.4 MHz, which will reach out to radio listeners spread over 100 km from Shivamogga.

The Department of Information and Broadcasting set up the facility at a cost of nearly ₹10 crore. Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan attended the pooja of the equipment here on January 23 this year. Two transmitters procured from Canada have been installed.

The 150-metre-tall tower and the offices of the Doordarshana Kendra in front of Sahyadri College have been utilised for the purpose. “The infrastructure is almost ready. Two transmitters will ensure uninterrupted transmission. Dipole antennas have been fixed at a height of about 125 m on the tower. The testing of transmission will be done soon. The facility will be ready to use within a month,” said S.S. Krishnappa, Assistant Director (Engineering) of Bhadravati AIR.

The Bhadravati Akashvani, started in 1965, has a 1 kW transmitter in Bhadravati and another at Sunnadahalli. The programmes aired by the station have fans across central Karnataka. “Every day we get many letters and messages about the programmes. Many are enquiring when the new transmitter will start functioning. They are all curious about the new programmes,” said S.R. Bhat, programme head.

Like many AIR stations in the State, Bhadravati station is also facing a shortage of staff to handle the programmes and technical operations. Currently, there are only nine technical staff in the station, and it would be difficult to handle the additional transmitter with the available staff, but the minimum staff required to handle transmission effectively is 18, according to officers.

Similarly, the programme wing is also facing a shortage. Until a few years ago, the station had nearly 10 executives, while at present there are only two, besides casual announcers and production assistants.