Former RTE engineers urge full power on longwave

Ireland
Two radio engineers have called for the Broadcasting Bill to be amended to require Irish public broadcaster RTE to operate its longwave radio transmitter [on 252 kHz] at full capacity.

Two radio engineers have called for the Broadcasting Bill to be amended to require Irish public broadcaster RTE to operate its longwave radio transmitter [on 252 kHz] at full capacity. The former RTE employees believe the decision by RTE to end its mediumwave service earlier this year means it must focus on providing a better service to listeners not tuning in on FM frequencies.

Kevin J O'Connell, a former director of engineering at RTE, said the broadcaster is not living up to its obligation to serve the public because the longwave transmitter is operating at just over half its capacity. A spokeswoman for RTE said it is satisfied its longwave signal "is sufficient to reach customers across Ireland and the UK".
Source: AdWorld
(El Mundo de la Radio, Arnaldo Slaen-ARG, July 10)
(Source: WWDXC Top News/BC-DX # 868 via wb, Germany)

Polish Radio External Service begins longwave broadcasting

From July 1, Polish Radio External Service has started broadcasting on 198 kHz longwave. The 198 LW frequency is shared with Polish Radio Parliament, which will continue to broadcast when parliament is in session. At all other times Polish Radio External Service transmits on this frequency.
Polish Radio External Service broadcasts in seven different languages: English, Hebrew, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, German, and Polish. English language transmissions on 198 kHz are at 0700 and 1200 UTC, available when Radio Parliament is not broadcasting.
The 198 LW frequency can be picked up in Poland and is also able reach Polish diaspora in neighbouring countries, especially Germany, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, providing up-to-date information on what’s going on in Poland.
Shortwave, Internet and satellite transmissions remain unaffected.
(Source: Polskie Radio)
Andy Sennitt comments: Unfortunately, the longwave service won’t benefit listeners in the UK or Western Europe as the frequency is shared with BBC Radio 4.
(Source: Polskie Radio /R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)