Caltanissetta excursion at LW-MW-SW RAI transmission center

In 18th March 1999 IT9IAS and ARI Palermo member visit the RAI (RAdiotelevisione Italiana) LW-MW-SW transmitter located in Caltanissetta, city on the centre of Sicily Island at 150 Km from Palermo.

RAI transmission center

In Caltanissetta the group join to the local ARI member and go at transmission center; building in the 1946 is administer from RAI (RAdiotelevisione Italiana) the italian governement radio and television corporation.

The first thing encountered is a older SW transmitter now out of use, many interesting for tuning room and the reel.
Very large valve mounting in the final stadio !

In after the group see the current SW transmitter that use 6 MHz, 7 MHz and 9 MHz; derived from a naval equipment be divided in pre stadio and final stadio.

At last arrive at the MW transmitter of RAI 1, RAI 2 and RAI 3 and at low frequency equipment located in a Faraday room fully shielded.

OL-OM antenna

At outside be located the antenna alimented from the transmitter.
The most height (286 mt) antenna in Europe transmitting in LW and MW frequency with 30 KW.
Building in the 1946 require constant maintenance, at base be located the tuning room with condenser, reel and stop reel.
The structure lean on two ceramic insulator and the high tension over about 5,000 Volt be discharged from two arrowhead join with the ground.
This insulator lean on a cement basement dig in ground for 15 mt.
The few ropes in steel wire be interrupt from many ceramic insulator.

In the field be located also the two SW antenna for 6 / 9 MHz and 7 MHz.

ARI member of Palermo and Caltanissetta on the base of LW-MW antenna

Word of thanks to IT9HLC (Luigi) and his RAI co-worker for the explanations on site, to IT9EWG (Sal) for photos and to IT9BLB (Giuseppe) for the organization and joining with the ARI member in Caltanissetta.

Photo gallery