Roumoules Radio Transmitter Facts and Site Information

The Roumoules radio transmitter is a fascinating piece of history. It was built in the 1970s and is still operational today.

Located in the Var department of France, the transmitter is situated on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding countryside. It's a beautiful area with rolling hills and scenic views.

The transmitter's primary function is to broadcast radio signals to the surrounding region. Its high power output and directional antenna allow it to cover a wide area with minimal interference.

The Roumoules radio transmitter is a longwave transmitter located in Roumoules, France.

It was inaugurated in 1974 and initially transmitted at 218 kHz, but was later reduced to 216 kHz in 1988.

The transmitter has a transmission power of 1400 kW, which is impressive, and was even higher at 2000 kW until 1976.

It consists of two 1000 kW transmitters that are switched in parallel, but are actually run at 700 kW output power.

A third 1000 kW unit has been available since 1983 and is used as a backup unit, allowing for a possible total transmission power of 3000 kW.

Since 31 March 2020, the transmitter has ceased transmitting the French programme of Radio Monte Carlo.

The longwave transmitter uses a directional aerial with a maximum strength pointing northwest at an azimuth of 309°.

The directional aerial consists of three 300-metre-high guyed masts that are insulated against ground and ground-fed.

A backup lattice steel mast radiator is available on the site, allowing for an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

The grounding system of the long wave transmitter is massive, covering an area of 150 hectares and a total length of 200 kilometres of wires.

The grounding system is laid to a depth of 80 centimetres to avoid interfering with agriculture in the surrounding area.

The Roumoules transmitting center allowed Radio Monte-Carlo to greatly extend its listening area in French and Italian territories.

The broadcasts were on Long Wave on behalf of French RMC with a power of about 800 kW.

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The Roumoules radio transmitter has a rich history that spans several decades. It was first built in the 1950s in the Var department of France.

One of the earliest milestones in the transmitter's history was its commissioning in 1955. This marked the beginning of a long period of service that would continue for many years.

Roumoules was initially used for broadcasting to the local population, providing vital information and entertainment. The transmitter played a crucial role in keeping the community connected during a time of great change.

By the 1960s, Roumoules had undergone significant upgrades and expansions, increasing its transmission power and range. This allowed it to reach a wider audience, broadcasting to surrounding towns and villages.

The transmitter's importance continued to grow throughout the 1970s, with regular maintenance and repairs ensuring its continued operation. Despite the challenges of the time, Roumoules remained a vital part of the local communication network.

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The Roumoules radio transmitter is a remarkable piece of technology. It has a longwave transmitter that transmits at 216 kHz with a transmission power of 1400 kW.

The transmitter uses a directional aerial with a maximum strength pointing northwest at an azimuth of 309°. It consists of three 300-metre high guyed masts, which are insulated against ground and ground-fed.

A backup 330-metre high guyed, ground-fed lattice steel mast radiator is available on the site, allowing for an omnidirectional radiation pattern. The grounding system of the long wave transmitter is very large, covering an area of 150 hectares with a total length of 200 kilometres of wires.

Here are the possible signal directions for the medium wave transmitter:

The medium wave transmitter has an output power of 1000 kW and can switch signal directions in just 5 seconds.

The longwave transmitter at Roumoules transmits at 216 kHz with a power of 1400 kW.

This transmitter uses a directional aerial with a maximum strength pointing northwest at an azimuth of 309°. It's composed of three 300-metre high guyed masts, insulated against ground and ground-fed.

A third 1000 kW unit has been available since 1983, used as a backup unit, but can be switched in parallel to allow an operation with a transmission power of 3000 kW.

The grounding system of the long wave transmitter is very large, covering an area of 150 hectares with a total length of 200 kilometres of wires.

The medium wave transmitter at Roumoules has an output power of 1000 kW and is used for transmitting the religious programmes of Trans World Radio.

It's switchable directional antenna allows a radiation in different directions, including Scandinavia at 25°, Eastern Europe at 85°, and Italy and Greece at 150°.

Changing the signal direction takes only 5 seconds.

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The Roumoules Transmitter has a robust power supply system in place. It consumes significant amounts of power, supplied by two transformers each capable of providing 5000 kW.

These transformers receive power from a 150 kV and a 220 kV power line. The transmitter's power supply is larger than required, equivalent to powering a community of 5000 with its own substation to the 150 kV grid supply.

This redundant supply ensures reliable power for the transmitter. There is a backup generating set of 2,500 kW on the site.

In addition, the station can supply power at reduced capacity from the local 20 kV grid.

Receiving a signal from the Roumoules radio transmitter can be a thrilling experience. The transmitter's frequency is 87.9 MHz, which is a standard frequency for FM radio broadcasting in France.

To receive a signal, you'll need a radio with a good antenna and a clear line of sight to the transmitter. The transmitter's location in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of France means that the signal can be received in a wide area, but reception may be affected by terrain and weather conditions.

The transmitter's power output is 1 kW, which is sufficient for a good signal to be received over a distance of up to 30 km. However, the signal can be affected by obstacles such as hills and buildings.

If you're having trouble receiving a signal, try moving to a location with a clearer view of the transmitter or adjusting your radio's antenna.

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The prince's statement about the 205-meter radio wave transmitter being from Roumoules might be a mistake, but it's also possible he knew exactly what he was talking about.

The RMC radio station had a transmitter in Mont Agel, and it's possible the prince was aware of this.

In 1964, the French RMC radio station moved to long waves, freeing up its historic 205-meter transmitter, which was then seized by Noel Coutisson to create Italian RMC.

This situation repeated itself 50 years later, with the long wave transmitter in Monte Carlo being replaced by the one in Roumoules.

The long wave system on the French Riviera was readapted to medium waves for the benefit of RMC in Italian, resulting in the famous 701 Kc frequency.

Despite the prince's statement, RMC didn't actually broadcast to Italy at all.

The transmitter in Roumoules did allow RMC to extend its listening area in Italian territories, but not by broadcasting to Italy itself.

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The Roumoules radio transmitter is located in the village of Roumoules, France. It is situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

The transmitter has a height of 1,120 meters above sea level. It's an impressive structure, to say the least.

Roumoules radio transmitter is used for broadcasting radio signals to the surrounding areas. Its primary function is to provide coverage for local radio stations.

The transmitter is owned and operated by the French public broadcasting service, Radio France. They're responsible for maintaining and upgrading the facility.

Roumoules radio transmitter has a transmitting power of 100 kW. This is a significant amount of power, which allows it to reach a wide audience.

The construction of the Roumoules radio transmitter was a massive undertaking that lasted for 20 months. It began in early 1973 and was finally completed on July 14, 1974.

The project required the construction of complex infrastructure, including trenches for underground copper cable networks. This was a significant undertaking that showcased the ingenuity of the engineers and technicians involved.

For Jean-Charles Allavena, the transmitter's construction is more than just a technical achievement - it's a personal memory. He recalls climbing the pylons with his father and brother, feeling a sense of awe at the sheer scale of the project.

The transmitter's impact extended beyond the technical aspects, however. It also brought new people and families to the village of Roumoules, which had a population of just 735 residents in 2021.