The Monte Ceneri Cima di Dentro transmitter

Transmitter data

Location:     E 8° 59' 25.51" / N 46° 08' 19.16"
Frequency:     558 kHz.
Wavelength:     538 m.
Power:     300 kW.
Call-sign:     "La voce della Russia" (used to be "Radio Svizzera, Rete Uno").
Transmission type:     Medium wave AM broadcast station.

This transmitter was previously transmitting "Radio Svizzera, Rete Uno" and was switched off in June 2008. It was switched back on in April 2011 to transmit "The voice of Russia". It is not active around the clock and is mainly operating in the evening.

Underground transmitter building.
Underground transmitter building.		 Transmitter building entrance.
Transmitter building entrance.

Main antenna

Tower type:     220 m guyed tower.
Antenna type:     0.4λ (144°) vertical tower, isolated from ground.
Feed point:     Base of the tower.
Ground plane:     About 180 buried radials, 200 m long.

This antenna was built in 1978 and switched on in 1979, replacing the old Monte Ceneri Pass tower (about 9 km west).

When the transmitter is operating one can clearly hear the modulation by standing near where the internal (short) guy wires ere connected to ground. The antenna simulation shows that a very high current is present at this point.

Main antenna simulation.

East view of the main antenna.
East view of the main antenna.		 South view of the main antenna.
South view of the main antenna.
Main antenna match box and base insulator.
Main antenna match box and base insulator.		 Tower feed connection at its base.
Tower feed connection at its base.
Long guy wires are directly grounded. Obstruction lights power connection and UV sensor on the background (red device on a pole).
Long guy wires are directly grounded. Obstruction lights power connection and UV sensor on the background (red device on a pole).		 Short guy wires ground connection.
Short guy wires ground connection.
Guy insulator close-up.
Guy insulator close-up.		 Buried radials connected to the antenna match box at its base.
Buried radials connected to the antenna match box at its base.
Some buried radials are clearly visible. In spring, the snow melts faster on the radials.
Some buried radials are clearly visible. In spring, the snow melts faster on the radials.		 Suspended radials for crossing a small creek.
Suspended radials for crossing a small creek.

Spare antenna

Tower type:     Cage wires, suspended between two poles.
Antenna type:     Short vertical with huge capacitive hat, isolated from ground.
Feed point:     Base of the vertical cage.

Spare antenna simulation.

South view of the spare antenna.
South view of the spare antenna.		 East view of the spare antenna.
East view of the spare antenna.
West view of the spare antenna.
West view of the spare antenna.		 Mast and non-conductive guy wires.
Mast and non-conductive guy wires.
Match box, feed point and vertical arm of the T.
Match box, feed point and vertical arm of the T.		 Feed point close-up.
Feed point close up.

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