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In times of ubiquitous digital mobile communication, analog transmission technology plays a decisive role.

10W EIRPTransmission power

1500 kHz Frequency

Wireless transmission of LTE, WLAN and co. are all based on the analog laws of generation and reception of electromagnetic waves. Radio Eule, the Deutsches Museum medium wave transmitter, represents this technological foundation from the early days of broadcasting and communications technology.

On air

Since October 20, 2018, Radio Eule, the Deutsches Museum's medium-wave transmitter, has been a reminder of the beginnings of broadcasting in Germany. In the future, an educational program is to be developed around Radio Eule, which will make the technology of medium-wave broadcasting, which was groundbreaking for the development of communication technology, accessible to schoolchildren using the simplest receivers.

Radio Eule broadcasts with 10W EIRP on a frequency of 1500 kHz and can be heard in almost the entire Munich city area. In exceptional weather conditions - usually at night - and with special antennas, reception is even possible as far away as Finland. Regular reception reports that we receive from radio amateurs provide very good evidence of its coverage.

Program contributions are broadcast 24/7, with a professional mp3 player playing a program consisting of several hours of music and scientific/technical word contributions in loop mode.

History

In 2015, the last medium and long-wave transmitters in Germany were switched off. In the eyes of many radio enthusiasts, this also marked the end of a popular and easy introduction to the world of amateur radio. One member of the Friends and Supporters of the Deutsches Museum was particularly sad to say goodbye to medium-wave radios. The passionate radio amateur Christoph Heiner initiated the “Radio Eule” project and found an open ear with Wolfgang M. Heckl. During the “Long Night of Munich Museums 2018”, “Radio Eule” went on air for the first time in trial operation. A few months later, the temporary station on the tower was replaced with a more powerful transmitter. Support was provided by the Cham Radio Museum.

On Air: Radio Eule

The Deutsches Museum broadcasts “Radio Eule” on 1500 kHz medium wave. Now our colleagues from the Cham Radio Museum have brought over and installed a more powerful transmitter.

How to build a medium wave radio receiver

The Deutsches Museum broadcasts “Radio Eule” on 1500 kHz. As medium wave is no longer the radio standard today, we will show you here how you can easily build your own receiver. The necessary components can be found in specialist electrical shops. The most important tool is a soldering iron. You will also need scissors, pliers and side cutters. Good luck building your own!

Antenna

  • 10W EIRP at a frequency of 1500 kHz: an asymmetrically fed λ/4 monopole antenna (Marconi antenna) is used.
  • The 50 m antenna (bronze wire) is guided within a Dyneema cable with a diameter of 5mm.
  • The antenna is suspended from the mast on the museum tower at an angle downwards towards the north-east (span approx. 80 m).
  • The base of the antenna is located at the top of the museum tower (h = approx. 66 m).

Transmitter

  • The transmitter was installed by the Cham Radio Museum. Among other things, it has automatic level control, which makes level control much easier.
  • The transmitter consists of parts of the former Nautel AM transmitter operated by Bavarian Radio on 801 kHz in Ismaning.
  • The transmitter works with a square wave PWM modulation. The harmonics are sufficiently suppressed by a downstream multipole filter. (Return <0.5 W, modulation: approx. 50 %)