Radlux.jpg (13307 bytes)

Menu
Radio Luxembourg - Today

208 CLUB MAGAZINE
Read some issues of this magazine from the 1970s online.

FAB FACTS
Facts, photos and information.

LINKS
Other sites about Radio Luxembourg.

MEMORIES
The memories of Radio Luxembourg - as remembered by the listeners.

THE 208 STAFF
Photos of Luxembourg staff.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
 Luxembourg staff today.

THE EARLY YEARS
Radio Luxembourg in the 1930s.

THE RADIO LUXEMBOURG FORUM
Interactive room where you can communicate with other 208 enthusiasts.

THE STATION TODAY
What about Radio Luxembourg today?

VILLA LOUVIGNY TOUR
Take a closer look on this building which housed Radio Luxembourg most of the years.

This site will tell you what is going on in the RTL broadcast organization and give you updated status reports on what's happening on 208 metres/1440 kHz.


RTL has reduced airtime on DRM

There has been a reduction of airtime containing RTL transmissions on digital AM - DRM.

By Eivind Motland

It seems that it will take some time before the digital radio standard DRM is common in Europe. RTL Group has reduced its presence on the DRM platform for now, according to the Live Broadcasts Schedule at the DRM website. The English service of Radio Luxembourg is not listed anymore, assuming the broadcaster await the situation for DRM. Radio Luxembourg is still alive and kicking 24 hours a day via the internet on www.radioluxembourg.co.uk, and it seems this is the only platform the broadcaster is available on at the moment.

The German service RTL Radio is now only available during daytime on 1440 kHz AM between 07.00 and 17.00 and on shortwave 6095 kHz between 07.30 and 21.00. The shortwave frequency was used 24 hours a day until recently. RTL France has also reduced its airtime on the shortwave frequency of 5990 kHz to 07.30-21.00. (March 1. 2008)


Radio Luxembourg is back on the air
RTL relaunched Radio Luxembourg on September 12. 2005. The station may be heard on digital AM and on the internet.

By Eivind Motland

RTL started a longer period of test transmissions in English on the digital AM platform named Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) in August. Now the transmissions continue on this platform, but they are also available to listen to on the website www.radioluxembourg.co.uk. The relaunched station have a focus on classic rock, and the DJ line-up includes well-known voices like Benny Brown and Dave Christian, but also new voices like Simon Gibbons and Jim Kent. The station has made a new jingle package singing "the legend is back" and "the best in classic rock". On the website you can follow the countdown to the official launch. The transmissions heard on the web is simultaneous with the DRM signal on 7145 kHz.

If you want to listen to Radio Luxembourg via DRM on shortwave or mediumwave you have to purchase a DRM receiver. On Radio Luxembourg´s website there is a link to a website named Digital Radio DR where you can learn more about digital radio. Also check out the official DRM website.

There are few DRM receivers on the market at the moment, but according to Media Network the first consumer receivers were unveiled during the consumer electronics show IFA in Berlin in the beginning of September 2005. The same products were showcased on the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam the same month.

DRM Chairman Peter Senger believes that DRM receivers will be available in the shops before Christmas 2005. He says that the timing is excellent for introducing DRM receivers to the consumer market now "that popular commercial stations and respected public broadcasters are increasing the availability of DRM content". (September 5. 2005 - updated September 14. 2005)


RTL plans to revive English service

In a promotional DVD from RTL Group the company states that it wants to revive the English service of Radio Luxembourg.

By Eivind Motland

RTL will use DRM technology, which is digital AM transmissions. RTL is part of the DRM consortium through their technical division Broadcasting Center Europe, and is promoting the DRM standard. The initials "DRM" means Digital Radio Mondiale, and is a mode which is being tested by RTL, Radio Netherlands, Deutsche Welle and BBC, to mention a few.

DRM transmissions can be heard on the existing AM bands with a sound quality similar to FM. When the DRM mode becomes more common in the market, RTL plans to set up a national station for Germany, improve the listening reach for the existing French station, and revive the English service of Radio Luxembourg. In first case they want to use a shortwave frequency, but other options, like medium wave, is also possible. RTL believes DRM may take to the market during the second half of 2005. (June 23. 2004)


English on 208 - but not from RTL

From January 2002 China Radio International in cooperation with the World Radio Network hire air time on 1440 kHz for transmissions in the French, German and English languages. The programmes will be aired at night time 1900-2200 UTC. The daytime signal carries German youth channel Mega Radio. (January 6. 2002)

 

50 years since 208 switch-on

In January 2001 it was 50 years since the 208 transmitter was switched on, Ewing Paterson from Ireland reports. He heard the first broadcast on January 21. 1951, when the programme was announced as "Radio Luxembourg Experimental" between 1800 and 2200. It appeared to be a live broadcast of records and a formal request for reception reports to be sent to the London office made in turn by the two resident announcers Geoffrey Everitt and Peter Murray. It terminated in time for the latter to take the regular English programmes from 2230 to midnight on the 1293 metres LW transmitter. (January 2001)

 

 

208gul.jpg (20946 bytes)

Site updated 01.03.2008

 


This RADIO LUXEMBOURG site is owned by Eivind Motland.
[ Previous 5 Sites | Previous | Next | Next 5 Sites | Random Site | List Sites ]