Kaliakra transmitter

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Kaliakra transmitter is a huge facility for mediumwave broadcasting, which was built after 1988 by former Soviet Union as relay transmitter for Southeast Europe. After the collapse of communism in 1989, there was no requirement for this facility and work was stopped. At that point of time 9 of the planned 10 masts were already completed. All masts of the station are grounded guyed lattice masts with triangular cross section, equipped with a cage antenna. Their height varies between 145 and 172 metres. The masts should either work as directional antenna with low pattern by using 2 masts or as high directive antenna by using 8 masts. At time of work termination some masts were already equipped with cage antennas, while others remained nude. Construction work of the 10th mast has already started, but on-hold.

The broadcasting company of Bulgaria had no interest for using the facility as it has already several well-equipped high power mediumwave broadcasting facilities in several parts of Bulgaria (e.g. in Vakarel, Pleven and Vidin). Also other foreign services were not interested in using the facility.

In 2001 the station was experimentally used for longwave broadcasting of Bulgarian broadcasting company, obviously without good results (it uses further the Blaw-Knox radiator at Vakarel transmitter). In 2005 on 2 masts FM broadcasting antennas were installed, which are used by Radio Varna on 98.2 MHz with 500 W ERP and by Dalik Kaliakra on 99.3 MHz with 1 kW ERP.

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