Photo courtesy : http://airddfamily.blogspot.com/2019/06/air-kurseong-57th-anniversary-2nd-june.html
Prasar Bharati has invited E-Tenders for Supply,Testing and Commissioning of 50 kW AM DRM SW Transmitter at All India Radio, Kerseong.
Details here : http://prasarbharati.gov.in/tenders/Engineering_258282.pdf
Earlier budgetary cost estimation & comments in respect of Draft Technical Specifications were invited from vendors/OEM's during March'2020.
Details here :
Shortwave transmissions by All India Radio, Kursong were terminated on 30th July, 2019 and decommissioned with effect from 7th August , 2019. They are now on FM 103.5 MHz, 10 kW & 102.3 MHz, 5 kW. They used to operate on 3355, 4895, 7230 kHz, with the following SW transmitters:
1st SW transmitter - Temporary 2 kW SW - June 2, 1962.
Gates Model HF20BX 20 kW SW - January 1963.
BEL Model HHB144 50 kW SW - 1995
However during Aug'2019 local officials & MP had requested to replace the existing shortwave transmitter with a new 300 kW DRM transmitter.
Plea on hill radio station
Upgrade for hill AIR station
On 22nd Nov, 2019 the Minister of Information & Broadcasting informed in Parliament that project for replacement of old SW transmitter with a new one has been approved.
Interestingly AIR Kurseong will be using NVIS antenna which is most effective in mountainous areas where line-of-sight propagation is ineffective & has coverage area of 500-800 kms.