India and Bangladesh join hands for radio diplomacy

All India Radio is set to launch Akashvani Maitree, a Bengali service aimed at those living across the border

After five months of preparation, All India Radio's (AIR) Kolkata station is ready to launch Akashvani Maitree—a service in Bengali aimed primarily at Bangladeshis—as New Delhi looks to strengthen diplomatic ties with Dhaka.

More at :

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/cwpLnpT0YTo95q20kERybM/India-and-Bangladesh-join-hands-for-radio-diplomacy.html

AIR Chinsurah testing in DRM mode

All India Radio Chinsurah was noted in DRM mode as per following schedule :

604 kHz - 0130-0300 UTC (0700-0830 IST), 0700-0800 UTC (1230-1330 IST)

1144 kHz - 1115-1315 UTC (1645-1845 IST), 1330-1430 UTC (1900-2000 IST), 1515-1600 UTC (2045-2130 IST).

Program content FM Rainbow/National Channel

Currently 594 kHz carries external service, wef 28th June, 2016, 594 kHz will carry newly introduced special Bengali service and 604 kHz will carry external service in DRM mode.

All India Radio to revive Bangla service

AIR to revive Bangla service - 'Probably one of its kind in the world'

Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, June 20: All India Radio will re-launch its special Bangla service for Bangladesh after a gap of six years, adding a cultural content to the news bulletins that conveyed India's perspective on global affairs.

The service, which began during the Liberation War of 1971, was discontinued in 2010 when the old transmitter in Calcutta broke down.

A strengthened transmitter with a higher capacity has now been installed in Chinsurah following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Dhaka visit last year, Prasar Bharati sources said.

Full story at :
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160621/jsp/nation/story_92427.jsp#.V2inOGh97IV

The special Bengali service from AIR Chinsurah (1000kw MW) or Akashvani Maitree Channel will be inaugurated by Hon'ble President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee on 28th June for the listeners in Bangladesh and West Bengal. The programs can be heard on 594 kHz MW at 0600-1430 IST (0030-0900 UTC) and 1530-2300 IST (1000-1730 UTC). The current External Service programs now b'cast will be aired in DRM mode on 604 kHz on the same transmitter.

(Alok Dasgupta on FB)

India to relaunch All India Radio Bengali service by 28th June

India is set to restart the special Bangla radio service for Bangladesh after a gap of six years, the channel, renamed Akashvani Maitree will go live on June 28 in Kolkata in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Read more at:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/india-to-relaunch-air-bangla-service-by-month-end/articleshow/52560740.cms

The new Bengali Service will be using AIR Chinsurah 1000 kW transmitter between 0025 - 1740 UTC (0555-2310 IST) with a break in between for frequency change on 594 kHz (Morning and Noon) and on 1134 kHz (in the evening and night). This is not a simulcast of programs broadcasted via Kolkata A or Kolkata B. The current External Services broadcast over this transmitter will be heard in DRM (Digital radio Mondiale) mode.

Update :

The special Bengali service from AIR Chinsurah (1000kw MW) or Akashvani Maitree Channel will be inaugurated by Hon'ble President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee on 28th June for the listeners in Bangladesh and West Bengal. The programs can be heard on 594 kHz MW at 0600-1430 IST (0030-0900 UTC) and 1530-2300 IST (1000-1730 UTC). The current External Service programs now b'cast will be aired in DRM mode on 604 kHz on the same transmitter.

(Alok Dasgupta on FB)

Related :

AIR to revive Bangla service - 'Probably one of its kind in the world'

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160621/jsp/nation/story_92427.jsp#.V2inOGh97IV

AIR Kolkata 'A' now on additional frequencies with better coverage

          Prasar Bharati ad that apperead in 8th March,2014 edition of The Telegraph, Kolkata

All India Radio, Kolkata 'A' channel on 657 kHz is now available on additional frequencies via newly installed transmitter at AIR Chinsurah.

 

Schedule :

5.55 am - 3.00 pm (0025 - 0930 UTC) on  594 kHz

5.00 pm - 11.15 pm (1130 - 1745 UTC) on 1134 kHz 

AIR Chinsurah tests noted on 594 kHz

All India Radio Chinsurah was heard today testing the new 1000 kW transmitter at around 1300 UTC on 594 kHz.

Here's a video ....

http://youtu.be/a5v9QPYZ_zA

AIR Chinsurah testing in simulcast mode

All India Radio, Chinsurah (near Kolkata) is testing its new 1000 kW DRM compatible Thomson transmitter. Test txn is simulcast mode carrying FM Rainbow program noted in 594 kHz AM & 604 kHz DRM around 1030 IST (0500 UTC).

(Sudipta Ghose, Kolkata)

AIR upgrades its MW network

On Dec 3rd, 2009 AIR has placed contract for 2 x 1000 kW MW transmitters to BECIL (Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd). BECIL & Thomspn were awarded to supply the 2 x 1000 kW MW transmitters including auxiliaries, commissioning & testing.

The new 1000 kW transmitters will replace old existing transmitters of same capacity at Chinsurah & Rajkot. The Rajkot transmitter is located about 450 km north-west of Mumbai. The transmitter at Chinsurah, 35 kms north of Kolkata will be a dual frequency transmitter with automatic frequency change. Both transmitters are equipped with DRM & can operate on analog, on simulcast or on full power digital with automatic change over between the 3 operation modes.

Details of S7HP LW/MW (300 kW to 1200 kW) Radio Transmitters
http://www.grassvalley.com/products/s7hp

Data Sheet
http://www.grassvalley.com/assets/media/2092/DRM-S7HP_V3.pdf