Monday, August 13, 2007

Bhutan Broadcasting Service inaugurates new transmitter


Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation inaugurated the new 100 kilowatt THOMSON TSW 2100D DRM short wave radio transmitter on 10th August, 2007.

The inaugural ceremony of the installation of the new transmitter was attended by the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhir Vyas. Also present were the Information and communications minister, Lyonpo Leki Dorji and other government officials.

Addressing the gathering, the information and communications minister Lyonpo Leki Dorji said Bhutan being a mountainous country with rugged terrain, isolated and inaccessible settlements and far flung communities, BBS radio remains the most powerful medium to inform, educate and entertain the masses.

Speaking at the function, the Managing Director of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation, Mingbo Dukpa said Radio and TV are powerful tools of communication. He said any development to further enhance the capacity of the broadcast media marks an important milestone in the development of the country.

BBS radio has come a long way since it was established as an amateur radio station in 1973. BBS Radio today broadcast 100 hours of News and Programs in 4 languages in a week. The short wave transmitter was installed with financial support from the Indian Government.

This DRM capable 100 kW transmitter was installed in Sangaygang, 2660 meters above sea level and test transmissions were already going on. One of the station engineer informed that transmitter was not being operated on DRM mode due to problem with the RF Exciter.However the same has been rectified & they are having occassional DRM tests during txn b/down times with power output of only 25 watts.
(Source: Mukesh Kumar, The Cosmos Club, Muzaffarpur, India)