May 25, 2011- The American Forces Network Europe (AFNE) is adjusting its radio broadcast signals to help State German officials hosting a huge outdoor multi-concert bash, Hessentag.
German telecommunications officials asked AFN to temporarily turn off the 873 AM transmitter in June because heavy car traffic will be routed by the normally remote AFN radio transmitter on the way to a newly created field parking lot. Workers also need time to set up and take down concert stages, lights and temporary buildings, and they are bringing in cranes to do it. The Hessentag festivities and concerts run June 10-19 in Oberursel, Germany.
"Our German neighbors asked us to temporarily turn off our 873 AM Power
Network transmitter in Central Germany for concerts with Linkin Park, Bryan
Adams, the Scorpions and scores of others," says AFN Europe Commander
Colonel Bill Bigelow, "During that time, we'll broadcast to our American
audience in Wiesbaden on 1143 AM from another location."
While 1143 AM's 1,000-watts of power will reach Americans stationed in
Wiesbaden, the temporary transmitter doesn't have the reach of AFN's
150,000-watt transmitter in Weiskirchen, which reaches American commuters in
Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Hanau and Giessen.
AFN Europe will put 873 AM back on the air July 1st.
