Bergen Kringkaster – A Hidden Gem of Broadcasting History
Bergen Kringkaster is a captivating piece of broadcasting heritage and the former NRK (Norsk Rikskringkasting) AM (LW/MW) station serving the Bergen region. Nestled near the charming village of Erdal on Askøy Island, just north of Bergen, this historic site is a remarkable symbol of Norway’s radio legacy.
At the heart of the station is the Telefunken transmitter, a 20 kW marvel constructed between 1936 and 1937. It stands as the only complete Telefunken transmitter of its kind still preserved anywhere in the world—a true treasure for technology enthusiasts and historians alike. Alongside it, the Marconi transmitter, a 1 kW unit from the mid-1930s, further adds to the site’s historic significance.
The station’s first broadcasts crackled to life in November 1937, with signals transmitted via the Telefunken on 260 kHz and the Marconi on 355 kHz. Following the adoption of the Copenhagen Plan in 1950, both transmitters were re-tuned to new medium-wave frequencies, adapting to the changing landscape of radio broadcasting.
By 1965, a Philips 10 kW transmitter took over daily operations, replacing the Telefunken. Despite their incredible legacy, both transmitters ceased operation in 1978 and 1966, using frequencies 890 kHz and 1115 kHz respectively.
Declared a Norwegian Cultural Heritage site, Bergen Kringkaster remains a testament to innovation and progress in early broadcasting. I
Velkommen til Bergen kringkaster radiomuseet på Askøy!
Grensedalen 59, Erdal, Askøy
80 year-old Telefunken TX
On Sunday the 26th November the Bergen Broadcaster Association – Foreningen Bergen Kringkaster – (FBK) group of amateur radio enthusiasts celebrated the 80th anniversary of the inauguration of this Telefunken LW / MW transmitter station from 1937.
The transmitter was ordered in 1935, finished in 1937 and came on the air on 28th November and is apparently the only one remaining in existence. The rated power was 20KW and it was in service until 1978.
The antenna, a wire ‘T’ was suspended between two 150m lattice steel towers, these were taken down in 2000 and thereafter a 30m section re-erected.
The site has museum status and transmissions of mainly historical interest are made on 1314KHz almost every Sunday, 1100CET to 1500CET. This last Sunday listener reports were received from the UK and Finland amongst others. A Western Electrical 250W sender from 1947 has been used for these transmissions but a more modern transistor transmitter is proving to be more reliable now.
A parallel FM service is being re-established (on 93.8MHz) and on 5895KHz another service is operated using AM with re-inserted carrier.
The associated amateur station LA1ASK was on the air on 80m for most of the period 11-15, as it is every Sunday, excursions can be made to other bands using a selection of dipoles suspended from the 30m mast. The main amateur station equipment is an IC7600 and an Acom PA.
There is also a connection through from Echolink (on Two metres).
The Museum is open every Sunday 1100 to 1500 local time except at Xmas and New Year, and can be opened on request at other times.
It is situated on the Island of Askoey, just west of Bergen, Norway, and is well served with buses.
The website can be found at https://bergenkringkaster.hardang.com/
Peter LB0K
Fredning av Bergen kringkaster, Askøy kommune i Hordaland
20.07.2000 03:01 endret 29.09.2016 13:24
Riksantikvaren har utpekt anlegg for telekommunikasjon som ett av flere satsningsområder med siktemål bevaring av anlegg og utstyr som viser den historiske utviklingen av telekommunikasjonen i Norge. Bergen kringkaster er vurdert i forbindelse med en evaluering av telekommunikasjonshistoriske anlegg i verneplanen «Historiske linjer – Verneplan for Telenors bygninger og installasjoner», som ble utarbeidet av Telenor og Riksantikvaren i 1996.
Bergen kringkaster på Askøy er det eneste komplett bevarte og uendrete senderanlegg med master fra denne perioden. Den er et viktig og uerstattelig ledd i dokumentasjonen av den tekniske utviklingen innen telekommunikasjon, både i norsk og internasjonal sammenheng. Fredningen omfatter antenneanlegget med to jernmaster og bardunfester, senderbygning med eksteriør, interiør, teknisk utstyr og fast inventar. Dessuten funksjonærboligens, vaktmesterboligens og garasjens eksteriør. I tillegg er et område rundt anlegget fredet for å sikre anleggets virkning i landskapet. Senderbygningen og mastene er fra anleggets oppføring i 1936-37 og 20 Kw-senderen, som er produsert av Telefunken i 1935, er unik i telekommunikasjonssammenheng. Funksjonærbygningen er oppført i 1941-42, og vaktmesterboligen er det gamle våningshuset på bruket Frudalsmyr.
Anlegget eies av Norsk rikskringkastning (NRK) og forvaltes av Televerket/ Telenor. Funksjonærboligen er utleid til private.
Kilde:
https://kulturminnesok.no/minne/?queryString=https://data.kulturminne.no/askeladden/lokalitet/87116
Kommentar av Bergen Kringkaster : Bergen Kringkaster eies i dag av Askøy Kommune.