Thoughts on the demise of the former BBC/DW Caribbean Relay Station...

Websites with details of relay station:
http://www.tdp.info/atg.html
http://www.transmitter.be/mar-b6122.html

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Possible reasons for shutdown
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1. Marconi is totally out of the SW transmitter business, so transmitter
repair over the long run is a gamble.

2. The B6122 transmitters were not very efficient, electrically -- 60% vs
the commonplace 80% efficiency with most modern transmitters.

3. Two modern ALLISS modules could replace the existing Caribbean Relay
station.
(ALLISS module info :
http://www-db.thomcastcom.ext.coltfr..._ID=1 &P_ID=9)

4. There is extra capacity for SW transmission on the South American
continent. On the South American continent hydropower is used to power radio
broadcasting vs more costly diesel used in the Caribbean and South Atlantic.
HCJB (and TDF) could cover the Americas completely with their existing and
spare SW transmission capacity.
Worst case scenario (1% probability) would require leasing the Russian
Vladivostok-Kamchatka & Magadan relay stations, to meet transmission needs.

5. Because the US / Canada and Western Caribbean are not primary BBC/DW
target areas, it becomes logical to sell the facility off so that it can be
turned into an upmarket resort -- thus putting some Euros into cash strapped
BBC/DW as well as VT-Merlin that operated the facility.