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Voice of America (VOA) Morrocco Relay Station to Close
Announcement by the International Broadcasting Bureau, November 2, 2007: "The IBB transmitting station in Morocco will cease operations in March 2008, and the facility will be returned to the Government of Morocco by the end of next year. The rising cost of operating the Morocco station prompted this decision. The closing will not reduce the number of hours of radio programming currently broadcast by shortwave: All programs currently broadcast from the Morocco station will continue to be broadcast, either from other IBB facilities or through lease arrangements. Employees affected by the move will receive appropriate severance compensation within the scope of U.S. Embassy agreements. The outstanding work of these Moroccan station employees on behalf of U.S. international broadcasting is greatly appreciated." From "A Technical History of the VOA Network," International Broadcasting Bureau, October 25, 1995, Page 4-10: "Morocco has ten 500 KW autotuned, shortwave broadcast transmitters manufactured by Marconi Electronics Inc. It has space for two additional 500 KWs. The 500 KW transmitters, which are twice as efficient as older existing VOA transmitters, are the first VOA transmitters designed for reduced power, reduced carrier and single sideband operation. This 1,147-acre facility is located about seven miles from the old Tangier Relay Station now operated by the Moroccan government. The new station delivers VOA programs to Eastern Europe, Western Soviet Union, Middle East, Southwest Asia, and West and Central Africa. The U.S. government accepted the transmitter areas for occupancy on June 7, 1990." The BBG's FY 08 budget request says that the annual operational cost of Morocco is $12,904,000 and in the plan, the Board proposed to reduce it by $2,645,000 this year. The decision to close it altogether must have been signed off in consultation with Congress. This will leave only 50 VOA/IBB shortwave and medium wave transmitters worldwide by mid 2008. Currently pending in the US House of Representatives is a bill sponsored by Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota (HR 3598) entitled the Voice of Freedom Act of 2007. It would "prohibit the cessation, degradation, or limitation of broadcasting activities by the Broadcasting Board of Governors" and specifically seeks retention of the Delano Relay Station in California that relayed its last broadcast (in Thai to East Asia) on October 27, 2007. It appears that the Broadcasting Board of Governors is attempting to gut VOA's broadcasting abilities on medium wave and shortwave before Representative Betty McCollum's Voice of Freedom Act of 2007 can be considered. |
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Old Marconi Transmitters force closure of Voice of America (VOA) Morrocco Relay Station
Old Marconi Transmitters force closure of Voice of America (VOA) Morrocco
Relay Station. The Marconi transmitters would have been replaced by 500 kw transmitters from RIZ or Grass Vally / Thales ... but the US is not able to take care of itself. Even the most basic funding arrangements to update these transmitters are more or less totally beyond the current US Goverment's capabilities. Announcement by the International Broadcasting Bureau, November 2, 2007: "The IBB transmitting station in Morocco will cease operations in March 2008, and the facility will be returned to the Government of Morocco by the end of next year. The rising cost of operating the Morocco station prompted this decision. [...] "Morocco has ten 500 KW autotuned, shortwave broadcast transmitters manufactured by Marconi Electronics Inc. It has space for two additional 500 KWs. The 500 KW transmitters, which are twice as efficient as older existing VOA transmitters, are the first VOA transmitters designed for reduced power, reduced carrier and single sideband operation. This 1,147-acre facility is located about seven miles from the old Tangier Relay Station now operated by the Moroccan government. |
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Voice of America (VOA) Morrocco Relay Station to Close
On Nov 25, 5:07 pm, SWLer wrote:
Announcement by the International Broadcasting Bureau, November 2, 2007: "The IBB transmitting station in Morocco will cease operations in March 2008, and the facility will be returned to the Government of Morocco by the end of next year. The rising cost of operating the Morocco station prompted this decision. The closing will not reduce the number of hours of radio programming currently broadcast by shortwave: All programs currently broadcast from the Morocco station will continue to be broadcast, either from other IBB facilities or through lease arrangements. Employees affected by the move will receive appropriate severance compensation within the scope of U.S. Embassy agreements. The outstanding work of these Moroccan station employees on behalf of U.S. international broadcasting is greatly appreciated." From "A Technical History of the VOA Network," International Broadcasting Bureau, October 25, 1995, Page 4-10: "Morocco has ten 500 KW autotuned, shortwave broadcast transmitters manufactured by Marconi Electronics Inc. It has space for two additional 500 KWs. The 500 KW transmitters, which are twice as efficient as older existing VOA transmitters, are the first VOA transmitters designed for reduced power, reduced carrier and single sideband operation. This 1,147-acre facility is located about seven miles from the old Tangier Relay Station now operated by the Moroccan government. The new station delivers VOA programs to Eastern Europe, Western Soviet Union, Middle East, Southwest Asia, and West and Central Africa. The U.S. government accepted the transmitter areas for occupancy on June 7, 1990." The BBG's FY 08 budget request says that the annual operational cost of Morocco is $12,904,000 and in the plan, the Board proposed to reduce it by $2,645,000 this year. The decision to close it altogether must have been signed off in consultation with Congress. This will leave only 50 VOA/IBB shortwave and medium wave transmitters worldwide by mid 2008. Currently pending in the US House of Representatives is a bill sponsored by Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota (HR 3598) entitled the Voice of Freedom Act of 2007. It would "prohibit the cessation, degradation, or limitation of broadcasting activities by the Broadcasting Board of Governors" and specifically seeks retention of the Delano Relay Station in California that relayed its last broadcast (in Thai to East Asia) on October 27, 2007. It appears that the Broadcasting Board of Governors is attempting to gut VOA's broadcasting abilities on medium wave and shortwave before Representative Betty McCollum's Voice of Freedom Act of 2007 can be considered. VOA (US) Morocco Shortwave Radio Station Will Close http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0100/t.9704.html * "The closing will not reduce the number of hours of radio programming currently broadcast by shortwave," * "All programs currently broadcast from the Morocco station will continue to be broadcast, either from other IBB facilities or through lease arrangements." ~ RHF |
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