Nagpur named after the Nag river founded in the 18th century by Gond King Bakht Buland was the capital of Bhonsala dynasty. In 1817, it came under British influence and in 1853 it became the capital of Central Province under the British Raj. Nagpur is now the 2nd capital of Maharashtra State and is geographically the central place in India. This is one of the hottest places in India and is famous for oranges.
AIR Nagpur was inaugurated on July 16, 1948 at 6.30 pm within one year of India independence with a 1 kW Medium Wave Transmitter. Its studioes and offices complex is at Palm Road, Civil Lines. It has 5 studioes and most of the equipment is made by Meltron. . The Main transmitting site is about 9 kms away from the studioes on the ……-……road.
On March 12,1953 a 10 kW Westinghouse transmitter replaced the old 1 kw unit. On June 6, 1976 it was replaced by a 100 kW BEL 105 B transmitter. From March 1982 to April 1983 it operated only on 10 kW with a locally fabricated L aerial as a 240 meter mast was installed to replace the one of 110 meters high. In 2003, it was replaced by a 300 kW Thomcast S7HP transmitter. Till …. It operated on 590 kHz and was changed to 585 kHz. It has a range of over 200 kms radius. It has 3 transmissions daily. The first transmission starts at 5.50 am and the last transmission ends at 11.10 pm. It broadcasts mainly in Marathi and also in Hindi, English, Urdu, Sindhi and Sanskrit. While I visited the station in 2001, a 10 kW BEL Mobile transmitter fitted in a van was also stationed there as standby. Being in the centre of India, it can be moved to any location in case of any emergency/break downs at other AIR stations. The Studio to Transmitter Link is via UHF operating on 1489 MHz with 3 watts made by Meltron and also DB Electronics.
The Commercial Broadcasting Service, Vividh Bharathi (B Channel) became functional from March 31, 1963 with a 1 kW transmitter which was installed at the studio complex. Its frequency was 660 till… when it was changed to 1602 kHz and covered 33 kms radius. It was discontinued around 1996 in favour of FM transmissions.
On August 6, 1991 FM transmissions started on 100.6 MHz with 2x3 kW GCEL 131 model transmitters. Its … is made by Rhode & Schwartz. It is located at Seminary Hills about 4 kms away from the studioes. It started stereo broadcasts in 2001. In this complex there are also the Doordarshan TV transmitters. It broadcasts in Hindi and Marathi. It has a range of about 80 kms radius. Its power is to increased to 10 kW soon. FM Radio Paging was there here from March 6, 1995 to 1999.
Its address is All India Radio, Palm Road, Civil Lines, Nagpur 440001, Maharashtra. The station issues verification letters and I have several of them in my collection.
Nagpur also has the National Channel transmitter of 1000 kw (2x500 kW at Buttibori, about 32 kms away from the city. It operates on 1566 kHz from 6.50 pm to 6.12 am. This super power transmitter was installed here as Nagpur is in the center of India. It started in 1987 and for some time they tested also on 630 kHz. I have received an important letter from them stating that I am the first listeners report that they got. The Office of the Superintending Engineer of this station is at Seminary Hills next to the FM/TV Station.
This station has also sent out separate Verification Letters in the past and I have some in my collection including for their tests on 630 kHz. Their address is Superintending Engineer, National Channel, Super Power Transmitter, All India Radio, Near TV Tower, Seminary Hills, Nagpur 440006, Maharashtra..
16 Jul 1948 1 kW 590 kHz
12 Mar 1953 10 kW Westinghouse
31 Mar 1963 1 kW Vividh Bharathi B Channel at Studio Complex
6 Jun 1976 100 kW BEL 105 B
590 kHz Changed to 585, 660 changed to 1602 kHz
1987 2x100 kW National Channel (Buttiburi) 1566 , 630 kHz
6 Aug 1991 2x3 kW GCEL 131 100.6 at Seminary Hills
- 10 kW BEL Mobile standby tx.
2003 300 kW Thomcast S7HP
2004 10 kW FM power to be increased