New transmitter boosts DZFE-FM broadcast

April 30th, 2009

DZFE recently commissioned its new Nautel NV20 transmitter and is now broadcasting at a transmitting power output of 10 kilowatts.

DZFE Station Manager TJ Liong and FEBC Phils. President Dan Andrew Cura with DZFE’s new Nautel NV20 transmitter at the facility in Antipolo City.

DZFE Station Manager TJ Liong and FEBC Phils. President Dan Andrew Cura with DZFE’s new Nautel NV20 transmitter at the Antipolo facility.

Previous to this, since shifting its transmitting site to Antipolo City from Makati City in April 2005, DZFE operated from a leased 5kW transmitter. Problems with this equipment brought down average transmitting power output to 2kW before the transmitter gave way altogether and took the station off the air for two weeks in October of 2008. When DZFE resumed broadcast, it was on a transmitting power output of one kilowatt.

With the recent commissioning of the new transmitter, the Php11.5M effort to improve DZFE’s signal coverage of Metro Manila comes close to completion. Signal testing is ongoing; findings may deem it necessary for DZFE to apply for NTC permission to transmit at higher than 10kW.

Listeners are encouraged to submit their feedback on reception. Data should include —

  • an assessment of quality (whether the reception has improved, remained the same or deteriorated)
  • listening location, date and time,
  • whether or not tall buildings are present to the east of the location
  • any other observations regarding signal quality.

Feedback may be sent by e-mail to dzfe@i-manila.com.ph, posted as a comment on DZFE’s online transmission bulletin (found on the station website, dzfe.febc.ph), or sent through text by keying in followed by a space and the requested data, and sending the SMS to 2299.

On June 1, DZFE marks its 55th year of broadcast. The station is part of the Far East Broadcasting Company network of radio stations, established in 1948 to bring Christ to the world by radio. DZFE works to foster a joint appreciation of classical music and Christian spirituality, sharing the biblical Gospel of God’s Kingdom, and exploring its dynamic, richness, and scope in the tradition of classical music.

After operating on shorter broadcast hours for several years, DZFE returned to an 18-hour, six-day broadcast in June last year. Preparations are underway to fully restore the broadcast to its original daily schedule early next year.

DZFE is a non-profit, non-commercial outfit; its operations and projects are sustained on donations from supporters of DZFE and FEBC. Interested supporters can contact DZFE at +632 810 3835, send e-mail to dzfe@i-manila.com.ph.

Off-air April 20

April 20th, 2009

It’s not the transmitter this time, but a breakdown of our studio to transmitter link.  Our people are busy with repairs. We were not able to sign-on this morning;  repairs continue through to tomorrow.

DZFE broadcasting from new transmitter

April 1st, 2009

We begin broadcasting today from our new transmitter.  Expect intermittent off-air spells over the next few weeks as adjustments are made.  However, overall reception in the Greater Manila Area should improve as we go from 1kW to 10kW of transmitting power.

We would appreciate your feedback on signal reception in your area.  Kindly provide the following information, if possible:

1) Your listening location (street, barangay and city; or nearby landmark and city are enough)

2) Date and time

3) Are there tall buildings to the east of you?

4) Reception: Did it A) IMPROVE? B) REMAIN THE SAME? or C) DETERIORATE?

5) Any other details you would like to include.

More than one report,  taken on different days, or different times of day, would also be a great help.

Send your feedback by responding to this post; send e-mail to dzfe@i-manila.com.ph; or texting DZFE (space) your message to 2299.

Interruptions in broadcast preparatory to transmitter upgrade

March 30th, 2009

Preparations are currently underway for the transfer to our new transmitter, which is finally on-site at Antipolo.  Expect broadcast interruptions during the day over the next few days as adjustments are made to the facility.  We expect to begin broadcasting from the new, more powerful transmitter starting April 1.

Back on-air

January 23rd, 2009

1530 Repairs were successful; we are back on air

Backup down

January 23rd, 2009

As of sign-on this morning (23 January 2008), we are off the air; the one-kilowatt transmitter we have been loaned has gone down. Technicians are scheduled to go to the site this morning. For sure, there will be no AM broadcast; earliest resumption, if the assessment is no too grave, is this afternoon. Thank you for your patience!

The power of one kW. A brighter light at the end of the tunnel.

December 6th, 2008

We’ve been receiving quite a few complaints lately about poor reception, particularly in the Quezon City area.
One of you even changed radio sets hoping to get a better signal, but to no avail. The fact is, we are still operating on one kilowatt off of borrowed equipment. The power supplies that will allow us to return to a higher power on the 5kW transmitter we have been leasing have been delayed much longer than we expected.

On a brighter note, a light has appeared at the end of the tunnel in the form of a new transmitter we have begun acquiring. The down payment has been made; but the balance of Php6M has yet to be raised and will have to be paid upon delivery of the transmitter in January 2009.

Broadcast to resume 25 October, Saturday

October 24th, 2008

Even while we wait for transmitter parts to make their way here from Canada, we will be resuming broadcast tomorrow using a 1kw transmitter and transmission line loaned to us by different parties. The loan is only for a limited time; we hope that by the time the loan expires, the new parts will have arrived and been tested, and we will be ready to resume transmitting from our leased 5kw transmitter. Thank you for enduring through the two-week hiatus; we sign-on again tomorrow at 6AM .

Off-air until parts arrive

October 18th, 2008

On 13 October, our leased transmitter refused to operate. Over the last week, it was conclusively found that major damage to critical parts were beyond repair. Parts have been ordered and are being shipped from overseas. They are expected to arrive in two weeks. Any new developments will be posted here. Thank you for your concern!