The main transmitter at Tronfjell

With its 1666 metres above sea level, Tronfjell in Alvdal municipality was early on seen as a good site for a FM- and TV- station and as a relay point for the radio line, Oslo –Trondheim. Construction of the main building commenced in the summer 1959, with extensions started in 1960 and 1968. It became clear from the outset, that Tron was a good choice for tele communicational purposes. TV broadcasts were initiated in 1963. The very first message going out through the transmitter was the news of the murder of John F. Kennedy.

A five-floor “Neumann-tower” with an additional antenna loft was erected. The height, including the mast at the pinnacle, is 49.3 metres. Due to problems with ice, the tower was clad in plastic sheeting around 1970. A new living section and a room for a new generator were added in 1970/71. The living section consists of a kitchen, a living room, two bedrooms, a hall and a bathroom. A tunnel was constructed between the low-built new section and the tower.

REMINISCING

Before the Second World War, the broadcasting of radio programs was underpinned by a network of long- and medium-wave transmitters.

In many areas, however, the reception was very bad, and it became evident that technical equipment needed to be placed at the highest possible altitude. Establishing a network of broadcasting equipment on mountain tops improved the quality significantly.

In 1933 the Parliament approved that the state would take over all broadcasting activities in Norway. NRK (the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) was established, and retained the exclusive rights to all radio broadcasting in the country until the arrival of local radio stations in the 1980s. In conjunction with the creation of NRK, Telegrafverket was assigned the work of planning, building and running the broadcasting transmitters. In other words; NRK was behind the program content, and Telegrafverket made sure it reached the listeners.

In August 1956 the board of Telegrafverket gave its recommendation to the development of television in Norway.

After the Second World War television grew as a new broadcasting medium in the western world. Due to its scattered habitation and difficult topography with fjords, mountains and valleys, Norway turned out to be one of the world’s most challenging countries to develop for broadcasting purposes. Trials of television started in 1954. Television in Norway was officially opened in 1960 with regular transmissions from the start. Towards the end of the 1960s, 90% of Norwegian households had the opportunity to watch television.

Broadcasting transmitters were built on mountain tops all across the country to reach the population and give everyone access to television. Throughout the first years, transmissions were in black and white. Colour TV did not arrive until 1972. Preceding this was a comprehensive public debate and parliamentary decisions. Many were of the opinion that it was far more important to extend black and white television to all parts of the country before allowing ourselves the luxury of colour.

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