OIRT FM RADIOS -INSIDE VIEW

The solar activity peaking to max this months is pushing hard on broadcasters and listeners. Some '' big guns'' acting as real beacons in the proximity of 70MHz can be used to warn about MUFs at this frequencies.
This is useful for the broadcasters and listeners in the 88-108MHz FM band....MUF normally increases slowly (if increase conditions are set !!!). Broadcasters have some time to warn about interferencies. DX-ers have some time to prepare for hunting.
And do not forget the HAMs licensed to transmit in the 70MHz band (the author is one of them)! It is a strange band, technically very interesting. Why to spend money for beacons?....are here free of charge!
Living in Eastern Europe, was involved in installing, servicing or surveying some of this OIRT FM transmitters. Just a few of them are still on air.
Would like to introduce to you Radio Maria FM in Kiev, Ukraine.

It is transmitting on 69.02MHz with 2KW ERP , on a 24/7/365 time schedule. The polarisation is H. The radiation pattern in the horizontal plane is quite a circle. The antenna, an old Russian type (AUR-TchM-3000) is installed at 290m above ground on a 318m antenna tower situated in the city of Kiev (see picture). The transmitter is an old German type, as you can see in the picture.

 SWL reports are welcome !!

73's, Puiu YO5BIM