Amsterdam-based commercial radio station Magic Jazz is now broadcasting on mediumwave 1557 kHz 24 hours a day. Amsterdam City Council has not yet given permission for a permanent transmitter site, so the station is being forced to use a very low power transmitter in the city centre. A spokesperson for the station said it's incomprehensible that the national government can award the station a licence, but a lower authority can frustrate its plans. The spokesperson said that a number of suitable locations have been identified and discussed with the council, but a signed agreement is still lacking. The problem with the current location is that because it's in a built-up area, only low power can be used to avoid causing RF interference rather than the 1 kW for which it is licensed. The station is, however, also available to digital customers of cable company UPC, and via the Internet. (Media Network)
