Harris Donates Replacement Transmitter to Iraqi Women’s Radio Station
Oct 3, 2006 3:05 PM
Harris’ Broadcast Communications Division Radio Business Unit has donated its market-leading Platinum series Z5 5kW solid-state FM transmitter to the first independent Iraqi women’s radio station, Radio Al-Mahaba. The new Harris transmitter, to be installed this month, will transmit within a 60-to-90-mile radius of the station’s Baghdad location and will reach people in approximately half of the 18 provinces.
The station’s original 5kW transmitter was destroyed by an explosion near the station in October of last year, and its subsequent 3kW rental unit failed. They are currently operating with a rented 1kW unit, which has drastically reduced their ability to reach their audience and garner the advertising revenue they need to remain on the air.
“It’s difficult to describe the significance of this 5kW transmitter to the continued success of our radio station,” says Bushra Jamil, the spokeswoman of Radio Al-Mahaba. “It means we’ll be able to reach the small towns and rural villages where women remain extremely isolated from news and education. The illiteracy rate for Iraqi women is now at approximately 75 percent, so this makes our radio broadcasts even more vital. After the bombing that destroyed our first transmitter, we had to reduce our staff’s salaries by half. With this new transmitter, we can become financially self-sufficient through increased advertising revenues.”
The non-religious, non-governmental station for women encourages audience members to call in and talk to one another, and features commentators and guests that educate them about their rights.
For more information, visit www.harris.com.
