Delta 171 was a proposed commercial long-wave radio station intended to broadcast in English to the UK and Europe from Radio Kootwijk in the Netherlands. The project, owned by a group of international investors and managed by Delta Radio in partnership with KPN (Royal PTT), planned to use the 171 kHz frequency with a power output of 500 kW ERP.
The station faced significant opposition from local residents in Kootwijk, who feared radiation risks and visual pollution from the planned 320-meter transmitting masts. Although the project secured necessary permits and established a free information hotline to address concerns, it never launched. The plan to build a massive offshore mast off the coast of Walcheren was also blocked by protests from the Stichting Noordzee and a ruling by the Council of State.
By 2019, the project was considered a "hopeless project" from 1997, with only a 100 kW emergency transmitter remaining for testing purposes. The initiative ultimately failed due to local resistance, high operational costs, and the declining popularity of AM music radio during that era. 
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Thanks for posting the link to that list of Longwave stations, past and present. I was not aware that Russia has also largely abandoned the band a long time ago. Very few stations still active. Reminded me of a radio story that was doing the rounds best part of 30 years ago from memory of a proposed new super powered Longwave station to be called Delta 171. Can't remember which European country it was to have broadcast from but it never happened anyway and realistically was too late to the party for Longwave broadcasting even back then. Time for some experimental low powered transmitters to play with for those vintage radio's if the band is effectively officially closed in all areas for at least a thousand miles from the UK after Friday.
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Radio 4 LW to close 27/06/2026 - Dave Martin 14/8/2025, 9:52:12
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