Netherlands clears way for licensed low power mediumwave/AM stations

SWLing Post readers might recall that the Netherlands was considering opening licensed mediumwave broadcasting to low-power stations-it appears the path is now clear. Yesterday, Minister Kamp gave the green light to low-power stations (those with a power output from 1 to 100 watts) who can now apply for a broadcasting license.

Stig Hartvig Nielsen posted the following on the WRTH Facebook page:

Today Dutch minister Kamp has made it public that the Medium Wave band now will be open for low power stations operating with a power of max. 100 Watt. Full story here (in Dutch): http://radio.nl/"/groen-licht-voor-laagvermogen-uitzendinge"

One of the first stations to go on the air under the new legislation may be the long time pirate - Atlantis Radio 1521 - in Friesland. They got a license (?) from Commissariaat voor de Media in March 2016, and they recently purchased a new 75 W AM transmitter (300 W PEP). The format is golden oldies - and the station can be heard online here:http://www.atlantisradio.eu/radio/ - and more details can be found here:https://www.facebook.com/RadioAtlantis1521KHz/

It will be interesting to see how this decision plays out and how many stations will apply for a license. I'll certainly listen for new stations on the U Twente Web SDR as they pop up.