Sottens transmitter, Broadcasting tower in Jorat-Menthue, Switzerland.
Sottens is a broadcasting facility in the Jorat-Menthue area that transmits medium-wave radio signals across French-speaking Switzerland. The installation includes a tall mast and support structures rising above the flat agricultural land of the Gros-de-Vaud district.
The transmitter started operating in 1931 as an early broadcasting facility for French-speaking Switzerland. It has remained in continuous service since then, marking a key moment in how the nation connected through radio waves.
The transmitter shaped how French-speaking Swiss could connect to national broadcasts and local news. It became a landmark that many recognize as part of their region's identity and technological heritage.
The transmitter is easy to reach from the main roads through the Gros-de-Vaud district and stands out clearly above the flat terrain. Visitors should prepare for walks through open farmland since the site sits in a rural area.
The antenna can spread signals far across Europe under certain weather conditions, showing the physical forces behind radio broadcasting. This capability once helped during emergency communication in times of crisis.
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