Mainflingen longwave transmitter, Longwave transmission facility in Mainhausen, Germany

The Mainflingen transmitter is a longwave broadcasting facility in Mainhausen near Frankfurt with several steel lattice masts standing between 150 and 200 meters tall. These masts support specialized antennas insulated from the ground that broadcast the longwave signal over vast distances.

Built in 1956 at Mainflingen in Hesse, the facility served commercial longwave transmissions and in earlier times also longwave broadcasting, notably as a backup transmitter for Sender Donebach. All transmitters at the site use call signs beginning with DCF; the best known is DCF77, the longwave time signal and standard-frequency station.

All transmitters at the site use call signs beginning with DCF, and the best known is DCF77, a longwave time signal and standard-frequency station. Radio-controlled clocks and watches across Central Europe set themselves from this signal, which is generated here in Mainhausen.

The site is a secured facility near the A3 motorway with limited public access to operational areas. Visitors can view the masts from a distance, but should be aware that close approach to the active transmission equipment is not permitted.

The T-antenna southeast of the fenced main antenna area, still north of the A3 motorway, hangs between two guyed lattice-steel masts insulated against ground. Near the transmitter building stands a tower of prefabricated concrete segments used for mobile phone services. Every transmitter at the site carries a call sign beginning with DCF.