Orlunda radio transmitter, Radio communication station in Vadstena Municipality, Sweden.
Orlunda radio transmitter is a broadcast facility with a central 250-meter mast and surrounding antennas, all housed within an underground concrete bunker with 1.5-meter walls. The installation contained two 300-kilowatt transmitters using steam-cooled tubes that achieved 66 percent power efficiency while operating on a frequency of 191 kilohertz.
The transmitter was built in 1962 to replace the older Motala longwave transmitter, representing a significant leap forward in Swedish broadcasting capabilities. Operations ceased in 1991 when the site was decommissioned as transmission technology evolved and changed.
The station served as a vital source of radio signals for Sveriges Radio Programme 1, broadcasting to Swedish listeners and extending its reach into Finland, Denmark, Norway, Germany, and Britain. For audiences across these nations, the transmitter provided regular access to Swedish content and information.
The site is located in rural areas between Vadstena and Motala and can be reached from multiple directions, though visits are best made during clear weather to view the external structures properly. The surrounding terrain is relatively flat and provides good sightlines to the tall transmitter tower from various points in the area.
Engineers designed the underground bunker with special protection for sensitive broadcasting equipment, and the facility was fitted with a V-12 diesel engine to provide emergency power during outages. These precautions show how critical it was that this important national broadcast site remained operational under all circumstances.
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