ELWA now on 6070kHz

Shortwave Broadcasts
Liberian Christian radio station ELWA has been reported broadcasting on a new frequency of 6070kHz with signals sometimes audible in Europe.

The activation of this new frequency is believed to follow the news of the delivery of a new 5 kilowatt transmitter which will augment the existing 1 kW broadcasts on 4760 kHZ (60 meters)

The plan is to recommence vernacular broadcasts into the interior of Liberia. At the moment the vernacular programming is broadcast only on ELWA's FM transmitter from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm daily, reaching only a very small portion of the target area.

Finance & Transportation
Finance has been very tight at ELWA, making spending decisions very strenuous. The absence of a functioning vehicle within the department has also contributed to less work being accomplished in downtown Monrovia because a lot of valuable ministry time is spent trying to catch a public transport.

Back Up Equipment
Lack of Back up equipment is seriously affecting the radio ministry. This includes a need for back-up mini disc player, control board, cd players, etc. Having back-up equipemnt available would provide options to fall back on in times of break downs and repairs.

FM Broadcast Signal
Since the construction of the 350 foot tower, the FM broadcast signal on the 250 watts transmitter has been able to reach Monrovia and the surrounding areas. However there is an ongoing need to repair the 2 kilwatt FM transmitter which would boost the signal to cover central Liberia and beyond.

Moving to Digital Production Techniques
The introduction of the digital studio system is step number 1 in the upgrade of ELWA's broadcast equipment and the beginning of broadening the skills of the ELWA staff with the digital system having made recording and editing easier.

Rebuilding ELWA
ELWA has been a significant presence in Monrovia for many years. But two civil wars brought damage and destruction to the station's studios and transmitters, putting it off air and, at one point, leaving it's return very much in doubt.

But ELWA Radio is now working towards the goal of renovating and improving buildings and equipment in order to maximize the impact of their broadcasts.

This includes renovation of an existing building which once housed a 50 kilowatt shortwave transmitter. The existing FM and shortwave transmitters will then be moved into this new building, with the introduction of an additional power amplifier for the FM signal and the second shortwave transmitter

Broadcasting hours on shortwave are limited, and the rural target audience typically works on farms, meaning that only a few time slots are suitable - generally 5:30am to 8am and 6pm to 9pm)

ELWA Radio currently broadcasts in nine languages for 15 minutes each broadcast.

Grebo, Kru, Gola, Bassa, Kpelle and Kissi are aired every week day, and Dan, Krahn and Loma on the weekends. ELWA Radio intends to add Mandingo, Vai and Bandi, with the ultimate goal of fourteen or fifteen different language broadcasts.