Grimeton Radio Station

A World Heritage site with global reach

The Varberg Radio Station at Grimeton in southern Sweden (built 1922–24) is an exceptionally well-preserved monument to early wireless transatlantic communication. It consists of the transmitter equipment, including the aerial system of six 127-m high steel towers. Although no longer in regular use, the equipment has been maintained in operating condition. The 109.9-ha site comprises buildings housing the original Alexanderson transmitter, including the towers with their antennae short-wave transmitters with their antennae, and a residential area with staff housing.

The site consists of the station building with its exceptional transmitting system, surrounding buildings and the antenna plant (six 127 m high steel towers). The architect Carl Åkerblad designed the main buildings in the neoclassical style and the structural engineer Henrik Kreüger was responsible for the antenna towers, the tallest built structures in Sweden at that time. The site is an outstanding example of the development of telecommunications and is the only surviving example of a major transmitting station based on pre-electronic technology.

Criterion (ii): Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg is an outstanding monument representing the process of development of communication technology in the period following the First World War.

Criterion (iv): Grimeton Radio Station, Varberg is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a type of telecommunication center, representing the technological achievements by the early 1920s.

The history of technology

The Alexanderson transmitter consists of four systems and was originally produced at General Electric, in USA. In the early 1920’s, it was shipped to Sweden and put in use. The system allowed Morse signals to travel on a certain frequency, which in Grimeton’s case was 17,2 kHz.

The alternator of the Alexanderson transmitter.

During the Second World War, two new bunkers were added to the area, both containing mobile radio communication devices in case of emergency.

The people behind Grimeton

Grimeton is the old parish name and is said to have originated from the Swede Grimulf which participated when the border between Denmark and Sweden was drawn around 1050.

For many years, Hans W Palmqvist was the station manager where he was considered as a very strict and organized leader. He constantly strived to develop his staff’s knowledge in various fields.

1924, engineer Nils Norén in the middle.

“When one fell, there were ten hands ready to take the shuffle. That short of work it was” Worker 1923.

CQ for Peace

While communication is seen as an asset for peace-building, a peace message is annually sent from the longwave transmitter on the UN day (24th of October).

The message is widely spread and received by hundreds of people in different parts of the world. In 2005, a visitor center was completed serving as the main entrance to the World Heritage site.

To better understand the site and its history, guided tours are arranged.