On January 1st, "Europe 1", sometimes incorrectly listed as a German
radio BC, is 50 year old.

(Before the 1980's French laws prohibited private transmitters sites to
be set on the national territory, with a derogation for RMC - Radio
Monte Carlo. Putting a mighty LW transmitter near the border - i.e.
German Saarland for Europe 1 or Dedeling in Luxemburg for RTL- linked to
studios in Paris was a bypass solution)

It sent its first test transmission on Jan 1, 1955, was interrupted and
began full commercial service on April 3.

Since then, its frequency has varied along time from 180 to 185 kHz LW.
Sinnce 1986 it is on its current 183 kHz. Its power rose from 1400kW to
2000kW in 1976.

Photographs of the transmitter as it was in 1975 are available at

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/tvignaud/am/e1/e1_emet.htm