On this page I give you an overview of the DXing situation in Central Carinthia (Villach region). This area is perfect for receiving signals from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Villach is located on the crossroads of several valleys that meet right in the city. It is located on the Western edge of the so-called Klagenfurt basin, a geological basin covering 1.750 km² in the Southern Alps. While the central chain of the Alps is reaching up to more than 3000 metres on the northern border of Carinthia, the natural barrier is lower towards South. The Southern edge of the basin is characterised by the Karawanken/Karavanke mountains, they also mark the border with Slovenia (although not the linguistical border). Towards Italy, the Julian Alps are the last barrier before the plain lands of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Adriatic Sea. This specific conditions allow interesting signals from the Northern Adriatic basin covering the peninsula of Istria (Croatia, Slovenia, Italy), Veneto (especially Padova region) and the lower Apennine region covering an area from Modena (Emilia) towards the region Romagna till Marche and Abruzzo.
What are local radio stations in Villach region
Besides the above mentioned DXIng conditions, there are local radio stations available from three countries: Austria, Italy, and Slovenia. Important is once again the topography: The concept of basin does not mean that it is “flat” between the Southern and Northern mountains, hills and large valleys make it often difficult to guarantee a perfect signal in all areas. Another example is the altitude: The higher you are, the more stations you receive in good quality.
Austria
Being the second largest city of Carinthia comes with a moderate selection of different radio stations, however modest compared to other cities with the same population.
On FM, Villach offers the four radio channels from the Austrian public broadcasting organisation ORF: The first channel, Ö1 (91,60 classical music, cultural information, news), Radio Kärnten (97,80 local news with music for target 50+), Hitradio Ö3 (90,40 charts), and FM4 (102,90 alternative). Additionally, Antenne Kärnten (104,90) is the biggest private radio station in Carinthia. There is also Welle 1 (99,70) with a more young music format, oe24 (92,00 information and charts) as well as Kronehit (107,60, charts). Despite being transmitted from Italy, Radio Maria (99,10) offers religious programmes. Since 2024, DAB+, digital radio, offers additional stations: There are three multiplex on air that enrich the offer of radio programmes, one with Austrian-wide stations (DAB Austria, 6A), DAB+ MUX 3-StBK (6B), DAB+ MUX 2-StBK (6D). More information can be found here: DAB+ Alpe-Adria Region
Additionally, from Slovenia can be received the three programmes from the state-owned broadcasting company RTV Slovenija: Radio Prvi (100,10 news), Val 202 (104,00 different types of music) and ARS (106,00 classical music).
From Italy, RTL 102.5 can be received very well on 104,50. It is one of the biggest radio stations in Italy with a mix of Italian and international music. RDS on 107,90 sends a similar type of music, Deejay on 101,90 more talk formats with music. Virgin Radio on 98,10 offers rock and pop, Radio Freccia alternative music on 101,10. The local radio station Radio Punto Zero with headquarters in Trieste also transmits from Tarvisio with a regionalised advertisement section dedicated specifically also to the Carinthian market (in German) on 90,10 with a mix of Italian and international music. The three programmes from the public operator RAI can be received as well in most spots.
Depending on the location, there are also programmes from Croatia (HRT HR 1, HRT HR 2, HRT HR 3, HRT Radio Pula, HRT Radio Rijeka) as well as from Slovenia, especially in the Northern parts of the Carinthian basin.
DXing in the Villach area
The above mentioned stations are not everything that this region can offer: With the right equipment and on a good spot, many more stations from Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia can be received, as well as in some areas some stations from Hungary.
In the mountainous area, reflections of signals often make it hard to receive a signal in a very good quality. But it also brings the advantage that many stations from far away can be received without any problems. On this section, there is an overview of the main DX spots in Central Carinthia (around Villach) as well as some explanations for the interesting phenomena of long-distance DXing of signals from Italy.
Overview of the main DX spots in Villach and surroundings:
The following maps gives an overview of the main DX spots
Villach-North (main DX location)
My main spot for DXing is located in the north of Villach on the edge of the basin that slightly moves up to the first mountains creating some kind of terraces with light valleys. This is the perfect condition to create a natural “reflection base” allowing that signals from far away are reflected on high mountains and “directed” back to the valley. The location is overlooking the main basin by around 40-50 metres with no blocking mountains towards south-east, south, and partly south-west. To North-east the location is opening towards the valley along the Drava river.
The location is close to the main transmitter in Carinthia, the Dobratsch, the highest peak of the so called Villach Alps (Villacher Alpe) and is also close to Spittal/Goldeck transmitter.
At this location, most of the DXing is done. From here, it is around 90 km air distance to the Adriatic Sea, this enables to catch stations from the regions of Emilia/Romagna, Marche and Abruzzo.
The Bandscan of Villach gives an overview of all stations that can be received in this area north of Villach (for FM and DAB+).
Since 2024, you can also listen yourself to this DX location using this link to get direct access to the Villach-North location: https://villach.fmtuner.org/
Oswaldiberg and hills north of Villach
Just some metres above the basin, it is possible to receive many stations in a better quality or to receive even different stations, for example from Hungary (transmitter Kab-hegy). The hills north of the main location cover a range from 700 up to 900 metres allowing different conditions that are additionally marked in the Bandscan.
area around Lake Ossiach
This area allows that some of the signals from Italy are stronger than they are at the main location, this is mainly due to the fact that the Dobratsch mountain is less blocking the signals towards Italy.
Wernberg
This village is located north-east of Villach on a hill within the basin. The open location allows signals from Friuli to be stronger, especially from Pordenone region. The best spot is the parking place at the Eurospar supermarket as it is overlooking the basin and open towards Italy.
Italy DX
As mentioned, Carinthia is located on the Southern part of the Alps, towards south the Julian Alps are the last chain of Alps that reaches more than 2500 metres. They are rocky and in this way the perfect reflectors for signals from Central Italy. The close distance to the Mediterranean sea (80 km) makes it easy to receive a lot of different signals from Veneto, Emilia/Romagna, Marche, and Abruzzo along the Adriatic Sea. Average altitude in Carinthia is around 500 metres, this enable signals to reach this basin despite of Julian Alps in the South.
reflections in the Alps
Given the special topography, signals from Italy can pass the Julian Alps, how this exactly happens cannot be said in detail. One potential theory is that the signals are reflected on the rocky mountain faces of the Julian Alps. Reflections are the way most of the stations are received in Carinthia, sometimes via those direct reflections on mountains such as Mangart, Triglav or Jôf di Montasio. Another possible way are “multiple reflections” via the valleys that connect Carinthia with Italy (Canale del Ferro, Soca Valley in Slovenia). Some of the signals are however constantly there and are clear and powerful, while others can be received only in weak quality.
From the Adriatic coast it is possible to see the same mountains that are visible from Carinthia (especially the high peaks of Julian Alps) making it possible that those rocky mountains serve as a “reflection shield”.
Map 1: signals coming from south to Carinthia
The Mediterranean Sea and atmospheric conditions
Also the Mediterranean Sea plays a major role in explaining long-distance stations coming to Carinthia. Especially during summer, the hot water temperatures produce specific propagation that facilitates that someone can receive stations from far away. The hot water amplifies the signal and on the main Mediterranean sea it is happening frequently that for example in Sardegna island stations from Spain are perfectly receivable. From Villach, the distance to Adriatic Sea is about 80 km, this means that this region often is somehow included in those specific atmospheric conditions. During summer, many stations can be received, but usually always the same. All stations have different signal power, only a few can be received in the same quality all around the year.
This is also directly connected to the weather condition: High depression is usually helpful in creating good atmospheric conditions, the same for strong currents from South that can bring also bad weather. Carinthia, being located on the Southern side of the alps can catch a lot of rain if there are currents from South, this goes often hand in hand with more stable signals from Italy. On the contrary, if the stream is coming from North, there is usually sunny and slightly windy weather, but many stations from Italy are during those days less likely to be received.
What is the final reason for it is unclear and most likely it is the combination of several factors, reflections, atmospheric conditions and the specific topography.
From where you can receive strong signals
Most of the signals are coming from Emilia/Romagna region from transmitters that are located on the last hills of the Apennine mountains. From there they cover the region and cities such as Bologna, Forlì, Cesena, Ravenna or Rimini. The plain land and the Adriatic Sea means that there are no main obstacles till the Julian Alps. Best signals are usually coming from this area, from Bologna via Cesena-Forlì till Rimini and somehow down till Pesaro and Ancona in Marche region. During summer or at special atmospheric conditions even some transmitters from Abruzzo region can be received with distances reaching up to 400-450 km.
stations divided per region
Map 2: different areas from where signals reach Carinthia
Zone 1
Bologna – Imola – Faenza up to Cesena
From this location many strong signals can be received, especially from the transmitter Monte Grande close to Castel San Pietro Terme (east of Bologna), especially 91,40 RMC – Radio Monte Carlo. Radio Piterpan on 101,30 from Brisighella is another powerful station that can be received very often.
Zone 2
Cesena – Forli – Rimini – San Marino – Pesaro
Also from this location many strong signals make it up to Carinthia, for example 106,20 Radio Subasio from Monte San Paolo. In case of good atmospheric conditions, many stations can be received from this zone. The Monte Nerone (96,60 RAI Radio 2, 92,20 RDS) belongs to this zone.
Zone 3
Fabriano – Ancona
In this zone, transmitters often are located on higher peaks which enable receiving them in Carinthia, for example 87,50 Radio Subasio from Monte Cucco. In special conditions, especially during summer, stations can be also received from even more far South, for example 93,50 Radio Subasio from Monte Sassotetto or towards Abruzzo region. (400-450 km).
Zone 4
Bologna west till Serramazzoni
Also from Bologna towards West there are some stations that can be received, especially 91,00 Radio Bruno from Monte Cimone.
On mountains, many stations can be received even in better quality, but with same variations over the year. Even stations from lower positions such as Comacchio in the Po Delta or Ravenna can be received in special conditions. The power plays a role, as stations like 91,40 RMC or 101,30 Piterpan also transmit with high power, but with specific conditions even low power stations make it up to Carinthia. Conditions also change from spot to spot, from day to day and from season to season.
Where to get more information
Please find the complete list of stations from Italy in the main Bandscan that is regularly updated: Bandscan
There, the specific case of those stations is marked as “scI” as a station that is often, but not always receivable in the same quality.
Have a look! You can also access the server and get familiar yourself with the many Italian stations that you can catch in Carinthia – access here thanks to the fmdx.org project: https://villach.fmtuner.org/
DAB+ in Carinthia
For information related to DAB+ please check here: DAB+ Alpe-Adria Region
TV in Carinthia and DXing
Unlike FM and DAB+, there is not much to say about TV DXing in Carinthia. In the area of Villach, it is possible to receive DVB-T2 programmes from Austria and from Slovenia (from transmitter Pec/Ofen). There is no real DXing possible nowadays – or at least with not satisfying results.
Until the switch-off at the beginning of December 2011, however, analogue signals were still on the air in Carinthia. They originated from the Piobbico/Monte Nerone transmitter in the Italian Apennines over 350 kilometres from Villach. With ISKRA, reception of RAI 2 in 0=1 was possible on channel 33. Bear in mind that there are numerous mountain ranges between the transmitter and the reception site, which should theoretically make it impossible to receive anything. But as always, analogue signals show that it is/was still possible. In addition to channel 33, it was also possible to receive RAI 3 on channel 57 and RAI 1 on channel A. Since the switch-off of analogue signals, there are no programmes from Italy that can be received in Carinthia.
The following information is available in German and not up to date.
DVB-T in Kärnten
Achtung! Diese Informationen sind veraltet – für aktuelle Informationen bitte die Seite von andimik besuchen: Website andimik, Informationen über TV in Mittelkärnten
Österreich
Die ortsüblichen Programme werden in einem SFN (Gleichwellennetz) von den Standorten Klagenfurt 1/Dobratsch und Villach/Finkenstein sowie weiteren Umsetzern ausgesendet.
Der MUX-A (für Multiplex) (Kanal 24) enthält die ORF-Programme.
Die Privatprogramme werden über mehrere Muxe gesendet: MUX-B (Kanal 23) , MUX-D (Kanal 48), MUX-E (Kanal 30), MUX-F (Kanal 31). Seit 2013 wird im Standard DVB-T 2 (HD-Qualität) gesendet.
Der MUX-C wird nicht von der ORS (Österreichische Rundfunk Service, Betreiberfirma der meisten Rundfunkstandorte) ausgestrahlt, sondern wird direkt vom Programmanbieter gesendet. Auf Kanal 43 wird vom Standort Gerlitzen (Nähe Ossiacher See) der MUX-C/Zentralraum Kärnten gesendet. Er enthält die regionalen Programme Kult 1 und Freizeit TV.
Slowenien
Der Empfang von slowenischen TV-Programmen ist deutlich schwieriger, sollte aber mit Außenantenne auf weiten Strecken keine Probleme verursachen. Mit Zimmerantenne ist nur bei Sichtkontakt zum Sender am Dreiländereck (Pec) ein Empfang möglich. In Unterkärnten ist auch vom Standort Plešivec ein Empfang möglich.
Der Empfang von Slowenien stellt schon eine Erschwernis im Vergleich zu den österreichischen Programme dar, sollte aber mit Außenantenne auf weite Strecken kein Problem darstellen. Mit Zimmerantenne ist nur bei Sichtkontakt zum Sender am Dreiländereck ein Empfang möglich. In Unterkärnten versorgt auch der Standort Plešivec weite Teile mit den slowenischen MUX-A.
Der MUX-A Slowenisches Zentrum wird derzeit auf Kanal 32 (ursprünglich Kanal 45) gesendet.
Italien
Stellenweise, vorallem in der Region Arnoldstein ist auch der Empfang aus Italien möglich. Der auf Kanal 5 gesendete RAI MUX 1 für Friuli Venezia Giulia (dt. Friaul Julisch Venetien) enthält RAI 1, RAI 2, RAI 3 (mit Regionalfenster Friuli), RAI News, RAI 3 Trst (slowenisch) sowie die Radioprogramme Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3 und Radio Trst (slowenisch).
TV-DX in Kärnten
Zugegeben, viel Spannung hat TV-DX heutzutage nicht mehr. Durch die Digitalisierung hat sich nämlich ein wichtiger Faktor verändert: Im Zeitalter des digitalen Fernsehens gibt es nur mehr “Empfang” oder “keinen Empfang” während zu analogen Zeiten auch bei starken Rauschen oft noch ein Sender zu identifizieren war.
Meine Austattung umfasst derzeit eine 92-Element-UHF-Antenne der slowenischen Firma ISKRA. Die Antenne ist bereits für 30 Euro in Slowenien erhältlich.
Das schwierige ist das Problem der unterschiedlichen Polarisation: Während Österreich horizontal sendet, wird der slowenische Mux am Pec vertikal gesendet. Dies macht einen guten Empfang mit einer Antennene gleichzeitig schwer.
Das italienische DVB-T Paket ist derzeit leider auch mit der ISKRA nicht im Norden von Villach empfangbar.
Auf den Bergen ist TV-DX freilich leichter, so gelingen an Kärtner Bergen immer wieder interessante Logs.
Bis zum Switch-Off Anfang Dezember 2011 waren in Kärnten jedoch noch analoge Signale unterwegs. Sie stammten vom Sender Piobbico/Monte Nerone in den italienischen Apenninnen über 350 km von Villach entfernt. Mit der ISKRA war auf Kanal 33 der Empfang von RAI 2 in 0=1 möglich. Man bedenke, dass zwischen Sender und Empfangsort zahlreiche Berggruppen stehen, die es rein theoretisch unmöglich machen müssten, etwas zu empfangen. Doch wie immer zeigen analoge Signale, dass es trotzdem möglich ist/war. Neben den Kanal 33 konnte man auch RAI 3 auf Kanal 57 sowie RAI 1 auf Kanal A empfangen.
Seit der Digitalumstellung ist kein Empfang mehr vom Monte Nerone möglich, lediglich auf UKW ist der Monte Nerone weiterhin hörbar.
Weiterführende Informationen
* Viel mehr über DVB-T in Kärnten, plus die genauen Daten zu allen Muxen gibt es auf der Seite von andimik. Die Seite gibt zusätzlich auch einen Einblick über Empfänge aus ganz Kärnten: Zur Website mit vielen Informationen zu DVB-T in Kärnten
* Wissenwertes zur Empfangsleistung meiner ISKRA-Antenne gibt es auf der Seite von DX-Project Graz. Außerdem enthält die Seite einen TV-Bandscan vom Plabutsch bei Graz und allgemeine Informationen zu DVB-T in und rund um Graz. Zur Website von DXPG