Why shortwave? Russia blocks web pages linked to Ukraine protests

(Photo: VOA News)

(Photo: VOA News)

In response to the BBG’s request for comments on the relevancy of shortwave radio, SWLing Post reader, Rick, writes:

Here is the reason why VOA needs to keep broadcasting on shortwave.

Russia (or China or Angola or Zimbabwe or Iraq or Afghanistan or Syria) can easily block Internet access — to include, and particularly from, VOA. While shortwave can be jammed it takes a little more effort (and a considerable amount of budget to pay the electric bill for the high-powered jamming signals).

Unlike AM and FM radio transmission, shortwave transmitters can be located continents away from the strife for protection of the transmission infrastructure.

Shortwave transmission — coupled with the surreptitious distribution and proliferation of cheap shortwave radio receivers for target audiences — can help insure that the voice of freedom and democracy can continue to be heard in geopolitical hotspots throughout the world.”

Read the story Rick refers to here: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/russia-ukraine-protests-websites-internet-104171.html

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9 thoughts on “Why shortwave? Russia blocks web pages linked to Ukraine protests

  1. LYNN KELLY

    This is not a political site. I accept that. Nor do i want it to be a political site but it is foolish to ignore very strong political forces that bode ill for our hobby. Right on this blog someone a day ago refered to am radio and by extension domestic sw as “divisive and incendary” which is the tactic liberals use whenever they disagree with anything it becomes “divisive” so there are actulally people who post on this blog who want am radio and by extension domestic sw shut down because they do not agree with the content. The liberal agenda is to silence all they do not agree with without any attempt to make a counter argument. There is nothing the liberals now in power would like to do more than be rid of am radio and domestic sw by extension since domestic sw carries the same “divisive” content as am. No talk radio is no am radio because talk pays the bills for both am and domestic sw. If obama can ever put in place his plan to have a goverment monitor aka censor in every radio and tv outlet in the country the demise of am radio and domestic sw would happen overnight. This is a reality and when political policy has such a direct and drastic adverse impact on our hobby its fair game. I strongly suspect that outcome would be fine with most of those who
    take exception to my observations and wish them silenced. For liberals truth is irrelvant and many liberals have openly said so when caught in lies. That is no secret. I object to liberals trying to shut down am and domestic sw as they have long wanted to do. I do not anmd will not make personal attacks here nor respond to them but all i say is true. Can be proven true by goggle. So lay off the personal attacks and its liberals who need anger management and that type of personal invective does not belong here for any reason and is never justified

    Reply
  2. W4ASZ

    I doubt this is the place for political observations.

    Moreover, I wish you would quit posting in all capital letters.

    Reply
  3. LYNN KELLY

    WHILE ALL OF THIS IS TRUE BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTEREST HAVE LARGELY MADE THE TRADEOFF AND USE THE INTERNET ANYWAY BECAUSE ITS VASTLY CHEAPER AND BETTER IN NORMAL SITUATIONS. I QUESTION THE VALUE OF ANYTHING A UNITED STATES LED BY THE LIBERALS UNDER OBAMA HAS TO SAY ANYWAY. THE OBAMA REGEME HAS ONLY STAYED ITS PLAN TO PUT GOVERMENT CENSORS IN EVERY RADIO AND TV STATION IN THE COUNTRY AND BRING BACK THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE BOTH ACTIONS INTENDED TO END BOTH AM TALK RADIO AND DOMESTIC SW IN THE UNITED STATES. LIKE PUTIN OBAMA TOO SEES FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND INFORMATION AS THE ENEMY. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL BLOG EXCEPT WHERE POLITICAL POLICY HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR HOBBY AS IT CLEARLY DOES IN THIS CASE.

    Reply

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