Tag Archives: Radio History

Vatican Radio: breaking news broken?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Thomas

A few moments ago, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas, and taking the name Pope Francis I. When breaking news like this is happens, I often turn to shortwave radio to hear … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Broadcasters, Current Events, Podcast, Radio History, Recordings, Shortwave Radio | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“Tuning In” Radio 4 documentary on the history of early radio in Britain

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Thomas

Tuning In, a history of early radio in Britain, will be broadcast November 3rd on BBC Radio 4. If you don’t live in the UK, you can listen live on the Radio 4 website where they will also post an … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadcasters, Nostalgia, Radio History, Radios, Shortwave Radio | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

BBC celebrates 90 years of radio with a global simulcast, you can contribute

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Thomas

(Source: BBC) The BBC today announced plans for an unprecedented global simulcast across its radio networks – including every UK station (local, network and national) and many World Service outlets – curated by Damon Albarn to mark 90 years of … Continue reading →

Posted in Broadcasters, Contests, Current Events, News, Radio History, Shortwave Radio | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bob Padula’s history of Australian shortwave broadcasting

Posted on July 21, 2012 by Thomas

I recently discovered that Bob Padula, long-time shortwave radio enthusiast and publisher of The Australian DX Report, has an online project entitled The History of Shortwave Radio In Australia. It’s a thorough and informative read and is available free of charge. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Nostalgia, Radio History, Shortwave Radio | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Telegraph operations in the Great Auroral Storm of 1859

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Thomas

These days, CMEs and solar flares get a great deal of media attention. But it’s mostly speculation–for even with our advanced abilities to measure the potential impact, we can’t be sure what will happen each time this occurs. Might this … Continue reading →

Posted in Radio History, Space Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your shortwave could have delivered the newspaper?

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Thomas

(Source: Smithsonian Magazine) The introduction of broadcast radio caused some in the newspaper industry to fear that newspapers would soon become a thing of the past. After all, who would read the news when you could just turn on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Radio History | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Allen keeps radio history alive

Posted on December 2, 2011 by Thomas

(Source: Delmarva Now) A fat and sassy black cat purrs in John Allen’s lap. Relaxing in his favorite chair, Allen’s fingers vanished into the silky fur as he stroked his cat while listening to the Big Band sounds coming through … Continue reading →

Posted in AM, Articles, Nostalgia, SWLers | Tagged , | Leave a comment

WWII shortwave messages found on cardboard discs

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Thomas

(Source: The Globe and Mail) The voices of Canadian servicemen fade in and out, at times clear and booming, at others distant and muffled. But for their families, these scratchy, static-laden messages were the sound of hope. The men were … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Radio History | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment