Yearly Archives: 2014

BBC World Service ‘can make a difference’ in North Korea

NorthKoreaMap

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ulis, for the tip:

(Source: The Independent)

One of the world’s experts on North Korea has called on the BBC to “be part of the solution” in fighting human rights abuses under Kim Jong-un’s repressive regime by initiating Korean-language broadcasts by the BBC World Service.

Michael Kirby, the eminent retired Australian judge who chaired a recent Commission of Inquiry (COI) on North Korea for the United Nations Human Rights Council, told The Independent that the BBC could make a difference to the lives of people in “a country that has been largely cut off from the rest of the world”.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Mr Kirby said the BBC was in a position to make a difference in North Korea.

[…]He told The Independent: “The strict controls on sources of information in North Korea, revealed in the COI report, surely add to the arguments for an increased outreach by the civilised world to the people of North Korea. With its hard won reputation for truthful reporting, fair coverage and proper priorities, the BBC has a special potential to be part of the solution.”

[…]Funding of the World Service has passed from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to the BBC. Previous BBC studies have identified problems in providing a Korean service, especially in relation to the difficulties of the North Korean population tuning in and defying the ban on listening to foreign broadcasts.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said recently that it was “not currently possible for the World Service to offer a meaningful, effective and cost-effective service”. But last week Foreign Office minister Hugo Swire gave renewed hope to campaigners for a Korean service when he said: “We have approached the BBC and are waiting for its detailed response.”[]

Read the full story at The Independent.

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Confession time: I love the BBC countdown

BBC-Countdown

Most shortwave radio listeners are familiar with interval signals–those ditties that precede a shortwave radio broadcast–indicating a specific broadcast frequency and that a broadcast is about to begin.

On television, there’s really no need for an interval signal: channel selection is accurate and schedules are ubiquitous. Indeed, there’s no guess work involved at all. Tune to channel 3 at 6:00, and you know the evening news awaits you.

Still, many television news services around the world provide a visual-plus-aural countdown for their viewers which, in essence, serves the same purposes as an interval signal. As on the radio, it’s a build up…a “get ready, here comes the news” statement that’s separate from the title sequence. The most notable example I know of is the BBC’s television countdown, which, depending on timing, might count down for one minute–or even for several minutes on satellite feeds.

Here is the BBC’s latest (2013) countdown:

News agencies in the US, alas, never bother with a one-minute countdown to the hour because this is profitable time that can be filled with a sponsors’ advertising.

Perhaps that why I’ve always been a fan of the BBC, and even proudly payed my TV tax when I lived in Britain. The BBC, in general, represented a refuge from other TV mass media and the accompanying news network over-stimulus. While I still have many criticisms of the BBC–indeed, they’re stumbling now–I nonetheless prefer this broadcaster to most TV news services stateside.  [Of course, what I find most objectionable are the changes which could affect the integrity of the BBC World Service, now directly funded by the UK’s TV licensing fees instead of the Foreign Office.]

But I do enjoy this countdown.


If you share my appreciation for this “TV interval signal,” here are a few other examples starting with a compilation of BBC countdowns from 1999-2007 produced by a fan:

ABC News 24:

NBC News Special Report Countdown:

Sky News:

And if you can’t get enough of the BBC’s countdown montage, here’s a 10 minute filler version:

Will anyone else confess their love for a broadcaster’s countdown? Please comment!

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Extended HE-AAC: DRM to upgrades audio codec

drmlogoMany thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike, for sharing this news item on RadioInfo:

(Source: RadioInfo)

The latest upgrade to DRM’s audio codec was demonstrated in a presentation at this week’s Digital Broadcasting Symposium in Kuala Lumpur.  Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is the first global broadcast standard to adopt the Extended HE-AAC (xHE-AAC), which promises improved quality for DRM broadcasts in SW, AM and FM.

Alex Zink, the Senior Business Development Manager for Digital Radio at Fraunhofer, outlined the benefits of DRM in emergency situations, particularly the ability of DRM transmissions to signal receivers to turn on automatically and deliver emergency warning messages in a crisis.

“Unlike consuming radio on a smart phone, there is no gatekeeper in between digital free to air broadcasting and the consumer,” said Matthias Stoll in his presentation during the afternoon workshop.[…]

Read more at: http://www.radioinfo.com.au/news/new-audio-codec-drm-digital-symposium-2014 © Radioinfo.com.au

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VOA White House Correspondent Dan Robinson Retires

DanRobinson-WhiteHouse

Noted Voice of America reporter, Dan Robinson, retired on Friday, February 28, 2014 after 35 years of service to the international broadcaster and listeners around the world. Many of us are fortunate to know Dan: not only is he highly respected as a correspondent, but he is also an avid shortwave listener and DXer.

Dan Robinson with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Dan Robinson with Aung San Suu Kyi.

Amongst other news source, Dan’s early retirement was noted by BBG Watch and The Federalist. BBG Watch stated:

“[Dan Robinson], as other VOA reporters before him, apparently decided they could no longer tolerate mismanagement and poor work environment.”

Former members of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), Ambassador Victor Ashe and Ms. Blanquita Cullum, noted his retirement as “a loss” to the agency.

I encourage you to read the full report on BBG Watch.

I’ve just learned that Dan Robinson will be the keynote speaker at the Winter SWL Fest this week.

Best wishes moving forward, Dan! I know you’ll continue to have meaningful impact through your future ventures.

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Frequencies added to PCJ 5th Anniversary Special

pcj(Source: PCJ Press Release)

On March 12th, 2014 PCJ Radio International will celebrate it’s 5th Anniversary. For this special event we will broadcast a special program.

Date: March 12, 2014 (UTC)

  • North America – 0130 to 0230 UTC – 7730khz
  • Africa – 1330 to 1430 UTC – 15720khz
  • Asia – 1330 to 1430 UTC – 9335khz
  • Europe – 1330 to 1430 UTC – 5995khz
  • Europe – 1330 to 1430 UTC – 15455khz

A special QSL will be issued for this broadcast.

PCJ Radio International would like to thank sponcers The Spectrum Monitor and C. Crane Radio. Anyone that orders a product from C. Crane Radio and mentions PCJ Radio International will receive a free gift.

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Make a Raspberry Pirate Radio

Sorry, I just couldn't resist the urge to make a pirate graphic.

Sorry, I just couldn’t resist the urge to make a Raspberry Pi-rate graphic.

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul, for this article on Make Magazine that teaches you how to turn your Raspberry Pi into an FM transmitter. Make Magazine states that this FM transmitter “has enough range to cover your home, DIY drive-in movie, a high school ball game, or even a bike parade (depending on the stragglers).”

What a simple hack:

(If the embedded video above doesn’t appear, simply click here to watch at Makezine.com.)

Raspberry Pi’s are very inexpensive (less than $40 US on Amazon) and a fun tool to have around the shack anyway. I plan to try this project as early as this weekend. I have many hours of shortwave radio recordings that I would love to pipe through the house via FM. I only wish the Raspberry Pi could broadcast in AM. Perhaps one day…

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Grundig G2 sale, today only: $29.99 US shipped

GrundigG2Front

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ulis, who shares this excellent deal on the Grundig G2: $29.99 US shipped!

You must hurry, though, as the deal is only valid today, Friday, March 7, 2014. Click here to purchase.

Ulis mentioned that the G2 was his first purchase from the retailer (1sale.com), but since he could pay with PayPal and the deal was first mentioned by CNET, he purchased with added confidence.

Note that the G2 is not a perfect radio–check out my review of its cousin the DE1129–but at $29.99, it’s a steal.

If you missed this deal, try searching Amazon.com for the Grundig G2.

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