Monthly Archives: January 2015

Radio Australia silent on 9,580 kHz this morning

Fullscreen capture 1312015 25334 PMThis morning, when I tuned to Radio Australia on 9,580 kHz, they were not transmitting–or, at least, I couldn’t hear them.

I hope this is merely a transmitter glitch (they do happen).

You see, Radio Australia recently issued their new shortwave broadcast schedule which included cuts to the Pacific broadcast footprint. The changes take effect today. 9,580 kHz, however, should still be on the air between 09:00-21:00 UTC–this morning, I was listening at 15:00 UTC.

I can’t think of the last time I couldn’t hear Radio Australia on 9,580 kHz in the morning hours here in the eastern USA. Indeed, some of my earliest memories of listening to shortwave radio include RA on 9,580 kHz.

I need to look further into the changes to the broadcast plan. I’m beginning to wonder if the transmitter output and orientation have been changed. As you can see in the screenshot from my Elad FDM-S2 (above), there is a faint carrier on 9,580, but it’s much too weak to hear. I’ve no clue if it’s Radio Australia or not.

Fortunately, Radio Australia is quite loud on 12,065 kHz and very audible on 12,085 kHz (see below), which means I still get my Saturday morning dose of Saturday Night Country.

Fullscreen capture 1312015 25452 PM

Fullscreen capture 1312015 25537 PMI’ll post an update about 9,580 kHz as soon as I have more details.

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Radio Australia propagation map and revised schedule

RA-PropMapSpeaking of the Radio Australia shortwave service reductions, I just received RA’s new propagation map (above) and schedule (below). Click images to enlarge.

RadioAustralia-RevisedSchedule

My source also sent a few RA internal notes/points regarding services, feeds and transmitters:

Radio Australia

  • Babcock ended 14th January.
  • Brandon last broadcast 31st January.
  • Shepparton reduced schedule from 1st February. 3 transmitters only.
  • RAS 1 is Pacific Satellite Feed
  • RAS 2 is Asia Satellite Feed
  • RAW 5 is Asia Web Feed
  • RAW 6 is Pacific Web Feed

Reminder – preferred backup domestic source is Classic FM, not Radio National.
[…]Radio Australia News ex N05 will be the SERN bed news 0600-1800 Monday-Friday.

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Radio Australia closes shortwave service to Asia

Radio-Australia-BannerMany thanks to SWLing Post reader, David, who passes along this announcement from Radio Australia via Pacific Beat:

On Sunday, Radio Australia’s shortwave signal to Asia will be turned off, another result the ABC says of recent government funding cuts.

Shortwave broadcasting into the Pacific will continue, but signal strenth outside Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji may be degraded.

Alex Oliver from the Lowy Institute has contributed evidence to Australian parliamentary inquiries and committees on foreign affairs, defence and trade for many years.

So does she view the switch off as a big step back from international broadcasting by Australia, or simply the retirement of some old technology.

Presenter: Adam Connors

Speaker: Alex Oliver from the Lowy Institute

Listen to audio of the full interview by clicking here.

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Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Österreich International

Rotating high performance directional antenna of the ORF (Image: "Drehbare Hochleistungsrichtantenne ORF Moosbrunn“ von Daniel Csiky - selbst fotografiert. Lizenziert unter Bild-frei über Wikipedia - http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datei:Drehbare_Hochleistungsrichtantenne_ORF_Moosbrunn.JPG#mediaviewer/File:Drehbare_Hochleistungsrichtantenne_ORF_Moosbrunn.JPG

Rotating high performance directional antenna of the ORF (“Drehbare Hochleistungsrichtantenne ORF Moosbrunn“ von Daniel Csiky)

For your listening pleasure: Radio Österreich International.

This recording was made on 6,155 kHz on January 29, 2015 starting about  05:59 UTC.

Only recently, SWLing Post reader, Eric asked about orchestral music on shortwave–as you’ll hear, Radio Oesterreich International is certainly a good source!

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below. Enjoy:

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Helliniki Radiophonia on 9,420 kHz or 9,415 kHz?

GreeceSWLing Post reader, Mark Clark writes:

“Tuned [to Helliniki Radiophonia] during band scan at 0110 UT. It was playing 1970s rock music like Love is Like Oxygen by Sweet and Evil Woman by ELO. Male announcer speaking in Greek between each song. Initial signal strength was weak SIO 233 on PL-880 and PL-380. Also weak and noisy on University of Twente Websdr. Switched to local Perseus with Wellbrook antenna. Reception improved from SIO 443 to SIO 555 during recording of 100 kHz wide RF from 0126 to 0140.

Observation showed carrier on 9415 with nothing on assigned 9420 kHz as per Aoki and EiBi. Switched back to PL-880 as signal had improved to SIO 555. PL-880 with internal whip provided easy copy from 0140 to 0145 when signal suddenly dropped out. Signal returned several seconds later but decidedly not on 9415. Tuning to 9420 restored clear strong signal. Verified via local Perseus receiver that carrier was now on 9420 with no carrier at 9415. Same male announcer was noted between songs at 0153. University of Twente Websdr also showed same shift. Ended reception at 0154 UT.”

Many thanks for this detailed listener report, Mark.  Indeed, several of us have noted Helliniki Radiophonia on 9,415 occasionally. Last year, I made all-night recordings where RH remained on 9,415 the entire time.

I have no idea why RH is hopping between 9,415 and 9,420 kHz. Initially, I thought this may be due to the fact that they were silent on 9,420 for an extended perios of time last year and Voice Of Islamic Republic of Iran, who shares the same frequency, seemed to take its place. I even had a few readers note that when Helliniki Radiophonia returned to 9,420 kHz, interference from Iran was substantial and the occasional move to 9,415 kHz was, perhaps, to obtain a clear frequency.

In truth, though, this is speculation; is this frequency shift deliberate or accidental? Do any SWLing Post readers have a definitive answer?

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Shortwave Radio Recordings: Voice of Nigeria

VON-BH front yardFor your listening pleasure: the Voice of Nigeria–recorded on January 28, 2015, starting at 10:00 UTC on 9,690 kHz.

The past few days, the signal out of Ikorodu has been much stronger than normal, so I’ve spent several afternoons listening to the wonderful sounds and music from the Voice of Nigeria.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

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Eton Traveler III: $34 shipped on Blinq

The Eton Traveler III

The Eton Traveler III

I just discovered and ordered an Eton Traveler III on Blinq.com for $34.19. It’s listed as “Used – Very Good” condition–most likely an open box item.

It appears Blinq only has one more left in stock–though I imagine more will sporadically appear in the future. While I have received a dud radio from Blinq once (a 450DLX), their return process is so effortless and efficient, I personally don’t mind taking my chances.

Click here to snag this deal on Blinq.com.

Update: I also noticed that Blinq is selling the Traveler III on Amazon.com with the same conditions: click here to open the product page, then click on “used and new” under the “Other Sellers on Amazon” sidebar.

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