Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, “Mutezone,” who writes:
“I want to share a link to a video of Radio Serbia International’s English service recorded on the 4th of July 2015…
[…]I have been monitoring for RSI during the last week of July but got nothing. I have also been monitoring 6100 kHz after the July final date of transmission as according to RSI’s website, there are “Pirates stalking Serbian short wave” due to the termination of the station. However I have not received any odd transmissions on this frequency at the moment.”
Thanks for sharing this recording/video and, especially, for capturing RSI’s interval signal.
I was unable to hear RSI’s final broadcast on July 31, 2015.
If any SWLing Post readers managed to record RSI’s final broadcast–in any language–please contact me so we can add it to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive.
Regarding the end of Radio Serbia International (or International Radio Serbia), the following final post was published on their website. I’ve included the full note, for archival purposes, in case the RSI website goes offline in the future:
The End of Radio Yugoslavia – International Radio Serbia
Thanks for sharing the recording and for including a few minutes of the RSI interval signal. RSI was always a difficult broadcaster for me to catch here in North America, though I heard them a number of times via the University Twente Web SDR.
Dear friends, Radio Yugoslavia – International Radio Serbia, ceases to exist on 31 July 2015. For you, our faithful listeners from all over the world, and also for us who have worked on this radio, the only consolation would be the fact that this only state short-wave station in Serbia, which has existed for 79 years, will be remembered as an efficient and reliable promoter of Serbia worldwide. No one has ever presented valid reasons why this media, of rich tradition, range and staff potentials, and with big plans until yesterday, should cease to exist. Unfortunately, the assessments not based on arguments were louder than serious analyses and recommendations of experts, professionals and numerous listeners that the world radio service is necessary for Serbia, that it presents the country worldwide in the best manner possible and that no serious state will renounce such an effective diplomacy.
Our significance has been confirmed by the letters of thousands of listeners from all over the world. Some listened to us because of our information programmes, some because of economic topics, while many got to love our country, Serbia, because of its tradition, beautiful and interesting landmarks and the rich heritage they were acquainted with by listening to International Radio Serbia. Regardless of your affinities, you have all told us that you were listening to us because of our objectivity and the possibility of hearing us at any time and everywhere, for such is the power of short waves.
The Serbian government, however, believes that the closing down of Radio Yugoslavia – International Radio Serbia – is a justified move. Regardless of the fact that the state of Serbia is in an economic crisis, that each saved penny is precious, that many citizens have been rendered jobless, that new work positions should be opened, it has become unclear to the very end why the only state short-wave station has suddenly become too expensive after 80 years. We are, however, certain, that Serbian citizens, taxpayers, who have financed us for all these years, would have decided differently had they been asked to.
What remains, after all, is the pride we feel because of the history of our radio as well as the hope that the voice of Serbia will reach our listeners wherever they are.
Thank you, dear listeners from all over the world, for having trusted us all these years! Radio Yugoslavia – International Radio Serbia now greets you and signs off.
I’d hate to say this but I think this is the end of the shortwave listening hobby for me. Although I have been apart of this hobby since my 7th birthday, all of my favorite English broadcasters have shut down. It cannot be denied has been a fun eight years and I have learned a lot through all the unique points of view. For example, because of my years of listening, I am now partially fluent in Chinese, have placed third in my state’s geography bee and have a broad understanding of the world economy. Nevertheless, as I am now entering my junior year of high school, I need to focus more on my AP classes so I can get into a good college and pursue a job that follows my interests in foreign affairs. Thank everyone for this fun journey and I am sorry that it couldn’t last longer.
Note: My blog swcheap.blogspot.com is now shutting down permanently and there will not be a 2016 shortwave radio guide
BRAVO on achieving such excellent results on the geography bee!
I started SWLing in earnest when I was 8 years old; I’m now 43. In the latter part of my high school career, I had very little free time to hit the shortwaves. Back then, the bands were absolutely *packed* with broadcasters. The world was your oyster. Stations were crammed together and selectivity was the most desirable attribute of your portable receiver.
Doing my undergrad degree also took a great deal of my time and since I often took summer classes, I barely picked up my radio.
In 1992, I moved to Grenoble, France. I took a RadioShack DX-440 (Sangean 803A) and used it to listen to the VOA and the BBC; the only two sources of English I allowed myself, since learning French was my goal. I also used that portable to listen to français facile via RFI. What a wonderful language teacher that RFI/DX-440 combo was.
Like you, shortwave radio was both my language instructor and my home companion.
After completing my undergrad degree, I studied for and obtained my amateur radio license. For a while, my focus shifted from broadcast listening to transmitting. I fell in love with radio all over again.
I then moved to Germany and the UK; my job, as an applications developer, had me traveling all over Europe. As much as I wanted to listen to the shortwaves, my schedule was packed and I often stayed in very RF noisy hotels/condos.
In 2002, I started my Master’s degree at the London School of Economics; a very demanding school, academically-speaking. Again, I had very little time to enjoy SWLing.
After graduating and starting my second career path, I found more time to enjoy radio: both SWLing and ham radio.
Sure, the radio broadcasting garden isn’t as rich as it was back in my middle school days, but I’m still fascinated with the amazing diversity on the shortwaves.
Do me a favor: don’t sell your radio. Keep it.
There will be days when you need to escape from your academics for a short breather. I find radio listening to be incredibly relaxing and good for the grey matter. It’s also a break from status quo: you know, that world filled with consumers staring at their smart phones, consuming news bites without the benefit of in-depth, often overtly biased, reporting from the Voice of Somewheria. You see, like you, shortwave listening from such a young age has made me a news skeptic–I form my own opinions based on the reports I read. I spot bias more readily than most of many of my contemporaries who simply read headlines.
Keep in touch and hold on to your radio! Good luck with your studies and we’ll be here when you come back!
Cheers,
Thomas
How much power got the transmitter ???
According to Glenn Hauser’s DXLD #1530, the last shortwave transmission might have been on 23 July and the last online show on 30 July. I have a noisy recording of the English transmission of 14 July at 21:00 UTC, which I recorded in a hotel at Heathrow. Will upload to the archive soon.
— Richard Langley