Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tudor Vedeanu, who shares the following update regarding the threat to RRI’s shortwave service.
Tudor writes:
I contacted MediaSind asking for more details about the suspension of the SW broadcasts at RRI. Liviu Grosu, the general secretary of MediaSind told me this:
“Following the reactions of MediaSind, the members of the Board of Directors rejected the proposal of the president-general director of the SRR, Georgica Severin, regarding the suspension of the shortwave broadcasts.”
Brilliant news, Tudor! Thank you for sharing this and also many thanks for obtaining Liviu Grosu’s approval to post his message here on the SWLing Post.
Readers, if you love RRI’s shortwave service, I believe this would still be a great time to let them know you’re happy they’re on the air! For the English language service, use the following email address: [email protected]
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with so many stations leaving Short Wave, It’s good that some loved broadcasters remain. Raise the flag to them from all SWL’s Frank EI1001SWL??
I know this is an old post! But after reading this,I was pleased to switch on my Tecsun Pl-880 portable radio,last night, and listen to an hour of programing from Radio Romania on 5945 khz,at 11pm BST last night! All this,using the set’s antenna and the plug in sw wire supplied,(blu-tacked across the room (if I put it near the window I seem to get more noise!). The signal was strong,and very listenable,but with background noise,which gradually increased over the duration of the broadcast. 7310khz,was also listenable. But one was better than the other. I can’t recall which (it was late & I was busy!) Very happy to have received it,though! I just hope it continues! I’m going to have to send them a QSL now!
I am now 60 years old and certainly old enough to remember when shortwave broadcasting was a force to be reckoned with. I started listening back in the late 70’s when Carter was President, the Iran hostage crisis was in full swing and I was just out of high school. I have owned many shortwave receivers over the years but nothing in the last five years. It is very sad to see what has become of something that was once a great pastime. Currently, I have the new Eton shortwave receiver on pre-order, but I may cancel it any day. I think it may be a lost cause at this point. The last time I listened to shortwave there was still one too many fake preachers (some of them dead), trying to brainwash the masses and begging for money to keep them on the air. It made me sick.
You’ve hit the nail right on the head,Vincent! Shortwave was a major propaganda weapon! Now,it’s just not important anymore. Only the BBC seem to be interested in putting any resources into it,these days. But,before we get too grateful to,good old auntie,let’s not forget that they’re the ones who precipitated the big switch off,in the first place! ABC’s shortwave outlet might have lasted a little longer if the Australian’s had elected a less conservative government! But let’s not get into politics! The writing does seem to be,on the wall,for the medium. Despite some positive assertions,by enthusiasts,more and more shortwave transmitters do seem to be getting switched off. And I have to say that,listening to some of the remaining stations,broadcasting in english,does feel a bit like I’m ‘doing my bit’ these days,as opposed to a,genuinely,enjoyable and informative experience. You just cannot compare the experience of listening to Radio Romania,Radio Thailand,All India Radio and the Voice of Turkey;to single out some of the more readily,accessible transmissions,to the thrill of following the election coverage on VOA,for example,or Radio Australia covering the destructive path of a cyclone ( I used to like,Pacific Beat). Radio Romania,certainly,has the liveliest programming of any of the main players that are left. All India Radio seems to have continued so far,due to some conflict between the government department that funds it (and wants to get rid of it) and AIR,which seems to want to keep the shortwave transmitters running. I hope AIR win the battle;but governments usually get their own way! Oh well,I can always use my radio to listen to Radio Amateurs chatting on 80m,at the weekend. When they’re not getting too bogged down in technical details,some of their conversations can be quite entertaining!
Oh dear! Excluding,China,which has one of the most dire program schedules of any shortwave stations I’ve listened to;All India Radio and Radio Romania are among the easiest to pick up,if you have a modest set-up;and just want something to listen to in English,while you do something else,or relax! Vatican Radio puts in a good signal;but,apart from the nice bit,with children singing,at the beginning of the broadcast;unless you’re a Catholic,or particularly interested in what the Pope is up to,it’s a case of listening to some English on shortwave for the sake of it,rather than an enjoyable listen! I’d rather not!! Which Leaves the Voice of Turkey and Radio Thailand. The latter seems to blast in,most nights. I’ve found Turkey quite difficult to pick up lately,though! A little soporific;but they play some nice music;and their female singers have very sexy voices!! There is something curiously eccentric about Radio Thailand’s broadcast,with it’s Airline ads;which makes it more bearable than CRI! You still long for the days of rolling news coverage,and Yankee Doodle,from VOA,Radio Canada International and the old Voice of Russia,which,had a surprisingly varied schedule of different kinds of music and programs about literature (China Radio International,take note!). And then,it was all downhill,until switch off!! Radio Australia had the last,really,enjoyable English language schedule. I used to listen from late afternoon! Channel Africa has gone too,hasn’t it?! It’s all looking very grim! Although,I can always listen to the BBC World Service,when audible! There’s the ‘thrill’ of listening to the signal struggling through thousands of miles of atmosphere (all the way from Ascension Island!) instead of listening to it on Freeview,or my DAB radio!!!
Not sure what’s going on with RRI. Monitored them @ 0000 UTC on 6045 kHz (49-m band) using my Tecsun PL-380 and its telescopic whip. SINPO = 44334 with deteriorating conditions after 0042 UTC.
Mi nombre es Luis Alberto Marín los escucho desde Colombia, Suramérica y me encanta sus programas, me gustaría que hubieran más estaciones de onda corta SW. acabar con ella es como acabar todas las buenas cosas, las buenas costumbres, las tradiciones, la SW es lo mejor, es transportarse atraves del mundo en una radio multibanda, desde un cerro, una quebrada, o en la rivera de un río lejano o una sintonía mágica en las selvas tropicales de Colombia. SW debe prevalecer como legado informativo de la humanidad.
No signal today from RRI @ 2200 UTC on its assigned frequencies, nor any response to my email saying that I was glad they were still on the air.
It’s not looking good. This would be a significant loss for the shortwave listening community. Of the remaining SW International Broadcasters they were among the best. If not the best.
Definitely tempers my yearning to purchase another SW receiver. I was considering the Tecsun S-8800 plus looking forward to the new models from eton (Elite Satellit) and Tecsun (PL-990 and S-9900) .
It seems to me that RRI has been off the air for a few days. No signal on those frequencies and times I have tried.