Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Shannon, who writes:
Hi Thomas
A little treat for my fellow readers of your blog (is that the right word?). The RTE interval signal, a rendition of O’Donnell Abú (“O’Donnell Forever”), that is played at 0529 daily, apart from the weekend when it’s played at 0629 (even interval signals need a lie in) and received on longwave here in Scotland.
I know that longwave broadcasting is a very European thing with the exception of the likes of Mongolia (holy grail stuff for me) but it’s where my fascination for the bands started way back in 1978/9.
Sláinte mhaith gach duine
(Irish Gaelic for good health everyone)
That’s a beautiful interval signal, David. Thank you so much for sharing it with your fellow Post readers! There are few things in this world that make me feel more nostalgic than an off-air recording of an interval signal. Go Raibh Maith Agat!
Thanks for the memories. I often wondered how stations chose their interval signals. I remember ORF’s interval signal was from Tales of the Vienna Woods.
I occasionally listen to what is left of the longwave broadcasters from my QTH in Florida using an 148′ “shielded” coaxial loop-on-ground antenna.
Yes the band isn’t what it used to be. 🙁 What have been your most relatively exotic catches on LW Robert?
Medi 1 is often an usual nighttime catch for at least part of the year. Stations like Radio Antena Satelor, BBC 4, RTE Radio 1, and RTL are more hit and miss.
MNB 1 or TR1 would be truly exotic catches for me IMO, though they have proven elusive thus far. Maybe if I could deploy an 1000′ or longer beverage-on-ground for some directivity, but that likely is not happening at the current QTH. 😉