by Dan Greenall
Sometimes, while I’m puttering around at my desk, I like to listen to some music on the radio without the chatter of commercials and other talk interruptions. Now, in the dead of winter here in Canada, I often find myself looking for stations in warmer climates to help “escape” from all the bitter cold, ice, and snow. A few of these are low-powered stations in Australia, and can be accessed via SDR reception or even online. They are heavy on the music with less talk/announcements, and any of them would be a great DX catch outside of Australia and New Zealand.
Bay Islands Radio, Russell Island (near Brisbane), Queensland
5045 kHz shortwave or 88 MHz FM on the air 24/7
They advertise Monday to Friday 70’s-90’s remixes and pub rock weekends with old school rock.
Here are two recordings made recently using the VK4KY SDR:
They also stream online here: https://www.bayislandsradio.com.au/
Domestic Shortwave Australia VL8K, near Bendigo, Victoria
4835 kHz (24/7) and 2310 kHz (local night time) shortwave.
This is a low powered station owned and operated by VK3ASE, Dave, from a rural property near Bendigo, Victoria. It has been on the air since 2022 offering random, generally pre-recorded programs of music such as the Swingin’ 60’s with Paul Peters that I happened across one weekend. Good reception can be had through the use of various SDR’s located in Victoria or neighbouring South Australia, though I have heard them on some in New Zealand and Perth (Western Australia) at times putting in a respectable signal. Actual station ID’s are brief and seem to be aired sporadically in the middle of a musical selection. Examples of this can be heard in the two attached recordings.
Recording #1 (April 18, 2025)
“You are listening to VL8K Domestic Shortwave Australia on 4835 or 2310 kilohertz.” Listen around the 3:17 mark:
Recording #2 (April 10, 2025)
“Contact this station at VL8K at Outlook dot com.” Listen around the 2:11 mark:
Radio 567, Wee Waa, New South Wales
4970 and 2325 kHz shortwave (SW currently offline but check periodically).
Mostly rock and roll from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s
Here are two recordings made in April 2025, one using the VK2GGC SDR and the other via one in New Zealand:
They also stream online here: https://radio567.com.au/
I hope you enjoy tuning in to these entertaining low powered outlets.
Dan, an update on Radio 567:
As of several weeks ago, Radio 567 is off the air on shortwave until further notice. So 4970 and 2325 kHz are no longer. The licence is still in place, but the owner had to leave the property he was renting. He has plans to return, but this will be some time off, by the sounds of it. Apparently, the streaming service still continues, but I have not confirmed that.
Cheers, mate.
Rob VK3BVW
Thanks for this update, Rob. As well, I have not heard Bay Islands Radio for several days now. I’m wondering if/when they might be back on the air.
Dan, Bay Islands R. appears to be an on-again-off-again affair. A casual operation, sometimes heard on the weekends for a few hours. I heard them recently, but I cannot remember which day it was.
Rob