Author Archives: Thomas

Is Firedrake on the decline?

(Photo: Satdirectory.com)

Have you noticed less Firedrake broadcasts lately? I certainly have. My buddy David pointed this out to me last week and since then I haven’t heard Firedrake even once. I have, however, heard the more aggressive and noisy Chinese jamming techniques.

Perhaps it’s just a “watched pot never boils” situation? I’m not sure; some SWLs on the hard-core DX reflector have also noticed a lack of Firedrake across the bands.

Have you heard Firedrake lately? Please comment with loggings.

For readers who are unfamiliar with Firedrake, check out this previous post.

The Mighty KBC’s Giant Jukebox is moving to a new winter frequency

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I’ve just heard that The Mighty KBC is moving their Giant Jukebox program from 9,925 kHz to 7,375 kHz for the winter listening season. The KBC broadcast will still be scheduled on Sundays from 00:00 – 02:00 UTC.

The Giant Jukebox is an easy catch in North America and well worth tuning in as Eric always spins excellent tunes. For a sample, check out this recording from May 2013.

A petition to keep ERT’s satellite and Internet feed live

The EBU to discontinue ERT broadcasts

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The transition from ERT to New Hellenic Radio is underway and the European Broadcasting Union will cease broadcasting ERT over the Internet and satellite.

I’ve heard nothing regarding how this will affect the Voice of Greece, but I have certainly noted VoG’s absence on 9,420 and 15,650 kHz again tonight. I’m uncertain if VoG has been using the EBU satellite feed for broadcasts lately, or using legacy ERT sources. I will listen for VoG again tomorrow.

[Update: check our latest post about an EBU petition.]

Here is the EBU press release:

(Source: EBU)

The EBU will cease to stream the former Greek public service broadcaster ERT via its satellite capacity and its website on Wednesday August 21 at 9am.

The decision follows reports that ERT’s temporary replacement, Greek Public Television (EDT), will broadcast news services this week.

Since 12 June, when the Greek Government abruptly stopped ERT from operating, the EBU has delivered 8.5 million live streams for a total of 4.4 million hours of cumulative viewing to 2.5 million unique visitors and consistently called for the restitution of public service media in Greece, which is vital for culture, democracy and for society itself.

The EBU leadership has also written to the Greek Government offering its support and expertise to help ERT’s planned successor, known as New Hellenic Radio, Internet and Television (NERIT), NERIT fulfil its potential for independence and solid governance.

All India Radio: A Welcome Voice

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Many afternoons, I’m drawn to All India Radio on 9,445 kHz. I love what the ether does to their Bengaluru transmitting station’s signal as it travels at the speed of light over 8,700 miles to my home here in the southeastern US.

I enjoy, too, the way All India Radio announcers speak the news, in slow cadence, honoring the fine tradition of radio: “This is the general overseas service of All India Radio. It’s time now for the news. Please stand by…” I also delight in their English language news bulletins, which begin with “Namaskar.” I appreciate this–it makes it much easier for me to identify the station when listening on an analog radio like my BC-348-Q. I’m sure this makes a difference for many other listeners seeking their station, too.

I also love All India Radio–like I do the Voice of Greece–for their superb music. Where else on the shortwave dial will I hear the sitar sing, as on AIR?

But don’t take my word for it. If you live in North America and Europe, when conditions are favorable, All India Radio is a favorite listening experience for many–myself obviously included.

For your listening enjoyment, here is a 30 minute recording I made of All India Radio only an hour ago on 9,445 kHz, starting at 22:00 UTC. Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Using a 1938 Philco receiver to decode a digital VOA Radiogram

Voice of Greece update

3 Replies

Good news from our reader and regular Greek correspondent, Christos:

I listen to the programmes of ERT, almost everyday.
They continue transmitting as usual, with full programming, even these days around 15th of August (Virgin Mary Day) which is the peak of the Greek holidays. Other years we had a 2-3 minutes news bulletin and a lot of uninterrupted music.

I have written some comments about it in my blog but only in Greek.

I also have another post with photos of the radio programming producers. I am sure you have listened to some of them from the VoG.

Christos then sent this listening report:

I have checked the frequencies of VoG at my summer house in Marathon. I found out that VoG is on air on 7450kHz and 9420kHz. I couldn’t hear anything on 15630kHz, the one that was active yesterday.

Be sure to check out Christos’ blog for more details (in Greek).

Additionally, Moshe commented on my last post with this logging:

VOG Was heard last night at the 19 Meter band (I was monitoring it with my tube radio, later on confirmed it on 15650KHz).

As for now, VOG is on the air on 19 Meter Band.

Thank you, Christos and Moshe–you’ve set my mind at ease for the moment. In my current travels I can’t easily receive VoG with my portable, so I’m grateful for these reports.