The WRTH Facebook page has noted that DRM tests from Moscow will take place on 25,900 kHz starting Friday, March 22nd (tomorrow) at 10:00 UTC and ending on Saturday, March 23rd at 10:00 UTC.
Details of each broadcast can be found here–see English version via Google Translate.
They’re asking that all DRM reception reports be logged in this online forum with a detailed description and even sound clips of audio reception, if possible.
NPR Studio 2A, home of NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered, is one of the lots up for auction.
National Public Radio (NPR) is moving to a new building in Washington, DC. They’re auctioning off all of the studio equipment and furniture they’re leaving behind.
Here’s your chance to own a piece of radio history–and, perhaps, start your own radio station or recording studio!
Click here to view the list of items up for auction.
Pope Francis I (Photo: Vatican Radio)
A few moments ago, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected Pope, becoming the first pontiff from the Americas, and taking the name Pope Francis I. When breaking news like this is happens, I often turn to shortwave radio to hear it “from the source;” what better station for news about the Papal elections than Vatican Radio? Right?
Hm. When I turned to Vatican Radio on 13.765 MHZ at 20:00 UTC today, here is what I heard:
After a little music and announcement confusion–including what sounds like at least three audio feeds coming in at once–Vatican Radio settles on an announcement program which states, in several languages, “Vatican Radio’s programming schedule is currently being modified to cover the election of the new Pope.”
It wasn’t until thirty minutes later (20:30 UTC), when the Vatican Radio service to Africa started in French on 11.625 MHz, that I heard any substantive news about the new Pope:
Of course, I can find information about the new Pope from any one of two million different online sources, but it did surprise me that Vatican Radio wasn’t better prepared for this event. I even wondered if there was a different broadcast running on a consecutive frequency, so I checked; all were identical, however.
Still, the radio archivist in me can’t help but experience some appreciation of the confusion on the airwaves. After all, this is a genuine piece of radio history and a fascinating thirty minutes of audio in the wake of a big decision.
In my mind, I envision the Vatican Radio staff frantically stirring to assemble news–for which they had no advance notice–regarding the new Pope. No doubt, the CNNs, BBCs, and Al Jazeeras of the world had pre-prepared material on each of the papal candidates. When the white plume of smoke announcing the election was first spotted, these broadcasters were likely more than ready to pull out the appropriate material and publish.
Perhaps this is not how Vatican Radio usually operates. Indeed, I suspect their live feed of events experienced a technical difficulty which they have, no doubt, since resolved. And for what it’s worth, their website was appropriately up-to-date.
History: sometimes bumpy, but always fascinating. Especially on the airwaves.
The Mighty KBC will be testing Monday and Tuesday mornings (March 11th & 12th) from 09.00 -11.00 UTC.
They will be on the following frequencies (simultaneously):
The Mighty KBC asks that you kindly email your listener reports for both shows.
The SWL Fest Saturday dinner banquet and raffle draws a large crowd. This year, yours truly (not pictured) even had a bit of luck in the raffle! (Click to enlarge)
I’m back from a week of travelling which happily included three nights in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, at the NASWA Winter SWL Fest.
As I’ve mentioned before, I look forward to the SWL Fest every year. Not only am I able to spend time with friends and radio “family,” but I have the opportunity to attend fascinating presentations and demonstrations that both explore and expand the very meaning of radio.
Next year, the Winter SWL Fest will be held between February 28-March 1, 2014; location to be determined. Do yourself a favor, and earmark those dates in your calendar. If you enjoy reading the topics here on the SWLing Post, I assure you, you’ll enjoy the content–and the company–offered by the SWL Fest.
(Source: VOA)
The Voice of America is protesting new jamming of its English broadcasts in China.
VOA Director David Ensor condemned the new interference and said the U.S. government broadcaster is working with experts to determine the precise origin of the jamming. He said “the free flow of information is a universal right and VOA will continue to provide accurate and balanced information on platforms that can reach audiences in areas subject to censorship.”
The U.S.-funded VOA is not the only victim of jamming. The British Broadcasting Corporation said this week its shortwave English radio broadcasts also are being jammed in China.
The BBC said that while it is not possible to know who is doing the jamming, “the extensive and co-ordinated efforts are indicative of a well-resourced country such as China.”
VOA broadcast engineers say Radio Australia also is being jammed.
At VOA headquarters in Washington, engineers say that while the agency’s Chinese-language broadcasts are routinely jammed in China, its English broadcasts usually are not. They noticed the jamming of the English programs about a month ago and say it appears to use a new technology.
Many countries have used various methods to jam VOA broadcasts for decades, especially during the Cold War when VOA broadcast heavily into the former Soviet Union and other countries under Communist control. Now, its Persian satellite television broadcasts into Iran are frequently jammed, as are VOA Horn of Africa broadcasts to Ethiopia.
Note our previous article on the topic of harmful interference from China.
I attended and presented at the NASB meeting last year at Radio Free Asia’s headquarters in Washington DC. It was an amazing meeting and great opportunity to talk radio with industry leaders. You should consider attending an NASB meeting if your schedule allows. Here are the details:
(Source: NASB Newsletter)
The 2013 Meeting will take place May 15-17, 2013 at EWTN Television in Birmingham, Alabama.
Registration for the meeting is free of charge, and it is open to anyone with an interest in shortwave broadcasting or listening. To register, fill out our online registration form at www.shortwave.org/meeting/meeting.htm or send your name and e-mail address to Jeff White at radiomiami9 [ a t ] cs.com.
As usual, the NASB Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the DRM-USA platform on May 15-17, 2013, at the headquarters of NASB member EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) in Birmingham, Alabama. NASB President Glen Tapley, Terry Borders and other EWTN staff members will welcome shortwave broadcasters, listeners and anyone with an interest in shortwave radio to the Birmingham venue.
Arrangements have been made for hotel accommodation at the nearby Holiday Inn Express for a price of $75.00 plus tax, including breakfast daily. The Holiday Inn Express Irondale (a suburb of Birmingham) is about a half-mile from the TV network, the location for Thursday’s meeting and tour of the TV studios. The hotel will provide a free shuttle service to and from EWTN and a continental breakfast. EWTN will provide lunch Thursday. On Friday, participants will take a 40-minute trip to the WEWN shortwave transmitter site high in the picturesque mountains surrounding Birmingham, and the radio staff will have a cookout on the hill for attendees. EWTN is looking forward to your visit!
TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR NASB 2013
WEDNESDAY EVENING
Reception at hotel with cocktails (including non-alcoholic) and hors d’oeuvres for all participants, sponsored by the Holiday Inn Express
THURSDAY
Meeting takes place at EWTN TV station 9:00 am-5:00 pm
The meeting will be opened by the EWTN President/CEO
Tour of TV plant
Lunch at TV plant
Afternoon presentations: DRM talks, AJ Janitschek of Radio Free Asia (on “Green Engineering”); Dr. Dowell Chow, President of Adventist World Radio; Mike Rosso, Vice President, and Dave Hultsman of Continental Electronics; Mark Allen of Rohn Tower Company; and Jerome Hirigoyen of Télédiffusion de France about TDF’s Issoudun transmitter site
FRIDAY
Tour of shortwave transmitter site – vans will pick up at the hotel. Remarks by Terry Borders.
Cookout on the mountain for lunch
Back to TV plant for business and board meetings (or on the mountain if agreeable)
HOTEL RESERVATION DETAILS
Room reservations need to be made at the Holiday Inn Express by April 16 to ensure the group rate. After that, reservations can still be made, but only based on availability. There is no cancellation fee if the reservation is canceled by 6 PM the date of arrival. Otherwise there is a one-day charge.
Attendees simply need to e-mail: [email protected] with the Subject: NASB Reservations
The hotel will send confirmation within 24 hours. The price is $75.00 per night plus tax.
Those who do not wish to use e-mail can phone the hotel at (205) 957-0555 and request to speak with Adrian or Margarita.
Information you need to provide in your e-mail or by phone:
If you have any questions about the 2013 NASB Annual Meeting, or would like to sponsor an event at the meeting, contact Jeff White at [email protected]
NASB Members:
NASB Associate Members: