Category Archives: International Broadcasting

Radio Waves: “No Power” Transmitter, Paid Subscriptions, OTA Still Important, Kyrgyz Radio Shutdown, Rti on WRD, and Brother Stair Still on the Air

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Ron Chester, David Iurescia, and Dennis Dura for the following tips:

Device transmits radio waves with almost no power—without violating the laws of physics (Tech Xplore)

A new ultra-low-power method of communication at first glance seems to violate the laws of physics. It is possible to wirelessly transmit information simply by opening and closing a switch that connects a resistor to an antenna. No need to send power to the antenna.

Our system, combined with techniques for harvesting energy from the environment, could lead to all manner of devices that transmit data, including tiny sensors and implanted medical devices, without needing batteries or other power sources. These include sensors for smart agriculture, electronics implanted in the body that never need battery changes, better contactless credit cards and maybe even new ways for satellites to communicate.

Apart from the energy needed to flip the switch, no other energy is needed to transmit the information. In our case, the switch is a transistor, an electrically controlled switch with no moving parts that consumes a minuscule amount of power. [Continue reading…]

A Threat Even Bigger Than No Car Radio (Radio World)

It’s about paid subscriptions — to the manufacturer, not the radio station

Apps for everything from optional equipment to entertainment is a big attraction for auto manufacturers.

For AM or even FM radio in cars, the solution could be worse than the problem: When manufacturers stop including radio as an in-console function, the workarounds make radio less local and face unimaginable competition, but what will roll out next is even more concerning.

The straight scoop
AM interference in electric vehicles, leaving radio out of the entertainment center, making radio more difficult to access — these are the real problems that the radio industry now faces.

Fact: Electromagnetic fields generated in non-gasoline engines make AM virtually unlistenable, spurring manufacturers to leave it out.

FM is more resistant to electromagnetic fields so for the present it survives.

Ford’s popular F-150 Lightning, Tesla, Volvo, Porsche and Audi have removed AM from their electric cars.

Tesla will sell consumers an app to get radio or satellite radio for a rental fee through internet delivery that gets around the electromagnetic interference. [Continue reading…]

Help Farm Radio Fight for Radio (Radio World)

We need to show carmakers that free OTA radio is still wanted and needed

his is one in a series of occasional commentaries produced through the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Continue reading →

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Bob Zanotti’s presentation to the Fairlawn Amateur Radio Club (Part 1)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Zanotti (HB9ASQ), who has, at my request, shared a video recording of a presentation he gave to the Fairlawn ARC last year.

This is part one. Part two will soon be released and we’ll post it on the SWLing Post as well! Thank you, Bob! Enjoy:

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WRTH 2023 Edition on preorder

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who notes that the 2023 edition of the WRTH is now available from at least two retailers and is expected to ship this month (February 2023). Tom writes:

Hi Thomas,
RadioDataCenter shows the book In Stock. Also, Universal Radio says orders being taken.

https://shop.radiodatacenter.net/product/wrth-2023-book/

https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/books/2023.html

TomL

Thank you for the tip, Tom!

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of Radio Romania International (February 8, 2023–Turkey/Syria Earthquake)

Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of Voice of Turkey (February 7, 2023–Turkey/Syria Earthquake)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of this recent broadcast of the Voice of Turkey.

Carlos notes:

Part of Turkey/Syria earthquake news coverage via shortwave broadcasting of Voice of Turkey, in French.

Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Click here to view on YouTube.

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USAGM Congressional Budget Justification for 2023

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Lin Robertson, who shares a link to the USAGM Congressional Budget Justification for Fiscal Year 2023.

Click here to download the PDF.

If you’re interested in how shortwave services are being affected by the budget, you can do a simple search for the word “shortwave.”

One change of note to the Greenville, NC, transmitting station (page 37):

In FY 2023, USAGM is proposing a realignment of the ERM transmitting station
in Greenville, North Carolina under the USAGM’s Office of Technology, Services,
and Innovation (TSI), which currently is responsible for other of USAGM’s
transmitting stations. The realignment of shortwave resources will effectively
enhance the overall USAGM broadcast mission capabilities by aligning all content
distribution platforms as managed by TSI. This action will decrease OCB’s general
operating expenses by approximately $2.1 million annually

This is a 197 page document and traditional over-the-air services are mentioned frequently.

If you notice relevant points to shortwave services feel free to point them out in the comments and note the page number! Thank you!

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Radio Tamazul and Radio Dabanga broadcast coordination?

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeff (KJ7LTU), who writes:

Thomas,

I was wondering if you, or your readers, know if Radio Tamazuj and Radio Dabanga are coordinating their broadcasting efforts? This last Sunday I picked up their transmission on 15550 kHz. Radio Tamazul signs off at 15:57 UTC and Radio Dabanga signs on at 15:59 UTC.

Some quick research indicates that this is the intended broadcast schedule. The times, and shared frequencies, seem to allude to a joint effort. Other than these are both Sudanese broadcasters, I can’t seem to find any additional evidence to support this. Wondering if you might be willing to put this out there to see if anyone has any information to satisfy my curiosity.

Here’s a link to the transmission for reference: Radio Tamazuj & Radio Dabanga