Category Archives: News

Voice Of Russia’s response to reported shortwave closure

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Voice of Russia Antenna site in Wachenbrunn, Germany (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Voice of Russia Antenna site in Wachenbrunn, Germany (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Dominik, for sharing email responses he received from the Voice of Russia regarding news of their closure.

Below are two quotes from two different responses:

“Unfortunately, so far we have no official information as regards the cancellation of shortwave broadcasting. However, we cannot rule out such a scenario for the future, since currently the VOR is speedily introducing modern day technologies of radio and internet broadcasting.”

“Thank you very much for your letter and for your concern about the presumable cancellation of shortwave broadcasting by the Voice of Russia. As I said earlier, so far we have received no official information in this regard, however, we keep receiving letters from concerned listeners. Thank you very much for your support.”

Looks like they’re neither confirming nor denying the news we posted earlier.

Alex updates his shortwave frequency charts

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AlexChartsSWLing Post reader, Alex, has just informed me that he’s updated his shortwave frequency charts once again. Alex said he has, “improved the layout of the charts so that they have a bigger, clearer type.” He continues:

“They should be more legible this time, even if you print off from a basic printer and carry the bits of paper around when travelling. They also now divide the day into Early and Late, rather than Dark and Daylight, which seems to work better.”

Note that Alex creates his charts based on actually listening to broadcasters, rather than importing schedules from other sources.

You can download the free charts on his website:
Shortwavetimes.com

Here are the direct links to download the charts:

Thanks, Alex, for the time and dedication you put into these fine charts!

Voice of Russia to cease shortwave radio service

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Voice of Russia Antenna site in Wachenbrunn, Germany (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Voice of Russia Antenna site in Wachenbrunn, Germany (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

It appears the Voice of Russia will cease shortwave radio service on January 1st, 2014. According to this article on RiaNovosti, the shortwave service is closing due to “funding  cuts.”

I have listened to the Voice of Russia since they were known as Radio Moscow in the Cold War era. But they’ve been around much longer than the Cold War, indeed, they’ve been on the air since 1922 with their first transmitter station (RV-1) in the Moscow region.

Needless to say, I’m sad to see them leave the shortwave spectrum.

Is Firedrake on the decline?

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(Photo: Satdirectory.com)

(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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wurlitzerJukeboxI’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

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NoSignalERTIn response to our previous post regarding the European Broadcasting Union’s plan to cut (Greek national broadcaster) ERT’s satellite and Internet feed, Panagiotis Koustas comments:

There is a petition in Avaaz.org for that matter. Check it [out], please…

The petition reads:

EBU just announced that ERT’s signal will go off air on Wednesday. We, as concerned citizens of the EU ask the President of EBU not to add a “second black screen” to the “first black screen” by the Greek Government and keep the ERT’s signal alive through EBU’s satellites.

If you’re a member of the EU, you can sign this petition at Avaaz.org. Thanks for apprising us of this, Panagiotis.

The EBU to discontinue ERT broadcasts

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GreekPublicTVThe 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.