Category Archives: Shortwave Radio

Paul’s recording of the Voice of Korea with a Tecsun PL-330

Radio Waves: RÚV LW Transmitter Demolished, Dave Rowntree & Longwave, Radio Angela Anniversary, and Como Audio Closes Permanently

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 Dennis Dura, ______ for the following tips:

Third largest structure in Iceland demolished (RUV English)

Once ubiquitous, few radios now receive long wave broadcasts. Priority is now given to boosting FM signals. RÚV’s long wave transmitter in East Iceland has been demolished.

Monday saw RÚV’s East Iceland long wave transmitter switched off. The mast at Eiðar, at 218 metres the third tallest structure in the country, transmitted RÚV’s radio services across the east of the country and out into the Norwegian Sea. In a statement, RÚV say that the equipment needed to maintain the service is very expensive, and few radios now receive long wave broadcasts.

The change is being made in association with Iceland’s Civil Defence and other bodies concerned with emergencies, as long wave signals have traditionally formed part of emergency communication planning. However, an upgraded FM system will take over this function.

The long wave signal from Eiður, on 207kHz, has been replaced by a more powerful FM network in East Iceland. RÚV has increased the number of FM transmitters and renewed existing masts. Long wave transmissions will continue for a time on 189 kHz from Hellissandur at Gufuskálar in West Iceland – Iceland’s tallest structure at 412 metres – but it too will ultimately close, and then the FM system will fully take over the role of safety broadcasts. [Click here to continue reading and watch demolition video…]

Click here to watch the RUV report on the end of this longwave service (in Icelandic).

Blur’s Dave Rowntree: Long wave radio changed my life – BBC mustn’t switch it off prematurely (iNews.co.uk)

Long wave radio changed Blur drummer Dave Rowntree’s life. Now he warns the BBC not to switch off the shipping forecast signal until the whole country is digitally connected

From childhood to his chart-topping days with Blur, long wave radio has played a central role in Dave Rowntree’s life.

Now the drummer has warned that the BBC’s plans to switch-off the crackly signal could disenfranchise millions of radio listeners who still struggle to receive digital transmissions.

The BBC will end AM radio transmissions – including long wave, home of the Shipping Forecast and medium wave – currently still accessed by an estimated 6.5 million listeners each week.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s medium wave frequencies will fall silent by the end of 2027 with a date for ending long wave currently under discussion.

Rowntree, who holds an amateur radio licence and took inspiration from the shipping forecast for Blur’s hit “This Is A Low”, said the signal should not be turned off prematurely. Continue reading →

LRA 36 Special Broadcast: “Uniting Voices” this Saturday (March 11, 2023)

1 Reply

In the studio of LRA 36, Antarctica

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following announcement:

New broadcast of “Uniting Voices” on LRA 36 “National Radio Archangel San Gabriel”

SATURDAY MARCH 11 – 18:00 ART Argentina Time (21:00 UTC) until 24:00 ART Saturday (03:00 UTC Sunday)

Six hours of uninterrupted short wave radio from Antarctica

The Antarctic station of Base Esperanza will broadcast a new program of the special summer cycle called “Uniting Voices”. The broadcast will include interviews, special notes, cultural information, news of activities developed during the 2023 Antarctic Summer Campaign, National Radio podcast and music.

Production: Commando Conjunto Antarctic, Radio Argentina Exterior (RAE) and project “Uniting Voices” of the National University of Quilmes.

Listen to the program on 15.476 kHz (USB) shortwave, starting at 21:00 UTC on March 10, 2023.

Internet: www.radionacional.com.ar , Select Stations, Land of Fire, LRA36.
LRA 36 Whatsapp: +54 9 297-624-0137

Reception Reports to: [email protected]

Thank you for the tip, Paul!

“Tea With the Queen”

Guest Post: Listening to LRA 36

6 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post:

Listening to LRA 36

by TomL

I finally had time to go outdoors to listen to LRA 36, Antarctica. People were gushing about how well it is being received. My location was a park across the street from the Forest Preserve I usually go to (the Forest Preserves are shutdown and gates locked after sundown). Even though it was after sunset, this Park has no gate or chain to prevent people from parking there. In the dark, I setup the trusty amplified Loop-on-Ground antenna, SDR, and laptop. Solar Flux Index about 179, K index 2.

Started recording and, NOTHING! ARRGH. But I had just heard it at home in the noise!?!? Waited about two minutes and all of a sudden music started playing in the middle of a song. S6 – S7 strength with lots of fading. Very cool. 20 minutes later, went off the air. Then 10 minutes later, came back on again in the middle of another song. They must be tweaking the transmitter. This feels like the 10 kW transmitter; no way could a 1.5 kW be this loud over 12000 kilometers! Also, an advantage with IQ recording of a spectrum is I could tune into it later. Good thing because between their tweaking the transmitter, my SDR, and the crazy propagation, I had to tune to 15475.983 kHz in order to get the USB signal perfectly in pitch.

For your listening enjoyment if you have not had a chance to hear it clearly, I have uploaded both recordings to archive.org where you can listen as long as you want. Worth listening to, playing music of Argentina music bands. Happy Listening! Here is the link to Archive.org and the audio files are also embedded below:

LRA 36 at 00:30 UTC on 05 March 2023:

LRA 36 at 01:00 UTC on 05 March 2023:

March 2023 Program Schedule for Texas Radio Shortwave

1 Reply

Many thanks to Texas Radio Shortwave contributor, Terry Colgan (N5RTC), who shares the following March 2023 schedule for Texas Radio Shortwave:

This schedule is subject to change without notice.

If you use this information, please credit Texas Radio Shortwave as the source. Thank you.

In addition to these scheduled broadcasts, WRMI may air TRSW programs on unannounced dates, times, and frequencies. WRMI is located in Okeechobee, Florida, USA.

Target Areas: 5950 kHz = North America. 15770 kHz = Europe, North Africa, Middle East.

Program Code

Prime New one-hour program featuring Texas artists and songs about Texas.

Special New one-hour program featuring Texas artists and songs about Texas produced for a special occasion or a program used to enhance the schedule. On Stage New one-hour program featuring performances at Texas music venues, usually by Texas artists.

Retrospective New one-hour program featuring episodes of old-time radio and old programs from Rock-it Radio, BBC, and Oldies Project.

Encore Previously-aired TRSW program.

Texas Radio Shortwave is an independent producer of music and topical shows broadcast by commercial shortwave station WRMI. Texas Radio Shortwave’s studio is in far South Texas, in Port Isabel on the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas Radio Shortwave uses a version of The Yellow Rose of Texas as its Interval Signal/Signature Song. Texas Radio Shortwave verifies correct, detailed reception reports by eQSL.

Texas Radio Shortwave’s Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/texasradiosw.

Texas Radio Shortwave’s Listeners’ Group Facebook page is http//www.facebook.com/groups/580199276066655/. Texas Radio Shortwave’s programs are available for listening on Mixcloud at http://www.mixcloud.com/texasradiosw. Texas Radio Shortwave’s email address is [email protected].

March Monthly QSL

Still time to register today: 36th Annual (Virtual) Winter SWL Fest this weekend!

3 Replies

If you’ve thought about attending the annual Winter SWL Fest, but found it difficult to make the travel arrangements, this year you can once again get a taste of the Fest by attending virtually.

You’ll find the program below, but click here to view it at the Winter SWL Fest site, and click here to register (only $5 for both days including all presentations and the hospitality room).

PLEASE NOTE: You must register for the Winter SWL Fest by 11:00 PM (EST) today (Friday, March 3, 2023). They will not process registrations after this deadline.

The presentations start tomorrow: Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 09:00 EST. There’s also a social gathering tonight at 20:00 EST. I strongly encourage you to attend! I’m looking forward to it!

Check out the full schedule below:

2023 36th Winter SWL Fest Program and Forums Schedule

This year’s Fest will once again be held in virtual space rather than physical space. Details about how to register and use the Zoom platform are here.

All sessions except the “Shindig” nominally one-hour except where noted, but may run longer or shorter at the option of the presenter.

“The Bob Brown Memorial Hospitality Suite”* — A virtual hospitality room, sponsored by the Canadian International DX Club (CIDX) will open at 2000 EST Friday, March 3 and 0800 EST Saturday, March 4 and remain available on Friday night and Saturday over the course of the event. Announcements and instructions will be provided along the way.

CIDX also has plans on Saturday to activate the CIDX club ham stations VE2AQP in Montreal (Gilles Letourneau will be the operator), and VE6SWL in Sherwood Park, Alberta (Mickey Delmage will be the operator). Times and frequencies will be announced.

As far as we can tell, this is the final schedule.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2022 (All times North American Eastern Standard)

2000 – WINTERFEST ICEBREAKER PARTY – Spend some time in the The Bob Brown Memorial Hospitality “Suite”! Meet up with old friends and make some new ones — virtually and across all borders. This event will continue until everyone’s energy and interest runs out. (Instructions on how to join the conversation(s) will be provided to registrants.) [0100 UTC (Sat.)/1700 PST/0200 CET (Sat.)/1200 (Sat.) AEDT)]

SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2022

0930 – KEYNOTE – JEFF WHITE: The General Manager of WRMI, Radio Miami International — which has the largest private shortwave transmitting facility in the Western Hemisphere in Okeechobee Florida — will discuss the ins and outs of operating the station, including its recent experiences with hurricanes. Jeff also wears other hats including Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters and Chairman of the High Frequency Coordination Conference. That and over 40 years’ involvement in myriad aspects of shortwave and international broadcasting give him a deep and unique perspective on where all of this might be going. [1430 UTC/0630 PST/1530 CET/0130 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1030 – SCANNER NOT REQUIRED: Tom Swisher says it doesn’t have to be a scanner! There are excellent alternatives if you’re looking for other ways to monitor your favorite McDonald’s drive-through. [1530 UTC/0730 PST/1630 CET/0230 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1130 – BREAK: Spend some time in the The Bob Brown Memorial Hospitality “Suite”. [1630 UTC/0830 PST/1730 CET/0330 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1300 – CHOOSING A USED RECEIVER FROM 1950 THROUGH TODAY: We’re not cheap, just cost conscious. Old Uncle Skip Arey will scour his sources to find the best (and safest) ways to buy used radios regardless of whether you are looking for a collectible or a modern listening tool. [1800 UTC/1000 PST/1900 CET/0500 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1430 – RADIO IS SUPPOSED TO BE FREE: Mysterious signals that go bump in the night. Odd sounds on odd frequencies in the middle of the afternoon. AM signals with very wide full fidelity bandwidth. Distorted sideband transmissions playing strange music and making weird images appear on their listeners’ software defined radio displays. Welcome to the world of unlicensed free radio on shortwave. Larry Will presents a little bit of history and look at the current state of shortwave pirate radio in North America. And there may be some special guest personalities sharing their perspectives on free radio. [1930 UTC/1130 PST/2030 CET/0630 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1600 – BACK TO THE CLASSICS II: Dan Robinson has spent the months since the last online Fest doing some more thinking about. . .what else? . . . receivers and features that make them stand out from the crowd, and will file his special report from his basement in Potomac, MD. [2100 UTC/1300 PST/2200 CET/0800 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1700 – HELP US PLAN FUTURE FESTS: Join Rich and John (um… your hosts, remember?) to discuss whether and how best to resume an in-person event as well as how the online version might continue and improve. [2200 UTC/1400 PST/2300 CET/0900 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1730 – BREAK – Spend some time in The Bob Brown Memorial Hospitality “Suite”. [2230 UTC/1430 PST/2330 CET/0930 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1900 – IN MEMORIUM: Sheldon Harvey recounts those that moved on over the past year to that DX shack in the sky where propagation is always perfect and RF noise doesn’t exist. [0000 UTC (Sun.)/1600 PST/0100 CET (Sun.)/1100 (Sun.) AEDT)]

1930 – “YUM CHA, DIM SUM OR RIJSTTAFEL?” – Mark Fahey with an exploration of the joy of being a broadcasting enthusiast living in an equatorial jungle. [0030 UTC (Sun.)/1630 PST/0130 CET (Sun.)/1130 (Sun.) AEDT)]

2100 – THE SHORTWAVE SHINDIG – STILL IN EXILE: Your host, David Goren, is whuppin’ up another multi-hour listening party with plenty of shortwave sounds, music, special guests, updates on NYC pirate radio, and the latest installment of World Wide Waves, dg’s BBC radio doc series on global community radio this year featuring Inuit radio in Northern Quebec, a Romani radio station in Hungary, a rural station in Malawi and a clandestine in Myanmar. [0200 UTC (Sun.)/1800 PST/0300 CET (Sun.)/1300 (Sun.) AEDT)]