Category Archives: What’s On Shortwave

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Special Radio Netherlands broadcast via WRMI

RadioNederlandLast week, I received a message from Peter De Groot, who announced a special broadcast of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW).

RNW has been off the air for more than 2.5 years, so we can assume this was not sponsored by RNW.

Though scheduling (and the fact I forgot to start a spectrum recording–!) interfered with my ability to listen to the first broadcast on January 17, I was able to catch the January 18 broadcast at 01:00 UTC on 7,570 kHz. The show was relayed by WRMI.

The broadcast came in so strong, when I heard the interval signal, it instantly transported me back to the days when Hilversum targeted eastern North America. Gave me chill bumps.

I was able to record the entire program but did not include the WRMI station ID before and after the special.

For your listening pleasure, one full hour of Radio Netherlands Worldwide via WRMI in Florida USA–click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below. Enjoy:

This recording was made with my Elad FDM-S2 hooked up to a large horizontal delta loop antenna.

Note: I will reach out to WRMI to see if the person or group behind the broadcast plans to issue QSL cards.

Orchestral music on shortwave?

Photo: Thomas Fries / License: cc-by-sa-3.0 de

Photo: Thomas Fries / License: cc-by-sa-3.0 de

SWLing Post reader, Eric (w4OTN/3), asks:

Years ago I loved tuning in Radio Bulgaria and listening to their orchestra play. The ether would deliver the beautiful music to my ears with some fading at times but I loved listening to it. That is, of course, until they stopped broadcasting. I’ve tried to find an alternative without success.

I wonder if you know of any shortwave station that still broadcast orchestras?

Thanks,
Eric W4OTN/3

Any suggestions for Eric?  Please comment with details!

Special Radio Netherlands broadcasts starting January 17 and 18, 2015

RadioNederlandPeter De Groot writes:

A series of special Radio Netherlands broadcasts will begin on January 17th and 18th, 2015.  Presenters will be John van den Steen, Jerry Cowan and Tim Thomasson. See frequencies and times below:

  • 0100 to 0200 UTC on 7,570 kHz
  • 0100 to 0200 UTC on 11,790 and perhaps 13700

Peter sent no more information than this, so I’m not sure where the transmissions will originate. Since RNW is no longer on the air, I’m certain these broadcasts aren’t coming from Hilversum.

Hopefully, someone will attempt to record these broadcasts in case I’m not in the broadcast footprint. Would like to add this to the SW Radio Audio Archive.

List of Private US Shortwave Stations since 1962

SX-99-DialMany thanks to Swedish DXer and SWLing Post reader, Lennart Weirell, who writes:

“Late last year I compiled a list of private shortwave stations in USA from 1962 and a graph over the stations from 1982, when the increase of stations started after the FCC had lifted the ban to issue licenses for private radio stations in 1973. I also consulted Glenn Hauser during the process. I myself have 35 out of the 42 different calls verified.

This list was first presented in the Swedish bulletin, Shortwave Bulletin (SWB), in November last year and I thought that maybe it could be of interest for the readers of SWLing Post.”

Lennart has kindly shared a printable PDF of the private broadcaster list (click here to download). I have also pasted an image of the list below, for quick reference.

ListOfPrivateUSShortwaveStations

Again, many thanks, Lennart!

Check out the Shortwave Bulletin (SWB) by clicking here.

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Helliniki Radiophonia

GreeceIt’s been a while now since 9,420 kHz–a former Voice of Greece frequency–should have gone off the air.  Fortunately, it has not.

The station is no longer referred to as the Voice of Greece; it’s now a relay of ERT Open, otherwise known as the Helliniki Radiophonia (you’ll hear this name in the station ID).

Friday evening, I recorded nearly four hours of Helliniki Radiophonia because I love the music programming they air during weekends, yet I rarely stay up late enough to listen live. With this recording, I’ll enjoy Greek music most of my working day today–and you can, too!

Simply click here to download an MP3 of the full recording, or simply listen via the embedded player below.

The music begins, in earnest, a little after 17:00–enjoy:

Chris reviews HF pirate radio activity in 2014

pirate_radio_transmissions_per_month_2014Chris Smolinski has just posted an amazing overview of 2014 pirate radio activity. His post includes statistics based on loggings from the HF Underground discussion forum. This is the most comprehensive analysis of pirate radio activity I’ve ever seen. I can only imagine how much time Chris spent putting all of this together (and creating the script that parsed the loggings).

Click here to view Chris’ post, Shortwave Pirate Radio 2014 – A Year In Review, at the HF Underground.

Shortwave Radio Recordings: A Tale of Two Cities via Global 24

Elad-FDM-S2-FrontPanelTuesday morning, I tuned my WWII era BC-348-Q to Global 24 on 9395 kHz. The signal, via WRMI’s transmitter, was quite strong.

The company rehearses Treasure Island, the second program in The Mercury Theatre on the Air series, presented July 18, 1938 (Source: Wikipedia)

The company rehearses Treasure Island, the second program in The Mercury Theatre on the Air series, presented July 18, 1938 (Source: Wikipedia)

At 2:00 UTC, I heard an announcement that The Mercury Theatre on the Air radio play of A Tale of Two Cities was about to begin.

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to record this timeless Dicken’s classic, I quickly switched over to the Elad FDM-S2 SDR to record the broadcast live. Fortunately, I captured the full broadcast and the fidelity is almost as good as a local station.

For your listening pleasure this New Year’s Day, please enjoy A Tale of Two Cities by The Mercury Theatre on the Air courtesy of Global 24:

Click here to download the recording as an MP3.

Happy New Year, everyone!