From the Isle of Music – June 2024

WWII Radio History: D-Day broadcasting and communications

Maj. Gen. Ralph Royce (second from right), 9th Air Force deputy commander, with engineers on the Normandy beachhead one day after D-Day. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who writes:

With the imminent approach, Thursday, June 6, 2024, of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, followed by operation Overlord.

Being both a radio amateur and in the broadcast industry , I have done a little research and find the two items, below, relating to D-Day and post-D-Day communications and broadcasters.

One, from the BBC Archives for a UK ‘view-point’

- http://www.orbem.co.uk/repwar/wr_action.htm

and Two, from RadioWorld for the US angle

- https://www.radioworld.com/columns-and-views/roots-of-radio/how-the-army-handled-d-day-communications

But remember it was nearly a year away to VE-Day, so more research to be done on the effort of broadcasters to “bring the story home”

Also, one amateur radio related note: A SES (Special Event Station) with the callsign GB8ODD: https://g5fz.co.uk/up-coming-special-event-stations-by-the-lswc/

Being a WWII history buff, I really appreciate the links. Thanks, Kris!

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24 heures du Mans: TM24H callsign and special event QSL!

Japan: Some broadcasters running trial suspension of AM radio

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(Source: Japan Today)

Is Japan witnessing the death of AM radio?

Since February, some commercial radio broadcasters have begun a trial suspension of AM radio, with a real possibility the pause will extend to a permanent discontinuation across the country as broadcasters look to cut costs.

Thirteen of the 47 commercial operators in Japan have shut off their transmitters to see what effect the temporary end of AM broadcasts will have. AM was launched in 1925, bringing Japan into the radio broadcast age, but may not last long enough to see its 100th anniversary next year.

“Radio was at the center of the home, a medium enjoyed by the entire family,” said Tadanobu Okabe, curator of the Japan Radio Museum in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. [Continue reading…]

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RF919 Bonus Antenna

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I received a message yesterday from Raddy Marketing that they are offering a bonus antenna for the RF919 radio which will be shipped with future orders.

Here is the note they sent:

“All previous RF919 orders from our website or Amazon are eligible to request the new antenna. Customers can contact our customer service at [email protected] and provide their order number to receive it.”

I do not have any details about the new antenna, but wanted to post the info so folks who have purchased the radio as indicated above can receive the offer from Raddy.

Robert K4PKM

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Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of ZP-30 (June 2, 2024)

Pacific Odyssey: Kindle eBook only 99 cents this week

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and DXer, Ralph Perry, who shares the following announcement (click here for more background in a previous post) :

99-CENT ‘PACIFIC ODYSSEY’ WEEK IS HERE!

Click here to check it out on Amazon.com (note that this is an affiliate link that supports the SWLing Post at no cost to you.)

PACIFIC ODYSSEY is a Wild Ride! Something Like ‘Poltergeist’ meets ‘Wall Street’ in a remote Asian kingdom. — James Roby, author of the gritty Urban Knights Series.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PACIFIC ODYSSEY, just published by Banana Leaf Books, is a treat for all fans of international adventure and travel fiction and even romantic fantasy. This captivating story from Chet Nairene, author of the bestselling PACIFIC DASH, offers equal doses of humor, exotica, adventure and romance.

It is available in eBooks all this week for just .99 at Amazon!

This is the story of a brilliant but shallow New York business star who gets in over his head versus dangerous Asian occult forces. In order to save his company, he must journey to an odd hermit kingdom hidden deep in Southeast Asia. And once there, things there soon escalate . . . all in the wrong direction!

In this closed-off, mysterious, but highly ethical new universe, all of Lew Clarke’s modern-day Western knowledge and expertise are essentially useless. He must attempt to navigate the rules of an unfathomable society, but is helped out by a cast pf exotic but charming characters, including Mr. Frog, Wongrat, Uncle Inpanh, Khun Khon and his Amazia sidekick, Boo. Romance strikes the ultra-rural town of Biti, when Lew falls headlong for Boo’s stunning cousin, Miss Nong.

But after discovering the dark secret that threatens the quirky kingdom, Lew’s entire mission transforms into far more than just saving himself.

PACIFIC ODYSSEY is humorous and at times harrowing, a cautionary tale that pits modern Western values and tech against Eastern mysticism and the occult.

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