This week, some concert music selections from the vast repertoire of composer and pianist José María Vitier and a tribute to the late, great trombonist and bandleader extraordinaire and exceptional producer Juan Pablo Torres.
WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas)
Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 CET) and Saturdays 1200-1300 UTC (1300-1400 CET)
See the From the Isle of Music Facebook page for more information.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, @K7al_L3afta, who suggested I post photos of the TAR-224 Radio. Obviously, he knows I’m a fan of this sort of rig!
He discovered the TAR-224 on the excellent CIA online museum where they give a brief description of the unit:
A compact, high-frequency, paramilitary transceiver, the TAR-224 enabled communications with field agents operating behind enemy lines. It saw service in Vietnam as well as during Operation EAGLE CLAW.
31 cm x 18.3 cm x 12 cm
(L x W x H)
A much better description of the TAR-224 can be found at the CryptoMuseum:
TAR-224 was a very compact, self-contained spy radio station, developed by AVCO Corporation in Cincinnati (Ohio, USA) around 1970 for the CIA. It was intended for communication with field agents operating behind enemy lines, and can be seen as a successor to the ageing GRC-109 (RS-1) of the 1950s. It was used for many years until it was phased out in the late 1980s.
The entire unit is completely waterproof, with all switches and controls at the front panel properly sealed, allowing the radio to be stored under harsh conditions for an extended period of time. A plastic lid can be placed over the controls to protect them against dust and dirt. It is held in place by three metal latches at the edges.
[…]The radio coverages all frequencies between 2 and 24MHz. The receiver has a Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO), allowing continuous tuning of all 4 frequency bands, whereas the transmitter is crystal operated. The unit can be powered by an external 12V source that is connected to a 3-pin socket at the front left, or by a special 12V battery pack that is installed behind a watertight panel at the front left. A plastic grip, at the left of the radio, allows the unit to be carried around easily.
[…]Most TAR-224 units were used by the CIA on special (overseas) missions, but the radios were also used by intelligence services in Europe. It is known to be used on a mission in Angola in 1975. According to CIA communication specialist Teddy Roberts, the TAR-224 was still being used in operational context in 1983, when he trained a unit of US Army Green Barets on its use.
Evidently, the TAR-224 is quite rare and I was not aware of it. Thanks for sharing, @K7al_L3afta!
Many thanks to SWling Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares the following note about his latest FSL antenna experiment:
Medium wave DX FSL antenna phasing experiment– 1593-CNR1 (Changzhou, China, in Mandarin) boosted up to strong (S9) peaks by two 5 inch “Frequent Flyer” FSL’s at 1435 UTC on February 25th in my frozen back yard in Puyallup.
Unlike other high gain MW antennas, the FSL’s can provide cumulative gain at very close inductive coupling ranges.
Click here to download and play MP3 recording.
Amazing, Gary! Thank you for sharing this excellent bit of DX!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John from VORW Radio International, who writes:
I am pleased to announce the further expansion of VORW Radio International, now transmitting to Asia!
Each broadcast features a mixture of my commentary and listener requested music. You’ll hear a great variety of music in this program, from Classical to Classic Country, from Rock to Smooth Jazz, you’ll hear it all!
If you’re interested in listening, the updated broadcast schedule is as follows (with bold text marking additional transmissions):
- Thursday 1000 UTC – 1100 UTC – 5850 kHz to Northeast Asia / Pacific Northwest
- Thursday 1300 UTC – 1400 UTC – 6070 kHz to Europe
- Thursday 2000 UTC – 2100 UTC – 6070 kHz to Europe
- Friday 0100 UTC – 0200 UTC – 7490 kHz to North America (8 PM – 9 PM Eastern, Thursday)
- Friday 1130 UTC – 1230 UTC – 3210 kHz to Northwest NSW, Australia
March 9th – 1200 UTC – 1300 UTC – 12085 kHz to Northeast Asia
Questions, comments, reception reports and music requests may be sent to [email protected]
Reception reports will receive a QSL!
Many thanks, John! Happy to see yet another expansion of your broadcasts!
Broadcasting a live performance of the Shortwave Shindig at the 2015 Winter SWL Fest.
Good news! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Cuff, who notes that WRMI is adding 9,395 kHz (aimed north) to the Shortwave Shindig broadcast tonight. Please see updated press release below:
The Shortwave Shindig
30th Annual Winter SWL FEST
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Friday 3/3/17 10pm-1am EST (0300-0600 UTC 3/4)
Live via WRMI 6855 kHz and 9,395 kHzJoin David Goren and friends for the annual Shortwave Shindig, a late night listening hang featuring live music, interviews and audio pieces exploring the history and aesthetics of the shortwave listening experience. Festivities begin at 9:15pm EST. Then at 10 pm EST we’ll go live on 6855 khz via WRMI, Radio Miami International, for a three hour broadcast including the best of Short Waves/Long Distance, an open call for shortwave based audio work co-sponsored by NASWA The North American Shortwave Association and Wave Farm, a media arts organization. Short Waves/Long Distance celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Fest, and the 20th Anniversary of Wave Farm.
As a reminder, this broadcast will begin today, March 3, 2017, at 22:00 EST (that’s 03:00 UTC March 4):
(Source: David Goren)
The Shortwave Shindig
30th Annual Winter SWL FEST
Plymouth Meeting, PA
Friday 3/3/17 10pm-1am EST (0300-0600 UTC 3/4)
Live via WRMI 6855 khzJoin David Goren and friends for the annual Shortwave Shindig, a late night listening hang featuring live music, interviews and audio pieces exploring the history and aesthetics of the shortwave listening experience. Festivities begin at 9:15pm EST. Then at 10 pm EST we’ll go live on 6855 khz via WRMI, Radio Miami International, for a three hour broadcast including the best of Short Waves/Long Distance, an open call for shortwave based audio work co-sponsored by NASWA The North American Shortwave Association and Wave Farm, a media arts organization. Short Waves/Long Distance celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Fest, and the 20th Anniversary of Wave Farm.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Bill Patalon and Dennis Dura for sharing a link to this free eBook download from the excellent RadioWorld Magazine.
Here’s the press release from Radio World International:
Radio’s Role in Developing Countries
A new eBook from Radio World International is now available
Radio is the primary communications medium in many developing countries. It is able to reach millions and has a vast impact on societies facing adversity. What are the obstacles and opportunities for radio broadcasters in these regions and how can stations benefit from their unique position, while ensuring social development for local populations?
This latest Radio World International eBook looks at the ways stations and nonprofit establishments are meeting the challenges of this important role. It offers some notable examples of how broadcasters are launching or expanding services in specific emerging countries, illustrating how the medium plays an essential part in improving people’s lives; and more.
Learn more in the latest free Radio World International eBook. Read it free
now — click here!Produced by the editors of RADIO WORLD INTERNATIONAL.