(Source: Radio New Zealand via Mike Terry on the WRTH FB Page)
The recently appointed chair of the board of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation is confident nationwide coverage will be achieved by Radio Vanuatu soon.
The new government recently replaced the old board following concerns over the lack of the public broadcaster’s ability to reach the outer islands.
Its new chairperson Johnety Jerety said transmission had deteriorated over the years, mostly because of poor maintenance.
He said under the government’s hundred day plan nationwide coverage had to be implemented by July 1st.
But Mr Jerety said part of the problem was that people were buying cheap radios.
“They’re not compatible to meet the standard for our transmission system within here so that is why most of the ni-Van [indigenous people] within the islands are not able to have the coverage received throughout the island.”
Johnety Jerety said they were now advising people to buy short-wave radios that are compatible.
Read this article on Radio New Zealand’s website.
This article is a little vague, but I assume when the new chairperson, Johnety Jerety, is claiming that the problem with reception has to do with “cheap radios” perhaps he means receivers that don’t cover Vanuatu’s nighttime frequency of 3945 kHz? Almost all radios with shortwave should receive their 7260 kHz frequency. Of course, perhaps he simply means that fewer and fewer listeners are purchasing shortwave radios?
Vanuatu is certainly being heard around the world–indeed, only two days ago, SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, was over the moon when he snagged Vanuatu on 7260 kHz from Galena, Alaska. Paul wrote:
I bagged my most wanted shortwave station ever tonight!
Radio Vanuatu on 7260!!!! Heard something under a bunch of Asian hams. [Q]uite good considering they are only running 1.5 kw out of their licensed 10 kw (that’s what they told me after the cyclone awhile back).
Great catch, Paul!
I’m happy to read that Vanuatu is investing in their station once again.
Follow all Vanuatu updates using the tag: Radio Vanuatu
