Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who shares the following article from RadioInfo Asia that notes NHK has officially closed its long-running Radio 2 service as part of a broader plan to consolidate its radio operations and adapt to shifting audio consumption trends. While the AM-based service ends, much of its educational content will continue on NHK FM and digital platforms.
Read the full article here:
https://radioinfo.asia/news/nhk-shuts-radio-2-after-95-years-on-air/
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, for sharing this article highlighting unusual activity from Russia’s shortwave station UVB-76, sometimes known among shortwave listeners as “The Buzzer.” Known for its continuous buzzing and occasional coded voice messages, the station recently broke pattern by playing music–including Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake–and transmitting atypical sounds alongside cryptic codes, sparking speculation about the source and meaning of the broadcast.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who writes:
“The History Guy” (a terrific YouTube channel) talks about the technical marvel of uniting the four radio networks and soldiers overseas via shortwave at Christmas 1942 and 1943.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer for sharing the following update from Marion’s Attic. Fred received notice of two upcoming holiday-themed episodes airing on WBCQ. Here’s the message he received:
Hello Fred,
Marion’s Attic will be spinning upbeat, “Christmas Light”, 78 rpm Christmas records. T
hat will be show number 1,022, airs Sunday, December 14th, at 2200 UTC, on WBCQ 7.490 MHz.
The following Sunday, December 21st, we will be airing show number 980, featuring “Traditional” Christmas music, from the collection of phonograph expert, Baron von Knight.
Show 980 did not air last year, due to transmitter difficulties, and a web server glitch. We are pleased to air this fine program this Christmas season.
Lovingly,
Marion Webster
Marion’s Attic
WBCQ, the Planet
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who shares this article about Australia’s first rehabilitative radio station for youth in detention, Futures, from Branding in Asia:
Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), in partnership with creative studio Supermassive and Youth Justice NSW, has launched Futures–an audio-based rehabilitative program presented as a hip hop radio station. Designed to help young people in juvenile detention find their voices through music, storytelling, and mentorship, Futures offers 24/7 programming aimed at empowerment and self-expression. Following a successful pilot, the initiative is set to expand across Australia.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer for sharing this video from the YouTube channel “Today I Found Out” about the origins of the SOS distress signal:
How Did ‘SOS’ Become The Universal Distress Signal?
Three dots. Three dashes. Three dots. Even if you don’t know a single other letter of International Morse Code, chances are you immediately recognized the unmistakable rhythm of “SOS”. It is the universal distress signal, understood in nearly every country and language and appearing everywhere in pop culture including songs by artists as diverse as ABBA, Rihanna, and Great Big Sea. And with good reason: endlessly versatile, SOS can be tapped out on a telegraph key or spoken aloud over voice radio, flashed using a signal mirror or flashlight, written out in the snow or sand, or – if you happen to be held under duress – blinked out with your eyelids. But how did this seemingly random string of letters come to be the universal code for shit hitting the fan, and do the letters actually mean anything? Well, tune your radio transmitters, warm up your signalling fingers, and let’s find out, shall we?
Author: Gilles Messier
Host: Simon Whistler
Editor: Daven Hiskey
Producer: Samuel Avila
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer who shares this article from Radio World that takes a closer look at how online SDR networks have transformed shortwave listening. Even for those of us who regularly use Web SDRs, it’s an interesting perspective on how these global receiver networks continue to evolve and expand the reach of radio in the 21st century.