Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes:
Thomas,
Episode 4 of Pluribus dropped today (November 21).
It opens with a radio operator methodically tuning across the amateur bands listening for a signal.
Mark
Wow! I’ve been watching Pluribus and wondered how I missed this shot, only to realize that episode 4 just dropped! Thank you for sharing this, Mark. I’m excited to watch it later today.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes:
This gem arrived in the charity shop where I volunteer yesterday, a radio made in the USSR (Minsk) in around 1975.
It was in fantastic external condition, although after checking it out discovered that the band changing control on the right hand side had been disconnected.
I suspect something went wrong with the very mechanical way it switched frequencies (shown in the video below), which rotated individual circuit boards into play.
Somebody seems to have opened it up, set it permanently on VHF, and then disconnected the control to prevent any further changes.
It was evidently sold in the UK as it has BBC radio stations on the dial and I even found a UK service manual for it.
I was tempted for a while, but I’m learning these days that this sort of thing just ends up as clutter.
Hard to believe that only five years after this electro-mechanical radio was made, Sony would release the ICF-2001 !
Mark
Manual:
https://archive.org/download/Trader_ASTRAD_B205/b205_text.pdf
Radio Museum:
https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/minsk_radi_astrad_f8_tr17_b205f8tr17.html#
YouTube – Astrad “Mikado” F8-TR17-B205:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osDxKNdun98
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who shares the following note:
One of my favourite channels just posted a video on the structural engineering challenges of tall radio masts.
Mark
This is a fascinating video. Thank you, Mark!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who shares the following guest post:
Hechi is a mascot for the Seoul Metropolitan Government
by Mark Hirst
I recently spent a very memorable week in Seoul, motivated to travel there by Hallyu or the Korean Wave, a cultural phenomena exemplified by the TV show Squid Game, animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, boy band BTS, and girl group Blackpink.
While I can credit Netflix and its huge library of Korean TV and film content for introducing me to K-drama, it was KBS World Radio and its Weekend Playlist programme on shortwave that led me to K-pop.
Early on in my holiday planning, I discovered that KBS has a public exhibition called KBS ON located in their headquarters building. Later during the trip, radio would appear unplanned in one of the other museums I hoped to explore.
Travelling to Seoul of course was a unique radio listening opportunity to hear and record stations that would otherwise require a Web SDR or internet streaming. Armed with a relatively recent copy of WRTH, I was able to compile a list of radio stations with the intention of making some short audio and video recordings.
What follows is a description of my experiences at KBS ON, some historical references to radio at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, and notes about the radio stations I was able to hear during my stay.
All photos are my own.
The Korean Broadcasting System or KBS is the national broadcaster of Korea, providing radio, TV, and internet based content to its national audience. KBS World is the outward facing arm of the organisation providing similar services to an international audience.
The headquarter buildings of KBS are located in Yeouido, an area of Seoul that also hosts Korea’s National Assembly Building. Technically a river island, Yeouido is bordered by the Han River, offering spectacular views of central Seoul and a skyline familiar to K-drama fans everywhere.
The main KBS building is a short walk from Yeouido station on Line 5 and Line 9 of the Seoul metro system. Your route takes you through Yeouido Park where you can see a preserved Douglas C-47 cargo plane dating from the Korean War.
The main building sits along side several other KBS related areas including the KBS Hall and KBS Art Hall. Even to the untrained eye, it’s obvious that the facility is communications related with a prominent red and white antenna tower on the main building, with red scaffolding on an adjacent block housing another tower and communication dishes.
Other notable locations at the site include a roadway and building entrance where K-pop idol groups arrive every Friday to record Music Bank, a programme that showcases the latest hits of the music genre. This photo opportunity is so popular with fans that it has a dedicated playlist on the KBS World English YouTube channel.
The KBS ON Mural featuring the mascot Kong
The KBS ON exhibition is part of a range of locations promoted by the official visitor guide to Seoul, details of which can be found here.
Accessing the exhibition is through distinctive blue bordered doors into a large reception area. The exhibition proper then begins at the top of a short flight of stairs.
Although all sections of the tour are in Korean, section overviews are also provided in other languages. QR codes link to audio commentaries to provide the remaining explanations for non-Korean visitors.
The audio commentary supports the following languages:
The tour proceeds through a series of linked sections and topics which are described below.
This section is comprised of information panels outlining the origins of KBS. Originally known as the Gyeongseong Broadcasting Station (callsign JODK) beginning in 1927, the name KBS emerges in 1945 following the liberation of Korea from Japan. KBS was established as a public broadcaster in 1973.
Through a series of large screens, this section describes the various channels KBS provides including terrestrial TV, international radio, cable, and Digital Multimedia Broadcasting, a radio transmission technology developed in South Korea.
As a public broadcaster, this section highlights the current affairs and educational output of KBS.
This interactive section demonstrates the familiar ‘blue screen’ or chroma key technology used in news and weather forecasts. Visitors are encouraged to present their own Korean weather forecast!
The visitor is treated to a display of props and magnificent costumes from Korean period dramas, with panels and displays highlighting the role of KBS in driving growth in the K-drama industry.
Props and Costumes
Supported by large screens, this area showcases a range of local programming including talent and variety shows.
While the shows in the previous sections will be unfamiliar to most, Music Bank is more well known to overseas fans of K-pop. This high profile programme features live performances every Friday evening from the big names of the genre with a lottery system for fans to attend recordings.
This section demonstrates AI based technology developed by KBS to allow a single fixed camera to track individual members of an idol group simultaneously as they sing and dance on stage. Previously, these so-called ‘fancam’ shots required a separate camera for each performer incurring extra costs and logistics problems.
Examples of Vertigo in action are shown on large screens, featuring performances by girl groups STAYC and Illit.
Visitors can step on to a virtual stage adjacent to the displays where a single camera will automatically track your face and body without physically moving. Continue reading
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:
Thomas,
You might remember that a year or so ago, Lego released a retro radio set aimed at the 18+ age group.
I had an opportunity to visit a Lego shop recently because a company away day meeting was set in Birmingham city centre.
Seeing this set on the shelves was too tempting, and since my birthday was imminent made an impulse purchase!!
I can tell you it was a joy to build, and it’s very clever in how it fits together and functions.
Turning the power knob on the left engages a mechanism which is then turned by the tuning dial on the right. The little red tuning marker moves back and forth and a custom brick plays random bursts of audio lasting a few seconds.
These are in keeping with the retro aesthetic of the radio itself, adverts for ham, sports commentary and nostalgic music.
A little bit pricey but I don’t regret buying it. I bought a Tecsun PL-990x the week before in anticipation of my birthday, so it’s been quite a radio centric celebration this year !
Mark
This is brilliant, Mark! The top image of the Lego Radio was one I took at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in February. I came so close to buying it then, and indeed, I would have if I weren’t such a hardcore one-bag traveler. Had I purchased it, I would have had to carry it for the rest of my multi-day trip. After reading your article, I regret passing it up! I might have to go on the prowl for one! Thank you for sharing!
Click here to check out the Lego Retro Radio on Amazon.com
(Note: this affiliate link supports the SWLing Post at no cost to you.)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes:
Thomas,
I picked up Season 5 of the cult TV show “The Avengers” at a street market last weekend.
In the episode “Never, never say die”, Mrs Emma Peel follows a lead and meets a radio ham playing chess with other radio hams around the world.
With all the little details in the room, I wonder if someone involved in setting up the scene knew something about amateur radio?
Mark
I bet they did, Mark! How many of these fine radios can the SWLing Post community identify? Please comment!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes:
I spotted this radio in the Korean zombie outbreak drama ‘Happiness’ currently showing on Netflix.
You’ve got sharp eyes, Mark! Can anyone positively identify that transceiver in the background?