Tag Archives: Paul Jamet

“VLNY” (Waves): New Film Highlights Radio Prague’s Role During the 1968 Invasion

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hello Thomas,

I’d like to draw your attention to the release of the Czech film “VLNY” (It means “Waves”) about the role of Radio Prague during the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops on August 21, 1968.

The film will be released in France on March 19 with subtitles. An English subtitled version is also available:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/541017031588320

Trailer with subtitles in English
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxSeWimkAOI

I’ve prepared a short synopsis to introduce the film:

This text introduces the film by Jirì Màdl, which depicts the Prague Spring of 1968 through the lens of Czechoslovak state radio. The story follows Milan Weiner, an experienced journalist, and his team engaged in a fierce battle to inform the public despite the regime’s propaganda. The plot centers around Thomas Havlik, a technician recruited unknowingly by the secret police to spy on the newsroom, but who becomes entangled in the emancipatory fervor of the movement.

With meticulous reconstruction and intelligent use of archival footage, the film combines documentary accuracy and suspense, illustrating the clash between the freedom of the press and the oppression of an authoritarian regime. The story also highlights the geopolitical context of the time: a Czechoslovakia seeking liberalization under the influence of Alexander Dubcek, before being brutally crushed by the Soviet invasion of August 21, 1968.

In short, this film serves as both a historical testimony and a political thriller, immersing the viewer in one of the most significant moments of the Cold War.

There are many articles on the Radio Prague International website:

https://english.radio.cz/search?fulltext=vlny

Have a nice day.

Paul JAMET

Thank you for the tip, Paul. Looks like a fantastic film!

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World Radio Day 2025: Radio and Climate Change

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hello Thomas,

This short message to draw your attention on the following:

The theme of World Radio Day on February 13, 2025 is “Radio and Climate Change”:

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio?hub=66636

https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio/radio-climate-change?hub=66636

I hope this information is helpful to you.

All the best.

Paul JAMET

Thank you so much for sharing this, Paul! I always look forward to World Radio Day!

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SAQ On The Air Christmas Eve Morning (Dec 24th 2024)

SAQ antenna tower #1 with its tuning coil. (Photo source: The Alexander association)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who notes that SAQ will be on the air on Christmas Eve Morning, Dec 24th 2024.

Details can be found here:
https://alexander.n.se/saq-to-air-on-christmas-eve-morning-dec-24th-2024/

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December 1, 2024: Grimeton Station celebrates 100 years on the air

SAQ antenna tower #1 with its tuning coil. (Photo source: The Alexander association)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hi Thomas,

The purpose of this message is to inform you that the Grimeton station (Sweden) will be on air on December 1st to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its commercial commissioning:

https://grimeton.org/en/2024/11/12/saq-to-air-on-dec-1st-100-years-of-communication/

Find out more about the Grimeton station:

https://alexander.n.se/en/

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1134/

Have a nice day. Best regards.

Paul JAMET

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Frank reminds us about the upcoming 2025 SWL Contest

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following announcement:

This message to announce a contest launched by radio listener F-14368 (Frank Parisot) <f14368@wanadoo.fr>

Information in French: http://radioclub.perche.free.fr/

Contest rules in English: https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2024/09/swl-contest-2025-rules.html

Thanks for sharing this announcement, Paul!

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RTVE approves additional shortwave transmitter and “secures the future of the public shortwave service”

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Paul Jamet and Tracy Wood for sharing the following article (translated into English) from RTVE:

RTVE secures the future of the public shortwave service of Radio Exterior de España

The RTVE Board of Directors has unanimously approved the purchase, installation, and implementation of a new shortwave transmitter. This is the first of five new transmitters that Radio Exterior de España (REE) urgently needs to guarantee the continuity of this public service.

The new transmitters will replace the current equipment, which has far exceeded its useful life and whose frequent breakdowns put the continuity of shortwave broadcasts at risk. They will be responsible for carrying the shortwave signal to West Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America.

With this decision, RTVE fulfills its public service obligation set out in the Framework Mandate and in Law 17/2006 of June 5, which establishes that the Corporation must “aim to serve the widest audience, ensuring maximum continuity and geographic and social coverage, with the commitment to offer quality, diversity, innovation, and ethical standards.”

This is a great advance that ensures the continuity of REE’s public service to Spaniards who are outside our borders and to foreigners interested in Spain. This commitment by the Corporation comes after years of uncertainty. In 2014, the closure of REE’s shortwave was implemented for a few months. It was in 2018 that an eight-hour daily shortwave broadcast was achieved again.

The power of shortwave

REE’s shortwave carries the voice and vision of Spain to the entire world. For this reason, the director of the station, Luis Manuel Fernández Iglesias, has advocated in his speech before the RTVE Board of Directors to “involve the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of Spain in the future of Radio Exterior, both in the design of its programming and in the financing of this public international broadcaster, such as REE.”

As seen in the invasion of Ukraine, shortwave escapes control and censorship, guaranteeing the democratic right to truthful and honest information. Another advantage is its free nature for listeners and the low cost and investment needed for its reception anywhere. These circumstances make it very attractive, especially for fishermen, merchant seamen, missionaries, or Spanish volunteers who carry out their work where the internet signal does not reach.

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RTI Tamsui transmitter tests for future broadcasts

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following article (translated into English, from the Radio Club du Perche:

RTI – Taiwan on direct broadcast from Tamsui transmitter center

As in recent years, the German and French services of RTI – Radio Taiwan International – will broadcast their programs to Europe and North-West Africa from the Tamsui transmitter center.

To determine which two frequencies will be used for the retransmissions, tests will be carried out on three frequencies in 10-minute increments, as follows:

Saturday July 6, 2024 by the German service:

    • 11,995 kHz (17:00-17:10 UTC) – 9,545 kHz (17:30-17:40 UTC) – 7,250 kHz (17:45-17:55 UTC)
      report your reception observations to the German service: deutsch@rti.org.tw

Sunday, July 7, 2024 by the French service:

    • 11995 kHz (Angle 325 degrees)?17:00-17:10 UTC – 9545 kHz (Angle 315 degrees)?17:30-17:40 UTC – 7250 kHz (Angle 315 degrees)?17:45-17:55 UTC
      Report your reception observations to the French service: fren@rti.org.tw

Official broadcast dates:

German service: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 12 to August 4, 2024
French service: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from August 9 to September 1, 2024

A special QSL card is being printed for all listening reports received as part of this “Summer 2024 direct broadcast” (test phase and official broadcast). RTI thanks you for your support.

Paul JAMET

See:

https://de.rti.org.tw/radio/programMessageView/programId/2001/id/108778

https://fr.rti.org.tw/radio/programMessageView/id/107165

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