Tag Archives: Paul Jamet

Paul’s Vesti FM Test Broadcast Recordings and eQSL

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, for sharing the following eQSL card along with two recordings he made and submitted of the Vesti FM test broadcasts on May 19, 2025:

Off-Air Recordings

Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:40 UTC on May 19, 2025:

Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:43 UTC on May 19, 2025:

Demolition of the Rimavská Sobota Transmitter Site in Slovakia

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following information.  However, I want to acknowledge that we are late in posting this message that Paul originally shared on April 14, 2025.

Hi Thomas,

Following the demolition of the rotary antenna at Moosbrunn near Vienna, Slovakia has announced – in its French-language program of April 10th, 2025 – the demolition of the antennas at its Rimavská Sobota transmitter center!

Here is the (automatic) translation of the script for the announcement, which was rebroadcast yesterday, Sunday April 13, in the mailbag program:

The Transmitter Used for RSI Broadcasting to Be Demolished

https://frrsi.stvr.sk/clanky/gros-plan/398432/lemetteur-qui-a-servi-a-la-diffusion-de-rsi-sera-demoli

The transmitter near Rimavská Sobota, located in the cadastre of the municipality of Uzovská Panica, awaits demolition. The mid-twentieth-century infrastructure enabled broadcasts to be made all over the world, but it has fallen into disrepair in recent years. The transmitters will be blown up in the coming months. So says Marek Marcinov, head of Towercom, a company providing radio and TV broadcasting services.

The transmitter site east of Rimavská Sobota has been unused since 2022 due to the advent of more modern technologies. “Analysis has shown that a facility of such dimensions can be considered an unnecessary economic burden on society. Finally, the masts were frequently the target of adrenaline enthusiasts who, despite a strict access ban, climbed the structures and often risked serious injury or even death,” explained Marek Marcinov to justify the transmitter’s demolition.

The transmitter near Rimavská Sobota consists of 12 pylons, between which the antennas of the shortwave transmitter are strung. The area also includes three directional short-wave antennas and a medium-wave antenna mast. All transmitters will be demolished as part of the removal of unnecessary infrastructure.

“The mast and transmitter structures will be destroyed by a controlled and safe explosion. The work will be carried out in three phases, from April to July 2025. The area will then be redeveloped and the rubble removed. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2025,” explains Marek Marcinov. He added that further plans for the use of the area had not yet been specified.

The history of transmitter construction near Rimavská Sobota dates back to 1952, with the first test runs beginning in 1956. In the 1980s, the area was renovated. “The Rimavská Sobota transmitter can be considered a unique technical innovation. Shortwave broadcasting from Rimavská Sobota was intended for the whole world. With two transmitters, we covered the Atlantic coast of South America, territories in the USA and Canada, parts of Australia, Iran, India and, of course, the whole of Europe,” recalls Marek Marcinov.

Since 1993, Radio Slovakia International has been broadcasting worldwide on shortwave precisely thanks to this transmitter.

TASR, RSI
Zuzana Borovská; Foto: Facebook/P?átelé AM


Summary :

Demolition of the RSI Transmitter Site

The shortwave transmitter near Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia—used for broadcasting Radio Slovakia International (RSI) since 1993—is set to be demolished by controlled explosion between April and July 2025. The facility, built in the 1950s and inactive since 2022, is now considered an economic burden. It once transmitted Slovak broadcasts worldwide, including to South America, North America, Australia, and Asia. After demolition, the site will be cleared by October 2025.

Best wishes

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!

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!

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/

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

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) <[email protected]>

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!