{"id":16366,"date":"2015-12-21T10:00:24","date_gmt":"2015-12-21T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=16366"},"modified":"2015-12-20T09:13:58","modified_gmt":"2015-12-20T13:13:58","slug":"jonathan-shares-archived-media-network-christmas-and-new-year-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/jonathan-shares-archived-media-network-christmas-and-new-year-shows\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan shares archived Media Network Christmas and New Year shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Crosley-Dial\"<\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Jonathan Marks<\/a>, who shares the following from his Media Network Vintage Vault<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jonathan writes:<\/p>\n

“Picking up on the idea of revisiting archive Christmas and New Year shows, here are some from Radio Netherlands for the SWL Blog.<\/p>\n

Seasons Greetings,\u00a0Jonathan”<\/p>\n

Media Network 26.12.1996 Boxing Day Show<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

A radio Christmas spent in the Media Network studio way back in 1996. Sounds like we were having fun! I look back on this period as perhaps one of the golden years for Dutch external broadcasting, producing a range of documentary productions in English and Spanish and recording great concerts, both classical and jazz.<\/p>\n

This programme focussed on answering listeners\u2019 letters on subjects like satellite television in Australia (DW was organising a bouquet of signals) and the major changes to the commercial radio scene in New Zealand. The auction of FM frequencies in the Netherlands and shortwave stations that sold radios were also topics for discussions. RBI archives have, for the most part, been destroyed. Swiss shortwave listeners were quizzed on their listening habits. The 410 ft tower formerly used by AFN has been dynamited out of existence. Capital Radio in South Africa is in trouble.<\/p>\n

MN.28.12.1995 Rhodesia – Answering Back From Francistown<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

I met the late Harold Robin a couple of times at his home in Tunbridge Wells, UK. He was a brilliant Foreign Office engineer who built the wartime Aspidistra transmitter famous for its clandestine work out of Crowborough. Have a listen to the programmes Wartime Deception<\/a> and you’ll see what I mean.<\/p>\n

Although his work during the war is well documented in books like “The Black Game”by Ellic Howe, I think we managed to capture the other stories from later in his life. For instance, how he invented the “Picolo” modulation system as used by the diplomatic service to communicate text over shortwave between embassies. He also built the BBC Overseas relay station in Oman, and the external service of UAE Radio from Dubai. This edition, recorded after Christmas in 1995, looked at the story of the British response to the declaration of independence by Ian Smith in, what was then, Rhodesia. Harold talks about setting up a mediumwave transmitter in a matter of weeks in the town of Francistown, in the\u00a0Bechuanaland Protectorate<\/strong><\/a>, now called Botswana. Thanks also to Colin Miller for some of the recordings of the RBC. It seems that one of the two transmitters was sent to Cyprus after the World and Rhodesia operation ended, the other ended up in Ordfordness for some experiments on 648 kHz. You might also want to check out the\u00a0video of Margaret Howard<\/strong><\/a>, who refers to a special programme transmitted over this MW sender. It was called the World and Rhodesia and was more of a UK government editorial than any programme the BBC would make. The programme concept didn’t work although it seemed to have taken the British government a couple of years to find out. Harold refers to staying in the\u00a0<\/strong>Tati Hotel River Lodge<\/strong><\/a>, about 8 kms outside of Francistown. Sure enough, it’s still there.<\/p>\n

MN.23.12.1982: Christmas Review 33 years ago<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

I picked this recording out of the archives because it has a nice capsule summary of the major media stories from 1982. The highlight was, of course, the Falklands-Malvinas “conflict”. This programme contains clips from the FIBS, RAE Argentina and the BBC’s Calling the Falklands Programme. We also looked in some detail at the short-lived Radio South Atlantic which broadcast in May and June 1982 from a requisitioned BBC transmitter on Ascension Island. We asked the British Ministry of Defence to explain how the station was operated. We also analyzed a transmission broadcast on May 20th 1982 (the second night of transmission).<\/p>\n

But it was also the last programme in which Wim van Amstel appeared as RNW Frequency Manager. It was certainly not the last time he was heard on the programme, though. Again it is striking to hear some of the predictions – and how they were spot on. The call with Arthur Cushen in New Zealand is rather like making contact with the moon. Cannot believe how fast time has flown.<\/p>\n

At the time of publishing this podcast, I was also sad to hear of the passing of BBC correspondent and broadcaster Brian Hanrahan, who famous line when broadcasting under censorship from the Falklands Fleet was brilliant. Unable to reveal how many British aircraft had been involved in the conflict, he reported that after one sortie he “counted them all out and I counted them all back<\/em>.<\/p>\n

MN.26.12.1991.Year End Review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

This was a news show 1.6 million tune in to Radio Netherlands in Dutch during their summer holiday. WWV and WWVH have had problems with their automated time announcements. Drum recorders are back on line. Victor Goonetilleke has news about Cambodia. VOA is having challenges building its transmitters at a new site 50km North of Colombo.<\/p>\n

Why did we broadcast all these numbers? People forget none of the listeners had access on-line and only a fraction of the audience had access to printed DX bulletins. Andy Sennitt reports on what is in the 1992 World Radio TV Handbook. James Robinson reports that several UK local radio stations are leaving mediumwave. WLS 890kHz is scrapping its FM format. A new Catholic SW station WEWN was being built in Birmingham, Alabama. (The late) Dave Rosenthal reports on an experiment in McMurdo. Remember this show is 24 years old!<\/p>\n

Vasily Strelnikov signs off at Radio Moscow World Service and recommends people to tune into Radio Netherlands. Radio Moscow staff watch the red flags of the USSR being lowered.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thanks so much for sharing these, Jonathan–and Season’s Greetings to you!<\/p>\n

I’m looking forward to several hours of listening over the coming days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who shares the following from his Media Network Vintage Vault. Jonathan writes: “Picking up on the idea of revisiting archive Christmas and New Year shows, here are some from Radio Netherlands for the SWL Blog. Seasons Greetings,\u00a0Jonathan” Media Network 26.12.1996 Boxing Day Show A radio Christmas spent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,305,288,746,43],"tags":[1561,1560,246,574,1717,63,64,4082],"class_list":["post-16366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-radio-history","category-recordings","category-shortwave-radio","tag-archives","tag-christmas","tag-jonathan-marks","tag-media-network","tag-media-network-vintage-vault","tag-radio-netherlands-worldwide","tag-rnw","tag-shortwave-radio"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-4fY","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":35880,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/radio-netherlands-jonathan-shares-photos-from-bvn-television-and-rnw-newsrooms\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":0},"title":"Radio Netherlands: Jonathan shares photos from BVN Television and RNW newsrooms","author":"Thomas","date":"February 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Jonathan Marks--former host of RNW's Media Network and curator of the Media Network Vintage Vault--who kindly shares a collection of photos he took in 2001 and 2002 at RNW's headquarters in Hilversum. Click on the images below to enlarge: The RNW Newsroom in August 2002 The BVN\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/04-DSC_0056-1024x681.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6440,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/jonathan-explores-the-past-and-present-of-the-radio-netherlands-madagascar-relay-station\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":1},"title":"Jonathan explores the past and present of the Radio Netherlands Madagascar Relay Station","author":"Thomas","date":"May 6, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to former RNW Media Network host, Jonathan Marks, for sharing this insightful look at the Radio Netherlands Madagascar Relay Station--a must read! Indeed, check out this article and many more on Jonathan's Critical Distance Weblog. If you were a fan of Media Network, you should also bookmark Jonathan's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Madagascar Transmission Towers (Source: Critical Distance)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/Madagascar-5-photo23-300x207.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5719,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/02\/trevor-baylis-in-the-vintage-vault\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":2},"title":"Trevor Baylis in the Vintage Vault","author":"Thomas","date":"February 22, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Earlier this week, I posted an article about wind-up (clockwork) radio inventor, Trevor Baylis. I recently discovered a 1995 episode of RNW's Media Network, which featured Baylis--and the clockwork radio--in the context of inventions that would carry us\u00a0beyond\u00a0the new millenium: (Source: Media Network Vintage Vault) Remember Trevor Baylis and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RNW-MediaNetwork","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/RNW-MediaNetwork-300x287.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":35965,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/radio-netherlands-film-and-video-footage\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":3},"title":"Radio Netherlands film and video footage","author":"Thomas","date":"February 8, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to Jonathan Marks\u2013former host of RNW\u2019s Media Network and curator of the\u00a0Media Network Vintage Vault\u2013who kindly shares the following videos from Radio Netherlands. The first video is from the 1960s and promotes RNW's move to the Witte Kruislaan building.\u00a0 The second video highlights the\u00a0Radio Netherlands Flevo Transmitter Site\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/RNW-Film-1024x785.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/RNW-Film-1024x785.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/RNW-Film-1024x785.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8801,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/02\/eight-new-recordings-in-the-media-network-vintage-vault\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":4},"title":"Eight new recordings in the Media Network Vintage Vault","author":"Thomas","date":"February 16, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Jonthan Marks has just informed me that he's added new studio recordings \u00a0to the Media Network Vintage Vault. They include: 7.10.1992. AM Stereo; what went wrong? 28.01.1999 Radio's Future 31.12.1999 Radio New Zealand Profile 25.02.1999 Budel Radio Museum 22.04.1999. Radio Minurca 16.01.1997. Radio Ham Revisited 12.08.1999 Birthday and the Congo\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"International Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/international-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"RNW headquarters in Hilversum, Netherlands (photo coutesty: RNW)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/06\/RNW-Hilver-300x152.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":50589,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/media-networks-vintage-vault-jonathan-marks-interviews-raes-tony-middleton\/","url_meta":{"origin":16366,"position":5},"title":"Media Networks Vintage Vault: Jonathan Marks interviews RAE’s Tony Middleton","author":"Thomas","date":"October 21, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, who, in response to the recent news of Tony Middleton's passing, notes: Jonathan Marks on Facebook posted a link to Media Network August 26 2010 where he visits RAE. 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