{"id":23506,"date":"2017-01-19T08:38:19","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T12:38:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=23506"},"modified":"2017-01-19T08:38:19","modified_gmt":"2017-01-19T12:38:19","slug":"ross-knows-firsthand-the-importance-of-abcradio-australia-shortwave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/ross-knows-firsthand-the-importance-of-abcradio-australia-shortwave\/","title":{"rendered":"Ross knows firsthand the importance of ABC\/Radio Australia shortwave"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-e1480988790507.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-22384\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"625\" height=\"352\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, we posted a\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/outback-workers-fight-closure-of-abcs-shortwave-service\/\">news item<\/a>\u00a0regarding the importance of the ABC&#8217;s shortwave service to those working and living in the Australian Outback.\u00a0It appears\u00a0the ABC has no intention of reversing the decision in any meaningful way. A follow-up piece from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2017\/jan\/19\/abc-unmoved-by-pleas-to-save-shortwave-radio-service-for-remote-areas\" target=\"_blank\">The Guardian<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The ABC has remained steadfast in its decision to scrap the shortwave radio service, despite pleadings from federal Labor politicians in a meeting with the managing director, Michelle Guthrie.<\/p>\n<p>Federal senator and cabinet minister Nigel Scullion has joined the calls for ABC to reverse its \u201ccity-centric\u201d decision and maintain the service.<\/p>\n<p>[&#8230;]\u201cIt was certainly a good meeting in terms of being able to thrash out the concerns of the people of the Northern Territory and stakeholders, but in terms of the outcome, it certainly wasn\u2019t a positive outcome,\u201d she said. \u201cThe ABC has disappointingly continued to forget about the people of the Northern Territory and those concerns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re still going ahead with the decision to remove the shortwave at the end of the month due to contractual issues. Michelle Guthrie is keen to come to the Northern Territory but clearly not until after the removal of shortwave.\u201d[&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p>[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/media\/2017\/jan\/19\/abc-unmoved-by-pleas-to-save-shortwave-radio-service-for-remote-areas\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full article at The Guardian.<\/a>]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Many thanks to <em>SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0contributor, Ross, who has first-hand experience in rural, remote regions of Australia and shares the following:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>As someone who spends a fair amount of time in remote areas of far Western Queensland and SE Northern Territory I regularly listen to Radio Australia broadcasts on my Pioneer 2 SW band truck radio.<\/p>\n<p>The only reliable signals in English are Radio Australia, Radio New Zealand and China Drive Beijing. Local MW radio is virtually non existent during daylight hours with severe fading, FM just forget it , line of sight and no local transmitters for 100&#8217;s of kilometres.<\/p>\n<p>Once again the city-centric values of Sydney\/Canberra are imposed on those of us who live without the manifold benefits the coast and major cities take for granted.<\/p>\n<p>A 100KW AM station broadcasting local ABC throughout Western QLD and southern territory would give us the road conditions, news, weather, flood\/storm and fire warnings so necessary in a remote environment where conditions change quickly. [B]ut again HF facilities already exist, $1-2 million is a small cost and not if but when the digital\/satellite networks fail HF will be more capable of maintaining communications.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/VKS-737-Radio-Service.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-23512\" src=\"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/VKS-737-Radio-Service.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/VKS-737-Radio-Service.jpg 325w, https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/VKS-737-Radio-Service-300x206.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px\" \/><\/a>Alternatively, smaller MW repeater stations relaying ABC maybe using microwave relay sites?<br \/>\nAs for the comment that many of the complaints came from amateur radio ops , many of us use HF transceivers to keep contact over these large areas whether it be via the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vks737.on.net\/\" target=\"_blank\">VKS-737<\/a> outback radio service, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flyingdoctor.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\">Royal Flying doctor radio service<\/a> or the amateur radio network in an area where mobile telephone service is nonexistent and Satellite phones are not always reliable during severe weather events.<\/p>\n<p>My point being that many of us have taken up HF for local and communications in comparison to other more populated parts of the country out of necessity for contact that city based politicians take for granted.<\/p>\n<p>Not many homesteads (stations) in outback Australia without UHF and HF comms equipment and therefore the ability to tune in to the only reliable radio signals from R&#8217;Aust.<\/p>\n<p>I have written to the local Federal member Bob Katter in MT ISA who I know is well versed in outback needs and trust he may be able to bang a few heads together in Canberra!<\/p>\n<p>Regards,<\/p>\n<p>Ross AKA Farmlad.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Thank you for sharing your comments, Ross.<\/p>\n<p>Are there\u00a0other <em>SWLing Post<\/em> readers who live and\/or work in the Outback of Australia? \u00a0Please comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yesterday, we posted a\u00a0news item\u00a0regarding the importance of the ABC&#8217;s shortwave service to those working and living in the Australian Outback.\u00a0It appears\u00a0the ABC has no intention of reversing the decision in any meaningful way. A follow-up piece from The Guardian: The ABC has remained steadfast in its decision to scrap the shortwave radio service, despite [&hellip;]<\/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":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[2924,5484,5738,5451,368,2796,5708,5841,34],"class_list":["post-23506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-abc-cuts","tag-abc-northern-territories","tag-abc-northern-territory-shortwave","tag-abc-northern-territory-shortwave-services","tag-radio-australia","tag-radio-australia-shortwave","tag-radio-australia-shortwave-closure","tag-ross","tag-shortwave"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-678","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22887,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/labor-mps-want-to-protect-abc-northern-territory-shortwave-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":0},"title":"Labor MPs want to protect ABC Northern Territory shortwave service","author":"Thomas","date":"December 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ian P, who comments with this link to an article in News.com.au: Shortwave radio cuts risk NT lives: Labor Two federal Labor MPs have demanded the national broadcaster reverse a decision to switch off its radio shortwave service in the Northern Territory, which they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","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\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25023,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/radio-outbackistan-the-next-shortwave-broadcaster-for-rural-australia\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":1},"title":"Radio Outbackistan: &#8220;the next shortwave broadcaster for rural Australia&#8221;&#8211;?","author":"Thomas","date":"April 3, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: ABC Rural via London Shortwave) Could Radio Outbackistan be the next shortwave broadcaster for rural Australia? In response to the ABC abolishing its HF shortwave radio service, the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association (NTCA) president has turned to humour to propose his own broadcast alternative. On Friday, in front of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","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\/2017\/04\/Radio-Outbackistan.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Radio-Outbackistan.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Radio-Outbackistan.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Radio-Outbackistan.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22920,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/abc-will-stand-by-decision-to-axe-shortwave-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":2},"title":"ABC will stand by decision to axe NT shortwave service","author":"Thomas","date":"December 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: ABC News via Trevor R) The ABC has defended the axing of its Northern Territory's long-distance radio service, despite calls from federal representatives to reverse the decision. This month the broadcaster announced its HF shortwave radio transmitters at Katherine, Tennant Creek and Roe Creek (Alice Springs) would be switched\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","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\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23218,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/with-loss-of-northern-territory-service-abc-recommends-amfm-and-a-satellite-phone\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":3},"title":"With loss of Northern Territory service, ABC recommends AM\/FM and a satellite phone","author":"Thomas","date":"January 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, London Shortwave, who shares this tweet from Northern Territory resident, Lisa Herbert. https:\/\/twitter.com\/MsLisaHerbert\/status\/814242065781358593 https:\/\/twitter.com\/LondonShortwave\/status\/816116105081159681 Read about the cuts to the ABC NT service and Radio Australia by clicking here.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;AM&quot;","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":34911,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/if-elected-labor-commits-to-provide-2-million-to-restore-abc-shortwave-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":4},"title":"If elected, Labor commits to provide $2 million to restore ABC shortwave radio","author":"Thomas","date":"November 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ian P, who shares the following story and interview via ABC News Northern Territory Country Hour. I strongly suggest listening to the full seven plus minute interview via the embedded audio player below: https:\/\/abcmedia.akamaized.net\/radio\/local_darwin\/audio\/201811\/acl-2018-11-19-shortwave.mp3 Click here to download audio. If elected next year, Federal\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","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\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Tecsun-S-2000-Dial-1024x679.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23685,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/letter-from-australian-leader-of-the-opposition-to-the-prime-minister-regarding-nt-shortwave-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":23506,"position":5},"title":"Letter from Australian Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister regarding NT shortwave service","author":"Thomas","date":"January 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, \u00a0Phil Brennan, who shares the following letter sent to The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister, by Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition: The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Prime Minister I write in relation to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Broadcasters&quot;","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\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23506"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23506\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}