{"id":52154,"date":"2022-03-12T09:16:43","date_gmt":"2022-03-12T13:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=52154"},"modified":"2022-03-12T09:16:43","modified_gmt":"2022-03-12T13:16:43","slug":"radio-waves-rnz-tvnz-merging-tech-keeping-ukrainians-in-touch-solar-storms-documentary-and-aspidistra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/radio-waves-rnz-tvnz-merging-tech-keeping-ukrainians-in-touch-solar-storms-documentary-and-aspidistra\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio Waves: RNZ & TVNZ Merging, Tech Keeping Ukrainians in Touch, Solar Storms Documentary, and Aspidistra"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio<\/h2>\n

Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post<\/em>\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s<\/em> Radio Waves<\/em>, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0<\/strong>Enjoy!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

RNZ and TVNZ to merge (RadioInfo)<\/a><\/h2>\n

New Zealand\u2019s Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi has announced the government\u2019s decision to create a new public media entity by merging RNZ and TVNZ.<\/p>\n

According to Faafoi, ensuring New Zealanders continue to have access to reliable, trusted, independent information and local content sits at the heart of the decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public media sector is extremely important to New Zealanders in providing them with high quality, independent, timely and relevant media content,\u201d Faafoi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we know the media landscape is changing and the sector is having to adapt to increased competition, changing audience demands and ways of accessing media, falling revenue, and new and emerging digital platforms. We need public media which is responsive to these changes and can flourish.<\/p>\n

\u201cRNZ and TVNZ are each trying to adjust to the challenges, but our current public media system, and the legislation it\u2019s based on, is focused on radio and television.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Zealanders are among some of the most adaptive audiences when it comes to accessing content in different ways; like their phones rather than television and radio, and from internet-based platforms. We must be sure our public media can adapt to those audience changes, as well as other challenges that media will face in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe new public media entity will be built on the best of both RNZ and TVNZ, which will initially become subsidiaries of the new organisation. It will continue to provide what existing audiences value, such as RNZ Concert, as well as better reaching those groups who aren\u2019t currently well served; such as our various ethnic communities and cultures,\u201d Faafoi said[…]<\/p>\n

Read more at: https:\/\/radioinfo.com.au\/news\/rnz-and-tvnz-to-merge\/<\/a> \u00a9 RadioInfo Australia<\/p>\n

Technologies old and new keep Ukrainians in touch with the world (The Economist)<\/a><\/h2>\n

Battery radios and satellite internet both have jobs to do<\/strong><\/p>\n

In communist Eastern Europe a shortwave radio was a vital piece of equipment for anyone wanting to stay ahead of the censors. Stations such as the bbc World Service, Radio Free Europe and Voice of America broadcast news, entertainment and rock-and-roll across the Iron Curtain.<\/p>\n

After the cold war ended, shortwave radios gave way to television and the internet, and the broadcasts were wound down. But on March 3rd, in the aftermath of Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the bbc announced their return. The World Service has begun nightly news broadcasts into Ukraine and parts of Russia (see map).<\/p>\n

Radio is an early-20th-century technology. But the BBC hopes it can still be useful in the internet age because it is hard to stop. Shortwave signals bounce off the ionosphere, a layer of charged particles high in the atmosphere. The resulting \u201cskywave\u201d travels for thousands of kilometres, meaning broadcasters can sit safely beyond the reach of censors, secret policemen\u2014and invading armies. And in Ukrainian cities like Mariupol, where days of shelling have left the place without electricity, battery-powered radios still work when the internet and television do not.<\/p>\n

Ukraine\u2019s government does rely on the internet where it can, though, to fight the public-relations war and to keep communication with the outside world alive. In the past few days, for example, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president, has addressed America\u2019s Congress, the European Parliament and Britain\u2019s House of Commons via a video link.[Continue reading and note that The Economist requires an account to read the full article…<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Solar Storms: A Warning From Space (ABC Catalyst)<\/a><\/h2>\n

Solar storms, eruptions from the Sun with the power of 20 nuclear bombs, have the potential to hit earth in just two days. A direct hit would obliterate our technology, from satellites to our smart phones. We need advance warning. Catalyst follows the scientists working to help us prepare for the next big solar event.<\/p>\n

Video Duration:<\/a> 55min 33sec<\/p>\n

https:\/\/abcmedia.akamaized.net\/tv\/catalyst\/SC2002H011S00MA1D1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Click here to watch on the ABC website.<\/a><\/p>\n

Britain’s raiding dreadnaught of the ether (Nuts and Volts)<\/a><\/h2>\n

THE STORY OF A SECRET WEAPON CALLED \u201cASPIDISTRA\u201d
\nAmong the best-kept secrets in Great Britain during World War II was a 600 kW medium-wave transmitter which was codenamed \u201cAspidistra.\u201d The transmitter would disrupt the German war machine through misdirection and fake news.<\/p>\n

The origins of Aspidistra go back to 1932, when Powel Crosley, Jr. \u2014 an American radio manufacturer and broadcaster \u2014 conceived of a superpower transmitter. It would broadcast at 500,000 watts \u2014 ten times the power of any other station in the United States. RCA was the designer and primary contractor, with help on various elements from Westinghouse (controls) and General Electric (RF). The cost was an estimated $400,000.<\/p>\n

Crosley put his 500 kW transmitter on the air on May 1, 1934. With coverage of half of the US at night, Crosley was able to get network-level advertising rates ($1,200 per minute). There immediately arose a hue and cry from one end of the country to the other as competitors demanded to be allowed to broadcast at 500 kW.<\/p>\n

Several applied for high-power licenses. In 1937, WJZ in New Jersey (today WABC) jumped ahead of the pack and commissioned RCA to build a \u201ctwin\u201d of the WLW transmitter. RCA decided that the future for high power was rosy and went to work. [Continue reading…]<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Do you enjoy the SWLing Post?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Please consider supporting us via\u00a0Patreon<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or our\u00a0Coffee<\/span>\u00a0Fund<\/span><\/a>! <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","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":[373,56,960,3,305,288,43,9694,810],"tags":[86,9435,4091,259,8259,1264,9688,4082,1126,4107,9710,2615,4655,676],"class_list":["post-52154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-nostalgia","category-radio-history","category-shortwave-radio","category-solar-conditions","category-space-weather","tag-abc","tag-aspidistra","tag-radio-history","tag-radio-new-zealand","tag-radio-waves","tag-rnz","tag-russian-invasion-of-ukraine","tag-shortwave-radio","tag-solar-flares","tag-space-weather","tag-tvnz","tag-ukraine","tag-why-shortwave","tag-wwii"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-dzc","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":40619,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/new-zealand-govt-might-replace-rnz-tvnz-with-new-public-broadcaster\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":0},"title":"New Zealand gov’t might replace RNZ & TVNZ with new public broadcaster","author":"Thomas","date":"November 14, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio New Zealand) The fate of RNZ and TVNZ may soon be in the hands of Cabinet ministers, with a proposal to disestablish both broadcasters and create an entirely new public media entity. The coalition government has been grappling with what to do with public broadcasting in New Zealand,\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\/11\/RNZ_logo-Radio-New-Zealand.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/RNZ_logo-Radio-New-Zealand.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/RNZ_logo-Radio-New-Zealand.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/RNZ_logo-Radio-New-Zealand.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53071,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/06\/radio-waves-ofcom-london-pirate-stats-rnz-invests-in-new-sw-transmitters-public-media-supports-ukraine-refugees-and-migration-to-dab-spurred-by-energy-costs\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":1},"title":"Radio Waves: Ofcom London Pirate Stats, RNZ Invests in New SW Transmitters, Public Media Supports Ukraine Refugees, and Migration to DAB+ Spurred by Energy Costs","author":"Thomas","date":"June 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to Eric Jon Magnuson for summarizing these news items for Radio Waves! Pirate radio stations operating outside London\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Audio Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Audio Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-audio-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61851,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/radio-waves-35-years-of-rnz-and-bulgarian-national-radios-new-qsl-cards\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":2},"title":"Radio Waves: 35 Years of RNZ and Bulgarian National Radio\u2019s New QSL cards","author":"Thomas","date":"January 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor\u00a0David Iurescia for the following tips: RNZ Pacific - 35 years of broadcasting to the region (RNZ) January 24, 1990, the same day the Auckland\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "International Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"International Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/international-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BNR-QSL-Card.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BNR-QSL-Card.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BNR-QSL-Card.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/BNR-QSL-Card.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":58159,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/11\/radio-waves-drm-in-cars-big-ben-is-back-and-rnz-pacifics-75th-anniversary\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":3},"title":"Radio Waves: DRM in Cars, Big Ben is Back, and RNZ Pacific’s 75th Anniversary","author":"Thomas","date":"November 9, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Pete and Dennis Dura for the following tips: Now Is the Time to Save\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\/2017\/07\/Eddystone-830-7-Dial-Closeup.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Eddystone-830-7-Dial-Closeup.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Eddystone-830-7-Dial-Closeup.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Eddystone-830-7-Dial-Closeup.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Eddystone-830-7-Dial-Closeup.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":54362,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/10\/radio-waves-bbc-centenary-rnz-continues-drm-investment-hurrican-ian-help-from-a-ham-and-philips-353a-restoration\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":4},"title":"Radio Waves: BBC Centenary, RNZ Continues DRM Investment, Hurrican Ian Help from a Ham, and Philips 353A Restoration,","author":"Thomas","date":"October 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! BBC centenary marked at first national radio transmitter (BBC News) The BBC's 100th anniversary has been marked in the town\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\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-e1480988790507.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-e1480988790507.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Radio-Dial-2-e1480988790507.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":41887,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/02\/radio-waves-rnz-cuts-classical-australian-emcomm-plan-bbc-funding-and-nhk-viewing-fees\/","url_meta":{"origin":52154,"position":5},"title":"Radio Waves: RNZ Cuts Classical, Australian EmComm Plan, BBC Funding, and NHK Viewing Fees","author":"Thomas","date":"February 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Broadcasting\u00a0 Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s\u00a0Radio Waves, a collection\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","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\/03\/Kenwood-R-2000-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Kenwood-R-2000-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Kenwood-R-2000-Dial.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Kenwood-R-2000-Dial.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52154","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=52154"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52154\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52154"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52154"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52154"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}