{"id":52289,"date":"2022-03-27T06:39:40","date_gmt":"2022-03-27T10:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=52289"},"modified":"2022-03-27T08:57:03","modified_gmt":"2022-03-27T12:57:03","slug":"radio-waves-why-bbc-ws-shortwave-matters-wtww-to-russia-ukraine-finns-stock-up-on-radios-and-asheville-radio-museums-amazing-volunteer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/03\/radio-waves-why-bbc-ws-shortwave-matters-wtww-to-russia-ukraine-finns-stock-up-on-radios-and-asheville-radio-museums-amazing-volunteer\/","title":{"rendered":"Radio Waves: Why BBC WS Shortwave Matters, WTWW to Russia\/Ukraine, Radio 5 to BBCWS, Finns Stock Up on Radios, and Asheville Radio Museum’s Amazing Volunteer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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

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Why the BBC World Service’s New Ukrainian Shortwave Service Matters (The Rand Blog)<\/a><\/h2>\n

n March 2, the BBC World Service announced that it was restarting four-hour daily shortwave transmissions in English to Ukraine. The decision to resume Ukrainian shortwave broadcasts came after Russian forces began to deliberately target Ukrainian communications equipment, including the Kyiv television tower.<\/p>\n

Why do these four-hour daily transmissions matter so much when the world supposedly has moved away from radio and adopted social media and the Internet? Isn’t shortwave an obsolete, century-old technology that harkens back to memories of World War II and the Cold War?<\/p>\n

Despite its age, shortwave remains an enduring tool in the global fight against disinformation. In part, this is due to its unique broadcasting qualities. FM and broadcast television can only travel to just beyond the horizon. But shortwave can travel vast transcontinental and transoceanic distances. It accomplishes this feat by bouncing between the ionosphere and the earth\u2014over mountains, skyscrapers, and digital firewalls.<\/p>\n

It’s this last obstacle that’s most important here. Russia is demonstrating that it can destroy Ukraine’s television and FM broadcasting infrastructure. It can use hackers and such Kremlin-affiliated subversive agencies as the Internet Research Agency to take down or otherwise block Internet sites of Western and Ukrainian media agencies seeking to provide accurate information about the conflict. Cellphones only have limited range; they need towers to transmit longer distances. Russia has demonstrated that it can shut down cellphone communications in areas of Ukraine it has captured or is shelling, including nuclear power plants.<\/p>\n

What about satellite reception? In theory, satellite reception can break through these issues. Last week, Starlink CEO Elon Musk sent \u201ca truckload of satellite dishes\u201d to Ukraine to provide \u201cspace Internet service.\u201d But Russia can identify the satellite signals, seek to jam them, and locate those who have the dishes in Ukrainian areas now under its control.<\/p>\n

This leaves shortwave, the venerable analog signal infamous for how it fades in and out as each wave is received. Shortwave cannot be hacked. It cannot be bombed or otherwise destroyed because it is being transmitted from far outside Ukraine. Shortwave is notoriously difficult to jam, despite Russia and China’s best efforts. The shortwave signal is always drifting slightly, making it difficult to precisely focus jamming equipment. The shortwave signal can also be more powerful than that of the jammer, effectively overriding the interference.<\/p>\n

Shortwave only works if people listen. Fortunately, many Ukrainian families likely still have old, often cheap Soviet-era shortwave sets in their basements that can be powered by batteries or wall sockets. They are usually small and can be easily hidden from prying eyes. Some can even fit in a pocket. Shortwave radios can also be brought in as nonlethal aid. [Continue reading…<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Lebanon radio station tunes broadcast to Ukraine and Russia (WVLT)<\/a><\/h2>\n

LEBANON, Tenn. (WSMV) – Right now, the people of Ukraine need positive messages. One Lebanon family found a way to give them that with what they do best \u2013 a radio broadcast.<\/p>\n

We all know there\u2019s AM and FM radio, but there\u2019s also shortwave radio. It\u2019s listened to on a small device the size of a phone. While it may not be common in the U.S., radio personalities said it\u2019s how people in Europe listen to radio continents away.<\/p>\n

From the comfort of his home, Ted Randall brought comfort to those who need it most.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are broadcasting to the Ukraine and Russia,\u201d Randall explained. \u201cWe are playing American rock and roll because our email responses have been saying, \u2018please, no news, we are tired of hearing the news.\u2019\u201d [Continue reading…<\/a>]<\/p>\n