{"id":56042,"date":"2023-03-09T20:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-10T00:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=56042"},"modified":"2023-03-09T10:22:20","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T14:22:20","slug":"rnz-signal-to-noise-is-am-radio-really-under-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/03\/rnz-signal-to-noise-is-am-radio-really-under-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"RNZ: “Signal to noise – is AM radio really under threat?”"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Connor Walsh<\/a>, who shares the following piece from Radio New Zealand:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Signal to noise – is AM radio really under threat? (RNZ)<\/a><\/h1>\nhttps:\/\/podcast.radionz.co.nz\/mwatch\/mwatch-20230305-0910-signal_to_noise_-_is_am_radio_really_under_threat-128.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

Old-fashioned AM radio was an information lifeline for many during Cyclone Gabrielle when other sources wilted without power. Now a little-known arrangement that puts proceedings of Parliament on the air has been cited as a threat to its future. But is a switch-off really likely? And what\u2019s being done to avoid it?<\/p>\n

\u201cGovernment websites are a waste of time. All they’ve got is a transistor radio – and they need to actually provide a means for these people who need the information to damn well get it,\u201d Today FM\u2019s afternoon host Mark Richardson told listeners angrily on the day Cyclone Gabrielle struck.<\/p>\n

He was venting in response to listeners without power complaining online information was inaccessible, and pleading for the radio station to relay emergency updates over the air.<\/p>\n

Mobile phone and data services were knocked out in many areas where electricity supplies to towers were cut – or faded away after back-up batteries drained after 4-8 hours. In some places FM radio transmission was knocked out but nationwide AM transmission was still available.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will sharpen the minds of people on just how important . . . legacy platforms like AM transmission are in Civil Defence emergencies,\u201d RNZ news chief Richard Sutherland told Mediawatch soon after. [Continue reading at RNZ…<\/a>]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Connor Walsh, who shares the following piece from Radio New Zealand: Signal to noise – is AM radio really under threat? (RNZ) https:\/\/podcast.radionz.co.nz\/mwatch\/mwatch-20230305-0910-signal_to_noise_-_is_am_radio_really_under_threat-128.mp3 Old-fashioned AM radio was an information lifeline for many during Cyclone Gabrielle when other sources wilted without power. Now a little-known arrangement that puts proceedings of […]<\/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":[373,433,3],"tags":[625,4099,259,1264],"class_list":["post-56042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-am","category-mediumwave","category-news","tag-am-radio","tag-mediumwave","tag-radio-new-zealand","tag-rnz"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-ezU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"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":56042,"position":0},"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":[]},{"id":38243,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/06\/rnz-no-plans-to-replace-am-radio-mast-in-the-cook-islands\/","url_meta":{"origin":56042,"position":1},"title":"RNZ: No plans to replace AM radio mast in the Cook Islands","author":"Thomas","date":"June 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: RNZ via Michael Bird) The Cook Islands Investment Corporation says there are no plans to replace an AM radio mast that is to be dismantled on Rarotonga. The mast at Matavera, built with New Zealand aid money many years ago to provide a signal to the outer islands, is\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\/2013\/09\/Tecsun-GR-168-1024x848.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Tecsun-GR-168-1024x848.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Tecsun-GR-168-1024x848.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29507,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/radio-new-zealand-plans-to-exit-am-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":56042,"position":2},"title":"Radio New Zealand plans to exit AM radio","author":"Thomas","date":"December 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Stuff.co.nz via Trevor R) [...]In the longer term, the report raised RNZ's wish to divest from broadcasting infrastructure. \"RNZ currently owns a significant property portfolio and other related equipment required to support its AM radio services,\" it said. \"While the AM audience is declining, the cost of maintenance and\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\/2015\/12\/AM-Dial-Digital-Grundig-Mediumwave-MW-lg-1024x623.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AM-Dial-Digital-Grundig-Mediumwave-MW-lg-1024x623.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/AM-Dial-Digital-Grundig-Mediumwave-MW-lg-1024x623.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40619,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/11\/new-zealand-govt-might-replace-rnz-tvnz-with-new-public-broadcaster\/","url_meta":{"origin":56042,"position":3},"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":60313,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2024\/08\/rnz-inaugurates-new-analog-and-drm-ampegon-transmitter\/","url_meta":{"origin":56042,"position":4},"title":"RNZ Inaugurates New Analog and DRM Ampegon Transmitter","author":"Thomas","date":"August 2, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news release via the DRM Consortium:\u00a0 DRM RNZ Shortwave Transmitter For Pacific Inaugurated On August 1st the New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister came to RNZ House in Wellington to mark the start of the use\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\/2024\/08\/Screenshot-2024-08-02-at-08.55.35.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":53866,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/09\/rnz-pacific-resumes-shortwave-analogue-service-to-pacific-region\/","url_meta":{"origin":56042,"position":5},"title":"RNZ Pacific resumes shortwave analogue service to Pacific region","author":"Thomas","date":"September 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: RNZ via Alokesh Gupta) RNZ Pacific resumes shortwave analogue service to Pacific region (RNZ) From September 1, RNZ Pacific will resume its shortwave analogue service to the Pacific region between the hours of 5 and 9am New Zealand time. Shortwave radio is radio transmission using shortwave (SW) radio frequencies.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-Left-Side-e1517329037265.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-Left-Side-e1517329037265.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-Left-Side-e1517329037265.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/CCrane-CC-Skywave-SSB-Left-Side-e1517329037265.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56042","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=56042"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56043,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56042\/revisions\/56043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}