Voice of America: circa 1968

Willis Conover broadcasting with Voice of America in 1969 (Source: Wikipedia)

Many thanks to David Firth, who is kindly sharing shortwave radio recordings he made on his reel-to-reel recording equipment in the late 1960s. Firth is uncovering and digitizing these off air recordings as time allows.

We are grateful for this recording of the Voice of America, which Firth recorded in 1968. 

This recording will surely bring back memories with clips from VOA Jazz Hour (Willis Conover), the VOA Breakfast Show, and VOA Special English. 

The first time I heard Firth's recording, the Willis Conover clip gave me chills. 

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Liberty, Belorussian language service: February 5, 2014

For your listening pleasure: Radio Liberty's Belorussian language service. This broadcast was recorded by SRAA contributor, Frank, on February 5, 2014 starting around 04:00UTC on 6,075 kHz. This broadcast originated from Radio Liberty's Germany transmitter/relay site (100 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Moscow: circa 1968

Many thanks to David Firth, who is kindly sharing shortwave radio recordings he made on his reel-to-reel recording equipment in the late 1960's. Firth is uncovering and digitizing these recordings as time allows.

We are grateful for this recording of Radio Moscow, which Firth recorded in 1968. 

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Voice Of Islamic Republic Of Iran, Dari: February 8, 2014

Map of Iran, circa 1982. (Source: CIA)

For your listening pleasure: Voice Of Islamic Republic Of Iran Dari language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 2:53 UTC on 9,740 kHz. This broadcast originated from the Kamalabad transmitter site (500 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

BBC World Service: February 8, 2014

For your listening pleasure: the BBC World Service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 11:00 UTC on 9,740 kHz. This broadcast originated from the Kranji transmitter site (125 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio New Zealand International: February 8, 2014

Peter Fry, host of Saturday Night on Radio New Zealand

If you've ever had the distinct pleasure of tuning to Radio New Zealand International when their musical request show, Saturday Night, is on the air, chances are that you've become, like I have, addicted to this show.

The show's inimitable host, Peter Fry, has one of the best radio presences in the business. His warm personality and penchant for playing absolutely anything back-to-back will captivate you. You'll hear songs and genres (including comedy skits) spanning the decades, and Fry offers his excellent commentary between sets.

What amazes me, too, (when I stop to think about it) is the relatively robust audio fidelity from RNZI's shortwave signal here in eastern North America, especially considering that this broadcast originates in Rangitaiki, on the north island of New Zealand, and is powered by only 50 kilowatts, a modest signal by international broadcasting standards.  RNZI's signal crosses the Pacific at the speed of light–and at 6 watts per mile, by my calculations–delivers my Saturday Night as clearly as if it originated...well, locally.

The RNZI signal travels a full 8,249 miles (13,276 kilometers) to reach my radio.

Yes, shortwave radio is magic.  And so is Peter Fry's show:  Enjoy.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 07:59 UTC on 9,765 kHz. This broadcast originated from the Rangitaiki, NZ transmitter site (50 kW).

BBC World Service, Hausa: February 8, 2014

Hotuna da Bidiyo - Ra'ayi Riga (Source: BBC Hausa)

For your listening pleasure: the BBC World Service, Hausa language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 06:30 UTC on 9,870 kHz. This broadcast originated from the BBC transmitter site Woofterton (250 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

BBC World Service, French to Africa: February 8, 2014

This broadcast originates from the BBC relay on the (very remote) Ascension Island.

For your listening pleasure: the BBC World Service, French language service to Africa. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 06:00 UTC on 9,870 kHz. This broadcast originated from the BBC transmitter site on Ascension Island (250 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

NHK World - Radio Japan, English: February 8, 2014

For your listening pleasure: NHK World English language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 05:00 UTC on 9,770 kHz. This broadcast originated from the Issoudun transmitter site (500 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Voice Of Islamic Republic Of Iran, Hebrew: February 8, 2014

IRIB's northeast gate along Valiasr Ave. (Source: Wikipedia)

For your listening pleasure: Voice Of Islamic Republic Of Iran Hebrew language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting at 4:23 UTC on 9,755 kHz.

Though this recording was made with a filter width of 9 kHz, the audio sounds narrow and "tinny." 

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio France International: February 8, 2014

For your listening pleasure: Radio France International. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 around 07:00 UTC on 9,790 kHz. This broadcast originates from the Issoudun transmitter site (500 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

BBC World Service, Pashto Language Service: February 8, 2014

Pashto is primarily spoken in Afghanistan and Pakistan. CThe above map of Pashto-speaking regions (orange) is provided courtesy of Wikipedia.

For your listening pleasure: the BBC World Service Pashto language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 around 03:00 UTC on 9,820 kHz. This broadcast originates from the BBC relay in Yerevan-Gavar (300 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Afia Darfur/Hello Darfur: February 8, 2014

For your listening pleasure: Afia Darfur/Hello Darfur. This broadcast was recorded on February 8, 2014 starting around 03:00 UTC on 9,845 kHz. While Afia Darfurt was scheduled for the Selebria-Phikwe transmitter site, I believe this particular broadcast may have been relayed by the Voice of America in Greenville, North Carolina, based on signal strength and the VOA interval signal.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Voice of Indonesia, French language service: February 5, 2014

For your listening pleasure: one hour of the Voice of Indonesia's French language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 5, 2014 by SRAA contributor, Frank, in Europe around 20:00 UTC on 9,526 kHz. Frank was using his Kenwood R-5000 and Wellbrook ALA 1530+ antenna.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

beHAVior Night: January 31, 2014

Last year, I reviewed the Elecraft KX3 transceiver on the SWLing Post as a fantastic radio to consider if you’re an amateur radio operator who also happens to love SWLing.

Last Friday night, at 22:00UTC on 7,490 kHz, I used my KX3 to tune in one of my favorite weekly programs: beHAVior Night, a shortwave radio show, relayed by WBCQ, which showcases music from the first four decades of the 20th Century. We've featured several recordings of beHAVior night here on the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive.

What’s so pleasant about the KX3 is the robust AM audio it delivers, even though its AM filtering is limited to a maximum of 4.2 kHz in width. That’s a very narrow width, by SWLing standards, but the audio sounds wider.

Listen for yourself: click here to download a recording of beHAVior Night made with the Elecraft KX3 (via my Zoom H2N digital recorder) or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Thailand World Service, English: February 4, 2014

For your listening pleasure: one hour of Radio Thailand's English Language service. This broadcast was recorded on February 4, 2014 by SRAA contributor, Frank, in Europe around 19:00 UTC on 9,965 kHz.

Note that the interval signal begins about one minute into the recording. This broadcast was transmitted from Udon Thani (250 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Liberty, Russian Language Service: February 2, 2014

For your listening pleasure: two hours of Radio Liberty's Russian Language Service. This broadcast was recorded on February 2, 2014 by SRAA contributor, Frank, in Europe around 15:00 UTC on 11,890 kHz. This broadcast was relayed through the Woofferton site in the United Kingdom (300 kW).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

China Radio International, English: January 31, 2014

For your listening pleasure: over 6 hours of China Radio International's English language service. This broadcast was recorded on January 31, 2014 by SRAA contributor, Frank, in Europe around 7:00 UTC on 17490 kHz.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Station of Macedonia (Voice of Greece): January 28, 2014

For your listening pleasure: 1 hour 29 minutes of The Radio Station of Macedonia (formerly Voice of Greece). This broadcast was recorded on January 28, 2014 around 1:50 UTC on 9,420 kHz.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Argentina Exterior: January 20, 2013

For your listening pleasure: 35 minutes of Radio Argentina Exterior. This broadcast was recorded on January 20, 2014 around 9:45 UTC on 15,345 kHz. 

In this recording, you'll hear ten plus minutes of various RAI interval signals before their Chinese language service begins. 

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below: