Radio New Zealand International: November 22, 2013

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For your listening pleasure: two full hours of Radio New Zealand International, recorded on November 22, 2013 starting around 7:59 UTC on 9,765 kHz.

This recording begins with the The RNZI interval signal: the charming and unmistakable call of the New Zealand Bellbird.

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

BBC World Service, DRM broadcast: November 13, 2013

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to an SWAA contributor, who submitted this recording of the BBC World Service in DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale).

This broadcast was recorded on Novermber 13, 2013 at 7:00 UTC on 7.355 MHz from Moosbrunn, Austria.

The receiver used was a Globe Wireless RX321 with a custom DRM modification; a custom built commercial version of the Ten-Tec RX320.

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

BBC World Service: November 16, 2013

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording of the BBC World Service English language service.

Frank recorded this broadcast from his home in Europe on November 16, 2013, on 6,005 kHz, starting at 05:00 UTC. This broadcast originates from the BBC relay site on Ascension Island which has a power output 250 kW.

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

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Voice of Greece: November 15, 2013, "Walking in on a party"

This Voice of Greece broadcast begins with a piece by Burhan Öcal, with the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble (Photo: National Geographic)

This Voice of Greece broadcast begins with a piece by Burhan Öcal, with the Istanbul Oriental Ensemble (Photo: National Geographic)

I never know what to expect when I tune around on one of my shortwave radios.  Perhaps that’s one of the things I find captivating about the medium; there’s no playlist, no app, no content controls, other than the tuning knob.

Sometimes, I tune to a station, and it’s as though I’ve just opened a door and walked in on a party–one in full swing, with dancing and incredible live music.

That’s exactly what I felt when I tuned to the Voice of Greece last night. I walked in on a party.  And I needed no invitation; I was welcomed there.

Hear it, just as I did, starting right in the middle of this party:

Listen above, or click here to download three hours and 31 minutes of musical bliss (until they turned the transmitter off).

Voice of Korea: November 13, 2013

Pyongyang Metro Station (Original Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Pyongyang Metro Station (Original Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording of theVoice of Korea's English language service.

Frank recorded this broadcast from his home in Europe on November 13, 2013, on 11,645 kHz, starting at 16:00 UTC, using a Kenwood R-5000 receiver and a Wellbrook ALA 1530+ antenna.

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

Voice of Indonesia (English/French): November 10, 2013

Jakarta, Indonesia (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Jakarta, Indonesia (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording of the Voice of Indonesia's English and French language services.

Recorded in Europe on November 10, 2013, on 9,526 kHz, starting at 19:00 UTC. 

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

Radio Exterior de Espana: November 8, 2013

Plaza Mayor De Madrid, Spain (Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

Plaza Mayor De Madrid, Spain (Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording of Radio Exterior de Espana.

Recorded in Europe on November 08, 2013, on 9,665 kHz, starting at 19:00 UTC. 

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

Marion's Attic - WBCQ: November 10, 2013

Marion Webster

Marion Webster

If you’ve never heard Marion’s Attic on WBCQ, you don’t know what you’ve been missing–especially if you love early music recordings. Marion’s Attic describes the show as:

“[A] unique radio program, broadcasted on WBCQ, The Planet, [7.49] MHz (Shortwave Radio) every Sunday at 5 PM Eastern time. Hosted by Marion Webster & Kristina, and with occasional special guests.”

“Marion’s Attic is an eclectic radio program which plays original cylinder and disc records from the late 1890’s to the mid 1930’s. Having a library containing thousands of standard size cylinder records, dozens of 5 inch Concert Cylinders and an unknown amount of 78’s allows us to share unusual and forgotten music that you cannot hear anywhere else. What makes this special radio program unique is I play original records on the original phonographs when possible; many of which are over 100 years old. The theme varies from week to week; a show may feature popular songs from the early 1900’s one week, wild dance music from the roaring 20’s the next week.”

Marion’s Attic has been on WBCQ since September 21st, 1999 and is certainly one of their most popular shows. It’s quirky and authentic. I love it.

Mary tells us that each episode is recorded in her attic using simple recording equipment and original phonographs including:

  • 1898 Edison Home phonograph for brown wax cylinders
  • 1900 Columbia Graphophone AG for Concert Cylinders
  • 1908 Edison Standard Model D phonograph for 2 & 4 minute wax cylinders
  • 1913 Edison Amberola V phonograph for Blue Amberol cylinders
  • 1923 Edison London Upright phonograph for Diamond Discs
  • 1965 Gerrard electronic turntable for 78 rpm records

Yesterday afternoon, at 16:59 EST (21:59 UTC), I tuned toMarion’s Attic on 7,490 kHz and started recording. You’ll hear about one minute of WBCQ’s interval signal and station ID, then straight into Marion’s AtticClick here to download the show as an MP3 or simply listen via the embedded player below:

If you missed Marion’s Attic yesterday, you can catch it again tonight on WBCQ–check out the full broadcast schedule below:

  • Sundays:  7,490 kHz, 05:00PM – 06:00PM ET (22:00 – 23:00 UTC)
  • Mondays: 5,110 kHz, 09:00PM – 10:00PM ET (02:00 – 03:00 UTC)

WBCQ is easily heard in North, Central and South America–also in Europe.

Marion and Kristine often give shout outs to their listeners. You can contact them at marionweb@aol.com or:

Marion’s Attic

P.O. Box 583

Coventry, CT 06238

Voice of Indonesia: English and French language services

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Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Voice of IndonesiaFrank, for this recording of The Voice of Indonesia English and French language services.

Recorded October 27, 2013, on 9,526 kHz, starting at 19:00 UTC. 

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

Alcaravan Radio

Alcaravan Radio's transmitter site in rural Columbia

Alcaravan Radio's transmitter site in rural Columbia

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Hans de Zeeuw, for this recording of Alcaravan Radio radio in Columbia.

Recorded in Scotland on the 14th of September, 2013, on 5,910 kHz, starting at 4:50 UTC. Hans uses a Microtelecom Perseus receiver (with Studio One software) and a Wellbrook ALA 1530 antenna. He records using VideoPro.

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

Radio Casablanca, October 10, 2013

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Thursday night, I received word from Richard Blaine at Radio Casablanca:

“We plan to be on the air tonight on 6940 kHz AM, starting sometime around 2300 UTC, and running until the plane to Lisbon has departed.”

So at 23:00 Zulu, I started recording…

Though the noise level was particularly high on the lower HF bands, and Casablanca’s signal wasn’t quite as strong as previous nights, I could still enjoy Blaine’s nostalgic mix of WWII era music through the static. What a treat.

You can listen to the full recording via the embedded player above, or simply click here to download the MP3.

Radio Progreso

Cuba.Habana.Malecon.01.jpg

Earlier this week, I noted that Cuban medium wave station, Radio Progreso, was to begin broadcasting on 4,765 kHz shortwave, beginning October 1st at 00:30 UTC.

I listened between 00:30 and 2:30 UTC on Oct 1st, but heard nothing other than the weak carrier from (possibly) Radio Emissora De Educao Rural. However, the following evening at 01:00 UTC (October 2nd) I did hear a strong signal from Radio Progreso.

For your listening pleasure: the recording I made of Radio Progreso on October 2, 2013, starting around 01:00 UTC. Click here to download the recording as an MP3 or simply listen via the embedded player below: 

Voice of Indonesia

Indonesia_(orthographic_projection).svg.png

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Hans de Zeeuw, for this short recording of The Voice of Indonesia radio in English.

Recorded in Scotland on the 21st of January, 2013, on 9,526 kHz, starting at 17:31 UTC. Hans uses a Microtelecom Perseus receiver and a Wellbrook ALA 1530 antenna.

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

 

RTÉ Radio broadcast of GAA finals

RTE--AllFootbalFinal.jpg

Sunday afternoon--one week ago--I was at home to catch a bit of the GAA finals via RTÉ on 17,725 kHz, starting around 15:00 UTC.

I enjoy hearing sporting events broadcast over shortwave–perhaps it’s my imagination filling in the gaps from the live coverage or the washy sound of the crowds roaring.  Regardless, RTÉ has a long-standing track record of broadcasting the GAA finals on every medium possible.

As I listened to the live broadcast, Sunday, I read Norman Freeman’s account of listening to the GAA finals from a ship in the Indian Ocean, back in 1956. He writes:

“Almost 50 years ago, listening to the All-Ireland by radio was uncertain and frustrating.

In 1956, RTÉ knew how much the All-Ireland meant to the Irish diaspora. Arrangements were made with the authorities in the then French Congo to have the match rebroadcast the following evening, on the powerful short-wave transmitter in Brazzaville.

The time and frequencies were published in the Irish newspapers. This information was sent by letter to the Irish on oil rigs off the coast of Borneo, to round-the-year painters on Brooklyn Bridge, and to missionaries within sight of Mount Kilimanjaro.

I had noted the time and frequencies before I was sent out to Mumbai to join my first ship, the Amra, as second radio officer. The hurling final was between two giants, Cork and Wexford.”
[Continue reading...]

While Freeman doesn’t miss the uncertainty and fickle nature of shortwave radio as the messenger of his favorite sporting event, his look back is certainly nostalgic. After all, Radio Brazzaville transported Freeman and his boss back to Ireland for the length of the game. And to RTÉ’s credit, they continue to broadcast to the Irish diaspora on shortwave radio, if only for this event. 

If you would like to hear my recording of the GAA Finals, click here to download the MP3 recording, or simply listen via the embedded player below: 

IRRS English

Italy, IRRS QSL.jpg

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording of IRRS radio in English. Recorded in Europe on the 14th of September, 2013, on 9,510 kHz, starting at 08:00 UTC. This broadcast emanated from the IRRS transmitter in Bucharest, Romania, Europe, at a power of 150 kW. The recording includes, inter alia, UN Radio programme.

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

Voice of Russia

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Syria is one of the biggest international news items at the moment. If you want to hear Russia’s side of the story, there’s no better place than via the Voice of Russia.

Many thanks to Frank for submitting this recording of the Voice of Russia English language service. Frank recorded this broadcast on September 14, 2013 starting at 22:00 on 9,465 kHz with his Kenwood R-5000 receiver.

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

BBC World Service

Big_Ben_and_London_Eye.jpg

The BBC World Service English language service recorded on 9,735 kHz on September 14, 2013, starting at 15:00 UTC. This BBC WS broadcast originated from a 100 kW transmitter located at the Tashkent transmitter site, in Uzbekistan, Asia.

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

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for this recording.