Vatican Radio English service to Africa: September 13, 2014

"Vatican-radio" by Joshua Sherurcij -  Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Andre Bagley, for this recording of Vatican Radio. Andre writes:

"This was recorded on 9-13-14. The broadcast was received in the Great Basin area of North America, which is quite a few thousand miles from the broadcast's intended audience in Africa. Reception conditions were extremely good that night, thus the audio is very clear and mostly free from interference and band noise. This was recorded from a Tecsun PL-600, with whip antenna and a random long wire attached to said antenna. I used my digital voice recorder via it's external microphone jack."

This recording was made on the 13th of September 2014, starting around 0457 UTC on 11.625 MHz. 

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below. Please subscribe to our podcast to receive future recordings automatically.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation: September 11, 2014

Sri Lanka as viewed from the International Space Station (source: NASA)

For your listening pleasure: forty three minutes of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.

I recorded this broadcast of Sri Lanka BC around 01:15 UTC on Sept 11, 2014 on 11,905 kHz. Sri Lanka BC is not an easy broadcaster to receive in eastern North America, but band conditions on the 11th were particularly favorable in the higher bands. As you’ll hear in the recording, their 125 kW signal out of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka was reasonably strong; I used my WinRadio Excalibur receiver and external multi-band horizontal delta loop antenna.

Indeed, looking through the archives, this may be the first time I've recorded Sri Lanka BC.

Click here to download the full recording of Sri Lanka BC, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Voice of Korea: August 9, 2014

North Korea propaganda poster

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

Recorded in Europe on August 9, 2014 starting at 16:00 UTC on 11,645 kHz. Frank used a Kenwood R-5000 receiver and Wellbrook ALA 1530+ antenna.

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

Radio City, English: August 16, 2014

Many thanks to SWAA contributor, Frank, for the following recording of Radio City via IRRS Milano, Italy. 

Recorded in Europe on August 16, 2014 starting at 08:00 UTC on 9,510 kHz. Frank used a Kenwood R-5000 receiver and Wellbrook ALA 1530+ antenna.

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

Deutsche Welle, Africa: July 13, 2014

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Chris, who submits recordings of Deutsche Welle service to Africa.

Chris comments:

DW service to Africa on 15,275 kHz recorded at 1900Z on 13 July 2014. Reception location; Maple Street Park, Lake Michigan, Winnetka, Illinois, USA. Recording equipment; Sony ICF-SW7600G, Sangean ANT-60 reel antenna, Sony  ICD-SX712 IC Recorder. The 30 minute program  abruptly ceased at 27 minutes when the transmitter vanished.

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

Israel Radio and Radio Cairo: 1973 Yom Kippur War

Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal on October 7 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits two recordings: Israel Radio and Radio Cairo, both made during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Dan comments:

These recordings of Israel Radio, and Radio Cairo were made during the 1973 Yom Kippur war. A lot of history here -- you hear a newscast from Jerusalem, mentions of King Hussein, President Nixon, and others. This was a time when shortwave radio could actually bring you information that was not immediately available, as it is today in 2014 via the Internet and news alerts.

Click on the recording title below to download each recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded players.

Israel Radio:

Radio Cairo:

Voice of Saudi Arabia, test transmission: circa 1970s

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this 1970s era recording of the Voice of Saudi Arabia on the 25 meter band. As with many of Dan's contributions, this broadcast was received from his home in Levittown, Pennsylvania, USA, using a Hammarlund HQ-180C.

Dan comments:

Saudi Arabia obtained new transmitters in the 1970's and was widely heard with test transmissions before going on the air with full programming. This transmission was heard on a number of frequencies. Saudi Arabia is today, in 2014, still on the air on shortwave, one of the last of the Middle East countries still using this method of transmission.

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

Radio Iran, Tehran: circa 1970s

Azadi square and tower, constructed 1971 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits two recordings of Radio Iran, Tehran.

Dan comments:

Back in the 70's, Radio Iran had an external service, as it still does today, and used the odd frequency of 12.176 mhz which was well heard in North America. Consulting Internet archives, I see an English language program time of 2000 UTC, which sounds about right. The interval signal and sign on are classic examples of old shortwave programming, and this one truly brought Iran right into the living room. The ID: "From the heart of the Middle East, in Iran's capital city, Tehran, the foreign language program department of Radio Iran invites you to listen for the next half hour as we bring you music, news and special features designed to acquaint you with the modern Iran today and to share with you something of the heritage of its fascinating cultural past.

Click on each title to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded players below.

Recording #1:

Recording #2:

Vatican Radio: July 13, 2014

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Chris, who submits this recording of Vatican Radio.

Chris comments:

Africa Service of Vatican Radio broadcast at 2000Z on 13 July 2014 on frequency 15,570 kHz. Reception location: Maple Street Park, Lake Michigan, Winnetka, Illinois, USA. Recording equipment; Sony ICF-SW7600G, Sangean ANT-60 reel antenna, Sony ICD-SX712 recorder.

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

Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service: circa 1970s

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits recordings of the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service.

Dan comments:

One of the great rarities for shortwave listeners the world over was, of course, the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station (FIBS). There was great excitment, I still remember to this day, when FIBS was heard by a well-known DX'er in the western U.S. -- I recall the frequency at the time as being 3.958, which was listed in the the World Radio TV Handbook. Many DX'ers spent many hours seeking out FIBS, and it was only some years later, after the station shifted to a frequency of 2,380 khz that it began to be heard quite widely, though still a challenge. These recordings were made in Washington, DC using a Hammarlund HQ-180A receiver.

If you would like to read a brief history of the FIBS, please click here. 

Click on each title to download recordings as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded players below.

Recording #1:

Recording #2:

Radio 4VEH, Haiti: circa 1970s

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this short recording of Radio Radio 4VEH in Haiti.

Dan comments:

Another shortwave memory for DX'ers was 4VEH, in Haiti, which began in 1950.  This station transmitted on a variety of SW frequencies, including one many of us heard, 15.280 which had a power of only 350 watts.  This recording of the station includes a classic ID:   "Radio 4VEH, the sound of light."  The history of shortwave broadcasting from Haiti is quite interesting and can be obtained through an Internet search.

[Indeed, here is a brief timeline of 4VEH.]

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

Radio Mexico (XERMX), circa 1970s

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this short recording of Radio Mexico on 11,770 kHz.

Dan comments:

Radio Mexico, like Brazil some years later, inaugurated an international service in multiple languages, including English, heard on several major meter bands. This recording was made in the early 70's using a Pilot Radio T-133.

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

Radio Madagascar English Service

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this short recording of Radio Madagascar English Service with station ID.

Dan comments:

"Little known to many shortwave listeners, although a peek in the World Radio TV Handbook would have revealed, was the existence of Radio Madagascar's "International Service"   With a frequency of 17.730 mhz in the 16 meter band, this was one of the more difficult catches, though on a good propagation day such as this one, the station could be heard quite well in North America.   Here, you hear the station ID in the clear by a woman during a musical program.  Radio Madgascar was also quite good with QSLing and many listeners have one or more of their classic cards in their collections."

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

Moroccan Radio & Television System - Rabat

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this recording of the Moroccan Radio & Television System - Rabat.

Dan comments:

While the Voice of America long had a relay transmitter in Morocco, one of the biggest challenges for DX'ers was hearing the Moroccan Radio & Television System local program in the 25 meter band. As I recall, this was on 11.730 mhz and in this recording you can hear, at about the 22 second mark, the English ID by a male announcer. Time of the program was 1730 - 1800 UTC.

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

Voice of Korea, English: July 6, 2014

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, London Shortwave, for this recording of the Voice of Korea's English language service.from July 6, 2014 starting at 21:00 UTC on 13,760 kHz. 

Note that this recording was made in London, England in the presence of strong RFI (radio frequency interference). The contributor used his complex RFI-defeating system (which includes phased magnetic loop antennas and digital noise reduction) in order to cancel much of the noise. The end result is much easier to hear, but sounds more "digital" than the typical recording posted here on the SRAA. London Shortwave proves, though, that you don't have to give up SWLing if you live in a high-density urban neighborhood.

Windward Islands Broadcasting Service (WIBS): circa 1970s

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this recording of the Windward Islands Broadcasting Service (WIBS).

Dan comments:

Collectors of QSL cards will recognize WIBS -- it was one of the most reliable verifiers in the 1960's and 1970's. The country eventually became, as everyone knows, Grenada, and replaced the original WIBS card with one for Radio Grenada that looked quite similar.

Windwards Islands BC Service was one of those great regulars for DX'ers in the 70's -- it could be heard as high as the 21 mhz band, but was probably most often remembered using 15.045 mhz. In 1972, it became Radio Grenada, and later Radio Free Grenada.

Excellent histories can be seen here:

• http://www.thegrenadarevolutiononline.com/radio.html 
• http://www.ontheshortwaves.com/WIBS.html 

Many of us remember enjoying hours of broadcasts from the old WIBS, including cricket and BBC news relays, along with some fascinating local commercials and othe programming.

Click the title of each recording below to download as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded audio players.

Windward Is Broadcasting Service (Raw Recording):

Windward Islands Broadcasting Service (1970's Recording):

Radio Turks & Caicos VSI8 circa 1970's

Grand Turk Lighthouse, Scott 339, 2 Feb 1978 (Source: http://lighthousestampsociety.org)

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this short recording of Radio Turks & Caicos.

Dan comments:

In the 1970's, one of the rare appearances on shortwave was Radio Turks & Caicos (VSI8) which at the time was using, only for a short time, a frequency in the 60 meter band, of 4.788 mhz. There is one mention I can find in the DX press, from DX LISTENING DIGEST MARCH 2003 ARCHIVE, from a SWL who recalled "Turks & Caicos Islands. VSI`s afternoon show on 4.788 MHz``

Those who have collected copies of NASWA or other bulletins probably have other historical records. Unfortunately, I no longer have the logbook details with date and exact time, but it was late afternoon, just as 60 meter frequencies began to be dominated by Brazilian and African stations. As I recall, 4.788 battled with an Angolan station, on 4.795, Radio Comercial, as well as with stations below 4.788.

Two recordings here, one a shortened version -- both end with a Radio Turks relay of a newscast from VOA, where I would eventually spend nearly 34 years as a correspondent. Among other things, reception of Radio Turks demonstrated the great flexibility of the HQ-180 receiver, which provided not only notch capability but fine (vernier) tuning and multiple selectivity positions. So, another blast from the past 1970's -- Radio Turks & Caicos.

Click the title of each recording below to download as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded audio players.

Radio Turks & Caicos (RAW recording):

Turks & Caicos (English 4,788 khz) 1970's (shortened version):

Radio Tahiti, English

Many thanks to Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Dan Robinson, who submits this short recording of Radio Tahiti's English language service--a very rare recording. 

Dan comments:

"Radio Tahiti was one of the most popular stations on shortwave for many years, audible on several shortwave frequencies. Many SWLs and DX'ers recall the pleasure of listening to hours of broadcasts, which because of the antenna orientation of the station, could be heard at strong levels, at almost all times of the day, including the middle of the afternoon on the East coast of North America. Primary frequencies were 15.170 and 11.825, though others were used. What many people might not recall, or perhaps never heard, was the only English language portion broadcast by Radio Tahiti, called "English by Radio". This recording, made early in my SWL career, was made with the first radio I ever used, a 1940's Pilot T-133, with a classic slide-rule type dial. This may indeed be the only recording in existence of this rare English from Radio Tahiti. Also included -- a recording of Radio Tahiti at sign off, and a longer raw recording of the station in Tahitian and French."

Click the title of each recording below to download as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded audio players.

Radio Tahiti English:

Radio Tahiti Sign-Off (circa 1970's):

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BBC World Service, World Cup (Portugal vs. Ghana): June 26, 2014

Yesterday, I tuned to the BBC World Service on 17,830 kHz at 16:00 UTC, hoping they would be covering the USA vs. Germany game of the FIFA World Cup. I was pleased to hear World Cup coverage the moment I tuned in–but was a little disappointed that BBC had selected the Ghana vs. Portugal game.  Still, I can’t complain; this BBC service is, after all, intended for Africa. And a lot was at stake for Ghana…

So, I listened to the BBC coverage of that game while watching the USA vs Germany game stream over ESPN. I also watched a little of the Portugal/Ghana game, and realized I had an advantage over others streaming the game because the shortwave coverage from the BBC was almost 5 seconds ahead of the live stream. That’s the power of shortwave: goals at the speed of light!

For your listening pleasure, here is the full recording I made from the BBC World Service today. Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio Romania International: June 26, 2014

For your listening pleasure: Radio Romania International‘s English language service.

I recorded this broadcast with the Elad FDM-S2 on June 26, 2014, starting at 00:00 UTC on 9,700 kHz.

This broadcast originates from RRI‘s Tiganesti transmitter site.

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