France Info Lille 1377 kHz Final Sign-off: December 31, 2015

/

Live off-air recording of the last two and three-quarter hours of programming from Radio France station France Info Lille on 31 December 2015 beginning at about 21:25 UTC on the medium-wave frequency of 1377 kHz. The signal originated from a 300 kW transmitter just outside Camphin-en-Carembault (near Lille).

The recording consists of the network-produced special New Year's Eve programming of talk, news, weather, and interviews. The midnight (Central European Time) countdown, live from Les Champs-Elysées, is just before 1:34:30 in the recording. The programming is interrupted in the middle of a tune with the transmitter switch-off at about 00:14 UTC on 1 January 2016 with no closing announcement. The switch-off was coincident with that of many medium-wave transmitters in France, Luxembourg, and Germany on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in AM mode with 8.09 kHz RF filtering.

RTV Tunisia: December 25, 2013

/

RTV Tunisia recorded in London, UK on December 25, 2013 at 0515 UTC, on the frequency of 7225 kHz using a Lowe HF-150 radio with Lowe PR-150 preselector and a Wellbrook ALA1530S+ antenna. The transmitter was located in Sfax, Tunisia. The shortwave relay of this service appears to be off-air as of 2014.

France Bleu Alsace 1278 kHz Final Sign-off: December 31, 2015

/

Live off-air recording of the last two and three-quarter hours of programming from the Radio France station France Bleu Alsace on 31 December 2015 beginning at about 21:25 UTC on the medium-wave frequency of 1278 kHz. The signal originated from a 300 kW transmitter just outside Sélestat (near Strasbourg).

The recording consists of the network-produced "Special Réveillon" New Year's Eve programming of talk, interviews, and pop music. The midnight (Central European Time) countdown is just before 1:34:00 in the recording. The programming is interrupted in mid-song with the transmitter switch-off at about 00:12 UTC on 1 January 2016 with no closing announcement. The switch-off was coincident with that of many medium-wave transmitters in France, Luxembourg, and Germany on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

France Bleu Alsace, also known as France Bleu Elsass, transmits programming at times in Alsatian as well as French but the network-produced New Year's Eve broadcast was solely in French.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in AM mode with 8.09 kHz RF filtering. There is some weak co-channel interference during the first part of the recording.

RTL 1440 kHz Final Sign-off: December 31, 2015

/

Live off-air recording of the last one and one-half hours of programming from legendary broadcaster RTL (formerly Radio Luxembourg) on 31 December 2015 beginning at about 21:28 UTC on the medium-wave frequency of 1440 kHz from Marnach, Luxembourg. The transmitter was switched off at 23:59:10 UTC, coincident with many other medium-wave transmitters in France and Germany on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

The recording begins with the China Radio International program Kultur Kollage (in German) in progress. This is followed by CRI - Panorama beginning at 22:00 UTC and Chinesische Literatur. The program is interrupted in mid-sentence at about the 57-minute mark by the national anthem of Luxembourg ("Ons Heemecht"). The transmitter is switched off five seconds later.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in AM mode with 8.09 kHz RF filtering.

(Image of Marnach transmitter site courtesy of Google Maps)


RTL 1440 kHz Final Sign-on: December 31, 2015

/

Live off-air recording of the final sign-on and first three hours of legendary broadcaster RTL (formerly Radio Luxembourg) on 31 December 2015 beginning at 03:55:44 UTC on the medium-wave frequency of 1440 kHz from Marnach, Luxembourg. The transmitter switched off at 22:59 UTC on 31 December 2015, coincident with many medium-wave transmitters in France and Germany permanently switching off on New Year's Eve or early on New Year's Day.

The transmission begins with the carillon interval signal, followed by the programming of Deutschlands Hit-Radio. Between about 04:30 and 05:00 UTC, there is religious programming from Radio Freundes-Dienst. The recording ends at about 07:00 just as the program from China Radio International (in German) begins. 

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in AM mode with 8.09 kHz RF filtering.

The Amateur Astronomer (via WBCQ): December 31, 2015

/
The Amateur Astronomer host: Troy Riedel

The Amateur Astronomer host: Troy Riedel

Troy Riedel received a unique Christmas gift this year from his son: a one hour block of broadcast time on WBCQ (5,110 kHz). Within a few days, Troy solicited questions and produced  a radio show based on his favorite hobby: Amateur Astronomy. He had his show prepared well in advance of the December 30th broadcast time. Most impressive!

Read the full story behind Troy's broadcast on the SWLing Post. 

This broadcast of The Amateur Astronomer was recorded in North Carolina on December 30, 2015 starting at 19:57 EST ( December 31, 2015 at 00:57 UTC) on WBCQ 5,110 kHz:

Radio Netherlands, Happy Station Show: December 23, 1979

/

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Richard Collings, who notes:

The Happy Station Show of Sunday 23rd December 1979. A pre-recorded special Christmas show with Tom Meijer. Broadcast from 0930 to 1020GMT [on 9895 kHz and received in Plymouth, Devon, UK].


Voice of Mongolia in English: December 24, 2015

/

Voice of Mongolia broadcasting in English to Southeast Asia.  Transmitted from Ulaanbaatar-Khonkhor at 250 kw.  Interval signal, sign on, news, music, a commentary on climate change in Mongolia, more music and sign off with schedule and addresses.  Received in Sydney, Australia, using a Degen DE1103 (the old, good one) and a 40 meter longwire.

Radio Biafra: December 19, 2015

/

Live off-air recording of the clandestine station Radio Biafra on 19 December 2015 beginning at 20:50:31 UTC on a shortwave frequency of 11600 kHz. This was one of the first broadcasts after Radio Biafra's return to the air following the termination or non-renewal of their contract with the previous transmitter facility. The program begins with the Biafran national anthem at 20:50:36 UTC, followed by a piece of music and then extended commentary in English. The program abruptly ended at 21:43:36 UTC. Believed to be scheduled between 20:00 and 23:00 UTC, the delayed start of the program, some audio dropout during the program, and the abrupt end of the program, may indicate studio to transmitter link problems. The speaker announced that it was a live transmission. 

The broadcast is believed to be from the Kostinbrod (near Sofia), Bulgaria, transmitter site with a transmitter power of 100 kW and is directed to Southeastern Nigeria.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in AM mode with 5.09 kHz RF filtering. Reception was fair with some fading.

Radio Canada International, Shortwave Listener's Digest: October 26, 1981

/

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Tom Laskowski, who notes:

Radio Canada International recorded on October 26, 1981. This is another from my archive of old recordings of Radio Canada International's Shortwave Listeners Digest. This contains part two of Larry Magne's interview with Perry Ferrel from Gilfer Shortwave (part one aired on October 19, 1981, see previous program) and Glenn Hauser's DX tips. Recorded using my Sony ICF-2001 likely on 15.325 MHz around 2100 UTC. The audio quality isn't the greatest. Enjoy!

Radio New Zealand International: December 10, 2015

/

Radio New Zealand International recorded in London, UK on December 10, 2015 at 1059 UTC, on the frequency of 13840 kHz using a Tecsun PL-360 radio with the supplied clip-on long wire antenna. The transmitter has a power rating of 100 kW and is located in Rangitaiki, New Zealand. Fair signal at the start of the recording but some severe fading by the end. The recording was made on a rainy afternoon at lunchtime, in one of London's parks.