Shortwave Broadcast Compilation – Africa and Middle East: Circa 1980s

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Paul Watson, who shares the following recording. Paul notes:

“During the 1980s I was listening to shortwave radio from my home near London, in the southeast of England. I had a cassette recorder connected to the receiver and taped anything interesting that caught my ear. Little did I know that 40 years later the majority of these stations would have disappeared and I would have the opportunity to share these recordings with the world.”

This recording is part of a five-part compilation series Paul has created, grouping international shortwave broadcasters by region. The majority of the clips are in English and feature interval signals, station IDs, and sign-ons/offs—a rich snapshot of shortwave radio during its Cold War-era heyday.

This particular compilation focuses on: Africa and the Middle East

All recordings were made during the 1980s, most in the first half of the decade. While frequencies and exact dates aren’t provided, Paul has kindly included timestamps noting when each broadcaster appears in the audio. These are listed below for easy reference.

We’re grateful to Paul for sharing this excellent audio time capsule, and for his efforts to preserve and document the golden era of international broadcasting.

  • ALGERIA: Radio Algiers (0)

  • EGYPT: Radio Cairo (1.03)

  • IRAN: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (2.33)

  • IRAQ: Radio Baghdad (4.17)

  • ISRAEL: Kol Israel (6.33)

  • KUWAIT: Radio Kuwait (8.00)

  • LEBANON: Voice of Lebanon (9.29)

  • LIBYA: Radio Jamariyah (10.18)

  • NIGERIA: Radio Nigeria (12.15)

  • QATAR: Qatar Broadcasting Service (13.53)

  • SAUDI ARABIA: Broadcasting Service of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (14.21)

  • SOUTH AFRICA: Radio RSA (15.45)

  • SYRIA: Radio Damascus (17.37)

  • TURKEY: Voice of Turkey (18.40)

  • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: UAE Radio (19.50)

Shortwave Broadcast Compilation – Asia & Pacific: Circa 1980s

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Paul Watson, who shares the following recording. Paul notes:

“During the 1980s I was listening to shortwave radio from my home near London, in the southeast of England. I had a cassette recorder connected to the receiver and taped anything interesting that caught my ear. Little did I know that 40 years later the majority of these stations would have disappeared and I would have the opportunity to share these recordings with the world.”

This recording is part of a five-part compilation series Paul has created, grouping international shortwave broadcasters by region. The majority of the clips are in English and feature interval signals, station IDs, and sign-ons/offs—a rich snapshot of shortwave radio during its Cold War-era heyday.

This particular compilation focuses on: Asia & the Pacific

All recordings were made during the 1980s, most in the first half of the decade. While frequencies and exact dates aren’t provided, Paul has kindly included timestamps noting when each broadcaster appears in the audio. These are listed below for easy reference.

We’re grateful to Paul for sharing this excellent audio time capsule, and for his efforts to preserve and document the golden era of international broadcasting.

  • Afghanistan: Radio Afghanistan (0)

  • Australia: Radio Australia (1.55)

  • Bangladesh: Radio Bangladesh (3.18)

  • China: Radio Peking (4.23)

  • India: All India Radio (6.16)

  • Japan: Radio Japan (7.29)

  • Korea (North): Radio Pyongyang (9.02)

  • Korea (South): Radio Korea (12.26)

  • Malaysia: Voice of Malaysia (14.22)

  • New Zealand: Radio New Zealand (15.49)

  • Pakistan: Radio Pakistan (16.13)

  • Saipan: KFBS & KYOI (16.44)

  • Taiwan: Voice of the Free China (18.14)

  • Tajikistan: Radio Dushanbe (19.01)

  • Uzbekistan: Radio Tashkent (19.22)

  • Vietnam: Voice of Vietnam (20.16)

Shortwave Broadcast Compilation – The Americas: Circa 1980s

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Paul Watson, who shares the following recording. Paul notes:

“During the 1980s I was listening to shortwave radio from my home near London, in the southeast of England. I had a cassette recorder connected to the receiver and taped anything interesting that caught my ear. Little did I know that 40 years later the majority of these stations would have disappeared and I would have the opportunity to share these recordings with the world.”

This recording is part of a five-part compilation series Paul has created, grouping international shortwave broadcasters by region. The majority of the clips are in English and feature interval signals, station IDs, and sign-ons/offs—a rich snapshot of shortwave radio during its Cold War-era heyday.

This particular compilation focuses on: The Americas

All recordings were made during the 1980s, most in the first half of the decade. While frequencies and exact dates aren’t provided, Paul has kindly included timestamps noting when each broadcaster appears in the audio. These are listed below for easy reference.

We’re grateful to Paul for sharing this excellent audio time capsule, and for his efforts to preserve and document the golden era of international broadcasting.

  • Bonaire: Trans World Radio (3.31)

  • Brazil: Radio Nacional do Brasil (4.32)

  • Canada: Radio Canada Int (6.58)

  • Chile: Voice of Chile (8.48)

  • Colombia: Radio Nacional (11.06)

  • Radio Sutatenza (12.00)

  • Cuba: Radio Havana (12.48)

  • Dominican Republic: La Voz del CID (14.20)

  • Radio Clarin (15.01)

  • Ecuador: HCJB (15.43)

  • Grenada: Radio Free Grenada (17.36)

  • Nicaragua: Voice of Nicaragua (18.42)

  • USA: Voice of America (19.54)

  • Radio Earth (20.33)

  • KCBI (21.39)

  • WHRI (22.13)

  • WRNO (22.38)

  • WYFR (22.49)

  • UN Radio (23.22)

  • Venezuela: Radio Turismo (24.48)

  • Radio Tachira (25.31)

  • YVTO (26.06)

All India Radio: Circa 1971

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Dan Greenall, for sharing the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: All India Radio 1971

Frequency: 11.810 MHz

Reception location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Notes: This transmission to southeast Asia from the general overseas service of All India Radio was heard surprisingly well in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada on 11810 kHz shortwave back in 1971. Their familiar interval signal is heard at first, followed by sign on in English.

WREC (Radio Free East Coast) Pirate Radio/Interval Signal: August 31, 1997

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: WREC Radio Free East Coast Pirate 1997

Date of recording: August 31, 1997

Frequency: 6.955 MHz

Reception location: Thamesford, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Panasonic RF-3100 and longwire antenna

Mode: Single Side Band

Notes: Some pirate radio stations used to use an interval signal. This is a recording of shortwave pirate broadcaster WREC Radio Free East Coast beginning a broadcast on August 31, 1997. It was made in Thamesford, Ontario, Canada and you will hear an interval signal followed by a song "Yo ho, yo ho A Pirate's Life for Me", then station identification. Receiving equipment was a Panasonic RF-3100 hooked up to a longwire antenna and the station was heard on 6955 kHz.

Voice of Nigeria (Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation): Circa 1971

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Voice of Nigeria, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation 1971

Frequency: 7.275 MHz

Reception location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Notes: Here is a recording of the distinctive rapid drum beat interval signal used by the Voice of Nigeria in Lagos on shortwave, made sometime in 1971. A voice announcement follows, as they begin a program in the French language. In the second recording, you will hear their interval signal, anthem, and sign on in English. This recording was made circa 1971 on 7275 kHz.

Trans World Radio: Circa 1990s

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Trans World Radio, Meyerton, South Africa 1990's

Frequency: 7.215 MHz

Reception location: Thamesford, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Panasonic RF-3100 and longwire antenna

Notes: Trans World Radio used to air some of it's programs via the SENTECH transmitter at Meyerton, South Africa. Here is a recording of the station in the late 1990's, including identification in English but no transmitter site given. This was made from my receiving post in Thamesford, Ontario, Canada, likely on 7215 kHz shortwave. This transmitter was shut down in March 2019.

Radio Baghdad (Interval Signal): Circa 1971

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Radio Baghdad, Iraq

Date of recording: Circa 1971

Frequency: 15.400 MHz

Recption location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Notes: Another bird call interval signal. Even though Radio Baghdad in Iraq may have had a program beamed to North America in the early 1970's, they were not easily heard at my receiving post in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada. This may have had to do with their choice of frequencies used. This recording begins with their mechanical nightingale interval signal, followed by identification in the Arabic language.

Vatican Radio (Pope Francis Funeral in French and English): April 26, 2025

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Paul Walker, who shares the following recordings of Vatican Radio made on April 26, 2025.

The first recording, pre-funeral in French, was recorded at 07:36 UTC on 17520 kHz:

The second recording, made during the funeral in English, was recorded at 08:18 UTC on 17540 kHz:

RAI Italian Radio and Television, Rome: Circa 1971

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: RAI Italian Radio and Television, Rome 1971

Frequency: 6.010MHz

RX location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Notes: RAI, Italian Radio and Television from Rome, had an interval signal that was described as a mechanically generated chirping canary, mechanical nightingale and even an Italian Sparrow. The station broadcast on a number of different frequencies in English (my QSL has them on 6.010 MHz), however in this recording, that was made circa 1971, the station identification is given in Italian.

Radio Botswana: Circa 1983

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Radio Botswana 1983

Frequency: 4.845 MHz

RX location: Brantford, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Panasonic RF-3100 and longwire antenna

Notes: Radio Botswana used to be famous for their "barnyard" interval signal. While my recording, from 1983, only captures a few seconds of the cowbells, it does include their full national anthem and sign on announcements in Setswana (presumed) and English.

Radio Australia: July 27, 1986

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor Tom Laskowski, for sharing the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Radio Australia

Date of recording: July 27, 1986

Starting time: 0300

Frequency: 17.795 MHz

RX location: South Bend, Indiana

Receiver and antenna: Sony ICF 2001

Notes: Here is a recording of Radio Australia's DX program called Talkback from July 27, 1986. I believe this was recorded around 0300 UT on 17795 kHz when Australia used to come in well in the evenings here.

Some of the program highlights are:

Review of the 1986 ANARC Convention, which was held in Montreal, Canada. Hosted by Radio Canada International, it attracted over 200 attendees. New Zealand's Arthur Cushen was the Guest of Honor for the event.

WRMI: January 10, 2024

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Bryce Belcher, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: WRMI

Date of recording: January 10, 2024

Starting time: 2000 hours UTC

Frequency: 5.925 MHz

Reception location: Columbus, Ohio

Receiver and antenna: Tecsun PL880 with bilt-in telescopic antenna

Notes: Here's a recording from WRMI from Okeechobee Florida on 5.925 MHz on January 10th, 2024.

Radio Symban: April 26, 2025

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Ian Pillar, who shares the following recording of Radio Symban made on April 26, 2025 on 2368 kHz at 06:10 UTC via a Kiwi SDR and loop antenna in New South Whales, Australia. Ian notes:

Notes: Low Power Radio Symban Back On Shortwave From Sydney NSW Radio Symban Also Broadcast On FM With 24-hour Greek Programming. Some interesting photos found here.

Radio Tahiti: Circa 1971

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Radio Tahiti 1971

Frequency: 15.170MHz

Reception location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Notes: Radio Tahiti was a very popular station with shortwave listeners back in the 1970's. Their island type music was very listenable and the station often put a decent signal into eastern North America with their 20 kw of power on 15170 kHz. The late Dr. Richard E. Wood reported in the Communications Handbook for 1972 that this frequency was activated on April 10, 1971. I made this recording of their sign off announcements in French, closing song and La Marseillaise sometime in 1971.

Maritime Radio HLS Seoul Korea: October 31, 1998

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Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Broadcaster: Maritime radio HLS Seoul Korea

Date of recording: October 31, 1998

Frequency: 8.725 MHz

Reception location: Coe Hill, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Panasonic RF-3100 and longwire antenna

Mode: Single Side Band

Notes: Maritime radiotelephone station HLS in Seoul, Korea continued to operate in the late 1990's on shortwave. Instead of a repeating voice mirror, this station played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" over and over so that the receiving station could tune them in. This recording is from October 31, 1998 at Coe Hill, Ontario, Canada, and the frequency they were using was 8725 kHz upper sideband. My receiver was a Panasonic RF-3100 hooked up to a long wire antenna.

The station was identified by Richard "RD" Baker, editor of Communications Confidential, in the January 1999 issue of Popular Communications magazine. In his Reader Mailbag section, he wrote:

"Dan Greenall in Ontario, Canada, has been hearing a new (at least to folks in North America) maritime marker on 8725.0 USB: Beethoven's 9th Symphony "Ode to Joy" is repeated. In trying to track this marker down, we sent the call out over the WUN Club's listserver. Costas Krallis in Greece, Fabrizio Magrone in Italy. Alex Wellner and Robin Harwood. both in Australia. all became involved. They soon began logging the marker on other maritime frequencies. Eventually, it was noted on 6513, 8725, 8797, 13161, and 17341. Only one station has those frequencies in common: HLS, Seoul Radio. South Korea. The marker was completely IDed within 32 hours!"