NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com >

For many years the National Radio Company of Melrose, Massachusetts was one of the leading names in shortwave receivers. This week, under "DX History/Equipment & Advertising," we have posted a booklet that was published by National in 1964 in commemoration of the company's 50th anniversary. It contains photos of much of the fondly remembered National equipment. National started business in 1914 (!) as a manufacturer of power plant specialty items. It expanded into the toy business, then aircraft parts and household items, finally getting around to radio in 1924. -- Also this week, under "Specialized Resources," you will find two new "Wavescan" scripts: January 31, 2010, "In Touch With Time--The Story of Chronohertz Station ATA in India," and February 7, 2010, "Eclipse Monitoring in the Pacific (1930)."

 Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted a group of postcard views, undated, of Japan Wireless Telegraph Company facilities. The company, a semi-official organization, was formed in 1925 to assume control over the government commercial (utility) radio stations. There are six cards: a map of the country's stations, views of the Kaizo and Fukuoka receiving stations, and views of the Yosami, Haranomachi and Tomioka transmitting stations. -- And under "Specialized Resources," four "Wavescan" scripts: February 14, 2010: "The Story of the Good Ship Seth Parker," and "In the Air and On the Air With Many Callsigns and Many Locations--NBC Shortwave Transmitter, Part 1," and February 21, 2010: "Radio Broadcasting in Tajikistan, Part 1," and "In the Air With Many Locations and Many Callsigns, Part 2."

DXAsia-UADX

News and information about radio broadcasts in and for South Asiahttp://dxasia.info/

 The Union of Asian DXers has recently revived the UADX Newsletter. It is available free of charge by e-mail and back issues are archived at their website.

 The World DX Club, Great Britain

The World DX Club is pleased to announce that we can now offer E-Membership

of the World DX Club at a considerably reduced rate compared to standard

postal rates.

E-Membership will entitle you to receive Contact Magazine by a downloadable

pdf file. Each month you will be sent a password to enable you to download

that month's issue from the World DX Club webpages. Note that E-Members

will not receive postal copies of the magazine.

For details of E-Membership rates, and on how you can join the World DX

Club, just go to http://www.worlddxclub.org.uk.

You can also download a free sample copy of a recent issue of Contact

magazine on that page.

The World DX Club was founded in 1968, and the first edition of Contact

published by the club was mailed soon afterwards. Today, the club continues

to publish Contact Magazine every month, consisting of up to 56 pages

containing station logs, news, information and comment about radio and radio

broadcasts - primarily, but not exclusively, international shortwave radio.

*** Special Notice Regarding LORAN Closure: ***

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/Loran/default.htm 

In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily in accordance with international agreements. You may read more and download pertinent documents via our LORAN-C page

LORAN-C GENERAL INFORMATION

LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radionavigation service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well as most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work in partnership with Canadian and Russian stations to provide coverage in Canadian waters and in the Bering Sea. They system provides better than 0.25 nautical mile absolute accuracy for suitably equipped users within the published areas. and provides navigation, location, and timing services for both civil and military air, land and marine users. It is approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule (VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska. Dedicated Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running and maintaining the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service and mission of which the entire Coast Guard can be proud.

LORAN-C Termination Information

The Coast Guard published a Federal Register notice on Jan. 7, 2010, regarding its intention to terminate transmission of the LORAN-C signal Feb. 8, 2010. A LORAN Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision stating that the environmentally preferred alternative is to decommission the LORAN-C Program and terminate the North American LORAN-C signal was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 7, 2010.

The Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010  allowed for termination of the LORAN-C signal on January 4, 2010, after certification from the Commandant of the Coast Guard that it was not needed for maritime navigation and from the Secretary of DHS that it is not needed as a backup for GPS. Full details are contained in Section 559 of this act  which can be found at the Government Printing Office website (clicking on the link will open a new window).

In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S. Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue in accordance with international agreements. The Canadian Coast Guard has also issued a statement, which is shown on their website.

You may view the estimated remaining LORAN-C signal coverage areas of these international chains in Appendix B, pages B-6 through B-9 of the Specification of the LORAN-C Transmitted Signal, COMDTINST M16562.4A. The entire Specification may be downloaded also.

The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become familiar with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners will not be able to rely upon LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010.

LORAN-C has, as a result of technological advancements in the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s security interests and is used only by a small percentage of the population. The Coast Guard understands that LORAN-C is still used by a small segment of the public and that those users will have to shift to GPS or other systems; however, continued use of limited resources to operate LORAN-C is no longer prudent use of taxpayer funds and is not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act.

The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close relationship with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities and we value those relationships. The Coast Guard will continue to honor those relationships by working to minimize any adverse impacts to communities caused by site closures.

Letter from Fred Saxon, Toronto:

 “As an information and entertainment medium, the radio is #1. I am always thrilled to receive the miracle of free radio signals to my 35 feet rooftop bare copper aerial through the sky to feed to Palstar R30A short-wave receiver.

 “I look up your World English Survey chart. This is the best short-wave listener’s guide. My favourite short-wave stations: NHK World Radio Japan, The Voice of Russia, The Spanish National Radio, Radio Ukraine International. The signals of these radio stations are almost always loud and clear. Also, their news production and the selected local news is always good, relevant and interesting.

 “Between the sunset and sunrise time in Toronto, I listen to 880 kHz WCBS New York for the CBS news, the New York weather and traffic.

NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com

Under "DX History/Stations" we have posted some interesting material on the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation that was received from Martin Hadlow, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland in Australia and a follower of ontheshortwaves.com. Martin was involved in the development of the SIBC, and has sent a booklet which he produced commemorating the opening of the SIBC Broadcasting House in 1982, together with a broadcasting-related First Day Cover issued in the Solomons in 1984. Thanks, Martin, for this excellent material. -- And under "Specialized Resources," two new "Wavescan" stories, both from December 20, 2009--"Radio Australia Anniversary-Wanneroo" and "Pitcairn Island-Callsigns and QSL-Cards."

TURN ON MORNING RADIO---AND YOUR COFFEE MAKER

Tyler Hamilton, Toronto Star, via Jeff Richardson ODXA Yahoo Group, January 12, 2010

 CBC Radio could soon be providing more than news and weather in the morning. How about adjusting your thermostat, or maybe switching on your coffee-maker before you slink out of bed?

 Canada's national radio broadcaster has partnered with e-Radio Inc. of Toronto to test a way to control "smart grid" appliances using FM radio frequencies. So far, the companies say, the results are encouraging.

 At the heart of the technology is e-Radio's FM receiver module, a tiny chip that's slightly smaller than a postage stamp. When installed inside the control system of a smart appliance, such as a dishwasher or thermostat, it allows for remote operation of the appliance using wireless FM frequencies.

 "Pre-production units are already installed in a real residential setting and successfully tested in Toronto," said Jackson Wang, president and chief executive of e-Radio. "I believe it is a first in Canada."

 The idea of using FM frequencies to manage appliances has been picking up momentum. In October, the U.S. National Association of Broadcasters asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to permit the use of FM radio data system (RDS) signals to enable smart grid applications.

 "In many cities, RDS technology is used to communicate traffic information to consumer GPS devices," said the association, pointing out that it doesn't require investment in new infrastructure to expand that use to smart-grid applications.

 "The radio broadcast communication system is already built and provides service to nearly every house and vehicle in America."

 The data are delivered over an FM sub-channel so the quality of radio broadcasts is not affected. The signals could eventually be used to broadcast electricity price information to e-Radio's FM receivers, making it to possible to program appliances so they only run when power demand and prices are at their lowest, or at times when wind farms are most productive.

 Wang said CBC Radio's FM signals reach close to 99 per cent of the Canadian population, making the national broadcaster an ideal partner. He said e-Radio is also working with one of the largest appliance makers in the world to embed FM receivers in standard household appliances. "We will be disclosing our specific activities with this partner in due time," said Wang.

 The company is taking part in at least six pilot projects to test its technology. It's widely believed General Electric is one of the appliance makers working with e-Radio. In addition to FM radio technology, GE is developing appliances that can use the ZigBee and HomePlug standards to communicate.

 Michel Tremblay, senior vice-president of corporate strategy, said CBC Radio is "proud to help pioneer this new made-in-Canada innovation. If it takes off, FM radio broadcasters could find it a valuable source of new income."

HCJB DX Partyline Co-host Helen Howard Dies At 89

 Source: HCJB Global

Jan. 7, 2010

 A missionary teacher and broadcaster whose work with HCJB Global spanned more than four decades, Helen Howard, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Go Ye Village in Tahlequah, Okla. She was 89.

 Born into a Baptist minister’s family in Pontiac, Mich., on March 29, 1920, Helen was raised in the Midwest. Missionaries, including HCJB Global co-founder Clarence Jones, were often in her parents’ home. She went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1942. While there she met Clayton Howard whom she later agreed to marry.

 In 1942 she sailed to Ecuador to serve with Radio Station HCJB in Quito, joining Clayton who had arrived in the South American country about a year earlier. Her voyage required travel in blackout conditions due to a threat of enemy attack on the Chilean ship during World War II. A year earlier, the Howards’ long-distance courtship had culminated in an on-air proposal on the live program, “The Back Home Hour.”

 Helen and Clayton’s Sept. 12, 1942, wedding was also broadcast live on the international shortwave radio station. “They were probably the first couple to be married over shortwave radio so the folks back home could hear it,” said Chuck Howard, their son who serves with HCJB Global in Ecuador. Helen’s minister father in the U.S., along with Rev. Evan Welsh, pastor of Clayton’s home church, had sent a recording of the complete service to Ecuador with Helen, only leaving gaps for “I do” from both Helen and Clayton.

 During the next 42 years in Ecuador, Helen’s passion was in child evangelism. She began holding child evangelism classes in her backyard, and as others joined these efforts it led to the founding of Iñaquito Evangelical Church in Quito where she was a deaconess and teacher. She also did home visitation and counseled for the church’s Women’s Society.

 “I would often come home from school to find her in the front living room, leading someone to the Lord,” said Chuck. “She won many people to the Lord.”

 Helen assisted Clayton as host of the ever-popular shortwave radio listeners’ program, “DX Partyline,” as well as answering English-language letters from listeners worldwide. And she was involved in Andes DXers International, or ANDEX, a shortwave listeners’ club sponsored by Radio Station HCJB.

 She also did secretarial work, helped in the record library and taught kindergarten. “We remember Helen as our neighbor in Quito for many years and the beloved teacher of the mission’s Humpty Dumpty Nursery School,” said HCJB Global’s Doug Peters, now retired in Florida.

 “My heart has always been with children’s work,” Helen said in an interview in 1988. “We enjoyed going into the country and holding classes with children. Adults would also attend.”

 The Howards retired and left Ecuador in 1984, living for about a decade in Florida before moving to Oklahoma.

 In addition to her husband, Clayton, Helen is survived by three children—all involved in Christian work—as well as 11 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her children include Leland, a pastor in Lamar, Mo.; Ruth Anne Leaf, who retired as a missionary to Japan; and Chuck, a missionary schoolteacher in Quito.

 Helen’s testimony and life continue to speak of her Savior. In Ecuador, Chuck received word of his mother’s death 15 minutes before teaching his youth Sunday school class. His lesson preparation had been on the death of an Old Testament character, Abraham. “I taught the class and just shared from my heart,” Chuck said. “Boy, those young people listened!”

Thanko debuts USB shortwave, AM & FM radio

Japan's purveyor of odd electronic curios, Thanko, has released what it claims is the first USB shortwave radio. The device also picks up AM and FM radio and allows you to simply plug into your computer (after installing the appropriate software) and begin drawing sounds from the ether.

 The connection also lets you save audio in MP3 or WAV format to your computer's harddrive, perfect for collecting those spooky late night transmissions floating around the shortwave frequency. Thanko's USB shortwave radio can be yours for just 3,980 yen ($44.73). (via Mike Barraclough, DXLD Yahoo Group)

NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com

Under "DX History/Equipment & Advertising," we have posted a nice Hallicrafters catalog dating from around 1948 or 1949. There are a lot of familiar communication receivers here--the SX-43, S-40A, S-53 and S-38, as well as FM, TV, and amateur equipment. -- And under "Specialized Resources" we have added two new editions of"Wavescan," both aired on November 29, 2009: "Radio Australia--Lyndhurst" and "Shortwave Listener Cards." (More on Lyndhurst can be found in the Wavescan scripts #480, March 14, 2004 and #497, July 11, 2004. More on radio cards can be found in the  scripts of August 2, 9 and16 and September 13, 2009.)

Tour of VOA Transmitter - Greenville, NC on April 26, 1998

 Jim Hawkins' 1998 video tour of the VOA (actually International Broadcasting Bureau) is now available on YouTube

Site A (now mothballed), near Greenville, North Carolina, is now available at YouTube as Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.

Greenville Site B is still in operation.

Three GE 250KW, one 500KW Marconi and One 500KW Continental transmitter(s).

Part 1 of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7g8UCEQFE8

Part 2 of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxWSXH2rPlc

Part 3 of 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffnxBJQA6rU

For more transmitter site tours, please visit www.j-hawkins.com/radio.html

(Via Kim Andrew Elliott www.kimandrewelliott.com  via Mike Terry, DX Listening Digest)

Latest News About Passport to World Band Radio

November 28 posting on Passport to World Band Radio website by Larry Magne, Editor:

Thanks for your many kind and helpful comments, which have touched us greatly.

Alas, although the long-term future of IBS’ activities continues to be mulled over, there will definitely be no printed 2010 edition of Passport to World Band Radio. At this juncture it appears nearly as certain that online options aren’t going to be feasible, either. Nonetheless, the Japanese-language (only) Blue Pages for 2010 will be offered within Japan, as in the past, by ohtaket@kyp.biglobe.ne.jp later this year.

For equipment issues, Passport readers have increasingly been visiting Passport equipment maven David Zantow’s webpage for up-to-date equipment news and expert advice.

Two Years of Ultralight Radio Reviews

Those DXers considering a purchase of one of the new DSP-enhanced Ultralight radios may not be aware that almost every popular AM-DXing pocket radio has been extensively reviewed during the past two years, with the competitive results posted on the web. Those considering a purchase of any ULR radio (DSP or otherwise) are welcome to download any of the following major competitive reviews, covering the models listed:

Original Sony SRF-59 Review (November 2007).....SRF-59

http://dxer.ca/latest/55-sony-srf-59-reviewed

Ultralight Radio "Round One" Shootout (December 2007).....SRF-59, SRF-M37V, DT-200VX, ICF-S10Mk.2

http://dxer.ca/latest/56-ultralight-radio-am-dx-shootout-round-one

2008 Ultralight Radio Spring Shootout (January 2008)....SRF-39FP, SRF-T615, DT-180V, DT-210V, C.Crane SWP

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/oHgUS0Ae6UsV9Ua7Zu7lk89fZEsgpo32zMFhaF8koFjy_qkzSVp0wYzkR172wARM5LdDWwWmn2OOyaHK0QwsvfpacYXdzFI/4%20Radios,%20Reviews,%20Manuals/Radio%20Reviews/2008%20Ultralight%20AM%20Radio%20SPRING%20Shootout.pdf

2008 Ultralight Radio Summertime Shootout (September 2008)...SRF-S84, SRF-M97, E100, SRF-M37W, DT-400W

http://www.mediafire.com/?2t5godzzyaw

2009 Ultralight Radio Shootout (September 2009)...R911 (a.k.a.WRX911), R9012, C.Crane SWP (a.k.a RP300), DE1123, PL-300WT (a.k.a. G8), D92L, D96L

http://www.mediafire.com/?nokcjzwtyzt 

Tecsun PL-310 Review...PL-310

http://www.mediafire.com/?yennzd1iu0i

Hopefully all DXers thinking about trying out the fun of Ultralight radio DXing this season can use the above resources to make wise purchasing decisions, and choose the best models for their needs.

73 and Good DX,
Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA, USA)

New AM Radio Log Available

 The NRC's AM Radio Log is a source for information on AM Radio Stations in the United States and Canada. The 30th edition of the Log contains approximately 290 pages of data and cross references and 18 pages of instructions in 8-1/2" x 11" size, 3-hole punched, U.S. loose leaf format. This publication fits nicely into a 1" three-ring binder. Nearly 8000 updates since last year's 28th Edition of the log! Additional reference lists include call letters of FM simulcasts, listings of regional groups of stations in the groups section (separate section of the log book) and a cross reference of those stations that are licensed to use IBOC (In Band On Channel) digital audio.

Ascension Budget Problems Threaten Relay Station

The Times, October 21, 2009

via Mike Barraclough, DXLD Yahoo Group

 More than 1,000 miles from the African coast, Ascension Island is a refuge and breeding ground for millions of birds.

 For the past two centuries it has also served as one of the Western world's most vital staging posts, guarding Napoleon in his St Helena exile, policing the seas to stamp out slavery, linking the Atlantic's undersea cables, offering a lifeline to the Falklands and monitoring the skies for satellites, space shots, radio transmissions and the electronic signals of terrorists and hostile powers.

 The birds, once threatened with extinction, are now returning in their millions, thanks to a programme to eradicate feral cats and other predators.

 Unless the Ministry of Defence pays millions of pounds in unpaid taxes for its RAF airbase, the island will be bankrupt by June. The only school will have to close, the hospital will have no doctors, the few shops, one hotel and fledgeling tourist trade will be unviable. Even the conservation programme will have to be abandoned.

 The threat comes because the MoD is determined to cut costs to pay for Afghanistan. Its refusal to pay back-taxes on the airbase that Britain shares with the US has left Ascension with a £900,000 deficit on its £6 million budget. The island's small council and government, responsible for all services to the 900 inhabitants, have cut spending to the bone.

 Unless a deal can be done in Whitehall, Britain's strategic asset in the South Atlantic may soon become no more than a barren fortress, the function it first had when troops arrived in the 1820s to prevent a French fleet from rescuing Napoleon.

 The row pits the MoD against the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which has a keen interest in Ascension's viability, not only because of international obligations to protect the island's ecology, but also because Ascension houses a key listening post for GCHQ, Britain's electronic intelligence service. It also has one of the world's most powerful relay stations, broadcasting BBC programmes in dozens of languages across Africa and Latin America.

 The BBC World Service depends on Ascension, and the 50 specialist engineers who maintain the power station and vast array of transmitters, antennas and satellite dishes would leave overnight if they were forced to send their families off the island. Without the BBC relay there would be no power generation or desalination plant. There would be no water for anyone on the island except the Americans, who operate their own power and desalination plants.

 The quarrel stems from the establishment of a proper administration in 2002 to replace the ad hoc services reluctantly provided by the BBC and other users of the island. It is also the result of Britain's decision to keep Ascension a closed island, inaccessible without a permit and with no right of abode for those working there.

 The reason is that Ascension is one vast listening station, packed with radar, antennas and military intelligence personnel. The Americans, who own the two-mile runway (one of the world's longest, designed to accommodate the space shuttle), have no interest in outsiders prying into their affairs.

 The crisis comes as Ascension boasts one of the boldest and most successful conservation programmes in any British overseas territory. The plan to kill all the feral cats was controversial. The birds now nest on the main island again — and thousands circle the guano-covered rocks daily in a long breeding season.

 Some of the work is vital in monitoring climate change. Next year, if the budget is not settled, it may all stop. The tiny island that has played such a crucial role in British history, from Napoleon to the Falklands war, would be ruined by a quarrel in Whitehall.

National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, Inc.

Annual Meeting

8:30 am   FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010

at Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

hosted by Galcom International

USA DRM Group Meeting will be held Thursday May 20, 2010

 ----------

 If you plan to attend, please notify Dan Elyea at 863-763-0281

 or by e-mail no later than May 10, 2010 at: fsiyfr@okeechobee.com

Dan Elyea, Secretary

National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, Inc.

10400 N.W. 240th Street

Okeechobee, FL  34972

Tentative Plans for 2010 NASB Annual Meeting in Hamilton, Ontario

Thursday, May 20, 2010

8:30 am - “100 Huntley Street” -- Taping of this syndicated national television show at Crossroads Media

10:30 am - Crossroads Facility Tour

11:00 am - Tour of Galcom International's facility where fix-tuned receivers are manufactured

12:00 pm - Barbecue Lunch at Galcom

1:00 pm - DRM USA Meeting begins at Mohawk College in Hamilton

2:30 pm - Coffee Break

4:00 pm - DRM USA Meeting ends

4:30 pm - Bus Tour & Dinner, Niagara Falls

Friday, May 21, 2010

9:00 am - NASB Annual Meeting begins – Speakers will include representatives from Canadian shortwave stations and shortwave clubs

10:30 am - Coffee Break

12:00 pm - Lunch (at Mohawk College)

1:00 pm - NASB Business Meeting

3:00 pm - Coffee Break

5:00 pm - Meeting ends

                     -----

There is a planned  bus tour to Niagara Falls on Thursday evening. There will be a dinner at a restaurant in Niagara Falls called the Old Stone Mill. The tentative menu is: Bread Service; 1st course: Mixed Green Salad with House Dressing; Main course - choice of: Dry Aged Angus Prime Rib of Beef au jus with Yorkshire Pudding, Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables, or Angel Hair Pasta with Caramelized Onions, Crumbled Goat Cheese, Arugula in Garlic & Olive Oil, or Eggplant Parmesan; Dessert course - choice of: New York Style Cheesecake or Lemon Craze or Apple Blossom; Coffee, Tea.

If you have any questions about the 2010 NASB-DRM USA Annual Meetings, or would like to sponsor an event at the meetings, contact Jeff White at radiomiami9@cs.com

Early Development of Radio - 600 BC to the early 1920s

via Mike Terry, DXLD Yahoo Group

For those who enjoy studying history, especially early radio history, here's a real treat.

 'The History of the development of radio from 600BC to the early broadcast days' is the title of a wonderful, illustrated website put together by Greg Whiter, VK3CA.

In six parts, it chronicles the many discoveries and inventions that have led to the development of radio as we know it today.

All the ususal suspects are here - Samuel Morse, Michael Faraday, Heinrich Hertz, Nikola Tesla, Reginald Fessenden and of course Guglielmo Marconi - plus many other not so well-known names.

So, begin your history lesson by clicking here:

http://www.clarkmasts.net.au/developement%20of%20radio/history%20of%20radio%20-%20page%201.htm

Enjoy some great archived audio from Radio Canada’s International Shortwave Service at the following link.

http://archives.cbc.ca/arts_entertainment/media/clips/10982/

An example:

Who's listening?

Broadcast Date: Feb. 23, 1950

When the International Service reaches out to listeners, they reach back. The service has been on the air for five years, and if there's any way of judging its success, listener mail might be it. Letters — 135,000 so far — have come from wherever the Canadian shortwave service is heard. In this clip celebrating the fifth anniversary of the International Service, we hear excerpts from letters sent by listeners in Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Germany and Argentina.

LETTERS

 John Schmelzer, St. Louis, MO:

Keep those letters and e-mails coming!

Harold Sellers

On The Shortwaves

NEW HISTORY MATERIAL AT <http://www.ontheshortwaves.com>

Under "DX History/QSLS & Other Station Memorabilia," we make a visit to Radio New York Worldwide. The station traces its history to W1XAL, which came on the air in 1931 (and itself traces its history to W2XAL, which started broadcasting in 1927). W1XAL became WRUL in 1939, and--with the same call letters--Radio New York Worldwide in 1962. It adopted the call letters WNYW in 1966. This program schedule is from May-October 1964, and illustrates one of the best modern-day examples of American private shortwave broadcasting. It points out the station's coverage of the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York; the station's political, olympic and Wall Street coverage; a special Peace Corps program; the Indianapolis 500; and more. There is a brief history of the station on p. 6, and on p. 7 news from listeners (including a promotion for the ASWLC, which had been formed in 1959). Radio New York Worldwide's affiliation with ABC gave the station access to a professional news team, whose members are shown on the last page.

Under "DX History on the Net," some new website URLs.   --   A new entry under "Stations and Voices of war" is (1) "World War II Radio Propaganda:  Real and Imaginary"  http://www.albany.edu/talkinghistory/index.html 

In this April 24, 2008, program of the "Talking History" project, downloadable in two parts, historians Ann Pfau and (her husband) David Hochfelder discuss their research into the World War II propaganda broadcasts from Japan and Germany made by Iva Toguri, William Joyce, Mildred Gillars,and Rita Zucca. They cover wartime rumors, popular legends about World War II radio propaganda, oral history, British and American wartime propaganda monitoring, soldier surveys, and popular histories and Hollywood depictions of Tokyo Rose, Lord Haw Haw, and Axis Sally.  Pfau is researching a book about World War II radio traitors.  (Select "Jan-June 2008" in "The Radio Archive" window and click "Go.")

Under "Listening in Wartime," check out (2) "Honoring Those Who Listened" http://www.usmm.org/duffyhonoring.html > Capt. George Duffy had been a POW in Japan.  His site presents some of the cards and letters that his mother received from 35 POW message monitors when two of George's letters were read over the air.  Increase the magnification of your browser to better read this material.

And under "Post-War Shortwave," three new sites.  (3) "Radio in Latin America in 1963--David Gleason on the Web" http://www.davidgleason.com/Radio%20Photos.htm > is an excellent collection of photographs taken at various radio station studios, transmitter sites, etc. in Latin America during the mid-1960s.  In 1963, following an internship in Mexico, David Gleason wandered through Central America, Colombia and Venezuela.  These are some pictures of the radio stations he visited in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Colombia. 

On the "Swan Island DX Assn." website http://www.qsl.net/sidxa/history.html are a number of interesting links to information about Radio Swan, the CIA-operated station that operated in 1960-1961 before becoming Radio Americas.  Also of interest is http://cuban-exile.com/doc_226-250/doc0241.html which is a short paper from the "Cuban Information Archives" concentrating on the anti-Castro role of the station. 

(5) And finally, the "Russian Woodpecker" site http://www.artificialowl.net/2008/12/abandoned-giant-duga-3-system-antenna.html   Remember the strong, rapid-fire tapping of the Russian woodpecker that emanated from several Russian over-the-horizon radar installations?  Operating at unpredictable hours and for varying durations, the woodpecker affected many frequency ranges and radio services, including international broadcasting, and often rendered reception virtually impossible over wide swaths of frequencies.  It didn’t disappear until 1989.  This website has pictures of a woodpecker installation in Ukraine.

Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted a file containing three issues of "The Voice of Denmark," a quarterly newsletter published by that station's shortwave department.  Included are the newsletter's first issue, published in the fourth quarter of 1958, plus issues from the third quarter of 1959 and the first quarter of 1961.  Intended to appeal to a broad audience, there were articles in English, Danish and Spanish.  The 1958 issue contains an introduction to the station and a description of the English department; the 1959 issue has an article (and photo) of WRTH publisher (and Voice of Denmark DX bulletin preparer) O. Lund Johansen; and the 1961 issue contains a photo of Hans Hansen, the "Saturday Night Club" host at the time.  Each issue contains a schedule of the station's shortwave broadcasts.  --  Also under "DX History/Stations," an article about CHNX by Harold Sellers.  -- And under "Specialized Resources" we have posted four "Wavescan" scripts from Adrian Peterson.  These are about the original Empire Service from England (Sep 13), early radio between Australia and New Zealand (Sep 13), early QSO verification cards (Sep 13), and G5SW, predecessor to the BBC's station at Daventry (Sep 20).

Although White's Radio Log was not the first AM station log, it became the best known; and while it disappeared for a time in the 1950s and again in the 1980s, it also had the longest overall lifespan.  Known under various names in its early days, the first issue was published in 1924, and the last in 1985.  This week, under "DX History/Lists, Logs, Guides & Columns," we have posted a very early copy of White's, known as White's Mileage and Radio Call Book. This was probably not the first issue of White's; however, this one was published in 1924, which was White's first year of publication.  It lists stations by call letters and states (but not by frequency, which came later).  It was published in Rhode Island, and the New England flavor of this edition is evident by the mileage chart (p. 16) that is based on Boston, and the hours of operation (p. 18) "of the principal broadcasting stations commonly heard by Mass. radio fans."  --  And under "Specialized Resources," we have posted another of Adrian Peterson's "Wavescan" scripts (September 27), this one continuing the story of the BBC at Daventry.

Under "Specialized Resources," we have posted the final two parts of Adrian Peterson's five-part "Wavescan" series on the BBC shortwave station at Daventry. The two parts are "BBC Daventry" (October 4, 2009) and "Demise of BBC Daventry" (October 11). To complement these articles, we have also posted, under "DX History/Recordings," a recording of the closedown announcement for BBC-Daventry that was broadcast on March 29, 1992 at 1126 UTC on 15070 kHz., a frequency that had come into use (as GWC) around 1941. (More than one BBC transmitter was operating on 15070 at the time, so the actual moment of Daventry's closedown cannot be discerned on the recording.) An excellent 95-page book about BBC-Daventry, "Daventry Calling the World," was authored by Norman Tomalin in 1998, and is available free on line in PDF format at <http://www.bbceng.info/Books/dx-world/dx-calling-the-world-2008a.pdf

This week, under "DX History/Equipment & Advertising," something that will bring back memories for SWLs who were active in the late 1950s and early 1960s: a SW equipment feature from the January 1962 issue of Electronics Illustrated. The first six pages contain brief writeups on some of the most popular equipment of the day--the Knight Ocean Hopper, the Space Spanner, the Heathkit AR-3, the National NC-60, the Hallicrafters S-38, the Hammarlund HQ-145X, and others, plus accessories. Following this are three articles on "new" receiver kits of the day--the Heathkit GR-91, the Philmore CR-5AC, and the Knight-Kit R-100. "Those were the days!" -- And under "Specialized Resources," three new "Wavescan" scripts": early radio broadcasting in Irian Jaya (August 23), early wireless stations in the Philippines (August 30), and radio in connection with the 1937 eclipse (September 6).

Under "DX History/Stations," we have posted an interesting historical item from VU2ZP, an early Armed Forces Radio Service station located in Bangalore, India, in the "China-Burma-India" theater. A mediumwave station, it operated on 1355 kc. There is some history about the station on the web at <http://cbi-theater-1.home.comcast.net/~cbi-theater-1/roundup/roundup122745.html and <http://www.cbi-history.com/part_vi.html -- And under "Specialized Resources," "Wavescan," a new entry about the original  Radio Australia, at Pennant Hills (November 1, 2009)

Under "DX History/Philately," we have posted some new philately items: (1) an envelope from HCJB showing the various mediumwave and shortwave frequencies that the station was using at the time (1948, if I read the postmark correctly); (2) a 1979 stamp from Radio Nacional de Bolivia commemorating the station's 50th anniversary; (3) a stamp from Peru depicting the Radio Nacional del Peru antennas and giving the call letters and frequencies of familiar R. Nacional shortwave channels 9562 and 6082 kHz.; (4) a first day cover issued in 1970 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Trans World Radio transmissions from Bonaire; (5) a first day cover issued in 2008 in recognition of Radio El Salvador; and (6) a great looking 12-stamp sheet issued by Galei Zahal, the Israeli armed forces station, in 2008.

Radio Philately

Welcome to the website of  RADIO PHILATELY related to the postage stamps of radio stations and brodcasting.

http://radiofilateliadx.weebly.com

2009 Ultralight Radio Shootout Article Uploaded

Hello All,

For those interested in the new DSP-enhanced Ultralight radios and their awesome DXing potential, a full review of the newest Chinese-market models has been uploaded to DXer.ca (http://www.dxer.ca/file-area/doc_download/258-2), and the Yahoo Ultralightdx file site.

Including full coverage of the Kchibo D96L, D92L, Degen DE1123, Grundig G8/ Tecsun PL-300WT, C.Crane SWP, Tecsun R911 and R9012 models, complete details on relative sensitivity, selectivity, nulling ability, spurs/images, AGC, audio quality, digital tuning noise and quality control record are given. Bonus reports are given on these units' DXing performance compared with the SRF-59, SRF-39FP, SRF-T615, SRF-M37V/W, E100, DT-400W, DT-200VX and the DT-210V. After reading this article, you will have all the information you need to choose your dream Ultralight radio-- in time for an exciting new DX season.

If you have yet to enjoy the unique thrills of Ultralight radio DXing, we welcome you to join us as we experience more DXing fun than we have had in decades!

73 and Best Wishes,

Gary DeBock (in Puyallup, WA), Sept. 26/09