Voice of Greece/Radio Station of Macedonia: November 26, 2013

Crete, Greece (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

I’m not sure what the future holds for the Voice of Greece. In many ways, I feel that the Greek national shortwave broadcaster is already operating on borrowed time–but perhaps I’m wrong. I’ve been recording VOG a lot lately on 9,420 kHz and 7,475 kHz; most broadcasts these days contain very little commentary, only hours of a wide variety of international music with the occasional station ID (which, by the way, has recently changed). I feel like they’re just working to keep their seats warm.

TheGreekRadio.com recently commented on the SWLing Post about the current state of the Voice of Greece:

“After the forceful eviction of the redundant ERT employees from the Radio House in Athens, the shortwave frequencies no longer transmit the normal program of Voice of Greece as there is no such service produced in Athens.  This happened on the 7th of November, when you probably noticed the station ID change.

Mediumwave and shortwave frequencies have been now set to relay the radio program of “Radio Station of Macedonia” by the redundant employees of ERT3, from Thessaloniki. (This used to be the independent program relayed for a few hours before midnight on 7,450 until June’s ERT switch-off, when phone lines were cut and the “guerilla” program started). They keep doing a full program during the day, but being unemployed, it seems that they cannot carry on overnight.

The official interim public radio (one single service for entire Greece) so far does not care for [the take] over [of] the shortwave and mediumwave resources in Athens. Probably they do not have the staff to operate them, as only the necessary personnel was hired to keep the single radio service running on FM.”

Thus it looks like VOG’s shortwave service might be easily cut–and without warning. We already know that the Greek government is considering dismantling the Alvis transmitting site.

 With that said, I hope you’ll enjoy a bit of this Voice of Greece (or Radio Station of Macedonia) recording this weekend.  I say “a bit,” as it is nearly five hours long. I started this recording around 20:30 UTC on November 26th, 2013 (9,420 kHz).

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

Voice of Greece: November 26, 2013

Thomas

BeHAVior Night (WBCQ): November 22, 2013

Source: Sir Scratchy Facebook

For your listening pleasure: beHAVior Night, a shortwave radio show, relayed by WBCQ, dedicated to showcasing music from the first four decades of the 20th Century.

If you’re as nostalgic as I am, you’ll love the sonic combination of early records with the shortwave ether hosted by the inimitable “Sir Scratchy.” Relax, close your eyes, and indulge in a little radio time travel…

You can tune in beHAVior Night on Fridays at 17:00 EST or 22:00 UTC on 7,490 kHZ.

Though I could not find an official website for beHAVior Night, I would encourage you to “like” both Sir Scratchy and the beHAVior Night Facebook pages where show updates are often posted.

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

beHAVior Night (WBCQ), November 22, 2013

Thomas

Radio New Zealand International: November 22, 2013

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:

Radio New Zealand International: 22 November 2013

Thomas

BBC World Service, DRM broadcast: November 13, 2013

(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 in DRM: 13 November 2013

Cap SW

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)

BBC World Service: November 16, 2013

Frank

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)

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:

Voice of Greece: walking in on a party, Nov 15, 2013

Thomas

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)

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 Korea: November 13, 2013

Frank

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

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:

Voice of Indonesia - English/French: Nov 10, 2013

Frank

Radio Exterior de Espana: November 8, 2013

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: 

Radio Exterior De Espana: November 8, 2013

Frank

Radio Australia: November 10, 2013

Sydney Opera House (Source: Wikimedia Commons) 

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

Recorded in Europe on November 10, 2013, on 12,085 kHz, starting at 13:00 UTC. 

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

Radio Australia: Nov 10, 2013

Frank

Marion's Attic - WBCQ: November 10, 2013

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 Attic. Click here to download the show as an MP3 or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Marion's Attic November 10, 2013

Thomas

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

Radio Progreso: October 31, 2013

Havana, Cuba  (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

For your listening pleasure: a recording of the Cuban station, Radio Progreso.

Recorded October 31, 2013, on 4,765 kHz, starting around 02:20 UTC. 

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

Radio Progreso: October 31, 2013

Thomas