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Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave

75.48.15.84

Posted on January 27, 2017 at 09:12:52
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2107
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
One of the last remaining international broadcasters on shortwave, Radio Australia, will abandon that medium January 31 after nearly 70 years. Radio Australia gave listeners a scare last year when their Shepparton transmitters left the air for nearly a month. After receiving plenty of listener concerns, they said it was for transmitter maintenance. Now, sadly, they're standing down permanently. As the voice of the Pacific, their broadcasts will be sorely missed during times of inclement weather. R.I.P. Radio Australia Shepparton shortwave service.

 

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RE: Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave, posted on January 28, 2017 at 05:41:34
stellavox
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: June 23, 2004
Sorry to hear this.

I guess they can't compete with what - the internet?

How is that "service" in your area - during inclement weather?

Charles

 

RE: Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave, posted on January 28, 2017 at 07:45:33
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2107
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
Stellar Stellavox, via ICOM R-75, Sony ICF-2010, & Yaesu FRG-7. Will miss hearing Radio Australia's signal booming in around the Sutter Buttes up in Gridley on Grundig Yacht Boy 400, also. Mayhap ITunes will include Radio Australia on their international portal. Just like Radio Nederland Wereldomroep did when they abandoned their shortwave service.

 

end of an era, posted on January 28, 2017 at 19:07:53
mhardy6647
Audiophile

Posts: 15995
Location: New England
Joined: October 12, 1999
Contributor
  Since:
October 23, 2016
I still like the concept of "broadcasting" (Luddite that I am) but I am sure it's not at all cost-effective. Those big SW transmitters must suck down a lotta juice.

I was a big SWL fan in my high school years (first half of the 1970s).
all the best,
mrh

 

RE: Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave, posted on January 30, 2017 at 11:38:27
Tom Bavis
Audiophile

Posts: 961
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: May 25, 2007
Charles, since this board doesn't do private messages, I just looked for your most recent post. If you're still looking for the Krohn-Hite UHR-225 manual, I just found a copy. Email tbavis(at)rochester(dot)rr(dot)com

 

RE: end of an era, posted on January 30, 2017 at 11:55:07
Tom Bavis
Audiophile

Posts: 961
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: May 25, 2007
It's not just the power required... transmitters may need replacement parts that haven't been manufactured in years. Somebody I worked with said that it really makes you feel old when you see a building torn down that you worked on constructing. I worked on transmitters for the Navy that replaced older models they could no longer maintain. They were for the Transit navigation system, and I'm sure they were scrapped too once the GPS system became operational. And I worked on NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons at airports) - most of those have been turned off. And two-way HF single sideband radio, gone too. At least the National Weather Service is still broadcasting on 162.xxx MHz on units I worked on. When I retire in a few months I'll probably be volunteering at the Antique Wireless Museum.

 

RE: Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave, posted on January 30, 2017 at 14:59:12
stellavox
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Joined: June 23, 2004
Tom,

Thanks very much but I don't remember needing that manual, and don't remember having that Krohn-hite model number. What was it?

Charles

 

RE: Radio Australia Abandoning Shortwave, posted on January 31, 2017 at 11:27:48
Tom Bavis
Audiophile

Posts: 961
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: May 25, 2007
Well, it WAS eight years ago... it's a HV power supply, 0-500V. I have uploaded a copy to one online test equipment resource, somebody may be looking for it.

 

Every Sunday morning, posted on February 1, 2017 at 17:11:19
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
when camping Id listen on 31M



ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

And then there is, posted on February 3, 2017 at 08:51:20
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
real estate, those that oversee transmission and on and on. congrats on retiring.


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

Substantial budget cuts is the most likely cause., posted on February 4, 2017 at 12:42:36
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
ABC runs Radio Australia, and they've had their budget cut several times.


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: Substantial budget cuts is the most likely cause., posted on February 13, 2017 at 09:09:20
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2107
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
Timbo, Radio Australia did like Radio Canada when their budget got cut & started broadcasting national programming. Looks like there's quite a back-lash from Australian listeners concerning Radio Australia abandoning shortwave, according to Glenn Hauser's DX Listening Digest # 1706. Scroll down to Australia. Tried listening to online portal, but it wasn't available.

 

Well then, those that voted for the current government here, should pull their heads in, shouldn't they?, posted on February 13, 2017 at 23:37:34
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
the ABC is one of the last great public national broadcasters.


Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

The ABC's primary job is serving the Australian people., posted on February 17, 2017 at 00:14:57
Timbo in Oz
Audiophile

Posts: 23221
Location: Canberra - in the ACT - SE Australia
Joined: January 30, 2002
Serial cuts, by 'conservative' governments have hit the ABC's rural / remote clients hardest, make that very difficult to do.

the reality that such rural clients are more likely to vote 'conservative' ought to be relevant, no?

Most Australians live in cities and towns in the SE of Australia.

It is a big island / small continent.

Do you pay taxes for the service you used to receive?

As long as the ABC continues to provide AM broadcast band indpendent radio and good classical FM radio I will be happy.




Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger


 

RE: The ABC's primary job is serving the Australian people., posted on February 17, 2017 at 08:11:51
FRG7SWL
Audiophile

Posts: 2107
Location: NorCali
Joined: March 26, 2003
Technically yes, Timbo, as electricity is taxed here in NorCali (batteries too). However, am listener-supporter for community radio stations KCSB, KDVS, & KVMR. ... BTW, 'twas a conservative Holland government which terminated Radio Nederland Wereldomroep's broadcast services a few years ago. ... Am including an article from Auntie Beeb of satirical art skewering Australian politics you should enjoy, Timbo. 73s para Sactown

 

RE: Well then, those that voted for the current government here, should pull their heads in, shouldn't they?, posted on February 17, 2017 at 10:54:52
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
Hi Tim,

We have great public radio here in the US, but I suspect government funding will cease shortly. Fortunately Americans are willing to put their money where their ears are. I think National Public Radio will be able to survive the defunding. Independence may actually improve it.

Dave

 

RE: end of an era, posted on December 28, 2017 at 13:52:58
JonM
Audiophile

Posts: 289
Joined: December 29, 2000
I was an SWL fan, too, same time as you. Heathkit tube SW receiver, long wire on the roof, ground rod outside my bedroom window. Reception reports to Radio Australia, Radio Peking, and others. Got me hooked on electronics and physics, took me into telecom and computers - built a career out of the stuff. Not sure how you'd do that these days with "smart" phones and "apps".

 

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