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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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ABC runs Radio Australia, and they've had their budget cut several times.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
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.
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
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
the ABC is one of the last great public national broadcasters.
Warmest
Tim Bailey
Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger
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
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
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
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".
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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