break out the shortwaves, BBC WW2 style broadcasts are back

[id10t]

https://tech.slashdot.org/story/22/03/04/1357239/bbc-resurrects-wwii-era-shortwave-broadcasts-as-russia-blocks-news-of-ukraine-invasion


The BBC is resorting to broadcasting news bulletins over shortwave radio in Russia after the country blocked access to BBC websites, The Guardian reports. The Verge:
The BBC announced it was bringing back the WWII-era broadcasting technology in the region just hours before its sites were banned. News of the ban was also reported by Russian state news agency RIA. Shortwave radio uses frequencies that carry over long-distances and are accessible on portable sets. The BBC says its shortwave broadcasts will be available on frequencies of 15735 kHz from 6pm to 8pm and 5875 kHz from midnight to 2am, Ukraine time. News will be read in English, which the BBC says will be available in Kyiv as well as "parts of Russia." Shortwave radio has a long history of wartime broadcasts. The Guardian reports that its usage peaked during the Cold War, but that it was also used throughout WWII to broadcast propaganda. The BBC World Service ended its use of the technology in Europe in 2008 after 76 years.

[Tervuren]

I was thinking back when events were unfolding in Canada that truck drivers tend to have radios making shutting them out of cell towers or the internet not as hurtful as it would otherwise be.

As censorship of our own networks are ramping up here in "the west" getting redundant harder to censor ways of broadcasting and communication might become a personal priority.

However, we're in an electronic supply crunch, and personal radio equipment isn't easy.

[masraum]

I remember we had a small radio in the 80s that included SW in addition to AM and FM. I think we may have used it once or twice in cases of bad weather. I'd "find" it and turn it on and go through the SW bands listening to random stuff.

When I saw the thread title, my mind went to broadcasts like these.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170801-the-ghostly-radio-station-that-no-one-claims-to-run

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station

[3rd_gear_Ted]

My old Grundig world radio radio has a SW band.

[cabmandone]

I can't help but think this doesn't do much. Who has a SWR anymore? I had to look up what one was and I'm 50!

[GH85Carrera]

We had a AM-FM Short wave receiver when I was growing up. Dad bought it when he was stationd in Korea in 1966 and 67. I used to use to to tune in to WWVH and get a time hack. My high school was a minute and 12 seconds fast from Coordinated Universal Time, or GMT time. The principal did not seem to appreciate learning that the clock was off and called it school time. He really did not care at all when I mentioned there is no such thing as school time, just GMT.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by gh85carrera

we had a am-fm short wave receiver when i was growing up. Dad bought it when he was stationd in korea in 1966 and 67. I used to use to to tune in to wwvh and get a time hack. My high school was a minute and 12 seconds fast from coordinated universal time, or gmt time. The principal did not seem to appreciate learning that the clock was off and called it school time. He really did not care at all when i mentioned there is no such thing as school time, just gmt.

lol!

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

We had a AM-FM Short wave receiver when I was growing up. Dad bought it when he was stationd in Korea in 1966 and 67. I used to use to to tune in to WWVH and get a time hack. My high school was a minute and 12 seconds fast from Coordinated Universal Time, or GMT time. The principal did not seem to appreciate learning that the clock was off and called it school time. He really did not care at all when I mentioned there is no such thing as school time, just GMT.

You weren't alone. I was a WWV guy too. Dunno why, but always had a thing for accurate time. Remember having my socks knocked off when quartz watches arrived.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by cabmando

I can't help but think this doesn't do much. Who has a SWR anymore? I had to look up what one was and I'm 50!

51 here, I have two. One is a radio out of dad's '63 356 (was totaled in '65) and it has AM/FM/SW. Also have a 1957 vintage Grundig table top radio with AM/FM/SW.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by masraum

I remember we had a small radio in the 80s that included SW in addition to AM and FM. I think we may have used it once or twice in cases of bad weather. I'd "find" it and turn it on and go through the SW bands listening to random stuff.

When I saw the thread title, my mind went to broadcasts like these.
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170801-the-ghostly-radio-station-that-no-one-claims-to-run

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numbers_station

A link to listen to the ghostly radio:

http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by id10t

51 here, I have two. One is a radio out of dad's '63 356 (was totaled in '65) and it has AM/FM/SW. Also have a 1957 vintage Grundig table top radio with AM/FM/SW.

Probably not something the average person nowadays is going to have though wouldn't you think?

[pwd72s]

Anybody else her remember the Porsche Design transistor radio? If memory serves, they were sold back in the 80's? Still have one I use during power outages. I keep it stored without batteries, assuring it's survival. Anyway, it has shortwave bands.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Probably not something the average person nowadays is going to have though wouldn't you think?

In the US? No. Rest of world? Much more likely....

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by id10t

In the US? No. Rest of world? Much more likely....

Dern buncha preppers!

Do you really think that would be true of the younger generations?

[id10t]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Dern buncha preppers!

Do you really think that would be true of the younger generations?

Yup, esp in what we'd call 2nd/3rd world countries. Much simpler technology, can be used for 2 way communication as well as broadcast, etc. Remember, HAM radio is shortwave...

Look at this list of SW broadcasters - some still pumpin' out a signal, many who stopped in the past 10 years....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_shortwave_radio_broadcasters

[stevej37]

I used one of these in my early years....
the nose-cone would extend out for different frequencies.

[hcoles]

I used one of those. Able to pickup the local AM station if I clipped it to my window.

[stevej37]

I don't remember the gator clip on mine. I also don't remember a battery.
I was only 7 or 8 or so...how was it powered?

[flatbutt]

During Sandy HAM operators were the network.

[cabmandone]

Close friend of mine is a HAM operator. I always enjoyed the J.O.T.A when I was a cub scout leader.