Short wave radio idents - anyone else have fond memories?

[Howardh]

In the 70's and 80's, there was quite a following by fans listening to various short-wave radio stations; both here in the UK listening to what the world had to offer, and abroad with people listening to our own BBC World Service. Sad that the internet's taken over.

Anyhow - most if not all had a distinctive ident; this was my favourite;

Radio Sweden and hearing it again gave me goosepimples. Many others, especially from the east, were quite haunting, especially to a youth in the middle of the "cold war"!

I bet there are many on here who have their own favourites, especially our own

Wonder if you had a particular fave?

 

[RichT54]

My Dad used to have an old Pye valve radio that could tune into short wave. I used to see what I could pick up on it in the late 60s/early 70s. The reception wasn't very good and when you did find a station, it would keep fading in and out. Not a favourite as such, but the station with the strongest signal was Radio Tirana all the way from Albania! I seem to remember its ident was a rather mournful dirge. Its broadcasts were all hard core communist propaganda that was highly critical of all other countries, even claiming the USSR was too right wing!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I used to listen to alot of Short Wave Radio, when I was a teenager in the 1970s, I sometimes adapted unwanted radios by making my own coils to get SW. I too heard Radio Stockholm Sweden, Radio Nederlands along with Radios, Prague, Moscow, Kiev, Tirana, plus Radio RSA South Africa among others.

They all had their own idents which started a few minutes before the broadcasts, I still have a SW radio, I must get it out and have another listen, I wonder if any of those stations still broadcast.?

You could write into these radio stations telling them what frequency and time you were listening and they would send you QSL - Varification cards.

I also used to listen to a comedy show from Athlone in Ireland on Sunday evenings, it was a bit like Radio 4s Weekending show.

There was also a really weird thing that went on Medium Wave (AM) and possibly SW, that was just a long string of random numbers in German.

Signals / reception on all the above were better at night, although there were Dutch and Southern African programmes that I listened to on Sunday mornings when doing my French & other homework (and impositions / Lines), the latter rather too frequently I'm afraid.

 

[Howardh]

I used to listen to alot of Short Wave Radio, when I was a teenager in the 1970s, I sometimes adapted unwanted radios by making my own coils to get SW. I too heard Radio Stockholm Sweden, Radio Nederlands along with Radios, Prague, Moscow, Kiev, Tirana, plus Radio RSA South Africa among others.

They all had their own idents which started a few minutes before the broadcasts, I still have a SW radio, I must get it out and have another listen, I wonder if any of those stations still broadcast.?

You could write into these radio stations telling them what frequency and time you were listening and they would send you QSL - Varification cards.

I also used to listen to a comedy show from Athlone in Ireland on Sunday evenings, it was a bit like Radio 4s Weekending show.

There was also a really weird thing that went on Medium Wave (AM) and possibly SW, that was just a long string of random numbers in German.

Signals / reception on all the above were better at night, although there were Dutch and Southern African programmes that I listened to on Sunday mornings when doing my French & other homework (and impositions / Lines), the latter rather too frequently I'm afraid.

Yes, me and a pal used to collect them. there was a huge book with all the SW broadcasters, frequencies and time; think it must have been the World Radio Handbook - now (sadly IMO) contains TV stations!!

 

[Cheshire Rover]

There was also a really weird thing that went on Medium Wave (AM) and possibly SW, that was just a long string of random numbers in German.

Numbers stations perhaps?

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Numbers stations perhaps?

Yes it was a bit like that, but the voice that I can recall was a much deeper tone, either male or a deep voiced female, quite slow too. It was very spooky.

 

[Howardh]

Don't think anyone ever got a proper explanation for the numbers stations, from it's a secret code to simply a way to keep the frequency open and all points inbetween. But it's certainly spooky!!

The UK did it too; when radio 3 MW was off-air, there were single beeps which were 3 - 4 seconds apart. Worryingly if Radio 4 LW went off air for a certain length of time particularly the "Today" programme, that could generate a nuclear retaliation attack from us (to whom?). I'm fairly certain that had there been a nuclear war or similar, 1500LW was the emergency frequency. Anyone?

 

[John Griffiths]

Radio Tirana was my favourite, with North Korean levels of political bonkersness and a female announcer who would end the English hour with 'Goodnight, dear listeners'.

 

[Journeyman]

Short wave is still a fascinating treasure trove of weirdness. I'm determined to try picking up a Voice of Korea English language broadcast, although I haven't managed it yet. That's North Korea, by the way.

 

[Howardh]

Short wave is still a fascinating treasure trove of weirdness. I'm determined to try picking up a Voice of Korea English language broadcast, although I haven't managed it yet. That's North Korea, by the way.

I followed the link of Voice of Korea and found this news item; it's good that they have admitted to floods and the epidemic, however I wonder how many have already died (it's clearly inside the country) as I'm aware tht outside of the high-and-mighty in Pyongang, there are few, if any, medical facilities available for the general public. Add to that malnutrition that those fleeing the country have explained is rife; frightening.

조선의 소리

www.vok.rep.kp

Emergency anti-epidemic work is further intensified in the flood-stricken areas of Korea.
The headquarters for rehabilitation of the flood damages are taking scrupulous measures to prevent the malignant virus in those areas.
Now that a lot of personnel have been involved in the rehabilitation work, more and more checkpoints have been set up in the afflicted areas and moving personnel and vehicles are thoroughly disinfected.
Lodgings, dining-halls and temporary quarantine rooms have been built according to the anti-epidemic demand and bedding and utensils are disinfected.
Sanitary workers give medical examination to those involved in the rehabilitation work with responsibility and disinfect the working tools thoroughly while demanding them drink boiled water.

 

[westv]

Another ex shortwave fan here - early 80s. Eventually went on to gain my amateur radio licence and pass the morse test.
I enjoyed listening to the various DX programmes that the broadcasters transmitted. Also received a few QSL cards from far flung destinations. The one annoying thing was the jamming of broadcasts that occured especially if it interfered with a station you were trying to get.
All washed down with a good look at that particular years World Radio and Television Handbook.

 

[Journeyman]

Did anyone pick up interference from Soviet radar, known as the "Russian Woodpecker"? It was caused by an absolutely massive radar base close to Chernobyl, that was designed to give early indication of American nuclear attack. The base, of course, had to be hastily abandoned after the disaster, and it's now part of the Chernobyl tourist trail. I went there last year, and the place is absolutely mental, from the machine gun nests in the woods, to the huge radar array, the communist propaganda on the walls, and the rooms full of racks of electronic equipment. It's straight out of a James Bond film.

Oh, and it's liberally scattered with radiation hotspots too!

 

[westv]

Yes, me and a pal used to collect them. there was a huge book with all the SW broadcasters, frequencies and time; think it must have been the World Radio Handbook - now (sadly IMO) contains TV stations!!

It's been the WRTH for at least 41 years.

 

[Pete_uk]

I do like the fading of a distant shortwave station!

 

[John Griffiths]

That, iirc, was the 'P' part of one's SINPO report. Strength, interference, noise, propagation (or fading if it was SINFO), and overall score. Can't remember if you scored out of five or ten.

 

[westv]

That, iirc, was the 'P' part of one's SINPO report. Strength, interference, noise, propagation (or fading if it was SINFO), and overall score. Can't remember if you scored out of five or ten.

I'm sure it was 5.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

Radio Tirana was my favourite, with North Korean levels of political bonkersness and a female announcer who would end the English hour with 'Goodnight, dear listeners'.

I remember that lady.