Radio Websites November 2010, first published in Radio User, PW Publishing

First published in Radio User, PW Publishing www.radiouser.co.uk/

 

Chrissy Brand looks at websites with a radio connection. This month she picks a selection of sites bringing radio personalities and hardware from the past to a 21st century audience, along with some innovative uses of Morse code and an homage to Bakelite.




Reliving yesterday today


We start off this time with thoughts on a project for you on these long autumn evenings. Why not go back to days of yore and construct a valve wireless? The following website might inspire you: http://www.classaxe.com/wireless/data/demo/  There are some beautiful animations of a valve radio’s workings and a radio dial, compete with World War II news bulletin from Alvar Liddell. This is a fine example of taking web technology and using it to recreate some history and maybe spark some interest amongst younger generations too.


If the mention of Alvar Liddell has got you reminiscing, then there are many references to him online. A gallery of famous voices can be matched to faces at the Whirligig website, specifically at: www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/radio/announcers.htm  Look closely for the link to an interesting potted biography by Alvar’s son.


There are all sorts of unusual recordings at the You Tube channel of one Atlantic 1952. Amongst the less esoteric are Alvar Liddell reading the news of King Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936, with a period Phillips radio providing the images. There is also coverage of a 1938 McMichael 386 radiogram being put through its paces. It cost £21 when new and the woods used include walnut, sycamore and macassa ebony. Lovingly restored a few years ago and now on show to the world: http://www.youtube.com/user/atlantic1952  


Back to the construction of a valve wireless, and the Old at heart website tells a nice story of a grandfather and grandchild talking of this: http://www.oldatheart.co.uk/one-valve.html The entre website is written in a similar tone, with grandfather showing junior all manner of domestic gadgets from eras past, with the occasional photos to click on to illustrate the point. Vintage telephones, pianola, tape decks, and early computers are included: http://www.oldatheart.co.uk/  


A blog I recently found is packed full of interesting radio observations and notes. The Radio Time traveller blog is by an inhabitant of Avon, in New York state, at: http://radio-timetraveller.blogspot.com/  It’s a blog “about radio and radio DXing, antennas, opinions, reviews - basically all things concerning radio. My particular emphasis is mediumwave and mediumwave DXing. I hope to bring some interesting articles, ideas, and facts to these pages, not just dry reception reports.” There are plenty of reviews of radio magazines from days gone by as well.




Somerset sounds


One of the places I visited during the summer whilst passing through Somerset was the Bakelite Museum at Orchard Mill in Williton. Situated off the beaten track in a large old barn, it has a handy tea shop next door and also a 17th century water mill. Pop your entrance fee in the honesty box and wander amongst the hundreds, if not thousands, of Bakelite items, from cups to coffins, - I kid you not (they didn’t catch on due to Bakelites’ high heat resistant properties!), and of course a fine selection of Bakelite televisions and radios (more on these later). Sadly the museum website appears to be redundant but there are plenty of excellent reviews of it elsewhere. My favourite is at the “Nothing to see here” website: http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/ specifically at the entry for April 2008: http://www.nothingtoseehere.net/2008/04/the_bakelite_museum_williton_1.html  


This website suggests all kinds of intriguing places to visit that are overlooked by the masses and the tourist boards. Run by Anne, the site links up with her Flickr (the photo posting and sharing website) page. A lovely set of photos of the contents of the museum: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilike/sets/72157604637390716/  


An easier way is to click to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilike/  This is the home page of photographer Anne’s “I like” Flickr page, with dozens of exciting folders to peruse. These contain photos of jukeboxes, and visits to cafés and classic museums amongst many others (e.g. The Laurel and Hardy museum in Cumbria and the Radar museum at RAF Neatishead).


Of the Bakelite museum Anne writes “…Stepping in the door is like walking into a 1950s home. There are cookers, toasters, washing machines, and irons interspersed with smaller items like banks, clocks and egg cups. It is bright and resilient, in the spirit of the times. If the museum had ended here I would have gone home happy, but there's more. Next, a room of televisions, gramophones, radios and telephones is like a mini Design Museum. Plus a colourful display of elegant bowls and vases made from Bandalasta (also known as LingaLonga), a coloured, marbled variation of Bakelite which first saw light in 1925…”


Still in Somerset and just a couple of miles from the Willliton Bakelite museum is the Washford Radio Museum, It has an exhibition of vintage radios at Tropiquaria zoo, in the old transmitter hall of the BBC's Washford transmitting station: http://www.wirelessmuseum.org.uk/  



Going Dutch


Jonathan Marks maintains the Radio Netherlands Media Network archive vault: http://www.jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/  I have mentioned it before and it is such a great resource I am sure I shall be pointing you to its many riches again in the future. 

My current favourite is a vintage Media Network show from 1998 about Bakelite. Jonathan comments that “Bakelite was an early form of plastic which brought radio to the people. When radios were first manufactured in the first twenty years of last century, they looked more like an experiment in a physics laboratory than something which was designed to entertain. Then some firms started using a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin for their cases, formed from an elimination reaction of phenol with formaldehyde, usually with a wood flour filler. It was developed in 1907–1909 by Belgian chemist Dr. Leo Baekeland.” To find this show amongst the many gems at the site, go to the entry for 15 September. Other uploads include Cuban clandestine stations and a 1986 slide show about European and Asian radio.




If you fancy an autumnal weekend away then Amsterdam is always a lively culturally charged city. And if you time it well you could take in the annual Radio Day. On Saturday 13 November the 33rd Radio Day is being held from 1100 to 1700 (central European time) at the New Hotel Casa 400, Eerste Ringdijkstraat 4, Amsterdam, Netherlands. Considered a must for offshore radio experts and enthusiasts, it usually has about 350 people attending. Topics for 2010 include a Radio 390 reunion, 40 years of Radio North Sea International, Radio Mi Amigo and many well known personalities from these famous offshore stations. See: http://www.radioday.nl/  




Gadgets


The rather odd sounding Promo machine website is one of many price comparison websites, although t is quite different from most of its rivals: http://blog.promomachine.co.uk/


Take the following section on half a dozen unique new uses of Morse code for instance, at: http://blog.promomachine.co.uk/morse-code/

It may provide you with some early ideas for your Christmas present list. Starting with a wrist watch, which at the press of a button, will relay the current time by way of Morse code through an in-built speaker. More on it at: http://www.tokyoflash.com/en/  

Also a Morse code blanket, complete with coded messages; a Morse keyboard which fits into the USB on your computer; a Morse RSS reader “A beautiful telegraph sounder that, when connected to a computer, can cleverly, but pointlessly, clack out any chosen RSS feed in Morse code.”; a Morse leather arm guard, and, last but less practical than you might think, a Morse code clock.

Finally this month I guide you, tongue in cheek, to the last page of the internet at: http://www.wwwdotcom.com/  

October Radio Related websites

RADIO WEBSITES published in Radio User, OCTOBER 2010

Chrissy Brand looks at websites with a radio connection. Amongst her recommendations this month are a new show from Switzerland and a handful of other quality radio programmes; some online radio museums, catching up with a collector of shellac records and anticipating a new sw radio coming to market.

Radio stations online
Switzerland in Sound is the website where some of Swiss Radio International migrated to when it left shortwave. I make no apologies for mentioning the site again. It’s full of excellent audio material including many vintage Swiss Shortwave Merry-Go-Round programmes and interviews by The Two Bobs: http://www.switzerlandinsound.com/  

Switzerland in Sound has been running for several years now and a much welcomed associated site sprang up in the summer. You can now join a Facebook group for Bob Zanotti's Switzerland In Sound. Simply search Switzerland in Sound at: www.facebook.com/ There you can access new weekly broadcasts of Swiss Merry Go Round / Switzerland in Sound. What joy-a one hour broadcast about shortwave with Bob Thomann and Bob Zanotti. Also at: http://www.radio4all.net/  which is PCJ Media’s podcast site.

Radio Nova 100 is a new radio station broadcasting from Dublin’s docklands that launched on 1st September: http://www.nova100.ie/  It is licensed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to launch a classic rock music service for Dublin city, county and commuter belt. The engineering department was asking for reception reports of its 100.3 and 100.5 MHz transmissions. If you pick it up you should email engineering@nova.ie Another information about Nova 100 can be obtained by emailing info@nova100.ie

Radio Pakistan only broadcast for five minutes news in English twice a day (see this month’s Broadcast Matters), so you could try their website at: Radio Pakistan: http://www.radio.gov.pk/ This gives you the options of reading and listening to details of the impact and the aftermath of the dreadful August floods, straight from the horse’s mouth.

With the endless choice of Internet radio stations from anywhere you fancy on offer, it is easy to overlook the more obvious stations. When you are searching for entertaining and varied programming then you could do worse than click to BBC Radio London: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/programmes  


Saturday and Sunday evenings are my favourite times to use the “listen live” facility, which is useful when you are about 200 miles from where the 94.9 MHz FM broadcast originates. DJ Ritu presents music from all four corners of the world. “Stay up to-date with all the new world music releases, classic tracks, London's global gigs and exciting international artists and bands in this unique two hour show.”


On Saturdays from 2000 BST you’ll hear Dotun Adebayo on Sundays. “Talking about London's diverse communities and the issues affecting them.” It is of interest whatever community you choose to define yourself in. Dotun Adebayo is also one of the hosts (Rhod Sharp is another) of what in my opinion is the best programme on BBC Radio 5 Live, Up All Night: www.bbc.co.uk/5live/  

 Back to BBC London and if you prefer big names (metaphorically and physically), then Vanessa Feltz and Danny Baker both have shows on the station too. Weeknights from 2200 to 0200 BST there is a good phone in and talk programme- the Late Show hosted by Joanne Good.


Other BBC radio programmes that are slightly off the beaten track include these for the BBC World Service: Alan Green’s World Football and Africa in Focus, which are excellent angles on sport and news that you don’t get to hear domestically: http://www.bbcworldservice.com/  and go to podcasts: www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts  


Selena, Sarah and shellac
Most Radio User readers are users of a wide range of communication technologies and more likely than most to embrace the ever emerging new gadgets available. iPods to iPads. Twitter to podcasts, scanners to software. However, I suspect that many of us all have a slight hankering for the old style tried and tested too. I enjoy using shortwave radios from the days of my youth, despite smaller and more sensitive versions currently on the market


I recently bought a second-hand Selena B215 radio off of eBay. This 1980s set, made in Belarus (which was in those days part of the USSR), is rather clunky looking in silver and black but there is robust in its boxiness. It covers long, medium and FM bands plus 49, 41, 31, 25, 19 and 16m shortwave. Whilst searching on eBay I declined the an opportunity for an entrepreneur to buy 50 of the Selena B 215, boxed for £1,399.00 from a London seller. For most of us the radio turns up often on eBay at around the £15 to £40 mark plus postage and packing. To gather your own views check out the videos of the Selena in action on YouTube, for instance, at this YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/928GTSR  


There is more interesting Selena information at the ever excellent Radio Museum website, where you are likely to get merrily distracted browsing all kinds of other manufacturers too: http://www.radiomuseum.org/  Over 170,000 radios from antique to modern can be searched for here.


The Hungarian-based website http://oldradio.tesla.hu/  is a cornucopia of radio delights. The Selena is covered but it is one of many: http://oldradio.tesla.hu/szetszedtem/061vef/megradiok/megradiok.htm  


A very informative and enjoyable website dedicated to another radio collection goes under the name of Sarah’s Transistor Radios, and is located at: http://www.transistor.org/  The tiny transistor radios are quite often neglected by collectors in favour of their larger cousins, such as valve radios from the Art Deco era. However a visit to Sarah’s has certainly made me look at the transistor radio in a more favourable light. She writes:


“Welcome to my collection of transistor radios. I have found these small sound boxes to be fascinating ever since I was a small child. The idea that something so small could pull an extremely weak signal out of the air was nothing short of miraculous to a seven-year-old. Now, my fascination lies in the designs of these radios, which bear all the intrigue, change, and yes, kitsch (sometimes!) of the era they were made. The collection is large, but is designed for easy navigation…I would appreciate hearing from people who have visited my page.” The email address is sarah@transistor.org
 
We move onto a record dealer now, who goes by the name of Greg's Greats Records, which is based in Foxton near Cambridge. Greg Butler does not deal in CDs at all, instead having stock of over 140,000 records, the bulk of which are 78 rpm and made of shellac. 45 rpm, 12 inchers, LPs and vinyl make up the rest: www.myspace.com/gregsgreats

His customers include the BBC local radio, film and television production teams. He also supplies DJ Rob Da Bank with a compilation of more unusual 78 sounds - and he occasionally picks out a “Greg’s Great 78” for him to play on his show on a Sunday night/Monday Morning between 0000 BST and 0200 BST on BBC Radio 1. Greg writes: “There are so many records here that twice a year a Record Fair is held at Foxton to display all the records at bargain prices for collectors to get their hands on. At the fairs all the 78 records that haven't yet been priced up are offered at a pound a piece and all 7" singles are offered at one pound fifty. In addition all the priced records are reduced by 25% for the fair and a fun time is usually had by all.” The fair takes place on the second Sunday in August (with a barbeque) and the second Sunday in December (which is December 9th this year), with mince pies free of charge. You just have to let Greg know you are attending.


There is also a Shellac Collective radio show on Harborough FM on the first Wednesday of every month. You can listen live online at this Community Radio station for South Leicestershire and North Northamptonshire: http://www.harboroughfm.co.uk/  


Radio Video
One of the many radio related Yahoo groups I belong to discusses the virtues and otherwise of classic Realistic radios: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/realisticdx/  That is itself is of interest and use to me, but, as with many such groups, occasionally other non-related gems come to light. A recent posting was a link to the following Vimeo clip (Vimeo being website akin to YouTube but usually classier in quality and quantity of many of the YouTube clips, where video clips can be uploaded). Earlier this year on Jay Leno’ television show in the USA a contest was held to see who could send a message the quickest. The two contestants were a teenager texting and a 43 year old radio ham using Morse code. Without giving too much away I was pleasantly surprised by the results. The clip is at: http://vimeo.com/8085304  which is the Vimeo site of a user called MPG : http://vimeo.com/user2770492  


Whilst looking at a US tv channel, if you are a follower of US television dramas and want to know what’s being screened Stateside, before your favourite programmes hit the UK screens, try: http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/  


Another video site now and one that is packed with vintage offshore and free radio memories. A user by the name of Radprog has uploaded 190 videos to their YouTube channel with many new ones uploaded over the summer months:
http://www.youtube.com/user/radprog#p/a  


A new Sangean shortwave radio for the autumn
Radio Netherlands Media Network blog continues to be a source of mainstream and quirky radio news, be it rebel radio in Caracas or a new radio station in Bethlehem: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/  (Cool FM launched in July broadcasting English and is “the first foreign language radio station in Palestine, which offers programmes for foreigners residing in Palestine and in the whole world”: http://www.coolfm.ps/  )

A recent Media Network posting gives information on a news Sangean shortwave radio: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/new-shortwave-receiver-coming-from-sangean  “Shortwave broadcasting may be on the decline, but it’s not dead yet. Receiver manufacturer Sangean has a new portable shortwave receiver scheduled for release by the end of 2010. The ATS-909X is described by the manufacturer as ‘the flagship of the Sangean line of AM/FM/SW Receivers.’According to Sangean, ‘it provides performance and features generally found in the more expensive table top communication receivers into a very compact and stylish package.” More details are available on the Sangean website.” http://www.sangean.com/

The radio has an alarm which will wake you via a buzzer, radio or humane wake system. Single Side Band, over 400 presets, five tuning methods (Direct Frequency Tuning, Auto Scan, Manual Tuning, Memory Recall and Rotary Tuning), FM RDS, Large LCD Screen with Bright White LED Backlight and much more.

Radio Websites August 2010

Radio Websites, August 2010 (first published in Radio User http://www.radiouser.co.uk/ )

Chrissy Brand looks at websites with a radio connection, this month clicking her way from the Mediterranean to the Cape, via London and Chicago.

Malta Teasers
Malta is a popular holiday destination and it’s easy to cover the whole island in a week. The radio band is surprisingly crowded for such a small island, and with English spoken by so many Maltese, there is plenty to hear for the holidaying Brit to hear. There are many community stations and some with a religious format


The tiny neighbouring island of Gozo is not neglected, with many Maltese stations easily heard there too, as you can imagine. Gozo even warrants a half page of links to radio stations at the ever reliable Radio Station World website: http://radiostationworld.com/locations/malta/radio.asp  Radju Katidral, Radju Margerita and Radju Lehen il-Qala are amongst the stations you can tune to from that link.


There is a good page of radio links at the Malta online portal, which also offers all manner of holiday advice http://www.mol.net.mt/mol/radio.htm  and there are also radio links at: http://www.maltaradio.net/


Malta Radju is the country’s public broadcaster but there is not much at their website: http://www.pbs.com.mt/


You can listen to the likes of Bay Radio, Fantasy Radio and Calypso TEN-18: http://www.calypsoradio.com/  , not forgetting Malta University Broadcasting. Campus Radio is the university network at: http://www.campusfm.um.edu.mt/  It has a good mix of locally produced programmes and rebroadcasts of some of the bigger boys of broadcasting, such as the BBC.

The website is proud of these connections: “Built on a tradition of quality broadcasting, the station has collaboration agreements with a number of entities, such as the BBC World Service and Classic FM in the UK, United Nations Radio, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands and Putumayo World Music. Also, students, lecturers and staff at University are involved in the radio's operations and are contributing towards various productions and initiatives. Campus FM has been the recipient of a number of broadcasting awards since 1995.”

World Music: Cuba to Cape Town


Mention of Putamayo World Music brings me to the website: http://www.putamayo.com/  You are only a click away from a brightly coloured bus driving on laden with musicians and a sample of the many diverse sounds offered by the record label can be heard. South African band the Soul Brothers were featured when I visited. The latest release is a South African compilation celebrating the “diversity of South Africa, from Afrojazz and township jive to mbaqanga and Afropop.” Founded in 1975 “the label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: guaranteed to make you feel good!”

The company produce a wide range of very good World Music CDs, each one offering a tester of contemporary sounds from all over the globe and illustrated in a distinctive busy style by Nicola Heindl. I have been enjoying sultry summer nights in the city chilling to their Brazilian lounge CD. They are reasonably priced and available online as well as in the High Street. I first got into the series myself through my local record and CD library, which is always a low risk way of expanding your musical horizons.


If you prefer to hear your World Music from your sun lounger or balcony rather than at a summer music festival such as WOMAD (World of Music and Dance): http://www.womadshop.com/  (with information throughout the year, not just at the time of the festival in late July in Wiltshire) you might also enjoy World Beat online radio:


http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?genre=worldbeat  It is part of the Live 365 franchise and offers links to a host of World Music stations that you can dip into. If you are already a fan, you will know what I mean. If you are not then give it a whirl and you will be enjoying a salsa in the summer sun before you can say Bossa Cuca Nova.


And other World Music stations at Live 365, the d-i-y radio station portal, include: Radio Abeokuta with Yoruba music from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Cuba and Brazil: http://www.live365.com/stations/radio_abeokuta_2  . Music from around the world and all eras at World’s Best Musicians: http://www.live365.com/stations/fredschelbaum  Radio Africa online does what it says on the tin, at: http://www.live365.com/stations/dansez  

Barlow Wadley

Back in the dark days of apartheid one of the few good things to come out of South Africa was the Barlow Wadley XCR receiver, made between 1969 and 1981. which emanated from South Africa. There is a dedicated Italian website (in English) packed with details and photos at: http://www.barlowwadley.it/  

Paul and Cheryl Wetterhahn are amongst the many fans of the radio who are mentioned on the above website. They also have their own radio museum site at: http://www.grundigsw.com/  with many radios from all over the world including two BarlowWadleys. On their site you will see radios from the early 1920's to now. Grundig, Sony, Eton, Degen, Panasonic, Zenith, shortwave multiband, catalin, wood, pocket transistors boomboxes, and microphones..

“We started collecting radios about 25 years ago. Found one in the garbage, couldn't believe a radio would be tossed out ! That radio is still one of our favorites! Most radios on this site are for sale. They come from all over the world to us here in Chicago, USA.”

The Silicon Chip website has a vintage radio sections including this on Barlow: http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30512/article.html  and it crops up at the radio museum website: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/barlow_xcr_30_mark_2_ii.html  Not often for sale but there were three at a New Zealand radio website : http://www.oldradios.co.nz/forsale/radios/index2.htm  And they even crop in up in blog postings. Roy McBride who sails the globe and post many interesting blogs including a posting in March 2009: http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/  

Wikipedia has a short but interesting article on one of the inventors, Trevor Wadley: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Wadley  After World War II he “invented the Wadley Loop receiver, which allowed precision tuning over wide bands, a task that had previously required switching out multiple crystals. The Wadley Loop was first used in the Racal RA-17 a 1950s top of the range British military short wave receiver still considered one of the finest radio receivers ever made and later in the South African made commercially available "Barlow-Wadley XCR-30" radio. He also invented the tellurometer, which could measure up to a distance of 80 km; it was used in land surveying. Today, it is used in a wide range of equipment but modified with current technology.”

 

Video helped the radio star

There is a fascinating 25 minute video interview by Jonathan Marks (or Radio Netherlands fame) with veteran broadcaster Margaret Howard on her career with BBC World Service, Radio 4, Radio 2 and Classic FM.: http://vimeo.com/12542380  

Her “Letterbox” programme, complete with Bach theme tune, went into the Guinness Book of Records as the most listened to radio programme, it having 40 million listeners. Also at the website are other great video interviews by Jonathan Marks with radio personalities telling gripping tales past and present, such as radio’s digital future, a visit to Kings Langley and David Smith’s early shortwave memories. One of the many positive things about the internet is the ability for people to upload their own videos and audio as well as text and visual content. Interviews such as those at Jonathan’s website might only get a minute’s sound bite if aired at all by a regular radio station. With websites such as Vimeo and YouTube, people can upload interviews in full and the listener can decide to listen to them in their entirety or to fast forward.

Jonathan Marks has also put the Media Network Vintage Vault online which has complete shows from 1980-2000 for download. These include one on Wartime Deception, a documentary on World War II British black propaganda.

http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/

The Wireless Waffler has posted a selection of pictures of the latest building developments at Broadcasting House in London, including one of a information poster which gives a clear run down of building progress, on his blog. I cannot see this on the BBC Site. The building being largely complete, and the fitting out being in progress. Studios are being completed in the basement and should be in use in due course. I was amazed to find that the newsroom area at the front was now open to view. Some very good photos at:

http://wireless-waffle.blogspot.com/2010/05/broadcasting-london-rebuild-as-at-21st.html  click on one you wish to view in detail and it will appear enlarged. The first one will explain the building progress to date.

Radio Websites July 2010 (published in Radio User, PWP)

Radio Websites July 2010 (published in Radio User, PWP) http://www.radiouser.co.uk/

Chrissy Brand looks at websites with a radio connection. This month she looks at radio corporations on three continents, radio studio tours, radio and the space race, readers’ recommendations and a round up of some online frequency guides.

Corporations Calling


The BBC is not the only broadcaster whose moniker ends with “corporation”. The South African Broadcasting Corporation is one that is in the news at the moment, being the host broadcaster for the World Cup. You can keep up with developments at the SABC news website: http://www.sabcnews.com/  and http://www.sabc.co.za/  




Guyana is a long way across the Atlantic also has a broadcasting corporation. The Guyana Broadcasting Corporation is covered amongst other very interesting radio history in then country. Organisations included Radio Demerara, and the British Guiana Broadcasting Service) in Broadcasting House on the High Street. Then from 1979 came the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation: http://www.silvertorch.com/g_radio_bcast.htm  and there are some gripping personal; recollections in postings at: http://www.silvertorch.com/g_radio_stories.htm  


The Guyana Broadcasting Corporation runs the Voice of Guyana in English at: http://voiceofguyana.com/  


Back to the original Corporation in the shape of the Beeb. BBC Tours are available at many studios and station around the UK, from Radio Cornwall in Truro to BBC Scotland in Dumbarton. More details of which one to choose and how to book at: www.bbc.co.uk/tours  


I recently went on the BBC Manchester tour, which was a fantastic two hour trip around the radio and tv studios, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra studio and much more. From next year the 1970s building will close and the BBC will move to Media City in Salford (along with BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC children’s television), and even grander tours will be available. Radio 5 Live presenter Nicky Campbell is one of many BBC who is looking forward to moving there: “It’ll be lovely to live where all the buzz is going on, and I’d like to find somewhere by the waterside.” To see how the dramatic new canal-side development is shaping up have a look at: http://www.mediacityuk.co.uk/  

A London museum that I want to try and visit this summer is the much-vaunted British Vintage Wireless and television Museum in West Dulwich. It is by appointment only but I have heard many good things of this paean to radios. The website describes it better than I could: “The Museum has an ever-expanding range of radios, televisions, speakers and radiograms from the dawn of radio up to the last valve model ever made. Items of interest to academics, historians, manufacturers and collectors are on exhibition. The Museum consists of two buildings making thirteen rooms with 1300 wireless receivers on show, along with many display cabinets of components and wireless associated artefacts, also a period shop. There is a valve laboratory enabling the manufacture of early Triode valves (the three electrode valve) plus workshops to demonstrate the manufacture of chassis, cabinets and associated parts for wireless construction.” http://bvwm.org.uk/  

Vintage radios and the space race


Over to the States and an intriguing North Carolina based website at: http://www.foxtango.org/  It is for users of the Yaesu receiver. As you would expect, it contains modifications, opinions and general information, but dig around and you find other stories to get hooked on. For instance the page at the difficult to type URL of: http://www.foxtango.org/KT-135/LAFAYETTE%20KT-135.htm  






This is all about the Lafayette KY 135 radio and also leads to a section on NHS Radio Japan. NHK stands for Nippon Houso Kyokai, translating as the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. The author, Carol L. Maher W4CLM, visited the studios and there are photos and insights to the trip. Back to the Lafayette KY 135 radio which Carol owned and enjoyed as a 13 year old in 1969. “Some 37 years later I decided to search for my first receiver and find another KT-135 as my original receiver was long gone. The Lafayette KT-135 is a four band regenerative receiver and if you have never had the pleasure of using a radio like this, it's basically like grandpa's crystal radio set on steroids!” Carol explores the build-your-own Lafayette (encased in a large wooden box, almost like a precursor to the Pure DAB radios of today) in detail along with some well phrased shortwave reminiscing.

Another ripping yarn I enjoyed online was the following: www.cold-war-sputnik-soviet-space-dog-laika.com/index.html  This is a detailed reference book by Aaron George Bailey in Arkansas. Ten chapters and packed with information about the space race it includes signals from space that Aaron has received, and endless links that divert and delight you, including details of his first receiver, a build it yourself Heathkit GR-91.

Readers recommend

Trevor M5AKA on The Radio User email Yahoo group, which is at: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/RadioUser_Readers/

recommended the following websites. Amateur Radio on the International Space station (ARISS) SSTV picture gallery: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/SSTV  

International Space Station Fan Club: http://www.issfanclub.com/  “During 1996, a group of amateur radio operators involved in the communications with the MIR Space Station, decided to join into the "Mir Fan Club". In a very short time over 1200 enthusiasts from all over the world asked to participate, including Cosmonaut Valery Korzun, while leading crew #22. Nowadays MIR is not flying anymore, but here we are again with the same spirit and the same enthusiasm for the ISS, the new International Space Station.”

AMSAT-UK publish a colour A4 newsletter, OSCAR News, that is full of Amateur Satellite information. Join online at: https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subs_form

 

David Morris points us to this Alabama site and the history of Birmingham radio station which first hit the airwaves on May 27, 1925: www.birminghamrewound.com/radio-tv2.htm

Read all about the many stations that have served the station for decades. The website is packed with colourful station logos, classic black and white photos of studios and buildings, DJs and roadshows. It’s a really enjoyable read and evokes memories of the USA rock and roll radio eras even for those of us that weren’t around. For example “The WILD studios in 1954, on US 31 beneath Vulcan. When the station became WYDE, and the format rock 'n' roll, the circular driveway became a drive-up request window”.The history of Birmingham television is equally enthralling at: http://www.birminghamrewound.com/radio-tv.htm   

Another vintage from yesteryear still in action today is the mobile cinema, striking in its appearance and to my eyes looks like a 1950’s vision of a spaceship: http://www.vintagemobilecinema.co.uk/ 

 The Ministry of Technology built seven of these custom mobile cinema units in the 1960s, “to tour the country, promoting modern production techniques to British industry. The seven Bedfords were operated by PERA, or the Production Engineering Research Association. Films would be played within the cinema, with supporting displays shown in the trailer that accompanied the towing unit as they toured the nation’s factories.” The one remaining van has been restored and is touring Devon this summer. Featured on BBC1 South West, it is also available for hire if you have a suitable occasion to use it.

Global guides

The World Radio and TV Handbook summer season broadcasting schedules file is now available at: http://www.wrth.com/  .Other online international broadcasting guides include that of Eike Bierwirth at: http://eibispace.de/  and The Primetime Shortwave list of English language broadcasts at: http://home.centurytel.net/danielsampson/  The HFCC (High Frequency Co-ordination Conference) public list which updates each season with all shortwave frequencies, transmitter sites and country codes etc. is at: www.hfcc.org/data/index.html  

Whether you are travelling in Europe this summer, or if you are staying at home, don’t forget the Euro-African medium wave guide website at: http://www.emwg.info/  A list of all the stations on medium and long wave with a recent separate addition of a programme guide, which is very welcome. The Euro-African MW guide is partnered with the UK’s Medium Wave Circle, which you can read about at: http://www.mwcircle.org/  

The British DX Club website always has useful information, As well as its paper-based Broadcasts in English and Radio Stations in the UK publications, there are online guides such as a Media Programme guide, Africa on Shortwave, External Services on Medium Wave, Middle East on Shortwave, South Asia on the Tropical Bands, UK on Shortwave, as well as plenty of articles to keep you informed and entertained: http://www.bdxc.org.uk/  

Summer QSLs

Apologies for no postings for 6 weeks- the day job and holidays intervened. Regular postings will resume shortly. In the meantime enjoy this selection of summer themed QSL cards ;-)

Radio Websites May 2010

Radio Websites May 2010

Published in Radio User http://www.radiouser.co.uk/  

by Chrissy Brand

email: chrissylb at hotmail.co.uk

Chrissy Brand looks at websites with a radio connection from the latest technical developments to the stalwarts of offshore radio.







High tech to low tech


Boing Boing is an interesting website with the latest news on a wide range of technical developments, science, art and design, culture, and offbeat news: www.boingboing.net/ The gadgets section is always worth a read. It covers everything from links to a Canadian museum of antique typewriters (The Martin Howard museum at: http://antiquetypewriters.com/index.htm ) to brightly coloured BT telephones from the 1960s. Dead-drop gadgets for spies and an amplifier kit where you can place your amp into a coconut shell. (The Tubby amp kit: https://makersmarket.com/products/845-tubby-amp-kit ). Videos and photos are embedded make it an entertaining way to spend half an hour: http://www.boingboing.net/gadgets/  


A similar technology website is this from Register Hardware which delivers “From the lab to the living room”: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/  News, reviews, shopping and hands on experimenting with all sorts of electronic gadgetry. There are reviews of mobile phones, laptops, sat navs, cameras, set tops boxes, televisions and radios, including the Pure Digital Avanti Flow internet radio and iPod speaker.


Back to nature now with the world’s first solar powered community radio station broadcasts each evening from a studio high up in an oak tree in Titnore Woods, in Sussex. It is an environmental station set up to save a local woodland. More details at: http://www.protectourwoodland.co.uk/titnorefm.htm   and also a Facebook page. Type 'Save Titnore Woods: The battle is on’ into Facebook search and you will find it. An interesting campaigning group and also some video and audio of the radio station itself.


Back to basics and early crude propaganda radio with the BBC Archives collection on Lord Haw-Haw: “William Joyce was a notorious broadcaster of Nazi propaganda to the UK during World War II. His announcement 'Germany calling, Germany calling' was a familiar sound across the airwaves, introducing threats and misinformation that he broadcast from his Hamburg base.” The website contains 15 programmes and many documents and photos on the subject: www.bbc.co.uk/archive/hawhaw/index.shtml  



Spring sounds to sample


Bob Padula in Australia has released a new download audio magazine, called ‘Sounds of shortwave’. It is a ten minute audio compilation of off-air shortwave signals monitored by Bob, with voice details of station name, frequency, time and language. Catches from a field site in the Sweeney's Flats bushland reserve, on the Yarra River, in the outer eastern Melbourne suburb of Eltham. Scroll down to the 10 March 2010 blog entry for the first episode: http://airm.edxp.org/  




Whilst searching for the new Radio Tirana schedule I came across a great Albanian website: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/shqip/tirana.html  It launches into some rather enjoyable Albanian folk music, or whatever else happens to be playing on Radio Dashuria. This website has some excellent scenic photos and offers many social and friendship opportunities with the Albanian community. There is even a link to the Albanian Big Brother television show. How times change, it’s not that long ago that the original Orwellian version of Big Brother was dominant in Albania… Radio Dashuria itself, which by the looks of it broadcasts from New York City, can be found online at: http://radiodashuria.com/radio/  




Chris Freitas is an enterprising young man studying broadcasting and journalism at the University of Memphis, from where he hosts a regular podcast all about the joys of shortwave radio: More details at his blog: http://www.shortwaveweekly.blogspot.com/


There is also a Facebook page which is linked to from the blog. “What I am planning to do for this podcast is to meld old-fashioned shortwave radio with new media.. However, I want to make it more interesting and enjoyable. Aside from the usual shortwave news, receiver reviews, program changes, and whatnot, I will attempt to have guest speakers from shortwave stations speak out on many hot topics. Also, I will try to provide tips and suggestions and possibly a "SW Guide" of sorts so you can found out what programs to look out for this week on international radio.” The Podcast RSS feed is: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ShortwaveWeekly  or http://shortwaveweekly.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default  


From quality of today we go back to entertainment of yesteryear and Kenny Everett’s Worst Wireless Shows. Back in 1977 and 1980 on London’s Capital Radio, Kenny broadcast the worst of British music releases. “Most of the records played were not intended to be funny or novelty. Rather they were (nearly) all honest, earnest attempts at making a record that, well, just fell so-far from the mark they deserve a special category all their own.” These have been preserved for posterity (they play in Real Audio format) at: http://www.chronoglide.com/wwwshome.html  There is a comprehensive list of all artists with details when you click on them.

Ambient, progressive and psychedelic are the labels the band Radio Massacre International apply to their music at My Space. Hailing from Manchester, London and Yorkshire there is a selection of their music to hear at: www.myspace.com/radiomassacreinternational  and http://www.radiomassacreinternational.com/ 

In May 1996 Radio Massacre International were the first group to play an electronic concert at Jodrell Bank space research centre in Cheshire, in the shadow of the biggest satellite dish in the world. It was a location buzzing with inspiration and ideal for creating improvised music. Knutsford In May is a complete direct to DAT recording of the music played that evening. The album's centrepiece is a long dynamic improvisation named 'Skeletope' which includes samples of Jodrell Bank scientists bouncing the first signals off the surface of the moon.




For the latest news from Jodrell Bank itself go to: www.jb.man.ac.uk/  The events and the night sky sections are always of interest: www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky


You might also enjoy the mellow sounds of an Australian based band under the name of All India Radio. Playing ambient, indie and downtempo music, you can hear them at: http://www.allindiaradio.com.au/  & www.myspace.com/allindiaradio  


Near and far eastern relays
If you have ever corresponded with China Radio International then chances are that you are on their mailing list to receive their glossy propaganda sheet called The Messenger. Why not save China Airways a trip and read The Messenger online instead. There are always some stunning photographs: http://english.cri.cn/messenger/


Talk of quality photography rings me to Radio Japan’s NHK World. Their souvenir calendars each year features thirteen prize-winning photographs from an annual photo contest. Radio Japan states that “Beautiful scenes of the seasons are captured by the fresh gaze of amateur cameramen across Japan, and have long been treasured by our audiences.” The photographs month by month can be downloaded as wallpaper for your computer: www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/info/wallpaper/index.html  


The Voice of Peace is back on the internet at: http://www.thevoiceofpeace.co.il/ 
The station ran from 1973 to 1993 off the coast of Israel on 1650 KHz, with a mix of mostly English (but also Arabic, French and Hebrew). The current online station tries to capture a similar atmosphere of peace and love. The website is nicely laid out with an innovative virtual notice board and post-it stickers. The online archive stores the weekly two hour shows so you can listen at your leisure to friendly DJ banter and pop music. Doug Wood, who was onboard ion the 1980s fronts the online shows.

The Voice of Peace was Israel's first offshore pop station and the first commercially-funded private broadcast operation. It boasted huge audiences at times (figures of 20 million have even been quoted). You can read more at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_of_Peace  and on Abie Nathan who was the brains behind the original ship: http://www.abie-nathan.com/  there is a great potted history at the always excellent Offshore Radio Guide website: www.offshoreradio.de/  specifically at: http://www.offshoreradio.de/VOP.htm  

2010 Awards Promoting Radio Internationally & Locally, For Originality in One Language.

Last night, personalities representing the English speaking world of radio gathered in the heart of London’s west end. This was for the 2010 Awards Promoting Radio Internationally + Locally, For Originality in One Language.



Listeners, DXers and celebrity spotters crowded around the red carpet before an evening of entertainment got underway. There were more categories than ever before with winners from practically every continent.

The winners in the English Radio categories were as follows...
International Awards

Shortwave Station of the year: Radio Romania International. With its excellent sw signal and monthly QSL card series, it’s a far cry from the Ceausescu regime’s propaganda. Programmes include Terra the 21st Century, World of Culture, Inside Romania, Business Club, Pro Memoria, Travellers’ Guide: http://www.rri.ro/  and on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.


Best Podcast: Radio New Zealand International shouts loud with a small voice from a long way off. Fascinating news of the Pacific and of NZ. Small staff delivers a big programme Myra Oh’s Mailbox, Tradewinds, Dateline Pacific and more- download the latest today!: http://www.rnzi.com/index.php  


Best weekend show: Radio Prague for their 30 minutes slot including Mailbox, and Letter From Prague (broadcast on shortwave and online): http://www.radio.cz/en  


Best daily show: Radio Sweden’s daily news and features show. Sheer quality. 30 minutes on shortwave, medium wave and online: http://sverigesradio.se/rs/english/  


Best overnight show: Up All Night BBC Radio 5 Live, (0100- 0500 BST) Rhod Sharpe and /or Dotun Adebayo with reports from around the world, new bands, international developments, off the wall interviews, Dateline Singapore, film phone in, Bollywood, New York news. Gripping and entertaining, 5 nights a week. Knocks spots off of any of the 5 Live network’s other programming: Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48454377741  

Best music show: The Late Lounge on Jazz FM (DAB, online) with Claire Anderson, Mondays to Thursdays 2200-0100 BST. Chill out, downtempo, simly mindblowing sounds to drift off to sleep to, or more...: http://www.jazzfm.com/photos/late-lounge-gallery/  


Best Light Entertainment: Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Over 35 years of acerbic wit, homespun philosophy, wisdom and tales from Lake Wobegon’s finest English major. Unmissable. Saturdays or Listen online on Public Radio. Boiled eggs on a slant? Even BBC 7 has a weekly selection of the show: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/  


Best revival/retro show: The Happy Station Show, PCJ and Keith Perron revival of Radio Netherlands' old Sunday favourite, now broadcast from Taiwan. Weekly sw, FM and online, requests, features, stylish lounge music, DX interviews, specials and mmore: http://www.pcjmedia.com/


 Best Drivetime Show: Europe Today, BBC World Service. A slice of life from European cities through the eyes of the BBC's contributors: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice  

UK Awards
UK Breakfast show award: Steve Allen, LBC (London Broadcasting Company) weekdays 0500-0700 (0500-0600 GMT). An experienced broadcaster who has been with the station for 30 years, He tells it like it is and his witty dismissals of the tabloid favourites and junk food, wags, feral youth and corrupt politicians are legendary. One of only three or four presenters on the station without a chip on their shoulder or a reactionary war-cry: http://www.lbc.co.uk/steve-allen-3528  




UK Travel Show award: The Travel Clinic, Simon Calder LBC, Saturday and Sundays: http://www.lbc.co.uk/simon-calders-travel-blog-3525/archive/92


UK phone-in award: Ken Livingstone, LBC Saturday mornings: Logic and common sense, along with opposing views, from the former London Mayor and man the Thatcher dictatorship tried to silence. Riveting: http://www.lbc.co.uk/ken-livingstone-3744


Oh silly me, look at the date, it must have just been a favourite dream of mine….2010 Awards Promoting Radio Internationally & Locally, For Originality in One Language…