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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
 Posted - 10/07/2004 : 08:41:05
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Ok, so this morning I woke up still sick, and got the little shortwave/fm/am radio from the side of the bed and started scanning the bands trying to get back to sleep. Nothing nothing nothing, then a red light at 21,600, I turn it up, and there's a woman speaking French in a strange vocal pattern. Afetr speaking for a minute or so, there's a pause, and a sample of birdsong is played for about 10 seconds. Then it's back to the French speaking lady.
I keep listening, then there's some sort of Islamic singing, maybe a call to prayer? Then back to the same lady, then the bird, back and forth.
So I looked for any info on this station and came up with something interesting:
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/booklist/html/swguide.html
"An example of successful bandscanning at its easiest thanks to the SWG might be, for instance, the case of the French-speaking station on the frequency of 21600 kHz at 1412 hours UTC. The only station mentioned broadcasting on this frequency at this particular time by the SWG is the Broadcasting Service of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The black colour bar correctly indicates a French-language broadcast. Indeed, at the end of a French news bulletin the station identified itself as "Radio Riyadh"."
I wish I knew French well enough to get any of that -the reception was pretty poor, but the tone and meter reminded me of the numbers stations I've heard before. Very weird.
Does anyone here listen to shortwave? I wish we had a better SW radio so we could pick up more stations, but it's always interesting - especially the numbers stations! |
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Alpha Soixante
- FB Fan -
Canada
129 Posts |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2004 : 13:13:51
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| I listen occasionally. I'm in California and my radio doesn't seem to get many stations from Europe and the Middle East. I should probably get a better antenna. I get a ton of Asian stations, though (none of which I can understand, natch), and Australian/Kiwi stations are never hard to find. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2004 : 13:34:38
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What kind of radio do you have, BLT? Right now we have a RadioShack DX-375 with crappy digital tuning. It's alright, but it could be a lot better. We've really been wanting to get one of the old Zenith eye radio cabinets from the 30s, or at least one of their old Trans-Oceanics. Your post reminded me I should buy an antenna -they supposedly have good ones here http://www.ccrane.com/shortwave-antenna.aspx for 15 bucks.
Thanks for those links, Alpha - I had forgotten about that site. We downloaded a bunch of stuff from the Conet project and others years ago, with the apparently not-so-unique idea of my hubby putting them in some of his music, but never did it. A month or so later there were songs with them everywhere, and then there was Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot". hehe
I love finding a numbers station, and also just the time broadcast is lovely to listen to. Maybe I'm easily amused. ;) |
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KimStanleyRobinson
* Dog in the Sand *
1972 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2004 : 13:51:14
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I grew up with a DX-160 in the living room.
My dad owned and operated a Radio Shack for most of the 80's.
We heard all kinds of stuff when 'the skip' was running. I used to love hearing the modulting voices - reminded me of the radio conversations during the DeathStar run in Star Wars..
I went to sleep some nights to the time broadcast.
Interesting stuff.
Wish I still had one.
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2004 : 16:44:26
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I have a Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE. It has a digital tuner but, if you need to, it allows you to dial in increments of 1. Mostly I listen to AM radio late at night while going to sleep or trying to get back to sleep. I'm in the Los Angeles area. At night I can easily get several stations each from San Francisco and San Diego. I've heard AM as far away as Salt Lake City and Boise. Usually I get frustrated trying to find good shortwave broadcasts and wind up going back to AM.
That shortwave antenna at C.Crane looks like the one that came with my Grundig. |
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Daisy Girl
~ Abstract Brain ~
Belize
5305 Posts |
Posted - 10/07/2004 : 20:48:06
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| Wow, you guys really educated me on this topic... you're right it is creepy...I'd hate to think how many terrorists use this technology. And what is up with that young girl broadcasting on the Swedish station... all weird...but cool in a way. |
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realmeanmotorscutor
* Dog in the Sand *
USA
1764 Posts |
Posted - 10/08/2004 : 00:01:13
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I want to get a short wave radio here so I can listen to the presidential debates, but someone told me they are outlawed in China. I know someone who has one, so I'm not sure of the validity if the claim.
Can someone tell me what shortwave radios really are and how they work?
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Creepy Shortwave Radio discovery!
