Brings back shortwave memories. West Germany's shortwave broadcaster, the Deutsche Welle (today Germany's voice on the internet only), broadcast around the world on shortwave regular programming to German seamen on the oceans of the world. I remember that the Israel state radio (today also only on the internet) also broadcast regular programming to Israeli sailors all over the world. Both of the above during the 1960's. And the General Overseas Service (later World Service) of the BBC broadcast a special 45-minute program every Sunday evening to the Falkland Islands.
Thanks for your comment Howard, interesting memories of some of the former broadcasts. Those would have been fun to catch. This year I hope to catch the German one. That one, to German seamen, indeed still happens every year. I haven't heard it yet.
Wooferton, lovely location and station. About 40 miles from where I live. Interesting at Goose Green in the Falkland Is.ands there is a horizontal broadside array consisting of 11 3 element beams each all point8mg to the Antarctic … never found out what they were used for. I was only there working for the British Forces a couple of years ago.
Might try to catch this. There is a similar tradition in Germany since 1953. On Christmas eve NDR broadcasts a special program for sailors on all German ships with greetings from family and friends. It's called "Gruss an Bord" and simulcast on about 10 frequencies to reach every ocean.
Hi there and thank you so much for your comment! This is really very interesting, I never knew about this "Gruss an Bord" broadcast. I would love to catch it, will try to listen for it this year.
Good that you mention it. Normally I'm on holiday during this period. Not this year, so I will be able to listen to it again. In 2021 I was also able to receive and record the transmission. The signal was very good, it came from Woofferton.
My pleasure! Last year it was very weak here on my side, the year before (2022) was quite good. I hope I will get a good signal this time. Always a fun one!
Thanks Andre I have tried for the broadcast before last year…only to find that I had overslept. Thanks for reminding for this year, just hope the outside temperature doesn’t get up to 115F this year…😊! 73! Have a great day!
Every now and then we go on a Harbour tour on City Sightseeing, if you are lucky, you can see seals on the tyres where people can climb down into tugboats. Yet again if you are lucky, you can spot the SA Agulhas at the harbour. It is nice whenever that happens, but there are talks about decommissioning the ship, which is very unfortunate.
You are very lucky if you can see that ship! I remember when I used to work in Cape Town, many years ago, I sometimes saw it from my office in the Foreshore. Are you sure this one is the one that they want to decommission? I know SA Agulhas has been decommissioned, didn't know that there is also now talk about decommissioning SA Agulhas II.
@@swlistening I was referring to the original one, sorry. It has been so long since I have been on it. I hear the SA Agulhas II was made in Finland, while the original was made in Japan. We made a lot of stuff, why not build it here? We built our own trains, cars, even radios.
@@FamtechVideos I guess we might not have the skills and the facilities to build an entire ship. Interesting question though. But I don't think we have any history of ship building. Or maybe I just don't know about it.
Hey André, very interesting. Thanks for telling us. If you happen to learn what frequency has been chosen, please update us! If possible, I will plan for a SWL evening out that day to catch the actual transmission. I should normally be able to catch either of the 3 transmitters, I usually can from here in France, although maybe not at that precise time, now that I think more about it. We shall see. Let's hope that the sun doesn't play silly magnetic storms games on us that day!
Thanks Alain! Indeed, let's hope the Sun will not spoil it all for us. I will certainly let everyone know about the chosen frequencies when I find out what they are.
That's interesting! Here on my side that frequency was dead during the test, I heard nothing. I hope they will use the Woofferton frequencies, those will probably also be good catches in the US.
This would be an excellent idea for us absent minded folks... 😆 I heartfully +1 the suggestion. And again, if you get to know what frequency has been chosen, we'd love to have an update...
It's a long shot Andre, but I will nevertheless try to catch the BBC broadcast to Antarctica on the 21st. I may have not have a Qodosen but I do have the sensitive but passive PL-990 as well as the ATS-25 AMP with a LNA, plus the Malachite SDR that's equipped with a variable gain RF amplifier. The antenna of my choice will be my 100 ft long wire antenna with the 1:49 matching balun. What time did you say the BBC transmission commences? Wish me luck! 😎📻
@@swlistening _Dankie!_ I will put a reminder in my phone but that will be 0530 hours my local time, on 22nd June and tune to 9585 kHz. It will be interesting to find out if the time zone difference can also influence shortwave signal propagation. 😀
@@StratmanII Good luck! I think that early in the morning you might be lucky. The only time ever that I managed to pick up Radio New Zealand was at a similar time, just after sunrise here.
Different nations have HF stations for ham radio the scientist will get on sometimes. They enjoy making contacts with amateur radio station around the world. The stations are also good for emergency contacts or talking to other bases.
That's very interesting! Have you ever had any contacts with anyone in Antarctica? I have seen some reports on DXing forums of hams speaking to the scientists in Antarctica. Sounds like really great ham contacts.
@@swlistening Yes I've run into them at times. You could try DX Monitor and set an alert for any Antarctica callsigns you can find. From what I recall some stations have a set call instead of operators going /CE9 or one of around 20 other identifiers. Not sure if DX Atlas is still available to help identifying some calls. Logger32 is good at popping up a guys QTH when his call is entered.
@@nightwaves3203 Thank you for the advice! I am not a ham, not yet. Hoping to register for the exam next month, and then I will hopefully get my license by the end of the year.
Whoa, indeed, Ascension was barely detectable on your end 😮 and no sign of Al-Dhabayya either; I thought it would do better in SA than it does in Europe. And Woofferton didn't do bad, considering the distance 😅 Always makes me wonder how the reception looks like in the very target of Antarctica 🐧 Bottom line: throw yourself some 30m of wire in a loop, best to orient it N-S 😜
Hey Arnie, one does wonder how the signal is received in Antarctica. I was very surprised that Ascension was so weak. Al-Dhabayya was not such a big surprise, the 41 metre band is a very unpredictable one here at my location, lately it has been mostly a lot of noise, except for some very strong Chinese signals.
@@F4LDT-Alain Hey Alain, indeed, I said in my previous comment here, I was actually a bit surprised that I did not hear Ascension, also usually quite an easy catch for me. Anyway, Woofferton will definitely be used, they always use Woofferton, and let's see which other ones they proceed with.
I have to admit, I couldn't understand a word (of the transmission) - although to be fair, my hearing is not the best in the World. I would have thought they have some pretty good radio kit on those bases, but still, if reception of the test transmissions was that bad in _South Africa,_ it rather looks as if trying to catch the actual broadcast might not be much more than an exercise in frustration for the personnel on those research stations. Lets hope the Beeb decide to use more juice on the day, or bring more transmitters on line, or _something!_
Hi Richie, thanks for your comment! I think, as you say, they probably have some very good radios and antennas at the bases, so they probably hear these signals much clearer than what I am hearing. Of course, when propagation conditions are imperfect, not even the best antenna will help. During this test, propagation conditions were not the best, to be honest. Woofferton and Ascension are usually very clear at my location in South Africa.
Very interesting question. Some bases there actually have internet and phone connections, some don't. Apparently satellites over Antarctica can only relay short messages. That's why they still use radio.
I wish that I could have known about this sooner. Thanks
Hi Derrick, something to look forward to for next year :-)
Brings back shortwave memories. West Germany's shortwave broadcaster, the Deutsche Welle (today Germany's voice on the internet only), broadcast around the world on shortwave regular programming to German seamen on the oceans of the world. I remember that the Israel state radio (today also only on the internet) also broadcast regular programming to Israeli sailors all over the world. Both of the above during the 1960's. And the General Overseas Service (later World Service) of the BBC broadcast a special 45-minute program every Sunday evening to the Falkland Islands.
Thanks for your comment Howard, interesting memories of some of the former broadcasts. Those would have been fun to catch. This year I hope to catch the German one. That one, to German seamen, indeed still happens every year. I haven't heard it yet.
Brings back shortwave memories.
Wooferton, lovely location and station. About 40 miles from where I live. Interesting at Goose Green in the Falkland Is.ands there is a horizontal broadside array consisting of 11 3 element beams each all point8mg to the Antarctic … never found out what they were used for. I was only there working for the British Forces a couple of years ago.
Hi Chris, thanks for your comment! Interesting about the Falklands. Must have been quite an experience for you.
Might try to catch this.
There is a similar tradition in Germany since 1953. On Christmas eve NDR broadcasts a special program for sailors on all German ships with greetings from family and friends. It's called "Gruss an Bord" and simulcast on about 10 frequencies to reach every ocean.
Hi there and thank you so much for your comment! This is really very interesting, I never knew about this "Gruss an Bord" broadcast. I would love to catch it, will try to listen for it this year.
Good that you mention it. Normally I'm on holiday during this period. Not this year, so I will be able to listen to it again. In 2021 I was also able to receive and record the transmission. The signal was very good, it came from Woofferton.
My pleasure! Last year it was very weak here on my side, the year before (2022) was quite good. I hope I will get a good signal this time. Always a fun one!
Thanks Andre I have tried for the broadcast before last year…only to find that I had overslept. Thanks for reminding for this year, just hope the outside temperature doesn’t get up to 115F this year…😊!
73! Have a great day!
You're very welcome, I'll put out a reminder on my channel also!
Thank you for the warning! I'll have to try it this year.
Good luck!
Every now and then we go on a Harbour tour on City Sightseeing, if you are lucky, you can see seals on the tyres where people can climb down into tugboats. Yet again if you are lucky, you can spot the SA Agulhas at the harbour. It is nice whenever that happens, but there are talks about decommissioning the ship, which is very unfortunate.
You are very lucky if you can see that ship! I remember when I used to work in Cape Town, many years ago, I sometimes saw it from my office in the Foreshore. Are you sure this one is the one that they want to decommission? I know SA Agulhas has been decommissioned, didn't know that there is also now talk about decommissioning SA Agulhas II.
@@swlistening I was referring to the original one, sorry. It has been so long since I have been on it. I hear the SA Agulhas II was made in Finland, while the original was made in Japan. We made a lot of stuff, why not build it here? We built our own trains, cars, even radios.
@@FamtechVideos I guess we might not have the skills and the facilities to build an entire ship. Interesting question though. But I don't think we have any history of ship building. Or maybe I just don't know about it.
Pretty cool for the BBC to do this.
I agree, very cool idea!
Hey André, very interesting. Thanks for telling us. If you happen to learn what frequency has been chosen, please update us!
If possible, I will plan for a SWL evening out that day to catch the actual transmission.
I should normally be able to catch either of the 3 transmitters, I usually can from here in France, although maybe not at that precise time, now that I think more about it. We shall see.
Let's hope that the sun doesn't play silly magnetic storms games on us that day!
Thanks Alain! Indeed, let's hope the Sun will not spoil it all for us. I will certainly let everyone know about the chosen frequencies when I find out what they are.
Fantasic!
7255 kHz is ham radio here in the eastern USA.
That's interesting! Here on my side that frequency was dead during the test, I heard nothing. I hope they will use the Woofferton frequencies, those will probably also be good catches in the US.
got to set a timer on this one. will you do a reminder video on the 21st? :D
I was thinking that I would make a post on the 21st with a reminder, but maybe a short video is also a good idea, thanks for the suggestion.
This would be an excellent idea for us absent minded folks... 😆
I heartfully +1 the suggestion. And again, if you get to know what frequency has been chosen, we'd love to have an update...
@@F4LDT-Alain Will do!
It's a long shot Andre, but I will nevertheless try to catch the BBC broadcast to Antarctica on the 21st.
I may have not have a Qodosen but I do have the sensitive but passive PL-990 as well as the ATS-25 AMP with a LNA, plus the Malachite SDR that's equipped with a variable gain RF amplifier.
The antenna of my choice will be my 100 ft long wire antenna with the 1:49 matching balun. What time did you say the BBC transmission commences?
Wish me luck! 😎📻
I wish you luck! This is a really special one to catch. Last year I was a bit disappointed, I got it, but weakly. It is at 21:30 UTC, on 21 June.
@@swlistening _Dankie!_ I will put a reminder in my phone but that will be 0530 hours my local time, on 22nd June and tune to 9585 kHz. It will be interesting to find out if the time zone difference can also influence shortwave signal propagation. 😀
@@StratmanII Good luck! I think that early in the morning you might be lucky. The only time ever that I managed to pick up Radio New Zealand was at a similar time, just after sunrise here.
Different nations have HF stations for ham radio the scientist will get on sometimes. They enjoy making contacts with amateur radio station around the world. The stations are also good for emergency contacts or talking to other bases.
That's very interesting! Have you ever had any contacts with anyone in Antarctica? I have seen some reports on DXing forums of hams speaking to the scientists in Antarctica. Sounds like really great ham contacts.
@@swlistening Yes I've run into them at times. You could try DX Monitor and set an alert for any Antarctica callsigns you can find. From what I recall some stations have a set call instead of operators going /CE9 or one of around 20 other identifiers. Not sure if DX Atlas is still available to help identifying some calls. Logger32 is good at popping up a guys QTH when his call is entered.
@@nightwaves3203 Thank you for the advice! I am not a ham, not yet. Hoping to register for the exam next month, and then I will hopefully get my license by the end of the year.
Following!
Thanks!
Whoa, indeed, Ascension was barely detectable on your end 😮 and no sign of Al-Dhabayya either; I thought it would do better in SA than it does in Europe. And Woofferton didn't do bad, considering the distance 😅 Always makes me wonder how the reception looks like in the very target of Antarctica 🐧
Bottom line: throw yourself some 30m of wire in a loop, best to orient it N-S 😜
Hey Arnie, one does wonder how the signal is received in Antarctica. I was very surprised that Ascension was so weak. Al-Dhabayya was not such a big surprise, the 41 metre band is a very unpredictable one here at my location, lately it has been mostly a lot of noise, except for some very strong Chinese signals.
Ascension usually is pretty well received from where I am here in France.
Woofferton too. UAE not so much.
@@F4LDT-Alain Hey Alain, indeed, I said in my previous comment here, I was actually a bit surprised that I did not hear Ascension, also usually quite an easy catch for me. Anyway, Woofferton will definitely be used, they always use Woofferton, and let's see which other ones they proceed with.
73 de Frank SWL F14368 organizer of the SWL contest 2024
They need to work on it.
On the signal quality?
I have to admit, I couldn't understand a word (of the transmission) - although to be fair, my hearing is not the best in the World. I would have thought they have some pretty good radio kit on those bases, but still, if reception of the test transmissions was that bad in _South Africa,_ it rather looks as if trying to catch the actual broadcast might not be much more than an exercise in frustration for the personnel on those research stations. Lets hope the Beeb decide to use more juice on the day, or bring more transmitters on line, or _something!_
Hi Richie, thanks for your comment! I think, as you say, they probably have some very good radios and antennas at the bases, so they probably hear these signals much clearer than what I am hearing. Of course, when propagation conditions are imperfect, not even the best antenna will help. During this test, propagation conditions were not the best, to be honest. Woofferton and Ascension are usually very clear at my location in South Africa.
Why would they even use this? I thought we had satellites for transmissions? Or are they lying to us?
Very interesting question. Some bases there actually have internet and phone connections, some don't. Apparently satellites over Antarctica can only relay short messages. That's why they still use radio.
@@swlisteningwe don’t have many satellites that orbit the poles is why buddy 👍✊
@@bugsy742 "old fashioned" short wave still works.. I use it daily. It's free on a simple receiver.
Plus I suppose a SW radio would use a lot less power than some sort of digital reciever which could be quite important in the middle of nowhere.
@@dglcomputers1498 Very true.