Shortwave radio is a fascinating medium that has connected people across the globe for decades. It’s not just a platform for international broadcasters, amateur operators, and hobbyists—it also has a history steeped in mystery and secrecy. Welcome to the hidden world where shortwave radio and cryptography intersect, revealing a legacy of coded wartime messages, enigmatic […]
For the last 79 years, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been run on Boxing Day December 26. This year the cannon will sound at 1pm, signalling the start of the race once again. The Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race commences on 26 December and ends on January 2 2025 This year there […]
Much comparison has been made of the various models available today, but relatively little attention has been paid to available antennas. After all, no matter how good the receiver is, without a good antenna, nothing will be heard. In simple terms, the longer the piece of wire you can connect to any receiver, the more […]
Shortwave radio’s golden era spanned much of the 20th century, offering a unique portal to the world for listeners in New York, Moscow, Nairobi, Sydney, and beyond. Across cities and small towns, in apartments, rural villages, and sometimes even in secret, people would gather around radios, scanning for distant voices carrying news, culture, and perspectives. […]
Solar activity, such as sunspots, solar flares, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can significantly impact radio signals, particularly in shortwave and high-frequency (HF) bands. Here’s how it works: The Sun and the Ionosphere: Radio waves rely on the Earth’s ionosphere (a layer of charged particles in the upper atmosphere) to bounce signals over long […]
The development of the modern phonetic alphabet for radio communication was developed and refined over the period from 1927 until 1965. Practical experience over both World Wars and subsequent conflicts involving voice radio communications have led to the final version used today, known officially as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet. The phonetic alphabet consists of a […]
Imagine being nestled in a remote cabin north of the Arctic Circle, surrounded by the icy expanse, with only the occasional glimpse of the sun. This is the backdrop for a heartfelt review from a seasoned shortwave listener who found comfort and connection through the Degen DE13DSP Emergency AM/FM/SW Solar Radio—our “cheap and cheerful” solution […]
The Remembrance Day (RD) Contest is more than just a radio contest—it’s a tribute to the brave radio amateurs who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. This annual event, held on the weekend closest to August 15th, marks the cessation of hostilities in the South West Pacific in 1945. The 2024 contest will […]
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable event that blends history, community, and the thrill of shortwave radio: the International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend (ILLW) on August 17-18, 2024! This annual celebration runs from 12:00am on Saturday to 12:00am on Sunday (UTC), bringing together radio enthusiasts and lighthouse lovers from around the world. A Brief History […]
Hello, fellow shortwave enthusiasts! Here at Tecsun Radios Australia, we love diving into the rich and fascinating history of shortwave radio. It’s incredible how these broadcasts have played pivotal roles in global events. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some famous shortwave moments that changed the world—and maybe share a chuckle or […]