In 2017, the shortwave radio airwaves fell silent with the cessation of Australian domestic and international shortwave radio broadcasts. This was the culmination of withdrawing funding from a variety of Australia Government Departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ultimately the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
The ABC labeled shortwave radio an antiquated technology and opted instead to reallocate resources and funding to local FM transmissions focused in Papua New Guinea. As a result of this, China promptly and actively moved to fill the Australian Government’s earlier role of broadcasting Shortwave Radio into the Asia Pacific region via the ABC. A large number of the people living in some of the most remote communities of the Pacific Islands actively rely on shortwave radio broadcasts to keep in touch with the world.
Without Shortwave Radio, many individuals are left isolated. The positive impact shortwave radio can have on many individuals in the Asian Pacific region is demonstrated through the example of Chief Ben Lovo and his family of Bongkil Village on Erromango, Vanuatu, said that “shortwave broadcasts from RNZI during Cyclone Pam, allowed him to warn four villages of the danger and save hundreds of lives.”
Shortwave radio is so effective at providing long range communications because the radio waves bounce off the ionosphere and back down to the ground allowing a single shortwave radio broadcast to be heard thousands of kilometres away from the transmitter. It is because of this that shortwave radio works particularly well distributing signals to the many remote islands throughout the Pacific region, where there is no other means of low cost mass communication.
China, already aware of this and in light of Australia’s withdrawal from shortwave broadcasting, increased their existing broadcasts into the region fully understanding that if shortwave coverage is present, their sphere of influence and subsequent “soft power”would be immediately increased. The notion, that the Chinese immediately adopted the frequencies that the Australian Government, and indeed the ABC cut funding towards, “comes at a time of heightened speculation in Australian media and the commentariat about the motives behind China’s growing influence in the Pacific.”
The growing Chinese interest in the Asia Pacific region has led to the Australian Government, to conduct a review of the broadcast services available in the region and whether Australia should reintroduce Australian international Shortwave Radio broadcasts.
The Review, will analyse:
- The coverage and access of existing Australian media services in the Asia Pacific region, including examining whether shortwave radio technology should be used
The review will cover:
- All media distribution platforms (i.e. Television, radio and online)
- Commercial, community and publicly funded services and
- Different types of technologies such as analogue, digital and satellite radio and television services and online services.
Supporters of Shortwave Radio, are encouraged to engage in the review hosted by the Australian Government. Tecsun Radios, as firm believers in the vital service that shortwave provides, believes that this review will act as a catalyst in encouraging Australia, to re-enter the Asian Pacific market in providing the vital service that shortwave allows.
Tecsun, will actively engage in the review process, in the hope that this reinvigorates Australia’s interest in the Pacific region. We firmly believe that shortwave radio through its modern evolution digital radio mondiale (DRM) provide the optimum technology to delivery broadcast style communications to island in the Pacific region.
The review is open until the 3rd of August. You can use the link provided below to add your comments and ‘Have your Say Now’, in regards to re-establishing Australia’s presence in the Asia Pacific region, for shortwave radio broadcasting.
https://www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/review-australian-broadcasting-services-asia-pacific
Shortwave Radio is ‘everywhere’
Natural Disaster is often unpredictable, yet life threatening and devastating. Papua New Guinea (PNG), Tonga and Vanautu, have all experienced trauma through natural disasters this year. Papua New Guinea experienced a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and Tonga and Vanuatu enduring cyclones, Cyclone Gita and Hola respectively. It is crucial during times like these that there is effective, efficient communication that enables residents to gain both local and international news, informing all individuals of the most current and up to date situation. To prevent a delay in action following the natural disaster, ensure you are equipped with adequate forms of communication. Read more
Here’s what’s new from Tecsun Radios … just in time for Father’s day 2017!
Tecsun D-008 DAB+ Digital Radio
The new Tecsun D-008 DAB+ Digital Radio offers Dad excellent reception of the DAB+ radio services available in most cities in Australia. With a large colour display that shows the selected radio station, current programming, news and weather information when enabled by the broadcaster, the D-008 DAB+ offers Dad superior audio quality with all the bells and whistles he could ask for in a desktop radio!
Designed with the radio-lover in mind, the Tecsun D-008 DAB+ Digital Radio can accept an external antenna input for the reception of DAB+ digital radio stations, this mean listeners in areas of fringe reception can utilise a Band III VHF TV antenna to greatly extend the reception range of the receiver.
The Tecsun D-008 DAB+ Digital Radio also offers Bluetooth connectivity allowing the connection of smartphones and other audio devices to stream the audio through its large speaker. Connection of audio devices without Bluetooth is also possible via the AUX (Auxiliary) input (3.5mm socket).
With a huge range of features, the Tecsun D-008 DAB+ Digital Radio is perfect for every Dad this Father’s Day!
- Apogee DAB+
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Tecsun DE13 Emergency AM/FM/SW Solar Radio
Perfect for the dad who loves camping and bush walking, the Tecsun DE13 Emergency AM/FM/SW solar powered radio is perfect to pack in your rucksack to keep in touch with the rest of the world. The Tecsun DE13 includes an inbuilt solar panel and dynamo hand crank charger to recharge the internal battery on the go.
The Tecsun DE13 radio itself can charge other devices like your mobile phone by connecting the radio with a USB or mini USB cable to the device. The radio also features a torch and emergency siren, and its compact size makes it perfect for emergency kits. Severe bushfire, cyclone, and flood emergencies highlight the benefits of having an emergency radio at your disposal. Long after the power has failed, the Tecsun DE13 Emergency AM/FM/SW Solar Powered Radio will keep you in contact with the outside world.
With the Tecsun DE13 Emergency AM/FM/SW solar powered radio, Dad will have the confidence of being able to listen to the radio, use a torch, and charge his mobile phone all with one device while he’s camping and bush walking!
[button link=”https://www.tecsunradios.com.au/store/product/tecsun-de13-emergency-amfmsw-solar-powered-radio/” size=”small, medium, large” target=”_blank or _self” color=”white, yellow, orange, red, blue, green, gray, black, alternative-1, alternative-2, alternative-3″ lightbox=”true or false”]Order now in time for Father’s Day![/button]