The only RF-based radio I listen to any more is medium wave (AM) although I do still listen to jazz on R. Havana Cuba now and then, but for the most part my listening centers around a laptop used as a radio. It sits high on a shelf in the garage, safely out of reach of dust and solvents. I fire it up, browse to my personal favorites page, and usually choose Radio New Zealand. (If I ever get tired of that I switch to R. Australia.) My previous “receiver,” the IC-7300, is on the left…
It all started with watching The Brokenwood Mysteries. The best way I can describe it is, imagine a less serious and much funnier version of Midsummer Murders. With better music!
Anyway, New Zealand got my attention, and sure enough, Radio New Zealand is alive and well and streaming – and to a lesser extent, still on shortwave.
Here is an actual audio recording of their interval signal and sign on (unchanged in the last 30 years that I know of) featuring the New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura.)
What is really interesting is that what we hear streaming on RNZ Pacific (International) really is an audio feed of their shortwave service, complete with announcements of frequency changes and upcoming broadcasts. The original transmitter site is still operating, although unlikely to be heard on this side (North America) of the world.
For the times of day that I like to listen, where (when) I usually end up is with the overnight shows – 10AM EDT is 1AM (the next day) in NZ. Actual engaging, polite professional announcers, (we can probably thank BBC influence for that.) Thoughtfully done and fascinating programs on local events and culture – this is what shortwave has always been, and here it is – still intact.
Call in shows, trivia contests, and – best of all, a carefully curated selection of musical breaks, mostly local but, often as not with American artists. And, David Bowie seems to be a favorite.
If you are interested in Māori culture, this is the place. Māori are the second-largest population in New Zealand, after “European New Zealanders” (Pākehā.) Almost a parallel universe with Australia and it’s own natives, which I will cover another time.
And yes, this is a fully-qualified alternative news source for those of us who are fed up with what passes for “news” here in the US. Enjoy!