RESTORING RADIO AUSTRALIA'S SHORTWAVE
NEIL/ANCHOR: Radio Australia's shortwave service went off the air in
January, but shortwave radio proponents say it's not dead yet. Here's
Amateur Radio Newsline's John Williams, VK4JJW.
JOHN: The Australian Parliament is considering a proposal that would
restore Radio Australia's shortwave transmission services to the
Northern Territory, as well as international audiences in the Pacific.
The controversial January shutdown sparked a public outcry, and an
immediate call for reversal of the decision. In the meantime, Sen. Nick Xenophon
of South Australia has proposed an amendment to the Australian Broadcasting
Corporation Act of 1983, that would require the shortwave station's return to
the air, including its services to areas such as
New Guinea and Vanuatu. The senator has declared the shortwave service
vital to thousands of Australians living in rural areas, most especially
in the bush.
The broadcaster had cut the service, claiming it wanted to focus on its
digital offerings instead, and noted that the move would save $1.9 million
annually.
Public comment is being accepted by the Senate Environment and
Communications Legislation Committee, which is due to make its report on
the bill on the 10th of May.
One supporter of the senator's measure is former shortwave radio engineer,
Gary Baker, who told the Shepparton News recently that even if the measure
succeeds, it would take time to get back on the air again. He said
shortwave broadcast is a highly specialized field, and staffing is likely
to be the biggest challenge if service is restored.
He told the newspaper [QUOTE] "You can't just grab someone off the street
and get them to run Radio Australia." ENDQUOTE
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm John Williams, VK4JJW.
AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT WEBSITE, ABC.NET.AU, SHEPPARTON NEWS)
**
UPDATE: IN THE UK, RADIO MUSEUM DOORS OPEN
NEIL/ANCHOR: The waiting is over. The newest radio communication museum
in Great Britain has begun receiving visitors, as we hear from Amateur
Radio Newsline's Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
JEREMY: In the central England city of Derby, the new Radio Communication Museum
of Great Britain has been in the midst of two construction projects.
The first is the museum building itself, housing exhibits that comprise
all manner of wireless communication. The other construction project has
been the website, which is growing, as its brick-and-mortar counterpart
does too.
The building now contains an operations room with transmitters connnected
to antennas; a mechanical workshop; an ESD electronics laboratory, and a variety
of galleries. The museum has at long last been open to groups by arrangement --
but formal school programs are expected to get under way
very shortly this spring.
The museum exists thanks to longtime radio amateur Steve Haseldine, G8EBM, whose
profession is also in radio. In addition to conceiving of the
museum, he donated items from his personal collection to create the first
displays.
Hams like Steve are expected to be especially drawn to the operations room
with its selection of radios dating from the 1930s to the present day -
from Collins and Drake and Eddystone, to Hallicrafters and Flexradio.
There are even former military and commercial AM radios from Labgear and Geloso.
The museum, it seems, is now QRV.
For more information visit radiocommunicationmuseum.org
For Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Jeremy Boot, G4NJH.
**
DON'T FORGET OUR YOUNG HAM OF THE YEAR
NEIL/ANCHOR: We remind you once again of Amateur Radio Newsline's
commitment to honoring young talent. Is there a young radio operator
who particularly impresses you? Nominations have opened for the Bill
Pasternak Memorial Young Ham of the Year Award for amateurs 18 or
younger, who reside in the United States, its possessions, or any
Canadian province. Find application forms on our website arnewsline.org
under the "YHOTY" tab. The award will be presented on August 19th at the
Huntsville Hamfest in Alabama.
Visit our website for details at arnewsline.org. Nominations close May
31, and that's just a few weeks away.
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* Origin: Temple of Doom BBS - tod.eothnet.com (57:57/1)
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