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 are 107 entrants racing over the 628 nautical mile course.
This is the first year where it is not mandatory for vessels to carry HF radio, although most still do. Radio supporters will no doubt wonder why the basic advantage of HF radio (you can be heard by anyone in an emergency) has been ignored and the cumbersome use of satellite phones and SMS instructions has been adopted. Official race instructions and updates will be sent by SMS to all vessels. Any vessel retiring from the race is expected to call a dedicated mobile phone number.
HF and shortwave radio enthusiasts can still listen to general marine communications by monitoring the following frequencies: 2182, 4125, 6215, 8291, 12290 and 16420Khz.
Weather forecasts for Tasmania at 1130 and 1530AEST (Bureau of Meteorology):
4426 kHz, 8176 kHz, 12365 kHz and 16546 kHz, USB at 1030, 1430 and 1830 AEST daily, 2201 kHz, 6507 kHz, 8176 kHz and 12365 kHz USB at 0230, 0630 and 2230 AEST daily.
Tasmanian maritime radio:
2524 kHz, 4146 kHz, and 6627 kHz USB at 0745, 1345, 1633 and 1903 AEST
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 you will hear,
On the MW (AM) band, the antenna function is provided by a coil wound on a ferrite rod inside the receiver casing. On the FM band, a telescopic whip is provided. For SW (shortwave) an external antenna will provide the best results.
The simplest external antenna is a simple piece of wire connected to the “external antenna” socket of a receiver.
There are various models available from a simple wire with a plug on a plastic bobbin, to a retractable length of wire several metres long. Whilst these might be very portable and easy to carry, but no attention has been paid to matching the antenna to the receiver.
The best shortwave antenna will always be a resonant wire outside the building housing the receiver. Such antennas are normally fed using coaxial cable which provides shielding from interference generated inside and gets the active antenna element away from such noise sources.
A matched end fed longwire antenna is one of the simplest external antennas available, and will provide a huge performance improvement over an untuned piece of wire.
This is normally achieved using a long piece of wire (10M or so) and an “unun”, in simple terms a matching device to ensure maximum signal is provided to the receiver, all enclosed in a weatherproof housing suitable for outdoor mounting.
An even better solution than this is the “tuned” antenna, such as a dipole, normally reserved for amateur radio operators. The antenna is tuned by adjusting the length of the wire elements to the desired frequency.
The antenna elements are matched to the coaxial cable feeder using a balun. For transmitting applications this is vitally important, if the antenna is matched to the transmitter all the energy will be transferred to the antenna, and conversely when receiving, all available signal will be fed to the receiver. In this version the wire elements have frequency markings and can be unwound from the bobbin for the correct length.
For those of us that wish to receive shortwave signals but don’t have the room for an external antenna, an active loop may be the solution. Normally 60cm-100cm in diameter, an amplified loop antenna is a wideband device that can be mounted near a window, or outside. The MLA-30+ antenna is one of these and many users have reported great results using these both indoors and outdoors as their circumstances permit. Powered by a standard USB source, this amplifier comprises a power injector and amplifier separated by a length of coaxial cable.
Another fixed location antenna that can be used for shortwave, VHF and UHF is the discone. This antenna has a very wide bandwidth from 25-1300 Mhz and is hence very convenient to use on a wide range of radio bands.
In summary there is a wide range of economical antennas that can make a huge difference to shortwave reception.
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. At a time when mainstream information channels were local or national at best, shortwave created a truly global media experience.
The Golden Era: News, Culture, and Education Across Borders
From the 1930s onward, international broadcasters leveraged shortwave to reach listeners worldwide, providing a flow of uncensored information and cultural exchange. In New York, listeners might tune into the BBC World Service for news from London, a fresh perspective on events shaping Europe and the world. Elsewhere, Radio Moscow (now Voice of Russia) broadcast to millions, offering the Soviet perspective to audiences from East Asia to the Americas. In Africa, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation began shortwave broadcasts in the 1950s, connecting people in remote areas to national news and global events. Meanwhile, in places like Eastern Europe, where media was tightly controlled, Radio Free Europe and Voice of America offered a rare opportunity to hear voices and viewpoints forbidden by local governments.
People would sit in living rooms or lean over rooftop antenna setups, adjusting dials to pick up broadcasts from Deutsche Welle in Germany, Radio Australia, or Radio Netherlands Worldwide. For many, tuning into Radio Havana Cuba or Radio Cairo was an educational and cultural experience—one that helped shape views of distant lands and ideologies. These broadcasts were often paired with music and language courses, enticing listeners with stories of far-off places while subtly sharing political or cultural messages.
Shortwave broadcasting reached every corner of the globe, connecting people from vastly different backgrounds. During times of political tension, such as the Cold War, it became a powerful tool for ideological influence. While the BBC aimed to promote British cultural diplomacy and impartial news, Radio Moscow and Voice of America promoted their respective ideologies, each vying for influence in regions like Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Decline in the Age of the Internet
With the advent of the internet, satellite TV, and other digital platforms, shortwave’s influence began to fade in the 1990s. Major international broadcasters shifted focus, directing funds toward newer forms of media. The BBC, for instance, significantly reduced its shortwave services, redirecting resources to digital platforms that could target specific demographics and offer interactive content. Stations like Radio Netherlands Worldwide and Radio Canada International eventually closed their shortwave services altogether.
Shortwave was also expensive. The infrastructure, transmitters, and energy required to reach far-off regions became less justifiable as internet and mobile networks expanded. By the early 2000s, many countries had scaled back or eliminated their shortwave operations, relying instead on the internet to reach global audiences. Yet, even in decline, shortwave retained a loyal following of enthusiasts and people in areas still beyond the reach of reliable internet access.
The Lasting Relevance of Shortwave Radio
Despite its diminished presence, shortwave continues to play an essential role where digital networks are inaccessible, censored, or unreliable. In countries with strict media restrictions, such as North Korea, Eritrea, and parts of the Middle East, shortwave remains a rare source of independent news. During natural disasters or political upheavals that compromise infrastructure, shortwave can provide life-saving information. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the 2010 Haiti earthquake both highlighted shortwave’s unique utility, with international broadcasters like Voice of America quickly organising broadcasts to deliver crucial updates.
Shortwave’s enduring role is also evident in humanitarian and emergency contexts. Radio stations like BBC World Service and Radio Free Asia still maintain shortwave services specifically to reach audiences in countries where free press is restricted or where internet access is a luxury. For these regions, shortwave remains a lifeline to the outside world, delivering news, health information, and educational programming.
Shortwave’s Global Reach in the 21st Century
- Crisis Resilience: Shortwave is invaluable in emergency situations, often remaining operable when other infrastructure fails. During the recent conflict in Ukraine, for instance, international broadcasters revived shortwave services to provide reliable information to those affected by disruptions to local communications.
- Remote Accessibility:** Shortwave broadcasts reach places where other media cannot, making it a reliable means of access for people in rural or economically disadvantaged areas. In parts of South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia, shortwave serves as a bridge to the broader world.
- Independence from Local Control:** Shortwave bypasses local government controls, allowing individuals in restricted environments to access information. In Iran, China, and Saudi Arabia, where government restrictions on media are common, listeners often rely on international shortwave broadcasts to gain alternative perspectives.
- A Diverse Global Community:** Shortwave radio fosters a distinctive global listening community. From enthusiasts across the United States to hobbyists in Japan, shortwave brings people together over vast distances and shared curiosity.
The Future of Shortwave Radio
Though shortwave may never regain its former dominance, it remains a crucial asset. The medium is also evolving, with digital shortwave technology promising clearer sound and more efficient broadcasting. Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) offers improved signal quality, and broadcasters are exploring ways to combine digital shortwave with new media. As technology advances, shortwave might even see a resurgence in areas where internet access remains unreliable or heavily monitored.
Shortwave radio’s enduring presence in international broadcasting reflects its ability to adapt, even as technology has reshaped media landscapes. For people in remote regions or repressive societies, shortwave is still a vital source of information and connection. While the future of international broadcasting may look very different, shortwave remains a powerful symbol of radio’s legacy in fostering global understanding, offering a voice across boundaries, and supporting people when and where it matters most.