Hello friends,

There is, understandably, much media attention to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. I had a small journalistic role on that day. 

My editor and boss at the Voice of America entered my cubicle, where I was working on the next «Communications World.» She said «have you seen this?», pointing to the small TV set in the corner of my space. And so I learned of the unfolding disaster in New York City.

In 2001, VOA’s English output was VOA News Now, a 24-hour, 18 hour a day, rolling news format similar to an all-news radio station in the United States. A few years before, I wrote the memo advocating and describing this format. That memo was unanswered, so I figured that was that. But about a year after my memo, a staff meeting was held at VOA about a major initiative. I heard the VOA director describing VOA’s new approach to English programming, which was from my memo, almost word for word.

My role in creating VOA News Now was never mention or acknowledged. Maybe that was for the better,  because VOA English broadcasters, most used to working banker’s hours and recording their programs, now had to work evening, early-morning and weekend shifts. Nevertheless, because of the News Now format, VOA was ready to respond to the events in New York, and later at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. 

From my cubicle, I was thinking about how I could contribute. The News Now team in the studio needed some content until reports from VOA correspondents started coming in. So I contacted my shortwave listening friends in the New York area. How was New York City broadcasting disrupted? Many transmitters and antennas were on top of the World Trade Center buildings. Can you send me audio of NYC all-news radio stations dealing with the crisis? They did. 

So I took this information and audio into the VOA News Now studio, and was on the air live. I stressed that my content was just a footnote to a greater tragedy. But it was something for VOA News Now to use until the VOA reporters could call in.

Most government employees in Washington were sent home early. We kept working at VOA, as did newsrooms throughout Washington. When I left VOA headquarters, I walked around the National Mall. It was nearly deserted and very eerie. As I drove home on the George Washington Parkway, I could smell the smoke from the still smoldering Pentagon.

A video of last week’s Shortwave Radiogram (program 465) is provided by Scott in Ontario (Wednesday 1330 UTC). The audio archive is maintained by Mark in the UK. Analysis is provided by Roger in Germany. Also: An IQ audio file and other resources from H0B0_Radio in Washington state. And John Rabold’s image archive.

Here is the lineup for Shortwave Radiogram, program 466, 10-17 September 2026, in MFSK modes as noted:

 1:43  MFSK32: Program preview
 2:53  MFSK32: Lost tool disrupts Airbus jet deliveries
 5:13  MFSK64: German company launches rocket to space
 9:27  MFSK64: This week’s images
28:16  MFSK32: Closing announcements

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Shortwave Radiogram Transmission Schedule

Other Shortwave broadcast programs that include digital text and images include The Mighty KBC, Pop Shop Radio and Radio North Europe International (RNEI). Links to these fine broadcasts, with schedules, are posted here.

Thanks for your reception reports!

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott, KD9XB
Producer and Presenter
Shortwave Radiogram
Reporting on international broadcasting at https://twitter.com/kaedotcom

Fuente: https://swradiogram.net/

Categorías:Broadcasting

Etiquetas:Digital Modes, Frecuencias, MSFK64, Onda Corta, Shortwave, SW, SWL