Radio History

Poland

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Polish public broadcaster Polskie Radio is commemorating its centennial, marking a century since its inaugural transmission in Poland.
The first trial broadcast occurred on Feb. 1, 1925 from a Warsaw station operated by the now-defunct Polish Radio Technical Society (PTR). The initial words, delivered by PTR Director Roman Rudniewski, were:
“This is the trial radio broadcasting station of the Polish Radio Technical Society on the 385-metre wave band.”
This technical experiment led to the official establishment of Polish Radio on Aug. 18, 1925. Regular programming commenced on Apr. 18, 1926, laying the foundation for a rich legacy in Polish media.
Polskie Radio is hosting a series of events throughout 2025 to commemorate its centennial. These include special broadcasts, historical retrospectives and public exhibitions highlighting the evolution of radio in Poland. The celebrations aim to honor the station’s legacy and its role in shaping Polish media over the past century.
https://www.redtech.pro/polskie-radio-celebrates-100-years-of-broadcasting/

Red Tech February 4, 2025 via Mike Terry to nordx iog (2025-02-05)

Australia

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Celebrating 50 years since 2JJ launched.
2JJ – Double Jay – was Australia’s first non-commercial, 24-hour rock radio station for young people, launching on 1540 kHz AM in Sydney on 19 January 1975.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the station’s launch, the first 12 hours of 2JJ’s day on air now are being rebroadcast on the Double J digital station which is also available online through ABC Listen at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/doublej
Poor transmitter quality limited the station’s each across Sydney, and actuallt led to threats of industrial action by staff. Nothing was done to improve the transmitter until 1980 when the station switched to 105.7 FM and became 2JJJ – Triple J. The station expanded into a national FM network during the 1990s.

Matt Francis, Bilgola Plateau, NSW, Australia to ICDX-AM iog (2025-01-19)


I remember hearing 2JJ Sydney testing on 1540kHz and later the opening. Back then I was living in Marrickville, south west of Sydney.
Just prior to 2JJ coming to air, they had to move 2CN Canberra ACT, which was then using 1540kHz, to 1440kHz to allow space.
Here is a recording that I made of the 2JJ test broadcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAcHqVvTWnY
I remember there were some “intellectual’ listeners, who complained about the station’s “horrific music format” as it was referred. One electronic store even advertised 2JJ blockers for sale. Not sure if they actually worked or how many were sold at the time. Grin!!!

Robert Copeman to ICDX-AM iog (2025-01-19)

United States

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WOAI 1200, San Antonio, TX
Here is a public service announcement for all you sheep ranchers in our group: “A sheep rancher’s best friend is his radio. Now you know. You’re welcome.”
This advertisement is from 1946.

WOAI signed on the air on Monday, September 25, 1922. The station is a Class A, clear-channel station, broadcasting with a non-directional 50,000-watt signal day and night. WOAI promotes itself as the “50,000 Watt Blowtorch of South Texas.” The transmitting tower is in Zuehl, Texas.
The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia and is the company’s flagship station.

Steve Mittman to The Boss Radio Group FB page (2024-11-26)

Finland

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The histore of longwave radio in Finland.

1927 Lahti

Finland’s longwave station was built in 1927 on what is now called ‘Radio Hill’ in Lahti. Two 150m tall masts were constructed that held a Marconi T antenna. The station was inaugurated on 22 April 1928 running a Telefunken 25kW transmitter on 197 kHz. The following year the power was raised to 40kW and the station moved to 167 kHz.The station moved frequency in 1934 to 166 kHz. In 1935 a new building was built with a new Marconi 150kW transmitter. After the second world war the station changed it’s frequency to 160 kHz. The transmitter was replaced in 1958 and ran 200kW. During it’s early years the station had to change frequency several times but settled in on 254 kHz in 1950. In 1978 regulations came about to standardise 9 kHz channel spacing on the AM longwave band so later as with many other longwave stations YLE moved to it’s final home of 252 kHz. On the 31st of May 1993 YLE ceased broadcasting on 252 kHz longwave and that was the end of longwave radio for Finland.

Lahti was not the only longwave radio station in Finland’s history. By 1939 Kuopio was transmitting on 253 kHz with 1kW and Joensuu on 310 kHz also with 1kW although technically by today’s designation it was 10 kHz outside the ‘longwave’ LF band.

Also in 1942 German troops founded ‘Soldatensender Lappland’ in Rovaniemi on 297 kHz with 20kW. It was said to be operating with 15kW during 1943.

The decline in longwave has continued with many countries citing the high costs of running this old technology. Today there are only six full-time broadcast radio stations on longwave being; Romania on 153 kHz, Morocco on 171 kHz, Iceland on 189 kHz, UK on 198 kHz, Poland on 225 kHz and Algeria on 252 kHz. Mongolia also broadcasts on a sporadic basis on 164, 209 and 227 kHz but is rarely heard in Europe. The former French station from Allouis on 162 kHz is now a time clock (a silent carrier can be heard on your radio). Iceland and the UK are due to close their longwave stations very soon but exact dates have not been given. Iceland plans to end it’s last longwave transmitter during this year of 2024. The UK had planned to end the 198 kHz service but it keeps getting a reprieve, sadly though it’s closure remains firmly on the BBC’s cards.

As we start small we realise this historic step towards reversing the decline. Longwave radio has great reach and can be heard many km away so we feel its relevance in the Arctic area. The return of longwave radio to Finland after 31 years is a historic moment so join us in this new venture as we begin very soon….

https://arcticradio.net/history-of-longwave

Mike Terry to Longwaveradiolistening iog (2024-09-19)

Hungary

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The world record for medium-wave power at 2000 km is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The foundation stone for the Solt medium-wave transmitter was laid on 5 September 1974, and it’s going strong!
While some countries prefer to ignore the protection of national minorities in one of their regions, Hungary ensures it even in neighbouring countries where three million Magyar speakers live.
There used to be a national transmitter at Lakihegyi, but due to interference it no longer covered the desired area at night.
In 1970, Hungary decided to install a new 2000 kW transmitter. The transmitter, consisting of two 1000 kW units, was of Russian manufacture. A 120 kV high-voltage line fed the centre over the Danube.
The antenna consisted of a lattice tower with a triangular cross-section, 303.6 m high, resting on two cylindrical ceramic insulators. Stability was ensured by three rows of steel cables separated by porcelain insulators. The whole structure weighed 184.5 tonnes.
But over 40 years of operation, the power and sound quality deteriorated and the transmitter was deemed to be too energy-consuming. The transmitters consumed more than 6,400 kW: 2,000 kW was sent to the antenna and the remaining 4,400 kW was given off as heat.
In 2017, Hungary did not hesitate to replace its 2000 kW medium-wave transmitter with a new one of the same power.
An ultra-modern solid-state transmitter supplied by the Canadian company NAUTEL. It consists of five transmitter blocks, each with a capacity of 400 kW. Coupled together, they produce a carrier of 2 MW. Efficiency has risen from 30% to over 90%, and improvements to the antenna circuit have increased the area covered.
In addition to the possibility of DRM, the new installation has 3 major advantages: energy consumption is considerably reduced; the installation is remotely controlled; and modules can be replaced during operation.
Despite commissioning the new transmitter, the radio station wanted to keep its old transmitter in reserve. This turned out to be unnecessary, because even if it failed, the new transmitter could continue to broadcast at reduced power by isolating the faulty module.
The emergency transmitter installed at Lakihegyi was also useless. Today, it is only used to transmit the long-wave radiosignal.
By maintaining the world-record power of 2,000 kW, Radio Kossuth is able to broadcast better than ever throughout Hungary, Slovakia and substantial parts of Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Romania. At night, the station can be received in good conditions throughout Europe.
To those who claim that medium wave is ‘finished’, Hungary is thumbing its nose at them, and it is not about to abandon this range of waves!
It will be on the air for a long time to come.

Michel Fremy‘s FB page Radio Magazine (2024-09-05)

United States

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Audacy’s 830 WCCO in Minneapolis Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Special Events and Charitable Contributions

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – August 21, 2024 – Audacy’s 830 WCCO (WCCO-AM) in Minneapolis has announced a series of special endeavors to celebrate its 100th anniversary, including a double album with commemorative content, gubernatorial proclamation and grand centennial event.
As part of its century-long “good neighbor” heritage, 830 WCCO will also donate the proceeds from the double album release and centennial event to four of its valuable non-profit partners: Disabled American Veterans Minnesota (DAVMN), Second Harvest Heartland, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC), and the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
“As we honor 100 years of being a local and regional broadcasting leader, we’re not just reflecting on our past legacy, but also spotlighting the community’s continuous support,” said Brad Lane, Brand Manager and Program Director, 830 WCCO. “Our centennial events and philanthropic efforts are testaments to 830 WCCO’s enduring commitment to positively impacting Minnesota!”
On August 22, 830 WCCO will launch its 100th anniversary double album, offering 88 minutes of audio spanning WCCO’s illustrious history. Each vinyl will include a unique digital download code with the audio and bonus content, including an additional eight hours and 30 minutes of outtakes, tributes, memories and over 200 images.
Vice Presidential nominee and Governor Tim Walz has officially designated August 30 “8-3-0 Day,” and the station is gearing up to fill the day with festivities, including live broadcasts and in-person appearances at the Minnesota State Fair from 830 WCCO’s esteemed alumni, who will share their favorite station stories. Longtime personality Chad Hartman will throw the first pitch at Target Field prior to the Twins game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
On October 21, 830 WCCO will host a centennial celebration at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, featuring a live show with current and former talent.
The station will continue to air “100 Days, 100 Moments Presented by General Mills,” a series of vignettes highlighting the most significant events and personalities heard on-air over the years.
For more information about 830 WCCO’s 100th anniversary celebrations, please visit here. (https://www.audacy.com/wccoradio/entertainment/local/celebrating-830-wcco-radios-100th-birthday not available in EU)
Listeners can tune in to 830 WCCO (WCCO-AM) in Minneapolis on-air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.
CONTACT
David Heim
Audacy
908-472-3927
David.Heim@audacy.com
https://audacyinc.com/press/audacys-830-wcco-in-minneapolis-celebrates-100th-anniversary-with-special-events-and-charitable-contributions/

Hansjörg Biener (2024-08-24)

United States

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On this date (August 20) in 1920, 8MK, now WWJ 950AM in Detroit, became one of the first, if not the first, commercial radio station in the world.

Forrester DX Todd to I Love AM Radio FB group (2024-08-20)

United States

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880 WCBS has requested a callsign change to WHSQ effective from 26th August. This is the date when the LMA between the owners Audacy and Good Karma Bands that brings the format change is scheduled to begin.

FCC broadcasting history cards first list the station as WABC licensed on 20th September 1924, and WBOQ licensed on 26th March 1925, with these calls being combined on 11th November 1928. The two stations operated on various frequencies, but the combined station settled on 860kHz. Still on 860, the WBOQ call was dropped on 15th June 1940. It moved to 880 under the NARBA changes of 1941. The call changed to WCBS on 2nd November 1946 (according to a copy of an notice displayed on Wikipedia), though the date of this change is not recorded in the FCC records.

WCBS has broadcast using these same call letters on 880kHz since June 1946 and became an all-news station in 1967.

73 Andrew Brade to mwcircle iog (2024-08-15)