the listening post

Plus … “Radio Australia” Returns to the Air (With Much Lower Power)

~ It took a while, but Algeria has finally opened its own powerful shortwave transmitter site at Bechar/Ouargla, now being heard on 15340 kHz. It’s also been noted on 17600 kHz and 15100 kHz. The new 300-kilowatt giants are airing Algeria’s Chaine 1 network for the Sahel region. The French relay (at Issoudun) is still registered with the HFCC.

~ “Shortwave Australia” … Wha, wha’d … he say? Those two words haven’t fist bumped in quite some time. Radio Australia gave up on shortwave years ago, leaving the country with no official voice, only the religious Reach Beyond (Australia) and one or two peanut-whistle private broadcasters. Now another has sprouted with the moniker “Shortwave Australia” which has opened on 4835 kHz and 2310 kHz at 0500-1000 UTC from a bit north of Bendigo in Victoria State. The new station is a nonprofit affair hoping to fill the radio void in the north. It’s operated by David Stuart, VK3ASE, using 100 watts on both frequencies, although licensed for 5 kilowatts, David says 500 watts will be his limit due to the high cost of power. His website is <>. By the way, he