Armed Forces Network to reduce radio programming in May

[Ct Yankee]

Right from the horse's mouth....

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4161375/afn-to-reduce-radio-programs/

[n2avh]

I had no idea it still existed. I relied on AFRTS shortwave in the early 1980s to listen to US sports when I was abroad!

[Molvania Poacher]

Another end of an era. AFRTS was always reliable to Casey Kasem's Top 40, and sports coverage "back in the day."

[Ct Yankee]

In the 70's as a teen, I would listen to their baseball coverage which used the radio feed of the visiting team - received at my home outside of NYC.  The last time I heard them direct was on FM almost exactly seven years ago while in Catania, Sicily as they transmitted from Naval Air Station Sigonella.  The DJ was Captain Fantastic who did a poor man's version of Robin Williams' character from "Good Morning, Vietnam".

Several hours later, that Naval Station supported the launch of air strikes on Syria in response to chemical weapon useage.  The news on that was many hours later.

[NQC]

Hey All,

I too used to listen to AFRTS on shortwave sideband .I thought it was SO cool to copy a broadcast in SSB !

SO long ago, but I definitely had them from Key West, Iceland and maybe Puerto Rico. Never copied DG, Italy , etc.

When I was stationed at Kaefertal Wald , Germany ( 1992) I liked to tune in the Canadian Forces Network on FM , can’t recall the QTH . I was at the fringe, and I don’t think they had big power or a high antenna. So a little dicey to pull in at times .

de NQC

[europirate]

As a teenager grwing up in the UK during 1970's I listened to AFN Europe on medium wave (AM) and loved the shows from Casey Kasem and Dr Demento - it also got me interested in baseball which no-one plays in Europe!

[Charlie_Dont_Surf]

it also got me interested in baseball which no-one plays in Europe!

Actually, there is some interest in mainland Europe, just like there is some interest in cricket over here (driven mostly by south Asian emigres*), though that organization is probably not nearly at the same level as baseball in Europe.

https://www.mlb.com/international/europe
and
https://www.wbsceurope.org/en

Related: several decades ago, I remember seeing a hand-written sign (in English) in either Paris or Amsterdam (I can't remember now) looking for people who wanted to play baseball. I think the Netherlands, Germany (a result of the large US military presence) and the Spain had the most activity a long time ago but that might be very out of date.

*I have worked with many of those folks over the years. They are rabid cricket fans!