IT'S OFFICIAL: Radio Australia to Close January 31, 2017

[VK3BVW]

Both RA's International Service and the Northern Territory SW services will close on January 31, as announced in a media release from the ABC this morning. Too long to publish here, but I have the full media statement and reasons for the decision at the Mount Evelyn DX Report blog.

http://medxr.blogspot.com.au/2016/12/radio-australia-to-close-january-31-2017.html

As a Aussie, I'm pretty disappointed that this is happening. But we knew it would come eventually. RA began its services in the 1930s.

73, Rob Wagner VK3BVW

[MDK2]

Damn, that's sad news.

[Bones]

Another one bites the dust.  *&$#@!!  

[VK3BVW]

Make some recordings before they go off the air for good. It will be something to remember them by....

[BoomboxDX]

I guess all those Pacific Islands that made up a lot of Radio Australia's audience will tune in online using their cell phones and stuff, during times when the diesel powered generators running the electrical grid are on.....

What a drag. I discovered Australian rock and roll by tuning in to Radio Australia by accident on morning, a long, long time ago.

[VK3BVW]

I guess all those Pacific Islands that made up a lot of Radio Australia's audience will tune in online using their cell phones and stuff, during times when the diesel powered generators running the electrical grid are on.....

Yeh...that's gonna be a real problem when their islands get hit by cyclones during cyclone season....which is about to start now actually!!

[Daniel Wyllyans]

 Sad

[shadypyro]

I better start listening to them before they go off the air for good! And on the brighter side, I got a email from Radio Habana Cuba and they mail me the frequency list

[Ct Yankee]

A truly sad bit of news.  Maybe a relay station can pick up some programming.

[wingate19]

It may be tilting at windmails but EVERYONE should write to Radio Australia why they think eliminating shortwave is a BAD idea.  I already have done so....

[MDK2]

It may be tilting at windmails but EVERYONE should write to Radio Australia why they think eliminating shortwave is a BAD idea.  I already have done so....

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/contact-us

[buzzy buzzard]

Shortwave BC bands are hard enough in North America to find suitable content to fit my mood.  Now what?  It's 1984 and Big Brother Scare is watching you on 11 frequencies.  What business model works for SW?  If Over Done-r Ministry can make a go of it, by having enough listeners to convince to pony up to buy airtime and then some, they must surely be life left in the medium.

When I was still on the farm in the 1990s and had to repair a tractor out in the field shortwave made the time fly by.  My wi-fi reception is obviously non-existent out in the middle of nowhere.  If I had brought some podcasts, most likely they would be poor substitutes to a live shortwave "stream" with news bulletins and happy surprises. 

The internet is a whole other kind of cumbersome hunting, powering up the computer logging in, clicking a mad trail to your content.  I'm not in the habit.  The medium is the message after all.  Media types seem to have forgotten that.

Well I'll enjoy what little Radio Australia that remains until the 31st.

[slowtrain]

 I do not understand why in the world would you stop broadcasting on shortwave especially to the islands to the east? It seems that those who decide to do this usually those who think that paying for the internet service that people can afford this when in reality most of not all people in these island countries do not have money coming out their ears. Plus they all ready have radios and can listen and be updated if there is severe weather in the area. Plus it is a moral obligation that Australia offer this to those who have little money! And they do not have the money to either buy a smart phone or television set. Radio is portable too!! I think also that politicians get a kick out of saying that they are saving money for their citizens yet there is little money that is spent in shortwave these days!!

[Looking-Glass]

Radio Australia was one of the sole survivors of shortwave radio in the region, however, it's a shadow of its former self of years not too distant.  

Budget cuts and funding issues meant that most of the programming was "lifted" off ABC News Radio and Radio National which is the Australian national domestic service.  

They cite that shortwave radio is "dated" technology and has reached its use by date and that Digital Radio and Internet Streaming will be the key focus from January 31st 2017.

Radio Australia is extremely popular in the Pacific island nations, not only do the expatriate community but locals alike tune to radio Australia for news, sport and features.  

Not so long back when I was on Nauru in the Central Pacific one could hear Radio Australia coming from various houses all over the island when Australian Rules Football "match of the day" was broadcast live, likewise in the southern Pacific where rugby union and rugby league is popular many tuned to Radio Australia for the live matches on shortwave.

While living on various islands in Micronesia and the South Pacific it was customary for the local MW radio station to take a "relay" of the Radio Australia news and rebroadcast it over the local MW outlet for locals who don't have SW radio. 

In the past few years there has been very little "in house" productions at Radio Australia, it turned into a clone of ABC News Radio and ABC Radio National, thus reducing staffing levels and the all important "costs" involved.

Looks like Radio New Zealand will be left to fill the void, but for how long will RNZ survive for?

Jack VK2XQ (fomerly C21JH, 3D2JH, V63JH, T30JH, P29JH, KC6JH, A35JH, H44JH.)

[Teotwaki]

I go off-roading in the southwestern deserts a lot and could easily listen to Radio Australia on my mobile HF rig. I will miss hearing them.