BBC resurrects WWII-era shortwave broadcasts as Russia blocks news of Ukraine invasion

[douglas9]

The BBC is resorting to broadcasting news bulletins over shortwave radio in Russia after the country blocked access to BBC websites, The Guardian reports. The BBC announced it was bringing back the WWII-era broadcasting technology in the region just hours before its sites were banned. News of the ban was also reported by Russian state news agency RIA.

Shortwave radio uses frequencies that carry over long distances and are accessible on portable sets. The BBC says its shortwave broadcasts will be available on frequencies of 15735 kHz from 4PM to 6PM and 5875 kHz from 10PM to midnight, Ukraine time. News will be read in English, which the BBC says will be available in Kyiv as well as “parts of Russia.”

https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/4/22961286/bbc-news-blocked-in-russia-ukraine-invasion-shortwave-radio

[LastDemocratInSC]

1. The venerable BBC World Service.

[gay texan]

2. Shortwave radio is the bomb

Russia can try to block HF radio, but it wont work out well.

[nitpicker]

3. BUT how long will the batteries/electricity last??

I can run my sw-capable radio on a set of batteries for a week or so (longer with less daily usage).

But this is IMO just a sticking plaster on an arterial wound.

[MineralMan]

4. Maybe Russia will fire up the old Buzzsaw jammers again.

I remember those from my old days of shortwave listening in the late 1950s.