I was a shortwave radio listener in the 70’s and 80’s. I marvelled at the amazing sounds coming from around the world to this little Sony table radio in my bedroom on Sydney’s northern beaches.
My QSL cards from the 1980’s have been digitised and are in the process of being published. You can see them here, together with pictures of equipment I used back then.
Today, shortwave isn’t what it used to be due to the Internet and satellites. Today my focus is on amateur ham radio. Nonetheless, I still spend some time, twiddling the dial and listen to interesting news, stories and music from far away places. It sparked a lifelong interest in the world.
I listened to this podcast today. It was interesting. It bright back many memories. It was also hearing what I expect was a millennial covering a Gen X, Boomer and before activity.
It’s from NPR WNYC Studios and is called Wall Street Wants Your Airwaves.
31 August 2026