Bye Bye 1215KHz. Network shut-down. (4K)

I was surprised to hear that suddenly the 1215Khz network was going to be closed down. I suspect quick before anyone said anything :-) First used by BBC light then Radio 1 and later Radio 3. Taken over by virgin in the 90's. It will be interesting to see what ofcom says and does. I wonder if this accelerates the MW shut-down here in the UK. I think energy cost certainly have a influence. Europe has little MW now. I was pleased to hear the 10 minute tribute to the frequency before the station closed. What future MW has I don't know. The Telemetrics will keep LW R4 on for another year. I suspect some stations will keep going for a few years more, but I bet smooth may be the next one. I think Caroline will be the last man standing being a historic community station. We can modulate a analogue signal into our vintage radios, but I think it will affect our hobby and I think, Amateur radio. It isn't easy to make a one transistor DAB radio kit, but progress happens and I'm sure some analogue might survive in some form, even if its just the amateur bands . Music from youtube library.

[@terryblackman6217]

I have no idea what it is, but there is something very special about listening to a radio broadcast on AM on a vintage radio. It is sad things are changing.

[@darrencoe5795]

A warm sounding reproduction for sure, Terry. A little bit of background noise. The increasing costs and a audience that listens online has changed the landscape. I am lucky to have a heritage community AM station in the county in caroline.

[@retro_tech]

Here in Belgium, anything local on AM is long gone. During the day MW is virtually dead, only during the night the foreign stations come in. Earlier this month also RTL on longwave shut down, which was the strongest station I could receive. And just like you, I also made a video about it when that happened. It's sad for sure, but I can understand considering the running costs of these transmitters. And current energy prices aren't helping either. In any case, thanks for the video. I really enjoy your channel.

[@darrencoe5795]

I'm Sorry to hear you have no stations at all during the day. Thankfully, you can get some skywave at night. I think radio 4 long wave only has a year or so left to be honest. I think the huge energy bills are going to make stations think about shutting down sooner for sure. I see you have a nice collection of radios. I have subscribed and will have a look at your videos. Thank you for watching this Channel and I am glad you like it. Daz

[@retro_tech]

@@darrencoe5795 Thanks a lot!

[@miguelbarbesperez]

In Spain AM is still alive and we have many radiostations that transmits in AM: RNE 1 (Public), RNE 5 (Public), Cadena SER, COPE and Ondacero (This last Only in a couple of cities). The msot strange case is that Radiole (Spanish folclore music) transmits in AM from Ceuta. I live in Oviedo (Asturias, North Spain) and during the day i catch 4 stations on AM : RNE 1, RNE 5, Cadena SER Radio Asturias and COPE Gijón. On nights many sations from Marocco, Algeria, UK (Until Jan 2023 I caught Absoulye Radio on 1215 ) and Portugal. Some nights: Italy, Romania USA! (Very weak), Ukraine (From 2022. Weak) and Russia (Weak). In Belgium on nights do you recieve any Spanish radiostation?

[@retro_tech]

@@miguelbarbesperez Yes, I can receive some stations in Spanish at night.

[@MichaelBeeny]

Funny how things have gone full circle. In the 60s, MW was almost empty except for the BBC, then everything changed with the opening of Radio Caroline on 199. MW was never the same again. I wonder how long ANYONE will transmit on MW or LW. Here in New Zealand SW is completly dead in the day with radio China coming in at night. Riveting entertainment there for sure!!

[@darrencoe5795]

I can't remember much in the 70's except Radio 1, Caroline and Luxenbourg. It was the 80's before I had a local station and this didn't last long until it was combined with the Ipswich service. Very much a circle as you say, Michael. I wonder if there would be a AM revival like records, Unlikely.

[@MichaelBeeny]

@@darrencoe5795 I really doubt it. I don't know anyone that owns a radio of any kind these days. It's all telephones. I cannot even remember when I had last seen anyone with a portable radio.

[@milesrost6674]

Godspeed Earth... we need it

[@radio-ged4626]

Sad news. It looks like I will have to invest in a Spitfire if I want to carry on repairing and listening to AM broadcast frequencies.

[@darrencoe5795]

Yes, I guess its going to be a gradual close down now. End of a era in the next few years. Like 405 line TV, I guess it will be a local modulated signal to keep listening. DRM never took off, so not sure what will happen to the bands. May end up a amateur allocation.

[@spankysmp]

People are suggesting they will get fined for this. Will have to see what happens

[@darrencoe5795]

Yes, I don't think they told OFCOM, so expect the licence to be revoked and a fine. The size of that fine will set a standard I am sure. Given the cost of energy, shutdown may be a cheaper option.

[@MrTauron77]

Na ez meglepett, az 540 kHz-en fogható a Kossuth Rádió ott is, akárcsak Moszkva környékén...

[@darrencoe5795]

Nem csodálom, ha jól értem, hogy 2000 kW! Köszönöm az azonosítást.

[@michaeldranfield7140]

Is that a Cordar radio I see on your shelf?

[@darrencoe5795]

Yes it is, Michael. Not really used in anger but I did do a video on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZquZGV5fLmAqsU

[@和足蓮見]

NIKKEI Radio 'UD(USR) 1215khz of ⁈ from tokyo Halo' maby 弘前、舞鶴、青森、JOBO station 1215khz Snowtravel here. the damegeing.