Wavescan NWS817 – October 20, 2024

Podcast: AWR Wavescan – DX Program (WRMI)
Host: Jeff White, with feature by Ray Robinson
Episode Focus: An Offshore Radio Station Against Hitler, Hurricane Milton’s Effects on WRMI, and part two of the HFCC B24 Conference in Uzbekistan.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into three distinct stories of resilience and connectivity via radio:

• The forgotten story of Europe’s first offshore anti-Nazi radio station, operated by the German Freedom Party in 1938.
• A first-hand account of Hurricane Milton’s recent devastation and the rapid recovery efforts at WRMI in Florida.
• Highlights from the opening of the High Frequency Coordination Conference (HFCC) B24 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, underlining the ongoing importance of shortwave broadcasting.

1. The Radio Station of the German Freedom Party: Resistance on the Waves

Presented by Ray Robinson | [01:39–16:05]

Background

• The Sender der Deutschen Freiheitsspartei (Radio Station of the German Freedom Party) was Europe’s first offshore radio station, targeting primarily a German audience as part of the resistance against Hitler’s regime in 1938.
• Founded by exiled German journalist Dr. Karl Speake and Otto Klepper, with international support (Dutch, British, French).

Station Operations

• Broadcast from the steam trawler Faithful Friend, registered under a British front company linked to the SIS (MI6).
• Crew included English fishermen, German and Dutch radio technicians, and resistance journalists; operated covertly in the North Sea and along French and Dutch coasts.
• Broadcast schedule: typically daily from 7:30–8:00 PM and again from 10:00–10:30 PM (weather permitting).

Political Impact and Content

• Programs included German and international news, antifascist commentary, press reviews, and explicit calls for resistance against the Hitler regime.
• Urged a 'No' vote in the Anschluss (Austria–Germany unification) referendum of March 1938.
• Frequently monitored by the Gestapo and reported on in German military archives.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Ernst Langendorff, radioman, describes the hardships:

  “After just a few hours. I was drenched to the skin due to the high waves and I was so sea sick that I was quite incapacitated. Ready to die, I sought out my small cabin.” — [11:04]

• On programming under pressure:

  “I was the only news editor on the ship. During the daytime, I always sat at the radio receiver taking notes on reports... I then made my news broadcasts from these notes and was on the microphone twice every evening for half an hour each, the first one being a longer news broadcast.” — [13:58]

• On challenges reaching German listeners:

  “How well the German Freedom Party transmitter was received in Germany is very hard to determine... only 9 million people were registered as licensed radio listeners...[the] Nazis used [People’s Receivers] as an inexpensive propaganda instrument to influence the masses... medium wave only.” — [14:58]

The Station’s Fate

• Broadcasts lasted about two months (February–April 1938).
• Shut down due to increased scrutiny; attempted re-launch on a motor yacht ended after a fire.
• Faithful Friend likely scrapped at the end of 1939.
• Covert support by British intelligence strongly suspected.

2. Hurricane Milton’s Impact on WRMI

Host: Jeff White | [16:05–18:29]

Storm Overview

• Category 4 Hurricane Milton struck Florida (October 9, 2024), passing just north of WRMI’s Okeechobee site.
• Over 100 tornadoes reported; severe wind caused extensive damage to WRMI transmission lines.

Station Response & Recovery

• Full outage for 21 hours starting the afternoon of October 9; all transmitters down.
• Quick repairs by engineers allowed most frequencies to return by the next evening.
• As of recording, three frequencies remained off-air but were expected to return soon.

3. HFCC B24 Conference in Uzbekistan: Expanding Horizons for Shortwave

Segments: Opening Plenary Speakers | [18:29–26:08]

Setting & Context

• First-ever HFCC (High Frequency Coordination Conference) in Central Asia, hosted in Tashkent.
• Supported by Red Telecom, Uzbek Ministry of Digital Technologies, and government broadcasting authority.

Key Speakers & Quotes

• Jerome Irigoyen, HFCC Vice Chairman:

  “Welcome to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, the largest city in metropolitan Central Asia… a blend of tradition and modernity. It is the first time that HFCC conference takes place here in Uzbekistan.” — [18:29]

• Daniel Robinson, Red Telecom:

  “We are very happy to welcome all the delegates from all over the world… it's a wonderful opportunity to diversify locations that the HFCC holds the conference and for the delegates to see this region, which has a lot to offer.” — [19:26]

• Mr. Usmanov, Ministry of Digital Technologies:

  “Uzbekistan is one of few countries that is still able to—or still broadcasting on shortwave in high power... we're trying to maintain the infrastructure... we're sure that shortwave still has a future.” — [20:45]

• Mr. Mahmoud (CRRT):

  “We have a tradition again ... to participate in the HFCC for the registration of frequencies.” — [22:45]

Additional Notes

• Uzbek station in operation since 1957, continuing to modernize.
• Commitment to hosting delegates and maintaining global shortwave capability echoed throughout plenary.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Langendorff on life at sea:
  “Working and living conditions on this dirty and primitive coal powered ship were simply too much for him during the winter storms.” — [10:55]

• On Nazi propaganda technology:
  “By 1938, the German radio industry had produced about 3.4 million people's receivers which the Nazis used as an inexpensive propaganda instrument to influence the masses. This was a medium wave only receiver, with the shortwave band deliberately omitted by design.” — [15:10]

• On WRMI’s post-hurricane recovery:
  “Amazingly they were able to repair most of the transmission lines very quickly. So most of WRMI’s frequencies were back on the air Thursday night.” — [17:40]

• On the future of shortwave:
  “We're sure that shortwave still has a future… we're continuing to modernize the station.” — Usmanov [21:21]

Key Timestamps

• [01:39] Start of Offshore Radio Segment
• [10:55] Langendorff on harsh conditions
• [11:04] Personal sea sickness account
• [13:58] Making the broadcasts
• [15:10] Nazi radio technologies
• [16:05] End of Offshore Radio, transition to WRMI hurricane report
• [18:29] Start of HFCC Conference coverage
• [21:21] Commitment to shortwave infrastructure (Usmanov)

Closing

• Next week: The V call signs of Newfoundland and a “Newfoundland Radio Adventure.”
• Reception reports encouraged; contact details provided.
• Episode ends with an excerpt of Uzbek folk music.

This summary preserves the historical resonance, human struggles, and technological insights shared in the episode, offering a rich, accessible recap for listeners and radio enthusiasts alike.