Visit to Radio Canada International (RCI) 16 July 2012
On 16 July 2012, Don, Henry and I headed home on a marathon 15 hour drive back to eastern Ontario after a week at the PEI DX Lodge where we participated in the 2012 IARU Contest. But we realized that even though we had this daunting trip ahead of us, it would be a shame if we did not stop in at RCI in Sackville, New Brunswick. As you probably heard in recent news reports, government cutbacks are taking its toll on this Canadian icon and its' closing is imminent.
It has been said that we have the ubiquitous Internet so we no longer need RCI short wave broadcast services any more. But we also know the web is not a sure thing and is often fire-walled locally by countries with governments who don't like our message. It's also true that there are still millions of people in other continents who do not have Internet access and the only connection to Canadian news and culture is their short wave transistor radio. So it is indeed a shame that this tried and true link to the world seems to be ending now. Hopefully a private entity will step in and keep these facilities going and keep Canada heard around the world on short wave radio.
Further info on Radio Canada International From Wikipedia: "Radio Canada International (RCI) is the international broadcasting service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Until 1970, it was known as the CBC International Service and was sometimes referred to as the "Voice of Canada" in its early years. In June 2012, shortwave services were terminated and RCI became accessible only via the the internet. In addition, CBC plans to end production of RCI news and broadcasts." Please check the wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Canada_International
Read MoreIt has been said that we have the ubiquitous Internet so we no longer need RCI short wave broadcast services any more. But we also know the web is not a sure thing and is often fire-walled locally by countries with governments who don't like our message. It's also true that there are still millions of people in other continents who do not have Internet access and the only connection to Canadian news and culture is their short wave transistor radio. So it is indeed a shame that this tried and true link to the world seems to be ending now. Hopefully a private entity will step in and keep these facilities going and keep Canada heard around the world on short wave radio.
Further info on Radio Canada International From Wikipedia: "Radio Canada International (RCI) is the international broadcasting service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Until 1970, it was known as the CBC International Service and was sometimes referred to as the "Voice of Canada" in its early years. In June 2012, shortwave services were terminated and RCI became accessible only via the the internet. In addition, CBC plans to end production of RCI news and broadcasts." Please check the wiki at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Canada_International
