Jeff White on why shortwave radio still matters: HFCC Conference in Prague
At a time when most media have moved online, shortwave radio still plays a quiet but important role in global communication. That’s why experts from around the world gathered in Prague this week for the HFCC—the High Frequency Coordination Conference. Radio Prague International is a media partner. On this occasion, Klára Stejskalová spoke with Jeff White, chairman of the HFCC and founder of Radio Miami International. They discussed his passion for shortwave, the role of the HFCC, and why this medium still matters today.
Jeff, could you tell us how you first got involved in shortwave broadcasting and what continues to fascinate you about it today?
"Well, as I mentioned at the conference yesterday, I began listening to shortwave when I was 12 years old, living in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the US. My parents had a multiband radio with a couple of shortwave bands on it.
"One night, I decided to see what was on shortwave, and the very first thing I tuned into was the English program of Radio Prague. I started listening every day, and before long, I discovered many other stations as well. I've been listening ever since. My association with Radio Prague now goes back over 50 years.
"But shortwave itself still fascinates me. Of course, it has changed a lot, especially after 1989. But there are still many stations on the air—more private and independent broadcasters now, not just government ones.
"There’s a wide variety of information and entertainment available on the shortwave bands. So it continues to be popular, even in areas where all kinds of radios are available on AM and FM. A lot of people still like to listen to shortwave, to hear signals from halfway around the world. It is still a fascinating medium."
Do you remember something specific from Radio Prague’s programming?
"I remember the DX program hosted by Oldřich Číp, who later became the founder of our organization, the High Frequency Coordination Conference. I listened to his program regularly, but I tuned in to everything—the news, the music, all of it.
"One night, I decided to see what was on shortwave, and the very first thing I tuned into was the English program of Radio Prague. I've been listening ever since."
Jeff White
"Even back during the communist years, Radio Prague was interesting for us in the United States. Over the years, I’ve continued to listen and enjoy the wide range of programming of Radio Prague International."
And was the program full of propaganda?
"Not nearly as much as, say, Radio Moscow or Radio Beijing. Radio Prague had its share, of course, but much of the content was focused on tourism and cultural features.
"I used to dream of visiting places in Central and Eastern Europe that were being described on the air. In more recent years, I’ve had the chance to visit many of those countries.
"This is actually my fourth or fifth visit to Prague, something I could only imagine back then. It was a lot of fun to listen to it."
Now that the HFCC conference is taking place in Prague, what role does the HFCC play in international broadcasting?
"The idea began with Oldřich Číp from Radio Prague and Horst Scholz from Deutsche Welle. Even during the final years of the communist era, they communicated unofficially to reduce interference between stations broadcasting on the same frequency at the same time to the same target area.
"This early coordination effort laid the foundation for what became the HFCC, the High Frequency Coordination Conference.
"After 1989–1990, the HFCC was formally established. We meet twice a year, since there are two shortwave broadcasting seasons, to plan and coordinate schedules in advance.
"The goal is to prevent having two stations on the same frequency to the same target area. That was the idea, and it's worked all these years."
Why is this year’s HFCC conference taking place in Prague?
"This is actually the fourth time the HFCC has met in Prague. Oldřich’s son, Vladislav Číp, is the secretary of our organization, and he offered to host it again.
"People in the HFCC love Prague—this city is also our headquarters. It’s a wonderful place with so much to see and do, so everyone is glad to come here.
"Personally, I’m very happy we were able to hold the conference in Prague once more."
Why is shortwave broadcasting still relevant in the age of Internet and digital media?
"First, there are still many regions in the world with little or no reliable Internet access. Even if it exists, it may be too expensive for people to stream radio online.
"Even in developed countries, there are rural areas where people cannot easily receive AM or FM signals, so they turn to shortwave. Believe it or not, this is true even in parts of the United States and Canada.
"At the same time, many people who have Internet access still enjoy shortwave. In North America it’s a niche market, but we receive hundreds of emails and messages from listeners in all parts of the world who say they like to listen to shortwave. And I think it still has a bright future."
How does shortwave signal propagation work? How is it possible to hear a broadcast from the other side of the world?
"Shortwave signals travel up from the transmitting antenna into a layer of the atmosphere called the ionosphere.
"I still see a bright future for shortwave and I believe it will be around for many decades yet."
Jeff White
"During nighttime or early morning hours especially, the signals bounce off the ionosphere and return to Earth in a series of hops that can cover thousands of miles.
"With transmitters of 50 to 100 kilowatts, signals can reach around the globe when conditions are good. AM and FM don’t have this kind of reach.
"Sometimes you can hear an AM station from a distant city at night, but shortwave is unique in its ability to cover truly global distances."
Where does Radio Prague International’s programming reach when transmitted via Radio Miami International?
"We broadcast English programming to North America, while Spanish programming is sent to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and also Spain.
"We also have French programming for Europe. Sometimes we transmit to additional areas—for example, French islands in the Caribbean like to receive French programming, and in North America, with its growing Spanish-speaking population, we also provide Spanish broadcasts.
"So from our transmitter site in Okeechobee, central Florida, we cover a wide range of regions with different language services."
Have you received any memorable or surprising listener stories that have personally touched you?
"Back in the 1980s, I travelled extensively through Central and South America and the Caribbean to study shortwave audiences for a coalition of shortwave stations including the BBC, Voice of America, and Deutsche Welle.
"They provided me with names and addresses of listeners who had written to them, and my job was to find these people and interview them about their listening habits—their preferred programs, listening times, and the radio receivers they used.
"One story I remember vividly was from Trinidad. I had the address of a listener, which turned out to be simply the post office in a small town. After asking around, someone offered to guide me, and we drove out to an oil field.
"There, I met a young man just finishing work. He invited me to his home, a house on stilts in the oil field, where he proudly showed me his shortwave receiver and a large box of QSL cards from stations around the world.
"Among them was a card I had personally signed a few years earlier for a transmission we had done. It was an extraordinary moment. There are countless stories like this from meeting listeners around the world.
"I’ve also attended shortwave listeners’ conventions in North America, Mexico, and Europe, where it’s always a pleasure to meet listeners face-to-face."
What are the biggest challenges HFCC and shortwave broadcasting face today?
"One of the main challenges is financial. For example, the Voice of America in the United States has faced major cuts and is now almost off the air.
"Other stations around the world have also had to close or scale back their operations. It’s important for us to keep reminding people of the value and importance of shortwave broadcasting.
"Another challenge is adapting to new technologies. Broadcasters must now also produce podcasts, online streams, and use social media. These are vital, but I believe a balanced mix of media is necessary, including traditional broadcasting, to reach everybody.
"I still see a bright future for shortwave and, like I said, I believe it will be around for many decades yet."
