Help us look back at our history!
On February 25, 2015, RCI will celebrate its 70th anniversary.
Were you one of our listeners when we did our first shortwave broadcast?
Did you discover us later on Sirius satellite, CBC or at rcinet.ca?
Did listening to RCI help you to better understand Canada? Or keep in touch with Canada while you were elsewhere in the world?
Were you part of the Radio Canada Shortwave Club or did you collect our program schedules?
Do you have stories, anecdotes, photographs, sound recordings or articles about RCI to share with our audience?
Dear RCI team,
I probably started listening to the RCI programs to Latin America in English and Spanish in the late 70’s when I was about 12 or so.
I was born to a low-medium class family in Brazil and I lived there most of my life. Back then, having a TV set was a luxury a few families could afford, and FM radio station were not a common thing yet, so I used to listen to SW on my granpa’s radio but could not understand most of it, because we only had a few options in Portuguese (my mother tongue). I soon realized there was a BBC radio program teaching English in Spanish and once Spanish is pretty similar to Portuguese, I was able to follow the course and learn some English; then ‘suddenly’ a whole new world opened up through the radio.
Radio Canada made me dream of a better world, it taught me so much about Canada and the world; it was the interviews, the stories, the mailbag, the Vinyl Cafe, the news…
I even received postcards from RCI twice a year via mail along with the SW frequencies – they were really lovely, I really cherished them. And I remember the time RCI sent me a booklet explaining how SW antennas work and how to build my own!
Brazil was (and unfortunately still is) a place with much violence full of people who take advantage of others, especially in big cities – I had to move from the big city I was born to the countryside to try and escape violence – and RCI made me dream more and more of a better place to be and to raise a family of my own.
I eventually moved to Canada in September, 2009, and I can only thank RCI for being a huge part of my decision. I simply love Canada and, although actually not feasible, I would love everyone on this world to have the opportunity to live in a place like this.
A deep thank you to RCI team and to Canada!
Dan
Dear Friends,
I began to lestening to Radio Canada International in Polish language in 1975. In 70ties I was teenager. In communist Poland many people were listeners independent international radiostations. We looked for true messages about world and particularly about our country. In my family home we listened to Radio Canada International. I remember your programmes and names of Polish journalists. I was your listener till 1991.In this year RCI terminated Polish broadcast. It was on March 22nd, 1991. I recorded last Polish programme on the tape. Many times I return to these days. Mr Ryszard Kaczyński was the last chief of Polish Section RCI.
In 2005 I wrote essay about history of Polish Section CBC and RCI. Its title is “Tu mówi Kanada” (Radio Canada is speaking). This article was published in the second volume of Polish Radio annual publication “From the history of Polish Broadcasting”.
Thank you for 38 years of Polish-language radio programmes on the waves CBC and RCI. Thank you for 70 years of RCI.
Your former listener in Poland
Jaroslaw Jedrzejczak
As a UK teenager & ISWLer I asked for confirmation and information from all the radio stations I listened to. I assume I became a CBCIer by default. It was an early wireless geography lesson as Radio Moscow, Voice of America, Armed Forces Network, France, Deuche Welle, Luxemburg, South Africa echoed in the radio headphones or speaker. Sounds propaganda and stories that conjured up images and ideas about the countries origins. All peaked my curiosity I became G3KNK reaching out using Morse code & chatting to a hundred countries or more. We hams exchanged QSL cards. I have some framed in my Squamish home on the kitchen wall today. They reflect the times before the iron curtain faded. SWL practices are the same as using the Internet today. Radio was and is still magic. I worked in Montreal for RCA Victor in 1963 on the ISIS satellite programs and installed terminal equipment in Mill Village Scotia. My Cascade Electronics CATV R&D team conceived, built and tested the first bidirectional CATV systems – forerunners to the CATV services of today. Great times and great places to live work and enjoy. Thank you
I can’t believe that Radio Canada International would leave the shortwaves. I still believe that Canada can still have an international voice. I remember listening to RCI’s Magazine broadcasts to the USA and the Caribbean in the 70s. It was great to learn about the culture and music of a neighbor to the North.
Hello Radio Canada,
I first tuned into your transmissions on February 8, 1968. My first QSL card was from that date.
Member of the Radio Canada Shortwave Club #6582 on June 12, 1968. I still have my Members Handbook and list of members, membership card, and the Radio Canada Antenna Handbook.
My last letter to Radio Canada was August 13, 2012 for reception of CBC North Quebec Service broadcast on August 11,2012 at 0230 UTC on 9.625 Mhz.
But alas the letter was never answered nor was a QSL received.
It is sad that you are not longer a shortwave voice from Canada.
Thanks for the many programs and information on Canada and the world.
Sincerely
John J. Beregi
I started listening to RCI in 1974 and in addition to the European services used to listen late at night to As it Happens and the World at Six on the North American Service. I still have the silver coin that I received in 1976 when the Olympics were in Montreal. Now I listen via the web to the same news programmes via St Johns.
Having just one show a week does not give you much opportunity to promote Canada to the world.
Bonjour! a Toute,
Conratulations on RCI 70 years!
Listened RCI english
Over shortwave many years since late 80’s…RCI offered acurate info about Nazi pekin Comie Tian’anmen sqare blooding cracking down in 1984 to students in protests…
Now dissappointedly , now RCI Kowtowed to evil nazi pekin comie regime in exchange of commercial interests…
IT’s great pity that RCI failed to go to digital shortwave broadcast in 21st century,just failed to meet the real trend of charming digital shortwave braodcast…
I listened to Radio Canada International back in 2012 before it was shutdown due to budget cuts. It’s sad to see RCI go, but this is one shortwave voice I can treasure forever.
I was one of your listeners on shortwave from 1970 [at the age of 8] until it was terminated. Your programs were excellent and informative with News and programs such as the Great East with Paul Moth and Vinyl Cafe. I miss those days and hope that RCI would return to shortwave broadcasting. I still have your QSL Cards and listen on the internet.
Hallo,
I still remember my great adventure in listening to Polish Section of Radio Canada International in years 1965 to 1970,on 60ties I was a teenager in comunist Poland so listenining to CBC was a kind of journey to free world. I kept regular contact to staff members of Polka Sekcja Radia Kanadyjskiego Mme Hanka Nowakowska Mr Serwacki and Mr Ryszard Styka. I was a member of Radio Canada Shortwave Club. Canada is still in my circle of interest. On the 70 annirsary of RCI I wish you all the best.Z okazji 70 rocznicy RCI życzę całemu zespołowi Radia Kanadyjskiego wszystkiego najlepszego.
Bogdan
Poland
I have been a faithful listener to Radio Canada International since I discovered shortwave as a high school student in 1977. I still have the QSL card I was sent for a typewritten reception report. At that time, I enjoyed listening to “As It Happens” on 5960 kHz presented by Barbara Frum and Alan Maitland. It was with great sadness that I learned from your website of Barbara Frum passing away. I also used to enjoy listening to the CBC Northern Service 19 hour per day broadcast.
I really miss RCI’s presence on shortwave!!! I was a faithful listener and contributor to the Maple Leaf Mailbag and The Link, until the shows ended. Happy
70th Anniversary to you all!!! Thanks for keeping up the programs online too.
To
RCI
Respected sir,
RCI scenario has undergone spectacular changes ; beginning with traditional media-shortwave broadcasting and listening, the journey of RCI has gone digital, with net-surfers browsing through the world wide web.
I wish you a Merry Christmas & A Happy New Blessed Year !
With regards,
Your sincerely
Mitul Kansal
336/14, near Markanda Printing Press.
SHAHABAD MARKANDA-136135
HRYANA-INDIA
kansalmitul@gmail.com
So many years, such wonderful memories!
Mark Montgomery for one.
I am especially grateful to have learned
of the Canadian “Mr. Rogers,”
“Mr. Dress-Up!” 🙂
Wish you were still live on shortwave
but am grateful for the Internet feed.
Best wishes for the holidays!
George
Dear RCI,
I listened to RCI from about 1960 when I bought my first shortwave receiver, a Hallicrafters S38em. I remained a listener because RCI was the easiest and best way to keep up with news and culture in Canada.
I continued listening as RCI morphed into an extension of the Immigration Dept. It was still interesting, but less so than before. Now when I want Canadian news I stream CBC Winnipeg, but it is not the same as RCI.
Right now it sounds as if the Harper administration is trying to shrink the English and French programs of CBC. I hope they fail!
Not much to much celebrate in 2015 that I can see, except maybe just surviving.
Cordially,
Martin Gallas
204 Cranmer Dr
Springfield IL 62704
USA
To
Radio Canada International
Respected sir,
I visit and read RCI’s website page two or three times in a weak.My heartiest congratulations to RCI staff and its valuable listeners & website visitors on the eve of 70th anniversary celebration of RCI. Your programs give me in details a true picture of history, culture, religion, customs of the people of Canada.It also tells me what is happening in the world. I think RCI programs are to the point, up-to-date, well- analysed and well discussed and present the point of view of Government of Canada on the various problems faced by the whole world today.I find the musical programs full of entertainment and joyful.
Thus, i think the main responsibility of RCI is to inform and to entertain.It objective is to make aware by generating awareness. Thank to RCI i have become capable to face the world with better strength. It is educating me and thus performing the enormous task with responsibility.
It has also helped in developing my communication skill. You may be mine of knowledge, but until and unless you show it by way of presenting your thoughts, you are a failure.I firmly believe RCI is a potent source of manifold knowledge, information and entertainment well educates public opinion, sharpens intellect, broadens minds, widens outlook.
I congratulate RCI for doing good job. I also take this opportunity to ask you to awake and arise and do the best community need base projects to create a better world to live in.I hope RCI render its valuable services to prompt feelings of human values among our younger generation
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2015 !
Regards,
Mitul Kansal
336/14,near markanda press
SHAHABAD MARKANDA_136135
HARYANA-India
kansalmitul@gmail.com
The termination of Radio Canada International broadcasts to Latin
American and the Caribbean was an immature decision that should be
revisited in the future. The Canadian government, in all its wisdom
and resources must be able to afford an hourly broadcast in the morning
and one in the evening via one of the transmission sites there or from
time leased via some other shortwave broadcaster.
The shortwave broadcasts I listened to as a young man here in Belize
provided unbiased and open news about Canada and the world that none
of the other international broadcasters of that time could match.
Those broadcasts, for many listeners, solidified Canada’s impartial but committed position on many world issues.
While the internet and the other channels of communication will play
an important role in disseminating news, information and entertainment
from your country, radio broadcasts via shortwave also have a
continuing role to play in reaching an enthusiastic and dedicated
audience who seek maturity and credibility of information.
Oh! I also enjoyed the Mailbag programs too.
Why do governments abandon shortwave and all analog communication? Digital communication is traceable; whereas, analog is less. On your communication device, it records every key entry and mouse click. Think less about terrorist because you can be killed by your own police.
So the flat earth society wins, again. Many Americans do not know where New York City or Washington, DC are. How does your government want Canada known as “north suburb subdivision of Detroit city?
CBC broadcast the program Canada Air Farce.
I remember when RCI shortwave can its programming and only broadcast Mable Leaf Mailbag. Ian McFarlance gave shortwave forecast. Where is he, now?
Listened to Radio Canada International when Ian McFarlane was on the air for a long time. Do you people have any mouse pads for the occasion of your anniversary?
Thank you in advance.
I asked and receive a 45-rpm record with O Canada with English on one side and French on the other.