The Droitwich Transmitting Station, located in Worcestershire, England, near Droitwich and the village of Wychbold, is a significant broadcasting facility established in 1934. This large station, owned and operated by Arqiva, houses the British Broadcasting Corporations (BBC) most powerful long-wave transmitter. The site was selected in December 1932 and purchased in March 1933. It features two prominent 213-metre-high (700 ft) guyed steel lattice radio masts, standing 180 metres (590 ft) apart. These imposing structures are visible from a significant distance and support the T-aerial used for long-wave transmissions. The station also transmits on medium wave (MW) frequencies.

A crucial function of the Droitwich Transmitting Station has been the transmission of BBC Radio 4 on 198 kilohertz (LW). Importantly, this long-wave signal also carries data for the Radio Teleswitching System (RTS), a service used by energy suppliers to switch electricity meters for time-controlled tariffs such as Economy 7 and Economy 10. The RTS data, including time-of-day and control signals, has been encoded using phase modulation since the early 1980s. The BBC transmits this signal on behalf of the Energy Networks Association (ENA). However, the use of the long-wave signal for RTS is scheduled to end by at least 30 June 2025, necessitating the transition of remaining customers using RTS meters to smart meters. The planned cessation of the long-wave transmission is also linked to factors like reliance on rare glass valves and past budget announcements.

Explore Radio City, The Station of the Cars, a unique independent radio service inspired by the golden age of European offshore broadcasting. Influenced by ship based commercial stations that revitalized radio with non stop music, the operator honed skills through years of pirate radio transmissions on shortwave, medium wave, and FM. The name Radio City was chosen in 1991, and the distinctive slogan The Station of the Cars was adopted to stand out. This identity is strongly linked to vintage cars, featuring car commercials and car songs in early years, and presenting a different classic vehicle in each QSL letter. The programming offers a fixed structure with a focus on 60s music and a broad selection of international music, including a segment called Dateline that highlights events and music from past years.

Today, Radio City primarily broadcasts in Europe on Medium Wave 1323 kHz. This transmission is facilitated through the International Public Access Radio (IPAR) program, a service provided by NEXUS International Broadcasting Association. IPAR is a public broadcasting platform offering airtime on shortwave and AM Medium Wave frequencies to support free speech and diverse viewpoints. It allows individuals and organisations to reach a worldwide audience, particularly targeting areas across the digital divide and regions facing internet censorship, providing an important platform for independent radio like Radio City

Opus Dei, a personal prelature within the Catholic Church, remains a subject of significant interest and ongoing debate, often described as a controversial force within Catholicism. Throughout its history, controversies about Opus Dei have included historical opposition from Jesuits, concerns surrounding corporal mortification with practices like the use of a cilice and discipline, and serious allegations of aggressive recruiting methods, sometimes likened to cult-like 'love bombing'. The organisation has also faced allegations of being highly controlling and maintaining secrecy, which has led to the formation of groups like the Opus Dei Awareness Network. Furthermore, the swift canonisation of its founder, Josemaría Escrivá, a figure often described as 'polarising', has drawn criticism, with some questioning its reliability.

Beyond these points, Opus Dei has been scrutinised for its alleged independence and influence within the Roman Catholic Church despite statistics suggesting a limited number of its members hold high positions. Critics have also pointed to legal disputes involving the prelature and raised questions about its questionable business activities, leading some to label it the 'Santa Mafia'. The experiences of former members, such as María del Carmen Tapia, who chronicled her 'disenchantment' in 'Beyond the Threshold', offer valuable insider perspectives on the organisation's practices and the reasons behind criticisms related to control and the apparent uniformity of outlook among members. Understanding these multifaceted controversies requires a detailed analysis of historical context, insider perspectives, and the opinions surrounding this influential personal prelature.

Welcome back to Beyond Global Waves. Today, we embark on a journey into the heart of the invention of radio, a period defined by the intense rivalry between two iconic figures: the visionary Nikola Tesla and the pragmatic Guglielmo Marconi. The question of who truly deserves the title of this groundbreaking wireless technology inventor remains a subject of debate. Was it Tesla who secured the earliest radio patents in the United States, outlining fundamental concepts of wireless communication and even publicly demonstrating radio communication as early as 1893? Or was it Marconi, celebrated for his practical implementation of wireless telegraphy and the monumental achievement of the first transatlantic radio signal transmission in 1901? This podcast will delve into Tesla's pioneering research and patents, including his 1900 US patents for a System of Transmission of Electrical Energy and Apparatus for Transmission of Electrical Energy. Simultaneously, we will explore Marconi's development of a functional wireless system, his formation of the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company, and his pursuit of his patents, including a US patent application in 1900.

The battle for recognition extended to the courts, culminating in the significant 1943 US Supreme Court ruling. Contrary to popular belief, this decision did not declare Tesla the sole inventor of radio . Instead, it addressed governmental compensation for the use of patents during World War One and, notably, upheld earlier rulings that the work of Oliver Lodge and John Stone Stone had priority over certain of Marconi's later improvements in radio tuning technology, particularly the adjustable four-circuit transformer. While Tesla's foundational work and earlier patents were noted, the court's decision underscored the contributions of others in the evolution of radio. Join us on Beyond Global Waves as we dissect the key inventions, the contrasting business and scientific approaches of Tesla and Marconi, and the intricate history that shaped our modern wireless world.

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20, is Jesus Christ’s command to His followers to 'go and make disciples of all nations.' It calls believers to share the Gospel globally, baptizing and teaching people everywhere, beyond any cultural or geographical boundary. Jesus Himself ministered to both Jews and Gentiles, laying the foundation for a mission that knows no borders.

Nationalism, by contrast, puts a nation's interests above global cooperation. When mixed with religion, it can lead to the belief that Christianity should focus solely on preserving one country’s spiritual identity. This view limits the Gospel's reach and clashes with the universal nature of the Great Commission, which urges preaching to 'all nations'. The early Church, with apostles traveling across the Roman Empire, clearly showed that Christianity was never meant to be nationalistic.

Global evangelism reflects the true spirit of Jesus’ command. Platforms like European Gospel Radio (EGR) help fulfill this mission by broadcasting the Gospel to remote and restricted regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia. EGR promotes the worldwide call of Christ, a message of unity under God's kingdom that transcends every border.

In this Beyond Global Waves podcast episode, we explore the evolving audio ecosystem, focusing on the shift from traditional radio to digital audio formats such as podcasts, audiobooks, and multi-platform audio content. As listening habits change, especially among younger audiences, Public Service Media (PSM) are undergoing digital transformation, investing in original podcast production, audio series, and voice technology integration for smart speakers and connected cars. We discuss the importance of innovation in content creation and distribution to remain relevant in a competitive landscape dominated by global digital platforms. Discover how radio broadcasting continues to play a vital role, even as the industry adapts to new technologies, audience expectations, and the future of sound.

In this episode of the Beyond Global Waves podcast, we explore the concept of shadow banning on social media, a controversial content moderation tactic where platforms subtly suppress users' visibility without notification. We examine how shadow banning impacts free speech, particularly among political activists, by encouraging self-censorship and the use of coded language or algospeak to evade algorithmic detection. Highlighting viral examples like #cutewinterboots, #FDT (F* Donald Trump), and the 'Soup for my family' meme, the podcast delves into how digital resistance movements creatively use hashtags, humor, and strategic messaging to bypass censorship on platforms like TikTok. These cases reveal the tension between algorithmic moderation, political expression, and the ongoing battle for online visibility and digital freedom.

In this episode in the series Beyond Global Waves, we examine the concept of Canada becoming the 51st state of the United States, as it has recently resurfaced due to statements made by US President Donald Trump. Trump has suggested that Canada should consider joining the US, citing potential benefits such as significant tax cuts, […]