New Zealand's ZLXA 3935 Shortwave Goes Silent

We've just heard that New Zealand shortwave station, ZLXA of the
Radio Reading Service, is about to permanently sign off the air.

In fact, it has already been silent since December 1 2008 and, as the
following message from Kelvin Brayshaw [QSL Manager] says, the
chances of it returning, except for a last special broadcast for
DXers, are very unlikely.

Subject: Radio Reading Service -ZLXA 3935 kHz
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:44:53 +1300
From: Kelvin Brayshaw

I'm sorry to have to tell you that, in all probability, the
shortwave service of the Radio Reading Service will soon be
discontinued.
ZLXA, 3935kHz, has been in abeyance since 1st December 2008 pending
the result of a listener survey and the consideration of
cost-effectiveness.

The final outcome is expected to be advised following deliberations
by management at the first board meeting of the year - probably in
February.

I feel there will be members of SWL groups who might appreciate an
opportunity to log this transmitter one last time during the northern
winter, and I'm sure that if you were to make a special request on
behalf of shortwave listeners, RRS management would, in a continuing
spirit of goodwill, consider marking an event of such significance
to the worldwide DX community by resuming transmission for a brief
period.

In the meantime Radio Reading Service programmes are streaming on the
Internet.

73 & Best DX
Kelvin Brayshaw
QSL Manager

According to the Radio Heritage Foundation [www.radioheritage.net]
you can contact ZLXA Radio Reading Service by email:
info@radioreading.org, or by mail to PO Box 360, Levin, New Zealand.

The website is www.radioreading.org where you can learn more about the
Shortwave Survey, about new technology options to reach
listeners, and also learn more about the services provided by the station to
its listeners in New Zealand. Until last month, ZLXA
broadcast with 1kw on 3935 kHz shortwave.

Here at the Radio Heritage Foundation, we share the disappointment of many
international listeners to this news. However, we also
understand the issues facing the Radio Reading Service board of management
that are leading up to this decision.

We encourage radio listeners worldwide to take advantage of this offer by
the station to make one more shortwave broadcast before
leaving the air and to stay tuned for more information as to the date and
time of this last broadcast.

The Radio Heritage Foundation is a registered non-profit organization
connecting radio heritage and popular culture across the Pacific.
Find out more by visiting www.radioheritage.net.