What is Electro Space?
Electro Space is a new experiment in indie/electronic music. We feature up-and-coming independent artists, Hot electronic music that doesn't see its fair share of air time, and even some classic electronic and space music from earlier days of electronic music.
The show is called Electro Space because some of our artists are rooted in classic "space music" as well as early "Berlin School" and experimental synthesized music.
Some of our music comes from popular radio, but most of the music heard on Electro Space just isn't promoted in mainstream media or aired on commercial radio. We think of this music as a hidden gem that deserves more attention!
Why shortwave?
We want to reach a diverse audience over a fascinating and unique medium. Shortwave is simple -- your receiver receives a signal out of the air that is broadcast from a transmitter hundreds or thousands of miles away with nothing in between! This is the magic of radio. There is no intermediate equipment or infrastructure to contend with; shortwave signals travel right from the transmitter to your receiver.
While there is no equipment between the transmitter and your receiver, the signal is heavily affected by an array of atmospheric and electromagnetic phenomena along the way. This is called radio propagation and is a fascinating study all on its own. This is why a shortwave station may come in great one minute and fade out moments later. The characteristics of shortwave broadcasting are almost as interesting as the characeristics of the electronic music heard on this show!
Who is Nelson Ogden?
An avid electronic and independent music enthusiast, Nelson Ogden is a life long resident of Northern Michigan. Nelson also enjoys radio and electronics and is an amateur radio operator (callsign W8NWO). When he's not exploring new music, repairing old radios, talking to his "ham" friends, volunteering as an EMT, or working full-time at a public school, he might be found photographing nature or printing his latest photos in the darkroom.
What is shortwave?
Shortwave radio is similar to regular broadcast AM radio. It is called shortwave because the frequency of shortwave signals is higher than AM radio. Shortwave radio uses the same technology as regular AM radio but is broadcast at higher frequencies. For instance, AM stations are broadcast between 540 and 1710 kHz (kilohertz), whereas this show is broadcast on 5110 kHz. Some older radios and higher-end HiFi systems include shortwave or world band. There are also plenty of modern shortwave and multiband radios on the market as well.
Since the frequency is higher, the signal travels differently than regular AM broadcast signals. Like AM, some shortwave frequencies travel greater distances at night including WBCQ's at 5110 kHz. In fact, shortwave is sometimes called world band because shortwave signals usually can be heard internationally. Unlike regular AM broadcasting, stations like WBCQ can be heard over many U.S. states and even other nearby countries. If you are listening to us on shortwave, please let us know where you are located!
Where is WBCQ?
WBCQ proudly operates four powerful shortwave transmitters from their facility in Monticello, Maine, United States of America. They broadcast on 5110 kHz, 7490 kHz, 9330 kHz, and 15420 kHz. Not all frequencies are active at all times; check their schedule for details.
If you like the idea of free radio, please check out WBCQ's lineup. More information is available at wbcq.com. There are many fine talk and music shows on WBCQ.
