No matter where you go across our planet, the high-powered frequencies emitted by the numerous broadcasting stations can be picked up. Broadcasting to every corner, in almost every conceivable language, these stations send out programming messages to inform, entertain and educate. The Voice of America, Radio Moscow, the Overseas Service of the B.B.C. are just a few of the giants among this global conglomeration.

The Republic of China, in its continuing effort to promote the culture and national traditions of China, also has an international shortwave radio service, the Voice of Free China.

While we cannot actually see them, the airwaves are crammed with transmitted frequencies that are projected across the ionosphere each second. Just like a freeway at rush hour these frequencies can often lock and jam, resulting in interference. This can take the form of jammed frequencies or merely poor signal reception. Domestically this is seldom a major problem as each station has its own defined frequency setting. Unfortunately there is no international agreement regulating this situation.

Presently the most powerful broadcasting outfit is Radio Moscow. According to statistics from 1982, Radio Moscow broadcasts in 82 different languages some 2,000 broadcast hours each week. Three short wave services from the United States compete vigorously with Radio Moscow. Broadcasting in some 60 different languages, 1,900 broadcast hours per week, the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and Radio Liberty broadcast all over the world, the latter two aimed especially at Eastern Europe and the U.S.S.R. Somewhat smaller in scale, but no less important, is the prestigious international short wave service of B.B.C. Radio. They presently broadcast across the globe in 40 languages.

Despite the fact that the international airwaves are crammed with competing signals, many countries establish international broadcast services. It is no wonder then that there is a great deal of airwave interference. In order to successfully attract listeners then, the broadcast must at least have little static, if not a clear sound tone. Seeking to achieve the best frequency setting, broadcast stations often adjust their frequency emissions. This is also in response to the influence of weather conditions and the movement of sun spots. The majority of international broadcast agencies change frequencies on the first Sunday of the following months: March, May, September, and November. In order to make the best of this situation, the Voice of Free China tries to utilize the geographic location of the island of Taiwan to its maximum advantage. The island is fortunate to have a good trajectory for the emission of radio signals.

Amidst the hundreds of thousands of kilowatts that fill the international airwaves, the Voice of Free China broadcasts on a strength of 2,000 kilowatts some 1,400 broadcast hours per week. The domestic international broadcast division is divided into two component sections: The Central Broadcasting System which broadcasts into mainland China, and the Voice of Free China, which carries broadcasts to the rest of the world. The target audience for the Voice of Free China are the more than 20 million overseas Chinese as well as other foreign nationals. The Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC) and its Overseas Department handle the operational matters of the Voice of Free China. The broadcast service now operates in 14 languages, including five Chinese dialects: Mandarin, Minnan, Cantonese, Hakka, and Chaochow. The nine foreign languages used for broadcasting are: English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Thai, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. On the basis of the broadcast languages used, the Voice of Free China's most important target areas are (in descending order): Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia (Korea and Japan), America, Australia, Europe and Africa.

The international service differs in many ways from the broadcast format used on domestic radio. Firstly, as programs are sent abroad to many different areas, there is a great deal of repetition in programming. For instance there are 50 hours of Mandarin programming prepared. No one area will receive a continuous 24hour Mandarin broadcast because the 50 hours are divided up according to area, and with an eye to the number of Mandarin speakers in the respective broadcast region. For instance an area with a large population of Mandarin listeners may be allotted 7 or 8 hours of broadcast programming, while another region with substantially fewer numbers would only receive 2 or 3 hours. The broadcasters also pay attention to listener habits. The time of day the listener tunes in is of great importance, i.e. morning versus evening. If this is the case, programs can be repeated corresponding to these different times, convenient in terms of programming and costs.

The structure of programs transmitted abroad differs from the programming format of domestic programs. The basic rule of thumb is to pack as much information into the time allotted as possible. A one hour broadcast maybe broken down along the following lines: 10 minutes for news, 15 minutes for commentary, 30 minutes of music, and 15 minutes devoted to a special report. This may seem a little strange to the domestic listener but there is a logical rationale behind this programming concept. International broadcasts differ in their total transmission times to various areas, so it is important to utilize the allotted time to its maximum usage. Broadcasts in Arabic amount to only one hour each day, and so should include the most informative details in the program package.

Director of the Overseas Department of theB.C.C. Li Hou-shen says, "the Voice of Free China on the one hand introduces the Chinese culture, and lifestyle to the world situation. It is also an important conduit for communication with the large overseas Chinese community. The latest in domestic issues, the theater traditions of one's home province as well as popular Mandarin songs are all transmitted to the listening audiences' ear." Since listeners can shut the radio off if the program is bad, maintenance of quality programming standards is a number one priority with the Voice of Free China. Domestic listeners of the broadcast feel that the quality and content of the Voice of Free China's programs are generally of a high standard.

Listeners' response is the best measure of a program's effectiveness, and the Voice of Free China pays close attention to these "report cards". On average the station receives about 60,000 pieces of mail per year. To show the importance these letters play, a comparison can be made to the Voice of America, one of the world's largest overseas broadcast services. In 1978 the Voice of Free China received 68,000 letters, while the Voice of America which had an operating budget 22 times the size, and carried 14 times as many employees received only 2.5 times as many letters.

The Voice of Free China uses many methods to attract listener response. These include mailing out small gifts for sending in letters. These gifts include flags, books and program guides.

An important part of international radio broadcasting are QSL Cards (Qualified Shortwave Listener Cards). Every participating country issues these specially designed cards at regular time intervals. Listeners enjoy collecting them, not unlike people who make a hobby of stamp collection. The BCC uses specially designed scenes of a cultural nature to grace their cards, which are issued on a regular basis every three months.

The size of the staff employed at the Voice of Free China is surprisingly small. The Mandarin programming section, with just 12 employees is the largest program division. Each employee is involved in every aspect of programming, including writing, interviewing researching and broadcasting.

The BCC also contains a Listener Service Division which deals with the flow of incoming mail. Each letter is registered and sorted, then passed to the respective programming department. After completing a reply, letters are sent back to the Service Division to be mailed out. On average the Voice of Free China spends over US$10,000 a year on postage.

According to the most recent statistics, of the letters received, some 40% are from overseas Chinese listeners, while the remaining 60% are from foreign nationals. Of the 60%, the largest group of listeners is from Japan.

Historically, the first international broadcasting ventures in the Republic of China had a close relationship with Japan. The Central Broadcasting Station, the forerunner to the Voice of Free China first established a high frequency transmission service in Chungking (in Szechuan province) in 1939. Broadcasts were sent out to the eastern U.S.S.R., Manchuria, Japan, southern China, Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. This first station broadcast in 12 languages. During the war the radio waves were used for propaganda pieces against the Japanese. Despite the constant saturation bombings of Chungking by the Japanese, they failed to destroy or seriously damage the broadcast station.

The Voice of Free China began to formally broadcast under that name on October 10, 1949, from its new home in Taiwan. Throughout its 36-year history, the Voice of Free China has gradually grown in stature. Despite its limited broadcasting strength and resources, the Voice of Free China hopes to increase its broadcasting range.

As the world moves ever forward, and new horizons are conquered, it may not be impossible to one day hear the familiar, "This is the Voice of Free China from Taipei, Taiwan" on some distant planet.

(For those listeners interested in obtaining a complete program guide, please write to P.O. Box 24-38, Taipei, Taiwan, the Republic of China.)

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. This 200 foot curtain antenna located at Pali Hsiang in Tamsui can transmit wireless radio signals to faraway South Africa. 2. All overseas broadcasting programs utilize this computerized automatic broadcasting equipment for transmission.

1. The large, bold characters of the "Voice of Free China" logo can be clearly seen fronting the BCC Building a fair distance away from its Jen Ai Road location. 2. During the recording of a program the host must not only listen and speak attentively, she must change the music and control the sound level. 3. During the war of resistance against the Japanese, the overseas broadcasting unit endured nightly bombing raids without ever stopping transmission. Pictured is Madame Liu Jo-hsi, who is still active at the "Voice of Free China." This picture was taken during a 1938 broadcast in Chungking.

1. Expert calligrapher, Wang Wang-sun, created this lovely pictograph calligraphy drawing of a chicken for the "Voice of Free China's" QSL cards. 2. All letters from listeners are registered and processed.

2. All overseas broadcasting programs utilize this computerized automatic broadcasting equipment for transmission.

1. The large, bold characters of the "Voice of Free China" logo can be clearly seen fronting the BCC Building a fair distance away from its Jen Ai Road location.

2. During the recording of a program the host must not only listen and speak attentively, she must change the music and control the sound level.

3. During the war of resistance against the Japanese, the overseas broadcasting unit endured nightly bombing raids without ever stopping transmission. Pictured is Madame Liu Jo-hsi, who is still active at the "Voice of Free China." This picture was taken during a 1938 broadcast in Chungking.

1. Expert calligrapher, Wang Wang-sun, created this lovely pictograph calligraphy drawing of a chicken for the "Voice of Free China's" QSL cards.

2. All letters from listeners are registered and processed.

1. Chih Shan Garden is located directly east of the National Palace Museum. The entire garden is brought together by an interlocking system of lakes and footpaths.