| - |  Ecuador, at the crossroads of the equator and the Andes range, is an easy-to-hear and verify short wave target – courtesy of HCJB, of course. But besides that powerhouse, there are dozens of other stations on the air. Most respond to listener mail promptly, and many even send pennants and other collectibles.
During a recent trip to Quito, the capital, a friend of mine named Elsa Salas told me that she wanted to get out of the city for a few days. "So... Where to?" She asked me point blank. I blankly stared at a map, concentrating on cities which have shortwave radio stations, and suggested that we head south, swing eastward into the Amazon (Oriente), head north towards Colombia, and then finish the loop by heading southwest back towards Quito. This itinerary would cover Ambato, Riobamba, Tena, Coca, and Lago Agrio. "So we'll leave tomorrow and return in two days" she said. Although it looks fine on a map - I wouldn't suggest anyone follow our mistake and cover so much territory via rural transport like we did. As Elsa and I hopped onto a bus the next day many questions poured through my mind. I often wondered what the stations are like, especially those that have colorful pennants. Are the studios and facilities as grand as the mementos they send? Are foreign reception reports valued by the staff and announcers? And generally speaking... How much revenue do these small commercial stations earn? Meanwhile, all Elsa cared about was having Castillian food in Ambato. |
