Six and One make Seven- Radio Heaven?

The Sony Awards, the British radio industry's equivalent of Hollywood's big gongs, were dished out on Monday night, just a day after their televisual equivalents in the BAFTAs at the same venue.

Winner of station of the year was BBC Radio One, up against hot competition from its stable mate Radio Two, though there was maybe something of a consolation prize for the former "light" programme with the lifetime achievement award to the ever-genial Sir Terry Wogan- whose breakfast audio fodder is even favoured by Her Majesty the Queen, it appears.

Wogan's rival at Radio One is the sometimes controversial Chris Moyles, who has nevertheless caused something of a resurgence in listening over the cornflakes to the national broadcaster's pop channel in the very competitive morning slot. Ironically, though, a few days after the Sonys came news that listening figures were down for Radio One and indeed radio generally. Yet the BBC manages to maintain the lion's share of listening despite the plethora of commercial competition and even it's expensive digital options are attracting niche audiences.

These are strange times for radio listeners, and indeed for radio hobbyists. As the "delivery platform" of electromagnetic waves is threatened with ever more new methods of listening- from iPod to Freeview eye pod (audio only), there is nevertheless no end of lucrative demand for short term "restricted service licences", or RSLs. Indeed, these provide a very lucrative filip to HM Treasury through the fees charged by Ofcom, the light-touch radio regulator in the UK. Stations abound for everything from religious festivals to football matches- though for those listening to the FA cup final on BBC Radio 5 live today, it almost IS a religion.

At the same time, reports of the death of Short Wave have been very much exaggerated. Listen in 13840 KHz at 07.45 GMT (08.45 BST) on Sunday 14th May, or on 5775 on Thursday 18th May at 09.45 and you can catch another number which has nothing to do with the BBC- Radio Six International. They've just started a new, monthly programme for DXers and Shortwave listeners with the great title of DXtra.

The first edition of the show, presented by Tony Currie, was excellent, featuring news of the latest update to the schedules of the DXers "bible", the World Radio TV Handbook, plus a very welcome plug for the British DX Club's ever excellent Broadcasts in English. For further details on this publication, visit www.bdxc.co.uk- a brand new domain name! Happy hunting, lovely listening.

Meanwhile, I'm off to listen to the natural waves of the English Channel, then as I enjoy "the Sunshine Coast" and maybe discover a few pieces of radio hardware from the heyday of wireless at Eastbourne's Museum of Shops and memories of wireless's heyday.