The New Yorker Radio Hour From “On the Media” ’s “Divided Dial”: “Fishing in the Night”
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May 20, 2025 
Katie Thornton, reporter and host of On The Media's Peabody-winning series “The Divided Dial,” explores the captivating world of shortwave radio. She dives into its evolution from a utopian communication tool to a weapon of propaganda during the Cold War. Listeners learn about the covert origins of Radio Free Europe and its role in broadcasting truth amidst repression. Thornton reminisces about the magical allure of late-night shortwave listening and highlights how these waves shaped public perception, morale, and even American politics.
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David Gorin's Shortwave Journey
- David Gorin shared how Radio Moscow on shortwave shaped his understanding of the Soviet Union as a kid in the 70s.
- His experience opened the world to him through a small radio, connecting global events to his personal education.
Ionosphere Enables Nighttime Signal Bounce
- Midnight AM radio listeners discovered long-distance signals as ionosphere layers change at night.
- The ionosphere acts as a mirror for radio waves, allowing signals to bounce back to earth far away.
Fishing in the Night Hobby
- Long-distance radio channel surfing became a fad called "fishing in the night" with listeners mapping remote stations.
- People kept track of faraway broadcasts as they marveled at the ether's unexpected reach.