Radio Rebelde - Some Interesting Historical Perspectives!


Hi Everyone,

 I have been reading an excellent historical perspective on Ernesto Che Guevara called Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life by Jon Lee Anderson. It's a mammoth reference work and a fascinating insight into no only Che but also Fidel Castro and the entire Latin guerrilla movement. A great read...but it's long! 

Rebelde's Jungle Studio

In the book, several mentions are made of the beginnings of Radio Rebelde, broadcasting in 1958 from the jungles of the Sierra Maestra mountains using an old amateur radio transmitter. Very interesting stuff. Of course these days, we hear the station as a polished music broadcaster playing wonderful Latin rhythms and Cuban Sons on 5025kHz. And, here in Australia, they can be heard strongly most times of the year.
Che, the radio announcer in action




















Having had my curiosity piqued by references to Rebelde in the Guevara book, I did a little further Googling and can recommend the following resources, if you would like to further explore the history behind this station:

Don Moore's excellent article in two parts can be found at: http://www.pateplumaradio.com/central/cuba/rebel1.html  and part 2 at http://www.pateplumaradio.com/central/cuba/rebel2.html 

Che Guevara transmitting from the jungle over the station at:

A very good short video presentation celebrating the 50 years anniversary of Radio Rebelde's beginnings on February 14, 1959 at:


Another short article on the history of the station at: http://www.themilitant.com/1996/6017/6017_12.html   AND..... finally, for all you lovers of Facebook, there are two Radio Rebelde Facebook sites at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-Rebelde/112864732058031?v=desc (the history page) and https://www.facebook.com/radiorebelde.cu (the current listeners page)
Hope you find this of interest.
Regards
Rob Wagner VK3BVW

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