SPIES IN THE TRANSMITTER!

If you enjoy Cold War spy stories and are interested in Radio Free Europe's history, I am sure you will enjoy the recent Netflix production called Glória. The 10-part series, released nearly two years ago, uses the backdrop of RFE's once-famous Portuguese relay transmitter site at Glória do Ribatejo.

The story begins in 1968 and focuses on RARET (Portuguese for RAdio de RETransmissão). This organization was responsible for receiving broadcasts from RFE's German headquarters and rebroadcasting them using 100 kW (and later 300 kW) transmitters.

A young engineer is sent to work at the transmitter site but has been recruited as a spy by the KGB. The story is a mix of fiction and some fascinating history. Set during the height of the Cold War and when the Portuguese dictator, Oliveira Salazar, ruled with an iron fist, the country was also attempting to quell uprisings in its many African colonies (particularly Angola) and Asia.

From a radio enthusiast's perspective, the series is both realistic and entertaining. Numerous photos of the Glória relay station are available on the web. The miniseries successfully recreates the Glória site, with some scenes occurring in the transmitter control rooms and RARET offices.

The transmitter hall at Glória do Ribatejo.

After completing the series, I was motivated to read more about the Glória relay station, Radio Free Europe, Portuguese politics and its colonies during the 60s and 70s. The dialogue is in Portuguese (with subtitles) and English. Like many good spy thrillers, the action and tension could be described as a "slow burn". But it is worth the effort. Highly recommended. (See the NOTES section below....)

The standard QSL card issued by Radio Free Europe in the early 70s for its
relay station at Glória do Ribatejo, Portugal. (From my collection)

NOTES:

The Radio Free Europe website has some excellent background information about the Glória transmitter site. It may even help some viewers to read this article before watching the miniseries. Check it out at: https://pressroom.rferl.org/a/31477985.html
An excellent blog post on another website has some beautiful black-and-white photos of the Glória transmitting station. The text is all in Portuguese, but Google does a good job translating most of it. https://restosdecoleccao.blogspot.com/2014/07/raret-radio-retransmissao.html
The Glória page on the Netflix website: https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81073977