At 0000 utc on the 1st of February 2002, one of the few remaining European coastal stations still operating a CW service around 500 kHz - SDJ Stockholm Radio, Sweden, closed down, and ended a century of operation on this band, and with this mode. I was monitoring 500 kHz at the time, and made a .mpeg recording of their final message, you can listen to this, or download it by clicking on the link below:

The CW service may have ended, but SDJ are still around, and will be offering many other services, such as Navtex, Maritime SSB, Aero Communications, Maritime Rescue etc. for many years to come, and you can find out more about these services by visiting their website at:

Thanks to all SDJ operators who have been involved with the station over the years, it always put a very strong signal into the UK and was always very readable. After the final broadcast two stations called in to say 73, TAH - Istanbul Radio (not audible here unfortunately), and IAR from Italy, which itself closed down recently. It's sad to see the end of a band that was always a very interesting one to listen to, though at least one new station in the USA will ensure that at least a small part of this historical band will live on for some time to come!