NavList:

Probably completely off-topic except for the HF radio connection...........

Back in the 1950s NZers would listen to the radio in the early hours of the morning when the All Blacks were playing a game of rugby in the UK. The commentary was broadcast by the BBC on HF and re-broadcast on local radio. At least I think that was how it worked. Until about 1959 all voice traffic to/from NZ was by HF.

When the All Blacks played in South Africa live commentaries were not possible because both great circle paths passed near the poles. This made reception impossibe - you will need to study the physics of the ionosphere to understand why. I do  not understand. However there was a solution involving analogue - digital - analogue conversions. In South Africa the commentary was converted into code and sent to Wellington by telegram (the digital part). In Wellington someone who understood rugby recreated the commentary and NZers could listen to a "live" commentary. Whether there was an acetate disk playing crowd noises in the background I do not know.

I have googled the subject to try and find a detailed description. I was unsuccessful but I am 100% certain that what I have written is true.