The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul, who writes: Hi ThomasI thought readers may be interested in this YouTube video about Ham Radio in the Movies. It details quite a number of radios that were featured in different movies. Click here to view on YouTube. Cheers, Paul Christchurch, New Zealand

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a special Radio Nacional de Espana broadcast. Note that the Spanish version of this post follows the English version: This illustrated radio listening report was particularly special to me. It's a radio station's acknowledge of the importance [...]

Good day all SWLing Post readers from us here at Imaginary Stations. Here's our transmission schedule for the forthcoming week. The first programme is a return of the onshore/offshore pirate radio sound of Skybird Radio International. It goes out on Saturday 3rd May 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then repeated on Sunday 4th [...]

In the comments section of this recent post about the massive blackout in Europe, SWLing Post contributor Pedro Moreno shared an insightful firsthand account from Madrid. He captured the value of radio during a communications outage so effectively that I wanted to give it more visibility by highlighting it in its own post: Listener Report [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio La Red broadcast. Carlos notes: Massive blackout in Spain, Radio La Red, Argentina, 910 kHz AM: Part of Radio La Red news bulletin (In Spanish) about the massive blackout in Spain. Listened (indoor) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, [...]

Today, parts of Spain, Portugal, and France experienced widespread power outages, knocking out electricity, internet, and mobile networks for hours. One BBC article captured a personal account of how radio became a vital lifeline. SWLing Post contributor Balazs Kovacs shared this note from the BBC Live Update: Meanwhile, a friend of our family living in [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following information. However, I want to acknowledge that we are late in posting this message that Paul originally shared on April 14, 2025. Hi Thomas, Following the demolition of the rotary antenna at Moosbrunn near Vienna, Slovakia has announced - in its French-language program [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes: Thomas, I picked up Season 5 of the cult TV show The Avengers" at a street market last weekend. In the episode Never, never say die", Mrs Emma Peel follows a lead and meets a radio ham playing chess with other radio hams around the [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report covering the funeral of Pope Francis from several international and local broadcasters. Carlos notes: Funeral of Pope Francis: BBC, Vatican Radio, NHK and Radio Mitre: Part of news bulletins from four radio stations (BBC, Vatican Radio, NHK and Radio Mitre) about [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall for once again sharing a remarkable collection of vintage off-air AM radio recordings. In this post, he shares recordings made from his home and during his travels across North America and the Caribbean. Dan writes: Hi Thomas Judging by the interest on my Internet Archive page, vintage [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a special Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Vatican Radio's news bulletin (in English) about Pope Francis' funeral. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on XHDATA D-808 receiver. Click here to view on YouTube.

by Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Just how hardcore are you as a DXer? I received the following from a ham radio friend: Greetings all! I received an interesting opportunity for anyone capable and interested in helping NYS DEC. This was aimed at Warren County, however I thought hams in the Northern District surrounding counties could also [...]

Readers of the SWLing Post have been sharing various articles concerning the recent ruling by a federal judge, which directs the Trump administration to reinstate the USAGM staff. This decision was initially reported by Paul Walker earlier this week. Below is further analysis from several news sources shared by Ed C, Ron Smith, and Dennis [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: From the Isle of Music, May 2025 May's program will feature music from two Cuban artists in Scandinavia, Yeisy Rojas in Norway and Eliel Lazo in Denmark. Friday, May 9: 6070 kHz at 1700 UTC 3955 at 2100 UTC Sunday, May 11: 9670 kHz [...]

Hi to all the SWLing community worldwide. Imaginary Stations have a couple of programmes on the shortwaves this week for your listening pleasure. The first is on Saturday 26th April 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then repeated on Sunday 27th April 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 [...]

Published by SWLing.com contributor Paul Walker From Politico: A federal judge agreed Tuesday to block the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America, the 83-year-old international news service created by Congress. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that the administration illegally required Voice of America to cease operations for the first time since its [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares an illustrated radio listening report from Vatican Radio reporting the death of Pope Francis, along with a recent Kyodo News Agency Radiofax, and numerous archived reports from Carlos also featuring Pope Francis: Carlos notes: Pope Francis has passed away: Full news bulletin (in English) [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer for also sharing the following article from Tibetan Review. This piece raises questions about the future of Tibetan-language broadcasting and the broader implications of VOA and RFA closures: Click here to read: The Silencing of Tibetan Voices: Who Benefits and Who Loses from the Closure of VOA [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, who shares the following post from James Cridland's blog and notes: Overseas listeners could listen to BBC Domestic broadcasts, then they couldn't, then they might be able to and then they might be able to for a fee and then who knows.... https://james.cridland.net/blog/2025/bbc-radio-overseas-what-now/

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributorDon Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-for the latest installment of hisPhoto Album guest post series: Don Moore's Photo Album: Guatemala (Part Five) - Visiting Nahuala More of Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his bookTales of a Vagabond DXer[SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read his book and [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes: Hi Thomas: The SWLing Post reported the start-up of an International Service from Radio Nacional da Amazonia in Brazil back on March 27. Since then, I had been intending to give a listen, and finally, last night (April 18 UTC) I was able to do [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent NHK broadcast. Carlos notes: Japan-US trade talks held in Washington, NHK, Japan, in Russian, 7375 kHz: Part of NHK news bulletin (in Russian) about Japan-US trade talks in Washington. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Xhdata d-808 [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Frank, who notes that he's just published a post exploring the world of virtual amateur radio via HamSphere 5.0-a platform that simulates real-world radio propagation using the internet and VoIP. He shares his experiences since 2012, highlighting thousands of contacts, numerous awards, and how the platform has deepened his [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ronald, who writes: I am 83 years old now. When I was actively DXing from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, some stations, such as Radio Prague and Radio Nederland, and clubs such as the Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC) organized contests with prizes, usually special QSL cards. In [...]

Guest Post by Robert Gulley K4PKM I wanted to pass along three useful references I came across from several posts in the Utility DXers Forum posted by Steve Handler. The first is: Radio Aids to Marine Navigation 2025 (Atlantic, St. Lawrence, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Arctic and Pacific" (Both English and French versions are available, [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares the following guest post: The Beast" by Carlos Latuff Since December 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height, I have had an inseparable companion: the XHDATA D-808 radio. This receiver has accompanied me in many situations, on the beach, in the countryside, in [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jim Salmon, who shares the following information sheet via www.volaonair.com and www.retworldservice.com:

By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Here is an idea thought up by a radio pal of mine, Andy, W2SRA. It's an exercise to get us operating our portable mutliband radios from manufacturers such as Grundig, Sony, XHDATA, Tecsun, Sangean, and so on. If you own a digital multiband radio that has an ATS' search function, that [...]

Dear Readers, Over the 17 years I've been running the SWLing Post, I've done my best to make this space a safe haven from divisive politics. This site has always aimed to bring people together through a shared love of shortwave listening, international broadcasting, and radio communications - no matter where they live or how [...]

Hi to all of the SWLing community worldwide. Imaginary Stations are at it again transmitting over those airwaves this week with a couple of programmes for your listening pleasure. The first is on Saturday 19th April 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and on Sunday 20th April 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Walker, who writes: This is the A25 Schedule for Radio Havana Cuba. Only English, Spanish, and Portuguese remain on shortwave (SW) broadcasts. You'll notice that only two frequencies, 6000 kHz and 15230 kHz, are still in use. Unfortunately, the antenna systems and transmitters are probably beyond repair, and [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Frank, who notes that he has added a new post to his blog where he shares a simple method for tuning in to radio amateurs using the KiwiSDR network. He wrote this for anyone curious about exploring ham radio activity online. You can check it out here: How to [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent CGTN broadcast. Carlos notes: Chinese people do not provoke trouble, nor do we fear it." CGTN Radio, China, 11770 kHz. Part of CGTN Radio's news bulletin (in English) about the Chinese government response to Trump's tariffs. Listened in [...]

From Radio World: In a rare move, the FCC has approved two new construction permits and granted a full license for international shortwave broadcasting-prompting questions about their true purpose. All three applicants-DPA Mac, Parable Broadcasting, and Turms Tech-claim intentions to use the DRM standard, yet past filings and meeting summaries suggest possible ties to high-frequency [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan, for his recent article in Radio World titled The Modernization of Broadcast Radio." In it, Alan argues that the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act" in the U.S. should go beyond preserving legacy systems and instead embrace Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) as the future of terrestrial broadcasting. [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares his A-25 (version 1.0) season guide to music on shortwave. Alan provides this amazing resource as a free PDF download: Click here to download Music on Shortwave A-25 v1.0 (PDF) Alan notes thatcopies of his at-a-glance" single-page PDF programme grids of all BBC WS, CGTN Radio, [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following schedules for Texas Radio Shortwave (click here for a printable PDF):

By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Bob Colegrove inspired this, with his excellent post Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches."If you haven't read it, go do so now. And it was our Maximum Leader, Thomas, who some time ago was asked What's the best shortwave radio?" His response (if I recall correctly): The one you enjoy [...]

A big hello to the SWLing community far and wide. Here's what Imaginary Stations are transmitting over the airwaves this weekend. The first is on Saturday 12th April 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and on Sunday 13th April 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz. [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Robert, who shares the following: Hi Thomas - I visited the President Truman Library today and noticed an interesting item in their Oval Office recreation. It appears that not only did Mr. Truman have the first television inside the Oval Office, he apparently also had a Hallicrafters model SX-28 [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares anillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 1 broadcast. Carlos notes: Tokyo stock market crash, Radio Nikkei 1, 6055 kHz: Part of Nikkei Electronic News bulletin (in Japanese) about Tokyo stock market crash dueTrump's tariffs. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, [...]

Pressing Buttons. Twirling Knobs and Throwing Switches By Bob Colegrove Move along. Nothing informative to read here, just the wandering of an idle mind scheming with meandering fingers on a keyboard. On the other hand, if your curiosity can't be controlled, consider that a significant amount of enjoyment in this hobby is the mere operation [...]

The Battle Harbour Marconi Towers, located on Labrador's rugged coast, are the last of their kind in North America and possibly the world. Built in 1904, they played a pivotal role in early global communications, notably transmitting Admiral Robert Peary's 1909 North Pole expedition announcement. However, over a century of harsh weather and the impacts [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonistCarlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening reports of recent CNR and Radio 2 broadcasts. Carlos notes: Myanmar earthquake death toll, Malvinas Veterans Day in Argentina: CNR (China) and Radio 2 (Argentina) Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares an illustrated radio listening report of recent CNR and CGTN broadcasts. Carlos notes: China, ASEAN steps up humanitarian aid to Myanmar: CNR and CGTN Radio Part of news bulletins from China National Radio (CNR) and China Global Television Network (CGTN) Radio, in Chinese and [...]

A big hello to all the SWLing community everywhere. Imaginary Stations have a couple of interesting programmes going out over the airwaves this week. The first is on Saturday 5th April 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 6th April 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 [...]

From CBS Evening News: After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, a couple of radio broadcasters played a critical role in keeping residents informed. Now, six months later, they have taken on a new role in the recovery. Skyler Henry reports. Click here to view on YouTube. Having experienced the devastation of Hurricane Helene firsthand, [...]

Jeff and Joe Geerling provide a quick but insightful overview of the FCC's DELETE, DELETE, DELETE" docket, offering their thoughts on its implications-especially from Joe's perspective as a broadcast engineer. Their discussion is a great starting point for understanding how these regulatory changes could impact radio and wireless communications. Click here to view on YouTube. [...]