The SWLing Post

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to theSWLing Post's Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Richard Cuff, Carlos Latuff, and David Iurescia for the following tips: How The World launched 30 years ago to [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributorDon Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-who shares the following post: A Beginner's Guide to ALE: Part Three By Don Moore Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his book Tales of a Vagabond DXer [SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read his book and enjoyed it, do Don a [...]

by Dan Greenall Sometimes, while I'm puttering around at my desk, I like to listen to some music on the radio without the chatter of commercials and other talk interruptions. Now, in the dead of winter here in Canada, I often find myself looking for stations in warmer climates to help escape" from all the [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who writes: The first time I thought about illustrating news I listened to on the radio, I was a kid, in the kitchen of my aunt's apartment, I think in the 80s. From her Philco Transglobe receiver, I was informed that a sea lion had appeared on [...]

Greetings all SWLing Post community! The whole Imaginary Station crew get on board to bring a tribute to all things train wise with CTRN on Saturday 21st February at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 22nd February at 1000/1400/2100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz (via the services of Shortwave Gold). If you [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor NT, for sharing this article on the emergence of Public Media Infrastructure (PMI) - the new nonprofit consortium formed to take up key public media infrastructure and distribution roles as Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) winds down. PMI, created through a substantial CPB grant, has now appointed its inaugural [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia who shares the following article from Radio Bulgaria-a retrospective that traces the history of the English Service of Bulgarian National Radio, marking nine decades of international broadcasting that brought Bulgaria's news, culture, and music to listeners around the world. You can read the full article here: https://bnrnews.bg/en/post/428374/radio-bulgarias-english-service-a-legacy-of-distinguished-voices

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran broadcast. Carlos notes: Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran (in Hausa and Dari) Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributorDon Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-who shares the following post: A Beginner's Guide to ALE: Part Two By Don Moore Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his book Tales of a Vagabond DXer [SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read his book and enjoyed it, do Don a [...]

Where are the Broadcasters? As posed by Bob Colegrove Whenever I ask myself that question, I can't help thinking of a couple analogies. Let me explain one. In the mid-80s, there were three contenders for the home computing market: IBM, Apple, and Commodore. There were others, but those were the main ones. It was not [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Robinson, who shares the following review: MLite-880 Spectrum Display Portable: Advanced SDR Performance in Traditional Portable Clothes by Dan Robinson For years, radio listening hobbyists (as many of us who are still around in 2026) have had numerous choices when it comes to portable receivers. Those of us [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nacional broadcast. Carlos notes: World Radio Day, Radio Nacional, 11780 kHz Click here to view on YouTube.

(Source: Radio Prague International via Paul Jamet) Everywhere - even under Russian occupation - radio waves still find their way To mark World Radio Day, Radio Prague International spoke with Iryna Slavinska, Director of Radio Culture - the third channel of Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne. What role does radio play in war-torn Ukraine? And what [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares a reminder that today - February 13 - marks World Radio Day, celebrated each year on the anniversary of the moment United Nations Radio first went on the air 80 years ago. This UN News article highlights radio's enduring role as one of the world's [...]

A new documentary from the BBC, produced by SWLing Post friend and contributor David Goren and presented by Maria Margaronis, is now available to listen to online. Kentucky's Real People Radio, from The Documentary Podcast, visits WMMT in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a small community radio station known locally as Possum Radio," which serves coalfield communities in [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following news from Vatican Radio: On 13 February 2026, on the occasion of World Radio Day (WRD), Radio Vaticana - Vatican News has organised a special initiative in seven languages with seven radio programs that will become themed podcasts dedicated to the future of [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who shares this Guardian article examining the future of the BBC World Service. In the piece, outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie warns that the World Service is approaching a serious funding cliff, with the current government support agreement set to expire and no replacement yet in place. [...]

Greetings all SWLing Post community! Imaginary Stations brings you another Downbeat on Shortwave on Saturday 14th February at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 15th February at 1000/1400/2100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz (via the services of Shortwave Gold). Guest DJs Jesse Yuen and One Deck Pete bring you two 15-minute downtempo [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following update and QSL card images related to Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and Radio Bulgaria. As Radio Bulgaria looks ahead to its 90th anniversary in 2026, Bulgarian National Radio has announced a new commemorative QSL card series for listeners who submit reception reports. The [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes: I know many of your readers are amateur radio operators and have a passion for all things radio. A couple of years ago, I was sorting through some of my old ham QSL's and this one from W1PL caught my eye. A quick internet check [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following schedules for Texas Radio Shortwave (click image to enlarge):

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributorDon Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-who shares the following post: A Beginner's Guide to ALE:Part One By Don Moore Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his book Tales of a Vagabond DXer [SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read his book and enjoyed it, do Don a favor [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran broadcast. Carlos notes: Iranian armed forces are ready for any scenario, Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran, 15135 kHz Click here to view on YouTube.

Greetings all SWLing Post community! This week Imaginary Stations takes you back to our secret shortwave laboratory along the 45th Parallel for our Annual Midwinter broadcast. No matter where you are on the planet, we're halfway there. Great tunes are coming to you via the ionosphere from shortwaveradio.deonSaturday7thFebruary 2026at1200UTCon 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz.In case [...]

February programme now out!! 60 minutes of music you've likely never heard before (except for one) and - contrary to some popular belief - proof that they do make music as good as they used to, and, you can hear the words...!! (Yes I know... again I'm sticking my head above the parapet to be [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Evans for pointing us to this update from the Universal Postal Union (UPU): after nearly 120 years since their introduction in 1907, International Reply Coupons (IRCs) are being phased out as of 31 December 2026. IRCs have long served as a universal postage currency, allowing SWLs to prepay [...]

Greetings all SWLing Post community, This week Imaginary Stations takes you on another journey with KBUS through the ionosphere viashortwaveradio.deonSaturday 31st January 2026at1200 UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz. In case you miss Saturday's broadcast, there are additional transmissions onSunday 1st February 2026at1000/1400 hrs UTCon3975 kHzand6160 kHzand the new time of2100 UTCon3975 kHz. Make [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares two stories from the world of international broadcasting: First, Radio Taiwan International highlights a recent long-distance shortwave exchange between students in Taiwan and Norway. The project combines broadcasting, media literacy, cultural exchange, and disaster-resilient communications, and even prompted reception reports from listeners across northern Europe. [...]

by Dan Greenall During the Cold War years, many different signals could be found on shortwave that cannot be heard today. For example, there were two Germanys, several broadcasters from the USSR not including Radio Moscow, Radio Free Europe and others. I have uploaded audio clips of these stations and others to the InternetArchive. Here [...]

Greetings all SWLing Post community, Imaginary Stations bring you WLIS (We Love Imaginary Stations 2) through the ether this week via shortwaveradio.de on Saturday 25th January 2026 at 1200 hrs UTC. Then there's the second transmission on Sunday 26th January 2026 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz and (the new time [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: From the Isle of Music February 2026 We are going to go retro" this month and feature some lesser known but excellent Cuban fusion and dance bands from the 1970s and 1980s. Some listeners who only know the North American narrative about Cuban music [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this CE Outlook article examining the trend of major automakers removing AM/FM radios from new vehicles and what it means for the 12-volt ecosystem. With AM/FM being increasingly omitted in favor of digital monthly subscriptions and mobile-connected audio services, this article explores the implications for [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post friend and contributor David Goren, who produced this wonderful BBC Sunday Feature documentary, The Music Man for Africa. The program explores the remarkable life of Leo Sarkisian, the legendary Voice of America broadcaster who spent decades traveling across Africa (and beyond) with a massive tape recorder, documenting traditional music and [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this Radio World report on a proposed U.S. congressional spending bill that would include continued funding for the Voice of America and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The bipartisan proposal would allocate roughly $653 million to support VOA's international broadcasting mission [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following tip: Dear Thomas, This morning I received a message from Meg Wang, Head of the French Service at Radio Taiwan International. Although this message is intended for listeners of RTI's French and German services, I think it may be of interest to all [...]

- Recollections of Bob Colegrove In the late 60s, I worked as a mechanical assembler at Communications, Electronics Inc. (CEI) in Rockville, Maryland (acquired by Watkins-Johnson Company). We produced military-grade receivers, mainly for the military (whom else?). These covered the spectrum from VLF through microwave. It was the early days of electronic digital readouts. There [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who highlights a recent Reuters report on Radio Free Asia's plans to resume Korean-language broadcasts aimed at reaching listeners in North Korea after a period of reduced operations. Radio Free Asia intends to restart weekly radio programming later this month alongside its revived digital content-a move that [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares this article from Radio Taiwan International highlighting how RTI's Spanish and Japanese shortwave programs have placed in global listener polls, with the Spanish service especially popular across dozens of countries and the Japanese service recognized at Japan's largest amateur radio event. Read the full article [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares an article from Radio Prague outlining how Radio Farda continues to report on protests in Iran despite aggressive censorship, internet blackouts, and significant risks to journalists and sources on the ground. Operating from Prague as part of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Farda works creatively [...]

Greetings all SWLing Post community, Imaginary Stations bring you POST (The Shortwave Postal Service) through the ether this week via shortwaveradio.de on Saturday 17th January 2026 at 1200 hrs UTC. Then there's the second post on Sunday 18th January 2026 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz and (the new time of) [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for the tip: Working with commercial broadcasters, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Persian service Radio Farda has resumed shortwave broadcasts aimed at Iran, providing an alternative to state-controlled media amid an ongoing internet blackout imposed by the Iranian government. The return to shortwave is intended to help listeners [...]

by Dan Greenall 50 years ago, Voice of America broadcasts could be found all over the shortwave dial. In addition to a number of transmitter sites located stateside, the VOA used to broadcast from a number of other facilities located in overseas countries in order to help get its signal into all corners of the [...]

By Don Moore 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 enjoyed it, do Don a favor and leave a review on Amazon. About two weeks ago I reported a mystery station identifying as the Duyen Hai Vietnam Information Station [...]