The SWLing Post

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast. Carlos notes: Kim Jong Un inspects AI suicide attack drones, Voice of Korea: Part of the Voice of Korea (DPRK) Spanish-language news bulletin on the reconnaissance and attack drone test inspected by Kim Jong-un. [...]

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) from cutting off funding to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, citing a lack of proper justification. The ruling allows the network to continue operations while the legal case moves forward. Read the full story at NPR.

With thanks to Atsuhiko Takezawa in the World Radio & Television Handbook Facebook group for the tip-off Starting March 31st, Radio Nacional will broadcast a 10 minute program in english and spanish at 01:50UTC! EBC's Executive Radio Manager Thiago Regotto says this new programming is in response to listener requests when they send in reception [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Barry, who writes: Thank you for the tip about the XHDATA deals on Amazon. I picked up a D-808; I've always wanted one. Your readers might be interested to know that the Qodosen DX-286 is also on sale for $67.99 on Amazon. I already have one and love it. [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening reports of recent Radio Nikkei 1 and Radio Nikkei 2 broadcasts. Carlos notes: News and music from Radio Nikkei 1 and 2 Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube.

A big hello to all the SWLing community. Imaginary Stations have a couple of great programmes going out on air this week. The first is on Saturday 29th March 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 30th March 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 kHz and [...]

Please note that two excellent shortwave portables are on sale during Amazon's Prime Spring Sale: XHDATA D-220 ($9.95 on sale) - A compact, ultra-affordable pocket radio. XHDATA D-808 ($87.55 on sale) - A feature-packed portable with SSB, air band, and great performance. The D-808 remains a favorite among SWLing Post readers for its all-around great [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following April 2025 schedule for Texas Radio Shortwave (click here for PDF version):

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's published a new article on the Herculodge reflecting on his latest impulse radio purchase: the Tecsun PL-330. Jeff shares how this venerable compact portable seduced him - despite an already impressive collection of Tecsun greats. Click here to read his full post.

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: There are some schedule changes for April 2025 in From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill's Melting Pot: From the Isle of Music, April 2025 (NOTE NEW SCHEDULE) April's program will feature a tribute to one of the giants of Cuban timba, Paolo [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following recordings and writes: Hi Thomas As a result of recent actions by the Trump administration, a number of shortwave stations have recently gone silent. Whether or not this will change is anybody's guess, but the situation is currently looking grim. I am providing [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of recent NHK and Nikkei 1 broadcasts. Carlos notes: More radio news from Japan: Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Giuseppe Morle (IZ0GZW), who writes: Dear Thomas and Friends of SWLing Post, I am Giuseppe Morle from Formia, Central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This time, I want to share a very simple antenna setup for listening to and attempting extreme DX on Medium Waves. I first saw this [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahan for his mini update of the Qodosen DX-286. While it excelled at music, Jeff found its DSP filtering took a serious toll on voice clarity - enough to lose its coveted spot as his Bedroom Radio." Check out his full write-up on the Herculodge.

Greetings to all the SWLing community, hope things are well, wherever you are. This week coming, Imaginary Stations hoist the sails on the pirate ship Skybird again and brings you another audio voyage in the Free Radio Skybird series and it's the third and final planned broadcast of the station this year. Tune in on [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, who shares this update from James Cridland. After initially announcing that BBC Sounds and music radio stations would no longer be available outside the UK, the BBC has quietly revised its FAQ. While you still can't access content directly from BBC apps or websites, international listeners can [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent NHK broadcast. Carlos notes: Ukraine: U.S. and Russian leaders to hold phone call. NHK, Japan, 11630 kHz Click here to view on YouTube. Bonus Kyodo News Radiofax Today's Kyodo News Evening Edition, received in Porto Alegre via radiofax [...]

A Note to Our Readers: On the USAGM Shutdowns and Keeping the Conversation Respectful At the SWLing Post, we've always strived to keep this space a safe haven - free from the divisive politics that so often cloud the media landscape. Our focus remains on sharing the joy of radio, supporting international broadcasting, and fostering [...]

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 Four) - To the Western Highlands 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 [...]

Following an earlier report from NPR covering (and other sources) the U.S. Agency for Global Media's restructuring, this is the full official announcement from USAGM. It outlines the agency's efforts to comply with an executive order aimed at reducing non-statutory functions, cutting costs, and downsizing operations: USAGM, Senior Advisor Kari Lake cancels obscenely expensive 15-year-lease [...]

Journalists at Voice of America and the Office for Cuba Broadcasting arrived for work today only to find themselves locked out, following an order from President Trump's administration. Over 1,000 employees were placed on indefinite paid leave, and contracts with international broadcasters like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia were abruptly terminated. According [...]

Pairing a Phone or Tablet with a Radio By Bob Colegrove The Internet is full of resources for radio listeners and hobbyists. There are numerous examples of general information, frequency, and schedule lists. There are also WebSDR sites, which allow you to compare reception experiences from around the world. All of these can be accessed [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who writes: Hello Thomas, I'd like to draw your attention to the release of the Czech film VLNY" (It means Waves") about the role of Radio Prague during the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops on August 21, 1968. The film will be released in France [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Cuff, who shares the following news via the BBC: Upcoming changes for listening to BBC audio outside the UK If you live outside the UK, how you listen to BBC radio will change, starting from spring 2025. Instead of using BBC Sounds, you'll be able to use a [...]

Greetings to all SWLing community. This week in the world of shortwave entertainment, Imaginary Stations bring you more eclectic programming. As part of the 15th year anniversary series we have a transmission of Free Radio Skybird 2. Tune in on Saturday 15th March 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 16th March [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following article from Radio Prague (in Spanish), which focuses on the history and relevance of Radio Free Europe. For the past 30 years, the station has been broadcasting from Prague, continuing its mission of providing uncensored news to regions where press freedom is severely [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Frank, who shares the results of the SWL Contest 2025, which challenged shortwave and medium-wave listeners from around the world to log as many stations and transmitters as possible. A total of 34 participants from 17 countries participated, demonstrating the incredible reach and diversity of the SWL community. Frank [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who writes: Hi Thomas I still have warm memories of tuning into Radio Australia on 9580 kHz at sunrise during my early days of shortwave listening. They would sign on with their Waltzing Matilda interval signal and the sound of the kookaburra bird. While doing some listening [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dure, who shares the following item from Radio World: NRSC Studies RF Noise on Various Roadway Types (Radio World) Radio World asked Cris Alexander to read the report and comment The National Radio Systems Committee recently published the results of a study on AM band noise. The report, [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of recent Radio Nikkei 1 ad Radio Nikkei 2 broadcasts. Recording: Click here to view on YouTube. Recording: Click here to view on YouTube.

Good day all SWLing community, we're letting you know what we'll be sending out across those airwaves this week. The first is a return of all things esoteric when it come to your listening pleasure with Free Radio Skybird. Tune in on Saturday 8th March 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday [...]

Many thanks to SWling Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who writes: Good morning, Thomas. I just translated this article from Chilean radio station Canal 95", published on February 26. Original in Spanish here: https://www.canal95.cl/magazine/apagon-redes-sociales-rinden-tributo-radio-pila After the blackout, social media pays tribute to battery-operated radios Social media users highlighted the importance of battery-operated radios as the only [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares the following news: Polish Radio's External Service marks 89 years on air (Polskie Radio) Public broadcaster Polish Radio's External Service is celebrating its 89th anniversary on the air. The station, launched on March 1, 1936, is part of Poland's public radio network. It broadcasts [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jake Brodsky (AB3A), who writes: One of the key instruments for predicting when solar weather events will arrive here at Earth is the Chronograph. And one of the most widely used Coronagraphs is the LASCO instrument onboard the SOHO spacecraft at Lagrange Point 1 (L1). This is a place [...]

A website I have used (and supported) regularly for the last 18 years is currently off-line, taking, according to the site's founder, an extended break" for the foreseeable future. The SolarHam.com site, operated by Kevin Gibeau, VE3EN, has been an amazing resource for solar weather news for amateur radio folks, astronomers, and, I suspect, hobbyists [...]

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 Three) - Guatemala City continued by Don Moore 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 [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of recent NHK World and Radio Ciudad broadcasts. NHK World Click here to view on YouTube. Radio Ciudad Click here to view on YouTube. Short: RaNi Music/Radio Nikkei 2

Visiting the studios of the University Radio of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil by Carlos Latuff On the morning of Thursday, February 27, 2025, I visited the studios of the radio station of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS in Portuguese) in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Founded in 1950, it's the [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's published a new post on his blog, the Herculodge. In this article, he compares the Tecsun PL-680 with its near-twin, the PL-660, and shares his observations on performance, design, and speaker quality-along with a few unexpected surprises. You can read his full post [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Radio 2 news bulletin in Spanish about the massive blackout in Chile. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Sony ICR-N20 receiver. Click here to view on YouTube.

The Radioddity CBL-561 is an antenna designed to work with the Radioddity QT80 10M radio (of course it can work with other radios as well), covering a range of 25 to 30 MHz. It is an extremely solid antenna, with an extensible section easily adjustable for different bands and frequencies. Frankly, I was quite impressed [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Eye of the Tiger, Survivor RaNi Music, Radio Nikkei 2, Japan, 6115 kHz Feb 26 2025, 09h00 UTC Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Sony ICR-N20 receiver. Click here to view [...]

We at Imaginary Stations have another whistling and in gainful employment combination show coming out over the airwaves this weekend. It's called WSTL-WORK 2 of course. It's on Saturday 1st March 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 2nd March 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 [...]

The following article dives into medium wave (MW) radio propagation during the 2023 annular solar eclipse, building upon insights from the 2017 total solar eclipse when DXers made broadband radio recordings of the whole MW band for the first time. Unlike that previous study, the 2023 research took a methodical approach, with standardized data collection, [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's just published a new piece on his blog, the Herculodge. In it, he explores why listening to classical music on a high-performance radio feels so much more engaging than streaming the same content digitally. Jeff draws compelling parallels between the tactile, skillful nature [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast. Carlos notes: Press statement of Information Office Chief at DPRK Ministry of National Defence, Voice of Korea, DPRK, 12015 kHz, listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Click here to view on YouTube. Bonus Video: Voice [...]

by Dan Robinson Zero Day, Robert DeNiro's first appearance in a TV series, is streaming on Netflilx, and in addition to De Niro who plays a former president brought back to head a commission investigating a devastating cyberattack, a radio that will be familiar to many also makes what seems to be its first appearance [...]

SOLAR MAX - IS A SECOND PEAK COMING? Last October, NOAA and NASA announced that Solar Max has arrived. Only half the sun got the memo. The majority of solar activity has been happening in just one of the sun's hemispheres-the south. The solar superstorm of May 10, 2024, for instance, was caused by [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor Terry Colgan of Texas Radio Shortwave, who writes: TEXAS RADIO SHORTWAVE TEST BROADCASTS - MARCH 1-2 ON 6070 KHZ & 9670 KHZ Listener Reports Needed! In addition to our regular monthly programs, we'll conduct test broadcasts to improve our reach. Listener reports are crucial in determining whether we should adjust our [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Trump designates Mexican cartels as terrorists, Radio 2, Rosario, Argentina, 1230 kHz AM. Click here to view on YouTube.