The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares this information for anyone visiting the 24 Hours of Le Mans this year: Visiting HAM Operators at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: Repeaters and Networks Available As the world-renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place, we warmly welcome all amateur radio operators (HAMs) [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David, who shares a link to a piece from WVXU about a new exhibit at the Voice of America Museum in West Chester, Ohio. The exhibit highlights the legacy of Dusty Rhodes, Jim LaBarbara, and TV Kiese-three local broadcasting legends whose voices helped shape the airwaves in Cincinnati and [...]

Our good friend and longtime contributor Don Moore has just updated his extensive SDR recordings archive with new files from his recent travels in South America. These latest recordings-captured in Peru (February) and southern Brazil (May)-are now available to explore and download. Don writes: I have a webpage where most of the SDR recordings from [...]

Tuning Single-Letter Cluster Beacons by Bob Colegrove Part of the allure of shortwave listening for me has always been vicarious visits to those faraway places with the strange-soundin' names." After one has logged several big-time broadcasters, one begins to look for new challenges. Most of the so-called utility" content which once occupied the space between [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Mitre broadcast. Carlos notes: Assassination attempt against Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe, Radio Mitre, Argentina Excerpt from Radio Mitre (Argentina) news bulletin about the assassination attempt against Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Alan, who shares this Radio World piece which explores the fascinating world of long-distance FM reception via sporadic-E (E-skip), including rare double-hop events:Double-Hop Dreams and the Mystery of Long-Distance FM A great read for anyone interested in the world of VHF propagation! Alan also shared these resources: Australian Bureau [...]

Today marks the anniversary of D-Day-Operation Overlord-the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. If you've never listened to how the news broke here in the U.S., the Internet Archive hosts a remarkable collection of recordings from that historic day. It's fascinating to hear the unfolding coverage in real time-an extraordinary window into the [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent ZP-30 broadcast. Carlos notes: Nine injured in Ryanair emergency landing in Germany, Radio ZP-30, Paraguay, 610 kHz AM: Excerpt from the news broadcast of the Paraguayan radio station ZP-30 (in German) about a Ryanair plane that [...]

(Source: The Associated Press) Congressional letter obtained by AP outlines drastic job cuts expected at Voice of America WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration appointee overseeing the Voice of America has outlined job cuts that would reduce employment at the state-run news organization from over 1,000 people to 81. The Voice of America, which has [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Tracy Wood, who write: This is sad but expected news. Guam is seeing a lot of land acquisition pressure due to greater military and commercial activity on the island. https://twr.org/story/transition-for-twrs-guam-station

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes: Hi Thomas: One of the benefits of DXing in 2025 is the ability to tune into a signal far from your listening post, yet still get strong, generally clear reception, all by simply finding a suitable receiver much closer to the station's transmitter site. Well, [...]

Greetings as always to all the SWLing Post community, we are now ready to spill the beans on what we have to offer on the shortwave spectrum this week. Be ready for some space business and more about things that run on rails. Firstly on Saturday 7th June 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio La Voz de Melo broadcast. Carlos notes: El volcan Etna entro en erupcion, Radio Voz de Melo, Uruguay, 1340 kHz AM Excerpt from the news bulletin (in Spanish) of Radio La Voz de Melo (Uruguay) [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent ZP-30 broadcast. Carlos notes: The US wants to increase the arrest of immigrants, Radio ZP30, Paraguay, 610 kHz AM: Excerpt from a news report (in German) by Paraguayan radio station ZP30 about the Trump administration's plans [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Alan and Conrad for sharing the news that the annual Armstrong Radio Broadcast event will return to Alpine, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 19, 2025, beginning at 12 p.m. ET. The commemorative broadcast will air on 42.8 MHz, the original low-band FM frequency used by Edwin Howard Armstrong. This [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who writes: I've fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole. This time a video that is part propaganda, part Hallicrafters ad, and part documentary. Pretty interesting how they adapted the radios to wartime conditions: Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Saul Broudy (W3WHK), who writes: 13 Colonies Special Event 1-7 July 2025 For years I have been one of the operators for WM3PEN, the ham station in this event representing the city of Philadelphia, where the USA officially declared its independence from Great Britain on 4 July 1776.I thought [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeramy, who shares this Nebraska History Podcast episode about women radio hosts in Nebraska: Radio has always played a role in connecting people. Early homemaker radio programs, like Mary Moore Homemaker on WJAG in Norfolk, focused on providing content and support for the women in their listening areas. In [...]

Greetings to all SWLing Post community from us all the Imaginary Stations crew. This week we have a bit of an on-air conundrum that needs to be solved. On Saturday 31st May 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then again for Sunday 1st June 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Robert, who writes: Hi Thomas - I am a huge fan of space movies and recently watched the 1967 film Countdown" starring James Caan and Robert Duvall. There is a radio sitting on the nightstand in a hotel room in this scene. Maybe your readers can identify it? Cheers, [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Rafael Rodriguez, who writes: Hi Thomas Greetings from Colombia. Yesterday, I saw a movie called Young Ones" (2014). It is about an apocalyptic future where water is the most precious resource. In the film, radio is present through a station called The Voice of the West shortwave", which even [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bill Meara, who recently connected with VK6JMS-an amateur radio operator working from none other than HCJB's former shortwave site in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In his latest SolderSmoke post, Bill shares details about the station's legacy, its impressive TCI antennas, and the ministry that still broadcasts to [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mangosman, who shares this Rear Vision audio documentary from ABC Radio National. It explores the rise, influence, and eventual dismantling of the Voice of America, offering context on how international broadcasting shaped geopolitics during-and after-the Cold War: Click here to check it out at ABC Radio National.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who tipped us off to Patrolling the Ether-a 1944 short film produced by the U.S. Office of War Information. This wartime documentary highlights how amateur radio operators and federal agents collaborated to monitor the airwaves and track down enemy spies. A fascinating glimpse into radio's role in [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares a promising update from Radio New Zealand International: Papua New Guinea's national broadcaster, NBC, has announced plans to reintroduce shortwave radio as part of a strategy to achieve full nationwide coverage by 2030. This move recognizes shortwave's vital role in reaching remote and rural communities [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario, who writes: Dear Thomas, It has been about two or three days since it was impossible for me to hear Radio Romania Int in Spanish (1900 UTC) from my home, at Zaragoza. A strange interference appeared close to my favourite SW station (13860). A little bit on the [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Terry, with Texas Radio Shortwave who notes: We added new broadcasts over Shortwave radio for June. These may provide Europeans with better reception and allow NAm SDR users additional opportunities to hear us. More changes are coming in July. 73.Terry N5RTC

By Brian D. Smith, W9IND If you still haven't caught the W9IMS Indy 500 special event, your final opportunity to earn the latest QSL card and certificate comes this weekend. As announced earlier this month, the second special event of the year by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club - honoring the 109th running [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Pope Leo XIV appeals for Gaza, Vatican News, 11870 kHz: Part of Vatican Radio news bulletin (in English): Pope Leo XIV appeals for Gaza. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio La Voz De Melo broadcast. Carlos notes: Pope Leo XIV will host negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, Radio La Voz de Melo, Uruguay: Part of the news bulletin of Radio La Voz de Melo (Uruguay), [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, for sharing the following eQSL card along with two recordings he made and submitted of the Vesti FM test broadcasts on May 19, 2025: Off-Air Recordings Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:40 UTC on May 19, 2025: Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:43 UTC on [...]

Greetings to all SWLing Post community from the Imaginary Stations crew. This week we bring you another episode of the Fab Four beat classic, From Beatles to Beatniks Too. Don't be a square, drop out and spin that crazy shortwave dial on Saturday 24th May 2025 at 1100 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and then again for [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: From the Isle of Music, June 2025 June's program will be the first of several episodes featuring the best of Cubadisco 2025, Cuba's most important discographic awards. Friday, June 13: 6070 kHz at 1700 UTC 3955 kHz at 2100 UTC Sunday, June 15: 9670 [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares this brief note: Russian state-owned Vesti FM is on 13730 kHz as of May 19th, 2025 at 1910 UTC. While I try to stay current on news and schedules, especially regarding new stations and shows, I don't recall seeing any news about this transmission anywhere.

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Mitre broadcast. Carlos notes: Floods in Buenos Aires, Radio Mitre, 790 kHz AM: Part of Radio Mitre (Argentina) news bulletin (in Spanish) on the torrential rains that caused flooding in Buenos Aires, with a moving [...]

Don Moore's Photo Album: Guatemala (Part Seven) - Radio Maya de Barillas 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 read his book and enjoyed it, do Don a favor and leave a reviewon Amazon. Given the subject [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Carve broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of news bulletin (in Spanish) of Radio Carve (Uruguay) about the funeral of former President Pepe Mujica, which was attended by his friend, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Nick Hall-Patch, who writes: The International Radio Club's Reprints list continues to expand, now approaching 1200 separate articles. The club has recently published an update to the Reprint index, at https://dxer.ca/images/stories/2025-DA/irca-reprint-index.pdf and at https://www.ircaonline.org/editor_upload/File/reprints/irca-reprint-index.pdf, so that everyone can get access to the latest addition to this resource. The Reprints [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Perry Lusk, who writes: Here's my contribution to radios found in movies: In the 1944 movie Laura" what appears to be a Zenith pops up while Waldo Lydecker, a narcissistic newspaper editor, enjoys his bath while working the typewriter. What model are we seeing? Readers: if you can positively [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Hollingham, Executive Producer of the BBC World Service Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast, who reached out with a special request to the SWLing community: It turns out that it's now 70 years since the BBC partnered with the forerunner of the British Antarctic Survey to commence broadcasts, and we're planning [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who writes: Texas Radio Shortwave Tests for Europe on May 18 and 21 On Sunday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 21, we'll test to Europe over Shortwave Radio (shortwaveradio.de). We want reports comparing the reception of the two frequencies each day and between Sunday and Wednesday, since [...]

Greetings to all SWLing Post community from the Imaginary Stations crew. This week we are dropping out from the normal world man and bringing you a show called From Beatles to Beatniks. Don't be a shortwave square, get yourself a radio or an SDR that picks up some of the shortwave spectrum. Spin that dial [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who shares the followingillustrated radio listening report of a recent ZP-30 broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Paraguay's Radio ZP-30 news bulletin (in Spanish) about Brazilian President Lula at CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit in China. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a [...]

Just a quick note to let you know I'm hitting the road today for Four Days in May and Hamvention 2025, and will be away for about a week. During this time, I'll have very limited ability to reply to emails and publish new posts-Hamvention tends to keep me on my toes from early morning [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, for sharing the following article from Hackaday: Radio Apocalypse: Meteor Burst Communications This piece explores Meteor Burst Communications (MBC)-a method of bouncing radio signals off ionized meteor trails to enable long-distance communication without relying on satellites or infrastructure. Used historically in military systems, MBC remains a compelling [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who writes: Many years ago, I used to enjoy listening to distant stations that broadcast a regular English language program to Eastern North America (where I live). They would generally have a newscast and commentary, which was often followed by a daily feature that would help a [...]

Do You Need a Break from Radio? by Bob Colegrove A couple months ago I became one of the last 10 people east of the Mississippi River to acquire a smart phone. It was a great improvement for someone who had been trying to navigate through modern life for several years using a flip phone. [...]

By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM A friend, Bob, is a professional in the two-way radio business with deep experience and expertise. I mentioned to him this post and told him about my strong preference for radios that would run on off-the-shelf alkaline batteries. He had a few things to say about batteries for emergency radios that [...]

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