The SWLing Post News Feed
Shortwave radio news, pirate radio, numbers stations, shortwave radio reviews and more from The SWLing Post.
Hackaday Looks Back at Canada’s Legendary CHU Time Station
Many thanks to SWling Post contributor, Rich Cuff, who shares this piece from Hackaday: “So Long, CHU, And Thanks For All The Time Signals.” It’s well worth a read—and if you’ve never tuned in to CHU before, now may be your last chance. Read the full article here: https://hackaday.com/2026/05/27/so-long-chu-and-thanks-for-all-the-time-signals/ Please note, I would appreciate any […]
Frank’s Summer Contest 2026
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Frank, who is once again hosting a radio contest for shortwave listeners and mediumwave DXers this summer. Frank’s SWL Contest 2026 focuses on AM radio listening and is open to radio enthusiasts who enjoy logging stations, comparing reception conditions, and simply exploring the radio spectrum. If you’re looking for […]
CGTN versus BBC: China, UK, and Soft Power in Africa
by Carlos Latuff I found it strange to come across interference from a Chinese radio station on the BBC’s shortwave broadcast. For about a month, between April and May 2026, I was monitoring this special BBC radio service, transmitted from a station in Madagascar and aimed at Sudan and Gaza in Arabic. Aside from some […]
Celebrating 250 years and WHFM
Hi to all SWLing Post community. Here’s news of what Imaginary Stations will be bringing to the shortwaves this week. Thanks to the services of Shortwave Gold we have the first episode of Radio 250. It’s all about celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States. There are two wonderful shows lined up with all […]
MLite-880: A lot of remarks that may also help you enjoy it more
By 13dka After all the recent buzz and watching and reading every video, review, and discussion thread/group I could find about this radio, as per usual, I knew I had to buy one in order to find out if I want one…again. This is not a review, but taking notes while getting acquainted with it […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Reports and Recordings of the BBC (May 19 & 22, 2026)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening reports of recent BBC World Service broadcasts. Carlos notes: Ebola outbreak in D.R. Congo via BBC Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube.
BBC Radio 4 explores shortwave broadcasting and soft power
Today, BBC Radio 4 will air The Sound of Soft Power, a documentary presented by Josephine McDermott exploring the history of international broadcasting and the role shortwave radio played as a tool of soft power during the Second World War and Cold War. The program features a number of familiar voices from shortwave history, including […]
Canada’s CHU Will Go Silent on Shortwave on June 22, 2026
I was saddened to learn this morning (from multiple readers) that Canada’s venerable shortwave time station, CHU, may soon fall silent. According to a notice posted by Canada’s National Research Council, CHU’s shortwave broadcasts are scheduled to end on June 22, 2026. For many listeners outside of the shortwave community, this may seem like an […]
Monitoring the BBC’s Emergency Radio Service for Sudan and Gaza (A Few Considerations)
by Carlos Latuff I bring to the brothers-in-radio of SWLing Post a short report on my recent listening sessions of the BBC’s emergency radio service, which broadcasts half an hour of Arabic-language programming from Sunday to Thursday to Sudan and Gaza on the frequency of 15280 kHz. The programming consists of a podcast entitled “Middle […]
Revisiting the MLite-880
by Dan Robinson The MLite-880 portable has been on the market for some time now. There have been a number of important developments, so it’s time to update my original articles for those who already own the receiver and those who are still considering purchasing. A note to begin: I have no financial interests […]
AI Models asked to run a profitable radio station
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrew, who shares the following article from Business Insider: An AI startup asked four of the world’s top language models to run radio stations. So far, they’ve had a rough start. Claude tried to quit after deeming 24/7 broadcast stations unethical, while Grok had a hard time getting started, […]
Staying the Course: W9IMS Stages its Second Special Event of the Month, Celebrating the Indy 500
By Brian D. Smith, W9IND It’s back to the track for amateur radio station W9IMS. Less than 2 weeks after concluding their first special event of the year, members of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club will take to the airwaves from now through Sunday, May 24, to commemorate the legendary Indianapolis 500. If […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Vatican Radio (May 18, 2026)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: 11.5 million people threatened by famine in Sudan, Vatican Radio, 11870 kHz Click here to view on YouTube.
Mysteries of shortwave and soul
Hi to all SWLing Post community. Here’s news of what Imaginary Stations will be bringing to those shortwave transmitter sites this week coming. Thanks to the services of Shortwave Gold we have a few programmes this week coming. The first show is WMMR – Mystery Mix Radio. As usual, the show has a theme that you […]
BBC Looks Back at the First Shortwave Transatlantic Link
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Markku (VA3MK), for sharing this BBC article marking the centenary of the world’s first shortwave transatlantic telecommunication link between Canada and Somerset, England. Among other things, this article also highlights the historic Marconi Beam Wireless Station at Bridgwater and the challenges of early shortwave radio experimentation. Read the full […]
A Quick Hamvention Travel Note
I wanted to give SWLing Post readers a quick heads-up that I’ll be traveling this week and attending Dayton Hamvention along with Four Days in May. Because of travel and a very full schedule, I’ll likely be slower than usual replying to emails and may also post less frequently over the next week as free […]
From Compactrons to Nuvistors: Vacuum Tubes’ Last Hurrah
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this article from Hackaday that explores the fascinating “last gasp” innovations of vacuum tube technology long after transistors had already begun taking over the electronics industry. The article dives into late-era tube developments like compactrons, lighthouse tubes, and RCA’s remarkable nuvistor—tiny, rugged, low-noise tubes that […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of BBC Afrique (May 10, 2026)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent BBC broadcast. Carlos notes: Emmanuel Macron in Kenya: “We are the true pan-africanists”. BBC Afrique, 15490 kHz” Click here to view on YouTube.
Jewels, soul and the weather channel
Hi to all SWLing Post community. Here’s news of what the Imaginary Stations crew will be sending out into the ionosphere and via those groundwaves this coming week. Thanks to Shortwave Gold, we have a transmission called JEWEL featuring an hour special on Jewel Records, from Cincinnati ran by Rusty York (more on the label […]
Texas Radio Shortwave: Schedule for June 2026
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following schedules for Texas Radio Shortwave (click image to enlarge):