Monthly Archives: May 2025

Rafael Spots Several Radios in “Young Ones”

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 has the slogan: “Where the airwaves live free”

A pair of radios are also shown, the first one seems to be a Sony 7600d and then an HF transceiver that I can’t recognize, a Handie also appears.

Interestingly, it shows a way to mark an agricultural robot so that whoever finds it can communicate with its owner via citizen band.

I hope it is of interest to you and the readers of The SWLing Post.

Bye and good DX

Rafael Rodriguez R

HCJB’s Legacy Lives On in Western Australia

2 Replies

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 the Asia Pacific today.

Click here to check it out.

ABC Radio National: “The silencing of Voice of America”

11 Replies

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.

Patrolling The Ether: A 1944 Film About Tracking Down Nazis With Radio!

4 Replies

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 World War II era homeland security:

Click here to view on YouTube.

Papua New Guinea Plans Shortwave Comeback by 2030

6 Replies

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 across PNG’s rugged terrain—areas where internet and FM signals remain unreliable or nonexistent. Read the full article on RNZ’s website: PNG’s national broadcaster moves to reintroduce shortwave radio for nationwide coverage by 2030.

Strange Interference Near 13860 kHz: Mario Tracks It to Kaliningrad

6 Replies

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 left of the waterfall an strange emission appeared jamming.

After some research in your past entries I found that it could be a radar over the horizon.

Using the TDoA function of the kiwisdr environment, I found the following:

If it worked properly, the emission source could come from Kaliningrad.

According to old news, another 29B6 facility has been planned to be built in Kaliningrad.

Mario then sent the following update:

Well, it seems that the mystery has been resolved.

I am pretty sure that is a new 29B6:

A 1300 Yards Wide Structure Appeared on Satellite Images – This Is The “Kaliningrad Monster”

It can be see on some satellite imagery services (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/, at the coordinates of the previous link).

It is not visible on Google satellite images or Bing maps.I hope they change their frequency shortly because they are messing my SW listening at radio Romania Intl in Spanish.

Best regards.

Texas Radio Shortwave: Additional broadcast options in June 2025