Monthly Archives: July 2025

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (July 30, 2025 – Tsunami Coverage)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent NHK broadcast.


Carlos notes:

When an emergency occurs, such as an earthquake or tsunami, NHK, the Japanese public broadcaster, switches its programming to exclusively news coverage of the event. Even the broadcaster’s homepage switches to a light version to reduce cell phone battery consumption.

When I received news of the tsunami, it was already after 10 p.m. in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and the propagation to Japan at that time is terrible; you couldn’t hear anything!

However, in the morning, after 4 a.m., propagation reopens, and then it was possible to monitor part of NHK’s radio coverage of the tsunami.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Surfing the analogues of your mind

Greetings to all SWLing Post community, Imaginary Stations have a couple of great programmes coming your way this weekend via the shortwave spectrum.

There’s even more surfboard madness with SURF 4 on Saturday 2nd August 2025 at 1100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 3rd August 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz (via the services of Shortwave Gold). Get onboard that shortwave radio and enjoy more riding of those (air)waves!

We’ve got a show called The Ancient Analogue Archive on Wednesday 6th August 2025 at 0200 hrs UTC via WRMI and we have a musical selection from all genres from all old-time analogue musical formats. Enjoy the sounds of the cassette, eight-track, reel to reel and tunes off those things that used to be known as “records”. Tune in and enjoy!

Here’s more about SURF.

For more information on all our shows, please write to [email protected] and check out our old shows at our Mixcloud page here.

FastRadioBurst 23

Tom Shares QSL Collection from Over 210 Countries

Radio Australia from the collection of Tom Gavaras

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Tom Gavaras, who recently reached out with an update:

“I want to make you aware that I have posted almost all of my shortwave QSL cards online, representing more than 210 broadcast countries. They can be viewed at: https://radiotapes.com/qsl/

What an incredible achievement! Tom’s QSL collection spans decades of shortwave radio history and includes verification cards from a vast range of international broadcasters.

Browse the collection here: https://radiotapes.com/qsl/

Thanks again, Tom!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CBN (July 25, 2025)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent CBN broadcast.


Carlos notes:

UN Secretary General speaks of “inaction” regarding the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, CBN, 79.1 FM

(UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized the international community for what he called its “inaction” regarding the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He described the situation as a “moral crisis that challenges global conscience”. The remarks were made at Amnesty International global assembly.)

Click here to view on YouTube.

Mark Dials Into Nostalgia with the Lego Retro Radio

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes:

Thomas,

You might remember that a year or so ago, Lego released a retro radio set aimed at the 18+ age group.

I had an opportunity to visit a Lego shop recently because a company away day meeting was set in Birmingham city centre.

Seeing this set on the shelves was too tempting, and since my birthday was imminent made an impulse purchase!!

I can tell you it was a joy to build, and it’s very clever in how it fits together and functions.

Turning the power knob on the left engages a mechanism which is then turned by the tuning dial on the right. The little red tuning marker moves back and forth and a custom brick plays random bursts of audio lasting a few seconds.

These are in keeping with the retro aesthetic of the radio itself, adverts for ham, sports commentary and nostalgic music.

A little bit pricey but I don’t regret buying it. I bought a Tecsun PL-990x the week before in anticipation of my birthday, so it’s been quite a radio centric celebration this year !

Mark

This is brilliant, Mark! The top image of the Lego Radio was one I took at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in February. I came so close to buying it then, and indeed, I would have if I weren’t such a hardcore one-bag traveler. Had I purchased it, I would have had to carry it for the rest of my multi-day trip. After reading your article, I regret passing it up! I might have to go on the prowl for one! Thank you for sharing!

Click here to check out the Lego Retro Radio on Amazon.com

(Note: this affiliate link supports the SWLing Post at no cost to you.)

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CGTN (July 25, 2025)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent CGTN broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Thailand-Cambodia conflict, via CGTN Radio (CN), NHK (JP) and Radio Nacional (BR)

Click here to view on YouTube.