Monthly Archives: September 2025

KBS World Radio – Then and Now

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes:

Back in the 1980’s, KBS World Radio was known as Radio Korea, and they could be heard quite well at times here in eastern North America. Even with modest receiving equipment, their familiar interval signal, that included regular ID’s in English and Korean, made it fairly easy to spot.

The recording here (circa 1983) was made in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, using a Panasonic RF-3100 portable receiver and a long wire antenna. As a bonus, this station offered a variety of colorful QSL cards to its listeners.

Today, KBS World Radio from Seoul in the Republic of Korea continues to offer programs via shortwave in several languages including English. Transmitter power up to 250 kw is used so they should be audible in most parts of the world. “Sign on” is strikingly similar using the same interval signal with bi-lingual ID’s and opening music.

They also use some of the same frequencies, including 9570 and 15575 kHz, that they have broadcast on for decades. This recording was made using a remote SDR in Hong Kong on August 14, 2025 on 15575 kHz around 1300 hours UTC.

Passion Radio Suspends US Shipments Following Tariff Increase

Many thanks to David (F1JXQ) who notes that his radio retailer, Passion Radio in France, has temporarily suspended shipments to the United States.

This decision follows:

A new 15% US tariff on goods imported from the European Union.
Service suspensions by La Poste (as of August 25, 2025) and new UPS processing fees (effective September 8, 2025).
Added complexity with US customs procedures and brokerage charges billed directly to buyers at delivery.

The company hopes to resume shipments once a fair and reliable shipping solution is found.

More details and updates are also available at: https://www.passion-radio.com/store/hamradio-us-tariff-43

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of the Voice of Vietnam (September 7, 2025)

Farewell to The Herculodge

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(Source: The Herculodge)

Many of you long-time SWLing Post readers may also be followers of my good friend Jeff McMahon’s blog, The Herculodge. Since 2006, Jeff has been writing thoughtful, candid, and often entertaining and cheeky posts about radios, reviewing countless models, and chronicling his fascination with radio.

Sadly, with the pending demise of Typepad on September 30, 2025, The Herculodge will finally be shutting down. Jeff mentioned to me that he kept the blog online in its basic mode for many years, even after posting less frequently, because it still served as a rich archive of his radio reviews and thoughts—and because so many of us in the community (myself included) still referenced it.

Jeff recently published a piece reflecting on the end of Typepad. You can read his farewell post here: Typepad R.I.P. — Obituary for a Dinosaur

Although The Herculodge will disappear, Jeff continues to write at his current site: Cinemorphosis. As he notes, Cinemorphosis focuses more on literary, cultural, and philosophical topics—not specifically radio—but he hasn’t ruled out posting the occasional review or reflection about his long-standing radio obsession.

For those of us who have enjoyed and benefited from Jeff’s writing over the years, The Herculodge will be missed. Thank you, Jeff, for nearly two decades of radio insights, humor, and thoughtful commentary!

And, hey, Jeff—don’t be a stranger around here!

“The Rarest DX In The World” – A 33 RPM Journey Through 1960s Shortwave

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bruce, who writes:

Hi Thomas,

I came across this item on eBay and then found a copy on YouTube:

Enjoy!

– Bruce F.

Wow–what a nostalgic treat! Thank you for sharing, Bruce!

The eBay seller listed all of the broadcasters on the recording:

Side “A”

1. RadioNepal, Kathmandu, Nepal [00:00]
2. Radio Thailand, Bangkok,Thailand [04:10]
3. Fiji Broadcasting Commission, Suva, Fiji[07:09]
4. Voice of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya [09:53]
5. Radiodiffusion du Togo, Lome, Togo [11:57]
6. Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service, Freetown, Sierra Leone [16:55]
7. Radiodiffusion-Television Belge, Brussels, Belgium [18:27]

Side “B”

1. RadioVietnam, Saigon, South Vietnam [00:00]
2. Radio Hong Kong, HongKong [3:45]
3. Radio Wewak (VL9CD), Wewak, Papua New Guinea[04:19]
4. Voice of Tarawa /Gilbert & Ellice IslandsBroadcasting Service (VTW2), Tarawa [07:35]
5. Radio CookIslands, Rarotonga, Cook Islands [12:36]
6. Radio Mauritania,Nouakchott, Mauritania [16:22]
7. Radio Andorra, Roc Des Anellettes, Andorra [18:01]

I’m wondering if any readers have a copy of this record and can share a photo of the jacket notes. I haven’t been able to find a clear image of the back cover online. I’m interested in finding out who produced the album—any information would be appreciated!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CNR 1 (September 3, 2025)

Voice of Vietnam features Carlos’ Illustrations in Mailbag Post

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Many thanks to Carlos Latuff who writes:

Dear Thomas,

I’m happy to share with you and all our friends at the SWLing Post the feedback I received from the French-language department of Voice of Vietnam radio, which published the illustrated radio listening reports when Typhoon Kajiki hit Vietnam in August.

Click here to view on the Voice of Vietnam’s website.

Well done, Carlos! Your illustrated listening reports are truly a treasure and we look forward to each one you share. It’s no surprise that VoV loves them too!