Author Archives: Thomas

AP: Congressional letter obtained by AP outlines drastic job cuts expected at Voice of America

(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 delivered news to countries all over the world for the better part of a century, has been largely silent for two months following an executive order by President Donald Trump. He believes Voice of America, and similar organizations like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, have reported with a liberal bias.

Most of VOA’s employees have been on administrative leave since mid-March amid reports that layoff notices were forthcoming.

Kari Lake, who has been overseeing the U.S. Agency for Global Media for Trump, outlined planned employment changes in a letter Tuesday to U.S. Sen. James Risch that was obtained by The Associated Press. Lake said Trump had directed the agency “to reduce the performance of its statutory functions and associated personnel to the minimum presence and function required by law.” [Continue reading…]

Dan says it’s, “Just like the good ol’ days on 60 meters.”

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, sometimes it is not quite that simple. For example, the selection of Kiwi SDR’s from which to choose, is far less in Africa and South America than what is available in Europe or the USA.

Tonight, I came across a decent signal on 4775 kHz while listening on a Kiwi located in Lima, Peru. Just after 2300 UTC (when I began this brief recording), the announcer began rattling off a bunch of station call letters and frequencies in Spanish. This was followed by “Transmite Radio Tarma. Desde Tarma, Peru en America del Sur.”  The program that followed was called “Antena Deportiva”, or Sports Antenna in English. This program can be found listed on their website.

Recording:

Audio Player

Tarma, Peru is nestled in the Andes Mountains somewhat northeast of Lima. According to Short-wave.info, their power is listed as 1 kw.

73

Dan Greenall

London, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for sharing this, Dan! Readers, if you’d like an up-close look at Radio Tarma, check out this post from our archives by our friend and vagabond DXer, Don Moore!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio La Voz de Melo (June 2, 2025)

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


Carlos notes:

El volcán Etna entró en erupción, Radio Voz de Melo, Uruguay, 1340 kHz AM

Excerpt from the news bulletin (in Spanish) of Radio La Voz de Melo (Uruguay) about the eruption of Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on the Xhdata D-808 receiver.

“Mount Etna erupted, triggering an alert in Sicily, Italy. Europe’s highest active volcano ejected a large cloud of ash and gas after part of its crater collapsed. The cloud rose over the volcano located on the island of Sicily at around 11:30 a.m. local time on a holiday in that country, when thousands of people took advantage of the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities.In some of the videos that went viral on social media, you can see the moment when a group of climbers was affected by the eruption and had to continue running. Several people were quickly evacuated after the volcanic activity began. At the same time, the explosive activity in the southeast crater transformed into a lava fountain…”

Click here to view on YouTube.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of ZP-30 (May 30, 2025)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated 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 for mass deportation of immigrants. Listened in Porto Alegre on an Xhdata d-808 receiver.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Armstrong Broadcast Returns to New Jersey on June 19, 2025

The Armstrong Tower in Alpine, NJ (Photo by Ww2censor via Wikimedia Commons)

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 special transmission, using vintage equipment, will cover much of the New York City Tri-State area. ?

In addition to the broadcast, there will be a public event on-site at the historic Armstrong Tower in Alpine—an opportunity to gather with fellow radio enthusiasts at a truly iconic location in broadcasting history.

Check out the full details and history  via Radio World.

Hallicrafters’ 1944 Film, “Voice of Victory”

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.