Author Archives: Thomas

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CGTN, BBC, & NHK (August 24, 2026)

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

Carlos notes:

El Niño and typhoons, via BBC (UK), CGTN (China) and NHK (Japan)

Click here to view on YouTube.

Four typhoons appear in this Japan Meteorological Agency satellite image received via radiofax on Monday afternoon in Porto Alegre. According to an article published by the Tokio Marine Research Institute—citing the Japan Meteorological Agency—the impact of the El Niño climate phenomenon on typhoon activity requires special attention, in addition to temperature trends resulting from global warming.

4DX South Johnstone, Queensland – New station testing on shortwave!

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

Hi Thomas

Thanks to a tip from Rob Wagner’s most recent blog, “The Mount Evelyn DX Report,” I was able to tune into Australia’s newest low-powered shortwave station, 4DX, from South Johnstone in northern Queensland. It is roughly 1300 km north of Brisbane, 200 km north of Townsville, and about 80 km south of Cairns.

The station has been conducting tests (by Al Kirton) for at least the past couple of months on 5055 kHz shortwave, and power is reported to be 1 kW.

I recorded their signal today, August 20, 2026, beginning at 1137 hours UTC using a KiwiSDR in Brisbane:

Music is played until the 1:47 mark, followed by the announcement “Radio Four Delta X-ray on 5055 kilohertz. 4DX regular transmissions will begin in September.” No more audio was heard, but an open carrier was still present.

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

FEBC Philippines plans to close March 2027

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Walker, who shares the following announcement originally posted on the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters’ Facebook page:·

FEBC SW Philippines to close:

I just wanted to let you know that FEBC Philippines is planning to close our facilities in Bocaue and Iba in March 2027. As a result, the following transmitters and related equipment will be for sale at that time:

Continental Model 418F – 2 units (new in 2001)

Continental Model 418F – 2 units updated from 418D (from FEBC Saipan)

Continental Model 418 F – 1 unit updated from 418D or E1 (Updated Iba unit)

Continental Model 418 D one unit (original edition Iba unit)

The 418F model is supposed to be able to be updated to DRM capable use by updating the digital modulator cabinet. Back in the day (2005 ish) that was expected to be about a $50,000 job. Of course, that price may be different now.

By the way, these transmitters have been well maintained and are in great condition. I can send photos to anyone who is interested.

Also for sale are spare parts and all the accessories, modulation monitors, audio processors, etc. Please let your member stations know about this sale, and feel free to pass along my contact information to anyone who might be interested.

David Creel, CPBE

Broadcast Engineer

Far East Broadcasting Company/Voice of Love Cambodia

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Monte Carlo and Radio Carve (August 20 & 21, 2026)

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

Carlos notes:

El Niño in Uruguay, Radio Monte Carlo and Radio Carve

Click here to view on YouTube.

I’ve just created an El Niño rubber stamp that will follow the Illustrated Radio Listening Reports related to this climate phenomenon.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Monte Carlo (August 13 & 19, 2026)

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

Carlos notes:

El Niño arrives in Uruguay, Rádio Monte Carlo, AM 930 kHz

Click here to view on YouTube.

C.Crane Interview: Radio During Hurricane Helene

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I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jessica Crotty of C. Crane about my experience with radio during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene here in western North Carolina.

We talked about how our neighborhood stayed connected when cell service, internet, and 911 were unavailable, the important role local broadcasters played, and a few lessons I learned about emergency preparedness along the way.

I hope you find the conversation useful. It was certainly a sobering experience, but one that reminded me just how valuable radio—and good neighbors—can be when the infrastructure we normally depend on goes down.

-Thomas

Click here to view on YouTube.

The New XHDATA D-226/D-228 DSP Shortwave/AM/FM/WX Portable

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UPDATE (16:15 UTC, August 14, 2026): This post has been updated to clarify that XHDATA is preparing to release two different receivers, the D-228 and D-226. The original version of this post conflated some of the specifications and features of the two models. Many thanks to Paul Jamet for the clarification.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following news:

Have you heard of the D-228? XHDATA’s new dial-type receiver? Description and additional info:

https://www.xhdata.com.cn/products/xhdata-d-228-noaa-radio

FM: 87–108 MHz – AM: 520–1710 kHz, 10 kHz – SW: 5.6–23 MHz – WB: 162.4–162.55 MHz

The D-228 includes reception of the NOAA weather band and is therefore primarily intended for the North American market. The D-228 is currently available only in green.

Both the D-228 and D-226 feature three power modes—rechargeable battery, AA batteries, and 5V DC—as well as a small flashlight, allowing XHDATA to classify these compact receivers as emergency radios.

There is, however, another model that should not be confused with the D-228: the XHDATA D-226, which XHDATA says will also be available soon.

The D-226 does not support the NOAA weather band and is intended primarily for the global market. Its specifications are:

FM: 64–108 MHz – AM: 520–1730 kHz, 9/10 kHz – SW: 4.75–22 MHz

XHDATA D-226 product page

The D-226 will be available in three colors.

Paul notes that he had initially assumed the D-226 would follow the reception specifications of the D-219, but he now believes that assumption may not be accurate. XHDATA subsequently clarified the distinction between the two new receivers.