Author Archives: Thomas

Hackaday: The Cold War-Era Survivable Low-Frequency Communication System (SLFCS)

Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility Minuteman ICBM Launch Control (Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following article about Cold War–era low-frequency communications, from Hackaday:

During the Cold War, the U.S. developed the Survivable Low-Frequency Communication System (SLFCS) — a radio network designed to function even after a nuclear attack. Using long-wavelength LF and VLF signals that can travel vast distances through ground and ionospheric waveguides, SLFCS provided a way to deliver emergency launch orders when all else failed. The system’s immense towers and buried loop antennas reflect an era when reliability was paramount — even under atomic conditions.

Read the full article on Hackaday by clicking here.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio Nacional (November 11, 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 Nacional broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Radio Nacional: 3 billion people without access to cooling by the middle of the 21st century!

Click here to view on YouTube.

Futures: A rehabilitative radio station for youth in detention

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who shares this article about Australia’s first rehabilitative radio station for youth in detention, Futures, from Branding in Asia:

Musicians Making a Difference (MMAD), in partnership with creative studio Supermassive and Youth Justice NSW, has launched Futures–an audio-based rehabilitative program presented as a hip hop radio station. Designed to help young people in juvenile detention find their voices through music, storytelling, and mentorship, Futures offers 24/7 programming aimed at empowerment and self-expression. Following a successful pilot, the initiative is set to expand across Australia.

Read the full story on Branding in Asia by clicking here.

Radio Europe Shares Station Details and Photos with Paul Jamet

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares a follow-up to his recent reception reports of Radio Europe on 6130 kHz.

Paul not only received a QSL card (see above) from the station but also exchanged several friendly messages with the team behind Radio Europe—three brothers from the Netherlands who have been active in radio since the 1970s. They also included the following photos and postcards:

In their replies, the Radio Europe team wrote (English translation):

Hi Paul,

Great photos and thanks again for the recording and comment.

I’ll add a little more about who we are. We are three brothers who have been involved in this wonderful hobby since the 1970s. We started out on 27 MHz, and after obtaining some licenses, we started building radio tubes, transmitters, receivers, and antennas, including loop antennas for broadcasting on legal frequencies.

For years, John, the owner of RadioEuropa, used homemade tube transmitters. For several years now, we have been using factory transmitters, which consume less energy.  We also use sound processors to make the audio sound as good as possible. We also work with a V-type antenna inverter that is located a few meters above the ground. The photo shows the old situation high up, but since the move, everything is now on the ground floor.

Based on the responses, we believe that the antenna and transmitter are working well.  Given that it can sometimes be windy, John plans to keep the antenna low for the time being, because on shortwave, the sound can always vary or be heard differently.  This also makes it very interesting for us.

Thanks again.

You have a beautiful radio and antenna.
Best regards from the Netherlands.
Radioeuropa

Paul also shared his most recent recording of Radio Europe made from his balcony in France, using a TECSUN PL-330 receiver and a Deshibo GA-450 loop antenna (20 cm diameter–see photos above and below). Even from a city location surrounded by small buildings, reception was quite good.

“This little loop antenna from Deshibo sometimes gives interesting results,” Paul notes. “The TECSUN PL-330 is a safe bet.”

Many thanks again to Paul for sharing his listening reports, correspondence, and these great insights into one of Europe’s independent shortwave broadcasters!

Scheduled Maintenance Notice: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

The SWLing Post will be undergoing scheduled maintenance on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, beginning around 10:00 AM EST (15:00 UTC).

Note that, during this time, the site will be temporarily offline (in maintenance mode) while we perform maintenance on the server and database. This downtime will help ensure the site continues running smoothly and securely.

We expect the SWLing Post to be unavailable for a few hours, but it should be back online later in the day.

Thank you for your patience and understanding!

— Thomas and the SWLing Post team

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Reports and Recordings of CGTN (November 9, 2025)

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


Carlos notes:

Super typhoon Fung Wong in the Philippines, tsunami advisory in Japan, wild fires in New Zealand, deadly tornado in Brazil

Click here to view on YouTube.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Radiofax

Typhoon Fung Wong via Japan Meteorological Agency radiofax

November 6, 2025:

November 8, 2025:

November 9, 2025: