Author Archives: Thomas

Radiofax: String of storms batter the Philippines

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following Radiofax images and notes:

“Typhoon Usagi wreaks more damage and misery in Philippines as yet another storm looms”

https://apnews.com/article/philippines-typhoon-usagi-united-nations-4690fe8d399105fe63f3071c4912d1c2

Via Kyodo News/Associated Press
Radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro, Nov 16, 2024, 07h10 UTC, 16970 kHz.

Super typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), about to make landfall in The Philippines.

Infrared satellite image (detail) from Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, radiofax just received in Rio de Janeiro, 09h00 UTC, 12382 kHz.

VOA Bethany: Remembering the day the transmitters were shut down

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares the following article:

Historic radio station in West Chester remembers final broadcast anniversary (Fox 19)

“Everything got shut off. This place had never been shut off in 50 years.”

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (WXIX) – The Bethany Relay Station at the Voice of America Park is remembering the day its mission of transmitting broadcasts ended.

The historic station was built in West Chester by radio pioneer and Cincinnati native Powel Crosley Jr.

The station and its shortwave broadcasts served as countermeasures to propaganda spreading across Europe during World War II, allowing people from all over the world to receive crucial information about wartime happenings.

On Nov. 14, 1994, the mission of transmitting broadcasts worldwide from the Bethany Relay Station came to an end. […]

Click here to read the full article and watch the video.

The Shipping Forecast: A Special 1993 Filmed Version

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and good friend, BJ Leiderman, who shares the following video on YouTube–a special Shipping Forecast tribute:

On 18 December 1993, as part of the Arena Radio Night, BBC Radio 4 and BBC 2 collaborated on a simultaneous broadcast so the shipping forecast – read that night by Laurie Macmillan – could be seen as well as heard. To date, it is the only time that it has been broadcast on television.

Click here to view/listen on YouTube.

As a huge fan of The Shipping Forecast, I absolutely love this–simply chock-full of radio nostalgia. Thank you for sharing!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radyo Pilipinas (November 14, 2024)

Bonus Radiofax Images

Typhoon “Usagi” (“Ofel”), about to make landfall in Taiwan, and typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), on the way to The Philippines.

Infrared satellite image from Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro today, 09h00 UTC, 12382 kHz.

Typhoon “Usagi” (“Ofel”), which has already passed through the Philippines and is now about to make landfall in Taiwan, and typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), the next to hit the Philippines.

Satellite image from Japan Meteorological Agency, radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro today, 07h10 UTC, 13988 kHz.

Frank reminds us about the upcoming 2025 SWL Contest

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

This message to announce a contest launched by radio listener F-14368 (Frank Parisot) <[email protected]>

Information in French: http://radioclub.perche.free.fr/

Contest rules in English: https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2024/09/swl-contest-2025-rules.html

Thanks for sharing this announcement, Paul!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radyo Pilipinas (November 12, 2024)

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau radiofax

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau radiofax, just received in Rio de Janeiro (12382 kHz).
Philippines is the target of three tropical storms: Usagi, Toraji and Man-yi.

Three major storms in a single Radiofax

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following Radiofax decodes and notes:

THREE storms in a single Radiofax

- Typhoon Yinxing (Marce) which just hit the Philippines, now heading towards Hainan & Vietnam
- Tropical storm Toraji (Nika) which is about to landfall on the Philippines
- Tropical storm Man-yi whose route points towards the Northern Mariana Islands and maybe…Philippines!

Via Shanghai Meteorological Bureau (chart received yesterday in Juiz de Fora, 16559 kHz) and Japan Meteorological Agency (satellite image received today also in Juiz de Fora, 13988 kHz).

Bonus: [Breaking News] Stunning Rose wins Queen Elizabeth Cup

Kyodo News radiofax received today in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, 08h27 UTC, 16970 kHz.

Wow, Carlos, thank you for sharing this. It’s simply incredible to see so many active storms all in a line on that Radiofax. I hope everyone can weather these without loss of life.