Author Archives: Thomas

War Diaries: Stalemate by Volodymyr Gurtovy (US7IGN)

I am pleased to announce that my friend and SWLing Post contributor, Wlad (US7IGN), has released his latest book: War Diaries: Stalemate.

You might recall Wlad’s first book, War Diaries: A Radio Amateur in Kyiv, which we’ve recommended here and mentioned several times.

Wlad has seen firsthand what it’s like to live and work in Kyiv during the Russian invasion. Through his diaries, you feel like you’re right there with him, experiencing the dangers and instability that come with living in a country under attack.

I highly recommend Wlad’s first book, and I’ve already ordered his second. I hope you’ll consider ordering a copy as well. It’s available in both print and eBook formats.

Wlad is a regular contributor here on the SWLing Post (and over at QRPer.com)–his books offer a unique perspective on the war from the viewpoint of an SWL and ham radio operator. It’s a fascinating perspective from a truly remarkable individual.

Click here to purchase War Diaries: Stalemate.

Note: All Amazon links are auto-converted to affiliate links that support the SWLing Post at no cost to you.

Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of ZP-30 (June 27, 2024)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his recording and illustrated listening report of the news, in German, from broadcaster ZP-30 on June 27, 2024.


Carlos notes:

ZP-30, Christian radio station in Paraguay broadcasting News in German. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Impressive work!

I’m impressed with Carlos’ ability to put so much news into a 10 x 6cm space! Carlos shared this photo of his original work:

Brilliant work! Thank you for sharing your recording and amazing work, Carlos!

RTVE approves additional shortwave transmitter and “secures the future of the public shortwave service”

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Paul Jamet and Tracy Wood for sharing the following article (translated into English) from RTVE:

RTVE secures the future of the public shortwave service of Radio Exterior de España

The RTVE Board of Directors has unanimously approved the purchase, installation, and implementation of a new shortwave transmitter. This is the first of five new transmitters that Radio Exterior de España (REE) urgently needs to guarantee the continuity of this public service.

The new transmitters will replace the current equipment, which has far exceeded its useful life and whose frequent breakdowns put the continuity of shortwave broadcasts at risk. They will be responsible for carrying the shortwave signal to West Africa, the Middle East, North America, and South America.

With this decision, RTVE fulfills its public service obligation set out in the Framework Mandate and in Law 17/2006 of June 5, which establishes that the Corporation must “aim to serve the widest audience, ensuring maximum continuity and geographic and social coverage, with the commitment to offer quality, diversity, innovation, and ethical standards.”

This is a great advance that ensures the continuity of REE’s public service to Spaniards who are outside our borders and to foreigners interested in Spain. This commitment by the Corporation comes after years of uncertainty. In 2014, the closure of REE’s shortwave was implemented for a few months. It was in 2018 that an eight-hour daily shortwave broadcast was achieved again.

The power of shortwave

REE’s shortwave carries the voice and vision of Spain to the entire world. For this reason, the director of the station, Luis Manuel Fernández Iglesias, has advocated in his speech before the RTVE Board of Directors to “involve the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of Spain in the future of Radio Exterior, both in the design of its programming and in the financing of this public international broadcaster, such as REE.”

As seen in the invasion of Ukraine, shortwave escapes control and censorship, guaranteeing the democratic right to truthful and honest information. Another advantage is its free nature for listeners and the low cost and investment needed for its reception anywhere. These circumstances make it very attractive, especially for fishermen, merchant seamen, missionaries, or Spanish volunteers who carry out their work where the internet signal does not reach.

RTI Tamsui transmitter tests for future broadcasts

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following article (translated into English, from the Radio Club du Perche:

RTI – Taiwan on direct broadcast from Tamsui transmitter center

As in recent years, the German and French services of RTI – Radio Taiwan International – will broadcast their programs to Europe and North-West Africa from the Tamsui transmitter center.

To determine which two frequencies will be used for the retransmissions, tests will be carried out on three frequencies in 10-minute increments, as follows:

Saturday July 6, 2024 by the German service:

    • 11,995 kHz (17:00-17:10 UTC) – 9,545 kHz (17:30-17:40 UTC) – 7,250 kHz (17:45-17:55 UTC)
      report your reception observations to the German service: [email protected]

Sunday, July 7, 2024 by the French service:

    • 11995 kHz (Angle 325 degrees)?17:00-17:10 UTC – 9545 kHz (Angle 315 degrees)?17:30-17:40 UTC – 7250 kHz (Angle 315 degrees)?17:45-17:55 UTC
      Report your reception observations to the French service: [email protected]

Official broadcast dates:

German service: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from July 12 to August 4, 2024
French service: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from August 9 to September 1, 2024

A special QSL card is being printed for all listening reports received as part of this “Summer 2024 direct broadcast” (test phase and official broadcast). RTI thanks you for your support.

Paul JAMET

See:

https://de.rti.org.tw/radio/programMessageView/programId/2001/id/108778

https://fr.rti.org.tw/radio/programMessageView/id/107165

Carlos’ Shortwave Art and Recording of NHK (June 24, 2024)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent NHK (Japan) broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Part of NHK news bulletin, in Japanese, about a deadly fire that broke out at a battery factory in Seoul, South Korea.

Click here to view on YouTube.

AWA Presentation: Working at WWVH in Hawaii

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Erdle (AE2EA), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

Steve Johnston, WD8DAS, gave a presentation to the AWA last night about his job at WWVH, the time and frequency shortwave station in Kauai, Hawaii. I have to admit that I’m envious of someone who has the job of Engineer in Charge of a multiple transmitter shortwave station on the beach in Hawaii.

His presentation is here:

Mark Erdle AE2EA

Thank you for sharing this, Mark!