Category Archives: International Broadcasting

Radyo Pilipinas World Service Back On The Air

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

Hi Thomas

As per the announcement on the SWLing Post, Radyo Pilipinas did indeed return on the air December 1 at 0200 hours UTC on the announced frequencies on 12020, 15640 and 17665 kHz. I was able to hear all three frequencies quite well using the LA6LU SDR in Thailand, and made this 11 minute recording of them near the beginning of their broadcast on 15640 kHz:

Hopefully, Radio Thailand can make a similar arrangement with the USAGM.

73

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, Dan!

DXing the Middle East – Then and Now

by Dan Greenall

This region consists of the western part of Asia from Turkey to Iran including the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. Decades ago, most of the countries had a shortwave broadcasting service that made intriguing DX targets for listeners like me. Some were relatively easy to hear, while others provided more of a challenge as they did not offer broadcasts to North America (where I live) or programming was not in English. Here are a few recordings that I made over the years and have uploaded to the internet archive.

Click on titles to access Internet Archive pages with additional information.

TURKEY 1970

EGYPT 1971

ISRAEL 1971

LEBANON 1971

SYRIA 1971

JORDAN 1973

IRAQ 1971

IRAN 1971

SAUDI ARABIA 1971

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (DUBAI) 1983

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (ABU DHABI) 1990

QATAR 1999

As 2025 draws to a close, only a few countries from the Middle East seem to be consistently logged by the shortwave listener.

The high powered transmitters in Turkey and programming in a variety of languages provide worldwide listeners a great opportunity to tune into this part of the world. A musical interlude accompanied by frequent identifications precedes their transmission. This recording was made on July 31, 2025 at 0254 UTC leading up to 0300 sign on in English on 7275 kHz. Reception was made using a remote SDR in the UK:

The Al Dhabbiyah tramitter site in the United Arab Emirates is used by a number of international broadcasters including FEBA Radio, IBRA Media and the BBC. This recording of FEBA made on June 24, 2025 captures their sign off just prior to 0230 UTC on 9540 kHz on a KiwiSDR in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

IBRA Radio Ibrahim is noted using the same interval signal on June 19, 2025 around 1700 UTC also on 9540 kHz. A remote SDR in Kenya was used to make this recording.

 

Another relay transmitter is located at Al Seela in Oman and is largely used by the BBC for broadcasts into Asia. This recording, made November 20 at 2328 UTC on 11645 kHz, shows them being received by the KiwiSDR at Haida Gwaii, British Columbia off of Canada’s west coast. The effects of an over-the-pole signal path is evident here:

Other stations may emerge on occasion. For example, early in 2025, a station called Republic of Yemen Radio was being heard on 11935 kHz reportedly broadcasting in Arabic from a transmitter in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reception was quite good in February using a remote SDR in Addis Ababa, however, in later months the transmitter seemed to develop a bad hum or buzz. You can listen to recordings made in February and then in April by following this link to the Internet Archive.

I would encourage all listeners to report reception of new stations broadcasting from this region to the SWLing Post so others might have the opportunity to try and tune in for themselves.

Radyo Pilipinas World Service (RPWS) Returns to Shortwave

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who shares the following news via the Philippine News Agency:

The government’s international service, Radyo Pilipinas World Service (RPWS), is set to resume shortwave broadcasts on 1 December 2025 from the Philippines Transmitting Station in Tinang, Tarlac. The relaunch comes through a new partnership between the Presidential Broadcast Service–Bureau of Broadcast Services and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), which aims to create a global network of volunteer correspondents reporting from Filipino diaspora communities. These broadcasts underscore shortwave radio’s continued value in connecting remote and global audiences—including overseas Filipino workers—with cultural news, heritage programming and first-hand reports from abroad.

Click here to read the full story.

“Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Hungarian Service Ceases Operations”

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Balázs, who shares the following news via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the following remarks:

“USAGM notified Congress on November 5, 2025, that it intended to terminate RFE/RL’s Hungarian Service” – perhaps it is just a coincidence that the delegation led by Viktor Orbán arrived in Washington the next day and began their meetings with the Trump administration. (On the RFE/RL HU website, articles have been published on topics that are “uncomfortable” for the current government, and with the emergence of a new opposition party (and increasingly severe economic difficulties), the ruling party’s chances of victory in the upcoming April elections have significantly decreased (first time after 16 years). For this reason, the ruling party (using state resources) is further intensifying its already high level of propaganda activity (in offline media, there is now only one commercial TV channel left that is not under its influence) and is using methods that it has not used before.

Click here to read the full article.

RFA Temporarily Suspends Broadcasts During US Government Shutdown

Deutsche Welle (DW) reports that Radio Free Asia (RFA) has temporarily halted its broadcasts due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has disrupted operations at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The pause affects several RFA language services and follows similar impacts on other U.S. international broadcasters.

You can read the full story on DW’s website: Radio Free Asia halts broadcasts amid US government shutdown (DW)

An Uncertain Future for Radio Slovakia International

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

Hello Thomas,

The future of RSI is uncertain!

Read:  https://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/2025/10/radio-slovakia-internationals-future.html

I spoke on the phone with RSI’s French service, and during the program “Entre Nous – Courrier des auditeurs” on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the presenters asked listeners to respond and write to the Director General of STVR, Ms. Martina Flašíková.

Here is a text I wrote to inform people about the plan to shut down RSI – Radio Slovakia International by the end of 2025 and, above all, to support this station: https://rsi.stvr.sk/

I do invite all RSI listeners around the world to write to:


Paul’s Message

Support for Radio Slovakia International: Let’s not silence a precious voice of Slovakia

I was deeply saddened to learn about the planned closure of Radio Slovakia International (RSI). As a loyal listener for more than thirty years,

I wish to express my strong attachment to this radio station and to emphasize its vital role in promoting the culture, history, and vitality of Slovakia throughout the world.

Since its creation, RSI has managed to project an open-minded, thoughtful, and respectful voice, contributing to international understanding and enhancing

Slovakia’s global image. In my view, RSI is much more than a radio station — it is a true instrument of soft power, a cultural ambassador that strengthens the positive perception of the Slovak Republic.

Over the years, RSI’s team has built an authentic human connection with its listeners — one based on respect, loyalty, and friendship.

This international community is an invaluable intangible asset that deserves to be preserved, not dismantled.

While I fully understand the budgetary challenges faced by public broadcasters, I am convinced that other solutions exist: modernizing broadcast formats, strengthening online presence, and expanding cooperation with cultural and diplomatic institutions. Closing RSI would mean extinguishing a remarkable showcase of Slovakia and depriving the country of a respected and credible international voice.

I sincerely hope that the Slovak authorities will recognize the enduring value of this unique media and find ways to keep this wonderful radio adventure alive.

Paul Jamet – French service listener for over 30 years

L’Isle-Adam – France, October 27, 2025


Of course, everyone is free to personalize their own message of support based on their relationship with RSI.

Thank you and have a nice day. Best regards.

Paul JAMET

Radio Club du Perche.

New 300 kW Weekly Broadcast of VORW Radio International to East Asia!

Hello listeners! I have some news about a new weekly broadcast of VORW Radio International for listeners in East Asia and beyond!

Beginning Thursday the 30th of October and continuing every Thursday – my radio program will now be heard across East Asia thanks to a 300 kW Transmitter in Paochung, Taiwan.

The broadcast is beamed to Japan and the Korean Peninsula but it should be audible across all of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and perhaps into the Americas as well!

The program is 1 hour in length and the aim of this radio show is to provide good music and news commentary to listeners worldwide. Oftentimes, listener music requests are taken and played – and all are invited to participate.

Here is the broadcast schedule for this new airing:

Thursdays 0900 UTC  – 9705 kHz – Paochung 300 kW – East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Pacific

Reception reports (which will be verified with an E-QSL) and additional feedback are most welcome at [email protected]

I hope you can listen in!

John