Category Archives: International Broadcasting

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

Voice of Hope Africa Is Off the Air

Voice of Hope antenna farm (Source: Voice of Hope Africa)

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

Hi Thomas

I just heard on the latest program of Wavescan that the Voice of Hope Africa from Lusaka, Zambia is now off the air. It has been a few months since I heard them on a KiwiSDR from that area so I guess that explains why. Too bad since there are so few African broadcasters remaining.

Listen to their podcast here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/wavescan

Here are a couple recordings of the station I made back on January 6 of this year on 4965 kHz using a Kiwi located on Reunion Island:

73

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Dan Shares Recordings of the Golden Days of European Shortwave Listening

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following guest post:


Europe on shortwave in the 1970’s

by Dan Greenall

During the golden years of shortwave listening, many European countries had an international shortwave service and broadcast programs to North America (where I live) in English. As a result, these stations were usually among the first that a newcomer to the hobby would find.  However, since there was no internet or e-mail, schedules often had to be found in the various club bulletins and hobby magazines.  QSLs arrived through the postal system and could often take months to arrive.

I soon developed the habit of making a brief recording of each station as additional “proof of reception,” and many of these have survived to this day.  These were typically made by placing the microphone directly in front of the speaker of my receiver.  In recent years, they have been uploaded to the Internet Archive, and links to some of them from the early 1970s can be found here.

[Note that each title links to the Archive.org page where you can find more information and QSLs.]

Radio Moscow

Deutsche Welle, Cologne 

Radio Berlin International 

Belgian Radio

Radio Belgrade

RAI, Rome

ORTF, Paris

IBRA Radio via Radio Trans Europe in Portugal

Radio Sofia Bulgaria

Austrian Radio

Radio Prague

Radio Denmark

Radio Luxembourg

Vatican Radio

Radio Sweden

Trans World Radio Monte Carlo

Radio Kiev

Radio Free Europe

Radio Nordsee International