Category Archives: News

“The Rarest DX In The World” – A 33 RPM Journey Through 1960s Shortwave

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bruce, who writes:

Hi Thomas,

I came across this item on eBay and then found a copy on YouTube:

Enjoy!

– Bruce F.

Wow–what a nostalgic treat! Thank you for sharing, Bruce!

The eBay seller listed all of the broadcasters on the recording:

Side “A”

    1. RadioNepal, Kathmandu, Nepal [00:00]
    2. Radio Thailand, Bangkok,Thailand [04:10]
    3. Fiji Broadcasting Commission, Suva, Fiji[07:09]
    4. Voice of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya [09:53]
    5. Radiodiffusion du Togo, Lome, Togo [11:57]
    6. Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service, Freetown, Sierra Leone [16:55]
    7. Radiodiffusion-Television Belge, Brussels, Belgium [18:27]

Side “B”

    1. RadioVietnam, Saigon, South Vietnam [00:00]
    2. Radio Hong Kong, HongKong [3:45]
    3. Radio Wewak (VL9CD), Wewak, Papua New Guinea[04:19]
    4. Voice of Tarawa /Gilbert & Ellice IslandsBroadcasting Service (VTW2), Tarawa [07:35]
    5. Radio CookIslands, Rarotonga, Cook Islands [12:36]
    6. Radio Mauritania,Nouakchott, Mauritania [16:22]
    7. Radio Andorra, Roc Des Anellettes, Andorra [18:01]

I’m wondering if any readers have a copy of this record and can share a photo of the jacket notes. I haven’t been able to find a clear image of the back cover online. I’m interested in finding out who produced the album—any information would be appreciated!

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CNR 1 (September 3, 2025)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent CNR 1 broadcast.


Carlos notes:

Xi Jinping: Speech at the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, CNR 1, 11925 kHz

Click here to view on YouTube.

Voice of Vietnam features Carlos’ Illustrations in Mailbag Post

Many thanks to Carlos Latuff who writes:

Dear Thomas,

I’m happy to share with you and all our friends at the SWLing Post the feedback I received from the French-language department of Voice of Vietnam radio, which published the illustrated radio listening reports when Typhoon Kajiki hit Vietnam in August.

Click here to view on the Voice of Vietnam’s website.

Well done, Carlos! Your illustrated listening reports are truly a treasure and we look forward to each one you share. It’s no surprise that VoV loves them too!

Coupling Three Homebew Antennas for 40-Meter DX

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Giuseppe Morlè, who writes:

Dear Thomas and Friends,

I’m Giuseppe Morlè (IZ0GZW) from Formia, in central Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

This time I wanted to experiment by combining three different antennas that interact with one another through induction. In the video, you’ll see the Milk Box Loop, the SW/MW Tablet, and the Wire Coil all working together to capture very faint 40-meter signals from W2V in North Carolina and ZL3CHE in New Zealand.

This experiment is especially promising as we move into the fall season, when nighttime listening on 40 meters becomes even more interesting.

I’ll continue testing with this fun, simple, and free antenna. You can see more in this video:

Thank you all, and happy listening!

—Giuseppe (IZ0GZW)

Thank you so much for sharing another one of your antenna experiments and impressive results, Giuseppe! 

Unwind with your (shortwave) KSET Pet

Do you remember the C60, C90 and C120? We at Imaginary Stations do!

On Saturday 6th September 2025 at 1100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 0900/1300 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and at 2000 UTC on 3975 kHz and 6160 kHz (via the services of Shortwave Gold) we bring you the sounds of KSET, a tribute to the humble cassette tape.

Get your pen/pencil at the ready to rewind music of the highest (tape recorded) order and experience Dolby NR over the shortwaves for the first time (*subject to availability). Tune in and enjoy a C60 transmission of tunes released on cassette tapes and more.  Remember to remove the small plastic record protection tabs located at the top of the cassette shell if you want to keep the recordng forever.

On Wednesday 10th September 2025 via WRMI Expect classics done in the angelic style of the stringed instrument called the Harp

Here’s more on KSET:

For more information on all our shows, please write to us at [email protected] and check out our old shows at our Mixcloud page here.

FastRadioBurst C23

Wonderful Robert Gulley article in the Sept. The Spectrum Monitor

There is a truly excellent article by Robert Gulley in the September issue of The Spectrum Monitor. Entitled “Radio Myths and Misunderstandings: Then and Now.” it cover such myths as Radio is Dying, There is Nothing to Listen to, Digital Modes are Killing Amateur Radio, Radio isn’t Relevant Anymore or is Obsolete, and other topics as well.

It is well-written, interesting, and thought-provoking and well worth the time.

One of my favorite quotes from the entire piece is this:

“Analog scanners, by the way, also pick up road crews,
snowplows, school busses, construction reports, and hazmat
incidences, all of which can keep you informed of what is
happening locally, usually better than your local news.”

I agree, and I can highly recommend this article.

– Jock Elliott

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK World (August 31, 2025)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent NHK broadcast.


Carlos notes:

“This was the ninth day this year that temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius or higher in Japan, breaking the record for the most days in a year.”

Click here to view on YouTube.