Category Archives: Shortwave Radio

Music is the universal shortwave language

Greetings as always to all the SWLing Post community, we are now ready to spill the beans on what we have to offer on the shortwave spectrum this week. Be ready for some space business and more about things that run on rails.

Firstly on Saturday 7th June 2025 at 1100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 8th June 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 outer space with Starship Skybird.

Orbiting the ionosphere the skyship will bring you lots of intergalactic musical goodness, the sounds of distant planets, atmospherics and a whole lot more. Start the countdown to next weekend when you can strap yourself in for a trip of a lifetime. Tune in, make yourself a cosmic cocktail if that’s your thing and enjoy the sounds of space.

On Wednesday 11th May 2025 via WRMI at 0200 UTC we depart again on a “locomotive journey across the ionosphere” with another episode of CTRN. We are back on the rails to present an hour of train tunes, class rail timetabling tales and memories of train stations that once were. Please tune in, mind the doors and enjoy the ride. Please make sure you present your Railcard alongside your rail ticket if you are expecting a shortwave discount.

Hallicrafters’ 1944 Film, “Voice of Victory”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Fred Waterer, who writes:

I’ve fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole.

This time a video that is part propaganda, part Hallicrafters ad, and part documentary.

Pretty interesting how they adapted the radios to wartime conditions:

Click here to view on YouTube.

The Annual 13 Colonies Special Event: July 1-7, 2025

1 Reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Saul Broudy (W3WHK), who writes:

13 Colonies Special Event 1-7 July 2025

For years I have been one of the operators for WM3PEN, the ham station in this event representing the city of Philadelphia, where the USA officially declared its independence from Great Britain on 4 July 1776. I thought the SWL world might have an interest in logging the 16 stations participating in July’s 13 Colonies event described below, and sending for a certificate and/or QSL cards.
73,
Saul

In just a few weeks, one of the most popular summer operating events kicks off – The 13 Colonies special event. Now in its 17th year, the event has grown from special event stations making approximately 12,000 contacts to last year making 292,496 contacts around the world.

The event runs from 1 July 9:00am EDT – 7 July midnight EDT (1 July 1300 UTC – 8 July 0400 UTC).

This year, event organizers are recognizing the 13 Colonies event founder Ken Villone, KU2US.

The event consists of one station operating in each of the 13 original colonies (K2A – K2M) and three bonus stations (WM3PEN – Philadelphia, GB13COL – England, TM13COL – France) each representing their city, state, or country’s role in America’s colonial period.

Ham radio operators and SWLs alike can participate in the event(all modes). Complete information about the callsign for each colony station and the bonus stations can be found on the event website 13colonies.us, and they can follow us on Facebook – 13 Colonies Special Event Community. Stations need only make one contact or report with one of the participating stations or they can go for a clean sweep and listen for all 13 Colonies stations and the 3 bonus stations. Each station offers a special QSL card for the event as well as a different certificate each year. Operators can keep an eye out for the various stations by watching many of the DX spotting sites such as DXSummit.fi.

The unknown themed shortwave show

HCJB’s Legacy Lives On in Western Australia

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bill Meara, who recently connected with VK6JMS—an amateur radio operator working from none other than HCJB’s former shortwave site in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In his latest SolderSmoke post, Bill shares details about the station’s legacy, its impressive TCI antennas, and the ministry that still broadcasts to the Asia Pacific today.

Click here to check it out.

ABC Radio National: “The silencing of Voice of America”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mangosman, who shares this Rear Vision audio documentary from ABC Radio National. It explores the rise, influence, and eventual dismantling of the Voice of America, offering context on how international broadcasting shaped geopolitics during—and after—the Cold War:

Click here to check it out at ABC Radio National.

Papua New Guinea Plans Shortwave Comeback by 2030

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares a promising update from Radio New Zealand International:

Papua New Guinea’s national broadcaster, NBC, has announced plans to reintroduce shortwave radio as part of a strategy to achieve full nationwide coverage by 2030. This move recognizes shortwave’s vital role in reaching remote and rural communities across PNG’s rugged terrain—areas where internet and FM signals remain unreliable or nonexistent. Read the full article on RNZ’s website: PNG’s national broadcaster moves to reintroduce shortwave radio for nationwide coverage by 2030.