Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who writes:
The following is a short animation created from NOAA weather chart images, received yesterday in Porto Alegre via radiofax from the USCG station in Honolulu, showing cyclone development in the Eastern Pacific over 24, 48, and 72 hours. Hurricane Karina (Cat 4) and Tropical Storm Maria are visible.
UPDATE (16:15 UTC, August 14, 2026): This post has been updated to clarify that XHDATA is preparing to release two different receivers, the D-228 and D-226. The original version of this post conflated some of the specifications and features of the two models. Many thanks to Paul Jamet for the clarification.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following news:
Have you heard of the D-228? XHDATA’s new dial-type receiver? Description and additional info:
https://www.xhdata.com.cn/products/xhdata-d-228-noaa-radio
FM: 87–108 MHz – AM: 520–1710 kHz, 10 kHz – SW: 5.6–23 MHz – WB: 162.4–162.55 MHz
The D-228 includes reception of the NOAA weather band and is therefore primarily intended for the North American market. The D-228 is currently available only in green.
Both the D-228 and D-226 feature three power modes—rechargeable battery, AA batteries, and 5V DC—as well as a small flashlight, allowing XHDATA to classify these compact receivers as emergency radios.
There is, however, another model that should not be confused with the D-228: the XHDATA D-226, which XHDATA says will also be available soon.
The D-226 does not support the NOAA weather band and is intended primarily for the global market. Its specifications are:
FM: 64–108 MHz – AM: 520–1730 kHz, 9/10 kHz – SW: 4.75–22 MHz
The D-226 will be available in three colors.
Paul notes that he had initially assumed the D-226 would follow the reception specifications of the D-219, but he now believes that assumption may not be accurate. XHDATA subsequently clarified the distinction between the two new receivers.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who writes:
Yesterday may have been the final day for WeatherRadio in Canada, as the shutdown is scheduled for today.
Meanwhile, in the USA, there’s a bill in Congress to fund modernization
of our VHF weather network…
The U.S. House Committee on Science, Space and Technology passed the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act at a committee meeting on Wednesday.
As we reported, the legislation directs NOAA to “modernize and expand” the VHF weather radio network that serves the U.S., with $100 million for FY 2026 authorized.
It was introduced by committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) and has bipartisan support. Cosponsors include Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.). [Continue reading…]
Thank you for sharing this, Rich! It’s nice to see a bi-partisan committee pushing this forward!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who first tipped me that Environment Canada is ending Weatheradio and the Hello Weather service effective March 16, 2026.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has posted the following notice:
Starting March 16, 2026, Weatheradio and Hello Weather services will be permanently disconnected.
You can get radio marine forecasts via the Canadian Coast Guard. For your local weather forecasts and alerts, visit the interactive weather map or download the WeatherCAN app.
If you use Weatheradio in Canada (especially for “always-on” alerting via a dedicated receiver), you’ll want to take note of what’s changing, what isn’t, and what alternatives ECCC is directing users to.
ECCC notes–on the same page as their announcement above–that over 90% of Canadians currently live within range of a Weatheradio transmitter, and that typical broadcast range is about 60 km (terrain, receiver quality, and antenna height can affect this). This network uses the familiar VHF weather frequencies in the 162 MHz range (including 162.400–162.550 MHz, depending on the transmitter)–the same frequencies used by NOAA in the US.
The Toronto Sun also picked up this news and notes that the service has been around for decades (launched in 1976, with a later upgrade in 2004 to include SAME-style alerting), and frames this as a significant change for Canadians who rely on weather radio for emergency alerting. Click here to read: https://torontosun.com/news/national/environment-canada-ending-weatherradio-forecast-service
As we worked helping neighbors in our remote community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, we programmed NOAA Weather Radio on our handheld radios for reference.
I think this is a terrible idea—and I say that recognizing there are real costs involved in maintaining a nationwide radio network.
Relying only on online services for weather and alerting across a country as vast (and as frequently remote) as Canada feels short-sighted.
When a natural disaster hits (and it will) that’s exactly when internet access, cellular service, and even power can fail–and the “cost-benefit analysis” stops being theoretical.
Many of you know, I was personally in the path of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and my community was without power and without reliable mobile data for three weeks. During that time, we relied heavily on NOAA Weather Radio to keep receiving forecasts and updates. That experience really drove home something many of us in the radio community already understand: sometimes you invest in systems not because they’re used every day, but because they can be life-saving when everything else breaks.
In my opinion, removing a resilient, one-to-many broadcast alerting resource like Weatheradio is poor management of taxpayer funds–not because it’s cheap, but because the value shows up when you need it most.
Here are two official channels I could find to ask for the Weatheradio shutdown decision to be reversed:
[Name of Member of Parliament]House of CommonsOttawa, OntarioCanada K1A 0A6 10The Weatheradio decision falls under Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Readers can also write directly to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature: The Honourable Julie Aviva Dabrusin.
Please comment if you have other suggestions about how to take action.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Ian Millett (N3CVA), who writes:
Thomas,
This was posted to the RNZ website at 2 pm NZ time November 1.
Image source: Screenshot of RNZI announcement
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/577507/rnz-pacific-cyclone-watch-service-activated
A photo of a shortwave radio in a news article on Radio New Zealand International’s online Pacific page (see screenshot above) caught my attention. It shows someone holding a Panasonic RF-3750 portable FM/MW/SW receiver from the 1990’s (like the one pictured below). The caption reads, “Many remote communities in Pacific island countries rely on shortwave radio.”
Photo Credit: Internet Archive Community Images Collection (IMG_20200605_201148.jpg).
The article, titled “RNZ Pacific Cyclone Watch Service activated” is about RNZ Pacific’s Cyclone Watch Service that operates during the South Pacific cyclone season which runs from November 1 through April 2026. RNZ Pacific will broadcast hourly updates from Meteorological services in the region once cyclone alerts are issues. The article reminds readers that when local power grids and broadcasters are down “our broadcasts may be the only updates that people in the Island nations and territories can receive.” It also lists the on-air frequencies for the RNZ Pacific Cyclone Watch Service for the 2025-2026 cyclone season.
I’m glad RNZI is still on shortwave and understands its role in providing these broadcasts of critical information to remote areas. I remember during the 1970s, listening to Pacific cyclone bulletins broadcast by Radio Australia and plotting them on my National Geographic maps. I grew up on an island at the southern end of the Caribbean archipelago and from June to November I was plotting the track of cyclones in my own region, with information from medium stations like Radio Antilles, Montserrat, and Trans World Radio, Bonaire, and of course WWV on shortwave.
Credit for this information goes to RNZI https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/listen
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mario Filippi, who shares the following review:
by Mario Filippi
I purchased one of these tiny radios several months ago. It’s my daily go-to AM broadcast band radio. So far, it performs excellently on AM. Using the rotatable ferrite antenna, I’ve received stations as far away as Chicago and Detroit at night. FM broadcast band capability is also excellent in my experience for such a small radio. As for SW, the only luck I’ve had is with powerful broadcasters when the Raddy’s telescoping antenna is connected to an outdoor ham antenna. It receives local NOAA WX as good as any other radio I’ve owned.
Raddy 750 Plus
The case is all metal, feels nice and hefty in the hand. A shade under a half-pound in weight. 3 3/4 inches high (approx. 9 cm) with attached rotatable antenna. The speaker size is exceptional for such a small radio and the audio’s very acceptable to the ear. The speaker grill can be used to tune the radio manually by the way. The fit and finish are excellent. Has a rechargeable battery with included USB charging cord. Excellently-written 25-page owner’s manual in English.
?I use the Raddy app to control the radio. You can opt not to use it though. You’ll definitely need to read the manual then, due to the plethora of options.
Raddy’s SmartPhone App Works Great
All said, since I bought this radio mainly for daily AM broadcast reception and occasionally checking NOAA weather, I’m very pleased. Price is very reasonable, mine was under $40 at the time.
Wonder if anyone else has one of these radios and what their opinion is? Thanks for reading and 73’s.
You can purchase the Raddy RF750 on Amazon.com or at Radioddity.com (affiliate links).
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Van Hoy, who writes:
After the recent tragedy in Texas, I realized a lot of people might be looking for weather radios. So, I decided to make a video on that topic which I believe will be informative for just about everyone.
Even some of the knowledgeable members will have a video they can refer their family and friends to for further education and guidance:
Click here to view on YouTube.
Thank you for making and sharing this excellent video, Dan!