UPDATE: Radio Nacional da Amzonias Shortwave Service

by Paul Walker
News Director/Operations Assistant,
Wolf Creek Radio Broadcasting of Laramie, WY

As many know, Radio Nacional da Amazonias has been operating on a much reduced schedule for several months now. The shortwave service owned by the government broadcaster, Empresa Brasil de Comunicação is using transmitters that are about 50 years so and several technical breakdowns along with high energy costs have resulted in the reduced operating schedule.

What was 7 days a week 0750 to 0200UTC for both 6180 kHz (100 kW, 344 deg az) and 11780kHz (100kW, 312 deg az) has been (since July 1st 2026) 0745 to 2000UTC for 11780kHz and 2000 to 0200UTC for 6180kHz on weekdays with only 11780 on weekends 0900 to 2000UTC with 6180 off air weekends.

I contacted the Ombudsmans Office at the broadcaster regarding the current reduced schedule for Radio Nacional da Amazonias on Shortwave, mainly expressing concern for them losing access to many North American listeners with the reduced schedule and why getting back to normal is important. I also proposed a partial restoration of the full schedule. When you contact the Ombudsman’s Office, even as a non Brazilian, the 1988 Constitution details you are owed a reply. And I got one today… here’s what they said:

Dear Listener,

The Ombudsman’s Office appreciates your feedback and interest in the programming of Rádio Nacional.

Regarding your message, the Executive Management of Radio Stations thanks you for your message, your attention, and especially for the detailed account of the reception of Rádio Nacional da Amazônia on Shortwave in the United States. We also appreciate your comments on the programming and the importance of the service for listeners who follow the station from different parts of the world.

Regarding the reduction in broadcast hours on Shortwave, we inform you that the schedule will remain as currently practiced until the end of 2026. The expectation is that, in 2027, broadcasts will return to their usual times, as requested.

We also appreciate the observations and suggestions presented regarding the 11.780 kHz frequency and the shared reception records. They contribute to the station better understanding the experience of its listeners, including those who follow Rádio Nacional da Amazônia outside of Brazil.

So that does appear to be some good news! 6180 is pretty good in the eastern USA, but with its much more northerly beam, it’s not as good in the western US, but still pretty decent. 11780 signs off before it gets good in the western US.

And you’ve also got a CGTN (CRI) broadcast on 11780 from 00:00 to 01:00UTC, and 6180 from 00 to 05 UTC, both from sites in China, and those broadcasts do some damage to the Nacional Amazonias services in the western US. I’ve sent an email to CGTN asking if they’d consider moving those broadcasts to another frequency… but that’s another story for another time, I guess

By the way, you too can email the Ombudsman’s office, and I encourage you to do so: [email protected], and let them know how much you enjoy the services, as I have told them… between the lively futbol broadcasts, music, and the lively show with Mauricio Rabelo “Eu de Cá, Você de Lá” (Me here, you there), with listener interaction…the Amazonias Shortwave service is fun to listen to even if you don’t understand Portuguese.

October 2026 Schedule Updates: From the Isle of Music & Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot

Leave a reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bill Tilford, who shares the following update:

From the Isle of Music, October 2026

This month, we will air the postponed episode covering the career of accordionist/bandleader/arranger/composer/producer Eddy Gaytan, born in Argentina but moved to Cuba and had an impact on several styles of Cuban music. We hope to have his son, Eddy Gaytan, an accomplished musician in his own right, to guide us through an interesting and, to many North Americans, unexpected mix of music. . Friday, October 9, 2026, 9670 kHz, 1800 CEST (1600 UTC), repeats on 3955 kHz at 2400 CEST (2200 UTC)

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, October 2026

This month, we will feature Quebecois French Canadian and Cape Breton celtic music. .
Friday, October 16, 2016: 9670 kHz at 1800 CEST (1600 UTC), repeats on 3955 kHz at 2400 CEST (2200 UTC)

All from Channel 292 in Germany. In addition to terrestrial listening, we do accept reception reports using remote sdrs provided both your own physical location and the location of the sdr are included. EQSLs only for either.

ELWA Monrovia, Liberia – Then and Now

1 Reply

by Dan Greenall

Radio ELWA (Eternal Love Winning Africa) is a Christian ministry station that has been on the air from Monrovia, Liberia since 1954. When I first heard them in the 1970’s from my listening post in Ontario, Canada, they were using 10 and 50 kw transmitters to broadcast their programs to targets in most parts of the African continent and the Middle East. A couple of old recordings I made captured their interval signal and a station ID in Arabic: https://archive.org/details/elwa-monrovia-liberia-1970

They sent me this attractive QSL card in 1970.

The 1971 Communications Handbook profiled the station on page 14.

From 1989 to 2003, Liberia was embroiled in a couple of lengthy civil wars, and ELWA was forced off the air at least a couple of times. This simple folded paper QSL, that included their program schedule, was issued during this period for reception in 1994.

The station also endured a major Ebola outbreak and the Covid 19 pandemic as described in this link: https://www.elwaministries.org/radio/

Today, ELWA broadcasts programs primarily to the city of Monrovia on 94.5 FM. However, these programs are simulcast with one kilowatt on 6050 kHz shortwave for the rest of the country. They can be tricky to hear in other parts of the world. In recent months, a co-channel Chinese station made reception difficult, even through the use of remote KiwiSDR’s. However, this past week, I have found them in the clear (in English!) for up to 2 hours before 2230 UTC sign off, using a KiwiSDR in the Azores Islands.

Five separate recordings made between September 17 and 20 can be found at this link and embedded below:

ELWA 1

ELWA 2

ELWA 3

ELWA 4

ELWA Sign-Off

I have also been able to hear their signal recently using SDR’s in Cape Cod, MA and Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.

You can listen to ELWA 94.5 FM online at: https://radio.galcom.org/?station=ELWARadio

End of an Era: Kyodo News radiofax service discontinued

5 Replies

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I knew that sooner or later this was going to happen.

Yesterday, September 22, 2026, on a cold, sunny morning, I was in Porto Alegre doing my usual radio listening when I thought of tuning in to 16971 kHz to download one of Kyodo News’ news bulletins via radiofax. No signal. It sounded strange, so I did some research. I found a post on Reddit:

“Kyodo News Radiofax service (JJC) has been discontinued.”

I didn’t see any other mention of this fact anywhere on the Internet, but I believe the information is correct, since I haven’t listened to the signal on this frequency anymore, even though the agency’s website still lists the service as available.

I sent a message to Kyodo News requesting information, but honestly? I don’t expect a reply. If and when I do get one, I’ll post it here.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been tuning in to and receiving Kyodo News radiofax transmissions.

There were countless posts on the SWLing Post. I have nothing to complain about; I made the most of it while I could. I even started an illustrated diary with the printed radiofax pages, which unfortunately I was unable to complete.

Even though it’s a Japanese company, and the Japanese remain firmly attached to their traditions, Kyodo News has just embraced modernity, practicality, and cost reduction, because after all, maintaining shortwave transmitters and radiofax costs money, and the vast majority of its audience receives Kyodo News reports over the Internet. One of the reasons the news agency was still using radiofax was the fact that the Internet does not reach the crews of Japanese vessels, but this is changing, with new technologies allowing ships to receive reports, whether news or weather bulletins, via satellite.

The fact is, the new always comes along, and no matter how nostalgic we may be (and I am very nostalgic!), there’s no way to stop changes. A sad day for me and for the many people who, like me, became used to receiving Kyodo News radiofax transmissions.

Kyodo News was the last company on the planet still sending bulletins by radiofax. With the discontinuation of this service, an era is coming to an end as well. Radiofax’s days are numbered. Enjoy the few services that still exist before they disappear.

Texas Radio Shortwave: Schedule for October 2026

Leave a reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following schedules for Texas Radio Shortwave (click image to enlarge):

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (September 21, 2026)

Leave a reply

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

Carlos notes:

NHK: Prime Minister Takaichi will hold a meeting with Trump on the 22nd.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Classical, Vermont and Jams via the shortwaves

Leave a reply

Hi to all our SWLing Post friends. Here’s this week’s Imaginary Stations schedule for your shortwave listening pleasure.

On WRM I on Wednesday 23rd September 2026, at 0200 hrs UTC on 9395 kHz we bring you Imaginary States: Vermont. Welcome to the sounds of the Northeast Kingdom where hippies still thrive six decades later. We will hear tunes from all over the state, and the state of mind, known as Vermont.

Later that day at 1800 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz/6160 kHz via Shortwave Gold, tune in for more sounds of Skybird Jams, great extended tunes from the Skybird vaults including Grant Green, Herbie Hancock & more.

And at the weekend, on Saturday 26th September at 1100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 27th September at 1300 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and 2000 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz/6160 kHz via Shortwave Gold, it’s our first broadcast of CLSC, music we like to think is classic, or classical in nature. Roll over Beethoven, we’ve got the coolest tunes on shortwave (complete with additional instrumentation thanks to the ionosphere.)