Radio Waves: WNYC to Test Digital AM, RW Letters, and 2025 RTI Audio Calendar

Radio Waves:  Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Dennis Dura and David Iurescia for the following tips:


WNYC(AM) 820 Set to Test All-Digital AM in December (Radio World)

New York Public Radio and NAB will observe co-channel interference and MA3 performance in an urban setting

820 WNYC(AM) plans to conduct an all-digital MA3 test of AM HD Radio next month.

The test is pending FCC approval, but its owner, New York Public Radio, expects to receive the go-ahead.

NAB is supporting NYPR’s effort, and its Vice President of Advanced Engineering David Layer says all-digital AM is becoming a more viable piece of technology for broadcasters. He cited the increased presence of HD Radio in the marketplace. Fifty-eight percent of new cars in North America ship with the technology, according to Xperi. [Continue reading…]

Letters: Radio Quality, ITU, SDR (Radio World)

Our readers weigh in on recent articles

Here is a sampling from the Radio World reader mailbag.

Is Anyone There?

Ken Deutsch wondered “Why Is Radio So Hard to Listen To?”

He asked, “Is there no one in the building actually listening to the station?” That answer would be no.

Not long ago I went back to help a cluster in Louisville that was missing its chief engineer. It was my first visit in more than 20 years.

When I’d been there last, more than 100 folks worked at six stations in the building. On my return, there were approximately five full-time — the general manager, the operations manager, three sales people. [Continue reading…]

The Sounds of Taiwan (Radio Taiwan International)

Rti has carefully selected the sounds from everyday life in Taiwan, including folk festivals, travel, and the island’s rich cultural and natural heritage over the years. To celebrate Rti’s 97th anniversary, we proudly present our first-ever audio calendar. Let the warmth of Taiwan’s people and the unique local sounds accompany you as you explore the freedom and beauty of this land, welcoming each wonderful day of 2025 together. [Check out the audio calendar at RTI…]


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Radiofax: String of storms batter the Philippines

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following Radiofax images and notes:

“Typhoon Usagi wreaks more damage and misery in Philippines as yet another storm looms”

https://apnews.com/article/philippines-typhoon-usagi-united-nations-4690fe8d399105fe63f3071c4912d1c2

Via Kyodo News/Associated Press
Radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro, Nov 16, 2024, 07h10 UTC, 16970 kHz.

Super typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), about to make landfall in The Philippines.

Infrared satellite image (detail) from Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, radiofax just received in Rio de Janeiro, 09h00 UTC, 12382 kHz.

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VOA Bethany: Remembering the day the transmitters were shut down

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares the following article:

Historic radio station in West Chester remembers final broadcast anniversary (Fox 19)

“Everything got shut off. This place had never been shut off in 50 years.”

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (WXIX) – The Bethany Relay Station at the Voice of America Park is remembering the day its mission of transmitting broadcasts ended.

The historic station was built in West Chester by radio pioneer and Cincinnati native Powel Crosley Jr.

The station and its shortwave broadcasts served as countermeasures to propaganda spreading across Europe during World War II, allowing people from all over the world to receive crucial information about wartime happenings.

On Nov. 14, 1994, the mission of transmitting broadcasts worldwide from the Bethany Relay Station came to an end. […]

Click here to read the full article and watch the video.

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The Shipping Forecast: A Special 1993 Filmed Version

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and good friend, BJ Leiderman, who shares the following video on YouTube–a special Shipping Forecast tribute:

On 18 December 1993, as part of the Arena Radio Night, BBC Radio 4 and BBC 2 collaborated on a simultaneous broadcast so the shipping forecast – read that night by Laurie Macmillan – could be seen as well as heard. To date, it is the only time that it has been broadcast on television.

Click here to view/listen on YouTube.

As a huge fan of The Shipping Forecast, I absolutely love this–simply chock-full of radio nostalgia. Thank you for sharing! 

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Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radyo Pilipinas (November 14, 2024)

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


Carlos notes:

Part of Radyo Pilipinas’ news bulletin (in English) about storm-plagued Philippines. Noisy audio, barely intelligible. Listened in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Bonus Radiofax Images

Typhoon “Usagi” (“Ofel”), about to make landfall in Taiwan, and typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), on the way to The Philippines.

Infrared satellite image from Shanghai Meteorological Bureau, radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro today, 09h00 UTC, 12382 kHz.

Typhoon “Usagi” (“Ofel”), which has already passed through the Philippines and is now about to make landfall in Taiwan, and typhoon “Man-yi” (“Pepito”), the next to hit the Philippines.

Satellite image from Japan Meteorological Agency, radiofax received in Rio de Janeiro today, 07h10 UTC, 13988 kHz.

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Frank reminds us about the upcoming 2025 SWL Contest

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following announcement:

This message to announce a contest launched by radio listener F-14368 (Frank Parisot) <[email protected]>

Information in French: http://radioclub.perche.free.fr/

Contest rules in English: https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2024/09/swl-contest-2025-rules.html

Thanks for sharing this announcement, Paul!

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Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radyo Pilipinas (November 12, 2024)

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


Carlos notes:

Part of Radyo Pilipinas’ news bulletin (in filipino), statement of the Philippines’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about the sequence of typhoons hitting the country. Listened in Rio de Janeiro.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau radiofax

Shanghai Meteorological Bureau radiofax, just received in Rio de Janeiro (12382 kHz).
Philippines is the target of three tropical storms: Usagi, Toraji and Man-yi.

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