Paul shares a special QSL card from RTI’s German service

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who writes:

Hello Thomas,

Yesterday, I received two QSL cards from the German RTI service. These cards confirm my recordings from June 28, 2025, made during transmission tests from Tamsui.

For your information, I am sending you a copy of the front and back of one of them. According to Wikipedia, the bird depicted on this QSL card is The Taiwan blue magpie (Urocissa caerulea), also called the Taiwan magpie, Formosan blue magpie, or the “long-tailed mountain lady”, is a bird species in the crow family. It is endemic to Taiwan.

Have a nice summer.

Paul JAMET

Thank you for sharing this card, Paul!

HCJB Quito, Ecuador – Then and Now

9 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who writes:

In the 1970s, the powerful signal from radio station HCJB, the Voice of the Andes, in Quito, Ecuador, could be heard with station identifications (similar to this one circa 1971) being given between programs.

I am led to believe that they were made by the late Bob Beukema (1928-2001), since his resonant radio voice was often referred to as the “Voice of the Andes”. My listening post at the time was Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.

Today, the station can still be heard broadcasting from Ecuador, albeit with much lower power, perhaps 10 kW at the most, and a much simpler antenna arrangement.

The accompanying recording was made July 30, 2025 on 6050 kHz around 0200 hours UTC using a Kiwi SDR located in Lima, Peru. Even though programming is only in Spanish and indigenous languages, some of that wonderful Andean music can still be found here.

73
Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Click here to download a bit of HCJB ephemera (PDF).

VON Shortwave Revival and New Vintage Radio Book

Leave a reply

Image Source: Elektor Magazine

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following two tips:

VON DG pledges reforms, revival of shortwave broadcasting
In a recent announcement, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria pledged significant reforms, including a revival of shortwave broadcasting. This could mark an important step in restoring global access to VON programming, especially for listeners in areas with limited internet infrastructure.
Read the full article at The Guardian Nigeria

New book explores vintage radio equipment
If you love classic radio gear, you might enjoy this newly available book that explores vintage radio equipment, covering both its historical significance and technical details.
Read the Elektor review and learn more

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of RFI (August 6, 2025)

Leave a reply

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

Carlos notes:

Heat wave in Japan and Iran, heavy rains in China. RFI News via Radio Voz Missionária, 5940 kHz

Click here to view on YouTube.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of the Voice of Turkey (August 6, 2025)

Leave a reply

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

Carlos notes:

Brazil’s Lula vows to defy US tariffs, Voice of Turkey, 9870 kHz

“…Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has declared that his government will not back down in defending the country’s economic interests and will resort to international channels against new US tariffs. Lula stated at an event in Brasilia: ‘In 2025, we will use all possible measures to defend our interests, starting with the World Trade Organization’…”

Click here to view on YouTube.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (August 5, 2025)

Leave a reply

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

Carlos notes:

Hiroshima bombing, 80 years later. NHK, 11965 kHz.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a new picture book has been published, featuring essays and other writings by children who experienced the bombing, with illustrations by Chihiro Iwasaki.

Click here to view on YouTube.

China Chooses DRM for Its AM Broadcast Future

10 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares this Radio World article, which reports that China has officially adopted the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard to modernize its AM radio bands.

The plan includes technical guidelines for analog/DRM simulcasting, requirements for provincial transmitters to deploy DRM systems, and a nationwide push for DRM-capable receivers in vehicles.

Click here to read the announcement on Radio World.

Click here to read the DRM Consortium’s announcement.