Tag Archives: Brazil

Good Listening from Brazil on Shortwave in 2025

by Dan Greenall

Fifty years ago, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of Brazilian shortwave signals to hear on shortwave. As with the rest of the world, this is no longer the case. However, especially with the advent of remote SDRs to assist with the enjoyment of the DXing hobby, there are still a number of stations broadcasting from Brazil that are well worth a listen, even if you don’t understand Portuguese. Here is a sampling of what can be heard in 2025.

Radio Nacional da Amazonia 6180 and 11780 kHz

This is perhaps the easiest station to hear for overseas listeners. They run high-powered transmitters and have been widely reported in many parts of the globe. The station began a short daily broadcast in English and Spanish in late March, but I’m not sure if this is still going, as I haven’t checked recently. Here is a recording from April 18:

The transmitter power used by the next two stations is unknown, so the use of a remote SDR to hear them well may be required. Overseas listeners can look for them anyway, but note that their schedules seem to be irregular. Broadcasts consist mostly of popular music with frequent station ID’s in Portuguese between selections.

Radio Ancora (free radio?) Bahia, Brazil 6200 kHz

Recording 1 – September 13, 2025 at 2337 UTC:

Recording 2 – September 13 at 2358 UTC:

Recording 3 – September 14, 2025 at 0223 UTC:

Online presence here: https://ancoraonline.wshost.com.br/timetable

Radio Casa (free radio?) Amparo, Brazil 5900 kHz

Recording 1 – September 16, 2025 at 2020 UTC:

Recording 2 – September 16, 2025 at 2015 UTC:

Recording 3 – September 24, 2025 at 2200 UTC.

Online presence here: https://radiocasa.net/

The last two stations should be audible to DXers outside Brazil.

Radio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 6010 and 15190 kHz

With 5 kW of power, Radio Inconfidencia gives a full identification in Portuguese at the top of most hours that includes callsigns, frequencies, and location. It is on the air around the clock.

Radio Inconfidencia full ID recording – September 16 at 2158 UTC on 15190 kHz:

Radio Inconfidencia second recording – September 15 at 2353 UTC on 15190 kHz:

Radio Voz Missionaria, Camboriu SC 5940 and 9665 kHz

Using 10 kW of power from the south of Brazil, Radio Voz Missionaria should be heard, at least on occasion, in many parts of the world. This station also operates 24 hours a day.

Recording – Radio Voz Missionaria – April 23 at 2357 UTC on 9665 kHz:

Problems And Temporary Changes At The Shortwave Transmitter Park Near Brasilia

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The 11780khz antenna beaming at 312 degrees

(compiled, posted and edited by Paul Walker, KSKO-FM McGrath Alaska Program Director and Avid SWL’er)

UPDATE: On November 13th, I was told that 11780khz is operating with 50,000 watts transmitter power output instead of it’s usual 100,000 Watts. It was also shared with me that new tubes are in the process of being ordered and they hope to be back to normal about in about a week from the date of this update. This story was originally published November 9th.

Over the last few years, many of us who enjoy listening to Radio Nacional da Amazônia have noticed the 11780 kHz signal coming and going. It’s had several breakdowns, mostly because the transmitter is about 50 years old now. They’ve been running it at 100 kW instead of the full 250 kW, but even then, it’s been showing its age.

The weekend of November 8th, 11780 kHz was off again. But this time, 6180 kHz was sounding unusually good up here in Alaska — stronger and clearer than I’ve heard it in a while. That one usually beams at 239 degrees toward South America, so it really caught my attention.

Curious about what was going on, I reached out to Manoel Caetano, Radio Engineering Manager at Empresa Brasil de Comunicação, which runs Radio Nacional. Here’s what he told me:

“We had a problem with the logic unit of the 11780 transmitter, but that’s been resolved. However, we’re still having issues with the 4CX5000 tubes, so 11780 is running at reduced power until we get replacements. Also, 6180 kHz has been switched to the 11780 kHz 312° antenna because of the COP30 event taking place in Belém, Brazil.”

Always interesting to get a peek behind the curtain like that. It’s good to know the folks at EBC are keeping these classic shortwave services going, even if it means juggling transmitters and antennas from time to time. Thank you to Manoel for answering my questions and providing the picture.

Podcast Explores History of Parque do Rodeador

New SDR Recordings from Peru and Brazil Now Available via Don Moore

Another One Bites The Dust In Brazil?!?!

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Written/Published/Edited by SWLing.com Contributor Paul Walker, avid SW DXer and manager of KSKO 89.5 McGrath, Alaska

Surprisingly, RBC’s 7.5KW signal on 11815khz was quite regular here and heard very well at times. A few weeks ago, I realized I hadn’t heard it in several months, which has never happened really. I’m a member of the North American Shortwave Association so I posted a question there, because no matte how niche a station may be, someone can usually find or knows the answer.

I was greeted with this answer from Rich D’Angelo:

The following ius from May’s Listeners Notebook contributed by Brazilian DX’er Pedro de Castro:

Rádio Brasil Central AM – which currently operates at 1270 – will migrate to FM, according to the process approved by the Ministry of Communications at the end of last February. According to the president of Agência Brasil Central, Reginaldo Junior, the migration will guarantee the survival and legacy of 75 years of the station. The AM operation will be terminated at Fazenda Bananal, where the transmitters of these operations in medium, short and tropical waves are installed. Two other FM radio stations may be created with the migration of shortwave and tropical frequencies as well, still unpredicted. (Juliana Carnevalli via Agência Brasil Central (ABC) – Government of Goiás/Pedro de Castro-Brazil)

Sad to hear, but we must face the reality and progression of time and technology. SW equipment is tough, expensive and time to repair, maintain or purchase new. With a few well placed FM signals, they can cover the areas that really matter in much better, much more consistent quality. We have to remember we as DX’ers aren’t the target and the fact we can hear a sub 10,000 Watt signal outside of its target area wasn’t intended and just a bonus. The electricity costs for a few FM signals are likely less than a 50KW full time AM and 2 full time shortwave signals.

Rádio Nacional da Amazônia Launches English & Spanish Programming

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With thanks to Atsuhiko Takezawa in the World Radio & Television Handbook Facebook group for the tip-off

Starting March 31st, Radio Nacional will broadcast a 10 minute program in english and spanish at 01:50UTC!

EBC’s Executive Radio Manager Thiago Regotto says this new programming is in response to listener requests when they send in reception reports from other countries. The network will use this programming to highlight some content that has aired on international or cultural topics that have a relevance beyond Brazil, highlighting Radio Nacional as a broadcaster without borders.

The programming will air on the entire Radio Nacional Network, which includes the shortwave outlets at 6180khz (100kw, 239 deg az. beam) and 11780khz (100kw, 312 deg az. beam)

Full original announcement in Portuguese at this link

Full original announcement translated to English at this link

Sunday March 30th Edit: Paul Walker here, I originally posted this article. I realize I may have made a mistake when posting this. The original announcement specified 1050pm local time March 31st, which would be 01050UTC April 1st. I jumbled up some dates/numbers on this, so it may not start till UTC time April 1st. My apologies for the mistake, if in fact I made one.

Carlos’ Shortwave Art and recording of Radio Zorrilla de San Martin (May 8, 2024)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares his radio log art of a recent broadcast of Radio Zorrilla de San Martin, covering the extensive flooding in Brazil and Uruguay.