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One BBC article captured a personal account of how radio became a vital lifeline. SWLing Post contributor Balázs Kovács shared this note from the BBC Live Update:
Meanwhile, a friend of our family living in Barcelona reported that her Sony ICF-SW100 proved invaluable during the blackout.
While phone and internet services were unavailable, her SW100 kept her connected to critical news and updates.
In another update, our friend Carlos Latuff noted that Radio Exterior de España — Spain’s external broadcaster — was off the air on shortwave frequencies, likely due to the blackout.
Carlos shared this video from Porto Alegre at 20:26 UTC:
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report covering the funeral of Pope Francis from several international and local broadcasters.
Carlos notes:
Funeral of Pope Francis: BBC, Vatican Radio, NHK and Radio Mitre:
Part of news bulletins from four radio stations (BBC, Vatican Radio, NHK and Radio Mitre) about Pope Francis funeral. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Xhdata D-808 receiver.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares an illustrated radio listening report from Vatican Radio reporting the death of Pope Francis, along with a recent Kyodo News Agency Radiofax, and numerous archived reports from Carlos also featuring Pope Francis:
Carlos notes:
Pope Francis has passed away:
Full news bulletin (in English) of Vatican Radio Africa’s Service about the death of Pope Francis. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Xhdata D-808 receiver.
I received this radiofax today, it’s the English Edition of Kyodo News from April 21, the date of Pope Francis’ death, and it has the following news: “Pope Francis emerges from convalescence on Easter, delights crowd with popemobile tour.”
Pope Francis in the Archives
A few illustrated radio listening reports about Pope Francis from 2021 to 2025
Since December 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height, I have had an inseparable companion: the XHDATA D-808 radio.
This receiver has accompanied me in many situations, on the beach, in the countryside, in light rain, in cold and hot weather, and its durability has been more than proven, which is why I affectionately named my radio set “The Beast”.
I have received everything with this receiver, from military and clandestine transmissions to radiofax of weather reports and news (Kyodo News). The selectivity and sensitivity of this model are useful for both DXers and radio listeners eager for news (like me). Since this is my field radio, “The Beast” has already lost its antenna (I currently use a 3-meter long wire), and has scratches and marks resulting from several falls. And it continues to work perfectly. Even the battery remains the same.
I don’t use FM much, my focus has always been on MW and SW, bands where the XHDATA D-808 has shown excellent reception. Maybe it’s time to buy a new model, but I’m reluctant to retire my beloved “The Beast”, since, even after so many years of continuous usage, this receiver continues to serve me very well.
I usually use other Japanese-made models from the 80s and 90s, but without a doubt, the China-made XHDATA D-808 has proven to be unbeatable. Here are some recent listenings made with this transistorized wonder.
Radio Nikkei 1
Radio Nikkei 2
(April 15) Kyodo News English Edition, received via radiofax in Porto Alegre, 16970 kHz:
China, Vietnam agreed to boost trade, Nvidia plans to manufacture AI chips in US, fugitive India jeweler arrested in Belgium, Ghana prohibits foreigners from trading gold, Philipines’ Antipolo church eyes Guiness, Japan govt mourns death of former US officer, India weighs Japan’s next generation of bullet train.
“Voice of the People”, clandestine radio station operated by the South Korea’s intelligence service, 4560 kHz, April 15, 10h03 UTC, listened in Porto Alegre (enhanced audio):
“Chinese people do not provoke trouble, nor do we fear it.” CGTN Radio, China, 11770 kHz.
Part of CGTN Radio’s news bulletin (in English) about the Chinese government response to Trump’s tariffs. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Panasonic RF-B11 receiver.
Today, parts of Spain, Portugal, and France experienced widespread power outages, knocking out electricity, internet, and mobile networks for hours.
