Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia who shares the following article from Radio Bulgaria–a retrospective that traces the history of the English Service of Bulgarian National Radio, marking nine decades of international broadcasting that brought Bulgaria’s news, culture, and music to listeners around the world.
You can read the full article here: https://bnrnews.bg/en/post/428374/radio-bulgarias-english-service-a-legacy-of-distinguished-voices
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following news from Vatican Radio:
On 13 February 2026, on the occasion of World Radio Day (WRD), Radio Vaticana – Vatican News has organised a special initiative in seven languages with seven radio programs that will become themed podcasts dedicated to the future of radio, public service, innovation, and the relationship between media, society, and artificial intelligence.
The initiative comes the day after the 95th birthday of the Radio of the Popes: 12 February 2026. Founded in 1931 at the behest of Pope Pius XI and created by the father of radio, Guglielmo Marconi, the Pope’s broadcaster is one of the oldest in the world, born to connect the Holy See with every part of the planet and to speak to diverse peoples, cultures, and languages.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares this article from Radio Taiwan International highlighting how RTI’s Spanish and Japanese shortwave programs have placed in global listener polls, with the Spanish service especially popular across dozens of countries and the Japanese service recognized at Japan’s largest amateur radio event. Read the full article here: https://www.rti.org.tw/en/news?uid=3&pid=186281
RRI’s Tiganesti-based shortwave transmitter centre (Photo source: Radio Romania International)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following announcement from Radio Romania international:
Like every year, Radio Romania International is again inviting listeners to choose their favourite person in 2025.
It’s been a difficult and complicated year, with Russia’s war in Ukraine waging on, conflicts in the Middle East, natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Under these circumstances, who, in your opinion, has had the most positive influence on the world in 2025? And why?
Your choice can be a global figure or someone who is unknown to the wider public but whose story you find inspiring.
We’re looking forward to your proposals, either in text or audio format, by email, Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp at 0040.744.312.650.
Stay tuned to find out the name of RRI’s 2025 Personality of the Year in our programmes and online on Thursday, 1st January 2026.
Photo by Borderpolar Photographer
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the following news and holiday tradition from NDR Hörfunk.
Each Christmas Eve, NDR airs its beloved “Gruß an Bord” (Greetings on Board) program–a broadcast of messages from families in Germany to loved ones serving at sea. It’s a tradition stretching back to 1953, connecting crews on merchant ships, research vessels, and naval ships with home during the holidays.
To ensure these greetings reach listeners far beyond FM and online streams, NDR has leased shortwave frequencies once again this year. Here’s the 2024 recording recorded by Richard Langley on the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive.
Between 18:00 and 21:00 UTC (19:00–22:00 CET), the program will be transmitted on the following frequencies:
Shortwave Frequencies (December 24, 18:00–21:00 UTC):
• Europe: 6080 kHz
• Atlantic – Northwest: 15770 kHz
• Atlantic – South: 13830 kHz
• Atlantic – Northeast: 6030 kHz
• Indian Ocean: 9635 kHz
• Atlantic / Indian Ocean / South Africa: 11650 kHz
If you’ve never heard Greetings on Board, I highly recommend giving it a listen.
You can read the full article here: https://www.yacht.de/en/special/people/greetings-on-board-ndr-broadcasts-christmas-messages/
Let us know if you plan to tune in and when you do, any notes about the broadcast.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the following article about one of my favorite topics, which we’ve covered in the past.
Long before Zoom classrooms or remote-learning platforms existed, Australia was already teaching across the outback via radio. This article from Education Daily explores how the School of the Air began in 1951 using shortwave radio and evolved into one of the world’s most advanced distance education systems—connecting students across half a million square miles.
It’s a brilliant look at how necessity inspired real innovation in broadcasting and education.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following schedule update from Radio Taiwan International’s Spanish language service:
