Tag Archives: David Iurescia (LW4DAF)

Radio Prague: “Microphones against tanks”

90 Years of Radio Prague: Founded to Fight Nazi Propaganda

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the first installment of a fascinating look at how Radio Prague became a powerful weapon against Nazi propaganda in the years leading up to World War II.

You can read the full article here, and/or listen to the Radio Prague Episode below:

Radio Bulgaria’s Latest QSL Card Celebrates the Historic TULAN Receiver

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing the latest installment in Radio Bulgaria’s 90th anniversary QSL card series. This month’s card highlights the TULAN radio receiver—produced by Bulgaria’s first radio receiver factory and now prized by vintage radio collectors. The accompanying article explores the company’s history and explains how listeners can obtain this attractive new QSL card by submitting a reception report.

Click here to check it out at Radio Bulgaria.

The End of BBC Longwave: News and the Final Off-Air Recording

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Droitwich Transmitter Site (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares this BBC article about the end of an era in British broadcasting: the BBC has permanently switched off its longwave Radio 4 service after nearly a century on the air. The closure marks the end of longwave broadcasting in the UK, with the historic 198 kHz transmitters at Droitwich, Westerglen, and Burghead now falling silent after decades of service.

For many radio enthusiasts, this represents far more than the retirement of an aging transmission system—it is the closing chapter of one of broadcasting’s most iconic services, one that carried everything from the Shipping Forecast to Test Match Special and reached listeners across the British Isles and beyond.

Click here to read the article.

Many thanks as well to SWLing Post contributor Andy Wang, who shares this off-air recording capturing the final hours of the BBC’s longwave service before the transmitters went silent:

RTI Test Broadcast on Sunday, June 21, 2026

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following announcement from Radio Taiwane International’s French Language service (first the English translation, then the original in French):

Dear Listener,

The French Service would like to inform you that during August 2026 (August 7–30), Radio Taiwan International (RTI) will broadcast directly from its Tamsui transmission site in northern Taiwan to Europe and North Africa.

To determine the most suitable frequencies, we will conduct a test broadcast on Sunday, June 21. The frequencies and schedule are as follows:

15145 kHz — 1700–1710 UTC
11995 kHz — 1715–1725 UTC
11995 kHz — 1730–1740 UTC
9545 kHz — 1745–1755 UTC

The two frequencies that provide the best reception will be selected for the August broadcasts.

A special QSL card will be sent to listeners who submit reception reports. Reports may be sent by email to the French Service or via the radio’s online reception report form.

Thank you for listening and for your continued support.

French Service
Radio Taiwan International

Original message in French:

Chère auditrice, cher auditeur,

Le service français vous informe que durant le mois d’août 2026 (du 7 au 30 août), Rti procèdera à une diffusion directe depuis le centre de transmission de Tamsui, dans le nord de Taïwan, vers l’Europe et l’Afrique du nord.

Afin de chosir les fréquences les plus appropriées, nous prévoyons un essai de diffusion le dimanche 21 juin. Voici les fréquences et horaires de cette diffusion :

Fréquence 15145 kHz, 17h00-17h10, temps universel

Fréquence 11995 kHz, 17h15-17h25, temps universel

Fréquence 11995kHz, 17h30-17h40, temps universel

Fréquence 9545 kHz, 17h45-17h55, temps universel

Les deux fréquences les plus appropriées seront retenues pour cette diffusion estivale.

Une carte QSL spéciale vous sera envoyée pour confirmer vos rapports d’écoute que vous pouvez nous adresser par courriel au service français ou via le formulaire en ligne de la radio.

Merci de votre écoute et de votre fidélité.

Service français

Radio Taiwan International