Tag Archives: David Iurescia (LW4DAF)

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

Radio Bulgaria: QSL Card Features Radio Sofia’s 1939 Broadcast Van

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Photo Source: Radio Bulgaria

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

In 2026, Radio Bulgaria is issuing a new series of 12 QSL cards to confirm listeners’ reception reports. Each card highlights a key historical moment from the history of Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and the Radio Bulgaria programme. At the beginning of each month, a special publication shares interesting facts related to the images featured on the cards.

The sixth QSL card for 2026 is dedicated to Radio Sofia’s outside broadcast van.

Click here to view more images and read the article at BNR.

A New Media Tech Museum Opens in Kansas City

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news item about a new museum dedicated to the history of media and communications technology. Located in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, the Media Tech Museum features more than 900 artifacts tracing the evolution of communication—from telegraphy and early radio to television, film, and digital media.

Click here to read and watch via KCTV.

Radio Prague International Marks 90 Years—Share Your Story

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, for sharing this announcement from Radio Prague International, which invites listeners to help celebrate its 90th anniversary by sharing their own stories and memories connected to the station. As part of the celebration, Radio Prague is highlighting its rich history and global audience engagement built over decades of international broadcasting. ?

Read the full article here: https://english.radio.cz/your-story-our-history-celebrate-90-years-radio-prague-international-us-8883445

Celebrating 90 Years of Radio Bulgaria’s English Voice

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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