Tag Archives: FM Radio

Radio Waves: Automated Overnight Shortwave DXing, $17M Aroostook Superstation on the Market, Blessing EWTN, Radio Bulgaria QSL No. 11, and FM Deserves Protection Too

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Dennis Dura and David Iurescia for the following tips:


NightDX: Automated Overnight Shortwave DX Listening with an Airspy HF+ (rtl-sdr.com)

Thank you to Marco Zennaro for writing in and sharing NightDX, a free terminal app for macOS, Windows and Linux that lets an Airspy HF+ do your overnight shortwave listening for you. The menu interface is deliberately styled like early-90s DOS software.

NightDX pulls the EiBi, AOKI and HFCC broadcast schedules, plus live solar flux and Kp from NOAA. A propagation model then predicts what should reach your location and calibrates itself against what your own radio hears. The HF+ sweeps all the bands in about 10 seconds to see which carriers are really there, and overnight NightDX records the best stations, putting ones you’ve never logged first.

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$17M Aroostook shortwave superstation is on the market – The County (The County)

A famed Aroostook broadcaster is selling one of the world’s most powerful shortwave radio stations.

Monticello’s WBCQ The Planet, an international AM/FM shortwave radio broadcast station and free speech platform, constructed the $17 million Monticello Maine Superstation for the World’s Last Chance Church in 2019.

“We are selling [or leasing] the assets of what we call the superstation facilities, one of the most powerful radio stations in the world,” said Allan Weiner, who co-owns and operates WBCQ with his wife, Angela Weiner. “The facility that we built for them is surplus to our needs. We’re trying to get the Voice of America, the government or the military to take it over or other private shortwave broadcasters in the country.”

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The Final Blessing of EWTN’s Shortwave Station WEWN – Radio World (Radio World)

As we reported, EWTN Global Catholic Network‘s shortwave radio station WEWN shut down its operations on Oct. 31 after 34 years.

The Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word shared photos with Radio World of the friars’ annual visit to the WEWN transmitter site atop Vandiver Mountain on Aug. 13 this year.

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QSL No. 11: 1970 – Construction begins of BNR’s “new” building (Bnrnews)

In 2026, Radio Bulgaria is confirming radio listeners’ reception reports with a new series of 12 QSL cards. Each card features an image highlighting a particular historical event connected with the history of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and its Radio Bulgaria programme, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. At the beginning of each month, a special feature takes you behind the scenes of these images, revealing some interesting facts about them.The eleventh QSL card for 2026 is dedicated to the “new” building of the Bulgarian National Radio.In the late 1960s, a decision was taken to construct a new building to provide more office and technical space for the multi-channel national broadcaster and its numerous employees. The foundation stone of the new home of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) was laid on 17 August 1970.

The turning of the first sod for BNR’s new building, 17 August 1970

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Opinion: Hey Congress, FM Deserves Protection Too – Radio World (Radio World)

If Congress can act before the end of the year, it may yet require that AM stations can be heard in new automobiles in the United States. The House gave its assent in September.

Passage of the legislation would be great. It will restore to AM radio some value and provide a potential boost to listenership.

But what about FM? I’ve been giving this question some thought, and asking around.

[Continue reading…]


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Radio Waves: Voice of Nigeria, Capturing ISS Images, SRG SSR FM Radio Expansion, and Conrad Remembers September 11

Radio Waves:  Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia and Richard Cuff for the following tips:


Inside VON, Where Technology, Diplomacy and Storytelling Converge By Muhammad Goni (PR Nigeria)

There is something quietly powerful about walking through the soundproof doors of a broadcasting facility whose signals are designed to travel far beyond Nigeria’s borders. Behind the microphones, studios, transmitters and antennas of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) lies a responsibility far larger than daily news bulletins. VON is one of the institutions through which Nigeria speaks to the world—an instrument of national identity, diplomacy, culture and global relevance.

My tour of VON’s facilities in Abuja revealed this clearly. It was more than a visit; it was an education in how international broadcasting works, why it matters and what it means for a country seeking to shape how it is understood. [Continue reading…]

Looking up: French radio enthusiast captures ISS signals from his garage (Radio France international)

Astronaut Sophie Adenot made history this month as the first French woman to perform a spacewalk. Back on Earth, space enthusiasts across France are finding their own ways to reach for the stars. In the second episode of a five-part series, RFI hears from Vincent Plousey, a radio ham from Tavaux in eastern France whose hobby is picking up signals from the ISS using homemade antennas built in his garage. [Continue reading…]

Switzerland’s SRG SSR to Resurrect Analog FM Broadcasts (Radio World)

Switzerland’s public radio network, SRG SSR, abandoned FM broadcasting last year in favor of the DAB+ digital mode.

But after the Swiss Parliament voted to postpone the nationwide switch-off of FM transmitters, and amidst reported listener declines, SRG SSR is bringing back analog FM transmissions, reportedly targeting the middle part of this fall for resumption.

And, according to one report, the public broadcaster desires further FM expansion. [Continue reading…]

Remembering 9/11: Conrad Trautmann (Radio World)

The 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks is approaching. Radio World is presenting a series in which people share their memories.

Conrad Trautmann was the senior VP of engineering at Westwood One and Metro Traffic. His office and the main satellite uplink site were at the CBS Broadcast Center at 524 West 57th Street in New York City. [Click here to read the full article…]


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Please consider supporting us via Patreon or our Coffee Fund!

Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!

AM Innovation and Radio’s Reach in EVs

Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following two articles that may be of interest to readers:

The first, from Radio World, highlights a new broadband AM antenna system designed for the upper end of the mediumwave band. The compact design promises easier installation, lower infrastructure requirements, and could offer broadcasters a practical solution where traditional AM tower installations are impractical or prohibitively expensive:
https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/new-antenna-for-upper-am-band-nears-readiness

Dennis also points to a recent Westwood One analysis examining the listening habits of Tesla drivers. Despite Tesla’s increasingly streaming-focused infotainment systems, the data suggests AM/FM radio remains the dominant source of ad-supported in-car audio among Tesla owners:
https://www.westwoodone.com/blog/2026/06/29/reach-future-tesla-buyers-on-am-fm-radio-the-medium-tesla-drivers-listen-to-most/

Will FM Radio Be the Next Casualty of the Connected Car?

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following article about a growing trend among automakers: removing not only AM receivers from new vehicles, but FM as well. This is in favor of internet-connected streaming services. While the shift may seem inevitable, it raises important questions about emergency communications, rural connectivity, and the future of free over-the-air broadcasting.

Read the full article here: https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/06/16/fm-radio-excluded-from-new-vehicles/

World Radio Day: Kentucky’s Real People Radio

A new documentary from the BBC, produced by SWLing Post friend and contributor David Goren and presented by Maria Margaronis, is now available to listen to online.

Kentucky’s Real People Radio, from The Documentary Podcast, visits WMMT in Whitesburg, Kentucky, a small community radio station known locally as “Possum Radio,” which serves coalfield communities in Appalachia and now faces an uncertain future amid potential cuts to public funding. The programme explores why community stations like WMMT matter more than ever, providing trusted local information, emergency alerts, and a rare platform for voices often unheard in national media.

You can listen to the full documentary, with embedded audio, on BBC Sounds here:
https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/p0n0g9f2

Update: If you don’t have a BBC account and can’t access the recording above, they also make the recording available via this link, which I’ll also embed below:

How Removing AM and FM from Cars Impacts the 12-Volt Ecosystem

Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares this CE Outlook article examining the trend of major automakers removing AM/FM radios from new vehicles and what it means for the 12-volt ecosystem. With AM/FM being increasingly omitted in favor of digital monthly subscriptions and mobile-connected audio services, this article explores the implications for listeners, aftermarket options, and the broader impact on radio accessibility in cars. Read more here: https://www.ceoutlook.com/2026/01/15/car-makers-remove-am-fm-what-it-means-for-12-volt/

Surprisingly Capable: Mario Checks Out the Raddy RF750 Plus

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mario Filippi, who shares the following review:


Raddy RF750 Plus AM/FM/SW/NOAA Radio

by Mario Filippi

I purchased one of these tiny radios several months ago. It’s my daily go-to AM broadcast band  radio.  So far, it performs excellently on AM.  Using the rotatable ferrite antenna,  I’ve received stations as far away as Chicago and Detroit at night.  FM broadcast band capability is also excellent in my experience for such a small radio.  As for SW, the only luck I’ve had is with powerful broadcasters when the Raddy’s telescoping antenna is connected to an outdoor ham antenna.  It receives local NOAA WX as good as any other radio I’ve owned.

Raddy 750 Plus

The case is all metal, feels nice and hefty in the hand.  A shade under a half-pound in weight. 3 3/4 inches high (approx. 9 cm) with attached rotatable antenna.   The speaker size is exceptional for such a small radio and the audio’s very acceptable to the ear.  The speaker grill can be used to tune the radio manually by the way. The fit and finish are excellent.  Has a rechargeable battery with included USB charging cord.  Excellently-written 25-page owner’s manual in English.

?I use the Raddy app to control the radio.  You can opt not to use it though.  You’ll definitely need to read the manual then, due to the plethora of options.

Raddy’s SmartPhone App Works Great

All said, since I bought this radio mainly for daily AM broadcast reception and occasionally checking NOAA weather, I’m very pleased.  Price is very reasonable, mine was under $40 at the time.

Wonder if anyone else has one of these radios and what their opinion is?  Thanks for reading and 73’s.

You can purchase the Raddy RF750 on Amazon.com or at Radioddity.com (affiliate links).