Tag Archives: Iran

Dan Notes Voice of America’s Return to Shortwave

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who shared the following message on March 1, 2026 [note the delay in posting Dan’s message due to recent site maintenance]:

Hi Thomas

This evening, I came across a sound on shortwave that I had not heard in a long time. It was the familiar tune of Yankee Doodle being played by the Voice of America on 7500 kHz just prior to 2200 hours UTC. According to both shortwave.live and the Short-wave Fan Facebook page, this was a half-hour program in Mandarin being broadcast through the VOA facility in Tinang, Philippines. They apparently are using a transmitter in Kuwait as well for a few other programs. Though none of the actual programs are in English, the ID at the beginning and end of the transmission are. Follow this link for their schedule.

Here are two brief recordings, one of their sign on at 2200, and the other at sign off at 2230 hours UTC. They were made using Kiwi SDR’s located in Europe.

(Update March 3, 2026) — In addition to the original log, I just heard the VOA signing on at 1530 UTC on 9310 kHz in Korean using a Kiwi SDR in Thailand. Same intro with the retro Yankee Doodle music and English ID.

Has anyone else been tuning into these?

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

New Farsi Numbers Station Reported on 7910 kHz

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who shares an article from Seth Hettena’s Substack about the appearance of a new shortwave numbers station believed to be broadcasting in Farsi. Numbers stations–mysterious broadcasts that read sequences of numbers–have long been associated with intelligence agencies communicating with field operatives using unbreakable one-time pad encryption. According to the report, this new signal first appeared around the time of recent military strikes involving Iran and has been heard on 7910 kHz. One of our readers reported hearing it around 2:15 UTC recently.

If you capture a recording of this numbers station, please reach out as I would like to add it to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive. Thank you!

Radio For Peace International: Special Daily Broadcasts to Iran

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following release from Radio For Peace International:

Special Broadcast for Iran — Starting March 4, 2026

Beginning March 4, 2026, RFPI will launch a daily program in Farsi, broadcasting from 5:00 AM to 5:30 AM UTC on the 15640 kHz frequency.

This new 30-minute program will provide comprehensive coverage of national and regional news. Our goal is to offer the Iranian people clear, reliable, and accessible information on the events and issues that matter most to them.

Stay tuned and spread the word!

Who is Sylvain?
https://www.franceinfo.fr/monde/europe/manifestations-en-ukraine/guerre-en-ukraine-depuis-un-village-de-gironde-une-radio-associative-emet-jusqu-en-russie-pour-contrer-la-propagande-de-moscou_5122231.html 

Radio for Peace International (RFPI) has set up shop in a small house in Auros, a village in the Gironde region of France, tucked between a pharmacy and a meadow. From this town of just 600 residents, the station broadcasts in Russian via shortwave radio to counter Kremlin propaganda following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Using a simple mixing console, a headset, and a computer, Sylvain Clament produces his own shows three times a week, featuring a mix of news updates and special reports.

BBC World Service’s Emergency Radio Programme for Iran

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Richard Cuff, who writes:

Also spotted this at the BBC Press information website — it’s been in
effect, apparently, since early in February:

BBC launches emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran (BBC Media Centre)

4 February 2026

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies

The BBC World Service has launched a temporary emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country, and the unprecedented crackdown on protests.

To complement the existing BBC News Persian video and digital services, the radio programme will be available on mediumwave and shortwave across Iran to increase the population’s access to news and information. To broaden its offer and availability of programming, the BBC World Service has also made some of its TV content available on mediumwave radio.

Since 8 January, the Iranian people have been subject to an internet blackout. Prior to this, BBC News Persian’s digital services saw their biggest reach in a year with their platforms reaching more than 33 million people.

The short-term programme will cover the latest news and developments in Iran and will place events inside the country within their wider regional and international context. It will feature voices from inside Iran alongside clear, informed analysis of the most recent political, social, and economic developments shaping the situation in the country.

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies from 4.30pm GMT / 8pm Iran Standard Time. The temporary programme has been granted resource from existing funds until the end of March 2026.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “A key role of the BBC World Service is to step up in times of crisis to provide news and information for our audiences in greatest need. BBC News Persian reaches one in four adults in Iran, which is an astonishing feat considering their reporting is banned in the country.

“The team have been essential in telling the urgent story of the Iranian people to audiences around the world, and our new radio programme will give the Iranian people more ways to access independent and impartial news.”

Tarik Kafala, Interim Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, says: “BBC News Persian have worked tirelessly to deliver journalism throughout this period of unrest as the demand for trusted news has soared in Iran. The teams have supplied extended TV hours in Iran and an increased offer on digital platforms for the Iranian people. They have reported for UK audiences across bulletins, live pages and on forensic journalism with BBC Verify.”

The BBC World Service has a history of launching emergency services in times of crisis. In April 2025, BBC News Burmese started providing audio and video content on a satellite channel in the aftermath of Myanmar earthquake.

In December 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, the BBC World Service set up an enhanced audio channel on FM and mediumwave for the people of Syria. This follows the emergency radio service for Gaza in November 2023 and for Sudan in May 2023 amid conflict.

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Where to find the programme:

  • The live programme will be available at 4.30pm GMT (8pm Iran Time) on 702kHz medium wave and 9465kHz short wave
  • The programme will be repeated at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time) on 702kHz mediumwave and 5935kHz shortwave
  • A visualised version of the programme will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time)

NHK World-Japan Begins Round-the-Clock Shortwave Broadcasts for Iran Coverage

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Richard D’Angelo and Richard Cuff for sharing the following press release from NHK World Japan:

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio Begins 24-Hour Shortwave Transmission in Response to Developments in Iran

Press Release

March 1, 2026, Tokyo – In light of recent developments in the situation in Iran, NHK has begun temporary shortwave transmissions of its Japanese-language international radio service, NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio, starting today (March 1). This measure is based on NHK’s mission as an international public service media to provide essential information to Japanese nationals residing in or traveling in the region.

Due to the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, internet connectivity and international telephone services in the region have become unstable, resulting in limited access to information in Japanese. In response, NHK has begun temporary shortwave transmissions of its Japanese-language international radio service, NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio, to provide essential information to Japanese nationals staying in the area. These broadcasts started at 11:30 a.m. (Japan Standard Time) on Sunday, March 1.

NHK normally broadcasts six hours of shortwave programming per day to the Middle East. However, in view of the current situation, the broadcast schedule has been expanded to provide continuous 24-hour service. In addition to content from NHK Radio 1, the broadcasts will include timely safety and security information for those in the region.

For those in neighboring countries or other areas where internet access remains available, NHK also provides Japanese-language news on the NHK WORLD-JAPAN website, along with simultaneous and on-demand streaming of its television and radio programs. We encourage people to use these trusted sources to help ensure their safety.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Japanese Website:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/ja/

(This service is not accessible from within Japan and is available only overseas.)

Details of the Temporary Transmission

During the temporary transmission period, NHK will provide simultaneous broadcasts of NHK Radio 1, along with NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s own Japanese-language international news and “Overseas Safety Information,” which focuses on travel advisories issued by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including updates related to the situation in Iran. Because shortwave broadcasts can be transmitted directly from Japan, they are considered less susceptible to restrictions by local authorities.

The broadcast frequencies will change as needed. Information on the frequencies and other details of the temporary transmissions will be announced on the Japanese-language website of NHK WORLD-JAPAN.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN Radio
Emergency Shortwave Transmissions to the Middle East

Broadcast Schedule and Frequency List

NHK is providing 24-hour temporary shortwave transmissions of Japanese-language news and programming to the Middle East from the KDDI Yamata Transmitting Station in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and other relay sites.
(All times are shown in Japan Standard Time.)

Transmissions from the Yamata Transmitting Station

Time (JST) Frequency
01:00–02:00 11915 kHz
02:00–04:00 11670 kHz
04:00–06:00 9665 kHz
06:00–08:00 11675 kHz (regular slot)
08:00–10:00 11660 kHz
10:00–14:00 17560 kHz
14:00–18:00 9700 kHz
18:00–22:00 9740 kHz
22:00–23:00 11685 kHz
23:00–01:00 9450 kHz

Transmissions from the France Relay Station

Time (JST) Frequency
02:00–04:00 11800 kHz (regular slot)
12:00–14:00 6150 kHz (regular slot)

Please Note

Due to the characteristics of shortwave broadcasting, listeners may need to switch receiving frequencies every few hours.

About NHK

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public service media organization. Funded by receiving fees from Japanese households, it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality news and programs including documentaries, children’s and educational programs, music, entertainment, culture, animation, and drama.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of CGTN (February 28, 2026)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report of a recent CGTN broadcast.

Carlos notes:

Iran to continue exercising right to self-defense, CGTN, 13630 kHz

Click here to view on YouTube.