Shortwave listening and everything radio including reviews, broadcasting, ham radio, field operation, DXing, maker kits, travel, emergency gear, events, and more
Myanmar earthquake: 1,644 dead, NHK, Japan, 11630 kHz
Part of NHK news bulletin (in Japanese) about the massive earthquake that hit Myanmar. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Panasonic RF-B11 receiver.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who shares:
Running into an old friend
Hi Thomas
I was doing some random tuning on shortwave this evening using the KiwiSDR at VK2ATZ in New South Wales, Australia, when I came upon a repeating music box-like tune on 13705 kHz that I thought had a familiar sound to it. It was like running into someone who you hadn’t seen in many years and trying to place where you knew them from. Yes, the sound was a bit different, perhaps even a little slower (age does that ?), but then it came to me, could it be Radio Japan, the overseas service of NHK? A quick check at Short-Wave.info revealed this was indeed NHK World Radio.
It felt like I had found an old friend, one that I knew from my high school days over a half century ago. Still recognizable after all those years, and it felt good to know that they are still around.
Attached are two recordings:
Radio Japan, interval signal and bilingual ID, as heard in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada on 9505 kHz in 1970:
NHK World Radio, interval signal and sign on in Thai on 13705 kHz, January 23, 2025 at 2300Z (via VK2ATZ KiwiSDR):
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening reports, all covering the ongoing Los Angeles Wildfires.
Part of Vatican Radio’s news bulletin (in Portuguese), listened in Porto Alegre:
“In a telegram to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, in the United States of America, Dom José Gómez, Pope Francis expressed his sadness at the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the fires that have hit this region of California. In a message signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father assures his spiritual closeness to the affected communities and entrusts the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, sending his sincere condolences to those who mourn their loss.
The Pontifex also prays for the emergency teams and grants his blessing to all as a promise of consolation and strength in the Lord. To date, at least 11 people have died and 150,000 have been evacuated due to the devastating fires that hit the Los Angeles region. In addition to the loss of human lives, the fire left a trail of destruction with economic losses of between 135 and 150 billion dollars.”
Part of NHK news bulletin (in Japanese) about Los Angeles wildfires. Listened (indoor) in Porto Alegre in a Toshiba TR486 receiver, telescopic antenna.
Part of CGTN Radio news bulletin (in English).
Firefighters have made some progress in Southern California, earth recorded its hottest year in 2024. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil.