Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who notes that the Maritime Radio Historical Society is hosting another Crypto Transmission from KPH on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 20:00 UTC.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following article:
by Paul Jamet
Two and a half years ago, I shared my enthusiasm for an XHDATA receiver, the D-219, first launched at the end of 2022:
Read: Paul explores the incredible affordability of the XHDATA D-219
The XHDATA D-219 stands out for its low price and impressive performance. It combines nostalgic analog charm—with its needle dial—with the power of modern DSP technology, delivering excellent multiband performance for its class and cost. Whether you’re an enthusiast, a traveler, or simply discovering shortwave for the first time, the D-219 is a wonderful gateway into the vast world of radio.
More than 25 readers have commented on or contributed to discussions about this little receiver. The D-219 is very easy to use, has a vintage look, a classic needle dial, and runs on two AA batteries. Sources confirm that it is based on a Si4825-A10 architecture, with analog tuning (via potentiometer and voltage), mono audio output, and reception across the following bands:
Switching between bands is simple—just turn the side-mounted dial.
Recent events have also renewed interest in battery-powered radios and resilient technologies like AM radio, particularly during massive power outages such as:
In such emergency situations, the D-219 becomes even more appealing: it’s lightweight (150 g without batteries), very intuitive to use, and powered by standard AA cells. On top of that, its performance is excellent.
Until recently, XHDATA offered the D-219 in just two classic colors: gray and silver-gray.
But in the past few days, XHDATA has introduced two new finishes on its website: malachite green and grayish white—still under €9 (excluding shipping). Stocks appear to be limited.
Personally, I was immediately drawn to the Malachite Green version.
Its matte finish looks elegant and really highlights the receiver’s craftsmanship. Honestly, I think it’s beautiful! The green gives it a distinctive character and elevates the quality of the finish.
Elegance, performance, and price all come together to make the D-219 an excellent way to discover—or rediscover—shortwave across its nine bands.
With the D-219 ‘Malachite Green,’ radio isn’t just something you hear—it’s something that catches your eye.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet who notes that Arctic 252 plans to conduct on-air tests in August 2025. The project received a donation of a Nautel ND2000 transmitter, complete with its matching antenna tuning unit and antenna.
Initial test transmissions will run at 500 Watts. Once testing and fine-tuning of the antenna system are complete, transmission power will be increased to 1 kW for broader reach beyond Finland.
For more updates as the launch approaches, visit arcticradio.net.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who shares the following note:
After this news:
https://swling.com/blog/2025/06/rti-live-test-broadcasts-in-french-on-sunday-june-29-2025/
[We have this] similar news for the Deutsch service transmissions from Tamsui, Taïwan! See below:
Dear listeners,
Radio Taiwan International is once again planning broadcasts of its German-language program from the Tamsui transmission site this year.
For this purpose, RTI will air 10-minute test transmissions on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the following times and frequencies:
Test Transmissions: Saturday, June 28, 2025
(Times listed in UTC / CEST = UTC+2)
We kindly ask you to monitor these test transmissions and send your reception reports to RTI:
Email: [email protected]
From the above frequencies, two will be selected for the live broadcasts.
Official Broadcast Dates:
(Each broadcast will consist of half an hour on one frequency from 17:00–17:30 UTC, and half an hour on a second frequency from 17:30–18:00 UTC.)
More information and announcements:
https://www.rti.org.tw/de/informationlist?uid=15
Our new website:
https://www.rti.org.tw/de
With best regards,
Your RTI Editorial Team
? [email protected]
Original German version:
Liebe Hörerinnen und Hörer,
Radio Taiwan International plant auch in diesem Jahr wieder Ausstrahlungen des deutschsprachigen Programms von der Sendeanlage in Tamsui.
RTI strahlt dafür am Samstag, 28. Juni, jeweils 10-minütige Testsendungen zu folgenden Zeiten auf folgenden Frequenzen aus:
Testsendungen: am 28. Juni 2025 (Samstag)
Zeitangaben in UTC (MESZ=UTC+2)
Wir bitten Sie, die Testsendungen zu beobachten und RTI Ihre Empfangsbeobachtungen mitzuteilen: E-Mail: [email protected]
Aus den oben genannten Frequenzen werden 2 Frequenzen für die Direktausstrahlungen ausgewählt.
Offizielle Sendetermine:
(Eine halbe Stunde auf einer Frequenz von 17:00-17:30 Uhr UTC, eine halbe Stunde auf der zweiten Frequenz von 17:30-18:00 Uhr UTC):
Weitere Informationen und Ankündigen:
https://www.rti.org.tw/de/informationlist?uid=15
Unsere neue Internetadresse ist:
https://www.rti.org.tw/de
Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Ihre RTI-Redaktion
[email protected]
Photo: Martin Wallgren
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following news:
On July 2, 2025, the SAQ Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden celebrates its centennial — a hundred years of quiet transmissions that have bridged continents and eras.
Built in 1925, this UNESCO-listed radio station still transmits Morse code using a pre-electronic VLF generator.
A silent voice of peace across the globe.
SAQ to air at 100th anniversary on July 2nd 2025: https://alexander.n.se/en/celebrate-100-years-with-saq-grimeton/
English program: https://alexander.n.se/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Jubileumsdagen_Grimeton100_en.pdf
SAQ transmits telegrams worldwide on 17,2 kHz at 11.00 CEST (09.00 UTC) and 15.00 CEST (13.00 UTC). The startups begin at 10.30 CEST (08.30 UTC) and 14.30 CEST (12.30 UTC).
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, for sharing the following eQSL card along with two recordings he made and submitted of the Vesti FM test broadcasts on May 19, 2025:
Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:40 UTC on May 19, 2025:
Vesti FM on 13,730 kHz at 19:43 UTC on May 19, 2025:
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following information. However, I want to acknowledge that we are late in posting this message that Paul originally shared on April 14, 2025.
Hi Thomas,
Following the demolition of the rotary antenna at Moosbrunn near Vienna, Slovakia has announced – in its French-language program of April 10th, 2025 – the demolition of the antennas at its Rimavská Sobota transmitter center!
Here is the (automatic) translation of the script for the announcement, which was rebroadcast yesterday, Sunday April 13, in the mailbag program:
The transmitter near Rimavská Sobota, located in the cadastre of the municipality of Uzovská Panica, awaits demolition. The mid-twentieth-century infrastructure enabled broadcasts to be made all over the world, but it has fallen into disrepair in recent years. The transmitters will be blown up in the coming months. So says Marek Marcinov, head of Towercom, a company providing radio and TV broadcasting services.
The transmitter site east of Rimavská Sobota has been unused since 2022 due to the advent of more modern technologies. “Analysis has shown that a facility of such dimensions can be considered an unnecessary economic burden on society. Finally, the masts were frequently the target of adrenaline enthusiasts who, despite a strict access ban, climbed the structures and often risked serious injury or even death,” explained Marek Marcinov to justify the transmitter’s demolition.
The transmitter near Rimavská Sobota consists of 12 pylons, between which the antennas of the shortwave transmitter are strung. The area also includes three directional short-wave antennas and a medium-wave antenna mast. All transmitters will be demolished as part of the removal of unnecessary infrastructure.
“The mast and transmitter structures will be destroyed by a controlled and safe explosion. The work will be carried out in three phases, from April to July 2025. The area will then be redeveloped and the rubble removed. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2025,” explains Marek Marcinov. He added that further plans for the use of the area had not yet been specified.
The history of transmitter construction near Rimavská Sobota dates back to 1952, with the first test runs beginning in 1956. In the 1980s, the area was renovated. “The Rimavská Sobota transmitter can be considered a unique technical innovation. Shortwave broadcasting from Rimavská Sobota was intended for the whole world. With two transmitters, we covered the Atlantic coast of South America, territories in the USA and Canada, parts of Australia, Iran, India and, of course, the whole of Europe,” recalls Marek Marcinov.
Since 1993, Radio Slovakia International has been broadcasting worldwide on shortwave precisely thanks to this transmitter.
TASR, RSI
Zuzana Borovská; Foto: Facebook/P?átelé AM
Summary :
Demolition of the RSI Transmitter Site
The shortwave transmitter near Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia—used for broadcasting Radio Slovakia International (RSI) since 1993—is set to be demolished by controlled explosion between April and July 2025. The facility, built in the 1950s and inactive since 2022, is now considered an economic burden. It once transmitted Slovak broadcasts worldwide, including to South America, North America, Australia, and Asia. After demolition, the site will be cleared by October 2025.
Best wishes
Paul JAMET