A reminder from my X post this morning. This week's edition of Wavescan announced that the Voice of Hope Africa in Zambia has closed its services, with little hope of returning.
Monday, October 27, 2025
Sunday's audio available for GB's Car Boot Bargain Show 2025 plus Jen's Everything Musical Show!
The live stream for Sunday, October 26, 2025, includes programs for GB's Car Boot Bargain Show 2025 plus Jen's Everything Musical Show! is available for your downloading and listening at:
Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins
Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2025 Oct 27 0243 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
# Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 - 26 October 2025
.jpg)
Solar activity was at moderate levels on 20 Oct with a single M-class flare observed. Region 4248 (N07, L=262, class/area=Eki/380 on 17 Oct) produced an M1.1 flare, the largest of the period, at 20/0527 UTC. Region 4262 (S12, L=132, class/area=Cai/150 on 22 Oct) produced a pair of long duration C-class flares. The first was a C4.7 that peaked at 22/0152 UTC, with the second being a C2.7 flare at 22/0909 UTC. Additionally, there were two far sided CMEs, likely originating from old Region 4246 (N24, L=290, class/area=Ekc/840 on 16 Oct). These events were observed in LASCO coronagraph imagery on 21/2024 UTC. Additionally, Type II (est. 2474 km/s) and Type IV radio sweeps were observed at 21/2011 UTC, likely associated with the far-sided events as well. There was also a weak CME observed in LASCO imagery on 23/1545 UTC, likely associated with a C2.1 flare at 23/1506 UTC from Region 4256 (S15, L=155, class/area=140/Dao on 18
Oct. This CME is expected to arrive at Earth on 27 Oct. Activity was at low levels from 21-26 Oct.
No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. However, the 10 MeV proton flux levels were slightly elevated on 22-23 Oct following the far-sided CME eruptions. Conditions were at background levels on 20-21 Oct and 24-26 Oct. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at
normal to moderate levels from 20-26 Oct.
Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet to unsettled levels from 20-26 Oct, with the exception of an isolated active period on 25 Oct, likely associated with residual CH HSS influence.
Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 27 October - 22 November 2025
Solar activity is expected to be at moderate levels on 31 Oct - 15 Nov due to the return of Region 4246. Low levels are expected to prevail on 20 Oct - 30 Oct and 14 Nov - 22 Nov as multiple regions depart the visible disk. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit from 27 Oct -
22 Nov. However, depending on the complexity of returning Region 4246, an isolated proton event is possible.
The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels from 31 Oct - 15 Nov due to responses from recurrent CH HSS influences. Moderate levels are expected on 27 - 30 Oct and 16 Nov - 22 Nov.
Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on 01 Nov - 06 Nov, 10 Nov - 14 Nov, and 16 Nov - 22 Nov. Active conditions are expected on 27 Oct and 31 Oct, 07 Nov - 09 Nov, and 15 Nov, with G1/G2 conditions likely on 28 Oct - 30 Oct due to recurrent positive polarity CH HSS influence, mixed with possible weak influence from the CME that left the Sun on 23 October
Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2025 Oct 27 0243 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/content/subscription-services
#
# 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
# Issued 2025-10-27
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2025 Oct 27 120 5 2
2025 Oct 28 120 18 4
2025 Oct 29 120 18 4
2025 Oct 30 125 15 3
2025 Oct 31 130 12 3
2025 Nov 01 130 8 3
2025 Nov 02 130 5 2
2025 Nov 03 135 5 2
2025 Nov 04 140 5 2
2025 Nov 05 140 5 2
2025 Nov 06 140 8 3
2025 Nov 07 140 12 4
2025 Nov 08 145 20 5
2025 Nov 09 150 18 5
2025 Nov 10 155 8 3
2025 Nov 11 160 8 3
2025 Nov 12 165 5 2
2025 Nov 13 170 5 2
2025 Nov 14 175 5 2
2025 Nov 15 175 12 4
2025 Nov 16 165 8 3
2025 Nov 17 150 5 2
2025 Nov 18 150 5 2
2025 Nov 19 150 5 2
2025 Nov 20 150 8 3
2025 Nov 21 140 8 3
2025 Nov 22 140 5 2
(NOAA)
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Akashvani Winter B25 Schedule
India, Akashvani - B25 Winter Schedule
Effective 26 October 2025 - 29 March 2026
All times UTC/Transmitter Sites
Amritsar (20 kW) AM
Bengaluru (250 kW)
Chinsurah (1000) AM
New Delhi (100 kW)
Arabic
0530-0630 15280me (Bengaluru)
1730-1930 11900me (Bengaluru)
Baluci
0300-0430 11805as (to Pakistan) (New Delhi)
1230-1330 9870as (to Pakistan) (New Delhi)
Bangla
0030-0830 594 (to Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
1000-1515 594 ( Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
1545-1830 594 ( Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
Burmese
0315-0415 15410as (to Myanmar) (Bengaluru)
Chinese
1030-1200 15410as (to China) (Bengaluru)
2345-0115 15280as (to China) (Bengaluru)
Dari
0430-0600 9795as (to Afghanistan) (New Delhi)
1330-1500 9870as (to Afghanistan) (New Delhi)
English
0245-0300 15410as (to Nepal) (Bengaluru)
0830-0845 594 (to Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
1530-1545 594 (to Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
Farsi
0400-0500 15280me (to Iran) (Bengaluru)
1600-1730 11900me (to Iran) (Bengaluru)
French
1930-2030 11900eu (to Western Europe) (Bengaluru)
Hindi
0245-0300 15410as (to Nepal) (Bengaluru)
0845-0900 595 (to Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
1515-1530 594 (to Bangladesh) (Chinsurah)
Indonesia
0130-0230 15260oc (to Indonesia) (Bengaluru)
Nepali
0145-0230 15410as (to Nepal) (Bengaluru)
0900-1030 11865as 15410as (to Nepal) (Bengaluru)
Pashtu
0430-0600 15185as (to Afghanistan) (Bengaluru)
1230-1400 11810as (to Afghanistan) (Bengaluru)
Punjabi
1230-1330 1071 (to Pakistan) (Amritsar)
2330-0100 1071 (to Pakistan) (Amritsar)
Saraiki
1130-1200 1071 (to Pakistan) (Amritsar)
Sindhi
0100-0130 9860as (to Pakistan) (Bengaluru)
Swahili
1215-1315 15410af (to East Africa)
Tibetan
0100-0230 11710as (to Tibet) (New Delhi)
1045-1215 11865as (to Tibet) (New Delhi)
Target Areas:
af Africa
as Asia as indicated)
me Middle East
oc Oceania
((Akashvani/transcribed by Teak Publishing)
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Last Day of Service - KTWR
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| Graphic designs by Gayle van horn |
Today has been the last Day of Service for KTWR Guam. In case you missed it, the Shortwave Central YouTube channel brings you the last six minutes of the Korean service, including the closing English identification.
Don't forget to hit the Subscribe button and tell me what you think of the channel. Stay tuned for new videos in the future.
Available for viewing at:
Get ready for October 26 programming from Jen & GB
 |
| Graphics by Gayle Van Horn |
Not to be missed !!! Be there or be square !!
The live stream for Sunday, October 26, 2025, programs for GB's Car Boot Bargain Show 2025 plus Jen's Everything Musical Show!
Programming will air 18:00 - 21:00 UTC at: http://uk4-vn.mixstream.net:8104/index.html
For your contact pleasure
Jen & GB
Friday, October 24, 2025
Trans World Radio, B-25 Winter -English
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| A classic QSL from TWR Europe |
Trans World Radio Asia released its expanded winter broadcast schedule in early October, effective October 26. Of particular interest to DXers are the English broadcasts and their transmitter locations:
TWR Asia
All times UTC
English on Shortwave
0030-0100, 12120 (Mon-Fri) Bocaue, Philippines
1030-1046, 11965 (Mon-Fri) Kununurra, Australia
1030-1100, 11965 (Sun) Kununurra, Australia
1130-1145, 9910 (Sun) Orzu, Tajikistan
1130-1200, 15460 (Mon-Fri) Kununurra, Australia
1200-1300, 12105 (Sat) (DRM) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
1415-1430, 17700 (Fri) Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar
1430-1445, 17700 (Mon-Wed) Talata-Volonondry, Madagascar
1445-1500, 9975 (Sun) (DRM) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
1445-1446, 17700 (Mon-Fri) Talata-Volonondry , Madagascar
1505-1515, 9975 (Sun) (DRM) Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Mediumwave
0045-0100, 882 (Mon-Fri) Puttalam, Sri Lanka
1445-1500, 882 (Fri, Sat) Puttalam, Sri Lanka
1500-1545, 882 (daily) Puttalam, Sri Lanka
(The Spectrum Monitor/Bits & Bytes/Nov 2025)
IBRA Media - Winter B25 Schedule
No English service. All programming via Encompass transmitting facilities
All times UTC
Dhabayya, United Arab Emirates
Afar
1600-1630 (daily) 11655
Amharic
1600-1630 (daily) 9540
1630-1700 (daily) 9540
Dari
0230-0300 (daily) 7300
0930-1030 (daily) 7300
0930-1030 (daily) 17865
Orominya
1700-1730 (daily) 9540
Pashto
1500-1545 (daily) 9580
Silte
1730-1800 (daily) 9750
Tigre
1400-1430 (daily) 11630
Tigrinya
1730-1800 (daily) 9540
1800-1830 (daily) 9540
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Hazaragi
1530-1600 (daily) 1251 AM
Woofferton, UK
Arabic
1700-1800 (daily) 15260
1730-1900 (daily) 15510
Station website: https://ibra.se/en/
(ENC/IBRA/Teak Publishing)
Reach Beyond Australia, English B25 Winter Schedule
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| Classic QSL from Reach Beyond Australia |
Reach Beyond Australia
Effective: 26 October 2025 - 28 March 2026
English
1030-1045 (Sun-Fri) 11965
1045-1100 (Tues-Thur) 11905
1045-1100 (Sun) 11965
1230-1300 (Sun) 15540
1245-1300 (Mon, Wed-Fri) 11875
1330-1400 (Sat/Sun) 15540
1345-1400 (daily) 11875
2230-2300 (Mon) 17650
(RBA)
Additional RBA language services are available at:
Radio Romania International, B25 English Winter Schedule
.JPG) |
| Classic QSL from Radio Romania International |
Effective: 26 October 2025 - 29 March 2026
English
All times UTC /Frequencies kHz/ Target Areas
AM
01.00 – 02.00 7,325 North America (East Coast)
04.00 – 05.00 7,220 North America (West Coast)
06.30 – 07.00 9,620 Western Europe
12.00 – 13.00 15,460 Western Europe
12.00 – 13.00 21,470 Africa
21.30 – 22.00 7,375 Western Europe
21.30 – 22.00 7,250 North America (East Coast)
23.00 – 24.00 7,220 Western Europe
23.00 – 24.00 9,620 Japan
DRM
04.00 – 05.00 15,250 India (Mumbai)
06.30 – 07.00 21,470 India (New Delhi)
18.00 – 19.00 9,570 Western Europe
(RRI)
WWCR B25 Winter Schedule to November 1
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| Classic QSL from WWCR |
Effective: 26 October - November 1, 2025
All times UTC
English
Transmitter 2 (100 kW) 85 degrees
0500-1200, 5935
1200-1500, 7490
1500-200, 12160
2000-2200, 9350
2200-0500, 5935
Transmitter 3 (100 kW) 40 degrees
0500-1200 4840
1200-0000 13845
0000-0500 4840
Transmitter 4 (100 kW) 90 degrees
0500-1200, 5890
1200-2300, 9980
2300-0200, 7520
0200-0500, 5890
(WWCR)
Bible Voice Broadcasting - English B25 Winter Schedule
Effective: 26 October 2025 - 29 March 2026
All times UTC
Amharic to East Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
1700-1730 (Tues-Thurs) 15310
Arabic to North Africa
Sofia, Bulgaria relay
1945-2000 (daily) 9400
Arabic to the Middle East
Sofia, Bulgaria relay
1545-1600 (daily) 11600
1730-1745 (Sun) 9490
1730-1750 (Mon) 9490
1730-1745 (Tues) 9490
1730-1750 (Wed) 9490
1730-1745 (Thurs) 9490
1730-1745 (Fri) 9490
1730-1745 (Sat) 9490
1930-1945 (daily) 5900
1945-2000 (daily) 5900
Arabic to North Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
0600-0615 (daily) 9440
Arabic to the Middle East
Nauen, Germany relay
0500-0515 (Fri) 9450
Bahasa to Indonesia
Tashkent, Uzbekistan relay
1230-1245 (Sun) 15210
English to India
Nauen, Germany relay
1430-1500 (Sat) 17650
English to the Middle East
Sofia, Bulgaria relay
1700-1830 (Sun) 9585
1915-1930 (Sun) 5935
1630-1700 (Mon) 9585
1645-1715 (Fri) 9585
1645-1830 (Sat) 9585
English to China
Tashkent, Uzbekistan relay
1200-1230 (Sat) 15285
1300-1330 (Mon) 9345
Farsi to Iran
Nauen, Germany relay
1800-1830 (Sun-Tues) 7295
Farsi to Iran
Sofia, Bulgaria relay
1800-1830 (Thurs/Fri) 9400
Korean to China
Tashkent, Uzbekistan relay
1300-1330 (Sat/Sun) 9345
1315-1330 (Fri) 9345
Kunnama to East Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
1730-1800 (Sat) 15310
Nuer to Sudan
Nauen, Germany relay
1430-1500 (daily) 17550
Oromo to East Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
1600-1630 (Sun-Tues) 15310
Russian to East Europe
Tashkent, Uzbekistan relay
1800-1830 (Sun) 7520
Somali to East Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
1630-1700 (Sat/Sun) 15310
Spanish to Spain
Nauen, Germany relay
1830-1900 (Sun) 6150
Tigrinya to East Africa
Nauen, Germany relay
1600-1630 (Thurs/Fri) 15310
1700-1730 (Sat/Sun) 15310
Udmurt to East Europe
Tashkent, Uzbekistan relay
1830-1900 (Sun) 7520
(BVB/Teak Publishing transcription)
Winter Schedule for Wavescan from Reach Beyond Australia
AUSTRALIA
The new Wavecan schedule via RBA Reach Beyond Australia, for the Winter (B25) season, begins on October 26, 2025
via Reach Beyond Australia is:
All times UTC
Sunday 1330 on 15540 kHz to India SoAsia
Sunday 2230 on 17650 kHz to Japan, Far East
(Jeff White-FL-USA via Wavescan podcast)
(WWDXC Top Nx 1631/12 Oct 2025)
You may also listen to the Wavescan podcast at: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/wavescan
RNZ Pacific, B25 Winter Schedule
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| Classic QSL from RNZI |
RNZ Pacific
Formerly known as Radio New Zealand International, RNZ Pacific is broadcasting on the following B25 Winter Schedule
Effective: 26 October - 28 March 2026
All times UTC
Target areas for the Pacific regions
Daily
0000-0100 17675
0100-0200 17675
0200-0300 17675
0300-0400 17675
0400-0500 17695
0500-0558 17675
0559-0600 13755
0600-0700 13755
0700-0800 13755
0800-0900 13755
0900-0958 13755
1259-1300 7390
1300-1400 7390
1400-1500 7390
1500-1600 7390
1600-1650 7390
2059-2100 11765
2100-2200 17625
2200-2300 17625
2300-0000 17675
Monday-Friday
0959-1000 13755
1000-1100 13755
1100-1200 13755
1200-1258 13755
Saturday
1651-1700 9700
1700-1800 9700
1800-1858 9700
1859-1900 15720
1900-2000 15720
2000-2058 15720
DRM Sunday-Friday
1651-1700 9700, 9780
1700-1800 9700, 9780
1800-1858 9700, 9780
1859-1900 13840
1900-2000 15720
2000-2058 13840
(RNZ/Teak Publishing)
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Final broadcast of TWR Guam, on October 25
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| TWR Guam |
After nearly 50 years of serving the Gospel in the Asia-Pacific region, TransWorld Radio will close its station KTWR on the island of Guam.
This will take effect on Saturday, October 25.
The final broadcasts will be this Saturday.
- AM at 1500 UTC on 9900 kHz in Korean.
- DRM at 1600 UTC on 15390 kHz in Tamil.
Christian Ghibaudo, France/BDXC)
New Video: KMOX St. Louis – A Classic Clear Channel Station
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| Graphics by Gayle Van Horn |
A new video featuring KMOX, the legendary clear-channel station broadcasting from St. Louis, Missouri, is now available on the Shortwave Central YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/h0RpSLgLePo
.Our channel features a growing collection of Clear Channel station videos — with many more on the way!
Are you new to clear-channel listening? Here’s a quick overview:
A clear-channel station is a North American AM broadcaster granted the highest level of protection from interference, especially from nighttime skywave signals. This special status allows the station’s signal to reach vast distances after dark, making it possible for listeners hundreds or even thousands of miles away to tune in.
The clear-channel classification helps preserve reliable cross-country radio coverage, supported through a network of international treaties and U.S. broadcast laws. Since 1983, under the Regional Agreement for the Medium Frequency Broadcasting Service in Region 2 (the Rio Agreement), these stations have been officially designated Class A. However, you may still hear the earlier terms Class I-A, Class I-B, or Class I-N (for Alaska stations too distant to cause interference).
This remains one of the fascinating aspects of AM broadcasting.
WLAC 1510, Nashville, Tennessee https://youtu.be/2n153SKnw00
SAQ scheduled to air on UN-Day Oct 24th, 2025
.jpg) |
| SAQ Grimeton |
Alexander SAQ Grimeton
Grimeton Friendship Association
www.alexander.n.se
In 1924 the construction of Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden was completed and the two transmitters, invented by Ernst F.W. Alexanderson was put into commercial operation. The radio station's call sign was SAQ.
SAQ is the only remaining pre-electronic radio transmitter that has been preserved and is still functional, event though only one of the original two transmitters remains.
UN-Day 2025 transmission
On October 24th, 2025, SAQ is scheduled to air a message to the World, promoting Peace, Unity, and Global Partnerships.
The unique Alexanderson alternator is scheduled for one transmission over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW.
The Grimeton Radio Station welcomes all visitors to attend the transmission.
To attend one of the transmissions in the transmitter hall, a ticket will be required.
Please see grimeton.org for complete visitors' information.
SAQ transmission schedule
15:20 CEST (13:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
15:30 CEST (13:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
16:00 CEST (14:00 UTC) Transmission of a message
The Alexanderson high-frequency alternator in operation.
In 1924 the construction of Grimeton Radio Station in Sweden was completed, and the two transmitters, invented by Ernst F.W. Alexanderson was put into commercial operation. The radio station's call sign was SAQ.
SAQ is the only remaining pre-electronic radio transmitter that has been preserved and is still functional, event though only one of the original two transmitters remains.
UN-Day 2025 transmission
On October 24th 2025, SAQ is scheduled to air a message to the World, promoting Peace, Unity, and Global Partnerships.
The unique Alexanderson alternator is scheduled for one transmission over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW.
The Grimeton Radio Station welcomes all visitors to attend the transmission.
To attend one of the transmissions in the transmitter hall, a ticket will be required.
Please see grimeton.org for complete visitor's information.
Live Video Stream from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station, Sweden.
Scheduled at 15:20 CEST (13:20 UTC) on Oct 24th, 2025.
Live Video from World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station
The transmission events can be seen live on our YouTube Channel.
Test Transmissions
There may be some test transmissions, preliminary on October 23rd between 13:00 - 16:00 CEST. During the tests, SAQ will be on air for shorter periods of time, when we will be carrying out some tests and measurements.
Your comments are welcome to info@alexander.n.se.
QSL Reports to SAQ
Your QSL reports to SAQ are most welcome and much appreciated!
For guaranteed E-QSL from us,
please report using our
ONLINE QSL FORM.
We can not guarantee that reports by email/mail/bureau will be confirmed.
The online form will be open from October 24th until November 21st.
Amateur Radio Station SK6SAQ
The Amateur Radio Station with the call “SK6SAQ” will be QRV during the day on the following frequencies:
– 3 517.2 kHz CW
– 7 017.2 kHz CW
– 14 017.2 KHz CW
– 3 755 kHz SSB
– 7 140 kHz SSB
QSL reports to SK6SAQ (NOT SAQ) are kindly received via:
- Email to info@alexander.n.se
- or via: SM bureau
- or direct by postal mail link: https://alexander.n.se/en/the-alexander-association/kontact/
Two stations will be on the air most of the time.
Online QSL Form:
Not a member yet ? Then it’s time to join the Alexander team!
We welcome you as a member of the Alexander SAQ Grimeton Friendship Association, to support our non-profit activities in preserving, documenting, and bringing to life the unique Alexanderson alternator from 1924.
As a member, You get a 10% discount on World Heritage Grimeton’s shop and café (not ice cream), and free admission to Alexander's evening displays and to the Alexanderson Day, upon presentation of your membership card. Four times per year, you will receive our online magazine “Alternatorn”, exclusively available only to our members.
Members also get access to our online library with lots of unique historical documents about SAQ and the Alexanderson alternator.
Membership costs SEK 125 / year.
Apply For Membership Now!
Help us keep SAQ Grimeton operational.
Just a small donation will be of great help to us, in our work to keep SAQ in operational condition. Your donation will go to the work of maintaining, displaying and running the historical Alexanderson alternator, as well as passing on knowledge to current and future generations.
*The world heritage site Grimeton is a living cultural heritage. All transmissions with the long-wave transmitter SAQ are therefore preliminary and may be canceled at short notice.
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Radio Slovakia International's future uncertain
Dear Colleagues:
I am sending you the item below, which will appear in the November 2 edition of our DX program Wavescan regarding the possible disappearance of Radio Slovakia International as soon as December 31st of this year, and an appeal to listeners to send letters of support. Due to the urgency of the matter, I am sending this to you in advance of the broadcast.
Best regards.
Jeff White/WRMI
From Wavescan, November 2, 2025:
Radio Slovakia International has broadcast programs on shortwave since the founding of the Slovak Republic in 1993. It ended shortwave broadcasts from its own transmitters in Slovakia in 2011, but it has continued broadcasting on shortwave via WRMI in Florida and Shortwave Service in Germany to this day.
However, Ladislava Hudzovicova of Radio Slovakia International has sent us some alarming news. She says: “We are writing to you asking for a great favor. We ask for your support, a testament to the value of our broadcasts and our work. The existence of Radio Slovakia International is threatened. We attach an open letter signed by the entire RSI editorial team. We thank you in advance for your support.”
It appears that Radio Slovakia International could be shut down as soon as December 31st of this year. That's next month. In a moment, I'll give you the email addresses where you can send letters of support for Radio Slovakia International. But first, I'll read you the open letter signed by the RSI employees. It reads:
“We, the members of Radio Slovakia International, were surprised by the news that, as part of the consolidation and preparation of the Slovak Television and Radio budget for next year, when we will commemorate the centenary of broadcasting in Slovakia, the management intends to substantially limit or even terminate Radio Slovakia International (RSI) broadcasts.
“The implementation of such a measure would conflict with Article 5, paragraph 1, letters p) and e) of Act No. 157/2024 on Slovak Television and Radio, which defines the broadcasting of programs of public interest abroad and programs aimed at Slovaks living abroad as the main activities of a public broadcaster. With the adoption of this decision, listeners would lose their only source of objective information about the Slovak Republic. With the added fact that we would be the only country in the Visegrad Group (V4) to stop broadcasting abroad in this way, in various languages of the world.
“Broadcasting abroad began in Czechoslovakia in the autumn of 1936 through Radiojournal, the forerunner of Czechoslovak Radio. The idea of reaching out to the world arose within the context of a difficult geopolitical situation that continues today. After the creation of the independent Slovak Republic, Slovak Radio continued this tradition by establishing an independent broadcasting station, RSI, which produces and distributes programs in English, French, German, Russian, and Spanish, in addition to broadcasts in Slovak for Slovaks living abroad.
“This year, we conducted a survey among listeners of our broadcasts, to which respondents from more than seventy countries in Europe, Australia, Asia, North America, and South America responded. The survey results confirmed the real interest of listeners, who also contact us regularly by letter, email, and in person. RSI's mission and work—the objective presentation of Slovakia abroad—aligns with the Slovak government's programmatic strategy of pursuing a "four-point policy." The content of broadcasts abroad cannot be replaced by a translation of Rádiožurnál coverage for Slovak listeners, nor by artificial intelligence, because the context and background must be explained to the foreign listener.
“As RSI editors, we systematically select topics, provide qualified translations, produce reports, edit material, and moderate programs. The result of our work is not only professional quality translations but, above all, creatively original texts, interviews, objective news, and reports. We support tourism and develop public diplomacy by maintaining long-term, intensive relations with foreign embassies present in Slovakia and with Slovak embassies abroad. We also cooperate with foreign cultural institutions in Slovakia, with which we successfully implement joint projects.
“The uniqueness of RSI's broadcasts also lies in the fact that, since the creation of the independent Slovak Republic, it has been the only Slovak media outlet that has continuously covered the lives of Slovaks living abroad. It connects our country with our compatriots around the world and with each other. We highlight the life, culture, social activities, and history of Slovaks abroad. We look for Slovak personalities who have had a significant impact in different parts of the world. We also introduce Slovakia to foreigners who are learning Slovak and, thanks to our broadcasts, have the opportunity to get to know our country.
“We are aware of the need for the state's economic consolidation and are willing to seek, together with the STVR leadership, opportunities for personnel and financial savings in the activities of the Slovak Radio. A substantial reduction in the Slovak Radio's foreign broadcasting activities would significantly weaken the daily flow of objective and accurate information to a wide foreign audience on the socio-political, economic, and cultural life of Slovakia, which has been guaranteed for more than three decades solely by the Slovak Radio's public broadcasting service.
“In Bratislava, 13.10.2025
The team of Radio Slovakia International”
So that was the open letter from Radio Slovakia International employees to Slovak Radio management. And again, RSI is urging its listeners around the world to send letters of support to the management, in an effort to stop plans to dismantle the station, and to encourage management to continue RSI's broadcasts. They are asking for your letters of support to be sent to three email addresses. You could send one message to all three addresses. And here are the email addresses:
The first one is: gr@stvr.sk
The second address is: podatelna@stvr.sk
And the third address is: Martina.Flasikova@stvr.sk
If you missed any of those addresses, just send us a message and we'll reply with the addresses. Our email here at Wavescan is wavescan@yahoo.com. And we'll keep you advised of the status of Radio Slovakia International.
Monday, October 20, 2025
The WINB, Red Lion, Pennsylvania Story
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| Classic QSL from WINB |
Thank you to Ray Robinson and Jeff White, for this week's nostaligic look at WINB.
Jeff: The oldest commercial shortwave station in North America still on the air today is WINB in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, which this month is celebrating 63 years of service. In its early days, this station was involved in a very famous law suit, which had a tremendous impact on the shortwave scene in the USA for several decades. With that story, here’s Ray Robinson once again, in Los Angeles.
Ray: Thanks, Jeff. You know, I’ve been to many of the shortwave stations in North America, but one I’ve never seen is WINB. Their transmitter site in Red Lion is in farm country in south central Pennsylvania, about 8 miles north of the border with Maryland, and it’s the kind of out-of-the-way place you don’t pass through on the way to anywhere else!
Back in 1950, Rev. John M. Norris Sr. and his son John Harden Norris together founded Red Lion Broadcasting and inaugurated a medium wave station, WGCB on 1440 AM, in a rolling rural area 2.5 miles east of the small town of Red Lion. The call letters of the AM station, WGCB, stood for “the Word of God, Christ and the Bible.” In 1960 they added WGCB-FM on 96.1 MHz, and also obtained a Construction Permit for a shortwave station at the same site with the call letters WINB, which originally stood for "World in Need of the Bible."
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| Continental Model 417B |
It took a couple of years to get this new shortwave station built, and it was eventually inaugurated in October 1962. The original transmitter, an air-cooled 50 kW Continental model 417B, is the same one they still use today. It was paired with a three-wire rhombic antenna 640 feet long, and 110 feet above the average terrain. Depending on which end is grounded, it can either be beamed 62 degrees north east Continental Model 417B, towards Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, or 242 degrees south west covering large parts of the southern United States and Mexico, which is the beam they favor today.
The transmitting equipment was installed in an old barn-like building that was previously used on a chicken farm. Contemporary radio magazines at the time carried reports that the new station was quite quickly heard in Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, as well as, of course, in the United States itself. Despite the power of 50kW, WINB regularly put a good signal into Europe on 15185kHz.
Being launched in October 1962, it was too late to make the 1963 edition of the World Radio TV Handbook, so its first entry is listed in the 1964 edition, by which time the organization name (and the meaning of the call letters) had become “World Inter-National Broadcasters” – which has always headed their QSL cards.
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| QSL card signed by Rev. John M. Norris, Sr |
In the 1960’s and early 1970’s, WINB was one of only two religious shortwave stations which operated from the United States. The other was KGEI in California, which since 1960 had been owned by FEBC, the Far East Broadcasting Company. And that station was closed down in July 1994. A third religious broadcaster joined KGEI and WINB in 1974, when Family Radio bought the WNYW facility in Scituate, Massachusetts and relaunched the station as WYFR.
Red Lion Broadcasters has never produced any of their own programming for WINB, but instead has always operated WINB as a ‘brokered’ station, meaning they sell airtime to third-party program producers. And in the 1960’s, there was no shortage of religious ministries who wanted to buy airtime to get their messages out.
On November 27, 1964, the WGCB radio stations (including WINB) carried a 15-minute religious broadcast by Rev. Billy James Hargis, who criticized the liberal journalist Fred J. Cook. Mr. Cook had written a book which cast a poor light on Senator Barry Goldwater – the Republican nominee in that month’s Presidential General Election. Rev. Hargis also alleged that Mr. Cook was affiliated with Communists.
When Mr. Cook heard about the broadcasts, he demanded free airtime to respond to the personal attacks against him, but Red Lion rejected the request. He then filed a complaint with the FCC. The FCC ruled that Mr. Cook was indeed entitled to the free airtime under the ‘Fairness Doctrine’, but Red Lion again refused. The FCC then ruled that Red Lion was in breach of their licenses. Red Lion then filed suit against the FCC, arguing their First Amendment rights to free speech, and the monumental case was appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In 1969, the Court decided the case unanimously in favor of the FCC. The upshot was that the renewal of Red Lion’s broadcast licenses was conditional on their agreement to abide by the ruling. The FCC also put a moratorium on granting more private shortwave licenses for over a decade until the Fairness Doctrine was challenged during the Reagan administration. It was finally repealed by the FCC in 1987.
In 1972, another 50 kW transmitter was procured, a used General Electric unit from medium wave station WGY in Schenectady, New York. It was originally intended that this additional transmitter would be converted for use on shortwave, although that project was never implemented. However, also in the early 1970’s, a second rhombic antenna was installed for coverage into Latin America.
In 1979, Red Lion further expanded their stable of stations by adding a television station, WGCB-TV, again at the same site, first signing on the air on April 28, 1979. It was the first completely new television station to sign on in South Central Pennsylvania in 26 years, and at the time, John Norris Jr. was the only individual in the United States to operate AM, FM, shortwave and television stations all in one location and under one ownership. WGCB-TV operated as a religious independent station, carrying programming from various televangelists.
In 1995, WINB’s Continental 417B transmitter malfunctioned, and the station was off the air while the unit was rebuilt. It took nearly two years for the station to become fully functional again, in January 1997.
YouTube audio, WINB 9265 kHz - Red Lion PA (USA) - Sign On in English & Program in Spanish & English - 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7AvgBcFypI
Later in 1997, the FM station on 96.1 MHz was sold to Pioneer Broadcasting, and the AM station, WGCB on 1440 kHz was also sold in 2006. John Norris (Jr.) died on September 28, 2008, at the age of 82. The FCC granted a change in control for WGCB-TV on November 5, 2008, to the estate of John H. Norris, and in 2009 the station began airing classic TV series. Red Lion eventually sold the TV station too in 2012, so WINB shortwave is now the sole surviving station.
In October 2003, WINB began carrying this program, Wavescan, and in fact used Wavescan for test DRM broadcasts to Europe in 2018 on 15670 kHz. Hans Johnson is now both their program broker and frequency manager, and their broadcast schedule depends on airtime sales. At the present time, they broadcast on the out-of-band 31 meter frequency of 9265 kHz, with a full instrumental version of the U.S. national anthem at both the beginning and the ending of their broadcast days. Their hours of operation are:
• on Mondays – Fridays from 3pm – 12 midnight Eastern / 1900-0400 UTC
• on Saturdays from 11am-11pm Eastern / 1500-0300 UTC, and
• on Sundays 8am – 12 midnight Eastern / 1200-0400 UTC
Sadly, Wavescan is no longer on their schedule, but Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott’s Shortwave Radiogram is, on Thursday and Friday evenings.
Radio station WINB in Red Lion, Pennsylvania is now the oldest commercial shortwave station on the air in the United States, and we congratulate them on celebrating 63 years of service this month.
Back to you, Jeff.
(Wavescan/Ray Robinson)
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