United Kingdom

The BBC has suggested that its Radio 4 Longwave service will not be shut down at the end of this month, as had been feared. Whilst the Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) broadcast alongside the channel on 198 kHz LW is being phased out over the summer, Radio 4 Longwave will continue to broadcast until an ‘impact review’ is carried out. Until recently, it had been assumed that both services would end together on 30th June, as had been reported in some online news articles.

The news is music to the ears of longwave listeners and supporters, many of whom signed a 5000-strong petition to keep the platform, handed in to the BBC last week. It is not clear whether the BBC had always intended to carry out an ‘impact assessment’ before shutting down longwave, or whether unexpected pressure from the public have caused a change of tack. A public consultation, and a rigorous examination of how many listeners there are to Radio 4 Longwave, were key recommendations of the recent report Still Speaking to the Nations, published by the Campaign to Keep Longwave and seen by the BBC.

The corporation has previously assumed that listenership is ‘low’ on longwave, and that few people would be affected by a switch-off. It may be that messages from rural and international listeners, and those concerned about national security, have caused a change of policy. As has been pointed out, the BBC has a duty to serve all parts of the United Kingdom, and some areas are very poorly served by FM and digital
signals.

In personal correspondence seen by the Campaign to Keep Longwave, a BBC representative stated, ‘we have not made a firm decision as to when we will close the Radio 4 LW service’. With reference to the end of separate programmes on longwave from March 2024 (including the end of Test Match Special on analogue radio), he added, ‘these changes will inform an impact assessment we will undertake later this year, after which a final decision on closing Radio 4 LW will be made.’ In a marked contrast to recent correspondence from the BBC, the representative also admitted, ‘I accept Radio 4 LW is a useful platform’.

At present, it remains unclear how long the reprieve on Radio 4 Longwave will last, or whether the BBC will shelve plans to axe the service amid mounting pressure to do so. The energy-efficiency, resilience and wide reach of longwave have all been lauded by supporters, and listeners in Ukraine have testified to the importance of the only BBC broadcast that reaches a European continent once again afflicted by war.

Listeners may have noticed that the power output of the signal from the main Droitwich transmitter has been reduced slightly in recent weeks. This is because of reduced interference from other signals in the LW band, and allows the Droitwich signal to reach the same area with lower energy costs. As well as making longwave even more efficient when compared to other platforms, this means that the running costs for longwave are also lower for the BBC, and that the valves used in the transmitter are likely to last longer. All of this bodes well for the continuation of the service, given that the main reason given for ending it was to cut operating and maintenance costs.

The petition to keep Longwave is still open and receiving signatures. The BBC has not yet responded to a request to comment on when the ‘impact assessment’ for closing Radio 4 Longwave is likely to take place.
https://keeplongwave.co.uk/2025/06/16/radio-4-longwave-will-not-go-quiet-at-the-end-of-june-bbc-suggests/

Mike Terry to nordx iog (2025-06-17)

Iran

Following Iranian IRIB-stations was heard 17th June 2025 between 20.25 and 21.05 UTC (20.30 UTC is midnight in Iran with National Anthem and full local identifications followed by news in Farsi).  

585 kHz Radio Farhang
657 kHz Radio Gilan
837 kHz Radio Isfahan
936 kHz Radio Chichest
972 kHz Radio Ilam
1026 kHz Radio Tabriz
1071 kHz Radio Ma’aref
1188 kHz Radio Payam
1197 kHz Radio Ardabil // 1512 kHz
1305 kHz Radio Bushehr
1368 kHz Radio Golestan
1512 kHz Radio Ardabil // 1197 kHz

All heard half an hour after local sunset with Elad FDM-S2 and 100 meters wire on the ground on short DXpedition south of Copenhagen: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7MXnbGqB4u5LC9699

Best 73’s Bjarke Vestesen, Copenhagen, Denmark to MWCircle iog (2025-06-18)

United Kingdom

Radio Caroline 648 AM Dropouts.  We are aware of dropouts to our 648 AM service. Unfortunately these seem to have increased in severity following network changes made by Three and Vodafone in the wake of their recent merger. We are monitoring the situation and working on resolving the underlying cause of the issue so we can effect a solution.”
https://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html

Nico from Gouda (2025-06-17)

United States

Thieves Ravage a Memphis AM Transmitter Site and a Michigan AM Tower Is Toppled in Farmer Mishap

1030 WGSF(AM), the longest-running Spanish-language radio station in Memphis, is working to rebuild its transmitter site after it was ransacked in a May copper theft.
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/headlines/thieves-ravage-memphis-am-radio-transmitter-site?utm_term=CA316074-A1D7-49B8-AF83-B04729A190FA&lrh=82728e881ddfa69559a3bff1d103ae5b8e6eeefba69253db59fe7812fbbf522e&utm_campaign=0028F35E-226C-4B60-AC88-AB2831C8A639&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3D57B835-B6D1-4E74-8EE1-A240F26A07F2&utm_source=SmartBrief

The phrase “tower farm” took on a new meaning in southeast Michigan — as a tractor clipped a guy wire and brought down one of 560 WRDT(AM)’s four towers. The station broadcasts in the daytime hours with a directional 500 watts from a field in Monroe Charter Township, Mich., just southwest of the city of Monroe.
https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/michigan-am-tower-toppled-in-farmer-mishap?utm_term=CA316074-A1D7-49B8-AF83-B04729A190FA&lrh=82728e881ddfa69559a3bff1d103ae5b8e6eeefba69253db59fe7812fbbf522e&utm_campaign=0028F35E-226C-4B60-AC88-AB2831C8A639&utm_medium=email&utm_content=3D57B835-B6D1-4E74-8EE1-A240F26A07F2&utm_source=SmartBrief

Radio World (2025-06-17)

Netherlands

The licence remains on Radioeuropa’s 801 medium wave frequency.
But it is not yet known when the station will start broadcasting again, as the antenna/masts need repairs and/or major maintenance.

Radioeuropa via Nico from Gouda /2025-06-16)

China

MW DRM test transmission for its original purpose was begun in China.
According to the reports from some listeners in China, a mediumwave DRM test broadcast was conducted in Zhengzhou, Hunan Province on 1377 kHz from 1300-1339UT on June 11, 2025. Until now mediumwave  “DRM test transmission” have been conducted on only 1557 kHz from the transmitting stations in certain regions such as Guangdong, Jiangsu, Yunnan, and Liaoning Provinces. All of these were aimed to jam Radio Taiwan International on 1557 kHz from Koufu transmitter site with 300kW. Then this may be the first mediumwave DRM experimental broadcasting in China for its original purpose.

Since 2023 National Administration of Radio and Television (NART) has recommended to promote the use of  mediumwave DRM broadcasting and CDR (Chinese Digital Radio/ Chinese original standard for digital FM radio) FM digital broadcasting especially for car-radios. This test transmission is seemed to be in line with that policy and may open the door to the possibility of future use of DRM medium-wave broadcasting in China. 

Original information is at https://cahcn.github.io/posts/2025-06-11-1377khz-drm.html

This transmission on 1377kHz seems to be from NRTA No.554 transmitter site at Xingyang, Zhengzhou. Typically it broadcasts CNR 1st program “Voice of China” with the power of 600 kW.

Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan to WOR iog (2025-06-16)

Russia

Makhatjkala: Both MW antennas on the ground.
Radio centre – Lenin Kent (SV) (42°58’27‘N 47°20’29’E) on the map
(радиоцентр – Ленинкент (СВ) (42°58’27″N 47°20’29″E) на карте)
Still laying at the same place as 04/2025

Marco (2025-06-15)

Sweden

SAQ to air at 100th anniversary on July 2nd 2025.
On July 2nd, 1925, Grimeton Radio Station was officially inaugurated. The radio traffic did already start on December 1st the year before, but now it was time the official ceremony. The king of Sweden, Gustav V, the inventor of the amazing 200kW Alternator and the massive six tower antenna, Ernst F.W. Alexanderson, as well as the leader of Radio Corporation of America, David Sarnoff was there, together with several other prominent guests. The large and shiny Alexanderson Alternator was put to life and a message to the American president Calvin Coolidge was transmitted to the receiving station at Riverhead, Long Island NY, USA. The american president replied and assessed the new radio installations as crucial for relations between Sweden and the USA.

Celebrate SAQ 100 years
Now we welcome all for the 100th Anniversary at Grimeton Radio Station, Sweden, Wednesday 2nd July 2025. 
The site is open, free of charge for all visitors with an extensive program all day. 
Download Swedish program here.
Download English program here.
Please see grimeton.org for complete visitor’s information.

The unique Alexanderson alternator from 1924, with the call sign SAQ, is scheduled for two transmissions over the antenna on VLF 17.2 kHz CW
To attend one of the transmissions in the transmitter hall, a ticket will be required. 
You can book you ticket here already now (recommended).

SAQ transmission schedule
First transmission:
10:20 CEST (08:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
10:30 CEST (08:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
11:00 CEST (09:00 UTC) Transmission of a message
Second transmission:
14:20 CEST (12:20 UTC) Live YouTube broadcast begins.
14:30 CEST (12:30 UTC) Start-up of the Alternator.
15:00 CEST (13:00 UTC) Transmission of a message

Test Transmissions
We are planning for some test transmissions on Tuesday, July 1st, 13:00 – 16:00 CEST (11:00 -14:00 UTC). SAQ will be on the air shorter periods of time during this interval, when we will be carrying out tuning, 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 July 2nd until July 27th.

Alexander SAQ Grimeton (2025-06-15)