Month: July 2026

Canada

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Rogers Closes Radio Stations in Canada.
A day after Rogers, Canada Telecom giant, bought the remaining shares of MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) for 4.35 Billion CAD. Today they shut down several radio stations in Canada. This includes Calgary stations CFFR 660 kHz and CFAC 960 kHz, both I hear only a carrier at 1840 UTC (1240 MDT) July 7, 2026.  Other stations silenced  are Vancouver station News 1130 kHz and Sportsnet 650 kHz. 
Update: Just heard an announcement (once) on Sportsnet 960 that today is their last day on the air and thanks listeners….1846 UTC.
Two other stations NewRadio Halifax (freq ?) and NewRadio Kichener (WTFK?), Ontario also got axed.

More as we know it.

Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, Alberta to WOR iog (2026-07-07)

Grenada

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Caribbean Radio Lighthouse, Saint Mary – 1160 kHz

Caribbean Radio Lighthouse can once again be heard with 10,000 watts of transmitting power throughout the Eastern
Caribbean islands! The former AM radio transmitter always required a lot of repairs and maintenance, but last October began
a series of catastrophic events that made it clear that we desperately needed a new AM radio transmitter.

Through the generous financial support and prayers of many of you, we were able to purchase a new $80,000 AM radio
transmitter! It took some time for the transmitter to be built and shipped to us here in Antigua, but by God’s grace, the new
transmitter arrived late in April.

While we waited, we did all that we could to keep the old transmitter broadcasting between 60%-80% power. The
technology in AM radio transmitters has changed drastically in 30 years, and there was a lot of preparation and adjustments
before we could install the new transmitter.

Andrew and Summer Chafa with Tech2Proclaim Ministreries spent three months with us helping prepare for the new transmitter and several other projects. Unfortunately, the transmitter came a little later than we expected, and the Chafas were not able to stay for the final changeover. My brother-in-law, Ryan Johnsonbaugh, came to help for the week of transition.

And on May 14th, a technician from the transmitter company came to our site, made a few adjustments, gave instructions for maintenance, and commissioned our new AM radio transmitter! For me, it was such a relief that everything was properly prepared and the transition went smoothly! Thank you to so many who prayed towards that moment! Please pray now that listeners who may not have been able to hear us for the past half year would tune into the radio station once again, and that with the new equipment our signal would reach even farther!

Through all this time, our staff continued their weekly duties of preparing programs for broadcast on our AM signal, FM signal, mobile app, and online broadcast. During April, we had a group of 45 elementary students and in May another group of 47 students come tour the CRL facilities! We use this opportunity, not only to share about the radio station, but to teach them why we are called “The Lighthouse”: to warn people about what the Bible says about the danger of hell and about the safety in Christ!

When I began this letter, I wanted to simply say, “It Worked!” But all praise to God for working out all the details, great and small! May He continue to use CRL and this transmitter to further His kingdom!

Nathan P. Owens via Svenn Martinsen to mw-eko (29.5.2026), WOR iog (2026-07-07)

United States

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1110 WBT Charlotte NC

It’s been almost five months now that WBT-1110 AM has been stuck in a loop of instrumental music and announcements sending listeners over to 107.9 FM. A historic, 104-year-old, 50,000-watt signal that can be heard from Maine to Cuba at night is now operating without regular programming. Even the land under its three iconic Blaw-Knox towers is up for sale.
I drove out to the WBT transmitter site today and took a few photos.
Whatever happens with the property on Nations Ford Road, it’s hard not to just stand there and take it in. This place has been part of Charlotte’s story and North Carolina broadcasting history for decades. The three towers have been part of the skyline for decades. Behind the fence, the transmitter building has been the working core of WBT since the late 1920s. Together they’ve just always been there, carrying voices and moments that connected people across the Carolinas.

Johnny Caudle to mw-eko (16.6.2026) via WOR iog (2026-07-07)

United Kingdom

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Radio Caroline North‘s next broadcast is between 11th – 12th July, live from our radio ship Ross Revenge.

You’ll hear some great music from the 60s to 90s – plus you could win Radio Caroline ship themed coasters and placement sets in this month’s competition draw courtesy of Addo Addison from Royston, Herts.

Listen on 648 AM across England, The Netherlands, Belgium and beyond, on 1368 AM in the North/North-West courtesy of our friends at Manx Radio, worldwide online here via our Caroline North Player, on smart speakers and the Radio Caroline app.

We’d love to hear from you during the broadcast via north@radiocaroline.co.uk and remember, it’s the only email address that
gets you straight through to our ‘North’ broadcasters.
https://radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html

Mike Terry to WOR iog(2026-07-06)

Japan

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Source (in Japanese): https://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/kijis/?kijiid=cb309084ebfb449d98efd50db0d44513
(With contributions from Tha Dogg Pound/Twitter (X) )

U.S. Military Radio Station AFN Sasebo Moves to FM, Expanding Its Coverage
2026/07/04 [12:20]

 If you tune in to FM radio in Sasebo City, you’ll find a station playing American music and English-language programming. It’s AFN Sasebo, a radio service for U.S. military personnel and civilian employees working at U.S. Fleet Activities Sasebo. Last June, the station transitioned from AM to FM broadcasting. It is only the second AFN station in Japan to broadcast on FM after Okinawa, marking the first new AFN FM service in Japan in about 70 years. The station has also become a bridge between the American and Japanese communities through its broadcasts.

The American Forces Network (AFN) is the U.S. military’s television and radio service for personnel stationed overseas. In Japan, AFN operates stations in Sasebo, Misawa, Tokyo, Iwakuni, and Okinawa. The Sasebo station includes its own radio booth and production studio on the base.
AFN Sasebo broadcasts from 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Its programming includes the latest U.S. Top 40 hits, military news and event information, traffic updates for Kyushu, exchange rates, weather forecasts, and commentary on current events selected by its DJs.
According to Jack Pridham, the station’s radio manager and DJ, the station also provides information about local community news, such as new parks, as well as practical advice like preparing for approaching typhoons. Guided by the concept of helping listeners “be good citizens,” the station also explains everyday topics such as garbage disposal rules and Japan’s new bicycle traffic citation system introduced this April, helping American residents adapt to life in Japan.
AFN was formerly known as the Far East Network (FEN) and had broadcast on AM for many years. In 2014, however, the station’s AM antenna at Sasebo was damaged, leaving internet streaming as the only way to listen. This prompted discussions about switching to FM. With the involvement of the Japanese government, more than ten years of coordination and a three-month trial period eventually led to the launch of the FM service.
Although FM generally has a smaller coverage area than AM, it offers higher audio quality and better indoor reception. According to the U.S. military newspaper Stars and Stripes, AFN Sasebo’s AM signal had become so weak that it barely reached nearby residential areas, whereas the new FM service has significantly expanded the station’s coverage. The FM system is also expected to reduce long-term operating costs, and AFN plans to use Sasebo as a model for expanding FM broadcasting to other locations.
Since the days of FEN, the station has been popular among local residents in Sasebo. Following the FM launch, many Japanese listeners contacted the station with questions. Pridham said he has also received feedback from Japanese listeners. “I always assumed our listeners were only Americans, so it was a little embarrassing—but also very gratifying. I hope people in Sasebo will enjoy listening for whatever reason they like, whether it’s American music or improving their English.”
AFN Sasebo broadcasts on 93.1 MHz FM and is also available through the AFN Go website and mobile app.

Akiyoshi Teraoka to WOR iog(2026-07-06)

Space Weather

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4TH OF JULY AURORA WATCH: Multiple CMEs are heading for Earth, prompting an aurora watch for the 4th of July holiday weekend. The CMEs were launched by a series of strong solar flares this week, including one X-class eruption. If they all hit, they could spark moderate to strong geomagnetic storms in the nights ahead. Full story @  Spaceweather.com.

Ydun Ritz (2026-07-02)

Lithuania

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Radio Liberty‘s Russian-language programming on 1386 kHz (Lithuania, 75 kW) has returned to the evening time (18:30-21:30 UTC) since 1 July. This means the BBC WS relay in English and Russian (18:30-21:00 UTC) and RUI relay in Romanian (21:00-21:30 UTC) are no longer there at that time, but this needs further monitoring.
https://www.svoboda.org/a/33794621.html

Alexander Miatlikov to WOR iog (2026-07-02)


I can confirm from my recording last night, that the switch from Svobada to RUI took place right after 2130.

Mauno Ritola to WOR iog (2026-07-02)

United States

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Walnut Media will relaunch 590 WOW Omaha on Monday, July 6 returning the Sports format that had been on then-KXSP until SummitMedia shut it down in February.

Walnut purchased the 590 license in April for $40,000 and requested the return of the stations historic WOW call letters utilized by the signal from from December 1926 until November 1999. The station will carry ESPN Radio network programming in most dayparts with Nick Handley and Grant Hansen hosting a local afternoon show from 2-6pm and the University of Nebraska’s “Sports Nightly” from 6-8pm. Other programming will include Westwood One’s Conservative Talker “America at Night with McGraw Milhaven” from 8-11pm. Milhaven worked in the Omaha market earlier in his career.

WOW will also be the central home for Walnut Media’s coverage of University of Nebraska sports play-by-play with football game-day coverage, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball and Sports Nightly airing on the station.

Walnut Media President Patrick Combs said, “This is an incredibly exciting moment for our company and for sports fans across the region. We are proud to add this historic signal to our group and are excited to offer not only top-notch sports content, but also give Husker fans a powerful regional signal.”

Nebraska Senior Associate Athletic Director for Marketing and Media added, “Walnut Media’s commitment to local broadcasting and regional sports coverage makes them an outstanding partner for Husker Athletics. The enhanced reach and signal strength of AM 590 will provide tremendous value to Nebraska fans across the region.”

Walnut Media Vice Chair Nick Seline stated, “We are pleased to add one of the largest and most historic stations in the Midwest to our growing media family. This investment will give us added ability to serve both our listeners and our advertisers.”
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/361565/590-wow-to-return-to-omaha-on-july-6/

Radio Insight (2026-07-02)

Venezuela

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Another update on Venezuelan AM radio.
All stations heard on TWR Kiwisdr Bonaire. Ca 200 km from Caracas, all salt sea path.
Most cities are in the North of the country.
Additional info from MW list Q&E

670 kHz   S 9 + 15, Talk Caracas , R Rumbos 100/50 kW
710             S9  + 15 , Talk , Caracas, R Capital, 100/50
830            S 7  Music, S Antonio de los Altos, R Sensacion 50 kW
910             S9 + 18, very low mod, Caracas, R 910 Center 20 kW
990             S9 + 5, Music, Caracas, R Tropical 10 kW
1090          S9 + 18 , Talk, Caracas, Union Radio, 10 kW
1130          S9 + 20, BLANK CARRIER, Maiquitia/Marcoto, R Ideal 10 kW – this is in the Earthqake aria near
La Guaria (La Guaria is also the name of the Caracas Airport, closed, only open for aid flights)
1200           S9 + 10 Music, Caracas, R Tiempo, 10 kW
1260           S9 + 15, Talk/Music, Poor Mod, Caracas,R Biblica,  10 kW
1490           S9+5 , BLANK CARRIER, Caracas, R Dinamico, 10 kW
1500           S8 + 5, Music, Cumana, R 2000, 10 kW

1490 and 1500 are next to each other, Cumana is remotely east of Caracas.
Quite a lot of stations still on air.
I have noted that towers are hardly effected by the Eratquake, as seen on TV reports.
What is the reason of the blank cariers, destroyed studios?

Ruud Poeze (202-07-01)