Author: mw

United States

mw

Re.: DX Tests
Joseph Miller: The KTOX 1340 DX test was heard in Hemet CA, approx distance of 150 miles. The CW was kinda heard but not well enough to copy. Heard sweeptones. Mixing with a C&W station and some talkers.

Bob Wien Reno NV: KTOX 1340 Needles ca test is making it fairly well into Reno NV here with code IDs and sweep tones, not real strong but is in fairly clear, unid Spanish in same direction loop N/S.  Made 5 min audio file to send for QSL. 1340 and 1310 are wide open up here.  Don’t forget, ktpi 1340 test Sat morning and kkzi 1310 test sun morning, all midnight to 6 am pst. 
My local Reno AM KNNR 1400 is also totally off, getting KNRO, KIIH and KART, all heard in the past here.  KTOX test is better now at 1:35 am pst, code and sweep tones continue cutting through QRM, unid Spanish still in also.  I’m about 500 miles from Needles.

Mike Sanburn Lakewood CA: Fair signal into Lakewood CA on Qodosen DX 286. Morse Code, Sweep Tones, and Off-The-Hook Tones really cutting through.
DX test came up to a very strong level just now [12.13 UTC / Ed] here in Lakewood CA with VVVB messages in CW.  Still listening on the Qodosen DX-286 past 4am.

Robert Vance: KTOX test heard here.  About 530 miles.
I made 12 minute IQ recordings around the top of each hour.  KTOX shows up in the 0856Z, 0956Z, and 1056Z with just the tone-based stuff heard at varying levels, but rarely strong.
The local 1340 KVIV is pretty much on a straight line between my QTH and Needles, CA; but the SDR# Co-Channel Canceller knocked it down enough to be able to hear KTOX.  Sometimes KTOX was barely audible without the CCC but at levels that I might have missed it for what it was.
Thanks to everyone involved in the conduct of this test.

IRCA iog (2026-02-06)

United States

mw

Re. https://mediumwave.info/category/dx-tests/
There has been some confusion about the DX Tests, so here are the correct times:
KTOX 1340 0801 to 1359 UTC February 6, 2026  
KTPI 1340  0801 to 1359 UTC February 7, 2026
KKZI 1310  0801 to 1359 UTC February 8, 2026 but KKZI likely wont be on due to technical issues they cant resolve in time.

K. Krist to IRCA iog (2026-02-05)

Australia

mw

ABC Perth, West Australia, news for c/o date.
6PB – ABC Newsradio will stay on the air and simulcast on AM/FM. 6PB is also part of the ABC network so tax payers would still foot that bill. 
The other 2 stations will switch off on April 6th, following a six week simulcast period. 
I checked yesterday if there were already FM signals in Perth on the proposed frequencies but didn’t hear anything on the Perth FMDX Webserver. It is amazing to see how empty that FM band is in Perth for such a large metropolitan market (2.3 million people). 
Source for ABC switch to FM:
https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/articles/14565492888847-ABC-Perth-moving-to-FM-in-2026.

Jeroen Bet – K7JBT to IRCA iog (2026-02-04)

United States

mw

DX TESTS This Coming Weekend
The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) of the National Radio Club (NRC) and the International Radio Club of America (IRCA) announces a grouping of special DX Tests for distant listeners for radio stations  KTOX (1340 kHz) in Needles, CA; KTPI (1340 kHz) in Mojave, CA; and KKZI (1310 kHz) in Barstow, CA. 

The KTOX DX test is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th at 12:01 AM local Pacific Standard Time through 5:59 AM Pacific Standard Time (This equates to 0801 to 1359 UTC on Sunday, February 7).  

The KTPI DX test is scheduled for Sunday, February 8th at 12:01 AM local Pacific Standard Time through 5:59 AM Pacific Standard Time (This equates to 0801 to 1359 UTC on Saturday, February 8).  

The KKZI DX test is scheduled for Monday, February 9th at 12:01 AM local Pacific Standard Time through 5:59 AM Pacific Standard Time (This equates to 0801 to 1359 UTC on Monday, February 9).  

The test material is the “straight up highly caffeinated no sugar or cream added black coffee tests” with just morse code, sweep tones and few other noises that clearly cut through the mud as tested and confirmed by an audiologist.

RECEPTION REPORTS & QSL REQUESTS
All reception reports will be verified through the station directly Reports go DIRECTLY to Steve at ONLY The following address, nowhere else: qsl@w6tox.com. No snail mail reports, no email to any other station email addresses you may find.

Please, don’t send long wav files, if at all possible, please send mp3 files and rather then sending a 5 or 10 minute recording, it would be advised to send 2 or 3 short mp3s of 20-30 seconds.

PLEASE send them within 60 days of the tests and PLEASE be patient

The IRCA/NRC CPC would like to thank the owner and staff of KTOX, KTPI and KKZI}, Steve Rubin and CPC member Paul Walker Jr. for helping to arrange the test.

Good luck to all DXers!

About the CPC
The Courtesy Program Committee (CPC) is a cross-functional group comprised of members of both the National Radio Club (NRC) and International Radio Club of America (IRCA) for the purpose of coordinating and arranging DX Tests with AM radio stations.  These DX tests both allow radio stations to conduct valuable equipment tests on their transmitter and audio chain as well as enable DX hobbyists to receive the testing station from greater distances than would normally be possible.  The CPC membership consists of:  Chairman Les Rayburn, Paul Walker, George Santulli, Joe Miller and Loyd Van Horn. 

For radio stations interested in coordinating a DX test with the CPC, please visit the following Web site for more information:  https://amdxtest.blogspot.com/

For more information on the types of content heard during a DX test, the video  “An introduction to DX Tests” is available at DX Central: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQX_zmEC4fY

73 and best of DX! Loyd Van Horn to IRCA iog (2026-02-04)

Oman

mw

BBC returns to 702kHz for Iran.
The BBC World Service has launched a temporary emergency lifeline radio programme for Iran in response to the ongoing turmoil in the country, and the unprecedented crackdown on protests.

To complement the existing BBC News Persian video and digital services, the radio programme will be available on mediumwave and shortwave across Iran to increase the population’s access to news and information. To broaden its offer and availability of programming, the BBC World Service has also made some of its TV content available on mediumwave radio.

Since 8 January, the Iranian people have been subject to an internet blackout. Prior to this, BBC News Persian’s digital services saw their biggest reach in a year with their platforms reaching more than 33 million people.

The short-term programme will cover the latest news and developments in Iran and will place events inside the country within their wider regional and international context. It will feature voices from inside Iran alongside clear, informed analysis of the most recent political, social, and economic developments shaping the situation in the country.

The programme will air daily for 30 minutes across medium and shortwave frequencies from 4.30pm GMT / 8pm Iran Standard Time. The temporary programme has been granted resource from existing funds until the end of March 2026.

Fiona Crack, Interim Global Director, BBC News, says: “A key role of the BBC World Service is to step up in times of crisis to provide news and information for our audiences in greatest need. BBC News Persian reaches one in four adults in Iran, which is an astonishing feat considering their reporting is banned in the country.

“The team have been essential in telling the urgent story of the Iranian people to audiences around the world, and our new radio programme will give the Iranian people more ways to access independent and impartial news.”

Tarik Kafala, Interim Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa, says: “BBC News Persian have worked tirelessly to deliver journalism throughout this period of unrest as the demand for trusted news has soared in Iran. The teams have supplied extended TV hours in Iran and an increased offer on digital platforms for the Iranian people. They have reported for UK audiences across bulletins, live pages and on forensic journalism with BBC Verify.”

The BBC World Service has a history of launching emergency services in times of crisis. In April 2025, BBC News Burmese started providing audio and video content on a satellite channel in the aftermath of Myanmar earthquake.

In April 2024, following the fall of the Assad regime, the BBC World Service set up an enhanced audio channel on FM and mediumwave for the people of Syria. This follows the emergency radio service for Gaza in November 2024 and for Sudan in May 2023 amid conflict.

In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country.

Where to find the programme:
The live programme will be available at 4.30pm GMT (8pm Iran Time) on 702kHz medium wave and 9465kHz short wave.
The programme will be repeated at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time) on 702kHz mediumwave and 593 5kHz shortwave.
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/bbc-launches-emergency-lifeline-radio-programme-for-iran / Ed]
A visualised version of the programme will be broadcast on BBC Persian TV at 6pm GMT (9.30pm Iran time)

Steve Whitt to MWCircle iog (2026-02-04)

Australia

mw

ABC Perth, West Australia, news for c/o date.
The ABC has confirmed the date for its switch to FM, according to the following post from the ABC Perth Facebook page:

ABC Radio listeners in Perth will experience significantly improved audio quality, from February 23, when ABC Radio Perth switches from 720 AM transmission to 102.5 FM (100 Kw).
ABC AM services will continue in regional and remote WA areas and the move to FM in Perth will not have an impact on the ABC’s commitment to emergency broadcasting or Parliament broadcasting.
Radio National 810 AM, will also make the switch, to 103.3FM (100 Kw) and ABC NewsRadio will be found on 104.1FM (100 Kw).
The ABC Radio Perth and Radio National AM services will cease shortly after our FM broadcasts are fully operational.

Chris M to IRCA iog (2026-02-03)


I notice 6PB, 10kW on 585 is co-located and multiplexed on the same Hamersley Mast as both ABC 720 and 810.
I wonder if they will also go silent? Could they afford to take on all mainatinance cost of that mast alone with out ABC?

Steve ve6wz to IRCA iog (2026-02-03)

Hungary

mw

Kossuth Radio, Hungary, was heard yesterday Feb 2 at 05UTC here in Finland on 1080 kHz. This seems to be the 2nd harmonic of the 2000 kW Solt transmitter, 2×540=1080.

Jorma Mäntylä (2026-02-03)

Canada

mw

900 CHIN ON Toronto – The station’s move from 1540 to 900 kHz was approved on January 15. Power will be 425 Watts day and 300 Watts at night. Pattern will be non-directional from a tower NNE of downtown Toronto on the roof of the parking garage of the Korean Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Don Mills near the Don Valley Parkway, 
South of the 401 Trans-Canada Highway. Unless an extension is requested and approved by the CRTC, CHIN-900 must be on the air by January 15, 2028. License requirements include “programming directed to at least 23 cultural groups in at least 17 different languages.” When asked by the CRTC about their future plans for 900 kHz, CHIN replied: “we have continued to explore the possibility of utilizing a directional antenna system requiring two to three towers for day and night operation. Such an operation would require leasing several acres of land, and of necessity must be located close to the north shore of Lake Ontario to afford protections to U.S. and Mexican stations on the same frequency. A daytime power level of 10 kW, and a night power level of 1.5 to 5 kW could be achieved if a proper site could be located. Our stated intention is to continue to pursue the possibility of a larger site which would support a directional antenna and maximize the potential of this frequency. If such a site were secured, we expect that the time to design, obtain the requisite approvals, and construct the site would be two to three years.” Once the move is made to 900, the station will be allowed to continue broadcasting on 1540, simulcasting 900, for one year, ensuring that all of their listeners have migrated to the new frequency. 
(NRC DX News Feb 10, published Feb 2)

Canadian Radio News via WOR iog (2026-02-03)

United Kingdom

mw

Our next Radio Caroline North broadcast of 2026 is between 7th – 8th February, live from our radio ship Ross Revenge.

You’ll hear some great music from the 60s to 90s – plus you could win a hardback copy of Rock Covers in this month’s competition draw.

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.

The programme of this can you now read on https://radiocaroline.co.uk/#caroline_north_schedule.html

Nico from Gouda HOL (2026-02-02)

France

mw

Bretagne 5 could be heard on 1593 kHz across a significant part of western Europe during the night, until early november 2023 when they suddenly dissapeared from MW and were never heard again. Only an extremely weak carrier could be detected, probably (DF bearing) from the Romanian stations that also transmit on 1593 kHz.

Some months later, Bretagne 5 was no longer listed on MWlist.org. However, their website made no mention of the failure and still advertised 1593 kHz MW as their frequency. In september 2024, the Arcom (French broadcast authority) renewed Bretagne 5’s MW license for 5 years, starting on April 20th, 2025 (source: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000050475774).

The Twente WebSDR waterfall archive (http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/fullday/) shows that, on every date until November 1st, 2023 (inclusive), a strong signal is present all night long on 1593 kHz. On November 2nd, 2023, such a signal is initially present but stops at 3:19 UTC, leaving only another, very faint signal visible. Then a strong signal starts at 3:44 UTC, fades out with sunrise, fades back in with sunset and stops at 2003 UTC. On all the following nights, a strong signal fades in with sunset, goes off around 2000 UTC and back on around 3:45 UTC; this matches the Romanian transmitters’ schedule.

But the disappearance of a signal at 0319 UTC on November 2nd is a unique pattern, and no station is scheduled to sign off at that time. This is however constistent with the date of disappearance of Bretagne 5’s signal. Furthermore, no issue with the Romanian transmitters was reported at this period.

On that night, there was storm Ciaran, winds up to 207 km/h were observed in Brittany (Pointe du Raz), the peak of the storm occuring between 3 and 4 UTC (source: https://www.ouest-france.fr/meteo/tempete/la-tempete-ciaran-commence-fort-en-finistere-des-rafales-de-vent-a-150-km-h-deja-relevees-b6cf9680-78e0-11ee-8fc9-410e7fd09adf – times in this source are UTC+1). This storm is known to have caused considerable damage.

We can conclude that Bretagne 5 went “silent key” on November 2nd, 2023, 3:19 UTC, due to that damage. However, on the the satellite images of Saint-Gouéno transmitter taken in May 2025 and published in January 2026, the 45 m tall antenna is still standing and apparently intact compared with the previous images from 2021. Therefore, the nature and extent of the damage cannot be determined from this sole information. The current images can be seen at https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/carte?c=-2.5494402106407525,48.30548507974305&z=19&l0=ORTHOIMAGERY.ORTHOPHOTOS::GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes

Are there any other examples of a station unexpectedly closing down against their own will, by accident?

Bretagne 5 was the last French MW station. There is a 1467 kHz transmitter in Roumoules, but it is extraterritorial and the programmes are not in french. Therefore, the only French station broadcasting in AM is now Radio France International (RFI) on shortwave.

Since the closedown of Bretagne 5 was not scheduled, it is very unlikely to have been recorded as audio. However, I have an audio clip that I recorded in October 2023; please let me know if you are interested.

Vincent F4HPZ (2026-02-02)