Amateur radio – special event stations commemorating the closure of BBC Radio LW

GB1500M
The RSGB and the BBC Amateur Radio Group will be marking this occasion on the air and are looking for volunteers to activate the call sign GB1500M in the week leading up to and including the day of the closure. 1500m was the wavelength of the BBC Long Wave transmissions for many decades. Operation will be from Sunday 21 June until Saturday 27 June. Activators may be individuals or clubs operating from within the UK, Isle of Man or Channel Islands.

GB198LW
Cray Valley Radio Society will be activating GB198LW with their focus on celebrating the Droitwich Transmitting Station. They will include a display of vintage wireless sets at their club station.

GB198END
Moray Firth Amateur Radio Society will be activating GB198END from close to the site of the Burghead Transmitting Station.

QSL cards and LoTW updates
A commemorative QSL card is available for GB1500M, GB198LW, GB198END and GB198KHZ, delivered to you free via the QSL buro, or at a small cost by direct post. Application is only via M0OXO OQRS. Please do not send your card via the QSL buro. The card is also available to SWL enthusiasts; please see the instructions on the QRZ.com page for each call sign.

https://rsgb.org/main/radio-sport/rsgb-contest-club/bbc-long-wave-shutdown/

Mike Terry to Longwaveradiolistening iog (2026-06-01)

A five year extension has been granted to the following  Analogue Community Radio station:
Bradford Asian Radio (Bradford Asian Radio Limited Company) until 30 November 2031
(Ofcom Monthly Radio broadcast update for April 2026 of 8 May 2026)
https://www.bradfordasianradio.co.uk/

Hansjörg Biener (2026-05-26)

981 3HA Hamilton VIC has been approved to convert to 98.9 FM. Expected to launch mid 2026.
1089 3WM Horsham VIC will be allowed to keep the AM after converting to FM to make up for deficiency or gaps in coverage

Geoff Wolfe to IRCA iog (2026-05-25)

Radio Six International:  on June 6th, the broadcast will be 2 hours length so 2200-0000 UTC. No change for other Saturdays, 2200-2300 UTC.  And from July the broadcast will be also on Sundays, at the same time  (info from Tony Currie).

Radio de Vliegende Hollander a small LPAM from Holland will on the air from Roumoules on August 14th, from 1800 UTC, with 500 kW.  Also via their low power transmitter on 1467 kHz (info from Koert Seinen).

And on June 4, 5 & 6th, in France it will be “Fête de la Radio”, and MMD will open to the public, their transmitters sites in Roumoules & Col de la Madone.  Attached the the advertising brochure.

Have a nice summer and good listenings,

Christian Ghibaudo (2026-05-24)

China high power MW.
Despite reports citing some MW closures in China, the MW outlet on 909khz (600kW) remains on air. Received at 10dB/S9 at my QTH as of 24^th May 2026.
837khz remains off air (last heard on May 8th but was QRT by May 14th).

Geoff Wolfe – Cooma NSW Australia (2026-05-24)

I will organize again a contest in summer 2026.
It’s possible to participate in MW only

These are the contest rules
https://chinaradiosswl.blogspot.com/2026/01/swl-contest-2026-rules-am-radio.html

Frank SWL F14368 near Paris, France (2026-05-23)