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Shortwave is far from silent.

From new transmitters humming to life in the Pacific, to hobbyists catching signals from the other side of the world, there’s been plenty happening lately on the bands. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting updates.


New Voices on the Airwaves: Shortwave Australia

Over the past few weeks, a station identifying itself as Shortwave Australia has been heard broadcasting on 2310 kHz and 4835 kHz. Reports from listeners across the country describe strong signals and a program of nostalgic, old-time music drifting across the dial — a refreshing discovery for anyone who enjoys exploring the lower shortwave bands.

While official details are limited, a growing number of hobbyists have confirmed regular activity on these two frequencies. The station’s broadcasts have been logged during afternoons and evenings (local time), with 4835 kHz often producing the strongest results in daylight hours before fading around dusk. At night, 2310 kHz seems to take over, offering surprisingly consistent reception when conditions are right.

Programming so far appears to focus on music and general entertainment, with minimal announcements or station IDs — a style that gives the broadcasts a distinctly nostalgic feel. Listeners have described the experience as “like tuning into a forgotten corner of the radio world.”

Online, discussions about the station have started to appear on hobby forums and monitoring blogs, where enthusiasts are sharing signal reports, audio clips, and reception logs. Some have uploaded recordings to YouTube and SDR platforms, while others are tracking the station on sites like Shortwave.Live, which lists it as active on both frequencies around the clock (though actual transmission times vary).


Want to Try Your Luck Tuning In?

🎧 When to listen: Afternoon or early evening — that’s when most recent reports have been logged.
📻 Frequencies to check: Start with 4835 kHz, then try 2310 kHz later in the night.
🔌 Reception tip: Use a loop or long-wire antenna placed well away from household noise sources.
🌐 Online option: Explore KiwiSDR receivers around Australia to see how the signal propagates in different regions.


We’d Love to Hear From You

Have you caught Shortwave Australia on the dial? What times, signal strengths, or music have you logged?

If you’ve captured a short audio clip or screenshot, share it with us — we may include listener reports in a future blog post to help map out the station’s reach and schedule.

Shortwave lives on through discoveries like this, and with help from the listening community, we can keep these new voices heard far and wide.


China Goes Digital

China has formally adopted DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) as its national standard for shortwave and mediumwave broadcasting. The move could transform the listening experience, offering FM-quality sound and data broadcasting across vast distances.


Pacific Coverage Expanding

RNZ Pacific has completed a major transmitter upgrade near Taupō, New Zealand, installing a new 100 kW Ampegon TSW-2100 unit supporting both analog and DRM signals.

At the same time, Papua New Guinea has announced plans to reintroduce shortwave broadcasts to improve coverage for its remote communities — an encouraging reminder that shortwave still matters, especially where the internet can’t reach.


Vanuatu: Back on the Bands

VBTC has announced new shortwave frequencies of 2485, 3945, 5040, 7260, and 9960 kHz.
The 9960 kHz signal has been heard regularly along the east coast of Australia, with a transmitter power of 10 kW.


Technology Meets Tradition

Researchers have even turned to AI, developing systems that can automatically classify hundreds of shortwave signal types using deep learning.

Meanwhile, mysterious stations like UVB-76 (“The Buzzer”) continue to intrigue listeners and keep the global shortwave conversation alive.


Explore, Learn, and Listen

If you’re new to the hobby or looking to go deeper, check out our range of free downloadable guides at TecsunRadios.com.au — including our Shortwave Explained booklet and Listener’s Guide (Version 15).

Whether you’re rediscovering radio after decades or tuning in for the first time, one thing’s for sure: the airwaves have never been more alive.

 

Shortwave radio listening, or SWLing, is a unique hobby that holds a special allure for enthusiasts. It’s a bit like finding hidden treasures in a vast, mysterious landscape, akin to discovering Easter eggs in video games. The enjoyment of SWLing stems from uncovering something that has always been there, waiting to be found, yet often overlooked or dismissed.

If you’re a dedicated shortwave radio enthusiast, you know that a significant part of the enjoyment comes from DXing. DXing, or long-distance listening, is the practice of tuning into distant radio stations, often from other countries or continents. It’s the equivalent of embarking on a grand adventure, where the reward is the joy of discovering elusive signals amidst the cacophony of static and interference. However, DXing is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to maximizing your SWLing experience. Here, we explore additional tips to help you get the best out of your shortwave radio journey.

 

  1. Understand the Basics: The 25-30-20-25 Rule

To fully appreciate the magic of shortwave radio, it’s essential to grasp the fundamentals. SWLing is not just about the radio itself; it’s a synergy of factors that contribute to the overall experience. Imagine it like this: 25% of the magic lies in the radio you use, 30% is in your outdoor antenna setup, 20% depends on your knowledge of the right time and frequencies for listening, and the remaining 25% revolves around your location. For optimal results, invest in a good radio, set up an efficient antenna, master the art of timing, and seek out quiet places for listening.

 

  1. Dive into the Metaphorical World of SWLing

There’s a beautiful metaphorical world that can be associated with SWLing, allowing you to look beyond the surface and appreciate the deeper meaning of this hobby. Consider some of these associations:

Tuning into Enjoyable Frequencies: Just as in SWLing, in life, you can choose to tune into the enjoyable frequencies. Identify the things that bring you joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, and make a conscious effort to incorporate them into your daily routine.

Reducing Noise and Adjusting the Tuning: Life often presents noise in the form of irritations, annoyances, and distractions. Like adjusting the tuning on your radio, you can reduce this noise by addressing these irritations and finding ways to enhance your comfort and enjoyment.

The Tuning Is Off: Sometimes, the outcomes in life may not align with your desired goals. Just as in SWLing, where the tuning can be slightly off, in life, you may need to recalibrate your efforts and strategies to get closer to your desired outcomes.

Incorporating these metaphorical perspectives into your SWLing experience can add depth and meaning to your hobby, helping you draw parallels between the art of listening to shortwave radio and the art of living a fulfilling life.

SWLing is a journey of exploration, both in terms of uncovering hidden radio signals and discovering the subtle, metaphorical messages it holds for our lives. By understanding the 25-30-20-25 rule, investing in quality equipment, and embracing the metaphorical aspects, you can truly unlock the magic of shortwave radio and enjoy the profound rewards it offers. So, keep tuning in, and let the hidden secrets of the shortwave world continue to captivate your imagination and enrich your life.

 

Radio licence applications soars.