End of an Era: Kyodo News radiofax service discontinued

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Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I knew that sooner or later this was going to happen.

Yesterday, September 22, 2026, on a cold, sunny morning, I was in Porto Alegre doing my usual radio listening when I thought of tuning in to 16971 kHz to download one of Kyodo News’ news bulletins via radiofax. No signal. It sounded strange, so I did some research. I found a post on Reddit:

“Kyodo News Radiofax service (JJC) has been discontinued.”

I didn’t see any other mention of this fact anywhere on the Internet, but I believe the information is correct, since I haven’t listened to the signal on this frequency anymore, even though the agency’s website still lists the service as available.

I sent a message to Kyodo News requesting information, but honestly? I don’t expect a reply. If and when I do get one, I’ll post it here.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been tuning in to and receiving Kyodo News radiofax transmissions.

There were countless posts on the SWLing Post. I have nothing to complain about; I made the most of it while I could. I even started an illustrated diary with the printed radiofax pages, which unfortunately I was unable to complete.

Even though it’s a Japanese company, and the Japanese remain firmly attached to their traditions, Kyodo News has just embraced modernity, practicality, and cost reduction, because after all, maintaining shortwave transmitters and radiofax costs money, and the vast majority of its audience receives Kyodo News reports over the Internet. One of the reasons the news agency was still using radiofax was the fact that the Internet does not reach the crews of Japanese vessels, but this is changing, with new technologies allowing ships to receive reports, whether news or weather bulletins, via satellite.

The fact is, the new always comes along, and no matter how nostalgic we may be (and I am very nostalgic!), there’s no way to stop changes. A sad day for me and for the many people who, like me, became used to receiving Kyodo News radiofax transmissions.

Kyodo News was the last company on the planet still sending bulletins by radiofax. With the discontinuation of this service, an era is coming to an end as well. Radiofax’s days are numbered. Enjoy the few services that still exist before they disappear.

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (September 21, 2026)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report.

Carlos notes:

NHK: Prime Minister Takaichi will hold a meeting with Trump on the 22nd.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Classical, Vermont and Jams via the shortwaves

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Hi to all our SWLing Post friends. Here’s this week’s Imaginary Stations schedule for your shortwave listening pleasure.

On WRMI on Wednesday 23rd September 2026, at 0200 hrs UTC on 9395 kHz we bring you Imaginary States: Vermont. Welcome to the sounds of the Northeast Kingdom where hippies still thrive six decades later. We will hear tunes from all over the state, and the state of mind, known as Vermont.

Later that day at 1800 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz/6160 kHz via Shortwave Gold, tune in for more sounds of Skybird Jams, great extended tunes from the Skybird vaults including Grant Green, Herbie Hancock & more.

And at the weekend, on Saturday 26th September at 1100 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and then again on Sunday 27th September at 1300 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and 2000 hrs UTC on 3975 kHz/6160 kHz via Shortwave Gold, it’s our first broadcast of CLSC, music we like to think is classic, or classical in nature. Roll over Beethoven, we’ve got the coolest tunes on shortwave (complete with additional instrumentation thanks to the ionosphere.)

For more information on all our shows, please write to us at [email protected] and check out our old shows at our Mixcloud page here.

FastRadioBurst23

Giuseppe’s Homemade “Cassettone Pomodori Loop Antenna”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Giuseppe Morlè (IZ0GZW), who writes:

Dear Thomas and SWLing Post friends,

I am Giuseppe Morlè from Formia, in central Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

I’d like to introduce you to yet another loop antenna I’ve built using a large crate—the kind that used to hold tomatoes for homemade sauce. It measures 60 x 40 cm.

There are three separate windings wrapped around the crate: 1 turn, 2 turns, and 10 turns of telephone twisted-pair wire, which fits perfectly around the crate.

Two separate variable capacitors are used for tuning—one 1000 pF and one 50 pF. The first tunes frequencies from 500 kHz up to 16 MHz; the second covers 13 to 30 MHz.

Alligator clips are soldered to the ends of each winding, allowing me to switch windings depending on the frequency being used.

I call it the “Cassettone Pomodori Loop Antenna.”

I’ve attached several videos showing tests conducted on my roof during the early morning and evening. I find it performs really well with Tecsun portable radios. In the morning, I could listen to the USA on the 40-meter band with very good signal quality. In the evening, I picked up many European and Mediterranean stations on medium wave. At 16:00 UTC, I was able to hear Radio Taiwan on 1557 kHz with a decent signal.

It’s great fun and didn’t cost a penny—all the materials are recycled.

I hope you all like it.

Best regards to you and all the friends at SWLing Post.

73 de Giuseppe Morlè, IZ0GZW

Videos

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (September 20, 2026)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report.

Carlos notes:

NHK: Typhoon No. 25 is approaching Japan!

Click here to view on YouTube.

Typhoon n° 25 “Dujuan” via radiofax (13988 kHz USB) from Japan Meteorological Agency.

Sept 19

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio 4 & Vatican Radio (September 17, 2026)

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening report.

Carlos notes:

Click here to view on YouTube.