Shortwave radio is far from dead! In 2025, dozens of international broadcasters, religious stations, pirate ops, and utility signals still fill the HF bands 24/7. Whether you’re DXing with a $30 portable or a high-end SDR, these are the most reliable, interesting, and regularly heard shortwave stations right now — plus the best time of day (UTC) to catch them from North America and Europe.
Top Active Shortwave Stations – Quick-Reference Table
Broadcaster | Frequency (kHz) | Best Time (UTC) | Target Area | Language | Content | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Radio Romania International | 9730, 11800, 13650, 15450 | 05–07, 12–14, 19–21 | Europe / N. America | English, French, Spanish | News, folk music, DX program | Very strong in EU & E. coast |
China Radio International (CRI) | 9570, 11650, 13740, 17490 | 19–02 | Global | English + 40 others | Propaganda + Chinese culture | Massive signal, multiple sites |
Radio Havana Cuba | 5040, 6000, 9535, 9700 | 05–07 & 01–06 | N. America, Caribbean | English, Spanish | Latin music, anti-US commentary | Iconic interval signal (chimes) |
Voice of Türkiye (TRT) | 9830, 11750, 13635 | 19–22 & 02–05 | N. America, Europe | English, Turkish, German | Great Turkish music shows | Strong on 9830 evenings |
All India Radio (AIR) | 9950, 11620, 15030 | 14–17 & 20–22 | Europe, N. America | English | Classical Indian music, news | Best on 9950 winter evenings |
WRMI (Radio Miami Int’l) | 5850, 7780, 9395, 9455 | 24 hours (varies) | N. America, Europe | English | Relays many independent shows (music, politics, pirates) | Best private shortwave in the Americas |
Radio Japan (NHK World) | 9750, 11815, 17810 | 13–15 & 21–23 | N. America, Pacific | English, Japanese | News, culture, J-pop | Crystal-clear Japanese lessons |
KTWR Trans World Radio – Guam | 9975, 11965, 15200 | 09–12 | Asia, Pacific | English, Chinese, etc. | Religious + excellent music programs | Huge signal into Asia |
Voice of Korea (North Korea) | 9435, 9730, 11645 | 14–17 & 19–22 | Global | English, French, etc. | Propaganda, eerie music | Must-hear at least once! |
WBCQ The Planet (Maine, USA) | 5130, 6160, 7490 | Evenings & overnight | N. America, Europe | English | Free-speech shows, old-time radio, Marion’s Attic | Very quirky and fun |
Radio Taiwan International | 9545, 11665, 15320 | 19–21 & 01–03 | N. America | English | Excellent music shows, bingo cards for reception reports | |
WINB Red Lion, Pennsylvania | 9265 | 13–23 | N. America, Europe | English | Religious + paid programming | Old-school U.S. shortwave |
Voice of Martyrs / Reach Beyond | 11870, 13800 | 12–15 | Asia, Middle East, Asia | Arabic, Russian, etc. | Strong into difficult areas | |
Pirate & Clandestine (varies) | 6925 USB, 6955 USB, 7415 | After ~23:00 UTC | Global | English | Music, comedy, mystery stations | Weekends best — use USB mode |
Quick Tips for Best Reception in 2025
- Winter months (Oct–Mar) = best long-distance DX on lower bands (49m, 60m, 75m, 90m)
- Summer = higher bands (19m, 16m, 13m) open better
- Grayline (dawn/dusk at your location) is the magic hour for long-path openings
- Solar Cycle 25 peak (2024–2026) = fantastic worldwide propagation right now!
Where to Find Up-to-Date Schedules
- Short-wave.info – live frequency search
- EiBi shortwave schedule list (CSV download)
- Prime Time Shortwave
- HF Underground forums for pirates and clandestine stations
Are Shortwave Radio Stations Still Good for World News?
Yes — but with some big caveats.
Shortwave remains one of the most censorship-resistant ways to access international news when the internet is down, censored, or you simply don’t trust local media. However, it is no longer the fast, neutral, minute-by-minute news source it was in the 1980s–1990s. Here’s the real 2025 picture:
Station | How Good for Unbiased/Urgent World News? | What You Actually Get | Best Alternative if You Want Straight News |
|---|---|---|---|
BBC World Service | ★★★★★ (when on air) | Unfortunately almost zero shortwave to Europe/N. America in 2025. Only Africa, parts of Asia/Pacific. | Stream or FM relays |
Voice of America (VOA) | ★★★ | Very limited English shortwave left (mostly Africa/Asia). Still excellent journalism when you can hear it. | VOA website or app |
Radio France Internationale (RFI) | ★★★★ | Strong French/English service to Africa. Some beams reach Europe evenings. Objective reporting. | Good if you’re in the target zone |
Deutsche Welle (DW) | ★★ | Almost no shortwave in English or German anymore (cut in 2023). | Only useful in Hausa/Swahili/Amharic zones |
Radio Romania International | ★★★★ | Surprisingly balanced 2025 English newscasts at 12–13, 19–20, 05–06 UTC. One of the best current options from Europe. | Highly recommended |
China Radio International (CRI) | ★ (heavily state-controlled) | 24/7 English on many frequencies, but 100 % Chinese government viewpoint. | Only for the “other side” perspective” |
Radio Havana Cuba | ★★ | Very strong signal, but extremely anti-U.S. slant. Good for Latin American events from their angle. | Entertainment value > news value |
All India Radio (General Overseas Service) | ★★★★ | 15–20 min English news at top-of-the-hour on 9950/11620 kHz. Neutral and factual. | Underrated source |
NHK World Radio Japan | ★★★★ | Short, calm, accurate English news blocks. No propaganda. | Excellent when the frequency is open |
Best Current Shortwave Stations for Credible World News (2025)
- Radio Romania International – 9730, 11800, 13650 kHz
→ Probably the single best English-language international news you can reliably hear on shortwave in North America and Europe right now. - All India Radio – 9950 or 11620 kHz evenings
→ Straightforward, neutral bulletins from a democratic country. - NHK World Radio Japan – 11815 or 17810 kHz
→ Calm, factual Asian-Pacific perspective. - Reach Beyond Australia / KTWR Guam – occasional English news segments in religious programs.
- WRMI relays – sometimes carry BBC, VOA, or Radio Prague re-runs (check 9395 or 7780 kHz schedule nightly).
The Reality Check
- Speed: Shortwave news is 5–60 minutes delayed (top/bottom of hour).
- Objectivity: Most remaining big transmitters are state-funded (China, Türkiye, Iran, Cuba, N. Korea, Romania, India…). Expect a viewpoint.
- Breaking news: You will NOT hear about a coup or earthquake on shortwave before Twitter or push alerts.
Bottom Line – When You Want World News
Use shortwave for:
- When the internet is censored or offline (wars, authoritarian regimes, natural disasters)
- Alternative state perspectives (hear how Beijing or Havana spins the same story)
- Nostalgia and the thrill of pulling in a signal from halfway around the world
But for fast, neutral, minute-by-minute world news?
In 2025, that’s still the domain of the internet, satellite TV, or apps.
Shortwave today is better for in-depth features, music, propaganda analysis, and emergency fallback than for being your primary news source.
73 and keep one ear on shortwave anyway — you’ll be glad you did when the cell towers go dark!
