FM radio stations on 79 MHz from Brazil are heard in Portugal - 19th Nov 2025

In Brazil, South America, they have what is called an 'extended FM band (eFM)' which runs from 76.1 MHz to 87.3 MHz which is used for FM broadcasting. This allows for the addition of new radio stations in areas where the traditional 88-108 MHz band is full. 

This is reasonably new development and the first eFM transmitters went on air as recently as May 2021.

On the 19th of November 2025, SWL & FMDXer Hugh Cocks near the city of Faro on the south coast of Portugal managed to receive several  FM radio stations from Sao Paulo in Brazil on 76.7, 77.5, 77.9, 79.5 & 79.9 MHz!

This isn't the first time that Hugh has heard these stations as he had a similar opening back on the 7th of March 2023. See previous post HERE.

For the reception report on the 19th of Nov 2025, Hugh writes... "Received in Southern Portugal 19th November 22:15 UTC via evening TEP.  Audio distortion present due to TEP.  Reception can start around 2200, finish 2245 UTC.  76.7 and 77.9 MHz are the strongest. Also 76.1,77 5,79.5,79.9 are there, usually very weak and distorted. "

Video 1... This shows reception of Radio Classic Pan on 76.7 MHz.

Video 2... This shows reception of Radio Cultura on 77.9 MHz.

As far as I know, Hugh uses a 3-element antenna with a low noise narrowband FET amplifier. 

Analysis... This is another remarkable reception report by High in Portugal. There is almost certainly (Trans-Equatorial Propagation) on a very regular basis between say San Paulo and the eastern part of the Caribbean, a distance of about 4000-5000 kms.

I haven't seen any reports of FMDXers there listening but it must be happening at 79 MHz as it's happening at higher frequencies. 

San Paulo to the eastern Caribbean would be a classic TEP path as it crosses the Geomagnetic Equator at right angles. This path to Portugal is really unexpected both in terms of distance - 7880 kms and the fact the signal is crossing the Geomagnetic Equator at an oblique angle.

The lower the frequency, the more oblique the angle can be but 79 MHz isn't that low! It's not like 28 MHz or 50 MHz.

The distance from San Paulo to the Geomagnetic Equator in the direction of Portugal also seems like it would be too far for TEP but something seems to be bridging the gap.

Brazil to USA on 79 MHz ??? ... Again, I pose the same question as I did in 2023... Is there anyone in the USA listening for these signals? There are plenty of areas in the USA that are closer than Portugal. 

If you look at the social media sites for FMDX, there seems to be hundreds of reports of single hop Sporadic-E openings in the USA on the 88-108 MHz band which are for the most part nothing special. 

The 76.1 MHz to 87.3 MHz band in the USA should be relatively free from strong signals for most people. Is anyone trying to listen for eFM signals? Who is going to be the first to log a station from Brazil on the new eFM band?

Link... For other long distance FM reception reports, see my 88-108 MHz page.