The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who writes: A message to contacts in North Asia (Japan / Korea etc)… North Korea is currently (right now 1430UTC) broadcasting in DRM format on 3560KHz. Listening to remote receivers in Japan I can see the signal is very strong in the Tokyo and Yokohama areas – […]

(Source: Bob’s Backyard BBQ Radio Show) A bunch of radio professionals get together at a home in Southwest Connecticut for great fun and food ever couple of summers. On Saturday September 9th from 7pm to 10pm eastern (2300 Saturday to 0200 UTC Sunday) Bob’s Backyard BBQ Radio Show will take place, hosted by Bob Gilmore and […]

(Source: Poynter via Kim Elliott) When Hurricane Harvey’s intensity became clear, employees at 93Q in Houston reserved hotel rooms across the street from the station. They were going to be very busy. The on-air talent slept in the Cox-owned radio station for days, said Bill Tatar, digital content manager at Cox Media Group Houston. When […]

(Source: KBS World Radio via Trevor R) Hello listeners, KBS World Radio English Service is carrying out a major frequency and time adjustment on shortwave as we expand our programming as of September 4. First of all, we will start a new two-and-a-half hour broadcast on 9.770Mhz at 0800h UTC toward Southeast Asia. The one-hour […]

Yesterday, I posted some photos of the yet-to-be-released CC Skywave SSB and a number of readers had the same reaction as Frank (K4FMH): “Who makes and sells your canvas bag? Inquiring minds want to know!” Frank was referring to the bag in the background on many of the radio shots–and he wasn’t alone in his […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kim Elliott, who notes that Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty have added a new transmitter in Lithuania: (Source: The Baltic Course) A new transmitter will be launched in Lithuania this week for broadcasting the Russian and Belarusian-language services of the US Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) aimed […]

Many thanks to Rocus de Joode who shares the following announcement and request for listener reports: (Este mensaje seguirá en español.) Dear radio friends, I received your Email addresses from Jeff White, from WRMI in Florida. [W]e would like to inform you about a possible new initiative for radio transmissions via mediumwave to Venezuela on 800 […]

Tuesday afternoon, I took a number of portable radios to the field: the Tecsun S-8800, Tecsun PL-880, Digitech AR-1780, C. Crane CC Skywave and the new C. Crane CC Skywave SSB. Last week, I received a pilot run (pre-production) CC Skywave SSB from C. Crane to test and provide feedback. My unit, of course, is still […]

(Source: Popular Mechanics) Carl Sagan’s famous line from his 1990 speech about the Pale Blue Dot image—”Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark”—is an understatement. We might consider our Milky Way, with its estimated 100 to 400 billion stars, a significant fixture in the cosmos. But there are some 100 billion galaxies […]

(Source: Variety) Traditional Radio Faces a Grim Future, New Study Says A new study published today by the head of New York University’s Steinhart Music Business Program casts a sobering outlook on the future of terrestrial radio. In the 30-page report, Larry Miller argues that traditional radio has failed to engage with Generation Z — people born […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kim Elliott, who recently shared the photo above of President Harry S. Truman via @RealTimeWWII. If I’m not mistaken, that is a Scott Radio Labs Model RBO-2. I’m guessing that’s also the speaker mounted on the wall directly above the receiver. Scott Radio Labs marine receivers were shielded to the […]

If you’ve been an SWLing Post contributor for a few years, you’ll recall that we used to use Google’s Captcha system to prevent SPAMbot comments on our site. A few readers complained about how difficult the Captcha system was at the time (and I agreed with them), so we removed Captcha. At the same time, […]

Earlier this week, I received a message from my good friend, Mike, who lives south of Houston in Galveston County, Texas. Mike noted: Here in Texas, we’re still dealing with the impact of hurricane Harvey. […]The absolute best hurricane information came from AM 740 KTRH Houston. A 50,000 Watt AM transmitter that covers a major […]

After enjoying an afternoon testing the Tecsun S-8800 on the Blue Ridge Parkway this past weekend, I decided to return to the parkway yesterday and test the S-8800’s shortwave performance. I carved out about two hours of my afternoon and spent the entire time comparing the S-8800 to the Tecsun PL-880 and the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. I tested […]

(Source: Twice.com via Tom Hacker) RadioShack’s second bankruptcy in two years may have brought its company-owned stores to the edge of oblivion, but it has apparently sparked a renaissance among the chain’s approximately 425 independent franchisees. As Wisconsin dealer-owner PJ Kruschel explains, inventory is beginning to flow again, and the departure of the corporate stores […]

(Source: The K2DLS blog) Solar Eclipse Data Collection Project Between 1600 – 2015 UTC on August 21, 2017, as the solar eclipse swept across the nation, I captured much of the lower 2 MHz of the radio frequency spectrum. I used a Microtelecom Perseus SDR, a 130? inverted L with four radials, and lots of disk […]

The flea-powered Ozy Radio has begun testing on 5045 kHz in the 60-meter band. First noted here in Australia on August 28, the station has been missing for several years from its former 3210 kHz allocation. The location has been reported as Razorback, New South Wales, but I have not been able to confirm this […]

About a week ago, I received a re-engineered version of the Tecsun S-8800 from Anna at the excellent online retailer, Anon-Co. If you recall, I evaluated an early production unit of the S-8800 in February and while putting it through the paces, I discovered loud, warbling DSP birdies throughout the mediumwave and shortwave bands. Tecsun, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob Wagner (VK3BVW), who comments: There’s a quick and dirty video review of the AR-1780 by Peter VK3YE, which highlights a few interesting quirks (if that’s the right word!) with this receiver. Some birdies, specs that don’t appear accurate, and a query over one of the bandwidth settings. Well […]

(Source: Radio Mi Amigo International via Mike Terry) Radio Mi Amigo International presents a very special live broadcast remembering those days ‘the music almost died’. We remember Aug. 1967 (UK) and Aug. 1974 (Netherland) when the MOA (‘Anti-Pirate-Law’) became law in those countries and stopped most of the offshore stations. We remember with the songs […]

Man-made RF noise levels have increased dramatically at my place in the past six months. It has become much harder to hear weaker shortwave signals. Even the stronger stations are getting covered in all types of hash from all manner of electrical appliances. So, I have been looking at ways to reduce the noise problem. […]

With travels, solar eclipse events and family activities this week, I’ve had very little time to play radio. Yesterday was a gorgeous day though, so I took the family to the Blue Ridge Parkway and (of course) packed a couple portable radios. While we all enjoyed a picnic, I pulled out the AR-1780 with the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Came across this very unusual Panasonic Radar Matic RF-880L radio on eBay: Click here to view on eBay. Very interesting model from the mid-60’s that automatically tunes for radio stations; apparently there’s a motor mechanism to accomplish this. Some other links for this remarkable radio […]

As Hurricane Harvey makes its slow trek through toward Corpus Christi, we’re watching what might become one of the most damaging storms this decade in the States. Each hurricane season, I receive emails from readers asking about frequencies to monitor as the storm approaches. Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) The Hurricane Watch Net is a group […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: There’s been a new flurry of these posts on eBay, always the WJ 8711A. These items have prohibited listing practices, and should be ignored — definitely not something to bid on. I have reported these on numerous occasions to Ebay, which has expressed appreciation, but […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, for sharing the following guest post: August 21, 2017: Individual Recordings of MW During Totality by TomL I setup flimsy “Backpack Shack” loop antenna and preselector to my Sony ICF-2010 to listen to any propagation of MW signals as each transmitter experienced Totality. My location was a picnic […]

From the Isle of Music, August 27-September 2 No interviews this week – this week we focus on some great moments in recorded Cuban Jazz during the past few decades that you may have missed when they first appeared. Four opportunities to listen on shortwave: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target […]

I find old radio souls now and again who seem, at least to me, to be in touch with the spiritual side of radio. I am not talking about religious programming or some weird cult, but rather they are folks whose souls have been touched by the magic of radio. It is mystical, magical, and […]

(Source: The Intercept via Dan Robinson) A SHORT DRIVE south of Alice Springs, the second largest population center in Australia’s Northern Territory, there is a high-security compound, code-named “RAINFALL.” The remote base, in the heart of the country’s barren outback, is one of the most important covert surveillance sites in the eastern hemisphere. Hundreds of […]

(Source: The Guardian) Consternation, mourning and national soul-searching greeted the temporary silencing of Big Ben last week, but at least another favourite fixture of the nightly and early morning radio is to continue. The hymnal cadences of Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, through Shannon, Rockall, Malin all the way to south-east Iceland, will be heard as usual on […]

(Source: Universal Radio via Dave Zantow) Universal Radio Is Moving In the coming months Universal Radio will move its operations to a more efficient location here in the Columbus, Ohio area where we can continue to serve our loyal customers. This will be the fourth location change since Universal was founded in 1942. We look […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who writes: If you ever loved AM radio you will love this. Thank you WNAH for recognizing there’s more to radio than plugging into a programming network and walking away! Click here to view on YouTube. Very cool! Many thanks, Ivan! As I mentioned in a previous […]

(Source: The Washington Post) On Aug. 21, as the moon passes in front of the sun and casts a shadow across the United States, millions are expected to gaze at the totality. Meanwhile, a smaller crowd will be glued to 150 custom-made radio receivers set up across the country. The project, called EclipseMob, is the largest experiment of its kind in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who notes that Radio Prague is asking listeners to share memories of the 1968 Soviet invasion: (Source: Radio Prague) August 1968 – share your memories August 21, 1968 – a turning point in this country’s history. The invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact soldiers crushed hopes of […]

(Source: BBC Media Centre) The BBC World Service today launched the first new language service in its biggest expansion since the 1940s. A digital Pidgin service for West Africa is being launched today. It will shortly be followed by new online services in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya, aimed at Ethiopia, Eritrea and diaspora audiences […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Ally, who notes that today is National Radio Day: (Source: National Radio Day) About National Radio Day is a time to honor one of the most longstanding electronic media and its role in our everyday lives. Radio delivers information, news, entertainment and company to millions of Americans every […]

Tomorrow, we will be experiencing a total solar eclipse here in the mountains of western North Carolina. Instead of enjoying the eclipse at home, I will be volunteering as a docent at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. Post readers might recall PARI as it was the location of our 2015 PARI […]

Yesterday, while listening to the BBC World Service, I heard this fascinating documentary focusing on the Voyager I and II spacecraft. It absolutely blows my mind that both of these spacecraft have been operating for 40 years and continue to send signals back to Earth. Talk about weak signal DX! Note that you will have […]

(Source: News & Observer) CARY–Even as tensions increase between North Korea and the United States (and between North Korea and the rest of the world), the Cary-based group Trans World Radio is broadcasting daily messages of hope to the people there. TWR president and chief executive officer Lauren Libby says the group started increasing its […]

(Source: YouTube via Wooferton UK Youtube channel & Mike Barraclough) Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO) who writes: Just FYI. My Icom IC-R8600 “Wide Band” Receiver Review is now available. Mind you this is subject to more updates than usual at least for awhile. For any questions, yes please send them along. http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/icr8600.html “The excellent ICOM IC-R8600 “Wide Band” SDR communications receiver. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon who writes: “This vintage Panasonic RF-088 8-Channel Preset radio selling on eBay [see above] seems rather rare. In fact, I’ve never seen one.” Click here to view on eBay. I haven’t seen one either, Jeff. Appears to be pretty compact. At first, I was curious how an […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon who writes: “This vintage Panasonic RF-088 8-Channel Preset radio selling on eBay [see above] seems rather rare. In fact, I’ve never seen one.” Click here to view on eBay. I haven’t seen one either, Jeff. Appears to be pretty compact. At first, I was curious how an […]

(Source: Paul Walker) KBS World Radio’s English Department Is Carrying Out Test Transmissions Next WeekKBS World Radio’s English Department Is Carrying Out Test Transmissions Next Week Europe: August 21 – 23, 1500 – 1600 UTC, 9515 kHz Southeast Asia: August 21 – 23, 0800 – 1030 UTC, 9770 kHz India: August 21 – 22, 1400 […]

(Source: Paul Walker) KBS World Radio’s English Department Is Carrying Out Test Transmissions Next WeekKBS World Radio’s English Department Is Carrying Out Test Transmissions Next Week Europe: August 21 – 23, 1500 – 1600 UTC, 9515 kHz Southeast Asia: August 21 – 23, 0800 – 1030 UTC, 9770 kHz India: August 21 – 22, 1400 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Sandipan Basu Mallick, who writes: In reference to the post about the review of Gospell GR-216 DRM Receiver, [I enquired] about availability and price. Received response within few hours. Yes, Gospell is now shipping the GR-216 DRM Receiver. They are selling it directly. Not available via online shopping portals. Most importantly […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Sandipan Basu Mallick, who writes: In reference to the post about the review of Gospell GR-216 DRM Receiver, [I enquired] about availability and price. Received response within few hours. Yes, Gospell is now shipping the GR-216 DRM Receiver. They are selling it directly. Not available via online shopping portals. Most importantly […]

From the Isle of Music, August 20-26 This week our special guests are Feliciano Arango of Los Hermanos Arango, whose album The Arangos World was nominated for a Cubadisco Award in the Afrocuban Tradition category; Gizelxanath Rodríguez of the Afro Yaquí Music Collective and Albertico Lescay of Formas. You’ll hear some excellent Fusion in this […]