The SWLing Post

(Source: Radio Info via Nigel Holmes) Radio leads the way as the most trusted media in Australia and is seen as the most credible source of news, according to a new survey by global research firm GfK. The GfK Radio Insights study found 42% of respondents surveyed consider radio trustworthy, with a wide gap to […]

I’m currently in the process of adding 200-300 watts of 12-volt solar panels to my truck camper. Solar panels will keep my camper’s 12V deep-cycle battery topped off, thus allowing longer stretches of time for boon-docking or primitive camping, during which an occupied camper is off-grid from shore power. My truck camper actually came with […]

One thread that’s had a surprisingly long run here on the SWLing Post deals with sticky radios. A number of portable radios manufactured in the past decade were coated in a rubberized, tactile material that was quite functional when the products were new. With time, however, the coating breaks down and becomes incredibly sticky to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who writes: Anon-Co is offering a Tecsun PL-606 Clone for $31.99 shipped. It’s badged as a: “Ritmix RPR-7020”. I’ve never heard of that badging/brand, maybe you have? Kaito (via Amazon) currently prices the PL-606 at $41.80, Amazon’s price is $46.50. Click here to view special on Anon-Co’s […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian Smith (W9IND), who shares the following guest post: “Night of Nights” 2017 by Brian D. Smith, W9IND “Night of Nights XVIII” – radio’s answer to “Night of the Living Dead” – will again unfold on July 12 (July 13 UTC) with the return of maritime Morse code transmissions […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who writes: I have attached my latest Music on Shortwave List Update (A-17 v2)[.] 1) Updated frequencies for RNZI (0300-0500) 2) Corrected/expanded entries for RAE 3) Additional SP program added for RRI 4) Added additional entries for V of Hope Africa (1700-1930) 5) Corrected station name of Countdown2.Christmas R […]

(Source: SDRplay Press Release via Jon Hudson) SDRplay are pleased to announce a price reduction for their entry-level SDR receiver, the RSP1 to $99.95 USD making it the most competitive mid-range SDR to include reception down to low frequencies without the need for an upconverter. The RSP1 provides general coverage receiver and panadapter capability from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Kris Partridge (G8AUU) who writes: BBC Monitoring is leaving it’s home of over 70 years and moving to Central London. On BBC Radio 4 yesterday I was listening as I drove home from a ‘Breakfast’ shift, 04h30 – 16h30 local ..! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08wqp00 It looks like it will be repeated […]

Earlier this year–the day before the 2017 Winter SWL Fest, in fact–Dan Robinson and I joined forces at the National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Maryland, and following a brilliant Thai lunch, visited Dan’s place, where I surveyed his stunning receiver collection, several of which represent the Holy Grail of the receiver world. I thought […]

(Source: RadioWorld via Sheldon Harvey at the International Radio Report) Latest Radio World eBook explores radio broadcast coverage tools and how to get the most out of them Broadcasters have endless “what if” questions about their radio station’s signal. How would my coverage be affected if I … moved my FM antenna? Changed height? Increased transmitter […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who writes: Another “Radio in Popular Culture” tidbit for you since they seem so popular: 2014 war survival game “This War of Mine“, released on multiple platforms, features a simulated shortwave radio you can build and use as part of the game. After building the radio from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jarno de Haan (PA3DMI), who shares the following in reference to our recent post about radio hats of yore: Radio hats are fun but I found radio stockings! In 1924 French ladies in Paris used their stockings and umbrella to receive the radio transmissions from the Eiffel-tower. The movie […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jason Whiteley, who shares a video tour of the E-4B NAOC Doomsday Plane and notes: This is a pretty interesting video of the inside of the flying Pentagon or Doomsday Plane. There is a lot of radio equipment on board including a radio antenna that can fly out of the back […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Klaus Boecker (DD2DR), who shares the following guest post: Converting Navtex from SVO Olympia Radio into an other languages by Klaus Boecker (DD2DR) SVO’s NAVTEX transmission uses the Greek language in Latin letters. Unfortunately, the Google translator can‘t translate Greek transmitted in Latin characters. I found a German web site […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rick B, who writes: I just thought I’d share with you a hidden function I discovered documented on the web for the Tecsun PL-660. It’s how to calibrate the FM band if you have a radio that is off frequency. As my current PL-660 is accurate on FM, I […]

Heathkit recently sent the following link to their “Insiders” email list: Dear Heathkit Insider We have opened advance orders for our newest product, the HM-1002 Heathkit® Precision RF Meter™, for our most loyal customers and fans. This is the first amateur radio accessory and the first test equipment kit Heathkit has produced in over 30 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes: A firm in the UK is now offering new VLF converters in built, ready to go form or in kit form. Coverage is 10-500 khz full LW band or 0.1-100 kHz ELF band. Your choice of stock or SO239, BNC or RCA connectors for antenna input […]

Many thanks to DXer.ca host, Colin Newell, who requests your help: Ian McFarland is celebrating a very important birthday in July! Please join me in congratulating Ian in this milestone by sending me your best wishes for Ian to our contact e-mail. I will transcribe all of these notes onto one big card for Ian! Ian […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Cooper, who shares the following: In today’s mail I received a big surprise. Not one, but two QSLs verifying BBC program transmission reception reports from Ascension Island that I sent them in 2014. At that time I was working on a NASWA Dx Award for verification of 50 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Joey (KE4DRJ), who writes: I was hoping that you or the readers might be able to help me with a problem. I just received my new pl-310et. Which I purchased from anon-co. The issue is with the whip antenna. When I try to rotate the whip, it’s very stiff. […]

Mike (N1YKH) writes: Hi Thomas, Just wanted to promote an antenna I sell for a fellow HAM, It sells via http://www.dipolesusa.com/shortwave.html WDX2RADIO Timeless Classic. 50′ foot longwire antenna kit w/ 25′ foot lead in, quick clip (to click onto a telescoping antenna), wire connector ends to radio, twine, shrink tube for sealing connections, tape, and […]

(Source: Sputnik News via Sheldon Harvey) “Sputnik Radio begins broadcasting in Washington DC on the FM bandwidth, bringing its programming to FM listeners across the metropolitan area for the very first time. Sputnik Radio broadcasts, ranging from news programs to talk shows and financial analysis, are now available on 105.5 FM, 24 hours a day, […]

For the second year in a row, I had the pleasure of hanging out with the Club Radio Amateur de Québec (C.R.A.Q.) on Field Day. Members number well over 150 and the club has a history dating back to 1926. Last year, I found myself in Québec during my favorite on-air event, so I reached […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: EB200 is the older model, the latest is the EB500 or at least the one that followed the EB200. We have seen quite a few R&S units on eBay of late, including EK890 and EK895s, one of which remains on eBay as of this time. […]

(Source: Sean Gilbert via WRTH Facebook) WRTH A17 Broadcasting Schedules Update file is now available for free download from www.wrth.com. The PDF file contains the changes to the transmission schedules of International and Clandestine/Target broadcasters.

“Is anybody even listening?” So said the powers-that- be at CKZN. To find out, the relay was (temporarily) shut down. You, too, may have noticed that the CBC Radio 1 relay through CKZN on 6,160 kHz has been off air for several days. I’m traveling in Canada this summer, and noticed that CKZN has been […]

(Source: Sky and Telescope via Sheldon Harvey) When the Moon’s shadow glides across the U.S. on August 21st, you’ll have have a chance to hear the eclipse as it happens. Solar eclipses are more than remarkable visual astronomical phenomena; they’re pretty interesting from a radio viewpoint too. Should overcast skies prevail over your location on […]

From the Isle of Music, July 2-8 This week, our special guest is bandleader and drummer Yissy García, whose Jazz/Fusion group Bandancha received two Cubadisco awards this year -Opera Prima (best new artist) and Diseño (design) for their exciting album Última Noticia. We’ll listen to some of that and some selections from the Música Urbana […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Hey Thomas, if you haven’t already covered this in the SWLing Post, this might be worth mentioning: http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/radio-hat-1931-1949-man-from-mars TURNS OUT, LISTENING TO PODCASTS on your morning commute is nothing new. In 1931, the British cinemagazine Pathetone Weekly—which documented odd fashion trends during its run from 1930 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken McKenzie, who shares the following deal via Woot: a two pack of Eton Executive Travelers for $94.99 US: Click here to view on Woot. Woot has a great reputation–I’ve purchased from them several times. You can buy with confidence. Note the following, however: You must use the Woot […]

On Wednesday, 21 June 2017, the BBC World Service officially transmitted the 2017 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast–an international radio broadcast intended for a small group of scientists, technicians, and support staff who work for the British Antarctic Survey. This is one of my favorite annual broadcasts, and I endeavor to listen every year. Once again, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrea Borgnino, who shares the following article from the website Journalism Is Not A Crime: From Propaganda to Journalism: How Radio Free Europe Pierced the Iron Curtain The end of the Second World War signaled the beginning of an information war in Europe. As the military alliance between the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Leary, who shares the following news and audio clip from RTÉ: Hi Thomas, I heard this announcement the other day about RTE 252 and thought it might be of interest for your site. I think it’s also going to shut down permanently in 2019. Received on a Tecsun PL-390 […]

Recently, an SWLing Post reader asked this simple question: “If you were me, would you laminate a super-rare QSL card?” The short answer–? Please don’t! Never laminate a QSL card, photo, page or postcard You should never apply heat-seal or adhesive (cold) seal lamination to a QSL card or any other paper memorabilia if your ultimate […]

(Source: Hamvention Press Release) 29,296 Attendees at Dayton Hamvention® 2017 Chairman’s Message It took a while to collect all the information but the numbers are in and it has been a most successful year. This is quite an increase over last year’s attendance. We knew this would be a big year but this was even […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Hawkins, who writes: Air traffic bands on VHF is well-known. Not so well-known are the shortwave (HF) communications networks that must be operated by transoceanic flights. This is an ARINC station for San Francisco, California. I am located about 70 miles inland from this station. I assume ARINC […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who writes: Hi Thomas As always, thank you for your regular SWLing Post – it’s always an interesting read! I have just completed my Music on Shortwave listing for A-17 season, and attach it here for you to consider including in a future SWLing Post. My regards […]

Last week, I watched the Netflix movie, Spectral, and couldn’t help but notice a couple of radios on set. I spotted the first rig at the beginning of the film while the camera was panning a military communications center. It’s a dark screen shot, but I believe this may be a Kenwood TS-940S: The second […]

Wednesday, as I listened to (and attempted to record) this year’s annual Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast, I couldn’t help but recall the W4DXCC conference three years ago, during which representatives from the Amsterdam Island DXpedition (FT5ZM) gave a one-hour multimedia presentation about their journey, including their on-air accomplishments. It was, to say the least, all fascinating. Even the expedition’s financing […]

If you live in North America and have an interest in becoming a ham radio operator, this is the weekend to check out what amateur radio is all about, and meet local radio enthusiasts. It’s Field Day! What is Field Day? I’ll quote from the ARRL, who sponsors the event: “ARRL Field Day is the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Nigel Holmes, who shares the following link to the ABC & HF broadcasting Senate Hearing and notes: http://parlview.aph.gov.au/mediaPlayer.php?videoID=355749 3 hours in total. Three quality options for streaming/download – Hi 1400 MB, Med 675 MB & Lo 250MB Witnesses in order 1. DFAT (Foreign Affairs & Trade) 2. 52′ Gary […]

From the Isle of Music, June 25-July 1 This week, Bobby Carcassés discusses some of his new Cubadisco-winning album Blues con Montuno with us, and we listen to some of the best tracks. Later, we listen to music from the other nominated albums in the Jazz Soloists category of Cubadisco 2017, Four opportunities to listen […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Patalon, who shares the following story from The Smithsonian: The Forgotten Man Who Transformed Journalism in America Lowell Thomas was the first host of a TV broadcast news program, and adopted a number of other new technologies to make his mark in the 20th century By the time Lowell […]

Yesterday afternoon, I packed up the Sony ICF-SW100, Audiomax SRW-710S and Elecraft KX2 portables in search of a quite spot to listen to the BBC World Service Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast. I also packed my PK Loop and NASA PA 30 antennas. I’m traveling in Canada again and staying in an RFI-dense condo. There was no way I’d hear the broadcast through […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob G, who shares a link to this rare Galaxy R-530 receiver and speaker on eBay: Click here to view on eBay. The R-530 is certainly a handsome receiver. FYI: the last time we posted one of these from eBay, the final price was $470 shipped, but this particular […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Thomas, did you see this? It’s a detailed application to the FCC for the construction of a 10KW shortwave transmitter for DRM on 9.65 MHz and 15.45 MHz. Click here to download the application (PDF). Thanks, Ed! I know nothing about Turms Tech other than on […]

(Source: Shortwave Radiogram via Tom Ally) Shortwave Radiogram begins 24-25 June 2017 The Shortwave Radiogram transmission schedule: Sunday 0600-0630 UTC 7730 kHz Sunday 2030-2100 UTC 11580 kHz Sunday 2330-2400 UTC 11580 kHz All via WRMI in Florida Great to see that Kim Elliott isn’t skipping a beat moving from the VOA Radiogram to the Shortwave […]

Every year, the BBC broadcasts a special program to the scientists and support staff in the British Antarctic Survey Team. The BBC plays music requests and sends special messages to the small team of 40+ located at various Antarctic research stations. Each year, the thirty minute show is guaranteed to be quirky, nostalgic, and certainly a DX-worthy catch! After […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who shared the following message after I posted the Mystery Radio Challenge yesterday: I could tell that FM tuner is actually an ‘FM converter’ by its shape and by the giveaway wide knurled tuning bar mounted way up front, so the driver of the 8-track tape player-equipped car […]