The SWLing Post

I’ve been fascinated with radio astronomy since my university days. In the 1980s and 90s almost any radio astronomy experiment equated to forking out some serious money to purchase a wideband receiver (serious money to a student, at least). With the advent of SDRs, though, radio astronomy has become affordable for everyone. Many thanks to […]

Sunday morning, I attended the Sainte-Foy flea market in Québec City. When I’m in QC, I love attending this particular market because of the amazing variety of things for sale. It’s a proper community event. As I was browsing the various tables, I happened upon one of these: Talk about a blast from the past! […]

Yesterday, at the marché aux puces de Sainte-Foy (Sainte-Foy flea market) in Québec City, I stumbled across the little receiver above in a box of junk under a vendor’s table. I’ve actually worked up a short post about this radio and will publish it tomorrow, but first I’m curious if any Post readers can identify it based […]

UPDATE–Caveat emptor: I can no longer link to this deal. Several readers have noted the seller has no history nor feedback. Additionally, Joe notes that “The same seller is offering the Tecsun PL-660 for $39.99 and the Tecsun PL-360 for $17.47, among other extraordinarily low-priced items.” Thanks guys–I’m sorry, but that’s just too good to […]

On the topic of “Swiss Army Knife” shortwave portables, many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who adds: Since the KA1121 was referenced in a comment on your blog today, [my review is] now located at: http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/de1121.html Sadly the set is no longer manufactured either as the Kaito KA1121 or the Degen DE1121 (the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Nigel Holmes–formerly of Radio Australia–for the following update regarding Nick Xenophon’s bill to resume ABC shortwave services: Last Friday I travelled to Canberra and fronted the Senate Committee hearing testimony on the matter of HF broadcasting & Senator Xenophon’s Bill to compel ABC to resume HF domestically & for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, David, who writes with the following inquiry: I really enjoy the SWLing site. It’s great and you guys have such good reviews and information! I’m looking for a radio and one thing I have not seen on the site is a “features” type breakdown when you could limit the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who adds the following to our growing archive of radios in film. Mark writes: Another radio spotted in a TV show, this time in the Netflix show iZombie. Having been gifted a Yaesu FRG-7700 recently, it was an easy spot. This FRG-7700 appears to be a ‘special’ model […]

(Source: VOA RadioGram via Dennis Dura) VOA Radiogram, 17-18 June 2017: One more show before I leave the building The last VOA Radiogram is this weekend. The successor to VOA Radiogram is Shortwave Radiogram, which will be broadcast for the first time on 25 June on the WRMI times and frequencies in the schedule below. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Here’s an update on the PantronX Titus II DRM boombox from Mike at PantronX: “We are first fulfilling large orders from international broadcasters. Individual orders most likely are late fall. If you preordered someone will contact you when the order comes up. Sorry for the delays […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who writes: My 11 year old son Tommy (N1SPY) completed a project where he compared a 1W lightbulb to a .25 W radio beacon that he put together and bet that the radio beacon can be heard around the world. I asked him to document his activities […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following regarding a Furuno RV-103SR marine receiver he discovered on eBay: Recently, I came upon two great rarities in the world of receivers. Furuno is a Japanese company known for maritime equipment, and is featured on one or two pages of the Osterman receiver […]

I thought I would pass along this article from Radio World concerning the connection between Amateur Radio and Broadcast professionals. (And please, no flames for not being strictly SWLing related!) Here a taste of the article, while the full piece may be found here: http://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/0002/strong-ties-bind-amateurs-and-broadcasters/339846 Many people who work in broadcast radio got their start […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who discovered this like new Kenwood R-1000 on eBay. Dan notes: This just went up on Ebay — a seemingly new and unused R-1000. Price is actually not high for one in this condition [$450 US]. I would jump on this if I didn’t already have one […]

SDRplay support have just posted the following news on their community forum: We have released a Raspberry Pi 3 image that has a number of SDR applications pre-built and tested that support the RSP. Periodically, we will update the image with software updates and new software. The current list of software included on the image […]

From the Isle of Music, June 18-24 This week and next, our special guest is Bobby Carcasses, creator of Jazz Plaza, singer, trumpeter, showman, recording artist, whose new recording Blues Con Montuno just won a Cubadisco award in the Jazz Soloists category. Bobby is one of the most important people in Jazz in Cuba in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Richard Langley and Mauno Ritola, who shared frequencies and times for the test transmissions in advance of the BBC Midwinter broadcast next week (June 21). I didn’t get their tips in time to post prior to the transmissions yesterday, however, Mauno believes there may be another test transmission today. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes: Hi Thomas: I’m sending you what I received today from Radio Bulgaria. The petition can be read in Spanish, English or Bulgarian. Dear Friends: We need your support for a noble and responsible cause. Radio Bulgaria, which belongs to National Radio of Bulgaria, is the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John, who shares a link to this recent tour of WRMI, by Ham Radio Concepts: Click here to view on YouTube.

Ok, so officially it wasn’t a DXpedition; it was a well needed vacation in the sun after several hectic months of work, some of which involved travel to slightly more exotic locations. However, these days, I view any travel, whether it be for business or pleasure as a ‘DXpedition’ opportunity! Some of you might […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Carl Laufer’s RTL-SDR on HamRadioNow Carl Laufer isn’t a ham (yet), but he got caught up in the RTL-SDR craze in his home town, Auckland NZ, as he was completing his PHD He began writing about them, and selling them, on his blog at www.RTL-SDR.com, and soon discovered that the little SDR […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: It might be interesting if you invited SWLing Post readers today see how NASA’s ionospheric experiment tonight (shortly after 9:00PM ET) affects RF propagation along the east coast: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nasa-will-make-colorful-clouds-near-sunset-tonight-180963652/ I searched online to find any reference to this long series of NASA experiments affecting RF propagation, […]

While looking through photos I had backed up on my laptop, I discovered a set I took at the Hamvention Flea Market on Saturday morning (May 20, 2017). I’ve gotten tremendous positive feedback from the photos I posted of Hamvention Setup, the Friday Flea Market and Inside Exhibits, so I thought I’d post these as […]

(Source: Open Democracy) Eritrean radio station Radio Erena provides a voice for the voiceless Broadcasting from Paris, Fathi Osman’s Radio Erena challenges the government’s monopoly on truth and champions those who gave their lives for freedom of expression. Last night turned out to mark a double-celebration for Eritrean journalist Fathi Osman. While the father-of-four nearly […]

From the Isle of Music, June 11-17 This week our special guest is Giraldo Piloto, leader of Klimax, one of Cuba’s best Timba bands. Klimax won a Cubadisco award this year in the category Música Popular Bailable -Maestros for its album Mis 21 Años. We will listen to some of that album as we speak […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who writes: Lots happening with KiwiSDR – there are now over 130 live 0-30MHz fully controllable SDRs scatted around the world some in really interesting locations. Using Kiwi’s around the world is like being able to go on a exotic DXpedition any time. Here (attached graphic) is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Townley, who shares the following guest post originally posted on his Shortwave/Medium Wave blog: AM Broadcast Loop Antenna by James Townley Several years ago, I became interested in medium wave DXing. One of my limitations was the size of my yard, so I developed an interest in tuned loop antennas […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following sales flyer from C.Crane: NEW! CC Buds-Pro Designed and built for voice clarity and less listening fatigue A recent post from The Wall Street Journal indicates “An estimated 30 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss and the numbers are growing. A […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who notes that Jay Allen has just published a post detailing a recent Panasonic RF-2200 restoration. Click here to read Jay’s post. I recently picked up an RF-2200 at the 2017 Hamvention flea market. Like Jay, I love this particular radio. The thing is built like a tank, […]

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who recently shared the following video by Kevin Loughin which details the installation and operation of of the RSP2 on Linux. Kevin has written scripts that make the installation process more accessible to those not as familiar with Linux. According to Kevin, this will run on Ubuntu 16.04 and other Debian-based […]

(Source: Southgate ARC and Mike Terry) Caroline to be on 648 kHz with 1 kW ERP We can now announce that our AM frequency will be 648 kHz with a power of 1000 watts. This is ERP or simply the power radiated by the aerial. A transmitter was imported from the Continent a few days […]

(Source: RadioWorld via Bill Patalon) Over the course of two days in May, the Federal Communications Commission took action on four allegedly unlicensed pirate radio operators. In all these cases — one in Mount Vernon, N.Y., one in Dallas and three in a single location in East Orange, N.J. — the FCC reiterated that operating […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kim Elliott, who shares a link to this RadioShack auction: UBid Estate & Auction Services LLC ICONIC RADIOSHACK MEMORABILIA AUCTION From humble beginnings in Boston in 1921, over the past 95 years RadioShack established itself as a globally recognized leader and the go to retailer for consumer electronics. RadioShack […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who provides the following update regarding the closure of several Radio Bulgaria language services: http://bnr.bg/en/post/100837500/to-terminate-radio-bulgaria-or-not-the-jury-is-still-out The Bulgarian National Radio`s Horizont Channel aired an interview, live, with BNR Director General Alexander Velev and the chair of Radio Bulgaria`s editorial staff panel Daniela Konstantinova on the plans by the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Joe, who writes: I’ve been practicing for my Technician ham radio license here in the US and am ready for the test. I’m already looking at HF transceivers even though I don’t have my General license yet. Here’s what’s important to me: I will still do a lot of […]

Many thanks to Gary Neil Carden, who recently shared the following story with friends on Facebook, and has kindly allowed me to publish it here on the SWLing Post for everyone to enjoy. Thank you so much, Gary! Enjoy: Uncle Stoogie and the Pink Radio by Gary Neil Carden Let me tell you a story. […]

Here’s an opportunity for both ham radio operators and SWLs to log this special event air mobile station throughout June and July. Based on WB6RQN’s flight path, almost everyone should have an opportunity to put WB6RQN in the logs! The following excerpt has been copied from the Project Amelia Earhart website: About Ham Radio on […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes: Today the listeners of the Spanish service of Radio Bulgaria found a sad new in the website: http://bnr.bg/es/post/100837204 After the cessation of Radio Bulgaria short-wave broadcasts in 2012, the time has come when our programs will no longer be heard on the web. As of […]

From the Isle of Music, June 4-10 This week we begin featuring the winners and some of the nominees of Cubadisco 2017, Cuba’s most important music awards program. We will have Timba from Aisar y el Expreso de Cuba, winner of the Música Popular Bailable – Nuevos Talentos category and will also sample some of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who offers up this challenge: Here’s a fun challenge for the SWLing Post readers. On the Fox show Prison Break Season 5 Episode 7, they show this “Marine Notification System” printing out a wanted message as the captain sits in his ship and looks on. What is […]

While browsing a videos on YouTube, I stumbled across this demonstration of a brilliant little homebrewed regen receiver by Javier Guillaumet (EB3DYW): Click here to view on YouTube. What a beautiful little receiver! Though I’ve build a number of receiver kits, I’ve never built one from scratch. Someday, I will muster up the courage and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Ally, who writes: Saw this and wanted you to know about it since you mentioned loving his past Kickstarter [for the Solo WiFi radio]. I backed the Musica model instead of the Amico since it still has 18 days left and it had a CD player in it but […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, William Lee, who forwards this review of book on domestic radio history in Russia: Russia in the Microphone Age: A History of Soviet Radio, 1919-1970 Click here to download as a PDF. Click here to view/purchase this book on Amazon.com and Google Play.

There are so many reasons having a reliable radio at the ready is a good idea. We radio geeks get it. This morning, an item from Business Insider UK appeared in my news feed. The focus of the article was what not to do after a hypothetical nuclear detonation. Researchers discovered that the knee-jerk reaction from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: This is an example of a classic scam — and these are usually seen involving Watkins-Johnson 8711/A receivers. The seller puts a photo of what appears to be a good condition WJ up, with additional photos. But often these photos are faked or taken from […]

My good friend, David Korchin (K2WNW), has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough. He’s been known to find a radio that needs TLC, take it home and restore a bit of its former glory. He’s had some amazing luck in the past. Recently, DK sent a video of of his recent acquisition: a beat-up […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Stiles, who notes that he’s recently posted a video review of the Tivdio V-115 on his YouTube channel. He added that the V-115 is an, “amazing little shortwave radio with many functions including MP3 recording.” Check out Tom’s review via the embedded player or YouTube link below. Click here […]

(Source: VOA Radiogram/Kim Elliott) VOA Radiogram, 20-21 May 2017: Special doomed edition I will retire from the Voice of America on June 23, after 32 years as audience research analyst and broadcaster. I was hoping to continue to produce VOA Radiogram as a contractor. I approached various BBG and VOA offices. They all declined. And, […]

From the Isle of Music, May 28-June 3 We have just returned from Cubadisco 2017, Cuba’s most important music awards program, with the best new Cuban music and a lot of new interviews. We will begin broadcasting this wonderful new content June 4. Meanwhile, this week is a replay of an early 2016 episode featuring […]

I received a number of messages from Post readers who logged one or more of the simultaneous Requiem For Radio broadcasts. Many discovered that each frequency of the broadcast was actually a separate track of the piece. Indeed, SWLing Post contributor, Shelby Brant, posted the following comment yesterday: Listening right now, 11580, 9690, 9620, and 5130 are on, […]