The SWLing Post

From The Isle of Music, April 30-May 6 April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and April 30 is International Jazz Day. In honor of this, we dedicate this week to the new generation of Jazz musicians in Cuba and to a wonderful series of recordings in Cuba, the Jazz Young Spirit. Our special guest is Gloria […]

Here’s a hot tip for those of you who enjoy building transceiver kits: The Four State QRP group has just released The Cricket: a simple 80 CW transceiver kit. The Cricket was designed by David Cripe (NM0S) who is behind a number of successful kits (including the Ozark Patrol and the Bayou Jumper). The amazing part […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Neil Bolitho, who shares the following story in reply to our post yesterday Australian Codebreakers in WWII. Neil writes: Never to march, never to be mentioned. Since the end of the Second World War, many thousands of returned service personnel have marched at Anzac Day services throughout Australia. My father never […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ian P, for sharing the following from the radio program, ABC Overnights: The crucial role of Australian code breakers in World War 2 Thanks to the recent film, The Imitation Game, you may be familiar with the story of how British intelligence, led by mathematician Alan Turing, cracked Nazi codes […]

(Source: CBC News) Moncton artist bringing back sounds of former Sackville Radio-Canada towers A Moncton artist has brought back to life the sounds of the 13 CBC Radio-Canada International shortwave towers that once stood in Sackville, N.B. on the Tantramar Marsh. “It’s kind of like you’re conjuring ghosts of radio towers,” explained the artist Amanda […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who writes with the following question: A request for assistance. After comparing the reception of the RSP2 and 1/2 doublet to the reception of the County Comm GP-5 SSB and its little external ferrite-bar, I’ve decided I probably want to make some sort of directional antenna to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Trevor, who writes: I was very pleased this morning to discover that the latest (2017, 19th edition) of the Domestic Broadcasting Survey has been posted on the DSWCI website: Click here to download (PDF). Wow–thanks for the tip, Trevor!

From The Isle of Music, Week of April 24-29, 2017 For the benefit of our new listeners, we share one of our earliest episodes from last year with modern Cuban concert music (Piñera Concertante), Timba (El Niño y La Verdad), Danzón (Ethiel Failde, who is also our special guest), and some rare Cuban Jazz Fusion […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Crawford, who shares the following: I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for posting my inquiry on the Sony 7600GR. The post comments answered my question. I also wanted to let you know your confidence in Ebay seller Anna and Anon-co continue to be well […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who shares the following: For your listening pleasure. Here is the best video yet showing the Icom IC-R8600’s Sync Detector in use. Sounds like Icom “finally” got the Sync Detector performance right with the R8600. Appears to greatly reduce fading distortion, where as with the expensive […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bruce Fisher, who adds the following to our growing archive of radios in film. Bruce writes: Here are three shots from the first few minutes of the 1962 James Bond film “Dr. No”: The second shot is a close up of the radio in the first shot. (These appear at […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jason, who leaves the following comment in in reply to David’s recent review of the Sangean H201: I have this radio, purchased 26 Feb 2012 (so mine has lasted over 5 years) from Amazon US. Cost me $58 Australian dollars for the radio and a further $40 to ship it […]

This year, at the Winter SWL Fest, representatives from the Wave Farm recorded a number of Fest forums and events. Many thanks to David Goren who recently shared a link to these recordings on the Wave Farm’s website. For convenience, I’ve pasted a list of the recordings below which link directly to the Wavefarm archive: “Turn Your […]

ShortwaveService has uploaded the following video (to YouTube) which features the RNW Operations Van used in the recent 70th anniversary broadcast. The video includes a tour of the van, the setup used in the 70th anniversary broadcast and an extended interview with Niels Zack, who restored the operations van: Click here to view on YouTube. I listened […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Beckett, who writes with the following question for our community: Hi Thomas I am hoping you may be able to help identify the fly lead plug which fits on the jack plug of the Sony mains adapter lead for the 2001D. It terminates in a four pin female socket […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Marty Meyers, who shares the following notice from WRMI (via Facebook): 6855 kHz off air Due to interference with a U.S. Army frequency, WRMIhas been asked to vacate 6855 kHz. We are now off of this frequency. However, a replacement frequency of 9455 kHz has been assigned, and we […]

Many thanks to Al Kirton, the General Manager at NQ Radio, who has kindly shared a few more details about NQ Radio and, specifically, 4KZ: Hello Thomas NQ Radio operates about 20 AM & FM transmitters in North Queensland, Australia. Our stations are 4KZ, 4AM, 4AY, KIK FM & KOOL FM. In a couple of months […]

(Source: RadioWorld) The ABC has turned off its shortwave radio transmitters, leaving Australians in remote areas without easy access to lifeline radio OTTAWA — On Jan. 31, state-owned Australian Broadcasting Corp. shut down its shortwave radio transmitters; ending both international broadcasts of Radio Australia and the ABC’s domestic service in Australia’s Northern Territory. The transmitters […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey (our resident North Korea specialist) who shares the following comment regarding our recent post about the re-activation of the North Korean Numbers station: The Pyongyang numbers (designated V15) have either become less regular or changed their schedule since March. Its been a few months since I have personally […]

I had the pleasure of visiting the Champaign Aviation Museum recently and examining their under-restoration B-17G, “Champaign Lady”. Actually, the term “under-restoration” is incorrect. In actuality, the Champaign Aviation Museum is effectively building their B-17G nearly from scratch—quite an undertaking but one that the volunteers are performing skillfully and enthusiastically. Being an amateur radio operator, shortwave listener, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares the following notes and recordings from an Ultralight DXpedition in Kona, Hawaii: The Kona, Hawaii Ultralight Radio DXpedition was conducted from a sixth floor oceanfront motel room in the Royal Kona Resort Motel from April 9-12 (during an anniversary trip with my wife). A newly […]

A few weeks ago, SWLing Post reader, David Lang, asked for a radio recommendation–one to replace the shortwave receiver that once lived on his bathroom countertop. Since he primarily wanted to listen to a local AM broadcaster, I recommended he go a different route with his next rig to save money and extend the radio’s longevity. […]

The German industrial designer Dieter Rams is world renowned for his beautiful and functional product designs, including the Braun T-1000 portable receiver. These fine, collectable receivers appear on Ebay regularly, but this one is in pristine shape: The asking price is a cool $1,800 USD, but for the near mint condition of this T-1000 it is likely […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of April 16-22, 2017 No guest this week, just a wonderful mix of multiple styles of Cuban music from the 1950s to today. Four possibilities to listen via shortwave: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in all directions with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on […]

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post contributors who’ve shared this particular item from The National Interest: North Korea Broadcasts Really Strange Messages As New Nuclear Weapons Test Looms Pyongyang is reportedly broadcasting encrypted messages reminiscent of those used to contact spies during the Cold War. […]As North Korea prepares to mark a key […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Hawkins, who writes: This evening I watched the excellent Undercover: How to Operate Behind Enemy Lines on Netflix streaming. This is a 1943 training film for Office of Strategic Services personnel learning how be secret agents. The film was directed by the legendary John Ford who also took […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who shares the following details about the ‘Keep in touch with the Dutch’: Symposium marking the ninetieth anniversary of international radio broadcasting in the Netherlands, 1927-2017: (Source: Historici.nl via Jonathan Marks) ‘Keep in touch with the Dutch’: Symposium marking the ninetieth anniversary of international radio broadcasting in the Netherlands, […]

I was very happy to see the following message from Jon Hudson at SDRplay this morning: “ADS-B for both RSP1 and RSP2 is now available for the Raspberry Pi 2 & 3 – you can get the software from downloads – http://www.sdrplay.com/downloads If you are an RSP2 user, make sure you use Antenna Port B […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gerard Koopal, who shares the following: Below an article about the return of RNW Netherlands out of a 1958 truck on april 15. Although i suppose you can’t read German, the times and freq’s should be clear. … zwar nur für einen Tag aber immerhin: Am 15. April, also […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chuck Rippel (K8HU) for the following guest post: A Tale of Two Radios: Tecsun PL-880 vs Eton/Grundig Executive Satellit By Chuck Rippel, K8HU This proved to be a difficult comparison strictly when writing from the perspective of “which one is better.” In my view, the two models compliment each […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Cross Country Wireless release HF Preselector Cross Country Wireless have released a HF Preselector. It is a passive high Q design that does not use an amplifier or external power. It tunes from 0.5 to 52 MHz. It is ideal for use with simple SDR receivers like the RTF-SDR dongle with upconverter […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who shares the following: This eBay item grabbed my attention primarily for its price. I see that you blogged about one in June last year. Click here to view on eBay. Thank you Mark! While the price is quite high at 1,100 GBP (roughly $1,375 US), it’s […]

(Source: Jon Hudson, SDRplay) API 2.10 has been released. We recommend you update your system to this latest version. We are constantly improving our software and updating to the latest version will allow us to provide you with the best possible support. Users can simply go to our Downloads page on: http://www.sdrplay.com/downloads/ and download their […]

Many thanks to Adrian Korol, at RAE, for sharing the following update from Actualidad DX: ACTUALIDAD DX.COM.AR brings you the latest news of the radio world, the short waves, the media, the telecommunications, the DX, the ham radio and the digital context every week. A production of RAE Argentina to the world, edited by Arnaldo Slaen […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who writes: There was a segment on the latest episode of AWR’s Wavescan (9 April 2017) about the Titus II DRM receiver recorded during the recent HFCC meeting in Jordan. In it, it was stated that the shipment of the first 1500 units was expected at the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Porter, who writes: Radio Laser aka Laser 558 was an 80’s pirate station off the coat of England. Looks like one of the main movers is hosting a revival. Dave shared the following email from Laser 558: 7 April 2017 Dear David, Hopefully you have now had chance […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following news from NQ Radio/4KZ: NEW SHORTWAVE SERVICE: In May 2017 Radio 4KZ Innisfail in far North Queensland will commence transmission on 5055 kHz between 4pm and about 9am seven days a week. The station will run 1.5kw into an inverted V antenna and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who notes the following: [Tiganesti] will be off air 5am to 1pm GMT April 11 for maintenance. Galbeni will remain on air. As heard on Radio Romania International’s 9610 kHz 2030 UTC broadcast during the news. Many thanks for the tip, Paul!

Hi there, back in 1990 I was given a Panasonic RF-B40 for my birthday (I think it was my birthday…1990 was a long time ago!). I found that radio to be very sensitive on shortwave, more so perhaps than my Sangean ATS-803A, but ultimately it didn’t really add much value to any serious DXing because […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, for sharing the following report of his Sony ICF-EX5MK2 analog receiver: A report on the Sony ICF-EX5MK2 by Troy Riedel The consensus, ultimate, all-time AM DX radio is the Panasonic RF-2200. I do not nor have I ever owned this radio [yet!]. As such, I do not have […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: BULLETIN !!! KUWAIT As heard by Rich Nowak and posted on the Gary J. Cohen SWL Group on Facebook, then confirmed here in Maryland, it appears that Kuwait is back on shortwave, heard from 2000 UTC on 15540. While the signal level does not approach […]

Remember the weekend 40 meter Enigma message transmitted by DL0HNF? At least one recipient decoded this message: (Source: Southgate ARC) 40m Enigma Message decrypted at Bletchley Park On Friday, April 7 the amateur radio station DLØHNF transmitted an Enigma encrypted message on 7036 kHz to Bletchley Park DLØHNF is the club station at the Heinz […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Troy, Ron and Steve, who note that Jay Allen has just posted a review of the Grundig Executive Satellit on his website. The upshot? Jay found the performance identical to the previous (non-Executive) version of the Satellit which is to say that it has excellent AM performance and built-in audio. In […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of April 9-15, 2017 This week, special guest Pablo Menéndez, former member of GESI and current leader of Mezcla, returns to discuss Mezcla (in English), one of Cuba’s most important Fusion ensembles. We also listen to music by other former GESI members such as Silvio Rodríguez, Pablo Milanés and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Charles Rippel, who notes: Amazon have the Satellit Executive on sale for $156.92 just now: Click here to view on Amazon.com. Thanks for the tip, Charles!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Goren, who shares the following (via Facebook): Short Waves / Long Distance Repository The Short Waves / Long Distance Repository is now online. Comprised of selected works from submissions to the highly competitive open call Short Waves / Long Distance, these 38 works exploring the sonics of the shortwave […]

(Source: ABC Rural via London Shortwave) Could Radio Outbackistan be the next shortwave broadcaster for rural Australia? In response to the ABC abolishing its HF shortwave radio service, the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) president has turned to humour to propose his own broadcast alternative. On Friday, in front of hundreds of cattle producers, Tom […]

Many thanks to a number of Post contributors who’ve shared a link to links to bcloyaji’s YouTube Channel where a few videos of the Icom IC-R8600 have been posted. (Thank you for your patience, as well, as I’ve been traveling and way behind on posting this!) I’ve embedded a few videos below, but I encourage you to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Crawford, who writes: As the 7600GR supplies 6v DC to the external antenna jack to power their active loop antennas there seems to be a great deal of confusion on the web about whether one can or cannot use an external antenna such as a random length of […]