The SWLing Post

Hi there, if you’re a subscriber to the Oxford Shortwave Log YouTube channel, you will be aware that I have been using a Wellbrook ALA1530 H field antenna, for 15 months or so, with (at times) excellent results. A while back I was on the lookout for a second antenna, however at more than £250, I […]

(Source: BBC Media Centre) BBC makes 1920s Radio Times magazines available to public The BBC is making the earliest issues of the complete Radio Times magazines publicly available online for the first time. This release is part of the BBC Genome Project – a digitised searchable database of programme listings – from 1923 to the […]

Among SWLing Post readers, I’m sure there are others like myself who, decades ago, listened to the Zzzt…Zzzt…Zzzt! sound of a dot-matrix printer as it spit out copy for “pasting up” a DX club bulletin. In the 1980s I was one of those enterprising DXers, taking over publication of the Cascade Mountain DX Club (CMDXC) […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul, who writes: I was a morse intercept operator in the USAF in the late 1960s. I have a nice picture of a FLR-9 at Misawa Japan (now gone I think): I was at Misawa from 68-70 in the USAF Security Service. I copied high speed code, mostly cut […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Enigma encrypted message to be sent in 40m In cooperation with Bletchley Park, the Heinz Nixdorf Museum DLØHNF in Paderborn, Germany is hosting a cipher event on April 7 A Google translation of the DARC post reads: As with the first event of this kind ten years ago, an encrypted message is […]

I stumbled across a video from the fabulous Mr Carlson’s Lab YouTube channel. If you haven’t check out this channel before, and you are really eager to learn more about electronics, this is a wonderful YouTube site. So, in the latest episode, Mr Carlson takes us on a tour of a very large Gates BC-250-GY broadcast […]

(Source: Radio Mag via Dennis Dura) AIR Launching DRM Conversion, Phase II NEW DELHI — All India Radio was recently congratulated by India’s Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Venkaiah Naidu for having completed phase I of the national DRM digital radio roll-out in India. Thirty-seven DRM transmitters have been installed by AIR throughout […]

SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, is the former White House, Congressional and foreign correspondent for the Voice of America. I’ve just learned that Dan has authored a piece in the Columbia Journalism Review titled “Spare the indignation: Voice of America has never been independent“: Spare the indignation: Voice of America has never been independent I encourage you […]

(Source: CQ Newsroom & FCC) Hams in the U.S. will soon have two new bands on which to operate, experiment and contribute to the collective knowledge of “the radio art.” In a Report and Order issued on March 30, the FCC approved creation of secondary amateur allocations at 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 meters) and 472-479 kHz […]

1. New A17 Schedule for From the Isle of Music including the addition of SpaceLine From the Isle of Music, Week of April 2-8, 2017 Our A17 Season begins April 2 with a new schedule, and our first episode will be a re-broadcast of our special about Grupo de Experimentación Sonora del ICAIC, a supergroup […]

In a Twitter exchange yesterday @dean_frey shared the photo above of Ernest Hemingway on Safari in Kenya in 1952. I believe this may be a Zenith Transcoceanic model H500. Could a Transoceanic expert in the Post community confirm of correct me? Please comment! I know this: I love Earl Thiesen photos. Thanks for sharing, Dean! Check out Dean’s […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares the following post from Icom UK: Icom Inc. has released more details about the launch of the IC-7610 HF/50MHz SDR Transceiver and its target price. Icom plans to release this high performance HF SDR transceiver around late May with the product being rolled out […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN) who shares a link to this National Panasonic RF-2200 on ShopGoodwill. The bid is currently $78 and ends this evening. You must be registered with ShopGoodwill and have a PayPal account to place a bid. Note that I’ve had some very good luck in the past […]

Many thanks to an intrepid SWLing Post reader who shares the following FCC application from Allan Weiner at WBCQ: Click here to download. I contacted Allan and asked if he could provide any details yet. His reply was almost poetic: “It’s simple. WBCQ will be constructing one of the biggest, most powerful, most versatile shortwave transmitter and antenna […]

(Source: Saverio Masetti on Facebook) IBC – ITALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION – A17 We are proud to communicate the new schedule effective from 27 March 2017. Following the requests of many listeners, we introduce a new 30 minutes weekly broadcast in English, to Europe and the Americas; at the end of every English broadcast there will […]

Many thanks to an SWLing Post contributor who shares this FCC PDF document: Remarks of FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly Before the 2017 Hispanic Radio Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida March 28, 2017. Note O’Rielly’s remarks regarding pirate radio enforcement in the south Florida radio market: “Many of you may have heard me speak before about pirate radio, a huge problem […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post: HRO-500 Unboxing and Initial Tests by Dan Robinson It is amazing that in these days of waning shortwave broadcast activity, there are still those occasional time capsules — radios that appear on the used market via Ebay or private sales that are […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrew Yoder, who writes: Just a reminder that the next Global HF Weekend is coming up: March 30-April 2, 2017 Finnish DXer Harri Kujala started the weekends (the 1st weekend of April & the 1st weekend of November) about five years ago & I said I’d write about them. […]

I am very happy to share that the BBC Radio 4 program Wireless Nights, Series 5, features our own community member London Shortwave this week. The show aired tonight (March 27) and the audio is now available to stream via the Radio 4 website. I’ve also embedded the audio below: http://open.live.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/5/redir/version/2.0/mediaset/audio-nondrm-download/proto/http/vpid/p04y5xyl.mp3 Here’s the description of the show from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rafman, who writes: The SDRplay RSP-1 OEM Metal case is ready for order and shipment Worldwide Includes: 1x Black aluminum metal enclosure with two labeled side panels, 1x Broadcast FM band-stop filter plus SMA Male to SMA Male barrel adapter, 1x Black semi-hardshell carry case, 1x Thermal pad to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Korchin (K2WNW), for sharing a link to this Braun T-1000 on eBay. With two days left on the auction and already 73 bids, I believe David is correct in assuming this radio might fetch upward of 900 Euro. Braun models certainly tend to fetch premium prices. The T-1000 […]

(Source: The Telegraph via Mike Barraclough on Facebook) On 17 March 1899, the East Goodwin Sands Lightship, operating under a licence from the General Post Office, BT’s predecessor, sent a signal on behalf of the merchant vessel Elbe, which had run aground on the treacherous Goodwin Sands off the coast of Kent. The message was […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Troy Riedel, who writes: “This [Executive series] sale has been going on since 18 March (and Amazon now lists that it will end in “5 days”):” Many thanks for the tip, Troy! Those are both great prices: the Traveler for $47.04 and the Satellit for $156.69 shipped. Timing is […]

(Source: ABC News) Saying goodbye to Radio Australia on the shortwave after 37 years Kevin De Reus has lived in the same 24-kilometre-radius his whole life. Born and raised in Iowa in the US, Kevin now calls his grandfather’s farm — just 12 kilometres from where he grew up in central Des Moines — home. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, who writes: Photos of the site were posted in December. Mauno Ritola posted in the WRTH Facebook group January 26 that “James Planck informs, that KIMF Battle Mountain NV, USA plans to start operation around 1st April on shortwave. Time will tell, if the plan is realistic.” Click here […]

Recently, Tecsun announced and released onto the market the new S-8800 receiver. Thomas Witherspoon has indicated that sensitivity, selectivity and audio fidelity are very good for this new unit. BUT…..in his post on February 12, 2017, entitled Tecsun S-8800 Update, Thomas discovered that his new S-8800 has a serious fault, one that could potentially drive radio […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Servo, who writes: While going through the FCC Daily Digest for my own hobby website, I came across the International Authorizations section and happened to take a look today. To my surprise, a license to cover has been filed for HF station KIMF in Beowawe, NV! I can’t […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of March 26- April 1, 2017 This week, in honor of the International Rueda de Casino Multi Flash Mob day that takes place April 1, our special guest Juanito Gómez, a leading figure in the Rueda de Casino dance movement in Cuba, will discuss the development of the Rueda […]

(Source: Vatican Radio via London Shortwave) Vatican Radio’s English SW broadcast to Asia come to an end Vatican Radio’s English shortwave broadcast for Asia has come to an end, with its last transmission going out Friday evening, after nearly 60 years of service. However this does not mean it has disappeared altogether. What ultimately closed on […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Daniel Hawkins, who leaves the following comment in reply to our previous post about the Northern Radio SP-600 and discussion about diversity operation. Dan writes: Diversity operation: two or more receivers and antennas used to copy CW or RTTY from one or more transmitters. Most of the Hammarlund SP-600s were […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: Those of us who still use SP-600s, and those of us who once did but can’t deal with them in retirement, lust after some of the rarer versions of the radio. This is one of them, the Northern Radio modified SP-600. Click here to view […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Srebnick (K2DLS), who recently posted a detailed overview of his ADS-B installation on his blog: Monitoring NextGen ATC (on the cheap!) A key component of next generation air traffic control is Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B). The current FAA mandate is for all included aircraft to output ADB-B […]

(Source: ARRL via Ed Ganshirt) International Crystal Manufacturing (ICM) of Oklahoma City has announced that it will be going out of business, probably at the end of May. Royden Freeland Jr., W5EMH, son of the company’s founder, posted a letter this week on the ICM website. “We will be honoring all orders that we have already […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who notes that Jay Allen has updated his AM radio shootout for 2017. Jay publishes the following: It’s Here! The AM Portables Mega Shootout 2017 Update has just been posted. I believe this is one of the most comprehensive ratings lists of portable AM radios anywhere and for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tony Roper, who shares the following guest post which originally appeared on his blog, Planes and Stuff: Quick LNA4ALL test by Tony Roper Despite the best efforts of the Royal Mail service, I have been able to get my hands on a Low Noise Amplifier created by Adam at […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) USB power banks are a convenient way of powering low power USB devices in the field. Unfortunately, as they are designed for charging phones and tablets, many have an internal electronic cut out circuit that switches power off below a certain current draw. The exact current that they switch off at varies […]

(Source: The Telegraph via Andy Sennitt) A British-born DJ from Crawley is vying to become the ruler of a tiny self-declared principality in Italy, an honour that would earn him the enviable title “His Tremendousness”. Mark Dezzani hopes to become the Prince of Seborga, a village overlooking the Italian Riviera that unilaterally declared its independence […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares the following news about Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday: (Source: The Mirror) The face which inspired hope to a nation during the dark days of WW2 will once again light up the White Cliffs of Dover. Forces Sweetheart Vera Lynn turns 100 today with […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes: Here is a very interesting PDF legal document (via Prime Clerk) that not only has the “COMPLETE” RadioShack store list that are closing by early April (Tranche One and Two) but with important dates given. Click here to download Docket 98-2 (PDF). (more info: […]

(Source: The Consumerist) RadioShack is, once again, bankrupt and all of its locations that aren’t being converted to Sprint stores are potentially on the chopping block. A new court filing has finally revealed which of the nearly 200 Shacks will be closing in the immediate future. Update: We also have the list of 365 more […]

If you’re a fan of rock’n’roll, you no doubt heard the sad news of Chuck Berry’s passing today after 90 years at full throttle. Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who notes that a number of pirate stations have been playing Chuck Berry tributes tonight; these will, no doubt, continue into tomorrow night, […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of March 20 -25, 2017 This week, our special guest Oriente López, the Musical Director of Afrocuba during much of the 1980s and now with his own excellent projects, will discuss both Afrocuba, one of Cuba’s most interesting Fusion/Cuban Jazz ensembles, especially during the 1980s, and his own current […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Thomas Ally, who notes that TX Factor have just published their 15th episode. Here’s the episode description via TX Factor: Bob gives a relaxed overview of the RS-BA1 remote control software for the Icom IC-7300. We meet two youngsters with a passion for amateur radio. And Mike and Bob head […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Pradip, who shares the following story from Radio and Music Biz online: AIR has acquired 37 DRM transmitters, in talks to get cheaper radio sets NEW DELHI: All India Radio (AIR) has introduced digital radio technology in the AIR Network by installing new state of the art Digital Radio […]

(Source: Southgate ARC and Dave Zantow) New video: Icom RS-BA1. Installing & setting-up remote control for your IC-7300 The TX Factor have produced a video that logically goes through the step by step process of remote controlling an Icom Amateur radio, more specifically in this case, the IC-7300 using the RS-BA1 remote control software. The […]

(Source: Tom Taylor) Relays This Weekend Hamurger Lokal Radio via Shortwave Station Göhren, Germany with 1KW to Western Europe: 6190 KHz Every Saturday 07.00 to 11.00 UTC 7265 KHz Every Saturday 11.00 to 16.00 UTC 9485 KHz Every Sunday 10.00 to 13.00 UTC Contact email: redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de Next scheduled transmissions from Radio City: Friday March 17th […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who notes that HFCC A17 schedules for all stations are now available at http://www.hfcc.org/data/a17/index.phtml. Thanks again, Richard!

If you’ve been an SWLing Post reader for long, you’ll have “met” him virtually; if you’ve been in attendance the Winter SWL Fest recently, you’ll recognize him, may have heard him speak, and perhaps even have met him in person. I’m speaking, of course, of my good friend, Post contributor, and fellow radio listener, Mark Fahey. What you might not […]

(Source: Jon Hudson, SDRplay) SDRplay has just released SDRuno version 1.13 which adds the much requested ‘IF Out’ facility for Panadapter use. It also includes the following updates: Bug Fixes Fixed RSP2 IF AGC/gain slider display issues Updates Added IF Output mode for transceivers Added 250 Hz to frequency step size list Default page in […]

This morning, while browsing eBay, I noticed a high-production retailer selling an RTL-SDR package for $300 US! (To add insult to injury, this isn’t even the latest version of the RTL-SDR dongle!) I post this warning message to those who are new to the world of the RTL-SDR. You should never pay more than $30 […]