The SWLing Post

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 […]

(Source: The Daily Journal via Richard Cuff) KGEI: A forgotten WWII radio story Sometimes history is hidden in plain sight or site — as is the case of a blockhouse-shaped building located, appropriately, on Radio Road in the Redwood Shores area of Redwood City. There is no plaque to remind the few visitors to the […]

(Source: The Daily Journal via Richard Cuff) KGEI: A forgotten WWII radio story Sometimes history is hidden in plain sight or site — as is the case of a blockhouse-shaped building located, appropriately, on Radio Road in the Redwood Shores area of Redwood City. There is no plaque to remind the few visitors to the […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) New owner for Practical Wireless and RadioUser magazines Roger Hall & Steve Hunt have made the following announcement on the PW Publishing website: We are very pleased to announce that Practical Wireless and RadioUsermagazines have been bought by Warners Group Publications, a Lincolnshire-based multi-million-pound turnover publishing company that specialises in producing magazines, websites and events for niche hobbies. They believe that both Practical Wireless and RadioUser are […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) New owner for Practical Wireless and RadioUser magazines Roger Hall & Steve Hunt have made the following announcement on the PW Publishing website: We are very pleased to announce that Practical Wireless and RadioUsermagazines have been bought by Warners Group Publications, a Lincolnshire-based multi-million-pound turnover publishing company that specialises in producing magazines, websites and events for niche hobbies. They believe that both Practical Wireless and RadioUser are […]

The 2017 eclipse is quickly approaching (August 21)–!! If you would like to participate in a fascinating radio experiment coinciding with the event, check out this undertaking outlined on the website HamSCI. Note that you do not need to be in the path of totality in order to participate. Here’s the summary: On 21 August […]

The 2017 eclipse is quickly approaching (August 21)–!! If you would like to participate in a fascinating radio experiment coinciding with the event, check out this undertaking outlined on the website HamSCI. Note that you do not need to be in the path of totality in order to participate. Here’s the summary: On 21 August […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Here’s a review on a Swedish Hobby Radio website of the GOSPELL GR-216 MULTI-BAND AM / FM /Shortwave / DRM receiver, which you reported about on 9/6/2016 and is now is reportedly about to go into production: http://www.hobbyradio.se/en/drm/gospell_en.html The latest Mediumwave / Shortwave / VHF-FM receiver […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Here’s a review on a Swedish Hobby Radio website of the GOSPELL GR-216 MULTI-BAND AM / FM /Shortwave / DRM receiver, which you reported about on 9/6/2016 and is now is reportedly about to go into production: http://www.hobbyradio.se/en/drm/gospell_en.html The latest Mediumwave / Shortwave / VHF-FM receiver […]

(Source: news.com.au via Trevor R) The ABC has been slammed by all sides of politics over its “foolish” decision to cut the transmission of shortwave radio to remote Australia and the Pacific Islands. The Senate debated a private bill on Thursday by crossbench senator Nick Xenophon to force the ABC to restore transmission after it […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who notes that CountyComm has announced a 48 hour sale on the GP5-SSB (read our review here). The price is currently $71.99 US plus shipping. Click here to view the deal at CountyComm.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, who writes: The Zastone ZT-D9000 radio has actually been out for a while and is a Dual Band Mobile (Triband with option), nothing fancy there and bears a striking resemblance to the Icom IC-2820H (clone?). Options include GPS, Bluetooth, 220Mhz and LW (The latter is really weird!). What […]

(Source: Talking Biz News via Howard Bailen) Marketplace and BBC World Service announced Tuesday a new daily global business broadcast, “Marketplace Morning Report” from BBC World Service. The new broadcast launches Tuesday, Sept. 5 on U.S. public radio stations nationwide. The program will be hosted live from London by the BBC’s Anu Anand, who has […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jeff Dumps (KL4IU), who writes: I was wondering if you would be interested in sponsoring my amateur radio science experiment at HAARP. I am a new ham, and have participated in the February HAARP campaign, assisting Dr. Chris Fallen. It has inspired me to try an experiment. My experiment is […]

There’s an interesting YouTube documentary released by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on the refurbishment of both transmitters and antennas for the mediumwave outlets of 558 and 990 kHz. This was completed with the financial and technical assistance of the Japanese government. It will be very interesting for MW DXers to see how well the new […]

Yesterday, prior to heading out the door for two days of travel, I received the Digitech AR-1780 I ordered ten days ago from an Australian eBay vendor. I’m very pleased with how quickly the order was processed and delivered via the post. The radio arrived in a rugged mail pouch and was double boxed inside. […]

(Source: CNN) There are few more important inventions in the history of the world than the radio. While in recent years it may have become less popular than television or the internet, it could be argued that the radio was the first electronic gadget to play a prominent part in people’s lives. Radio is where […]

(Source: Radio Today UK) Ten BBC local radio stations will lose at least one AM transmitter in January 2018 as part of the BBC’s Delivering Quality First plan. BBC Radio Sussex, Surrey, Humberside, Wiltshire, Nottingham, Kent, and Lincolnshire will no longer be accessible on medium wave, whilst BBC Radio Devon, Radio Lancashire and BBC Essex […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Lennart Weirell, who shares the following I read the posting about Radio FAX, and I heard the station 1988-10-23, but on MW 1611 kHz a frequency they also used. [Please see above and below] a copy of the QSL-card and stencil from Radio FAX. Thanks so much for sharing your […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov, who writes: Thomas, I did not see a story on the blog about the HF atmospheric heating experiments conducted by the Arecibo observatory a couple of weeks ago. Thomas Cholakov N1SPY made a video about it but I am also sure a bunch of other listeners were able […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, William Lee, who shares this item from ABC News: Radio Caroline: Golden age of British pirate radio remembered, 50 years on They were the pirates of the open seas — bringing rock and pop music to a new generation. And the British government was furious. Back in the 1960s, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, William Lee, who notes that the radio documentary Elettra is now available to rent (A$5.10) or download via Vimeo. Note that this program has geographic restrictions and may be limited to streaming in Australia: ELETTRA from Ronin Films on Vimeo. Encouraged by her friendship with Australian broadcaster, Ben Starr, the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ante Milisa, who writes: I came across a new product from well known radio producer Sangean: the Sangean TR-108. I believe this is a successor to Sangean’s well-known Sangean PR-D8, which I had and which was great. It seems like this one is currently only produced for the Asian […]

(Source: Radio Info) Bill to restore shortwave rejected by Senate Committee A Senate Committee inquiring into the possibility of restoring ABC Shortwave services has rejected proposed legislation to restore the international radio service. Several members of the committee presented dissenting reports. The ABC ended its shortwave transmission service in the Northern Territory and to international […]

(Source: news.com.au via Ian P) ON MAPS, this site was marked as a children’s playground. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When the Chernobyl nuclear explosion happened in 1986, it shook the world in many ways. Not only did it put the now ghost town of Pripyat on the map for all the wrong […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge (G8AUU), who sent the following feedback a few days ago. Sorry for missing the boat, Kris! Kris writes: Just under two weeks ago I was watching a Norwegian film on Polish TV (no, don’t ask) and knowing how the sight of old radio’s in films is of interest […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and app developer, Stephen Cooper, who shares this press release: 7th August 2017 – Shortwave Radio Schedules adds Premium upgrade Popular Android app Shortwave Radio Schedules has this week been updated to add two of the most requested features as a premium upgrade to the app. “Now” and “Favourites” […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christopher Brennen, who writes: I hope you’re keeping well. I stumbled across this site and thought you might be interested: http://radiofax.org I am a little too young to know anything about this; not only was I five / six when they first started but I also had no idea about […]

My, how times have changed! I remember when I was a kid, if you wanted an FM transmitter with more power than the allowed FCC Part 15 regulations (250uV/m or 48dBu at 3 meters), you had to build it or hack it yourself. Those days are long gone. SWLing Post contributor, Bill, shares a link to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ben (PA2OLD), who writes: On Saturday August 5 we heard a test broadcast at 6160 kHz AM in English, early in the evening. They are going to broadcast for Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England. I have a video of this test broadcast [below]. We have not discovered who […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares a link to this eBay seller who has recently posted a number of vintage solid state radios from his collection. Many of the radios have BuyItNow prices and auction dates nine days out. Many of these are Panasonic models and only a couple have shortwave. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following video where he demonstrate a recently-acquired Cubic R-2411V3/U commercial rack-mounted receiver: Click here to view on YouTube. Wow–and you found this beauty at a hamfest, Dan? What an incredible catch! Thanks for sharing.

(Source: Defense Video Imagery Distribution System) NAVAL BASE GUAM , GUAM 08.04.2017 Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Torrey Lee Commander, Task Force 75 Subscribe 5 Commander, Task Force (CTF) 75 successfully completed communications systems tests using high-frequency (HF) radio waves to broadcast voice and data 6,050 miles from Naval Base Guam to Port Hueneme, […]

(Source: Reuters via Ken Hansen and Dan Hawkins) LONDON (Reuters) – The risk of cyber attacks targeting ships’ satellite navigation is pushing nations to delve back through history and develop back-up systems with roots in World War Two radio technology. Ships use GPS (Global Positioning System) and other similar devices that rely on sending and receiving […]

If you’re a regular Post reader, you’re probably aware that I enjoy a relatively RFI-free environment at my rural mountain home. RFI-free living is something of a luxury, even though our rural location also equates to appallingly slow Internet service. But unfortunately, when I travel, I usually find that I’ve traded my RFI-free atmosphere for […]

Earlier today, intrepid SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, spotted an interesting link on Google when he searched for “C.Crane Skywave SSB”: Turns out, it’s a product sheet for a new C.Crane radio: the CC Skywave SSB. Ther is no mention of this radio on C.Crane’s website yet. Here’s a screenshot: Yes, C.Crane has obviously listened […]