The SWLing Post

(Source: WWV) NOTICE OF SCHEDULED BROADCAST OUTAGE: Due to an electrical upgrade, Radio Station WWV will be off the air on all frequencies on February 21 and 22, 2017. The outages will occur between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM Mountain Standard Time, and will not exceed 8 hours duration each day. I’m not sure that I’ll […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Colin McKeeman, who at my request, kindly shares the following guest post: Monitoring Aeronautical Communications – A Personal Retrospective View By Colin McKeeman Hopefully this article will demonstrate that this hobby involves so much more than just listening to ATC (Air Traffic Control) advising “Shamrock 105 you are cleared to land […]

Bill Tilford, who currently brings us From the Isle of Music on WBCQ and Channel 292, is launching a second program, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, a half hour music variety program, on March 2 on WBCQ, 7490 Khz. It will be a combination of Americana, World Music, Comedy, Novelty, and Bill threatens that it will […]

Many thanks to Chris Fallen (KL3WX), Assistant research professor in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical – Space Physics group , who shares the following update from the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP): Campaign time! Experiments begin in the mid morning 19 February Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and continue intermittently through the evening each […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of February 20-25, 2017 This week, special guest Julio Montoro shares the music of Alma Latina; some music from one of Cuba’s first JoJazz competition winners, Carlos Sarduy, and the Timba of Pedro Pablo & La Rebambaramba. WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas) […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rafman, who shares this tip via the Elad Yahoo Group where Elad engineer Franco writes: Today I can show new hardware capabilities of FDM-S3: 24.576 MHz I/Q stream and you can see the whole 88-108MHz FM Band sampled. The FDM-S3 is equipped of USB-3 controller… Here a screenshot: https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxlfi…/FDM-S3_FM_BAND_24MHZ_1.png […]

Many thanks to Chris Fallen (KL3WX), Assistant research professor in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical – Space Physics group , who shares the following update in reference to upcoming HAARP activities: Regarding this February 2017 campaign, HAARP will be operating from 19 to 22 February. Specifically, experiments will begin daily sometime after 1800 hours 2/19 […]

(Source: Tom Taylor) 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 Radio City via: IRRS to Europe on 7290 KHz (every 3rd Friday) […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who is quite a Drake fan and recently spotted this SPR-4 on eBay. The seller has it listed as an auction currently at $400, but with a BuyItNow price of $600 US. That’s a fairly steep price considering Universal Radio has sold them in the past for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Hans de Zeeuw (MM6HDZ), who writes: Hi, Thomas here’s a message from bonny Scotland: Yesterday I found at eBay a JRC NRD-630 receiver for auction. The receiver is located in London, UK and the seller ships worldwide: Click here to view on eBay. An opportunity for people who are looking […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who shares the following: FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s remarks at the North American Broadcasters Association’s Future of Radio and Audio Symposium from today have been posted at http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0216/DOC-343529A1.pdf I found the most interesting info in the statement is only 44% of the top selling smartphones in the […]

(Source: The Irish Post) RTÉ are set to continue transmitting their longwave 252 service until at least 2019 after positive talks took place at a consultative meeting in London. The news follows a statement issued by RTÉ back in October in which the state broadcaster announced its “intention to close the service in 2017.” RTÉ […]

RF filters are used (as the name implies) to filter/remove the frequencies you are not interested in and/or let frequencies you want pass . They come in lots of types. For example a band-pass filter lets the signals in a frequency range to pass through it and rejects/attenuates other frequencies. The opposite of band-pass filter […]

(Source: Shepparton News) The shortwave broadcast station which beamed Radio Australia to the Pacific from Shepparton could be coming back online. South Australian senator Nick Xenophon earlier this week introduced a bill to parliament, which if passed would force the ABC to bring back shortwave broadcasts. […]Senator Xenophon criticised the decision, which was made by […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, George, who writes: With all of the recent postings about the Shipping Forecast, I thought I’d share this excellent little video produced by the Met Office: Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you, George!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hist, who writes: I’m currently enjoying season 2 of Fargo on Netflix. This radio popped up in episode 9, in use by the South Dakota police. Sharp eyes, Mark! I’m impressed with the number of radio sightings you find in present-day TV and film.

Hi there, it’s been about three weeks now since I started DXing with the Eton Satellit and I thought it time to post an updated review, based on my experiences thus far, along with some recent catches. Noting that other radio hobbyists with a strong presence online have been posting neutral to negative reviews on […]

(Source: University of Alaska Fairbanks News) UAF plans HAARP research campaign The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is planning its first research campaign at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility in Gakona. At the end of February, scientists will use the HAARP research instrument to conduct multiple experiments, including a study of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ashok Shankar Das, who shares the following guest post originally published on his blog SWLDAS: International Radio Fair and World Radio Day by Ashok Shankar Das For last few years Outreach International used to organize a radio fair. This year too they organized “International Radio Fair 2017” at Bhubaneswar, Odisha. […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) National VOA Museum to celebrate 75th anniversary of Voice of America There’s an important birthday celebration in West Chester this year: the 75th anniversary of the Voice of America. “We’re planning a series of events and exhibits this year to celebrate the VOA’s commitment across America and the world to embrace best […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Kris Partridge (G8AUU) who shares the following comment in reply to our post about Dave’s experience forcing the Shipping Forecast to repeat a broadcast: Hi Dave, G4OYX, et al Not the only time the Shipping Forecast has had to be repeated for ‘Operational Error’ I hold my hand up […]

This article originally appeared on the London Shortwave blog. As many of my readers and followers will already know, these days I mostly enjoy listening to shortwave radio via the outdoor spectrum captures I make in my local park. Although I have built a system that helps me deal with urban radio interference at home, some […]

Today is UNESCO World Radio Day: “a day to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves. Radio is the mass media reaching the widest audience in the world. […]

If you’re considering purchasing the Tecsun S-8800, this is an important post. I’ve had the S-8800 for about two weeks and had planned to have audio clip comparisons prepared and posted by now. My exceptionally busy schedule has made this difficult–and there a few other complicating factors. First off, the good news: in terms of sensitivity, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following announcement: KIYU 88.1 Galena, Alaska oldies show “Afternoon On The River” via WRMI 15,770 kHz Friday February 24th 2200-0100UT. Many thanks, Paul! It’ll be fun tuning in!

From the Isle of Music, Week of February 13-18, 2017 This week, the conclusion of Una Mecanica Diferente and an excellent mix of multiple other genres of Cuban music. Three options for listening on shortwave: WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0100-0200 UTC (8pm-9pm EST Mondays in the Americas) Channel 292, 6070 KHz, Fridays 1100-1200 UTC (1200-1300 […]

For those interested in listening for and/or tracking CubeSats, this was posted by ARRL: CubeSat with Amateur Radio Transponder Set to Launch on February 15 AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL have announced that at the Nayif-1 1U CubeSat, which includes a full FUNcube communication package, is set for launch on an Indian PSLV launch vehicle on February […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Slow-scan television (SSTV) transmissions are planned from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 13-14, 2017 The SSTV images will be transmitted as part of the MAI-75 Experiment on 145.800 MHz FM using the Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver located in the Russian ISS Service module. It is thought they may use the PD-180 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jim Salmon, who shares the following press release: 95 years ago on Tuesday 14th February 1922, a small group of young, gifted, charismatic – & perhaps slightly irreverent – Marconi employees turned on a medium wave transmitter in a ‘long low hut’ in a waterlogged field in Writtle, Chelmsford, & […]

(Source: NPR) John Lansing is the CEO of the governing body in charge of the government-funded Voice of America news service. He talks with Steve Inskeep about the agency’s operations under the new administration. Click here for the full story at NPR.

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader and author, Colin McKeeman, who shares the following announcement: As a mature aviation historian and keen HF monitor since the mid-1960’s, as you will note from my blog this has prompted me to produce this detailed record of the [Birdlip Aeronautical HF Communications Complex, U.K.] stations activities. […]The activities of this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who has recently added the hidden bandwidth adjustment feature to Cap Tux’s excellent PL-880 reference sheet. Here are links to download the updated sheet: PDF MS Word I will also add this to the Complete list of Tecsun PL-880 hidden features page: a place where you can comment […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Harper (AE5X), who is kindly allowing me to re-post the following article originally published on his excellent blog: Radio Australia, and a sea story by John (AE5X) From London Shortwave: “It’s official: Radio Australia are no longer on shortwave…” Nine of my 10 years in the Navy were […]

(Source: Shepparton News via Richard Cuff) The mothballed Shepparton shortwave broadcast station could be coming back online. South Australian senator Nick Xenophon will introduce legislation to parliament this week to force the ABC to bring back domestic and international shortwave broadcasts. The broadcasts were shut down last week, after decades of the shortwave signals being […]

Someone recently described my shack in Oxford as ‘an impressive mess’…. and that really is just about the most positive comment I’ve ever received regarding my listening post! So, my apologies for displaying the mess in public, but in response to having been asked many times by subscribers to Oxford Shortwave Log to ‘share my shack’, here […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who writes: A while back I shared a short story about FM reception from commercial jetliners. I do that regularly on my flights but I also gave “Airborne TV DX” a try. My equipment is as follows: Windows laptop Hauppauge USB dongle receiver WinTV-HVR-955Q 3-inch stick antenna […]

(Source: Sean Gilbert via WRTH on Facebook) The B16 International broadcasting schedules update file is now available for free download from www.wrth.com – click on the ‘latest PDF updates’ link and follow the instructions. The file details the latest frequency and station changes from both international and clandestine/target broadcasters. We hope you find this file […]

Our post yesterday regarding the Shipping Forecast reminded me of a story SWLing Post contributor, Dave Porter (G4OYX) once shared. Dave writes: I worked at the Droitwich Transmitting Station through 1972-1974, the home of the BBC UK Long Wave 1500 m/200 kHz service as it was then. In the summer of 1973 I was junior member of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Every once in a while an IFR (Instrument Flight Research, a.k.a. Aeroflex) T-1200SRA comes up for auction, it is a sophisticated receiver covering LF-HF-VHF-UHF with built-in spectrum analyzer. Click here to view on eBay. Some claim these were used by the FCC for surveillance. […]

Like a lot of shortwave radio listeners, since I was a kid, I’ve enjoyed tuning my radio to parts of the world where events are unfolding. There’s something tangible–something that is transportive–when you listen to a news coming directly from the source, on air and originating from halfway across the planet. I believe, listening to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: This antenna coupler was the companion for the RF-2200, they come up once in a while on eBay. Just some radio memorabilia/trivia to store away in the SWL file of brain hihi. Click here to view on eBay. Thank you, Mario! Until last year or […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David (G4EDR), who writes: Hi Thomas I know a number of readers to the SWLing Post like to hear the UK Shipping Forecast read on the BBC. It is always transmitted by an announcer with impeccable clarity and authority. I came across the following on YouTube which, if you have […]

Many thanks to Light Coder at HDSDR who notes a recent update to HDSDR: HDSDR bugfix release 2.76 just went online. There are also some minor additions. See http://hdsdr.de/wnew.html Think it’s worth to have a look into the keyboard shortcuts: http://www.hdsdr.de/hdsdr_keyboard_shortcuts.htm Many thanks! HDSDR is a great (free!) SDR app–happy to hear about this recent […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following review: Comparing the CountyComm GP5-SSB and Tecsun PL-365 County Comm GP-5/SSB and Tecsun PL-365: a couple of years ago, I obtained a GP-5/SSB from Universal and have enjoyed using the radio. It’s extremely sensitive, often bringing in signals in the middle of my […]

As we mentioned last month, the remnants of WOO at Good Luck Point are slated to be removed soon. Many thanks to our intrepid SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who shares the following excellent photos he took at Good Luck Point yesterday. Dennis notes: I finally got to the site [Saturday] afternoon. All the towers are still there! […]

(Source: VOA News) A little more than seven weeks after the United States officially entered World War II, a live, 15-minute shortwave radio broadcast was transmitted into Germany from a small studio in New York City on February 1, 1942. It was introduced by the American patriotic song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Then, […]

In reply to my recent post about the Yaesu VX-3R, SWLing Post reader Tha Dood comments: [The Yaesu VX-3R] is a neat little HT, but the Kenwood TH-F6A is way more versatile. How? Full 5W on 2m, 222MHz, and 440MHz, and will RX 150KHz to 1.3GHz in AM, FM, FM wide, NBFM, USB, LSB, and CW. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow, who writes: I see the Tecsun PL-310(ET) has been receiving some very negative reviews over on eHam in the last days. Too bad: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/10283 Thanks for the heads-up, Dave! Perhaps these reviewers simply received faulty/lemon units? Internal soldering and construction can vary. On the other hand, both […]

From the Isle of Music, Week of February 6-11, 2017 This week, more of Una Mecanica Diferente; a tribute to the recently-departed Mayito “el Flaco” Valdés, special guest bassist Aryam Varona and some wonderful Cuban Jazz, and some recent Música Popular Bailable. Beautiful concert music, killer Jazz, and lively Cuban dance music. What more can […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Juan Pablo Carlino, who writes: Hi. I own one RF-2200 after buying it in eBay in March 2008. Since then it became my favourite portable radio and as everybody [has commented], its a pleasure to hear MW with it. I explain this due to the fact that it has a […]