The SWLing Post

This morning, I bit the bullet and ordered the recently introduced Digitech AR-1780. I’ve had a massive amount of inquiries about this radio–mainly from readers in Australia and New Zealand–so I thought it would make sense to check it out and compare it to other portables. This radio is only available from retailers in Australia […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who recently shared one of Tamitha Skov’s space weather forecast videos. Over the past few years, I’ve watched Dr. Skov’s weekly video forecasts to better understand the implications of incoming CMEs, solar winds, sun spots (or lack thereof) and geomagnetic storms. While her videos include a […]

I find this article intriguing on many levels; what’s more, I find that it’s not really an exaggeration. My comments follow… (Source: The Wall Street Journal) Cord-cutters accustomed to watching shows online are often shocked that $20 ‘rabbit ears’ pluck signals from the air; is this legal? Dan Sisco has discovered a technology that allows […]

Many thanks to Dave Anderson (K4SV) who notes that the previous home of the Dayton Hamvention–Hara Arena–is on the auction block for back taxes. Click here to view the Notice of Judicial Sale on the IRS website.

(Source: OddityCentral via Sheldon Harvey and The International Radio Report) German Radio Station Creates Special Program for Lonely Canines When dogs get lonely, they sometimes keep themselves busy by wreaking havoc around the house, and that doesn’t really sit well with their owners. That’s why one German radio host, who also happens to be a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who shares the following article from Rediff News in which Jim Egan, CEO, BBC Global News, tells Vanita Kohli-Khandekar about the addition of daily newscasts in Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi and Marathi: […]Delhi is by far the BBC’s number one international bureau with over 120 people. This will more than double […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bud Glass, who writes: I am attempting to find out more information about this particular radio [see above]. The photo is from around 1959–no idea how old the radio is. Thanks, Bud. I did a little research and it appears this photo was taken of Elvis while he was […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald Kuhl, who shares the following: (Sources: QRZ.com and http://www.martellotowergroup.com/gb5rc.html) Celebrating five decades of offshore radio broadcasting GB5RC For the full report of GB5RC in 2016, click here Thursday 3rd – Monday 7th August 2017 Following our successful activation of MV Ross Revenge in August 2016 we are very excited […]

There is a great article by Zaria Gorvett in the BBC Future online magazine concerning several transmitting stations which have baffled folks for decades. Here is a brief introduction: In the middle of a Russian swampland, not far from the city of St Petersburg, is a rectangular iron gate. Beyond its rusted bars is a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jerome van der Linden, who shares an update from 4KZ Station Manager, Al Kirton: Hi Jerome 5055 is not on the air yet. The transmitter failed and requires some inexpensive parts which are not available in Australia. They should be here any day from the US. We hope to be […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: The Washington Post’s Editorial Board put out this opinion piece this weekend entitled, “Russian propaganda has flooded U.S. airwaves. How about some reciprocity?” I wrote to them at <corrections@washpost.com> and asked why they didn’t mention the U.S. Government’s considerable state media broadcast resources in their article. […]

(Source: Radio Mag Online via Larry W) The trial has demonstrated that there is no interference with analog stations on either side of the digital signal in the crowded FM spectrum of Johannesburg JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Johannes von Weyssenhoff, representing the community station Wecodec in Johannesburg, presented the case of DRM to an international […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ethan Best (KC9YDN), who notes: KIMF’s schedule has been posted on the HFCC’s website: http://hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=A17&broadc=IMF Thank you for sharing this, Ethan! KIMF has actually been in the HFCC listings since at least 2014, even though they only recently received FCC approval to operate. Check out these posts for more […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed Ganshirt, who writes: I had an old car radio from the 1940’s I salvaged the parts from, and a rudimentary schematic to build by. I decided to re-assemble in the container I stowed away the parts in. Nothing special just another AM broadcast radio in an unusual cabinet (fruitcake […]

(Source: Journal News via Howard Bailen) WEST CHESTER TWP. The National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting will host “Celebrate the Voice of America under the Stars,” a romantic, Big Band dinner-and-dance party on Sept. 23 from 6 to 11 p.m. at the VOA museum. The event will mark the 75th anniversary of the Voice of […]

Many thanks to an SWLing Post contributor who notes that KIMF has been issued a high frequency broadcasting license by the FCC. For more information about KIMF check out this post from March 2017. Click here to download the FCC public notice above as a PDF.

This week, SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, was featured in the NK News for his research in North Korea. While Mark has made a wide array of his work available through a media-rich (free) iBook, this particular article focuses on the “Morning Chorus” heard throughout Pyongyang in the early hours of the morning: (Source: NK […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who writes: You know my amateur astronomy background. And With the building interest in next month’s Solar Eclipse – and your recent posting from Sky&Telescope re: “How to watch the solar eclipse with your AM radio” – I thought this might be of interest if you haven’t […]

(Source: Radio World via Dennis Dura) Digital radio continues to progress at a rapid pace worldwide. The latest Radio World International eBook, “Global Digital Radio,” takes a look at how each region is preparing for the transition, planned FM switchoff dates and requirements, ways in which digital radio can pave the way to the connected […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following video and notes: Here is a 10 minute narrated, detailed video on my 25 foot long by 10 foot tall “Volleyball Net” Loop antenna using a Wellbrook ALA100LN amp control head and antenna interface. Click here to view on YouTube. Great job, Paul! […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post: Old School (Infrared) Wireless Headphones by Mario Filippi (N2HUN) Have you ever mindlessly walked away from your TV with headphones/ear buds still tethered, causing all sorts of havoc? Been there, done that hi hi! Let’s face it; there are plenty of avenues […]

(Source: Tom Taylor Now newsletter) FCC staff will be “cops on the beat” against pirates. Chairman Ajit Pai had his stats ready for yesterday’s House Oversight Hearing – the FCC’s issued 39 NOUOs (Notice of Unlicensed Operation) this year, among other enforcement actions. Pai knew the question about the effect of closing of 11 field […]

(Source: Numbers Stations) Working at a numbers station 6 decades ago was not much different than working at an AM broadcast station. Located on a WWII old Naval Base it consisted of one building surrounded by a double chain link fence inside which older local men drove pickup trucks around for security. Inside the building […]

Many thanks to Colin Newell who forwards the following birthday message from Ian McFarland: To all my SWL friends & colleagues, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading all your birthday wishes & comments that Colin so kindly collected & transcribed from all your e-mails. For this old man it was a most […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who recently attended a conference in Paris and picked up a Sony XDR-S41D. Richard writes: The workshop closed around noon on Friday so I spent part of the afternoon walking around the nearby Darty consumer electronics and appliance store. I wanted to buy a DAB/DAB+ portable receiver just […]

(Source: Deutsche Welle) Internet and mobile phone users in South Sudan are not able to access the websites of at least four independent media outlets. The government has grown increasingly hostile to the media since civil war began in 2013. The South Sudanese government has blocked access to the websites of Dutch-backed Radio Tamazuj, as well […]

A few months ago, SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi–being both a good friend and an (ahem!) enabler–sent the following note: My XYL bought me a set of CozyPhones for Christmas. If you like listening to the radio, especially at night while in bed, these work great. Speakers are nice and flat. And if you are outdoors […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The International Space Station is transmitting SSTV pictures to radio amateurs around the world on 145.800 MHz FM The Slow Scan Television image transmissions are expected to continue until 1800 GMT Sunday, July 23 and can be received on simple equipment such as a handheld radio or scanner with an outside antenna. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cezar Vener, who writes with the following inquiry: I would like to ask you if you can help me with a schematic diagram for an EDUTEC 4-Band digital radio (PLL EDUTEC 4-Band Digital Radio Weltempfänger). It is not broken, but I would like to modify it. Of course, I […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader “J JA” who shares the following video/recording of a Babcock test transmission on 11,815 kHz with his Tecsun PL-310ET: Click here to watch on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who adds the following to our growing archive of radios in film. Mike writes: Near the end of the current episode of “Prime Suspect: Tennison” [the radio operator mentions] he was listening on “the RCA 88”. “Tennison” is set around the early ’70’s. Great catch, Mike (and thanks to Eric […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Larry Thompson, who writes: There’s been some confusion on my part whether the Tecsun PL-880 is a dual conversion or triple conversion receiver. Amazon and eBay list the receiver as double conversion, whereas Universal Radio doesn’t mention either. After scouring the Instruction Manual, I was pleased to learn that […]

Earlier this month, Colin Newell asked SWLing Post readers for birthday wishes and memories to share with former Radio Canada International host, Ian McFarland. Yesterday, I received the following message from Colin: “For a guy who just turned 80, Ian McFarland looks and sounds amazing. For the 50+ folks that sent their best wishes for this […]

A few months ago, long-time SWLing Post contributor, Cap Tux, designed a simple shortwave schedule application for his Android phone. Though he never intended to make the app public, he shared it with me to test on my Moto G5 Plus. Cap has recently decided that if others in the SWLing Post community would like […]

Many thanks to Dennis Walter who shares the photo above from the 2017 Ham Radio Friedrichshafen convention. I’ve always thought the FDM-DUO was a cool transceiver, but I must admit it looks even better in camouflage. I did warn our buddy Clint (Oxford Shortwave) that he should stick with his stock black FDM-DUO. You see, he […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post conttributor, Valentino Barbi (I4BBO) who writes detailing a novel approach to FSL antenna design. Please note that I translated Valentino’s message from Italian to English via Google translate so please forgive any errors. Valentino writes: FSL antenna radio enthusiasts typically use numerous ferrite bars with high cost, weight and scarcity, Ukrainian […]

(Source: BBC Media Center via Larry W) BBC News and CBS News announced today a new editorial and newsgathering relationship that will significantly enhance the global reporting capabilities of both organisations. The announcement was made by BBC Director of News and Current Affairs James Harding and CBS News President David Rhodes. This new deal allows […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes Have a few IC-R8600 “first observations” posted on the test sample we now have here. It looks much better in person than in the photos (very nice). It is also a bit smaller than the IC-7300. http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/news.html Thanks, Dave! I’ll follow Dave’s updates for […]

Many thanks to Mauno Ritola who shared the following news on the WRTH Facebook group: Voice of Indonesia [has added a] new language service: Dutch between 1500-1600 on 9526 kHz. Many thanks for the tip, Mauno!

At the 2017 Hamvention, I spent a little time checking out Icom’s latest wideband communications receiver: the IC-R8600. Check out the photos above and below. I spoke with Icom North America at Hamvention–the representative told me the MSRP of the IC-R8600 would be about $2,999 US, but that retail pricing would be lower. Universal Radio […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Colin Newell, who shares a fascinating 2017 eclipse experiment outlined on the website HamSCI. Here’s the summary of the experiment: On 21 August 2017, a total solar eclipse will traverse the continental United States from Oregon to South Carolina in a period of just over 90 minutes. Previous research […]

Many thanks to Kenneth Crips who recently shared an eBay link to this antenna switch on the Gary J. Cohen’s Shortwave Listeners Global Facebook page. The switch is not a kit–it is pre-built and appears to contain quality parts. The manufacturer, Electro Resales, makes a number of other products for the radio, astronomy, RC and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following video from CBS Sunday Morning and notes: For those who may have missed this recent CBS Sunday Morning piece, which tells the story of a guy who, inspired by BBC broadcasts of Wimbledon, built his own top-level court in Iowa. It’s not often […]

(Source: TX Factor) TX Factor goes digital as Mike Marsh gives Bob McCreadie an introduction to operating on DMR, Yaesu Fusion and D Star as part of his digital fun. In part one of a three-part series, they take a trip to a local farm to see how an amateur has set up his own […]

(Source: The Guardian) [Radio Erena founder, Biniam Simon, writes:] “You have to understand: Eritrea is completely closed. No information is available there at all, about the outside world or what is going on internally. So if you’re an Eritrean journalist, and you make it to a place where so much information is available, the first […]

Many thanks to an SWLing Post contributor who shares a link to the following public notice from the FCC: Wireless telecommunications bureau seeks comment on request by Shipcom, LLC, and Global HF net, LLC, to allow use of high seas marine frequencies by first responders and federal agencies during disasters Section 80.123 of the Commission’s […]

Many thanks to Chris Fallen (KL3WX), Assistant research professor in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical – Space Physics group , who shares the following information about the upcoming HAARP Open House: HAARP Open House 19 August, September campaign The next HAARP open house will occur on 19 August 2017 and include round-trip bus transportation from Fairbanks for […]