The SWLing Post

FROM THE ISLE OF MUSIC NOW WITH THREE LISTENING OPTIONS! On December 6 (December 5 local date in the Americas), our special guest will be the delightful Cuban violinist Tanmy López Moreno, who in addition to performing with Interactivo has her own project. We will feature music from her two albums. We will […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Joe, who recently asked in our comments section: “The CC Skywave is more than double the price of the Tecsun PL-310ET. The two radios appear to have similar features and performance. Can anyone suggest a reason why one would want to pay the extra charge for a Skywave?” Thanks […]

While browsing Amazon.com this morning, I noted a bargain price for what is described as a new Tecsun PL-310ET: $26.54 including shipping. This is a great price, but there are a couple of red flags worth noting and that made me a little hesitant to post: This item ships from Spain, so it’ll likely come via […]

The following review first appeared in the November 2016 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. It’s not every day that I get exciting news about the production of a new radio. It was two days before the 2016 Dayton Hamvention–the day before the Four Days in May QRP conference–as I was eating lunch en route […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Robinson--former White House, Congressional and foreign correspondent for the Voice of America–who alerts us to a major development at the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). Note that the BBG supervises the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio y Television Marti, Radio Free Asia, and the Middle […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Phil Brennan, who writes: Just a follow up from last week’s story regarding hoax transmissions on airline frequencies at Melbourne airports. An arrest has been made and, if found guilty, the person may face up to 20 years imprisonment. Heavy stuff. Here’s a link to the Aust Federal Police […]

Many thanks to Adrian Korol, at RAE, for sharing the following information about their new DX program. Adrian writes: In this link you’ll find 2 episodes from Actualidad-DX in English: Click here to listen on the Spreaker audio website. Actualidad-DX brings you the latest news of the radio world, the short waves, the media, the telecommunications, the […]

C.Crane has just sent an email with the promotion above: free shipping on the CC Skywave through December 6. As I’ve mentioned quite recently, I think the Skywave is an excellent little portable for travel. Certainly a nice gift for the shortwave listener! Click here to view this promo on the C.Crane website. Note that […]

Over the past year, a number of SWLing Post readers have asked me to review the PK Loop portable magnetic loop antenna produced by Paul Karlstrand in Australia. I finally caved in and purchased one. I ordered the shortwave version of the loop, the C-LOOP-HDSW6-18 in early November and received it about one week later. I […]

(Source: BBC News via Richard Langley) Disturbing the peace: Can America’s quietest town be saved? There’s a town in West Virginia where there are tight restrictions on mobile signal, wifi and other parts of what most of us know as simply: modern life. It means Green Bank is a place unlike anywhere else in the […]

(Source: Radio New Zealand via London Shortwave) Radio ‘nutters’ move in to help shaken Kaikoura A fortnight after the Kaikoura earthquake, most of the businesses along West End, the town’s main street, are still closed – the interiors darkened, some shopfronts cordoned off. But the door of one of those shopfronts is open, and from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: With your broad knowledge of radios, wondering if you can add anything to this list of portable radios, past and present, that have 360 degree rotatable directional AM ferrite antennas. Reason is I am looking for an AM portable for the nightstand for nulling out […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Lennart Weirell, who writes: I have not made a scientific research but I dare to say that there are more DX-ers who collect stamps than stamp collectors who are DX-ers. Out of these DX-ers who collect stamps there are several who collect stamps related to DX-ing or radio. The editor […]

Hi there, a good friend of mine Mr Thomas Brogan mentioned to me recently that his little Tecsun PL-310ET was proving to be an excellent receiver and that it would suit my DXpedition activities. Now, as someone who likes to push the envelope of performance with sophisticated portables, usually coupled to very large antennas, a cheap little Tecsun might not […]

I just received the email above announcing C.Crane’s Cyber Monday Sale which is, essentially, 10% off everything. They’re also offering free shipping on orders over $350. (That would be quite the radio grab to get free shipping!) If you’ve thought about getting the CC Skywave (which I love) this would be a great time. Click […]

A few weeks ago, TX Factor posted their 13th episode–I’ve been so busy as of late, I forgot to post a notification! In this episode, they take a look at ham radio digital modes, how weather affects propagation (with a detailed explanation of Sporadic E), and a brilliant Radio Caroline feature where they board the Ross […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Fillippi (N2HUN), who writes: ShopGoodWill has an Icom R75 going off auction tomorrow: http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/ICOM-Communications-Receiver-34886788.html Thanks for the tip, Mario! As with most (if not all) ShopGoodwill.com auctions, this IC-R75 come with no warranty, is untested and sold “as-is.” I suppose you could receive it only to find that it […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken Hansen (N2VIP) who writes: HRO stores are taking delivery of the new SDRplay RSP2, and having a great deal on the original SDRplay RSP, now on sale for $119.95. HRO link to SDRplay RSP2 selling for $169.95: http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-015446 HRO link to original SDRplay RSP selling for $119.95: http://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-014408 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Goren, who shares this tip from Chris Smolinski at Black Cat Systems: If you have an AFE822 Dual Channel SDR, and a Mac, run, do not walk, to the SdrDx website, and download a copy of the beta version. It now lets you phase the two inputs, much […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares a link to RRI’s recently published B16 broadcast schedule: RRI Winter Broadcast Frequencies RRI broadcast frequencies valid as of October 30, 2016 to March 26,2017 http://www.rri.ro/en_gb/rri_winter_broadcast_frequencies-2554355

Universal Radio has also poasted a Black Friday Weekend Specials page with a number of items on sale through November 28, 2016. Click here to view theBlack Friday Weekend Specials page. There are a number of scanners, a couple portable shortwave receivers, the AN200 loop antenna ($17.98) and the superb book Shortwave Receivers Past and Present […]

Jon Hudson with SDRplay recently noted the following tutorial videos in an SDRplay discussion forum. Since I’m also trying to learn the ropes of SDRuno, I thought I’d share this here on the SWLing Post. Jon notes: These video guides are very helpful for newcomers to SDRuno and the RSP1 or RSP2: RSP1: https://youtu.be/xBGHB0oMXHU RSP2: […]

I just discovered that GigaParts is also hosting a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale–possibly the most extensive among radio retailers. They have a large inventory of radios and accessories and GigaParts is a trusted retailer. Click here to view the sale at GigaParts.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Ally, who writes: NatComMag just posted on twitter that http://www.butel.nl/ is having a Black Friday Sale on their scanner programming software. [T]heir software is great for programming a ton of different models. Page says this when you go to their site – BuTel Famous Black Friday crazy sales […]

I just received a notice about DX Engineering’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales event. They have about 14 products currently included in the sale including Amplifiers, Transceivers and a magnetic loop antenna. Sale prices are good through November 28. Click here to view at DX Engineering.

This morning, I received an email from C.Crane with a link to their Black Friday Sale: Admittedly, I was a little underwhelmed when I discovered the sale only included four items: a stereo Bluetooth speaker, LED spotlight, headphones and ear buds: I was hoping they’d include their excellent CC Skywave in the sale, but it […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Gulley, who shares this link to an eBay auction for a Zenith Transoceanic D7000Y in an unopened box! Let’s be clear here: this is no “Black Friday” deal. The seller has this gem listed at $5,800 plus shipping! I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen […]

If you’ve been thinking about pulling the trigger on an Elecraft transceiver, now may be a good time. Elecraft is throwing in free accessories and free shipping on a few of their products. Here’s their full Black Friday advertisement: Even if you aren’t a ham, you might consider an Elecraft KX3 or even the new […]

It’s Thanksgiving here in the States–without a doubt, my favorite holiday. What’s not to love about family, feasting, and, of course, friends? To that end: I’d like to take a moment to offer my thanks to all of you who read, comment, and otherwise contribute to the SWLing Post community. You make this a terrific place for everything radio! […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors R. Lewis (KF5GV/HS1) and Dave Zantow (N9EWO) who’ve both noted that the CommRadio CR-1a receiver has been listed as “discontinued” by Universal Radio, and HRO. I imagine CommRadio has stopped manufacturing the CR-1a as they gear up for production of the new CTX-10 10 watt QRP general coverage transceiver. If […]

(Source: Shortwave Service via Richard Langley) On Tuesday, 29th November 2016 from 0230-0300 UTC on 7250 kHz (to NoAM) we will broadcast our first English edition. The topics: we speak with Rimantas Pleikys about radio jamming in former times and today. He wrote a book about it and made a very interesting film documentary. And: 4 […]

(Source: BBC via Richard Langley) “With our world-class content, we could use our current output and the richness of our archive to create a Netflix of the spoken word,” said Lord Hall. … “One of the big challenges I have set my teams is just that: to enhance our global audio offer. The BBC makes the […]

(Source: Radio Mi Amigo via Harald Kuhl) Hello to all Radio Mi Amigo friends, Special Broadcast Sunday, November 27: 6145 kHz – 20:00 – 22:00 hrs. [cet] Sunday evening November 27 from 20:00 – 22:00 hrs CET we will do another special event show, this time to promote our new daily transmissions on 6085 kHz. The […]

Yesterday, after SDRplay announced the new RSP2 software defined receiver, HRO included the original RSP (the RSP1) in their holiday “Pre-Sale Specials” and lowered the price to $119.95. An excellent bargain in my opinion! Many thanks to intrepid SWLing Post contributor, Robert Gulley, for the excellent tip! Click here to view the SDRplay RSP1 at HRO. Click here to […]

Regular SWLing Post readers know that I’m a big fan of the, now discontinued, Sony ICF-SW7600GR shortwave portable. Recently, I even wrote a post about finding some of the remaining units online. This morning, I noticed that Amazon.com has some “Used – Like New” ‘7600GRs available via the seller Blinq for $113.39 shipped. At first, I […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who writes: In case anyone is mildly curious, this is the spot where I sit to DX. Equipment in photo above: Grundig Satellit 750, Lowe HF225, 2 225 foot long wires, a Wellbrook ALA1530LNP magnetic loop and DX Engineering HF Preamp. It was warm today, 4F above zero […]

I just received this message from Filmmaker, Amanda Dawn Christie: Just finished an interview with Christian Milling from Germany Shortwave Service about Spectres of Shortwave. The interview will be translated into German and is planned to be broadcast for Sunday, 27th November from 0900-1000 UTC on 6045 kHz in Europe and a Repetition the week […]

This morning, SDRplay Limited announced the release––and availability––of their second generation software defined radio, the RSP2. Regular SWLing Post readers will note that I’m a pretty big fan of SDRplay’s first SDR, the RSP, or “RSP1,” as I’ll now call it (I published a review of the RSP1 in July 2015). To me, the $129 RSP1 […]

SWLing Post readers are likely aware that 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 questioning the viability of the BBG as the US presidential transition take place. Dan’s commentary titled “What’s A President-elect To Do . . . With […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jim (W4FJT), who writes: I was surfing Amazon.com and saw this hard shell case made specifically for the Skywave and thought this might be of interest to the travelers out there: Click here to view on Amazon.com. Thank you, Jim! I might grab on of these for my CC Skywave […]

SWLing Post reader, Lindsay (VK3CML), recently contacted me with the following question about his Dansk RX-4000 receiver: I’m in need of a set of EPROMs, for my Dansk RX- 4000. It uses three EPROMs to program the micro; one of these has developed a fault, which shuts the radio down. Could be interested in another […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Black, who reminds us why the Squires Sanders SS-1R receiver (Dan recently spotted on eBay) was so innovative at the time: It’s legendary because it leaped forward in receiver design, at least at the amateur level, and there was the article in QST in 1963 by Squires about […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares this recent find on eBay and notes: Extremely rare Squires Sanders on Ebay….amateur receiver….only the second time in recent years one of these radios has come up on the used market… Click here to view on eBay. I was not at all familiar with this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Cuff, who shares this press release from ABC International: ABC International focuses investment in region ABC International will increase its investment in media services for Chinese, Indonesian and Pacific audiences to offer more comprehensive coverage for regional audiences. These new initiatives, the result of a strategic review, mean […]

(Source: Hobart Radio International) This fortnight we’re airing a special documentary over shortwave radio and FM: WW2: Thru The Radio In this special show we’re looking at listener’s perspective of WW2 through the radio; featuring Medium Wave, Long Wave and Short Wave recordings. We include famous speeches aired by Chamberlain, Churchill and Truman and live […]

(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 European Music Radio via: WBCQ to Central & North America on 7490 […]

Hi there, after conducting a total of 14 reception tests comparing these two vintage – but excellent portable shortwave radios, there was a clear winner – the ICF-2001D. Interestingly, the second half of the testing identified yet another example of synchronous detection lock dropping out on the ICF-SW77 (during reception of Radio CANDIP, Democratic Republic of the Congo […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following guest post: Review: DoxyTronics Portable HF Magnetic Loop 8020CA -by Troy Riedel Before I purchased the DoxyTronics 8020CA antenna, I emailed the owner/manufacturer and asked if he felt this antenna would be a good choice with the radios that I own. He promptly […]

(Source: BBC News) The BBC World Service will launch 11 new language services as part of its biggest expansion “since the 1940s”, the corporation has announced. The expansion is a result of the funding boost announced by the UK government last year. The new languages will be Afaan Oromo, Amharic, Gujarati, Igbo, Korean, Marathi, Pidgin, […]

Hi there, after the first set of recordings were analysed, the score was 4-3 to the ICF-2001D, demonstrating how similar these two great receivers are in overall performance. There were a copule of notable differences however. The synchronous detection circuit on the ICF-2001D allows the user to effectively tune through a signal in 01. kHz […]