The SWLing Post

More than two months ago, in the Mount Evelyn DX Report I posted a review of the Tecsun PL-680 portable receiver, entitled Tecsun PL-680 Beats Expectations. In that article, I pointed out many of the positives and a few of the flaws surrounding the unit. At the end of the review, I promised I would do some […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who writes: Found a rather topical edition of media network and posted it[…]with Mike Bird talking about shortwave and Radio Australia. http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn16121999 [Additionally] I have started the prequels to Media Network’s return in 2017. I found a great cassette sent to me by Africa media correspondent Richard Ginbey […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Guerin, who writes: Interesting article from the US Naval Institute on the role of radio intelligence before and during the December 7 attack. “The key to the success of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor-specifically, what enabled the Pearl Harbor Striking Force to reach its launch point undetected (and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares this appeal from Radio Romania International: Personality of the Year 2016 on RRI We would like to ask you which person you think left their imprint on the world in a positive way in 2016. We are preparing to designate, based on your options, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Patalon, who shares the following QSL card via Twitter: Cool #hamradio #QSL card from #PearlHarbor in 1940. Sobering to consider what was to come. #ARRL #SWL #dx #radio pic.twitter.com/uBLNWbTOPz — @PrivateBriefing (@PrivateBrief) December 6, 2016 Thank you, Bill!

We’ve been posting holiday deals since before Thanksgiving. HRO seems to be extending some of their special pricing through December 12, 2016. I did notice that, among other discounts, HRO has the Eton Traveller III for $49.95. Not a bad price for a great little portable! Check out their full sale by clicking here.

Many thanks to our friend, Raoul van Hall, who writes with some exciting news: Hi Thomas, Wanted to let you know that Jazz from the Left returns to WRMI stating tonight for two weekly broadcasts. 0000-0100 UTC Wednesday on 7730 kHz. 2000-2100 UTC Tuesday on 11580 kHz. Brilliant Raoul! Nothing like Jazz over the shortwaves. […]

An early Christmas gift for space enthusiasts around the world is coming again this year with Slow-Scan TV images from the International Space Station. Reception varies wide;y from location to location, but there are usually at least several passes which will yield good results. Here is the announcement with pertinent details: SB SPACE @ ARL […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Smolinski, who shares this guest post from his blog, RadioHobbyist.org: Yet Another !&*%$! Noise Source by Chris Smolinski The past few days, I have noticed higher than usual noise levels, generally on the lower frequencies, and particularly on the longwave band, including the 285-325 kHz DGPS band, where […]

Like many SWLing Post readers, I’m a huge fan of Radio Australia’s service on 9,580 kHz. For ages, listening to their news headlines over shortwave has been a part of my morning routine. I’ve been listening to Radio Australia since I was 8 years old. I’m going to miss this friend on the shortwaves. (Source: […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Andrea Borgnino and Tom Ally who’ve notified me that WRTH 2017 is available for pre-order! Here’s a description from the WRTH website: The Features section for this 71st edition includes articles on Remote Receivers, a Pacific Radio Adventure, The Mighty KBC radio station, CKZN St John’s, the International Radio […]

Hi there, here is the second set of reception videos for my transatlantic MW DX catches using the 200 metre Beverage antenna. Most of the signals originate from the United States and Canada, however, there is also a catch from Mexico – XERF La Ponderosa – which is a personal first and another from Bogotá, Colombia – […]

Hi there, a few weeks ago I posted a couple of medium wave DX catches with the Elad FDM DUO and newly constructed 200 metre Beverage antenna. Since then (and following my trip to Brazil) I have uploaded several more catches, some of which I would like to share with you. It has become evident […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Arthur Smith, who shares the following guest post: The Story And Restoration Of My Hallicrafters SX-42 by Arthur Smith As a junior high student way back in 1978, I had a natural interest in radios. My dad was a ham radio operator, electronics engineer, and designer. We always had cool, […]

(Source: Wave Farm via David Goren) Open Call for Sound Works: SHORT WAVES / LONG DISTANCE Wave Farm and The North American Shortwave Association are pleased to announce “Short Waves / Long Distance,” an open call for works exploring the sonics of the shortwave radio spectrum (2-30 mHz), and the experience of long-distance listening. The […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Zach, who writes: [W]hile going through an SDR recording I’d made on Saturday, I listened to the Radio Prague program via WRMI on 5850 and was surprised to hear it was the last edition of their Mailbox program. They cited the loss of shortwave broadcasting and the movement of commenting […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who shares the following photos he snapped during the final meeting of the DSWCI meeting (click images to enlarge): Thank you for sharing these photos, Jonathan. It’s sad to see an institution like the DSWCI come to an end–especially because clubs like this become an amazing venue […]

(Source: WRMI) Last-minute program change: WRMI is broadcasting a special program about the final meeting of the Danish Shortwave Club International this Sunday, December 4. The program was scheduled to air at 2030 UTC on 11580 kHz, but it will instead be broadcast at 2000 UTC on the same frequency, in place of our regular […]

If you have thirteen minutes today, do yourself a favor and listen to this excellent radio documentary about the NBC chimes from the podcast Twenty Thousand Hertz. It’s fascinating! (Source: Twenty Thousand Hertz via 99% Invisible) NBC’s three little chimes didn’t just define a television network, they defined a generation. Where did they come from and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who discovered this excellent condition Panasonic RF-8000 which recently sold on eBay for $5,100 US: Dan believes this is possibly a record price for this receiver. I would tend to agree. It does look like a beautiful receiver. Any SWLing Post readers own a Panasonif RF-8000? What […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Figliozzi, author of The Worldwide Listening Guide, who comments with this critique of the Wired.com review of the Como Audio Solo: I wonder how experienced this reviewer is with this class of audio devices. First he states that the Solo receives AM. I doesn’t. (Unless you count receiving AM […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeff McMahon, who shares this review of the Como Audio Solo: Here’s a $300 internet radio review from Wired: Review: Como Audio Solo Click here to view on Wired.com. I was an early backer of the Como Audio Solo and reviewed it in October. Since then, the Solo has […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, who writes: Hi Thomas! You must see this restoration job from Mr. Carlson’s lab: Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you for sharing this video, Moshe! I truly enjoy watching Paul’s videos–no doubt, any radio turned over to him is in expert hands. I love how he explains, […]

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 […]