The SWLing Post

Many thanks to Pete (WB9FLW) who writes: Don’t know if you have seen this or not. VU2ESE of BITX20 Fame has just introduced the BITX40. This is a fully assembled and tested SSB Transceiver for $45 including shipping from India! http://www.hfsigs.com/ Wow! I may have to purchase one of these and try it out. I’m […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Armin Sander, who writes: Here is a link to a very interesting auction on eBay Germany: Click here to view on eBay. Only the price speaks for itself! (And now I need a good whisky!) 😉 No kidding, Armin! That is a hefty price–8,9999 EUR–even though this particular unit seems […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who shares the following reply to our Como Audio Solo review: I am a heavy user of internet radios and have a few scatted around the home, the one most frequently used is the Grace in the kitchen. What stations do people listen to? I listen to lots […]

Regular SWLing Post readers might remember that this past summer, I made an impulse purchase–and in doing so, backed a Kickstarter campaign for the new Como Audio Solo. But exactly why did I buy this small, self-contained digital music device–? Having just completed an in-depth review of several WiFi radios, I certainly didn’t need another. But […]

A feast of Cuban vocal music with Los Van Van for dessert… From beautiful harmonies to stunning a cappella imitations of instruments, Cuba’s best vocal groups are a delight. Our October 25 (October 24 in the Americas on WBCQ) program offers a few of them along with special guest Luz Divina Reyes, Director of Vocal […]

I’ve just learned that my buddy, David Goren, is selling his remaining stock of Shortwave Shindig T-Shirts for $15 each (shipped!). That’s a great deal in my book–especially for a shirt sporting a Jeff Murray, K1NSS original design! I just purchased a spare Shindig T-Shirt. David only has a few select sizes and colors left (Black/White […]

In yet another reversal concerning the fate of Longwave in the UK, this was reported in Radio Survivor Oct 10: Ireland’s Longwave Station RTÉ 252 Spared from Imminent Closure By Paul Riismandel on October 10, 2016 in International, Radio Bands Listeners located in the U.K. who enjoy Ireland’s RTÉ 252 radio service are breathing a […]

Many thanks to Andy Yoder, author of the Pirate Radio Annual, who writes: I thought maybe you’d be interested in info about the upcoming Global HF weekend. This event was run a few years ago, with the concept of friendship and cooperation among stations and listeners from around the world. Successful tests would give the […]

Many thanks to the 86 responses we received from the SWLing Post dream radio contest! Also huge thanks to Universal Radio who sponsored this contest and made it possible! This morning, I entered the numbered contest entries into a tool on Random.org. The following two winners were selected at random–one from the US, and one from Australia: […]

Think back to your first days in radio…What was your “dream” receiver? And why? Or–if you’re new to shortwave radio–what is your “dream” receiver currently, and why? Many of us had a radio they dreamed of in their youth, or when they first began to hanker after the radio experience. What was yours? For newer hobbyists, what is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who writes: I don’t have a “shack”, but I wanted to take the time to share with you my “listening post”. But first, let me start from the beginning. I’d call myself an amateur astronomer first – and a Shortwave Listener (SWL’er) second (I have never […]

Many thanks to Fred Osterman and Dave Zantow for sharing information about the new CommRadio CTX-10 transciever. Here is the description from Universal Radio’s catalog: AeroStream Communications near Golden, Colorado entered the hobby radio market in 2013 with their revolutionary CommRadio CR-1 and follow up CR-1a SDR receivers. The success of these innovative radios left […]

Hi there, I have finally deployed the Medium Wave Circle-design 200 metre Beverage antenna (schematic diagram above) at the woods I use in Oxford, UK. It was terminated at the ‘front end’ with a 650 Ohm resistor into a 1 metre-long, permanent copper earthing rod that I had previously driven into the ground, away from […]

Think back to your first days in radio…What was your “dream” receiver? And why? Or–if you’re new to shortwave radio–what is your “dream” receiver currently, and why? Many of us had a radio they dreamed of in their youth, or when they first began to hanker after the radio experience. What was yours? For newer hobbyists, what is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Phil Brennan, who writes: Your readers may be interested in this article detailing a clandestine radio station that was set up between the Fretlin rebels in East Timor (now Timor Leste) and supporters based in Darwin where I live. The Fretlin rebels fought against the Indonesian occupation until the country’s […]

A potpourri of styles of Cuban music… Our October 18 (October 17 in the Americas on WBCQ) program offers a potpourri of reissues of Cuban music from prior decades and some more Cubadisco 2016 nominees – a mixture of traditional and contemporary. Two options for listening on shortwave: WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC (8pm-9pm […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes: Here is an interesting one [I saw] on eBay this morning. A SONY marked SW33 SW portable, but of course it’s NOT the ICF-SW33 model you (or I ) are thinking of. Click here to view on eBay. Looks to be a Kchibo made […]

Contrary to a news item we recently shared from The Independent, SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, notes the following news from the Irish Post: RTÉ RADIO will proceed with plans to axe its longwave 252 service next year, it has been confirmed. […]RTÉ has consistently argued that better use could be made of the money […]

I have been procrastinating over investing in another portable shortwave radio to replace my ageing (but still going strong) Sangean ATS909. Also known in the U.S. as the rebadged Radio Shack DX–398, the Sangean has been a most reliable rig for in-the-field DXpeditions. My unit is one of the early first generation versions that […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt, who shared this review of the BST-1 car shortwave receiver: Overall: a good sensitive receiver, with a very inventive interface. I am looking forward to my long commutes for a change. Using the FM RDS info on the car radio is a stroke of genius. Performance: Miles ahead […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, who shares this Thump interview with Amanda Dawn Christie: For her latest documentary, Spectres of Shortwave, Moncton-born experimental artist and filmmaker Amanda Dawn Christie spent the last seven years exploring this otherworldly phenomenon. While working at Sackville’s Struts Gallery in 2009, she heard stories from local residents […]

I’m very proud to note that my good friend, George Knudsen (W4GCK), has been featured on the excellent omega tau podcast. The interview is absolutely fascinating–here’s a description: George Knudsen started working in 1958 on the Redstone missile, and moved on to working on the Atlas ICBM. Later he worked on the Saturn 5 launch vehicle, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who notes that the following update posted on the WRMI Facebook page: “WRMI went back on the air around 1600 UTC Friday when our power came back on. All transmitters except #4 are now back on the air, and we hope to have #4 back on later today.” […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Icom are introducing a new external speaker for its revolutionary IC-7300 Software Designed Radio. The new SP-38 complements the appearance of the IC-7300 as well as improving the listening experience from its large diameter speaker. The SP-38 external speaker will be available in October with a suggested retail price of £156.00 inc.VAT […]

(Source: WRMI at 23:00 UTC, 06 October 2016) Our windows are boarded up, but we are still on the air here at WRMI as Hurricane Matthew approaches the east coast of Florida at 2300 UTC Thursday, October 6. The worst winds and rain are expected during the next several hours. Nuestras ventanas estan protegidas por planchas […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, @andy_fab, who shared the following press release from KBS via Twitter: Test Transmission Notice KBS World Radio English Service will carry out test transmission from October 3 to 8 ahead of the B16 shortwave frequency adjustment. Please tune into the following frequencies and send us your reception reports. Your feedback […]

Hi there, I thought I would share a few recent medium wave DX catches from South America. In the past month or so, I’ve managed to record signals from Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and one that I’m particularly happy about – Ecuador, which is rarely reported in Europe. All catches were obtained with my usual indoor […]

As Hurricane Matthew makes its slow trek through the Caribbean, it is expected to have impact on the Bahamas, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. It has already battered Haiti and Cuba. A few readers have asked about frequencies to monitor as the storm approaches. Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) The Hurricane Watch Net is a group of […]

Jazz Night @ From the Isle of Music! Our October 11 (October 10 in the Americas on WBCQ) program presents a very special feature on Emiliano Salvador plus some music from Maraca and Grupo Afrocuba. Two options for listening on shortwave: WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC (8pm-9pm EDT Mondays in the Americas) Channel 292, […]

This weekend, I received the Como Audio Solo that I backed in a summer Kickstarter campaign. I’m pleased the Solo not only met delivery expectations, but I’m happy with the overall quality of this radio. I will post a preliminary review soon. One of the main reasons I purchased the Solo was to use and review it as […]

Many thanks to Mauno Ritola who notes the following news via the WRTH Facebook page: VOA emergency shortwave coverage for Haiti in Creole & English has started as follows via Greenville [North Carolina]: 2200-0200 7305 kHz 0200-1200 7405 kHz 1200-1630 9565 kHz Last night, I looked at the projected path of Hurricane Matthew. Sadly, Haiti and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Cooper, who shares the following announcement: To all North American SW DX contest survey respondents and other interested North American SW DXers. The proposed SW DX Contest is a go, and will be conducted in early January 2017. I am in the process of drafting the contest rules/ […]

(Source: Independent.ie via London Shortwave) RTE is set to scrap controversial plans to axe its longwave radio service, aimed at saving the cash-strapped broadcaster €250,000 a year, the Sunday Independent has learned. As the station grapples with an unprecedented financial crisis, it was announced two years ago that it planned to wind down longwave 252 […]

Fred Osterman, President of Universal Radio, recently expressed his interest in supporting another SWLing Post Reader Contest. Of course, I eagerly agreed, and we quickly came up with a theme: Think back to your first days in radio…What was your “dream” receiver? And why? Or–if you’re new to shortwave radio–what is your “dream” receiver currently, and why? Many of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: The number of times a shortwave classic becomes available in this condition over the course of decades, can be counted on two hands, let alone one in new unopened condition: Click here to view on eBay. Thanks for the tip, Dan! I’ve never seen the HRO-500 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who has once again spotted a classic radio in film: This shot of some Heathkit radios came up in the first episode of “Stranger Things”. The teacher mentions the brand by name, having sourced them for some enthusiastic school friends who then proceed to talk straight into […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Roberts, who shares the following update: Hi, Thomas!! Thought I’d send an update… I did in fact find a buyer for Nomadness, and have since gone to the Dark Side… for 8 months, I have been living aboard my Delta 50 named Datawake. The sale of Nomadness was via […]

Our October 4 (October 3 in the Americas on WBCQ) program presents the finale of Caribe Nostrum with special guest Guido López Gavilán, and we will play selections from each of the Rock and Pop nominees in Cubadisco 2016. Two options for listening on shortwave: WBCQ, 7490 KHz, Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC (8pm-9pm EDT Mondays in […]

Last week, I attended the W4DXCC convention in Sevierville, Tennessee. The road trip afforded me several opportunities to make NPOTA activations through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I took my field kit which included the Elecraft KX2, QRP Ranger battery pack (not pictured), and EFT Trail-Friendly antenna. Thursday, September 22, 2016 My first stop […]

It’s been quite a while since I posted any logs. I picked out my best ones from the last 2 months. Equipment: Tecsun PL-880, 225 foot long wires oriented for different directions, EmTech ZM2 Antenna tuner, DX Engineering RPA-1PLUS HF PreAmp and EmTech ZM2 antenna tuner. 5040 kHz, All India Radio Jaypore from 1641UTC to 1645UTC […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who is seeking help: NBC Papua New Guinea has contacted me saying they are trying to locate a DX’er named Bill Smith who lives in Douglas, Massachusetts. He sent them a reception report for NBC Bouganville by mail and wants a reply, but they do EQSL only. […]

Many thanks to my buddy, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes: My long awaited “SDRplay RSP” review is now available. My apologies for the delay. It took more time then I had planned and other issues got in the way. We also tested it with the popular DSD+ software and worked well after some troubleshooting. http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/perseus.html […]

SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, has just announced that his new Beaglebone-powered KiwiSDR receiver is online. Mark notes: Please try out my multi-user 0-30MHz SDR[.] The test system is operating from my monitoring station at Freemans Reach in south east Australia (near Sydney). […]The test system is fully self contained and self operating. The antenna (ALA1530S+) […]

I’m very happy to see that the CBC has reported on the premier of Amanda Dawn Christie’s film, Spectres of Shortwave. (Source: CBC) For seven decades, a mysterious site on the Trans-Canada highway marked Sackville, New Brunswick. Where the hills and trees faded just past the Nova Scotia border, 13 120-metre towers rose up from the town’s Tantramar […]

If you’re around the radio this morning (Sunday, Sep 25), and you’d like to make some NPOTA contacts, note that I plan activate: Great Smoky Mountains (NP26) & Appalachian National Scenic Trail (TR01) starting around 13:30 UTC (9:30 EDT), Great Smoky Mountains (NP26) & Blue Ridge Parkway (PK01) starting around 15:00 UTC (11:00 EDT) and hopefully Trail of Tears National Historic […]

This is the first and only “WorldSpace” satellite receiver I’ve seen on Ebay, currently offered at a $175 Buy-It-Now price from a seller in Australia: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HITACHI-KW-WSI-DIGITAL-RECEIVER-WS-FM-MW-SW1-SW2-/282192383263 The radio is listed as in excellent condition with the original box and literature. Besides the long-gone WorldSpace satellite frequencies, the radio covers medium wave, FM, and most of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, William Lee, who shares a link to this article on the BBC Blog: Currently there are over 15,000 permanently available programmes, largely radio programmes, on the BBC website dating back decades, but they can be very difficult to find. From today, we’re launching a new piece of technology called […]