The SWLing Post

(Source: The Guardian) The BBC is cutting almost 100 jobs from its monitoring service as part of a drive to save £4m from the unit’s £13.2m budget by April next year. The restructure will include the closure of its base in Mazar-i-Sharif in Afganistan, though it will retain an operation in Kabul, and two new […]

From the Isle of Music……. The July 12 (July 11 in the Americas on WBCQ) program includes special guest María Felicia Pérez, director of Coro Exaudi, winner of the Choral Music category in Cubadisco 2016. We’ll also play some Popular Dance Music by TImbalive, nominated in the Dance Music – New Talents category and some […]

My good buddy, Gary Wise (W4EEY), visited the Friedrichshafen ham radio convention this year. Gary will give a slideshow presentation to our local ham radio club meeting, but most likely, I’ll miss the presentation due to travel. Gary has kindly offered to share a number of his photos and videos here on the SWLing Post. His photos […]

I’ve just learned that Greg Shoom, a good friend in the SWLing Post community and a contributor to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive, has passed away. Greg was most recently in the process of digitizing a number of off-air tape recordings he had made in the 70s and 80s and started adding them to the archive. Indeed, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who shares a link to his excellent review of the Icom IC-7300: Click here to read Dave’s review. I can tell Dave has put a lot of time and thought in this evaluation of the IC-7300–it’s a worthy read, especially if you’re considering an IC-7300 yourself. Overall, […]

I have a very unique DX location, mere feet from the banks of the Yukon River in Alaska’s Central Interior Region. I have logged about 2 dozen of North Korea’s shortwave frequencies: 2850 kHz, 3250 kHz, 3320 kHz, 6070 kHz, 6100 kHz, 6170 kHz, 6400 kHz, 7220 kHz, 7580 kHz, 9425 kHz, 9435 kHz, 9445 […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The Netherlands national amateur radio society VERON reports on the pollution problems caused by Solar Panels installed on homes Electrical systems such as solar panel installations must comply with EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) standards. That means that there is a limit to the electromagnetic fields (EMF) that an electrical system, such as […]

(Source: BBC News) China has fitted the final piece on what will be the world’s largest radio telescope, due to begin operations in September, state media report. The 500m-wide Aperture Spherical Telescope, or FAST, is the size of 30 football fields. The $180m (£135m) satellite project will be used to explore space and help look […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, @K7al_L3afta, who just shared the image (above) and noted, on Twitter: “I just discovered the noise at the start of [the VOA Radiogram has] a purpose!” I just discovered that the noise at the start of @VOARadiogram have a purpose! 🙂@SWLingDotCom @LondonShortwave pic.twitter.com/cSOAMCfDTv — ????? ????????? (@K7al_L3afta) July 2, 2016 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken Hansen, who (several weeks ago) shared a link to this article from The Daily Beast: China Now Has A Flying Propaganda Machine The Chinese military has a new warplane with an unusual purpose: to beam propaganda and disinformation into hostile territory. In that way, the new, four-engine Y-8GX7 […]

I’ve just learned that The Mighty KBC will broadcast The Giant Jukebox on Sunday from 00:00 – 01:00 UTC. To be clear, that’s tonight in North America–and only four hours from time of this posting! Frequency will be 9,925 kHz. I’ll try to listen from here in Québec. I hope their 125,000 watts will punch through the […]

(Source: Sean Gilbert via WRTH Facebook page) WRTH has released an A16 broadcast schedules update PDF file. This file details frequency changes as well as other scheduling amendments. Included are the new single transmitter schedule of RNZI and the new COTB station targeted to Burundi. [From this page], click on ‘International Updates’ and select the […]

(Source: The Alexander Association) Reminder of Grimeton Radio / SAQ Transmission The annual transmission “Alexanderson Day” with the Alexanderson alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz with the call SAQ will take place Sunday, July 3rd, 2016 at 09:00 UTC (tuning up from after 08:30 UTC) and will be repeated at 12:00 UTC (tuning up from after 11:30 UTC). […]

SWLing Post readers might recall the Juno spacecraft we featured in a post dating back to October, 2013. During an Earth flyby, NASA invited ham radio operators around the world to say “HI” to Juno in a coordinated Morse Code message. It was a unique opportunity for sure, and I made time to participate. NASA even […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alexander (DL4NO), who shared a few notes with me from his visit at the Friedrichshafen Ham Radio convention. Alexander has kindly allowed me to post his notes here on the SWLing Post. Alexander writes: The first booth I visited was of Dokufunk (http://www.dokufunk.org/). They collect QSLs and other information about wireless […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike (K8RAT), who writes: According to the SDRplay blog they will be hosting a series of Webinar events centered around the RSP and SDRuno. Starting this Saturday. http://sdrplay.com/blog.html From Jon Hudson on SDRplay’s Facebook page: We will be hosting a series of Webinar events centred around the SDRplay RSP […]

From the Isle of Music: Our July 5 (July 4 in the Americas on WBCQ) program includes special guest María Felicia Pérez, director of Coro Exaudi, winner of the Choral Music category in Cubadisco 2016. We’ll also play some Popular Dance Music by Dinza y Soneros de la Juventud, nominated in the Popular Dance Music […]

I’m curious: any Post readers use the new Icom IC-7300 on Field Day? While I gave Icom’s new transceiver a very positive review, it was based on operation at my home QTH. There were no significant contests in progress during my review window. Field Day has, arguably, some of the toughest receiver conditions out there. […]

On Tuesday, 21 June 2016, the BBC World Service officially transmitted the 2016 BBC Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast–an international radio broadcast intended for a small group of scientists, technicians, and support staff who work for the British Antarctic Survey. This is one of my favorite annual broadcasts, and I endeavor to listen every year. Once again, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who noted that Radio Vanuatu has reduced broadcast hours. Friday night, Paul received a rare opening that allowed him to hear Vanuatu on both 7260 kHz and 3945 kHz. Paul noted that it’s very rare to hear Vanuatu’s 75 meter band broadcast from his listening post in Alaska. As […]

I just received the following link to a Forbes article from my buddy Charlie (W4MEC). If this research turns out to be correct–and time will only tell–it could mean very low solar activity from here on out (let’s hope not!): (Source: Forbes Magazine via Charlie W4MEC) The Sun has likely already entered into a new […]

13 Colonies operating event runs from 1300Z July 1 – 0400Z July 7 Once again, the 13 Colonies Special Event will take place between 1300z, July 1st and 0400z July 7th. The certificate is printed on heavy card stock. Stations working one state or, as many as all 15, will be eligible for the certificate. A “Clean Sweep” indicator […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Luke Perry, who recently purchased a Panasonic RF-9000 and writes: Hello Thomas. I did a YouYube video demonstrating my ‘new’ Panasonic RF-9000 SW receiver. I already submitted a review to the blog which you posted (thank you). There are a few videos out there of the RF-9000 but most […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Ally, who shares the following announcement from Andrew Yoder’s Hobby Broadcasting blog: The 2015-16 Pirate Radio Annual is now nearly finished and I’m taking advance orders for copies of the book. I’ve had the CD ready for a while now (although I need to start burning copies). I […]

Many thanks to Colin Snow for sharing the following photos and commenting on his Hammarlund HQ-120X restoration. I originally noticed his photos in the Extreme Shortwave Listening group on Facebook and he kindly wrote up descriptions for each image to be published here on the SWLing Post: Hammarlund HQ-120X restoration by Colin Snow Purchased on […]

(Source: Radio Mag Online) PARIS — The use of the medium and short wave bands can provide extensive coverage at low cost in inaccessible locations or for those at a disadvantage due to lack of infrastructure. […]France’s TDF Group has started a project they call SmartCast that aims to study and build a long range […]

Another two hour broadcast of rock n roll music–“The Classics Experience”–will happen tonight via the transmitters of Shortwave Service in Kall, Germany. 6005 kHz Friday June 24th 1800-2000 3985 kHz Saturday June 25th 0000-0200 Both broadcasts will have the MFSK32 text and picture as well. However, the picture will NOT decode properly and it isn’t […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rafman, who writes: Heard sad news this morning while listening to [RNZI’s] 9700 broadcast. It makes their future dimmer [IMHO]. RNZI will be running on a single transmitter for both analog & DRM. So now you won’t be able to try DRM on 9890 while 9700 is on air. Thanks for […]

If you live in North America and have an interest in becoming a ham radio operator, this is the weekend to check out what amateur radio is all about, and meet local radio enthusiasts. It’s Field Day! What is Field Day? I’ll quote from the ARRL, who sponsors the event: “ARRL Field Day is the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alex, who has just informed me that he’s created a printer-friendly A4 sheet guide to BBC World Service frequencies for the 2016 summer season. You can download his BBC World Service chart by clicking here (PDF) or by visiting his website Shortwavetimes.com where he has a number of charts. Many thanks, Alex!

We’ve just posted yet another excellent recording by Jim Jordan to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive. This Cold War recording of Radio Moscow dates back to September 19, 1984. Jim notes: A nice Cold War piece from Radio Moscow on the double defection of the Soviet journalist Oleg Bitov. The real story behind it was […]

Many thanks to Andy Sennitt, who posted a link to this Mission Networks News article on Facebook. Imagine being able to download an app…without the internet. Well, it’s finally happened, thanks to shortwave radio. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), take note: Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), a Christian organization that distributes Bibles in parts of […]

If you live in the UK, you might take note that the retailer, Maplin, has the Intek PL-660 on sale for 59.99 GBP. Though I’ve never held an Intek PL-660 in my hands, I’m pretty certain it’s simply a rebadged Tecsun PL-660. (Readers, please correct me if I’m wrong.) Click here to view the Intek PL-660 at […]

Only a couple of hours ago, I packed up the Sony ICF-SW55 and CC Skywave portables in search of a quite spot to listen to the BBC World Service Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast. I’m currently traveling in Canada and staying in a condo–the RFI in this building couldn’t be much worse. There was no way I’d hear the broadcast through the […]

Every year, the BBC broadcasts a special program to the scientists and support staff in the British Antarctic Survey Team. The BBC plays music requests and sends special messages to the small team of 40+ located at various Antarctic research stations. Each year, the thirty minute show is guaranteed to be quirky, nostalgic, and certainly a DX-worthy catch! After […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jerry (WWØE), who shares a link to this rare Sony CRF-1 on eBay. Here’s an excerpt from Bigapple59’s (the Seller) description: This Ebay listing is for a Sony CRF-1 “portable” radio manufactured in Japan from 1981- 1986 and selling for a new price of around $1,795 not including the power […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, John, who hosts TheReportOfTheWeek channel on YouTube and writes: Hello Thomas, This is John from VORW Radio International and I wanted to let you know that I will be having a special shortwave broadcast on June 21st and 22nd. The broadcast will consist of talk and music and I hope […]

Remember Mr. Carlson’s excellent video of the Sony CRF-320 restoration? Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken McKenzie, who shares a link to the latest Mr. Carlson video–a Yaesu FT-1000MP repair:

I know you can’t cheat physics or RF and that magic pixie dust won’t work, but I’m hoping those with a little more technical expertise can help me solve an antenna dilemma. I’m in the central interior region of Alaska and want to pick up Radio Vanuatu 7260 kHz a bit better. I also get […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ivan, who writes: [U]niversal radio has a used NRD 525 for $699. If I had the time to use it I would have picked it up already. These are so hard to come by and represent the best of the shortwave listening era. I’ve never owned a JRC NRD-525, but […]

I’ve just learned that my buddy Jeff, over at the Herculodge, has reviewed the Sangean WR-2. Jeff writes: I haven’t had a Sangean WR-2 in a year because a year ago Southern Cal Edison fried all the electronics on our block doing unauthorized work. They had to pay tens of thousands of dollars to residents. […]

No seasoned shortwave DXer can forget one of the most distinctive interval signals ever–the “barnyard animals” which marked the beginning of the broadcast day of Radio Botswana, Gaborone, for decades. On its long-time frequency of 4820 kHz, Botswana was an occasional catch for me from the Seattle USA area. I yearned for clearer, more reliable […]

The next edition of From the Isle of Music: The June 21 (June 20 in the Americas on WBCQ) program features special guest Ethiel Failde, whose album Llego la Failde was nominated in the Opera Prima and Traditional Popular Music categories in Cubadisco 2016; we will also play some of the winner of the Traditional […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader Cap, who writes: This little gem just popped up on eBay UK, it’s working and looks to be in very good condition and is also open to offers: Click here to view on eBay. [More info about the Mark 328 (a.k.a. MK.328) can be found here.] This follows on […]