The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who writes: This just came to my attention. It seems that William McClellan (Mac) Thornberry, the Republican representative of Texas’s 13th congressional district and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, proposed … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who writes: You’ve posted shack photos before from other readers. I guess this is a shack, so here’s mine. By the banks of the thawed and now flowing Yukon River. Paul braves … Continue reading →

One of the benefits of being an inside exhibitor at the Dayton Hamvention is the ability to visit with vendors and exhibitors on Thursday, prior to all of the traffic that happens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Elecraft’s booth is … Continue reading →

En route to the 2016 Dayton Hamvention, I’m doing a few National Parks On The Air (NPOTA) activations with my my buddy, Eric (WD8RIF). Eric is currently the number one activator in the state of Ohio. NPOTA is a great … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ken (N2VIP), who writes: I was at Microcenter.com the other day and saw a case for their 7″ touchscreen for the Raspberry Pi, it includes a ‘bump’ in the back of the case to … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrea Borgnino, who shares a link to the excellent archived radio documentary, The first 21 years of the World Service, via the BBC World Service‘s online audio archives. The recording/broadcast dates from December, 18 1953. Here’s the description of the … Continue reading →

Click here to download the PDF version of the Elecraft KX2 product sheet (2 pages). If you have difficulty opening the link above, use this alternate link.

Since I own the Elecraft KX3, Elecraft K2 and the Elecraft KX1, I’m excited to see that Elecraft has announced a new addition to their product line: the Elecraft KX2. Elecraft will feature the KX2 at Four Days In May (FDIM) and the … Continue reading →

(Source: Radio Bulgaria via David Iurescia, LW4DAF) The Council for Electronic Media elected Alexander Velev as the new Director General of the Bulgarian National Radio. Velev was elected out of 12 candidates for the position. Alexander Velev has already been … Continue reading →

As we mentioned in a post last month, Radio Canada International’s program “The Link” is now being broadcast via Shortwave Service in Germany. If you’ve been listening to The Link via shortwave, SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, encourages you to … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Dan Robinson, who writes: Almost never seen on Ebay, the Drake RR3, otherwise known as the R4245, which is also essentially a Drake R7/A inside a marine style case. This one has some condition issues, … Continue reading →

In August 2015 at the Tokyo Hamfair, Icom debuted a new type of transceiver in their product line––one featuring a direct RF sampling receiver. Essentially, it was an SDR tabletop transceiver. At about the same time that the IC-7300 started … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: The Kenwood R-1000 has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity over the past few years, fueled in part by a positive re-review of the receiver at http://webpages.charter.net/n9ewo2/news.html While new condition R-1000s, and … Continue reading →

For the sixth year in a row at the Dayton Hamvention, fellow volunteers and I will be representing the charity Ears To Our World (ETOW). I always enjoy meeting SWLing Post readers who stop by our booth to introduce themselves. Note: New … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes: The amazing streak of rare radios, never before seen on Ebay or rarely seen there, continues, with the appearance of this Nems-Clarke 1510A receiver. I attempted to find this radio in the Osterman … Continue reading →

In response to our post about a Panasonic RF-9000 being offered on eBay for $20,000(!), SWLing Post reader, Luke, comments: I actually just bought a RF-9000 from a Spanish Ebay seller. It might show up in the ‘completed auctions’, not … Continue reading →

(Source: Sean Gilbert via WRTH on Facebook) We are pleased to announce that the A16 International Radio and Clandestine/Target Broadcast schedules file is now available for download from our website. The file is offered free of charge, but we do … Continue reading →

Culture Secretary, John Whittingdale, has made public the UK government’s plan for the future of the BBC, which among other things, will now include Ofcom regulation. The BBC Trust will also be dissolved and the BBC will have a new unitary board … Continue reading →

An announcement has been made by Kurt, OE1KBC and reported by Don Trynor, VA3XFT concerning a multi-mode radio combining various digital modes. The radio/computer is called simply NEW RADIO and is a joint initiative of the ÖVSV, DARC and IARU R1. … Continue reading →

In response to our post mentioning the Harris RF-505A, SWLing Post contributor, Bob LaRose (W6ACU), writes: I know the RF-505A very well. It was introduced in about 1969 while I worked at Harris in Rochester. I started working there as a Co-Op … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: This is the highest price ever sought by an RF-9000 seller. [The last RF-9000] went for around $9,000-10,000. […]The RF-9000, as many veterans of SWL know, was produced by Panasonic as a kind … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: These days as shortwave continues on the decline, we’re seeing some great rarities, receivers that have never been seen before on the used market. One of these is [top of page], a … Continue reading →

It’s not often I find a shortwave radio I’ve never heard about–so you can imagine my surprise when I looked at 73 Radio Row this morning and found the Shortwave Daddy software defined radio for $159.00. How did I miss hearing … Continue reading →

One of my favorite podcasts, 99% Invisible, recently featured a story on the Bell Labs’ Voder and how its innovation lead to one of the best kept secrets in WWII high frequency communications: SIGSALY. The episode is called Vox Ex … Continue reading →

I’ve been evaluating the BST-1 car shortwave radio for a review that will soon appear in The Spectrum Monitor magazine. I must admit: it’s mighty fun to be able to listen to shortwave broadcasters through my vehicle’s audio system. Last … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jeff (KB7AIL), who shares the following: Saw the article on the DC meter in a Hammerlund HQ180. Another mod I have seen is replacing the meter with a digital display. http://www.electronicspecialtyproducts.com/dd101.html It integrates with the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bill Tilford, who shares this From The Isle of Music update: Our May 10 (May 9 in the Americas) program will feature two special guests with interviews and music: 1. Cuban Laud (a relative of … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who shares his latest shortwave radio schedule for the BBC World Service technology program, Click. Click on the image below to view the schedule, or simply click here to view the schedule as … Continue reading →

Blinq.com has another “open box” deal on the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. As I mentioned last time one of these surfaced on Blinq, this is a great deal for an excellent radio (that’s getting more and more difficult to find). Actually, if … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steven Crawford, who sent the following message to me (several weeks ago) and has kindly allowed me to share it here. Steven writes: I hope this finds you and yours well. I just wanted to … Continue reading →

SWLing Post readers might recall that the Netherlands was considering opening licensed mediumwave broadcasting to low-power stations–it appears the path is now clear. Yesterday, Minister Kamp gave the green light to low-power stations (those with a power output from 1 to … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike R, for sharing this article from Asia Radio Today: During a session on Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) at Radio Asia, Fayyaz Sheheryar the Director General of All India Radio said all PSB [Public … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bob La Rose, who shares a QSL he received (see above and below) from Radio Havana Cuba after they had only been on the air a few days back in 1961. Amazing, Bob! Thanks … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), for sharing the following feedback yesterday: Today, the 1st of May, is the 55th anniversary of Radio Havana Cuba. Here is the link about this on their website: http://www.radiohc.cu/en/especiales/comentarios/91190-radio-havana-cuba-55-years-broadcasting-the-truth-to-the-world I haven’t heard if … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who noted that, yesterday, the beta Windows version of ADS-B for SDRplay was released: “We now have an updated beta version of ADS-B for Windows. This is based upon the 16bit Mutability version … Continue reading →

A couple weeks ago, LNR Precision sent me their new LD-11 Digital Direct Conversion QRP transceiver on loan for review. The LD-11 is basically a small, tabletop SDR transceiver. It’s like a miniature, simplified version of the Icom IC-7100 I’ve … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jake, who writes: Just passing along this scan of an Associated Press story about the 5th anniversary of Radio Havana Cuba. It ran in The Virginian-Pilot on May 8, 1966. Fun read considering so … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who shares the following announcement: We now have an updated beta version of ADS-B for both the Raspberry Pi 2 and 3. This is based upon the 16bit Mutability version of dump1090 developed … Continue reading →

You might recall a post from Robert Gulley earlier this week about Eye Radio. Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrea Borgnino who shares a link to the following article from the BBC about Eye Radio’s broadcasts over shortwave: (Source: BBC) … Continue reading →

On April 1st, I spent the bulk of the day at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station outside of Greenville, North Carolina. Prior to my visit, I asked if SWLing Post readers had any requests or questions I could address while … Continue reading →

There’s a new SDR under development–one that is promoted as a “Flexible, Next-generation, Open Source Software Defined Radio.” The LimeSDR‘s goal, essentially, is to democratize what I call the “RF of things.” My friend, Bernie S, told me about the … Continue reading →

Yesterday, in a comment thread, SWLing Post reader Dan described a covert antenna he once installed in a student apartment: I’m waxing nostalgic now, but I had a great set-up for a couple of years back in the ’70s. The … Continue reading →

28/April/2016, Wakefield UK: SDRplay announces the acquisition of Studio 1 SDR software SDRplay Limited has today announced that it has reached an agreement with Sandro Sfregola, (formerly CEO of SDR Applications S.a.s.) to acquire all Rights, Title and Interest in Studio … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mark Lane, who writes: Hi Thomas, I just wanted to thank you for a great website, I have been interested in SW since I was a boy and used to listen to my grandfather’s … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Christopher Brennen, writes: I’m wondering if you or the wider community can help? I remember a few years ago (at least 16 or 17) receiving a book about a SW religious station. I’m not sure, but the … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Alan Lever, writes: “Although not new, NewLog is excellent for all breeds of radio listener. It has separate opening screens for Amateur, SWL, Broadcast etc. all fully adaptable as to layout, renaming boxes etc. The developer, Tom Lackamp … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following recordings of Radio Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands Broadcasting. Paul lives in Galena, Alaska, and records most of these broadcasts outside of his broadcasting studio: 7260 kHz: 5020 … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Daniel Amoroso, who shares this QSL card and notes: Hello Thomas, Attached is QSL # 1 from Radio Habana Cuba for their shortwave broadcast on 8- 15-2015 This was the day the US Embassy in … Continue reading →

Recently, my friend and fellow archivist, London Shortwave, and I engaged in a discussion about creating a curated list of “endangered” shortwave radio stations. The idea being we could use such a list to focus our efforts and those of the archiving … Continue reading →