The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for sharing a link to the following article in Radio World: The General Electric Co. was truly among America’s premier broadcasting companies. In addition to developing much of early broadcast technology and … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Ron, Vimal and Phil for noting that Jay Allen has updated his excellent AM radio shootout. Click here to read his full post. Happy to see that the Panasonic RF-2200 remains his reference AM … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mark Hirst, who writes: Thomas, I have been very impressed by the shacks featured on SWLing ! I don’t really have the room to accommodate such large collections, or to dedicate a special area … Continue reading →

(Source: WRMI on Facebook) Friends, we’re doing another round of tests for Radio Taiwan International the nights of March 13, 14 and 15 (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) in a new frequency of 11530 Khz. The transmissions will be at 0000-0100 … Continue reading →

Two weeks ago, through a radio preservation group, I met the son of Heathkit product designer of the 1950s-70s, Stu Sizer––”stylist, artist, maker of models, bon vivant.” His son described the discovery of a few vintage Heathkit brochures, photos, and illustrations his father kept in his … Continue reading →

Tonight on Allan Weiner Worldwide (WBCQ 7490 kHz coming in beautifully on my FRG-7) Allan mentioned a shortwave radio converter for car radios. The package uses a small box which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and can either use … Continue reading →

Several months ago, we conducted a shack photo contest sponsored by Universal Radio. I’m posting all of your excellent photos as time allows and putting them under the tag, shack photos. The following is the second set of ten photos along with any … Continue reading →

As I catch up with reader correspondence and the many projects I’ve been working on, I’m happy to take a moment to watch the latest episode of the superb ham radio show, TX Factor. If you’ve never watched TX Factor, … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Gully, who points out this Sony CRF-320 on eBay: Click here to view on eBay. The BuyItNow price is $1900 plus shipping(!)–not for the casual radio collector. A serious collector will probably purchase this … Continue reading →

SWLing Post readers who are located in countries other than the United States, may have found it difficult (and pricey) to order the CountyComm GP5/SSB portable radio. I’ve just learned about an eBay seller that ships internationally and works directly with … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bill Tilford, who shares this From The Isle of Music update: Starting March 14 we will be at 0200-0300 UTC Tuesdays (8-9 PM EST Mondays in the Americas) March 14 in the Americas (March 15 … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who sends this reminder about his music show on WBCQ, WRMI, and Channel 292 this Friday and Saturday: “The Classics Experience”, 2 hours of oldies and a smattering of country airs this … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Colin, who writes: This chart may be familiar to some, for others like me who has just found it, this will be a very useful one-stop information page for UK spectrum allocations for scanning … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrea Borgnino, who shares a link to this photo gallery of Radiofusión Argentina al Exterior’s historic transmitter site. Note that the photos on the RAE site are rather large and may take patience to … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Chris Smolinski, would like your help to ID a Spanish language station. Chris notes: “I record the 6800-7000 kHz band every night with my SDR, looking for pirates, but sometimes I also stumble on other interesting transmissions. The … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Surprenant (AB1DQ), who shares this update to his review of the Heathkit Explorer Jr. TRF AM radio receiver kit: With regard to the Heathkit TRF AM receiver kit, I did indeed build my LM386 amplifier. I was … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Dennis Walter, who writes with this update from Bonito: The new Bonito Hamradio / SWL Catalog 2016 in English has been released. We will distribute it on our Shows at Montichiari, Dayton Hamvention, Florence Hamfest, Friedrichshafen Hamradio, UK … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader (and contest winner) Ashok Shankar Das, who writes: The GP5/SSB receiver I got as prize from your SWLIing Post Virtual Radio Challenge is great. My friends envy the cute Monster Well with this radio I am … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Danny Garris (KJ4FH), for the following guest post which originally appeared on his blog, Up In This Brain: How I cleaned the sticky coating off of my Grundig G6 radio with guidance from KJ4FH A … Continue reading →

Interest in shortwave numbers stations seems to wax and wane. We’re currently going through a period of increased interest (again) as I’ve been receiving quite a few messages from new readers asking where to find spy numbers and what type of shortwave … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post and SRAA contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND), for the following guest post and recording. Note that Brian could use your help to ID a few unidentified broadcasters in this recording. If you can help, please comment: Shortwave … Continue reading →

I just received the following notification on The Mighty KBC’s Facebook page: Due to the lack of new sponsors, The Mighty KBC will close down on 6095 on March 27th. We will soon announce if we continue on shortwave on … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Chris Smolinski, writes: Here’s my Mac Book Pro (2010 model) playing Mary Had A Little Lamb over the radio, by modulating the RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) produced by it and other computers. As picked up on a … Continue reading →

I’ve learned through a couple of sources that the Icom IC-R75–which has been a staple tabletop shortwave receiver for 16 years–is being discontinued by Icom. Here’s what Dave Zantow (N9EWO) announced on his website: “Last Call” ICOM IC-R75 Table Top HF … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Mike Ladd, has been working with vendors to lock in promotional pricing on products and accessories commonly used by SDR enthusiasts. Last week, for example, he shared an excellent promotion for high/low pass filters. This time, Mike … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary Wise (W4EEY), who writes: I stumbled over an interesting documentary on radio jamming. You have probably seen it, but just in case you haven’t, here is a link. I had not seen this before, … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Vendel Boeree (K2DSI), who writes: Hi Tom, I just wanted to compliment you on your fine website. As a kid I would listen to Radio Netherlands which made me quite the hit with mom because … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for sharing the following story: (Source: Hackaday) […]In a publication released last week, Google asked the FCC to treat some information relating to radio experiments as confidential. These experiments involve highly directional … Continue reading →

Many thanks to an anonymous SWLing Post contributor who writes: The FCC released this material [yesterday]. It consists mainly of letters to various organizations to ask their members to avoid cooperating with unlicensed radio stations. The concern is that real … Continue reading →

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water . . .” From the Raspberrypi.org Blog blog comes news of a new board with greater processing speed and integrated hardware. “In celebration of our fourth birthday, … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Dave Zantow (N9EWO) who notes that Universal Radio is accepting orders for the Icom IC-7300 at a price of $1499.95 US and expects to ship units by the latter part of this month (March 2016). Several of you have … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who hosts a radio show on WBCQ and Channel 292, writes: My WBCQ broadcast has changed, slightly. It will be on 9330, still, but 5110 has moved to 5130 khz. [Also] to avoid a collision … Continue reading →

Last week, the Radio Preservation Task Force held a conference which focused on saving America’s radio heritage. I had hoped to attend in DC, but sadly had a conflict in my schedule that weekend. I’m happy to see that the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Mike Terry who shared the following note and video via Facebook: The great old days when the signal was mellow and radio waves were not blocked by buildings and hills and propagated beyond the horizon especially at … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares his updated Music on Shortwave list for the B15 period. If you love listening to music on the shortwaves, you’ll love Alan’s free guide. Click here to download Music on Shortwave … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who shares the following: Latest item, which provides more information, on this previously mentioned news story: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35690688 Here’s an excerpt: Raspberry Pi computers are being used to power “micro” radio transmitters in … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Edward Ganshirt, who writes: I picked up this Heathkit GR-78 at a estate/moving sale. It was in a pile of “e-waste” (you know, old vcr’s broken TVs, remote controllers, dead cell phones, etc.). I found … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Dennis at Bonito for sharing a link to an article he recently published on the Bonito blog: Autonomous power supply of our active antennas via USB and power bank It is getting to be more and more difficult … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Bill Tilford,who updates us on some of his upcoming Isle of Music broadcasts: Greetings. Update for From the Isle of Music on WBCQ, 7490 KHz, 0100-0200 Tuesdays (Monday nights 8-9pm [EST] in the Americas) The next few weeks … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul, who shares this link to a post on Craig’s List and asks: “Interesting shortwave tuner, designed by Dieter Rams. Anybody know anything about this?” I was not familiar with the Braun A-301 and … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Larry Thompson, who shares his review of the CountyComm GP5/SSB: Been having a ton of fun with my new toy, the tiny survivalist radio, the CountyComm GP5/SSB receiver. $74.95 with free heavy duty cordura case with … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Dan (VR2HF), who writes: I must be a radio geek. While listening to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) top-of-the-hour news with my CC Skywave on the 31mb in a bus from Incheon Airport to my hotel … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Mike Ladd, is an avid SDR enthusiast and an administrator of the SDRplay Facebook group. Mike contacted me about special pricing he has arranged for low and high pass filters through Rescue Electronics. Mike explains: These filters retail for $70.00 … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who hosts a radio show on WBCQ, received the following message from the station yesterday: The FCC has just informed Allan Weiner that the military needs our 5110 frequency. So your show on Friday 3/11 (10pm … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Tim Anderson (KF7JBM) who writes: You may have seen this already, but I ran across this at the ARRL site and thought it might be of interest to your readers: Receiving Antennas Will Be … Continue reading →

(Source: BBC) For the first time, scientists have tracked the source of a “fast radio burst” – a fleeting explosion of radio waves which, in this case, came from a galaxy six billion light-years away. The cause of the big … Continue reading →

(Source: Times Union) When the sun goes down, AM radio signals travel much farther. You can listen to 50,000-watt stations such as WGY hundreds of miles away. But that could soon change, if the Federal Communications Commission goes through with … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Stephen Cooper, who shares the following news about the new DigiDX broadcast: DigiDX is a 30 minute MFSK32 broadcast covering shortwave and DX news, radio related reviews, schedule information and listeners letters and after … Continue reading →

In reply to our post about the Barlow Wadley XCR-30, SWLing Post reader, Max Youle, replies: I have a Barlow Wadley with the FM tuner here in New Zealand. [see photo above] These fabulous receivers are reasonably common here as … Continue reading →