The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Andrea Borgnino, who shares a link to a new web SDR in New Zealand: The KiwiSDR installation. Andrea posted the following on Twitter: The new KiwiSDR is fantastic !! Best web-receiver ever !!! https://t.co/YiIEUE3CIe @SWLingDotCom … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike Nikolich (N9OVQ), who writes: Hi, Tom: Uncle Eric mentioned [this past weekend] on The Mighty KBC (6040 kHz) around 0145 UTC that they will be leaving the airwaves if they cannot attract enough advertising … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Walker, who writes: I will be doing another broadcast on Shortwave and it’s going to be even bigger and better right now. Tentatively, this is how the broadcast schedule times/frequencies work out to … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bob, who writes: A great photo for your blog, for no particular reason… [The image above is a] part of a long blog post by Lenovo about CES history, but I did not see … Continue reading →

Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with WiFi radios. You see, I’ve been preparing a three part series about WiFi radios for The Spectrum Monitor magazine (Part 1 will appear in the April 2016 issue). Not only have I been … Continue reading →

This morning, I listened to Radio Australia on 9,580 kHz with my WWII era Scott Marine Radio SLR-M (above). Radio Australia provides a reliable, strong signal into North America every morning and it’s where I typically tune for the morning news at … Continue reading →

Digital Radio FM Europe blog is reporting Sweden wants to keep FM radio: Parliament Confirms Rejection of DAB Radio in Sweden [updated] Public radio continues on FM and will push for extending its remit to include digital radio online. The … Continue reading →

Yesterday evening, I warmed up my Signal Corps BC-348-Q and tuned to 9,420 kHz to see if the Voice of Greece happened to be on the air. Fortunately, I was rewarded with a strong signal from Avlis. The ‘348 did a fine job … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: [Check out this] rarely seen RCA receiver: http://ebay.to/23NHtYv Thanks for the tip, Dan! I just checked Fred Osterman’s Shortwave Receivers Past and Present. It appears the CRM-R6A is a “double … Continue reading →

Interesting 15 min. video demonstrating the Army Signal Corps using an Hallicrafters SCR-299. While certainly a promotional piece for Hallicrafters, this has great footage and captures a bit of the excitement of radio expanding into new frontiers. There is a … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, is an acclaimed innovator in the realm of Ultralight DXing–he’s well-known for constantly pushing the envelop on these inexpensive DX receivers. Gary has published yet another detailed home-brew project that can turn your stock Tecsun PL-380 into a Mediumwave DX Fiend! … Continue reading →

UPDATE: Ooops! Appears this was a pricing error on the part of the seller. They have cancelled orders that were placed. I just discovered this excellent deal for a new Grundig S450DLX on Amazon.com from the Japan-based seller, SayakaDOU7. Go to … Continue reading →

As of February 1, 2016, the Internet radio pioneer Live365 has closed shop. I imagine many SWLing Post readers are familiar with Live365, especially if you have a WiFi radio with the Live365 app. While I’ve never been an avid listener … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike, who writes: I thought your readers might like to know about the new Xiegu X5105 [HF] transceiver which is being developed by the Wouxun group out of China (the same company who produces an inexpensive line … Continue reading →

Frequent contributor Mario Filippi N2HUN has written a brilliant piece for the latest edition of The Spectrum Monitor entitled RTL-SDR: Your Eye To The Wireless World, February 2016. Here is a brief synopsis: RTL-SDR Dongle: Your Eye to the Wireless … Continue reading →

Recently, I learned about a new portable by Kaito Electronics: the Kaito KA108. While there are a number of compact portables on the market, the KA108 really caught my attention because it features a built-in digital recorder. Which is to say, you … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, John George, who shares the following story from DVIDShub.net: PENSACOLA, Fla. – The cryptologic technician (collection) (CTR) student cohort in the first revised Basic Manual Morse Trainer (BMMT) course wrapped up, Jan. 28, at … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Terry (VE7TEB) who writes: You may have already posted this, but if not here is an excellent Public Radio resource, perhaps worthy of another mention: http://www.publicradiofan.com/ Indeed, Terry! Public Radio Fan is a fantastic resource–especially … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Chris Smolinski who writes: I wanted to run SdrDx, and other SDR apps on my Mac with an RTL SDR Dongle. So I wrote this server app, that makes it appear like a networked SDR. No … Continue reading →

The Voice of Greece is an unpredictable broadcaster these days. VOG is not on the air as much as in the past and doesn’t seem to follow a broadcast schedule. I only hear them perhaps once or twice per week now. … Continue reading →

While not directly radio related, this was too amazing not to share (so forgive me in advance! There is an Arduino involved, if that helps?!) The video above is of a robot which can solve Rubik’s Cube in about 1 … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dave Zantow, who notes that the Icom IC-7200 general coverage transceiver is being discontinued. Dave notes the following on his website: Icom IC-7200 “Last Call” : It appears that the Icom IC-7200 DSP HF … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Tom Laskowski, who submits the following notes with his timely off-air recording of the BBC World Service from January 28, 1986: Thirty years ago today the US Space program came crashing down with the explosion … Continue reading →

I just noticed that Blinq.com has a “New – Open Box” Terk AM-1000 Advantage indoor mediumwave loop antenna, on sale for $27.69. This is a great price for this quality AM loop which typically sells for about $50. The antenna … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Walker, who writes: Remember the “transmission tests” from Babcock and Wooferton last summer? I finally got an email QSL… My original email is first along with an audio sample of what I heard…. Original message … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Srebnick, who writes: While DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) has long been pronounced DOA (dead on arrival), All India Radio seems to be taking it pretty seriously. Here’s a screenshot of not one, but two simultaneous … Continue reading →

SWLing Post readers: my friend, Dr. Ed Harris, administrator for the Brock International Prize in Education could use your help. Ed writes: Hello Fellow SWLers, I recently wrote a post re: Why Shortwave Radio is Still a Superior Educational Technology. I … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike Ladd, who shares a link to this incredibly informative page about the vulnerable (oops!) venerable Sony SRF-59 ultralight radio: http://earmark.net/gesr/srf59.htm

Great news! SWLing Post reader, Alex, has just informed me that he’s updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts for the B15 broadcasting season. Note that Alex creates his charts based on listening to broadcasters rather than importing schedules from other sources. His charts are essentially … Continue reading →

Yesterday afternoon, I ventured off of our snowy mountain for the first time since Thursday. I was very pleased to find the new Kaito KA108 waiting for me at the post office. Universal Radio kindly dispatched a unit to me … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Sean Gilbert who shares the following on the WRTH Facebook page: WRTH has released a free of charge update file for the B15 (winter) international and clandestine/target broadcast schedules. The file is in PDF format and follows … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gregg Freeby, who writes: I thought your readers might be interested in this story about a solar powered FM radio station operating in Austin, Texas. The article also includes a brief history of broadcast radio. … Continue reading →

[See update below] Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: This NOS 51-S1 is headed for a record price for an Ebay sale. I have only seen one of these in this condition in my decades on Ebay. This … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, for sharing Alan Roe’s excellent guide to music broadcasts on shortwave radio. Alan Roe (who happens to be an avid SWLing Post reader!) has generously given me permission to post his guide here as … Continue reading →

My buddy, Jeff MacMahon, over the Herculodge, forwarded the following message from his reader, Val: [P]robably some people who are still interested in AM radio will be surprised to see pictures of the Sony SRF-59. [The] Sony SRF-39FR is an excellent receiver made … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: Barlow Wadley’s show up every now and then on Ebay, but infrequently with the original papers. Rarely, one sees them with the original box. These are great representatives of SW … Continue reading →

Speaking of backpacks and protective cases for radios, SWLing Post reader, JC, recommends an inexpensive tactical shoulder pack available via eBay. JC writes: I tend to want a little more protection and space so I use a tactical military type … Continue reading →

While quite out of my price range, this is a beautiful piece of radio art nevertheless. (I recommend viewing the close-ups on the listing to really see it.) The receiver/amplifier has Broadcast, Long Wave, Short Wave plus FM, and the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, A Black, for sharing the following article from the excellent Hackaday blog: J.C. BOSE AND THE INVENTION OF RADIO The early days of electricity appear to have been a cutthroat time. While academics were … Continue reading →

Noted DXer and South American radio enthusiast Don Moore (USA) is travelling again and posting fascinating photos & commentary of DXing and life in Colombia. Don mentions: The focus is MW. My postings include photos and local recordings of stations from southernmost … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Andrea Borgnino who, as a follow-up to his post yesterday, is sharing the following photos of the Radio Nacional de España (RNE) Casa de la Radio in Pozuelo, Madrid, Spain. Andrea also includes some excellent interior shots … Continue reading →

Blinq.com has another “used” Sony ICF-SW7600GR in inventory. As I mentioned once before when one of these surfaced on Blinq, this is a great deal for an excellent radio. This is a used unit, but if you receive it and … Continue reading →

This article from Electronics Weekly just popped up in my news feed: SDRplay of Wakefield, the 18-month-old software defined radio specialist, is now shipping its $149 software defined radio (SDR) receiver in quantities of 1,000 a month Inspired by the … Continue reading →

Many of us living in the eastern half of North America are bracing for a winter storm this weekend. If predictions are correct, this storm could dump a lot of snow, sleet, and freezing rain in many areas. Of concern … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWling Post contributor, Ron, who writes: http://www.anon-co.com/product/pl360 No, it’s not a GP5/SSB, but at less than half the cost it’s fine for general use. Anna is first-rate to deal with, too. Indeed she is, Ron! I’ve only has … Continue reading →

Andrea Borgnino–journalist and Internet Content Manager for RAI (RadioTelevisione Italiana)–posted a couple of photos of the Radio Exterior de España studios on Twitter this morning, so I thought I’d share them here on the SWLing Post: Radio Exterior de España radio … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel (the Amateur Astronomer), who writes: I’m rather – uh – call it OCD re: equipment cases (and bags/packs). All of my […]astronomy equipment is well secured & cataloged in several dozen cases. … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for sharing this article about the historic Bawdsey Radar site: (Source: Engaget) A radar site considered by some to be as historically important as Bletchley Park will be preserved, thanks to a … Continue reading →

(Source: NPR) A non-profit organization in Berlin has invented a small portable transmitter that can download satellite signals and rebroadcast them on FM for Syrians to listen to on their car or household radios. If this story sounds familiar, it’s … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Bill Tilford, Owner/Producer at Tilford Productions, who writes: Beginning Monday, February 1, I will be hosting a weekly, hour-long music program, From the Isle of Music, dedicated to the music of Cuba, on WBCQ, 7.490 MHz, every Monday night … Continue reading →