The SWLing Post

SWLing Post reader, Ian Cattermole, writes: I am listening to Dandal Kura Radio here in NZ. Reception is very good now at 0645 UTC on 7,415 kHz. Would you happen to have an e-mail contact for this broadcaster? I would like … Continue reading →

This morning, I checked a few retailers for “Cyber Monday” deals and took notes along the way. Some of the best finds came from Blinq, a retailer I’ve purchased from a number of times. Note that Blinq products are often open … Continue reading →

In response to our Mega Review, Danny Bower comments: Fantastic review and whilst I know the article is an older one people will still read it when looking at a portable SW radio. With this in mind I would like … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeff McMahon (at the Herculodge), who writes: I upgraded my Sangean U3 with a male to female iMBAPrice 6 foot stereo audio extension cable 3.5mm, which I plugged into the U3’s auxiliary port. The … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Patterson, who writes: Has anyone ever thought of changing the Tuning knob on the PL-660? Putting a larger knob on it makes for much easier turning instead of the very small fiddly knob … Continue reading →

When I discovered that Degen had recently refreshed the receiver design of the DE1103, I was intrigued, to say the least. The original DE1103 sported some serious performance for a sub-$100 receiver. The 2015 model of the Degen DE1103 implements … Continue reading →

It’s Thanksgiving here in the States–without a doubt, my favorite holiday. What’s not to love about family, feasting, and, of course, friends? To that end: I’d like to take a moment to offer my thanks to all of you who read, comment, … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Christopher, lives on the north coast of Labrador, Canada. He recently contacted me regarding the purchase of a new receiver–he’s currently stuck with a very inexpensive analog portable he purchased at the UK grocery store, Tesco: the Tesco … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Michael Letterle, who shares this story from the excellent website Hackaday. The following is an excerpt from Swans, Pigs, and the CIA: An Ulikey Radio Story: Shortwave radio is boring, right? Maybe not. You never … Continue reading →

Regarding the Sony ICF-2001D (or ICF-2010 in North America), SWLing Post contributor James Patterson writes: I have a comment on the Sony ICF-2010. In New Zealand it is called the ICF-2001D, as labeled on it. I bought the ICF 2001D … Continue reading →

AMSAT-UK Announces SSTV Activity Every Sunday Slow Scan TV (SSTV) images in Scottie 1 format will be transmitted from the SPROUT satellite every Sunday (Japanese Standard Time) on 437.600 MHz FM (+/- 9 kHz Doppler shift). The Digitalker will also … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Pat, is an avid cyclist and is seeking a radio for his next cross-continent adventure. There are a limited number of products on the market that meet Pat’s requirements, so I thought posting his inquiry might bring a … Continue reading →

There is an interesting kit being sold on eBay designed specifically for aircraft monitoring of 118-136 MHz (meaning it could also cover a number of ACARS frequencies). The receiver is being sold as a DIY kit, a completed kit, or … Continue reading →

Dave Richards (AA7EE), has just published a brilliant post about his new beacon: the Sproutie SPT Beacon. Click here to read Dave’s post with detailed instructions for building your own low power, legal beacon! Dave’s beacon is located on 13,558 kHz–he would … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, James Patterson, has recently restored a Sony ICF-5800H. James sent me a few photos and I decided to post them here. I absolutely love the design of Japanese analog radios from this era. They have signal meters, large backlit … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes: http://www.countycomm.com/gp5ssb.html Buy a GP5 from CountyComm this week and get the 17 buck custom carry case for free. Thanks, for sharing this, Ron. I actually have this GP5 case–it houses the GP5/SSB … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Hi Thomas, For hams and SWLs that have a lot of clutter, a great idea, reminds me of a foot stool that has been re-purposed for radio buffs. Nice … Continue reading →

Radio producer and SWLing Post friend, Raoul van Hall, writes: Hello fellow shortwave and music fans. I am very excited to be broadcasting via PCJ International, a one-hour music special on November 28th. It’s called “Rockin’ with Raoul,” and it … Continue reading →

(Source: BBC Media Centre via Jonathan Marks) Statement on newly announced Government funding of the World Service Tony Hall, the Director-General of the BBC, said: “I warmly welcome today’s announcement. It’s fantastic news. “This new funding is the single biggest … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), for the following guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RS Catalogs -Mario Filippi (N2HUN) Attached is a wonderful website containing archived Radio Shack catalogs and sales flyers going back to … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Vance, who writes: You got me hooked on those little credit card sized radio kits from an eBay seller so much that I have bought a few more of his kits. I’ve found them … Continue reading →

Sheldon Harvey kindly posted the following notice regarding William (Bill) Westenhaver on the NASWA Winter SWL Fest Facebook group: I’m sad to report the passing this week of a person well known within the radio hobby community, William (Bill) Westenhaver. A … Continue reading →

Commenting on our post about Myke’s new release of At The Tone, SWLing Post contributor Richard Langley writes: I must have first heard WWV shortly after putting together the Knight-Kit Span Master I received for Christmas 1963. I still have … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Walker, who writes: I think you and your readers might enjoy these videos. I’ve upgraded from a Tecsun PL880 and Sangean ATS909X to a JRC NRD535D. I live in Camden, Arkansas which is … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bob, who writes: Remarks on the Growth of Pirate Radio from FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, November 17, 2015: “I know that this … Continue reading →

On Thursday I attended an event at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI)–location of the 2015 SWLing Post DXPedition. During a break, I had a couple of free hours, so I reached in my messenger bag and pulled out the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Scott (AK5SD) who shares the following photos and bill of materials for his custom Elecraft KX3 go-box: Bill of materials The panel was custom laser cut by Front Panel Express. I have the CAD file and I’m … Continue reading →

Let’s imagine that your area suddenly loses power–as well as cell phone and internet service–for an indeterminate period. Home and personal electronics remain unaffected, but must be powered off-grid (without mains power). Moreover, you may be required to evacuate your home…perhaps even on foot. … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader Chris Smolinski who shares a link to this listing of “seasonal” shortwave pirates–pirates that are usually only heard one or two days out of the year: http://www.radiohobbyist.org/blog/?p=1725 I love logging seasonal pirates–at least, when I remember to tune in! … Continue reading →

Almost five years ago, I wrote about a unique collection of archived recordings called At The Tone: A Little History of NIST Radio Stations WWV & WWVH. Producer Myke Dodge Weiskopf recently released a new and expanded edition of At The Tone which is now … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares information about a new survey via Radio Romania International: PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2015 ON RRI 2015-11-14 16:21:00 Dear friends, RRI continues its traditional polling of listeners on short wave, the … Continue reading →

Richard Cuff and John Figliozzi have just announced the dates for the 2016 Winter SWL Fest–it will be held on February 19th and 20th, 2016. I encourage you to save these dates and plan to attend! What’s the SWL Fest about? … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert AK3Q, who shares the following information: (Schedule Published on the Cumbre_DX group by Alokesh Gupta) Special EDXC Broadcast 5-7 December Rhein-Main-Radio-Club will be broadcasting on shortwave about EDXC – Conference at St.Petersburg. Special QSL-Card for … Continue reading →

Last night, I noticed an untested American Electrola DXC-100 shortwave/AM/FM radio listed on eBay: it had a BuyItNow price of $49 shipped. The seller (who has an excellent feedback history) disclosed that the power supply was missing, thus the receiver … Continue reading →

The Essex Record Office has published a recording of a speech made by Guglielmo Marconi in 1935. You can listen to the recording by clicking here or listening via the embedded player below (description follows): (Source:Essex Record Office via Southgate ARC) “Second part … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares a radio comparison he initially posted in the excellent Extreme Shortwave Listening Facebook group. Dan writes: When the Sangean ATS-909X was first released a few years ago, I decided that I … Continue reading →

Regarding the C.Crane CC Skywave, SWLing Post reader, William Pietschman (W8LV) comments: I find that the Skywave is so stable on the air band, I can use it to decode ACARS with the Android App! Listened to WBCQ, and Arnie Coro’s … Continue reading →

After learning about the new Tecsun S-8800, yesterday, I contacted Anna at Anon-Co and asked for any information regarding specs and availability. Anna replied: “Regarding the S-8800, there is no information available of when this will be actually launched. I … Continue reading →

Regarding the new DSP version of the Degen DE1103, SWLing Post contributor, Andi_84, writes: I’ve opened [my Degen DE1103] and checked the semiconductors inside. It’s definitely based on a Silicon Labs chip (Si4735-D60). 1) Display PCB Valence Tech AP651 “LCD AND … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, OWL, writes: It seems that Tecsun has a new large portable in line. Someone posted a photo of a new Tecsun product catalogue which shows a new model S8800. Apparently it uses the housing of BCL3000 [see … Continue reading →

I’ve been traveling along the coast of South Carolina this week, and on Thursday, I found myself in the historic town of Conway, South Carolina. I parked downtown and strolled into the past via Papa’s General Store, a small local store with a lot of merchandise––and … Continue reading →

Check this out: a tutorial on decoding ATSC HDTV via the SDRPlay RSP software defined receiver. (Source: coolsdrstuff.blogspot.com) One of the main reasons I got the SDRPlay RSP was its wide bandwidth. It can show up to 8 MHz of spectrum at once. … Continue reading →

Many thanks for reminding us, Andrea! World Radio TV Handbook 70th Edition is coming soon @SWLingDotCom pic.twitter.com/Nh8M2LLUGX — Andrea Borgnino (@aborgnino) November 6, 2015 Hard to believe this will be the 70th anniversary edition. I’ll post a link when WRTH 2016 … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Daniel, who shares a link to this article on the BT website: From Marconi and the transistor radio to DAB: the history of radio in the UK 93 years ago this week, the BBC … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Eric Weatherall, who writes: I’ve been interested by news of the updated DSP version of the Degen DE1103. I just saw an eBay auction for a used DE1103 which listed “DSP” in the title. … Continue reading →

It doesn’t matter that propagation is rather poor this morning: I have a Sony ICF-SW100, a good cup of coffee, a beautiful sunrise and Radio Australia is loud and clear on 9,580 kHz. All is well.

Dave Cripe (NM0S) has designed yet another QRP kit for the 4 State QRP Group: the 4S-Tuner/Antenna Coupler. Description (per Four State QRP Group): This excellent random wire antenna tuner is the classic T-Match design which is known for wide matching … Continue reading →

Let’s imagine that your area suddenly loses power–as well as cell phone and internet service–for an indeterminate period. Home and personal electronics remain unaffected, but must be powered off-grid (without mains power). Moreover, you may be required to evacuate your home…perhaps even on foot. … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley for the following guest post: AFVN: The GI’s Companion — A Tribute To Our Vietnam Veterans Radio station WEBY on 1330 kHz in Milton, Florida (near Pensacola and Elgin Air Force Base), … Continue reading →