The SWLing Post

On Friday, Andrea Borgnino, tweeted that he could once again hear “The Buzzer” on 6,998 kHz. Of course, during the day, I couldn’t hear the signal from my home in North America. I could, however, easily hear the signal via the University … Continue reading →

After publishing our previous post about a potentially redesigned Degen DE1103 with DSP, SWLing Post reader, Tudor, comments: Yes, the DE1103 looks like it’s been redesigned. You can see it dissected here: http://bbs.tecsun.com.cn/0002.asp?open=724665 And, if I’m not mistaken, the SiLabs … Continue reading →

[Click here to read our update to this post.] SWLing Post reader, Dan, recently sent me this link to the Degen DE1103 on AliBexxpress: http://m.aliexpress.com/item/32521065066.html The vendor notes a “USA DSP chip” in this unit. The Degen DE1103 has been around … Continue reading →

My buddy, Bill Forstchen, is author of NY Times best seller, One Second After (and many other books). One day, we met for lunch and I admitted to him that I’m less worried about an EMP attack (the catalyst for … Continue reading →

If you live in the UK and listen to the radio, you’ve probably heard that long-time announcer/broadcaster Peter Donaldson died earlier this week. For years–decades actually–Donaldson was a prominent voice on Radio 4. Donaldson was also well-loved by his listeners, and his colleagues … Continue reading →

Please join me in congratulating SWLing Post reader, Vimal, for winning our October Shack Photo contest! Vimal notes: “I love these radios (see photo above). The Tecsun PL-390 stereo DSP radio with selectable band width- is able to pull in … Continue reading →

The Avion portable DRM receiver is now available on Amazon India (click here to view). It’s being sold for 14,999.00 INR (roughly $230 US). At time of posting, The Avion DRM receiver only has one review by someone who has (obviously) never … Continue reading →

This Ofcom press release focuses on the FM pirate radio scene in London–if interested, you might also check out this short documentary on London pirates. (Source: Ofcom via Southgate ARC) A new approach to tackling pirate radio has eradicated the problem … Continue reading →

In response to Andrea’s UVB-76 recording, SWLing Post contributor, Mehdi, comments: Thomas, another signal which may sound mysterious: Iran’s OTH Radar, named “Ghadir”; part of Iran’s Sepehr Phased Radar System. They’d polluted the 10-meter band [in the past]; now they … Continue reading →

Wow–seems the FCC and Justice Department took notice of Reuters’ CRI investigation reported earlier: (Source: Reuters via Mike Terry) The Federal Communications Commission and the Justice Department are investigating a California firm whose U.S. radio broadcasts are backed by a subsidiary … Continue reading →

My buddy, Andrea Borgnino, recently heard UVB-76 (The Buzzer) on 6,998 kHz with his Elecraft K3 in Italy. Check out this short video: New buzzer on 6998 khz received in Roma @sicral @dxcoffee @SWLingDotCom @LondonShortwave @priyom_org @Spy_Stations pic.twitter.com/nd5cBkDTEh — Andrea Borgnino … Continue reading →

Many thanks to several SWLing Post readers for sharing a link to the following investigative story from Reuters. I’ve included an excerpt below–you can read the full article, and watch a video at Reuters online. (Source: Reuters) In August, foreign … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Chris Smolinski, from the HF Underground, who has crunched some numbers from North American pirate radio loggings on Halloween. The number of pirates (and his charts with times and frequencies) are most impressive and informative. Chris posted the … Continue reading →

Garth Mullins is an SWL and a radio geek–he’s also a Sociologist and radio producer. Garth’s latest radio doc, “The Coming Zombie Apocalypse” was recently featured on the CBC program Ideas with Paul Kennedy. While the documentary doesn’t focus on shortwave … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted DXer, Guy Atkins, for the following guest post: Wellbrook 1530LNPro vs ALA1530S+ Imperium Loop Antennas -Guy Atkins This past weekend I found some interesting results from medium wave DXing with both models … Continue reading →

Today is the deadline for our latest contest! In exchange for sharing a photo of your favorite listening post or your radio shack with the SWLing Post community, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Grundig G2 portable radio/recorder and player! The … Continue reading →

Yesterday, Tony (K3DY), shared a video (via Twitter) demonstrating his new home brew loop antenna and amplifier. This is actually a great demonstration of how even a relatively simple, inexpensive loop antenna can improve reception in locations with heavy radio … Continue reading →

(Source: Hackaday via Andrea Borgnino) One thing has stayed with the James Bond movie franchise through the decades: Mr. Bond always has the most wonderful of gadgets. Be it handheld, car-based, or otherwise, there’s always something to thrill that is … Continue reading →

Halloween is typically the most active day of the year for shortwave pirates…so, here are three things you’ll want to do this Halloween: Listen for pirate radio stations this weekend! Turn on your radio anytime this weekend, but especially around twilight … Continue reading →

If you’re a subscriber of The Spectrum Monitor (TSM) magazine, you’re in for a treat this month: the November issue is the TSM annual Radio Buyer’s Guide. Many SWLing Post readers know that I write occasional features and reviews for TSM. Since the … Continue reading →

I’ll admit it: I’m a bit of a handheld radio snob. I don’t own many HT transceivers, but the ones I do own are manufactured by the “big three”–namely, Yaesu, Kenwood and Icom. For ages, these three companies dominated the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to former VOA correspondent and noted DXer, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post: A Late Summer Visit to Howard Mills’ Radio Restoration -Dan Robinson The end of summer is a wistful time, as we begin to mourn the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, John Drake, who shares the following news via The National Post: AHOUSAHT — Nobody saw the wave coming. According to stories told by survivors on board the Leviathan II it broadsided the vessel, perhaps the … Continue reading →

I regularly check out the used equipment list at Universal Radio. While prices are not rock-bottom, the seller (Universal) is solid. Universal backs all of their used equipment with a 60 day limited warranty and their product descriptions are accurate. This … Continue reading →

In reference to our previous posts about the Sony SRF-59 ultralight receiver, SWLing Post reader, Bill Mead, writes: “As someone who doesn’t normally open the backs of radios, this is my mod on my ultralight. All it takes is a … Continue reading →

In reference to our post about the Sony SRF-39FP and SRF-59, SWLing Post reader, Peter, writes: As usual a very interesting post. I sold most of my collection of receivers some years ago but I’m still interested in AM DXing … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who notes that Radio Taiwan International will be testing a new broadcast schedule to Latin America October 27-29. Frequencies and times are as follows: To Central America: 03:00 – 04:00 UTC … Continue reading →

The November 1st deadline for our latest Reader Challenge is approaching! In exchange for sharing a photo of your favorite listening post or your radio shack with the SWLing Post community, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Grundig G2 portable … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Robert who comments on our post about the Sony SRF-39FP: Here’s a Suped-up Version of the SRF-39FP made for me by Gary DeBock. [see above] As if the Prison Radio wasn’t already good enough…this 7 Inch loopstick … Continue reading →

I have two of the Sony SRF series pocket AM/FM radios: the grey SRF-59 and the clear SRF-39FP. The venerable SRF-59 has long been one of the least expensive, quality analog AM/FM receivers on the market. I originally purchased one new for … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, “Oxford Shortwave Log” recently noted the following on our Facebook page: “Hi there, I received some very nice feedback regarding almost perfect reception of Radio Australia during a mini DX-pedition into the Oxfordshire countryside and thought I … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert (AK3Q), who shares this news item: “This was first reported by the Telegraph and picked up by Fox News website:” (Source: The Telegraph) Russia has run large scale experiments to test the feasibility … Continue reading →

This morning, before heading out the door, I tuned around the 31 meter broadcast band. I’ve actually been recording 640 kHz of the 31 meter band for almost 24 hours, trying to capitalize on the fact that propagation conditions have been … Continue reading →

The SWLing Post attracts readers and enthusiasts from all walks of life. In the past, we’ve put together Reader Challenges based on actual questions we receive from readers, usually looking for the best radio kit for a unique situation or location. … Continue reading →

Though I’ve spent the entire day sawing and splitting firewood, I’ve been actively recording spectrum on the 31, 25, 19 and 16 meter bands with the WinRadio Excalibur, Elad FDM-S2 and the SDRplay RSP. Why? Propagation–especially on the higher bands–has … Continue reading →

(Source: BBC Media Action) On Global Handwashing Day, Diana Njeru looks at how a radio station constructed from a shipping container is helping people improve their health in one of Kenya’s largest slums. On the banks of a slimy grey … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Charles, who writes: Thomas, you might find this movie review of “The Russian Woodpecker” interesting. Looks like the film is more conspiracy than investigative reporting. Too bad. Having dealt with Woodpecker noise during my ham … Continue reading →

Two weeks ago, I received a mystery package in the mail: a copy of the October 2015 issue of CQ Ham Radio magazine, sent directly from the publisher in Tokyo, Japan. Since I can’t speak or read Japanese, I was … Continue reading →

As many of you know, I’ve been catching up on correspondence recently as the past few weeks have been quite hectic. SWLing Post reader, Andy (G0FTD), sent the following message several weeks ago, but is still seeking help: I came across … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, David LW4DAF, who shares this link from RCI news: After seven days of walking, a group of supporters of Canada’s public broadcaster, has reached its goal on Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. … Continue reading →

I’m having difficulty remembering who sent me a link to the ITU Monitoring Programme, but I am most grateful. What is the monitoring programme? Here’s the description from the ITU website: “The objective of this monitoring programme is to identify stations whose … Continue reading →

Tom Laskowski, has been generously contributing a number of off-air shortwave radio recordings to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive (SRAA). Recently, he shared a series I’m sure many of you remember. Tom writes: “My first contribution of many recordings I have … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post readers, Mark and Alan, who were both recently notified by C.Crane that the CC Skywave has been updated. Mike purchased the CC Skywave early this year after reading our review. He was disappointed to find out, … Continue reading →

While browsing the front page of Universal Radio recently, I noted that the AOR AR-Mini B handheld communications receiver is currently on sale. This surprised for two reasons: I thought the AR-Mini B was discontinued. This receiver used to sell for … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), for sharing information about this initiative by Radio Taiwan International: Radio Taiwan International began broadcasting in 1928. In an era when information did not travel as quickly as today, RTI programs could … Continue reading →

(Source: CNN Money via Andrea Borgnino) It turns out that radio still gets results. Amid all the changes in television and digital media, a report from Nielsen released Tuesday found that radio’s nationwide audience reached an all-time high during the second … Continue reading →

(Source: Southgate ARC) Extra Grimeton Radio/SAQ transmission There will be a transmission with the Alexanderson VLF alternator on 17.2 kHz on ‘United Nations Day’ October 24th, 2015 at 10:00 UTC (12:00 local time). Start up and tuning from about 09:30 … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), for the following guest post: International Radio Broadcasts via Satellite by Mario Filippi I find your SWLing Post blog a constant fountain of information on the world of shortwave listening. Having been … Continue reading →

The SWLing Post DXpedition at PARI is going very well. We started yesterday around noon with beautiful fall weather; late last night, it started raining but that hasn’t dampened our spirits today. Despite the wet, chilly weather, Gary Donnelly (above) … Continue reading →