The SWLing Post

Discount hardware store, Harbor Freight, sells packs of very affordable Heavy Duty batteries under the Thunderbolt Magnum brand name. Occasionally, Harbor Freight even gives large packs of these batteries away for free (with a coupon). This is how I acquired … Continue reading →

I’m very happy to see this notice from Nicholas Hardyman, Publisher of the World Radio TV Handbook: We are delighted to announce the publication today of the 70th edition of WRTH. For full details of WRTH 2016 and to order … Continue reading →

The SWLing Post has been online since 2008–plenty of time for SPAMbots to focus their attention on us! In fact, we receive a SPAM comment, on average, every 3 minutes! Way too many comments to moderate individually. To fight SPAM, … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who shares this review of the Panasonic RF-2400 by Jay Allen. Jay begins his review: Definitely a no-frills set the Panasonic RF-2400 is a basic AM/FM portable radio with a pleasing retro look … Continue reading →

If you have a shortwave radio with SSB mode, you too can listen to the Santa Net on 3916 kHz LSB every night until Christmas starting at 01:30 UTC (7:30 PM CST). Of course, if you’re an amateur radio operator, you … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Pete Carron (W3DKV) who writes: “Thought you might be interested in the following article from Goodfellow Air Force Base in Texas, posted May 20, 2015. Apparently Morse Code still isn’t dead, not even in the military!” … Continue reading →

Thank you to all of those who entered the Virtual Radio Challenge IV and many thanks to the good folks at CountyComm Government Products Group who volunteered an amazing prize package! David Cripe (NM0S), our judge for the Emergency Radio Challenge … Continue reading →

After several failed attempts to use a Dell 7″ Windows tablet with my SDRs and D-Star DVAP, I decided to purchase either a Surface Pro (like my pal Mark Fahey used at the SWLing Post DXpedition) or a small Windows … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mehdi, who writes: Once you told me to be careful when attaching an external antenna to my portable radio. Today I opened it to see whether it has some sort of protection on its … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who writes: Wether you do AM, shortwave, longwave, FM or something else, I think this will prove useful. I have a pretty high return rate when submitting reception reports and asking for … Continue reading →

Regarding the Squires Sanders SS-IBS Dan recently spotted on eBay, SWLing Post reader, Michael Black comments: [The Squires Sanders SS-IBS is] a legendary receiver that either brought new ideas to receivers, or brought them to the amateur radio level. There’s an article … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Barraclough, who writes: The Reading and District Amateur Radio Club has released as a free pdf the history of Gerald Marcuse G2NM the founder of Empire Broadcasting who was granted a licence in June … Continue reading →

Friday, I brought home an untested, slightly grimy, Sony ICF-5500W. I purchased it through Goodwill for $20. I crossed my fingers as I put three C cells in the radio and turned it on. Fortunately, I was rewarded with brilliant … Continue reading →

This morning, I received a question I’m often asked. It usually goes something like this: “Should I purchase the Tecsun PL-600, or invest a little more and purchase the Tecsun PL-660? Is it worth the price difference?” I decided it best … Continue reading →

It’s often insightful to look to the past to fully appreciate the current technology we take for granted. When we tap a favorite contact’s name in our mobile phone–even for someone on the other side of the world–we can be … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, for providing this simple updated broadcast schedule for one of our favorite technology programs, Click: Click here to download as a PDF.

Many thanks to several readers who sent a link to this discussion by software engineer, John Henry (KI4JPL) on the Ten-Tec email discussion group: I wanted to bring people up to date on what is happening right now. I had … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike Barraclough, for sharing a link to this review of the new Avion DRM receiver by DRM Radio Forum user PhilipOneL. I’ve pasted his evaluation of the Avion below–you can read this, along with the full discussion … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Mehdi, has informed me that his ham radio club (EP2C) has just put a WebSDR online in Iran–perhaps the first in this part of the world. Mehdi notes some of the details about the receiver: [The WebSDR is] installed … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Joel, writes: “Is there a section of SWLing Post for SWL’s who manage to catch a highly unusual broadcast about which some of your members may have information? I refer to catching an S4+ transmission in northern … Continue reading →

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 →