The SWLing Post

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 →

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 →