The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, David Iurescia, who shares this news and audio report via the Radio Praha website: “10:55 on Thursday morning was an important occasion in the history of radio in the Czech Republic as it was the exact … Continue reading →

Jon Hudson with SDRplay has just informed me that they’ve released the latest version of the SDRplay RSP’s API and EXTIO which, among other things, removes the previous frequency gap between 380 MHz to 420 MHz. This is brilliant news for those of you … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike (AC4NS), who shares a link to this fascinating article by Tom Mooney? in the TheProvidence Journal. Here’s an excerpt: “There was nothing remarkable to see on Chopmist Hill in 1940 when, a year … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Paul Grodkowski, writes: “Just a quick question to anyone at the SWLing Post: Is the practice of sending a reception report to a AM broadcast station in return for a QSL card still accepted in the age of … Continue reading →

After publishing my initial review of the Sangean ATS-405 on July 25, I contacted Sangean and requested a sample radio for comparison purposes. Back story: there were some receiver performance issues that I suspected may have been tied to my particular ATS-405 unit. … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader Mike, who shares a link to this story from the blog République No.6: Growing up in Piennes Lorraine, Radio Caroline the making of a rebel [A]t night with my younger brother we would listen to … Continue reading →

We’ve already received some excellent, creative entries in the Virtual Radio Challenge III: your opportunity to piece together the best radio for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Rememer: this year, if your entry is picked by our judge (Dennis Blanchard, K1YPP), you will win a … Continue reading →

Many thank to my buddy, David Korchin (K2WNW), who sent the following eBay link: Dieter Rams masterpiece Braun “Wall Unit” Wandanlage TS45 TG502 reel L470 PCS5 While I love Dieter Rams’ designs, and no doubt this is a very rare … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, “Mutezone,” who writes: “I want to share a link to a video of Radio Serbia International’s English service recorded on the 4th of July 2015… […]I have been monitoring for RSI during the last … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric (WD8RIF), for sharing a link to this excellent article in the Illinois Times by James Krohe Jr. Here’s an excerpt: Tuning in: Making a small world bigger and the big one smaller So much of … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Mark, recently contact me with the following question: “What portable shortwave radios under $300 have an option to have their memories programmed using a computer?” I replied to Mark that I can’t think of a single shortwave … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Peter (K3KMS) writes: In a post dated October 25, 2014, you mentioned listening to the ‘Giant Jukebox’ radio program on The Mighty KBC Shortwave. For the past year or so, I have been a big fan of … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, for the following guest post: Frequency Stability of My Tecsun PL-880 Recently, while recording the audio on a particular SW frequency unattended over night, I decided to set my Tecsun PL-880 in … Continue reading →

We’ve already received some excellent, creative entries in the Virtual Radio Challenge III: your opportunity to piece together the best radio for thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Rememer: this year, if your entry is picked by our judge (Dennis Blanchard, K1YPP), you will win a … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Guy Atkins, writes: I spotted this new listing on Ebay today, and was wondering if it’s a new model, or perhaps a repackaged Tecsun PL-606? It’s lacking the rotary tuning knob and has a smaller display than … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Dr. Phil, recently contacted me regarding a collection of articles he’s written about DXing and radio modifications. His site actually has a number of useful articles that I’ll plan to convert to future posts, with his permission. I … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul, who commented with a link to the new Degen DE221 “ultralight” radio: http://ebay.to/1fKWZ2m Paul’s link lead to the discovery of several new Degen models, in fact. Many of the new models have the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Clive Bilton, who comments: An online petition has been started in an effort to keep Radio France on 162 kHz longwave, you can sign here: http://162khz.wesign.it/fr Note that the petition is in French. It’s quite … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, LondonShortwave, who shared (via Twitter) this video with recordings made with his portable SDR in a London park: Brilliant recordings, LS, and amazingly QRM-free! You can follow LondonShortwave on his blog and via Twitter.

After publishing my initial review of the Sangean ATS-405, I received feedback from several ATS-405 owners (via comments and email–thank you!) who do not have the internally-generated DSP “birdies” that plague my receiver on 800 and 1600 kHz AM. I … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor Mike (K8RAT) writes: I happened upon a good find of a vintage radio recently when I visited my local Goodwill store in a small city in Ohio. Among the electronic equipment on a shelf I discovered a … Continue reading →

The Silicon Labs Si4730 series DSP receiver chip powers many of the portable shortwave radios currently on the market. Manufacturers are not the only ones implementing the chip in receiver design, however; radio enthusiasts are too. I recently discovered this … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, writes: After reading your post about your Panasonic RF2200 pre-birthday present, I decided I want to do the same. The radio I chose has a story behind it… My Grandfather had the same exact radio. I … Continue reading →

PLEASE NOTE: After publishing the following review, Sangean has kindly agreed to dispatch a second unit for comparison. After receiving feedback from readers who own ATS-405s (thank you!), I strongly suspect my review unit is flawed. I will post an … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Chris, who shares a link to this article from the CBC: Historic CBK transmitter building in Watrous to be demolished Most people who have grown up in the prairie provinces will have received their … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Robert Gulley (AK3Q), has just informed me that he’s started a radio blog on ak3q.com. Robert notes: “One of the recurring themes will be on the importance and relevance of shortwave radio, and nothing denotes this more than … Continue reading →

Neil Goldstein, W2NDG, has just informed me that he’s updated his comprehensive radio kit guide which can be found at RadioKitGuide.com. Many thanks, Neil! The next kit I have on the table is the Sawdust Regenerative Receiver by BreadBoard Radio. Should be … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Jim Clary (ND9M/VQ9JC) contacted me in June to obtain details about the BBC’s Midwinter broadcast to the British Antarctic Survey Team. Jim has been working on board the USNS Sgt William R Button since mid-June. While on board Jim … Continue reading →

(Source: Wall Street Journal via Any Sennitt) The Radio Broadcaster Who Fought the Cold War Abroad but Remained Unheard at Home By DOUG RAMSEY During the Cold War, listeners in captive nations behind the Iron Curtain huddled around radios in … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Tom Ally, writes to say that the Tecsun PL-600 is currently on sale at Amazon.com for $74.99, shipping included. While this is not a deep discount, he notes that it is a lot of radio for the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to my buddy, Dan, who shares this article from the Daily Mail: “It was supposed to be the technology that would transform the way we listen to the radio. But audiences condemned DAB – or Digital Audio Broadcasting … Continue reading →

For your listening pleasure: the first episode of Art Bell’s Midnight in the Desert. This recording was made on 5,085 kHz (WTWW), beginning at 04:00 UTC on July 21, 2015. The receiver used was the TitanSDR Pro, coupled to a large … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Cuff, who shares the following article from The Saturday Paper. The article speaks to how important radio is to Pacific Islanders, and the challenges Radio Australia faces with its budget: “For many Pacific islanders, newspapers … Continue reading →

In response to our Sony CRF-320 post, SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, comments: “Thanks for posting this item. I’m the moderator of the Yahoo group for SONY 320 and 330s — they are quite common these days on EBay. The … Continue reading →

This morning, while scanning eBay, I ran across this serviced and restored Sony CRF-320. It’s listed with a BuyItNow price of $1,795.00 plus $63.30 shipping. Though that price seems steep to me, it appears these trend for $1,880 on … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Guy Atkins, for the following guest post: Radio Cook Islands by Guy Atkins In 1993 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Rarotonga with my wife, courtesy of a nice award through my … Continue reading →

On this blog, I often write about selecting the “right” radio for home, boating, preparedness, off-grid living, or, of course, travel. As a result, sometimes I like to go through the mental exercise of imagining a scenario that might be, well, a touch extreme. After all, as … Continue reading →

This is a VHF news item, not shortwave, but many SWLing Post readers have wideband SDRs, HT’s and scanners that cover this portion of the VHF band. Unique opportunity: (Source: AMSAT bb) 40 years ago this week, the historic joint … Continue reading →

Many thanks to Jeff, over at the Herculodge for sharing information about the new Sangean PR-D19 AM/FM radio which is now available at Universal Radio and Amazon. Click here to read Jeff’s post on the Herculodge.

SWLing Post reader, Ken (KD5XN), writes: I don’t know if you are familiar with the books “Fine Tuning Proceedings” that were published during the late 80s and into the 90s. They were and are a great read and source of … Continue reading →

(Source: sonorannews.com via Dan Robinson) WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05) announced the eighth Shrink our Spending Initiative bill focused on highlighting and cutting wasteful, taxpayer-funded programs. Upon introduction of his latest bill to eliminate federal funding for Voice of America, Salmon … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Cristoph Ratzer, who shares this exciting news via the DXLD; Manuel Méndez notes: ANTARCTICA, 15476, LRA36, Rado Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza. After months of [silence], LRA 36 will return to the air the … Continue reading →

There’s a danger in doing radio reviews: sometimes, you get attached to the radio. This was the case with the SDRplay RSP. SDRplay sent this radio to me on an extended loan and I’m grateful for the many months they’ve let me … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Thomas Ally, writes: Here is Tom Stiles’ Playlist for the review of that new ATS-405 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtQGZBHtrIF9_wPKo3Z0TqgCBqcHFydep Many thanks for sharing this, Thomas!

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Grzegorz Jasionek, who notes that CommRadio has just released a firmware update for the CommRadio CR-1a that includes a new Graphic User Interface (GUI) with a 3D spectrum display. The CommRadio Dropbox site has an … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Neil Gates, comments: “Euro Radio is Europe’s brand new commercial shortwave station which will begin broadcasting on August 1st 2015. Visit our Facebook page for updates. facebook.com/euroradio6205“ Many thanks, Neil. I have checked the Euro Radio Facebook … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Mike, writes: Keith Perron’s review of the new Sangean ATS-405 appeared in the last show of Media Network Plus. There is an archive of the show on the PCJ website for you to listen: http://www.pcjmedia.com/medianetworkplus The review’s … Continue reading →