The SWLing Post

A few days ago, I tuned to 9,420 kHz and found a relatively strong signal from the Avlis transmitter site of the Voice of Greece. The broadcast was quite clear until a heterodyne (het) tone popped up out of nowhere. … Continue reading →

Icom introduced a new general coverage transceiver this year at the Tokyo Hamfair: the Icom IC-7300. Icom has released a preliminary spec sheet (click here to download), but no pricing information yet. The IC-7300 will most likely be the least … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post and Shortwave Radio Audio Archive contributor, Brian Smith, for the following guest post and vintage recording: Shortwave Radio 1974: Canada, Argentina, Spain, West Germany, Albania, utility stations -Brian Smith (W9IND) Want to know what shortwave radio … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Philip, writes with the following question: “I want to know if you are aware of any good shortwave receivers that can be used on an Android tablet.” I am aware of the Android SDR application, SDR Touch (see image … Continue reading →

Lithium primary, lithium ion, lithium polymer…want to know the differences between–and varied uses for–these diverse types of lithium batteries? You’re not alone…so did I. Recently, a reader asked about the suitability of using AA Lithium batteries in a Tecsun radio. Several knowledgeable Post contributors–including Richard … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader “RCXB” who comments: “Another radio deal, if you don’t mind the writing in Chinese, you can get a Tecsun R-911 for just $15.80… A couple dollars cheaper than its already-cheap re-branded Kaito WRX911 namesake … Continue reading →

I just noticed that Universal Radio is featuring the following used Tecsun PL-680 in their used receiver collection. Here’s the description: The Tecsun PL-680 receives longwave, AM, FM and SW bands plus VHF Airband. It features a backlit digital display, … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Bob C., recently shared his review of the C.Crane CC Skywave portable radio: Well, I just received my new CC Skywave radio and it’s terrific! I own a lot of portable radios (including several Tecsun DSP sets), … Continue reading →

Jeff, over at the Herculodge blog, recently posted that the preset #2 button on his C.Crane CC-Radio 2E had become so sticky, it was almost to the point of not being functional. One of his readers suggested that he use Deoxit … Continue reading →

While browsing Amazon, I discovered a hot deal: a new Tecsun PL-380 for $24.99 including shipping. I was very tempted to snatch this one up, but since I already have both a PL-380 and PL-310ET, I’d rather give the opportunity … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Evans (in Greece) writes: I would like your opinion regarding two strange points we noticed in two different Tecsun PL-880 models, which a friend and I have recently purchased. In particular: The signal meter is supposed to measure … Continue reading →

SWling Post reader, Philip Dickinson, recently contacted me with the following question: “I have just bought a Tecsun 606 which takes two AA batteries which I think are normally rated at 1.2 volts. I have just ordered some lithium ion AA and notice that … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Guy Atkins, writes: My “bargain bin” $13.99 portable Basbon DSP receiver arrived yesterday from China while I was out of town. That was fortunate for the little radio, as my absence allowed it another day of life … Continue reading →

A few weeks ago, I attended the WCARS hamfest in near Waynesville, North Carolina. I walked out of that hamfest carrying way more goods than I had intended to purchase (more on that in a future post–!). One of the … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, who writes: About 2 weeks ago, a very good friend called me and exclaimed, “you just have to see this radio…I’m keeping it for you!”–so, I drove to his aunt’s house and saw … Continue reading →

(Source: Broadcasting Board of Governors Press Release) WASHINGTON – The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the independent federal government agency that oversees all U.S. civilian international media, today announced the appointment of John Lansing as Chief Executive Officer and Director … Continue reading →

In response to our review of the Sangean ATS-405–which noted DSP noises on 800 and 1600 kHz–SWLing Post reader, Steve Yothment, comments: “Yes, modern radios usually have a micro communicating with the DSP IC through I2C communications. The inter-IC communications … Continue reading →

A few weeks ago, SWLing Post contributor, Ron, sent me an eBay listing for a radio with which I was not familiar: the Aiwa FR-C33. Ron wrote: “I know you are primarily HF but here is something rather special and unique … Continue reading →

Dennis Blanchard (K1YPP), author of Three Hundred Zeroes: Lessons of the Heart on the Appalachian Trail, recently contacted me from the road, en route to another lengthy trail in Vermont. Before this latest hiking expedition, Dennis spent many hours pouring over … Continue reading →

Lately, I’ve had a number of emails from new readers that read something like this: “I just purchased a new portable shortwave receiver, but I can’t seem to hear anything on it other than the strongest of stations. Should I return … Continue reading →

In June, I made a small leap of faith and purchased a (dead) Sony ICF-SW100 from Universal Radio (see the listing on right). You see, for many years, I’ve dreamed about owning this wee little receiver, now a classic among tiny radios, but … Continue reading →

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 →