The SWLing Post

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 →

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 →