The SWLing Post

Want to own an bit of shortwave radio broadcasting history? Many thanks to Mike Barraclough who shares this listing on eBay: a BBC World Service Broadcast Radio Studio Desk from the Bush house in London. Starting bid is £999–yep, that’s some serious money–and you’ll need … Continue reading →

Many thanks to my buddy Ulis (K3LU) for sharing this brilliant commercial:

This morning, I re-discovered a recording I made in the early morning hours of January 25, 2015 on 6,230 kHz SSB: the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s marine weather radio service. This was actually a new station for me and, no doubt, … Continue reading →

Since I’m a complete sucker for Signal Corps radios, my buddy David Korchin (K2WNW), thought it would be a great idea to tempt me with this recent listing on eBay: a rare Zenith R520A/URR. Let’s be fair. It’s gorgeous. And … Continue reading →

Many thanks to my good friend Mike Hansgen (K8RAT) who notes that another CME may affect the HF bands tomorrow. Spaceweather.com has posted an update: “GREEN SKIES FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY? Yesterday, a CME billowed away from the sun’s western limb: … Continue reading →

Yesterday, my buddy Dan Robinson posted a tip on the Extreme Shortwave Listening Facebook page that Radio Bahrain was audible in the Eastern USA (note his video below). I quickly tuned to 9745 kHz and, sure enough–though weak–the Radio Bahrain … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Del Fields, writes: “I’ve bought a new PL-880 this year (2015) and apparently some of the “hidden features” are not hidden anymore. They don’t even exist. HaHa. For example, I tried the DNR hidden function by pressing … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Ray (WB8VDS) recently commented: “I have continued to run A/B comparisons between my CR-1a and an NRD-515. Digital to Analog competition. My NRD-515 has been a station favorite for many years. I find the two radios are … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Richard Cuff, for sharing this news from The Telegraph: “The BBC is planning a new North Korea service to give the totalitarian state’s 25 million people an alternative to Kim Jong-un’s propaganda. In a … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Merkouris, who writes: I’ve just thought that the shortwave schedule of ERT Open, published on the 28th of February, might be of interest to you and the readers of the SWLing Post. Here is the … Continue reading →

I spent the summer of 2012 in an off-grid cabin on the eastern coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada. That summer, I listened as two of my favorite shortwave broadcasters left the air within weeks of each other: Radio Netherlands … Continue reading →

(Source: PCJ Radio International) This year marks the 70th Anniversary of Radio Canada International. On March 16, 2015 from 0100 to 0200UTC PCJ Radio International will present a special tribute program for their 70th Anniversary. The program will include a … Continue reading →

As a reminder, the Shortwave Shindig will be rebroadcast today, March 7, 2015 from 10:00-11:00 PM EST (that’s Sunday from 0300-0400 UTC) via WRMI on 7,570 khz. Shindig host, David Goren, has also informed me that he has had a chance to … Continue reading →

Check out this excellent in-depth interview with medium wave DXer, Johnny Bråtveit, via Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPD): “About a month ago, our station received a fascinating email. It came from a Norwegian man named Tore Johnny Braatveit. He wrote: “I am one … Continue reading →

RCI Action We recently noted that Radio Canada International (RCI) celebrated its 70th year anniversary. While it was certainly an amazing milestone–dating back to WWII–it was a bittersweet celebration for some. Check out this article on the RCI Action blog: … Continue reading →

Several SWLing Post readers have shared the following message on Global 24’s website: I haven’t received any further information from Global 24, but if I do, I will post it here. I’ve also noticed that G24’s forum has been taken offline.

SWLing Post reader, George (NJ3H), writes: I quite often see a spike in the evening on 4996 khz. From the listing, this is suppose to be RWM, in Moscow, a time signal station. When I listen on remote receivers in … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Pete Jernakoff (K3KMS), writes: “I purchased two PL-880 radios from Amazon about a year ago and before the soft muting issue became a hot topic. Both of my radios (8819 firmware version) suffered from this most annoying problem … Continue reading →

I’ve just learned via @shortwaveology that the Shortwave Shindig will be rebroadcast on Saturday March 7, 2015 from 10:00-11:00 PM EST (that’s Sunday from 0300-0400 UTC) via WRMI on 7,570 khz. Those of you who tuned into the live show last Friday noted … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Dave Richards (AA7EE), made a short video of his regen receiver “Sproutie” tuned to the Shortwave Shindig Friday evening. Dave writes: “I was quite pleased with the fidelity. Of course, the skirts on a regen are quite … Continue reading →

Only moments after posting news that Andrew Lack may be leaving the BBG CEO position to rejoin NBC, the website BBG Watch has confirmed Lack’s departure. Click here to read BBG Watch’s full story.

Many thanks to Dan Robinson, who shared links to several news stories that propose Andrew Lack may be leaving the CEO position of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to return to NBC. Here’s a clip from the Washington Post: Former NBC news … Continue reading →

On Tuesday afternoon, I made a pilgrimage the to the National Capital Radio and Television Museum in Bowie, Maryland, USA. The museum is located in a modest and beautiful historic house on the corner of Mt. Oak and Mitchellville Roads … Continue reading →

The online retailer, Blinq.com, has posted a number of used Sony ICF-SW7600GR radios for $89.39 US, shipped. This is an excellent price for the ‘7600GR–even used. As I’ve mentioned a number of times, the ICF-SW7600GR is one of my favorite … Continue reading →

Thanks to so many of you who tweeted, commented and sent messages with live reception reports of the Shortwave Shindig! Despite a little technical difficulty with our Internet connection, which dropped the audio stream to WRMI for a few minutes, … Continue reading →

David Goren’s Shortwave Shindig will once again broadcast live–in a few moments–from the Winter SWL Fest in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Tune in at 22:00-23:00 EST tonight (that’s 03:00-04:00 UTC, February 28) on 7,570 kHz.

SWLing Post reader, David Iurescia, reminds us that February 25th, 2015 was Radio Canada International‘s 70th anniversary. While we can no longer hear RCI on shortwave, David points out that we can listen to some of the anniversary specials (interviews … Continue reading →

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, David Iurescia, who relays this translated message from Radio Taiwan International: Frequency test for South America between 5 – 7 March, 2015 Looking for alternatives to transmit our programming to South America, Radio Taiwan … Continue reading →

SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, writes: In the attached photos my Sangean receives Elliniki Radiophonia at 9420kHz at my working post. Note the amount of computers, screens and the fact that the radio sits on top of an HP printer. Still audio … Continue reading →

I’m happy to relay that David Goren’s Shortwave Shindig will once again broadcast live from the Winter SWL Fest in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Tune in on Friday, February 27, 2015 from 22:00-23:00 EST (that’s 03:00-04:00 UTC, February 28) on 7,570 kHz. Since I will be … Continue reading →

For your listening pleasure: Radio Poland. This recording was made on February 2, 2015 on 9395 kHz starting at 1800 UTC. Although Radio Poland formally left the shortwaves in 2013, their service is now relayed by Global 24 Radio. Click … Continue reading →

Last week, I discovered this amazing set of photos, via Flashbak.com, of the BBC Broadcasting House from 1932: click here to view the full set of photos.

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Harald Kuhl (DL1ABJ) for sharing this article from the Southgate ARC: “When the ‘Deutsche Welle’ decided to close down one of their 500 KW short wave broadcast transmitters near Munich at the end of 2012, … Continue reading →

When I heard early reports about the new Tecsun PL-680, I was already wondering how it would stack up alongside other Tecsun portables. An early photo of the Tecsun PL-680 revealed how very similar it is, indeed, to the Tecsun PL-600, which has been … Continue reading →

If you haven’t had a chance to weigh in on the Tecsun PL-660/PL-680 comparison surveys, you will need to do so by 23:00 UTC today. I’m working on the Tecsun PL-680 review and need completed surveys for graphs/charts. The review … Continue reading →

Yesterday while glancing through the QTH.com classifieds ads, I noticed a rare boat anchor for sale: the Hallicrafters SX-88. The seller, Jeremy, describes this SX-88 as follows: Hi [t]here, I have one SX88 in minty shape and is one of a handful that … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Chris Freitas, has sent me a link to a recent review he made of the RadioShack DX-397. I know many of us have had one of these little analog radios (branded as RadioShack or the original Sangean … Continue reading →

[Update: Please note that this survey has been closed, but the audio samples–labeled Radio A and Radio B–will remain to allow others the opportunity to make an evaluation prior to reading the PL-680 review.] [Update 2: The PL-680 review and … Continue reading →

My buddy, @K7al_L3afta (on Twitter), posted this interesting recording of the US Air Force High Frequency Global Communications System on 15,016 kHz USB at 18:01 UTC yesterday: I don’t believe I’ve ever heard or noticed this type of USAF HF-GCS transmission before. Sounds almost … Continue reading →

[Update: Please note that this survey has been closed, but the audio samples–labeled Radio A and Radio B–will remain to allow others the opportunity to make an evaluation prior to reading the PL-680 review.] The results from the PL-680/PL-660 reader … Continue reading →

One of my local RadioShack stores is closing and liquidating all of the merchandise and store fixtures. I’ve visited the store twice and found that the best bargains come from the components cases where everything was marked at least 70% off. … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Brad, writes: I just got a Tecsun PL-660 after reading many good reviews on the radio, but I have a problem in that there are two 100,000 W FM stations within a few miles of my house … Continue reading →

For your listening pleasure: beHAVior Night, a shortwave radio show (relayed by WBCQ) dedicated to showcasing music from the first four decades of the 20th Century. This show was recorded on 7,490 kHz, starting at 22:00 UTC on February 13, 2015. Click here … Continue reading →

SWLing Post reader, Alex, has just informed me that he’s updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts for the winter broadcasting season. Note that Alex creates his charts based on listening to broadcasters rather than importing schedules from other sources. You can download the free … Continue reading →

Last month we mentioned that Amazon had erroneously listed WRTH 2015 as a title that had “not yet been released.” I’ve just received word from the publisher of WRTH that this has been fixed on Amazon’s site, but those of … Continue reading →

Today is World Radio Day, a time “to remember the unique power of radio to touch lives and bring people together across every corner of the globe,” UNESCO reminds us. As shortwave radio listeners, we understand this power of information without … Continue reading →

I’ve been spending a little time with my new Tecsun PL-680 today, and it’s been most interesting. Of course, I’ve already begun to form a few opinions about the radio and am taking notes. Yet I never believe a shortwave radio can be … Continue reading →