The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian, who writes with the following inquiry: I found a pic of a printed circuit board, based on Mr. Carlson’s Sony CRF-320 panel light mod, on the Yahoo 320/330 fan page but no board dimensions or component values. I plan to order a bunch of these so if anyone […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fastradioburst23, who shares the broadcast flyer above for KSOL. Broadcast times are April 18 and 25, 2021 at 1500 UTC on 9670 kHz. Thanks for the tip!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, DanH, who provides the following update and news as he evaluates the new Sangean ATS-909X2: I have a few items to report after hitting the six weeks mark with the new Sangean ATS-909X2. My radio was equipped with firmware VER 070. I have been on the lookout for gremlins […]

I’ve received a number of inquiries from SWLing Post readers lately regarding an inexpensive Si4732-based mini stand-alone receiver being sold on Amazon and eBay for around $56-66 US shipped. The radio is based on the Silicon Labs Si4732 DSP chip which provides the following frequency coverage: FM (64–108 MHz) with RDS AM/Mediumwave (520–1710 kHz) Shortwave […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom (DF5JL), who writes: At the end of last year it appeared for the first time: a telemetry transmitter in CW on 7039.60 kHz. It always transmits at the 2nd, 22nd and 42nd minute of every hour. Every day. Reception reports are available from Germany, the Netherlands, France and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following guest post: Tecsun PL-330: The Powerful Mini With One Serious Design Issue by Dan Robinson As SWLing Post readers know, I have a huge radio collection – including premium receivers and portables, now nearly 100 in all. So, these days I am hesitant […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob Gray, who recently reached out with some potentially concerning information about Reciva radios. Evidently, some users are claiming that Reciva chips require a periodic token refresh to keep the radio functioning properly. Rob writes: From this internet radio forum a contributor wrote: “Apparently, even stations with URLs stored locally […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Madtone who notes that WRMI will repeat the first in the Radio Lavalamp series of broadcasts on Sunday 4 April @ 2300 UTC on 9395 kHz. Thank you for the tip, Pete!

Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot Saturday Nights in April Saturdays April 3, 10, 17 and 24, 1900-2000 UTC, 3955 kHz Channel 292, Rohrbach Waal, Germany Saturday nights in April, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot is adding an extra repeat to its offerings on Channel 292. On April 3 we will present music from Belize; April 10 will […]

This morning, I took delivery of an ATS-909X2 that Sangean dispatched for me to evaluate. I’ll be writing a review of this radio for an upcoming issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. I won’t lie: this is a handsome radio. I know some SWLs dislike the front panel tuning dial, but I like it. It […]

Readers might recall that last year, I reviewed the Ocean Digital WR-26 portable radio and was pretty impressed. Although it turns out a number of SWLing Post readers were familiar with Ocean Digital and had purchased some of their radios, I hadn’t heard of them until an SWLing Post contributor encouraged the company to contact […]

From the Isle of Music, April 4-April 10: This week, in honor of Jazz Appreciation Month, we reprise a 2020 episode with author Ricardo Oropesa and the music of Chano Pozo. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Indoor Noise and Ferrites, Part 1 by TomL My magnet wire loop antenna on the porch reminded me to revisit aspects about my noisy Condo that I still needed to understand. Some RF noise I could control if I could find the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Markku (VA3MK), who shares a link to this new Belka-DX speaker option from Mobimax: This speaker option is similar to the one we featured a few months ago, but keeps the larger 2200 mAh battery pack and has fold-out legs. The compromise is the case will be a bit […]

In November 2020, we learned that the Reciva radio station aggregator would be closing down permanently which would effectively render a large portion of WiFi radios on the market useless. This closure will affect a number of WiFi radio manufacturers, but two of the most notable are Grace Digital and C.Crane. I own one of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes: This military version of the 51S-1 receiver is almost never seen on the used market. Click here to view on eBay. Thank you, Dan! The seller claims that this radio is fully working with tubes replaced and has undergone a complete alignment. Hopefully, caps have […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood, who shares the following journal abstract from EurekaAlert.com: Commencement of shortwave propagation simulator (HF-START) service Demonstrating radio wave propagation paths between any two points based on real-time space weather information NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (NICT) [Abstract] The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jack Dully, who writes: I was putting some things in my radio junk parts box and came across some chokes. So I tried a test with my Tecsun PL-880 on battery and the Tecsun supplied switching AC adapter, with and without chokes on the adapter. WOW! I tuned to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mad Radio DXer, who writes: Hi, I want to let you & your readers know of a Tecsun PL-330 trick that I saw mentioned in the comments section of your blog some time ago which does not seem to have a lot of awareness. This is for using the […]

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest SWLing Post readers. To that end: Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]

RNEI Test Transmission to the whole of Europe on Sunday the 28th of March, 17:30UTC. 7420kHz We’re having a test transmission from Armenia this Sunday, the 28th of March 2021. on 7420KHz. You’ll hear RNEI 15 but different songs will use different processing so we’d love it if you told us which songs sounded the […]

If you’re written an email inquiry to me, you may have noticed I’m nearly two weeks behind in replies. Not only has family life been very active but earlier this week we believe I got a touch of food poisoning. I’m slowly getting back on my feet and feeling human again, but it has certainly […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Daly, who shares the following: Thomas, If you want to drool over some old SW radios take a look at this guys incredible collection: He’s going to be selling a bunch of them but unfortunately he’s in Australia. Or maybe it’s fortunate that he’s in Australia because it’ll […]

A21 Schedule for From the Isle of Music and Uncle BIll’s Melting Pot is as follows: From The Isle of Music Sundays 1500-1600 UTC (1800-1900 MSK) Space Line 9400 kHz for Europe and beyond Tuesdays 0000-0100 UTC (8-9pm EDT Mondays) WBCQ 7490 kHz for the Americas Tuesdays 1900-2000 UTC (2100-2200 CEST) Channel 292, 6070 kHz […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Nick Booras, who writes: I just picked up a Harris 505A and I made a couple videos your viewers might like. This radio is extremely sensitive as you can see in the comparison videos. I am very lucky to have picked it up. I will add that in the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes: There appears to be a spike in Zenith Trans-Oceanic sales. The recent eBay sale of a D7000Y for $900 sparked a number of new auctions by sellers seeking to take advantage of this apparent trend. The following D7000Y was listed with a $900 Buy It […]

Many of us who were friends with George Zeller or who regularly attend the Winter SWL Fest are devastated to learn that this well-loved SWL personality passed away after an unintentional electrical fire in his Cleveland home on Saturday March 20, 2021. Richard D’Angelo with NASWA posted this message about George: I was shocked and […]

One year ago, I posted an article about making the most of social distancing as the world started locking down due to the rapid spread of Covid-19. Here in March 2021, the news is looking much better: vaccines are being distributed at a record pace across the globe and number of cases and deaths are […]

If you missed hearing the Virtual Dance party by Paul Walker at KSKO which was scheduled to air this morning between 0300-0500 UTC, you weren’t alone. I scheduled a notification to announcing that the date had to be moved due to a schedule conflict at KSKO, but I had the date incorrectly entered in the […]

Our friend and contributor here on the SWLing Post and the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive, Paul Walker, has been interviewed and featured on the ABC Newcastle program Drive with Paul Turton. It’s a great segment! (Congrats, Paul!) I’ve embedded the audio from this segment below, but you can also listen via the ABC Newcastle website: […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark (AE2EA) with the AWA, who writes: Your loyal followers might be interested in this video of airchecks recorded on aluminum discs in England of US broadcast stations in late 1933, from the Antique Wireless Museum. From the AWA description: These audio clips were recorded on aluminum discs using […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Charlie (W4MEC), who shares a PDF of the 1940 Sears Roebuck Co. catalog section featuring a wide array of radio gear and test equipment. This file is hosted on the Pro Audio Design forum and can be downloaded as a PDF (15.8 MB) by clicking here. It’s a real […]

Our friends over at the SolderSmoke Daily News recently posted this fun piece from a January 1921 issue of Radio News: This is great! I’ve often thought a proper ground needed daily watering. And we know it must work: Mars is some serious DX! Professor Nutty T. Wyrlus was way ahead of his time. Click […]

From the Isle of Music, March 21-27: This week our special guests are Yasser Eden and Carlos Scott Hernandez, leaders of Zona Franka, which has just released an exciting new album, Se llama sabroso, that mixes changüi with urban Cuban music. One of the songs features Omara Portuondo as guest vocalist. Also: a new single […]

I’m a child of the 1970s and I’m glad I never knew about the Sony FX-300 “Jackal 300.” It would have been the ultimate unobtainable machine of my dreams…this, even despite the lack of shortwave. I was browsing eBay yesterday when I saw one of these pop up in the search results. Somehow, this radio […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Brandt, who shares this excellent video featuring the amazing Jean Shepherd (K2ORS): Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ralf Bender, who shares the following update from Channel 292 after recent damage to their antenna farm: Since 0910 UTC this morning we are back on air on all three frequencies; 9670 using the dipole, repair of the beam might last one to two weeks depending on the weather. Thanks […]

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest SWLing Post readers. To that end: Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ralf Bender, who shares the following notice from Channel 292: A heavy storm that hit us Saturday afternoon, caused severe damage to our antennas. Since Saturday, 1528 UTC we are off air. We hope that we can repair some of the damages on Sunday, and to be back on […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fastradioburst23, who shares the broadcast flyer above. Looking forward to some more KMRT Blue Light Specials!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow, who shares the following video from the Computer History Archives Project YouTube channel:

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest SWLing Post readers. To that end: Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jack Dully, who writes: I am just wondering what portable receivers are more susceptible to overloading with long dipoles, say 60-70 ft. I regularly use such and I have never noticed anything unusual happening with a Sony ICF-7600GR, Grundig G3, or PL-880 to name a few. I just ordered […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following announcement: Tune into WRMI for “The LIVE Friday Night Virtual Dance Party Request Party Thingy” from community station 89.5 KSKO McGrath, Alaska. The broadcast will take place on Saturday, March 20th 2021 from 0300 to 0500 UTC on 7570 kHz for the west […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Ye (BD4AAQ), for the following guest post: In the Loop: PL-990 and LA400, a Perfect Match by Michael Ye (BD4AAQ) I have been a happy owner of Tecsun’s PL-880 world band receivers for years. In fact I have two PL-880 radios, one sitting at home and the other staying […]

From the Isle of Music, March 14-20: This week our special guest flautista René Lorente, a veteran of Orquesta Aragon, Orquesta America and Senen Suarez’ combo among other groups, shares some of his solo project recordings as we converse about his career. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the […]

Image Credit: Wiki Logos Public Domain Guest Post by Troy Riedel In keeping with a popular theme here – “radio in/on TV & movies” – I wanted to share the following that I saw on the Science Channel (part of the Discovery Network): Show: What on Earth? S5 Ep2 Originally aired 1/15/19 The above referenced episode […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze, for the following guest post: The “Signal Sweeper”, a portable Wellbrook antenna setup by Matt Blaze Here’s a very simple construction project that’s really improved my travel shortwave and mediumwave listening experience. When I go somewhere interesting (whether a day trip on my bike or a longer […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Roseanna, with Radio Northern Europe International who shares the following announcement: Hei alle, We have put together a packed show for March for all the wonderful RNEI listeners ? We’ve got lots of extras including: • Folk listening on-demand ? and on WRMI ? will get to hear a pretty piece of music from the game Unravel […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David, who shares the following random photos he recently inherited and scanned. These were taken at an Antique Wireless Association meeting (AWA) from 2000. Click on images to enlarge: Thank you for sharing these David!