The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following quick reference sheet with all of the Tecsun PL-368’s hidden features: Click here to download Excel the spreadsheet. Thank you so much for creating and sharing this useful chart, Troy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adid, who writes: Hi Thomas, Yesterday I found this short animation: So I went to their website to look at this nice black and amber screen new model. https://xhdata.com.cn/ (strangely enough, they sell there Tecsun stuff also) I don’t plan on buying it any time soon as I don’t […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jonathan Marks, who shares the following article and notes in response to our previous post regarding WWII German broadcasts into Australia. Jonathan writes: [F]ound the attached on a German radio history site. Zeesen was well heard around the world, especially once the power was boosted to 50kW. Bearing in […]

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, Dan Robinson, who writes: The question is, will it go even higher than the two NRD-240s a few months ago? https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/j1000312853?conversionType=item_browsing_history As collectors of premium receivers know, the Japan Radio Corporation (JRC) NRD-630 is among the rarest of radios. NRD-630s are almost never seen on the used market and when […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ray Robinson, who writes: Hi, Thomas. I have recently been re-watching the Australian soap serial ‘The Sullivans’, which ran on Channel 9 from 1976-1983. I used to watch it on ITV in England, and also for awhile on the Tempo cable & satellite channel here in the States in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Summer DX – Sporadic E, FM band “Sporadic E” DXing is a specialty of some DXers. I have never dabbled in it being content with mediumwave or shortwave listening. However, it was truly fun to spontaneously hear this happen while driving on […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who recently mentioned that he’s on the hunt for quality 18650 Li-Ion cells. Like Mike, I’ve a number of shortwave portables that use 18650 cells, so I understand where he’s coming from: he’d like 18650 cells that are both safe and have a long life. Even though […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Edward, who shares the following announcement: WRMI to air second series of European free radio and low-power licensed stations WRMI will air a second series of Texas Radio Shortwave programs featuring European free-radio and low-power licensed stations during September, October, and November. The one-hour programs will be broadcast every […]

My friend, Maristella Feustle, recently shared this classic RCA “Radio Tours” map of North America. RCA printed this in 1934–during the Great Depression–when most people could not afford to travel. Their map encouraged families to use their radios to travel the world over the air and experience local culture & music. As Maristella pointed out, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jock Elliott (KB2GOM), who shares the following guest post: Really cool trick the CCrane Skywave SSB will do — the “radio butler”? To paraphrase Ratty from Wind in the Willows: ” “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about with […]

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, Bob Colegrove, who recently shared this excellent article and has kindly allowed me to share it here in the the Post. Bob prefaced it by saying, “Being a retired technical writer, I started the attached article some time ago for my own amusement, but it quickly got out of […]

From the Isle of Music, August 8-14: This week, we enjoy music from two of the albums nominated in the Jazz category of Cubadisco this year: Luz by Carlos Sarduy and Transparency by Dafnis Prieto. 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, Fastburstradio23, who shares the following announcement: Beaming to you from the transmitter’s location, forget summer vacation, it’s time for summer school. Get your pencils sharpened and thinking caps on for the KMTS Summer Test (transmission)! Numbers, poetry, the science of strange tones, music and mountaineering are all part of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave (N9EWO), who writes: A current YouTube Video I accidentally came across. Ever wonder about those digital displays used in the Apollo space missions ? What were they ? Actually it’s quite a story how these Raytheon displays were developed. One has to remember we are talking about the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jamie, who writes: Hi, I would like to ask a few questions about what would be a good set up for my situation. I am in a 2 storey property, which is not owned by me (renting via community/public housing), located in a large city in Australia. I currently […]

This past weekend (July 24, 2021), my buddy Vlado (N3CZ) and I attended the 2021 Western Carolina Amateur Radio Society (WCARS) hamfest in Waynesville, North Carolina. Due to Covid-19 lock-downs and social distancing, this was the first hamfest we’d attended in 18 months. I think all of us were having serious hamfest withdrawal, so this […]

From the Isle of Music, August 1-7: This week, our guest is Manolito Simonet, producer/participant in the album Al son del caballero by the Alianza Musical de Cuba. This tribute to Adalberto Álvarez won a Grand Prize, the Producer’s Prize, and one of the Popular Dance Music prizes in Cubadisco this year. 1. For Eastern […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeff McMahon, who shares a link to a Nixie Tube radio kit via the retailer Shop Simo. We’ve no clue how well the radio might perform, but it covers AM/FM, can play from an SD card and is, of course, Bluetooth as well. The radio requires no soldering–instead, it […]

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, Carlos Latuff, who writes from Brazil: [Please check out this] audio sample of a signal I heard today (July 20, 2021) around 07h17 UTC on (at least) 4 different frequencies, simultaneously: – 16166 kHz – 16716 kHz – 16747 kHz – 16839 kHz Always the same. Five beeps repeating […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Santiago Roland (CX1DR), who writes: Hi Thomas, I’m a reader of your blog since 2015 and i was looking for movies showing shortwave radio models. I ended up in your blog again, lol, and decided to write to you and tell you that your blog is awesome. I read […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post: UPDATE: Malahit DSP-2 (July 24, 2021) RECOMMENDATION: Hold Off Until Issues Are Resolved I thought it important enough to write this update to my earlier extensive review of the Malahit DSP-2, the second version of the Russia-made receiver. Earlier incremental updates can be seen on […]

For potential Tecsun PL-368 owners, this is an exciting update! I just received the email below from Anna at ANON-CO: Hello Robert, I just wanted to let you know that we are expecting to receive our PL-368 radios around the middle or end of next week. It turns out that these radios will have one […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, for the following guest post: Test Driving The Russia-Made Malahit DSP-2 Poised on Edge of Greatness? (Some Challenges To Overcome) by Dan Robinson By now, the Malahit SDR is well known in listening hobby circles. We have the made-in-Russia original, and those manufactured in China with various firmware and […]

From the Isle of Music, July 25-31: This week, our guest is Gastón Joya, whose album with Rolando Luna Fusión de Almas won one of the two Grand Prizes in Cubadisco this year. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including […]

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, Ken, who shares the following announcement about All Tribes Radio: ALL TRIBES RADIO www.alltribesradio.com ONE PLANET, ONE PEOPLE…. This is ALL TRIBES RADIO and RADIO TODAS LAS TRIBUS, Nosara, Costa Rica Broadcasting across the globe on shortwave radio, as well as streaming on the internet, All Tribes Radio (ATR) […]

Over on QRPer.com, I just published a post on portable power that was The Spectrum Monitor magazine’s April 2021 cover article. This article is essentially an overview of a few different types of rechargeable batteries including pros and cons of each chemistry. While this article focuses on use in ham radio field applications, it also […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood, who shares the following article and translation: REE Noblejas Site celebrates 50 years. Radio Exterior de España’s “Amigos de la Onda Corta” latest show marks the history of the 50 years of the Noblejas Broadcast Center. Program Summary (loose translation) Noblejas is the voice of Spain in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13dka, who shares the following guest post: Massive jamming on 40m (possibly from Cuba) is bugging the radio community by 13dka Apparently this is going on for a week now on 40m: Spent last night at my beach listening post on the German North Sea coast and found this fairly strong signal […]

This has been a busy summer for me here at SWLing Post HQ. In the background, I’ve been working on a number of reviews and articles for The Spectrum Monitor and a new transceiver review for RadCom, among many other projects (including my Social DX list). My work and family life has been very busy–no […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Franco (K4VZ) , who writes: Just a quick note to let you and the SWLing post readers know about the news of a backdoor in the KiwiSDR software that for years “gave root to project developer”. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/07/for-years-a-backdoor-in-popular-kiwisdr-product-gave-root-to-project-developer/ For years, a backdoor in popular KiwiSDR product gave root to project […]

Perú le canta a las Américas (Peru Sings To the Americas) Date/Time: Thursday, July 29th, 0300-0400 UTC** **(Wednesday July 28 2200-2300 Lima Time) WRMI 5800 kHz In honor of the bicentennial of Peru’s independence, a special hour of Peruvian music hosted by Luis Alejandro Vallebueno with guests Estefania Rivera and “Uncle Bill” Tilford will air […]

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, Gareth, who notes that Anon-Co will start selling the new Tecsun PL-368 by the end of July 2021. Click here to check out the product page at Anon-Co. Also, check out Robert Gulley’s recent review and a review by Dan Robinson!

From the Isle of Music, July 18-24: This week, our guest is Angel Yos, whose album 20/20 won the Bailable Fusión Latina category in Cubadisco 2020-2021. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with […]

Guest Post The Tecsun PL-368: An Everyman Review By Robert Gulley I entitled this review an “Everyman” review because, while I am far from “normal” (just ask any of my friends!), I am not a hard-core SWL. I am a hard-core amateur radio operator perhaps, but only for the last decade(+). I have been casually […]

Without a doubt, DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology has forever changed the portable receiver market in so many positive ways: It’s made portable radios more affordable for consumers It’s increased the profit margin for manufacturers It’s made features like SSB mode and variable filter width affordable When properly implemented, DSP technology can provide DX-grade performance […]

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who shares the following announcement: Introducing a new series of videos comparing the performance of wideband active loop amplifier/antennas for HF frequencies and below. In this introductory video, Mike Harwood shows how an RSPduo enables a real-time comparison of two antennas – in this demo, he uses a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Richmond, who writes: An ATS-25 receiver has appeared on eBay and similar sites. It appears to be a touchscreen and user interface update to the previous ATS-20 model. I suppose it remains to be seen if there are any improvements to the underlying electronic design and construction quality. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fastburstradio23, who shares the following: Beaming to you from the transmitter’s location, forget summer vacation, it’s time for summer school. Get your pencils sharpened and thinking caps on for the KMTS Summer Test (transmission)! Numbers, poetry, the science of strange tones, music and mountaineering are all part of the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jon, who writes: Good day, I regularly visit the SWLing Post and very much appreciate the breadth of content you provide on the shortwave hobby. In between the receiver reviews and stories on broadcaster activities, I much enjoy the pieces showing the radio gear that folks notice in television/films. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares his latest A21 season guide to music on shortwave. Click here to download Music on Shortwave A-21 v4 (PDF) Alan notes that this might be the final update of the A-21 broadcast season. This dedicated page will always have the latest version of Alan’s guide available for […]

Hats off to the crew at the UNESCO World Heritage Grimeton Radio Station! Today is Sunday July 4, 2021. Besides being Independence Day here in the States, it’s also Alexanderson Day in Sweden! This morning, I discovered a video on the Grimeton Station YouTube channel: a recording of their live stream live stream starting around […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Roseanna, with Radio Northern Europe International who shares the following announcement: Hei alle sammen, We’ve been continuing to write your QSL cards and we’re now sending them within 2 months of receipt of your emails! Just like the last few months, we’ve split the broadcasts into 3 versions; • WRMI & On-Demand Version: […]

If you live in the UK and have been waiting for the arrival of the lab599 Discovery TX-500 transceiver, this is a positive development: Lab599 have informed me that Nevada Radio will be the exclusive distributor of the TX-500 in the UK. In addition, Waters and Stanton will be a TX-500 dealer and distrubutor. The price will […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul, who recently shared a link to this Craigslist listing and asked if anyone in the SWLing Post community might be familiar with this Beam Box Electronically Directable FM Antenna. He included a link to the following review in an archived issue of Radio-Electronics: https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Electronics/70s/1978/Radio-Electronics-1978-03.pdf The Cragslist post actually […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Recording Music on Shortwave Part 2 – Weak signal recovery by TomL The QRM noise cloud surrounding my condominium motivated my first foray into noise reduction software to find a little relief (Please refer to Part 1 posted here) using SDR recordings. I was able […]