The SWLing Post

Image Credit: NASA As an amateur astronomer & SWL enthusiast, I always find it interesting when both disciplines overlap. I came across an article on the Internet posted by sciencealert.com of such an overlap. The Earth is surrounded by two radiation belts (Van Allen Belts). But something strange has been discovered. After NASA launched a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Joe Patti (KD2QBK), who writes: Not sure anyone would be interested, but in using a Bluetooth adapter with my Belka I inadvertently came up with a little stand for it. I attached the adapter to the back of the radio with a piece of plastic 3M Command picture hanger […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Lebryk, who shares the following: I came across this youtube video about a physicist who worked there in his early years and gives this tribute to his time there. Maybe some others would like to see it too: Amazing! Thank you, Tom!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Rogers, who writes: [Here’s] an interesting new amplifier that is suitable for SDR’s and antennas like Youloop etc with Bias-Tee provision. Unsure of the specifications. The ad claims made in North America: https://www.nooelec.com/store/lana-hf-barebones.html Thanks for the tip, Chris! Yes, it’s a bit of a surprise it’s made in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Lebryk, who shares the following guest post: My First Loop-On-Ground antenna A number of people have mentioned the Loop On Ground (LOG) antenna in the past as a good receive-only antenna. I did some research but could only find a few examples by amateur radio operators. Matt Roberts (KK5JY) […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Hemphill (WD9EQD), who shares the following announcement he originally discovered via reddit user fastradioburst23: Notice of a KTMS winter test transmission beaming to Europe/USA on 9670 kHz at 2300 UTC on 17.12.2020. This transmission will consist of interval jingles, engineer test signals, rare re-media mixes of cult radio […]

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 […]

I remember when I first laid hands on a self-powered portable radio. It was the Baygen FPR1 designed by the amazing Trevor Bayliss. The FPR1 was a large portable radio with a black plastic body, large front-facing speaker, and large hand crank on the side. It was a clockwork radio, meaning you’d use the hand […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, DanH, who shares the following comment in response to this news article from the Citizen Times featured in Radio Waves yesterday: Here are my thanks to members of the Amateur Radio community and The News-Record & Sentinel for remembering the legacy of Hammarlund Manufacturing Company Incorporated. It is good […]

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 […]

I’ve been on the coast of South Carolina enjoying a little R&R with my wonderful family. We rented a vacation home on a tidal river just south of Charleston, SC and it was just what the doctor ordered. The location was gorgeous, the weather was amazing, and there was very little RF interference outside our […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, April TimeLady, who shares her latest collection of Japanese language WebSDR recordings–this time, for November 2020. Feel free to listen to her recordings via the clickable playlist below, or on her Archive.org page. Thank you, April for once again uploading and sharing your recordings! Click here for a link to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who writes: Generally, the news about shortwave is bad (stations that close, stations that leave the short wave and go to the Internet), but this time the news is good: After 15 years, Radio Taiwan International is broadcasting again in Korean language in short wave. At […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Joshua Goldsmith, who notes that the Eton Mini is on sale at Woot for $17.99 US. That’s the best price I believe I’ve seen on this little radio–certainly a nice stocking stuffer! Click here to check it out on Woot!

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, David Korchin, who needs a little advice regarding his recently restored Hammarlund HR-10: After doing a heart transplant on my Hammarlund HR-10 Weather Sentry multi band receiver (I found a rough user on eBay and swapped out the chassis into my unspoiled case) the rig is running to spec; […]

On December 26 from 0900-1430 UTC, Radio Channel 292 will have a 100-kw Marathon on 6070 Khz organized by Max Berger of Radio SM Dessau featuring multiple programs using a transmitter in Moosbrunn, Austria. Radio SM Dessau will be handling a special QSL for the occasion. Both Radio Channel 292 and WBCQ The Planet will […]

Many thanks to Gayle Van Horn (W4GVH) who notes that her Global Radio Guide for Winter 2020-2021 is now available on Amazon.com. Click here to read the full press release (PDF). Click here to check out the Global Radio Guide on Amazon.com.

(Source: SpaceRef via Eric McFadden) In direct contradiction to the official forecast, a team of scientists led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is predicting that the Sunspot Cycle that started this fall could be one of the strongest since record-keeping began. In a new article published in Solar Physics, the research team […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Ladd with SDRplay, who shares his latest SDRuno tutorial video: Click here to watch on YouTube. Click here to purchase the new EQ plugin via Black Cat Systems.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans (W4/VP9KF), who writes: Oh no, I spotted another radio to identify in about a 1 second clip from “Death In Paradise”, Series 9, Episode 7. This should be easier, but is it? Bonus points for the name of the lizard! Oh! That’s a tough one. Thanks for […]

From the Isle of Music, December 13-19: This week, we present a musical retrospective of Candido Camero, and important innovator in the evolution of the usage of afrocuban percussion who passed away November 7 at the age of 99 years. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area […]

Many thanks to Alex (EU1ME)–developer and manufacturer of the Belka DX and Belka DSP shortwave receivers–who shares information about a new version of the Belka-DX: [Based on customer feedback, we’ve] added a built-in speaker to the Belka DX version. It’s an option that I believe also can be useful when listening this radio (broadcasts for […]

President Franklin Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy”–the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by air. Today (December 7, 2020) is the 79th anniversary. This morning, I was once again reminded of an off-air recording I made in 2013 of the pirate radio station, Radio Free Whatever. Please enjoy […]

The following review was first published in the November 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: A review of the Mission RGO One ham radio transceiver by Thomas (K4SWL / M0CYI) Wow…I love this! If I am perfectly frank, that would sum up my initial impression of the Mission RGO One. It was the 2018 […]

I’m so pleased to see a fascinating new post from our friend London Shortwave this morning. In his latest article, London Shortwave demonstrates how he has been making super simple spectrum recordings by pairing the new Belka-DX receiver (which has an I/Q out port) with a Zoom H1 handheld digital recorder. The recorded I/Q files […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric (WD8RIF), who notes that the 27th episode of TX Factor was recently released. Here’s the show summary: Another post-lockdown special? – Indeed! And we hope you are safe and well and looking forward to some TX Factor action. In this final show of 2020, we visit the home of a well-known and […]

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, Dennis Dura, who shares the following video featuring the Tecsun AN-200 on the Waters & Stanton YouTube channel: I told so many over the years that I honestly think the AN200 is one of the most useful and effective mediumwave antennas you can purchase. It’s portable and it pairs […]

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 and RX antenna guru, Grayhat, for another excellent guest post focusing on compact, low-profile urban antennas: A linear loaded dipole for the SWL by Grayhat What follows is the description of an antenna which may allow to obtain good performances even in limited space, the antenna which I’m about […]

For the next week or so, I’m going to have limited Internet service, but lots of radio time. I’m looking forward to it! There shouldn’t be an interruption here on the SWLing Post, but I will not have a lot of time to reply to questions via email. Feel free to continue sending your tips, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Shannon, who writes: Hi Thomas A little treat for my fellow readers of your blog (is that the right word?). The RTE interval signal, a rendition of O’Donnell Abú (“O’Donnell Forever”), that is played at 0529 daily, apart from the weekend when it’s played at 0629 (even interval […]

From the Isle of Music, December 6-12: This week, special guest Toni Basanta returns to share music from Expreso Rítmico and Grupo Los Yoyi, two popular dance bands in Cuba in the 1970-1980s, with us. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern […]

For those of you who have been asking about the new Xiegu GSOC controller, I just updated my unit with the latest firmware (version 1.1). Firmware notes show that it addresses the following items: Xiegu GSOC FW V1.1 1. Solved the CW sidetone delay problem 2. Solved the problem of unstable system and occasional crash […]

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 […]

(Source: FCC.gov) CHAIRMAN PAI ANNOUNCES HIS INTENT TO DEPART FCC — WASHINGTON, November 30, 2020—Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced that he intends to leave the Federal Communications Commission on January 20, 2021. Chairman Pai issued the following statement: “It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve at the Federal Communications […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares his latest update to his B20 season guide to music on shortwave. Click here to download as a PDF.

I just received an announcement from C.Crane noting that their Cyber Monday sale discounts everything in their catalog by 10%. If you’ve been considering one of their radios or accessories, today is a great day to pull the trigger. It’s rare that C.Crane discounts are lower than 10%. Click here to check out C.Crane’s Cyber […]

I just received an email announcement from Radioddity noting their holiday sale which lasts through November 30, 2020. Much of their inventory has been discounted. They’ve also added “Flash Sale” packages which include the Xiegu G90, Xiegu X5105, and the new GSOC. If you’ve been considering the purchase of any of these items, I’d encourage […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Istvan Biliczky, who writes: We would like to remind you that the TOP 10 DX OF THE YEAR contest will start soon. From 1 December 2020. 00:00 UTC to 31 December 2020 24:00 UTC The contest is open for all shortwave listeners and free of charge. All the information […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze (WB2SRI), for sharing another brilliant audio comparison featuring benchmark portable radios: Medium wave selectivity shootout by Matt Blaze I did another monster medium wave portable receiver comparison, this time with the aim of comparing receivers’ ability to deal with weak signals in the presence of strong adjacent […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who passes along the following tips: Circuit Specialists have started Black Friday, but only 10% off everything. The code fer Circuit Specialists is CYBER2020 at checkout…10% off everything until midnight Monday. There’s also a raffle for free 100MHz 2x DSOs and some pen style 25MHz DSOs fer […]

Here in the States, we’re celebrating Thanksgiving today. It’s my favorite holiday because it’s all about giving thanks and spending time with friends, family, and eating some amazing food. Of course, it’ll be a bit different this year as families opt to meet virtually in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19. I believe […]

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by author Ronald W. Kenyon who has written non-fiction books covering a variety of subjects, but primarily collections of essays and albums of photography. He was very proud to announce that his latest book, QSL: How I Traveled the World and Never Left Home, focuses on his pursuit […]

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, for the following guest post: Zenith Trans Oceanics Still Command Big Prices by Dan Robinson For many radio collectors and users, the Zenith Trans Oceanic R7000-2 is a must-have item in the collection. This was the final version of the Zenith Trans Oceanic line that stretched back […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Nick Hall-Patch, who writes: Since 1964, the International Radio Club of America has been documenting medium wave DXing and DXers’ efforts to improve their understanding of radio reception and to develop better listening techniques. During that time, over 900 articles have been written, that have furthered the art of […]

I just received a message from C.Crane noting that they’re discounting the excellent C.Crane CCRadio 2E $20 today (25 Nov 2020) until 11:59PM PT. Simply add the radio to our shopping cart and the price will be adjusted automatically. The CCRadio 2E, along with the CCRadio 3, is considered one of the best mediumwave portable […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gregory Ivanov, who writes: Hi, found this video–I think it’s pretty cool. Shows some impressive 3D propagation simulation, I haven’t seen before: Wow! That is fascinating. Thank you for sharing this, Gregory. 3D tools like this could be invaluable for predicting propagation even for hams and SWLs. Of course, […]