The SWLing Post

Yesterday, I took delivery of the new Xiegu GSOC Touch Screen Controller which has kindly been sent to me by Radioddity on loan for a frank evaluation. [Thank you, Radioddity!] GSOC development has been closely watched by Xiegu owners since its announcement this summer. To be clear: the GSOC is not a transceiver, it’s a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald Kuhl, who shares the following note from Channel 292: Maybe you already noticed on our homepage, that we try to start using our new beam on 9670 kHz, which will increase the radiated power to the target area by more than ten times. Tests transmissions start today; we […]

From the Isle of Music, November 8-14: This week, a dance party with music by Original de Manzanillo and Ritmo Oriental. 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 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Peter Wilson, who writes: Hello Thomas, I noticed you have included the SDR# AM Co-channel Canceller in your blog, I’ve made a video of the SDR# FM Co-channel Canceller in action. Es IQ files are from August 2020, received using an Airspy HF+ Discovery using SDR# 1732, near Lobatse, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Zack S, who writes in response to our note yesterday about the demise of the Reciva Internet radio station aggregator: I wrote to Grace Digital https://gracedigital.com/ today, 11/2/2020 asking about the Reciva shutdown and here is their reply; “Your presets will work until the URLS for the streams become outdated. Not […]

Well, not pocket change for most people, but I couldn’t pass up a clever headline! I want to alert SWLing Post readers to a lower cost option for the new BELKA-DX than the Mobimax source: the ecommerce web site of Alex Buevky (EU1ME) who designed the radio. In early February I bought the original BELKA […]

The following review of the TX-500 was first published in the October 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. Last year, a company out of Russia started dropping hints about a QRP transceiver they were developing called the Discovery TX-500. The prototype photos looked like nothing else on the market: it was unusually thin––only 30mm […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Drake, who notes that Reciva has announced that they are closing down effective January 31, 2021. Check out the banner on their website:This, of course, is not good news for anyone using a Reciva-based WiFi radio. Indeed, the WiFi radio landscape has become quite unstable in the past […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steve Allen (KZ4TN), who shares the following guest post: A Simple Antenna Tuner for SWL Radios by Steve Allen, KZ4TN After reading 13DKA’s excellent review of the Belka-DSP on SWLing.com a few weeks ago I knew I had to have one! The size, features, and performance of the Belka-DX […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Georges Ringotte (F6DFZ), who writes: I received the Belka-DX a few days ago, and it appears to be an outstanding receiver considering its price, its size, and quality of construction. AGC and audio reproduction are way better than any Chinese SW receiver giving some superb receptions in CW, SSB […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who writes: As a tribute to Sean Connery, who passed away today, let’s see if your readers may identify this radio set found in Goldfinger from 1964: Please comment if you can ID this radio in Goldfinger! Thank you for sharing this, Carlos. Sean Connery was a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan (NO2CW), who shares the following short demo of the new SDR# Co-Channel interference canceller tool: That is simply amazing! Readers note: this powerful tool for DXing is a free upgrade for SDR# users! Click here to read more about the Co-Channel Canceller.

I’ll admit it: I like what I see here. Yaesu has announced their latest compact 160-6 M transceiver: the FTDX10. Based on the specifications, it looks like it borrows heavily from the FTDX101 series, which is a very good thing. At 5″, the color TFT display is larger than that of the IC-7300 & IC-705. […]

Chameleon Antenna recently sent me a prototype of their latest antenna: the CHA MPAS Lite. The MPAS Lite is a compact version of their MPAS 2.0 modular antenna system and designed to be even more portable. Chameleon Antenna is a specialist antenna manufacturer that makes military-grade, field portable antennas that are low-profile and stealthy. Chameleon […]

This news item expands on our previous post. (Source: Radio World) No Luck for DRM in the AM Digital Order Digital Radio Mondiale was hoping that the Federal Communications Commission would consider allowing its technology as an all-digital option for AM stations in the United States, along with HD Radio. But the FCC disappointed it. […]

I just discovered Rob Sherwood (NC0B) will be on Ham Talk Live tonight. Rob always has fascinating comments about receiver performance, so this should be a great episode. Here are details: Rob Sherwood, NC0B from Sherwood Engineering returns to Ham Talk Live! Thursday night to talk about the performance of several radios since his last […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ferrie, who writes: [Universal_HamRadio_Remote_HTML5] is an implementation of python server and html5 function to get a web-browsable interface to use your TRX in RX and TX. You can use basis and some advanced functions of your radio. You use your speaker and microphone of your computer to communication. This […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze, who writes: I did another head-to-head receiver comparison, this time of two MW BCB AM portables: The C.Crane Radio 2/e vs. the Potomac Instruments FIM-41 field intensity meter. The latter is not intended as a receiver, but rather a test instrument, but it turns out to be […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, Mike S, and a number of others who have contacted me regarding the FCC’s Authorization of All-Digital AM Radio. Below, you’ll find the FCC press release: For Immediate Release FCC AUTHORIZES ALL-DIGITAL AM RADIO Action Will Improve Listening Experience and Provide Consumers with Enhanced Services WASHINGTON, October […]

From the Isle of Music, November 1-7: Part 2 of 2 parts: Special guest Zenovio Hernández Pavón, a prolific researcher, author, historian and radio producer in Holguín, helps us explore Holguín’s important and distinctive musical culture with several examples. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in […]

(Source: ARRL Newlsetter) ARRL Urges Members to Join in Strongly Opposing FCC’s Application Fees Proposal ARRL will file comments in firm opposition to an FCC proposal to impose a $50 fee on amateur radio license and application fees. With the November 16 comment deadline fast approaching, ARRL urges members to add their voices to ARRL’s […]

This public service announcement brought to you by the SWLing Post:

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, Jim Meirose, who recently shared the following listener post: Listener Post by Jim Meirose My interest in radio started around 1960-61. My uncle was going to take a giant worn-out console Record Player/AM/FM/SW 1940s monstrosity to the dump. My father, who was an electrician and a general nut for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: You may already know about Schulman auctions, but if not here’s the site: https://www.schulmanauction.com/vintage-electronics/ Even if one is not interested in vintage electronics it’s still a great window shopping experience. Have a great day and 73’s Thanks for the tip, Mario! I have browsed their […]

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, Jaap de Goede, who shares the following note: Thanks for posting the hidden feature table to the Tecscun PL-330. I see more and more videos of the PL-330 popping up on YouTube. I’m wondering what firmware they run. It’s easy to identify the firmware version. Press and hold the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13dka, who shares the following: Yesterday evening, I took the Icom IC-705 to the dike for the first time (got it on Thursday and spent a lof of time with familiarization). Since it was already too dark, wet and cold for all the fuss with antennas, I decided to […]

Note: This article was first published on QRPer.com. A few weeks ago, I published a post about radios I’ve regretted selling or giving away. Number one on that list was the Elecraft KX1. Within a couple hours of posting that article, I had already purchased a KX1 I found on the QTH.com classifieds. It was, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following photos and short videos of a prototype Tecsun PL-368 at the 2020 Shanghai International High-End Hi-Fi Expo. The PL-368 appears to be the updated and upgraded model of the Tecsun PL-360/PL-365 series. Something I note immediately is the most welcome addition of a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13dka, who shares the following guest post: Gone fishing…for DX: Reception enhancement at the seaside by 13dka In each of my few reviews I referred to “the dike” or “my happy place”, which is a tiny stretch of the 380 miles of dike protecting Germany’s North Sea coast. This […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Darren Davies, who writes: Hello Thomas, I was gifted the Toshiba BCL receiver by an old work colleague. It’s an absolute beauty, in excellent condition and is unusual in that in comes with UK FM band and not the more popular Japanese one. It wipes the floor with newer […]

Hello Readers! This Saturday (10/24) there will be two special broadcasts of VORW Radio International targeting listeners in Europe and North America. They will be broadcast from WWCR in Nashville, Tennessee with a power of 100 kW each. Each broadcast will be 1 Hour in length and will feature music (1960s – Present) and commentary, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: SWLing Post readers might be interested in learning that KTWR in Guam has announced new DRM transmission details including a new DXer’s Program named “Love Asia By Radio” which is scheduled to first air on October 25, 2020 on their 1026-1057UTC English DRM broadcast to India […]

(Source: Pete Madtone) DJ Frederick‘s Free Radio Skybird is back on the 49 Metre shortwave band again this Sunday October 25th (and repeated the week after) as part of the station’s tenth anniversary. The broadcast goes out at 1200 UTC on 6070 kHz via Channel 292. Expect the usual mixture of stuff with DJ Frederick, The Radiophonic Laboratory and Weed’s own One Deck Pete. Tune in! #shortwavesnotdead #freeradioskybird

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Madtone, who writes: I was coming home from my tai chi class in the local park yesterday and remembered this play that I watched a long time ago. Please tell me you don’t know it! [In] the credits at the end it has another radio connection: the UK […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: [Found this Tecsun S2000 or Grundig 750] in the Canadian TV series Pure, which lasted 2 seasons, about Mennonites in Ontario involved in drug trafficking from Mexico. Thanks for the tip, Dan! I was not at all familiar with this series. We’ll put this in […]

From the Isle of Music, October 25-31: Part 1 of 2 parts: Special guest Zenovio Hernández Pavón, a prolific researcher, author, historian and radio producer in Holguín, helps us explore Holguín’s important and distinctive musical culture with several examples. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in […]

AirSpy’s Youssef Touil shares a video from YouTube author “PY3CRX&PY2PLL” which dramatically demonstrates the extent to which the Co-Channel Canceller tool can uncover a much weaker signal beneath a powerful one: Youssef commented on the video that It only needs some tweaking to the lock/offset to get a perfect decode. So, presumably the result could be […]

Many thanks to Mike Ladd at SDRplay who notes that he has posted his extensive SDRuno frequency banks on the SDRplay website. If you aren’t a frequent user of SDRuno’s memory banks, I would highly recommend loading Mike’s frequencies as a means of a little radio frequency discovery! Click here to download via the SDRplay […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Grayhat, who shares the following guest post: Setting up a Mini Whip antenna by Grayhat I’ve been fiddling with my “balcony antenna” experiment for quite a while now, and I settled with a Linear Loaded Dipole (LLD, also known as “Cobra”) which, in my case, due to self-imposed limitations […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Hoad, who shares the following: I took delivery of my Tecsun PL-990x yesterday from Anon. I thought this hidden features list might be of interest. Click here to download (PDF). Thank you for sharing this sheet, John! Well done!

After posting a recording of 630 AM WAIZ’s “Wacky Wake-Up Crew” last week, a few readers asked for another recording, so here you go! I made this recording yesterday morning (Monday, October 19, 2020) with the Icom IC-705 connected to my homebrew NCPL antenna: https://archive.org/download/20201019-104637/20201019_104637.mp3

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post readers who’ve noted that Sangean Europe has removed the ATS-909X2 from their website and stopped taking pre-orders. Dan Robinson received the following response from Sangean Europe after an inquiry: “The ATS-909X2 is postponed, so we cannot send a product yet. I’m sorry for the inconveniences.” No doubt, […]

In my earlier article, I introduced the Co-Channel Canceller, a unique feature in AirSpy’s SDR# program for the benefit of medium wave DXers. Now only a day later, software author and AirSpy founder Youssef Touil expands the toolset of Co-Channel Canceller with I.F. Offset and Channel Bandwidth controls. To download this latest release, click here to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following: Today is the anniversary of the announcement of the first commercially available transistor radio, the Regency TR1, in 1954. It wasn’t very good, but it started something. You can tell something about the frequency allocations of the time by how the numbers are […]

It’s easy to take for granted the magical math that happens in Software Defined Radio. Occasionally though a breakthrough occurs which really grabs our attention, thanks to the hard work and bright minds of the designers behind the receivers and the software. On the software side, the first series of “wow” moments happened for me […]

Before I had even taken delivery of the new Icom IC-705 transceiver, a number of SWLing Post readers asked me to do a series of blind audio comparison tests like I’ve done in the past (click here for an example). Last week, I published a series of five audio tests/surveys and asked for your vote […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Matt Blaze, who shares the following comparison of the new Tecsun PL-990x and the original Sangean ATS-909X communications receivers. Like Matt’s recent comparison of the Tecsun PL-990x to the Icom IC-R9500, this review is in audio form and brilliantly narrated by Matt. I highly recommend listening with headphones or, at least, an audio device […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares two note-worthy links regarding the new Tecsun H-501. The first link is to a set of internal shots of the H-501 found on Radioafiction.com. Click here to view. The second link, Dan shares as a warning. Evidently there’s an inventory of the H-501s on NewEgg.com […]