The SWLing Post

In 2019, shortly after Icom announced the Icom IC-705, I speculated that this rig might be a contender for “Holy Grail” status. I must admit…the more I use this radio, the more I love it. It is a proper Swiss Army Knife of a radio. Even though I’ve owned and operated it for a few […]

As part of Channel 292’s celebration of its 10th Anniversary, From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot will feature broadcasts with content specifically chosen for the occasion. From the Isle of Music will feature recordings of Cuban music for which the producer and host, Bill Tilford, wrote the liner notes, and Uncle […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Markku Koskinen, who notes the following new and updated programs for the Icom IC-705 general coverage transceiver: First, Icom has published firmware version 1.20 which includes a number of new features. We’ll post the full announcement below. Click here to view the release notes and download. Secondly, Icom has […]

Yesterday, I cleared my radio bench and performed a few firmware updates that were recently published for the Xiegu GSOC Controller and Xiegu G90. Upgrading the Xiegu GSOC to the latest firmware version requires also upgrading the Xiegu G90 to take full advantage of the GSOC fixes. I downloaded the G90 firmware, driver and upgrade […]

Two radio accessories I often forget to mention in my posts and reviews are cable and connectors. When a cable functions well, it’s taken for granted and easily overlooked. You’ll hear me say that a radio is only as good as its antenna and while that’s true, the important link in the system is your […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who notes the following announcement on C.Crane’s website: We were happy to be one of first companies to offer ad-free Internet radio because it allowed anyone to listen to the world without a fee. Fifteen years ago, Ben, the founder of Reciva, had a small staff to create […]

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, Don (W7SSB), who writes: I thought these links might be of interest to your readers: https://www.qsl.net/va3iul/Files/Old_Radio_Frequency_Books.htm https://www.qsl.net/va3iul/ Brilliant! Thanks for the tip, Don! Of course, another deep treasure trove is the World Radio History website.

From the Isle of Music, January 24-30: This week, we enjoy several vocal quartets including Los Modernistas, Tema IV, Gema 4, Los Meme and Los Brito. 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 […]

Many thanks for SWLing Post contributor, Zack Schindler, who shares the following: Sangean released a new MW/FM/HDRadio this year, the SG-108: https://www.sangean.com/products/product.asp?mid=261&cid=3 It seems to be identical to the HDR-14 except for the color https://www.sangean.com/products/product.asp?mid=230&cid=3. I wonder if the receiver is any better than the HDR-14? I have an HDR-14 and am amazed by its […]

Many thanks to the folks at KMTS who share the following: A studio version of the KMTS Boot Up Special of 17.1.2021 on 7780 kHz at 0100 UTC. This transmission consisted of Country and Western sounds, engineer test signals, rare re-media mixes of cult radio favourites, strange tones, and vox. Rebroadcasts: 7 pm eastern time […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Istvan Biliczky with the TOP DX Radioclub, who shares the following results from the 2020 Top DX contest (click image to enlarge)

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kostas (SV3ORA), for sharing the following guest post which originally appeared on his radio website: Emergency transmitter: An 8-component, high-power 40m/30m transmitter to get you quickly on the air by Kostas (SV3ORA) Introduction QRP is all about doing more with less. This is more than true, with the construction of this cheap, […]

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: Radio Prague International via David Iurescia) The three letters – QSL – constitute one of the codes originally developed in the days of the telegraph. All codes consisted of three letters beginning with “Q”. Later some of these “Q” codes were adopted by radio-telegraphists and radio listeners. QSL means “contact confirmed” or “reception confirmed”. […]

This month, I received my Belka DX speaker option in the post and recently did this very simple install. All it really requires is a small Phillips-Head screwdriver and maybe 10 minutes of time. You start by removing the four screws holding on the left side panel. The side panel easily slides off over the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Tom, Markku, Dave Zantow, and Dan Robinson who note that the Tecsun PL-368 is now available via sellers on eBay. Fans of the Tecsun PL-360 and PL-365 will be happy that among other things, the PL-368 has sync detection. The price is $88 US plus $3 shipping from China. […]

A guest post by Troy Riedel: This is a sad story. Well, it’s sad for me. But hopefully my sad story will yield “radio life” for somebody else and that life will bring them joy. I’ve been an SWL’er since the early-90s. Due to the decline of international broadcasters, “collecting” has become just as – […]

Abdalla S, a Strategy Analyst with the BBC World Service, is asking for your feedback via email. He posted the following message today on his Twitter feed: Are you able to hear BBC programmes in English on shortwave radio clearly? If not, was it because of interference from another signal or mechanical noise? Please write […]

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 […]

If you own a WiFi radio that relies on the Reciva aggregator, the company has given you an additional eleven weeks to enjoy your device before it effectively loses its ability to search an index of thousands of radio stations or possibly even recall your station memories. Indeed, if your radio relies on Reciva to […]

In 2019, I made an impulse purchase: a Drake SW8 tabletop receiver. As I mentioned previously, I’d always wanted an SW8. My buddy, David Goren, recommended this receiver ages ago, Each time I’ve stayed at his home in Flat Bush, he magically made an SW8 available as my bedside radio in the guest room. (That’s […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Giuseppe Morlè, who writes: Dear Thomas, This is Giuseppe Morlè again. First of all, Happy New Year to you and to the whole SWLing Post community! I’ve been continuing the tests on my “T Ferrite” antenna for medium wave and the 160 meters ham meter band. I tried the […]

From the Isle of Music, January 17-23: This week, we compare how Cuban bands recorded some popular songs with later versions by North American bands. 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, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Loop on Ground Part 2 by TomL My previous Loop on Ground (LoG) experiment was useful which entailed connecting my Wellbrook loop amplifier to a 100 foot loop of speaker wire in the field at my favorite local Forest Preserve. It really brought […]

The following note was posted on the Dayton Hamvention website: Unfortunately, several setbacks in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic make necessary the difficult decision to cancel Hamvention 2021. Hundreds of volunteers have been working to do everything necessary to bring this Hamvention to the many amateur radio enthusiasts and vendors who support the Dayton […]

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, Mike, who writes with the following question: How important is AM Sync for a portable radio? Is it essential or a deal breaker? That’s a great question, Mike, and one I don’t think I’ve directly addressed it here on the SWLing Post oddly enough. Synchronous detection is actually a fairly […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Stefan, who recently shared two descriptive comments about issues his new Sangean ATS-909X2 is exhibiting. I’ve edited both comments together below: I purchased [my Sangean ATS-909X2] from Sangean Europe and I am totally disappointed. I know that my radio is from the first production batch and I really hope […]

The export version of the Tecsun PL-330 compact shortwave radio is now available at Anon-Co for $59.99 US. Anna, at Anon-Co, notes that they will begin to take orders on January 11, 2021. Click here to check out the PL-330 at Anon-Co.

Tuesday evening, I picked up a package from Anon-Co with the new export version of the Tecsun PL-330 inside. Anon-Co sent this unit to me for evaluation at no charge to me. Anon-Co will start shipping the PL-330 next week and the price will be $59.99. By request, I took a few photos of the […]

The correct featured country for this week is Belarus. Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, January 10-16: In episode 199, we enjoy traditional and modern music from Belarus. The transmissions take place: 1.Sunday 2300-0000 (6:00PM -7:00PM EST) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe 2. Tuesday 2000-2100 UTC […]

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, Fastburstradio23, who shares the flyer above for the next KMTS broadcast. Looks like another fun show scheduled for January 10, 2021 at 01:00 UTC (20:00 EST January 9) on 7780 kHz.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, April TimeLady, who shares her latest collection of Japanese language WebSDR recordings–this time, for December 2020. April notes: Please find in this email a link to another batch of SDR recordings I have uploaded on archive.org that I made over the course of December. I concentrated mostly on mediumwave stations […]

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRPlay who notes: Want to add SDR software to an existing Raspberry Pi setup? Check out our new SDRplay-related software installer scripts: Add SDRplay-related software to your existing Raspberry Pi SD card – SDRplay Click here to view at SDRplay.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: Appearing on the Japanese Buyee website is this RF-9000, which was the “King of Radios” of the heavy multiband “portable” era. In recent years, RF-9000s in excellent to LNIB condition have sold for $10,000 or more. A tour d’force of technology in its day, the […]

From the Isle of Music, January 10-16: This week, we present a Cuban dance party. 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 SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Devin, who writes: I am a game historian conducting research on early computer games. There is one radio program of particular historical significance called The Famous Computer Cafe that interviewed all the early movers and shakers of early computing, including Philip Estridge, Bill Gates, Bill Atkinson, Gene Rodenberry, and […]

Many thanks to Rob Sherwood (NC0B) who shares his recent assessment of the new Yaesu FTDX10. In short: the FTDX10 is now number 3 (at time of posting) on Rob’s receiver test data table— a table sorted by third-order dynamic range narrow spaced. Most impressive! Click here to download Rob’s full HF test results and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who writes: Schulman Auctions scheduled another on-line auction, lots of ham gear and accessories. A few shortwave radios in this auction. Thanks for the tip, Mario! Looks like the online auction starts in two days (from time of posting). Lots of great gear to browse! Click here […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Frank, who writes: Hi there, I have written a manual for the Tecsun PL-330 in German after getting only a Chinese one. Perhaps it is helpful for somebody? With friendly regards Frank from Germany Click here to download Tecsun PL-330 Deutsche Bedienungsanleitung (PDF 1.8 MB) Thanks so much for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Giuseppe Morlè (IZ0GZW), who writes: Dear Thomas, I’m Giuseppe Morlè (IZ0GZW) from Formia, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in Italy . I built this simple rotating directive ferrite antenna for medium waves and the 160 meters ham band. Inside the tube there are 2 ferrites with 43 cable windings and […]

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 remember back in 2007 when Amazon announced their first Kindle E-Ink portable reader, I honestly couldn’t imagine how it could be useful. Why in the world would I abandon print books and stare at yet another screen? A couple years later, I sat next to a (rather talkative) passenger on a trip to Seattle. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi, who notes a National Panasonic Cougar RF-2200 that’s currently available on eBay. The Cougar is an Asian version of the venerable Panasonic RF-2200. This model appears to have an original box in great shape. The price is steep, though at roughly US $563.35 as a Buy It […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Patrick, who writes: Many of us have more time during the holiday season to watch good old movies on either streaming services or just old-time DVD. My favourite pastime is to watch James Bond movies, based on the books by Ian Fleming. The iconic British agent in Her Majesty’s […]

Last August, SWLing Post contributor, Andy (G7UHN), shared his homebrew project with us: a genius companion control display for the venerable Yaesu FT-817 general coverage QRP transceiver. Andy’s article caused me (yes, I blame him) to wax nostalgic about the popular FT-817 transceiver. You see, I owned one of the first production models of the […]

This morning, I’m catching up with email and posts as I’ve had less online time these past few days (not a bad thing). I’m also trying to sort out and organize some of the gear in my compact shack/office. As I do this, I can’t help but think through some of the radio projects that […]

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 […]