The SWLing Post

I’ve gotten a number of inquiries regarding my lab599 TX-500 review. It is featured in the current (October 2020) issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: As you can see from the cover, there are a number of fascinating articles in this issue (click here for a list of all topics in this issue). You can […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christoph Ratzer (OE2CRM), who is well aware that I’m a fan of LRA36, so sent me a tip Saturday (September 26, 2020) at 19:40 UTC that LRA36 was being received in Europe. I had been working a few POTA stations that afternoon, so simply tuned the IC-756 to 15476 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13DKA, who shares the following guest post: From Belarus with love: The Belka DSP by 13DKA (international man of mystery) I do have a thing with tiny radios. However, the Belka DSP is so very, very tiny and disguised in understatement that it squirreled itself out of my sight […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Linus Ruckstuhl (HB3XSQ), who writes: I am a longtime reader of your blog. My brothers band (branefive.com just released their first rock song “Free the Animal in You” today on September 25th 2020. I got the idea to launch the song on shortwave in addition to the streaming services […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and Ultralight DX enthusiast, Gary DeBock, for sharing the following guest post: Nulling a local pest with dual FSL Loops by Gary DeBock After many dual FSL antenna experiments I’ve finally determined how to effectively cancel out QRM from a local pest that is off to the side (ideally […]

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 was contacted by Universal Radio yesterday afternoon with a tracking number for my Icom IC-705. It will arrive by Monday evening. A number of SWLing Post readers in the US and UK have notified me that their IC-705s have also been shipped and a few have even been received already. I’m really looking forward […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Smolinski, who shared the screen shot above of a “YouLoop” being sold by a vendor on eBay. While the Airspy YouLoop is based on a public domain noise-cancelling passive loop design that dates back decades (a.k.a. the Moebius loop antenna) buyers should note that many of the “YouLoop” […]

From the Isle of Music, September 27-October 3: This week, a package of musical surprises from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Nearly all of it will be unfamiliar to most listeners outside of Cuba. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere […]

Just a reminder that our MFJ-8100K shortwave receiver kit giveaway ends today (September 23, 2020 at 16:00 UTC). At time of posting, you still have a few hours to enter! Click here to read the details.

(Source: DRM Consortium) A new era begins for Brazilian radio broadcasting with the arrival and installation of a first shortwave digital radio DRM transmitter developed and manufactured in the city of Porto Alegre by BT Transmitters. The transmitter will be sited at the public broadcaster (EBC) Rodeador Park, near the capital Brasilia, to be connected […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes with another mystery radio to identify: This radio (see photo above) is featured in the mid 1970’s TV show ‘The New Avengers’, an episode called “To Catch a Rat”. Mysterious morse code messages are being intercepted in this scene. Can you help Mark identify this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Balazs Kovacs, who shares the following headlines from Hungary: Some Hungarian radio news from September, FM / online / DAB+ FM: The last independent radio station could be forced off airwaves https://ipi.media/hungarys-last-independent-radio-station-could-be-forced-off-airwaves/ Online: RFE/RL Relaunches Operations In Hungary https://www.rferl.org/a/rfe-rl-relaunches-operations-in-hungary-amid-drop-in-media-freedom/30826537.html DAB+: all DAB+ broadcasts in Hungary ceased (by 5th September) […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jeremy, who–in light of our recent discussions about RFI–shares the following news item from the BBC: The mystery of why an entire village lost its broadband every morning at 7am was solved when engineers discovered an old television was to blame. An unnamed householder in Aberhosan, Powys, was unaware […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood (K7OU), who shares the following guest post: SWLing.com now takes “Spot the shortwave radio set in the movie or show” to new heights – “Spot the shortwave radio station in the TV series” The former Radio Exterior de España (REE) shortwave transmitter site at Arganda del Rey […]

Many thanks to SWling Post contributor, Emilio Ruiz, who shares the following guest post: Apprehending an RFI-generating monster! At the beginning of the year, I was sad because, at home, an awful RFI noise appeared. The next few months the noise increase until S9!!. Day and night my receivers and my feelings were so dampened […]

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, Dave (K4SV), who shares this video courtesy of NASA Goddard: The Sun is stirring from its latest slumber. As sunspots and flares, signs of a new solar cycle, bubble from the Sun’s surface, scientists are anticipating a flurry of solar activity over the next few years. Roughly every 11 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul, who writes: This seems to be a new basic radio from Sangean: Click here to view on Amazon (affiliate link supports the SWLing Post) I’m not sure a radio could get more basic than this one: AA batteries, one volume control, one tuning control, built-in speaker, and a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: SWLing Post readers might be interested in reading the Digital Radio Mondiale Newsletter of September 2020, which covers DRM developments announced at IBC 2020. These include DRM transmitter developments and deployments, and lots of new DRM receivers–such as eight (8) AM/FM/DRM portables, (1) AM/FM/SW/DRM portable, an […]

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, Paul Evans, who writes: On Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Science at NASA had a presentation on the next solar cycle predictions. It’s available on YouTube and other outlets without needing a login or Zoom serial number: Fascinating! Thanks for the tip, Paul!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who notes that the July/August 2020 issue of the Australian amateur radio magazine QTC (an issue we noted in a previous post is free) actually has an article about the mediumwave scene in Australia. Click here to download a PDF of those pages only from the magazine, […]

A number of SWLing Post readers have been asking about SSB audio characteristics on the new Tecsun PL-990. Earlier this week, I took a moment while visiting family to make a few quick comparison videos with the PL-880 outdoors and away from RFI. As I mention in the videos, there are a lot of cicadas […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Don, who notes that Chameleon Antenna has just introduced the CHA MPAS Lite: a modular portable antennas system covering from 6M – 160 meters. I know a number of participants in the Parks On The Air program who use the CHA MPAS antenna system–the MPAS Lite is the “little […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bruce (VE6XTC), who is trying to identify noises he’s hearing on the HF bands. Perhaps readers can help. By request, Bruce has provided me with two recordings via his Kenwood TS-440S: Recording 1: 7,335 kHz at 0500 UTC on September 13, 2020 https://archive.org/download/strange-noise-7335-khz-0500-ut-13-sep-20/strange%20noise%2C%207335KHZ0500%20UT13Sep20.MP3 Recording 2: 7,405 at 0500 UT […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following guest post: SWLing Post readers may recall the story we published last year about the appearance of a rare QSL card from Tristan da Cunha. ZOE Tristan was for decades one of the most sought after stations — it used 3,290 kHz and […]

In July, I purchased a tiny QRP transceiver I’ve always wanted: the LnR Precision MTR-3B. It’s a genius, purpose-built little radio and a lot of fun to operate in the field. It’s also rather bare-bones, only including a specific feature set built around ultra-portable CW operation. While the MTR-3B has features like CW memory keying, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Muthu, who writes with the following inquiry after reading our Xiegu G90 review: Very nice review. I have a question. I’m preparing for a restricted ham license in Hong Kong and may try transmitting for a couple of months. However, in the long run I plan to use the […]

A number of SWLing Post readers have been asking about the pricing and availability of the Mission RGO One transceiver. RGO One designer, Boris (LZ2JR), has informed me that he’s published a new pre-order form available via the following link. The form specifies all options and pricing and applies to a third production run of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who writes: I’ve been asked by a ham radio club to do a presentation on DXing in rural central Alaska. I spent about 16 months in Galena, back in 2016 and 2017 while working as the program director for a public/community radio station. It was a very […]

Anon-Co has just posted pricing and availability of the Tecsun PL-990x: The PL-990x package like the pre-production unit I received costs $235 US shipped free via the postal service or via FedEx for an additional $9.00. This package includes the Tecsun PL-990x, Tecsun EP-20 stereo earphones, 16GB microSD card, Tecsun AN-03L wire antenna, protective carrying […]

From the Isle of Music, September 20-26: This week Yasek Manzano helps us present some of his own recent jazz recordings and the new compilation album Grecolandia. 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) […]

After posting Ron’s note about the MFK-8100K receiver kit, I touched base with MFJ and they have kindly donated a new 8100K kit to us for an SWLing Post giveaway. Thanks, MFJ! This giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. MFJ will ship it directly to you if there are no Covid-19 shipping restrictions to your country. […]

Youssef with Airspy has just announced the release of the latest SDR# version. He wrote the following in a tweet: Check the latest and greatest release of SDR# with device sharing across multiple instances covering different slices of the spectrum. […]One master instance can spawn many slices with entirely separate signal paths and displays. Click […]

(Source: Elad USA) Elad USA Inc. 618 Cummings Chapel Road Ridgeville, SC 29472 sales@elad-usa.com or call 312-320-8160 (10am-6pm) PRESS RELEASE Elad S.R.L. Italy and Elad USA Inc. Elad are pleased to announce the ELAD FDM-S3 is now in production and shipping to distributors world-wide. The ELAD FDM-S3 is a 16bit state of the art Software […]

Many thanks to Mike Ladd at SDRplay who notes that they have added a new IQ Demo Files page to the SDRplay website. Here’s the intro: IQ Demo Files Here you can find off air IQ recordings for you to check your SDRuno and related software settings for a variety of different situations. If you […]

Following up on our recent MFJ post, SWLing Post contributor, Ron, writes: Another thing about MFJ is they still offer the MFJ-8100 as a kit or built. This is the only regenerative receiver available as far as I know. Mr. Jue and his guys did a couple of tweaks like limiting band coverage to insure […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Walker, who shares the following note from Gilles Letourneau, the CIDX, and International Radio Report: WHRI has ceased relaying Voice of Vietnam to North America since its purchase by WBCQ. Please take the time to write them and let them know it would be important to keep shortwave […]

(Source: ARRL via RTC) Hurricane Watch Net to Activate as Paulette Bears Down on Bermuda The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) has announced plans to activate today (Sunday, September 13) at 2100 UTC on both 14.325 MHz and 7.268 MHz as Hurricane Paulette is predicted to make landfall on Bermuda early on September 14 as a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David, who writes: I live in the UK and, like many of your readers and contributors, one of the aspects of the radio hobby I enjoy is ‘content DXing’. As of yesterday [September 9, 2020], all of the US-based classical music stations and even some European news outlets are […]

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, Richard Lacroix, who shares the following: First off, thank you goes out to John Hudak’s timely post on the ODXA group. Shortly after his post, I was able to quickly tune-in and intercept 2 pirate radio stations on September 5 2020 during the period 00:30 to 02:17 UTC. John’s […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Webster (G7KVE), who shares the following article and interview from the BBC WS program Over To You: Tuning in to the future for shortwave We answer your questions about the BBC World Service’s plans for shortwave. With many tens of millions still relying on it to listen every […]

Our good friend Rob Wagner (VK3BVW) over at the Mount Evelyn DX Report has posted an excellent article on how to deal with man-made radio interference (QRM/RFI) in our homes and neighborhoods. This has been a frequent topic here on the SWLing Post (indeed, as recently as Thursday). I’ve copied an excerpt from his article […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who notes that the KiwiSDR kit is now in stock and shipping again directly from Seed Studio. Click here for the order/product page. Thanks for the tip, Richard!

Many of you have been asking about the new Tecsun PL-990, especially as compared with the venerable PL-880. If you haven’t checked out Dan Robinson’s post yet, I highly recommend you do so. His long-format video will also give you a good indication of how both radios compare. Also check out George’s review of the […]

Both the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) and Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) will hold their 2020 annual conferences online and open to the public. Check out press releases for both evens below: RAC Canada 2020 Conference and Annual General Meeting Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to welcome all Amateurs to the RAC Canada 2020 […]

This morning, I received a question from Andrew, an SWLing Post reader in the UK. Andrew writes: May I ask a question please? I am very much a newbie to this. I am not really interested in FM, but I would like to listen to international stations on SW, utilities stations, amateur broadcasts and if […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald (DL1AX) who shares the following (translated) announcement from the RAE Buenos Aires, German Service: Dear friend, On Saturday, September 19th LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel will broadcast from the Antarctic station Esperanza in Spanish, German and English. The transmission takes place at 15.476 kHz in USB mode. […]