The SWLing Post

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are: 10:00 – 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe Repeated: 01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz and 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada and Central America. 08:00 – 09:00 UTC Sunday 7440 kHz Channel 292 to Europe 02:00 – 03:00 UTC Monday 9455 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada 13:00 – 14:00 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 […]

(Source: ARRL News) Facing a growing demand for amateur radio exam sessions in a time of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, sponsors of some Volunteer Examiner (VE) teams have risen to the challenge and are developing systems to remotely proctor test sessions. “Many of our VEs and VE Teams have been working on remotely proctored […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following: Antonio Fernandez, who is in Spain, posted this on the Extreme page. Very interesting R-2000 mods: Major modifications are adjustable RF GAIN (using the former TONE control), BFO Pitch control (former AM Squelch, FM Squelch is retained) and DSP Audio filtering for SSB […]

(Source: National Press Club Press Release) WASHINGTON, April 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute stand with Voice of America and its director, Amanda Bennett, against unsupported criticism by the White House of its coronavirus coverage. Bennett is a highly respected journalist who has been a staunch advocate of the independence […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald Kuhl, who shares the following announcement from Ham Radio Friedrichshafen: Radio silence due to coronavirus COVID-19: Ham Radio not taking place as planned 15.04.2020 Friedrichshafen – Due to current developments in regard to the spread of coronavirus COVID-19, Messe Friedrichshafen has been forced to make a very difficult […]

My wife has an amazing ability: when she’s deep into research, writing, editing, or creating something, she has a laser-focus like none other: she can tune out the world around her to the point that it’s honestly hard to get her attention. She can work in almost any environment, and tune out (nearly!) all distractions. […]

Many thanks to Oscar (EA3IBC) who shares this simple hack. I’ve gotten quite a few emails from Post readers telling me that the only thing holding them back from building a NCPL antenna is the BN-73-302 binocular ferrite core needed for the 1:1 Balun. While so much of the world is sheltering at home due […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: The April 14, 2020 edition of the BBC World Service program ‘Digital Planet’ includes a story about the status of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) broadcasts on shortwave. The segment had no breaking news, but SWLing Post readers might enjoy hearing an updated explanation on BBC of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley, who shares the following note: One of the benefits of the Covid-19 pandemic, as if there are any real benefits of a pandemic, is serendipitous programming on SW. I speak in particular of the ERT Proto Programma now airing on the Voice of Greece. As noted today […]

From the Isle of Music, April 19-25: April is Jazz Appreciation Month! This week we feature the music of Janio Abreu including a new release, Juntos Otra Vez, a collaboration with Victor Goines. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including […]

I’m honored to have been interviewed by Frank Howell (K4FMH) for the ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast. The interview was posted as a podcast this weekend. If you’re not familiar, the ICQ podcast is posted every fortnight and runs about 1.5-2.5 hours or so depending on news items and features. Here’s the description of […]

Recently, I published a step-by-step guide on building a Noise-Cancelling Passive Loop (NCPL) antenna. Evidently, this antenna project really resonated with readers! [See what I did there? If so, my apologies!] I think this passive loop antenna project has been so appealing because (1.) most of us around the world are sheltering at home due […]

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, Mark Lane, who writes: Hi Thomas, I have been reading the SWLing Post for a few years now but hadn’t contacted yourself since I announced my re kindled interest in SW and radio in general when I purchased a Sony ICF2001D a couple of years ago. Well since then […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Scott Gamble, who shares the following science fiction short film called “Voskhod” by DUST. The synopsis: After repairing his HAM radio using parts found in the forest, a recluse radio operator receives a distress call from a stranded Soviet cosmonaut in orbit. I thoroughly enjoyed this short film. We […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Wilbur, who shared the following message on Twitter: NASA has posted the Real Time audio of the Apollo 13 Mission on the 50 Anniversary of the launch. Lift off is just after 2:00 PM EST today! (Saturday April 11) https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/ WOW! Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: [While] watching some original episodes of The Twilight Zone on Netflix, I discovered the March 10, 1961 episode entitled “Static”. I think you’d especially appreciate it. If you haven’t seen it, do check it out–it’s about a radio time machine! There’re a couple of radios featured […]

Over the past four weeks, I’ve gotten a number of emails from first-time readers of the SWLing Post who’ve landed here because they’re searching for a new radio. While not all these readers are necessarily interested in shortwave, what they are interested in is a good, solid battery-powered radio to receive local news on AM […]

WRMI will broadcast Encore on Thursdays at 20:00 UTC to Europe on 15770 kHz Propagation is already very good and should improve as the days get longer. Regular Broadcast times of Encore are: 10:00 – 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe Repeated: 01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz and 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following video from Fernando Duarte, comparing the Malahit-DSP and the new Afedri LAN-IQ: Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Grayhat, who has recently been on a mission to create a low-cost SDR setup while sheltering at home due to Covid-19 restrictions. While exploring antennas he sent the following inquiry: I recently found some information about the so-called Tilted Terminated Folded Dipole (T2FD) antenna which was apparently developed for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following video from Fernando Duarte highlighting the new Alfredi LAN-IQ SDR: I can’t wait to check out Fenu’s full review of the LAN-IQ when it is posted on his excellent website. The screen seems to be very responsive and layout well thought through. The […]

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 World via Mike Terry) Russia has resumed Digital Radio Mondiale broadcasts on shortwave. The country originally aired the Voice of Russia via DRM a few years ago. The new service is tentatively called Radio Purga (“Radio Blizzard”). The target area is the Chukotka region of the Russian Far East. Analog shortwave transmissions once […]

This morning, I uploaded a recording of 2001 shortwave pirate The Purple Nucleus of Creation to the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive (SRAA). The recording was submitted by Adam C. Smith, a regular over at the SRAA. Adam’s six minute off-air recording was made on October 27, 2001 at 0009UTC on 6,928 kHz USB with Adam’s […]

Solar Minimum is DEEP and appears to be continuing. Observer Franky Dubois from Belgium – who posts for the Solar Section of A.L.P.O. – Assoc. of Lunar & Planetary Observers (http://alpo-astronomy.org/) has fully observed three complete Solar Cycles over the past 38-years and he’s graphed the Sunsport R Number – defined as R = K […]

From the Isle of Music, April 12-18: Rebroadcast April is Jazz Appreciation Month! This week, our special guest is William Roblejo. We will chat about his new album Capitalia and listen to some of that and his previous album Dreaming. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area […]

I just received word from a trusted friend who is a radio industry insider working with both manufacturers and retailers around the world. He said that in the month of March, 2020, radio sales increased “dramatically.” I’m not at all surprised, in fact, because the number of email inquiries I’ve received from first time SWLing […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, crvee8, who shares a link to the K-180WLA, a new active mag loop antenna. Based on the product description, the K-180WLA sounds a lot like a typical magnetic loop antenna (and resembles the popular MLA-30), but what makes it unique is the fact that it can be recharged via […]

I’ve gotten an number of inquiries from SWLing Post readers asking for a step-by-step guide to building the passive loop antenna I’ve mentioned in a number of previous posts. This antenna is the homebrew version of the commercially-available Airspy Youloop. It works a treat. And, yes, folks…it’s fun to build. There are a number of […]

Many thanks to the Southgate ARC for sharing this brilliant story. Kudos to the Amateur Radio Association of Nebraska for their ingenuity in time of need: KSNB TV News reports on an Amateur Radio group that is pitching in to make face shields for healthcare workers The news story says: With a national shortage of […]

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 […]

One of the great things about sheltering at home during the Covid-19 pandemic, is I have time to complete some projects that would have otherwise waited until much later this year. Lately, I’ve been making a serious effort to have our firewood cut, split and stacked so that it’ll have time to cure and dry […]

Many thanks to the European DX Council who note: Anker Petersen just published the annual Domestic Broadcasting Survey-22 (DBS-22). As usual, it is FREE OF CHARGE for any DX-er to download for his or her personal use. Click here to check it out on the Danish Shortwave Club International website. Click here for a direct […]

After this week’s very successful trial broadcast WRMI will be continuing the Tuesday 13:00 UTC repeats of Encore to Europe on 15770 kHz for the time being. Regular Broadcast times of Encore are: 10:00 – 11:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe Repeated 01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz and 5010 kHz WRMI to the US, Canada […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who writes: As you’d expect, Icom has formally delayed the delivery schedule of the IC-705. Here’s the announcement from Icom Japan: https://www.icom.co.jp/news/4720/ The following is a machine translation of the announcement: “Thank you very much for your patronage of ICOM products. We have received reservations from a […]

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, Roseanna, who shares the following announcement from Radio Northern Europe International: Hello everyone, The show is finished, transmitter time booked and pre-processing done so it’s time to announce RNEI #3 & TIAEMS April 2020 to all of you! Before we continue, we need to announce something pretty special and […]

If you’ve been reading the SWLing Post for long, you no doubt know that not only am I radio geek, but a pack geek as well. In a typical year––although, admittedly, this is not one––I do quite a bit of regional travel. I’m an minimalist traveler when I’m on the road, eschewing lots of unnecessary […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike, who asks: Any idea how I can obtain Phil’s cookbook for R75 pertaining to ECSS? Post readers: If you have a copy of Phil’s Icom IC-R75 Cookboook or if you can point Mike to a copy, please comment!

From the Isle of Music, April 5-11: April is Jazz Appreciation Month! This week, our special guest is William Roblejo. We will chat about his new album Capitalia and listen to some of that and his previous album Dreaming. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area 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 […]

Before I start talking Youloop, I have a little confession to make up front: At the Winter SWL Fest when I gave a presentation about Portable SDR DXing, not only did I give attendees the wrong name of the Airspy Youloop antenna, but I also configured it incorrectly, hence the poor performance via my Miscrosoft […]

(Source: IBC via Tony Robbins) BBC Radio to provide free DAB radios to over-70s Radios to be given away due to isolation caused by coronavirus Broadcaster partners manufacturers, retailers and charity for giveaway The broadcaster’s local radio unit will give away free DAB radio units to over-70s nominated by local listeners, as part of the […]

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’sRadio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The first remote all-online amateur radio Technician license exam was carried out in the United States on March 26, 2020 Marcel Stieber @AI6MS Tweeted: Yesterday [March 26], our working group ran an “all-virtual” amateur radio technician license exam for the first time in history! Thanks to @W5YI for being supportive of this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Madtone, who writes: Free Radio Skybird will be on the air every week! Once a fortnight will be new programmes and a repeat on the Sunday after. There may be changes due to what’s happening in the world but listeners can always check the Channel 292 schedule if […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jon Helberg, who writes: Greetings! During our COVID-19 shutdown I located my old Sony CRF-160 which has been closet bound for some years now, however it has always worked as new. […]Other than the broken toggle switch for the light, all knobs and dials work, are present and accounted […]

Ever had one of those days where you should be catching up on work, correspondence, and projects, but instead you find yourself outside, in front of a radio and just enjoying a long listening session? Yeah, that’s me and that’s today. How did it all happen? Well, this morning I dropped an RF adapter behind […]