The SWLing Post

(Source: Pete Madtone) Next Sunday 8th December at 1700 UTC/UK will be a new transmission from DJ Frederick’s Free Radio Skybird on 6070 kHz shortwave via Channel 292 and if you haven’t got a suitable radio it can also be heard on the SDR link on their site here. The show will be rebroadcast the week after on Sunday 15th December at 1100 UTC/UK also on 6070 kHz. This month’s programme will […]

Anon-Co just announced that Tecsun has released their new portable, active loop antenna – the AN-48x (27.99 plus shipping) – and it is available for purchase. Copied below is their announcement: Tecsun has launched its latest antenna which is now available at Anon-Co! This active loop antenna has a portable design and aims to enhance […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The Los Altos History Museum serves up “Ham for the Holidays: Amateur Radio Operators, Then and Now,” a historical perspective on how radio hobbyists help keep neighborhoods safe during disasters, in an exhibit appearing in the J. Gilbert Smith House through January 5, 2020. They say: Tis the season for giving thanks, and around the holidays […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: The new 6-part Netflix series ‘The Spy’ about the Mossad agent Eli Cohen (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) who infiltrated Syrian military intelligence from 1962-1965 dramatizes his careless use of QRP HF CW transmissions in Damascus, which were DF’d to track him down. SWLing Post readers […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Bird, who shares a link to RadioInfo that summarizes the recently-released “Review of Australian Broadcasting Services in the Asia Pacific” by the ABC. Micheal notes: So what do we take from this report? No recommendations. The status quo continues although there were many respondents who would favour [shortwave […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Martin Butera who shares the following note: A small action to change our world. Fulfilling our commitment to get involved in causes of direct action, instead of only DX we decided to do something. For this reason we planted in the Marajó island a small tree in the name […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor from China, Mei Tao, who writes: I would like to share the latest news about Tecsun’s New Products: the PL-990 and H-501. These day I found that several Chinese BCLers who received the PL990 or H501 one after another–they posted many a detailed pictures of these two radios. Lots […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Martin Butera who shares the following note: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ The DXcamp that took place between November 15 and 18 on the island of Marajó was the first event of this kind held in Brazil and perhaps in South America. This DXcamp got the attention of several sponsors who helped the […]

From the Isle of Music, December 8-14: This week our special guest is Yanela Brooks, who will discuss the her new album Top of Cuba in English; we will also listen to some jam sessions by Estrellas de Areito. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan (NO2CW), who writes: The new RSPdx has what they call “High Dynamic Range: (HDR) mode below 2 mHz. I tested a day after receiving the new unit by turning HDR mode on and off. It seemed to make quite a difference when receiving Non Directional Beacons. As far […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jiri Kaplan, who writes: Is it possible to modify the new (DSP) DEGEN DE1103 for VLF reception? Like before, the old Degen version (without DSP), see these videos: I wonder if instead of the DE1103 I should buy the PL-660 or PL-680? I think DSP is worse and the […]

This morning, I’ve been searching for Cyber Monday specials that might appeal to radio enthusiasts. The following are the radios and station accessories I found in Amazon’s Cyber Monday sales section. Sadly, there are no Tecsun or Sangean radios in this category, but Eton still has excellent pricing on the Elite Executive and Mini. I […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Zack Schindler, who writes: In the early 1980’s CBC Radio 1 had a radio play show called Nightfall. Most episodes dealt with the supernatural. I used to listen to this from CBE (1550 khz) in Windsor Ontario. One episode that aired in 1981 was called Shortwave Goodbye and the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Martin Butera for the following guest post: Radio Guarujá Paulista AM/FM and Ex tropical waves AM: 1.550 KHZ/FM: 104,5 (ex-101,7) MHZ ex Ondas Tropicales: 3,385 kHz – 90 Mts, 5,940 kHz – 49 Mts. Guarujá, São Paulo – Brazil Report and research by: Martín Butera Photographs and Video (under […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Peter Marks, who was recently invited to attend an ABC celebration. Peter wrote up a summary of the event on his blog: 80 years of international broadcasting by the ABC was celebrated this week at the headquarters in Ultimo, Sydney. David Hua, ABC Head, International Strategy introduced the event. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald Kuhl (DL1AX), who shares the following note posted on the 5N7Q DXpedition page: UPDATE from Bodo, DF8DX. 5N7Q is QRT for now. Rene DL2JRM and Bodo DF8DX enjoyed this activity very much. We logged more than 20,000 QSOs in 9 days of operation. We were active from 10m […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Schuster, who writes: Attached image [above] is extracted from a PDF of the 2020 catalog, it shows the upcoming Sangean DT-140 and SR-32. Wondering if the SR-32 (from the almost-defunct “slide rule” series) uses DSP-as-analog tuning like its larger sibling with speaker. Thanks for the tip, Mike! Yes, […]

This coming weekend Encore – Classical Music on Radio Tumbril will broadcasting on a third frequency again. WWCR in Tennessee are transmitting the show at 01:00 UTC Sunday 1st December (Saturday evening 30th November local in US) on 6115 kHz. Encore – Classical Music this weekend is – of course – being broadcast as usual […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Walrus, who notes that the Eton Elite Executive is currently $100 shipped and with free returns via Amazon.com. Click here to check out this deal at Amazon (affiliate link supports the SWLing Post). Check out all of our holiday sales tips by bookmarking the tag Black Friday Radios 2019. […]

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. Another great thing about Thanksgiving is it also equates to a long extended weekend for many who have full-time careers. That includes, of course, shortwave radio […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alexander (DL4NO), who writes: For a very long time Radio Luxembourg was *the* pop music radio in Europe, especially in Germany and GB. At a time when Germany only had its public radio system, the Radio Luxembourg was the one and only. But this is history. At Christmas, several […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who shares this article from The Verge: When she was growing up in East Flatbush among the Haitian diaspora, former pirate broadcaster Joan Martinez — no relation to the New York radio legend Angie Martinez, despite what Joan claimed to her friends as a youth — said […]

After recently checking out a number of photos on the Radiofreunde NRW Facebook page, I asked if a member of this group could give me a little more detail about their DXpeditions. Many thanks to Joachim Geisau who writes: Radiofreunde NRW is an independent association of SWL, radio amateurs and technology enthusiasts. We meet 2-3 […]

(Source: Radio World via Michael Bird) BUDAPEST, Hungary — Digital Radio Mondiale transmissions began from Budapest, Hungary, last June. Although two Hungarian broadcasters previously tested DRM on medium wave, the transmissions are the country’s first DRM trials on shortwave. The Department of Broadcast Info-Communications and Electronic Theory at the Budapest University of Technology is conducting these latest […]

From the Isle of Music, December 1-7: This week our special guest is Ricardo Oropesa, who will discuss the new album by Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro, Para Siempre Embale with us. We will also enjoy some tasty charanga by Orquesta Original de Manzanillo. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Gulley (K4PKM), who notes that HRO’s Black Friday sale also features one of his favorite full-featured mobile HF rigs: the Yaesu FT-891 for $589.95. Click here to view this deal at Ham Radio Outlet. Check out all of our holiday sales tips by bookmarking the tag Black Friday Radios […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans (W4/VP9KF), who notes that HRO’s Black Friday sale features the Icom IC-7300 for $899.95 after rebates. That’s the lowest price I’ve seen on the IC-7300! Thanks for the tip, Paul! Click here to view this deal at Ham Radio Outlet. Check out all of our holiday sales […]

After looking at the Eton Elite Mini sale Christian shared, I discovered that the Retekess V115 is currently $14.00 shipped on Amazon “for a limited time.” Click here to read our previous reviews of this radio. The V-115 makes for a great portable broadcast receiver/recorder and has very pleasant audio–certainly a benchmark performer in the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christian, who writes: Thomas: the new Eton Elite Mini is on sale for $19.99 plus free shipping from Amazon.com. This is the latest in Eton’s series of “mini” radios. If you’re looking for a nice stocking stuffer radio, this is a great one! If you already own a previous […]

Just discovered through the AirSpy Twitter account that they’re offering 30% off all of their products via their authorized retail outlets. This morning, I posted an article featuring their $169 HF+ Discovery. Another AirSpy SDR I highly recommend is the $199 HF+ SDR. This deal would give you 30% off those prices. According to AirSpy, […]

Last week, we packed the car and headed to coast of South Carolina. The trip was a bit impromptu but through the creative use of hotel points, we scored a two bedroom ocean front unit with a fantastic little balcony. The vacation gave me an excuse to test the new passive loop antenna my buddy […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares the following announcement from Radio Romania International: Dear friends, RRI continues its traditional polling of listeners on short wave, the Internet and social media, with a new challenge that, we hope, you will find interesting. We would like to ask you which person you […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: SWLing Post readers might be interested in hearing this BBC World Service radio documentary about a political tech art project that uses visible light beam voice comms across the Mexico<>U.S. border to bridge communities. There’s a website that explains how it all works. I guess ~500 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes this is the first time he’s seen a Winradio G39DDCe ‘Excelsior’ on eBay. The asking price is a steep $1,999.99 shipped. That may seem like a high price but, new, these retail for well over $4,000 US. The Excelsior is an uncompromising, benchmark wideband receiver. […]

Those of us who purchased the Passport to World Band Radio will no doubt remember Gahan Wilson’s whimsical illustrations and cover art. I looked forward to each edition of PTWBR and, especially, seeing the cover art for the first time. Wilson was a noted illustrator and cartoonist who did work for a numberof major publications. […]

(Source: Radio Insight) The FCC approved today the adoption of a rulemaking allowing AM stations to transition to all-digital operation. Hubbard Radio’s “The Gamut” 820 WWFD Frederick MD has been operating in all digital mode since July 16, 2018 in collaboration with HD Radio owner Xperi. The new rulemaking will allow AM stations to go […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post that was originally published on the Delaware Valley Radio Association (DVRA) website: Amateur Radios from the Past: The Index Labs QRP++ The Index Labs QRP ++ was an intriguing little radio manufactured back in the mid-‘90’s by Index Labs of Gig […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The Autumn 2019 edition of the BBC Monitoring’s magazine Monitor is now available on the web BBC Monitoring provides news and information from freely available media sources around the world. Our round-the-clock monitoring of TV, radio, press, internet and news agencies is provided to the BBC and a range of customers – commercial clients, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who shares the following video and article via Hackaday: There’s been a spate of apocalypse related articles over the last few weeks, but when I saw an AM radio made from a hand-wound coil and an oxidized British penny, I couldn’t help but be impressed. We’ve covered foxhole radios, stereotypical radios that […]

(Source: EDXC) After an EDXC vote, by organisation members and individual members, Bucharest in Romania has been chosen as the destination for the 2020 EDXC Conference. It will take place in September 2020, dates and details are at the planning stages. The two other contenders put forward by EDXC members were Skopje and Ohrid in […]

This coming weekend Encore – Classical Music on Radio Tumbril will broadcasting on a third frequency again. The folks at WWCR in Tennessee are transmitting the show for the second time at 01:00 UTC Sunday 24th (Saturday evening 23rd local in US) on 6115 kHz. Encore – Classical Music this weekend is – of course […]

SDRplay recently announced the latest product in their line of affordable 14 bit wideband SDRs: the SDRplay RSPdx. For over two weeks now, I’ve had an early production model of the RSPdx here in the shack operating on a beta version of the SDRuno application. In the spirit of full disclosure, SDRplay is a long-time […]

From the Isle of Music, November 24-30: This week our special guest is Mayquel González, whose Jazz album Tiempos de Paz won the Opera Prima (Best New Artist) category of Cubadisco 2019. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Porter, who shares a link to the following BBC Archive video of BBC RMP circa 1961. The BBC posted this video in light of the recent demolition of all but one of the original Rampisham Down towers. Click here to watch the video on Facebook.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares the following guest post: ZIPWALL10 poles Recently we had a remodeling job performed at the home QTH and the workers used telescoping poles to form a dust barrier. When the job ended, they said I could have the telescoping poles, a product called ZIPWALL10, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood, who shares the following article from Alaska Public Media: For decades, the Coast Guard’s NAVTEX towers have broadcast from Cape Cod to Kodiak Island. The global system broadcasts weather and safety information to boats large and small. The International Maritime Organization developed the NAVTEX system decades ago as […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mei Tao, who writes: Yesterday, I received a new radio: the HanRongDa K-603, which was sent to me by the manufacture.They want me to test this prototype machine in order to find any bugs. If there is nothing to fix, I believe this radio will hit the market in […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) RTÉ is going to spend €250,000 per year transmitting its Radio One station to the Irish diaspora in Britain – while closing down all its digital stations. The station is shutting down RTÉ Gold, RTE Junior, RTÉ 2XM, RTÉ Pulse and RTÉ Radio 1 Extra, but would not specify how much this will […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Freitas, who notes that the new Eton Elite Field radio is on a “limited time” sale at Amazon.com. The price is a very enticing $78.00 with free one day shipping and free returns. Click here to view on Amazon.com (this affiliate link supports the SWLing Post). Important note: […]