The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's published a new post on his blog, the Herculodge. In this article, he compares the Tecsun PL-680 with its near-twin, the PL-660, and shares his observations on performance, design, and speaker quality-along with a few unexpected surprises. You can read his full post [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Radio 2 news bulletin in Spanish about the massive blackout in Chile. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Sony ICR-N20 receiver. Click here to view on YouTube.

The Radioddity CBL-561 is an antenna designed to work with the Radioddity QT80 10M radio (of course it can work with other radios as well), covering a range of 25 to 30 MHz. It is an extremely solid antenna, with an extensible section easily adjustable for different bands and frequencies. Frankly, I was quite impressed [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Eye of the Tiger, Survivor RaNi Music, Radio Nikkei 2, Japan, 6115 kHz Feb 26 2025, 09h00 UTC Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil, on a Sony ICR-N20 receiver. Click here to view [...]

We at Imaginary Stations have another whistling and in gainful employment combination show coming out over the airwaves this weekend. It's called WSTL-WORK 2 of course. It's on Saturday 1st March 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 2nd March 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 [...]

The following article dives into medium wave (MW) radio propagation during the 2023 annular solar eclipse, building upon insights from the 2017 total solar eclipse when DXers made broadband radio recordings of the whole MW band for the first time. Unlike that previous study, the 2023 research took a methodical approach, with standardized data collection, [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's just published a new piece on his blog, the Herculodge. In it, he explores why listening to classical music on a high-performance radio feels so much more engaging than streaming the same content digitally. Jeff draws compelling parallels between the tactile, skillful nature [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Voice of Korea broadcast. Carlos notes: Press statement of Information Office Chief at DPRK Ministry of National Defence, Voice of Korea, DPRK, 12015 kHz, listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Click here to view on YouTube. Bonus Video: Voice [...]

by Dan Robinson Zero Day, Robert DeNiro's first appearance in a TV series, is streaming on Netflilx, and in addition to De Niro who plays a former president brought back to head a commission investigating a devastating cyberattack, a radio that will be familiar to many also makes what seems to be its first appearance [...]

SOLAR MAX - IS A SECOND PEAK COMING? Last October, NOAA and NASA announced that Solar Max has arrived. Only half the sun got the memo. The majority of solar activity has been happening in just one of the sun's hemispheres-the south. The solar superstorm of May 10, 2024, for instance, was caused by [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor Terry Colgan of Texas Radio Shortwave, who writes: TEXAS RADIO SHORTWAVE TEST BROADCASTS - MARCH 1-2 ON 6070 KHZ & 9670 KHZ Listener Reports Needed! In addition to our regular monthly programs, we'll conduct test broadcasts to improve our reach. Listener reports are crucial in determining whether we should adjust our [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Trump designates Mexican cartels as terrorists, Radio 2, Rosario, Argentina, 1230 kHz AM. Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Pope Francis continuing to call Gaza parish from hospital. Vatican Radio, Rome, 11870 kHz. Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of recent Radio Nikkei 1 and 2 broadcasts. Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube.

Do you enjoy whistling while you're at work? We at Imaginary Stations do too and our next programme is the combo show called WSTL-WORK, brought to you by the powers of shortwave radioviaShortwave Gold. The show goes out on Saturday 22nd February 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 23rd February 2025 [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor, Bill Tilford, who shares the following update: From the Isle of Music, March 2025 March's program will be a Cuban dance party featuring some of our favorite charanga orchestras: Friday, March 7: 3955 kHz at 2200 UTC Saturday, March 8: 3955 kHz at 1800 UTC simulcasted with 9670 kHz using beam [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares the following item from Radio Bulgaria: Happy 89th, Radio Bulgaria! 16 February marks the anniversary of BNR's multilingual programme On February 16, Radio Bulgaria celebrates its 89th anniversary. Throughout these years, our multilingual media has been not only a channel of information, but also an [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Beunos Aires broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Radio Buenos Aires' news bulletin (in Spanish): Ukraine not invited to US-Russia peace talks: Kiev no fue invitada a las conversaciones entre Estados Unidos y Rusia destinadas a poner fin [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Marc Pascoe, who, in response to this article from The Spectator posted last week, shared a thought-provoking piece from ARK on the dangers of phasing out shortwave broadcasts. The ARK article highlights the critical role shortwave radio has historically played in providing access to information, particularly for rural and [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributorDon Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-for the latest installment of hisPhoto Album guest post series: Don Moore's Photo Album: Guatemala (Part Two) - Guatemala City by Don Moore More of Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his bookTales of a Vagabond DXer[SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes: Hi Thomas Back in December, I reported on the SWLing Post that I had made the Utility DXer's Handbook from 1971 available online via the Internet Archive. I am now pleased to report that I have added a PDF file for this out of print [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon for sharing a recent Herculodge post, where he battles radio frequency interference (RFI) while trying to enjoy his Tecsun PL-990-only to find his PL-880 unaffected. This led to a deeper reflection on FM listening habits and the temptation of tabletop radios like the Sangean HDR-18 and HDR-19. [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia for sharing this fascinating piece from The Spectator. In a world increasingly reliant on fragile digital communication networks, what happens when cyber warfare, physical attacks, or global conflict disrupt the systems we depend on? Clifford Beal explores how shortwave radio-once the backbone of wartime communications-could again play [...]

DOGE Targeting VOA And Radio Free Europe. (Inside Radio) Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) are in the sights of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee the House Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE). Musk commented on a social media post by Richard Grenell, [...]

This World Radio Day, we celebrate the power of community radio with World Wide Waves '25: Whispers in the Air, a moving documentary presented by Maria Margaronis and produced by our friend David Goren. This BBC World Service feature highlights Nuxalk Radio, a small yet powerful station broadcasting from a trailer in Bella Coola, [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of recent Radio Nikkei 1 and Radio 2 broadcasts. Carlos notes: Radio 2 from Rosario, Argentina (1230 kHz MW) Click here to view on YouTube. Radio Nikkei 1, Japan (6055 kHz SW) Click here to view on YouTube.

Good day all SWLing Post community! FastRadioBurst 23 here with this week's Imaginary Stations transmissions. On Saturday 15th February 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 16th February 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 kHz via Shortwave Gold we'll be bringing you another Beatles to Bigfoot. [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Alex, who has just informed me that he has updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts once again. Note that Alex creates his charts based on listening to broadcasters rather than importing schedules from other sources. You can download his chart in PDF format by clicking here.

This short video from the excellent Geerling Engineering YouTube channel focuses on the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act: Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jacob Brodsky, who shares a link to this excellent, short documentary about the Grimeton Radio Station on YouTube: Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following guest post: SONY ICR-N20 Quick Review by Carlos Latuff In the last century, several Japanese electronics manufacturers such as Sony, National-Panasonic, Hitachi, and Sanyo produced radio receivers aimed at the Japanese public and which had a peculiar characteristic: they came with crystal lock, [...]

Hi Folks, Just a quick update on the additional 20% coupon offered by XHDATA on the SIHUADON R-108 - it has been extended until the 13th of February 2025. I received a note this evening and wanted to share the news immediately.Here are the links to the American Amazon listings for the Black or Gray [...]

What's in the Box? Itemized by Bob Colegrove Not one to throw anything away, I tend to save the box it came in' for many new purchases. The other day I decided to organize all my radio boxes. Besides the radios themselves, they usually contain a selection of goodies," which can include, cases, power adapters, [...]

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to theSWLing Post's Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.Enjoy! Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia, Alan, and Frank (SWL F14368) for the following tips: SSB DXCC SWL Contest Many thanks to Frank [...]

By Robert Gulley K4PKM The SIHUADON R-108 is a compact, inexpensive and capable radio with many features radio hobbyists have come to expect. While I no longer have one of my earliest AM transistor radios, it is comparable in size, but not much else!! Being a radio old-timer", I never cease to be amazed at [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor Michael (BD4AAQ) and Xusheng Niu (BH4BFS), who share the following revised announcement: 120 Years of XSG: World Radio Day Commemoration Revised Notice from Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG) Dear SWLers and Amateur Radio Enthusiasts, In celebration of World Radio Day and the 120th anniversary of Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG), [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who shares the following article from Radio World: NRSC Releases Details of AM Band RF Noise Study (Radio World) Noise levels remained consistent throughout different environments, even in downtown Baltimore The National Radio Systems Committee's AM Improvement Working Group has published a study examining the effects [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio 2 broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of Argentina's Radio 2 news bulletin (in Spanish), 1230 kHz AM, listened in Porto Alegre in a Sony ICR-N20 receiver: Gender violence in Argentina, according to a new report by the Observatory [...]

UPDATE: The USPS has reversed this decision and parcel delivery has been resumed. Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Eric, who notes that if you live in the US and have incoming packages from China or Hong Kong, you may experience delays. Here's the story from the BBC: US Postal Service halts China parcels after [...]

Good day all SWLing Post community! FastRadioBurst 23 here with what Imaginary Stations will be bringing you this week for your listening pleasure. On Saturday 8th February 2025 at 1200 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and also on Sunday 9th February 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTCon6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 kHz via Shortwave Gold [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jason Harvey, who writes: Just thought I'd share, I've seen the bandaid dial scale mod for the D-220 to help with tuning. Not sure if anyone else has been able to mod the actual dial marker yet to make it more visible on the orange D-220 though, but it's [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Van Hoy, who writes: Because I [purchased a RT-470L last year], Radtel sent me news of their brand new RT-860. No need to mod the radio like a Quangsheng. It does LW/MW/SW with SSB/CW (rx only, of course) out of the box for less than $50! I just [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Don Moore-notedauthor, traveler, and DXer-for the latest installment of hisPhoto Album guest post series: Don Moore's Photo Album:Guatemala (Part One) - The East by Don Moore More of Don's traveling DX stories can be found in his bookTales of a Vagabond DXer[SWLing Post affiliate link]. If you've already read [...]

Many thanks toSWLing Postcontributor and noted political cartoonist,Carlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 1 broadcast. Carlos notes: Full Nikkei Electronic News" bulletin (in Japanese) from Radio Nikkei 1, Japan. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil. - Trump's first round of tariffs - Trump intends to meet with PM Ishiba - [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Mark Hirst, who writes: I spotted this radio in the Korean zombie outbreak drama Happiness' currently showing on Netflix. You've got sharp eyes, Mark! Can anyone positively identify that transceiver in the background?

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he's published a new post on his blog, The Herculodge. This time, Jeff examines the Tecsun PL-880 vs. PL-660, exposing the quirks and realities of DSP-based radios in his interference-heavy household. Jeff finds that in real-world conditions, the trusty PL-660 often outperforms the PL-880-especially [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who shares the following news via Radio World: Markey, Cruz Reintroduce AM Bill in the Senate (Radio World) The legislation would require AM radio reception in new cars The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act has been reintroduced on Capitol Hill. The legislation passed the Senate Commerce [...]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Carlos Latuff, who shares the following Radiofax news via the Kyodo News Agency. Carlos Notes: [No survivors] 28 bodies recovered." Headline from tonight's Kyodo News Morning Edition. Radiofax received in Porto Alegre, January 30, 2025, 23h00 UTC, 16970 kHz.

Many thanks toSWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonistCarlos Latuff, who sharesillustrated radio listening report of a recent Radio Nikkei 1 report focusing on the aviation disaster that took place today at Reagan National Airpot in Washington DC. Carlos notes: Part of Radio Nikkei 1 Nikkei Electronic News" (in Japanese) about the plane and military [...]