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 […]

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 […]

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are: 11:00 – 12:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe – This will change to 10:00 – 11:00 UTC on 4th April Repeated 01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada 08:00 – 09:00 UTC Sunday 7440 kHz Channel 292 to Europe 02:00 – 03:00 UTC Monday 9455 kHz WRMI to 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 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Martin, who shares the following comment: Ok, this comment might be a little bit too late, but what the heck, SW radios are way more too old so. I’m 46 and as a little kid, my first “electronic” device was a National or Panasonic (not sure what was it) […]

Check out the following story and video from WTAE Pittsburgh: BUTLER, Pa. —As the coronavirus shutdown continues, the is going back to an old technology to help kids from falling more behind than they already are. AM radio is making a comeback. “We were trying to figure out how to create some normalcy for all […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who notes that All India Radio has suspended a number of their broadcast services during the Covid-19 lock-down. Mark shares the following Office Memorandum from India’s Public Service Broadcaster. Click here to download memorandum (PDF). In terms of shortwave (ESD) services, here’s the relevant section from the […]

(Source: Pete Madtone) We may be locked out from the outside world for a short while but don’t worry, that interesting thing called radio will help us through this mad time. The next episode of DJ Frederick’s Free Radio Skybird will be aired on Sunday 29th March at 1100 UTC (1200 UK) on 6070 kHz via Channel 292. The show will be rebroadcast on Sunday 5th April at 1100 UTC […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adam Smith, who shares the following certificate and writes: I was going to share a piece of history I just came across going through some of my shortwave radio boxes. Lots of QSLs but this its a membership in ANDES DX Club! Good times! Thank you for sharing this […]

(Source: Ham Radio Outlet via Dan Robinson) Coronavirus Update March 24, 2020 As you are aware, stores across the country have closed their doors to the public or restricted access to curb-side pickup only. During these times Ham Radio Outlet has stayed open and conducted normal business in areas that do not have federal, state, […]

From the Isle of Music, March 29-April 4: This week, our special guest is Feliciano Arango, leader of Hermanos Arango, whose album Bendita Guanabacoa was nominated in the Best Instrumental Vocal category in Cubadisco 2019 and named as one of the best Latin Jazz/Salsa albums of 2019 by Yannick le Maintec of Le Monde. This […]

If you’re a member of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) you may have seen my review of the ALT-512 QRP transceiver in the March 2020 issue of Radcom. This was my first review for Radcom after having been invited to submit a review at the 2018 Hamvention. I love Radcom so was pretty […]

In response to our latest mystery utility signal challenge, SWLing Post contributor, Dean Bianco replies: This is the musical marker for CPRM Lisboa, a radiotelephone terminal that provided overseas telephone and telegraph communications in the days prior to satellites. I remembered the non-broadcast HF frequencies being loaded to bursting with many of these radio services. […]

Back by popular demand! On our quest to solve UNID utility signals, SWLing Post contributor David Crawford, is asking for help again to ID yet another interval signal. David writes: Here’s yet another memorable utili-tune from the deep archives here, again not my recording, origin uncertain. This one has a date, time and frequency on […]

The following review first appeared in the February 2020 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. A Tale of Two Radios: CommRadio CTX-10 v Elecraft KX2 As my blog readers often point out: Why focus on low-power (QRP) ham radio activities when propagation is so dismal…even for high power stations? A logical argument, I’ll admit, and lately […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ulis (K3LU), who shares the following note: I have one of the most detailed SWL QSL cards that was given to me by Fred Laun, K3ZO who is a very well known Contester and DXer. A retired USIA officer, Fred had an amazing career. Fred runs the ARRL Third […]

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 making […]

(Source: Economy Next) ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will turn the building of a former Voice of America relay station into a COVID-19 hospital, as part of efforts to accommodate an increase in patients, a high level task force that drive Coronavirus control activities in the country said. Sri Lanka has designated 18 hospitals to accept […]

Beginning Sunday, April 5, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot expands to a full hour of new episodes on Sundays from 2200-2300 UTC on WBCQ 7490 hKz and Tuesdays from 2000-2100 UTC on Channel 292 6070 kHz. The expanded time will allow us to both explore musical cultures more deeply and play longer songs when appropriate. The expanded program […]

(Source: Inside Radio via Dennis Dura) Here’s How Coronavirus Is Impacting Work Habits And Radio Usage. Scores of companies across the country are encouraging their employees to work from home to help limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. How this is changing American work habits and their usage of AM/FM radio is the subject […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael Agner (KA3JJZ), who notes that AirSpy now has the YouLoop passive mag loop antenna posted on their retail websites. You can grab one for $30 – $35 US, depending on your location. That’s a fantastic deal in my book. Click here to check out the YouLoop at Airspy.com. […]

Regular Broadcast times of Encore are: 11:00 – 12:00 UTC Saturday 6070 kHz Channel 292 to Europe – This will change to 10:00 – 11:00 UTC on 4th April Repeated 01:00 – 02:00 UTC Sunday 5850 kHz WRMI to the US and Canada 09:00 – 10:00 UTC Sunday 7440 kHz Channel 292 to Europe – This will change to 08:00 – 09:00 UTC […]

Many thanks to Paul Jones with ELAD who notes that they have a couple promotions running at present: Free shipping on all orders within Italy 5% discount on all US orders by using the promo code CV5 Click here to check out ELAD Europe and here for ELAD USA.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares Tamitha Skov’s latest space weather forecast video:

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Balázs Kovács, who shares the following announcement: [Check out the] Smithsonian Open Access, where you can download, share, and reuse millions of the Smithsonian’s images—right now, without asking. With new platforms and tools, you have easier access to nearly 3 million 2D and 3D digital items from our collections—with […]