The SWLing Post

From the Isle of Music, May 12-June 1 (three weeks): A. May 12-18: Special guest Marcos Morales presents his new Jazz recording “Ruinas”. B. May 19-25: Cuban dance party with various groups C. May 26-June 1: Special guest Carlos Miyares presents his new Jazz Recording “One More Time” The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern […]

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post readers who’ve contacted me regarding the ongoing issues with WiFi radios that rely on the Frontier Silicon/vTuner aggregator partnership. Two days ago, we mentioned this in a post about the service outage that affected Sangean and Como Audio WiFi radio devices. Turns out, the outage was a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christian, who writes: Hi Thomas. I know both of these deals have been posted already but just to let readers know that both the Eton Exec Traveller and Exec Satellite are still available on Amazon and the prices are both at historic lows. Right now the Satellite is $91.13 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader and author, DM Barrett (N4ECW), who recently shared the following press release which features his latest book: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EQUINOX Blends Science Fiction And Amateur Radio 1 May 2019 (Tampa, Florida) A new science fiction narrative, EQUINOX, has taken amateur and shortwave radio into the cultural mainstream in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Dave Mackie, who writes: I have a Sangean WFR-28 that just stopped working recently and through a bit of internet spelunking I happened across your site and explanation about Frontier Silicon as ‘aggregator’ for Sangean. A phone call to Sangean confirmed that Frontier Silicon was having a problem with […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gene Paradis, who writes: I have something to share…It is on every night on 5.620 MHz around 010 UTC some folks talking language unknown..It goes on most of the night..This is an aero frequency but these folks are there every night. Hope to find out more. Maybe fishing vessels […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Eaton, who shares the following vintage industry short film: Click here to view on YouTube. Like Pete, I’m impressed with the size of those soldering irons! Do you enjoy the SWLing Post? Please consider supporting us via Patreon or our Coffee Fund! Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alex, who notes updates to his excellent frequency charts. Alex writes: My charts are updated again. This time I have changed format and made the charts less time consuming to compile and – I think – more user friendly too. The result is they are updated for the summer […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who notes that the Global Radio Guide: Summer 2019 is now available at Amazon.com as an ebook. The price is $8.49, but if you belong to the Kindle Unlimited program, it’s free to read. Click here to check it out at Amazon.com (affiliate link).

(Source: Spaceweather via Troy Riedel) This weekend, old sunspot AR2738 is returning from a two-week trip around the farside of the sun. After re-appearing late yesterday, the sunspot quickly produced two CMEs (coronal mass ejections), signalling that it may be even more active than before. Last month when it crossed the face of the sun, […]

Encore – Classical Music on shortwave – broadcast Sunday afternoon in Europe & USA Encore – Classical Music this weekend is being broadcast as usual by Channel 292 (Europe) on 6070 kHz at 15:00 UTC Sunday 5th May. And by WBCQ on 7490 kHz at 00:00 – 01:00 UTC Monday 6th May. There is a […]

After posting recent shortwave broadcast schedules and updates for the A19 season, SWLing Post reader Tom Cook asked, “What is A19?” Excellent question, Tom! And, frankly, one I’ve never answered here on the SWLing Post even though it’s so fundamental to understand HF broadcast scheduling. Shortwave broadcast schedules are coordinated for two seasons: a summer […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post friend and contributor, Pete Madtone, who has just released his latest EP called, “This Frequency.” This EP features vocalist Jazz’min and off-air audio samples of contest station P49Y from Aruba. The EP, released this week, can be found on Madtone’s Bandcamp page: https://madtone.bandcamp.com/ Jazz’min put up “This Frequency” the title […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who shares the following story about Radio Biafra from the LA Times: Every evening as 5 o’clock approaches, the clogged, perpetually dusty streets of this industrial city in southeastern Nigeria begin to empty. Groups of men just off work go inside, shut their doors and tune their radios […]

(Source: The Guardian via Michael Bird) David Anderson, a 30-year veteran at the public broadcaster, has been appointed ABC managing director by the chair, Ita Buttrose, replacing the sacked Michelle Guthrie. “Mr Anderson is an exceptional media professional with strong content, digital and strategic experience,” Buttrose said. “The ABC Board resolved unanimously to appoint David Anderson […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who notes: I attach a copy of my “Music Programmes on Shortwave” PDF list for the new A-19 broadcast season for you to consider adding to your SWLing Post pages. Alan, thanks so much for keeping this brilliant music guide updated each broadcast season and for sharing it here […]

Many thanks to the host of This is a Music Show who shares the following announcement: I’m moving to a better frequency for the longer days. The move also means a time shift 30 minutes later. Starting May 1, continuing every week for the summer: 9395 kHz 0130 UTC THURSDAY = Wed. evenings in the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Hoad, who notes that the German broadcaster, Shortwave Service, has posted their A19 schedule. We’ve included it below for your convenience: (Source: Shortwave Service) 3985 kHz Montag-Freitag 1500-1530 UTC Radio Tirana Französisch 1530-1600 UTC Radio Slowakei Französisch 1600-1700 UTC SRF Echo der Zeit 1700-1800 UTC Radio Mi Amigo […]

From the Isle of Music, May 5-11, 2019: Part 2 of 2 Parts: We finish our discussion of “Las Oscuras Leyendas de Chano Pozo” with its author, Ricardo Oropesa, while listening to some important recordings by Chano. Our other special guest is singer/bandleader Wil Campa, who will share some of his Timba and Salsa Cubana […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gregg Freeby, who writes: I just noticed the Eton Executive Satellite is now priced under $100 on Amazon. I’m sure it will change again soon but this is the lowest I’ve seen it at $96.68 at the time of this writing. Not too many sub $100 radios out there […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Roseanna, who shares the following note from her new blog regarding a change in CRI Japan’s QSL policy. Roseanna notes: You probably are unaware but CRI Japan has had a major change up in their QSL card policies. CRI Japan issue QSL cards for broadcasts in English which is […]

Many thanks to several SWLing Post readers who shared a link to this most recent single by the German rock band, Rammstein. The music site, Louder, posted an English translation of the lyrics: (Source: Louder) German alt-metallers Rammstein released their new single Radio late last week, and the internet has been abuzz with interpretations of the […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) The new amateur radio digital mode FT4 is now available for download as part of WSJT-X Release Candidate 5 You can download wsjtx-2.1.0-rc5-win64.exe (or for other O/S) from near the bottom of the page at http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html FT4 Protocol document http://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/FT4_Protocol.pdf See the WSJT Group at https://groups.io/g/WSJTX/ For more information about FT4, check out this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who recently shared this video where “Radio Wild” asks his viewers to subscribe to the New Jersey Antique Radio Club (NJARC) YouTube channel. Evidently, the NJARC has been posting live video feeds of their meetings and events for quite some time, but recently YouTube changed their policy […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who writes: There is an interesting article/podcast by R France Int entitled “The power of radio during British-mandated Palestine”. “On 30 March 1936, the British High Commissioner of Palestine, Arthur Wauchope, inaugurated the Palestinian Broadcasting Service, the PBS. It was the second broadcaster to be established in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill (WD9EQD), who shares the following: Hi Thomas, You probably already know this, but 2019 is the 100 anniversary of radio in the Netherlands Jonathan Marks of the Media Networks programs has a nice article about some of the history of radio Netherlands: View story at Medium.com Click here […]

(Source: Radio World via Michael Bird) HANS JOHNSON ? APR 23, 2019 SYDNEY — Radio Australia shortwave services may be dead, but the medium is alive and well on the continent. Reach Beyond Australia is on shortwave, but with its Christian programming largely in foreign languages, it really isn’t seen as representing Australia on the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who shares the following piece from Politico: The Lo-Fi Voices That Speak for America For decades, AM radio has felt as commonplace as a utility, such a basic fact of life that it’s taken for granted. But that’s changing: Across America, AM radio stations are dwindling in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Skip Behnke (W2OZ), who notes that MARS (Military Auxiliary Radio System) COMEX website is asking for your reception reports, notes, and suggestions regarding the NIST radio stations WWV, WWVH and WWVB. This survey is being conducted while WWV and WWVH are announcing military communication exercises. Click here to take […]

Encore – Classical Music on shortwave – broadcast Sunday afternoon in Europe & USA Encore – Classical Music this weekend is being broadcast as usual by Channel 292 (Europe) on 6070 kHz at 15:00 UTC Sunday 28th April. Back on the air after ten days of maintenance. And by WBCQ on 7490 kHz at 00:00 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brian D. Smith (W9IND) who shares the following W9IMS press release: Amateur radio station W9IMS prepares to unveil a new season of Indianapolis Motor Speedway-themed special events, with three QSL cards and a certificate available to hams and SWLs. DATE: April 24, 2019 Three colorful QSL cards and a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Hoad, who shares the following news and notes: Interesting information about the continuation of broadcasting of RTE Radio 1 on 252 kHz from Summerhill, County Meath Ireland: (Source: Hildegarde Naughton) Longwave Radio to continue for the benefit of Diaspora Thursday, 25th April 2019 Major antenna upgrade will ensure […]

(Source: USAmyMARS.org via Harald Kuhl) (11 May 2019) The Army Military Auxiliary Radio System will host this year’s Armed Forces Day (AFD) Crossband Test on Saturday May 11, 2019. This annual event is open to all licensed amateur radio operators, and will not impact any public or private communications. For more than 50 years, military […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Eaton, who shares the following note and video: Here is a You Tube Video of a presentation given by Joe Taylor last night at the Fair Lawn ARC Club Meeting on FT8 & Beyond an introduction to FT4. Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you for the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Eaton, who writes: This has nothing to do with QRP or SWL but it’s a real kick to watch! I really like the Bow Ties 🙂 Click here to view on YouTube.

From the Isle of Music, April 28-May 4, 2019: Part 1 of 2 Parts: We discuss the book “Las Oscuras Leyendas de Chano Pozo” with its author, Ricardo Oropesa, while listening to some important recordings by Chano. Fascinating history plus important music. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the […]

Many thanks to an SWLing Post reader who writes: Thought you and the SWLing bunch would be interested to learn about this. The promoters make it sound so go, but fail to mention all the problems and pitfalls. Hopefully, it will go nowhere, which is the best course possible! (Source: Inside Radio) The prospect of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov (NO2CW), who shares the following: Thomas, N1SPY did a follow up video [to this previous post] where he explained a few details about NDBs (Non Directional Beacons). I knew they existed but had no idea about their historical significance. Click here to view on YouTube. Another excellent […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following guest post: Ultra-Rare Tristan da Cunha QSL: The Art of the Hunter-Killer QSL Pursuit by Dan Robinson Those in the QSL collecting community are likely to have noticed the recent appearance on Ebay of one of the rarest QSL cards in existence. The […]

(Source: Radio Tumbril) Classical Music on shortwave – broadcast Sunday afternoon in Europe & USA Encore – Classical Music this weekend Is being broadcast as usual on WBCQ at 00:00 – 01:00 UTC Monday 22nd April. Channel 292 is off air at the moment for servicing so the normal 15:00 UTC Sunday 21st April transmission […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who shares this Radio France International article and interview with Issa Nyaphaga, the tour de force behind Radio Taboo. Here’s a video of the interview: Click here to view on YouTube. Thank you so much for sharing this, Alan. Readers: what Alan didn’t know is that I’ve […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Emilio Ruiz, who writes: Hi Thomas, I’m sending you and The SWLing Post readers these screenshots from the cult movie Sneakers; a great movie about incipient world of hacker security (phreaking, hacking, cryptography, etc). In a scene with Robert Redford and Dan Aykroyd, it looks like a radio communications […]

Talk about hitting all of my nostalgia points! Hat tip to SWLing Post reader, Mitch, for sharing this ad from a 1960s comic book: Do you enjoy the SWLing Post? Please consider supporting us via Patreon or our Coffee Fund! Your support makes articles like this one possible. Thank you!

There’s a new QRP transceiver on the market: the twelve band ALT-512 by Aerial-51. At first glance, you’ll see a similarity between the ALT-512 and the LnR Precision LD-11/Aerial-51 SKY-SDR. The LD-11 and SKY-SDR, are very similar, save the LD-11 is marketed to North America (via LnR) and the SKY-SDR to Europe. The SKY-SDR had […]

(Source: Southgate ARC via Eric McFadden) Join us this Easter, our 55th Birthday, for our Annual Fundraiser. We will be broadcasting Radio Caroline North live from our radio ship, Ross Revenge, anchored in the estuary of the River Blackwater, from 9:00 am on Easter Friday until 2:00 pm on Easter Monday (all UK times). You will be […]

SWLing Post friend, David Goren (the same fellow behind Shortwaveology and the Brooklyn Pirate Radio Sound Map) has just produced and presented a BBC World Service documentary about the pirate radio scene in NYC. Spoiler alert: it’s amazing–! Below, I’ve included the description and audio links from the BBC World Service: New York City’s pirates of […]

(Source: Radio Tumbril) Classical Music broadcast on Sunday afternoon in Europe & USA Encore this week will start with a beautifully lyrical Piano piece by Sibelius, then we’ll have a movement from Elgar’s Cello Concerto in an historic recording by Jaqueline du Pré. There will also be a song from Gluck, two string quartet pieces […]