The SWLing Post

Please note that the frequency for the VORW Radio International Holiday Broadcast has changed. Please read the announcement below which includes the new frequency of 9350 kHz: Hello Shortwave Listeners! In addition to our regularly scheduled broadcasts of VORW Radio International every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – I am pleased to announce that there will […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who shares the following tip from the ARRL News: Each year, volunteers at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, celebrate the holidays by serenading those at the remote, Antarctic field camps via HF radio. This year, ham radio operators and SWLs around the world are invited to listen in and email […]

(Source: ARRL News via Ron) Sweden’s Alexanderson alternator station SAQ has planned a Christmas Eve transmission on 17.2 kHz. The transmitter will be tuned up starting at around 0730 UTC, and a message will be transmitted at 0800 UTC. The 200 kW Alexanderson alternator is an electromechanical transmitter dating back to 1924. The event will […]

I received my copy of the 2019 World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH) directly from the publisher earlier this week. It arrives annually–without fail–just prior to my Christmas holiday travels. I look forward to receiving this excellent staple radio reference guide–and this is their 73rd edition! The WRTH has never disappointed, so my expectations are always quite high. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adam, who writes: Hi Thomas I enjoy reading your blog and often when I put a question in Google yours is the first on the list so I wonder if you’d mind if I ask you a question about the Sony SW35. I’m interested to try powering it from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Golan Klinger, who writes: Came across a deal I thought might be of interest to your readers. Radioworld (in Toronto, Canada) has the Eton Mini on sale for an incredible $19.99 CAD (the regular price is $49.99 CAD). I suspect many, perhaps even most, of your readers are in the […]

(Source: NHK World via Kanwar Sandhu) NHK WORLD-JAPAN is launching on January 15th of next year a new online Chinese-language service. NHK Huayu Shijie will broadcast some of the most popular programs that focus on news, culture and current events. The service will be for five hours on weekdays. Five anchors will each be assigned a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John, with TheReportOfTheWeek who writes: Hello Shortwave Listeners! In addition to our regularly scheduled broadcasts of VORW Radio International every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – I am pleased to announce that there will be a special holiday broadcast on Christmas Day! This show will feature some mixed talk and music of […]

This is what the announcer said at 4:30 p.m. one day about a week before Christmas 1950 over the airwaves of radio station KELA in Lewis County: “Yes, stand by for Santa Claus! The Beacon Store, Santa’s headquarters for southwest Washington, presents the most important radio program of the year, Santa’s very own. Santa’s Magic […]

From the Isle of Music, December 23-29, 2018 This week, we feature music from albums by Cuban and Cuban-American artists that were nominated for a GRAMMY award this year. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of Africa, East […]

(Source: ARRL News via Ron) The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 (IARU-R1) Monitoring System (IARUMS) reports that Radio Hargeisa in Somaliland has returned to 7,120 kHz after a break of several weeks, while Radio Eritrea has been reported on 7,140 and 7,180 kHz. Radio Sudan has been transmitting on 7,205 kHz with excessive splatter, […]

For those readers who like the Eton “Executive” trim level on their portables, I just noted that Amazon.com has lowered the price of the Executive Traveler to $50 US shipped. For how long? You never know with Amazon, but this is one of the best prices I’ve seen on the Executive Traveler. I gave my […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Golan Klinger, who leaves the following comment regarding the Digitech AR-1780: I bought my AR1780 from Jaycar when they were first announced because I was too impatient to wait for the Skywave SSB. It looked good on paper and I was really pleased when I finally tried it out. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Sally, who writes: Besides being a bit of a radio geek, I also love aviation and am working on my PPL (private pilot license). I recently discovered this image [above] of the Boeing 787 antenna compliment. It’s amazing to see how many antennas they fit on this heavy bird! […]

I recently received an email from SWLing Post friend, contributor and Patron, Mark Fahey, who is currently enjoying a fascinating DXpedition. Many thanks to Mark who has allowed me to share a few of his notes from the trip. Mark writes: I am at Susut, in the Bangli Regency, on the Indonesian island of Bali. This […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christian, who shares yet another Eton deal: Hi Thomas. Thought your readers might like to know that the Eton Traveller III is on sale at Amazon for $48.53 shipped. This isn’t the lowest price I’ve seen for the III but it’s one of the lower ones so certainly a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who writes: My Icom IC-R75 review now posted. Being on the market for over 15 years of course they are available on the used market without too much trouble. Yes : Kiwa Electronics (Craig) are still doing the audio modifications. http://n9ewo.angelfire.com/icr75.html Thanks for sharing, Dave! The […]

Over the past five weeks, we’ve been promoting our contest to win an authentic Woofferton RCA Transmitter window that has been generously donated by our long-time friend and contributor, Dave Porter (G4OYX). We are pleased to announce our winner: Kenneth Kopp (AK0A) Congratulations, Kenneth! Kenneth correctly answered at least one of the Wooferton Transmitting station questions we’ve […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Gavaras, who shares the following recording of Radio South Africa which was originally recorded on December 31, 1977 from his home in Plymouth, MN using a Hammarlund HQ-180. Tom notes: During the late 1970s, Radio South Africa (RSA) would broadcast a New Years call-in show. This recording is from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike, who reminds us that Jaycar has the Digitech AR-1780 on sale until December 26, 2018. Click here to check out the sale at JayCar online. Mike also shares the following email he received from Jaycar regarding the purchase of an AR-1780 from the United States: Thanks for your […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Ruck, who writes: Please be advised that the Martitime Radio Historical Society has made publicly available Kiwi SDR receivers at the KPH receive site in Point Reyes. This site was selected for SW reception by Dr. Beverage for RCA around 1930. You can access the receivers at radiomarine.org Bill Ruck Maintenance MRHS […]

Four weeks ago, we announced a new contest to celebrate the SWLing Post‘s 10th Anniversary. The prize is an amazing piece of broadcast history: a 75 year old round plate glass window that was fitted in the central main door of the RCA senders at the Woofferton, UK, transmitting site in 1943. This prize was generously […]

(Source: Southgate ARC via Mike Hansgen) IARUMS reports on mystery frequency hopping station IARU-R1 Monitoring System reports an intriguing transmission has been spotted giving short beeps exactly on each second, frequency hopping between 10108-10115 kHz and 18834/18899 kHz One of the mysterious transmitters is located in the vicinity of Chicago, near the town of Aurora or […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron Chester (W6AZ), who writes: Have you seen this site from Duke University’s Center For Documentary Studies? Shortwave is so cool that the digital nerds are now working on reproducing it on the Internet. It’s got a great interface, authentic sounding noise between stations, a train passing by on one […]

In addition to its regularly- scheduled programming, UBMP (Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot), a program that presents music from around the world along with a little comedy now and then, will be presenting the following hour-long holiday specials for the Americas in December: 1. Uncle Bill’s X-Mess Special, featuring Christmas music from around the planet, unusual […]

From the Isle of Music, December 16-22 This week, we celebrate Formell y Los Van Van’s nomination for Best Tropical Latin Album in the GRAMMY awards by listening again to our interview with Samuel Formell and music from the album Legado. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target […]

(Source: Nicholas Hardyman WRTH) World Radio TV Handbook 2019 Published 7 December 2018 – Order your copy today! We are delighted to announce the publication of the 73rd edition of WRTH. For full details of WRTH 2019 and to order a copy please visit our website at www.wrth.com where you can also order the B18 WRTH […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alan Roe, who notes: I have now compiled my Music on Shortwave listing for the B-18 broadcast period. Alan, thanks so much for keeping this brilliant guide updated each broadcast season and for sharing it here with the community! Click here to download a PDF copy of Alan Roe’s Music on Shortwave […]

Here at SWLing Post HQ we’ve been under a Winter Storm Warning since yesterday–it’s not set to expire until sometime tomorrow. This storm hasn’t been all snow–it’s a mixture of snow and ice. If this continues, I fully expect to lose power at some point today. In general, we’re prepared to handle this sort of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Thomas, who shares the following reply to our recently post highlighting a number of novelty radios. Mike writes: That is a nice collection of novelty radios. I have a few of them but tend to focus on early production transistors. [Here is a] picture of my collection: Wow! […]

I just discovered that Ham Radio Outlet has cut the price of the excellent SDRplay RSPduo by $50 as a holiday special. If you’ve been considering the RSPduo, I would encourage you to jump on this deal. Click here to check out our review of the RSPduo. Click here to view this deal at HRO.

Following our post yesterday regarding Eneloop rechargeable cells, SWLing Post contribtors Guy Atkins and Ivan Cholakov both warned of numerous fake and counterfeit batteries available from sellers on eBay and elsewhere. Ivan notes: Please be aware Eneloop batteries are widely copied and there are many many fakes out there. You should only buy them from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Marcus Keulertz, who writes: I use these special rechargeable batteries [Panasonic Eneloop cells] for almost everything especially in household appliances and think what else? In my energy hungry portable radios and active Loop Antennas. They are reliable power sources, especially in the cold weather period right now. They are quite […]

From the Isle of Music, December 9-15 This week, our special guest is Producer and Musicologist Gretel Garlobo, with whom we will present music from La Trovuntivitis, which was awarded a Special Prize in Cubadisco 2018. We will also listen to music from another Cubadisco Special Prize winner, Privilegio de Origen The broadcasts take place: […]

Three weeks ago, we announced a new contest to celebrate the SWLing Post‘s 10th Anniversary. The prize is an amazing piece of broadcast history: a 75 year old round plate glass window that was fitted in the central main door of the RCA senders at the Woofferton, UK, transmitting site in 1943. This prize was generously […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Anderson, who writes: Just to let you and and your readers know that the AR1780 has had a price drop – NZ$99 and AU$89 at Jaycar. https://www.jaycar.co.nz/compact-world-band-radio-with-ssb/p/AR1780 https://www.jaycar.com.au/compact-world-band-radio-with-ssb/p/AR1780 That is a great price for the AR-1780! Thanks for sharing, David! FYI: if you live in the US and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Robert Sillett, who shares the following regarding late US President George H. W. Bush: Firstly, thank you so much for providing such a great service to the shortwave community. Thanks so much! I am dropping you a line because of something I noticed in the following article from the Washington […]

Earlier this month, I had the honor of being interviewed by both the Radio Survivor podcast and WAIF’s radio show Trash Flow Radio, hosted by Justin Moore. It was great fun to spend time with the Radio Survivor crew who are massive supporters of community radio and then the very next day be interviewed on a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Mike Hangen and Kim Elliott who share the following item from The Verge: Crosley, the company best known for making those junky $100 turntables you can find at Target or Best Buy, is expanding into a different era of musical nostalgia: cassette decks, via TechCrunch. The company is selling […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Addy, who shares a link to this large collection of novelty radios: Click here to view on Dangerous Minds. I recognize a couple of those radios, but there are so many promotional sets I had never seen before. Who would have thought of a canned Pineapple radio? Love […]

Tomorrow is the final day in this latest HAARP campaign–still time to tune in: (Source: Chris Fallen) Funding Agencies: National Science Foundation, Fourth State Communications Experimenters/Instrumentation Support: Cornell University, UAF, Naval Research Lab, Eastern Michigan University, HAM amateur radio operators Research: Experiments are carried out by scientists from Cornell University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, […]

The following article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: Shortwave Portables: Some of my favorites Being a radio writer and blogger, I’m often asked, “Isn’t radio dying?” or “How long are you going to keep listening to radio when there are so many other options out there?” My answer? It’s simple: […]

The Retekess V115 (A.K.A. Tivdio V-115 & Audiomax SRW-710S) price has been lowered to $19.99 US shipped on Amazon.com. 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 sub $25 category. It’s a great little backup radio to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Neil Goldstein, who writes: I know a lot of your readers (especially the QRP ones) may be interested in the update I FINALLY made to the radio kit guide. Added, removed, etc. Lots of cool stuff. http://radiokitguide.com Thanks for sharing, Neil! What a great curated list of QRP kits!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst–developer of the Shortwave Signals Alexa skill--who shares the following tutorial: How to use the Shortwave Signals Alexa skill Introduction Alexa skills come in all shapes and sizes, from the trivial random fact skill, to a fully fledged news reader. Some have little or no input, while others […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contribuor, Charlie (WA2ONH), who notes: A good price for the XHDATA D-808 on eBay right now. No connection with the vendor. Buy at your own risk. Click here to view on eBay. Thank you for the tip, Charlie! Looks like the seller has a 99.6% positive rating–impressive for the volume they […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gregg Griffith, who notes that the Eton Grundig Edition Executive Sattelit is on sale at Amazon for $109.99 shipped. This is the lowest price I’ve ever seen for a new GEE Satellit. Since this is an Amazon sale, the price could change at any time. I have the original Satellit […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13dka, who left the following comment on my post about coastal SWLing: Nice weather and pics! Hmmm… it wasn’t so obvious to me before but it looks like the Skywave SSB is even smaller than the D-808. Now I’m jealous! ? I find it pretty amazing is that just a […]

Two weeks ago, we announced a new contest to celebrate the SWLing Post‘s 10th Anniversary. The prize is an amazing piece of broadcast history: a 75 year old round plate glass window that was fitted in the central main door of the RCA senders at the Woofferton, UK, transmitting site in 1943. This prize was generously […]

(Source: Jeff White at WRMI) This coming Saturday, December 1, marks the fifth anniversary of WRMI’s transmissions from Okeechobee, Florida. Every year at this time, we have an Open House, which doubles as a Christmas party, for station staff, clients and local friends. WRMI listeners are also very welcome to attend this Open House. You […]