The SWLing Post

Yesterday, UPS delivered a much-anticipated package: the CTX-10 QRP transceiver from CommRadio. CommRadio dispatched this loaner CTX-10 for evaluation and I’m excited to get my hands on it since it’s not everyday I get to evaluate a transceiver designed around field portability (my favorite category of gear). Yesterday, I took a few shots of the […]

From the Isle of Music, October 14-20: Our special guest this week is Gastón Joya, whose album Mama Ina won the Jazz Soloists category of Cubadisco 2018. We’ll speak with him about the album, listen to some of it, and we will also hear music from some of the other nominees. The transmissions take place: […]

I’ve been an owner of the Amazon Echo smart speaker since it was first released and even reviewed it here on the SWLing Post a couple years ago. Although it’s not a perfect device–and many feel IOT products like this invade their privacy (rightfully so)–it is a nice hands-free way to call up a radio station, […]

(Source: The Age via Richard Langley and John Figliozzi) Michelle Guthrie wanted to make one thing clear. “I love my job,” she said when we met one winter morning at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s inner-Sydney head office. Granted, being managing director and editor-in-chief of the ABC at one of the most turbulent times in its history was a […]

(Source: Tom Taylor Now) Are the protected night signals of monster 50,000-watt AMs “an anachronism?” And is the FCC poised to do something that will frustrate late-night DX’ers? The Commission tries again to balance the role of Class A signals like KMOX St. Louis/1120, designed to serve listeners hundreds of miles away, with the desires […]

The following article originally appeared in the July 2018 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine: Welcome back to the world of SDRs Last month we covered Part One of our three-part primer on software-defined radios (SDRs). While last month’s Part One focused on the nomenclature and components of a functioning SDR system, Part Two will take a […]

I had a nice phone chat with SWLing Post contributor and good friend Robert Gulley this week and discovered that, like me, he’s in the process of selling a few radios in his collection. Robert is thinning his radio herd in order to help fund another hobby: photography. I’m minimizing my collection, on the other hand, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden, who shares the following ARRL response to the FCC Enforcement Advisory we posted last week. The following was published in the ARRL News: ARRL has taken a minor exception to the wording of a September 24 FCC Enforcement Advisory pertaining to the importation, marketing and sale of VHF […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares the latest space weather forecast from Tamitha Skov: Click here to view on YouTube.

From the Isle of Music, October 7-13: This episode presents a special broadcast of Misa Cubana. The transmissions take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Kostinbrod, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Korchin (K2WNW), for sharing the following article from The New York Times: London’s Radio Pirates Changed Music. Then Came the Internet. LONDON — In 1993, the illegal radio broadcasters at Kool FM came up with a plan to keep the regulators from raiding their studios. In those days, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Alex, who notes that he’s updated his frequency charts once again. Alex writes: I have updated my short wave charts for the summer season. There was a lot on this summer, so sadly the charts are rather late in the season, but at least there is still a month to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Goren, who notes the passing of Peggy Sue who was the inspiration for Buddy Holly’s song. Dave notes, “Peggy Sue was a ham.” She was indeed and her callsign was K5PSG. David shared the following article from the Lubbock-Avalanche Journal: Peggy Sue Gerron, who will be forever remembered in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that WWV and WWVH are announcing the end of marine storm warning announcements on October 31, 2018. This morning, I made the following recording of the announcement via WWV 5 MHz at 4 minutes past the hour: Last year this time NOAA announced the end […]

(Source: The Interpreter via Michael Taniwha) Restoring Australia’s Pacific media presence by Kevin McQuillan The departure of ABC Managing Director Michelle Guthrie just two-and-a-half years into her five-year term reflects the board’s decision to seek “fresh leadership”, according to Chairman Justin Milne. Announcing Guthrie’s sacking today, Milne said “the board’s foremost consideration was the long-term interests of […]

(Source: RadioInfo via William Lee) Radio Tomorrow with James Cridland I’m writing this in London, where the doors are (as I type) just about to open for Next Radio, the radio conference that I run here with my friend Matt Deegan. It’s a positive radio conference with an uplifting feel. Go to a radio conference in the […]

(Source: InsideRadio via Ulis K3LU) All-Digital AM Grabs Automakers’ Interest. The fate of AM radio in the car dashboard may pass through Frederick, MD. That’s where the latest experiment on an all-digital AM signal is taking place, on Hubbard Radio’s adult alternative “The Gamut” WWFD (820). The project, in conjunction with digital radio developer Xperi […]

(Source: India.com) New Delhi, Sep 30 (PTI) On October 1, 1939, the All India Radio made its first broadcast for foreign listeners — a Pashto service started by the then British rulers to counter the Nazi Germany propaganda during World War II. The national radio broadcaster has decided that the 80th anniversary of the historic […]

(Source: IEEE Spectrum via Ed C) Amanda Dawn Christie’s work commemorates the fading glory of shortwave radio By Stephen Cass Some artists work in oils, say, or marble. Amanda Dawn Christie works in radio. Not radio in the sense of performing on air. But radio in the sense of the giant cultural and technological phenomenon that is […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) New Zealand’s regulator RSM reports: In August, we mentioned creating a prohibition notice for unrestricted two-way radios. This was to limit the availability to the general public for radios that don’t meet the Radio Standards. The prohibition notice is ready to gazette and will come into effect on 18 October 2018. The notice will […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Lee Reynolds, who shares these images and notes after a recent visit to WBCQ in Monticello, Maine: Looks as if the basic antenna construction is all done up there now. Thank you, Lee. Wow–that is an amazing antenna! I can only image what the foundation of that tower would entail! Thank […]

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post contributors including, Mike, Dan, Ron and Bob who all shared this article from the BBC World Service: The bombs used by Allied forces during World War II were so large, they weakened the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The air raids turned towns to rubble and ash, but now […]

Post readers might recall that I attended and presented at Circle of HOPE (Hackers On Planet Earth 2018 in New York City. One of the many cool things about HOPE was the Hardware Hacking Village: a space with 40 or so fully-stocked soldering stations that HOPE attendees could use anytime during the conference. I built two […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Whilst watching the 1998 movie The Interview on Netflix, I spotted a Kriesler Radio Company Super-Power Long Range Panoramic 11-71 made in Newtown (Sydney) Australia about 1:11 into the movie (the opening scene.) More information here: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/kriesler_11_71_117.html I’d never heard of the Kriesler Radio Company before, probably […]

Many thanks to Jon Hudson with SDRplay who shares the following announcement: SDRplay have just released a new video guide to using SDRuno software and an SDR for recording and playback: Click here to view. This is one of many video and written guides available in their Applications and Support Catalogue: https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Balázs Kovács, who discovered a number of scenes in Fear the Walking Dead that feature various radios. Balázs notes: In the last episodes (after a hurricane) various two way radios were quite frequently used. Thanks, Balázs! That looks like a Kenwood HF transceiver on the table. Anyone know the model? […]

(Source: Maritime Digitalisation & Communications via Richard Cuff) KNL Networks is building a mesh network of base stations on ships for securely transmitting operational and machinery data to shore Shortwave radio can be used for data transmissions from ships to shore and between vessels as an alternative, or even complementary, service to satellite communications. This is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who references this thread on RadioReference.com regarding the following FCC Enforcement Advisory: The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has observed that a growing number of conventional retailers and websites advertise and sell low-cost, two-way VHF/UHF radios that do not comply with the […]

(Source: The Washington Post via Jeff McMahan) CHICAGO — Cedar Electronics has been selling CB radios to American truckers since the 1960s, helping connect the workers who keep the U.S. economy rolling. But these days Cedar’s business isn’t exactly trucking along. The Chicago-headquartered company is racing around Asia looking for other countries to host its […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Pete Eaton (WB9FLW), who writes: From the fertile mind of QRP Hall Of Fame Pete N6QW comes a new Radio Project, the Sudden QRP SSB Transceiver. If you have never Scratch Built such a Rig and would like to N6QW’s latest offering deserves close inspection. Using only readily available […]

I’ve owned my Elecraft KX3 for five years, and this little rig continues to amaze me. In 2013, I gave the KX3 one of the most favorable reviews I’ve ever published–and it continues to hold its own. That’s why last year I recommended the KX3 to my buddy and newly minted ham radio operator, Sébastien […]

(Source: arstechnica via Scott Schad) A new antenna using single atoms could usher in the age of atomic radio The team tested their device by recording themselves singing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” JENNIFER OUELLETTE In the 1950s, atomic clocks revolutionized precision time-keeping. Now we may be on the verge of so-called “atomic radio,” thanks […]

(Source: IEEE Spectrum Magazine) Several public radio stations that have broadcast the time of day continuously for nearly 100 years are on the chopping block By Julianne Pepitone Starting in May 1920, the U.S. federal WWV radio stations have broadcast the official time without fail. For ham radio fans, hearing the friendly “National Institute of […]

I mentioned in a previous post that, this year, QRM levels here at the condo in Québec are higher on our balcony than they are inside the building. I think I found the source. A couple weeks ago, on my morning walk, I passed underneath some high voltage power lines about 1 km from the […]

(Source: The Next Web via Kim Elliott) Devs used solar-powered radios to complete first ‘off-grid’ cryptocurrency transaction Could blockchain help after disaster strikes? A group of developers claim to have performed a solar-powered cryptocurrency transaction, using shortwave radios and blockchain tech. While it might not be the world’s first radio-transmitted cryptocurrency transaction, the devs insist […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kanwar Sandhu, who shares the following QSL information from Wantok Radio Light: Wantok Radio Light is a Christian Radio Station operating in Papua New Guinea. We broadcasts 24 hours, seven days a week on 93.9 FM in Port Moresby, 105.9 FM in other provinces and short wave on 7325 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors Dave Zantow (N9EWO) and Larry W who both note that the IC-7200 has been discontinued once again by Icom. Universal Radio has even listed it as discontinued on their website and doesn’t appear to have any in new inventory. You might recall that Icom discontinued the IC-7200 in early […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Sarkis, who writes with the following inquiry: I thought I would turn to the SWLing Post for some advice please. I am trying to find recordings of Radio Bulgaria’s Italian Service which was taken off the air in 1997. I’m after a jingle with which the current affairs programme […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that Radio City in Mounds View, MN, will be closing its doors soon. Ham City owners, Dan and Maline Fish, are retiring. They posted the following message on their website: Sept. 11th, 2018 It’s Time to Retire. It’s been a wonderful 36 years for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christian, who writes: Another Grundig/Eton deal on Amazon. This time the Eton Exectutive Traveler for $46.65 shipped. One of the lowest prices I’ve seen on this one. I already have a Traveler so no plans to purchase, but thought your readers might be interested. Good little radio if you ask […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, who shares the following comment in response to our KiwiSDR post from yesterday: [T]here are now so many [KiwiSDR] receivers – how do you know which ones are best? Why not use this map as an alternative to sdr.hu/map: [A]ll the same receivers are shown in a […]

(Source: Tom Taylor Now) The FCC last night reported that more FMs were out (20) than AMs (three). While nearly 14% of cell sites in the affected areas were out of service – and like the AM/FM picture, virtually all the outages are in coastal North Carolina. Forecasters had predicted the brunt of the storm […]

Some of you might recall that I’m spending the months of August and September in a condo near Québec City, Canada. We love it here, though it does present some radio challenges. Unlike our rural/remote mountain home in the States, I’ve always had to cope with QRM (manmade radio interference) here at the condo. Not […]

(Source: Radio World) More broadcasters than you might realize are helping keep the ionosphere warm (and the power companies happy) In the May 9 issue of Radio World, I reported on a recent power upgrade at TWR’s Bonaire AM facility that brought that station close to the half-megawatt level (440 kW), allowing the station to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Marcus Keulertz, who writes: I would like to [share a] picture of our other female family member. I’m not quite sure if she loves the shortwave chirping signal which was emitted from Radio Taiwan’s English Service. What I observed is that she stayed calm while listening to their evening broadcast. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who shares the following information about the VoIP Hurricane Net in which he is heavily involved: **VoIP Hurricane Net will activate starting at 9 AM EDT Thursday Morning through 11 PM EDT Saturday Evening for Dangerous Hurricane Florence which is expected to be a major hurricane and […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Justin Patrick Moore (KE8COY), who is a radio host, radio enthusiast and musician. At my request, Justin has shared the following article excerpts from his blog that discuss the convergence of music and radio: Imaginary Landscapes The development of telecommunications technology and electronic circuits had a major impact on […]

As Hurricane Florence starts to make landfall today, it is expected to have a serious impact on coastal South Carolina and North Carolina. Florence is currently a category 2 hurricane, but they expect wind speeds to diminish quickly upon landfall. No doubt, we’ll remember Florence for the tremendous amount of rainfall she packs–there will be significant flooding […]

Described as “an antidote to today’s frenzied world”, the BBC has launched a new radio program with 30-minute recordings of “the sounds of birds, mountain climbing, monks chatting as you go about your day.” With the popularity of Slow Television and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) I imagine Slow Radio will be quite popular. Of […]

Many thanks to an SWLing Post reader who has shared the following document which was published during the IARU Region 3 conference in Seoul. The document is titled “The evolution of spectrum management in the era of hyper-connectivity and its impact on the amateur service.” Certainly a tough look at the realities of spectrum use […]