Every year, the BBC broadcasts a special program to the scientists and support staff in the British Antarctic Survey Team. The BBC plays music requests and sends special messages to the small team of 40+ located at various Antarctic research stations. Each year, the thirty minute show is guaranteed to be quirky, nostalgic, and certainly a DX-worthy catch! After […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who shares this article from Mashable: Genius is, well, genius. The company recently accused Google of lifting song lyrics from its site, reports the Wall Street Journal. How did Genius know Google was stealing? In 2016, Genius made a few changes to the punctuation in its song lyrics. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Van Hoy, who shares this interesting article via Space.com: The orbits of Venus, Earth and Jupiter may explain the sun’s regular 11-year cycle, a new study suggests. A team of researchers from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), a research institute in Dresden, Germany, showed that the magnetic fields of those […]

(Source: RNZ via Michael Bird) The Cook Islands Investment Corporation says there are no plans to replace an AM radio mast that is to be dismantled on Rarotonga. The mast at Matavera, built with New Zealand aid money many years ago to provide a signal to the outer islands, is rusted through in places and […]

Universal Radio has posted a product page for the new Eton Elite Satellit. Pre-Order As they have done in the past, Universal is offering a “pre-order” discounted price of $349.95 that will not be charged to the buyer until the unit actually ships. Availability Universal expects the Elite Satellit to ship sometime in the 4th […]

(Source: Radio Free Asia) A Taiwanese businessman is scheduled to face trial in Thailand’s northern Chiang Mai city next week on charges that he illegally hosted a radio station that broadcast uncensored news to listeners in China, amid claims that Beijing pressured Thai authorities to shut down the station. The June 19-20 hearing at the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes: Here is an interesting looking indoor passive HF loop antenna [photo above] that Randy McIntosh just started selling in the US. Made in Greece. Model TLA500C. Sorry it’s not for MW. Here’ are the specifications/description from the eBay page: This sale is for an […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, 13dka, who shares the following guest post and review: Do I really need this radio? A very belated review of the C.Crane CCRadio 2E by 13dka Ever since my relapse into radioholism a few years ago, I had a craving for a top-notch medium wave radio. This became even […]

Encore – Classical Music on Shortwave – Broadcast on Sunday afternoon in Europe and USA Encore – Classical Music this weekend is being broadcast as usual by Channel 292 (Europe) on 6070 kHz at 15:00 UTC Sunday 16th June. And by WBCQ on 7490 kHz at 00:00 – 01:00 UTC Monday 17th June. There is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who writes: Hi Thomas, This month’s DRM Newsletter from the Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium has announced that a chip has been developed and introduced to make DRM receiver manufacturing easier and cheaper. It’s to be made available soon in a module with a header connector for developers, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, PA, who notes that Lennart Benschop has posted a review comparing the Tecsun PL-680 and Tecsun S-8800. Click here to read the full comparison & review.

(Source: WRTH) The latest version of the A19 International and C&OTB broadcaster schedules pdf has been uploaded to the WRTH website. This download is available free of charge and includes the transmission schedules from 180+ International and Clandestine/Target broadcasters, arranged by country. For maximum usability, these schedules are in the same format and use the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who shares the following news via the ARRL: After filing a civil action and seeking an injunction to stop a church-related pirate radio station from operating in Worcester, Massachusetts, the US Attorney’s Office this week reached a settlement with the station’s operators, Vasco Oburoni and Christian Praise International […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kris Partridge, who shares the following note following our recent series of posts about WWII radio: The, nearly, full story of the BBC’s wartime reporting can be found here. Yes, I hope another interesting read both for your good self and the readers of The SWLing Post: http://www.orbem.co.uk/repwar/wr_action.htm What […]

From the Isle of Music, June 16-22: This week our special guest is Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, whose new album Italuba Big Band Live was the winner of the Jazz category of Cubadisco 2019. This is one of our rare interviews in English, and the Jazz is superb. The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill (WD9EQD), who notes: [Recently] the Radio Canada program Sunday Edition had an interview with CBC President Catherine Tait. Very interesting on the challenges facing CBC and radio/tv in general: (Source: CBC Radio) It is the job of the CBC to build social cohesion in Canada, according to CBC/Radio-Canada president […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares this piece from the Vatican News: ‘Hebdomada Papae’: News in Latin on Vatican Radio Saturday, 8 June, sees the launch of “Hebdomada Papae, notitiae vaticanae latine redditae” (The Pope’s week in review: Vatican news bulletin in Latin), on Vatican Radio. By Linda Bordoni Starting […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bruce Atchison, who who shares this short video from the early 1980s showing a glimpse inside Radio Venceremos: Click here to view on YouTube. From Wikipedia: Radio Venceremos (Spanish; in English, “‘We Shall Overcome’ Radio”) was an ‘underground’ radio network of the anti-government Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) […]

(Source: WRTH via John Hoad) WRTH A19 Bargraph Frequency Guide Now Available – Buy your CD or Download today! We are delighted to announce the availability of the new WRTH Bargraph Frequency Guide for the A19 season. The CD contains the complete, and monitored, A19 international broadcasts on LW, MW and SW, and fully updated […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who passes along this interesting radio show from the CBS Radio Workshop and a description from his friend, Art Chimes. Art writes: Airing in 1956-57, The CBS Radio Workshop was an anthology series that featured a wide range of productions, often in experimental formats. On Nov. 11, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Brent Levit, who notes a new Eton receiver in the latest Universal Radio print catalog: the Eton Elite Satellit. Raise your hand if you see the similarities between the Elite Satellit and the famous Eton E1 (photo below)? Brent also notes: “Universal Radio has a $399.00 price tag. It […]

Each year at the Dayton Hamvention I enjoy checking out the latest radio products and services. This year (2019) I found an exceptional number of innovations and will share these in Hamvention Highlights posts. If you would like to check out 2019 Hamvention Highlights as I publish them, bookmark this tag: 2019 Hamvention Highlights The Polar […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christian, who notes that the price of the Eton Executive Traveler continues to go down on Amazon. Christian notes: The price is now less than $37US shipped. I’m sure the price will continue to decline until inventory is sold out but I’ve a feeling that once they’re gone, they’re […]

(Source: The Hindu) If Prasar Bharati has its way, All India Radio will have to stop all global short wave transmissions — eighty years after it began international broadcasting in 1939. AIR is resisting the move arguing that it will curtail its global reach. There are about 46 short wave transmitters that run both domestic […]

This is sad news for those like me who enjoy Maker Faires. This year, our own community started a Mini Maker Faire that was held on a university campus–it was a massive success. My daughters and I taught a number of children and adults how to solder simple circuits. I also met quite a few […]

(Source: The Guardian via BJ Leiderman and Kris Partridge) America’s rural radio stations are vanishing – and taking the country’s soul with them When I arrive at the radio station, Mark Lucke is standing in the doorway, looking out at the spitting, winter rain. He’s slim and stoic, with sad, almost haunted, eyes. The first […]

The NK News has published an article about North Korea’s “Third Network”: the infamous cable network radio installed in many homes and that, some report, cannot be turned off. This article tries to separate fact from fiction and turns to SWLing Post friend, Mark Fahey, among other North Korea experts: The North Korean radio you […]

(Source: The Hindu) by Sobhana K. Nair Prasar Bharati has asked it to come up with a proposal to phase out SW transmitters If Prasar Bharati [India’s largest public broadcasting agency] has its way, All India Radio will have to stop all global short wave transmissions — eighty years after it began international broadcasting in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, who shares the following fascinating video from the CBC and notes: “The Listeners” Members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Corps monitored the airwaves for German U-Boat traffic. Their participation was secret for decades.” Click here to view this video via the CBC. This is such an […]

Today, as many know, is the 75th anniversary of the World War II battle in Normandy, France, known to history as D-Day. “Operation Overlord,” as D-Day was code named, without doubt, was one of the key turning points of World War II. But many may not know that D-Day was also one of the first […]

Yesterday, we posted a photo of a Tecsun S-9900 “prototype” that was shared by @katsu3_uc on Twitter: Shortly thereafter, another image was shared featuring the Tecsun PL-990: To put this in perspective: there hasn’t been a new product announcement like this from Tecsun since the appearance of the S-8800 nearly four years ago–! This buzz […]

[Update: Please check out this post about the Tecsun PL-990.] Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following image originally posted in the Shortwave Radio Listener Appreciation Facebook group: This looks like a solid iteration of the venerable Tecsun PL-880. While the previous photo we posted via Twitter user @katsu3_uc of […]

[Update: Please check out this post about the Tecsun S-9900.] [Update: Also see this post that includes an image of a Tecsun PL-990. I will try to confirm if one or both of these radios may indeed be produced this year.] Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and producer, Scott Gamble, who notes the following […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Roseanna, who shares the following guest post originally published on her blog, The Girl with the Radio: Unexpected FM madness! I would like tho share with you a once in a lifetime Sporadic-E event that happened to me today along with videos of the catches I received during it. […]

Each year at the Dayton Hamvention I enjoy checking out the latest radio products and services. This year (2019) I found an exceptional number of innovations and will share these in Hamvention Highlights posts. If you would like to check out 2019 Hamvention Highlights as I publish them, bookmark this tag: 2019 Hamvention Highlights The QRP […]

(Source: Radio World) China Radio International Recommits to Africa Mali relay site near Bamako is back on air diffusing China Radio’s shortwave signal. The site carries CRI’s shortwave broadcasts for more than 20 frequency hours a day to Africa. The move has also benefited Mali’s own shortwave transmissions, which were reportedly suffering from weak signals […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob Gray, who writes: I recently returned back from a three-month trip in Africa (Namibia, South Africa, and Morocco) and had a couple of shortwave-related items that you might be interested in. The rental car in Namibia had shortwave capabilities in the in-dash radio! The rental company was oblivious […]

Encore – Classical Music on Shortwave – Broadcast on Sunday afternoon in Europe and USA Encore – Classical Music this weekend is being broadcast as usual by Channel 292 (Europe) on 6070 kHz at 15:00 UTC Sunday 2nd June. And by WBCQ on 7490 kHz at 00:00 – 01:00 UTC Monday 3rd June. There is […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who notes that George Thomas (W5JDX) visited the iconic surplus/parts store Mendelsons in Dayton, Ohio. George spoke about his visit on HamNation and plans to air his tour and interview with the owner on a future episode. The owner did mention that they plan to close […]

Each year at the Dayton Hamvention I enjoy checking out the latest radio products and services. This year (2019) I found an exceptional number of innovations and will share these in Hamvention Highlights posts. If you would like to check out 2019 Hamvention Highlights as I publish them, bookmark this tag: 2019 Hamvention Highlights Diversity […]

From the Isle of Music, June 2-8: No interviews this week, instead we feature the music of Grupo Afrocuba, one of the best Jazz/Fusion bands in Cuba in the 1970s and 1980s The broadcasts take place: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts […]

Each year at the Dayton Hamvention I enjoy checking out the latest radio products and services. This year (2019) I found an exceptional number of innovations and will share these in Hamvention Highlights posts. If you would like to check out 2019 Hamvention Highlights as I publish them, bookmark this tag: 2019 Hamvention Highlights The […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jarno (PA3DMI), who shares the following Old Time Radio (OTR) show, The Spy on the Kilocycles, which features Henry Fonda who had just completed his military service (October 8, 1945). Enjoy: Click here to listen via YouTube.

Each year at the Dayton Hamvention I enjoy checking out the latest radio products and services. This year (2019) I found an exceptional number of innovations and will share these in Hamvention Highlights posts. If you would like to check out 2019 Hamvention Highlights as I publish them, bookmark this tag: 2019 Hamvention Highlights And […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steve Yothment, who writes: Check out the attached picture. It is from a preview of tonight’s episode of “Young Sheldon.” In it, Sheldon and Dr. Stergis are listening to an antique shortwave radio. I think it is a Capehart International Radio Model 88P66NL. Also in the preview is an […]

Note that Hara Arena is the former home of the Dayton Hamvention. Lots of memories in that old building! (Source: WHIO via Eric McFadden) […]Hara Arena suffered extensive damage when tornadoes and severe storms moved through Monday night. Drone footage shows the roof and side of the structure blown off in several places. Click here […]

At the 2019 Hamvention, I stopped by the Airspy.US booth and checked out the specifications of Airspy’s latest SDR: the Airspy HF+ Discovery. At first glance, the Discovery looks a lot like the Airspy HF+ but even smaller and sporting performance upgrades. Keep in mind, I consider the Airspy HF+ (the Discovery’s predecessor) to be […]

The following Memorial Day post was originally published on May 25th, 2015: Today is Memorial Day, and I’m feeling humbly grateful to all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Since I’ve been reading a lot of WWII history lately, I’ve also been playing a lot of WWII-era music here in my sanctuary to […]