The SWLing Post

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: This is only the second Squires-Sanders rig that has appeared on the used market in decades, though it’s the amateur receiver. The SS-IBS, the receiver pictured in a 1970s Communications Handbook in the shack of Richard Wood, the well-known SWL and linguist, is even rarer: […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who shares a link to the following article from the NIST website authored by Andrew Nobleman, a Grants Management Specialist at NIST. Eric notes that he first discovered this piece from an article in The Spectrum Monitor magazine: Time on the Beach: Working at NIST Hawaii The […]

(Source: Atlas Obscura via William McFadden) When the red planet comes close to Earth, some people have tried to tune in to see if it has anything to say. ON RECENT EVENINGS, AS JULY has melted into August, Earth’s rocky red companion has dropped by for a visit. Earth and Mars, when they’re on opposite […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) CQ Magazine report there will still be tents for some commercial exhibitors at next year’s Dayton Hamvention. In one of their first acts as leaders of the 2019 Hamvention, General Chairman Jack Gerbs, WB8SCT, and Assistant General Chairman Rick Allnutt, WS8G, announced on August 5th that they had been unable so far “to […]

(Source: RadioInfo via William Lee and Dennis Dura) Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has told [ ABC’s Radio National ] RN’s Fran Kelly that her party did not support the ABC’s decision to switch off short wave services in the Pacific. “It is not a decision of the Australian government,” she said. Bishop has travelled […]

(Source: Southgate ARC via Richard Langley) Event to be held on 74th anniversary of VOA-Bethany Station dedication Whether you engaged in dance parties in the 50s, sock-hopped through the 60s, or grooved to music of the 70s, chances are that radio provided the music of the moment. It also meant a lifeline of accurate Voice […]

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post readers who have pointed out the NIST 2019 Presidential Budget request which has now been posted online and includes a desired reduction of: “$6.3 million supporting fundamental measurement dissemination, including the shutdown of NIST radio stations in Colorado and Hawaii“ I’ve always considered WWV and WWVH to be the […]

Many thanks to my buddy, Fred Waterer, who shared the following message with friends on Facebook and has kindly allowed me to post this here on the SWLing Post. I thought it would make a welcome addition to our Listener Posts category. Fred writes: On a hot humid day in July 1978, much like today, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fabiano Barufaldi, who kindly volunteered to translate an important conversation between the RTM Director of Communication and the Director of Studios and Technical Affairs in the final shortwave broadcast of Radio Trans Mundial (RTM). Click here to read our original post and listen to recordings of the final broadcast in […]

Many thanks to Kristen Lepore at KCRW who shares the following announcement: Hey Thomas, My name is Kristen Lepore, and I work at KCRW, a public radio station in Santa Monica, California. I’m writing to tell you about a radio competition we’re hosting this summer. I thought your community might be interested in participating: KCRW’s […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following notes about the final transmission of Radio Transmundial. [Dan made this recording yesterday, but Internet woes here at SWLing Post HQ prevented me from posting this until now.] Dan writes: FYI — I am monitoring Radio Transmundial via [the PY2BS KiwiSDR in] Brazil. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares a link to this interesting handmade EDC (Everyday Carry) bag on Etsy: Dan knows well that I’m a certified pack geek, so I love discovering high-quality packs that are designed with organization that suits radios. I’m a very mobile guy throughout the day, so require […]

A guest post by Eric McFadden, WD8RIF I had the pleasure of attending the annual Voice of Aladdin Amateur Radio Club’s Columbus Hamfest this past weekend, on Saturday, August 4, 2018. The Columbus Hamfest is a smaller, local or regional hamfest but every year when I attend I’m pleasantly surprised by the presence of a […]

(Source: Asia Pacific Report via Mike Hansgen) Shortwave radio saves lives and foreign aid dollars, says McGarry Vanuatu has appealed to Australia to restore shortwave radio services to the Pacific region, after they were switched off by the ABC in 2017, reports Radio Australia. Prime Minister Charlot Salwai said other forms of communication usually failed […]

From the Isle of Music, August 12-18, 2018: Part 2 of 2 parts. Our special guest this week and next is Yasek Manzano, one of the young lions in both Jazz and Electronic Music in Cuba today. Four options to listen to the transmission: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area […]

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

(Source: Southgate ARC) Sweden’s societies the SSA and ESR both make older issues of their magazines available for free download The Sveriges Sändareamatörer (Swedish Transmitting Amateurs) produce 11 issues a year of their magazine QTC and the archive from 2006-2016 can be downloaded from http://www.ssa.se/ssa/medlemstidningen-qtc/ The Experimenterande Svenska Radioamatörer (Experimental Swedish Radioamateurs) produce a quarterly magazine Resonans that can be downloaded from http://resonans.esr.se/

It turns out, I didn’t need to worry about the delivery time of the Panasonic RF-B65 I ordered on eBay Thursday evening. It was shipped from Washington state and arrived here yesterday (Saturday) via USPS 2 Day Priority Mail. I’m quite impressed with the delivery speed! I haven’t had time to put the RF-B65 through […]

In reply to Olivier’s post about the Sony SRF-M95, SWling Post contributor, Jason, notes: Another amazing AM ultra light performer, the Sangean DT-120 or DT-180 I have the DT-120 in my pocket and it has got many hours of use. Travelling in outback Australia in April/May I was very impressed with it’s performance on AM. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that he has published his comprehensive review of the Icom IC-R30 handheld wideband receiver. Click here to check out Dave’s review. Based on Dave’s evaluation, it sounds like this is one of the better wideband radios, although like similar models, its utility in the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares an update from the latest Rockwork (Utralight) DXpedition. Gary notes (in bold): First day FSL antenna setup at the Rockwork 5 ocean cliff near Manzanita, Oregon (Craig Barnes in the photo)– outstanding conditions for 558-Fiji and 1017-Tonga! 558 Radio Fiji One Suva, Fiji Awesome signal […]

(Source: Radio New Zealand via Mike, K8RAT and Joey, KE4DRJ) The Papua New Guinea government is contemplating restoring short wave radio services to Bougainville, after they were shut down during the civil war. […]The Bougainville regional member in the PNG parliament, Joe Lera, has raised concerns that the region’s mostly rural population lacks access to information. […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) RSGB has announced Syllabus 2019 for Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced amateur radio exams will be released during the week commencing August 13 There will be a considerable amount of work to be done by volunteers to implement the changes. It is understood there will be at least 12 month’s advance notice before the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes that Panasonic RF-B65s are, “Abound […] all over eBay–most I have seen in years.” As I’ve mentioned in the past, the Panasonic RF-B65 is one of the few “vintage” benchmark portables I’d happily add to my collection. I’ve been looking for one since last summer […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rich Stahl (WR3V), who writes: FYI, a Muzuho SX-3 preselector just showed up on eBay. Rare as hens teeth, and said to be excellent units. Looks to be in nice condition. Click here to view on eBay. I’m not that familiar wit the Muzuho SX-3, but it does appear […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Stupid Radio Trick – DSP “Hi-Fi” by TomL If you can remember the 1960’s, there was an audiophile rage going on called Hi-Fi. The base unit consisted of a ponderous piece of furniture consisting of a rectangular cabinet and equally large mellow […]

From the Isle of Music, August 5-11, 2018: Part 1 of 2 parts. Our special guest this week and next is Yasek Manzano, one of the young lions in both Jazz and Electronic Music in Cuba today. Four options to listen to the transmission: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary Wise (W4EEY), who writes with the following inquiry: Have you (or your subscribers) ever investigated the supposed radio recordings of the Judica Cordiglia brothers of Italy back in the 1960’s? Two YouTube videos just crossed my path which sparked the question. The brothers allegedly recorded transmissions from failed […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Ladd, who notes that the SDRplay RSP1A aluminum metal enclosure kit is now available on eBay. The price is $29.95 shipped and the kit includes: 1x Black aluminum metal enclosure with two labelled side panels 1x Black semi-hardshell carry case 1x Thermal pad to keep the RSP1A cool and mechanically […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Eric McFadden (WD8RIF), who notes that one of my favorite podcasts, 99% Invisible, has featured The Shipping Forecast in their latest episode: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/99percentinvisible/dovetail.prxu.org/96/474ddc6a-89d7-46d3-83a4-8f153c94e3a3/316_The_Shipping_Forecast_pt01.mp3 Four times every day, on radios all across the British Isles, a BBC announcer begins reading from a seemingly indecipherable script. “And now the Shipping Forecast […]

(Source: WRMI & HFCC) HFCC Announces the Passing of its Founder Oldrich Cip Oldrich Cip, founder and Vice Chairman of the High Frequency Coordination Conference, known as the HFCC, passed away on 27 July following a sudden illness. Oldrich was involved in radio since he was a child — first as an amateur radio hobbyist […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Luke Perry, who writes: Hi Thomas, I thought I would share with the people on the SWLing Post my new radio purchase. I needed a receiver with a noise blanker as you might (or might not) recall my issue that I was having with electrical noise at my listening […]

(Source: ARRL News) The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) proposing to fine Jerry W. Materne, KC5CSG, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, $18,000 “for apparently causing intentional interference and for apparently failing to provide station identification on amateur radio frequencies,” the FCC said. “Mr. Materne was previously warned regarding this behavior in writing […]

Jetzt Geht’s Los!, an excellent program of early German Jazz produced by Radio Ohne Nahmen, has added a new Tuesday night broadcast time in Europe, Tuesdays 1800-1900 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 Khz to be exact. This puts it right in front of From the Isle of Music, a program of music from Cuba, […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Chris Fallen KL3WX will be using 80 kilowatts into the massive HAARP antenna array in Alaska for WSPR experiments in the 80m band from July 30 to August 1 Chris KL3WX tweeted: WSPR experiments are tentatively planned to occur between 2300 and 2400 hours UTC on July 30, 31, and Aug 1. Most […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: [This Barlow Wadley XCR-30 (above)] appears in Episode 4 of The Looming Tower on Hulu. Shown sitting in a slum in Nairobi (or a location posing as Nairobi), tuned to what sounds like Radio Australia… Great catch, Dan! If I ever find an XCR-30 in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Patrick, who shares the following guest post: Dear Thomas, Thank you for all good articles on the SWLing Post. After the passing of Top 40 radio disc jockey Dan Ingram of WABC 770 AM and later WCBS 101.1 FM, the golden days of Top 40 radio in New York City, […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) LED lights jam shipping Automatic Identification System VERON report investigators from the Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency have discovered RF Pollution emitted by LED lights caused the loss of AIS shipping signals around 162 MHz A Google English translation of the Radiocommunications Agency article reads: In the mouth of the Waalhaven in the Nieuwe […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Olivier Tkaczuk (F4BXV), who writes: Hello, my name is Olivier TKACZUK 36 years F4BXV and I live in the north of France. Just to present my last Sony SRF-M95 AM/MW bought on eBay for 13 euros. [I regularly receive] Absolute Radio in England…and also Radio Nacional de España. [H]ere is an […]

(Source: Southgate ARC via Mike Hansgen) New Datamodes programme on BC bands Starting on Wednesday 25th of July 2018 at 1830 UTC, there will be a new 30 minute programme featuring various datamodes, such as SSTV and some of the more complex and interesting PSK modes. The programme is called ‘SLOW SCAN RADIO’, and will […]

Wow! Thank you, Hackaday: HOPE XII: TIME TRAVEL WITH SOFTWARE DEFINED RADIO by: Tom Nardi It’s easy to dismiss radio as little more than background noise while we drive. At worst you might even think it’s just another method for advertisers to peddle their wares. But in reality it’s a snapshot of the culture of […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Mead, who writes: Thomas, I’m sending you a short clip from WWFD 820 kHz in Frederick, MD. It’s America’s only all-digital station, apparently. They are HD only with a relatively eclectic music format. I’m hearing them at my QTH in Harrisburg, PA, about 80 miles or so north of […]

From the Isle of Music, July 29-August 4, 2018: No interviews this week, just some excellent Cuban music from the 1970s and 1980s for your listening and dancing pleasure. Four options to listen to the transmission: 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Peters, who shares the above photo for Boat Anchor Tuesday and writes: I was lucky enough to recently pick up both these familiar faces for $150. Hallicrafters S-40B and SX-100 Both are in decent shape but are due for a recap and alignment. Wow–both of these are classic sets, Chris! After a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ulis (K3LU), who shares a link to the full text of the H.R.5709 – PIRATE Act–a bill to “amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for enhanced penalties for pirate radio, and for other purposes.” Here’s an excerpt from the preface of the bill: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Figliozzi, who shares a link to this website which has archived radio listings from four major U.S. cities/newspapers from 1930-1960: http://www.jjonz.us/RadioLogs/index.htm As John pointed out, there is some serious nostalgia to be found here! Thanks for the tip, John!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m currently at the Circle of HOPE (Hackers On Planet Earth) convention in New York City. Yesterday morning, I grabbed some breakfast and a cup of coffee then headed to the Hardware Hacking Village–a space in the Hotel Pennsylvania with over 50 soldering stations–sat down and started to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares this message from Wayne (N6KR) of Elecraft. This message was originally posted on the Elecraft email reflector: Several KX2/KX3 users have asked what I use as an adapter to go from an iPhone headset to the rig’s headphone and mic jacks. Here it is. […]

(Source: The Sandpiper via Richard Langley) Who knows how many Americans realize that 100 years ago the United States was at war? After all, when about 25 people on the street in Beach Haven in the summer of 2012 were asked for a SandPaper article what war the U.S. had been involved in 200 years […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike S, who comments with his short review of the Sangean HDR-14. Mike writes: Well, I did something I said i would not do, triggered by Amazon’s tendency to introduce impossibly low prices on things for a couple of days, I sprang for the HDR-14. I have used it […]