The SWLing Post

Yesterday, I took note of the following Twitter message and image (above) from Corrie Corfield, who is a Newsreader/Announcer for BBC Radio 4: I’ve been reading the Ships on @BBCRadio4 for nearly 30 years & this is the first time I’ve had a TROPICAL storm. Becoming EXTRA tropical to boot ?#BraceYourselfForErnesto I’ve been reading the Ships on @BBCRadio4 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Laurence Neils, who shares the following guest post: A review of the Tecsun R-9012 by Laurence Neils I have cheap radios. I can’t really justify buying more expensive ones given how much time (not all that much) I spend listening to the short wave broadcasters. The consequence of this […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Lennart Weirell, who writes: I saw the recent posting of a QSL card from WWV. Here is my QSL card from WWVH, Hawaii 5 MHz from 2006 [above]. Thanks for sharing this excellent QSL, Lennart! Update on shutdown of WWV, WWVH and WWVB Post Readers: please keep in mind that […]

Many thanks to Richard Cummings of the website, Cold War Radio Vignettes, who writes: I am putting together a series of blog posts about Radio Free Europe and Czechoslovakia, 1968. In doing so so, I came across a clandestine radio station called Radio Vltava that broadcast from East Germany into Czechoslovakia in support of the Soviet […]

(Source: Inside Radio via Dennis Dura) The proposed sale of an AM station along the Mexico-U.S. border to a group of Chinese investors has stoked fears that the 50,000-watt station will be used to infiltrate the U.S. with Chinese propaganda. Spanish news-talk “W-Radio 690” XEWW (690), which blankets Southern California from Tijuana, is being sold […]

(Source: WAGM via Richard Cuff) MONTICELLO, Maine – The town of Monticello will soon be home to one of the largest short wave radio stations in the world, according to those involved. In this week’s Aroostook 2020, Newssource 8’s Ashley Blackford finds out what this major project could mean for the area. Click here to view […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Hemphill (WD9EQD), who writes with the following update to his previous post: As you may remember, back in May, I picked up a beautiful home-made loop antenna. It was 25 inches on a side with 23 turns of wire. My initial testing showed that it would tune from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Will Schutz, who notes that CountyComm is offering an “Exclusive Limited Overrun Sale” on the “Organic Gray” version of the CountyComm GP5-SSB. The price is $69.95 US and I assume available while supplies last. Click here to view the sale. Click here to read our review of the GP5-SSB.

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Golder, who writes: This is a bit of a long shot. I used to listen to a lot of DX programmes in the 1980s (around 1982-1985 mainly) and one of the stations I used to listen to was BRT’s English service on 1512kHz. Does anyone remember the closing […]

(Source: Radio World via Richard Langley) Beginning in the early 1940s and for more than 50 years, the U.S. armed services produced long-form radio programs on vinyl disc to broadcast to troops overseas. These were usually recorded by the top voice talents in Los Angeles and were heard over the American Forces Radio TV Service. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Kelly, who shares the following: I recently read your article concerning the proposed shutdown of the NIST stations WWV/WWVH. To that end, I have gone ahead and created a Whitehouse petition to see if this decision can be reversed: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/maintain-funding-nist-stations-wwv-wwvh Would there be any way you could perhaps […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Richard Schreiber (KE7KRF), who writes: The NIST article about WWVH was very interesting and informative. It reminded me that lately WWV’s broadcast on 25 MHz has been received from time to time here in southern Arizona. I emailed a report and recording to NIST in late June and received a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares this note from the recent Rockwork Ocean Cliff DXpedition: The most distant AM-DX received during the August 2018 Rockwork Ocean Cliff DXpedition was 558-6WA in Wagin, Western Australia, received during the last session (9 out of 9) at 1252 on August 9th. At 9,154 miles (14,732 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who notes that Hamcrafters appears to be planning a replacement for the Palomar VLF converter. Here’s the product description: The Hamcrafters VLF Converter is based on the original Palomar design and converts 10 KHz – 500 KHz to 4.010 to 4.5 MHz. This allows use of your HF […]

From the Isle of Music, August 19-25, 2018: Our special guest is Ricardito Rivera, former lead vocalist with Los Latinos and Rumbavana. He is still performing in Spain, and we will discuss his career and listen to music from the the Los Latinos period until today. Four options to listen to the transmission: 1. For […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post and SRAA contributor, Tom Laskowski, who shares the following off-air recording of Radio Netherlands and notes: Along with RCI’s Shortwave Listener’s Digest, Radio Netherlands Media Network was another favorite DX program of mine. Here is a recording of an episode from April 9, 1982 which is the first recording of […]

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, […]