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by Thomas on (#3FAB8)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who adds the following to our growing archive of radios in film. Mark writes: A clutch of radios, this time from Brooklyn 99: The first is what looks like a scanner behind Terry Jeffords, then an unidentified radio in the book case behind Captain Ray Holt, and finally what I think […]
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The SWLing Post
| Link | https://swling.com/blog |
| Feed | http://swling.com/blog/feed/ |
| Updated | 2025-07-03 19:01 |
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by Thomas on (#3F8VW)
Okay SWLing Post readers: I need you to dig through your off-air recordings for something pretty obscure… Over at the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive, I frequently receive inquiries from educators, researchers, historians, and enthusiasts looking for very specific off-air recordings, often for some worthy project or other. It’s quite a thrill when I can lay […]
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by Thomas on (#3F7DD)
(Source: Southgate ARC) With Solar Minimum right around the corner, sunspot counts are at an almost 10-year low. So it came as a surprise yesterday when a relatively large sunspot emerged near the sun’s eastern limb. AR2699 has a primary dark core larger than Earth with many smaller magnetic condensations trailing behind it, in all stretching […]
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by Thomas on (#3F7AX)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Luke Perry, who writes: I am experiencing a issue with my shortwave reception at my part-time home. I have been helping out my mother so I have brought over my Sony portable, along with the Sony active antenna. I have a constant ‘clicking’ sound starting at about 5 kHz […]
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by Thomas on (#3F78V)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mad Radio DXer, who writes: I want to bring to the attention of your readers & fellow XHDATA D-808 owners that it can accept an external antenna on MW without the need for any modifications. This I found out during a DXpedition to the field when I used around […]
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by Thomas on (#3F76T)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gregg Freeby, who writes: I recently purchased a Sangean ATS-909X and while I really like the radio, I wasn’t too impressed with the envelope pouch/case it came with for protecting the radio. I really like the leather case of the Tecsun PL-880 but it appears to have one major flaw, […]
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by Thomas on (#3F4ZB)
After SWling Post contributor, Guy Atkins, posted the survey results of his excellent Elad FDM-S2 vs AirSpy HF+ weak signal comparison, I received a few questions about the AirSpy HF+ “R3 Bypass†modification Guy mentioned in his post. Guy has not yet performed the modification on his HF+–neither have I–but he points out that others […]
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by Thomas on (#3F4EC)
Many thanks to an SWLing Post contributor @experimradio who shares the following information from the FCC website: Experiment authorized by FCC: WJ2XGB, 1800 kHz https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=202374&x=. [PDF] Our Texzon Wireless Power™ system allows the Earth itself to be used for clean, safe and efficient transfer of power between any two points on the globe, wirelessly. The system represents […]
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by Thomas on (#3F4CR)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan Cholakov, who shares the following video where he compares the SDRplay RSP1A and the AirSpy HF+ software defined radios on shortwave and mediumwave: Click here to watch on YouTube.
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by Thomas on (#3F4BJ)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, G. Koopal, who who sent a tip regarding RTI’s French language service leaving shortwave. I followed up directly with RTI and received the following reply from their French language service team: [English Translation] We have just announced this news in the last “courriers des auditeurs†this Sunday, February 4th. From […]
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by Thomas on (#3F2BQ)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares the following guest post: ICOM’s IC-R8600: Can this mega-radio stay in the ring with big gun “legacy†receivers when it comes to shortwave band reception? by Dan Robinson When ICOM rolled out its new wideband receiver, the IC-R8600, I immediately took an interest in it. […]
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by Guy Atkins on (#3F1TY)
Looking north toward Cape Lookout, Oregon, near the site of my SDR receiver recordings. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. In my original article 10 days ago, I set up a SWLing Post reader poll to let you give your opinion on which shortwave recordings within four pairs of audio files provided the most intelligible result. […]
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by Thomas on (#3EZE3)
Many thanks to Mark Stafford who shares the following news: RIP Tom Taylor/ Barry Stephens a Short Wave Pirate Radio Legend Just got some very bad news: Barry Stephens (Tom Taylor) of European Music Radio fame has died. To many of us learning the art of Pirate Radio Broadcasting in the South East of England […]
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by Bill Tilford on (#3EZ0R)
From the Isle of Music, February 4-10, 2018 For our second anniversary episode, our special guest will be singer/composer/guitarist William Vivanco. We will be conversing in English and Spanish as well as listening to some great music. Also, some Habana Abierta. 1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of […]
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by Thomas on (#3EXN6)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Mander, who writes: I’ve recently really been enjoying swling.com. Thanks for having such a great resource online with shortwave radio and hardware reviews, tips and more! I started listening to shortwave on an old Philips portable receiver back in the late 70’s as a teenager. Recently, after decades of […]
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by Thomas on (#3EXJZ)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike, who writes: I’ve recently picked up an XHDATA D-808 and I’ve noticed a rather bothersome problem with it. When I have headphones plugged in and I switch bands, such as from SW to FM, a rather loud “pop†is emitted through my headphones during the band switching. This […]
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by Thomas on (#3ETGA)
The following review first appeared in the January 2018 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. Those who know me know I’m all about travel, and all the things that make the travel experience enjoyable. I like to pack light, taking only the essentials, and if I’m traveling by air, I can easily fit two weeks of fun […]
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by Thomas on (#3EQHP)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who notes that Ken Burns’ film, Empire of the Air is now streaming on YouTube. This impressive documentary was originally broadcast in 1992. The following is a summary taken from the Empire of the Air website: For 50 years radio dominated the airwaves and the American consciousness […]
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by Thomas on (#3EQFR)
Many of you likely know I’m fascinated by remote islands and communities–especially the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. If you’ve been an SWL for a few decades you likely also remember the very popular Radio St. Helena day! We’ve posted several articles about it in the past–click here to […]
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by Thomas on (#3EQFT)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes: Your recent Sangean HD review just brought this to mind: http://radiostationworld.com Just select your area, get the subs right off streaming…they’re all there. He has shortwave broadcasters, too. Enjoy! Thanks for thew tip, Ron! I like how the site is based on geographic regions.
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by Thomas on (#3EQFV)
(Source: Sean Gilbert via WRTH Facebook) As in past seasons, WRTH is pleased to announce that an update file for the B17 broadcast schedules is now available for free download from http://www.wrth.com This update contains changes, additions and frequency cancellations; new stations that have become active since WRTH was published; and the revised full schedules of […]
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by Thomas on (#3EMTG)
(Source: Radio Romania International via David Iurescia, LW4DAF) February 13 is a day to celebrate radio, to improve international cooperation between broadcasters and to encourage major networks and community radios to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves. The theme of World Radio Day this year is “Radio and Sportsâ€. […]
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by Thomas on (#3EMRH)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rawad Hamwi, who writes: Hi Thomas Recently I was looking over the internet for some high resolution images for an opened Sony ICF-SW7600GR, but could not find much. So…I took the “risk†and I opened mine! The main purpose was to clean it from dust, since I am living […]
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by Thomas on (#3EMPP)
SWLing Post readers may have already heard Brother Stair back on the air this past weekend. Stair was released on January 24 with a $750,000 bail. Click here to read the story at The Post and Courier. In truth, Brother Stair never really left the shortwaves. WBCQ (and others?) replayed archived Overcomer Ministry shows while […]
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by Thomas on (#3EMJM)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who shares this news/media from the BBC World Service: Could broadcasting school lessons solve Africa’s education crisis? The BBC spoke to a pupil in the Democratic Republic of Congo who is learning through the radio. Click here to view on the BBC World Service website. At Ears […]
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by Thomas on (#3EKFP)
(Source: BBC Media Centre via Mike Hansgen) The BBC is launching new daily radio services which will be aired Monday to Friday in Amharic, Afaan Oromo and Tigrinya. The new language services have been available online since September 2017 when they launched websites and Facebook pages in all three languages. The new radio services will […]
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by Thomas on (#3EJCP)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who shares the following guest post: Backpack Shack 2.0 by Tom Lebryk Like Audiophile speakers, it could be said that “antennas are foreverâ€. They tend to not become obsolete like all of our favorite electronic gear (a good one is worth the trouble). And antennas don’t care if the […]
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by Thomas on (#3EGRM)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who notes that one of his friends is selling a radio with a little history: [For] anyone interested in an older SONY portable with a bit of history attached (he was VOA East Europe and Jerusalem correspondent). Thanks for the tip Dan. Now, please, someone purchase this […]
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by Thomas on (#3EFYX)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ivan (NO2CW), who writes: Hello, I posted on YouTube my review of the Sangean WFR-28 FM and Wifi Internet radio receiver. In particular I was able to sideload my directory of English Language broadcast stations from over 100 countries using their “Favorites†menu. It now sounds like the good old […]
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by Thomas on (#3EFX9)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, James Hukill (K7NEO), who writes: So I just about wrapping up reading a new book that has morse code mentioned as a part of the plot in darn near 80% of the book. Well and not in a cheese demeaning way. [Stephenson] is one of my favorite authors and […]
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by Thomas on (#3EFW6)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Kenneth Wigger, who writes: One Friday evening I contacted Larry W6LVP and asked a question about the kind of coax that he would recommend for his Magnetic Loop antenna. I was surprised to get a response with technical information within an hour or so. With this kind of customer service […]
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by Thomas on (#3EFTP)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor TheReportOfTheWeek who shares the following update: This Sunday (January 28th) and next Sunday (February 4th) there will be test transmissions of VORW Radio International via radio station WINB in Pennsylvania. These tests are beamed toward North America but may be heard elsewhere, reception reports are very much appreciated to gauge effectiveness. Sunday 2100 […]
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by Thomas on (#3EFTR)
SWLing Post readers might recall that, last year, I had the distinctly great honor of presenting at the 2017 Radio Preservation Task Force meeting at the Library of Congress. Several readers have asked me to share my experiences at the conference, so I’ll note the conference highlights here. I attended all three days of the […]
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by Thomas on (#3EDVY)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, John Harper (AE5X), who writes: I thought you and your readers might be interested in this […] a cool little radio I learned about from the YouTube channel of a drone flyer I follow. I like the craftsmanship: Click here to view on YouTube. Many thanks for sharing this, […]
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by Thomas on (#3EC8Y)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Vance Thompson, who writes: Thought you might be interested to see that several SRF-39FP radios have been up on eBay recently at a fairly reasonable price. I picked one up when they first were posted, but the price has gone down the last couple of days and even has […]
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by Thomas on (#3EBTZ)
Many of you know I’m quite a fan of the Elecraft KX2. I take this little transceiver along almost any time I travel. Not only is it a full-featured ham radio transceiver, but it’s also an exceptional shortwave broadcast receiver. The KX2 is a quality US-built rig (like all of Elecraft’s gear) but I’ve never […]
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by Thomas on (#3EB37)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who shares a link to this Cubic Defense Applications Model 4400DF communications receiver on eBay. I’ve been following this listing the past few days–the seller actually launched the item with a very low starting bid. eBay unearths so many products that I would have never known existed. […]
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by Thomas on (#3E86H)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Anil Raj, who writes: I wanted to share a small but useful hack with your readers. I use a common garden variety smartphone “Powerbank†10,000 mAH Li Ion pack to power my Sony 7600GR which is perfectly happy with the 5V which the pack supplies. [See photo above.] I […]
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by Thomas on (#3E7WW)
(Source TX Factor) Welcome to our 20th episode! In this revamped show we conclude our look at innovative amateur radio products from Hamfest 2017, and Bob goes back to basics with an overview of setting up an inexpensive SDR dongle. We have two great prizes to give away in our free-to-enter draw. An RSP1A SDR […]
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by Guy Atkins on (#3E6Z1)
I’m currently spending the better part of a week at Cape Lookout State Park on the Oregon coast, with a great view of the ocean through tall evergreen trees. This is one of my favorite parks in the Pacific Northwest, especially when DXing during the blustery winters from one of the nice cabins at Cape […]
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by Thomas on (#3E5HM)
Last year, at Hamvention, I picked up a Panasonic RF-2200 for $70. It came with the original box, manual and was in superb cosmetic condition. The seller told me that over the years he exclusively used the radio to listen to a local FM station. At that price, I didn’t hesitate to make the purchase […]
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by Bill Tilford on (#3E4YA)
From the Isle of Music, January 28-February 3, 2018 This week brings us a Cuban dance party. 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, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK) […]
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by Thomas on (#3E1TP)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris, who writes: Last weekend, I watched a few old James Bond movies and this caught my attention when Blofeld was listening to a shortwave broadcast: Can anyone identify this radio? Post readers: Please comment if you can ID this radio model!
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by Thomas on (#3E1PJ)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who shares this update about using the Otterbox dry box as a case for the XHDATA D-808. Mark writes: I was mistaken in my belief that Otterbox no longer make dry boxes. It seems like a year ago they decided to “return to their roots†and started […]
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by Thomas on (#3DZ67)
After posting a story last week about finding a home for the old RCA transmitter at the former RCI Sackville site, I was approached by CBC reporter, Tori Weldon, who recently put together this piece: (Source: CBC News) ‘It’s like Frankenstein’s lab’: Massive 78-year-old transmitter for sale Mi’kmaq group hopes it finds ‘a good home’ A […]
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by Thomas on (#3DYG4)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Hawkins, who writes: Operation Chromite (2016) is a South Korean film about the invasion of Inchon by UN forces in September, 1950. This film began streaming on Netflix in the USA on January 15, 2018 and is in the Korean and English languages. The English language subtitles run […]
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by Thomas on (#3DW5K)
On Friday, I managed to set aside an hour to finally do a video comparison of the Digitech AR-1780 and the new XHDATA D-808. I placed a table in my driveway, far away from any source of RFI, and set up the radios in identical configurations: same orientation, antennas fully-extended, same AM bandwidth (4.0 kHz), […]
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by Thomas on (#3DW6M)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul McDonough, who notes that CountyComm current has lowered the price of the latest version of the CountyComm GP5-SSB by $20 this weekend (a 48 hour sale which started yesterday). Read our review of the GP5-SSB here. Click here to view the sale on CountyComm’s website.
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by Thomas on (#3DT9J)
In 2016, I purchased portable shortwave magnetic loop antenna designed and built by Paul Karlstrand in Australia. I posted a “preliminary†review of this antenna in 2016 and since then have taken this loop on many travels. SWling Post contributor, Ron, recently noted that Jay Allen reviewed one of Paul’s inductively-coupled mediumwave magnetic loop antennas. Jay […]
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by Thomas on (#3DQ84)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes: I like to note appearances by shortwave receivers in TV programs…here’s the latest…at the 14 minute mark of the new season of NARCOS (one of the best TV series there is by the way) a ICOM IC-R71A makes an appearance. At the point in the […]
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