The SWLing Post

Check out this brilliant episode of the Radio Survivor podcast which features our Shortwaveologist friend, David Goren along with John Anderson of Brooklyn College: (Source: Radio Survivor) There are more unlicensed pirate radio stations in New York City than licensed stations. The borough of Brooklyn is a particular hotspot. Producer and journalist David Goren has […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Neil Goldstein, who shares the following guest post which originally appeared on his blog, Fofio: Radios I Have Known #2 The old, the new, and the Select-A-Tenna by Neil Goldstein After promising this series a year and a half ago, I finally have started digging through the collection, and will start […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who shares the following 1944 film via YouTube: Click here to view on YouTube.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who has discovered yet another radio in film: Spotted this in the 1961 sci-fi movie, ‘The Day the Earth Caught Fire‘. I’m guessing it’s an old military set. I believe it is indeed, Mark! Perhaps an intrepid SWLing Post reader can sort out the model number? Please […]

(Source: ABC Science via William Lee) Astronomers detect signal from the dawn of the universe, using simple antenna in WA outback They have picked up a radio signature produced just 180 million years after the Big Bang using a simple antenna in the West Australian outback. The ground breaking discovery, reported today in the journal Nature, […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen, who shares the following story from Forsythe County News (which could win Headline of the Year) and notes, “No One Is Safe! Build a bunker!”: University of Alabama searching for family of owner of radio struck by meteorite If anyone in Forsyth County knows the family of […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Equinox ‘cracks’ forming in Earth’s magnetic field The vernal equinox is less than 10 days away. That means one thing: Cracks are opening in Earth’s magnetic field. The seasonal phenomenon is known as the “Russell-McPherron effect,” named after the researchers who first explained it more than 40 years ago. These “equinox cracks” […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Peter Wilson, for sharing the following guest post and DXpedition report: Sony ICF-M780SL MWDX on Gran Canaria by Peter Wilson I have spent the last two months in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. I travelled light and didn’t bring my radio/SDR collection with me. A portable […]

(Source: Wired via David Korchin) SOME RETIREES TAKE up fly fishing. Others pick up golf. But when Roland—or “F5ZV,” as he’s known on ham radio—left his job in Belfort, France a decade ago, he devoted his newfound leisure to a far more peculiar hobby: hunting radiosondes. The white plastic boxes contain instruments to measure things […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Charlie Liberto (W4MEC) for the following guest post: Vintage receiver frequency counter…sort of by Charlie Liberto (W4MEC) You probably know what a log book is, and maybe a logarithm, but do you know what a ‘Logging Scale’ was meant for? If you are a modern SWL’er, and have a […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, @experimradio, who notes: Experimental Radio Service license renewed 1 March 2018 for this HF station. Good luck extracting useful intelligence from this: https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=170747&x=. Copy of license: https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=205708&x=. Thank you for the tip! You’re right–vast portions of this documentation have been marked out.

(Source: Kuwait News Agency via Mike Hansgen) KUWAIT, March 8 (KUNA) — Minister of Information Mohammad Al-Jabri on Thursday opened a project updating shortwave transmitters from analogue to digital radio mondiale (DRM) broadcasting systems, at Kabd radio station. This is a new achievement for the ministry to be added to a series of vital projects […]

Earlier this year, we posted a note by Marc Goldstein who is in the process of dismantling the Radio Canada International Sackville, New Brunswick, transmitter building. Marc is tasked with selling some of the equipment that used to make this site hum. The First Nations group who now own the site are using the revenue from […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes: Here is a handy tip for those using small magnetic loops, like the Grundig AN-200. Using a simple Lazy Susan makes rotating the loop a lot easier as in the picture attached. It gives you a very smooth 360 degree rotation using a simple […]

(Source: Aljazeera via Mike Hansgen) Despite the legal challenges, Indigenous communities use radio to ‘keep their language and culture alive’. Sumpango, Guatemala – Sitting in a courtyard, wearing an indigenous huipil dress, Amanda Chiquito glows as she talks about the challenges and successes of working with the community radio station in Sumpango Sacatepequez, Guatemala. “There […]

(Source: Westword via Mike Hansgen) Will the FCC Sink Pirate Radio in Colorado? Word spread quickly about the mysterious unmarked black SUV parked at a highway exit just outside the town of Ward on January 24. In the self-sufficient mountain community perched at 9,500 feet, strangers always attract attention. But the strangers in the SUV […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rawad Hamwi, who writes: Recently, I’d acquired a vintage Sony ICF-SW11 from my grandparents and it was in a good shape. After removing its back cover, I did some housekeeping inside and took couple of photos: I know that this radio is somehow a basic shortwave receiver, lacking some features […]

Many thanks to Raoul with Jazz From The Left, who writes: My program, Jazz from the Left, continues on WRMI. With a slight schedule change. From Jeff White: “We now have Jazz from the Left on at 0000 UTC Wednesday on 7730 kHz, and at 0100 UTC Thursday on 5850, 9395 and 9455 kHz.” By […]

Last week, I attended the 31st annual Winter SWL Fest in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. This was the ninth year in a row I made the pilgrimage to join my radio friends and family–it was certainly a ‘Fest to be remembered! I made the trip by car, leaving Monday, February 26 and spent two nights in […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors, Richard Langley and Robert Gulley, who shares this news item from the BBC: Morse code shoes send toe tapping texts at MWC 2018 A pair of smart shoes has been created to let industrial workers keep in touch via toe-typed coded messages. The footwear was inspired by Morse code, […]

Some of you might have noticed error messages while trying to load the SWLing Post recently. After some server upgrades, the site started having a few issues. Our host is helping us sort through it now and we’ll hopefully have any problems resolved within a day or so. Sorry for the inconvenience–thanks for understanding! -Thomas

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Chris Smolinski, who shares the following guest post. Note that this post has also been published on Chris’ excellent blog, Radiohobbyist.org: Listening To Pirate Radio Stations from South America by Chris Smolinski Looking for a new DX challenge? In addition to shortwave pirate stations in the USA, and […]

Yesterday, while driving home from the Winter SWL Fest, I learned that inventor Trevor Baylis passed away at the age of 80. Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post contributors who sent me news articles and obituaries. I’m honored to have spoken with Mr. Baylis over the years; he’s a brilliant, caring fellow with […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rob Gray, who writes: I took this snap today while visiting in St. Petersburg Russia for a few months. Not exciting radios by any means, but given this store was something like a Best Buy, I thought it was interesting that shortwave still has a small presence. Thanks for […]

Here at the Winter SWL Fest, there has been much chatter about the new Ampegon rotatable antenna and transmitter system at WBCQ. WBCQ made the following press releasee yesterday: (Source: WBCQ) For Immediate Release: March 2, 2018 WBCQ The Planet Announces New Showcase Radio Facility Plymouth Meeting, PA: WBCQ The Planet announced today that it […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TheReportOfTheWeek, who writes: Starting this Thursday (March 1st) I will be conducting a test transmission of VORW Radio Int. on 5950 kHz via radio station WRMI. The intended reception area is the state of Florida! This is understandably tricky considering that the transmitter site is in the target area […]

(Source: Bloomberg via Dave Zantow) IHeart Prepares for Bankruptcy as Soon as This Weekend Embattled IHeartMedia Inc. is circulating documents for a bankruptcy filing that could come as soon as this weekend for the biggest U.S. radio broadcaster. Advisers to some of iHeart’s senior creditors have been shown bankruptcy papers that would be used on […]

(Source: The Hundu via Mike Hansgen) After facing criticism for its failure to warn fishermen at sea during Cyclone Ockhi, the State government plans to use shortwave radio broadcasts to provide vital information. The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) will soon hold a meeting with the Regional Meteorological Centre and All India Radio […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who writes: While it can be useful for picking up components at short notice, sells kits, and has a small amount of CB / licence free radio equipment, it seems to be a peculiar mixture of computer cables, battery powered children’s cars, overpriced PC parts, chargers, disco […]

(Source: ARRL via Ron) ARRL has asked the FCC to expand HF privileges for Technician licensees to include limited phone privileges on 75, 40, and 15 meters, plus RTTY and digital mode privileges on 80, 40, 15, and 10 meters. The FCC has not yet invited public comment on the proposals, which stem from recommendations […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Svein Tore, who writes: I’m blind. The type of shortwave radio I like best, is the analogue type with a tuning wheel, because I don’t need sight to use it, and I have full control over the receiver. I would like to buy a radio with SSB, but it seems […]

From the Isle of Music, March 4-10, 2018 Part 2 of 2 parts This week, Part 2 of our special guest, saxophonist/composer/bandleader Alexey León, 1st Place winner in the Interpretation category at JoJazz 2017. He already has a very impressive musical resume, and in one of our rare interviews in English, we’ll talk about his […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hirst, who adds the following to our growing archive of radios in film. Mark writes: I’d spotted this radio in the Netflix time travelling series Travelers early on, but it was never in focus to nail a decent image. In spite of that, it does have a distinctive design that SWLing readers […]

(Source: Vimeo via David Korchin) A short teaser for the documentary RAMS, about legendary German designer Dieter Rams. A film by Gary Hustwit (Helvetica, Objectified, Urbanized), with original music by Brian Eno. hustwit.com/rams For over fifty years, Dieter Rams has left an indelible mark on the field of product design and the world at large […]

(Source: Henley Standard via Jonathan Marks) THE BBC wants to install 18 new satellite dishes at its monitoring station at Crowsley Park, near Sonning Common. Two existing dishes would also be removed and three others would be relocated. The BBC uses the site as a receiving station, working in tandem with the BBC Monitoring Service […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Aaron Kuhn, who shared the following story from CBS News: Recreated Al Capone cell inaccurate — and teen notices PHILADELPHIA — A sharp-eyed boy who noticed that the vintage radio inside gangster Al Capone’s recreated Philadelphia prison cell wasn’t historically accurate has delivered a replacement. Thirteen-year-old Joey Warchal — […]

A few months ago, the radio manufacturer Tivdio contacted me to see if I would be interested in evaluating their new Tivdio HR-11S self-powered emergency radio. I receive requests like this frequently, and often pass on the opportunity since I generally don’t have the time to evaluate the overwhelming number of inexpensive DSP radios that […]

I just noticed that the price for the TIVDIO V-115 has been lowered to $18.99 US shipped on Amazon.com. Click here to read our previous reviews of this radio. This is the lowest price for the V-115 I’ve seen on Amazon. As I mention with any Amazon sale–a now standard disclaimer–the price could change at any moment. […]

I’ve been following news about the Yaesu FT-818: the next iteration of the venerable Yaesu FT-817ND QRP general coverage transceiver. The FT-817 series has been on the market for nearly two decades. I remember purchasing one of the first production models when I lived in the UK in 2001. It was a revolutionary radio at […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who writes: Regarding the last couple of posts recently about what affects Space Weather (and HF radio communications), this talk last week from Solar scientist Joan Burkepile of the High Altitude Observatory discusses what causes Radiation storms from Coronal Mass Ejections. She makes it interesting from a physics […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mad Radio DXer, who writes: I said I would share my results for attempting to receive LW signals on the XHDATA D-808, & if I can use a longwire to improve reception on this radio. This was after posting videos when I used around 50 metres of longwire connected […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Seyfi Genç, who writes: I’m a strict follower of your blog and of course a SW listener and HAM (TA2MOK) from Istanbul Turkey. I bought a Harris RF 505A last week for just $30 US! I need to datasheet to repair it. I didn’t find it on internet. Thank you. […]

Posted by SWLing Post contributor Troy Riedel: I just noticed something on eBay. Seller “playloudfm” based in Greece (100% feedback rating), the first to offer the high gain external ferrite antenna for the Tecsun PL-360/PL-365/County Comm GP5, has a new offering: From the seller’s listing: – Frequency: 530Khz – 1710Khz – Tunable – Passive, No […]

From the Isle of Music, February 25-March 3, 2018 Part 1 of 2 parts This week and next, our special guest is saxophonist/composer/bandleader Alexey León, 1st Place winner in the Interpretation category at JoJazz 2017. He already has a very impressive musical resume, and in one of our rare interviews in English, we’ll talk about […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ralf Bender, who writes: Here a link to a German radio station website, which yesterday released that a Russian broadcaster is back on air. In times when many broadcasters/stations are closed [this is] good news. Here there original German website: https://www.radioeins.de/programm/sendungen/medienmagazin/radio_news/beitraege/2018/kamtschatka.html And here with automatic Google translation: Kamchatka on shortwave […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ralph (AJ4BI), who writes I absolutely love your blog! Herrington is having a half-price sale on their Grundig Executive Satellit for $99.95 Click here to view the deal. Frys has dropped the price to $81.91. They now appear to be only available through the local Frys stores. Thanks for the […]

Many thanks to Jon Hudson at SDRplay who produced the following excellent instructional video about setting up SDR-Console V3 for remote use. Jon writes: For SDR Console users, this video guide shows you how to access other people’s SDRs and how to add your own. If you are wanting to add your own SDR for […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Grant Porter, who notes that YouTube reviewer TheReportOfTheWeek talks his obsession with shortwave radio in his latest episode: Click here to view this video on YouTube. Note that the TheReportOfTheWeek produces a weekly shortwave radio show called VORW International. Check out his schedule is below: THURSDAY VORW Radio Broadcasts: […]