The SWLing Post

(Source: Radio Romania International via David Iurescia, LW4DAF) Ten years after WWI and the unification of Greater Romania, the most efficient and popular means of communication was first introduced in Romania: the radio. On November 1, 1928, the newly founded Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation aired its first broadcast. From the very beginning the radio was described […]

The following review first appeared in the October 2017 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine. Earlier this year one of my readers in Australia noted the addition of the Digitech AR-1780 to the product offerings of the Australia and New Zealand-based retailer Jaycar. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that there are few in-country sources […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, James Copeland, who writes: I have enjoyed reading the SWLing Post for years and appreciate all your hard work. I wanted to share something with you that might interest the readers. A few months ago, I was inspired to start writing a radio drama about a number station after […]

This week, I’m looking forward to participating in the three day Radio Preservation Task Force meeting in Washington, DC. The Radio Preservation Task Force (RPTF), a project of the National Recording Preservation Board of the Library of Congress, will be held on November 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2017 at the Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson International Center […]

I love it! Yet another story of a RadioShack store finding opportunity and serving their community in the wake of bankruptcy. Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, for sharing this article from The Citizen Tribune: It is not often that you see a company go out of business and quickly reopen in the […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following tip. Troy writes: While surfing the Net I found the following procedure that is said to “disable soft muting in Tecsun 300-series radios”. I have a PL-390 and this has indeed seemed to work on it but I didn’t notice a difference with […]

Dear SWLing Post readers: As the SWLing Post has grown to a community of over 7,000 daily readers, so to have costs and time. I’m reaching out today in a campaign to ask for your support to insure this site’s future. In short: If you have the means and would like to support the […]

(Source: RTL-SDR.com) OUTERNET DREAMCATCHER SALE IS A STEAL: $39 USD RTL-SDR + COMPUTING BOARD ALL-IN-ONE The Outernet Dreamcatcher has recently gone on sale and is now only $39 USD. Previously it was priced at $79 and $59 USD. The Dreamcatcher is an RTL-SDR and computing board all built onto the same PCB. It has two SMA […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who notes: The Eton Field BT’s price has been reduced to $110.49 since last Monday on Amazon. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link). Click here to read Troy’s recent comparison of the Field BT to the Tecsun S-8800.

Halloween is typically the most active day of the year for shortwave pirates. Halloween falls on Tuesday, October 31st, however you should start listening for activity this weekend as the pirates emerge like The Great Pumpkin! Here are three things you’ll want to do this weekend and on Halloween night: 1. Hobby Broadcasting Blog Check out […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Rolf Snijder, who writes: I have made the same modification to the Tecsun PL-680, that was done [by many on the] PL-660 earlier. The PL-680 is now a great radio; I think now one of the best! I do not own a PL-660, so I cannot compare. Photo detail For […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Walker who notes that, according to their latest schedule, Deutsche Welle has dropped English language shortwave services. Paul shared the following links: Current shortwave schedule: http://www.dw.com/downloads/41133929/b17webkw.pdf Linked from this page: http://www.dw.com/en/dw-radio-programs/a-1777509 English only gets one hour a day on satellite http://www.dw.com/downloads/41133930/b17websat.pdf

(Source: Vancouver Sun via William Lee) Victor Jaeggle loved radios. “He had a big, shortwave radio he kept by his bedside,” said his daughter, Susan. “This thing would buzz all night. He’d have headphones on, listening to San Francisco, the British news. He was just a radio junkie.” Jaeggle wasn’t just a radio listener, he […]

(Source: WAFF) A Guntersville man is being slapped with a $15,000 fine from the Federal Communications Commission. They say he’s been operating an illegal radio station. Some people in the neighborhood say they were aware of Michael Dudley’s radio operation. Others say they weren’t, but many people say it’s a pretty stiff penalty. The FCC […]

(Source: Contributor Sam Matheny via the NAB Blog) In recent months, the Southeast U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been pummeled by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The wildfires in California have been equally devastating. These storms and fires have wreaked havoc on communications networks and challenged public safety officials’ ability to get lifeline […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, George T, who writes: Just a tip that I found a bargain price on eBay for a new Tecsun PL-660. The price is £50.90 with free P&P…best I’ve ever seen. I grabbed one. The unit ships from China. The seller has a 97.4% positive rating and apparently sells a high […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Best-selling Crosley biographer to speak at National VOA Museum of Broadcasting Nov. 10 Rusty McClure, author of the New York Times bestseller, Crosley: Two Brothers and a Business Empire that Transformed a Nation, will speak Friday, Nov. 10 at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester. Cost to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Grant, who comments on our recent post about weather radios: I’ve been pretty happy with the Reecom R-1650. I’ve had it over 10 years and it’s been a solid performer. It has a long battery backup on 4 AA’s. It also does AM/FM, has alarm out, antenna in, audio out etc. It’s fairly smart […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Steve Lebkuecher, who comments on our recent post about weather radios: I have the Sangean CL-100 and highly recommend the radio for several reasons and in fact I bought several for family members as gifts. The Sangean CL-100 looks like an alarm clock and is what I use as an […]

(Source: The Washington Post) Federal regulators have voted to eliminate a longstanding rule covering radio and television stations, in a move that could ultimately reshape the nation’s media landscape. The regulation, which was first adopted almost 80 years ago, requires broadcasters to have a physical studio in or near the areas where they have a […]

Today I noticed that Amazon is offering an excellent price on the fine performing Tecsun PL-310ET portable AM-FM-SW radio. The current sale price is $39.80 with free shipping for Amazon Prime members. This is a good price on a compact portable radio normally selling for $48.00. Besides being a worthy value in a low cost […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jim T, who writes with the following inquiry: Wondering if you can give me some guidance re: NOAA weather radios. We’re looking to be better prepared for disasters, bad weather etc. and have narrowed our radio candidates to CC Crane, Sangean and Kaito. AM/FM would be nice, hand cranking […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who notes that Radio Exterior de España’s has announced winter frequency changes on their website. David passed along an English (Google) translation of the REE notice: Due to the winter time change, from October 29, Radio Exterior of Spain changes its emission frequencies in Short Wave. […]

(Source: Radio World via Richard Langley) Among the many victims of Hurricane Irma in September was the transmitter/antenna farm of Radio Miami International, WRMI in Okeechobee, located on a cattle ranch 40 miles inland from Port St. Lucie on Florida’s Atlantic coast. On Sunday Sept. 10, Irma’s roaring winds tore across the flat plains housing […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Howard Bailen, who shares this story and tip for other Sony ICF-2010 owners: I had a few minutes of panic earlier today thinking my ever-loving SONY 2010 had given up the ghost. Turned it on with the electric cord….and nothing. Put in fresh batteries…and nothing. I started planning a […]

(Source: Southgate ARC) Radio ham’s HAARP experiment The IEEE Spectrum reports on the Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions made from Alaska’s HAARP facility by radio amateur Chris Fallen KL3WX In late September, Christopher Fallen and technicians at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) near Gakona, Alaska, switched on a giant array of 180 antennas. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that he has published a review of the Tivdio V-115 on his website. Dave’s conclusion? This little receiver is a “Decent Low Cost Pocket Set.” I would whole-heartedly agree. I mean, this little radio is widely available on Amazon and eBay for around $19.00 – 25.00 US including […]

(Source: Elena Enache and Cristina Mateescu via email) Dear listener, On 5th November, Radio Romania International will be broadcasting its annual “Listener’s Day” programme in which we ask you, the listeners, what you think of the hot topics of the day. And this year’s topic is: “Fake news and trust in the media”. What’s your experience […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who notes that C. Crane is shipping a free AC Adapter with their CC Skywave portable (see image above). The total package price is $89.99. Note that this is for the original CC Skywave, which I think is a brilliant little radio and one of my favorite […]

(Source: Tom Taylor) EMR Relays + More Scheduled Transmissions from Radio City are: 3rd Saturday at 08.00 to 09.00 UTC on 9510 kHz with Repeats all other Saturdays 4th Saturday at 12.00 to 13.00 UTC on 7265 kHz via Hamburger Lokalradio Contact address remains: citymorecars@yahoo.ca Saturday HLR: 06.00 to 10.00 UTC, on 6190 KHz 10.00 […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who notes that the recent ARRL review of the Icom IC-R8600 is available as a free download via Icom America. Click here to download (PDF). Note that Dave continuously updates his own review of the IC-R8600 as well. Thanks for the tip, Dave!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who notes that Heartland America is selling several refurbished Grundig Executive receivers on eBay. Troy scored a great deal on a Sattelit yesterday. These units are set up as auctions, but don’t seem to be very active. If you can snag an Executive Sattelit for under $140 […]

(Source: Gary DeBock via YouTube) An on-site description of the ocean cliff environment, FSL antennas and DXpedition results after the breakthrough August 2017 trip to the Oregon coast just north of Manzanita. Multiple South Pacific receptions included a greatly revitalized 558-Fiji, two Western Australian MW stations, five receptions of 531-More FM in New Zealand, etc. (by […]

(Source: Andrew Yoder) Next Global HF Weekend: November 3-5, 2017 It’s still a couple weeks away, so be sure to mark the next Global HF Pirate Weekend on your calendar. The idea behind the Global HF Weekends are to promote friendship through radio around the world. The hope is that listeners will be able to […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia (LW4DAF), who shares the following from Radio Romania International: (Source: Radio Romania International) 2017 Listener’s Day on RRI You are invited to take part in our 2017 edition of Listener’s Day on RRI, a show devoted entirely to you, our listeners Dear friends, Sunday, November 5, 2017, we will be […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dmitry Elagin, who shares the following: Good afternoon! I became the owner of Tecsun S-8800 recently. I made two videos – unpacking and the overview of the receiver: Click here to view on YouTube. Click here to view on YouTube. I hope these videos will be useful to you. […]

As a result of numerous responses to another video I posted on my YouTube channel a few weeks ago, I have now prepared a video that gives you a detailed look at using the Behringer Xenyx Q802 USB mixing console. The unit is wired up to four receivers, then sent off to a pair of powered […]

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with my good friend, BJ Leiderman. If you ever listen to public radio programming, especially NPR, you’ve probably heard BJ’s name. BJ is a musician, singer, and composer, and has written the bulk of the theme music you hear on National Public Radio (NPR). His music is hard […]

(Source: AP) With no end in sight for the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, the radio industry is putting its best foot forward to help the folks on the ground. This week, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations, and a number of U.S. broadcasters announced they would fund […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tom Taylor, who shares the following schedule: EMR Relays + More Scheduled Transmissions from Radio City are: 3rd Saturday at 08.00 to 09.00 UTC on 9510 kHz with Repeats all other Saturdays 4th Saturday at 12.00 to 13.00 UTC on 7265 kHz via Hamburger Lokalradio Contact address remains: citymorecars@yahoo.ca […]

Earlier today, I published a Guest Post from SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel. Somehow, while wrangling with embedded table code, I managed to delete nearly half of his post prior to publishing and heading into town for the day. I’ve just corrected his post which now includes all of his comparison videos and his conclusion. […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, for producing this excellent comparison of the Tecsun S-8800 and Grundig Field BT “lunchbox” radios: The Lunchbox Showdown by Troy Riedel I have been watching with interest all of the information & reviews of the new Tecsun S-8800. Frankly, I was especially interested in how it would […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post sponsor, Bob Raymond with DXtreme Software, for sharing the following press release: Product Announcement: DXtreme Monitor Log 11™ DXtreme Software™ has released a new version of its popular logging program for radio monitoring enthusiasts: DXtreme Monitor Log 11. Monitor Log 11 lets listeners and DXers log the stations they’ve heard […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ed, who shares the following news from the DRM Consortium via their newsletter: Digital Radio Mondiale: Audio Codec xHE-AAC at No Additional Cost to Boost DRM Receiver Industry Via Licensing Corporation, a global intellectual property solutions provider, announced that the highly efficient MPEG xHE-AAC audio codec (Extended High Efficiency […]

(Source: HFCC via Larry W) International Radio for Disaster Relief (IRDR) Humanitarian Aspects of HFCC Activities From its infancy since 1920s shortwave radio has been associated with its potential of being a communication tool in emergencies. This use of shortwave radio is still very much present among amateur radio enthusiasts for example, who discovered its […]

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul, who writes: I got an email from Countycomm this morning saying that the GP5-SSB is 20% off, making it $71.99. I thought some of your readers might like to know. Keep up your great website! Many thanks for the tip, Paul! That is a good deal for the […]

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I actively record and index radio spectrum recordings via my various software defined receivers. Indeed, I have at least 50 TB of SDR spectrum recordings at the moment–and that number is growing! I was just chatting with SWLing Post contributor, Mark Fahey, and a familiar topic came up: the […]