The SWLing Post News Feed
Shortwave radio news, pirate radio, numbers stations, shortwave radio reviews and more from The SWLing Post.
Qodosen DX-286 First Impressions
By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM There was quite a bit of excitement in the ultralight radio community in 2024 when folks “discovered” the Qodosen DX-286 radio. The very first version of this radio was the Qodosen SR-286. Its Big Trick was that it was based on the NXP TEF6686 DSP chip which is designed for car […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of NHK (January 16, 2025)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a recent NHK broadcast. Carlos notes: Part of NHK news bulletin (in Japanese) about the 30th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake. Listened in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Click here to view on YouTube.
The Curious Case of the Nibi-Nibi Islands
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Bob Colegrove, who writes: Hi Thomas, No mention of UTC or frequency in the attached. Made my day, but some folks apparently were not amused. Source was “Short-Wave Report” by Hank Bennett, Popular Electronics, Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., New York, p. 86, March 1959. Regards, Bob Colegrove This absolutely made […]
Unlocking Rare DX Treasures with SDR-Console’s Powerful Data File Analyzer Tool
Finding Rare DX with the Data File Analyzer By Don Moore Don’s DX traveling stories can be found in his book Tales of a Vagabond DXer. I’ve been a real jack-of-all-trades in my over five decades of DXing. I began with SWBC (shortwave broadcast) but soon branched out to medium wave and voice utility. Later I […]
Bridging Two Worlds: Shortwave Listening Meets Amateur Radio
When the SWL and Amateur Radio hobbies meet by Dan Greenall Many of us who are also amateur radio operators, got their start in the hobby through simply listening to shortwave radio, or perhaps, to stations in the AM or FM broadcast bands. I suppose it is then inevitable that these two hobbies are bound […]
Why Jeff Returned the Qodosen DX-286
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who notes that he’s published his thoughts about the Qodosen DX-286 [SWLing Post affiliate link] over on his blog, The Herculodge. While the DX-286 had solid AM reception, its audio quality and build didn’t quite meet his needs. In the end, Jeff opted for a more robust choice […]
Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dennis Dura, who shares the following article on the Archiv.org Blog: Vanishing Culture: Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications
Sangean PR-D12: Jeff’s first radio review in ten years
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Jeff McMahon, who writes: Hi Thomas, I hope all is well. The fires here in Los Angeles prompted me to buy 3 radios, including this Sangean PR-D12 (a Tecsun PL-990X arrives in a few days). This is my first radio review in about 10 years: Click here to check […]
Downtempo and warmth for your radio dial
Hi to all SWLing Post community! FastRadioBurst 23 here letting you know what the Imaginary Stations crew are putting out over those airwaves this week. On Saturday 18th January 2025 at 1200 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and also on Sunday 19th January 2025 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 kHz via […]
World Radio Day 2025: Radio and Climate Change
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Paul Jamet, who writes: Hello Thomas, This short message to draw your attention on the following: The theme of World Radio Day on February 13, 2025 is “Radio and Climate Change”: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio?hub=66636 https://www.unesco.org/en/days/world-radio/radio-climate-change?hub=66636 I hope this information is helpful to you. All the best. Paul JAMET Thank you so […]
From NDBs to TIS: A DXer’s Journey Across 1610-1700 kHz
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who shares the following guest post and asks, “Wonder who can add to this list?“: A Look Back – DXing between 1610 and 1700 kHz by Dan Greenall 1. The Caribbean Beacon, Anguilla West Indies 1610 kHz (1985 QSL) 2. NDB stations (non-directional beacons) transmitted call letters […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report Special: Los Angeles Wildfires (Vatican Radio, NHK, CGTN and Kyodo News) from January 11, 2025
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares the following illustrated radio listening reports, all covering the ongoing Los Angeles Wildfires. Part of Vatican Radio’s news bulletin (in Portuguese), listened in Porto Alegre: “In a telegram to the Archbishop of Los Angeles, in the United States of America, Dom José Gómez, Pope […]
Don Moore’s Photo Album: Chota, Peru
Don Moore’s Photo Album: Chota, Peru by Don Moore More of Don’s traveling DX stories can be found in his book Tales of a Vagabond DXer. For DXers of Latin American stations, the period from about 1978-1998 was the golden age of DXing Peru. Those years saw an explosion of shortwave broadcasting from small towns, […]
Congress Orders Sale of Massive Federal Building Steps From National Mall
by Dan Robinson This article appearing in the Washington Business Journal reports that President Joe Biden signed legislation that orders the sale of the Wilbur Cohen Building at 330 Independence Avenue, which has been headquarters to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (ex-Broadcasting Board of Governors) and Voice of America for many decades. Relocation of […]
Radio Prague’s New QSLs and RRI’s Personality of the Year
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor David Iurescia, who shares two articles of interest: Radio Prague’s New 2025 QSL Card Series Radio Romania International’s Personality of the Year 2024
HF Signal Enhancer for SDR: A Hands-On Build by Steve Allen (KZ4TN)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Steve Allen (KZ4TN), who shares the following guest post: SDR Signal Enhancer by Steve Allen I came across this HF Signal Enhancer for SDR on the RTL-SDR.com website. It was designed and built by Peter Parker, VK3YE from Melbourne, Australia. Below is the link to the video of the […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Vatican Radio (January 10, 2025)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a recent broadcast of African News Panorama via Vatican Radio. Carlos notes: Vatican Radio’s African News Panorama, in English. Angola parliament debates on banning the sale of alcoholic beverages in some places, African Union’s Extraordinary Summit on Agriculture in Uganda, […]
Texas Radio Shortwave: Program Schedule for February 2025
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Terry (N5RTC), who shares the following February 2025 schedule for Texas Radio Shortwave:
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Vatican Radio (January 9, 2025)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a recent Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Vatican Radio’s African News Panorama, in English. Ivory Coast’s Alassane Outtara would like to continue serving his country as president, Mozambique opposition leaders Venancio Minolane returns from self-exile, Ghana’s new president names finance […]
Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Vatican Radio (January 8, 2025)
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor and noted political cartoonist, Carlos Latuff, who shares illustrated radio listening report of a recent Vatican Radio broadcast. Carlos notes: Vatican Radio’s African News Panorama, in English. The US has accused the Sudanese Rapid Response Forces of genocide, African-Americans in Ghana, Somalia talks with Egypt over the new African Union’s peacekeeping mission. Listened […]