Monthly Archives: December 2013

Hidden feature: Displaying the Tecsun PL-880 date of manufacture

Tecsun-PL-880-Manufacturing-date-SWLing-Post

Thanks to SWLing Post reader, Tim, we know how to display (what we believe is) the date of manufacture for your Tecsun PL-880:

1.) With the radio turned off, simply press and hold the “AM BW” button and the full display panel will turn on.

2.) Then press and hold the “AM BW” again and your 880?s firmware version will display (a four digit number).

3.) Finally, by pressing and holding the “AM BW” button one more time, a date appears in a year-month-day format. For example, my PL-880 (see above) was manufactured on November 13, 2013.

Again, we have no confirmation from Tecsun if this is truly the date of manufacture, but there is a strong possibility.

You can follow all Tecsun PL-880 updates by bookmarking/checking this link.

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Alex updates shortwave frequency charts for Winter season

AlexChartsSWLing Post reader, Alex, has just informed me that he’s updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts once again. Alex writes:

“I am pleased to say I have just managed to put up the latest charts for listening in Europe in all languages on the site shortwavetimes.com.

There’s also a version 2 of the BBC World Service global frequencies all on one A4 sheet.  And also a revised chart for listening in English in Europe.”

Note that Alex creates his charts based on listening to broadcasters rather than importing schedules from other sources.

You can download the free charts on his website:
Shortwavetimes.com

Many thanks, Alex!

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Radio Erena would like to reach a broader audience with shortwave

This is a fascinating video about how one Paris based clandestine radio station gets an independent voice into the only country in the world that rivals North Korea for a lack of press freedom: Eritrea. Radio Erena currently uses satellite to reach its audience, but would like funding to broadcast over shortwave:

Radio Erena (English version) by rsf_internet

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Registration Open for 27th Annual Winter SWL Festival

It’s time to register! The Winter SWL Fest dates and location have been set for 2014:

From Left to right: Sheldon Harvery (of The International Radio Report), Tina Shields and Dan Srebnick

At the 2013 Winter SWL Festival: From Left to right: Sheldon Harvey (of The International Radio Report), Tina Shields and Dan Srebnick

(Source: SWL Fest)

Richard Cuff and John Figliozzi, co-chairs of the Winter SWL Festival, are pleased to announce that arrangements are now set for the 27th (!) Annual Winter SWL Festival, scheduled for March 14th and 15th at the Doubletree Guest Suites Philadelphia West, in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Early registration fees will remain as they were in 2013 through the month of January, as an incentive to register early. We strongly urge you to do so as fees will increase for those registering February 1 and later. Single and double rooms are available at a special $99 rate, including breakfast; the event code and online hotel reservation capability will be posted in a few days. The special $99 hotel rate may not be available after February 14th, so it’s best to book early. Links to paper and online registration for the Fest will be posted in a couple days via the Fest website at http://www.swlfest.com/. Those without web access will find a registration form in the January issue of the NASWA Journal; the registration form can also be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Winter SWL Fest, PO Box 3292, Allentown, PA 18106

If you’ve never been to the SWL fest, check out this post for an overview.  You will not find a larger gathering of shortwave radio enthusiasts in North America. I attend every year. Come join us!

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Universal Radio lowers price of Tecsun PL-660

PL-660Universal Radio has lowered the price of their Tecsun PL-660 to $109.95. Even with $9.95 shipping, this is still less than the current Amazon price of $129.99.

Note that eBay still has some PL-660s available for $101 shipped, but there would be no guarantee of receiving the radio by Christmas day.

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Sangean 909X on sale

Sangean-909XSWLing Post reader, Tom, writes:

Just thought I would tell you that at the moment I am seeing the White Sangean 909X Shortwave radio on sale from Amazon for $163.81 at the moment.

Says on the page it is 64% off which is the cheapest I have seen it so far and it ships from Amazon and not a 3rd party.

Link is http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XU76PQ/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tom

Many thanks, Tom! I believe that is the lowest price for a 909X I’ve ever seen.

Ironically, the price of the Tecsun PL-880 has been climbing on Amazon (currently $179.99) and the PL-660 price is back to $129.99 (up $30 from November pricing).

Note that I could not advise purchasing the PL-880 from Amazon at the moment as it appears that they have a stock of older firmware version radios (see previous post).

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