Yearly Archives: 2013

Tecsun PL-880 available for pre-order on Amazon

I just noticed that the Tecsun PL-880 is available to purchase as a pre-order from Amazon.com.

The vendor (Electronnix) claims that the PL-880 will be “released” on November 30, 2013.

The price is set at $149.00 US; at least $20 more than the Pl-660, depending on the retailer.

Though the PL-880 is available for pre-order on Amazon, I’ll most likely hold out an buy from my favorite eBay seller Anon-Co in Hong Kong. I’ve bought numerous radios from them in the past; their pricing and customer service are hard to beat.

I will review the PL-880 as soon as it’s available.

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Listener Post: Chris Dandrea

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Chris Dandrea’s radio story is the latest in our series called Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add your story to the mix, simply send your story by email!

In the meantime, many thanks to Chris for sharing his personal radio history:

Chris Dandrea

Chris’ 1938 Motorola (Photo: Chris Dandrea)

How did I get interested in radio? I don’t know how young I was but I must have been about 7 or 8 when my dad gave me an old tube type GE clock radio for my room. I can remember turning it on and watching the tubes glow and listening for the audio to come out of the radio after the tubes warmed up. I was so fascinated by the glowing tubes that I took the chassis out of the radio housing and put it on my window sill next to my bed so I could listen to the radio and watch the glowing tubes. Looking back on this I now know how dangerous this was.

I was just a kid what did I know after all it was cool looking at those glowing tubes. I can remember tuning up and down the AM band in search of some old time radio shows. I would also tune in to some new time radio like the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Mind you this would come on a local station just after the 11 o’clock news, so getting up the next morning was very difficult. I can remember my mom yelling for me to get up so I could catch the school bus. I could not help myself I was addicted to radio and radio dramas.

I would tape the CBSRMT on a little shoe box tape recorder that I had next to the radio. The tapes I used where of the highest quality that Kmart had to offer to a kid with a buck a week allowance. I remember using C60 tapes and trying to get the first two acts to fit on side one so I could flip the tape over and get act 3 on side 2. If I could just stay awake long enough to get the tape flipped over and hit record! I would stay awake long enough most of the time. I would also use Velveeta cheese boxes for tape storage. I think you could get 8 in a box with out tape cases. I wonder if any other kids did this?

I remember that my dad was kind of a radio nut as well. He had several radios, nothing expensive or exotic but he liked radios. He had this 1938 Motorola floor model [see photo above] that he picked up from someone that was moving. He and a friend replaced some tubes and caps and got it playing. I remember tuning up an down the SW bands and listening to all kinds of things on that radio. I was so amazed by how far away the stations came from and all the different music and sounds that played on that old radio. I guess I got the radio bug from my dad.

I am now the owner of that 1938 Motorola radio. It’s too bad that my kids have no interest in radio at all. You know Its funny, you are either a radio person or you are not a radio person. You know what I’m talking about if you have ever tried to explain why you like radio and you get that blank look with glazed over eyes.

Radio is just magic and if you don’t get that you never will.

Chris, you may hear me repeating your final quote in future posts! I couldn’t agree with you more.

Click here to read our growing collection of Listener Posts, and consider submitting your own!

Though it’s not quite the same radio experience Chris had in his youth, if you would like to hear recordings of CBS Radio Mystery theater, use the embedded player below, courtesy of Archive.org. Enjoy:

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Shortwave Radio Recordings: Marion’s Attic

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Marion Webster (Source: Marion’s Attic)

If you’ve never heard Marion’s Attic on WBCQ, you don’t know what you’ve been missing–especially if you love early music recordings. Marion’s Attic describes the show as:

“[A] unique radio program, broadcasted on WBCQ, The Planet, [7.49] MHz (Shortwave Radio) every Sunday at 5 PM Eastern time. Hosted by Marion Webster & Kristina, and with occasional special guests.”

“Marion’s Attic is an eclectic radio program which plays original cylinder and disc records from the late 1890’s to the mid 1930’s. Having a library containing thousands of standard size cylinder records, dozens of 5 inch Concert Cylinders and an unknown amount of 78’s allows us to share unusual and forgotten music that you cannot hear anywhere else. What makes this special radio program unique is I play original records on the original phonographs when possible; many of which are over 100 years old. The theme varies from week to week; a show may feature popular songs from the early 1900’s one week, wild dance music from the roaring 20’s the next week.”

Marion’s Attic has been on WBCQ since September 21st, 1999 and is certainly one of their most popular shows. It’s quirky and authentic. I love it.

(Source: edisonphonology.com)

Mary tells us that each episode is recorded in her attic using simple recording equipment and original phonographs including:

1898 Edison Home phonograph for brown wax cylinders
1900 Columbia Graphophone AG for Concert Cylinders
1908 Edison Standard Model D phonograph for 2 & 4 minute wax cylinders
1913 Edison Amberola V phonograph for Blue Amberol cylinders
1923 Edison London Upright phonograph for Diamond Discs
1965 Gerrard electronic turntable for 78 rpm records

Yesterday afternoon, at 16:59 EST (21:59 UTC), I tuned to Marion’s Attic on 7,490 kHz and started recording. You’ll hear about one minute of WBCQ’s interval signal and station ID, then straight into Marion’s Attic. Click here to download the show as an MP3 or simply listen via the embedded player below:

If you missed Marion’s Attic yesterday, you can catch it again tonight on WBCQ–check out the full broadcast schedule below:

Sundays: 7,490 kHz, 05:00PM – 06:00PM ET (22:00 – 23:00 UTC)
Mondays: 5,110 kHz, 09:00PM – 10:00PM ET (02:00 – 03:00 UTC)

WBCQ is easily heard in North, Central and South America–also in Europe.

Marion and Kristina often give shout outs to their listeners. You can contact them at [email protected] or:

Marion’s Attic
P.O. Box 583
Coventry, CT 06238

Many thanks to Marion and Kristina for sharing your wonderful collection of early music recordings! I’d also like to thank SWLing Post reader, Mike, who is a big fan of Marion’s Attic and unknowingly gave me a nudge to mention their show here.

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Listener Post: John Mosman

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Analog Radio Dial John Mosman’s radio story is the latest in a new series called Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add your story to the mix, simply send your story by email!

In the meantime, many thanks to John for sharing his personal radio history:

John Mosman

My first QSL was from Radio Havana Cuba in 1962. I never was and not now a technical person around radios. The mysterious signals that came from all over the world just drew me in, all the different languages, music and the cold war rhetoric was simply fascinating.

National NC-60 (Source: DXing.com)

My first receiver was a National NC-60 which with a simple wire antenna out to a tree worked very well. In those days the international broadcast bands were crowded and full of exotic stations.

Popular Electronics gave me a SWL call signs and mine is WPE9GIZ. I do not have the certificate anymore but the call sign is burnt into my memory.

As the years went on I upgraded receivers, first a Drake SW-4A then a Yaesu FRG-7 (Frog 7). To the Frog was added a digital frequency readout. I remember the controversy over Radio America and if the transmitter was actually located on Swan Island. The QSL card sure indicates it was.

The Yaesu FRG-7 “Frog 7”

Over the years I owned a Kenwood R-2000 and an ICOM 71A. For several years now I have a ICOM R75 which does not get much use. As is the case for many, the house is full electronic noise from computers and cable boxes. Not being technical enough I am not sure how to stop it or erect an antenna in our small yard that would reduce the interference.

I wince each time I learn of another SW broadcaster leaving the air and many third world country stations going to FM. However I still have all the QSL cards, all the great memories and you know, the National NC-60, now refurbished, is still in the “shack”.

Many thanks, John, for sharing your story! It makes me happy to know your National NC-60 has been refurbished. We need to keep our antique radios in good working order. Those vacuum tubes will keep your radio room warm on cold nights!

Regarding the electronic noise your R75 hears in the house, you might consider investing in a mag loop antenna like those in the Wellbrook product line. It’s pricey, but certainly works to eliminate QRM.

Click here to read our growing collection of Listener Posts.

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BBC Radio 4 Documentary: The World’s First Radio Station

Greek police use tear gas to empty former broadcaster ERT’s offices

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(Photo source: AP / Petros Giannakouris)

It looks like the staff protest, which has occupied ERT headquarters since June 11, has finally come to an end.

I’m not sure how/if this will have an effect on the Voice of Greece, but I will be listening for them on 9,420 kHz tonight.

(Source: BBC)

Greek riot police have cleared the headquarters of the former state broadcaster ERT, using tear gas to gain entry and arresting several people.

Police formed a cordon round the building in Athens, before going from room to room to evacuate protesters.

Former employees have occupied the building since the government closed ERT and sacked its 2,600 staff in June.

Greece’s conservative-led coalition said the state broadcaster cost too much to run in an economic crisis.

[…]The BBC’s Mark Lowen, in Athens, says the question is whether the ERT debacle again fuels social unrest here – and how much stomach the Greeks still have for a fight.[…]

Continue reading…

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WRMI purchases WYFR transmission site and plans move to Okeechobee

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Radio Miami International

Several of you wrote to share this great news from Jeff White at WRMI; many thanks to Michael, Pete, Bob and Keith for the tip:

(Source: Jeff White)

Legendary shortwave station WYFR in Okeechobee, Florida, which ceased transmissions on June 30, 2013, will resume broadcasting in December as a result of an agreement between Family Stations, Inc, and Radio Miami International, Inc.

According to the agreement, Family Radio will sell the WYFR facility to Radio Miami International. Family Radio programming for the Caribbean and South America will return to shortwave via the Okeechobee site, and Radio Miami’s programming currently aired on WRMI in Miami will switch over to the Okeechobee facility. The station will also carry programs for other international broadcasters, including Pan American Broadcasting’s Radio Africa network. A target date of December 1, 2013 has been set for the resumption of broadcasts. The current WRMI transmission site in Miami will be closed, and the WRMI call letters will be transferred to Okeechobee.

“We are very grateful to Family Radio for entrusting us with this magnificent station,” said Jeff White, WRMI General Manager. “WYFR is an important part of the heritage of shortwave broadcasting, and we are very happy that it will continue to serve shortwave listeners around the world.” The station first went on the air from Okeechobee in 1977, although the origins of the station and its predecessors go back to 1927. WYFR/WRMI is the largest shortwave station in the United States in number of transmitters and antennas. The facility is comprised of 13 transmitters — twelve 100-kilowatt and one 50-kilowatt — and 23 antennas beamed to all of the Americas, Europe and Africa.

White, who is also Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB), said that “many people made this transition a reality, not the least of whom was our former Secretary-Treasurer and current board member, Dan Elyea, who had been the WYFR Station Manager from the time it was built in the late 1970’s until his recent retirement. Dan presented us to Family Radio Vice President Tom Evans. Tom and the Family Radio Board have given us their confidence, and we will do our best to keep this station going for many years to come.”

(From Jeff White, WRMI, Nov 5 2013)

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