Monthly Archives: December 2014

Isolation transformer recommendations?

I recently added a Scott Marine Radio Model SLR-M to my small collection of vintage receivers (see above). [The SLR-M is the radio behind the Name that dial! challenge.] I’ll post more about the SLR-M in the near future–it’s a fascinating WWII era radio with a deep history.

In the meantime, I’m looking for a good, reliable, and affordable isolation transformer for the SLR-M. By design, SLR-M chassis is a part of the overall circuit, thus can be “hot” and never grounded. Several other radios of the era were designed this way and rarely cause electric shock, but since I have small children in the house, I like to play it safe.

At the moment, I’m leaning toward a Tripp Lite IS250 Isolation Transformer. It seems to be a favorite amongst vintage radio collectors, but at $110, it’s certainly an investment I want to make wisely.

If you have advice about isolation transformers, or about the Tripp Lite specifically, please comment below. If you other suggestions, please include links.

Thanks in advance!

Radio Dabanga: Sudan to launch 20 radio stations

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(Source: Radio Dabanga via Andy Sennitt)

Coming January, Sudan will launch ten shortwave radio stations in Darfur, and ten in South Kordofan

The new radio stations will present programmes in local dialects, to counter the broadcasts by Radio Dabanga, in an attempt to reduce its impact on the populations of those regions, especially in Darfur, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told Members of the national Parliament on Tuesday.

As for South Kordofan, the radio stations will aim to reach the Nuba people living in the rebel-controlled areas, the minister noted.

Sudanese MPs have criticised the performance of the official media before. They described it as “weak, and failing in the delivery of information”. On Tuesday, 25 November, the daily broadcasts by Radio Dabanga from the Netherlands were discussed in the parliament. Some MPs stressed the need “to disrupt the activity of Radio Dabanga, or completely stop it”, and demanded from the Information Minister of State to develop a plan to at least reduce its impact.

Radio Dabanga broadcasts in shortwave to the whole of Sudan and neighbouring countries. Satellite broadcasts are confined to the larger cities. (See elsewhere on this site for audio feeds.)

Follow this story on Radio Dabanga’s website.

CountyComm GP5/SSB delayed at port

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Many thanks to Dave Zantow who points out the following message on Universal Radio’s product page for the CountyComm GP5/SSB:

“These radios arrived to the San Diego, CA dock in late November. Due to a dock worker labor issue, they have been stuck there. An exact release date is unknown.”

We will post an update when Universal Radio finally receives them–I’m sure Dave will also keep tabs on his excellent news page.

Bonito’s new shortwave products

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This year at the Dayton Hamvention, I stopped by the Bonito booth in Hara arena. I noticed a number of new products Bonito has introduced specifically for the SWL/DXer market.

Bonito has kindly forwarded pages from their brochure (see below–click to enlarge), though all of the products can also be found on Bonito’s website and at Universal Radio.

David Goren’s Cold War mix

Video: Controlling the Elad FDM-S2 SDR with the HP Stream 7 tablet

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Guy Atkins, who shares the following video demonstrating how the Elad FDM-S2 can be controlled with the $99 HP Stream 7 Windows 8.1 tablet PC:

The Canadian International DX Club (CIDX) Messenger

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There are few things in our wonderful hobby that can can be purchased for as little as $10.00. Fortunately, an annual membership to the Canadian International DX Club is one of those few.

I’m reminded of this great value as I just received and read the latest CIDX Messenger, the CIDX’s monthly electronic bulletin.

The CIDX Messenger is chock-full of news, articles and loggings covering shortwave radio, AM and FM radio, utility transmissions, pirate broadcasting, satellite and Internet radio.

Check out the latest table of contents from the CIDX Messenger below:

The Messenger is sent to all CIDX members by e-mail in PDF format so can be viewed on pretty much any digital device.

Membership can be mailed in (click here to download the application) or payment can be made via PayPal, (U.S. or Canadian), by sending the payment to: cidxclub@yahoo.com.

The membership fee for Canadian, U.S. and International members is $10 Canadian or US per year.

A sample copy of the Messenger is available, free of charge. Simply send an e-mail to cidxclub@yahoo.com requesting a free sample.

I’ve been a member of CIDX for at least three years and look forward to every issue of the Messenger.