Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Scott, who discovered the following seven minute slide show/video on Rob Wagner’s excellent blog, the Mount Evelyn DX Report.
This YouTube video documents the IBB’s shortwave, medium wave and FM transmitter site in Kuwait. Enjoy:
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Jonathan Marks, who shares this video about Luftwaffe Navigation Beams via YouTube–fascinating WWII history:
Video description:
This episode documented how British Intelligence became aware of various German Luftwaffe Navigation Beams, such as Knickebein, X Gerat and Y Gerat, and the counter measures developed to combat them, in what became known as the Battle of the Beams.
It is largely based on the book Most Secret War written by R.V.Jones who features heavily in the series. This programme contains rare footage of The Blitz including the bombing of Coventry. Interviewees include Albert Speer and AVM Edward Addison.
SWLing Post reader, David, writes:
“I just wanted to let you know that REE has published a communication in its webpage, regarding the end of their SW broadcasts. The definitive cutoff will happen on October 15, 2014 at 0000 LT here in Spain, which is 2200 UTC.
REE will continue, though, and will be accessible through the Internet and also via satellite. Here in Spain they will also be available locally via the TDT/DVB-T system for regular TV broadcast (multiplexes, into which digital TV signals are combined, are also used to carry digital audio data for “radio” stations that therefore can broadcast using this system as well).Here’s the link to the original REE article (in Spanish): http://www.rtve.es/radio/20141003/radio-exterior-espana-suprime-emision-onda-corta/1021661.shtml
And the [machine] English translation by Google: https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=ca&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rtve.es%2Fradio%2F20141003%2Fradio-exterior-espana-suprime-emision-onda-corta%2F1021661.shtml&edit-text=&act=url
Many thanks, David, for the update!
David reports that he will attempt to record the last days of REE broadcasts. I will also make recordings and we will post all of them on the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive. Indeed, I would ask anyone who can capture the last broadcast to please do so and share your recordings with us.
UPDATE: Note that REE announced a return of their shortwave service in December 2014. Click here to read the update. Shortly thereafter, REE posted their new broadcast schedule–click here to view.
View of Laya, Bhutan (Source: Roro Travel)
Today is the last day to submit entries for the Virtual Radio Challenge II: your opportunity to piece together the best, innovative $1200 (US) radio kit you might pack for two years in the remote off-grid village of Laya, Bhutan.
To participate in this challenge, simply comment on our original post with your suggested set-up, any links, and a brief explanation for your choices. You’re also welcome to email me directly with your response on or before Friday, October 3rd, 2014 (today). I plan to post a selection of diverse entries next week.
In response to my post about SWLing in a hospital waiting room via TeamViewer, Stephen Cooper comments:
“Google Chrome Remote Desktop also works well for this.
Allows me to listen to my Elad when I am in work. Although it doesn’t transfer sound on Android (not sure about iPad) which isnt that good if you haven’t got a PC/Mac to use to login to home.”
Thanks for the suggestion, Stephen!
This morning, at 6:00 am, I had to take a friend to the hospital for a scheduled (minor) operation.
The hospital waiting room is spartan for a projected three hour wait, but the complimentary wi-fi Internet is quite speedy. I had planned to catch up on a movie or two via Netflix, but the hospital blocks video streaming.
Fortunately, I just noticed that the hospital does not block TeamViewer–my remote PC application of choice.
I just logged into my home PC and launched both the Elad FDM-S2 and WinRadio Excabur SDR applications–fortunately, I discovered that the Excalibur was hooked up to an external antenna.
Not only does TeamViewer allow me to control a software defined radio, but it actually streams the receiver audio from my PC. With my inexpensive in-ear Sony headphones, the sound isolation and audio fidelity are quite good for a compressed audio stream. Indeed, other than a one second delay in response, the user experience is nearly as good as being home.
I should note that I could also use the TeamViewer app on my iPhone, but 4G reception in the hospital is very poor and controlling an SDR from a small touch screen is less than desirable (though works in a pinch–no pun intended).
I’m currently tuned and listening to Radio Australia, Radio Mali and the Voice of Korea.
The 31 meter band seems to be wide open at this morning. At this point, I don’t think I care if my friend’s out-patient procedure takes a while longer!
Dave Zantow (N9EWO) writes:
Sungchul Cho informs us that JRC has listed a new HF SDR Receiver on the web site. The new NRD-383 is a direct sampling, 2 channel with digital IQ data output with width up to 10 MHz each. Frequency coverage from 100 kHz to 32 MHz. Third-order intercept point + 23 dBm (typ), Second order intercept point + 80 dBm (typ). Not much information at this time , more when I have it .
See the PDF Brochure here : http://www.jrc.co.jp/jp/company/html/review65/pdf/JRCreview65_15.pdf
Many thanks, Dave! It’s exciting to see that JRC could manufacture a receiver once again; their products, in the past, have been world-class. If history is an indicator, I imagine the NRD-383 will not be an inexpensive rig; still, JRC equipment is often worth the price.