Monthly Archives: January 2016

The Kaito KA108: a shortwave portable with built-in record function

Kaito-KA108

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Ante, who writes:

Looks like Kaito has a new radio in the works. Portable shortwave receiver with record function. It looks very much like some of the Eton portables.

Here’s Universal Radio’s description:

The Kaito KA108 is a great AM, FM shortwave receiver with a very special feature. It has a record function that allows you to record off the air automatically! It can save the audio to a Micro SD Card or USB Thumb Drive (not included) inserted via the top panel. It also features a large backlit display with battery indicator, signal meter and conventional alarm function with two programmable wake up times.

 

There is a Line Input Jack and stereo earphone output jack. Power input is via a USB port. The KA108 comes with: Li-ion battery and USB charging cable. One year limited mfg. warranty.

Thank you for the tip, Ante! Universal has pricing and availability listed as TBA at time of posting.

I noticed that Amazon has the same radio via Kaito for $67.20 (shipped). Interestingly, the Amazon description reads:

“Kaito KA108 Super Sound quality AM FM Shortwave Radio with MP3 Player and Radio Recorder, Radio Time Schedule Recorder,Alarm Clock+ More”

I hope the “Super Sound” part means that the internal speaker is like that of the Melson S8, with an acoustic chamber. Those speakers have amazing fidelity for such a compact size. Checking this morning, the Amazon listing only has one review–a 5 star–but it wasn’t a verified purchase, had few details on performance and, frankly, smacked of shill a little too much for my taste.

I certainly hope this isn’t simply a Melson S8 with a re-designed body. As I mention in this review, the S8 suffered from terrible internal noise, rendering it useless on shortwave.

Kaito-Ka108-side

The Line In, Phone and DC IN 5V jacks are in the same placement and order as the S8–but the S8 also has the power button and MicroSD card on the side panel, the KA108 has the MicroSD card slot on top, along with a USB thumb drive slot.

Kaito-KA108-Top

I have hope that this is not a re-badged Meson S8 because the KA108 has features the Melson S8 did not, including the ability to record and even schedule recordings!

There are so few portables on the market that can record on the shortwave bands. There are no portables currently on the market that have a sensitive/selective receiver and do a good job of recording.  Even if the KA108’s receiver is only average, if it has a clean recording function, it will be a keeper for me.

My fingers are crossed!

Of course, I will certainly review the Kaito KA108 here on the SWLing Post.  I will most likely wait until Universal Radio has the units in stock, which I imagine will be soon.

Eton Traveller III on sale at Amazon

The Eton Traveller III

The Eton Traveller III

SWLing Post reader, Mark, writes:

There [has been] an Eton NGWTIIIB Traveler III radio on sale at Amazon: $38.05 for a couple of days now.

Thanks for the tip, Mark! The Traveller III is a great little radio and certainly worth $38.05. I bought mine on a similar deal about a year ago. Lacks a keypad but has the classic traveller world clock.

Vasily discovers an ETM quirk on his GP5/SSB

Vasily-GP5SSB

While doing a little shortwave listening in the field (obviously a very cold field) Vasily Strelnikov noted an anomaly while using the ETM function on his CountyComm GP5/SSB. He posted the following video on the Shortwave Listeners Global Facebook page and on YouTube so that I could share it with Post readers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEDvRaXFRks&feature=youtu.be

Click here to view Vasily’s video on YouTube.

I’ve never noticed this on my GP5/SSB. My first thought would be that there’s a strong broadcaster nearby that may be overloading the front end on Vasiliy’s receiver. With that said, it looks like a pretty rural area. Anyone else notice this on the GP5/SSB?

WRTH 2016: A look inside

WRTH-2016

I received my copy of the 2016 World Radio and TV Handbook (WRTH) directly from the publisher on Christmas Eve 2105. As many SWLing Post readers know, I always look forward to receiving this staple radio reference guide each year. This is a special year for the publication, too: it’s their 70th edition!

I should note that it was a special edition of the WRTH for me as well: upon request, I contributed two receiver reviews and a feature article. It was an honor working with the WRTH publication staff and being included in the 70th edition.

WRTH’s team of noted DXers from around the world curate frequencies and broadcaster information by region; while I’m not sure how they orchestrate all of this, the end result is truly a symphony of radio information. In addition to broadcaster listings, WRTH’s radio reviews, feature articles, and annual HF report make for excellent reading.

But the WRTH isn’t just a frequency guide: the publication always devotes the first sixty or so pages to articles relating to various aspects of the radio hobby. Following, I offer a quick overview of these.

The first article always features a WRTH contributor (indeed, it’s this very network of contributors that make WRTH and its listings such a success):  this year, Dave Kenny tells us how he got interested in the hobby and what being a contributor means to him. It’s fascinating to read about how his SWLing hobby turned into a career as he worked for BBC Monitoring for many years.

The second set of articles is always my favorite: WRTH receiver reviews.

AOR-AR-DV1

This year, WRTH reviewed the C.Crane CC Skywave (an update to one of my reviews on the Post).  They also review the new AOR AR-DV-1 (above), the Etón Satellit Grundig Edition (which impressed them favorably), the Tecsun PL-680 (again, an update of one of my Post reviews), and the Nti ML200 Megaloop.

The following article is “A Brief History of World Radio TV Handbook” which traces the publication’s history back to the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II. It’s a fascinating read and puts the publication into context as technology, international broadcasting and the WRTH team have evolved over the course of 70 years.

In the next article, UK MW & LW Broadcasting: the first 95 years, WRTH contributor Dave Porter (G4OYX), outlines the history and current use of MW & LW broadcasting. A fascinating history written by a former BBC senior transmitter engineer!

Next is the added feature 70 Years of Reception which looks at receiver technology and innovations that have had an impact over the course of WRTH’s long history. They highlight a few select receivers over the decades like the RCA AR-88, Eddystone 840-A, Eddstone EC-10, Barlow Wadley XCR-30, Kenwood R-1000, Drake R8 and the WinRadio Excalibur Ultra.

Timore-Leste-Map

Following this, WRTH contributor, David Foster, features an article on Radio in Timore-Leste.  Foster has been involved in Timore-Leste for many years–his article gives excellent insight into this part of Southeast Asia. Indeed, I always look forward to David Foster’s articles in WRTH!

This year, WRTH also features an updated and revised article I wrote for them on The Future of Shortwave. Again, I’m honored to have contributed to the 70th edition of WRTH.

WRTH International Editor, Sean Gilbert, also wrote an excellent Guide to SDRs–a brilliant little summary of what SDRs are, how they work, and some common terminology used in reviews.

The final article–a tradition–is the WRTH  HF propagation report/forecast by Ulf-Peter Hoppe. Always an informative read (even if the prediction isn’t positive for DXers).

As expected, the 70th is another great edition of the World Radio TV Handbook.

As I’ve said many times, though I use online frequency databases fairly regularly, there is just no replacement for a good printed frequency guide–especially for all of my off-grid DXing.

For DXers who collect QSL cards, you’ll find that broadcaster contact information in WRTH is often more up-to-date than a broadcaster’s own website. When readers ask me for station contact information, it is the current WRTH I reference.

Not only does WRTH contain more in-depth information on broadcasters and schedules, but it makes for quick reference, and doesn’t require a computer or Internet connection–much like, well, your shortwave radio.

Purchase your copy of WRTH 2015 directly from WRTH’s publishers, or from a distributor like Universal Radio (US) and Amazon.com (US), or Radio HF (Canada).

SWLing Post contributor, Richard Langley (Canada), also noted that  BookDepository.com, a U.K.-based seller, is offering WRTH at a discount and with free worldwide shipping. Thanks for the tip, Richard!

Blinq Deal: Sony ICF-SW7600GR $98.89 shipped

Fullscreen capture 172016 11225 AM

Blinq.com has another “open box” deal on the Sony ICF-SW7600GR.

As I mentioned last time one of these surfaced on Blinq, this is a great deal for an excellent radio.

Actually, if you’re clever (!) you can buy this ‘7600GR for $89.90 shipped…

If you’ve never visited Blinq.com, or if you open their website in a private/incognito window, Blinq will typically pop up a window offering 10% off for new shoppers as long as you subscribe to their newsletter. You then receive a coupon code via email you can use with the first order.

Click here to view the open box Sony ICF-SW7600GR on Blinq.com.

A high-gain ferrite bar antenna for the PL-360/PL-365 and CountyComm GP5 series

Ferrite-Bar-Antenna-PL-365-GP5SSB

If you own a Tecsun PL-360, PL-365 or a CountyComm GP5/DSP or GP5/SSB, you might take note of this large ferrite bar antenna offered by a Greece-based seller on eBay.

Ferrite-Bar-PL-365

As you can see in the image above, this antenna is substantially larger than the stock MW antenna supplied by the manufacturer. According to the seller, this ferrite bar antenna has a 10 – 25 db gain over the stock external antenna. I imagine its ability to null unwanted signals is also much better.

The price is about $40 US shipped internationally.

Have any SWLing Post readers ordered this antenna? If so, please share your comments/reviews.

Click here to view the antenna on eBay.

SWLing Post reader, David Korchin, also shares the following demo video on YouTube:

Many thanks to SWLing Post readers, Francis Frankenne and David Korchin for the tip!

2015 summary of shortwave pirate radio activity

pirateMany thanks to Chris Smolinski at HF Underground who has released his annual summary of shortwave pirate radio activity for 2015. The summary is built upon a computer script that parsed thread titles and timestamps of the messages from the HF Underground pirate radio board.

Message board activity based on the day of the week.

Message board activity based on the day of the week.

It’s a fascinating read and reinforces my belief that the HF pirate radio scene is certainly one of the most dynamic and active components of our shortwave radio listening hobby here in North America (and Europe). Thanks, Chris, for putting together this summary!

Click here to read the 2015 summary on HF Underground.