Author Archives: Thomas

Global Radio Guide (Summer 2020) Now Available

Global Radio Guide (Summer 2020) Now Available

During times of emergency and crisis, radio hobbyists worldwide turn on their radios and tune to the shortwave radio spectrum for context, perspective, and insight into what is happening around the globe. As tensions heat up in the world’s hotspots, you can follow these events on radio, and you need an accurate and comprehensive radio guide to hear the action.

Teak Publishing is proud to announce the release of that all-important radio resource – the Global Radio Guide (GRG), 14th edition (Summer 2020) e-book, by Amazon bestselling author Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH. The book was formerly known as the International Shortwave Broadcast Guide.

Teak Publishing co-founder and GRG author, Gayle Van Horn, says that for this 14th edition, they have brought back the popular SDR Buyers’ Guide and expanded their coverage of SDR information, by popular demand.

“Based on the responses from our readers of the 13th edition of the GRG, we have expanded the coverage of SDRs in this 14th edition”, says Van Horn. “SDRs are truly the future of our hobby and DXers need a source they can trust for information on this booming industry.”

SDR coverage in this edition includes direction finding HF stations using the SDR.hu network of radios by Mike Chace-Ortiz. Tom Witherspoon takes an AirSpy HF+ Discovery into the field and shows us how we can truly operate a portable receiving station. There is also an introductory article on Software Defined Radios, an updated SDR buyers guide, and an in-depth equipment review on the new SDRPlay RSPdx SDR.

[…]You can find this edition of the Global Radio Guide, along with all of our titles currently available for purchase, on the Teak Publishing Web site at www.teakpublishing.com

The 14th edition of the Global Radio Guide e-Book (electronic book only, no print edition available) is available worldwide from Amazon and their various international websites.

The price for this latest edition is US$8.99. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. Customers in all other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website to purchase this e-Book.

Click here to download and read the full press release (PDF).

Radio Marti has cancelled programming at VOA Greenville site

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Control room at the Edward R. Murrow Transmitting Station near Greenville, NC.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Porter, who shares the following news item from Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio:

Radio Marti has cancelled all programming via Greenville between 0400 and 1000 UTC effective from 2 May. During this period the only transmission left from Greenville is 0600-0630 VOA French on 9885. This may be the beginning of the end for Greenville. (Glenn Hauser WOR)

Thanks for sharing this, Dave. Sad news, indeed. The Greenville site has stared shutdowns in the face a number of times in the past and survived. This year, in particular, could be a challenge with Covid-19 affecting broadcasting budgets across the globe and with the current US administration not showing much love for the VOA.

We’ll follow this closely and post updates when available.

If you’d like to check out photo tours of the Greenville site, click here to read a 2012 article I originally published in The Monitoring Times magazine, and click here for a photo tour published last year.

FCC is crystal clear: Remote ham radio licensing exams are absolutely permitted

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In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, amateur radio VECs in the US have been experimenting with remote testing sessions–meaning, administering ham radio license exams via real-time teleconference apps like Skype, Zoom, and Google Meet.

Amateur radio operators in support of remote testing have been contacting the FCC asking for formal approval of remote exams and the ARRL has also been exploring and experimenting with the process.

Today, the FCC posted a public notice, making it clear that FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests:

“We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests. The Commission provides flexibility to volunteer examiners and coordinators who wish to develop remote testing methods or to increase remote testing programs already in place.”

I’ve pasted the text from the body of the public notice below (click here to download the full PDF doc):

DA 20-467
Released: April 30, 2020

WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU CONFIRMS THAT
AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE OPERATOR LICENSE EXAMINATIONS
MAY BE HELD REMOTELY

The Amateur Radio Service provides opportunities for self-training, intercommunication, and technical investigations for qualified persons of any age who are interested in radio technique solely with a personal aim and without pecuniary interest. To operate an Amateur Radio Service station, an operator must have an FCC license. The Commission issues three classes of operator licenses, each authorizing a different level of privilege. 1 The class for which each licensee is qualified is determined during an examination by the level of skill and knowledge in operating a station that the licensee demonstrates to volunteer examiners, who conduct this testing on behalf of FCC-certified volunteer examiner coordinators.

Many potential amateur radio test takers and volunteer examiners have contacted the Chairman and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau to request that the Commission allow remote testing in light of current public health guidelines regarding social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We make clear here that nothing in the FCC’s rules prohibits remote testing, and prior FCC approval is not required to conduct remote tests. 2 The Commission provides flexibility to volunteer examiners and coordinators who wish to develop remote testing methods or to increase remote testing programs already in place.3

We recognize that some volunteer examiner coordinators may not have the immediate capacity for widespread remote testing. We expect those volunteer examiner coordinators with limited remote testing capacity to work closely with those requesting such testing to prioritize any available remote testing slots.

– FCC –

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Radio Deal: Talking House AM transmitters $25 each

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who shares a find in the QRZ.com online swapmeet: Talking House Broadcasters.

If you’re not aware, Talking House Broadcasters are AM transmitters that were designed to be used by real estate agents so that potential customers could drive by a house on the market, tune their car’s AM radio to a specific frequency, and listen to a pre-recorded message.

I’ve also been to ARRL Field Day sites where a Talking House Broadcaster was used to relay information about the Field Day activities to visitors.

Of course, I would use one of these to broadcast my own music and Internet radio streams throughout my house. If I didn’t already have an SSTRAN AMT3000, I would snap one of these up in a heartbeat!

The AM output power is FCC Part 15 compliant, but with a good antenna/ground, you might be surprised at the signal’s footprint!

The seller currently has three working units he’s priced at $25/each or $50 for all three. Even as used units, this is a fantastic deal!

Click here to check out the ad on QRZ.com.

Assume if the link above is broken or missing, the items are all sold. Thanks again for the tip, Mario!

Alex updates shortwave frequency charts for 2020 summer season

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Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Alex, who has just informed me that he’s updated his printer-friendly shortwave frequency charts for the summer broadcasting season.

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 for sharing these, Alex!

Archivist seeks copy of “A Brief Statement of Shortwave Programs to Target Areas”

Wellbrook power supply source?

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Wellbrook Mag Loop antenna at Mark Fahey’s QTH near Sydney, Australia.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Goren, who writes:

I need a new power supply for one of my Wellbrook loop antennas.

Do you know of good source for reliable ones? I forgot where I obtained the last replacement which worked fine until the wire attaching to the plug worked loose.

Here are the specs:

Plug in Class 2 Transformer
Model: DC1200300R
Input: 120VAC 60 Hz 9W
Output: 12V DC 300mA
manufacturer: Sandin Ltd.

Searching online delivers a mixed bag of somebody’s old power supply.

Post Readers: Any suggestions for David? I’m sure he’s particularly interested in a good quality power supply–one that’s quiet and would last a few years. Please comment and include links when possible!