Author Archives: Thomas

Breaking News: Australian broadcaster 4KZ now on shortwave!

The 4KZ transmitter is located in Innisfail, Australia

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Phil Brennan (VK8VWA), who notes that 4KZ started broadcasting today in Australia. Phil notes:

At last! ID for 4KZ confirmed at 0750 [UTC] Wednesday 20 December on 5,055 kHz.

Thank you, Phil–and thanks for following this development so closely over the past few weeks.

I tried tuning to 5055 kHz at my home in eastern North America, but of course conditions weren’t ideal to receive a 1,000 watt AM signal from Australia. I wasn’t ready to give up, of course, so I turned to the KiwiSDR network.

The following recording was made on December 20, 2017 starting around 11:33 UTC on 5,055 kHz . The receiver is a KiwiSDR located in Goulburn, NSW, Australia.

Click here to view on YouTube.

No details yet on where to send reception reports, but I will ask the station manager and post his reply in an update.

Post Readers: Please comment if you’ve also logged 4KZ!

Radio Caroline: AM service to open on Friday, December 22

Radio Deals: A few last-minute gift ideas!

5 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post friend “Karen” who writes:

My husband reads your website every day and is a dedicated radio geek. I’ve decided I’d like to get him an extra last minute stocking stuffer for Christmas. Any suggestions? We buy a lot from Amazon and are Prime members but any retailer that could get something delivered by Friday would work fine. Since this is a stocking stuffer, I don’t really want to pay more than about $70-90.

Thanks for your inquiry! Readers, “Karen” has kindly allowed me to post her message publicly and no that’s not her real name–!

Karen, you didn’t mention what radios he currently has, so you may double check before committing. I’ve listed a few options with links below. This list is by no means comprehensive–I just did a quick scan of a few retailers based on what’s currently a good deal and can be shipped ASAP.

Since you like Amazon and get free two day shipping via Prime, I’ll list several options there. I’d also encourage you to check with radio retailers like Universal Radio, Ham Radio Outlet and C. Crane–they, too, can ship via two or one day service, but it might be at a premium.

Just note to check the delivery date very carefully as we are down to the wire! Note that prices, especially those at Amazon, can change without notice.

Last minute stocking stuffers for the radio enthusiast

TIVDIO V-115 ($19.99): The V-115 is the least expensive radio in this list. It’s unique in that it performs quite well for the price and can even record broadcasts and playback MP3 files. Click here to check out past posts. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).
Tecsun PL-310ET ($42.00): The venerable PL-310ET is a classic little ultralight radio and performs quite well for the price. Click here to check out past posts. The PL-310ET is also available on eBay, but I don’t think you’ll get it delivered before Christmas if you purchase from a China retailer. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).
Tecsun PL-380 ($48.00): Very similar in size and function to the PL-310ET, the PL-380 is also a great value. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).
C.Crane CC Skywave ($89.99): I think the original CC Skywave–not to be confused with the recently released CC Skywave SSB–is a brilliant little radio. Click here to read our review. Universal Radio has the lowest price ($79.95) but shipping is extra. Amazon’s price is $89.99 (affiliate link)
SDRplay RSP1A ($119.95): I know this software defined radio is over your $90 budget, but it’s a fantastic value regardless. Click here to read our review. Ham Radio Outlet is the only US retailer I know of who could deliver this before Christmas–click here to view on their site. If you lived in the UK, I would send you directly to SDRplay ($99) to purchase.
Tecsun AN-200 Loop Antenna ($27.90): This isn’t a radio, it’s a portable loop antenna that helps with AM broadcast band performance–not shortwave. Still, I list this because if your husband doesn’t have an AN-200 antenna, he’ll enjoy using it as it enhances mediumwave reception on almost any portable radio. Universal Radio sells the Grundig branded version of this antenna for $29.95 plus shipping. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).
The Worldwide Listening Guide ($29.95): I recently reviewed this unique and useful program guide. It’s also available at Universal Radio for $27.95 plus shipping. Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).
Shortwave Receivers Past and Present ($39.95): This book is sure to please any radio geek that is interested in vintage radios. Click here to read my review. It is in stock at Universal Radio but I’m guessing you’ll need to budget for two day shipping since this book is very heavy! Still…I think it’s worth it and will surely surprise the radio enthusiast in your life if they don’t already have a copy. Click here to view at Universal Radio. Note: I would urge you to call Universal Radio to make sure Shortwave Receivers Past and Present can be delivered prior to Christmas.
Buy a subscription to The Spectrum Monitor Magazine ($24.00): This digital radio magazine is a fantastic value and a gift that will give all year long. Click here to read our review and click here to purchase a one year subscription.

Thank you for your question, Karen, and for allowing me to post your message, thus my suggestions, publicly. Since you asked specifically about Amazon, and since you get free two day shipping, I focused on Amazon offerings here. Note that my links are affiliate links and if you chose to purchase using one of these links, the SWLing Post will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

With that said, please consider purchasing from one of the radio retailers I mention above. The total price may exceed Amazon’s, but you can actually call these retailers to place orders and ask questions.

Post Readers who live outside of the US will have to check with radio retailers in their country regarding pricing and shipping on the items above. I wish I had time to list links to international options. Perhaps readers can comment with links and other suggestions?

Good luck and Happy Holidays!

Brother Stair taken into custody on eight criminal charges, waves rights to a bond hearing

Update: Stair has waved his rights to a bond hearing. See details and video at bottom of page.

I’m sure many–if not a majority of–shortwave listeners have heard the Overcomer Ministry on the air via various private broadcasters. Ralph G. Stair, the leader and voice of Overcomer was taken into custody this morning on eight criminal charges. I’m personally not a fan of Overcomer and I don’t typically post this sort of news content, but if Overcomer is eventually shut down, private broadcasters will certainly notice the loss of income stream. Could be profound to smaller stations.

For details and commenting, check out the story on the Waterboro Live website:

Update | Arrest of Brother Ralph Stair confirmed on multiple charges | News | The Press and Standard

(Photo source: Overcomer Ministries)

Colleton County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived at the Overcomer Ministry at 12680 Augusta Highway early Monday morning to take Ralph G. Stair, the leader of the religious compound, into custody on eight criminal charges.

Lt. Tyger Benton, public information officer of the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office said a large contingent of law enforcement officers arrived at the church compound Monday at approximately 7:30 a.m. to take Stair, 84, into custody.

The charges, all filed by the sheriff’s office investigators, include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and single counts of assault with the intent to commit criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, second-degree assault, first-degree burglary, and third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Stair was transported to the Colleton County Detention Center on the charges and is expected to have a bond hearing Monday afternoon.

The sheriff’s office personnel arriving enmass at the compound were joined by agents of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations.[…]

Click here to continue reading the full story.

Update:

(Source: Live 5 News)

Live5News.com | Charleston, SC | News, Weather, Sports

Alleged Colleton Co. cult preacher charged with 8 counts waives bond hearing

COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) –
The accused leader of a cult in Colleton County facing eight criminal counts waived his right to a bond hearing Monday afternoon.

Ralph Stair, 84, has been charged with a total of eight charges. The charges include three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of assault with intent to commit first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of kidnapping, one count of burglary, one count of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Stair was arrested Monday morning two months after a Live 5 News investigation.

Agents with the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI, and Colleton County Sheriff’s deputies worked together to make the arrest at 7:48 a.m. Monday at the Overcomer Ministry on Augusta Highway in Walterboro, according to Colleton Co. Sheriff’s Lt. Tyger Benton.

A search warrant for the property was also executed, he said.

Stair was located on the property and taken into custody without incident, Benton said.[…]

Click here to read the full story at Live 5 News.

Belgium to end telegram service

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(Source: BBC News via Kris Partridge)

Belgium’s telegram service is about to stop. Stop.

One hundred and seventy-one years after the first electrical message was transmitted down a line running alongside the railway between Brussels and Antwerp the final dispatch will be sent and received on 29 December.

The fact that this 19th-Century technology is still up and running in the age of Instagram and Snapchat may seem rather odd – especially when you consider that the UK, which invented the telegram in the 1830s, abandoned it as long ago as 1982.

The United States followed suit in 2006 and even India, which had been by far the world’s biggest market for the telegram, finally closed its system down in 2013.

Just 10 businesses and a handful of individual customers have kept the Belgian system going until now. It has been chiefly used by bailiffs, who had need of a system which provided legal guarantees of dispatch and receipt.

The buyer can call up a telephone operator to spell out their message, which is then sent by post.

But with a “flash” telegram costing €23.75 (£21) for a basic 20 words, plus €0.90 for delivery in and around Brussels, it is not difficult to see why the system is struggling to survive in the age of unlimited texting on cheap mobile phone tariffs.

Click here to read the full story on the BBC News website.

BBC Atlantic relay station on Ascension Island seeking aerial rigger

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Click here to see St. Helena’s remote location in the South Atlantic Ocean. (Map courtesy of Wikipedia)

(Source: The Times via Richard Cuff)

There should surely be a queue down the street for a steady job in a subtropical climate with beautiful beaches and ocean views, especially after you have climbed a 413ft radio mast.

But contractors running the BBC Atlantic relay station on Ascension Island in the south Atlantic have had to readvertise a post for a full-time antenna maintenance supervisor. It may not be the job of everyone’s dreams, but it would suit anyone with a head for heights and a longing to get away from it all.

[…]Attempts to recruit a new rigger have proved unsuccessful, even though the job comes with a bungalow and an unspecified salary with a singular advantage: there are few places on Ascension (population roughly 800) to spend any money.

[…]The successful candidate will not lack for fun. There are beachside barbecues and even an 18-hole golf course, although the greens are known locally as “browns” and visitors have unkindly dubbed it “the worst golf course in the world”.

Click here to read the full article at The Times.

Post Readers: Please comment if you’ve ever visited Ascension Island! It is on my long-term bucket list.