Author Archives: Thomas

Radio Waves: New SSB SWL Contest, DRM Functionality Recommendations, and Word DAB Summit 2024

Radio Waves: Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio

Welcome to the SWLing Post’s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio. Enjoy!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributors David Iurescia, Alan, and Frank (SWL F14368) for the following tips:

SSB DXCC SWL Contest

Many thanks to Frank (SWL F14368), who shares the following announcement:

Hi Thomas

I have organized another SWL contest for 2025! The goal will be to listen a maximum number of DXCC entities in eight months but only in SSB mode (USB or LSB).

Check out the details here.

Best 73 de Frank SWL F14368

Digital Radio Mondiale Releases the DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (DRM Consortium)

The DRM Consortium (www.drm.org) releases today its DRM Consumer Radio Receiver Functionality Recommendation (rxspec.drm.org). The document describes and defines the core functional parameters of consumer radio receivers capable of receiving DRM radio broadcasts. As DRM is being increasingly rolled out, adopted and demonstrated globally such a document is necessary to offer a guide to receiver manufacturers, but also broadcasters and regulators, so that consumers get a common and consistent DRM digital radio experience.

[…]The DRM Receiver Functionality Recommendation applies to all types of consumer-targeting DRM radio receivers, with detailed application-specific requirements for automotive receivers, personal mobile devices (such as mobile, feature, and smart phones or tablets incorporating built-in radio receiver functionality for terrestrial broadcast radio), and general-purpose receivers (all types of stand-alone receivers, including home and desktop radios).

The Consumer Receiver Recommendation builds upon the more technical DRM MRR – Minimum Receiver Requirements Specification (mrr.drm.org), which must be implemented and followed by any DRM receiver.

The new Consumer Receiver Recommendation covers DRM digital radio in all broadcasting bands: in the LW, MW, SW and VHF bands (Band I, II and III) and analogue AM and analogue FM radio. [Continue reading…]

WorldDAB Summit: Ensuring Radio Stays Prominent in the Car (Radio World)

Summary: At the WorldDAB Summit 2024 in Zagreb, industry leaders emphasized the importance of keeping radio front and center in the evolving connected car landscape. Gregor Pötzsch of Volkswagen Group’s CARIAD stressed the need for easy findability and engaging multimedia content, while Tomas Granryd of the EBU Connected Car Playbook highlighted the challenges posed by hidden FM/DAB buttons, voice activation inconsistencies, and increasing competition from global digital platforms. With 70% of in-car audio still coming from radio, broadcasters have the leverage to shape dashboard integration, ensuring seamless hybrid reception and intuitive voice control. Read the full article at Radio World.

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Revised: XSG Special World Radio Day Event and QSL Card

1 Reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Michael (BD4AAQ) and Xusheng Niu (BH4BFS), who share the following revised announcement:

120 Years of XSG: World Radio Day Commemoration

Revised Notice from Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG)

Dear SWLers and Amateur Radio Enthusiasts,

In celebration of World Radio Day and the 120th anniversary of Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG), XSG will transmit special commemorative messages on its dedicated frequencies from 12 to 13 February 2025.

Established in 1905, Shanghai Coast Radio Station has proudly served maritime communications for 120 years. Operating under the callsign XSG since its inception, the station continues to uphold its legacy by maintaining Morse code telegraph services, alongside its role in the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Event Schedule:

Scheduled duration: 00:00 UTC on 12 February 2025 to 24:00 UTC on 13 February 2025.

XSG Transmission Frequencies and Modes:

4105 kHz CW/A1A
6780 kHz CW/A1A
8502 kHz CW/A1A
12871.5 kHz CW/A1A

QSL Confirmation:

For QSL card requests, please send your card or reception report to: Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG), No. 1 Diantai Road, Zhangjiang Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 201206, PR China. Email: [email protected].

We warmly invite SWLers and amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide to join us in celebrating this historic milestone.

Best regards,

Shanghai Coast Radio Station (XSG)
1 February 2025

Information provided by BD4AAQ (Michael Ye) and BH4BFS (Xusheng Niu)

AM Band RF Noise Study

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Photo by Brock Wegner on Unsplash

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dennis Dura, who shares the following article from Radio World:

NRSC Releases Details of AM Band RF Noise Study (Radio World)

Noise levels remained consistent throughout different environments, even in downtown Baltimore

The National Radio Systems Committee’s AM Improvement Working Group has published a study examining the effects of RF noise on AM radio reception in cars.

Radio World readers will find the study’s scientific detail of interest. Noteworthy was how RF noise on the road often did not vary amongst the diverse environments sampled. Overcoming downtown building signal degradation was more of a concern, according to the study’s authors. Additionally, the study found field strength projections of AM signals to often not be reflective of contour predictions.

The group’s study intended to provide a better understanding of how AM radio reception is affected by RF signal strength and noise in a range of roadway environments. The authors also provided some suggestions to overcome signal loss. [Continue reading…]

Carlos’ Illustrated Radio Listening Report and Recording of Radio 2, Argentina (February 4, 2025)

USPS Temporarily Suspends Parcel Shipments from China and Hong Kong Amid New Tariffs

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UPDATE: The USPS has reversed this decision and parcel delivery has been resumed.

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Eric, who notes that if you live in the US and have incoming packages from China or Hong Kong, you may experience delays. Here’s the story from the BBC:

US Postal Service halts China parcels after Trump tariffs (BBC)

The US Postal Service (USPS) said it has stopped accepting parcels from mainland China and Hong Kong until further notice.

Letters will not be affected by the suspension, said the company, which declined to offer a reason for the decision.

However, on Tuesday new rules came into force which closed a loophole that allowed small packages worth $800 (£641) or less to be sent to the US without paying tax or fees.

It was one of the measures announced by US President Donald Trump who imposed an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported to the US from China. [Continue reading…]

Here’s the official note from the USPS:

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE SUSPENSION NOTICE – effective Feb. 4, 2025

Effective Feb. 4, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend only international package acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts until further notice. Note the flow of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong will not be impacted.

Modification to make the XHDATA D-220 dial easier to read

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Jason Harvey, who writes:

Just thought I’d share, I’ve seen the bandaid dial scale mod for the D-220 to help with tuning. Not sure if anyone else has been able to mod the actual dial marker yet to make it more visible on the orange D-220 though, but it’s really not hard if you’re used to working on electronics. I just pulled the 2” plastic dial “string” out of mine after removing the back and lifting the circuit board, painted the front tab black, and reinstalled it in reverse. The end of the “string” has a tiny tab that just plugs into the front of the tuning pot cover, and when reseating the board it all slips back into place with a little guidance. This is made easier if you leave the tuning pot in the same spot it’s in when you lift the board, which one should note when they start.

[…] I came across this video that describes modding the XHDATA D-220 dial for better visibility.

Dan Reviews the Radel RT-860

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Van Hoy, who writes:

Because I [purchased a RT-470L last year], Radtel sent me news of their brand new RT-860. No need to mod the radio like a Quangsheng. It does LW/MW/SW with SSB/CW (rx only, of course) out of the box for less than $50! I just posted a short preliminary review of the RT-860 on YouTube: