SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), has completed a review of the Yaesu FT1XD (FT1XDR) “System Fusion” Digital-Analog Handheld Transceiver.
The FT1DX 2 meter/440 HT provides both analog and digital communications on both bands with up to 5 watts. It also has wideband receiver that covers from 500 kHz to 999 MHz (US version, less cellular) including the AM and FM broadcast band. It even has a built-in ferrite bar for mediumwave/AM reception.
What does Dave think?
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ulis K3LU, for sharing the following story from newsworks.org:
Pole removal project planned for Good Luck Point tidal marshlands
The iconic poles emerging from the tidal marshes in Bayville’s Good Luck Point may soon disappear if a federal plan clears a historic preservation hurdle.
A plan funded by the federal Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 calls for the removal of hundreds of poles along with cables, wires, metal towers, and concrete blocks that sit within Barnegat Bay marshlands at the foot of the Toms River.
“The goal of this action is to enhance coastal marsh habitats by increasing marsh resiliency from impacts of large storm events and other ecosystem stressors,” according to a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service release.
The poles are a component of inactive shortwave antenna fields associated with AT&T’s ship-to-shore shortwave communications system, which was in operation at the sites from the early 1930s until 1999, according to the release.
The area also includes a shortwave transmitter building and antenna field. Under the call sign “WOO,” the station helped broadcast Voice of America around the globe after 1944 and enabled communication with ships at sea throughout the twentieth century.
The article also noted this excellent video–an aerial view of Good Luck Point:
For more information about the Good Luck Point site and its history, check out this website and this article from Wavescan.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dave Zantow (N9EWO), who shares the following via Ted Randall’s show, QSO Live:
New “QSO Live” on Tuesday evening December 15!! Host Ted Randall – WB8PUM & co-host Frank Howell – K4FMH welcome guest Bob Grove – W8JHD, Founder / President of Grove Enterprises & Founder / Publisher of Monitoring Times. This will air Live on WTWW 5085 KHz starting at 8pm CST – please join us!
This announcement may not reach many of you in time since the broadcast will begin in less than three hours from time of posting.
I will attempt to listen or, at least, make an off-air recording of the show.
(Photo source: Inside VOA)
Thanks to the endeavors of Maristella Feustle at the UNT Music Library, five hours of recently-restored Louis Armstrong interviews with Willis Conover are now online and free to download/listen.
Kudos to the UNT archives for making these amazing recordings so accessible! What a treasure trove.
Click here to view links to all five hours of recordings at the UNT Archives’ website.
Blinq.com has an “open box” deal on one of my favorite shortwave portables: the Sony ICF-SW7600GR. Though this receiver has been on the market for many years, its AGC, synchronous detector, and selectivity are still benchmark. Check out how it was favored by readers in this blind comparison. The ‘7600GR also has a dedicated and stable line-out port; one of the reasons it’s still my receiver of choice for field recordings. Ergonomics and the lack of a tuning wheel/knob are my only real complaints about the ‘7600GR.
I almost snatched this deal up–if for no other reason than to have a spare unit–but I’d rather give someone here in the SWLing Post community a chance to add this to their collection. The ICF-SW7600GR typically sells for $130-140 new and $90-110 used. It appears there’s only one in stock.
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.
(Source: Southgate ARC)
It is now 10 years since our first Christmas Eve transmissions started.
There will be, as earlier, a transmission with the Alexanderson alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz CW from Grimeton Radio/SAQ in the very early morning on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th 2015 .
A message will be transmitted at 08:00 UTC . The transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC .
There will be no activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ this time because the radio room is being redecorated and cannot be used.
QSL-reports on SAQ transmission are kindly received :
– E-mail to: info<at>alexander.n.se– or via: SM bureau
– or direct by mail to:
Alexander – Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner,
Radiostationen Grimeton 72
SE-432 98 GRIMETON
SWEDENAlso read our web site: www.alexander.n.se
The radiostation will be open to visitors.
WELCOME !Yours
Lars, SM6NM
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Bill (W8LV), who writes:
I hope the SWLing Audience out there is familiar with WBCQ, and owner Allan’s Show: Allan Weiner Worldwide. It is broadcast on WBCQ 7.490 every Friday at 8 PM EST. It’s a Free Form Show with an email and call in number.
Allan talks about anything that crosses his mind, and of course that includes radio with every show. All of the shows are also archived at www.wbcq.com, as are many of the other offerings of WBCQ.
I also want to mention that Former Pirate JP Ferraro has a show there called Shortwave Saturday Night.
There are also many other shows, both live and archived on the WBCQ website! Ham radio, Marion’s Attic with the old cylinder records, etc…
And, the merriment of Former NYC Pirate Johnny P. Lightning is heard on WBCQ every other Sunday from 8PM EST till 11PM, frequently with a pre-show that starts at 7:30PM. John also takes emails and calls. You can also catch John’s Show: Radio New York International, a.k.a. A Little Bit of Radio Everything Radio Extravaganzo live encores, with archived ALBORE
shows at the 11L Network site:
www.johnlightning.comThese are real radio people, folks. And WBCQ is such a wonderful station, currently broadcasting on three frequencies from Monticello, Maine.
I hope you tune in!
Bill, you’re right: WBCQ is an amazing independent shortwave broadcaster! WBCQ staff are all true die-hard shortwave listeners as well. A great bunch. I also tune to the shows you mentioned above–another one I love is beHAVior Night on WBCQ every Friday at 5:00 PM EST.
Thanks again, Bill!