Author Archives: Thomas

Dave’s Sproutie SPT Beacon

James’ restored Sony ICF-5800H

SWLing Post contributor, James Patterson, has recently restored a Sony ICF-5800H. James sent me a few photos and I decided to post them here.

I absolutely love the design of Japanese analog radios from this era. They have signal meters, large backlit dials, carry straps, and proper large controls–buttons, switches and knobs–that can even be operated when wearing gloves in the winter.

Great receiver you have there, James!

CountyComm promotion includes free custom padded case with GP5/SSB

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ron, who writes:

http://www.countycomm.com/gp5ssb.html

Buy a GP5 from CountyComm this week and get the 17 buck custom carry case for free.

Thanks, for sharing this, Ron. I actually have this GP5 case–it houses the GP5/SSB in my Spec Ops Brand THE pack. It’s a custom, quality case that’s actually made here in the US.

If you’ve been thinking about buying a CountyComm GP5/SSB, it might be time to pull the trigger!

Click here to read my review of the GP5/SSB.

eBay: Mario considers the Time Out Radio Bench

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

For hams and SWLs that have a lot of clutter, a great idea, reminds me of a foot stool that has been re-purposed for radio buffs. Nice idea, good price, free shipping, what’s not to like? My spending finger’s getting itchy hi hi.

Click here to view on eBay.

I’m with you, Mario: this is not a bad price for a useful and portable shelf that is even made here in the USA (Kentucky). I could see using one on Field Day where horizontal space is often limited on club tables.

It appears that the seller (a ham: Ron, KK4RON) purchased a large number of these in a deal. He writes this in the product description:

These benches are great for setting up a compact ham station or use 3 for a surround set up , They also stack nicely if you only have a narrow space available. Go UP rather than out.

These are very sturdy and well made in the USA by a factory in Kentucky , the surface is a very durable and easy clean kitchen cabinet material (Formica) on 3/4″ wood so screwing on mounting brackets and mike holders and such is very easy

These were intended to sell for $49.95 but the company that ordered them went out of business before they had payed the factory so the factory got stuck with literally thousands of these finished and ready for sale.

We were able to acquire there entire inventory including boxes and packaging at a fantastic price but that is also why we are limited to 8 colors and 2 top colors. But these are very well built from a factory (not home made) and just perfect for mounting several radios to and cleaning up your bench.

Again, many thanks, Mario, for sharing this find (and perhaps it’s time to get yourself an early Christmas gift?)!

November 28, 2015: Tune to “Rockin’ with Raoul”

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Radio producer and SWLing Post friend, Raoul van Hall, writes:

Hello fellow shortwave and music fans. I am very excited to be broadcasting via PCJ International, a one-hour music special on November 28th. It’s called “Rockin’ with Raoul,” and it will feature some very rare rock tracks that you have probably never heard before. If you ever listened to The Rockpile on Global 24, and liked it, you will love this special program.

Plus we have special QSL cards for all these PCJ specials.

Thanks to Keith Perron and to everyone committed to keeping shortwave fun.

Many thanks for the heads-up, Raoul!

Rockin’ with Raoul will broadcast on 11580 khz on November 28, 2015 at 09:00 UTC.

More changes to this PCJ broadcast series

Please note that, Keith Perron posted the following on PCJ’s Facebook page:

I will be canceling the remainder of the PCJ Special Broadcasts after next weeks program. There is just not a sufficient audience to continue with the rest.

Last week and this week it was the same people. So it’s not justified to keep it going for fewer than 20 people.

Apologies to those who did tune in.

In other worlds, Rockin’ with Raoul, will be the last show in this broadcast series, so make sure you tune in! Contact PCJ with your reception reports.

BBC World Service receives funding increase

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(Source: BBC Media Centre via Jonathan Marks)

Statement on newly announced Government funding of the World Service

Tony Hall, the Director-General of the BBC, said:
“I warmly welcome today’s announcement. It’s fantastic news.

“This new funding is the single biggest increase in the World Service budget ever committed by any government.

“The millions announced today will help the BBC deliver on our commitment to uphold global democracy through accurate, impartial and independent news reporting.

“The World Service is one of the UK’s most important cultural exports and one of our best sources of global influence. We can now further build on that. The funding will also help speed us on to our target of reaching half a billion people globally.”

Enhanced TV services for Africa

New radio services for audiences in North Korea; radio and digital services for Ethiopia and Eritrea

Additional language offers via digital and TV in India and Nigeria

More regionalised content to better serve audiences to the BBC Arabic Service

Dedicated TV output for Somalia and a fully digital service for Thailand

Enhanced digital and TV services for Russian speakers, both in Russia and surrounding communities

A video-led digital transformation of Languages services

To expand the impact and future-proof World Service English

Guest post: Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RadioShack Catalogs

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mario Filippi (N2HUN), for the following guest post:

Trip Down Shortwave Memory Lane via Vintage RS Catalogs

-Mario Filippi (N2HUN)

Attached is a wonderful website containing archived Radio Shack catalogs and sales flyers going back to 1939, surely of interest to SWLs, hams, and other electronics hobbyists. Most of us have fond memories growing up and visiting our local Radio Shack when it was the place to go for ham, shortwave, and scanner radios. My hometown Radio Shack was located on North Avenue in New Rochelle, NY and I purchased an electric guitar (could not afford a Fender) from them in the late 60’s which had three pickups and included a case for $29.95!

Radio Shack Catalogs

You see, back then Radio Shack had a much more diversified line of products, including musical instruments, power tools and even scientific stuff like microscopes and slide rules. These archived catalogs are a treasure trove of information not only from a historical perspective, but for anyone who is interested or who is contemplating purchasing vintage equipment such as shortwave radios, because you can look up the original sales info in the RS catalog which contains the original price, photo, description, and accessories available at that time.

For example, last year I purchased a “tech special” Realistic TRC-450 AM/SSB CB radio on Ebay that needed LED repair, so I looked up the original sales ad and got the price, photo (this helps to see original condition), and product description. Below is a picture of my restored Realistic which originally sold in 1980 for $269.95!

The classic Realistic TRC-450 AM/SSB CB radio. (Photo: Mario Filippi)

Nowadays most people don’t realize how expensive electronics were a few decades ago. A comparable new AM/SSB CB radio sells for about half that price nowadays!

Lastly, as one progresses chronologically through the catalogs, you can see technology (and even fashion) trends – the large 8 track tape decks of the 60’s and 70’s progressed to smaller cassette players of the 80’s and 90’s, then DVD/CD players made their entrance, ultimately giving way to higher tech forms of entertainment such as satellite radio and Internet-based entertainment. Well I hope you enjoy this totally entertaining and informative website and I thank the individual who took the time and effort to preserve for perpetuity these priceless annual time capsules for everyone to enjoy.

Mario, many thanks for this trip down memory lane!

As you state, these catalogs are actually an excellent reference source when trying to determine pricing and features of RS radios found on the used market.

I think they’re also so much fun to flip through as they’re chock-full of nostalgic value. When I was a kid, I could care less about toy store catalogs–the RadioShack catalog was my toy store!

Indeed, when I open the online catalog copies at Radio Shack Catalogs, I can almost smell the ink on the pages! Am I the only one?