Author Archives: Thomas

This shortwave listener gives the Grundig G2 a positive review

Regarding the Grundig G2, SWLing Post reader “Shortwave Listener 22007” recently commented:

I have owned this radio for about 2 months, here are the things I have noticed…

The good:

The G2 has shortwave reception almost matching that of my Tecsun PL880

The e-reader function works great for programming shortwave schedules, contains bookmarks for easy access

Audio is decent through earpieces

Recorder events can be labeled using a computer

The receiver is small enough to fit into a small coat pocket

The radio is available new for only +- $50

The Bad:

No glue of any sort is used to keep the plastic knob from falling off

Receiver controls are somewhat complicated e.g, it requires that push in the knob 3 times and then turn the knob just to begin a recording session

A glitch causes the G2 to freeze up after a recording event is deleted, because there is no reset button the only way of solving this problem is to take out battery and then put it back in again, in which case the time and date settings have to be reset again.

Summary: The Grundig G2 Reporter is excellent receiver for its price class and probably receives more criticism should, however, those interested in the G2 should still look at the upgraded 1128H version which has many of the operational peculiarities and glitches fixed.

Many thanks for your review! I have a Grundig G2 I purchased several months ago; I’m not sure if it’s an upgraded version. I may have to give it more time on the air and, especially, evaluate its recording capabilities.

Click here to search Amazon for a Grundig G2.

Also, note that Universal Radio has a current promotion that includes a free G2 with the purchase of an Eton Grundig Edition Field or an Eton Grundig Edition Satellit.

New Franzis shortwave radio kit

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Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Franz Miller, who writes:

“I’ve pasted a link below to the webpage at Conrad in Germany for yet another Franzis radio kit; no idea how good it is, but it looks neato-retro to me. Covers longwave, medium, shortwave VHF, & UHF, allegedly. Price on Conrad’s website is around 69 Euros.”

Click here to view the new Franzis Radio Kit on Conrad’s website.

I truly appreciate the reminder, too, that I have a previous model Franzis kit somewhere in storage that I need to unearth and build! I assume this new Franzis model also has a cardboard chassis.

Update–Tomas adds the following comment:

Here is a link to the Franzis site where there are several pictures and also a two minute video demonstrating the kit.

http://www.franzis.de/elektronik/lernpakete-elektronik/der-grosse-franzis-radiobaukasten#

Of course, for SW it only supports the 41-meter band.

Want to chat? Check out the new SWLing Post Chat Room!

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SWLing Post reader, CJ, recently offered to host a chat room here on our site––quite a generous offering. I’d thought about implementing a radio-themed chat room in the past, but had to be realistic about it, as my schedule simply doesn’t allow for much chat room time. Still, I like the idea of real-time conversations.

With well over 2,000 daily unique visitors to the SWLing Post alone, there is certainly a strong community that may also appreciate the chance to chat with each other in real time. To that end, I have just published a new chat room page with CJ’s code. You’ll find the page in the tabs on the SWLing Post banner above, or by clicking here:

https://swling.com/blog/chat-room/

Let me know what you think, and if you enjoy having a chat room. In the beginning there may be very little activity, but if the chat room is truly engaging for our readers, we’ll continue to offer it!

Click here to visit our chat room

Can the VOA justify its funding?

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Jonathan Marks followed up his last post with two more pieces from the Media Network Vintage Vault, again, on the topic of US international broadcasting.

Jonathan writes:

Interesting to see there was opposition to RFE/RL expansion in 1992. http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn06081992radio-free-asia

And Bill Whitacre is good in this edition: http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn07051992voakorea

My question remains: can VOA still justify the funding it has? It has spent billions over the last few decades, but has little to show for it.

No doubt, with the recent loss of CEO Andy Lack and the announcement that VOA Director, David Ensor, is stepping down, the VOA is struggling to remain viable. I don’t believe this is due to a lack of good reporters or internal innovators, rather, a lack of proper management.

Jonathan also found this recently published report titled, “Reassessing US International Broadcasting” by S. Enders Wimbush and Elizabeth M. Portale. Click here to download the full report as a PDF.

VOA director David Ensor steps down

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(Source: NY Times)

David Ensor (Source: BBG)

David Ensor, who as director of the Voice of America has presided over significant growth in the news agency’s audience despite budget cuts, announced Tuesday that he was stepping down.

Mr. Ensor, who joined the Voice of America in June 2011, said he would leave the government-funded broadcaster at the end of next month. He did not explain his decision or discuss his plans.

The Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the Voice of America, credited Mr. Ensor with creating new television programming in Russian, Ukrainian, Persian, Mandarin, Burmese and Creole, among other languages. It also said he had led a digital transformation of the agency’s newsroom and expanded media programs in Africa.

[…]His time at the news agency has not been without controversy. Dan Robinson, the former chief White House correspondent for the Voice of America, said its central news operation had been devastated by staffing cuts, and he and other former employees said a number of veteran correspondents had resigned or retired in frustration. [Continue reading…]

Media Network Vingate Vault: 1988 VOA Relay Stations Feature

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Jonathan Marks writes:

I published a few more old programmes which I think are relevant to the ongoing discussions in Washington about US International Broadcasting. One programme in particular from 1988 no less, shows me that not a lot has changed in over 25 years.

http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn04111998voafeature

Indeed, not much has changed in so many respects. Many thanks for sharing this recording, Jonathan!

Readers: I encourage you to bookmark Jonathan Mark’s Media Network Vintage Vault–a true treasure trove of international broadcasting history.

A true fashion statement: the “Man-from-Mars Radio Hat”

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(Source: Mashable)

Inventor Victor T. Hoeflich, founder of novelty manufacturing corporation American Merri-Lei of Brooklyn, New York, introduced his “Man-from-Mars Radio Hat” in March 1949.

In the press conference, he used teenagers as models. Sold in department stores across the U.S. and by mail, the hat retailed for $7.95. Designed after a pith helmet, it could be ordered in eight colors: Lipstick Red, Canary Yellow, Blush Pink, Rose Pink, Tangerine, Flamingo, Chartreuse and Tan. Later seven more color options were added.

Although the hat had a futuristic appearance at the time, this was in fact due to technical limitations. While the transistor had been invented in 1947, it was still experimental and not widely available. And portable transistor radios did not appear until 1954. The hat’s radio relied on valve technology, and Hoeflich made the valves a prominent feature, as well as the loop aerial. The tuning knob sat between the two valves.[…]

Continue reading on Mashable.