Category Archives: Contests

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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Top 10 DX of the Year Contest: Starting December 1, 2024!

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Istvan Biliczky, who writes:

COMING SOON!

For those, who take it seriously!
The TOP DX RADIOCLUB invite you to the annual TOP 10 DX OF THE YEAR contest.
Starting 1 December 2024.

All details can be found on our website: https://topdx-radioclub.com/top10dx.html
Best of luck and outstanding DX receptions to everyone!

Best regards,
Istvan Biliczky
Contest Manager
Top DX Radioclub

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Frank reminds us about the upcoming 2025 SWL Contest

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Jamet, who shares the following announcement:

This message to announce a contest launched by radio listener F-14368 (Frank Parisot) <f14368@wanadoo.fr>

Information in French: http://radioclub.perche.free.fr/

Contest rules in English: https://webkiwisdrswl.blogspot.com/2024/09/swl-contest-2025-rules.html

Thanks for sharing this announcement, Paul!

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Frank shares updates about the SWL Contest 2024 and 2025

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Frank SWL (F14368), who writes:

I’ve written three articles about the next contest project in January 2025, a list of our sponsors for 2024, and a list of listeners who worked this contest 2024. Check them out here:

https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/

Frank also shared the following banner for the 2025 contest:

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Time to submit logs for the SWL Contest 2024

Many thank to SWLing Post contributor, Frank, who writes:

Its me Frank SWL F14368

The SWL contest 2024 is now finished

Can you please remind our listeners to send the logs before September 10, 2024 to this email address: swlcontest@gmx.fr

All participants will receive an E-award !

The rules of the contest was here https://icomjapan.blogspot.com/2024/01/rules-of-swl-contest-2024-june-july.html

Soon i will organize a MW SWL contest

Here’s a sample of the E-award:

Frank SWL F14368

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Nutty Idea XHDATA D-220 DX Contest Results

XHDATA D-220 available in three colorsBy Jock Elliott, KB2GOM

In the run-up to the Nutty Idea XHDATA D-200 DX Contest, I really thought that sorting through the data might take a while. Why? Because I heard from so many people who said they had bought the D-220, were pleasantly surprised at its performance, and thought the contest sounded like fun.

But it turned out not to be so . . . only two “official” entries were received, plus an email from a ham radio friend who participated.

So I thought I would like the participants speak for themselves.

Don

First setup. I used a trimmed printer label and pen on my D-220 to mark the SW bands and key frequencies – so marks on WWV, CHU, FT8 on 7, 10, 14, 18 and 21MHz (nice I could hear them all) and some marks of the key SWL bands. I spent Friday trying to do everything indoors on my second floor and Sat outdoors. Of course, waiting for station IDs became the big roadblock. I didn’t get a lot of time over the weekend with events so I did what I could.

Identified Stations:

  • WWV 10 and 15 MHz (680 mi)
  • CHU 7.9 and 14.9 MHz (850mi)
  • WRMI on 17.5-18MHz (1410 mi)
  • WWCR on ~5.9 MHz (700 mi)
  • WGN Chicago – 720 kHz (350 mi)
  • KBGG Des Moines – 1700 kHz (240 mi)
  • KCNZ Cedar Falls – 1650 kHz (180 mi)
  • ??Radio Exterior de Espana?? – I think so but couldn’t be sure 16m band

Friday evening – all times local CDT in midwest:

  • 41m band – 3 stations – 2 in Spanish, 1 in english (no IDs)
  • 49m band – two religious stations and one hispanic (that was 2-3 kHz above the 2 english stations – no IDs)

Saturday – started a more systematic approach.

  • really tried hard to hear WWV on 20MHz scanning down a bit from 21MHz FT8 – nothing
  • pretty sure I got Radio Exterior de Espana – but not sure
  • hear loud stations in the 31, 25, 22 and 16m bands but only a couple of IDs – noted above
  • heard a ton of MW stations but only picked out a few with IDs – noted above

Here are some key observations:

1. As a simple portable, the D-220 is a nice, very lightweight travel companion. FM and MW are sufficient for listening to games or music. I would definitely take it on a bike trip or camping or even to a game.
2. Headphone plug on the side??? Why?? Not good for a pocket or case. Should be on the top.
3. Outdoor use is moderate to excellent – performance improves dramatically. MW at night seems very good as does SW. This really is an outdoor portable with just the whip!
4. SW noise level is very good. Much better than Retekess or others.
5. SW overloading from MW is bad in the city yet just touching the whip with a finger removes it completely (changing impedance, grounding and antenna characteristics) allowing for clean SW.
6. FM audio sounds good but bass is severely attenuated. Hooking up the headphone jack to a stereo demonstrates how much low frequencies are cut whereas other cheap portables have great lows.
7. Audio tuning bandwidth drowns out stations close to each other if one is more powerful – fine tuning isn’t an option.
8. Tuning is general takes patience and a very sensitive touch to change the frequency.
9. SW is doable outdoors – need some testing with antenna mods – but the whip would give you some of the big SW guns.

All-in-all I was generally pleased with the radio at its price point and portability.

*****

William, KR8L

MWBC = 5, DX = 130 miles (WSM)
FMBC = 10 , DX = 50 miles (WCIL)
SW SFTS = 3, DX = 900 miles (WWV)
SWBC = 6, DX = 8000 miles (RNZ)
Amateur (CW) = 4, DX = 1010 miles (K1YAN)
Amateur (AM) = 2, DX = 1110 miles (W7YO)

Fun! Heard a lot more but no ID due to language and time constraints.

*****

Lou, KD2UHG (via email)

I could not spent as much time as I would have liked scanning the waves. I was picking up more SW then I imagined possible. Most noteworthy was the Music Through The Decades. From Akron Ohio, and Radio Romania. I heard all of the usual Christian preachers. Brother S was booming from Florida.After receiving the 220, I also bought the 219.

*****

So, thank you Don, William and Lou for your participation and your comments.

I hope William’s observation sums it up for all of you: “Fun!”

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