Category Archives: Guest Posts

More shortwave supper clubs and less stress

Good day SWLing Post lounge community, Fastradioburst23 here passing on a message about our third episode of the Imaginary Lounge this Sunday 7th May 2023 at 2200 UTC on 9395 kHz via the services of WRMI.

We urge you again to leave the stressful world out there behind and recharge your SWLing AA/LR6 batteries. Loosen the longwire antenna a little, get that favourite silk dressing gown on and swan about with a martini glass in your hand to some fine chilled exotica and relaxing tunes and become at one with the ionosphere. As Sneaky Pete says “Enjoy”.

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Guest Post: Review of an affordable, compact DAB+ portable radio

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mangosman, who shares the following review:

DAB+ digital audio/FM receiver and Bluetooth Audio Player with 2.4 inch LCD Display

by Mangosman

Digital Audio Broadcasting with improved audio compression and error correction is called DAB+. I have had this radio for a few years.

Retail in Australia DAB+/FM radios are generally double the price and more. There has only been one model of DAB+/FM/AM radios which is now no longer trading.

This is a size comparison, the sound is very clear and is surprisingly good on music as well, despite having such a small speaker. Even at maximum volume there is no audible noise or distortion. The stereo program HE AAC compressed and FM and Bluetooth and is available on cabled headphones. Such a small speaker cannot produce much in the way of bass, but it is present on headphones. Since DAB+ is a pure digital system, there is, full stereo, no noise as the radiated signal deteriorates, until the receiver mutes when error correction fails. The radio has a 400 mm long telescopic antenna.

On FM this receiver will decode Radio Data System data, I have had more sensitive FM reception.

This is the most sensitive DAB+ receiver I have owned. I am also currently also using two BUSH clock radios. I also have used older headphone radios, but push buttons and headphone sockets haven’t been very reliable.

This screen shows a full colour album cover which can fill the screen and title. Smooth FM is the broadcaster’s name because it is simulcast in some other cities on FM and DAB+. The indicators on this screen are level of battery change, muting, stereo indicator, when decoded and the signal strength. Continue reading →

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Another cocktail please, my good mixologist

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Hi all of the SWLing Post community Fastradioburst23 here again letting you know of our second Imaginary Lounge this coming Sunday 30th April 2023 at 2200 UTC on 9395 kHz via WRMI.

The transmission will be coming live again from the Skybird Supper Club in Paris and there will be free complimentary cocktail for every participant this time (There will be a code given out and an email address to apply for a token that you can use at a cocktail lounge of your choice) . Expect the finest lounge and exotica classics for your listening pleasure yet again. Raise your Collins glass please.

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High Noon: Belka MW shootout part 2, with a review of the AFA200C active MW ferrite antenna

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High Noon: Belka MW shootout part 2, with a review of the AFA200C active MW ferrite antenna

by 13dka

When I reviewed the updated Belka (gen3, 2022) for its MW/LW performance in October last year, I just wanted to know if it’s any good with just the whip antenna and used the XHDATA D-808 as a reference radio because it’s a Jay Allen 2.5-star average performer on MW and my expectations were not high for MW reception on a short whip. To my surprise that average bar turned out way too low for the Belka!

That was sure asking for a comparison with the most sensitive MW radio I have and gave me hope to use the Belka for ultra-portable MW DXing on the move. The omnidirectional whip doesn’t allow me to null out unwanted co-channel interference though, therefore I wanted to find a reasonably sized loopstick antenna to pair with the Belka. Continue reading →

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Bob’s Bespoke “Rack of Radios”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bob Colegrove, who shares the following:

A Rack of Radios

by Bob Colegrove

You simply cannot have enough radios – a principle I learned a long time ago. The difficulty occurs when it comes to storing them and yet having them at the ready when necessity calls. Turns out several of my portables fall within a dimensional range that they can be conveniently stored in a rack on the table.

I would like to say I made a project out of this choosing a fine hard wood for construction, carefully routing each divider into a finely milled slot, tastefully finishing the whole thing off with appropriate stain and varnish, and perhaps lining each slot with felt of finest virgin wool. However, never having been one to let form triumph over function, instead, I found a couple empty cracker boxes of the right dimensions, made a few cuts with a hobby knife, and applied some hot glue. Whalla!

Wait a minute. Is that an unused slot at the end? Hmm!

I love it, Bob!

I mean, you know those cracker boxes just wanted to become a custom radio rack–! I say save the fine wood working to build the shelf upon which you’ll place your bespoke cracker box radio rack.

Thank you!

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Live from the Skybird Supper Club

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Hi SWLing Post community Fastradioburst23 here letting you know of an event to be aired live by the Imaginary Stations crew this Sunday 23rd April 2023 at 2200 UTC on 9395 kHz via WRMI.

The transmission will be coming live from the Skybird Supper Club Imaginary Lounge and they’ll be a free complimentary cocktail for every participant (subject to availability of course). Expect the finest lounge and exotica classics for your listening pleasure. Grab that silk dressing gown and cigarette holder (with no cigarette on the end) and enjoy.

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Can you hear more sound coming in from the West?

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Hi SWLing Post community Fastradioburst23 here letting you know of another journey in a westerly direction being made by the Imaginary Stations crew this Sunday 16th April 2023 at 2200 UTC on 9395 kHz via WRMI. Get your compass and shortwave radio out again and go WEST for a second time this Sunday.