Rob Sherwood has now tested and ranked the new FlexRadio Systems 6700 transceiver on his benchmark receiver test data page. 
The ‘6700 tops the list when sorted by third-order dynamic range, narrow spaced. Click here to view the results.
We’ve received some brilliant, creative entries in the Virtual Radio Challenge II: your opportunity to piece together the best $1200 (US) radio kit you might pack for two years in the remote off-grid village of Laya, Bhutan.
To participate in this challenge, simply comment on our original post with your suggested set-up, any links, and a brief explanation for your choices. You’re also welcome to email me directly with your response on or before Friday, October 3rd, 2014. I plan to post a selection of diverse entries shortly thereafter.
London Shortwave writes:
I’ve just discovered that there is an Amateur Radio equivalent of the StackOverflow website (a Q&A website for programmers where answers are upvoted/downvoted according to a number of strict guidelines, ensuring answer relevance and quality).
After a quick scan it seems that it contains many useful answers that are also relevant to SWLs, for example:
http://ham.stackexchange.com/questions/606/can-i-reduce-rfi-noise-at-the-antenna
Very cool! With over 630 questions ham radio questions so far, there are many answers that can help SWLs. Thanks for sharing this, LS!
Remember our recent posts about Dave Richard’s homebrew regenerative receiver?
If so, you can imagine the laugh I had yesterday when I viewed this latest creation by the infamous Jeff Murray (K1NSS):
“Short Wave & Prosper”–? I have to agree! And I’m completely in tune with Jeff’s sense of humor. If you are, too, be sure to bookmark Dashtoons for more radio fun and whimsy. (Better yet, get Jeff to design your own QSL card!)
As for Dave, follow his blog for the latest on his many homebrew activities (that continue even when his pets are interfering).
Major thanks to Dave for the brilliant write-up about Ears to Our World’s HumanaLight kit. [Want one? Get yours now at Universal Radio, and support ETOW’s mission.]
Many thanks to Dave (N9EWO) for compiling news on the newly introduced SDR TRX-305 SSB 5 Watt Transceiver modular kit, AOR AR-DV1 Digital Voice Receiver, Yaesu FT-991, Icom IC-7850 flagship transceiver, and much more.
SWLing Post reader, Neil, writes:
“An app specifically made for the Elecraft KX3 is KX3Companion (www.kx3companion.com). There are free and paid versions on Google Play (does not work on Kindle Fire).
The same author has created KX3 KeyApp to give a virtual set of keys for KX3 users. It comes with two predefined templates (CW, and default) with KX3 macros setup for use.
Finally, he created QRSS Beacon – A fully featured QRSS (Slow CW) Beacon on Android. You can select a DIT duration from 1 to 60 seconds and choose one of the 3 supported modes: QRSS, FSK/CW and DFCW. This works on any radio, connect the audio out of your Android device to the audio in of your radio and an enable VOX.
Also, HamLog is available on iOS & Android (there’s even a MAC version).”
Many thanks for sharing this, Neil! I will add the KX3 Companion apps to our comprehensive list of ham/shortwave radio apps.
Regarding Garth Mullins’ radio documentary, SWLing Post reader, David Korchin, comments:
“I got my start in a small FM station in Saskatoon—CFMC, doing overnights, then drive, then mornings.
Kind of a loose format, and with such a small staff that we were all doing each others’ jobs. When the news guy went on vacation, I got to rip-and-read.
Later I moved to another market, with a bigger transmitter and more audience, a tighter format and rules about what you could say and play—but the lone magic of talking into the mic and being in the ears of a complete stranger never left.
It’s why I’m a Ham, I suppose. It’s already depressing that the biggies like Netherlands and Canada and others have tuned out. I hate to ponder the End of Radio—it’s like losing an untouchable, rare dimension to our human experience.”
David Korchin (K2WNW) is also a talented photographer; check out his website–One Camera One Lens–and especially his photography project, The Hamateur. Amazing images…
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts, David!