Category Archives: News

Radio Dabanga broadcasters risk their lives in Sudan

Leave a reply

I’ve been following the story of journalists with Radio Dabanga who’ve been arrested for reporting independent news that has been critical of the Sudanese government. I should mention that, for those living in the Darfur region of Sudan, Radio Dabanga is one of the only news outlets available.

Thirteen people have been arrested and the government isn’t giving families or the public any clues as to where they are being held and their state of health.

Still, Radio Dabanga plays on–via shortwave and over the internet.

It’s Thanksgiving here in the US–this year I’m thankful for journalists and broadcasters who risk everything to deliver news and information. For many people on this planet, their words are a lifeline. Thank you.

Radio Dabanga links:

New shortwave radio station: Radio Free Sarawak

Leave a reply

The independent radio station, Radio Free Sarawak has started broadcasting via shortwave on 7590 and 15680 kHz. RFS broadcasts are targeted to communities in Sarawak, East Malaysia at 6:30-7:30 and 18:00-19:00 local time (or 22:30-23:00 and 10:00-11:00 UTC respectively).

Per the RFS webite:

Radio Free Sarawak is the independent radio station that brings you the news you want to hear, not what others want you to hear. No one controls us, except you, the listeners of Sarawak . So tune in and enjoy the news, interviews, reports and comment that you will never get to hear on any of the other government-controlled radio stations in Sarawak. There will be plenty of our best music too, all presented to you in Iban by Papa Orang Utan, our own man from the jungle of Sarawak!

Radio Free Sarawak has been broadcasting daily since November 14th–you can listen to past episodes online.

Thanks to Myke (via FB) for the tip!

Links:

Tecsun PL-660 shortwave radio now available

Leave a reply

The Tecsun PL-660 is now available on eBay. This little radio could be worth grabbing as it has sync detection and the Air band (much like the Grundig G3). The price is right at $75 (black version) or $85 (silver version). Note that this radio is shipped directly from Hong Kong.

Search for the

Frequency Range:
FM : 76 ~ 108MHz
Japan 76 ~ 108MHz / Germany 87.5 ~ 108MHz
MW : 522 ~ 1620kHz (band step 1/9kHz for Asia / Africa / Europe) / 520 ~ 1710kHz (band step 10kHz for Northern America) ·
LW : 100KHz to 519KHz (band step 1/9kHz)
SW : 1711KHz to 29999KHz.(band step 1/5kHz)
AIR : 118~137MHz (band step 1/25kHz)

Noise Limit sensitivity:
FM band < 3uV @30dB.
MW band <1mV/m @26dB.
LW band <5mV/m @26dB.
SW band < 20uV @ 26dB.
SSB <1uV
AIR <5uV

Receiver
Dual Conversion
SSB (include upper side band & lower side band)
Air Band
SYNC

Tone Adjustment to adjust the TREBLE & BASS

Search for the

Thanks to OWL for the tip via the ShortwaveRadios Yahoo Group.

New Digital Radio Mondiale channel for South Asia

Leave a reply

(Source: BBC World Service International Publicity)

BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle (DW) are launching a new Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) digital radio channel for South Asia.

The channel will carry a four-hour daily broadcast that includes the best international programmes in English and Hindi from BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle. It will also bring to the audience all the advantages of DRM digital radio including near-FM quality audio, text messages, Journaline and an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).

This joint initiative between BBC World Service and Deutsche Welle has been launched using two transmitters in the region and will cover much of South Asia. The signal covers the majority of the Indian sub-continent and may reach as far as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and other neighbouring countries.

The new transmission starts on 31 October 2010 and will be broadcast from 1400–1800 GMT each day. Listeners will find the new programme stream on 13590 and 5845 kHz (SW) and additionally on 1548 kHz (MW) between 1700–1800 GMT.

Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, says: “Digital radio is as much about technology as it is about content. Through DRM we hope to increase the digital radio offer to South Asia giving people access to audio and multimedia content, which should in turn convince manufacturers that digital radio brings something new worth investing in.”

The Alinco DX-R8T – a new shortwave tabletop

1 Reply

UPDATE -> 02 September 2011: Please click here to read our full review of the Alinco DX-R8T. 

Universal Radio has announced the Alinco DX-R8T with an estimated delivery date of December 28th. All of the data and specs they mention are subject to change, but this looks like it could be a receiver worth consideration.

The Alinco DX-R8T tabletop shortwave radio.

Notable features include:

  • Frequency coverage: 150-30,000 kHz
  • 500 Hz CW Audio Filter
  • 600 Alpha Memories
  • 10 Hz Display
  • IF Shift
  • RIT
  • Squelch
  • Dual VFOs
  • Attenuator

Will the Alinco DX-R8T perform as well as the Icom IC-R75 or the Palstar R30A? We’ll let you know.

We can say that this is most likely a stripped-down version of their amateur transceiver, the Alinco DX-SR8T–probably a good thing. The DX-SR8T gets good marks for receiver sensitivity and selectivity (for a transceiver in its price range). In fact, eham reviewers give it an average of 4.5 stars out of 5.

Regarding price, I imagine it will be in the $500-600 US range (especially based on the pricing for the DX-R8 by Nevada in the UK and the $645US price point of the DX-SR8T transceiver). Universal has not yet announced a price (listed T.B.A.).

Check back for updates–we will post them as soon as they become available.

Please click here to read our full review of the Alinco DX-R8T. 

War of the Worlds on your shortwave radio – October 30th

Leave a reply

On October 30, 2010 at 0100UTC on 9955khz, PCJ Radio will present a special broadcast of HG Wells’ War Of The Worlds as it was originally broadcast on CBS Radio.

PCJ is also giving away 3 copies of this program. If you would like a chance to win one send them an email at: [email protected].

Links: