Fans of the RX-320D should note that Ten-Tec has just updated the GUI (Graphic User Interface) for this fine radio. According to Ten-Tec Engineer, John Henry, this mainly makes it work better with the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and Windows 7 comm ports.
You can get the new software from the Ten-Tec download center.
I just discovered (via PRI’s The World Technology Podcast) a 2010 radio documentary about lifelong radio designer and repairman, Gerry Wells.
If you haven’t heard it before, I suggest you drop what you’re doing and give it a listen below. This is the most charming radio doc I’ve ever heard out of the BBC World Service.
For archival purposes, I have a full copy of the radio doc available for download by clicking here.
Again, a special thanks to Clark Boyd with PRI’s The World for bringing this to my attention.
The Shortwave Radio Index contains over one hundred shortwave radios currently in production.
We’re delighted to announce a new website in the SWLing.com family: The Shortwave Radio Index (SWRI).
The SWRI is a comprehensive database featuring all known shortwave radios available on the market today. Each post contains a photo of the receiver, links to retailers, links to reviews, specifications, and a brief summary of the featured radio’s capabilities. What’s more, each radio is tagged and categorized so that it is easy to find and compare to similar models.
Keep in mind, the SWRI is a work in progress; as new models appear on the market, we will be adding them. If you become aware of a review or retailer not included in our database, please contact us to share this information.
Happy browsing!
The RFspace NetSDR wideband receiver
The new RFspace NetSDR has been announced on the RFspace website and Universal Radio is already accepting orders. According to RFSpace, they will have limited availability on February 10th 2011.
Based on the NetSDR’s specs, it appears that this will be a very robust and high-performance SDR. RFspace is touting that it’s fully plug and play and designed to be integrated with your home network and the internet.
We will post all updates about the NetSDR here and on our new Shortwave Radio Index website (click here for the RFspace NetSDR entry). When available, we will also link to relevant reviews in the SWRI entry.
While cruising Retro Thing, this cardboard tube radio kit caught my eye. It’s available for 49.95 EUR from Conrad International in Germany. I would have never thought about combining the warm character of vacuum tubes with a cardboard chassis. Still, one builder’s report is quite positive and assembly time is estimated at two hours.
UPDATE -> 02 September 2011: Please click here to read our full review of the Alinco DX-R8T.
The Alinco DX-R8T tabletop shortwave radio.
Universal Radioannounced today that the Alinco DX-R8T will be priced at $499.95 US.
Expected delivery is December 27, 2010–Universal is now taking orders.
Please see our previous post about the DX-R8T.
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.