Category Archives: Shortwave Radio

SolderSmoke: 7J6CBQ on Okinawa — And a Translation of a Science Fiction Novel about Ham Radio in China

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Bill Meara who shares the following article from the excellent SolderSmoke Podcast:


7J6CBQ on Okinawa — And a Translation of a Science Fiction Novel about Ham Radio in China

The article about Sergeant Malik Pugh USMC on Okinawa brought back memories from the 1990s. David Cowhig was 73 Magazine’s Hambassador on Okinawa — I had the same “position” in the Dominican Republic.  David and I were both in the Foreign Service;  we joked that 73 had afforded us our only chances to be ambassadors of any kind.  David’s Okinawa QSL and the opening from his initial report to 73 magazine appear above.  You can see more here:

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1992-12/page/82/mode/1up

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1993-06/page/76/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1993-07/page/82/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1993-08/page/78/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1993-11/page/84/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/73-magazine-1993-12/page/78/mode/2upmode/2up

A couple of my own “dispatches” as Hambassdor to the Dominican Republic appear here:
https://www.gadgeteer.us/DRDISP.HTM

Back in the 90’s David sent me an old QST Magazine.  I wrote about this on the SolderSmoke blog:
https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2015/07/been-there-done-that-he-begged-his.html

Later, I learned about another “Hambassador” who was still active as a radio amateur: Ron Gang 4X1MK:
https://soldersmoke.blogspot.com/2017/10/ron-gang-4x1mk-on-qso-today-podcast.html

Finally (and this is really cool):  David Cowhig has been putting his language skills to good use, translating Chinese written material.  He sent me his translation of the opening chapters of a Chinese science fiction novel about ham radio.   Readers of the SolderSmoke Daily News will like this:


 
https://gaodawei.wordpress.com/2021/12/18/chinese-sf-ham-radio-web-novel-we-live-in-nanjing/


Check out this article and much more on the SolderSmoke podcast blog!

Mysteries of a shortwave nature

Firstly FastRadioBurst 23 and the Imaginary Stations Crew send our best wishes to all of the SWLing Post Community for 2024!

This week we have WMMR – Mystery Mix Radio beamed to Europe via Shortwave Gold on Sunday 31st December 2023 at 1000/1400 hrs UTC on 6160 kHz and at 2100 UTC on 3975 kHz. Then at 0300 UTC Monday 1st January on 9395 kHz we have WMMR – The WRMI edition. “What will we hear?’ you may ask. Who knows, it’s a mystery! The only way to find out is to listen in.

For more information on the shows please email [email protected] and check out our old shows here.

TEF6686 DSP Chip and the Qodosen SR-286

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, TomL, who writes:

A couple of weeks ago, “Radio Jay Allen” sent out a review of a Chinese portable using a different DSP chip from NXP called the TEF6686 usually used in car radios with lots of features. I also notice that the description for the new 2024 WRTH lists an in-depth an article about the TEF6686 chip. Does anyone else know about the new chip or the portable that was reviewed? Is it better than the current crop of portables based on Silicon Labs chips?

Here is a link to the review of the portable radio:

Qodosen SR-286 AM/LW/FM/SW High Performance Portable

Click here to check out the Qodosen SR-286 on AliExpress. 

Radiofax: Japanese Astronaut to the Moon

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Carlos Latuff, who shares the Radiofax news report (above) mentioning that a Japanese astronaut may step on the surface of the Moon for the first time, under a U.S.-led lunar exploration program. Click here to read a full news article.

Carlos also included this amazing artwork he created commemorating the news and his Radiofax reception:

As always, thank you so much for sharing your artwork and your radio adventures with us, Carlos!

Peter is impressed with the 2024 World Radio and TV Handbook

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Peter Luskey, who writes:

My new WRTH 2024 arrived from Germany on.the Radiodata earlybird program through their USA package fulfillment agent on Wednesday, 20 Dec. 2024, undamaged in excellent shape through USPS priority mail. This is the earliest date in the season that I have ever received my annual copy.

Editorially it seems to be a fine job, with a larger typeface in the front feature material and a slightly smaller but highly readable sans serif typeface in the balance of the book. The book actually contains more material than last year’s edition, despite being 816 pages in length, 32 pages fewer than last year.

Of particular interest is the greatly expanded SW broadcasting frequency list, which now indicates broadcasting days of the week and times of day divided by language, transmitter site and target area. All of the features from last year have been retained, including MW AM frequency lists for all major regions of the world, including North America, and the FM lists are now split by state or province for many countries, including the USA and Canada. They are again offering a digital edition updated every day, at a charge discounted for owners of a printed copy.

I am delighted by both the expanded content and the speed and quality of the shipment, and recommend that broadcasting DXers of every part of the spectrum consider either or both the print and digital editions.

Peter Luskey

Click here to order a copy of WRTH 2024 or check out the WRTH home page.

KBS Shortwave Frequency and Time Change Notice

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news from KBS:

Shortwave Frequency & Time Change Notice

Due to a technical issue, KBS WORLD Radio’s English Service will make an inevitable adjustment in the shortwave frequency and time as follows as of January 1, 2024. We ask for your kind understanding. Please send your listener feedback to English Service via email, snail mail, website and social media as always. Thank you.