Category Archives: Shortwave Radio

eBay find: A Sony PRO-80 receiver, new in unopened box

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who writes:

With still days to go before auction end, this Sony PRO-80 receiver is already above $700 U.S. This is new in unopened box, which explains the sharp price rise.

The seller notes that the unit up for auction has never been opened. The photos of the ICF-PRO80 interior in the auction come from one of their previous listings.

The PRO-80 was one of Sony’s technology showcase receivers, designed in the walkie talkie format. The radios are almost never seen NIB, but aging capacitors often cause audio problems and the tops mounted potentiometers often need cleaning or replacing.

I fully expect this PRO-80 to top $1,000 but the auction winner will have to be prepared for some refurbishing.

https://ebay.us/xgTHGu

Thank you, Dan! I always wanted an ICF-PRO80, but could never afford one back in the day. You’ve got a great point that the winner of this bid may have to re-cap it almost immediately. They’ll need Vlado on speed dial! It will be interesting to see the price this auction fetches.

AWA Presentation by Matt Zullo: “The US Navy’s On-The-Roof Gang”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Erdle, who shares the following:

Hi Thomas,

I thought that you SWLing visitors might enjoy this presentation from the Antique Wireless Association:

The US Navy’s On-The-Roof Gang – Pioneers of Radio Intelligence:

Video description: Author Matt Zullo is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer who has more than 35 years’ experience in Radio Intelligence, now more commonly known as Communications Intelligence. He holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University, where he researched and wrote his master’s thesis on the On-the-Roof Gang, which tells the story of story of the 176 Sailors and Marines who, starting in 1921, learned the Japanese katakana telegraphic code in order to intercept Imperial Japanese Navy communications, setting in motion events that would lead to the birth of the US Navy’s communications intelligence organization. Join Matt in this “AWA Shares” presentation as he discusses the importance of this pioneering effort in signals intelligence.

Click here to view on YouTube.

Click here for more information about the On-The-Roof Gang series.

For more info about AWA’s presentations, click here.

Eton announces the new Elite Satellit

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who notes that Eton has now placed a splash page image of the new Elite Satellit (above) on their home page.

There is no further information yet and the splash page simply links to their current production shortwave models. It does, however, show that Eton is committed to produce the Elite Satellit this year.

Of course, we’ll post any Elite Satellit updates as they become available! Stay tuned!

Radio Clarion via Channel 292 on January 23rd and 30th, 2022

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fastradioburst23, who shares the Radio Clarion flyer above announcing a broadcast on Sunday, January 23rd and 30th, 2022 at 1200 UTC on 9670 kHz via Channel 292. Make sure to mark your listening calendar!

CHU Time Station heard in “The Book of Boba Fett”

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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Fred Waterer, who shares a link to the following video from the new series The Book of Boba Fett.

Note that the quality of this video is rather poor, no doubt to keep it from being pulled off of YouTube for copyright violation:

https://youtu.be/nNdmhpHSxvs

Click here to view on YouTube.

Not the first time CHU appeared in Star Wars!

You might recall that we first heard CHU in the “Battle of Hoth” scenes from The Empire Strikes Back!

In fact, Star Wars Sound Designer, Ben Burtt, gave us some proper insight in a post a few years ago. It was truly an honor corresponding with him directly and learning about his grandfather, Harold Burtt (W8CD).

Click here to read about Benn Burtt’s fascination with radio.

I’m looking forward to watching The Book of Boba Fett and hearing CHU for myself! Thanks for the tip, Fred!

UNESCO World Radio Day and International Marconi Day

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Radio Taboo in Cameroon

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

With the sponsorship of UNESCO, two “on air” events will take place February and April, 2022. The events will be the UNESCO World Radio Day and the International Marconi Day 2022

World Radio Day

12 to 13 February 2022
from 00:00 UTC of 12 Feb to 23:59 UTC of Feb
(48 hours)

International Marconi Day

23 to 25 April 2022
From 00:00 UTC of 23 Apr to 23:59 UTC of 25 Apr
(72 hours)

For further information, click on the event names above.

Thank you for the tip! I do note that UNESCO has yet to post details about WRD this year, but I believe they typically publish information only a couple of weeks before the event.

Carlos’ Shortwave Art and Recordings of the Voice of Korea (January 15 & 18, 2022)

VOK: January 15, 2022

Carlos notes:

Voice of Korea, 11910 kHz, broadcasting in English from Kujang, North Korea.
Final part of the news bulletin, January 14, 2022 saw the launch of another North Korean ballistic missile, this time transported by rail.