I just received the following note from SWLing Post sponsor, Bob Raymond (NE1I), at DXtreme software:
DXtreme Software is proud to announce the release of: DXtreme Station Log — Multimedia Edition, Version 11.0.
For details, check out DXtreme Software’s Product Announcement in PDF format.
And many thanks to DXtreme for supporting the SWLing Post!
Click to enlarge.
I just received the revised B14 RA schedule (above–click to enlarge) which shows the reduction of broadcasts this year. The Brandon, QLD transmission facility has been closed and Radio Australia has also moth-balled the newest Continental transmitters at Shepparton.
For comparison click here for the current English HF schedule (PDF).
For what it’s worth, I’m still grateful to see that RA will continue their broadcasts on 9,580 kHz–a staple frequency in my part of the world.
Many thanks to Jonathan Marks for sharing this release from Radio Revival Sweden:
Dear Listeners,
Radio Revival Sweden will be testing on Thursday, January 22 as follows:
- 6035 kHz AM 5 kW 1200 – 1500 UTC
- 9815 kHz A3H 10 kW 1200 – 1300 UTC
- 9865 kHz A3H 10 kW 1300 – 1400 UTC
- 9875 kHz A3H 10 kW 1400 – 1500 UTC
Please listen in and tell us how you are receiving our signal. Regular transmissions will follow this weekend and you are of course welcome to book airtime.
Good listening & 73s
Ronny Forslund
Radio Revival Sweden
Reception reports can be sent to radiorevivalsweden (at) hotmail.com. RSS doesn’t have a printed QSL card but have mentioned that they will respond by email.
My friend, Gary Wise (W8EEY), recently wrote with an inquiry; I’m hoping an SWLing Post reader can help…
Gary writes:
“As you might know I was the Station Manager of the VOA Greece Transmitting Station when it closed down in 2006. I’ve been contacted by one of the Greek employees. They are planning a reunion of former employees in April and would like to put together an audio montage of station sounds. They have some material, but would like to find a recording of the Greece Station ID (and possibly the one from Rhodes too). This was a male announcer stating that “This transmission came to you from Greece” or words to that effect.
Would you have such a thing, or know who might? I know the crew would greatly appreciate anything you might have along these lines.”
I don’t believe we have a recording of this in the SW Radio Audio Archive, nor in my local archives.
Does anyone out there have a recording of the VOA Greece Station ID? Please comment below or contact me.
Last week, I received a message from Peter De Groot, who announced a special broadcast of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (RNW).
RNW has been off the air for more than 2.5 years, so we can assume this was not sponsored by RNW.
Though scheduling (and the fact I forgot to start a spectrum recording–!) interfered with my ability to listen to the first broadcast on January 17, I was able to catch the January 18 broadcast at 01:00 UTC on 7,570 kHz. The show was relayed by WRMI.
The broadcast came in so strong, when I heard the interval signal, it instantly transported me back to the days when Hilversum targeted eastern North America. Gave me chill bumps.
I was able to record the entire program but did not include the WRMI station ID before and after the special.
For your listening pleasure, one full hour of Radio Netherlands Worldwide via WRMI in Florida USA–click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below. Enjoy:
This recording was made with my Elad FDM-S2 hooked up to a large horizontal delta loop antenna.
Note: I will reach out to WRMI to see if the person or group behind the broadcast plans to issue QSL cards.
SWLing Post contributor, Moshe, writes:
“I would like to share something I noticed about Sangean sensitivity issue:
As I own the ATS909, I noticed that with fresh set of regular batteries (1.5V) or it’s power transformer, it is very sensitive.
When the voltage of the batteries drops, so does sensitivity! Which means that if one uses rechargeable batteries (1.2V), the radio will be much less sensitive to begin with.”
Many thanks, Moshe! That is a very good reason to keep fresh alkaline batteries for the 909X, or to run it on a quiet power supply. Moshe is correct–fresh rechargeable batteries can’t deliver full voltage.
Several weeks ago, a reader informed me about a modification that increases SW sensitivity by adding a 4:1 impedance transformer.
Click here to download a PDF that documents the 4:1 transformer procedure.
Note that I can’t remember who shared the PDF and am not sure who was so kind to document the procedure with photos. Any additional information would be appreciated.
Have any readers performed the transformer mod on the ‘909X with success?
My buddy, Eric (WD8RIF) noticed a rather unique find on eBay this morning: a “new in box” Signal Corps Western Electric BC-454-B receiver. While BC-454-Bs are far from rare, it is certainly a treat to find one with its original box and in mint condition.
I have no plans to bid on this unit–I’m sure the ending bid will be a little too rich for me–but it will be fun to see how high the price climbs. Some day, I hope to acquire a functioning BC-454 of my own. (Santa…are you listening?)