Category Archives: Shortwave Radio

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Voice of Greece

Crete, Greece (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Crete, Greece (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

I’m not sure what the future holds for the Voice of Greece. In many ways, I feel that the national shortwave broadcaster is already operating on borrowed time–but perhaps I’m wrong. I’ve been recording VOG a lot lately on 9,420 kHz and 7,475 kHz; most broadcasts these days contain very little commentary, only hours of a wide variety of international music with the occasional station ID (which, by the way, has recently changed). I feel like they’re just working to keep their seats warm.

On a personal note, it’s Thanksgiving here in the States–my favorite national holiday–and I’m certainly thankful for all of the kind SWLing Post readers out there. You are the reason I have so much enthusiasm for maintaining this site. There’s community here, and I, for one, like it. Thank you all…

If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving–and/or, are just relaxing over the weekend–I hope you’ll enjoy a bit of this Voice of Greece recording.  I say “a bit,” as it is nearly five hours long. I started this recording around 20:30 UTC on November 26th, 2013 (9,420 kHz).

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

No matter where you live, here’s wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tecsun PL-880 Operation Manual Published

Tecsun PL-880 Owners Manual

Click here to download.

The eBay seller, Anon-co, has posted the owner’s manual for the Tecsun PL-880. Click here to download the manual as a PDF.

Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike, for sending me this file.

I purchased a PL-880 and expect to receive it soon. I will post some preliminary photos and a review in time to help you make any holiday buying decisions.

Shortwave Radio Recordings: beHAVior Night

Sir Scratchy (Source: Facebook)

Sir Scratchy (Source: Facebook)

For your listening pleasure: beHAVior Night, a shortwave radio show, relayed by WBCQ, dedicated to showcasing music from the first four decades of the 20th Century.

If you’re as nostalgic as I am, you’ll love the sonic combination of early records with the shortwave ether hosted by the inimitable “Sir Scratchy.” Relax, close your eyes, and indulge in a little radio time travel…

You can tune in beHAVior Night on Fridays at 17:00 EST or 22:00 UTC on 7,490 kHZ.

Though I could not find an official website for beHAVior Night, I would encourage you to “like” both Sir Scratchy and the beHAVior Night Facebook pages where show updates are often posted.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

If you like listening to early 20th century music via shortwave, you should also check out Marion’s Attic and the occasional pirate radio station, Radio Casablanca.

Jonathan Marks remembers the opening of the BBC Seychelles relay site

Jonathan Marks

Jonathan Marks

In response to the announcement of the closure of the BBC Seychelles relay, Jonathan Marks writes:

“You might like to revisit this old Media Network when we spoke about the opening of the Seychelles site.

http://jonathanmarks.libsyn.com/mn-29-09-1988-blackpool-offshore-radio-

Jonathan, I’m glad you shared this recording as it’s also chock-full of radio nostalgia: covering offshore radio ships, numbers stations, BBC Radio 1’s move to FM, AFRTS closure (via US VOA relays), and even an interview with Alan Weiner.

Readers, if you enjoy listening to these archived broadcasts as much as I do, then I encourage you to check out Jonathan’s Media Network Vintage Vault.

Many thanks, Jonathan!

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio New Zealand International

799px-Wellington_city_with_Cable_CarFor your listening pleasure: two full hours of Radio New Zealand International, recorded on November 22, 2013 starting around 7:59 UTC on 9,765 kHz.

This recording begins with the The RNZI interval signal: the charming and unmistakable call of the New Zealand Bellbird.

Click here to download the recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below:

Radio 700 brings international broadcasters back to shortwave

Radio-700-LogoMany thanks to SWLing Post reader, Knut, who recently informed me that the German language services of Radio Slovakia International, Radio Prague, Radio Ukraine International and the Polish Radio External Service are being relayed on shortwave radio, via Radio 700 in Euskirchen, Germany.

All broadcasts are on 3985 kHz and are transmitted daily (with 1 kW), beginning at 19:30 UTC.

At one thousands watts, on 3,985 kHz, this will be challenging DX outside of Europe. Still, I love the fact that independent broadcasters (like Radio 700, WRMI, WBCQ, etc.) make shortwave broadcasting affordable for many of these international broadcasters.

Knut originally learned about these relays through the German radio blog, DX Aktuell.

Check out Radio 700’s full broadcast schedule by clicking here.

Tecsun PL-880 on eBay as a pre-sale

TecsunPL-880front_amazonRadio Flynn comments:

Anon-co just posted a pre-sale for the [Tecsun] PL-880 on Ebay: $158.74.

They estimate shipping dates from Nov 30 – Dec. 10 [2013]. Just in time for Christmas!

Thanks for the update, Radio Flynn!

On a side note, I should have a review of the PL-880 posted in enough time to help you make a purchase decision before Christmas. I will do some comparison with the Tecsun PL-660.