Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Steve Lebkuecher, who sent the above photo; Steve notes:
“What a nice cup! I wish you and all of your readers a very happy New Year!”
And a happy cup of new year cheer to you as well, Steve! I must say, that classic Panasonic RF-2200 does pair well with your new SWLing Post coffee mug…Enjoy!
If you, too, would like a mug with our new logo, click here for the SWLing Post CafePress shop.
SWLing Post reader, Pat, is an avid cyclist and is seeking a radio for his next cross-continent adventure. There are a limited number of products on the market that meet Pat’s requirements, so I thought posting his inquiry might bring a few options out of the woodwork. Check out Pat’s requirements and please comment if you have a suggestion!
Pat writes:
I’m a professional ski coach from Colorado. When I’m not on skis, I like to get on my bicycle and go explore the world. I’ve ridden across the USA a few times, covering all 48 states in the Continental US. A couple of years ago I got my 49th state when I rode from Alaska back home to Colorado.
Next year I plan to ride to Argentina, a journey of 12,000 miles over six months.
One of the things that keeps me sane is to have a radio strapped to the handlebars of my bike. I used to have a cheap AM/FM transistor, but have slowly improved the choice of radios on each trip.
During my Alaska ride I used a Degen DE1123, which was a great item. Not a great radio, but having an mp3 player built in made a world of difference. There were some mighty long distances without radio signal, so having the mp3 was great. But like I said, the 1123 wasn’t the most user-friendly item. Plus, it ate up AA batteries, which were pricey in the Yukon. So I upgraded to the Degen DE1125. Certainly an improvement, but still some things that could be improved. [See photo above.]
For my Argentina trip I want to have something really good; something that works well and will hopefully last six months. Also, I really like the idea of having a radio with a mini SD slot. I’ll have to download a lot of music and podcasts to keep me happy.
Someone suggested the Melson S8. I purchased one and it is a great unit, but way too big to fit on the handlebars.
You obviously have experience with many different portables and I was wondering if you could give me your suggestions. Maybe something from Degen, ShouYu, Tecsun?
Things that are important:
- Ease of use (I’ll be using the controls while pedaling)
- Weight (smaller and lighter is better)
- Durability
- Mini SD capability
- Radio reception
- AM, FM and SW capability
- Li-ion batteries
Not overly important:
- Ability to scroll through songs/find songs
- Sound quality (I’ll have wind in my ears anyway)
Things that are not important:
- Recording ability (I don’t foresee recording anything along the way)
- Looks
- Cost (I don’t want to spend $150 on a CC Crane, as the radio may get broken or stolen, but I’m willing to spend some money on a quality product if available).
[…]I’d love to select the best option for this silly ride I’m taking next summer and will happily take any advice.
A cycling trip to Argentina? Nothing silly about that, Pat! What an adventure!
Shortwave radios with MicroSD slots are somewhat limited in numbers, but more and more models have appeared on the market in the past few years.
Readers: can you help Pat with some suggestions/options? Please comment!
Sheldon Harvey kindly posted the following notice regarding William (Bill) Westenhaver on the NASWA Winter SWL Fest Facebook group:
I’m sad to report the passing this week of a person well known within the radio hobby community, William (Bill) Westenhaver.
A native of Angola, Indiana, Bill moved to Montreal in the late 1960s, where he spent the rest of his life. An avid shortwave listener, DXer and QSL collector, Bill was an active member of several radio clubs including CIDX and Speedx. He was a participant in numerous ANARC conventions and Winter SWL Festivals.
Bill took a job with Radio Canada International, working in the Audience Relations department. One of his principal duties was issuing RCI QSL cards for reception reports received from around the world. Bill went on to other duties within the CBC/Radio-Canada headquarters in Montreal.
Bill was an active member of the Coalition to Restore RCI Funding and the RCI Action Group, the ad hoc groups that worked tirelessly to restore and/or retain the services of Radio Canada International on shortwave.
Bill was also the original co-host of The International Radio Report, with Sheldon Harvey, on CKUT-FM in Montreal. He also worked on a number of other programs on CKUT over the years.
Bill passed away earlier this week here in Montreal. We extend our condolences to all of his family and friends. He will be fondly remember throughout the radio community.
Sheldon Harvey
RCI’s The Link also posted the following message:
All members of RCI are mourning the sudden loss this week of William Westenhaver Bill was an integral member of the RCI team for years, handling our mail and prize mailouts, as well as participating in a number of shows over several years, especially on the various iterations of the “mailbag” shows. Bill adored shortwave radio, and with the budget [cuts], found work in another department of Radio Canada, but stayed in touch with many of us, always with a smile and friendly word in the hallways of this big building. We shall miss him dearly.
I never met Bill in person, but I communicated with him many times. He received my reception reports, issued QSL cards, and set up a couple of interviews on RCI.
If you’ve ever requested a QSL from RCI, Bill was most likely the fellow who issued your cards. Bill was an incredibly friendly and helpful fellow.
I’m also forever grateful for his help in securing a special guided tour of the RCI Sackville transmitter site–only months before it was closed.
Many thanks, Sheldon, for sharing your memories–condolences to his family and many friends.
Update: RCI recently posted this memorial page for Bill.
Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Paul Walker, who writes:
I think you and your readers might enjoy these videos.
I’ve upgraded from a Tecsun PL880 and Sangean ATS909X to a JRC NRD535D. I live in Camden, Arkansas which is in southern Arkansas, 75 minutes east of Texas and 75 minutes north of Shreveport, Louisiana
When DX’ing on shortwave, I often record a short video with my iPhone 6plus held up close to the radio so you can see the frequency and signal level meter.
I record videos anywhere between 20 seconds and 5 minutes depending on what I feel like at he moment and what I will be using the video for. Sometimes I record a shorter video to post on Facebook then record longer audio via an MP3 recorder in my phone to use in a reception report.
Sometimes I record long 3-5 minute videos and send those to the station instead.
I don’t record everything I hear but what I feel is a worthwhile catch or is interesting. My videos can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/FfoakB1VIoI
Thanks for sharing a link to your videos, Paul! You’ve got some good catches in your library. That JRC NRD535D is a great receiver, too–noise floor seems quite low!
Vimal’s favorite radios are the Tecsun PL-390 and the Eton E100. (Photo: Vimal)
Please join me in congratulating SWLing Post reader, Vimal, for winning our October Shack Photo contest!
Vimal notes:
“I love these radios (see photo above). The Tecsun PL-390 stereo DSP radio with selectable band width- is able to pull in a slew of shortwave stations in quite clearly (of course a lot depended upon time of day and atmospheric conditions.) I can routinely receive signals from Asia, Australia, South America and Europe which is exciting!
And another one is my small Eton E100 Radio- The highlights of this one is that the stereo through headphones sounds great. Its Informative LCD display includes the frequency and the time while the radio is on (some other radios require a keypress to display the clock). It also features a nice amber backlight for the LCD display. Not to forget the sturdy whip antenna.”
Congratulations, Vimal–and many thanks to everyone who shared their photos.
Vimal’s entry was chosen at random from the 62 SWLs and ham radio operators who shared their shack/listening post photos. What an amazing number of entries!
I plan to take the many photos and notes we received from readers and turn them into an online photo galley. I’ll post this as soon as I’ve curated and formatted entries.
If you didn’t win this contest, fear not! We’re already plotting another simple & fun contest before the end of the year.
Note, too, that we are still collecting entries for the latest reader challenge: Emergency radio and a chance to win a prepper radio package!
Manisha’s favorite listening post is her apartment balcony in New Delhi.
The November 1st deadline for our latest Reader Challenge is approaching!
In exchange for sharing a photo of your favorite listening post or your radio shack with the SWLing Post community, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Grundig G2 portable radio/recorder and player! The choice will be made by random selection, so everyone has an equal chance of winning.
Click here to read a full description of the contest and how you can participate!
Many thanks to our friends at Universal Radio for sponsoring this contest!
SWLing Post reader, “Oxford Shortwave Log” recently noted the following on our Facebook page:
“Hi there, I received some very nice feedback regarding almost perfect reception of Radio Australia during a mini DX-pedition into the Oxfordshire countryside and thought I would share it.”
“I use a (now vintage I guess!) Sony ICF-SW55 and a 25 metre long-wire. There are lots more videos at on YouTube channel: Oxford Shortwave Log“
Great proof that Mini DXpeditions can pay off!
Sounds like that Sony ICF-SW55 performs admirably–it is certainly a classic portable.
I remember when the ICF-SW55 was introduced in 1993-1994; back when I was doing my undergraduate studies and had no funds for it. In the 1990s, Sony’s portables almost seemed to be sent to us from the future–large informative displays, advanced memories, and incredible portable performance were the hallmarks.
On eBay, you’ll find that the ICF-SW55 still fetches a high price.
OSL: thanks for sharing the videos!