Part 3: SWLing Post shack photos

Several months ago, we conducted a shack photo contest sponsored by Universal Radio. I’m posting all of your excellent photos as time allows and putting them under the tag, shack photos. The following is the third set of ten photos along with any notes that were included. Click on images to enlarge and enjoy: Robert Gulley (AK3Q) Notes: I […]

Jeff finds a solution for sticky preset buttons on the CC-Radio 2E

Jeff, over at the Herculodge blog, recently posted that the preset #2 button on his C.Crane CC-Radio 2E had become so sticky, it was almost to the point of not being functional. One of his readers suggested that he use Deoxit spray to remedy the sticky button and it worked! Deoxit is amazing stuff and something I suggest […]

The best general coverage transceivers for shortwave listening

This article originally appeared in the May 2014 issue of The Spectrum Monitor Magazine. Like many amateur radio operators, I became interested in HF radio because of my real passion for shortwave radio listening. During my first fifteen years as an SWL, I relied on portable receivers, in my case, the Zenith Transoceanic, Realistic DX-440, and […]

How To Tune In Pirate Radio Broadcasts on Shortwave

This article originally appeared in the February 2014 issue of The Spectrum Monitor Magazine. Even as many legacy international broadcasters are abandoning the shortwave bands, shortwave remains active and vibrant in another quadrant: namely, on shortwave pirate radio. Over the past few years, I’ve found that one of my favorite listening activities has become searching […]

Listening Rewind: Radio Australia rings in the millennium

Yesterday–New Year’s Eve, 2014–I spent some time listening to a few broadcasters as the new year passed through their time zones. While I missed hearing Radio New Zealand International (the first to welcome the New Year on the air), I did manage to catch Radio Australia, and the New Year was celebrated with no fanfare; […]

Frank’s maritime radio suggestions

In response to my previous post, The Best Shortwave Receiver for Your Boat or Yacht, Frank (VK3JFH/VP8DNM) writes: “I have all three of the portables mentioned, the Sony SW7600GR, the Sangean 909X, and the Tecsun PL-660. The latter is currently my portable of choice. Having just read this post re radios afloat I took the time […]

Living off-grid? The ideal shortwave radio system for you

What’s the best system for off-grid living? From time to time, I’m asked this question in the “comments” section of the website or via email.  Recently it came up again, and I thought it might make sense to answer it here, and also open it for discussion. Specifically, SWLing Post reader, Phil, writes: “[H]i, I am […]