Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mark Hist, who writes:
Thomas,
A tongue-in-cheek radio sighting this time.
I spotted this gun fire damaged ‘marine HF’ radio in an episode of ‘Inside Job’ on Netflix.
Mark
Great timing, Mark. I watched the first episode of Inside Job this morning. It was a good laugh–quirky show! I love how the animator actually spent a little time illustrating the front panel and even that massive wound coil inside the set! I wonder if he/she is a radio enthusiast…?
The Grundig G5 and G3: two prime examples
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Ken Keese (K5KGK), who writes:
Hello Thomas! Thanks for all the GREAT info you post for us! It is tremendously helpful.
Do you have a list of shortwave receivers that do not mute the audio when the tuning knob is turned? This is a really important feature for me in my decision to purchase a radio. I like to manually search frequencies for activity and it’s difficult if the radio is muted while I turn the “big knob”.
Thanks a bunch for your help.
Ken Keese
K5KGK
Thank you for your question, Ken–it’s a very good one. Many late-model DSP portables do indeed mute between frequency changes.
Early in my SWLing career, I couldn’t afford high end receivers, so all of my digital portables (the RadioShack DX-440, and Grundig YB400 most notably) would make a “chugging” sound as one would tune.
I also remember how pleased I was with the Grundig G5’s fluid tuning when it was first introduced! The Tecsun PL-600, PL-660, and PL-680 were all models that had no nuting between frequency steps.
Many higher-end modern DSP portables like the PL-880, PL-990/x, H-501/x also provide an analog-like band scanning experience.
I would like to turn this question over to our readers because I believe their input will be more valuable and more comprehensive. Well, that and Ken if you wait on my to write up a full list, you might not get a reply for months with my current schedule. 🙂
SWLing Post readers: Please comment with digital display portable models you can confirm have no muting between frequency steps! Thank you.
Oh, and Ken? Thank you for the kind comments about the SWLing Post!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Gary DeBock, who shares the following notes and video:
The 7.5 inch (19cm) loopstick Radiwow R-108 model “smokes” the stock R-108 model in this video demonstration of receiving daytime DX fringe station 550-KARI in Blaine, WA (5 kW at 150 miles). The modification uses the same enhanced loopstick as described in the XHDATA D-808 “Supercharging” article, and is reasonably easy to complete (although some experience is recommended)
While browsing the QTH.com classifieds last weekend, I found an ad for a Ten-Tec Argonaut V (Model 516).
The Argo V was a general coverage HF transceiver produced by TEN-TEC starting around 2003 or so. When it was introduced to market, I wanted one because I thought not only would it be a great QRP transceiver, but TEN-TEC rigs tended to have brilliant audio and were capable broadcast band receivers.
The seller described it as being in “pristine condition and operating to factory specs on all bands.”
The seller seemed to be a nice fellow and sent me a number of photos with his QSL card in the image and his email address matched what was on file with QRZ.com. The seller checked out on many levels confirming this wasn’t a scam (always assume a classifieds listing could be a scam!).
I purchased it last week and it was delivered today.
The first thing I did after connecting it to a power supply was tune to the 31 meter band, switch the mode to AM, and widen the variable filter to 6 kHz (the Argo’s max AM bandwidth).
So far, I’m impressed!
For a ham radio transceiver, I can tell that the Argo V is going to be a competent rig for casual shortwave radio listening.
I also tuned to the mediumwave band (not having even checked in advance its lower RX limit) and am happy to report that it covers the whole AM BC band as well.
If I’m being honest, though, the real reason I’ve always wanted an Argonaut V, specifically, is because I absolutely love the front panel design of this radio.
The large LED digit frequency display is fabulous and has–as my buddy Eric put it–a certain “Apollo era” aesthetic. The large frequency display was one of my favorite things about my beloved OMNI VI+ as well.
I’ll admit that I also love a good analog meter!
The Argonaut V also has a very simple, very Ten-Tec, front panel with good field ergonomics. In fact, the Argo V is a very simple radio: there are no modern features like message memory keying, built-in batteries, nor does it have an internal ATU.
Although spec-wise, I’ve much better receivers at SWLing Post HQ, I’m looking forward traveling the shortwaves with the Argo V!
From the Isle of Music, November 7-13 (includes new B21 times):
This week, our guest Mario Salvador presents his interesting new jazz album on the EGREM label, Ciudad Fantasia.
1. For Eastern Europe but audible well beyond the target area in most of the Eastern Hemisphere (including parts of East Asia and Oceania) with 100Kw, Sunday 1500-1600 UTC on SpaceLine, 9400 KHz, from Sofia, Bulgaria (1800-1900 MSK)
2. For the Americas and parts of Europe, Tuesday 0100-0200 (NEW FOR B21) UTC on WBCQ, 7490 kHz from Monticello, ME, USA (Monday 8-9PM EDT in the US).
3 & 4. For Europe and sometimes beyond, Tuesday 1900-2000 UTC and Saturday 1300-1400 UTC (NEW FOR B21) on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany.
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/fromtheisleofmusic/
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford
Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot, November 7-13 (includes new B21 times):
In Episode 242, we explore the music of many of the Austronesian indigenous peoples of Taiwan.
The transmissions take place:
1.Sunday 2300-0000 NEW FOR B21 (6:00PM -7:00PM EDT) on WBCQ The Planet 7490 kHz from the US to the Americas and parts of Europe
2. Tuesday 2000-2100 UTC on Channel 292, 6070 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe.
3. Saturday 0800-0900 UTC on Channel 292, 9670 kHz from Rohrbach, Germany for Europe with a directional booster aimed eastward.
Our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/UncleBillsMeltingPot/
Our V-Kontakte page is https://vk.com/fromtheisleofmusic
Our Patreon page is https://www.patreon.com/tilford
Sony ICF-SW7600GR
I recently received the following message from SWLing Post contributor, Larry Thompson:
I’m 74 and want to pare down my extensive receiver collection. I have a number of receivers and portable shortwaves, as well as antennas that I want to get to good homes. They would be free with the recipient just paying for shipping and packing at my local UPS store.
Wow, Larry! This is incredibly kind of you.
Larry has very few conditions:
Here are the items Larry is offering the SWLing Post community:
CountyComm GP5/SSB
If you feel like you’d give one of these items a good home, simply send an email to the address below with the following information:
We want to make this as easy for Larry as possible and for him not to end up paying the difference in shipping, so if you ask for an item, please be willing to pay at least the full price his UPS store asks.
Here’s the temporary email address for Larry’s giveaway: [email protected]
When all items have been accounted for, I’ll update this article with a message at the top of the post and delete the email forwarding address.
My back of the envelop calculations indicate that Larry is easily giving away $700-900+ worth of radio gear.
Thank you so much, Larry, for spreading the radio love!
