Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mark Harper, who writes:
Must be LNIB season..here’s another one:
$202 at the moment…Looks to be complete as well!
Thanks, Mark! I believe Post reader, Moshe, also took notice of this Panasonic RF-4800. It appears it’s being sold by the same seller who has the Sony ICF-6800W up for auction. Thanks for the tip!
Yesterday, I fit in yet another activation of the Carl Sandburg Home (NS01) for the ARRL National Parks on the Air. You might recall, I activated the same site last Sunday.
The lake at the trail head.
Since I had already scoped out the site and the trail where I operated last time, I took a minimum of supplies: My Elecraft KX2, EFT Trail-Friendly antenna and the accessories in my go kit:
I didn’t even need a folding chair as I hiked further into the trail system and found a bench in an ideal shady location where I could hang the EFT antenna without any part of the wire being close to the trail itself.
The only negative was that I had to fight off a few mosquitoes–par for the course!
After firing up the KX2, I found that both frequencies I announced (14,286 and 7,286 kHz) were occupied. I tuned around and found clear frequencies then posted the changes on Twitter and the ARRL NPOTA Facebook page. Fortunately, I was spotted on the DX clusters after my first contacts (thanks, Mike and others!).
In short: this was about the busiest I’ve ever been on the radio.
In 43 minutes, I logged 41 stations: many stations here in the southeast US, and stations from New Mexico to Italy! Propagation and timing were certainly in my favor.
This red rubber band held my KX2 to the clipboard, but I hope to sort out an even better way of securing it in the future.
The pileups were heavy enough that I didn’t even have time to properly pull log sheets once I had completed them–instead, I folded them over the KX2 and continued writing.
I was very pleased that I logged at least one SWLing Post reader: Randy (KS4L). Thanks for the contact, Randy!
Not all portable operations go so well…but when they do, it’s energizing!
I might be able to squeeze in a 30 minute activation on the Blue Ridge Parkway (PK01) this afternoon. Listen for me (K4SWL) around 14,286 kHz SSB sometime between 20:30-21:30 UTC. That is, if propagation and my schedule cooperate again!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Robinson, who points out this “Like New In Box” (LNIB) Sony ICF-6800W on eBay.
Even the box appears to be in good shape:
Dan has been watching this auction and forecasts that it’ll fetch a healthy sum in the end. I’m pretty sure he’s correct.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald Kuhl (DL1ABJ), who clears up a little confusion:
it was reported that ABC Northern Territory Shortwave Services left shortwave for good.
I asked them and they replied they will be back on coming Tuesday:
Dear Mr Kuhl,
Thank you for your note. The service you are referring to will be re-established next Tuesday morning at 9am local time.
Kind Regards,
ABC Reception Advice
Communications Networks
Thank you Harald. I, too, have seen a lot of notices on social media that the ABC Northern Territory Shortwave Services had shut down permanently. I had not posted anything here because I couldn’t find any mention or confirmation from ABC. Looks like they’re probably doing routine maintenance.
This afternoon (September 8), I should have a chance to activate the Carl Sandburg Home again for the ARRL National Parks on the Air program. You might recall, I activated the site Sunday as well.
I’ll plan to use the Elecraft KX2 and EFT TRail-Friendly antenna combo once again.
I should be on the air starting sometime between 20:00-20:30 UTC (4:00 – 4:30 PM EDT). I’ll plan to operate SSB on two frequencies: 14286 and 7286 kHz. I should be on the air for one hour or so, if all goes well. Listen for my amateur radio call sign: K4SWL.
It would be fantastic to log some SWLing Post readers. If you do manage to hear my 10 watt signal, or work my station, please comment!
(Source: PCJ/Keith Perron)
September 18th and 19th PCJ Radio International will present part 3 of From The Radio Netherlands Archives.
In the 1960s to the late 1970s Radio Netherlands produced radio dramas that were for export to radio stations overseas.
Some of the radio plays were commissioned specially for RNW and others were adaptations of popular Dutch plays.
There will be a special E-QSL issued for this program. PCJ Radio International’s partner stations will receive this program in two parts.
The program will be presented by Paulette MacQuarrie.
- Europe: 0600 to 0800UTC – Frequency 7780 kHz
September 18, 2016- North America: 0100 to 0300UTC – Frequency 7570 kHz
September 19, 2016For more information contact PCJ at [email protected]
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Phil Brennan, who writes:
[Recently] one of your contributors mentioned that he purchased a BHI DSP unit at a discounted price. I purchased one (a different model to the one in the previous post) some months ago before I headed away travelling.
The post reminded me that I had made a small video demonstrating the DSP unit on my FRG7. The video shows me tuning the DSP on a broadcast of Voice of the People on 3912 khz. While QRM at my place isn’t too bad, it’s still present and the DSP does aid in clearing up a signal.
https://youtu.be/prIPxMmcHQc
Voice of the People is usually jammed by the DPRK and the DSP also assists in reducing the roar of the jammer. Of course one can go to far with DSP and the audio can suffer from that underwater sound.
Thank you, Phil! The FRG-7 is an ideal receiver for something like the BHI module since it precedes on-board DSP. The great thing about an in-line module, of course, is that it can be used with a variety of receivers.