Tag Archives: Interval Signals

Interval Signals + Radio Astronomy = Bliss

Yesterday, I spent part of the better part of the day at the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI): a place that has begun to feel like a home away from home.

As you might imagine, radio astronomy observatories are places with very low levels of radio frequency interference. Since I had a few hours on the PARI campus to play radio, I used it as an opportunity to evaluate the CCRadio-EP Pro‘s AM/mediumwave performance.

For comparison purposes, I packed the CCRadio-EP Pro, Tecsun PL-660 and (for kicks) my Sony ICF-5500W.

Now isn’t the ICF-5500W a handsome boy?

I’ll post some of the CCRadio-EP Pro videos in my final review.

Though it was immense fun tuning through the AM broadcast band right through the gray line,  being an SWL, I eventually turned to the shortwaves. The only shortwave radio I had on hand was the amazing little Tecsun PL-660. Conditions weren’t as bad as I had expected–propagation was decent and did I mention no noise?

After tuning around a bit, I happened upon one of my favorite interval signals: that of the Voice of Turkey.

Everything around me–all that was on my mind–simply took a backseat to the simple pleasure of listening to an interval signal on a cool, foggy spring evening surrounded by the beauty of PARI’s campus and those giant radio telescopes.

Though the feeling was nearly impossible to capture, I did make a recording to share with SWLing Post friends and readers from around the world. I hope you enjoy:

Click here to watch on YouTube.

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Al shares vintage RAE theme

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Al Quaglieri, who writes:

In the ’60s and ’70s, RAE had a really evocative theme song that opened and closed their broadcasts. For years I searched for a copy of this, even going as far as writing the station about ten years ago. They graciously obliged, sending me a recording of the LATER theme, not the one I wanted. Well, here it finally is. RAE used an edited-down version.

My clip begins with a vintage RAE open and close, and then the song! It’s an obscure composition by Argentine composer Waldo de los Rios, entitled “Sol Alegre,” from a 1957 Columbia album called “Kiss of Fire.” Hope it brings back some memories!

Click here to listen at Clyp.it.

Thanks for this stroll down Memory Lane, Al!

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Interval Signal Ringtones for Android

This morning, while browsing for an Android app, I noticed that SWLing Post contributor, Stephen Cooper, has published a simple app for adding interval signal ringtones to your Android device.

Interval Signal Ringtones appears to have a very simple interface and over 40 interval signals included. The price is very modest at $1.98.

Click here to view in the Google Play store.

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David enjoys hammock mobile SWLing with his Icom IC-92AD

Icom-ID-92AD-Shortwave

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Korchin (K2WNW), for sharing this short video demonstrating the shortwave receive capabilities of the Icom IC-92AD handheld transceiver:

Click here to view on YouTube.

Frankly, I’m quite amazed at the clarity and fidelity of the Voice of Turkey interval signal on this handheld. Goes to show that with a proper antenna, and decent conditions, wide-band handhelds can certainly be used for shortwave radio listening! It also helps that David is outdoors, away from RFI, and was located on the coast of Long Island, NY.

Post readers: Have you had good fortune SWLing with wide-band handled transceivers? Please comment!

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Interval signal ringtones via PCJ

Apple-iPhonePCJ International has sent a press release regarding a series of interval signal ring tones they are selling on their web site.

PCJ states:

Package one includes 35 interval signals from the past and present. In a few months the second package will be released.

The price is $1.99 US.

Package one includes:

  • BBC World Service 1
  • BBC World Service 2
  • Deutsche Welle
  • Radio Afghanistan (70s)
  • Radio Algeria
  • Radio Andora
  • Radio Anguilla
  • Radio Argentina
  • Radio Australia (News jingle)
  • Radio Austria
  • Radio Belgrade
  • Radio Berlin International
  • Radio Botswana
  • Radio Busapest
  • Radio Ceylon
  • Radio Denmark
  • Radio Free Europe (50s)
  • Radio Kiev
  • Radio Netherlands
  • Radio Norway
  • Radio RSA External Service
  • Radio South Africa
  • Radio Singapore
  • Radio Sweden (Vintage)
  • Radio Tallinn
  • Radio Tirana
  • RAI International
  • Spanish Foreign Radio (Vintage)
  • Swiss Merry Go Round (Theme)
  • Swiss Radio International
  • Vatican Radio
  • Voice of America (60s)
  • Voice of America (70s)
  • YLE Radio Finland
  • PCJ Radio International

More information can be found at: www.pcjmedia.com/pcjshop

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Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Argentina Exterior

800px-Rosario_y_el_Parana

Rosario y el Parana, Argentina

For your listening pleasure: the English language service of Radio Argentina Exterior–recorded on September 20, 2014 at 01:56 UTC on 11,711 kHz.

RAE is one of the more casual broadcasters on the air; I enjoy listening to their music selection and commentary as they’re not quite as formatted as other international stations. This recording begins with RAE’s interval signal–one of my favorites.

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

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Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio New Zealand International

The New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) provides the interval signal for RNZI (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) provides the interval signal for RNZI (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

One of my favorite shortwave radio broadcasters is Radio New Zealand International. RNZI has authoritative news–with a focus on NZ and the Pacific islands–music, sports and their own unique character, though they operate on a very modest budget by international broadcasting standards.

The RNZI interval signal is charming and unmistakable: the call of the New Zealand Bellbird.

Fortunately, in the 3 hour recording of RNZI below, I caught not only the interval signal as the broadcast began, but also as it went off the air. This recording was made on March 14th 2013 starting around 8:00 UTC on 9,765 kHz. (You’ll note news of the Pope.)

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

Note to SWLing Post reader, Mike:
I hope you enjoy these sounds from home!

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