{"id":14828,"date":"2015-09-19T08:03:30","date_gmt":"2015-09-19T12:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=14828"},"modified":"2015-09-19T11:18:11","modified_gmt":"2015-09-19T15:18:11","slug":"hearing-shortwave-on-the-sony-srf-59-amfm-walkman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/09\/hearing-shortwave-on-the-sony-srf-59-amfm-walkman\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearing shortwave on the Sony SRF-59 AM\/FM walkman"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The Sony SRF-59<\/p><\/div>\n

SWLing Post<\/em> reader, Steve, writes:<\/p>\n

I check in on your blog frequently. I’ve been a casual SW and AM dxer since my childhood. I’m a mechanical engineer, and have some basic electronics knowledge, but I’m no RF expert, and half forgot most of what I used to know.<\/p>\n

On\u00a09-13-15, around 11am eastern time, I was playing with a Sony SRF-59 down low on the AM band. The lowest station I can hear at my location near Valley Forge PA is a Spanish language station on 540–WLIE, on Long Island I think. My dial is badly calibrated but I know I was below that station on 540, maybe even below 530 or 520, and heard some noise. It took some really careful back and forth tuning, but I could hear a voice. I put the radio against my AN200 passive loop<\/a> and heard the clear unmistakable voice of “Brother Scare”, (Overcomer Ministry). I scanned the shortwave and found a simulcast on 9840, WHRI Cypress Creek SC. The info I have says it’s a 250 kW broadcast.<\/p>\n

\"Grundig<\/a>

Grundig AN200 Loop Antenna<\/p><\/div>\n

I scratched my head and thought there must be a pirate rebroadcasting it on the bottom of the AM band, but I couldn’t hear it on my CC 2E, or my Grundig G3 which tunes continuously from LW into MW. It is really touchy to tune on the SRF-59, but with work, I could hear him barefoot, and very cleanly with the loop. I checked in several times the next few hours and it was there until WHRI went off the air at 3pm I think. Unfortunately, I never got a station ID.<\/p>\n

On the morning of\u00a0Monday Sept 14, at 9pm local time, with the same radio and loop, I got a station ID for China Radio International, and then found the same broadcast on 9570 from Quivican Cuba–also a 250 kW signal. I could not hear it clearly barefoot, as with WHRI, (it is quite a bit more distant) but with the loop is was incredibly clear. Also it doesn’t seem to matter where the tuning dial on the loop is, or how it’s oriented (I was aimed east\/west). The radio and loop both function normally higher up the AM band (you need to tune the loop, and the reception is amazing with it).<\/p>\n

I know I was below 540, because I passed local stations on the way down–610(WIP), and 560 (WFIL)–and could hear Spanish voice just below that, which had to be 540. The shortwave was just below that. The only thing i get below that on any other AM radio is Cuba and Canada on 530, both of which I can obviously only get at night time. I don’t know how the tuning circuits could jump 9mHz so suddenly.<\/p>\n

Call me mystified. I thought I could find something about this on the net; I can’t be the only one with this experience; but no. Have you ever heard of this?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Steve followed up later noting that he is actually able to tune in the whole 31 meter band, as long as a signal is strong enough to overload the SRF-59.<\/p>\n

I’ve done a lot of MW DXing with the SRF-59 and had never noticed harmonics, but I’m not surprised they can be heard either. I might try to replicate what Steve did using my AN200 loop coupled to the SRF-59.<\/p>\n

Has\u00a0anyone else as heard 31 meter band signals on their SRF-59?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SWLing Post reader, Steve, writes: I check in on your blog frequently. I’ve been a casual SW and AM dxer since my childhood. I’m a mechanical engineer, and have some basic electronics knowledge, but I’m no RF expert, and half forgot most of what I used to know. On\u00a09-13-15, around 11am eastern time, I was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,26,43],"tags":[495,493,4234,494],"class_list":["post-14828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-radios","category-shortwave-radio","tag-sony","tag-sony-srf-59","tag-sony-srf-59-shortwave","tag-srf-59"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-3Ra","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14878,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/pocket-dx-finding-the-sony-srf-59-and-srf-39fp\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":0},"title":"Pocket DX: Finding the Sony SRF-59 and SRF-39FP","author":"Thomas","date":"October 22, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"I have two of the Sony SRF\u00a0series pocket AM\/FM radios: the grey SRF-59 and the clear SRF-39FP. The venerable\u00a0SRF-59 has long been one of the least expensive, quality analog AM\/FM receivers on the market. I originally purchased one new for $14.95\u00a0US including shipping. Here's a short review I made of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16979,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/val-compares-his-sony-srf-59-with-the-srf-39fp\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":1},"title":"Val compares his Sony SRF-59 with the SRF-39FP","author":"Thomas","date":"January 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"My buddy, Jeff MacMahon,\u00a0over\u00a0the Herculodge, forwarded the following message from his reader, Val: [P]robably some people who are still interested in AM radio will be surprised to see pictures of the\u00a0Sony SRF-59. [The] Sony SRF-39FR is an excellent receiver made special for Federal Prison in US. It is an incredibly\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-and-Sony-SRF-39FP-1024x576.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15918,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/a-few-radio-deals-worth-consideration\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":2},"title":"A few radio deals worth consideration","author":"Thomas","date":"November 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"This morning, I checked a few retailers for \"Cyber Monday\" deals and took notes along the way. Some of the best finds came from\u00a0Blinq, a retailer I've purchased from a number of times. Note that Blinq products are often open box, used or refurbished--please check the product description before purchasing.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Deals"","block_context":{"text":"Deals","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/deals\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony-SRF-18","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Sony-SRF-18.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":17092,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/01\/sony-srf-59-information-page\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":3},"title":"Sony SRF-59 information page","author":"Thomas","date":"January 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader, Mike Ladd, who shares a link to this incredibly informative page about the vulnerable\u00a0(oops!) venerable\u00a0Sony SRF-59 ultralight radio: http:\/\/earmark.net\/gesr\/srf59.htm","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15310,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/bills-simple-sony-srf-59-passive-loop-antenna-modification\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":4},"title":"Bill’s simple Sony SRF-59 passive loop antenna modification","author":"Thomas","date":"October 27, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"In reference to our previous posts about the Sony SRF-59 ultralight receiver, SWLing Post reader, Bill Mead, writes: \"As someone who doesn't normally open the backs of radios, this is my mod on my ultralight. All it takes is a bit of electrical tape to hold the belt clip on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony-SRF-59-AM-Loop-Antenna","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-AM-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-AM-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-AM-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-59-AM-Loop-Antenna.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15252,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/10\/peter-recommends-the-sony-srf-s84-and-srf-18-ultralights\/","url_meta":{"origin":14828,"position":5},"title":"Peter recommends the Sony SRF-S84 and SRF-18 ultralights","author":"Thomas","date":"October 26, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"In reference to our post about the Sony SRF-39FP and SRF-59, SWLing Post reader, Peter, writes: As usual a very interesting post. I sold most of my collection of receivers some years ago but I'm still interested in AM DXing and especially ultralight DXing (thats why I have three SRF59).\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Sony-SRF-18","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-18.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-18.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Sony-SRF-18.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14828"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14828\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}