{"id":43628,"date":"2020-05-30T09:10:21","date_gmt":"2020-05-30T13:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=43628"},"modified":"2020-05-30T09:10:21","modified_gmt":"2020-05-30T13:10:21","slug":"super-cheap-walmart-soap-bar-holder-transforms-into-an-ideal-portable-radio-stand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/super-cheap-walmart-soap-bar-holder-transforms-into-an-ideal-portable-radio-stand\/","title":{"rendered":"Super cheap Walmart soap bar holder transforms into an ideal portable radio stand"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, Shawn Bliss (KB7WYO), who writes:<\/p>\n

Hi, Thomas! I love the blog and check in every day or two to get my SWL fix. I recently purchased a PL-310ET on your recommendation (and those of many other radio people) and absolutely love it. My previous porch radio was a well-worn and filthy Grundig G8 Traveler II which of course suffered a broken kickstand soon after its purchase many years ago. Wanting to avoid the same problem with the 310, I figured I might be able to improvise a stand out of some household item, and a trip to a local big box store today proved extremely fruitful in that respect!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I wandered through the kitchen accessories at Walmart, I spotted a little black sink caddy, typically used to hold a dish sponge and hang on a sink or faucet. I grabbed it, paid a little under four bucks for it, and took it home. It’s a cheap, lightweight, and adjustable stand for small to midsize radios.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The caddy is essentially a loop of flexible, bendable rubber-coated wire with a perforated rubber cradle for the sponge. Because it can be bent and shaped, it’s ideal for adjusting to different sized portables. In its default shape from the store, it held the 310ET, the G8, my Tivdio V-115, and other smaller items like my phone and e-reader.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>I’m sure it could be bent to fit a PL-660, PL-880, Eton Satellit, XHDATA D-808, and other larger portables, all at adjustable back angles.<\/p>\n

Best of all, the caddy can be bent down to fit into a go-bag or piece of travel luggage. I figure a fellow pack-nut like yourself would find this to be useful indeed!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

These things are cheap and readily available at pretty much every Walmart, but I’ll post a link to the webpage for the Mainstays Flexible Sink Caddy. I hope this info is useful to other SWLs and hams. I instantly thought of the Post and your gear\/accessory posts in the past when I saw it.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/ip\/Mainstays-Flexible-Sink-Caddy\/480104340<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What a great idea, Shawn! Since this soap bar holder is so flexible, it could be bent to hold radios at pretty much any angle. Next time I’m at Walmart, I’ll pick one up. Perhaps this is even available at Walmart stores in other countries since it’s sold under the Mainstays brand name.<\/p>\n

I believe this holder could also serve as a stand for numerous portable QRP transceivers.<\/p>\n

Thanks again for the amazing tip, Shawn!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Shawn Bliss (KB7WYO), who writes: Hi, Thomas! I love the blog and check in every day or two to get my SWL fix. I recently purchased a PL-310ET on your recommendation (and those of many other radio people) and absolutely love it. My previous porch radio was a well-worn […]<\/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":[3,3196,43],"tags":[6176,8555,8554],"class_list":["post-43628","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-portable-radio","category-shortwave-radio","tag-radio-stand","tag-shawn-bliss-kb7wyo","tag-soap-bar-radio-stand"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-blG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20212,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/07\/build-a-cardboard-stand-for-the-elecraft-kx3\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":0},"title":"Build a cardboard stand for the Elecraft KX3","author":"Thomas","date":"July 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post reader,\u00a0Tomasz Pabich (SP7Q), who has created the following Instructable describing how to build a cardboard stand for the Elecraft KX3. Click here to view on Instructables. I love how practical and affordable this project is. \u00a0The stand would be simple to disassemble and take to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"KX3-Cardboard-Stand-1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/KX3-Cardboard-Stand-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/KX3-Cardboard-Stand-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/KX3-Cardboard-Stand-1-1024x640.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11217,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/portablesdr-the-holy-grail-of-portable-sdr-transceivers\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":1},"title":"PortableSDR: The Holy Grail of portable SDR transceivers?","author":"Thomas","date":"October 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to my buddy, Bennett Kobb (AK4AV), who shares information about the\u00a0PortableSDR, one of five finalists in The Hackaday Prize. PortableSDR creator,\u00a0Michael R Colton, describes his project on Hackaday: \"The PSDR is a completely stand-alone (no computer needed), compact, Portable Software Defined Transceiver (hence the name, sorta). Originally designed\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "New Products"","block_context":{"text":"New Products","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/new-products\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"PortableSDR","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/PortableSDR-1024x465.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/PortableSDR-1024x465.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/PortableSDR-1024x465.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25513,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/05\/the-ikea-isberget-stand-for-tablets-and-radios\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":2},"title":"The IKEA Isberget stand for tablets (and radios?)","author":"Thomas","date":"May 6, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Yesterday, I had to make a pilgrimage to IKEA. As I walked into the main entrance of the showroom, I noticed this display for the Isberget tablet stand. Of course, I din't see a tablet stand; I saw a potential radio stand. I snapped a couple of shots and meant\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Accessories"","block_context":{"text":"Accessories","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/accessories\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IKEA-Isberget-radio-stand-2-576x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IKEA-Isberget-radio-stand-2-576x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IKEA-Isberget-radio-stand-2-576x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":46877,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/dockside-dxing-with-the-super-portable-belka-dx-receiver\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":3},"title":"Dockside DXing with the super-portable Belka-DX receiver","author":"13dka","date":"December 11, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"I've been on the coast of South Carolina enjoying a little R&R with my wonderful family. We rented a vacation home on a tidal river just south of Charleston, SC and it was just what the doctor ordered. The location was gorgeous, the weather was amazing, and there was very\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Field Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Field Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/field-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-1-2-e1607699656711.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-1-2-e1607699656711.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-1-2-e1607699656711.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-1-2-e1607699656711.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48411,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/fenus-assessment-of-the-belka-dx-dsp\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":4},"title":"Fenu’s assessment of the Belka-DX","author":"Thomas","date":"April 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I recently noticed that Fenu (at Fenu-Radio.ch) has added a review of the Belka-DX on his excellent website. He agrees that the Belka-DX is a brilliant little portable that delivers a lot of performance and features for the modest price. As with my Belka-DX, Fenu's unit includes the built-in speaker\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-2.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-2.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-2.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Belka-DX-SC-Coast-Dockside-DX-2.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9296,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/04\/bbc-world-service-features-drm\/","url_meta":{"origin":43628,"position":5},"title":"BBC World Service features DRM","author":"Thomas","date":"April 15, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"In this BBC World Service report,\u00a0Mark Whittaker explores Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) and, especially, its potential in India. Use the embedded player or link below to listen: listen to \u2018Digital Shortwave: a radio revolution \u2019 on Audioboo (Source: Audioboo via\u00a0Tarmo Tanilsoo on Facebook) You'll note the BBC World Service fails\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"drmlogo","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/drmlogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43628","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=43628"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43628\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43628"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43628"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}