{"id":7822,"date":"2013-11-30T09:01:04","date_gmt":"2013-11-30T13:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=7822"},"modified":"2013-11-30T09:01:04","modified_gmt":"2013-11-30T13:01:04","slug":"listener-post-john-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/listener-post-john-c\/","title":{"rendered":"Listener Post: John C"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SP600Dial3\"<\/a>John C\u2019s radio story is the latest in a\u00a0new series called\u00a0Listener Posts<\/em><\/a>, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add\u00a0your story<\/a>\u00a0to the mix,\u00a0simply send your story by email<\/a>!<\/p>\n

In the meantime,\u00a0many thanks<\/em>\u00a0to John for sharing his personal radio history:<\/p>\n

\n

John C<\/h2>\n

\"1979_stamp_Radio_Moscow\"<\/a>My story started when I was about 7-8 years old.\u00a0 My Father was in the USAF and\u00a0was stationed in Germany. I remember my parents had this big Telefunkun Console that had a radio and record player.\u00a0 The radio had shortwave bands on it.\u00a0 I used to listen to the Armed Forces Network on the\u00a0radio.\u00a0 I remember one day checking through the shortwave stations, I came upon an English language program that gave the station ID as “This is Radio Moscow speaking.”\u00a0 I was also able to tune in to\u00a0BBC World Service which I really liked.\u00a0 After this initial contact with Shortwave Radio,\u00a0\u00a0I really never got involved again until after a car accident I had two years ago.<\/p>\n

\"TecsunPL-660\"<\/a>My mobility became limited after the accident.\u00a0 I started looking at low impact hobbies that I could become involved in that did not require a lot of physical activity.\u00a0 I already collected stamps and coins but I wanted something more engaging.\u00a0 In November, 2012, I\u00a0saw an ad for a radio the Tecsun PL-660 and I ordered one.\u00a0 I really liked it because I had Air Band along with Shortwave and SSB\/LSB.\u00a0 I remember the first overseas station I picked up in English which was Radio Romania International.\u00a0 I was very excited even though I was 60 years old at that time.\u00a0 I had studied about submitting reception reports and I immediately completed one and sent it out.\u00a0 After this I was hooked really bad. I read about other radios and decided to purchase a Grundig Satellit 750.\u00a0 What a difference that made along with a better antenna I started receiving stations the PL-660 could not get in.\u00a0 About two -three weeks after I sent out my first reception report I received a letter and QSL card\u00a0from Radio Romania International.\u00a0 What a treat that was for me.\u00a0 My first confirmation.<\/p>\n

\"Winradio<\/a>

Winradio G33DDC Excalibur Pro<\/p><\/div>\n

As I continued to study about antennas and radios I got interested in SDR’s.\u00a0 What a neat concept I thought so naturally I had to try it out. I purchased a RF-Space -IQ and what a difference that made.\u00a0 I\u00a0\u00a0received more stations and had more control over noise filters and memory plus now I could record band spectrum for later review.\u00a0 Well, being hooked good now, \u00a0lead to another purchase, a Winradio G33DDC Excalibur Pro.\u00a0 I had two choices with the budget I had,\u00a0get a transceiver and get my Ham license or get a better SDR or Shortwave receiver and new antenna.\u00a0 I decided on the SDR\/antenna and I am not disappointed.\u00a0 It is a great unit and really compliments my other SDR.\u00a0 I am still on the fence about becoming a Ham Operator as I would rather listen than talk.<\/p>\n

I do realize that stations all over are stopping their broadcasts because of funding issues\u00a0and newer easier forms of mass communication but I will not give up.\u00a0 Every two to three weeks I end up catching a new station I had not identified before.\u00a0\u00a0Many countries around the globe still depend on radio for communication and news so I really doubt if I will ever turn on the radio and be greeted just by a\u00a0wall of noise.<\/p>\n

\"naswa<\/a>This is a great hobby.\u00a0 I have come in contact with many knowledgeable and interesting people who have and continue to help me on my journey through the shortwave hobby. There is more to this hobby than just putting on headphones and trying to listen in to a far away station.\u00a0 I have had to do research, I have to read a lot to keep on top of the hobby, plus it has opened my eyes and mind to other cultures and their interesting histories.\u00a0and it really keeps me busy.\u00a0I also \u00a0joined the NASWA and highly recommend that club to all newcomers.<\/p>\n

Daily I look forward to the mail coming in hoping I have received a confirmation.\u00a0 This does not happen as much as I would like but when it does it is always a treat for me as I build my collection.\u00a0 This November is my one year anniversary in the hobby.\u00a0 I have no regrets and I will continue to enjoy my shortwave radio hobby.<\/p>\n

Thanks,<\/p>\n

John C.
\nPennsylvania, USA<\/p>\n

\n

\"GordonWestTechBook\"<\/a>John, many thanks for sharing your radio story!<\/p>\n

I’m impressed that the radio bug hit so hard that you moved, in short order, from a Tecsun PL-660 to a WinRadio Excalibur Pro! What a leap!<\/p>\n

I would encourage you to get your ham radio license, of course. By now, you understand enough about radio, that it would be a very easy step to take. Strike while the iron is hot! \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n

I’ve had success with the Gordon West testing guides<\/a>–they’re very informative while teaching you strategic techniques to pass the test.<\/p>\n

Readers:\u00a0Please click here to read our growing collection of Listener Posts<\/a>, and please consider submitting your own!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

John C\u2019s radio story is the latest in a\u00a0new series called\u00a0Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add\u00a0your story\u00a0to the mix,\u00a0simply send your story by email! In the meantime,\u00a0many thanks\u00a0to John for sharing his personal radio history: John C My story started when 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":[2262,305],"tags":[4122,758,2259,757],"class_list":["post-7822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listener-posts","category-nostalgia","tag-listener-posts","tag-radio-stories","tag-swl-stories","tag-your-radio-story"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-22a","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7669,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/listener-post-eric-weatherall\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":0},"title":"Listener Post: Eric Weatherall","author":"Thomas","date":"November 4, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Eric Weatherall\u2019s radio story is the latest in a new series called Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add your story to the mix, simply send your story by email! In the meantime, many thanks to Eric for sharing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Listener Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Listener Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/listener-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"KA1102-300x189","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/KA1102-300x189.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7932,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/12\/listener-post-harold-woering\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":1},"title":"Listener Post: Harold Woering","author":"Thomas","date":"December 16, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Harold Woering\u00a0\u2019s radio story is the latest in our series called\u00a0Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add your story to the mix, simply\u00a0send your story by email! In the meantime, many thanks to Harold for sharing his personal radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Listener Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Listener Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/listener-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"KnightReceiver","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/KnightReceiver-300x184.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":7904,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/11\/listener-post-karen-shenfeld\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":2},"title":"Listener Post: Karen Shenfeld","author":"Thomas","date":"November 16, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Karen Shenfeld's\u00a0radio story is the latest in our series called\u00a0Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories and memories. If you would like to add your story to the mix, simply\u00a0send your story by email! In the meantime, many thanks to Karen for sharing this radio\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"\" I was in fact singing \"The Hills are Alive With The Sound of Music\" at the time.... I am on top of a hill in the Hoggar Mountains outside of Tamanrasset, in the middle of the Sahara.\"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/karen-sahara.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":43290,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/listener-post-mike-stutzers-love-of-radio-began-with-a-hallicrafters-s-120\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":3},"title":"Listener Post: Mike Stutzer’s love of radio began with a Hallicrafters S-120","author":"Thomas","date":"June 22, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Stutzer, who recently shared the following listener post: I started SWLing as a teenager. My favorite uncle gave me a Hallicrafters S-120. My dad hung a longwire under an eave and through a casement window frame into my bedroom. I marveled at all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hallicrafters-S-120.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hallicrafters-S-120.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hallicrafters-S-120.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Hallicrafters-S-120.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7697,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/10\/listener-post-neil-goldstein\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":4},"title":"Listener Post: Neil Goldstein","author":"Thomas","date":"October 30, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Neil Goldstein\u2019s radio story is the latest in a\u00a0new series called\u00a0Listener Posts, where I will place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add\u00a0your story\u00a0to the mix,\u00a0simply send your story by email! In the meantime,\u00a0many thanks\u00a0to Neil for sharing his personal radio history: Neil Goldstein I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Analog Radio Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/05\/swdial.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":10116,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/listener-post-jeff-zang\/","url_meta":{"origin":7822,"position":5},"title":"Listener Post: Jeff Zang","author":"Thomas","date":"July 2, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Jeff Zang\u2019s radio story is the latest in our series called\u00a0Listener Posts, where I place all of your personal radio histories. If you would like to add\u00a0your story\u00a0to the mix,\u00a0simply send your story by email! In the meantime,\u00a0many thanks\u00a0to Jeff for sharing his personal radio history: \u00a0Jeff Zang I have\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Listener Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Listener Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/listener-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"SP600Dial3","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/SP600Dial3-300x182.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\/7822","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=7822"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7822\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}