South Carolina DXing

Radio Sweden the latest to give up shortwave broadcasting

2010-03-21T03:01:00.003-04:00

The become the latest to give up the ghost. In North America, they broadcast out of Canada on 6010khz 30 minutes a day, twice a day in English.

Source - sr.se

Radio Sweden will terminate its medium and short wave broadcasts this October 31st in favour of web services – with Swedish Radio management stating that is the best use of resources and in line with international trends.

The English-language service is to continue on the web and on national broadcasts.

The Russian output will be available on the web as is the German now.

Elle-Kari Höjeberg, in charge of short and medium wave broadcasts at Swedish Radio explains why the decision was made to wind up the broadcasts.

”We Are at a Crossroad and Had to Make a Decision” 3:40

Among the immigrant languages, Albanian, Assyrian-Syriac and Bosnian-Serbian-Croatian are to be terminated on the same date. Meanwhile, Arabic and Somali – the largest immigrant language groups here at present – are to be boosted. The same applies to Romani – one of Sweden’s five official minority languages.

The Persian service is to include even Dari spoken by the rapidly increasing number of Afghan refugees coming to Sweden. Kurdish broadcasts remain unchanged.

Swedish Radio’s output in immigrant languages will be available on the web and broadcast nationally.

To listen to Radio Sweden streaming in English click here

DX log - Mar 21, 2010 0600-0630 utc

2010-03-21T02:59:00.001-04:00

0600-0630utc 3/21/2010
Radio Grundig G6 with 50 foot random wire antenna

3185 - WWRB with Brother Stair
3215 - WWCR #1 with preacher
3330 - CHU time signal (fading)
4840 - WWCR #3 with another preacher
5000 - WWVH weak signal
5000 - WWV
5025 - Radio Rebelde in Cuba (spanish)
5080 - WTWW Pete Peters preaching
5446 - AFRTS - Armed forces radio on USB with sports update
5745 - WYFR with Harold Camping preaching the world ends in 2011
5810 - NUMBERS STATION in morse code
5875 - BBC talking about Israeli settlements in Jerusalem
5890 - WWCR poor signal with Pete Peters
5915 - GERMANY Duetsche Welle in Russian
5950 - TAIWAN in spanish via Canada
5965 - UNIDENTIFIED, fading signal
6000 - WYFR more Harold Camping
6010 - CUBA in English with stamp collecting program
6030 - RADIO MARTI being jammed
6045 - SOUTH KOREA in spanish via Canada
6060 - CUBA in English
6070 - CBCNQ in English but very poor signal
6075 - GERMANY in German
6090 - ANGUILLA WLD Network with Melissa Scott
6115 - CHINA via Canada, Heartbeat program about Chinese culture
6140 - CUBA in English
6150 - CUBA in Spanish
6165 - NETHERLANDS in Dutch via Bonaire
6185 - MEXICO XEPPM playing music, fading signal
6185 - VATICAN in Swedish, fading signal
6220 - CUBA in Spanish, poor signal
6604 - New York international weather in USB
7250 - VATICAN in English, out of schedule, talking about church scandal
7325 - BBC in Arabic

Shortwave loggings - 0200 0300 utc 2/15/2009

2009-02-14T23:46:00.001-05:00

0200utc 1/15/2009
Grundig G5 using whip antenna
Leesville, SC
English broadcast received

2500 - WWV Time Signal
3145 - USA WWRB Overcomer with Ralph Stair
3185 - USA WWRB
3215 - USA WWCR #1
3330 - CHU Time Signal
5000 - WWV Time Signal
5050 - USA WWRB
5070 - USA WWCR #3
5935 - USA WWCR #2 - Melissa Scott
5950 - TAIWAN Radio Taiwan via WYFR in Florida
5985 - USA WYFR - Family Radio
6000 - CUBA Radio Habana
6010 - SWEDEN Radio Sweden (on at 0230 UTC)
6070 - CANADA CFRX commercial radio station
6090 - ANGUILLA - WLD University Network, Scott preaching
6140 - CUBA Radio Habana
6175 - VIETNAM - Voice of Vietnam via Canada (on at 230 UTC)
6240 - RUSSIA voice of Russia via Moldova
7160 - IRAN - ended at 0230UTC
7250 - RUSSIA Voice of Russia via Armenia
7345 - CZECH REPUBLIC - Radio Prague (ended at 0230 UTC)
7415 - USA WBCQ
7455 - USA WYFR Family Radio
7505 - USA WRNO
7535 - EGYPT Radio Cairo
7811 - USA AFRTS - upper sideband
7850 - CHU Time Signal

6925 - WMR We Monkey Radio in AM we keep song short so monkey's don't lose interest (ID at 0255 utc)
5550 - Airline traffic on USB
5520 - Airline traffic on USB
3455 - Airline traffic on USB
6628 - Airline traffic on USB

Latest AM stations dxed and 2 more longwave beacons

2009-02-10T23:13:00.003-05:00

Grundig G5 from Leesville, SC using it's own ferrite antenna

1150 WAVO - Rock Hill, SC playing oldies, daytime (77 miles)
600 WSJS - Winston Salem, NC talk radio (165 miles)
1310 WDKD - Kingstree, SC playing music (99 miles)
1350 WJBY - Gadsden, AL sports radio (259 miles)
1270 WNLS - Tallahassee, FL sports radio (292 miles)
1250 WTMA - Charleston, SC talk radio (O'Reilly & Jim Bohanon)
(117 miles)

2 more longwave beacons

216 CLB Wilmington, NC
414 FDW Winnsboro, SC

Updated list of AM stations I still haven't been able to dx

2009-02-05T20:15:00.002-05:00

900, 1250, 1270, 1340, 1350, 1450, 1480, 1490, 1570, 1580, 1610, 1670, 1680

13 of em

Latest 5 AM stations dxing

2009-02-04T23:42:00.002-05:00

Using the Grundig G5 internal antenna

1550 - WIGN Bristol, TN
1290 - WHKY Hickory, NC
540 - WFLF Orlando, FL - simulcast of WFLA out of Tampa
1590 - WCSL Cherryville, NC -
1520 - WARR Warrenton, NC - near Henderson, NC

Grand total of 163 stations listened to since Dec 2008

Three longwave beacons picked up on the Grundig G5

2009-02-03T22:30:00.004-05:00

Longwave appears to work well with the G5, I think my G6 was defective or suffers from horrible sensitivity on longwave bands. None of these beacons are far away. All are morse code beacons constantly repeating.

329 - CH - Charleston, SC
347 - AIK - Aiken, SC
362 - CA - Columbia, SC

Picked up a Grundig G5 today

2009-02-03T22:27:00.002-05:00

One of the Radio Shacks had a slightly damaged model they were selling
off for half price. Just a line on the plastic display, not even a crack. So I
bought it. $75

I'll play with it for a week before giving it a complete comparison to
the Grundig G6 and Grundig S350DL but either I got a defective G6 or
the G5 is simply that much better with reception. While I never picked
up a longwave beacon on the G6, I've gotten several right off the bat
with the G5 on longwave. And yes, I can actually tune into LSB ham
radio operators now that I couldn't do with the G6. And the sound is
much better on the G5. For now, the G6 and G5 might look the same but
reception wise, they are different animals.

it's also possible that my G6 was sort of defective all along and I
didn't realize it.

I know, the G5 is being phased out......

Shortwave DX log - 2/3/2009 0000-0020 UTC

2009-02-02T19:18:00.002-05:00

Grundig G6 radio using 30' wire antenna at Leesville, SC
English only broadcasting

3215 - WWRB , playing music (excellent)
5000 - WWV time signal (fair-poor)
5070 - WWCR #3 (fair)
5950 - WYFR , a younger Harold Camping preaching (excellent)
6020 - CHINA , news broadcast (good)
6085 - WYFR, preaching (excellent)
6090 - WLD Network, Scott preaching but 6085 flooding it out (poor due to interference)
6145 - JAPAN via Canada, science update (good)
7325 - AUSTRIA - Osterreich 1 news in English (0013-0016)
7415 - WBCQ, talk show about the economy (fair)
7811 - AFRTS, on USB (good)
9505 - WYFR, a younger sounding Harold Camping (good)
9570 - CHINA, china news (good)
10000- WWV time signal
11720 - WYFR, Harold Camping preaching (good-fair)

Usually shortwave in English picks up at 0100 UTC, (8pm eastern)

As usual a lot of foreign language stations from 9200-10000 khz

Eton FR-500 on sale at Radio Shack

2009-02-01T23:56:00.003-05:00

$69.99 instead of $79.99

This radio is soon to be discontinued for the new FR-600 according to Eton.

I was hoping the Grundig G5 would go on sale as it is being discontinued also for the Grundig G3

The repair for the Grundig S350DL worked!!

2009-01-29T23:27:00.003-05:00

Here was the problem and I apologize for the crappy digital camera video but it does show the problem before the repair.

The answer in the Yahoo S350DL group was correct. You have to tighten the tuner screws. Take the screws off off the radio on the outside, Don't forget the ones in the battery case and the antenna. Remove the knobs on front of the radio. Once open, you have to remove the 3 screws that hold the display part to the radio. Then you can access the two plastic tuning knobs that have a screw in them. Tighten the screws. Not only does it solve the display problem, it also helps with the drifting of the knob. Someone on usenet suggested using a few dabs of fingernail polish on the tuning screws to keep them from loosening again.

The radio not only works fine now, the tuner wheel doesn't drift on it's own anymore. It stays put. It is a bit more stiff to turn but it works fine now.

I'm happy.

Grundig S350DL display problems.

2009-01-29T15:02:00.003-05:00

Starting today, a lot of times when I start tuning the Grundig S350DL, the display is going nuts, showing random numbers and muting the radio. Then it will settle down and then I tune it and it starts again.

I was having a good time with this radio on the AM bands. I'll see if I can google a fix.

And I was dumb enough to throw out the Radio Shack receipt for it.

Edit after searching Yahoo Grundig S350 group
A possible fix from that group and I quote from message 4460

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Grundig-S350/message/4460

> okay guys, i had the same problem ad i have a fix, you gotta open up
> the radio and then you will see two plastic wheels with string on
> them, they will have screws in the middle of them, if you tighten up
> the screws it will fix the problem.

So I'll put the S350DL under the operating screwdriver later tonight or tomorrow. Worse thing is I trash the radio totally.

AM Dx log 1/28/2009

2009-01-28T18:43:00.001-05:00

5:45pm-6:45pm EST

AM Station Dxing - 5:45-6:30pm 1/28/2009
Leesville, SC using Grundig S350DL radio internal ferrite antenna

630 - WMAL Washington, DC
650 - WSM Nashville, TN
720 - WGN Chicago, IL
790 - WNIS Norfolk, VA
870 - WWL New Orleans, LA
880 - WCBS New York, NY
1030 - WBZ Boston, MA
1040 - WHO Des Moines, IA
1070 - WFNI Indianapolis, IN - Pacers sports talk
1190 - WOWO Fort Wayne, IN
1210 - WPHT Philadelphia, PA
1290 - WTKS Macon, GA
1370 - WGIV Pineville, NC - Charlotte area gospel station
1510 - WLAC Nashville, TN

stations I haven't heard before

820 - WWBA Pinellas Park, FL - talk radio serving the Tampa area
1070 - WAPI Birmingham, AL - Alabama comes in real good here at dusk, talk radio station
1170 - KFAQ Tulsa, OK - talk station 50kw
1190 - WIXE Monroe, NC - airing an online radio auction where callers can call up and sell their stuff. Should only be 70 watts after sunrise but suspect they are running on day power 5000 watts right now. (6:10pm)

Dang, the house defeats bill to delay DTV transition

2009-01-28T14:10:00.002-05:00

They did the right thing, the date has been set stone cold for years now, delaying it would only add to the confusion, not eliminate it. The idea the senate gave of giving broadcasters the option of turning off the analog signal until June was really stupid.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has defeated a bill to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12.

House Republicans succeeded in scuttling a bill to delay the transition, which is scheduled for Feb. 17, less than two days after the Senate unanimously passed the plan.

The defeat is a setback for the Obama administration and Democrats on Capitol Hill, who fear too many Americans are not ready for the switchover.

The Nielsen Co. estimates more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals could see their TV sets go dark next month if the transition is not postponed.

WWCR on 6430 instead of 3215???

2009-01-27T21:16:00.001-05:00

And I don't think it's a harmonic, others are reporting this also. There is nothing on 3215. Is this a major SNAFU on WWCR 's part????

WWRB has no trouble with 3215 when they are on it earlier.

Congress poised to delay end of analog TV to June

2009-01-27T16:22:00.002-05:00

I really don't see the point of delaying it, it's coming, just get it over with and deal with the problems now, rather then in 4 months. Especially since it's a CHOICE if broadcasters want to stop transmitting in analog. More confusion if anything.

Myway article

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is poised to grant a four-month delay in the upcoming shutdown of analog TV broadcasts, though broadcasters still will be allowed to go all-digital earlier if they want.

The House was expected to vote late Tuesday or Wednesday on a bill that would shift the analog TV shutdown to June 12 from Feb. 17. The Senate unanimously approved the idea Monday night, in a victory for the Obama administration and Democratic lawmakers who argue that too many Americans wouldn't be ready to get digital broadcasts by Feb. 17.

Three new AM stations recieved.

2009-01-26T20:55:00.002-05:00

It's dawning on me that it's easier to get AM stations to the west at dusk because they don't have to turn off their daytime power until dusk. A logic says since it is dusk later west of here, should be easier to catch these stations right at dusk. Maybe that is why I'm picking up so many Alabama stations right at dusk. Seems the logic should be reversed in the dawn, I should be able to pick up AM stations from the Northeast right when they turn to daytime power. We'll see, anyhow three more AM stations received. All around dusk today 1/26/2008 6pm EST

1410 - WING Dayton, OH - ESPN radio 5000 watts at night

810 - WCKA Jacksonville, AL - Alabama 810 country music, 50000 watts daytime-500 watts night

850 - WXJC Birmingham, AL - Gospel station, 50000 watts daytime/1000 watts night

Shortwave DX 0200-0237 UTC 1/26/2009

2009-01-25T21:39:00.001-05:00

Radio: Grundig G6 at Leesville, SC using 30 foot random wire antenna
Really good conditions from 12000khz down and tons of foreign language stations and music coming in. A real good night for listening.

0200-0230 UTC

2500 - WWV time signal
3145 - WWRB Overcomer Ministry with Ralph Stair
3185 - WWRB preaching
3215 - WWCR 1 - playing some weird music
3330 - CHU time signal
5000 - WWV time signal, lots of interference
5025 - CUBA Radio Rebelde playing music spanish
5050 - WWRB - more preaching
5070 - WWCR 3 - weak signal program is intolerant talk radio
5890 - WWCR 4 - Scriptures for America
5920 - WBOH - preaching via Australian accent, comes and goes
5935 - WWCR 2 - Melissa Scott preaching
5950 - TAIWAN - great signal via WYFR
5985 - WYFR Family Radio Harold Camping
6000 - CUBA Radio Habana
6090 - ANGUILLA - Melissa Scott preaching
6140 - CUBA Radio Habana
6240 - RUSSIA Voice of Russia
7455 - WYFR Family Radio
7505 - WRNO music playing
7811 - AFRTS USB
9505 - WYFR Family Radio
9580 - CHINA - RCI in Chinese playing some nice Chinese music
9680 - WYFR Family Radio
11805 - CHILE?? - CVC International?? good music in Spanish
11855 - WYFR Family Radio

0230 UTC Additions

6010 - SWEDEN Voice of Sweden
6175 - VIETNAM Voice of Vietnam (via Canada)

Really good blog article about shortwave

2009-01-25T19:44:00.002-05:00

Link

Quote from blog article

My son and I went to one of our favorite spots in town today: Mind Port. Mind Port is worth visiting if you're anywhere within the northwest corner of Washington State. I wouldn't drive 200 miles to see it. But I'd drive 100 miles. There are truckloads of cool hands-on exhibits, many of which are science based. All of which are either engaging, fun, mentally challenging, odd or a combination of these. One exhibit was a shortwave radio. We spent about 30 minutes running through different frequencies to find signals. We had a blast! It reminded me of fossil digging: you have to sort through a bunch of garbage to find something of value*.

Entire article at link above, it's a really good read.

Is Radio Shack following in the steps of Circuit City??

2009-01-24T18:13:00.002-05:00

Got their latest flier, no shortwave radio sales, no police scanners on sale, in fact, no real good sales of any sort. Usually prices go down after Christmas, instead Radio Shack has decided a no sale approach would be more profitable to them. They haven't been running any decent sales since the beginning of December.

They seem to be fixated on the digital TV switch & cellphones.And hate to tell em, there's no money in that for them.

Get back to running some decent sales Radio Shack.

A few more AM stations off the list.....

2009-01-24T00:04:00.002-05:00

Focused only on AM frequencies I have not copied before. It is taking a lot of patience and a lot of hearing noise to get these. Started at 11:20pm EST and giving it until 12:02AM, enough for top of the hour station ID's

Radio: Grundig S350DL internal ferrite antenna, inside location. This is a very directional radio using the internal antenna

1700 - WEUP Huntsville, AL: ad for settling your debt call today 1-800-997-5882, ad for something out of Alabama, ad for Alabama A&M basketball <11:50pm> interesting to catch two out of Huntsville, AL tonight

1550 - WLOR Huntsville, AL: playing "hey carrie ann" supposed to be only 44 watts at night - 11:24EST 0424 UTC An interesting thread about that radio station here being Dxed from Indiana

1540 - KXEL Waterloo, IA: Weak but you can't miss Brother Stair, he's everywhere! 50,000 watt station - The might talk about him being a cult, but where is the mainstream christian message on shortwave????? 11:29 EST 0429 UTC

1570 - just a nasty tone moving the radio isn't helping. Tone also showing up the Grundig G6 but not as strong. (11:31 EST 0431 UTC)

1580 - this is a real dogfight, I bet if I sat on this all night long, I could log at least 3 stations. Soul, music, news, ESPN radio, Michael Savage, this frequency has it all. But no positive ID. Several attempts.

1480 - several stations here but I could swear I heard the voice of Groucho Marx (11:45PM EST 0445 UTC)

1670 - Spanish music and voice. (11:43 EST, 0443 UTC)

What's left I haven't received on AM frequencies yet????
540, 900, 1270, 1280, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1450, 1480, 1490, 1570, 1580, 1610, 1670, 1680
(down to 15)

AM frequencies I have not been able to DX from my home location

2009-01-23T18:05:00.002-05:00

540, 900, 1270, 1280, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1450, 1480, 1490, 1540, 1550, 1570, 1580, 1610, 1670, 1680, 1700 - I'll be focusing on getting these done. I only count em when I can hear them from my house.

Up to 143 total stations copied since early December 2008. States that I have not gotten reception from east of the Mississippi River (4 Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire), I'll have to get lucky to get one of those states. 540 & 1700

For AM Dxing, the primary radio is now the Grundig S350DL which is great on AM and FM and *ucks on shortwave. Unless you want Cuba, Russia, or religion, you dont' want a S350 for SWL

Morning Dxing on shortwave

2009-01-23T08:22:00.002-05:00

Usually not a lot on the mornings, a few foreign broadcasters can be picked up

1230-1315 1/23/2009 all in English unless noted
QSL: Leesville, SC Radio: Grundig G6

7850 - SHU
7811 - AFRTS talkig about Obama & his blackberry
7455 - WYFR preaching
7385 - WHRI preaching
6890 - WYFR Family Radio, bible reading and signoff at 1245
6180 - CUBA Radio Habana in Spanish
6085 - WYFR Family Radio in Spanish
6000 - CUBA Radio Habana in Spanish
5935 - WWCR #2- Melissa Scott preaching; booming signal
5920 - WBOH - religious singing
5755 - WEWN - Catholic radio, SUnrise morning program
5745 - Radio Marti - Cuban jamming in background; in Spanish but they were
talking about basketball due to all the basketball players mentioned
3185 - WWRB, overcomer with Ralph Stair

1300UTC additions

6020 - AUSTRALIA - weak but listenable. talking about Burma refugees
9570 - CHINA - about web pornography
11885 - CHINA talking about the global recession
15105 - ROMANIA - coming in week, discussion on news issues

Learning Spanish

2009-01-22T23:44:00.002-05:00

I know I will never learn Spanish. I can count to 1 to 20 in Spanish though. Reason I mentioned this is I was scanning around and noticed the high number of spanish shortwave stations both in the tropical bands and above 9200khz tonight. I envy those who are bi-lingual, much more selection to choose from on shortwave.

Too bad they can't use google to translate live spoken spanish.

5 more AM stations to add to the DX log

2009-01-22T01:09:00.002-05:00

That makes 140 different AM stations logged since early December 2008. The latest 5 entries.

690 - WOKV Jacksonville, FL - listened to in car while driving daughter to school today. Positive ID with weather, traffic, and tons of commercials.

600 - WBWL Jacksonville, FL - Radio Disney 600, caught station ID at the bottom of the hour right after logging 690, surprised that Disney puts this much effort into playing music on AM radio.

980 - WTEM Washington, DC - Washington Wizards basketball game. I remember when I was a kid, this was WRC radio.

800 - WJAT Swainsboro, GA - got a positive ID on this one but it was weak as they only are supposed to be putting out 500 watts. This is only 104 miles from my house as the crow flies. I could not find a website for this small station.

1390 - WXTC Charleston, SC - promoting itself as "Classic Gold 1390". I couldn't identify this one last night but with the help of some local commercials, it became much easier. They must have just switched formats because a google search shows nothing for this station and searching by call letters shows a site under construction. Finally gave out call letters at the top of the hour. Puts out 5000 watts a night so probably is Charleston's most powerful night station. About 115 miles as the crow flies from my house.

Grundig Satellit 800 radio available for $910.63 at Porter's Electronics

2009-01-22T00:39:00.002-05:00

I can't believe I saw this price while looking at shortwave radios on amazon.com

Price + Shipping	Condition	Seller Information	Ready to buy?
$889.99 + $20.64shipping	New	Seller: Porters Electronics Rating:81% positive over the past 12 months (42 ratings.) 68 lifetime ratings. Shipping: In Stock. Ships from United States. See Shipping Rates. See return policy. Comments: Brand New in Box. Only 1 left in Stock

Clear Channel to lay off 1600 workers

2009-01-21T18:03:00.002-05:00

The biggest name in radio, Clear Channel, is cutting hundreds of jobs. They own 8% of the radio stations in the United States.

The company it is laying off more than 1,800 workers -- that's about nine percent of its workforce.

The CEO of the nation's largest owner of radio stations blames the economy.

Clear Channel owns six stations in Columbia, SC and at least 17 in South Carolina. These stations include local powerhouses WCOS AM & FM and WVOC out of Columbia.

Bad bad night for shortwave listening

2009-01-20T21:54:00.002-05:00

You know it's bad when Radio Habana (6000, 6140) and WWCR (5070, 3215) are barely coming in. Nothing coming in out of Canada either (Vietnam, Sweden etc). Time signals are bad tonight. Just a bad night for listening I guess.

6090 always comes in thought... So if you enjoy listening to the preaching of Melissa Scott and Gene Scott, you won't be disappointed.

Not much better on the AM band either tonight.

Maybe an early bed night for a change unless something comes up.

Just noticed, Radio Shack hasn't had a shortwave radio sale in 6 weeks

2009-01-20T00:48:00.002-05:00

Full price for the discontinued Grundig G5 ($149), as well as full price for the G6 and S350DL.

Come on Shack, you can lower that price on the G5 so I can snatch one to see if it works on LSB hams on 80 meters (3500-4000khz) or not...... You can do it!!!!

Yea yea, I know the Kaito De1103 is basically the same radio as the G5 but 60-70 bucks cheaper.

AM Dxing logs - 11:45pm to 12:40am 1/20/2009

2009-01-20T00:42:00.000-05:00

2345-
Radio: Grundig S350DL using the ferrite antenna
Location: Leesville, SC

Notes: 900-970 was a real battleground tonight

550 - WDUN Gainesville GA - local news at the top of the hour, positive ID

640 - WGST Atlanta GA - Fox news and then some local traffic reports

650 - WSM Nashville TN - what else? country music

660 - WFAN New York, NY - sports positive ID

680 - WCNN Atlanta GA - Espn radio with positive ID at the top of the hour.
Usually WPTF out of Ralieght is here at my QSL but I was able to rotate the
Grundig S350DL to tune out WPTF

720 - WGN Chicago IL - positive ID, weather and traffic report.

740 - WFZM Canada - show called "Midnight Blue" playing music with female DJ

750 - WSB Atlanta GA- Michael savage, this station always booms in here due
to being only 157 miles away

780 - WBBM Chicago IL - positive ID followed by news talking about Gitmo
detainees

830 - WCCO Minneapolis MN - positive ID news radio 830 WCCO, usually 830
WTRU out of Greensboro NC blocks this here. The very directional ferrite antenna with the Grundig S350DL allowed reception of this. Was talking Minnesota Gophers basketball

830 - WTRU Greensboro NC - turning the antenna kicked off WCCO and brings this relgious station in

840 - WHAS Louisville KY - positive ID chanting call signs followed by talk
about 2 border agents having their sentences commuted. Michael Savage.

870 - WWL New Orleans LA - casino commercial followed by station ID

880 - WCBS New York NY - weather with a high of 30 for Tue and traffic, snow
removal problems at the bridges

890 - WLS Chicago IL - commercial from a 1985 Bears player for a lawyer

910 - WEPG South Pittsburg TN - "The River" with positive ID playing country
music. This station is supposed to be only 95 watts at night and 5000 watts
daytime so I believe they are under their daytime power.

930 - UNKNOWN - 3 stations fighting it out here but didn't get a positive ID from none of them. Good music though.

940 - WMIX Mount Vernon IL - all I got was a positive station ID and then fade out. For the last week, WCPC out of Houston MS had control of this for the past week.

950 - UNKNOWN - I could swear I heard a time signal on this freq with a spanish language station in the background. Some other stations also heard but no positive ID. Another dogfight here.

960 - WFIR Roanoke VA - positive ID talking about Skytracker forecaster

990 - WNML Knoxville TN - the Sports Animal, Fox Sports

Just a handful of AM Dxing stations received - 1/19/2009 Dusk

2009-01-19T18:30:00.002-05:00

I left off the 50kw flame throwers...... WCBS, WWL, WPHT, WFED, WSB, WLAC, WPTF etc.

940 - WCPC Houston, MS - serves the Tupelo market playing relgious music. Been on a lot lately and supposed to be transmitting only on 250 watts but just too strong here for that. Suspect they are on daytime power of 50000 watts

1060 WKNG Tallapoosa, GA - classic country hits, town is about 30 miles west of Atlanta.

1160 WCRT Donalson, TN - just outside of Nashville playing "Faith and Family" with Richland Land.

1170 WACV Montgomery, AL - playing Dr Laura show

1370 WGIV Pineville, NC - serves the Charlotte market. Black gospel music

1390 UNIDENTIFIED - claimed to be Classic Gold 1390 but no other identification noted and a google search didn't come up with anything. Playing classic hits.

WCPC Tupelo,MS 940

2009-01-19T01:39:00.003-05:00

This station is booming in tonight. It's a 50,000 watt station during the day but only supposed to be 250 watts a night. There is no way this station is only at 250 watts right now. Not that I mind it's probably blocking WMAC 940 out of Macon, GA from coming in here. I think such snafus are kind of cool. Be interesting to see how long this last.

Addon: According to their website, they brag about being 50,000 watts so maybe the FCC database is out of date.

WCPC AM 940 kHz DA2 Daytime B B LIC HOUSTON MS US BL-20070822AED 50.0 kW 71291 CAJUN RADIO CORPORATION
WCPC AM 940 kHz DA2 Nighttime B B LIC HOUSTON MS US 6L-20070822AED 0.25 kW 71291 CAJUN RADIO CORPORATION

AM frequencies I have not been able to DX

2009-01-18T02:45:00.003-05:00

Out of the 117 possible AM frequencies, there are 23 I have yet to receive a positive identification on. The frequencies are 540, 800, 900, 930, 1250, 1270, 1310, 1330, 1340, 1350, 1390, 1450, 1480, 1490, 1540, 1550, 1570, 1580, 1600, 1610, 1670, 1680, 1700

I probably can get 1250-1580 wiped out by driving around rural areas with my Grundig 350SL and with some patience, bag em. A lot of patience.

As I am typing this, 2 states are fighting over 930 AM, a sports station and a music station. The music station sounds really interesting, it's like the old days again on AM. This is at 2:54AM Sunday morning.

My criteria for counting a station as a successful DX is I might hear the call letters or I must hear the name of the city and other identifying marks I can google to conform the station. I then get information on them, how far it as the crow flies, how many watts they are putting out, and in what direction.

Right, I have DXed 124 AM stations during the past month. In 23 states.
The States I have DXed
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, SOuth Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Iillinois, Iowa, Oklahoma, Colorado

Added a bunch of new links related to shortwave radio

2009-01-17T22:25:00.001-05:00

There are plenty more I plan on adding. Thanks much.

Yes Virginia, they still do play English music on shortwave

2009-01-17T21:26:00.003-05:00

One hour each week, the Mighty KBC aims their antenna toward North America 6110khz and gives you an hour of music just like how AM stations used to play it in the 1970's along with the DJ. From 9pm to 10pm EST or 0200-0300 UTC. That's Saturday night EST. The transmitter is lsupposed to be located in Lithuania.

They have a signal on 6055 khz with a signal direction slightly different than 6110. Those shows include the "Wolfman Jack show" from 2130-2230 UTC Mon-Fri. But that puts its on the air here in the east coast at 0430pm to 0530pm, not exactly the best time for the signal to travel from Lithuania.

They even run commercial ads, they are running one for radios for European truckers.

Hearing it fine right now with some fading but no interference just using the whip antenna on the Grundig G6.

SW loggings 1215-1315 UTC 1/17/2009

2009-01-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

Loggings 1215-1315UTC 1/17/2009
Grundig G6 using 50 foot random wire antenna

Sure not a lot on the mornings here in the East Coast

3185 - WWRB (Good) preaching
6070 - CANADA CFRB (good)
6120 - RADIO JAPAN via Canada (good)
6890 - WYFR (very good) - good health program called "For the Record" until they cut off at 1245u
7310 - CANADA RCI in spanish - playing some good music
7455 - WYFR (fair) - signal was faded hard listen
9570 - CHINA via Cuba (very good)
9625 - CANADA CBC NQ (fair)
9650 - SOUTH KOREA (fair)
11775 - WLD Univ Network (good) - Melissa Scott preaching
11885 - CHINA via Canada (good)

Republicans block delay in digital TV transition

2009-01-16T21:34:00.000-05:00

I've got to agree with the republicans on this. They've had plenty of time to get ready for this and run so many ads promoting it. They need to just go with it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans have blocked a bill that would delay the nationwide switch from analog to digital television broadcasts until June 12. But Democrats say they will try again to pass the measure next week.

The bill was defeated even after President-elect Barack Obama on Friday urged Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 transition. There have been mounting concerns that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up broadcast channels won't be ready. The federal program that subsidizes converter boxes for such viewers ran out of money this month.

But Senate Republicans fear a delay would cause consumer confusion and deprive public safety agencies of chunks of the airwaves that will be freed by the switchover.

A good 15 minutes with The Voice of Croatia - 7375khz

2009-01-15T22:20:00.004-05:00

Voice of Croatia 7375khz 0300-0315 UTC
Grundig G6 using whip antenna, Leesville SC

News
*finding gas from different places then Russia through Ukraine, claims Croatia is better off than some other Eastern European countries*

*Top EU countries planning on meeting with Ukraine and Russia to resolve the natural gas shipments*

*Croatia says industry has been affected big time by the lack of natural gas supplies**

*Croatia marks 15th anniversary of it's independence. They call it the "Homeland war"

*Croatian president holds a Christmas and New Year's party*

*war crime trials against Serbs postponed during the "Homeland war"

"Israeli offensive against Gaza has entered it's 3rd week"

"Eu cuts interest rates on Euros to 2 percent, Eurozone has been in recession since 2007", key interest rate lowest rate since 2005"

"Sports - tennis news about Croatians"

"weather forecast, party sunny skys, highs of -10 to -5 C in interior and 0 to -5 along the coast"

"Story about largest town along the coast of Croatia, Split"

recap of todays headlines....

JOin us again tomorrow for "Croatia today" followed by times to listen

www.hrc.hr

playing Croatian music at 0315 UTC

Great Reuters article on shortwave radios

2009-01-14T21:47:00.003-05:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/8255790

By Robert MacMillan

NEW YORK, Jan 14 (Reuters) - Somewhere on a lonely mountaintop on a starry night, or maybe in an apartment on a bustling city block, someone is channeling the whole world onto a mobile device. It's not a phone; it's a shortwave radio.

A staple form of broadcasting in many parts of the world since the 1920s and 1930s -- shortwave in North America has been mostly a hobby for decades.

Now that the Internet is a fixture in many homes in the United States and Canada, there are few practical reasons to buy a shortwave radio. Thousands of stations that once were available only on the shortwave band are online.

Note: And many that were on shortwave are now only on the internet.

Shortwave also is distinctly old fashioned, cast against the shadow of the annual Consumer Electronics Show, which was held in Las Vegas earlier this month. The mother of gargantuan gadget fests featured shortwave radio makers, but the action these days revolves around digital audio devices.

The contrast is stark: iPods and satellite radios are slim and pocket-sized, while shortwaves are throwbacks, typically as square as a textbook and just as serious looking.

So why bother with shortwave?

It's easy and cheap -- and fun. You can hear and learn things that you would never find even if you work your search engine like a mule. From Swaziland to Paris to Havana, shortwave broadcasters can surprise an adventurous listener more than any MP3 playlist.

"You tune carefully, twist the radio from side to side, and there's still a bit of a 'Hey, I made this happen!' sort of thing," said Harold Cones, retired chairman of the biology and chemistry department at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

It's also magic. Shortwave radio enthusiasts acknowledge the thrill -- the romance, in a way -- of going out at night and snaring news, music, odd bleeps, religious zealots and other broadcasts from the wild sea of frequencies in the sky.

In aural terms, the Internet wins. Shortwave by nature sounds dirty: Its signals whoosh from clouds of static and are subject to the whims of sunspots and atmospheric disturbances.

But when you hear voices over the noise and squeal, and realize you are hearing Mongolia, live, there is a warmth and a human connection that are hard to find on the Web.

Shortwave also can deliver news faster than you might find it online, and in places where your other devices don't work, said Ian McFarland, a former host and writer at Radio Canada International.

Note: I love shortwave but I disagree with this. Often the news is only on top of the hour if that. US shortwave broadcasters are dominated by religious groups and rarely ever give out the news. Honestly for the news, listen to AM.

"It's more portable than a computer, especially if you ... don't have a laptop and you don't happen to have a hot spot on your favorite beach," he said. Batteries also keep them going a long time when the power goes out.

On a serious note, shortwave stations often resist many government attempts to jam them.

"Shortwave is unfettered by intermediaries so it's pretty much always there," said Lawrence Magne, publisher of the Passport to World Band Radio (http://www.passband.com).

Note: Err, not quite true... shortwave reception varies greatly upon location, time, and atmospheric conditions.

GETTING STARTED

You can find shortwave radios at a variety of Web retail and auction shops like Amazon, Universal Radio, The Shortwave Store, Grove Enterprises or even National Public Radio.

Bob Grove, at Grove Enterprises in Brasstown, North Carolina, also offers a handy beginner's guide (http://tinyurl.com/8rq3bt).

You could drop thousands of dollars on a radio, but units such as the Eton E100 (http://tinyurl.com/8x5q9o) generally range from $50 to $250.

Note: or lower or higher.....

A perfectly serviceable radio sells for as little as $30, but more expensive models are better at pulling in fainter signals.

Listening is best an hour before and after sunrise and sunset -- and away from urban areas -- because of atmospheric conditions and because many broadcasters in distant lands are gearing up their broadcasts.

Try searching for distant shortwave signals, identify the station, write to them and get a "QSL Card," the broadcaster's acknowledgment that you made contact.

For die hards, listening to shortwave can make hours go by in a dream. For others, its an acquired taste -- Bob Grove said his wife is "partially tolerant."

"I've had radio equipment in my car in the past, and I have learned not to turn it all on when we were going on a date somewhere."

(To find a a partial English-language list of what's on shortwave, try RadioShack (http://www.radioshack.com) or C.Crane (http://www.ccrane.com)). (Reporting by Robert MacMillan; editing by Richard Chang)

Big list of shortwave stations heard in English, 1/14/2009

2009-01-14T21:36:00.000-05:00

Using Grundig S350DL with 60 foot longwire antenna
From 0000 to 2400 UTC 1/14/2009
72 stations logged (I had a lot of time today)
English only - in frequency order

2500 United States WWV
3185 United States WWRB
3215 United States WWCR #1
3215 United States WWRB
3330 Canada CHU
3885 Ham Ham - AM
5000 United States WWV
5070 United States WWCR #3
5110 United States WBCQ
5745 United States WYFR
5875 United Kingdom BBC
5890 United States WWCR #4
5900 Bulgaria Radio Bulgaria
5920 United States WBOH
5920 Japan NHK
5935 United States WWCR #2
5950 United States WYFR
5960 China China R. Intl
5965 Vatican City Vatican Radio
6000 Cuba Radio Habana
6015 Romania Radio Romania Intl
6020 China Radio China Intl
6030 Romania Radio Romania Intl
6040 China China R. Intl
6055 Spain R. Exterior De Espana
6060 Cuba Radio Habana
6070 Canada CFRB
6090 Anguilla WLD Univ Network
6105 Monaco Trans World Radio
6115 China China R. Intl
6115 Romania Radio Romania Intl
6140 Cuba Radio Habana
6145 Japan NHK
6175 Germany Overcomer Ministry
6190 China China R. Intl
6200 Bulgaria Radio Bulgaria
6240 United States WYFR
6915 United States WYFR
7105 Romania Radio Romania Intl
7145 Romania Radio Romania Intl
7180 Romania Radio Romania Intl
7240 Germany Deutsche Welle
7250 Vatican City Vatican Radio
7285 China China R. Intl
7315 United States WHRI Angel 1
7335 Russia Voice of Russia
7345 Czech Republic Radio Prague
7360 Vatican City Vatican Radio
7400 Bulgaria Radio Bulgaria
7415 United States WBCQ
7455 United States WYFR
7465 United States WHRA Angel 5
7465 Albania Radio Tirana
7465 United States WWCR #1
7811 United States AFRTS
7850 Canada CHU
9455 United States WEWN
9550 Cuba Radio Habana
9580 Australia Radio Australia
9690 Romania Radio Romania Intl
9755 Romania Radio Romania Intl
9800 Monaco Trans World Radio
10000 United States WWV
11520 United States WEWN
11655 Netherlands Radio Netherlands
11775 Anguilla WLD Univ Network
11805 Canada Radio Canada Intl
11805 Netherlands Radio Netherlands
15000 United States WWV
17790 Canada Radio Canada Intl
17810 Netherlands Radio Netherlands
17895 United States Voice of America

Osterreich 1 News (Austria) still transmits in English - 4 minutes of it.

2009-01-13T19:53:00.002-05:00

7315 khz - 0143-0147 UTC

I guess they haven't totally shut down their English broadcast service.

They are transmitting a 3 to 4 minute news brief in English,
followed by one in French. Today's news was about the natural gas
cutoffs and the Israel-Gaza war.

Great signal from South Carolina. All 3 minutes of it.

I guess they still care......

A few new AM dxing listings

2009-01-12T01:36:00.003-05:00

Leesville, SC using the Grundig S750DL
New stations identified, midnight to 1:30AM EST 1/12/2009

1300 WNQM - Nashville, TN (5000 watts) (342 miles)
1440 WGMI - Breman, GA (62 watts) (209 miles)
1440 WLWI - Montgomery, AL (1000 watts) (297 miles)
730 KQPN - West Memphis, AR (1000 watts) (497 miles)

I wonder if WGMI is transmitting on day power (2500 watts)??

Also picked up 1310, an oldies station, which is probably CIWW out of Ottawa, Canada but did not hear station ID.

Shortwave Dxing from 0200-0255UTC 1/11/2009

2009-01-11T21:57:00.002-05:00

0200-0259 UTC, Leesville SC, Grundig G6 using whip antenna
only English unless noted

2500 WWV (Fair) - Time Signal
3145 WWRB (good) - Brother Stair
3185 WWRB (very good)
3215 WWCR #1 (very good)
5000 WWV (fair) - time signal
5025 CUBA - Cuban Music station
5050 WWRB (good) - playing Treasure of Truth
5070 WWCR #3 (good but got worse)
5110 WBCQ (bad) - barely heard it and only for a minute
5890 WWCR #4 (good) - Scriptures for America
5935 WWCR #2 (very good) - The Scott's preaching
5950 Taiwan (good) - relayed from WYFR in Florida
6000 Cuba (very good)
6010 Sweden (fair) - 0230utc, lots of noise and interference
6040 VATICAN (very good)
6090 WLD (good) - more Scott's preaching
6120 IRAN (poor) - barely heard, signed off at 230UTC
6140 CUBA (very good)
6175 VIETNAM (fair to good) - relayed from Canada, on at 0230 UTC
6190 SERBIA (fair to poor) - heard ID and not much else
6200 CZECH (fair) - Radio Prague
6240 RUSSIA (fair) - usually comes in better
7305 VATICAN (good) - ident to 6040
7345 CZECH (fair) - identical to 6200
7440 UKRAINE?? (very good) - probably in Ukrainian, they've been off the air lately
7505 WRNO (good) - playing mostly music, soliciting for people to broadcast, hope it works for them
7535 EGYPT (poor) - barely heard, got ID, much interference
7850 CHU (fair) - Canada time signal

Edit: I keep putting in 2008 as the year......

Grundig Globe Travler G3

2009-01-10T02:40:00.001-05:00

This looks like a small unit that can do it all. Let's hope Radio Shack picks up on this radio and will resell it. About the size of the discontinued G5.

http://www.etoncorp.com/upload/contents/307/G3.pdf

I'm buying it when it comes out.

All AM stations listened to from 11/2008 to 1/2009

2009-01-10T02:09:00.003-05:00

This list includes everything from every location listened to the AM band from Nov 2008 to Jan 9, 2009

27 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Florida, Georgia,
Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lousiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan
Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Also listened to Canada and probably Mexico (unconfirmed)

24 states that I have not copied a signal (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Delaware.

530 WWRB Okeechobee, FL
550 WDUN Gainesville, GA
560 WVOC Columbia, SC
570 WWNC Asheville, NC
580 WGAC Augusta, GA
600 WREC Memphis, TN
610 WOID Miami, FL
620 WGCV Cayce, SC
620 WRJZ Knoxville, TN
620 WDAE St. Petersburg, FL
630 WMAL Washington, DC
640 WGST Atlanta, GA
650 WSM Nashville, TN
660 WFAN New York, NY
660 WLFJ Greenville, SC
670 WSCR Chicago, IL
680 WPTF Raleigh, NC
690 WIST New Orleans, LA
700 WLW Cincinnati, OH
710 WOR New York, NY
720 WGN Chicago, IL
740 CFZM Canada - Edit: thanks for the correction
740 KRMG Tulsa, OK
750 WSB Atlanta, GA
760 WJR Detroit, MI
770 WABC New York, NY
780 WBBM Chicago, IL
790 WNIS Norfolk, VA
810 WGY Schenectady, NY
820 WBAP Dallas, TX
830 WTRU Greensboro, NC
840 WHAS Louisville, KY
840 WCEO Columbia, SC
850 WKVL Knoxville, TN
850 KOA Denver, CO
860 CJBC Toronto, ON
860 WEVA Emporia, VA
870 WWL New Orleans, LA
880 WCBS New York, NY
890 WLS Chicago, IL
890 WBAJ Columbia, SC
910 WJCW Johnson City, TN
920 WGKA Atlanta, GA
940 WMAC Macon, GA
950 WORD Spartanburg, SC
960 WFIR Roanoke, VA
970 WGTK Louisville, KY
990 WNML Knoxville, TN
1000 WMVP Chicago, IL
1010 WINS New York, NY
1020 KDKA Pittsburgh, PA
1030 WBZ Boston, MA
1040 WHO Des Moines, IA
1040 WYSL Rochester, NY
1050 WFAM Augusta, GA
1060 KYW Philadelphia, PA
1070 WFNI Indianapolis, IN
1080 WHOO Orlando, FL
1080 KRLD Dallas, TX
1080 WKJK Louisville, KY
1080 WTIC Hartford, CT
1090 WBAL Baltimore, MD
1090 KAAY Little Rock, AR
1090 WCZZ Greenwood, SC
1100 WTAM Cleveland, OH
1110 WBT Charlotte, NC
1120 KMOX St. Louis, MO
1130 WBBR New York, NY
1140 WRVA Richmond, VA
1150 WCRK Morrsitown, TN
1160 WCFO Atlanta, GA
1170 WWVA Wheeling WV
1170 WQVA Lexington, SC
1180 WHAM Rochester, NY
1190 WOWO Fort Wayne, IN
1200 WOAI San Antonio, TX
1200 WJES Saluda, SC
1210 WPHT Philadelphia, PA
1220 WHKW Cleveland, OH
1230 WOIC Columbia, SC
1240 WKDK Newberry, SC
1260 WCHV Charlottesville, VA
1280 WANS Anderson, SC
1290 WTKS Savannah, GA
1320 WISW Columbia, SC
1360 WCHL Chapel Hill, NC
1370 WVIE Baltimore, MD
1370 WSPD Toledo, OH
1380 WKJV Asheville, NC
1380 WYNF Augusta, GA
1400 WCOS Columbia, SC
1410 WIQR Prattville, AL
1420 WHK Cleveland, OH
1430 WBLR Batesburg-Leesville, SC
1460 WEWO Laurinburg, NC
1470 WQXL Columbia, SC
1470 WRGA Rome, GA
1500 WFED Washington, DC
1510 WLAC Nashville, TN
1520 KOKC Oklahoma City, OK
1530 WCKY Cincinnati, OH
1560 WQEW New York, NY
1560 WAGL Lancaster, SC
1590 WKTP Kingsport, TN
1620 WNRP Pensacola, FL
1630 WRDW Augusta, GA
1640 WTNI Biloxi, MS
1650 WHKT Portsmouth, VA
1660 WFNA Charlotte, NC
1690 WMLB Atlanta, GA

YES!!! KOA Denver received on my Grundig S350DL

2009-01-06T23:32:00.002-05:00

850 KOA Denver, CO

It was faint, it was maybe 2 minutes max, but I heard the call letters twice with a traffic report. 1340 miles as a the crow flies, a new record!! WOO HOO

Grundig to introduce a G8 shortwave radio

2009-01-06T23:08:00.003-05:00

http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=916173

Not much known about the size of the unit, looks like no number pads for direct entry.

Looks like the Grundig G5 has been discontinued

Just some shortwave stuff 0330-0400 UTC

2009-01-06T23:06:00.000-05:00

0330-0400UTC, Leesville SC, Grundig G6 with 60 foot random wire antenna. English only unless noted

2500 - WWV - tick tock at the tone......
3145 - WWRB Brother Stair
3185 - WWRB
3215 - WWCR 1
3350 - SPAIN - R. Exterior de Espana - in Spanish
5000 - WWV tick tock tick tock
5070 - WWCR 3
5875 - WHRI - World Harvest Radio
6000 - CUBA
6005 - BBC - weak
6010 - SWEDEN - fair to good signal
6090 - WLD - Melissa Scott
6110 - ALBANIA - sounded strong but weak modulation
6140 - CUBA
6175 - VIETNAM - poor signal but listenable
7255 - BBC - pretty good here

1090 - KAAY Little Rock, AR - more Brother stair

SW loggings 0400-0430utc 1/5/2008

2009-01-05T00:23:00.000-05:00

0400-0430utc 1/8/2008 English only
Using Grundig 350DL receiver

3145 - USA, WWRB, Brother Stair
3185 - USA, WWRB
3215 - USA, WWCR #1
5000 - USA, WWV, time signal
5070 - USA, WWCR #3
5890 - USA, WWCR #4 Scriptures for America
5935 - USA, WLD Unversity Network
5950 - USA, WYFR Family Radio
6000 - Cuba, Radio Habana
6020 - Turkey, Voice of Turkey
6080 - Czech Republic, Radio Prague
6090 - USA, WLD University Network
6115 - Romania
6140 - Cuba, Radio Habana
6240 - Russia, Voice of Russia
6915 - USA, WYFR Family Radio
7160 - Zambia, CVC International
7315 - France, Radio France International
7335 - Russia, Voice of Russia
7505 - USA, WRNO
9505 - USA, WYFR Family Radio
9680 - USA, WYFR Family Radio
9955 - USA, WRMI Radio Miami International

AM Dxing - 1230am-100am 12/28/2008

2008-12-28T01:09:00.001-05:00

AM Dx search - 0530utc 12/28/2008

560 WVOC Columbia, SC 27mi - classic Art Bell rebroadcast
570 WWNC Asheville, NC 131mi - classic Art Bell rebroadcast
650 WSM Nashville, TN 331mi - Grand Ole Opray music
660 wFAN New York, NY 640mi - sports talk
680 WPTF Raleigh, NC 203mi
750 WSB Atlanta, GA 157mi - station ID
790 WNIS Norfolk, VA 366mi - station ID at top of hour
820 WBAP Dallas, TX 907mi
830 WTRU Greensboro, NC 174mi - station ID, religious station
840 WHAS Louisville, KY 371mi - station ID
870 WWL New Orleans, LA 578mi - preacher
880 WCBS New York, NY 640mi - news radio
1020 KDKA Pittsburgh, PA 466mi - PGH penguins and news
1100 WTAM Cleveland, OH 508mi - Coast to Coast AM
1110 WBT Charlotte, NC 91mi - CBS news
1120 KMOX St Louis, MO 579mi - local commercials
1190 WOWO Ft Wayne, IN 532mi - weather forecast,
1200 WOAI San Antonio, TX 1021mi - Brother Stair believe it or not
1210 WPHT Philadelphia, PA 552mi - Philly lawyer commercial
1510 WLAC Nashville, TN 337mi
1530 WCKY Cincinnati, OH 394mi - commercial for male enhancement,
1560 WQEW New York, NY 628mi Radio Disney
1650 WHKT Portsmouth, VA 355mi Radio Disney

First time logging 570 & 790

SW loggings 0230-0300utc 12/28/2008

2008-12-27T22:15:00.002-05:00

12/28/2008 0230-0300 utc
All in English except when noted, Leesville, SC Grundig G6 using 60 foot longwire

3145 WWRB - Brother Stair
3185 WWRB - someone sreaming and preaching
3215 WWCR - preaching
5000 WWV - time signal
5050 WWRB - more preaching
5070 WWCR - fading at times, worse than normal
5935 WWCR - carrying WLD University network programming
5950 Taiwan
6000 Cuba - Ed Newman reading the news, do they ever give him a day off?
6010 Sweden - program about world prostitution, same program they ran earlier today
6040 Vatican Radio - on at 0250utc, fair signal at best
6060 Cuba - in spanish
6090 Wld University Network - Melissa Scott preaching
6140 Cuba - identical to 6000
6175 Vietnam - news on the half hour, good signal
6240 Russia - Voice of Russia
6850 Open carrier - (edited, error in putting up WYFR)
7250 Russia - Voice of Russia
7305 Vatican Radio - on at 0250utc, identical to 6040 but good signal
7390 Albania - Radio Tirana coming in good on at 0245utc
7455 WYFR - a younger Harold Camping preaching
7505 WRNO - playing songs, news update at top of the hour

No WBCQ on 7415 tonight

Shortwave Dx log - 12/24/2008 0130-0230 utc

2008-12-24T01:05:00.002-05:00

Shortwave listening log for 830pm to 930pm EST

12/24/2008 0130utc
Location: Leesville, SC
Listed by Freq, identity, signal strength, comments

3185 WWRB Excellent
5000 WWV Good
5070 WWCR Poor better with outside antenna
6000 Cuba Fair signal got better at 0200, Arnie Corso
6005 China Excellent
6120 Iran Fair
6140 Cuba Good Arnie Corso
6145 Romania Excellent
6240 Russia Excellent - in spanish
7160 Iran Good
7415 WBCQ Excellent Allan Weiner Worldwide
7440 Ukraine Excellent
9570 China Good China Drive
9755 Canada - RCI Good

12/24/2008 0200utc

3145 WWRB Excellent
3185 WWRB Excellent
3215 WWCR Excellent
5070 WWCR Fair-Poor
5950 Taiwan Good
6000 Cuba Good
6055 R.EXTERIOR DE ESPANA Excellent - in spanish but playing English christmas songs
6090 WLD university network Good
6140 Cuba Excellent
6200 Czech - Radio Prague Good
6240 Russia - Voice of Russia Excellent
7250 Russia Fair
7415 WBCQ Good
7490 WHRI Fair
7505 WRNO Good Carrier only

12/24/2008 0230utc

6973 Galei Zahal (Israel) - playing a nice mix of modern pop songs including some in English. Announcer in foreign language.

A few AM stations picked up this morning around 8am EST. 12/19/2008

2008-12-19T17:51:00.002-05:00

940 WMAC Macon, GA
920 WGKA Atlanta, GA
1150 WCRK Morrsitown, TN
1160 WCFO Atlanta, GA
1380 WKJV Asheville, NC

A few AM stations picked up at 1am 12/18/2008 1pm eastern

2008-12-18T01:20:00.001-05:00

1260 WCHV Charlottesville, VA
1180 WHAM Rochester, NY
1650 WHKT Portsmouth, VA
1590 WKTP Kingsport, TN

Large SW listening log

2008-12-17T01:26:00.001-05:00

I must have a lot of time on my hands. Logs from 12/16/2008 and early 12/17/2008, from Leesville SC, all times in UTC

3185	WWRB	12/17/2008	0400
5905	Germany	12/17/2008	0400
5920	WBOH	12/16/2008	1900
5950	WYFR	12/17/2008	0400
6020	Turkey	12/17/2008	0400
6080	Czech	12/17/2008	0400
6110	Albania - Radio Tirana	12/17/2008	0330
6115	Romania - Radio Romania	12/17/2008	0400
6155	Russia	12/17/2008	0300
6155	Russia	12/17/2008	0400
6175	Vietnam	12/17/2008	0330
6190	China -CRI	12/17/2008	0400
6240	Russia	12/17/2008	0300
6240	Russia	12/17/2008	0400
6915	WYFR	12/17/2008	0400
7150	Russia	12/17/2008	0400
7160	Zambia - CVC International	12/17/2008	0400
7215	Romania - Radio Romania	12/16/2008	1830
7255	BBC	12/17/2008	0400
7285	China -CRI	12/16/2008	2100
7315	France	12/17/2008	0400
7325	Turkey	12/17/2008	0400
7335	Russia	12/17/2008	0400
7345	Czech	12/17/2008	0400
7350	Russia	12/17/2008	0300
7350	Russia	12/17/2008	0400
7415	WBCQ	12/16/2008	1900
7415	WBCQ	12/16/2008	2100
7415	WBCQ	12/17/2008	0400
7440	Ukraine	12/17/2008	0400
7505	WRNO	12/17/2008	0400
7510	Albania - Radio Tirana	12/16/2008	2100
7520	WHRA	12/16/2008	2100
9330	WBCQ	12/16/2008	1900
9445	India - All India Radio	12/16/2008	2100
9455	WEWN	12/17/2008	0300
9640	Romania - Radio Romania	12/16/2008	1830
9680	WYFR	12/17/2008	0400
9690	China -CRI	12/17/2008	0300
9790	China -CRI	12/17/2008	0300
9840	WHRI #2 - World Harvest Radio	12/16/2008	1900
9955	WRMI	12/16/2008	1900
11775	WLD University Network	12/16/2008	1900
11990	Kuwait - Radio Kuwait	12/16/2008	1800
15115	WYFR	12/16/2008	1900
15385	KJES	12/16/2008	1900
15400	BBC	12/16/2008	1900
15565	WYFR	12/16/2008	1900
17535	WYFR	12/16/2008	1900
17555	WYFR	12/16/2008	1900
17650	WHRI Angel 1	12/16/2008	1830
17895	Voice of America	12/16/2008	1800
17895	Voice of America	12/16/2008	1930
18980	WYFR	12/16/2008	1800
18980	WYFR	12/16/2008	1900

AM dxing - 12/15/2008 1030pm-midnight

2008-12-16T00:36:00.001-05:00

AM Dxing 1030pm-1215am (12/15/2008)
Location: Leesville, SC 57F mostly cloudy
Radio: Grundig G6 internal ferrite antenna
Focused mostly on the lower end of the AM dial

610 UNIDENTIFIED - Monday night football, weak and faded out

630 WMAL Washington, DC - caught the ID of this one and not much else as signal faded real quick, only transmit 1000 watts at night

650 WSM Nashville, TN - talking about Hank Williams

660 WFAN New York, NY - Monday night football and 20/20 sports update at midnight, poor signal

670 UNIDENTIFIED - two stations fighting it out, one had MNF followed by Dan Patrick, other was playing rock music with Spanish DJ and commercials

700 WLW Cincinnati, OH - commercials for REI and Goodwill followed by local talk show

720 WGN Chicago, IL - local talk show, commercial for Westmont Pharmacy

740 KRNG Tulsa, OK - commercials for "Christian Train" followed by "the hamlet" commercial, then station ID

750 WSB Atlanta, GA - always booms at night here, Michael Savage

760 WJR Detroit, MI - Dr Laura show which I didn't know was still on the air, commercials for Home Medics and 1800 flowers

770 WABC New York, NY - Jared Diamond commercial followed by station ID

780 WBBM Chicago, IL - weather and traffic on the 8's, current 13 degrees in Chicago, calling for 2-4 inches of snow tomorrow

800 Canada - never heard call letters but had Canadian Press news on the hour followed by hockey news and a Walmart commercial

820 WBAP Dallas, TX - commecial for a business venture followed by a traffic report and warning of icy conditions on roads in the suburbs

840 WHAS Louisville, KY - Michael Savage spewing, "Kentucky Colonels" charity ad

860 CJBC Toronto, Canada - in french

870 WWL New Orleans, LA - monday night football commercial for Rolaids, Sporting news radio after game

880 WCBS New York, NY - always there, always news

890 WLS Chicago, IL - yet another Chicago station, conservative talk radio

1000 WMVP Chicago, IL - yet another Chicago station, ESPN radio

1070 WFNI Indianapolis, IN - ESPN radio

1100 WTAM Cleveland, OH - bitching about the Cleveland Browns losing bad to the Eagles, 30 to 10

1120 KMOX St. Louis, MO - this one is always here, CBS news

1430 WBLR Batesburg-Leesville SC - our only local station, barely can hear 1 mile from house, station goes to 130 watts at night.

1510 WLAC Nashville, TN - got call letters right away, easy catch

1530 WCKY Cincinnati, OH - sports radio, Prep H commercial, calls itself "1530 homer"

---

Around dusk today earlier

1090 WBAL Baltimore, MD - knew by the commercials what this was, tends to die around 5pm local here, probably when 50kw signal goes directional

1470 WRGA Rome, GA - got the call letters clear, didn't last long though, news updates

SW Dx log - 12/15/2008 0230-0330 utc (9:30-10:30) EST

2008-12-14T23:20:00.002-05:00

3145 WWRB 3185 WWRB 3215 WWCR 4950 weak english then faded out 5050 WWRB 5070 WWCR 5890 WWCR 5920 WBOH - Fundamental Broadcast 5935 Wld Univ Network 5950 Taiwan - RTI 5985 WYFR 6000 Cuba - Radio Habana 6090 Wld Univ Network 6140 Cuba - Radio Habana 6155 Russia - Voice of Russia 6175 Vietnam - Radio Vietnam 7250 Russia - Voice of Russia 7305 Vatican Radio 7375 Croatia - Voice of Croatia 7400 Bulgaria - Radio Bulgaria 7455 WYFR 7505 WRNO 7811 Armed Forces - AFRTS USB 9505 WYFR 9550 WYFR 9790 China - CRI 9955 WRMI -Radio Miami International

SW DX log - 12/13/2008 0600-0630utc

2008-12-13T01:52:00.001-05:00

12/13/2008 0600-0630utc (1am - 1:30EST) using whip antenna - Leesville SC... A quick scan of the bands..... Nothing that stands out except no China radio currently airing.

2500 WWV (fair)

3185 WWRB (great) - Brother Stair

3215 WWCR (great) - ad for Fuel Saver followed by Alex Jones

3700 Ham (good) - ham talking about old radios, tubes, etc

5000 WWV (great)

5070 WWCR (great) - Alex Jones but diff than 3215

5745 WYFR (fair) - Harold Camping, thank you for calling and sharing

5935 Wld Univ Network (fair) - Melissa Scott preaching

6000 Cuba - Radio Habana (great)

6060 Cuba - Radio Habana (great)

6140 Cuba - Radio Habana (great)

6606 Weather in English (sideband)

6756 Weather in English - same as 6606, image from 6606?

7180 Romania - Radio Romania (great) - signed on at 0630u

7240 Germany - Deutsche Welle (good) - right at signoff at 0630u

7250 Vatican Radio (good) - talking about Christmas trees

7335 CHU (great) - Canadian tick tock

7360 Vatican Radio - (good) signed on at 0630u

7465 WHRA #5 - World Harvest Radio (fair)

9455 WEWN - Global Catholic Netwk (fair)

9690 Romania - Radio Romania (poor)

10000 WWV (fair)

11530 WYFR (poor) - can't mistake Harold Camping

Shortwave Dx - 12/11/2008 0500utc (12:00am EST)

2008-12-11T00:48:00.000-05:00

12/11/2008 0500utc (12:00am EST), rainy conditions at Leesville, SC

3185 WWRB (Good) - Brother Stair
3215 WWCR (Good) - more preaching
5000 WWV (Good) - tick tock at the tone....
5070 WBCQ (poor) - a lot of electrical interference tonight
5875 BBC (good-fair) - didn't get this one on 12/9
5890 WWCR 4 (good) - Christian Identity preaching
5935 WLD Univ Network (good) - Melissa Scott preaching
5950 WYTR (poor) - usually is booming at this time
5960 CHINA (good)
5975 JAPAN (good-fair) - better at 0500utc then at 0530utc
5995 IRRS European Gospel (fair) - from Italy, signed on at 0530utc
6000 CUBA (good) - poor modulation though
6005 BBC (fair) - interference from it's Cuban neighbor
6060 CUBA (good)
6090 WLD Univ Network (good) - more preaching
6110 JAPAN (good)
6140 CUBA (good) - talked about the "Cuban 5", repeating their names
6606 Weather report in SSB
6756 Weather report in SSB
6915 WYFR (good)
7150 RUSSIA (Good)
7160 ZAMBIA (fair to good) - playing music, then sport report
7240 RUSSIA (good)
7255 BBC (fair) - BBC coming in from lots of places tonight
7335 RUSSIA (good)
7350 RUSSIA (good)
7505 WRNO (fair-good) - signed off right at 0500utc
9455 WEWN (fair) - Catholic radio
9745 SOUTH AFRICA (fair to poor)
9755 GERMANY - (fair)

Notes: Going to try something different next scan of 31 meters with the antenna at this time period.

AM Dxing log - 12/9/2008

2008-12-09T23:01:00.002-05:00

AM Dx loggings
12/9/2008 5:55pm to 7:00pm Leesville, SC

650 WSM - Nashville, TN - played "you'all come now"
680 WPTF - Raleigh, NC
750 WSB - Atlanta, GA
830 WTRU - Greensboro, NC
840 WHAS - Louisville, KY
870 WWL - New Orleans, LA
880 WCBS - New York, NY
890 WLS - Chicago, IL
950 WORD - Spartanburg, SC
990 WNML - Knoxville, TN - sports animal
1000 WTAM - Cleveland, OH
1020 KDKA - Pittsburgh, PA
1070 WFNI - Indianapolis, IN
1080 WHOO - Orlando, FL - wrestling talk show
1110 WBT - Charlotte, NC
1120 KMOX - St Louis, MO
1210 WPHT - Philadelphia, PA
1510 WLAC - Nashville, TN
1530 WCKY - Cincinnati, OH

A lot of news broadcast about the Illinois governor being arrested trying to sell the Illinois seat

Shortwave Dx - 12/9/2008 0500utc (12:00am EST)

2008-12-09T01:12:00.002-05:00

English only

3185 WWRB (excellent)
3215 WWCR (excellent)
5000 WWV (fair)
5070 WBCQ (excellent) - Alex Jones
5890 WWCR 4 (good) - Scriptures for America played John Lennon song
5935 Wld Univ Network (excellent)
5950 WYFR (good)
5960 China - CRI (excellent)
5975 Japan - Radio Japan (poor-fair), off air at 0530utc
6000 Cuba - Radio Habana (good)
6060 Cuba - Radio Habana (excellent)
6070 Canada - RCI (poor), interference from 6060
6090 Wld Univ Network (excellent)
6110 Japan - Radio Japan (good) - off air at 0530utc
6140 Cuba - Radio Habana (excellent)
6915 WYFR (excellent)
7150 Russia - Voice of Russia (fair)
7160 Zambia - CVC International (poor to fair) - poem being read by child with African music playing in background, also talked about International Anti-Corruption Day
7240 Russia - Voice of Russia (excellent)
7255 BBC (fair)
7335 Russia - Voice of Russia (excellent)
7350 Russia - Voice of Russia (good)
9455 WEWN - Global Catholic Netwk (good)
9745 South Africa - Channel Africa (poor)
11725 New Zealand - Radio NZ (poor to fading)

Shortwave DX Log - 12/8/2008

2008-12-08T17:13:00.001-05:00

1530utc 10:30AM Est - location Leesville, SC, using standard whip antenna on Grundig G6
English only broadcast except where noted

5755 WEWN - Global Catholic Netwk (good)
5920 WBOH - Fundamental Broadcast (fair)
7335 Canada Time signal (fair)
7490 WWCR (excellent)
9265 WMLK - Assemblies of Yahweh (fair-good, fading)
9332 WBCQ - (good) sideband
9980 WWCR 4 - (fair)
10000 WWV - (good) tick tock
10053 weather (sideband) (good)
11680 Unknown -(fair) 2 minutes of english and back to spanish
11775 Wld Univ Network (excellent)
13720 Albania - Radio Tirana (poor) signed off at 1545
13740 China - CRI (poor)
13845 Wld Univ Network (good)
15000 WWV (good) tick tock
17830 BBC (poor-bad)
17845 Voice of America (poor-bad)
21470 BBC (poor)

2100utc & 2130utc 4:00pm-5:00pm - location Leesville SC, using 50 foot wire antenna on Grundig G6

5920 WBOH - Fundamental Broadcasting Network (fair)
5920 WYFR - (excellent)
6030 Romania - Radio Romania - on at 2130u (fair)
6115 Romania - Radio Romania (fair)
6175 Germany - Overcomer (good), Brother Stair out of Germany
6240 WYFR (good)
6606 Weather in English (sideband) (good)
6855 WYFR (excellent) - they get around
7145 Romania - Radio Romania (fair to good)
7285 China - CRI (good)
7335 Canada Time signal (good)
7395 Sweden - Radio Sweden (fair to good)
7415 WBCQ (fair)
7520 WHRI (fair-good)
7813 Armed Forces - AFRTS (good)
9345 Albania - Radio Tirana (poor) - The Albanians sure try don't they?
9625 Canada - CBC (fair)
9755 Romania - Radio Romania (fair) - 4 different freqs for Romania
9955 WRMI -Radio Miami International (good)
11690 Germany - Deutsche Welle (good)
11760 Cuba - Radio Habana (poor)
11775 Wld Univ Network (good)
15115 WYFR - (poor)
15140 Numbers Station - in spanish, same computerized female voice as usual
15195 - WYFR - (good)
15195 WYFR

AM Dxing - The Grundig G6 is unreal in reception

2008-12-06T02:40:00.003-05:00

Got the G6 hooked up with the 50 foot wire antenna running from my house, to my shed, and up a tree.... The AM reception is going nuts tonight.... and it's the external doing the work, I unplug it and receptions dies..... Here's just some of the stations I get idents on.

12/6/08 0147am-0300am Home location: Leesville, SC
539 - LYQ morse beacon - spanish station in background
700 - WLW Cincinnati OH - Truckers network (410 miles)
750 - WSB Atlanta GA - real strong, didn't interfere with 760 (157miles)
760 - WJR Detroit, MI - Truckers network (577miles)
780 - WBBM Chicago, IL - news radio (660 miles)
820 - WBAP Dallas, TX - Truckers network (907miles)
840 - WHAS Louisville, KY - talk radio (370miles)
870 - WWL New Orleans, LA - talking about God and giving Dave Ramsey (578miles)
890 - WLS Chicago, IL - (630 miles)
1000-WMVP Chicago IL - ESPN radio (649 miles)
1120- KMOX St Louis MO - my first K-station, talking about guns (578miles)
1200 - WOAI San Antonio, TX - coast to coast, news (1021 miles)
1410 - WIQR Prattville AL - playing high school football game replay (302 miles)
this station only puts out 1000 watts at night.
1430 - WBLR Batesburg-Leesville, SC - spanish music (1 mile) it's our local station
1510 - WLAC Nashville, TN - talk format (337 miles)
1530 - WCKY Cincinnati OH - Brother Stair polluting the airwave with his cult (394 miles)
1620 - WNRP Pensacola, FL - weak signal news, only 1000watts (411 miles)
1690 - WMLB Atlanta, GA - "voice of the arts", playing folk music, only 1000 watts (177 miles)

Now this is weird, I could not get 880 WCBS out of New York with the long antenna... so I pulled it out, and WCBS appears.... The wire antenna must be very directional for AM reception

Shortwave DX - Radio Australia on 15.515

2008-12-05T01:56:00.004-05:00

I picked this up at 1:56AM EST (656 utc). I'm surprised I picked this up at this time of the night. It was weak though but considering this signal is supposed to be targeting Oceania, I expected that. I don't mean to self brag, but setting up this wire antenna high on a tree with several loops around the tree is working wonders. Or this Grundig G6 is one h*ll of a small radio.

I'm happy, now I'm going to listen to "Brother Stair" for the entertainment value while I get ready for bed.

Shortwave Dxing - 10pm to 1031pm EST, 0300-0331 UTC

2008-12-04T22:42:00.000-05:00

2500 - WWV (fair) - tick tock tick tock, at the tone...
3145 - WWRB (good) - shortwave sensation Brother Stair
3185 - WWRB (good) - another preacher but not Stair
3215 - WWCR #1 (good) - more preaching at 90 meters
5000 - WWV (good) - at the tone.....
5070 - WWCR (fair) -
5875 - WHRI 6 (poor) - World Harvest Radio
6110 - Radio Tirana (fair-good) - they must spend 5 minutes just telling you where to listen
6155 - Voice of Russia (Good)
6240 - Voice of Russia (fair)
7305 - Vatican Radio (Good) Catholic stuff
7350 - Voice of Russia (fair)
7375 - Voice of Croatia (Good) news
7415 - WBCQ (fair) preaching
9690 - Radio China International (Good) - they try to act objective

2008-12-04T21:55:00.001-05:00

Some shortwave catches on my Grundig G-6 using 50 foot outside speaker wire for an antenna.

9pm to 10pm Eastern time (0200-0300 UTC), sorted by frequency

2500 - WWV (Fair) - tick, tock, tick, tock
3215 - WWCR (Excellent) some consipracy theorist
5000 - WWV (Good) - more tick tock tick tock
5875 - WHRI - World Harvest Radio
5950 - Radio Taiwan (fair)
6000 - Radio Habana (Good) anti-American propaganda, sounded weird like it was off frequency
6090 - Unknown (fair), more preachin....
6190 - Radio Serbia (fair) heavy accented English
6240 - Voice of Russia (fair to good) lame compared to the old Radio Moscow World Service
6279? - sideband transmission, hard to listen, anti-Cuba
7250 - Voice of Russia (Good)
7345 - Radio Prague (fair)
7390 - Radio Tirana (good) - signed on at 245UTC, hard to understand English
7415 - WBCQ (good) preacher trying to save your soul
7490 - WHRI - World Harvest Radio trying to save your soul
7535 - Radio Cairo (fair to good) listening to them bash Israel
15275- Unknown (fair) two stations interfering

A big thank you to this website

That helped me confirm these finds.

Bought my shortwave radio today, the Grundig G6

2008-12-03T22:28:00.008-05:00

Okay, today was the day I plunged for a shortwave radio. Having read threads on shortwave lately, I was anxious to get a shortwave radio again, just like I had 20 years ago. I still remember most of my morse code from working with the government, and the idea of perhaps copying some morse code again reminded me of younger days. Believe it not, I used to get paid to copy morse code signals when worked for “No Such Agency”… or NSA for short. But that was 25 years ago.

The choices were down to two models, Grundig S350-Deluxe or the Grundig G6, both sold at Radio Shack. I didn’t consider the internet an option because I like to touch something before I buy it. And I did my homework, reading every review of these two receivers all over the web & comparing features.

So I go into Radio Shack today and see these units in person and to help out the economy by buying one of them. I first see the 350 Deluxe. Now, this is the shortwave radio I remember. Large in size with big buttons that looked cool. It had a large tuning knob that just begs to be turned. And the tuning knob actually had another tuning knob that could slow down the turning to a crawl, making it easier to zero in on tough stations. Although it did have a digital frequency readout, the unit is actually an analog dial tune unit with a frequency counter. This unit was just crying out “buy me”.

But then, I started to play with the unit and honestly it felt cheaply made. The buttons weren’t that solid and the tuning button was very loose and wouldn’t stick in position. Perhaps this is from the 1,000s of other schmuks who played around with it also. So looked at the other model, the G6.

Going by physical looks, the G6 looks lame compared to the 350. It looked like GEO Metro next to a Lincoln. The G6 is 1/4 the size. But looking at the features most closely, it’s far the superior radio. It’s a real digital radio, and has the capability to tune into sideband. Sideband is what amateurs and people talking to each other directly generally use. If you are listening without a radio that can get in sideband, it sounds like the grown ups do on Peanuts cartoons, it makes no sense. It also has longwave (150khz to 283khz) bands, which I hope to copy some morse code beacons. Also I could maybe get lucky and get a longwave radio station from Europe one night. Despite the small size, the radio has easy to press buttons, an antenna outlet, 700 preset memories (who is going to remember all 700 of them), and most important, a bright orange light to light the dial. Yea, a bright orange color. That sold me.

So I plunk down 99 dollars for the unit and after buying some stuff for my family for Christmas, I drive home waiting to play with my new toy.

The pictures above show the unit and the size of the unit next to a police scanner. Click on images for larger size.

So I get this ripped open, put in some batteries, read the manual, and fire the unit up. Then I had to read the manual again to figure out how to tune this. It’s not really that hard but you will have to actually read the manual to work all the features.

I first tune it to AM and a frequency here that comes in weak or non-existent where I live, AM 580 WGAC out of Augusta. I was happy at how well that station came in, better than all of my other radios. No frequency drift. The tuner dialed smooth and had no muting in it as I went up to 1710khz.

I decided to try longwave reception below 540khz. Didn’t pick up a thing. Not a thing. Not surprised though, nothing is in longwave these days. But I didn’t even pick up a morse beacon. I remember when I had a shortwave 25 years ago, I could pick up morse code beacons. But I also lived by an airport when I was younger. The nearest real airport from here is 30 miles away. Of course the whip antenna doesn’t work for AM and LW, it uses an internal ferrite antenna instead. Just like 99 percent of other portable radios. So far so good.

Next was FM. The radio was able to pick up 96.5 from 96.7 FM so that was a good sign. However on the strongest freq around here, 97.5, was picked up on 97.3 and 97.7 although weakly. Other FM frequencies came in good, and the Channel 6 out of Augusta showed up at 87.5mhz, which was expected. The sound was okay, about what you expect out of a tiny radio. Putting in the headphones gave a good stereo quality listen.

Then I try shortwave using a 50 foot speaker wire as an antenna. Around 3:00pm eastern, I had no problem picking up the time signal on 15000mhz and weakly picked up the ones on 10000 and 20000. I picked up both the Hawaii time signal (female voice saying the time) and the Fort Collins, CO time signal (male voice). As the sun went down, the 15000 faded to noise and the 5000khz and 10000khz time signals came in fine. The 10000 signal was real strong. I then surfed just a little bit on the dial. A slew of signals, most of the English signals were preachers. Out of the clear stations, Spanish seemed to be the preferred language.

The reason I used the speaker wire as an antenna are twofold. First, the whip antenna with the G6 is crap. Doesn’t pick up anything but real strong shortwave signals. Taking a wire to the antenna and running it out to my back yard and up the shed made a megafold difference. There’s all sorts of homemade antennas you can make, and I’ll be playing around to see which one works best for me. It’s part of the fun of playing with shortwave. The other reason is I am too cheap (or too poor) to buy a shortwave antenna.

Now on the downside of shortwave. First of all, the reception rarely is great, listening can really test your patience. This is regardless of what antenna or receiver you have, shortwave always has been frustrating. Then count the changing of the frequencies, random atmosphere conditions, jamming from other countries and signals…. Also the international broadcasters have pretty much stopped targeting North America for English reception. The BBC, Radio Netherlands, and many others have ceased direct transmissions to America. They state (and correctly so) that their audience here listens on the internet or domestic FM stations. You can still pick up the BBC and those broadcast on shortwave but it’s harder now. Of course, none of this is the fault of the G6.

But I didn’t buy a shortwave radio to listen to the BBC. I bought it to play around with, to listen to unique music, try to pick up distant broadcast, and even listen to the nutty preachers on shortwave. I think the propaganda from Cuba continues though. To that I am looking forward to.

I’ll be documenting on this blog and on rec.radio.shortwave by adventures on this radio & reception reports.

So far, I am happy with the Grundig G6

AM DXing log from 11/27 through 11/30/2008

2008-11-30T01:45:00.004-05:00

Using a simple AM/FM Radio Shack radio #12-467. This has reception far better than any of my other radios except for my car radio. This is a list of stations I have picked up during this time.

Daytime reception
560 WVOC Columbia, SC (news, talk, local blowhard)
580 WGAC Augusta, GA (news, talk, Augusta's blowhard)
620 WGCV Cayce, SC (talk)
890 WBAJ Blythewood, SC (religious)
1200 WJES Saluda, SC (simulcast with WCRS Greenwood, SC)
1230 WOIC Columbia SC (Air America)
1320 WISW Columbia SC
1400 WCOS Columbia SC (sports talk)
1430 WBLR Batesburg-Leesville SC (spanish)
1560 WAGL Lancaster, SC (news, talk)

Nighttime reception

529 LYQ beacon (morse code) WWRB
530 SPanish stations, unable to get call
550 WDUN Gainesville GA (weak) - talk radio
560 WVOC Columbia SC (local blowhard)
580 WGAC Augusta GA (medium weak)
600 WREC Memphis TN (news radio)
650 WSM Nashville TN (Grand Old Opry)
660 WFAN New York NY (sports)
680 WPTF Raleigh, NC (sports, talk)
700 WLW Cincinnati, OH (news talk)
710 WOR New York, NY (talk)
720 WGN Chicago, IL (talk)
740 CHWO?? Toronto, Canada (classic music, never heard call letters)
750 WSB Atlanta, GA (talk, blow torch)
770 WABC New York, NY (news)
780 WBBM Chicago, IL (news)
810 WGY Schenectady, NY (talk, coast to coast AM)
830 WTRU Greensboro, NC (religious)
870 WWL New Orleans, NO (weak)
880 WCBS New York, NY (always strong)
960 WFIR Roanoke, VA (fade in and out)
1010 WINS New York, NY (news and info) weak
1030 WBZ Boston, MA (Talk)
1110 WBT Charlotte, NC (talk and news)
1120 KMOX St Louis, MO (talk and news)
1170 WWVA Wheeling, WV (weak)
1210 WPHT Philadelphia, PA (talk, and oldiies)
1510 WLAC Nashville, TN (news radio)
1530 WCKY Cincinnati, OH (sports Talk)
1560 WQEW New York, NY (Radio Disney)

WFIR

Dx log - shortwave reception using Radio Shack pro-95 scanner

2008-11-28T16:22:00.003-05:00

While I await to purchase a new shortwave radio next week, I used a hack to program my Radio Shack P-95 radio scanner to pick up shortwave broadcast. Sad to say, the PRO-95 hack will only pick up signals above 17mhz. The rubber duck antenna barely works in this frequency range so I hooked up 60 foot of copper wire along my fence and hooked it up to the antenna plug. Here is a log of what I listened to.

1740 UTC - 1240pm EST

17435 - Spanish number station (very strong)
17535 - Spanish broadcasting station
17555 - WYFR - Family Radio (relgious)
17575 - Foreign language (unknown language)
17595 - Spanish broadcasting station
17690 - Foreign language (unknown language)
17760 - German broadcasting (90% sure it was German) weak
18930 - Spanish broadcasting station
18980 - WYFR - Family Radio
21685 - RFI - France International Radio (French)

1800UTC - 100pm EST
17535 - WYFR Family Radio
17555 - WYFR Family Radio (they love 15 meters)
17760 - Foreign language (possibly French)
17850 - Foreign language (possibly Spanish)
18930 - Spanish broadcasting stations (playing music when I listened)
18980 - WYFR Family Radio (played music)
21685 - RFI - France International Radio (French)

1930UTC - 230pm EST
17790 - Foreign language
17850 - Spanish broadcast station
17895 - Voice of America (English)
21685 - RFI - France International Radio (French)

2000UTC - 300pm EST
17705 - Spanish Broadcast station
17810 - Radio Netherlands (English, west africa)
17830 - BBC (English, west Africa)
17850 - Spanish broadcast station

not bad with a police scanner eh?