Wednesday, January 31, 2024

News from LRA36 Antarctica

Alejandro Petrecca and Claudio García arrived at Joint Antarctic Base Esperanza to perform maintenance on the LRA1 Transmitter Plant. They discovered a burned output stage of the Collins HF 80 transmitter used for LRA 36 programs and missing tower sections for the shortwave antenna and audio console. The broadcast halted after the departure of Juan Benavente, who was unfairly recalled, leaving the radio in unqualified hands. There are concerns about incompetence causing the transmitter fire. Petrecca and García are working on local coverage with an FM antenna, awaiting a new Studio Console. The plea is for Juan Benavente to return promptly to sustain the radio until the arrival of the new transmitter. Despite the challenges, they aim to resume LRA 36 shortwave broadcasts by the end of February.

My QSL card collection

 


The DYI corner: the FSL Antenna

Inspired by the American dx'er Gary DeBock, I wanted to try building an FSL antenna.

I used 20 ferrites, 14cm long with a diameter of 8mm, permeability 400, gluing them with double-sided tape around a foam tube of the kind used for learning to swim, cut to 10cm in length, thus providing a solid and light base.

To ensure adequate insulation, I wrapped the ferrites with a thin sheet of bubble wrap turned uspide-down. I then wound them with 1116/46 litz wire in 19 turns, stopped with paper tape, and then soldered the ends to a 500Pf variable capacitor placed on the frame next to the ferrites and stopped with two 300mm x 5mm long clamps.

The original design calls for the ferrites to be placed next to each other, I placed them a little apart as mine was a design using the material I had available at home (considering the diameter of the foam tube, four more would have been needed) but I could observe that the distribution of the magnetic field is not altered anyway.

The winding would also have required 29 turns instead of 19, but this was the amount of wire I had available. I was afraid that this modification would affect performance, but it is a practical example in amateur construction situations, and on reception I could see that even so it works well across the AM range.

Below, the FSL antenna in action with the XHDATA D-808 Supercharged



Radio Log 1/30/2024

All times UTC

1431 20:17 VOA Djibuti, mx, spoken talk, poor

1476 18:15 TWR Benin, talk in EE, poor

1485 18:30 Funklust, female talk in DD then hard rock mx, poor

1500 17:47 Radio Eule, talk in DD, poor, strong fading, very weak signal

1512 19:04 Radio Scotland International, pirate,song “Rockin’ in a free world” Neil Young, fair

1512 20:36 IRIB Radio Ardabil, talk in FA, poor

1521 19:43 CRI, talk in RU, mx, fair, mixed with Cadena SER

1566 17:30 Radio Kolbe, holy mass in IT, poor

1575 17;23 Radio Centrale Milano, rock mx, id: “Centrale Milano, tutto un’altro sound”, good

1620 20:00 Radio Marianne, dutch song, fair

1647 20:04 Radio Turftrekker, italo disco then pop mx, fair

1665 17:12 Radio Digital, dutch mx, poor/fair

5140 17:12 Charleston Radio Int, vintage mx 30’s-40’’s, poor/fair

6300 16:33 Radio Mexico, pirate, mx poor


RX: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY


Tuesday, January 30, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/29/2024

All times UTC

648   19:02 Radio Caroline, progressive mx, id, good

1413 20:33 Premier Christian Radio, sermon in EE, poor/fair

1512 20:16 Radio Kameleon, polka mx, good

1530 20:14 VOA, Sao Tomé and Principe

1557 19:52  Smooth Radio, pop songs, id, fair/good

1584 19:17 Radio Piterpan, song “Ti sento” Matia Bazar, poor

1620 19:56 UNID, dutch songs, fair

1629 19:58 Radio Columbia, song “Paint it black” The Rolling Stones, fair

1646 20:01 Oldtimer Radio, mx, poor
 
1648 19:07 UNID pirate greek, mx, poor

1660 20:05 UNID pirate greek, folk mx, poor/fair

6210 11:28 UNID, mx, poor

RX: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY



Monday, January 29, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/28/2024

All times UTC

999   18:07 Radju Malta, soul mx, male speaker, poor/fair 

1071 18:25 Eros Radio Europe, soul smooth mx, id in FR, good

1233 18:18 This is Radio, song “Girl in trouble” Snakecorps, fair

1575 18:02 Radio Centrale Milano, country songs, id, good

1660 17:55 UNID pirate greek, folk mx, fair

5140 17:40 Charleston Radio Int, song “Se potessi avere mille lire al mese”, song “Parlami d’amore Mariù”, progr in it, fair

5800 16:27 Radio Contikenzo, song “Smalltown Boy” Bonski Beat, id fair

6195 10:36 Gringo Radio, country mx, fair/good

6210 10:41 Radio King Shortwave, song “Honesty” Billy Joel, poor/fair

6260 16:50 Radio Joey, mx, poor/fair

6280 17:15 Radio Contikenzo, song “Light my fire” The Doors, poor/fair

6290 17:18 Weekend Music Radio, rock mx, poor

9610 10:20 AWR, Firenze, progr “Obiettivo DX” in IT, v/good

12030 10:59 Radio Delta Int, pop songs, id, news, fair


RX: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY 

Sunday, January 28, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/27/2024

All times UTC

1395 19:15 Radio Sterrekijiker, dutch songs, fair

1476 20:27 Museumsradio AM, german song, good

1566 20:21 Radio Kolbe, prayer in IT, poo/fair

1629 20:12 Radio Turftrekker, song “Kiss” Tom Jones, good

1665 20:02 Radio Digital, pop songs, fair

5140 17:35 Charleston Radio Int, vintage mx, fair/good

6195 17:00 Gringo Radio, country songs, v/good

6260 16:51 Radio Johnny Tobacco, song “Everybody Love Somebody” Dean Martin then polka mx, fair

6285 17:10 Radio Johnny Tobacco, country song, fair, at 17:15 shifted to 6280khz

6320 17:18 Radio Monique, song “Russian” Sting, id fair

6380 16:48 Radio Monique, song Ca plan pour moi” Plastic Bertrand, id, poor

9670 11:46 Ch 292 playng offshore archive Radio Northsea Int, song “Chiquitita” Abba, poor

10000 11:27 ItalCable, Viareggio, mx “la danza delle ore”, time sign every min by male voice, id, cw tone at 11:30, fair 


RX: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Saturday, January 27, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/26/2024

All Times UTC

684 20:18 SBA Radio Jeddah, Jeddah, arabic mx, poor

1368 20:38 Manx Radio, talk in EE, id, mx, poor/fair

1575 19:39 Radio Milano Centrale, song by Neil Young, id, good

1611 19:36 UNID, pirate greek, mx, fair

1620 19:25 Radio King Kong, tango song, fair

1625 19:31 UNID, dutch pop song, song “One Step Beyond” Madness, poor/fair

1629 20:46 Radio Delfzjil, country songs, good

1680 20:30 UNID, pirate greek, folk mx, poor

5140 18:38 Charleston Radio Int., progr in IT, vintage 30’s/40’s songs, fair

6205 13:49 UNID, dance mx , poor

15150 08:54 WMLK, Bethel, id, talk in EE, good

15700 10:12 WMR, african and reggae mx, id, fair


RX: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN530N, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Friday, January 26, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/25/2024

All times UTC

1026 17:07 Radio Ouargla, ALG, talk in AA, poor

1079 18:15 SER Radio Huesca, spoken talk in SP, adv, id, good

1197 17:59 Radio Targu Mures, Brasov, folk mx, fair

1225 18:09 IRIB World Service, mx, poor

1233 18:14 This is Radio, Piove di Sacco, id, song “Move on up” Curtis Mayfield, fair

1242 18:20 Smooth Radio, Hoo St Werburgh, song “Crazy little thing called love” Queen, id, fair/good

1260 18:26 Sabras Radio, id, talk in EE, poor

1611 20:21 Radio Augusta Int., dance mx, poor

1635 20:46 Radio Bonanza, song “Popcorn”, fair

9400 15:27 CNR13, Lingshi, talk in CHN, poor

9440 15:43 Radio Cairo, Abis, talk in alb, id, poor, very bad voice modulation

9620 16:16 AIR, Bengaluru, talk in farsi, good

9730 15:53 KNLS, Anchor Point, talk in CHN, off at 15:58, fair

15700 11:19 WMR, randers, african mx, id, fair


RX: XHDATA SUERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED, SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT: SELF-BUILT FSL, SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Thursday, January 25, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/24/2023

All times UTC

1431 20:29 VOA Djibuti, talk in EE, mx, poor/fair

1512 20:16 UNID, pirate greek, folk mx, fair

1530 20:12 VOA Sao Tomé and Principe, african mx, id, v/good

1620 20:01 King Kong Radio, polka mx, fair 

1635 20:57 Radio Torpedojager,polka mx, fair/good

1650 20:06 UNID, pirate greek

11745 14:28 SBA Al-Azm Radio, Jeddah, arabic mx, fair

11850 14.43 IRIB, Sirjan, talk in bangla, mx, poor


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED, TECSUN PL-380 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-808

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

My QSL card collection





 

Radio Log 1/23/2024

All times UTC

1070 20:54 Eros Radio Europe, smooth songs, id, fair

1170 20:47 Radio Capodistria, italian songs, fair

1431 20:26 VOA, Djibuti, id, mx, poor/fair

1440 20:21 Radio 208, Copenhagen, rock mx, fair

1530 20:08 VOA, Sao Tomé and Principe, african music mix, id, good

1620 19:45 Radio Marianne, dutch songs, good

1630 19:58 UNID, pirate greek, folk songs, poor

1638 21:05 Radio Bluebird, mazurka song, fair

1650 21:00 UNID, pirate greek, poor

5140 15:27 Charleston Radio Int., vintage mx, fair

6205 16:39 UNID, italian songs, “Montagne Verdi” Marcella, “Una Città per cantare” Ron, “Concerto in La minore” Il Giardino dei Semplici”, poor/fair

7720 18:17 Echo of Hope, Seoul, talk in KOR, poor

9540 16:19 IBRA Radio Ibrahim, talk in amharic, fair

15000 15:15 WWV Fort Collins, CO, time signal, fair


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: XHDATA D-808

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/22/2024

All times UTC

648 18:13 Radio Caroline, rock mx, v/good

675 18:16 Radio Calypso, Oostwold, dutch song poor/fair

702 18:21 Radio Laghouat, ALG, talk in AA, fair

729 18:30 ERT1 Proto programa, mx, male speaker talk in greek, fair

738 18:40 Radio El Oued, Alg, arabic mx, fair

819 18:50 NMA, Batrah, EGY, talk in AA, fair

1575 16:46 Radio Centrale Milano,song “Love Action” Human League,fair/good

1625 17:55 Radio Zwarte Boekenier, mx poor

1638 17:35 Radio DB, dutch song, fair

1665 17:16 Radio Digital, polka mx, song “That’s Amore” Dean Martin, fair/good

13755 12:00 RNZ Int., time signal, id, news in EE, fair 

13770 13:34 CNR7-Greater Bay, mx, talk in CHN, fair

13825 12:28 UNID, Tashkent, clandestine station, talk in burmese


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

Monday, January 22, 2024

News about LRA36 Antarctica

News from the excellent Worldwide Top Dx Club website

ANTARCTICA ARGENTINE   What is in store for LRA36, Antarctica ?
I asked Manuel Mendez, Spain:

"We are concerned that LRA36 may have been deleted. Can you find out any-
thing from your contacts? Glenn" 
(Glenn Hauser-OK-USA, hcdx and wor Jan 19)

His reply {with my translation}:

Hello, Glenn, LRA 36 in the latest campaign, of 2023, got a great boost
thanks to Juan Benavente, who really knows radio, is a ham, and really en-
joyed the work he did.

I wrote to Radio Nacional to tell them how convenient it would be for Juan
to continue in charge of the station during this new year, or at least ad-
vise the new personnel who turn over every year, with the objective of
following guidelines similar to those of 2023; in addition, I know that
Juan Benavente would continue to be very satisfied doing that job.

Personnel at the base and of Radio Nacional thanked me for my email and as
far as I know did everything possible for Juan to continue, but ultimately,
nothing of this was taken into account, and Juan Benavente has already re-
turned to Argentina; so that means that as far as I know, LRA 36 will re-
turn to previous years, that is, we shall surely have to wait weeks for
the new personnel to get organized, trained how to operate the station,
and then be able to go on the air.

But I don't know at all whether LRA 36 has ceased transmissions, nor do
I know where to find out that information. From what they told me, they
will return with the summer session when possible, but not at all, of
course, like it was in 2023. Cordial greetings. We must be alert especi-
ally on Saturdays. Manuel
(Glenn Hauser-OK-USA, hcdx and wor Jan 19)

ANTARCTICA   15475.98 kHz  RC USB  Sat Jan 13 at first check 1958 UT,
NO signal from LRA36 into best Argentine SDR, just S6 noise level. Of the
four, another hears it not either despite only S3 noise level; and the
other two are maxed out. Nothing several chex later, finally at 2340 UT
nothing into the four. Could it be that Argentina's wacko new far-right
Pres. "Chainsaw" Milei is already getting rid of public broadcasting?
Anyone hearing RNASG earlier or later today? RAE relays via WRMI may be-
come even more unreliable if at all.

See these press via Bill Tilford, WOR iog:

<https://en.mercopress.com/2023/11/21/no-more-public-radio-tv-and-
newsagency-under-milei>

<https://newsrnd.com/news/2024-01-05-famous-artists-and-journalists-on-
the-list-of-500-dismissed-from-radio-nacional.r1bFR8cHOp.html

Remember, last week LRA36 was mostly a relay of Radio Nacional, little
local.
(Glenn Hauser-OK-USA, via NASWA Electronic Flashsheet #1134 Jan 14)


My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/21/2024

All times UTC

1368 20:48 Manx Radio, dance mx, id, fair

1476 19:40 Museumsradio, variety songs, poor

1503 19:58 Radio Metropolis, slow song, id, time signal, v/good

1620 20:15 Radio Schaduwjager, song “San Francisco Night”, dance mx, fair/good

1638 20:32 Radio Bluebird, polka song, song “Bye bye love” Everly Brothers, fair

5140 17:30 Charleston Radio Int, vintage mx, id, fair

6290 08:53 Enterprise Radio, rock mx, sending SSTV, poor/fair

6285 17:55 Skull and Bones Radio System, mx, poor

6300 17:43 UNID, mx, poor


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOY-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY



Sunday, January 21, 2024

Radio Log 1/20/2024

All times UTC

1395 20:36 Radio Seabreeze, rock mx, id, talk in dutch, good

1440 20:28 Radio 208, Copenhagen, punk songs, id “Radio two-o-eight”, good

1521 20:23 Radio Panj, hindi mx,poor

1621 19:45 Radio Turftrekker, folk mx, fair

1638 19:50 Radio Johnny Camaro, rock mx, fair

1655 19:55 Yogi Bear Radio, song “The Boxer” Simon & Garfunkel”, song “Sulyans of Swing” Dire Straits, fair/good

5140 18:35 Charleston Radio Int, vintage mx, id, fair

5900 20:56 National Unity Radio, New Taipei, mx, talk in kor, poor/fair

5925 18:30 IRIB, id, jingle, talk in alb, poor

5930 18:25 WMR, Bramming, reggae mx, poor/fair

6130 20:50 PBS Xizang, Lhasa, male talk in tibetan, mx, fair

6170 20:45 Voice of Korea KCBS, chorus song, talk in kor, poor

6205 19:07 Radio Technical Man, techno mx, id, song “The old man is down the road” John Fogerty, fair

6320 18:40 Radio Johnny Tobacco, dance mx, poor/fair 


RX AM: XHDATA D-8O8 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW. SELF-BUILT YOU LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY 

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Sangean PR-D4W AM/FM/Weather Band Radio

An interesting receiver for DX on medium waves, price under $100, reduced shipping costs even for European users. The receiver is also configured for FM reception and NOOA weather alerts. It doesn't have the shortwave band, but who said that to do DX on mediumwave you shouldn't have a receiver dedicated exclusively to that?

You can find the full review on Jay Allen's blog at this link: https://radiojayallen.com/sangean-pr-d4w-amfmweather-band-radio-2/

Here is an interesting video from Todderbert's YouTube channel




My QSL card collection

 




Radio Log 1/19/2024

All times UTC

1296 20:32 Radio XL, Birmingham, hindi song, poor/fair 

1413 20:25 Premier Christian Radio, London, talk in EE, id, fair

1530 20:15 VOA, Sao Tomé and Principe, african mx, id, good

1557 20:11 Smooth Radio, Southampton, song “Wherever I lay my hat” Paul Young, fair

1629 19:50 UNID, pirate NL, polka mx, fair

1936 20:47 Radio Mi-Amigo, country mx, fair

9670 11:09 CH 292, rock mx, poor/fair

17600 13:35 Ifrikia FM, talk in AA, mx, poor/fair

25000 16:07 WWV Colorado, Fort Collins, time signal, fair


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY


Friday, January 19, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/18/2023

All times UTC

549 17:27 Radio Koper pop mx, id, good

648 17:31 Radio Caroline, adv, id, heavy metal mx, v/good

674 17:52 Radio Calypso, pop slow songs, confirmed in // with website, poor very weak signal

1130 23:55 WBBR Bloomberg Radio, New York, talk in EE, id at 00:00, fair/good

1242 18:22 Smooth Radio, song “Sweet Freedom” Michael McDonald, female speaker, id, fair

1260, 18:27 Sabras Radio, talk in EE, id, poor

1620 17:02 Radio Mosfet, dance mx then polka mx, id by male speaker, good

1665 17:14 Radio Digital, polka song, 17:16 song “Guitar man” by Elvis Presley, fair/good

9670 11:08 CH 292, rock mx, poor


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: HANDMADE FSL 

ANT SW: HANDMADE YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY 

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Updated list of Dutch medium wave low power radio stations

Thanks to Rene L'Baum, PE9MJ, for the updated list of Dutch low power medium wave radio stations

https://babylona.home.xs4all.nl/pe9mj/indexLPAM.htm

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/17/2024

All times UTC

1134 20:44 Radio Kuwait Main Progr, Kabd, mx, talk in AA, instr mx, poor

1287 20:27 Kilrock Radio, ‘s-Gravendeel, soul mx, id, poor/fair

1476 20:13 Carillon Wellbeing Radio, Coalville, song by Bob Dylan, female talk in EE, poor

1503 20:02 Radio Metropolis, Trieste, song “Who’s That Girl” Madonna, id, time sign, adv, good

1530 19:55 VOA, Sao Tomè and Principe, talk in FF, id jingle, good

1620 19:40 Radio Zorro, vintage mx, fair 

1629 19:45 Radio Spakenburg, song “Spirit in the sky” Norman Greenbaum, song “Yellow River”, fair

6000 04:50 Radio Habana Cuba, Quivican, mx, talk in EE, id, poor

7315 04:36 Radio Dabanga, Santa Maria di Galeria, talk in sudanese, fair

7355 04:37 Radio Marti, Greenville, talk in SP, good

25000 15:56 WWV Colorado, Fort Collins, time signal, fair/good


RX: XHDATA D-808 

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT  FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY


Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Sunshine Radio granted permission to turn off AM frequency

Sunshine Radio's obligation to broadcast on AM was removed from its Ofcom format following a consultation. Only one person responded to the request for information, which was in favour of the proposal. The station stated that only a small proportion of people listen to 855 AM - the station is also on FM and DAB - and that transmitters are very expensive to operate and maintain. Listing the reasons, Ofcom stated that: 'We consider that it is no longer reasonably practicable for the licensee to continue to provide its AM service'. Bauer also recently surrendered eight AM licences broadcasting Greatest Hits Radio in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England.

“Therefore, we have decided to agree to Norgate Limited’s request to vary its licence to remove reference to the AM transmitter site.

“The variation will take effect from Friday 19th January 2024.”

Via Radio Uk Today 



New QSLs

 

E-QSL received by Taiwanese broadcaster 'Sound of Hope' from the following address:

sohchinabrocast@gmail.com

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/16/2024

All times UTC

1152 20:36 LBC News. London, id, talk in EE, poor

1440 16:41 Regional Radio, Terni, song “Vagabondo” Nicola Di Bari, id, 16:43 song “Just the way you are” Billy Joel, id, fair

1521 17:08 Radio Panj, Coventry, id, jingle, male talk in hindi, poor

1539 16:25 Radio Seabreeze, song “Evil Woman” ELO, poor

1557 17:14 Smooth Radio, Southampton, mx, id, fair

1566 17:16 BBC Radio Somerset, Taunton, id, pop songs, good

1620 20:03 Radio Deldzjil, polka mx, fair

1647 19:56 Radio Columbia, polka mx, id, fair

1670 17:22 Black Power, vintage pop song, then sutch song and dance mx, id, v/good

5925 19:14 IRIB, Sirjan, femal talk in albanian, poor with strong fading

6205 11:05 Radio Montecarlo, pirate NL, test programme, song “Walk on by” Dionne Warwick, poor


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY


Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Qodosen SR-286 AM/LW/FM/SW High Performance Portable


On Jay Allen's blog you can read a review of this interesting new radio produced by Qodosen.

Here is the direct link: https://radiojayallen.com/qodosen-sr-286-am-fm-sw-high-performance-portable/

In the video below the test performed on Medium Waves by American Dxer Gary DeBock



My QSL card Collection

 



Radio Log 1/15/2024

All times UTC

1116 20:57 Radio Guernsey, St. Peter Port, mx, id poor/fair

1296 20:47 Radio XL 1296 AM, Birmingham, hindi mx, poor (signal mixed with Cope Valencia)

1359: 20:42 UNID, pirate greek, folk mx, fair

1368 19:23 Manx Radio, Douglas, song “You Came” Kim Wilde, poor/fair

1431 20:35 VOA, Djibuti, talk in EE, mx, poor

1530 20:25 VOA, Sao Tomé and Principe, african rap mx, id good

1575 20:15 Radio Centrale Milano, Alessandria, rock mx, speaker talk in IT, v/good

1620 19:32 Radio Delfzjil, mx fair

1630 20:11 UNID, country mx then song “Bad Moon Rising” CCR, fair

1642 19:37 Oldtimer Radio, polka mx, poor

9275 21:32 WMLK, Bethel, sermon in EE, fair

15215 12:22 Gaweylon Tibetan Radio, Dhabbaya, mx, id, off at 12:30, poor

15700 12:32 World Music Radio, Randers, african mx, id, poor

15765 12:36 Mashaal Radio, Udon Thani, talk in pashto, fair

15770 12:25 WRMI, Okeechobee, talk in EE, poor


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY




Monday, January 15, 2024

The DYI Corner: Supercharging the Tecsun PL-380

Supercharging Tecsun PL-380 or how to breathe new life into a portable radio.

I found this radio in my storage-room, almost forgotten, it no longer has the shortwave stylus antenna and I also remember removing the internal ferrite with the remaining intention of using it in another project. So, after reading about the projects of Dx'er Gary DeBock, I took the decision to revive it, at least for medium waves. It was not complicated to carry out the project: I took a 16cm long ferrite with a 5mm diameter, put thin double-sided tape over it and wound it with 80 turns of 20x0.05 litz wire. I connected the wires to the radio's circuit board, where the internal ferrite wires were, and then placed it on a piece of ruler above the radio.

The little Tecsun is reborn and works excellently, if used in conjunction with an FSL antenna you can make very interesting listening.



My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/14/2024

All times UTC

1503 20:27 Radio Metropolis, Trieste, mx, id, V/good

1566 20:18 Radio Kolbe, Colli Berici, holy mass, IT, poor

1557 20:20 Radio Pravda, Kaunas, talk in RU, good

1624 20:01 Radio Prof Sickbok, song by Bee Gees, good

1638 20:06 Radio Kleine Beer (prob), polka songs, fair

6070 10:52 Radio DARC, Moosbrunn, mx, talk in DD, good

6205 10:56 Superclan Radio, techno mx, poor

6206 16:50 Relay Radio Contikenzo via Mike Radio // 5840khz, disco music selection, fair/good

6301 16:29 UNID, song “Embarassment” by Madness, 16:31 song “Cold As Ice” by Foreigner, off at 16:41, poor/fair


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Sunday, January 14, 2024

My QSL card collection

 



Radio Log 1/13/2024

All times UTC

1071 19:43 Eros Radio Europe, Piove di Sacco, chill-out songs, id, fair 

1233 20:45 This is Radio, Piove di Sacco, song by Aretha Franklin, id, fair 

1620 19:57 Radio Delfzjil, polka mx, good 

1625 20:00 UNID, pirate greek, folk mx, fair

1635 20:10 Radio Schaduwjager, polka mx, fair

1641 20:15 Radio Turftrekker, dutch polka songs, good

1649 20:18 UNID, pirate greek, folk songs, talk in greek, good

1660 20:20 UNID, pirate greek, folk songs, v/good

1690 20:25 UNID, balcanic songs, poor

1700 20:30 UNID, pirate greek, sirtaki songs, talk in greek, good

1710 20:40 UNID, dance mx, good

13770 13:37 CNR 7, Kashi, mx, good 


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Saturday, January 13, 2024

My QSL card collection






Radio Log 1/12/2024

All times UTC

648 17:22 Radio Caroline, rock mx, id, good 

1026 17:31 Radio Ouargia, Hassi Messaoud, talk in AA, poor 

1161 NMA Idhaat al-Aswat al-Delta, Tanta, arabic mx, talk in AA, poor/fair 

1233 18:03 This is Radio, local news, song “Skin Deep” The Strangler, id, poor

1377 20:13 TWR Europe, Gavar, talk in UKR, id, fair 

1476 18:15 TWR Africa, Parakou, talk in EE, mx, poor very weak signal 

1503 19:56 Radio Metropolis, Trieste, song “Music and Lights” Imagination, good 

1530 19:50 VOA, STP, talk in FF, id, poor/fair

1575 19:43 Radio Centrale Milano, swing song, id, v/good 

1629 20:34 Radio Spakenburg, song “Tell me lies” Fleetwood Mac then dutch song,  fair 

1685 19:31 UNID, pirate greek, folk mx, talk, fair 

5140 16:30 Charleston Radio Int, vintage mx and adv, id, poor/fair

6155 16:40 Nippon No Kaze, Tamsui, talk in KOR, poor 

12055 11:15 CNR 17, Lingshi, talk in kazakh, poor

17600 11:09 Ifrikia FM, Bechar, talk in AA, fair


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Friday, January 12, 2024

The DYI Corner: You-Loop Hoola Hop Antenna

90cm passive you-loop hoola-hop antenna, balun made with 140/43 toroid instead of ferrite rod, RG/213 cable, connections as shown in the photo: in the box one end of the cable is connected to the centre, the other to the centre and to ground as seen in Giuseppe's project "QrpRadioLstnr" which you can find on YouTube, the ground of the RG/213 cable where the connections are made with the leads must remain together. The RG/213 cable is inserted inside a rhythmic gymnastics hoop. The antenna works from the medium-wave frequencies up to the 10-metre short-wave band.

I have to say that the connection of a wire to the centre and ground (the you loop design involves connecting the wires to the two centres) and the use of the 140/43 toroid, as well as the diameter of the loop, is the key to being able to pick up stations in HF with low power.

I use it with my portable receivers, but with an SDR receiver, which I do not yet own, the results would be even better.

The windings you see in the photo were excessive, which made the antenna deaf on medium waves, I reduced them to six, resulting in better reception on short waves and finally being able to listen to medium-wave stations as well.








My QSL card collection



 

Radio Log 1/11/2024

All times UTC


1242 20:49 Smooth Radio, Hoo St Werburgh, song “Unbreak My Heart”, id fair 

1395 20:16 Radio Seabreeze, Grou, song “Just one look” The Hollies, good 

1440 20:10 Radio 208, Copenhagen, song “I just can’t losing you” Police, id, good 

1503 20:02 Radio Metropolis, Trieste, time sig, adv, traffic news, cinema news, id, mx, fair 

1566 19:53 BBC Radio Somerset, Taunton, EE, song “Runaway Train”, id, fair 

1575 19:51 Radio Centrale Milano, song “Another Brick in The Wall” Pink Floyd, id, good 

1614 19:30 UNID, mx, poor/fair

1620 19:34 UNID, pirate greek, poor

1629 19:32 UNID, techno mx then Gipsy King song, valzer mx, fair 

1638 19:36 Radio Bluebird, Dutch songs, polka mx, fair/good 

9830 18:49 Deutsche Welle, Pinheira, talk in Hausa, poor 

9885 18:52 MWV New Life Station, Mahajanga, mx, talk in RU, id, fair/good 

15320 12:00 Reach Beyond Australia, Kununurra, EE, id, jingle start programme, male speaker, v/good 

15700 14:34 World Music Radio, african mx, id, fair


RX AM: XHDATA D-808 SUPERCHARGED

RX SW: SANGEAN ATS-909

ANT AM: SELF-BUILT FSL 

ANT SW: SELF-BUILT YOU-LOOP

QTH: JN53ON, ITALY, CENTRAL TUSCANY

Thursday, January 11, 2024

New QSL: Galei Zahal

As the old radio listening enthusiast that I am, e-QSL is not the best, but I take note that times have changed and so it's OK.

Confirmation of listening to the Israeli station Galei Zahal on the 1287 khz frequency. Listening made last night from 20:36 to 20:45Utc, confirmation received this morning at 08:42



E Sporadic 6/13/2024

DATE: 6/13/2024 at 10:58 UTC NRJ Radio from Calais RX: Qodosen SR-286 ANT: Radio Whip QTH: JN53ON