Friday 31 March 2017

Icom IC-R20....is it any good as a shortwave receiver? Radio Guinée 965...

Hi there, here's another reception video with the Icom IC-R20. I have already established that the selectivity is poor due to the very wide bandwidth filter (12 kHz) but that it is very sensitive - appearing to be on par with my better shortwave portables - at least with a large antenna. Make your own mind up with this recording; there's a clear ID but the filter is allowing much adjacent channel QRM at times. Recorded in Oxford UK on 25/02/17 at 17:30 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WLAM Lewiston 1470 kHz, Maine, USA, with clear ID, heard...

Hi there, this is only the third time I've heard and recorded WLAM since I started back in DXing 20 months ago or so. Once again the Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna indoors does a great job of delivering decent audio and a clear ID. Recorded in Oxford UK on 07/0117 at 04:00 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WFED 1500 kHz, Washington, very clear signal with ID int...

Hi there, WFED has been quite a regular visitor to my shack this winter. Here is a (at times) very strong signal recorded a bit later in the morning than I usually hear them. Recorded in Oxford UK on 07/01/17 at 06:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna (indoors). Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 29 March 2017

Medium wave DX: CBC Radio 1, 1140 khz, Sydney, Nova Scotia, heard in Oxf...

Hi there, only my third ever reception of this signal with sufficient strength and clarity to warrant posting. Here though is a clear ID in LSB mode, to combat adjacent channel QRM on 1143 kHz. Recorded in Oxford UK on 07/01/17 at 04:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna (indoors). Thanks for watching.

DXing with the Boni whip: Indoor reception of Voice of Hope Africa 13680...

Hi there, here is a weak signal from the previously unheard Voice of Hope Africa, which fades in and out, but it was copied with the Bonito Boni whip indoors (in my office of all places). A very surprising and pleasing indoor PF! Recorded in Oxford UK on 18/02/17 at 14:47 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit receiver. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 28 March 2017

MW DX: CKZN St Johns and CFRB Newstalk 1010 Toronto on the same spectrum...

Hi there, here are transatlantic signals from St Johns, Newfoundland and Labrador on 930 kHz and Toronto, Ontario on 1010 kHz, observed and heard on the same spectrum. These two locations are approximately 2110 km distant from each other, but clearly propagation into the UK that morning favoured Eastern Canada. Recorded in Oxford UK on 23/02/17 at 05:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna (indoors). Thanks for watching.

Boni whip DXing: RTL-SDR versus Eton Satellit: 15590 kHz, Reach Beyond A...

Hi there, how nice to be listening to a shortwave signal from Australia in the office, with the Bonito Boni whip. Interestingly, my current office appears to be much quieter (electrically) than my previous one - as demonstrated in this video. The Boni whip what placed by a window, but close to computers and other equipment and yet a signal was observed and heard with the RTL-SDR and quite a decent signal heard with the Eton Satellit. A nice result with much better signals that those recorded on 15340 kHz before my trip. Recorded in Oxford UK on 18/02/17 at 14:23 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing with the Bonito Boni whip: Radio Tamazuj 13800 kHz, Madagascar, ex...

Hi there, an excellent signal from Talata-Volondry with the Bonito Boni whip and Sony ICF-SW55 receiver. Once again the whip demonstrates very nice performance in an electrically quiet environment. Recorded in Oxford UK on 21/02/17 at 15:17 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Icom IC-R20...is it any good as a shortwave receiver? Voice of Korea 116...

Hi there, I bought the IC-R20 off eBay a few months ago now for a pretty decent price. I'd been in the market for a wideband scanner for a while, with a view to spending a bit of time on the VHF bands etc., but of course I also wanted to explore the performance on shortwave. This video was taken before my trip to Brazil and once again I'm using the 240 metre long barbed wire fence as an antenna. Now I'm quite confident that the Icom is prone to overloading from large antennas, but this reception from North Korea was excellent. Another early observation is that the audio bandwidth filter is very wide indeed (12 kHz) which is certainly going to make it a challenge in crowded bands. Sensitivity seems pretty good with a large antenna, but more on that with further reception videos to come. Recorded in Oxford UK on 25/02/17 at 17:21 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Dxing with Eton Satellit and Boni whip: Radio Aparecida 11855 kHz, Brazi...

Hi there, only the third time I've heard Radio Aparecida on this frequency and the first time not using the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop. I think this video demonstrates very well the excellent performance of not only the Eton, but in an electrically quiet environment, the Bonito Boni Whip. I did not expect to hear this signal on that antenna, so kudos to Bonito for sure. Recorded at the woods in Oxford UK on 25/02/17 at 21:16 hours UTC. Thanks for watching.

Goodbye to Pará, Brazil...signing off to the sounds of Howler Monkeys at...

Hi there, this is my last video from Pará for this trip at least. I am due to return again later in the year, possibly around October time. Once again it was a very interesting trip indeed, with some opportunities for DXing. Maybe next time I'll sneak 100 metres of wire into my suitcase... oh and buy an environment-proof suit to save me from the bugs outside at 3 am! Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Saudi booming in to Northern Brazil on 9555 kHz

Hi there, here is a very nice signal from Riyadh, heard in the jungles of Northern Brazil in the early evening. Recorded on 11/03/17 at 21:01 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit receiver and about 20 feet of wire. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Nacional da Brasilia 11780 kHz in the dead of...

Hi there, for completeness, I recorded RN da Brasilia in the actual jungle - this can be compared to my earlier recording made in Barcarena. A decent signal and interesting to hear a telephone call-in by a listener. Recorded on 13/03/16 at 04:09 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and 20 feet of wire. Thanks for watching.

Dxing in the jungle: Voice of Vietnam 1, 5975 kHz, Hanoi-Sontay

Hi there, nice to hear a signal from Vietnam's internal service in the jungles of Pará, which is also a difficult catch in Europe. Their external signal can be very strong in Europe, so I was pleased with this new reception, particularly as the antenna I've been using is a modest length of wire, about 20 feet long. Recorded on 13/03/16 at 04:09 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: a quick tour of my temporary shack and a novel ante...

Hi there, here is a very quick tour of my temporary shack in the jungle and a demonstration in the improvement of the signal from Rádio Clube do Pará 4885 kHz by attaching the end of a piece of wire to one of the screws holding the air conditioner mains switch to the wall lol! I know, you couldn't make it up lol. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Inconfidencia 15190 kHz, Belo Horizonte, morn...

Hi there, here's a signal from Belo Horizonte at 11:22 am local time, 14:22 hrs UTC, something which would be impossible at my usual QTH. I also recorded their signal in Belém on my first night in Brazil. It was great to hear this station relatively easily, although overall reception is only a little better than my best signal from the UK. Recorded on 14/03/17 using an Eton Satellit and a very long wire fence as an antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Habana 11760 kHz an easy catch in Northern Br...

Hi there, Habana hasn't been received so well at my usual QTH in the past couple of months, so here is a nice signal from them at 11:12 hrs local time, 14:12 hrs UTC, here in Brazil. An easy catch using the wire fence that separates us from the jungle! Actually, an easy catch on the telescopic. A similar signal from Radio Marti was also heard. Recorded on 14/03/17 using an Eton Satellit and a (very long) wire fence as an antenna! Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Transmundial 11735 kHz, rarely heard in Europe

Hi there, here's a signal from Santa Maria-Camobi which in my experience is a rare catch in Europe. Nice to hear them so well, not always the case during my trip as often I think I'm too close to the transmitter for good reception. Recorded in Pará Northern Brazil at 11:06 hrs local time. 14:06 hrs UTC. FINALLY, SORRY FOR BEING SO LATE IN RESPONDING TO YOUR COMMENTS! IT''S JUST A REALLY BUSY TIME HERE - THIS IS A BUSINESS TRIP SO THAT HAS TO COME FIRST. I HOPE TO CATCH UP WITH YOU ALL IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF OF DAYS!!

DXing in the jungle: WWCR Nashville 13845 kHz nice signal on long wire f...

Hi there, some decent audio from WWCR Nashville, recevied here in Pará, Northern Brazil , in a very remote location. Recorded on 14/03/17 at 10:56 hrs local time, 13:56 hrs UTC, using an Eton Satellit receiver. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the Jungle: Voice of Turkey 15350 kHz using a long wire fence a...

Nice to hear the Voice of Turkey again in the jungle, it is sort of comforting! Despite local QRM, the signal from Emirler is very clear. Recorded on 14/03/17 at 10:56 hrs local time, 13:56 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Miami International 11580 kHz nice signal on ...

Hi there, a nice signal from Miami on a hot sunny morning in the jungle. Recorded on 14/03/17 at 11:03 hours local time, 14:03 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellie and a very long wire fence as an antenna! Thanks for watching.

Dxing in the jungle: first reception of Radio Free Asia on 25 metres (Ta...

Hi there, another first, Radio Free Asia on 11980 kHz. I haven't uploaded a signal from them since 2015 as they're usually an easy catch in Europe. Recorded in Pará, Brazi, on 13/03/17 at 04:32 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and 20 feet of wire. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: my first reception of Radio Progresso, Cuba, on 60 ...

Hi there, I was surprised to learn that this was my first ever reception of Radio Progresso on 4765 kHz, but that's the beauty of a YouTube channel that you can search as an online reception database!! This was recorded this morning at 03:47 hrs UTC, 00:47 hrs local time using the Eton Satellit and about 20 feet of wire. I've been loaned a 4x4 truck to use whilst I'm here, so I have insect and arachnid protection when away from my building lol! Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Guinée 9650 kHz very strong, clear signal

Hi there, I caught Radio Guinée here in the jungle just moments before a huge downpour. The antenna was about 30 feet of wire and I moved to behind the building I'm staying in which resulted in far less local QRM. I think this is a better signal that the one I copied in Belém, on the 11th floor of my hotel. I will try this location again tonight, just need to be careful of the local insect life and arachnids lol. Recorded on 11/03/17 at 21:09 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit receiver. Thanks for watching.

A quick look at the 'jungle' in my back yard and the sounds of Radio Bra...

Hi there, I thought you might be interested in taking a quick look at the jungle which is literally in my back yard - well on the other side of an 8 foot wire fence lol. Also, a really nice signal from Radio Brazil Central. Recorded at 10:41 hrs local time, 13:41 hrs UTC on 11/03/17 in Pará, Northern Brazil. Thanks for watching.

DXing in the jungle: Radio Mediterranée 9575 kHz, Nador, Morocco, heard ...

Hi there, nice to copy the signal from Nador here in South America. This time the local QRM isn't quite so bad. I would venture out further from the accomodation block I'm staying in, but I'm slightly concerned what I might bump into at 2 am lol. Recorded in Pará, Northern Brazil Recorded on 10/03/17 at 04:43 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and 20 feet of wire. Thanks for watching.

DXing from the jungle: Eye Radio 7250 kHz, Issoudun, received in Norther...

Hi there, another signal plagued with local QRM, but nevertheless  discernible audio is heard on the brilliant Eaton Satellit. I'm not sure what counts as hardc-core DX in Brazil, but hearing this signal from France felt pretty cool lol - and it was a personal first on this frequency. Recorded on 10/03/17 at 04:18 hrs UTC using 20 feet of wire as an antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing from the jungle: Voice of Eritrea 7235 kHz, Ethiopia, received in ...

Hi there, nice to hear a signal from East Africa in the jungles of Pará, Northern Brazil. You will notice the local QRM - possibly the result of rather rudimentary wiring for lighting and other appliances. Nevertheless, the signal here is unmistakable. Recorded on 10/03/17 at 04:11 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and 20 feet of wire. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 9 March 2017

Pleased to confirm that despite reports to the contrary, RN Amazonia are...


Hi there, before I left for Brazil, I noticed that Radio Nacional Amazonia were no longer present on 6180 kHz and hadn't been for a few days. Further reports from DXers have been circulating to that affect also. I was discussing this with my good friend and DX fellow Senderjaeger and at his suggestion, I agreed to check 6180 kHz. Here is that reception video which confirms Radio Nacional Brasilia are indeed still on-air, but with what appears to be reduced TX power (normally reported to be 250 kW, but with a higher overall power towards Europe). For the purposes of comparison and to approximately gauge their power output, during the video I tune into 4885 kHz Rádio Clube do Pará, a more local station, but with a reported TX power of only 2 kW. Take a look and let me know your thoughts. Recorded in Barcarena, Northern Brazil on 07/03/17 at 22:24 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit. Thanks for watching.

Eton Satellit on telescopic vs RTL-SDR with 20 feet of wire: RN da Amazo...


Hi there, another comparison of the Eton Satellit on it's built-in telescopic versus the NooElec RTL-SDR with about 20 feet of wire. This time I think the RTL-SDR provides the better reception, but there's not much in it. Your views are, as always, very welcome! Recorded in Barcarena, Northern Brazil on 06/03/17 at 11:55 am UTC. Thanks for watching!

Eton Satellit on telescopic vs RTL-SDR with 20 feet of wire: Rádio Club...


Hi there, I was trying to figure out if it was actually worthwhile bringing the RTL-SDR and upconverter to Brazil by comparing reception to the Eton. I thought I'd make it tougher by only allowing the Eton to be compared with the telescopic! Using the signal from Rádio Clube do Pará on 60 metres, I think the Eton took this! Recorded on 06/03/17 in Barcarena at 11:50 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Romania International 17640 kHz an easy indoor catch in Northern B...


Hi there, RRI on the 16 metre broadcast band proving to be a very easy indoor catch in Northern Brazil with the NooElec RTL-SDR and a few feet of wire hanging indoors near a window. Recorded in Barcarena on 06/03/17 at 11:36 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

A view of Belém from one of the tallest buildings in the city & Rádio Cl...


Hi there, here's a nice view of the city from the 30th floor of my hotel - one of the tallest buildings in the city. Please excuse the semi-naked sunbather lol! The echoing sounds of Rádio Clube do Pará seem like an appropriate aural backdrop to this amazing cityscape. Thanks for watching!

Radio Inconfidencia 15190 kHz, Belo Horizonte, copied with a few feet of...


Hi there, here's Radio Inconfidencia - as heard from the balcony of my hotel room in Belém with a few feet of wire as an antenna. Perhaps I'm too close to the transmitter, for a really nice signal, but nevertheless, it was nice to copy them with a modest length of wire. Recorded on 04/0317 at 23:07 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Belém at night & Radio Guinée 9650 kHz loud and clear with a few feet o...


Hi there, here's a short commentary by yours truly lol on my first night in Belém and a nice copy of Radio Guinée 9650 kHz with just a few feet of wire. This video was taken from my room balcony on the 11th floor. Thanks for watching.

Coming in to land at Belém, with views of the city and surrounding rainf...


Hi there I flew into Belém from Lisbon yesterday and I thought some of my friends and fellows might be interested to see the city and the surrounding rainforest as you come in to land at their municipal airport. We landed with a bit of a bump, but safely and that's athat matters. Now for some DXiing - oh and work too I guess lol. Thanks for watching.

Dxing with Eton Satellit and Boni whip: Radio RB2 11935 kHz, Curitiba, B...


Hi there, apologies for the lack of videos over the past couple of days - work has completely taken over. I'm actually sat in the airport in Lisbon, Portugal typing this, waiting for my flight to Belem, Brazil (which is delayed!). I had a look back through my reception videos and I almost can't believe I haven't copied Radio RB2 - (which is a pretty rare catch anyway ) since May of last year. What's particularly nice about this catch however, is the fact it was obtained with the Bonito Boni whip. This surely demonstrates how well that antenna performs in an electrically quiet environment because I consider Radio RB2 to be a pretty hard-core DX catch. Recroded at the woods in Oxford UK on 25/02/17 at 21:20 hours UTC. Thanks for watching.

Eton Satellit vs Sony ICF-2001D: Test #6: HM01 Cuban Spy Numbers 'Spanis...


Hi there, this is a difficult signal to copy well on any portable in or around my QTH, so kudos to both receivers. In my opinion the Sony takes this one, but again it's close and effectively another accolade for the previously underrated Satellit. Recorded in the woods in Oxford UK on 12/02/16 at 18:11 hrs UTC, using a 50 metre longwire. Thanks for watching.

SDR Sharper: office reception of EWTN 15610 kHz & a quick view of featur...


Hi there, SDR Sharper was recommended to me by one of my radio fellows and YouTube subscribers, on the basis that it offered a superior interface and more features than SDR#. He was right on both counts - it's a full-featured and very acomplished piece of SDR aoftware for sure. There's no commentary on this video, (although I can do one if you guys think it would be useful), but I do work my way though all of the menus to highlight all of the features. The signal from EWTN Vandiver, Alabama was pretty good considering the office environment and a few metres of wire (indoors) as an antenna. Thanks for watching!

Laptop battery life test & more on powering the NooElec RTL-SDR for DXpe...


Hi there, some more thoughts on the NooElec RTL-SDR dongle and SDR# software, running on a Dell Latitude E6330 laptop. Extrapolating my testing predicts a run time of around 3 hours, based on the dongle and the upconverter being powered by the laptop. More than good enough for my afternoon ad-hoc DXpeditions. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: CKAC 730 kHz Montreal, Quebec, heard in Oxford, UK using Wellbroo...


Hi there, this is my first indoor reception of CKAC with the Wellbrook ALA1530 antenna - previously I'd only copied them with the 200 metre Beverage, so a pleasing result. As usual, the signal on 730 kHz is subjected to significant adjacent channel QRM from RNE Radio Nacional on 729 kHz, but the Elad FDM DUO is superb at extracting discernible audio from challenging carriers and noise. Recorded in Oxford UK on 10/01/17 at 04:59 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 1 March 2017

Longwave DX with Boni whip: ČRo Radiožurnál 270 kHz,Topolná, Czech Repu...


Hi there, a nice daytime signal from the Czech Republic with the Sony ICF-SW55 and Bonito Boni whip active antenna. As has been previously demonstrated, the whip performs better at lower frequencies and of course outdoors, away from sources of electrical noise. This is actually the first time I've recorded their signal in daylight. Recorded in Oxford UK on 15/02/17 at 14:53 hrs UTC, using a Sony ICF-SW55 receiver. Thanks for watching.