MW DX: summertime signal from CFRB Newstalk 1010 Toronto, with clear IDs

Hi there, yet another transatlantic MW signal I haven't copied since January and by far the strongest thus far. Quite significant adjacent channel QRM, but the Elad delivered clearer recovered audio with SYNC AM and a filter bandwidth of 3.55 kHz than ECSS USB 2.8 kHz. 

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FMD DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors on 28/08/17 at 03:58 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: summertime signal from CBC Radio 1, 750 kHz, Bonavista Bay, Newfo...

Hi there, another CBC transmission that I haven't copied since January and another welcome catch as we move closer to the MW DX season. This signal can boom into Oxford during the winter months, but still great to catch a weaker signal in August.

There is an ID at 0:51 and the CBC interval music here 01:53

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FMD DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors on 28/08/17 at 03:58 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: summertime signal from CJYQ 930 kHz, St. John's, Newfoundland & L...

Hi there, I haven't copied CJYQ since 14/01/17, so a pleasing catch, particularly during the short nights of the summer months. This has to be presumed as there is no ID, but the country music style gives them away.

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FMD DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors on 28/08/17 at 03:58 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: summertime signal from CBNA CBC Radio 1, 600 kHz, Saint Anthony, ...

Hi there, great to catch another summertime CBC transmission on one of their low MW frequencies. Although weak, there is a clear ID here 0:56 and the CBC interval music here 01:56

I suggest you listen to this recording with headphones to catch these ID's properly.

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FMD DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors on 28/08/17 at 03:58 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Sony ICF-2001D sensitivity on the whip: S30 'The Pip' 3756 kHz USB, Rost...

Hi there, S30 is an easier catch than S32, but still the first time I've copied this channel marker from Rostov, Russia on a receiver, using just the telescopic. The TX site is approximately 2,960 km from my QTH in Oxford, UK.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 24/07/17 at 19:36 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Sony ICF-2001D sensitivity on the whip: S32 The Squeaky Wheel 3828 kHz U...

Hi there, this was brilliant - to hear S32 for the first time in the UK with just the whip was a big surprise. Certainly demonstrates the Sony's excellent sensitivity without an external antenna. 

The TX site is approximately 2,960 km from my QTH in Oxford, UK.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 24/07/17 at 19:34 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

'Free Bird' guitar solo heard on Lazer Hot Hits 6220 kHz...great music o...

Hi there, it's always great to hear good music on SW and here, in my opinion, is one of the greatest guitar solos of all time....well perhaps I should say 'guitars' because I believe there are three playing towards the end of the track...oh and a brilliant drum solo...music heaven. I'm slightly suprised YouTube allowed this upload, but you probably won't be able to watch on a mobile phone. I hope you can get to it on a computer because it's worth a watch! 

The audio on the E1 is fantastic for a portable, probably the best of any of my portables actually and the usual strong signal from LHH helps. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/08/17 at 23:13 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WGIT Puerto Rico 1660 kHz heard in Oxford, using an Eton E1

Hi there, I copied WGIT for the first time in many months, a couple of weeks before this recording using the Yaesu FRG-8800. Great to catch them again with the E1 and demonstrate it's MW DX credentials. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/08/17 at 01:07 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Voice of Tigray Revolution 5950 kHz, Addis Ababa, best signal at home th...

Hi there, this has been a difficult catch at home in the shack for many months, so it was nice to catch a half-decent signal in July.

Recorded on 24/07/17 around 02:30 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Voz Missionaria 5940 kHz Camboriu, Brazil, best reception at home ...

Hi there, I felt this was an excellent copy of the usually quite tricky signal from Camboriu on 49 metres, stronger and clearer than any previous signal heard at home in the shack. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/07/17 at 23:25 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outside. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: A summertime appearance from CBC Radio 1, 1400 kHz Gander, Newfou...

Hi there, great to catch CBC Radio 1 Gander in the shack a couple of mornings ago. I've started scanning and recording the MW band in the past few days and although I'm constantly seeing transatlantic carriers, there's not much recovered audio to be had thus far. Here is an ok signal from CBC, but with a couple of clear station IDs. Roll on the transatlantic MW DX season! 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 21/08/17 at 03:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors (well, in the garden shed lol). Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #8: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Radio Moso...

Hi there, here is the 8th installment of this antenna test:

The video starts with the SW signal from Radio Mosoj Chaski using the Wellbrook ALA1530. Fast-forward to 46 seconds for the reception using using the Bonito MegActive MA305 by clicking here 0:46

As always, let me know your views. I can't detect much, if any difference in strength of signal or clarity of recovered audio. That being the case, the MA305 continues to demonstrate it's credentials as a brilliant portable antenna that's perfect for DXpeditions.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:27 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #7: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Radio Voz ...

Hi there, here is the 7th installment of this antenna test:

The video starts with the SW signal from Radio Voz Missionaria using the Wellbrook ALA1530. Fast-forward to 46 seconds for the reception using using the Bonito MegActive MA305 by clicking here 0:46

As always, let me know your views. From my perspecive, the signal might be a little stronger with the MA305, but does the SNR reduce? 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:48 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Voz Missionaria 5940 kHz, Camboriu, Brazil, copied with Yaesu FRG-...

Hi there, it's not always about ultimate performance and SDR...there's something very satisfying about catching a rather exotic signal on the tropical band with a vintage receiver. 
Recorded on 24/07/17 at 01:15 hrs UTC using a Yaesu FRG-7700 receiver and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Sony ICF-2001D sensitivity on the whip: Echo of Hope (VOH) 4885 kHz, Seo...

Hi there, this is only the third time I've copied Echo of Hope on 4885 kHz and the first time on just the whip antenna of a portable. Previously heard with a longwire and the Bonito MegActive MA305, this reception, although quite weak, speaks volumes about the sensitivity of the venerable ICF-2001 on the telescopic; this station is 8880 km from my QTH. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 24/07/17 at 19:32 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

On-and-off Rádio Clube do Pará, Brazil, 4885 kHz copied this morning

Hi there, reports that Rádio Clube do Pará had been off-air for a while in June reached me about 3 weeks ago, via our friend and colleague Rob Wagner. In the past few days their signal was absent once again from my spectrum, but in the early hours of this morning they were back. Previously Rádio Clube do Pará was nearly always heard at my QTH - and their carrier ALWAYS observable, so perhaps they're operating at reduced power? Fingers crossed they're staying on SW for the foreseeable future!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 19/08/17 at 23:44 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Sony ICF-2001D sensitivity on the whip: Radio Guinée 9650 kHz, Conakry, ...

Hi there, nice copy of Guinea in a crowded part of the 31 metre broadcast band, utilising the narrow filter and SYNC which is constantly locking/unlocking. Nevertheless, impressive stuff on the whip antenna only.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 24/07/17 at 19:55 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching

Sony ICF-2001D sensitivity on the whip: Radio Oromiya 6030 kHz, Addis Ab...

Hi there, known to have great sensitivity on the whip, my venerable ICF-2001D continues to demonstrate this ability, after many years of service to myself and the previous owner/s. Here is quite a decent signal from Ethiopia, with the whip fully extended out of the car window. Brilliant for a signal propagating over 5970 km.

Recorded on 24/07/17 at 19:51 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Mosoj Chaski 3310 kHz, Bolivia, copied in the shack with the Yaesu...

Hi there, it was very nice to copy my exotic companion on the 90 metre broadcast band with the vintage Yaesu FRG-8800. I fell in love with this radio as a kid in the 1980s and it's great to actually own one now. Radio Mosoj Chaski is one of those stations on the tropical band that can nearly always be seen on a spectrum, but often without any modulation. I believe this was the first time I've copied them at home with anything other than the Elad.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 27/07/17 around 01:50 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

USAF Emergency Action Message received with a strong signal on 4724 KHz USB

A strong signal, recorded in Oxford UK on 27/07/17 at 02:38 hrs UTC using the Yaesu FRG-8800 receiver and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors.Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: XEPPM Radio Educación 6185 kHz, Mexico City

Hi there, this station is strictly limited to a DXpedition if you want to hear them with a portable receiver...thus an excellent result in this garden with the Satellit and MA305 radiating element hanging from the washing line! An understandably weak signal, given the 8860 km distance and relatively low TX power (10 kW according to WRTH 2017) but an excellent result from this compact set-up.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 12/08/17 at 01:13 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Radio Mali 5995 kHz, Bamako, even better ...

Hi there, a few minutes later, the signal from Bamako improved still further, so I felt inclined to make another recording - here it is. Quite a thrill to hear this station so well without being in the middle of the woods lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 22:58 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Myanmar Radio 5985 kHz, Myanmar (Burma)

Hi there, great to hear Myanmar Radio in this garden environment - certainly wouldn't be possible at my QTH. Once again the MA305 hanging on the washing line does the trick lol and as for the Satellit, well, it rarely lets me down.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 23:08 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Radio Mali 5995 kHz, Bamako, super modula...

Hi there, Radio Mali's major improvement in signal modulation has been widely publicised amongst Radio and DXing circles. I have copied them on my Elad SDR at home in the shack and the improvement in audio clarity is very obvious. This copy, however, is more akin to what I have received on DXpeditions out in the woods. Incredible reception given the very compact antenna used - and the environment.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 22:55 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Radio Cairo 9800 kHz, English programming...

Wow it's been a long time since I copied Cairo with such a nice signal - and caught their English programming. Their previously abysmal modulation improved some time ago, but I never hear a signal like this at my QTH - only a few hundred metres away. Once again, the MegActive MA305 E-field antenna coupled to the Eton Satellit provides very nice reception in this larger-than-average urban garden.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 22:34 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Voice of the Broad Masses 7180 kHz, Eritrea

Hi there, I thought this was a PF for me, but I actually copied this transmission back in October 2016 around 7175 kHz....however, still great to hear them again and with such a clear signal in this urban garden. Once again, the MA305 radiating element is hanging from the washing line - and once again a really pleasing result. More to come!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 17:10 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in a large urban garden: Voice of Korea 11645 kHz, DPRK at 16:45 h...

Hi there, here's a recording of English programming from North Korea in the middle of the afternoon, in a large urban garden. The radiating element of the USB-powered Bonito MegActive MA305 is hanging from the washing line lol - and it seems to work very well. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 11/08/17 at 15:44 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit. Thanks for watching.

Experiment: can you achieve good DX in a large urban garden?

Hi there, the garden at my place is pretty small - it's not possible to place an antenna much further than about 10 metres from the house. As a result, random wires and E-field antennas don't work very well at all; you simply can't get far enough away from sources of electrical noise - from my house - and the neighbours. So what if you've got a large garden in an urban area? Can random wires and E-field antennas such at the Bonito MegActive MA305 do the job? My next experiment explores what's possible. Here is the intro. Thanks for watching.

Radio Difusora Roraima 4875 kHz, Brazil, copied with the Eton Satellit a...

Hi there, nice copy of this signal from Boa Vista and - certainly much stronger/clearer than I would trypically hear in the shack. I suppose this demonstrates what's possible with good portable and a longwire in a low-QRM environment!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 13/05/17 at 00:26 hrs UTC using a 50 metre longwire antenna. Ignore the time differences, there was only a few seconds between recordings. Thanks for watching.

North Korea 11645 kHz, copied with pocket-sized Sony ICF-SW100 and AN-71...

Hi there, the last time I copied a nice signal from the Voice of Korea on this frequency was back in February on the Icom IC-R20. Always a fascinating listen, it was great to copy them again, this time with a set-up that literally fits in your pocket. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 29/07/17 around 17:00 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Kuwait 15540 kHz, copied with Sony ICF-SW100 and AN-71 antenna

Hi there, a very nice signal from Kuwait, that would be booming in on a receiver with a large speaker! The world in your pocket sums up the brilliant little ICF-SW100, the likes of which won't ever be seen again. Thank goodness for eBay lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 29/07/17 around 16:50 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Radio Cultural Amauta 4955 kHz Peru, copied on the Eton Satellit and San...

Hi there, the last time I copied Radio Cultural Amauta was with the 200 metre Beverage last October, A brilliant result and very nice signal considering, on both receivers. If nothing else and filters aside, this reception certainly confirms the excellent sensitivity of the 909x on a longwire. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 13/05/17 at 00:34 hrs UTC using a 50 metre longwire antenna. Ignore the time differences, there was only a few seconds between recordings. Thanks for watching.

Radio Cultura Ondas Manaus 4845 kHz, Manaus, Brazil, copied with Eton Sa...

Hi there, Radio Cultura Ondas Manaus is a rare catch in the shack, unlike Difusora de Roraima & Rádio Clube do Pará, for example, which are heard often. It's always been my experience that a DXpedition is necessary to obtain a decent signal from this station...and here it is! Once again, no surprise that the Satellit delivers clearer audio, but really nice to copy them also on the 909x. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 13/05/17 at 00:23 hrs UTC using a 50 metre longwire antenna. Ignore the time differences, there was only a few seconds between recordings. Thanks for watching.

''Afia Darfur' 11615 khz, Pinheira, São Tomé and Principe, Gulf of Guinea

Hi there, this is a personal first for me - well, the first time I've copied a signal from São Tomé and Principe on this frequency. As usual, the fabulous little Sony ICF-SW100 does a remarkable job with just the AN-71 antenna. It's a set-up that fits into your pocket!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/07/16 at 19:14 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

CHU Canada 7850 kHz, copied with the Eton Satellit and Sangean ATS-909x

HI there, this 10 kW signal from Ottawa was copied very well on both receivers. At home, the voice part of this signal is often either very unclear or not heard at all. It takes the very low background noise on a DXpedition to copy clear recovered audio. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 13/05/17 at 01:21 hrs UTC using a 50 metre longwire antenna. Ignore the time differences, there was only a few seconds between recordings. Thanks for watching.

Radio Voz Missionaria 5940 kHz, Camboriu, Brazil, copied with the Eton S...

Hi there, here is a nice low-power signal from Brazil, heard well with both receivers. The competition is already over; the Satellit proved to be the worthy winner for purist DXers. However, I still (sort of) rejoice in the sensitivity of the 909x with a longwire - the only working Sangean that remains in my receiver collection.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 13/05/17 at 00:49 hrs UTC using a 50 metre longwire antenna. Ignore the time differences, there was only a few seconds between recordings. Thanks for watching.

An Owl hooting in the woods as night approaches!

Hi there, I often receive comments from friends and subscribers about the woods I use for my DXpeditions; often along the lines of how spooky it must be at night! To prove them right, he's a video at the end of a listening session with an owl hooting!

Radio Inconfidencia 15190 kHz, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, copied with Eton ...

Hi there, I've been copying this station quite a lot recently, but I thought this recording worthy of uploading. A nice signal considering, with the MegActive MA305 running on 5V USB. I didn't hear much else during this particularly DXpedition, however, catches like this still make it worthwhile - and what's there to complain about - sat around in the lovely Oxfordshire countryside!

Recorded on 08/08/17 at 19:33 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Another trip out to the woods - with Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive ...

Hi there, another trip out to the woods - taking advantage of a break in the rather bad weather here in Oxfordshire recently. Managed to copy Radio Inconfidencia immediately with the MegActive MA305; the radiating element was up a tree again lol. Proper reception recording to come. 

Voice of Hope Africa 6065 kHz, Lusaka, Zambia, AM/LSB demo with heavy ad...

Hi there, he's another recording of the signal from Lusaka, Zambia, which switches over from AM to LSB at 1:51 demonstrating how the Eton successfully combats heaving adjacent channel QRM. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/07/17 at 17:28 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

North Korea 12015 kHz in my back garden with the Sony ICF-SW77 and AN-71...

Hi there, here's some operatic music from the Voice of Korea, heard quite clearly above the usual blanket of QRM with just 6 metres of wire. I wouldn't have expected this possible if I'm honest, but the SW77 is a fine receiver, one of the best, even if it isn't quite in the same league as it's predecessor the legendary ICF-2001D. 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/08/17 at 15:52 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

North Korea copied in the back garden on 15245 kHz gets obliterated by CRI!

Hi there, a surprisingly nice signal from Voice of Korea, heard in the back garden of my house a couple of days ago...only to get completely obliterated by CRI as they switched over to 15245 kHz. As you listen, you will hear the recovered audio distort now and then as the AM SYNC loses and regains lock. An interesting listen all the same and nice to copy the DPRK above local QRM with just the Sony AN-71 reel antenna.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/08/17 at 14:58 hrs UTC using the Sony ICF-SW77.

Medium wave DX: WGIT Puerto Rico 1660 kHz heard in Oxford, UK

Hi there, great to hear WGIT again after an absence of several months - and even better on the vintage FRG-8800. This is the receiver I started MW DXing with and despite it's obvious limitations, I thoroughly enjoyed my first ever catches using it.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 26/07/17 at 02:38 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

CRI 13760 kHz 'local AM' reception with Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActi...

Hi there, superb reception from CRI out in the woods with the Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 antenna. My son thought this was incredible - a signal as strong as BBC Radio Oxford lol! 

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/07/17 at 17:03 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #6: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Polski Rad...

Hi there, here is the 6th installment of this antenna test:

The video starts with the LW signal from Poland using the Wellbrook ALA1530. Fast-forward to 46 seconds for the reception using using the Bonito MegActive MA305 by clicking here 0:46

As always, let me know your views. In this recording, the Wellbrook appears to be picking up noise from somewhere which isn't evident on the Bonito and as a result the SNR and overall reception is far superior. Interestingly, in electrically noisy environments such as my shack, the Bonito E-field antennas perform best at lower frequencies, so this is consistent with my experience, at least in that respect.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 00:54 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #5: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Rádio Naci...

Hi there, here is the 5th installment of this antenna test:

The video starts with the signal from Angola using the Wellbrook ALA1530. Fast-forward to 46 seconds for the reception using using the Bonito MegActive MA305 by clicking here 0:46

As always, let me know your views; in this instance I think the signal is at least as clear on the MA305 as it is with the ALA1530, and possibly slightly clearer.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:05 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #4: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Alcaravan ...

Hi there, here is the 4th installment of this antenna test:

The video starts with the signal from Alcaravan Radio using the Wellbrook ALA1530. Fast-forward to 46 seconds for the reception using using the Bonito MegActive MA305 by clicking here 0:46

Let me know your comments. Great to copy this exotic station with both antennas and once again, incredibly similar performance between the 22 cm whip of the Bonito and the 1 metre diameter approx. loop of the Wellbrook. H-field versus E-field...interesting!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:11 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Elad FDM DUO vs FRG-7700 vs FRG-8800: WWCR 3215 kHz, Nashville

Hi there, I don't often listen to WWCR; the content isn't really my
thing, however, I thought it interesting to compare their signal on the
90 metre broadcast band with the Elad FDM and the two vintage FRGs. A
nice signal on all with probably the lowest SNR on the Elad.

Recorded in Oxford on 29/07/17 at 01:29 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop outside.

Antenna Test #3: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; CFRX Toron...

Hi there, this is the third test in this series comparing the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antennas, out in the woods (a necessary electically quiet environment). I have to say both antennas perform very well to pull in this 1 KW signal from Canada, but to my ears the Bonito wins this test quite easily with a stronger, clearer signal. As always, let me have your views.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:17 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #2: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; XEPPM Radi...

Hi there, here is the second in this series of tests, this time using the 10 kW signal from RXEPPM Radio Educación 6185 kHz, Mexico City. Again the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop, is followed by the USB-powered Bonito MegActive MA305, 45s into the recording. For those of you outside the UK you will see the antenna identified using the subtitle facility (YouTube decided to drop annotations because they're out of date apparently and not 'mobile friendly'). Whatever! Once again, for me there's little or no difference in the strength or clarity of the signal when the antennas are switched over. As always, let me know your views.



Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:23 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna Test #1: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305; Radio Tarm...

Hi there, here is a comparison of the signal from Radio Tarma Internacional on 4774.9 kHz using the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop, followed by the USB-powered Bonito MegActive MA305. For me there's little or no difference in the strength or clarity of this signal when the antennas are switched over at 45s into the recording. As always, let me know your views. Those of you outside of the UK should see the antennas identified as text at the bottom of the screen. YouTube deleted the annotation function recently because it's out of date apparently and not 'mobile friendly'. For those of you in the UK, you will be able to hear the antenna switch as it clicks over anyway at 45 seconds.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 01:33 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Antenna test: Wellbrook ALA1530 vs Bonito MegActive MA305

Hi there, here's an explanatory video for my latest experiment: testing the performance of the Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop against the USB-powered Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. I have used a number of weak signals on the Tropical Bands, LW and higher up the HF band. Some interesting results to come shortly - and those expecting the Wellbrook to trounce the Bonito are in for a surprise!

Radio Inconfidencia 15190 kHz, Brazil, copied at 16:44 UTC with Sony ICF...

Hi there, this is by far my earliest reception of Radio Inconfidencia - before 18:00 hrs BST is simply unheard; I'm usually hearing them around 20:00 hrs UTC. No doubt a larger antenna and more time would have resulted in a better signal, but you have to make DXing fit in with life too!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 29/07/17. Thanks for watching.

Radio Verdad 4055 kHz LSB Guatemala, untypically clear signal recorded a...

Hi there, here's the 'SDR version' of the signal I also recorded with the Elad in standalone mode a few days before. Relatively speaking, a very clear signal from this understandably weak transmission. Most of the time only a carrier can be seen, so a pleasing result. The adjacent noise doesn't ever go away lol, so LSB or ECSS LSB is nearly always the RX mode of choice for this one.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 30/07/17 at 02:50 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: Radio Rebelde 1620 kHz, Cuba heard in Oxford, UK

Hi there, great to finally hear Radio Rebelde in the shack without having to use the Elad SDR. Once again the Yaesu FRG-8800 proves itself to be quite a capable reciever. Certainly not one of the very best deaktop radios in it's time, but possesing more than adequate performance for most DXing activities.



Recorded in Oxford UK on 26/07/17 at 02:18 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Elad FDM DUO: Radio Mali 5995 kHz, Bamako, with improved modulation

Hi there, an even better signal from Bamako than that recorded earlier in the evening with the Eton E1. If you wait until the music cuts in at 01:04 on the recording, it's quite obvious that the modulation of this station has improved signficantly.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 01/08/17 T 00:01 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outside. Thanks for watching.

Voice of Hope Africa 6065 kHz, Lusaka, Zambia, PF on 49 metres with Boni...

Hi there, this is a personal first for me as I've only heard Voice of Hope Africa previously on 13680 kHz, again, with the Eton Satellit. This time around co-channel interference from VOA and general adjacent channel QRM was seriously affecting the recovered audio. However, LSB mode worked pretty well and a clear ID can be heard. Very pleased to copy a PF - and my boy was quite impressed that we could hear Zambia with this little radio.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/07/17 at 17:21 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Eton E1: ten wonderful minutes of music from Elvis on Polski Radio 225 k...

Hi there, Elvis in concert on LW from Poland? It's what makes radio as a hobby bl**dy amazing! There's always something to listen to and now and then you stumble across something brilliant! This is it lol. I'm still sort of amazed this upload scraped past YouTube's copyright infringement policy! Nevertheless, The King on LW was most welcome in the early hours of the morning!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 29/07/17 at 01:39 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop outside. Thanks for watching!

Another DXpedition into the woods and an 'ultralight' DX camp!

Hi there, me and the boys ventured out for another DXing session last night. The woods are beautiful at this time of year - and we managed to set up a little camp - well two collapsable chairs, the Eton Satellit, Bonito Boni Whp and some food lol. A good time was had by all!

Armchair copy of North Korea 15245 kHz with the Bonito Boni Whip and Eto...

Hi there, superb reception of the Voice of Korea with the Eton Satellit and Bonito Boni Whip - with the radiating element up a tree lol. My boy was amazed at the clarity of the reception...even 9 year olds know about North Korea these days with their omnipresence in the news these days. Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/07/17 at 17:41 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.