Sunday 31 December 2017

Medium Wave DX: WTAM 1100 kHz, Cleveland, Ohio copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, this is my first confirmed copy of WTAM - you can hear a faint ID at 0:28 seconds into the recording which thankfully, Matthias noticed - I didn't! My sincere thanks to him and a Happy New Year to you all!

Recorded on 20/12/17 at
02:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: CBGY CBC Radio 1, 750 kHz, Bonavista Bay, copied at 6 am...

Hi there, I'm not sure why, but I get more of a buzz copying TA DX when it's time to get up, than in the early hours of the morning. Even more so if it happens to occur around daybreak. No so for this recording, but still great to hear CBC still going at the end of the night lol. Clear ID with this one.

Recorded on 09/12/17 at
05:59 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Caroline 648 kHz 'Ross Revenge' signal copied in Oxford on 5 recei...

Hi there, since Radio Caroline started transmission proper from the Ross Revenge, I've been monitoring their signal. Easy to copy in Oxford with sophisticated receivers and antenna - and ok on a good portable.

Here's their signal on the Yaesu FRG-7700 and 8800, Icom IC-R75, the Sony ICF-2001D and the Eton Satellit.

Thanks for watching.

Saturday 30 December 2017

Medium wave DX: CJYE Joy 1250, Oakville Ontario, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, this is a PF for me, so a very welcome catch. I often see a carrier on 1250 kHz but rarely hear any audio. My thanks again to Matthias for picking out the reference to 'Joy' thus confirming the ID.

Recorded on 20/12/17 at
02:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: YVKS RCR 750 Radio Caracas 750 kHz, Venezuela, copied in the UK

Hi there, this was my last reception of YVKS RCR 750 in 2017, having heard them many times during the latter half of the year.

Recorded on 09/12/17 at
01:57 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Friday 29 December 2017

Elad FDM DUO vs Perseus vs Icom IC-R75 using signal from Radio Antena Sa...

Hi there, here is a little test of the audio from both SDRs and the Icom using a daylight signal from Radio Antena Satelor on LW. As always let me know your thoughts on the performances of these receivers.

Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!

Medium wave DX: CFNV Montréal 940 kHz, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, this is only the second time I've copied CFNV and although I must consider this to be presumed, there is a clear mention of Montreal at 2:04 seconds into the video.

Recorded on 20/12/17 at
04:58 using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: CFRB Newstalk 1010 Toronto...very big signal copied in O...

Hi there, another amazingly strong signal from CFRB Newstalk 1010 Toronto into into my QTH in Oxford UK. Right now this station is booming in stronger than any other TA signal I've copied these past weeks.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 20/12/17 at
01:47 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 28 December 2017

A quick review of the WRTH 2018 edition...DXers and SWLs should buy this...

As in previous years, here is my annual review of the WRTH....2018 edition. As I mentioned in my channel update video, the WRTH didn't let me down last year and it's the only source of SW scheduling information that I trust completely. Whether you're a newbie to DXing, or an old hand, this book is invaluable and to help protect it's future, as many of us as possible should buy it!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

Daylight morning signal from Iceland on 207 kHz Longwave, copied on Icom...

Hi there, here is my recording of the daylight signal from Iceland on Longwave with the Icom IC-R75. SSB is the reception mode of choice in this scenario where there are large adjacent signals present. If you look carefully you will notice that I have also engaged the PBT - which works superbly well on the R75 under these signal conditions.

Recorded on 18/12/17 around
11:25 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 27 December 2017

Medium wave DX: CKNB 950 kHz, Campbellton, New Brunswick, first receptio...

Hi there, this signal and it's counterpart 20 kHz down on 930 kHz are two of the most difficult Canadian stations to copy - that can actually be copied. Here is my first reception of CKNB since October 2016, so a welcome return to my MW spectrum!

Recorded on 29/11/17 at
01:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WWL New Orleans 870 kHz, first reception at my QTH in Ox...

Hi there, this is a PF for me and although a weak signal, an ID can be heard at 00:36 seconds into the recording. My sincere thanks to Matthias for assisting with the ID.

Recorded on 20/12/17 at
01:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Season's Greetings! A quick review of 2017 & what's coming in 2018 on Ox...

Hi there, another year has passed already and so I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all happy holidays and thank you for your friendship and support in 2017! Here's a quick review on 2017 and an update on what's coming up in 2018 on Oxford Shortwave Log. 73!

The sounds of Christmas Eve on Longwave...simply wonderful

Hi there, I hope you enjoy this 15 minutes of Christmas Eve broadcasting on longwave...carols from Iceland and London, a service broadcast live from Polski Radio and some other interesting signals across this scan of the entire band. I think it might be my favourite band on the radio spectrum!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Recorded in Oxford UK at
23:36 hrs UTC using a Perseus SDR and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Joyous folk music on Antena Satelor 153 kHz, perfect for the early hours...

I know I keep banging on about Radio Antena Satelor, but the music they play is so uplifting and catchy...who would have thought a 1990s Britpop aficionado would find himself hooked on Romanian folk music. If you're listening to the radio as you're reading this, tune to 153 kHz LW and check them out - brilliant.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 25/12/17 at
00:50 hrs UTC using a Preseus SDR and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Sunday 24 December 2017

Radio Caroline start of transmissions from the 'Ross Revenge' at 7 am......

Hi there, I managed to record the start of transmissions from the Ross Revenge at 7 am this morning. How exciting to finally have Radio Caroline back on-air after all these years. It will be interesting to check out their signal on a portable later on today. Note the station announcement can be heard about 10 seconds into the recording.

Recorded on 22/12/17 at
07:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Longwawe DX: Polski Radio 225 kHz daytime signal copied on Perseus and I...

Hi there, a nice daytime signal from Solec Kujawski, Poland at my QTH last Monday morning. Sounded great on the Perseus via the Bose Soundlink Mini 2 speaker and clear/ natural on the Icom in SSB mode. The standard AM filters are too wide/ narrow for this particular signal.

Recorded on 18/12/17 at
12:19 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium Wave DX: CKAC 730 kHz Montreal, Quebec, copied in Oxford, UK

Hi there, I've not copied CKAC since February of this year - so perhaps this is another sign that the North American season is finally upon us. Always a difficult signal to obtain recovered audio from this signal because of significant adjacent channel QRM, but of course, this is where the Elad truly excels.

Recorded on 07/12/17 at
03:58 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: Radio Rebelde, Cuba 670 kHz, copied in Oxford, UK

Hi there, I've not copied Radio Rebelde on this frequency since January and so nice to hear them again. The Elad/ Wellbrook combination strikes again and even when propagation conditions aren't the best, this set-up still pulls in Transatlantic DX.

Recorded on 07/12/17 at
01:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: CJYQ 930 kHz, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador, copied in Oxfo...

Hi there, this is one of the most difficult transatlantic stations to copy (that can be copied) because of adjacent channel QRM. This is a weak signal, but there all the same - and a welcome catch.

Recorded on 10/12/17 at
02:56 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: VOCM 590 kHz, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador copied in Oxfor...

Hi there, another nice signal from VOCM, this time on the Elad. On average their signal is nearly always stronger than CBNA on 600 kHz, but that's probably largely due to the fact that they TX with twice the power of their neighbour on the MW spectrum.

Recorded on 10/12/17 at
01:56 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 21 December 2017

LW daylight signal Radio Monte Carlo 216 kHz Roumoules, copied on Icom I...

Hi there, the signal from Roumoules booming into Oxford UK yesterday at 12:11 hrs UTC. Here's a comparison of the audio from the Icom alone and the Perseus with the assitance of the Bose Soundlink Mini 2. Crisp versus 9.5 kHz bandwidth fidelity.

I'm not sure what it is about Longwave, but I love it lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 18/12/17 using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Daylight morning signals from Iceland on Longwave, copied in Oxford, UK

Hi there, this is quite unusual and in my experience not possible on a portable; both signals from RÚV Rás 1/Rás 2, Gufuskalar and Eiðar clearly heard in daylight at my QTH in Oxford, UK. As usual, their signal on 207 kHz was a lot stronger on 207 kHz than 189 kHz which although present, wasn't very audible. Now, I was using the brilliant Perseus (audio via the Bose SoundLink Mini 2) and the equally brilliant Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, which makes the difference of course.

Recorded on 18/12/17 at
11:16 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 20 December 2017

Medium wave DX: All India Radio GOS 1071 KHz Rajkot, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, I don't really listen to MW in the late afternoon/ early evening as the local QRM is usually horrendous at my QTH around those times. However, I was inspired to do so last week, which delivered a signal I haven't copied for 2 years and 1 week exactly!

Recorded on 14/12/17 at
19:06 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna. Thanks for watching.

My latest article on SWLing Post


Exotic shortwave DX copied in Rio Capim, Northern Brazil

Monday 18 December 2017

The Tecsun S-8800: an updated review of performance on LW, MW and SW

Hi there, here is an update video, taken after a week or so of testing on LW, MW and SW. In summary, an excellent choice for SW, but at a price! I hope you find this summary and thanks for watching.

Sunday 17 December 2017

Medium wave DX: WFME Family Radio 1560 kHz New York, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, great to catch WFME from New York again this Winter having not heard them since November 2016. This part of the Medium Wave band was swamped with QRM for most of the past year, rendering DX impossible, until recently.

Recorded on 10/12/17 at
03:59 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM Duo and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Longwave DX: ČRo Radiožurnál 270 kHz,Topolná, Czech Republic

Hi there, I'm not sure why, but I hardly ever copy this station. This is only the third time I've copied them since I started the channel 2 1/2 years ago. Anyway, nice to hear them again on the Icom. Not the best reception, but welcome nevertheless.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 12/12/17 at
19:42 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: CFRB Newstalk 1010 Toronto, with clear IDs, copied in Ox...

Hi there, so Toronto is back on 1010 kHz after WINS made it's first appearance on this frequency - at my shack recently. A big signal, which slowly fades, allowing the adjacent channel QRM to dominate. The Perseus is definitely a very strong performer. The sensitivity is superb, whilst the noise reduction really does work, even if ultimately you end up with slightly less than natural audio.

Recorded on 15/12/17 at
00:16 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Superb classical music on RRI...5980 kHz, starting with a snippet from R...

Hi there, no better reason to share a reception video than to share some wonderful music - which always makes me happy, especially when it's on LW or SW. My Dad introduced me to Ravel when I was a kid - and of course this piece is probably his most iconic. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: CBGY CBC Radio 1, 750 kHz, Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland &...

Hi there, this is the first time I've copied CBGY with the Perseus so I thougth I'd share it with you. Great signal demonstrating favourable conditions of propagation and also the sensitivity of the receiver in conjunction with the Wellbrook ALA1530.

Recorded on 15/12/17 at
00:51 hours UTC using Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WEGP EWTN Presque Isle 1390 kHz, Maine, USA

Hi there, this is my first reception of WEGP since early September and once again the Elad is having to work hard to deliver recovered audio above significant levels of adjacent noise. Hopefully their signal will improve over the coming months.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 10/12/17 at
03:59 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 14 December 2017

MW DX: WTNI 1640 kHz (simulcasts WXBD 1490 kHz), Biloxi, Gulfport, Missi...

Hi there, very nice to catch another PF and for a change on the X-band, with an ID. I've not copied any other stations from MS, so this was indeed a welcome visitor to my MW spectrum. Once again, the Wellbrook's superb SNR in a noisy environment delivers.

Copied in Oxford UK on 09/12/17 at
04:59 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors (well, in the garden shed lol) Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 13 December 2017

'Making a Transistor Radio' by George Dobbs, G3RJV published by Ladybird...

Hi there, I wanted to share this book with you - some of you will be aware of it's existence no doubt. Orignially published by Ladybird books in 1972 I think, it takes the reader through the various stages of building a transistor radio, starting with a simple Crystal Set. I've lost count of how many times I built a Crystal Radio based on the design in this book. A big part of this book is the superb illustrations by B.H. Robinson. When I was in Secondary School, I would finish my lunch quickly and go to the library to read this book, over and over again lol. 30 odd years later, I bought a copy online . This little book inspired me more so than any other when I was a kid - they don't publish them like this any more lol. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WFED 1500 kHz Washington D.C. copied in Oxford, UK

Hi there, I've copied WFED a few times this year, although once again, not since the end of the summer. As is often the case with this signal, adjacent channel QRM requires the use of SSB, but of course the Elad excels when it comes to selectivity.

Recorded on 10/12/17 at
03:59 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WBBR Bloomberg Radio 1130 kHz New York, copied in Oxford...

Hi there, this is the fourth time I've caught this station in 2017, the lsat time being at the end of the Summer. A lot of adjacent channel QRM for the Elad to deal with, but despite this, a clear ID a few seconds into the recording. The Elad really does offer superb selectivity/.

Recorded on 10/12/17 at
04:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Sunday 10 December 2017

A snowy Sunday morning Longwave listening session in Oxford

So finally the snow hit Oxford in the early hours of this morning. By 10 am we had a very good covering on the ground and I had to resort to our 4-wheel drive to get out. I sometimes have a chilled out listening session on LW on Sunday mornings and today there were daylight signals from Polskie Radio and DR Langbølge Kalundborg, to keep the huge signal from RTL company. By the way, my sincere condolences to the fans and friends of Johnny Hallyday. From what I've learnt about him these past few days, he was a true rocker and almost universally adored in the French speaking world. RIP.

Medium wave DX: CBNA CBC Radio 1, 600 kHz, Saint Anthony, Newfoundland &...

Hi there, always nice to catch one of the lower frequency CBC Radio 1 transmissions on MW. Hopefully their signal strength and clarity will increase over the coming months.

Recorded in Oxford UK using an Elad FMD DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 active loop antenna outdoors on 27/11/17 at
23:56 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WINS 1010 New York 1010 kHz copied with a nice signal in...

Hi there, here is arguably a better signal from WINS 1010 New York on the Elad than that copied with the Perseus. Either way, I was very pleased to copy a PF on 1010 kHz which for these past two years has been totally dominated by CFRB Toronto.

Recorded on 28/11/17 at
05:01 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WFME Family Radio 1560 kHz New York, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, it was last November that I heard this station...for over a year they've been silent....sometimes buried to deeply in local QRM for the Elad to deliver any recovered audio. Here the signal is not great, but a clear ID can be heard at 00:16 seconds into the recording. Really great to hear them again and let's hope for an improvement in signal over the winter months.

Recorded on 28/11/17 at
05:59 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Friday 8 December 2017

Radio Caroline testing on 648 kHz Orford Ness, copied with the Tecsun P...

Hi there, Radio Caroline can be copied very clearly in Oxford with a high spec. receiver. It's a bit more of a challenge with the modestly priced Tecsun PL-360, but the plug-in external AM antenna does make a big difference. All this Tecsun Tech. for under 30 quid. Bargain!

Thursday 7 December 2017

Medium wave DX: CHIN Radio 1540 kHz Toronto, copied in Oxford, UK

Hi there, it was exactly a year ago today that I last copied CHIN Radio out of Toronto. Great to hear their signal again, although slightly swamped by adjacent channel QRM.

Recorded on 28/11/17 at
06:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors.

Medium Wave DX: CBC Radio 1, 1400 kHz, Gander, Canada, copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, nice to hear the signal from Gander once again, after an absence of about 4 months. Hopefully the long winter nights will bring us lots of transatlantic MW DX!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 28/11/17 at
00:34 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

A trip into the past with 'Passport to World Band Radio' 1990 edition

Hi there, I buy copies of these books now and then, for a little trip down memory lane. The pre-1990 editions are more interesting because they pre-date the fall of the Berlin Wall and so represent the Golden Age of shortwave listening. However, this edition captures the shortwave 'scene' before international broadcasters started closing down, so it's a reallly interesting insight to back the day. I hope you enjoy this review. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

Rádio Clube do Pará 4885 kHz, Belém, Northern Brazil, copied with ELAD F...

Hi there, here is the signal from Rádio Clube do Pará, to be compared with the signal copied on the Perseus. Not much in it, but as always, let me know your views.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 21/11/17 at
02:36 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Rádio Clube do Pará 4885 kHz, Belém, Northern Brazil, copied with PERSEU...

Hi there, here's a signal from Rádio Clube do Pará, Belém, Northern Brazil, copied with the Perseus and intended for comparison with my next video using the Elad FDM DUO. YouTube have suspended their very useful video editing feature (grrrr) which means that I am presenting two separate videos. However, you get the idea lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 21/11/17 at
02:39 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Monday 4 December 2017

MW DX: CBNA CBC Radio 1, 600 kHz, Saint Anthony, Newfoundland & Labrador...

Hi there, I was very pleased to copy a strong signal from Saint Anthony with the Perseus, which continues to prove itself to be a great receiver.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 28/11/17 at
00:32 hours UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Caroline testing on 648 kHz copied with Elad FDM DUO, Icom IC-R75 ...

Hi there, he's the signal from Radio Caroline, Orford Ness on various receivers at my shack....the Elad and the Icom via the Wellbrook ALA530 magnetic loop situated in the garden shed and the Sony via it's internal ferrite antenna. Notice the difference in audio from the Icom as compared to the Elad, despite both receivers output routed via the Bose Soundlink Mini 2.


So, a decent signal to be had in Oxford and of course the return of Radio Caroline is most welcome (although only my Parents remember their original transmissions from the 1960s - before my time). Thanks for watching.

Wonderful views of Lisbon as our TAP flight from Belém comes in to land

Hi there, a very nice view of Lisbon from the air as we come in to land. Next stop London - and home. Thanks for watching.

The view from my 9th story hotel window in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil

Hi there, this video was shot during my last day in Brazil for this trip. There's nothing really like this place in the UK, so it felt right capturing this daytime scene before I flew back to Europe. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: WINS 1010 New York 1010 kHz copied with Perseus SDR

Hi there, it's hard to believe that this is a PF for me. CFRB Toronto usually dominates this frequency, so I'm really pleased to have copied WINS for once.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 28/11/17 at
00:25 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: WINS 1010 New York 1010 kHz copied with Perseus SDR

Hi there, it's hard to believe that this is a PF for me. CFRB Toronto usually dominates this frequency, so I'm really pleased to have copied WINS for once.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 28/11/17 at
00:25 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Sonder Grense 3320 kHz, Meyerton, South Africa, copied in Rio Capim

The ubiquitous presence of Radio Sonder Grense on the 90 metre broadcast band continued during my time in Rio Capim. Here they are with a nice signal from across the Atlantic and as always, a very welcome catch.

Recorded on 22/10./17 at
03:14 hrs UTC using an Eton Satellit and Bonito MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Thanks for watching.