Monday 30 April 2018

MW DX: WBBM Newsradio 780, Chicago Illinois, copied in Florida with SDRP...

Hi there, I was really pleased to copy this signal from Chicago at my temporary QTh in Treasure Island, Florida. This station uses TX powers of 35/42 kW, so a bit of a flame thrower, but nevertheless, great to copy them down here.

Recorded on 26/04/18 at
02:28 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in Florida: NHK World Radio Japan 6105 kHz, Issoudun, copied with ...

Hi there, it was nice to catch 500 kW signal from Issoudun, France, booming in across the Atlantic to my temporary QTH in Treasure Island, Florida.

Recorded in Treasure Island on 26/04/18 at
03:00 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

DXing in Florida: CHU Canada time signal 14670 kHz USB, Ottawa, copied w...

Hi there, this is only the second time I've copied CHU Canada on this frequency. The first was back in the UK in June 2016 with the Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530.

Recorded in Treasure Island on 25/04/18 using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

Saturday 28 April 2018

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran 9550 kHz, copied in Treasure Island, F...

Hi there, here's Iran's Spanish service copied from my balcony in Treasure Island. One of only a few signals that could be heard on the 31m broadcast band that evening. Notice the very low noise-floor - around -130dBm, better than at home.

Recorded on 26/04/18 at
03:11 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: KKLF 'Banda 13 Radio' 1700 kHz, Richardson, Texas copied in Treas...

Hi there, this is only the second time I've copied Banda 13 Radio, the first being recently at home in Oxford. Obviously an easier catch in Florida, although there are other obstacles such as being located in a very large building and not having access to a large antenna. Saying that, the super-compact MegActive MA305 is doing a super job in conjunction with the GI300.


Recorded on 26/04/18 at
03:39 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: WFME Family Radio 1560 kHz New York, super signal and ID copied i...

Hi there, at home in the shack this portion of the MW band has been under a terrible blanket of 'electrosmog' for many months. However, with the inclusion of the Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator into my set-up, the noise-floor is significantly improved. Here is a really nice signal from New York almost booming into my QRH/


Recorded in Oxford UK on 08/03/18 at
02:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for

My DXing set-up in Florida: SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolato...

Hi there, here's the low-down on the compact DXing set-up I've brought to Florida. Once again I managed to pack everything such that there were no issues with airport security. This is something which I know worries other DXers when taking equipment abroad that might appear not completely obvious as to it's purpose/

Friday 27 April 2018

WWV time signal 10 MHz, Fort Collins, Colorado, copied in Treasure Islan...

Hi there, here's a pretty clear signal from Fort Collins, down here in Florida on 10 MHz. I had to check I'd copied this signal previously, which I have. The last time was a little further South in Rio Capim. Check out all the noise on the waterfall trace, even on the balcony of my apartment, although this is much improved to indoors. Note the Bonito GI300 improves the overall SNR by around 10 dB. Superb little device for use at home and when travelling.

Recorded on 26/04/18 using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. Thanks for watching.

MWDX: WEGP Presque Isle 1390 kHz, Maine, clear signal copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, during the winter months, the signal from WEGP Presque Isle on 1390 kHz is often one of the easiest to copy. Several weeks ago I recorded a huge signal and around the same time this signal with clear IDs. As we move into spring they can still be heard very nicely.

Recorded on 09/03/18 at
05:58 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

The view from my latest DXpedition base, in Treasure Island, Florida...

Ahem, I mean the view from the apartment we are staying in for the duration of our holiday in Florida! Either way, I'm tooled up for DXingwith the SDRPlay RSP1A and Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna. A video on my set-up to come. In the meantime, thanks for watching.

Thursday 26 April 2018

Medium wave DX: WRED 'The Big Jab' 1440 kHz, Maine, excellent reception ...

Hi there, here's a strong signal from Maine that improves as the video progresses. There's also a very clear ID towards the end.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/03/18 at
05:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Tuning around MW in Florida: Sports Radio 620 WDAE 620 kHz, St. Petersburg

Hi there, another signal copied reasonably well, despite some local QRM before I moved my set-up outdoors.

Recorded on 24/04/18 at around
07:20 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna indoors. Thanks for watching.

Tuning around MW in Florida: WWBA AM 820 News, Largo

Hi there, another of the stronger signals copied indoors here in Treasure Island, near St Petersburg. I now have my set-up outdoors - well on the balcony and the noise levels are generally lower, so hopefully I will copy some signals farther afield.

Recorded on 24/04/18 at around
07:20 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna indoors. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 24 April 2018

Tuning around MW in Florida: WXYB 1520 Radio, 1520 kHz, Indian Rocks Beach

Hi there, this Greek-speaking station is booming into the St Petersburg area - probably the strongest signal I'm copying right now. For a change I'm using the RSP1A with SDR Console and together they perform very well.

Recorded on 24/04/18 at around
07:00 hrs UTC using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna indoors.

Radio Logos 4810 kHz Peru more copy of this exotic station from the shack

More audio from this exotic, low-power station located in Peru.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/04/18 at
22:56 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Logos 4810 kHz Peru more copy of this exotic station from the shack

More audio from this exotic, low-power station located in Peru.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/04/18 at
22:56 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: ESPN Augusta 1630 AM, Georgia (presumed) copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, here's what I presume to be a signal from Augusta based on the frequency and sports format. If anyone with local knowledge etc. can confirm, that would be great.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/03/18 at
02:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching

A scan of the medium wave band from Treasure Island, St Petersburg, Florida

Hi there, my apartment is Florida is suffering from the usual horrendous QRM, however, with the laptop not charging and the addition of my Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator, I copied quite a few MW stations - including Cuban, with this indoor set-up. More to come as I optimise my DXing kit.

Recorded on 23/04/18 around
11:20 hrs UTC, using an SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 antenna (indoors). Thanks for watching.

Coming in to land at Tampa International Airport, Florida

Hi there, I arrived in Tampa yesterday, armed with my XHDATA D-808, SDRPlay RSP1A, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and MegActive MA305 E-field antenna. Holidays = DXpedition lol.

Monday 23 April 2018

Medium wave DX: WRCA 1330 kHz, Waltham Massachusetts, copied in Oxford w...

Hi there, WRCA on 1330 kHz is a relatively rare catch at my QTH. This is the second time I've copied them in March - it's pleasing to hear stations that can't be taken for granted because they aren't always on your spectrum.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 9/03/18 at 05:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching

CHU Canada 3330 kHz, Ottawa, amazing signal in Oxford UK with voice anno...

Hi there, CHU Canada is a signal that I hear regularly, those beeps make it down into the jungles of Brazil and beyond. However, this signal, copied in Oxford was probably the strongest I've ever heard from the shack. The voice announcements are very clear indeed, something that usually would require a DXpedition and a large antenna.

Recorded on 15/04/18 at 00:17 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Radio Logos 4810 kHz Peru rare copy of this exotic station in the shack

Hi there, I was extremely happy to copy Radio Logos again after almost two years. They TX at low power and are probably often mistaken for Air Bhopal. Here the their signal (although still weak of course) was strong enough for there to be no ambiguity. One sound you won't miss is the radar in the background lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/04/18 at 22:48 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Saturday 21 April 2018

Tecsun S-8800 vs XHDATA D-808 with/without LW induction loop: Médi 1 , 1...

Hi there, here's another test on LW between these two popular radios currently on the market. in this reception video, the S-8800 copies Médi 1 pretty well with the assistance of the loop, whilst the D-808 is still struggling, even though some audio can be heard. Without the loop neither radio can copy this signal indoors, Médi 1 really is that difficult to hear at home.

Recorded in Oxford, UK. Thanks for watching.

Friday 20 April 2018

VOA 1530 kHz São Tomé, Gulf of Guinea, then Pulse 2, West Yorkhire! 600,...

Hi there, here's a very strong signal from VOA via their flame-thrower relay on São Tomé as they close down, immediately followed by an announcement from Pulse 2. From the Gulf of Guinea to West Yorkshire lol. It's all about the TX power!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 09/03/18 at
02:58 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Comparing the Tecsun S-8800 and XHDATA D-808 LW performance: Polskie Rad...

Hi there, in this test, both receivers are able to copy the signal from Polskie Radio without the assitance of my LW loop. However, the copy from the Tecsun is vastly superior to the little XHDATA portable. If LW is you bag, then size really does matter. :-)

Recorded in Oxford Uk, thanks for watching.

Tescun S-8800 superior LW sensitivity to XHDATA D-808: Antena Satelor 15...

Hi there, once again, the physically larger S-8800 surpasses the LW sensitivity of the (otherwise brilliant) XHDATA D-880 portable. Here the Tecsun delivers audio from Brasov without the aid of my LW induction loop, whilst the D-808 does not.

Recorded in Oxford, UK. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 19 April 2018

NHK World Radio Japan 15745 kHz, copied with the XHDATA D-808 whip anten...

Hi there, here's a pretty decent signal from Madagascar, just on the D-808 whip antenna. It's proving to be super-sensitive on all bands, except LW.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 08/04/18 at
14:34 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

NHK World Radio Japan 15745 kHz, copied with the XHDATA D-808 whip anten...

Hi there, here's a pretty decent signal from Madagascar, just on the D-808 whip antenna. It's proving to be super-sensitive on all bands, except LW.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 08/04/18 at
14:34 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Voice of Korea (DPRK) 13760 kHz copied on the XHDATA D-808 whip antenna ...

Hi there, just to prove my previous copy wasn't a fluke lol, here's another signal from North Korea, on the 22 metre broadcast band. Quite amazing to hear these signals so well on a £60 radio, just with the whip antenna. You certainly don't need expensive equipment to get started in this hobby.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 08/04/18 at
14:38 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: WJR Newstalk 760, Detroit, Michigan, 760 kHz, clear ID copied in ...

Hi there, this is only the second time I've ever copiied WJR, so really nice to hear them again and with a clear ID (at 00:20 seconds into the recording). The last time was August 2016, so a long time coming lol.

Recorded on 11/03/18 at
22:37 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Tecsun S-8800 has much better LW performance than the XHDATA D-808: Ice...

Hi there, they say size matters and perhaps it does. The presumably larger internal ferrite antenna in the S-8800 making indoor reception of Iceland on 189 kHz possible, whilst nothing is heard on the diminutive (but still brilliant) D-808.

Recorded in Oxford, UK. Thanks for watching.

Reach Beyond Australia: 11750 kHz using the SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook...

Hi there, another clear signal from RBA from the office, using the SDRPlay/ Wellbrook set-up. Just goes to show anything is possible if you move the best kit from your shack to work lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/04/18 at
13:28 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530: Voice of Korea 15245 kHz, copied ve...

Hi there, here's a very clear signal from North Korea, from my office in Oxford, UK using the SDRPlay and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop. What a brilliant combination - and worth pointing out that the antenna costs nearly 5 times as much as the reciever!


Recorded in Oxford UK on 04/04/18 at
13:10 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 17 April 2018

S32 'The Squeaky Wheel' 3828 kHz USB, Rostov-na-Donu, Russia, rare copy ...

Hi there, I managed to copy this signal from home for the first time in November last year, making this a pretty rare catch. S32 is always much more of challenge to hear at all well in the UK than UVB-76 or S30.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at
01:37 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

First reception: E06 'English man' 5197 kHz USB copied indoors on the Te...

Hi there, this was an unexpected PF - the E06 numbers station, copied from my living room, with the Tecsun S-8800, just on the whip.



Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/04/18 at 22:37 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Monday 16 April 2018

VOA 15580 kHz Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, copied on the whip with the Sony ...

Hi there, here's a super signal from the Voica of America relay in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, just on the whip antenna. What a proper little radio lol. Amazing.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/04/18 at
15:00 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Excellent signal from Gander VOLMET 3485 kHz USB, copied in Oxford UK


Hi there, here's a very strong signal from Gander - the strongest I've copied from them in a very long time. New York on the same frequency couldn't be heard this time around.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at 01:25 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

First audio from Radio Mosoj Chaski 3310 kHz Bolivia, at home in the sha...

Hi there, I had been wondering what had happened to Radio Mosoj Chaski. For many months their carrier has been barely visible on 90 metress and thus I'd assumed they were TXing at lower power or had technical issues. I last copied them in October from Rio Capim, but prior to that it was last summer I'd heard them from the UK. Nice to finally copy them again, despite the weak audio.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at
01:18 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Sunday 15 April 2018

MW DX: KKLF 'Banda 13 Radio' 1700 kHz, Richardson, Texas, copied in Oxfo...

Hi there, this is a PF for me and my thanks to Matthias for spotting an ID that I couldn't hear lol. Their ID is "Banda 13" and can be heard at 0:08 seconds into the recording. Every now and then I record a MW spectrum that doesn't really deliver anything very exciting on the band, but the X-band is alive with signals. This is one of those recordings and a very welcome catch. I actually find analysing MW spectrum recordings quite boring and have to really push myself to do it! This type of catch makes the effort worthwhile!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 01/04/18 at
01:59 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching

Friday 13 April 2018

SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530: Reach Beyond Australia 15320 kHz, c...

Hi there, I was only saying to Tam the other day that I hadn't heard Reach Beyond Australia for quite a while and thus I'm pleased to finally copy them again from my noisy office. I guess this was achieved using above average office-based DXing equipment lol! Checking back, this is my first copy of RBA's signal since September last year.

Once again, in conjunction with what is obviously a very good antenna, the SDRPlay RSP1A proves to be a veritable box-of-tricks.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/04/18 at
13:16 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Reach Beyond Australia 15320 kHz copied in Oxford Uk on the whip with th...

Hi there, this reception was a bit of a surprise. Having copied RBA on the SDRPlay with the Wellbrook ALA1530 loop, I turned to my brilliant little Sony ICF-SW100 that lives on my desk. Tuning it into 15320 kHz, just on the (relatively short) whip antenna, there was a very nice signal. They don't make 'em like that any more.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 06/04/18 at
13:19 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 12 April 2018

Radio Cultura Ondas Manaus 4845 kHz, Brazil; very rare indoor reception...

Hi there, this is a very rare indoor catch at my QTH. To put it into perspective, I only copied this station indoors once in 2017, so I'm very pleased to have copied them again a few days ago.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at 01:07 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.


Radio Cultura Ondas Manaus 4845 kHz, Brazil; very rare indoor reception...

Hi there, this is a very rare indoor catch at my QTH. To put it into perspective, I only copied this station indoors once in 2017, so I'm very pleased to have copied them again a few days ago.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at 01:07 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 galvanic isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching.


AIR Bhopal 4810 kHz LSB first reception from the shack this year

Hi there, looking back, this is only the third time I've copied AIR Bhopal well enough indoors to record their reception. The first time was on my venerable Yaesu FR-8800....I don't use that receiver enough these days lol. Anyway, nice to hear them again in the comfort of the shack!

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at
00:52 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO, Bonito GI300 Galvanic Isolator and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop, outdoors.

DXing with the XHDATA D-808 on the whip: excellent signal from North Kor...

Hi there, here is an excellent signal from the Voice of Korea considering it' was copied just on the whip antenna. I always enjoy listening to the DPRK's English programming -, they remain the most fascinating station on SW. To copy them this well on a £60 radio with no external antenna was briliant.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 08/04/18 at
14:30 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

CKNB 950 kHz, Campbellton, New Brunswick (presumed) copied on XHDATA D-8...

Hi there, this is presumed, but I'm 99% certain of the ID. I hear CKNB all the time and they play music most of the time. In fact, I've never copied any other station on 950 kHz.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/03/18 at
01:12 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 11 April 2018

The Shipping Forecast and world news on the original Sony portable: the ...

Hi there, he's a trip down memory lane for me - to the first time I ever saw a Sony ICF-2001 in a shop window in Oxford. I was amazed at the design - it looked like it came from the future - I'd never seen anything like it. The first ever portable radio to offer direct frequency input. Fast forward 30-odd years and here it is on the coffee table in my living room. About 50 quid from eBay a few months ago now, but it feels good to own one of these. It's not perfect; the frequency display is slightly off, the volume slider was very noisy (now fixed), audio fidelity is pretty good, but it's super-sensitive to local QRM. Using this radio indoors is quite tricky, requiring perfect alignment against all local noise sources to mitigate their effect. I'm interested to see how it performs as a hard-core DX machine, out in the woods. I believe it will perform well but not as well as the legendary 2001D of course. Having said that, I want it to be really good!! They say never meet your idols and that is sometimes also true of buying radios you've always wanted to own. It avoids any let down after decades of wondering lol.

Thanks for watching.

Radio Verdad 4055 kHz LSB, Chiquimula, Guatemala, best indoor reception ...

Hi there, looking back at past reception videos, I came to the conclusion that this is my best indoor reception of Radio Verdad to-date. Always a difficult target, so it's very satisfying to finally copy their signal with some decent modulation.


Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at
01:42 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

LW DX: Rare copy at home of TR1 Watan Radio 279 kHz, Turkmenistan with ...

Hi there, here's a copy of rare and understandably rather weak modulation from TR1 Watan Radio from Turkenistan in my shack in Oxford. I've only heard them 3 or 4 times from home in the past 2 years or more, so it was nice to catch them again.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 31/03/18 at
00:01 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 10 April 2018

MW DX: WGIT Faro de Santidad 1660 kHz Canóvanas, Puerto Rico copied in ...

Hi there, always nice to catch WGIT from Puerto Rico with a clear ID...otherwise I'm usually struggling to figure out whether I'm listening to a pirate lol.

Recorded on 14/03/18 around
01:57 hrs UTC using a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Médi 1 Nador, Morocco 171 kHz on LW induction loop: Sony ICF-SW55 and Te...

Hi there, Médi 1 is a very tricky catch at my QTH on a portable - on any of my portables for that matter, so it was great to copy such a decent signal with the addition of the loop.

This was recorded in Oxford UK around
23:35 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

YVKS RCR 750 Radio Caracas 750 kHz, Venezuela copied in Oxford on XHDATA...

Hi there, well I'm not sure I thought this possible, certainly not likely. A discernable signal from South America on a £60 portable radio with a £20 induction loop. Hard core DX on a budget - just what I like and what's necessary to demonstrate to others that you don't have to spend a fortune on expensive gear. I got far more pleasure out of this catch than I did hearing the same station on over £1000 worth of Elad and Wellbrook lol.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/03/18 at
01:30 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Monday 9 April 2018

Polskie Radio 225 kHz on LW induction loop: Sony ICF-SW55 and Tecsun PL-...

Hi there, another comparison of these two rather different portables. The signal from Polskie Radio is always quite strong at my QTH and can be copied on the PL-310ET without the loop. However, with the loop, the reception is transformed. The Sony copies the signal really quite well without the loop and also benefits from the enhancement.

MW DX: WBBR Bloomberg Radio 1130 kHz New York, still coming into Oxford ...

Hi there, this is one of the strongest and most commonly heard US stations at my QTH. However, it's quite rare that their signal can be copied so well at such a (relatively) late hour in the morning. Just thought Id' share it with you all lol.

Recorded on 14/03/18 at
07:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop, outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Friday 6 April 2018

WBBR Bloomberg Radio New York 1130 kHz, copied indoors with XHDATA D-808...

Hi there, here's a decent signal from WBBR New York, copied indoors with my MW loop antenna and the brilliant XHDATA D-808 portable receiver. This whole set up cost about £80. Is transatlantic MW DXing possible on a budget? You bet..

Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/03/18 at
01:01 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Thursday 5 April 2018

SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530 DXing from the office: Voice of Kore...

Hi there, the Voice of Korea is one of my favourite stations on shortwave - I find their programming compelling and I know many of my friends on YouTube also enjoy the operatic style of music they play. To catch them at the end of the day in my noisy office with a rather decent signal overall was great and testament to both the brilliant SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook magnetic loop.


Recorded on 29/03/18 at
18:11 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Tecsun S-8800 ...round 2! Unboxing and commentary on past performance

Hi there, a friend and subscriber bought the German version of this receiver a while ago and recently asked me if I'd like to test it on his behalf. I was more than pleased to accept as my previous experience was limited to testing one for an article I wrote, which was published in Radio User Magazine. I didn't want to pre-empt the article by publishing reception videos and thus none were recorded or uploaded. So, here is round 2...the unboxing of a second S-8800 receiver and of course this time, there will be reception videos to come. I forgot to ask the kind chap who sent it to me whether he'd like to be identified, so I haven't mentioned his name/channel. However, I'm sure he will comment on this video if he does with to be known.

SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530 DXing from the office: KCBS Pyongyan...

Hi there, this is a rather weak, fading signal, but still a bit of a shock. I wasn't expecting to hear KCBS in my very noisy office, even with the temporary use of my Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop. The SDRPlay RSP1A also does a magnificent job.

Recorded on 29/03/18 at
18:18 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530 DXing from the office: Zanzibar BC 1...

Hi there, I happened to have my SDRPlay RSP1A and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop in the office last week - on route to a DXpedition after work, so at the end of the day, I connected everything up and here's a decent result - Zanzibar BC with decent modulation.

Recorded on 29/03/18 at
18:01 hrs UTC. Thanks for watching.

Wednesday 4 April 2018

Eiðar Iceland 207 kHz on LW induction loop: Sony ICF-SW55 and Tecsun PL-...

Hi there, here's another little test comparing these old and new receivers, using the signal from Iceland on 207 kHz. Once again, the PL-310ET's poor sensitivity on LW is overhauled by the loop and the signal from Iceland can be clearly heard. The Sony as expected is much more senstive and both pick up the usual cr@p levels of QRM very nicely, with and without the loop. Thanks for watching.

MW DX: WENE Fox Sports 1430 Endicott, NY, clear ID copied in Oxford UK

Hi there, it's been almost a year since I last copied this station and so, great to hear them again with a decent signal and very clear ID. Note the signal strength increases as the video progresses.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 14/03/18 at
04:59 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outdoors. Thanks for watching.

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Medium wave DX: XECO-AM Romántica 1380 kHz Mexico City, copied in Oxford...

Hi there, this is presumed, but this signal was copied on the same morning as my reception of XEAI-AM Radio Fórmula 3, also from Mexico and with the style of music - and the information I gathered on the artist from YouTube's copyright notice lol, I'm fairly sure the ID is correct.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 15/03/18 at
05:00 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna outside. Thanks for watching.

Medium wave DX: WRCA 1330 kHz, Waltham Massachusetts, copied in Oxford w...

Hi there, this is only the third time I've copied WRCA. The last time was October 2016 with a 200 metre Beverage antenna. Great to finally hear them again on a more modestly sized, but rather brilliant antenna.

Recorded in Oxford UK on 15/03/18 at
01:59 hrs UTC using an Elad FDM DUO and a Wellbrook ALA1530 magnetic loop antenna, outdoors. Thanks for watching

Using a Wayne Kerr Automatic LCR meter in the winding of a MW induction ...

Hi there, I run a company building superconducting magnets for MRI and other applications....and so as you might realise, we wind a lot of coils lol. I am therefore very fortunate to have access to a high-end LCR meter (I think it cost £6K or £7K originally. The beauty of having an LCR meter is it effectively removes the guesswork from winding an induction loop for LW or MW. You just need to know the target inductance in micro-Henries and you can test the coil as you wind. Also, once you've wound the supposed correct number of turns and tested the loop, you can use the meter to check for adjustments. The inductance increases and decreases with the turn-to-turn distance, thus small adjustments to the inductance can be monitored by moving turns closer together and vice-versa. It's just a shame I've got to give it back lol. Thanks for watching.

A review of the SDRPlay RSP1A in the April edition of Radio User Magazine

Hi there, my review of the SDRPlay RSP1A appears in the April edition of Radio User Magazine. For those of you that have or will read it, I hope you found it enjoyable and informative. I've been lucky enough to be allowed to hang on to the receiver for long term testing, so more videos to come very soon. Thanks for watching.