cobalt pet shortwave / mediumwave weblog

14 January 2006

shortwave radio commercials

I heard commercials on shortwave radio for the first time during my trip in December. This was new to me so I jotted down these receptions. Both receptions were from WHRI originating in South Carolina, USA.

21 Dec 2005 1523 UTC: 11785 khz (WHRI): Coin collecting price book, "Martial Law" documentary, Cancer screening (www.lasemedinc.com). This was during a show called The Power Hour.

22 Dec 2005 0317 UTC: 5860 khz (WHRI): "Warning warning warning!" Advertising a Grundig S350 radio for $107 shipped. "Buy a shortwave radio before it's too late!" (Too late?) Phone number in the 308 area code (located in Nebraska). This radio show signed off with, "If you don't have any bugs on your windshield, you're not going anywhere!"

12 January 2006

eton e1xm limited recall

Thanks to Radiointel.com for reporting on the Eton E1XM limited recall. This Universal Radio link provides information on which serial numbers are affected, what the problem is, and how to contact Eton for service/replacement and a free gift. Eton is being generous in light of the problem.

If any readers are affected by this, comments are welcome on your experience with the recall.

10 January 2006

qsl and more from cuba

I recently received a QSL card, a bookmark, and a new year's card from Radio Havana Cuba. Here are photos:

QSL card

Bookmark

Front of new year's card

Inside of new year's card

06 January 2006

ham conversations: dec 2005

A shortwave radio that can decode single sideband (SSB) can receive communication among ham radio enthusiasts. I scanned the 40 meter band and heard some conversations during my December 2005 trip to upstate New York.

21 Dec 2005 1830 UTC: 7245 khz ssb: A guy opined that DHL provided terrible service 20 years ago, but they are now as good, if not better, than the other shipping services (presumably UPS and FedEx). He's working on making a 10 meter antenna but ran out of time due to bad weather. He gave his callsign but I didn't hear it clearly.

21 Dec 2005 1833 UTC: 7255 khz ssb: This person wants warm weather, and plans to go to Ohio to visit grandkids. Various hams chime in on the political correctness of saying "Merry Christmas." They state that people complain about this phrase because they have too much free time. Callsigns were given but again I didn't hear them clearly enough to transcribe accurately. One ham is near Chestertown, NY -- about 100 miles from my listening location. Two guys whose names are Joe and Roy were talking about RF interference with a wife's computer. The computer was moved to the opposite end of a room (further away from the radio equipment) but this did not solve the issue. I started hearing tones transmitted on the channel. One of the hams noted the "knucklehead sharing his intelligence."

05 January 2006

best price for grundig g4000a

The Grundig G4000A (aka the "Yacht Boy" YB400PE) is currently available for $99.99 from Amazon:

02 January 2006

funny usenet post: sw7600gr

I've been using radiobanter.com for its interface to the rec.radio.shortwave usenet newsgroup. Someone started a thread to say that they bought a Sony ICF SW7600GR after owning a Degen DE1103. He wanted to know what to expect from the SW7600GR, and this witty reply was posted.

美国短波收听

你好无线电爱好者!我从旧金山,我听短波收音机.这个网站包括原木短波无线电审查,初学者小费、qsls我收到.我欢迎你写评论.

我的收音机:
Kaito 1102
Sony ICF SW7600GR
Eton E5
Tecsun BCL-2000

Mr. Weatherall