The SWL DXing news report (episode 20): FM ends in Switzerland; Shipping Forecast; BBC in Syria

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 90

  • @michael.mcshan
    @michael.mcshan 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    Thank you, Andre. I really enjoy these reports.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      My pleasure Michael, glad you like them!

  • @lew9223
    @lew9223 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    Andre, thanks for including "100 years of The Shipping Forecast" in your excellent report, it really was an interesting listen on New Year's Day.
    All the best from Scotland, have a nice holiday 👍

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thank you so much Lew, and thank you for the tip! I bookmarked the Radio 4 website so that I can listen to more of the programmes, really very interesting.

    • @lew9223
      @lew9223 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Yes, Radio 4 is pretty good, I listen most days.
      It will be -20c in some locations in Scotland tonight, ok for SW tuning but Reunion sounds more appealing 😃

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@lew9223 Good luck with that cold weather 🥶 I think Reunion does sound quite appealing when compared to -20 degrees Celsius! 🌄

  • @Derrick6162
    @Derrick6162 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Hi, I am happy that I found your channel. Good information. Thanks 👍 😊 Eunice, New Mexico.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Awesome! Thank you for watching and welcome to my channel!

  • @AnthonyJones-vk6xq
    @AnthonyJones-vk6xq 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    Dankie André, really interesting as always, have you got your bags packed for your holiday !

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      My plesier Anthony! Glad you enjoyed it! I will pack on Saturday, flying out on Sunday. But I have begun putting out some stuff, like my passport and euro notes and coins (from previous trips) 🙂

  • @CarolineFord1
    @CarolineFord1 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +9

    Syrian frequencies - 720kHz and 639kHz. These will be from British East Mediterranean Relay Station in Cyprus.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Thanks Caroline. And thanks for your reception report!

    • @CarolineFord1
      @CarolineFord1 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@swlistening It sounded like you've identified some I couldn't identify

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@CarolineFord1 Indeed, I used the World Radio and TV Handbook, it is an excellent resource. Sometimes it lists frequencies that no other site lists.

    • @AnthonyJones-vk6xq
      @AnthonyJones-vk6xq 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      True Caroline, they are near Akrotiri where i lived a number of years ago in the SBA (sovereign base area) there are two areas in the SBA both hosting British military bases ! Ironically the lincolnshire poacher numbers station was also located here amongst other installations.

  • @anthonyfranz8317
    @anthonyfranz8317 11 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Another excellent broadcast full of great information. Is the BBC going to keep the shipping forecast? I use to listen that last year on 198kHz.

    • @anthonyfranz8317
      @anthonyfranz8317 11 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Using a kiwisdr of course. I would not be able to hear it on my radio here in Florida.

    • @lew9223
      @lew9223 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Yes, The Shipping Forecast is definitely staying, Radio 4 LW 198 is scheduled to close some time in 2025 though sadly.

    • @anthonyfranz8317
      @anthonyfranz8317 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@lew9223 thank you.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks Lew!

  • @duanetrivett750
    @duanetrivett750 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Great Video Andre I really enjoyed it . I hope the new year is starting off good for you my Friend. Here in Tennessee is is very cold with snow on the way for the weekend.
    3-5 in. Good weekend to do some DXing .
    Best of luck from Tennessee.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thank you so much Duane! The year has been good so far, I hope for you as well!
      Here the weather is very pleasant, we had a heatwave just before Christmas, over 35 degrees Celsius (95 F) for several days. But then the summer rains arrived, and now we are back to our normal weather, lots of rain and temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius (77 F). Good luck with the snow!

    • @duanetrivett750
      @duanetrivett750 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @swlistening
      Thanks for the Reply Andre .

  • @Albert-zl3zd
    @Albert-zl3zd 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    Gelukkig nieuwjaar en goede DX📻

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Baie dankie Albert, en dieselfde vir jou en jou familie!

  • @Kw1161
    @Kw1161 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Happy 2025 Andre again and I am looking forward to another year of your insightful SW Reports. Hopefully you will not have to report of more stations shutting down in 2025!
    Happy New Year everyone! 73!

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks Ken, these will go out regularly again now :-) Like you, I hope that I will report on new stations, and not stations shutting down!

  • @thormusique
    @thormusique 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Wonderful programme, thank you! What portable and base-station receivers would you recommend? I have ans SDR, but I would like to have a couple of standalone receivers as well. Cheers!

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  14 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Thank you so much for your comment! For portable radios I would recommend the Tecsun PL-680, it is a good all-rounder. Also the XHDATA D-808. Both are great if you enjoy FM, MW and SW, and also use SSB mode. If you do not listen to signals in SSB mode I would most definitely recommend the Qodosen DX-286, it is a fantastic radio, in all bands. Terrific for MW, SW and FM DXing. Which SDR do you use?
      If you say base station, do you mean transceivers, or do you mean desktop radios? I don't use any transceivers, so unfortunately I won't be able to help there.
      For desktop communication receivers I would recommend looking for good-quality used receivers, such as the Kenwood R-1000, R-2000 or R-5000, or similar radios from JRC, Yaesu, Philips. Modern desktop radios are very expensive and I don't have any experience with any of those. I have been lucky to find good-quality used receivers for sale here in South Africa. I use a Kenwood R-1000 (also know as the Trio R-1000) and it works like a dream, a very good receiver that was made in Japan in the early 1980s. I suggest looking at sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace for receivers like these, to be patient, and to test the radios properly before you buy anything. But, that being said, a good-quality portable radio, like the Tecsun or Qodosen that I suggested, would serve you very well.

    • @thormusique
      @thormusique 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@swlistening Thank you, this is all very helpful! And yes, I did mean desktop receivers, sorry. Some years back I owned a Drake SW8, which was a great receiver; I wish I'd have kept it. I do prefer receivers with SSB, as in certain noisy conditions I've found it can help to tune in even an AM broadcast using SSB. My SDR is the SDR Play RSPdx, which I found outstanding. But I'll always prefer more 'analogue' radios for everyday listening and a tad more self-sufficiency. Excellent advice, cheers!

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@thormusique My pleasure, glad I could help. I like the Tecsun PL-680 specifically because it is full analogue, it is a very nice portable radio.

  • @ArnieDXer
    @ArnieDXer 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    LMAO, I thought I saw a question about Radio Rebelde on 5025 kHz under this video, but I no longer see it??? Anyway, I just wanted to update my log; I mentioned a carrier with below-threshold audio around 22:10 UTC, which did improve as expected, eventually to weak Spanish OM in a sports report, 22:58 UTC in some loooooooong shouting (not sure if GOOOOOOOOL 😅), and ABRUPTLY CUT OFF a few seconds to 23:03 UTC 😭 Ugh...

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      This station you received almost sounds like REE, but it's not the correct frequency for them... Or is Ifrikya doing soccer reporting in Spanish?

    • @ArnieDXer
      @ArnieDXer 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@swlistening lmao, I keep meaning Radio Rebelde in that post 😂

  • @arcticradio
    @arcticradio 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    The MW contest would be a walk in the park from here…..I get all of Europe and Middle East and that’s just the start 😅

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      You should enter!

  • @StratmanII
    @StratmanII 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Beginning with the 20th episode of Andre's DXing news report, I'm going to miss the familiar "Radio Rock" jingle. At first I thought this was an entirely new material as the intro music had also changed!
    It's unfortunate that Frank's DX contest isn't sponsored this year, despite his blog page having a prominent advertisement of XHDATA radios. The least XHDATA could do is give away some of their excess stock of D-220s or D-219s from last year. 📻🤔 That reminds me, I've just gotten Clooblutted today, Andre. Hope this receiver is every bit as good for taking out my cat for a walk! 🐈☺

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I hope you and the cat will enjoy the Clooblut!
      It would have been nice if Frank could have received some sponsorship for his contest. Maybe if there is a lot of interest in this one, he might get sponsorship for future contests.
      I thought I would try a new jingle this year, for a change. Something a bit lighter, but still radio related, the new tune is called "River Radio 92.3 WBPM", I like the name! This jingle will remain for all of 2025 now, so you will soon become familiar with it also :-)

    • @StratmanII
      @StratmanII 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@swlistening The Clooblut store Lijianied me instead! 😠 In hindsight, I wish I had left a note with the seller to make sure that they sent me a Clooblut as that's the name on the RD-218 that they advertised.
      No doubt they're the same thing, but I've always felt safer buying the exact brand and color as this channel's guru, TMFSA! 🙂
      I hope all is well in La Reunion by the time you read this. I'm not sure how's the wireless broadband service on the island is and hope you'll have a safe trip up in the mountains! 🌍🙏

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@StratmanII I am sure the Lijiani will perform the same 🙂
      I'm just getting ready now to go to the airport, I will arrive at 05:35 Reunion time, that is 02:35 UTC, Monday morning. Thank you for the travel wishes!

    • @StratmanII
      @StratmanII 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

      @@swlistening Hi Andre, I discovered that not only the RD-218 is also available in the FM/AM/WB (no SW) version but it's also sold by another brand named "Geshon" or something like that.
      The RD-218 is a nice, inexpensive radio and having a digital display helps me tune to Business FM (89.9 MHz) easily which is a tricky-to-tune local FM station at my QTH.
      I'd still buy this even if the manufacturer changed the Lijiani name to KOJI!
      🐶🐕📻❤

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@StratmanII Good to hear that you are enjoying it! I agree, it is a nice radio, and not expensive. Even with the tiny antenna it does quite well on shortwave at home in Johannesburg.

  • @iggyzorro2406
    @iggyzorro2406 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    years ago, I used to DX on SW when I lived in the New York area which was aimed at a lot at night from all over the world. having come across this channel, I tried to listen recently n in central florida, USA but didn't find much - I even looked up shortwave websites but did not have much success. can anyone suggest some good times and frequencies to listen in my area to return to regular DXing, please. I have a Grundig Satelit 500 and Yachtboy 400

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      There are many US viewers on my channel and they seem to pick up a lot of SW stations. Usually sunset and sunrise are good times to listen, or late at night when it is dark. Maybe you can try to catch some of the WRMI stations, although you might be a bit too close to the transmitters. They have many programmes every day. There is a schedule on their website, here: www.wrmi.net/index.php/programming/
      At night you should also be able to hear European stations, and certainly some South American stations. Try Radio Nacional da Amazonia from Brazil on 11780 kHz, after dark, perhaps also Radio Voz Missionaria on 9665 kHz. These two stations are on air 24 hours a day. Also try for Radio Exterior de Espana on 17715 kHz (targeting South America) and 9690 (targeting North America) at night your time.

    • @iggyzorro2406
      @iggyzorro2406 16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@swlistening that's great. thank you

  • @lew9223
    @lew9223 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    I am picking up 2 Chinese radio stations on MW here in Scotland today, never had this before. 😲
    Using a Tecsun an-200 loop antenna.
    One is in English, sounds like the CGTN round table discussion programme.
    The other station is in Chinese language.
    Both around 800-820mw.
    I thought the slider switch on my radio had slipped into SW but it's definitely on MW as the usual UK MW stations are heard too.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Hi Lew, this is great, it sounds to me as if you caught some very distant MW stations from China in Scotland! Congratulations! This is entirely possible. I know a MW DXer in Finland who regularly picks up China and India. Which radio did you use?

    • @lew9223
      @lew9223 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I am using my 1980's Panasonic RF-1680L, Andre.
      I just decided to have a random scan this afternoon on MW using the Tecsun loop & have picked up stations in China, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine & North Africa.
      Amazing
      I only realised one station was in Turkey due to checking the football scores as the station was commentating on the Besiktas match lol 😃

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  13 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@lew9223 Hi Lew, it looks like you had an amazing MW day yesterday! Using a really nice radio 🙂 The Tecsun AN-200 loop really makes a difference, I love mine.

    • @lew9223
      @lew9223 13 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks Andre, yes very good MX dx'ing, the most stations I've picked up in a very long time, I guess conditions must have been just right, along with the Tecsun loop.
      Another older radio I have been using is a Philips AE-3205 from about 1990, really good sensitivity & sound.
      Enjoy La Reunion sir 👍

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@lew9223 A perfect combination of good condtions, a good radio, and a good antenna! I am loving every minute here in La Réunion, beauiful place and great DXing so far.

  • @normanhill535
    @normanhill535 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Iran used 15084 khz for many years, which is part of the military aviation allocation.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks for this information Norman!

  • @ArnieDXer
    @ArnieDXer 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Am getting a carrier on 13855 kHz at the moment (2208 UTC), but just that :(

  • @adrianmicallef4221
    @adrianmicallef4221 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Happy new year to you all ,what about radio rebelde ??

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Thanks Adrian, happy new year to you too! I think Radio Rebelde has been off the air for a while now? Maybe because of the electricity crisis in Cuba? I'm just guessing though, it is not a station that I know well.

    • @adrianmicallef4221
      @adrianmicallef4221 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @swlistening I knew it was off air ,I taught something would come up and would be on air ,I m doing a radio contest ,it finishes tonight

    • @Mike-ot3yg
      @Mike-ot3yg 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      It’s 19:00 UTC here in Florida and R. Rebelde is on the air at 5025 kHz, SINPO of 54354.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@Mike-ot3yg Thanks Mike, so it is still broadcasting! Unfortunately I never hear this station here in Johannesburg.

    • @ArnieDXer
      @ArnieDXer 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@swlistening can get a carrier and perhaps some extremely weak, unreadable traces of audio here in NE Poland as well... but only if I enable a noise blanker in my SDR LOL. Should improve later.

  •  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +4

    I am not from Switzerland but from the neighbouring Austria. I used to be a big scepticist of DAB but once I started to grasp the technology behind I am impressed. Bad sound is not a fault of the technology but low encoding. And the transmission power requirement is fractions compared to FM

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      Hi Johann, in my own experience with DAB+ it has worked well also. I can hear DAB+ signals here in Johannesburg, they are clear and strong. But I have read complaints from others that DAB+ does not work so well when you are driving in your car, it cuts out more easily than FM. And, of course, the biggest issue is still the cost of the receiver. DAB+ receivers are quite a bit more costly than FM receivers. I don't have anything against DAB+ though, I like the fact that it is so clear (when you have a good signal), and that you can have access to many more stations than on FM.

    •  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@swlistening I still don't know how to compare FM and DAB reception in a meaningful way. Sure, FM degrades gracefully while DAB suddenly cuts out. In Austria DAB is broadcast really at a fraction of transmission power compared to FM. So how bad would FM be received if broadcast at the same EIRP - if that would actually make a fair comparison.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา

      True, it is hard to compare, because these two modes are so different. I think for most people it is just about being able to hear their radio stations clearly, without interference and without cutting out.

    • @ArnieDXer
      @ArnieDXer 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      @@swlistening yet not everyone loves DAB+ audio at 72 kbit/s or so, even with clever tricks of HE-AACv2 encoding 😜
      But original DAB is worse. In UK, most stations actually broadcast in mono! And with reduced audio response. I've read that Absolute Radio is only 80k mono in old MP2 codec, with audio bandwidth cropping at 12.5 kHz. Analogue FM stops at 15-16 kHz, depending on audio processing settings (though standard is 15k). But Absolute was not on FM, except in London and West Midlands... they were an AM station, and they closed all AM transmitters in January 2023. Their audio bandwidth on AM was around 6.5 kHz. So, apparently, that was an easy equation nevertheless...

    •  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@ArnieDXer > yet not everyone loves DAB+ audio at 72 kbit/s or so, even with clever tricks of HE-AACv2 encoding
      Absolutely, and I do notice the difference in my car head unit when switching between FM and DAB+. However you get "used" to the different sound, whether that's for good or bad.

  • @dominicmcmanus6810
    @dominicmcmanus6810 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Very good report, but your audio was distorted.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks Dominic. I am concerned about the audio, it sounds 100% fine here on my side, but if it is distorted on your side, something might be wrong. Was it distorted throughout?

    • @StratmanII
      @StratmanII 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      ​@@swlisteningYour audio came out five by five, good buddy! No distortion whatsoever. ☺️👍🏼

    • @lew9223
      @lew9223 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

      No distortion here either, nice clear sound.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      @@StratmanII Thanks for this 🙂

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@lew9223 Thanks Lew.

  • @AnyoneSeenMikeHunt
    @AnyoneSeenMikeHunt 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    😀

  • @gorankoilic6571
    @gorankoilic6571 16 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I listen to DAB+ sometimes and reception is good.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Indeed, it is the same for me, very clear reception on DAB+ here in Johannesburg.

  • @AndrewwDXing
    @AndrewwDXing 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    A very good & informative report. 👍
    Also, have you tried to get the African languages services from Radio Vaticana? I've officially caught Swahilli-language once.
    th-cam.com/video/Jf4glczZa1c/w-d-xo.htmlsi=bZkwolJTSNZx1_d1

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  14 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Thanks Andrew! I have heard Vatican Radio in Swahili before, I am more or less in the target area so it is an easy catch for me.

  • @swissbianco
    @swissbianco 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    at least the private radio in switzerland is still on, the state propaganda was not worth anything anyways.

    • @swlistening
      @swlistening  15 วันที่ผ่านมา

      It is indeed good news that the private stations are still on air.