Equipment Reviews, September 1999
The NASA HF-4 Communications Receiver
I don’t know the background to the name changes, but the NASA HF-4 is clearly a refined version of the Target HF-3 receiver that I reviewed in the April, 1997 Journal. The HF-4 is now distributed by Deltron Communications International.
For those who who have access to the HF-3 review, I’ll list the changes made in the HF-4. The major changes are: the inclusion of a 2.6 kHz filter in addition to the original 6 kHz filter, a lighted display panel, expansion of the available memory channels from one to ten, addition of a RS232 jack to permit reception of weather fax transmissions (PC software and cable included) and substitution of a SO-239 antenna connector for the RCA jack used on the HF-3. In addition, there is a back-panel slide switch to apply 12 volt DC power to the antenna connector to be used with the NASA AA-30 active antenna or any other active antenna that can be remotely powered.
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Shortwave Center, September 1999
DX Target: Jordan
A Brief History of Jordan Radio and Television Services
By Richard A. D’Angelo
Radio Jordan, broadcasting from Amman, is one of the Middle East’s more interesting broadcasters. It was first established over 40 years ago. Today, it continues to be well heard on the international shortwave bands with substantial amounts of Arabic and English language programming. Consequently, the station is often heard throughout the world year-round. Let’s take a look at the country and its broadcasting services.
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Listener’s Library, August 1999
Here we are in the heat of summer and I’ve shifted into lazy mode. Leave it Rich D’Angelo to come to my rescue with some important words about a new service from the DSWCI.
Domestic Broadcasting Survey
Edited by Anker Petersen
Published by the Danish Shortwave Club International
ISSN 0106-1968
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Pirate Radio Report, August 1999
Hello and welcome to the August edition of the edition of the PIRATE RADIO REPORT. I’ve just returned from a two week vacation at Walt Disney World in Florida. Too hot for me down there this time of year!
Things are a little slow this month, so I think I’ll review my tips on proper reporting to pirate stations.
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Pirate Radio Report, July 1999
Hello and welcome to the July edition of the PIRATE RADIO REPORT. In case you didn’t notice there was no report in The Journal last month. Sorry! A busy schedule and a family illness got in the way.
The 1999 Pirate Popularity Poll
The results are in and the winner this year is:
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Shortwave Center, July 1999
GTRK Murman QSL Verification
by James W. Young
Here is a short story of acquiring a QSL verification from GTRK Murman, with the help of many, many friends from far away places and circumstances. Some of you are not directly associated with listening to shortwave radio, let along asking for verifications. In any case, THANKS to all!
With the up and down policy of QSLing transmitter sites of the old Soviet Union, I found, like others, that patience was the only method of acquiring what one was seeking after. The following account is of the reward that comes from an attitude of ‘never-giving-up,’ and using every available method plausible.
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Equipment Reviews, June 1999
The Sony ICF-SW07 Portable Receiver
Sony Electronics has been the market leader in the microminaturization of shortwave portables with “serious” perfomance. The trend started with the SW1 in 1989 and the concept was refined and further reduced in size in 1995 with the introduction of the SW100. The SW07 is slightly larger than than the SW100, but has several enhanced features, primarily in the area of memory management.
The ICF-SW07 follows the receiving “system” principle established by its predecessors, i.e. the radio comes with an active loop antenna, antenna control module, AC power adapter and stereo earphones. The AC adapter sold in the U.S. can only be used on 120 volt AC mains. There is a leatherette carrying case for the radio and a drawstring cloth bag for the antenna. The radio requires two “AA” batteries for portable power and the antenna control module requires an additional two “AA” cells. Battery life with alkaline cells is specified at approximately 32 hours when the radio is used in FM mode and 23 hours in AM mode. List price for the system is $529 with a street price of around $420.
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Technical Topics, June 1999
Digital Shortwave Update
The quest for a digital shortwave broadcast standard grinds steadily forward. The Digital Radio Mundial (DRM) steering group met recently. The VOA was there and Dr. Kim Andrew Elliott presented a synopsis on Communications World on April 24, 1999. Here is what was said. (The following is an approximate transcript from the RealAudio archive file.)
Elliott: Don Messer is Chief of the VOA Office of Engineering, Spectrum Management Division. He was one of VOA’s delegates at a DRM steering group meeting, held in Las Vegas just before the annual convention of the National Association of Broadcasters. Don told me that some progress was made at that meeting towards the development of a digital shortwave standard.
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Easy Listening, May 1999
BBC: Another Opinion
Accepting my challenge to provide input the column, NASWAn John Lyon sent me the following note regarding his thoughts on the changes the BBC World Service has been implementing of late:
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Listener’s Library, May 1999
Most folks in NASWA know the name Jerry Berg. There are only a handful of folks who rightfully deserve the title of Grandmaster in the shortwave hobby and any such list would include Jerry with little argument from any corner. I was very excited when I heard that Jerry had a new book out. I was equally excited when I heard that John Herkimer wanted to share his thoughts about it.
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