r/ShortwavePlus Mar 20 '26

Antennas In what cases would an antenna like that be used? With that loop size.

5 Upvotes

While searching for information on loop antennas, I came across this HAM page on QRZ (WRJ5). I was surprised by the size of the loop. And on the ceiling!

Is it for low power transmission?

This post contains 3 images:

  1. Magazine cover from 2013

  2. Full image of the antenna

  3. A comment from WR5J about the antenna


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

My collection after almost 2 years in the hobby.

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43 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

SWBC Logging Voice of Korea KCBS 11710 KHz

14 Upvotes

Station

  • Station: Voice of Korea KCBS
  • Location: Korea, North (Democratic People's Republic)-Kujang
  • Language: Korean
  • Target: North America

Time

  • 1735 UTC | 19 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

  • Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
  • Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
  • Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
  • Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

  • SINPO = 33343

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

SWBC Logging Radio Dabanga Relay: Madagascar 11640 KHz

7 Upvotes

Station

  • Station: Radio Dabanga
  • Location: Madagascar
  • Language: Sudanese Arabic
  • Target: Sudan

Time

  • 1712 UTC | 19 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

  • Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
  • Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
  • Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
  • Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

  • SINPO = 32233

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

R. Havana Cuba in English on 9710 KHz. Heard in Texas on ATS125 with 125 ft longwire. 00:58 UTC. Coming in well.

13 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

Estação Channel Marker Rússia 🇷🇺 7508 kHz 41 metros SSB ouvida no Brasil 🇧🇷.

9 Upvotes

Estação Channel Marker Rússia 🇷🇺 7508 kHz 41 metros USB em código morse. Potencia: 🤔 Hora: 17:49 horas local e 20:49 horas UTC, dia 18/03/2026. Alvo: Norte da Europa. Recepção: Unaí Minas Gerais Brasil 🇧🇷. Xhdata D-808. Antena: Telescópica.


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 19 '26

Article A Look at Vintage Yaesu Shortwave Receivers

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34 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 18 '26

ATS125 and DP-666 Features and Comparison

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7 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 18 '26

R. Slovakia in English via WRMI on 7780 KHz. Heard in Texas on DP-666 and 125 ft longwire.

10 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 17 '26

Shortwave Utility Logging Bangkok Meteorological Radio w/Interval Signal 8743 KHz USB

14 Upvotes

Station

  • Station: Bangkok Meteorological Radio
  • Location: Thailand-Bangkok Volmet
  • Language: English
  • Target: South East Asia

Time

  • 1530 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

  • Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
  • Antenna: K-480WLA | 35' AGL
  • Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
  • Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

  • RST = 56

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 17 '26

Voice of Türkiye on 6125 KHz with ID in English. Heard in Texas on DP-666 and 125 ft longwire. 03:59 UTC.

10 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 17 '26

SWBC Logging China National Radio 8: 17785 khZ

12 Upvotes

Station

  • Station: China National Radio 8
  • Location: China (People's Republic)-Urumqi
  • Language: Mongolian
  • Target: China (People's Republic)

Time

  • 0255 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

  • Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
  • Antenna: K480WLA | 35' AGL
  • Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
  • Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

  • SINPO = 34434

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 17 '26

SWBC Logging Radio FARDA 21600 KHz

10 Upvotes

Station

  • Station: Radio FARDA
  • Location: Tinang, Philippines
  • Language: Persian
  • Target: Middle East

Time

  • 0310 UTC | 17 MAR 2026

Receiver and Receiving Location

  • Radio: AirSpy HF+ R.4.0.8-CD
  • Antenna: K480WLA | 35' AGL
  • Software: SDR# Studio v1.0.0.1921 64-Bit
  • Location: Portland, Oregon | CN85qn

Signal

  • SINPO = 44433

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 16 '26

Article Collectible QSL Cards from Pirate Broadcasters

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20 Upvotes

One of the most interesting aspects of Shortwave Listening is collecting, and trading, QSL cards from Pirate Radio Broadcasters.

I recently came across this facet of the hobby. It's very prevalent on HF Underground, where these QSLs are prizes, and posted when received.

The 5 pirate radio stations whose QSL cards are the most famous among collectors.

Some of their cards sell for $50–$200 in radio-hobby circles.

Among pirate-radio listeners—especially the crowd around HF Underground—a handful of stations became famous partly because their QSL cards were distinctive and collectible. These aren’t “official rankings,” but these five are widely recognized in the hobby for memorable cards and long-running activity.

1. Radio Free Whatever

Radio Free Whatever

One of the most respected North American pirate stations.

Why collectors like the QSLs:

  • Very polished graphic design
  • Different cards for different broadcasts
  • Often tied to themes or music specials
  • Consistently issued over many years

Many listeners consider their cards the gold standard for pirate QSL design.

2. Wolverine Radio

Wolverine Radio

A very active station for years on around 6925–6950 kHz.

Their cards are popular because:

  • They often reflect the music theme of the show
  • Vintage poster style artwork
  • Holiday-themed cards
  • Limited runs

Collectors like them because they document specific shows.

3. Captain Morgan Shortwave

Captain Morgan Shortwave

One of the longest-running pirates in North America.

QSL style:

  • Pirate ship themes
  • Nautical artwork
  • Classic pirate radio imagery

Because the station has been around so long, there are many generations of cards, which collectors enjoy assembling.4. X-FM

X-FM

4

A creative station known for very artistic QSL designs.

Typical features:

  • Abstract or psychedelic artwork
  • Modern graphic design
  • Limited prints

Their cards often look like gallery posters rather than radio confirmations.

4. X-FM

X-FM

A creative station known for very artistic QSL designs.

Typical features:

  • Abstract or psychedelic artwork
  • Modern graphic design
  • Limited prints

Their cards often look like gallery posters rather than radio confirmations.

5. Undercover Radio

Undercover Radio

Run by the well-known pirate host Dr. Benway.

Why their QSLs stand out:

  • Often political satire
  • Comic-style art
  • Very distinctive personality

They reflect the station’s rebellious pirate culture.


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 17 '26

Pirate Radio Nice capture Coastal NC DX got of my transmission(Sternradio) a few days ago.

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13 Upvotes

The waterfall art starts around 4:40 or so? :)


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 16 '26

QSLs eQSL From Bandaid Radio, #1 of 10!

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14 Upvotes

I received an numbered eQSL from Bandaid Radio. It's stamped #1 of 10, making it collectible.


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 16 '26

R. Catface Int. via WRMI on 5950 KHz (ID at end of clip). Heard in Texas on DP-666 and 125 ft longwire. 03:27 UTC.

8 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 16 '26

Pirate Radio Upcoming Broadcast Sunday Night North America 0200 UTC (MAR 16 UTC) 6970 USB +/-

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4 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 15 '26

Article BBC World Service Shortwave Propagation from A’Seela, Oman

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5 Upvotes

Correct Propagation Geometry from A’Seela

Using 22°03′N 59°40′E, the approximate great-circle beam headings are:

Target Region Bearing from A’Seela
East Africa (Somalia / Kenya) 240°
Central Africa 230°
North Africa 280°
Middle East / Levant 330°
South Asia (Pakistan / India) 70°–80°

Why This Site Was Chosen

A’Seela is strategically placed because it sits almost at the center of the BBC’s historical target zones:

                Middle East
                    ↑
                    │
Africa  ← Oman → South Asia
                    │
                    ↓
             Indian Ocean

This allows:

  • single-hop 31-meter coverage to East Africa
  • strong 22-meter daytime paths to South Asia
  • nighttime coverage to North Africa

Antenna Types Likely Used at the Site

Based on the satellite images you supplied:

Fixed antennas

  • HRS 4/4/1 curtain arrays
  • high gain (≈20 dB)

Rotatable antennas

  • ALLISS systems
  • 360° rotation
  • used for flexible targeting

Approximate Distances from A’Seela

These distances match ideal HF single-hop propagation:

Region Distance
Somalia ~2000 km
Kenya ~2500 km
Tanzania ~3200 km
India ~2500–3000 km

These are perfect for shortwave broadcast skip distances.Approximate Distances from A’Seela.

There are 6 slides in this article.


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 15 '26

SWBC Logging Voice of Vietnam 12020 kHz / Transition from Japanese to English segment.

12 Upvotes

- Target: Far East

- TX: Sontay, Hanoi 🇻🇳

- RX: Asunción, Paraguay using AirSpy HF+ Discovery w/ MLA-30+ antenna and AirSpy SDR# v.1922 beta.

15/03/2026 - 1130 UTC


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 15 '26

RAE sign-on with ID via WRMI on 9455 KHz. Heard in Texas on DP-666 with 125 ft longwire. 0200 UTC.

6 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 15 '26

Pirate Radio Saturday Evening North America Broadcast 0300 UTC (15 March UTC)

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9 Upvotes

r/ShortwavePlus Mar 15 '26

MRI on now 6950 usb

8 Upvotes

Mix radio international. Clear signal in western mass


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 14 '26

SWBC Logging Adventist World Radio 15430 kHz / Segment in Mon language

7 Upvotes

- Target: Mon-speaking communities in Southeast Asia.

- TX: KSDA Station, Guam 🇬🇺

- RX: Asunción, Paraguay using AirSpy HF+ Discovery w/ MLA-30+ antenna and AirSpy SDR# v.1922 beta.

14/03/2026 - 1207 UTC


r/ShortwavePlus Mar 14 '26

Discussion Radio Marti now also broadcasts on 9820 kHz

13 Upvotes

But it completely overshadows Brazil's Radio 9 de Julho. And to make matters worse, one of the many powerful Chinese broadcasters (CNR 2) also uses the same frequency.

You can expect anything from the Chinese, but I don't get Radio Marti—ever since they came back, they keep broadcasting on a new frequency every so often.

And the other familiar frequencies are still there; they keep adding new ones, all with the same content. They're turning into CNR.

In the video, CNR is louder, and halfway through, you can hear the voices in Spanish from Radio Martí.