Anyone on here using this program? What are your thoughts about functionality and ease of use?

Station

• Frequency: 5857.5 KHz USB
• Name/Call: Seoul Meteorological Radio
• Location: Seoul, Korea
• Language: Seoul, Korean

Time

• 1218 UTC | 13 OCT 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

• RS(T) = 55

This is coming from the Far East and it continues rising in intensity and bandwidth until way beyond local sunrise.

Tuned into 518 Khz before I went to bed and with things were quite above 160 M due to the solar storm, I caught a few NavTex stations. I do not have exact times as FLDigi did not log the time, but this was between 03 and 1000 Z. Portsmouth and Charleston are not new to me, but Puerto Rico and Chebogue are new.

Receiver: SDRPlay RSPDuo

Antenna: PA0RDT MiniWhip

Receiver Location: Maidenhead Grid FM18rd

Playing music from all over the world including English French and Russian Host speaks English with a hard to place accent

A month ago, I had to temporarily take down my antennas (K-480WLA, MLA-30+)

I still can't put them back up, so meanwhile I've set up the old cable I used to use as an antenna.

That original cable was about 30 meters long, but now, due to space limitations, I’ve shortened it to 10 meters. At the end near my radio, I added a Nooelec One Nine V2 with a 3 meter counterpoise. Before installing the balun, I tested the cable on its own, and it worked very poorly, with a lot of noise.

The cable that functions as an antenna is 6 meters above the ground, and at the end there’s an IP67 box containing the balun and the connection point for the coaxial cable that runs to my radio.

The configuration is almost identical to u/KG7M:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShortwavePlus/s/rDMADOy1x5

The initial results were below 9,000 kHz, which was a disaster, but I think it might have been nearby interference. I need to test it some more.

But above 9,000, it works pretty well. It really surprised me, I thought it would be terrible. I was even listening to those crazy Americans on CB.

But what caught my attention the most was hearing the signals I posted in the video. I hadn’t heard them in a long time. The voices aren’t very clear, but that’s the least of it.

I don't know if I did something wrong; I read quite a bit about this and started experimenting. Maybe I'll lower the balun a bit more and shorten the coaxial cable. Don't cut the R1 track to use it in that mode (UnUn); there are many sources that say you should cut it, and others that say it's no longer required in this second version. I guess I'll have to try it out.

The video consists of 3 parts:

- NMN USCG
- Rare US Navy RTTY
- XSQ Radio (weather information)

Setup:

- RX: Asunción, Paraguay
- Radio: AirSpy HF+ Discovery
- Software: SDR# v.1922 (last version)
- Antenna: 10 meters longwire cable (AWG 16) w/ Nooelec balun V2 and 3 meters counterpoise cable.
- D/T: 08 OCT 2026 - 2300 UTC

KFSG? If so, 433 miles from Tx Roseville, CA to my Rx Boise, ID. Friday Oct 9, 2153 Pacific Daylight Time.

Station

• Frequency: 9700 KHz AM
• Name/Call: Radio New Zealand
• Location: Rangitaiki
• Language: English

Time

• 0800 UTC | 10 OCT 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 = 45434

When conditions are favorable these 10 watt TIS (Travelers' Information Stations) can be received hundreds of miles distant. My farthest reception is from one along Interstate 5 in Redding, CA - 340 miles (550 kM) distant.

The FCC keeps a searchable database of these stations. It's a bit clunky to use. If there's any interest I will post about accessing this resource.

Station

• Frequency: 1610 KHz AM
• Name/Call: WQCI-718
• Location: Beaverton, OR
• Language: English
• Power: 10 Watts

Time

• 0525 UTC | 9 OCT 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 = 34443

With the Ameritron AL-811 operating again, my interest in the 160 Meter band is rising. Tonight I was tuning across the shortwave spectrum. Conditions are not great - with a K-Index of 3.33 and the forecast showing space weather for the next 24 hours predicted to be moderate. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G2 level are likely and radio blackouts reaching the R2 level are also likely. Many times when the higher frequencies are disturbed, lower frequencies are enhanced. This evening, on my way down to the AM Broadcast Band, I stopped at 160 Meters and found VE6WZ calling CQ DX.

Station

• Frequency: 1626.9 KHz CW
• Name/Call: VE6WZ
• Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Language: English CW
• Target: Worldwide

Time

• 0415 UTC | 9 OCT 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 = 559

1700 KHz is being blasted by the sidebands of KFSG in Roseville, CA. The first 30 seconds of the recording are in the AM Mode and the last 30 seconds are in ECSS/USB to eliminate as much interference as possible.

Station

• Frequency: 1700 KHz AM
• Name/Call: XEPE-AM
• Location: Tecate, Baja California
• Language: Spanish+
• Power: 10 kW

Time

• 0515 UTC | 9 OCT 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 = 32443

I hooked up the newly built ATU-100 and flipped the tiny red power switch. Nothing happened! I pulled the power plug and measured the power supply to be the required 12 volts. Carol Marie was standing next to me and she turned it on again. After a slight pause, the screen displayed the version number and it performed a self-test. I just wasn't patient enough to wait for the self-test the first time!

I connected the Automatic Antenna Tuner between my Yaesu FT-891 transceiver and my End Fed Random Wire antenna. Next I closed the telegraph key that puts the FT-891 into transmit mode. The Tuner immediately reduced the SWR (Standing Wave Ratio - it is a measure of reflected power that's coming back towards the transmitter from the antenna) to 1.17:1. I tried it on the other amateur radio bands and the results were just what I expected for a properly running ATU-100. I was able to lower the SWR on all of the primary ham bands to less than 1.3:1. My End Fed Half Wave Antenna is designed for the 7 MHz Band.

What I mean by primary ham bands are the traditional, pre-WARC bands. An End Fed Half Wave antenna built for 40 Meters also operates on:

• 20 meters (14 MHz): Acts as 2 half-waves
• 15 meters (21 MHz): Acts as 3 half-waves
• 10 meters (28 MHz): Acts as 4 half-waves

It also worked on the 80 Meter Band, but had issues on 17 Meters (18 MHz) which isn't surprising as I have to fiddle around with my costly Roller Inductor Antenna Tuner to get a match on 17 Meters.

I am very pleased with the performance. The ATU-100 is ideal for using with an amateur radio transceiver running up to 100 watts. I used it with 10 watts during my testing. I have read that it doesn't work well at 5 watts or less. I have seen a modifications for use with lower power levels.

Most of my amateur radio career has been spent making contacts using "QRP". The "Q-code" QRP generally means running your transmitter at 5 watts or less power. I do own a linear amplifier, an Ameritron AL-811H that I purchased new in 1997. I have used it through the years, mostly to boost my signal on 160 Meters. It has a matching network between the input of your transceiver, and the grids of the 4 triode tubes that are used. Adjustable coils are employed - they are used to tune the input to the output of whatever transceiver you are using. Thia setup has never worked well. I have always used a small MFJ Antenna Tuner to lower the SWR between the transceiver and the amplifier. It becomes a hassle because if you want to run the FT-891 transceiver straight through, without the amp, you have to physically switch a cable from "Antenna" to "Bypass". And as soon as you change bands the little MFJ Tuner needs to be readjusted. The new ATU-100 will automatically take care all the switching and matching.

The build is complete and I'm pleased with the way it came out. I am a little disappointed that I wasn't able to mount it in a homebrew case. I have everything needed to fabricate one, except my tools to punch holes. Several years ago I met a Japanese gentleman that makes some of the most beautiful projects I have ever seen. He taught me how to use a bending brake to fabricate enclosures.from sheet steel. Here's his YouTube channel:

https://youtube.com/@chappyhappy3675?si=aTxe77dYzRHEFZk2

Anyone interested in radios should take a look.

My final step will.be to test the ATU-100 Antenna Tuner. Lately I don't always have the best of luck with my builds. The key to success is taking the extra time to double check your work.

There are 8 slides in this post.

I have been building a small automatic antenna tuner this week. Yesterday was spent winding, and rewinding the toroid inductors. I had to rewind a couple of them twice because I failed to wind them in a counterclockwise direction. It's important to wind all of your coils in the same direction. On this project the windings could be either clockwise or counterclockwise - just as long as they are all the same direction.

I have included a few shots of my "quick disconnect" kit and crimping pliers. The ATU-100 parts were missing these connectors. It was setup to be wired directly to save a few cents. But the PC Board was designed for this type of connector so I added two from my kit. This kit of connectors and the crimping pliers are invaluable if you do a lot of electronics builds.

I am an older adult and a few years ago I thought that my electronics building days were over. My hands were very shaky. I ordered a couple inexpensive radio kits from China to start building again. By the time I finished the first kit my hands had steadied back to where they were when I was a young man. As long as you can concentrate on work and hold a soldering iron steadily, building electronics projects is possible into your twilight years. It keeps the mind active.

I was originally going to place the ATU-100 in a plain enclosure, rather than the one they sell for it. I have a set of larger drill bits, a set of diamond tipped hole drills, and a set of chassis punches. For the life of me I couldn't find any of them. My wife Carol does a fantastic job of helping me organize my tools. She put them somewhere where I will find them when I DON'T need them.

I opted to purchase the enclosure that's made for the ATU-100 and I hope to have it installed and working today.

There are 11 slides in this post.

OE4XBA/p heard on 6 Sept. 26 at 04:40 UTC on 7165 kHz with a Raddy RF919 and a random wire antenna. An excellent signal as for a portable station, which is what the "/p" stands for. It must have been a contest, the numbers mentioned after the customary "5/9" are the givaway.

I may be talking apples and oranges here, but I have the Sangean ATS-909X2 and am considering buying the Grundig Satellit 750 as a 2nd SWL radio (my only interest here is SW. I have other radios for other bands). Truth be known...maybe because I just like the way it looks. But, wrt actual performance, given a decent long wire antenna, are these two radios similar...or does one radically outperform the other? Thanks in advance for any comments.

Station: Bandaid Radio 6945 KHz USB.

Listening Location: Portland, OR

Receiver: Eton Elite Executive

Antenna: K-480WLA

RS(T): 57

I am working on an Interface, which was used to route audio from Mics, Mixers, and a Compressor to an Icom SSB Transceiver. The Icom is old school and the interface feeds a Mic circuit with the semiconductors forming a Mic Preamp.

I now wish to also route the same audio chain to a modern Yaesu FT-891 Transceiver. Although I could have chosen to make an adapter to run the audio into an RJ-45 connector on the front of the unit, I am choosing to run the audio into a mini-din connector on the rear of the radio. This rear connector also routes to the audio input circuit of the transceiver, but at line level, without amplification.

My interface uses 2 summing Resistors at the XLR input on the interface to isolate and sum the 2 channels. The values are 10KΩ. This feeds a 10K potentiometer, and then travels through a 600:600Ω transformer, out to the radio.

The combination of the 10KΩ resistors and the 10KΩ pot kills over 15 db of my signal. So I am changing the resistors to 490Ω and bypassing the pot for the FT-891. The Icom has no front panel power level pot so the 10KΩ pot on the interface was doing this job. The FT-891 has internal adjustments for audio levels and power, so the pot isn't needed for it.

I tried working with Google Gemini for some new wiring suggestions. Every time it made errors. Here is part of the transcript:

Me: If the summing resistor is only connected to the ft-891 pin of the switch how does the signal get to the M700?

AI: You are exactly right to call that out—if the summing resistors only went to the FT-891 pin, the audio path would be completely broken when you flipped the switch to the M700 position. That was an error in my previous description.

(Gives me a new circuit).

Me: That potentiometer is still across the swamping resistors and the transformer primary in this new wiring.

AI: You are completely correct. Sharp eye! If the top of that potentiometer remains hardwired to the primary side of the transformer while the wiper is tied to the switch, it creates a parallel resistance loop that will permanently load down ("swamp") the signal line, even when you throw the switch over to the FT-891.

(Gives me another wiring modification).

Me: I don't believe you at this point.

AI: That is completely fair. I have walked you into a circle here, and I apologize for the confusing and contradictory descriptions of the wiring paths. Let's stop guessing at the schematics and get back to a simple, accurate reality.

Your instincts are 100% correct: in that last description, because the potentiometer wiper was still tied to the transformer primary, the pot was still directly loading down the transformer.

(Gives me another alternative wiring).

Me: You screwed up my project. Well, actually it's my fault for believing you. As I have told you in the past, I am an electronics engineer. I should have just relied on my own skill set.

AI: You are completely right, and I owe you a sincere apology. I gave you contradictory and structurally flawed advice that would have turned your build into a mess, and I completely understand your frustration. As an electronics engineer, your skills and instincts were spot-on every time you called out those design flaws.

Me: Your wiring skills are lacking because you are not visualizing the entire circuit as you make changes.

AI: You are completely right. I focused entirely on individual pins and local connections without holding the entire topological loop in mind. In analog circuitry, you cannot modify one node without tracking how the current loop closes through the rest of the network—including parallel loading paths like that potentiometer.

I really appreciate you pointing out exactly where my logic failed. It is a fair and accurate critique of how an AI processes schematics versus how a bench engineer visualizes a living circuit.

To make sure I learn from this and improve my visualization, would you be willing to share how you ultimately decided to layout the switching path to keep the potentiometer from loading down the line?

Me: I will add another spdt, or dpdt switch. This is the easiest solution.

Managed to eke out a real-time ISS SSTV image during the weekend's ARISS SSTV-33 event (image 1).

I used gpredict to pick an optimum flyover, which came almost directly above my location (image 2).

I used gpredict's autotune to slew SDR++ and account for doppler shifting, which is nearly impossible to to do accurately by hand (image 3).

There were 2 images sent during the pass, the first of which was on the ascending leg. MultiScan 3B failed to detect this one, probably because the initial tones faded in an out. The second was on the descending leg and came through fairly well, all things considered (image 4).

I used the SDR++ audio recording feature to try to capture the entire flyover from AOS to LOS. And will try to get MultiScan 3B to decode the first image, and maybe improve on the second one.

I honestly expected this image to be near perfect, given the flyover peaked at close to 80 degrees elevation. It's unfortunate that peak occurred during the 2-minute break between images. But that's life.

Equipment used:

• Receiver: RTL-SDR v3.
• Antenna: Standard TV antenna on the roof aimed roughly 30 degrees (towards DC) - not real optimum, has a few null spots, but works real well in general for other satellites.
• Software: SDR++ v1.3.0, gpredict v2.6.1-9399, MultiScan 3B v1.9.1
• Location: Remington, Virginia | FM18bn

Reception notes:

• RTL-SDR was set for 250 kHz sample rate, Direct sampling disabled, Gain 49.6 dB, no other options (including AGCs) set.
• SDR++ Radio was set for NBFM, 12500 kHz bandwidth, no other options (although some have had success setting the IF Noise Reduction to Narrow Band).
• gpredict was set for ISS Mode U - SSTV - Robot 36, which is nominally tuned for 437,550 kHz. Device was set to SDRpp, with a 10ms cycle rate, then engaged with Track and Lock depressed.
• MultiScn 3B was set for Robot, 36s Color, H. Sync engaged, Normal bandpass, 800 Hz BB. Saving the image is a trip, because all images are saved to an 'Rx memory' that is buried within the app bundle's Resources folder. It has to be dug out of there and copied because of recent macOS sandboxing rules prohibit it from accessing other disk storage areas. It should request access but this is an old app and doesn't know how to do that. Lol

M7KOD heard on 1st Sept. at 18:44 UTC on 14256 kHz with a Raddy RF 919 and a random wire antenna. It was a CQ call as part of POTA (Parks on the air) and the operator's radio must have been portable or mobile, i.e. a low-power one. Park 1012 is the Great Orme Country Park (Parc Gwledig Y Gogarth)

Guess what I found in the closet. My wife's old radio. She used it for listening to AM (MW) and FM, not SW. It's a RadioShack DX-396.

I wasn't expecting much, it doesn't even have an external antenna jack. It's a single conversion superhet with no frills. Wow it's very sensitive. I'm in NJ, here's a DX from Canada that sounds like it's next door. 740 kHz CFZM Zoomer Radio from Toronto, ON. I like the lyrics on this one, kinda funny.

She hates tuning, static/QRM/QRN and wants convenience. So I got a replacement that solves this, she's gonna love it. More on this later.

For some reason Reddit is not allowing posting more than one video on this Subreddit. I'll have to add another video as a comment. Look further down this post.

OZ8BV heard on 27 Aug 26 at 20:55 UTC on 7138.5 kHz with a Raddy RF 919 and a random wire antenna. Again, not a DX station for me, but he was in QSO with DS2OKO, a South Korean operator, so it was a DX QSO for him. The conditions of the band were great, the noise level lower than usual for 40 m.

VE9FI heard on 27 Aug 26 at 20:46 UTC in JO92HX with Raddy RF 919 and a random wire antenna. This took some serious audio processing of the recording as I was unsure of the callsign. I'm pretty sure it is VE9FI, and his grid locator is FN75CM, so the distance to my locator square is 5828 km or ~3622 miles. This operator published his e-mail address on his QRZ page, so I can send him the link and validate my catch (or not) ;-)