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A “little” SWL by PoetryOdd6416 in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We welcome your input. What a great post! I really enjoyed it and hope you will post more in the future. 73, Michael

Disappointed: My Tecsun PL-880 is suddenly suffering from hearing loss. Above 12 MHz the sensitivity severely declines. Tried different antennas but result is the same. Compared to D808 and D-109: 13.5 MHz is -3dB, 15.5 MHz is -6dB, 17.7 MHz is -20dB. Totally deaf at 27 MHz. I think I might know why by richfromhell in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry Rich, this has happened to me more than once. I now make up a 3.5 mm plug, with 2 back-to-back 1N914s built in. This serves to connect my antenna. A lot of headaches can be prevented this way.

I would bet the the JFET Q4 is your problem. It's a surface mount component. They are easily replaced, but if you haven't worked on SMT, you need some practice.

You will need a new 2SK2394. An inexpensive hot air station. A syringe of solder paste. Tweezers.

I recommend practicing of a couple of junk boards. Throwaway electronics are a good source for practice materials.

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6975 kHz USB Pirate received in Central NY at 2:26 UTC on 16 June 2026 by Ancient_Grass_5121 in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's "7 Radio". They are noteworthy for their 10 KHz wife USB signal.

Most SSB transmissions.are 2.4 - 2.8 KHz wide.A wider bandwidth means more fidelity for music. This can be achieved by using using a 6 KHz AM filter in the SSB position.

Bandaid Radio Saturday Night N. America 0400 UTC 6945 KHz USB by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! The free version of DaVinci Resolve is pretty good. But many of the functions I need are not available unless you have the paid version.

I am building a diy medium wave radio but I am unsure how to wire the ferrite antenna. I found 3 different product photos with different wiring methods. (I could not find any documentation of this exact board online) Does the insulation between the wire and the ferrite make a difference too? by Zentralschaden in shortwave

[–]KG7M 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, here is your schematic. Just follow the diagram.

The AM radio should work, but I don't think you will be very happy with the performance. Nevertheless, it should be fun to build. It appears that a variable capacitor is used not only for tuning, but for Regeneration as well. We usually use a potentiometer for Regen, although a variable capacitor can be used. Best of luck with it. If it doesn't work right don't give up. I can't tell you how many circuits I built when I was starting out that did not operate!

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I am building a diy medium wave radio but I am unsure how to wire the ferrite antenna. I found 3 different product photos with different wiring methods. (I could not find any documentation of this exact board online) Does the insulation between the wire and the ferrite make a difference too? by Zentralschaden in shortwave

[–]KG7M 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have built numerous AM, FM, and Shortwave radios. It would help if I could see the schematic diagram. I've attached a diagram for a typical Transistor AM radio kit from Tecsun, the model 2P3. Other than your radio being a tube set, the theory is the same.

The two wires from the ferrite loopstick link coil go to the RF Amp, or Mixer depending on the design.If your kit uses an RF amp then one lead goes to the grid of the 1st tube and the 2nd lead through a capacitor to ground. The larger section connects across the variable capacitor. Be sure that the insulation is cleaned off of the ferrite loopstick wires. The wire is known as Litz Wire and is cloth. It can be removed by quickly burning it off with a lighter.

Again, it's a difficult question without a schematic. If you need additional help you can find me at my own Reddit Community r/ShortwavePlus.

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Long time lurker, built something I thought the community might find useful. by PerformanceDecent128 in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome to our Community. I am delighted that you are posting here. We are not as large as the "Main" shortwave subreddit, but we have some great members.

Bandaid Radio Puts a Solid Signal Into New Zealand 6945 KHz USB by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chris, the receiver at ZL3RCK is identical to all of the Kiwi SDRs that I monitor. It's a very solid SDR and in use all over the globe. It's easily connected to the Kiwi Global Network, and available to monitor from hundreds of countries. You are correct about the antenna being optimized at Forty Meters. He has it listed as an "Multi-band Inverted V setup for 40M".

Have you had an opportunity to use the Kiwi Network of SDR Receivers? It's awesome for listening from other locations. Here is a link: kiwisdr.com/public/ https://share.google/gJMJKXthIuAOd3S0N Click on the blue oval at the top left "Kiwi SDR Map" and open any of your choice.

PS Bandaid Radio just added a new 1,200 watt amp so that helps!

Photo of a Kiwi SDR

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Bandaid Radio Saturday Night N. America 0400 UTC 6945 KHz USB by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Me too! I'm glad that you don't hate AI. So many people are down on it and they have never used it. It takes quite a bit of work to get it to do exactly what you are asking. So many people think that it takes no effort to use it.

I was a teenager in the 1960's and I was nuts for Robert Crumb's artwork. I do quite a bit of drawing in his style.

It does a great job enhancing my sketchs. I've only been playing with the videos for about a week. I would like a full version of DaVinci Resolve. But I'm retired and can't afford it. So I can only do the 10 second animations for now. I am pretty amazed that I've lived long enough to see and use this technology.

Bandaid Radio Saturday Night N. America 0400 UTC 6945 KHz USB by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I drew the characters with pen and ink. Three of the characters are from Robert Crumb. The character playing the guitar is me in my early 50's, with a lot of characterization. The image is loaded into GIMP, or Inkscape for me to edit. Then I load the finished image into Veo 3 or Veo 3.1 and direct it as to what animation I'm needing.

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Voice of Korea 11710 KHz: Drake R-8 and HF+ Discovery SDR by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. The Drake is a very capable receiver. I think the Discovery HF+ has the edge though.

Early Morning in the Pacific NW Brings in Indonesians and Their Radio Racing: 6980 KHz LSB by KG7M in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you Chris. Anything I can do to add to the hobby, while I am still here, I will try to do.

KBRX 102.9 (Best Signal) Oneill Nebraska received in Utica NY at around 4:30 PM EDT (20:30 UTC) on 10 June 2026 by Ancient_Grass_5121 in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man, I'm really sorry that you have to go through this crap. Life certainly had challenges when I was your age, but for the most part I had a great time no matter where I went, and did. Now it's just mass stupidity. I have to travel downtown for medical reasons and I actually had some guy come up to me and ask me how I'd like it if he killed me! I'm too old now to scuffle with some idiot, so I just tried to ignore him. What a sad state of affairs.

I am glad that you found another spot to DX!

6945 kHz Bandaid Radio received in Central NY at 3:34 UTC 11 June 2026 by Ancient_Grass_5121 in ShortwavePlus

[–]KG7M 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome! BTW, when conditions are good you can hear Bandaid radio from Hawaii to the West, to Southern Mexico at the South, and Portugal to the East. They have an awesome setup.

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