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Old October 15th 07, 11:53 PM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
Bill[_7_] Bill[_7_] is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Default The Thrill Of SWL

Joe,

Thanks...that's great advice! I just may store the radios for a few
years or just tune the most powerful, reliable English b'casts to keep
up with the stories. In any case, I'm probably a listener for life!

--Bill



Joe Analssandrini wrote:
On Oct 14, 6:07 pm, Bill wrote:
Look I don't want to start a trolling or a flame war but in my early
days of SWL with my Star Roamer that I built from the kit, I found it
really exciting to listen. The ship-to-shore on 3 or 4 MHz (mcs back
then) was the NY Marine Operator and there were phone conversations to
listen in on, then there was the international BC with radio Moscow
giving their take on world news and of course hams all over the place.

Well now some 30 years later, I'm bored with the whole thing....yeah I
try to catch a slight Gander Radio every now and then or still the
international stuff that might be in English. But for the most part,
the thrill is gone; unfortunately.

I hate to say it but I'll probably get rid of the Eton E5, Panasonic
RF-2200 and the R-390, having lost interest in this one-time exciting
hobby. (well, maybe not the R-390...)

I don't ask for comments or critiques...just wonder if there's others
that share my disappointment. And certainly most everything that can be
listened to can be found on the Internet (with somebody else's Internet
controlled SW receiver).

Thanks...!

--Bill
(in northern NJ)


Dear Bill,

The situation your are experiencing happens every eleven years, on
average. It is caused by the "bottom" of the sunspot cycle in which we
find ourselves just now. There is still quite a bit to hear but the
best and most exotic signals are heard more in the early morning and
daytime rather than the evening or nighttime, at least currently at my
location. (This, of course, is not conducive to listening if one works
for a living!)

Do not get discouraged. You own some good radios. I suggest that, if
your boredom continues, you might pack the radios away for a year or
two. If you unpack them and try them again in, say 2009 or 2010, I
believe you will be amazed and pleased at what you will hear.

The bottom end of the sunspot cycle always separated the men from the
boys. Hang in there.

Best,

Joe