Got my QSL from CRI English today (China Radio International). I listen to CRI every once & a while, they have some decent news reporting & stories from the other side of the world; it’s always interesting and informative to hear what the perspective is from China.

They send a pretty impressive QSL, I got the standard postcard with the reception ACK on it of course Also in the package was a copy of ‘the messenger’, their magazine publication, a chart of their broadcast times and frequencies as well as a list of local relays, and a cool 2008 olympics “chuāng huā” set (window flower).

I think they stream online on their site but I listen old school on the shortwave. CRI has a relay in Baltimore on 1190AM but I catch them on 9570KHz up here at the foot of the catoctins.

Check ‘em out sometime, very decent radio station that’s easy to pick up with any off the shelf shortwave radio, or even just online.

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On a recent trip to the local radio shack to pick up a 12v cig lighter extension cord (yep, they have ‘em); I walked past this little thing and just couldn’t resist. Beginning to learn all about radio and looking towards a ham license in the short future, I figured it’d be worth the $30 to pick it up and see what’s out on the shortwave bands.

It’s a pretty nice little radio, very very basic but manages to pick up FM, AM, and SW just fine. Has a turn knob but displays digitally, the frequency you’re tuning. It’s a little rough to get used to but if you can move your finger in 1-micron increments you’ll be alright. Tuning is very sensitive and tends to drift ever so slightly, but again if you can make 1-micron adjustments with your thumb, it is not all that bad.

Comes with a large whip antenna, clock, alarm & sleep functions and a digital display. The ONLY thing I don’t like about it so far is the lack of a backlight to the display.

I’d say for $30 it’s not too bad of a deal, this one I think will eventually end up in my emergency kit, or with my traveling or camping gear – a place for which it’s perfectly suited.

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