SWL Booster Shot

Undoubtedly, we all know how modern technology has improved the world of communications with the advent of satellite radio, streaming video/audio and instantaneous chat sessions via the Internet. It is indeed an exciting time to be alive!

But, I will never forget the excitement and thrill that I experienced the first time I successfully intercepted the radio frequency signals from HCJB – Quito, Ecuador.

It was on a cold October evening back in 1964. I was slowly tuning the big dial on my portable Globemaster Radio, a gift from my father, and heard my first international radio station.

I will always remember yelling downstairs to my parents; “Hey Mom & Dad! I’m listening to Radio HCJB from South America!” They both ran upstairs to my very primitive ‘radio shack’ and reveled in the joy that they had created for their young son.

It wasn't long after that when I got my WPE2LVG monitor designator from Popular Electronics. I started logging the stations I heard and sent them signal reports. When the wonderfully designed QSL cards started showing up at my house, I was… well, you know… totally hooked!

I tell you that little story only to explain why, after 59 years of enjoying Shortwave Radio Listening, I am saddened to know that this wonderful hobby has fallen by the wayside due to the ease of gaming and chatting online and other various enticements accessible to young people these days.

It is for that reason that I decided to try giving SWL’ing a ‘shot in the arm.’ A bit of a boost; if you will.

Although it has been tried before, I have gone ahead and designed a website whereby individuals anywhere in the world, young or old, Ham or CB’er, male or female can easily obtain their own (or give as a gift) free International SWL Designator.

I am using a 56 sectored (Time-Zone Based) system as an SWL’er locator on our shrinking world. Applicants are assigned a unique monitoring station designator (i.e. callsign), and can also obtain an Official SWLR Certificate should they desire to order one.

It will be my pleasure and an honor to issue anyone their SWLR Designator and add them to the International Online Directory.

For more details visit: http://www.swl-registry.com

Or contact me:
Clifford R. Williams – W2CRW

Email: registrar@swl-registry.com
Write: 87 Everett St., Rochester, NY 14615 USA

P.S. I submit this story with many thanks to John, G0DPC, a long-time fellow SWL'er and creator of "HamInfoBar.com"