Receiving WWVB

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Kevin

WWVB

WWVB broadcasts from Ft. Collins, Colorado on a frequency of 60 kHz.

Credit: NIST

The signal is time data, in a complex modulation scheme, repeating each minute. The format is described in some detail on the NIST website. Apparently, it can be listened to with the appropriate equipment and sounds like Morse code. I found an example on Reddit.

WWBV’s frequency of 60 kHz, is considered longwave (LW), but I don’t have any communications receiver covering LW that goes below 100 kHz. eBay has many listings for WWVB clock modules, like this one:

WWVB clock module

The problem with these under $10 kits is that they are made in China and the tariffs will greatly add to the price. I found one shipping from Canada that might make it across the border in time.

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The Last Incoming Radio: SI4732 Pocket Mini

Posted on April 19, 2025 by Kevin

SI4732 0.5-108mhz Portable Radio LSB USB AM FM Pocket Mini Radio

I ordered this from AliExpress and have been promised delivery by April 29. This remarkably featured shirt pocket sized radio sells for around $32 with free shipping (even less from other sellers, and on eBay). It even detects single sideband. That delivery date is important because if it arrives in the United States after May 1, there will be a $100 tariff slapped on it, and I’ll refuse delivery. At this point (see updates in the comments below) late delivery seems unlikely.

Update: It made it through customs on the 25th. There was a note online that their logistics company had made some special effort.

And with that, I’m out of the radio importing business until US trade policy changes.

Update 2: AliExpress is a little different from a seller on eBay. They don’t ship direct to the consumer, but rather ship in bulk to a US agent that breaks the large shipment into individual packages and puts them into the mail stream. For this reason, the $100 minimum per item doesn’t apply, but the 145% tariff still does.

While we wait, here is a very informative video from OM0ET.

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Too Taxing: LiJiANi Rd908 Weather Radio

Posted on April 18, 2025 by Kevin

I received my LiJiANi Rd908 on time from Amazon, but there was some confusion about the weather alert feature. It didn’t work as the product description said, and the manual linked in the product description didn’t even mention an alert feature.

That was resolved by the LiJiANi seller through a revised manual: LiJiANi Version 1.5 User Manual, but their reply included this disturbing addition:

At present, the inventory in Amazon warehouse is sold out and no more will be purchased. Because the tariff is too high, the price will not sell well if it is increased, and it will lose money if it is not increased. We choose not to purchase. I’m very sorry.

Amazon shows their quantity in stock as 4 for the yellow version. I know some retailers have built up supply in anticipation of tariffs, but this is an early glimpse of what to expect unless US trade policy changes.

But on to the product review…

LiJiANi Rd908 Weather Alert Radio (Amazon product photo)
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Incoming Radio: LiJiANi RD-908

Posted on April 13, 2025 by Kevin
LiJiANi RD-908 (Amazon Product Photo)

I had some questions about the 14500 battery, one of the types supported by this radio, and asked Microsoft Copilot about it. That led to a discussion of the radio and its features. At the end, after sharing my purchase decision process and the radio’s features, Copilot asked if it could help with the review. So here’s what it had to say:

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MW antenna jack: who knew?

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Kevin

Radio manuals usually describe the external antenna jack as dedicated to bands above medium wave. Using an external MW antenna is typically accomplished by some sort of magnetic coupling.

I think the first radio that I knew allowed the external jack to be used for MW was my Panasonic RF-085 with wire posts for the antenna. That was 40 years ago. The second was the Tecsun PL-330 that has this ability through an undocumented process: press and hold the numeric button 3 to switch between external and external antennas. The Tecsun PL-990 has an explicit Internal/External switch on the front panel. I found greatly improved results with a long wire and ground, especially on longwave.

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US radio enthusiasts: Buy sooner rather than later?

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Kevin

For those in the US planning to purchase a radio from China, you might want to do it sooner rather than later.

Currently there are no tariffs for overseas packages from China valued under $800. That “de minimus” exception ends May 1, 2015. In May the item will be taxed at $75 per item or 90% of its value, whichever is less. After June 1 the tariff is simply $150 per item (per item, not per package).

If you bought 3 radios priced at $40 each, totaling $120, here’s how the tariff would work May 1:

  1. Tariff Calculation: Since the de minimis exemption ends on May 1, 2025, the tariff would apply. Each radio would be taxed at 90% of its value or $75, whichever is lower. For a $40 radio, 90% of its value is $36, which is less than $75. Therefore, the tariff for each radio would be $36. For 3 radios, the total tariff would be $108.
  2. Collection Process: The tariff is typically collected by the shipping carrier or customs broker. When your package arrives in the U.S., customs will assess the tariff, and the carrier will notify you of the amount due. You would need to pay the tariff before the package is delivered to you.

After June 1, it’s just $150 per item, so the three radios would have a $450 tariff.

Note: tariffs are imposed based on the country of origin, not the country of shipment, and they are taxed on the day the arrive in the US, not the date of order or shipment.

For further information see:

AMENDMENT TO RECIPROCAL TARIFFS AND UPDATED DUTIES AS APPLIED TO LOW-VALUE IMPORTS FROM THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Subject to change without notice.

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First Impressions: BAOFENG GM-15PRO Two Way Radio

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Kevin

Introduction

This is an unusual purchase, one not for my radio listening and testing hobby, but for practical purposes. It’s for two-way communications in an area with poor cell coverage.

The BAOFENG GM-15PRO replaces a pair of really antique Cobra PR255 MicroTalk walkie talkies with broken non-replaceable antennas.

BAOFENG GM-15PRO two way radio with accessories (Amazon product photo)

At $50 for the pair, it’s a surprisingly low-cost solution.

The box is attractive with a molded plastic insert to compartmentalize all the accessories (see product photo):

  • 2 Radios
  • 4 Antennas
  • 2 Batteries
  • 2 Battery chargers
  • 2 USB charging cables
  • 2 Belt clips
  • 2 Hand straps
  • 2 Headphone assemblies
  • 1 User Manual (the Amazon listing says it comes with 2)
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