Gift from Radio Taiwan International

YEAR OF THE RAT PAPER LANTERN, a gift from Radio Taiwan International. As a "Radio Monitor" of their English language broadcasts I received this 🐁🐁🐁 lantern in conjunction with the Chinese New Year. Thank you and Gong Xi Fa Chai, Radio Taiwan International. 🎎🧧🎆

Polskie Radio - Radiowa Jedynka

Polskie Radio - Radiowa Jedynka. transmitting from Solec Kujawski, Bydgoszcz,  Poland was logged on 17 and 18 December 2019. On the first day, a largely talk format with occasional advertisements and music filler was observed from 20.00 till 20.30 UTC (21.00 till 21.30 CET). On the following day, after 18.00 UTC Polish pop music and conversation between two women was noted. Reception on  225 kHz (LW) rated a SINPO of 15411 -- weak signal, no interfering stations, occasionally clear audio when not fading and mixing with static bursts from a thunderstorm in my area. Signal was best received between 20.00 till 20.07 UTC. Afterwards, signal was barely audible and then only after long periods (9 to 10 minutes). Shortly after 20.30 UTC, signal disappeared  under static. On the following day reception was much better with a SINPO of 25422. HERE and HERE is  Radiowa Jedynka.

Reception report was emailed and posted to Polskie Radio on the following day. Not sure which method of delivery elicited their response, but a QSL postcard depicting golonka and dumplings, considered a national dish in Poland,  was received on 20 February 2020. 

This is my first long-wave verification in all the years I have been DXing,  and it was accomplished in the most unlikely of places, Malaysia. Needless to say, I am over the moon -- HAPPY!!!

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 linked to internal ferrite rod  QTH: central West Malaysia

Radio Merlin International*

Radio Merlin International* in the UK was heard on 17 February 2020. Music with DJ comments and station IDs between songs from 15.40 till 16.10 UTC included Connie Francis - "Where the Boys Are," Twisted Sister - "Leader of the Pack," David Bowie, George Harrison - "All Those Years Ago," The Searchers - "Needles and Pins," Mike Oldfield - "Moonlight Shadow," Charlie Puth - "Marvin Gaye." Reception on the shortwave frequency of 6.305 kHz via remote SDR in the Netherlands, rated a SINPO of 34333.

Reception report was emailed om the following day. An eQSL and supplemental material was received on 19 February 2020.

*RX: SDR receiver ANT: Mini whip QTH: Netherlands (Twente University)

Radio Taiwan International

Radio Taiwan International via  Paochung, Taiwan was logged on 23 January 2020. The last fifteen minutes of their English transmission to South East Asia was monitored from 03.45 till 04.00 UTC. The programme "Jade Bells & Bamboo Pipes" featured a Chinese New Year segment, including traditional music, traditional tales, ang pow meaning and greetings "Gong Xi Fa Chai", which was presented by Carlson Wong. Reception on 15.320 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555.

Recption report was emailed om the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 February 2020.

RX: Sangean ATS-909 ANT: 10 foot long wire QTH: Central West Malaysia

Radio Habana Cuba 2020

 Radio Habana Cuba pocket calendar for 2020

Myanma Radio (via Yaegu)

Myanma Radio (Myanma Athan), transmitting from Yaegu, Yangoon, Myanmar, was logged on 8 February 2020. An English language broadcast of Western pop music, including Olivia Newton-John "I Honestly Love You," Whitney Houston "Hold Me," Lisa Stansfield "All Woman," Metallica "Mama Said" and other pop hits, was heard from 16.30 till 17.00 UTC. Closure announcement and national anthem was observed just before sign off. Reception on 576 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555 -- excellent on all accounts. HERE is Myanma Radio.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. This eQSL was received on 15 February 2020.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: internal ferrite rod linked to external 1/4 wave QTH: Kuala Lumpur area

Radio Station XEG* (via Monterrey)

Radio Station XEG*, transmitting from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, was logged on 21 August 2019. This Spanish language broadcaster was monitored via a remote SDR receiver in El Paso, Texas. The anthem of Mexico, station ID and location, followed by news was observed from 11.00 till 11.16 UTC (06.00 till 06.16AM, Monterrey time). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1050 kHz rated a SINPO of 25332 -- weak to fair signal strength, clear audio when not fading under atmospheric noise every 10 minutes. HERE is XEG.

Generally I do not send reception reports using a remote SDR, other than the one used at Twente University. However, on this occasion at the behest of fellow DXer and XEG veri-signer Luis Alejandro Vallebueno, he suggested I try my luck from any of the SDR receivers in the Americas. As it happened the one in El Paso yielded the best result.

Reception report was submitted to the veri-signer on 21 August 2019, and he promptly replied with a scanned copy of the QSL card and verification cover letter to be mailed to me. QSL card and sticker arrived on 11 February 2020.  Gracias, Luis!

RX: Remote SDR receiver ANT: Active magnetic loop mounted to rooftop tower QTH: El Paso, Texas (USA) monitored in Malaysia