QSLs in February 2012.

QSLs received or promised for the month of February 2012.

Radio Taiwan International (two QSL cards) transmitting from Paochung, Taiwan
Radio Netherlands Worldwide (QSL card) transmitting from Bonaire
HCJB Global Australia  (eQSL)  transmitting from  Kununurra, Western Australia
Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emirler, Turkey
Channel Africa (QSL letter) transmitting from Meyerton, South Africa
Voice of Russia (QSL card) transmitting from Novosibirsk-Oyash, Russia
Voice of Russia (QSL card) transmitting from Irkutsk, Russia
Voice of Russia (QSL card) transmitting from Baoji  Xinjie, China
Radio Romania International (QSL card)
Bureau of  Meteorology, Australia (eQSL) transmitting from Wiluna,  Western Australia
Radio Thailand (QSL card) transmitting from Udonthani, northern Thailand
Radio L (Liechtenstein)  (QSL letter) broadcasting via Internet from Triesen, Liechtenstein
ABC Northern Territory  (one eQSL for three stations) transmitting from Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek
Radio Shiokaze (QSL card) transmitting via Japan
Adventist World Radio (QSL card and letter) transmitting from Agat, Guam, but received from their UK office
KDSA / WRMI - Adventist World Radio (two QSL cards) transmitting from Agat, Guam

Promised QSLs:
Radio Canada International (QSL card promised) transmitting from Skelton, UK
Radio Canada International (QSL card promised) transmitting from Kunming, Peoples Republic of China
Trans World Radio India (QSL card promised) transmitting from Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Voice of Malaysia (QSL card promised) transmitting from Kajang, central Malaysia

Voice of America - IBB (via Iranawila)

Voice of America - IBB, using the relay station in Iranawila, Sri Lanka, was logged twice on 29 February 2012. During the first transmission the VOA programme “Border Crossings” was monitored from 15.30 to 16.00 UTC (broadcast time 15.00 to 16.00  UTC) on 9.930 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 55555 -- excellent on all accounts...loud and clear signal! The second transmission entailed VOA’s Special English programmes at 16.00 to 17.00 UTC on 9.395 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was not as great, but still managed a good rating at  54454. Speech seemed slightly muted compared to the strength of the actual signal. After 16.40 UTC, some CW interference was noted for a few minutes.

Reception reports were submitted to IBB. QSL cards arrived on 14 March 2012. See address on envelop below to contact IBB in Sri Lanka.

Athmik Yatra Radio (via Trincomalee)

Athmik Yatra Radio in a test transmission via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka was heard on  25 February 2012. Broadcast was monitored from 13.30 to 14.30  UTC (test transmission was from 13.00 to 15.00 UTC) on 1548 kHz -- the former Deutsche Welle frequency from Trincomalee relay station. Reception (SINPO) was 25332 -- fair signal strength and audible speech despite transmitter hum, severe atmospheric noise, and fading every six or seven seconds. By 14.30 UTC signal was too weak to receive.

Reception report was emailed. An eQSL was received on 11 April 2012.

Email:
info@Athmeeyayathra.org

Radio Netherlands Worldwide (via Dhabbaya)

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, transmitting via Dhabbaya, UAE, was logged on 26 February 2012. A Dutch language broadcast aired from 13.00 to 13.27 UTC, but was monitored from 13.15 to 13.27 UTC. Transmission was received on 15.255 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 55445 -- excellent signal strength despite slight fading and some atmospheric noise.


Reception report was submitted online at RNW. QSL card arrived in the mail on 15 March 2012.

Radio Canada International (via Skelton)

Radio Canada International, transmitting via  Skelton, UK,  was logged on 26 February 2012. Broadcast time was 18.00 to 18.59 UTC, but monitored from 18.40 to 18.59 UTC. An English language broadcast of "The Maple Leaf Mailbag" was heard on 9.770 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 32323 -- fair signal strength drowned out by transmitter noise and/or interfering station whenever signal faded out, especially after 18.50 UTC.

Reception report was emailed. RCI's ever-efficient Bob Westenhaver replied with a confirmation, stating: "Thank you very much for your e-mail of the 26th February with your reception report.  Your QSL card will be mailed later today." QSL card with stickers and bookmarker arrived in the mail on 10 March 2012.

Email:

info@rcinet.ca

Radio Kuwait Desktop Calendar for 2012

Radio Kuwait sent this 2012 desktop calendar and pocket calendar. Items arrived in the mail on 21 February 2012. 

Short-wave broadcast times and frequencies of Radio Kuwait

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran PR material

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran sent a couple of magazines and a greeting card after I submitted a reception report and requested a 2012 calendar. Neither of these items arrived in the mail, thus I assume at a later date these items will be forthcoming. If memory serves me correctly, VOIRI previously sent public relation items prior to a QSL card. 

Channel Africa (South Africa)

Channel Africa, broadcasting from the Sentech transmitter site in Meyerton, South Africa, was logged on 4 January 2012. An English language broadcast was observed from 17.00 to 18.00 UTC on 15.235 kHz. 

Reception report was emailed and posted to Sentech, not Channel Africa. Previous reports to Channel Africa failed. QSL letter arrive in the post on 20 February 2012. 

Address:
Sentech
P.O. Box 234
Meyerton 1960
South Africa

HCJB Global Australia (via Kununurra)

HCJB Global Australia, transmitting via Kununurra, Western Australia was logged on 19 February 2012. English language broadcast time is 02.45 to 03.00 UTC,  but Western pop music and health programming was monitored from 02.50 to 03.00 UTC on 15.400 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 55555 -- absolutely perfect transmission on all accounts.

Reception report was sent on-line at HCJB Global Australia website. An eQSL arrived in email box on 23 February 2012.

Website:

www.hcjb.org.au/contact_us/hcjb_kununurra.html

Radio Dunamis Shortwave (Uganda)

Radio Dunamis Shortwave, broadcasting from a 1kW transmitter in Mukono, Kampala, Uganda, was logged on 18 February 2012. Broadcast time is from 15.00 to  19.00 UTC, but was monitored from 17.45 to 18.15 UTC. Christian sermons and music is transmitted on 4.750 kHz. Reception (SINPO) before 17.35 UTC is not heard in this region of Asia due to China National Radio.  At 17.45 UTC reception was 15221 -- a carrier signal was detected, but no audio feed could be heard. This signal faded every three seconds. At 18.00 UTC signal gradually disappeared with occasional carrier still present. By 18.15 UTC  only static was heard. On 22 February 2012, I again observed the carrier signal of Dunamis, but this time, and only briefly, faint talking and music was heard. Signal disappeared by 19.00 UTC.

Reception report was emailed and posted to Bible Voice Broadcasting. This prized QSL arrived in the mail on 10 March 2012 from BVB in Toronto, Canada. 

Addendum to Adventist World Radio (via Guam)

Adventist World Radio via Agat, Guam was logged on 18 October 2011 at 16.00 UTC. An English language broadcast of WRMI's (Florida, USA) "Wavescan" programme was heard on 12.085 kHz.. Excellent reception was noted. 

In addition to two QSLs (from WMRI and KDSA), AWR in England sent this QSL letter and QSL card, along  with a pocket calendar and vintage UK postage stamps. Interestingly, KDSA is not rubber stamped on this QSL. These items arrive on 17 February 2012.

Radio Canada International (via Kunming)

Radio Canada International, transmitting via Kunming, Peoples Republic of China, was logged on 18 February 2012. "The Link" hosted by Marc Montgomery was heard from 23.58 to 01.00 UTC on 9.880  kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 55455 - near perfect reception, except for some slight transmitter noise.

Reception report was emailed to Mr. Bill Westenhaver and submitted online to RCI. A few days later an email from RCI confirmed it. A QSL card, together with an RCI pennant, stickers and programme schedule, arrived in the mail on 5 February 2012.

Email:

 info@rcinet.ca

thelink@rcinet.ca

Radio Romania International

Radio Romania International in Bucharest was heard on 15 December 2011. Transmission was on 15.225 kHz from 03.58 to 04.57 UTC.

Reception report was emailed to RRI. A QSL card card, together with a pocket calendar and Winter 2012 programme scheduled arrived in the mail on 15 February 2012.

WYFR - Family Radio (via Montsinery-Tonnegrande, French Guiana)

WYFR - Family Radio, transmitting via Montsinery-Tonnegrande, French Guiana, was logged on 10 February 2012. A Spanish language broadcast of religious content was monitored from  22.00 to 23.00 UTC, then continued until 00.00 to 01.00 UTC.  Transmission was on 9.465 kHz. Reception (SINPO) throughout the broadcast  was 35343 -- fair signal strength with no interference, only moderate atmospheric noise, otherwise speech was audible and clear.

Reception report was emailed to Family Radio. QSL card along with book markers, postcards, pocket calendars and Family Radio literature arrived in the mail on 16 March 2012.

Email:
familyradio@familyradio.org
info@familyradio.org
international@familyradio.org

WYFR - Family Radio (via Almaty-Nikolayevka, Kazakhstan)

WYFR - Family Radio, transmitting from Almaty-Nikolayevka, Kazakhstan, was logged  9 February 2012. Religious programming in Ilocano language was heard from 11.00 to 12.00 UTC on 9.310 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 55444 -- Good signal strength, but fading occasionally yielded bursts of atmospheric noise, otherwise a clear and audible transmission was observed. Reception improved after 11.45 UTC with less fading and atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed to Family Radio. QSL card along with book markers, postcards, pocket calendars and Family Radio literature arrived in the mail on 16 March 2012.

Email:
familyradio@familyradio.org,
info@familyradio.org,
international@familyradio.org

ABC Northern Territory (Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek)

ABC Northern Territory in Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek, Australia was heard in June and July 2011. After repeated emails and letters to ABC Northern Territory, an on-line email for the reception reports below FINALLY netted this eQSL on 9 February 2012. A follow-up letter was submitted to the address below; response is pending.

Reception Report for Alice Springs

Station: ABC Northern Territory

Location:  Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Date: 17 June 2011 UTC (18 June 2011 in Malaysia/Australia)

Time: Monitored 21.30-22.30 UTC

Frequency: 4.835 kHz 

Reception (SINPO) was 35323 -- fair reception at 21.30 UTC, which was by 22.00 UTC was severely degraded  by increasing QRN and finally inaudible after 22.25 UTC

Programming (in English):

21.30 - News and weather for Northern Territory (female announcer)

21.41 - Programme summary, followed by music (male announcer)

21.45 - 45th Alice Springs Show for a horse racing event and request for volunteers (male announcer)

21.55 - Music (Mary Wells "My Guy")

21.58 - Sports (football) hosted by male announcer

21.59 - Music

22.03 - 5-Question Quiz -- listener phone-in (male announcer)

22.09 - Music

22.10 - Talk (male announcer)

22.15 - News (female announcer)

Reception Report for Katherine

Station: ABC Northern Territory

Location:  Katherine, Northern Territory

Date: 17 June 2011 UTC (18 June 2011 in Malaysia/Australia)

Time: Monitored 21.30-22.15 UTC

Frequency: 5.025 kHz 

Reception (SINPO) was 25212 -- much weaker reception at 22.30  which worsened as QRN increased after 22.00 UTC. By 22.15 UTC signal was extremely weak and nearly inaudible.

Programming (in English):

21.30 - News and weather for Northern Territory (female announcer)

21.41 - Programme summary, followed by music (male announcer)

21.45 - Horse racing coverage (male commentator)

21.45 - Community announcements, including the Commodore Cup (male and female announcers)

21.54 - Music

21.56 - Commentary on dinosaurs in Australia (male announcer)

22.03 - Music

22.07 - Talk (male announcer)

22.15 - News (female announcer)

Reception Report for Tennant Creek

Station: ABC Northern Territory

Location:  Tennant Creek, Northern Territory

Date: 6 July 2011 UTC (7 July2011 in Malaysia/Australia)

Time: Monitored 21.40-22.10 UTC

Frequency: 4.910 kHz

Reception (SINPO) at 21.40 UTC was 25312. After 22.45 UTC no signal was audible due to atmospheric noise. 

Programming (in English): 

21.40 - Music (male announcer)

21.45 - Community announcement and discussion with an event organizer of fireworks competition, dance, etc. 

21.49 - Commercial advertisement (male announcer)

21.50 - Community announcements (male announcer)

21.52 - Music

21.55 - Community announcements. (male announcer) 

22.10 - Signal began to wane and unintelligible reception ensued. By 22.45 UTC signal was undetected.

Back of QSL

Address:

ABC Northern Territory

1 Cavenagh Street

Darwin, Northern Territory 0800 

AUSTRALIA

Website:

www.abc.net.au/darwin/ 

Radio Österreich International

Radio Österreich International via Moosbrunn, Austria was logged on  8 February 2012. German language broadcast of news and news journal was observed from 08.59 to 09.33 UTC on 17.630 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 45444 -- good signal strength with no interference and some minor atmospheric noise, otherwise a clear and audible transmission.

Reception report was emailed to ROI.

Radio Romania International (via Galbeni and Tiganesti)

Radio Romania International, transmitting via Galbeni on 17.780 kHz  and Tiganesti on 21.600 kHz, was logged on these frequencies on 8  February  2012. A half-hour English language programme of news, weather, financial news and Romanian culture was heard from 06.27 to 06.57 UTC. Reception (SINPO) on 17.780 kHz was 35343 -- fair signal strength with  atmospheric noise, otherwise audible and clear speech was noted. Reception (SINPO) on 21.600 kHz was 45434 -- good signal strength with slight fading, otherwise clear speech and the frequency for the best reception.

Reception report was emailed to RRI. QSL card for Galbeni transmission arrived in the mail on 27 March 2012.

Voice of Vietnam (via Moosbrunn, Austria)

Voice of Vietnam, transmitting via  Moosbrunn, Austria, was logged on 7 February 2012. An English language broadcast was heard at 18.00 UTC, followed by Vietnamese from 18.30  to  19.30 UTC, then in French.  Transmission was on 5.955 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 24332 -- fair signal strength, fading and atmospheric noise, otherwise audible speech. At 19.15 UTC reception was degraded to 14321 due to a weaker signal, greater fading and increased QRN.

Reception report was emailed to VOV. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 June 2012.

Voice of Malaysia

QSL cards with obsolete broadcast times and frequencies

Voice of Malaysia, broadcasting from its studio in Angkasapuri - Kuala Lumpur and transmitter site in Kajang,  was logged on 3 February 2012. Transmission was heard from 10.00 to 12.00 UTC on 6.050 kHz. Reception (SINPO) here in Malaysia was 55545 -- excellent reception. 

Programming (in English) consisted of the following content:

10.00 - Time signal beeps, followed by a song about Malaysia sung by female vocalist.

10.04 - Station ID for Voice of Malaysia in Angkasapuri presented by male announcer named Ray.

10.06 - Contemporary English pop songs with  IDs over music which was sung by Lady Gaga and Kim Long 

10.12 - Promotional announcement for the Leonardo da Vinci Exposition at Mines Wonderland which was presented by Ray.

10.13 - Music resumed with two songs and occasional station IDs (female announcer) over the music of  Mark Kearny and James Brown.

10.20  - Promo for the rain forests and biodiversity of Malaysia which was presented by Ray.

10.21 - Music resumed with four songs and occasional station IDs (female announcer) over the music of Nickleback, Kim Long and others.

10.36 - Islamic music leading into an Islamic programme called "Reflections" which focused on Muslim etiquette and customs as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and observed in the Quran. This was presented by Ahmad Fizal of JAKIM.

10.44 - Female announcer, followed by promotional song about "Enchanting Malaysia".

10.52 - Contemporary English pop songs resumed

11.00 - Time signal beeps, followed by Local News read by Ray. 

11.10 - Contemporary English pop songs resumed. Two songs were heard by Kim Long and a local artiste.

11.22 - "Learn Bahasa" using the word  "Barat" or west. 

11.23 - Contemporary English pop songs resumed. Songs by Eric Cooper, Uncle Ray and others were heard.

11.37 - Promo for Malaysian theme parks with malls, etc was presented by Ray.

11.39 - Contemporary English Country & Western songs  by Dolly Parton,  Dobbie Brothers, Conway Twitty, Shana Twain,  Roger Miller and others were heard. One listener from Holland mentioned listening to VOM  over one song.

11.58 - Ray recapped songs played and stated that Bahasa Malaysia programming would resume at top of the hour.

11.59 - "This Day in History" highlighted RTM's orang Asli broadcast and Radio Asyik's programming, followed by instrumental music.

12.00 - Time signal beeps, Negaraku, then VOM English broadcast ended, followed by programming in Bahasa Malaysia.

QSL signed by DJ Ray Nagarajan and mailed to US address

For a sound file sample of programme summary CLICK this Soundcloud link.

Voice of Malaysia Souvenirs

Reception report was emailed, sent on-line and posted to RTM. I posted a self-addressed, stamped and prepared QSL one week later. An email response (see comment below) was received on 11 February from RTM Producer/Presenter, Albert Ng. On 13 February, Voice of Malaysia DJ, Ray Nagarajan, emailed (see his message below) to confirm the details of the programme logged and indicated a "Card" would be sent to me.

Two QSL cards, along with souvenirs, were received on 10 March 2012: one signed by an RTM producer and another by RTM producer/announcer, Albert Ng who personally delivered these items to me. Later in the month of March I received another QSL at my US address, signed by Ray Nagarajan. So, if you can get VOM to QSL, they will send abroad, not just to Malaysia. My self-prepared/self-stamped QSL card has not been returned to date.

Albert Ng (left) and I over brunch in my home

Address:
Radio Televisyen Malaysia
Wisma TV
Angkasapuri, 50614, Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA


Website:

http://www.rtm.gov.my/rtmnew/

Email:

feedback@rtm.gov.my

vom@rtm.gov.my

KDSA_Adventist World Radio (Guam)

KDSA, Adventist World Radio in Agat, Guam was logged on 18 October 2011 at 16.00 UTC. An English language broadcast of WRMI's (Florida, USA) "Wavescan" programme was heard on 12.085 kHz.. Excellent reception was noted. 

Reception report was emailed with subsequent follow-up emails. KDSA replied by mail on 1 February 2012. Together with two QSLs (WMRI and KDSA), I received DX contest information, a pocket calendar and some Adventist literature.

WRMI (Florida) "WaveScan" via KDSA in Guam

WRMI via KDSA, Guam

Philately included with QSLs