QSLs for March 2012

QSLs for the month of March 2012

VMC - Australian Bureau of Meteorology (eQSL) transmitting via Charleville, Queensland
Radio Romania International (QSL card) transmitting from Galbeni
Radio Bulgaria (QSL card for three reports) transmitting via Sofia/Plodiv, Bulgaria
Radio Bulgaria (QSL card for two reports) transmitting via Sofia/Plodiv, Bulgaria
Radio Free Asia (QSL card) transmitting via Tinian Island
Radio Free Asia (QSL card) transmitting via  Sri Lanka
Radio Fly (eQSL) transmitting from Kiunga, Tabubil, Papua New Guinea
Radyo Denge Mezopotamya (QSL/Acknowledgement letter) transmitting from Mykolaiv (Nikolayev), Ukraine/Headquarters in Belgium
Voice of Mongolia (QSL card) transmitting from Ulaanbaator
Radio Australia (QSL card) transmitting via Koror, Pulau
Radio Australia (QSL card) transmitting via Tainan, Taiwan
WYFR Family Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Almaty, Kazakhstan
WYFR Family Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Montsinery, French Guiana
Voice of America-IBB (2 QSL cards) transmitting from Iranawila, Sri Lanka
Voice of Malaysia (QSL card) transmitting from Kajang, central Malaysia
Radio Canada International (QSL card) transmitting from Skelton, UK
Radio Dunamis Shortwave (QSL card) transmitting from Mukono, Kampala, Uganda
Radio Tamazuj (QSL card) transmitting from Dhabbaya / studio in Hilversum, Holland
Radio Romania International (QSL card) transmitting from Galbeni, Romania
Radio Canada International (QSL card) transmitting from Kunming, Peoples Republic of China
RFE/RL - Radio Farda (QSL card) transmitting via Iranawila, Sri Lanka
RFE/RL - Radio Mashaal (QSL card) transmitting via Udonthani, northern Thailand
RFE/RL - Radio Azadi (QSL card) transmitting via Kuwait
RFE/RL - Caucasus Echo (QSL card) transmitting via Wertachtal, Germany
ORF 1 (QSL card) transmitting from Moosbrunn, Austria

Promised QSLs:
Trans World Radio India transmitting from Tashkent, Uzbekistan
China Radio International transmitting from Bamako, Mali
China Radio International transmitting from Cerrik, Albania
China Radio International transmitting from Issoudun, France

3AC Monaco Radio (via Fontbonne)

3AC Monaco Radio in  Fontbonne, Monaco was heard on 29 and 31 March 2012. The station was first heard from 17.28 to 17.35 UTC on 29 March. A female announcer speaking in English reported meteorological data,which was followed by music (anthem), then a male voice speaking in French. Transmission was monitored on  8.728 kHz in USB/SSB. Reception (SINPO) on 29 March was 25242 -- weak signal strength marred only by severe atmospheric noise. When noise ended briefly, signal was audible and clearly understood. On 31 March, signal was again heard, but from sign-on at 17.25 until sign off at 17.42 UTC. Reception was much improved at 25442, despite slight QRN and continued weak signal strength.

3AC Monaco Radio operates only for a few minutes. They have six scheduled times from Monday till Saturday, on 4.363, 8.728, 13.146 and 17.260  kHz.  This 10 kW station is very difficult to catch in this region of the world, given the briefness and times of transmission. Only under the path of night was I successful in receiving 3AC Monaco Radio, and only under favorable propagation.  It was like threading the eyelet of a small needle!

 RECORDED ON 31 MARCH 2012 AT 17.29 UTC

Reception report was emailed, sent on-line and posted. Several follow-up emails were sent. When I finally received the above eQSL on 21 May 2012, it was a low-resolution image (8K). The accompanying email confirms, albeit indirectly, that I indeed received their station, stating: "Hello Mr Breyel, I send you a QSL Card. Thanks a lot. Best regards, Naya."

Website: 

www.naya.mc

Email:

info@naya.mc

RRI Wamena (Jayapura)

RRI Wamena in Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia was heard on 26 March 2012. A broadcast of easy listening music moderated by a male announcer in Bahasa Indonesia was monitored from 11.10 to 12.10 UTC.  transmission was on 4.870 kHz.  One source on the Internet purports the transmitter output is a mere 300 watts. Reception (SINPO) at 11.10 UTC was 15321 -- weak signal strength, atmospheric noise and fading, but able to detect speech and music. At 12.00 UTC reception quality remained unchanged.

Reception report was submitted on Facebook page. Again, RRI has an unreliable reputation for confirming reception reports. This Letter of Verification was emailed by RRI-VoI on 16 July 2013.

Radio Sawtu Linjiila (Voice of Gospel)

Radio Sawtu Linjiila (Voice of Gospel) in Cameroon, transmitting via Media Broadcast in Wertachtal, Germany, was heard on 2 March and 15 March 2012. Religious content in Fulani was observed on both days. Time monitored was from 18.35 to 19.00 UTC on 2 March UTC and 18.45 to 19.00 on 15 March (broadcast time 18.30 to 19.00 UTC), transmitting on 9.800 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 25332 -- fair signal strength, some transmitter hum and slight QRN, otherwise clear and audible speech was noted.

Reception report was submitted to Radio Sawtu Linjiila and a month later to Media Broadcast. An eQSL from Media Broadcast arrived on 20 April 2012, a few days after emailing the report.

Website:
www.sawtulinjiila.org/sawtu/

RRI Kendari (Sulawesi)

RRI Kendari in Sulawesi, Indonesia was heard on 25 March 2012. A programme of Indonesian pop tunes and discussion with phone-in listeners was monitored from 14.10 to 15.10 UTC. Transmission of this purportedly 5 kW station was received on 3.995 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 14.10 UTC was 24322 -- weak signal strength, occasional fading and some atmospheric noise. At 14.30 UTC reception improved slightly to 25332. At 15.00 UTC increased atmospheric noise and fading degraded reception to 24212.

Reception report was emailed. Whether one sends by mail or email, RRI has a poor track record for responding, let alone confirming reception reports. This Letter of Verification was received from RRI-VoI on 16 July 2013.

Email:

rrikdi@gmail.com

Voice of Mongolia

Voice of Mongolia in Ulaanbaator was 19 February 2012. The English service was observed on 12.085 kHz from 10.29 to 10.58 UTC. Reception was good throughout the broadcast.

Reception report was emailed to VOM. QSL card was received on 21 March 2012. I receive QSLs regularly from VOM, and their response time is impeccable. To send a reception report, go to the Voice of Mongolia website; the email address to contact is listed there.

VMC - Australia Bureau of Meteorology (via Charleville, Queensland)

VMC - Australia Bureau of Meteorology in Charleville, Queensland was heard on 19 March 2012. A male announcer provided meteorological and marine information for different time  zones, i.e. wind speed and direction and varied bits of coded data from 18.04 to 18.10 UTC. This transmission  was heard on 6.507 kHz in SSB/USB mode. Reception (SINPO) of this 1 kW station was 25442 -- weak signal strength, yet audible and clear speech.

Reception report was emailed. This eQSL arrived on 27 March 2012.

Email:

N.Chandran@bom.gov.au

Radio Fly (via Papua New Guinea)

Radio Fly in Kiunga, Papua New Guinea was received on 19 March 2012. An English language broadcast of contemporary pop music, moderated by a male announcer, was observed  from 19.45 to 20.45 UTC. Transmission was heard on 3.915 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 19.45 UTC was 13221 -- weak signal strength coupled with some adjacent jamming, severe atmospheric noise and occasional fading. Despite the mess, audio was detected, audible and clear at times. Reception improved slightly after 20.10 UTC when there was less atmospheric noise and jamming. At 21.00 UTC, BBC in Kranji, Singapore overpowered this 1 kW station.

I'm pretty excited to FINALLY hear this station!  After nearly a year of waiting, during the wee hours of the morning, through either atmospheric noise, jamming and interference from a nearby North Korean station, or -- as was often the case -- the combination of all these factors, I caught this rare gem. 

Reception report was emailed. On 22 March 2012, Winnie Monouluk of Radio Fly sent this email: "Thank you! I will be sending you a QSL card shortly." An eQSL card and cover letter from Winnie Monouluk arrived on 23 March 2012.


Email:

kabua.momo@oktedi.com

Radio Australia (via Taiwan and Pulau)

Radio Australia, transmitting from Tainan, Taiwan and Koror, Pulau, was logged on two separate days in November 2011. Both transmissions were in Bahasa Indonesia. The Tainan transmission was heard on 5 November 2011, from 05.00 to 05.30 UTC, on 11.745. The Tainan transmission was heard on 7 November 2011, from 04.00 to 04.30 UTC, on 17.840 kHz. Reception was fair to good.

Reception report emailed and submitted online to Radio Australia. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 March 2012, after repeated follow-up emails. I am still awaiting a QSL for a reception report submitted for a Radio Australia transmission originating from Brandon, Queensland, Australia.

VOA-IBB (via Poro Point)

Voice of America-IBB relay station in Poro Point, Luzon, Philippines was logged on 18 March 2012. Transmission was monitored from 15.45 till 16.00 UTC on 1170 kHz (MW).  Reception (SINPO) was 33433 -- good signal strength despite occasional fading and interference from a Thai station broadcasting on the same frequency, which was  identified as early as 10.30 UTC.

Reception report was emailed. QSL card, along with a business card, arrived in the mail on 3 April 2012. NOTE: Email addresses are on the business card. IBB - Philippines address is on the envelop.

Poro Point, Philippines

Back of QSL card with business card

Click here to listen to the sign-off of VOA-IBB in Poro Point. 

RECORDED ON 18 MARCH 2012 AT 15.59 UTC
Using a Sangean ATS-909W

Radio Exterior de Espana -- 70th Anniversary Broadcast

Radio Nacional de Espana celebrated their 70th anniversary on 15 March 2012. It was the 68th anniversary for Radio Exterior de Espana. To commemorate the event, REE's English language service presented a special tribute. This hour long broadcast (19.00 to 20.00 UTC) featured a discussion with past announcers, as well as letters and phone interviews with REE listeners. 

During the broadcast a letter from yours truly was read on air. To listen to this letter, click here.

Unfortunately there was no mention of REE's plan to issue a new QSL card commemorating their anniversary, in much the same way many international broadcasters have done recently. I raised this particular matter with  English service announcer for REE, Alison Hughes, in this same letter, but it was edited out and not addressed. According to WRTH 2011, REE ceased sending out QSLs after 2010.  What a great pity if there is no 70th anniversary QSL!

For lack of a physical QSL, this letter and recording, therefore, will have to suffice as confirmation that REE was received on short-wave. Regrettably with many major broadcasters not issuing their QSL any more,  it is about all the proof a short-wave listener has to show for his effort. Hopefully -- as some fellow short-wave listeners have informed me -- a commemorative QSL from REE will indeed arrive in my mail box soon. Finally! REE sent this QSL card on 20 June 2012.

Radio Tirana

Radio Tirana, transmitting from Shijak, Albania, was heard on 14 March 2012. Broadcast time for French language service was 18.30 to 18.59 UTC (monitored 18.44 to 18.59 UTC) on 7.465 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 34433 -- fair signal strength, with slight atmospheric noise and fading, otherwise clear and audible speech

Reception report was emailed. QSL card arrived in the mail on 5 April 2012. Interestingly the QSL is the same design I received a few years ago. A second QSL card arrived on 21 April 2012; it is one in a series of Radio Tirana 70th Anniversary QSLs.

Email:

radiotirana@rtsh.al

Radio Canada International Souvenirs

Radio Canada International sent a number of souvenirs recently. These included stickers, bookmarker, pennant and a large wall calendar of Canadian landmarks and scenery.

BBC (via Nakhon Sawan)

BBC, transmitting from the Asia Relay Station in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, was received on 9 March 2012. An English language broadcast of news, business reports and sports was observed from 00.00 to 01.00 UTC on 9.410  kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 44544 -- good signal strength with slight interference. Speech had some echo effect, which was rectified after 00.15 UTC.

In so much as BBC no longer sends out QSLs, I thought I would post a reception report directly to the relay site. 

Address:

BBC Asia Relay Station, 

P. O. Box 20,

Muang, Nakhon Sawan 60000, Thailand

RFA (via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka)

Radio Free Asia, transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, was logged on 5 March 2012. A Loatian language broadcast of music, commentary and news was monitored 11.20 to 11.59 UTC (broadcast time 11.00 to 11.59 UTC) on  9.325 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 44554 -- slight interference from a nearby station, others clear and strong signal.


Reception report was emailed to RFA. Received an email confirmation on 9 March 2012. QSL card received in the mail on 22 March 2012.

Email:

contact@rfa.org

qsl@rfa.org

RFE / RL (via Biblis, Germany)

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, transmitting from Biblis, Germany, was heard on 4 March 2012. During a Belarussian language programme female and male announcers spoke, bridging their reports between a classical music theme. This was monitored between 18.00 to 19.00 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 to 21.00 UTC) on  5.930 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 18.00 UTC was 35443 -- fair signal strength, no interference, slight fading and some atmospheric noise. Despite these conditions, the broadcast was audible and clear. At 19.00 UTC signal was degraded to 24322 due to interference from nearby station splatter, increased fading and atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed to RFE/RL. 

RFE / RL VIA BIBLIS RECORDED ON 4 MARCH AT 18.26 UTC

This music was used to bridge between reports.

Voice of Russia (via St. Petersburg-Popovk)

Voice of Russia, transmitting from St. Petersburg-Popovk, was logged on 4 March 2012. An Arabic language programme of talk and music was monitored from 17.40 to 18.00 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 to 18.00 UTC) on 5.935 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 44444 -- some interference from a Chinese language station and slight atmospheric noise, otherwise clear speech was observed. The recording below epitomises the quality of reception observed during the last 20 minutes of the broadcast.

 RECORDED ON 4 MARCH AT 17.56 UTC

A female announcer preceded this Arabic song, which was 
one of two songs heard just before sign-off.

Pennant

Reception report was emailed to VOR. This wonderful QSL card, together with these souvenir items, arrived four months later on 15 October 2012.

Pocket calendars and sticker

Email: 

world@ruvr.ru

Radio Free Asia (via Tinian Island)

Radio Free Asia via Tinian Island was logged on 2 March 2012. A Korean language programme was monitored  from 21.35 to 22.00 UTCT (Broadcast time 21.00 to 22.00 UTC) on 11.995  kHz. Reception (SINPO): 55445 -- excellent reception despite slight fading and some QRN. Generally the RFA Chinese and Tibetan language services are blanketed by a China station (CRI or CRN) in this region of South East Asia. Similarly, some Korean language transmissions are jammed. This was a rare opportunity to hear RFA unobstructed.

Reception report was emailed to RFA. Received an email confirmation on 9 March 2012. QSL card arrived in the mail on 22 March 2012.

Email:

contact@rfa.org

qsl@rfa.org

Radio Bulgaria

¡Un sol radiante besa a la nieve,

los seres todos la vida celebran!

FELIZ  ABUELA  MARTA

Reciban los más sinceros votos de férrea salud y mucha suerte

de parte del equipo de la Sección Española de Radio Bulgaria.

Radio Bulgaria (Spanish language section) emailed this greeting on 1 March 2012. It's certainly reassuring to see BNR addressing its listeners, although they have terminated short-wave service. 

ABC Northern Territory Souvenirs

Fridge magnet

ABC Northern Territory in Darwin posted a follow-up QSL letter (see ABC Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek blog entry), along with stickers, a fridge magnet and an ABC traveller's station guide. The ABC station guide lists the towns and frequencies of all MW and FM broadcasters across Australia. An e-QSL was previously received in January 2012, which is posted at the aforementioned blog entry. These items arrived in the mail on 2 March 2012. 

The QSLs from ABC stations in Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek were quite difficult to obtain, and only after several emails did I finally secure confirmation. These domestic stations are a joy to listen to should one ever have the opportunity to receive any one of them. 

ABC Stations and frequencies

Triple J  lists affiliates on the flip side 

ABC Darwin sticker

RFE / RL - Caucasus Echo (via Wertachtal)

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty - Caucasus Echo, transmitting from Wertachtal, Germany, was logged on 13 January 2012. A Caucatic language was observed from 17.24 to 18.00 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 to 18.00 UTC) on 9.640 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was excellent with a rating of 55445. 

Reception report was emailed to RFE/RL. QSL card arrived in the mail on 2 March 2012.