Radio Free Asia (via Kuwait)

Radio Free Asia, transmitting presumedly from  Kuwait, was logged on  1 July 2012. A Tibetan (Amdo) language broadcast of news reports was heard from 02.00 to 02.30 UTC on 11.745 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 22442 -- weak signal strength coupled with strong interference from CRI in China who mirrored and blanketed this transmission and  other RFA frequencies. Despite these conditions, speech was faintly audible.

Reception report was emailed to RFA on same day as broadcast. This QSL card commemorating the 2012 Olympic Games in London arrived in the mail on 20 July 2012.

Email:

contact@rfa.org

qsl@rfa.org

Radio Prague (Internet)

Radio Prague  in the Czech Republic was logged on 1 July  2012. I listened to a wonderful episode on "Czech Life", featuring an interview with a 92 year old English woman Lillian Schořová who was a Czech war bride. The interview focused on the ups and downs she and her husband faced in Czechoslovakia after WWII. This English broadcast was heard from 22.00 to 22.30 UTC, but can be archived and downloaded as a Podcast. Mode of reception was a 64 kps Internet stream  via Radio Prague website -- http://www.radio.cz/en/?set_default_version=1.  Streaming rate was excellent with great sound quality.

Reception report was submitted online. This QSL card and souvenir notepad arrived in the mail on 17 July 2012.

QSL Cards for June 2012

The following QSLs were received for the month of June 2012:

Wantok Radio Light (QSL card and letter) transmitting from Port Moresby, PNG
KSDA - Adventist World Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
South Asia Radio (eQSL) via Internet stream in South India
China Radio International (QSL card) transmitting on Medium-wave from Hainan Province
Radio France International/China Radio International (QSL card) transmitting  on Medium-wave from Hainan Province
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (QSL card) tranxmitting from Ekala, Sri Lanka
Atlantic 2000 International "30th Anniversary" (eQSL) via Internet stream in France
Nord AM (promised QSL) received via Internet stream from Kall-Kreke, Germany
All India Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Delhi
Radio Exterior de Espana (QSL card) transmitting from Cariari de Pococi, Costa Rica
Radio Exterior de Espana (QSL card) transmitting from Noblejas, Spain
Radio Exterior de Espana (QSL card) transmitting from Beijing, China
Rhein Main Radio Club (eQSL and QSL) transmitting from Sitkunai, Lithuania
Voice of America (QSL card) transmitting from Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana
WX6ZZ (promised eQSL) transmitting from Sanoma, California, USA
Radio Japan (QSL card) transmitting from Bonaire
Radio Caroline (eQSL and letter) via the Internet from the UK
Radio Prague (QSL card) via the Internet from the Czech Republic
Atlantic 2000 International (eQSL) via the Internet from France
Voice of Vietnam (QSL card) transmitting from Hanoi
Voice of Vietnam (QSL card) transmitting from Moosbrunn, Austria
Voice of Vietnam (QSL card) transmitting on Medium-wave from Can Tho (in former South Vietnam)
Tokyo VOLMET (QSL letter) transmitting from Kagoshima Broadcasting Station, Japan

Radio Netherlands Worldwide -- Last broadcasts via Tinang & Trincomalee

The last English language broadcasts of Radio Netherlands Worldwide were logged on 28 and 29 June 2012.

In its broadcast to Asia and Australia, RNW via Tinang was received on 15.110 kHz from 10.00 to 10.57 UTC. "South Asia Wired" was broadcast twice during the transmission and sandwiched between the programme "Earth Beat". Occasionally during the transmission, listeners were reminded that this was the final English language transmission of RNW on 15.110 kHz. Reception (SINPO): 45334 -- good signal strength, clear and audible speech despite slight fading and atmospheric noise. Interestingly, on the 29 June 2012, RNW transmitted its last Indonesian language broadcast on the same frequency as well as 15.300 kHz and others in the 19, 16 and 13 meter band. 

RNW via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka was heard on 29 June 2012, transmitting to South Asia on 9.800 kHz. This retrospective broadcast of RNW was monitored  from 13.58 to 14.57 UTC. Reception (SINPO) at 13.58 UTC was 45444 good signal strength, clear and audible speech despite slight fading and atmospheric noise; at 14.30 UTC reception worsened with increased atmospheric noise to 45343

Programme content (for this English language broadcast) included:

13.58 - RNW station interval, followed by RNW station ID and announcement of the last RNW English language broadcast which was presented by a male announcer.

14.02 - One vocal song, followed by a Dheera Sujan narrating the history of RNW: "The Happy Station" hosted by Eddie Startz and  Tom Meier; Jonathan Marks was featured; Pete Meyer's "Asia Beat" was highlighted;  and the award-winning RNW documentaries were touched upon

14.19 - Dheera Sujan mentioned  RNW would continue on the Internet, then followed with interviews of various RNW producers and favorite programmes, i.e. its African service

14.31 - Instrumental music, then retrospective on RNW continued with a look at the  "Weekend Europe" and "Network Europe", then a song entitled "Good-bye My Love"

14.36 - Retrospective resumed with "Curious Orange" stories about Afghanistan, a prostitute and a robot designed for sex

14.43 -  Mary Hopkins sang "Good-bye My Love", followed by a look at "Earth Beat"

14.48 - Dheera Sujan presented favorite episodes from her 23-year repertoire with RNW, i.e. interviews with Indonesian liberators from Dutch rule, Australian outback, etc

14.56 - Announcement of thanks to listeners for 65 years and  last broadcast, followed by RNW station interval (the bells)

14.57 - Short-wave transmission ended...forever!

For a bit of nostalgia I used a Grundig Satellit 500 to listen to RNW's last English broadcast. 

Reception reports were submitted online at RNW and emailed on both days. The QSL card for the Trincomalee transmission arrived on 20 July 2012; it came with an RNW sticker. Confirmation of the Tinang transmission arrived in the post on 24 July 2012.

South Asia Radio (Internet)

South Asia Radio in India was heard on 24 June 2012. In a "Test Transmission" via an Internet stream at dxhobby.caster.fm/ I listened to several Malayam songs from 13.07 to 13.30 UTC. Reception quality was clear and unbroken at 56 kps.

A reception report was emailed imediately after the broadcast, and Brijesh replied with this attractive and detailed eQSL later in the evening.

Website: 

www.dxhobby.tk

Email:

dxing@in.com

China Radio International (in Hainan Province on MW)

China Radio International (CRI), transmitting from Gancheng  {感城}, Dongfang {东方}, Hainan Province {海南} was logged on 8 May 2012. CRI signed on at 12.00 UTC with a broadcast in English from 684 kHz (MW) until 13.00 UTC. Reception (SINPO) at 12 was 45444 -- good signal strength with minor atmospheric noise and occasional fading. .

A reception report was emailed to CRI. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 22 June 2012.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (Colombo-Ekala)

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), transmitting from Colombo-Ekala, Sri Lanka, was logged on18 March 2012. An English language programme of music requests and news was monitored  from  02.00 to 03.00 UTC on 15.745  kHz. This 35 kW transmitter (with actual output being 20 kW) is heard regularly in this region of South East Asia. Reception (SINPO) at 02.00 UTC was 45444 -- good signal strength with slight fading. At 02.40 UTC weak signal strength, atmospheric noise and fading degraded reception to 25222. By 02.55 UTC signal was negligible and gradually dissolved into static. 

Reception report was emailed and posted. QSL arrived in the mail on 22 June 2012 after several follow-up emails. 

Voice of Vietnam 4 (Dak Lak)

Voice of Vietnam 4, transmitting from  Dak Lak, (formerly in South Vietnam) was heard on  20 June 2012. A Vietnamese language broadcast of tradition music was monitored from 22.00 to 23.00 UTC (broadcast time 22.00 to 15.30 UTC). Frequency used was 6.020 kHz. Reception (SINPO): 45444 -- good signal strength, slight interference and minor atmospheric noise, otherwise clear and audible speech. At 22.23 UTC audio feed disappeared, but transmitter was audible; audio resumed at 22.24 UTC.

Reception report was emailed to VoV on the same day. This QSL card, along with a broadcast schedule and pocket-size calendars, arrived in the mail on 30 June 2012.

The following source states the transmission location is Dak Lak and operating power is 20 kW:  http://www.short-wave.info/?station=Voice%20of%20Vietnam%204

A sound file of VoV4 in Dak Lak, recorded on 24 April 2013 at 11.00 UTC, may be heard HERE. Signal continues to received well in West Malaysia.

All India Radio (General Overseas Service)

All India Radio (General Overseas Service) presumably in Delhi was logged on 10 April 2011. Time monitored was from 23.30 to 00.45  UTC. An English language broadcast was heard on 11.715 kHz; but AIR states on the QSL card 11.645 kHz. In any case, reception (SINPO) at 23.30UTC was 43553 -- good signal strength marred only by annoying QRM from suspected Chinese broadcaster, CNR or CRI. By 23.58 UTC, QRM was so bad AIR transmission was almost buried  by this Chinese station. At 00.05 UTC until 00.45, reception improved to 54555; I'm not certain, but it sounded like GOS AIR switched transmitter sites/power at this time. I also noticed a 5kHz shift whereby AIR was heard well on 11.710 as well as 11.715 kHz. 

Reception report was emailed to AIR and submitted online. This is a bit of a bttersweet QSL. So many AIR stations have been logged and reception reports submitted. When I finally get this QSL, it is not altogther correct. Still and all, I count it as a confirm.

DX-Antwerp Freebies

DX-Antwerp sent these stickers from three international broadcasters, today. These include Radio Oesterreich  International, Radio Canada International and Voice of America. The postage stamp from Belgium is an added bonus. These items arrived with a commemorative 30 Anniversary QSL card marking their transmission from Issoudun, France and Montinsery, French Guiana.

NordAM in Germany (Internet)

NordAM in Germany was logged on 16 June 2012. This German language station featured German and English pop tunes, with casual discussion on football and current European topics, from 15.00 to 16.15 UTC. Unable to receive this 1kW station (Radio 700's transmitter) on 6.005 kHz due to splatter from jamming and a North Korean station, an Internet link provided excellent audio and unbroken streaming.

Reception report was emailed to NordAM on the same day. On 19 June 2012, Daniel Kaehler at NordAM sent this email confirming my reception report of NordAM: "Thank you very much for your kind message and the detailed online reception report. We were really happy to learn that we had a listener in Malaysia! Unfortunatlely, you weren't able to listen to our SW transmission but it is great you listened to the online-stream of Radio 700 which carried NordAM at this time. I will confirm your online-report soon." This QSL card arrived in the mail on 27 July 2012.

Email:
nordam@shortwaveservice.com

Transmitter site in Kall-Kreke, Germany

Radio 700 (Internet)

Radio  700 in Kall-Kreke, Germany was logged on 16 June 2012. This German language station featured commercial-free and uninterrupted German and English contemporary adult and pop tunes from 02.30 to 03.30 UTC. Unable to receive this 1kW station on 6.005 kHz,  am Internet stream  was accessible at their website: www.radio700.net/, which provided excellent audio and unbroken streaming.

Reception report was emailed to Radio 700 on the same day. This QSL card, together with Radio 700 stickers and flyer, arrived in the mail on 18 February 2013.

Amateur Radio Operators JR1MLT (Yokohama) and WX6ZZ (San Francisco)

Amateur radio operators JR1MLT (Yokohama, Japan) and  WX6ZZ  (San Francisco, CA, USA) were received on 16 June 2012. Transmissions were monitored from 14.44 to 14.56 UTC on 14.244 kHz (SSB/USB mode).  WX6ZZ mentioned he "had an Elecraft K3, 4 element monobander and an ACOM 2000A amplifier that was pushing 1000 watts". Reception of JR1MLT (SINP0) was 25432 -- weak signal strength with no observed fading or interference, otherwise transmission was clear and audible. My guess is reception would have been stronger had his antenna been pointed southward; WX6ZZ was much stronger at 35433, assuming he beamed westward.

It would be great to get QSLs from these guys! A reception report was mailed to JR1MLT; whereas the reception report  to WX6ZZ was emailed. Shortly after emailing WX6ZZ on 16 June 2012, he emailed the following comment: "I will eQSL with you and see if I can send you a card as well." JR1MLT replied with this QSL on 5 July 2012; this QSL card from WX6ZZ arrived on 10 July 2012.

Thank you Koichi and Bill!!!

Radio New Zealand International

Radio New Zealand International, broadcasting from a 100kW transmitter at its site in Rangitaiki, was monitored from 09.50 to 10.58 UTC. An English language broadcast of classical music, news and biographical profile of New Zealand opera singer Hans Oskar Natzka was heard until sign-off on 6.170 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 09.50 UTC was 25332 -- weak signal strength but audible and clear speech at time. At 10.30 UTC reception improved to 35443 -- fair signal strength and much clearer audio. 

QSL card from RNZI for report sent by post

Reception report was emailed and posted. Emailed reports receive an eQSL response. An eQSL was received on 13 August 2012. A QSL card arrived in the mail on 27 August 2012.

eQSL from RNZI for email report

Email:

infor@rnzi.com
qsl@rnzi.com

NHK World - Radio Japan (via Bonaire)

NHK World - Radio Japan via  Bonaire, Netherland Antilles was logged on  14 June 2012.  A Japanese language broadcast was monitored from 23.25 to 00.00 UTC (broadcast time 23.00 to 00.00 UTC) on  15.265 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 23.25 UTC was 25332 -- weak signal strength, minor fading and atmospheric noise, otherwise clear and audible speech. 

Reception report was submitted to Radio Japan on same day. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 10 July 2012.

KSDA - Adventist World Radio (via Trincomalee)

KSDA - Adventist Word Radio, transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Was logged on 14 June 2012. A Mandrin language broadcast with English IDs was monitored 14.15 to 14.58 UTC on 12.105 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 14.15 UTC was 43444 -- strong signal strength despite interference from adjacent stations. At 14.30 UTC reception was degraded to 32433  -- transmission was detected but overwhelmed at times by an adjacent Chinese language station.

Reception report was submitted on same day. This QSL card arrived in the mail, signed by Adrian Peterson, on 26 June 2012.

Radio Oesterreich International

Radio Oesterreich International transmitting from Moosbrunn was logged 15 June 2012. A German language broadcast from 08.00 to 08.33 UTC (monitored from 08.20 to 08.33 UTC) on 13.730 kHz. Reception (SINPO): 25332 - weak signal strength, but clear and audible speech heard. 

Reception report was emailed on same day. This QSL arrived in the post on 1 August 2012.

Address:

Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF)

Radio Austria International

Argentinierstrasse 30a

Wien, Austria A-1040

Email:

roi.service@orf.at

roi@orf.at 

oe1.service@orf.at

Radio Caroline (Internet)

Radio Caroline was heard via the Internet from the UK on 10 June 2012. An English language programme of great music, hosted by Pat Edison, was monitored from 11.50 to 13.00 UTC.  Internet stream provided a clear audio and unbroken transmission.

A reception report was submitted to Radio Caroline. Pat Edison emailed this nice message and an eQSL, if you, of Radio Caroline's old QSL card. These items were received within a few days on 12 June 2012.

Website:

www.radiocaroline.co.uk/#home.html

Email:

studio@radiocaroline.co.uk

Rhein Main Radio Club (via Lithuania)

A few DXers from the Finnish delegation

Rhein Main Radio Club's special broadcast of the EDXC Conference, transmitting presumedly from Sitkunai, Lithuania,  was logged on 10 June 2012. This English language broadcast was monitored from 17.50 to 18.30 UTC (broadcast time for Asia was 17.30 to 18.30 UTC). It was transmitted on 11.900 kHz. Reception (SINPO) from 17.30 to 17.57 UTC was 32552 -- strong interference from China Radio International blanketed the transmission, yet speech was still audible. At 17.57 UTC reception improved immensely to 54544 once CRI closed.

Reception report was submitted on-line at RMRC website and emailed. A general eQSL (below) was received on 18 June 2012. The eQSL was accompanied with a short message from RMRC CEO,  Dr. Harald Gabler: "Hello Timm, Thanks for listening to our broadcast. Greetings from Germany. Harald".  A fully detailed QSL card arrived in the mail on 26 June 2012. A further eQSL was sent on 27 June 2012.

The first and non-specific eQSL issued 

Website:

www.rmrc.de

Email:
mail@rmrc.de
tiszi2035@yahoo.com

This was issued after complaints from DXers
about the incompleteness of the first eQSL issued