QSLs for February 2013

QSLs received and promised during the month of February 2013:


Radio Slovakia International (QSL card) web-radio / Internet broadcast from Bratislava, Slovakia
Gibraltor Broadcasting Company (QSL letter)  web-radio / Internet broadcast from Gibraltor
All India Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Panaji, (Goa), India
Voice of Pujiang (QSL-letter) transmitting from Zhenru, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
KBS World Radio / Indian DX Report (eQSL) transmitting from Kimjae, Republic of Korea
Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emilir
China Radio International (QSL card) transmitting from Jinhua, People's Republic of China
China National Radio 13 (QSL card) transmitting from Lingshi, People's Republic of China
China Radio International (QSL card) transmitting from Shijiazhuang, People's Republic of China
Sudwest Rundfunk 1 (QSL card) web-radio / Internet broadcast from Stuttgart, Germany
Radio 700 (QSL card) for web-radio / Internet broadcast from Kall-Kreke, Germany
China Tibet Broadcasting (2 QSL cards) confirmed by CRI and transmitting from Lhasa, Tibet
PBS Quinghai (QSL card) confirmed by CRI and transmitting from Xining, Quinghai Province, People's Republic of China
Voice of America (QSL Card) transmitting on MW from Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Voice of America (QSL card) transmitting from  Lampertheim, Germany
VOA-Radio Ashna (QSL card) transmitting from Kuwait
Voice of America (QSL card) transmitting from Botswana
Radio Makedonias (eQSL) transmitting from Avlis, Greece
Radio Makedonias (QSL card) transmitting from Avlis, Greece
Voice of Strait (QSL card) transmitting from FuZhou, Fujian

Promised:
Voice of Russia (QSL card) transmitting from Novosibirsk - Oyash, Russia
Radio Australia (QSL card) transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE

Gibraltar Broadcasting Company

Radio Gibraltar FM (Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation) was logged on 4 November 2012. An English language broadcast of  BBC world News, advertisements, station IDs and pop tunes -- some English and Spanish --from the '80s, 90s and present was monitored from 09.50 to 10.35 UTC. Internet stream was steady at 64 kps in MP3 format, using Apple iPod Touch with Tunin Radio application.

Reception report was emailed to GBC on the same day with follow-ups. A letter, GBC stickers and GBC lanyard was received on 27 February 2013. Although a QSL letter was mentioned, one was not enclosed. I suppose this is an acknowledgement of a verification.

Website:
www.gbc.gi

Email:
info@gbc.gi

CRI Chinese New Year Card

A few days ago I received this Chinese New Year card from China Radio International. 

All India Radio (via Panaji, Goa)

All India Radio, transmitting from Panaji (Goa), was logged on 17 April 2012. This General Overseas Service broadcast was monitored from 10.10 until 10.30 UTC on 15.020 kHz.

Reception report was emailed to AIR. This QSL card arrived on 26 February 2013.

KBS World Radio / Indian DX Report

KBS World Radio, transmitting from Kimjae, Republic of Korea, was logged on 23 February 2013. An English broadcast on news, K-Pop report on smart phones and "World Friendship/Indian DX Report" was monitored from 13.00 to 14.00 UTC. Reception on 9.570 kHz was (SINPO) 43543 -- good signal strength, but QRM from adjacent stations marred clarity of transmission. Very noisy!

Reception report was emailed to KBS World Radio and Indian DX Report shortly after the broadcast ended. The eQSL from Indian DX Report was received on 4 February 2013. KBS sent this "60 Anniversary QSL" on 26 March 2013.

IDXR eQSL

Radio Makedonias (ERT3)

Radio Makedonias (ERT3), transmitting from Avlis, Greece, was logged on 2 September 2011. Greek pop music and news was monitored from 18.30 to 19.30 UTC (broadcast time 17:00 to 22:50 UTC). Reception on 7.450 kHz was (SINPO) from 18.30 to 19.30  UTC  was 35323 -- fair reception with some QRN and fading, yet clear and audible speech.

Reception report was posted and emailed. This long-sought-after QSL arrived in the mail on 6 February 2013.

Voice of America-IBB (via Lampertheim)

Voice of America-IBB, transmitting from Lampertheim, Germany, was logged in 30 December 2011. An English language broadcast of "Border Crossings" featured music by Cliff Richard, Toby Keith,  Beyonce, Avril Lavange, Oasis, Depoche Mode and others which was hosted by Larry Landon.  "Border Crossings" continued with The Civil Wars, Steve Martin and other bluegrass singers hosted by a female announcer. Transmission was monitored from 15.00 to 16.00 UTC on 11.840 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 25432 -- fair signal strength with slight fading and atmospheric noise, otherwise clear and audible. 

Reception report was emailed to VOA in Washington DC. This QSL card arrived on 22 February 2013.

Voice of Russia (via Novosibirsk - Oyash)

Voice of Russia, transmitting from Novosibirsk - Oyash, Russia, was logged on 21 February 2013. English language broadcast of Voice of Russia from London. A news magazine was monitored from 17.00 to 18.00 UTC. Reception on 7.390 kHz was (SINPO) 44444 -- excellent signal strength and clarity, despite slight transmitter hum and fading.

Reception was emailed to VOR the following day. On 25 February 2013 I received an email from VOR stating a QSL would be posted. The promised  QSL arrived in the mail on 8 May 2013.

BBC - Sentech (via Meyerton)

BBC, transmitting from the Sentech facility in Meyerton, South Africa, was logged on 21 February 2013. An English language broadcast of "BBC World News" and "World Have Your Say" was  monitored from 18.00 to 19.00 UTC. Reception on 6.190 kHz was (SINPO) 34443 -- fair signal strength with good audio quality, despite some atmospheric noise and minor fading

A reception report was emailed to Sentec the following day. On 26 March 2013, I received an email from SENTECH promising to send a QSL: "Thanks for your report. Verification will be done an dthe letter posted." This QSL letter arrived in the mail on 29 May 2013

BBC Far Eastern Relay Station (via Kranji)

BBC Far Eastern Relay Station in Kranji, Singapore was logged 20 February 2013. An English language broadcast of consisiting of World News, World Business Report and From Our Own Correspondent  was monitored from 00.00 to 01.00 UTC. Reception on 6.195 kHz (SINPO) was 55555 - excellent reception on all accounts. 

Reception report was mailed to the relay station in Kranji a few days later. While this may be a futile exercise, owing to the BBC's position not to QSL, I shall nevertheless  make an attempt.

Address:

BBC Far Eastern Relay Station

c/o Operations Manager, Mr.Yong Wui Pin

51, Turut Track, 

718930 Kranji, Singapore  

NASWA Country Status for Papua New Guinea

NBC (Port Moresby) QSL card from the 1970s

NASWA COUNTRY STATUS FOR PAPUA / NEW GUINEA
While Papua New Guinea is one country, NASWA designates it with a status of six countries given its territorial history. These geographical areas include the following:
* Admiralty Island  (Manus)
* Bougainville
* New Britain
* New Ireland
* New Guinea Territory +
* Papua Territory ++

Shortwave Station in Admirality Islands
* NBC Radio Manus (Maus Bilong Chauka) - Lorengau, Manus Island - 3.315 kHz  (LOGGED)

Shortwave Station in Bougainville
* NBC Radio Bougainville - Kubu, Bougainville - 3.325  kHz (QSLed)

Radio East New Britain

Shortwave Stations in New Britain
* NBC Radio East New Britain (Maus Bilong Tavuvur) - Rabaul, East New Britain - 3.385  kHz (QSLed)
* NBC Radio West New Britain (Singaut Bilong Tavur) - Kimbe, West New Britain - 3.235  kHz (LOGGED)

Shortwave Station in New Ireland

Radio New Ireland

* NBC Radio New Ireland (Singaut Bilong Drongo) - Kavieng, New Ireland  - 3.905  kHz (QSLed)

+ Shortwave Stations in New Guinea Territory
* NBC Radio West Sepik (Maus Bilong Sandaun) - Vanimo,  West Sepik - 3.205 kHz (QSLed)

Radio Sandaun (West Sipik)

* NBC Radio East Sepik (Maus Bilong Sepik) - Wewak, East Sepik - 3.335  kHz
* NBC Radio Karema (Voice Of The Seagull) - Kerema - 3.245  kHz
* NBC Radio Morobe (Maus Bilong Kundu) - Lae, Morobe - 3.220  kHz
* NBC Radio Southern Highlands (Karai Bilong Muruk) - Mendi - 3.275  kHz (LOGGED)
* NBC Radio Madang (Maus Bilong Garamut) - Madang, Jomba - 3.260  kHz  (QSLed)
* NBC Radio Simbu (Karai Bilong Mumbu) - Kundiawa, Simbu - 3.355  kHz

Radio Milne Bay

++ Shortwave Stations in Papua Territory
* NBC Radio Western (Voice of The Sunset) - Daru, Western Province - 3.305  kHz
* NBC Voice of Papua New Guinea - Boroko / Port Moresby - 4.890 / 6.040  kHz
* NBC Radio Northern - Voice of The People of Oro - Popondetta, Oro - 3.345  kHz  (LOGGED)
* NBC Radio Milne Bay (Voice of Kula) - Alotau, Milne Bay - 3.365 kHz (QSLed)
* NBC Radio Karema (Voice of the Seagull) - 3.245 kHz
* Radio Fly - Tabubil, Western Province - 3. 915 kHz (QSLed)
* Radio Wantok Light - Port Moresby (9 Mile)  - 7. 325  kHz (QSLed)

NOTE: Bougainville, Admirality Islands and New Britain are separate NASWA countries. In Pre-WWI, these islands technically were part of the German colonies located in New Guinea Territory. 

Radio Madang

PERSONAL TRACK  RECORD

I have been monitoring NBC stations since September 2012. In this time I have learned NBC can be very difficult to DX for three reasons (1) erratic broadcast times, (2) propagation and (3) interference from broadcasters operating on or near the same frequency. Depending on the station, transmission tends to be best received in South East Asia  around 11.00 to 12.30 UTC and 19.00 to 20.30 UTC (grey-line is crucial for reception from these 10 kW transmitter sites).

Radio Fly

Should fortune smile on you and an NBC station be logged, obtaining a QSL can be quite problematic. Factors include the hierarchical routing of reception reports from outlying NBC affiliates to the Technical Director at NBC corporate headquarters,  disruption in internet service, a poor postal system and/or a combination of these. In all fairness to PNG and NBC, I have communicated with some wonderful people who have been instrumental in helping me reach the appropriate person(s). For their kind assistance, I respect and salute them.

So, how did I succeed in QSLing NBC? I used a variety of methods, including third party contacts, email, air mail and registered letters and Facebook messaging. In most cases, little or no response resulted. Only two QSLs to date have been acquired, and these were self-prepared eQSLs with signatures from the respective Provincial Radio Director and common seal of the station. And, I might add, this required considerable sourcing, repeated emails and time.

Wantok Light Radio

On the other hand, should one pick-up signals from the 1 kW stations Wantok Light Radio and Radio Fly, they will QSL more readily. Radio Fly will send an eQSL due to postal irregularities. Wantok Light will post a QSL card and letter,  but it may take many months after submitting a reception report. To be certain of receiving confirmation from them, a letter and follow-up emails is strongly recommended.

Postal addresses and emails for these stations may be found on their websites.

WEBSITES
* National Broadcasting Corporation
* Wantok Light Radio
* Radio Fly

Radio Australia (via Dhabbaya)

Radio Australia, transmitting presumably from Dhabbaya, UAE, was logged on 17 February 2013. News, commentary on Australian politics, "Asian Snapshot", gaming addiction and music, broadcast in English, was  monitored from 23.00 to 00.00 UTC. Reception on 9.885 kHz (SINPO) was 55555 -- excellent reception on all accounts. 

Reception report was emailed to Radio Australia on the same day. Within a few hours of emailing the report on-line at Radio Australia, this message was received: "Thanks for the report. We will check the details and once they are verified  we will send a QSL. Your information is useful to us in providing a high quality service to our listeners. Regards, Radio Australia Transmissions Unit"

Post:

Radio Australia

GPO Box 428, Melbourne

Australia 3001

Radio Free Asia (via Agingan Point/Saipan)

Radio Free Asia, transmitting from Agingan Point (Saipan), was logged on 16 February 2012. A Chinese language broadcast of news and commentary was  monitored from 03.00 to 03.30 UTC on  15.665 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 11441 - CNR deliberately blocked reception. Only faint audio could be detected underneath CNR's transmission. In addition, CNR effectively blocked reception on not only 15.665 kHz but also 11.980 kHz, 13.710 kHz, 17.880 kHz and 21.540 kHz.  Occasionally a faint signal from RFA was detected underneath CNR only on 15.665 kHz and 17.880 kHz (via Tinian Island).

Reception report was emailed on the same day. The above QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 April 2013.

Email:

qsl@rfa.org

contact@rfa.org

Democratic Voice of Burma (via Dushanbe)

Democratic Voice of Burma, transmitting presumably from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, was logged on 15 February 2013. A Burmese language broadcast of a largely talk format was monitored from 15.05 to 15.30 UTC.  Reception on 6.225 kHz was (SINPO) 35443 -- good signal strength and audio clarity.

To listen to the quality of this transmission, click HERE. This music was played just before sign-off.

Reception report was emailed to DVB. Email addresses can be found at their website. 

Website:

www.dvb.no/contact

Postal Address:

Democratic Voice of Burma

P.O Box 6720

ST. Olavs Plass

N-0130 Oslo

NORWAY

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey (TRT) in Emirler,  Turkey was logged on 14 February 2013. An English language broadcast of news, special feature programmes and Turkish music was monitored from 17.50 to 18.25 UTC (broadcast time 17.30 to 18.25 UTC). Reception (SINPO) on the frequency of 11.730 kHz was: 45544 -- excellent signal strength and audio clarity throughout the transmission. 

Reception report was emailed to TRT the following day, 15 February 2013. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 6 March 2013.

Email: 

englishdesk@trt.net.tr

e-Greetings from Radio Habana Cuba

Radio Habana Cuba emailed this February 14th greeting.

"To love is tenderness,  hope, worthiness and respect."
José Martí

February 14th: "Day of Love and Friendship"
Congratulations!

NBC Radio New Ireland (via Kavieng)

Front of self-prepared eQSL

NBC Radio New Ireland (Singaut Bilong Drongo), transmitting from Kavieng, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea was logged on 13 February 2013. Transmission occurred on 3.905 kHz. Music and promotional spots in Tok Pisin and national news on the hour in English was heard from 11.45 to 13.00 UTC. Since monitoring Radio New Ireland from November 2012, this was by far the best reception for Radio New Ireland. SINPO for much of the broadcast was 34333 -- fair signal strength, clear audio with minimal fading and atmospheric noise. By 12.30 UTC signal strength began to diminish.

To hear 25 minutes of this broadcast click the following links: 

PART 1, PART 2, PART 3 and PART 4.

This reception report, along with seven separate reports for individual NBC stations,  was emailed and posted to the NBC headquarters. Two letters were sent, one  in care of the Managing Director and the other to the Technical Director on 15 February 2013.

Address:
National Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 1359
Boroko, National Capital District
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Email:
info@nbc.com.pg (no replies since October 2012)

NBC Radio Northern - Voice of the People of Oro (via Popondetta, PNG)

Front of self-prepared eQSL

NBC Radio Northern - Voice of the People of Oro, transmitting from Popondetta, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, was logged on 10 February 2013. A broadcast in English / Hiri Motu was heard. Local music, station ID, bird chirping on the hour, followed by news and commentary was monitored from19.45 to 20.30 UTC.  Sign-on was at 19.00 UTC. Transmission was observed on 3.345 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at 19.45 UTC was 34332 -- weak signal, clearly audible, with atmospheric noise. By 20.30 UTC, reception quality worsened to 24321 -- still audible, less clarity due to increased atmospheric noise. Gradually signal dropped off by 20.40 UTC. 

An excerpt of this broadcast from NBC Radio Northern may be heard HERE. 

Reception report was emailed on the same day. I suspect this is futile, considering various email contacts do not elicit any response. In subsequent days, a letter will be posted.


Address:
National Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 1359
Boroko, National Capital District
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Email:
info@nbc.com.pg (no replies since October 2012)

Radio Oriental (via Tena, Ecuador)

PRIZED QSL Card

Radio Oriental, transmitting from Tena, Napo, Ecuador, was logged on  9 February 2013. Spanish language programming with Andean flute music and male announcer was observed from 11.15 to 11.45 UTC. Transmission was on 4.781 kHz. At 11.15 UTC a faint carrier was present. At 11.25 UTC as grey-line approached between Malaysia and Ecuador, reception improved to 24321 -- audio of Andean flute and talking from a male announcer faded in over a prominent carrier signal. At 11.30, QRM from CODAR blocked signal, although carrier and speech could be detected underneath. After 11.45 UTC only a weak carrier with occasional peaks of audio could be heard.

Letter of Verification

Reception report was posted with 5 Malaysian Ringgit on 13 February 2013. This QSL card, letter of verification and sticker arrived in the mail on 7 June 2013.

Address:

Radio Oriental

Sr. Luis Enrique Espín Espinoza

Casilla 260, 

Av Jumandi 536, 

Tena, Provincia de Napo, 

Ecuador

Letter of Verification, QSL card, sticker and envelope with Ecuadoran stamps

Voice of Tigray (via Addis Ababa)

Self-prepared QSL pending confirmation

Voice of Tigray  (Dimtsi Weyane Tigray), transmitting from Addis Ababa-Gedja, Ethiopia, was logged on 6 February 2013. A programme of Ethiopian music, hosted by a female announcer in Tigrinya / Afar, was heard from 18.45 to 19.30 UTC. Transmission was observed on the frequency of 5.950 kHz. Reception (SINPO) was 44434 -- good signal strength, clear and audible speech, minor station interference and slight fading. At 19.25 UTC, interference from a station broadcasting in French was noticed. 

Reception report submitted on-line at their website on the same day, whereas for mail it was posted on 13 February 2013.

Address:

Dimtsi Woyane Tigray (DWET)

PO.Box 450

Mekele, Tigray

Ethiopia

Website:

www.dimtsiwoyane.com