QSLs / ARTICLES

Friday, August 30, 2013

QSLs for August 2013

QSLs either received or promised for the month of August 2013 include the following:


RTM-Sarawak FM (eQSL) transmitting from Kajang, West Malaysia
Atlantic 2000 International (QSL) broadcasting via Internet stream from France
Radio Taiwan International (QSL card) German language service transmitting from Skelton, UK
Bangaladesh DX Report via Adventist World Radio (eQSL) transmitting from Agat, Guam
The Overcomer Ministry and Media Broadcast GmbH (2 eQSLs) transmitting from Nauen, Germany
IBB/VOA Deewa Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Iranawila, Sri Lanka
KBS World Radio (2 QSL cards) transmitting from Kimjae, Republic of Korea
Hamburger Lokalradio (QSL card) 1 kW TXer used in a test transmission from Gohren-Schwerin, Germany
PCJ Radio International (QSL letter) transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
China Radio International (QSL cards) transmitting from Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, PRC
AIR Thiruvananthapuram (QSL card) transmitting from Kerala, India
Galei Zahal (QSL card) transmitting on 6.885 kHz from Tel Aviv, Israel
Voice of Turkey (QSL) transmitting from Emirler, Turkey
Adventist World Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Moosbrunn, Austria

Promised:
WHRI (QSL) transmitting from Cypress Creek, South Carolina (USA)
China Radio International (QSL) transmitting from Nanning, PRC
Radio Spaceshuttle International (QSL) transmitting from an undisclosed location in Finland
The Voice of Martyrs (QSL) transmitting from Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey broadcasting from Emirler was logged on 30 August 2013. An English language programme of news, Turkish pop music and special report on Turkish "Victory Day"  was heard from 20.25 to 21.20 UTC. Reception on 7.205 kHz was (SINPO) 44444 -- good signal strength and audio quality despite some QRM from a station (Radio Omdurman in Sudan) under your signal; at 20.59 UTC,  strong interference from CRI degraded signal to 42442; at 21.05 UTC, interference decreased and reception was slightly better at 43434.

The quality of reception in Malaysia may be heard HERE.

A reception report was emailed to TRT. This QSL card and a coaster of a Turkish landmark arrived in the mail on 8 October 2013.

Email:
englishdesk@trt.net.tr

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Adventist World Radio / Australian DX Report (via Guam)

Adventist World Radio / Australian DX Report, transmiting from Agat, Guam, was logged on 25 August 2013. A broadcast of Dr. Adrian Peterson's "Wavescan" with Bob Padula's Australian DX Report was heard from 22.38 to 23.00 UTC (broadcast time 22.30 to 23.00 UTC). Reception on 15.320 kHz was (SINPO): 35443 -- fair signal with slight fading, otherwise clear and audible speech.
 
Reception reports were sent to Wavescan and Bob Padula on the following day. An eQSL from Bob Padula was received on 9 September 2013. QSL card from AWR arrived in the mail on 12 September 2013 and 4 June 2014.



Email (Bob Padula):
bobpadula@mydesk.net.au

Website (Australian DX Report):
adxr.podbean.com/

Email (Wavescan):
wavescan@awr.org

Website (Wavescan):
www.awr.org/en/listen/program/143

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

NEW Radio Televisyen Malaysia QSL Cards

TRAXX FM QSL (front)
TRAXX FM QSL (back)
Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) appears to be issuing new QSL cards / eQSLs  for their individual short-wave outlets. The past few months I have noticed QSL cards in various short-wave forums (most notably on Facebook) popping up for TRAXX FM (7.295 kHz) and Sarawak FM (9.835 kHz). RTM may be printing separate QSLs for Wai FM (11.665 kHz), Asyik FM (6.050 kHz) and Klasik Nasional (5.965 kHz) as well, although I have not seen evidence to confirm it.

Sarawak FM (front)
QSL sans RTM logos 
In early 2012 all RTM stations were initially QSLed  with a card depicting RTM headquarters in Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur. There were two versions issued. The first edition featured only the RTM building whereas the second edition included RTM station logos. In the 1970's  RTM issued a QSL card showing the same building, which incidentally sits on a hillside, outside Pantai Dalam, near Kuala Lumpur town centre..

Voice of Malaysia QSL 
RTM - Voice of Malaysia offered a  variety of designs throughout the 1980's, 1990's and 2000's. These served to not only confirm reception reports, but  also aided in promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination. This appears to be the direction RTM is heading now with the new QSLs.

Sarawak FM  PPC QSL in 2011
I would like to think I helped start the ball rolling for the current QSL cards for Sarawak FM, TRAXX FM and RTM. In 2010 after unsuccessful attempts to QSL Sarawak FM (while still transmitting from Kuching), I followed up with a PPC QSL which RTM confirmed in late 2011. Since then, RTM has QSLed reception reports for listeners worldwide.

In any event it is welcome news to see RTM cares about  its listeners and invites them to continue sending reception reports in exchange for these attractive new cards. Terima kasih, RTM!!!


Radio Romania International (via Galbeni and Tiganesti)

Radio Romania International, transmitting from Galbeni and Tiganesti, was logged on  21 August 2013. An English language broadcast of  Radio News Reel, Society Today on HIV infections in Romania, Sportscast and Romanian music was observed from 20.30  to 20.57 UTC. Reception on 11.875 kHz (Galbeni) and 13.800 kHz (Tiganesti) was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair signal strength, good clarity with some fading on both frequencies. At 20.45 UTC, transmission from 11.875 kHz suddenly disappeared. 

Reception report was emailed and submitted on-line the following day. QSL card for Galbeni arrived in the male on 26 September 2013.

Email:
engl@rri.ro

Website:
www.rri.ro/pages/contact

The Overcomer Ministry (via Nauen)

The Overcomer Ministry, transmitting from Media Broadcast  GmbH site in Nauen, Germany, was logged  on 21 August 2013. An English language broadcast from Brother Stair and others on American healthcare was  monitored from 20.15 until 20.45 UTC. Reception on 11.775 kHz (SINPO) was 34433 -- fair signal strength, good clarity with some fading.

Reception report was emailed the following day. An eQSL from Overcomer Ministry was received in less than 24 hours on 22 August 2013. A subsequent reception report was submitted to Media Broadcast GmbH. An eQSL from Media Broadcast arrived on 23 August 2013.

















Email:
lastime@overcomerministry.org

Website:
www.overcomerministry.org

Random Log from South East Asia

RANDOM LOG  ON 21 AUGUST 2013

Radio Djibouti // 4.780 kHz @ 24332  // Horn of Africa music and conversation in French after 19.30 UTC

AFN in Diego Garcia // 4.319 kHz/USB @ 24332 // advertisements, community announcements and music in English from 19.15 UTC

Voice of the People in ROK // 4.557 kHz @ 33443 -- jamming but clear and audible // Commentary in Korean from 19.30 UTC

UNID carrier // 5.060 kHz at 24322 // from 19.30 UTC

Voice of Russia via Yerevan // 9.895 kHz @ 34443 // Conversation in Arabic from 20.00 UTC

The Overcomer Ministry via Nauen // 11.775 kHz @ 34433 // Brother Stair and sermon/commentary on American healthcare from 20.15 UTC

Deutsche Welle via Kigali // 11.800 kHz @ 45444 //  News magazine in English

Radio Romania International via Galbeni And Tiganesti // 11.875 and 13.800 kHz @ 44334 -- fading  // English from 20.30  to 20.57 UTC



Sunday, August 18, 2013

Atlantic 2000 International (Internet)

Atlantic 2000 International broadcasting on short-wave (6.005 kHz and 7.290 kHz from Germany) and Internet (from France) was logged on 18 August 2013. The short-wave transmission could not be received in South East Asia, so an Internet stream at 24 kps was used. An enjoyable hour of English and French songs with frequent station IDs was heard from 09.05 to 10.05 UTC.

A reception report was emailed to Atlantic 2000 International shortly after the broadcast. Later in the evening I received this email: "Thank you very much for your reception report.You will receive our QSL-card soon. Best regards. Mike".

Email:
atlantic2000international@gmail.com

Website:
radioatlantic2000.free.fr/

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Radio Free Sarawak (via Palau)

Radio Free Sarawak (RFS), transmitting from presumably Palau, was logged 17 August 2013. Political commentary from the Malaysian opposition in Iban and Bahasa Malaysia was noted from 11.30 UTC onward (broadcast time 11.00 to 12.30 UTC). Reception on 15.420 kHz (SINPO) was 55555.

No reception report was submitted insomuch as RFS has not QSLed since 2011. To see an eQSL of Radio Free Sarawak issued in 2011 click HERE.

Website:
radiofreesarawak.org

Friday, August 16, 2013

RTM Sarawak FM (West Malaysia)

RTM Sarawak FM, transmitting from Kajang, West Malaysia, was logged on 16 August 2013 (17 August 2013 in Malaysia). A selection of Hari Raya songs and community announcements in Bahasa Malaysia were observed from 22.30 to 23.30 UTC (6.30 to 7.30 am Malaysian Time). Reception on 9.835 kHz at 22.30 UTC was (SINPO) 44434 -- good signal strength but noisy with some QRM and fading. Despite these conditions speech remained  audible and discernible. Reception worsened at 23.00 UTC to 43443 due to strong station splatter from Voice of Vietnam (VoV) on 9.840 kHz. Station was retuned  to 9.834 kHz to reduce interference from VoV.

An audio file of RTM Sarawak FM just before and after VoV signed on may be heard HERE


Reception report was emailed to RTM on the same day and again on 19 August 2013. On 20 August 2013, Mr. Zulkifli at RTM emailed, confirming my reception report with eQSL and promised to send QSL card #106/2013.  


Thursday, August 15, 2013

All India Radio Stations on 80 Metres

AIR stations on 80 metres logged in Malaysia, 15 August 2013:

AIR Port Blair (presume) // 4.760 kHz // 34353 // Independence Day coverage in English after 14.45 UTC

AIR Mumbai // 4.810 kHz // 34323 // Music in Hindi after 15.00 UTC

AIR Kolkata // 4.820 kHz // 44444 // Independence Day coverage in English after 14.45 UTC

AIR Gantok // 4.835 kHz // 22432 -- strong interference from ABC in Alice Springs // Hindi music at 14.15 UTC

AIR Mumbai // 4.840 kHz // 34443 // Discussion in Hindi at 14.15 UTC

AIR Kohima // 4.850 kHz // 34333 -- droning interference from radar // Independence Eve commentary in English after 15.45 UTC on 14 August 2013; station was silent the following day -- 15 August.

AIR Shimla // 4.860 kHz // 35433 // Advertisements in Hindi at 14.20 UTC

AIR Lucknow // 4.880 kHz // 35443 // Advertisements and music in Hindi after 14.20 UTC

AIR Kolkata // 4.895 kHz // 35333 // Discussion in Hindi after 22.25 UTC

AIR Jaipur // 4.910 kHz // 44433 -- under modulated with transmitter hum // Music followed by talking from YL in Hindi after 14.28 UTC

AIR Chennai // 4.920 kHz // 35443 // Advertisements, station ID in after 14.30 UTC

AIR Shillong // 4.970 kHz // 24322 // Music after 14.30 UTC

AIR Thiruvananthapuram // 5.010 kHz // 35443 // Talking after 14.30 UTC

AIR Kolkata // 5.040 kHz // 35443 // Talking after 14.45 UTC 

The difficulty with AIR arises not in receiving the stations, but rather it lies in obtaining confirmation (QSL). I have submitted many follow-up reception reports with audio files over the past three years, some with the assistance from SWLers in India and directly to the email addresses of some Senior Engineers, yet only one station (AIR Thiruvananthapuram) has QSLed to date. I am aware other listeners have been more fortunate in acquiring QSLs from AIR Gantok and AIR Port Blair. Some AIR stations on MW and 120 metre are received as well in Malaysia, but again, getting a verification is a formidable task. Hopefully AIR will look in to this matter and find a solution.


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

China Radio International (Nanning)

China Radio International, transmitting from Nanning, People's Republic of China, was logged on 13 August 2013. A segement of  "China Drive was monitored from 16.00 to 17.00 UTC. Reception on 6.175 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- Excellent on accounts!!!

Reception report was emailed to YiangLin at CRI the following day. A QSL was promised on 16 August 2013. The promised QSL card arrived in the mail on 13 September 2013.

Email:
yinglian@cri.com.cn
crieng@cri.com.cn



Radio Free Chosun (via Dushanbe)

Self-made QSL with email message
Radio Free Chosun, transmitting presumably from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, was logged on 13 August 2013. A Korean language broadcast, consisting mostly of commentary, was  monitored from 12.15 to 12.45 UTC (broadcast time 12.00 to 14.00 UTC). Reception on 15.720 kHz was (SINPO) 25332 -- weak signal but audible and clear despite fading and atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed the following day. On 13 September 2013 I received the following email from Radio Free Chosun indirectly confirming my reception report: "Many thanks for your kind report. Your report is very helpful to know frequency conditions. Thank you again. Warm Regards, An Kyoung Hee"

Email:
rfchosun@rfchosun.org


Friday, August 9, 2013

Sudan Radio

Self-made QSL with email message
Sudan Radio, transmitting presumably from Al-Aitahab, Was logged on 9 August 2013. An English language broadcast of Sudanese music hosted by a male announcer was monitored from 17.35 to 18.25 UTC (broadcast time 16.00 to 19.00 UTC). Reception on 9.505 kHz at 17.35 UTC was (SINPO) 23421 -- weak signal detected underneath station splatter from an adjacent frequency with fading. Despite these conditions, audio was heard when signal peaked. Reception improved to 24432 at 17.57 UTC when interfering station signed off.

Reception report was submitted on-line at Sudan Radio. Hopefully a reply will be forthcoming, although I am doubtful. Previous attempts to contact Sudan Radio have failed. Having said this, I am aware others have been successful in QSLing the station as I write.

On 14 September 2013, I received this email acknowledging my reception report (indirect confirmation): "Hoping y r doing well. i am happy to know that Radio Omdurman is well recived in that part of the world (Malaysia), and thanks a lot for u to send us this report which will please a lot or broadcast engineers. Hoping u continue writing to us your comments. Best wishes, Adam Bakhit Bushara., Director of French Section."

Website:
www.sudanradio.info/english/modules/content/index.php?id=1

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

VOA Deewa Radio / IBB (via Iranawila)

VOA Deewa Radio  / IBB, transmitting from Iranawila, Sri Lanka, was logged on 6 August 2013. A Pashto language broadcast about a "terrorist alert" in Pakistan and "peace violation" in Kashmir was monitored from 14.15 to 15.15 UTC (broadcast time 13.00 to 16.00 UTC). Reception on 9.310 kHz was (SINPO) 44434 -- good signal strength with some transmitter hum and flutter on the fade, otherwise good audio feed and clarity. At 14.30 UTC, there was some occasional station splatter from VOA in Tinang. Signal remained strong and clear. At 15.00 UTC, reception remained 44434 with transmitter droning and flutter still present; station splatter was no longer present.

A reception report was emailed to IBB in Iranawila the following day. This QSL card, along with colourful stamps from Sri Lanka, arrived in the mail on 21 August 2013.


Monday, August 5, 2013

Utility Stations in Asia-Pacific

ASIA-PACIFIC UTILITY STATIONS LOGGED IN SOUTH EAST ASIA ON 5 AUGUST

Melbourne  Radio was logged on 5 August 2013. A female radio controller addressed several radio operators in the region in English and vernacular dialects from 19.00 to 19.05 UTC. Reception (SINPO) on 5.635 kHz / USB mode was 35443

Japanese radio operator was logged on 5 August 2013. Communication between other operators was detected from 19.05 to 19.08 UTC in Japanese. Reception (SINPO) on 5.691 kHz / USB was (SINPO) 34333.

19 Metre Log on 5 August 2013

19 METRE LOG FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA  ON 5 AUGUST 2013:

Radio Sultanate of Oman in Thumrait // 15.140 kHz // (SINPO) 14331 // 18.30 UTC with talking in Arabic, but barely audible

Radio Pilipinas in Tinang // 15.190 kHz // (SINPO) 54555 // 18.30 UTC with talking in Filipino

FEBA in Ascension Island // 15.250 kHz // (SINPO) 34333 // 18.30 UTC onward with religious programming in French

Deutsche Welle in Kigali, Rwanda // 15.275 kHz // (SINPO) 34433 // 18.30 onward with talking in Hausa

Radio France International in Issoudun // 15.300 kHz // (SINPO) 34443 //17.45 UTC onward with news reports in French

Radio Cairo in Abu Zabaal // 15.345 kHz // (SINPO) 44434 over modulated // 17.50 UTC in English 

RFE / Radio Liberty (Caucasus Echo) in Lamperheim, Germany // 15.530 kHz // (SINPO) 45544 // 17.45 UTC onward in Russian

Radio Kuwait // 15.540 // (SINPO) 55555 at sign-on; transmitter or antenna was switched at 18.15 UTC degrading reception to 44343  // 18.00 UTC onward with Islamic programming in English

Vatican Radio in Santa Maria do Galleria // 15.570 kHz // (SINPO) 45444 // 18.00 UTC onward with religious news in Portuguese 

Voice of Russia in Moscow // 15.585 kHz // (SINPO) 45444 // 18.00 UTC onward in Russian

Voice of Greece in Avlis // 15.650 kHz // (SINPO) 45545 // 17.45 UTC onward with Greek music

Deutsche Welle in Woofferton, UK // 15.700 kHz // (SINPO) 35443 // 17.55 onward with African music in French language; sign-off at 18.00 UTC


Sunday, August 4, 2013

120 metre Log on 4 August 2013

120 METRE LOG FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA ON 4 AUGUST 2013 

NBC Radio Northern - Voice of Oro in Papua New Guinea // 3.345 kHz // SINPO 25432 // 19.30 UTC onward with selection of light music.

RRI Pelangkaraya in Kalimantan, Indonesia // 3.325 kHz // SINPO 35443 // 19.20 UTC onward with Indonesian pop tunes hosted by femaile DJ.

ABC Northern Territory in Katherine // 2.485 kHz // SINPO 25442 // 19.45 UTC onward with light 50s music hosted by femaile DJ and news at the top of the hour

ABC Northern Territory in Tennant Creek // 2.325 kHz // SINPO 25332 // 19.55 UTC with an Elton John song hosted by a male DJ and news at the top of the hour

Korean stations were also detected on 2.850 kHz, 3.320 kHz and 3.912 kHz, between 19.30 to 20.00 UTC and onward.