QSLs for September 2013

QSLs received for the month of September 2013:

Radio Romania International (QSL card) transmitting from Galbeni, Romania
NBC Radio Madang - Maus Blong Garamut (QSL letter) transmitting from Madang, Jomba, Papua New Guinea
Radio Free Chosun (QSL email) transmitting from Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Sudan Radio / Omdurman  (QSL email) transmitting from Al-Aitahab, Sudan
The Voice of Martyrs (QSL letter) transmitting from Tashkent, Uzbekistan
HCJB Global Australia (eQSL) transmitting from Kununurra, Australia 
Radio Free Chosun (QSL email) transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE
WWVH (QSL card) transmitting on 2.5 MHz from Hawaii
China Radio International (QSL card) transmitting from Nanning, PRC
 Australian DX Report and Adventist World Radio (eQSL and QSL card) transmitting from KSDA in Agat, Guam
Adventist World Radio (QSL card) transmitting from KSDA in Agat, Guam
 Radio Free Sarawak via Bruno Manser Fund (QSL card) in a test transmission from Tiganesti, Romania
V85DX (QSL card) transmitting from Berberi, Brunei
WHRI (QSL card) transmitting from Cypress Creek, South Carolina (USA)

Promised:
RTM TRAXX FM (QSL) transmitting from Kajang, Malaysia

Radio Cook Islands (Web-radio / Internet)

Radio Cook Islands 630, broadcasting from Avarua, Cook Islands, was logged on 14 September 2013 (Cook Islands date) / 13 September 2013. A selection of local music with station IDs in English and Maori was observed from 12 Midnight to 12.25 (Cook Islands time) / 10.00 to 10.25 UTC. Internet stream at 32 kps in mp3 format. Quality of reception was good, steady stream and clear. Device / Application used was an Apple iPod Touch with Tunein Radio 

Reception report was emailed. After multiple follow-up emails, I received this reply on 18 October, short of a QSL: "Kia orana Timm, We don't do QSL cards, sorry. But we are glad that you have heard our station and hope you will continue to listen to it. Thank you. Jeane Matenga, Radio Cook Islands."

Email:

jeanne@oyster.net.ck 

tunein@radio.co.ck

Falkland Islands Radio Service (Web-radio / Internet)

Falkland Islands Radio Service (FIRS) in Stanley, Falkland Islands, was logged on 12 September 2013. The station's weekly programme  schedule was repeated several times before the news and "The Breakfast Show" began. Station was monitored via web-radio/Internet from 06.35 to 08.15 (Falkland Islands time) / 09.35 to 11.15 UTC. Internet stream was at 32 kps in mp3 format. Quality of audio volume was poor with broken stream at times, otherwise audible and clear. Device / Application used was an Apple iPod Touch with Tunein Radio.

A sound file of your Internet stream may be heard HERE. 

 

Text added from original email

Reception report was emailed to FIRS on the same day. An email confirming broadcast and promising QSL card was received on 1 October 2013: "Dear Timm, I can confirm that you were indeed listening to the Falkland Islands Radio Service.  We will send a card to you soon.  Thanks for tuning in. Kind regards, Corina Goss, Station Manager." On 22 October, three QSL cards, an FM radio and stickers arrived in the mail from FIRS. THANK YOU, FIRS!!!

 
  Website:  
www.firs.co.fk

Adventist World Radio (via Nauen)

Adventist World Radio, transmitting from Nauen, Germany, was logged on 26 September 2013. An Oromo language broadcast was heard from 17.30 to 17.59 UTC. Reception on 15.155 kHz was (SINPO) 35333 -- fair signal strength and clear audio despite fading and atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed to AWR the following day. QSL card and "WaveScan" postcard arrive in the mail on 8 October 2013.

All India Radio - Port Blair (Adaman & Nicobar Islands)

All India Radio - Port Blair in Adaman & Nicobar Islands was logged on 21 September 2013. A programme of sitar compositions with commentary in Hindi was monitored from 16.15 to 17.31 UTC. Reception on 4.760 kHz at 16.16 UTC was (SINPO) 35443 -- fair signal strength, clear and discernible speech. Quality of reception deteriorated around 17.00 UTC to 35433 due largely to fading. 

Music programme of sitar music at 16.26 UTC  may be heard HERE. Closure at 17.28 UTC may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed. Past attempts to QSL AIR Port Air, even with the help of DXers in India, have failed. While I am doubtful the result will be any less different, I will make another attempt.

NBC Radio Madang (PNG) Upgrade

NEWS FROM MAKALAI BELL, NBC RADIO MADANG DIRECTOR, PNG!!!

I received this message from Mr. Makalai Bell on 21 September 2013: "We will soon be moving our Radio Madang, NBC National Radio Downlink here in Madang to a higher site on Mt. Nobonob, and this may mean better reception. Please continue to monitor and if you do get a better reception by October, it would be good for us to get a report confirming our improved transmissions and reception."

NBC Radio Madang (Maus Blong Garamut) operates on 3.260 kHz. Station was last received in Malaysia in September 2012. See previous blog entry HERE.

Radio Shorouq (via Kostinbrod)

Radio Shorouq via Kostinbrod, Bulgaria was logged on 18 September 2013. An Arabic language broadcast consisting of commentary and news reports was observed from 16.00 to 16.57 UTC. Reception on 11.610 kHz throughout the broadcast was (SINPO)  22442 -- weak signal with barely discernible speech despite severe jamming. 

Closing music, with prominent jamming, recorded just before transmission ended at 16.56 UTC may be heard HERE. 

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey in Emirler was logged on 17 September 2013. An English language broadcast news, cultural programmes and Turkish pop music from 16.50 to 17.22 UTC. Reception on 15.520 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 - excellent reception with clear audio and strong signal.

A reception report was emailed to TRT the following day. QSL card and coaster arrived in the mail on 30 October 2013.

Email: 
englishdesk@trt.net.tr

All India Radio Hyderabad

AIR Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, India was logged on 17 September 2013. Station ID and news in Hindi was monitored from 11.00 to 11.15 PM Hyderabad time (17.30 to 17.45 UTC). Reception on 4.800 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair signal strength and clarity despite some fading and transmitter hum.

A sample of this transmission may be heard HERE. 

Reception Report was emailed the following day with the above sound file. 

Email:

hyderabad@air.org.in

All India Radio Kolkata (Medium-Wave)

AIR Kolkata was logged on 15 September 2013. A mix of Hindi songs, possibly pop and devotional music, was performed by a variety of female and male singers from 22.10 to 22.50 UTC. Broadcast was monitored  on the medium-wave frequency of 594 kHz. This is apparently a new 1000 kW transmitter. Reception (SINPO) at 22.10 UTC was 34322 -- good signal strength, atmospheric noise and fading every five minutes. By 22.45 UTC reception was significantly degraded to 34222 with increased atmospheric noise.

A sound file of this transmission at 22.26 UTC may be heard HERE.

A reception report was emailed the following day.

Email:

Kolkata@air.org.in

Radio Free Asia (via Tinian)

Radio Free Asia, transmitting from Tinian, was logged on 15 September 2013. A Laotian language broadcast of news events was monitored from 00.30 to 01.00 UTC (broadcast time 00.00 to 01.00 UTC).  Reception on 15.690 kHz was (SINPO) 45533 -- good signal strength, clear audio despite some fading.

Reception report was emailed. QSL arrived in the mail on 3rd October 2013.

Sathaanii Witthayu Krajaisiang Haeng Pratheet Thai / Radio Thailand (MW via Krabi)

Sathaanii Witthayu Krajaisiang Haeng Pratheet Thai (Radio Thailand), transmitting on medium-wave from Krabi, was logged on 10 September 2013 (11 September 2013 in Thailand). Gamelan and patriotic songs, just before sign-on with clock chimes and station ID, was observed from 21.35 to 22.35 UTC (05.35 to 06.05 AM in Thailand). Reception on 720 kHz was (SINPO) 54544 at 21.35 UTC -- good signal strength with some interference from a station in Indonesia (presume RRI Ambon) operating on the same frequency, otherwise clearly audible.

Reception report was emailed to Radio Thailand on the same day, although I am skeptical a QSL will be forthcoming.

Email:

feedback@hsk9.org

Address:

Sor. Wor. Thor. {สวท.} -- Sathaanii Witthayu Krajaisiang Haeng Pratheet Thai (Radio Thailand, Government Public Relations Department) {สถานีวิทยุกระจายเสียงแห่งประเทศไทย กรมประชาสัมพันธ์}

12 Tha Rua Road {ถ.ท่าเรือ}

Tambon Pak Nam {ต.ปากน้ำ}

Muang District {อ.เมืองกระบี่}

Krabi {กระบี่}, Thailand

Radio Free Sarawak (via Tiganesti)

Radio Free Sarawak via IRRS (Milan) - NEXUS International Broadcasting, transmitting presumably from Tiganesti. Romania, was logged on 28 December 2012. A "Test Transmission" of music and political commentary (in Iban and Bahasa Malaysia) from 13.00 to14.00 UTC was received on 15.325 kHz. Reception (SINPO) at sign-on was 34333 -- fair signal strength with atmospheric noise and slight. By 13.35 UTC signal worsened to 34323 -- fading and atmospheric noise weakened reception, even though speech remained audible and clear.

I initially hesitated to record this blog entry, owing to IRRS-NEXUS and Radio Free Sarawak's inability or reluctance to QSL. RFS previously QSLed when they first aired, but subsequently failed to reply.

Nevertheless, reception reports were emailed to IRRS-NEXUS and Radio Free Sarawak shortly after the broadcast. A letter was also posted to IRRS-NEXUS. No reply was ever received, except for a computer generated message promising I would be attended to. 

Finally, in September 2013, a fellow DXer suggested I contact the Bruno Manser Fonds organisation. He had recently received a QSL for a Radio Free Sarawak transmission. On 9 September 2013, I received this email message: "Your reception report is on its way... (I sent it last week). Best regards. Eva Ruch, Administration, Bruno Manser Fonds". From this account I conclude she means a QSL card is en route to me. A QSL card arrived on the mail on 11September 2013.

Email (Bruno Manser Fonds):

info@bmf.ch

Random Log on Tropical Bands in SEA

- AIR Itanagur (presumed) // 4.990 kHz // 35443 // Music in Hindi from 12.15 UTC onward 

- Voice of Strait in Fuzhou // 4.940 kHz // 35443 // Music and YL speaking in Chinese from 11.15 UTC onward

- PMA - The Cross in Pohnei, Micronesia // 4.755 kHz // 33443 - strong station splatter from RRI Makkasar // Minister delivering a sermon in English from 11.15 UTC onward

- RRI Makkasar, Sulawesi, Indonesia // 4.750 kHz // 45454 // Indonesian pop songs from 11.20 UTC onward

- AIR Port Blair (presumed) // 4.760 kHz // 23332 // YL talking in Hindi from 11.55 UTC onward

- WWVH in Hawaii // 2.500 kHz // 23322 -- fading and crashing static bursts despite audible and discernible speech // Time pips/pulses  with YL ID in English at 13.40 UTC onward and atmospheric reports at 13.49 UTC from male announcers

All stations received in Kuala Lumpur area, using Tecsun S-2000 coupled to external 13-meter elevated 1/4 wave aerial

WWVH on 2.5 MHz (Hawaii)

WWVH in Hawaii on 2.5 MHz was logged on 8 September 2013. At 13.40 UTC time pips/pulses  with female announcer providing time on the minute was detected. At 13.49 UTC an atmospheric report from a male announcer was noted, followed by time announcement, then more atmospheric reports; this continued up to two minutes. Time pips/pulses and announcement of time resumed. At 14.00 UTC station ID for WWVH and time was announced by female announcer with loud beep on the hour. Reception at 13.40 UTC was (SINPO) 23322 -- weak with a clearly audible signal and discernible voice announcements despite crashing static bursts. A weak carrier signal was detected as late as 21.30 UTC on the previous day (7 September 2013).

Although I previously QSLed WWVH on 5, 10 and 15 MHz, this marks the first time I have received the station in Malaysia on 2.5 MHz (the time of year for stations on the tropical bands is slowly returning). So, a reception report shall be emailed to WWVH tomorrow.

WWVH replied with this message on 12 September 2013: "Thank you for your reception report and your interest in WWVH. This is to notify you that a QSL card, Serial #22813 for your reception report will be mailed today. Aloha, Adela Mae P. Ochinang, NIST-WWVH Secretary"

HCJB Global Australia (Japanese broadcast from Kununurra)

HCJB Global Australia, transmitting from Kununurra, Australia, was logged on 7 September 2013. A Japanese language broadcast was monitored from 22.30 to 23.00 UTC. Reception on 15.525 kHz was (SINPO) 55455 -- excellent signal strength and audio clarity with no fading.

Reception report was emailed to Japanese section of HCJB Global. An eQSL was received 13 September 2013. 

RTM - TRAXX FM (Malaysia)

RTM TRAXX FM, transmitting from Kajang, Malaysia, was logged on 7 September 2013 (8 September 2013 in Malaysia). An English language programmed called Stylus was hosted by DJ/Producer Albert Ng.  From 22.00 to 23.00 UTC (07.00 to 08.00 AM local time) I monitored a wonderfully nostalgic selection of music from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Hence the name of the show "Stylus"are fears to a time when phonograph records required a stylus...and had STYLE!  It's a three hour programme (21.00 to 00.00 UTC) heard each Sunday, and it is entertainment well worth the listening. Reception on 7.295 kHz at 22.00 UTC was (SINPO) 34443 -- fair signal strength with minor interference. Between 22.30 to 23.00 UTC reception gradually improved to 55555.

Reception report was emailed the following day to RTM. Hopefully their new TRAXX FM QSL will be received. RTM replied with an email on 14 September 2013 promising to post a QSL card.  This QSL arrived in the mail on 3 October 2013.

All India Radio Cuttack (MW)

All India Radio Cuttack (AIR Cuttack / Akashvani Cuttack) in Orissa was logged on 5 September 2013. News in English was observed at 15.30 UTC; Indian music was noted from 16.00 UTC.  Reception on 972 kHz (MW) was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair signal strength with excellent clarity and moderate fading. 

Reception report was submitted on-line at AIR Cuttack ane emailed.

Email:
cuttack@air.org.in
spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Echo of Unification (Pyongyang, DPRK)

Echo of Unification, transmitting from Pyongyang, DPRK (North Korea), was logged on 3 September 2013. A korean language broadcast of commentary and patriotic songs was observed  from 22.15 UTC, however signal was inaudible after 22.30 UTC. Broadcast time is 22.00 to 00.05 UTC. Reception on 6.250 kHz was (SINPO) 22322 - severe jamming  with slight fading marred an otherwise weak and audible transmission. 

I presume a reception report could be posted  c/o to Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea,

Radio Xoriyo Ogaden (via Kostinbrod)

Radio Xoriyo Ogaden, transmitting from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, was logged  2 September 2013. Political commentary in Somali language from a male speaker was monitored: from 16.15 to 16.30 UTC (broadcast time 16.00 to 16.30 UTC). Reception on 17.870 kHz was  (SINPO) 32332 -- fair signal strength with severe jamming, yet audible speech at times. Jamming ceased when broadcast ended while transmitter remained open.. 

Reception report was emailed shortly after transmission. I am, however, doubtful a response will be forthcoming.

Email: 
ogadenews@gmail.com,
admin@ogadennet.com,
Raadioxoriyo@yahoo.com

NHK World - Radio Japan (via Dhabbaya)

NHK World - Radio Japan, transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE, was logged on 2 September 2013. An Urdu language service of news, music and variety was monitored from 15.15 to 16.00 UTC. Reception on 13.870 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 - excellent reception on all accounts throughout the transmission.

Reception report was submitted on-line and emailed on the following day.

Bible Voice Broadcasting (via Kostinbrod)

Bible Voice Broadcasting, transmitting from Kostinbrod (Sofia), Bulgaria, was received on 1 September 2013. An English language broadcast of sermon on the Holy Spirit presented  by an American female minister was monitored from 18.40 to 19.15 UTC (broadcast time 18.30 to 19.15 UTC, Sunday only). Reception on 9.635 kHz  at 18.40 UTC was (SINPO) 45544 -- good signal strength with excellent audio quality and clarity. At 18.50 UTC, reception worsened to 43433 due to DRM splatter from Radio New Zealand International -- signal was still audible, but noisy and severely degraded.

Reception report was submitted on-line and emailed the following day. Two QSLs for the same report arrived in the mail on 8 October 2013.

Email:

mail@biblevoice.org

On-line Contact Form:

www.bvbroadcasting.org/contact