QSLs / ARTICLES

Thursday, February 27, 2014

QSLS for February 2014

QSLs received and promised for the month of February 2014:

WRMI  (QSL cardfor Radio Prague and Radio Slovakia International transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
WRMI  (QSL cardfor Family Radio  transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
RAE Radiodifusion Argentina al Exterior (eQSL and letter) transmitting from General Pacheco, Argentina
Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emirler, Turkey.
Radio Kuwait (QSL Letter) transmitting from Sulaibiyah, Kuwait
Radio Romania International (QSL card) transmitting from Tiganesti, Romania (USA)
WYFR (Family Radio) via WRMI (QSL card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
Radio Africa / PanAmerican Broadcasting via WRMI (QSL card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
HCJB Global Australia (eQSL) transmitting from in Kununurra, Australia
Vatican Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Santa Maria de Galeria
The Overcomer Ministry via WHRI (eQSL) transmitting from Cypress Creek, South Carolina (USA)
The Cross Radio - Pacific Missionary Aviation (QSL email) transmitting from  Pohnpei, Federated Micronesia
The Overcomer Ministry via WWCR (eQSL) transmitting from Nashville, Tennessee (USA)
Radio Free Asia (QSL card) transmitting from Iranwila, Sri Lanka
Polish Radio via Radio 700 (QSL card) Internet stream from Germany
WRMI (QSL card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
Radio Slovakia International via WRMI (QSL card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)
WWV on 15 mHz (QSL card) transmitting from Ft. Collins, Colorado (USA)

Promised:
PBS Xizang (QSL) transmitting from Lhasa-Baiding, Tibet (Xizang)
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (QSL) transmitting on 9.545 kHz from Honiara, Solomon Islands

Acknowledged Reception Report:
Radio Riyadh (Urdu and Bengali Service)

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

PBS Xizang (Lhasa-Baiding)

PBS Xizang QSL issued by CRI
PBS Xizang, transmitting from Lhasa-Baiding (Tibet), was logged on 25 February 2014. A Country & Western style song in Chinese, frequent station promotions/advertisements, current event and news magazine programming was observed from 23.25 to 00.00 UTC. At 00.00 UTC, China National Radio 1 (Lhasa-Baiding) switched over and continued transmission on 5.935 kHz. Reception at 23.25 UTC was (SINPO) 35443 -- fair signal with good audio clarity despite mild fading. Signal gradually weakened and faded off by 00.15 UTC as grey-line between Tibet and Malaysia diminished.

Reception report was submitted to China Radio International (Ying Lian), owing to previous attempts to obtain a QSL from several PBS and CNR affiliates. Since all are State owned and operated, CRI et al essentially answer to the same government broadcasting body. Suffice it to say, CRI dutifully verified a few hours after emailing the reception report.
Reverse side of CRI/PBS Xizang QSL

Ying Lian, English Service, China Radio International, relied with this confirmation: "Thank you for your greetings and reception report of PBS Xizang, we will send you a QSL card. Your report on our English programme and writings will be welcome". True to their world, CRI posted a QSL card which I received, along with paper cuttings of fish and horses (Year of the Horse), on 17 March 2014.

This is definitely not a direct QSL, but it is probably the surest way to receive confirmation for CNR and PBS stations, at least CRI has been a reliable source for me in the past few years. CRI issues the QSL on their own card, stating PBS or CNR station and location on the back of the card.

PBS Sichuan via CRI
CNR Lingshi via CRI


If you're looking for the real deal, don't be discouraged on my account. By all means, please try to QSL through CNR and PBS. While you're at it, fire off a reception report to Ying Lian at CRI.

Email:
yinglian@cri.com.cn


Paper cuttings


Monday, February 24, 2014

Africa Calling on 25 Metre Band 


A random scan of the 25 metre band between 18.30 and 19.30 UTC yielded three easy catches from the continent of Africa. Stations from this region of course are heard pretty much across the short-wave spectrum. Trying to QSL Africa based stations, especially national broadcasters, is an entirely different matter. Two of the three stations mentioned in this logging are major foreign broadcasters with relay sites in Africa, and they will verify correct and thorough reports. This is probably the surest way to acquire a few countries in one's tally of Africa. 
Happy DXing!


ZANZIBAR 
Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation in Dole  // 11.735 kHz // SINPO 33443 -- fair signal strength with white noise effect. Despite the interference audio was reasonably clear; by 18.45 UTC jamming began to increase and envelope signal // Swahili broadcast monitored from 18.25 till 19.30 UTC consisted of news reports / current events hosted by a female announcer featuring interviews/reports from male and female announcers; at 18.45 UTC Horn of Africa music (1 vocal song) was heard nearly on par with jamming; at 19.00 UTC news was presented by a female announcer; at 19.10 UTC Horn of Africa music resumed; at 19.15 UTC a female announcer was heard, then an Arabic-themed instrumental/vocal song followed.

Reception report was submitted the following day. Previous attempts have been made to QSL this station, always without reply. Surprisingly on 27 February 2014, I received this message from the Executive Secretary of Zanzibar Broadcasting Commission: "Thank you very much for your e-mail. I will forward your e-mail to the Managing Director of the Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation so that he can take action as you have requested. Sincerely I remain."


SOUTH AFRICA  
Adventist World Radio transmitting from SENTEC Meyerton site // 11.830 kHz // SINPO 54544 -- excellent signal strength with some transmitter hum and fading // English broadcast monitored from 18.30 till 19.00 UTC consisted of a female minister discussing "Angel of the Lord", followed by station ID and address of Adventist World Radio in Nairobi, then a few evangelical songs hosted by a male announcer; at 18.40 UTC a reference to JFK's quote on money led to a sermon about money from a male minister; at 18.50 UTC three evangelical songs were heard; transmission closed abruptly during music at 19.00 UTC. 

Reception report was submitted to AWR, rather than SENTEC, the following day. A reliable verifier, I anticipate this QSL from Meyerton relay site will be forthcoming. Indeed, Giuseppe Cirillo, AWR Frequency & Monitoring Management Office, relied with confirmation the following day: "Thank you so much for your kind reception Report. QSL will be soon on the way to you. Just last month we, from the Frequency and Monitoring Department, had the pleasure to visit Kuala Lumpur for the HFCC Meeting. A wonderful place where we could meet many international broadcasters. I would appreciate if you could send us from time to time more reports regarding the transmissions we broadcast in your region. Attached you will find the actual Schedule AWR- B13 and till the end of March you will receive also the AWR-A14 schedule. Greetings."


RWANDA  
Deutsche Welle in Kigali // 11.800 kHz // SINPO 44444 -- good signal strength with slight fading and transmitter noise // English broadcast monitored from 19.00 till 19.30 UTC consisted of DW news presented by male announcer at 19.00 UTC; "Africa Link" hosted by a male announcer followed, including reports on anti-homosexual bill in Uganda, Nambians protesting at Brandenburg Gate the German genocide in its former African colony, climate change dramatization in Africa. Portuguese language broadcast at 19.30 UTC continued.

Reception report was submitted to DW the following day. DW is generally an excellent verifier as well. Indeed, DW responded with this QSL by mail, which reached my letterbox on 11 March 2014.



Date logged: 24 February 2014 Receiver used: Tecsun S-2000 Antenna: 13 meter vertically elevated 1/4 wave aerial RX Location: Subang Jaya, Malaysia

Voice of Turkey


Voice of Turkey in Emirler was logged on  24 February 2014. An English language broadcast of news, special feature on Turkish education and Turkish pop music was observed from 17.55 to 18.23 UTC (broadcast time 17.30 to 18.23 UTC).. Reception on 11.730 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- excellent signal with only slight and occasional fading.

A reception report was emailed to TRT on the following day. This large and lovely QSL, along with a coaster of Ephesus, from TRT arrived in the mail on 26 March 2014.
Email: 
englishdesk@trt.net.tr


Sunday, February 23, 2014

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) in Lusaka was received 22 February 2014. African (Zambian) pop music and listener phone-in discussion with snippets of drums and vocals between calls was monitored from 20.45 to 21.30 UTC. Great music from Zambia, by the way! This particular ZNBC broadcast in vernacular dialect  was received on 5.915 kHz. Reception for much the broadcast was weak to fair. Speech and music was clearly audible, despite fading and atmospheric noise. Essentially (SINPO) was 24322. 

Samples of this transmission may be heard HERE (at 20.46 UTC) and HERE (at 20.56 UTC).

Reception report was submitted at their FaceBook page and emailed a few days later. On 24 February 2014 I received this message from ZNBC: "Thank you for the reception report on ZNBC. I have forwarded the same to the responsible officer as I no longer handle reception reports. Kind regards."

FaceBook: 
www.facebook.com/pages/MY-ZNBC/35945651744

Website
www.znbc.co.zm (defunct link)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

More Vintage QSLs from Malaysia

RTM Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Earlier this week I posted a Vintage QSL card from Radio Malaysia. In response, fellow radio enthusiasts from Hungary (Hegedus Istvan) and Germany (Uwe Volk), sent emails to me. Along with their kind words they attached several PDF files of vintage QSLs from Malaysia.


These verification cards from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and BBC Tebrau were issued from the late 1970s through the early 1990s when they transmitted from sites in not just peninsular Malaysia, but Sabah and Sarawak. Currently RTM has short-wave / FM studios in East and West Malaysia, however all radio transmissions emanate from Kajang, Selangor (West Malaysia).

For those interested in the history of radio in Malaysia, the first radio broadcasts commenced in peninsular Malaysia (Malaya) on 1 April 1946. The first two radio stations were Radio Malaya (in Malay) and The Blue Network (in English). The transmitters were located first in Singapore, then later in Kuala Lumpur (which began operation in 1950).

With the independence of Malaya on 31 August 1957, Radio Malaya was divided into two separate stations. The original studio in Singapore became Radio Singapura. Radio Malaya moved to Kuala Lumpur and aired their first transmission from the new location on 1 January 1959.

Radio Malaya would later be renamed Radio Malaysia on 16 September 1963, beginning their transmissions with the trademark phrase, Inilah Radio Malaysia (This is Radio Malaysia).

Pennant - RTM Radio Televisyen Malaysia

Radio and TV operations merged in 1968 when the Angkasapuri headquarters was officially opened. At this point, Radio Malaysia and Televisyen Malaysia merged and became Radio Televisyen Malaysia (Radio Television Malaysia, RTM) in 1969.

BBC via Tebrau, Johor

BBC via Tebrau, Johor (reverse)
Voice of Malaysia 1983
Voice of Malaysia 1983 (reverse)







Voice of Malaysia 1996


Voice of Malaysia 1996 (reverse)





















 Thank you very much for sharing these QSLs, Hegedus and Uwe!







Tuesday, February 18, 2014

The Overcomer Ministry via WHRI (Cypress Creek)


The Overcomer Ministry via WHRI in Cypress Creek, South Carolina (USA) was logged and QSLed on 18 February 2014. Signature Overcomer Ministry jingle, harp instrumental tune and  Brother Stair's  -- "the voice of last day prophet" -- sermon was monitored from 18.45 until sign-off at 19.00 UTC. Transmission occurred on 16 meter frequency of 17.705 kHzReception was (SINPO) 35433 -- fair signal strength and clear speech with flutters of atmospheric noise. 
   
Presently Brother Stair dominates the short-wave bands much like CRI and CNR. His  broadcasts can be heard over WWCR, WHRI, WTWW, WMRI and relay sites outside the United States, all of which reach the shores of Malaysia in varying degrees of strength. His prominence on radio appears to be on par with Vatican Radio. Very few evangelical broadcasters can match his presence presently. Trans World Radio and WEWN while heard in Malaysia appear less intrusive on the airwaves. Family Radio over WRMI in Okeechobee is now a shadow of its former radio dominance.

It's not terribly difficult to QSL The Overcomer Ministry. They will respond promptly with an eQSL depicting Brother Stair, frequency and station/transmitter site. In fact, the eQSL for this transmission was received within three hours of emailing them on 18 February 2014.

Email:  
 lastime@overcomerministry.org

The Cross Radio - Pacific Missionary Aviation (Pohnpei, Federated Micronesia)


The Cross Radio - Pacific Missionary Aviation, transmitting with 1000 watts (1 kW) of power from Pohnpei, Federated Micronesia, was  logged on 5 January 2014. Uninterrupted contemporary Christian music in English language was heard from 17.45 to 19.05 UTC.  Reception on 4.755 kHz at 17.45 UTC was (SINPO) 24332 -- weak signal but clearly audible with fading and atmospheric noise. At 18.15 UTC increased fading degraded reception to 24322. By 18.45 UTC reception was 13321 -- faint audio, station splatter from Bangladesh Betar (election coverage).

Reception report was emailed the following day with follow-up emails. On 17 February 2014 I received an email  with QSL letter and blank QSL cards from veri-signer and station manager, Sylvia Kalau. I rearranged this into the self-prepared QSL shown here. To receive a paper QSL one needs to send US$1.25 and self-addressed sticker. 

PMA is good verifier. This is the second time in the past five years I have contacted and received their QSL, always from Sylvia Kalau.

Postal Address:
Pacific Missionary Aviation,
PO Box 517,
Pohnpei, Federated Micronesia 96941

Tel:  691-320-2496
Fax: 691-320-2592

Email:
pohnpei@pmapacific.org

Website:
www.pmapacific.org



Sunday, February 16, 2014

Vintage QSL card from Radio Malaysia


Recently while rummaging through old photos, postcards and documents I discovered a vintage QSL card issued by Radio Malaysia.  It was one of the few QSLs I brought with me from the US when I moved to Malaysia over 25 years ago. Why did I bring it? Simple. It symbolized my first contact with the country that would soon become my new home.

The card appears to have first been printed in 1973, judging by the smaller date printed at the bottom of the card. It was one of the few folded cards I received in my DXing years from 1967 to 1980. It features three sections, folded twice and printed on both sides. The Angkasapuri studio in Kuala Lumpur, map and flag of Malaysia, caption about the country, transmitter sites and frequencies and verification data is depicted on it.

This particular card was issued for a reception report I posted on 22 November 1975, nearly 40 years ago. Unbeknownst to me then I had picked up Radio Malaysia via Penang, according to the frequency legend (4.985 kHz) stated on the card. I assumed it was Kuala Lumpur and, more importantly, I was excited to have logged a new country to my growing list of international broadcasters.

At the time I lived in Northglenn, Colorado -- a suburb north of Denver. As I recall Radio Malaysia was usually received in the early morning hours between 5 and 8 am. Reception was always weak, yet music and speech was audible despite atmospheric noise.

The receiver I used was a Zenith Trans-Oceanic H-500, a 5 valve/tube radio originally manufactured in the early 1950s. The antenna was an inverted L, elevated at over 30 feet, spanning approximately 75 feet in length.

To see more vintage QSL cards from Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) click HERE.

RTM Angkasapuri when I arrived in Malaysia in 1987

Adventist World Radio / Wavescan (Guam)

Adventist World Radio (AWR) / Wavescan, transmitting from Agat, Guam, was logged on 16 February 2014. Between 22.45 to 23.00 UTC (broadcast time 22.30 to 23.00 UTC) Salahuddin Dolar presented Bangladesh DX Report,  a review of  "Australian Radio History" by Bruce Carty was heard, Brazilian performer Daniela Mercury closed the show, then Jeff White announced two special QSL cards for reception reports and next week's Australian DX Report. Reception on 15.320 kHz was (SINPO): 55455 -- excellent reception.

Reception reports were emailed to Wavescan-AWR and Banglandesh DX Report on the following day. QSL card finally arrived on 4 June 2014. Bangladesh DX eQSL arrived on 8 September 2014.

 





Email:
wavescan@awr.org
dxbangla@gmail.com

Thursday, February 13, 2014

HCJB Global Australia


HCJB Global Australia in Kununurra, Western Australia was logged on  13 and 14 February 2014. An Indonesian broadcast of of Christian pop songs and programmes, including "Making Life Better" was monitored from 23.45 to 00.00 UTC / 00.00 to 00.30 UTCReception on 15.400 kHz was  (SINPO) 55555 - excellent reception of all accounts. 
Transmitter building in Kununurra
Reception report was emailed on the same day to HCJB Global Australia.  On 21 February 2014 I received this eQSL, along with a nice message from Shelley at HCJB Australia: "Thanks for your reception report. What brilliant reception!!!! Thank you for your thoroughness. I have attached your QSL card. Blessings. Shelley."

South Asia antenna of HCJB Australia

Email:
english@hcjb.org.au


US Air Force GHFS (Global HF System)

US Air Force GHFS (Global HF System) was received on 13 February 2014. SINPO on 11.175 kHz in USB mode was 34443. Emergency Action messages (EAMs) and Skyking messages, which are high-priority messages for air and ground stations, were monitored from 18.02 till 18.07 UTC. One of the messages announced by a male speaker included: "Whisky Bravo 6. Whisky Bravo 6. Repeat last grid coordinate. 6435 Niner zero. Do you copy. Over."

HERE is a recording from 14 February 2014 at 22.35 UTC.

The High Frequency Global Communications System is a network of single side band short-wave transmitters of the United States Air Force which is used to communicate with aircraft in flight, ground stations and some United States Navy surface assets. All worldwide receiving and transmitting sites in the HF-GCS system are remotely controlled from Andrews AFB.

Stations of the HF-GCS Network include:
Andersen Global, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam Island
Andrews Global, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland USA
Ascension Global, RAF Ascension Island, Atlantic Ocean
Diego Garcia Global, Diego Garcia Naval Station, Indian Ocean
Elmendorf Global, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska
Hickam Global, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii
Lajes Global, Lajes Field, Azores
Lincoln Receiver Site (aka West Coast Global), Beale Air Force Base, California
Offutt Global, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Puerto Rico Global, Salinas, Puerto Rico
Sigonella Global, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily, Italy
Yokota Global, Yokota Air Base, Japan

The primary HF-GCS voice frequencies are 4724.0 KHz, 6739.0 KHz, 8992.0 KHz, 11175.0 KHz, 13200.0 KHz and 15016.0 KHz.
Primary HFGCS Frequencies 24 Hours:   8992 and 11175
Back up HFGCS Frequencies Day:       13200  15016
Back up HFGCS Frequencies Night:      4724  6739

 I'm not certain whether the US Air Force will QSL. In any event an attempt was made to contact them. A reception report of this transmission was submitted online at Andrews AFB website and FaceBook, yesterday.

On 20 February 2014 I received this message from their Facebook page:"Sir, this page is run by the 11th Wing Public Affairs shop, and we've never heard of a QSL card before.  We'd be happy to help direct your inquiry to the proper unit, could you explain what a QSL card is and what its used for?  Thanks!" 

UNESCO Statistics on Radio


Radios are everywhere, with at least 75% of households in developing countries having access to a radio.
Source: EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2012, p.248

There are about 44,000 radio stations worldwide.
Source: The World Factbook, 2010. Central Intelligence Agency, USA

Along with radios, mobile phones are one of the most accessible forms of technology, covering over 70% of the world’s population. Training via such technology can be particularly beneficial for women who are restricted from attending regularly scheduled classes.
Source: EFA Global Monitoring Report, 2012, p.290

AM/FM radio counts for 86% of the total time adults aged 25-54 spend listening to three main audio platforms. Adults listen to eight times more AM/FM radio than satellite radio and seventeen times more than internet audio streaming.
Source: "Where Radio Fits: Radio's Strengths in the Media Landscape", Arbitron, 2012

AM/FM radio is heard by a variety of decision influencers with 43% of respondents aged 25 to 54 saying they listen with their children, 38 % listen with their spouse or partner.  
Source: "Where Radio Fits: Radio's Strengths in the Media Landscape", Arbitron, 2012

Listening to a foreign radio station is something that declines when local media become freer and provide what local people most want to hear. According to BBC audience research, in most cases the BBC achieved large audiences (20% and more) only where the choice of local services was limited to 5 or fewer stations. As choice grows, BBC audiences fall. 
Source: Audience research at the BBC World Service 1932-2010, Participation, Journal of Audience and Reception Studies, 2011, p. 95

Farmers engaged in the design and development of farm radio programming were almost 50 % more likely to take up agricultural practices deemed to improve their food security than passive listeners.
Source: Participatory radio campaigns and food security: how radio can help farmers make informed decisions (Kevin Perkins, Doug Ward, Mark Leclair), Farm Radio International, 2011, p.5

Weekly SMS alerts sent to the phones of listeners 30 minutes prior to a broadcast can boost radio campaign listenership by up to 20%.
Source: The new age of radio: how ICTs are changing rural radio in Africa (Bartholomew Sullivan), Farm Radio International, 2011, p.5

The transmission platform used by radio channel is mostly terrestrial, no matter the level of country’s development. 37 out of 51 countries (73%), surveyed by UIS, have radio channels available through this platform, with percentages reaching 100% in 18 of these countries.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

25 out of 51 countries (49%) have radio channels available on a combined platform, while 13% are available on cable only and 8% on satellite only.
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

In 11 countries surveyed across Africa, local commercial radio grew by an average of 360 percent between 2000 and 2006, whereas community radio grew by a striking 1,386 percent, on average, over the same period
Source: The Growing Pains of Community Radio in Africa (Peter da Costa), Glocal Times, The Communication for Development Journal, 2012, No 17/18, p.4

For the majority of listeners in Kenya the most popular thing learned from radio was politics, with 21% indicating it as the thing they learned most. 
Source: International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2012, p.113

Radio in Tanzania has become more interactive over time, with more radio call‐in shows to encourage participation. While 76% of radio listeners listen to radio call‐in shows, only 5% had actually called in to a show in the last 12 months.
Source: Intermedia, 2011. Tanzania Audience Scapes website, p. 24

83% of Tanzanians said they get news and information from radio, making it the leader of both media and non‐media sources.
Source: Intermedia, 2011. Tanzania Audience Scapes website, p.31

Radio is the most accessible and used medium in Zambia. Access to radio and television in urban areas is about equal (85% for radio and 79% for TV) while in the rural area the difference is more significant (68% for radio and 26% for TV).
Source: Intermedia, 2011. Mass Media in Zambia, p.12

A key feature of African mobile phone use is its convergence with radio listening. Among regular mobile users in Zambia, 33% said they listen to the radio via their handset on a weekly basis, and 25% said they listen on a daily basis.  Unlike the use of mobile internet, radio listening is more evenly spread across urban and rural users. However, only 8% of monthly mobile phone users own a mobile phone personally.
Source: Intermedia, 2010. Mobile Communications in Zambia, p.19

The total number of community radio stations in Latin America are around 10,000, with Peru having the largest proportion and Ecuador, Bolivia, and Brazil in second, third, and fourth place. If unlicensed stations are also taken into account, the overall numbers are much higher. Recent surveys by UNESCO, for example, show there are more than 10,000 community radio stations still waiting for licenses in Brazil alone.
Source: Voices from Villages: Community Radio in the Developing World. CIMA, 2011, p. 9

The Brazilian radio market is the second largest in the Americas, being one step behind the United States. According to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) of 2009, radios are present in 88% of homes, 80% of cars in circulation, and in 36% of mobile telephones.
Source: Digital radio in Brazil: analysis of an unfinished debate (Carlos Eduardo Esch, Nélia del Bianco), Radio evolution: conference proceedings, University of Minho, Communication and Society Research Centre, 2012, p.142

In Southeast Asia, Thailand tops the region’s charts with about 5,000 community stations–most of them operating without licenses. In populous Indonesia, community radio has also taken off rapidly, but the number of stations is in the hundreds rather than thousands. The Philippines counts more than 55 community radio stations independent of government and commercial interests operating outside the cities and using low powered transmitters.
Source: Voices from Villages: Community Radio in the Developing World. CIMA, 2011, p. 10

Radio is the most reliable channel for distributing news, information and entertainment in the Philippines’ rural interior, where mountains often get in the way of TV signals. According to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, radio reaches 85% of households in the country, whereas television reaches just under 60%.
Source: Philippines: media and telecoms landscape guide. Infoasaid, 2012, p.13

The total audience for traditional media offering news content in Russia is steadily decreasing. Even in Moscow, which has a market of print media with an advanced sales and distribution system and a comparatively high number of educated citizens, the average monthly readership for daily newspapers declined from 18% of the adult population in January 2006 to 14.9% in April 2010. The only type of traditional media that has recently grown is radio, for which the average total daily audience has risen from 37.7 million to 39.2 million (a 4% increase) since 2008.
Source: Mapping digital media: Russia, Open Society Foundations, Open Society Media Program, 2012, p.18

In South Sudan, the BBC World Service on short wave radio built up a loyal following during the war of independence and remains very popular. In some areas it is the second most important source of information after community radio stations, with reported listenership levels of between 30 % and 59 % of the audience.
Source: Support to media where media freedoms and rights are constrained: what works and why? Global synthesis report (Mary Myers), BBC Media Action, 2012, p. 16

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) does not allow private FM stations to produce their own national news or current affairs programming. Typically, Pakistan’s private FM stations play music for 70% of the time. They devote about 10% of air time to talk shows, 10% to advertising and 5% to news.
Source: Pakistan: media and telecoms landscape guide. Infoasaid, 2012, p.29

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Overcomer Ministry via WWCR (Nashville)


The Overcomer Ministry broadcasting from WWCR in Nashville, Tenneessee (USA) was logged on 12 February 2014. An Evangelical song and Brother Stair sermon on the end of the world and economic crisis was monitored from 17.03 to 17.35 UTC. Reception on 9.980 kHz at 17.03 UTC was (SINPO) 24432 -- weak but audible signal despite station interference and fading; by 17.20 UTC signal was audible but very faint and plagued by continued fading and station splatter; at 17.30 UTC signal improved slightly when interfering station signed off to 25432. Signal was heard on previous nights around 16.30 UTC under more favorable conditions.

An eQSL was received within 30 minutes of  emailing reception report on 12 February 2014.

Email:
lastime@overcomerministry.org


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

World Radio Day Certificate from Pakistani Listeners Club


World Radio Day is celebrated throughout the world on 13 February 2014. On this day we as Pakistani listeners are giving appreciation certificates to listeners. Please continue to listen to radio and promote.

This certificate (shown above) is awarded by the following organization and clubs: 
1.       FTR Media Service, Lahore http://www.ftrms.com/ 
2.       World DX Forum, Islamabad http://dxforum.blogspot.com/ 
3.       Pakistani Listeners Club, Muzaffargarh 
4.       International Listeners Club, Mailsi 
5.       Asia International Listeners Club, Dadu 
6.        Daily The Explorer, Sukkur http://dailyexplorer.net/

You can also see your name here: http://dxforum.blogspot.com/2014/02/pakistan-listener-award-2014.html

Kind Regards,
Zahoor Solangi 
Pakistan Listeners Awards 2014 
https://www.facebook.com/dxforum


Over 170 certificates from 29 countries were issued. No radio work or similar activity was required to obtain this certificate. One merely had to contact the Pakistan Listeners. The gimmick? None. It was just a novel way to reward radio enthusiasts, to honour the history of radio communications and to promote its continued presence. It was also equally good PR for the aforementioned Pakistani radio clubs. Happy World Radio Day and 73s!