QSLs / ARTICLES

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Adventist World Radio (via Agat)


Adventist World Radio (AWR), transmitting from KSDA relay site in Agat (Guam), was logged on 30 March 2013. The significance of this date is the beginning of the A14 schedule, which AWR has updated as well as many short-wave broadcasters. In this case AWR aired Wave Scan and Indian DX Report from  23.30 to 00.00 UTC on 15.330 kHz. SIO 45333 -- good signal strength, atmospheric noise and fading.


Host of Wave Scan, Jeff White, featured history on the first All India Radio station, the first Marconi shortwave transmissions, Indian DX Report and mention of new A14 schedule for WRMI. Programme closed with Peruvian music and Jeff White announcing Wave Scan postal address and email.
Reception report was emailed to AWR, Wave Scan and IDXR shortly after transmission ended. QSL card arrived on 5 June 2014, veri-signer Dr. Adrian Peterson. Indian DX Report eQSLed on 28 August 2017.

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

PCJ Radio International (via Trincomalee)


PCJ Radio International aired a special broadcast from the Radio Taiwan International (RTI) studio on 30 March 2014. This one hour broadcast from 12.30 to 13.30 UTC (new A14 time) featured two English language personalities from RTI who talked about the station's history and Mandarin language programme between songs.  Transmission radiated on 13.655 kHz (possibly a new A14 frequency) and originated from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. 

Reception (SINPO) at 12.30 UTC was 34333 -- poor to fair signal strength, slight QRM from adjacent station and warbling audio caused by fading flutter. At times it was just too noisy and signal strength dropped  off at one point. At 12.50 UTC reception improved and stablised for the remainder of the show to 44434 -- major problem continued to be warbling audio which distorted clarity. By 13.15 UTC signal strength alone was excellent and merited a SINPO of 55545. Should 13.655 kHz be the selected frequency for A14, I would suggest  more tweaking needs to be done, especially the warbling audio. Presently it is a questionable frequency choice for Southeast Asia. 

Reception report was emailed shortly after the transmission ended. Veri-signer Victor Goonetilleke replied promptly with promise of QSL. This eQSL arrived on 13 April 2014.

Email:
pcjqsl@pcjmedia.com

RTI Website:
english.rti.org.tw/m/

Saturday, March 29, 2014

KBS World Radio / Indian DX Report

KBS World Radio / Indian DX Report , transmitting from Kimjae, Republic of Korea, was logged on 29 March 2014. "KBS Listeners Lounge"  and Indian DX Report was observed from 16.35 to 17.00 UTC. Reception on 9.640 kHz was (SINPO) 45444 -- good signal strength, slight fade and atmospheric noise.

Receptions reports were emailed/messaged online to KBS World Radio and emailed to Indian DX Report on the following day. Indian DX Report sent eQSL on 28 August 2017.

KBS World Radio Website:
world.kbs.co.kr/english/

IDXR Blogsite:
indiandxreport.blogspot.com/

Email:
english@kbs.co.kr  (KBS World Radio)
indiandxreport@gmail.com  (Indian DX Report)


Friday, March 28, 2014

QSLs for March 2014

QSLs received and promised for the month of March 2014:

Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emirler, Turkey





PCJ Radio International "Anniversary Broadcast" (eQSL) transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka and Talata-Volondry, Madagascar



PPE Observatorio Nacional (QSL card and letter) transmitting from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil




 Radio 9 de Juhlo (QSL letter) transmitting from Sao Paulo, Brazil





PBS Xizang from CRI (QSL card) transmitting from Lhasa-Baiding, Tibet (Xizang)




Radio Japan (QSL card) transmitting from Nauen, Germany and Ascension Island

 



 Deutsche Welle (QSL card) transmitting from Kigali, Rwanda
IRRS for Radio Oromgenati (QSL email) transmitting presumably from Tiganesti, Romania








Promised: 
PCJ Radio International (QSL) transmitting from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka 
Indian DX report via KBS World Radio (QSL) transmitting from Kimjae, ROK 
Voice of Russia (QSL) transmitting from Irkutsk, Russia 
Voice of Vietnam, (QSL) transmittiing from Woofferton, UK 
Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran (QSL) transmitting from Kamalabad, Iran

Acknowledged Reception Report: 
Radio Nacional da Brasilia transmitting from Brasilia, Brazil

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

New QSLs from Radio Africa Network / Pan American Broadcasting


NEW QSLs! NEW FREQUENCIES FOR RADIO AFRICA!
Effective March 30th, 2014 The Radio Africa Network is adjusting its frequencies in order to provide optimum coverage to its targeted areas. Transmission originate from Okeechobee, Florida (USA). The new schedule will be as follows:

17790 kHz = 0800 – 2100 UTC
15190 kHz = 2100 - 0800 UTC

Reception reports are very important to them, and they look forward to receiving each and every one. They have three different QSL cards as noted here.

Radio Vanuatu

Self-made eQSL
Radio Vanuatu in Emten Lagoon (Port Vila), Republic of Vanuatu was logged on 26 March 2014, from 17.45 to 19.00 UTC (03.45 to 05.00 AM local time).  Reception on 3.945 kHz at 17.45 UTC was poor at best with  SINPO rating of 24321 -- carrier signal, static bursts and fading was present. At 18.00 UTC, occasional peaks of faint (lively music hosted by a male announcer) was heard amidst continued static bursts and intermittent  fading. By 18.45 UTC audio gradually waned and only fading carrier shrouded in atmospheric noise was detected. At 19.00 UTC, only atmospheric noise was noted, presumably as grey-line between Vanuatu and Malaysia disappeared.

Although conditions were less than favourable, this marks the first time Radio Vanuatu has crossed the threshold and reached  this quarter of South East Asia. The station operates as well on 7.260 kHz, but this signal is both too weak to receive and prone to interference from  China. It is unmistakably Radio Vanuatu, not Radio Nikkei in Japan which also transmits on this frequency, but not during this time slot. Certainly Radio Vanuatu  deserves further monitoring in upcoming days.

QSL based on email from Radio Vanuatu
Geographically the Republic of Vanuatu (Ripablik blong Vanuatu) is an island nation located in the South Pacific. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some 1,750 kilometres east of northern Australia, 500 kilometres northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.

Reception report was FB messaged and mailed to Radio Vanuatu later in the week. I am rather skeptical the station will reply, let alone QSL. Still, it is terrific news to finally hear even the faintest glimmer of a signal from this pearl in the South Pacific. I received this email confirmation from Radio Vanuatu on 5 May 2014, veri-signer Elizabeth Graham, Team Leader for Radio Vanuatu.

Email from Radio Vanuatu confirming reception report
Postal Address:
Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation
Radio Vanuatu, Senior Technician
PMB 9049,
Port Vila,
Republic of Vanuatu
(South Pacific)

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/RadioVanuatu




Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey in Emirler was logged on  25 March 2014. After a rousing interval tune and station ID at 21.30 UTC, Voice of Turkey began their English language service with international and domestic news. This was followed with a review of headlines in the Turkish press. A quarter of the way into the broadcast, programmes on Turkish history, heritage culture and music were presented. A well-known monthly contest on the Voice of Turkey, "The Question of the Month", came up at the top of the hour -- 22.00 UTC. This month's question was "What is the name of the Turkish satellite that was launched in February?" The answer is Turksat-4A, a Turkish communications satellite designed to provide high-speed Internet service in Turkey. Noted prominnetly as well were frequent station IDs and promos for their website and podcasts sandwiched between programmes.  Reception on 9.610 kHz between 21.30 to 22.25 UTC was (SINPO) 55555 -- excellent signal on all accounts, and it should be considering the TX site is rated at 500 kW. Indeed,  reception is usually good to excellent in this quarter of the world.

As I do nearly every month a reception report was emailed to the Voice of Turkey, along with my entry to "The Question of the Month". While the outcome of the drawing for the contest is less certain, I can always count of Voice of Turkey to issue another wonderful QSL card! This QSL card arrived in the mail on 5 May 2014.

Email:
englishdesk@trt.net.tr

Monday, March 24, 2014

Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok

Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok, a clandestine station possibly transmitting from Dushanbe, Tajikistan, was logged on 24 March 2014. The transmitter was switched on at around 11.26 UTC, followed by a station ID with Khmer  music filler between female and male announcers at 11.30 UTC. A Khmer language broadcast with intermittent Khmer music filler sandwiched between news and special reports, frequently mentioning "Kampuchea", "Vietnam" and "Cham", was noted from 11.30 to 12.00 UTC. The closing minutes of this 30 minute broadcast, which airs daily incidentally, included another station ID with frequency and website announcement. The broadcast closed with a traditional Khmer song performed by a female vocalist. Reception on 17.860 kHz was (SINPO) 45444 -- good signal strength and clarity throughout transmission, here in Southeast Asia, which presumably is their target.

HERE is how Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok sounded in my quarter shortly after sign-on.

There is no contact address, either email or postal, indicated on their website. The only possible way to contact them is with a donation or to message their FaceBook page. So, it is doubtful Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok will entertain DXers with a QSL. They appear to be strictly "clandestine" and intent on promoting the Khmer culture which they believe is endangered.

Website:
www.khmer-mchas-srok.org/

Facebook: 
www.facebook.com/pages/Khmer-MChas-Srok/158954614194136


Sunday, March 23, 2014

Radio Sana'a

Radio Sana'a (Yemen Radio & Television Corporation), transmitting from Sana'a, was logged on 24 March 2014. An English language broadcast (between 18.30 to 19.00 UTC) of  indistinguishable talking and music was shrouded much of the time in jamming from 18.40 till 18.57 UTC. In the closing minutes up until 19.00 UTC, brief filler music, a male announcer and interval tune (signature Radio Sana flute music) was detected. Reception on 6.135 kHz at 18.40 UTC was (SINPO) 22332 due to persistent jamming presumably from DPRK (North Korea). At 18.57 UTC jamming ceased, allowing faint reception of station interval -- the only identifiable mark confirming Radio Sana'a -- was heard with a SINPO of 24332.
Despite the horrible reception and limited programme details, which remained unchanged after a week of monitoring, a report was subsequently mailed and submitted on-line to Radio Sana'a. Time will tell whether I shall be as fortunate as the DXers who have recently received QSL cards. I received an email on 5 May 2014 promising to send a QSL card.

Website:
www.sanaaradio.net/Contactus.aspx

Postal Address:
Republic of Yemen Radio
Technical Department
26 September Street
P.O. Box 2371
Sana’a
Republic of Yemen

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Time for PPE Observatório Nacional



PPE Observatório Nacional is the Brazilian research institute established under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). It conducts research, development and innovation in three major areas of knowledge: Astronomy, Geophysics and Meteorology for Time and Frequency.

The task of the Time Service Division (DSHO) of Observatório Nacional (ON) is to generate, to keep and to disseminate the Brazilian Legal Time (HLB) according to the Brazilian Laws and also to do Research & Development in Time and Frequency meteorology area.

Shortwave transmissions from PPE Observatório Nacional commenced operation in November 2008. Since then it has operated on 10 MHz, round-the-clock, from Rio de Janeiro/São Cristóvão.

The transmitter manufacturer is Redifon Telecommunications Ltd (London), model HF Transmitter Redifon G453, producing A3H modulation with an output power of 1 kW (1000 watts). Antenna used is a horizontal dipole - 1/2 wavelength.

The station is rarely if ever heard in Southeast Asia, owing to interference from time signal  stations WWVH (Kekaha, Hawaii) and BPM (Lintong, China). According to a DXer in Australia, March and April is the prime period when PPE Observatório Nacional is best received in this quarter of the world. Additionally, voice ID and/or spectral signal analysis would be the optimum way to confirm their reception.

On that note, however, I did observe a faint signal on 25 December 2013 while on holiday in the central highlands of (Bukit Fraser) Malaysia. At an elevation of over 4,500 feet, free from man-made QRN, I noticed time pips distinctively different from WWVH and BPM, both of which were heard as well. However, no voice ID/time announcement in Portuguese was detected.

Based on this information, a reception report was submitted by email and post, in Portuguese, to Observatório Nacional, near the end of December 2013. An email reply from Observatório Nacional promptly confirmed my report. On 18 March 2014, I received in the mail not only a QSL card, but a Letter of Verification, booklet on Observatório Nacional, leaflet on the equipment used and commemorative postage stamps depicting the  institute. Similarly the envelope came with several colourful stamps.

While PPE Observatório Nacional has confirmed my reception report, I am reluctant to fully accept it until I have logged the station again.

Website:
pcdsh01.on.br/

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Voice of Vietnam (via Woofferton)

Voice of Vietnam, in a Russian language broadcast from Woofferton (UK), was heard on 15 March 2014. Programmes on Vietnamese current events with snippets of Vietnamese music  was monitored from 20.15 to 20.30 UTC, a broadcast that normally airs from 20.00 to 20.30 UTC. Reception on 6.135 kHz, in the 15 minutes I listened, was  (SINPO) 34443 -- fair signal strength with clear audio despite some atmospheric noise.

Generally good to respond with a QSL, Voice of Vietnam Russian and English language departments were emailed a few days later. On 18 March I received an email from VoV in Russian confirming and promising a QSL: "Уважаемый Timm Breyel! Мы очень рады получить ваш рапорт о приеме. Как обычно, отправим Вам QSL-карточки по обычной почте. Надеемся, что Вы будете слушать наши передачи, поддерживать переписку и присылать новые рапорты. С уважением и наилучшими пожеланиями! Русская редакция Радио Голос Вьетнама." On 7 April 2014, a QSL indeed arrived, along with a postcard and programme scedule, all in Russian. 

Email:
vovworld@vov.org.vn
golosvietnama@mail.ru

Voice of America (via Udon Thani)

Voice of America "Special English" broadcast, originating from IBB relay site in Udon Thani, Thailand, was logged on 16 March 2014. "In The News - Learning English" featured reports on food production and financial management in Africa and bit coins, followed by "Words and Their Story" exploring the meanings of bologna and boloney, and lastly "People In America" focused on African-American lawyer, singer, actor, writer and activist Paul Robeson. These programmes were monitored between 15.30 and 16.00 UTC, complete broadcast time being 15.00 to 16.00 UTC.   Reception  on 6.135 kHz was (SINPO) 34543 -- fair signal strength with slight fluttering fade and QRM (jamming possibly from DPRK under signal). Despite the conditions, audio quality was clear and discernible.

A reception report was emailed to VOA and IBB Udon Thani the following day. I have logged and QSLed this transmitter site numerous times, both on medium-wave and short-wave, owing to its relative closeness to Malaysia. My primary interest in QSLing this relay site again is their current verification card, depicting pink lotus flowers. Instead I received another QSL from IBB -- The Grand Royal Palace in Bangkok -- on 23 May 2014.

Email:
manager_thailand@tha.ibb.gov

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Brazilian Waves

Brazilian waves? No, I'm not referring to soccer legend Pele, nor  Carnival, nor samba, nor bossa nova. I'm talking about Brazilian short-wave radio.  There are literally dozens of stations. And it is with good reason. Brazil is huge - the fifth largest country in the world! Its population of 140,000,000 is probably the most ethnically diverse to be found. In the nordeste, or Northeastern states such as Ceara, Bahia, and Pernambuco, the population is largely negro or mulatto (mixed black and white ancestry). As one moves south, the descendents of African slaves gradually give way to meztizos - people of mixed European and Indian ancestry.

With this vast diversity comes quite naturally a variety radio formats. Brazilian stations may broadcast news and live play-by-play sports, especially  futbol or soccer over Radio Nacional da Amazonia. It's practically their national religion! Speaking of which, Pentacostal, Evangelical and Catholic religious programming is regularly heard over  Rádio Deus é Amor, Radio Trans Mundial and Radio Aparecida respectively. Brazilian pop music is frequently aired over stations like Radio Nacional da Brasilia and Radio 9 de Julho. 

Brazilian short-wave broadcasters occupy a broad spectrum of short-wave frequencies. While most Brazilian short-wave stations use the tropical bands, there are a few dozen stations that can be found from 49 metres, all the way up to 16 meters. Their low-powered transmitters -- generally around 10 kilowatts -- make them hard to hear among the more powerful international broadcast stations, yet given a clear channel they get out quite well.  Radio Bandeirantes, Radio 9 de Julio, Radio Aparecida, Radio Trans Mundial,  Rádio Deus é Amor and Radio Guaruja in Florianopolis (now defunct), among the low-powered stations, have all been received in Malaysia. The exception is Radio Nacional da Amazona / Radio Nacional da Brasilia which competes well with the big boys at 250 kW, night and day.

Such was the case on 15 March 2014 when I logged three of Brazil's more readily received stations on the 31 and 25 metre bands.


• Radio 9 de Julho in Sao Paulo was logged from 20.35 to 20.50 UTC. Brazilian pop music and talk in Portuguese was noted during this transmission.  Reception on 9.820 kHz at 20.35 UTC was (SINPO) 23432 -- weak signal with clear audio despite station splatter and slight fading. At 20.50 UTC strong interference from a Chinese language station covered signal. 

HERE's how Radio 9 de Julho sounded on Malaysia.

Address:
Radio 9 de julho
Rua Manoel de Arzão 85,
02730-030 São Paulo SP, Brazil

Email:
radio@radio9dejulho.com.br

• Radio Aparecida in Sao Paulo was monitored from 21.05 to 21.45 UTC. Catholic religious content mixed intermittently between several vocal songs  in Portuguese was was noted on the frequency of 9.630 kHz . Reception at 21.05 UTC was SINPO 24342 -- weak signal with clear audio despite gradual increase in atmospheric noise, which subsequently enveloped signal by 21.45 UTC.
 
HERE's how Radio Aparecida sounded on Malaysia.

Email:
encontrodx@radioaparecida.com.br






• Radio Nacional da Brasilia, not to be confused with Radio Nacional da Amazonia, was received between 21.30 and 22.00 UTC. This broadcast contained non-stop Brazilian pop music hosted by a male announcer in Potuguese. Reception on 11.780 kHz throughout much of the transmission was SINPO 25332 -- weak with audible signal despite severe atmospheric noise, which subsequently enveloped signal as daybreak approached the shores of Malaysia.

Address:
RÁDIO NACIONAL DE BRASÍLIA – AM
Caixa Postal 259
CEP: 70710-750 Brasilia, Brazil

Email:
centraldoouvinte@ebc.com.br

Reception reports were emailed to all of the above stations on the following day.

• Receiver used: Tecsun S-2000 • Antenna: 13 metre vertically elevated 1/4 wave aerial • RX location: Subang Jaya, West Malaysia


Wednesday, March 12, 2014

PCJ Radio Anniversary Broadcast


PCJ Radio International honoured Victor Goonetilleke with a special QSL (verification card) commemorating their Fifth Anniversary on 12 March 2014.  For more than 40 years Victor has made invaluable contributions to international broadcasting. He has provided work for the Voice of America, BBC World Service and many others. For over 24 years he was a regular contributor to Media Network on Radio Netherlands. Like many great men he was often unknown to many listeners, but his work helped get the signals of these stations into the radios of listeners across Asia and beyond. In recent years Victor has been PCJ Radio International’s frequency manager. So, for the Fifth Anniversary of PCJ Radio International, a special QSL was developed to highlight his contributions to international shortwave broadcasting.

Transmissions of this special broadcast were relayed to the following targets:
North America – 01.30 to 02.30 UTC – 7.730 khz – TX site: Okeechobee, USA
Africa – 13.30 to 14.30 UTC – 15.720 khz –  TX site: Talata Volondry. Madagascar
Asia – 13.30 to 14.30 UTC – 9.335 khz – TX site: Trincomalee, Sri Lanka
Europe – 13.30 to 14.30 UTC – 5.995 khz – TX site: Nauen, Germany
Europe – 13.30 to 14.30 UTC – 15.455 khz – TX site: Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

On this auspicious date PCJ Radio International was heard well from transmitter sites in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka and Talata Volondry, Madagascar. PCJ Radio International signed on at 13.30 UTC with their interval tune, followed by the Beatles song "All You Need Is Love" mixed under congratulatory messages from Tom Meijer, Bob Zanetti, Kelly Alexander and others. Episodes from the Stumpf Files and Media Network Plus aired mid way through the broadcast. Tom Meijer and Keith Perron stepped back in time and reminisced. Keith announced a contest for listeners who would  be eligible to win a FREE Spectrum Monitor subscription and one of two C. Crane radios. The broadcast closed an hour later with the song "L-O-V-E" performed by Keith. 

A podcast of PCJ Radio International's 5th Anniversary broadcast may be downloaded or heard at this LINK.

Here's how PCJ Radio International  sounded on 9.335 kHz15.455 kHz and 15.720 kHz. 
 
MGLOB for PCJ Radio International
Reception on 9.335 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- superb reception on all accounts; on 15.455 kHz it was 55455 -- excellent signal strength with only slight atmospheric noise; and on 15.720 kHz it was 35343 -- fair signal strength with atmospheric noise and slight fluttering fade, otherwise clear and discernible audio.

Reception reports were emailed to PCJ Radio International shortly after the broadcast ended. Veri Signer and Frequency Manager for PCJ replied promptly with the promise of a QSL. The above eQSL was received on 22 March 2014. Paper QSL Card from MGLOB arrived in the mail on 14 May 2014 after submitting reception report to them in April 2014.

Email:
pcjqsl@pcjmedia.com

Monday, March 10, 2014

Radio Ibrahim / IBRA (via Woofferton)



IBRA (International Broadcasting Association) is a Christian media mission organisation associated with the Pentecostal churches of Scandinavia. Over the years, the radio ministry has grown tremendously, and today IBRA ministers are located in over a hundred countries and communicate in more than 100 different languages. More than half of the world's population has the ability to listen and watch IBRA's broadcasts.

IBRA's vision is to reach all the unreached peoples of the world whose only hope of hearing the Gospel is through mass media. Within the framework of "World by Radio", IBRA cooperates with several other major world-wide Christian radio organizations so that all nations, peoples and tribes will have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in a language they can understand. 

And, indeed they do. The following log entry was for an IBRA broadcast in the African dialect Sara Ngambai. 

Radio Ibrahim / IBRA, transmitting from famed relay site in Woofferton, UK, was logged on 10 March 2014. A 15 minute broadcast in Sara Ngambai from 19.30 to 19.45 UTC featured African music and a dialogue/news report between two gentleman. Reception on 9.635 kHz was (SINPO) 44544 -- good signal strength with some minor QRM and fading flutter, otherwise clear and discernible speech was noted.

A reception report was emailed to IBRA in Sweden on the following day. Hopefully as beofre, just recently, a letter of verification will be forthcoming.

Post Box Address:
IBRA Media
Box 15144
167 15 Bromma, Sweden

Street Address:
IBRA Media
Gustavslundsvägen 18
167 15 Bromma, Sweden

Phone:
(+46) 08-608 96 80

Email:
info@ibra.se

Source: IBRA website -- http://www.ibra.org/about.php

Artsy Cuban Momentos 2014


Today, the postman delivered a letter from Radio Habana Cuba to my home. Curious, I inspected the envelope, which interestingly was addressed using an old-fashioned typewriter. As I fingered the paper I suspected it was possibly another QSL card from this Caribbean island nation. I carefully snipped open the envelope and discovered a  few souvenirs tucked inside. Was there  an autographed photo of Fidel? Nah, although that would  have been a great keepsake for posterity. Nor was there  a single Cuban stogie.  So, what was stuffed inside?  Nothing grand actually, just artwork. More to the point, it contained two 2014 pocket calendars depicting Ecuadorian artist Oswaldo Guayasamín, a New Year's greeting card of a 1964 painting by artist Vladimir Iglesias Geraldo and an RHC programme schedule listing their current broadcast frequencies, times and target areas. Why should anyone care  to listen to Radio Habana Cuba? Well, politics aside, I love listening to Latin and Cuban music...and RHC does play fabulous songs!!!

Muchas Gracias, Radio Habana Cuba!


Thursday, March 6, 2014

Grapevine News on FEBA India Test Transmission

FEBA India is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. Although my first exposure to FEBA was in the early 1970s, with a transmission from Seychelles, I quite probably would have missed this event had it not been for news through the radio grapevine. More precisely, fellow DXers Jose Jacob in India and Rob Wagner of Mount Evelyn DX Report in Australia must be credited for alerting me of this news. Secondly, I most certainly would have missed FEBA India's test transmission had  their tip gone unnoticed. It was with this input I tuned in last night and caught FEBA India's broadcast, the second of two known test transmissions. 

FEBA India in a test transmission, originating from Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, was logged in Malaysia on 6 March 2014.  The broadcast from 13.30 to 14.00 UTC opened with the long recognised FEBA interval tune, station ID and announcement of their test transmission. It was followed with a radio drama on the life of Christian acolyte Matthias and his meeting of Jesus. Thirty minutes later the broadcast closed with announcement of an email and phone number to submit "feedback" on their transmission. Reception of this test transmission on 9.720 kHz was relatively good with excellent signal strength, despite persistent QRM from weaker stations transmitting either on the same or adjacent frequency, thus yielding a  (SINPO) of 53554.

HERE is a sound file of how FEBA India sounded at sign-on in this test transmission.

I followed up with a reception report and emailed FEBA India shortly after the broadcast. Alison Bateman, Supporter Relations Assistant at FEBA (UK), replied with this email on 28 March 2014: "Thank you for your interest in the reception and for listening. I'm afraid since Feba no longer broadcast directly we do not have QSL cards to pass on to you and I cannot help with your request. Every blessing." This means FEBA India is my last hope for QSLing the station. FEBA India did indeed confirm on 3 April 2014 with this eQSL.

Email:
kenneth@febaindia.org
febaindia@vsnl.com

Website:
febaindia.org/