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