QSLs for May 2014

QSLs received and promised for the month of May 2014:

Media Broadcast GmbH for Echo of Europe (eQSL) transmitting from Nauen, Germany

IBB for Voice of America (QSL card) transmitting from Udon Thani, Thailand

DK1NO (QSL card) transmitting with 500 watts from Sigmaringen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Voice of Mongolia (QSL card) transmitting from Ulaan Baator, 1 May 2014

Voice of Mongolia (QSL card) transmitting from Ulaan Baator, 31 March 2014



 
Voice of Mongolia (QSL card) for internet stream from Ulaan Baator, 2 April 2014

Radio Free Asia (QSL card) transmitting from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Radio Aparecida (QSL card) transmitting from Aparecida, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Voice of Russia (QSL card) transmitting from Novobrisk, Russia

Vatican Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Santa Maria di Galeria

Radio New Zealand International (QSL card) transmitting from Rangitaiki, New Zealand

Media Broadcast GmbH for Radio Mehr Iran (WRN Media) (eQSL) transmitting from Issoudun, France

MGLOB for PCJ Radio International (QSL card) transmitting from Talata Volonry, Madagascar 

MGLOB for Radio Impala (QSL card) transmitting from Talata Volonry, Madagascar 

Die Stimme Vietnams - VOV5 (QSL card) transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE

Radio Vanuatu (QSL email) transmitting from Emten Lagoon, Republic of Vanuatu

Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emirler

Voice of Turkey (QSL card) transmitting from Emirler

Radio Ergo (QSL email) transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE  / studio in Nairobi, Kenya

Promised:
WWV on 25 MHz (QSL) transmitting from Ft. Collins, Colorado (USA)
Radio Thailand via IBB (QSL) transmitting from Udon Thani, Thailand
Radio Sana'a (QSL) transmitting from Sana'a, Republic of Yemen
All India Radio Mumbai (QSL) transmitting from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

International Radio Serbia

International Radio Serbia, transmitting from Bijeljina, was logged on 31 May 2014. Serbian language and folk music was observed from 19.32 to 20.00 UTC. Reception on 6.100 kHz at 19.32 UTC was (SINPO) 24322 -- weak, atmospheric noise and fading, but audible speech and music. At 19.45 till 19.55 UTC co-channel interference from Voice of Korea caused severe QRM, which degraded reception further to 22322. When Voice of Korea signed-on at 19.58 UTC, signal of Radio Serbia International could not be received.

HERE is how International Radio Serbia sounded in Malaysia. 

Reception report was emailed a few days later. A QSL card was received on 29 July 2015, along with a note stating International Radio Serbia would cease operation on 31 July 2015.

Email:

posta@glassrbije.org
radioju@sbb.rs

Random log on 30 May 2014

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NBC Sandaun in West Sepik (?) // 3.205 // 24221 - carrier with faint indiscernible audio // 11.45 UTC faint talking from male announcer

JAPAN
Radio Nikkei  // 3.925 // 34343 // 11.40 UTC talking in Japanese

SWAZILAND
TWR Africa // 9.940 // 55545 // 19.00 UTC with interval tune and ID

SPAIN
Radio Exterior de Espana // 9.665 // 54544 // 19.15 UTC with English broadcast on Spanish cinema

BRAZIL
Radio Aparecida // 9.630 //  24432 // 19.20 UTC with Portuguese language pop songs hosted by male DJ

Radio Marumby // 9.515 // 24332 // 19.40 UTC with music, news, evangelical preacher with music in Portuguese

INDIA
AIR Aligarh // 9.620 // 55444 // 19.25 UTC with music in Arabic

SAO TOME
VOA Afia Darfur // 9.600 // 44334 / 19.25 UTC talking and music then sign-off with VOA ID at 19.30 UTC

MOROCCO
Radio Mediterranean International // 9.575 // 34343 // 19.30 UTC Arabic language music with male announcer

ROMANIA
Radio Romania International // 9.540 // 33443 // 19.40 UTC with music in Spanish

Radio Marumby (via Curitiba, Brazil)

Radio Marumby, transmitting from Curitiba, Brazil, was logged on 30 May 2014. A Portuguese language broadcast of music, news/sports and evangelical content was monitored from 19.40 to 20.20 UTC. Reception on 9.515 kHz was (SINPO) 24332 -- weak, noisy and fading but with discernible audio. At 19.55 UTC reception became increasingly noisy with signal dropping off occasionally.

A sample of this broadcast at 19.45 UTC may be heard HERE.

Reception report was posted to Radio Marumby. This station may prove to be difficult to QSL. Anyone in Brazil reading this, your advice and assistance would be most appreciated.

Postal address:
RÁDIO MARUMBY:
Avenida Paraná Nº 1885
Bairro Boa Vista
Curitiba - Paraná
Brazil

Website:
www.radioevangelismo.com

Random log 27 and 28 May 2014

IRAN

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran // 9.570 // 54544 // 18.00 UTC onward with cultural programme in German

NEW ZEALAND

Radio New Zealand International // 9.700 // 44444 // 18.05 UTC onward with Dateline Pacific

SOUTH AFRICA 

BBC via SENTEC in Meyerton // 9.720 // 23332 - noisy transmitter or jamming // 18.55  with  discussion between male announcers in Krwanda Krundi, then music till sign-off at 19.00

SPAIN

Radio Exterior de Espana // 9.730 // 44444 // 18.10 UTC with news reports in Spanish

AUSTRALIA

Radio Australia //9.820 // 44444 // 18.10 UTC with music (Caravan of Love)

GERMANY

RFE/Radio Liberty in Lampertheim // 9.840 // 45444 // 18.15 UTC news reports on Russia in Russian

Echo of Europe via Media Broadcast GmbH in Nauen //  7.315 // 24321 -- despite poor signal strength, fading and atmospheric noise, faint audio was detected on a clear frequency // European current event news in French from 18.30 to 18.45 UTC

KUWAIT

VOA - Radio Deewa // 9965 // 55555 // Talk in Pashto at 18.15 UTC

SOMALILAND

Radio Somaliland // 7.120 // 35453 // 18.20 UTC  with jazzy Horn of Africa music

MADAGASCAR 

BBC via MGLOB facility in  Talata Volondry // 7.445 kHz // 25322 - weak, noisy and fading to the point audio occasionally dropped off // 19.00 to 19.35 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 to 20.00 UTC) with English language broadcast on African current events

BBC via MGLOB (Talata Volondry)

BBC via MGLOB facility in  Talata Volondry, Madagascar was logged on 28 May 2014. An English language broadcast on African current events was monitored from 19.00 to 19.35 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 to 20.00 UTC). Reception on 7.445 kHz was (SINPO) 25322 - weak, noisy and fading to the point audio occasionally dropped off. Nevertheless signal was audible and speech discernible at times.

Reception report was emailed to MGLOB. QSL card arrived in the mail on 2 July 2014.

Echo of Europe (via Nauen)

 

Need news about Europe? Tune to Echo of Europe. EOE broadcasts 15 minutes of news related to European events, every Tuesday and Friday. They may be heard either on the short-wave frequency of 7.315 kHz or webcast from 18.30 to 18.45 UTC. Transmission originates from the Media Broadcast GmbH facility in Nauen, Germany with antenna array pointed towards southwestern Europe. While their signal is best received in the targeted area, it is possible to receive them elsewhere. 

Echo of Europe, although targeting Europe, was logged in Southeast Asia on Tuesday, 27 May 2014. A French language broadcast of news featured a discussion on European politics from 18.30 to 18.45 UTC. Transmission closed with brief instrumental music. Reception on 7.315 kHz was poor, yet audible with (SINPO) of 24331 -- weak signal, fading and atmospheric noise was observed on an otherwise clear frequency once CRI signed-off at 18.26 UTC. Had co-channel interference existed from another broadcaster their transmission would most probably have not radiated to this region of the world. 

Reception report was emailed and submitted on-line to Echo of Europe immediately after the transmission. An email from Echo of Europe  promised to mail a paper QSL. This was followed up with an email to Media Broadcast GmbH who sent an eQSL on the same day. QSL card and letter arrived in the mail from France on 5 June 2014.

Email: 
contact@echoofeurope.eu 

Website: 
 echoofeurope.eu

Radio Thailand

Like most radio listeners around the world I tuned in to radio broadcasts coming out of Thailand shortly after the military coup. On the eve of the take-over all MW stations -- which are numerous -- I observed synchronised patriotic music and talk on every station. The following evening I caught Radio Thailand on short-wave with their familiar format of news and tourism related promos.

Transmitting from the IBB relay site in Udon Thani, I logged the station on 23 May 2014, broadcasting to Europe from 19.00 to 20.00 UTC. Reception on 9.390 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 - Excellent.

HERE's an audio file of the news read at the top of the hour.

Reception report was emailed early the following week to both Radio Thailand and IBB Udon Thani. An email from Radio Thailand was received on 26 May 2014, confirming reception report would be sent by IBB. QSL card from IBB for Radio Thailand arrived in the mail on 4 June 2014. Finally, a QSL card from Radio Thailand World Service (HSK9) arrived by registered mail on 4 September 2014.

Email:
feedback@hsk9.org (Radio Thailand)
manager_thailand@tha.ibb.gov (IBB)

Special NHK World - Radio Japan Broadcast to Thailand

In light of the recent Thai military coup and control  of media, NHK World - Radio Japan aired a special Japanese programme for their compatriots based in Thailand.

BROADCAST SCHEDULE

09.00-17.00 UTC // 11.815.kHz
17.00-19.00 UTC // 7.225 kHz
19.00-21.00 UTC //  9.560 kHz
21.00-01.00 UTC // 13.680 kHz
01.00-05.00 UTC // 17.810 kHz
05.00-08.00 UTC // 17.585 kHz
08.00-09.00 UTC // 13.650 kHz

I was fortunate to catch this special broadcast from 17.00 to 19.00 UTC on 23 May 2014. Format consisted of news, contemporary and traditional Japanese music as well as an interview of a Japanese celebrity. Transmission originated from Yamata on 7.225 kHz, Reception (SINPO) was 55555 - excellent!!!

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

WWV Returns to 25 MHz

Silenced in 1977, WWV is back on 25 MHz "for old times' sake" -- on an "experimental basis." Acting on the request of an amateur radio operator lead electrical engineer at WWV, Matt Deutch, gave the green light to resurrect the long-dormant standard time outlet operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Deutch put the signal back on air first on 4 April 2014 for about 3.5 hours. He followed up with another test on 27 April. Initially the signal was only meant to stay up for 24 hours or so, but Deutch has reactivated it. Well, at least on 20 May the 25 MHz frequency was still in operation.

NIST said the 25 MHz broadcast consists of the normal WWV signal heard on all other WWV frequencies, at the same level of accuracy. The transmitter in Fort Collins, Colorado, can deliver 2500 watts (2.5 kW) into its "broadband monopole" antenna, although Deutch stated he is running it at 1200 watts (1.2 kW). 

WWV in Fort Collins, Colorado (USA) was logged on the reactivated frequency of 25 MHz on 20 May 2014. After nearly two months of trying to catch their signal I managed to finally detect not only time pips and pulses, but speech between 18.02 to 18.36 UTC. Although weak with minor QRM and fading, WWV was audible with a SINPO of 24322 until 18.36 UTC when it disappeared completely.

Although the following audio clips are poor, they provide an idea of the signal quality  heard in Malaysia:

AUDIO FILE #1 at 18.08 UTC (voice).

AUDIO FILE #2 at 18.11 UTC (time pips/pulses).

Reception report was emaled to WWV on the same day. WWV replied on 27 May 2014 with an email promising QSL. WWV's confirmation arrived on 10 June 2014.

NIST website:
www.nist.gov

WWV email: 
wwv@nist.gov 

PCJ Radio International

PCJ Radio International, in a test transmission from Taiwan, was logged on 18 May 2014. After an initial mix up regarding transmission on 11.765 kHz, frequency was switched to 15.680 kHz @ 20 kWs. Rather than register for their own frequency Radio Taiwan International loaned the frequency to PCJ Radio. Reception was near perfect with (SINPO) of 55545 -- excellent signal strength with minor fading. From 13.25 to 13.58 UTC (broadcast time 13.00 to 13.58 UTC), host Keith Perron read letters from listeners, announced a radio giveaway, and played songs performed by Duke Ellington, Kenny Rogers, Buddy Holly and Marlene Dietrich.

A sample of this outstanding transmission can be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed to PCJ Radio International on the following day.This eQSL was received on 3 June 2014.

Email:

pcjqsl@pcjmedia.com

Radio Free Asia (via Saipan/Agingan Point)

Radio Free Asia's 53rd QSL card release is the third design in the series "Celebrating Musical Instruments of Asia". This card shows a dan tranh which is a traditional, Vietnamese stringed instrument. Dan tranhs are long and narrow having a rounded, or convex, surface. Each string is supported by a wooden, or bone, bridge in an inverted "V" position. Dan tranhs are covered with high-gloss lacquer and, in many cases, ornately designed with mother-of-pearl which was used for RFA's QSL. The history of the dan tranh dates back hundreds of years and it is still a popular instrument in Vietnam today. This QSL is used to confirm all valid reception reports received from April 1 to June 30, 2014. 

To obtain this QSL card I submitted a reception report of RFA's broadcast in Lao. Chinese and Tibetan language broadcasts are effectively squelched in South East Asia, regardless of transmitter location. On some occasions they do manage to squeak through, but just barely. Hence, the odds of receiving an RFA broadcast in any of seven other Asian languages improved the probabily of reception. 

In this case I tuned in to Radio Free Asia, transmitting from the IBB relay site in Saipan/Agingan Point, on 13 May 2014. A Lao language broadcast of news and current events related to Laotians in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos was reported from 11.00 to 12.00 UTC. Reception on 9.325 kHz was (SINPO): 55555 -- excellent!!!

This RFA broadcast at sign-on may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed shortly after transmission on 13 May 2014. QSL card arrive in the mail on 22 May 2014.

Email:
qsl@rfa.org

Website:
www.rfa.org/english/

Voice of Forum of Eritreans (via Issoudun)

Voice of Forum of Eritreans (Radio Medrek), transmitting from Issoudun, France, was logged on 10 May 2014. An Arabic language broadcast was monitored from 18.25 to 18.58 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 to 18.58 UTC). Programme content included a report on Islam and Eritrea, discussion on South Sudan mentioning "Human Rights Watch", and a mix of Horn of Africa, Arabic and English songs. Reception on 15.245 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 --  strong and clear, no fading, no interference from Voice of Korea which was operating on the same frequency.

Broadcast Schedule for Voice of Forum of Eritreans
15.245 kHz - 17:00 to 18:00 UTC - Days 1,3 and 6 in Tigrinya 
15.245 kHz - 17:00 to 18:00 UTC - Day 4 in Arabic 
15.245 kHz - 18:00 to 19:00 UTC - Day 7 in Arabic

Reception report was emailed to Télédiffusion de France -- assuming  TDF is the broadcast provider -- the following day. 

Télédiffusion de France Website:
www.tdf.fr/contact

Radio Romania International,

Radio Romania International, presumably transmitting from Tiganesti, was logged on 8 May 2014. An English language broadcast featuring regular RRI programmes "Spotlight", "Letterbox" and traditional Romanian music was noted between 22.25 to 22.57 UTC (broadcast time 22.00 to 22.57 UTC). Reception on 9.790 kHz was (SINPO) 35353 -- fair signal strength with atmospheric noise, but clear and discernible speech.

Reception report was submitted on-line at RRI website and emailed to RRI the following day, 9 May 2014. QSL card arrived in the letterbox on 10 June 2014.

E-mail:
eng@rri.ro
engl@rri.ro

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 7 May 2014. An English language broadcast of news, tourism feature on Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya, "Question of the Month" contest and Turkish pop music was observed from 16.28 to 17.25 UTC. Reception  on 15.520 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- exceptionally strong and clear on all accounts in my quarter.

Reception report was emailed to Voice of Turkey English Desk the following day, and I'm looking forward to another great card.

If you've been following this blog, you may have noticed this new QSL card series from the Voice of Turkey. And, I must say it is smartly designed and boldly presented in execution! It's certainly impressive in my humble estimate and a great way to promote Turkish culture and brand Turkey. Kudos to the advertising agency/design team and TRT for commissioning this QSL series! QSL card and coaster arrived in the mail on 11 June 2014.

Voice of Mongolia

Voice of Mongolia in Ulaan Baator was logged on 7 May 2014. After a long absence their English language broadcast was finally heard from 09.09 to 09.30 UTC. While reception on 12.085 kHz was less than desired, it was sufficiently audible despite two glaring problems -- atmospheric noise and noisy transmitter, earning a final SINPO rating of 23332.

HERE's how Voice of Mongolia sounded in the closing minutes of their English broadcast.

Voice of Mongolia presents half hour transmissions on a daily basis, including domestic news and various programs designed to provide various kinds of information about Mongolia. The nation’s development, nature, history, culture, arts, traditions and customs, as well as unique folk and modern Mongolian music is presented. Such was the case on this hearing, most notably their current contest "Who Knows Mongolia Best?". 

Reception report was emailed the following day.

Radio Mehr Iran (WRN) / Media Broadcast GmbH

Radio Mehr Iran is a clandestine short-wave station established to give "voice to Iranian public opinion and aspirations for an open dialogue with HM Reza Pahlavi II". The goal of this non-governmental organisation is to aid in "establishing a democratic, secular and nationalistic government in Iran - and supports the overthrow of the barbaric, anti-Iranian, terrorist Islamic Republic and bringing its leaders/collaborators to justice," according to an affiliated BLOGSITE.

 

Radio Mehr Iran (WRN Broadcast) / Media Broadcast GmbH, transmitting from Issoudun, France, was logged 2 May 2014. A Farsi language broadcast began with interval tune, station ID and frequency announcement at 16.30 UTC. Nearly a half hour of reports about Iran, moderated by a female announcer, followed, then closed with two songs at 16.58 UTC. Reception on 15.680 kHz was (SINPO) 54554 -- strong and clear signal, despite slight interference from China Radio International (broadcasting several songs performed by The Beatles).

HERE is how Radio Mehr Iran sounded at sign-on.

Reception report was emailed to Media Broadcast GmbH and messaged on FaceBook to Radio Mehr Iran shortly after transmission ended. Media Broadcast GmbH confirmed with eQSL on 8 May 2014.

Email (Radio Mehr Iran):
Info@radiomehriran.org

FaceBook Page:
www.facebook.com/radiomehriran

PCJ Radio International to Test from Taiwan

 

PCJ Radio International will conduct their first test transmission from their own transmitter site (Taiwan).

Date: 18 May  2014

Target: South East Asia

Time: 13.00 - 14.00 UTC

Frequency: 11.765 kHz

Power: 20 kW

To reduce the bureaucratic process of registering the frequency with the NCC, Radio Taiwan International has consented to let PCJ Radio International use one of their frequencies (11.765 kHz) for the test.

Hopefully neither CRI nor CNR will not squat on this frequency. PBS Xinjiang broadcasts on 11.760 kHz, so station splatter might produce some QRM. There was indeed station splatter, but frequency was switched on day of transmission to 15.680 kHz.