QSLs for November 2014

Long Live Shortwave Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from Eastern Europe

Radio Universe* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Voice of Turkey (QSL Card) transmitting from Emirlir, Turkey

Radio Taiwan International special German language transmission (QSL Card) transmitting from Tansui, Taiwan

Radio Columbia* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Radio Carrierwave Shortwave* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Radio Goofy* (eQSL) transmitting from eastern Europe

All India Radio (QSL card) transmitting from Kurseong, West Bengal

Over 60 Degree Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from Finland

Radio Norton* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

FRS Holland* (QSL Card) transmitting from the Netherlands




Deutsche Welle (QSL Card) transmitting from Talanta Volonondry, Madagascar

Sundown Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

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

Radio Europa 24* (QSL card) test transmission from Germany

Radio Gloria International* (QSL card) transmitting from Germany

Raidió Teilifís Éireann 1* (eQSL) transmitting from Dublin, Ireland

Offshore Historical Radio via Channel 292* (eQSL) transmitting from Rohrbach, Germany



Promised or Acknowledged:
China Radio International transmitting from Kashgar, Xinjiang
EU News Network* transmitting from Sogia-Kostinbrod, Bulgaria
Global 24 Radio transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida, USA
Vatican Radio transmitting from santa Maria di Galeria
Radio Waves International* transmitting from France
Radio Marabu* transmitting from Belm, Germany

*QSLed using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Long Live Radio

Long Live Radio*, transmitting from Eastern Europe, was logged on 28 November 2014. Occasional bell interval between heavy metal / punk rock and DJ announcements / station IDs was monitored from 19.00 to 19.30 UTC. Reception on 6.290 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair signal, atmospheric noise, some fading,otherwise audible and clear throughout the transmission

Reception report was emailed on same day. This eQSL was received on 30 November 2014.

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) 

STF Radio International

STF Radio International was logged from two different locations on 30 November 2014. Warm-up show to the Americas was caught on 7.730 kHz from the Netherlands, using web-radio via Twente. The second broadcast to Asia was heard on 17.645 kHz from Malaysia, using a Tecsun S-2000.

Both broadcasts consisted of synthesised voice IDs and music, together with digital mode and morse code transmission. The transmission to the Americas was received from 04.30 to 05.00 UTC (broadcast time 04.00 to 05.00 UTC), with SINPO of 44444. Broadcast to Asia was received from 05.00 to 05.30 UTC (broadcast time 05.00 to 06.00 UTC) with SINPO of 45544.

Samples of broadcast to Asia on 17.645 kHz may be heard HERE and HERE.

Separate reception reports were emailed shorty after each broadcast, on 30 November 2014. Jason/6955 at STF Radio International emailed on 12 December 2014 to say: "Thank you listening to STF Radio Broadcast #2 and for sending in your reception report!  Reception of 7730 on the Twente SDR was quite good at that time. I'll be sending out eQSLs as soon as possible. Thanks again for listening to the show. Hope you enjoyed it!"

Email:

qsl@stfradio.com

Radio Universe

Radio Universe*, operate at 45 watts from the Netherlands, was logged on 22 November 2014. English station IDs, DJ chatter and music, including The Sweet - "Fox on the Run" and ELO - "Strange Magic", was heard from 09.05 to 09.35 UTC. Reception on 6.380 kHz was (SINPO) 34333 -- fair signal strength with clear audio despite some atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailèd on the same day. DJ Wim confirmed my report on air, just before sign-off, and correctly pronounced my surname, surprisingly. He replied with the above eQSL on 29 November 2014. Thank you, Wim!

Email:

radiouniverse@hotmail.com

* Logged using remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) 

All India Radio on Tropical Band

These All India Radio stations are received regularly in South East Asia. Previous attempts to QSL have failed, the exceptions being AIR Kerseong, AIR Mumbai and AIR Port Blair. Spectrum Manager, the veri-signer for AIR, of recent appears to have gotten its act together, so another attempt to obtain verification from the remaining stations shall be tried. 

AIR Shillong // 4.970 kHz // 24321 // 16.05 UTC with music

AIR Jaipur // 4.910 kHz // 34433 // 16.02 UTC station ID 

AIR Kurseong // 4.895 kHz // 34453 // 15.40 UTC News in English (QSLed)

AIR Lucknow // 4.880 kHz // 24332 // 15.40 UTC  News in English read by a male announcer

AIR Shimla // 4.860 kHz // 24322 // 15.45 UTC in Hindi 

AIR Kohima // 4.850 kHz // 24322 // 15.45 in Hindi

AIR Mumbai (Bhopal) // 4.810 kHz // 34443 // 15.50 UTC in Hindi (QSLed)

AIR Hyderabad // 4.800 kHz // 43444 // 15.55 UTC in Hindi 

AIR Port Blair (presume) // 4.760 kHz // 34343 // 16.00 UTC in Hindi with News (QSLed)

Unresponsive Free Radio Stations in November

Additional free radio stations were logged in November, but to date they remain unresponsive to reception reports which were submitted multiple times to known email addresses. They include the following:

Sluwe Vos Radio
Radio Abu Dhabi
Radio Poema
Radio Uferlos
Radio Tidalwave
Free Radio Victoria
Trans Europe Radio

Radio Tirana

Radio Tirana, transmitting from Shijak, Albania, was logged on 26 November 2014. German language broadcast of news, mailbag programme and Albanian music was observed from 20.28 to 21.00 UTC. Broadcast commenced and closed with Radio Tirana's interval tune. At 21.00 UTC, their English language broadcast began.

Reception on 7.465 kHz was  (SINPO) 25322, with poor to weak signal, atmospheric noise and fading, yet audible and discernible audio.  Transmission on this frequency and time was obviously intended for Europe, not necessarily elsewhere.

Reception report was emailed to Radio Tirana the following day. Report was submitted in German. QSL card received on 9 January 2015.

Radio Madagasikara

Radio Madagasikara, transmitting from Antananarivo, Madagascar, was logged 26 November 2014. Presumably this was Radio Madagasikara. I say this owing that the only other possible station on the frequency of 5.009 (5.010) kHz at 20.00 to 20.30 UTC would be in Latin America. The music content and language however fits the profile of Madagascar, Therefore, it most certainly is not Latin America, India or China which broadcast on the same frequency. Secondly, Radio Madagasikara has a tendency to transmit slightly off  frequency, rarely spot-on 5.010 kHz.

Signal was faintly observed as early as 19.45 UTC. Increased signal strength at 20.00 UTC yielded a SINPO of 24432 -- weak signal, slight transmitter het, atmospheric noise and fading, yet clear enough to discern audio. Reception improved slightly around 20.15 UTC. Signal was still present as late as 21.00, but with faint audio and slight het.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. I have contacted this station previously by Facebook, email and post, but never have I received a reply. I suspect as much this time as well. Nevertheless, it is always a joy to listen to these out-of-the-way stations and hope for the best.

Email:
r.radiomadagaskara@yahoo.fr

Postal Address:
Radio Madagasikara
101 Tananarive,
Antananarivo, Madagascar

Vatican Radio

Vatican Radio, transmitting from  Santa Maria di Galeria, was logged on 26 November 2014. Latin liturgy (rosary) and station interval/ID "Laudetur Jesus Christus" was heard from 19.50 to 20.00 UTC. Transmission ended at the top of the hour. Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 25442 -- weak but audible signal with clear and discernible content.

Reception report was emailed to Vatican Radio the following day. On 28 November 2014, Vatican Radio emailed to say QSL card was in the mail en route to me. QSL card arrived in the mail on 18 December 2014.

Email:

english@vatiradio.va

Website:
www.radiovaticana.va

Postal address:
VATICAN RADIO
Palazzo Pio
00120 Vatican City

Global 24 Radio (Test Transmission)

Global 24 Radio, in a test transmission on 9.465 kHz from  Bulgaria (Kostinbrod), was logged in Southeast Asia on 22 November 2014. Raoul van Hall, host of The Rock Pile, played a selection of classic rock songs, including Rolling Stones - "Give Me Shelter", Neil Young - "Cinnamon Girl", Thunderclap Newman - "Something in the Air", The Four Tops "Reach Out (I'll Be There), Iron Butterfly - "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", The Troggs - "Wild Thing", The Cat Empire - "Boogaloo" and Jefferson Airplane - "White Rabbit", from 21.20 to 22.10 UTC.

Reception on 9.465 kHz was (SINPO) 23322 -- weak signal strength with some station splatter from an adjacent Chinese station (CRI) on 9.640 kHz, but audible and clear when not effected by either long fades or atmospheric noise. Signal strength began to decline around 21.40 UTC, degrading SINPO to 23311 with mostly dominant carrier and peaks of faint audio. By 22.30 UTC signal had disappeared completely.

Global 24 Radio was logged earlier on 9.465 kHz from a remote receiver (Twente) and reception was much better. Why? Administrator at Global 24 Radio had this to say about the transmission: "The target area for the broadcast is Europe and the Middle East. The broadcast is originating from Bulgaria. Antenna and power are confidential details at this point. We will release more information after the test." 

For obvious reason, their signal was not audible at the same time in South East Asia due to propagation and geography. Reception of Global 24 Radio in South East Asia actually appears to to be best after 21.00 UTC, and not the 12.00 to 16.00 UTC time slot advertised by the station. Or, at least, presently it is not. Also, 9.465 kHz appears to be a better choice than 9.395 kHz in my quarter. WRMI on 9.955 kHz is even better from 11.00 to 12.00 UTC. Anyway, kudos to Global 24 for trying to please their listeners! 

Two reception reports were emailed and submitted on-line: one for the remote location (Netherlands) and another for reception in Malaysia.

Email:
qsls@gobal24radio.com

Website:
about.global24radio.com/

Postal address:
Global 24 Radio
2719 Hollywood Blvd  B-16
Hollywood FL 33020
United States of America

Radio Columbia

Radio Columbia* in the Netherlands was logged on 22 November 2014. Dutch music with Country & Western twist, Radio Columbia jingle and instrumental tunes, including "Oh My My", was observed from 10.45 to 11.00 UTC. Reception on 6.242 kHz was (SINPO) 24322 -- weak signal, audible songs when not effected by long fades and atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed during transmission. A prompt reply came in less than hour, including this eQSL (oops...with the wrong frequency) and links to Radio Columbia Facebook page. Thank you, Radio Columbia!

Email:

radiocolumbia@hotmail.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Radio Carrierwave Shortwave

Radio Carrierwave Shortwave* in the Netherlands was logged on 17 November 2014. Eighties pop music with IDs and DJ chatter sandwiched between songs was noted from 16.10 to 16.30 UTC. Reception on 6.380 kHz was (SINPO) 34333 -- atmospheric noise and fading were the major issues in an otherwise clear and audible transmission.

Reception report was emailed on same day. An eQSL, photo of transmitter and profile of the operator was received on 19 November 2014. Thank you, Henk!

Email:

carrierwave.sw@gmail.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Global 24 Radio (via WRMI)

Global 24 Radio, transmitting from the WRMI facility in Okeechobee, Florida (USA), was logged on 19 November 2014. Glenn Hauser's DX report "World of Radio", faint classical music (station interval) and WaveScan with male announcer (presume Adrian White) was observed from  22.15 to 22.45 UTC.

Reception on 9.395 kHz at 22.15 UTC (SINPO) was 25321 -- poor and weak signal with dominant carrier and peaks of faint audio, otherwise signal was present but with indecipherable speech. By 22.25 UTC audio began to drop off and mostly carrier was present...still with very poor reception. At around 23.00 UTC carrier disappeared as sunrise began to appear in Malaysia.

Global 24 continues to be received in Southeast Asia best after 22.00 UTC, under grey line. Although reception remains poor, this transmission marked the first time audio from Global 24 broke through a normally prominent carrier.

Signal was detected first using a Tecsun S-2000 at 22.15 UTC. As signal waned I switched to a Sangean ATS-909W. With its lower noise level I continued to listen up until just before 22.45 UTC. An elevated 13-meter  1/4 wave aerial linked to 15 meters of shielded 50 ohm coaxial cable, which is fed through an MFJ-956 antenna tuner, was coupled to both receivers.

Reception report was emailed and submitted on-line to Global 24 on 19 November 2014. QSL was promised by Tina at Global 24 Radio shortly after submitting report. QSL from WRMI/WaveScan, signed by AWR DX Editor Dr. Adrian M. Peterson, arrived in the mail on 16 April 2015. To date, Global 24 Radio has failed to post promised QSLs of their broadcasts. Jeff White verified with another QSL on 7 October 2014.

Email:
qsls@global24radio.com

Radio Tirana

Radio Tirana, transmitting from Sijak, Albania, was logged on 17 November 2014. An Italian language broadcast of news, current event reports and ethnic/pop music with closing interval was observed from 19.00 till 19.30 UTC. Reception on 7.465 kHz was (SINPO) 24322 -- weak signal, atmospheric noise, transmitter hum and long fades, otherwise audible. At around 19.10 UTC reception worsened and signal was barely audible, with a SINPO rating of 24321. Obviously the transmission was intended for Europe.

Reception report was emailed to Radio Tirana on 18 November 2014. The station has been QSLed is past years, and even then it was not easy. I expect as much this time as well.

Website:
www.rtsh.al/

Radio Goofy

Radio Goofy*, transmitting from eastern Europe (possibly Czech Republic), was logged on 16 November 2014. Frequent station IDs between songs - "This is Radio Goofy...a shortwave music radio station"; tracks included a rap song, techno tumt, Alanis Morissette, several contemporary pop tunes, including "Going Crazy"(?) from 16.00 to 16.30 UTC. Reception 6.375 kHz (SINPO): 34323 -- fair signal with atmospheric noise and occasional long fades, but still audible and clear.

Reception report was emailed on 17 November 2014. This eQSL was received the following day with the following message: "Hi Timm, Thanks a lot for your RR, totally great!!! And here is my QSL card for you...Greetings, Goofy." Thank you, Jan!

Email:
carolineradio@hotmail.com

 *Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

China Radio International (via Kashgar)

China Radio International, transmitting from Kashgar, Xinjiang, was logged on 14 November 2014. A selection orchestral and romantic Chinese language music was observed from 16.25 to 17.00 UTC. Reception on 6.100 kHz was 44343 -- good signal strength, moderate noise and fading, otherwise clear and audible content.

 

Reception report was emailed to CRI the following week. On 17 November 2014, Yin Liang at CRI  replied with an email confirming reception report: "Thank you for your greetings and reception report. We will send you a QSL card."

EU News Network (via Sofia-Kostinbrod)*

EU News Network (Cyprus)*, transmitting from Sofia-Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, was logged on 15 November 2014. EU news reports in English focused on a UN initiative, Gary Glitter, French president's pledge to reduce unemployment, Israeli offshore gas exploration near Cyprus, US investigation of Cyprus crude oil company, promotional spot for EU News Network, South Korean sentencing of ferryboat captain, Russian violation of Ukraine sovereignty, Catalonian independence vote, then transmission ended abruptly at 19.00 UTC. Station broadcasts only on Saturday from 18.45 to 19.00 UTC. 

Reception on 5.925 kHz using a remote-receiver was (SINPO) 43444 -- good signal strength, popping noise and slight station interference, together with some minor fading. Otherwise, clear and audible reception was observed. Direct reception of transmission in Malaysia was essentially inaudible, using a Tecsun S-2000 linked to a 13-meter elevated 1/4 wave aerial. The only notable signal received was a carrier at 24442.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. On 17 November 2014, EU News Network emailed confirming report, stating: "Thank you. Card is on the way." QSL card did indeed arrive in the letterbox on 6 February 2015.

Website:

www.news-network.eu/

Email:

contact@news-network.eu

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Radio Norton

Radio Norton*, transmitting from the Netherlands, on 19 August 2014. Exclusively Dutch tunes and polka music was heard from 16.40 to 17.00 UTC. Reception on 6.325 kHz was (SINPO) 34443 -- fair signal strength. but utility QRM at 20.00 UTC nulled reception for a few minutes, then resumed with clear and discernible audio.

Reception report was emailed on 19 August  2014. An eQSL was received on 13 November 2014.

 Email:
radio.norton@hotmail.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Deutsche Welle (via Yerevan-Gavar)

Deutsche Welle, transmitting from presumably Yerevan-Gavar, Armenia, was logged on 11 November 2014. An English language broadcast to Africa was logged from 07.00 to 07.30 UTC. Reception on  17.800 kHz was (SINPO) 24232 -- very weak signal, fair carrier strength but barely audible speech and music. Suffice it to say, there was no clear and discernible content, just a mix of faint audio and atmospheric noise. Reception strengthened at 07.30 UTC with stronger audio, although still very noisy. SINPO improved slightly to 24342 when transmitter was switched to Kigali relay site.

Reception report was submitted on-line and emailed to DW on the same day. An old Deutsche Welle QSL card was received on 15 January 2015.

Sundown Radio

Sundown Radio* in the Netherlands was logged on 26 October 2014. Pop songs, including Echosmith - "Cool Kid", DeBarge - "Rythm of the Night", Keith Marshall - "Only Crying", Shaggy remix - "In the Summertime","Boom shaka laka", and station IDs and jingles was heard from 09.05 to 09.35 UTC. Reception on 6.805 kHz was (SINPO) 35343 -- fair to good signal strength with slight fade and atmospheric noise, otherwise clear and audible speech

Reception report was emailed on 26 October 2014. This eQSL arrived on 11 November 2014.

Email:

radiosundown@hotmail.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 10 November 2014. News, Turkish music and other cultural programmes were observed from 13.30 to 14.25 UTC. Reception was less than ideal on 12.035 kHz with a SINPO of 24232 -- very weak signal, fair carrier strength but barely audible speech and music, overall a very noisy transmission. 

Reception report was emailed to Voice of Turkey. QSL card and coaster was received in the mail on 27 November 2014.

Email:

englishdesk@trt.net.tr

Global 24 Radio (via WRMI)

Global 24 Radio*, transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA), was logged on 6 November 2014. News, advertisements at the top of the hour for Universal Radio, "The Kelly Alexander Show" and Raoul Van Hall's Berlin Wall segment of "The Rock Pile" was monitored from 00.00 to 01.30 UTC. 

Reception on 9.395 kHz at 00.00 UTC was (SINPO) 45444 -- good signal strength with slight fading and atmospheric noise. Reception at 00.30 UTC was severely degraded to 24322 due to increased atmospheric noise, long fades and some QRM from a French language station. Reception stabilised after 01.05 UTC to 34433.

Transmission of Global 24 Radio presently cannot be received with clear and audible strength directly in Malaysia. In fact, since Global 24 Radio commenced operation I have monitored their signal daily. Reception consistently seems to be detected best during grey-line -- around 22.00 to 22.30 UTC. Unfortunately this is limited solely to a carrier signal; audio simply cannot break through. It is a pity because the frequency is relatively free of interference. Overall SINPO is 24331 in Malaysia using a Tecsun S-2000 linked to a 13 meter elevated 1/4 wave aerial; whereas in the Netherlands reception is remarkably better.

Despite the handicap of not being able to receive Global 24 Radio directly from Malaysia, a reception report was nevertheless emailed and submitted on-line. According to their website a commemorative QSL marking the Fall of the Berlin Wall will be issued for confirmed reception reports between 6 to 10 November 2014, hence my decision to submit a report now, even from a remote receiver in Holland, which in itself is quite a DXing feat. Hope Global 24 Radio agrees. Jeff White verified with  QSL on 7 October 2014. Sadly, the special Global 24 Radio QSL did not arrive.

 
Email:

qsl@global24radio.com

Website:
about.global24radio.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) 1

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) 1*, transmitting from Dublin, Ireland, was logged on 27 October 2014. A delightful mix of Irish news, advertisements and pop tunes, some Irish oldies thrown in as well, was monitored from 07.50 to 08.50 UTC. Musical selections included Frank Sinatra - "Old Man River", Barbara Streisand duet - "When Will I Be Loved", Bob Dylan - "Hurricane", Frankie Valli and Four Seasons - "Ragdoll", Clash - "London Calling", Annie Lennox - "Memphis in June", Simon & Garfunkel - "Bookends", and an Irish song by Jim McCann - "Grace". On this particular day, the Dublin City Marathon was scheduled and listeners were alerted of road closures. Advertisements for Volvo, Dublin-London travel, Electric Ireland and "Click-n-Go" promotion was sandwiched between songs and Irish inflected chatter from the announcers. Reception on the longwave frequency of 252 kHz was (SINPO) 54554 -- excellent signal strength with QRM from French language station and some heterdyning was present, otherwise content was clear and audible.

Reception report was emailed on 27 October 2014, with a follow-up email on 4 November. RTE sent an eQSL the following day. Glad to get their verification, although it is from a remote receiver, and especially since RTE will reportedly terminate their longwave service next year. Such a pity, considering their programme content is exceptionally good!

Email:

info@rte.ie

hearus@rte.ie

*Logged using remote SDR receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands