QSLs for January 2015

Holbart Radio International* via Cupid Radio (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands
 
LKB/LLE Bergen Kringkaster* (eQSL Letter) transmitting from Bergen, Norway

Radio Merlin International* (eQSL) transmitting from England

Welle 370 via Radio 700* (QSL Card) transmitting from Kall-Krekel, Germany

Rhein-Mein Radio Club (QSL Card) transmitting from Sitkunai, Lithuania

Radio Unferlos* (QSL Card) transmitting from Germany

Radio Free Asia (QSL Card) transmitting from Tinian

Radio Magic Am* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Quadzilla Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Chelmsford Calling World Service via WRMI (eQSL) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

Radio Zeewolf* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

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

Radio Cochiguaz via Radio Piranas* (eQSL) transmitting from EU

Deutsche Welle (QSL Card) transmitting from Yerevan, Armenia

  Studio 64* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands (?)

Radio Tirana (QSL Card) transmitting from Sijak, Albania

Radio Nord Revival (QSL Card) transmitting from Sala, Sweden

Radio Europe* (QSL Card) transmitting from Italy

Radio Nora* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

The Mighty KBC* (eQSL) transmitting from Nauen, Germany

Radio Merlin International* (eQSL) transmitting from England

Radio Merkurs* via Radio Revival (QSL email) transmitting from Sala, Sweden

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

Hobart Radio International*

Hobart Radio International* via Cupid Radio in the Netherlands was logged on 31 January 2015. Their DX Extra programme, featuring radio and DXing related news, was observed from 15.45 to 15.55 UTC. Reception on 6.240 kHz was SINPO) 54544 -- some utility QRM, otherwise excellent signal

Reception report was emailed to Hobart Radio International (HRI) and Cupid Radio on the same day. Cupid Radio replied stating HRI would issue QSL. They did. The following day, 1 February 2015, an eQSL and audio files from HRI arrived. Thank you, Rob!

Hobart Radio International AUDIO and AUDIO promotional spots.


Email:
hriradio@gmail.com

Website:
 www.hriradio.org/

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

NBC Radio New Ireland

National Broadcasting Corporation of Radio New Ireland (Singaut Bilong Drongo), transmitting from Kavieng, Papua New Guinea, was logged on 30 January 2015 (New Ireland date 31 January 2015). Reggae music hosted by a female DJ chatting in Tok Pisin, a male DJ providing sports commentary, as well as local advertisement and public service announcement was heard from 19.25 to 20.05 UTC (05.25 to 06.05 New Ireland Time).

Reception on 3.905 kHz was (SINPO) 34432 -- weak to fair signal with occasional peaks of audio clarity, some co-station interference and crashing static bursts. Transmission was null by 22.00 UTC when checked again. Radio New Ireland's signal appears to be reaching Europe, western North America and Southeast Asia shortly after sign-on at 19.00 UTC (05.00 UTC local time). The station is occasionally heard in Southeast Asia in the evenings around 11.00 UTC until sign-off, but with reduced strength and clarity.

HERE is an audio file of this transmission recorded at 19.26 till 19.30 UTC. It includes some reggae music, DJ chatting in Tok Pisin and station ID (shell horn) near the end of the clip.

Radio New Ireland has been heard regularly with fair strength for the past three years, here in Southeast Asia, but the station's email address/server remains unreliable and mail service is equally inadequate, which makes obtaining a QSL very difficult. One can contact their FaceBook page, but again the contact person (Roline Likas) will only relay one's message to the Station Manager who has failed to respond to previous emails, letters and registered letters. Nevertheless, a reception report was once again emailed and submitted to their Facebook page on 31 January 2014. There is also a new webpage for NBC, and hopefully with this updated site the reception report submitted on-line will yield positive results.

Finally! After many years of attempting to verify Radio New Ireland I received an eQSL on 29 July 2015. At the same time I was informed the station's shortwave service was recently phased out. So, it is doubly nice to receive this long awaited QSL. Thank you very much,  Allen Arifeae (NBC Executive Director), Michael Samuga (NBC Provincial Radio Network), Alwin Anetul (NBC Radio New Ireland Provincial Station Manager) and Roline Likas (New Ireland Journalist)!

Current NBC stations in PNG

QSLs and log record  of Papua New Guinea stations may be viewed HERE.

Email:
rnewireland@nbc.com.pg

Website: 

www.nbc.com.pg/

FaceBook:
www.facebook.com/groups/234546809923985/

Postal address:
National Broadcasting Corporation
Radio New Ireland
P.O. Box 477
Kavieng, New Ireland
Papua New Guinea

QSL from the Land of Fjords*

 NORWAY!!! Yup, LKB/LLE Bergen Kringkaster* QSLed, today. Although it is an eQSL letter, it is still a verification, and a prized one at that.

Svenn Martinsen, Broadcast Coordinator/Editor for LKB/LLE Bergen Kringkaster, wrote the following:

"Dear radio friend! Thank you so much for your reception report! Congratulations on a fine catch!

"We herewith verify your reception as correct of LKB/LLE Bergen Kringkaster , broadcasting over LLE-3, 5895 kHz in the 49 metres SW band. Please take this letter as our QSL. This is an official Norwegian test broadcasting license.

"In addition to voice IDs in Norwegian, English, Swedish and Japanese we have broadcast our morse ID VVV VVV VVV DE LKB / LLE LKB / LLE LKB / LLE. We also have broadcast special electronic music composed for the transmissions by Øyvind S.Ask. We also put out instrumental music played by Bjørn Tore Bystrøm on Saxophone.

"Transmitters:
LLE-3 5895 kHz 200 watts USB 50 watt AM, Yaesu FT-950-tx. Antenna: Inverted V.
LLE-2 1314 kHz 250 watts, usually 150 watts Western Electric (WE 451A-1) tx from the late 40s, brought back into life after it closed as LLU for NRK Odda over 36 years ago. Antenna: Double L wire antenna.
LLE-5 103,8 FM 100 watts, Itelco-tx. Antenna: Omnidirectional. Recently we received a RSL "full broadcast»  for this frequency.

"In addition Radio Northern Star has two other MW frequencies licensed to the site, one of these is a 60 watt AM/250 watt USB(LLE-4) from a Skanti ex-Maritime tx and Comrod-antenna, it is hoped to have this on the air soon."

Thank you very much, Svenn!!!


*Logged via remote receiver at University of Twente, the Netherlands

Vatican Radio 2015 Calendar

Vatican Radio, the voice for Catholics worldwide, posted their 2015 calender recently. Mind you, not just one, but three calendars arrived in the mail. Each featured his holiness, Pope Francis, and listed religious holidays and observances. Along with these calendars, Vatican Radio sent their iconic sticker of the basilica in St. Peter's square, a postcard of Pope Francis and a QSL card for a previous reception report.

Catholic or not, one must commend Vatican Radio. Their effort to promote the station and inform the faithful  is exemplary. I wish more stations would show as much interest in their listeners.

Random Log 23 & 25 January 2015

On two separate days, between 22.45 till 00.00 UTC, more than a dozen countries were logged on the 75, 31 and 25 metre bands. Of these frequencies, 31 metres offered the best reception and variety. China and North Korea were the dominant countries broadcasting on all short-wave bands. And, in a surprising twist reflective of the season, many stations from the Americas were present, most notably Radio Habana Cuba and WRMI. Brazilian stations, Radio Amazonia and Radio Aparecida, even managed to float in a few hours before 22.00 UTC. Many more stations, including Radio Taiwan International and KBS World, were observed as well. Tune in and give a listen in your quarter of the world. Reception might be better. Happy DXing from Malaysia!

ASCENSION ISLAND 

BBC // 9.915 kHz and 9.740 kHz // 44344 // 23.20 UTC with discussion about mangoes in Indian politics

CHINA

PBS Hulun Buir  // 3.900 kHz // 24332 // 23.00 UTC with talk in Chinese

PBS Xinjiang // 3.990 kHz // 34443 // 22.55 UTC with Uigher instrumental music, then ID at 23.00 UTC

CUBA

Radio Habana Cuba // 11.760 kHz and 11.840 kHz // 34443 // 23.35 UTC with commentary and snippets of music in Spanìsh

DPRK (NORTH KOREA)

KCBS Pyongyang // 3.220 kHz // 24211 // 23.00 UTC with talk in Korean

GREECE

Helliniki Radiophonia // 9.935 kHz // 34433 // 23.15 UTC with discussion in Greek and occasional music

INDIA

All India Radio // 9.690 kHz (Bangalor) and 9.705 kHz (Panaji) // 54555 // 23.50 with Indian music from Bollywood films

IRAN

Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran via Kalamabad // 9.490 kHz // 34443 // 23.22 UTC with national anthem, station ID in Indonesian, followed Quran recitation

JAPAN

Radio Nikkei 1 // 3.925 kHz // 34343 // 11.50 UTC talk in Japanese

Radio Nikkei 2 // 3.945 kHz // 34343 // Station ID in English and Japanese at 12.00 UTC followed by Funk and R&B music

Radio Nikkei 1 // 9.595 kHz // 44444 // 23.30 UTC Japanèse pop music in Japanese

Radio Japan // 11.910 kHz // 55555 // 23.40 UTC with entertaining discussion in Japanese

MALAYSIA

Wai FM // 11.665 kHz // 55555 // 23.30 UTC with Malaysian pop tunes in Malay

MOROCCO

Medi 1 // 9.575 kHz // 23442 // 23.15 UTC with music

NEW ZEALAND

Radio New Zealand International // 3.990 kHz // 12431 // 22.59 UTC with Bellbird interval under Chinese broadcaster

PHILIPPINES

FEBC // 9.795 kHz // 54555 // 23.30 UTC with talking in Vietnamese

SINGAPORE

BBC // 3.915 kHz // 55555 // 22.50 UTC in English with news

BBC // 9.740 kHz // 34343 // 23.20 UTC with discussion about mangoes in Indian politics

VIETNAM

Voice of Vietnam // 9.635 kHz // 44434 // 23.40 UTC with current event reports about Vietnam in Vietnamese

Voice of Vietnam // 9.840 kHz // 44444 // 23.45 UTC with feature of agricultural development in Vietnam in English

Voice of Vietnam // 12.020 // 55555 // 23.45 UTC with feature on "Words of Goodness" programme in English

USA

WRMI // 9.955 kHz // 24322 // 23.00 UTC with discussion in English which was still audible well past 23.50 UTC

Global 24 via WRMI (?) // 9.395 kHz // 14421 -- carrier signal only at 22.30 UTC

Radio Marti // 9.565 kHz // 23432 // 23.15 UTC with news reports about Cuba in Spanish

WTWW // 12.105 kHz //23432 // 23.45 UTC with religious programming in English

Receiver used: Tecsun S-2000. External antenna used: 1/4 wave aerial elevated at 13 meters above ground. Location: West central Malaysia

Two Novel QSLs from Germany

Two unique QSLs from Germany arrived in the mail today. One was  from Rhein-Mein Radio Club for their special DX programme which aired from Sitkunai, Lithuania. The second QSL was from Welle 370 which broadcast a special anniversary programme from Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, Germany.

Danke, RMRC and Welle 370!

Radio Merlin International^

Radio Merlin International* in the UK was logged on 24 January 2015. Station IDs, phone number announcements and music, including songs by Cheap Trick, Guns n Roses,  Barclay James Harvest, was observed from 10.15 till 10.55 UTC. Reception on 6.305 kHz was (SINPO) 24322 -- poor to weak with signal occasionally dropping off and inaudible at times.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. The above eQSL was received on 25 January 2015. Thanks Paul!

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

Radio Uferlos*

Radio Uferlos*, transmittinng from Germany, was logged on 16 November 2014. Music and ID were observed at 16.15 UTC. 

Reception report was emailed on 17 November 2014 and with follow-up emails. This paper QSL card arrived on the mail on 23 January 2015.

*Twente, the Netherlands

Radio Magic AM*

Radio Magic AM*, transmitting from Amsterdam, was logged on 16 August 2014. Music programme was heard on 6.319 kHz.

Reception report was emailed on the following day, 17 August 2014. This eQSL was received on 21 January 2015. Thank you, Doc Magic.

Email:
magicamradio@gmail.com

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

Radio Habana Cuba

Radio Habana Cuba was logged on 20 January 2015. News and editorial comments with frequent IDs and Latin American music filler was observed from 22.50 to 23.30 UTC.  With uncommon signal strength in this quarter of Asia, reception of RHC radiated a decent enough signal to yield a SINPO of 43343 on 11.840 kHz. Were it not for slight transmitter droning and persistent atmospheric noise during occasional, but minor fading, reception would have been near perfect. In any event, this Spanish language was clear and audible well after 23.30 UTC.

 A sample of this transmission may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed on 21 January 2015. QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 September 2015.

Email:  
radiohc@rhc.icrt.cu
radiohc@enet.cu

Colourful New Year's Greetings from Ukraine

Colourfully lit candles. Decorative ornaments. Holly berries and spruce. That's how Radio Ukraine International greeted me. And, I must say I was certainly surprised.

To be honest, I had expected a QSL card. The envelope was the right size. It was postmarked  and stamped with postage from the Ukraine. I expected no less, after all I had been promised a QSL card back in September 2014.

Unfortunately, it was not the QSL for their broadcast relayed over WRMI. All the same, I am happy to receive this kind acknowledgement. Thank you Radio Ukraine International. May we all have a peaceful and pleasant new year in 2015!

Quadzilla Radio*

Quadzilla Radio*, transmitting from the Netherlands, was logged on 11 January 2015. At 10.30 UTC, Jean-Michel Jarre "Oxygen" was noted, followed by station ID "This is Quadzilla Radio", then abrupt sign-off at 10.35 UTC. Reception on 6.280 kHz was (SINPO) 25211 -- poor to weak signal, long fades and very noisy, only occasionally audible

 Reception report was submitted on same day. The above eQSL was received on 20 January 2015. Thank you, Johnny!

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

A New Year in Bloom from Turkey

You have to admire the Voice of Turkey's series of QSL cards for 2014. They were larger than most, featured Turkish national holidays and icons and, at times, even effused verses of poetry. Personally, I found the cards unique and certainly worthy of a reception report or two each month.

Questions now arise. What will the Voice of Turkey do next? Will 2015 be any different? Well, if the New Year's greeting card and calendar I received just this week is any indication, it looks to be more of the same. The size is the same. The concept is the same. The colourful flowers depicted alone hint at the direction. And, if this is so, I say "Wonderful! Let it be".

Alas, another month shall reveal all. Until then, let us enjoy the Voice of Turkey QSLs from 2014.  

January - February - March - April - May - June -  
July - August - October - November - December

Radio Zeewolf*

Radio Zeewolf*, transmitting from the Netherlands, was logged on 30 December 2014. Rock songs, including Van Halen - "Running With the Devil", "Run Away Boy", Zombies - "She's Not There", Pink Floyd - "Another Brick In The Wall", Blues Brothers - "Gimme Some of Your Lovin'", ELO - "Don't Bring Me Down", U2 - "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", Zanger & Evans - "In the Year 2525", was monitored from 15.50 to 16.35 UTC. Reception on 6.306 kHz was (SINPO) 23322 -- weak to fair signal with atmospheric noise and occasional utility QRM, but with clear and audible speech/music at times. 

Radio Zeewolf studio

Reception report was emailed on same day. The above eQSL and nice message was received on 18 January 2015. Thank you, Hermann!

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

Suab Xaa Moo Zoo (via Taipei)

Suab Xaa Moo Zoo, a clandestine religious broadcaster transmitting from Taipei, Taiwan, was logged on 17 January 2015. Commentary and a long a cappela song in Hmong was monitored from 22.40 to 23.00 UTC (broadcast time 22.30 to 23.00 UTC. Reception on 7.530 kHz (SINPO) 35343 -- fair signal strength and clear audio, despite atmospheric noise and fluttering fade. Signal strength improve at 22.55 UTC with (SINPO) 45444.

Reception report was emailed on 17 January 2015.

Email:

radio@hmongdistrict.org

info@hmongdistrict.org

Website:

www.hmongdistrict.org

Chelmsford Calling World Service via WRMI

Chelmsford Calling World Service, broadcasting via WRMI  in Okeechobee, Florida (USA), was logged on 14 January 2015.  Chelmsford Calling World Service, presented by Jim Salmon, featured BDXC shortwave reports, a publication containing a list of stations in UK and Ireland, audio archives 1930s and 1940s British/American songs heard on shortwave, and lastly some techno/dance music. This broadcast was monitored from 23.05 to 00.00 UTC on 9.955 kHz.

Reception was fairly good in this quarter of the world for a change. SINPO was 35343 -- fair signal and clear audio, despite some atmospheric noise and fading; at around 23.35 UTC signal began to decline as grey-line between North America and South East Asia disappeared, degrading reception to 25232. Surprisingly, WRMI's signal remained audible after 00.10 UTC, although with less clarity.

Chelmsford Calling World Service is a light entertainment programme produced by Jim Salmon – ‘Sunny Jim’ from the Chelmsford Calling Network – set up with the aim of promoting radio technology past, present & future. Their programme is to be broadcast monthly via various short-wave relay stations around the world. It may also be heard online. Their aim is to re-create the fun and friendship of a regular short-wave programme.

Reception reports were emailed to Chelmsford Calling World Service and WRMI on 15 January 2015. The above eQSL from Chelmsford Calling World Service was received on the following day. A paper QSL from the UK arrived in the mail on 4 February 2015. WRMI verified on 3 August 2016.

Website:
www.chelmsfordcalling.com (Chelmsford Calling World Service)

wrmi.net/ (WRMI)

Email:
chelmcalling@gmail.com
info@chelmsfordcalling.com
info@chelmsfordcalling.co.uk
info@wrmi.net

Radio Free Asia (via Tinian Island)

RFA's Year of the Ram QSL for January - April 2015

Radio Free Asia, transmitting from Tinian Island, was logged on 13 January 2015. A Burmese language broadcast of news and current events about Myanmar was monitored from 16.30 to 17.00 UTC (broadcast time 16.30 to 17.30 UTC). Reception on 9.940 kHz was (SINPO) 54544 -- occasional and slight fading with minor interference, otherwise a strong and clear signal.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. 

Email:

qsl@rfa.org