QSLs / ARTICLES

Monday, March 30, 2015

QSLs for March 2015


Mission Freundes-Dienst* (QSL Card) transmitting from Radio Television Luxembourg

Radio Mirabelle* (eQSL) transmitting from France

Radio France International (QSL Letter) transmitting via SENTECH in Meyerton, South Africa
Adventist World Radio (QSL Letter) transmitting via SENTECH in Meyerton, South Africa




Atlantic 2000 International* (eQSL) transmitting via Radio Sweden Revival in Sala, Sweden

Radio Barraquda* (QSL email) transmitting from Italy





BBC - Babcock* (eQSL) transmitting via Pridnestrovskiy Radioteletsentr in Kishinev-Grigoriopol, Moldova


 English Amateur Radio News (EARN)* (QSL email) transmitting via Channel 292 in Germany

Hamburger Lokalradio* (QSL Card) transmitting from Goehren-Schwerin, Germany


Radio Nikkei 1 (QSL Card) transmitting from Chiba, Japan

Radio Blackbeard* (eQSL) transmitting from England

PBS Hulan Buir (QSL Card) transmitting Hailar, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China

The Voice of Turkey (QSL Card)  transmitting from Emirler, Turkey

Misty Radio* (eQSL) transmittibg rom the Netherlands

 
Deutschlandfunk* (QSL Card) transmitting from Heusweiler, Germany

Radio Scotland International* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands



 
Radio Samuray* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy

Radio Misterio Ghost Planet* (eQSL) transmitting from northern Italy



Radio Öömrang (Radio Amrum) via Broadcast Media GmbH (eQSL) transmitting  from Issoudun, France



Promised:
 NHK World - Radio Japan (QSL) transmitting from Talata Volonodry, Madagascar

China Radio International (QSL) transmitting from Cerrik, Albania

DP07 Marine Radio* via Radio 700 (QSL) transmitting from Kall-Krekel, Germany


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

Mission Freundes-Dienst (via RTL)*

Mission Freundes-Dienst*, broadcasting via Radio Television Luxembourg, was logged on 18 February 2015. Evangelical Christian commentary and sermons with contact details and station IDs, along with occasional music filler and song entitled "Hofnung", was noted from 18.25 till 18.45 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1440 kHz was relative good with a (SINPO) of 45554.

Reception report was emailed to Mission Freundes-Dienst on 19 February 2015. A QSL card from Mission Freundes-Dienst, along with a calendar of Biblical quotes and literature, was received on 31 March 2015.

Email:
info@freundesdienst.org

Website:
www.freundesdienst.org

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

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Radio Mirabelle*

Radio Mirabelle*, transmitting from northeastern France, was logged on 28 March 2015. A selection of pop/rock songs by AC/DC, Queen and Scorpions, along with occasional announcements in French, was observed from 19.55 till 20. 25 UTC.

Reception on 6.950 kHz was (SINPO) 34343 -- fair signal, clear and audible despite atmospheric noise and fading; signal weakened slightly after 20.15 UTC, but still audible.

Reception report was emailed on 28 March 2015. The above eQSL arrived the following day.

Email:
radiomirabelle@laposte.net

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

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Two QSLs from South Africa


Who might these be? Very simply, Adventist World Radio and Radio France International. Their broadcasts originated from the famed SENTECH transmitter facility in Meyerton. This is the same site of the former Radio South Africa, Channel Africa and a variety of international broadcasters. The RFI programming was transmitted from a 100 kW ABB transmitter; the AWR programming aired using a 250 kW Brown Boveri transmitter. Both transmissions reached Malaysia with relatively good signal strength, during year 2014. Though RFI and AWR have been QSLed many times, from transmitter sites elsewhere in the world, there is still sweet satisfaction in receiving their programming from South Africa. 73s!


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Radio Barraquda*

Radio Barraquda*, transmitting from Italy, was logged on 27 February 2015.  A couple of   East European songs, station ID, instrumental music and chimming bell melody was observed from 18.40 to 19.03 UTC. Reception on 6.240 kHz in USB mode was (SINPO) 24342 -- weak but audible signal with atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed on 27 February 2015. Barraquda replied with a QSL email on 26 March 2015, writing in Malay (see translation below):

"I confirm your hearing to 6,240 kHz in USB mode 27 February 2015 at 8:40 to 19:03 UTC.

TX: YAESU FT 747 GX
POWER: 10 W
ANTENNA: 43 m long wire, very low on the ground. Automatic external antenna tuner
Mixer Mic ... mp3 ... all here in Milan, northern Italy.

73 de Barraquda"

Email: 
barraqudastudio@gmail.com

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

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

BBC - Babcock (via Kishinev-Grigoriopol)*

BBC - Babcock*, transmitting via Pridnestrovskiy Radioteletsentr in Kishinev-Grigoriopol, Moldova, was logged on  21 March 2015. A Farsi language broadcast with moderators discussing Syria, followed by music and station ID "BBC Persian", was observed from 04.15 till 04.30 UTC (broadcast time 03.30 to 04.30 UTC). Reception on 7.445  kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- good signal strength and audio quality with very slight fade.

Reception report was emailed to Pridnestrovskiy Radioteletsentr on 21 March 2015. Veri-signer, Sergey Omelchenko, replied with an eQSL on 24 March 2015. Thank you, Sergey!

Email:
prtc@idknet.com

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

Radio DARC (Deutsche Amateur-Radio-Club)*

Radio DARC (Deutsche Amateur-Radio-Club)*, transmitting via Channel 292 in Ingolstadt, Germany, was logged on 23 March 2015. A DX orientated programming in the German language as well as a varity of songs, including Elton John - "Let Me Go Home With You" ELO - "Hold Onto Your Dream" and Donna Summer - "Hot Stuff", was monitored from 16.00 till 16.35 UTC. Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 54554 -- excellent signal strength and audio quality despite some minor QRM.

For more information about Radio DARC click on this LINK.

Reception report was emailed to both Radio DARC and Channel 292 on 23 March 2015. QSL card from DARC arrived in the mail on 15 May 2015.

Email:
radio@darc.de (DARC)
qsl@channel292.de (Channel 292)

Website:
channel292.de (CHANNEL 292)
www.darc.de (DARC)

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

Radio Marti (via Greenville, North Carolina)

Radio Marti, transmitting from Greenville, North Carolina (USA), was logged on  23 March 2015. A signal of weak to fair strength with some QRM splatter from an adjacent station was clearly audible on 9.565 kHz. Despite these conditions, a news/current events format moderated by mostly male announcers was observed from 23.10 till 23.40 UTC.

Reception report was emailed and submitted on-line on 24 March 2015.

Website:
 www.martinoticias.com


English Amateur Radio News (EARN)*

English Amateur Radio News (EARN)*, transmitting via Channel 292 in Inglostadt, Germany, was logged on 23 March 2015. A compilation of English language news broadcasts from National Radio Societies in Australia, the UK and US, including "QST Amateur Radio Newsline", was observed from 15.35 till 16.00 UTC. Additional programme content featured songs, including Billy Preston on "That's The Way God Planned It". Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 54554 -- excellent signal strength and audio quality despite some tuning QRM.

HERE is a audio sample from this broadcast.

Reception report was emailed to both EARN and Channel 292 on 23 March 2015. Ed (DD5LP / G8GLM / VK2JI) for EARN replied with an email confirming reception and promising a QSL card when it is printed. The promised QSL card arrived in the mail on 20 April 2015. Surprisingly it was mailed from Germany, not England. Note the postage stamps on the envelope to the right.

Email:
englisharnews@gmail.com (EARN)
qsl@channel292.de (Channel 292)

Channel 291 Website:
channel292.de

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

Monday, March 23, 2015

Atlantic 2000 International*

Atlantic 2000 International*, transmitting from Radio Revival Sweden in Sala, was logged was on 22 March 2015. A French language broadcast with frequent IDs and station announcements as well as pop songs, including  Belinda Carlise - "Blue Heaven is a Place on Earth", The Momas & Papas - "California Dreamin'", "Steve Strange of Visage - "Fade to Grey"Adele - "Make you Feel My Love", Albert Hammond - "It Never Rains In Southern California" and Lenny Kravitz - "The Chamber", was monitored from 09.00 till 09.30 UTC (broadcast time 09.00 till 10.00 UTC)

Reception  of 10 KW transmitter operating on 9.865 kHz was (SINPO) 45534 -- good signal strength, good audio quality despite occasional and significant fading

Reception report was emailed on 22 March 2015. Tiphanie at Atlantic 2000 International replied later in the day, confirming report: "Many thanks for your reception report. The QSL will be sent in a few days." On 27 March 2015 the above eQSL arrived.


Email:
atlantic2000international@gmail.com

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

Saturday, March 21, 2015

DP07 Marine Radio (Germany)*

DP07 Marine Radio*, broadcasting from Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, was logged on 21 March 2015. Weather and shipping conditions for the North Sea, Baltic Sea and German coastal ares was announced from 08.00 till 08.30 UTC. A special test transmission on shortwave will be on 22 March on 7.310 and 9.560 kHz.

Reception on 6.005 kHz was (SINPO) 45454 -- good signal strength and audio strength with minor atmospheric noise .Direct reception in Malaysia was negligible.

HERE is how DP07 Coastal Radio sounded at sign-on.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. Reiner at Marine Radio emailed to confirm a QSL would be posted. He stated: "Good morning Timm, Thanks a lot for your reception report. We will send a postcard QSL to your address in Malaysia. May take a while! Mit freundlichem Gruß, Reiner Dietzel." QSL card and lierature arrived in the mail on 7 April 2015.


Email:
info@esd-hh.de
info@dp07.com

Website:
 http://www.dp07.com/

Postal:
DP07 Seefunk
Estedeich 84
21129 Hamburg
GERMANY

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

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Hamburger Lokalradio*

Hamburger Lokalradio*, transmitting from Goehren-Schwerin, Germany, was logged on 28 December 2014. A programme featuring progressive rock music as well as a Spanish language broadcast relayed for Radio de las Naciones Unidas and Radio Topicana was observed from 14.40  till 15.30 UTC. Reception on 9.480 kHz at 14.40 UTC was (SINPO) 54555 - excellent reception with the exception of minor and occasional co-station interference. By 15.25 UTC signal began to deteriorate and was barely audible.
Reception report was emailed to Hamburger Lokalradio on 30 December 2014. No email/postal address could be found for Radio de las Naciones Unidas and Radio Topicana. QSL card from Hamburger Lokalradio arrived in the mail on 18 March 2014.

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

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Voice of Vietnam

Voice of Vietnam, transmitting from Hanoi, was logged on 18 March 2015. An English language broadcast of national and international news, followed by an editorial programme called "Current Affairs", then "Weekly Mailbag" featuring letters from listeners and a profile on the Vietnamese Spring Festival, was observed from 10.00 till 10.30 UTC. A broadcast in Indonesian followed at 10.30 UTC. Reception on 12.020 kHz was (SINPO) 55445 -- excellent signal strength and audio quality, despite minor fading and transmitter hum.

Reception report was emailed on 19 March 2015. QSL card arrived on 24 April 2015.


Sunday, March 15, 2015

Radio Spaceshuttle International (via Kostinbrod)

Radio Spaceshuttle International, transmitting from Spaceline BG in Kostinbrod, Bulgaria, was logged on 15 March 2015. A selection of Finnish rock songs, frequent station jingles and IDs, and DJ announcements were observed from 18.00 till 19.00 UTC. Reception on 9.600 kHz was (SINPO) 45434 -- good signal strength, clear and strong audio, despite occasional fading.

HERE is how this transmission of Radio Spaceshuttle International sounded in Southeast Asia.

Reception report was emailed and posted on 16 March 2015.

Email:
spaceshuttleradio@yahoo.com

Postal address:
Radio Spaceshuttle International
c/o Mr. Dick Spacewalker
P.O. Box 2702
NL: 6049 ZG Herten,
The Netherlands

Website (Spaceline BG) 
www.spaceline.bg/

Welle 370 (via Kall-Krekel)*

 Welle 370*, transmitting from Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, Germany, was logged on 15 March 2015. A German language broadcast of music, historic profile of Funkerberg Museum and Welle 370 and DX programme was monitored from 14.00 till 14.30 UTC. Reception on 6.005 kHz was (SINPO) 55445 -- excellent reception, clear and strong audio with occasional and slight fade.

Reception report was emailed and posted to Welle 370 the following day, 16 March 2015. QSL card arrived in the mail on 6 April 2015.

Email:
welle370@funkerberg.de

Postal Address:
Welle370
Funkerberg 20 Senderhaus 1
15711 Königs Wusterhausen.
Germany

Website:
welle370.funkerberg.de/

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

Saturday, March 14, 2015

All India Radio Aizawl

All India Radio Aizawl, transmitting from the eastern Indian state of Mizoram, was logged on 14 March 2015. A Hindi language broadcast of uninterrupted music was monitored from 16.05 till 16.30 UTC (broadcast time 11.30 till 16.30 UTC). Reception on 5.050 kHz was (SINPO) 25441 -- weak carrier signal with barely audible content was best received in LSB mode; however, before 16.00 UTC, Beibu Bay Broadcasting (BBB) in Nanning dominated the frequency. Only when BBB signed-off could AIR Aizawl be heard.

Reception report was emailed to Spectrum Management and All India Radio Aizawl on the same day. I am extremely doubtful a QSL will be forthcoming, owing to the difficulty in obtaining a verification from AIR. Still, it's terrific to catch this station on air, however poor the reception.

Email:
spectrum-manager@air.org.in
aizawl@air.org.in

Radio Veritas Asia (via Santa Maria Galeria)

Radio Veritas Asia, transmitting from Santa Maria Galeria, Vatican, was logged on 14 March 2015. A Filipino language broadcast with Catholic religious programming featured commentaries, dialogues, a prayer from the Conference of Bishops in Philippines and several vocal songs  from  15.15 till 15.53 UTC (broadcast time 15.00 till 15.53 UTC). Reception on 15.100 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- excellent signal strength, clear and strong

Reception report was submitted on-line at Radio Veritas Asia on the same day. QSL card and stickers arrived in mail on 27 April 2015.

Website:
www.rveritas-asia.org/contact-us

NHK World - Radio Japan (via Talata-Volonodry)

NHK World - Radio Japan, transmitting from Talata-Volonodry, Madagascar, was logged on 14 March 2015. A Hindi language broadcast, featuring a programme on Learn Japanese was monitored from 15.00 till 15.15 UTC (broadcast time 14.30 till 15.15 UTC). Reception on 15.720 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- excellent signal strength, clear and strong audio with slight fade

Reception report was submitted on-line at NHK World website. NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN, Hindi Service confirmed with this message: "Thanks for your reception report. We are glad that you are so interested in Hindi broadcast of NHK world Radio Japan. We are sending the required material. Keep listening to our programs and writing to us. With thanks and best wishes." Duplicate QSL cards and schedules arrived in the mail on 15 April 2015.

Website:
www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/contact/

Friday, March 13, 2015

Random Band Scan on 13 March 2015

In a random band scan on 13 March 2015, 14 countries, 13 stations and 9 languages in approximately 3 hours were logged in central Malaysia. A worldwide selection of stations broadcasting from the Pacific, to Central Asia, to East and West Europe, to Africa, to South America, were observed. Programming included a variety of world music, religious, cultural and informative features. Reception appeared to be best in the 31 meter band. Again, conditions for reception may vary in one's quarter. Tune in and give a listen. Happy DXing!!!

ALBANIA
China Radio International
via Cerrik // 9.555 kHz // 45444 // 17.30 till  18.00 UTC sign-off with programming in Arabic, including an episode of  "Learn Chinese"

AUSTRIA
Voice of Vietnam
via Moosbrunn // 5.955 kHz // 25442 // 19.45 UTC with French language and Vietnamese songs

BRAZIL
Radio Aparecida
// 9.630 kHz // 24431 -- dominant carrier with shallow audio // 20.05 UTC onward with religious programming in Portuguese

FRANCE
NHK World - Radio Japan
via Issoudun // 15.130 kHz // 25442 // 19.00 UTC with programming in Japanese

GERMANY

Adventist World Radio via Nauen // 9.515 kHz // 25442 // 20.05 UTC with religious discussion in French

INDIA
AIR National Channel
// 9.380 kHz // 35443 // 20.00 UTC with Indian music and news in Hindi

MADAGASCAR
Radio Madagasikara
// 5.010 kHz // 25442 -- dominant carrier with peaks of faint audio, best heard during music // 19.45 kHz with local music and DJ monologue between songs

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NBC Radio New Ireland
// 3.905 kHz // 25432 // 19.20 UTC with local music and DJ chatter in vernacular

ROMANIA
Radio Romania International
// 6.010 kHz // 25543 // 19.50 UTC with jazz programming and comment in German

RWANDA
Adventist World Radio
via DW relay in Kigali // 9.490 kHz // 23442 -- weak signal, audible but severe station splatter made for a very noisy transmission // 17.00 till 17.30 UTC with Horn of Africa music and sermon/commentary in Amharic

SOLOMON ISLANDS
Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation
  // 5.020 kHz // 25432 // 19.40 UTC with pop music and DJ chatting in English between songs

SOUTH AFRICA
RTE Radio 1 (Ireland)
via SENTEC relay in Meyerton // 5.820 kHz // 35443 // 19.15 UTC with discussion on Irish politics in English

TURKEY
Voice of Turkey
// 6.120 kHz // 35443 // 19.50 UTC with discussion in Turkish

UZBEKISTAN
The Voice Asia
// 6.260 kHz // 35443 // 19.55 UTC with Hindi pop songs


Receiver used: Tecsun S-2000. External Antenna: vertical  1/4 wave aerial elevated 13-meters above ground. RX location: Subang Jaya, Malaysia

China Radio International (via Cerrik)

China Radio International, transmitting from Cerrik, Albania, was logged on 13 March 2015.  An Arabic language broadcast, featuring commentary / current events and "Learn Chinese" programming was monitored from 17.30 till 18.00 UTC. Reception on 9.555 kHz was (SINPO): 45444 - good signal strength, clear and strong audio with slight fluttering fade

Reception report was emailed to CRI on the same day. On 16 March 2015, Ying Lian replied: "We are thankful for your reception report and will send you a QSL card. Your reports of our English program are also appreciated." QSL card arrived in the mail on 10 April 2015.


Email:
yinglian@cri.com.cn

Adventist World Radio (via Kigali)

Adventist World Radio, transmitting from Kigali, Rwanda, was logged on 13 March 2015. An Amharic language broadcast, featuring lovely Horn of Africa music, commentary / dialogue mentioning Africa was heard from 17.00 till 17.30 UTC. Reception on 9.490 kHz was (SINPO) 23442 -- weak signal, audible but severe station splatter made for a very noisy transmission and unpleasant listening. At 17.25 UTC, co-frequency QRM from Voice of Turkey further degraded reception.

It should be noted, the AWR relay via DW Kigali is on the air for a total of 2.5 transmitter hours daily in three languages: French, Amharic and Fulfulde.  In one particular time block, two transmitters carry the programming in parallel.

The current AWR transmissions from Kigali include:
06.00 - 0630 UTC        15.700 kHz      French
06.00 - 0630 UTC        17.800 kHz      French
17.00 - 17.30 UTC         9.490 kHz      Amharic
1930 - 20.00 UTC        17.800 kHz      Fulfulde         
20.00 - 20.30  UTC      17.800 kHz      French


However, Deutsche Welle has subsequently announced that they plan to close their African relay station at the end of this current Transmission Period B14 March 28, 2015 and then dismantle the station.  The last AWR broadcasts from DW Kigali will therefore also cease at the same time.

For those who would like to receive a QSL card for these now short-term broadcasts, AWR would welcome all reception reports from listeners in any part of the world.  Each reception report will be verified with a QSL card (not an Email QSL)

With this in mind, a reception report was emailed and posted to AWR on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 2 April 2015. Dr. Adrian M. Peterson, DX Editor for AWR, sent the commemorative QSL which arrived in the mail on 16 April 2015.

Email:
pino@awr.org

Post address for the special Kigali QSL stamp is:
Adventist World Radio,
c/o Dr. Adrian M. Peterson
Box 29235,
Indianapolis, Indiana
46229, USA