Thursday, April 30, 2015

QSLs for April 2015

Deutsche Welle (QSL Card) transmitting from Pinheira, Sao Tome


Lowland Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Radio Merlin International* (eQSL) transmitting from England

Radio The Gardener* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands


Radio Veritas Asia (QSL Card) transmitting from Santa Maria Galeria, Vatican

Voice of Vietnam (QSL Card) transmitting from Hanoi, Vietnam

Caribbean Beacon (QSL Card) transmitting from The Valley, Anguilla

Pop Radio OstFriesen* (eQSL) broadcasting via Channel 292 from Ingolstadt, Germany
 

E.A.R.N. - English Amateur Radio News* (QSL Card) broadcasting from  Channel 292 in Germany

Reach Beyond Australia - "Kochirawa HCJB" (eQSL) transmitting from Kununurra, Australia

Radio Latino* (eQSL) transmitting from centra Italy

Radio Romania International (QSL card) transmitting from Tiganesti, Romania


LRA36 - Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel (eQSL) transmitting  from  Base Esperanza, Argentine Antartica

NHK World - Radio Japan (QSL Card) transmitting from Talata Volondry, Madagascar

Radio Laguna International* (eQSL) transmitting from Germany

China Radio International (QSL Card) transmitting from Cerrik, Albania

 
DP07 German Marine Radio* (QSL Card) broadcasting via Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, Germany

Welle 370* (QSL Card) broadcasting via Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, Germany

WRMI - AWR WaveScan (QSL Card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida, USA

Adventist World Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Kigali, Rwanda

Adventist World Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Kigali, Rwanda

Adventist World Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Meyerton, South Africa

All India Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Port Blair, Adaman & Nicobar Islands



Promised:
WVOH - Voice of Hope (QSL) transmitting from Simi Valley, California, USA

Amateur Radio Operator DJ7ZZ (QSL) transmitting from Grossholbach (near Frankfort), Germany

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

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Lowland Radio*

Lowland Radio* in the Netherlands was logged on 25 April 2015". DJ chatting about reception in Sweden using 20 watt transmitter, between pop songs "Ace of Spades", "Addicted to Love", The Shadows (60s quitar solo), "Let Me Walk Close To Thee",  "Blue Eyes Crying" and Toto - "I Miss the Rains Down in Africa", was noted between 18.10 till 18.35 UTC. Reception on 6.285 kHz was (SINPO) 34434 -- fair strength and clear audio, despite slight and occasional fading.

Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. An eQSL and profile of station/radio operator was received on 28 April 2015. Thank you, Jos!


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

Monday, April 27, 2015

Puntland Radio One



A new Somali shortwave station is testing on the frequency of 13.800 kHz. Radio Puntland belongs to the government of Puntland, which is one of the breakaway regions of Somalia in the Horn of Africa.

Puntland media reported on 11 April 2015 that the station was officially opened by Puntland president Abdurrahman Faroole. Radio Puntland is operated by Italian technicians from Goldrock Kenya, and has received financial support from the government of Italy. President Faroole says that also a television station will be coming soon.

Current test broadcasts from the Puntland capital Garowe consist of non-stop Somali music, aired at varying levels of transmitter power, 50 watts or more. "We should begin regular transmission by the end of June," says Enrico Li Perni from Goldrock Kenya. The permanent transmitter is still under construction and will have a power of 20 kilowatts.


Puntland Radio One
"test transmission" was logged in Malaysia on 27 April 2015. Station IDs, frequency, website and email was presented in Italian and English by a male announcer, followed by Somali vernacular presented by a female announcer. Between announcements, Horn of Africa (Somali) music was observed from 16.40 till 17.20 UTC, and later. Reception on 13.800 kHz  was (SINPO) 25342 -- weak signal with occasional static bursts and slight fading. Nevertheless transmission was audible and occasionally clear.

Although reception was poor, HERE is a sample of the music and station ID observed in the Kuala Lumpur area. 

Reception report was emailed and submitted on-line to Puntand Radio & TV. Email was submitted to Goldrock International Kenya as well, owing that their engineering department is directly involved. Letter was posted to Goldrock International Kenya, rather than Puntland Radio & TV, a day later. A follow-up email was submitted on 30 September 2016. The above email acknowledging report from Radio Puntland was received on 24 October 2016.

Website: 
www.puntlandtvradio.com/

Email:
 info@puntlandradiotv.com (Puntland Radio One)
puntlandradio1@gmail.com (Puntland Radio One)
puntlandradio1@gmail.com
communication@goldrockkenya.com (Goldrock International Kenya)

Radio Merlin International*

Radio Merlin International* in England was logged on 26 April 2015. Freguent station IDs and DJ chatter between pop tunes, including U2 - "New Year's Day",  Emerson Lake Palmer, Bony M - "Rasputin", "One Way Ticket", was monitored from 10.20 till 10.45 UTC. Reception on 6.305 kHz was (SINPO) 25332 -- weak to fair signal with atmospheric noise and occasional fading, yet clear and audible in the Netherlands.

Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. An eQSL was received on 27 April 2015. Many thanks, Paul.

Email:
radiomerlin@blueyonder.co.uk 

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

Radio The Gardener*

Radio The Gardener* in the Netherlands was logged on 25 April 2015. Rock-n-Roll and pop classics, including The Searchers - "Sweets for my Sweet", "Happy People", "Turning Me Around", Blondie - "Rapture", DJ stated he would play a few more songs then "close down", Buddy Holly - "Shiela" and The Contours - "Do You Love Me",  was observed from 17.15 till 17.40 UTC. Reception on 6.285 kHz was (SINPO) 44434 -- good strength and clear audio, despite slight and occasional fading. 

Reception report was emailed  on 26 April 2015. An eQSL was received from "Tuin Man" on 27 April 2015. Thank you, Henk!

Email:
radiothegardener@gmail.com 


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

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Log from Remote Receiver* on 25 & 26 April

 
SDR Receiver at University of Twente

Radio Brasil Central* transmitting from Goiania, Brazil, was logged on 26 April 2015. Brazilian pop songs was noted from 00.30 till 01.00 UTC. Reception on 11.815 kHz was (SINPO) 33443. Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. An  eQSL with the promise of paper QSL was sent on 5 May 2015.

Radio Merlin International* in England was logged on 26 April 2015. Frequent station IDs and DJ chatter between pop tunes was monitored from 10.20 till 10.45 UTC. Reception on 6.305 kHz was (SINPO) 25332. Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. An eQSL was received on 27 April 2015.

Radio Abu Dhabi* in the Netherlands was logged on 25 April 2015. DJ chatter between polka and country music, including Annie Skilder - "Sharing Time" and "You Bring Me Pleasure", and John Fogerty - "Old Man Down the Road", was heard from 23.15 till 23.55 UTC. Reception on 6.298 kHz was (SINPO) 55445 - great signal with "multi-directional antenna", despite slight and occasional fading. Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. Received eQSL after follow-up reception report and correct email address.

Lowland Radio* in the Netherlands was logged on 25 April 2015". DJ chatting about reception in Sweden using 20 watt transmitter, between pop songs was noted between 18.10 till 18.35 UTC. Reception on 6.285 kHz was (SINPO) 34434. Reception report was emailed on 26 April 2015. An eQSL was received on 28 April 2015.

The Gardener* in the Netherlands was logged on 25 April 2015. Rock-n-Roll and pop classics were heard from 17.15 till 17.40 UTC. Reception on 6.285 kHz was (SINPO) 44434. Reception report was emailed to radiothegardener@gmail.com on 26 April 2015. An eQSL was received on 27 April 2015.


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

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Caribbean Beacon, Better Late Than Never



Talk about a message in a bottle. This QSL card from Caribbean Beacon in Anguilla might as well have been sent in a bottle. It took three years and 10 days from the time the station was logged to reach the shores of Malaysia. "Better late than never" as the saying goes. Actually it was postmarked 9 April 2015. My guess is Caribbean Beacon received a batch of newly printed QSLs and is now posting verifications for retroactive reception reports. In any event I am immensely grateful to FINALLY receive this QSL. For more details, click on the link above.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Pop Radio Ostfriesland*

Pop Radio Ostfriesland*, broadcasting via Channel 292 from Ingolstadt, Germany, was logged on 19 April 2015. Non-stop Jim Croce songs, including "Workin' at the Car Wash Blues", "Careful Man", "Alabama Rain", "A Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (Singing The Blues)", "Don't Mess Around with Jim", "Next Time, This Time" and other notable Croce tunes, was heard. This followed with station ID in German and Bette Midler performing "Wind Beneath My Wings". Broadcast was monitored from 15.00 till 16.30 UTC. Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- good signal strength and audio quality with very slight fade

Reception report was submitted on-line at Pop Radio Ostfriesland on the same day. A message and eQSL was received on 21 April 2015. Danke, Jann Meitzer!

Website:
www.popradio-ostfriesland.eu

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

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Radio Latino*

Radio Latino*, out of  Italy, was received in the Netherlands (Twente), on 18 April 2015. The last 10 minutes of their transmission on 7.520 kHz was heard from 17.45 till 17.55 UTC. This was long enough to catch the disco era song, "Fly Robin Fly", followed by an instrumental tune, then abrupt end of transmission without station ID and announcement of closure.

Reception on 7.520 kHz (SINPO) was 34333 -- fair and audible signal despite atmospheric noise and occasional fading.

Reception report was emailed shortly after the transmission ended. An eQSL was received on 19 April 2015. Thank you, Marco!

Email:
radiolatin@live.com

Website:
rebelderadio.wordpress.com


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

Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB) / Kochirawa HCJB

Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB) or "Kochirawa HCJB”, transmitting from Kununurra, Australia, was received on  18 April 2015, here in Malaysia. This Japanese language broadcast  featured a solo commentary (Mailbag programme) from a male announcer. Just before announcing station ID and contact details, a short music excerpt from Leroy Anderson's "Syncopated Typewriter" was heard. This was followed by an English announcement of a rebroadcast of the Japanese programme later in the evening. Transmission was monitored from 22.45 till 23.00 UTC (broadcast time 22.30 till 23.00 UTC).

Reception on 17.760 kHz was (SINPO) 35443 -- fair to good strength, some atmospheric noise with occasional fading, otherwise clear and audible signal

Reception report was emailed to Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB) on 19 April 2015. Shelly Martin at Reach Beyond Australia replied with a nice note and eQSL on 20 April 2015. QSL card from Kazuo Ozaki arrived in the mail on 1 September 2015.

Kazuo Ozaki, the producer for Yodobashi Church - HCJB Japanese Radio, replied promptly to my reception report, saying: "Thank you for your reception report for the Japanese program. It is very enraging to know that the  reception in Mayaysia is very good.

"The content of the program was the monthly "Mail Bag" program which we read the letters from our listeners.

"I am a producer of the program living in Arizona, USA.  The programs go on the air from Austraia and your reception report should be sent to Yodobashi Church in Tokyo, Japan. Isn't it confusing?  Anyway,  I will forward your report to Tokyo office.  From now on please send you reception report directly to  Yodobashi Church in Tokyo, JAPAN.  Address is as follows:

"Yodobashi Church

 HCJB Japanese Radio
1-17-8 Hyakunin Cho
Shinjyuku Ku, Tokyo  JAPAN 169-0073

169-0073 東京都新宿区百人町1-17-8
     淀橋教会 HCJB日本語放送係


"Please write us again soon and let us know more about yourself and your work and how do you get interested in listening to Japanese shortwave broadcastings in your country.  May God bless you!"


Email:
office@reachbeyond.org.au

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, broadcasting from the 500 kW Emirler transmitter site, was heard on 18 April 2015.

An English language broadcast from 16.30 till 17.26 UTC featured: world and regional news; Turkish press review including a report on the Anzac WWI anniversary of the Battle of Golippoli (or the Battle of Çanakkale); a biographical programme focusing on the Prophet Muhammad (saw); an economic programme entitled "Turkey Rising Out of the Crisis"; a programme on "Eco-friendly Tips" highlighting environmental law; a programme called "Today in History"; then a regular Voice of Turkey programme "Question of the Month"; followed by Turkish pop music.

Fortunately reception on the short-wave frequency of 15.520 kHz was nearly flawless with a (SINPO) of 55545 -- excellent on all accounts, except for slight and occasional fading.

Reception report was emailed shortly after 19 April 2015. QSL card arrived on 19 May 2015.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Adventist World Radio QSLs from Two Continents


The continents? Africa and North America. Adventist World Radio posted two QSLs for their transmissions relayed from Kigali, Rwanda and Okeechobee, (Florida) USA. The Kigali QSL commemorates the closure of the Deutsche Welle transmitter site, and it is affixed with special AWR stamps. The Okeechobee QSL via WRMI highlights the long running WaveScan DX programme and AWR President, Dr. Dowell Chow. Both cards are signed by DX Editior, Dr. Adrian  M. Peterson. I'm mighty proud to have these QSLs. Thank you!!!

LRA36 - Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel 2015


LRA36 - Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, transmitting with 10 kW  from  Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina, was logged on 14  April 2015. Frequent station IDs ("Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel") between Spanish language music and commentary about children (presented by a female announcer) was monitored from 20.00 till 20.35 UTC.

NOTE: Transmission was logged from two locations -- the Netherlands and Malaysia. Reception on 15.476 kHz from the Netherlands (Twente SDR receiver) was SINPO 24332 -- weak to fair, clear and audible signal with occasional fading. In Malaysia, LRA36 was barely audible and only faint music was observed. Signal was terribly weak with lengthy and occasional fading, and it was detected only in LSB mode.  Overall SINPO rated a paltry 14321, using a Tecsun S-2000 linked to an external 1/4 wave aerial, elevated 13 meters above ground. 

Reception report was written in Spanish and emailed to Base Esperanza on 14 April 2015. This eQSL arrived on 15 April 2015. Muchas gracias, Sarg 1. Sergio Alejandro Lucero y Tcnl. Fernando Gabriel Estévez.

Email:
lra36@hotmail.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

NHK World - Radio Japan QSLs & Schedules


NHK World - Radio Japan Hindi Service posted programme and frequency schedules, together with a post card and QSL card of their broadcast from Talata Volonodry (Madagascar). What's more, these items arrived in duplicate letters on 15 April 2015, probably the result of my emailing and submitting online reports for the same transmission.

I must commend Radio Japan for their superb listener service. In all the many -- nearly 50 -- years I have listened and corresponded with them, they remain excellent verifiers. Moreover, for a DXer seeking QSLs from locations other than Japan, NHK World - Radio Japan broadcasts also from relay sites in France, Germany, Lithuania, Madagascar, Palau Medorn, Singapore, Uzbekistan  and UAE. 

Tune in and happy DXing!!!

LRA36 - Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel* 2014


LRA36 - Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel*, transmitting from Base Esperanza, Antártida Argentina, emailed the above photo of their base station for a reception report submitted in October 2014. This came after a follow-up email on 13 April 2015.

The following message accompanied the photo: "Muchas Gracias por su atención hacia nosotros con sus informe. Nosotros somos la nueva Dotación 2015  acá en la Antártida en Base Esperanza. Me gustaría por favor si esta en su posibilidad de monitorear el programa de esta Campaña." From this note I deduce, first, this is an acknowledgement and, second, I should submit another reception report. I'm guessing the initial report cannot be confirmed since a different team is operating the base station for 2015.

Not to be deterred, LRA36 was again logged last night (14 April 2015), at 20.00 till 20.45 UTC, after transmission of Adventist World Radio via Madagascar (on 15.480 kHz) ended, which caused severe QRM splatter before 20.00 UTC.  Direct reception in Malaysia remained at best a faint carrier with occasional  music heard, but detected solely in SSB mode. Nevertheless another reception report was submitted the following day to Sarg 1ro Sergio Lucero, at Base Esperanza.

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

Monday, April 13, 2015

Radio Laguna International*

Radio Laguna International*, transmitting from Germany, was logged on 28 March 2015. The last ten minutes of the broadcast, featuring the song "Never Ending Story", DJ announcing station ID "Radio Laguna" and "Bye-Bye" in German, was heard between 20.00 till 20.10 UTC. Reception on 6.285 kHz was (SINPO) 34343 - fair and clear signal with atmospheric noise. Danke, Maik!

Reception report was emailed the following day. An eQSL was received on 13 April 2015.

Email:
laguna76@gmx.net

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

Friday, April 10, 2015

Radio Bahrain

Radio Bahrain relay of Shabab FM (presumed), transmitting Abu Hayan, Kingdom of Bahrain, was logged on 10 April 2015. Several uninterrupted vocal songs performed in Arabic, including "Ya Rahman"(?), was heard from 22.35 till 23.05 UTC. At least four to five songs were observed in nearly half an hour.

Reception om 9.745 kHz  was (SINPO) 24321 -- poor to weak signal, clear audio on occasion despite long fades and transmitter droning. Signal did not improve during transmission monitored after 23.00 UTC.

Despite the less than favourable conditions, Arabic music may be heard in this AUDIO FILE.  No broadcaster except Radio Bahrain operated on the above frequency, at the time of reception.

Reception report was emailed to Radio Bahrain on 11 April 2015. A follow-letter was submitted as well. Previous attempts to QSL Radio Bahrain have failed. On 23 July 2015, much to my amazement, I received this eQSL from veri-signer, Fatima Amin. I am elated! Head over heels, on the moon, with this long-sought after country and QSL. Shukran, Radio Bahrain!!!

Email:
btv@brtc.gov.bh

Website:
www.radiobahrain.fm/
www.iaa.bh

Postal Address:
Kingdom of Bahrain Radio & Television Corporation
General Directorate Technical Affair
(Information Authority Affairs)
P. O. Box 1075
Manama,  Kingdom of Bahrain

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

DJ7ZZ (Grossholbach, Germany)

Amateur Radio Operator  DJ7ZZ (Tom) in Grossholbach (near Frankfurt), Germany was logged on 12 May 2013. His transmission was monitored between 18.10 to 18.37 UTC in conversation with V85DX in Brunei, during a QRZ Contest. Reception on 14.215 kHz SSB/USB was (SINPO) 35443 -- fair signal strength with slight fade was observed.

Approximately 40 seconds into the following audio clip, DJ7ZZ may be heard conversing with V85DX. Click HERE to listen.

Reception report was initially emailed to V85DX who QSLed in September 2013. A fellow amateur operator in Holland (Henk) heard the above clip and identified DJ7ZZ. On 31 March 2015, I followed up with an on-line reception report to DJ7ZZ at his website. He replied on 1st April 2015, stating on this blog site: "Yes, he will QSL. Tnx for the sound file. 73 from Germany Tom DJ7ZZ". Thank you for the tip, Henk. And, Tom, I am looking forward to your QSL.

Websites
www.dj7zz.de/
www.hfdx.de/

Email:
info@dj7zz.de (bounced)

KVOH - Voice of Hope (California)

KVOH - Voice of Hope, transmitting from Simi Valley, California (USA) was logged on 7 April 2015. The programme "Musica y Ministerio" (religious music and commentary presented by a male announcer) was monitored from 18.45 till 19.00 UTC (broadcast time 14.00 till 19.00 UTC). Reception on 17.775 kHz was (SINPO) 25421 -- a weak but audible signal, with frequent fading and slight atmospheric noise was observed.

Previous attempts to receive WVOH in Malaysia had proved futile until today. Ideal propagation, standard operating frequency, Spanish language content and sign-off at 19.00 UTC made  it possible to identify WVOH; otherwise the station might have gone unnoticed. To say the least, I was lucky to catch this one.

Reception report was emailed on 8 April 2015. A few hours later Ray Robinson, the Operations Manager at WVOH, replied with confirmation and the promise of a QSL card, saying: "Greetings, Timm!  Thank you for this report.  We'll be very happy to send you our QSL card". QSL card arrived in the mail on 11 June 2015.

Email:
QSL@wvoh.net
studio@wvoh.net

Website:
www.voiceofhope.com

Postal address:
KVOH - Voice of Hope / Voz de Esperanza
P. O. Box 102
Los Angeles, CA 90078
USA


Monday, April 6, 2015

Zwei QSL-Karten aus Deutschland


Two QSL Cards from Germany arrived in the letterbox recently: Welle 370 and DPO7 German Marine Radio. Both stations were logged via broadcasts over Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel, using the SDR facililty at The University of Twente in the Netherlands. Although received from a remote web-radio I am delighted to have heard and moreover pleased to have acquired their respective QSLs. Danke und 73!



Deutsche Welle (via Pinheira)


Deutsche Welle, transmitting from Pinheira, Sao Tome, was logged on 4 April 2015. Music with commentary on Nigeria was  monitored from 18.20 till 19.00 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 till 19.00 UTC). Reception on 9.830 kHz was (SINPO) 23441 -- weak, but audible signal when  severe QRM similar to jamming was not present. At 18.38 UTC, noise ceased but some station splatter from RTM Sarawak FM was present. Interference was muted when operating in LSB mode. Signal remained weak, but more clearly audible.

Reception report was emailed on 6 April 2015. QSL card arrived in the mail on 30 April 2015.

Email:
info@dw.de