QSLs for October 2015

Der Deutsche Wetterdienst* (QSL Card) in a "test transmission" from Pinneberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

Adventist World Radio & Pilipinas DX Report (QSL Card) transmitting from Agat, Guam

Radio Europe* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy

Pan America Broadcasting via Media Broadcasting GmbH (eQSL) transmitting from Nauen, Germany

Trans World Radio (eQSL) transmitting from Manzini, Swaziland




FRS Holland* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands


Radio Bandidos* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy





Radio Abu Dhabi* (eQSL) transmitting from the Netherlands

Panda Radio* (eQSL)  transmitting from the Netherlands


NHK World - Radio Japan (QSL Card) transmitting from Nauen, Germany

Radio CFRX* (QSL Card) transmitting from Toronto, Canada



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

Radio Free Asia (QSL Card) transmitting from Saipan
 

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


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

 

Radio Enterprise* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy

Global 24 Radio via WRMI (QSL Card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

 
 
Global 24 Radio via WRMI* (QSL Card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

Radio Voyager* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy



Promised:
Voice of America (QSL) transmitting from Woofferton, UK

Dandal Kura Radio (QSL) transmitting from Ascension Island

*Logged using a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored in Malaysia

Radio Saudi International

Radio Saudi International, transmitting from Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, was logged on  29 October 2015. An Indonesian language broadcast of Arabic music, news (Berita) and Islamic programming was observed from 10.12 till 11.05 UTC. Reception on 21.670 kHz was (SINPO) 45534 -- good signal strength and audio quality, despite an occasional and long fade.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online to Radio Saudi International, although I am extremely doubtful a verification, let alone a reply, will result. Firstly, Broadcasting Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, now Saudi Broadcasting Corporation (SBC),  stopped QSLing years ago. Secondly, I have mailed registered letters only to have them returned and sent countless emails to no avail. Lastly, the only replies from SBC in recent years have come from the Urdu  and Bengali sections, but short of a verification from SBC.

On that note, I will give SBC credit where credit is due. Their programming is ideally suited for Sunni Muslims. The news, Quran recitation and Islamic programming is superb. But it stops there. Whether one is a Muslim or non-Muslim, the public relation skills of SBC fall short of being effective and professional. They stubbornly refuse to acknowledge practically everyone. It's a pity too, really. They might win more listeners, possibly converts, if they were as accommodating as the Christian broadcasters who seem to dominate the shortwave bands presently.

My humble advice to SBC -- if anyone from the Saudi Ministry of Culture & Information is reading this blog entry -- would be to re-evaluate your mission. Surely you have the financial resources and personnel to at least acknowledge your listeners. In doing so, you would do Saudi Arabia and Islam a great service. Should your broadcast engineers/department heads not have the time to do so, I would more than welcome the opportunity to be SBC's monitor and veri-signer. Seriously, I am willing to assist SBC in this respect, in sha Allah. I am not only a long-time radio enthusiast, I worked in the advertising/public relations industry for many years. Interested? Contact me.

Radio Europe*

Radio Europe*, transmitting from Italy, was logged on 18 October 2015. Funk and jazz music, including "Got the Funky", "Down in China Town" with DJ chatting in Italian, "All My Life" with DJ whistling to song, then  DJ chatting with station ID, was observed from 16.40 till 17.00 UTC. Reception on 6.875 kHz was (SINPO) 44444 -- good signal strength and audio with occasional utility QRM and slight fade

Reception report was emailed on 18 October 2015. Received an eQSL on 21 October 2015.

*Logged using the remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored  in Malaysia

Der Deutsche Wetterdienst* (via Pinneberg)

Der Deutsche Wetterdienst*, in a "test transmission" from Pinneberg, Schleswig-Holstein (Germany), was logged on 21 October 2015. A German language broadcast beginning with sign-on and station ID presented by female announcer, followed by male announcer presenting weather/atmospheric conditions for various cities, then lastly a female announcer closing with station ID and location, was observed from 06.00 till 06.10 UTC.

Reception on 6.040 kHz was (SINPO) 34333 -- fair, audible and discernible signal, despite persistent QRM hum from either their 10kW transmitter or co-frequency interference from a Brazilian station and atmospheric noise

HERE is how this transmission  sounded in The Netherlands

Reception report was emailed on the same day. Wilfried Behncke at DWD replied later in the day, confirming report and promising a QSL, stating: "Many thanks for your interesting reception report! Today I will send you a QSL-card."  Indeed, Wilfried did send a QSL card which arrived on 29 October 2015.

DWD Schedules: 
www.dwd.de/sendeplan

NAVTEX-messages received at German coasts:   
www.dwd.de/navtex

Internet: 
www.dwd.de/seewetter

Email:
info@dwd.de


*Logged from a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored from a desktop computer in Malaysia

Trans World Radio Africa (via Swaziland)

Trans World Radio Africa, transmitting from Manzini, Swaziland, was logged on 19 October 2015. A Juba language broadcast entailing religious songs in the style and language of the target audience and a sermon related to the Book of Genesis was heard from 18.45 till 19.02 UTC, under fair to good signal strength, clear and audible speech, despite some atmospheric noise on the frequency of  9.500 kHz.

Reception report was submitted on-line, 20 October 2015. An eQsl  was received on 26 October 2015.

Website:

twrafrica.org/index.php/us/contact

Postal Address:
TWR Africa
P.O. Box 4232
Kempton Park, 

1620, South Africa

Radio Bandidos*

Radio Bandidos*, transmitting from Italy, was logged on 18 October 2015. Intermittent station ID and email address with Country & Western music, including  "You Had To Be There", "Baby, Do I", "Call It Freedom", station ID and gmail announced, "I Wanna Love You", "Whatever Makes You Feel Like A Rock Star", "Hold On (Roller-coaster)", was logged from 17.25 till 18.10 UTC. Reception on 6.850 kHz was (SINPO) 44434 -- occasional utility QRM and fading, otherwise good signal strength and audio quality.

Reception report was emailed on 18 October 2015. Received an eQSL on 20 October 2015. Thank you, Wes!

*Logged using the remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored  in Malaysia

All India Radio Jeypore

All India Radio Jeypore in Odisha  (India) was logged on 19 October 2015. A selection of devotional music with commentary, Hindi songs and advertisements were observed from 12.35 till 13.20 UTC. Reception on 5.040 kHz was poor to fair, depending on signal strength and amount of atmospheric noise. At one point, between 13.00 till 13.12 UTC, it seemed as though transmitter power had been reduced or transmitter switching occurred, as signal was terribly weak and barely audible. Most of the time reception was fair, with clear and audible speech at times with an average (SINPO) of 35433.

HERE is how AIR Jeypore sounded around 13.10 UTC.

Reception report was emailed and posted.

Radio Abu Dhabi*

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. I received a blank, low resolution eQSL in png format after follow-up reception report and correct email address on 18 October 2015. Apparently the eQSL was sent previously; TX operator stated, "I already send you qsl and explained that I was also in Kuala Lumpur etc.  OK, (I) send you once more a qsl. You fill in date and time.  Good luck my friend, 73 from abu-dhabi radio." Thank you very much, C!!!

*Logged using the remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored  in Malaysia

Welle 370* (via Kall-Krekel)

Welle 370*, broadcasting from the studio of Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel (Germany), was logged on 18 October 2015. A German language programme discussing the history of the station, technical models of the station's former antenna array, scheduled events for October and an eclectic musical selection was monitored from 12.12 till 13.10 UTC. Reception on 6.005 kHz was (SINPO) 55444 -- excellent signal strength and audio despite slight and occasional fading.

HERE is an interesting video about the station's history.

Reception report was emailed and posted to Welle 370 on 17 and 20 October 2017, respectively. QSL card arrived in the mail on 17 November 2015. A follow-up QSL and miniature brochure arrived in the mail on 24 November 2015. Vielen Dank!!!

Email:
welle370@funkerberg.de
verein@funkerberg.de

Website: 

www.funkerberg.de/index.htm

Postal address:
Förderverein "Sender Königs Wusterhausen" e.V.
Funkerberg 20
Senderhaus 1
15711 Königs Wusterhausen
Germany

*Logged using the remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored from a Lenovo A660 in Malaysia

Pan America Broadcasting (via Nauen)

Pan America Broadcasting via Media Broadcasting GmbH, transmitting from Nauen  (Germany), was logged on 17 October 2015. A programme entitled "Hope for a Fear-Filled World" was featured from 14.30 till 14.45 UTC. Reception on 15.205 kHz was (SINP0) 55545 - a relatively strong and clearly audible signal with slight fade.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. Report was forwarded to Media Broadcasting who in turn sent the above eQSL on 20 October 2015.


Email:
info@panambc.com

Panda Radio*

Panda Radio*, transmitting from the Netherlands was logged on 17 October 2015. Music with station IDs "This is Panda Radio on shortwave" after each song, including Donna Summer - "I Feel Love", was observed from 12.45 till 13.05 UTC. Reception on 6.380 kHz was (SINPO) 24332 -- weak to fair signal strength, clear and audible, despite minor fading and atmospheric noise. Insomuch as Panda Radio operates at 10-15 watts and not far enough from the Twente web-sdr it is not conducive for  the ground wave to reach and too close for a good sky wave. Reception is usually best 100-500 kms away,


HERE is how Panda Radio sounded from Twente.

Reception report was emailed to Panda Radio on the same day. An eQSL arrived the following day. Thank you, Panda Radio!

Email:
pandaswradio@gmail.com

*Logged using remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored from a desktop computer.

Dandal Kura Radio (via Ascension Island)

Dandal Kura Radio (meaning "Big Hall" in the Kanuri language), transmitting from the Babcock site on Ascension Island, was logged on 17 October 2015. Their Kanuri language broadcast is directed to Nigeria in efforts to counter the spread of Boko Haram. Content included largely dialogue and current event reports which were monitored from 19.10 till 19.40 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 till 21.00 UTC).

HERE is an audio file of this transmission later in the broadcast.

Reception on 11.830 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 -- good signal strength, clear and audible speech despite prominent and slight transmitter hum and fluttering fade. Transmission worsened after 19.30 UTC with increased atmospheric noise, fading and weaker signal.

For more on Dandal Kura Radio follow this LINK.

Reception report was submitted on-line and message at their Facebook site on 17 October 2015. On 25 October 2015, Dandal Kura Radio replied by Facebook Messenger, promising a QSL card. "We are pleased to hear that our signal is being received thus (that) far. Our Team will be sending you a QSL soon. Thank you."

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/dandalkura

Website: 

www.dandalkura.com/

Radio WRNO* (via New Orleans)

Radio WRNO*, transmitting from New Orleans (USA), was logged on 17 October 2015. An English language broadcast of Christian topics and contemporary Christian music was monitored from 03.40 till 03.55 UTC (broadcast time 01.00 till 04.00 UTC). Reception  on 7.505 kHz was (SINPO) 25332 -- weak to poor signal strength and severe atmospheric noise, but with audible and discernible content when signal did not fade under the noise. Having said this, on subsequent days and at earlier hours WRNO has been received with much better strength despite co-frequency QRM.  Reception was possible using a  remote SDR receiver in the Netherlands; direct reception of transmission to Malaysia was impossible owing to lack of grey-line coverage.

HERE is an audio file of WRNO.

Reception report was emailed to WRNO on 17 October 2015. A QSL card arrived in the mail on 3 November 2015.

Email:
wrnoradio@mailup.net

*Logged using a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored in Malaysia from a desktop computer.

Voice of America (via Woofferton)

Voice of America, transmitting from presumably Woofferton (UK), was logged on 16 October 2015. An Amharic language broadcast featuring current events and commentary about African related issues was monitored from 18.20 till 19.00 UTC. Reception on 15.630 kHz was (SINPO) 35433 -- fair signal strength with occasional fading. 

Incidentally VOA broadcasts originating from Pinheira (São Tomé e Príncipe) were logged on the 19 and 25 metre bands within the same time frame.

Reception report was emailed to VOA on 17 October 2015. VOA Public relations replied with this email on 19 October 2015: "Hello, Thank you for sharing this reception report with us. It has been sent to the appropriate department." QSL card was received on 7 January 2016.

Website:

www.insidevoa.com

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey transmitting from Emirler was logged on 11 October 2015. English language broadcast of news about the Ankara bombing, Review of Turkish Press and Food of the Court was observed from 16.30 till 16.50 UTC (broadcast time 16.30 till 17.25 UTC). Transmission of the Voice of Turkey on 15.520 kHz did not propagate as well as it has in past months. Unfortunately reception  was a terrible (SINPO) rating of 15221 -- poor to weak signal, barely audible and discernible content; signal completely disappeared at around 16.50 UTC due to severe atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed to Voice of Turkey the following day. QSL card arrived in th email on 27 November 2015.

Adventist World Radio (via Agat)

Adventist World Radio was logged on 11 October 2015. A discussion about WVOH,  Pilipinas DX Report and AWR Contest was featured on Wavescan from 16.00 till 16.30 UTC. Transmission of Adventist World Radio from Agat, Guam on 15.530 kHz was (SINPO) 34343 - fair signal, slight transmitter hum and atmospheric noise, otherwise clear and audible throughout the broadcast.

Reception reports were emailed to AWR Wavescan and Pilipinas DX Report the following day. An eQSL from Pilipinas DX Report arrived in the afternoon of the same day. AWR replied with QSL card on 24 October 2015.

Email:
wavescan@awr.org
pilipinasdx@yahoo.com

Radio Enterprise*

The 1st anniversary broadcast of Radio Enterprise, transmitting from Italy, was logged on 10 October 2015. Transmission began with the tune "Happy Birthday performed on banjo, followed by the 1960s Star Trek theme song at 19.00 UTC (broadcast time 19.00 till 19.35 UTC). A selection of classic rock/pop tunes, including Tory Kelly - "I Was Made for Loving You", Scorpions - "Send Me An Angel", Deep Purple - "Smoke On The Water", Led Zeppelin - "Kashmir" and Dio - "Rainbow in the Dark", along the DJ announcing station IDs and listener submitted reception reports, from 19.03 UTC till 19.35 UTC. Reception on 6.950 kHz (SINPO) began with a strong (SINPO) rating of  55545. By 19.25 UTC something went amiss, as though power had been reduced, then at 19.35 UTC transmitter closed abruptly.

Reception report was emailed to Capt. Denny shortly after transmission ended. This eQSL arrived the following day, 11 October 2015. Thank you, Capt. Denny!

*Logged using a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored in Malaysia from a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.

Radio DARC* (via Moosbrunn)

Radio DARC*, transmitting from Moosbrunn Austria), was logged on 11 October 2015. Amateur radio news, profile of Vatican Radio and Chris de Burgh song "Ship to Shore" was observed from 09.35 till 10.00 UTC (broadcast time 09.00 till 10.00 UTC). Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- excellent on all accounts.

Reception report was emailed to DARC shortly after broadcast ended.

Email:
darc@darc.de

Website:
 www.darc.de

Postal Address:
DARC e. V.
Lindenallee 4
34225 Baunatal
Germany

*Logged using a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored in Malaysia from a Lenovo S660

Two Global 24 Radio QSLs Courtesy of WRMI

It took a while, but WRMI came through for Global 24 Radio...er...well...at least two for three QSLs anyway. Would love to have received the much promised Global 24 Radio QSL commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall, or for that matter any Global 24 Radio QSL. Thankfully Jeff White came through with QSLs for reception reports dated 6 November* and 19 November 2014. I can excuse the third verification, since the reception report was submitted  for a transmission that originated from Kostinbrod, not Okeechobee.

What about Global 24 Radio? I read the other day they were back on air. I hope so. I rather enjoyed their programming, despite never receiving their QSL. Hopefully better days are ahead for them. Meanwhile, thank you very much for these QSLS, Jeff White at WRMI!

*NOTE: 6 November 2014 transmission was logged via the Netherlands (Twente); 19 November 2014 transmission was logged from Malaysia.

 

Free Radio Log for 4 October 2015

Radio Central* in the Netherlands was logged on 4 October 2015. A selection of continuous 60's pop music was observed from  19.25  till 19.45 UTC. Reception on 6.225 kHz was (SINPO) 34432 -- Fair signal strength with utility QRM and slight fading. Reception report was emailed to Radio Central.

Radio Atlantis* in Germany was logged  4 October 2015. Frequent station IDs, postal address and obscure  60's pop songs and commercials were heard from 16.05 till  16.30 UTC. Reception on 6.210 kHz (SINPO) 34332 -- weak to fair signal, with atmospheric noise and fading. Reception report was posted.

* Logged using a remote SDR receiver linked to the University of Twente (The Netherlands) website and monitored in Malaysia from a desktop computer

Plagiarism and Fake Radio Reception Reports?

Plagiarism and fake radio reception reports? Yessiree. There are a few DXers out there who in the pursuit of a QSL have the gall to fabricate a reception report. The phenomenon, if it can be called that, is nothing new. It is as old as radio itself.

Why address the subject? Well, a few days back a fellow DXer and free-radio operator called it to my attention. He informed me of an individual who, apparently after reading my blog entry for his station, decided to pass off a reception report as his own. The station alerted me and promptly asked the guy to submit an audio file of the transmission. Guess what? He couldn't produce it.

Wait a minute! He could have sourced the Internet for an audio file and produced a sample, right? It does happen. I actually had one young man do just that. He submitted files of WWV and CHU on frequencies for times normally not received in his quarter, yet he tried to pass them off as genuine. How did I know the files were fake, aside from the obvious physics? The audio files -- stolen from a fellow radio listener -- still had the original Box and Soundcloud names attached to them.

Even with the advent of remote web-receivers some DXers attempt to pass off the remote RX location as their home RX  location. A diligent station engineer/operator will immediately recognise this for what it is -- a bogus or less than accurate report. Why hide the obvious fact? There is no shame in stating the actual RX location, even if it is remotely observed. Simply keep one's home and remote QSLs in separate categories. Be honest.

Now, it is possible to submit a reception report to a station, honestly believing it is a particular broadcaster. The time, frequency and language of the broadcaster all seem to be the station. Unfortunately after either submitting a report or further listening, usually days later, one discovers the error. It happens. I have done it more than a few times myself over the decades. Yet, I will fess up and duly note my error.

Folks, honesty is more priceless than any QSL, however prized it may be. No DX contest for X number of stations, X number of countries is worth sacrificing one's integrity. Be patient and diligent in DXing. It's like fishing. It takes time, calculation and patience. And the results are far more rewarding when one knows it was a genuine catch.

Happy DXing!!!