QSLs / ARTICLES

Monday, November 30, 2015

QSLs for November 2015


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

Radio Nachtzwerver* (eQSL) transmitting from The Netherlands



WRMI  (QSL Card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

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




Radio Republik Indonesia Merauke (eQSL message) transmitting from Merauke, Papua, Indonesia

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




Voice of America (QSL Card) transmitting from Kuwait (should be Woofferton)

PCJ Radio via WRMI (eQSL) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA)

 



 All India Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Lucknow, India






Radio Freedom* (eQSL) transmitting from The Netherlands




 WRNO* (QSL Card) transmitting from New Orleans, Louisiana (USA)

 
 Misti Radio* (eQSL) transmitting from Italy




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

Sunday, November 29, 2015

All India Radio Cuddapah

All India Radio Cuddapah (Akashvani Cuddapah), transmitting from the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh (India), was logged on 29 November 2015. A selection of Hindi songs, moderated by male announcer, was observed from 16.25 till 17.00 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of  900 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair signal strength, clear audio,  signal faded every four to five minutes

HERE and HERE is how the 100 kW station in Cuddapah sounded in central West Malaysia.

Reception report was emailed and posted  to Spectrum Management on 30 November 2015. QSL card arrived in the mail on 16 March 2016 -- my first MW verification from India!

Email:
spectrum-manager@air.org.in

Postal Address:
Spectrum Management & Synergy,
Directorate General, Room No. 204,
All India Radio,
Parliament Street,
New Delhi 110001, India

Swedish DX Federation* (via Sala)

Swedish DX Federation*, using the facilities of Radio Nord Revival in Sala (Sweden), was logged on 28 November 2015. A selection of oldies music and talk, hosted by a male DJ speaking Swedish, was observed from 18.15 till 18.45 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 till 19.00 UTC).  The transmission of Swedish DX Federation on 6.105 kHz was SINPO 33433 -- weak to fair signal strength and occasionally clear audio, despite severe station splatter from China Radio International on adjacent frequency (6.100 kHz)

Audio files of the broadcast were submitted along with the reception report on 29 November 2015. Ronny Forslund replied later in the day, stating: "Many thanks for your reception report. I am forwarding it to the Swedish DX Federation for verification and you will receive a QSL card by post from them in due time". QSL card arrived in the mail on 6 January 2016.

Postal Address
SVERIGES DX-FÖRBUND
P.O. Box 1097
SE-405 23 Göteborg

Email:
sdxf@sdxf.se
qsl@sdxf.se

Website: 
www.sdxf.se/

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

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Random Log for 25 November 2015


In a random short-wave band scan on 25 November 2015, between 22.30 till 23.00 UTC, as many as 11 countries were logged, here in central West Malaysia. Several stations are regularly received at this time, including Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB), Adventist World Radio in Guam,  China National Radio, Radio Taiwan International and Radio Televisyen Malaysia. Seasonal stations like Radio Habana Cuba, WEWN and WRMI are usually best heard now through the winter months. Many more stations at this time are heard on frequencies not recorded in this log, including stations in Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam.

That's all for now. Happy DXing!


AUSTRALIA
Reach Beyond Australia (HCJB) via Kununurra // 15.525 kHz // 35443

BRAZIL
Radio Nacional de Amazonia via Brasilia // 11.780 kHz //15321 (signal is much stronger before 22.30 UTC)

CHINA
Voice of Beibu Bay Radio via Nanning (Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region) // 5.050 kHz // 45444
China National Radio 1 via Shijiazhuang // 15370 kHz // 25432

CUBA
Radio Habana Cuba
// 11.880 kHz // 24332
Radio Habana Cuba // 11.840 kHz // 24432
Radio Habana Cuba // 11.880 kHz // 24332

GUAM
KSDA-Adventist World Radio via Agat // 15.415 kHz // 35443
KSDA-Adventist World Radio via Agat // 15.435 kHz // 34443

MALAYSIA
RTM - Wai FM via Kajang // 11.665 kHz // 54554

NORTH KOREA
Pyongyang Broadcasting Station // 3.320 kHz //14441 (stronger signal at sign-on)

SINGAPORE
BBC
via Kranji // 3.915 kHz // 54555

SRI LANKA
Radio Free Asia
  via Iranawila // 11.850 kHz // 45444

TAIWAN
Radio Taiwan International
via Tainan // 15.320 kHz // 35443
Radio Taiwan International via Tainan // 11.635 kHz // 35443
Radio Taiwan International via Kouhu // 5.010 kHz // 43443

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WRMI (Overcomer Ministry/Chelmsford Calling World Service) via Okeechobee // 9.955 kHz // 24322
WEWN (EWEN)  via Vandiver // 13.830 kHz // 34443

Receiver used: Tecsun S-2000 Antenna used: vertical 1/4 wave at a height of  13 metres. Location: Subang Jaya, Malaysia

Monday, November 23, 2015

Radio Taiwan International (viaWoofferton)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Woofferton (UK) was logged on 23 November 2015, between 19.45 till 20.00 UTC (broadcast time 19.00 till 20.00 UTC). Two Chinese language songs (presumably Taiwanese pop tunes performed by male singers), moderated by a French speaking male announcer were heard until 19.56 UTC. At this point, a French speaking female announcer presented the RTI broadcast schedule, target and frequencies. Transmission closed shortly thereafter at 20.00 UTC. Reception on 9.895 kHz was 34333 -- fair signal strength, audible and clear despite atmospheric noise.

Reception report was submitted on-line and emailed to RTI on 24 November 2015. QSL crad arrived in the mail on 10 December 2015.

Website:
english.rti.org.tw/report/

Email:
rti@rti.org.tw

Radio Nachtzwerver*

Radio Nachtzwerver*, transmitting from The Netherlands, was logged on 21 November 2015. Non-stop pop/rock classics, including  REM - "Everybody Hurts", Pearl Jam - "I'm Still Alive", Deep Purple - "Child in Time", AC DC - "Highway to Hell", Toto - "Stop Loving You", Neil Young - "Heart of Gold", Coldplay - "Lost"; Guns n Roses - "Don't Cry" and more great hits were heard from  23.00 till 00.00 UTC, at which point the station signed off. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1636 kHz was exceptional with an (SINPO) rating of 55555.

Reception report was submitted the following day, and a blank eQSL was received on 23 November 2015. Along with the eQSL I received a brief message stating: "Hello. Greetings from the Nederland. Thanks for report." Thank you for the eQSL, Gerrit!

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

Thursday, November 19, 2015

La Rosa de Tokio via WRMI (Okeechobee)

La Rosa de Tokio via WRMI, transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA), was logged 19 November 2015. A  Spanish language programme about the developments of radio broadcasting in Latin America, moderated by Omar Somma, was heard from 22.00 till 22.45 UTC (06.00 till 06.45 pm EST) [Broadcast time 22.00 till 23.00 UTC]. Reception on 9.955 kHz was (SINPO) 25442 -- weak signal but clear audio up until approximately 22.45 UTC (06.45 pm EST). At this point, signal gradually disappeared.


Audio sample of this broadcast may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed and posted to WRMI and La Rosa de Tokio on 20 November 2015. The above eQSL was received on 14 December 2015. "Thank you for your report, here I am sending the corresponding QSL. A big hello from the pampas Argentina. OMAR Somma, Technical Head of Radio Provincia."

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Radio Nacional da Brasilia

Radio Nacional da Brasilia, not to be confused with Radio Nacional da Amazonia, was received from 20.10 till 20.45 UTC, on 18 November 2015. This broadcast contained non-stop Brazilian pop music hosted by a male announcer in Portuguese. Reception on 11.780 kHz throughout much of the transmission was SINPO 34343 -- weak to fair signal strength with clear audio despite atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed the following  day and posted in subsequent days. Previous attempt sto obtain a verification was unsuccessful. QSL card arrived by registered mail on 10 February 2016.

Address:
Empresa Brasil de Comunicação S/A
Setor Comercial SUL - SCS
Quadra 08 Bloco B-60
1º Piso Inferior - Edifício Venâncio 2000
Asa Sul - Brasília/DF
BRAZIL
Email:
centraldoouvinte@ebc.com.br

Sunday, November 15, 2015

All India Radio - Shillong

All India Radio Shillong, transmitting from the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, was logged on 15 October 2015. An English language broadcast of contemporary Indian music, news, commentary and advertisements/promos were noted from 13.50 till 14,30 UTC. Reception on 4.970 kHz (SINPO) was 25332 -- weak signal with moderate atmospheric noise which made for only occasional audio clarity.

HERE is an idea of how AIR Shillong sounded.

Reception report was emailed to Spectrum Management and AIR Shillong. A follow-up report was submitted by mail. QSL card received on 2 February 2016.

Email:
airshill@gmail.com
spectrum-manager@air.org.in 

Hot Radio via Channel 292*

Hot Radio via Channel 292*, transmitting from Rohrbach, Germany, was logged on 15 October 2015. An English language broadcast of pop music classics, including Steven  Stills - "Mr Fantasy", along with jingles and station promos were observed in the closing minutes of the broadcast from 9.48 till till 10.00 UTC. Reception on 6.070 kHz was (SINPO) 45544 - good, clear and audible signal.

Reception report was emailed to Hot Radio shortly after transmission ended. Within a few hours an eQSL was sent.


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

Thursday, November 12, 2015

RRI Merauke

Self-prepared eQSL

RRI Merauke, transmitting from southeastern Papua (Indonesia), was logged on 12 November 2015. Indonesian pop music, advertisements and news was observed from 11.30 till 12.02 UTC (08.30 till 09.02 PM local time).

Reception on 3.905 kHz was (SINPO) 15421 -- signal was poor to weak. Carrier signal was present at 11.30 UTC with peaks of faint audio whenever signal did not fade under atmospheric noise. By 11.45 UTC, reception improved slightly with stronger audio, but still weak and indecipherable for the most part.

HERE's how RRI Merauke sounded on 15 November 2015. This is essentially the quality of reception -- peaks of faint audio, in this case Indo rock music -- regularly heard in central Malaysia.

Email received from RRI Merauke
Reception report was emailed and Facebook messaged on 12 November 2015. Report was written in Bahasa Indonesia. Not sure whether RRI Merauke will reply. RRI stations in the past few years have proven next to impossible to QSL. Surprise! Surprise! RRI Merauke replied with a confirmation on 16 November 2015. The email address used was from their website (see below).

Here is the message RRI Merauke emailed: "TERIMA KASIH Email Anda, Frekuensi 3,905 Khz (SW) adalah TX RRI Merauke. A/N Pimpinan Kami sampaikan terima kasih atas informasi jangkauan pemancar (TX) kami."

Translation:
"THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your email, Frequency 3.905 kHz (SW) is TX RRI Merauke. A/N Our Management. We say thank you for the information reach transmitter (TX) us." 

Website: 
rrimerauke.blogspot.my/p/home.html

Mysterious eMail from Radio Free Sarawak

Radio Free Sarawak emailed on 12 November 2015, stating: "Hi, sorry for some time we can't catch up with some emails. Anyway, hope to hear you soon. Thank you. Regards, RFS Team."

Interestingly, this was in response to a reception report submitted on 28 December 2012. At the time, Radio Free Sarawak used the IRRS (Milan)-NEXUS International  Broadcasting facility. Transmission originated from Tiganesti, Romania. As it turns out Bruno Manser Fonds Foundation QSLed this transmission.

I'm not sure what this email means. My guess is they will be back on air in the future and/or an eQSL will be sent.  Time will tell.

Smooth Radio*

Smooth Radio* in London (UK) was logged on the MW frequency of 1431 kHz on 9 November 2015. The Early Breakfast Show, consisting of pop music from the 1970s and on, along with several advertisements every half hour, was observed from 03.25 till 04.30 UTC. Reception (SINPO): 45444 -- good signal strength was received in the Netherlands, despite occasional long fades. This resulted in significant atmospheric noise, yet audio was still present and content discernible.

An audio sample of this transmission from the Netherlands may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online to Smooth Radio on 10 November 2015. 

Email:
info@thisisglobal.com

Website:
www.smoothradio.com/

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

Radio Ukraine International*

Radio Ukraine International* (National Radio Company of Ukraine), transmitting on MW from Mykolayiv (Ukraine), was logged on 9 November 2015. Reports about Ukraine and music, along with station IDs approximately every 15 minutes or so, was observed from 19.25 till 20.00 UTC. Reception on 1431 kHz was (SINPO) 43433 -- good signal strength, despite fading and co-frequency interference from Radio Sawa, then later from Radio Smooth (UK). The latter station eventually overpowered RUI's signal, especially after 19.49 UTC during long fades. This condition degraded their signal to 32422.

An audio sample of this transmission from the Netherlands may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed and posted to Radio Ukraine International in subsequent days. A QSL card and Holiday Greeting card arrived in the mail on 6 January 2016.

Email:
euroradiodep@nrcu.gov.ua

Postal Address:
National Radio Company of Ukraine
Radio Ukraine International - English Section
26, Khreschatyk Str.
Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine

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

Polskie Radio*

Polskie Radio*, transmitting on long-wave from Warsaw (Poland), was logged on 10 October 2015. A Polish language broadcast of news/current events, Vatican Radio news, financial news, advertisements and contemporary jazz was heard from 16.45 till 17.30 UTC. Reception on 225 kHz was (SINPO) 54555 -- excellent signal with slight transmitter hum which increased around 17.15 UTC. Subsequent to logging this transmission the station has been off air, presumably for transmitter maintenance.

Reception report was emailed on 11 October 2015. A follow up report was mailed in early November 2015.

Website:
www.polskieradio.pl/jedynka/

Postal Address:
POLSKIE RADIO - English Section
Al. Niepodleglosci 77/85
00-977 Warsaw, Poland

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

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey in Emirler was logged on 10 and 11 November 2015. English language broadcasts of Turkish music and regularly featured programes were noted on both days,

Reception 11.730 kHz from 18.10 till 18.20 UTC (broadcast time 17.30 till 18.20 UTC) was (SINPO) 44344 - good signal strength, but transmitter hum and atmospheric noise, otherwise audible and clear.

Reception on 9.610 kHz from 22.00 till 22.18 UTC (broadcast time 21.30 till 22.18 UTC)(SINPO) 54545 -- excellent signal strength, minor QRM from adjacent station in China with  occasional and minimal fade.

Reception reports were emailed on 12 November 2015. QSL card arrived in the mail on 10 December 2015. QSL Card for 11 November 2011 broadcast arrived on 14 January 2015.


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Voice of Turkey Souvenir


This colourful bag arrived in the mail today, courtesy of  the Voice of Turkey. Mashallah, what a pleasant surprise! I received this little souvenir -- I am presuming -- in response to entering their contest and correctly answering the "Question of the Month" for September 2015. The Voice of Turkey randomly selects three listeners with correct answers each month.

The QUESTION for the month of September was: Which Turkish national football player will play for FC Barcelona in the next five years? The ANSWER was: Turkey midfielder Arda Turan officially inked a five-year deal with  FC Barcelona. He signed a contract for 41 million euros, in a ceremony held at Camp Nou. With a transfer fee of 34 million euros, Barcelona's newest member becomes the most valuable Turkish player in history. He  leaves Atletico Madrid where he scored 22 goals and had 32 assists in 177 matches in his four-year spell at Atletico Madrid.

This makes the second gift I have received from the Voice of Turkey. The previous gift was  a bag as well in response to their "Question of the Month" contest. Each time the Voice of Turkey passed along postcards detailing their multi-language websites and current programme schedule.   

I must say it is always a great joy to see international broadcasters engage and reward their listeners with little souvenirs like this. In recent years I have been fortunate to receive similar gifts from other radio stations, i.e. bookmarks from the Voice of Vietnam, coasters from the Voice of Turkey, pocket calendars from Radio Habana Cuba, Radio Romania International, Korean Broadcasting System, Radio Japan and the Voice of  America, and not to forget countless stickers, Christmas or New Year's greetings. My hope is these and more stations will continue to implement this public relations exercise.

 Çok teşekkür ederim, Voice of Turkey!!!

Friday, November 6, 2015

WRMI (Overcomer Ministry/Bib an Kreyol/PCJ Radio)

WRMI, transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida (USA), was logged on 6 November 2015. The programmes noted from 22.15 till 23.30 UTC included Brother Stair's The Overcomer Ministry, Bib in Kreyol (Bible in Creole) and PCJ Radio with host Keith Perron.

Reception on 9.955 kHz was (SINPO) 25432. The only apparent issue is a weak signal, yet despite this factor audio was present and clear at best during grey-line from Florida to Malaysia. As this condition disappeared, so too did reception of WRMI.

- Transmission (at 22.15 UTC) of The Overcomer Ministry was audible, but only Brother Stair's voice and occasional address announcement was noted.
- Transmission (at 22.30 UTC) of Bib an Kreyol was a bit better with male announcer being clearly received.
- Transmission (at 23.00 UTC) of PCJ Radio was audible for the first 15 minutes or so, then gradually strength and clarity of signal declined as grey-line disappeared.

Reception reports were emailed to WRMI and PCJ Radio on the following day, 7 November 2015.  Keith Perron sent an eQSL for PCJ Radio on 12 November 2015. QSL Card from WRMI arrived in the mail on 20 November 2015.

Email:
info@wrmi.net
mnp@pcjmedia.com

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey was logged on 6 November 2015.  An Italian language broadcast with frequent station IDs, news, Question of the Month and Turkish pop music  was observed from 22.30 till 23.00 UTC. At the top of the hour, a broadcast in English began, then transmission ended abruptly. To the best of my knowledge TRT had neither Italian nor English broadcasts scheduled at these times, yet the station was heard. Snafu?

Transmission of the Voice of Turkey was received well on 9.610 kHz with a (SINPO) of 44444. The only apparent issue was co-frequency interference from CNR, along with minor and occasional fading. Despite these conditions, reception was good and audio clear.

Reception report was emailed to the Voice of Turkey on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 December 2015.


RMRC QSL Calendar 2016


This amazing 2016 calendar arrived in my letterbox today, courtesy of a friend and fellow radio enthusiast living in Germany. And, I must say it was a pleasant surprise, as well as the terrific gift for an old DXer like me. Vielen Dank für dieses wunderbare Geschenk, Uwe!

The calendar contains rare and historic QSL cards of international radio broadcasters from a bygone era. In cooperation with the ADDX picture archive, The Rhein-Main-Radio-Club e.V.  has created this decorative wall calendar for collectors and radio aficionados.

The calendar is prepared in a horizontal format (A4) and suitable for hanging. All photos -- 26 QSLs in total --  are reproduced in full colour. Or, if one prefers, you may detach each month and frame them. For whatever purpose, I heartily recommend this calendar.


The price? 15 € (non-members);  10 € (RMRC members).

Details and orders may be made on-line at the Rhein Main Radio Club e.V. website.