QSLs / ARTICLES

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

QSLs for May 2016


Radio Romania International (QSL Card) transmitting from Romania


CKZN* (eQSL) transmitting from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

 

Voice of Vietnam - VoV5 (QSL Card) transmitting from Hanoi, Vietnam

IBB Sao Tome for Voce of America* (Email QSL) transmitting on medium-wave from Pinheira,  Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Free Radio Skybird* via Channel 292 (QSL Card) transmitting from Rohrback, Germany

Radio Ukraine International via WRMI (QSL Card) transmitting from Okeechobee, Florida, USA

Radio Free Asia (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Fangliao, Taiwan

All India Radio Rajkot / Akashvani Rajkot (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Rajkot, Gujarat

China Radio International Japanese Service (QSL Card) transmitting from Xian and Jinhua


WTWW (QSL Card) transmitting from Lebanon, Tennessee (USA)

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

All India Radio Jeypore (QSL Card) transmitting from Orissa, India

Vatican Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Santa Maria Di Galleria


 Promised:
IRIB Turmen Radio (QSL) transmitting from Iran

Eighties Radio (QSL) transmitting from EU

Voice of America  (QSL) transmitting from BBG/IBB Pinheira,  Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (QSL) transmitting from MGLOB in Talata-Volonodry, Madagascar 

*Transmission was received using SDR web-receiver in The Netherlands (Twente)

QSLs in the Mailbox


Two QSL cards arrived in the mail today: Radio Romania International and the Voice of Vietnam. In addition to a QSL from Voice of Vietnam depicting terraced rice fields, I received a 3-D birthday card featuring a pop-up gift box. Radio Romania International sent their QSL card of a historical Romanian landmark and programme schedule in an envelope stamped with gorgeous postage. Thank you, VOV and RRI!!!


Monday, May 30, 2016

CKZN* (via St. John's, Newfoundland)


CKZN* in St. John's, Newfoundland (Canada)  was received on 7 May 2016, from 04.00 till 04.30 UTC, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, using the SDR receiver at the University of Twente in The Netherlands. A programme called "Monocle Daily" was observed during this broadcast. It featured a series of current event reports, among these an analysis of the candidates in the US Presidential campaign. 

Reception on 6.160 kHz was (SINPO) 24322 -- weak signal, fading under atmospheric noise, yet audible with occasionally clear speech. At 4.30 UTC, station splatter from PBS Sichuan (?) in China strongly degraded reception and eventually CKZN disappeared under the noise.

For many years, usually in the winter months and under a grey-line path over the Arctic, I have attempted to catch CKZN directly in Malaysia, but with no success. CBC Radio Nord and Radio Canada International in Sackville, New Brunswick were usually received under these conditions. So, I will keep trying, and hopefully CKZN -- one of two remaining short-wave stations (excluding CHU) in Canada -- will be heard one day.

Reception report was submitted online, emailed and posted to CKZN. Larry Wartman and Terry Brett (Systems Technologist, Transmission, Newfoundland, Canada) replied with emails on 30 May 2016, approximately an hour apart. The former mentioned a QSL was mailed to my address while the latter attached a   photocopy of their original card. Hopefully now an actual card will materialise in the mailbox in the coming weeks. The promised QSL card from Larry Wartman was received on 16 June 2016. Thank you Larry and Terry!!!

Email:
terry.brett@cbc.ca

Website:
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador

Postal Address:
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
CKZN St. John's
P.O. Box 12010, Station "A"
St. John's, NL
A1B 3T8 CANADA

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


All India Radio Chinsurah (West Bengal)

All India Radio Chinsurah (Akashvani Chinsurah) in West Bengal was logged on 30 May 2016. A selection of contemporary Myanmar songs, hosted by a male announcer speaking in Burmese, followed by station ID and closure announcement was monitored from 12.45 till 13.15 UTC (07.15 to 08.45 IST).

Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1134 kHz was (SINPO) 24221 -- weak signal but audible when not fading under static bursts from a local electrical storm. Fading lasted three to four minutes before audio  peaked. Reception would quite possibly have been better had transmission occurred under grey-line.

Reception report with an audio file was submitted on the same day to Spectrum Management and AIR Chinsurah. This was followed up with a letter to Spectrum Management. QSL card arrived n the mail on 20 July 2016.

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

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station (DPRK)

Pyongyang Broadcasting Station, transmitting from Kangnam-gun (Pyongyang), was logged on 27 May 2016, here in Kuala Lumpur -- a distance of 4,553 km! A Korean language broadcast consisting of uninterrupted patriotic music, both vocal compositions in the operatic style and martial type instrumentals, all of five songs and station ID on the half hour, were observed from 18.55 till 19.35 UTC and onward. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 657 kHz was (SINPO) 35333 -- fair to good signal strength (no surprise there for this 1500 kW monster), no QRM, only severe static crashing due to local thunderstorm and fading three to four minutes apart.

Reception report was mailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 28 September 2016. Along with the PBS card I received a Kim Jong Il booklet  entitled "On Preserving the Juche Character & National Character of the Revolution and Construction" and a copy of "The Pyongyang Times".



Receiver used: Sangean ATS-909; Antenna: internal ferrite rod aerial rotated towards a northeasterly direction.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Mongolia MW Test Transmission (via Choibalsan)

Mongolia Medium-Wave Test Transmission in Choibalsan, conducted reportedly by Babcock, was heard on 25 and 26 May 2016, here in the Kuala Lumpur area -- a distance of 5,021 km! Alternating 400Hz to 1Khz audio tones/pulses and voice IDs in English were detected from 15.00 till 15.30 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1431 kHz was (SINPO) 23432 -- weak to fair strength when not fading, high to low tones/pulses and voice communication were audible and clear when signal peaked. Co-frequency interference from a station in Thailand mixed occasionally with signal. No transmission was observed before 15.00 UTC.  HERE and HERE is how this test sounded in Malaysia.

Mongolia is reportedly testing a new MW transmitter (with power between 500 kW). Transmission target is primarily the Korean peninsula. Test will be conducted from 25 till 28 May 2016,  13.00 to 17.00 UTC.

Reception report with MPP3 audio files were emailed and uploaded to Dropbox on 26 May 2016. Will Babcock QSL? One BCLer reports they will not verify since this is not a "DX test". This remains to be seen. BBC/Babcock via Woofferton periodically conducts transmitter tests and have QSLed in the past. eQSL arrived on 5 July 2016.

Contact:
C0000112@aol.com 
www.dropbox.com/request/gXQDEsPBCtGiuXn4UcIb

NOTE: MP3 audio files would be appreciated, in mono, no less than 32kbps, and no longer than 30 minutes. File name should be the sender's initials - day - time.mp3 (for May 25 at 11pm: "XX-25-1100.mp3). If uploading to the Dropbox, please send an e-mail to the above address stating your listening location as well. If possible, do not set the receiver bandwidth to narrow, but wide AM (at least 6kHz for example).


Receiver used: Sangean ATS-909; Antenna: internal ferrite rod aerial rotated towards a northeasterly direction.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Voice of America / BBG (via Pinheira)

Voice of America via BBG in Pinheira was heard in the Kuala Lumpur area on 24 May 2016. A French language broadcast featuring a  series of news reports/commentary was heard from 18.50 till 19.20 UTC.  Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1530 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 - fair to good signal strength, some co-frequency mixing with a station in the Middle East, fading every 3 to 4 minutes

This is the same station I received a QSL letter from earlier this month when they were logged from a remote receiver (Twente) in the Netherlands. At the behest of a fellow DXer I was advised to try listening from 18.00 UTC onward, DIRECTLY from Malaysia. Surprise! Surprise! Not only did I catch VOA/BBG in Pinheira, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, I received it under exceptionally good conditions.

HERE is how the station sounded in Malaysia -- 10,549 km away!!! That's not bad for a super-powered 600kW medium-wave station.

Reception report was emailed to VOA and BBG on the following day. On 28 May 2016, VOA emailed to say: "Your report has been received and should be processed within the next few days." QSL card arrived in the mail on 21 July 2016. An eQSL from Station Manager arrived on 13 October 2016.


Receiver used: Sangean ATS-909; Antenna: internal ferrite rod aerial rotated towards a westerly direction.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Raidió Teilifís Éireann / MGLOB (via Talata Volondry)

Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE) via MGLOB in Talata-Volonodry was heard on 20 May 2016.  An English language broadcast featuring reports on politics in Ireland and TCT automobile financing was heard from 19.30 till 19.45 UTC (broadcast time 19.30 till 20.00 UTC).  Reception on the short-wave frequency of 5.820 kHz was (SINPO) 23431 -- poor signal strength, utility QRM, fading under noise and occasionally inaudible. By 19.45 UTC, signal had completely disappeared. A month or so back propagation was much better, allowing for the 30-minute broadcast to be received in its entirety.

Reception report was emailed to both MGLOB and RTE on the same day. Both responded within a few hours. On 21 May 2016, RTE Information Office emailed, saying: "We have sent your e-mail to our team that look after qsl cards hearus@rte.ie." This eQSL was received on 9 June 2016.


Friday, May 20, 2016

Radio Nord Revival * (via Sala, Sweden)

Radio Nord Revival*, transmitting from Sala (Sweden), was received on 20 May 2016, from 22.25 till 23.30 UTC, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, using an SDR receiver at the University of Twente, The Netherlands. Reception on 6.060 kHz was (SINPO) 44454 -- good signal and clear audio despite interference from a station in China. Reception improved to 55555 after 23.00 UTC.

Interestingly, a faint carrier on 6.060 kHz was detected directly, here in Malaysia, around 22.20 UTC, presumably transmission from Radio Nord Revival. I say this as signal vanished at around 22.40 UTC as grey-line between Sweden and Malaysia disappeared.

Content consisted of Oldies music from the '30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, including Swedish and English songs. Sandwiched between the music were old Radio Nord and Radio Sweden IDs, promos and advertisements. It all made for great nostalgia and entertainment. Loved every minute of it!

Ronny B. Goode for Radio Nord Revival stated, the station "...has now received a temporary license for the broadcasts from the DX Parliament held in Stockholm by the Swedish DX Federation: We have registered 3975 kHz for 5 kW AM plus 5930, 6060, 6105, 6180 and 9425 kHz for 10 kW A3H. There will also be transmissions on FM 88.6 MHz over the Greater Stockhom area. Transmissions will be starting on Friday, May 20 and will carry on until Sunday, May 22, 2016."

This marks the third consecutive year I have monitored their annual broadcast -- one of these heard directly in Malaysia! Will continue to listen until 22 May 2016 on additional frequencies allocated for Radio Nord Revival.

Reception report with detailed account of songs, adverts and promos was documented and emailed to Radio Nord Revival on the same day.

Postal Address
Ronny Forslund
Radio Nord Revival
Vita Huset
17995 Svartsjö
Sweden

Email:

info@rock.x.se

Website:
radionordrevival.blogspot.my/

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

KBS World Radio

KBS World Radio transmitting from Kimjae was heard on 20 May 2016.  A English language broadcast featuring news, Korean current events magazine and music was heard from 16.00 till 17.00 UTC.  Reception on the short-wave frequency of 9.640 kHz was good with clear audio, minimal fading and no noticeable interference, earning a SINPO rating of  45444

A Bahasa Indonesia broadcast on 9.805 kHz, also on air from 16.00 till 17.00 UTC, was heard as well. Reception was initially good, but later into the broadcast there appeared to be so co-frequency QRM from a Chinese speaking broadcaster.

Reception report was emailed and submitted to KBS World Radio. I have submitted at least three previous reception reports and to no response, not even a computer-generated message. For an international broadcaster with exceptionally good programming, their response time seems a tad too long. QSL card arrived in mail with another QSL for June on 24 June 2016. But still no QSLs for previous reception reports.

QSLs in the Mailbox


The postman dropped by and left QSLs from Radio Ukraine International and Free Radio Skybird (New Hampshire, USA). Now, before anyone jumps to the conclusion that these stations were logged in Ukraine and New Hampshire, hold on a minute. Radio Ukraine International was actually heard over WRMI in Okeechobee, Florida (USA) and  Free Radio Skybird was relayed over Channel 292 in Rohrbach, Germany. Amazing!!! Nevertheless, I am immensely grateful for these verifications. Moreover, I am delighted to be able to listen to the wonderful programmes of these stations. Thank you so much!!!


Thursday, May 19, 2016

NHK World - Radio Japan (via Italy)

NHK World - Radio Japan via Italy (Santa Maria di Galeria) was heard on 19 May 2016.  An English language broadcast featuring news and the programmes "Insight" and "Amazing Japan" was heard from 19.30 till 20.00 UTC.  Reception on the short-wave frequency of 9.710 kHz was (SINPO) 24332 -- weak with atmospheric noise, audible but with occasionally incoherent speech.

Reception report was submitted online to Radio Japan on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 15 June 2016.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Voice of America* (via São Tomé and Príncipe)

Voice of America* via São Tomé and Príncipe was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 1530 kHz. An  English language broadcast of VOA News, VOA Safari Africa and more in-depth news reports was monitored  from 03.00 till 03.40 UTC (broadcast time 03.00 till 04.30), on 19 May 2016. Reception was initially (SINPO) 34443 -- fair to good signal when not affected by co-frequency QRM  from Pulse 2 (UK). Nevertheless audio was clear, remained steady and audible, at least up until 03.20 UTC. At this point, quality of reception deteriorated to 23432. By 03.40 UTC, reception worsened to 23321 -- just barely audible and unintelligible content due to continued co-frequency interference and increased atmospheric noise.
Reception report was emailed to VOA on the same day. IBB Sao Tome Manager replied with email verification on 23 May 2016. What's more surprising is IBB Sao Tome no longer sends out their paper QSL card, and apparently eQSL.

*Transmission was received using SDR web-receiver in The Netherlands (Twente)

Radio Taiwan International (via Tainan)

Radio Taiwan International transmitting from Tainan was logged on 18 May 2016. A Bahasa Indonesia broadcast of news, traditional Chinese music, discussion on universal healthcare in Taiwan and Taiwanese pop music was observed from 10.00 till 11.00 UTC. Reception on 11.915 kHz was (SINPO) 54555 - excellent on all accounts, except for occasional and slight co-frequency interference from a weak station (possibly from mainland China) under RTI's signal.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online in English and Bahasa Indonesia the following day to RTI.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

All India Radio Imphal (Manipur)

All India Radio Imphal (Akashvani Imphal), transmitting from Mayang Imphal, Manipur, was logged on 17 May 2016. A discussion, old Hindi songs and devotional/classical Indian music was monitored from 15.55 till 17.00 UTC (09.25pm till 10.30 pm, IST). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 882 kHz was (SINPO) 34433 -- fair to good signal strength, clear music content but not speech, fading approximately two to three minutes apart. Frequency seems to be free of co-frequency interference, at least during time of log and this quarter of the world.

Reception report, along with audio files, was emailed to AIR Imphal and Spectrum Management on the following day. A report was mailed a few days later to Spectrum Management. QSL card arrived in the mail on 27 June 2016, verifying not only Imphal (Manipur), but also Port Blair (Adaman & Nicobar Islands), Ahmedabad (Gujurat) and Diburugarh (Assam).

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

QSLs in the Mailbox from Asia


Two QSL cards from opposite ends of Asia arrived in the mail: the super-powered medium-wave station of All India Radio Rajkot in Gujarat and Radio Free Asia transmitting on medium-wave from Fangliao, Taiwan. Thank you, AIR and RFA!!!

Eighties Radio*

Eighties Radio* in a test transmission was logged on 16 May 2016. Dance music from the late 70s, 80s and 90s, along with frequent station IDs and request for reception reports, was monitored from 14.30 till 15.00 UTC. Reception on 6.040 kHz was (SINPO) 35433 -- fair signal strength with clear audio despite occasionally terrible and noisy fading.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. Mark Hanson, Chief Engineer for Eighties Radio, replied a day later, saying: "We will continue broadcasting on 6.040 kHz for the next couple of days. We have to evaluate our equipment somehow to make sure everything is fine. Would appreciate some more reports when conditions improve on the 49mB, hopefully soon! Information and eQSL will follow. This is just an instant answer. Thanks for tuning in." An eQSL was received on 9 July 2016.


Email:

eightiesradio@zoho.com

*Transmission was received using SDR web-receiver in The Netherlands (Twente)

Monday, May 16, 2016

Voice of Vietnam (VoV 5)

Voice of Vietnam (VoV 5), transmitting from Hanoi, was received on 16 May 2016. An English language broadcast of Viet Nam cultural and current event programmes was heard from 23.45 till 23.57 UTC (broadcast time 23.30 till 23.57 UTC). Their "Personality of the the Week" and cultural profile of the Hani ethnicity was quite insightful.  Reception on the short-wave frequency of 9.840 kHz was (SINPO) 54555 -- excellent signal strength, clear audio, no fading, good propagation, only slight transmitter noise or adjacent frequency splatter was present.

Reception report was emailed to VoV the following day. QSL card with souvenir  3-D birthday card arrived in the mail on 31 May 2016.

Email:
englishsection@vov.org.vn

Postal Address:
Voice of Vietnam
English Section
45 Ba Trieu Street
Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Saturday, May 14, 2016

All India Radio Medium-Wave Log


Regular followers of South East Asia DXing will have noticed in the past few months I have  turned my attention to the medium-wave band. Of particular interest are the many ALL INDIA RADIO (AIR) stations operating across the continent. Is there a reason for listening to these stations? Aside from DXing, AIR medium-wave stations are received surprising well in the Kuala Lumpur area and, best of all, AIR  -- or, I should say the veri-signer for AIR, Spectrum Management & Synergy -- will occasionally verify these affiliates. The programming can be entertaining as well. To catch most of these AIR stations in South East Asia one has to wait for broadcasters in China, Thailand, Indonesia and Laos to end their respective transmissions, which can be anytime after 16.00 to 17.00 UTC. Most AIR stations end their transmissions at 17.40 UTC. And, transmitter output power for most of these stations is 100 kW or better. So, time and power is sufficient to at least catch their signals, not just in Asia but the Middle East and possibly Europe. To date -- and the list is growing -- the stations below have been logged.
 

RANCHI, JHARKAND 549 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Ranchi (Akashvani Ranchi) in Jharkand was logged on 5 May 2017, from 17.00 till 17.40 UTC. Classical/Devotional music was observed around 17.20 UTC. Reception on 549 kHz (MW) rated a SINPO of 25422 -- weak but audible signal detected, free of co-frequency interference from Thailand station after 17.00 UTC, and when not fading every few minutes.


DIBRUGARH, ASSAM - 567 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Dibrugarh (Akashvani Dibrugarh) in Assam was logged on
Classical/Devotional music, followed by station ID and closure announcement in Assamese(?) was heard from 16.30 till 17.00 UTC (10.00 pm till 10.30 pm, IST). Signal was noted the previous day, 12 May 2016, as well. Contemporary Hindi (?) music was noted, then closure message at the same time. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 567 kHz was (SINPO) 33422 weak to fair with clear audio when not fading  (every 3 to 4 minutes), Co-channel QRM from Lao National Radio (LNR) prevented decent reception of Akashvani Dibrugarh before 16.30 UTC. Although I hasten to add, Akashvani Dibrugarh was heard as early as 15.00 UTC mixing with and under LNR.


PATNA, BIHAR - 621 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Patna in Bihar, monitored on 20 June 2017, from 16.50 till 17.42 UTC with Hindi film music, news/sports/financial reports in English and Hindi. Reception on 621 kHz (MW) rated a SINPO of 34423 -- fair signal strength, with intermittent fading every few minutes, yet audible and clear.


INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH - 648 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Indore (Akashvani Indore) in Madhya Pradesh, was logged on 29 April 2016, on the medium-wave frequency of 648 kHz. From 17.05 till 17.45 UTC (11.35 pm till 12.05 am, India time), classical Indian flute music, followed by news in English was heard. Initially I took the station to be Radio Nepal (in Dharan), but realised when the news was presented the format was consistent with the programming of All India Radio. Reception was (SINPO) 25332 -- poor to weak signal strength, occasionally clear and audible speech, with short periods of fading (every two to three minutes) and static bursts (due to an electrical storm in my region). Subsequent days, reception remained poor to weak using a Degen DE-1102 and Sangean ATS-909 with only the internal ferrite rod antenna.
KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL - 657 kHz  (QSL)
All India Radio Kolkata (Akashvani Kolkata), transmitting from South 24 Parganas District,  was observed with classical Indian music followed by commentary  from 18.25 till 18.55 UTC.  Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 657 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 33433 -- fair signal strength with clear audio when not fading (every 2 to 3 minutes).


PORT BLAIR, ADAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS - 684 kHz (QSL) All India Radio Port Blair (Akashvani Port Blair), Delanipur, Adaman & Nicobar Islands (India) was monitored during the week of 2  through 7 May 2016 on the medium-wave frequency of 684 kHz. Almost without fail, their signal was observed as early as 12.15 UTC and well up until 17.30 UTC (sign-off). While their transmitter consistently radiated a strong signal, one major problem persisted -- China Radio International in Hainan Province. CRI's 600+ kW transmitter operated on the same frequency up until around 17.00 UTC and overpowered Akashvani Port Blair's signal except during periods of fading. After 17.00 UTC, Akashvani Port Blair was strongly received without fading.



SILIGURI, WEST BENGAL - 711 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Siliguri (Akashvani Siliguri) in West Bengal was heard
broadcasting classical Indian music followed by news in English and Hindi was observed from 17.05 till 17.44 UTC, on 4 July 2017. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 711 kHz was (SINPO) 34323 -- poor to fair signal strength when not fading under atmospheric noise or mixing with a Thai station, every two to four minutes.


JABALPUR, MADHYA PRADESH - 801 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Jabalpur  (Akashvani Jabalpur), Madhya Pradesh was logged on 4 May 2016. Indian music consisting of duets between female and male singers, followed by news in English and Hindi was heard from 17.05 till 17.40 UTC (10.35 pm till 11.10 am, India time). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 801 kHz was (SINPO) 24432 -- weak to fair signal strength, clear and audible speech for approximately two minutes between fading. Periods of fading lasted every five to six minutes which prevented reception of signal. Reception was not possible before 17.00 UTC due to strong interference from Radio Republik Indonesia Semarang (in central Java). Some minor interference from a station in China was heard when their signal faded under. On previous days, reception was not much better using a Panasonic RF-B45 and Sangean ATS-909, with both relying on only the internal ferrite rod antenna.


AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT - 846 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Ahmedabad  (Akashvani Ahmedabad) in Gujarat (India) was logged on 11 May 2016. Indian classical music of a drum ensemble, followed by news in English and Hindi was heard from 17.05 till 17.40 UTC (10.35 pm till 11.10 pm, India Standard Time). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 846 kHz was (SINPO) 33422 or weak to fair with clear audio when not fading  (every 4 to 5 minutes), Co-channel QRM from Taiwan and Thailand stations prevented reception of Akashvani Ahmedabad before 17.00 UTC.


IMPHAL, MANIPUR - 882 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Imphal (Akashvani Imphal), transmitting from Mayang Imphal, Manipur, was logged on 17 May 2016. A discussion, old Hindi songs and devotional/classical Indian music was monitored from 15.55 till 17.00 UTC (09.25pm till 10.30 pm, IST). Reception on 882 kHz (MW)(SINPO): 34433 -- fair to good signal strength, clear music content but not speech, fading approximately two to three minutes apart. Frequency seems to be free of co-frequency interference, at least during time of log and this quarter of the world.


CUDDAPAH, ANDHRA PRADESH - 900 kHz (QSL)
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.


VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA PRADESH - 927 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Visakhapatnam (Akashvani Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh was heard on 15  April 2016. Popular music and news was monitored from 17.00 till 17.43 UTC (10.30 pm till 11.13 pm, Visakhapatnam time). Overall reception on the medium-wave frequency of 927 kHz was (SINPO) 33423. Before 17.00 UTC, signal was difficult to receive due co-frequency mixing with a station in Chanthaburi, Thailand. When this Thai station closed, AIR Visakhapatnam transmission was weak to fair depending on the duration of fading (from 8 to 10 minutes). When signal was at its peak, audio was clear.



TIRUCHIRAPALLI, TAMIL NADU 936 kHz (QSL)  
All India Radio Tiruchirappalli in Manapparai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu (India) with Tamil music, moderated by male announcer, was observed from 17.00 UTC onward. News in English at 17.30 UTC presented by female announcer, then sign-off at 17.35 UTC.  Reception on 936 kHz (MW) rated a SINPO of 34433 with fair to good signal, occasionally fading every few minutes.


NAJIBABAD, UTTAR PRADESH - 954 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Najibabad (Akashvani Najibabad) in Bijnor District, Uttar Pradesh (India) was heard on 4 January 2017, between 17.15 till 17.40 UTC. Classical/devotional Indian music, followed by news in English and Hindi, then station ID just before sign-off was observed. Overall reception on the medium-wave frequency of 954 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 33423 -- fair signal, clear audio when not fading (every 3 minutes) and interference from Sathaanii Witthayu Krajaisiang Thahaan Aakaat (Thai Air Force Radio Station) in Phitsanulok Province. 


CUTTACK, ODISHA - 972 kHz (QSL) 
All India Radio Cuttack (Akashvani Cuttack) in Odisha was logged on 15 April 2016. Radio drama, devotional/traditional music and news was monitored from 16.35 till 17.35 UTC (10.05 pm till 11.05 pm, Cuttack time). Reception on medium-wave frequency of 972 kHz was  (SINPO) 33423 -- weak to fair signal, depending on duration of fading (which lasted from 8 to 10 minutes). A droning noise, possibly from transmitter, or heterodyning from a co-frequency station was observed. Before 17.00 UTC, signal mixed with Thai and Indonesian stations. When signal was at its peak, audio was clear.


RAJKOT, GUJARAT - 1071 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Rajkot (Akashvani Rajkot) in Gujarat was logged on 16 April 2016, here in the Kuala Lumpur area. A selection of classical/devotional music and old Hindi duets were observed from 18.05 till 19.15 UTC (11.35pm till 12.45am, Rajkot time). Overall reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1071 kHz was (SINPO) 23322. Signal strength was weak but audible. QRM from unidentified co-frequency station was present when signal faded under for duration of approximately 2 to 3 minutes. 


CHINSURAH, WEST BENGAL - 1134 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Chinsurah (Akashvani Chinsurah) in West Bengal was logged on 30 May 2016. A selection of contemporary Myanmar songs, hosted by a male announcer speaking in Burmese, followed by station ID and closure announcement was monitored from 12.45 to 13.15 UTC (07.15 to 08.45 IST). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1134 kHz was (SINPO) 24221 -- weak signal but audible when not fading under static bursts from a local electrical storm. Fading lasted three to four minutes before audio  peaked. Reception would quite possibly have been better had transmission occurred under grey-line.


VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH - 1242 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Varanasi (Akashvani Varanasi), transmitting on the medium-wave frequency of 1242 kHz from Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh (India), was received on 1 September 2016. Presumably Indian classical music, a rather lengthy flute piece, moderated occasionally by a male announcer, was observed from 17.10 till 17.30 UTC / 10.40 till 11.00 IST. Transmission closed at 17.40 UTC. Reception rated a SINPO of 23322 -- fair to weak signal with audible content when not mixing with Radio Sultanate of Oman and fading every three to four minutes under static bursts from a local thunderstorm. Prior to 17.00 UTC/10.30 IST, Akashvani Varanasi was not received due to strong co-frequency interference from Radio Republik Indonesia Bogor (Java), stations in Thailand and Vietnam, and to a lesser extent Nippon Hoso-JOLF (Tokyo) after 17.00 UTC/10.30 IST. On previous and subsequent days, owing to poor propagation, Akashvani Varanasi just barely broke through the threshold, and only then at a whispered level. This was a tough one to catch!


NAGPUR, MAHARASHTA - 1566 kHz (QSL)
All India Radio Nagpur, transmitting from Buti Bori (Nagpur) in Maharashtra, was logged in 6 July 2016, from 17.35 till 18.15 UTC. News in Hindi, followed by a selection of English language pop songs was heard during this period. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1566 kHz was (SINPO) 45533 -- fair to good signal strength and clear audio depending on duration of fading (which on average was approximately two minutes apart). AIR Nagpur has been monitored over the past month and based on these observations no signal has been detected before 17.00 UTC. In addition, reception seems to improve after 18.30 UTC and up until around 19.00 UTC. 


Receivers used: primarily Sangean ATS-909, followed by Panasonic RF-B45 and Tecsun S-2000. Antenna: usually the internal ferrite rod aerial, and occasionally a MW loop antenna. All receivers were rotated to the direction where signal was strongest.