QSLs for June 2016

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

 

All India Radio (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Ahmedabad, Gujarat


All India Radio (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Diburugarh, Assam




All India Radio (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Imphal, Manipur

IRIB Turkmen Radio (QSL Card) transmitting from Islamic Republic of Iran

 

KBS World Radio (QSL Card) for Basaha Indonesia broadcast from Kimjae, Republic of Korea

KBS World Radio (QSL Card) for English broadcast from Kimjae, Republic of Korea





Radio Northern Ireland (QSL Card) transmitting from Yerevan-Gavar, Armenia



Radio Northern Ireland* (QSL Card) transmitting from Kall-Krekel, Germany


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



Radio Republik Indonesia Semarang (QSL Letter) transmitting on medium-wave from Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia

 

 NHK World Radio Japan (QSL Card) transmitting from Italy (Santa Maria di Galeria)

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

 
Like Station 1494 (QSL email) transmitting on medium-wave from Bangkok, Thailand

 
 
All India Radio Indore (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India

 
All India Radio Jabalpur (QSL Card) transmitting on medium-wave from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Promised:
 NHK World Radio Japan* (QSL) transmitting from Sitkunai. Lithuania

 Voice of Vietnam V0V5 (QSL) transmitting from Hanoi, Viet Nam

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

RRI Palembang Pro-1 (South Sumatra Province)

Source: RRI Palembang

Radio Republik Indonesia Palembang (RRI Palembang Pro-1), transmitting from Southern Sumatra Province (Republik Indonesia) was logged on 28 June 2016 (29 June 2016, Sumatra Time). Islamic programme on Imam Shafi perspective on Quran and Sunnah, followed by Indonesian pop music and advertisements, was heard from 21.10 till 22.10 UTC (05.10 am till 06.10 am. Sumatra Time).

Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1287 kHz was (SINPO) 54555. Some fading and atmospheric noise detected at 21.20 UTC. Increased interference from a Thai station operating on the same frequency, which eventually disappeared while RRI Palembang remained strong and audible. In fact, signal has been heard as late at 02.00 UTC, here in Malaysia). Sign-off has been noted at 17.00 UTC.

Reception report was emailed and posted in subsequent days to RRI Pelambang Pro-1.

RRI Pekanbaru Pro-4 (Riau Province, Sumatra)

Radio Republik Indonesia Pekanbaru (RRI Pekanbaru Pro-4), transmitting from Pekanbaru, Riau Province, Sumatra (Republic of Indonesia), was logged on 27 June 2016. Quran recitation of Surahs As-Saafat, Sad and Az-Zumar, followed by Indonesia pop songs, was observed from 15.40 till 16.40 UTC (10:40 until 11:40, Sumatra time). Transmission ended at 17.00 UTC (12:00, Sumatra time).

Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 927 kHz was (SINPO) 54545 - a strong signal strength with little disruption when a signal is briefly faded. HERE is a sample of the music heard after the Quran recitation.

Reception report was submitted online, emailed and posted in Bahasa Indonesia to RRI Pekanbaru Pro-4 on the following day. An email acknowledging reception of station was received on 9 July 2015.

Postal address:
RRI Pekanbaru Pro-4
Jl. Ir.H Juanda No 95
Pekanbaru, Propinsi Riau,
Sumatera, Republik Indonesia

QSLs in the Mail

QSLs from Radio Northern Ireland and All India Radio arrived in today's mail. RNI confirmed reception reports for their broadcasts from Yerevan-Gavar (Armenia) and Kall-Krekel (Germany)*. AIR, through Spectrum Management & Synergy, confirmed their medium-wave broadcasts from Port Blair (Adaman & Nicobar Islands), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Diburugarh (Assam) and Imphal (Manipur). Thank you very much, Radio Northern Ireland and All India Radio!

Ismail Radio (West Java)

Ismail Radio in West Java, Indonesia was logged on 25 June 2016. Islamic programming consisted of Quran recitation, Azan for Ishak prayers in Mecca, doa and Taraweeh prayers from Mecca from 18.00 till 18.30 UTC (01.00 till 01.30 am, Indonesia time). The station has been heard after 22.00 UTC, so I suspect the station is on air 24 hours. 

Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 774 kHz was (SINPO) 33433 -- weak to fair signal depending on the degree of fading (three to four minutes apart) and mixing with a Thai station, purportedly based in Udon Thani. There is quite possibly a third station causing co-frequency interference as well. In any case, Ismail Radio is the dominant signal. 

The station may be contacted online, by Facebook messaged and mail. I have and will submit reception reports in Bahasa Indonesia using all three modes of communication. As I have mentioned in previous blog entries Indonesian stations are difficult to QSL, so I expect another dead-end.

Website:
www.ismailradio.com/

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Ismail-RADIO-774-AM-383695188422520/

Receiver used was a Sangean ATS-909 with internal ferrite rod antenna rotated to a south-southwest direction.

QSLs in the Mail

After over a week and a public holiday with no mail,  three QSLs finally arrived: two World Heritage QSLs with stickers from KBS World Radio and one from IRIB Turkmen Radio. The KBS cards are not the ordinary size QSLs; compared to the IRIB verification card -- which is the usual size -- they are quite large. And just as well, given the stunning World Heritage sites depicted on the card. Even the IRIB card is quite unique and apparently it is part of a series. Very nice indeed! Thank you, KBS and IRIB!!!

Trans World Radio Europe (Central Asia)

Trans World Radio Europe, transmitting from Central Asia (purportedly Yerevan-Gavar), was received on 17 June 2016, here in the Kuala Lumpur area on the medium-wave frequency of 1377 kHz. A Farsi language broadcast was mostly a  talk format and included at least one recognisable song,  "Tala' al-Badru 'Alaynā" (a traditional Arabic song), from 19.40  till 19.55 UTC. Reception was (SINPO) 33422 -- weak to fair signal strength, occasionally mixing with a Thai station and fading for duration of four to five minutes.

Reception report was emailed the following day to TWR Europe. QSL card arrived in the mail on 21 July 2016.


Receiver used was a Sangean ATS-909 with internal ferrite rod antenna rotated to a northwest direction for best reception.

QSL in Mailbox

For two consecutive days the postman has delivered mail...and another QSL card. This one is from CKZN in St. John's Newfoundland, which was heard in Kuala Lumpur, using the SDR receiver at The University of Twente in The Netherlands. This card was promised after initially receiving a photocopy of their old QSL card. What can I say? To have the actual paper card is always the best. And while this Canadian station was logged remotely, the distance to Holland in itself was a pretty impressive skip across the Atlantic! Thank you, CKZN!!!

QSL in the Mailbox

Finally after two weeks! Mail...a QSL card...and one from a long time and reliable verifier -- NHK World Radio Japan. Why the elation? Well, anytime the month of Ramadan/Eid rolls around (which we are in presently)  mail delivery in Malaysia seems to just dribble in spurts. The same can be said during the periods of Christmas and Chinese New Year here. So, I am indeed a jolly ol'e fellow to receive this QSL card of "Swimming Carp" from NHK Radio Japan. More interestingly, it is for one of their broadcasts relayed from "Italy" (presumably Santa Maria di Galeria). So, a BIG thank you to NHK World Radio Japan!!!

BBC / Babcock "Test Transmission" for Winter Solstice Broadcast

 BBC / Babcock International "Test Transmission" for British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Winter Solstice Broadcast, transmitting from Woofferton, Ascension and Dhabbaya, was logged on 14 June 2016, between 21.30 to 21.45 UTC. While my quarter was not the direct target area in this test, reception  on 9.720 kHz appeared to be the most suitable frequency, albeit I hasten to add it was heard under poor conditions due to weakness of signal, fading and atmospheric noise.

5.985 kHz was SINPO 25231 -- weak signal, barely audible (TXer site presumed to be Woofferton, UK)

6.035  kHz no signal detected (TXer site presumed to be Dhabbaya)

7.360 kHz no signal detected (TXer site presumed to be Ascension Island)

9.720 kHz was SINPO 25331 -- weak signal, audible when not fading, but unintelligible content for the most part. (TXer site presumed to be Woofferton, UK)

Reception report, along with an audio file, was submitted to Mr. Dave Potter, (Retired) Senior Transmitter Engineer Woofferton (1982-2012). In years past, he has replied with an eQSL. Not certain this will be the case this time around. On 22 June 2016, I receceived this reply from Mr. Dave Porter along with the attached file of the Woofferton TXer site: "Thank you for your report. I am not the official QSL contact / verie signer for these tests so may I suggest you send it to BBC World Service in London. Vy 73Dave Porter G4OYX." To the best of my knowledge BBC WS no longer sends out QSLs for their broadcasts, but anyone willing to try certainly should give it go.

BAS WINTER SOLSTICE BROADCAST

21 June 2016 between 21.30 and 22.00 UTC 

5.965 kHz - Dhabayya; 203°

7.350 kHz - Ascension; 207°

9.890 kHz - Woofferton; 182°

For details click HERE.

NOTE: While DXers elsewhere in the world did hear this broadcast on the above frequencies, nothing was detected in Malaysia. Propagation was terrible compared to years past.

NHK World Radio Japan* (via Sitkūnai)

NHK World - Radio Japan*, transmitting from Sitkūnai (Lithuania), was logged on 5 June 2016. A Russian language broadcast of news, mailbag/music programme featuring Japanese artists was heard from 04.30 till 05.00 UTC, using the remote SDR receiver at Twente University (The Netherlands). Reception on 6.165 kHz was (SINPO) 34553 -- fair signal, slight co-frequency interference from a weaker station, otherwise good clarity of content.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online to NHK World - Radio Japan the following day. On 7 June 2016, NHK Radio Japan Russian Section replied, saying: "Thank you for sending us a reception report of our Radio Japan Russian Service! We verified your report (5 June 2016, 04.30 - 05.00 UTC, 6165 kHz). We will later send you our QSL-verification card to your address...NHK Radio Japan Russian Section." They also sent along an eCalendar for June '16.

*Transmission received using the remote SDR receiver located in the Netherlands (Twente). 

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from  Emirler (Turkey), was logged on 5 June 2016. Their Turkish language broadcast of Turkish and English pop songs and news was monitored from 00.45 till 01.15 UTC (broadcast time 00.00 till 02.00 UTC). Reception on 9.735 kHz was (SINPO) 35343 -- fair signal strength, audible content despite atmospheric noise. Signal gradually disappeared under noise after 01.00 UTC. By 01.15 UTC signal was barely audible.

Reception report was emailed to TRT the following day. QSL card and souvenir items arrived in the mail on 18 July 2016.

Email:
englishdesk@trt.net.tr

Radio Biafra (via Kostinbrod)

Radio Biafra, transmitting from Kostinbrod (Bulgaria), was logged on 4 June 2016. An English language broadcast with continuous commentary on oppression of Biafrans and songs of hope was observed from 18.35 till 19.10 UTC. Reception on 11.700 kHz was (SINPO) 23322 - weak signal but audible and mixing with atmospheric noise. Obviously transmission was beamed directly to Nigeria, not Asia.

Reception report was emailed a few days later. Email bounced. No surprise there.

Voice of Vietnam (via Hanoi)

Voice of Vietnam - VoV5 in Hanoi was logged on 4 June 2016, from 15.00 till 15.27 UTC. National and regional news, along with cultural reports on a Children's Painting Exhibition and Music of Hanoi was featured in this half-hour English language broadcast. Reception on the short-wave frequency of  9.840 kHz was  (SINPO) 54555 - good signal strength and clarity of audio, despite some co-frequency interference.

Reception report was emailed to VoV a few days later.  On 22 June 2016, I receceived this  email from VoV: "We have received your email. Your report is sufficient. We will send you a QSL card to verify it.We warmly welcome any of your feedback and questions. Please keep tuning in to our English Program on the radio or at www.vovworld.vn."

Email:
vovworld@vov.org.vn
englishsection@vov.org.vn

Radio Northern Ireland (via Yerevan-Gavar)

 Jordan Heyburn, presenter for Radio Northern Ireland, posted this message regarding their upcoming transmission: "To our listeners in Asia: on Sunday, 5th June 2016 from 1000-1030 UTC we will manage a broadcast for Radio Northern Ireland on 17.560 kHz via transmitter Gavar in Armenia at 100kW, directed at 100°."

Radio Northern Ireland via Yerevan-Gavar, was received  directly in Malaysia, at 10.00 to 10.30 UTC, on 5 June 2016. A selection of rock songs by the Police, Led Zeppelin, Coldplay and others, along with SSTV transmission and station IDs/interval, were observed during this half-hour broadcast.

This was the good news. The bad news was the transmission on 17.560 kHz was weak to fair and severely affected by QRM station splatter from CNR in Beijing. Another 5 kHz up the dial and transmission would have been clear, albeit still weak. Overall SINPO was 23432. Transmission fared much better in eastern Europe and India, even Japan, certainly much better than in South East Asia. HERE's how Radio Northern Ireland sounded in Malaysia.

Reception report was emailed and submitted by Facebook Messenger on the same day. Jordan verified report and promised QSL card. Thank you very much for making this transmission possible for listeners in Asia, Jordan!!! QSL card arrived in the mail on 27 June 2016.

Radio Thailand World Service (HSK9)

Radio Thailand World Service (HSK9), transmitting from Udon Thani (Thailand), was logged on 5 June 2016, from 12.30 to 13.00 UTC. Their English language broadcast consisted of national and in-depth news, several advertisements promoting Radio Thailand, Thai / Vietnamese restaurants and hotels. At 13.00 UTC, their interval signal (clock chimes), followed by Japanese language broadcast was noted. Reception on 9.390 kHz was  (SINPO) 55545 -- good signal strength and audio clarity with slight fading. No surprise here, considering my listening post is in neighbouring Malaysia!

Reception report was emailed a few days later. 

Email:
feedback@hsk9.org

New Life Station - KNLS (Anchor Point, Alaska)

New Life Station - KNLS, transmitting from Anchor Point (Alaska), was logged on 5 June 2016. An innovative mix of contemporary music and evangelical programming was monitored from 10.09 till 11.00 UTC (broadcast time 10.00 till 11.00 UTC). Reception on 11.870 kHz was (SINPO) 44544 - good signal strength and clarity of audio, despite fading and heterodyning early in the transmission. 

Reception report was emailed on the same day to KNLS.

Email: 

knls@aol.com

Voice of Indonesia (die Stimme Indonesiens)

Voice of Indonesia (die Stimme Indonesiens) in Jakarta was logged on 2 June 2016. Their hour long German language service, from 18.00 till 19.00 UTC, consisted of news, in-depth reports on trade/industry in Indonesia and cultural programes "Indonesische Wonder" and "Indonesische Musik". Reception on 9.525 kHz was (SINPO) 55444 -- strong and clear signal (given my close proximity - Malaysia), but terrible transmitter hum and slight fade. The transmitter noise seems to be an ongoing problem, so bad that audio is nearly at the same decibel level as the TXer on some days.

Reception report was submitted in German, both online and email. To date I have submitted at least four reception reports and not one QSL card has been issued. One QSL card for three reception reports (June, July and August 2016) arrived in the mail on 3 October 2016.

Email:
voi.deutsch@gmail.com

Website: 

de.voi.co.id/

Radio Northern Ireland* (via Kall-Krekel)

Radio Northern Ireland*, transmitting from Radio 700 in Kall-Krekel (Germany), was logged on 2 June 2016. a selection of old and new rock tunes, along with an SSTV transmission, was heard from 19.30 till 20.00 UTC. Reception on 6.005 kHz from Twente in the Netherlands was absolutely perfect -- strong and clear audio, no QRM, no QRN, rating a SINPO of 55555! 

Reception report was emailed and Facebook messaged to RNI a few hours after the broadcast. DJ and station producer/veri-signer, Jordan, promptly replied to my Facebook message saying: "Thank you.  I can happily confirm it. I am glad it actually came in great to utwente. I'll post you a QSL card ASAP to confirm this." QSL card arrived in the mail on 27 June 2016.

Email:

radionorthernireland@outlook.com

*Transmission received using the remote SDR receiver located in the Netherlands (Twente).

KBS World Radio (via Kimjae)

KBS World Radio, transmitting from Kimjae (Republic of Korea), was received on 2 June 2016, from 14.15 till 15.00 UTC (broadcast time 14.00 till 15.00 UTC). "K-Pop Connection", hosted by DJ Young Kim and Angela Park, was heard during much of the broadcast and featured Korean music artists and Korean pop culture icons. Reception on 9.640 kHz was (SINPO) 55545 -- reasonably clear and strong with occasional, nearly insignificant fading.

Reception report was submitted online and emailed the following day to KBS. QSL card with stickers arrived in mail on 24 June 2014.

Email:
english@kbs.co.kr

Voice of Mongolia

Voice of Mongolia, transmitting from Ulaan Baator, was logged on 2 June 2016. Mongolian, Chinese and Japanese language broadcasts were monitored from 09.45 till 10.35 UTC. Reception on 12.035 kHz  was remarkably good, except for occasional break-up of speech and minor transmitter related fading, earning a SINPO rating of 45444. HERE is the station ID for their Japanese broadcast at 10.30 UTC.

Reception report was emailed the following day, 3 June 2016

Radio Taiwan International (via Tainan)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Tainan, was logged on 2 June 2016. An English language broadcast featuring  the programmes "Here in Taiwan", "Stroke of Light", "Eye on China", "Easy Chinese" and "One More Time" was observed from 03.00 till 04.00 UTC. I hasten to add the programming is superbly produced and written. I was especially impressed with "Stroke of Light" which focused on the painters, sculptors and designers in Taiwan. Reception on 15.320 kHz was (SINPO) 55555. 

Reception report was submitted online and emailed on the same day.QSL card and coaster arrived in the mail on 30 July 2016.

QSL in the Mailbox

Spectrum Management & Synergy verified two medium-wave stations of All India Radio (AIR) in one QSL card, which depicts the Rock-shelter (Group III) of Bhimbetka. The verifications were for AIR Indore on (648 kHz) and AIR Jabalpur (on 801 kHz), both located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This makes five of 11 medium-wave verifications for AIR stations. Mighty glad to have these! Thank you, Spectrum Management & Synergy and All India Radio.

June 2016

The Rhein Main Radio Club Calendar for month of June 2016