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.