Thursday, July 6, 2017

Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK-3)


Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK-3), transmitting from Golden Hill [Kam Shan], Hong Kong [Xianggang] on the medium-wave frequency of 567 kHz, has been monitored in Malaysia for over a month now. Not bad for a station that supposedly operates at 20kW, over 2,500 kms away! 

Reception was initially observed after 17.30 till 18.30 UTC, but mixing with either AIR Dibrugarh (India), NHK1 (Hokkaido), KBS1 (South Korea), DXCH-AM or DWRP-AM (Philippines). Before 17.00 UTC stations in Thailand and Laos pretty much dominated the frequency in my quarter.

Propagation proved remarkably good on 5 July 2017, from 19.00 till 20.00 UTC, allowing clear and strong reception of RTHK-3, free of co-frequency QRM. Only  slight fading and occasional static bursts marred an otherwise beautiful signal. On the following night, 6 July, at the same time, reception again was decent enough to provide a clear, steady and audible signal.

The programme content is mostly in English, although occasionally Chinese is spoken. At the top of the hour time pips, station ID and news of the world and Hong Kong is heard from 18.00 UTC onward. This is followed five minutes later with "Night Music", a regular nightly programme featuring Western Classical music. HERE's a bit of the RTHK-3 programming.


Three reception reports were emailed: two in June and one in July. The initial report, sent in early June, was also posted to their station. RTHK-3 promptly responded to the emailed reports which included a few audio files. The clips, full of QRM and atmospheric noise mixing with their barely audible signal, was rejected as proof of reception and therefore insufficient for QSL. Reception report of 5 July 2017, submitted with multiple audio files of adequate quality and clarity, was confirmed on 7 July 2017. Paper QSL card and confirmation letter arrived in the mail on 18 July 2017.

RTHK-3 email promising QSL Card
Needless to say if one wishes to obtain a QSL from RTHK-3 be prepared. Make certain your report contains accurate and precise content, and be sure to include clear and audible audio files of their programming. Happy DXing and 73!

Email:
radio3@rthk.hk
ccu@rthk.org.hk

Address:
RTHK Corporate Communications Unit (RTHK-3)
30 Broadcast Drive,
Kowloon, Hong Kong

RX: Sangean ATS-909 / Panasonic RF-B45 ANT: ferrite rod and MW loop RX LOC: near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

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