QSLs for October 2017

IRIB Radio Quran. Goldasteh, Iran.

Radio Taiwan International (National Day broadcast). Baochung, Taiwan.
Radio Taiwan International (Special German broadcast). Tamsui, Taiwan.
JOPG - (NHK-1). Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan.
JOCF - Minaminihon Broadcasing Co. Ltd (MBC). Kagoshima, Japan.
JOAP - (NHK-1). Okinawa, Japan.
Chongqing PBS (Chóngqìng Rénmín Guǎngbō Diàntá). Chongqing. China.
All India Radio Pune. Maharashtra, India.
All India Radio Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Vatican Radio. Santa Maria di Galeria, Vatican.
KNLS - New Life Station. Anchor Point, Alaska
NHK World Radio Japan. Palau Medorn.
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. Trincomalee. Sri Lanka.
Radio Romania International. Galbenia, Romania.
ABC Local Radio Capricornia / 4QD. Emerald, Queensland, Australia.
Japan Short Wave Club/Wavescan via WRMI. Okeechobee, Florida, USA

IRIB Radio Quran (via Goldasteh)

IRIB Radio Quran, transmitting from Goldasteh, Chahardangeh District, Eslamshahr County (Islamic Republic of Iran) was received on 900 kHz (MW). Reception rated a SINPO of 24322 -- weak to fair signal strength when not fading under atmospheric noise and static bursts from a local thunderstorm. Audio was occasionally clear with discernible content when signal was at its strongest. A Farsi language broadcast with tafsir/tajweed commentary from a male announcer was observed between Quran recitation of various ayats by different male qāriʾ from 18.15 till 18.40 UTC, on 8 September 2017. HERE and HERE is IRIB Radio Quran.

Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card, along with IRIB website card, was received in the mail on 26 October 2017.

Radio Taiwan International (via Baochung)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Baochung (Taiwan), aired a 'live' broadcast of the 106th National Day festivities on 10 October 2017, from 02.00 till 03.00. RTI announcers Natalie Soh and John Van Trieste hosted this hour-long broadcast of speeches from  the President of Taiwan, foreign dignitaries and guests, as well as music by "Formosa Crew" UTC. Insomuch as this transmission targeted Southeast Asia, reception on 15.130 kHz rated a  SINPO of 55555 -- excellent on all accounts for the duration of the broadcast. HERE's an audio excerpt from this broadcast.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 25 October 2017.

Listeners who tuned in to this broadcast received an RTI souvenir -- a black-and-white tote bag, featuring RTI insignia and microphones over the ages. 

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Radio Taiwan International (via Tamsui)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Tamsui (Taiwan), in a special German language broadcast  was received on 29 September 2017. News and the programme Panorama was observed from 18.00 to 19.00 UTC. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 12.030 kHz initially rated a SINPO of 44333 -- good signal strength and clear content, despite deep fading and atmospheric noise. Reception deteriorated after 18.25 UTC with increased fading and atmospheric noise, which degraded the SINPO to 34323. As the show progressed, the noise level increased for some very unpleasant listening. HERE and HERE is the special German broadcast of RTI from Tamsui, as heard in Malaysia.

Reception report was emailed and submitted online, the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 25 October 2017.

JOPG - Nippon Hoso Kyokai 1 (Kushiro)

NHK-1 (JOPG) in Kushiro  Prefecture (Japan) was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 585 kHz, under poor but audible conditions, rating an overall SINPO of  14321. A Japanese language broadcast of continuous Japanese pop songs was observed from 19.15 till 20.00 UTC, on 8 September 2017.

Reception report was emailed (NHK World Radio) and posted to JOPG with an audio file. QSL card arrived in the mail on 24 October 2017. A very nice follow-up email from JOPG was received later in the evening.

Logbook for 18 - 20 October 2017

INDIA 

All India Radio Vijayawada was heard with classical Indian music (flute composition), from 17.10 till 17.30 UTC. News in English and Hindi followed until sign-off around 17.40 UTC.  Reception on 837 kHz rated a SINPO of 34323 initially, but signal gradually disappeared after 17.28 UTC, with news only faintly observed till transmission ended. HERE's AIR Vijayawada.

All India Radio Dibrugarh  was noted with Classical India music after 16.50 UTC . Reception on 567 kHz rated a SINPO OF 44333 -- strong and clear signal when not fading and mixing with co-frequency stations. HERE's a bit of their programming.

MYANMAR

Myanmar Radio with VOA Special English programme and English pop songs was observed after 15.55 UTC. Music with English speaking host was heard until sign-off at 17.00 UTC. Reception on 576 kHz is SINPO 54544 -- an exceptionally powerful signal with possibly an AIR station and Thai station occassionally, albeit faintly, making their presence known. HERE's an excerpt from this broadcast.

PHILIPPINES
Vatican Radio via Tinang was heard in Russian at 12.35 UTC. Reception on 15.370 kHz rated a SINPO of 34433.

SAUDI ARABIA
BSKSA Riyad with programming in Urdu was noted at 12.45 UTC onward. Transmission on 13.775 kHZ rated a SINPO of 35443.

TURKEY
Voice of Turkey via Emirler with a broadcast of news, Turkish cultural programmes and music in Urdu was observed at 12.40 UTC onward. Reception on 13.710 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555.

UAE
Radio Free Asia via Dhabbayah aired Burmese programming from 12.30 UTC onward. News and current event reports about Myanmar, particularly a report of the Rohingya crisis and relief efforts in SEA, was observed on 13.630 kHz. SINPO rated 45544.

VIETNAM 
Voice of Vietnam via Hanoi with broadcast in Indonesian was noted at 13.00 UTC. News and cultural programmes about Vietnam were pbserved on 9.840 kHz. SINPO was 44544.


RX:  Sangean ATS-909 (MW); Degen DE-1102 (SW); Panasonic RF-B45 (SW) ANT: internal ferrite rod (MW); long wire (SW) RX LOC: Kuala Lumpur

JOCF - Minaminihon Broadcasing Co. Ltd (Kagoshima)

JOCF - Minaminihon Broadcasing Co. Ltd (MBC), transmitting with 20 kw of power from Kagoshima, was logged on the medium-wave frequency of 1107 kHz. Talk and pop music in Japanese was observed from 17.00 till 19.15 UTC. On 20 Sept 2017, after 17.00 UTC, SINPO rated 13321 -- very weak, audible, occasionally clear content despite mixing with co-frequency station (possibly in Xijiang) and fading. On 21 Sept 2017, after 19.00 UTC, reception was slightly better with a SINPO of 24422 -- weak and occasional fading, but with improved audio and clear content. HERE is JOCF as heard in the Kuala Lumpur area.

Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 2017.

JOAP - Nippon Hoso Kyokai 1 (Okinawa)

NHK-1 (JOAP) in Okinawa Prefecture was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 549 kHz, under poor but audible conditions, rating a SINPO of 14221. Despite severe scratchy atmospheric noise, a Japanese language broadcast of Japanese pop songs, hosted by a male announcer, was observed from 17.05 till 17.30 UTC, on 7 September 2017. On  nights when propagation is bad, the signal is detected but with no discernible content. That's not bad actually for a 10 kW station out of Japan.

POSTSCRIPT
HERE and HERE is JOAP as received on 8 March 2020, using a Tecsun S-2000 with a rooftop 1/4 wave aerial linked to the receiver's ferrite rod. Previous reception in 2017 was done using a Sangean ATS-909 with only the internal ferrite rod.

Reception report was posted to NHK-1/JOAP and emailed (to NHK World Radio). QSL card, station mascot stickers and postcards/programme guide of popular Japanese TV drama arrived in the mail on 20 October 2017.

Chongqing PBS

 Chongqing PBS, News Service (Chóngqìng Rénmín Guǎngbō Diàntái, Xīnwén Pínlǜ) was logged on the medium-wave frequency of 1314 kHz. An all news broadcast was observed from 17.00 till 17.40 UTC, on 4 September 2017. SINPO 23322 - weak to fair signal with momentary peaks of clear audio, despite co-frequency interference from presumably Osaka Broadcasting Corporation (Japan). By 17.30 UTC, Chongqing PBS dominated the frequency. Before 17.00 UTC, Chongqing PBS signal was impossible hear due to a station in Thailand operating on the same frequency.

Reception report was emailed to CRI on the following day. CRI verified for PBS with a QSL card, which was received in the mail on 20 October 2017.

NHK World Radio Letters of Acknowledgement

In an effort to receive confirmation from two medium-wave stations in Japan: NHK-1/JOAP (Okinawa) and NHK-1/JOPG (Kushiro), I emailed NHK World Radio. Surprisingly, NHK World Radio replied, not with confirmation per se but with letters of acknowledgement. And, their correspondence came quickly, within two weeks from the time I emailed them.

Additionally, reception reports were posted approximately in the same period to JOAP and JOPG, having learned this is the best way to QSL Japanese domestic stations. Hopefully in the coming month or so an actual verification card from each of these stations will appear in the letterbox. 

Needless to say, I am impressed with the efficiency, speed and care NHK World Radio took to reply. Thank you, NHK World Radio! 

All India Radio Pune (Maharashtra)

All India Radio Pune / Akashvani Pune in Maharashtra was logged on the medium-wave frequency of 792 kHz under decent conditions, here in the Kuala Lumpur area. Devotional music and news was observed from 16.40 till 17.40 UTC, on 9 September 2017. SINPO was 33433 -- fair signal strength, clear audio when not fading under an unidentified Chinese broadcaster operating on the same frequency. Reception seemed to improve after 17.00 UTC, but still with co-frequency interference. HERE's AIR Pune.

Reception report was emailed and posted in subsequent days. QSL card, verifying AIR Pune, AIR Srinagar and AIR  Jalandhar, arrived in the mail on 17 October 2017.

All India Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)

All India Srinagar A / Akashvani Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir with classical Indian music followed by news in English and Hindi was observed from 17.15 till 17.40 UTC, on 8 August 2017. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1116 kHz was weak and barely audible, breaking occasionally above the noise and heterodyning, then fading under every few minutes. SINPO rated a puny 13431. 

Reception report was emailed and posted in subsequent days. QSL card, verifying AIR Pune, AIR Srinagar and AIR  Jalandhar, arrived in the mail on 17 October 2017. A follow-up QSL arrived in the mail on 20 December 2017.

Vatican Radio (Santa Maria di Galeria)

Vatican Radio in Santa Maria di Galeria aired a Ukrainian language programme from 16.40 till 17.00 UTC, on 6 August 2017. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 11.715 kHz was good for much of the transmission with a SINPO 54544 -- excellent signal strength, clear audio, almost unnoticeable fade. A broadcast in the Belorussian followed at 17.00 UTC.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 14 October 2017.

Logbook for 11 - 13 October 2017

CYPRUS
Radio Sawa / BBG via Cap Greco was received  on the medium-wave frequency of 990 kHz, rating a SINPO of 24432 -- weak to fair signal strength, occasionally clear and discernible content whenever signal peaked (every two to three minutes). An Arabic language broadcast featuring news reports / discussion was heard from 17.25 till 17.45 UTC.

INDIA
All India Radio Raipur (Akashvani Raipur) in Chhattisgarh was logged on on the medium-wave frequency of  981 kHz, between 17.10 till 17.35 UTC. Reception from 17.10 till 17.20 UTC rated a SINPO of 23432 -- weak to fair signal with co-frequency interference from stations in Taiwan and China when not fading every few minutes. After 17.20 UTC, overpowering interference from Voice of Kuanghua (Taiwan) and possibly a broadcaster in China blocked reception of  AIR Raipur. Before 17.00 UTC, reception was impossible due to a Thai station. Content of programming consisted of possibly Indian folk song, performed by a female singer. HERE's AIR Raipur.

JAPAN
Radio Nikkei 1, transmitting from Chiba-Nagara, was logged on the short-wave frequency of 3.925  kHz. A Japanese  language broadcast with Electronica and Japanese pop music was monitored from  14.15  till 14.45 UTC.  Reception rated a (SINPO) of 34333 -- poor to fair signal, occasionally clear audio despite atmospheric noise and occasional fading. HERE's a bit of Radio Nikkei I

THAILAND
Radio Thailand World Service (HSK9) was received from 14.20 till 14.30 UTC (14.00 till 14.30 UTC), under excellent reception conditions with a SINPO of 55555 on 9.390 kHz. "Thailand Magazine" included reports about Genesis project, preparation of Thai athletes for Tokyo Olympics 2020,  Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development project, and late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's efforts to provide cloud seeding for Thai farmers. HERE's  Radio Thailand World Service.

 RX:  Sangean ATS-909 (MW); Degen DE-1102 (SW) ANT: internal ferrite rod (MW); long wire (SW) RX LOC: Kuala Lumpur

NHK World Radio Japan (via Palau Medorn)

NHK World Radio Japan, transmitting from Palau Medorn, was monitored from 14.00 till 14.30 UTC, on 11 September 2017. An English language broadcast of news, the programmes "Insight" and "Easy Japanese", along with a Japanese pop song was observed. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 11.705 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555 - Excellent reception on all accounts.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 12 October 2017.

KNLS - New Life Station (via Anchor Point)

KNLS - New Life Station via Anchor Point (Alaska), was logged on 15.515 kHz, with SINPO of 55545 -- near perfect reception with slight fading. Christian programming with contemporary Western pop music was heard during their "English Hour" from 03.45 till 04.00 UTC (broadcast time 03.00 till 04.00 UTC), on 6 April 2017.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. QSL card arrived on 12 October 2017.

Logbook for 8 - 10 October 2017

JAPAN
NHK-1 (JOPG) in Kushiro  Prefecture was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 585 kHz, under poor but audible conditions, rating an overall SINPO of  14321. A Japanese language broadcast of continuous Japanese pop songs was observed from 19.15 till 20.00 UTC.

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, transmitting from the former DW relay site in Trincomalee, aired in their newly launched Tamil language broadcast to expats in the Middle East. Content of brodcast included mostly listener phone-ins and Tamil music from 17.40 till 18.01 UTC (broadcast time 1700 till 18.00 UTC). Reception on 11.835 kHz was fair, but not as good as previous broadcasts, owing to atmospheric noise and fading.

TAIWAN
Radio Taiwan International had a special 106th National Day broadcast to Southeast Asia on 10 October 2017. Listened to speeches of dignitaries and music from 02.00 till 03.00 UTC. Reception on 15.130 kHz was excellent for the duration of the broadcast. HERE's an audio excerpt. 

UNID
Suspect Philippine station, but not absolutely certain, operating on the medium-wave frequency of 702 kHz. Continuous 80s Western pop music, without station IDs and advertisements/promos, was observed before and after 20.00 UTC. SINPO was 25432.

RX: Panasonic RF-45B (MW); DEGEN DE-1102 (MW/SW) ANT: ferrite rod, loop and/or long wire RX LOC: Kuala Lumpur

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (Trincomalee)

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, transmitting from Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), was logged on 8 October 2017. Listened to their Tamil language broadcast of listener phone-ins and Tamil music from 17.40 till 18.01 UTC (broadcast time 17.00 till 18.00 UTC). Reception on 11.835 kHz was fair, but not as good as previous broadcasts, owing to atmospheric noise and fading. Overall,  SINPO rated 44343.

Reception report and eQSL were sent within an hour of each other on 9 October 2017. Thank you, Victor.

Logbook for 7 October 2017

FRANCE
Deutsche Welle, transmitting from the Issoudun site, was heard on the shortwave frequency of 15.290 kHz, under good conditions with a SINPO of 45444. An informative current events magazine called "WorldLink", hosted by Gabriel Borrud, was observed in this English language broadcast from 16.25 till 17.00 UTC (broadcast time 16.00 till 17.00 UTC).

JAPAN
NHK-1 (JOAP) in Okinawa Prefecture was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 549 kHz, under poor but audible conditions, rating a SINPO of 14221. Despite severe scratchy atmospheric noise, a Japanese language broadcast of Japanese pop songs, hosted by a male announcer, was observed from 17.05 till 17.30 UTC. On  nights when propagation is bad, the signal is detected but with no discernible content.

PHILIPPINES
FEBC Manila - Radio Teos, transmitting from Bocaue, was heard on the shortwave frequency of 11.650 kHz, under excellent conditions, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, rating a SINPO of 55545. A religious topic in the Russian language was discussed between two men from 15.30 till 16.00 UTC.

VIETNAM
Voice of Vietnam, transmitting from Hanoi, was heard on the shortwave frequency of 9.840 kHz, under good conditions with a SINPO of 54544. News, Review of the Week and Fall Festival music was observed in this English language broadcast from 15.00 till 15.27 UTC.

RX: Sangean ATS-909 (MW); Panasonic RF-45B (MW/SW); DEGEN DE-1102 (SW) ANT: internal ferrite rod and Loop (MW); long wire (SW) RX LOC: Kuala Lumpur

Japan Short Wave Club/Wavescan (via Okeechobee)

Japan Short Wave Club/Wavescan via WRMI in Okeechobee (USA) was received on 1 January 2017, from 23.30 till 00.00 UTC. In this particular segment of Wavescan, KVOH Operation's Manager (Ray Robinson) discussed the history of Voice of Nigeria and the operations of Voice of Hope (in Zambia), Jeff White profiled 'Chocolate Music' and the 'Wrong QSL', along with  the JSWC DX Report, presented by Yukiko Tsuji. Reception on 9.955 kHz (SINPO) rated 25322 -- weak but audible and occasionally clear content, despite atmospheric noise. This transmission was best received in LSB mode.

Reception report was emailed on 4 January 2017. QSL card arrived in the mail on 5 October 2017.

ABC Local Radio Capricornia / 4QD (Queensland)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC Local Radio Capricornia / 4QD) in  Emerald, Queensland was logged on the medium-wave frequency of 1548 kHz. The programme "Overnights" with Trevor Chappell was observed from 17.15 till 18.00 UTC. on 4 October 2017. SINPO rated a 24332 -- fair to poor signal strength when not fading under and mixing with possible Philippine station. Audio content was discernible whenever signal peaked at its strongest level. Reception quality worsened after 17.50 UTC, at which point signal was too weak and increased mixing with Philippine station. HERE's how Radio Capricornia / 4QD sounded in Malaysia.

Reception report was emailed to ABC Local (Emerald) and  Radio Master Control for ABC, Graham Himmelhoch-Mutton. On 5 October 2017, Mr. Himmelhoch-Mutton confirmed with an email, which I then converted to a PPC with Emerald landmark and ABC Capricornia logo. Thank you, Graham.

Radio Romania International

Radio Romania International was heard on 28 July 2017.  from 16.00 till 16.55 UTC, on the short-wave frequency of 9.500 kHz. SINPO was initially 33443 -- fair signal strength and clear audio, but with "white noise" from transmitter up until about 16.20 UTC. Around 16.40 UTC, reception was 44444 -- fair to good signal strength, clear audio with slight interference from TWR Africa (Swaziland), but "white noise" had disappeared.

Reception report was emailed. QSL card arrived on 2 October 2017.

RMRC Calendar for October 2017

The Rhein Main Radio Club Calendar for month of October 2017