QSLs for Month of December 2018

KCBS Pyongyang.  Kanggye, Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Radio Romania International. Galbeni, Romania.
Radio Romania International. Galbeni, Romania.
Trans World Radio*. Central Asia.
Radio Thailand World Service - HSK9. Udonthani (Ban Dung), Thailand.
IBB/BBG for Radio Thailand World. Udonthani (Ban Dung), Thailand.
Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Turkey.
NHK World Radio Japan. Yamata, Japan.

*Transmission logged from SDR receiver at the University of Twente, The Netherlands

Signficant QSLs for 2018

While many verifications were received this year, the QSLs depicted in the above video were among my prized gems. Most were for MW stations. A few were special SW broadcasts.  A few were a right royal pain in the derriere to monitor, then to finally obtain the station managers' QSL. And one card (from Voice of Turkey) I simply like for its political statement/social conscience. 

I am not sure how my quest for QSLs will fair next year. With each passing year it is becoming more and more difficult to find new stations to DX, what with propagation being so poor and so much QRN, in my quarter. And then, a verification is next to impossible to acquire for many stations. That said, here's my list of significant QSLs for 2018:

- Radio 4KZ. Innisfail, Queensland, Australia.
- Ozy Radio. Razorback, New South Wales, Australia.
- Norddeutscher Rundfunk. Nauen, Germany and Moosbrunn, Austria.
- Radio Emmeloord. Nauen, Germany.
- Radio DARC. Moosbrunn, Austria.
- Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Turkey.
- Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran. Fesenduz. Marhemetabad District, West Azerbaijan Province.
- All India Radio Vijayawada. Andhra Pradesh, India.
- All India Radio Jeypore. Odisha, India.
- All India Radio Raipur. Chhattisgarh, India.
- All India Radio Bhawanipatna. Belamal, Odisha, India.
- Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation. Islamabad and Peshawar, Pakistan.
- Radio Republik Indonesia. Singaraja, Bali.
- Friedensstimme Mission. Nauen, Germany.
- VOA / Radio Sawa. Umm al-Rimam, Kuwait.
- Radio Sawa / BBG.Cap Greco, Cyprus.
- Radio Thailand. Phuket, Thailand.
- Radio Thailand. Songkhla, Thailand.
- RTM Radio Tawau - Limbang FM. Kajang, Malaysia.
- FEBC - Radio Teos. Iba, Philippines.
- Shanghai Coast Radio Station - XSG. Shanghai, China.
- Kyrgyz Radio  (Birinchi Radio). Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.☺

Radio Thailand World Service - HSK9

Radio Thailand World Service - HSK9  in Udonthani (Ban Dung), was logged on  27 November 2018, from 02.10 till 02.35 UTC with Business Report in English, advertisements for Radio Thailand and Thai Music, followed by programming in Thai at 02.30 UTC. Reception on 13.745 kHz rated a SINPO 55544 -- excellent signal strength, no interference, clear audio, only a bit of occasional fading.

Reception report was emailed to Radio Thailand on the same day. QSL card arrived on 10 December 2018.

RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT  3 meter wire QTH West Malaysia

Voice of Vietnam Souvenir

This Voice of Vietnam bookmark was received in the mail, today. I suspect this souvenir was intended to  accompany their QSL card for a recent reception report. Oddly, VoV has promised a few previous QSL cards, but none have been received to date. In years past, VoV was much more reliable.

KCBS Pyongyang (via Kanggye)

Korean Central Broadcasting Station  (KCBS) Pyongyang, broadcasting  from a 50 kW transmitter site in Kanggye, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, was logged on  6 October 2018. A selection of uninterrupted classical orchestral and vocal music was monitored from 05.25 to 06.00 UTC. Transmission was observed on 11.680 kHz. Reception (SINPO) rated 45434.

Reception report was posted to Radio-Television Committee of the DPR of Korea -- same address as The Voice of Korea. I am aware a Voice of Korea email exists, however, I have never received a verification card using it, whether it be for the Voice of Korea and KCBS Pyongyang.

Address:

Radio-Television Committee of the DPR of Korea

Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea

Radio Romania International

Radio Romania International via Galbeni was logged on 10 November 2018, from 04.00 till 04.57 UTC. English language programming featured RRI Music Festival Quiz, "Focus on Romania", "Welcome to Romania" Romanian pop and traditional music. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 11.790 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 35333 -- fair signal, but very noisy with lots of atmospheric noise and fading, especially 20 minutes after broadcast began. 

Reception report was emailed on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 17 December 2018.

RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT  3 meter wire QTH West Malaysia

Radio Romania International

Radio Romania International's English language broadcast  to South Asia and Australia was logged on 15 October 2018. Delightful Romanian pop music was heard, along with The Cooking Show telling how to pickle vegetables, RRI Encyclopedia looked at neolithic pottery in the Moldavian region and Travel Romania went to wetlands of southern Romania, from 05.30 till 05.57 UTC. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 17.760 kHz was fair throughout the duration of the broadcast, rating a SINPO of 35333 -- fair signal, clear audio, yet mixing with atmospheric noise. HERE is RRI. 

Reception report was submitted on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 17 December 2018.

RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT  3 meter wire QTH West Malaysia

Trans World Radio* (via Centra Asia)

Trans World Radio*,  transmitting from Central Asia (presumed to be Yerevan-Gavar, Armenia), was logged in a test transmission on 1377 kHz, from 15.45 till 16.20 UTC, on 7 November 2018. Transmission received in Enschede, The Netherlands rated a  SINPO of 43433 -- fair reception, occasionally audible and clear content despite QRM from China National Radio. Reception seemed to be worse after 16.10 UTC. In Malaysia, signal could not be detected due to strong interference from Radio Thailand and China National Radio. Usually their signal on 1377 kHz is best heard in Malaysia after 18.00 UTC.

Reception report was emailed to TWR Europe and Mr. Vasily Gulyaev in subsequent days. Kalman Dobos for TWR Europe sent an eQSL and nice note on 14 December 2018.

*Transmission logged from SDR receiver at the University of Twente, The Netherlands

NHK World Radio Japan (Hindi Service)

Holiday Greetings from NHK World Radio Japan (Hindi Service) 

IBB/BBG for Radio Thailand World Service

IBB/BBG for Radio Thailand World Service - HSK9 via IBB facility in Udonthani, was logged on  27 November 2018, from 02.10 till 02.35 UTC with Business Report in English, advertisements for Radio Thailand and Thai Music, followed by programming in Thai at 02.30 UTC. Reception on 13.745 kHz rated a SINPO 55544 -- excellent signal strength, no interference, clear audio, only a bit of occasional fading.

Reception report was emailed to IBB/BBG and Radio Thailand on the same day. QSL card arrived on 10 December 2018.

RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT  3 meter wire QTH West Malaysia

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey transmitting from Emirler was logged on  20 October 2018. News about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, and Turkish pop music was observed from 16.30 till 17.17 UTC. Reception on 15.520 kHz at sign-on was (SINPO) 22321 -- weak signal, co-frequency interference from Spanish language broadcaster, fading and atmospheric noise. Around 17.00 UTC reception improved sightly to 25432 -- signal stabilised, discernible audio content, although still reasonably weak.

Reception report was emailed to TRT on the following day. QSL card arrived on 10 December 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Malaysia

NHK World Radio Japan (via Yamata)

NHK World Radio Japan via Yamata was heard on 12 November 2018, from 02.30 till 03.05 UTC. During this Japanese language broadcast, a programme on the music of Led Zeppelin, Jeffereson Airplane and Western classical compositions was featured. Reception on 17.810 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 55555 -- excellent reception. 

Reception report was emailed and submitted to an online web form on the same day. QSL card arrived on 5 December 2018.


RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT  3 meter wire QTH West Malaysia

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club Calendar for December 2018

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club Calendar for the month of December 2018

KBS World Radio Calendar - December 2018

KBS World Radio Calendar for month of December 2018

QSLs for Month of November 2018

Radio Sawa (Voice of America). Umm al-Rimam, Kuwait.
MissionswerkWerner Heukelbach*. Weenermoor, Germany.
Radio Taiwan International. Paochung, Taiwan.
Radio Taiwan International. Taipei, Taiwan.
Radio Taiwan International. Kostinbrod, Bulgaria.
Radio Emmeloord. Nauen, Germany.
Radio Habana Cuba. Habana, Cuba.
Radio Habana Cuba. Habana, Cuba.

 *Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.

Radio Taiwan International (via Paochung)

Radio Taiwan International via  Paochung was received on 10 November 2018, from 03.00 till 04.00 UTC. English programming included "Here in Taiwan",  "Taiwan Today", "Taipei Storyteller", "News Makers" and "One More Thing". Reception on 15.320 kHz was 55555 --  good signal strength, clear audio, no interference, no fading -- perfect reception!

Reception report was emailed the same day.  QSL card was received on 28 November 2018.

Logbook from 21 October till November 27

ARMENIA
Trans World Radio* via Yerevan-Gavar was heard on the medium-wave frequency of 1377 kHz, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, on 27 November 2018, from 15.45 till 16.20 UTC while using a remote SDR receiver at Twente University (The Netherlands). This test transmission in the Russian language, directed to Central Asia, rated a (SINPO) of 43433 -- fair reception, occasionally audible and clear content despite QRM from China National Radio. Reception seemed to be worse after 16.10 UTC. In Malaysia, signal could not be detected due to strong interference from Radio Thailand and China National Radio. HERE is TWR (Yerevan).

ASCENSION
Radio Ndarason Internationale (quite possibly the former Radio Dandal Kura International)was observed with African music and talk from after 18.30 till 18.50 UTC, on 20 Novenver 2018. Reception on 12.050 kHz rate an SINPO of 25432 -- weak signal, but no interference, only fading occasionally made listening difficult. HERE is RNI (Ascension).


BULGARIA

IBC - Italian Broadcasting Corporation via Spaceline (Kostinbrod-Sofia) was heard, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, on 31 October 2018,  while using the remote SDR receiver at Twente University (The Netherlands). Italian language programming with station ID presented by male announcer, followed by detailed reports on the broadcasting industry with teletype/morse code music was observed from 21.00 till 21.35 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 5.900 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 55555 -- strong signal and clear audio. Transmission was not audible in Malaysia. 

GERMANY

Missionswerk Werner Heukelbach* via (HCJB facility in Weenermoor) was heard on the short-wave frequency of 5.920 kHz, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, on 4 November 2018, from 15.00 till 16.00 UTC while using the remote SDR receiver at Twente University (The Netherlands). Reception initially rated a (SINPO) of 54544 -- strong signal, clear audio with slight fading and utility station QRM. After 15.40 UTC, reception worsened to SINPO 23522 with faint audio  fading under increased utility station (CW) QRM and later station splatter from China Radio International, making for some very noisy listening. By 15.50 UTC, strong QRM station splatter from the Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran made reception difficult to hear, although your signal could be faintly heard under VOIRI.

Schweizer Radio und Fernsehn (SRF)* via (Shortwave Service facility in Kall-Krekel) was heard, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, on 21 October 2018, while using the remote SDR receiver at Twente University (The Netherlands). News in German was observed from 16.00 till 16.35 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 6.005 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 54544 -- strong signal, clear audio with slight fading and occasional utility station QRM for the first 30 minutes of the transmission. After 16.30 UTC, signal was muted by utility station QRM, making reception next to impossible with only faint audio from SRF.

JAPAN
NHK World Radio Japan via Yamata was heard on 12 November 2018, from 02.30 till 03.05 UTC. During this Japanese language broadcast, a programme on the music of Led Zeppelin, Jeffereson Airplane and Western classical compositions was featured. Reception on 17.810 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 55555 -- excellent reception

MALAYSIA
Sarawak FM (9.835 kHz) and Wai FM (11.665 kHz) wer monitored between 15 till 17 November 2018. Transmission is either too weak (I live not far from the RTM facility in Kajang) or not heard at all. The reason? According to the Ismail Sulain, one of the engineers at the Kajang site, the "transmitter is currently on major maintenance and effected the transmission. The Sarawak FM and Wai FM broadcast will continue in operation when the said maintenance finish. The SW transmitter still in Kajang and our broadcast time from 0600 to 2200 daily."

ROMANIA
Radio Romania International via Galbeni was logged on 10 November 2018, from 04.00 till 04.57 UTC. English language programming featured RRI Music Festival Quiz, "Focus on Romania", "Welcome to Romania" Romanian pop and traditional music. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 11.790 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 35333 -- fair signal, but very noisy with lots of atmospheric noise and fading, especially 20 minutes after broadcast began.

SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation  with  Hindi programming was observed on 11 November 2018. Transmission was monitored from 02.15 till 02.30 UTC, which included a selection of songs, hosted by a female announcer. Reception on 11.905 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 54544 -- good signal strength and clear audio, despite slight station splatter and fading. The most glaring disturbance was the intermittent loss of audio/transmission feed. HERE is SLBC at sign-off. 

TAIWAN
Radio Taiwan International via  Paochung was received on 10 November 2018, from 03.00 till 04.00 UTC. English programming included "Here in Taiwan",  "Taiwan Today", "Taipei Storyteller", "News Makers" and "One More Thing". Reception on 15.320 kHz was 55555 --  good signal strength, clear audio, no interference, no fading -- perfect reception!

THAILAND

Radio Thailand World Service - HSK9 via IBB facility in Udonthani, was logged on  27 November 2018, from 02.10 till 02.35 UTC with Business Report in English, advertisements for Radio Thailand and Thai Music, followed by programming in Thai at 02.30 UTC. Reception on 13.745 kHz rated a SINPO 55544 -- excellent signal strength, no interference, clear audio, only a bit of occasional fading.

USA

Wavescan via WRMI (Okeechobee) was heard on 18 November 2018, from 22.55 till 23.30 UTC.  Ray Robinson presented a report on the history of the Canberra shortwave scene, particularly VHK, then Jeff White interviewed Radio Slovakia International's Gavin Shoebridge for a discussion about electronic gadgets and shortwave/internet/FM broadcasts in Slovakia during the B18 HFCC conference in Bratislava, followed by Harold Seller's DX Report from Canada (including descriptions of KNLS, RNZI, VOK from his QTH in British Columbia). Reception on  short-wave frequency of  9.955 kHz rated a (SINPO) of 25331 -- weak but audible signal, occasionally discernible audio content despite atmospheric noise.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 and Degen DE-1102 ANT 1/4 wave and 3 meter wire QTH central Malaysia

 *Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Voice of America - Radio Sawa (Kuwait)

VOA / Radio Sawa, transmitting from Umm al-Rimam (Kuwait), was logged on 24 January 2017. Arabic language news/current events was observed from 18.05 till 18.25 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 1548 kHz rated a SINPO of 25431 -- weak audio, occasionally clear and discernible content whenever signal peaked (every two to three minutes).

Reception report was emailed on the following day with follow-up emails in subsequent months. An email verification from the Director of Broadcast Technologies Division for BBG/IBB, was received on 24 May 2018, promised QSL card. The QSL card did indeed arrive on 23 November 2018.

Email:
QSL@usagm.gov

Missionswerk Werner Heukelbach* (via Weenermoor)

Missionswerk Werner Heukelbach*, transmitting from HCJB facility in Weenermoor (Germany), was heard on 4 November 2018, from 15.30 till 15.50 UTC, on the short-wave frequency of 5.920 kHz. Reception rated a SINPO of 54544 -- strong signal, clear audio with slight fading and utility station QRM. After 15.40 UTC, reception worsened to SINPO 23522 with faint audio  fading under increased utility station (CW) QRM and later station splatter from China Radio International, making for some very noisy listening. By 15.50 UTC, strong QRM station splatter from the Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran made reception difficult to hear, although signal could be faintly heard under VOIRI. HERE is Missionswerk Werner Heukelbach prior to QRM, late in the broadcast.

Reception report was submitted online and emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 November 2018.

Email:
info@missionswerk-heukelbach.de

 *Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, Enschede, the Netherlands.

Radio Taiwan International (via Taipei)

Radio Taiwan International via Taipei was logged on 10 October 2018. This Special 107th National Day broadcast featured speeches and music, hosted by Natalie Soh and Shirley Lin, from 02.00 till 03.00 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 15.305 kHz was excellent throughout the duration of the broadcast with a SINPO of 55555. 

Reception report was submitted on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 November 2018.

Reception report made while outstation

RX Degen DE-1102 ANT Whip QTH Klang, Malaysia

Radio Taiwan International (via Kostinbrod)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Kostinbrod (Bulgaria), was logged on 8 September 2018. This test transmission for German language speakers in Europe, from 19.00 till 19.30 UTC, was received on 5.900 kHz with a SINPO of 24322 -- weak signal, occasionally audible when not fading under atmospheric noise. Signal worsened after 19.20 UTC. HERE is RTI (Kostinbrod).

Reception report was emailed on the following day, then sent follow-up reports in subsequent weeks. Two QSL cards for this broadcast arrived in the mail on 19 November 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Emmeloord (via Nauen)

Radio Emmeloord via Media Broadcasting Gmbh (Nauen, Germany) was heard during their special broadcast on 6 October 2018. A broadcast of oldies, including The Hollies "On A Carousel", The Doors "Light My Fire", Itchycoo Park "It's All Too Beautiful", Bob Dylan, Engelbert Humperdinck and more, along with various Dutch announcers was received between 15.30 till 16.00 UTC (broadcast time 10.00 till 16.00 UTC). Reception on the short-wave frequency of 6.095 kHz, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, rated a SINPO of 23422 with lots of station splatter, slight fading, yet audio and occasionally clear content was observed. HERE is a very noisy Radio Emmeloord with The Doors "Light My Fire" and DJ chatting.

Reception report was emailed and posted online at Radio Emmeloord on the following day. DJs Dick Offringa and Hans Spoelstra, who were heard during this broadcast, replied to my abbreviated reception report on Facebook with emoticons (😮 and 👍). I'm not sure what it all means. Will they QSL? Or is this just a cursory acknowledgement? I did however notice a blank QSL card linked to DJ Dave Royal's Twitter account. The thing is no one wants to go out on a limb and state whether QSLs will be issued. Media Broadcasting Gmbh was also emailed a few days later. To date, no word has come from them either. It seems such a waste to spend so much money on logistics and SW air time, then not send at least an email to confirm. Oh well, we'll have to wait and see, I guess. Who knows?

Since posting this I have learned Dick Offringa has at least 100 QSL cards to fill out. So, hopefully a verification from Radio Emmeloord will appear in the mail soon. Well, the above eCards were received on 7 November 2018. None were properly completed, so I took the liberty to include the data for future reference. It's not quite the paper verification I had hoped for, but this eQSL is close enough.

RX: Sangean ATS-909 ANT: 20 meter dipole QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Habana Cuba

Radio Habana Cuba logged 19 and 20 November 2017, from 23.45 till 00.30 UTC with comments about Cuba and later Cuban music. Reception on 13.740 kHz at 23.45 UTC was SINPO 35333 -- poor to fair signal strength, clear and discernible content, atmospheric noise and slight fading. At 23.59 UTC, station splatter from Radio Thailand on 13.745 kHz mixed with RHC signal, which by 00.00 UTC had signed off. Reception on 15.230 kHz at 00.00 UTC was SINPO 25332 -- poor signal strength but clear content despite atmospheric noise. Signal continued to be heard at the same level after 00.30 UTC. I might add, RHC signal on this frequency was first detected around 23.20 UTC, which started as a faint carrier, then grew in strength. Ìn the Americas and Europe, RHC may be a dominant station; however, in South East Asia it is quite the catch, which one has to usually wait for in the winter months. And although I have QSLed the station many times, it always nice to receive their verification.  HERE is RHC.

Reception report was emailed on 20 November 2017. QSL cards for both reports arrived in the mail on 7 November 2018. 

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club Calendar for November 2018

Rhein-Main-Radio-Club Calendar for the month of November 2018

KBS World Radio Calendar - November 2018

KBS World Radio Calendar for month of November 2018

QSLs for Month of October 2018

Radio 4KZ. Innisfail, Queensland, Australia.
China Radio International. Cerrik, Albania.
All India Radio General Overseas Service. Panaji  (Goa).
Radio Nikkei 1. Chiba-Nagara, Japan.
Radio Taiwan International. Woofferton, England, UK.
Radio Taiwan International. Tamsui, Taiwan.
Mission Friedensstimme. Nauen, Germany.
Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Turkey.
Radio Romania International. Tiganesti-Saftica, Romania.
Radio Romania International. Galbeni, Romania.
Radio Merlin International*. England.

*Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

China Radio International (via Cerrik)

China Radio International via Cerrik, Albania was received on 17 September 2018. News and in depth reports in Arabic was monitored from 20.00 till 20.25 UTC. Reception on 6.185 kHz rated a SINPO of 24322 -- fair signal strength, clear audio, fading occasionally with some atmospheric noise. HERE is CRI (Cerrik).

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 30 September 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Souvenirs from NHK World Radio Japan

Souvenirs from NHK World Radio Japan Hindi Service arrived in the mail, today. No QSL cards were enclosed in the envelope, only a promo sticker for the upcoming Grand Sumo event and postcard of Mount Fuji, two iconic images of Japan. I presume it was a reminder to tune into NHK World Radio Japan and listen to their Hindi language service. Nice touch. It shows they have a vested interest in their listeners. Not many broadcasters reach out quite like this nowadays. NHK World Radio Japan is one of the few who still do. Thank you for caring about us, the listener.

All India Radio (via Panaji)

All India Radio General Overseas Service via Panaji  (Goa) was received on the short-wave frequency of 15.770 kHz, under good conditions with a SINPO of 54544. An Indonesian language broadcast with Indian classical music was observed from 09.20 till 09.45 UTC, on 21 August 2018. HERE's AIR (Panaji).

Reception report was emailed on the same day. QSL card arrived on 22 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Taiwan International via Woofferton

Radio Taiwan International via Woofferton (UK) was logged on 16 September 2018. A German language broadcast was monitored from 19.30 till 20.00 UTC. Reception on 6.185 kHz was 24432 -- poor to fair signal strength when not fading, yet occasionally clear content was observed. 

Reception report was emailed and submitted online the following day. QSL card arrived on 17 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Nikkei 1

Radio Nikkei 1 in Chiba-Nagara, Japan was logged on 29 September 2018. A Japanese  language broadcast with Led Zeppelin music was monitored from  10.45  till 11.00 UTC. Reception on  the short-wave frequency of 9.595  kHz rated a SINPO of 35443 -- fair to good signal. clear and audible speech until around 10.56 UTC when station splatter from China National Radio. HERE is Radio Nikkei 1. This broadcast was recorded a few days before Radio Nikkei 1 ceased operation on this frequency.

Reception report was emailed and submitted nline on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 17 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Taiwan International (via Tamsui)

Radio Taiwan International transmitting from Tamsui (Taiwan) was received on 2 September 2018, from 11.00 till 18.00 UTC. This special German language broadcast from Taiwan on  the short-wave frequency of 11.990 kHz rated a SINPO of 44343 -- strong and clear signal, despite slight transmitter noise and atmospheric noise. On previous days (31 August and 1 September 2018) signal could not be received. It should be noted that transmissions on 9.700 kHz at 18.00 UTC could not be received on these days as well. However, on 2 September 2018, this transmission also radiated well into South East Asia. HERE and HERE is RTI (Tamsui).

Reception report was emailed and submitted online on the previous day. QSL card arrived on 17 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Mission Friedensstimme (via Nauen)

Mission Friedensstimme via Nauen, Germany was heard  on 13 October 2018, from 12.00 till 12.30 UTC.  Religious programming in Russian with a few hymns was observed mixing with Urdu programming from teh Voice of Turkey. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 13.710 kHz rated a SINPO of 23332 -- weak signal strength, mixing with Voice of Turkey. Signal was buried under VOT from 12.20 UTC till sign off. HERE is Mission Friedensstimme.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. An eQSL with B18 schedule was received on 16 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Logbook from 29 Sept till 20 Oct 2018

DENMARK

World Music Radio*, transmitting from Randers, Denmark, was logged on 1 October 2018. Station IDs between a selection of world music, including: "Ain't No Sunshine When She Goes Away", "Got To Testify (Top of the World, Baby)", "Cubana...", was  monitored from 17.45 till 18.15 UTC. Reception on 5.840 kHz rate a SINPO of 44444 -- fair signal strength, slight fading under atmospheric noise.

GERMANY

Radio Emmeloord via Media Broadcasting Gmbh (Nauen) was heard during their special broadcast on 6 October 2018. A broadcast of oldies, including The Hollies "On A Carousel", The Doors "Light My Fire", Itchycoo Park "It's All Too Beautiful", Bob Dylan, Englebert Humperdinck and more, along with various Dutch announcers was received between 15.30 till 16.00 UTC (broadcast time 10.00 till 16.00 UTC). Reception on the short-wave frequency of 6.095 kHz, here in the Kuala Lumpur area, rated a SINPO of 23422 with lots of station splatter, slight fading, yet audio and occasionally clear content was observed. HERE is a very noisy Radio Emmeloord with The Doors "Light My Fire" and DJ chatting.

 Mission Friedensstimme via Nauen, Germany was heard  on 13 October 2018, from 12.00 till 12.30 UTC.  Religious programming with a few hymns was observed mixing with Urdu programming from teh Voice of Turkey. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 13.710 kHz rated a SINPO of 23332 -- weak signal strength, mixing with Voice of Turkey. Signal was buried under VOT from 12.20 UTC till sign off. HERE is Mission Friedensstimme.

GUAM

Adventist World Radio-KSDA via Agat was heard on on 12 October 2018, from 23.05 till 23.30 UTC with religious programming in Vietnam. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 15.320 kHz rated SINPO of 55555.

JAPAN

Radio Nikkei 1 was logged on 29 September 2018. A Japanese  language broadcast with Led Zeppelin music was monitored from  10.45  till 11.00 UTC. Reception on  the short-wave frequency of 9.595  kHz rated a SINPO of 35443 -- fair to good signal. clear and audible speech until around 10.56 UTC when station splatter from China National Radio. HERE is Radio Nikkei 1.

MADAGASCAR
MWV African Pathways Radio via Mahajanga, on the western side of the island,  was heard  on 18 October 2018, from 03.20 till 03.57 UTC with Christian programming and contemporary pop music. Recption on the short-wave frequency of 15.515 kHz was SINPO 45544 -- good signal strength, clear audio, no interference, only occasionally slight fading.

PALAU

World Harvest Radio via Koror was heard   on 13 October 2018, from 12.45 till 13.00 UTC. Religious programming and music was noted on the short-wave frequency of 9.930 kHz, which rated a SINPO 45544. HERE is WHRI (Koror). 

ROMANIA

Radio Romania International's English language broadcast  to South Asia and Australia was logged on 15 October 2018. Delightful Romanian pop music was heard, along with The Cooking Show telling how to pickle vegetables, RRI Encyclopedia looked at neolithic pottery in the Moldavian region and Travel Romania went to wetlands of southern Romania, from 05.30 till 05.57 UTC. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 17.760 kHz was fair throughout the duration of the broadcast, rating a SINPO of 35333 -- fair signal, clear audio, yet mixing with atmospheric noise. HERE is RRI 

TAIWAN

Special 107th National Day broadcast of Radio Taiwan International on 10 October 2018. This anniversary programme featured speeches and music, hosted by Natalie Soh and Shirley Lin, from 02.00 till 03.00 UTC. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 15.305 kHz was excellent throughout the duration of the broadcast with a SINPO of 55555.

TURKEY
Voice of Turkey transmitting from Emirler was logged on  20 October 2018. News about the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey, and Turkish pop music was observed from 16.30 till 17.17 UTC. Reception on 15.520 kHz at sign-on was (SINPO) 22321 -- weak signal, co-frequency interference from Spanish language broadcaster, fading and atmospheric noise. Around 17.00 UTC reception improved sightly to 25432 -- signal stabilised, discernible audio content, although still reasonably weak.


 *Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey in Emirler was logged on 12 September 2018. An English language broadcast of news, Turkish pop music and Turkish views and culture was monitored from 20.30 till 21.18 UTC. Reception on 9.620 kHz at sign-on was SINPO 45444 -- strong signal, clear audio, no interference, minor fading. However, at around 20.50 UTC signal began to weaken. At 21.00 UTC, station splatter from China station briefly degraded reception to 33333. By 21.10 UTC, reception was much worse at 24222 -- still audible, but just barely. At 20.20 UTC, SINPO rated 14211. 

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 9 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Romania International (via Tiganesti-Saftica)

Radio Romania International transmitting from Tiganesti-Saftica was logged on 8 September 2018. A Ukrainian language broadcast of news/current event reports about Romania was monitored from 19.00 till 19.30 UTC. Reception on the shortwave-wave frequency of 5.910 kHz rated a SINPO of 24332. HERE is RRI (Ukrainian Service).

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 October 2018.

 

Radio Romania International (via Galbeni)

Radio Romania International, transmitting from Galbeni to South East Asia, was logged on 31 August 2018. An English language broadcast of news about Romania, cultural insights about the country, classical and jazz music performed by Romanians, and mailbag programme was monitored from 03.00 till  03.45 UTC (broadcast time 03,00 till 03.57 UTC). Reception on 11.825  kHz at 03.00 UTC was initially SINPO 43433 -- strong QRM from Chinese station until about 03.03 UTC when it signed off. Fading and atmospheric noise prevailed for much of the broadcast, so much so that by 03.45 UTC signal was 24322.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card along with an RRI A18 schedule arrived in the mail on 8 October 2018.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia

Radio Merlin International*

Radio Merlin International* (England) with a broadcast of reggae music was logged on 1 October 2018, from 17.15 till 17.45 UTC. Reception on 6.305 kHz rated a SINPO of 34443 -- fair signal strength, occadional fading and QRM from a utility station operating on the same frequency.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. This eQSL, along with related RMI material, was received on 2 October 2018.

 
*Transmission logged from remote SDR receiver at the University of Twente, the Netherlands.

Radio 4KZ (Innisfail, Australia)

Radio 4KZ in Innisfail, Queensland (Australia) was logged on 28 September 2018 (29 September 2018, Aussie date). Country & Western music was observed briefly, including a track from Dolly Parton entitled "Over & Out", which was followed by station ID "...4KZ..." and monologue from presumably The Breakfast Show host Glenn Johns. Broadcast was monitored from 20.10 till 20.30 UTC. Transmission on 5.055 kHz radiated well enough that at around 20.10 UTC audio gained strength and peaked after about 10 minutes, producing a SINPO of 25321. HERE is an audio excerpt from this broadcast.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. After a few follow-up emails, Al Kirton, Station Manager for Radio 4KZ, replied  on 2 October 2018 with an email stating a QSL card would be sent.

Now, this verification is especially gratifying given the history to obtain it. Back in 2017 when Radio 4KZ was testing at 500 watts, their signal generally produced a predominant carrier. Occasionally audio would break through, although faint and buried in atmospheric noise. Five or six reception reports were sent to Al Kirton, thinking the attached audio files would be sufficient to merit his verification. Nope. Nah dah. None were verifiable due to the poor nature of the recordings.

To make matters worse, Radio 4KZ reduced their transmitter power from 500 watts to 300 watts, then went off air briefly while they obtained a transmitter part. When the station returned and powered up to 1.2kW, the operating hours had changed. Instead of transmitting 24/7, the station began operating from 20.00 till 14.00 UTC. This complicated reception in South East Asia, making it almost impossible to receive the station for two reasons: firstly, Voice of Beibu Bay in Nanning operated on 5.050 kHz, causing tremendous station splatter which virtually nulled reception of Radio 4KZ; and secondly, propagation before sign-on of Voice of Beibu Bay was usually plagued by atmospheric noise, eliminating any chance of reception.

Not to be deterred, I tuned into Radio 4KZ during the month of September 2018, knowing my only window of reception might be just after sign-on at 20.00 UTC. Sure enough, a strong carrier was consistently detected between 20.00 till 20.35 UTC. Audio usually floated in between 20.10 until 20.20 UTC, but never good enough to be considered verifiable. Then, BINGO!, on 28 September 2018, as I patiently waited to click on the recorder, audio picked up and a decent recording was made before Radio 4KZ's carrier returned and faded into atmospheric noise.

Needless to say, Radio 4KZ is one of those prized QSLs, not so much for its novelty as a low-powered station in a remote area of the world, but rather because it  was such a long and laboured station to verify. Thanks for the verification, Al!

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 Wave QTH: West Central Malaysia