Friday, March 2, 2018

NHK World Radio Japan Retrospective


NHK World Radio Japan is one of those short-wave stations I listened to in the early years of this hobby called DXing. Radio Japan, as it was referred to back in the late 1960s, was one the first QSL cards I received. This station was incredibly strong and well received in the western United States from Yamata, Japan.

Even in those years when I was not actively DXing and QSLing, Radio Japan programming also had my ear. When I did resume, I discovered NHK World Radio Japan relayed their programmes from many medium-wave and short-wave transmitter sites around the world. Besides Yamata (Japan) transmitter site, was logged and QSLed from Ascension Island, Bonaire (Netherland Antilles), Santiago (Chile), Issoudun (France), Wertachtal and Nauen (Germany),Sitkūnai (Lithuania), Yangoon via Radio Myanmar, Meyerton (South Africa), Talata Volondry (Madagascar), Palau Medorn, Santa Maria di Galeria (Vatican), Kranji (Singapore), Thammasat University Radio in Bangkok (Thailand), Dhabbaya (UAE), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and USA.

Whether transmitting from Japan or the aforementioned relay sites, their interval signal, "Kazoe-uta" (Japanese counting song), remains a recognizable and unmistakable tune on the short-wave bands, sequed by their introductory tune "Sakura Sakura"  (Cherry Blossoms).

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