QSLs / ARTICLES

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

QSLs for Month of April 2019


BBC Far East Relay Station. Kranji, Singapore.
Radio Nikkei 1. Chiba, Japan.
Radio Progzilla / Shortwave Radio.* Winsen, Germany
Radio Free Asia. Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Voice of Indonesia. Pelangkaraya, Papua Barat, Kalimantan. Indonesia.
China Radio International. Bomako, Mali.
RNE Radio Nacional (Barcelona)* (MW). Cataulunya, Spain.
Adventist World Radio (MW). Trincomalee, Sri Lanka.
Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Tirkey.
BBC Radio Scotland* (MW).  Burghead, Scotland.
All India Radio Bhawanipatna (MW).  Odisha, India.





*Remote SDR via Twente University, Enschede,the Netherlands.

BBC Far East Relay Station (via Kranji)

BBC - Far Eastern Relay Station (Encompass) via Kranji was received on 23 March 2019. "Sports Hour" with Shari Val and BBC News Hour" presented by David Harper was monitored from 09.58 till 10.35 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 6.195 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555 -- excellent on all accounts! HERE is BBC (Kranji).

While BBC Far Eastern Relay Station (Kranji) is an easy catch in neighbouring Malaysia, their QSL has eluded me for the past 10 years, largely because the BBC rarely if ever verifies anymore. For years and years, I sent reception report after reception report, all to no avail, save for this one.That's what makes this QSL letter all the more valuable.

Reception report was posted a few days after this broadcast. QSL letter arrived in the mail on 30 April 2019.

Rx: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 wave QTH: Central West Malaysia

Radio Nikkei 1 (via Chiba)

Radio Nikkei 1 in Chiba, Japan was logged on 21 April 2019. This Japanese language broadcast featured a largely talk format with station promos and a Guns & Roses track "Sweet Child of Mine" from 13.25 till 13.50 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 6.055 kHz rated a SINPO of 35443 -- fair signal, clear audio, atmospheric noise. HERE is Radio Nikkei 1.

Reception report was submitted online and emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 30 April 2019.

Sunday, April 28, 2019

Radio Progzilla* (via Winsen, Germany)

Radio Progzilla (The Prog Mill)* via Shortwave Radio in Winsen, Germany was logged on 27 April 2019. A selection of Progressive Rock,  presented by Shaun Geraghty, was observed from 19.05 till 19.35 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 3.975 kHz rated a SINPO of 55555. HERE is Radio Progzilla.

The Prog Mill is a new and classic progressive rock programme that airs every Sunday between 10pm and midnight UK time (21.00-23.00 UTC/GMT or 11pm to 1am in Europe), on Progzilla Radio.  This is the UK's only dedicated 24/7 progressive rock network.  Hear the show online at www.progzilla.com/listen  or via the tune-in app, smart speakers and on internet radio platforms. The programme is also broadcast daily via Shortwave Radio from their transmitters in Winsen, Germany on 3.975 kHz and 6.160 kHz.

The show is repeated at 03.00 UK time Tuesday morning (7pm Monday Pacific or 10pm East coast US) and also at 11pm UK time (22.00 GMT) on Tuesday evenings. With a further repeat on Saturdays between 6-8pm UK time (17.00-19.00 UTC). A podcast is usually available to listen anytime or download the show by midweek after the broadcast. Links are posted online.   

Reception report was emailed on the same day. An eQSL was received eight hours later from veri-signer/presenter Shaun Geraghty. Again, many thanks, Shaun.

Website:
www.progzilla.com



*RX: Remote SDR via Twente University, Enschede,the Netherlands.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Radio Free Asia (via Dushanbe)

Radio Free Asia, transmitting from Dushanbe (Tajikistan), was logged on 14 and 15 April 2019. Interestingly, this Korean language broadcast was heard reasonably well on the 14th of April, unlike the following day when it was jammed. The jamming was so bad, the noise radiated 30-50 Hz across the 9.990 kHz frequency. 

Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 25 April 2019.

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

Voice of Indonesia (via Pelangkaraya)

Voice of Indonesia via Pelangkaraya, Papua Barat, Kalimantan was logged on 18 February 2019. German language broadcast was monitored from 18.20 till 19.00 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 till 19.00 UTC). Reception on 3.325 kHz rated a  SINP0 55544 -- excellent signal strength and clarity despite slight fading. HERE is VOI (Pelangkaraya).
 
Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 25 April 2019.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 wave QTH: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Friday, April 19, 2019

BBC Radio Scotland*

BBC Radio Scotland* via Burghead, Scotland was logged on 30 March 2019. The Billy Sloan SHow and BBC news was heard from 23.00 till 00.05 UTC (00.00 till 01.05 AM, Scotland time). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 810 kHz at 23.00 UTC rated a SINPO of 33533 -- fair signal with co-frequency mixing from presumably a dominant Radio Makedonija, fading under Radio Makedonija every five to six minutes, otherwise occasionally clear and audible content. At 23.30 UTC, mixing with Radio Makedonija and later Radio Madrid, but still audible despite strong interference.

Burghead antenna masts
Reception report was emailed on the same day. An email from Chris Joy, Principal Systems Engineer, Technology Operations for BBC Scotland, confirmed report by email on 8 April 2019, promising to post a note with same confirmation. The note indeed did arrive in the mail on 19 April 2019.

*Station logged from SDR at Twente University, Netherlands.

Sunday, April 14, 2019

China Radio International (via Bomako)

China Radio International, transmitting from Bomako (Mali), was logged on 5 March 2019. English programming with commentary on US-China relationship and comparisons to it in the 1960s. This was observed at 15.05 till 15.29 UTC, then station ID leading into another programme. Reception on 13.685 kHz rated a SINPO of 34433 -- fair signal, clear and audible content, despite slight fade. By 15.30 UTC, signal worsened often fading under atmospheric noise. HERE and HERE is CRI (via Bomako).

Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 15 April 2019.


RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 wave QTH: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

Friday, April 12, 2019

Logbook from 30 March till 12 April 2019

CHINA
China Radio International
via Kashi was logged on 5 April 2019. German programming of news, report on a FIlm Festival and Chinese pop music was observed from 18.00 till 18.30 UTC. Reception on 7.395 kHz rated a SINPO of (SINPO): 35433 - fair signal, clear audio, no interference, moderate fading. HERE is CRI (Kashi).

China Radio International via Urumqi was logged on on 5 April 2019. Bulgarian programming of most talk format was observed from 18.45 till 18.57 UTC. Reception  on the short-wave frequency of 7.265 kHz rated a SINPO of 34443 - fair signal, clear audio, slight interference from BBC. HERE is CRI (Urumqi).

ENGLAND
KBS World Radio via Woofferton, UK was logged on 10 April 2019. A Russian programme featuring contemporary jazz and traditional Korean/Japanese music was monitored from 18.40 till 19.00 UTC  Reception on 9.820 kHz  rated a SINPO of 44554 - strong and clear signal, with minor interference.

GREECE
Voice of Greece via Avlis was received on 10 April 2019. Greek music was heard from 18.00 till 18.30 UTC. Reception on 9.420 kHz was SINPO 45544. 

SCOTLAND
BBC Radio Scotland*
via Burghead was logged on 30 March 2019. The Billy Sloan SHow and BBC news was heard from 23.00 till 00.05 UTC (00.00 till 01.05 AM, Scotland time). Reception on the medium-wave frequency of 810 kHz at 23.00 UTC rated a SINPO of 33533 -- fair signal with co-frequency mixing from presumably a dominant Radio Makedonija, fading under Radio Makedonija every five to six minutes, otherwise occasionally clear and audible content. At 23.30 UTC, mixing with Radio Makedonija and later Radio Madrid, but still audible despite strong interference

SOUTH KOREA
KBS World Radio
via Kimjae was logged on 5 April 2019. News and "Korea 24" was noted between 16.00 till 17.00 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 9.640 kHz. rated a SINPO of 55544 -- strong signal, no interference, slight fading. HERE is KBS World Radio (Kimjae).

SPAIN
RNE Radio Nacional (Barcelona)* in Cataulunya, EspaƱa was logged on 7 April 2019. Spanish language programming with an emphasis of music and Spanish history, including a feature on Islam in Spain (Andalusia) was observed from 0315 till 04.00 UTC. Reception on 738 kHz rate a SINPO of 44323 -- transmitter noise and occasional fading every 5 to 6 minutes. 

TAIWAN
Suab Xaa Moo Zoo via Tamsui was logged on 5 April 2019. Hmong religious programming and songs was heard from 22.40 till 23.00 UTC. Recption on the short-wave frequency of 7.530 kHz rated a SINPO of  44444 - good signal, clear audio, slight fading. HERE is Suab Xaa Moo Zoo (Tamsui).

Radio Taiwan International via Paochung was logged on 8 April 2019. This English broadcast featured news and cultural segments, including a report on Japanese colonial recordings in Taiwan from 03.00 till 04.00 UTC. Reception on 15.320 kHz was SINPO 54554.

TURKEY
Voice of Turkey was logged on 12 April 2019. An English language broadcast of news, foreign media review, tourist sites of Turkey and Turkish pop music was observed from 17.30 till 18.25 UTC. Reception on 15.520 kHz rated a SINPO of 35322 -- severe atmospheric noise and fading hamper decent reception which disappeared just before 18.00 UTC.

UAE (ABU DHABI)
Pravasi Bharathi Broadcasting Corporation via Al Dhabayya was logged on 12 April 2019. Malayalam programming of news and popular Indian music and advertisements was observed from 18.00 till 18.30 UTC. Reception on their new frequency of 1539 kHz (MW) rate a SINPO of 44333 -- strong and clear signal despite atmospheric noise and occasional fading. HERE is Pravasi Bharathi Broadcasting Corporation









Thursday, April 11, 2019

RNE Radio Nacional d' Espanya a Catalunya (Barcelona)*

RNE Radio Nacional d' Espanya a Catalunya * in Barcelona, Spain was logged on 7 April 2019. Spanish language programming with an emphasis of music and Spanish history, including a feature on Islam in Spain (Andalusia) was observed from 03.15 till 04.00 UTC. Reception on 738 kHz rated a SINPO of 44323 -- transmitter noise and occasional fading every 5 to 6 minutes. HERE is RNE Catalunya.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. An eQSL was received on 11 April 2019. Veri-signer, Antonio Catalan Serra, sent a promised paper QSL card, along with stickers and cover letter, which  arrived in the mail on 23 May 2019 (See May 2019 blog entry for details).

Website:
www.rtve.es/radio/radio4/

Address:
RNE Radio Nacional d' Espanya a Catalunya
Radio 4

c/o Sr. Antonio Catalan Serra 
Roc Boronat Street, 127
08018 Barcelona, Spain



*Station logged from SDR at Twente University, Netherlands.

Adventist World Radio (via Trincomalee)

Adventist World Radio via Trincomalee, Sri Lanka was on 20 March 2019. Tamil programming was observed from 14.30 till 14.45 UTC. Reception on the medium-wave of 1548 kHz at 350 kW rated a SINPO of 54544 -- strong  signal and clear audio content with slight fading approximately every 10-12 minutes. Even then, signal remained audible. HERE is AWR (Trincomalee).

Unfortunately, it would appear AWR Asia was unaware of this transmission, as this QSL card is for a different frequency, time and transmitter power. Thanks for the card AWR, but had hoped it was for MW transmission (which must have been a test, just as the preceeding BBC broadcast had been on this same frequency and date).

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 11 April 2019. Need to follow up another reception report explaining the error.


RX:  Sangean ATS-909 ANT:  internal ferrite rod  QTH: Malaysia

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey via Emirler was logged on 6 March 2019. The last half of their English language broadcast to South Asia included many nice Turkish pop songs, just before sign off, from 18.00 till 18.25 UTC (broadcast time 17.30 till 18.25 UTC). Reception on  11.730 kHz was SINPO 55555. HERE is TRT.

Reception report was emailed the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 10 April  2019.

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

Monday, April 1, 2019

All India Radio Bhawanipatna (Odisha)

All India Radio Bhawanipatna in  Odisha (India) was logged on 5 January 2019. Indian classical/devotional music with ID at the half hour was observed from 17.00 till 17.30 UTC. SINPO on 1206 kHz (MW) rated 34433 -- fair signal, occasionally clear and audible content when not fading every few minutes. HERE is AIR Bhawanipatna.

This medium-wave station was received  at night  while on holiday in the Cameron Highlands. Signal was detected as I sat on the hotel balcony of the Hetitage Hotel. Had heard the station in Kuala Lumpur area previously, but signal was much weaker compared to the transmission received in Tanah Rata, Pahang.

Reception report was email a few days later, around 8 January 2019. QSL card arrived in the mail on 1 April 2019.

RX: Degen DE-1102 ANT; internal ferrite rod QTH: Tanah Rata, Pahang, Malaysia

Voice of America Calendar 2019 for April


Voice of America Calendar 2019 for April.

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QSL Calendar for April 2019


QSL Calendar for April 2019

Radio Taiwan International for April 2019


Radio Taiwan International Calendar for April 2019