QSLs for Month of September 2019

NEXUS/IBA-European Gospel Radio.Tiganesti, Romania.

Radio Televisyen Malaysia WAI FM. Kajang, Malaysia,

Radio Free Asia. Sulaibiyah, Kuwait.

Adventist World Radio. Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Trans World Radio Africa. Kishinev-Grigoriopol, Moldova.

Pridnestrovsky Radiotelecentr (PRTC). Kishinev-Grigoriopol, Moldova.

Radio Romania International. Galbeni, Romania.

ABC Radio National - Station 3RN. Delahey/Brimbank, Victoria, Australia.

ERT - Voice of Greece. Avlis, Greece.

 

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

NEXUS/IBA-European Gospel Radio (via Tiganesti)

NEXUS/IBA-European Gospel Radio, transmitting from Tiganesti, Romania was received on 26 September 2019. English programming of music and commentary/discussion was observed  from 18.25 till 19.00 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 7.290 kHz was SINPO 25221 -- audible and occasionally clear, despite weak signal and fading under atmospheric noise. Reception worsened after 18.45 UTC to the point that their signal was barely audible. Some station splatter from CRI around 19.00 UTC compounded the problem, all but ending any clarity of signal. HERE is European Gospel Radio.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. An email and blank eQSL (which I filled out for personal records) was received on 27 September 2019.

Email:

reports@nexus.org

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

Radio Televisyen Malaysia WAI FM (via Kajang)

Radio Televisyen Malaysia WAI FM, transmitting from Kajang, Malaysia, was logged on  8 September 2019. Bahasa Malaysia programming of Malays pop songs, advertisements and current even announcements was  monitored from 22.40 till 23.30 UTC. Reception on 11.665 kHz rated a SINPO of  44544 - good signal strength, clear audio, despite occasional fluttering fade and slight station splatter from a China station on 11.670 kHz. HERE is RTM WAI FM

Reception report was emailed a few days after 10 September 2019. The report was initially sent to query RTM about the operational status of the Kajang shortwave facility. They ansered without QSL, but forwarded the report to another department/person on 23 September 2019. Just to play it safe, I resubmitted the report to the same department/person. An eQSL was received on 27 September 2019. Malaysian postage stamps have been placed on it, but I'm not sure whether this is decorative or RTM will indeed post the card. For certain, it is a new design and procedure for verification

Email:
aduan@rtm.gov.my

RX: Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 wave QTH; 32km from Kajang, Malaysia

Update on RTM Kajang Transmitter Site

Earlier this month (see blog entry) I visited the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) short-wave transmitter site in Kajang, and I was surprised to see the signage removed and headquarters vacated. On learning this I contacted RTM and queried them about it. Today, 23 September 2019, I received a reply from Mr. Khairuddin Hj Osman who is the Chief Assistant Director J48, Unit of Measurement and Quality, Network Technical Section, Department of Broadcasting Malaysia.

He had this to say about the site:
We are still using our site for shortwave transmission, although there is no signage on the building. This is for security purposes.

Regarding your question about Radio Tawau-Limbang FM, we no longer broadcast on shortwave: it is only available for FM transmission. Meanwhile for Voice of Malaysia, RTM has already stopped that program.

For Asyik FM, TRAXX FM and Klasik Nasional, we decided to stop transmission for a while due to inadequate transmitter at our site where before this we were using our old transmitter since 1975, and there are no more spare parts available in the market.

We still broadcast Wai FM and Sarawak FM, but for Sarawak FM we stopped our transmission for a while due to transmitter problem. This will be repaired when we receive spare parts soon.

Thank you kindly for this update, Mr. Khairuddin. I, and on behalf of listeners worldwide, we hope Sarawak FM will soon get the necessary parts and be up running again.

Radio Free Asia (via Sulaibiyah)

Radio Free Asia / IBB, transmitting from Sulaibiyah, Kuwait, was logged on 2 September 2019. Tibetain programming was monitored from 10.00 till 10.20 UTC. Reception on 13.800 khz was SINPO 43544 -- strong signal and clear audio content despite co-frequency QRM from CNR or CRI. Much of the transmission was a tug-a-war between RFA and the China broadcaster, but RFA's signal managed to be clearly heard at times well above the China broadcaster. HERE is RFA (Sulaibiyah).  

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 September 2019.

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

Adventist World Radio (via Dushanbe)

Adventist World Radio via Dushanbe, Tajikistan was received on 24 July 2019. A Kachin programming was observed from from 13.20 till 13.30 UTC. Reception on the short-wave frequency of 12.055 kHz rated a SINPO of 35333 -- fair signal, occasionally clear when not fading under severe atmospheric noise. HERE is AWR in Kachin.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 19 September 2019.

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

Trans World Radio Africa (via Kishinev-Grigoriopol)

Trans World Radio Africa via Pridnestrovsky Radiotelecentr (PRTC) in Kishinev-Grigoriopol (Moldova) was received on 9 September 2019. A Tigrinya broadcast of religious content and African music was observed from 18.20 till 18.45 UTC.   Reception on the shortwave frequency of 9.940 kHz rated a SINPO of 55544 - good signal strength, clear audio, despite slight fading and atmospheric noise. HERE is TWR Africa (Kishinev-Grigoriopol).


Reception report was emailed on the following day
to TWR Africa and Pridnestrovsky Radiotelecentr (PRTC). Both replied in the afternoon with an eQSL, first, from TWR veri-signer Lorraine Stavropoulos, then lastly, Sergey Omelchenko for PRTC.

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

A Visit to Radio Televisyen Malaysia in Kajang

For many short-wave listeners around the world, the Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) transmitter site in Kajang is the de facto "voice of Malaysia." For much of this decade RTM stations Asyik FM, Sarawak FM, Wai FM, Radio Tawau - Limbang FM, TRAXX FM, Klasik Nasional and Voice of Malaysia have had simulcast short-wave transmissions originate from this sprawling facility. Of these stations, only Wai FM (on 11.665 kHz) continues to be heard from Kajang.

Insomuch as Malaysian short-wave transmissions have decreased significantly in recent years, I thought I should drop by before this bit of broadcasting history  disappears all together. For years I had wanted to see the site but never seemed to get around to a visit, even though I live roughly 32 kilometers from Kajang.

So, my wife and I decided to drive over one afternoon. As we neared the transmitter site its awesome antenna masts could be seen from the SILK highway. Within a few minutes, we were at the entrance of the facility. It looked empty. I assumed it was the end of the work week, and only a handful of staff were present.

As we spoke to the security guard on duty, he confirmed in so many words  that the Kajang offices had been vacated -- permanently. And, indeed, the place certainly appeared abandoned, even the signage in front of the building had been stripped from the wall. Only CCTVs, a few vehicles and the guard were visible.

Permission granted to browse ONLY from the compound of the parking area, we proceeded to photograph the transmitter masts in the distance -- and I should add -- these were only just a few. The Tenaga Nasional power building and electrical lines and a satellite dish could be also viewed.

My overall impression was the facility had been constructed in the early 1970s, and it had not been maintained for quite a few years. The site could still be considered located in the Kajang countryside, although in recent years highways and newer buildings have slowly begun to encroach upon the area.

This all leads me to fear that the facility will soon be closed and razed in a few years, ending Malaysia's long history of short-wave broadcasting. It doesn't look good. And I should probably drop RTM a letter and enquire about the future of this site. Whatever becomes of the Kajang short-wave transmitter site, I'm happy to have had the chance to see it.

Radio Romania International

Radio Romania International, transmitting from Galbeni, was logged on 21 August 2016. This English language broadcast, monitored from 17.15 till 17.58 UTC, profiled 20th century Romanian architect Eugenia Cosio-Zavala, and included the programmes "Think Green," "Panorama," "New Romanian Music" featuring a Romanian heavy metal rock group (who sounded, incidentally, a lot like Metallica) and "Open Studio," then the broadcast closed with RRI interval. Reception on 9.540 kHz rated a SINPO of 54544 -- strong signal,  slight fading, no interference except transmitter droning.

Reception report was submitted the following day. QSL card with Romanian postage stamps arrived in the mail on 6 September 2019.



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

Voice of Greece

Voice of Greece, transmitting from Avlis (Greece), was received on 31 August 2019. A selection of popular Greek music was observed from 18.35 till 19.00 UTC. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 9.420 kHz initially rated a SINPO of 34343 - fair signal, slight QRM from TWR Swaziland and some atmospheric disturbance. Signal was actually present before 18.00 UTC, but by 18.50 UTC TWR Swaziland gradually dominated the frequency with ERT underneath. HERE is ERT Voice of Greece (Avlis).

Reception report was emailed to the Voice of Greece on 1 September 2019. An eQSL card was received on 3 September 2019.

Email:
thevoiceofgreece@ert.gr

Website:
https://int.ert.gr/

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

ABC Radio National - Station 3RN (via Delahey/Brimbank)

ABC Radio National - Station 3RN, transmitting from Melbourne (Delahey/Brimbank/Sydenham), Victoria, Australia, was logged on 14 August 2019 (15 August 2019, Melbourne time). A music talent programme was observed from 18.50 till 19.15 UTC (04.50 till 05.15 am, Melbourne time). " Reception on 621 kHz (MW) rated a SINPO of 25322 -- stronger signal than the day before, still noisy but occasionally clear content. Before 17.45 UTC, no signal detected -- co-frequency interference from AIR Patna in Bihar (India) and Pyongyang Broadcasting Station (Chongjin). HERE, HERE and HERE is ABC Station 3RN.

Reception report was submitted online to ABC RN Melbourne on 15 August 2019. Verification email (see here) arrived within 30 minutes on the same day. Then, surprisingly, a bona fide paper QSL card arrived in the mail on 3 September 2019. Graham Himmelhoch-Mutton, Master Control for ABC, confirmed by email on 20 October 2019.

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

Voice of America Calendar 2019 for September

Voice of America Calendar 2019 for September.

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QSL Calendar for September 2019

QSL Calendar for September 2019

Radio Taiwan International for September 2019

Radio Taiwan International Calendar for September 2019