QSLs for MAY 2021

 

Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Turkey.  

Voice of Turkey. Emirler, Turkey. 

Radio Taiwan International. Tamsui, Taiwan.

HCJB Radio Otkrovenie.  Nauen, Germany. 

Atlantic 2000 International.* France.

RX: Tecsun S-2000, Sangean ATS-909 and Alinco DX-R9T ANT: Passive Loop and 1/4 wave : QTH: Malaysia

*Webcast

Logbook for May 2021

17.815 kHz - NHK World Radio Japan via Yamata. Japanese programming with old Japanese songs, after 03.15 UTC, 23.05.2021.

15.540 kHz - Radio Kuwait with news in Urdu after 17.00 UTC, on 12.05.2021.

15.520 kHz - Voice of Turkey with Turkish pop music/ English programming after 16.50 UTC, on 12.05.2021.

13.760 kHz - MWV African Pathways via Madagascar. English programming with "Beginners DX Tips" on ante.nna basics, after 03.45 UTC, 23.05.2021.

12.085 kHz - Voice of Mongolia via Ulaan Baator with news in English and Mongolian pop song after 09.09 UTC, 28.05.2021.

12.010 kHz - Raydo Pilipinas via Manila. English broadcast signing off with national anthem after 03.30 UTC, 23.05.2021.

 9. 810 kHz - Bible Voice Broadcasting via Moosbrunn, Austria after 17.00 UTC with English programming, on 14.05.2021.

9.730 kHz - Myanmar Radio. Domestic/traditional music programming after 03.50 UTC, 23.05.2021.

9.405 kHz - Radio Taiwan International via Tamsui, Taiwan with English programming from 16.00 till 17.00 UTC, 14.05.2021. SINPO: 35343.

9.390 kHz - BBC via Dushanbe, Tajikistan with Korean programming after 16.30 UTC, 14.05.2021.

 3.325 kHz - Voice of Indonesia after 16.30 UTC, on 12.05.2021.

1413 kHz - BBC World Service via A'Seela, Oman with news at 17.00 UTC, 26.05.2021.

1278 kHz - RKB Mainichi Hoso (JOFR) in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Japanese programming and promotional spots after 17.00 UTC, 18.05.2021.

1188 kHz - AIR Mumbai C,  Maharashtra, India after 16.30 UTC with news, 26.05.2021.

972 kHz - AIR Cuttack, Odisha, India with news report on corona virus in English after 17.00 UTC, 26.05.2021.

900 kHz - AIR Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India with music after 17.15 UTC, 26.05.2021.

891 kHz - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - 5AN via Adelaide with music and talk after 17.10 UTC, 26.05.2021.

765 kHz - AIR Dharwad, Karnataka with music after 17.20 UTC, then news at 17.30 UTC,  26.05.2021.

RX: Alinco DX-R8T and Tecsun S-2000 ANT: 1/4 wave and Passive Loop  QTH: Malaysia

Reminiscing about the Panasonic RF-45B

In November 1993 I purchased this Panasonic RF-45B from Yaohan's (a big Japanese Department store) in Kuala Lumpur. When new this digital PLL LW/MW/SW/FM radio sold for RM414 (about US$165). At the time, no Chinese-made electronics were available in Malaysia. Mostly Panasonic/National, Sony, Sanyo, Philips and Grundig made their way into the country. 

About the same year I purchased the RF-45B, I had spotted a Grundig Satellite 650 at an electronics store, just next to Yaohan's. Unfortunately it was too expensive. And it didn't stay on the shelf very long before it was sold. So, by the time I made my purchase for a shortwave radio my choices were either Sony or this Panasonic model. I opted for the RF-45B insomuch as it was within my budget. 

To give an idea how it was sold, the radio came with a 6VDC/220AC power supply, polyurethane case, earphones and portable wire antenna.  Shown here is a well-written English instruction manual (not so common with Chinese-made radios), warranty card and bill of sale. 

For more than a decade it was a constant travel radio. And while I did not do much DXing then,  it was a decent enough radio to receive weak and powerful stations alike. 

I still own the RF-45B, although it is now showing the wear and tear of its age. It still functions well on all bands, despite a slightly blackened LCD screen, a loose internal antenna, a worn power button, and non-black speaker grille. It remains one of my favourite radios, and it serves as a reminder of how well built these receivers were back then.

Atlantic 2000 International (Webcast)

 

Atlantic 2000 International, broadcasting from a studio in France, was monitored on  15 May 2021 in a "Special Webcast" from  09.44 to 10.06 UTC. FRench and English songs, including Julie Covington's cover of  "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and  .ABBA's  "Thank You for the Music", was observed between station IDs and contact details. I listened to the broadcast on their website  http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr/ at 24kps, insomuch as this was exclusively via webcast.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. This eQSL was received on 17 May 2021.

Radio Stations In Stamps

In the days when international broadcasters played a prominent role in promoting  a nation's brand image, commemorative postage stamps of government broadcasters were often at the forefront. In the spirit of that era I  have collected individual stamps, first day cover issues and maxim cards that featured government stations, private broadcasters and/or amateur radio.

AUSTRALIA POST in 1982 issued a first day cover stamp marking the 50th anniversary of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Many of these ABC commemorative FDCs were signed by staff personnel of the ABC radio stations in each State. This particular FDC is sans signature(s).

AUSTRALIA POST in 1985 issued a first day cover of a printed stamp and cachet on stamped envelope marking the 75th anniversary of Amateur Radio, The Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA), 1910. Interestingly, it is a print, not a traditional stamp per se. An Australian amateur radio operator gifted this particular FDC to me knowing I am collector of  radio related stamps.  

POS MALAYSIA in April 2021 marked the 75th Anniversary of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) with four First Day Cover stamps. The stamp sheet commemorated RTM’s progress in each era - The Radio Era, The Radio and Television Era, The Coloured Television Era and The Digital and Multimedia Era. This was a limited edition release with only 2,000 folder sets for sale.

POSTE VATICANE  in 1981 issued a first day cover stamps marking the 50th Anniversary of Vatican Radio. The cachet on the envelope features Pope Pious XI, future Pope Pious XII and Guglielmo Marconi. The stamps depict Marconi and Pope Pious XI, Pope John Paul II, old Vatican Radio microphone and Vatican Radio antenna and statue.

CANADA POST in 1971 issued a First Day Cover stamp of Radio Canada International's then-new transmitters at Sackville, New Brunswick. Indeed, their 100 kW transmitters could be heard anywhere in the world. In the western United States where I lived at the time, their signal would pin the S-meter on my Realistic DX-160 to the max.  In Malaysia, their Sackville transmissions could be received as well, usually in the winter months on 9.620 kHz. The Sackville facility has since been razed and RCI no longer broadcasts from Canada.

 

POST LUXEMBOURG in 1955 issued a First Day Cover stamp and Maxi Card of Radio Luxembourg studio and antenna array. Any radio listener, particularly shortwave radio hobbyists, will remember Radio Luxembourg. The station was heard all around the world. I certainly do. I was living in a suburb north of Denver in 1977. I distinctly recall listening to the Paul McCartney & Wings hit song, "Mull of Kintyre" over Radio Luxembourg. Happy days!

POSTA VE TELEGRAF TESKILATI (PTT - TURKISH POST) in 2014 issued these First Day Cover stamps marking the 50th anniversary of TRT (Turkish Radio & Television) in Ankara.

DEUTSCHE POST in 2017 offered a limited edition stamp of Radio Mi Amigo International (a Spanish broadcaster) that occasional books air time through service providers in Germany. This paticular stamp was featured on their verification (QSL) card depicting their station on the days of pirate/offshore radio.

LA POSTE FRANCE first day cover stamp commemorating the opening of the the then-new Office de Radiodiffusion-Télévision Française (ORTF) in 1963.

 

Soviet-era commemorative first day cover stamp on the 50th anniversary of Radio Moscow issued in 1979.

 

AUSTRIAN POST in 1964 issued a first day cover stamp marking the 40th anniversary (1924 - 1964) of their national broadcaster Österreich Rundfunk (ORF). Affixed to a maxim card illustrating the coverage of ORF is this 40th anniversary stamp.

 

SRI LANKA POST on 5th January 2017 issued a  postal stamp to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. It had a denomination of Rs.10.00.

USPS in 1967 issued a first day cover stamp of the Voice of America (VOA). Shown on the envelope is a cachet of a VOA control studio, along with a block set of VOA stamps, postmarked Washington D.C.

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES POST  in 1970 released two first day cover stamps of the Trans World Radio Bonaire transmitter/studio site. This stamps affixed to this envelope is one of two known cachets. A postcard of the station with a stamp of the studio was also issued. 

DANMARK POST in 1950 issued a first day cover stamp commemorating the 25th anniversary of Radio Broadcasting in Denmark. It was designed by Viggo Bang. Engraving was mastered by Bent Jacobsen. This red stamp featured 12¾  perforations. The first day of release was postmarked from Copenhagen.

 

 

 INDIA POST on 8th June 1961 issued a first day cover stamp commemorating the Silver Jubilee celebrations of All India Radio.

 

ISRAEL POST in 1986 issued a commemorative stamp marking the 50th anniversary of Radio Broadcasting in Israel (KOL). 

 

ROYAUME DU LAOS on 15 June 1965 issued a series of three first day cover stamps called "Centenary of the International Telecommunication Union". The stamps included a teletype machine, telephone, radio receiver and transmitter station. The colour cachet features a sphere and electric bolt to signify the Union of International Telecommunications.

 

 

UNITED NATIONS POSTAL ADMINISTRATION on 13 February 2013 issued three pairs of stamps commemorating the launch of U.N. Radio on that day in 1946.  Each stamp design featured a different image that captured an aspect of radio communication throughout history.The stamps themselves boast an interactive feature allowing smart phone or tablet users to directly download and launch the U.N. Radio application.  Shown here is one of the sets postmarked Geneva. 

 

SRI LANKA POST in 2019 issued a single first day cover stamp marking the inauguration of the Colombo Lotus Tower, a communication tower located in the capitol of this South Asian nation. This iconic tower of Sri Lanka is the tallest self-supported structure in South Asia; the second tallest structure in South Asia after the guy-wire-supported INS Kattabomman in India; the 11th tallest tower in Asia and the 19th tallest tower in the world. The lotus-shaped tower is used for communication, observation and other leisure facilities. The tower is 350 m (1,150 ft) tall and covers 30,600 m2 (329,000 sq ft) of floor area.

 

POSTVERKET NORGE in 1975 issued two first day cover stamps marking the 50th Anniversary of Kringkasting -- Radio & TV Broadcasting in Norway (1925-1975). The cachet featured a sketch of towering buildings and antenna mast in the shape of a radiating orb.

 

REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER in 1965 issued a series of  four stamps dedicated to "Promotion Humaine - Radio Clubs of Niger". Topics covered in this series included recording music/songs, listening to radio transmissions, lectures and interviews intended for radio broadcasts. Stamps shown are mint, no postmarks and gummed.

 

ASCENSION ISLAND on 1 December 1966 issued four first day cover stamps marking the opening of BBC Relay Station on Ascension. The images of Queen Elizabeth II and Lion With BBC emblem are gold embossed against four different colours (blue, green, red and purple) and corresponding to the individual monetary denominations - 1D, 3D, 6D and 1,6. The cachet depicts an illustration of Ascension Island with radio waves radiating from the island. Above the island is the heraldic crest of BBC Ascension Island. 

HELVETIA POST in 1985 released an FDC marking the 50th anniversary of Swiss Radio International (SRI).

 

 

 

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from Emirler (Turkey), was logged on 19 March 2021. Kazakh broadcast  from 16.55  till 17.25 UTC  Reception on 9.505 kHz rated a SINPO of 35343 -- moderate signal strength, yet clear audio content when not fading under atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 5 May 2021.

RX: Alinco DX-R9T ANT: Passive Loop : QTH: Malaysia

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from Emirler (Turkey), was logged on 28 March 2021. Arabic broadcast  from 04.10  till 04.55 UTC  Reception on 17.720 kHz rated a SINPO of 45333 -- good signal strength, moderate atmospheric noise and fading which worsened as transmission continued, yet audio content remained clear

Reception report was emailed on the same day.  QSL card was received on 5 May 2021.

RX: Alinco DX-R9T ANT: Passive Loop : QTH: Malaysia

Radio Taiwan International (via Tamsui)

Radio Taiwan International, transmitting from Tamsui, (Taiwan), was logged on 2 April 2021. English broadcast  from 03.00 to 04.00 UTC "Taiwan Insider", Taiwanese pop song -- "Happy, Happy Day", "Taiwan Today" and IDs, followed by broadcast times and contact details at sign-off. Reception on 9.405 kHz rated a SINPO of  55354 -- good signal strength, audible content despite moderate atmospheric noise

Reception report was emailed on 6 April 2021.  QSL card was received on 5 May 2021.

RX: Sangean ATS-909 ANT: Passive Loop : QTH: Malaysia

HCJB Radio Otkrovenie (via Nauen)

HCJB Radio Otkrovenie, transmitting from Nauen (Germany), was received on 27 February 2021. A Russian language broadcast was monitored from 15.45 till 16.00 UTC. Reception on  9.500 kHz rated a SINPO of 44544 -- good signal strength, clear audio content despite moderate atmospheric noise.

Reception report was emailed to various contacts. A QSL, pocket calendars, bookmark and personalised letter was received on 5 May 2021.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 and Alinco DX-R9T ANT: Passive Loop : QTH: Malaysia