QSLs / ARTICLES

Monday, August 19, 2024

NHK World Radio Japan (via Issoudun)

NHK World Radio Japan, transmitting from Issoudun, France, was logged on 2 July 2014. A Japanese language broadcast was monitored from 17.25 till 18.05 UTC. Jazz music of Louis Armstrong, hosted by male announcer,  included "Sunny Side of Life", "Hello Dolly", "Chim Chim Cher-ee", "What a Wonderful World" and possibly a duet with Ella Fitzgerald. Reception on 17.680 kHz rated a SINPO of 34433 -- fair signal, clear content.

Reception report was submitted online on the following day. QSL card arrived on 20 August 2024.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 EXT ANT:  3 meter random wire QTH: Central West Malaysia

Thursday, August 15, 2024

Saigon VHF Radio Station "Dai Vi-Ba Saigon" First Day Cover 1966

VIETNAM CONG HOA  (Republic of South Vietnam) issued on 24 April 1966 two First Day Cover stamps commemorating the installation of the Saigon VHF Radio Station "Dai Vi-Ba Saigon". 

With gradual American escalation of troops from around 200,000 in the beginning of 1966 to over 500,000 by the end of 1967, South Vietnam required improvements to their communication system including the Saigon microwave station. Hence, the 1966 stamps were released for the anniversary of the inauguration of microwave radio, which facilitated better analog television and radio transmissions nationwide.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Radio Hanoi - Me-Tri site and stamps 1959

NORTH VIETNAM issued on 10 August 1959 a set of stamps commemorating Me-Tri Radio Station, transmission site for Radio Hanoi during the Vietnam War. That said, these block sets were postmarked Hanoi, Viet Nam, 2 September 1959. Bùi Trang Chước designed the stamps. Tien Bo Printing House used an offset bicoloured printing method to print these ungummed stamps.

For twelve days in December 1972 the U.S. bombarded Hanoi, Haipong and elsewhere. The Me Tri radio signal transmitter station of  Radio Hanoi (now The Radio Voice of Vietnam) was hit on the night of 18 December. Despite heavy property damage, Radio Hanoi broadcasts resumed after nine minutes in silence.

Declassified CIA files revealed equipment was initially received from Communist as well as Western nations, and the influx of equipment continued during the Vietnam War. The CIA viewed the increased communication system as a viable propaganda threat.

In recent years the transmitter site has undergone much upgrading. New equipment and an office tower for The Radio Voice of Vietnam occupies the site.

Source: The Voice of Vietnam and CIA documents from 1969

Friday, August 9, 2024

Radio Nacional da Amazonia (via Brasilia)

Radio Nacional da Amazonia, transmitting from Brasilia, Brazil, was logged on 16 December 2022. Music and discussion in Portuguese was monitored from 09.40 to 10.05 UTC. Reception on 11.780 kHz rated a SINPO of 23322 -- audible and occasionally clear content, despite atmospheric noise and fading.

Reception report was initially sent on the same day. After no reply for a very long time -- due largely to Covid-19 disruption of mail service -- the report was resubmitted in late June 2024. An eQSL was received on 9 July 2024. A paper QSL arrived in the mail on 7 August 2024.

RX: Alinco DX-R8T EXT ANT: 1/4 wave QTH: Subang Jaya, Malaysia


Friday, August 2, 2024

Voice of Turkiye

 

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 2 July 2024. An English language broadcast was monitored from 16.38 till 17.24 UTC. Reception on 11.660 kHz rated a SINPO of 55454 -- good signal strength, clear audio despite slight fading

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 2 August 2024.

The QSL card depicts the Suncaklar Mosque located in Büyükçekmece, a suburban neighbourhood on the outskirts of Istanbul. The Suncaklar Mosque has a simple cave-like interior space that becomes quite dramatic and awe-inspiring for those who want to pray and be alone with God. The slits and fractures along the Qiblah wall enhance the directionality of the prayer hall and allows daylight to filter into the interior space. The mosque won the Project of the Future Award at the 2011 edition of the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, and the First Prize in the Religion category at the 2013 edition of the World Architecture Festival organised in Singapore.

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

Voice of Turkiye

 

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 15 June 2024. An English language broadcast was monitored from 16.35 till 17.25 UTC. Reception on 11.660 kHz rated a SINPO of 55454 -- good signal strength, clear audio despite slight fading

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived on 2 August 2024.

The QSL card depicts the world's most dangerous road, located along the Bayburt-Trabzon border and on Mount Soğanlı which has an elevation of 3500 meters. The Derebaşı Turns were named the world's most dangerous road in 2016. To this day, it remains at the top of the list.

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