Radio Taiwan International Calendar - June 2025

 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, June 2025

 

 

Liberia ELWA 20th Anniversary

LIBERIA on 16 January 1974 issued a First Day Cover (FDC) stamp combo to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ELWA Radio. It was a missionary radio station in Liberia. It's call letters ELWA stood for Eternal Love Winning Africa. This particular FDC features four stamps, two 15-cent and two 17-cent stamps, depicting the map of Africa and a person  listening to a portable radio. The postmark cancellation originated from Monrovia, Liberia. 

This radio station, which operated on shortwave, could be received worldwide in the 1970s. When civil war broke out in Liberia in 1990, the station was burned and looted. For the next 13 years, ELWA Radio struggled to stay on the air through waves of civil strife, broadcasting from an old garage building. ELWA was threatened again when a fire gutted that building in 2011. 

With faith and determination, the ELWA Radio staff set up two studios in the transmitter building and continued work, carrying their listeners through the difficult times of the Ebola epidemic in 2014 and the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020.

The station currently operates primarily on FM with a 2kW transmitter; SW transmission at one point resumed with a 1kW, much less than its former power.

Additionally, the ELWA QSL Card is one I received in the mid-1970s verifying reception from Denver, Colorado -- my residency back then.

Voice of Turki

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 11 April 2025. English programmes "Pulse of Turkish Foreign Policy", "Did You Know That" and Turkish contemporary music was monitored from 16.55 till 17.25 UTC. Reception on 9.660 kHz rated a SINPO of 55344 -- strong and clear audio, despite moderate.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 8  May 2025.

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

Voice of Turkiye

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 21 February 2025. English programmes "Pulse of Turkish Foreign Policy", "Did You Know That" and Turkish contemporary music was monitored from 17.50 till 18.25 UTC. Reception on 9.660 kHz rated a SINPO of 55344 -- strong and clear audio, despite moderate.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 8  May 2025.

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

Radio Taiwan International

Radio Taiwan International, presumably transmitting from Tamshui, was received on 14 April 2025. An English language broadcast on Taiwanese tourist sites was monitored from 16.30 till 17.00 UTC. Reception on 9.405 kHz rated a SINPO of 55444 -- strong signal but minor atmospheric noise. 

Reception report was emailed on the following day. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 8 May 2025.

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

Radio Taiwan International Calendar - May 2025

 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, May 2025

FEBC (via Bocaue)

FEBC (Radio Tios), transmitting from Bocaue, Philippines, was logged on 14 February 2025. A Russian language broadcast was monitored from 15.00 till 16.00 UTC, on the shortwave frequency of 9.920 kHz.

Reception was emailed to FEBC shortly afterwards. An eQSL was received on 30 April 2025

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

NHK World Radio Japan

NHK World Radio Japan via Yamata, Japan sent this verification (QSL) card for an Urdu language broadcast monitored here in Malaysia on 29 February 2025.

The card has a highlighted notation stating NHK World - Japan will cease issuing verification cards on 31 March 2025. This seems par for the course given the cost of postage worldwide and the dwindling (aging) listener audience. 

It is disheartening for old listeners like me who first received a verification card from Radio Japan in 1968-1969. When I resumed this hobby in 2007, NHK World Radio Japan and many domestic Japanese MW stations were verified from Malaysia. 

While this is their swan song for me, on  a more conciliatory note their SW and MW broadcasts can still be heard. Hopefully this will not cease like so many great stations that have gradually disappeared in recent years.

Vatican Radio QSL Retrospective of Pope Francis

Vatican Radio QSL Retrospective of Pope Francis. 

Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio; 1936 – 2025) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 until his death in 2025. 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar - April 2025

 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, April 2025

 

Norfolk Island 50th Anniversary of Radio Australia

Norfolk Island (Australia) on 21 November 1989 issued a set of three First Day Cover stamps commemorating Radio Australia's 50th anniversary (1939-1989). 

The stamps featured: 

41c - Inaugural announcer John Royle 

65c - Radio Australia coverage

$1.10 - Jacko the laughing kookaburra 

Radio Australia opened its broadcasts with the melody "Waltzing Matilda" and the song of the Kookaburra bird, hence the cachet and stamp design. Its programmes targeted the Pacific and Oceania, but we're just as popular throughout the English-speaking world. 

NHK World Radio Japan

NHK World Radio Japan, transmitting from Yamata, was logged on 19 January 2025. An English language broadcast was monitored from 14.00 till 14.30 UTC, on 11.815 kHz.

Reception report was submitted on the following day. A QSL was received on 7 March 2025.

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

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, March 2025

 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, March 2025

Termination of NHK WORLD-JAPAN Verification Cards (QSL Cards)

NHK WORLD-JAPAN has been issuing Verification Cards (confirmation cards) to people who have notified us of listening to our broadcasts.

Please be advised that we have decided to stop issuing the Verification Cards. The cards will be sent for confirmations on broadcasts up to March 20, 2025.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

You can continue to submit your comments and requests to English language services through Contact Us on our website.

Your feedback will be used to improve our broadcasts and services.

It's regrettable, but not surprising.

I can still remember my first verification from Radio Japan, way back in 1968. It was one the first along with Deutsche Welle, Radio Nederland, BBC, Radio RSA and so many more.

NHK World Radio Japan was always a prompt and excellent verifier. I wish they would continue, but it is understandable. Hopefully they will continue their shortwave service, as I will listen to their programmes. 

73.

Voice of Turkiye

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 19 January 2025. A Persian language broadcast was monitored from 16.00 till 16.55 UTC. Reception on 9.490 kHz rated a SINPO of  55555 -- excellent.

Reception report was emailed on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 21 February 2025.

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

RTM WAI FM (via Kajang, Malaysia)

RTM WAI FM, transmitting from Kajang, Malaysia, was logged on 19 February 2025. A selection of Malay pop songs, community announcements and news related to Sarawak was monitored from 03.30 till 04.05 UTC (11.30 till noon, local time) Reception on 11.665 kHz rated a SINPO of 55354 -- strong and clear audio, despite moderate atmospheric noise.

Reception was emailed to RTM shortly afterwards, then in the afternoon, same day, an eQSL was received.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 EXT ANT: 3 meter random wire QTH: Subang Jaya, Malaysia 

Radio Taiwan International

Radio Taiwan International, presumably transmitting from: Tamshui, was received on 21 January 2025. An English language broadcast of Taiwanese music and letters from listeners was monitored from 16.15 till 17.00 UTC. Reception on 9.405 kHz rated a SINPO of 35333 -- strong signal but severe atmospheric noise. 

Reception report was emailed on the following day. This QSL card arrived in the mail on 18 February 2025.

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

Radio New Zealand Pacific

Radio New Zealand Pacific, transmitting from Rangitaiki, was logged on 22 January 2025. An interview with New Zealand Country singer Tami Nielson on meeting Willie Nelson at his ranch on his 90th birthday and performing his songs, including "I Never Cared for You", was observed from 09.50 till 10.30 UTC. Reception on 13.755 kHz rated a SINPO of 25332 - weak signal, very noisy, barely discernible content.

Reception report was submitted online shortly after this broadcast on the same day. An eQSL was received on 9 February 2025.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 EXT ANT: 3 meter random wire QTH: Subang Jaya, Malaysia 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar - February 2025

 

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, February 2025

 

Gaweylon Tibetan Radio (via Dhabbaya)

Gaweylon Tibetan Radio (FEBA), transmitting from Dhabbaya, UAE, was logged on 20 January 2025. Tibetan language programme was monitored from 12.20 till 12.30 UTC. Reception on 15.215.1 kHz rated a SINPO of 23332 -- weak signal but audible with possibly some light jamming which disappeared around 12.25 UTC.

 Reception report was submitted on the same day. An eQSL was received on 30 January 2025.

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

Reach Beyond Australia (via Kununurra)

Reach Beyond Australia, transmitting from Kununurra, Western Australia, was logged on 20 January 2025. A Burmese language broadcast, entitled  "Women of Hope", was monitored from 15.00 till 15.30 UTC. Reception on 11.900 kHz rated a SINPO of 45434 - good signal strength and clear content despite moderate atmospheric  noise.

Reception report was submitted on the same day. An eQSL was received on 21 January 2025.

RX: Tecsun S-2000 EXT ANT: 3 meter random wire QTH: Subang Jaya, Malaysia 

China Radio International(via Bamako)

China Radio International, transmitting from Bamako, Mali, was logged on 19 January 2025. An English language broadcast about an American healthcare entrepreneur in China was monitored from 15.00 till 15.40 UTC. Reception on 17.630 kHz rated a SINPO of 55444 -- slight fading with atmospheric noise, otherwise a strong signal and clear audio content. 

Reception report was emailed to CRI shortly after the broadcast on the same day. An eQSL was received on 21 January 2025.

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

Voice of Turkiye

 

Voice of Turkiye, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 9 December 2024.

Reception report was submitted on the following day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 13 January 2015.

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

Radio Free Asia

 

Radio Free Asia, transmitting presumably from Asia, was logged on 3 October 2024. A Burmese language broadcast of current events about the region was monitored from 00.00 till 00.30 UTC. Reception on 15.210 kHz rated a SINPO of 45344; transmission initially was audible with clear content despite atmospheric interference. Later in the transmission, the noise level increased substantially making audio content less listenable.

Reception report was submitted on the same day. QSL card arrived in the mail on 13 January 2015.

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

DXing

 DXing

dash dot dash dot (-.-.)

dash dash dot dash (--.-)

dash dot dot (-..)

dash dot dot dash (-..-)

I am a traveller of the world 

tuning the longitude and latitude of the radio dials. Be it short-wave, medium wave or long wave.

You are tuned to the overseas service of the BBC. Atlantic relay station.

Amidst the invisible, magical airwaves an island, country, station skips the hiss and crackle of the ionosphere. 

Ici Radio Canada.

I have crossed the seven seas and discovered the sounds of Polynesian singers, sitar ragas,  and verses from the Quran, all without ever leaving my chair.

Assalamu alaikum. Bismillah hirrahman nirrahim.

My wanderlust has taken me across continents to hear Andean pipes, Spanish guitars, Sarawakan sapeh, Congo drums, tolling bells and Alpen horns.

Heir ist die Schweiz.

I have heard the exotic birdsong of the kookaburra, the bell bird, bokmakierie and Italian sparrow under grey-line paths.

This is Radio New Zealand.

I have learned of wars and typhoons, enjoyed dramas and documentaries, heard banana cutting notices and messages to loved ones in faraway Antarctica,  all at my fingertips.

Estás escuchando Radio Habana Cuba, transmitiendo desde Cuba, territorio libre en America.

I have  strung many an antenna wire. Explored the bands. Caught DX party lines, evangelical sermons, even heard pirates spin tune after tune.

This is DX Partyline in Quito.

The adventure of radio never seems to end. It has always been the perfect getaway to any worldwide destination. And, it has cost me nothing.

dot dash dot (.-.)

dot dash (.-)

dash dot dot (-..)

dot dot (..)

dash dash dash (---)

© Breyel, Timm. “DXing". All rights reserved.  No part of this poem may be copied, broadcast, reproduced in print or electronically represented without permission from the author.

Centenary of Public Broadcast Radio in Australia

 

AUSTRALIA POST on 17 October  2013 marked a century of public radio broadcasting in Australia with a stamp illustrated by Harry Slaghekke and inspired by a 1940s Max Dupain photoshoot for the AWA Radiola. Postmark for this First Day Cover originated from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The console radio design was set to the “Music Lovers Hour” on 2BL, now known as ABC Radio Sydney. Initially called 2SB, 2BL made the first official broadcast in Australia on 23 November 1923.

Harry Slaghekke has beautifully illustrated this iconic scene that was a snapshot into many Australian homes during the 1940s. The postwar period around 1949 was an optimistic time, radio was on still its own. Television hadn’t made an impact yet. Everybody got their news, their entertainment, children had programs, teenagers. There were serials, dramas and comedy shows.

On a side note, ABC 2BL Sydney is still operating on 702 kHz (MW/AM). This 50,000 watt station can be received in Central West Malaysia in the early morning hours when the path of night covers New South Wales to Kuala Lumpur. HERE is 2BL as heard in Malaysia, back 2017. Reception is occasionally much better than this recording.

Source: Australia Post

RNEI & Friends Yule Marathon 2024 (via Woofferton)

Radio Northern Europe International  & Friends Yule Marathon 2024, transmitting from via Woofferton, UK, was logged on 25 December 2024. A variety of music was heard from  radio partners -- Moma, Stephen, PopShopRadio, Radio Carpathia -- for this special Yule broadcast which was monitored from 14.00 to 15.35 UTC.  Around 15.25 an MFSK64 signal was transmitted. Reception on the shortwave frequency of 9.740 kHz radted a SINPO of 35443 - clear content, no interference, stable signal . HERE is an excerpt from this broadcast.

Reception report was emailed on the same day. An eQSL was received on 3 January 2025. A paper QSL card, along with a postcard of Romania and stickers from the other stations involved was received on 13 January 2025.


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

Radio Taiwan International Calendar - January 2025

Radio Taiwan International Calendar, January 2025