Radio Free Asia (via Saipan/Agingan Point)

Radio Free Asia's 53rd QSL card release is the third design in the series "Celebrating Musical Instruments of Asia". This card shows a dan tranh which is a traditional, Vietnamese stringed instrument. Dan tranhs are long and narrow having a rounded, or convex, surface. Each string is supported by a wooden, or bone, bridge in an inverted "V" position. Dan tranhs are covered with high-gloss lacquer and, in many cases, ornately designed with mother-of-pearl which was used for RFA's QSL. The history of the dan tranh dates back hundreds of years and it is still a popular instrument in Vietnam today. This QSL is used to confirm all valid reception reports received from April 1 to June 30, 2014. 

To obtain this QSL card I submitted a reception report of RFA's broadcast in Lao. Chinese and Tibetan language broadcasts are effectively squelched in South East Asia, regardless of transmitter location. On some occasions they do manage to squeak through, but just barely. Hence, the odds of receiving an RFA broadcast in any of seven other Asian languages improved the probabily of reception. 

In this case I tuned in to Radio Free Asia, transmitting from the IBB relay site in Saipan/Agingan Point, on 13 May 2014. A Lao language broadcast of news and current events related to Laotians in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos was reported from 11.00 to 12.00 UTC. Reception on 9.325 kHz was (SINPO): 55555 -- excellent!!!

This RFA broadcast at sign-on may be heard HERE.

Reception report was emailed shortly after transmission on 13 May 2014. QSL card arrive in the mail on 22 May 2014.

Email:
qsl@rfa.org

Website:
www.rfa.org/english/

Voice of Forum of Eritreans (via Issoudun)

Voice of Forum of Eritreans (Radio Medrek), transmitting from Issoudun, France, was logged on 10 May 2014. An Arabic language broadcast was monitored from 18.25 to 18.58 UTC (broadcast time 18.00 to 18.58 UTC). Programme content included a report on Islam and Eritrea, discussion on South Sudan mentioning "Human Rights Watch", and a mix of Horn of Africa, Arabic and English songs. Reception on 15.245 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 --  strong and clear, no fading, no interference from Voice of Korea which was operating on the same frequency.

Broadcast Schedule for Voice of Forum of Eritreans
15.245 kHz - 17:00 to 18:00 UTC - Days 1,3 and 6 in Tigrinya 
15.245 kHz - 17:00 to 18:00 UTC - Day 4 in Arabic 
15.245 kHz - 18:00 to 19:00 UTC - Day 7 in Arabic

Reception report was emailed to Télédiffusion de France -- assuming  TDF is the broadcast provider -- the following day. 

Télédiffusion de France Website:
www.tdf.fr/contact

Radio Romania International,

Radio Romania International, presumably transmitting from Tiganesti, was logged on 8 May 2014. An English language broadcast featuring regular RRI programmes "Spotlight", "Letterbox" and traditional Romanian music was noted between 22.25 to 22.57 UTC (broadcast time 22.00 to 22.57 UTC). Reception on 9.790 kHz was (SINPO) 35353 -- fair signal strength with atmospheric noise, but clear and discernible speech.

Reception report was submitted on-line at RRI website and emailed to RRI the following day, 9 May 2014. QSL card arrived in the letterbox on 10 June 2014.

E-mail:
eng@rri.ro
engl@rri.ro

Voice of Turkey

Voice of Turkey, transmitting from Emirler, was logged on 7 May 2014. An English language broadcast of news, tourism feature on Turkish Mediterranean city of Antalya, "Question of the Month" contest and Turkish pop music was observed from 16.28 to 17.25 UTC. Reception  on 15.520 kHz was (SINPO) 55555 -- exceptionally strong and clear on all accounts in my quarter.

Reception report was emailed to Voice of Turkey English Desk the following day, and I'm looking forward to another great card.

If you've been following this blog, you may have noticed this new QSL card series from the Voice of Turkey. And, I must say it is smartly designed and boldly presented in execution! It's certainly impressive in my humble estimate and a great way to promote Turkish culture and brand Turkey. Kudos to the advertising agency/design team and TRT for commissioning this QSL series! QSL card and coaster arrived in the mail on 11 June 2014.

Voice of Mongolia

Voice of Mongolia in Ulaan Baator was logged on 7 May 2014. After a long absence their English language broadcast was finally heard from 09.09 to 09.30 UTC. While reception on 12.085 kHz was less than desired, it was sufficiently audible despite two glaring problems -- atmospheric noise and noisy transmitter, earning a final SINPO rating of 23332.

HERE's how Voice of Mongolia sounded in the closing minutes of their English broadcast.

Voice of Mongolia presents half hour transmissions on a daily basis, including domestic news and various programs designed to provide various kinds of information about Mongolia. The nation’s development, nature, history, culture, arts, traditions and customs, as well as unique folk and modern Mongolian music is presented. Such was the case on this hearing, most notably their current contest "Who Knows Mongolia Best?". 

Reception report was emailed the following day.

Radio Mehr Iran (WRN) / Media Broadcast GmbH

Radio Mehr Iran is a clandestine short-wave station established to give "voice to Iranian public opinion and aspirations for an open dialogue with HM Reza Pahlavi II". The goal of this non-governmental organisation is to aid in "establishing a democratic, secular and nationalistic government in Iran - and supports the overthrow of the barbaric, anti-Iranian, terrorist Islamic Republic and bringing its leaders/collaborators to justice," according to an affiliated BLOGSITE.

 

Radio Mehr Iran (WRN Broadcast) / Media Broadcast GmbH, transmitting from Issoudun, France, was logged 2 May 2014. A Farsi language broadcast began with interval tune, station ID and frequency announcement at 16.30 UTC. Nearly a half hour of reports about Iran, moderated by a female announcer, followed, then closed with two songs at 16.58 UTC. Reception on 15.680 kHz was (SINPO) 54554 -- strong and clear signal, despite slight interference from China Radio International (broadcasting several songs performed by The Beatles).

HERE is how Radio Mehr Iran sounded at sign-on.

Reception report was emailed to Media Broadcast GmbH and messaged on FaceBook to Radio Mehr Iran shortly after transmission ended. Media Broadcast GmbH confirmed with eQSL on 8 May 2014.

Email (Radio Mehr Iran):
Info@radiomehriran.org

FaceBook Page:
www.facebook.com/radiomehriran

PCJ Radio International to Test from Taiwan

 

PCJ Radio International will conduct their first test transmission from their own transmitter site (Taiwan).

Date: 18 May  2014

Target: South East Asia

Time: 13.00 - 14.00 UTC

Frequency: 11.765 kHz

Power: 20 kW

To reduce the bureaucratic process of registering the frequency with the NCC, Radio Taiwan International has consented to let PCJ Radio International use one of their frequencies (11.765 kHz) for the test.

Hopefully neither CRI nor CNR will not squat on this frequency. PBS Xinjiang broadcasts on 11.760 kHz, so station splatter might produce some QRM. There was indeed station splatter, but frequency was switched on day of transmission to 15.680 kHz.