DX Logs from Jhandi Eco Huts

Ever since I started this DX blog, whenever I had the pleasure of travelling to far off places, be it for work or leisure, I haven’t missed out a single opportunity of logging stations on my portable receivers and reporting here! The charm of listening to a local radio station operating within a limited perimeter of coverage, as well as, logging DX stations on SW and comparing the signals/ overall reception with that from my QTH in Kolkata fascinates me. However, during my recent trip to Jhandi Eco Huts, (which is at a height of 6205 feets from the sea level) I was the only person travelling ‘with’ my hobby in our eight member group, and hence the focus was entirely on sightseeing. Somehow, I squeezed out only two hours in the early morning on the day of our departure for DXing.

I am thankful to my good fortune for having logged a number of FM stations from Nepal (for the first time in my DX journey of over a decade and a half). The icing on the cake was probably hearing BBS (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) morning transmission, with rock solid reception on their 49 meter band shortwave frequency. Obviously, the nearness of Jhandi to both Nepal and Bhutan borders was the key factor. Still, it was an awesome feeling inside.

Here are my logs –

Date: 16 November, 2014

Place: Jhandi Eco Huts, Upper Lungsel, Gorubathan, Dist- Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.

Time: 0030 -0300 Hrs UTC

RX: Tecsun PL660

ANT: Degen 31 MS Active Loop Antenna

FM Band Scan:

88.0 MHz Radio Foorti (Dhaka / Rajshahi), Bangladesh [ID heard twice]

88.5 MHz Radio Birat, Jhapa, Nepal radiobirat.com [ID heard multiple times with jingle]

89.6 MHz Aagan FM, Birtamod, Jhapa, Nepal (Facebook Page) [ID heard once, not clear though]

90.2 MHz Radio Parasi radioparasi.org [Didn’t hear ID, confirmed via WRTH]

91.6 MHZ Radio Vision radiovision.com.np [Confirmed] Employment news info

92.5/6 MHz Kanchenjanga FM, Mechi, Nepal [distorted audio splatters from High FM]

92.7 MHz High FM, Siliguri, India

93.5 MHz Red FM, Siliguri, India

94.5 MHz (?) No ID (no specific entry in WRTH as well) [continuous Nepali songs with radio commercials]

94.3 MHz Radio Misty, Siliguri, India

96.8 MHz Mechi Tunes mechitunes.com

97.9 MHz Image FM, Birtamod, Jhapa, Nepal

98.0 MHz Radio Nepal (?) domestic relay (?)

101.6 MHz Saptarangi FM, Jhapa, Nepal saptarangifm.com

105.0 MHz Birta FM, Jhapa, Nepal Listen Online

106.9 MHz Seemana FM Jhapa, Nepal seemanafm.com

107.5 MHz Nagarik FM Jhapa, Nepal nagarikfm.com.np

As you can see from the above that a majority of the FM stations were from Jhapa District, which is closest to the India border lining Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Naturally FM stations from across the border was audible loud and clear. No surprises here! Just the thrill of listening to uninterrupted Nepali songs, local Ads, news and talk on the airwaves from across the border...I was re-living those early DX days when out here from my QTH, listening to Radio Nepal on MW & SW was a usual affair!

SW Logs:  I didn’t had much time in hand for hardcore DX, as we had to check out early for the return trip. Here are some random logs made that eventful morning. I must mention that the ‘Shortwave Schedules’ Android app came in handy! Here are the logs –

4835 KHz AIR Gangtok 0222 UTC Nepali programming Children’s program ‘Bal Binodan’ poetry recital heard as well as children’s song SIO 444

4880 KHz AIR Lucknow 0220UTC instrumental, quotes (YL) then over to Delhi for news 0255 UTC SIO 344

6000 KHz Voice of Turkey via Emirler 0238 UTC programming in Turkish folk song then YL talk SIO 433

6035 KHz BBS Thimpu at 0235 UTC domestic programming (in vern. dialect) heard SIO 555

11620 KHz AIR Urdu (GOS) via Bengaluru around 0300 hrs UTC SIO 444 (CNR Co-Channel was S2)

That’s all folks! 73 & 88

KTWR Guam QSL for IRDR Special Transmission

The long-awaited QSL for IRDR Special Transmission from KTWR Guam was received on Aug 2nd, 2014. The QSL was signed by Kathy Gregowske (Frequency Coordination Department). The QSL card has a picture of Trans World Radio antennas in Agat, Guam.

This was received in follow up to the earlier eQSL sent to me on June 11 following my reception report of June 6, 2014. Along with the QSL card, A14 schedule, confirmation/ acknowledgement letter and a ministry publication (pamphlet) were inside the envelope.

73 & 88

DX Logs from Gopalpur on Sea

Whenever I go on a trip, be it a long vacation or a weekend escapade out of the city limits, I never forget packing in my portable radios. Listening to the same station from different location has its own charm. For example when I hear All India Radio Kolkata from my home in Kolkata it sounds different from when I listened to it in the past from Rajgir in Bihar or from Mandarmani, Tajpur, Puri, Chandipur and now from Gopalpur, it’s different every time and that’s the charm of radio listening. Plus you can tune in to the local (low powered) stations more prominently while visiting a far off location and that’s something to treasure about in our hobby. 

This time I travelled to Gopalpur beach situated about 17 KMs from Brahmapur (ex Berhampore) in Ganjam district of Odisha. Gopalpur is very close to the Andhra Pradesh state border and a very prominent Telegu (the state language of Andhra Pradesh) influence was eminent and surprisingly less Odiya influence was felt. 

Now coming back to my radio listening experience, let me tell you that during my 2.5 days at Gopalpur I could only manage 2 hours to devote myself to DXing.

Here are the logs. Receiver used Tecsun PL 310, telescopic rod antenna, all times in UTC.

Shortwave Logs

4760 KHz All India Radio Port Blair logged at 0025 hrs with Bhajan (devotional song in Hindi) followed station ID by YL Krishi Samachar (?) followed news reader OM SIO 343

4820 KHz All India Radio Kolkata logged at 0028 hrs with sehnai (wind instrument) SIO 444

6130 KHz Lao National Radio from Vientiane logged at 0035 hrs with news (?) by OM talk in Laotian. Talk continued with just one break, when YL heard (program highlights?) SIO 444

2365 (+/-) 5 KHz UNID heard 2 channels 0040 hrs with Burmese talk by YL presenter SIO 343 and co-channel a gospel program in English was noted with OM preacher(?) heard to decipher SIO 222  

15590 KHz Radio Thailand in English 0045 hrs current affairs program followed by news YL and sign off with tune at 0055 hrs SIO 444 Click to watch my video 

4800 KHz All India Radio Hyderabad with devotional music flute heard SIO 333

4810 KHz All India Radio Bhopal talk program with OM(s) SIO 233

4860 KHz All India Radio Shimla 0048 hrs program in Hindi, ‘krishi katha’ (program on agriculture & farming) talk by OM (var.) followed by Hindi song, YL ID 0100 hrs  SIO 434

4880 KHz All India Radio Lucknow devotional talk ‘significance of chanting ram naam’ spiritual discourse by OM (Hindu priest) 0102 hrs SIO 333

4835 KHz All India Radio Gangtok (Sikkim) devotional song ‘Bhajan’ by singer Anup Jalota 0104 hrs SIO 322

4920 KHz All India Radio Chennai Talk by YL followed by film songs in Tamil. At 0105 hrs station ID by YL SIO 555

4895 KHz All India Radio Kurseong Talk in Nepali heard 0110 hrs by OM SIO 322

Mediumwave Logs

558 KHz Bangladesh Betar Khulna, Sports news followed by weather update 0117 hrs YL reader SIO 444

1242 KHz All India Radio Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) Hindi song ‘Sawaar Loon' from the movie Lootera being played 0121 hrs SIO 333

657 KHz All India Radio Kolkata (A) elocution in Bengali by YL artist at 0144 hrs SIO 444

945 KHz All India Radio Sambalpur (?) (Odisha) indistinct talk probably Odiya (?) 0147 hrs SIO 222

FM Logs

98.3 MHz Radio Mirchi Vizag Id at 0156 hrs followed by talk on Allu Arjun's I AmThat Change (Latest Telugu Short Film)

92.7 MHz Big FM Vizag id at 0200 hrs program ‘Happy Morning’ YL host Telegu film songs played

73 & 88

IBB VOA Philippines Verified with QSL

The wait is over! I am happy to announce the arrival of 2 prized QSLs from IBB Philippines by post on August 16th. Two full data QSL cards depicting the huge curtain antennas of the IBB transmitter site at Tinang, Philippines were inside the envelopes. 

The cards verify reception reports of VOA Burmese service originating from Tinang, Philippines, which were sent during the month of July to the IBB Philippines transmitting station. It took 16 days by post to reach my QTH in Kolkata, India from Manila, Philippines by airmail. The good thing was this time the cards were in perfect shape, contrary to the usual folds and creases that most of my QSLs suffer at the hands of the postal department.

DXing Logs from Udaipur Beach

Recently I took a break from work and daily chores and travelled to Udaipur beach and Talsari for a '2 nights and 3 day' trip. As always, I took my radio (Tecsun PL 660) with me. 

In March 2012, I had a good DX harvest while travelling to the same spot. Then I had a bagful of DX catches with just my portable Sony ICF SW 22 analog set; stations logged included - Voice of Nigeria, Sudan Radio, Shiokaze, Voice of Mongolia, as well as some exotic local pirates! With this memory intact I wanted to take my chances this time for a mid-June rain-washed solo DXpedition!

Here are my DX logs. All times are in UTC. RX used Tecsun PL 660, ANT Telescopic rod.

QTH – Oceana Tourist Complex, Udaipur Beach (West Bengal) & Talsari (Odisha)

20 June, 2014

Voice of Korea (DPRK) on 11910 KHz via Kujang (200 KW) in English, heard between 19-1920 hrs mostly propaganda of North Korean Govt and the ‘divine’ leadership of Supreme leader (dictator) Kim Jong-un SIO 444

21 June, 2014 

Voice of Mongolia on 12085 KHz via Ulaanbaatar (250 KW) in Chinese 1020-1028 hrs MX followed by ID by YL and talk heard. SIO 433

CNR2 Business Radio on 9755 KHz via Baoji-Sifangshan (100 KW) in Chinese 1030 hrs ID followed by MX tune and talk (news?) followed SIO 333

All India Radio on 13605 KHz via Bengaluru (500 KW) in English 1035 hrs talk on ‘tourist attractions of Shivsagar and Majuli in Assam by OM; at 1040 ID by OM followed by musical program ‘Juke Box’

China Radio Intl. on 13590 KHz via Beijing (500 KW) in English at 1045 hrs news on inauguration of China’s Hi-tech national super-computing centre; Talk with a prof. from Birmingham Univ. followed. SIO 434 (Parallel freq 13620 KHZ via Xian also 500 KW noted with SIO 444)

The Voice Asia on 13630 KHz via Tashkent, Uzbekistan (100 KW) in Hindi at 1050 hrs Bollywood songs being played by YL RJ song by popular playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan at 1055 hrs SIO 333

Voice of Korea (DPRK) on 13650 KHz via Kujang (200 KW) in English sign off at 1058 hrs with ID and freqs by OM followed by the usual salutation “Goodbye, this is Pyongyang” SIO 333

PBS Xinjiang on 13670 KHz via Urumqi (100 KW) in Uyghur talk by YL and OM (radio talk) at 1105 hrs SIO 323

China National Radio (CNR13) on 13700 KHz via Lingshi (100 KW) in Uyghur sign in at 1100 hrs with MX and ID by YL News followed SIO 333

China Radio Intl. on 13720 KHz via Xian (500 KW) at 1110 hrs with English program “CRI News & Reports” (also monitored parallel freq. 15755 KHz via Kashi –Saibagh 500 KW with SIO 444)

IBB (VOA) on 17850 KHz via Bandung, Thailand (250 KW), at 1115 hrs in French talk by YLs followed by MX and song by Bob Marley “no woman no cry” at 1123 hrs heard SIO 454

Voice of Khmer M'Chas Srok (CL) 17860 KHz via Dushanbe, Tajikistan (200 KW) at 1132 hrs Talk in Cambodian with mention of station name by YL monitored till 1140 hrs SIO 333

China National Radio (CNR1) dom. 17890 KHz via Beijing (100 KW) in Chinese at 1142 hrs Talk by var. YL and OM with SIO 444

Radio Riyadh (BSKSA) on 21670 KHz via Riyadh (500 KW) in Indonesian at 1145 hrs Quran teachings and interpretations in Bahasa by OM(s) SIO 545

Radio Veritas Asia on 11935 KHz via Palauig, Philippines (250 KW) sign in with signature tune at 1200 hrs with Hmong language broadcast. Talk by OM presenter heard SIO 444

VOA on 11965 KHz via Tinang 1207 hrs with talk in Burmese (world news) mention of terrorist group Boko Haram of Nigeria and related events and Syria OM and YL, SIO 444

Radio Riyadh (BSKSA) on 15120 KHz via Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (500 KW) in Bengali at 1217 hrs talk by OM on importance of purity of mind while praying SIO 343

Radio Veritas Asia on 15225 KHz via Palauig, Philippines (250 KW) in Karen at 1220 hrs Gospel MX and talk by OM like readings from the Bible.  SIO 545

KTWR, Guam on 15390 KHz via Agana (100 KW) in Burmese at 1222 hrs talk by YL replying to questions SIO 333

HCJB Australia on 15400 KHz via Kununurra (100 KW) in Indonesian at 1225 hrs gospel MX ended followed by YL talk then chorus song followed SIO 333

Vatican Radio on 15470 KHz  via Palauig (250 KW)  in Chinese Bible prayer session with gospel preaching by OM and fellow attendees followed by YL chorus 1235 hrs SIO 444

22 June, 2014 

VOIRI on 9420 KHz via Zahedan, Iran (500 KW) in Arabic 0135 hrs YL & OM continuous talk with MX interlude heard twice, sounded like program bites. SIO 333

BBC on 9410 KHz via Dhabayya, UAE (250 KW) in Urdu at 0138 hrs report on Pakistan’s military ambush in Waziristan at possible Al Qaeda targets; Discussion on this topic followed.  SIO 444

China Radio Intl. via Kashi-Saibagh  (500 KW) in English at 0142 hrs program “world according to words” topic “ethical eaters” OM and YL presenters. SIO 444

Thazin Radio via Naypyidaw, Burma (50 KW) in Burmese (Wa dialect) at 0150 hrs ID (?) with tune stringed instrument by YL SIO 333

VOA on 9780 KHz via Iranawila, Sri Lanka (250 KW) in English at 0152 hrs “chaos in Benghazi” topic of discussion OM with reports, ends “issues in the news” VOA news id declared at 0156 hrs SIO 444

BBC on 9835 KHz via Nakhon Sawan, Thailand (250 KW) in Bengali at 0157- 0200 hrs sign off “pratyusha” Bengali magazine capsule covering the day’s news update from London H.Q. with a specific bent on Bangladesh and a minimal look into Indian media. sio 454

AIR (Vividh Bharati) on 9870 KHz via Bengaluru (500 KW) program Sangeet Sarita at 0203 hrs Hindustani Instrumental Music being played SIO 555

AIR Kolkata on 4820 KHz at 0205 hrs regional news from Kolkata station (noted a steady QRM from PBS Xizang, Lhasa) SIO 322

Vatican Radio on 15460 KHz via Palauig (250 KW) in Hindi at 0215 hrs YL reading news mostly recent visits and speeches of the Pope; SIO 232

RTV Malaysia in 6175 KHz via Kajang (100 KW) talk in Malay 0230 hrs news followed YL reader SIO 322

73's 

My First Radio Japan QSL in the A14 Season

Last week I got a pleasant surprise from NHK Radio Japan Bengali Service. In reply to my reception report of April 27, 2014, I received a beautiful QSL verification card from them along with the A14 schedule for the Bengali section.

The card depicts the photograph of a man shooting an arrow while riding a horse or ‘horseback-archery’ also called yabusame. It is part of a Shinto ritual from Kanagawa prefecture.

The QSL verifies NHK Radio Japan Bengali service transmission relayed via Kranji, Singapore, a decision which the authorities were forced to take in A14 replacing the Tashkent transmitter, which they used earlier in the last broadcasting season B13, The NHK authorities had to make this change due to popular demand from DXers and listeners alike.

Radio Dabanga Verified with QSL Card

My long cherished DX dream of verifying Radio Dabanga was fulfilled yesterday. I consider this station as one of the most attractive Clandestine Stations operating today on the shortwave spectrum. I have heard them multiple times in the past yet somehow didn't find enough confidence to send them reception report, mostly because either the signal wasn't clear enough for me to note a distinct station ID or I was lazy to pen down my report after hearing them on air. 

However, on Jun 22, 2013, I listened to their Arabic broadcast on 15725 KHz via Santa Maria di Galeria (CVA) from my QTH in Kolkata, India on my Tecsun PL310 receiver and sent my report to them right away  for verification.

It took me a couple of times to follow up with the audience relation authority and ultimately after 1 year of sending my reception report I received a full-data QSL card delivered to my address from Radio Dabanga. It was sent from Free Press Unlimited office in Amsterdam, The Nederlands.

If you want to learn more about Radio Dabanga visit their website > www.radiodabanga.org

You can also connect to them on Facebook - Radio Darfur

73's

Reception Verification from Rádio Nacional Da Amazônia

During my stint at the Mandarmani 2014 DXpedition organized by our very own Asian DX League core members in the month of January, I was fortunate to log Rádio Nacional da Amazônia transmitting from Brasilia, Brazil. It was undoubtedly the farthest log in our DXpedition trip this year. I can still remember the sports commentary by OM of an ongoing football match in (fast paced) Portuguese. I can still reminisce how we roared in unison “Brazil Brazil” breaking the silence of the night once we heard the station ID. You can have a look at our DXpedition blog post here – Asian DX League DXpedition 2014.

After returning from the DX trip I sent my reception report to EBC (Empresa Brasil de Comunicação). The first communication didn’t result in any reply, the second communication (in Feb) however resulted in a reply on March 12, confirming the reception and a note of thanks and promising a QSL is on the way! Here’s the reply (copied from email)

“Em resposta à sua manifestação, a Empresa Brasil de Comunicação EBC informa: Sr. Rajdeep Das, bom dia. A Coordenação da Rádio, em resposta a mensagem, informa que A Empresa Brasil de Comunicação está desenvolvendo um projeto para emissão de cartão QSL. Em breve, o cartão estará pronto e faremos o envio. Aproveitamos a oportunidade para agradecer por escutar nossa emissora. Atenciosamente, Jamily Lima Ouvidoria da EBC”

(Translated from Portuguese it reads)

“In response to its manifestation, Brazil Communication Company - EBC informs:Mr. Rajdeep Das, good day. Coordination of Radio, in response to message reports that Brazil's Communication Company is developing a project to issue QSL card. In brief, the card is ready and will make the shipment. We take this opportunity to thank you for listening to our station. Sincerely, Jamily Lima Ombudsman EBC”

Surprisingly another reply was received within 24 hours of my thank you mail to the above. It reads – “Mr Rajdeep, good morning. We will forward your message also the coordinator of Radio to expedite the process of making the card. Sincerely, Jamily Lima Ombudsman EBC”

However, even after waiting for close to 3 months there was no sunshine! I wrote to Ms. Jamily Lima yet again last week and this time she replied with the following –

“In response to its manifestation, Brazil Communication Company - EBC informs:Mr. Rajdeep, Thanks for the contact. Take the opportunity to thank you for listening to our transmission. We are unable to give you a date, but a public bidding process has been initiated to select a firm to print the cards. Jamily Lima Ombudsman EBC”

Thus in a nutshell, my dream of getting a verified QSL card/ eQSL from the station is yet to materialize, still even if I'm not that fortunate, the communication above sufficiently proves and validates my reception report. Also I believe as a result of my continued persuasion for their QSL card and not an eQSL they might just print a batch of card soon and post one of those mementos back to me and to a few fellow DXers who may have written to them and in the waiting much like me!

73’s

Radio Romania Intl. QSL for A14 Season New Frequency

Radio Romania International was logged on April 17^th, which by the way was my first Shortwave Log for RRI in the A14 Season new 13 MB frequency of 21500 KHz. You can check the log details here in my previous post - First SW Log of A14 Season.

Today I’m happy to announce that I have received a QSL confirmation from RRI Bucharest. 

The package contained QSL card (4th card of the series “Romanian Castles and Fortresses”) along with a picture post card, A14 Schedule, Letter, Station Sticker and Pocket calendar. Bonus beautiful stamps from Romania! Enjoy the photos... 73's

DX Package from RRI Bucharest

QSL Card from RRI Bucharest card 4 of series Romanian Castles and Fortresses

QSL Card from RRI Bucharest full data card received in 57 days

View Card from Radio Romania Intl. 

View Card from Radio Romania Intl. 

IRDR Special Transmission Monitoring and QSL Response

As a long time shortwave radio hobbyist I was excited with the news of IRDR (The Trial of International Radio for Disaster Relief) conducting special SW transmissions scheduled during the Media Summit on Climate Change, ICTs and Disaster Risk Reduction 5-6 June 2014 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The schedule was posted in the HFCC website and quickly found audience with the DX fraternity worldwide. However, with both the dates being weekdays, and during morning (work hours) there was little hope for me to DX and try to log the special transmissions.

I missed 5^th June due to work but somehow managed 6^th June to keep my appointments at bay and instead focused on logging IRDR transmissions in the afternoon. 

Here are my observations –

QTH – Kolkata, India | RX – Tecsun PL 660 | ANT – Telescopic Rod | Date – 06.06.2014

920-927 UTC IBB (PHT) 15650 KHz SIO 333

1015-1025 UTC AIR 15650 KHz SIO 343

1035-1045 UTC RTC in Chinese 21840 KHz SIO 433

1100-1130 UTC KTWR Guam (Eng) 15650 KHz SIO 433

Reception reports were sent to the broadcasters. 

An E-QSL was received from KTWR (Trans World Radio) Guam on June 11 for my e-report.

Here's the extract from the mail  - 

“Greetings from our sunny island of Guam,

Thank you for your reception report, we were excited and pleased to learn that our special test broadcast for International Radio for Disaster Relief was able to be heard so strongly by many listeners. I am pleased to confirm that you listened to our special test program on June 6, 2014 at 15650 kHz from 1100-1130 UTC. Here's an e-QSL for your report ... Blessings, Kathy Gregowske”

Radio Free Asia New QSLs - Celebrating Asian Musical Instruments

A14 DX season started on a promising note with a bunch of QSLs already on my desk and a couple of others promised and probably in transit. Some stations like Radio Japan, Radio New Zealand and Voice of Turkey was logged recently and their new summer frequencies are received with promising signal quality from my QTH in Ballygunge, Kolkata, India. But this post does not concern my recent loggings. For that you can check my recent SW DX loggings.

This post is about the first 2 RFA QSLs in A14 received for reception reports of April 18 – World Amateur Radio Day. The cards are part of RFA’s QSL series entitled “Asian Musical Instruments” Card No. 3. The picture on the QSL is showing the Đàn tranh, which is a traditional Vietnamese stringed instrument.

This RFA QSL will be issued to all verified reception reports from April – June 2014.

 The two QSLs I received verify RFA broadcasts transmitted from Saipan and Tinian Islands (Northern Mariana Islands) respectively. 73's

Weekend DX Logs Apr 25-27

This weekend I had the pleasure of spending some quality time listening and monitoring SW broadcasts. Here are my loggings for Apr 25-27. QTH: Kolkata, India | RX: Tecsun PL660 Good DX. 73's

Date: April 25, 2014

9525 KHz  Voice of Indonesia at 1045 UTC in Eng Txr Jakarta-Cimanggis, Indonesia - Fair

9700 KHz  RNZI at 1115 UTC in Eng Txr Rangitaiki, New Zealand - Poor

12095 KHz FEBC at 1100 UTC in  Hmong Txr Bocaue, Philippines - Fair

7295 KHz  RTM Traxx FM at 1130 UTC in Eng/ Vern. Txr Kajang, Malaysia - Poor 

21505 KHz IRIB at 1135 UTC in Hausa Txr Sirjan, Iran -Fair

21480 KHz BVB at 1128 UTC in Eng Txr Talata Volonondry, Madagascar - Fair

9325 KHz RFA (IBB) at 1145 UTC in Lao Txr Saipan, N.Marianas -Fair

9400 KHz FEBC at 1200 UTC in Txr Chinese Iba, Philippines - Poor

9430 KHz FEBC at 1202 UTC in Chinese Txr Bocaue, Philippines - Fair

9720 KHz SLBC at 1205 UTC in Hindi Txr Trincomalee, Sri Lanka - Good

Date: April 26, 2014

15215 KHz BVB at 1825 UTC in Eng Txr Moosbrunn, Austria - Good

15250 KHz FEBA at 1832 UTC in French Txr Ascension Is. - Fair

13585 KHz KBS at 2020 UTC in Arabic Txr - Dhabbayya, UAE - Fair

13640 KHz AIR at 2025 UTC in French Txr Bengaluru, India - Excellent

Date: April 27, 2014

11685 KHz NHK at 13-1345 UTC in Bengali Txr Kranji, Singapore - Excellent
11995 KHz AWR at 1600 UTC in Eng Txr  Trincomalee, Sri Lanka - Good
11865 KHz AWR at 1615 UTC in Eng Txr  Agat, Guam - Fair
15150 KHz AWR at 1632 UTC in Farsi Txr Moosbrunn, Austria - Good

A14 Season Kicks Off With 2 New E-QSLs

The A14 broadcast season has kicked off with two new E-QSLs in my kitty!

The first E-QSL was received from Atlantic 2000 International for monitoring their special broadcast via internet streaming. The station plays a fantastic assortment of western music from different genres. In fact, by listening to their show I have heard a few golden voices from the years past, for the first time ever! Programming from Atlantic 2000 International was monitored on April 6, 2014 and a reception report was sent the following day to atlantic2000international@gmail.com An E-QSL was received from Radio Atlantic 2000 International on April 17th, 2014, verifying my reception report. For details about their broadcast visit: http://radioatlantic2000.free.fr 

The next E-QSL  was from the very interesting station STF Radio International. 

STF Radio Int. Special broadcast was logged on April 20 in the 16 mb frequency of 17660 KHz and a reception report was mailed right away. E-QSL reply was received from Jason/6955 on April 25 thanking for the reception report and a promise to send across a hard copy QSL once it is printed. Here's the e-QSL (#020) received featuring different decodings of one of the images sent by MFSK64. 

If you don't know about them yet here it is "STF Radio International, is a new venture that broadcasts digital modes over shortwave (similar to VOA Radiograms)" Details about them can be found on their website http://stfradio.com. 73's

STF Radio International Special Broadcast

Taking a cue from my fellow DX buddies, today I logged the Special Broadcast of STF Radio International. Here are the SW log details - 

April 20, 2014 between 0445 Hrs - 0500 Hrs UTC on 17760 KHz in English with SIO: 454. Transmitter site -Trincomalee, Sri Lanka with power 125 kW. Booming signal was heard at my QTH in Kolkata, India. Surprisingly the other SW frequency listed on their website 21490 KHz was inaudible. RX Tecsun PL 660 with no external antenna (just using the fully extended telescopic rod attached to the receiver). Here's my recording -

Programming consisted of several digitally created soundtracks and ids (multiple times) was heard by OM. Reception Report was mailed to <qsl@stfradio.com> 

Visit STF Radio International's website for details: http://stfradio.com. 73's

STF Radio International Special Broadcast logged with Excellent Signal

First SW Log of A14 Season

Radio Romania International was  logged on April 17, 2014 (Thursday) with English programming beamed to India on their A14 summer frequency of 21500 KHz in the 13 meter band and parallel to 17760 KHz in the 16 meter band, which by the way, was targeted to Pacific & Australia. Programming on 21500 KHz was with SIO 444 at my QTH in Kolkata, India, while that on 17760 KHz was with SIO 323. Transmission was monitored between 0530 Hrs - 0600 Hrs UTC. Transmitter site (as per swskeds list) was Tiganesti, in Romania with a power 300 kW. 

Program(s) "Newsreel" was heard followed by commentaries on the recent Ukraine -Russian crisis over Crimea and Romania's involvement in it. Also heard features - "Society Today", "Hit of the Day" and "RRI Sports Club". Energetic presentation was noted from both the lady and the gentleman who were the program hosts. RX used for monitoring the broadcast was Tecsun PL660 with attached telescopic rod antenna.

A reception report was emailed on the same day to the English department of Radio Romania International at <engl@rri.ro> with a detailed technical observation and program content, as monitored during the broadcast. QSL is awaited and will be updated here on receival. 73's

SW Logs from Tajpur Beach

Tajpur Beach, compared to nearby sea fronts in Mandarmani and Digha has almost zero tourist population, so if you like to be all by yourself strolling leisurely on the beach, you should consider planning a visit soon. Another plus point is the absence of electricity! There are no power lines on the beach. The last light post on the approach road is at a distance of 500 meters from the sandy dunes. Now that makes it really attractive for people like me who prefer carrying their hobby (radio) around! There are few shacks lining the beach, all are locals selling tea, coconut water, fish 'n' crab fries and liquor. You can relax on the poly-vinyl chairs lining the shacks and tune-in to DX lands!

Now without much ado here are my SW logs from Tajpur beach. Enjoy! 

Date: 30 March, 2014 |  Time: 0000 UTC - 0215 UTC | RX Tecsun PL 660 

4500 KHz CNR Txr Urumqi, in Mongolian with talk at 0004UTC News by OM, SIO 444

4760 KHz AIR Port Blair Sign in followed by ID by YL and then into news (?) in Tamil, 0045 UTC Tamil songs SIO 444 

4800 KHz AIR Hyderabad 0050 UTC talk in Telegu followed by MX Nadaam SIO 555

4810 KHz AIR Bhopal 0052 UTC in Hindi, devotional songs SIO 544

4820 KHz AIR Kolkata 0054UTC with regional news in Bengali read by OM [QRM from PBS Xizang CNR1 Co-Chnl.] SIO 322

4840 KHz AIR Mumbai 0057 UTC songs in vern. SIO 444

4850 KHz CNR Txr- Urumqi in Kazakh at 0058 UTC radio ads + OM talk SIO 444

4880 KHz AIR Lucknow 0100 UTC devotional song "mata rani" OM host SIO 454

4890 KHz AIR Kurseong 0102 UTC Sehnai recital was heard followed by devotional songs in Nepali OM host SIO 544

4920 KHz AIR Chennai 0105 UTC News in Tamil, OM reader SIO 343[Co-Chnl PBS Xizang QRM S2]

4970 KHz AIR Shillong 0130 UTC in English YL host with "Thought of the day" followed by western musical program (gospel music) entitled "Dew Drops" SIO 555

4990 KHz AIR Itanagar 0145 UTC Stn. by YL followed by local news in vern. news ID again at 0149 UTC between news,  talk contd with abrupt signal cut off at 0150 UTC SIO 444 (Txr glitch?)

5040 KHz AIR Jeypore 0152 UTC Talk in Odiya by OM host SIO 434

5050 KHz AIR Aizawl 0156 UTC Stn. ID by YL Talk (news?) in vern. contd. SIO 454

5915 KHz Myanmar Radio Txr- Naypyidaw, in Burmese/dialect, at 0200 UTC talkYL news(?) SIO 544

7200 KHz Myanmar Radio Txr- Naypyidaw, in Burmese/dialect, 0205 UTC song in SEAs lang. SIO 343

9535 KHz REE Txr- Noblejas, Spain in  Spanish  Talk (news) by YL 0208- 0215 UTC SIO 433

73's