Marconi Radio International - Full Data Electronic QSL Verification

Marconi Radio International (MRI) broadcasting from Italy was heard broadcasting on 7790 KHz in USB mode with just 100 watts power on 2^nd April, 2016, between 1445 -1500 UTC via remote SDR in Rimini, Italy. Location of listening was my QTH Kolkata, India. The Program Host was heard talking in Italian on various topics. DX related information was shared with listeners. MX (music) was heard in the background. A listener based in Potomac in Maryland, USA was mentioned in the show. 

A DX reception report was read out with “SINPO uno quarto tre quarto uno” or SINPO 14341. At 1458 UTC Station ID in Italian followed by Station announcement in English “This is Marconi Radio International…” by Male (OM) announcer. A reception report was mailed to marconiradiointernational@gmail.com on the next day. A full data Electronic QSL Verification from Marconi Radio International (MRI) was received on April 25, 2016 along with ‘History of MRI’ & ‘MRI Newsletter’ PDFs.

Here’s a synopsis of verification email received from Marconi Radio International (MRI) -

“Thank you for your reception report about one of the first transmissions of Marconi Radio International on 7 MHz carried over a new transmitter capable of tuning between 3 and 30 MHz Our full data electronic QSL verification is enclosed. We are a small free radio station broadcasting from the Italy which, after 15 years of dormancy, returned back to the airwaves on 15 August 2015. MRI began its short wave transmissions on 4 January 1986 and this year celebrated its 30th anniversary. Until a few weeks ago our test broadcasts were aired on our historic frequency of 11390 kHz with a power in the region of 30 watts. On 21 March 2016 a new transmitter was added and, for the first time in our history, a test was made outside the 11 MHz band. We used the frequency of 7700 kHz (USB mode) which gave good reception in Europe. The station was also heard in Newfoundland (Canada). As from 3 May 2016 MRI will start a regular service  on Wednesdays, from 18 hrs to 19 hrs UTC, 20 hrs to 21 hrs UTC, and 22 hrs to 23 hrs UTC on 7690 kHz USB mode  (alternative frequencies: 7700 and 7790 kHz) with a power of 100 watts. Additional broadcasts may also be aired during week-end. When this occurs a circular message with details about days, times and frequencies of these transmissions will be sent in advance to short-wave community and listeners in our mailing list…We hope to extend the duration of our broadcasts in the near future and also to increase power. We also plan to send in printed QSL cards by snail-mail but only to some lucky listeners. That’s why it’s vital to let us have your postal (street or P.O. box) address. Unlike a number of free radios from Northern of Europe we know what a QSL is and our verifications will always come with all details about reception of MRI. 

Last but not least, we need your help! If you use social networks, please post an announcement on Facebook about MRI.  You can also forward this message to a friend. This should help increase our potential audience. We would be glad to hear from you again.Yours sincerely, Marconi Radio International (MRI).”

The Mighty KBC QSL - A Wish Fulfilled

"The Mighty KBC is a European shortwave station that blasts out rock n’ roll oldies and classic rock to truckers across the continent." 

On June 28, 2015 at 00:15 Hrs UTC I logged The Mighty KBC on 9925 kHz (SIO 232) with station id in English “we're The Mighty KBC” by male (OM) announcer from my QTH in Kolkata, India using Tecsun PL 310 receiver and the standard telescopic rod antenna attached with the RX. English pop and rock ’n’ roll oldies from 50’s-60’s era were played in the musical program with multiple station IDs, RJ mentions & commercials and jingles in between. 

I was lucky enough to know about the date and time of the SW transmission from their Facebook wall post, the day before. I tried my luck and guess what I heard them for the very first time! It was raining since early morning. I was apprehensive yet as it turned out The Mighty KBC signal from Nauen was audible at my QTH. The transmission was heard till 00.36 Hrs UTC. 

Reception report was emailed on the same day to > themightykbc@gmail.com  Within an hour of emailing the report, I received an eQSL reply (electronic verification) from Eric van Willegen. 

To learn more about this iconic radio station, Click Here  73's

Hobart Radio International Verified

Hobart Radio International is a shortwave community service relayed across Europe, North America, South America and New Zealand and features the DX Extra and The Buzz shows! They are known as ‘The Voice for Tasmania’ among DXers and radio listeners the world over. They refer themselves as a radio station that’s “crossing the borders since 2004, telling the unknown and investigating on what's important.”  

I logged Hobart Radio International for the first time on 25.07.2015 (July 25, 2015) on 6070 kHz (via Channel 292) at 16:00 UTC - 16:30 UTC from my home in Kolkata, India via WebSDR at Univ of Twente, the Nederlands. I liked the unique mix of music, talk, comedy and DX news in their weekly show ‘The Buzz’. Reception report with audio clip of the recording was mailed to hriradio@gmail.com on Aug 01, 2015.

Rob Wise from Hobart Radio International replied with a full data eQSL on Aug 08, 2015 appreciating the effort and inviting me to listen to future shows and write to him again. The ‘DX Extra’ Show “which is about the shortwave and radio hobby featuring news, reviews, pirate radio and anything in-between” which airs from Hobart Radio International is one of the last remaining DX shows on the airwaves. I personally like their format and content. To know more about the station or to listen to their archived programs online visit: http://www.hriradio.org

Gaweylon Tibetan Radio Program QSL'd

Gaweylon Tibetan Radio Program broadcast was recently verified from Kolkata, India. The half hour Tibetan programme from Gaweylon was heard on 4 July, 2015 between 12-1230 UTC, on 15215 kHz in the 19 meter band, relayed via FEBA using 250kW transmitter at Dhabbaya, UAE (Babcock facility).  SINPO for the broadcast was 43433 at my QTH in Kolkata, West Bengal, India using RX Tecsun PL660 with its extended telescopic whip antenna. The magazine program consisted of traditional and modern Tibetan music and songs, including health and general knowledge features.

A reception report along with a five minutes recording of the audio was mailed to their email id on the next day. An email reply was received within a couple of hours from Mr. Anil Alfred (Director) Gaweylon Tibetan Radio Programme thanking my effort and promising a hard copy QSL within a few days.

A package from Gaweylon arrived on 13 July, 2015 consisting of the following collectibles – Hard copy (full data) QSL card (25 yrs spl.) v/s Anil R. Alfred (Director) with Tibetan painting on reverse, a picture post card (depicting Tibetan art), another post card with painting (the original work was done by a Foot and Mouth Painting artist of India), schedule printed on visiting card (in English & Tibetan) and QSL letter v/s Anil R. Alfred (Director).

Those of you who are new to this station let me give you a brief on who they are and what their legacy is. “Gaweylon is a charitable society which exists for the promotion and development of knowledge.” They include charitable, social and cultural aspects of life in their daily programming, with moral and spiritual material based on the teachings of the Holy Bible. They have partnered with FEBA Radio - Far East Broadcasting Corporation

(source: gaweylon.com)

Currently they broadcast daily on 15215 kHz via FEBA/ FEBC hired transmitter facility in Dhabbaya, Uinted Arab Emirates (UAE). Gaweylon has started their broadcast in 1990 and this year they’re celebrating their 25 yrs of on-air broadcasts!

You can send your reception reports to Gaweylon Tibetan Radio Program Broadcast >> gaweylon@gmail.com. 

Their snail mail address is: Gaweylon, Post Box No.286, Dehradun, GPO 248001, Uttarakhand, INDIA.

Happy hunting !! 

73’s

Rádio Nacional Da Amazônia QSL Card Received

On May 22, 2015, I received a QSL card by registered mail from Rádio Nacional Da Amazônia in Brasilia verifying my monitoring report & audio file of their broadcast sent to them in early January 2015. The QSL verifies my reception of their transmission as heard from Mandarmani during ADXL DXpedition on 26^th Dec, 2014 on 11780 kHz at 20:00 Hrs UTC RX Tecsun PL660, 90m long-wire antenna. Listen to my audio recording-

This is the second time that EBC (Empresa Brasil de Comunicação) - the Brazilian government-owned corporation that manages the government's radio and television stations, has verified my reception report. In June 2014 I had my first Reception Verification from Rádio Nacional Da Amazônia However, back then I had to remain satisfied with just email verification as because, EBC didn't had any QSLs in stock! After several follow-ups their reply was quite intriguing “We are unable to give you a date, but a public bidding process has been initiated to select a firm to print the cards.” (Translated from Portuguese)

As it seems now, my second attempt to QSL Rádio Nacional Da Amazônia didn’t go astray. Early in March 2015, I was seeing New EBC QSLs popping up in multiple Facebook groups and some personal blogs of DXers (especially from Japan and Latin America). After a good look I concluded that EBC is issuing the new cards only to fresh reports (those logged from B14 season onwards), Hence, although I was pretty sure that my earlier report (of Jan 2014) would not fetch me QSL card, I certainly kept my fingers crossed for my reception report of 26^th Dec, 2014. Here are snaps taken just after opening the envelope from EBC.

Till next time, 73 from Kolkata, India.

KTWR QSL for Special Broadcast to Nepal

In the wake of the recent Earthquake in Nepal and the numerous aftershocks still rocking the Himalayan Nation causing havoc to life and environment, Trans World Radio (TWR) has put up a commendable initiative. TWR from its broadcast facility in the Island of Guam (KTWR) has started a daily Nepali broadcast on shortwave. Here’s the excerpt from the official TWR blog post “TWR is producing a one-hour program with four 15-minute segments in Nepali, Hindi, Bhojpuri, and English. The programs is on-air once a day, seven days a week, on shortwave (SW) from Guam to reach those closer to Mount Everest, where survivors may not be able to receive FM broadcasts.”

Rajdeep Das · KTWR Special Transmission to Nepal 15280 kHz 03.05.2015

Just after getting the news of this special ‘disaster relief’ broadcast from KTWR Guam, I logged the transmission on May 3, 2015 from my QTH in Kolkata, India. SIO was a crisp 454 and the whole 1 hour transmission was monitored. Reception report was emailed to KTWR Frequency Co-ordination Department. On May 14, 2015, Kathy Gregowske confirmed my report with an e-QSL card.

I must mention that TWR is distributing over 5,000 radios to quake struck people in the core areas. If you want to bring hope to the shattered lives of countless Nepalese I ask you to donate to Asia Disaster Relief Fund. Spread the good word around by sharing this post on social media.

Pirate and Free Radio QSLs from Europe

Listening to Pirate and Free Radios is very popular among European and North American listeners & hobbyists. However, sitting here in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, it is next to impossible to hear these broadcasts. The chief roadblocks are – low powered transmitters (mostly a few wattage of power) and  the broadcast timings (mostly early mornings and late afternoons CET & GMT) which is mid-day to early evening in this part of the world, hence unfavourable day-time propagation on the SW band plays havoc. To add to the tough luck, my QTH is in the busiest part of the city and full of QRM (human-generated interference) from use of everyday electronic gadgets. So it leaves me with no choice but to log and monitor Pirate and Free Radio stations from Europe and North America through remote receivers over an internet connection. The WebSDR at University of Twente, in particular, is my wonder toy! I spend hours listening to Pirate and Free Radio stations operating from the Adriatic to the British Isles and even across the pond from the Appalachians to the Rockies and beyond.

I am amazed to find so much interest in Pirate and Free Radios among listeners at a time when international broadcasters are closing their doors for shortwave radio listeners and dismantling historic transmitting facilities citing lame reasons like lack of funds, lack of listeners, policy change, evolving to a digital only presence and so on. I am into DXing for over 18 years now and I like to enjoy my hobby in all its shades. Having said that I must also confess that nothing beats the sheer charm of slowly turning the tuning knob of radios and adjusting the fine tune/ BW filter to hear voices from across the seven seas! Notwithstanding, Web-SDRs and remote receiver logs are equally fascinating to me. 

With the intention to explore the world of Free Radios and Pirate Radios, I started sending e-reports of my monitoring of Pirate and Free Radio broadcasts since early 2015. I was fascinated to receive my first WebSDR* logged QSL from Radio Geronimo. Then one QSL followed another - Radio Quadzilla, Europa 24, Radio Underground, Radio Merlin International, Atlantic 2000 Internationall, and a few more are in the queue.

Radio Geronimo Shortwave QSL, Germany

Quadzilla Radio QSL, East Holland

Europa 24 QSL, Germany

Atlantic 2000 International QSL, Germany

Radio Underground QSL, England

Radio Merlin International QSL, England

Radio Merlin International QSL, England

         Radio Carrierwave QSL, The Nederlands

I must add here that although these are QSLs received after monitoring hours of radio broadcasts (with a Wide Band WebSDR) I would personally consider these as my souvenirs for general listenership. When it comes to ‘real’ QSL hunting and collecting I prefer to remain old school. In the coming months I will keep on adding exotic pirate & free radio mementos to my collection here and will share with you from time to time. Stay connected. 73's