Super Rádio Deus É Amor Logged & Verified from India

Super Rádio Deus É Amor transmitting from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil with just 10 Kilowatt was logged on Dec 26, 2014 around 20:00 Hrs UTC from Mandarmani, West Bengal, India. Programming was in Portuguese. A male preacher was heard delivering sermon/ prayer to a house full of audience (probably one of the gospel discourses of the Pentecostal Church). The station was heard between 19:56-20:23 UTC with SIO 342-222 after which signal became almost inaudible due to heavy noise. RX used: Tecsun PL 660 Antenna: Longwire (90 mts). Here's the video of my reception:

Reception report was sent via email to IPDA in January and electronic verification was received from IPDA on that same day v/s Marcos Ribeiro (IPDA)

The English translation reads - " Good day, Thank you for listening to the signal of our radio station Super Rádio Deus É Amor (Curitiba/PR) here in Brazil." 

This was one of my farthest logs ever! The distance between the station and my QTH was a staggering 15,617 Kms and that too it transmitted its signal with just 10 KW. All in all, a fantastic DXing experience and a memory to cherish for years.

Here's a little information on the radio station and its background - 

Super Rádio Deus É Amor (God is Love) is a gospel radio station run by the IPDA ministry founded by legendary missionary David Martins Miranda. IPDA (Igreja Pentecostal Deus É Amor) was founded way back in 1962 and is well known in South American countries. IPDA's radio broadcasts are predominantly heard in local FM & AM (MW) channels in Brazil and all other South American countries, most Central American nations as well as in the USA and Canada, in both MW,SW,FM broadcast formats as well as online (worldwide) in Portuguese, Spanish, French and English. 

For details visit their website: http://www.ipda.com.br

Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/igrejadeuseamor

73 & 88

Logs from ADXL DXpedition Dec 2014

The Asian DX League (ADXL) DXpedition at Mandarmani during the Christmas weekend was highly successful for me and our team. I missed one of our core member's absence this time, yet the team spirit was high! To me this time the DXped offered some great learning experiences. 

Reception wise, Mandarmani (our ADXL DXped location) continued to prove it's superiority (Tajpur should come as a close second) as per my personal observation, now that I have toured and DXed at almost every major tourist spot along the West Bengal coastline & in some spots in the neighbouring Odisha coastline. Moreover, our beverage (90x2 & 120 x1 m insulated longwire) worked as expected and we're able to log stations from North and South America with S4-5 as well as from most other continents. 

Among the most notable DX catches I must mention my log(s) of Super Rádio Deus é Amor from Curitiba, Brazil (15,617 Kms away), Radio Nacional da Amazônia from Brasilia, Brazil (15,299 Kms away). Radio Madagasikara (Madagascar), Radio Fana (Ethiopia), WEWN (USA) and many more. 

Here are my detailed logs from the DXpedition - 

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