📡 RAF VOLMET on 5450 kHz: A QSL from the Skies

Weather for the Forces: Logging RAF Volmet

Shortwave listening can sometimes feel like eavesdropping on the pulse of the world—and once in a while, you catch something that’s not meant for the usual civilian audience. That’s exactly what happened on March 26, 2025, when I tuned into RAF VOLMET on 5450 kHz USB and logged one of their weather broadcasts.

For those unfamiliar, RAF VOLMET is a military weather information service operated by the UK Ministry of Defence. It transmits automated meteorological reports for Royal Air Force and allied aircraft flying across various regions. The voice you hear is synthesised, but the data it carries is essential: wind speed, cloud cover, visibility, temperatures, pressure levels—all tailored for pilots in the sky.

Reception Snapshot

• Date: March 26, 2025
• Time: 1940–1950 UTC
• Frequency: 5450 kHz USB
• Mode: Upper Sideband
• SINPO: 45444
• Location: Received online from Kolkata, India
• Receiver: WebSDR Twente

At 1940 UTC, the familiar female synthesized voice came through clearly, reading out met reports for locations coded in ICAO-style identifiers (like Foxtrot Tango Tango Juliet or Sierra Uniform Mike Uniform). Around 1945 UTC, I caught a clean station ID: “This is Military I Volmet Information Broadcast”, and again at 1946 and 1949 UTC.

Reception was stable overall, with light fading and static, but no co-channel interference. The transmission was steady throughout the 10-minute logging window.

For those interested in listening to the reception, I've preserved a 3-minute audio snippet that captures the essence of this broadcast: http://sndup.net/zcdrw

Acknowledgement from the MOD

Following my report, I received an official confirmation and QSL letter from the UK Ministry of Defence. It acknowledged my reception of the 5450 kHz transmission from “Military 1,” making this one of those rare but satisfying logs that combines technical interest with a touch of official recognition.

A Brief History of RAF VOLMET

RAF VOLMET has long been a behind-the-scenes player in military aviation, offering continuous weather updates for in-flight operations. The service forms part of the UK’s broader military communications infrastructure and helps aircraft navigate safely in varied and often unpredictable weather conditions. You can learn more via the UK Ministry of Defence official site.

Final Thoughts

Catching a VOLMET transmission might not be the most dramatic DX log, but it’s deeply rewarding. It connects you to real-world operations happening in the skies above, quietly supporting aviation safety. If you’re scanning the bands and hear a robotic weather briefing, don’t skip it—you might just be tuned into RAF VOLMET.

73s and happy monitoring!

QSL from The Voice of the Martyrs Korea: Tuning Into a Clandestine Signal

Logging a Broadcast with a Mission Behind It

Shortwave listening continues to surprise me. On March 26, 2025, while scanning the 31-meter band, I tuned into something unexpected—The Voice of the Martyrs Korea on 7625 kHz at 2100 UTC. It’s not just another international broadcaster. It’s a clandestine station, aimed at reaching listeners inside North Korea, where access to outside information, especially religious, is tightly restricted.

The station uses shortwave radio to share Christian messages and the Gospel with North Koreans, bypassing the state-controlled media wall. Despite jamming attempts, these broadcasts go out regularly, supported by balloon drops carrying Bibles and literature across the border. It’s a mix of old-school DX intrigue and underground communications.

What I Heard That Day 

• Date: March 26, 2025
• Time: 2100–2130 UTC
• Frequency: 7625 kHz
• Language: Chinese
• Transmitter: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
• Reception Method: Remote via WebSDR
• SINPO: 54544

The broadcast began with a station ID, followed by a lengthy talk in Chinese by a female speaker—likely a report or sermon. At 2122 UTC, the speech ended and transitioned into a melodic Chinese song by a female vocalist. The program closed with another station ID and ended abruptly at 2130 UTC.

Reception quality was solid—just light fading and static, but no co-channel interference. For a clandestine station, the clarity was impressive.

A QSL That Tells a Story

I submitted a reception report shortly after and received a kind confirmation and QSL from Pastor Tim Dillmuth at VOM Korea. The QSL wasn’t just a card—it was a glimpse into a broadcast effort that mixes risk, faith, and radio in a way few others do today.

A Note on VOM Korea

The Voice of the Martyrs Korea is part of a larger international network working to support persecuted Christians. Their focus in Korea is on outreach to the North, using radio and other unconventional means. While their mission is spiritual, the way they use radio makes them an interesting subject for DXers, regardless of belief.

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just a station logged and logged out. It was a reminder of how shortwave still plays a role where few other media can reach. Whether you're in it for the QSLs, the tech, or the stories, this one ticked all the boxes.

Until next time, 73s and good DX!

Tuning into Jiangxi: A DXer's Unexpected Radio Adventure

As a dedicated shortwave and radio enthusiast, I've learned that some of the most memorable broadcasting moments come from unexpected encounters. My April 2023 trip to China proved to be one such extraordinary experience, where a routine business conference turned into an exciting radio logging adventure.

The Setup: A Radio Sleuth in Jingdezhen

Staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Zhushan District, Jingdezhen, I was armed with my trusty Tecsun PL310 multiband portable radio. The early morning of April 14th became a treasure hunt of radio signals, with my telescopic whip antenna ready to capture the local airwaves.

The Catch: Jiangxi Jiaotong Guangbo Revealed

At precisely 0550 CST, the FM dial at 105.4 MHz came alive with a fascinating broadcast.

The transmission began with a melodious title track from the television drama "Green Green Grass by the River", performed by a female vocalist. This was quickly followed by a series of local advertisements that provided a fascinating glimpse into the region's consumer landscape. Promotions for Shanshan Outlet Shopping Plaza and Red Star Macalline Store highlighted ongoing shopping festivals, featuring international brands like Armani, CK, and Tommy Hilfiger.

An AI Illustration

 The Broadcast Highlights

As the clock struck 0600 CST, the station ID "Jiangxi Jiaotong Guangbo" rang out with precision. What followed was a captivating motivational talk referencing the Abbot of Shaolin Temple and his martial arts expertise – a quintessentially Chinese moment that added depth to the broadcast.

Technical Details for Fellow DXers

• Date: April 14, 2023
• Time: 0550-0615 CST
• Frequency: 105.4 MHz FM
• Location: Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, China
• SINPO Rating: 55555 (Excellent Reception)
• Receiver: Tecsun PL310 Portable Radio

The station, Jiangxi Traffic Radio, offered a delightful mix of cultural and commercial content that painted a vivid picture of local life. A special thanks to my fellow hobbyist Mika Mäkeläinen from YLE, whose expertise was instrumental in helping me identify this station.

For those interested in listening to the reception, I've preserved a 5-minute audio snippet that captures the essence of this broadcast: http://sndup.net/n6bv

A DXer's Reflection

This unexpected radio catch reminded me why I love the Art of DXing. It's not just about capturing signals or collecting QSLs; it's about connecting with distant cultures, understanding local narratives, and experiencing the world through the intimate medium of radio. 

To conclude the post, here are a few glimpses from Jingdezhen, I captured on my mobile camera. 

View from Holiday Inn Express Jingdezhen Ancient Town

View from Hotel Holiday Inn Express Jingdezhen Ancient Town

Holiday Inn Express Jingdezhen Ancient Town

Roadside view - Jingdezhen

Jingdezhen North Railway Station

To the team at Jiangxi Jiaotong Guangbo – thank you for an unforgettable radio moment!

C. M. Obrecht Shortwave Radio - Exploring the World of Electronic Music

The captivating realm of shortwave radio never ceases to amaze me with its jewels from across the world! In my DXing experience of over 25 years I have listened to numerous broadcasts from both hemispheres, collected some treasured QSLs for personal glory (not to mention the tons of mail correspondences) and amassed hours of my audio recordings to enchant my leisure! My love for radio germinated from listening to 'Border Crossings' on the Voice of America, way back in my early teen. I would cling to my portable AM radio at bed-time listening to the fascinating realm of notes and beats from different continents! In fact even now, whenever a familiar tune playing on radio draws my attention, I halt my daily proceedings to enjoy few minutes of boundless joy!

In my earlier post I have mentioned how, in recent years, I was gradually drawn towards DXing using WebSDRs. And, there's one more reason to it. I have developed a fondness towards listening to music on low powered stations, predominantly on AM mode (mostly in Europe) and which otherwise are impossible to hear from my QTH without the aid of a WebSDR. There are however, sporadic broadcasts that some of these stations conduct over shortwave, by renting airtime from transmitters in Europe, Asia and Africa to reach a global audience. And I try to log such broadcasts targeted to my part of the world with the aid of my shortwave radios. Although, in most instances, the broadcasts suffer heavy interference from static electrical field disturbances or from overlapping signals from high-powered broadcasters like those originating from China. Tough as it may seem, I try to correlate my DX catches with a simultaneous web-streaming of the program, to help me verify the reception, at times. 

Herein, I am sharing one of such experiences. This post is about 'C.M.Obrecht Shortwave Radio' verification from Moosbrun, Austria, dating back to early 2022. Before I go to the specifics of this DX-catch, let me give you an intro of C.M. Obrecht. The following is written with information curated from an excerpt in the British DX Club bulletin. 

"C.M.Obrecht, full name - Claudius Matthias Obrecht hailing from Switzerland, is not only a talented musician but also the proud operator of an officially registered Swiss private radio station. Born and raised in the charming town of Hofstetten-Flüh, Switzerland, in 1980, Obrecht's passion for electronic music and synthesizers ignited at the tender age of 16. It was his father, an ardent Jean-Michel Jarre fan, who introduced him to the mesmerizing world of electronic music through a remarkable concert. From that moment on, Obrecht was captivated, and his love affair with synthesizers and electronic sounds began. At the age of 17, armed with a Yamaha Cs1x "ROMpler" and a Doepfer MS-404, Obrecht embarked on his musical journey. Back then, digital "ROMplers" were all the rage, but his desire for more led him to stumble upon the Korg Volca analogue synthesizers in 2015. This discovery breathed new life into his passion, fulfilling his long-held dream of owning a collection of diverse analogue synthesizers.

By day, Obrecht works as a software developer and programmer, constantly expanding his skill set in various languages. He has delved into Swedish, Slovak, Russian (with a focus on reading and writing), Polish, Czech, Slovenian, Hungarian, and, naturally, his mother tongue, German. However, it is in the realm of shortwave radio that C.M.Obrecht truly shines. Broadcasting on different frequencies, he reaches a global audience through platforms like ORS Moosbrunn, Channel 292, Media Broadcast, WRMI Miami, and Encompass Woofferton. He sometime uses DRM mode of broadcast to reach countries those are using DRM as a bona fide medium of public communication. 

His programs encapsulates mostly, his own captivating musical compositions. To keep his fans informed, Obrecht regularly shares updates about upcoming broadcasts through his social media accounts. This way, eager listeners can stay in the loop and never miss a chance to tune in to his enthralling transmissions. He has a Mixcloud account where some of his shows are uploaded - both, his own and those from Channel 292. You can listen to his shows on Mixcloud here. 

Now coming back to my first encounter with C.M.Obrecht on the airwaves, it was on January 28, 2022, that I listened to his musical program on 11735kHz via ORS Moosbrunn, beamed towards Asia & Australia between 1215-1240 UTC from my QTH in Kolkata, India. Station ID was in German with mention of C.M.Obrecht Station and contact details was shared. I like trance and EDM and exposed to this genre quite a bit. C.M.Obrecht’s electronic music tracks were original, fresh and interesting.

I listened to the broadcasting using my Tecsun PL 310 receiver and simultaneously via the WebSDR at University of Twente in the Nederland. A detailed reception report with audio recording was emailed on the following day to which the broadcaster replied with an e-QSL within 48 hours!

I was enthralled with this sonic adventure unlike any other in recent times and ever since been following his musical journey. If you're interested to listen, here are his channel links on Bandcamp and Soundcloud .

Happy Listening!

Sunlite Radio E-QSL Letter Verification - The Dutch Connection

Back in Jan 2022, I came to know about a brand new radio station (in DX forums) broadcasting from The Nederlands on shortwave. The very mention of the Dutch nation took me back to the golden era of shortwave broadcasting and more specifically to my forever memories of listening to Radio Nederlands! Yes, there was a time when my evenings would begin with listening to the signature tune of Radio Nederlands Worldwide shortwave transmission from Hilversum in Holland beamed to Asia. 

I still remember tuning in my radio to listen to RNW's last transmission on shortwave on 11 May 2012, the Dutch service signed off at the end of a 24-hour 'radio marathon broadcast'. This included several emotional interviews with past staff members of the station. Here's a lookback to my recording (audio clip) of the historic transmission as logged from Kolkata.

Rajdeep Das · Radio Nederlands 5955 kHz Wertachtal (Radio Marathon) 1945 UTC, May 11, 2012

Now coming back to the main topic of this post. I came to learn about this new station broadcasting from The Nederlands called Sunlite Radio. The Station is part of RadioCorp, a Dutch media company. RadioCorp (and thus also Sunlite) is based at the Hofstede in Naarden, the Netherlands. In the early 70s this was the home of the offshore radio station Radio Noordzee Internationaal. Back then, the very building hosted the offices and land-based studio’s of RNI which was at that time broadcasting from a vessel called MEBO II off the coast of Scheveningen.

Sunlite is on the air in the Netherlands on DAB+, online, IPTV and cable as well as shortwave and is aimed at a Dutch domestic audience. 

I logged Sunlite Radio via University of Twente WebSDR on 5955kHz on 27th Jan, 2022, broadcasting in Dutch. Programming format was soft adult contemporary music and at the top of the hour each hour there’s the news from the Dutch national press agency ANP.

ref. HOL Sunlite; photo source - uTwente

Reception was fair/ audible. At times signal suffered slight fading with static interference. Reception report was sent to qsl@sunlite.nl on the same day. E-QSL Letter signed by Herbert Visser on behalf of Sunlite Radio was received in reply verifying my report on the same day.

E-QSL Letter Verification - Sunlite Radio

Here's an extract from the station information shared by Herbert Visser in his email reply - "Sunlite is broadcasting at this stage with only 75 watts carrier power using a borrowed transmitter manufactured in Greece. As you have noticed; the frequency is 5955 khz. The signal is emanating from the Dutch village of Overslag near the Belgian town of Zelzate (southwest Netherlands). The tower is 100 metres high but the inverted V-antenna has been mounted on a height of 17 meters and consists of a Teflon 1:1 RF choke. It’s situated right at the border between Belgium and the Netherlands but the transmitter site is completely within the Netherlands. Sunlite on 5955 has been licensed by the Telecommunication Agency of the Netherlands. The audio is being fed via a fiberglass landline connection in lineair quality (1048 kb/s which is exactly CD-quality) from our premises in Naarden (just outside Amsterdam) to the shortwave transmitter in Overslag. The audioprocessor in use is an AM-Optimod 9400."

If you're interested in listening to Sunlite Radio, tune in 👈

Happy Listening!

73

A short rambling on the state of DXing in a digital-first world!

In the last few years, a number of radio stations have shifted gears from shortwave bands to online (digital) platforms. Gradually the erstwhile popular shortwave bands (13m-60m) lost their charm! The only stations which remained dominant, intensifying their coverage were from China (P.R). And as the Chinese stations stepped up their broadcast coverage across the length and breadth of the shortwave radio spectrum, SWLs (in particular) gradually lost interest in shortwave radio. Now, I might sound a bit off-topic - I was surprised to note many serious DXers and SWLs (among my hobbyist friends) started exploring amateur radio. Some of them eventually taking it seriously, becoming HAMs in the process. Those who could afford the insanely costly top-of-the-class SDRs (Software Defined Radios) like Perseus upgraded their listening shacks while those with lesser means shifted to less-costly SDRs (check this list). A third faction - the indecisive ones (or more suitably, I would call them 'experimenters') started fidgeting with web-based SDRs (free-to-use) and mobile radio apps - the likes of utwente, kiwisdr, hamsphere and radio garden! I belong to the experimenters tribe! And Web-SDRs became my new-found passion!

pic courtesy: uTwente

One key reason was my indomitable urge to explore new stations on the air-waves! While my local listening conditions grew bad to worse with ear-deafening radio field interference from the ever-increasing mobile towers and electronic gadgets, web-based SDRs offered a never-before opportunity for tuning  remote receivers stationed half-way across the world with the click of a mouse! For example, the charm of tuning into a low-powered South American station remotely using a communications receiver (fitted to an elaborate antenna system) stationed in Europe and listening to their midnight closing broadcast from the previous day while its early afternoon at my QTH, seemed fantasy-come-true!

pic courtesy: radio garden

Till date, uTwente Web-SDR has remained my favorite! Apart from tuning in to new stations from far-off lands, this Wide-band WebSDR has allowed me unfiltered access to the local medium wave and shortwave, clandestine, and pirate stations (operating on low power) from all across Europe! 

I gradually took interest in pirate stations operating with home-brewed gears and broadcasting sporadically with just a few watts! My daily DX schedule would include monitoring pirate forums for new entrants, preparing and updating listening logs and targeting my next catches to QSL! With much planning and synchronized monitoring I listened to few pirate and free radio stations and amassed a few notable pirate QSLs from Europe to my collection.

pic courtesy - Penguin India

DX pundits might say that E-QSLs obtained by listening to/and reporting on broadcasts heard using remote WebSDRs are not genuine feats. But I will reason otherwise! Any QSL/E-QSL received through truthful reporting of reception (broadcast programs) heard on the radio or through online/ remote radio receivers (WebSDRs) require equal attentiveness and dedication. And if 'transparency' or 'truthfulness' in reporting be considered a yardstick for ingenuity, I would further infer that I was unfortunate to bear testimony to 'unbelievable' DX-feats from seasoned DX hobbyists in the past, those achieved through falsifying reports and doctored audio-clippings, which were even celebrated and cheered on by comrades of the DX fraternity! 

Currently I am not an active DXer and only tune-in my radios rarely. Today, i'm (more-or-less) a regular on web-SDRs and online radio apps.

The days of shortwave listening for nights together, hunting for those elusive radio signals are gone for sure, yet my love for the crackling in the ether remains ever anew!

Radio NUG E-QSL - One more Clandestine Station verified!

To stay connected with the people, The Ministry of Communication, Information, and Technology of the National Unity Government (NUG) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar - (which is a Myanmar government in exile formed by the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw  or CRPH, a group of elected lawmakers and members of parliament ousted in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état.) has been broadcasting a radio program, called Radio NUG.

A test run of this program first went on-air on 20th Aug 2021. And in the following months DXers from across Asia and beyond started reporting on their reception of Radio NUG. Ever since its initial days on-the-air, Radio NUG broadcasts for 30 minutes, twice a day (in mornings and evenings) on a daily basis.

I was fortunate to log Radio NUG for the first time on 11940 kHz on 17th Jan, 2022 from my home in Kolkata, India. Programming in Burmese was heard between 1415-1430 UTC. Reception was fair/ audible. At times signal suffered slight fading with static interference. Otherwise no co-channel interference was noted during the broadcast. Overall, there were no significant breakups in signal/ reception during the transmission.

LISTEN HERE

Rajdeep Das · Radio NUG - Burmese - 11940KHz - 17.01.2022

Reception report with audio clip (above) was emailed on 24th Jan, 2022. And the station replied back with E-QSL (full-data) verification on the next day.

Radio NUG E-QSL 

Currently the station identifies itself as - "Radio NUG - The Voice of Myanmar Spring Revolution and National Unity Government of Myanmar". The Shortwave Broadcasting schedule daily 0200-0230 UTC on 17775 KHz & 1400-1430 UTC on 11940 KHz also listed on the website 👈 (Txr - Paochung, Taiwan, Txr Power 250 kW)  Reference Link

Radio NUG - poster. Source: website

If you wish to collect E-QSL verification submit your reception report to Radio NUG by filling up this google form 👉 Link

If you have listened to/ verified Radio NUG in the past, share your experience in comments section below!

Happy Listening 📻🎧

73