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.

Radio Free Asia QSL - IBB Tinian and Saipan

Radio Free Asia (RFA) broadcasting from IBB transmitting stations located at Saipan and Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands was logged with programming in Mandarin on Feb 28, 2015 at 0345 UTC on 21700 KHz (250 Kw) & 0445 UTC on 17690 KHz (100 Kw) SIO 444 & 333 respectively. 

Reception report for both Tinian and Saipan transmissions was submitted to RFA using their web-form on the same day at http://techweb.rfa.org

Radio Free Asia (RFA) sent two full-data QSLs (mailed from their Washington H.Q).The package containing the 2 QSLs was received on 14 Mar, 2015 in Kolkata, India (in mint condition!) 

The QSL celebrates 2015 as the Year of the Ram (as per Chinese Zodiac). RFA has stated earlier that the same QSL (Year of the Ram - design) will be issued to all correct reception reports received between January-April 2015. Reception reports can also be sent to their email id: qsl@rfa.org

73 from Kolkata, India.

Dengé Kurdistané Clandestine Station QSL'd

Radyoya Dengé Kurdistané broadcasting from Kishinev-Grigoriopol in (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) Pridnestrovie, was logged on 5 March, 2015 on 9400 KHz with programming in Kurdish between 14:20-14:40 UTC (19:50-20:10 Hrs IST) Programming consisted of commentary/ interview & report based narratives in Kurdish with songs (patriotic) playing in between talks. Station ID was heard at 14:05 UTC in between news snippets. SIO 433 RX Tecsun PL660, ANT- Degen 31MS Indoor MW SW Active Loop Antenna. QTH Ballygunge, Kolkata, India. 

Reception report was emailed to the Technical Director of the transmitting station. An e-QSL verification (v/s Sergey Omelchenko, Technical Director, Pridnestrovskiy Radiotelecentr) came within two days of sending reception report.

Denge Kurdistane (Voice of Kurdistan) broadcasts are targeted to Iraq, operationl since 1 September 2012 *as per Shortwave Central Blog. "This service either replaces Denge Mezopotmaya/Voice of Mezopotamya or has been renamed from it."

Denge Kurdistan has a dedicated app listed on the Google Play Store. Click HERE. You can also listen them online via their website: www.denge-kurdistan.com -OR- you can connect with them on their Facebook Page facebook.com/dengekurdistan 

73 from Kolkata, India.

Radio Payam e-Doost QSL'd

Radio Payam e-Doost broadcasting from Kishinev-Grigoriopol in (Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic) Pridnestrovie, was logged on Feb 22, 2015 on 7480 KHz with programming in Farsi (Persian) between 1815-1845 Hrs UTC (2245-2315 Hrs IST) with SIO 433. Programming consisted of indigenous music and talk (speech). Station ID was heard just before sign off. Reception report was emailed to the Technical Director of the transmitting station. An electronic QSL verification (v/s Sergey Omelchenko, Technical Director) came within a few hours of sending reception report. 

By the way, there seems to be confusion as to whether coin this station as a clandestine or a religious broadcaster. I consider it as a clandestine station. Here's my analysis - 

Payam e-Doost closely translates to "message from a friend"/ 'message of friendship'/ 'friendly message' - 'payam' is message and 'doost' friend in Farsi (Persian). Unlike hardcore Clandestine stations where differing political thoughts and voice against the ruling powers is the main agenda of the broadcasts, in case of Radio Payam e-Doost it is about practicing 'religious freedom' and having equal rights for Baha'i people of Iran. 

"The Baha’i community in Iran faces severe and systematic discrimination and persecution. They are routinely denied freedom of religion and are prosecuted for practicing their faith." Read these two features in your spare time - The Huffington Post & International Campaign for Human Rights In this respect, I find it fair enough to refer the station as clandestine broadcaster. Your comments are welcome. 

73 from Kolkata, India.