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

Transworld Radio Swaziland (TWR Africa) - Verified with e-QSL

It was early spring in 1997 when I started listening to distant radio signals on my 10-band Kchibo shortwave radio receiver. Back then, the shortwave bands were open and teeming with radio stations. The BIG 5 international broadcasters in my region (ITU Zone 41) were - British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Voice of America (VOA), China Radio International (CRI), Deutsche Welle (DW) and Voice of Russia (VOR). Apart from them, there were the major gospel stations transmitting every morning and evening in dozens of South Asian and South East Asian languages preaching the message of Jesus! The BIG 4 broadcasters of the time were - Family Radio, Adventist World Radio, Transworld Radio (KTWR) and FEBA Radio.

Apart from these 'usual' stations that every listener would eventually hear on the radio bands, there were others too! The challenge for SWLs/ DXers back then was to tune in to those 'other' stations - the ones that were hard to tune and harder to decipher! Most of these dx stations  either targeted their transmission to zones other than mine (zone 41) or were using low-powered transmitters to broadcast to local communities.

Every nation has its unique culture and music! And stations broadcasting out of Africa were the most alluring ones as they would play drums, pipes, flutes and indigenous musical instruments specific to their culture at the beginning and end of their radio broadcasts everyday! These short musical notes, commonly referred as 'signature tune', bore the identity for each radio station. As a DXer, freshly introduced to this wonderous world of shortwave radio listening, I was mesmerized to say the least! 

One such station was Transworld Radio Swaziland broadcasting from Manzini in Eswatini (Swaziland)! It is part of TWR's global ministry in Africa. TWR Swaziland opened their radio broadcast every evening (IST) around 14 hrs. UTC with a unique signature tune and station ID. The station would broadcast only 45 mins of programming in Urdu back then. Their other broadcast times did not match with my local time zone! TWR Swaziland remained one of my favorites for years during that period of my DXing hobby-life! 

A good two-decades hence and today, while I was sorting through truck loads of DX interactions from all these years - and archiving email communications with radio stations those hold dear memories, up came an e-QSL from TWR Africa (erstwhile TWR Swaziland)  confirming my reception of  their broadcast in Malagasy on 18th Dec, 2017.  

                                                                        LISTEN HERE

Rajdeep Das · Transworld Radio Africa in Malagasy on 9585 kHz - 18.12.2017 via Manzini, Eswatini (Swaziland)

I have been quite a sporadic listener ever since the pandemic has ebbed! DXing took a backseat due to major broadcasters closing doors on shortwave, Chinese stations dominating the air waves left vacant by the media houses and governments running the big radio stations and shifting the most prominent radio stations to digital media. However, amid my dwindling interest of shortwave listening and the predominance of online SDRs and app-based tuners like radio garden et al. eclipsing the ever-so-alluring art of distant shortwave listening, this e-QSL from TWR Swaziland was a stark reminder that - "past can never be forgotten" and it eventually pops up in our present at the most unlikely hours and instantly takes us back to where our hearts belong!

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

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

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.

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

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.