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

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.

Exploring Pirate and Free Radio Broadcasts

Lately, I have taken interest in listening to Pirate Radio Stations. Unlike in the western hemisphere here in India, there isn't any notable pirate station to speak of. Sporadic broadcasts from makeshift/ mobile units can be heard in isolated parts of the country (which are illegal). In this connection I would like to recall my experience of logging and hearing pirate stations operating in the AM/ MW band during my recent trip to nearby sea beaches  - Mandarmani, Udaypur & Tajpur. You can listen to one of my recordings on SoundCloud

Pirate/ Free Radio is Hip & Happening in other parts of the world, especially, in Europe & the United States of America. There's a rich history of free radio broadcasts out there on the web for you to learn and explore. Here's a link for self education - Click HERE

Although, my journey with Pirates/ Free Radio broadcasts started a few years back when I religiously started listenig to Radio Atlantic 2000 International's weekend broadcasts online, but honestly speaking I didn't get the same pleasure of tuning a station, as with web streaming. Till today, I make it a point to listen to Atlantic 2000 Intl. program whenever they broadcasts through their website. Take a look at one of my earlier posts on Atlantic 2000 International To listen online, Click HERE

Only recently, I have started logging Pirate Stations from Europe using Global Tuners & WebSDR. Both are simple to operate yet amazingly accurate and effective for DXing. The sheer thrill of tuning a radio kept thousands of miles away from my QTH and logging the local AM/FM/Utility/Amateur broadcasts audible from the remote QTH, as well as scanning the SW bands to listen to /compare stations' signal propagation with that heard from my location, is sheer fantasy! I am loving it.

Here are my latest QSLs from Pirate/ Free Radio Stations broadcasting from Europe *logged via Global Tuners and WebSDR. Click on the radio station names below to view the QSLs and reception details - 

1. Quadzilla Radio

2. Radio Geronimo Shortwave

By the way, in the last two weekends I have logged and listened to a number of Pirates from Europe and only these two stations have responded to my report so far. I will update as soon as I have more good news to share.

73's