Rajeeshdxer

AFRTS QSLs from various sites

2012-01-30T14:18:00.000+05:30

Raio Macedonia QSL

2012-01-30T14:13:00.000+05:30

RTD-Djibouti QSL

2012-01-30T14:11:00.000+05:30

DX Antwerp-Special QSL

2012-01-30T14:08:00.000+05:30

Voice of the Broadmasses of Eritrean Asmara

2012-01-30T14:04:00.002+05:30

Radio Nepal-QSL

2012-01-30T14:02:00.000+05:30

Long Wave QSL-Radio Algeirs-Algeria

2012-01-30T13:59:00.001+05:30

QSL-Radio Sana Yemen

2012-01-30T13:56:00.000+05:30

QSL -Radio Nacional de Venezuela

2012-01-30T13:53:00.001+05:30

DX PHILATELY/RADIO PHILATELY

2009-09-28T10:05:00.001+05:30

DX Philately
DX Philately or Radio Philately is a sub division of Philately and Dxing. Dxers collecting stamps based on Radio and telecommunication based themes are known as DX Philatelist. Such stamps may be issued in relation with the anniversary or specific occasion of a radio station (e.g.: AIR silver jubilee stamp issued by India Post, Radio Moscow 50th ann. Stamp issued by USSR etc.). A stamp which depicts radio towers and telecommunication themes also falls in this division.
Only very few Dxers are collecting Radio stamps. Perhaps the most successful DX Philatelist in India is the world famous DXer Mr. Alokesh Gupta in NewDelhi, India.He has a vast number of Radio Based stamps, First Day covers and Philatelic items in the collection. Many of them can be viewed at: http://alokeshgupta.blogspot.com. I am also having many DX Philatelic stamps in my collection. But my collection is considerably smaller one.
The world famous Swedish Dxer and a contributing editor of World Radio TV Handbook Mr. Christer Brunstrom is the world’s most famous DX Philatelist and an author on this subject. His famous publications include DX Philately booklet Vol.I & II plus its supplement. It is an exciting publication featuring stamps that features Radio and TV statons and compiled in country order with many Illustrations. The book cost US $ 4 or 8 IRCs. It can be ordered from: Mr. Christer Brunstrom , Kungsgatan 23, S-302 45, Halmstad, Sweden.
I am putting some pictures of my Radio stamps in my blog. View them and comments are welcome.

T.R.Rajeesh

ALL INDIA RADIO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

2009-09-26T18:10:00.003+05:30

ALL INDIA RADIO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

The Land

Kerala is a narrow strip of land on the southwest corner of India. It represents only 1.18% of the total area but 3.43% of the total population of the country.

The highlands of Kerala are known as Western Ghats where evergreen forests with exotic flora and fauna are found. It is one of the biological hotspots in the world. The midlands lying between the mountains and the lowlands are made up of undulating hills and valleys. This is an area of intensive cultivation and crops like coconut, banana, rice, ginger, pepper and vegetables are grown. The lowlands or coastal area, which is made up of river deltas, backwaters and the shore of Arabian Sea, is essentially a land of coconut and rice.

Kerala is a land of rivers and backwaters. Forty-four rivers cut across Kerala with their innumerable tributaries and branches, but the rivers are comparatively smaller being monsoon fed practically turn in to rivulets in the summer especially in upper areas.

Kerala is also known for its rich cultural, literal and social standard of life. The world famous art forms like Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Kalaripayattu etc are typical to this state. It is a leader of human development index in India with 92% literacy, low birth rate and death rate etc. It is also one of the first places where the communist party came to power through popular votes. Considering all its achievement tourists call Kerala as “Gods own Country”.

Radio Broadcasting

Radio broadcasting has a long history in Kerala. Before independence, Kerala comprised of the princely states Travancore, Cochin and British Malabar. It was in 1956 the Malayalam speaking areas of India jointly formed to be known as Kerala. Radio broadcasting has its early root in the princely state of Travancore

History

During colonial rule, the erstwhile Travancore state set up the first radio station with the aid of All India Radio. His Highness the Maharaja of Travancore showed great interest in broadcasting and formed a committee of the top officials to evaluate the possibility of installing a transmitter at the capital Trivandrum. All India Radio provided advice and an engineer from Travancore was eventually trained to carry out the onerous task. A 5 KW medium wave transmitter was finally installed on March12, 1943. His highness Sri.Chitira Tirunal Balarama Varma inaugurated the Travancore State Broadcasting Station the same day. The transmitter was located at Kulathur near Trivandrum and the studios were at old MLA quarters. In the beginning the station aired a weekly two-hour broadcast on Friday evenings, later it increased to four day broadcast per week. After independence, when princely state Travancore joined in Indian Union the Travancore State Radio merged with All India Radio Network on April1, 1950.

In 1952, AIR Trivandrum moved its premises to the present Bhaktivilas Palace. The 5 KW transmitter of Travancore radio was upgraded to 10 KW later. A 100 KW medium wave relay station at Alapuzha was commissioned an July 17, 1971 for relaying the programmes in central districts of Kerala. The relay station was upgraded to 200 KW on April 15, 1999. The entertainment and commercial channel of All India Radio, VividhBharati started broadcasting from Trivandrum on March 6, 1966 using a 1 KW medium wave transmitter. Now a 10 KW FM transmitter carries VividhBharati broadcasts for Trivandrum and neighbouring districts.

World Band (SW) Broadcasting

All India Radio Thiruvananthapuram never provided good signals beyond south and central Kerala. Further large migrant communities from Kerala work in almost all parts of India and also in Middle East countries. So a 50 KW world band transmitter was installed at Thiruvananthapuram. It was commissioned in to service on November 6, 1994. As a result of the shortwave broadcasting the station started providing reliable reception throughout India and even good signals in the Middle East during early mornings and evenings.

The 50 KW shortwave transmitter operates from 0020-0215 and 1115-1735 UTC on 5010 kHz and from 0630-0900 UTC on 7290 kHz. During favourable propagation condition the station can be heard in many distant corners of the world as evidenced by reception reports received from all parts of the world.

Verifications

Unlike many other AIR regional stations, All India Radio Thriuvananthapuram can be a good verifier. Most of the reception reports are QSLed via New Delhi. Occasionally the station verifies directly using its letterhead. Reception reports should be mailed to: The Station Engineer, All India Radio Thiruvanathapuram, Bhaktivilas, Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram-695014, Kerala, INDIA. E-mail: thiruvananthapuram@air.org.in

Reference

-----------

1. This is All India Radio-U.L.Baruah

2. Prekshepana Kala Charithram-M.K.Sivasankaran

RADIO AUSTRALIA-“Call of the Kookaburra”

2009-09-26T18:02:00.001+05:30

RADIO AUSTRALIA-“Call of the Kookaburra”

Which is the most strange interval signal heard on shortwave? Perhaps you may agree with me that it is the laugh of the Kookaburra* heard over Radio Australia!

Radio Australia is the international shortwave service of Australian Broadcasting Corporation [ABC]. The history of Radio Australia dates back to December 5,1939 when the Federal Cabinet authorised an international shortwave service to meet the needs of the Australians at the War. On Dec 20, 1939 the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies, made the first official international broadcast, on the new service ‘Australia Calling’. The first transmission directed to the Europe was picked by the BBC, which re-broadcasted the PM’s opening speech.

In 1945 “Australia calling” became Radio Australia a distinctive change from its wartime heritage and objective. The Dept of Information originally administered Radio Australia. By, 1950 Radio Australia came under the direction of Australian Broadcasting Corporation. For more than 60 years of broadcasting Radio Australia has became one of the most popular and authoritative radio voices in the Asia-Pacific region.

Dxers consider Radio Australia as a listener friendly station. The world’s second only DX programme Australian Dxers calling introduced by the legendary Graham Hutchins aired over Radio Australia for many years during 1940’s and 50’s. Many Dxers also remember the presenter of mailbag show Keith Glover another respected Radio Australia veteran who passed away recently.

Radio Australia used to broadcast in 9 languages with an extensive English language service. It also had a wide listener ship through out Asia and Pacific. But that all came to an end by 1997, when the Radio Australia was drastically affected by the budgetary cuts of the Australian Federal Cabinet. Most of its foreign language broadcasts along with many of its regional bureaus discontinued. Radio Australia also compelled to close down its most powerful transmitter located at Cox’s Peninsula near Darwin that consists of 4x250 KW, 2x 300 KW transmitters. The loss of Darwin transmitters reduced the audience of Radio Australia due to the unreliable reception through out Asia. This drastic budgetary cut had shaken the foundation of Radio Australia and it never returned to its glorious past.

During 2000-01 the religious broadcaster Christian Vision purchased Darwin transmitters from Radio Australia and began test transmissions. At this time Radio Australia started leasing airtime from this transmitter site!

Now a days Radio Australia broadcasts only in 5 languages via their transmitters at Shepparton and Brandon. The Shepparton transmitter site consists of 6x100 KW and 1x80 KW while the Brandon site consists of 3x10 KW. New DRM capable transmitters of 20 KW are being installed at Brandon. Radio Australia also leases airtime from the SW transmitters in Taiwan, Tiniang, Singapore and Abu Dhabi for relaying their broadcasts. Radio Australia’s shortwave transmitters located at Canavaron and Lynthrust are no longer active on shortwave. Broadcast Australia decommissioned these sites many years ago. Broadcast Australia is the official transmitter operator of Radio Australia.

Radio Australia verifies reception reports regularly with colourful QSL Cards. The reduction in the staff members due to budgetary cuts meant that Radio Australia is no longer able to deploy their staff for this purpose. Now a days Radio Australia forwards reception reports to Australian Radio DX Club (ARDXC) for verification on a voluntary basis and we shall thank John Wright and Ian Johnson for doing this Job! Reception Reports for radio Australia could be send to: Radio Australia, GPO Box 328 G, VIC 3001, Australia, E-mail reports to: english@ra.abc.net.au

Courtesy
-----------
1. Radio Australia Brochure
2. World Radio TV Handbook 2006

*More detailed history on laugh of the Kookaburra and its relation with Radio
Australia can be learned from Mr. Jerry Berg’s article “Jacko-The Broadcasting
Kookaburra” on www.ontheshortwaves.com

Voice of Mongolia

2009-09-26T18:01:00.000+05:30

MONGOLIAN RADIO

The Land and People

The Mongolian Peoples Republic lies in Central Asia with Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Mongolia is one of the world’s oldest countries. In its glorious past the great Mongolian warriors conquered the whole of central Asia including China and Tibet, Russia, Europe up to Spain and Middle East. The period of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan were considered to be the golden saga of Mongolia.

After a long period of communist rule, Mongolia entered in to a period of free speech, open market and democracy in 1992. The capital of Mongolia is Ulan Bator and the official currency is Tugrick. The 2.5 million people speak Mongolian and most of them belong to Lamaistic sect of Buddhism. Much of the world famous Gobi desert falls with in Mongolia, where nomad communities still practise horse breeding and cattle rearing.

Radio Broadcasting

The history of broadcasting in Mongolia begins with the first radio programme on 1st September 1934. The Mongolian Radio and Television (MRTV) technical centre was established at Khonkor, Ulan Bator city in 1960, with shortwave transmitters of 5, 25 and 50 KW and a long wave transmitter of 150 KW. The MRTV expanded its transmitter facility by installing two shortwave transmitters of 100 and 250 KW. A further expansion took place in 1984 with a 500 KW medium wave and long wave station, which enabled the first channel of MRTV to be broadcast in the central area of the country. Most of the local radio stations of large capacity were built through USSR technical and economical grant aid. During 2003, Sumitomo Corporation of Japan upgraded the domestic shortwave transmitters of MRTV with SW NEC transmitting systems using the grant-in-aid from Japanese government.

The domestic shortwave broadcast stations of Mongolian Radio are
 Central Radio Broadcast Station 7260 kHz (50 KW)
 Gobi-Altay Station 4830 kHz (10 KW)
 Khuvsgul Station 4895 kHz (10 KW)
 Dornogbi Station 4865 kHz (10 KW)

Many of the regional broadcasts can be monitored out side the region, during favourable propagation conditions.

Voice of Mongolia

The overseas service of Mongolian Radio was founded in 1964 under the call sign “Radio Ulan Bataar” which later changed into “Voice of Mongolia”. Voices of Mongolia broadcasts are beamed to Asia, Australia and Europe in Mongolian, English, Chinese, Russian and Japanese. Occasionally VOM broadcasts can also be heard in out of target areas as well. The daily half hour transmission consists of home news and various programmes designed to provide information about the Mongolians, their history, traditions, culture and way of life as well as folk and modern music. The Voice of Mongolia’s Khonkor SW transmitting station consists of three single units of 500 KW, 250 KW and 100 KW transmitters. They also have 3x50 KW standby transmitters located at the same site.

Voice of Mongolia is a DX friendly station, which verifies reception reports with colourful QSL cards. The mail editor Denzmaa.Z informs that they issue a series of 9 QSL cards depicting Mongolian culture and tradition. Reception reports should be mailed to: Voice of Mongolia, C.P.O Box-365, Ulan Bator 13, Mongolia. E-mail reports to: Densmaa9@yahoo.com.

WANTOK RADIO LIGHT

2009-09-26T17:59:00.000+05:30

WANTOK RADIO LIGHT

Wantok Radio Light is a new Christian Missionary station started short wave broadcasting last year and serves the entire Papua New Guinea with Christian music and teaching.

The short wave transmitting station of Wantok Radio Light is located in a shipping container on the outskirts of Port Moresby, the Capital of Papua New Guinea. Their transmitter is a Crown TB 1000 that is an all solid-state transmitter capable of 1 KW output.

The antenna is supported by wooden poles is similar to utility poles and it consists of two dipoles with ladder line between them. They feed the antenna with coaxial cable. The antenna feed point is slightly off-centre to “steer” the beam toward the northwest and toward the centre of Papua New Guinea. The antenna is known as a NVIS or Near Vertical Incidence system. It provides very good signal into the centre of PNG during daylight hours.

The programme relay on short wave starts from 20-13 hours UTC on 7120 kHz and it is in simulcast with the FM programmes at the moment. However they plan to split the programmes between Short wave and FM in the near future.

They currently have, in addition to the short wave transmitter an FM station in the capital city of Port Moresby and 5 satellites fed “satellators” located in 4 major cities of PNG. By the end of 2006 they hope to construct a network of 24 FM stations through out the country. Actually HCJB World Radio supports Wantok Radio Light and their Missionaries are working with them at Port Moresby. They are also involved in training nationals to operate and maintain the station on their own.

The station Manager of Wantok Radio Light is Pawa Warena. The Chief Engineer of the station Mr. David Olson is also an Amateur Radio Operator with the call signs P29CQ & KL7K. The station Engineer is Mr. Alan Good and RF Engineer is Mr. Nick Mapun.

Wantok Radio Light is a difficult station to DX out side South East Asia and Oceania especially due to its low power transmitter. Many Dxers in Australia, New Zealand, East Coast of North America and Asia reported the logging of this station. Wantok Radio Light offers a colourful QSL for DX reception reports. It shows the picture of a traditional Papuan hut where people listen to Radio! They sent me this QSL after 6 months although no return postage was enclosed with the report.

Reception Reports and general enquiries may be addressed to:
Wantok Radio Light, P.O.Box 1273,Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea.
E-mail: info@wantokradio.net

ALL INDIA RADIO PORTBLAIR

2009-09-26T17:57:00.001+05:30

ALL INDIA RADIO PORT BLAIR

The Island

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are the largest overseas possession of India; lying between 6 and 14 degree northern latitude and 92 and 94 degrees eastern longitude, stretch over a length of 700 kms from North to South in Bay of the Bengal. Out of a total of 570 Islands only 36 are inhabited with a total population of 450,000. Geologically the islands appear to have been a landmass of South East Asia. It is thought that Andaman and Nicobars are the remnants of two vast mountain ranges, which at one time stretched from Arakan in Burma (Cape Negris) to Sumatra (Achin Head) in Indonesia. The tiny uninhabited Barren Island, 13 kms away from Port Blair has an active volcano, which is only one of its kinds in the region.

These undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of flora and fauna. The topography of the island is hilly and abounds in evergreen nfor4ests. The climate of Andaman and Nicobar Island is of tropical type but the continuous breeze blowing in from the surrounding sea makes it very pleasant. The sandy beaches on the meandering coastline are fringed with coconut palms that they sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the island offers excellent scope for adventure water sports. The rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals crystal clear water and mangrove lined creeks offer a dream view of the rare gifts of the nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, Snorkelling, Scuba diving are the major attractions here. A visit to these islands is a memorable lifetime experience and a dream destination for eco-friendly tourists. Port Blair the headquarters of these islands is from 1255 kms Calcutta, 1191 kms from Madras and 580 kms from Yangon.

Radio Broadcasting

All India Radio started broadcasting in these islands with the commissioning of a 1 KW medium wave transmitter on 2nd June 1963. The transmitter used to broadcast on the frequency of 684 kHz. News and cultural programs in various Indian regional languages as well as Nicobari went on air for the islanders. During 1975 a 20 KW medium wave transmitter was installed replacing the old low power unit for better coverage. Considering the widespread locations of various islands a 10 KW shortwave transmitter was commissioned in to service during 1994. More recently the 20 KW medium wave transmitter was upgraded in to a new 100 KW high power medium wave transmitter. With the introduction of Shortwave and high power medium wave transmitters, better reception of radio signals are ensured through out these islands. In the near future AIR Port Blair will get FM transmitters, ensuring good quality reception in some areas.

The introduction of shortwave service by All India Radio Port Blair created enthusiasm among shortwave Dxers. They consider this station as a challenging DX target due to its low power and being at an exotic location. Dxers in Scandinavian countries, Australia and North America logged and obtained verifications from port Blair. AIR Port Blair starts its morning service quite earlier than its morning service earlier than other AIR regional stations. The station operates from 2325-0300 UTC and 1130-1630 UTC on 4760 kHz and during daytime they operates from 0700-0850 UTC on 7115 kHz with extended schedule on weekends.

Verifications

Mr. K.S. Venkateswarlu*, the station Engineer at AIR Port Blair is very keen to receive reception reports from Dxers. He promises to send direct verification letters for all correct report that matches with station log book. Additionally the Engineering section is interested in receiving taped reports in order to assess the reception quality in out of target areas. QSL Cards for AIR Port Blair can be obtained via the Spectrum Management division of All India Radio at New Delhi. Direct reception reports for AIR Port Blair could be mailed to: The Station Engineer, All India Radio Port Blair, Dilanipur, Port Blair- 744 102, U.T of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, INDIA. E-mail reports to: portblair@air.org.in

Courtesy
----------
1.K.S.Venkateswarlu, AIR Station Engineer

ST. HELENA…TURNS ME ON!

2009-09-26T17:39:00.002+05:30

ST. HELENA…TURNS ME ON!
Our expectations and Dxperience of listening to Radio St. Helena

Even in the wild dreams of the new generation Dxers here in India, (may be through out the world too!) we never imagined of hearing Radio St. Helena in our life. Many of us still remember the announcement of final transmission of Radio St. Helena in the Wavescan Global DX Report segment by William Matthews during 1998. But none of us were able to listen that final broadcast due to the lack of good receivers.

Years passed and many of us were able to obtain some moderate type portable receivers. Although we read information in WRTH under Future Plan of St. Helena (F Pl) is to procure new equipment and re-introduce the annual SW transmission from St. Helena, such plans never seemed to be work out. At least we believed so and settled with salivating a copy of QSL from Mr. C.K.Raman, an IBB monitor who logged St. Helena during 1992 broadcast.

During the late 2005 many reports started arriving about the attempts for reintroducing annual SW broadcasts from RSH via a new transmitter. An article by Robert Kipp of Germany on the Radio St. Helena QSL Project that published in various DX newsletters invited our attention to St. Helena once again. The efforts of Mr. Anker Petersen (DSWCI), Richard D’Angelo (WDXC & NASWA), NZ DX League and especially the greatest of all Mr. Toschimichi Ohtake (JSWC) along with Mr. Robert Kipp helped to raise the necessary fund and support for Radio St. Helena. The regular updates and reports about the RSH revival project, which appeared in the Contact magazine as well as in DSWCI bulletin DX-Window/SW News, provided lot of excitement for us.

Once the broadcast schedule announced, we started preparing for celebrating the event. For us it was a must hear situation of this revived station. I made regular contacts with fellow Dxers Mr. Alokesh Gupta in New Delhi, Swopan Chakroborty in Kolkata, Mr. Muhammed Shamim in Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala and Gautam Kumar Sharma in Assam preparing and exchanging the possibilities of logging St. Helena. I made an alert in the cell phone reminder at various time schedules as announced.

In the beginning of November the excitement reached its peak. Most of my letters and e-mails to fellow Dxers included Radio St. Helena as an item. Club member Edwin sent his best wishes for logging St. Helena through his encouraging letter. On the first day of November reports of RSH test transmission on 11092.5 started arriving. At 1500 UTC Jari Savolinen of Finland reported logging the tests with good reception. Alokesh and Gautam tried for the test transmission but heard nothing. It made a fear of not hearing the revival broadcast in India. I believed that the Japanese beam should provide some signals from the first hop of RSH signals that may reach India during its transmission (via long path) so that I can compile program details for a report.

On 4th November I came from office quite early finishing the work. Shamim went a step further by taking half-day leave from the afternoon work in order to sleep early and wake up just before the broadcast. When I called Shamim in the early evening his wife took the phone and told that he was sleeping! The first broadcast of RSH (New Zealand beam) at 1800 UTC starts from 2330 IST (half hour before midnight!).

By 1700 UTC Alokesh was ready with his ICOM R-71 tabletop and headphone; Shamim with a Grundig YB-80; Gautam with his Grundig YB-400 and myself with the SONY ICF-77 were waiting for the RSH signals. At 1758 UTC some weak instrumental music started arriving on my receiver with unintelligible signals. After 1800 UTC RSH broadcasts with very poor reception noted and even unable to take down program details. Alokesh called me on mobile and checked the reception at my end through mobile. The situation was even worse in New Delhi. Shamim and Gautam heard nothing. Alokesh presumed that there is a greater chance of hearing the North American beam. It was right to assume it since the North American evening (early morning in India) beam of most shortwave broadcasters can easily be picked up here. We also believed that if RSH uses the long path via Africa to cover the Japan from 2000 UT there is even a better chance of hearing the broadcast. Shamim also called and indicated that he is very much depressed with the result of first broadcast.

I continued checking for other SSB transmissions. There were MARLO broadcasts of U.S Navy fifth fleet in International Waters from Bahrain with fair signals on 9133 lsb. Cairo ATC was clear on 11300 usb and even Gander Airport from Newfoundland, Canada was audible on 10051 usb! What happened for RSH to cause such a poor reception? I assumed perhaps RSH might have used the short path via South America to reach New Zealand. I set alarm on the cell phone to wake up at 1950 UTC, just before the Japanese beam.

At 1950 I woke up and set the receiver on 11092.5 kHz. At 1957 some instrumental music started arriving in my receiver. By 1900 interval signal with very good reception noted and followed by station ann. “This is Radio St. Helena broadcasting on 11092.5 kHz SW, and on 1548 kHz MW, 194 meters; we are beaming towards Japan from St. Helena in the South Atlantic, very Good morning to Japan” One of the most awaited moment arrived at last. The reception was 35443 and I started enjoying the broadcast. Suddenly I remembered Alokesh and Shamim and called both of them who were asleep!! My alerts awake them and they too enjoyed the broadcast. We also checked each other’s reception through cell phone.

Each moment of the broadcast was so thrilling. We heard the message by the Governor of St. Helena Mr. Michael Clancey followed by a pop song of the beetles and so on. Later e-mail reports started acknowledging on air. Shamim called me at 2050 UTC and told to send an e-mail to the station. I have not imagined about sending a report to Radio St. Helena. Without any hesitation I opened my computer and told them that 3 of us were listening from India and reception is so good here. I also requested to play a song dedicated to my DX friends listening and also to every WDXC members in England.

I mailed the message at 2100 UTC exactly and by 2105 I am thrilled to hear my name mentioned from one of the remotest stations in the world. Nirvana!!! What more needed in the life of a Dxer? This itself is more than an official verification statement from St. Helena! The flooding of e-mails to the station only allowed them to mention my name and the reception location only.

We continued monitoring and heard the name of our World DX Club mentioned by them. The highlights of the Japanese beam were the description about St. Helena and an interview with Toshi Ohtake of JSWC and reading listener’s letters and airing their telephone messages. Japanese listeners participated actively as evidenced by the large number of e-mail reports from there. One of the employees in German Embassy of Vietnam also sent e-mail to RSH!

The broadcast to Japan ended by 2147 UTC extended than scheduled time limit of 2130 UTC. The reception was not good for the European beam and for the late North American beam. Final analysis with Alokesh Gupta indicated that the best reception was noted here in Kerala, at my location! Alokesh and Shamim also had fair reception. But our friend Gautam was not able to hear the broadcast on any of the beam in his location, Assam (Northeast India). We also heard one Ajith Krishnan’s name but was unable to locate him. Mr. C.K.Raman with excellent receivers at the IBB office in New Delhi was also able to hear the revival broadcast beamed to North America. Further one Mr. Neil, VU2BGK in Tamilnadu also heard RSH Japanese beam with his Grundig Satellit 500 receiver and reported over next day’s BCDX ham net on 7085 lsb. He mentioned that my name was heard over the broadcast! I really felt sorry for not recording the RSH broadcast.

One of the surprise e-mail I received soon after the broadcast was the “Thank you” message from Derek ZD7CTO for participating in the worldwide transmission of Radio St. Helena. The three of us, Alokesh, Shamim and myself sent off reports with return postage to Radio St. Helena and DSWCI within the next few days itself for QSLs.

But for me I already received the best verification from St. Helena first via on air acknowledgement and secondly via the great e-mail reply from Derek. Everything else is a mere formality as Dxing is a matter of internal happiness!
**************************************************************************************************
Written by T.R.Rajeesh for the Contact Magazine, the monthly DX Digest of World DX Club in Northampton, England

Voice of Korea

2009-09-24T21:16:00.000+05:30

RADIO PYONGYANG-THE VOICE OF KOREA

Introduction

North Korea, officially known as Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country located in East Asia. It occupies the northern portion of the Korean peninsula, and bordered by China and Russia to the north and by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south. North Korea has an area of 47,399 square miles, occupying about 55 percent of the peninsula. The national capital, Pyongyang, is a major industrial and transport centre near the west coast.

Mountains and valleys characterize most of the country. Mount Paektu [2,750 metres] is the highest mountain in North Korea and on the peninsula, rises at the northern edge of this plateau it is an extinct volcano topped by a large crater lake. Large river-valley plains have developed between the western mountains; they merge along the narrow, irregular coastal plain on the west coast.

International Relations

North Korea has remained one of the most isolated and inaccessible countries in the international community, with severe restrictions on travel into or out of the country, a totally controlled press, and an ideology of self-reliance. In the 1970s and '80s, the North Korean government maintained its balanced diplomatic position between the country's only two significant allies, China and the Soviet Union, while sustaining a hostile attitude toward the United States. The collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and subsequent dissolution of the U.S.S.R. in the early 1990s left China as North Korea's sole major ally. Even China, however, could no longer be relied upon fully, as it cultivated friendly relations with South Korea that culminated in the establishment of full diplomatic ties in August 1992.

The press

The daily newspapers, the Rodong sinmun (“Labour News”), published by the KWP Central Committee, and the government's Minju Chossn (“Democratic Korea”) have the largest circulations. The monthly Kulloja (“Workers”) of the KWP Central Committee is one of the most influential periodicals. The Korean Central News Agency controls the dissemination of information, and all papers are strictly censored.

Radio and TV Broadcasting

The central broadcasting committee of the DPRK is known as KRT, controls the national and international Radio and Television broadcasting from the country. KRT was established on October 14,1945.This day is celebrated as the Broadcasting day every year. KRT has signed agreements with 50 countries for mutual co-operation in the broadcasting field. There are also several local broadcasting committees organised on Provincial, city and country basis.

The government long has recognised the importance of radio and television as mass media, and they have played a great role in ideological education. Radio broadcasts reach all parts of the country. Almost all North Korean households have access to radio broadcasts as a result of a government project to link household loudspeakers to village receivers. Television broadcasting in North Korea also has been made available to all parts of the country, and the number of television sets, both imported and domestically produced, has increased.

The Voice of Korea

The Voice of Korea, formerly Radio Pyongyang is the external radio broadcasting service of the DPRK. Radio Pyongyang was established on March 16,1947 with its Korean and Chinese Service. Voice of Korea now broadcasts in 9 languages to various parts of the world, which includes Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, English, French, Arabia and German Services.

Voice of Korea broadcasts from high power short wave transmitters located at Pyongyang, Kangggaye, Kujang and from some other unknown locations. Most of the transmitters are rated at 200 or 250 KW power. But actual transmitter details and locations are not known due to the restrictions and secrecy maintained in the country.

Voice of Korea’s broadcast can be listened easily with a moderate receiver. But their programs are not worth listening to! The usual English broadcast starts with regional and international news with North Korean viewpoint followed by political commentary that praises Kim Jong II and his leadership. One of the interesting aspects about Voice of Korea is related with the usage of unusual frequencies outside the normal broadcast bands. KRT regularly use the frequencies 3560, 4405,7570kHz etc for their transmission.

Although the broadcast from Pyongyang is not that much interesting, they are considered as very Dxer friendly. Unlike many western broadcasters, Voice of Korea still value the listener’s receptions reports and like to receive their correspondence. All reports are verified with colourful verification cards, which depict nice Korean sceneries. The QSL Card will be accompanied with additional printed materials like propaganda literature, books on Kim Jong II, Korea Today magazine, Newspaper, stencil, badge etc. Voice of Korea still supplies a very attractive station pennant for listeners.

Incidentally Voice of Korea doesn’t have any e-mail address or website. Still all the correspondence to Voice of Korea should be addressed to: Voice of Korea, Pyongyang, DPR Korea (North). Since mails from USA are reportedly lost in its way or not received by the station, it is worth trying to mail the reports via Dxers in Europe or Asian countries like that maintains good relations with them.

KTWR Guam

2009-09-24T21:14:00.001+05:30

KTWR-TRANS WORLD RADIO GUAM

Guam is a territory of the United States of America, having been ceded by Spain in 1898 following a brief war between the two countries. Guam’s indigenous people, the Chamoros, are the descendants of the original islanders and the Spanish who occupied Guam for nearly 350 years. Guam s culture reflects this unique mixture of art, music, language, and festivals and in the people themselves.

The Island of Guam has an area of 557 sq. miles and a population of 140,000. The indigenous Chamorros make-up 46% while, Filipinos 22 %and Statesiders 26 % of the population. Major languages in use include English, Chamorro and Tagalog. The island uses U.S Currency and postage system.

Trans World Radio is an organization of missionaries to broadcast, to all people .the salvation message of the Lord Jesus Christ. TWR Radio transmitters at many global sites broadcasts in more than 100 languages, to reach more than 80 % of the world’s surface. Some sites are in Sri Lanka, Bonaire, Swaziland, South Africa, Monte Carlo, Cyprus, Albania, Armenia and Guam.

Trans World Radio has been a part of Guam since 1975 when their mw station KTWG first took to the airwaves. KTWR has been on the air continuously since 1977. On Guam about 45 TWR staff members operate, maintain and produce programs for Tran world Radio in 20 languages.

Tran world Radio also operates a medium wave station KTWG on the island of Guam, which sends out live and pre-recorded programs through out Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. KTWG also houses studios of KTWR.

Technical Details

The short wave transmitting station of KTWR is located on the tip of Guam, near the village of Merizo. KTWR uses four Harris SW 100 short wave transmitters of 100 KW. All the transmitters have the capability of ten preset combinations of frequency and antenna direction.

KTWR uses six reflected curtain antennas (TCI 611) which are designed for normal short wave operating frequencies between 9.5 MHz and 17.9 MHz. Operation in the 41 metre band is possible at reduced power levels meet the rules of the U.S Federal Communications Commission.

A Computer (Sono-Mag PRS 1) controls each of the four transmitters so that the desired language tape will be put into the correct transmitter at the proper time, and that the output will be fed to the antenna for broadcast in the proper direction.

The target areas of KTWR include South, East and North East Asia, Australia, and the Oceania.

DX Program

KTWR used to broadcast one of the famous DX show with the name Pacific DX Report. It consisted of DX news from EDXP, DX plus with Jean Anderson, and Making Your own Short wave Antenna by Andrew Yoder etc. They discontinued this favourite show few years back.

KTWR is a good verifier of reception reports. They used to issue original photos of their transmitter sites, antenna construction and pacific sceneries as QSLs. Reception Reports may be sent to the following address: KTWR-Tran world Radio Guam, P.O. Box 8780, Agat, Guam 96928, USA E-mail: ktwrfcd@guam.twr.org

KNLS Alaska

2009-09-24T21:12:00.000+05:30

KNLS –THE GOSPEL VOICE OF ALASKA

Introduction

Alaska is the 49th constituent state of the United States of America. It lies at the extreme northwest of the North American continent and is the largest peninsula in the Western Hemisphere. Its 591,004 square miles (1,530,700 square kilometres) include some 15,000 square miles of fjords and inlets, and its three faces to the sea have about 34,000 miles (54,400 kilometres) of indented tidal coastline and 6,600 total miles of coast fronting the open sea. It borders the Arctic Ocean on the north and northwest, the Bering Strait and the Bering Sea on the west, and the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Alaska on the south.

A Historical Transaction

Alaska was acquired by the United States, from Russia of 586,412 square miles (1,518,800 square km) of land in 1867 at the northwestern tip of the North American continent. William Henry Seward, secretary of state under President Andrew Johnson, had as early as 1860 dreamed of acquiring Alaska. The territory was considered an economic liability by the Russians, and in December 1866 Baron Eduard de Stoeckl, Russian minister to the United States, was instructed to open negotiations with Seward for its sale. On March 29, 1867, Stoeckl and Seward completed the draft of a treaty ceding Russian North America to the United States, and the treaty was signed early the following day. The price—$7,200,000—amounted to about two cents per acre.

KNLS-The New Life Station

KNLS, the New Life Station is the one and only short wave station operating from this beautiful country. World Christian Broadcasting Service, the parent entity of KNLS was formed in 1976. Later they planned to form global radio ministry broadcasting from Alaska on shortwave. They bought three hectares of land located 180 kms south of Anchorage on Kenai Peninsula, just outside the small town of Anchor Point and started construction of the station. KNLS the New Life Station went on the air on 23rd July 1983.

KNLS own 3x100 KW shortwave transmitters at Anchorage for the coverage of Asia and the Pacific region. The New Life Station has a giant curtain dipole antenna. It measures about 120 square meters. The wire mesh curtain actually consists of sixteen separate dipole antennas strung together. A second wire screen, hanging just behind the antenna, pushes the radio frequency radiation towards the west. Using huge switches at the curtain’s base, operators can slew the antenna at different parts of Asia and the Pacific Basin.

The administrative staff as well as the international production and programming staff are located at the WCBS Operation Centre at Franklin, Tennessee. It was started in 1989. Since the summer of 1992 KNLS is using digital technology for programme delivery and automation system.

KNLS is a very Dxer friendly station. The New Life station broadcasts a DX Segment produced by Carl Mann in their show. KNLS offers a number of free booklets and audiotapes and other interesting Souvenirs for the listeners who write in frequently. Their offer includes free booklets such as DX Tips for Beginners, Radio Propagation for Beginners etc written by Carl Mann.

Mr. Kevin Chambers is the Director of Engineering and KNLS Station Manager is well known among DX circles. He recently informed efforts are underway to construct a second transmitting station in Madagascar. The proposed transmitter site is located in a 42-hectare plot donated by the Madagascar Government. The new transmitter site will cover the area of Africa and South Asia.

KNLS also offers very colourful verifications for reception reports. Many QSLs depicts Alaskan sceneries, flora and fauna. Electronic reports could be mailed to knls@aol.com
The postal address could be mailed to: Radio Station KNLS, P.O.Box-173, Anchor Point, Alaska 99556, USA.

Courtesy
1. The New Life Station Story Leaflet-KNLS
2. KNLS Press Releases
3. WORLD Radio TV Handbook 2006