Israel's AM radio pierces Gaza tunnels in a bid to soothe hostages

 

By Dan Williams

ERUSALEM, Jan 22 (Reuters) - After conquering a Hamas tunnel in the northern Gaza Strip, a group of Israeli soldiers went down it with some unusual kit in hand - not explosives, robot probes or pistols for close combat, but rather: old-style, dial-operated transistor radios.

Their mission was to descend until the devices could no longer receive AM transmissions from Israel. That point, they found, was at about 10 to 12 metres depth, generally the upper "storeys" of Palestinian militants' subterranean network.

The tunnel experiment dangled another possibility for a country tormented with worry for 132 people held hostage by Hamas-led gunmen in the enclave: reaching out to them with custom-composed, morale-raising Army Radio broadcasts.

Read the full story from Reuters at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-am-radio-pierces-gaza-tunnels-bid-soothe-hostages-2024-01-22

Photo/Wikipedia

QSL and information on Israel's IDF Radio Galei Zahal

 

IDF QSL via Gayle Van Horn QSL Collection

ISRAEL   

Short e-mail from Israel Defense Forces Radio Galei Zahal confirming my reception of this station. The program in Hebrew was audible on 1287 kHz. Content of the email:

"Greetings, I certify that the radio signal you have heard is of Galei Zahal, IDF radio.

Regards, Neomi Shlomot,

Assistant to the person in charge of Public Inquiries

In the name of Yael Hadad,

The person in charge of public inquiries.

(Piotr Skorek, Poland; via Anatoly Klepov-RUS 

via RUSdx #1272 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14)

1287 kHz Medium wave Israel Galei Tzahal back on the air.

Israel army radio returned to medium waves.

"Galei Tzahal" ("IDF Waves"), the radio station of the country's armed forces - the Israel Defense Forces - the IDF, with the beginning of the new year 2024, again broadcasts on medium waves, and in this case on two frequencies at once - on the main one - 1287 kHz (with power 100 kW), on which the station ceased broadcasting in 2005, and 945 kHz - on which Galei Tzahal also broadcast in the earlier past.

All of these unexpectedly resumed medium-wave broadcasts of Galei Tzahal are conducted from a transmission center in the city of Yavne, not far from the largest city in Israel, Tel Aviv (note that once upon a time, short-wave foreign broadcasting of Israel, Kol Israel, also operated from this transmission center "("Voice of Israel"), including overcoming jamming, broadcast to the USSR; however, all shortwave broadcasts of Israeli foreign broadcasting were stopped in 2013, despite the fact that since

2008, only one Israeli foreign broadcasting service remained on short waves - the Persian edition of "Kol Israel" for Iran); the shortwave antennas at Yavne were dismantled around 2017).

At the moment, the Galei Tzahal radio station, which has now started broadcasting again on SV, is the only radio broadcaster in Israel using medium waves. Other broadcasters have abandoned them, so the country's state broadcasting left medium wave around 2012.

https://obob.tv/sobytiya/izrail-vernulsya-na-srednie-volny/

(via Anatoly Klepov-RUS, RUSdx #1272 via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Jan 14)

(BC-DX 1568/WWDXC Top News)

Israel resumes their mediumwave service

 

Back to Israel medium airwaves! Israeli army radio AM transmitters Galei Tsahal have been put back into service as the radio had migrated to FM band. The frequencies used are 1287 kHz and 945 kHz. The army does not confirm the position of the transmitters, but it is believed that the transmitter on 945 kHz 100 kW is located north of Yavné, between Tel-Aviv and Ashrod. (31°54'10.1"N 34°45'24.8"E) and the transmitter on 1287 kHz 50 kW broadcasting from the old Voice Of Hope facilities in She'ar Yashuv, North, near the Lebanese border (33°12'57.3"N 35°38'39.4"E)

With the war raging, medium airwaves provide good reception across the country and surrounding areas and are a backup to FM. At night, reception is good quality throughout the Middle East.

It must be noted that Israel was predictable, unlike Europe, it did not dismantle the medium wave stations.

Just a reminder: since 1953, the Israeli Army has had its own radio stations. Galeï Tsahal was well known outside the borders of Israel by short waves to Europe at 6885 kHz, until December 2013. Galeï Tsahal was legally recognized in 1956, by the Radio Act, granting him government status.

Galei Tsahal had great freedom of expression and worked independently from the army and the government. It is driven and run by mobilized soldiers. Journalists and civilians employed by Tsahal worked next to them.

Although the radio is integrated into in the army and the Defense is in charge of its budget, its broadcasts are not controlled by the military. In addition, for the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, civil surveillance of a military organ has proved to be impossible. So there is no regulatory body oversees its broadcasts.

(Radio Magazine)

Blog Logs - Monitoring the Middle East

As tensions rise in the Middle East, staying on issues will keep you informed. Station monitoring results are recent SDR logging's from our secluded DX Cabin in the mountains

All times UTC / frequency in kHz (kilohertz) // parallel frequency

Crest of Bahrain 

Bahrain

1584, Radio Bahrain, 1500-1530, Station identification to English world newscast and Bahrain weather forecast. Closing with news headlines. Station ID, and announcer's wishes for a "very good evening" Station musical jingle to Arabic pop/hip hop music. Tentative signal on station's 9745 kHz. Canned ID, "this is Bahrain - the best music on radio" Lady DJ mentions the "greatest hits from Bahrain." U.S. hip-hop program. SIO 434 http://www.radiobahrain.fm "The best music in town - Radio Bahrain FM" into Bruno Mars tune. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Iran

5930, VOIRI/Pranars Today, 1840-1900. Albanian text from 1840 tune-in // 7250 kHz. Minimal fading on both frequencies. Numerous mentions of Iran, station ID’s and program features. Albanian service extends to 1920. VOIRI on 7425 in Arabic, 2105-2155. Recitations to 2145, with additional Arabic service on frequency. Announcer’s script to 2155 tune-out. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

VOIRI on 9810 kHz

9810, VOIRI/Pars Today, 1920-2020. English service for announcer’s text on religious wars and recent war of words with the U.S. Station ID, promo, website and frequency for English service. English easy-listening vocals to additional identification. Arabic style music to announcer’s chat with station correspondent on U.S. political banter. English to 2020. http://www.irib.ir (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Israel  

1287 MW, Voice of Hope-Middle East, 2316-2335. Weak signal for Arabic religious text with background music. Presumed a sermon text. Minimal fades, though audible. Station information at 2325 including P.O. Box, web address, and station info. Barely audible Arabic vocals by 2329, tune-out by 2335. http://www.voiceofhope.com (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Oman

15140, Radio Sultanate of Oman, 1935-1950. Arabic service with fair-poor signal. Announcer’s briefs between music vocals. Also heard with fair signal, BBC’s Oman relay on 1413 MW in English. http://part.gov.om  (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Qatar

675 AM, Qatar RTC, Al Arish, 1310-1345. As you would expect from the Qatar SDR, station has a flame-thrower signal. All Arabic programming with news, Arabic music and text. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Saudi Arabia

12015, SBC Radio Saudi-General Prgrm 1, 2203-2230. Poor signal for Arabic service intro’s (SIO 212) // 9870 considerably improved with 434 SIO. Arabic feature sounds like a radio drama. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

11915, SBC Radio Saudi-Holy Qur’an, 2105-2120. Arabic Qu’ran in progress with SIO 322, // 11930 not heard or 11820. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

SBC Radio Saudi-Holy Quran on SDR

882 MW, SBC Radio Saudi-Holy Qur’an, 2232-2315. Arabic Qur’an at tune-in. Station is 100 kW, and dominates this frequency. Saudi’s Radio Jeddah active in Arabic on 1206 MW (10 kW). Saudi’s Radio Jeddah heard in Arabic 1206 MW (SIO 322) Radio Riyadh in Arabic on 1449, monitored from 2350-0000. Fanfare intros, station ID and Arabic newscast at 0000. Great signal for 200 kW powerhouse. (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

Turkey

5960, Voice of Turkey, 2005-2030. Turkish programming on features on Turkey. Muddled audio for // 9460. Station of late has been on various non-scheduled frequencies in several language services. http://www.trt.net.tr (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

United Arab Emirates

1269 MW, Radio Asia 2220-2240. Malayalam text between Arabic vocals. Station’s good quality signal was mixing with Radio Kuwait on MW and possibly Iran. Radio Asia operates on a 24-hour schedule. http://radioasiauae.com SINPO 44344.  (SDR Izghawa, Qatar)

(GVH/NC) 

Israeli A13 Summer Schedules

Israel

All times UTC

Kol Israel - A13 Summer Schedule

Effective from: 22 April - 27 October 2013

All target areas to Asia/broadcast days as indicated

Kol Israel
1400-1500 11595 ISR 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian Fri/Sat
1400-1500 15760 ISR 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian Fri/Sat, ex  9985
1400-1530 11595 ISR 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian Sun-Thu
1400-1530 15760 ISR 250 kW / 090 deg to WeAs Persian Sun-Thu, ex  9985

Israel, Radio Galei Zahal
0000-2400 6885 ISR 005 kW / non-dir to ISR  Hebrew,  but isn't 24h
0000-2400 15850 ISR 005 kW / non-dir to ISR  Hebrew, but isn't 24h
(Balkan DX/29 Apr 2013)

Monitoring Israel

Israel

Israel's defense station, Galei Tzahal, broadcast in Hebrew,24 hours UTC on 5885 and 15850 kHz. Recently heard on 6884.97, 2055-0000 with phone in discussion, nostalgic music tunes (including English pops), advertisements and station jingles. SINPO 45344 (DX Window 467)

Schedule changes from Kol Israel

Frequency change of Kol Israel

Persian from Aug. 16:
1400-1530 new freq 15760 ISR 300 kW 090 deg, ex 11595*// 13850 Sun-Thu
1400-1500 new freq 15760 ISR 300 kW 090 deg, ex 11595 // 13850 Fri/Sat
* to avoid Radio Free Asia in Tibetan from 1500 + Chinese jammer

Time change of Kol Israel

Persian from Sep. 12:
1500-1630 15760 ISR 300 kW 090 deg // 13850 Sun-Thu, ex 1400-1530
1500-1600 15760 ISR 300 kW 090 deg // 13850 Fri/Sat, ex 1400-1500
(R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Oct 6)
(DX Mix News # 645, wb, Germany)

Israeli Radio Show Captivates Iranians

By YAROSLAV TROFIMOV
JERUSALEM—In his Friday sermon, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reserved special wrath for "Zionist radio" that he said tried to drive a wedge between the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic. Such attention from Iran's supreme leader was music to the ears of Menashe Amir, a bespectacled Iranian-born Israeli who has been broadcasting in Persian from Jerusalem for the past five decades.

"We're listened to in Iran and considered very credible and effective," Mr. Amir says with pride. "We're close to the Iranian people, we know what they want, and we have our sources that give us detailed news about everything that's going on in Iran."

The spread of the Internet and satellite television in Iran over the past decade seemed to eclipse the prominence of Mr. Amir's old-fashioned shortwave broadcasts on Kol Israel, Israel's public radio. But now, as the Web in Iran is either blocked or dramatically slowed and satellite-TV channels are jammed by the government amid spreading unrest, Mr. Amir has suddenly become relevant again.

"Today we have many more listeners inside the country because Iranians are thirsty for any information" about the unrest, the 69-year-old Mr. Amir says. He estimates the Iranian audience for Kol Israel's 85-minute daily show in Persian is between two million and six million people. Independent audience numbers, for obvious reasons, are impossible to come by.

continued story from WSJ at: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB124571901245939581-lMyQjAxMDI5NDI1MzcyMTM5Wj.html

Polish Radio signs agreement with Israel Broadcasting Authority

Polish Radio and the Israel Broadcasting Authority have signed a letter of intent defining cooperation between the two countries’ major public broadcasters. A year ago Polish Radio’s External Service launched a daily half hour programme in Hebrew presenting news from Poland and covering current developments in Polish-Israeli and Polish-Jewish relations. Since a few months ago, due to growing interest, the Polish Radio offering is additionally being rebroadcast on FM in Israel .
This success gave rise to an idea of extending the scope of the service and to direct the flow of information both ways through cooperation with public broadcasters in Israel. The main area of cooperation with IBA will be the exchange of Polish and Israeli staff, mainly journalists who will be visiting each other’s country and compiling programmes on what they have learned
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)