QSL Report 2.0 - 1st Edition

Bringing you the latest in QSLing across the globe

If you assumed QSLing was a dying art, the premier edition of QSL Report 2.0 will change your mind. If you’re new to this game, QSLing, which began in amateur radio as an acknowledgment of a received contact among operators, evolved to listeners verifying other radio reception. Despite new QSLing trends, and evolving to predominantly electronic verifications, QSLing continues to thrive across the globe. 

QSL Report 2.0, is a relaunch from my previous QSL Report column, in Monitoring Times magazine. Like its predecessor, I will cover trends, news, what worked (and didn’t) special event QSLs, and verifications from mediumwave, FM, shortwave, pirate radio, utility, longwave and amateur radio.

Each month’s edition will be a collaboration of current QSL information gathered from monthly newsletters, radio clubs,  websites, and contributors, posted in one easy-to-read edition. 

No longer will you have to scurry the Internet, to find what stations are verifying, QSL policies and contact information. Your contributions are welcomed at w4gvhla@gmail.com Tell the world your QSL results! QSL Report 2.0 will bring you the latest and keep you informed!

Euro-Free Radio

1629, Radio de Blauwe Fazant, Full data e-QSL in nine days, e-report to alexhoving1956@gmail.com (Jouke van der Galien, Netherlands/British DX Club) 

3940, Music Wave Radio. Full data e-QSL in 11 hours, e-report to podradio@mail.com (Roberto Pavanello, Italy/DX Fanzine)

3940, Music Wave Radio. Full data e-QSL in two days, e-report to podradio@mail.ru (Jürgen Waga, Germany/DX Fanzine).

4950, Radio Moon Air. Full data e-QSL in two days and station technical information, report to moonair@mail.com (Pavanello/DX Fanzine).

6120, Radio Blacksmith Knoll. Full data e-QSL in 21 days, e-report to blacksmith.knoll@gmail.com (Carlos Pérez Montero, Spain/FB/DX Fanzine)

6390, Polaris Radio. Full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to polarisradio@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

6395, Radio Pandora. Full data e-QSL in 24 hours, e-report to pandoraradio@hotmail.com (Andrew Ross, UK/BDXC).

6955, Enterprise Radio. Full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to enterpriseradio@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

6955, Radio Voyager. Full data e-QSL in five days, report to radiovoyager@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

9215, Radio Pamela. Full data e-QSL in five days, e-report to radiopamela@mail.com (Carlos Alberto Erdmann, Brazil/FB/DX Fanzine)

9290, Rimpauttaisiko Ringa Ropolle Radio. Full data e-QSL in 64 days, e-report to spaceshuttleradio@yahoo.com (Waga/DX Fanzine)

15105, Cupid Radio. Full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to cupidradio@hotmail.com (Ross/BDXC)

Mediumwave

Antigua

1160, Caribbean Radio Lighthouse. Full data e-QSL in one day via Nathan Owens, Station Manager/Engineer. E-report to lighthousebimi@gmail.com (Pradip Chandra Kundu, Agartala, Tripura, India/ASDXR)

Benin

1566, Trans World Radio. Full data e-QSL in 14 days, English e-report to lstravrop@twr.org (Christian Ghibaudo, France/DX Fanzine)

Bonaire

800, Trans World Radio-Bonaire. Full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to 800am@twr.org. Heard via a Miami, Florida Kiwi SDR. (Montero//FB/QSL/DX Fanzine).

Bulgaria

576, Bulgarian National Radio Horizont. Full data e-QSL in 55 days, e-report to reception.report@bnr.bg (Alexander Myadel, Belarus/RUSdx/TopNx)

Hungary

540 kHz, Kossuth Radio. Full data e-QSLCertification in one day, e-report to kovacs.ivan@mtva.hu (Paul Capewell/BDXC)

Peru

820, Radio Continente. No data email response in three days, e-report to radiocontinente.pe@gmail.com (Héctor Gregorio Goicoechea, Uruguay/FB/DX Fanzine).

Shortwave

Antarctica

15476 USB, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcangél San Gabriel, Base Esperanza. Full data e-QSL for program Nuestras Voces por el Mundo. Received in one day for e-report to lra36nacional@gmail.com (Manuel Méndez, Spain/NASWA).

Armenia

13840, Trans World Radio via Gavar. Full data e-QSL and accompanying English PDF greeting in 140 days, e-report to asiafeedback@twr.org (Hansjoerg Biener, Germany/WWDXC Top Nx) 

Ascension Island

9755, KBS World Radio relay. Full data e-QSL for French service in 33 days, e-report to french@kbs.co.kr. (Ghibaudo/BDXC)

Australia

11905, Reach Beyond Australia. Full data e-QSL in six days, e-report to radio@reachbeyond.org.au  (Montero/DX Fanzine) 15460, full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to meloffice@reachbeyond.org.au (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria/BDXC).

Austria

6070, SM Radio Dessau via Moosbrunn. Full data color train photo e-QSL in three days, e-report to maxberger@smradio-dessau.de . Station airs every second Sunday via Channel 292, produced by Rolf-Torsten and Max Berger. (Gayle Van Horn, LA, USA)

Brazil

6010, Rádio Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte. Full data e-QSL in 27 days, e-report. Reply from gleisonferreira@inconfidencia.com.br Gleison Emilio Ferreira, Coordenador de operaçoes, Empresa Mineira de Comunicaçao Ltda. (Marco Antonio Gomez Muñoz, Chile/DX Fanzine).

6180, Rádio Nacional da Amazonia, Brasilia. Full data e-QSL in nine days, e-report to centraldoouvinte@ebc.com.br (Myadel/RUSdx) Additional email: ouvidoria@ebc.com.br 

Clandestine

9670, Radio Dap Loi Song Nui/Vietnam Democracy Radio via Taiwan. Contact information: Vietnam Democracy Radio (VDR), P.O. Box 612882, San José, CA 95161 USA. Email: lienlac.dlsn@gmail.com (Ron Howard/SW Bulletin).

11620, Voice of the Martyrs Korea. Full data e-QSL in seven days, e-report to yyang@vomkorea.com (Ghibaudo/BDXC) Full data e-QSL in six days via Pastor Tin Dillmuth, e-report to info@vomkorea.kr (Michele Gasparri, Italy/FB/DX Fanzine).

Eswatini

9500 kHz, Trans World Radio. Full data e-QSL in 12 hours, e-report to lstavrop@twr.org (Eckhard Röscher, Germany/DX Fanzine).

Finland

6195, Real Mix Radio. Reception report contact info announced by the station to:  realmix@gmail.com (SW Bulletin).

5980, Radio Piko. Full data e-QSL in ten days, re-report to pikofinland@gmail.com (Van Horn, LA) 

France

13835, Radio Taiwan International relay via Issoudun relay. Full data e-QSL in 35 days, e-report to fren@rti.org.tw (Pankov/BDXC)

Germany

3955, HCJB Deutschland. Full data e-QSL in two months, e-report to mark-t-wardein.ag-hcjb@gmx.de (Kundu/BDXC).

3955, Superclan Radio via Channel 292 relay. Full data e-QSL in 28 days, e-report to superclanradio@yahoo.com (Galien/BDXC).

3955, Texas Radio Shortwave, Rohrbach relay. Full data e-QSL in five hours, e-report to texasradioshortwave@protonmail.com (Ghibaudo/BDXC). 9670 via Channel 292 in 12 days (Galien/BDXC)

6070, Atlantic 2000 International via Channel 292 relay, Rohrbach-Waal. Full data e-QSL and station info sheet in four days, e-report to atlantic2000international@gmail.com (Kundu/ASDXR) 

6070, C.M. Obrecht via Channel 292 relay. Full data e-QSL in two days, e-report to c.obrecht@swissonline.ch (Galien/BDXC).

6150, Radio Europe 24, Datteln Gelsenkirchen, Germany. E-QSL received in six days, e-report to radioeuropa24@gmx.de (Myadel, Belarus/RUSDX/Top News)

9670, Musikalle via Channel 292 relay. Full data e-QSL in two days, report to qslmusikallee@gmail.com (Galien/BDXC)

9670, Radio Carpathia via Channel 292 relay. Full data e-QSLin four days, e-report to radiocarpathia@gmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

9670, Swedish DX Federation (SDXF) Special e-QSL to commemorate World Radio Day 2024 via Channel 292 relay. Full data printed QSL card received via postal mail in two months for e-report to qsl@sdxf.se (Kundu/ASDXR).

9670, Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot via Channel 292 relay. Full data e-QSL in one day, report to tilfordproductions@gmail.com (Galien/BDXC).

15300, BVB Broadcasting via Nauen relay. Full data e-QSL in 70 days, e-report to mail@bvbroadcasting.org (Ross/BDXC)

Guam

9870, KTWR Trans World Radio. Full data e-QSL in 37 days, e-report to asiafeedback@twr.org  (Ghibaudo, France/BDXC).

Liberia

6050, ELWA. Full data e-QSL in 13 days, e-report to elwaradio54@gmail.com (Hector Gregorio Goicoechea/DX Fanzine).

Malaysia

11665 kHz Wai FM-Malaysia. Full data e-QSL in one day from Mohd Fauzi Bin Ali Hassan, Chief Assistant Director. E-report to pnk_rtmkajang@rtm.gov.my (Montero, Spain/DX Fanzine)

Mexico

6185, XEPPM, Radio Educacion, Mexico City. Special 100th Anniversary e-QSL. Received in 33 days, e-report to contactore@cultura.gob.mx (Kundu/ASDXR)

Mongolia

12015, Voice of Mongolia. Full data e-QSL for Japanese service. Received in one day, e-report to mnb_vom@yahoo.com (Montero/DX Fanzine).

Netherlands

5955, Radio Veronica. Full data e-QSL in seven days, e-report to qsl@radioveronica.nl (Bob Williams, UK/BDXC).

6020/6060, Radio Casanova International. Various full data e-QSLs received over several days, e-report to radiocasanova@hotmail.com (Galien/BDXC). 

6170, Radio Delta International. Full data e-QSL in three days, e-report posted at https://radiodelta.am/reports/ (Van Horn, USA)

Philippines

12070, FEBC. Full data e-QSL and personal letter in 46 days, e-report to eduard.baliad@febc.ph (Pérez/DX Fanzine).

United Arab Emirates

15215, Gaweylon Tibetan Radio, via Dhabbaya. Full data e-QSL in one day, e-report to gaweylon@gmail.com (Pérez/DX Fanzine). Full data e-QSL in two days (Shukhrat Rakhmatulllaev, Uzbekistan/RUSdx/Top Nx)

United States

9275, WMLK Bethel, PA. Full data QSL in 131 days via postal reply. Station address: P.O. Box C, Bethel, PA 19507 (Ghibaudo/BDXC).

9955, Radio Prague relay via Okeechobee, FL-WRMI. Full data e-QSL for French service. Received in 28 days, e-report to francais@radio.cz (Ghabaudo/BDXC).

Uzbekistan

Shortwave Radio Center contact information: Tashkent Shortwave Transmitting Station, c/o RRTM, Amir Timur Str. 109A, Tashkent, 100202, Uzbekistan, Central Asia. Email: gabulona@crrt.uz (WWDXC/Top Nx).

Vanuatu

9960, Radio Vanuatu. Full data e-QSL in three days, e-report to robertw@vbtc.vu (Méndez/BDXC)

Vietnam

9730, Voice of Vietnam. Full data e-QSL for French service. Received in two days, e-report to vovhanoi.france@gmail.com (Pérez/DX Fanzine).11885. Full data e-QSL in 13 days, e-report to French vov email. (Montero/FB/DX Fanzine)

Monitoring Times is Closing - but Teak Publishing is NOT !

From Bob Grove, Publisher of Monitoring Times magazine:

"After 33 years of publishing the most informative and lauded magazine on monitoring the radio spectrum, Judy and I are finally going to retire. We are grateful for the dedicated efforts of our fine staff of writers for the excellent work which has kept MT alive for all these years. While we know the discontinuation of MT, with our December issue, will be a disappointment to our readers and writers alike, we realize that a combination of a down-turned economy, as well as the ready availability of free listening and technical information on the Internet, has reduced sales and subscriptions throughout the market place. I would like to thank you personally for your knowledge, your dependability, and your professionalism in making MT the publication that is most often referred to in the radio monitoring hobby. It is a legacy that we have all inherited."

And now from Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH, Frequency Manager and QSL Report Editor:

After 25 years this month writing the QSL Report column, and 20 years as the Frequency Manager of Monitoring Times, I have no plans to set aside my dedication to the radio hobby or to the friends I have established during time period. You have not seen the last of me, this blog or my active twitter feeds or our publishing company - Teak Publishing. Larry and I are working on some very interesting publication projects for not only the military monitoring community "worldwide," but I have some things in the works for the shortwave broadcast listening community as well. So please stay tuned to this blog, and to Larry's Milcom Monitoring Post blog for future announcements in the coming months. To all of you who contributed to my 25 year writing career with MT, and all the great friends that I have met and corresponded with I want to say thank you. Thank you for your support, kind words, material and everything that contributed to some amazing radio material published in the pages of Monitoring Times. This is only a goodbye to MT at the end of this year, but if you are interested in the military monitoring stay tuned to Larry's Milcom Monitoring Post and Shortwave Central blog. I will continue to post on this blog, timely shortwave material here and on my Twitter account.

 Gayle Van Horn@QSLRptMT
Larry Van Horn@MilcomMP         http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/

Review of Klingenfuss 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide

Review by Gayle Van Horn-Monitoring Times

The 17th Edition of the 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide - one of five annual radio reference books and CDs available from Klingenfuss Publications, has recently been released.

This year’s 376 page book begins as last year, with a general overview of radio observations by Joerg Klingenfuss (author/publisher), followed by a section devoted to monitoring utility stations. This chapter will be of special interest to utility listeners and includes a basic explanation of the various aspects of utility monitoring and a by-frequency listing of stations with call signs, station name, mode and details.

The heart of this book and the primary focus is on shortwave broadcast stations, frequencies, and schedules. The 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide covers the latest 2013  schedules for worldwide clandestine, domestic, and international broadcast stations, which are derived from the Klingenfuss 2013 Super Frequency List on CD.

The broadcast radio stations by frequency section, contains introductory material and a segment devoted to Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) that includes a comprehensive list of DRM schedules, and a brief look to the future of shortwave and the debate over it's decline. A three-page chapter on Internet, SATCOM and HF Radio, features an interesting evaluation of the censorship of the Internet in dictatorships.

The by-frequency list covers freqs from 2310 kHz - 26060 kHz. Each frequency listing includes the station name, location, start and end times of each broadcast, language, target area, and selected remarks.

If focusing on a particular country of interest, the by-country section of the book, labeled the "Alphabetical List of Broadcast Radio Stations" in the Table of Contents, will be of particular interest.

Frequency information for international broadcast stations, clandestine, and domestic stations are accurate at time of publication and include seasonal frequency adjustments. Klingenfuss uses a volunteer staff of worldwide radio listeners and broadcasters that contribute information to this publication and keep the information accurate and up-to-date.

The easy-to read book is a real asset at your listening post, regardless of whether you monitor the utility bands or enjoy programming from shortwave broadcast stations. The 2013 Shortwave Frequency Guide is an excellent annual publication for the beginner or experienced radio hobbyist who seeks a complete HF spectrum reference book (utility/broadcast station listings). This is a basic no-frills radio reference guide. The book easily opens and remains open at the selected page for easy reference at your receiver. This year’s edition, as in past years, is a fine addition to my listening post.

To order the 2013 Klingenfuss Shortwave Frequency Guide book, go to the Klingenfuss website at www.klingenfuss.org or order from Universal Radio at www.universal-radio.com. The book number # 5958 for $49.95 plus shipping and handling., or order from Universal via phone 1-800-431-3939; Fax 1-614-866-2339. Postal mail to: Universal Radio, Inc., 6830 Americana Parkway, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-4113 USA

QSLing from the Most Wanted List

In amateur and shortwave radio circles, there are stations considered a snap to hear and verify. And there are those at the top of the heap for Most Wanted. Swains Island, north of Tutuila Island, America Samoa, is one of the most wanted islands to verify, and one whose opportunity occurs rarely.
Despite its small size and remote location, a multinational team will again activate Swains Island and operate on six fully functional stations for 14 days on 1.8-50 MHz, using SSB, CW and RTTY. They expect to arrive on the island and setup on September 4, and plan to begin operations as NH8S the following day.
Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners can learn more about this historic event on the team website at www.nh8s.org Links include a log search, photos, bios, sponsorship, QSL information and much more.
The suggested frequencies are where the NH8S team will be transmitting, and most of the time they will likely not be listening on their transmitting frequency. Remember to listen for their complete instructions before calling them.
One of the features of the Club Log is the Geo Propagation tab, which gives you an idea of what time and what band listeners from your area are getting through to the DXpedition station. Logs for NH8S will be accessible via their website.
Plans are to cease operating on September 18, and return to Pago Pago on September 20. Questions should be sent to info@nh8s.org .
Don’t miss this chance to verify Swains Island from the Most Wanted List.
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report/Sept. Monitoring Times)

How to Listen to the World e-book now available

Montoring Times, Features Editor, Ken Reitz has recently released a new Kindle e-book, we predict will be a hit. Whether you're a seasoned DXer or a novice just dabbling in the fascinating world of radio, this is the e-book not to be missed. Shortwave Central recommends How to Listen to the World to all radio hobbyist.
Gayle Van Horn

Press Release

How to Listen to the World
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR

A new Kindle e-book now available at the link below

“How to Listen to the World” by Ken Reitz is an introduction to shortwave listening, amateur radio, Free-to-Air satellite TV/radio, AM-FM DX, Internet radio and the new phenomenon of cord-cutting; getting off the addiction to cable and satellite-TV.
Much of the material is from columns and feature articles written by the author over the last two years for Monitoring Times, a national monthly magazine about all things radio, now in its thirty-second year. Each section has been updated to include the latest information available with over 100 links to the most important websites for each topic. Previously unpublished material has also been added to give the reader a fuller understanding of each topic. Kindle e-books can be read on any e-reader, laptop, desktop, or smartphone.

About the Author:
A freelance writer since 1988, Ken Reitz has written hundreds of feature articles and columns covering radio and television, satellite TV and amateur radio for several national consumer magazines. He has interviewed many of the top industry leaders and reviewed dozens of new products in this field. He has also earlier enjoyed a five year career in commercial AM and FM broadcasting and has been an amateur radio operator for the last 24 years holding an Extra Class license under the call sign KS4ZR. He is currently the features editor at Monitoring Times for which he also writes the Communications and Beginner’s Corner columns.

“How to Listen to the World” Table of Contents
Getting Started in Shortwave Listening
Buying Your First Shortwave Radio
Chasing DRM: The Elusive Dream of Digital Audio on Shortwave
A Look at Three New Shortwave Radios
The Best of the Cheap Shortwave Portables
Listening to Shortwave Radio in Your Car
Weather Facsimile via Shortwave on Your iPad
Radio Pirates: The intriguing world of unlicensed broadcasting
Amateur Radio for Everybody: Getting Your License
Getting Started on HF Part I
Getting Started on HF Part 2: Chasing DX
Getting Started on HF Part 3: QSL those Contacts!
Shortwave and Ham Antennas for the less Financially Endowed
Loop your way to HF DX Success
The Joys of Ten Meters
Digital Operating on the Ham Bands
Tuning in to the International Space Station
Whatever Happened to TVRO?
The Newest FTA Receiver: Manhattan RS1933
AM-FM-TV DX
FM-HD: A Long and Winding Road
A Cord-Cutter’s Primer
Internet Radio Listening in a Non-FiOS Home

Time Take to Enjoy Christmas Around the World

All of us have been in the midst of the holiday crunch for weeks. Endless errands and holiday festivities abound, and you may feel as though during these last few days you're running in circles! If so ... take a break, whatever you can spare, for some receiver time for band scanning and special holiday radio programs.

There are endless hours of specials from across the globe leading up to Christmas. In Central and South America, the Posadas religious commemoration continues. During the ensuing evenings many Spanish stations air extended programming - some may broadcast all night, while a few networks have been known to activate relays for the holiday season. Check during late afternoon for African stations that may also extend their broadcast hours.

On Christmas Eve the BBC World Service revives an annual tradition live from the Chapel of King‛s College, Cambridge. On Christmas Day, special programming continues from Radio Canada International and BBC World Service airs the Queen‛s Christmas Message.

Others to tune in include Germany‛s Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Vatican Radio, HCJB and many others.

December programming is an excellent time to correspond (and verify) your favorite holiday specials.

Take some time to enjoy the sounds of this special time of the year from across the world.
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report Vault)

Holidays and QSLing

This time of the year is a great time to take advantage of the special holiday programming on shortwave. Stations across the globe broadcast a variety of programs of dramas, choral music, religious services, comedy, and old time radio shows. For QSL fans you can preserve your favorite station or holiday program. To keep up to date on holiday programming, MT's Programming Spotlight columnist, Fred Waterer, devotes a page to Holiday and Festive programs on his online website at http://www.doghousecharlie.com/
Shortly after going to press with my November column, I received word of a new station on shortwave . XVRB Radio -The Music Museum, is a privately funded station whose goal is to bring the fun element of old style shortwave music back to the listener's. Broadcast are every third Sunday in English on 6045 kHz, from 0900-1000 UTC. Send your comments and program details to xvrbradio@gmail.com or visit their website at http://www.xvrb.org/ .
Listener's continue to log Radio Afghanistan, but now on 7200 kHz in English and Dari from 1530-1630 UTC. Their revised email address for their English service is radioafghanistan@yahoo.com

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners don't forget this special QSL opportunity. Through December 24 - Santa's Work Shop. 0000-2359 UTC, W6S, Bakersfield, CA. WI6J. 14.270 7.180 3.900 MHz. QSL. Mark E Slater, 247 Bighorn Meadow Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. http://www.wi6j.com/

European DXers are predicting that pirate station Radio Bila Hora, from the Czech Republic, will revive their annual New Years Eve broadcast this year. Last year they were heard on 2345 kHz at 1554. UTC. Check also 3333 kHz, a frequency that has been used previously. North American listener's may have better results by using Global Tuners, a remotely-controlled radio receiver system from radios across the world. To learn more, consult www.globaltuners.com/ Send your program details to rbh@email.cz

QSL Contact updates
Brazil: Radio Transmundial. Address: Rua Epiro 116, CEP-04635-030 São Paulo, Brasil (or) Caixa Postal 18113, CEP-04626-970 São Paulo, Brasil
Clandestine: Cotton Tree News. Address: Avenue du Temple 19C, CH-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Cuba: Radio Habana. Email: radiohc@cnet.cu
Guatemala: TGAV Radio Verdad. Veri-Signer, Edgar Amilcar Madrid. Email: radioverdad5@yahoo.com Address: Apartado 5, Chiguimula, Guatemala.
Peru: Radio Sicuani. Veri-Signer, Edwin Sallo Diaz. Email: radiosicuani@hotmail.com
Philippines: Radio Veritas Asia. Address: P.O. Box 2642, Quezon City, Philippines
(playdx2003/NASWA)

Amateur Radio
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, PJ2T-Caribbean Contesting Consortium, 10 meters SSB.
Full data color scenery card. This QSL confirms QSO for (now deleted) Netherlands Antilles prior to 10/10/2010 and for Caracao after 10/10/2010. Received in five days via W3HNK QSL Manager, 115 Buck Run Rd., Lincoln University, PA 19352 USA. Website: http://www.pj2t.org/ (Larry Van Horn, NC)

Australia
Radio Symban (Radio Universe) 2368.5 kHz. Full data Australian Native Birds card, signed by John Wright, ARDXC. Card gave reference to Greek programming and Leppington transmitter. Received in eight days for report to dx1234@gmail.com (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Moldova
Voice of Russia, 7290 kHz via Kishinev-Grigoriopol. Full data State of Tretyakov Gallery/80th Anniversary card, unsigned. Received in 73 days for an email report to world@ruvr.ru (Kusalik)

Taiwan
WYFR/Family Radio Worldwide relay via Bao-Zhong, 9280 kHz. Full data 50th Anniversary card with site notation. Received in seven months in response to follow up report to inti@familyradio.com (Kusalik).

Utility
Chile-ECO02, ONEMI Région de Antofagasta, 10160 kHz. No data E-QSL from Irina Salgado. Received in 13minutes for e-report to isalgado@onemi.gov.cl. ECO05-ONEMI Région de Valparaíso, 17426 kHz. Full data E-QSL from Vladimir Maturana, Encargado de Comunicaciones ONEMI Valpaíso. Received in seven hours for e-report to onemi@gorevalparaiso.cl . (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

China-VRC Hong Kong Marine Rescue, 8414.5 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified and stamped. Received in 51 days for a utility report. QSL address: Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, PR of China. (Robic)

Non Directional Beacon, "D8" Dolbeau-St. Félicien, QC Canda, 386 kHz, 50 watts. Full data prepared QSL returned, signed by Benoît Bannon. Received in 13 days for a SASE and $2.00US. QSL address: Gestionnaire, Nav Canada Opérations Techniques Aéroport Internationale Jean Lesage, 515 rue Prinicipale, Sainte-Foy, QC Canada G2G 2T8. (Jim Pogue, Memphis, TN).

Sri Lanka-Colombo Aero, 11285 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified by Wimalshanthi, Head of Electronics & Air Navigation Engineering. Received in 24 days for a utility report. Station address: Aeronautical H.F. Transmitting Station, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Colombo Airport, Attidiya Road, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. (Robic)

United States-NUW Whidbey Island, WA, 13528.5 MHz USB. Full data 62nd Annual Armed Forces Day card, signed by Digger O'Dell KF6NW. Also received full data NNN0NUW station card. Received in 81 days for a utility report and a SASE (used for reply). Station address: NAVMARCORMARS Station NUW, 260 W. Pioneer FSAC Bldg., NSC Whidbey Island, WA 98277 USA. (Bill Wilkins, Springfield, MO).

USA
WWCR, 4840 kHz. Full data Nashville scenery card, signed by Cathy Soares, Program Director. Received in three weeks for English report and return mint postage. Station address: 1300 WWCR Avenue, Nashville, TN 37218 USA. (Larry Zamora, Garland, TX)
(Gayle Van Horn/MT Dec 2011/QSL Report)

MTXpress brings you the latest !

DXers are you looking for THE source of current by-hour worldwide shortwave broadcast schedules - including ALL language services ?

A complete schedule that includes all broadcasting languages, is now available as an exclusive service to subscribers of Monitoring Times electronic magazine -- MTXpress.

This e-zine eliminates the hassles of slow or non-postal delivery, torn print issues, and the higher cost of print magazines. You get a monthly electronic Adobe pdf file in full color, completely searchable and that can be printed. It is also easy to store and read. Sight-impaired subscribers to MTXpress can have issues read to them using the Jaws Adobe plugin. Now our new MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guide includes all foreign language broadcasts on shortwave in the same format that we use in the monthly printed MT English Shortwave Guide.

MT breaks the schedules down by hour, station and by frequency, plus MT is the only shortwave schedule service that updates schedule information monthly. Now you can get MTXpress and the new comprehensive MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guide each month for a yearly price of $19.95US worldwide. No matter where you live, MTXpress and the new MTXtra guide has the shortwave information and schedules you want at a very affordable price. To get more information on MTXpress/MTXtra or to order, go to www.grove-ent.com/page81.html .
(Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager, Monitoring Times)

QSLing the Unpredicatable and Unlicensed

To get you started with your pirate QSLing, here's my October column for Monitoring Times. Copyright 2010, Gayle Van Horn and Teak Publishing. May not be redistributed.

QSLing the Unpredictable and Unlicensed

Urban legends, things that go bump in the night. Even in shortwave radio, one night a year brings out the bizarre and unpredictable.

Radio Bob, one of my favorite former pirate broadcasters, once graced the airwaves on Halloween with an unforgettable radio voyage through the bizarre world of ghostly goings-on from Shake Rag, Georgia. Who knows what became of Bob, but last years Pumpkin Patch Radio reminded us that The Devil Went Down to Georgia - and perhaps you’d like to QSL “if you dare.” Satan Radio made an appearance with a mixture of backwards talk and death metal music, followed by Rig-O-Mortis’ multimedia special from the Voice of Doom.

Historically, Halloween produces more pirate radio broadcast than other holidays. This years weekend holiday on Sunday, October 31, will likely find more pirates haunting the airwaves, so begin checking on October 29-30 around 6925 (AM or USB), plus or minus 30 to 40 kHz. The majority of U.S. pirates operate between 2000-0400 UTC, however, some may opt for earlier broadcast.

If the station QSLs, most operators will announce their email address or postal maildrop address during the broadcast. Others may announce “QSL via FRN,” a reference the operator prefers to verify by scanning the logs posted at Free Radio Weekly website at www.frn.net. Include please QSL in your FRN Grapevines log post. To find our more about Free Radio Weekly, or contribute, send an email to freeradio@gmail.com . Ragnar Daneskjold keeps the pirate community up to date on pirate news through his Pirates Week Podcast on the Shortwave Pirate Info website at www.piratesweek.info/

European pirate stations may offer a Halloween special, though most appear to be a scaled down version from North American stations. European activity is best heard in North America from 2100-0200, around 3900-4025 and 5800-7490 kHz upper or lower sideband. Check too between 1300-1900 UTC on 15055-15080 kHz.

If you hear Mystery Radio, you can use that station as a propagation indicator, for other European pirate stations. Programming is modern dance music and broadcast are daily on 6220 kHz. The best time to log Dutch pirate, Cupid Radio is during their frequent DX frequency test, usually on 15070 kHz anytime from 1200-1600 UTC. Send your details to cupidradio@hotmail.com or to the Oldebroek address.

Does the bizarre appeal to you ? Maybe you’re just curious and that first pirate has eluded your log book so far. Don’t be surprised if you hear the likes of Ghostbusters from Pumpkin Patch Radio gracing the airwaves for Halloween 2010.

PIRATES
Europe

Atlantic Radio, 3910 kHz. Full data personal letter and post card from Stephen Prendergast. Received in 31 days for a pirate report to: atlanticradio12152@gmail.com or postal: Ballyvary, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland. (Silveri Gomez, Italy/playdx2003)

Borderhunter Radio, 6205 kHz. Full data e-QSL showing Frans at the mic and mixing board. Received in one day for pirate report to:borderhunterradio@hotmail.com (Andrew Yoder, PA/Cumbre DX)

Radio East Coast Holland, 6220 kHz. Full data e-QSL from Ronald, received in four days for pirate report to: eastcoastholland@hotmail.com (Gomez).

Radio Playback International, 6870 kHz. E-QSL received in 90 days for pirate report to: playbackinternational@gmail.com (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx2003)

Radio Skyline, 3980 kHz. E-QSL received in 14 days for pirate report to: skylinehorizon@hotmail.com (Reiner).

Radio Spaceman, 3900 kHz. E-QSL received in two days for pirate report to: 3927am@rock.com (Reiner).

U.S.
Outhouse Radio, 6925USB. Date/frequency with Radio Caroline logo e-QSL. Received in a few hours for pirate report to: outhouseradio@gmail.com (Yoder)

Radio Ronin SW, 6950 kHz. Large full data color samurai card. Received in two weeks for email report to: radioroninshortwave@gmail.com (Yoder).

Pirate Mail Drops
U.S. addresses require three mint stamps. European drops recommend at least two IRCs.

Basel
Box 510
CH-4010 Basel
Switzerland

Belfast
P.O. Box 1
Belfast, NY 14711
USA

BRS/ Blue Ridge Summit
P.O. Box 109
Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214
USA

Eisenach
SRS Deutscheland
(station name)
Postfach 10 11 45
DE-99801 Eisenach
Germany

Merlin
Box 293
Merlin, Ontario NOP 1W0
Canada

Neede
P.O. Box 73
7160AB Neede
Netherlands

Oldebroek
P.O. Box 9
8096 ZG
Oldebroek
Netherlands

Santiago
Casilla 159
Santiago 14
Chile

Ytterby
c/o SRS News
Ostra Porten 29
S-442 54 Ytterby
Sweden

US Email Contact List

Though not a complete list of all U.S. pirates, the following list are stations that have been monitored within the year.

All Aboard allaboardradio@gmail.com
Ann Hoffer (FRN post)
Barnyard Radio barnyardradio@gmail.com
Blue Rhino Radio bluerhinoradio@gmail.com
Blue Ridge Radio blueridgeradio@gmail.com
Brando Radio MarlonBrandoRadio@gmail.com
Calling Marco Radio callingmarcoradio@gmail.com
Captain Morgan captainradioshortwave@gmail.com
CE3K radioce3k@gmail.com
Channel Z (Blue Ridge) channelzradio@gmail.com
Dead Cat Radio (FRN post)
Derby Shortwave derbyshortwave@yahoo.com
Eccentric Shortwave eccentricsw@yahoo.com
Grasscutter Radio (Merlin)
Grey Rhino Radio greyrhinoradio@gmail.com
Iron Man Radio (Belfast) ironmanradio@hotmail.com
KBOX kboxradio@gmail.com
KUSA North America kusanorthamerica@gmail.com
KXMN (Belfast)
Liquid Radio wwrbfm@gmail.com
MAC Shortwave macshortwave@yahoo.com
Mack Truck Radio macktruckradio@gmail.com
Maple Leaf Radio (Belfast) radio.mapleleaf@gmail.com
Northwoods Radio northwoodsradio@gmail.com
OTH Radio (FRN post)
Pirate Radio Boston pirateradioboston@gmail.com
Pirate Radio Saint Helena piratesainthelena@gmail.com
Polka Dot Rhino Radio polkadotrhinoradio@gmail.com
Pumpkin Patch Radio pumpkinjpatchradio@gmail.com
Punxsutawney Pothead Radio (Belfast) puxradio@gmail.com
Radio Bronco radiobronco@gmail.com
Radio Casablanca radiocasablanca1@gmail.com
Radio Cinco de Mayo radiocincodemay@gmail.com
Radio Free Speech (Belfast) radiofreespeech@gmail.com
Radio Free Whatever radiofreewhatever@yahoo.com
Radio Ga-Ga radiogaga6925@gmail.com
Radio Is My Friend cherokeemental@yahoo.com
Radio Jamba International krackerradio@pnlol.com
Radio Josephine radiojosephine@gmail.com
Radio Lunchbox piratelunchbox@gmail.com
Radio Marlene radiomarlene@gmail.com
Radio Paisano radiopaisano@gmail.com
Radio Pigmeat International pigmeat_voab@yahoo.com
Radio SRV radiosrv@gmail.com
Radio XXP radiostationxxp@gmail.com
Red Rhino Radio redrhinoradio@gmail.com
Satan Radio satanradio@gmail.com
Somebody’s Gotta Say It Radio somebodyradio@gmail.com
Sycko Radio syckoradio@gmail.com
The Crystal Ship tcsshortwave@gmail.com
Thinking Man Radio thinkingmanradio@gmail.com
Undercover Radio (Merlin) undercoverradio@gmail.com
VUDU vudu11@hotmail.com
Voice of the Beast (FRN post)
Voice of Doom (FRN post)
Voice of Honor thevoiceofhonor@gmail.com
Voice of KAOS voiceofkaos@gmail.com
Voice of Next Thursday voiceofnextthursday@gmail.com
Voice of the Robots voiceoftherobots@gmail.com
Voice of Spike voiceofspike@gmail.com
WBNY (Belfast) wbnyradiobunny@gmail.com
WDDR World Wide ericblair@wddr1027.com
WEAK Radio weakradio@gmail.com
WFUQ dj_jack_hammer@rocketmail.com
WHJR heyjoe6925@gmail.com
WHYP whypradio@gmail.com
WNKR relay wnkr@rock.com
WTCR 20th Century Radio (Belfast) morbius@nyms.net
Weather Radio (FRN post)
Wind Up Radio (FRN post)
X-Ray Radio broadcastrecption@hotmail.com
Yellow Rhino Radio yellowrhinoradio@gmail.com
(Gayle Van Horn/Oct 2010 Monitoring Times QSL Report)

Tune-in the holidays from a QSL perspective

A Christmas treat for blog readers that may not be subscribers to Monitoring Times. The following is a portion from my December 2009 edition of QSL Report. Hope it gives you some new ideas for QSLing during the holidays.

To learn more about Monitoring Times, consult http://www.monitoringtimes.com/

Gayle Van Horn

Ready or not the holiday season is here, and for shortwave listeners it’s a month of annual holiday programming favorites. This is a great opportunity to preserve your favorites by QSLing the best of the season. Listeners can find a variety of programs from around the world featuring classical music, comedy, choral, plays, religious services and nostalgic favorites.
Between Christmas and New Year, look for year-end retrospectives, looking back at the events of 2009 and forward to 2010. New Year celebrations begin in New Zealand at 1100 UTC on December 31, as you follow the New Year around the globe (easy on the toasting). Follow the latest holiday schedules from MT’s Programming Spotlight columnist, Fred Waterer as he keeps you abreast of the holidays in his informative column, and on his DogHouseCharlie website at www.doghousecharlie.com/christmas-programming/ Consult M.T.’s SW Guide and MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guides for current by-hour frequency schedules.

Radio Free Asia is offering their 13th Anniversary QSL card until December 31, 2009. The card not only commemorates RFA’s anniversary, but also helps capture the spirit of RFA’s family and friends around the world while promoting freedom, democracy and peace. This years anniversary card is a sketch drawn by the children of RFA personnel. Reception reports may be submitted at the QSL Reports link at www.techweb.rfa.org or by email at qsl@rfa.org Postal address: Radio Free Asia, 2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036 USA.
Complete language listings for RFA are listed in the MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guide.

European readers should look for Radio Bila Hora, broadcasting from the Czech Republic, on New Years Eve. Each year the annual pirate broadcaster operates on 3333 kHz, and was heard last year at 1530-1600 and 1900-2000 UTC from the United Kingdom. Send program details to rbh@email.cz The station’s Czech website at http://czechian.net/ may be translated using Google language tools. You Tube video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTreCgFS0z4

After an absence of several months, listeners are hearing Radio Amanecer, Internacional again on 6015.02 kHz from the Dominican Republic. Monitoring has been from 2300-0300 UTCin Spanish, and reception reports may be sent to; Apartado Postal 1500, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (or) Juan Sánchez Ramírez #40, San Domingo, Domnican Republic. Streaming audio and podcast at http://www.radioamanecer.org/

An amateur radio Dxpedition is planned for December 29-January 4, 2010 from Robertson Island, Houtman Abrolhos (OC-211). Located off the west coast of Australia, the Abrolhos were activated for the first and only time in 1996. Consult www.westozdx.net/IOTA/OC211.html for broadcasting details, QSL via VK4AAR-Alan Roocroft, 376 Old Toowomba Road, Placid Hills, QLD 4343 Australia.

The following web addresses and email updates may be used for surfing and QSLing.
Clandestine, Radio Free Chosun www.rfcosun.org/eng email: rfchosun@rfchosun.org
Euro Pirate, Playback International, email: playbackinternational@gmail.com
Israel World Federation Inc. (via WHRI), http://www.british-israel-world-fed.ca/

email: biwf.canada@bellnet.ca
Polish Radio, english.section@polishradio.pl
RAE Argentina, argentinainternationalradio@gmail.com
Radio Miraya FM, email: mirayasudan@mirayafm.org
Radio Tirana, Albania english@hotmail.com
Southern Sudan Interactive Radio, ottok@sentech.co.za
U.S. pirate, Northwoods Radio has changed their email address to northwoodsradio@gmail
while WBNY/Commander Bunny has a new web address at http://wbny.webhop.org/
Voice of Vietnam, englishsection@vov.org.vn

Radio Bulgaria - B09 English/Spanish schedules

Blog Editor's Note:
The shortwave broadcast schedule published below is a portion of the full schedule for this station. A complete schedule that includes all broadcasting languages, is now available as an exclusive service to subscribers of Monitoring Times electronic magazine -- MTXpress.

This e-zine eliminates the hassles of slow or non-postal delivery, torn print issues, and the higher cost of print magazines. You get a monthly electronic Adobe pdf file in full color, completely searchable and that can be printed. It is also easy to store and read. Sight-impaired subscribers to MTXpress can have issues read to them using the Jaws Adobe plugin. Now our new MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guide includes all foreign language broadcasts on shortwave in the same format that we use in the monthly printed MT English Shortwave Guide.

MT breaks the schedules down by hour, station and by frequency, plus MT is the only shortwave schedule service that updates schedule information monthly. Now you can get MTXpress and the new comprehensive MTXtra Shortwave Broadcast Guide each month for a yearly price of $19.95US worldwide. No matter where you live, MTXpress and the new MTXtra guide has the shortwave information and schedules you want at a very affordable price. To get more information on MTXpress/MTXtra or to order, go to www.grove-ent.com/page81.html.
Gayle Van Horn, Frequency Manager-Monitoring Times.

Radio Bulgaria - B09 (partial)
Effective: 25 October 2009 - 28 March 2010

All times UTC

English
0000-0100 -daily- North America 5900 P300/306, 7400 P300/295
0300-0400 -daily- North America 5900 P300/306, 7400 P300/295
0730-0800 -daily- West Europe 5900 P300/306, 7400 P300/295
1830-1900 -daily- West Europe 6200 P300/306, 7400 P300/295
1830-1900 -daily- West Europe 9700 S020/306 DRM
2200-2300 -daily- West Europe 6200 P300/306, 7400 P300/295
e-mail: english@bnr.bg

Spanish
0000-0100 -daily- South America 7300 P170/258, 9400 P170/245
0200-0300 -daily- South America 7300 P170/258, 9400 P170/245
0200-0300 -daily- Central America 7300 P170/295
0700-0730 -daily- South Europe 6200 P170/258, 7300 P170/260
1730-1800 -daily- South Europe 5900 P170/260, 9400 P170/258
2230-2330 -daily- South Europe 5900 P170/260, 9400 P170/258
email: spanish@bnr.bg

Transmitters sites:
SW: P=Plovdiv (G.C: 42N23/024E52): 2 x 300 kW, 3 x 170 kW
S=Sofia (G.C: 42N49/023E11): 2 x 100 kW, 2 x 020 kW(DRM)
(DX Mix News # 593 via wb, Germany)

QSL Blog Central

The following QSLs represent a portion of those recently cut from my QSL Report column in Monitoring Times, for space constraints. Contributions are always welcomed for the magazine or Shortwave Central blog at the above email address.
Good luck with your QSLing quest !

Armenia
Voice of Russia via Yerevan relay, 11510 kHz. Full data color VOR card received in 45 days for an English reception report sent to: world@ruv.ru (Tom Banks, TX)

Brazil
Rádio Senado 5990 khz. Full data email confirmation from Alexandre Campos de Silveira, Coordenador, in three days for Portuguese report sent to: radio@senado.gov.br (Sam Wright, MS).

China
Voice of Russia via Xian relay, 9660 kHz. Full data VOR card received 56 days for English report sent to: world@ruvr.ru (Tom Banks, TX)

Clandestine
IRIN Radio 13685 kHz. Full data email verification from Louise Tunbridge. Received in two days for report sent to: louise@IRINnews.org (Sam Wright, MS) Station website: www.irinnews.org/

Ethiopia
Amhara State Radio, Bahir 6090 kHz. Friendly email reply with verification statement from Dereje Moges-Station Director. Received in less than 24 hours for report sent to: dereradio2000@yahoo.com He did not respond on my query if he had received my original postal report mailed to: Bahir Dar, Amhara Province, Ethiopia. (Brandon Jordan, TN/HCDX)

Cuba
Radio Habana Cuba 11750 kHz. Full data color station card signed by Lourdes López. Received in 60 days for English report sent to: radiohc@enet.cu (Tom Banks, TX)

Germany
Overcomer Ministries via Jülich, Germany 17485 Khz. Full data electronic verification sheet from Michael Puetz. Received in 80 days for report sent to: QSL-shortwave@media-broadcast.com (Brandon Jordan, TN/Cumbre DX)

Greece
Voice of Greece 11645 kHz. Full data color Greece scenery card unsigned. Received in two months for report sent to: era5@ert.gr (Duane Hadley, TN)

India
All India Radio-Thiravananthapuram 5010 kHz. Full data color scenery card. Received in two years for followup report sent to: spectrum-manager@air.org.in (Duane Hadley, TN).

Pirates/Free Radio (Euro)
Orion Radio 5815 kHz. Full data QSL card signed by “John,” plus sticker. Received in 32 days for report sent to: webmaster@orionradio.nl (anonymous, UK)

Radio Face de Blatte 6385 kHz. No data electronic verification sheet. Received in one day for report to: radio.rfb@gmail.com (anonymous, UK

Playback International 6240 kHz. No data electronic verification sheet. Received in five hours for report to: playbackinternational@googlemail.com (anonymous, UK)

Radio Mazda 6305 kHz. No data electronis verification sheet with photos. Received in two hours for a report to: radiomazda@hotmail.com (anonymous, UK

Radio Nova 9290 kHz. Full data station QSL card. Received in 60 days for report and $ 1.00 US, sent to: Box 2702, 6049 ZG Herten, Netherlands. (anonymous, UK)

Q103 9290 kHz. Full data QSL card signed by Tom Taylor. Received in two weeks for report and $1.00 US sent to: Box 2702, 6049 ZG Herten, Netherlands. (anonymous, UK)
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report/Monitoring Times http://www.monitoringtimes.com/ )

Tips on follow-up reporting

My reply this month from Media Broadcast, reminded me once again, how important follow up reception reports are. Despite a multitude of ploys I have used through the years, there are a few stations that remain on my QSL Hit-List.

If no reply has been forthcoming within four to six months, and you're left wondering if it was "lost in the mail, " perhaps it's time to compose a follow-up reception report. A follow-up report, whether by postal mail or email, should politely mention that no reply was received to your original correspondence, including the date it was mailed, followed by the complete reception report details.

Consider addressing your follow up report to another office or station official, or to the attention of the QSL Manager if one is present, or to the Chief Engineer. The language service that represents the programming monitored works, while medium wave DXers regularly send their report to the Program Director or Manager. Most amateur radio operators also use QSL Managers.

While many shortwave hobbyists address their correspond to the attention of a Veri-Signer (an individual reported as having verified in the past), be mindful that station personnel change, and I recommend sending correspondence only to those signers that are reported regularly.
If using the postal service, enclosures always attract the attention of the receiving station. The list is endless but a few I have used include; souvenir postcards, travel brochures, mint and used postage stamps, photographs, business cards, decals and stickers. A newspaper clipping of the country has worked, as well as a question about their country or programming.

Follow up reporting gives you a chance to refocus on the station. Try to relog the station to include with the original report, and you could find yourself on the receiving end of a station packet of goodies, and one less station on the QSL Hit-List.

Amateur Radio
Northern Ireland-G10KVQ, 20 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in two years and three months via ARRL bureau. (Larry Van Horn NC)

Norway-LA2Z, 15 meters USB. Full data color card. Received in nine months via ARRL bureau. (Van Horn).

Senegal-6W/PA3GIO, 20 meters USB. Full data photo card in 16 days for two $2.00US direct from Bert van den Berg, Parklaan 38, Netherlands (Van Horn).

Germany
Clandestine: Voice of Democratic Eritrea International via Jülich, Germany, 15670 kHz. Full data Media Broadcast eQSL page with two color transmitter site photos, from Michael Puetz. Received in three months after follow up report to Walter Brodowsky, Media Broadcast. Confirmed for total of five years and eight months from my original report to Rüsselsheim, Germany. Station is brokered by Media Broadcast (former T-Systems International) currently active on 9820, 13830 kHz via Wertachtal, Germany. Programming is produced by the Eritrean Liberation Front-Revolutionary Council. Email reception reports preferred to: qsl-shortwave@media-broadcast.com Michael Puetz michael.puetz@media-broadcast.com . Postal address: Media Broadcast GmbH, OMB Köln, Bastionstrasse 11-19, D-52428 Jülich, Germany. MB website: www.media-broadcast.com (Gayle Van Horn, NC)

Greece
Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias, 7430 kHz. Full data folder card signed by Tatiana Tsioli, plus sticker and postcard. Received in five years, two months, ten days for an English report. QSL addressed to my former home address, and the envelope appears to have made two trips between the US and Greece, until it was finally delivered to my current work address! Obviously, the post office did some real searching on this one. Station address: ERT S.A., Subdirection of Technical Support, PB 11312, 541 10 Thessalonika, Greece (or) Angelaki 2, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece. Streaming audio http://www.ert3.gr/. (Joe Wood, TN)

Medium Wave
CHAB 800 AM kHz. Greatest Hits of All Time. Electronic verification card with Moose Jaw trivia and local attractions attached from Ken Fisher-Engineering & IT Director. Received in three days for email to: kfisher@goldenwestradio.com. (Tob Wood, NE). Postal address: 1704 Main Street N., Moose Jaw, SK Canada S6J 1L4. Website: www.chabradio.com/

Slovakia
Miraya FM via Rimavska-Sobota, 15650 kHz. Full data (except site) Miraya FM card from Omerovic Wihada for Mr. Jean -Luc Mootoosamy, Miraya Program Officer. Received in 17 days. QSL address: Hirondelle, Avenue du Temple 19C, Ch-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland. (Wendel Craighead, KS).

South Africa
IRIN-UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs via Meyerton, South Africa, 7160 kHz. Email reply from Louise Tunbridge notes this was their Somali service and "thank you for your email" reply. Reception report to: feedback@IRINnews.org within 24 hours from email follow up, total of six months from original report. On-demand audio and podcast www.irinnews.org/radio.aspx . (Edward Kusalik, Canada).

USA
Open Radio for North Korea via KWHR Hawaii 9930 kHz. Full data (except site) personal letter from Han Gwang Hee, plus program schedule. Letter states they have no QSL cards due to "a temporary printing difficulty, usual cards will resume very soon." QSL address: P.O.Box 158, Mapo, Seoul, 121-600, Rep. of Korea (Craighead).

WRNO, 7505 kHz. Partial data station/antenna photo card. Received in 16 days for a report and $1.00US, QSL address: P.O. Box 895, Ft. Worth, TX 76101 USA. (Wood).

United Arab Emirates
Radio Japan relay via Dhabaya, 13740 kHz. Full data card entitled Fisherman, unsigned. Received in 120 days for an English report. Station address: NHK World/Radio Japan, KHK Tokyo 150-8001 Japan. (Wood). Streaming audio and podcast www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/

Utility
NDTH, 6821 kHz USB. USCG Auxiliary Station. Full data plain QSL card, signed by John P. Fullingim. Received in 123 days for an Armed Forces Day Cross Band Test. Station address: 5802 Club Oaks, Dallas, TX 75248 USA. (Bill Wilkins, MO).

Travel Information Station-WQHR783, 1700 kHz AM. Nice package from Carolyn Sigtowicz-Exec. Assistant for the Office of the Mayor. Received info on the city, including a souvenir copper lapel pin of Issaquah. No mention on station's power, but was surprised the signal reached my location. QSL address: City of Issaquah, P.O. Box 1307, Issaquah, WA 98027-1307 USA. (Patrick Martin, OR)
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report-Monitoring Times)

Fast tract to amateur radio

Amateur radio operators call it the fast track news, while others simply declare it fantastic. Call it what you will, but Richard Moseson W2VU, Editorial Director for CQ Communications has a hit on his hands. World Radio Online is the first wide-distribution general amateur radio interest magazine to be published exclusively online. Topics covered include Contest Calendar, Hamfest and Specials Events, amateur news and more. Issues are available in a downloadable PDF file and may be accessed without charge at the CQ magazine home page www.cq-amateur-radio.com/ . Go to the WorldRadio Online link.

Is Antarctica at the top of your amateur radio Hit-List ? Operator Bob Paton VK0BP, is currently working at Antarctica Davis Base Station, until November 1, 2009. Activity is limited due to work commitments, but check around 1500-1800 UTC on 20 meters (14.0-14.350 MHZ) on SSB and PSK31. Bob may also activate other field huts in the area and will sign-on as VK0BP/P. QSL route via Allan Meredith V2KCA, P.O. Box 890, Mudgee NSW 2850, Australia. For additional details from Bob consult his web page www.vk0bp.org/

Just logged a rare catch in the thrust of a major operators pile-up ? Here's a great source for operators QSLing via QSL Managers. The QRZ.com database contains manager references to over 68, 000 DX Call Signs. The search page accepts partial callsigns incase you didn't quite catch the complete ID. To learn more on QSL Managers, consult http://www.qrz.com/ at the QSL Managers link. In addition to the database are QSL Bureaus and Services, Tips for QSL'ers and QSL Card Designers and Printers. Operator calls may also be searched by using the callsign search mode. for addresses, QSL information and operator details.

The ARRL Logbook of the World (LoTW) system is a repository of log records submitted by operators around the world. When both contacts participate in a one-on-contact (QSO) and submit their records to LoTW, the results is a cardless verification, used for ARRL credit. The League's QSL-cardless awards and contact credit system has grown to over 75 million, far exceeded the original predictions in 2003.

LoTW is open to all amateur radio operators, and applying for a digital certificate is the first step in taking advantage of the system. The digital certificate authenticates the user's identity. For information about Log Book of the World refer to: www.arrl.org/lotw/

VA3HJ Softwave (Speciality Softwave for the Radio Amateur) is offering QSlDesignAndPrint software version 1.0.0. The program designs and prints your QSL card, or can design a QSL card for a professional printer. Cards may contain one or more images, text fields for callsign, location and a greeting. Up to 5 QSOs may be printed on a card. For program information, including sample images of cards created using QslDesignsAndPrint go to: www.va3hj.ca/

The Northern California DX Foundation, NCDXF is now on Twitter. Twitter users can follow NCDXF by going to http://twitter.comNCDXF and click on the Follow link. The foundation plans to keep DXers informed on activities, QSLing and related news. To find out more about Twitter consult http://twitter.com/. You'll find amateur radio operators and a bevy of radio-related hobbyist keeping you up to date on their radio pursuits.

DX stations, especially the rare portable DXpeditions, receive thousands of QSL cards. To ensure your out going QSL card package reaches it's ultimate destination, here are a few tips to increase your return rate.

Although U.S. operators are usually not considered "rare" DX, you must include a self-addressed-stamped envelope to help ensure a return QSL. Packaging your out going QSL (direct or to a QSL Manager) must include the following:

* Correct date and time on the QSL. One of the most common reasons why dates and times are incorrect is a failure to use UTC time and date.

* QSL Card Design. Callsigns should be on the same side of the QSL card as the contact information. This will assist the QSL Manager from having to constantly flip the card from back to front, thus eliminating the chance to get your callsign wrong.

* Pull & Seal Security Envelopes. By using the "press-and-seal" envelopes, your QSL Manager will thank you.

* Wax-Paper Nesting. Include a piece of wax paper inside the nested envelope to prevent the envelope from "self-adhering" during transit to the DX station or Manager. Especially helpful when sending to tropical climate areas.

* Return Address on SASE. The QSL Managers address should be placed on the top left corner of the envelope. No one wants a QSL in a "dead-letter" office.

* Pre-stamped SASE. Your card will likely be sent out as soon as it is processed if you pre stamp the envelope, but be sure to affix the proper postage. If you do not pre-stamp, include enough compensation to cover the postal expense.

* Direction of the SASE fold. In many cases you have to fold the SASE to fit within the outgoing envelope. When inserting the folded SASE, do so with the "fold" downwards. if the fold is at the top, the SASE may be sliced in half as it is opened.

* Callsigns on Envelope. Unfortunately in some countries less than honest postal workers have discovered that envelopes labeled "ham radio contest" with call signs are prime targets for green stamps (US currency) within the envelope. If your mail will travel through potential trouble spots, avoid putting your callsign in the return corner. Instead, place your call on the inside, under the flap.

* Avoid registered or certified mail. Either method is inconvient to the QSL Manager, requiring a trip to the post office. This also delays your return wait on the verification. Use of either should be when it is the only way of guaranteeing it is handled properly through a country's postal system.

* Enclosures in the envelope. Shortwave hobbyist and amateur radio operators know the significance of enclosing "goodies" within an envelope. Used postage stamps, souvenir postcards, newspaper clippings of interest, photos, business cards, stickers and decals will likely increase your return rate from the QSL Manager.
(Gayle Van Horn-QSL Report/Monitoring Times)

Blog Logs - Africa

Today's edition of Blog Logs, focuses on what DXers are monitoring from Africa. The following logs have been excluded from my Broadcast Logs column in Monitoring Times magazine for space constraints.
Special thanks to all the contributors.
Gayle Van Horn

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Chad
RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4904.97, *0429-0440. Sign-on eith Balafon interval signal. National anthem at 0430 followed by opening French ID announcement. Afro-pop music and local tribal music at 0432. Signal poor in noisy conditions. I do not usually hear an interval signal. (Alexander).

RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4905, 0536-0600. French newscast covering Cameroon. Station identification at -542 into local indigenous music, followed by unknown langauge. (Wood)

RN Tchadienne (N'Djamena), 4905, 0539-0550. Nice S9 signal quality though hampered by fades. Discussion of African countries withC had and Benin mentioned. Hip-hop music at 0547. Signal fair-good. (Wood).

Egypt
Radio Wadi El Nile, 9250, 2257-2300.* Tune-in the Holy Qu’ran recitations, followed by Arabic announcements. Closing music and off the air for fair signal quality. (Alexander).

Eritrea
VOBME, 7175, *0355-0407. Program 2. Interval signal to talk at 0400. Signal weak, covered by noise jammers at approximately 0405. (Alexander).

VOBME, 7165, *0356-0410. Station sign-on with interval signal initially on 7175 kHz at 0355, but moved to 7165 at 0356. Talk by announcer at 0400. Horn of Africa music at 0406. Signal fair-good until covered by noise jammer at 0409. (Alexander).

VOBME, 7209.98, *0355-0420. Station sign-on with interval signal to talk at 0400. Brieg breaks of Horn of Africa music. Tribal chants at 0413, followed by local rustic music. Signal fair-good. Alexander).

Ethiopia
Radio Ethiopia, 7110, *0259-0320. Station sign-on with electronic keyboard interval signal. Amharic talk at 0300. Horn of Africa music at 0304. Signal fair-good. Observed very weak on // 5989.33, 9704.18. (Alexander).

Radio Ethiopia, 7110, 0416-0449. Amharic service. Announcer with program format sounding like a "man on the street" interviews to electric versions of Horn of Africa music. Signal. fair (Wood).

Radio Ethiopia, 9559.51v, *0659-0720. Sign-on with electronic keyboard interval signal. Talk at 0700. Horn of Africa music at 0704. Signal very poor amid noisy conditions. Signal constantly drifting between 9559.25 - 9559.67 during this period. Threshold signal on // 7165.(Alexander).

Radio Fana (tentative) (Addis Ababa). Amharic. Horn of Africa music with promos from station announcer. Newscast at 0500 with mentions of Addis Ababa during poor signal quality. (Wood).

Voice of Tigray Rev., 5980, *0255-0310. Station sign-on with interval signal. Talk at 0300 to Horn of Africa music at 0301. Signal weak but readable. Parall on 5950 poor, mixing with Okeechobee, Florida. (Alexander).

Equatorial Guinea
Radio Africa, 15190, 1130-1150. Presumed this station with English religious programming. Signal poor with low modulation. Some signal peaks up to a fair level at times. (Alexander).

Radio Nacional, Malabo 6250, *0527-0640. Abrupt sign-on with continous local African music. Spanish announcements at 0603 to possible news at 0609. Mentions of "Malabo" and "Radio Malabo" identifications. Poor-fair signal with occasional RTTY interference. (Alexander).

Radio Nacional, Malabo 6250, 1950-2011.* Spanish text to local African tribal music and Afro-pops tunes. Abrupt sign-off mid-song. Signal poor in noisy conditions. (Alexander).

Guinea
Radio Conakry, 7125, 0620-0645. Tentative on this station with Afro-pop music to local tribal music. French announcements. Good-strong carrier but weak modulation. (Alexander).

Libya
Voice of Africa 17725, 1445-1500. Noted program in English covering political news and commentaries. Station ID at 1450 as, "Voice of Africa," with background music. (Bolland).

Voice of Africa 21695, 1455-1515. English talk about local geography. Station identification to item on Libyan politics. Afro-pop music. Signal weak, beter on // 17725. (Alexander).

Madagascar
RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 5010, *0250-0330. Abrupt sign-on with local pop music. Euro-pop tunes to station interval signal. National anthem at 0258. Brief Malagasy announcement at 0301 to local music. Signal fair-good, reduced carrier on USB. (Alexander).

RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 5010, (presumed) 0331-0348. Still on frequency and in USB + carrier mode. Non-stop music of African hi-life, ballads and pop tune Manic Monday. Signal poor-fair. (Howard).

RTV Malagasy via Antananarivo, 6134.92, 1445-1525. Thanks to DXer John Wikins this station was on this freq. Heard in conventional DSB mode after the sign-off with 5010.0 (only in USB + carrier mode), with a delay of several seconds on 6134.92. Both days noted similar reception. Signal on 6134.92 fading out and most shortly after 1500, while 5010.0 continued to improve after 1450. (Howard).

Clandestine-Voice of Tibet via Madagascar relay, 17550, 1400-1427. Came on the abruptly at 1400. During the half hour, noted a series of news and commentary segments in presumed Tibetan. Signal good. (Bolland).

Mali
RTVM, 9635, *0800-0820. Sign-on with opening French identification announcements and flute interval signal. Vernacular talk at 0801. Signal fair. Very weak on // 7284.58 (Alexander).

Nigeria
Radio Nigeria (Kaduna) 4770, 0532. Barely above the threshold with Afro-pop music during poor signals. (Wood).

Voice of Nigeria, 9690, *0758-0810. Opening theme music to vernacular talk and tribal music at 0759. Vernacular talk at 0800. Radio drama to station ID. Signal very good. (Alexander).

Seychelles
BBC relay, 6005, 0220-0230. Two male's conversing to news and program features. Noted "BBC" mentioned often. Signal was poor. (Bolland).

South Africa
Channel Africa, 17770, 1502-1515. Female announcer's English comments during fair signal quality. (Bolland).

Swaziland
Trans World Radio via Manzini, 4775, 0410-0415. Baraque Christian music, hampered by sweeper interference. Poor signal quality. (Wood).

Tunisia
RTV Tunisienne (Sfax) 7275, 0501-0510. Arabic newscast with musical interludes between items. Talk of Iran. (Wood).

Uganda
UBC, 4975.97, 2120-2130.* Continuous African hi-life music. Station abruptly “pulled the plug” at 2130. Signal poor-fair. (Alexander).

Zambia
CVC via Lusaka, 4960, 0415-0424. Vernacular announcement to contemporary Christian music. Signal fair. (Wood).

Zanzibar
Radio Tanzania-Zanzibar. English Spice FM newscast. Into Swahili talk at 1811. Local pop music. Signal not as strong as usual but audio much better. Clear and clean audio without the distortion or wobble. (Alexander).

Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe BC (Gweru) (presumed) 4828, 0427-0440. Vernacular text to non-stop local pop music. Poor signal with heavy CODA interference. First time anything other than a carrier heard on 4845 so far this year. (Evans).

Contributors:
Brian Alexander, PA
Chuck Bolland, FL
Jim Evans, TN
Ron Howard, CA
Joe Wood, TN

World QSL Book Review

Teak Publishing, owned by Larry and Gayle Van Horn, published its first book in 2007.

World QSL Book, by Gayle Van Horn, is a comprehensive resource and reference book on CD for any hobbyist who is interested in acquiring a verification of reception of almost any HF station, whether broadcast, utility, amateur radio, or unlicensed pirate or clandestine!
For those new to the hobby, the first 90 pages are devoted to the “how-to’s” of QSLing, drawn from Gayle’s 30 years of experience. This includes best general practices in logging, reporting, and mailing your report, and then it moves on to address specific recommended practices tailored to each global region.
How do you know where to send the report? Should you try to send a report in a language you don’t speak? What should you enclose in your report? How long should you wait for a reply? Should you send a second report? The book answers these common questions and much more. And lastly, Gayle addresses an often-neglected question: what do you do with your QSL cards and letters after they start to accumulate?
As to where to send the report, that is the subject of the remaining 430 or so pages. An astonishing amount of information is contained under logically-organized, easy to follow sections. Each station listing includes mailing address, plus email address, website, and whether the station provides streaming audio. And, being in pdf format, all links are active, so a click will take you directly there if you are connected to the internet.
World QSL Book is published in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) electronic format and is fully searchable and printable. It can be run on any computer platform and uses the Adobe Acrobat reader program (a free internet download). Navigation through the book is made simple by a very comprehensive Table of Contents. Although you cannot go immediately to a topic by clicking on it, if you keep Adobe Acrobat’s “Bookmarks” panel open, simply clicking on the desired page number “turns” right to it.
Are you looking for a specific station or country? Another way to navigate is by using Adobe’s search engine: Click on the binoculars, type in “Madagascar,” and a few seconds later, 26 entries pop up on the search panel. You can pick the one that looks like the one you want, or manually click through each entry.
World QSL Book is available from Teak Publishing, P.O. Box 297, Brasstown, NC 28902 USA teakpub@brmemc.net for $19.95 +$3 shipping in the US (check, money order or Pay Pal). It is also available at the same price from Grove Enterprises (800-438-8155; order@grove-ent.com ).
Reviewed by Rachel Baughn, Editor, Monitoring Times