Antarctica special broadcast on January 21

 

LRA 36 QSL from Gayle Van Horn QSL Collection

Radiodifusión Argentina al Exterior and dedicated to shortwave listeners, DXers and radio amateurs from all over the world. 

The broadcast will take place on SATURDAY JANUARY 21 at 1500 UTC with a repeat at 1900 UTC on the frequency of 15476 kHz (USB) in the 19-meter band and will count on the participation of Adrian Korol, Director of RAE, and Juan Benavente, member of the Antarctic Joint Command, together with Marcelo Ayala, journalist of Radio Nacional who conducts during January from LRA36 the morning "Panorama Informativo" for all the stations of the network of the Argentine Public Radio. 

The contents include live interviews, interesting material from the sound archive of LRA36 such as audios of its first transmission, different IDs, audios of listenings of DXers in different times, and material from LA ROSA DE TOKIO, the program of Omar Somma and Arnaldo Slaen, who is the DX Editor of RAE.

This year is very important for LRA36. During the month of February, the shortwave transmission and radiating system will be evaluated and measured in order to provide a NEW SHORTWAVE TRANSMITTER to the beloved Antarctic transmitter, and the 10 KW CCA transmitter will also be returned to the mainland for repair.

new antenna will also be installed for the FM signal on 96.7 MHz, which will broadcast with a power of 250 watts (currently it runs with 25).

As always we look forward to your comments and reception reports at lra36nacional@gmail.com

IG: lra36radionacional

FB: Arcangel San Gabriel - Antarctica

We appreciate the further diffusion of this information".

Signed by Adrian Korol, RAE, Argentina, via Facebook and Whatsapp group messages, translated and slightly edited from original writing in Spanish, by Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Jan. 18, 2023). 

Transmitters in Bata, Equatorial Guinea repaired

All times UTC

Logs edited for clarity - *sign-on / sign-off*

5005, Rdif. de Guinea Ecuatorial, Bata, 1805, Mar 17. Afro accented Spanish talks, weak to fair. Band opening up to West Africa. Tonight quite good reception. (Goonetilleke). When checking 5005.07 at 2000, Mar 17, I only heard a weak carrier in much local noise. But on March 19 at 2020-2027* there was an African song and music – probably the national hymn before close down. SINPO 23332 with utility interference and interference from spurious Russian on 5001 kHz. Thank you for the tips, Victor! (Petersen). Also heard at *0453-0515, Mar 18, sign on with local African music. Weak. Poor in noisy conditions. Nothing heard on 6250 kHz at various checks between 0500-0635. (Alexander in DXplorer)

15190.00, Pan American Broadcasting via Radio Africa, Bata, 1638-1700, Mar 18. Presumed with a strong but distorted signal. English religious talk. (Alexander in DXplorer). Also presumed heard at 1657-1856, Mar 18, with weak and fading signal in England - currently mixing with co-channel Radio Pilipinas. Has been audible since IRRS closed at 1657, with US and African sounding evangelists. Gospel of the Kingdom program heard starting at 1856. No ID yet though the programming, signal strength and poor audio quality are typical of Radio Africa. Same station was also tentatively heard here on Mar 02 from 1735 to abrupt close at 1755* and again Mar 16 around the same time. (Kenny)

And later at 0650-0835, Mar 18. Religious comments in English, and at the end of the program mentioned an address in USA, at 0700 a woman also with religious comments, reading a letter from Nairobi, Kenya, and a man mentioned "The Lord Jesus Christ." Some religious songs and at 0829 mention of a program: "The Voice of Trust". No IDs at hours and half hours. Fair modulation. SINPO 24322. (Méndez)

The re-appearance after a long OFF-time of both transmitters on the same day indicate, that a competent technician has visited Bata! (Petersen)
(Anker Petersen/DX Window 450)