Radio Revival Sweden set for frequency planning

Radio Revival Sweden QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

Time to apply for summer frequencies - let us know which frequencies you would like to use

First of all, we would like to express our thanks to all the broadcasters who have chosen to use our relay facility. Your faith is inspiring and as the time has now come to apply for new frequencies for the period March – October we would appreciate any input from you with regard to what frequencies you would like to use.

A thorough frequency planning is essential for reaching out on shortwave.  If you only have one frequency, you will be very vulnerable to interference from other stations. Therefore, we always apply for several spare frequencies. Sadly, all stations do not follow the registrations they have made and interference may occur even if the channel should be vacant at a specific time. We offer you airtime for €30 per hour on two frequencies (5 kW AM plus 10 kW A3H - carrier plus one sideband) or €20 per hour on one frequency.

As there are today a number of more or less low-powered SW relay stations around in Europe, we feel that we all could benefit from cooperating. Selling airtime on SW is today such a narrow niche that there is actually no big money in it. Apart from government owned stations, most SW relays are operated by radio enthusiasts who believe in the medium.

In the USA we have the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters, which was set up to represent the interests of FCC licensed international broadcasters. What do you think: could we in Europe benefit from creating a similar organization, where we could agree about frequency planning and other practical details?

For some years there have been a number of low-powered stations (1 kW) operating in Germany. Prices for airtime has been around 15 euro per hour which naturally is very affordable to most broadcasters. However, the reception has not been very good in many areas. The Swedish DX Federation used to broadcast over one of these stations but the members requested that another relay station be used in order to provide a better reception. That was the prime reason why the Radio Revival Sweden relay facility was set up. We then decided to offer airtime to other interested parties.

Another German station has appeared, claiming 10 kW of power, also charging 15 euro per hour. It is not clear whether this is peak or average power but either way, this rate can hardly cover more than a fraction of the power costs, let alone all other costs for running such an operation. 

Honestly, we don’t believe that this philosophy is the solution. A broadcaster will want to know that you are a reliable transmitter operator and that you will still be around when needed. We have decided not to step into this cutthroat race and we will not reduce our airtime rate just in order to compete with operators charging extremely low airtime fees. 

We will, however, continue to provide you with a reliable resource for reaching out to Europe on SW.

We hope that as independent shortwave operators we can cooperate with other relay facilities instead of competing with each other. Think positive!

You are all welcome to book airtime. If you want to know how we are reaching out, just go to YouTube and search for “Radio Revival Sweden”. You will find a multitude of soundclips of our transmissions received in various places. A few examples:

Krasonodar, Russia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZiSgl4vGL8

Great Britain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG8ak4d5wOw

Tampere, Finland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RjSU9BeASE

Please feel free to spread this message in any forum you like.

Special QSL of the Week

William Patalon of Fallston, Maryland in the United States tell us that the first QSL he ever received was from CBX, the CBC Canadian Broadcasting Corporation mediumwave station located near Edmonton in Alberta Canada.  He states that he heard station CBX with 50 kW on 740 kHz some 40 years ago, on the night of December 18, 1974.  He also states that the distance between the transmitter in Canada and his receiver in the United States was nearly 2,000 miles, his best ever distance record on mediumwave.

            William Patalon, in referring to his QSL card from Canadian mediumwave station CBX, mentions several items of interest regarding the history of this station.  Originally, CBX with its 50 kW on 1010 kHz, was located near Lacombe, approximately half way between Edmonton and Calgary, around 100 miles distant from each city.  The station was launched in 1948 with studios in Edmonton.

            However, to improve reception within the city of Edmonton itself, a slave relay station was inaugurated with just 100 watts on 740 kHz.  Three years later, the power of this unit was increased to 250 watts.  Then in 1964, a new CBX with 50 kW on 740 kHz was constructed near Edmonton itself, and both the Lacombe high power station and the low power CBXA were closed.

            The QSL card that William received from CBC-CBX Edmonton is their familiar blue bulls eye card and it verifies the reception of the second CBX with 50 kW on 740 kHz at the more recent location near Edmonton.  As the first QSL card that William Patalon ever received, it remains a treasured item in his QSL collection.

Focus on the South Pacific-New Caledonia

New Caledonia

French Radio in the South Pacific

In our program today, we return to the radio scene on the island of New Caledonia in the exotic South Pacific.  On this occasion, we pick up the story in the year 1940 and this was at the stage when the amateur broadcasting station FK8AA was beginning to fade away and give place to the new government station, Radio Pacifique.

            The main island of New Caledonia is long and thin, rugged and mountainous, and in fact it is over 200 miles long, with a population today of more than ¼ million.  To cover that area with radio programming, the new Radio Pacifique/Radio Noumea introduced a low power 100 watt transmitter, co-located with the communication station in Noumea, FJP.  Their transmission on 6122 kHz was first heard in Eastern Australia in April 1940 and it was described as a loud signal.

            Around the same time a mediumwave transmitter was noted on the air under the same callsign FJP and it was heard first in Sydney Australia on 558 kHz (and later on 560 kHz) with a parallel relay from the shortwave service.  This unit probably at 300 watts was in use from July 1941 but it was closed in May of the following year due to what was described as wartime conditions.

            During the Pacific War, Radio Pacifique remained  on the air with locally produced programming in the French language, though occasionally they did venture into English language programming.  On occasions also, this station was noted with special programming under the title All Services Radio which was beamed to servicemen on active duty in the South Pacific. 

            The signal from Radio Pacifique, Radio Noumea, was usually transmitted in the 49 m band, and over a period of time, half a dozen different channels in this band were noted in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

            Towards the end of the war, Radio Pacifique was on the air with the usage of two transmitters; one on mediumwave with 300 watts on 700 kHz and another on shortwave with ½ kW on exactly 6000 kHz.  It should be noted also that Radio Pacifique was often wrongly identified in radio magazines in that era under the amateur callsign FK8AA.  When the new Radio Pacifique consolidated its on air presence, the amateur radio broadcasting service FK8AA was retired until it re-entered amateur radio status only, subsequent to the end of the war.

            In 1953, two new transmitters were installed for Radio Noumea.  The first unit was a French made 1 kW that radiated on 6035 kHz through a doublet antenna.  The second unit, rated at ½ kW, had previously been in use on the mediumwave channel 1500 kHz.  It was reactivated with a vertical antenna on the tropical band channel 3375 kHz in August 1953.  It is understood that these units were installed in the transmitter facility that was already on the air in suburban Noumea.

            During the 1960s, Radio Noumea prepared programming for broadcast on shortwave that was beamed to the New Hebrides in French, and to the Wallis & Futuna Islands in French and Wallisian.  These broadcasts were on the air as an External Service for somewhere around ten years.

            However in 1968, work began on the construction of a totally new radio-TV station for New Caledonia.  The site for the studio building was on Rue Guynemer in an outer suburban area of Noumea, and the transmitter facility was located on St. Marie Island, opposite Noumea city.      

            Then in 1970, Radio Noumea was noted with a signal on mediumwave 1420 kHz.  This 4 kW unit carried the main service temporarily for the capital city area during work on the major mediumwave station on 666 kHz.

            A local map of the capital city area and nearby coastal waters shows three islands that were classified as St. Marie, three islands that fringed the Noumea harbor area.  A Google Earth search shows the three islands, two of which seem to have been the site for the radio transmitter stations.

            The irregularly shaped Ile N’gea is the largest of the three St Marie Islands, and in the centre of this island is a white building that looks like it could have been the transmitter building containing the three shortwave transmitters at 20 kW each.  Interestingly, the eastern, almost semi-circular bay on this island is known as Antenna Bay.  The shortwave service was retired in 1994 in favor of nation wide FM coverage.

            Off the southern edge of the larger island Ile N’gea is the smaller St. Marie Island known as Uere island where the transmitter building and mediumwave antenna are quite clearly shown on Google Earth.  The tower appears almost as a short shadow, with a circular ground pattern around it.  This transmitter site was activated somewhere around the year 1986.

            There seems to be no indication of electric power generation on these two otherwise vacant islands, so it is possible that an undersea cable provided an electrical feed from nearby Noumea.

            During the 1980s and 1990s, an extensive nationwide network of FM stations was built, and in 1994, Radio Noumea closed out its shortwave service for island wide coverage and beyond in favor of this network of FM relay stations.  However, the 20 kW mediumwave outlet on 666 kHz is still on the air and it is heard quite widely throughout the South Pacific vastness due to the saltwater take off for the radio signal.

            Then, around the middle of the 1980s, Radio Noumea was noted with a signal on another mediumwave channel, 1260 kHz.  The transmitter for this temporary broadcast service was probably the same 4 kW unit which had been on the air previously in Noumea on 1420 kHz.

             The transmitter for this 1260 kHz channel was now installed at another location, Mt Aoupinie in almost the exact center of the island of New Caledonia.  This temporarily installed unit carried a relay for the islandwide FM radio service while a new FM unit was readied at the same location for use as an intermediate relay unit.

            In the second week of September 2005, international radio monitors in the United States and Australia heard a new mediumwave station on the air in New Caledonia.  This new facility on 729 kHz proved to be a 5 kW unit at Toupo, a little more than half way up the east coast of the island.

            These days, Radio Noumea is on the air via a multitude of network FM stations throughout their islands, as well as via the two mediumwave units; Noumea on 666 kHz with 20 kW, and Touho on 729 kHz with 5 kW.  The shortwave units were closed 21 years ago, never to return.

            Interestingly, back in the year 1984, RFI Radio France International in Paris, gave serious consideration to building a large shortwave relay station on the island of New Caledonia.  At the time, they were studying the feasibility of building an international shortwave relay station on New Caledonia. or taking out a part time relay via the SLBC Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation shortwave station at Ekala in Sri Lanka.  However, as things worked out, neither option was taken up.

(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 315)

Radio France International frequency update

DX Bulgaria reports the follow frequency updates from Radio France International

All times UTC

Effective: 01 March 2015

0400-0500 11700 ISS 500 kW / 130 deg to ECAf French, ex  7390

0500-0600 11700 ISS 500 kW / 160 deg to CeAf French, ex  7390

0600-0700 7390 ISS 500 kW / 204 deg to NWAf French, ex  5925

0600-0700 9790 ISS 500 kW / 185 deg to NWAf French, ex  7390

0700-0800 11700 ISS 500 kW / 204 deg to NWAf French, ex  9790

0700-0800 15300 ISS 500 kW / 190 deg to WCAf French, ex 11700

0700-0800 21580 ISS 500 kW / 155 deg to CeAf French, ex 17850

0800-0900 21580 ISS 500 kW / 155 deg to CeAf French, ex 17850

1600-1700 17615 ISS 500 kW / 170 deg to WCAf Hausa,  ex 15300

Radio Channel 292 updates their listeners

Friends of Radio Channel 292,

Perhaps you already read it on our homepage; from March 8th until March 22nd we will be off air, due to preparations for our second power amplifier.

On March 22nd from 10 to 11 UTC you can listen to a new program for the DARC (German Amateur Radio Club) on 6070 kHz with 100 kW; perhaps we can start the 10 kW transmitter on the same day in the evening. During the next weeks we hope that we can increase power as planned.

When summer comes and the skip zone during the night becomes smaller, a lot of listeners asked us to run the station at nighttime, too. We would like to, but the problem is, that this would duplicate the energy costs, without creating any new income. And because these costs (not to mention all the other costs) are only covered for about 60% by rented airtime, this is not possible.

We don't want to ask for donations, but we can make you a proposal:
Who wants to support us, can book sponsoring for broadcasts at night. This can be for a whole night with 12 hours, or 2 x 6 hours in the evening. For this we need 36 €; who can't afford this, may book 6 hours for 18 €. The sponsor can choose, if he wants in his time to hear our regular music program, or a re-broadcast of an Offshore Station of his choice. If he wants, his name will be published on our homepage and in our news mail, and in short spots during his program, that we produce without any costs for him (for Offshore re-broadcasts only possible at the beginning, at the end and between
blocks of programming).
Or, if wanted, completely anonymously. Or you subscribe for maybe every first Saturday night each month, or how you like; can be canceled at any time.
If you like to support us in this way, please send us a mail!

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Kind regards

Radio Channel 292
Shortwave 6070 kHz
Rudolf-Diesel-Str. 1
85296 ROHRBACH

Radio Öömrang slated to repeat February 21 broadcast

Due to the low audio level of 15215 kHz transmission via Issoudun, France transmitter site
on February 21, 2015

MBR brokery will repeat on 15215 kHz Radio Öömrang, Amrum isle festivity broadcast

Sunday March 8th at 1600-1700 UTC. You may expect S=9+20dB or -51dBm signal strength in eastern part of Canada and United States.

QSL via Cologne
"FMB QSL-Shortwave" QSL-Shortwave@media-broadcast.com
(.W Bueschel, Germany/HCDX)

Frequency updates from Eu News Network and TOM

Bulgarian DX blog reports the following updates

All times UTC

Cancelled broadcasts of EU News Network and TOM on March 2 and 3:

All times UTC

0800-0815 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri EU News Network

0815-1000 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri Brother Stair

1000-1015 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri EU News Network

1015-1300 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri Brother Stair

And continues with reduced duration:

1300-1315 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri EU News Network

1300-1550 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Sat/Sun Brother Stair

1315-1500 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri Brother Stair

1500-1515 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri EU News Network

1515-1550 on 11600 SCB 050 kW / 306 deg to WeEu English Mon-Fri Brother Stair

(SWL DXing/Bulgarian DX/03 March 2015)

QSL Report: March 2015

Amateur Radio

Benin-TY1AA, 18 MHz. Full data color tri-fold card of Beninan children and antenna display. Received via OQRS in 90 days. (Van Horn, NC)

WW1 Museum QSL (Larry Van Horn Collection)

United States-WWI USA. Full data color photo of National World War 1 Museum at Liberty Memorial, unsigned. 20 MHz. Received in 25 days for special event. QSL address: 100 W. 26th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 USA (Van Horn)

Virgin Islands-NP2X, 10 meters/CW. Full data color sunrise scenery card, unsigned. Received via ARRL bureau (Van Horn)

Australia
Reach Beyond Australia, 12115 kHz. Full data QSL verification sheet featuring Bruy Island, Tasmania, unsigned. Received in 28 days for an English report and mint stamps (used for reply). Thank you note included for providing extra postage stamps. Station address: P.O. Box 291, Kilsyth, VIC 3137, Australia (Bill Wilkins, MO) Website: http://www.reachbeyond.org.au/

Austria
Eternal Good News via Bible Voice Broadcasting, Moosbrunn, Austria relay 15215 kHz. Full data verification letter signed by George Bryan, plus schedule and program transcription. Received in 11 days for E-report and Mp3 to: gabry@cox.net (Luca Botto Fiora, Italy/playdx).

Bangladesh
Bangladesh Betar, 13580 kHz. Full data QSL card photo of Shundorbon, Khulna, plus very nice letter signed by Abu Tabib Md. Zia Hasan. Received in 92 days for postal report. QSL address: Bangladesh Batar, Senior Engineer, Research/Receiving Centre, 121 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000 Bangladesh (Walt Davidson, UK/BrDXC Communication)

Brazil
Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, 11780 kHz. Full data station QSL card, unsigned. Received in 63 days for a Portuguese report and mint stamps. QSL address: Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, a/c Sr. Director Gerente, Caiza Postal 258, 70359-970 Brasilia, DR Brazil (Rod Pearson, St Augustine, FL).

China
China Radio International via Lingshi, 9455 kHz. Full data CRI card, signed by Ying Lian. Received in 53 days for program details and E-report Mp3 to: crieng@cri.com (Fiora) Streaming/on-demand audio at: www.cri.cn Postal address: 16a, Shijingshan Rd., Beijing 100040, China

Clandestine
Voice of the Martyrs, 7515 kHz. Full data verificatin letter, signed by Pastor Tim Dillmuth. Received in two days for program details to: tdillmuth@seoulusa.org (Gigi Naj, Asti, Italy/playdx)

Cuba
China Radio International relay, 9580 kHz. Full data Xibe ethnic minority group QSL card, without site notation. Also received CRI Messenger, letter and horse paper cutout. Received in 63 days for an English report and mint stamps. Station address: English Service, 16A Shijingshan Road, Beijing 100040 China (Wilkins).

FM
Belgium-BRF Eupen, 94.90 MHz. Full data verification letter from Lothar Kirch, Leiter produktion und Technik. Received in four weeksfor program details to: brftech@fr.be. QSL address: Kehweg 11, B-4700 Eupen, Belgium (Norbert Reiner, Karlsruhe, Germany/playdx).

KBS World Radio QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

France
KBS World Radio relay via Issoudin, France 5950 kHz. Full data QSL card, plus stickers ans blank report forms. Received in 42 days for an Mp3 report. QSL address: 18 Yeouido-Dong, Yeongdeungpo-Gu, Seoul  150-790 South Korea. (Fiora). KBS World Radio relay via Issoudin, France 5950 kHz. Full data station QSL card for French service. Received in 41 days for French report to: french@kbs.co.kr (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France/playdx) Station postal address: International Broadcasting, Korean Broadcasting System, 113, Yeouigongwon-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 150-790, Republic of Korea. Streaming/on-demand audio at: www.world.kbs.co.kr

Radio Taiwan International relay via Issoudin, France 11875 kHz. Full data station QSL card for French service. Received in 36 days for French report to: french@rti.org.tw (Ghibaudo) Streaming/on-demand audio at: www.rti.org.tw

Germany
Missionswerk Voice of Hope via HCJB Weenermoor, Germany 3995 kHz. Full data verification letter, signed by Kornelius Dück. Received in 169 days. QSL address: Eckenhagener Strasse 21, DE-51580 Germany (Fiora).

Voice of Indonesia via Radio 700 Kall Krekel, Germany, 3955 kHz. Full data QSL. Received in 528 days for CD Mp3. QSL address: Jalan Merdeka Barat 4-5, 4th Floor, Jakarta 110 Indonesia. (Fiora)

Radio Slovakia International via Radio 700, Kall Krekel, Germany relay, 7310 kHz. Full data station QSL card. Received in 31 days for e-report and Mp3 sent to: rsifrench@slovakradio.sk (Fiora).

Lithuania
Special broadcast of RMRC for the EDXC 2014 from Siktunai, Lithuania, 11690 kHz. Full data E-QSL. Received in ten days for program details to: info@rmrc.de (Ghibaudo).

Madagascar
Adventist World Radio relay via Talata Volondry, Madagascar, 15680 kHz. Full data AWR QSL card, signed by Adrian Peterson. Received in 30 days for CD Mp3 and 1.00US. Calendar and literature enclosed. QSL address: International Relations, Box 29235, Indianapolis, IN 46229 USA. (Fiora) Streaming/on-demand audio www.awr.org

Eternal Good News relay via Bible Voice Broadcasting, Talata Volondry, Madagascar, 21480 kHz. Full data E-verification letter, from George A. Bryan. Received in ten days for program details to: gabry@cox.net (Fiora).

Moldova/Pridnestrovia
Prindnestrovsky Radiotelecentr via Grigoriopol. Two different full-data cards, including program names, Pridnestrovsky Radiotelecentr antennas e-cards from Sergey Omelchenko, Technical Director. Radio Payam-e-Doost 7460 kHz. Received in 16 hours, and Dengê Kurdistanê 9400 kHz in under five hours. QSL email address: prtc@idknet.com.  (Wenderl Craighead, KS)  

Radio Japan QSL (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

Japan
Radio Japan/NHK World relay, 11950 kHz. Full data color Japan scenery card, unsigned, transmitter site confirmed. Received in 67 days for English report and $ 1.00US (returned). Station address: 2-1, Jinnan 2-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8001 Japan. Streaming/on-demand audio at: www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld (Pearson)

Medium Wave
Estonia-Radio Eli (Family Radio) 1035 kHz. Russian E-QSL. Received for report details to: am1035@bk.ru. (Dmitry Kutuzov-RUS/"deneb-radiodx" midxb/Top Nx 1196)

France-France Bleu RCFM, 1494 kHz. Station QSL card, unsigned. Received in ten days for medium wave report. QSL address: 4 rue Favalelli, Boite Postal 130, 20292 Bastia Cedex, France (Carlos Goncalves, Portugal/BrDXC-Communication)

Ireland-RTÉ Clarkstown, 252 kHz.  Full data E-QSL. Received in 44 days for e-report to info@rte.ie (Fiora).

Italy-Studio DX via I AM Radio Milano, 1350 kHz. Full data E-QSL. Received in two weeks for details of test transmission to: info@studiodx.net (Reiner).

Netherlands-Radio Bloemendaal 1116 kHz. Full data E-QSL. Received in one month for program details to: info@radiobloemendaal.nl. Postal address: Vijverweg 14, 2061 GX Bloemendaal, Germany (Reiner).

Spain-Radio Segovia 1602 kHz. Full data station QSL, signed by David Matarranz Casado Director de Marketing y Desarollo. QSL address: Plaza Cirilo Rodriguez 2, 40001 Segovia, Spain.
(Roberto Pavanello/playdx/Fiora)

United States-WSPO Charleston, South Carolina, 1390 kHz. Ful data color QSL sheet, signed by Brandon Jordan, IRCA/NRC DX Test Coordinator and Bruce Roberts, Dir. of Engineering. Received in 62 days for $1.00US and SASE (used for reply). Verification for November 2014 DX Test, and my 35th U.S. state verified on AM. Station address: IRCA/NRC Test Committee, c/o Brandon Jordan, P.O. Box 338, Rossville, TN 38066 USA (Wilkins).

Palau
NHK World Radio relay via Koror, Palau, 11705 kHz. Received in 33 days. QSL address: English Section, NHK World Radio Japna, Tokyo 150-8001, Japan. (Fiora)

Vatican Radio (Gayle Van Horn Collection)

Philippines
Vatican Radio relay via Palauig, 15470 kHz. Full data Vatican QSL card, unsigned. Calendar, sticker and schedule enclosed. Received in 56 days for an English report. QSL address: Piazza Pia 3, 1-00120 Vatican City, Vatican City State. (Pearson). Streaming/on-demand audio: www.radiovaticana.va

South Africa
NHK World Radio relay via Meyerton, South Africa, 11800 kHz. Full data station QSL card. Received in 34 days. QSL address: English Section, NHK World Radio Japna, Tokyo 150-8001, Japan. (Fiora)

Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. No frequency listed for an old Ekala QSL card, from Gamini Liyanarachchi, Engineer in Charge, Trincomalee Transmitter Station. Received in 28 days for report and one IRC. Also received a pamplet about the Trincomalee transmitter station. Mr. Liyanarachchi is usually in Colombo, but goes to Trincomalee once a week. He notes the management of the station was just completely transferred to Sri Lanka from Germany in October 2014. Reception reports should be sent to his section at: SLBC, Independence Square, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka Email: ddge@slbc.lk (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan/BC-DX Top Nx) Website: www.slbc.lk

Sweden
Radio City via Radio Revival Sweden, 6065 kHz. Full data E-QSL from Ronny. Received in three hours. Program details to: info@rock.x.se (Ghibaudo)

United States
Radio Africa/Pan American Broadcasting relay via WRMI Okeechobee, Florida 15190 kHz. Full data E-verification letter and schedule from Jeff Bernald. Received in ten days for e-report and Mp3 to info@panambc.com (Fiora).

Radio Prague relay via WRMI Okeechobee, Florida 9955 kHz. Full data station QSL card unsigned, plus calendar. Received in 28 days. QSL address: Vinohradská 12-CZ 120-99 Praga 2, Czech Republic (Fiora).

Radio Slovakia International via WRMI Okeechobee, Florida relay 9955 kHz. Full data QSL card. Received in 60 days for e-report and Mp3 to: rsispanish@slovakradio.sk (Fiora).

Utility
VA3GMT/B HF Beacon 28200 kHz. Station QSL card, unsigned. Received in four weeks. QSL address: Felix Todica, 26 Bishop Crescent, Markham, ON L3P 4N6 Canada (Reiner).

VE9BEA/B HF Beacon 28245 kHz. Full data card and letter. Received in four weeks. Beacon has been operating continuously since 1996, with an output of 5 watts. QSL address: Vernett F. Smith, 45 Elmwood Cours, Fredericton, NB E3B 2P6 Canada (Reiner).

St Mary's Church Kilsheelan, 27755 kHz. Verification statement on the reception report, signed by Fr. Carey. Received in 36 days. QSL address: Parish House, Gambonsfield, Kilsheelan, Clonmel Co., Tipperary, Ireland. (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

St. Mary's Church Askeaton, 27332 kHz. No data letter, signed by Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh. Received in 18 days. QSL address: Parish House, Askeaton, Co. Limerick, Ireland (Robic).

St. Fintan's Church Mountrath, 27601 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card signed by Fr. Jor Brophy and stamped. Received in 15 days. QSL address: Parish House, Mountrath, Co. Laois, Ireland (Robic)

St. Patrick's Church Castletown, 27651 kHz. No data letter, stamped. Received in 17 days. QSL address: Parish House, Castletown, Gorey Co., Wexford, Ireland (Robic).

Utility Ship Traffic

Ship addresses may be obtained by an MMSI search at: www.google.com

2FUD2 Highland Knight (Platform Supply vessel) MMSI 235094271, 2187,5 kHz. DSC (digital selective calling). Full data QSL and prepared verification letter. Received in 31 days. (Andy Ibold, Alpen, Germany/UDXF)

DEBQ Seamullet (Tanker) MMSI 211379750, 2187, 5 kHz DSC. Full data QSL and prepared verification letter. Received in 26 days. Ship position was Rotterdam. (Ibold)

IBGQ Nos Aries (Anchor Handling Supply Tug) MMSI 247342000, 2187, 5 kHz DSC. Full data QSL and verification letter. Received in 29 days. SHip position from Genova to Sardinia Island. (Ibold).

OJBM FNS Uusimaa (Minelayer) MMSI 230997240, 2187, 5 kHz DSC. Full data QSL and prepared letter. Received in 33 days from follow-up report. Ship position in the Gulf of Finland. This is my first Finnish naval ship verified (Ibold).

OYPJ2 Bergensfjord (Passenger vessel) MMSI 219348000, 2187, 5 kHz DSC. Full data QSL and prepared letter. Received in 21 days from follow-up report. SHip position Hirtshals-Stavanger (Ibold).

USCGC Confidence (uscg.mil)

NHKW USCGC Confidence (U.S. Coast Guard Cutter WMEC-619), ALE identification HKW, 5732 kHz. Full data QSL and prepared verification letter, plus ship sticker. Received in 90 days from follow-up report (original report in 2013). Ship position in Caribbean (Robic).

Euro Free Radio
Bluestar R (Netherlands) bluestarradio@live.nl
Free R Service Holland/FRSH (Netherlands) frs@frsholland.nl
Free R Victoria freeradiovictoria@hotmail.com
Laser Hot Hits studio@laserhothits.co.uk
Long Live R (Italy) radioeurope@iol.it
R Alice radioalice@hotmail.com
R Carrierwave carrierwave.sw@gmail.com
R Casanova radiocasanova@hotmail.com
R El Toro radio.eltoro@gmx.net
R Enterprise enterpriseradio@hotmail.com
R Europe (Italy) radioeurope@iol.it
R Experience experienceshortwave@hotmail.com
R Geronimo geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com
R Joystick chapri@radiojoystick.de
R Montferland radiomontferland@hotmail.com
R Nora radionora@hotmail.com
R Northpole (Netherlands) radio.northpole@planet.nl
R Pink Panther pinkpantheram@hotmail.com
R Pioneer pioneram@hotmail.com
R Pluto pluto41@gmail.com
R Tango Italia libertango58@libero.it
R U-Boat 66 uboatradio@gmail.com
R Zeewolf radiozeewolf@hotmail.nl
Ronnie AM radioronalisa@hotmail.com
Sluwe Vos R (Netherlands) rxreport@live.nl
Studio 52 (Netherlands) studio52@planet.nl
Telstar R (Netherlands) dutchradio48@hotmail.com
The Technische Man (Netherlands) technicalman@hotmail.nl

Spain's frequency update

Bulgarian DX reports the following updates

SPAIN   REE/RNE

Effective from: 01 March 2105

All times UTC

1500-1900 9620 NOB 200 kW / 290 deg to NoAm Spanish Sat/Sun, co-ch AIR
1500-1900 11940 NOB 200 kW / 230 deg to SoAm Spanish Sat/Sun, not 17715
1500-1900 15490*NOB 200 kW / 110 deg to N/ME Spanish Sat/Sun, ex 12030
1500-1900 17755 NOB 200 kW / 161 deg to WCAf Spanish Sat/Sun, ex 11685

1900-2300 9620 NOB 200 kW / 290 deg to NoAm Spanish Daily, co-ch AIR
1900-2300 11940 NOB 200 kW / 230 deg to SoAm Spanish Daily, not 17715
1900-2300 15490 NOB 200 kW / 110 deg to N/ME Spanish Daily, ex 12030
1900-2300 17755 NOB 200 kW / 161 deg to WCAf Spanish Daily, ex 11685

* co-ch 1700-1900 Adventist World Radio in Swahili and Massai
# co-ch 1500-2030 AIR in Baluchi/Farsi/Arabic/French; 1630-1730 CRI in Hausa;
1830-1925 Voice of Turkey in French and QRM 1800-2000 CRI in German on 9615.
(Bulgarian DX/02 Mar)

Special QSL of the Week-KRHO

USA VOA Honolulu QSL (swlqsl.com-w1amf@aol.com)

World's Shortest Reception Report

On Monday January 21, 1946, I was in the home of Ern Suffolk who lived a half hour bicycle ride from my home in a small country town in South Australia.  Ern was a prominent international radio monitor who had assembled a large collection of QSL cards in those days, and in subsequent time, he was the DX editor for Radio Australia.

            On that auspicious summer day, I was tuning his elaborate shortwave receiver, and I heard the familiar sign off routine from the Voice of America, loud and clear.  In mentioning this item of shortwave reception, I asked Ern, in my teenage naivity, should I send a reception report.  He stated: Well, you can only try.  I asked where should I send the report, and he suggested I try both locations, VOA in Hawaii and VOA-OWI in San Francisco.

            I did indeed send to both locations a reception report on this brief ½ minute transmission from VOA Honolulu, in the hopes that at least one of these addresses would respond with a QSL card.  Imagine my surprise when, in due course, I received two QSL cards, each of which was postmarked, Honolulu and San Francisco, on the same date, March 5. 1946

            The Honolulu QSL card shows a brief typed QSL text, listing the date, January 21,1946, and the frequency 6120 kHz.  The card shows an artistic representation of the Pacific Ocean, and the station identification The VOA Voice of America KRHO Honolulu TH, Territory of Hawaii, in large red and blue ink.

            The California QSL card was their regular QSL card with the large red white and blue areas, or blocks.  However, the large white panel that usually shows a callsign in large letters is left blank, and a typewriter in blue ink shows the callsign KRHO and the frequency 6120 kHz.  Also typed onto this card is the time of reception, 1000-1000½ GMT.

            Unique is the fact that such a short reception report, just half a minute, was verified with two QSL cards from different locations, and the fact that both were postmarked at their vastly separated locations on the same date.  By the way, we do not recommend that you send such short reception reports.

 (AWR-Wavescan/NWS314)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2015 Mar 02 0412 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly.html
#
#                Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
#
Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity
23 February - 01 March 2015

Solar activity was at very low to low levels. A few weak C-class flares were observed from Region 2294 (S14, L=023, class/area Dai/090 on 28 Feb). Weak to mid-level flares were observed from Region 2290 (N20, L=055, class/area Dai/070 on 24 Feb) including a C5/Sf flare at 28/0939 UTC and a C6.8 flare at 01/1613 UTC. Numerous CMEs were observed during the period including a pair of back-sided full-halo CMEs observed early and late on 28 Feb. None of the CMEs were determined to be Earth-directed. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit. However, slight enhancements above background were observed on 23 Feb and 27-28 Feb due to back-sided activity. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels on 23-24 Feb and again on 01 Mar. Moderate levels were observed on 25-28 Feb with a peak flux of 367 pfu observed at 27/1650 UTC. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to minor storm levels on 23-24 Feb due to effects from a positive polarity, trans-equatorial coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Quiet to unsettled levels predominated on 25 Feb through midday on 28 Feb. Activity increased to quiet to minor storm levels midday on 28 Feb through 01 Mar due to a co-rotating interaction region (CIR) in advance of a recurrent negative polarity CH HSS. 

Measurements from the ACE satellite indicated high speed winds near 550 km/s early on 24 Feb. IMF Bt peaked at 15 nT midday on 23 Feb while the Bz component varied between +14 to -13 nT on 23-24 Feb. Phi angle was in a predominately positive (away) sector through early on 27 Feb. 

Wind parameters decayed to nominal conditions through midday on 28 Feb when CIR effects were observed through the end of the period. Wind speeds increased to near 600 km/s early on 01 Mar. IMF Bt increased to a peak of 14 nT by 28/2000 UTC while the Bz component
rotated between +8 nT to -10 nT from late on the 28th through early on the 1st. Phi angle was in a mostly negative (towards) sector, with some positive rotation, from early on 27 Feb through the end of the period. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 02 March - 28 March 2015

Solar activity is expected to be at very low to low levels on 02-04 Mar and 19-28 Mar. From 05-18 Mar, R1 (minor) activity is possible due to the return of old Region 2282 (N11, L=191), an M-class producer on its previous transit. 

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit in the absence of any significant solar activity. 

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at moderate to high levels on 02-04 Mar and normal to moderate levels from 05-28 Mar. 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at predominately quiet to unsettled levels throughout the outlook period. Unsettled to active conditions are expected on 02-04 Mar, 07-08 Mar, 14 Mar, 16-18 Mar, 22-24 Mar and 27-28 Mar with minor storm (G1-minor) activity possible on 02 Mar and 28 Mar due to numerous recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2015 Mar 02 0413 UTC
# Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center
# Product description and SWPC web contact www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html
#
#      27-day Space Weather Outlook Table
#                Issued 2015-03-02
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2015 Mar 02     130          25          5
2015 Mar 03     125          15          4
2015 Mar 04     125          10          3
2015 Mar 05     125           8          3
2015 Mar 06     120           8          3
2015 Mar 07     120           8          3
2015 Mar 08     115           8          3
2015 Mar 09     115           5          2
2015 Mar 10     120           5          2
2015 Mar 11     125           5          2
2015 Mar 12     125           5          2
2015 Mar 13     130           5          2
2015 Mar 14     130           8          3
2015 Mar 15     130           5          2
2015 Mar 16     135          15          4
2015 Mar 17     135          15          4
2015 Mar 18     130           8          3
2015 Mar 19     125           5          2
2015 Mar 20     120           5          2
2015 Mar 21     120           5          2
2015 Mar 22     115          15          4
2015 Mar 23     115          20          4
2015 Mar 24     110           8          3
2015 Mar 25     110           5          2
2015 Mar 26     115           5          2
2015 Mar 27     120          15          4
2015 Mar 28     125          30          5

(NOAA)

The BBC Far Eastern Relay Station

BBC Singapore (flicker.com)

The Original BBC Relay Station in Singapore

The current BBC Far Eastern Relay Station in Singapore traces its earliest origins back to the year 1937.  It was on March 1 of that year, that a new studio and transmitter facility was officially opened at Caldecott Hill on Thomson Road, on the edge of suburban Singapore city. 

            This new international radio broadcasting station contained five transmitters; four low power shortwave transmitters each rated at just 500 watts, and a 2 kW mediumwave transmitter that had previously been on the air on 1333 kHz at a downtown location, a government building in Empress Place, Singapore.  These five transmitters now on the air at Caldecott Hill were as follows:-

                        4 Transmitters             ½ kW  SW                              Callsigns ZHO ZHP ZHN

                        1                                  2          MW     1333 kHz         ZHL    

            Most of the programming for this new radio station was produced locally in the adjoining new studio building on Caldecott Hill.  However, live off air programming on shortwave from the BBC London via the two 80 kW transmitters at Daventry (Senders 4 & 5) was also inserted into the daily scheduling of Radio Malaya Singapore.              It was intended that the Caldecott location was only temporary as far as the transmitters were concerned, and work began at Jurong on the south coast towards the western edge of Singapore island for a more permanent transmitter facility.

            At this same time (1937) as the British colonial authorities in Singapore were developing their new radio broadcasting station on Caldecott Hill, the BBC in London was making plans to establish a relay station in Singapore, their very first overseas relay station.  Then, as warlike conditions were emerging in Europe, the BBC attempted to actually purchase the new radio station in Singapore.

            Soon after war broke out on continental Europe, a new 100 kW Marconi transmitter was despatched by ship for Singapore.  However, this ship was torpedoed and sunk, and its electronic cargo was lost.

            As a replacement, the BBC obtained a 50 kW RCA shortwave transmitter from the United States and this was despatched to Singapore by ship for installation at the new station already under construction at Jurong.  A simple antenna system had already been installed.

             However, before work was completed on the entire facility, the transmitter was hurriedly removed due to the outbreak of war in the Pacific.  It was then shipped to Barbados in the Caribbean where it was installed at the C&W Cable and Wireless communication station at Bearded Hall, under the callsign VPO. 

            The entire facility at Caldecott Hill was taken over by the Japanese administration and it was reactivated as Shonan Radio; their first broadcast was on March 27, 1942.  In addition, the Japanese constructed a new transmitter station on an adjoining property at Jurong, and they installed four shortwave transmitters at 7½ kW each. 

            Three of these transmitters were new units, and a fourth was taken from Penang Island where it had been on the air previously under the British as ZHJ.  The final broadcast as Shonan Radio took place three years later on February 3, 1945.

            Soon afterwards, the studio suite on Caldecott Hill and the two side by side transmitter stations at Jurong were taken over by the returned British administration.  The original Radio Malaya transmitter site was developed for use by the Royal Air Force, and the new former Japanese transmitter site was taken over for use by four different radio organizations:-

                        C&W               Cable & Wireless                               

                        BMA                British Military Administration                                    

                        SEAC              South East Asia Command Singapore          

                        BFEBS            British Far East Broadcasting Service

            Even though all four organizations were each using the same facilities, the three broadcasting organizations, BMA, SEAC & BFEBS, each issued their own separate QSL cards.  Initially though, left over stock of the pre-war Radio Malaya card with its Malayan sunset scene was in use.

            On June 30, 1946, the SEAC services ended; BMA became Radio Malaya, and BFEBS became a BBC relay station with off air programming from the BBC London.  The identification announcement for the BBC relays was given as the Voice of Britain.

            In January 1946, work began on the installation of four Marconi shortwave  transmitters, 10 kW units Model No. SWB11.  These transmitters came from India, and it is presumed that they were left over units no longer needed for the Forces Service in Delhi. 

            The first unit was activated on January 19, (1946) and the second on February 4.  All four were in use by November in the following year (1947).  The BBC officially took over the Jurong station on August 8, 1948.  At this stage, three of the recently installed transmitters were now listed at just 7½ kW, and one at 5½ kW.

            In order to increase the coverage from the Jurong transmitter station, the BBC announced that they planned to install a Marconi 100 kW transmitter at this location.  However, due to the development of an international airport nearby, this projected facility had to be cancelled; the tall antenna towers would become an obstruction to aircraft.

            At this stage, the BBC began to look for another suitable location, which they ultimately found on the nearby Malay peninsula, and thus work began on a huge new station in the rubber plantation areas near the bottom tip of the peninsula.

            In April 1949, the BBC closed out its usage of the Jurong transmitter base on Singapore Island, and their Far Eastern Service was transferred temporarily to the SEAC shortwave station at Ekala north of Colombo in Sri Lanka. 

            The QSL cards verifying the shortwave transmissions from the BBC Far Eastern Relay Station reflect the changes that took place in that era.  Initially, BFEBS QSL cards quite clearly verified the reception of the station.  After the BBC takeover, appreciation was expressed to the listener for the report, though, as was stated on the card, they could no longer officially QSL reception reports from listeners.

            Thus in summary, the story of the BBC Singapore in this early period of radio history is as follows:-

* 1937-1942    Radio Malaya              Caldecott Hill   4 @ ½ kW       Program relays

* 1937-1939    BBC                            Jurong             1 @ 100          Projected shortwave station

* 1945-            1947    BFEBS                        Jurong             4 @ 7½           Ex Japanese station

* 1945-1949    BBC                            Jurong             1 @ 100          Projected shortwave station

* 1948-1949    BBC                            Jurong             4 @ 7½           Official BBC relay station

            When we take up the continuing story of the BBC Far Eastern Relay Station next time here again in Wavescan, we plan to present the information regarding their temporary usage of the SEAC shortwave station in Ceylon.

(AWR-Wavescan/NWS314)