Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Radio Bulgaria, DX Program

This is Radio Bulgaria’s weekly DX Program for radio amateurs and short wave listeners which is included in our one-hour broadcasts starting as follows: Friday at 21.00 UTC on 5900 and 7400 kHz beamed to West Europe, at 23.00 UTC and Saturday at 02.00 UTC on 9700 and 11700 kHz to North America, as well as in the half-hour broadcast at 06.30 UTC on 9600 and 11600 kHz to West Europe.

In this issue by DX Editor Dimiter Petrov, LZ1AF, with Broadcast Tips by Rumen Pankov:

Amateur Radio Station ZS10WCS

Amateur Radio Special Event Station ZS10WCS will be on the air between now and July 12 (the first operation began in September 2009). Activity is to celebrate the 2010 Soccer World Cup being held in South Africa between June 11 and July 11.

The callsign will be operated by members of various South African Radio League (SARL) affiliated clubs. Operations until May 31 were only over weekends but between June 1 and July 12 the station will be on the air 7 days a week.

Frequency band selections and times will be dependent on propagation conditions. Preferred frequencies are:

CW - 3510, 7010, 14010, 21010 and 28010 kHz; SSB – 3780, 7080, 14180, 21280 and 28480 kHz.

Electronic QSL cards must be sent to: wcs@sarl.org.za .
All stations logged will receive a special QSL card via the bureau.

Direct QSL can be sent to:
PO Box 1721, Strubensvallei, 1735, South Africa.
Please include a self-addressed envelope (DL size) and 1 IRC or 1 USD.

3C0C - Annobon Island

The two Spanish radio amateurs Elmo, EA5BYP and Javier, EA5KM signing as 3C0C now from Annobon Island have been active as much as possible, 6 to 160 meters, CW, SSB and RTTY with an
emphasis on the low bands and CW. They did experience some damage to their antennas due to a strong storm which passed through the area. It is reported that they were able to repair the damage and continue operating. Propagation has not been favorable for them as many areas of the US have reported little or no signals being heard from them. The operation is to continue until 20, so we can hope for improved propagation before then.

DXpedition to V6 – Micronesia

Four members of JA1ZEK, Yamakto Amateur Radio Club in Japan, will operate from Yap Island (Oceania-012 for the IOTA Award) between June 22 and June 29. This is their 19th DXpedition since 1993. In April 2008, they visited Yap Island but their site was very poor for DX operation. This time they were able to find a good hotel/location. Their callsigns and QSL information are: V63JQ (via JA1KJW), V63AKA (via JK1EBA), V63MCA (via JA3MCA), V63VE (via JF1OCQ) and V63JY (via JA1JQY).

They are bringing five radios and one 500 watt amplifier and will operate 6 meters to 160 meters, SSB, CW and RTTY. They will keep 24 hour on at least two bands with a 6 meter beacon, with a maximum of five band operation

Possible DXpedition to Vanuatu, YJ0

Oceania DX Group is looking at the viability of running a 7 day DXpedition to Vanuatu, YJ0. Chris, VK3QB will be DXpedition leader and is in the process of finalizing a viability study. The emphasis will be on having fun and handing out QSOs for what is still a reasonably sought after entity. They will be aiming to make about 5,000 to 7,000 QSOs over the five days and nights of the operation. At this stage, they are looking at running this DXpedition in the 2nd half of August or the first week of September.

The 2010 Friedrichshafen Hamfest in Germany

The annual Ham Radio Hamfest at Friedrichshafen, Germany will take place on June 25 – 27. It is the world’s second largest after Dayton, Ohio, Hamfest usually attended by more than 20,000 radio amateurs from all over the world. All major manufactures of ham equipment will exhibit novelties. The Bulgarian Federation of Radio Amateurs and the LZ CW CLUB will have a booth there, too, and a large group of LZ hams will attend as well. A big flea market always attracts worldwide attention there.

B R O A D C A S T T I P S

Philippines. Radio Pilipinas was heard in Sofia again at the beginning of its emission in Filipino and English. After playing the National Anthem at 17.30 hours was announced the following program schedule: from 02 to 03 hours on11880, 15285 and 17710 kHz and from 17.30 to 19.30 hours on 11730, 11890 and 15190 kHz. The QSL address is: Radio Pilipinas Overseas, PIA Building, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City, Manila 1100, Philippines.

Venezuela. Radio Nacional Venecuela uses transmitters of Radio Havana Cuba for its emissions. On Sunday there is a special program at 14 hours in the 22 meter band but it is received seldom in Sofia.
The every day’s one-hour broadcasts are as follows: at 10 hours on 6180 kHz; at11 hours on 6060 kHz; at 12 hours on 11705 kHz; at 15 hours on 11860 kHz; at 19 hours on 15290 kHz; at 20 hours on 17705 kHz; at 22 hours on 11670 kHz and at 23 hours on 13680 and 15250 kHz.

Liberia. Star Radio is back on shortwave and has been running test transmissions on 4025 kHz, outside the 75 meter band from 05 to 09 hours and from 18 to 21 hours. The station’s web site is: http://www.starradio.org.lr/ . By the way, the frequency of 4025 kHz is used very often by music unregistered stations in West Europe of whish most frequently in Sofia is received Radio Laser Hot Hits.

Sri Lanka. According to Sri Lanka Radio it has started a new program from 15.30 to 16.30 hours on 11905 kHz and the emission from 10.30 to 11.30 hours on 15120 kHz has ben discontinued.

The Gambia. Radio “Save The Gambia Democracy” is a new station which is on the air only on Saturday from 18.15 to 18.30 hours on 15225 kHz. Its web site is: www.savethegambia.org .

Azerbaijan & Armenia. The radio station broadcasting programs for reconciliation between Azerbaijan and Armenia – Voice of Justice, was received in Sofia on June 2 from 05.25 to 05.53 hours on 9677.4 kHz in the Azeri and Russian languages, announcing the following address: Voice of Justice, Tigranmetz Street 23 A, Stepanakert, Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Probably on the envelope you have to add also “via Armenia.”

Saudi Arabia. Radio Riyadh, Quran Kerim Program is received in Sofia after 03 hours on 9715 kHz, Their main program is broadcast on 9555, 9870, 1260 and 1521 kHz.

This has brought us to the end of our weekly DX Program. Your opinions and suggestions will be appreciated and all reception reports confirmed with the QSL card of Radio Bulgaria. Please address your letters to English Section, Radio Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria or by e-mail to english@bnr.bg . An online reception report form is available at www.bnr.bg – click on English and navigate.
So, 73 and DX!
Source: BNR Radio Bulgaria: DX program June 18, 2009 http://bit.ly/b6rDV1
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)