QSL Report: May 2014

Welcome to the May edition of QSL Report. This month there are some terrific verification's to report. QSLing is very much alive and thriving. Your contributions  are always welcome to the email address in the above masthead. What are you QSLing ?

From this week's DX Window 504, an update on the Colombian postal service. Recently the Colombian postal service (Red 4-72) closed many offices which were located as "Apartados " (P.O. Box) and moved others. Now the complete address to send reception reports to the following two stations is: Alcaraván Radio and  La Voz de tu Conciencia, c/o Rafael Rodríguez R., Apartado No. 67751, Bogotá D.C., Colombia.  Reception reports via e-mail continue without problems to this e-mail rafaelcoldx@yahoo.com .(Rodríguez/DXW)

Full data QSL from Brazil's Radio Aparecida

Brazil
Rádio Aparecida, 6135 kHz. Station QSL card. Received in 45 days, for program details, one IRC and $ 1.00US. Station address: Rádio Aparacida, Caixa Postal 02, Aparecida-SP, 12570-970 Brasil. (Kurt Enders, Bickenbach, Germany/HCDX) Station website: www.radioaparecida.com.br

Rádio Itatiaia, 5970 kHz. Station QSL card, signed by Fabiana Souza, plus stickers. Received in 73 days for program details and recording to itatiaia@itatiaia.com.br. Station address: Rádio Itatiaia, Rua Itatiaia 117, Bonfim, Belo Horizonte MG 31210-170 Brasil.  (Kurt Enders, Bickenbach, Germany/HCDX) Station website: www.itatiaia.com.br/

Rádio Nove de Julho, 9820 kHz. Verification letter, signed by José Renato ferreira, Director General. Received in 54 days for program details and recording to: radio@radio9dejulho.com.br. Station address: Rádio Nove de Julho, Rua Manoel de Arzãao, 85, Freguesia do Ó, São Paulo, Brasil. (Kurt Enders, Bickenbach, Germany/HCDX) Station website: www.radio9dejulho.com.br

Clandestine 
BBN Radio (Berekan Broadcasting Network) via Issoudun, France (presumed) 15175 kHz. Five days after my e-report to bbn@bbnourvoice.com I received a "Thanks" via email. This is the shortest response I have ever received. (Wendel Craighead, KS)

Nippon no Kaze, 9975 kHz. Full data verification letter, signed by Teruaki Kato, Received in two months.
QSL address: Policy Planning Division, headquarters for the Abduction Issue, Cabinet Secretariat,
1-6-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 - 8968 (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

FM
Netherlands-Radio Compagnie, Hoogezand 105.20 kHz. Prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in three weeks from follow up report (total was seven months). QSL address: Postbus 30, 9600 AA Hoogezand, Netherlands. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Germany
Evangelische Missionsgemeinden, 6055 kHz. Station QSL card. Received in ten days for program details and SASE. QSL address: Missionswerk Evangelische Missionsgemeiden, Jahnstr. 9, 89182 Bernstadt, Germany. QSL listed additional address as; Lauenburger Str. 12, 51709 Marienheide-Rodt, Germany. (Kurt Enders, Bickenbach, Germany/HCDX)

NDR, 6040 kHz. Full data ship scenes Das Beste am Norden card, unsigned. QSL for Gruss an Bord Christmas Eve program. Received in 56 days for an English report and $ 2.00 US. Station address: NDR-Hamburg, Rothenbaumchausee 132-134, D-20149 Hamburg, Germany. (Bill Wilkins, MO)

Medium Wave
Germany-Radio Prag via Germany's Radio 700, 3985 kHz. Full data QSL and calender. Received in one week for program details to: cr@radio.cz (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Iran-VOIRI/IRIB 1503 kHz AM. E-QSL. Received in 37 months, for program details to: englishradio@irib.ir (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Spain-COPE Vigo, 900 kHz AM. Verification letter from Belén Zapata. Received in five days for e-report to: direccion.vigo@cadenacope.net (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

United Kingdom-North Sound Radio, 1035 kHz AM. Full data E-QSL from Ken Hancock. Received in three months for program details to: info@northsound.co.uk (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

WCIT, 940 kHz AM. Sportstalk 940. Full data verification letter and QSL card, signed by Mark D Gierhardt, Engineering/IT Director. Received in ten days for Am report's details of DX Test transmission. QSL address: Childers Media Group, 57 Town Square, Lima, OH 45801 USA. (Al Muick, PA/HCDX) Station website with streaming audio http://940wcit.com/

WGTH, 540 kHz AM. The Sheep, Good Words, Good Music. Date only letter, signed by Ron Brown, and retro-style bumper sticker. Received in nine days for AM report and a SASE. Letter confirms operating "close to 97 watts." QSL address: P.O. Box 370, Richlands, VA 24641 USA. (Al Muick, PA/HCDX). Station website with streaming audio http://www.wgth.net/ Email:  wgth@wgth.net

WMLB, 1690 kHz. The Voice of the Arts. No data email except for, "indeed it was us !" Received in five hours for program details to Jeff Davis, VP/General Manager jeffdavis@1690wmlb.com. Station address: JW Broadcasting, 1100 Spring St. Suite 610, Atlanta, GA 30309 USA (Al Muick, PA/HCDX). Station website with streaming audio: http://1690wmlb.com/

WNMT, 620 kHz AM. News-Talk. Full data verification letter, signed by Ernie Farr, Chief Operator/On-Air Personality. Received in seven days for an AM report, SASE and return postage. QSL address: News-Talk 620, P.O. Box 620, Colchester, VT 05446 USA. (Al Muick, PA/HCDX Station website with streaming audio: http://www.newstalk620wvmt.com/

Philippines
FEBC/Voice of Friendship, 9430 kHz. Full data QSL, signed by Peter Tong. Received in two weeks. QSL address: Box 96789. TST, Kowlooon, Hong Kong. (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Russia
Radio Zelyonyy Glazy (Radio Magic Eyes) 25900 kHz. Full data color logo card, signed by Sergey Komorov. Received in 105 days for  program details and one IRC. QSL address: Sergey Komorov, c/o: Moskovskiy Universitet Svyazi i Informatiki,  Aviamotornaya ul. 8ª, RU-11024 Moskva, Russia, Address on QSL:  Pyatnitskaya ul. 25,b.1, RU-115326 Moskva, Russia. (Roberto Pavanello/playdx)

Sweden
SDXF via HLR, 7265 kHz. Full data QSL. Received in seven weeks for program details and $100 US. QSL address: Box 1097, SE-405 23 Göteborg, Sweden. (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Taiwan
PCJ Radio International, 5995 kHz via Nauen, Germany/11880 kHz via Okeechobee, Florida. Two full data E-QSLs. Received in two days from Victor Goonetilleke, QSL Manager pcjqsl@pcjmedia.com QSL address: 8th Floor, No.47, Lane 31, Sanmin Road, Section 1, New Taipei City, Taiwan 22070 Taiwan (Christian Ghibaudo, France/playdx)

Utility
Austria-OE3XAC Beacon 28188 kHz. Full data card. Received in two weeks. QSL address: Charly Lichtenecker (OE3KLU). QSL address: P.O. Box 1110 Vienna, Austria. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Brazil-PU4CBX, B Beacon, 28226 kHz. Full data card. Received in two months. QSL address: Vicinius Alves de Oliveira, Rua Gercina Roscoe 113, 3590000 Barão de Cocais, MG Brazil. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Canada-CHU Time/Frequency Station 7850 kHz. No data card. Received in three weeks. QSL email: radiochu@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Canada-MACS Trenton 15034 kHz. E-QSL in one day from Charles Raine Cprl/MACS Operator. QSL email: charles.raines@forces.gc.ca (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Finland-MIKES 25000 kHz. Verification letter, signed by Kalemi Kalliomäki, Ilkka Iisakka, Tapio Mansten. QSL address: Center for Metrology and Accreditation, P.O. Box 9, Teknikantie 1, 025151 Espoo, Finland. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

Italy-Associazione Amici di ITALCABLE, 10000 kHz. QSL card received in four weeks. QSL address: Via del Borgo 6, 55049 Voareggio (LU) Italy. (Norbert Reiner, Germany/playdx)

United States
PCJ Radio International via WRMI, 11880 kHz. Full data Fireworks sheet, signed by Victor Goonitelleke, Frequency Manager. Also received several photos. Received in 82 days for an English report and ROC stamps (not used). Station address: 8th Floor, No.47, Lane 31, Sanmin Rd., Section 1, New Taipei City, Taiwan 22070 Republic of China. (Bill Wilkins, MO)

VOA Radiogram, 17860 kHz. E-QSL from Kim Elliott. Received in six days for report details to: radiogram@voanews.com  (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

Vatican City State
Radio Vaticana via Germany's Radio 700, 3985 kHz. Full data QSL. Received in four weeks for program details to: gestfreq@vatiradio.va (Artur Fernández Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx)

QSL Address/Email and Veri Signer Updates

Bangladesh
Bangladesh Betar, Abu Tabib Md. Zia Hassan, Senior Engineer Research & Receiving Centre
rrc@haka.net

Bolivia
Radio Mosoj Chaski, Victor Campos, Director. Abaroa 254, Entre Calle General Acha y Santiyanes,
Cochabama, Bolivia

Bulgaria
RTR2 vis Kostinbrod. mail@rtr2.eu (or) info@rtr.eu 

Canada
Bible Voice Broadcasting mail@biblevoice.org

Clandestine
RFC - Radio Free Chosun, 3rd floor, 384-20 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 121-821 Republic of Korea rfchosun@rfchosun.org

Colombia
Alcaravan Radio, Russell Martin Stendal, Director & Rafael Rodriguez R., QSL Manager rafaelcoldx@yahoo.com 

Cuba
Radio Habana Cuba, Arnie Coro coro@enet.cu (or) radiohc@enet.cu 

Germany
Media Broadcast GmbH, Michael Puetz, Erna Scheffler-Strasse 1, 51103 Cologne, Germany  QSL-shortwave@media-broadcast.com Website: www.media-broadcast.com (or) Walter Brodowsky walter.brodowsky@media-broadcast.com Missionswerk Arche/Stimme des Trostes via Media Broadcast, Germany  info@missionswerk-arche.ch 

Italy
Italcable Friends Viareggio-Stazione Segnale Orario Viareggio 10000, Indirizzo Postale, Via del Borgo 6,
IT-55049 Viareggio, Italy  info@associazioneitalcable.it

Luxembourg
Radio Luxembourg radioluxembourg@live.com

Liberia
ELWA Ministries, Moses Nyantee

Medium Wave
Germany-Radio Amigos via HCJB Weenermoor, marktorstenwardein@gmx.de 
Germany-Welle 370 (via Radio 700) Detlef Hansen, Funkerberg 20, Senderhaus 1, 15711 Koenigs Wusterhausen

Latvia-Radio Merkus, 1485 kHz AM. Raimonds Kreucbergs, Director, P.O. Box 371, 1010 Riga, Latvia

Oman
BBC Eastern Relay Station, c/o VT Communications, Afrah Al Orimi

Peru
Radio del Pacifico gerencia@grupopacificco.org

Russia
Radio Maykop, KRTPTS, ul. Radio 3-A, 350038 Krasnodar, Russia

Somalia
Radio Hargeisa, Baldur Drobnica, Secretary, Baldur Drobnica, Konsularische Vertretung, Somaliland,
Zederrweg 6, DE-50127 Bergheim, Germany

South Africa
Radio Sonder Grense, Sikander Hoosen, Manager Private Bag XO6, Honeydew 2040, South Africa

Sudan
Voice of Africa/Sudan Radio, Adam Bakhit Bushra, Directeur Section Francaise bakhit02bb@yahoo.com

Swaziland
Trans World Radio, Lorraine S., P.O. Box 4232, 1620, Kempton Park, South Africa (or) Box 64, Manzini M200, Swaziland

Sweden
SDXF Swedish DX Club-DX Program, SDXF, P.O. Box 1097, SE-405 23 Gothenburg, Sweden

United States
Overcomer Ministries, Brother Stair brotherstair@overcomerministry.org
Radio Ciudad Global/WRMI-Radio Miami International Omar Ortiz, QSL Manager radiociudadglobal@gmail.com
Time/Signal Station-National Institute of Standards and Technology
Radio Prague/WRMI-Radio Miami International, Jeff White, QSL Manager espanol@radio.cz
Radio Station WWV, 2000 E. County Rd. 58, Fort Collins, CO 80524 USA wwv@nist.gov
Radio Vatican/WRMI-Radio Miami International gestfreq@vatiradio.va 
Ramsey's Roadhouse/WBCQ-The Planet ramseysroadhouse@yahoo.com
WEWN Radio Catolica Mundial,5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL 35210 USA gtapley@ewtn.com
WINB, Hans Johnson winb40th@yahoo.com 
WTWW, George McClintock, President, 1784 West Northfield Blvd., Room 305, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 USA george@wtww.us

Euro Free Radio
Cool AM coolamradio@hotmail.com 
Crazy Wave Radio shortwave@gmx.de
Dutch Radio Telstar dutchradio48@hotmail.com
Focus International focus@live.co.uk
Geronimo Shortwave geronimoshortwave@hotmail.com
Likedeeler Radio, P.O. Box 73, NL-7160 AB Neede, Netherlands
Mustang Radio mustangradio@hotmail.com
Radio AC/DC radioacdc@gmail.com
Radio Adelaar derodeadelaar@gmail.com 
Radio Alice radioalice@hitmail.com
Radio Casanova radiocasanova@hotmail.com 
Radio Klabautermann radioklabautermann@gmx.net 
Radio Marabu info@radiomarabu.com 
Radio Mistletoe radiomistletoe@live.com 
Radio Shadowman radioshadowman@hotmail.com
Radio Tarzan radiotarzan@hotmail.com 
Radio Telestar dutchradio48@hotmail.com 
Radio Tower radiotower@home.nl 
Radio Twentana radiotwentana@gmail.com
Radio Underground radiounderground@gmail.com 
Skyline Radio intrnational skylinehorizon221@hotmail.com
Tango Italia libertango58@libero.it
Tip & Elvis Show t.eshow@hotmail.com 
Voice of the Netherlands voth@planwt.nl

Confusion on broadcasting in Crimea

In Crimea, Ukrainian FM-station which were replaced by Russian State Special Communication Service of Ukraine will complain to the International Telecommunication Union. Instead Ukrainian radio stations began broadcasting in the Russian Crimea. In the FM-band radio Russia appeared such as "Vesti FM”, “Europe Plus”, "Russkoe Radio", “Autoradio”, “Energy”, “Capital”.  "You listen to us online ?" asked yesterday leading radio "News" from the caller to the radio listener from Sevastopol, not knowing that they are already on the air. On the radio goes both local and Russian advertising. In addition, in the Crimean air continue to broadcast local radio stations such as, for example, “Leader FM”. General Director of "Kiss FM" Anton Tseslik says that "for good" must be issued new licenses for broadcasting (by new Crimean regulator or Russian). But such information, he said, have neither support of the Crimean local broadcasters or Ukrainian.

Official information on tenders for radio frequencies under the FM-radio station in site Minkomsvyazi Rossii these did not appear, Minister of Information and Communications of Crimea Dmitry Polonskiy on a business trip, said yesterday via his assistant. At the request of the Ministry by e-mail yesterday, no response .

Recall that in early April in the Crimea from ether lost a number of Ukrainian radio stations. 6 in particular broadcasters “Taurus Media” - Russian radio, Hit FM, Kiss FM, Radio Roks, Relax, Radio Melody, as well as holding UMH - Autoradio , our radio, Europa Plus, etc."Radio Chanson" and "Favorite Radio" (Jukebox ), are included in the Business Radio Group, and were forced to stop broadcasting in the Crimea on the background of the situation, said yesterday "Capital" in the source group. According to research company “GFK Ukraine”, in the southern region of Ukraine (including Odessa, Nikolaev and Kherson) at the end of the first quarter of 2014, there were about 1.4 million listeners aged 12 to 65 years.

According to the director, "Taurus Media" Igor Chernyshev, their partners in the Crimea forced to disable the radio. Press secretary UMH Julia Vasilenko added that further radio group is not technically feasible. Yesterday, representatives of the media groups noted that the situation in Crimea has not changed. Sales Representative Europa Plus (Ukraine) said that some residents of Crimea listen radio online mode call and participate in quizzes.

Head of Administration of State Special Communication Service Vladimir Zverev notes that in the Crimea from the Russian broadcasters (including television) not included in the broadcast rights, as radio frequency assignment of equipment, and the equipment itself is the property of Ukraine. On this issue, the agency appealed to the International Telecommunication Union and finds this flagrant violation of their rights. FM-wave in close proximity to the warm sea can be spread over long distances and interfere with communications of other states, if their use is not pre-harmonized at the international level. Press secretary Roskomnadzora Vadim Ampelonskiy said he had no information on the use of radiofrequency, one in the Crimea , and added that such data can only clarify a few days. (capital.ua via OnAir.ru via RUS-DX No.765, Apr 27)

 (DXW 504)

Amateur Radio Special Events: May 2014

QSL from St Brandon DXpedition

This is sampling of Special Expeditions and Events on amateur radio. Events are open to amateur radio operators, and shortwave listeners. QSLing may include special event cards, certificates or both. QSLing information or requirements are as indicated in the postings.

May
S0, Western Sahara (Update). Naama, S01A, has delayed his activity until early May because he did not receive the new equipment and antennas in time. Operators S01A, S01WS (club station "Amateur Radio Union Sahrawi") and S01AH are expected to receive their equipment at the end of April. Having overcome the technical and installation of multiple antennas problems, the maximum expected operating bands will be on 80-6 meters. They will be using three bazooka antennas, one for 60 meters. Naama apologizes for the short activity on March 9. An equipment failure prevented him from continuing his activity. It is important to note that this DXpedition from the "Radio Club Amateur Radio Union of  Sahrawi" (URS) is to help the Sahrawi operators develop their hobby on minimum technical conditions. Operators Naama/S01A, Man/S01AH and the URS/S01WS will operate on 60 meters, on 5366.5, 5371.5, 5380.5, 5398.5 and 5403.5 kHz USB. Naama and Man have a license to operate CW on this band on 5.368, 5.373, 5.382 and
5.405 kHz. It is suggested to watch the following for updates and news:
 https://twitter.com/SaharaDxTeam
 http://saharadx.jimdo.com


GM, Scotland (Islands Op). Alex, G0DHZ, informs OPDX that he will fly to Glasgow on May 3, and team up with Andre, GM3VLB, to spend three weeks activating Scottish Islands (their list consists of approx. 27 seperate islands). Alex states that there is so much to arrange, he feels they will not be able to access all of the 27. Operations will be on SSB and CW -- 14257 kHz is a regular spot for SSB,  but band conditions rules, and CW will be around the + 20 kHz on a frequency where allowed. Islands mentioned are: Bass Rock, Incholm, Davaar, Pladda, Holy Is., Arran,  Horse, Burnt, Gigalum, Gigha, Texa, Orsay, Danna, Iona, Kerrera, Lismore, Calve, Carna, Oronsay, Lady Isle, Staffa, and Little Colonsay. QSLs for GM3VLB is direct. GM0DHZ will be via eQSL, to GM0DHZ or direct to G0DHZ or by the Bureau.

May 1
Z3, Macedonia. The "60m News" reports that Macedonia has granted at lease 16 stations permission to start operating on 60 meters. The RSM (Radio Society of Macedonia) requested permission for a group of 16 dedicated radio amateurs with good experience, although the permission is given to RSM as an organization - not to individuals. The RSM is given discretion to modify the list so this list may be extended. The following are currently listed: Z31CZ, Z31MM, Z32ID, Z32M, Z33A, Z33F, Z34M, Z35B, Z35F, Z35G, Z35T, Z35W, Z36W, Z39A, Z39Z, and Z30A.

May 1-3
5Z, Kenya. Toru, JH0CJH, has once again returned to Nairobi, Kenya, and will be active as 5Z4/JH0CJH. Activity will be mainly 40-10 meters CW. QSL via his home call sign, direct or by the Bureau.

May 1-4
TK1, Corsica. An Italian group calling themselves "NOLOGO Independent DXers" will be on a "Springbreak Expedition" operating as TK1R from Corsica.  Operators mentioned are Tony/IZ2ESV, Andrea/IZ2LSC, Ivano/I2RFJ, Bruno/IW3HXR, Claudio/IK3HAR and Alberto/IV3BSY. Activity will have an emphasis on the Digital modes and the 30/17/12m bands. The group also plans to be an entry in the ARI International DX Contest (May 3-4th). QSL via IK2DUW. Look for more details and updates on the QRZ.com page.

May 1-15
EA6, Baleric Islands. Francois, ON4LO, should be active as EA6/ON4LO/P from  Mallorca Island (EU-005). Activity will be on 40-10 meters using SSB. He also plans to activate different lighthouses on the island. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau or direct.

May 1-15
HI, Dominican Republic (NA-096). Juergen, DL4SDW, will be active as homecall/HI3 from  the Villa Gonzales. His activity on the HF bands will be mostly CW using 100 watts into wire antennas. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau (preferred) or direct.

May 1-30
8J, Japan (Special Event).  The QRP day special event station 8J2VLP (It stands for "very low power.") will be active with five watts between May 1-June 30th.  The QSLs will be sent automatically via the JARL Bureau. Three other stations, 8J4VLP,  8J6VLP, and 8J9VLP will also be on the air.

May 2-4
3 Days on 3 New Islands for US Islands Awards Program, 1200-2200 UTC, W4YBV, Pepperfish Keys, FL. W4YBV and N4SEC. 28.450 21.350 14.260 7.250. Certificate & QSL. W4YBV, PO Box 881, Steinhatchee, FL 32359. Work all three islands for a certificate. www.usislands.org

May 2-4
Thunder Base 2014 Boy Scouts of America Simon Kenton Council Camporee, 1300-0400 UTC, K2BSA/8, Bloomingburg, OH. BSA Simon Kenton Council. 3.940, 7.190 14.290, 18.140 21.360,
24.960 28.390, 50.160. QSL. Clyde Morrow Sr, KE8DQ, 19317 Shirk Rd, Marysville, OH 43040.
Thunder Base 2014 Boy Scouts of America Simon Kenton Council Camporee will be operating K2BSA/8 on HF, CW, Digital and satellite from Ross County Fairgrounds, Chillicothe, Ohio. QSL via LOTW or send SASE to; Clyde Morrow Sr. KE8DQ 19317 Shirk Rd. Marysville, Ohio 43040. Also, follow us on Facebook for hourly frequency updates at K2BSA.scouting or on Twitter at K2BSA_scouting.

May 3
Third Annual 2010 Nashville Flood Commemorative Special Event Station, 0500-2200 UTC, W4F, Hendersonville, TN. Sumner ARES, Sumner County Tennessee.  3.880 7.180. QSL. SumnerARES, 107 Cedar Springs Trail, Hendersonville, TN 37075.  This event is to remember and honor the amateur radio operators that assisted in  the assisting with relief efforts during the devastating  flood of 2010 in Nashville, TN and surrounding counties. www.SumnerARES.org

May 3
Oklahoma Gas and Steam Engine Show, 1300-2200 UTC, K5SRC, Stillwater, OK. Stillwater Amateur Radio Club . 14.270 7.260 3.885. QSL.William Pendleton, KE5OEX, 501 E Broadway Ave, Yale, OK 74085. www.stillwaterarc.org

May 3
Titan Missile Museum Special Event, 1600-2100 UTC. WE7GV, Sahuarita, AZ. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club. 14.246 14.244 14.242. Certificate and QSL. Green Valley Amateur Radio Club, 601 N La Canada Dr (SAV), Green Valley, AZ 85614. On the air from the Collins Discage antenna at the Titan Missile Museum. gvarc.us

May 3
Toad Suck Daze Special Event Station, 1300-1700 UTC, W5AUU, Conway, AR. Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club. 14.260 7.260. Certificate and QSL. Faulkner County Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 324, Conway, AR 72033. w5auu.org

May 3-4
72 Rag Chew 10th Anniversary, 1300-2100 UTC, K1R, Northfield, MA.  72 Rag Chew Group. 7.272. QSL. Robert Lobenstein, 1958 East 36 St, Brooklyn, NY 11234. www.72chew.net

May 4-10
60th Anniversary of the Order of Boiled Owls of New York, 0000-2359 UTC,  W2OWL/60, Lindenhurst, NY. Order of Boiled Owls of New York. SSB CW RTTY 160-10 meters. Certificate.  Philip Lewis, N2MUN, 22 W Belle Terre Ave, Lindenhurst, NY 11757. www.obony.org

May 8-10
1869 Transcontinental Railroad Golden Spike Commemoration 1500-2300 UTC, W7G, Corinne, UT. Ogden Amateur Radio Club. 21.285 14.255 14.040 7.235. QSL. Ogden Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 3353, Ogden, UT 84409. Times are daily.  Lucky SSB contacts may hear actual whistles from the "Jupiter" and "119" replica locomotives. www.w7g.org

May 10
Bangor Train Day, 1300-2200 UTC, W8T, Bangor, MI. Black River Amateur Radio Club. 28.330 21.330 14.240 7.230. Certificate and QSL. Ed Alderman, 56500 48th Ave, Lawrence, MI 49064. edaldedrman@ymail.com

May 10
Commemorating Daniel Boone's Pathway to Kentucky, 1400-2100 UTC, KE4YVD, Richmond, KY. Central Kentucky Amateur Radio Society. 14.245 14.235 7.235 7.245. QSL. KE4YVD c/o Terry Holman, 156 Norton Dr, Richmond, KY 40475. ke4isw@arrl.net

USS Midway, photo by Steve Hadley

May 10
MARS and Amateur Radio Crossband Test, 1600-2300 UTC, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum. 14.320 7.250; PSK 14.070; D-Star REF001C. QSL. USS Midway Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.

May 10-31
HI, Dominican Republic. Ronny, OT4R, will be active as HI7/OT4R from Punta Cana. Activity will be on 20 and 10 meters SSB. QSL via LoTW or eQSL only. No paper QSL cards.

May 14-17
V6, Micronesia. Shu, JA1FMN, will be active as V63PSK from Weno Island (in the Chuuk State; also known as Moen Island; IOTA OC-011). Activity will be holiday style on 20-10 meters using PSK
and JT65A. QSL via JA1FMN, by the Bureau, direct or eQSL.

May 16-18
A2, Botswana. Gerard (Gert), ZS6AYU, will once again be active as A25GF. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters using CW only. He will also try 6 meters. Gert will use  a AVQ640 vertical running 400 watts. QSL via ZS6AYU, direct or by the Bureau.

May 16-19
T8, Palau (update). Operators Fujio/JA1SVP and Takeo/JR1GSE will be active as T88FA and T88TH, respectively, from VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009). Activity will be on 160-6 meters, including 30/17/12m, using CW, SSB  and RTTY. T88TH (JR1GSE) will operate mainly SSB and some CW. While T88FA (JA1SVP) will operate mainly CW and RTTY. Main rig is an IC-756 with a TL-933 (possibly other rigs). Antennas are a 160m sloper, 80/75/40/30m Inverted-V and 20-6m Yagi. QSL T88FA via JA1SVP, and T88TH via JR1GSE. Both either direct or by the Bureau. For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see: http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014

May 17
Kansas Armed Forces Day, 1400-2000 UTC, WX0EK, Elk Falls, KS. Elk County, KS The Amateur Radio Society. 14.250. QSL. Elk County, KS Amateur Radio Society, PO Box 70, Elk Falls, KS 67345. We will be celebrating Armed Forces Day with multiple stations operating from different location within the state. We will be operating on 80m,40m, 20m,15m. www.facebook.com/ElkCountyKsAmateurRadioSocietyWx0ek?ref=hl

May 17-18
The American Airpower Museum, 1522-1522 UTC, W2GSB, West Babylon, NY. Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. 14.300 7.200. QSL. Charles Egan, PO Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704. www.gsbarc.org

May 18-23
Saltram Shutter Telegraph -- Over 200 years, 0900-2000 UTC, GB1ST, Plymouth, ENGLAND. RSGB. 14.250. QSL. RSGB Bureau, or direct to John Wakefield, 'OAKHURST', Lower Common Rd,
West Wellow, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6BT, England  www.qrz.com/db/gb1st

Indy 500

May 19-25
Indy 500 Special Event, 2200-2200 UTC, W9IMS, Indianapolis, IN. W9IMS. 21.350 14.245 7.240 3.840. Certificate and QSL. Indianapolis Motor Speedway ARC, PO Box 30954, Indianapolis, IN 46230. See website for full details on times, frequencies, and how to apply for Certificate and custom QSL card. www.qrz.com/db/W9IMS

May 20
Charles Lindbergh Crosses the Atlantic, 1152-2000 UTC, K2CAM, Garden City, NY. Cradle of Aviation Museum/Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club. 28.540 21.340 14.240 7.240. QSL. LIMARC, PO Box 392, Levittown, NY 11756. Will try PSK31 on 20 meters. Please QSL self addressed stamped envelope QSL size. www.cradleofaviation.org

May 20-28
T8, Palau. Operators Kenji/JH1BGH and 7K1HLJ will be active as T88WI and T88WH, respectively, from VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009). Specific bands and modes were not provided (probably the same as the above operation). QSL T88WI via JH1BGH and T88WH via 7K1HLJ.

May 22-31
E5, South Cook Islands. Four members of the Yamato Amateur Radio Club will be active from Rarotonga, South Cook Islands, with their own individual callsigns. Operators mentioned are Kuni/JA8VE (E51AVE), Sasi/JA1KJW (E51KJW),  Mat/JA1JQY (JA1JQY) and Kaoru/JA3MCA (E51MCA). Activity will be on all HF bands from  160-10 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL via each operator's home call sign, SASE or by the Bureau.

EUROPE TRIP. Dave, WJ2O, plans to active from the following locations:
    F/WJ2O/m  - France; July 4-7
    GJ/WJ2O/m - Jersey; July 8-11
    GU/WJ2O/m - Jersey; July 12-15, to include SOAB LP IARU Contest
    F/WJ2O/m  - France; July 16-17
QSL via N2ZN and LoTW.

The Five Sullivan Brothers

May 24
Honoring Veterans for Memorial Day, 1500-2200, W0FSB, Waterloo, IA. The Five Sullivan Brothers Amateur Radio Club. 21.240 14.240 7.240. Certificate and QSL. Five Sullivan Brothers ARC, 3186 Brandon  Diagonal Blvd, Brandon, IA 52210. For QSL card: Send card and #10 SASE; For Certificate and stamp. QSL: Send QSL, address label and three Forever stamps; For eQSL and stamp. Certificate: Send eQSL, then an email, requesting a .jpg file of the certificate that you can print yourself. www.qrz.com/db/w0fsb

May 24-26
Memorial Day At Veteran's Memorial Center Merritt Island Florida, 1621-1621 UTC, KC2UFO, Merritt Island, FL. Skywatchers and Communicators Amateur Radio Club . 14.265. Certificate. Dave Slawson, 545 Captains Row, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Operating from the Veteran's Memorial Center, Merritt Island,FL. Asking for Veterans and Family Members to share their military experiences on the air. Contacts may send a #10 envelope or larger and receive certificate and Commemorative coin. www.qsl.net/kc2ufo

May 27-31
Texas Star Party, 1800-0000 UTC, W5TSP, Ft Davis, TX. Texas Star Party. 28.457 21.357 14.257. QSL. Texas Star Party W5TSP, PO Box 559, Greenwood, TX 76246-05. Annual gathering of astronomers texasstarparty.org

May 28-June 3
A3, Tonga. Masa, JA0RQV, will once again be active from Tonga. This time he will activate Niuatoputapu Island (OC-191) at the very small northern end of Tongan territory, and will signing as  A35JP/P. Operations will be on  80-6 meters using CW and SSB. His equipment is an IC-7000 (w/100W) into a vertical  antenna. Activity will be limited and much is depending on the availability of electric power since there is no commercial electric power at all. He must find a generator or car battery. In case his flight is cancelled, Masa will be active from Vava'u Island (OC-064) or Tongatapu Island (OC-049) instead. QSL via his home callsign, by the Bureau, direct (SASE w/1 IRC) or LoTW. For more details and updates, visit his Blog page at: http://blog.goo.ne.jp/rqv

QSL Card from Desecheo Island

IOTA / Islands on the Air

May 1-10
AS-143.  Paracel Islands. A group of Chinese hams will be active from the rare Yongxing Island, Paracel  Islands. The actual operation period depends on the schedule of the ship. Only one radio is allowed to be on the air 24 hours around the clock due to the limit of operators by the local authority. The assigned callsign will be B7CRA. Operators mentioned are Terry/BA7NQ, Che/BA7CK, De/BA7JA, Dick/BD7YC,  in/BI7IOB and Vange/BA7IO. Equipment listed: 2xICOM 756PRO3 with 2x1KFA, 2xSB and 1 GP. QSL via BA4EG.

May 1-31
Norh/South American & Grey Nomad DX Vacation. To celebrate 31 years of DXing, Mal, VK6LC, will start a Northern American tour for 34 days through the W6, W7, W9 and W4 areas. signing  area/VK6LC on an Amtrak Railway on 146.520 MHz FM. He will then join up with Pedro, HK3JJH, in what they are calling a "Grey Nomad DX Vacation" to celebrate their 20 year reunion of DXing for the month of June. Mal will be in South America for 42 days. These two well known retired Island DXpeditioners will then travel and activate the Amazon as HK9 and the San Andres, HK0.
Mal's tentative schedule is as follows:
  June   5-9 - HK9/VK6LC, the Amazon Jungle, Colombia.
  June 13-17 - HK0/VK6LC, San Andres, Colombia.
  June 18-24 - HK3/VK6LC, Bogota, Colombia.
  June 26-29 and July 9-12 - CE3/VK6LC, Santiago, Chile.
  July   1-7 - PT7/VK6LC, Fortaleza, Brazil.

May 3-10
EU-032.  Didier, F4ELJ, will be active as F4ELJ/P from Oleron Island (DIFM AT-025). Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL via his home call sign, direct,  by the Bureau or LoTW.

May 6-11
NH0, Mariana Islands. Operators Yutaka/JQ2GYU/WS2Y and his wife Miho/ JJ2VLY/WS2M will be active as NH0J from Tinian Island (OC-086), Northern Mariana Islands, the special commemorative Tinian station of the "J-Tinian Radio Space Club. Activity will be on 80-10 meters including the 30/17/12 meter bands,  using CW, SSB and RTTY. Miho will focus on RTTY. QSL via JJ2VLY, direct (SAE + 2 USDs) or  by the JARL Bureau. Please don't send your QSL request to Tinian Island. For more details and broadcast updates, see: http://jq2gyu.blogspot.jp

May 10-20
OC-122/ Tambelan Islands. A team of four to five operators led by John/YB5NOF and Anton/ OC-109.  YB5QZ are planning to activate Tambelan Islands as YE5T starting around May 10 for ten days. Some of the team may also activate Natuna Selatan Islands (OC-109) during this time. QSL via W2FB, direct or by the Bureau.        

May 21-28
PJ4, Bonaire. Operators Redd/AI2N, Ken/N2ZN and Dave/WJ2O will be active as PJ4J from Bonaire (SA-006) between May 21-28th. Activity will include the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May 24-25th) as a Multi-Op/One-TX/All-Band entry.

May 24-25
P4, Aruba. John, W2GD, will be active as P44W from Aruba (SA-036) during the CQWW WPX CW Contest, as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power entry. He will be there between May 22-28. Operations outside of the contest are usually on 160/80m and 30/17/12 meters as time permits. Watch 160m on the hour and 80m on the half hour. QSL via LoTW or direct to N2MM, Bureau cards are no longer accepted as of 12/31/2013. Logs will be loaded on LoTW upon his return to the USA.
(ARRL/OPDX 1158, 1159, 1160)

QSLing Russia's Radio Maykop

Russian Federation
The only shortwave station (except the 1st of April Pomore radio on 5930 kHz ?) from RF seems is Radio Maykop of Adygey Republic heard 16-23 April on 7325 kHz via Krasnodar Armavir Tbilliskaya
tx site, on Fridays 1700-1800 and Sundays 1800-1900 UT in Adygeyan, and Mondays 1700-1800 UT in Adygeyan, Arabic, Turkish (and some items also translated in Kurdish).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adygea
(Rumen Pankov-BUL, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews April 27)

1089  QSL card. On the front side Photo radiotelebashni and the inscription Krasnodar Krayevoy Broadcasting Center. Russian radio and television. Krasnodar region. KRTPTS.

"Dear Anatoly thanks for your letter and a report on the hearing of a radio station that broadcasts of pos.Oktyabrsky, Tbilisi district of Krasnodar region.

Program "Vesti FM". Date 01.04.2014 year. Broadcast time 2100-2200 UT. Frequency of 1089 kHz. PB-681 transmitter. 1200 kW. Antenna ARRTZ. Circular pattern. Best wishes, good luck and Aether !

The return address on the envelope:
KRTPTS
ul. Radio 3-A
350038 Krasnodar
Russia.
(Victor RU6AX, RUSdx April 27)
(WWDXC/Top Nx 1159)

Unusual QSL Cards: Metal, Wood and Plastic

Back many moons ago, we presented a special feature here in Wavescan about unusual QSL cards which were made from various forms of paper and printed card, thick and thin, including blotting paper and parchment paper.  Then too, there were regular QSL cards that had been treated with oil and with varnish. 

            Over the years other materials have also been used in the production of QSLs, including rice paper, birch bark, and Pacific tapa cloth.  We should not forget too that the QSL text has been printed on currency notes, including Japanese occupation money.

            In our program today, we look at other materials that have been used to make QSL cards, including various metals, wood and plastics.

            At least four different radio stations in the United States have used a copper sheet in place of a thin card as an official QSL to verify reception of their station.  Three of these stations, all mediumwave, are located in the state of Montana where there have been several notable copper mines.  During the 1940s when the copper QSL “cards” were available, these three stations were highly prized DX targets for international radio monitors living in New Zealand.  These three stations were:-

                        KGIR   Butte                Montana          1340 kHz         1 kW

                        KPFA  Helena                                     1210                ¼

                        KRBM Bozeman                                 1420                ¼

           

            The fourth radio station that issued a copper sheet QSL “card” during the same 1940s era was an amateur station, W6SCV in Tucson Arizona.  This QSL “card” showed a hand painted picture of a western cowboy with his donkey, and the QSL text was typed in with the use of an old style typewriter.

            A large tin-plated generic style QSL “card” was available several years ago for use by amateur radio operators who lived in the town of Weirton West Virginia.  This unique QSL “card” measured 8 inches by 5 inches and it advertised Weirton as the “Tin Plate Capital of the World”.  Two different varieties of this generic QSL “card” were available, though they were quite similar in style.

            An oversized amateur QSL card from 1947 was issued by an international radio monitor living in the town of Mountain Iron, Minnesota.  This QSL card measured 7 inches by 4¾ inches and the QSL text was printed in the usual ham style on regular thin card.  However, attached to the card was a small sample of crushed iron ore taken from the Mountain Iron Open Pit Mine.  This card was issued by Bob Ostman with the self identification callsign W0-SWL.

            At least three different forms of wood have been used for the production of a radio station QSL “card”.  In 1958 amateur station HC1CW in Quito Ecuador had his QSL “card” made out of thin balsa wood.  Balsa wood is very light and quite fragile.

            In 1992 a radio listener who was holidaying in Alaska bought a tourist postcard made of plywood.  Upon it he rubber stamped a generic QSL text, together with a rubber stamped impression of his home address.  This QSL “card” was enclosed with a reception report to the distant mediumwave station KICY in Nome, Alaska.  The “card” was duly signed and posted in Nome, though it was spoiled in transit through the postal system, and it was received in a plastic envelope apologizing for the damage to the “card”.

            Back in the year 1999, the European staff of Adventist World Radio staged an anniversary convention in Portugal, celebrating a significant milestone in AWR history.  Five different styles of tourist “cards” were procured, each bearing a different colored picture of a tourist scene in Portugal. 

            These “cards” were all printed on thin sheets of cork, the same size as a regular postcard.  A QSL sticker was adhered to the address side and they were used to verify reception reports of the special anniversary programming on the air from Portugal.  

            Cork is harvested from the inner bark of the Cork Oak Tree.  Portugal provides half of the world’s supply of commercial cork. 

            Hard plastic was used for the production of a QSL “card” issued by amateur station WB5SGY in Dallas Texas.  This “card” is formed in the shape of the state of Texas and it was issued to another amateur operator in the United States, K3ASV.  Unfortunately. this hard plastic QSL “card” was also damaged in transit through the postal system; it was actually snapped into two separate pieces.

            A ribbed plastic card was used by Radio Netherlands in 2012 to verify the reception of their programming via the transmitter facility on the island of Bonaire in the Caribbean.  This card is a tourist postcard and it shows a windmill scene in Holland.  The clear ribbing over the picture makes the entire scene look three dimensional.  The QSL text was printed onto a sticker which was then applied to the back of the card.

            Back more than half a century ago, there was a pirate station on the air in New Zealand.  When the station was raided by the authorities, the operator wrote a QSL text onto a standard 78 gramophone record and gave it to one of the officers.  This unique QSL has since become an interesting historic item. 

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 269) 

PCJ releases new QSL card

The noted international radio monitor in Colombo Sri Lanka, Victor Goonetilleke has been honored in a new QSL card issued by PCJ International in Taipei, Taiwan.  Victor is the Frequency Manager for PCJ and his photo appears on the picture side of the QSL card.  Station PCJ is an international commercial station owned and operated by Canadian born Keith Perron and his programming is heard locally in Taiwan as well as international on shortwave.

            PCJ heard via relay from SLBC, WRMI & Media Broadcast

            New weekly news broadcast from Famagusta Gazette Cyprus via WRMI, began April 23.

(AWR Wavescan/NWS 270)

FoA Philippine Radio History - The Japanese Era

General Wainwright broadcasting surrender instructions over KZRH, 7 May 1942

At the time when the Japanese administration took over the city of Manila on January 2, 1942, there were no active radio stations on the air in the area.  A few days earlier, that is towards the end of the month of December, some of the usable equipment had been removed from the radio stations and the remainder was deliberately damaged or destroyed.  Just one antenna system was left intact in the Manila area, and this was located at Cubao in Quezon City.  Thus all radio stations, commercial mediumwave and shortwave in greater Manila, international communication stations on the edge of Manila, and navy radio at Cavite, were all silent.

            However, in the era just before the Japanese occupation, it is reported that there were 108 radio stations on the air throughout the entire Philippines, though little is known as to what happened to them under the Japanese administration.

            The American army had safely removed the 1 kW shortwave transmitter at KZRH in Manila and they re-activated this as the Voice of Freedom in Malinta Tunnel on Corregidor Island on January 5.  A few days later, American personnel activated another shortwave station on the Bataan Peninsula as a part time relay for the California station KGEI.  The transmitter for this relocated station was a 1 kW mobile unit that had been previously in use for the original Far East Broadcasting Company under the callsign KZRB.

            Then a few days later again, that is on January 14 (1942), a restored KZRH was activated in Manila under the Japanese administration.  The Japanese had discovered some radio equipment hidden in the basement of the Heacock Building on Escolta Avenue and together with some of their own imported equipment, they re-launched shortwave KZRH on one of its original channels 9640 kHz.  The inaugural five hour program began at 7:00 pm Manila time.       

            For a period of almost exactly four months, a war of words was waged between the Japanese KZRH in Manila on 9640 kHz and the American Voice of Freedom in Malinta Tunnel on the adjacent channel 9645 kHz.  However, the American General Jonathan M. Wainwright addressed the Japanese General Masaharu Homma in a special series of three broadcasts in English and Japanese over the Voice of Freedom on Corregidor Island on May 6 (1942) requesting surrender.  At 11:00 pm next day, General Wainwright made a special broadcast over the Japanese held KZRH in Manila, indicating that the American forces had indeed surrendered.

            It was around this time also that the only other radio broadcasting station still on the air anywhere in the Philippines, mediumwave and shortwave KZRC in distant Cebu to the south, was also taken over by the local Japanese administration.

            During the next two and three years, the Japanese established a whole network of mediumwave broadcasting stations throughout the Philippines and these were identified with callsigns similar in style to the sequence of callsigns in Japan.  Each callsign, using the English alphabet, began with the letters PI, standing rather obviously for Philippine Islands, followed by two additional letters.  The 3^rd letter in the callsign indicated the sequence in which the station was established and the final 4^th letter indicated the city. 

            Some of these callsigns were as follows:-

                        PIBC   Philippine Islands        B = 2^nd station             C = Cebu

                        PICD   Philippine Islands        C = 3^rd station             D = Davao

                        PIDI     Philippine Islands        D = 4^th station             I = Iloilo

            Additional mediumwave stations were installed in five other cities:-

                        Also Naga, Baguio, Zamboanga, Cotabato, Legaspi

                        Projected but never installed Tuguegarao

            Programming from these mediumwave stations was presented in five different languages:-

                        Tagalog (ta-GAH-log), Spanish, English, Ilonggo, Cebuano, Japanese       

                        Japanese programming also included language lessons, How to Learn Japanese

            In Manila itself, the callsign of the main network station was changed on October 14, 1943 from KZRH to PIAM.  This was the ceremonial date for Philippine independence.  Program details were printed daily in the Manila Tribune.  The meaning of the Manila callsign was as follows:-

                        PIAM   Philippine Islands        A = 1^st station              M = Manila

            On shortwave, the callsign in use for international radio programming via the revived KZRH-PIAM was PIRN:-

                        PIRN   Philippine Islands        R = Radio                    N = Nippon

            Other programming from the Philippine radio stations was an off air direct relay on shortwave from Radio Tokyo in Japan.  At one stage, the Philippine stations were under the administrative control of the larger and more powerful Radio Shonan in Singapore.  The final broadcast from station PIAM in Manila was at the end of the year, December 30, 1944. 

            There was an interesting clandestine station on the air in the Philippines during the Japanese era.  A man by the name of Malonzo stole goods from Japanese warehouses and sold them on the black market.  With this illicit money he bought radio equipment and placed a clandestine station on the air.   This station, mobile in nature, moved around Manila to avoid detection.  It was heard in the United States and it was acknowledged in a broadcast from shortwave KGEI in California.  

            Shortwave station KZRH in Manila, under the Japanese callsigns PIAM and PIRN, was heard quite regularly in Australia, New Zealand and also over in the United States.  Two shortwave channels were in use, 9640 & 11600 kHz, sometimes in parallel.  The station identified on air as The Voice of the New Philippines.

            It is reported that the only shortwave communication station in the Philippine Islands that was renovated and in use under the Japanese administration was Globe Wireless.  Globe Wireless in Manila began as Dollaradio in 1929, and the name was officially changed to Globe Radio in 1934.

            Thus, the Japanese era of radio broadcasting in the Philippines stretched from the beginning of the year 1942 until the end of the year 1944, a total of almost three years.  As far as we know, no QSLs were ever issued from any of these stations during the era of Japanese control.
(AWR Wavescan/NWS 270)
photo/Corregidor Historical Society)