REMEMBERING HCJB, QUITO, ECUADOR

 

HCJB Studio QSL

Our thanks to Ray Robinson and Jeff White for sharing this week's feature on HCJB .... great memories for shortwave listeners!

Jeff: Many shortwave listeners fondly remember the broadcasts of HCJB, the ‘Voice of the Andes’ from Quito, Ecuador, but having looked back through our archives, it appears we’ve never done a feature on that station.  So once again, to put that right, here’s Ray Robinson in Los Angeles.

Ray: Thanks, Jeff.  And yes, that is correct.  I’ve searched through all our Wavescan scripts going back to the year 2000, but there’s no trace of HCJB anywhere.  And, there’s a very interesting story to be told.

HCJB was the vision of Clarence Wesley Jones.  In the late 1920’s, he’d worked for a radio ministry in Chicago, Illinois, and, impressed by the impact it was having, felt called to establish a missionary radio ministry in Latin America.  In 1928, he travelled to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Cuba looking for a suitable location, but was unable to obtain the necessary government permits.

Then on September 18, 1929, Clarence Jones met Reuben Larson, who’d previously served as a missionary in Ecuador, and Reuben encouraged Clarence to consider Ecuador as a location for the radio ministry.  Reuben returned to Quito in 1930, where he and a colleague approached the Ecuadorian government requesting a license for broadcasting.  At that time, there were no radio stations in Ecuador, and there was no basis in law for granting a broadcasting license.  So, as has happened since in other countries such as Zambia and Israel, a permit was issued by personal decree of the President of the Republic.

The internationally allocated prefix for Ecuadorian call signs was HC, and so the call letters ‘HCJB’ were chosen for the station as an acronym for ‘Heralding Christ Jesus’ Blessings’ (in English), or Hoy Cristo Jesús Bendice (‘Jesus Christ’s Blessings Today’ in Spanish).

Back in the States, Clarence Jones incorporated the World Radio Missionary Fellowship in March 1931 as a non-profit to oversee the operation of HCJB, and construction of a transmitter for the station began in Quito.

Famously, HCJB’s first broadcast was at 4pm on Christmas Day, 1931, when it had the potential of being heard by the six radio receivers existing in the country at that time.  The inaugural program was broadcast in English and Spanish from a studio in the Jones' living room.  The 30 minute broadcast was powered by a home brew 250-watt, table-top transmitter on 50.26 meters (5986 kHz), with a simple, single wire antenna strung between two telephone poles.  Soon after that, they built a studio in a mud-walled, half-finished sheep shed in central Quito, and began regular broadcasts in Spanish for two hours per day.

HCJB was the first missionary radio station in the world, and it began issuing QSL cards in 1932.  A better studio and transmitter site was acquired a few years later in the center of Quito city, where in 1936 they added an RCA medium wave transmitter, and the following year replaced the shortwave unit with a 1 kW one designed and built by a local HCJB engineer.  English programs were introduced in 1937, and then in 1940, they added a 10 kW shortwave transmitter designed and built by another HCJB engineer, and this allowed them to broadcast internationally for the first time.  This transmitter was inaugurated on Easter Sunday, 1940, by the President of Ecuador.

In 1941, live programs were added in Russian, Swedish and Quechua, the predominant indigenous language of the Andes.  The frequencies in use at this time were 6050, 9745, 11775 and 15155 kHz.  By 1944, the station had aired programming in 14 languages including live programs in Czech, Dutch, French and German.  Programs in languages such as Arabic, Italian and Hebrew were recorded elsewhere and sent to Quito on large acetate-coated aluminum transcription discs.

 In 1951 HCJB acquired 45 acres of land near the town of Pifo, 20 miles east of Quito, where they constructed transmission and antenna facilities that enabled considerable expansion over the following decades.  Initially, eight curtain antennas and two dipoles were erected, and all broadcast activities were moved to the Pifo site in 1953, with two studio-to-transmitter links operating on FM.  Broadcasts in German were expanded, not targeting Europe, but rather the many post-war German-speaking communities in South America.  HCJB’s first ‘high-power’ shortwave transmitter, a 50 kW unit, was again designed and built in-house in 1956.  Here’s a recording of HCJB from 1957:

Then in 1961, HCJB launched a TV station for Quito - the first licensed TV station in Ecuador.  And in 1965, HCJB’s own hydro-electric plant at Papallacta began generating sufficient electricity to power all the broadcasts from Pifo.  Pre-recorded ‘Voice of the Andes’ radio programs in Central European languages began to be aired, and more live programming in Portuguese and Japanese was added in 1967. 

Also in 1967, three 100 kW RCA transmitters were acquired from Vatican Radio, and these were placed into service progressively between 1968 and 1970.  HCJB was then receiving hundreds of letters each week with reception reports from shortwave DXers around the world.  The correspondence department of HCJB responded to its listeners with QSL cards and Christian tracts.

photo via Radio Heritage

One fondly remembered program was "DX-Partyline", which was hosted from its inception by HCJB missionary Clayton Howard and his wife, Helen.  The program was heard for more than 40 years, twice a week, and included the reading of letters from shortwave listeners around the world as well as reception reports sent to the station. "DX-Partyline" also included shortwave radio listening tips, information on antennas, and equipment reviews.  In 1974, Clayton Howard suggested a shortwave listeners' club be created, and so ‘Andes DXers International’, (or "ANDEX") began.  Members would receive a membership certificate and membership card with the member's name and individual member number, along with Howard's signature.  A monthly bulletin was sent to members, of which I was one.  In fact, I was one of HCJB’s monitors in the UK, sending them many dozens of reception reports over the years, and I still have an HCJB pennant hanging in my studio.  ANDEX eventually had a membership in the thousands and continued as a service of HCJB until 1996.

 Besides DX-Partyline, other original radio programming produced by HCJB staff members included "Morning in the Mountains," "Musica del Ecuador," "Musical Mailbag," "Happiness Is," and “Passport”.

In the mid-1970s, HCJB constructed a secondary transmitter site halfway up Mount Pichincha, the volcano in whose foothills Quito is built.  There, they installed a 50 kW medium wave transmitter, operating on 690 kHz.  On Sunday nights they often ran DX tests, such as this one:

In 1979, a steerable ‘egg beater’ antenna was constructed, and in 1981 a 500 kW transmitter, designed by HCJB’s own engineers, was built at the facilities of Crown International in Elkhart, Indiana.

This transmitter was put into use from Pifo to try to overcome some of the Russian jamming efforts their broadcasts to Soviet bloc countries were facing.  In 1986 they acquired the Crown International facility at Elkhart, now called SonSet Solutions, and used it to modify a 500 kW Siemens single side-band transmitter to operate on SSB with a carrier, so it could be heard on AM radios

Then in the 1990’s, HCJB engineers built a number of new 100 kW transmitters using the HC-100 design, which also used operation on SSB with a carrier.  These transmitters were the ministry’s contribution to the “World by 2000” challenge, and they were of a successful design that was deployed not only in Pifo, but also at TWR in Swaziland and later at Reach Beyond in Australia.  Here’s an Id from June 1994:

Over the years, more land was bought adjoining the Pifo site, such that it eventually covered more than 200 acres.  By 1995, there were 13 transmitters and 32 antennas on the Pifo site, beaming to all corners of the globe.  The main studio compound was in downtown Quito, from where programming was fed to the transmitter site via a microwave link which replaced the earlier FM links.

A staff of over 100 people was employed in the radio ministry, and nearly double that were involved in the operation of HCJB’s medical clinics throughout the country.

 The eventual closedown of HCJB from Quito came not because of falling listenership or loss of commitment to shortwave broadcasting, but rather because of the decision of the Ecuadorian government to demand the removal of HCJB's shortwave antenna masts, which they determined would be too close to the new Quito airport then under construction.  Consideration was given to building a new shortwave station near Guayaquil, but in the end, the mission leadership in the USA decided instead to move their base of operations from Ecuador to Australia.

HCJB QSL via Teak Publishing Archives

 The station at Pifo near Quito was gradually shut down and dismantled in the mid-2000’s, and their final broadcast in English was on Saturday May 6, 2006, and on Sunday, September 30, 2009, after nearly 80 years of international shortwave broadcasting from Ecuador, radio station HCJB made its last high-power transmission.  The 50 kW medium wave transmitter on 690 kHz was shut down in 2017, but the station does continue to this day from the Mount Pichincha site, with Spanish and Quechua on 6050 kHz, using a 1 kW transmitter and a double-dipole antenna designed to reach the remote rural areas of Ecuador.

 Back to you, Jeff.

 

Ecuador's telecommunications to test DRM

Ecuador’s telecommunications authorities have agreed to explore and test the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) standard with help from two organizations based in the South American country. Radio Station HCJB and the Unión Nacional de Periodistas (UNP or National Journalists’ Union) representatives agreed with the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUPERTEL) to offer training and assist in testing the DRM standard that Ecuador is considering. SUPERTEL will also evaluate other digital radio standards.

After a short signing ceremony in Ecuador’s capital city of Quito on 7 October, training sessions with SUPERTEL technicians began four days later on the campus of Radio Station HCJB.

In recent years the governments of India and Russia have selected DRM as the standard for broadcasting bands in those countries. In Latin America, the DRM standard is under consideration by Brazil where the Ministry of Communication held a seminar on digital radio standards in September.
(Source: HCJB/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Ecuador's Radio Oriental reactivates

Ecuador
4781.58v, Radio Oriental, Tena, Napo, *2320-0008*, Sep 22, 23, 24 and 26. Station REACTIVATED with Spanish talk and local music. On Sep 24 it was on 4781.69. Thanks to Rafael Rodriguez, Colombia, for identifying this! SINPO 15321. (Bueschel, Petersen, Wilkner and Wlodarski). It is Radio Oriental from Tena, start transmission aproximately *2325 and closed 0022* with tropical music, local advertisements and only short ID as "...Radio Oriental al servicio de todos..." The signal is good here, but audio overmodulated. (Rodriguez, Sep 25). A carrier without audio was heard on 4779.51 at 2325-2330, Sep 26. (Petersen) DX Window 438/DSWCI)
(photo/HCDX)

Update on Ecuador's HCJB closure of Pifo transmitters

HCJB Global Voice Moves Up End Date of International Broadcasts from Ecuador

Greetings from Quito. Following is the official press release regarding the imminent shut down of the Pifo transmitter site.
Allen.

*HCJB Global Voice Moves Up End Date of International Broadcasts from Ecuador

*Source: HCJB Global

The end date for international broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB in Ecuador has been moved up as the missionary radio ministry defines new strategies for future outreach.

Anticipating the opening of the new Quito airport near the station’s international transmitter site in Pifo, staff members have already dismantled all but 14 antennas and towers. Present shortwave broadcasts in Portuguese, Spanish, German and indigenous languages, including Quichua, had earlier been announced to end no later than April 1, 2010. These international broadcasts will cease between September and November 2009.

Announcing the earlier closure date of Pifo, Graham Bulmer, HCJB Global’s director for the Latin America Region, said, “These times stretch us, causing us both to doubt and to grow in faith and hopefully drive us to confess our dependence on God. We believe He is guiding us. We hold all things with open hands and pursue understanding of what God expects of us as stewards of the resources of His kingdom.”

The Pifo closure will impact Radio Station HCJB’s Quichua Language Service with some programming moving from the shortwave frequencies to the local AM channel. Investigations are also being made regarding the possibility of transferring HCJB-2, the ministry’s 37-year-old FM station in Guayaquil (Ecuador’s largest city), into the hands of local partners.

The mission’s newer strategy, begun in the 1990s, has been to reduce its emphasis on shortwave in Latin America while focusing on “radio planting” or assisting local ministries realize their dream of beginning a Christian radio ministry. More than 300 local stations have been helped in these endeavors worldwide, including about 60 in Latin America. HCJB Global also continues to expand its training ministries across the region.

“The way people consume media has changed,” said HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson. “So we have the opportunity to change to delivery systems such as satellite, FM Internet and podcasting. The closing of shortwave in Latin America is strategic because of the planting of local FM radio stations across the region and around the world. These stations are staffed and programmed by local believers who can speak to the culture in their own communities.”

Pederson recently told the staff that a high priority for the mission is its initiative for Latin America called Corrientes that launches in October. The coalition of more than 10 Christian organizations involves training Latin Americans for bi-vocational mission work around the world. (Alokesh Gupta, India/Cumbre DX)

Blog post from August 11, 2009
The appended message was received from Allen Graham, HCJB, Ecuador on August 12.

Hello Bob,
This past weekend on the DX Partyline I shared the following news:

HCJB Ecuador will end its shortwave transmissions from Pifo on September 30, 2009 except for one frequency in Portuguese which will continue until mid-November. We are awaiting the official Press Release which will have more details. The administrative decision was made due to a number of factors. I feel obliged to not say anything further until the official announcement is released.

The future of the DX Partyline is still uncertain at this moment. When I know more, I will let you know.
Thanks for all of your support over the years. We really need it now more than ever.
Allen
(Bob Padula/Cumbre DX)

Vozandes Media flies new flag

Ecuador (MNN) ― After 55 years, a German radio ministry is sailing under a new flag and a new name.
Vozandes Media is the new name of the HCJB Global Voice, German Language Service (GLS). It still broadcasts from Ecuador, but now it works under HCJB Global's World Office in Germany rather than under its Latin America region.
In addition, Ecuador legally recognized Vozandes Media's status as a non-governmental organization at the beginning of June. The ministry is also enjoying new office space.
"I believe that the GLS is one of the few departments which used the same office space for 43 years," said Horst Rosiak, who heads Vozandes Media.
Due to the opening of an international airport near HCJB's antennas, German and Low-German shortwave broadcasts to the Americas are scheduled to end in 2010. Digital shortwave broadcasts reach Europe and the Americas.
Vozandes Media also reaches Europe through satellite and through a service called Phonecaster. Europeans can dial a certain telephone number and choose from a variety of German-language programs. The most popular program is in Low German.
Listeners may also download podcasts over the internet. HCJB Global receives responses to its German-language programs from 60 different countries.
The programs began in 1953 when Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services established the German Service, constructing the department's offices at the station 13 years later in 1966.
Today, it broadcasts 14 hours of programming to Europe, South America, and the South Pacific every week under the name Die Stimme der Anden (Voice of the Andes).
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12830
(Alokesh Gupta)

HCJB Global Voice - Ecuador, A09 Multilingual schedules

Effective: 29 March - 25 October 2009
broadcast daily unless otherwise indicated

(no English programming)

All times UTC
Freq Power Azimuth Target

Cofan
0030 0100 6050 50 18/172 S.America

German (High)
0230 0300 9780 100 110/290 Mexico
0900 0930 11625 4DRM 43 Europe (Sat/Sun)
0930 1030 11625 4DRM 43 Europe
2300 2400 12040 100 157/330 N/S America

German (Low)
0300 0330 9780 100 110/290 Mexico
2230 2300 12040 100 157/330 N/S America

Kulina
2245 2300 11920 100 126 Brazil

Portuguese
1500 1700 11705 4DRM 131 Brazil
1730 2000 15295 100 139 Brazil
2300 0230 11920 100 110/290 Brazil

Quichua
0000 0100 690 50 000/180 Ecuador
0000 0300 3220 10 90(Vert) S.America
0830 1100 690 50 000/180 Ecuador
0830 1300 3220 10 90(Vert) S.America
0830 1100 6050 50 18/172 Ecuador
0830 1300 6080 10 90(Vert) S.America
2130 0300 6080 10 90(Vert) S.America

Spanish
0000 0200 11625 100 150 N/S America
0100 0500 6050 50 18/172 Ecuador
0100 0500 690 50 000/180 Ecuador
0200 0500 9745 100 324 Mexico
0830 0930 11625 4DRM 43 Europe (Mon-Fri)
0830 0900 11625 4DRM 43 Europe (Sat/Sun)
1100 2400 690 50 000/180 Ecuador
1100 1500 6050 50 18/172 Ecuador
1100 1300 11960 100 355 Cuba
1100 1500 11690 100 150 S.America
1300 1500 11960 100 330 Mexico
1900 2400 6050 50 18/172 Ecuador
2100 2230 12000 100 150 S.America

Waodani
0000 0030 6050 50 18/172 S.America

Mailing Address:
HCJB Global Voice
Casilla 17-17-691
Quito, Ecuador S.A.

Frequency Manager: Douglas Weber
(Alokesh Gupta,New Delhi)

Ecuador orders broadcasters to transmit government programs

Ecuador has ordered television and radio stations to transmit government programmes that inform the public about a plan to reform the constitution that will bolster President Rafael Correa’s powers. In a letter, the education ministry told the country’s media watchdog to enforce a law that obliges private radio and television stations to broadcast up to one hour of state-run educational programming every day. It was not clear what sanctions broadcasters could face if they do not transmit the spots.
Short programmes will be broadcast three times a day, sometimes during prime-time, and would likely help Correa rally support before the 28 September referendum for a constitution that would give him greater sway over the economy. The leftist leader is inching closer to the 50 percent majority he needs to pass the reform, recent polls show. “We consider the broadcasting of the proposed constitution crucial for the citizens’ education,” the ministry said in the letter. The ministry said programmes should start today.
Some broadcasters said they feared the government could use the programmes for electoral purposes, and were evaluating whether to obey the order. ”I’m talking to the owners of concessions and they think it is a very odd (order) amid an electoral process,” Nicolas Vega, the head of an association of private television stations told Reuters. “We are still evaluating the order.”
Correa launched a public television and radio station this year and already broadcasts messages to the public via private TV and radio stations several times a week. Opposition politicians say Correa wants to increase state intervention in the media and accuse him of seeking dictatorial powers via the proposed constitution, which allows him to run for reelection once after one term.
Correa, who took office last year with a pledge to wrench power from old elites, has clashed repeatedly with the media. He accuses journalists of bias against him and says they protect the interests of economic groups opposed to his government. The 44-year-old US-trained economist, who is sometimes criticized for his abrasive style, even ejected a journalist from one his radio shows last year.
In July, Correa seized two national broadcasters as part of a mass confiscation of more than 200 companies owned by a local business group over a debt dispute with the state stemming from the late 1990s. The confiscation raised fears of state intervention in the media but was cheered by many in Ecuador who blame the companies for a decade-old banking collapse. If approved, the new constitution would bar bank owners from holding stakes in media outlets.
(Source: Reuters)
(Source: R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)