Bhutan BBS and AIR Gangtok update

Bhutan - 5030 and 6035.05, BBS email:

Dear Ron Howard,
Thanking you for your reception report. After verifying the frequency with Short wave coordination conference which is conducting in Kualalampure, Malaysia, we may use or look for good free frequency and will do our second channel broadcasting. Are you coming to KL Malaysia to attain 8th global shortwave coordination conference?

With warm regards,

Thinley Dorji
Transmission head
Thimphu, Bhutan

All India Radio
Sikkim: 4834.0, AIR Gangtok, 1502-1515, Dec. 26. Ex: 4835.0; First day I noticed them on this lower frequency; playing subcontinent music till 1512 joining the audio feed from New Delhi and becoming // (parallel) with the other usual AIR regional stations with ads in Hindi after the tone/gong. Signal poor. Time will tell if they continue on this new frequency. Perhaps someone with a Perseus SDR can provide a more accurate frequency?
(Ron Howard, San Francisco at Ocean Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)
Photo/Gangtok, Sikkim, India)

The future of Radio Netherlands ?

23 December 2011
Radio Netherlands Worldwide - Facebook

In response to a comment about the possible abandonment of shortwave, the station wrote:

"The Dutch government has cut our budget by 70 percent from 1 January 2013. If we were to continue to use shortwave at the level we do now, due to the high cost we wouldn't have enough money left to produce any meaningful content :-( The exact situation after 1 Jan 2013 has still not been finalised. We will definitely close or sell our relay stations in Bonaire and Madagascar, as there will be no budget to pay staff to work there. We *may* retain a limited number of shortwave broadcasts, but this hasn't yet been decided. As soon as we know definitely, we will inform our listeners and Web users."

https://www.facebook.com/radionetherlands
(Mike Terry, UK/Cumbre DX)

Christmas Greetings to All

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR READERS ACROSS THE GLOBE !

please remember the reason for the season .....

Radio Netherlands Program Preview, Dec 23-29

The State We're In

Jonathan Groubert and his team look at current events from an unexpected perspective.

This week: Don’t shoot the messenger

A man frustrated in his search for spiritual answers decides to become a guru. His message: don’t fall for fake gurus, become your own. And a man in Afghanistan believes poetry not only gives us wisdom and beauty, but hope – and he should know. He turned to poetry when his son got kidnapped. And an African American who lives in Holland wonders if the Dutch holiday tradition of Zwarte Piet is not only zany good fun, but also deeply racist.

First airing: Saturday 02:00 UTC

Earth Beat

Marnie Chesterton and her team look at the footprint we’re leaving on our planet.

This week: Green cheer

It’s the season to be jolly. And we see who’s doing it sustainably. From Christmas trees you can rent, to making everything from scratch and reindeer in New Delhi.

First airing: Friday 03:00 UTC

South Asia Wired
Stories from South Asia.

This week:

Reality Tour’s slum tour of Dharavi and Abhijeet Banerjee's book Poor Economics both aim to change people's stereotypes of slum life.

(There'll be a new edition of the programme on Thursday 29 December)

First airing: Thursday 10:00 UTC

Bridges With Africa
We're giving the microphone to Diaspora groups in Europe and are linking up with stations in Africa.

This week:

Bridges with Africa is RNW's radio programme linking Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Every week we bring you interviews, feature stories and African music. From culture and business to scandals and sports. You'll hear what makes Africans tick.

First airing: Friday 00:00 UTC

Africa in Progress
Inspiring round-table discussions with guest speakers and in-depth interviews give listeners food for thought.

This week: Spoken Word - performing art and life skill

Spoken word is becoming hot among young Africans. Our guest in this edition, Blaq Pearl, is an upcoming artist from the townships around Capetown in South Africa. She explains what Spoken Word is, and how it’s emerging as a life skill for urban youths on the continent and elsewhere.

First airing: Monday 19:00 UTC

Commonwealth Story
A selection of winning stories chosen from the large number of entries for the 2010 Commonwealth Short Story Competition.

This week:

Judgement day - by Farah Ghuznavi (Bangladesh). A sci-fi story of a marriage.

First airing: Tuesday 01:50 UTC

Global Perspective
Who says I can’t… is the motto of this year’s collaboration of international broadcasters, offering stories of defiance and perseverance.


This week: Who says I can’t reject tradition?

Lesego Mangwanyane of SAFM radio in Johannesburg explores the role of sangomas, traditional healers in contemporary South African life, and wonders anxiously if she herself is destined to be one.

First airing: Monday 17:30 UTC

European Jazz Stage
Unique jazz performances from the continent’s hottest clubs, concert halls and festivals, including the spectacular North Sea Jazz Festival.

This week:

We hear from Toots Thielemans, Maria Marcesini and the great CTI All Star Band. They're artists from three nations, all of whom have had a great influence in popularising jazz.

First airing: Monday 01:00 UTC

RNW Classical
Classical concerts from the Royal Concertgebouw as well as studio recordings of Dutch performers, presented by Hans Haffmans.

Available 24 hours a day via our sister web station RNWclassical.com

Radio Netherlands English service

All times UTC

English
1000-1057 12065as
1400-1457 12080as
1800-1900 11655af
1900-1957 11655af
1900-1959 11615af
1900-2000 7425af
2000-2057 7425af 11615af
(original Excel via Leo van der Woude, R Netherlands. Reformatted
from BCL post by GVH 10/26/11)
Photo/Enjoying Christmas Markets in Holland

SAQ transmission on Christmas Eve

There will be, as before, a transmission with the Alexanderson 200 kW alternator on VLF 17.2 kHz from Grimeton Radio/SAQ on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th, 2011.

The message transmission will take place at 08:00 UTC. The transmitter will be tuned up from around 07:30 UTC.

There will be no activity on amateur radio frequencies with the call SK6SAQ this time.

QSL-reports are kindly received:

- E-mail to: info@alexander.n.se

- or fax to: +46-340-674195

- or via: SM bureau

- or direct by mail to: Alexander - Grimeton Veteranradios Vaenner, Radiostationen, Grimeton 72
S-432 98 GRIMETON
Sweden

Also read our web site: http://www.alexander.n.se/
Yours

Lars Kalland
SM6NM
(Mike Terry/Cumbre DX)

Update on Bhutan monitoring

Here's an update from BBS ...

We are still broadcasting our regular program on 50 kW transmitter with 50 kW output power. The schedule is from 0000 to 1400 GMT. Regarding 100 kW transmitter, there is a software glitch giving problems and frequent shut down. Right now 5030 is on trial, once finalised we will look for good and clean frequency for the second channel.
(Alokesh Gupta,VU3BSE, New Delhi)

5030.0, BBS, 1248 to tune out at 1355, Dec 22. Testing their transmitter, mostly with reduced modulation (hum) and sporadically testing with full modulation. Some indigenous music, usual phone conversations with young girls singing songs. At 1341, when they played some indigenous music, found them clearly parallel on 6035.05. Yesterday Jim Young (Calif.) and some Japanese DXers could hear the parallel, but I was unable to make it out until today; some morse code interference. MP3 audio at http://www.box.com/s/t9in5i2h3n33i78isenc .
(Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA/Cumbre DX)

Contest of a lifetime from the Happy Station Show

a reminder to our readers....

PCJ is continuing their '83rd Anniversary of the Happy Station Show - with chance of a lifetime contest. The contest will run until March 16, 2012. The prize two round trip tickets and hotel to Taipei, Taiwan.

Three prizes will be drawn on a live edition of Happy Station on March 17th between 0200 and 0255UTC. The three prizes are the following.

3rd Prize: 1 Tecsun S2000 receiver
2nd Prize: 1 Sangean ATS909X
1st Prize: 2 tickets, round trip to Taipei, Taiwan from China Airlines Taiwan's national carrier and a week at the Radisson. Plus a Sangean ATS909x, and 15,000NTD (around 500USD) spending money. Some of the activities planned are the following: Visit to the 101 Building, day trip to Wulai the historical hot spring area of Taiwan, visit to the Presidents Office, visit to the National Palace Museum, visit to the National Radio Museum

Send your entries to taiwan2012@pcjmedia.com please include your name, country, phone number. You can also enter by leaving a message on our answer line and having your message used on the show. The number is +44 20 3286 1399 have fun and say what you want.

Entries must be submitted from 0000UTC on November 14, 2011 to 2359UTC March 16, 2012.
NOTE: Those affiliated with PCJ are not eligible to enter.

Link: http://www.pcjmedia.com/
(Yimber Gaviria, Colombia)

Radio Transmundial contact information

Special thanks to Rudolph Grimm for this morning's email contact information. You may also view his excellent blog at http://dxways-br.blogspot.com
Gayle Van Horn

Dear friend,

How are you?

As the V/S (veri-signer) from Radio Transmundial (Sao Paulo, Brazil), let me send the complete address of the station.

Rua Épiro 110
04635-030 - Sao Paulo, SP
BRAZIL

(or postal address)

P.O. Box 18.113
04626-970 - Sao Paulo, SP
BRAZIL

E-mail: rtm@transmundial.com.br

Radio Transmundial accepts reception reports via postal address and also by email. No need to send IRC or US dollars.

I congratulate you for the excellent Shortwave Central blog. Simply amazing! I also have a SWL blog with radio general information and received confirmations (QSL) here in Brazil. The link is: http://dxways-br.blogspot.com/ I invite you to open my blog also. I put the link of your blog in one section of my blog. If you desire, you can do the same with de DxWays-br. Thanks in advance.

73,

Rudolf Grimm
PY2 GG66rg SWL-81502
St. Bernard SP
BRAZIL

ODXA Announcers New QSL Manager

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Harold Sellers, Ontario DX Association

QSL MANAGER FOR CKMX-1060 & CFVP-6030 CALGARY

December 20, 2011 — The Ontario DX Association (ODXA) has been appointed QSL Manager for radio stations CKMX Classic Country AM 1060 (1060 kHz) and CFVP Shortwave (6030 kHz), owned and operated by Astral Media, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Following on from over 20 years of serving as the QSL Manager for Astral Media’s Toronto CFRB (1010 kHz) and CFRX (6070 kHz), the ODXA is pleased to expand this volunteer service to DXers worldwide.

Serving as the QSL Manager will be Harold Sellers. Living in Vernon, British Columbia, Mr. Sellers has regular reception of both the mediumwave and shortwave signals from Calgary, providing familiarity with the programming content.

QSL cards have been printed and will be sent in response to accurate reports for either 1060 or 6030 kHz.

Reports may be sent by postal mail or e-mail to any one of the following:

Harold Sellers, 3211 Centennial Drive, Apt. 23, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 2T8, Canada
QSLCalgary@gmail.com
Director of Engineering, Astral Radio Calgary, 300 - 1110 Centre St N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 2R2, Canada

In the near future the Ontario DX Association website [www.odxa.on.ca] will also permit the submission of reception reports.

Photographs of the CKMX-CFVP transmitter site may be found at http://www.odxa.on.ca/broadcasting.html
(Harold Sellers, Canada/ODXA & Yimber Gaviria)

Family Radio Worldwide, Winter Schedule Additions

All times UTC

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via CIS transmitters
1500-1600 on 7565 A-A 100 kW / 187 deg to WeAs Pashto
1300-1400 on 12130 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SoAs Nepali
1400-1500 on 9440 ARM 300 kW / 110 deg to SoAs Assamese
1400-1500 on 11520 A-A 300 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Urdu
1400-1600 on 7550 A-A 500 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Punjabi
1600-1700 on 7505 A-A 300 kW / 177 deg to SoAs Urdu
1100-1200 on 13795 A-A 300 kW / 094 deg to EaAs English
1100-1400 on 9310 A-A 300 kW / 121 deg to SEAs Illocano/Tagalog/English
1200-1400 on 9390 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SEAs Cebuano/English
1300-1400 on 7560 A-A 200 kW / 132 deg to SEAs Burmese
1400-1500 on 5835 A-A 500 kW / 132 deg to SEAs English

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via Radio Netherlands Worldwide
1600-1700 on 9590 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf Swahili
1700-1800 on 7385 MDC 050 kW / 310 deg to EaAf English
1800-2000 on 7395 MDC 250 kW / 320 deg to EaAf English
1900-2100 on 6020 MDC 050 kW / 255 deg to SoAf English

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via TWN
1500-1700 on 9940 TAI 250 kW / 352 deg to CeAs Russian
1300-1500 on 11540 HUW 100 kW / 285 deg to SoAs English
1500-1700 on 6280 TSH 300 kW / 285 deg to SoAs English/Hindi
0800-0900 on 11895 TAI 100 kW / 002 deg to EaAs Korean
0900-1000 on 11565 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0900-1100 on 9545 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0900-1100 on 9945 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1000-1100 on 9920 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1100-1600 on 6240 BAJ 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
1100-1600 on 9280 PAO 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
1200-1300 on 11535 BAJ 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
2100-2400 on 9280 PAO 100 kW / 335 deg to EaAs Chinese
2200-2400 on 6230 BAJ 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
2300-2400 on 9540 TAI 100 kW / 310 deg to EaAs Chinese
0000-0100 on 11630 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
0000-0100 on 11865 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs Indonesian
0900-1100 on 9465 PAO 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs English
1000-1100 on 9455 TAI 100 kW / 267 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1100-1200 on 6220 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs Burmese
1100-1200 NF 11915 TAI 300 kW / 205 deg to SEAs Indonesian, ex 11550
1100-1300 on 11520 BAJ 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs Tagalog/Indonesian
1300-1500 on 11520 BAJ 100 kW / 180 deg to SEAs English/Indonesian
1200-1300 on 7460 PAO 100 kW / 225 deg to SEAs Vietnamese
1200-1300 on 11570 HUW 100 kW / 265 deg to SEAs Burmese
1300-1400 on 7540 TAI 100 kW / 250 deg to SEAs Vietnames
(DX Mix News 708 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Radio Veritas Asia, Winter Schedule Update

Effective to: 25 March 2012

Radio Veritas Asia does not broadcast in English

All times UTC

Bengali
0030-0057 on 11710 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs

Burmese
2330-2357 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1130-1157 on 15450 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Chin
0130-0157 on 15255 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1430-1457 on 9620 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Filipino
2300-2327 on 9720 PUG 250 kW / 331 deg to CeAs
1500-1557 on 15350 SMG 250 kW / 130 deg to N&ME

Hindi
0030-0057 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1357 on 11870 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Hmong
1200-1227 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Kachin
2330-2357 on 9645 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1230-1257 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Karen
0000-0027 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1200-1227 on 15225 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Khmer
1000-1027 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs

Mandarin
2100-2257 on 6115 PUG 250 kW / 350 deg to EaAs
1000-1157 on 9615 PUG 250 kW / 355 deg to EaAs

Sinhala
0000-0027 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
0000-0027 on 15460 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1330-1357 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Tamil
0030-0057 on 11935 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1400-1427 on 9520 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Telugu
0100-0127 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 9515 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SoAs

Urdu
0100-0127 on 15280 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
0100-0127 on 17860 PUG 250 kW / 300 deg to SoAs
1430-1457 on 15435 SMG 250 kW / 070 deg to SoAs

Vietnamese
2330-2357 on 9670 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
0130-0227 on 15530 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1030-1127 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
1300-1327 on 11850 PUG 250 kW / 280 deg to SEAs
(DX Mix News 708 via Alokesh Gupta, India)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletin

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts
:Issued: 2011 Dec 20 2011 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 12 - 18 December 2011

Solar activity was at very low to low levels. Region 1367 (S19, L=076, class/area Cso/030 on 08 December) was the most active region and produced occasional to frequent C-class flares near and beyond the west limb during 13-15 December. Region 1376 (N20, L=306, class/area Dro/020 on 18 December) was also responsible for producing multiple C-class flares during 17-18 December. There were no Earth-directed coronal mass ejections observed during the period.
No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at normal levels.

Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels during most of the period, with isolated periods of unsettled levels observed at high latitudes.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 21 December - 16 January 2012

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels during the period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at normal to moderate levels during the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 21-27 December. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels during 28-29 December and 5-6 January due to recurrent coronal hole high-speed streams. Quiet levels will prevail 30 December - 4 January and 7-16 January.

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2011 Dec 20 2011 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 2011-12-20
#
# UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest
# Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index
2011 Dec 21 130 5 2
2011 Dec 22 125 5 2
2011 Dec 23 125 5 2
2011 Dec 24 120 5 2
2011 Dec 25 120 5 2
2011 Dec 26 125 5 2
2011 Dec 27 120 5 2
2011 Dec 28 120 8 3
2011 Dec 29 120 8 3
2011 Dec 30 120 5 2
2011 Dec 31 120 5 2
2012 Jan 01 120 5 2
2012 Jan 02 120 5 2
2012 Jan 03 125 5 2
2012 Jan 04 125 5 2
2012 Jan 05 128 8 3
2012 Jan 06 128 8 3
2012 Jan 07 128 5 2
2012 Jan 08 128 5 2
2012 Jan 09 130 5 2
2012 Jan 10 130 5 2
2012 Jan 11 130 5 2
2012 Jan 12 130 5 2
2012 Jan 13 130 5 2
2012 Jan 14 130 5 2
2012 Jan 15 130 5 2
2012 Jan 16 130 5 2
(NOAA)

Santa's Workshop via Radio

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners don't forget this special QSL opportunity. Through December 24 - Santa's Work Shop. On the air 0000-2359 UTC, W6S, Bakersfield, CA. WI6J. Operating on 14.270 7.180 3.900 MHz. QSL via Mark E Slater, 247 Bighorn Meadow Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. http://www.wi6j.com/

Time Take to Enjoy Christmas Around the World

All of us have been in the midst of the holiday crunch for weeks. Endless errands and holiday festivities abound, and you may feel as though during these last few days you're running in circles! If so ... take a break, whatever you can spare, for some receiver time for band scanning and special holiday radio programs.

There are endless hours of specials from across the globe leading up to Christmas. In Central and South America, the Posadas religious commemoration continues. During the ensuing evenings many Spanish stations air extended programming - some may broadcast all night, while a few networks have been known to activate relays for the holiday season. Check during late afternoon for African stations that may also extend their broadcast hours.

On Christmas Eve the BBC World Service revives an annual tradition live from the Chapel of King‛s College, Cambridge. On Christmas Day, special programming continues from Radio Canada International and BBC World Service airs the Queen‛s Christmas Message.

Others to tune in include Germany‛s Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Vatican Radio, HCJB and many others.

December programming is an excellent time to correspond (and verify) your favorite holiday specials.

Take some time to enjoy the sounds of this special time of the year from across the world.
(Gayle Van Horn/QSL Report Vault)

QSL Report Central

Amateur Radio
IQ1KA Special Previx - Painter Pelizza Volpedo
Special prefix to celebrate the Italian painter Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo (author of "Il quarto Stato") confirm with folder in 30 days. To view, go to:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/10901658.html (Francesco, Italy/playdx)

4W6A Timor Leste
The DXpedition 4W6A Atauro Island (OC-232) Timor Leste confirm with QSL folder in two months. QSL Manager, M0URX Tim. To view, go to:
http://blog.libero.it/radioascolto/10857447.html (francesco, Italy/playdx)

Chile
CVC Voz Cristiana, 17680. Full data Transmitter Site card, unsigned. Received in 63 days for Spanish airmail report and US $5.00. Sent to Santiago, Chile address. Card is completely in English and posted from Chile, although sporting a US return address. This is a very nice card on good stock, with about six different views of the transmitter facilities and antennas. (Al Muick, PA/playdx)

HCJB (via CVC) 11920. Full data Young Listeners card, signed by Horst Rosiak. QSL Received in 66 days for Spanish report via airmail with US $3.00 return postage. I reported on a Portuguese program. Also received a German newsletter and personal message from Iris Rauscher thanking me for my report and stating that the Portuguese and German services were purchasing time on CVC since their "shortwave antennas" closed in November of 2009. Email is deutsch@adenstimme.org. The QSL came from Ecuador with some beautiful postage stamps depicting the Galapagos Islands on the envelope. (Muick).

Greece
Olympia Radio SVO, 8424. Full data A4-sized certificate., signed by "Poulos", Manager of Olympia Radio. Received in 57 days for an English report and two IRCs. Very nice picture set on the certificate and also sent a second certificate on a heavier stock blue paper.(Muick).

Voice of Greece 7475. Full data Prince of the Lilies card in 97 days for English airmail report and two IRCs. Also sent nice wall map of Greece. (Muick)

South Africa
Channel Africa 15325. Full data thank you letter from Sikander Hoosen of Sentech, the national transmitter network owner. Received in 644 days for English airmail report and US $3.00, plus follow-up in English. Sent via registered airmail with US $2.00 to Channel Africa address. Verified in 106 days after follow-up report. (Muick)

I have to admit a certain amount of disappointment and confusion with the Channel Africa QSL. They have always been listed in WRTH as having a QSL card. Not only did they not verify, but the report was eventually just passed on to Sentech, the national transmitter owner who QSL'ed with a letter. Sentech has always been represented in the WRTH as having a QSL card as well. This holds true for the new 2012 edition.

When was the last time anyone has received a QSL card directly from Channel Africa? When was the last time anyone has ever received a QSL card from Sentech? Inquring minds want to know!(Muick)

Holidays and QSLing

This time of the year is a great time to take advantage of the special holiday programming on shortwave. Stations across the globe broadcast a variety of programs of dramas, choral music, religious services, comedy, and old time radio shows. For QSL fans you can preserve your favorite station or holiday program. To keep up to date on holiday programming, MT's Programming Spotlight columnist, Fred Waterer, devotes a page to Holiday and Festive programs on his online website at http://www.doghousecharlie.com/
Shortly after going to press with my November column, I received word of a new station on shortwave . XVRB Radio -The Music Museum, is a privately funded station whose goal is to bring the fun element of old style shortwave music back to the listener's. Broadcast are every third Sunday in English on 6045 kHz, from 0900-1000 UTC. Send your comments and program details to xvrbradio@gmail.com or visit their website at http://www.xvrb.org/ .
Listener's continue to log Radio Afghanistan, but now on 7200 kHz in English and Dari from 1530-1630 UTC. Their revised email address for their English service is radioafghanistan@yahoo.com

Amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners don't forget this special QSL opportunity. Through December 24 - Santa's Work Shop. 0000-2359 UTC, W6S, Bakersfield, CA. WI6J. 14.270 7.180 3.900 MHz. QSL. Mark E Slater, 247 Bighorn Meadow Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93308. http://www.wi6j.com/

European DXers are predicting that pirate station Radio Bila Hora, from the Czech Republic, will revive their annual New Years Eve broadcast this year. Last year they were heard on 2345 kHz at 1554. UTC. Check also 3333 kHz, a frequency that has been used previously. North American listener's may have better results by using Global Tuners, a remotely-controlled radio receiver system from radios across the world. To learn more, consult www.globaltuners.com/ Send your program details to rbh@email.cz

QSL Contact updates
Brazil: Radio Transmundial. Address: Rua Epiro 116, CEP-04635-030 São Paulo, Brasil (or) Caixa Postal 18113, CEP-04626-970 São Paulo, Brasil
Clandestine: Cotton Tree News. Address: Avenue du Temple 19C, CH-1012 Lausanne, Switzerland.
Cuba: Radio Habana. Email: radiohc@cnet.cu
Guatemala: TGAV Radio Verdad. Veri-Signer, Edgar Amilcar Madrid. Email: radioverdad5@yahoo.com Address: Apartado 5, Chiguimula, Guatemala.
Peru: Radio Sicuani. Veri-Signer, Edwin Sallo Diaz. Email: radiosicuani@hotmail.com
Philippines: Radio Veritas Asia. Address: P.O. Box 2642, Quezon City, Philippines
(playdx2003/NASWA)

Amateur Radio
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, PJ2T-Caribbean Contesting Consortium, 10 meters SSB.
Full data color scenery card. This QSL confirms QSO for (now deleted) Netherlands Antilles prior to 10/10/2010 and for Caracao after 10/10/2010. Received in five days via W3HNK QSL Manager, 115 Buck Run Rd., Lincoln University, PA 19352 USA. Website: http://www.pj2t.org/ (Larry Van Horn, NC)

Australia
Radio Symban (Radio Universe) 2368.5 kHz. Full data Australian Native Birds card, signed by John Wright, ARDXC. Card gave reference to Greek programming and Leppington transmitter. Received in eight days for report to dx1234@gmail.com (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada)

Moldova
Voice of Russia, 7290 kHz via Kishinev-Grigoriopol. Full data State of Tretyakov Gallery/80th Anniversary card, unsigned. Received in 73 days for an email report to world@ruvr.ru (Kusalik)

Taiwan
WYFR/Family Radio Worldwide relay via Bao-Zhong, 9280 kHz. Full data 50th Anniversary card with site notation. Received in seven months in response to follow up report to inti@familyradio.com (Kusalik).

Utility
Chile-ECO02, ONEMI Région de Antofagasta, 10160 kHz. No data E-QSL from Irina Salgado. Received in 13minutes for e-report to isalgado@onemi.gov.cl. ECO05-ONEMI Région de Valparaíso, 17426 kHz. Full data E-QSL from Vladimir Maturana, Encargado de Comunicaciones ONEMI Valpaíso. Received in seven hours for e-report to onemi@gorevalparaiso.cl . (Patrick Robic, Austria/UDXF)

China-VRC Hong Kong Marine Rescue, 8414.5 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified and stamped. Received in 51 days for a utility report. QSL address: Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong, PR of China. (Robic)

Non Directional Beacon, "D8" Dolbeau-St. Félicien, QC Canda, 386 kHz, 50 watts. Full data prepared QSL returned, signed by Benoît Bannon. Received in 13 days for a SASE and $2.00US. QSL address: Gestionnaire, Nav Canada Opérations Techniques Aéroport Internationale Jean Lesage, 515 rue Prinicipale, Sainte-Foy, QC Canada G2G 2T8. (Jim Pogue, Memphis, TN).

Sri Lanka-Colombo Aero, 11285 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card verified by Wimalshanthi, Head of Electronics & Air Navigation Engineering. Received in 24 days for a utility report. Station address: Aeronautical H.F. Transmitting Station, Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Colombo Airport, Attidiya Road, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka. (Robic)

United States-NUW Whidbey Island, WA, 13528.5 MHz USB. Full data 62nd Annual Armed Forces Day card, signed by Digger O'Dell KF6NW. Also received full data NNN0NUW station card. Received in 81 days for a utility report and a SASE (used for reply). Station address: NAVMARCORMARS Station NUW, 260 W. Pioneer FSAC Bldg., NSC Whidbey Island, WA 98277 USA. (Bill Wilkins, Springfield, MO).

USA
WWCR, 4840 kHz. Full data Nashville scenery card, signed by Cathy Soares, Program Director. Received in three weeks for English report and return mint postage. Station address: 1300 WWCR Avenue, Nashville, TN 37218 USA. (Larry Zamora, Garland, TX)
(Gayle Van Horn/MT Dec 2011/QSL Report)

WYFR Worldwide schedules

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via Babcock

All times UTC

1700-1800 on 9430 WOF 250 kW / 102 deg to SEEu Turkish
1800-1900 on 9885 WOF 250 kW / 102 deg to SEEu Turkish
1700-1800 on 9530 SKN 300 kW / 110 deg to N&ME Arabic
1800-1900 on 9660 WOF 300 kW / 140 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9685 DHA 250 kW / 260 deg to WeAf Hausa
1800-1900 on 11875 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf Igbo
1900-2000 on 11665 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf Yoruba
1900-2000 on 9705 MEY 250 kW / 340 deg to WCAf English
2000-2100 on 15520 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf English
2000-2200 on 15195 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WCAf English
1600-1800 on 17545 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAf English
1830-1930 on 17660 ASC 250 kW / 085 deg to CeAf French
1700-1800 on 6045 DHA 250 kW / 225 deg to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on 11975 WOF 250 kW / 128 deg to EaAf Somali
1800-1900 on 9895 DHA 250 kW / 230 deg to EaAf English
1900-2000 on 9805 MEY 250 kW / 019 deg to EaAf Swahili
1600-1700 on 6175 MEY 250 kW / 076 deg to SEAf Malagasy
1700-1800 on 5925 MEY 100 kW / 076 deg to SEAf French
1500-1600 on 21840 ASC 250 kW / 115 deg to SoAf English
1800-1900 on 5890 MEY 100 kW / 015 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 3230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 9885 DHA 250 kW / 210 deg to SoAf English
1900-2000 on 3955 MEY 100 kW / 076 deg to SoAf Portuguese
1900-2000 on 5935 MEY 100 kW / 335 deg to SoAf Portuguese
1300-1400 on 17735 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Kannada
1300-1400 on 17810 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Telugu
1400-1500 on 9855 DHA 250 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Marathi
1400-1500 on 15520 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Hindi
1400-1500 on 17810 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Tamil
1500-1600 on 11610 DHA 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English
1500-1600 on 11995 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs English
1600-1700 on 11740 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg to SoAs English
1000-1200 on 9955 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to EaAS Korean
1200-1300 on 17880 DHA 250 kW / 095 deg to EaAs Thai

USA(and non) Winter B-11 of WYFR Family Radio via MBR:
1700-1800 on 11690 WER 100 kW / 180 deg to NoAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 9840 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9500 WER 250 kW / 150 deg to NoAf Arabic
1900-2000 on 9695 NAU 500 kW / 207 deg to WeAf French
2000-2100 on 9515 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
2100-2200 on 6010 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
2200-2300 on 5960 NAU 250 kW / 210 deg to WeAf Arabic
1800-1900 on 11665 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf English
1900-2200 on 9925 WER 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf English
2000-2100 on 9595 NAU 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf French
2100-2200 on 7305 NAU 500 kW / 180 deg to WCAf French
1600-1700 on 13660 ISS 500 kW / 125 deg to EaAf Oromo
1600-1700 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to EaAf Amharic
1700-1800 on 15160 ISS 500 kW / 131 deg to CeAf Swahili
1800-1900 on 12140 WER 500 kW / 165 deg to SoAf English
1600-1700 on 11995 WER 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1700-1800 on 9810 NAU 250 kW / 125 deg to N/ME Arabic
1600-1700 on 11955 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to WeAs Persian
1700-1800 on 9800 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to WeAs Persian
1400-1500 on 13605 WER 250 kW / 075 deg to CeAs Uzbek
1300-1500 on 17510 NAU 500 kW / 085 deg to SoAs Bengali
1400-1500 on 15315 WER 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Malayalam
1400-1500 on 15325 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Oriya
1400-1500 on 13655 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Sindhi
1500-1600 on 13655 NAU 500 kW / 105 deg to SoAs Kannada
1400-1600 on 13700 NAU 500 kW / 095 deg to SoAs Hindi
1500-1600 on 13630 NAU 500 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Gujarati
1500-1600 on 11935 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Tamil
1500-1600 on 15470 WER 500 kW / 090 deg to SoAs Marathi
2200-2400 on 9465 GUF 500 kW / 215 deg to SoAm Spanish
2200-2400 on 7360 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg to SoAm Portuguese
0000-0100 on 7360 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg to SoAm English
0000-0100 on 7395 GUF 500 kW / 215 deg to SoAm English
(Iva Ivanov)
(DX Mix News 707 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

WEWN Winter Schedule

USA - Winter B-11 of WEWN Global Catholoc Radio:

Effective to 25 March 2012

English
0000-0300 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to N&ME
0300-0600 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to WeEU
0600-0900 on 11520 EWN 250 kW / 085 deg to WeAF
0900-1200 on 9390 EWN 250 kW / 335 deg to SEAS
1200-1500 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to N&ME
1500-1800 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 040 deg to WeEU
1800-2400 on 15610 EWN 250 kW / 085 deg to WeAF

Spanish
0000-1000 on 11870 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean
1000-1700 on 12050 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean
1700-2400 on 13830 EWN 250 kW / 155 deg to Caribbean

Spanish
0000-0500 on 5810 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
0500-1300 on 7555 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
1300-1800 on 11550 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
1800-2400 on 12050 EWN 250 kW / 220 deg to Mexico
(DX Mix News 707 via ALokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

KNLS Alaska - Winter Schedule

Alaska
Winter B-11 of KNLS New Life Station -
Effective to 25 March 2012

All times UTC
0800-0900 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg in Russian
0900-1000 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1000-1100 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1100-1200 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1200-1300 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1300-1400 on 9680 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1400-1500 on 9615 NLS 100 kW / 285 deg in Chinese
1500-1600 on 9655 NLS 100 kW / 270 deg in English
1600-1800 on 6190 NLS 100 kW / 315 deg in Russian
(DX Mix News 707 via Alokesh Gupta, India & Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany)

Monitoring Bhutan

Bhutan
5030.03v, BBS, 1244-1500:44* (UTC) Dec 15. Decent reception - an excellent frequency choice as it has been vacant since Sarawak closed down in the middle of this year. Mostly in what sounded like French although I thought I heard a different dialect too? Slowly drifted down to 5030.0. Very nice! Their external service? Played a lot of nice indigenous music!

1244-1330 on air phone calls.
1330-1359 cute on air phone calls from young children singing songs.
1400-1423 talking followed by indigenous music.
1500 - English “This is the new service of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service” and shortly off.

MP3 edited audio in no particular chronological order, with ID in English
at 1:01 - http://www.box.com/s/jd191ljp5lruprrqorkr
(Ron Howard,CA/cumbredx)

B11 Winter schedule
FREQ STATION UTC Su-W-Sa Language Pow Azi Location
6035 Bhutan BS 0000-0300 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0300-0400 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0400-0500 1234567 Lhotsham/Nepali 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0500-0600 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0600-0700 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0700-0800 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0800-0900 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 0900-1000 1234567 Sharchop 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1000-1100 1234567 Lhotsham/Nepali 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1100-1500 1234567 Dzongkha 100 ND Thimphu
6035 Bhutan BS 1500-1600 1234567 English 100 ND Thimphu

However now a days they sign off around 1300 UTC.
(Alokesh Gupta, India)