Radio broadcasting in Ceylon

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp. QSL (Gayle Van Horn QSL Collection)

The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation turns commercial

Many moons ago here in Wavescan, we presented several progressive topics on the radio story in Ceylon and we brought you uptodate as far as the middle of last century, the exact middle actually, in the year 1950.  In our program today, we return to the radio scene in Ceylon, or Sri Lanka as we know this verdant isle today, and we tell the story of their very popular Commercial Service. 

            In fact their Commercial Service was indeed a very successful venture, one of the very few on shortwave anywhere in the world.  At the height of its popularity, it is stated that half of the shortwave radios in India were tuned to the Commercial Service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the SLBC All Asia Service.  And, in order to obtain advertising in India for their Commercial Service, SLBC opened an advertising office at Colaba in Bombay in 1951, and they were authorized to also issue QSL cards.

            At the time when the Radio Ceylon Commercial Service was inaugurated, Sunday October 1, 1950, there were just eleven broadcast transmitters on the island, and these facilities were on the air at just three different locations.  Radio Ceylon was set ready for expansion, but islandwide coverage was still rather tenuous.   

            The first location was a new set of studios that had just been completed during the previous year at Torrington Square Colombo.  These replaced the temporary wartime usage of the studios in The Bower on Cotta Road, and the previous SEAC studios on Turret Road.

            The lone mediumwave transmitter station at Welikada on the edge of suburban Colombo contained just four transmitters: 1 @ 15 kW (Sinhala Language National Service), 1 @ 1 kW (English Language Service), and 2 @ ¼ kW (Sinhala Language Commercial Service & the Tamil

Language Service). 

            Their third radio broadcasting facility was located at Ekala (ECK-a-la) a dozen miles north of Colombo and it contained a total of seven shortwave transmitters: 1 @ 100 kW (International coverage), 3 @ 7½ kW (National and international coverage) and 3 @ ¼ kW (Capital city coverage).

            At the time when Australian born Clifford Dodd was transferred to Colombo under the international aid project known as the Colombo Plan in 1950, the BBC Program Director James Mudie concluded his term of service and returned to England and joined the technical staff of BBC Television.  (James Mudie was a relative to our DX host, Adrian Peterson.)

            Clifford Dodd was the driving force behind the rapid development of the Radio Ceylon Commercial Service and his name is still honored more than half a century later.  Under his leadership, many local personnel became legendary radio personalities, and among them were Jimmy Bharucha, Shirley Perera, Nihal Bharati and Vernon Corea.

            The coverage area for the Radio Ceylon Commercial Service extended well beyond the shores of their own island.  The capital city Commercial Service was heard on mediumwave and tropical shortwave in three language streams; English, Sinhala and Tamil.  The main Commercial Service for Southern Asia was beamed to India mainly, but also to other nearby countries on shortwave. 

            Attempts were also made to introduce a Commercial Service beamed to Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia.  The service to India and nearby countries was later broadcast under the title, the All Asia Service.   

            During the mid 1950s, there was some consideration given to closing the Commercial Service on shortwave due to poor propagation.  However, over a period of time, conditions improved and the service became a resounding success. In fact, in a huge number of village bazaars throughout India, a visitor could walk down the shopping isle and follow the programming from Radio Ceylon all the way, with the radio receiver blaring loudly in each stall.

            Some time around the year 1958, all six of the low powered shortwave transmitters at Ekala, ¼ kW and 7½  kW, were progressively removed and replaced; ultimately, by a total of ten new transmitters, each rated at 10 kW, made in Holland by the Philips company.

            In 1967, Radio Ceylon was renamed the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation; and in 1972, the station was redesignated again, as the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, due to the change in name for the island country itself.  Then, as we know, the entire Ekala shortwave station was ultimately and finally closed in the middle of last year.

            During the more than six score of active years on the air, the shortwave services from Ekala were heard virtually worldwide.  Many thousands of reception reports were addressed to the station at the Torrington Square studios.  Even though many international radio monitors frequently complained that they were unable to receive a QSL card from Colombo, yet in reality over the years they were spasmodically a prolific verifier.  The Indianapolis Heritage Collection contains several hundred shortwave, mediumwave and FM QSLs from Colombo, though admittedly many of them are self prepared do-it-yourself cards, rubber stamped onto Postal Cards issued by the national postal service.

            Among the many QSL cards officially printed for use by the station are colorful tourist style picture cards showing city and country scenes, as well as events and people within the island nation.  Also highly appreciated were the two different QSL cards showing the studio building in Colombo.  The QSL card issued by the Bombay office in India showed a modified picture of the same studio building
(AWR-Wavescan/NWS 293 via Adrian Peterson)

Weekly Propagation Forecast Bulletins

Product: Weekly Highlights and Forecasts

:Issued: 2014 Oct 06 0253 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 29 September - 05 October 2014

Solar activity reached high levels this period. Region 2173 (S17, L=250, class/area=Dac/160 on 28 Sep) produced an M7/1f flare on 02 Oct at 1901 UTC while crossing the west limb. Associated Type-II (est. speed 714 km/s) and Type-IV radio emissions were observed with this event. Region 2172 (S11, L=239, class/area=Ekc/570 on 23 Sep) produced an M1/Sf flare on 02 Oct at 1744 UTC. Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were observed off the southwest limb with both of these events, but the proximity of the source regions and event times in addition to incomplete SOHO/LASCO coronagraph imagery made it difficult to differentiate between the two CMEs. Subsequent analysis determined that these CMEs were directed well west of the Sun-Earth line. Regions 2172 and 2173 were the most productive regions this period and were also responsible for additional low to mid-level C-class flare activity. Two filament eruptions were observed on 02 Oct, the first of which was centered near N18W07 and erupted at 0330 UTC and the second was centered near N29W09 and erupted at 0550 UTC. SDO/AIA 193 and 304 imagery indicated that the bulk of the ejecta with the filament eruptions were reabsorbed and no subsequent CME signatures were observed in SOHO/LASCO imagery. 

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at low to moderate levels on 30 Sep and 03-05 Oct but reached high levels on 29 Sep and 01-02 Oct, reaching a maximum flux value of 1630 pfu on 01 Oct at 1720 UTC. 

Geomagnetic field activity was at predominately quiet to unsettled levels under a nominal solar wind regime. Isolated periods of active geomagnetic field activity were observed on 29 Sep (1800-2100 UTC), 30 Sep (0300-0600 UTC and 0900-1200 UTC), and 01 Oct (0000-0300 UTC) due to multiple current sheet crossings and prolonged southward Bz. 

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 06 October - 01 November 2014

Solar activity is expected to be at low levels with a slight chance for R1-R2 (Minor-Moderate) flare activity for 15-28 Oct as Regions 2172 (S11, L=239), 2173 (S17, L=250), and 2175 (N17, L=262) return to the visible disk. 

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 for 06-11 Oct and 15-25 Oct with a chance for high levels on 12-15 Oct and 26 Oct-01 Nov due an enhanced solar wind environment caused by the influence of several coronal hole high speed streams (CH HSSs). 

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be quiet for 08-10, 12-14, 18, and 30 Oct due to a predominately nominal solar wind regime. Quiet to unsettled activity is expected for 06-07, 11, 15, 17, 19-20, 25-29, 31 Oct, and 01 Nov due to the weak influence of multiple CH HSSs. Active conditions are expected for 16, 22-24 Oct due to the moderate influence of multiple CH HSSs. G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storm conditions are likely on 21 Oct due to strong positive polarity CH HSS effects. 

Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt
:Issued: 2014 Oct 06 0253 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 2014-10-06
#
#   UTC      Radio Flux   Planetary   Largest
#  Date       10.7 cm      A Index    Kp Index
2014 Oct 06     125           8          3
2014 Oct 07     120           8          3
2014 Oct 08     120           5          2
2014 Oct 09     120           5          2
2014 Oct 10     115           5          2
2014 Oct 11     110           8          3
2014 Oct 12     110           5          2
2014 Oct 13     110           5          2
2014 Oct 14     120           5          2
2014 Oct 15     130           8          3
2014 Oct 16     145          15          4
2014 Oct 17     145           8          3
2014 Oct 18     145           5          2
2014 Oct 19     140           8          3
2014 Oct 20     135          10          3
2014 Oct 21     135          20          5
2014 Oct 22     140          15          4
2014 Oct 23     140          15          4
2014 Oct 24     140          15          4
2014 Oct 25     140          10          3
2014 Oct 26     135          10          3
2014 Oct 27     130          10          3
2014 Oct 28     125          10          3
2014 Oct 29     125           8          3
2014 Oct 30     120           5          2
2014 Oct 31     120           8          3
2014 Nov 01     125           8          3

(NOAA)

Summer 2014 International Shortwave Broadcast Guide Still Available

 
“War Revives Shortwave Radio's Appeal: Communications: Many consumers, eager for news from the Persian Gulf are snapping up machines that fell out of fashion long ago.” – Los Angeles Times 1991

That LA Times headline above says it all about the appeal even today of a radio hobby that is over 80 years old – Shortwave Radio Listening.

So why should you listen to shortwave radio? The best source of global information continues to be shortwave radio. Throughout the world, shortwave remains the most readily available and affordable means of communication and information. It lets you listen to voices from around the world. You'll also learn about the lives and concerns of people from all walks of life, from soldiers, to farmers, to retired scholars. It provides coverage nearly instantaneous of news and events from around the world.

If you live in the U.S., you can easily listen to shortwave broadcast stations from countries like North/South Korea, Iran, Australia, Cuba, China, New Zealand, Pakistan, India, Japan, England, Egypt, Tunisia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United States and many other counties if you have a good shortwave receiver, and you know when and where to listen!

The Summer 2014 International Shortwave Broadcast Guide by Amazon bestselling author Gayle Van Horn, W4GVH, is that all important information resource you need to tap into the worldwide shortwave broadcast radio spectrum. It is a 24-hour station/frequency guide to all the stations currently broadcasting on shortwave radio. This unique shortwave resource is the only publication that offers a by-hour schedule that includes all language services, frequencies and world target areas for each broadcast station.

This new e-publication edition is an expanded version of the English shortwave broadcast guide formerly printed in the pages of Monitoring Times magazine for over the last 20 years. This one of a kind electronic e-book is now being published twice a year to correspond with station seasonal time and frequency changes.

If you enjoy listening or monitoring HF shortwave stations, and you miss the monthly English frequency listings formerly published in the late Monitoring Times magazine, and multilingual station listing in the old MTXpress electronic magazine, this valuable tool will now be your new guide to listening to the world.

Here are a few of the public comments from radio hobbyists who purchased the first edition (Winter 2013-2014) of this book.

Shortwave Broadcast Guide by Kindle Customer: Since Monitoring Times is no longer in publication, this guide is required for the dedicated shortwave listener. There is information provided that I have found nowhere else. It will be a welcome addition to any listener's equipment. Gayle Van Horn has been publishing this research for many years and the followers are numerous, from beginners to professionals. The author's work is accurate, concise and thorough. If you have a shortwave radio, you need this publication as much as a set of earphones. There is none better.

Very Good Source for Shortwave Stations Broadcast Schedules by Kenneth Windyka: I've got to admit up front that I don't have a strong interest in this part of the hobby. HOWEVER, Gayle Van Horn makes it easy to determine what one can hear on the short wave bands during a particular time period (in GMT time sorted format). I also like the internet reference available, so that one can listen to programs via the internet even if its' not possible via the shortwave radio.

NJ Shortwave listener hears International Frequencies with new guide help by Stanley E Rozewski, Jr.: This e-book is complete and accurate in presenting a low cost SW frequency guide and important must read topics for the new or experienced user. I liked the easy reading format, and understandable frequency guide. I will order the second edition next year. 

This is my go-to-first reference by Mary C Larson: When I turn on the shortwave receiver and want to find out what's on and where to look, Van Horn's handy frequency guide is a smart place to begin. The format is not unlike the one Monitoring Times (R.I.P.) used each month. Presumably, updated ISBGs will be published twice per year, but you can check for the updates on her blog, (mt-shortwave.blogspot.com).

Good value by DrP: This is an excellent well-written book that is very affordable when compared to encyclopedic guides, e.g., the WRTH. Much the same information is included. The first part is a nice introduction to SW listening pitched to the beginner. Included is an informative section on purchasing a radio spanning low-end <$100 models up through the most advanced transceivers. The bulk of the book contains a list of world-wide SW broadcasters, organized by frequency band. This makes it ideal for browsing one band at a time, but much less so if you want to search for broadcasts from a particular country.

I like this one by Charles: I have only had a brief chance to scan through this book. From what I have seen of it I will enjoy getting in to it.

Frequency updates between editions will be posted on her Shortwave Central blog at: http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/.

And, the good news is that you do not even need to own a Kindle reader to read Amazon e-book publications. You can read any Kindle book with Amazon’s free reading apps.

There are free Kindle reading apps for the Kindle Cloud Reader, Smartphones (iPhone, iTouch, Android, Windows Phone and Blackberry); computer platforms (Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 and Mac); Tablets (iPad, Android and Windows 8), and, of course, all of the Kindle family of readers including the Kindle Fire series. A Kindle e-book allows you to buy your book once and read it anywhere. You can find additional details on these apps by checking out this link to the Amazon website at http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771.

The International Shortwave Broadcast Guide Summer 2014 edition is now available for purchase worldwide from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K6YKNFM. The price for this latest edition is still US$4.99. Since this book is being released internationally, Amazon customers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France Spain, Italy, Japan, India, Canada, Brazil, Mexico and Australia can order this e-Book from Amazon websites directly servicing these countries. All other countries can use the regular Amazon.com website.

For additional information on this and other Teak Publishing radio hobby books, monitor the company sponsored Internet blogs – The Military Monitoring Post (http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/), The Btown Monitor Post (http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/) and The Shortwave Central (http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/) for availability of additional e-books that are currently in production.

You can view the complete Teak Publishing book catalog online at http://mt-shortwave.blogspot.com/. Click on the Teak Publishing radio hobby e-book link at the top of the blog page.

You can learn more about the author by going to her author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Gayle-Van-Horn/e/B0084MVQCM/.

The International Shortwave Broadcast Guide will have wide appeal to shortwave radio hobbyists, amateur radio operators, educators, foreign language students, news agencies, news buffs and many more interested in listening to a global view of news and events as they happen. 

If you are an amateur radio operator or shortwave radio enthusiasts, and want to hear what is happening outside the ham bands on that transceiver or portable shortwave radio in your shack, then this new e-book from Teak Publishing is a must in your radio reference library.

VOA Radiogram weekend schedule

Special thanks to Kim Elliott for sending in this weekend's schedule

Hello friends,

This weekend's VOA Radiogram includes news about a survey of the best, and worst, countries for old people.

Here is the lineup form VOA Radiogram, program 79, weekend of 4-5 October 2014, all in MFSK32 except for the surprise mode:

 1:35   Program preview
2:35  Best countries for old people*
11:39  iPhone 6 sales in China*
17:46  Myanmar media silent on HK protests
21:08  Putin says Russia won't restrict Internet access*
27:21  Closing announcements
28:29  Surprise mode of the week
* with image

Please send reception reports to radiogram@voanews.com.

VOA Radiogram transmission schedule
(all days and times UTC):
Sat 0930-1000 5745 kHz
Sat 1600-1630 17860 kHz
Sun 0230-0300 5745 kHz
Sun 1930-2000 15670 kHz
All via the Edward R. Murrow transmitting station in North Carolina.

Radio Martí continues its tests of MFSK16 centered on 2500 Hz. Here is the schedule:

0558:40 UTC               1180  6030  7405 kHz

0758:40 UTC               1180  5980  6030 kHz

0858:40 UTC               1180  5980  6030 kHz

The actual start times vary. Each transmission is 57 seconds.

The 1180 kHz is medium wave, from the Florida Keys. The shortwave frequencies (5980, 6030, and 7405 kHz) are all via North Carolina.

You will probably hear noise on the frequency.

The email address for reception reports is included in the text transmission, but if you are not able to decode it, just send the report to radiogram@voanews.com.

We will probably change the mode to Olivia 64-2000, centered on 1800 Hz, sometime during the coming week.

The Mighty KBC will transmit a minute of MFSK64 Saturday at about 1130 UTC on 6095 kHz, and Sunday at about 0130 UTC (Saturday 9:30 pm EDT) on 7375 kHz. Both frequencies are via Germany. Reports to themightykbc@gmail.com.

Thanks to everyone who sent reception reports for last weekend's VOA Radigram and for the Radio Martí tests.  I'm not sure if Radio Martí sends its own QSL cards; if not, I'll send an eQSL.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

German Unity Day programming slated for Oct 3 on shortwave

Germany

Hamburger Lokalradio will have a special shortwave transmission on German Unity Day, October 3rd 2014.

UTC times and frequencies are follows:

0600-1000 on  6190 GOH 150 watts / 230 deg to CeEu German in AM mode
1100-1500 on  7265 GOH 150 watts / 230 deg to CeEu German in AM mode

Reception reports are welcomed and will be confirmed with a QSL card.  Return postage is highly appreciated (one US Dollar from abroad, mint stamps from national listeners). Postal address: Hamburger Lokalradio c/o Kulturzentrum Lola, 21031 Hamburg, Germany.
(DX Mix Nx 873)

QSL Report: October 2014

Thank you to those that contributed their latest QSL information, and the kind newsletters and e-email groups, who graciously permit us to share their QSL information with radio hobbyists.

Please share your QSLing with the world, send your contributions to w4gvh at frontier. com

Amateur Radio

East Anacapa Island-W6UX/P, IOTA NA-144, 14 MHz. Full data color scenery card of one of three seperate islets off the coast of Oxnard in southern California. Received via W6UX. (L Van Horn N5FPW/NC)

Belgium-ON7PS, 12 MHz. Full data color card of operators ham rig and operator's photo on the back, signed by De Parade Ronny. Received via ARRL bureau. (Van Horn).

Canary Islands-EA8/DL3KVR, 14 MHz. Full data color scenery card of Tenerife, signed by Dietrich Schroeckh. Received via ARRL bureau (Van Horn)

France-F6GCP, 12 meters, JT65. FUll data color card of house/antenna array. Received via ARRL bureau. Operator, Griset Patrice, Faremoutlere, France (Van Horn)

Germany-DL5MK, 24 MHz. JT65. Full data color scenery card. Received card via ARRL bureau. Operator, Heinz Kuhardt, Dresden, Germany (Van Horn)

India-JT65/20 meters. Full data color scenery card, signed by operator Unni. Received for report with nested Euro envelope (used for reply) and $2.00US. Operator's email unnithakkal@gmail.com Website: www.tharakkal.com (Van Horn)

United States-W4A, 40 meters. Full data color Apollo commemorative logo card, unsigned. Special Event broadcast to honor July 20, 1969 'The Eagle Has Landed.' Received via Huntsville Radio Club K4BFT with SASE andmint US stamps (both used for reply) (Van Horn)

United States-K6PV, 14262 kHz USB. Full data color QSL card featuring a view of the Point Vicente Lighthouse.  Received in 15 days for a SWL report for reception of a special events station celebrating ILLW (International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend) and a SASE (used for reply). QSL address: Palos Verdes Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 2316, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274. (Larry Zamora, Garland, TX)

United States-K7TBM, JT65 17 MHz/JT65 15 MHz USB. Two full data color cards of passenger ferry underway, showing operator's antenna view to U.S. and Europe. Signed by Tom Davis, Operator.
(Van Horn)

United States-KC2UFO, 14260 kHz USB. Full data color letter featuring US Coast Guard ship. Received in seven weeks for a SWL report for reception of a special events station celebrating the 224th Birthday of the US Coast Guard, and a SASE (used for reply) QSL address: KC2UFO, 545 Captains Row, Merritt Island, FL 32952. (Zamora)

Brazil
Radio Nacional da Amazonia. Full data card. Received in 71 days for report, souvenir postcard, mint stamps, and $2.00. QSL address: Caixa Postal 258, Brasilia-DF, 70.359-970 Brasil. (Harald Denzel, Germany/WWDXC Top Nx 1174)

China
China Radio International, 7350 kHz. Kashi transmitter center verified an electronic report with a full data "Jing ethnic minority card" in 21 days from Yinglian at the English sevice. Chinese cut-outs included with QSL card (Rich D'Angelo, PA/DXplorer/WWDXC Top Nx 1176)

Clandestine
Radio Impala via Talata Volondry, Madagascar, 17540 kHz. Full data map/Madagascar scenery card with MGLOB (Malagasy Global Business) logo, unsigned. Received in 33 days for e-report to: monitoring@mglob.mg. First received an acknowledgment email response within five minutes of sending my report details, that a QSL would be forthcoming. QSL includes postal address as: MGLOB SA, P.O. Box 404, Antananarivo - 101, Madagascar. (Gayle Van Horn W4GVH/NC)

Radio Impala via Talata Volondry, Madagascar, 17540 kHz. E-QSL in three weeks, for report details to monitoring@mglob.mg (Artur Fernandez Llorella, Catalonia, Spain/playdx) Received in 15 days for e-report (Christian Ghibaudo, France/playdx)



FM
France-Radio Direct FM, Metz 92.80 MHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified, plus letter and sticker. Received in one week. QSL address: 3, Allée  St. Symphorien, 5700 Metz, France (Reiner).

France-Radio Flor FM, Soultz, 100.10 MHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in two weeks. Heard while in southern Black Forest. QSL address: 5 Chemin Noir, 68360 Soultz, France (Reiner).

Medium Wave
Czech Rep.-Radio Dechovka 1233 kHz AM. Full data e-QSL from Mrs Jane Pušova pusova@radiodechovka.cz Station address: U prutniku 232, 250 72 Predboj, Czech Republic (Reiner)

Monaco-CRI Italian via Monte Carlo, 702 kHz AM. No-data E-QSl. Received in five days for report details to critaliano@126.com. heard this station while in the car near Stuttgart (Reiner).

Spain-COPE Lugo, 1224 kHz AM. FUll data verification letter, signed by Daniel Otero, Director. Received in five weeks for an e-report to direccion.lugo@cadenacope.net (Llorella).

United States, Kihei, Hawaii-KCIK 740 kHz AM. Friendly letter, signed by James E. Tejada-Op Technician, plus station bumper sticker. Received in 15days for CD report with SASE. QSL address: KCIK Radio c/o Immaculate Heart Radio, 3256 Penryn Road, Ste 100, Loomis CA  95650. MW QSL #3040. (Patrick Martin, OR) Streaming audio http://ihradio.com

Russia-Radio Teos broadcasts Monday to Friday from 04.00 to 13.00 UTC on 1089 kHz from the radio center Popovka / Krasny Bor Tosnensky district of Leningrad region. At the moment this is the only broadcast from there. A year ago, I was there, then still there to broadcast the Voice of Russia on shortwave. There is a project to resume these programs since the beginning of the winter season, but no official confirmation yet. (Alexander Berezkin, Sankt-Petersburg, Russia) Info Radio Teos activities: see web page : http://s.radioteos.ru/ Radio "Teos", St. Petersburg, MW 1089 kHz, 20 kW, 0500-1300 UT Mon-Fri only, Location: St. Petersburg, ul. Michurinskaya 14 / 3-78 Address for correspondence: Russia 190000, St. Petersburg, Box 110 Email: spb@radioteos.ru Tel./Fax: 8 (812) 498-04-83 Radio "Teos", Moscow, MW 1134 kHz, 5 kW, with 0300-1900 UT, (daily) Address: Russia 123298, Moscow, ul. Berzarina, d. 16 Email: Moscow@radioteos.ru (PlayDX 1623)

Norway
LKB/LLE Berggen Kringkaster, 5895 kHz. Full data E-QSL. Received in four weeks for report details to styret@bergenkringkaster.no Postal address: P.O. Box 100, N-5331 Rong, Norway (Reiner).

Philippines
FEBC, 9430 kHz. Full data card and letter, signed by Norita P. Estabillo. Received in ten weeks for e-report to info@febc.org and receptionreport@febcintl.org (Llorella)

Romania
Radio Romania International 9500 kHz. Full data QSL of the Citadel of Sighisoara. Received for a e-report on station's Russian service to rusa@rri.ro (Dimitry Kutuzov, Russia/:deneb-radio-dx" RUSDX/Top Nx 1176)

Russia/Moldova
Radio Adygea from KRTPTS, 7325 kHz. QSL cards for admission Radio Adygea from KRTPTS - Krasnodar Regional radiotetevizionny Broadcasting Center. Transmitter: possibly Oktyabrsky, Tbilisi area, Krasnodar Krai. On 11 Aug 2014, at 1700-1757 UT, 7325 kHz, tx RW-688, 100 kW, Antenna SGD 4x4RA, Azimuth of 188 degrees. Postal address: Russia 350038, Krasnodar, ul. Radio, 3-A, KRTPTS Enclosed in an envelope color photo calendar KRTPTS antenna. (Anatoly Klepov, RUSdx Aug 31) (PlayDX 1623/08 Sept)

South Korea
KBS World Radio 11810 kHz, Full data "Kimang: Inscribed on the UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2013." Received in 49 days for an e-report. (D'Angelo)

United Kingdom
Babcock via Wooferton, UK. 6175. E-Verification letter for Babcock Test Transmission, signed by Dave Porter. Received in five months for report details to transmissiontest@gmail.com (Llorella)

United States
Shortwave Shindig via WRMI, 7579 kHz. Full data card commemorating the Shortwave Shindig broadcast at Winter SWL Fest, signed by David Goren. Received in 141 days for a report and SASE (used for reply). QSL address: Shortwae Shindig HQ, 723 18th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11230 USA. (Bill Wilkins, MO).

Utility
Belgium-OSY-Sail Mail Brugge 8422 kHz. Full data doc-File from Jo Boynton. Received on one day for report details to admin@sailmail.com. Patrick, Robic, Austria/UDXF)

India-Mumbai Volmet, 6675 kHz USB. E-QSL from Partha Sarbadhikari sarbadhikari@aai.aero Received in eight days (Osuna)

St Malachy (churches.of Ireland/ancestry.com)

Ireland-Church of St. Malachy Armagh 27901 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as stamped and signed by Rev. Peter McAnenly. Received in seven days for a utility report. QSL address: Parochial House, 42 Abbey Street, Armach BT61 7DZ, United Kingdom. (Robic)

Ireland-St. Patrick's Church of Belfast, 27801 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as stamped and signed by Rev. Sheehan. Received in eight days for a utility report. QSL address: Parish Office, 199 Donegall Street, Belfast BTi 2FL, United Kingdom (Ibold)

New Zealand-Auckland Radio Volmet, 8828 kHz USB. E-verification letter, signed by Tim Halpin tim.halpim@airways.co.nz. Received in four hours. (Osuna).

Spain-Palma Radio Volmet, 1755 kHz USB. Full data QSL card, signed by Alejandro Jose Monoz Palomero alejandro.jose.munoz@abertistelecom.com Received in 75 days. Station address: CCR-Valencia, c/San Rafael, 1 46900 Torrente (Valencia) Spain.(Alvaro Lopez Osuna, Spain/playdx)

United States-American Red Cross, Austin, Texas 9106 kHz. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified as stamped and signed by Keith Robertory (Disaster Response Emergency Communications). Also enclosed souvenir pins. QSL address: American Red Cross National Headquarters, Disaster Operations, 2025 East Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 USA (Ibold).

United States-AGA5SC, 7545 kHz LSB. Full data MARS/38th Cyberspace Readiness SQ card. Signed by "SK" Chief AF MARS. Received ub 94 days for a utility report and SASE (used for reply). This was for the Armed Forces Day Crossband Tests. QSL address: Atten: Mr David Antry, 203 W. Losey Street, Scott AFB, IL 62225 USA (Wilkins).

Utility/Ship Traffic
2FEP5-Seafox 5 (Jack-Up vessel) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 2350090598. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 83 days for a utility report. (Andy Ibold, Alpen, Germany/UDXF) Ship addresses may be obtained by an MMSI search at www.google.com  

3FHU5-Euphrates Highway (Vehicle Carrier) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 373228000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 181 days for a utility report (Ibold).

FTI Berlin - (commons.wikimedia.com)

9FHA2295-FTI Berlin (Cruise ship) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 24827700. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 49 days for a utility report.  (Ibold).

9HA2383-Europa 2 (Cruise ship) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 229378000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 22 days for a utility report. (Ibold)  

9HOFB-Saga Sapphire (Cruise ship) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 256208000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 22 days for a utility report (Ibold).

9V9763-Maersk Laguna (Container ship) 16.808.4 MHz, MMSI 566338000. Full data prepared QSL card returned as verified. Received in 69 days via postal mail. Roberto Landolpho/UDXF)

Norwegian Jade (wikimedia.org)

C6WK7-Norwegian Jade (Cruise ship) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 3084160000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 30 days for a utility report. (Ibold)

GDNP-Grampian Pioneer (Safety Standby vessel) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 232838000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 83 days for a utility report (Ibold).

LAUH-North Promise (Platform Supply vessel) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 259571000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 39 days for a utility report (Ibold).

LISD-North Challenger (Platform Supply vessel) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 259462000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 59 days for a utility report (Ibold).

MSHF2-Vos Victory (Safety Standby vessel) 2197.5 MHz, MMSI 233346000. Full data QSL and prepared letter returned. Ship position near the Scott Oil Field. Received in 44 days for a utility report (Ibold).

MQPU6-City of Sunderland (Vehicle Carrier) 2187.5 MHz, MMSI 233150000. Full data QSL and prepared letter returned.  Ship position at Port Tyne, New Castle, U.K. Received in 40 days for a utility report (Ibold).

OZ2145-Kongsborg (Offshore Supply vessel) 2.187.5 MHz, MMSI 231605000. Full data prepared QSL returned as verified, plus letter. Received in 35 days for a utility report (Ibold).

****************************************************
AM, Euro, Euro Pirates and SW Address & Email Updates 

SW
Antartica, Argentina LRA36 lra36@hotmail.com
Clandestine, Oromo Voice via Issoudun, France marie-helene.havard@tdf.fr
Sri Lanka, AWR Wavescan wavescan@awr.org
Taiwan, R Taiwan International (German Svc) deutsche@rti.org.tw)
United States, Pan American Broadcasting/Radio Africa via Okeechobee, FL info@panambc.com
Vatican, R Vaticana (via R 700) gestfreq@vatiradio.va

Euro Pirates
Baltic Sea R balticseapirate@gmail.com
COPE Vigo direccion.vigo@cadenacope.net
De Rode Adelaar derodeadelaar@gmail.com
Eldorado R johnny_303@hotmail.com
Europa Jazz R info@thesoundofjazz.com
GSV Good Ship Venus  jonger34@hotmail.com
Hamburger Lokal R Göhren redaktion@hamburger-lokalradio.de
Laser Hot Hits studio@laserhothits.co.uk
Little Feat R littlefeatam@gmail.com
Mustang R mustangradio@live.nl
NMD R nmdradio@hotmail.com
Paashaas R swpasshaas@hotmail.com
R Altrex radioaltrex@hotmail.com
R Arcadia arcadiawaves@gmail.com
R Armada radioarmada@gmail.com
R Black Bandit doctortim@t-online.de
R Borderhunter borderhunterradio@hotmail.com
R Carolina North via R Merlin carolinenorthstudio@gmail.com
R Casanova radiocasanova@hotmail.com
R Experience experienceshortwave@gmail.com
R Foxfire radiofoxfire@hotmail.com
R Gloria Intl radiogloria@aol.com
R Goudenster sunnyradio1@hotmail.com
R HetWe hwtwe@hotmail.com
R Istanbul adyo@gazeteport.com
R Merlin radiomerlin@blueyonder.co.uk
R Mistero Ghost Planet mgp76@hotmail.com
R Mistletoe radiomistletoe@live.com
R Monique radiomoniqueradio@hotmail.com
R Montferland radiomontferland@hotmail.com
R Nightpirate radionightpirate@hotmail.com
R Norton radio.norton@hotmail.com
R Odynn shortwaveman@gmail.com
R Omroep Zuid eurobird@gmail.com
R Pluto pluto41@gmail.com
R Rob radiorob007@hotmail.com
R Silverback radiosilverback@gmail.com
R Underground radioundergroundsw@gmail.com
R Verona radioverona@hotmail.com
R Waves Int'l rwaves@free.fr
SDXF (via Hamburger Lokal R) Box 1097, SE-405 23 Goteborg, Sweden
Sallandse Boer R sallandseboer@msn.com
Zender Dakota zenderdakota@gmail.com

October 2014-Amateur Radio Special Events Calandar

Lord Howe Island (delcampe.net)

Special event QSLing is open to all amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners. QSLing information within postings.

Lord Howe Island-VK9L, (Update/Press Release -- Written by Christian/DL1MGB, July 9th 2014, 20:07) [edited]: It has been a while since the last news about our (VK9DLX/VK9LM) DXpedition to Lord Howe Island in October 2014. But that doesn't mean that nothing happened since then. OK, the experience we gained with the last DXpeditions in preparing and packing the sea freight makes it easier with the time. But nevertheless it was again a huge amount of work to get all ready to go.
Nearly the whole team met in Goch at the great station of DR1A where we packed all our equipment. Though we already have a good selection of radios, amplifiers and antennas on our stock, there are always new ideas coming up with each DXpedition which lead to even more equipment. So it was this time.
For the planned contest operation as well as for the normal DXpedition we plan to set up two-radio setups which are sharing the available antennas. Also the antenna planning needed some brain power. For the high bands we will use both horizontal and vertical polarized monoband antennas for each band, because they were available and because they minimize interferences between the bands. Having a big field to set up antennas is good, but having the shack at one end of the property, you need long cable runs to feed all the antennas. Therefore over 1,500 meters of coax cable and another 1,400 meters of control cable went into the boxes. At the end of the weekend we had over 3 tons of equipment packed in nearly 60 different boxes. They will now be shipped from Germany to Australia mainland and further on to Lord Howe Island. Be sure you don't miss the pictures in our gallery on: www.lordhowe2014.org/service/gallery/index.php We had one sad moment when Felix, DL5XL, had to tell us that he had to cancel his participation due to his job commitments at that time. With him we lose an excellent operator buddy!
More or less by chance we got in contact with Joerg, DF7TH. He has already been known to Dietmar, DL3DXX, and Gerd, DJ5IW. They shared the operating seat at XF4DL in 2006. Being a CW enthusiast he has been active from EI, TK, LX, OD5, EA8 or IS0 in the past. Working as a freelancer in hardware and software development, he found the time to join our group to follow to Lord Howe Island. Having now three Joerg in the team, we decided to name them after their callsign numbers: Joerg-6 (DF6JC), Joerg-7 (DF7TH) and Joerg-8 (DL8WPX). Sounds like fun when calling for a Joerg. So welcome to the team, Joerg-7!
Feel free to visit the DXpedition website on www.lordhowe2014.org and subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.
No idea who the Lagunaria DX Group is? Just visit www.lagunaria-dx-group.org/ and learn more about the group, the people behind it and their goals.

African Islands Tour
Diego, F4HAU, will activate the following to African islands during the month of October. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10 meters SSB using a FT857D with a HLA amp (300W) into verticals and VDA antennas. QSL both operations via home callsigns.
His tentative schedule is as follows:
October  9-24 Reunion Island (AF-016); callsign FR/F4HAU
October 13-17 Side trip to Rodrigues Island (AF-017); callsign 3B9/F4HAU

October 1-6
Bhutan-A5, (Reminder/Update to OPDX.1176/OPDX.1177/OPDX.1178). Pekka, OH2YY (ex-A52YY), and his good friend Pekka, OH1TV, will be returning to Bhutan and will be active to October 6. They will be staying close to the city of Paro. This time they have no other activities in Bhutan and they will focus 100% on amateur radio! The location will be up on a hill facing to north and it should give a good take off to North America, most of South America, northern Asia, Middle-East and whole Europe. Pekka informed earlier, "We will have two K3 radios. We are planning to have three 2-element yagis: a tribander 14/21/28, a duo-bander 17/24 and one that can be manually tuned to any band 18/21/24/28 MHz. In addition we will have a dipole/vertical for 7 MHz. We will also have a 3-element yagi for 6 meters. We will operate both SSB and CW." Remember, QSL checking will be on QRZ.com and on LoTW. QSL cards directly to his home address (OH2YY) or via SRAL QSL Bureau.

October 1-8
French Polynesia-FO, Heinz, DF1YP, will once again be active by the time you read this as FO/DF1YP from Moorea Island (OC-046, WLOTA 0465). Activity will be holiday style mainly on 20 meters on SSB. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau.

October 1-10
Bahamas-C6, Phil, G3SWH, will be active as C6AYS from New Providence Island (NA-001) to October 10, while en route to and from Grand Turk Island (NA-003) in the Turks and Caicos Islands
[see OPDX.1166 and VP5 below]. There will be a log search facility on the following Web page www.g3swh.org.uk/c6ays.html which is subject to a decent Internet connection, and it will be updated daily. The log will also be uploaded to the ARRL's "Log Book of the World" (LoTW) and Club Log upon his return to the UK. Proper QSLs will be available via the OQRS facility on the above Web site (preferred), direct via snail mail with adequate return postage or via the RSGB bureau. Please note that IRCs are NOT accepted.

October 1-21
Malawi-7Q, Karl, DK2WV, will once again be active as 7Q7VW from the Radio Dinosaur FM - Karonga Museum in Malawi. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. Suggested
SSB frequencies: 1827 (1817 JA only), 3507, 7007 and 50105 kHz (QRM permitting). QSL via DK2WV for direct (see QRZ.com).

October 4-5
Currahee Military Weekend - Band of Brothers - Camp Toccoa, 1200-0000 UTC, K4C, Dawsonville, Georgia. Toccoa-Stephens Chamber of Commerce. 14.308 7.256 147.33 +127.3 3.875. QSL. Bruce Perry, 102 Clearwater Dr, Dawsonville, GA 30534. 2nd Annual Currahee Military Weekend Event. There will be paratroopers, reenactors, plane and helicopter rides in downtown Toccoa, and we will be operating from '3-miles up' on Currahee Mountain from noon to at least dark, and hopefully longer than that. SASE to KK4RWJ info on QRZ for QSL card. kk4rwj@arrl.net or www.qrz.com/db/kk4rwj

October 4-8
Lunar Eclipse, 0001-1200 UTC, K0L, Emporia, KS. Emporia State University Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 21.310 7.230. QSL. Dwight Moore, Campus Box 4050, 1 Kellog Circle, Emporia, KS 66801.

October 4 -8
Bahamas-C6, Alex, PY2WAS, will be active as C6AAS from Melia Hotel on Cable Beach. Activity will be holiday style, especially during the nights on 30/20/17/15/12/10m on CW and SSB. QSL via PY2WAS, by the Bureau or direct.

October 4-12
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, 1145-1400 UTC, W5B, Albuquerque, NM. High Desert Amateur Radio Club. 14.240. QSL. W5B c/o High Desert Amateur Radio Club, 3705 B-1 Ellison Blvd , Box 505, Albuquerque, NM 87114. www.qrz.com/db/W5B

October 4-12
Bedford, PA 50th Fall Foliage Festival, 1321-1321 UTC, K3NQT, Bedford, PA. Bedford County Amateur Radio Society. 28.450 14.250 7.260 7.050. Certificate & QSL. John Hoganmiller, www.bcars.org, or direct , RE: SE Fall Foliage, 300 Cumberland Rd, Bedford, PA 15522. This event celebrates the 50th Fall Foliage in Bedford, PA. Fall Foliage Is two weekends Oct 4 - 5 and Oct 11 - 12. We are promoting Amateur Radio and its role in Public Service. Amateurs will be providing communications for the transportation services during the event. Our local repeater 145.490 PL Tone 123 negative split (-) will be used for local communications and information. Confirmed QSLs may request a certificate and QSL card be emailed or sent via regular mail on our club website. www.bcars.org

October 5-11
 Fire Prevention Week Special Event Station, 0000-2359, N9F, Galesville, WI. KC9ECI. 3.820 7.195 14.245 21.295. QSL. Tom Peterson, 20525 West Gale Ave, Galesville, WI 54630. Operation will be from the Galesville Area Fire Department. N2F, N3F, and N4F are also participating. Other bands and frequencies may be used.

October 7 / 25-26
Morocco-CN2, Operators Juan/EA8RM, Jorge/EA9LZ, Ash/KF5EYY, Rich/W7ZR, Jim/W7EJ and possibly others will be active as CN2R during the CQWW DX SSB Contest as a Multi-Single entry. Operators will be testing the new stations starting October 7th. QSL via W7EJ.

October 10-14
Micronesia-V6, Operators Keizo "Kay"/JH3AZC, Takio/JH3QFL and Hiro/JR3GWZ will be active as V63AZ, V60O and V63GW, respectively, from the South Park Hotel on Pohnpei Island (OC-010). Activity will be on 80-6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY, JT65 and 2m EME operations
(callsign V60EME). QSL via their home callsign.

October 11
US Navy Birthday Special Event, 1600-2300 UTC, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Ship. 14.320 7.250; PSK31 14.070; D-STAR REF1C. QSL. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.

October 11
30th Anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Radio Club Inc., K9HAM (Est. 1984 - 2014) 1500-2200 UTC, K9HAM, Godfrey, IL. Lewis & Clark Radio Club Inc. 21.320 21.250 18.150 18.130 14.250 14.225 7.250 7.230; 10 meters if open. Certificate & QSL. Lewis & Clark Radio Club Inc, K9HAM, PO Box 553, Godfrey, IL 62035. We have been an ARRL Affiliated Club for 30 years. ( 1984 - 2014) www.k9ham.org

October 11
Eisenhower Birthday Celebration, 1400-2100 UTC, W5I, Denison, TX. Grayson County Amateur Radio Club. PSK31 14.070 7.070; SSB 14.250 7.250. QSL. K5GCC, 718 E Hwy 82 #198, Sherman, TX 75090. We will be operating both SSB and PSK31 on both 20 and 40 meters depending on band conditions. www.k5gcc.org

October 11-12
GB1RR Centenary of the first Rolls-Royce Aero Engine, 0000-2359 UTC, GB1RR, Hucknall, United Kingdom. Hucknall Rolls-Royce Amateur Radio Club. 1.950 3.775 7.175 14.250. QSL. GB1RR, Eqsl, HRDLog or Club Log only, Nottingham, UNITED KINGDOM. We are running the special event for 48 hours 11th to 12th October and every Friday until the end of October. 2 HF SSB Stations, 1 HF Data Station (PSK31/PSK63) 1 VHF 2 metre Station (UK only) and hopefully a DStar link. Bands are subject to conditions, please see our website, Facebook page for frequencies or follow us @hrrarc on Twitter www.hrrarc.com

October 12-20
25th Anniversary, Great Quake of '89, San Francisco, 0000-2359 UTC, W6Q, Healdsburg, CA. Will Pattullo. 28.465 21.265 14.265 7.265. QSL. W6Q - Will Pattullo, 161 Presidential Cir, Healdsburg, CA 95448. www.qrz.com/db/ae6yb or ae6yb.jigsy.com

October 13-November 9
South Cook Islands-E5, Bill, N7OU, will once again be operating as E51NOU from Rarotonga (OC-013), South Cook Islands. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, CW only, in his spare time as work allows. QSL via N7OU.

October 17-19
75th Aniversery US Coast Guard Auxiliary, 1600-1600 UTC, N3G, Port Penn, DE. US Coast Guard Auxiliary. 146.520 14.070 14.059 7.039. QSL. Robin M Begley, 3 Pancoast Ave, Aston, PA 19014. Air Mobile on 146.520 MHz Activating Old Reedy Island Light USA-568. Operating HF CW & PSK31,SSB if band conditions allow.QSL via N3CJM N351BA@comcast.net

October 18
57th Boy Scouts Annual Jamboree on the Air, 0800-1700 UTC, K4B, Naples, FL. Boy Scouts of America - Southwest Florida Council - Alligator District. 28.360 21.370 14.280 7.192. QSL. BSA JOTA c/o ARASWF, Naples American Red Cross, 2610 Northbrooke Plaza Dr, Naples, FL 34119. bsaswfl52@gmail.com

October 20 - November 5
Mauritania-5T0, (ITU Special Event). Jean, F3JL/5T0JL, will be using the special callsign 5T0ITU during the ITU events -- like the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in Busan, South Korea, and the ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha, Qatar, between December 7-10th. He may also use it during the ITU week in May 2015. The license is valid until October 2015.

October 25-26
Montenegro-4O. A very large international group of operators will be active as 4O3A during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26) as a Multi-Single entry. Operators mentioned are Ranko/4O3A, Richard/9A1TT, Ivo/9A3A, Kresimir/9A5K, Braco/E77DX, Arvo/ES2MC, Andy/ES2NA, Toivo/ES2RR, Toomas/ES5RY, Tonno/ES5TV, Kristjan/ES7GM, Zoli/HA1AG, Denny/KX7M, Sinisa/ YT1NT, Kele/YU1AO, Dusan/YU1EA, Zoran/YU1EW and Acim/YU1YV. QSL via LoTW. For more info about the 4O3A station, see:   www.4o3a.com

October 25-26
Puerto Rico-WP3, Alfredo (Al), WP3C, will be active during the CQWW DX SSB Contest as a Single-Op/Single-Band (40m)/High-Power entry. QSL via W3HNK.

October 25-26
Canary Islands-EF8, Jaime, WP3A, will be active as EF8U from the Las Palmas Contest Club radio station (EA8URL) on Gran Canaria Island (AF-004) during the CQWW DX SSB Contest. as a Single-Op/All-Band/ Low-Power/Assisted entry. QSL via LoTW or direct to EA8URE.

October 25-26
Mariana Islands-NH0, Koji, JL3RDC, will be active as NH0DX from Saipan during the CQ WW DX SSB Contest as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Band entry. QSL via JL3RDC direct ONLY (no Bureau).

October 25-26
Samoa-5W, Cliff, KD6XH, will be active as 5W0XH from Samoa. Activity will take place before, during and after the CQWW DX SSB Contest. QSL via his home callsign.

October 25-26
Nicaragua-YN, Scott, K7ZO, will once again be active from here, but this time during the CQWW DX SSB Contest, as a Single-Op/All-Band/High-Power entry. He will again use his smaller callsign YN5Z for the contest instead of his usual YN5ZO callsign. He usually operates "Field Day Style" using a 5 band Spiderbeam and a 160-40m vertical. The radio is a TS-590 driving a KPA-500 amp. QSL via LoTW and K7ZO, direct or by the Bureau. Very little operation is expected outside the contest period.

October 25-November 2
Frankenstein 2014 Halloween FunExpedition, 1400-2300 UTC, W0O, Frankenstein, MO. Mid-MO Amateur Radio Club. 3.963 3.535. QSL. Kent W. Trimble, K9ZTV, 2210 Heartland Ridge, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Frankenstein 2014 Halloween FunExpedition from Frankenstein, Missouri. Sponsored by Mid-MO ARC, Jefferson City, MO. Operating CW-SSB-Digital. Frequencies spotted. QSL upon receipt of your QSL & SASE.

October 29-Nov 11
Maldives-8Q, George, KQ8Z/GM0IIO, will be active as 8Q7OO from Kuredu Island, Maldives (AS-013). Activity will be on the HF bands. QSL direct (w/SAE 2 USDs) only to GM0IIO. (No
eQSL, LoTW or Bureau).

October 29 - November 20
Reunion Island-FR, Stephane, F5UOW, will once again be active as FR/F5UOW from Reunion Island (AF-016). Activity will be mostly on CW with some SSB and RTTY. He will also be joined by Alain, F8FUA. QSL via F5UOW, by the Bureau or direct. Please NO IRCs!

October 31
Anoka Halloween Capitol of the World Special Event Station - Third Annual, 1400-2000 UTC, W0YFZ, Anoka, MN. Anoka Radio Club and Emergency Services. 28.375 21.315 14.245. QSL. Anoka County Radio Club, PO Box 982, Anoka, MN 55303. The event will be live from 9:00am to 3:00pm Central Time. SpecialEvents@AnokaRadio.org or www.anokaradio.org

**********************************************
Islands, Castles and Portable Operations

October 4-18
Kasimir, DL2SBY will be active from the Seychelles Inner Islands (AF-024) as S79KB between 4-18th October 2014 as follows: 04-09 October from Mahe (WLOTA 3286), 9-18th October from Praslin (WLOTA 2862). QRV on the 30-10m CW (400W), SSB and RTTY (300W), using FT900AT + Amplifier ACOM 1010. Antennas will be inverted V for 30 metres and triple-leg for 20-10 metres, including WARC bands. QSL via home call, direct or Bureau.
[DX-World]
(OPDX 1180/1181/1182/ARRL)

Throwback Thursday: The Biggest Aspidistra in the World

A Blast from the Past: The Biggest Aspidistra in the World 

            The Biggest Aspidistra in the World!  This song title is reminiscent of Gracie Fields and her popular rendition back during the era of World War 2.  This title was also applied to a magnificent American made medium wave transmitter that was on duty in England during those same wartime years.

            The Aspidistra is a popular house plant in western countries.  It has numerous long glossy leaves often striped with white, and plumed with pretty purple or brown flowers.  The Aspidistra is a member of the lily family and it was originally native to Oriental Asia.

            Back during the 1970s, the scientists had documented only ten different species of Aspidistra though these days 93 are documented; and it is probable that two or three hundred varieties exist in tropical and semi-tropical Asia, mainly southeast Asia and China.

            The song, The Biggest Aspidistra in the World, was written in 1938 by three Englishmen as a humor song, it was adopted by Gracie Fields in the same year, and it became one of her most popular theme songs.  Gracie Fields was English born, at one stage she was married to an Italian citizen on the island of Capri, and she lived much of her time during World War 2 in the United States.  She is remembered most however for her entertainment programs for forces personnel in combat areas.

            The Aspidistra radio transmitter was a concept that was presented to Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, during the year 1941.  The project called for a superpower medium wave transmitter that could change frequency rapidly and radiate on any frequency in the standard international medium wave band.  Its purpose would be to cover continental Europe with black propaganda programming.

            An international search was made for a suitable transmitter, already available if possible. It was discovered that the assembly of a 500 kW medium wave transmitter was nearing completion at the RCA factory in Camden New Jersey in the United States.  This transmitter was under contract to medium wave WJZ for installation at Bound Brook New Jersey but they no longer wanted it due to the fact that the FCC in the United States had mandated a maximum power of 50 kW on medium

wave. 

            At the time, China had already placed an option on the purchase of this superpower transmitter, but it was taken over by the British for installation in the south of England.  This transmitter was inspected on behalf of the British government by Bob Hornby and it was purchased with modifications at a price of £165,000.

            The English engineering executive, Harold Robbin, was sent across the Atlantic in the Summer of 1941 to supervise the completion of this superpower transmitter and its associated equipment.  For two months he lived in New York city and he travelled each day to the RCA factory at Camden, across in New Jersey.

            Two major segments of the transmitter system were already completed and work had begun on the third.  The entire system was modified for a total power increase of 600 kW, with the three amplifiers in parallel.  For a change of frequency, each amplifier in turn was closed, the frequency was changed, and then switched back into service.

            The completed assembly was dismembered, packed separately for shipping to England, and loaded onto different Royal Navy vessels.  All arrived at port in England, except for the antenna towers and antenna systems which were on a ship that was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic.  A duplicate set of antenna systems was hurriedly manufactured and subsequently shipped to England. 

            Several sites were considered for this powerful new medium wave radio station, including one near Woburn in Bedfordshire where initial work preparation had begun.  However, the final choice fell on a location at King’s Standing in Ashdown Forest near Crowborough.  This location was 620 feet above sea level.

            Some 70 acres of land were fenced off, a road construction unit of the Canadian Army that was stationed nearby dug a 50 feet deep hole, and a labor force of some 600 personnel worked 24 hours a day to construct a two storied building underground.  A four foot thick bomb proof reinforced concrete slab protected the top of the building, and a covering of grass and trees provided adequate camouflage.  Programming was produced and controlled in a set of new studios at nearby Milton Bryan.

            The new Aspidistra medium wave facility was ready for usage by April 1942, but it was not taken into regular usage until November 8 on the occasion of Operation Torch, the American landings in North Africa.  On this occasion, Aspidistra carried a mix of programming that included a speech in French by President Franklin Roosevelt, a live relay of VOA news and programming from shortwave WRUL in Scituate Massachusetts, BBC program relays, and local program inserts that were coordinated in their nearby studio.

            Over the years, the Aspidistra transmitter was in use for the broadcast of a variety of program relays, including the BBC European Service in French and German on 804 kHz which began on January 30 of the next year, 1943.  Soon afterwards, a new black clandestine service began from Aspidistra in the German language under the station name, Atlantiksender.  Then on October 24, another “station” was launched in the same language via Aspidistra, Soldatensender.

            There were several notable occasions also when Aspidistra made intrusion broadcasts.  When a major German station was switched off because of air raids from England, Aspidistra was tuned to the same channel, and it relayed the national German network from another station still on the air.  Then at coordinated times, spurious announcements and information in the German language were inserted into this program relay.  The first intruder broadcast took place on March 24, 1945. 

            The broadcasts of the black clandestine stations Atlantiksender and Soldatensender were terminated at the end of April.  At 4:50 am on June 6, 1944 the BBC announced to Europe via Aspidistra that the expected invasion of Europe had begun.  This station was used subsequently to carry the BBC External Service. 

            The station was closed with due ceremony on September 28, 1982, and later the powerful and historic Aspidistra was unceremoniously sold for scrap.  That was the end of this blast from the past, a 600 kW American medium wave transmitter that was installed in England during the middle of last century.

            We should mention that there were also several other transmitters installed at the Crowborough station, all shortwave, but that is the story for another occasion.

(AWR/Wavescan-NWS 292 via Adrian Peterson)

(photo/open.spotify.com)

Schedules changes from WRMI

Updated schedule of WRMI 1000-1030 via transmitter # 8
Effective from: 01 October 

All times UTC
1000-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Mon Walking in Power
1000-1015 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Tue Viva Miami
1015-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Tue European News Network
1000-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Wed From Moscow With Love
1000-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Thu Wavescan
1000-1015 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm French  Fri Echo of Europe
1015-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm French  Fri Echo of Europe
1000-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Sat Walking in Power
1000-1030 on  5850 YFR 100 kW / 355 deg to ENAm English Sun Walking in Power
(SW DXing/02 Oct 2014)

USA   Cancelled transmissions of WRMI via transmitter #14 
Effective: 01 October 2014

All times UTC
0100-0130 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Mon Trova Libre
0130-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR English Mon Angloparade
0100-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Tue La Rosa de Tokio
0100-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Musique Wed RFI Musique
0100-0130 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Musique Thu RFI Musique
0130-0145 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Thu Viva Miami
0145-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Thu Acon Venez
0100-0130 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Fri Frecuencia al Dia
0130-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Fri Historias de Radio
0100-0130 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR Spanish Sat Antena DX
0130-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR English Sat Blues Radio International
0100-0130 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR English Sun World of Radio
0130-0200 on  5950 YFR 100 kW / 181 deg to CARR English Sun Wavescan
(SW DXing/02 Oct 2014)

Radio Marti will transmit MFSK16

Hello friends,

Starting tonight, Radio Martí will transmit a minute of MFSK16 centered on 2500 Hz, daily, according to the following schedule:

 

0558:40 UTC               1180  6030  7405 kHz

 

0758:40 UTC               1180  5980  6030 kHz

 

0858:40 UTC               1180  5980  6030 kHz

 

Each transmission is 57 seconds. 

The 1180 kHz is medium wave, from the Florida Keys. The shortwave frequencies (5980, 6030, and 7405 kHz) are all via North Carolina.

You will probably hear noise on the frequency.

Recordings of your reception would be appreciated.

The email address for reception reports is included in the text transmission, but if you are not able to decode it, just send the report to radiogram@voanews.com.

Kim

Kim Andrew Elliott
Producer and Presenter
VOA Radiogram
voaradiogram.net

Countdown to Spain's last days on shortwave

Reports recently published in hobby newsletters, also report REE's final broadcast day as October 15. The following, is the announcement that included the last broadcast schedule day as October 1.

Radio Exterior de Espana has announced that they will cease all shortwave broadcasts on October 1, 2014.   

All times UTC / days broadcast Sun-Sat

6055 0000-0100 Eng Noblejas 1-7
6055 2300-2400 Fre Noblejas 1-7
6125 0200-0600 Spa Noblejas 1-7
6155 2300-2400 Fre Noblejas 1-7
7275 1600-2155 Spa Noblejas 1
7275 1700-2155 Spa Noblejas 7
9535 2300-0600 Spa Noblejas 1-7
9570 1900-2000 Fre Noblejas 23456
9570 1900-2100 Ara Noblejas 23456
9570 2000-2200 Ara Noblejas 1-7
9570 2200-2257 Spa Noblejas 1-7
9620 2300-0500 Spa Noblejas 1-7
9650 0415-0445 Sef Noblejas 3
9660 2100-2200 Eng Noblejas 17
9665 1800-1900 Fre Noblejas 23456
9665 1900-2000 Eng Noblejas 23456
9685 2000-2100 Fre Noblejas 23456
9780 0500-0900 DRM Spa Noblejas 1-7
11615 1900-2000 Eng Noblejas 23456
11615 2000-2100 Fre Noblejas 23456
11795 0115-0145 Sef Noblejas 3
11910 1200-1357 Spa Beijing  1-7
12015 1900-2000 Fre Noblejas 1
13720 1100-1300 DRM Spa Noblejas 1-7
15160 2300-0200 Spa Noblejas 1-7
15325 1700-1730 Rus Noblejas 23456
15385 1425-1455 Sef Noblejas 2
15385 1500-1700 Spa Noblejas 2-7
15385 1900-2000 Por Noblejas 23456
15585 1400-1555 Spa Noblejas 1
15585 1400-1655 Spa Noblejas 7
15585 0900-1055 DRM Spa Noblejas 1-7
17595 2100-2200 Por Noblejas 23456
17715 1200-1800 Spa Noblejas 23456
17715 1400-2200 Spa Noblejas 1-7
17755 1400-2200 Spa Noblejas 7
17755 1700-1900 Spa Noblejas 23456
17755 1700-2200 Spa Noblejas 1
17850 1700-2300 Spa Noblejas 1-7
17850 1900-2200 Spa Noblejas 23456
21515 1100-1400 Spa Noblejas 7
21515 1100-1500 Spa Noblejas 23456
21515 1100-1700 Spa Noblejas 1
21610 1100-1700 Spa Noblejas 1-7
21610 1700-1900 Ara Noblejas 1-7
21640 1300-1600 Spa Noblejas 23456
21640 1300-1700 Spa Noblejas 1-7
(AOKI/Harold Frodge, MI)