Uncle Bill's Melting Pot January 2025

Uncle Bill's Melting Pot, January 2025

Happy New Year! Due to circumstances beyond our control including new sources of interference, some schedule adjustments were necessary. We have cancelled the 0400 transmission and will not use 6070 over the winter.

January's program will feature mainly Kurdish music and will air as follows:

Friday, January 17:  3955 kHz at 2200 UTC (NEW)

Saturday, January 18:  (NEW) 3955 at 1800 UTC simulcasted with 9670 using beam E-F (repeat of January 17 episode). 

The December broadcast on 9670 was heard although with a lot of noise. We are hoping that it will improve as the year progresses.

**In addition to direct radio reception, we do honor reception reports using remote SDRs as long as the whole program is described and which SDR is specified.

Feature Your Club in WRTH’s Monthly Club Spotlight

WRTH is inviting all DX and HAM Radio Clubs from around the globe to apply for our Club Spotlight and be featured in a global campaign reaching over 17,000+ radio enthusiasts and professionals.

Here's how it works:

The Club Spotlight newsletter campaign allows up to 350-400 words accompanied by a few images.

Clubs can highlight their history, past and upcoming events, and details like logo and contact information.

Articles must be formatted in a Microsoft Word Document, with the option to embed links to more comprehensive articles for further reading.

🕒 Limited Slots Available: Features are on a first-come, first-serve basis, with one article showcased monthly.

📧 How to Apply: Send your submission to partnership@wrth.org with the required details.

Seize this opportunity to share your club's passion and achievements with the global community.

(WRTH)

3-day pre-launching event of Public Service Broadcasting Nepal starting on January 14

3-day pre-launching event of Public Service Broadcasting Nepal starting on January 14

January 13, Kathmandu: Nepal is set to embark on a new era of public broadcasting with the upcoming pre-launching event for the Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) Nepal. The three-day event, scheduled to start on January 14 (Tuesday), will feature panel discussions on various aspects of PSB, including international best practices, strengthening democracy, and the role of PSB in education, health, and disaster management.

The PSB, formed with the merger of Radio Nepal and Nepal Television, aims to provide impartial, accurate, and balanced news and information to the Nepali public.

Dr Mahendra Bista, Chairman of PSB Nepal, highlighted the significance of this event, stating that it will provide valuable insights for the smooth transition and effective operation of the new public service broadcaster.

"The discussions will cover a wide range of topics, from the international experiences of PSB to the role of technology in modern broadcasting," said Dr Bista. "We are confident that this event to be held in both Nepal Television and Radio Nepal premises will help us develop a robust long-term plan for the PSB."

The pre-launch event will include panel discussions featuring experts from Nepal and abroad, including government ministers, academics, and media professionals. The inaugural session and the concluding ceremony will be graced by the presence of the Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung.

Dr Kundan Aryal, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Tribhuvan University, emphasized the importance of PSB remaining free from political and commercial interests. "The PSB should prioritize the needs of the general public and provide balanced news coverage," said Dr Aryal.

The PSB pre-launch event will be live broadcast on Nepal Television, Radio Nepal, and various digital platforms to ensure maximum public engagement.

Source : Radio Nepal

All India Radio’s Special 'Kumbhvani' Channel and 'Kumbh Mangal' dhwani to be inaugurated at Prayagraj today

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to Inaugurate All India Radio's Special 'Kumbhvani' Channel and 'Kumbh Mangal' dhwani at Prayagraj today

Throughout the Kumbh period, All India Radio's Kumbhvani channel will promote the Maha Kumbh tradition by bringing live updates from Prayagraj to the nation and the world, providing important information to devotees

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, will inaugurate All India Radio's special Kumbhvani Channel (FM 103.5 MHz), dedicated to Mahakumbh 2025, at Circuit House, Prayagraj tomorrow. On this historic occasion, the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, will also join the program through an online platform. During this event, the Chief Minister will also launch the Kumbh Mangal Dhwani .

The live updates broadcast by KumbhVani will be especially beneficial for those who are unable to attend the Kumbh in Prayagraj. This will help bring the atmosphere of this historic Mahakumbh to people across the nation and the world. Prasar Bharati, the country's public service broadcaster, is taking this initiative to not only promote India's historical religious traditions but also provide important information to devotees and offer them a cultural experience from the comfort of their homes.

Kumbhvani at a Glance

Kumbhvani Channel: Introduction and Broadcast Period

Broadcast Period: January 10, 2025, to February 26, 2025

Broadcast Time: 5:55 AM to 10:05 PM

Frequency: FM 103.5 MHz

Special Programs on KumbhVani:

Live Broadcasts:

Real-time coverage of major bathing festivals (January 14, January 29, February 3).

Daily live reporting from the Kumbh area.

Special Cultural Heritage Presentations:

Serial 'Shiv Mahima'.

Special programs on Indian cultural heritage.

Talk Shows:

'Namaskar Prayagraj' (9:00–10:00 AM).

'Sangam Tat Se' (4:00–5:30 PM).

Special Health Consultations: 'Hello Doctor': Live health consultations by doctors in the studio.

Kumbh News:  Major news bulletins (8:40 AM, 2:30 PM, and 8:30 PM).

Special Coverage:

Coverage of cultural programs organized by the state government and various departments.

Special programs on youth, women, and international visitors.

Important Information:

Information on travel, health, cleanliness, lost and found, and dos and don'ts.

All India Radio has always played a key role as a public broadcaster, promoting Indian cultural heritage and traditions. The Kumbhvani Channel gained popularity among listeners during the Kumbh in 2013 and the Ardh Kumbh in 2019. Continuing this tradition, this special channel has been re-established for Maha Kumbh 2025.

This event will be attended by Prasar Bharati Chairman Dr. Navneet Kumar Sehgal, CEO Gaurav Dwivedi, Director-General of All India Radio Dr. Pragya Paliwal Gaur, Director-General of Doordarshan Kanchan Prasad, and other senior officials.

****

Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

Radio Romania International back on usual winter (B24) frequencies

Radiocom has managed to fix the malfunction of one of the shortwave transmitters in Tiganesti. Radio Romania Intl's programs can be received again, including digitally, for some areas, in the DRM system, on the frequencies originally announced at the end of October 2024.

C.M.Obrecht's radio show on 11th Jan 2025

C.M.Obrecht's mixed-music radio show with many artists and music styles will be transmitted towards Southern America on 11th Jan 2025 at 21.00 UTC (that's 18.00 ART time) on 17790 kHz.

 

Important Update for Starwaves W2401 DRM Receiver

Important Update for Starwaves W2401 DRM Receiver

Starwaves has relaased a new software update V,539991 for W-2401 DRM receiver. Please note that the DRM decoding functionality may not work after 31 December 2024 without installation of this release.

Please download from :

  https://www.starwaves.com/updates/539991/Update539991.rar 

Unrar both files to the root folder of a USB memory stick (NOT external hard disk!) and install. For this you switch the radio on and wait until it is in normal operation. Then you plugin your memory stick and wait until the radio turns off, then unplug USB stick and then switch on the radio. Press the INFO button and verify the new release version (should show 539991).

(Courtesy : Starwaves)

IUST, Srinagar gets license for community radio station FM 91.2 MHz

IUST, Srinagar gets license for community radio station FM 91.2 MHz

The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has been granted a license by the Ministry of Communication, Govt. of India to launch a dedicated community radio station on its campus. 

More at :  https://www.thekashmirmonitor.net/iust-gets-license-for-community-radio-station-fm-91-2/

Akashvani Kokrajhar new 10 kW FM Transmitter Inauguration tomorrow

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will virtually inaugurate the 10 KW FM Transmitter at Akashvani Kokrajhar. Previously operating with a 20-kilowatt Medium Wave transmitter since 1999, the introduction of the FM transmitter will extend its coverage to a 70-kilometer radius, enhancing receptivity for Kokrajhar and nearby districts.

Officials stated that this development ensures over 30 lakh residents across Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Bongaigaon, and Chirang access to superior FM broadcast quality.

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad)

 

RADIO FREE ASIA ANNOUNCES QSL CARD #87

RADIO FREE ASIA ANNOUNCES QSL CARD #87

Radio Free Asia (RFA) is excited to announce its latest QSL card marking the beginning of the new year—the Year of the Snake. For more than 28 years, RFA has delivered accurate, uncensored, domestic news to people living under authoritarian regimes across Asia and globally to populations vulnerable to malign influence. Through its in-depth, unflinching journalism, RFA brings to light consequential developments in China, North Korea, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as the Pacific region. This is RFA's 87th QSL design and will be used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports from January – April 2025.

RFA's QSL CARD #87

Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin Chinese, Vietnamese, Tibetan (including Uke, Amdo, and Kham dialects), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in our editorial content. As a 'surrogate' broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of our target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of our broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.  More information about RFA, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is always available at www.rfa.org.

RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports.  Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions.  RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener.  RFA welcomes all reception report submissions not only from DX'ers, but also from our general listening audience.

Reception reports are accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org and by mail to:

Reception Reports
Radio Free Asia
2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300
Washington DC 20036
United States of America

(RFA Press Release)

Taiwan Stories in Multilingual Broadcasting – Rti’s New Book ‘Shortwave Era’ Chronicles Voices Across Generations

Taiwan Stories in Multilingual Broadcasting – Rti's New Book 'Shortwave Era' Chronicles Voices Across Generations

Radio Taiwan International (RTI) published a new book focused on the evolution of the public broadcaster and how it has fulfilled its mission for a global audience since 1949.

Shortwave Era provides a detailed account of how Rti has used multilingual broadcasting to build international communication bridges, witnessing Taiwan's significant interactions with the global community. The book is now available at major bookstores, e-book platforms, and online bookstores.

Read the press release here: 

https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/rti-book-launch/

Book details :

Publisher: Mirror Literature Co., Ltd.

ISBN : 13/9786267440513

Pages : 256 Pages

Binding : Paperback

Language : Chinese/Traditional

Size/14.8x21x1cm

WRTH 2025 launch event

The wait is almost over—WRTH 2025 is launching !

Join for the official live launch of WRTH 2025, where the newest edition of your trusted broadcasting guide will be unveiled

📅 Date: December 17, 2024
⏰ Time: 2 PM (CET)
⏳ Duration: 30 minutes
15 minutes: WRTH 2025 live launch, walkthrough, and demo
15 minutes: Q&A with the audience
🎙️ Panel Experts: Gunter Lorenz & Oliver Schmidt
👩‍💼 Moderator: Sakshi Shrivastava

🎉 Celebrate this milestone with us, learn more about WRTH 2025, and get your questions answered live!

Please Note: Pre-orders for WRTH 2025 have ended. The book is currently unavailable on our Web Shop and will officially launch on Tuesday, December 17th.

👉 Register Now: https://shorturl.at/gVzpN

News from Radio Channel 292

Dear friends of Radio Channel 292,

After a long time, here is a new newsletter.

The problem is, apart from time constraints, that every time we send out a newsletter

we end up on some spam lists and then have problems sending mails.

As many of you have probably already seen, at the moment and in the near future

new stations can be received via our frequencies:

Radio London International, Little Emperors, Kölsch in die Welt, In The Groove

and, from February, Nordic Wave.

We would also like to draw your attention to the numerous special broadcasts by various stations at the end of the year: Radio Six, Gary Gordon Radio, Radio Marabu, SM Radio Dessau, Ruqui Radio AM, Radio Waves International and Superclan Radio.

In the meantime, we have completely converted our transmitters and reserve transmitters to solid state (transistorized), which was not without some problems. These amplifiers are much more sensitive to problems than tube amplifiers.

Anyone who has sent us reception reports recently will certainly have noticed that we are currently not sending out QSL cards. The reason is simply lack of time, and when there is work to be done on the technology, that takes priority.

We are sorry about this, and it is certainly annoying for you, but it is not necessarily a reason to call us foul names after three unsuccessful reception reports: "More respect with listeners motherfuckers". Many greetings at this point to Raul Guerrero, and we would be delighted to hear no more from you.

It should also be known that our broadcasting partner in Vienna / Moosbrunn, the ORS, will cease broadcasting and will be on air for the last time (for the time being) on December 31.

We would like to draw your attention to the Christmas marathon on December 26 from 0900 to 1600 UTC on 6070 kHz, and, also on this frequency, a double hour of SM Radio Dessau on the last day of the year from 1200 UTC.

On this occasion, the DARC will transmit its last broadcast on December 29 from Moosbrunn as a double hour from 1000 UTC.

From January 5, the DARC broadcasts will change as follows:

The Sunday broadcast on 6070 kHz will then run via our transmitter at 10 kW, with high power, namely 125 kW, will then be transmitted on 9670 kHz via Woofferton.

The DARC would be pleased to receive reports on the new reception conditions. The repeats on Mondays on 6070 and 9670 kHz will be broadcast at different

times, which can be found in the transmission schedules on our homepage.

It is uncertain whether a follow-up company will be able to resume broadcasting via Moosbrunn at a later date.

Finally, we would like to wish all our friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and good luck in 2025.

---

(Rainer Ebeling, Radio Channel 292)

Telstar Radio special transmission on 24th Dec

Telstar-Radio will again organise a live-radio-programm on shortwave on 24 December 2024 together with guest-DJ Erdenman on the already well-known frequency 6045 kHz at 100 kW via the transmitter in Nauen / Germany.

The programm starts at 11:00 UTC (12:00 CET) with the 9 0min-programm with Erdenman (Radio 60 !) as guest-DJ. At 12:30 UTC (13:30 CET) starts Toon from Telstar-Radio himself the programme with typical pirate and freeradio style music until 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET).

For all correct reception reports to erdenman@gmx.de  we send this eQSL back.

(Erdenman)

Holiday Programmes on Shortwave 14 Dec 2024 to 1 Jan 2025

As was the case in recent years, I have again been collating a list of programming scheduled to be broadcast (mostly) on shortwave over the forthcoming holiday period, this time covering the period Saturday 14 December 2024 to Wednesday 1 January 2025. The list includes both "seasonal" and "non-seasonal" programming. Regular weekly music programming where no special advance programme information has been provided are not usually included in this list (although there may be some exceptions!), however please refer to my Music on Shortwave list.

The first edition of this compilation is now available to download from the permanent link at:

https://app.box.com/s/kbdxb4c5lwpju0kpoi27aiwc35br2g2a

In the event that further information becomes available, I will issue updates and post to the above permanent links. Small changes will be issued as incremental versions, which will not be announced in social media posts. Significant changes and additions will be issued as new versions and will be announced. It will be worth checking the above links from time to time for the latest information.

I hope that you find this resource useful.

Additions and corrections are most welcome to alan-roe-swl@randa33.co.uk

Best wishes for Christmas and a Happy New Year

(Via Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, BDXC List)