Special broadcasts by AIR on Aug 15 for Independence Day 1

India became an independent nation on 15 August 1947.
August 15 is a National holiday and on that day Flag Hoisting, Parades and other functions are held all over India. The main event takes place in New Delhi where the Prime Minster hoists the
National Flag at the Red Fort and delivers a nationally televised speech from its ramparts.

All India Radio will broadcast the running commentary in English and Hindi about the Flag Hoisting, Parade and Prime Minsters speech to be held at Red Fort, New Delhi between 0135-0240 UTC (0705-0810 hrs IST) on 15th August, 2010 on the following frequencies.

English:

4860 Delhi 50 kW
11830 Delhi 50 kW
13620 Bengaluru 500 kW
15050 Delhi 250 kW
17510 Delhi 250 kW

Hindi:
4860 Delhi 50 KW
6030 Delhi 100 KW
6155 Bengaluru 500 kW
7340 Mumbai 100 kW
9595 Delhi 250 KW
11620 Aligarh 250 KW
15135 Delhi 50 KW

(Note : External Services in Urdu on 6155, 7340,9595, 11620 are replaced by Commentary at this time)

The SW Regional Stations will start using their day time frequencies about 1 hour or more earlier than usual on 15th August as follows to relay the Commentary. This may provide enhanced reception of stations than on normal days.

The sign on schedule for that day is as follows with normal sign on timings in brackets.

1. BHOPAL 0130 UTC (Ex 0225) 7430
2. CHENNAI 0130 UTC (Ex 0300) 7380
3. HYDERABAD 0130 UTC (Ex 0225) 7420
4. IMPHAL 0130 UTC (Ex 0225) 7335
5. KOHIMA 0000 UTC 4850
6. KOLKATA 0130 UTC (Ex 0230) 7210
7. PORT BLAIR 0130 UTC (Ex 0315) 7390
8. SHIMLA 0025 UTC (Ex 0215) 6020
9. SRINAGAR 0025 UTC (Ex 0225) 6110
10. THIRUVANTHAPURAM 0020 UTC (Ex 0230) 7290

Look out for the rare AIR station in Kohima on 4850 on 14 & 15 August, 2010 as follows:
14 Aug 2009 1000-1600 UTC approx
15 Aug 2009 0000-0415 UTC approx

AIR Kohima is broadcasting on SW only for such special occasions like Independence Day (August 15) & Republic Day (January 26) and has been heard even by listeners in USA. Being a very important broadcast all AIR stations will try to be at their best to broadcast the commentry without any interruptions.

Reception Reports to : spectrum-manager@air.org.in

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