FEBC Philippines to close down shortwave broadcasts

FEBC SW Philippines to close

I just wanted to let you know that FEBC Philippines is planning to close our facilities in Bocaue and Iba in March 2027. As a result, the following transmitters and related equipment will be for sale at that time:

Continental Model 418F - 2 units (new in 2001)
Continental Model 418F - 2 units updated from 418D (from FEBC Saipan)
Continental Model 418 F - 1 unit  updated from 418D or E1 (Updated Iba unit)
Continental Model 418 D one unit (original edition Iba unit)

 The 418F model is supposed to be able to be updated to DRM capable use by updating the digital modulator cabinet.  Back in the day (2005 ish) that was expected to be about a $50,000 job.  Of course, that price may be different now.

By the way, these transmitters have been well maintained and are in great condition. I can send photos to anyone who is interested.
Also for sale are spare parts and all the accessories, modulation monitors, audio processors, etc.  Please let your member stations know about this sale, and feel free to pass along my contact information to anyone who might be interested.

David Creel, CPBE
Broadcast Engineer
Far East Broadcasting Company/Voice of Love Cambodia
Email:  dcreel@febcintl.org
8D Street 355
Toul Sangke, Russey Keo
Phnom Penh, Cambodia 120706
Telephone: +855-087-693-522 

(National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters on Facebook)

WBCQ goes off air, available on lease

The Worlds Last Chance ministry has apparently gone bankrupt and has abandoned shortwave radio and WBCQ.

The following message is now posted on wbcq.com & also tweeted by Allen weiner on X :

Superstation available

One of the most powerful and versatile shortwave stations is now available for your lease. The Monticello Maine Superstation operating on 9.330 MHz with up to 500 KW of power with its fully rotatable antenna system can put a shortwave signal anywhere in our world. Contact WBCQ at (207) 889-0039 for this unique opportunity.

(Larry Will via Glenn Hauser, WOR List)

STARWAVES Launches Full-Featured Dual-Standard Android SoftRadio App for DRM & DAB+ at IBC 2025

STARWAVES Launches Full-Featured Dual-Standard Android SoftRadio App for DRM & DAB+ at IBC 2025

STARWAVES has launched the DRM-DAB+ dual-standard version of its popular SoftRadio App for Android. This unique solution enables full-featured reception of both digital radio standards in a single app – ideal for markets where DRM and DAB+ coexist, such as South Africa, Indonesia, or Australia, or for listeners in Europe who want access to both local DAB+ services and international DRM broadcasts like Radio Romania International.

Just like the existing DRM-only version, this app version supports DRM in all broadcast bands including the AM bands (LW, MW, SW) as well as the VHF Bands I, II (FM-Band) and III – depending on the capabilities of the USB-attached tuner dongle.

The app is now available on the Google Play Store for around 13 €

Here's the link for Google Play Store :

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.starwaves.drmdabsoftradio

Akashvani (All India Radio) is looking for reception reports for MW & SW transmissions

Akashvani (All India Radio) is looking for reception reports for MW & SW transmissions, all reception report will be verified by paper QSL cards.

MW Frequencies 

http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/mw/freq.htm

SW Frequencies

https://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm

Reception Reports to :

Please submit your reception reports on line at: https://prasarbharati.gov.in/reception-report/

or by email to:  spectrum-manager@prasarbharati.gov.in

or by postal mail to :

Director (Spectrum Management & Synergy)
Akashvani (All India Radio),
Room No. 204, Akashvani Bhawan,
Parliament Street
New Delhi110001, India

DW B21

Deutsche Welle B21

Valid from 31.10.21 - 26.03.22

Language Time/UTC Frequency Txer Site Target Area Weekday Valid from - to

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMHARIC 1600-1700 11830 kHz ISSOUDUN Ethiopia     Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
AMHARIC 1600-1700 15275 kHz ISSOUDUN Ethiopia     Daily 31.10.21-09.12.21
AMHARIC 1600-1700  9555 kHz ISSOUDUN Ethiopia     Daily 10.12.21-28.02.22
AMHARIC 1600-1700 15275 kHz ISSOUDUN Ethiopia     Daily 01.03.22-26.03.22
DARI    1400-1430 11990 kHz DHABAYYA Afghanistan  Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
DARI    1400-1430 15230 kHz NAUEN    Afghanistan  Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
PASHTO  1430-1500 11990 kHz DHABAYYA Afghanistan  Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
PASHTO  1430-1500 15230 kHz NAUEN    Afghanistan  Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   0630-0700  7235 kHz SAO TOME Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   0630-0700  9570 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   0630-0700  9830 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1300-1400  9830 kHz SAO TOME Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1300-1400 11980 kHz SAO TOME Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1300-1400 17800 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1800-1900  9830 kHz SAO TOME Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1800-1900  9570 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1800-1900 11980 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Daily 31.10.21-26.03.22
HAUSA   1325-1530 15195 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   06.11.21-06.11.21 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15350 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   06.11.21-06.11.21 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15195 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   20.11.21-18.12.21 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15350 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   20.11.21-18.12.21 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15195 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   08.01.22-22.01.22 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15350 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   08.01.22-22.01.22 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15195 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   05.02.22-19.03.22 (Football)

HAUSA   1325-1530 15350 kHz ISSOUDUN Africa(West) Sat   05.02.22-19.03.22 (Football)

Reception reports to : info@dw.com

(Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi)

RNZI B21

RNZI B21

Valid from 31 Oct 2021 - 26 Mar 2022

TIME(UTC) FREQ(KHZ) TARGET                   DAYS
---------------------------------------------------

0000-0658 15720 Pacific                       Daily
0659-0858 11725 Pacific                       Daily
0859-1258 11725 NW Pacific Solomon Isl PNG    Mon-Fri
1259-1650  7390 Pacific                       Sun-Fri
1259-1758  7390 Pacific                       Sat
1651-1735  7330 Tonga Niue Samoa Cook Islands Sun-Fri DRM
1736-1958 11690 Tonga Niue Samoa Cook Islands Sun-Fri DRM
1759-2058 11725 Pacific                       Sat
1959-2058 15720 Tonga Niue Samoa Cook Islands Sun-Fri DRM
2059-0000 15720 Pacific                       Daily

Submit reception reports at :  https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/qsl/new

(Alokesh Gupta)

VATICAN RADIO B21

VATICAN RADIO B21

(Effective 31st Oct'21 to 26 Mar'22)

AFRICA
                             
0930 1050 GE'EZ LITURGY         15595  17790  SUN/HOLIDAYS
1530 1600 AMHARIC               11935  13830  DAILY
1600 1630 KISWAHILI             11935T 13830  SUN/MON
1600 1615 KISWAHILI             11935T 13830  SAT

1615 1630 SOMALI                11935T 13830  SAT

1630 1700 ENGLISH               11935T 13830  DAILY

1700 1730 FRENCH                 9705  11935  DAILY
1730 1800 TIGRIGNA               9705  11935  DAILY

1800 1830 PORTUGUESE             9705         DAILY
1940 2000 ROSARY                 6010  7365   SUN/HOLIDAYS  
2000 2030 ENGLISH                6010  7365   DAILY

2010 2040 ENGLISH                6010  7365   S1

2030 2100 FRENCH                 6010  7365   DAILY

2040 2110 FRENCH                 6010  7365   S1

2100 2130 PORTUGUESE             7365         DAILY
2110 2140 PORTUGUESE             7365         S1

AMERICAS

0100 0130 PORTUGUESE             7305G        DAILY 
0130 0145 SPANISH                7305G        DAILY    

0145 0200 SPANISH                7305G        DAILY  
1230 1245 SPANISH                7305G        DAILY  

ASIA                        

1130 1200 MASS IN ENGLISH        15595  17790          FRI
1230 1315 MASS IN CHINESE        6140TI 7485TI 9720TI  SAT
1230 1250 RUSSIAN                7420S  9810TI         DAILY  
1430 1530 HINDI/TAMIL/MALAYALAM  7320TI 9595TI         DAILY  
2200 2230 CHINESE                6185TI 7410   9580S   DAILY  
2315 2350 VIETNAMESE             7420TI 9580TM         DAILY  

EUROPE and the MEDITERRANEAN

0620 0700 MASS IN LATIN         11620         SUN/HOLIDAYS  
0700 0709 ITALIAN               11620         NEWS WEEKDAYS
0709 0730 ARABIC                11620         WEEKDAYS
0730 0745 FRENCH                11620         NEWS WEEKDAYS
0705 0800 UKRAINIAN LITURGY     9645  11815   SUN/HOLIDAYS   

0810 0920 RUMANIAN LITURGY      7250  9645    SUN/HOLIDAYS  
0930 1050 ORIENTAL LITURGY      15595 17790   SUN/HOLIDAYS  
1630 1700 ARABIC                7230  9705    DAILY  
1600 1620 ARMENIAN              6185  7360    DAILY  
1700 1715 FRENCH                7230          NEWS DAILY  
1715 1730 ENGLISH               7230          NEWS DAILY  
1620 1640 RUSSIAN               6185  7360    DAILY  
1740 1800 UKRAINIAN             6185  7360    DAILY  
1700 1720 BYELORUSSIAN          6185          DAILY  
1940 2000 ROSARY                7235          SUN/HOLIDAYS  

T= TALATA-VOLONDRI, MADAGASCAR

G= GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA

TI= TINANG, PHILIPPINES

TM= TINIAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

S= SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Days of operation:
W = Weekdays; H = Holydays
1 = Mon.; 2 = Tue.; 3 = Wed.; 4 = Thu.; 5 = Fri.; 6 = Sat.; 7  = Sun
S1= First Saturday of the month

Recption reports to :  qsl.request@spc.va
                       
(Alokesh Gupta)

RFA B21

RADIO FREE ASIA B21
(Oct 31, 2021 to Mar 26, 2022)

All times and dates are Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Burmese
0030-0130 UTC 7340 7510 15110 15250
0200-0300 UTC 15250
0700-0800 UTC 15320 17815
1230-1330 UTC 11795 15120 15135
1330-1400 UTC 11795 12055 13750
1400-1430 UTC 11795 12055

Cantonese
1400-1500 UTC FNP*

Khmer
1230-1330 UTC 9390 15155
1430-1500 UTC 9720 11750
2230-2330 UTC 9390 11850

Korean
1000-1100 UTC 1566
1200-1300 UTC 9580
1300-1400 UTC 9560
1500-1700 UTC 1188 9985 11510 11550
1700-1900 UTC 1188 9985 11550
2100-2200 UTC 9940 9985 11945

Lao
0000-0100 UTC 9910
1100-1200 UTC 13685

Mandarin
0300-0500 UTC 11980 15455 17660
0500-0600 UTC 11980 15455 17660 21700
0600-0700 UTC 11980 15455 17660 17840
1500-1600 UTC 7540 7665 9790
1600-1700 UTC 7665 9315 11590
1700-1900 UTC 9950 11590
1900-2000 UTC 1557 5890 7520 9455 9860
2000-2100 UTC 1557 5890 7520 9410 9455 11525
2100-2200 UTC 1557 7520 9410 9455

2300-2400 UTC 9860 11525 11775

Tibetan
0100-0200 UTC 9665 11895 11950 13765
0200-0300 UTC 9450 11540 11895 11950 12010
0600-0700 UTC 15255 15665 17675 21480
1000-1100 UTC 9690 15665
1100-1200 UTC 9315 12050 15745
1200-1300 UTC 9315 11935 12050 13830 15745
1300-1400 UTC 9315 11855 13650 13830 15745
1500-1600 UTC 9315 11805 12125
2200-2300 UTC 7480 9790 12050
2300-2400 UTC 5875 7470 7540 9910

Uyghur
0100-0200 UTC 7580 9450 9700 11530 12065
1600-1700 UTC 7545 7560

Notes: FNP* = frequency not promoted
All frequencies are in kiloHertz (kHz).

Reception reports 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

(Alokesh Gupta)

Sri Lanka to sell airtime on ex-DW relay station to Encompass Digital Media

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has agreed to sell airtime on a former Deutsche Welle relay station in Trincomallee in the North East of the island to UK based Encompass Digital Media Services, London.

Germany's DW built the relay station in Sri Lanka in 1980 for mainly for international shortwave (HF) broadcasting. It also has a medium wave transmitter for South Asia.

Full story at :

https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-to-sell-airtime-on-ex-dw-relay-station-to-encompass-digital-media-77342/

ABC may pull plug on China broadcast

The ABC could soon abandon international shortwave radio broadcasts to China and Indonesia, ending more than 70 years of beaming news and current affairs on high frequency into Asia.

But the public broadcaster's management insist it will not flick the switch on shortwave services of Radio Australia to Papua New Guinea and tiny Pacific nations for now.

More at :

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abc-may-pull-plug-on-china-broadcast-20130508-2j7yu.html

Taiwan urged to keep radio broadcasts into China

Several US legislators have urged Taiwan to stop tearing down shortwave radio transmission towers which have broadcast uncensored news to China since the 1960s.

The legislators have raised fears the move could reduce the range of the broadcasts by the state-funded Radio Taiwan International(RTI).

Read the AFP story at : http://tinyurl.com/q4uc4lf

CRI to add Gujarati, Punjabi & Malayalam ?

The external service of China Radio International (CRI) beams content in Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Tamil and other Indian languages and is believed to be beefing up the portfolio. The station is planning to add Gujarati, Punjabi and Malayalam to its external service menu soon, official sources told FE. CRI is also believed to be planning to set up a local office, subject to government approval, to meet its expansion plans.

Read the FE story at :

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/china-jockeys-for-radio-control/1118428/1

Mobiles, cars help raise radio listenership

PATNA: On the occasion of World Radio Day, radio aficionados have a reason to cheer. Surveys conducted by various research organizations, including All India Radio's National Audience Research wing, show that radio is still the undisputed leader among the various means of communication.

Recently, the AIR initiated a step to set up six Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmitters of 300 kW and 21 medium wave transmitters of 100 kW and 300 kW , according to Prasar Bharati sources in Delhi. Apart from this, keeping with the government decision for transition to the digital mode of transmission, AIR is switching from analog to digital in a phased manner. With the target of complete digitization by 2017, listeners can look forward to highly enhanced transmission quality in the near future.

Read more at :

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Mobiles-cars-help-raise-radio-listenership/articleshow/18491208.cms

(Source : Times of India)

Related news :

Ruling the airwaves: FM channels revive radio

ByAmmi Kumari, TNN | Feb 14, 2013, 06.24 AM IST

Revival of this ancient popular media was possible because of the advent of the FM frequencies which cater specially to the youngsters. Vividh Bharati and AIR may not be trendy choices for listeners, but the younger generation is happy with their new-found interest in the age-old medium. Whereas the older generation feel the charm is lost somewhere because of modernization.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Ruling-the-airwaves-FM-channels-revive-radio/articleshow/18493213.cms

North Korean Shortwave Getting Stronger

The North Korean authorities are in the process of replacing their existing shortwave radio transmitters, Daily NK has learned. The measure appears designed to both allow better broadcasts targeting South Korea and stop outside shortwave broadcasts entering.

According to the Northeast Asian Broadcasting Institute (NABI), the authorities made their first move in March this year, replacing the shortwave transmission equipment at Kanggye Transmission Station in Jagang Province with modern equipment made by Beijing BBEF Electronics Group Co. Kanggye Transmission Station is one of three high output shortwave transmission facilities in North Korea, with the other two being at Pyongyang and in Gujang County, North Pyongan Province.

More at...   http://tinyurl.com/8sbfaw5

The Economist on Short Wave Radio

Tuning out

A cold-war stalwart goes out of fashion

TWIDDLE the dial of a short-wave radio and you never know what you will get. Through the hiss of static you may hear Cuban propaganda, football from Brazil or Chinese opera. Unlike other radio broadcasts, short-wave transmissions, bouncing off the ionosphere, can connect any two points on earth.

More at : http://www.economist.com/node/21558247

The slow death of shortwave radio

With the advent of the Internet, Digital Audio Broadcasting and satellite transmission, shortwave radio is in decline. Even the BBC World Service, which once covered the entire globe, has cut back on its services. But the demise of shortwave will be missed by many millions who regularly tune in from remote locations.

More at :
http://tvnewswatch.blogspot.in/2012/02/slow-death-of-shortwave-radio.html

Virginia National guardsman finds new use for old radio technology in Afghanistan

U.S. and Romanian troops, members of the team has successfully deployed a new province-wide short wave radio transmitter in Zabul.Soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are deploying technology in a revolutionary way in Afghanistan using a short wave radio transmitter that can reach almost every radio in Zabul province. This is the first time a province-wide transmitter has been used in Afghanistan. The transmitter allows the Zabul provincial and district government to send messages to rural Afghan homes.

Full story at : http://www.dvidshub.net/news/81428/video-killed-radio-star-virginia-national-guardsman-finds-new-use-old-radio-technology-afghanistan

ESAT launches shortwave broadcast to Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Satellite Television is pleased to announce the launch of a daily shortwave radio broadcast to Ethiopia. In the past few weeks, ESAT has successfully transmitted test broadcasts.
With a view to overcoming the illegal jamming and airwaves piracy that the Meles regime has continued with utmost intensity, ESAT’s management made a decision to transmit ESAT’s programs on multiple platforms. ESAT’s shortwave radio, which will have a significant reach to the people of Ethiopia, will be another addition to ESAT’s unwavering efforts to reverse the information blackout deliberately created by the Meles Zenawi regime.
ESAT firmly believes that freedom of expression is a powerful means of ultimately defeating tyranny, corruption, abuse of power, human rights violations, inequality and bad governance. With a conviction to reach the people of Ethiopia with quality content, ESAT’s shortwave broadcast will be on air daily on 15370 kHz, 19 Meter Band, 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm (Ethiopian local time). Additional frequencies will be available subject to the effect of signal interference.
ESAT is also finalizing preparations to launch multiple broadcasting platforms. ESAT will be available soon on IPTV, a system that will deliver our broadcast on TV sets around the world. Our viewers will also be able to watch our broadcasts on smart phones.
ESAT’s online transmissions will soon be upgraded with a new user-friendly website that will not only webcast our live broadcasts 24/7 but will also have video-on-demand with our huge collection of archives. Our online transmissions via ESAT’s website will also be available in Flash Player, which is compatible with all the major web browsers.
Most importantly, ESAT is making unrelenting efforts to resume its satellite TV broadcast to Ethiopia. ESAT is committed to delivering its promise to serve as a conduit for citizens to express their opinion freely, to access reliable information and to play its part in the struggle to build a democratic country with Ethiopia’s first independent satellite television service. As Al Jazeera has changed the media and socio-political landscape in the Arab world, ESAT will also be opening new avenues for Ethiopia with the power of 21st media technology.
With the continued support of our people in and outside of Ethiopia, ESAT will fulfill its missions.

We shall prevail!

ESAT Management

(ESAT Press Release )

Thomson Broadcast Puts Shortwave on FM

Shortwave is an efficient technology for delivering programming to a wide area from a single transmission site, but FM provides higher quality audio and a ready supply of inexpensive receivers. At IBC2011, Thomson Broadcast is demonstrating a solution that bridges the two technologies, using the DRM30 digital radio standard to distribute programming for retransmission on FM.

Full story at :
http://www.radioworld.com/article/thomson-broadcast-puts-shortwave-on-fm/24336

After 27 years, FEBC shutting down Saipan station for good

Far East Broadcasting Co., a non-profit, non-denominational missionary organization that broadcasts the gospel of Jesus Christ to many parts of Asia, will decommission its radio station on Saipan by the end of the year, after 27 years of broadcasting on island.
Bob Springer, FEBC general manager, attributed their decision to government deregulation and advances in communications technology that he said have significantly reduced the demand for shortwave broadcasting.

Full story at : http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=112098