Reduction of shortwave transmitters at KDDI Yamata transmitter site

According to Jiji Tsushin on December 29, 2023, KDDI decided to remove aged  2 shortwave transmitters from Yamata transmitter site in Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture.

The removing works will be done in 2024 fiscal year (April 2024-March 2025) for 10 months. During the period some services, such as "Shiokaze" to North Korea, will not be able to transmit on 2 waves at the same time.

The original article is at https://sp.m.jiji.com/article/show/3131899

At Yamata transmitter site, there are 7 shortwave transmitters.

Hitachi Kokusai Electric SP-1 300kW x 1  SP-1 100kW x 2 (reduced power from 300kW in 2008-2009)  installed in 1993

Ampegon TSW2300D 300kW x 4 installed in 2013

Probably each one of old Hitachi Kokusai Electric 300kW and 100kW transmitters will be removed.

(Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan via WOR List)

Picture credit : Morikazu Kogen via asahi.com

Radio Prague changes QSL policy

Radio Prague changes QSL policy

As per Radio Prague, due to significant price hikes by the Czech postal service have forced them to make a few changes. From 2024, Radio Pragie will only send printed postcards to listeners who send a printed postcard or letter themselves. Otherwise, Radio Prague will send digital QSL cards to those who send a message by email or via web form.

Details at :

 
Radio Prague's 2024 QSL card series will be musical – and digital

https://english.radio.cz/radio-pragues-2024-qsl-card-series-will-be-musical-and-digital-8804225

(Source & Picture : Radio Prague)

The Winter SWL Fest is moving dates !!!!!

THE "FESTMEISTERS" IN CONSULTATION WITH THE NASWA EXECUTIVE BOARD HAVE DECIDED TO SHIFT THE DATES OF THE 2024 FEST TO THE WEEKEND OF MAY 10-11!!!!

(Yes, we know that's "shouting", but we figure big news deserves a big, noticeable announcement.)

Stay "tuned" for further information.  We also are examining the possibility of once again holding an in-person event in cooperation with the current online "Zoom" event.

Better ease of travel and the potential for fewer health concerns in spring as opposed to winter were partial considerations for this decision to move the dates.  It will now be known as:

THE (Ahem) "WINTER" SWL FEST

…  even though it's not in winter and covers far more than shortwave.  (What can we say but we can't come up with a better identifying moniker after more than three decades.)

Thank you for your continued support and interest.  We'll be back in touch shortly.  For one thing, we'll want to poll past and potential attendees on their own interest and ability to commit to participating in an in-person event.

73s

Richard Cuff

John Figliozzi

Fest Ringleaders

(Via ODXA List)

Radio Free Asia announces QSL Card #84

Radio Free Asia announces QSL Card #84

To welcome the Year of the Dragon, Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces its latest QSL card. While we are celebrating together with all of you to welcome a happy, healthy and prosperous new year, RFA wanted to highlight a value we hold dear, Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." This is RFA's 84th QSL design and will be used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports from January – April 2024.

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

Ageing problem of the transmitters in Kimjae site (Korea)

Japanese Service of KBS World Radio announced on December 26 2023 on their HP (https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/about_notice_view.htm?lang=j&no=45421 ) that they will change the time and frequencies on January 1 2024, due to the aging problem of the transmitters. 7275kHz at 0800-0900UT will be no longer used, 9580kHz at 0100-0200UT will be replaced by 11810kHz, will add new transmission at 0900-1000 on 6155kHz instead.

The whole schedule will be the following. Transmitter site: Kimjae.

0900-0900 6155 100kW (no longer on 7275 250kW ) to East Asia

0900-1000 6155 100kW (newly added) to East Asia

1100-1200 1170 500kW (unchanged) to East Asia

0100-0200 11810 250kW 81deg (replacing 9580 250kW 81deg) to East Asia

0200-0300 11810 250kW 81deg (unchanged) to East Asia and Latin America

 

According to transmitter.be, in Kimjae transmitter site there are 4 250kW and 4 100kW SW transmitters. 3 250kW and 3 100kW SW transmitters were installed in 1970-80's. Other 1 250kW and 1 100kW transmitters in 1990's.

 

7275kHz is also used for 0900-1000 1100-1200 Korean to East Asia/South East Asia, 9580kHz for 0200-0300 English (81deg for Latin America). There may be also some affection to these services.

 

(Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan via World of Radio List)

KBS English Service Changes :

Due to a technical issue, KBS WORLD Radio's English Service will make an inevitable adjustment in the shortwave frequency and time as follows as of January 1, 2024. Please send your listener feedback to English Service via email, snail mail, website and social media as always. Thank you.

Current    

Frequency (kHz) : 9580  9570

Time (UTC) :  02:00-03:00

Target Area South America

Wef January 1st, 2024 :

Frequency (kHz) : 9570

Time (UTC) :   11:00-12:00

Target Area :  Southeast Asia

(Alokesh Gupta)

Christmas and post-Christmas "listening treat" from SE-TA 2

As a Christmas and post-Christmas "listening treat" I would like to announce broadcasts from SE-TA 2, Christoph Gerber:

"Musikalischer Frühschoppen"

25.12.2023 from 10-12:00 CET [0900-1100 UTC] via Nauen on 6095 KHz AM

27.12.2023 from 11:00 CET [1000 UTC] on 6195 KHz in DRM

31.12.2023 from 10-12:00 CET [0900-1100 UTC] on 6115 KHz AM

"Let's Go Rock'n Roll"

06.01.2024 from 12:00 CET [1100 UTC] via Nauen 6095 KHz AM

07.01.2024 from 12:00 CET [1100 UTC] on 6115 KHz AM

08.01.2024 from 11:00 CET [1000 UTC] on 6195 KHz in DRM

With kind regards

Detlef Pagel

Chairman German DRM Forum

(BDXC via Glenn Hauser, WOR)

The radio station SE-TA 2 welcomes comments, suggestions, as well as reception reports using: se-ta@web.de which will be confirmed by an electronic QSL card.

NDR Christmas Special special transmissions via Media Broadcast on 24th Dec'23

NDR Christmas Special special transmissions via Media Broadcast on 24th Dec'23

NDR Christmas Gruss an Bord -  "Greetings on board" via shortwave

Transmission Date : 24th December 2023 (Sunday)

Language : German

1800-2100 UTC on  6030 kHz ISS 250 kW / 251 deg to North East Atlantic

1800-2100 UTC on  6080 kHz TAC 100 kW / 301 deg to Europe

1800-2100 UTC on  9635 kHz NAU 250 kW / 130 deg to Indian Ocean

1800-2100 UTC on 11650 kHz ISS 250 kW / 148 deg to Atlantic/Indian Ocean( S.Af )

1800-2100 UTC on 13725 kHz NAU 250 kW / 205 deg to Southern  Atlantic

1800-2100 UTC on 15770 kHz RMI 100 kW / 044 deg to North West Atlantic

Please send your reception reports to : ndr@ndr.de ,  michael.puetz@media-broadcast.com

On Christmas Eve, Norddeutsche Rundfunndr broadcasts messages to sailors all over the world in the radio broadcast "Gruss an Bord" or "Greeting aboard" - greetings to the ship's crew in their home country. The greetings to the sailors were recorded at two "greeting on board" events in the Adventszeit: on 4 December in the  Cultural memory in Wilhelmine gear in neutral and on December 11 in the Hamburg Seemannsmission "Duckdalben". Relatives and friends had the opportunity to wish their loved ones at sea a happy holiday and a good new year. The show "Greeting aboard" was heard for Christmas 1953 for the first time on the radio. It is thus one of the oldest existing radio broadcasts in the world.

More about program "Gruss an Bord" :

http://www.ndr.de/info/sendungen/Gruss-an-Bord,grussanbord306.html

(Alokesh Gupta)

 

Announcement of VORW Radio International

Announcement of VORW Radio International:  

Hello shortwave listeners!

I wanted to share an exciting update about a new high power broadcast I'll be doing for listeners in Africa, Europe and beyond!

Beginning Monday the 11th of December, 2023 and continuing every Monday – this radio program will now be heard across Africa, Europe & Beyond from a high power transmitter in Issoudun, France.

The broadcast is 1 hour in length and I always consider it to be a light entertainment program. The aim of this radio show is to provide good music and occasional news commentary to listeners worldwide. Oftentimes, listener music requests are taken and played and all are invited to participate.

Here is the broadcast schedule for this additional airing:

Mondays 1900 UTC  – 11920 kHz – Issoudun 100 kW – Africa, Europe, Middle East

For this airing I will resume QSL verification of reception reports, there will be a new QSL every month!

Reception reports and feedback are most welcome at vorwinfo@gmail.com

That's all for today, I just wanted to let you all know that there's a new airing out there if you'd like something to listen to!

John (VORW Radio International.)

RNZ Pacific's shortwave service turns 75

Radio New Zealand Pacific's shortwave service turns 75

It has been 75 years since Radio New Zealand started broadcasting on short-wave into the Pacific region.
Using two 7.5 kilowatt transmitters in Titahi Bay, near Wellington, Radio New Zealand began short-wave broadcasts to Australia and the Pacific in 1948.

RNZ Pacific's Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor has this audio report :

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018914551/rnz-pacific-s-shortwave-service-turns-75

English segments in Akashvani External Services B23

15 minute segments in English has been monitored in various External Services of Akashvani  lately as follows;

1240 UTC  Swahili  15400 kHz
1400 UTC Dari         9950 kHz
2200 UTC French     9620 kHz

The program is called "Spotlight" and originally broadcast in Home Service Network at 1545 UTC. Its a current affairs program with discussions etc.

(Jose Jacob, VU2JOS)

VATICAN RADIO B23

VATICAN RADIO B23
(Effective 29th Oct'23 to 30 Mar'24)

AFRICA
                             
0930 1050 GE'EZ LITURGY         15595  17790  SUN/HOLIDAYS
1530 1600 AMHARIC               13830T 155565 DAILY
1600 1630 KISWAHILI             13830T 15565  SUN/MON
1600 1615 KISWAHILI             13830T 15565  SAT
1615 1630 SOMALI                13830T 15565  SAT
1630 1700 ENGLISH               13830T 15565  DAILY
1700 1730 FRENCH                13830  15565  DAILY
1730 1800 TIGRIGNA              13830  15565  DAILY
1800 1830 PORTUGUESE            15565         DAILY
1940 2000 ROSARY                9705   11870  SUN/HOLIDAYS  
2000 2030 ENGLISH               9705   11870  DAILY
2030 2100 FRENCH                9705   11870  DAILY
2100 2130 PORTUGUESE            11870         DAILY

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        7485TI  9720TI 11750TI SAT
1230 1250 RUSSIAN                9810TI  11805TI        DAILY  
1430 1530 HINDI/TAMIL/MALAYALAM  11700TI 15490TI        DAILY  
2200 2230 CHINESE                7300TI  9695TI         DAILY  
2315 2350 VIETNAMESE             7420TI  9580TI         DAILY  

EUROPE & THE MEDITERRANEAN 
0500 0520 RUSSIAN               7360 9710     DAILY

0520 0530 RG_UKRANIAN           7360 9710     NEWS DAILY

0530 0540 UKRANIAN              7360 9710     DAILY

0620 0700 MASS IN LATIN         15595         SUN/HOLIDAYS  
0700 0710 ITALIAN               15595         NEWS WEEKDAYS
0705 0800 UKRAINIAN LITURGY     9710 11815    SUN/HOLIDAYS  

0710 0730 ARABIC                15595         WEEKDAYS
0730 0745 FRENCH                15595         NEWS MON-FRI

0730 0745 ENGLISH               15595         NEWS SAT

0810 0920 RUMANIAN LITURGY      7250  9710    SUN/HOLIDAYS  
0930 1050 ORIENTAL LITURGY      15595 17790   SUN/HOLIDAYS  
1600 1620 ARMENIAN              7360  9710    DAILY  

1620 1640 RUSSIAN               7360  9710    DAILY 

1630 1700 ARABIC                11935 15595   DAILY   
1700 1710 FRENCH                11935         MON-FRI NEWS

1700 1710 FRENCH                11935         SAT

1700-1710 MUSIC                 11935         SUN
1715 1730 ENGLISH               7230          DAILY NEWS
1700 1720 BYELORUSSIAN          9710          DAILY  
1700 1715 MUSIC                 11935         DAILY

1715 1730 ENGLISH               11935         DAILY NEWS

1740 1750 RG_UKRANIAN           7360 9710     DAILY NEWS

1750 1800 UKRANIAN              7360 9710     DAILY

1940 2000 ROSARY                11945         SUN/HOLIDAYS  

T = TALATA-VOLONDRI, MADAGASCAR
G = GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA
TI= TINANG, PHILIPPINES
TM= TINIAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

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

VOICE OF TURKEY B23

VOICE OF TURKEY B23

LANG              FREQ  START STOP TARGET AREA                                CIRAF

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ARABIC            5985  1500 1600 Iraq,Syria,Iran,Arab peninsula             38E,39,40W

ARABIC            11955 1000 1100 Iraq,Syria,Jordan,Arab peninsula,N.Africa  38,39N, 40W     
ARABIC            17720 1500 1600 Morocco,Algeria,Tunusia,Libya,W.Egypt      37,38W,46

AZERBAIJANI       11710 0800 0900 Azerbaijan,Iran,Iraq,Turkmenistan          29SE,40NW

BULGARIAN         7245  1200 1230 Bulgaria                                   28S

CHINESE           17790 1200 1300 China                                      42,44
DARI/PASHTO/UZBEK 9595  1600 1730 Afg,Pak,Tajikistan,Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan 30S, 40N
ENGLISH           6125  0400 0500 Europe,USA,E.Canada,Cuba      3-5,7N,9N, 17,18,27,28,8,11

ENGLISH           7285  0400 0500 Iraq,Syria,Jordan,Arab peninsula           38E,39,40W

ENGLISH           7285  2130 2230 South Asia, Australia               39-41, 49, 54, 55,58

ENGLISH           5960  2300 2400 Europe,USA,Canada                 5,8,9,11N,17,18,27,28W

ENGLISH           6050  1930 2030 Europe                                     27,28W
ENGLISH           9660  1730 1830 Afg,Pak,India,Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan      30S,40E,41N,49
ENGLISH           13635 1330 1430 Europe                                     18S,27,28W
FRENCH            9625  2030 2130 Northwest Africa                           37, 38,  46
FRENCH            17715 1100 1200 France, Western Europe                     27,28W
FRENCH            9755  1830 1930 Southeast Africa                           38,47,48
GEORGIAN          9840  0900 0930 Georgia                                    29S
GERMAN            5945  1830 1930 Germany, Europe                            27E,28W

GERMAN            15270 1230 1330 Germany, Europe                            27,28

HAUSSA            15235 0600 0700 Chad,Ghana,Niger,Nigeria,Sudan,Cameroon    38,46E,47
ITALIAN           11970 0930 1000 Italy                                      28S
KAZAKH            9505  1430 1500 Kazakhstan                                 29E,30,31, 42NW
MALAY             17530 0500 0600 Malaysia, Singapore                        54
PERSIAN           9490  1600 1700 Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan              30S, 40
PERSIAN           11795 0930 1100 Iran                                       40
RUSSIAN           9410  1400 1500 Russia                                     19-22,29,30N
SPANISH           7265  0200 0300 Spain,France,Central America      8S, 10SE,11,12, 27S,37N
SPANISH           7280  0200 0300 Spain, Portugal, S.America               12S,13-15,16N, 37
SPANISH           9495  1730 1830 Spain, Europe                              27S,28,37N
SWAHİLİ           17780 0700 0800 Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda                    47SE,48SW
TATAR             15360 1100 1130 Tatarstan, western Russia                  19,20,29,30
TURKISH           6120  1930 2200 Iraq, Syria, Iran,Arab peninsula           38E,39,40W

TURKISH           11660 0500 0700 Iraq,Syria,Jordan,Arab peninsula           39
TURKISH           6000  0100 0300 Xinjiang-Uygur region, China               30,40,42
TURKISH           9700  0400 0700 Europe                                     18S,27,28
TURKISH           5980  1700 2200 Europe                                     27,28
TURKISH           11815 1400 1700 Europe                                     27,28
TURKISH           15350 0700 1400 Europe                                     27,28
TURKMEN           17770 0900 0930 Turkmenistan,Uzbekistan,Afg,Iran           30S,40N
URDU              15390 1300 1400  Pakistan                                  40,41N
UYGHUR            7240  0300 0400 Xinjiang-Uygur region, China               42,43
UZBEK             13655 1130 1200 Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan, Afg,Tajikistan    30

(Alokesh Gupta)

_.

Adventist World Radio Makes Special QSL Offer

Adventist World Radio Makes Special QSL Offer

 As a gesture of courtesy to the international radio world, Adventist World Radio is making a limited-time special-opportunity for shortwave monitors around the world to obtain postcard style QSL cards through the postal system.  Genuine reception reports on any AWR radio transmissions, on shortwave, mediumwave or FM will be most welcome.  These broadcasts may be according to current AWR scheduling, or from earlier times.  These postal reception reports should be addressed only to the AWR office in Indiana, and where possible return postage in an international currency should be included.  IRC Coupons are not valid in the United States.  Sending reception reports electronically is discouraged.  Each reception report will be verified with cards in the leftover stock of AWR QSL cards in a total of more than 200 different designs and they will be forwarded to the listener through the postal system.    

Each postal reception report should be sent to the following address, and they should be posted no later than December 31, 2023:-

Adventist World Radio

International Relations

Dr. Adrian M. Peterson

2768 Morgan Trail

Martinsville

IN 46151 USA

 (Adrian M. Peterson)

AOKI B23

AOKI B23

*** B23 AOKI LIST UPDATE ***

AOKI : https://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/

Download the zip file here  :  http://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/pc/si/nx/ncb23.zip

PERSEUS text file :  http://www1.s2.starcat.ne.jp/ndxc/pc/si/nx/userlist1.txt

DRM Broadcast on 80th Anniversary of Woofferton Transmitting Station UK (WOF), October 17, 2023

Photo courtesy : Google Street View

DRM Broadcast on 80th Anniversary of Woofferton Transmitting Station UK (WOF), October 17, 2023

A shortwave transmitting station near Ludlow will be celebrating its 80th birthday tomorrow.

The station was originally built by the BBC during the Second World War to house additional shortwave (HF) broadcasting transmitters.

When it officially started broadcasting on October 17, 1943 it had six 50 kW RCA transmitters, obtained by lend-lease. The site has been modernised many times over the years and is now DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) capable providing daily digital radio programmes.

To mark its 80th anniversary Encompass Digital Media (a key DRM member) will be running a special programme on HF analogue and DRM, too at Woofferton Transmitting Station (WOF) in south-west UK. Here are the details:

Tuesday 17th October 2023 (Tuesday) from 1330 - 1430 UTC

15245 kHz (250 kW)  - Sender 95 Marconi (BD272 from 1963) Array 928 294* for North America
17785 kHz (250 kW) -  Sender 96 Riz AMC Array 904A 114* for Europe and beyond.
11725 kHz (110 kW DRM) - Sender 92 Riz Array 909A 114* for Europe and beyond.

There will be an opening interval signal on all three frequencies.

The programme content will be historical facts of WOF in BBC, VoA, Radio Free Europe, R Liberty ,CBC etc and the later privatised times, DW and VoV for example as well as up-to-date information on DRM as well as personal recollections from many former WOF staff. There will be station idents of services over the years.

There will be a special e-QSL card and the chance to enter a competition to win a historic station artifact and a Woofferton 80th mug.

It will be streamed from London as part of the WRN offering and the details are below.

It will be on WRN English globally, this would then go out on Hotbird 13G, Astra 2G (Sky and Virgin Media), Intelsat 20 and Galaxy 19.

Webstream are also available on the Encompass website.

How to Listen - Encompass Marketing

https://www.encompass.tv/solutions/radio/world-radio-network/how-to-listen/

QSLs will be verified and reports can be sent to: radio@encompass.tv

Sources :

British DX Club

https://www.ludlowadvertiser.co.uk/news/23843114.woofferton-transmitter-station-celebrating-80th-birthday/