IRIB To Discontinue Shortwave Broadcasts

I received the email below from Iran's IRIB English Radio on April 3rd...

"Greetings

IRIB English radio has recently planned to broadcast its programs via
Internet and satellite and based on this plan, the shortwave broadcast 
of our radio will be unfortunately discontinued. As a radio hobbyist 
and an audience of IRIB English Radio based in Tehran, Iran, what do 
you think about this idea? Do you think we should take this measure 
and act as we have planned or you still prefer to follow our programs 
via shortwave radio? Please let us know and help us to make the best 
decision."

I replied to the email and let them know that shortwave is still a necessary
service to many around the world, as not everyone can always have access
to the internet. Besides that, shortwave signals are more difficult to block by
hostile governments than radio signals are. If you want to add your two cents,
email Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting at englishradio@irib.ir.

CRI Sneaks Programming Into US Midwave Radio

From Reuters:

Beijing’s covert radio network airs China-friendly news across 
Washington, and the world

By Koh Gui Qing and John Shiffman

Filed Nov. 2, 2015, 1:40 p.m. GMT

Part 3: The Chinese government controls much of the content broadcast 
on a station that is blanketing the U.S. capital with pro-Beijing progra-
mming. WCRW is part of an expanding global web of 33 stations in which 
China’s involvement is obscured.


BEIJING/WASHINGTON – In August, foreign ministers from 10 nations
blasted China for building artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.
As media around the world covered the diplomatic clash, a radio station that
serves the most powerful city in America had a distinctive take on the news.

Located outside Washington, D.C., WCRW radio made no mention of China’s
provocative island project...[CONTINUE READING]

Postcards From Around The World: What Is A QSL Card?

A QSL card is what a radio station (or amateur radio operator) will
send a listener as confirmation of a reception report. For example,
if I hear ham radio operator KP4X3 on my receiver, I'll send him or
her a letter or e-mail letting that operator know that I heard their
transmission. Normally, you would specify what date and time you
heard them and on what frequency. It is also common to state what
equipment you were using when you heard the transmission. Sending
this information to the radio operator helps the operator know how
far his or her signal is travelling, how well it can be heard and
whether any tweaks or alterations need to be made to the equipment.

In turn, the radio operator will send a "QSL card", which is often
a postcard, to the listener. This card serves to confirm that what
the listener heard was indeed correct, and that the information
submitted by the listener matches details of the transmission. 'QSL'
is radio code for "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" or
"I confirm receipt"...[CONTINUE READING]

Voice of Vietnam QSL

On April 24th, 2015, I received the Voice of Vietnam in English in Fort Worth, Texas.
I heard them on 12005 khz, transmitted from Wooferton, UK (per ShortwaveSchedule.
Com) from 02:35 to 02:50 UTC. The following morning, I e-mailed a reception report to 
vovworld@vov.org.vn. Close to two months later, about four days ago, I received a QSL 
card in the mail acknowledging my reception. The front and back are shown below:

Cuban Spy Numbers Station (HM01) On 11635 khz

While doing some shortwave listening on my back porch in Fort Worth,
TX recently (5/10/15), I came upon the well-known HM01 spy numbers
station from Cuba. This time I caught it on 11635 khz, at exactly 1800 UTC.
Signal quality was very good, but you can hear from yourself in the video
below. I listened on a Tecsun PL-380 with a 25-ft wire antenna, with cloudy/
rainy conditions.

Shortwave Logs From Fort Worth, TX for April 2015

Country in brackets is the transmitter site and not  necessarily the 
country of origin, unless specified.  If two countries are in brackets, 
first one is transmitter site. After that, the date, time and frequency
in kHz is listed. All times in UTC and all stations heard on TECSUN 
PL-380 portable in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with 25 foot reel wire 
antenna, on a first floor, unless otherwise noted.

[SPAIN] 04/19/15, 2028, 17855 khz -- Radio Nacional de Espana
in Spanish. Male announcers call futbol game, teams unknown.
SINPO 33343; first time receiving REE on this frequency since
they "came back".

[USA] 04/19/15, 2030, 17790 -- Male announcer (I believe he said
his name was "Tim Taylor") preaches and prays in English. SINPO
45455, very good signal. Almost certainly RMI from Okechobee,
FL.

[CUBA] 04/19/15, 2031, 17730 -- Radio Habana Cuba in Arabic,
male(?) announcer reading presumably news. Thought at first it
might not be Arabic, as it sounded kind of off compared to what my
ear expected, but it is Arabic per Aoki schedule. SINPO 44344.

[USA] 04/19/15, 2034, 15000 -- WWV time station from Fort
Collins, Colorado. The usual, reception about average. SINPO
33233.

[EGYPT] 04/22/15, 0317, 9965 -- Radio Cairo in Arabic, coming in
very decently all the way from North Africa, for once! Middle-Eastern
sounding music with male vocal (?). Clapping heard at end of song,
which was immediately followed by tune from what seemed like diffe-
rent artist at 0320. SINPO 34333.

[BRAZIL] 04/23/15, 0308, 11780 -- Radio Nacional da Amazonia,
in Portuguese. Acoustic guitar music with male vocal. Really good
signal tonight even for this station, at times it almost sounded like it
could've been local AM radio. SINPO 44454, but sometimes as good
as 45545.

[UK/VIETNAM] 04/24/15, 0235, 12005 -- Voice of Vietnam in
English, transmitted from Woofferton, UK. News headlines by alter-
nating male and female announcers. Heavy accents left me unable to
understand much of what was being said, but picked up mentions of
a Cuba/EU meeting and the Iran nuclear negotiations. SINPO 43344.

New Frequencies and Times For Radio Exterior de España

Spain's shortwave broadcaster, Radio Exterior de España, has published new
scheduled and frequencies on its website. For us here in North America, REE
will be transmitting on 17855 khz, from 1800 to 2200 hours UTC on weekdays,
and from 1400 to 1800 hours UTC on weekends. The full listing (in Spanish)
can be seen here. Good to see this from a shortwave broadcaster that until
very recently was getting ready to shut down!

Deutsche Welle Closing Kigali Transmitter March 28th

Another one bites the dust, as Germany's Deutsche Welle will be shutting down
its relay site (their last one, actually) in Kigali, Rwanda. Apparently March 28th
is the final day of transmission from Kigali, so if you're never logged or QSL'd
this location, do so now! No budget cuts had been announced by DW, which
makes the closure somewhat of a surprise.

Shortwave Logs From Fort Worth, TX for 02/15/15

Country in brackets is the transmitter site and not  necessarily the 
country of origin, unless specified.  If two countries are in brackets, 
first one is transmitter site. After that, the date, time and frequency
in kHz is listed. All times in UTC and all stations heard on TECSUN 
PL-380 portable in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with 25 foot reel wire 
antenna, on a first floor, unless otherwise noted.

[RWANDA/GERMANY] 02/15/15, 1828, 17800 khz -- Deutsche Welle
from Kigali, Rwanda, in Hausa language. Two males talk on unknown
subject. Decent signal for daytime, considering this is coming from 
East Africa. Listened for about five minutes. SINPO 33233.

[USA] 02/15/15, 1842, 15610 khz -- EWTN (Catholic) Radio transmitting
from Vandiver, Alabama. "Vatican Insider" program with female announ-
cer. Strong, clear signal with a little noise, as typical for this frequency. 
SINPO 44344

[CUBA] 02/15/15, 1845, 11635 -- Atencion Cuba spy station with short
set of numbers being read in Spanish by female ("tres, dos, ocho, 
siete, siete"), followed by data-like sounds for several seconds, then
more numbers, and so on. SINPO 45454, good signal. It seems like
Cuban spy activity hasn't slowed down since the beginning of thawed
relations with the US.

[USA] 02/15/15, 1858, 15825 -- Religious talk by male, then station ID
and new show at top of hour (Dr. James Blank [sp?]). Male prays while
female translates into Spanish. SINPO 44344. 

Postcards From Around The World: What Is A QSL Card?

A QSL card is what a radio station (or amateur radio operator) will
send a listener as confirmation of a reception report. For example,
if I hear ham radio operator KP4X3 on my receiver, I'll send him or
her a letter or e-mail letting that operator know that I heard their
transmission. Normally, you would specify what date and time you
heard them and on what frequency. It is also common to state what
equipment you were using when you heard the transmission. Sending
this information to the radio operator helps the operator know how
far his or her signal is travelling, how well it can be heard and
whether any tweaks or alterations need to be made to the equipment.

In turn, the radio operator will send a "QSL card", which is often
a postcard, to the listener. This card serves to confirm that what
the listener heard was indeed correct, and that the information
submitted by the listener matches details of the transmission. 'QSL'
is radio code for "do you confirm receipt of my transmission?" or
"I confirm receipt"...[CONTINUE READING]

Shortwave Logs For 1/29-1/30/15

Country in brackets is the transmitter site and not  necessarily the 
country of origin, unless specified.  If two countries are in brackets, 
first one is transmitter site. After that, the date, time and frequency
in kHz is listed. All times in UTC and all stations heard on TECSUN 
PL-380 portable in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, with 25 foot reel wire 
antenna, on a first floor, unless otherwise noted.


[CUBA] 01/29/15, 0410, 5025 -- Radio Rebelde in Spanish, with male
 and female announcer reading personal ads listeners have apparently
sent in from all over Cuba. Some looking for friendship, some looking
for men or women only. Reception was a bit noisy. SINPO 43344.

[CUBA] 01/29/15, 0413, 5040 -- Radio Habana Cuba in Spanish.
Latin music, with male announcer interrupting here and there. Recep-
tion much like Radio Rebelde: not great, not terrible. SINPO 43344.

[USA] 01/29/15, 0415, 5890 -- WWCR from Nashville, TN at 100
kw with good ol' Brother Stair ranting about the British Empire and
its evil (??). He then asks listeners for reception reports. 55455, very
good signal.

[VATICAN] 01/29/15, 0417, 7360 -- Vatican Radio in the Tigrinya
language of Eritrea and Ethiopia,  transmitting from Santa Maria de
Galera at 500 kw. Two males  talking, lots of noise and some inter-
ference. SINPO 43243.

[CUBA/CHINA] 01/29/15, 0420, 9790 -- China Radio International
in Cantonese, transmitted from Havana at 250 kw. Surprisingly bad
signal marred by interference and noise, unlike what I normally
receive on this frequency. Male announcer. SINPO 32233.

[GREECE] 01/30/15, 0100, 9420 -- Helliniki Radiophonia from
Avlis. Male and female talk in Greek. SINPO 33222.

[USA] 01/30/15, 0106, 8420 -- Ship-to-shore communication station
from Mobile, Alabama. Morse code usually heard on here, but
tonight just pulsing and other sounds. SINPO 33222.

[CUBA/CHINA] 01/30/15, 0108, 9580 -- China Radio Int'l from
Havana. Male announcer with news in English, mentions story of
Japanese hostage being held by Islamic State. 44344, good signal.

[BRAZIL] 01/30/15, 0112, 11780 -- Radio Nacional de Amazonia
from Brasilia at 250 kw. Latin music, followed by station ID and
chatter from male announcer in Portuguese. SINPO 43344.

New CEO For Agency That Runs US Shortwave

From a Broadcasting Board of Governors press release:


WASHINGTON – Respected journalist and media executive Andrew
Lack was sworn-in today as the Chief Executive Officer and Director
of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the federal agency that
oversees the five networks and broadcasting operations of U.S. intern-
ational media. Those networks include the Voice of America, Radio
Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio and TV Martí, Radio Free Asia,
and the Middle East  Broadcasting Networks.

Lack is the first-ever CEO of U.S. international media.  Creating the
position of a CEO has been a key objective of the agency’s governing
board and the Administration.

“We are at a unique time in the extraordinary history of this agency.
The 21st Century’s global war on information is increasingly threatening
to our country and our values,” said Lack. “I am lucky to join a great
group of journalists and news professionals spread across the globe who
care so deeply about our critical role in that battle.”

Lack’s selection follows an almost year-long search process that began
in October 2013...[CONTINUE READING]

Radio Exterior de España Returns To Shortwave!

Woohoo! According to the Spanish news site Prnoticias.com, new head of
Spain's state broadcast units (RTVE),  José Antonio Sánchez, has reversed
the old leadership's decision regarding Radio Exterior being pulled off
shortwave radio. According to the article, the reversal was largely motivated
by complaints from many in the fishing industry, who relied on REE via
shortwave while out at sea. Shortwave broadcasts will resume "as soon as
it's feasible to do so", but no date has been given. More info in the news 
article (in Spanish).

China Could Take Over Spain Frequencies

With Spain's national shortwave broadcaster  'Radio Exterior de 
España' seemingly leaving the international radio scene for good, 
the Spanish newspaper 'El Faro De Vigo' is reporting that some 
frequencies which REE had used to broadcast Spanish-language 
programming on China Radio International's behalf could be taken 
over outright by the Chinese.


From the article (translated from Spanish):


Through an agreement with China, REE issued two hours daily 
in Spanish to Asia from a center in Xi'an. By suspending this 
service, the frequencies used for Spain's zone would be free and 
China would be willing to acquire them. That is how it is explained 
by the Spanish SWL Association (AER), part of the Platform in 
Defense of the Short Wave, which ensures that China has already 
requested the reservation of frequencies to HFCC (High Frequency 
Co-ordination Conference) -in charge of controlling and 
distributing the use of frequencies; this means it would cost Spain  
more time and money  to recover them [if it were to change its 
mind regarding shortwave].

According to AER, frequencies are "controlled" in an unofficial 
way by the HFCC, so that when a country "reserves" a frequency, 
it can be used over a year, but if they do not, it is freed up. When 
using frequencies next to China from the center of Xi'an, and at 
the breaking of the agreement with Spain, the Asian country is 
now seeking to stay with them.

Thus, part of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific would remain 
without coverage.

Radio Exterior de España Leaving Shortwave

Well, this shouldn't come as a surprise, but according to various sources,
Spain's shortwave broadcasts will cease as of October 1st of this year. Radio
Exterior de España is only the latest international shortwave broadcaster to
leave shortwave, following other nations such as Holland, Canada and Taiwan.
Over the last few years, I was able to enjoy REE's shows on 9535 khz, transmitted
from Noblejas, Spain. The reason for the shutdown is likely to be the oft-cited
budget cuts which have stricken so many international broadcasters as of late.
REE is expected to continue on the Internet, but of course that won't be the
same, and probably won't have the same audience. SWLs and DX'ers aren't
the only ones upset over the news: the Spanish labor union Union Sindical
Obrera calls the decision "surrealist, dantesque, contradictory, and above
all, pathetic". I would have to agree with that assessment. 

With one more national broadcaster shutting down, I will now be left with
Radio Habana, CRI, Radio Nacional Amazonia and religious crazies as my 
only easy SWL listening options. Yipee.

HubPages Article on Numbers Stations

I know, long time no post, but I do expect to be more active here soon. In the meantime, check out this brief introductory article about numbers stations which I wrote for HubPages. More to come soon (I hope!)


Mysteries Over Shortwave Radio: Numbers-Stations

Invitation to Mexican DX Meeting 2013

[The information below was  recently posted as a comment under
one of my posts. I thought I'd put it up here for those who may
be interested. -B.]

Dear friends of Radio, DX clubs, SWL, Ham radio:

I like to invite to our Mexican DX Meeting, we would like to accompany us
and talk about his radio station, SWL stations or Radio Shack.

More information:

19th National and International Meeting of DXers and Shortwave Listeners
July 18 - 20, 2013

What is this Meeting?
This is the annual get-together for all radio enthusiasts: DXers, radio
experimenters, shortwave listeners, associations, groups, clubs and radio
listeners in general; from Mexico and any part of the world, as well as
representatives of international and local radio stations.

For more details, e-mail to:  mcruz_dx@yahoo.com.mx


Thanks!

If you can not attend, please share the invitation. Live the shortwave and
DXing!

Organizers are Radio Educacion - Onda Corta 6185 kHz and Mr. Juan Jose
Miroz - radioamateur and swl.

Shortwave Logs for May, 2013

Country in brackets is the transmitter site and not
necessarily the country of origin, unless specified.
If two countries are in brackets, first one is
transmitter site. After that, the date, time and
frequency in kHz is listed. All times in UTC and
all stations heard on TECSUN PL-380 portable in
Euless, Texas, USA, with 25 foot reel wire antenna,
on a second floor, unless otherwise noted.

[BRAZIL] 05-09-13, 0210, 6180 -- Radio Nacional de
Amazonia in Portuguese. Two males probably talking
about a futbol game. Reception marred by loud whine
and interference . Not as good as R. Nacional on
11780, where it is almost always excellent. SINPO
42333.

[SPAIN] 05-09-13, 0215, 9535 -- Radio Exterior de
Espana in Spanish from Noblejas at 350 KW, per Aoki.
One female interviews another, apparently regarding
a book on Cuba. SINPO 44444, somewhat better than
normal for this frequency.

[MOLDOVA/RUSSIA] 05-09-13, 0220, 9665 -- Voice of
Russia in English from Kishinev-Grigoriopol, Moldova.
Two males talk, can't quite tell what about. Bad
interference and noise. SINPO 42322.

[EGYPT] 05-09-13, 0223, 9720 -- Radio Cairo in English
from Abu Zaabal, 250kw. Female talks, hard to understand
due to noise, but could tell it was English. SINPO
33222. Also heard R Cairo w/ Middle Eastern music on
05-16-13 on 9965 khz, 0055 UTC, similar reception.

[USA/TAIWAN] 05-13-13, 0108, 11565 -- R. Taiwan Intl
in Spanish from Okechobee, FL. News by male, relations
w/ PRC, then weather. This followed by details on some
sort of contest. SINPO 44334.

[TURKEY] 05-13-13, 0113, 9770 -- Voice of Turkey,
500kw from Emirler. Spanish. News by female, Israeli
budget, other world news. Muddy, mediocre reception
at best. SINPO 33222.

[ROMANIA] 05-13-13, 0118, 9700 -- Radio Romania Intl
in French. Male interviews female. Some fading but otherwise
very good, SINPO 55455.

[AUSTRALIA] 05-13-13, 0120, 19000 -- Radio Australia
Intl from Shepparton @ 100 kw, end of reggae-sounding song, 
then ID at 0121. Female interviews German/Tongan female
artist from Auckland. SINPO 44333. Heard the same on 21740,
as normal.

More Cuban Spy Numbers...Now With Data!

One recent afternoon (April 2nd, around 2330 UTC), I was
sitting on my second floor patio, and scanning the shortwave
bands on my Tecsun PL-380, with a 15 foot wire attached to
the whip antenna. I came upon what sounded like the usual
Cuban spy numbers, but this time on 17540 khz, where I don't
normally hear them, certainly not at this hour. No big deal,
as I hear presumed cuban numbers stations all the time, but
this time there were less numbers being read, and the sets of
numbers were interrupted by data bursts/modem sounds. This
was actually not the first time I've come across these voice/
data spy transmissions, but I'll admit I only started hearing
these particular ones within the last 3-4 weeks. This time, I
decided to finally get off my ass and make a recording. Click
below to listen and/or download.

https://www.box.com/s/ueptz8b3gx9ov1p9dxze

QSLs from Turkey, Cuba and Chile

A couple of weeks ago, I received a response in the mail
to my reception report to Voice of Turkey. I had emailed
them back in November 2012, after I logged them on
shortwave on 9830 khz, on 11/10. I received a QSL card
and a coaster (pictured above). The top of the coaster has
a "prism" effect, which doesn't come through in the pic.

You can contact Voice of Turkey at tsr@trt.net.tr.

Finally received a snail mail QSL from CVC La Voz's Chile
transmitter site! The back of the card is pictured above. The
front can be seen in this post.





Not too long after I received my first Radio Habana QSL
earlier this year, I received another QSL card for reception
on 10/26/12 on 11760 khz (Spanish). As with the first
package, I received a pocket calendar and a postcard
with a scene from Havana along with the QSL itself.


Thank you to Voice of Turkey, CVC and RHC!