WAVE GUIDE
Compiled by T.R.Rajeesh
Feb-Mar 2006 Vol. 2, No 2
For Private Circulation Only
Hello Dxers,
This is the second edition of Wave guide and am surprised by the inquiries about the availability of this publication from Dxers. Actually this is only a publication meant for private circulation, and compilation depends on the availability of my free time. As for printed copy postage and photocopying charges required in advance in the form of postage stamps.
This edition includes the new frequency schedules for A 06 period as well as feature article on Radio broadcasting in Greenland, Station profile of Radio Nepal and a review on the end of shortwave broadcasting by HCJB Ecuador.
Please let me know your opinion, suggestions and criticisms to improve the quality of this DX guide.
73
Rajeesh, VU3 PIK
DX News
Afghanistan: Radio Afghanistan Kabul reported to be testing with a new 100 KW shortwave transmitter supplied by India from Yakatut transmitter site. On Feb 22nd Dxer Mauno Ritollo in Finland heard they testing on 9345 kHz around 1130 UTC with “Good morning Afghanistan” programme.
Australia: ABC Tennant Creek is finally back on air again heard at 2240 UTC on 4910 kHz.
Denmark: Danish SW Clubs international is celebrating their 50th anniversary. Radio Japan will air first special broadcast with an interview by DSWCI Chairman Anker Petersen on their World Interactive programme broadcast on 6-8 May and a second special show on JSWC DX Segment on 27-29 May. DSWCI will issue special QSL for report on these broadcasts, but return postage is necessary in the form of 1 IRC or 1 US $. Address your reports to: Anker Petersen, Udbyvej 11, DK- 2740 Skovulnde, Denmark.
Ecuador: HCJB Ecuador, Voice of the Andes is approaching end of an era. HCJB started dismantling their shortwave transmitters located at pifo. Future of all their English transmissions including the ever-famous DX Partyline recorded at pifo studio is uncertain at the moment. HCJB announced no plans so far to continue the DX Partyline from Voice of the Great South Land in Australia.
Iceland: According to a press release issued by U.S deputy Secretary of State Mr. Nicholas Burns, U.S Air Force Units that have been on Keflavick Air Base since 1941,may leave Iceland by September this year. AFRTS shortwave Relay station located at Keflavick may also be dismantled by September. So don’t miss your chance to verify AFRTS Iceland before they go off the air.
India: All India Radio Chennai now airs the worlds first Tamil DX Program “Vanoli Ulagaam”{Radio World) on Sundays 1135 UTC on 17810,15770,15050,13710,1053 kHz. The program host Mr T. Jaisakthi Vel informs that they will issue the worlds smallest QSL Card for reception reports on their broadcast. Reports shall be mailed with Rs.10 postage stamp/1 IRC to: Vanoli Ulagaam, Thirukadal Kadannu Varum Tamizah Natham,All India Radio Chennai, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai-600004, INDIA.
Kirgizstan: Kirghiz Radio with English news broadcast can be heard from 0110-0120 UTC on 4010,4795 kHz. Full data Verification letters caqn be obtained fromKirghiz Radio, 59 Jash Gvardiya Boulevard, Bishkek 10, Kirghiztan. E-mail reports may be sent to: snbckr@hotmail.com, hofnung.lena@mail.ru .
Yemen: Radio Sana’a is noted on a frequency 6005 kHz from 2000-2200 UTC parallel to 9780 kHz.
QSL Corner
Brazil: Radio Cancoa Nova, 9675 kHz verified with a full data hand written QSL Card and letter in portugese for a printed reception report and 1 IRC in 197 days. I also received interesting Radio cancanova Folder and Car Sticker with nice Brasilian stamps on the large envelope. V/S Alem Frointeiras
Diego Garcia: AFRTS Diego Garcia confirmed my e-mail report with an E-QSL by Bennet G. Marshall, Chief Technician IC (2), stating the listened frequency 4319.
Guam: AWR, 12065 kHz, verified with a full data QSL fro USA office by Adrian Petersen in 30 days.
Japan: Radio Nikkei, 3925 kHz, verified with a full data drawing card in 24 days for a printed repot.
Tanzania: Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam, 5050 kHz, full data verification card in 32 days for 1 IRC and 10 Rs as return postage. My earlier 4 reports to Radio Tanzania had gone unanswered. V/S Ndaro Nyamwocha
Radio Nepal
Introduction
The Kingdom of Nepal is a land-locked Asian country in the Himalayan Mountain range. It is bounded on the north by Tibet, on the east and west by India. Nepal is one of the poorest countries with very low per capita income and GDP.The capital of Nepal is Kathmandu and their official currency is Nepalese Rupee. Nepal is also the world’s only county with Hinduism as its official religion. The democracy in this little Himalayan country has always been in threat due to internal violence.
Radio Broadcasting
Radio broadcasting is the cheapest and quickest means of mass communications in Nepal. In a mountainous country like Nepal, radio broadcasting has proved to be a very effective medium in disseminating information, educating people and entertaining the masses. It has been providing various programmes aimed at creating mass awareness. The people in the hilly areas and many of the remote villages have no access to motorable roads or to any communication and entertainment facilities. Illiteracy being a common feature among the people, little use is made of the newspapers, which have very limited and delayed circulation. Therefore, Radio has been the most suitable means of disseminating information and providing entertainment to masses in Nepal.
Radio Nepal was established on 1 April 1951. Initially the transmission covered duration of 4.5 hours through a 250-watt transmitter. Over the years, Radio Nepal has strengthened its institutional capacity and diversified itself in terms of programme format, technical efficiency and nationwide coverage.
Studio Facilities
Radio Nepal has its own studios for programme production, music recording, talk shows and news broadcasts. A music library at its premises in Singh Durbar has a collection of about 15,000 songs. Foreign broadcasting Stations also make use of their Studio facilities and transmitters for live and other broadcasts on a rental basis.
The Broadcasting Headquarters at Singha Durbar in Kathmandu has two broad casting houses consisting of one drama studio, two music studios, one reporting studio, three continuity studios, the news studio, seven programme production studios. One of the music studios is equipped with sophisticated 24 track recording facility. This studio is open for hiring purposes for anyone desirous of recording music digitally whether solo track or for albums after payment of studio charges that are very reasonable compared to other private studios. The complex also has one open air live concert facility for functions and musical performances. Like other transmitting stations, the Head quarters also has a 100kva stand by diesel generator.
Programmes
Radio Nepal transmits 15 hours everyday, which includes 2 hours of regional broadcasts 0415 hrs to 0545 hrs UTC in the morning and 1250 hrs to 1315 hrs UTC in the evening. However on public holidays, there is an additional 2 hours, extending the total duration to 17 hours.
Radio Nepal broadcasts news bulletins in Nepali at regular intervals (hourly) from 0115 hrs until the close of the transmission. News bulletins in English are broadcast at 0215, 0815 and 1415 hrs UTC everyday. In additional to the news in Nepali and English, there are bulletins in other languages at various timings.
Radio Nepal attempts to provide prompt and accurate coverage of all national and international news including political, economic and social highlights in an unbiased and objective manner. It attempts to safeguard the basic principle of public interest as the prime public broadcaster of the country. The station also has stringer reporters in several districts for coverage of news and information indifferent regions of the country.
Transmission Facilities
Radio Nepal broadcast programs on Short wave, Medium wave and FM. They have a number of 100 KW and 10 KW medium wave transmitters located at various parts of the country. An FM-Channel covering Kathmandu valley and adjoining areas was started in 1995.
Short Wave: Three transmitters of 100 KW each enable transmission on two frequencies simultaneously. The Khumaltar transmitting station has three 100 KW transmitters as well as a 250 kva diesel generator to cope with power cuts. The Katmandu Transmitting Station at Sainbu, Bhaisepati has one 100 KW main transmitter in addition to a 10 KW stand by transmitter. There is also a provision for at 100-kva-diesel generator.
Broadcast Frequencies: 5005 kHz, 7165 kHz-now inactive (Winter) 3230 kHz (Summer)
Verifications
Radio Nepal broadcasts news in English at 0215, 0815 and 1415 UTC and it can be logged easily through out Asia. DX Reception is also possible in distant locations since they use 100 kW SW transmitters.
Radio Nepal doesn’t have an external service however they verifies reception reports on an irregular basis with colourful QSLs. Dxers consider them as very precious and exotic. Most Radio Nepal verification cards depict beautiful Himalayan Peaks or Sceneries. As Radio Nepal is in a very difficult financial situation return postage is necessary for verifications and the listener should be patient for years to receive a reply! Reception Reports could be mailed to: Mr.R.S.Kharki, Chief Engineer, Radio Nepal, P.O.Box-634, Kathmandu, Nepal.
IBB BOTSWANA
History
The station in Botswana began its operation in 1981, with 50kW transmitter in Selebi-Phikwe that was later handed over to R Botswana. Our station presently operates a 500kW transmitter which is fixed at 909kHz AM, and four 100kW short wave transmitters to transmit in English, Amharic, Swahili, Portuguese, Hausa, Shona, Ndebele and French. All VOA programs originate from studios in Washington D.C., and are delivered to the station for broadcast via satellite.
Facilities
Our SW site can be identified by six towers from the main road. The complex consists of the Admin Office, a Transmitter Building and Facilities Offices. Additionally, the station’s satellite terminal equipment is located here. The medium wave site can be identified by four towers from the main road and consists of a Transmitter Plant building and Facilities. Both stations are equipped with emergency generators capable of maintaining operations incase of commercial power failure.
Staffing
The station is managed by two American Foreign Service Officers (Manager – Mr. William Martin and Transmitter Plant Supervisor – Mr. Thomas Powell). There are currently 25 fulltime local employees, who fall under three units: Administration, Transmitter Plant and Facilities. There is also a contract staff of approximately 22 employees, who provide daily support of gardening, janitorial, chauffeur, and facilities maintenance service. Address: International Broadcasting Bureau, Private Bag 0038, Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana. E-mail: manager_Botswana@bot.ibb.gov
Editorial Information-------------------------
Contact:T.R.Rajeesh,Thandiakkal House, Chevoor-P.O, Thrissur-680027, Kerala, INDIA
E-mail: rajeeshdxer@yahoo.co.in
Courtesy to: Alokesh Gupta, Swopan Chakroborty and World DX Club.
