DX South Asia (A26)

 For those who ask, "Who is broadcasting on shortwave these days? Everywhere I tune, I only pick up Chinese broadcasts," here is the answer: numerous radio stations are broadcasting in a wide variety of languages ​​specifically for listeners in South Asia.

According to the 'DX South Asia' (A26) data updated by Jose Jacob (VU2JOS) on March 31, 2026, several international radio stations continue to provide extensive shortwave (SW) broadcasts for listeners across South Asia. These services, aimed at regional cultural exchange and global news delivery, utilize powerful transmitters with capacities ranging from 100 kW to 250 kW, and in some cases up to 500 kW. These broadcasts are meticulously scheduled across various frequencies (kHz) and coordinated from transmitter sites in countries such as China, Australia, Madagascar, and the UAE to ensure clear reception for audiences in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Tamil and Sinhala language services occupy a significant portion of the international shortwave spectrum. China Radio International (CGTN) provides extensive Tamil programming from its transmitters in China; morning broadcasts occur between 0200-0300 UTC on 9800 and 11870 kHz, followed by a session from 0300-0400 UTC on 13600 and 13730 kHz. Evening Tamil broadcasts by CRI are delivered from 1400-1500 UTC on 5965 and 9610 kHz, and from 1500-1600 UTC on 7360 and 9490 kHz. Additionally, Reach Beyond Australia broadcasts a daily Tamil program from its 100 kW Kununurra site between 1300-1315 UTC on 11900 kHz. For Sinhala listeners, CRI broadcasts from 1400-1457 UTC on 7265 and 9665 kHz, and again from 2330-0030 UTC on 6100 and 7260 kHz.

Hindi and Urdu broadcasts cater to one of the largest listener bases in the South Asian region. CRI serves Hindi listeners from 0300-0357 UTC using multiple frequencies including 9695, 11640, 11700, and 15350 kHz, and later from 1300-1357 UTC on 7265 and 9450 kHz. Radio Tehran in Iran provides a high-power 500 kW Hindi broadcast from 1420-1520 UTC on 11640/11710 kHz from its Sirjan site. For Urdu speakers, the Voice of Turkiye broadcasts from its Emirier site in Turkey at 1200-1300 UTC on 17580 kHz with 250 kW of power. CRI also provides Urdu services from 1400-1500 UTC on 6075 and 7285 kHz, and from 1500-1600 UTC on the same frequencies.

Broadcasting in Bengali and various regional languages is supported by organizations like Trans World Radio (TWR) and Adventist World Radio (AWR). CRI broadcasts in Bengali between 0200-0300 UTC on 9655 and 11640 kHz, while Radio Japan provides a 300 kW service from Yamata between 1500-1520 UTC on 11655 kHz. TWR, operating from a 250 kW site in Talata Volonondry, Madagascar, reaches India in languages such as Santhali (1400-1415 UTC, Fridays), Awadhi (1415-1430 UTC, Mondays), and Bundeli (1400-1415 UTC, Saturdays), all on 17700 kHz. AWR broadcasts in Assamese from its 100 kW KSDA Agat site in Guam between 1330-1400 UTC (Sundays and Wednesdays) on 15550 kHz.

English services and other South Indian languages such as Malayalam and Kannada are also well-represented. The BBC World Service broadcasts in English to South Asia from 0000-0200 UTC using 12095 kHz (Oman) and 9750 kHz (Uzbekistan), as well as from 1200-1400 UTC on 15295 kHz via Oman. Malayalam listeners are served by Vatican Radio from 1510-1530 UTC on 15490 and 17790 kHz from its 250 kW SMG transmitter. For Kannada speakers, Reach Beyond Australia operates from 1315-1330 UTC on 11900 kHz, while AWR provides services from 1500-1530 UTC and 1530-1600 UTC on 15215 and 15680 kHz respectively from Guam.

In conclusion, these shortwave services for South Asia are technically robust, utilizing global transmitter networks to overcome geographical barriers. Sites like Dhabbayya in the UAE facilitate FEBA Radio broadcasts in Urdu and Sindhi on 9540 kHz. Radio Taiwan International also reaches the region in English from 1600-1700 UTC on 9405 kHz from its Tamsui site with 300 kW power. Despite the rise of digital media, these 100 kW to 250 kW transmissions from diverse locations like Palau, Romania, and South Korea continue to serve as a vital link for information and culture, reaching the most remote corners of the South Asian subcontinent.

Take your shortwave radio receiver, scan through all the frequencies, and seize this opportunity to test the capabilities of both your radio and the transmitter.

Dxers Guide - September 2025

Listening to shortwave radio stations during a lunar eclipse is important because eclipses cause significant changes in the Earth's ionosphere, which affects radio wave propagation. During an eclipse, the sudden reduction or blocking of sunlight temporarily alters ionization levels in the ionosphere, especially in the D and E layers. This change can improve the reflection and travel distance of shortwave radio waves, allowing signals that are usually weak or undetectable during the day to be received more clearly and over longer distances at that time.

Eclipses create a natural experiment for observing how the ionosphere responds to rapid changes in solar radiation. By listening to shortwave radio stations during an eclipse, researchers and radio enthusiasts can study how ionospheric properties affect radio signal strength, propagation, and fading. This helps improve understanding of radio communications critical for emergency responders, aviation, maritime navigation, and global communication. Specifically, the eclipse-induced "night-like" conditions temporarily reduce the ionospheric absorption of radio waves, enhancing the reception of distant shortwave broadcasts that are otherwise masked during daylight [1][2][3][4].

In summary, listening to shortwave radio during a moon or solar eclipse provides an opportunity to observe and study atmospheric and ionospheric changes that impact radio wave behavior and communication capabilities.

Citations:

[1] Audio eclipse may fill the sky - EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1021230

[2] “Observe” August's Eclipse with Your AM Radio - Sky & Telescope https://skyandtelescope.org/2017-total-solar-eclipse/how-to-hear-the-solar-eclipse/

[3] How Ham Radio Operators Do Eclipse Science https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/ham-radio-eclipse-citizen-science/

[4] The Solar Eclipse and Ham Radio https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/the-solar-eclipse-and-ham-radio

[5] The odd way eclipses affect radio - BBC https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231005-eclipses-do-odd-things-to-radio-waves-to-learn-more-an-army-of-american-amateurs-will-broadcast-during-the-next-ones

[6] Beyond DXing: Analyzing Medium Wave Propagation During the ... https://swling.com/blog/2025/02/beyond-dxing-analyzing-medium-wave-propagation-during-the-2023-annular-eclipse/

[7] Ride the Wave of Radio Astronomy During the Solar Eclipse https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/ride-the-wave-of-radio-astronomy-during-the-solar-eclipse/

[8] How is it like to use radio during an eclipse? : r/HamRadio - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/HamRadio/comments/1k15jvc/how_is_it_like_to_use_radio_during_an_eclipse/

[9] Ham Radios Crowdsourced Ionospheric Science During Eclipse - Eos https://eos.org/articles/ham-radios-crowdsourced-ionospheric-science-during-eclipse

[10] Eclipse Radio: Several NASA-Funded Science Projects https://swling.com/blog/2024/02/eclipse-radio-several-nasa-funded-science-projects/

[11] Ham Radio Operators, We Need Your Help During Solar Eclipses! https://science.nasa.gov/get-involved/citizen-science/ham-radio-operators-we-need-your-help-during-solar-eclipses/

[12] NASA-Funded Science Projects Tuning In to 'Eclipse Radio' https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/nasa-funded-science-projects-tuning-in-to-eclipse-radio/

[13] Sky and Telescope: “Observe” August's Eclipse with Your AM Radio https://swling.com/blog/2017/06/sky-and-telescope-observe-augusts-eclipse-with-your-am-radio/

[14] HamSCI Reminder: Contribute to ionospheric research during the ... https://swling.com/blog/2023/10/hamsci-reminder-contribute-to-ionospheric-research-during-the-october-14-2023-solar-eclipse/

[15] Eclipses do odd things to radio waves. An army of amateur ... https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/comments/1716y1c/eclipses_do_odd_things_to_radio_waves_an_army_of/

[16] Monitoring radio reception during the eclipse https://www.ukssdc.ac.uk/ionosondes/eclipse/outline.html

[17] Effect of total lunar eclipse of 27th July 2018 on the D- ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273117721007201

[18] Shortwave radio proves simple, powerful — and necessary - RedTech https://www.redtech.pro/shortwave-radio-proves-simple-powerful-and-necessary/

[19] Ham Radio Operators' Ionospheric Science During The ... https://hackaday.com/2023/10/31/ham-radio-operators-ionospheric-science-during-the-solar-eclipse/

Dxers Guide June 2024

 

Dxers Guide April 2024

 

DX Quiz Results - 2013

 Indian Winners and Runners

1.     Alagiriswamy, Coimbatore – WRTH 2014 sponsored by World Radio TV Handbook, UK.

2.     Vijay Krishna Bhat.D, Puttur – COBY World Band analogue receiver by Radio Free Asia, USA.

3.     Mitul Kansal, Haryana – Kchibo KK-C37 PLL Receiver by China Radio International, China.

4.     Sabareeshwaran, Tirupur – WRTH 2013 Sponsored by Ohtake Toshi (JSWC), Japan.

5.     Prithwiraj Purkayastha, Assam – WRTH archive CD ROM by ADDX, Germany.

6.     Sakthivel.S, Thasappa Koundan Puthur, Erode - Kchibo PLL Receiver by China Radio International

7.     Ganesan.M, Goa – Kchibo PLL Receiver by China Radio International, China.

8.     Ashok Kumar, Haryana – WRTH collector’s edition by T.Elampooranan, Chennai.

9.     Neelaveni Sivaraj.N, Idappadi, Selam – Let’s Learn Chinese through Tamil, (6 Books+ 1 DVD) China Radio International, China.

10.   Shanmugam.N.T., Thasappa Koundan Puthur, Erode – Radio France International cap + DW Pendrive by RFI, DW, Germany.

11.   Muralidhar.M, Bangalore – ADXL-DL T-shirt, RMRC Aktuel Magazine by ADXL, Germany.

12.   Muhammad Shamim, Tiruvananthapuram – RMRC Collectors QSL calendar + DRM logo Pen by RMRC club, Germany, DRM Consortium, UK.

13.   Vetrivel raj.S, Idappadi, Selam – DW Pen drive by DW radio, Germany.

14.   Shanmugasundaram.S, Madurai – Passport to World Band Radio collector’s edition by Japan Premium, Japan.

15.   Sivaraj.K.C, Idappadi, Selam – DW T-shirt + DW Pennant by DW radio, Germany.

16.   Santhosh Raj.S, Idappadi, Selam – RFA Diary + Stick pad by RFA, USA, DW, Germany.

17.   Sekar.P.S, Thalainayar, TN – DW big Note book + Long wire antenna by DW radio Germany, CRI, China.

18.   Sudarshan.S, Thasappa Koundan Puthur, Erode – DW Note book by DW radio, Germany.

19.   Vedamoorthi.S, Sivakasi – DW Cube game + DW Bag by DW radio, Germany.

20.   Raju.K.M, Andarasan Patti, Dindigul – DW Rummy cards, Stick pad, RMRC Pen.

21.   Bedant Das, Assam – DW Memory game + DW Pen by DW radio, Germany.

22.   Mohanmed Ilyas, Hubli – DW Cube game + DW Bag by DW radio, Germany.

23.   Kathiresan.P, Madurai – DW Cube game by DW radio, Germany.

24.   Breshneve.K, Tirunelveli – DW Cube game by DW radio, Germany.

25.   Boopathi.M.C, Erode – DW Note Book by DW radio, Germany.

26.   Porunai Balu, Tirunelveli – RFA Diary + RMRC Pen + DW Pennant by RFA, RMRC and DW.

27.   Subramanian.A.M, Neyveli – DW writing pads + DW Pen by DW radio, Germany.

28.   Kumaran.V.S, Cuddalore – DW Diary + DW Pen by DW radio, Germany.

International winners

29.   Matthias Martin, Germany – British DX Club B13 Booklet by BDXC, UK + Art of Radio special card by Radio Heritage, New Zealand.

30.   Kurt Enders, Germany – Domestic broadcasting Survey by DSWCI, Denmark + Art of Radio special card by Radio Heritage, New Zealand.

31.   Patrick Robic, Austria – British DX Club Communication Magazine by BDXC, UK + Art of Radio special card by Radio Heritage, New Zealand.

32.   Christian Ghibauda, France – EMWG Medium Wave Guide, Germany + Art of Radio special card by Radio Heritage, New Zealand.

33.   Rudolf Sonntag, Germany – EMWG Medium Wave Guide, Germany + DW Radio Pennant by DW Radio.

34.   Stefan Druschke, Germany – Soft copy of One Year Dxers Guide by ADXC, India.

35.    Andreas Muecklich, Germany – Soft copy of One Year Dxers Guide by ADXC, India.

36.   Kalaus Kohler, Germany – Soft copy of One Year Dxers Guide by ADXC, India.

37.   Werner Reimers, Germany – Soft copy of One Year Dxers Guide by ADXC, India.

38.   Arnold Heiles, Luxembourg – ADXC Special QSL card.

39.   Jose Roberto Da Silva Cunha, Brazil – ADXC Special QSL card**.

*All the entries received the Gyanvani Pennant, AIR 75^th anniversary pennant, Special QSL, Special First Day cover, Sticker, Calendar, Ardic DX Club sticker.

** Entry fee were not send.

Once again, we acknowledge with appreciation the many entries in this year come from different parts of the world. Thank you for participating, and we trust that you enjoyed participating as much as we did in perusing all of the interesting entries. All entries will be acknowledged through the post, and all reception reports will be verified, though it will take time, to process them all.

Dxers Guide and B09 Booklet for sale

Dear Dxers,

Now you will get the wonderful issues of Dxers Guide and B09 Booklet available for sale. Which contain the new B09 schedules and lot of Dx related information in a pack of Two books. Annual subscription is Rs. 80/- only. For more details contact ardicdxclub (at) yahoo.co.in

Dxers Guide October - December 2008

Now you will access this quarter 'Dxers Guide' from the following link

http://vaanoliulagam.googlepages.com/DGOct-Dec2k8.pdf
Kindly send your comments to
ardicdxclub (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) in
For hard copy and subscription details contact the above ID

If you subscribe the hard copy of our Dxers Guide, then you will get the bonus copy of 32 pages B08 booklet. Also we cover DRM to Asia, DX Programme list and WRN Schedule in this booklet. All these things in one pack. The Great bonanza for enthusiastic Dxers in India.

Dxers Guide July - September 2008

Now you will access this quarter 'Dxers Guide' from the following link

http://vaanoliulagam.googlepages.com/DGJul-Sep2k8.pdf
Kindly send your comments to the following email id
ardicdxclub (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) in
For hard copy and subscription details contact the above ID

Dxers Guide April - June 2008

This quarter Dxers Guide gives lot info. The articles covers in this issue are Indian news, DX News, AIR Soro details, FEBC history and lot more. If you want to read the magazine kindly click the following link. Want to get a hard copy, and then you have to subscribe it. Details are in the magazine.

http://vaanoliulagam.googlepages.com/DGapr-june2k8.pdf

CRI "The Messenger"

Dxers Guide Jan - Mar 2008

Want to read this issue, then click the following link

http://vaanoliulagam.googlepages.com/DGjan-mar2k8.pdf