short wave

Shortwave DX log for the afternoon of Sunday 15 October 2017

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I’m unsure whether or not to classify this one a DXpedition – but maybe I should, as it was bad electrical interference at home that pushed me and my trusty Tecsun outside to Primrose Hill for a couple of enjoyable band scans. A nice bit of warm late autumn sunshine and a run capped off a good afternoon.

The increased elevation and distance from significant interference meant I got some quite distant copies, including an Australian evangelical station I’d not come across before: Reach Beyond Australia.

Logged via Tecsun PL-380 in NW London (currently UTC+1).

I’m still getting to grips with SINPO ratings and this Android app for logging; until now I’ve used a notebook and pen and rather fuzzier ratings like ‘fair but some interference’. But the app provides a decent, fast, offline schedule lookup, and the built-in logging function does 90% of what I would want it to.

Session #1 around 1145 UTC – at home in NW London. V poor signal with electrical interference.
Freq Station ID SINPO Distance
15250Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in MANDARIN from TINANG (VOA). 32243 10658KM from transmitter at Tinang (VoA)
17615Khz  BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 42232 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
13775Khz  CNR1 JAMMER/FIREDRAKE (CHINA)  in MANDARIN. 53344
15220Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in CZECH from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). 32233 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang)
13635Khz  VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in TURKISH from EMIRLER. 32222 2867KM from transmitter at Emirler
13665Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ENGLISH from CERRIK. 42233 1938KM from transmitter at Cerrik
Session #2 around 1330 UTC – on Primrose Hill using the telescopic built-in antenna.
Freq Station ID SINPO Distance
21505Khz  BSKSA 1 (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 43333 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17615Khz  BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 43333 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17625Khz  BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 53333 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17705Khz  BSKSA 1 (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 55554 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17895Khz  BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 55544 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
15745Khz  RADIO FREE ASIA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in TIBETAN from ULAANBAATAR
15825Khz  WWCR 1 NASHVILLE, TN (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from NASHVILLE, TN (WWCR). 43354 6734KM from transmitter at Nashville, TN (WWCR)
17530Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in SOMALI from SANTA MARIA DI GALERIA. 54344 1415KM from transmitter at Santa Maria di Galeria
15430Khz  DEUTSCHE WELLE (GERMANY)  in DARI from TRINCOMALEE (DW). 44444 8677KM from transmitter at Trincomalee (DW)
15620Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in SOMALI from MOPENG HILL. 21111 8536KM from transmitter at Mopeng Hill
15130Khz  RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ROMANIAN from GALBENI. 32222 2015KM from transmitter at Galbeni
15275Khz  RADIO FREE ASIA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in TIBETAN from DUSHANBE. 43333
15320Khz  REACH BEYOND AUSTRALIA (AUSTRALIA)  in TAMIL from KUNUNURRA WA. 43443 13972KM from transmitter at Kununurra WA
13830Khz  RADIO FREE ASIA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in TIBETAN from DUSHANBE. 53433
13845Khz  WWCR 3 NASHVILLE, TN (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from NASHVILLE, TN (WWCR). 42433 6734KM from transmitter at Nashville, TN (WWCR)
15110Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in MANDARIN from UDON THANI. 54343 9370KM from transmitter at Udon Thani
13650Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in MANDARIN from URUMQI (XINJIANG, CRI). 54444 6159KM from transmitter at Urumqi (Xinjiang, CRI)
13670Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ENGLISH from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). 44444 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang)
13740Khz  RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in RUSSIAN from TIGANESTI. 43433 2098KM from transmitter at Tiganesti
12055Khz  TRANS WORLD RADIO (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in KASHMIRI from GAVAR. 23332 3666KM from transmitter at Gavar
12120Khz  FEBC MANILA (PHILIPPINES)  in BURMESE from BOCAUE (FEBC). 43232 10737KM from transmitter at Bocaue (FEBC)
13610Khz  IRIB VOICE OF I.R.IRAN (IRAN)  in ARABIC from ZAHEDAN. 43334 5524KM from transmitter at Zahedan
11965Khz  VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in RUSSIAN from EMIRLER. 32232 2867KM from transmitter at Emirler
12005Khz  RADIO FARDA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PERSIAN from WOOFFERTON. 23332 169KM from transmitter at Woofferton
11860Khz  REP.YEMEN RADIO SANAA (YEMEN)  in ARABIC from JEDDAH. 22221 4775KM from transmitter at Jeddah
11870Khz  RADIO VERITAS ASIA (PHILIPPINES)  in CHIN
11950Khz  RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ROMANIAN from GALBENI. 54555 2015KM from transmitter at Galbeni
11750Khz  BBC (UNITED KINGDOM)  in BENGALI from TASHKENT. 43343 5251KM from transmitter at Tashkent
9900Khz  FURUSATO NO KAZE (CLA)  in JAPANESE from PAOCHUNG/BAUJONG. 21121 9880KM from transmitter at Paochung/Baujong
11560Khz  ALL INDIA RADIO GOS (INDIA)  in DARI from BANGALORE). 54444 8011KM from transmitter at Bangalore)
11640Khz  RADIO TAIWAN INT. (TWN)  in MANDARIN from KOUHU. 32211 9886KM from transmitter at Kouhu
9720Khz  REACH BEYOND AUSTRALIA (AUSTRALIA)  in ENGLISH from KUNUNURRA WA. 32232 13972KM from transmitter at Kununurra WA
9840Khz  VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in TURKISH from EMIRLER. 54444 2867KM from transmitter at Emirler
3995Khz  HCJB VOICE OF ANDES (ECUADOR)  in GERMAN from WEENERMOOR. 32322 533KM from transmitter at Weenermoor
6150Khz  RADIO MARABU (GERMANY)  in ENGLISH. 33322
Session #3 around 1430 UTC – on Primrose Hill using the telescopic built-in antenna.
Freq Station ID SINPO Distance
17895Khz  BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 55554 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17705Khz  BSKSA 1 (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. 54554 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
17770Khz  VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in ARABIC from EMIRLER. 55455 2867KM from transmitter at Emirler
17605Khz  ADVENTIST WORLD RADIO (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in AFAR from MOOSBRUNN. 21111 1248KM from transmitter at Moosbrunn
17660Khz  BSKSA RIAD (SAUDI ARABIA)  in FRENCH from RIYADH. 32233 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
15825Khz  WWCR 1 NASHVILLE, TN (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from NASHVILLE, TN (WWCR). 32333 6734KM from transmitter at Nashville, TN (WWCR)
15410Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in MANDARIN from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). 54554 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang)
15520Khz  RADIO EXTERIOR ESPAÑA (SPAIN)  in SPANISH from NOBLEJAS. 31122 1352KM from transmitter at Noblejas
15595Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in KURDISH from MOPENG HILL. 21111 8536KM from transmitter at Mopeng Hill
15205Khz  PANAMERICAN BROADCASTING (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from SOFIA
15215Khz  ADVENTIST WORLD RADIO (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in BURMESE from TRINCOMALEE (DW). 33222 8677KM from transmitter at Trincomalee (DW)
15320Khz  REACH BEYOND AUSTRALIA (AUSTRALIA)  in URDU from KUNUNURRA WA. 43333 13972KM from transmitter at Kununurra WA
13845Khz  WWCR 3 NASHVILLE, TN (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from NASHVILLE, TN (WWCR). 32222 6734KM from transmitter at Nashville, TN (WWCR)
15110Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in MANDARIN from TINANG (VOA). 32232 10658KM from transmitter at Tinang (VoA)
15140Khz  RADIO SULTANATE OMAN (OMAN)  in ENGLISH from THUMRAIT. 43333 6031KM from transmitter at Thumrait
13710Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ENGLISH from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). 55554 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang)
13775Khz  BSKSA RIAD (SAUDI ARABIA)  in URDU from RIYADH. 32222 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh
13830Khz  IRIB VOICE OF I.R.IRAN (IRAN)  in HINDI from SIRJAN. 11111 5171KM from transmitter at Sirjan
12035Khz  VOA DEEWA RADIO (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PASHTO from UDON THANI. 32122 9370KM from transmitter at Udon Thani
13630Khz  RADIO LIBERTY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in UZBEK from UDON THANI. 43222 9370KM from transmitter at Udon Thani
13680Khz  NHK RADIO JAPAN (JAPAN)  in PERSIAN from ISSOUDUN. 32122 569KM from transmitter at Issoudun
11950Khz  RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ROMANIAN from GALBENI. 44344 2015KM from transmitter at Galbeni
11980Khz  VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in MANDARIN from TINANG (VOA). 31121 10658KM from transmitter at Tinang (VoA)
12025Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in MANDARIN from URUMQI (XINJIANG, CRI). 54444 6159KM from transmitter at Urumqi (Xinjiang, CRI)
11815Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ENGLISH from URUMQI (XINJIANG, CRI). 43343 6159KM from transmitter at Urumqi (Xinjiang, CRI)
11860Khz  REP.YEMEN RADIO SANAA (YEMEN)  in ARABIC from JEDDAH. 32221 4775KM from transmitter at Jeddah
11870Khz  RADIO VERITAS ASIA (PHILIPPINES)  in TELUGU from PALAUIG, ZEMBALES (RVA). 32222 10601KM from transmitter at Palauig, Zembales (RVA)
11910Khz  RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in GERMAN from TIGANESTI. 55554 2098KM from transmitter at Tiganesti
11700Khz  RADIO VATICANA (VATICAN CITY STATE)  in HINDI from PALAUIG, ZEMBALES (RVA). 33222 10601KM from transmitter at Palauig, Zembales (RVA)
11785Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in MANDARIN from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). 54444 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang)
11560Khz  ALL INDIA RADIO GOS (INDIA)  in PASHTO from BANGALORE). 43333 8011KM from transmitter at Bangalore)
11660Khz  CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in URDU from KUNMING CRI (YUNNAN). 31122 8723KM from transmitter at Kunming CRI (Yunnan)

6070Khz

  CHANNEL 292 (GERMANY)  from ROHRBACH. 32222 899KM from transmitter at Rohrbach

Shortwave DX log for evening of Tuesday 11 July 2017

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Logged via Tecsun PL-380 in NW London (currently UTC+1) via long wire antenna.

I’m still getting to grips with SINPO ratings and this Android app for logging; until now I’ve used a notebook and pen and rather fuzzier ratings like ‘fair but some interference’. But the app provides a decent, fast, offline schedule lookup, and the built-in logging function does 90% of what I would want it to.

17780Khz 1719 11 JUL – BBC (UNITED KINGDOM)  in ENGLISH from ASCENSION ISLAND. SINPO = 32231.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 6684KM from transmitter at Ascension Island. Local time: 1819.

17655Khz 1720 11 JUL – VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PORTUGUESE from SANTA MARIA DI GALERIA. SINPO = 42222.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1416KM from transmitter at Santa Maria di Galeria. Local time: 1820.

15680Khz 1720 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in FRENCH from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). SINPO = 44533.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang). Local time: 1820.

15570Khz 1720 11 JUL – RADIO VATICANA (VATICAN CITY STATE)  in FRENCH from SANTA MARIA DI GALERIA. SINPO = 42132.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1416KM from transmitter at Santa Maria di Galeria. Local time: 1820.

15520Khz 1721 11 JUL – VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in ENGLISH from EMIRLER. SINPO = 33332.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2866KM from transmitter at Emirler. Local time: 1821.

15435Khz 1721 11 JUL – BSKSA 1 (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. SINPO = 55444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh. Local time: 1821.

15400Khz 1721 11 JUL – BBC (UNITED KINGDOM)  in ENGLISH from ASCENSION ISLAND. SINPO = 53444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 6684KM from transmitter at Ascension Island. Local time: 1821.

15300Khz 1722 11 JUL – RADIO FRANCE INT. (FRANCE)  in FRENCH from ISSOUDUN. SINPO = 21111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 569KM from transmitter at Issoudun. Local time: 1822.

15235Khz 1722 11 JUL – CHANNEL AFRICA (SOUTH AFRICA)  in ENGLISH from MEYERTON. SINPO = 44333.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9062KM from transmitter at Meyerton. Local time: 1822.

15140Khz 1722 11 JUL – RADIO SULTANATE OMAN (OMAN)  in ARABIC from THUMRAIT. SINPO = 43444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 6031KM from transmitter at Thumrait. Local time: 1822.

13870Khz 1723 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in HAUSSA  from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). SINPO = 43333.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang). Local time: 1823.

13760Khz 1723 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ENGLISH from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). SINPO = 55454.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang). Local time: 1823.

13730Khz 1723 11 JUL – VOA RADIO ASHNA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PASHTO from SULAIBIYAH. SINPO = 11111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 4641KM from transmitter at Sulaibiyah. Local time: 1823.

13710Khz 1723 11 JUL – BSKSA HOLY QURAN (SAUDI ARABIA)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. SINPO = 44433.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh. Local time: 1823.

13640Khz 1724 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in RUSSIAN from URUMQI (XINJIANG, CRI). SINPO = 44444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 6159KM from transmitter at Urumqi (Xinjiang, CRI). Local time: 1824.

13630Khz 1724 11 JUL – VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PORTUGUESE from MOPENG HILL. SINPO = 22111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8536KM from transmitter at Mopeng Hill. Local time: 1824.

13590Khz 1724 11 JUL – VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in ENGLISH from SANTA MARIA DI GALERIA. SINPO = 43433.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1416KM from transmitter at Santa Maria di Galeria. Local time: 1824.

13570Khz 1725 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ESPERANTO from BEIJING-MATOUCUN (CRI/CNR). SINPO = 52333.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8208KM from transmitter at Beijing-Matoucun (CRI/CNR). Local time: 1825.

12055Khz 1725 11 JUL – VOICE OF AMERICA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in SOMALI from SANTA MARIA DI GALERIA. SINPO = 43222.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1416KM from transmitter at Santa Maria di Galeria. Local time: 1825.

12035Khz 1725 11 JUL – VOA RADIO ASHNA (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)  in PASHTO from UDON THANI. SINPO = 21111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9370KM from transmitter at Udon Thani. Local time: 1825.

12025Khz 1726 11 JUL – ALL INDIA RADIO GOS (INDIA)  in HINDI from PANAJI (GOA). SINPO = 21112.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 7565KM from transmitter at Panaji (Goa). Local time: 1826.

11975Khz 1726 11 JUL – RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ROMANIAN from GALBENI. SINPO = 45444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2015KM from transmitter at Galbeni. Local time: 1826.

11965Khz 1726 11 JUL – DIMTSE RADIO ERENA (CLA)  in TIGRINYA from SOFIA-KOSTINBROD. SINPO = 43223.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2027KM from transmitter at Sofia-Kostinbrod. Local time: 1826.

11875Khz 1726 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in RUSSIAN from URUMQI (XINJIANG, CRI). SINPO = 44343.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 6159KM from transmitter at Urumqi (Xinjiang, CRI). Local time: 1826.

11860Khz 1727 11 JUL – REP.YEMEN RADIO SANAA (YEMEN)  in ARABIC from RIYADH. SINPO = 32112.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 4955KM from transmitter at Riyadh. Local time: 1827.

11825Khz 1727 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in CROATIAN from BEIJING-MATOUCUN (CRI/CNR). SINPO = 44454.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8208KM from transmitter at Beijing-Matoucun (CRI/CNR). Local time: 1827.

11810Khz 1727 11 JUL – RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ENGLISH from TIGANESTI. SINPO = 54444.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2097KM from transmitter at Tiganesti. Local time: 1827.

11680Khz 1728 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in SWAHILI from XIAN-XIANYANG (SHAANXI). SINPO = 42221.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8259KM from transmitter at Xian-Xianyang (Shaanxi). Local time: 1828.

11650Khz 1728 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in ESPERANTO from XIAN-XIANYANG (SHAANXI). SINPO = 44333.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8259KM from transmitter at Xian-Xianyang (Shaanxi). Local time: 1828.

11610Khz 1728 11 JUL – DEUTSCHE WELLE (GERMANY)  in FRENCH from MEYERTON. SINPO = 32332.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9062KM from transmitter at Meyerton. Local time: 1828.

9850Khz 1730 11 JUL – IRIB VOICE OF I.R.IRAN (IRAN)  in GERMAN from SIRJAN. SINPO = 43433.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 5171KM from transmitter at Sirjan. Local time: 1830.

9770Khz 1730 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in CANTONESE from XIAN-XIANYANG (SHAANXI). SINPO = 31111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8259KM from transmitter at Xian-Xianyang (Shaanxi). Local time: 1830.

9730Khz 1730 11 JUL – VOICE OF VIETNAM (VIETNAM)  in VIETNAMESE from HANOI-SONTAY. SINPO = 32222.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9205KM from transmitter at Hanoi-Sontay. Local time: 1830.

9660Khz 1731 11 JUL – RADIO VATICANA (VATICAN CITY STATE)  in ENGLISH from TALATA VOLONONDRY. SINPO = 21112.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9030KM from transmitter at Talata Volonondry. Local time: 1831.

9500Khz 1731 11 JUL – RADIO ROMANIA INT. (ROMANIA)  in ROMANIAN from GALBENI. SINPO = 43222.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2015KM from transmitter at Galbeni. Local time: 1831.

9470Khz 1731 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in RUSSIAN from XIAN-XIANYANG (SHAANXI). SINPO = 21111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8259KM from transmitter at Xian-Xianyang (Shaanxi). Local time: 1831.

9460Khz 1732 11 JUL – VOICE OF TURKEY (TURKEY)  in TURKISH from EMIRLER. SINPO = 44333.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2866KM from transmitter at Emirler. Local time: 1832.

9435Khz 1732 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in CROATIAN from KASHI (KASHGAR) (XINJIANG). SINPO = 43433.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 5807KM from transmitter at Kashi (Kashgar) (Xinjiang). Local time: 1832.

9425Khz 1733 11 JUL – VOICE OF KOREA (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA)  in RUSSIAN from KUJANG. SINPO = 11111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 8601KM from transmitter at Kujang. Local time: 1833.

9400Khz 1733 11 JUL – BIBLE VOICE (UNITED KINGDOM)  in PERSIAN from SOFIA-KOSTINBROD. SINPO = 32212.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 2027KM from transmitter at Sofia-Kostinbrod. Local time: 1833.

7445Khz 1733 11 JUL – BBC (UNITED KINGDOM)  in ENGLISH from TALATA VOLONONDRY. SINPO = 11111.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 9030KM from transmitter at Talata Volonondry. Local time: 1833.

7380Khz 1733 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in GERMAN from CERRIK. SINPO = 42332.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1938KM from transmitter at Cerrik. Local time: 1833.

5970Khz 1734 11 JUL – CHINA RADIO INT. (CHINA)  in GERMAN from CERRIK. SINPO = 43423.  Received at London, United Kingdom, 1938KM from transmitter at Cerrik. Local time: 1834.

The BBC World Service Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast

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Phew. Just a couple of hours after walking home from work on what I think must’ve been the warmest day of the year, I was settling down to listen to a most unusual radio programme.

Just as it was mid-summer’s day here yesterday, in Antarctica (and elsewhere southern) it was midwinter.

Stranded for months in nocturnal eternity, the staff of the British Antarctic Survey get a rather special gift from the BBC. On this day, the scientists, engineers and other support staff traditionally give each other gifts, have a big meal, and get rather merry.

But they also tune in to a special BBC World Service broadcast directly pointing at them. And I mean literally: the Beeb utilises three shortwave transmitter sites around the world, points them south, and broadcasts a special one-off half hour programme directly to Antarctica in the hope that the bases will pick it up.

Shortwave audiences may be shrinking as time and technology move on, but this show deliberately only has a target audience of 50 or so. I’m not sure how long it’s been going on, but it seems to be something of a tradition.

The show features a bit of music, some messages of support from the great, the good and the weird, and primarily plays messages from family and loved ones of the intended audience. I imagine it provokes scenes of joy, tears, merriment and embarrassment to all listening in. The show was presented this year by Cerys Matthews of 6 Music.

As a shortwave listener, this kind of special broadcast is especially interesting. Because although the target audience is the bottom of the globe, the nature of the broadcast meant that other listeners could attempt to pick up the signal as it made its way south.

I was very pleased to get good reception from two of the transmitter sites: Woofferton in England, and Ascension Island, a dot in the South Atlantic. Signals from Dhabbaya in Abu Dhabi eluded me.

I usually get good reception from all three sites, and even though in theory they were all directing their signal south, I was still able to pick up Ascension almost as strong as I was Woofferton.

Shortwave radio has fascinated me for 15 years or more, and it continues to. For every ten relays of China Radio International you have to wade through, there’s always an oddity popping up. And the variations in the atmospheric conditions mean that every listening session is different somehow.

But even more so, special events like the BBC’s Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast can’t fail to intrigue me and I was so pleased to be able to ‘take part’ this time.

My trusty Tecsun PL-380 continues to do sterling work with the aid of the bundled long wire antenna draped out of the window across the balcony. I’m pleased to get pretty decent reception in my ground floor flat in NW London, despite masses of sources of interference, lack in height, and being surrounded by buildings.

The reception quality of the Midwinter Broadcast was less good than I’m used to, but this is to be expected as the signals were directed in a particular way and it was just nice to pick them up on their way.

I made some very sloppy recordings of the broadcast for the SWLing Post blog, and they’re online here. The show itself can be heard in much higher fidelity online here.