My DX Archive: Summer 1998

AS we await the arrival of Spring here in the Northern Hemisphere, allow me to bring you Summer - The Summer of 1998, as recorded in my radio listening logbook. The following broadcasts were heard on the Short Wave band of a Hitachi TRK 5854E.
Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

June 1998: Short Wave

• 13 June [1998]: 1232 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception. 'A Jolly Good Show' Dave Lee Travis. Music: Tracy Chapman 'Fast Car'. Pop Pal: Brazil.
• 13 June: 1245 UTC: 9805 kHz: Radio France Internationale via Allouis? Strong to good reception. News headlines in English at 1245: Elections in Queensland, Australia. News from Africa: Ethiopia and Cape Town, South Africa. The EU & NATO warn Kosovo. Casper Leighton in Nantes for a France 98 World Cup match: Spain v Nigeria. French lesson. Goal: Spain 1 - Nigeria 0.
• 13 June: 1824 UTC: 5840 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal Flemish to Europe via Waverton or Juilich. Strong to good reception. 'Het Dak van de Wereld, 7 op 7' Music, speech.
• 13 June: 1849 UTC: 5850 kHz: Sunrise Radio London via Deutsche Telekom (DTK), Germany. Strong to good reception. Ethnic / Asian music for a European audience.

Hitachi TRK 5854E.

• 13 June: 1852 UTC: 5915 // 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia English to Western Europe. Strong to good reception. Music.
• 13 June: 19 UTC: 5945 // 6155 kHz: Radio Austria German to Europe. Strong to good reception. 'Osterreich Journale': Kosovo, Jacques Chirac, United States of America. President Milosevic, Macedonia, Yugoslavia. News from Austria. World Cup news. News from Kosovo.
• 13 June: 1925 UTC: 5975 kHz: Radio Colombo International Strong to good reception. English service: Sri Lankan fortress feature. 'Facets of...' with Derek Chocman. European Service of Sri Lankan Broadcasting Corporation. News headlines: Invite from Sri Lankan President to Bangladesh for Summit. Sri Lanka to attend Summer Forum in Paris.
• 13 June: 2004 UTC: 6120 kHz: Radio Finland English news (to North Europe): Nokia advertisement. Marriage of racing driver Mika Hakkinen. Strong to good reception. Weather: Finland and Nordic. Minister in charge of Finland's EU Presidency preparations is on the air.
• 13 June: 2027 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service to West Europe. Fair to poor reception. 'Newshour' with Julian Marshall. Football discussion regarding Japan v Argentina with regard to Japan & South Korea hosting the 2002 World Cup, why some broadcasters will jam the Japanese games and/or Korean games (presumed to be China).
• 13 June: 2136 UTC: 9670 // 9765 kHz: Deutsche Welle Strong to good reception. 'Mailbag Asia' DJ Bobo 1996 remix of 'Radio Gaga' by Queen. Silver Convention 'Fly Robin Fly'. Letter from a teacher in Pakistan. Thomas and Jackie are the hosts. Music: Sting 'Englishman In New York'.

Deutsche Welle QSL Verification card, June 1998.

• 13 June: 2222 UTC: 17845 kHz: WYFR Family Radio Good reception. 'Mailbag' Doug Brown, Ontario. Henry. Phil Elliot, Dorset, England. Letter from Louisiana, USA. Samuel, Accra, Ghana. Letter dated May 9th.
• 13 June: 2246 UTC: 17750 kHz: Radio Taipei International Strong to good reception. 'Advanced Spoken Chinese' Lesson 15 (fifteen). 'Dealing with a power cut'. Via WYFR, Okeechobee, FL, USA.

July 1998: Short Wave

• 12 July: 1212 UTC: 5955 kHz: Radio Tour de France via Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. Dutch language. Tour Prologue / Stage 1: Time Trial in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
• 12 July: 1247 UTC: 9525 kHz: Polish Radio Warsaw Fair to good reception. 9525 kHz / 31.50m. Letter from Ireland, letter from Jean Kelly, North Yorkshire, England, who works for Radio Newcastle. Another letter from the north east of England. Reception reports. Language services on air today: German, Russian, Polish. Music to close.
• 12 July: 1257 UTC: 9 MHz: Deutsche Welle German language: Sports news: Tour de France cycling, Tennis. Music. News at 1300 UTC: Drumcree, Tony Blair.
• 12 July: 1301 UTC: 9590 kHz: Radio Norway International Strong reception. English broadcast: News: The Krona has weakened, interest rate rises? Student grants. Tony Blair meets the Norwegian Prime Minister, to discuss North Sea pollution. Japan, Norway's main export market, worries about fish pollution. Weather: North Norway: Sunny. South: Wet.

Schedule for 'Norway Now', 1998.

• 12 July: 1330 UTC: 9590 kHz: Radio Denmark via Radio Norway. Strong reception. News regarding a Minister, report in Danish language. Croatia beat Netherlands in World Cup play-off. World news: Kosovo, Montenegro, Portadown, Hashimoto. New movies from Hollywood: 'Armageddon' and 'Deep Impact'.
• 12 July: 1352 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service 'Newshour' Report by Judy Swallow, ballet in South Africa. Weather: rain in London "(Rain in Brough)". 1400 UTC: news summary: 3 children die in Northern Ireland. Japan elections. Nelson Mandela. Strong reception.
• 12 July: 1404 UTC: 9535 // 9695 kHz: Radio Japan English news: Japanese elections in Hashimoto: Liberal Democratic Party. Strong to good reception. "Next English update regarding the Japanese elections after 15 UTC" English to 1408 UTC, Japanese broadcast.
• 12 July: 1502 UTC: 11775 kHz: Voice of Russia News in English: Russian Prime Minister to visit Japan. Japanese Prime Minister to resign? Drumcree / Portadown. Kosovo. Palestine, Israel. Libyan sanctions. Korean elections. Weather in Ukraine causes loss of electricity supply. Paul Ilinsky to visit Russia. World Youth Olympics in Moscow. English to Middle East. Strong to good reception.
• 12 July: 1523 UTC: 11690 kHz: Radio Jordan Strong to good reception. English programme: Music: Will Smith 'Gettin' Jiggy With It'. Telephone callers for competition on the air. English to North America & West Europe. Music: Gala 'When Boys Cry'. Ricky Martin 'Un Dos Tres Maria'. Freddie Mercury 'Living On My Own'. 'Listeners' Choice'.
• 12 July: 1637 UTC: 12095 kHz: BBC World Service ' Sunday Sportsworld' Alan Green reviews the World Cup Semi Final, Brazil beat Holland, Ronaldo's goal at the beginning of the second half. Comment from Pele. Strong to good reception. The World Cup Final will be broadcast on BBC World Service tonight from 1855 UTC.

High Adventure Ministries QSL, July 1998.

• 12 July: 1648 UTC: 12125 kHz: High Adventure Ministries Strong to good reception. English transmission from the 'Lighthouse Prophetic All-Nations Radio Ministry', PO Box 2381, Englewood, Colorado, USA. High Adventure Ministries, Hereford.
• 12 July: 1729 UTC: 15410 // 15445 kHz: Voice of America 'Editorial' Peter Arnott of CNN. Time Magazine. 'Music Time In Africa' Rita Rochelle and the Music Man. Pedal Steel music from Nigeria. Frequency & contact details. Interview.
• 12 July: 1818 UTC: 17640 // 17705 kHz: BBC World Service 17640 kHz to Scandinavia, Central & Eastern Europe (including Turkey), Countries of the Former Soviet Union, North Africa (including Canary Islands). 17705 kHz to Middle East and Gulf States, Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia. 'Newsdesk'.
• 12 July: 1826 UTC: 17895 kHz: Voice of America 'VOA News Now' Music from Brandy & Monica 'The Boy Is Mine', US No1 for 7 weeks. Headlines at 1830 UTC: Japanese elections, Portadown, Russia, The IMF (International Monetary Fund). Serb Police killed in Kosovo. Taliban forces control more of Afghanistan. Death of Korean Commando.
• 12 July: 1856 UTC: 17605 kHz: Radio Netherlands 'Siren Song' James Elroy, fiction writer responsible for 'LA Confidential'. English to Africa. Strong to good reception. Dheera Sujan. Ted Simons 'The Gypsy In Me'.
• 12 July: 1916 UTC: 17735 kHz: HCJB English programme from Ecuador, hosted by Ralph, discussing corn bread, ice tea, on 'Question of the Week'. 'Saludos Amigos' has a letter from Geoff Hayes, Belmont, North Carolina, USA.

QSL Verification, HCJB, Quito, Ecuador, 1998.

August 1998: Short Wave

• 31 August: 0911 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Good to strong reception. Rodney Smith 'World Business Report', English to Europe, North & Central Africa via Skelton. 'Record News' with Andrew Macgregor. Classical music.
• 31 August: 0935 UTC: 11760 kHz: BBC World Service 'West Way Access' Good reception. English to Middle East and Gulf, Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia.
• 31 August: 0953 UTC: 12095 kHz: BBC World Service Good to strong reception. 'Sports Roundup' Football: Ruud Gullit, Ally McCoist, FC Barcelona. English to all areas.
• 31 August: 1003 UTC: 13685 kHz: Swiss Radio International Music: Annie Lennox 'No More 'I Love You's'. Announcement in German language. Strong to good reception. ID. French to Australasia via relay Montsinery GUF. Sport: Belgian Grand Prix.
• 31 August: 1016 UTC: 15485 kHz: BBC World Service English to North Africa including Canary Islands, Scandinavia, Central and East Europe including Turkey, Former Soviet Union, Middle East and Gulf, Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia. Good reception. 15485 kHz // 15565 kHz, 15575 kHz 'Newsdesk'.
• 31 August: 1023 UTC: 15595 kHz: Vatican Radio Europe 1st Programme: News: Russian politics, North Korean missile in Japan sea. IRA statement. Omagh. Cyprus, Greece, Turkey. Summit in South Africa. Strong to good reception. Also broadcast to Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. 'World News Report'.

Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal QSL Verification card, August 1998.

• 31 August: 1036 UTC: 15595 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal 'Brussels Calling' 'Press Review' Fair reception. English to South-East Europe, Middle East.
• 31 August: 1054 UTC: 11640 kHz: Radio Prague Strong reception. English to North West Europe. 'Media Check' Address, telephone. Slovak drinking song regarding rain.

That concludes this visit to my DX archive for the Summer of 1998. To find out more about DXing, click here [Credit goes to the British DX Club for the link].

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RFTFT's Most Popular: Top 3 of 2017

REPORTING From The Fox Tower, on Christmas Eve Eve, welcomes you to an overview of 2017, bringing you the top three most viewed posts of the year, bringing you the most popular first.

Amy Willerton

Wallpaper of the Week, 23 July 2017

The most popular post of 2017 on Reporting From The Fox Tower was 'Wallpaper of the Week, 23 July 2017', posted on the above date and was a real mixed bag of items in one post. The post began with the Wallpaper image of Tailbridge Hill, Nateby. The image was captured 20 September 2016.

The post introduced Amy Willerton, pictured above, before closing with Chris Froome's 2017 Le Tour de France victory. The post had 144 views.

To the second most popular post:

Pulse 2 broadcasts on 1278 kHz in Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.

Medium Wave, September 2017

 An evening listening to Medium Wave radio had the second highest number of views, with 138 recorded visits to the post. The broadcasts were logged on September 21, with the post dated September 24.

The third most popular post:

Caitlin

Sidney

Facing West: Facebook Live, 29 April 2017

Reporting From The Fox Tower was in experimental phase at points during the year, bringing you the Facebook Live video broadcast by Facing West, which was carried live on Facebook, Saturday 29 April. Facing West are a band consisting of sisters Caitlin (left) and Sidney (right) Powell.

The 'Facing West: Facebook Live' post has received 113 views since uploaded on Sunday, April 30.

Those were the three most popular posts of 2017.

The plan, at the moment, is a final post of the year on Saturday 30th, looking at Carlisle United Football Club's results in December, though I intend to spend some quality time with my radio, so there may be radio logs posted here.

Until the next time, may I wish you a Merry Christmas!

🎅 🎄

Wallpaper of the Week, 23 July 2017

WALLPAPER of the Week is a visit on the B6270 to Tailbridge Hill, Nateby, the view is to the northwest and to the fore is a stone cairn. This image was captured 20 September 2016 at 1330 in the early afternoon. To add what you can see in the distance: The town of Kirkby Stephen can be seen to the far right of the shot; The village of Nateby is centre, though slightly obscured by the peak of the cairn and to the left is the view towards Ravenstonedale. Further into the distance are the lakeland fells. Enjoy the image.

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Introducing Amy

INTRODUCING Amy Willerton to Reporting From The Fox Tower - Amy is a former Miss Great Britain and a Miss Universe Finalist (2013). Amy stepped into the national spotlight when she appeared on ITV's 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' Amy then made the big step into television presentation, as well as modeling, with a move to the United States, where she became the presenter of 'Every Little Step', which reached seventy five million households in the United States.

Amy has also featured in the British television series 'The Jump' - Amy was the winning female of the series. Amy's modeling work continues, voted the fourteenth 'Sexiest Woman In The World' by FHM.

Keep up to date with Amy:

Visit her website

Follow Amy on Twitter

Amy on Facebook

Amy on Instagram

Amy on Pinterest

Amy on Tumblr

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And finalé

CONGRATULATIONS Chris Froome, winning Le Tour de France for the fourth time!

Image courtesy of ITV.

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Un troisième Tour Triumph!

Félicitations Chris Froome, vainqueur du Tour de France pour la troisième fois. Vive la France! Vive le Tour!

Best of British

WELCOME to the latest post here on RFTFT, catching up on the momentous events of the last week in the form of a photo diary, beginning with England 2 - Aussie 0 :

In the second Ashes test match between England and Australia at Lord's, England took a 2-0 series lead over Australia in the five match series, with a 347 run victory on Sunday 21 July. The above image from Twelfth Man, The Official Fan Community of England Cricket. Image © Getty.

Also, on the same day :

Chris Froome was confirmed as the winner of Le Tour de France, following the final stage of the race in Paris, on Sunday 21 July. Froome is the second British winner in consecutive years, following the success of Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012. This year was the one hundredth staging of Le Tour. Image from Le Tour de France, image © A.S.O. - Guillaume Benoit.

And on the next day :

Welcome His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis Windsor of Cambridge.

All in all, a rather excellent week. The third Ashes Test starts this coming Thursday, 1st August. More of the same please, England...!