My DX Archive: November 2005

WELCOME to another post from the 'My DX Archive' series.

I do hope these posts contribute to your knowledge of radio broadcasting; To learn more about 'DX', in relation to Shortwave radio, click here for a post from the HFUnderground website.

These posts draw on my logbooks, hence the 'Archive' in the post title.

Broadcasts heard August 2005, the previous post, can be read here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

November 2005 : Shortwave

• 6 November [2005]: 1049 UTC: 5885 kHz: Vatican Radio Fair to poor reception. Prayers, music. French to Europe. Male host.

Vatican Radio QSL verification card, November 2005.

• 6 November: 1118 UTC: 5955 kHz: Radio Nederland Wereldomroep Excellent to good reception. Dutch language service via Flevo? Music from Jamie Cullom, speech by male and female, telephone ringing, speech, music.
• 6 November: 1331 UTC: 5955 kHz: Radio Nederland Wereldomroep Excellent reception. Dutch language via Flevoland, Holland? Male host, sports news: Pierre van Hooijdonk (football player) injury. Live reports from football: Feyenoord, music, Julian Tromes 'Me'. Football: Ajax.
• 6 November: 1400 UTC: 6005 kHz: Deutschland Radio Kulture Good to fair reception. Music, time pips, male voice, "Deutschland Radio", male with news, ID, "Deutschland Radio Kulture" female, music, doorbell (ad?).
• 6 November: 1435 UTC: 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Excellent to good reception. German to West Europe, via Rimavska Sobota? "Radio Slovakie" Male with ID, music, male and female with programme.
• 6 November: 1503 UTC: 6075 kHz: Deutsche Welle Excellent to good reception. German language. Female host, news from Paris, Baku, Kabul, 'Weather in Deutschland' male, ID as 'Deutsche Welle'.
• 6 November: 1515 UTC: 6140 kHz: Deutsche Welle Excellent to good reception. Classical music 'Concert Hour' to Europe via Juilich.

Deutsche Welle promotional booklet, October 2005.

• 6 November: 1625 UTC: 6155 kHz: Radio Österreich 1 International Excellent to good reception. German via Moosbrunn ? to Europe. Jazz music, interview with a Jazz musician. Formerly Radio Austria International.
• 6 November: 1658 UTC: 6295 kHz: Reflections Europe .com - Jack Van Impe Ministries (jvimi @ jvim .com), Gospel Crusade Ministries.
• 6 November: 1738 UTC: 7275 kHz: Radio Exterior de España Excellent reception. Spanish to Europe: North & West Europe. 'Tablero Deportivo' Football from La Liga and scores from the English Premier League: Real Betico, Malaga, Manchester, male commentators.
• 6 November: 1903 UTC: 7345 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Excellent to good reception. German to West Europe. DX show, male and female hosts.
• 6 November: 2036 UTC: 11655 kHz: Radio Netherlands Excellent to good reception. English to Africa via Madagascar. 'Amsterdam Forum' Host: Andy Clarke. Group discussion regarding the use of the internet in Europe and the World, with regards to privacy.

I hope you have enjoyed this post.

Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower.

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My DX Archive: Spring 2002

YOUTUBE is where we start, on this retrospective post, with Tuning tips for Shortwave radio for the beginner, courtesy of OfficialSWLchannel. Enjoy this video.

This post brings you logs of Shortwave radio broadcasts heard Spring 2002: March-April-May 2002.

For logs of broadcasts heard New Year 2002, click here.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

March 2002: Shortwave

• 4 March [2002]: 2136 UTC: 3965 kHz: Radio France Internationale Strong to good reception. French to North Africa (RFI 1 Afrique) via Issoudun, France. Male with business news, Dow Jones, New York. Female speaking of Croissants in the 'Rendezvous' programme, Music.
• 4 March: 2218 UTC: 3995 kHz: Deutsche Welle via Wertachtal, Germany. Strong reception. German 'Journal' male speaks of Kosovo, followed by a sports update from the Bundesliga. ID at 22:28 UTC. Music. 2230 UTC news: US forces fight Taliban in Afghanistan. News of Israel - Palestine relations from Jerusalem.
• 17 March: 0938 UTC: 6310 kHz: Radio Valleri Republic of Ireland. Music: P P Arnold 'First Cut Is The Deepest', Rolling Stones 'Street Fighting Man', male speech, big band music: 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B'. Music: Donovan. Male speech. Fair to poor reception "40 watts power" Music: Alvin Stardust. Male with ID at 10:02 UTC.

April 2002: Shortwave

• 11 April: 1914 UTC: 4950 kHz: Voice of America via Sao Tome. Music: Nelly Furtado. Scorpions 'Wind of Change'. Fair to poor reception. English to Africa via Sao Tome. Beatles 'Yesterday' on 'Border Crossings'. Female host with frequencies and ID. Instrumental version of 'Whole Lotta Love' Rita Rochelle.

May 2002: Shortwave

• 4 May: 1909 UTC: 12060 kHz: Voice of The Mediterranean Strong to fair reception via Moscow, 250 kW. Female host with music. Report regarding Middle Eastern female writer. Male host with 'Wonderful World of Opera'. VOM ID, VOM news with Joseph Cutajar: President of Malta tours Valetta. Postal address for Valetta. E: info @ vomradio.com

Voice of the Mediterranean QSL card, April 2002.

• 5 May: 1854 UTC: 12060 kHz: Voice of The Mediterranean Malta via Moscow, 250 kW. Tune-in signal, on air with Manuel and Margaret, ID. Strong to good reception, English. May Day holidays. Music: Elton John 'Daniel'. Touring Gozo with Manuel and Margaret. Music: Maltese Eurovision entry. 'News from the past': 1851, 1901, 1951, 1988.
• 7 May: 1844 UTC: 5920 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Female host with details of online competition, report of the Slovak International Ice Hockey team. Strong to fair reception, English to West Europe.
• 7 May: 1904 UTC: 6005 kHz: BBC World Service Good to fair reception, English to East and South Africa via Seychelles. News, male host, plane crash, Liberia. United Nations Security Council.
• 7 May: 1918 UTC: 6025 kHz: Radio Budapest Good to poor reception. English to Europe. 'Hungary Today' female reporter in Hungary, male reporter in UK. Address and web site.
• 7 May: 1932 UTC: 6065 kHz: Radio Sweden Good reception. English to Europe 'Sixty Degrees North' Also to Africa and Middle East. Male with weather report and news headline: Murder of Pim Fortuyn, Dutch politician. King and Queen of Sweden in Estonia. Bill Schiller reports.
• 7 May: 1957 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service Good to fair reception. English to Europe via Cyprus 'Newshour' Murder of Pim Fortuyne, Dutch politician. News headlines.

BBC World Service 'Newshour' logo.

• 7 May: 2020 UTC: 7120 kHz: Radio Netherlands Fair to poor reception. English to Africa via Madagascar 'Newsline' Pim Fortuyne, murdered in the last 24 - 48 hours. Male host.
• 7 May: 2048 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception. English to Europe via Cyprus 'Newshour' Russia's Vladimir Putin two years in power. Live report from Israel - Explosion, suicide bomber in a club, large number of casualties.
• 12 May: 1859 UTC: 12060 kHz: Voice of The Mediterranean Good to fair reception. English to Europe, Middle East via Moscow 'Valletta Calling' Margaret and Manuel. Music: 'Seventh Wonder' the Maltese Eurovision entry 2002. A walk in the Maltese countryside. Music: Times Three 'Believe 'n' Peace'. 'Journey of Inspiration' Linda.

Thank you for reading these memories of Spring 2002.

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My DX Archive: May 2001

WELCOME to some more memories of international radio broadcasts, heard on the Short Wave band of a Roberts R881 receiver (Link courtesy of Peter Vis).
These broadcasts were heard using a method known as DXing. Learn more about Dxing here (Link courtesy of Mika Mäkeläinen).
Broadcasts heard April 2001 can be found here.
Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

May 2001: Short Wave

• 13 May [2001]: 1105 UTC: 13850 kHz: Radio Ezra Strong to good reception. John D Hill with religous [sic] programming, ID: Radio Ezra, website: water - into - wine .com
  Postal address: John D Hill, Water Into Wine Ministries, PO Box 16, STOCKTON ON TEES TS18 2GN UK
• 26 May: 1540 UTC: 5920 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Fair reception. Slovak to West Europe. Male & Female host, music.
• 26 May: 1610 UTC: 5920 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Good to fair reception. German to West Europe. Male & Female announce frequencies.
• 26 May: 1619 UTC: 5930 kHz: Radio Prague Strong to good reception. English to Europe, Africa. Male host: Music, [Sineád?] O'Connor of Ireland, guitar music by a Prague musician. CD by Jethro Tull: 'The Magic Carpet' on 'Saturday Music' show. ID. Off air at 1627 UTC.
• 26 May: 1653 UTC: 5955 kHz: Radio Netherlands Strong reception. Dutch to Holland (The Netherlands) and Europe via Flevo? Male host conducts interview.
• 26 May: 1721 UTC: 5995 kHz: Radio Polonia Strong to good reception. English to Europe. Female host with feature regarding jobs and the economy, interviews with construction workers, a landowner and farmer. EU integration of Poland. // 7285 kHz. Review of the newspapers.

Example of a pre-printed reception report form, sent out by Polish Radio,
to assist listeners with their reports for the station.

• 26 May: 1736 UTC: 6065 kHz: Radio Sweden Strong reception. English to Europe via Hörby, 500 kW. 'Studio 49' Male host discusses nationalism in a multicultural, multi-ethnic Sweden with a guest.
• 26 May: 1750 UTC: 6140 kHz: Deutsche Welle Strong to fair reception. English to Europe via Wertachtal, Germany. 'Around Germany' tour of Bremen with female and male host. 'African Journal' female host reports on Amnesty International.
• 26 May: 1822 UTC: 6155 kHz: Radio Austria International Strong to good reception. German to Europe via Moosbrunn? 'Kompass': Monaco Grand Prix: Schumacher, Coulthard, Irvine. Tennis.
  1830 UTC: English: 'Report From Austria' hosted by Bethany Bell, Joanna King reports on a memorial for victims of the Nazis.
• 26 May: 1911 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception. English to Europe & North Africa 'World Briefing' Bill Clinton's visits to Belfast & Dublin, Arafat's speech in the Middle East. Algerian violence. 'Canada 25' forum. 'World Sport' with Alex Capstick: Celtic cup treble.
• 26 May: 1953 UTC: 7460 kHz: Laser Hot Hits Ocean Colour Scene 'Riverboat Song'. Laser testing on 9465 kHz. Music.
• 26 May: 2107 UTC: 7460 kHz: Laser Hot Hits Strong to good reception. English to Europe and America. Music: Crazy Town 'Butterfly', Music: Maria Rubia. Male and female host (Nicky) on air. Music: Janet Jackson 'All For You' Music: Romina Johnson. Website: www. radiolink .net / hothits
  Music: Chantay Moore.

World Harvest Radio QSL, 2001.

• 26 May: 2201 UTC: 7580 kHz: World Harvest Radio Strong to fair reception. English to Africa via WHRA / Angel 5, Greenbush ME USA 500 kW American Information Radio Network news: Jerusalem hotel collapse. Music: 'How Great Thou Art'.
• 26 May: 2239 UTC: 9370 kHz: WTJC Fair reception. Hymn singing with interference from other sources.
• 27 May: 1034 UTC: 9860 kHz: Radio Netherlands Strong to good reception. English to Europe via Wertachtal, Germany. News: Violence in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East. 'Echelon' spy network. Report from Neville Powys regarding riots in Oldham, Lancashire. Italian elections.
• 27 May: 11:14 UTC: 10 000 kHz: WWV USA Time Signal. Good to fair reception. Boulder, Colorado, USA.
• 27 May: 1549 UTC: 15205 kHz: Voice Of America Good to fair reception. English to Europe, North Africa, Middle East via Woofferton, Shropshire, UK. VOA News Now 'Kaleidoscope' Fighting in the Middle East. Co-channel interference at 16 UTC.
• 27 May: 1613 UTC: 15255 kHz: Voice of America Good to fair reception. English to Europe, North Africa, Middle East via Greece.

Letterhead, United Arab Emirates Radio.

• 27 May: 1629 UTC: 15395 kHz: UAE Radio Dubai. Good to fair reception. Music. News at 1630 UTC: President Mubarak tours Israel and Palestine. English to Europe and Africa. Shelling of ethnic Albanians by Macedonia. USA to intervene in Southern Sudan, Colin Powell tours Africa.
• 27 May: 1644 UTC: 15445 kHz: Voice of America Special English. Strong to fair reception to Africa via Botswana 'People in America'.
• 27 May: 1652 UTC: 15485 kHz: BBC World Service Good to fair reception. English to Europe & North Africa 'Sunday Sportsworld' England Cricket, athletics, Monaco Grand Prix.
• 27 May: 1753 UTC: 17650 kHz: World Harvest Radio Strong to good reception. English to Africa via WHRA-5 Greenbush Maine USA. Relay of Indycar racing: Motorsport from Indianapolis. Male commentator. Ads at 1759 UTC: Motor oil, Nokia.
  1800 UTC: ID for WHRI, WHRA, Postal address, website. Return to racing.
• 27 May: 1821 UTC: 17715 kHz: Radio Exterior de España Strong reception. Spanish language: 'Tablero deportivo' football commentary: Valencia, La Coruna, Barcelona, Alaves, Majorca...
• 27 May: 1849 UTC: 17820 kHz: Radio Canada International Strong to good reception. English to Africa, Middle East via Dhariyya, United Arab Emirates. 'Canada Review' Female host. Collection of postcards and pictures put together in a book.

Canada QSL, May 2001.

• 28 May: 1553 UTC: 21470 kHz: BBC World Service Good reception. 'World In Print' : Selby rail crash.
• 28 May: 1608 UTC: 21605 kHz: U A E Radio Dubai. Strong to good reception. English to Europe, Africa. Male and female hosts discuss musical instrument and play a piece of music: 'Theme of Princess movement'. 'The Wide World of Arabic Music'.
• 28 May: 1621 UTC: 21745 kHz: Radio Prague Fair to poor reception. English to East Africa. Male host, news, economy, marketing. ID at 1627 UTC.
• 28 May: 1638 UTC: 21840 kHz: Deutsche Welle Strong to good reception. English to Africa via Nauen, Germany. 'Africa Report' Message to Eritreans from John Fashanu, sports results: Football: World Cup qualifying matches. 'The African News'.

That completes the logs for May 2001. Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower!

📻

My DX Archive: September 2000

AUTUMN of the year 2000 is where the next pick of radio logs comes from, this post looking at what I heard in September of that year.
The previous post, My DX Archive: Summer 2000, can be read here.
For the following broadcast logs, housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

September 2000: Short Wave

Notes: CHU (Canada) Time Signal Station, Frequencies & power: 3330 kHz - 3 kW, 7335 kHz - 10 kW (or try 7355 kHz), 14670 kHz - 3 kW. CHU broadcasts 24 hours. ([Information credit:] British DX Club)

"You can send reception reports (not forgetting reply postage) to: BBC Atlantic Relay Station, English Bay, ASCENSION ISLAND, South Atlantic Ocean. Tel: 4458 / 4533. Fax: 6117". (BDXC)

• 10 September [2000]: 1445 UTC: 17810 kHz: RTE Sport Special - All Ireland Gaelic Hurling Final. English to Africa // 13720 kHz to North America, 15360 kHz to Australasia, 15240 kHz to Central & South America, 15270 kHz to South East Asia. Good to fair reception. Male commentator, hectic speech. Co-channel interference. 1500 UTC.

The Roberts R881, pictured, working 11615 kHz, some time ago.

• 17 September: 1628 UTC: 11605 kHz: Feba Radio English to Asia. Signature tune, Female host "This is Feba Radio". Co-channel interference is Israel Radio, Romanian & Hungarian to Central Europe on 11605 kHz. Fair to poor reception. Male speech: 'Biblical genealogy' Creation of the Universe, 'give thanks each day'.
• 22 September: 2034 UTC: 7325 kHz: Wales Radio International Good to fair reception. English to Europe via Skelton 'Celtic Notes' Jenny O'Brien. Male talks of a Church. Music from Sain. Jenny O'Brien interviews lady regarding Wrexham, Welsh names (Jones), research. The Drovers Inn, Public House. Literature.
• 22 September: 2100 UTC: 7325 kHz: Global Sound Kitchen Good to fair reception. English to Europe via Skelton // 3955 kHz, 6140 kHz - "Best reception on 3955 kHz!" Music: Rise, Ettienne French hip hop, drum 'n' bass. www.globalsoundkitchen.com [Website no longer active]
• 29 September: 1808 UTC: 7100 kHz: Two male operators on CB.
• 29 September: 1817 UTC: 7300 kHz: Voice of Russia World Service Fair reception 'Commonwealth Update' Female reporter: 'Friendship Society'. Islam in politics. Visit from US delegation: Shirley Hunter, Jeffrey Thomas. Finally: Helicopter rescue, 26T helicopter, male reporter. Music. Email: letters @ vor.ru (English to Europe) To 1834 UTC.
• 29 September: 1839 UTC: 7345 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Fair reception. Female reporter, communities in Slovakia. English to West Europe via Rimavská Sóbota (2 x 250 kW transmitters), Velké Kostol'any (100 kW transmitter). Email: englishsection @ slovakradio.sk To 1858 UTC.

Radio Slovakia QSL, September 2000.

• 29 September: 1924 UTC: 9400 kHz: Radio Bulgaria 'Keyword Bulgaria' Strong to good reception. Programme content: Minerals. 'The Sofia Initiative'. Station ID. Report: Confederation of Independent Trade Unions. Poverty. English to Europe. Email: rbul @ nationalradio.bg 'Time Out For Music'. 1942 UTC.
• 29 September: 1945 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Europe. Strong to good reception. English to Europe, North Africa via Cyprus. Male reporter visits the Indian Subcontinent. 'Calcutta Stories: Essential Guide'. Email: worldservice.letters @ bbc.co.uk 20 UTC: 'Newshour'.
• 29 September: 2014 UTC: 9500 kHz: Radio Australia Strong to good reception. English to Asia, Australia via Shepparton, Australia. 'Pacific Beat - Week In Review' male host, New Zealand in talks with China, Japanese tourism links with North Mariana Islands, public service in the Cook Islands. Pacific Islands Festival 2000 at New Caledonia.
• 29 September: 2051 UTC: 9650 kHz: All India Radio Good reception. English to Europe, Middle East, Australia. Music, ID, music. 21 UTC: News.
• 29 September: 2108 UTC: 9760 kHz: Voice Of America Good to poor reception. English to Europe, North Africa, Middle East via Woofferton, Shropshire, UK. 'VOA News Now' Denmark votes 'No' to European Union. Interview regarding the British currency with Michael Portillo (Conservative Party). Sport: Athletics (1500 metres race).
• 29 September: 2136 UTC: 9990 kHz: Radio Cairo (Egypt) Good reception. English to Europe. News. To 2134 UTC.

Homer loves his radio!

• 29 September: 2150 UTC: 10000 kHz: WWV Time Signal Station, Boulder, Colorado, USA. Strong to good reception.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post, thank you for your support of Reporting From The Fox Tower!

📻

My DX Archive: Winter 1998-99

THE previous DX Archive post, Autumn 1998, was composed in the aftermath of Storm Erik. Is it a coincidence that this post is being composed as we await the arrival of Storm Freya?
Housekeeping notes: This post features logs of radio broadcasts heard on the Short Wave radio band, December 1998 - February 1999. Short Wave Listeners [SWLs] are also known as DXers. Learn about the hobby of DXing in this well written Wikipedia article here. Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

December 1998: Short Wave

• 18 December [1998]: 1912 UTC: 5850 kHz: Radio Bulgaria Strong reception; German language broadcast.

Radio Bulgaria verification card, Winter 1998-99.

• 18 December: 1930 UTC: 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Pete Miller hosts 'Slovakia Today'. News with Martina: Slovakia municipal elections. General Prosecutor resigns. Strong to good reception. 'Topical Issue' Iraq attacks. Education.
• 18 December: 1958 UTC: 6125 kHz: Merlin Network One Skelton transmission; Strong to good reception. CIX competition, satellite broadcasts information. 'Media Zoo' trailer, 'Prize Time' trailer, Johnny Reece 'Album Zone' trailer. Close at 20 UTC.
• 18 December: 2026 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service American correspondent reflects on President Clinton and President Nixon. Basra oil refinery hit in Iraqi attack. 'Newshour' Strong to moderate reception. Business news, World news.
• 18 December: 2038 UTC: 7535 // 7545 kHz: Radio Bulgaria 'Keyword Bulgaria' Iraq air strikes. Children singing Christmas songs. Strong to good reception.
• 18 December: 2050 UTC: 7250 kHz: Vatican Radio Pope John Paul appeals for peace in the Middle East. UN relief workers, comment from Jim Douglas 'Voices In The Wilderness' Senate for the Church of Oceania. 'Rights or Wrongs' Phillippa Hitchen. Sexual abuse. Geoffrey Robinson comments. English to Europe, Zone 'M' and 'N'. Strong to fair reception.
• 18 December: 2120 UTC: 7350 kHz: Voice of Russia 'An Extraordinary Year' Veronica. 'The Silence of God' Monsignor Robert Sarno. 'Moscow Mailbag' Joe Adamov. Strong to good reception. News in Brief at 2130 UTC: Air strikes. Clinton impeachment. 'Jazz Show' Carl Watts. Arthur O'Malley writes from Ireland.

Voice of Russia [Radio Moscow] QSL, December 1998.

• 18 December: 2140 UTC: 7325 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception. 'People & Politics' Iraqi air strikes, General Augusto Pinochet.
• 18 December: 2147 UTC: 7415 kHz: Voice of America 'News Now' Live coverage of the Clinton impeachment debate in the House of Representatives. Vote takes place on Saturday. Business news. Art Review. Strong to good reception. English to Africa VOA News Now Schedule B. Oscars. Roger Daltrey as 'Scrooge'. 'On This Day In History'. Frequency information.
• 18 December: 2223 UTC: 7545 kHz: Radio Bulgaria 'Events & Developments'. Christmas music. Strong to good reception.

January 1999: Short Wave

• 2 January [1999]: 0958 UTC: 5825 kHz: EWTN - Global Catholic Radio - WEWN 'Life Issues' trailer. 'Off The Shelf' Mark and Christine. WEWN English to North America (& Europe?). Fair to poor reception.
• 2 January: 1026 UTC: 5850 kHz: Sunrise Radio Strong to good reception; English to Europe via Juilich, Germany. 'Sunrise Radio Swapshop' broadcast in English & Asian vernacular.
• 2 January: 1030 UTC: 5975 kHz: High Adventure Voice of Hope Strong reception; English to Europe via Juilich, Germany, 100 kW. 'Challenge Ministries' John 3:16. Song by Harvey. 'Good News World'.

High Adventure Ministries QSL, January 1999.

• 2 January: 1134 UTC: 9855 kHz: Radio Netherlands News: Cuba, Iraq, Algeria, Indonesia. English via Wertachtal, Germany. Howard Shannon reads the news and weather. James MacDonald and Chris Chambers host 'Europe Unzipped': Euro currency, Cyprus, violence in Kosovo. Strong to good reception; Interference: Digital data noise. Prostitution in Sweden.
• 2 January: 1213 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service 'A Jolly Good Show' Dave Lee Travis, the final ever edition of the show. Music: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince 'Summertime'. English to Europe, Middle East and EurAsia. 'Most Wanted': Celine Dion 'My Heart Will Go On'. Strong to good reception. Oasis 'Whatever'. 'Pop Pal': Nigeria. 'Dave's Choice': James Brown.
• 2 January: 1338 UTC: 9715 kHz: Radio Tashkent English to Asia, news: introduction of the Euro currency, New Year parties. Music. Radio Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Good reception. Wishes for a Happy New Year.
• 2 January: 1402 UTC: 11690 kHz: Radio Jordan 'News at 3 minutes past 4, Jordan time'. Flooding. 'A Way of Life - Aspects of Islam': The purpose of prayer'. English to North America and Western Europe. Strong to good reception. Interference: Digital data traffic, natural disturbance. 'From The Holy Qo'ran'.
• 2 January: 1435 UTC: 11915 kHz: Radio Canada International News: Hong Kong fraud, weather, sport: National Hockey League. 'Venture Canada' Benjamin O'Hare - Burn. English via Sines, Portugal to Europe, Africa, Middle East. Strong to moderate reception. Electronic cash cards: Mondex. Dr David Jones. Canadian bankruptcy. Falling productivity. 'Review Of The Week'.
• 2 January: 1503 UTC: 11940 kHz: BBC World Service News headlines: President Fidel Castro of Cuba proclaims his 40th anniversary of reign. Canadian avalanche. Thai scientists to clone elephant. Euro trading. Martin Fookes 'Sportsworld' English to Africa. Cricket.

• 2 January: 1530 UTC: 15565 kHz: BBC World Service English to Northern Europe 'Sportsworld' Durham athletics. Strong to good reception. FA Cup scores: Newcastle United 0 - Crystal Palace 1, Southampton 0 - Fulham 1 (Steve Hayward), Leicester City 2 - Birmingham City 0, Coventry City 1 - Macclesfield Town 0, Oldham Athletic 0 - Chelsea 0, report from Alan Green.
• 23 January: 1204 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service 'Wright Round The World' Steve Wright. Music: Boo Radleys 'Wake Up Boo!' Telephone call from Japan, Clifford in Sydney, Australia. Contact Producer Alan Rowett: 0171 379 4565. Music: Sheryl Crow 'There Goes The Neighbourhood', Queen: 'You're My Best Friend'. News stories from around the World.

February 1999: Short Wave

• 14 February: 0708 UTC: 5825 kHz: EWTN WEWN Global Catholic Radio. Strong to good reception. 'The Beatitudes' Paul 4:4-7.
• 14 February: 0801 UTC: 5915 // 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International German to Western Europe. Good reception.
• 14 February: 0845 UTC: 7325 kHz: BBC World Service English to West Europe, North Africa including Canary Isles. Strong to good reception. 'From Our Own Correspondent' Owen Bennett-Jones.
• 14 February: 0855 UTC: 7535 kHz: Sentinel Radio PO Box 1254 BOSTON MA USA. Christian Science. 0900 UTC: German 'Bibellektion' via WSHB, Cypress Creek, SC (South Carolina) USA. Strong to good reception. MA: Massachusetts.

[WSHB] Sentinel Radio QSL, February 1999.

• 14 February: 0935 UTC: 9820 kHz: Radio Netherlands Weather: freezing temperatures, icy rain, snow. 'Sincerely Yours': Veronica Wilson & Louise Williams. Valentine's Day. Correspondence from messrs Williams in UK and Andrews in USA. Good reception. Bonaire Relay. Correspondence from Paul Peacock. Contact details: Mail, telephone, e-mail. Letter from Quebec, Canada.
• 14 February: 1006 UTC: 9915 kHz: Merlin Network One English via Woofferton, UK. Good to strong reception. 'Media Zoo' phone call to editor of Radio Magazine: Jobs in media: Breakfast presenter: BFBS / SSVC. Worldwide weather check. Talk Radio. Interference: Radio Netherlands in Dutch. Pirate Radio in Israel. The passing of King Hussein of Jordan. Amateur radio.
• 14 February: 1048 UTC: 13660 kHz: Merlin Network One English via Skelton, UK. Music. Mike Flanders, Vine Music, Vine Court, 7 Eve Street. Strong reception. Ads.
• 14 February: 1105 UTC: 15700 kHz: Radio Bulgaria Broadcast to Europe, strong to good reception. News in German.
• 14 February: 1112 UTC: 17630 kHz: Merlin Network One Rampisham transmission, with echo. Good reception. 'Media Zoo' Station ID CD's.
• 14 February: 1115 UTC: 17640 kHz: BBC World Service Echo on broadcast to Europe, CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, formerly USSR), North Africa including Canary Isles. Good reception. 'Newsdesk' President Clinton.

That concludes the logs from the winter of 1998-99. Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower. Enjoy your day!

📻

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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My DX Archive: Spring 1998

WELCOME to the first post of 2019, taking a trip back twenty-one years to Spring 1998, for my radio logs of the time. These broadcasts were heard on the Short Wave band, by a method known as 'DXing'. For an introduction to DXing, please click here [Credit goes to the British DX Club for the link].
Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

March 1998: Short Wave

• 11 March [1998]: 1905 UTC: 5940 // 5965 kHz: Voice of Russia Strong to fair reception. News: Kosovo. Chile. 'Commonwealth Update' Chechnya. Armenian election. Moldovan general election.
• 11 March: 1928 UTC: 5960 kHz: Voice of Turkey English to Europe via 'CAK' transmitter site. News: EU security organisation. Good to poor reception. Albanian Serbs in Kosovo. Red Cross statement. 'Review of the Turkish Press': Kosovo, Cyprus. 'Review of the Foreign Media': Kosovo, Turkey. 'Letterbox': Japan, England (Mike Swift in Surrey), USA.

Voice of Turkey QSL verification, 11 March 1998

• 11 March: 2002 UTC: 6035 kHz: Voice of America News: Uganda, Senegal, security, Free Trade. Fair to poor reception. Nigeria, Ghana. English to Africa via Botswana or 'G r' transmitter. 'Africa World Tonight' Freetown (Sierra Leone), Kenya. Nairobi. Japanese aid for Rwanda.
• 11 March: 2027 UTC: 6165 kHz: Swiss Radio International 'Newsnet' Strong to good reception. Sports report from Spain.
• 11 March: 2035 UTC: 6180 // 6195 kHz: BBC World Service Good to fair reception 'Newshour' interference, noise.
• 11 March: 2055 UTC: 6280 kHz: High Adventure Ministries - The Voice of Hope Postal address:PO Box 109 Hereford HR4 9XR Fair to poor reception. Preacher, announcements, close.
• 11 March: 2109 UTC: c.7 MHz: Vatican Radio Basilica of Rome, St Peter, St Paul. Opera music.
• 11 March: 2116 UTC: 7195 kHz: Radio Romania International Poor to fair reception. 'Cultural Survey' violence against women.

Radio Romania International QSL, 11 March 1998

• 11 March: 2137 UTC: 7200 kHz: Voice of Turkey to Australia, Asia.
• 11 March: 2144 UTC: 7235 kHz: Radio Canada International 'Spectrum' via Skelton, England, 41.47m, 300 kW, 180° to Europe, Africa, English. Good reception. Jim Craig. News, 'CBC World At Six'.
• 11 March: 2207 UTC: 7325 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception 'Newsdesk' report from Baghdad.
• 11 March: 2211 UTC: 7415 kHz: Voice of America (VOA) Botswana transmitter. Good to fair reception 'Now Music USA'.
• 11 March: 2224 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception 'Newsdesk' Chime of Big Ben at 2230 UTC. Also 12095 kHz, strong to good reception 'The World Today' Sao Paulo.

April 1998: Short Wave

• 9 April: 1830 UTC: c.6 MHz: Sunrise Radio London. Ad break: The Army, Neighbourhood watch. Dedications telephone number, Asian music.

Sunrise Radio verification letter, April 1998

• 9 April: 1834 UTC: 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International US armed forces minister in Slovakia. Latvian links with Slovakia. Visits by Slovakian personnel to South America and Ireland. 'Topical Issue': Compensation for those who suffered in World War II. Strong to good reception. 'Back Page News' Collectors of calendar cards, Tall people club, Mystical, scary creatures, USA-UFO's Festival. 'Slovak Kitchen'.
• 16 April: 1821 UTC: 5840 kHz: Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal, Belgium. Strong to good reception. Flemish language. Malcolm Mclaren 'Madame Butterfly' Sex Pistols. Rwanda.
• 16 April: 1845 UTC: c.6 MHz (c.5900 kHz): Sunrise Radio Ad break: Alcohol problems. Strong to good reception. Cinema, 'Communications 2000' telephone. Music: 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'. Female host. Asian music. 'Happy Birthday to Oliver'. Write to Sunrise Radio, Sunrise House, Cross Lances Road, Hounslow, Middlesex TW3 2AD Telephone 0181 569 6666 'Happy Birthday To You' "On air on 1413 and 1458 kHz" Ads: Banqueting suite, carpets. News: George Michæl, Pol Pot. Sport: Chelsea v Vincenza at Stamford Bridge, 0-0.
• 16 April: 1922 UTC: 6165 kHz: Swiss Radio International 'Ban on genetic engineering'? Peter Heller reports. Strong to good reception. Separation anxiety pill for dogs. Contact details.
• 16 April: 1951 UTC: 7285 kHz: Polish Radio Warsaw 'A Day In The Life' Discussion regarding medical conditions of pilots. 41.18m, good to poor reception 'Focus' The Culture Magazine: Beethoven Easter Festival.
• 16 April: 2004 UTC: 7325 kHz: BBC World Service News: Bill Clinton, P W Botha, David Trimble, death of Pol Pot. Strong reception via Skelton, England.

President of the United States, Bill Clinton, featuring on BBC World Service news, 16 April 1998

• 16 April: 2012 UTC: 7375 // 7415 kHz: Voice of America News: Tutsi rebels, Burundi. Trial of P W Botha. 'Africa World Tonight' Sport. Ugandan elections. Good to fair reception. Tony Blair in Cairo. Middle East peace process.
• 16 April: 2044 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception. News headline: Death of Pol Pot. Sport: Chelsea 3 - Vincenza 1 (Aggregate score: 3-2).
• 16 April: 2055 UTC: 9850 kHz: Radio Australia Weather in Wellington, NZ. Good to fair reception. 'Pacific Beat' with Rob Hoskin. News headlines at 21 UTC: United Nations, Pol Pot, Korea, Bill Clinton. USA call for Pol Pot autopsy. North and South Korea meet for talks in Beijing, China. Strong to good reception.
• 16 April: 2141 UTC: c.15 MHz: HCJB 'Night Sounds' Strong to good reception.
• 16 April: 22 UTC: 15600 kHz: Radio Taipei (Voice of Free China) National Anthem. Strong to good reception. News: China summit meeting.

May 1998: Short Wave

• 15 May: 1945 UTC: 5850 kHz: Sunrise Radio Strong to good reception. Music, speech, ads. Address: Sunrise House, Cross Lances Road, HOUNSLOW, Middlesex TW3 2AD Transmission from Deutsche Telekom, Germany, to Europe.

Vatican Radio QSL Verification card, 15 May 1998

• 15 May: 1950 UTC: 5880 kHz: Vatican Radio Memories of John F Kennedy, 1964, US troops in Vietnam. Chinese revolution, June 1966. Middle Eat war, 1967. Martin Luther King. Neil Armstrong, 1969. Test Tube Baby, 25 July, 1978. Pope Paul VI. Strong to good reception. 'Popes of the 20th Century'. 'Ask The Abbott': The Crucifixion.
• 15 May: 2020 UTC: 5930 kHz: Radio Prague 'Between You And Us' letters programme: Swedish invasion of Prague, 1648 AD. Edmund Birt emails from Kingston-Upon-Thames, UK. Strong to good reception.
• 15 May: 2030 UTC: 5935 kHz: Radio Latvia Strong to good reception.
• 15 May: 2057 UTC: 6035 // 6040 kHz: Voice of America Music from the Late Mr Frank Sinatra, who passed away today, Friday 15 May 1998. 21 UTC News: Rioting in Jakarta, Indonesia. 'World Report'. 6035 kHz to Africa, 6040 kHz to Middle East, North Africa, Europe. Good to fair reception. Nuclear proliferation in South Asia. President Yeltzin on tour. Clinton meets Japanese delegation.
• 15 May: 2130 UTC: 6155 kHz: Radio Austria News: New nuclear power station. Freedom Party. Government Budget for 1999. Environment group action: 12-13 June 1998. Postal service strike. 'Report From Austria' Murray Hall and Joanna King. Strong to good reception. English to Europe. Newspapers' 150th year.
• 15 May: 2150 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service Strong to good reception 'People And Politics' Northern Ireland Peace Process.

BBC World Service logo, taken from a letterhead.

• 15 May: 2217 UTC: 7340 / 7375 / 7415 kHz: Voice of America English to Africa. Music from Garth Brooks. Strong to good reception. 'Country Music USA' Music: 'Anonymous' and 'This Ain't Tennessee'.
• 23 May: 1238 UTC: 9410 kHz: BBC World Service Fair to poor reception. 'A Jolly Good Show' Dave Lee Travis. Music: Richard Marx 'Right Here Waiting', Neil Diamond 'Dancing In The Street', Natalie Imbruglia 'Torn'. To 1245 UTC.

Thank you for visiting this first post of 2019!

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My DX Archive: Winter 1997-98

TAKING a trip back twenty one years to the winter of 1997-98 for this selection of radio broadcasts heard on the Short Wave band. Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

December 1997: Short Wave

• 13 December [1997]: 1541 UTC: 6175 kHz: West Coast Radio Ireland Gerard Delaney 'Letter from Ireland': Biddy Earley, a witch. 'Letterbox' Christopher Lewis, 15, Shropshire, England. Martin Cowin has sent a Christmas card. Contact details.
• 14 December: 20 UTC: 12160 kHz: WWCR Address for Miami FL Florida. RTE Radio news: CJD death risk to 250 patients, blood products contaminated with CJD. Rioting in Londonderry following orange march. AA roadwatch: Crash in County Wicklow, Traffic in Galway, congestion in Dublin. Weather: Dry, clear, frost, 2-5°C. Ads: Alka Seltzer. Good to fair reception. Sports reports: Irish football, rugby, hurling, FAI Harp Lager football. English Premiership football, rugby. Gaelic games. Bolton 3 - Derby 3.
• 25 December: 1137 UTC: 6045 kHz: Radio Netherlands Strong to good reception. 'Media Network' archive special: Jim Cutler, Jonathan Marks, Andy Sennitt. Lou Josephs. Music: 'Silent Night'. Editor of 'Practical Wireless' on the answerline. Jim Henderson in Thailand. Email from Canada. Brian Clarke in Auckland, New Zealand (FM DXer). Latin American relays: Trinidad, Moscow, Poland, USA. 1503 kHz Radio London at Christmas and the New Year: Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens. VLU2, 1422 kHz, Victor G in Sri Lanka.
• 27 December: 1523 UTC: 6175 kHz: West Coast Radio Ireland Strong reception. Music: 'My Old Sligo Home'. Michael Commins. Gerard Delaney 'Letter From Ireland'. Music: Sinead O'Connor & The Chieftains 'Foggy Dew'. 'Letterbox': Chris Morris in Shropshire, UK. USA, Austria. Father Brendan Rumley in Peru. Patrick Roebeck in Austria. A Thank You to Martin Cowin for the Christmas card. J K Wood, USA.

January 1998: Short Wave

• 19 January [1998]: 1830 UTC: 6065 kHz: Radio Sweden Stockholm. 'Sixty Degrees North' Sarah Roxstrom.

• 19 January: 1930 UTC: 12160 kHz: RTE Radio news via WWCR. Northern Ireland. Italian finance minister in Brussels. Weather. Sport. Headlines. Ads: Des Kelly Carpets. Books. Canada Life pensions. Eric Donnel farm news. Weather: Met Eireann. End. WWCR 'On The Brink' Ted Anderson. Caller from Alabama.
• 19 January: 2030 UTC: 12095 kHz: BBC World Service 'Newshour' Max Pearson with Vicky Merriot, headlines.

February 1998: Short Wave

• 3 February: 1938 UTC: 5915 // 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Strong to good reception. 'Topical Issue': Slovak Prime Minister gives weekly radio address. Helga Dingova. Skiing. Sports news: Tennis. IAAF athletics. Winter Olympics. News headlines: Presidential elections.
• 3 February: 2015 UTC: 5960 // 6175 kHz: Voice of Turkey 'That Magnificent Sultan, Suliman' English from Anatolia to Europe. Strong reception.
• 3 February: 2026 UTC: 6125 kHz: Radio Exterior de Espana Weather in Spain. News headlines: Baghdad, Madeleine Allbright in Cairo. Fidel Castro, Cuba, US embargo. Libya. Spain. Music: Los Mustang 'Please Please Me' (Beatles cover). 'Press Review': San Sebastian City Council walk out. ETA (Terrorist organisation). One minute silence ignored at Athletico Bilbao football match. Tony Blair to investigate 'Bloody Sunday'. 'Kaleidoscope': Valencia congress. Strong to good reception. Interference: Russia.
• 3 February: 2058 UTC: 6180 kHz: BBC World Service 'Newshour' headlines at 21 UTC, English to Europe, Middle East.

• 3 February: 2106 UTC: 7170 // 7180 kHz: Voice of Russia World Service News: The conflict of Georgia & Aphazia. Headlines: Denmark to help new EU members. 'Science & Engineering in the Commonwealth'.
• 3 February: 2127 UTC: 7235 kHz: Radio Canada International Jim Craig 'Spectrum' Strong to fair reception. Ice storm in Quebec. Skelton transmitting station, England. 41.47m, 300 kW, 180° to Europe / Africa: RCI English. Asian economy crisis.
• 3 February: 2202 UTC: 7530 kHz: Radio Bulgaria English to West Europe, strong reception. News: Bulgarian restructuring conference. Greek ministers meet Bulgarian officials. Seminar of the IMF, World Bank & EU. Bulgarian ministers visit USA. World Bank visit to Romania. Bulgarian parliament receives Greek Ministers. 'Commentary'. 'Events & Developments': Bulgaria and the European Union.
• 3 February: 2252 UTC: 5745 kHz: World Harvest Radio International Strong to good reception. News: Execution. Air jet hits ski lift in Italy. Weather. USA Radio News. Ad break: Bus travel holidays. News: Baghdad. Arizona Senator. Monica Lewinsky. Florida storms. Financial news. Ad for short wave antennas. 'For The People' Chuck Harter.

That concludes the logs from the winter of 1997-98. Thank you for visiting Reporting From The Fox Tower. Enjoy your day!

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My DX Archive: January - February 1997

FIRST, a moment of celebration!

WELCOME to the 500th post here on Reporting From The Fox Tower!

Thirteen years have passed since that first post in the autumn of 2005, so I would like to thank all of you who have interacted with this blog since then.

Post 500: My DX Archive: January - February 1997.

Welcome to the first posting of October 2018, on a dry, slightly sunny though blustery day at the foothills of the Fox Tower. This post continues my recent visits to my radio logbooks, bringing you memories of broadcasts of decades gone by. This posting takes us to international broadcasts heard January - February 1997.

Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

January 1997: Short Wave

• 15 January [1997]: 1800 UTC: 5835 kHz: Radio Prague News: BIS - Czech Intelligence Service linked with Parliamentary document, illegal activity. Czech Premier to meet a Cardinal regarding Church funding. Uzbek president in Prague. Reports by Pauline Newman and Peter Casper.
• 22 January: 1935 UTC: c.6200 kHz: Radio Tirana News headlines regarding links between Albania and Germany. Albanian parliament forms a congress for EU. Albanian president sends message to POWs in Yugoslavia and other areas of the world. Albania protects its Country and its rights. Support for protests in Belgrade. Charles, The Price of Wales, Lord Rothschild and Lord Sainsbury visit a city in Albania.

• 22 January: 1935 UTC // 2006 UTC: 7285 kHz: Deutsche Welle 'European Journal' Helmut Kohl's visit to Prague. Child sex tourism. Mark Caldwell in Cologne. Boris Yeltzin in the Kremlin. Tom Whitehouse in Moscow. Bulgaria's new President takes office. George Mclaren-Thompson reports on BSE in Bonn. Advertising on telecommunications in Sweden.
• 22 January: 2030 UTC: 7335 kHz: Radio Bulgaria Strong to moderate reception. 'Cultural Review' via Plovdiv. Cathedral visit.
• 22 January: 2101 UTC: 7415 kHz: Voice of America : 'Africa World Tonight' makes way for 'World Report': President Yeltzin returns to the Kremlin. Students demonstrate in Belgrade. Pamela Taylor reports. English to Africa via Botswana. Serbia admits vote rigging. New Bulgarian president takes office. David Swan reports. Strong to good reception.

February 1997: Short Wave

• 8 February: 1700 - 1733 UTC: 9615 // 9860 kHz: Radio Australia Strong to good reception. News: Meeting in Germany regarding world currency markets. Pakistan's new PM - Sharif - hopes for talks with India. New Caledonia wants independence in 1998. Radio Australia news. Six killed by 24 year old gunman in New Zealand. Five hundred thousand gather in Hong Kong to launch the year of the Ox. Rugby Union: Fiji 29 - New Zealand 19. Afghanistan restore television services.
• 20 February: 1908 UTC: 5930 kHz: Radio Prague Spanish language, 19-1927 UTC, 49m, 100 kW to Europe. Strong reception.
• 20 February: 1920 UTC: 5940 kHz: Voice of Russia 17-22 UTC, 49m, good to moderate reception. 'Commonwealth Update': Peace keeping in the Commonwealth of Independent States, Kazakstan. Russia & NATO - What now? Power stations - Economy of Kazakstan. Armenia. Baltic meeting - Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia.

• 20 February: 1940 UTC: 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International 1930 - 20 UTC, English to Western Europe, strong to good reception. Constitution referendum by SDL, petition of 350 000. News & Topical issue: Bolshoi Orchestra with Slovak Conductor visit USA, Bratislava Boys Choir: 15th Anniversary. Philharmonic Orchestra concert in Canada.
• 20 February: 1956 UTC: 6155 kHz: Radio Austria International Reading 'Midnight In Vienna' - a novel with Murray Hall on 'Report From Austria'. English to Europe & Africa. Strong to good reception. Music from Strauss at 1959 UTC. 'Nachrichten' German language programme on the air @ 2002 UTC.
• 20 February: 2022 UTC: 6035 kHz: Voice of America North Korean diplomat tries to smuggle ivory from Zimbabwe. News from Egypt on 'Africa World Tonight'. World Vision famine relief. 16-2230 UTC, 49m to Africa, good to moderate reception. Interference from Rai - Italy. News: Death of Deng Xiao Ping. News from the Kremlin. Changes to UN food and agriculture policies, report from Rome. Disarmament of Iraq, and Afghanistan. Frequency news. 'Sports Journal' with Sonny Young: New Pole Vault world record. Athletics.
• 20 February: 2046 UTC: 6035 kHz: Polish Radio Warsaw News from Poland's Jewish Community. Transmission period: 2030-2125 UTC, 49.71 metres, strong to moderate reception. News: Parliament investigates finances, damage to cemeteries, funds stolen during World War two. Review of Polish press. Headlines: Death of Deng Xiao Ping.
• 20 February: 2108 UTC: 6180 // 6195 kHz: BBC World Service 'World Business Report' Strong to good reception.
• 20 February: 2130 UTC: 7415 kHz: Voice of America 'World Report' transmission: 19-2230 UTC to Africa via Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana. Strong to good reception. Weather forecast: Cloudy, breezy. Stock market forecast. A lady talks of when she first came to America. Live broadcast featuring Muhammad Ali!

• 20 February: 2158 UTC: 9965 kHz: Radio Yerevan, Armenia Strong to good reception, 2130-22 UTC, Postal address: Radio Yerevan, Alek Manukyan Street 5, YEREVAN 75025 REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA.
• 24 February: 1900 UTC: 7415 kHz: Voice Of America 55th Anniversary! News: Madeline Allbright. Deng Xiao Ping's cremation. EU Foreign Ministers meet regarding China & Yasser Arafat. Nairobi College closed. Rwanda. Gunman opened fire in the USA. 'Europe Edition': President Yeltzin, fire breaks out on Mir Space Station. NATO forces attacked in Bosnia Herzigovina. Bosnian Child adopted by British family. Turkish Parliament. Greek-Cypriot communities. Americans buy Yorkshire Electricity. 'Editorial': Voice of America 55th Anniversary.

I hope you have enjoyed this 500th posting on Reporting From The Fox Tower. At 1807 UTC, enjoy your evening and do visit again. Thank you!

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My DX Archive: Autumn 1996

THE final day of September 2018, a warm, dry day, with added sunshine. It is to September 1996 that this post takes us, for memories of short wave radio broadcasts received Autumn 1996. Housekeeping notes: Times in UTC (GMT), frequencies in kiloHertz (kHz). Transmission power in watts or kiloWatts (kW). Logs transcribed from the original notes.

September 1996: Short Wave

• 15 September [1996]: 0925 UTC: 7570 kHz: Radio ABC/Denmark Strong to good reception. Letters from Belgium & Germany, music: 'I Just Can't Get Enough'. Letters: Kidderminster, UK, Italy, Berlin, Germany. Music: Harry Chapin 'W O L D'. Letter from Finland, postcard from Germany. Music: 'Search For The Hero' by MPeople. Postal address: 174, DK-8900, Randers, Denmark. Fax, internet & email details. Music: Pato Banton featuring Robin & Ali Campbell: 'Baby Come Back'. [The card pictured at the head of this post verified reception of the broadcast.]
• 28 September: 2014 UTC: 11690 kHz: Radio Canada International Development in technology for the blind in Canada. Sackville transmission. 'Innovation Canada' Computer animations. 'Earth Watch'. Strong reception. Music at 2048 UTC.
• 28 September: 2050 UTC: 11550 kHz: Christian Science Sentinel via WSHB. Address: Christian Science Sentinel, PO Box 58, Boston MA 02123 USA. News at 2100 UTC: Israel-Palestine conflict, meeting in New York.
• 28 September: 2119 UTC: 11620 / 11715 kHz: All India Radio Indian Cinema Centenary Quiz! 25.82m / 25.61m. Two teams: Team A & Team B. Question regarding the movie 'Ghandi' by Richard Attenborough. Music by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London. Winners: Team A. Good to strong reception.

October 1996: Short Wave

• 6 October: 1010 UTC: 7570 kHz: Radio ABC/Denmark Music: OMD 'Walking On The Milky Way'. The Cardigans. 'Danish Airplay Top 30'. 'Too Much Heaven'. Strong to good reception. Music: 'Broken Angel'. Fugees 'Ready Or Not'. Suede 'Trash'. REM 'E-Bow The Letter'. Jamiroqai 'Virtual Insanity'.
• 6 October: 1341 UTC: 9590 kHz: Radio Denmark English news: Danish author dies at 85. Danish poetry. Danish Jazz: 'I Believe In You'. Thai Ambassador to Denmark, Thai-Danish links. English to Europe via Fredrikstad. Strong to good reception. Address: PO Box 666 Copenhagen. News from the Danish Parliament.

November 1996: Short Wave

• 4 November: 1904 UTC: 5850 kHz: Swiss Radio International Strong to good reception. Arabic language broadcast.
• 4 November: 1930 UTC: 6055 kHz: Radio Slovakia International Strong to moderate reception. English to Western Europe: European Ministers meet in Austria. Slovak economy meeting. President laid wreath in Bratislava Cemetery. Vice Chairman of Foreign Committee visits Paris. Slovak Foreign Minister visits Pretoria, South Africa. Signing of a treaty. All Saints Day. Weather.
• 4 November: 1952 UTC: 6195 kHz: BBC World Service 'Multitrack Hit List' UK Top Five Singles: Toni Braxton 'Unbreak My Heart' at five, Simply Red 'Angel' at four, E17 & Gabrielle 'If You Ever' at three, number two is 'Say You'll Be There' by The Spice Girls, number one is 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted' by Robson & Jerome. 20 UTC: Newshour with Hugh Prysor-Jones.
• 30 November: 0045 UTC: 5980 kHz: Radio Vilnius - Lithuania English to North America? AIDS in Lithuania and surrounding countries. New Library in Riga, Latvia. Winter in Estonia. Folk music. Government Ministers and Christmas in Estonia: St Katrin's Day on Monday 2nd December 1996. Close @ 01 UTC.

I hope you have enjoyed these memories of Autumn 1996!

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