SoCal Shortwave Listener’s Log of December 24-29, 2009

Notes: Receiver is a Palstar R30A, grounded to a copper rod driven 6 feet into earth; antenna is a 40-ft. straight wire strung approx.20 feet above ground, connected to the receiver by a balun & coax lead. Principal reference is Klingenfuss 2010 Shortwave Frequency Guide, which I highly recommend.

Thu, 12/24/09, 1409-32 utc ~ 7305 kHz ~ CHINA NATIONAL RADIO, NETWORK #1, Shijiashuang, China ~ Mandarin language ~ Chinese instrumental music with commentaries by male & female. (Signal 7-9, noisy)

Thu, 12/24/09 , 1433-40 utc ~ 7315 kHz ~ CHINA BUSINESS RADIO, Xian, China ~ Mandarin language ~ Male & female speaking with audio cuts, some from BBC. (Signal 8-10)

Thu, 12/24/09, 1445-48 utc ~ 7410 kHz ~ CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL, Jinhua, China ~ Japanese language ~ Female speaking with musical background. (Signal 9-10)

Fri, 12/25/09, 0005-18 utc ~ 9425 kHz ~ ALL INDIA RADIO, Bangalore, India ~ Hindi language ~ Domestic Service: Songs. (Signal 6-7, noisy)

Fri, 12/25/09, 0023-35 utc ~ 9455 kHz ~ RDP INTERNATIONAL, Lisbon, Portugal ~ Portuguese language ~ Christmas Program: Hymns & speech. (Signal 8-10)

Fri, 12/25/09, 1359-1407 utc ~ 9740 kHz ~ BBC, UK, via Singapore ~ English language ~ World Service: Announcements, news (Signal 6-8, noisy)

Fri, 12/25/09, 1416-19 utc ~ 5955 kHz ~ RADIO JAPAN, Yamata, Japan ~ English language ~ Female & male discussing earthquake phenomena. (Signal 7-9, noisy)

Fri, 12/25/09, 1851-1900 sign/off utc ~ 9835 kHz ~RADIO JAPAN, Yamata, Japan ~ Japanese language ~ Songs announced by female, ID. (5-8, noisy)

Fri, 12/25/09, 1903-10 utc ~ 11690 kHz ~ RADIO HAVANA CUBA, Havana, Cuba ~Spanish language ~ Songs announced by male. (Signal 6-9)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1307-23 utc ~ 5985.8 kHz ~ RADIO MYANMAR, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) ~ Burmese language ~ Songs with brief announcements. (Signal 6-7, noisy with whsitle)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1325-35 utc ~ 5995 kHz ~FAMILY RADIO, USA, via Russia ~ Mandarin language ~ Instrumental music with brief announcements. (Signal 9-10)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1338-1402 utc ~ 6010 kHz ~ ?RADIO MIL, Mexico City, Mexico ~ Spanish language ~ Music & talk, no clear ID. (Signal 5-7, noisy)

Sat 12/26/09, 1508-11 utc ~ 9335 kHz ~ VOICE OF KOREA (North) ~ English language ~ Male & female delivering “news”/commentary. (Signal 6-8)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1512-36 utc ~ 9360 kHz ~ RADIO SWEDEN, Horby, Sweden ~ Swedish & English language ~ Various males & females speaking with audio clips, ID, then switch to English at 1530 with review of past news events. (Signal 7-9)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1537-44 utc ~ 9370 kHz ~ DEEWA RADIO, USA, via Tinang, Philippines ~ Pashtu language ~ Songs & instrumental music. (Signal 5-8)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1840-44 utc ~ 9370 kHz ~ DEEWA RADIO, USA, via Sri Lanka ~ Pashtu language ~ Males speaking. (Signal 5-6)

Sat, 12/26/09, 2235-43 utc ~ 12133.5 kHz USB ~ AFRTS, Key West, FL, USA ~ English language ~ “NPR World-Wide”. (Signal 1-5)

Sat, 12/26/09, 1150-2305 utc ~ 9435 kHz ~ FEBC, Bocaue, Philippines ~ Indonesian language ~ Songs, ID, talk by male. (Signal 7-9)

Sat, 12/26/09, 2308-29 utc ~ 9490 kHz ~ VOICE OF AMERICA, USA, via Philippines ~ English language ~ “World Neews Now”, “Word Master”, sports news. (Signal 7-9)

Sat, 12/26/09, 2343-57 utc ~ 9620 kHz ~ VOICE OF AMERICA, USA, via Thailand ~ English & Indonesian languages ~ Standard pop songs with announcements by male & female. (Signal 7-9)

Tue, 12/29/09, 2040-55 utc ~ 9980 kHz ~ WWCR, Nashville, TN, USA ~ English language ~ Political discussion. (Signal 8-10)

Tue, 12/29/09, 2104-22 utc ~ 11690 kHz ~ DEUTSCHE WELLE, Germany, via Rwanda ~ English language ~ News, ID, “News Link” featuring stories in the news with audio clips. (Signal 8-10)

My New Palstar R30A

The Palstar was on back order at Universal Radio for awhile, so I did not receive mine until five days ago. Needless to say, I have been busy with it since then and am very pleased with the way it is performing. It has lived up to my expectations in every respect. Its sensitivity and selectivity are both excellent, and the audio is strong and pleasing (with the outboard Palstar SP30 speaker).

The most notable difference between this receiver and most others I have used is that it does not have a band selector, and there is no push-button tuning. The variable rate knob does the whole thing along with up and down buttons that speed you from one end of the spectrum to another if you hold them down or advance by 100 kHz at a time with a single touch. I got used to this system quickly, and I like it. The tuning is accurate and steady. As for the knob, it is recessed so it is nearly impossible to get hold of it; however, one finger in the tuning dimple does the job smoothly.

The analog signal meter is pleasing and seems accurate. Also it is well lighted as is the frequency readout. This is important to an old guy with weakening eyesight.

I like the small size of the receiver, also the solid look and feel of it, and despite its light weight it does not slide on my table top when the bale is down. To me, the set radiates class. So far I haven’t seen much value in the narrow band-width filter, but then I don’t listen to CW or SSB very often. The AGC is good, and I set it for fast, which I find better for listening as well as scanning.

I don’t miss the gimmicks that my Icom and Grundig receivers had and which the Palstar lacks. I used to find myself fussing with those things a lot and having only frustration to show for it. Also, I don’t miss a keypad. With the variable rate tuning, I can quickly scoot from the 49 meter band to the 31 band and find my frequency with ease. What more do I need?

So that’s about it. I will get baack to posting some logs, but right now I am just having fun playing with my new toy. And Christmas isn’t even here yet!

Best wishes to all and happy holidays!

WS

Getting Personal…

For anyone who might be curious about the writer of this blog, let me say that I have been an avid shortwave listener since the age of 19 when I purchased a Packard-Bell Phon-o-Cord with a shortwave band and was thrilled to hear Radio Havana, LRA in Buenos Aires, and the French ORTF from Brazzaville. During the ensuing 63 years I have had a good many receivers (and some not so good). Not to brag, but I have enjoyed then disposed of a Hallicrafters, a Drake, two or three Grundigs, a Kenwood, an Icom, Sonys, Realistics, and some cheapie no-names.

Though shortwave in the last few years has largely given way to the internet as a means of communication between developed nations, more band space has accordingly been opened to broadcasters in the third world where computers are far less numerous than radios, along with lower-powered stations everywhere and the People’s Republic of China which is all over the bands. So there are still plenty of stations to be tuned, offering lots of exotic sounds.

I currently own a collection of a dozen or so receivers which are from two to 40 years of age, all of which look good on my shelves and are capable of receiving signals, though most have technical problems. Lately I have rotated the four best-performers on my rooftop antenna connection because variety is spice, as everyone knows, and that has kept me from springing for a new receiver for the last couple of years. Those four radios are a Realistic DX-160 which is fun to play with but lacks a digital readout, a Realistic DX-302 that is digital and husky but has muddy audio, a Sangean ATS-818ACS that is great ergonomically but a bit lacking in oomph, and a Kaito KA-2100 that sounds great and has station-pulling power but is quirky and not so user-friendly.

What to do? Buy a new receiver, of course! I read a lot of reviews and finally chose a Palstar R30A which seemed to suit my needs and interests…and miracle of miracles, it is made in the USA! I am awaiting delivery of the Palstar from Universal Radio as I write this and will offer a report after I receive it and get it broken in.

I have to say that one of the considerations that made me choose the Palstar was my renewed interest in medium-wave dx and I understand that the Palstar is a star in that venue (as my Drake in the 1960s used to be). I believe it will work well off my 40-foot straight wire, balun, and good ground system. Anyway, I will find out and, if you are interested in my experience with the new Palstar, please check back because I will be writing about it.

Thanks and stay tuned…

SoCal Shortwave Listener’s Log of 11/19/09

Sun, 11/15, 1342-57 utc ~ China Radio International ~ 7255 kHz ~ Music & talk in the Russian language directed to Russia; Chinese language lesson at 1347; sign-off at 1357 ~ Very strong signal received on Realistic DX-302 with rooftop antenna.

Sun, 11/15, 1410-27 utc ~ Korean Central Broadcasting Station, Pyongyang, North Korea ~ 9665 kHz ~ Classical instrumental music announced in Korean language ~ Good to Very Good reception on DX-302.

Sun, 11/15, 1428-45 utc ~ RRI, Jakarta, Indonesia ~ 9680 utc ~ South Seas pop music with speech in the Indonesian language ~ Signal clear & strong but with hum ~ DX-302.

Sun, 11/15, 1446-1503 utc ~ BBC, UK, via Singapore ~ 9740 kHz ~ World Service in Engliah: Program of African music & interview with singer; world news at 1500 ~ Very Good signal strength but with co-channel interference ~ DX-302.

Wed, 11/18, 0333-56 utc ~ Radio Taiwan International via WYFR, Okeechobee, FL, USA ~ 5950 kHz ~ In English to North America: “Jade Bells & Bamboo Pipes” program featuring Chinese folk music performed by chamber music ensemble ~ Very Good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Wed, 11/18, 1414-27 utc ~ Voice of Greece, Athens ~ 9420 kHz ~ Greek music with announcements in Greek language ~ Good reception on Kaito KA-2100.

Wed, 11/18, 1428-34 utc ~ KFBS, Saipan ~ 9465 kHz ~ Music & speech in Russian language ~ Good reception. KA-2100.

Thu, 11/19, 1350-58 utc ~ Radio Australia, Shepparton ~ 9580 kHz ~ “Jazz Night” program featuring Australian jazz announced in English; this frequency closed at 1358 ~ Very Good reception on KA-2100.

Thu, 11/19, 1403-20 utc ~ All India Radio, Bangalore ~ 9690 kHz ~ Indian music with no announcements ~ Fair to Good signal strength on clear channel ~ KA-2100.

Thu, 11/19, 1431-37 utc ~ BBC, UK ~ 9915 kHz ~ Arabic to North Africa and/or Mideast: News & features ~ Very Good reception on KA-2100.

Thu, 11/19, 1438-52 utc ~ RTBF International, Wavre, Belgium ~ 9970 kHz ~ Pop music with announcements in French ~ Good reception on KA-2100.

SoCal Shortwave Listener’s Log of 11/13/09

Tue, 11/10, 1310-1436 utc ~ RRI, Jakarta, Indonesia ~ 9680 kHz ~ Domestic Service: Very pleasant musical program with announcements and short talks in Indonesian language ~ Good to Very Good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Wed, 11/11, 0436-52 utc ~ Radio Rebelde, Havana, Cuba ~ 5025 kHz ~ Domestic Service in Spanish: Songs and conversation including phone calls from listeners ~ Good signal strength with whistle ~ Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Wed, 11/11, 1440-58 utc ~ Radio Australia, Shepparton ~ 7240 kHz ~Relay of ABC National Network: Discussion of ancient Greek philosophers ~ Very good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Wed, 11/11, 1857-1907 utc ~ Radio Netherlands Worldwide, transmission point unknown ~ 11655 kHz ~ World news on the hour with announcements and features ~ Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Fri, 11/13, 1345-1405 utc ~ All India Radio, Bangalore ~ 9425 kHz ~ Domestic Service: Music & announcements in Hindi ~ Good reception on Realistic DX-302 with rooftop antenna.

SoCal Shortwave Listener’s Log of 11/8/09

Thu, 11/5/09 (1444-1507 utc) ~ BBC, UK, via relay ~ 5.875 mHz ~ World Service: “From Our Own Correspondents”, News, and “World Briefing” ~ Very good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Fri, 11/6/09 (s/on 1315-27 utc) ~ Radio Japan, Tokyo ~ 5.955 mHz ~ To Indonesia in Indonesian language: Announcements, News ~ Very good signal strength with some interference on same channel ~ Received on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Fri, 11/6/09 (1331-1400 utc) ~ Kamchatka Radio, Petropavlovsk, Russia ~ 6.075 mHz ~ Domestic Service: Radio Rossii Network program featuring exotic instrumental music (jazz?) with announcements in Russian ~ Strong signal with hum ~ Received on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Sun, 11/8/09 (1416-23 utc) ~ All India Radio, Bangalore ~ 9.870 mHz ~ Domestic Service: Music & speech in Hindi ~ Good to poor reception, deterioration due to fading & interference on same channel ~ Received on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

SoCal Shortwave Listener’s Log of 11/4/09

Sat, 10/31/09 (2010-30 utc) ~ 11.865 mHz ~ Radio Canada International, Sackville, NB ~ Arabic to North Africa: Music & speech. Reception fair to good on Realistic DX-302 with indoor slinky antenna.

Sat, 10/31/09 (2030-40 utc) ~ 11.760 mHz ~ Radio Havana Cuba ~ English to South America: News. Fair to unintelligible on DX-302 with indoor slinky due to high noise level.

Sat, 10/31/09 (2042-50 utc) ~ 11.865 mHz ~ Radio Canada International, Sackville, NB ~ As above.

Sat, 10/31/09 (2150-2200 utc) ~ 15.580 mHz ~ Voice of America, Greenville, NC, USA ~ Hip-hop/rap music to Africa in English. Good to very good reception on DX-302 with indoor slinky.

Sat, 10/31/09 (2307-26 utc) ~ 11.780 mHz ~ National Radio, Brasilia, Brazil ~ Amazon service in Portuguese: Music & speech. Very good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Mon, 11/2/09 (1534-51) ~ 9.565 mHz ~ Korean Central Broadcasting Station, Pyongyang, North Korea ~ Instrumental & vocal music. Very good to good reception on Kaito KA-2100 with rooftop antenna.

Mon, 11/2/09 (2248-2300 utc) ~ 11.780 ~ National Radio, Brasilia, Brazil ~ Amazon service in Portuguese: Music with announcements. Very good reception on Kaito receiver as above.

Tue, 11/3/09 (1305-19 utc) ~ 7.310 mHz ~ Radio Canada International, Sackville, NB ~ Spanish to the Americas: News & conversation. Good to very good on Kaito as above.

Tue, 11/3/09 (1335-1400 utc) ~ 6.050 mHz ~ Radio Malaysia, Kajang ~ Domestic service: Songs announced in Malay language with commentary. Generally pleasant listening with good signal strength battered somewhat by slopover signal from adjacent channel. Kaito as above.

Tue, 11/3/09 (1402-16 utc) ~ 6.195 mHz ~ BBC, UK, via Singapore ~ World Service in English: News followed by feature program on the emergency landing of an American airliner in the Hudson River in January ’09. Good to very good reception on Kaito as above.

Tue, 11/3/09 (1835-46 utc) ~ Radio Canada International, Sackville, NB ~ English to Africa: Report on current conditions in Afghanistan, song. Kaito as above.

Wed, 11/4/09, 1835-47 utc ~ 9.430 mHz ~ Fair East Broadcasting Company, Bocaue, Philippines ~ Songs & speech in Chinese. Kaito as above.

SoCal Listener’s Log for Tuesday, 7/14/09

Voice of America, USA, transmission point unknown ~ 7575 MHz ~ 1320-35 UTC (6:20-35am PDT) ~ “World News Now” in English covering sports items including baseball all-star game; “Today in History”, news headlines on the half-hour. ~ Very good reception.

Radio Australia, Melbourne, transmitted from Shepparton, Australia ~ 9.580 MHz ~ 1345-58 UTC (6:45-58am PDT) ~ Heather Jarvis  interviewing Sylvia Henderson, writer of new book “Ivory Moon” concerning the plight of wild elephants in Africa followed by interval signal and sign-off on this frequency at 1358. ~ Excellent reception.

[Receiver: Sangean ATS-818ACS utilizing 40-ft. straight-wire rooftop antenna, grounded, with balun and coax lead.]

SoCal Listener’s Log for Monday, 7/13/09

Voice of Greece, Athens, transmitted from Athens ~ 9.420 MHz ~ 0330-59 UTC (8:30-59pm PDT) ~ Female reading text on half-hour followed by male and female in conversation alternating with Greek songs. ~ Reception fair.

Spanish Foreign Radio, Madrid, transmitted from Noblejas, Spain ~ 9.535 MHz ~ 0405-56 UTC (9:05-56pn PDT) ~ Variety of vocal and instrumental music with brief announcements in Spanish; frequency information at 0455 followed by sign-off on this frequency. ~ Reception good.

Voice of Russia, Moscow, transmitted from Khabarovsk, Russia ~ 7.300 MHz ~ 1323-45 UTC (6:23-45am PDT) ~ Russian songs and announcements in Chinese directed to China. ~ Reception good.

[Receiver: Sangean ATS-818ACS utilizing 40-ft. straight-wire rooftop antenna, grounded, with balun and coax lead.]

SoCal Listener’s Log for Sunday, July 12, 2009

Radio Portugal, Lisbon ~ 15.560 MHz ~ 1706-39 UTC (10:06-39 PDT) ~ Songs with announcements, all in Portuguese. ~ Reception poor to fair, lost at 1739.

Radio Havana Cuba ~ 9.600 MHz ~ 2347-2400 UTC (4:47-5:00 PDT) ~ Cuban pop music with announcements in Spanish. ~ Reception fair.

[Receiver: Sangean ATS-818ACS utilizing 40-foot straight-wire rooftop antenna, grounded, with balun and coax lead.]