Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Country #82: Radio Uganda

After a few 'dry' weeks, finally a new country:

4976 KHz Radio Uganda, Kampala, Uganda 20FEB2014, 19:50 UTC In English, male and female presenters, station Id before hour. 20:00 British pop song, 20:04> more similar musical items. Audible until 20:17 Overall weak signal. Noisy with tast fading. Country #82

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

The most played voice of all times: Jane Barbe @ WWVH

You probably know that most recorded song of all times is "Yesterday" by The Beatles. But do you know who is the most played voice of all times?

Known as "the time lady", Jane Barbe had weekly audience of over 300 million listeners! Barbe landed her voice to US telephone companies for both time signal and pre-recorded messages.

Even today, long after she passed away, her voice is still on air 24/7, providing an important and valuable service.

For thousands of mariners and sailors with no access to satellite communication, Internet or mobile phones, her voice still provides a comfort on the open seas and path to safe harbour.

Last night I've recorded a 1 minute sound clip of Jane Barbe's voice, a reception of the Time and Frequency standard signal transmitted form station WWVH located at Hawaii.

Click here to listen to Jane's immortal voice.

No wires, no borders: just a pure magic of radio waves...

Monday, January 27, 2014

QSL confirmation #15: DW via Kigali, Rwanda

Received today: a lovely QSL card from Deutsche Welle, transmitter site Kigali, Rwanda, heard on 15275 KHz.

Request was submitted via DW website.

Thank you DW, auf Wiederhören !

DW Deutsche Welle via Kigali, Rwanda. Loud and clear! Heard daily after local sunrise on 15275 KHz. Recording of Deutsche Welle, Rwanda 15275

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Country #81: Radio Hargaysa, Somalia on 7120 KHz

Radio Hargaysa, Somalia, heard on 18 January 2014 from 15:00 - 16:03 (and later) on 7120 KHz. In Somali. Loud and clear, peaking S9+15dB. Various male speakers, with a couple of typical fast beat Horn of Africa technopop songs.


Radio Hargaysa, Somalia on 7120 KHz .

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Country #80 : Radio Congo, 6115 KHz

What a catch! Radio Congo, Congo on 6115 KHz. January 16, 2014. From around 16:40 - 18:24 UTC. Male speaker, interview and commentary. Very long, and very monotone speech. Noisy, but steady carrier, S6. Best around 17:20 then progressively worse. No music or time signals. Odd air at 18:24. This is my country #80 !

Monday, January 20, 2014

Confirmation, country #15: Seychelles 15420

QSL letter received from BBC Indian Ocean relay station at Seychelles confirming reception on 15420 KHz. Signed by Mr. Jose Tambara, senior engineer. BBC Seychelles will cease all operations as from end of March 2014.

The transmitting station was opened by BBC in 1988. Current setup: two Marconi B6132 250 KW transmitters using pulse width modulation. Antenna system are six Marconi 4-band arrays strung across four towers.

Certainly, to receive a proper QSL card would be nice, but the QSL letter is equally appreciated.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Country #79: Yemen Radio, Sana'a 6135 KHz

6135 Yemen Radio, Sana'a, Yemen. In Arabic, audible form 14:06 UTC to closing down, at 15:02 UTC. The last two minutes under Voice of America from Thailand. Male and female speakers, until 14:25 then a music / vocal. Second half of the program containing mostly what sounded like a religious segment, perhaps Koran reading. Overall, the signal was weak and noisy, as one would expect in the middle of Australian summer. [Country #79]