Radio Kuwait (Interval Signal): circa 1970

Photo by Brett Jordan

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Dan Greenall, who shares the following recording and notes:

Here is Radio Kuwait circa 1970, signing on in English with their interval signal, chimes, and giving their frequency information. They were transmitting on 15345 kHz to Europe at 1600 hours UTC. This recording was made in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada using a Hallicrafters S-52 receiver and a long wire antenna. Only used an open mike next to the speaker for this.

Broadcaster: Radio Kuwait

Starting time: 1600

Frequency: 15.345 MHz

Recption location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Receiver and antenna: Hallicrafters S-52 using a longwire antenna

Radio Kuwait (start of Iraqi invasion): August 2, 1990

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Tom Gavaras, who shares the following recording and notes:

Recording of Radio Kuwait during the start of the invasion by Iraq. My understanding is that the broadcast originated from the Radio Kuwait transmitter site, which had not yet been occupied by Iraqi forces. Transmission consisted of music and announcements in Arabic. If anyone can translate/summarize some of the announcements, it would be appreciated.

Reception location: Minnetonka, MN

Receiver: ICOM R71A

Radio Kuwait: August 22, 2013

Radio Kuwait recorded in London, UK on August 22, 2013 at 1830 UTC on the frequency of 15540 kHz using a Tecsun PL-380 radio with its built-in telescopic antenna. The transmitter is located in Kuwait and has a power rating of 250 kW. The recording was made on a clear summer evening, on the rooftop of a multi-storey building in central London. Shortwave broadcasts by Radio Kuwait have now ceased.

Shortwave Radio Recordings: Radio Kuwait and music variety

Any of you who've been following the SWLing Post for a while know how much I love recording music over the shortwaves. Lately, Radio Kuwait has been booming into my part of eastern North America with great vivacity.

Yesterday, I recorded several hours of their broadcast on my WinRadio Excalibur. I couldn't help but notice, the last time I posted a recording, that their music had a great deal of variety. Their mix yesterday afternoon encompassed hip hop, country, pop, rock, R&B, and even a little Billy Joel and Donovan.

Though the hip-hop and boy bands don't particularly hold my personal interest, hearing "Mellow Yellow" over 7,000 miles of ether certainly has appeal.

If you're looking for music variety (well, a lot of variety), with some items of cultural interest thrown in, check out Radio Kuwait:

Recording Radio Kuwait with the RadioJet's IF recorder

While playing with the Bonito 1102S RadioJet the other day, I received a strong signal from Radio Kuwait. I thought I'd record the music they were playing, as the fidely was impressive for a signal traveling nearly 7000 miles. Instead of recording the actual audio of the broadcast with the RadioJet's AF recorder, I decided to use the IF recorder, which saves and records 24 kHz of actual spectrum. This is an excellent way to record while leaving it unattended. Later, when you review the material, you can refine and shape your recording of an individual broadcast.  Then, if an adjacent signal or some other condition requires you to adjust filters, you can do so just as you would when recording a live broadcast.

Though the file sizes are marginally larger than those the AF recorder produces, it's not a hard drive-eater like broad spectrum recordings on an SDR.

One more (very cool) RadioJet feature: while making an IF recording, the RadioJet embeds UTC time code in the recording. This way, should you make a recording and forget to note the time you begin it, the time code shows up in the display. The Perseus also does this, and I think it's a brilliant addition.

If you want to hear the 30+ minute recording I made of Radio Kuwait, simply listen to the file embedded below, or click here to download the mp3: