BBC World Service Annual Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast: June 21, 2018

New Bransfield House, Rothera Research Station, British Antarctic Territory (BAS Photo)

Two live, off-air, half-hour recordings of the BBC World Service special Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast on 21 June 2018 beginning at 21:30 UTC. The broadcast features special messages and music for the staff of the British Antarctic Survey overwintering in Antarctica.

The first recording is of the transmission on a frequency of 7360 kHz from the BBC's Ascension Island relay station (250 kW transmitter power, antenna beam 207 degrees). The transmission was received on a Tecsun PL-880 receiver with a Tecsun AN-03L 7-metre wire antenna in Hanwell (just outside Fredericton), New Brunswick, Canada, in AM mode with 5 kHz RF filtering. Reception was fairly good, albeit a bit noisy and with noticeable transmitter hum.

The second recording is of the transmission on a frequency of 5985 kHz from the BBC's Woofferton, England, transmitting station (250 kW transmitter power, antenna beam 184 degrees). The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in synchronous AM mode with 5.08 kHz RF filtering. Reception of the broadcast was very good.

The program started slightly late for both transmissions with parts of the first one or two sentences missing. The program actually starts with "This is the BBC World Service in London calling Antarctica. Welcome to the Antarctic Midwinter Broadcast, a special ..."

Voice of Korea: June 13, 2018

Live, off-air recording of the Voice of Korea broadcast in English on 13 June 2018, beginning at 18:00 UTC on 15245 kHz. The broadcast was transmitted from Kujang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), with a transmitter power of 200 kW. The broadcast had an antenna beam direction of 325° and was directed to western Europe.   

The news program in the first part of the broadcast has an extensive report on the historic summit meeting in Singapore between Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump on 12 June 2018.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in synchronous AM mode with 5.08 kHz total bandwidth RF filtering. Reception of the broadcast was fairly good with some fading and was accompanied by the faint sound of jamming, likely originating from the same transmitter plant that is used to jam broadcasts from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and other countries, and is likely due to a technical fault.

Voice of Korea (English) and Voice of America: June 13, 2018

Voice of Korea, DPRK recorded in London, UK on June 13, 2018 at 1300 UTC on the frequency of 15245 kHz using a Tecsun PL-310 radio with a clip-on long wire antenna. In this broadcast, the official announcement is made regarding Kim Jong Un's meeting with the US president, Donald Trump, in Singapore. The transmitter has a power rating of 200 kW and is located in Kujang, DPRK. One hour into the recording, the radio was tuned upwards into the frequency of 15580 kHz to record the news bulletin from the Voice of America. The transmitter of the latter station is located in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana and has a power rating of 100 kW.

Channel Africa: June 1, 2018

Live, off-air, one-hour recording of Channel Africa, an international radio service of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, broadcasting from Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa, on 1 June 2018 beginning at about 17:00 UTC. The broadcast was on a frequency of 11885 kHz using a transmitter at Meyerton, South Africa, with a power of 250 kW and with an antenna bearing of 328° towards west Africa.

The transmission was received on a Tecsun PL-880 receiver with its built-in whip antenna in Meloneras, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, in AM mode with 3.5 kHz RF filtering. Reception was fairly good although there was some adjacent-channel interference, most noticeable during the first few minutes of the broadcast.

The program, "Africa Digest" in English, included the latest news; feature items on Kenyan independence celebrations, some problems with the justice system in South Africa, and the dangers of skin lightening; "African Arty Bits"; "Africa News Roundup"; and sports news. Several music pieces are featured including songs by Judith Sephuma and A Peace of Ebony, which conclude the broadcast. The opening announcement gives the formerly used frequency of 15235 kHz in error.

Radio Pilipinas: May 31, 2018

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Ian Pillar, who submits the following recording of Radio Pilipinas and notes:

Date of recording: 5/31/2018

Starting time: 0210 UTC

Frequency: 17820 kHz

Receiver location: Perth WA Australia

Receiver and antenna: Tecsun PL-380, longwire antenna

Mode: AM

"The Buzzer" (UVB-76) numbers station: May 13, 2018

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Pedro Calhau, who submits the following short recording of "The Buzzer" (UVB-76) numbers station. Pedroo included the following details:

Date of recording: 5/13/2018

Starting time: 19:25 UTC

Frequency: 4625 kHz

Receiver location: The Netherlands

Mode: AM

Notes: This was recorded using the U Twente WebSDR

Radio Romania International (English and French Language Services) April 30, 2018

For your listening pleasure: nearly two hours of Radio Romania International recorded on 9,730 kHz starting at 00:01 UTC on April 30, 2018. The receiver used was a WinRadio Excalibur and antenna a horizontal delta loop. Location was North Carolina, USA.

This broadcast starts with the English language service, then continues with French:

Voice of Korea: April 30, 2018

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Mark Fahey, who shares the following recording of the Voice of Korea English language service covering the Panmunjom Summit. This recording was made on April 30, 2018, starting at 06:30 UTC on 9730 kHz.

Mark writes:

An off-air shortwave recording of North Korea's External Radio Service - The Voice of Korea - Announcing the visit and activities of Kim Jong Un during his historic visit to Panmunjom. The broadcast also includes a full reading of the Panmunjom Declaration.

Recorded at the "Behind The Curtain" remote satellite and HF receiving site near Taipei, Taiwan (the site is remotely operated from Freemans Reach in Australia and was specifically established to monitor North Korean radio & television 24x7).

Voice of Korea – Panmunjom Summit: April 28, 2018

Live, off-air recording of the Voice of Korea broadcast in English on 28 April 2018, beginning at 13:30 UTC on 13760 kHz. The broadcast was transmitted from Kujang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), with a transmitter power of 200 kW. The broadcast had an antenna beam direction of 325°.   

The news program in the first part of the program has an extensive report on the historic summit meeting in Panmunjom between Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in on 27 April 2018.

The broadcast was received by the Web-interface wideband software-defined radio at the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands, with a "Mini-Whip" antenna in synchronous AM mode with 5.08 kHz total bandwidth RF filtering. Reception of the broadcast was quite good with some fading and was accompanied by the sound of jamming, likely originating from the same transmitter plant that is used to jam broadcasts from the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and other countries, and is likely due to a technical fault. There was also some minor interference from a China Radio International transmission on 13755 kHz up until about 14:00 UTC.
 

XVRB Europe: August 21, 2011

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Marcel Strücker, for the following recording and notes:

The inaugural programme on XVRB Europe was heard on Sunday 21st of August 2011. The XVRB Europe programs were broadcast on a monthly basis, each one hour long. The project was meant to entertain shortwave radio enthusiasts. Dutch radio host Mike Wilson was the originator of the project which lasted until April 2013 when XVRB Europe ran out of money.

The show was well received. Swiss, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Swedish, British, Belgian, Greek and Dutch shortwave listeners e-mailed their reception reports. One British shortwave veteran even sent Wilson money 'to keep up the good work'.

The one hour shows were produced in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and sent to the German transmission site in Wertachtal. After closure of this site, the XVRB programmes came from Nauen, near the city of Berlin.

Both transmission sites produced a 150 kW signal, wich was picked up all over Europe.

Ham radio contact between W2PVF and Argentine Antarctic Station LU1ZE: circa 1974

Many thanks to one of our newest SRAA contributors, Bill Hemphill (WD9EQD), who approached me at the Winter SWL Fest this year noting that he has a wide variety of radio-related audio recordings to share with the SRAA. While many of his recordings are of broadcasts, he also has a number that are of ham radio communications.

This week, Bill shared two fascinating tape recordings he originally acquired from an estate sale.  These recordings were originally made in 1974 by the late Jim Hayward (W2PVF) in Absecon, New Jersey (USA) with two different ham radio stations in Antarctica.

The first recording was posted yesterday. The second recording (below) is between W2PVF and LU1ZE of the Argentine Antarctica Station. The operator at the microphone is W1PV. The recording even includes a phone patch:

Ham radio contact between W2PVF and KC4AAC of Palmer Station, Antarctica: circa 1974

Palmer Station (Photo Credit: Ryan Wallace and the USAP)

Many thanks to one of our newest SRAA contributors, Bill Hemphill (WD9EQD), who approached me at the Winter SWL Fest this year noting that he has a wide variety of radio-related audio recordings to share with the SRAA. While many of his recordings are of broadcasts, he also has a number that are of ham radio communications.

This week, Bill shared two fascinating tape recordings he originally acquired from an estate sale.  These recordings were originally made in 1974 by the late Jim Hayward (W2PVF) in Absecon, New Jersey (USA) with two different ham radio stations in Antarctica.

This first recording is between W2PVF and KC4AAC of Palmer Station. The audio starts in mid conversation--we will post the second recording tomorrow:

Radio Canada International's final episode of DX Digest

From the radio history archives - Ian McFarland of Radio Canada International - this is the final show of the DX Digest from March 24, 1991 - in its entirety! This was recorded in Manitoba by legendary DXer and SWL Shawn Axelrod (who may soon be joining us on the DXer.ca team!) This is a one of a kind recording - and we release it the very day Shawn, Ian McFarland and I got together for lunch in Duncan, British Columbia! Happy listening!

WSNJ FM (Bridgeton, NJ): "Moods in High-Fidelity" circa 1960s

(Image Source: FadedSignals.com)

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Bill Hemphill, who shares the following recording and notes:

Another flea market find. Date unknown – but most likely early 60’s.

This is an off-air recording of WSNJ radio (most likely the FM broadcast), Bridgeton, NJ. After some music, an announcer does station ID, weather, etc. The program “Moods in High-Fidelity” starts at about the 3’30” point. From the program introduction:

“We invite you to hear a special musical high-fidelity program designed to demonstrate the finest broadcasting and receiving equipment. Moods in High-Fidelity for your listening pleasure. Almo Audio Showcase and Weathers Industries present the finest in wide-range high-fidelity recordings together with interesting facts about hi-fi.”

Sir Winston Churchill (MIT Mid-Century Convocation-Part 2): March 31, 1949

CAMERA STUDY BY ARTHUR GRIFFIN, WINCHESTER, MASS.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE MIT MUSEUM.

Many thanks to SRAA contributor Bill Hemphill who submits the following unique recording of the MIT Mid-Century Convocation by Sir Winston Churchill.

Bill notes:

This was found on a paper back tape at a flea market. The description on the tape was that it was originally recorded on a wire recorder from a local radio broadcast and was transferred to the paper backed tape in 1951.

Click here for the full transcript of Churchill's speech on the MIT website.

Sir Winston Churchill (MIT Mid-Century Convocation-Part 1): March 31, 1949

Camera study by Arthur Griffin, Winchester, Mass.
Photograph courtesy of the MIT Museum.

Many thanks to SRAA contributor Bill Hemphill who submits the following unique recording of the MIT Mid-Century Convocation by Sir Winston Churchill.

Bill notes:

This was found on a paper back tape at a flea market. The description on the tape was that it was originally recorded on a wire recorder from a local radio broadcast and was transferred to the paper backed tape in 1951.

Click here for the full transcript of Churchill's speech on the MIT website.

Note that this recording begins with applause:

Radio Canada International (9/11 Coverage): September 11, 2001 - Part 2

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Bill Hemphill, who shares the following recording from Radio Canada International made on September 11, 2001. Bill notes that he originally made these recordings on MiniDisc and believes he started the recording around 5:00-6:00 pm EST, tuned to 5.960 MHz. Bill also adds:

I recorded this after I got home from work. Having worked in Tower 2 on the 92nd floor in 1979 & 1980, this was a very emotional day for me. I flipped the radio onto RCI to hear a different view from the US stations. I recorded two hours onto a MiniDisc. There is a break at where I switched discs at about the one hour mark. I'm not sure of the exact time, but it would be around 2200 UTC.

Radio Canada International (9/11 Coverage): September 11, 2001 - Part 1

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Bill Hemphill, who shares the following recording from Radio Canada International made on September 11, 2001. Bill notes that he originally made these recordings on MiniDisc and believes he started the recording around 5:00-6:00 pm EST, tuned to 5.960 MHz. Bill also adds:

I recorded this after I got home from work. Having worked in Tower 2 on the 92nd floor in 1979 & 1980, this was a very emotional day for me. I flipped the radio onto RCI to hear a different view from the US stations. I recorded two hours onto a MiniDisc. There is a break at where I switched discs at about the one hour mark. I'm not sure of the exact time, but it would be around 2200 UTC.

BBC World Service (Hong Kong relay): March 9, 1988

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

The BBC Hong Kong relay was usually a tough catch in the mid-west. This was recorded March 9, 1988 on 15435 kHz using my Sony ICF-2001 and random length long wire. The program appears to be a language lesson in Chinese and English. Note the strong polar flutter on the signal.

Three stations sign on--Rhodesia, Zambia and Swazi Music Radio: February, 1976

Photo of Dan Robinson's Hammalund HQ-180A.

Many thanks to SRAA contributor, Jack Widner, who shares the following recording and notes:

Three shortwave stations from Southern Africa signing on in 1976.  

The first is the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation on 3396khz, the date is probably February 4, the time is 0355UTC.  This was during the white occupation.  The dips in the audio is due to my tape lifting from the heads slightly  until it smooths out.  Identification and a long list of FM affiliates.  

The second is the Zambian Broadcasting Corporation on 4911khz, believed  to be February 16.  This is an anthem-like clip of a band, an announcement by a woman, then in English "One Zambia One Nation" before a local language program.  The het is awful.  

The third is the sign on for Swazi Music Radio on 4980; their Interval Signal was a pop music instrumental of the day called "Popcorn."  Programs were DJ playing current hits.  Time given would be 0400 and the date also given: 24 February 1976.  

Monitored on a Hammarlund HQ-180 with 100 foot inverted V longwire in Indianapolis, IN.