Extracts from my June 2016 RadioUser column, Broadcast Matters
RadioUser reader Bradley Allen received
a friendly letter from Zoe Robinson of BBC Northern Ireland verifying his
reception report (1341kHz) sent to BBC Radio Ulster . Station manager is Jackie
Neill and the postal address is BBC Radio Ulster, Ormean Ave, Belfast, BT2 8HQ.
Well, one person’s local station is another person’s DX! Bradley also received
some BBC pens.
The Free Radio Service from Holland verified with a QSL card
measuring about 8 x 6 inches. Peter Verbruggen is the contact there and they
were heard on 9300 and 7700kHz with a 44444 SINPO. The postal address is PO Box
2702, 6049 ZG, Herten, The Netherlands or look at their website www.frsholland.nl.
Bradley also heard Magic AM from the
Netherlands on 6241kHz with a 44444 SINPO. Interestingly they carried a
recorded announcement stating that there is no government control nor
interference over the station’s programmes. You can email them yourself at magicfreeradio@gmail.com
A new station called African Pathways Radio burst
into life on 9480kHz in the spring. A trumpet fanfare opens their broadcasts,
followed by an announcement of "Welcome to African Pathways Radio”.
Programme content reported by DXers includes one called This Day in History,
Immersed in Life and another called Pathway to Happy Homes (which was about
marriage) while other programmes talk about the bible. An email address given
is Amifradio@gmail.com and another, for reception reports, is
info@worldchristian.org A colourful QSL card awaits those who submit
correct reception reports. However, teething troubles soon beset the station.
World-famous Sri Lankan DXer Victor
Goonetilleke posted an email which he received from African Pathways Radio on
the World Radio TV Handbook Facebook page: "Thank you for sending an
excellent report upon hearing African Pathways Radio during our first week of
broadcasting. A QSL card is on its way to you now by mail. This is just a note
to let you know your message was received and to express our appreciation for your
email to us.
Unfortunately, in our fifth day of operations, a defective part
shut us down - so you will not be able to receive us now. Everything at the station
is new and under warranty so it is just a matter of getting the part to
Madagascar and having it installed. We will let you know when we resume
operations. You were part of a wonderful, though short-lived, experience with
us. We wish you the best in your pursuit of worldwide shortwave reception. With
kindest regards, Henry Huffard, Host, African Pathways Radio, Madagascar World
Voice". Hopefully by the time you read this normal service will have been
resumed.
We turn to IRIB, the Islamic
Republic of Iran
Broadcasting, where there is some confusion over their scheduling on shortwave
this summer. But if you are catching
them on shortwave or medium wave it’s a good time to get a QSL card. Write to
Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Valiasr Avenue, Jam e Jam Street,
PO Box 19395-6767, Tehran, Iran.
