[HCDX] European DX report.

[Walter Salmaniw <salmaniw@xxxxxxxx>]

During the period June 23rd to July 20th, my family had the good fortune of 
spending an extended European vacation in France.  For most of the time, we 
were in Andlau, a town of 1250 people in the Alsace area, south of 
Strasbourg.  Travelling very light, I still managed to pack my Sony 1000T, 
a Kiwa pocket loop, and about 10 meters of wire with an alligator 
clip.  Though no where close to a DX machine, the little 1000T nonetheless 
proved itself to be a capable little machine.  I have several hours of 
tapes to convert to MD.  I'm going to share the most interesting catches 
with you.  The difference in signal strengths between west coast North 
America and Europe is quite astounding.  Many of the international 
broadcasters were well heard with only the whip, a rare occurence on the 
west coast!  One of the most enjoyable aspects was listening to the many 
hobby pirates on the 48 meter band.  One Saturday evening the segment from 
6200 to 6400 seemed virtually full of hobby pirates, though I later 
realized that some of the signals resulted from receiver images 910 Khz 
above in the 41 meter band.  Another big difference was the difficulty in 
hearing anything from the Pacific.  Apart from R Australia, didn't hear 
much else.  Africans were easy catches, especially in the early  evening 
starting around 1800.  The Americas were'nt well heard except after 
midnight local, usually past my bedtime!  I give top marks to the Kiwa 
pocket loop.  It really enhanced receivability.  Upto now I've rarely used 
it in North America and was considering selling it, but after this 
experience, I think I'll keep it.  While in Paris last week, I had the 
honour of meeting well know clandestine DXer John Campbell.  Enjoyed a 
drink at a cafe before watching the fireworks over the Eiffel Tower on 
Bastille Day.

CONGO  4765  Radio Congo, easily the strongest African on 60 meters.  First 
heard 24 June at 2126 with EZL music, seemingly overmodulated 
slightly.  Heard here until 27 June when switched to 5985.  At 1926, 
reception was very good.  Following day, signed on at 1900 without any IS 
or ID.  On 29 June, heard in English until 1943, then a Spanish ID, but 
then into French.  Poorly modulated that day.  On 6 July, English started 
at scheduled 1930, but modulation was so bad that it was difficult to make 
out what the announcers were saying.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

SYRIA  12085  Radio Damascus heard with English broadcast 24 June in 
English with buzzy signal and low modulation.  Cochannel over Voice of 
Mongolia clearly heard underneath at 2128.  Nothing heard on 13610.  On 26 
June, however, both frequencies were on at 2021.  Other days only 13610 
heard, so frequency usage is quite variable. (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

EQUATORIAL GUINEA  6249.3 (approx)  presumed Malabo with poor signal at 
2130 24 June.  Had to use LSB to avoid a heavy ute.  A far cry from the 
great signal from Radio Bata 5003 (approx) at 2100 with sudden sign-off on 
25 June.  Following day a lovely signal at 19:27.  Full ID in Spanish at 
19:34 also including frequency.  Same canned ID at 2042:30 as Radio 
Nacional Guinea Equatorial, Radio Bata.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

LIBERIA  4760  ELWA heard 24 June at 2130 with American preaching in 
English.  Disappointing signal.  Not much better than reception in 
BC.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

ITALY  3985  IRRS, as expected always heard with great strength.  Heard at 
2158 on 24 June announcing, "This is I Double R S.  You may now retune to 
7120.  From south of the Alps in northern Italy, this is I Double R S 
Nexus".  Very good.  7120 signed off following a lengthy announcement with 
phone numbers, fax, Italian NA, and final announcent at 0655.  Generally 
programming is uninteresting consisting of American religous broadcasters.
AWR Forli, heard at 0655 on 9610 with AWR ID good reception.  Still heard 
at 0900 with ID as AWR Forli.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

IRAN  13745  VOIRI in English at 2203 with Koran recitation, followed by 
news and views at 2206.  Very good on 24 June.  On 8 July heard in English 
at 1937 into a newscast.  All frequecies excellent including 9022, 11670, 
13730.
Radio Shalom's program was monitored from 6 July for about 5 days between 
1900 and 1927.  7175 was always under a strong cochannel, but 9745 was in 
the clear.  I never heard any speech, only continuous middle eastern 
music.  Always off at 1927.  Never heard any IS, NA or IDs, so this is a 
presumed logging.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

YEMEN  9780 (approx)  Radio Sana'a was a very enjoyable station to 
monitor.  Signals were always strong and well modulated.  Heard 24 June at 
2130 with excellent reception in Arabic.  Heard 11 July at 1830 with "The 
time in Sana'a is 9:30.  The news presented by,...."  Music followed, 
usually a western tune followed by a middle eastern song.  Regularly 
checked their previously listed English program between 0600 and 0700 but 
never heard a peep, so I question whether this really exists.  (Salmaniw, 
Andlau France).

CYPRUS  9760, 7205, and 6180.  All 3 freq superbly heard with Cyprus BC in 
Greek at 2215 on 24 June.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

POLAND  I spent a sizeable amount of time listening to Radio Polonia's 
English broadcast, especially during Pope John-Paul II's papal visit to 
Ukraine.  Clearly Radio Polonia's transmitters have seen better days.  At 
best reception was good, but often much worse.  Most of the transmitters 
suffer from a very distinctive warble, and low modulation.  First heard at 
1200 in English on 25 June on 9525 and 7270, both good, while 6095 is only 
fair, and 11820 is under cochannel.  At 1700 on 26 June, heard them in 
English on 7285 (good), and 5985 (fair).  At 2000 they were heard on 9540 
(very good), 7265 and 7165 both fair.  Radio Polonia is hardly ever heard 
on the west coast of North America.  Years ago they used to have a North 
American service, but they need an upgrade in equipment!  Too bad, as their 
programs were interesting.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

LITHUANIA  9710  Radio Vilnius heard 26 June, going directly into English 
at 0929 without IS.  Excellent signal.  Seems to be the same program heard 
in North America.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

VATICAN CITY  5885  Excellent reception at 16:18 with a news program.  Not 
at all religous in nature, so I didn't know who I was listening to until 
they ID's later.
4005 heard in English at 1953 on 29 June.  Very good.  Seems to be USB with 
suppressed carrier.  Until 2009, when into Spanish.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

ZANZIBAR  11734  Radio Tanzania Zanzibar heard with excellent reception in 
Swahili at 1718.  Heard 26 June.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

RUSSIA  6125  Listened regularly to the program Radio Radonezh, the Russian 
Orthodox station broadcasting from Samara to Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and 
western Europe.  Programming consists occasionally with call ins, and other 
times soft spoken preaching by a R.O. priest.  First heard on 26 June at 
1725.  Usually suffers from some adjacent splatter, with signal strength 3 
to 4 (out of 5).  Heard signing on at 1700 on 8 July with well known 
orthodox hymn, which is, if I recall the same as the beginning of the War 
of 1812 overture (??) by Tchaikowsky (??).  Off at 1900.
Radio Studio from St Petersburg on 7370 was heard regularly with also 
frequent adjacent splatter, but strength good+.  Numerous IDs at 1806, 
including in English.  Russian rap music at 1855.  Sign-off announcements 
at 2027, including a Radio Gardarika ID.  Transmitter off at 2030.  First 
heard 26 June.  Signed on at 1800, with ID loop until 1807, "Radio Studio, 
Sankt Petersburg....7370 in the 41 meter frequency range....Broadcasting 
house Gardarika".  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

UN Radio  15265 via Wofferton at 1729 with the World Today, a weekday 
program  in English.  Fair with 2 other cochannels.  Parallel  17580 via 
Ascension Is is heard at good level, until 1745.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

EUROPIRATE  9290  Mike Radio heard at 19:38 on 26 June with ongoing pop 
music.  Good reception.  ID as "This is Mike Radio with golden oldies from 
the Netherlands.  Remember Mike Radio."   Very good at 2055.  On 30 June, 
heard at 2006 with frequent transmitter breaks.  Same song over and over, 
then dead air.  At 2057, "from the Netherlands, this is Mike Radio 
International.  Good evening.  West Europe is calling."  Gave ID and phone 
number (0031615560932)/
6305  Radio Black Arrow on 30 June at 2136, fair to good with static 
crashes.  Multilingual ID, followed by "Holland" and "bye-bye", and not 
being sure whether he'll be on next week or not.  Off at 21:43, but then 
briefly on again, with the "Ghosting Hour".
5805  Radio Free London heard at 2150 with rock music.  Fair to good.  ID 
at 2224, with phone number of 4407930113430 by YL.  Nice ID again at 2254 
followed by the Beatles, "all you need is love".  30 June.
6276  Unid at 2225, "Radio ??, where the action is".  Fair. on 30 June.  At 
2322, heard ID for Swing Radio England.  "Out of sight".  DJ Dave Martin, 
mentioning 819 and 6275.  email address as swingradioengland@xxxxxxxxxxxx
6220  Laser Hot Hits at 0042 on 1 July.  Mentioned Rich D'Angelo, and Dave 
Valko.  At 2217 on 30 June, full ID and gave Merlin, Ontario address.  "24 
hours per day".  Fair at that time with deep fades.  Parallel 3935 heard 
weakly at 0042.  Also mentioned tapes available for 2 pounds per show.
6305  Tower Radio, Holland.  Nice ID at 0633 on 1 July in 
Dutch/English.  No other Europirate on at this time.
6280  Alfa Lima International at 0620 on 8 July, with ID as "This is Alfa 
Lima International from the Netherlands".  Much less activity this weekend, 
as most pirates were at there get together in Belgium!  Good 
reception.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

USA  10869 DSB.  Communications World from the VOA Greenville site, heard 
at 0700 7 July with very good reception.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

SAUDI ARABIA  21600  At 1400 5 + 1 time pips, then full ID in French for 
the BSKSA, mentioning broadcasting to West Africa and Senegal.  Good 
reception, but suffers from adjacent splatter.  Always off just before 
1600.  Never did hear any English after 1600.  First heard at 7 
July.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

UK?  7235  Everest Radio heard with Tibetan programming between 2030  and 
sign-off at 2129.  Many ads in English for UK businesses, such as Hastings 
Appliances, Zero Print London, and the London School of Management.  Always 
very good reception.  First heard 26 June.  On 30 June, Indian subcontinent 
music already on at 2028, then cuts into a fanfare for 30 seconds, then 
back to the Indian music, followed by Nepali ID, with "Nepali" heard 
clearly several times, as well as "Everest Radio".
15475  At 1925, 11 July, looking for Antarctica, stumbled on Salama 
Radio.  Neat to read loggings of others, including my good friend Don 
Nelson, in Oregon, who around the same time, was doing the same as I, 
....ie looking for Antarctica!  Half way round the world!.  Superb 
reception.  The address as I copied was as follows:  PO Box 126, 
Kensington, Surrey K29 2WJ, or PO Box 287, Jos, Plateau State, 
Nigeria.  Mentioned 11850 (sic) from the international shortwave station in 
Britain, the United Kingdom.  Nothing heard there, however.  Said they 
started on the 6 July.  This program sounded very similar to the Nigerian 
clandestine programs from a few years back.  Very similar style, and 
perhaps the same announcers as well.  Heard them again the next day signing 
on on 1900, with sign-on music until 1902:45, then "Welcome to Salama Radio".

VIETNAM  9730  Voice of Vietnam in English 27 June with listener's 
letterbox program, commenting especially about good reception in 
Europe.  Noted that 9730 was via Russia, while 13740 was direct (fair 
reception).  Heard at 1821.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

SRI LANKA  6010  Heard 7 July in English at 1944 with good reception, and 
ID in English as the European service of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting 
Corporation.  Harold Fernando announcer.  Superb reception at 
sign-off.  Tune in next Saturday for our weekly program from 1900 to 2000 
hours.  I don't remember when I last saw this one reported.  (Salmaniw, 
Andlau France).

GERMANY  6015  Radio Sunshine signing on on 8 July at 1000 in German.  Very 
good reception.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).
  9980  Eurosonor Radio.  At 1558 on 8 July continuos tone.  At 1601, IS, 
then English and German ID.  Another IS, then the ID in German, English and 
Spanish.  "Hier ist Eurosonor Radio".  Into German programming.  Excellent 
reception.  (Salmaniw, Andlau France).

AUSTRALIA  21680  Christian Voice, Darwin at 0655 13 July with C.V. 
International ID.  Fair with British accented programming.  (Salmaniw, 
Andlau France).

That's it for now.  I hope these loggings will be of some interest to 
you.  Sorry, I didn't have internet access to report the loggings 
sooner.........Walt.


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