With Best Wishes
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
Friday, October 25, 2024
Monitoring My Two 7s..7145 & 7070kHz
New Horizon Amateur Radio Bulletin Board (Special Warm Up Edition)
(WTI/NH/ARBB/SP/A24/02/25-10-24)
For all monitoring observations
RIG used:Yaesu FT 891 on battery ,long random wire as external antenna
Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
Grid Square:NL56hi
Monitored Mode:J3E Class of emission
Special Notes,symbols etc used for this report:
All time mentioned in Indian Standard Time(ist)
> indicating onwards ,amateur station's location mentioned as per info available in first bracket after callsign as far as possible followed by Signal Report in RST scale as per S meter reading of the RIG unless mentioned otherwise.
Monitor's special notes (Khas Tippany HI HI)have been highlighted.
Frequency:7145kHz lsb
Date:October 15,2024
WX:Cloudy
Noise Level S2
0816ist> VU3LGT (Asansol) 55,VU2OWB(Khaspur-Nadia) 57
0821ist>VU2DBE(Kolkata) 56-57VU3LGT 55
0827ist>VU3TKC(Kolkata) 55-56, VU3LGT 55,VU2DBE 57
from 0831ist onwards Noise Level S1
0835ist>VU2DBE 57-55,VU2TKC 57-59, VU3LGT 55 with QSB
0842ist>VU2DBE 56-54,VU3LGT 55
0846ist>VU2OWB 53,VU3LGT 55,VU2DBE 57 around 0849ist
Date:October 20,2024
0735ist>S21HA (Bangladesh) with 30W 58-56, VU3LGT 57,S21RW(Dhaka?) 59
0739ist>VU2OWB QRP 54-55,VU3LGT 57,S21HA 57,S21RW 57,
0742ist>VU2OWB 54-53,VU3LGT 55-57
Noise Level S1-S2
0749ist>VU3LGT 57-55, S21RW 56-58
0753ist>VU3LGT 57,S21RW 58-55
0800ist>Noise Level S1,S21RW 57,VU3LGT 56 to 53
Date:October 23,2024
Noise Level S1
0744ist>VU3LGT( 58 VU2OWB 55
0747ist S21HA(Bangladesh) breaking call heard 57
0748ist>S21HA 59 to 57,VU2OWB 55,VU3LGT 57
0755ist>VU2OWB 54,VU3LGT 56 to 57
Date:October 24,2024
0749ist :VU2TKC 59 giving directional call to VU3LGT
No response
Later I heard VU2OWB 54 VU3ICT(Kolkata) 57
I am sorry I could not note down the exact time either between 0811-0819ist or 0841-0849ist.I am sorry for my lapse.
I am sorry I could not note down the exact time either between 0811-0819ist or 0841-0849ist.I am sorry for my lapse.
And now for the frequency of..
7070kHz lsb
Date:October 20,2024
0905-0908ist: VU3OKB(Guwahati) 56-57, VU3ZRI 54 QSB
Date:October 17,2024
0855ist>VU2YBP(Guwahati) 58-55,VU3OKB(Guwahati) weak
0856-0900ist:VU3OKB on QRO 57 VU2YPB 58
Noise Level S1-S2
Monitor's Note:
Noise Level S1-S2
Besides all the stations mentioned in the report,there might be a few stations,I forgot to mention & also a few stations I could not copy at all,all these logs were a rough diary of what I heard.There might be some errors here and there.
More reports/observations plus more amateur radio related news etc soon.
73 For the time being..
DE VU3WTI (Gautam Kumar Sharma)(GK)
Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
B24 Season Preview & Schedule Updates
B24 season (winter Season) of international radio broadcasting is fast approaching.It will be effective from October 27th of 2024 to March 29th of 2025.Many international radio broadcasters and transmitter operators have already posted their B24 schedules.
A few disappointing developments may be awaiting for us for B24 season.
First related to Adventist World Radio(AWR):
It is now final though no formal announcement(press release etc) observed by me but information circulating in social media platforms plus B24 schedules ,AWR is going to end its all transmissions on shortwave via leased transmitter sites and will only continue its shortwave transmissions from its own transmitter site KSDA,Guam.
Another possible disappointing news...latest updated B24 schedule of AWR to be effective from October 27th via KSDA-Guam issued from AWR Frequency Management Office in Germany, there is no mention of English transmission.And it is indicating that Wavescan,the Global DX Program from AWR on sundays is no longer be aired via KSDA-Guam.As until now Wavescan is on air as a part of English Service Program schedule of AWR.We thought there would be an announcement regarding this on the last edition of the Wavescan in A24 season on sunday October 20th regarding this,but no such announcement was made and no information was given on its upcoming B24 season schedule too.Several radio stations air Wavescan- the Global DX Program "Researched and written in Indianapolis by Adrian Peterson and Ray Robinson in Los Angeles, produced in studios of shortwave WRMI.Besides AWR's own KSDA-Guam and AWR relays in various locations, WRMI in Florida,WWCR in Tennessee ,IRRS Italy & Voice Of Hope Africa in Zambia airs Wavecan weekly.Now let us wait for any fresh update from AWR on the issue.
Second related to Radio Romania International(RRI)-English:
Another disappointing update-
As per the B24 schedule posted by RRI-English on their website, there is no analog transmission for our region.
The two transmissions in English are in DRM mode only to India.
06.30 – 07.00utc 21.470kHz
04.00 – 05.00utc 15.250kHz
I guess for a few seasons, RRI English is only on DRM to India during 0400-0500utc.And it is on air on analog mode on only one frequency to India during 0530-0600utc in A24 season.And in B24 season,there will not be any analog RRI English transmission for India.
Now A Few B24 Schedule Updates Info:
AWR Assamese
(Effective October 27,2024 to March 29,2025)
On 17735kHz during 1330-1400utc
via KSDA,Agat-Guam(100kW)
(Sunday & Wednessday)
KBS World Radio English To India
effective October 27th
1400-1600utc on 9630kHz in place of present 9785kHz( as per post on their website)
Radio Japan NHK World
(For South West Asia region)
effective October 27th
Bengali 1500-1520utc 11610kHz
Hindi 1530-1550utc 11610kHz
Urdu 1600-1620utc 9440kHz
1700-1720utc 1251kHz*(via Tajakistan)
*All transmissions on shortwave are from Yamata,Japan.
English For South East Asia
On 11815kHz Via Yamata,Japan
Monday to Friday 1400-1425utc
Saturday-Sunday 1400-1430utc
BBC World Service English
For South Asia perhaps
0000-0100utc 5980kHz (250kW,Oman)
0000-0200utc 6035kHz(100kW,Tashkent)
0100-0200utc 7430kHz((250kW,Oman)
I will check on air the other frequencies on different time period during the first week of B24 season from October 27th and then post a detail schedule and update you on which frequencies BBC English audible here in my location.
More observations/monitoring reports plus more B24 updates etc from time to time.
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
BCDX Notes From Abhayapuri
I was not monitoring both the Broadcasting Bands as well as Amateur Bands as such for a few months from March, 2024. But from September,2024 ,I have begun my radio monitoring sessions.I have already posted a few posts.Here is a few latest specific and general obserations of the broadcasting bands.
For all monitoring observations,
Rig used :Yaesu FT 891 on battery ,long random wire as antenna
Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
RNZ Pacific English on 13690kHz:
Radio New Zealand (RNZ)Pacific in English was heard with good signal nowadays on 13690kHz during its 1100-1300utc transmission here.A few weeks back,I heard RNZ Pacific on 13690kHz during 1151-1204utc.The Music, then news from 1200utc was heard.This was on sunday on October 6th.Here is the link to the audio file which I recorded on October 6th around 1159utc of RNZ Pacific English on 13690kHz:
Radio Philipinas WorldWide English:
Nowadays, Radio Philipinas WorldWide English is audible on 17820kHz,15640kHz & 12010kHz during 0200-0330utc.The reception is not satisfactory plus reilable on 12010kHz.The reception quality is satisfactory on 17820 & 15640kHz.
SLBC External Hindi:
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation(SLBC)'s External Service's Hindi Program is still not air on 11905kHz during 0200-0230utc for several weeks now.The transmitter parts fault and non availbility of spare parts of the transmitter might be the cause of this.
Radio Thailand World Service English:
Radio Thailand World Service English is monitored by me on two frequencies as follows.
0000-0029utc on 13750kHz
0200-0229utc on 15590kHz
The reception overall is good on both these frequencies.
During my random monitoring, in the 0000-0029utc transmission National News of Thailand,International news plus Business News are aired with promos etc and in the 2nd transmission, music-songs etc can be heard too.I am yet to hear it entire transmission.
Another Radio Thailand English transmission on 17640kHz during 0500-0529utc beam to North America(?) well heard here at Abhayapuri.Its a all season frequency for it for a long time like BBC World Service's English all season nearly round the clock frequencies 15310kHz & 17790kHz several years back.
Station KNLS Alaska on 13760kHz via MWV:
Station KNLS Alaska English Programs are now on 13760kHz via Madagascar World Voice (MWV) both during 0200--0258utc and 0300-0358utc.I understand the 2nd transmission is the repeat of the first transmission of the day.
More observations/monitoring reports etc from time to time.
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Cosmos Club(777/80-81) Turns 50 My Memories From Distance Part I
The Cosmos Club of Abhayapuri is going to celebrate its 50th year of foundation in November this year with various programmes.I had seen the club functioning from its previous location in a hut in front of Abhayapuri College Point , by the side of a hotel (Oasis Hotel perhaps on the MG Road side) in early 1980s.And I had seen also how the club shifted to its present permanent location near our locality (present Lachit Nagar area of the town) in mid 1980s.
The club was established in 1975.The club is bearing a registration number 777/80-81.The suffix suggests that it was registered with concerned department of Govt Of Assam in 1980-81.I heard somewhere that initially the club might have been known as Sankar Sangha and within two years ,the club changed its name to Cosmos Club.I thought it might be due to the suggestion of a few club members coinciding with the visit of Cosmos Club of New York with Pele to then Calcutta to play a friendly football match(as per their tour to Asia) at Eden Garden against Mohan Bagan in 1977.
But one of the senior most member of the club,Mr.Pradip Kumar Das clarified ,"We wanted to be big,therefore Cosmos(the Universe) was selected as it's name".
It was almost 50 years back memories fade..I hope there will be extensive information on the Cosmos Club's history , it's past and present achievements and its vision for future in black and white in the club's souvenir/other printed materials to be published on the occasion of its 50th year celebration.
Our family has a sentimental attachment with that club.So naturally, I have developed a keen interest on its activities right from my school days .But it was the cricket team of Cosmos Club in1980s that had attracted me the most.We know well that 1983 is a historic year for the country as far as one day international cricket is concerned.And the cricket team of Cosmos Club in 1983 too won the Goalpara Cricket League Championship at Goalpara. What A coincidence!!! Plus A Historic Milestone for Cosmos Club!!!
But one of the senior most member of the club,Mr.Pradip Kumar Das clarified ,"We wanted to be big,therefore Cosmos(the Universe) was selected as it's name".
It was almost 50 years back memories fade..I hope there will be extensive information on the Cosmos Club's history , it's past and present achievements and its vision for future in black and white in the club's souvenir/other printed materials to be published on the occasion of its 50th year celebration.
Our family has a sentimental attachment with that club.So naturally, I have developed a keen interest on its activities right from my school days .But it was the cricket team of Cosmos Club in1980s that had attracted me the most.We know well that 1983 is a historic year for the country as far as one day international cricket is concerned.And the cricket team of Cosmos Club in 1983 too won the Goalpara Cricket League Championship at Goalpara. What A coincidence!!! Plus A Historic Milestone for Cosmos Club!!!
Courtesy:Utpal Nath & Gopal Medhi of Cosmos Club
I will certainly write about the cricket players of Cosmos Club in the second part of this series in detail.
I could not watch them playing in big matches as I was away at Rangjuli with my parents and studying in school there in 1980s as my father was posted there as In charge Senior Medical & Health Officer of then Rangjuli Primary Health Centre.At Rangjuli, I enjoyed watching Rangjuli's cricket team playing with visiting teams from near by places viz Goalpara,Darangiri,Dhupdhara etc.An Interesting fact I like to mention here. A cricketer of Cosmos Club who was then studying in Goalpara College, went to Rangjuli to play for a Goalpara cricket team against Rangjuli ( in 1980-81 season).He is none other than my uncle Mr.Dibakar Dev Sarma, now one of the senior most member of Cosmos Club.
But whenever during winter after our annual examination, I came to Abhayapuri for a visit to our ancestral home, I used to watch Cosmos Club playing friendly practice matches amongst themselves at Abhayapuri College ground.And I could remember Late Sachin Dev Barman, Pradip Kumar Das, Golap Medhi, Rakesh Tiwari, Rajesh Tiwari, Dhajen Das, Ratan Ray(the wicket keeper), Late Pranab Das, Alok Das, Biswajit Das, Late Samir Das, Mahesh Sandak, Hironmoi Deka,Anup Kumar Das, Dhajen Das, Late Dibyendu Banerjee,Manohar Roy & others were playing.I could still remember......
With Best Wishes
VIVE LA COSMOS CLUB,ABHAYAPURI
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
From Abhayapuri With BCDX Informations
Here is a few BCDX Monitoring information plus news which I like to share with you.
For all monitoring observation
Rig used for reception:Yaesu FT 891 on battery ,long random wire as antenna
Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
1.SLBC Ext Hindi Off The Air on 11905kHz
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation(SLBC) External Service's lone Hindi Transmission on shortwave on 11905kHz during 0200-0230utc has been off the air from September 24th.And it might be due to fault in the transmitter.
2.Adventist World Radio(AWR) ending its leased transmissions on shortwave from winter??
There was a news circulating in DX Groups in social media in recently that AWR might end its all leased transmissions via various transmitter sites and could only continue from its own transmitter site KSDA-Agat,Guam from this winter i.e.from B24 season starting from October 27th.But I believe no official confirmation from AWR on the issue.Lets wait for AWR's B24 schedule which will clear the picture.
3.AWR Assamese
I like to share another monitoring info about AWR.AWR Assamese via Tashkent (100W) on 17790kHz was received with S9 over 20dB here at Abhayapuri from 1332utc on sunday September 29th.The rig used Yaesu FT891 transreceiver with a long random wire as antenna.
Here is the link to the audio file recorded around 1333utc:
The lastest AWR Assamese schedule upto October 26th of 2024
On Sundays & Wednessdays
on 17790kHz via Tashkent,Uzbekistan(100kW)
4.Akashvani Guwahati Mahabahu on 729kHz
Two additional regional news bulletin in Assamese of 5 minutes from Akashvani Guwahati Mahabahu has been heard by me.The first one was noted in the morning from 0755 ist (0225utc) and the second one was noted from 1205ist (0635utc).The morning bulletin is being relayed by Akashvani Dibrugarh too.The commencement of the noon regional news bulletion was announced during the 0900ist(0330utc) Regional News Bulletin.
Here is the recording link of Akashvani Guwahati Mahabahu around 0224utc just before the 5 minutes news bulletin in Assamese on October 3rd.
5.Bangladesh Betar on Medium Wave etc
Two Bangladesh Betar Stations on medium wave 693kHz from Dhaka and 846kHz from Rajshahi,have been received with good signal here at Abhayapuri in the morning.I think Bangladesh Betar's External Service broadcast on 4750kHz is now off the air.I have not heard any signal there during my random check around 1230utc onwards several days.
Here is the audio recording of Bangladesh Betar Dhaka on 693kHz around 0054utc on October 3rd:
6: A Few Radio Logs/General Reception Information
Akashvani Guwahati Pragjyotishpur on 1035kHz was heard with good signal intensity here at my place on October 3rd from 0322utc onwards.
Here is the audio recording which I recorded around 0329utc.
BBC World Service English on 9895kHz via Tashkent,Uzbekistan(100kW) during 0000-0200utc has been giving good reception here during my several monitoring spells from 0040-0120utc approximately for several days.
Here is the link to the audio file recorded around 0059utc on Octiber 3rd:
https://app.box.com/s/iaygqln2jlq3koi1ao3xe18s6ujtc3ia
Here is the link to the audio file recorded around 0059utc on Octiber 3rd:
https://app.box.com/s/iaygqln2jlq3koi1ao3xe18s6ujtc3ia
Station KNLS Alaska English via Madagasar World Voice(MWV) is on 13760kHz for both 0200-0258utc & 0300-0358utc.But 0200-0258utc reception is far far better here on yesterday i.e.October 2nd.
Here is the link for the audio clip recorded around 0246utc:
And here is the link for the recording around 0307utc:
Akashvani Shillong on 864kHz is another Akashvani Regional Medium Wave Station, I can hear here at my place loud though not clear as now,but still a reliable reception giving station.Nowadays, there is slight noise often comes with the audio.But sometimes, the audio remains clear.
Here is the the audio clip recorded around 0217utc on October 2nd of Akashvani Shillong :
On the Mahalaya Day, I could hear many regional Akashvani stations from early morning hours.And my choice like previous years , this is year too Akashvani Kolkata Geetanjali on 657kHz.But this year I could listen the transmission some portions only and the end part due to some other unavoidable circumstances.
Here is the link to the recording of the audio clip around 2321utc:
Radio Goalpara on 89.6MHz APUNAR NIJOR RADIO
The Community Radio Station of Goalpara College ,Goalpara was formally inaugurated by the Education Minister of Assam, Dr.Ranoj Pegu on September 14th.It is the first ever community Radio Station by a college in Assam.It is known as Radio Goalpara and its broadcasting frequency is 89.6MHz in FM mode.As per the station's facebook page, its schedule is from 1200 to 2PM and from 4 to 8PM.I hope I will one day visit Goalpara town and listen to this station and record a few audio clips for my historic radio collection.Due to its low power,I do not think I will be able to listen to it at my location which is 22-25km away aerially or even less from Goalpara.But I can listen to loud and clear often Akashvani Goalpara (mostly relay Akashvani Guwahati Mahabahu transmission) on 102.6MHz (1kW-transmitter power).
More observations/monitoring reports etc from time to time.
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
From VU3WTI At Abhayapuri With New Horizon
New Horizon Amateur Radio Bulletin Board (Special Edition)
(WTI/NH/ARBB/SP/A24/01/03-10-24)
And it is after long break of several months,I am going to post something.
Let's start with some monitoring observations.
I heard a few amateur stations on 7145kHz lsb recently.
Rig used for reception:Yaesu FT 891 on battery ,long random wire as antenna
7145kHz lsb
I heard a few amateur stations on 7145kHz lsb recently.
Rig used for reception:Yaesu FT 891 on battery ,long random wire as antenna
Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India) NL56hi
Date:29/09/2024
0737-0741I ist
S21HA S7-S8 9N1CA S6-S7
0741-0749ist
9N1CA VU2OWB.
Good copy of both stations
0801-0807ist
VU2OWB S7-S9 VU2PQS S3
NOISE LEVEL S3-S4 diffulty in copying VU2PQS
Date: 01/10/2024
0743-0746ist
VU3LGT S4-S7 S21HA S7
Date: 02/10/2024
0839-0841ist
VU2OWB S5 S6 VU3LGT S4 S3
Noise Level S3
In the morning on 7050kHz lsb during from 0600ist onwards(on The Belgaum Net Warm Up Session) I can here VU2RZA from Chennai S9 to S7 and others regulars like VU2JF I can copy weak.I even heard on a few occasions Amateur Station from Bangladesh S21RW breaking call S7 here.But I guessed VU2RZA could not copy him.
Besides these, in the evening 20meter is nowadays full of activity i.e. with QSOs.And even I could even hear our Guwahati based OM VU2DBM S8 S7,with aerial distance of about 107km approximately towards South East from my location.
Monitor's Note:
A strange noise I have observed on 7145kHz lsb nowadays from time to time.Here is a recording on that around on September 30th around 0913ist.
The audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/wbiehpp4ad5fxp72c9jnoez0oaldri2l
A strange noise I have observed on 7145kHz lsb nowadays from time to time.Here is a recording on that around on September 30th around 0913ist.
The audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/wbiehpp4ad5fxp72c9jnoez0oaldri2l
Some amateur radio related items which I like to share with you all.
A Radio Listener Cum BCDXER,SWL..CB Radio Operator is now a Ham:
After several initial setbacks,my senior radio friend Respected Dr.Abhijit Rabha( a Retired Indian Forest ServiceOfficier) from Guwahati, finally has become an amateur radio operator.His callsign is VU3DUK.And he has already in action on voice mood in HF and VHF and making QSOs all around.He has developed strong interest on BC band monitoring and listening to radio right from his school days.Many may be surprised to know once he was an active Citizen Band Operator in Guwahati and he took a leading role to form a Citizen Band Net called Uronia Mau with several participants from Guwahati.Still, he is trying to revive Citizen Band Radio communication in and around Guwahati.His interest in Radio Broadcasting once brought him to then All India Radio,Guwahati Studio at Chandmari during his college days at Cotton College.He used to present Science Programme & Yugbani there time to time.More about Dr.Rabha's radio activities will be posted later on this blog. One of the problem Old Man VU3DUK is facing now from his Victor,his pet.When he gives a CQ call , like CQ CQ CQ this is Victor ..........and Victor jumps upon VU3DUK..HI HI!!!Beware Of Victors!!!
News Flash for September 09,2024 :Reactivation Of VU2HO on HF
VU2HO (Delhi) ,a ham friend of mine(from Delhi),has reactived his station on HF Band again today morning.He gave test transmission this morning on J3E mood(voice) with his homebrewed Multliband 40 to 10 Meter Band End Fed Half Wave( EFHW) antenna in inverted V position on 7065kHz LSB with his home assembled BITX 40 on QRP.He had a short QSO with VU3SLJ(around 0745ist onwards Approx.) and VU2HW .He gave 59 report to both and he was given 57 report. Both the stations are from NCR.Glad to know about reactivation of VU2HO station after a long break .
News of The Nearest Active Amateur Station:
VU3OIP from Barpeta Active With Cobweb
Recently VU3OIP installed his latest antenna bulit by VU3FWG from Balasore (Odisha).Its a Cobweb Multiband Antenna(20 to 10mb).Initially, he had slight difficulty in adjusting the driven elements. But later with help of VU3FWG on mobile phone ,VU3OIP finally tuned the antenna by adjusting the drivel elements.He installed it finally on his MQTH's roof.He had made many contacts all around by using this cobweb antenna.
He recently shared a few pictures of his latest antenna.
VU3OIP is the nearest active amateur radio station from mine with aerial distance of just 33 km approximately.
More News related to amateur radio,monitoring information coming up..
73 For the time being..
VU3WTI(Gautam Kumar Sharma)(GK) ,
Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)