BBC Bangla The Final Countdown On Radio

British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) Bangla 

The Final Countdown Has Begun On Radio:

Finally, it has been formally announced on air that BBC Bangla is ending its radio transmissions on shortwave etc on December 31st of 2022.

Here is the announcement I recorded on December 15th on 9510kHz around 1342utc:

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/3z4oqmn7t10b6z76ohnano8ybuusbled

And from December 16th onwards it is airing interviews with prominent personalities on BBC Bangla .And I heard interviews with famous poltical personalities of Bangladesh so far.I also heard part of an interview with then Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu recorded during his 1984 visit to UK.

From January Ist,2023,BBC Bengali will be fully on its website.

Here is the  current skd of BBC Bengali on shortwave monitored by me.

1330-1400utc  11750kHz 9510kHz 9900kHz

1630-1700utc   7265kHz 9585kHz 

Me & BBC Bangla :Monitor's Nostalgic Flashback

As far as I could recall, my serious listening to BBC Bangla had begun in late 1982-early 1983 during the period of one of the most recent depressing political unrest in my home state Assam's history.And there was lack of accurate news in our Government controlled All India Radio(AIR) Stations and a huge portion of state population tuned to BBC Bangla for accurate news.I was then in my maternal uncle residence in Bilasipara(now Dhubri District then Goalpara District)  and three radios there in our maternal uncle's house, all tuned into BBC Bengali for news about Assam in the morning from 6:00AM & then in the evening from 7:00PM regularly as far as I could recall.And during that time ,BBC WS's English & Hindi transmissions were also tuned into by many besides Voice Of America(VOA)'s Bangla & Hindi transmissions.The old signature tune of BBC Bangla in flute still rings on my ear.That time most of the current affairs dispatches from BBCWS's (English)correspondents  translated by South Asian Languages viz Bengali,Hindi and Urdu Services on their respective languages and  translated reports were aired as far as I could recall.And from late 1980s ,90s...& in 21st centuries, I have numerous hours of BBC Bangla listening on shortwave almost daily from 1990s behind me.I have witnessed many changes in BBC Bengali over the years.All will be now history by the end of this year.And it is also a sad experience to witness as a listener of international analog shortwave broadcasting going off the air of BBC Bangla for good in favour internet platforms (digital media) & so called social media formats viz.facebook,youtube & twitter  with the advent of new technologies.But we have to go with change of technology and current trend of media whether one like it or not.

Here is the announcement on the future of BBC Bangla after December 31st:

(1658utc on  9585kHz heard on December 17th:)

The audio file link:

https://app.box.com/s/tzbdfazjcmgl8cwfkcvzo6d5zngitlu2

Here is the snaps of front & back sides  BBC Bangla printed schedules of 1999 from my collection.

One can  only be in touch  with BBC Bangla On 

bbcbangla.com & also on BBC Bangla's youtube channel,facebook & twitter from January 1st,2023 & bye bye BBC Bangla on analog radio with the end of this year.

73

Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)

(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)

Monitoring News From Debdaru Town*

Here is a latest few monitoring observation which I like to share with you all.

Receiver:Grundig Yacht Boy 400
External Antenna:Long Wire multistranded Copper wire 75ft long 33 ft height approx. RG6 coaxial cable feedline etc
Place Of Reception:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
All time mentioned  in  Coordinated Universal Time(utc)

Radio Japan NHK World in Bengali,Hindi & Urdu:
Radio Japan is now transmitting in this winter seasson(B22) effective from October 30th of 2022 to March 25th of 2023 via Yamata Japan(300kW) in Bengali,Hindi & Urdu language to our region.The schedule goes like this:
On 11610kHz first in Bengali from 1500 to 1530utc & then in Hindi from 1530-1550utc.
And in Urdu on 11620kHz from 1600-1620utc.
But for a several weeks, the reception quality overall is not good at all in case of  Bengali transmission.The signal strength is much weaker than earlier and very noisy and also slight side band splatter also observed from a station broadcasting on 11620kHz.Sometimes, the signal is not audible at all.
In case of Hindi transmission, I have heard signal with much weaker signal than before I used to receive.
And the same in the case of Radio Japan Urdu Service on 11620kHz.I will monitor more regularly this coming week for more detail reception information.

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation(SLBC) External Service Hindi:
As per my observation (latest On December 10th), SLBC Ext. Ser. Hindi is still off the air on 11905kHz during its first part of its transmission (0030-0100utc) for several weeks now.And it is on air on 11905kHz as usual during 0200-0230utc i.e. 2nd part of the
transmission.Sometime back, a noted BCDXER offered interesting observations  on the issue on a facebook page.It has hinted towards discontiuation of SLBC Hindi 0030-0100 utc slot for other leased transmission hours to other broadcaster.Still, I hope this is a temporary arrangement.
Here is the audio recording of SLBC Ext Ser. Hindi on 11905kHz around 0226utc on December 10th.
https://app.box.com/s/nh5agfwpf6wadaw9rb0vmkecpbiylagk

 
British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC) World Service English:
I observed  moderate noise(jamming?) on BBCWS English transmission on 15310utc from 0100utc onwards on December 10th.
Here is the audio recorded around 0101utc on 15310kHz:
https://app.box.com/s/qgg2wd19e66snplbfjvtlmlzxhj6qndo

Radio Romania International(RRI) English:
During 0100-0156utc on 7325kHz Towards North America East Coast
For several winter seasons, I used to listen to this transmission in our area with excellent to good reception though our area is not the target area of broadcast.But this season only noise is audible and sometimes weak signal audible for brief period.
The same is the case of the 0000-0056utc Spanish language transmission of RRI on 7325kHz.

More such reports,observations etc from time to time.
With Best Wishes
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)
*Abhayapuri my town is also known as the town of Debdaru Trees (Polyalthia longifolia/Monoon longifolium) on its two sides of the main road of the town(now a section of State High Way No.2),but the number of Debdaru trees is less than it was a few years back due to various types of construction works also the expansion of Main Road)

Morning 40mb Report

Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(in Western Assam)(India) NL56hi
RX:Grundig YB 80
External Antenna:
Long wire end feed antenna (75ft L 33ft H..75sqmm Cu wire multistranded) RG6 cable ..with a balun at RX end
Monitored Mode:J3E Class of emission(Amateur Stations)

All time mentioned  in Indian Standard Time(ist) & where possible Universal Time Co-ordinated 9utc) mentioned side by side

Date:November 26,2022
Little Noise Level
(Just like Little,A little,the little..as read in our English Grammar Class book in school)

Frequency:7070kHz lsb
Time:0755-0759ist (0225-0229utc)
VU2XBP 59 with QSB  VU2YPB 59
0833-0849ist(0303-0319utc)
VU3ZRI 58 to 54 with QSB sometimes,VU2YPB 59++
VU2XBP 59 with QSB VU3INI 59 with QSB

Frequency:7145kHz lsb
Time:0849-0910ist(0319-0340utc)
lots of amateur stations heard, one special callsign station
VU2OWB ,VU3LGT,VU2ZOC,VU3SAQ(very weak today),
VU2DLU,VU3IBL also later  operated as AT8JCB too(QSA improved as AT8JCB),
VU3HQP(strong signal),VU3IBO not heard
signal strength not so good in strength of VU2ZOC,VU2DLU also VU2OWB but copied comfortably and later signal strength(QSA) improved
That is a rough report.
and here a few monitoring logs on 40mb this week.
Date:November 24,2022
7070kHz lsb
0750ist(0220utcVU2XBP on CQ call 59..from Guwahati
7145kHz lsb
0759ist(0229utc) for a few minutes  VU3HQP 59 VU2DLU  33..

Date:November 23,2022
Frequency:7145kHz lsb
Time:0753-0802ist approx..
S21HA 59..with slight QSB..sometimes ....others VU2XBP 59 VU2SKD 54 58 QSB VU2DLU 56 54 QSB VU3IBO 33 22
Date:November 22,2022
7145kHz lsb
0808 to 0851ist
VU2SYD 55 56 VU2DLU 54 55  S21HA 59 VU3HQP 59
VU3IBO 43 33 from Maldah..
VU2OWB 54  56  58 ...
VU3XCR 59...
from 0833ist noise level increasing slightly..

More reports,observations etc soon.
73
DE VU3WTI (Gautam Kumar Sharma).on monitoring  mode,
Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

Latest On Medium Wave

Receiver:Grundig Yacht Boy 400
External Antenna:Long Wire multistranded Copper wire 75ft long 33 ft height approx. RG6 coaxial cable feedline etc
Place Of Reception:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
All time mentioned  in  Coordinated Universal Time(utc)

Date:November 25.2022
Bangladesh Betar Rajshahi
846kHz 0213utc
Strong reception,
Local Regional News in Bengali
The audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/4bmnuxcc6xi86umys4dnzfwabsv4dezl

Bangladesh Betar Dhaka
693kHz 0215utc
Good Reception
interview with literary figure in Bengali
The audio file link recorded:
https://app.box.com/s/hjww4nu23v0lotlw3vcpxqidzsbip38n

All India Radio(AIR) Guwahati Mahabahu
729kHz 0216utc
Good Reception
Audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/rp5ckn9zkxd3bxh5bsfu3vsjwzntb8gc

AIR Shillong
864kHz 0221utc
Good Reception overall
Local News in Khashi language presented by male voice aired
The audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/m6f8mhl6g5zcxde0dqypfkwejwlyxyh1
 

AIR Kokrajhar
1512kHz 0225utc onwards for a few minutes
Monitor's Note:
Good reception but when annoucements from studio becomes on air no audio heard recorded audio aired heard with good reception,this was earlier observed by this monitor.
The audio link recorded:
https://app.box.com/s/rniqtbvjf6opv65aio1s3vjsersbqr6o

The audio link recorded around 0227utc
https://app.box.com/s/t9ouhxiu7sdr4gqqlzlxx5fm78b8ekj6

AIR Guwahati Pragjyotishpur
1035kHz 0233utc
Excellent reception overall
India Vs New Zealand ODI Cricket Match Commentary
The audio link recorded:
https://app.box.com/s/3qh3hn173rg3qs9n8xdz1tr6w0zih7h3
 

More reports etc soon.
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)

Radio Monitoring Updates

Radio Japan NHK World South Asia Update:
From November 20th as far as I could recall,I have not been able to listen Radio Japan NHK World Bengali & Hindi transmission on 11610kHz from 1500-1530utc & from 1530-1550utc respectively.The transmission is being transimitted from Yamata (300kW).It is to be noted from several weeks reception quailty i.e.signal strength was not so good and reception was slightly noiser than earlier and also slight sideband splatter from 11620kHz was also observed.As far as I could recall,I also had checked on 111620kHz once this week during 1600-1620utc, during Urdu transmission of Radio Japan,I did not find any trace of signal.Let me monitor for a few days more and report.

Radio Philipinas World Wide English:
On November 26th, I heard Radio Philipinas World Wide English on 9475kHz with more less good reception during 0200-0330utc transmission.I have not heard the station on this frequency during my earlier aircheck a few weeks back.So, now its English transmission on three frequencies viz.17820,15640 & 9475kHz during 0200-0330utc.

Myanmar Radio English:
The station is yet resume its morning transmission in English during 0230-0330utc on 9730kHz.And in place of English it is still transmitting local language programs.But its night transmission in English on 5985kHz from 1530utc (upto 1630utc perhaps) is continuing.I heard several times around 1530utc onwards their English transmission opening announcements plus news bulletin etc.

A few audio radio logs which I like to share with you.

Date:November 20,2022
Voice Of Vietnam(VOV) English
1600utc 7220kHz
The audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/0icknkqhnamm0omapnynrz4wss1twvwh
 

Radio Taiwan International(RTI) English
1601utc 9405kHz
the audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/lv5vo5v8dsxgoumn55wsbqtkd4s2vzym

Date:December 23,2022
BBC Bengali
1350utc 11750kHz
the audio link:
https://app.box.com/s/lf7cw03g795b5hl70tbqfhztvatuoxqi

More reports,observations etc soon.
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)

Jewel Thief in Goalpara Town!!!

A few days back at night,while monitoring All India Radio(AIR) Goalpara on its usual F8E class of emission(FM Wideband Stereo) in my receiver, I heard the evergreen song of then superhit Hindi film.."Jewel Thief" in 1960s by Lataji ..Rulake geya Swopna Mere..the one of my all time hits.. it was on air as part of Jaimala Program of AIR Mumbai Vividh Bharati, which is relayed by AIR Goalpara often.I think, the transmitter of AIR Goalpara is at the opt of the Hulukanda Hill at Goalpara Town.Goalpara Town may be 20-25km aerial distance from Abhayapuri town on the south bank of the Brahmputra connected by the Naranarayan Sethu.The signal is well received here at Abhayapuri with my Grundig Yacht Boy 400 sometime even with my telescopic antenna only.

Let's share the reception details..
Receiver:Grundig Yacht Boy 400
External Antenna:Long Wire multistranded Copper wire 75ft long 33 ft height approx. RG6 coaxial cable feedline etc
Place Of Reception:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
All time mentioned  in  Coordinated Universal Time(utc)

Date:November 23,2022
All India Radio (AIR)Goalpara
102.6MHz 1400utc onwards
Relaying (QSP) AIR Mumbai's Vividh Bharati's Jaimala Program
Excellent reception SINPO 55555
The audio file link recorded around 1403utc:
https://app.box.com/s/mpsq1js99l9fyhnae7f81ynrkauvxrt8
Hope you will like it!!!
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)

Wavescan Special On Air

Receiver:Grundig Yacht Boy 400
External Antenna:Long Wire multistranded Copper wire 75ft long 33 ft height approx. RG6 coaxial cable feedline etc
Place Of Reception:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)
All time mentioned  in  Coordinated Universal Time(utc)

Date:November 20,2022
Adventist World Radio (AWR) Wavescan
Global DX Program
1530utc onwards 15530kHz via KSDA Agant Guam(100kW)
Excellent overall reception

The audio file link recorded around 1537utc:
https://app.box.com/s/nhmnnhbij1vyo3phyn4ux2m75jewc95d

From Jonathan Marks's Media Network Vintage Volt
Media Network from 1980s  on Wavescan
Let explore Media Network visit to Sri Lanka in 1980s again, by listening to
the audio file recorded around 1545utc:
https://app.box.com/s/xyoh2syxcbkvds84upharca7y6duvidg
Please tune into Wavescan,Global DX Program on Wavescan on A3E mode as the only schedule which I am listening to this winter season here in my place.
i.e. October 30th of 2022 to March 24th of 2023
Every Sunday during
1530-1600utc on 15530kHz via KSDA Agat-Guam(100W)

More such reports,observations etc from time to time.
With Best Wishes
73
Gautam Kumar Sharma(GK)(VU3WTI)
(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India)