From VU Khaspur West Bengal To VK Queensland With QRP On J3E Mode !!! Yes Boss!! He Has Done It!!!

On the 4th of February.i.e.yesterday evening,

VU2OWB from Khaspur West Bengal made QSO(voice J3E Class of emission) in 20mb with two amateur stations of Australia....VK4KA OM Cory from Queensland..& VK2BY OM Brad with uBITX v6 transceiver with purely barefoot ..i.e. 5W with inverted V 20mb centre feed dipole.Though he is a QRO ham and has used lots of commercial transreceivers   and still he still loves to use BITX brand of transreceivers on QRP.And with his latest uBITX version 6 last evening ,he did what many might  not think ........!!!

And I still think even today it may be possible to contact overseas DX Stations in less power or in pure QRP mode subject to location, good antenna system,good feeding cable so that no loss in transmission line .& also knowledge of proper time of targeting the region ..and VU2OWB has all of it..I believe...

Here is a part of  the audio recording done by VU2OWB himself of his QSO with ....VK4KA OM Cory  on 14227kHzusb at 1656ist(1126utc)

https://app.box.com/s/u5q2evie2jomz4kxkuok0ut1u5w1hlh4

Here is the link to a portion of the audio recording of the QSO with VK2BY OM Brad on 14220kHz usb at 1704ist(1134utc)

https://app.box.com/s/u3n5ewusqeeuts40bz8ym70hcz8ktzsp

And I thank VU2OWB for sharing the log &  the audio files plus giving me permission to post this on my blog.

More exclusive reports & monitoring observations etc soon.

73

VU3WTI(Gautam Kumar Sharma)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

On 40mb Amateur Band This Morning With Minimum Noise After Several Days

Date:February 3 2022

WX:Thin white cloud cover,slightly windy, pale morning sunshine very cool 

Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India) NL56hi

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 80

Long wire end feed antenna (75ft L 33ft H..75sqmm Cu wire multistranded) RG6 cable ..with a splitter box circuit with T50-6 toroid at RX end 

Monitored Mode:J3E Class of emission(Amateur Stations)

All time mentioned  in Indian Standard Time(ist) and where possible in Coordinated Universal Time(utc) also.

Monitor's Note:

No Noise at all rather minimum noise in 40mb after several days in the morning.

The Hambel Belgaum Net (With Prenet Session) 

O651ist(0121utc) onwards 

VU2RZA 59 VU2JF 33 

0654ist(0124utc) VU2SMN 22.....VU2UKN?22 (@0656ist)  VU2KTW 33

0657ist VU2MTW 33 with others

0700ist(0130utc) VU2CCK (? )59 VU3JNM? No copy

0702ist VU2CCK 59 QSK call twice

0704ist 7050kHz lsb VU2RZA 59 VU2PNU 11

Here is the link to the audio clip recorded around 0704ist:

https://app.box.com/s/ah46s81fdmrf86gj7oh0lgm01a9ypz9m

VU2KTW...22 @0705kHz lsb VU2RZA 59 VU2PNU no copy VU3TOH no copy from Pune 

0709ist (0139utc) VU2RZA 59 VU2JF 22

0711ist a station copied 53..callsign ended with X..could not copy his complete callsign

0714ist(0144utc) VU3XVX 43 

Many stations copied..

7070kHz lsb
0811ist  VU3HZW on CQ call 59 ..

7145kHz lsb

0812ist 7145kHz lsb VU3HZW 59

0814ist VU2NIL VU3SAQ 59 VU2OWB 59

0821ist VU2FRD 59

0817ist  VU2OWB 59+ VU3SAQ 59...i..earlier VU2NIL 56 58 

The audio recorded around 0818ist:

https://app.box.com/s/umwd559rnrwbxhxlzboeosqbq1rudezq

0822ist  VU2FRD 59..VU2NIL weak to fair QSA

0825ist VU2NIL CQ call 56

0827ist VU2FRD on CQ call

0831ist onwards  VU3JXF 59 to 54

0838ist VU2FRD 59

0843st onwards VU2NIL 55 VU3FRD 59 VU3BTP 59 VU3YSU 33 53 VU3JXF 55 

0852ist onwards VU3HZW 59 VU3BTP 59

VU3WTJ 22 

0853ist onwards VU2OO 56 VU3WTJ 22 VU3YSU 33

0901ist(0331utc) VU2FRD 59 VU2DLU 11

0903ist(0333utc)VU2NIL 56 VU2DLU 11 

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

VU3WTI(Gautam Kumar Sharma)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

General Monitoring Observations of B21 Season Of International Broadcasting Season Part II

Here is the second of the series of my  general observations of broadcasting stations which are heard now-a-days here in my place.

For all monitoring Observations 

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 400

ANT: 75 Feet Length  33 ft Feet Height 

Multistranded Cu .75sq mm Wire(Approx)

with coax lead in

Location of Reception Place(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India):NL56hi(Grid Location)

Bible Voice Broadcasting English: 

As per latest inputs from radio monitors plus a B21 Database update and also after my latest monitoring following morning transmissions observed from Bible Voice Broadcasting (Canada) in English for India I guess the prime target area.

11960kHz Yerevan-Gavar Armenia(100kW) On Tuesdays from 0200-0215utc

11790kHz Talata-Volonondry,Madagascar (125kW?) On Thursdays from 0200-0230utc

On 11960kHz on February 1st (tuesday),the good signal heard with slight noise,co-channel interference weak sometimes.Program from Hallmark(?) Gospel Radio Ministry was aired and the transmission concluded with usual Bible Voice closing annoucement.

Here is the audio link recorded at 0213utc on 11960kHz on the ist of the instant.

https://app.box.com/s/moxfanoicw3kvz6djjsoorc0hka3t74a

On February 3rd(thursday) on 11790kHz I monitored from 0218 towards the end of transmission at 0230utc.The good overall reception with slight noise sometimes etc. was observed.The program "Let The Bible Speak"  from a Northern Ireland Radio Ministry was on air and contacts addresses shared  at the end of the program and after that usual Bible voice closing annuncements aired.

Here are the links to the audio file recorded around 0226utc ...

https://app.box.com/s/i7y8jnm8oputigq27npjaex8ij2t42as

and around 0229utc on 11790kHz of Bible Voice.

https://app.box.com/s/hjpcbn7oxicgskpl7j2v9i8ent3okgxn

And I have in my collection a printed  QSL Card from Bible Voice English transmission wayback in 2007 for a reception report sent via email.Here is the scanned and edited version of the QSL Card both sides...

For Your Eyes Only!! Hi Hi!!!

Radio Philipinas WorldWide English:

As per my monitoring, the schedule of Radio Philipinas WorldWide English is now

0200-0330utc on 17820kHz 156640kHz 9475kHz (all from Tinang,Phipines & with 250kW)

And execpt 9475kHz the reception has been excellent on other two frequencies.

The reception is very noisy and also the signal strength usually is much weaker and it is very difficult to copy.

Radio Japan NHK World Bengali:

Radio Japan Bengali's current shortwave schedule

1300-1329utc 5895kHz via Taskent-Uzbekistan,100kW

Contarary to my earlier apprehension,Radio Japan NHK World on this frequency has been giving us more or less satisfactory overall reception right from the first day of B21 season of broadcast here with rare poor reception quality on sometime.Though the audio intensity is usually low(as the case with Tashkent transmitter) but still sometimes it gives excellent signal quality.And very weak intereference as a form of side band splatter observed on the frequency during its transmission.

Here is the recorded audio clip of Radio Japan Bengali on 5895kHz on January 30th around 1310utc:

https://app.box.com/s/e1csai520w0b6etlpi22n0h5ql2rsm0z

Radio Japan NHK World Urdu

The monitored shortwave schedule of Radio Japan Urdu Service now as follows

1515-1545utc 9580kHz via Al-Dhabayya-UAE-250kW

The reception has been good overall as per my monitoring on January 30th as latest.

Here is the link of the audio clip recorded around 1515utc on January 30th:

https://app.box.com/s/b56c01sv0spp3llj4nrftjl7b8twg9jx

Adventist World Radio (AWR) Wavecan The Global DX Program

Sundays Only (in English)

The monitored schedule of AWR Wavescan on sundays only as follows

1530-1600utc 15530kHz 

1600-1630utc 12040kHz

both via KSDA Agat-Guam (100kW)

The reception was not very good or not audible at all for several sundays as per my monitoring.But last sunday i.e.January 30th, I heard the Wavescan program on both 15530 & 12040kHz with good reception overall, though slightly noisy.But the reception was better on 12040kHz during 1600-1630utc. There was special report on massive volcanic eruption in Pacific Ocean between uninhabited Islands of Tonga-tribute to Tonga Radio scene in Tonga,reports on media covering Tonga after Tsunami-Radio New Zealand(RNZ),Radio Australia online ..Pacific Beat...BBCWS etc ,news about HFCC A22 conference ,an exclusive report on radio stations in  Hyderabad as a part of Indian DX Report by VU3TQD aired on the program.

Here is the link to  audio file  recorded around 1531utc on 15530kHz:

https://app.box.com/s/n9aq60x5vfxdmpxq7af68xsj42al2z79

Another audio file link recorded around 1626utc on 12040kHz:

https://app.box.com/s/fusopjnn3ligcxlya9e6q5n001yjsx1k

The another transmission of AWR Wavescan is there as per AWR's official schedule for sundays only

2200-2230utc on 12040kHz also via KSDA Agat Guam(100kW).

I am to monitor this transmission directed to Indonesia.

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

Gautam Kumar Sharma(VU3WTI)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

Today On 40mb Amateur Band In The Morning

Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India) NL56hi

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 80

Long wire end feed antenna (75ft L 33ft H..75sqmm Cu wire multistranded) RG6 cable ..with a splitter box circuit with T50-6 toroid at RX end 

Monitored Mode:J3E Class of emission(Amateur Stations)

All time mentioned  in Indian Standard Time(ist) and where possible in Coordinated Universal Time(utc) also.

Date:February 2 2022

7050kHz lsb The Hambel Belgaum Net 

0657ist (0127utc)onwards VU2RZA 58 VU2OO 59  QSK VU2KTW no copy VU2OO 59

0659ist VU2RZA 59  VU2RF 33 VU2OO 59

0707ist 7050kHz lsb with noise...VU2JF VU2RZA 56  59   VU2OO 59 VU2KTW no copy

0709ist 7050kHz lsb...VU2RZA 59 with noise...VU2OO 59..noisy..rainfall...burning noise

7070kHz lsb

0745ist(0215utc) VU3OKB? Tuning call etc heard ..

Weak signal

0802ist(0232utc) VU3ZRI 54 with QSB

VU3XBP 59  VU3WTS 58 59(0808ist onwards) with slight QSB

0815ist VU3OKB 56 to 54

QSO ended  around 0823ist and noise level increased also on this frequency

7145kHz lsb

0826ist (0256utc) onwards

All stations copied with noise

VU3JXF 54 to 43 VU2FRD 53 43 9N1CA 55 to 53 VU3ONX 43

0837ist 9N1CA 55

0839ist VU3ZHD 44 with noise

0844ist VU3OIP breaking with extremely strong signal VU3BTP also broke ...VU3BTP on over 56

VU3OIP heard giving breaking signal 59 at 0845 & 0846ist too,perhaps not copied by others,

0848ist VU2AES breaking fair signal

0849ist VU2AES 54 VU3ZHD 33

0901ist(0331utc) VU2NDZ(?)22 33

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

VU3WTI(Gautam Kumar Sharma)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

On Last Sunday Evening Of This January On 7145kHz lsb

What an evening it was on 30th January! What a reception!!Though our inverter on,other domestic appliances were on..electric bulbs etc are on .., still I could listen and copy amateurs stations on 40mb and noise was less on a very cool evening.I was monitoring  from approximately 1628 to 1811ist( 1058 to 1241utc) as far as I could recall.Though usually note down I what I heard/monitored with time frequency etc on rough papers sometime I messed it up..!!

Place Of Monitoring:Abhayapuri(Assam)(India) NL56hi

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 80

Long wire end feed antenna (75ft L 33ft H..75sqmm Cu wire multistranded) RG6 cable ..with a splitter box circuit with T50-6 toroid at RX end 
Mode:J3E Class of emission

WX:Clear sky... but very cool

All time mentioned  in Indian Standard Time(ist) and where possible in Coordinated Universal Time(utc) also.

Date:January 30,2022(sunday)
Frequency:7145kHz lsb

I at the beginning  heard S21TV from Dhaka Bangladesh 59 VU3INI 59, VU3HZW 58 59 with QSB there was several break of QSOs..

There was QSO between VU3ZHD from Dumka ,Jharkand & VU3HZW. Both I copied 59.Here is my rough notes of reception details also added two audio files links and there might be slight errors etc here and there.

1646ist(1116utc) lsb VU3INI S21TV

1702ist VU3BTP 59 VU3ZHD 59  VU3HZW 59

1704ist VU3INI 59 VU3ZHD 59 

The link to the audio recorded:

https://app.box.com/s/2m156xnae82xbtrx96nk0c79udcj3me8

Copying VU3INI 59...S21TV 59 from 1708ist onwards VU3YSU 58 with QSB 

1711ist..VU2DLU 22

 1716ist VU3ZHW 59 VU3ZHD 59 VU3YSU 54 earlier AR his signal was 58..

1722ist VU3SAQ 58 with doubling no copy of VU2DLU

1727ist VU2DGR 22 11

1732ist VU2FRD breaking 59

1736ist VU2AES 59

1736ist VU2FRD 59...VU3ZHD. VU2AES....with VU3BTP...

1747ist (1217utc)

VU2FRD 59 VU2DGR 22 VU3BTP 59 with VU2AES 59...last AR..VU3ZHD 56

1755ist

VU3SAQ 58 VU2OWB 58

1756ist VU2FRD 59 VU2DLU 11

The audio recorded around 1756ist:

https://app.box.com/s/yhwegvnzvif8vks49781rq6h5h4egiwj

1757ist onwards

VU3ZHD 55 VU3SAQ 59...VU2FRD 59...VU2HW 33..to 43

1802ist(1232utc) onwards VU2OWB 43 VUZHD 43

Signal going down

Special Mention:VU3INI & VU3HZW operating from Guwahati

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

VU3WTI(Gautam Kumar Sharma)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

Early Morning With Medium Wave Part I

For all monitoring Observations 

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 400

ANT: 75 Feet Length  33 ft Feet Height 

Multistranded Cu .75sq mm Wire(Approx)

with coax lead in

Location of Reception Place(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India):NL56hi(Grid Location)

All Stations are monitored were domestic services of their respective countries's national radio network except  All India Radio Akashvani Maitree Kolkata which is external service of All India Radio(AIR)in Bengali targeted to Bangladesh.

Date:Janaury 31,2022

All India Radio(AIR) 

AIR Dibrugrah 567kHz 0013utc loud and clear 

AIR Patna  621kHz 0015utc

in Hindi 

The audio link recorded :

https://app.box.com/s/1kixqejh04fyt7fbgprm5d31u0kazs2l

AIR Hyderabad 738kHz 0019utc onwards

in Telegu Good reception

The audio file link recorded at 0020utc:

https://app.box.com/s/51y6w1ahleynwc3msdudq33w7na8e7tf

AIR Chennai 720kHz 0025utc 

In Tamil Good Reception slight interference 

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/ojkgr5xifyls72z6t450jy3495q9wv62

AIR Kolkata  Geetanjali (?)657kHz 0056utc

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/d3jo9vpwkow9l049snpl13b9ylj4klnd

All India Radio Akashvani Maitree. Kolkata 594kHz 0059utc:

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/k6v9k3obq7vo6ar98wbqlbtqolrip4em

AIR Imphal 882kHz 0103utc 

In Manipuri fair signal

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/vlu31x1h7iodpz7emu6h6n7zf3czp6qo

AIR Shillong 864kHz 0104utc

(in Khasi) fair signal

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/hp7ezi7yowxwvqfmbiwngnv2q68iimld

AIR Ranchi 547kHz 0106utc 

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/q3h3g7or7gjo0fzwcscqkzh22hh82bow

AIR Vishakhapatannam 927kHz 0108utc
In Telegu Good Reception

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/ns4i1s709bw151l2elxtdfm4dqvsybng

AIR Cuttak 972kHz 0109utc

Loud & Clear reception

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/6dxaqy8kd64pxugkv8w474fwjeopqikp

AIR Bhawanipatna 1206kHz 0114utc 

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/b6hg7ulhkqmpa449lopvt854potjh0az

AIR Guwahati Mahabahu 729kHz 0327utc 

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/9vab9ppowdet1xb1fm0nynoz94khotw3

AIR Guwahati Pragjyotishpur 1035kHz 00329utc

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/aht7lg97tb18i12r3fwui1t7na5nkccr

Bangladesh Betar Dhaka 

693kHz 0050utc
Loud and clear reception

https://app.box.com/s/smef7n9eqy5wpgz7akua61si56s6ua7f

Radio Nepal

Radio Nepal Bardibas  1143kHz 0048utc
weak signal facing co-channel interference from Other stations

The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/xcqfxn3fwbap4iiyfqxqo1prxpq35rft

Radio Nepal  Kathmandu 792kHz 0052utc
Good signal 
The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/eqixpvr3y4i4xvpyhlx77k0bxy8lnyaw

Radio Nepal Pokhara 684kHz  0057utc 
Strong signal 
The audio link:

https://app.box.com/s/7rh5920o04jbfyddx1uf02q479g985so

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

Gautam Kumar Sharma(VU3WTI)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)

All India Radio(AIR) Kokrajhar on 1512kHz This Morning After A Break of Just Over A Decade.

This morning (February 1,2022) while continuing my early morning scanning of medium wave band (going on for several weeks now),I heard AIR Kokrajhar on 1512kHz (20kW?) with good signal from 0106utc onwards.This is the first time in the morning I heard AIR Kokrajhar after nearly a decade back of listening and monitoring it in late afternoon perhaps from 1030utc on same 1512kHz.

AIR Kokrajhar ,which is located at Kokrajhar town ( I am not sure whether studio location and transmitter location is at same place)  and the aerial distance from my place is just 42km aways approximately.I have a dream plan to visit AIR Kokrajhar facilities but I am yet to fulfill my dream.

For all monitoring observations

RX:Grundig Yacht Boy 400

ANT: 75 Feet Length  33 ft Feet Height 

Multistranded Cu .75sq mm Wire(Approx)

with coax lead in

Location of Reception Place(Abhayapuri)(Assam)(India):NL56hi(Grid Location)

Today , the signal while on recorded programs on air was good but while studio announcements were made by a lady in Bodo, the modulation was very low (audio intensity), and the signal level also dropped down to very very weak.

Here is the brief summary of programs heard.

0106utc onwards back to back Bodo folk music, then announcement in Bodo by a lady..as mentioned very very low modulation..weak signal difficult to copy,then Goalparia folk songs sung by a lady back to back

Here are  the audio files link recorded around....

0117utc

https://app.box.com/s/hebk36vvnid8y4sq7zst7a1armq79l16

0131utc

https://app.box.com/s/b69gw6qg6gt3kyfti3yajgx0lb9f2sl5

0134utc announcement by a lady in Bodo very very weak difficult to copy I heard the station Idd..as.." All India Radio Kokrajhar..", music Bodo songs aired

The audio file link recorded around 0134utc:

https://app.box.com/s/zx1n1mms5c9hpvqix2iatfh6hb5m9dus

0156utc onwards  Assamese Program on air ..interview with Anganwadi workers in Assamese by a male voice in Assamese

The audio file link recorded around 0157utc

https://app.box.com/s/a3jdvx7ap4exg75ju82v9p6st789lr9r

As per information I found on the press reports on the net ,AIR Kokrajhar was officially on air from August 15th of 1999.The medium wave transmitter power is as per info posted in the press is 20kW.A few years back, several reports appeared in the press about poor &  irregular transmission quality of AIR Kokrajhar .The transmitter was only functioning with a few kWs of power much below the maximum 20kW and it could cover only a few kms of area.And also reports circulated about  poor condition of the rooms,equipments etc in the station.

Here is a few links I found on the internet...

https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/all-india-radio-kokrajhar-station-in-dire-straits/

https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam-demand-revival-kokrajhar-air-radio-station.html

and another link.

https://assamtimes.org/node/20005

I think now the problem might have been solved to some extent.That is why I could listen to AIR Kokrajhar on 1512kHz on the medium wave.But still not all problem solved regarding station's signal quality on air live announcements is very weak(low audio intensity) though recorded programs music, talks coming with good strength.

Hoping for the better if not the best...

And finishing this write up rather type up Hi Hi, I like to share my very first recording of AIR Kokrajhar wayback from October 11th of 2010 at 1032utc at the same frequency of 1512kHz..

Here is the link to the audio file.

https://app.box.com/s/iey5uoqfb72uud6uuybhjtcukcksx43w

And special thanks to my radio friend Alokesh Gupta(VU3BSE),New Delhi and it is for him I listened to AIR Kokrajhar first time in 2010..it is a different story will share sometime and another special thanks to  VU2JOS OM Jose Jacob from Hyderabad for reviving my interest in medium wave which leads to this listening of AIR Kokrajhar again after just after a decade!!!
And my another special mention goes to my another special DX friend Mr.Swopan Chakrovorty(VU3RVY) from Kolkata with whom I have a long time plan to visit AIR Kokrajhar Station as he visit from time to time this area for his company works.Hope in future dream will become reality...

VIVE LA AIR Kokrajhar on 1512kHz A3E!!!

More monitoring observations etc soon.

73

Gautam Kumar Sharma(VU3WTI)

Abhayapuri(Assam)(India)