STATION NEWS AND THE LOG BOOK - November 27, 2015

STATION NEWS AND THE LOG BOOK
November 27, 2015

STATION NEWS

UNIDENTIFIED
Here is something unusual that has only appeared in the last two days. It's an unidentified station operating on both 4900 and 6215 kHz. Both these frequencies are well known for the Korean numbers station called V24. However, this station has been inactive in recent times. But on November 25, I noted 6215 kHz with some pop music on a loop around 2000 UTC. Later on Nov 26, I checked again and both frequencies were in action running the same looped pop song in parallel. The song is called "Into the New World" by a group of South Korean singers called Girls Generation, and was a hit for them back in 2007. These transmissions have also been independently heard by Sei-ichi Hasegawa in Japan, Antonello Napolitano in Italy, and Mauno Ritola in Finland. Indeed, Mauno reports that he has also heard the clandestine Echo of Hope programs running in parallel with other known EOH frequencies!

 The transmissions are not sticking to their usual V24 schedule and seem to be running continuously throughout the day. V24 has been around for some years now and is presumed to be operating from South Korea. So, what's going on here? Why the sudden spate of activity? Why this song? Why is it looped? Something to continually monitor, I think.

 Here are the actual entries in my log book:

 4900   UNIDENTIFIED. One continuously looped pop song called "Into The New World" by South Korean band, Girls Generation at 1110, running // 6215 and fair signal on Nov 26. Both these freqs used to be the V24 South Korean numbers station. Needs further investigation.

 6215   UNIDENTIFIED. Continuously looped song "Into the New World" first noted around 2000 on Nov 25. Then again at 1125 on Nov 26 with a fair signal. This freq used to be the V24 numbers station.

 And here is a recording of both frequencies made last night. Reception is marred by heavy thunderstorm static:



CLANDESTINE
11860 kHz - There seems to be a new clandestine station known as Radio Sana'a (a.k.a. "Republic of Yemen Radio"). Several DXers are saying that it is operating from Riyadh or Jeddah transmitters in Saudi Arabia, although I cannot confirm that this is the case! It was first noted at 2140 UTC with continuous music and occasional IDs as "Radio Sana'a…". A news program at 2200, then more music and some anncts in between. It was putting out an very strong S9 signal when first tuned in, but dropped down to S5 by 2225. S/off 2300 and the signal was getting pretty scratchy by then. Apparently this station only started up a few days ago (thanks to information via Mauno) and is supportive of the Hadi forces against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. It continues to operate daily and needs further investigating! Nov 22.

FROM THE LOG BOOK


4930 BOTSWANA. VOA - Moepeng Hill. Religious discussion at 1925, then Learning English at 1930. Good signal this morning. Nov 25


5010.6   MADAGASCAR. R. Madagasikara - Antananarivo.  The usual wobbly signal at good strength but with frequency variation at 1902. Malagasy anncts and ID then into some type of current affairs program, Nov 25.


6130   SWAZILAND. TWR - Manzini. Heavily accented Portuguese at 1950, songs and talk programming. Big signal on Nov 25.


6170   D.P.R.KOREA. VoK - Kujang. S/on at 2030 with KCBS programming. Anthem, words of wisdom from the kid president, etc, etc. Was stronger earlier at 2000 when the German service was operating, but weakening rapidly by 2035, Nov 25.

 6190   SOUTH AFRICA. BBC - Meyerton. Current affairs program at 1935, fair signal, Nov 25.

 6195   IRAN. VOIRI - Kamalabad. To EEu with a commentary in Russian at 1940, good signal, Nov 25.

 11670   CUBA. R. Habana Cuba - Bauta. Now here for English to NAm noted at 2025, NF (x 11760). Doesn't seem to have been an especially smart decision. It now suffers heavy QRM from the co-channel AIR - Bengaluru which has been here for ages with its Hindi service to Eu. The old 11760 is now empty and is the perfect choice for RHC! Good one, Arnie!! Nov 23.

 11880   CUBA. R. Habana Cuba - Bauta. S/on 2100 in French to Af, good signal on Nov 23.

 11915.09   SAUDI ARABIA. BSKSA - Riyadh. Giant-sized signal in Arabic to NAf 2120, but a bit off-freq on Nov 23.

 12105   USA. WTWW - Lebanon TN. Portuguese service at 2132 to NAm, good signal. Was French at this time for A15, Nov 23.

 21675   USA. R. Africa - Okeechobee. American preaching at 2105, a good signal on a morning when the band appeared to be wide open with WWV on 25000 kHz and the 10/15m amateurs coming through strongly, Nov 22.

FINALLY

Here is an update to the B15 transmission schedule for Reach Beyond Australia, made available by Shelley Martin (with our thanks): Click on each image to enlarge.







73 and have a great weekend everyone!

Rob Wagner VK3BVW

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Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 30, 2022 at 11:41 PM

    Thanks! Enjoyable and informative as always. I guess I should comment more often. Will check those “Korean” frequencies in mornings here

    ReplyDelete

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