RADIO COLOSAL, COLOMBIA FROM 1973

RADIO COLOSAL FROM 1973

Transcribed and Translated by Alfredo Cañote

Here is the third in our series of Rare Radio Recordings. A regular reader of MEDXR and Twitter friend, Alfredo Cañote, has kindly supplied the transcribed text for this recording, and included an English translation.

RADIO COLOSAL, Neiva, Huila, Colombia. Broadcasting for many years on the frequency of 4945 kHz in the 60 meter band, Radio Colosal was heard fairly well in Australia. It operated with a power of 2.5 kW into a half-wave dipole antenna. Radio Colosal was a part of the TODELAR network of stations until December 31, 1980, and then switched over to the CARACOL network. A few years later it disappeared from the shortwave bands forever. The station was known as a poor verifier, and not many QSL letters were sent to listeners. However, there was the occasional pennant, such as the one featured at the top of this post (alas, not mine!)

I made this recording on October 13, 1973 as the station signed-on at 0820 UTC (6.20 pm local time in Melbourne). Heavy atmospheric disturbances (thunderstorm/lightening static) were noted at the time. Once again, Alfredo has done a wonderful job of deciphering the announcements through the noise!

Below is the recording, transcription and translation for you to follow along while listening to Radio Colosal.

Radio Colosal 4945 kHz 0820 UTC October 13, 1973

SPANISH TRANSCRIPTION

La poderosa Radio Colosal
informa la hora de los Colombianos
tres de la mañana, veinte minutos.
Este es otro impacto musical
que va directo al corazón
"Los Galos" interpretan "Olvidate de Mi".

And later......

Radio Colosal
La mas potente radiodifusora del sur colombiano
informa la hora nacional
tres de la mañana, veintidos minutos
Música...para gozar
Música...sensacional
Música...colosal
por ahi es la cosa (latino american expression)
Música...mucha música atraves de Radio Colosal
para este Fin de Semana
"Eva María" interpreta "Los xxxx.... (indecipherable) 

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The powerful Radio Colosal
Inform the time of the Colombians
3:20 a.m.
This is another musical impact...
That goes straight to the heart...
"Los Galos" interprets "Forget Me".

And later.....

Radio Colosal
The most powerful broadcaster in the south of Colombia
Informs the national time
3:22 am
Music ... to enjoy
Music ... sensational
Music ... Colossal
There is the thing (Latin American expression)
Music ... a lot of music through Radio Colosal
for this weekend
"Eva María" by "Los xxxxx..... (indecipherable)

Once again, my thanks to Alfredo for taking the time to decipher the announcements out of all the noise in this recording! This is much appreciated, Alf!

For those who can remember, and those who enjoy radio history!

73 and good DX to you all,

Rob Wagner VK3BVW

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