DISAPPEARING INDIAN REGIONAL STATIONS

My colleague and DX legend in Hyderabad, India, Jose Jacob VU2JOS, has advised me that some of our long-loved All India Radio (AIR) regional outlets have left the shortwave bands. During October, the following stations departed the airwaves:

AIR Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh State) on 4810 and 7430 kHz
AIR Chennai (Tamilnadu State) on 4920 and 7380 kHz
AIR Hyderabad (Telangana State) on 4800 and 7420 kHz
AIR Jaipur (Rajasthan State) on 4910 and 7325 kHz
AIR Thiruvanthapuram (Kerala State) on 5010 and 7290 kHz

For decades now, these outlets have been fantastic DXing targets, providing engaging programming in Hindi, English and local languages. Jose reports that these 50kW transmitters were installed in 1992 and have been in continuous service for about 28 years. Like many older shortwave transmitters around the world, replacement parts are very hard, if not impossible to acquire for repairs and maintenance.

Jose says: “Although these stations have left shortwave, they are still broadcasting on MW & FM. They are also available on direct-to-satellite and live to stream. Of these five stations listed above, the first four stations were monitored regularly with good quality signals. Only AIR Thiruvanthapuram was irregular and had modulation problems. The fate of the other remaining few SW stations still on the air, hangs in the balance.”

All India Radio studios at Bhopal

The few remaining AIR regionals still on air are:

4760 and 6000 kHz AIR Leh (2.5 kW)

4950 and 6110 kHz AIR Srinagar (30 kW)

5040 kHz AIR Jeypore (50 kW)

6030 and 6100 kHz AIR Delhi (250 kW)

Jose has an extensive website that covers AIR shortwave domestic and international, mediumwave, and FM services, along with lots of other information. This is the site I always go to when I need up-to-date information on the Indian broadcasting scene. Check it out at https://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/

73 and good DX to you all,

Rob Wagner Vk3BVW