B21 - 110+ NEW FREQUENCIES MONITORED

B21 TRANSMISSION SEASON

110+ NEW FREQUENCIES MONITORED

The new B21 transmission season began last weekend. I have been very busy scanning the international shortwave bands, checking out what has changed since the start of this new season. As expected, there has been much movement across the spectrum by most major players. Below is a record of some early observations made during the past week.

Where possible, for each item, I have tried to identify the former frequency used in the A21 season. But this is sometimes quite hard because schedules can be complex or drastically changed by the broadcaster, making it difficult to arrive at direct comparisons. There are well over 110 frequency changes observed below. So if you are missing your favourite station, then it could be listed below!

Some additional points to note:

The list is in frequency order. The countries listed are where the transmitter sites are located. Many broadcasters make use of transmitters in other countries in order to achieve better reception to the target zones. e.g. the world-famous BBC is currently making use of this long list of relays for the B21 transmission season: Oman, Singapore, Bulgaria, Armenia, Ascension Is, São Tomé, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Pridnestrovie, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, the Vatican, and Madagascar as well as its own transmitters in Woofferton, England!
LAYOUT CHANGE: In most cases, I have listed the sign-on and sign-off times for each broadcast. These are represented by asterisks * before the sign-on time and after the sign-off time. I hope readers will find this information more useful.
Australia is not part of the target zones for just about all of these broadcasts. The era of services beamed specifically to Australia stopped years ago (well....except for China Radio International, of course)! So, comments on signal strength as noted at Mount Evelyn have, in most cases, not been included in this list. In the designated target zones, listeners should find good to excellent reception from many of their favourite broadcasters.
All observations are based on actual monitoring from my receivers here at Mount Evelyn. Occasionally, remote SDRs are called upon to confirm the Mount Evelyn reception and monitor propagation conditions in or near the target zone. These remote tools are particularly useful for checking the impact of interference, if any, of co-channel or adjacent channel broadcasters.
Some DX lists compare new frequencies with "ex" frequencies used for the same transmission season in the previous year (i.e. B20). Personally, I don't find this system useful and can be confusing. Yes, I know that a few stations will often try to use the same frequencies for the previous corresponding 12-month period. However, from a regular shortwave listener's perspective, at the start of a new season, they want to know if the frequency has changed since they last listened on the previous day or previous week - They won't remember a frequency from a season ago!
You may see an occasional change to some of the frequencies listed below in the upcoming weeks. This is not unusual as broadcasters may discover they have clashed with other stations or receive reports of poor reception in the target zones. Sometimes, it can take a few weeks for everything to settle in a new transmission season.

Equipment: Yaesu FTDX3000 transceiver, Kenwood TS2000 transceiver.

Antennas: 100m long horizontal sky loop antenna, a delta loop antenna for 10 MHz and a double bazooka antenna for 14 MHz.

Abbreviations:
NF = New Frequency for the A21 transmission season

NS = New Site (i.e. a change in relay station for a specific broadcast)
QRM = Interference from another station
// = The same broadcast simultaneously on another frequency, i.e. in parallel.

WS = BBC World Service

5845 PHILIPPINES. BBC - Tinang. *1530-1830* Korean to EAs, NF (ex 9615), Nov 5.

5895 TAJIKISTAN. BBC - Dushanbe. *1530-1530* Korean to EAs, NF (ex 9390), Nov 5.

5965 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *1630-1726* Azerbaijani to EEu, NF (ex 9505), Nov 5.

6000 GERMANY. R. Japan - Nauen. *1700-1900* Japanese to NAf/ME, co-channel QRM from CNR1, NF (ex 13690), Nov 6.

6040 CHINA. CRI - Urumqi. *1600-1757* Russian to EEu, NF (ex 11875), Nov 5.

6100 CHINA. CRI - Beijing. *1700-1900* English to Eu, NF (ex 12015), Nov 6.

6105 FRANCE. R. Algerienne - Issoudun. *0600-0700* French to NWAf, Qur'an service, NF (possibly ex 9620), Nov 4.

6140 TAIWAN. R. Taiwan Int'l - Kouhu. *1200-1300* Amoy to EAs, additional service, Nov 4.

6150 PHILIPPINES. BBC - Tinang. *2200-2300* English WS to SEAs/PNG, NF (ex 7445), Nov 3.

6150 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *1620-1650* Bengali to SAs, NF (ex 7305), Nov 5.

6185 VATICAN. Vatican R. - SM Galeria. *1700-1720* Belarusian to EEu, NF (ex 9705), Nov 6.

7230 VATICAN. Vatican R. - SM Galeria. *1715-1730* English to NAf and ME, co-channel QRM from CNR 1, NF (ex 11620 and one hr later), Nov 6.

7245 CHINA. CRI - Xian. *1700-1757* Swahili to EAf, NF (ex 7215), Nov 5.

7255 CHINA. CRI - Kashi. *1600-1800* English to Eu, NF, Nov 5.

7265 OMAN. BBC - Al Seela. *1630-1700* Bangla to SAs, co-channel QRM CRI's Russian service, NF (ex 7410), Nov 6.

7300 OMAN. BBC - Al Seela. (Not sure if this is via Al Seela or Dhabayya!) *2200-2300* English SW to SEAs, NF (ex 5955), Nov 3.

7300 CHINA. CRI - Kashi. *1600-1800* Arabic to NAf, NF (ex 13790), Nov 6.

7370 USA. KNLS - Anchor Point AK. *0900-1000* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 11875), Nov 6.

7390 NEW ZEALAND. RNZI - Rangitaiki. *1259-1650* English to Pacific, NF (ex 5980), Nov 4.

7430 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *1620-1720* Armenian to EEu, NF (ex 7345), Nov 5.

7435 CHINA. CRI - Jinhua. *1600-1757* English to EAf, (NF ex 7330), Nov 5.

7445 ENGLAND. BBC - Woofferton. *0600-0700* English WS to WAf, NF (possibly ex 7345 via Ascension), Nov 1.

7500 THAILAND. VoA - Ban Dung. *2200-2300* Mandarin to EAs, weak under CNR jamming, NF (ex 5875), Nov 3.

7550 BULGARIA. BBC - Kostinbrod. *1700-1800* Dari to SAs, NF (ex 7580), Nov 5.

9535 USA. KNLS - Anchor Point AK. *1300-1400* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 9740), Nov 4.

9540 U.A.E. IBRA R. R. Ibrahim - Dhabayya. *1700-1730* Oromo to EAf, NF (ex 9630), Nov 5.

9540 USA. KNLS - Anchor Point AK. *0900-1000* Russian to Eu, NF (ex 9695), Nov 6.

9550 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *0320-0420* Russian to CAs, NF (ex 11810), Nov 2.

9580 SINGAPORE. BBC - Kranji. *1000-1200* English WS to SEAs, NF (ex 9410), Nov 4.

9585 SINGAPORE. BBC - Kranji. *1630-1700* Bangla to SAs, NF (ex 9445), Nov 6.

9610 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *1100-1200* Mandrin to EAs, NF (ex 7375), Nov 4.

9610 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *1230-1300* Cantonese to EAs, NF (ex 9875), Nov 4.

9620 PHILIPPINES. VoA - Tinang. *2200-2300* Mandarin to EAs, some CNR jamming, NF (ex 9625), Nov 3.

9680 USA. KNLS - Anchor Point AK. *1000-1100* English to EAs, NF (ex 9580), Nov 6.

9700 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *0350-0700* Turkish to CEu, NF (ex 9770), Nov 4.

9715 USA. KNLS - Anchor Point AK. *1000-1100* Mandarin to EAs, light noise jamming, NF (ex 9685), Nov 6.

9750 FRANCE. Dimtse Woyane Int’l - Issoudun. *0400-0500* Tigrinya to EAf, NF (ex 11570), Nov 4.

9770 AUSTRIA. AWR - Moosbrunn. *1630-1700* Tigrinya to EAf, NF (ex 15490), Nov 6.

9775 ENGLAND. IBRA R. / R. Sama - Woofferton. *1700-1800* Arabic to ME, NF (ex 15260), Nov 5.

9860 CHINA. CRI - Jinhua. 0100-0200 Amoy to EAs, NF (ex 15100 via Beijing), Nov 2.

9860 GERMANY. AWR - Nauen. *0600-0630* French to WAf, NF (ex 15455?), Nov 4.

9875 TAJIKISTAN. AWR - Dushanbe. *1200-1300* Korean to EAs, NF (ex 15420), Nov 4.

9885 MADAGASCAR. MWV (World Christian BC) - Mahajanga. *1800-1900* Russian to EEu, NF (ex 9880), Nov 5.

9900 SRI LANKA. BBC - Trincomalee. *1330-1400* Bangla to SAs, NF (ex 9410), Nov 2.

9985 NTH MARIANA IS. R. Free Asia - Agingan Point. *1700-1900* Korean to EAs, NF (ex 9990), Nov 5.

9990 KUWAIT. R. Farda - Umm al-Rimam. *0830-1230* Farsi to Iran, NF, Nov 4.

11550 NTH MARIANA IS. R. Free Asia - Agingan Point. *1500-1900* Korean to EAs, NF (possibly ex 11985), Nov 5.

11590 NTH MARIANA IS. R. Free Asia - Tinian. *1600-1900* Mandarin to EAs, NF, Nov 5.

11640 CHINA. CRI - Xian. 0100-0200 Mandarin to SEAs, NF (ex 15140), Nov 2.

11640 GERMANY. AWR - Nauen. *0600-0630 French to WAf, NF (possibly ex 17790 via Talata?), Nov 4.

11660 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *0450-0700* Turkish to ME, NF (ex 6040), Nov 4.

11660 PHILIPPINES. VoA - Tinang. *1100-1200* Mandarin to EAs, CNR jamming, NF (ex 11785), Nov 4

11660 SWAZILAND. TWR Africa - Manzini. *1630-1645* Kambaata (Fr/Sa), Amharic (Mo), or Oromo (Su/Tu/We/Th) to Ethiopia, NF (ex 9500), Nov 6.

11690 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *1100-1200* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 11855), Nov 4.

11780 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *0420-0550* Hebrew to ME, good strength carrier, but the audio was down, NF (ex 13740), Nov 2.

11800 AUSTRIA. AWR - Moosbrunn. *1600-1630* Urdu to SAs, NF (ex 11800), Nov 6.

11830 FRANCE. Deutsche Welle - Issoudun. *1600-1700* Anharic to EAf, NF (ex 15275), Nov 5.

11830 ENGLAND. World's Last Chance - Woofferton. *1700-1900* English to EAf, NF (ex 17700), Nov 5.

11870 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *2200-2300* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 15625), Nov 3.

11875 IRAN. VOIRI - Sirjan. *0420-0550* Turkish to ME, NF (ex 15430), Nov 2.

11885 CHINA. CRI - Xian. 0100-0200 English to SEAs, NF (ex 15785), Nov 2.

11935 VATICAN. Vatican R. - SM Galeria. *1700-1730* French to CAf, NF (ex 15565), Nov 6.

11955 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *2200-2230* Ngaju to Indonesia, NF (ex 11960), Nov 3.

11955 GERMANY. AWR - Nauen. *1630-1700* Tigrinya to EAf, NF (ex 15490), Nov 5.

11965 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *1300-1330* Turkmen to CAs, NF (ex 15285), Nov 4.

11965 ENGLAND. IBRA R. / R. Sama - Woofferton. *1730-1800* Tigrinya to EAf, NF (ex 15510), Nov 5.

11965 TAIWAN. R. NUG - Pao-chung. *1330-1400* Burmese to SAs, NF (ex 12000), Nov. 3.

11980 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *2200-2300* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 11875) and // 11870, Nov 3.

11980 FRANCE. Deutsche Welle - Issoudun. *1800-1900* Hausa to WAf, NF (ex 15215), Nov 5.

12020 SRI LANKA. AWR - Trincomalee. *0100 Mandarin, 0130 Cantonese to 0200* to EAs, NF (ex 11925), Nov 1.

12040 GERMANY. AWR - Nauen.*1630-1700* Amharic to EAf, NF (possibly ex 17725 or 15520), Nov 5.

12040 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *1600-1630* English, NF, Nov 6.

12080 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *1230-1300* Cantonese to EAs, NF (ex 12105), Nov 4.

12080 PHILIPPINES. VoA - Tinang. *1100-1200* Mandarin to EAs, CNR jamming, NF (ex 11825), Nov 6.

12095 SINGAPORE. BBC - Kranji. 0100-0200 English to SAs, NF (ex 11995), Nov 2.

12110 KUWAIT. R. Mashaal - Umm al-Rimam. *0400-1300* Pashto to Pakistan, NF (ex 12130), Nov 4.

12140 KUWAIT. R. Azadi - Umm al-Rimam. *0330-1430* alternating Dari and Pashto to AFG, NF (ex 15090), Nov 4.

13690 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *0920-1250* Dari to CAs, fair signal but low audio, NF (ex 13680), Nov 6.

13730 CHINA. CRI - Kunming. *0900-1000* Mandarin to AU/NZ, NF (ex 13730), Nov 6.

13740 OMAN. BBC - Al Seela. *1130-1200* Dari to SAs, NF (ex 13630), Nov 4.

13765 GERMANY. R. Farda - Lampertheim. *0530-1530* Farsi to Iran. Good signal for most of the 10 hours on this freq except during darkness hours when increased splash from 13770 CNR 7 Great Bay Radio, NF, Nov 4.

13820 IRAN. VoIRI - Zahedan. *0530-0730* Arabic to ME, fair signal but intense DRM QRM from CNR 13825 kHz, NF (ex 13590), Nov 4.

13865 MADAGASCAR. BBC - Talata Volonondry. *0500-0600* English WS to SAf, NF (ex 9915), Nov 2.

13865 VATICAN. BBC - SM Galeria. *0600-0700* English WS to CAf/SAf, NF, Nov 1.

15130 CHINA. CRI - Beijng. *0300-0557* Mandarin to EAs, NF (ex 11740??), Nov 6.

15140 IRAN. VoIRI - Sirjan. *0450-0550* Swahili to EAf, fair signal, low audio, NF (ex 13685), Nov 2.

15150 THAILAND. VoA - Ban Dung. *0900-1200* Mandarin to EAs, CNR jamming, NF (ex 11825), Nov 4.

15160 FRANCE. Dimtse Woyane Int'l - Issoudun. *1500-1559* Tigrinya to EAf, NF (ex 17750), Nov 5.

15185 CHINA. CRI - Kashi. *0900-1100* English to SAs, NF (ex 17750). Fair signal but heavy adjacent channel QRM from CNR's 10 kHz wide DRM hash on 15180. I just love it when China interferes with itself! Nov 6.

15210 CHINA. CRI - Kunming-Anning. *0900-1100* English to AU/NZ, NF (ex 13800), Nov 6.

15215 GUAM. KSDA / AWR - Agat. *2200-2300* Vietnamese to SEAs, NF (ex 15685), Nov 3.

15235 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *0600 Hausa, then 0700 Swahili to Af until 0800*, NF (ex 13765), Nov 4.

15330 FRANCE. Raadiyyoni Dirree Shaggar - Issoudun. *1600-1630 in the Afaan Oromo language to EAf, NF (ex 15415), Nov 5.

15335 OMAN. BBC - Al Seela. *0600-0700* Arabic to EAf, NF (ex 12095), Nov 1.

15360 SRI LANKA. AWR - Trincomalee. *1630-1700* Sindhi (Su/Tu/Th/Sa) or Pashto (Mo/We/Fr) to Pakistan. NF (ex 11805), Nov 6.

15340 CHINA. CRI - Xianyang. *0900-1100* Mandarin to SEAs, NF (ex 17530), Nov 6.

15420 UAE. BBC - Dhabayya. *0500-0600* English WS to EAf. It's there but impossible to listen to from this location because it's covered up by CRI's mile-wide Mandarin DRM carrier on 15415 beamed to AU/NZ, which no one listens to unless they have a DRM-capable receiver/SDR....i.e. no one! And, it's 4 pm AEDT, so people are still at work in eastern AU, leaving at home only cranky retired old folk like me sitting in the radio shack! BUT, that's another story! So, just for interest's sake, I checked the VK5ARG remote Kiwi SDR (one of the best SDRs in AU) to try and resolve the CRI DRM. It was a strong signal but very choppy resolution, so useless for listening purposes. Anyway, back to BBC-Dhabayya, this is a NF for B21 at this time (ex 13580). Nov 2. Rant over! 😏

15440 CHINA. CRI - Kunming. *0900-1000* Mandarin to AU/NZ, NF (ex 12005), Nov 6.

15460 ROMANIA. RRI - Galbeni. *1200-1300* Eng;ish to WEu, NF, Nov 4.

15550 FRANCE. R. Dabanga - Issoudun. *1530-1627* Dafur Arabic to Sudan, NS (probably ex SM Galeria, Vatican), Nov 5.

THAILAND. VoA - Ban Dung. *0400-0500* Tibetan to EAs, fair signal under jamming, NF (ex 15150), Nov 6.

15624.91 SRI LANKA. AWR - Trincomalee. *0130-0159* Yue Chinese to EAs, NF (ex 15630), Nov 2.

15640 KUWAIT. R. Azadi - Umm al-Rimam. *0630-1430* alternating Dari and Pashto to AFG, NF (ex 17880 via Ban Dung), Nov 4.

15715 THAILAND. VoA - Ban Dung. *1130-1200* Rohingya to SEAs, NF, Nov 4.

15755 JAPAN. R. Japan - Yamata. *0200-0400* Japanese to SAs, NF (ex 12025), Nov 6.

15760 THAILAND. R. Mashaal - Ban Dung. *0400-1300* Pashto to Pakistan, NF, Nov 4.

17530 TURKEY. VoT - Emirler. *0500-0600* Malay to SEAs, NF (ex 17720), Nov 2.

17690 CHINA. CRI - Jinhua. *0900-1100* English to AU/NZ, NF (ex 11905), Nov 6.

17780 ROMANIA. RRI - Galbeni. *0630-0700 English to AU/NZ, NF (ex 17760). Supposed to be // 21470 via Tiganesti, but nothing was heard there, Nov 4.

17800 ROMANIA. RRI - Galbeni. *1200-1257* English to EAf, NF (probably 17670), Nov 4.

17880 GERMANY. R. Mashaal - Biblis. *1000-1300* Pashto to Pakistan, NF (possibly ex 15365), Nov 4.

21580 FRANCE. R. France Int'l - Issoudun. *0900-1100* French to CAf and WAf, variable signal strength, which is typical of 13mb reception at this early point in the solar cycle, NF, Nov 6.

21760 PHILIPPINES. VoA - Tinang. *0500-0600* Tibetan to EAs, weak under stronger CNR jamming, NF. //17865 also a NF also heard with a stronger VoA signal over the jamming. Nov 4.

73 and wishing you good DX!

Rob Wagner VK3BVW