TRY THESE TOUGH ASIAN DX CATCHES!


TRY THESE TOUGH

ASIAN DX CATCHES!

Here are some shortwave broadcasts that will test the DXer's skills, patience and receiver/antenna setup! How many of these can you hear at your location?


BANGLADESH. For several years, the Bangladesh Betar outlet at Shavar on 4750 kHz was plagued with horrible modulation that made broadcasts virtually unlistenable. However, the audio has been cleaned up in recent months, and the station is providing good listening again. Try the English service at 1230-1300 UTC and 1745-1900 UTC. On the same frequency is the Voice of Indonesia, which transmits in various languages between 1000 and 2230 UTC, including English at 1000, 1300 and 2100 UTC. So, you need to take care to identify the correct station! At my QTH, Bangladesh's higher power means that it is usually the stronger signal.

INNER MONGOLIA. Fancy some real Chinese DX? Try these two low-powered stations in the 75 and 60-meter bands. Operating out of Hailar, Hulunbuir city in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China, both frequencies are listed as only 10 kW. The first is PBS Hulunbuir on 3900 kHz, on-air at 0900 to 1440 and 2130 to 0700 UTC. The second station is CNR 1 (Voice of China) on 4750 kHz operating at 2000 to 1730 UTC. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Bangladesh and Indonesia also sit on this frequency at specific times during the 24-hour period. But, often, this 10 kW Hailar outlet can be heard when the other stations are off-air. If you live in North America, you may have a good chance to hear both these low-powered Chinese stations between 1100 and 1200 UTC in the coming months using the grayline path across the Pacific Ocean.

MYANMAR. Despite all the political goings-on in Myanmar in recent times, there are still chances to hear this country on shortwave. Radio Naypyidaw operates its 5915 kHz outlet in minority languages for its northern region. Some lists report English between 1300 and 1400 UTC, but I have found that not to be the case recently. The other Myanmar station to check is Radio Yaegu in Yangon, which can be heard in Burmese (and occasionally English) on 5985 kHz between 1200 and 1500. This signal can often be heard in North America as it sits on a clear channel at this time.

In addition, there is the Ministry of Defence station known as Thazin Radio. In recent years, this broadcaster has been noted on 6030, 6165, 7345, 9460, and 9590 kHz. The schedule can be irregular!

NORTH KOREA. Here's a DX challenge for you! After a long absence, the Korean Central Broadcasting Service (KCBS) outlet on 2349.5 kHz was finally reactivated towards the end of last year. This is now the only station in regular operation in what is known as the 120-meter tropical band. Located at Sariwon, about 58 km (36 miles) south of Pyongyang in the country's southwest, it is believed the power output is only 5 kW into a non-directional antenna. The station has been noted with a weak signal here in Australia on a number of occasions, running in parallel with the stronger 3250 kHz (via Pyongyang). The schedule for North Korea's domestic audience runs from 2000 to 1800 UTC.

PHILIPPINES. Using the 250 kW VOA transmitters at Tinang, Radyo Pilipinas provides a strong global presence with a mix of Filipino (a standardized version of Tagalog) and English language broadcasts. Reliable reception has been noted in North America for the 1730 to 1930 UTC Filipino service on 9960 and 12120 kHz, and occasionally on 15190 kHz. The English broadcasts are at 0200 to 0330 UTC on 12010, 15640 and 17820 kHz with informative programming, especially for tourists travelling to the Philippines. The station is a good verifier for listeners submitting well-written reception reports.

SRI LANKA. Initially owned by Deutsche Welle some years ago, the transmitter site at Trincomalee was generously handed over for use by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. SLBC engineers manage the station for relays of Adventist World Radio and BBC broadcasts. However, SLBC also runs two half-hour broadcasts of its own programming. You can hear SLBC on 11905 kHz between 0030 and 0100 UTC in Bangla and again at 0200 and 0230 in Hindi. Most transmissions focus on music programming, making for some delightful listening. Given the serious economic conditions (e.g. fuel for generators) currently facing Sri Lanka, it remains to be seen how long these shortwave broadcasts stay on air. Get it while you can!!


73 and good DX to you all

Rob Wagner VK3BVW



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© Rob Wagner, Mount Evelyn DX Report, and contributors 2012-2022

Comments

  1. AnonymousJuly 4, 2022 at 9:57 AM

    Thanks, Rob, for the great tips. Knowing that a DXer is hearing these juicy catches makes them worth going after.--Rich McVicar

    ReplyDelete

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