SPOTLIGHT:

TAJIKISTAN ON SHORTWAVE

(This post is an edited version of a short article I wrote for "The World of Shortwave Listening" column of The Spectrum Monitor magazine - August 2022 issue. Further details on this excellent publication are available at www.thespectrummonitor.com)

Located in Central Asia is the land-locked country of Tajikistan. Surrounded by Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, it is the smallest country by area in Central Asia.

This predominantly mountainous nation possesses a rich tapestry of culture and history. Although regarded as constitutionally secular, it is estimated that 98% of the population practices the Islamic religion. The Tajik language is a form of Persian and is closely related to Dari.

Many MEDXR blog readers will be familiar with the international shortwave relay transmissions from Tajikistan. These emanate from a transmitter site at Orzu, about 115 km (71 miles) south of Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital and largest city. In this A22 transmission season, international broadcasters currently using the Dushanbe site include Adventist World Radio, BBC, Radio Japan, Radio Free Asia and the Voice of Tibet.

However, SWLs may be unaware that the national broadcaster provides its own small domestic and international services on shortwave.

The domestic service Network 1 relay of Radio Tajikistan (a.k.a. Tajik Radio) can be heard on 4765 kHz between 2300 and 2000 UTC. However, there can be some variations to sign-off times for this extended schedule. The transmissions come from a site about 9 km (6 miles) south of Dushanbe.

Most programs are in Tajik, interspersed with 30-minute slots in Russian and Uzbek. Local music programs have a distinct crossover flavour with a blend of European and West/Central Asian influences. In North America, try between 0100 and 0700 UTC, although reception can be challenging for part of that time because Cuba’s Radio Progreso also occupies the frequency.

Then there is the Voice of Tajik, the international service intended for neighbouring countries in Asia and the Middle East on 7245 kHz between 0200 and 1600 UTC. You will find one or two-hour segments in Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Russian Tajik, and Uzbek throughout the day. European DXers frequently note English broadcasts at 1300-1400 UTC. The transmitter site for Voice of Tajik is at Orzu.

There have been occasional e-QSLs from the Voice of Tajik, so try the following two addresses: info@ktr.tj or try radiotojikiston@gmail.com

73 and good DX to you all,

Rob Wagner VK3BVW

Radio stations featured in the Spotlight series

Note: This series covers more than ten years, so the frequencies and times mentioned in some of the articles may be out-of-date. Refer to the latest schedule information for current operating times.

SPOTLIGHT: SICHUAN ETHNIC RADIO

SPOTLIGHT: IFRIKYA FM

SPOTLIGHT: THE VOICE OF JINLING

SPOTLIGHT: TAJIKISTAN ON SHORTWAVE

SPOTLIGHT: TRANS WORLD RADIO AFRICA

SPOTLIGHT: BBC ASCENSION ISLAND RELAY STATION

SPOTLIGHT: JAPAN’S PRIVATE SHORTWAVE STATION

SPOTLIGHT: VOICE OF BEIBU BAY RADIO

SPOTLIGHT: WONDERFUL WOOFFERTON

SPOTLIGHT: RADIO MIRAYA - THE SOUND OF SUDAN! (Sadly, this station no longer operates on shortwave)

SPOTLIGHT: RADIO VANUATU

SPOTLIGHT: KYRGYZSTAN ON SHORTWAVE