Thanks to a tip from SWLing Post contributor Paul Walker, who spotted the news via WRTH and Mauno Ritola, we’ve learned that Voice of Nigeria (VON) is planning to reactivate its shortwave antenna system to better serve audiences across Africa.
According to a recent article from VON, the broadcaster aims to significantly expand its reach and improve signal quality as part of a renewed effort to fulfill its international broadcasting mission. The reactivation comes amid a broader strategic push to reassert Nigeria’s presence in regional and global media through improved technical infrastructure.
http://rx.linkfanel.net/ shows the location of internet accessible KiwiSDR receivers. They are all capable of DRM reception.in the HF bands. There are not any shown in Africa anywhere near the transmitter.
Their antenna has lots of gain. I have not been able to find any transmitter characteristics. Maybe they are buying a new one?!!
Have a look at the video
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Voice+of+Nigeria+Headquarters/@9.0762034,7.4719289,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e5!3m6!1sCIHM0ogKEICAgIC1yuSdygE!2e10!3e10!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAC9h4npCHWGIzukN3L6oefLRcsMLvFbsuZxp__x0RERe4C2zXIP9rrb5YnxDwtGjd3n9qVWFbitmCZtOt7vdljRZs029LAK8pLJ9AZ7Xn8cN_uzVwgzpSCvySRqKnAZS1NorzqybOs4zNQ%3Dw152-h86-k-no!7i3840!8i2160!4m7!3m6!1s0x104e0b9a191dc7eb:0xf653c5e9dd472154!8m2!3d9.0762034!4d7.4719289!10e5!16s%2Fg%2F1tdj6k0v?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYxNy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
To hear Nigerian DRM using these receivers, we will first have to wait until they actually relaunch the transmission. Fortunately, recordings of their previous broadcasts have been made and are available online:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1GmpjUxW18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xolQoW7If3c
Hank
China National Radio broadcasts domestically
https://new.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=A25&broadc=CNR
China Radio International
https://new.hfcc.org/data/schedbybrc.php?seas=A25&broadc=CRI
Seven of these transmitters broadcast DRM.
https://www.drm.org/china-takes-further-drm-steps/
It would be fun to hear Nigeria in English, not sure if they will have that service or if it would be hearable in North America. West Africa seems to be up-for-grabs between US Europe China and Russia carving out influence. I wonder what slant VON will take on news items? I certainly get enough SPAM emails from Nigeria, why not Radio, too (LOL) !
When they were last on, I think English was their main language, so I would expect it to be a mainstay of the revived broadcasts. Whether they do some analog so people can actually hear it or just the DRM (which was one of the first DRM broadcasts I was able to decode in the US years ago) is still to be seen, though.
I am speculating PRC engineers are involved with this project, especially with programming in Mandarin Chinese on deck. From what I read there are a fairly large number of projects going on in Africa with the help of the Chinese government.
Good news is that shortwave may not be as dead as people think!
Ver Good News ! I have qsl from Voice of Nigeria with ver Good dignas before. 73