Category Archives: Broadcasters

Win a Tecsun PL-660 in this KBC listener appreciation contest

The Mighty KBC is giving away a Tecsun PL-660 in their new listener contest. The best part? With each valid reception report (see details below) you get an extra entry in the contest. Multiple entries are encouraged.

The contest runs from now until December 31, 2014. Read below for full details:

(Source: The Mighty KBC)

Commemorating KBC Import/Export 25^th Anniversary, KBC Import/Export announces The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest.

The contest runs from May 1, 2014 until December 31, 2014.

Prize
Brand new Tecsun PL-660 receiver including rechargeable batteries, ear buds, manual and soft case. More Tecsun PL-660information at the KBC Import/Export website.

Contest Rules
Send a valid reception report of a Mighty KBC broadcast. One report/entry per person per broadcast is acceptable. Please include the following items in the reception report.

Date of reception.

Time of reception.

Frequency of reception.

Program Details.

Program Comments.

Reception Conditions.

Receiving Equipment.

Contact information as we need a way to contact the winner.

Program comments are very important. Only a report including program comments are considered as a valid contest entry. Please do not send same comment every time. Also, please send something meaningful other than “I really liked the show”, etc. Tell us what was enjoyed about the show. Tell us what was not liked about the show. Tell us if part of the show is very enjoyable compared to the other parts of the show. Tell us if a part of the show should never be heard again!

Good or bad program comments are OK. Please describe/explain comment.

Send report indicating The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest either by email or postal mail.

Email address is [email protected]

Postal address is

The Mighty KBC
Argonstraat 6
6718 WT Ede
The Netherlands

The more valid reports, the better chance a listener has of winning the contest.

Winner Selection and Notification
One winner is determined in a random draw by KBC Import/Export.

KBC Import/Export decision is final.

Winner is responsible for paying any import taxes, duties, etc.

Prize is not transferrable.

Prize is not exchangeable.

Winner agrees to allow KBC Import/Export to use winner’s name and country of residence for promotional purposes.

Winner provides a valid mailing address as we’ll be sending the prize via the postal mail. If winner does not provide a valid mailing address within a reasonable amount of time the winner is disqualified and KBC Import/Export has the right to draw another random name of valid entries as the winner.

The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest is open to listeners around the world. Employees of KBC Import/Export, The Mighty KBC DJs/personalities and employees of the Nauen, Germany transmission site are not permitted to participate in the contest.

The Mighty KBC Listener Appreciation Contest is sponsored by KBC Import/Export and Kraig Krist, KG4LAC.

PCJ International test broadcast: May 18, 2014

1 Reply

Keith Perron notes that PCJ International will be doing their first test broadcast from the shortwave radio site they have built in Taiwan. Keith notes: “To cut down the bureaucratic process of registering the frequency with the NCC, RTI [Radio Taiwan International] will be letting us use one of their frequencies for the test.”

Here are the details:

Target: Southeast Asia
Time: 1300 – 1400UTC
Frequency: 11765khz
Power: 20kW

Detailed reception reports will be appreciated.

Draft bill outlines major changes to BBG and US International Broadcasting

3 Replies

Many thanks to Dan Robinson who shares this post on the BBG Watch which outlines major changes to US International Broadcasting.

The draft bill, originating in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is known as the United States International Communications Reform Act of 2014. The bill outlines:

“the creation of the United States International Communications Agency within the executive branch of Government as an independent establishment”
creating an Advisory Board of the United States International Communications Agency–as the name implies, this board would serve in an advisory (in lieu of management) capacity
a new CEO of the United States International Communications Agency, who would be “appointed for a five-year term and renewable at the Board’s discretion. The CEO would exercise broad executive powers.”
the creation of the Consolidated Grantee Organization, for the non-federal grantees of the BBG who would be consolidated “and reconstituted under a single organizational structure and management framework.” This would affect the following agencies:
- Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL),
- Radio Free Asia (RFA), and
- Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN)
“The Consolidated Grantee Organization would have its own board and its own CEO.”
“The Voice of America would be placed within the the United States International Communications Agency.”
Changes to the VOA charter including more freedom and flexibility to report the news. BBG Watch quotes: “The Voice of America’s success over more than seven decades has created valuable brand identity and international recognition that justifies the maintenance of the Voice of America; the Voice of America’s public diplomacy mission remains essential to broader United States Government efforts to communicate with foreign populations; and despite its tremendous historical success, the Voice of America would benefit substantially from a recalibration of Federal international broadcasting agencies and resources, which would provide the Voice of America with greater mission focus and flexibility in the deployment of news, programming, and content.”
The new bill also outlines sharing resources between the VOA and the new Consolidated Grantee Organization (which currently maintains much of its own network infrastructure)

There are many, many more points to this bill thus I would encourage you to read the BBG Watch post in full for all details.

Radio Australia in NA: best times and frequencies on Saturdays?

7 Replies

My good friend, Rob De Santos, is trying to identify the best times and frequencies to hear Radio Australia across North America on Saturdays. Can you help him?

Rob writes:

“I am updating a page on my website with shortwave info on Radio Australia’s Grandstand coverage of Australian football. Typically this occurs on Friday night / Saturday morning US time (0330 to 1230 UTC Saturday, varies). As you all know, RA does not target North America and hasn’t for some time however some of the frequencies can be heard here.

I can tell you which ones I can hear in Columbus, OH but that doesn’t really give me much feel for all of the USA or Canada so I need your feedback. What is best in Vancouver, BC and Naples, FL are not likely identical and not at the same hours.

Which RA frequencies are best at your location between 0330 and 1230 UTC Saturdays? Are there particular hours better than others?

If you can [comment here] with the best frequencies and your QTH that would be terrific. The more geographic diversity and individual experience I can get the better advice I can give on the web page.

Thanks,
Rob de Santos”

Readers: if you can help Rob, please comment below. Many thanks in advance!

An open letter to the BBG

Chris field records NHK while traveling in Peru

1 Reply

SWLing Post reader, Chris, has just shared a recording of NHK World he made while traveling in Peru on Monday (April 21st, 2014).

Yes, that’s his photo above taken in the picturesque coastal town of Máncora. Can you tell I’m envious?

Chris recorded this broadcast starting at 10:00 UTC on 9,625 kHz with a Sony ICF-SW7600G and using a Sangean ANT-60 antenna. The actual recording was made with Chris’ Sony ICD SX712 digital recorder and he uploaded it using a Dell Windows 8.1 (8 inch) tablet.

That, Chris, is a nice field recording combo!

Click here to download his recording as an MP3, or simply listen via the embedded player below. This recording will also be available on the Shortwave Radio Audio Archive.