Tag Archives: Dan Greenall

Radio Televisyen Malaysia Active on Shortwave: New Logs from Kajang Transmitting Station

BBC Interval Signals – Then and Now

by Dan Greenall

A half century ago, the BBC World Service used a number of different interval signals. A few minutes prior to the start of a broadcast, a recognizable, often repeating tune would be played that would enable listeners to more easily locate the BBC in a crowded band on a typical analog receiver.

A peek into the 1975 World Radio TV Handbook notes a few of these. There was the Morse signal V (as in, V for Victory), primarily used for broadcasts to Europe. It was also identified as 4 notes tuned B-B-B-E, and an example can be found on Jerry Johnston’s page of shortwave interval signals:

https://www.iaswww.com/swmp3/intervalsignals/simple_is.php

Next, a version of the children’s nursery rhyme “Oranges and Lemons” was used during the 1970’s, and I have managed to save a recording of it here:

https://archive.org/details/oranges-and-lemons_202510

Then, there were the three notes “B-B-C” in tonic scale. This was assigned to the World Service for Africa and other services.

Finally, though not listed in this edition of the handbook, was the highly recognizable sound of the Bow Bells. This one came into common use during World War Two when it was broadcast as a symbol of hope for the people of Europe. At least one source states that the original recording was made in 1926, now 100 years ago. Many recordings of the Bow Bells interval signal can be found online via YouTube.

More recently, many of the BBC World Service broadcasts seem to start up very abruptly. An open carrier appears on the frequency to be used only minutes, or even seconds, before the program (already in progress) begins. One example is noted in this recording made on February 5, 2026, just prior to 2200 UTC sign-on, on a frequency of 11645 kHz.

However, two of the above-mentioned tuning signals appear to still be occasionally in use. The three-note B-B-C was observed on March 4, 2026, at 0028 UTC on 7445 kHz. This recording was made through a Kiwi SDR on the island of Cyprus.

I also logged them using their Bow Bells interval signal on December 28, 2025 at 2358 UTC on 6155 kHz while listening on a Kiwi SDR in Thailand. Here is how they sounded then.

As well, SRAA reporter Paul Walker noted reception of the Bow Bells back in September 2025 on 9410 kHz. Follow this link to his report:

https://shortwavearchive.com/archive/bbc-world-service-carrier-and-interval-signal-september-19-20-and-25-2025?rq=paul%20walker

I would be curious if other listeners have heard any of these interval signals recently preceding BBC World Service broadcasts.

A Mystery Signal and a Fast Answer from UDXF

1 Reply

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who write:

Hi Thomas

I still have a tendency to scan the utility frequencies from time to time, much as I did over 50 years ago. Now, though, I can listen in through the various Kiwi SDR receivers scattered around the globe. Having obtained my amateur ticket in 1974, I got a lot of practice copying the CW repeating “markers”, especially those in the maritime bands.

Recently, on March 20 at 1821 UTC, to be exact, I came across a CW signal repeating the same message over and over on 6839 kHz, while tuning my friend Ken’s Kiwi SDR in Northern Thailand. The text read: VVV Q2M Q2M Q2M de NYZ NYZ

At first, I thought NYZ might be some kind of U.S. military callsign, but I decided to confer with an expert, Ary Boender, at the UDXF in the Netherlands. My e-mail was sent out at 10:57 am local time, and by 11:02 I had my answer! And not at all what I expected.

Ary writes:

This is a Chinese military station, Enigma designator M89.
Here is some info about it https://www.numbersoddities.nl/Chinese-military-nets.pdf
Also related is: https://www.numbersoddities.nl/M89-profile.pdf

My thanks to Ary and the UDXF, the Utility DXer’s Forum. This is a very useful site and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Utility DXing. Check it out here:
https://www.udxf.nl/index.html

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Is Nasional FM on Shortwave Full-Time?

2 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who writes:

Hi Thomas

Regarding a post on the WRTH Facebook page from December 17, 2025, there was a report that “Nasional FM” was testing a new transmitter in Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur. It seems I heard them last night around 0200 hours UTC using my friend’s Kiwi SDR in northern Thailand. I’ve attached a brief recording of their transmission in Malaysian.

Wonder if they are on the air full-time now?

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Dan Notes Voice of America’s Return to Shortwave

7 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Greenall, who shared the following message on March 1, 2026 [note the delay in posting Dan’s message due to recent site maintenance]:

Hi Thomas

This evening, I came across a sound on shortwave that I had not heard in a long time. It was the familiar tune of Yankee Doodle being played by the Voice of America on 7500 kHz just prior to 2200 hours UTC. According to both shortwave.live and the Short-wave Fan Facebook page, this was a half-hour program in Mandarin being broadcast through the VOA facility in Tinang, Philippines. They apparently are using a transmitter in Kuwait as well for a few other programs. Though none of the actual programs are in English, the ID at the beginning and end of the transmission are. Follow this link for their schedule.

Here are two brief recordings, one of their sign on at 2200, and the other at sign off at 2230 hours UTC. They were made using Kiwi SDR’s located in Europe.

(Update March 3, 2026) — In addition to the original log, I just heard the VOA signing on at 1530 UTC on 9310 kHz in Korean using a Kiwi SDR in Thailand. Same intro with the retro Yankee Doodle music and English ID.

Has anyone else been tuning into these?

Dan Greenall, Ontario, Canada

Music on Shortwave from Down Under

3 Replies

by Dan Greenall

Sometimes, while I’m puttering around at my desk, I like to listen to some music on the radio without the chatter of commercials and other talk interruptions. Now, in the dead of winter here in Canada, I often find myself looking for stations in warmer climates to help “escape” from all the bitter cold, ice, and snow. A few of these are low-powered stations in Australia, and can be accessed via SDR reception or even online. They are heavy on the music with less talk/announcements, and any of them would be a great DX catch outside of Australia and New Zealand.

Bay Islands Radio, Russell Island (near Brisbane), Queensland

5045 kHz shortwave or 88 MHz FM on the air 24/7

They advertise Monday to Friday 70’s-90’s remixes and pub rock weekends with old school rock.

Here are two recordings made recently using the VK4KY SDR:

They also stream online here: https://www.bayislandsradio.com.au/

Domestic Shortwave Australia VL8K, near Bendigo, Victoria

4835 kHz (24/7) and 2310 kHz (local night time) shortwave.

This is a low powered station owned and operated by VK3ASE, Dave, from a rural property near Bendigo, Victoria. It has been on the air since 2022 offering random, generally pre-recorded programs of music such as the Swingin’ 60’s with Paul Peters that I happened across one weekend. Good reception can be had through the use of various SDR’s located in Victoria or neighbouring South Australia, though I have heard them on some in New Zealand and Perth (Western Australia) at times putting in a respectable signal. Actual station ID’s are brief and seem to be aired sporadically in the middle of a musical selection. Examples of this can be heard in the two attached recordings.

Recording #1 (April 18, 2025)

“You are listening to VL8K Domestic Shortwave Australia on 4835 or 2310 kilohertz.” Listen around the 3:17 mark:

Recording #2 (April 10, 2025)

“Contact this station at VL8K at Outlook dot com.” Listen around the 2:11 mark:

Radio 567, Wee Waa, New South Wales

4970 and 2325 kHz shortwave (SW currently offline but check periodically).

Mostly rock and roll from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s

Here are two recordings made in April 2025, one using the VK2GGC SDR and the other via one in New Zealand:

They also stream online here: https://radio567.com.au/

I hope you enjoy tuning in to these entertaining low powered outlets.

The Remarkable Life of Dr. Leslie Radnay, W1PL

2 Replies

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Dan Greenall, who writes:

I know many of your readers are amateur radio operators and have a passion for all things radio. A couple of years ago, I was sorting through some of my old ham QSL’s and this one from W1PL caught my eye. A quick internet check confirmed he was indeed a silent key, however, I also uncovered his incredible story which I thought I would share here. Truly a remarkable individual.

Dr. Leslie (Laci) Radnay, W1PL

Dr. Leslie (Laci) Radnay, W1PL (1912-2008), is a story of how perseverance, determination, and the love of radio got him through the most challenging of circumstances imaginable, time and time again. In fact, it is truly the stuff that Hollywood movies are made of.

In spite of all of this, he was never too busy to help others. Certainly someone to look up to and admire for what he was able to accomplish, and I feel privileged to have had even just a brief contest-style QSO with him. He was instrumental in helping to start the Hungarian Radio Amateur Association and got on the air with a self-assigned callsign in 1928.

Click on this PDF file link to read his incredible story.

Attached are images of a number of QSL cards he issued over the years.

Thank you, Dan, for sharing.

Reading through Laci Radnay’s life story, I’m struck not only by the sheer scale of what he endured, but by how completely radio remained a constant thread throughout it all. Time and again, regimes changed, borders closed, equipment was confiscated, and lives were upended—yet radio, and the community surrounding it, always found a way back into his life.

W1PL’s story is a powerful reminder that amateur radio is far more than a technical pursuit; it is a human one. It builds resilience, forges lifelong friendships across borders, and, in Laci’s case, provided continuity, purpose, and connection through some of the darkest chapters of the 20th century.

I’m deeply grateful to Dan for sharing this remarkable story, and honored to help preserve the memory of an operator whose life so beautifully embodied the very best of our radio community. -Thomas