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Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Christoph Ratzer (OE2CRM), who is well aware that I’m a fan of LRA36, so sent me a tip Saturday (September 26, 2020) at 19:40 UTC that LRA36 was being received in Europe.
I had been working a few POTA stations that afternoon, so simply tuned the IC-756 to 15476 kHz USB–the ‘656 Pro was connected to my large horizontal delta loop antenna. I was rewarded with excellent weak-signal reception from the Argentine Antarctic research station. The signal was surprisingly clear even though the signal was still near noise level.
Here’s a short video (hoping YouTube won’t remove it since there’s music involved–!):
Since the LRA36 signal was in upper sideband mode, the IC-756 Pro was exceptionally well suited to the task! The more I use this transceiver, the more I love it.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Harald (DL1AX) who shares the following (translated) announcement from the RAE Buenos Aires, German Service:
Dear friend,
On Saturday, September 19th LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel will broadcast from the Antarctic station Esperanza in Spanish, German and English.
The transmission takes place at 15.476 kHz in USB mode.
From 15:00 to 19:00 UTC in Spanish
From 19:00 to 19:30 UTC in German (1)
From 19:30 to 20:00 UTC in Spanish
From 20:00 to 2030 UTC in German (2)
From 20:30 to 22:00 UTC in English
Reception reports will be confirmed with a special QSL card from LRA 36, please write to: [email protected]
Two 30-minute programs will be broadcast in German and will be presented to the world by Rayén Braun from RAE – Argentina.
For the dissemination of this information among DXers and radio amateurs as well as for publication in social networks and the like. we would be grateful to you.
ATTENTION, important note: if the local weather conditions do not allow it, a new schedule will be planned.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adrian Korol, who shares the following announcement
LRA 36 National Radio Arcángel San Gabriel German language broadcast
This Saturday, August 29, the Argentine Antarctic station will broadcast in German from 16 to 1630 (19 to 1930 UTC) and from 17 to 1730 (20 to 2030 UTC) Two programs of 30 minutes each will be broadcast in German, with Rayen Braun, from RAE Argentina al Mundo. While from 12 local time (15 UTC) it will be broadcast in Spanish including Argentine music.
The closing of the transmission is scheduled for 19 local time (22 UTC) Frequency 15476 khz USB Receipt reports will be verified with eQSL
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adrian Korol, of RAE who informs me that LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel in Antarctica will broadcast 24 hours non-stop starting at 17:00 UTC on Saturday, The frequency will be 15476 kHz in upper sideband mode.
Photo from the Argentine Antarctic Base (LRA36) – Source: RAE
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Giuseppe Morlè (IZ0GZW), who shares the following:
Dear Thomas
Here is the link of to video regarding the transmission of LRA 36 in USB mode Saturday July 25, 2020 from 17.00 UTC on 15.476 MHz.
A good result if I think it was almost impossible to listen to it with the sun still high … the place where I listen, in Formia, Italy, is really excellent.
73. Giuseppe Morlè iz0gzw.
Thank you for sharing this, Giuseppe! I’m always impressed with the DX you catch there at your location in Formia! Grazie e ciao!
For years now I’ve attempted to get decent reception of LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel in Antarctica. At times, I’ve been able to barely hear their AM signal here in North Carolina–at least, see it as a faint line on my spectrum display and barely hear audio rise above the noise. But in truth I could never confirm anything more than “male voice” and “music” thus never bothered with a report in good faith.
Recently, we’ve posted announcements for a series of test broadcasts from LRA36 in single sideband (SSB). Two weekends ago, I couldn’t receive a single inkling of their signal, but this past Saturday, I finally heard the station well enough to submit a detailed report and recording in confidence.
I had actually set my SDR to record 20 kHz of spectrum at home while I made my first CW POTA activation at the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. A pop-up storm chased me away from the POTA site and it worried me that I had left my SDR running and connected to the antenna. Fortunately, none of the small thunder storms were directly over my home. Although there was heavy QRN due to local pop-up thunderstorms, their signal was there.
The following sample recording starts at 17:51 UTC (July 25, 2020) on 15476 kHz. It’s weak signal DX for sure, but interpretable. I made the recording with my WinRadio Excalibur SDR hooked up to a large Skyloop antenna. This clip starts with the song Juana Azurduy by Mercedes Sosa:
I’m so chuffed to add the LRA36 QSL to my collection! Broadcasting in SSB made all the difference!
Have you successfully logged LRA36 from your home? Please comment!
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Adrian Korol, who shares the following announcement:
RAE Argentina to the World, broadcasting from Antarctica
RAE will join a trial transmission by LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel, broadcasting from Base Esperanza, in the Argentine zone of Antarctica.
This Saturday, July 25, between 17:00 and 21:00 UTC, the Antarctic station will perform a series of tests on the 15476 kHz frequency (19-meter band), Upper Side Band, via a Collins HF80 transmitter and a rhombic antenna.
RAE Argentina al Mundo will put on the air two 30-minute programs, one in Spanish and the other in English, hosted by Fernando Farias, focusing on the history of RAE and LRA36 with historical files and information that listeners, DXers and radio amateurs alike will appreciate. On the Spanish-language show, Fernando is joined by RAE’s director Adrián Korol.
Let’s recall that last Saturday, July 18th, the first test USB transmissions were carried out with excellent results amid optimal broadcast conditions .
Damian Tranamil, LRA36 operator and technician, answered afterwards more than a hundred reception reports from all over the World.
Many listeners said they had the chance to pick up a station from Antarctica for the first time, while others said they were thrilled to be able to receive Arcángel San Gabriel’s signal for the first time in 20 years.
Accurate reception reports will be verified with an electronic QSL card (eQSL). They are to be sent to : [email protected]
We also appreciate listeners sending clips of them receiving our broadcast, or tagging us when they post on social media.
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