Work committments kept me far from this column. I beg your pardon! However, luckily enough, they didn't kept me completely away from radio. Gotta different stories to tell you. They'll be in spare order, but I'll try to summarize everything from where we left it.

Another Italian MW one
 

Prompted by a message on the "Bclnews" list and blog, in the evening of 5th October I gave a try to 1476 kHz where a new Italian station was announced to be testing. Medjugorje Italia Tv was the given name. A signal, in the range of S5-7, was there at 20.45 UTC, as you can witness in this video. Despite the religious denomination, the broadcaster was hitting the waves with a music loop including Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" and "Poker Face". Id was given only one time in the whole cycle, and it revealed also the e-mail address medjugorjeitaliatv[at]libero[dot]it. At present day, my report to that addy, sent on 7th October, is still pending. However, starting from that info, I was able to find an online source for Medjugorje Italia Tv: a website referring to a television channel, which seems to be offline. Playing a bit with the DNS lookup, you'll discover a name tied to previous "experimental" broadcasting experiences in the lake Garda area, like Tele Giovanni Paolo II (which had an MW outlet too, on 1620 kHz). I won't go further on this, nor I did check the following nights the signal, even if someone wrote it's quite good as it's from the same transmitting site (and antenna) of Challenger Radio (in Padova, Villa Estense). As a matter of fact, the only MW licensed broadcasting in Italy is from Rai, the national public radio. Everything else, comes from borderline interpretations of few lines on a law, and – as such – it's undefined in its future life. Aside this, I still can't see how listeners can enjoy a music loop for the whole night!

A(n) touching American history
 

One night, guess it was around 10th October, returning home from work I found in my mailbox one of the several SAE I send along with QSLs/Reception reports. It had a US mechanic stamp, and sender address was Californian. I couldn't tell much from this, as my outgoing flow is quite consistent, especially to the States. I did then open the envelope. It contained a card, in answer to one I sent as SWL. However, in the very moment I noticed the call on it, something I had read previously popped up in my mind. Excitement for a rare Country confirmation left its space to intense feelings, almost goosebumps. The card was to QSL my reception of T6AF, from Afghanistan, in RTTY, on 20 meters, during March 2010. However, all this didn't count then: I knew James McLaughlin had died, killed in Kabul by an Afghan pilot, along with other several Americans, on 27th April 2011. I was holding in my hands a QSL from an operator who will not be able to transmit once again (his home call was WA2EWE). It was strange and touching. Reading the card, I discovered it was sent by K6KLY, who – I suppose – took over on QSL duties for his colleague. In a few words, not only the promise of a card from T6 was kept (and that's the expectation I had when I sent my card), but Jim was being survived by the marks he left on the spectrum, and by the kindness of a friend. I'm not easy to be touched, but that night I was. I guess this is enlightning about ham spirit, and I hope everyone who hasn't caught the sense of QSLing so far will have a chance to read this. 73, James. I'm sure the bands doesn't show any QRM where you are now!

NCS for one day
 

In my IX1CKN clothes, I lived, on 9th October, an instructing experience. The local radio Club (ARI Aosta) asked if I was able to join in a radio net supporting the "Jolly Rally" taking place in Aosta and surroundings. I had been assigned, with Antonio IX1AOH, and Carlo IX1VGS, to the Net Control Station, situated at "Cittadella dei Giovani". The set-up was simple: two V/UHF radios, with collinear antennas. The race was not far from us, and we wanted to play safe as far as comms were involved. Someone asked me what is such a net about. I answer that you couldn't give the green flag to the rally without us. Five operators where on each of the four race segments. Everything was being monitored and reported, in real time, to the race director, sitting in front of us NCS hams, and asking to be constantly updated. We had a couple accidents, but nothing that seriously affected pilots. Cars were quickly removed, or were left in a position not troubling following ones, and everything went smooth. In my radio shift, I soon understood concentration was the main point. In such a situation, you are ears and mouth of the race director: you can't pretend an ham on the race track to feel at ease if you're not calm and collected. If you'll put uncertitude into the mike, the same thing will go out on the other end, and it will return back to you. So, being clear, firm, kind, polite and available to recognize your errors is the key. I don't know if I succeeded. I did try, and thanks to IX1BFL, IX1AQW, IX1OAE, IX1AZJ, and IW1APE for having "baptised" me as NCS first timer.

10 meters again!
 

Saturday 8th October, ten meters worked following the pattern they showed in previous week-ends. At first, in the morning, Russia and neighborood. Then, skip got longer, reaching Asia at the beginning of the afternoon, to turn to the Americas in the end. Such an incredible propagation allowed me, and my completely barefoot set-up (less than 100 watts and an homemade vertical), some seven QSOs: US3IFB, UR4MKY, UX3IT, UX1LN, EK6TA (which has to be my best QRB of the day), RX6AM, and UI7F/6. First contact at 10.55 UTC, last one at 15.49. However, as it happens in such circumstancies, the best part is what you hear, not what you work. So, please enjoy how AP2IA, Ijaz in Lahore, and CX7CO, Carlos in Montevideo, were coming in IX1 land (loc. JN35pr) respectively at 11.52 UTC on 28489.8 kHz, and at 16.11 UTC on 28630. The whole day was made even more pleasant by the continuous info exchange I had not thanks to the cluster, but via Twitter, much more interactive and fun. That way, I learnt also about the 10-10 net, being an an organization of amateur radio operators dedicated to maintaining high levels of amateur radio communications on the 10-meter amateur band. This might sound a bit obvious, but check their website, or follow them on Twitter, and you'll realize it's not. Before starting to write this long story, ten meters were alive again with Uruguay on 28491, heard here at real 5 by 9. What else to say, but "long live to 28 MHz"!

First CKN QSLs…
 

Day after day, time passed and patience led to the first two QSLs for IX1CKN. In the mailbox (bear in mind, if you want a card from me, that I'm not a buro member yet, so it has to be done direct for paper, eQSL or LOTW for electronic) I had the pleasure to find confirmations from PY7CPC – Peres in Recife, Brasil, who I had QSO with on 20 mt., last August – and 5B4KH, George in Nicosia, Cyprus, worked during the IOTA contest, on 31st July, on 10 meters. Two simple cards, rather old style (no picture on both), but containing the essentials. Peres, knowing it was my first QSO with his country, also added in the envelope a paper brazilian flag. If this isn't the final courtesy! So, two countries up, 327 to go. The way to the Honor Roll is long!

…and KC2YXI new one

Speaking about cards, I can't hide I've a new one for my US call. KC2YXI, so far, sent out a "no picture, basic data" card. Now, since the current week, thanks to the kindness and to the creativity of Giorgio IZ4AKS, I've a photographic one. And a very nice one, even. Manhattan, home for my call, is displayed in a portrait taken from the river, in which clouds add to the charming overall atmosphere. DXCoffee.com logo is there, and I couldn't be more proud of that. Look for me on one of US local repeaters, via the Echolnik (for me it's 100% ham radio), if you want this new creation.

QSL de Radio Trans Mundial

As witnessed by this clip, on 19th July 2011, I had the chance to pick up Radio Trans Mundial, from Sao Paulo, Brasil, on 11735 kHz. It isn't a so regular one, here. So, after reading some reports about this station confirming e-mail reports, I fired one to the address rtm[at]transmundial[dot]com[dot]br . Answer came yesterday, 13th October, under the form of a duly completed full data QSL card. It was filled and signed by Rudolf Grimm. The interesting thing is that he is a Dxer too, and you can read his blog DX Ways-Br to learn what he's up (of course, it's also on the side link list). In the envelope came also some magazines and publications. Thanks Rudy. It's not that easy, nowadays, to QSL brasilian stations, and to get such a sharp confirmation can make but a DXer day!

Going V/UHF collinear!
 

It was time I had to "settle" my V/UHF home station (consisting mainly of an FT-8800). As I previously tested the area surrounding home with portable set-ups, I know it's not big deal here. No way to sneak out of the Valley, no DX chances. So, I wanted something to give me good results in terms of local traffic. Dear friend IX1VGS, Carlo, had a spare Diamond collinear in its garage. It's the shortest one (X-30N), and I installed it yesterday. So far, reports are good, and local repeaters all have me transiting with good signal. If the test will go on with such results, I'll buy one. No deal to put up a 5 mt. Antenna, when you can fulfil your deeds with a 1,3 one!

That's it. Now the backlog is over. Back to regular schedule, under the promise to update you more often.

73,
Chris

Italian MW springtime brings  new stations, but also their confirmations. My report to Media Veneta Radio (for this reception, on 1233 kHz), sent on 21st September to the address mediavenetabroadcast[at]libero[dot]it went answered. On 25th September, I got an acknowledgement e-mail. The short message, signed "MediaVenetaRadio 1233", states "low power tests", with a "quarter wave antenna", from the "Padova province". Most of all, it's interesting to note, since I put in my report a (negative) comment about the possible switch to 1305 kHz (as per an anonymous comment on Andy Lawendel's blog, "Radiopassioni"), how the station referred to this as to "someone else's fantasy". So, expect to find Media Veneta Radio still on 1233 kHz. The mail came with the above image attached, in which the Venitian lion is shown, and the station's name and frequency appear along an AM/DRM mention. However, the latter broadcasting mode doesn't seems active and looks like another mystery, among many others, in the Italian MW springtime!

73,
Chris

Summer is over, as I’m typing these lines, but on Medium Wave, in Italy, it’s springtime. Yes, new stations are growing like mushrooms, and it could turn out an interesting exercise for DXers in countries bordering with our (and also in the rest of Europe, why not!). It all started with Radio Studio X, in the Pistoia area (Tuscany), on 1584 kHz, several years ago. This station reigned alone (or almost so, given some very irregular experiments in Verona) for years, and it's still on the air, as you can see below.
 

Italian authorities doesn’t release licenses for Medium Wave broadcasting (the only authorised presence there is Rai, the national radio, with several transmitters on the whole band), but the law looks like keeping an “open door”, as it mentions “experimental broadcasts”, although without specifying what characteristics have to be fulfiled. So, on that horizon line, even if pretty thin, new stations are venturing. This makes them quite elusive on their set-up, or location, and force to a partial programs grid, but some details have surfaced so far, and many of those have given feedback to listeners.
 

First one to add its name to the list, a couple years ago, has been Challenger Radio, on 1368 kHz. The main transmitter is at Villa Estense, in Padova, with a 10 kW power. After a long test phase, with mainly children songs on the air, they now have a more rich schedule, including the relay of Voice of America, IRRS, and European Gospel Radio. More recently, Challenger – which on 1368 kHz simply blasts, reaching well outside Italy (see above) – added a second frequency. 1566 kHz. It’s said to be from Rome, but with lower power (1 kW). The night I managed to receive this transmitter (really hard to get in northern Italy, due to a very crowded channel), it was in parallel with 1368. I’ve yet to send my report, but the station do QSL, as it can be shown on this blog. A third transmitter should also have been switched on, always from Rome, on 1575 kHz (with the idea to bring it also, at a later date, on 1566).

Two others stations that started with Challenger – and they even syndicated themselves under the “Progetto AM Italia” insignia (this article tells it all) – are Onda Media Broadcast on 1512 kHz (in the Bologna area), and BroadcastItalia on 1485 kHz. Former is said to relay Voice of Russia in Italian, while latter should offer a variety of programs, as announced on its website (that also streams the signal on the net). The guys in Rome, as shown on this clip, seem to have particular care for the technical side. Further than the new antenna, they also plan a power upgrade from the current 1 to a future 2,5 kW. Bologna tx is reported to put out 1.2 kW. However, I never had a chance to hear these two. Here, 1512 has IRIB Ardabil strong as ever just after sunset kicks in, and 1485 is simply overloaded with Spain (and many other countries). E-qsls have been sent out from BroadcastItalia, and Onda Media has confirmed with an SMS, within 21 minutes, the report of a listener (the phone number is on the site hosting the news).

We then come to more recent birth station. On 1233 kHz (but on Andy Lawendel’s blog a bird tweeted they’ll start/move also on 1305 kHz) you can find Media Veneta Broadcast, that lately changed in Media Veneta Radio. Transmitter is reported, by Herman Boel on his EMWG, to be in Piove di Sacco, near Padova, with a 0.1 kW output. It might be a paradox, but thanks to a quite Europe free channel (with the only exception of Absolute Radio, but hard to hear before darkness) it’s the one I received better in my north-western corner. Transmissions are currently made of 70/80’s non stop music and the station looks to confirm via e-mail (stating also a quarter wave antenna) from the address mediavenetabroadcast@libero.it.
 

The already mentioned 1566 kHz is home also for Radio Kolbe, a religious broadcaster that added AM to its huge offer (including FM, satellite, DVB-T, and Internet). Daytime coverage is provided in the Padova/Vicenza/Verona area, as shown in this map, including also FM tx areas. Night, as usual, increases chances of a reception, but this service is still being experimented at low power (0.5 kW), so it really has to struggle with the many others stations on the frequency. Kolbe has been received in Austria, however. Listeners’ reports have been confirmed by the station’s technical engineer, Mr. Alberto De Pretto, who is also an OM (IW3IJI). E-mail: alberto[at]depretto.it.

Remaining on 1566 kHz, it has to be underlined that some reports are existing for a station named Melody Radio. See, for example, this video (shot in august 2010), and another one here, from last July. The signal is a CQuam stereo, but searches on the net haven’t revealed much on the station. Judging from the daytime reception locations of the two clips, and looking at details given by EMWG, the transmitter should be in Ravenna, with a power of 0.25 kW. QSLs aren’t reported. More than Melody, a mystery!

Last, but only in chronological order, Radiomarina, which is testing on 1071 kHz. Schedule is very erratic. So far, it has been heard mostly during week-ends. The name of the station, along with the picture on the QSL (displaying Goro’s lighthouse), and with the answers received by some listeners, situates this transmitter in the Venezia Province. Radiomarina is using an LPB-Communications AM-150 tx, generating some 150 watts, and a sixty meters long wire antenna. The gear is minimal, but it has to be very well set-up, as at 19 UTC the station has been heard in Ligury, so at a 250 kilometres distance from the transmitter. It remains, anyways, also due to the irregular transmissions, a rare catch. So, should you hear it, don’t hesitate to send your report to radiomarina[at]wifi4all.it.

To make this as complete as possible, the tests started by two stations in Sicily have to be added to the bunch. First one is Radio Poggio Lupo, on 1503 kHz, in the Catania Province, with the other being Radio Gold Italia, on 1593 kHz. These look to have been on the air not that much, but some week-end they did. Check Bclnews.it, from time to time, as it seems the appropriate source for announcements on those.

Now, you’ll agree on Italian MW springtime. For sure, the band here is not dying. To be completely true, however, the main point remain unsolved. We have a bunch of wave adventurers performing “test transmissions” (basically, non stop music with IDs each two songs), with not always coverage linear results (as per the chart opening this story, in Aosta I received just three of all the mentioned stations… and if a signal originating at no more than 300 kms from you gets buried under Iran, something is wrong somewhere!), with regular transmissions start being incognito. Leaving aside the “who pays?” question, one can only wonder which added value to the listeners can be provided by all these “spring gems”. However, that’s another story, as this piece was about reception, and time will tell who’ll resist winter.

73,
Chris

Radio 538 (from the Netherlands, the number in the name is a tribute to the original Radio Veronica wavelenght, in the seventies) confirmed my reception on 1st August 2011, at 00.05 UTC on 891 kHz, by filling the above PFC. So, we learn that the transmitting site is Hulsberg, with an output of 20 kW. In the envelope I received there was also a QSL letter, along with an information sheet on the station (which has a huge network of FM transmitters in the Netherlands, on the national channel of 102 MHz, and only 891 kHz as MW frequency). Report was sent a few days after the reception, via surface mail. Answer came yesterday, 16th September, and verie signer is Mr. Rene van de Kolk, broadcast engineer for the station. Thanks a lot, Radio 538!

73,
Chris

Another UK medium wave station from the 31st July 2011 log confirmed! Postman delivered yesterday an envelope with the filled PFC by talkSport. A verie signer that I can read only by name, Peter, confirmed reception on 1089 kHz, at 23.48 UTC. He then added transmitting site as Brookman's Park, with a 100 kW power. On the card, close to his signature, he glued a sticker of the station, as signature, and other ones were in the envelope. Report was sent via snail mail, and took less than ten days to be acknowledged. Thanks Peter, for a quick one!

73,
Chris

Stuart Edwards, Technology Manager at Absolute Radio (UK), verified my reception on 1215 kHz, last 31st July, by filling the PFC I sent along the report via snail mail, and with a thanking note, in which he states the transmitter I received has to be Droitwich, operating at 500 kW. The reception from that night (23.31 UTC) can be witnessed here. It's always pleasant to receive feedback from a station, and also UK isn't easiest catch from Italy on MW. Thanks a lot Stuart!

73,
Chris