BCLing isn't, at least in my opinion, about self-medalling, especially when it comes to QSLing. However, if your ears (and eyes)  are on the spectrum since a bit of time, you realize when you achieve an uncommon result.  Verifications wise, transmitting stations who relay, around the world, programmes from big broadcasters usually have shown a strict policy. All reports have to be confirmed (and consequently, are forwarded there) from the main station, not from the transmitting post. VOA, and other US Government "sponsored" shortwave transmissions (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Sawa, RadioFarda) are run by IBB, International Broadcasting Bureau. (while BBC ones are under VT Communications control). Udonthani station, in Thailand, despite the general policy, answered my report (sent directly to an e-mail address found on WRTH 2010, and concerning a Radio Sawa broadcast on the 15 MHz band) with a nice card depicting the relay station itself. Very glad of this one, as the card is nice, and it comes from the place where the broadcast has been aired, not from a secretary using an Excel grid (and not an audio archive) to confirm reports. Many of those relays, following the general HF dismissal trend, may be switched off soon. Try to confirm as many of them as you can before they're gone. It's a broadcasting era that will be over.

73,
Chris

In ham jargon, the "magic band" means 6 meters. In the place where I live, surrounded by Europe's highest roofs, that magic is very little, as it's limited to openings more sporadic than the E layer causing them (I have experienced TEP in 10 meters, for the first time in five years last april-may, and am still waiting for it to happen on 50 Mhz). So, for yours truly, the real magic band is medium wave. The slow fading classic of its propagation characteristics can reveal lots of gems, like pearls in water when tide retires. I know it's not MW season, but last week at late night I did gave the band a try, and some magic happened. Hear for yourself how, on 1530 kHz at 22.51 UTC, the Voice of America (from the transmitting station in Sao Tome) did struggle with Radio Romania Actualitati. Africa vs. Europe. At first, VOA was dominating (it's a female speaker, for a classy music programme), then RRA grew up, with equally interesting tunes. At top of the hour, the romanian id is very clear, but you can hear anyways the VOA announcement. All this with my R71, and the PA0RDT "Mini-whip" antenna, in a band intended for local coverage. Yes, they call it magic…
 

73,
Chris