Cape of Good Hope Dxpedition 9th - 11th May

The picturesque Cape of Good Hope National Park was the destination for a brief family weekend break/dxpedition. The Cape of Good Hope (pictured above) is the most south-westerly point on the African continent. We had a pleasant stay at Eland family cottage, situated a few kilometers to the north.


There is plenty of space for beverages, particularly towards the NW (North America) and SW (South America). The proximity to the Atlantic coast (3 km towards the west) and False Bay coast (8 km towards the east) provides another important dx advantage.

Highlights :

660 0518 USA WFAN New York NY (50 kw)

680 0504 USA WRKO Boston MA (50 kw)

700 0530 USA WLW Cincinnatti OH (50 kw)

700 2320 ST VINCENT NBC Kingstown * Audio clip included *

710 0353 USA WOR New York NY (50 kw)

730 2358 COLOMBIA Radio Lider Bogata (100 kw)

750 0104 VENEZUELA RCR 750 Caracas (100 kw)

770 0005 COLOMBIA RCN SF de Bogota (100 kw)

790 0522 USA WNIS Norfolk VA (5 kw)

850 0453 USA WTAR Norfolk VA (25 kw)

870 0510 USA WWL New Orleans LA (50 kw)

880 0512 USA WCBS New York NY (50 kw)

900 0606 VENEZUELA Mara Ritmo 900,Maracaibo (25 kw)

980 0519 USA UNIDENTIFIED w discussion

1000 0514 USA WMVP Chicago IL (50 kw)

1010 0334 USA WINS New York NY (50 kw)

1017 1608 AUSTRALIA Vision Radio, Bunbury w hymn (tent)

1040 0404 USA WHO Des Moines IA (50 kw)

1050 0442 USA WEVD New York NY (50kw)

1060 0425 USA KYW Philadelphia PA (50 kw)

1130 0428 USA WBBR New York NY (50 kw)

1140 0406 USA WRVA Richmond VA (50 kw)

1160 0547 USA KSL Salt Lake City UT (50 kw)

1170 0345 USA WWVA Wheeling WV (50 kw)

1190 0350 USA WLIB New York NY (50 kw)

1200 0450 USA WOAI San Antonio TX (50 kw)

1460 2203 BRAZIL Radio Aqreste Sousa (250 watts)

1500 0515 USA WWWT Washington DC (50 kw)

1510 0543 USA WLAC Nashville TN (50 kw)

1520 0515 USA WWKB Buffalo NY (50 kw)

1530 0542 USA WCKY Cincinnati OH (50 kw)

1540 0540 USA KXEL Waterloo IA (50 kw)

1590 0546 USA UNIDENTIFIED w sports comm

1590 2207 BRAZIL Radio Globo Joinville (500 watts)

1600 2132 BRAZIL Radio Nove de Julho, Sao Paulo (20 kw) Regularly heard here with an impressive "local quality" signal on this occasion ! * Audio clip included *

1660 0415 USA WWRU Elisabeth NJ (1 kw)

1700 0222 USA KVNS Brownsville TX (880 watts)

Receivers : FRG7 and ICOM R71E

Antenna : 220 m BOG towards North America
120 m BOG towards South America

Vision Radio Margaret River WA 1611 QSL

It was a pleasant surprise to hear and identify Vision Radio Network on 1611 kHz for the first time at Fish Hoek on April 15th. The 400 watt Christian station from Margaret River WA is relatively new (The station commenced broadcasting in December 2007).

Broadcast Operations Manager Phil Edwards kindly verified my email report this morning. Thanks Phil. (My third WA narrowcast verification on 1611 kHz. I was also fortunate to receive verifications from 6GS, Wagin and 6MX, Albany).

Visit http://ucbmedia.com/blog/2007/12/19/ucb-australia-margaret-river/ for some additional information and pics regarding the station. Check out the pic of the shed housing the transmitter, including a brave broadcast engineer climbing the 46 meter high mast in order to inspect the fittings !

CBA Moncton NB 1070 QSL and audio

CBA Moncton NB, Canada will be signing off permanently from their mediumwave frequency of 1070 kHz and moving to 106.1 FM within the next few hours.

As a tribute, I've included a QSL from the reception of CBA on 30 January 1986 and audio from part of their sign/off announcement on 6 June 1988.

Sylvia Roy from Audience Relations was kind enough to include a friendly verification letter and other CBC related material including sticker and coverage map back in 1986. The station was last heard in South Africa during the late 1980s.

Jongensgat DXpedition - 10th to 14th March

Another enjoyable visit to Jongensgat with fellow dxers Vince Stevens, John Plimmer and Derrick Du Plessis produced some interesting dx, particularly from South America, despite a fair amount of static. (Click on pic above for higher resolution).

Dxing from Jongensgat provides a refreshing change from the regular reception of Brazilian stations heard across the MW band during the early hours in Fish Hoek. Instead, stations from Argentina tend to get through remarkably well.

Highlights included stations from Uruguay and Paraguay, some of which were noted for the first time :

550 0430 URUGUAY Radio Colonia, Colonia w id

590 0500 ARGENTINA Radio Continental, Buenos Aires w id and news

610 0501 URUGUAY Radio Rural, Montevideo w pr promos and id

700 0439 ARGENTINA Radio Cordoba (tent) w pop music

710 0352 ARGENTINA Radio Diez, Buenos Aires w id

790 0429 ARGENTINA Radio Mitre w ann and telephone no.

840 0407 ARGENTINA Radio Salta w id

870 0422 ARGENTINA Radio Nacional w ann by female presenter

900 0158 ARGENTINA Radio Provincia de Corrientes w id and accordian mx

910 0428 ARGENTINA La Red, Buenos Aires w 'Crockodile Rock' by Elton John

920 0252 PARAGUAY Radio Nacional del Paraguay, Asuncion w mx

940 0420 ARGENTINA Radio Chajari w multiple ids and promos

950 0356 ARGENTINA Radio Belgrano, Buenos Aires w id

990 0301 ARGENTINA AM 990 Formosa w 'Noche de Gallos'

999 1647 INDONESIA RRI Jakarta w id

1000 0432 UNIDENTIFIED (USA) w religious sermon

1020 0400 PARAGUAY Radio Nanduti, Asuncion w id and news

1030 0452 ARGENTINA Radio del Plata w id and anns

1050 0229 URUGUAY Radio Uruguay, Montevideo w jazz music including “I Love Paris” id at 0259 UTC as “La Radio Difusion Nacional de Uruguay” over nylon acoustic guitar music bed.

1100 0402 ARGENTINA Radio de la Ciudade Beunos Aires w news and wx

1130 0410 ARGENTINA Radio Nacional (tent) w ads

1140 0413 PARAGUAY w tent id ann including mention of 'Paraguay' and tx frequency

1150 0449 ARGENTINA Radio Brigadier, Sante Fe w anns

1160 0445 UNIDENTIFIED (South America) with song 'I'm Only Human'

1170 0418 URUGUAY Radiomudo, Montevideo (tent) w frequent mention of Uruguay

1190 0446 ARGENTINA Radio America, Buenos Aires w 'Marieta' by Francisco Tarrega performed by classical guitarist Naciso Yepes. Station and program id at 0446 by male presenter preceded continuation of classical orchestral music. Excellent signal
* Audio sample on the right hand side of the web page *

1210 0415 UNIDENTIFIED (South America) w 'Clocks' by Coldplay.

1215 0212 UK Virgin Radio w 'Kiss Form A Rose” and id at 0220 UTC

1270 0235 ARGENTINA Radio Provincia de Beunos Aires w mx

1287 1634 UNIDENTIFIED (Far East) w EZ listening music

1341 1748 UNIDENTIFIED in EE w old testament reading concerning the Israelites

1395 0155 HOLLAND BIG L w promo for “BIG L's Singles Connection”. Also noted the previous evening on 12/3 at 1820 UTC w 70's rock mx

1413 1755 JAPAN JOIF, Fukuoka w “All Night Nippon” id

1458 0200 UK Sunrise Radio w station id jingle, time check for 2 o'clock and news

Receiver : Icom R71

Antenna : 220 m BOG towards South America and 300 m Beverage towards the UK.

WJXL Jacksonville FL 1010 QSL

A surprise appearance of WJXL Jacksonville FL on 1010 kHz was noted for the first time (A South African First) during the early hours on the 1st November. The reception occurred at my QTH in Fish Hoek, via a recently acquired ICOM IC-R71E and an ALA 1530 loop antenna, suspended from my cupboard door. Co-channel WINS New York NY is the usual dominant station from the USA to make it through under favourable propagation conditions from North America.

I received a friendly email reply last night from WJXL's Programming Consultant, Tom Fridley who kindly verified my audio clip and reception report :

" ... Gary, What a pleasant surprise it was to read your thoughtful note and listen to the sound clip – indeed, it is our station in Jacksonville, FL. I am fascinated by your account and the detail with which you presented the information. I also took a quick look at your web site and was very impressed. And what a beautiful place it appears that you live ... I will share your email with others here at 1010 XL ... Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness! ~ Tom ... "

Thank you Tom for your interest and kind response !

4QL Longreach 540 QSL and Audio

A rare appearance of 4QL Longreach on 540 kHz on the 11th October 2007 included a local ABC Western Queensland id and weather report at the beginning of the breakfast programme.

 

Kevin McAlinden from the ABC kindly verified my reception report this morning and added : 

" ... I can confirm that you received the ABC Western Queensland Local Radio service that broadcasts on 540 kHz from our transmitter site at Longreach, Queensland. This is a 10kW ERP omnidirectional service with vertical polarisation. Thank you for the great photos and links. Best wishes to South Africa in this weekend's Rugby World Cup final ... "

Thanks Kevin for the reply and well wishes for the Rugby World Cup !

Audio

4RO Rockhampton QLD 990 QSL

The excellent reception conditions from Australia on the 11th October included 10 stations from Queensland which managed to make it through to Fish Hoek.

It was a surprise to receive 4RO Rockhampton for the first time (Another South African first). The station was heard with co-channel 6RPH Perth, the usual dominant Australian station on 990 kHz.

I received a prompt friendly reply from Michael Bailey who kindly responded to my email reception report this morning : " ... Well Hello South Africa. Hi Gary Yes that is us from the Land Downunder Well Done. Why don't you send over some of your music and I will give it a spin and best of luck in the rugby. Cheers Michael ... "

Thanks Michael for the reply and well wishes for the Rugby Final !

Radio Larrakia Darwin NT 94.5 FM QSL

Donna Odegaard, Chief Executive Officer of Radio Larrakia, Darwin NT kindly replied to my report regarding the recent reception of their FM station via 6WR Waringarri Radio on 693 kHz. She mentioned that station operations manager Steve Mclachlan would also respond accordingly.

During an internet search this evening I was a surprised to find my report and low res pics on Radio Larrakia's web site !

Check out http://www.radiolarrakia.org/home22222

I guess that this could be regarded as an on-line " FM via AM " verification - certainly my first !

3UZ Melbourne VIC 927 QSL

It was a pleasant surprise to hear 3UZ Radio Sport 927, Melbourne for the first time on the 14th September (A possible South African first). The station also made it through during the following evening on the 15th September with a few clear id's.

Chief Engineer Kelvin Brown kindly verified my report this week and added : " ... The audio quality was not too bad considering the distance and possibly a couple of bounces of the ionosphere ... We use a 5kW Nautel transmitter into a single vertical antenna. The transmitter is located at Lower Plenty which is approximately 15 kilometres from Melbourne Victoria ... "

2BL Sydney NSW 702 QSL

2BL Sydney is the flagship station of the ABC Local Radio Network and the first full-time radio station in Australia, having commenced broadcasting on the 23 November 1923.

6KP Karratha is the usual dominant Australian station on 702 kHz to make it through to Fish Hoek. An interesting one second delay of // ABC programming was noted on 702 kHz during the evening of the 15th September.

A lucky propagation break resulted in a local id from co-channel 2BL Sydney for the first time (A possible South African first). It was also unusual to hear signals from both the east and west coast of Australia simultaneously on the same frequency !

Natalie from 702 ABC Sydney kindly verified my email report.

6WB Kununurra WA 693 QSL

The north-eastern part of Western Australia, including the Northern Territory, can be quite a challenge to receive at Fish Hoek. Situated in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the town of Kununurra is only 30 km west of the Northern Territory border.

I was fortunate to hear 6WB Kununurra on 693 kHz during two consecutive evenings at the sports field location. Station identifications of 989 FM (14th September)and 94.5 FM Radio Larrakia, Darwin (15th September) were noted for the first time. Relays of both stations are carried during the local early hours.

General Manager Colin Cameron kindly verified my e-report this morning with a friendly reply : " ... Congratulations on taking the trouble in today's modern world to find distant stations on the AM Band. Without doubt that would be one of the best long distant reports I have ever come across ... "

1410 CFUN Vancouver BC received at Seefontein !

The astonishing reception of Canadian MW station CFUN, Vancouver BC on 1410 khz by fellow South African dxer John Plimmer occurred during a recent Dxpedition to Seefontein. In John's own words : " ... Quite the best catch I ever got in my life and the only station I have ever recorded West of the Rockies ... "

A recording of the actual reception on the 14th September has been included at the beginning of the audio clips section. John used his Icom IC-756 PRO III via a 300 m BOG (Beverage On Ground) "over the Shoulder " towards North America.

So far as I'm aware this is a new South African record. 1410 CFUN is the most distant Canadian MW station to reach South Africa at over 16 500 km. It is also the first MW station from British Columbia to be heard in SA. The station is almost 2000 km further away than CBW Winnipeg, Manitoba which I was fortunate to receive over 20 years ago.

Congratulations John on an amazing dx achievement and one of the best dx catches in years !

John also received a reply, on the 21st September, from CFUN Program Manager Stu Ferguson who kindly verified the reception.

YEMEN YRTC Aden 792 QSL

Millers Point is a good location for the reception of stations from Asia and the Far East. The actual dx location is close to Castle Rock which is situated a little further south along the coastal road towards Cape Point, approximately 100 metres above sea level. A steep cliff face on the inland side of the road allows for a 50 metre "over the shoulder" long wire antenna with an approximate 30 degree slope towards the south-east.

Good reception from the Middle East and Asia during the early evening of the 19th June included a fair and consistent signal from Yemen Radio, Program 2, English service on 792 kHz.

Engineer and Technical Director Ali Ahmed Tashy kindly verified my email report this evening.

Ganzekraal DXpedition Report - 9th to 12th August 2007

Another recent and relaxing holiday with the family to the serene coastal resort of Ganzekraal on the Atlantic west coast included some interesting AM dxing. Listening from the 9th to 12th August at the beach chalet (pic above) offered the following advantages :

* An elevated position overlooking the bay

* Only 50 meters from the shore line

* A really quiet noise floor when using 12v DC as a power source

* The ability to take full advantage of the ultra quiet circuit of the FRG7 via the preselector

* The reception of Far East stations from around 1430 UTC (4:30 pm local) with the sun still quite high up in the sky !

I set up an 80 m antenna which began as a sloper from the west side of the roof of the chalet and gradually progressed to a BOG (Beverage On Ground) directed towards South America.

Good evening reception was experienced off the back end of the sloper/BOG with some strong signals from China, India, Malaysia and Taiwan. Fangliao, Taiwan on 1503 kHz was usually the first station to fade up at around 1430 UTC.

A pleasant surprise was the reception of the Seychelles on MW for the first time ! I have been trying to hear this station for the past 30 years ! To the best of my knowledge this may also be the first time that the Seychelles has been heard on MW in South Africa.

Other highlights included the reception of Japan (1242, 1278 and 1413 kHz), the Philippines (1062, 1314, 1512 and 1530 kHz) and Zanzibar (585 kHz).

Early morning reception was much the same as experienced during the last visit with Brazil and Argentina dominating the band again. A few of the usual stations from the USA and the Caribbean were also noted briefly around local dawn. Strong peaks from 1640 WTNI and 1660 WWRU were by far the most regular of the few X banders noted from the USA.

The highlights : 

Freq Time Country Station

585 1805 ZANZIBAR Voice of Tanzania, Chumbum w news in EE and id as " ... This news is comming to you from Spice FM ... " - fair 10/8

585 1727 INDIA AIR Mumbai w cricket comm India vs England - poor 9/8

720 1631 INDIA AIR Chennai w news in EE - poor 10/8

801 1608 INDIA AIR Jabalpur w cricket comm - poor 9/8

927 1708 INDIA AIR Visakhapatnam w cricket comm - poor 10/8

936 1708 INDIA AIR Tiruchirapalli w cricket comm - fair 9/8

1044 1635 INDIA AIR Mumbai w cricket comm - fair 11/8

1062 1544 PHILIPPINES DZEC Pasig w EZ listening mx incl. "As Time Goes By" - fair 10/8

1098 1600 CHINA RTI Kouhu w "RTI News" - fair 9/8

1134 1624 CHINA CNR1 w ads // 1593 kHz - fair 10/8

1152 1615 PAKISTAN PBC Islamabad in EE w News and Current Affairs - fair 11/8

1242 1604 INDIA AIR Varanisi w cricket comm - fair 11/8

1242 1720 JAPAN JOLF Tokyo w anns - poor (heard briefly) 9/8

1278 1718 JAPAN JOFR Fukuoka w ads and RKB id - fair 9/8

1314 1522 PHILIPPINES DWXI Paranaque - poor 9/8

1323 1606 CHINA CRI in EE w "News Update" - excellent 11/8

1332 1615 PAKISTAN PBC in EE // 1152 - poor 11/8

1368 1738 SEYCHELLES SBC Victoria w live rock concert and some distinctive Mauritian inspired Sega music just before the National Anthem at 1800 UTC followed by s/off. Really pleased with the reception of this Indian Ocean island for the first time after more than 30 years of trying to hear the MW signal ! - very poor 10/8

1368 1804 CHINA Guangshui w anns - fair w good peaks 9/8

1377 1624 CHINA CNR1 Zhengzhou w ads and id // 1593 - very good 10/8

1395 1537 INDIA AIR Bikaner/Chennai w news in EE - poor 10/8

1395 1802 CHINA RGD Silingol w local mx - fair 9/8

1413 1717 JAPAN JOIF Fukuoka w anns - fair 9/8

1449 1610 MALDIVES Voice of Maldives Male in EE w news headlines and wx - fair w good peaks 10/8

1458 1636 MAYOTTE Radio Mayotte Pamandzi in FF w mx and anns - excellent 10/8

1467 1615 INDIA AIR Jeypore w cricket comm - fair peaks 10/8

1467 1546 THAILAND So.Wor.So Sathaanii, Bangkok w discussion - fair peaks 11/8

1475 1520 MALAYSIA Radio Malaysia w EE pops incl "The Look Of Love" and National Anthem w s/off at 1534 UTC - good peaks 10/8

1512 1547 PHILIPPINES DYAB Cebu, Philippines w talk back - poor 9/8

1530 1548 PHILIPPINES DZME w religious px - fair 9/8

1566 1539 INDIA AIR Nagpur w news in EE - very good 10/8

1575 1533 THAILAND VOA Ayutthaya news in special EE - good peaks 9/8

1593 1626 CHINA CNR1 w ads - good 10/8

2VM Moree NSW 1530 QSL

The excellent reception from Australia on the 13th April included a surprise appearance of 2VM Moree, New South Wales on 1530 kHz for the first time at Fish Hoek (and possibly South Africa).

I was fortunate to hear the station id at the beginning of a weather report at 1705 hours UTC before the CMR (Country Music Radio) network program relay.

Today I received a QSL letter and stickers from General Manager Pat Hetherington who kindly verified my reception report. He added that the station uses a RCA Ampliphase transmitter and broadcasts from a five-eigth length mast with a power of 2 kw.

ARGENTINA LR6 Radio Mitre Buenos Aires 790 QSL

A strong presence from Argentina was noted across the band during the early mornings at the recent Jongensgat DXpedition. LR6 Radio Mitre, Buenos Aires on 790 kHz was heard on the 17th April at a good consistent level with surprising peaks !

Monica de Carvalho (co-presenter of the program " Noche de Gallos ") kindly verified my Spanish report via email this evening. A brief recording of the signal (a program promo for "Noche de Gallos") has been added to the beginning of the audio clips section.

MALAWI MBC Radio 1 Lilongwe 594 QSL and Audio

Sunnyside is a picturesque resort which is situated north of Lesotho in the Free State, just past the Golden Gate Nature Reserve. The colourful sandstone formations in front of the resort are truly spectacular (pic above).

A family holiday in June/July 2005 included a memorable stay at Sunnyside. I took along the FRG7. Space allowed for an 80 m BOG which was directed towards the north. Africa and the Middle East were heard with strong signals. Although many of these stations are regularly heard throughout South Africa, the strength and clarity of dx from the African continent was the best I had ever experienced. Visit http://www.dxing.info/dxpeditions/kwazulu_2005_06-07.dx for a detailed report.

MBC Radio 1 from Lilongwe, Malawi was received on 594 kHz with a huge signal during a cold, teeth-chattering morning of minus 7 degrees C on the 29th June 2005. The excellent quality of the reception, included at the beginning of the audio clips section, inspired me to email a report to the station this week.

MBC Director of Engineering Joe Chikagwa kindly verified my e-report this evening. He added that they were currently not broadcasting on 594 kHz due to a lack of some spares but would advise as soon as they get back on air.

3SH Swan Hill VIC 1332 QSL

Stations from Victoria also manage to get through to Fish Hoek on rare occasions during very quiet solar conditions. 1332 3SH Swan Hill was heard with fair peaks during the excellent reception conditions experienced on the 13th April 2007.

It was a pleasant surprise to receive the following friendly reply from Program Director Len Johns who kindly verified my e-report this morning :

" ... Hey Gary, Yep, it is our station! We are amazed at how far the signal can travel when conditions are right ! We have heard of people receiving our signal throughout Australia but definitely not in South Africa ... Thanks for the email, very interesting & you’re the talk of the morning - might even mention this email on my radio shift this afternoon. The show you were listening to was The Travelling Fisherman ! – a show about where the fish are biting ! ... Having a look at the photos you live in a beautiful part of the world ! "

2CA Canberra ACT 1053 QSL 2

I was fortunate to receive a second verification from 2CA Canberra this evening. Announcer Thomas McCoy sent a friendly email reply confirming the reception on the 11th May.

Part of the reply :

" ... Thanks for taking the time to write to us with such a fascinating message. We normally beam a fairly good signal up and down the East Coast of Australia during the evenings, which spans a distance of a few thousand kilometres. But to skip right across to Cape Town, at almost 11,000 kilometres away, is absolutely amazing ... I've checked our schedule and can confirm that you were definitely listening to us... Anyway, thanks again for getting in touch. And if you're ever in Canberra we'd be happy to show you our facilities ... "

My sincere thanks to Thomas and Gerry for kindly taking the time to reply and for showing an interest in a distant listener way beyond their normal coverage area !

2CA Canberra ACT 1053 QSL

New South Wales is rarely heard in Fish Hoek due to signal absorbtion from the auroral zone around the South Pole. However, stations from that part of the world do manage to get through during very quiet solar conditions.

2CA Canberra on 1053 kHz has been received at the location behind the Fish Hoek sports field on rare occasions. I was fortunate to hear two id's in between their Golden Oldies format during an excellent opening from Australia on the 11th May. I also recognised a few of the songs and e-mailed a report to the station.

I heard 2CA for the first time in June '86 but tried unsuccessfully to obtain a verification so it was a pleasant surprise to receive a friendly e-mail reply this morning from Musical Director Gerry Nyein.

Part of the reply :

" ... Yes, it was quite a thrill to learn of our reception in South Africa. I have spoken with our Senior Network Broadcast Technician and he tells that although the broadcast strength is only 5KW (directional) for 1053 2CA, we have one of the best transmitter positions in all of Australia. We have frequently been received in Queensland and in New Zealand ... Please be aware that digital radio broadcasting commences in all capital cities in Australia in 2009 and you will be able to hear us like we are next door to you ... 2CA celebrated 75 years of transmissions in Australia last year and remains one of Australia's oldest radio services ... All the best, happy listening ! "

Long Distance Listener - Dubbo Photo News

Managing Director of the Dubbo Photo News, Tim Pankhurst kindly forwarded a copy of an article concerning the reception in Fish Hoek, of 1251 2DU Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia. The story was published today. (The full article appears futher down on the right hand side of the web page).

It's encouraging that MW dxing still has the ablility to make the news despite today's satellite and internet streaming technology !

KKGM Dallas TX 1630 QSL

1630 KKGM Dallas TX made it through to Ganzekraal on the 28th April 2007. It was a pleasure to identify the station for the first time when the signal peaked to a fair level for brief periods with frequent id's in between their Southern Gospel mx px.

PD Jack Davis kindly verified my e-report on the 2nd May.

Ganzekraal DXpedition Report 27th April - 1st May 2007

Ganzekraal is a serene coastal resort on the Atlantic west coast, approximately 70 km north of Cape Town. I took the family for a brief and relaxing holiday to this tranquil part of the world.

I brought along the FRG7 in order to try out the dxing possibilities. Space allowed for a 120 m BOG (Beverage on Ground) directed towards Argentina and a 50 m longwire antenna directed towards North America.

Good evening reception was experienced from Tanzania and Kenya off the back end of the 120 m BOG. Highlights included signals from Pakistan (1152 Rawalpini), China (1422 Kashi) and Japan (1413 Fukuoka). Good X-band openings included some strong signals from Argentina, USA and Mexico.

The loggings :

Freq Time Country Station

603 1647 TANZANIA Radio Tanzania, Dodoma w ads - poor 29/4

621 1803 TANZANIA Radio Tanzania, Mbeya w anns - poor 29/4

675 1804 MALAWI MBC Radio 1, Ekwendeni w news and id - poor 30/4

720 1648 TANZANIA Radio Tanzania, Mwanza w ads including 'Safari Lager' - good 29/4

747 1625 KENYA KBC, Ngong in EE w id and 'Bible Teacher' px - very good 30/4

792 1625 YEMEN YRTC, Al-Hiswah in EE w sports scores and id at 1628 UTC - fair 29/4

1107 1927 KENYA KBC, Maralal // 747 kHz - poor 29/4

1134 1829 KENYA KBC, Kitale w px promo // 747 kHz - fair 29/4

1152 1612 PAKISTAN Radio Pakistan, Rawalpindi w EE news and reports - fair 30/4

1305 1924 KENYA KBC, Wajir // 747 kHz - fair 29/4

1413 1658 JAPAN JOIF Fukuoka w All Night Nippon px and KBC id - fair (heard briefly) 30/4

1422 1555 CHINA CRI, Kashi w s/off ann - fair 30/4

1440 1635 TANZANIA Dar-es-Salaam Radio 1 w id and mx - poor 30/4

1449 1644 MALDIVES Voice of Maldives w EE news - fair 30/4

1610 2040 ARGENTINA Radio Guaviyu w music promo - good 30/4

1620 0518 USA WTAW College Station TX w ann - very poor under WDHP 28/4

1620 2129 ARGENTINA Radio Vida, Monte Grande w id - fair w very good peaks 30/4

1620 2012 ARGENTINA Radio Italia, Buenos Aires w id and anns - poor 30/4

1630 0305 ARGENTINA AM Restauracion, Hurlingham w id - fair 1/5

1630 0500 USA KKGM Dallas TX w id and gospel mx - fair peak 28/4 *

1640 0501 USA WTNI Billoxi MS w news - good peak 30/4

1650 0216 USA UNIDENTIFIED w ad - very poor 1/5

1650 0508 USA WHKT Portsmouth VA w 'AM 16-50 Radio Disney' id - poor 30/4

1660 0246 USA KRZI Waco TX (presumed) w ESPN sports - fair 1/5 *

1660 0527 USA WCNZ Marco Island w talk back - good peak 30/4

1660 0415 USA WWRU Jersey City NY in KK - good 30/4

1660 2116 ARGENTINA Hosanna AM 1660, Ezeiza w mx - fair 30/4

1670 2058 ARGENTINA Radio Bethel, Buenos Aires w id - fair 30/4

1680 0522 USA WLAA Winter Garden FL (presumed) w a promo for a Mexican music show 'Musica de mariachi al domingo Mexicano' and 'Musica de Miami'. Also a mention of 'Coca Cola' and 'Red Bull' (possible sponsors) - poor 30/4. Thanks to Rocco Controneo and Jean Burnell for their kind assistance with the audio clip. *

1680 0245 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Radio Senda (presumed) w religious px in SS - good peak 1/5 *

1690 0515 ARGENTINA Radio Apocalipsis II, Buenos Aires w EE gospel song - good peak 28/4

1700 0250 USA La Preciosa Brownsville TX in SS w ad for 'ticket master.com' and mx - good 1/5

1700 0244 MEXICO XEPE Tijuana w 'Cash 1700' id and sports comm - fair 1/5

Teracom Pendant from Sweden

I received a QSL card (yes, they still exist !) last year, for the reception of Radio Sweden, Solvesborg on 1179 kHz.

It was a pleasant surprise to receive a letter last week from Teracom Service Technician Hakan Widenstedt. He also kindly included a pendant, a photograph of the antenna towers, antenna system details and coverage maps.

An extract of the letter :

" ... We, the three technicians serving the SW station in Horby and the MW Station of Solvesborg want to present you with our company flag for the extraordinary feat of catching our 1179kHz signal as far away as in South Africa ... We have been listening to the attached audio clip in the E-mail that was forwarded to us from our friends at Radio Sweden and we are very impressed ... It is unusual that we get reports from so far away. I remember, in the very early days of the Solvesborg station, there was a reception report from one famous DXer Arthur Cushing in New Zealand, but these occassions are of course very rare ... "

Thank you Hakan for kindly taking the time to write the letter and for including the pendant !

Jongensgat Dxpedition Report 16th - 19th April 2007

The cottage at Jongensgat overlooking the rocky coastline and the Indian Ocean is an excellent dx location, especially for MW stations from the Far East and Australia in the evenings and South America in the mornings.

It was interesting to hear Argentina across the band on various frequencies normaly dominated by Brazil.

It was also great to listen with fellow DXers John Plimmer, Vince Stevens and Derek Du Plessis who all contributed to another enjoyable dxpedition !

Highlights :

Freq Time Country Station

710 0450 ARGENTINA Radio Diez Buenos Aires w ann - good 17/4

790 0444 ARGENTINA Radio Mitre Buenos Aires w discussion - good

801 1648 GUAM KTWG Agana w religious px - poor 18/4

870 0238 ARGENTINA Radio National Buenos Aires w id - fair 19/4

1030 0050 ARGENTINA Radio del Plata w ads and id - very good 19/4

1053 1959 JAPAN JOAR Nagoya w ann - poor 18/4 *

1062 2028 PHILIPPINES DZEC Quezon City w anns - very good 18/4

1110 0120 ARGENTINA Unidentified ann - fair 19/4

1190 0116 ARGENTINA Radio America w id and jazz mx - fair 19/4

1242 1814 JAPAN JOLF Tokyo w ads - fair 18/4

1270 0540 ARGENTINA Radio Provincia de Buenos Aires w id - fair 18/4

1278 1748 JAPAN JOFR Fukuoka w discussion - good 18/4

1314 1600 PHILIPPINES DWXI Paranaque w id and s/off w severe stretched tape recording of the national anthem - fair 18/4

1314 1958 AUSTRALIA 3BT Ballarat (presumed) w mention of Victoria - poor

1323 1548 PHILIPPINES Unidentified w ann - fair 18/4 *

1332 1745 AUSTRALIA 3SH Swan Hill w ads - fair 16/4

1380 0530 CHILE Radio Corporacion w various station ids from the parent network - fair 18/4

1467 1602 AUSTRALIA 3ML Mildura w mx - fair 16/4

1512 1608 PHILIPPINES DYAB Cebu City w ann and mx - fair 18/4

1521 1748 AUSTRALIA 2QN Deniliquin w mx // 1566 - poor 16/4

1520 0532 ARGENTINA Radio Chascomius Chascomius w id - poor 18/4

1530 1606 PHILIPPINES DZME Quezon City w ann - fair 18/4

1566 1550 AUSTRALIA 3NE Wangaratta w mx - fair

1600 0500 URUGUAY Emisorra Continental, Pando w "Sembrando en la noche" - good 18/4 Thanks to Rocco Controneo for kindly listening to my audio clip and identifying the station ! Great to hear this 2 kw station on a frequency usually dominated by Radio Nove de Julho, Sao Paulo, Brazil. *

1610 0457 ARGENTINA Radio Guaviyu w music promo and id - good 18/4

1620 2107 ARGENTINA Radio Italia w anns - fair 18/4

1660 0447 ARGENTINA Hozanna AM 1660 Ezeiza w id - fair 18/4

1690 0440 ARGENTINA Radio Apocalipsis II Buenos Aires w mx - good 18/4

Receiver : FRG 7

Antenna : Various beverages