Month: July 2023

Morocco

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Medi 1 (171 kHz).
This transmitter has gone off the air. I usually have usable reception at night here in Shannon, Ireland. I cannot see a carrier on any of the SDRs in Southern Europe either.

Back on now (21.50 UTC)

Conor Burns (2023-07-09)

Morocco

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SNRT al-Idaâ al-Watania Oujda .
The Moroccan station that broadcasts from Oujda, and which has traditionally been broadcasting on 594 kHz (instead of the nominal 596 kHz), has been broadcasting on 595 kHz for a few weeks.

Jorge Garzón to iberiaDX iog (2023-07-08)

Mongolia

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There has been no activity from Mongolia on 209 kHz as of 2350 UTC on Thursday July 6th. The carrier came online at 2156 and stayed steady up until 2225 when there was a total outage. At 2258 the signal returned on an intermittent basis before disappearing at 2350.

Conor Burns (2023-07-07)

United States

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License cancelled: 7/7/2023: KDBV-980 Salinas, California.

Dennis Gibson to irca iog (2023-07-07)


Since the last NRC pattern book (2018) that came out, Canada/US have lost 75 stations, if I counted correctly. Some 50 KWers too.

Patrick Martin to irca iog (2023-07-07)

Benin

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TWR Radio 1566 ID.
Last night Benin on 1566 peaked up just enough for an ID here in VE6 again.

For those still looking for a Benin ID, I share this because its an example of “if you know what to listen for” it can really help.
Last night Benin on both 1476 and 1566 had a fair signal peak before carrier shut down at 5:10ut.
TWR on 1566 for the last month has been like clockwork with an ID at 05;07ut, just before carrier shut down at 5:10ut. The sequence is 2 sets of chimes/bells, then a male with the verbal ID.
Here is a chance to test your DX ears, and perhaps new headphones to see if you can copy the ID. It is there. It might take a few repeats to hear it.
2 sets of the distinctive bell sequence, then at :24 sec, very weak male: “This is TWR radio, fifteen sixty-six, speaking hope to the world”:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yfy-r0ilL75SEECwpW81ZseQmoNrDDHp/view?pli=1

Sure this is extremely weak, but….that’s why it’s called…..DX!
I know I have already shared this a week or so ago, but for those still looking for an ID, I encourage you check at exactly 5;07 ut for this ID sequence.
Here again is a very strong version of the same ID sequence from Bill Whitacre to help you know what to listen for:
http://realmonitor.com/QH16/210530/105/0400/benin-1566.mp3

Steve ve6wz, Sundre, AB to irca iog (2023-07-07)

Australia

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Islamic Voice – Melbourne off the air?.
Re. https://mediumwave.info/2023/07/06/australia-59/
I have just checked 1701 kHz here at my location 10km east of Melbourne and currently there is no signal there at all.
Not sure why they are off the air. Maybe their transmitter is faulty.
According to the Internet, they are listed as still being on air.

Robert Copeman to ICDX-AM iog (2023-07-07)

Mongolia

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At 1505 UTC today I observed that the 209 kHz frequency went from a steady carrier to nothing at all. I stand to be corrected on this, but to me it would suggest that only one transmitter on this frequency is currently active, likely Dalanzadgad in the south. Multiple transmitters going off the air at precisely the same moment seems unlikely in my opinion.

The remaining transmitters all appear to have serious technical issues. It would seem to me that any one or more of the following explanations would apply here:

  1. There is a difficulty in obtaining spare parts for the transmitters, most of which are now more than forty years old.
  1. There is a lack of in-house or local expertise available to carry out necessary repair work.
  1. Maintenance of the LW transmitters is not considered a matter of priority.

That’s my two cents on the matter. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who might have additional insight. Any and all attempts to obtain official information from the broadcaster have been unsuccessful so far. Until then, all we can do is speculate and make educated guesses,

Regards, Conor Burns (2023-07-06)