By Tim Lemmon, WK4U
Article 3 in a series of 5
Yep, 4pm is probably the worst time to hear broadcast stations on short wave. Even worse than lunch time! Some of the North American pirate radio stations start broadcasting about this time. More common a little later in the evening. Especially on weekends and holidays. 6925 USB is still best, but a somewhat active secondary frequency is 6850 (USB or AM). Try them both! Right now (at 4pm local) the grayline curve is hovering over Sweeden, Southern England, France and Spain - headed our way. We still have 4-5 hours till it's dark here in Atlanta. Practically all of the strong stations heard now are local religious stations. Other stations listed from noontime (last month's article) are still on the air now.
Consider synchronous AM mode if you have the capability! Synchronous AM (SAM) produces much richer and fade free AM reception than regular AM. SAM works on ham radio too. Once you hear it, you'll never go back... So Tim, what are some of the stations we can hear at 4pm? Glad you asked. Lets spin the dial and find out... Radio Netherlands on 7425 broadcasts in English from Madagascar beaming to South Africa. Do you know where Madagascar is? Radio Tunisia on 7345 broadcasts in Arabic to Northern Africa. Radio Kuwait on 9855 in Arabic beaming to Europe. Fairly strong signal here in Atlanta. Also 11990 with a stronger signal and different programming – typically Western style music. The BSKSA (Broadcasting Service from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on 9870 in Arabic.
The BBC on 9915 in Arabic from Cyprus beamed to the Middle East. Do you know where Cyprus is?
I can tell you it is a beautiful place! I wonder if the BBC's Arabic language has a British accent? Here's a tough DX catch – IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) Tehran on 9925 in English beaming from Iran to South Africa. They sign off at 4:30pm. Tehran does beam to North America later in our evening with a better signal. Deutesche Welle on 11670 from Sines (pronounced “SEE- ness”), Portugal in Arabic beaming from Sines to the Middle East for strong one-hop propagation. Radio Marti on 13820 (from Greenville, NC) being jammed as usual by Cuba. Radio Canada on 15235 in English (beamed from Canada to Northern Africa, with good signals in Atlanta). HCJB (Quito, Ecuador) on 15235 in DRM mode beaming to Europe for an hour. Low power (4 KW!) digital DRM station plays lots of good music. Have you tried digital short wave yet? Radio France International on 17620 in French beamed to West Africa from French Guiana. You know where French Guiana is, don't you?
Next month, welcome to some of the best programming you'll hear on short wave all day long! 8pm. Gosh, I think it's time for a delicious chocolate milkshake from Brusters! mmm. It's Summer ya know. Stay cool and enjoy the near sunspot-less DX till next month.
Tim, WK4U
tim_lemmon@yahoo.com