bpnjensen wrote:
November 9, 2004 - The geomagnetic disturbance wasn't bad for
everyone, everywhere. From my QTH near San Francisco, California,
about 37.7 degrees N, tropical stations below 5 MHz were popping
everywhere. Most were very weak, which is typical anyway, but there
were a lot more of them, and some were surprisingly loud. Several
Brazilians were doing splendidly, and I tripled my lifetime total of
Guatemalans, including several easily-heard IDs.

The standout was Radio Verdad, 4052.5 kHz, from Chiquimula,
Guatemala.
At only 800 watts, this little gem came charging through the scuzz.
SINPO = 15231 to 25232, very bad atmospheric noise, but the signal
increase was just that tad bigger. From 0250 until 0325, I was able
to copy enough to work up a reception report for potential QSL.
Copied the station playing several numbers from "Prairie Home
Companion," with Garrison Keillor's voice wafting through the ether,
then onto hymns and evangelical discussion in Spanish. Faded out by
0330, but showed up again about 0545, with playback of an unid
EE-language play or interview to 0600.
snips

Dr. Edgar Amilcar Madrid at Radio Verdad comes through with a QSL for
this reception! For November 9, 2004, 0250 - 0315 UTC, lists as 700
watts output at the transmitter. A cute homemade card, listing the
station as Estacion Educativa Evangelica "RADIO VERDAD." Includes the
above information, his address in Chiquimula, Guatemala, the
transmitter location "Monte Horeb y el Cerro de la Gloria," a bible
verse in Spanish (John 5:32), a photo of the station buildings, and a
somewhat complex logo drawing.

I am very proud of this card. It is my first in many ears, and has the
best overall "watts per mile" ratio of any station I have QSLed (if not
heard).

Dr. Madrid also sends along several other items, including a U.S. tax
deductible receipt (!) for postage money, a nice one page history of
the station detailing some of its trials and tribulations over the last
four years (especially that his station engineer died in August 2004
:-(, an official 2004 calendar, a summary of his reception area (which
is worldwide, more than 45 nations), a discussion for setting up a
shortwave system capable of hearing R. Verdad, a printed warning about
a virus spreading using the Radio Verdad e-mail name, a small
anti-alcohol banner stating "El alcohol adormece al hombre, para
despertar a la bestia" (loosely translated, alcohol destroys man,
transforming him into a beast), and finally, a thoroughly charming item
- a "check" from the Bank of Eternal Life, signed by the Lord Himself,
paid to the order of "todo aquel que cree" (all those that believe), in
the sum of "Vida Eterna." It will enjoy a place in the album next to
the QSL card.

Dr. Madrid's written information is very charming and earnest. My
sincerest hopes go out for Radio Verdad and the continuation of its
mission and transmission.

Bruce Jensen