| Page 1 of 2 | 1 | 2 |
|
|
R. Verdad, Guatemala, during geomagnetic storm
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. Also R. Cultural Coatan (also Guatemala) around 0230 with IDs and "Buenas Noches" announcements to sign-off at 0239; some others. Icom R75, 45-foot random wire phased with 88-foot dipole, about 27' above ground. 73, Bruce Jensen |
"John Beattie" wrote in message hlink.net...
I was catching similar results last night at around the same time from Ventura, Ca. Radio Cultural Coatan was armchair copy, Radio Verdad was putting in a very good signal, and I was catching some fair audio from Voice of Guyana on 3291.1 (I usually can zero beat a carrier, and sometimes get some very weak audio). Unfortunately, I had to rush out to attend a meeting, so I didn't have time to log, etc. But what I was hearing was FAR better than normal for these bands! Drake R8B, 50 foot random wire phased with an Alpha Delta dx-swl sloper through an MFJ 1026. Hi, John - I had similar results Tuesday night after 0330 - R. Verdad was again a good copy, maybe better than the night before. As you did, I noticed V. Guyana also, but no strong audio here. These solar-geomagnetic storms are good for something after all. My set up antennawise is similar to yours in many ways - I have the DX-Ultra (the dipole) phased through the MFJ-1026 with the random wire antenna. I hope to have up my 75-meter loop soon, to see what that does for these signals. 73, Bruce Jensen |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Bruce Jensen wrote: 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. That's a nice one. I'm glad someone is getting some worthwhile QSL's. dxAce Michigan USA |
Absolutely wonderful..!!
Gives a really warm feeling to get such a lovely QSL = congratulations and well done! That's the beautiful part of our great hobby - moments such as that when you get a wonderful QSL from a tiny remote station. Pity a lot of the smaller stations don't bother to QSL, all the more satisfying when a small one does. Enjoy and report more of them to us. -- John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa South 33 d 47 m 32 s, East 20 d 07 m 32 s. RX Drake R8B, SW8 & ERGO software Sony 7600D GE SRIII BW XCR 30, Braun T1000, Sangean 818 & 803A. Hallicrafters SX-100, Eddystone 940 GE circa 50's radiogram Antenna's RF Systems DX 1 Pro, Datong AD-270 Kiwa MW Loop "Bruce Jensen" wrote in message oups.com... 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 |
Thanks, dxAce - I am very pleased with this one. Also have two others
outstanding right now for RAI Italy and SLBC Sri Lanka. Hopefully, reports of all of these will encourage others to try for them as well - I believe that maintenance of this hobby as a vibrant avocation for both broadcasters and listeners depends on this type of positive back-and-forth communication. Now if I can just master Arabic and Portuguese... BTW, my apologies to all for the multiple postings - Google was indicating newsgroup connection errors this morning, but apparently sent them through anyway. Bruce Jensen |
Bruce Jensen wrote: Thanks, dxAce - I am very pleased with this one. Also have two others outstanding right now for RAI Italy and SLBC Sri Lanka. Hopefully, reports of all of these will encourage others to try for them as well - I believe that maintenance of this hobby as a vibrant avocation for both broadcasters and listeners depends on this type of positive back-and-forth communication. Now if I can just master Arabic and Portuguese... You might try to find one of Gerry Dexter's Portuguese reporting guides on Amazon or Barnes & Noble, seems as though one of them either had one new, or through a used seller in the last couple weeks when I checked. Speaking of QSL's, I was on the phone twice last week with the Mauritanian Embassy trying to figure out a way to get them to verify. Very difficult explaining what one wants with someone who has no idea what you are requesting, and/or doesn't understand English very well. dxAce Michigan USA |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:34 AM. |
|
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com