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

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.

--


*John Beattie*

"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

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

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

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

dxAce wrote:

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.

Here's the link, you might have to cut and paste:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/0936653094/ref=dp_primary-product-display_1//102-5233202-5468948?condition=all



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