This is Radio Bulgaria’s weekly DX Program for radio amateurs and short wave fans and DXers . During the new winter radio season as of October 25, 2009 it will be included in our one-hour broadcasts starting as follows: Friday at 22.00 UTC on 6200 and 7400 kHz beamed to West Europe, Saturday at 00.00 and at 03.00 UTC on 5900 and 7400 kHz to North America, as well as in our half-hour broadcasts on Sunday at 07.30 UTC on 5900 and 7400 kHz and at 18.30 UTC on 6200 and 7400 kHz + 9700 kHz DRM to West Europe.

In this issue by DX Editor Dimiter Petrov, LZ1AF, with Broadcast Tips by Rumen Pankov: The Midway Island K4M DXpedition is over.The international DX team of 18 prominent DXers from the USA, Italy, Germany and Singapore with co-leaders Tom, N4XP, and Dave,WB4JTT, staged a big DXpedition to Midway Island, KH4 using the call sign K4M and were making the news on all ham bands. As you may know, the entire team gathered in Hawaii for their flight to Midway Island but their departure was delayed for three days due to a problem with the plane involving an oil leak.

So, the DXpedition team demonstrated exceptional operating skills and will be remembered. Regretfully, propagation conditions were not good to Europe most of the time but nevertheless, the pile ups were enormous. Although two of their antennas were destroyed by high winds and a transceiver and two amplifiers failed, they ended up with 61077 contacts!

QSL to: Midway 2009, Box 333, Bethlehem, Georgia 30620-9989, USA. All direct QSL requests must contain a self addressed envelope and sufficient return postage or NEW (not expired) IRCs. Do not send IRCs that expire December 31, 2009.

Oldest National Amateur Radio Society Marks 100th Anniversary

In 2010, the Wireless Institute of Australia (WIA) – the oldest national Amateur Radio society – will celebrate its 100th anniversary. On March 11, 1910, the WIA had its beginnings when a group of wireless pioneers gathered at the Australia, Martin Place in Sydney. These early hams wanted to protect their interests and rights against what they considered to be harsh treatment by authorities – and a high license fee. Chairman of the founding meeting, George Taylor, proposed “the formation of an institution amongst experimenters and enthusiasts in wireless for their mutual benefit.” From that meeting, the Institute of Wireless Telegraphy of Australia – later, the WIA has continued to protect and enhance the privileges of radio amateurs and to promote Amateur Radio in Australia and beyond.

WIA President Michael Owen, VK3KI, said he would like the worldwide Amateur Radio community to join in the celebration. In the October edition of the WIA’s member journal Amateur Radio Magazine Owen announced a program that will include a special call sign – VK100WIA – that will be operated next May by the WIA, and then many affiliated clubs around Australia for the next 5 months. A commemorative QSL card will be issued for contacts with VK100WIA between May and October next year. A limited edition operating award, the WIA Centenary Award, will also be available; two contacts with VK100WIA are required to receive this award.

A program of events is being planned to coincide with the WIA’s annual meeting, scheduled for May 2010 in Canberra, the national capital. Radio clubs throughout Australia are planning events to promote the centenary of organized Amateur Radio in Australia.

“The WIA is not resting on its laurels,” said ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ. “In recent years, the Institute has implemented a fundamental restructuring of the organization, has taken on administrative functions to keep Australian Amateur Radio healthy and has achieved growth both in new licensees and in membership. In short, WIA is well positioned to begin its second century of service to the Amateur Radio community.”

DXpedition to Easter Island, XR0Y

The XR0Y DXpedition to Easter Island will take place between October 31 and November 15, 2009.

It will be a lightweight, small expedition led by 6 operators: SQ8X, Stan and SP7HOV, Zbig from Poland, Sv2KBS, Victoria from Greece, NI1L, Leszek from the USA, CE6TBN, Marco from Chile and PA3C, Aart fro Holland. Since the island is still most wanted on 30 meters, the band will be their priority.

Broadcast Tips

Nigeria. Radio Biafra was received in Sofia at 19.05 hours on 12050 kHz with a program in English.

Myanmar. Radio Myanmar was heard at the beginning of its emission in a local language at 00.30 hours on 7200 kHz, identification signal with a string instrument and gongs.

Armenia. Public Radio of Armenia was received with a program in English and French between 17.40 and 18 hours on 4810 and 1395 kHz. After 18 hours on 4810 kHz started a program in Arabic and on 1395 kHz in Armenian.

St. Helena. The only broadcast in 2009 of Radio Saint Helena will take place on November 14, Saturday on the traditional frequency of 11092.5 kHz upper sideband. The Party-On-The-Air program in English will be aired from 20 to 01 hours as follows: to South Asia from 20 hours; to Japan from 21 hours; to Europe from 22 hours and to North and Central America from 23.30 hours. For obtaining a QSL card are needed a reception report plus 5 Euro sent to: Radio St. Helena, P.O.Box 93, Jamestown, St. Helena, STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean, via Airmail, via United Kingdom & Ascension Island.

Gabon. Radio “Africa Number One” is on the air from 05 to 09 hours only on 9580 kHz and appears to have abandoned the frequency of 17630 kHz. Most likely its other frequency of 15475 kHz is no longer used between 18 and 19 hours.

With this we have come to the end of our weekly DX Program. Your opinions and suggestions will be appreciated and all reception reports confirmed with the QSL card of Radio Bulgaria. Please address your letters to English Section, Radio Bulgaria, Sofia, Bulgaria or by e-mail to english@bnr.bg .

So, 73 and DX!