,661 - Archive copies of DX MAGAZINE - worldwide dx club

26functioning, and while not recognized by world governments, there are, indeed, significant trading partners,including China and Turkey.In fact, it is difficult to find any data on Chinese SW xmtr manufacturers, though surely there have been, andprobably still are, such makers. But, Chinese firms are known to have brokered and installed some highpowered SW transmitters made by RIZ, the Croatian electronics mfger (e.g., in Myanmar) so while the transmitter,indeed, may be Chinese in make, it could instead be the economical, solid state RIZ OR-100 K-03/A SW transmittermade in Croatia, which has received decent reviews as relatively cheap and reliable, particularly in low-tech ThirdWorld areas.The transmitter, antenna, etc. entered Somaliland by air sometime in June and and were stored at the guardedMinistry of Information compound in Hargeisa. Two Chinese techs arrived about the same time, with 13 morearriving very early in July.Of course, in practice, the estimated 40 day maximum installation time could be delayed beyond the scheduledcompletion Aug. 10. It would be surprising if that deadline is actually met. But the time frame, inreality, should be reasonably short.What we don't yet know is what frequency will be used for tests oreventual regular service. We should be on thealert though for a big newsignal testing soon. (Don Jensen-WI-USA, DXplorer July 22)Probably I guess only the well known Chinese transmitter manufacturer BBEF will erect this 100 kW SW unit, aswell has done in whole Africa, like Ethiopia, Sudan, Mali, Chad, Zanzibar and Eritrea ... as well as Korea D.P.R. too.(wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews July 22)SOUTH AFRICA - 7395.009 NHK Radio Japan Tokyo in Swahili via Meyerton relay site, scheduled 0315-0400UT, observed around 0350-0358 UT, poor signal S=4 level here in Germany. Compared with DWL 7300 kHz latterwhich is stronger here in Europe. (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 12)SRI LANKA - THE LARGE DEUTSCHE WELLE RELAY STATION AT TRINCOMALEE.The picturesque and strategic harbor at Trincomalee is situated on the east coast of the island of Sri Lanka, ataround one third of the way down the total eastern coastline. The harbor is well attested in ancient times, and it wasvisited by the famous Italian explorer and traveler, Marco Polo, on his return visit from China in the year 1292. Theharbor was in use by the British Royal Navy as a submarine base during World War 2, acting as a guard point to thewide Bay of Bengal. There was also a British Royal Air Force base nearby.On August 12, 1980, representatives from Deutsche Welle in Germany and the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporationin Colombo signed a mutual agreement, whereby a large radio broadcasting station, mediumwave & shortwave,would be constructed at the former Royal Navy Base, a dozen miles north of Trincomalee Harbor. This originalagreement provided for one mediumwave transmitter at 600 kW, three shortwave transmitters at 250 kW, and onecommunication transmitter at 10 kW. An additional clause provided for a doubling of the station's broadcastingequipment, if needed.The Trincomalee site is located in the community of Perkara and it was originally under consideration for use byTrans World Radio TWR, though they subsequently preferred to build their station north of Colombo, near the westcoast of the island. The original concept on the part of Deutsche Welle was that the large Trincomalee-Perkara relaystation would be a joint project between Deutsche Welle in Germany & Radio Tehran in Iran.Throughout the development of the station, progress always seemed to be somewhat slow, due to the isolation ofthe area, and at times also to the incursions of local insurgents. Construction work on the 242 acre site at Perkarabegan in October 1982. Some of the old colonial buildings from the British days were modified and updated for useby the station, and several buildings were constructed new.Local wildlife also played its part at various times in causing disruption at the station, with occasional elephant herdsbreaking through the perimeter fencing and tramping through the property. Then again, there were the occasionalfights and adventures on the part of monkeys who enjoyed swinging through the wires in the curtain antennasystems. Crocodiles also ventured onto the station property on occasions.Test broadcasts from the first shortwave transmitter were noted on December 1, 1984, and also from the secondshortwave transmitter a fewweeks later, in early January 1985. In April, test broadcasts were noted from themediumwave transmitter; and in mid year, the third shortwave transmitter became airborne. Electric power wasgenerated at the station itself.