At about 1043 UTC on Tuesday, the 13th day of October 2026, I tuned in to the Voice of Turkey, broadcasting on 17670 kHz in the Northern Uzbek language.

The broadcast was coming from the 500 kW transmitter in Emirler, Turkey.

Above:- Map showing the location of Emirler, Turkey. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of the Voice of Turkey very good. The signal strength was strong. There was no interference from other stations and there was only slight fading of the signal.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of the Voice of Turkey.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 13 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 12 Oct 2026].

At about 1009 UTC on Tuesday, the 13th day of October 2026, I tuned in to China Radio International (CRI), broadcasting on 17740 kHz in the English language.

The broadcast was coming from the 500 kW transmitter in Xianyang, China.

Above:- Map showing the location of Xianyang, China. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of CRI was excellent.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FRG7
• Alpha Delta sloper antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of CRI.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 13 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 13 Oct 2026].

At about 1003 UTC on Tuesday, the 13th day of October 2026, I tuned in to XSQ Guangzhou Coast Radio Station, broadcasting on 17398.

The broadcast was coming from Guangzhou in southern China.

Above:- Map showing the location of Guangzhou, China. Image c/o Wikipedia.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of XSQ.

References.

1. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 13 October 2026)

At about 0958 UTC on Monday, the 12th day of October 2026, I tuned in to Reach Beyond Australia, broadcasting on 11965 kHz in the Indonesian language.

The broadcast was coming from the 1 kW transmitter in Kununurra, Western Australia.

Above:- Map showing the location of Kununurra, W.A. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of Reach Beyond Australia was excellent. The signal strength was very strong. There was no interference from other stations and there was only slight fading of the signal.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of Reach Beyond Australia.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 12 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 12 Oct 2026].

At about 0907 UTC on Monday, the 12th day of October 2026, I tuned in to KBS World Radio, South Korea, broadcasting on 9770 kHz in the English language.

The broadcast was coming from the 100 kW transmitter in Kimjae, South Korea.

Above:- Map showing the location of Kimjae, South Korea. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of VOA was very good. The signal strength was strong. There was no interference from other stations and there was only slight fading of the signal. There were some static crashes on the band.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of KBS World Radio.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 12 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 12 Oct 2026].

At about 0206 UTC on Monday, the 12th day of October 2026, I tuned in to Radyo Pilipinas, broadcasting on 17750 kHz in the English language.

Paul VK5PASvk5pasEdit Profile

The broadcast was coming from the 250 kW transmitter in Tinang, Philippines.

Above:- Map showing the location of Tinang, Philippines. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of Radyo Pilipinas was very good. The signal strength was strong. There was no interference from other stations and there was only slight fading of the signal.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of Radyo Pilipinas.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 12 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 12 Oct 2026].

At about 2159 UTC on Monday, the 12th day of October 2026, I tuned in to the Voice of America (VOA), broadcasting on 15140 kHz in the Korean language.

The broadcast was coming from the 250 kW transmitter in Tinang, Philippines. The target audience was the Korean peninsula, particularly North Korea.

Above:- Map showing the location of Tinang, Philippines. Image c/o Wikipedia.

The overall reception of VOA was very good. The signal strength was strong. There was no interference from other stations and there was only slight fading of the signal.

My equipment:-

• Yaesu FTdx101MP
• dipole antenna

Below is a short video showing my reception of VOA.

References.

1. World Radio TV Handbook 2026
2. Shortwave.Live (n.d.) Shortwave radio schedule database. Available at: https://shortwave.live/ (Accessed: 12 October 2026).
3. Short-wave.info. (2023). Short-Wave Radio Frequency Schedule. [online] Available at: http://www.short-wave.info/index.php [Accessed: 12 Oct 2026].

This afternoon, I downloaded the Geocache app on my mobile and headed around the corner from home and located my first Geocache. I found it quite amazing how accurate the app was on the phone.

I was pleased to confirm my first ever geocache and see the smiley face appear.

The cache is located in close proximity to the old chapel on Henry Martin Road, Ashbourne. The cache is not on private property.

The foundation stone of the old Giles Flat Primitive Methodist Chapel was laid on the 20th day of March 1890. The church opened on the 19th day of October 1890. (Tucker 2021)

The Christian Colonist dated 7th November 1890 reported that about 250 people attended the Monday tea. (1890 News of Churches)

Above: article from the Christian COlonist, Fri 7 Nov 1890. Image c/o Trove

Sadly, the old chapel is now a ruin and is located on private property.

References.

1. 1890 ‘News of the Churches.’, Christian Colonist (SA : 1878 – 1894), 7 November, p. 6. , viewed 15 Oct 2026, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article214703561
2. Tucker; C, 2021, History Time Line for Finniss Flat (later Ashbourne)

In recent years, I have operated under several special-event callsigns, which, of course, have attracted a lot of attention, including requests for QSL cards. I have noted that some people have made some basic errors when sending cards. They include:

• not following instructions on QRZ.com
• incorrect information on the QSL card, e.g wrong date, wrong mode
• missing information on the card, e.g. no full date

In recent times I have delivered some presentations via Zoom to USA amateur radio clubs on QSL cards. The presentation includes:

• what is a QSL card
• what does QSL mean
• history of QSL cards
• types of QSL cards
• Choosing a QSL card
• What does a QSL card contain
• some basics when filling out a card
• QSL instructions
• QSL Bureaus
• Tips when sending direct
• OQRS
• some historic QSL cards

If any club is interested in me delivering the presentation, please drop me an email to simmopa@gmail.com. I would be very happy to speak with your club.

A QSL card is more than just a piece of ‘wallpaper.’ It is a permanent record of a radio contact and, in many circumstances, documentary evidence supporting an amateur radio award. A little care in completing the card can make all the difference.

Which brings me to my final comment…..electronic QSL cards via email.

With the increasing popularity of electronic QSL cards, some amateur radio operators have adopted the practice of emailing JPEG or PDF copies of their QSL cards rather than sending traditional printed cards through the postal system or QSL bureau. While these cards are often attractive, they are generally not accepted for amateur radio awards, e.g. ARRL DXCC,

I had a brilliant evening on radio last night.

A few weekends ago, I spoke with Craig VK3CRG who had organised to operate from a Scout group in Geelong on Tues 13th October evening. Craig was keen for me to come up on air and speak with the Scouts.

So that is what I did last night. I joined Craig on 7.150 on the 40m band. There were about 30 scouts in attendance. I spoke on air with 17 scouts – boys and girls. I also spoke with their leader, Laura.

Andre VK3MAW also joined us.

It was a great evening. We spoke about various things, amateur radio related and also various other topics. The Scouts had plenty of questions for Andre and myself, and we fired back numerous questions to them.

There was no ‘umming and ahing.’ The kids were absolutely brilliant on air and very engaging.

Well done Craig, a great initiative. We need more people like you in the hobby.

Andre, you were terrific with the kids.

I will be sending Craig a stack of my QSL cards for each of the kids I spoke with as a bit of a memento.

Craig has advised that some of the kids have shown an interest in obtaining their Foundation licence.

Andre has offered to send some Foundation manuals to Craig. Well done mate.

Again, a great evening. It was an absolute pleasure to speak with the Scouts.