Mail Roundup – August 19, 2023
A roundup of messages we've received in the last two weeks
Vlad Palcu, 19.08.2023, 11:24
Hi
guys!
It’s
still that wonderful part of the year when (I hope) most of us enjoy their
well-deserved summer holiday. We’ve had an action-packed summer here in Romania
with many headline-grabbing events and some really hot weather too. But more
importantly, we have received so many messages from you, which is why today’s
most is a bit longer than usual, as we thought we would share some of the
interesting ones.
***
One
of the first messages we received at the start of August was sent by Bidhan
Chandra Sanyal of India, who never misses an opportunity to remind us of the
highlight events of each month. This time around our listener wrote to us about
the International Friendship Day (July 30). Here is his message:
Friendship
ties one person to another. Only like-minded people can successfully form
friendships. It can develop at different stages of our life. Friendships are
usually formed between people of the same age, mindset and temperament. International
Friendship Day is celebrated on 30 July. However, in India, Bangladesh,
Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and USA, the first Sunday of August is marked as
Friendship Day.
In
1930 Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards, organized Friendship Day. He
organized this day on 2nd August, so that everyone can celebrate the festival
of friendship together. But soon everyone realizes that this is a trick to sell
greetings cards.
International
Friendship Day was proposed on July 30, 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade. This
organization promotes the establishment of a peaceful culture through
friendship. On July 20, 1958, the idea of celebrating World Friendship Day came
to Dr. Ramon Artemio Braco. He was having dinner with his friends in Puerto
Pinasco, Paraguay. It was then that the merry group of friends gave way to the
World Friendship Crusade. This organization works to develop selfless and
humanitarian friendships irrespective of caste, colour, religion, language,
gender. After this, in 1998, Nan Annan, the wife of the then Secretary General
of the United Nations, Kovi Annan, identified the Winnie the Pooh cartoon
character as the Ambassador of Friendship.
On
April 27, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared July 30
as the International Day of Friendship. The United Nations invites all states
to observe this day according to their own ideology and culture.
Friendship
between individuals, states, cultures will ensure peace. Besides this, it will
create bridges between different nations. International Friendship Day was
started for this purpose. Theme of International Friendship Day 2023:- Sharing
Human Consciousness Through Friendship continues to focus on building
meaningful connections and friendships between individuals.
On
this day friends celebrate each other with friendship bands, cards, gifts. While
hanging out with friends, spend time with each other. Extend your hand of
friendship on this year’s Friendship Day. Forget hatred, violence, differences
and embrace everyone.
Thank
for sending this beautiful message, Bidhan. We hope it reaches as wide an
audience as possible.
***
One
of our loyal listeners from Italy, Guido Panebianco sent us a number of reports
and messages in the last weeks, reporting good reception conditions on his
frequency. Here is a snapshot of his receiver he enclosed.
***
From
Mexico, Roman Moreno wrote to us praising the wonders of SW listening.
I
am from a small town in the north of Mexico. Desertic, dry area…. our summers
are between 40 -50 degrees C.
When
I was a kid, before dawn, 4, 5 a.m…..and for some reason I was awake, I used to
turn on the radio…. And I found out I could get radio signal from very very far
away places, cities in Mexico….
I
was amazed. How can an old radio received that far away radio stations ??? I
loved it.
I
didn’t know anything about Short Wave Radio…I found out about SW many years
later….
At
the beginning, I had a small notebook…where I used to write the stations I
get…. But, it turned so difficult to get SW radio stations, that i was just
glad when I found one. And I didn’t used my small notebook any more. And focus
in find the stations. I’ve gotten signals from Brazil, China, Cuba, Costa Rica,
USA (Cuba and USA are near form Mexico). From Europe, only you and Bulgaria.
I
thought QSL cards were a myth nowadays….. you know, send the QSL card, in a
post office…. I haven’t seen a letterman here in Mexico in years…..
I
guess now is different. I’ve never received any QSL. Hope to still getting your
signal, guys….!!!!
Dear
Roman, we’re so happy you are able to pick up our station and others across
continents. SW listening can indeed be fascinating to those who have a curious
mind for other cultures. We wish you good listening conditions and hope to hear
more from you soon.
***
At
the start of the month, we were touched to receive a very nice message from
Fred Waterer (Canada), who sent us a message celebrating his first QSL report
sent 45 years ago on that very day. Here is an excerpt from his email:
I hope this email finds you well.
I am a long time listener to RRI programs, going back
to the days when you were known as Radio Bucharest. I have been listening since
1978. One of the most interesting broadcasts I ever heard was in December 1989
a few days after the dictator Ceaucescu was executed.
I try to catch your programs as often as I can. Your
signals into North America where I live (St. Catharines Ontario, Canada near
Niagara Falls) are often some of the best on the shortwave bands.
Tonight (August 2, 2023) I listened at 0300 UTC on
9850 kHz. I would rate the SINPO as 44434
This is a special report for me as 45 years ago to the
day and even the minute, 17 year old me submitted his very first reception
report which was QSLed by HCJB in Quito, Ecuador for a broadcast on 11915 kHz
at 0340 UTC.
In 1978 shortwave listening was brand new to me and I
had no idea it would become a lifetime hobby.
It has been a long time since I sent for a QSL so I
decided in honour of 45 years of listening I would send one tonight at the
exact same time as I did in 1978. I picked Radio Romania International as it
has a reliable signal and lots of interesting programming and music.
It was wonderful to read your message, Fred, made us
all emotional. So nice to hear RRI was part of your festive moment. And it’s
wonderful to hear from passionate DXers such as yourself, who haven’t given up
their hobby after so many years. We’re honored to have you as part of our
community!
You can check out the QSL Fred was talking about below
***
From
Canada, Richard Lemke wrote to us to say that the Canadian International DX
Club is this year celebrating its 60th anniversary. Congratulations on this
special occasion Richard. We know you are a proud member since 1984, and that
RRI has been one of your favorite radio stations over the years. It’s really an
accomplishment I’m sure many of our listeners look up to.
***
As
always, we have also received a number of letters arriving at our office
through regular mail. It makes us nostalgic when we get these letters, which
remind us of the good old days when the Internet and electronic mail were ideas
in a distant future. So take the messages below as a tribute to everyone still
writing letters the ‘old-fashioned way’.
Grant Skinner (England)
Congratulations
to Radio Romania International, you have terrific shows. Keep up the good
work.
Thanks,
Grant. Your letters have kept coming to our office throughout the years, and
they are a constant reminder to everyone on the team of how we used to
communicate with you in the old days. Thanks for your constant efforts!
Mark Williams (USA)
I
do not request or expect a QSL for such a brief report after so long a time.
However, I’ve kept my ear on Romania for decades. Sadly, I must tune in via
live stream.
How
I long for the good old days of SWL! Obviously, I kept my log books and page
through them from time to time.
I
very much enjoy your music segments, particularly those with rustic flavor.
Also, your weekly jazz program.
It’s
never late to reconnect, Mark! And it sure made our day you did. Mark actually
submitted a report for a 1990 (!) broadcast on 11940 kHz he caught in Hanau
(Germany). The programme mostly dealt with Romania post-Ceaușescu. It’s a reminder to all our other
listeners – if you find a dusty report in the drawer you forgot to post, now is
the time! J
Paul Hayes (Ireland)
Have
been off the bands for a while. Good to hear Radio Romania again.
Thanks
for tuning back to RRI, Paul. It’s always good to hear from you.
Johannes Lammi (Finland)
Dear
RRI English Section, I’m Johannes Lammi, 17-year-old student, electrician
apprentice and of course a regular RRI listener. I live in Espoo, Finland, but
spend most of my weekends in Nurmijärvi, Finland. I love to listen to SW radio
and prepare to write my reception reports by hand. I guess I’m a little ‘old
school’, but that doesn’t bother me!
Dear
RRI English Section. I last wrote to you some weeks ago. Nothing that
interesting has happened her in Finland since then. My summer work in a
construction site began 1.5 weeks ago as an electrician apprentice. I have
continued to listen to RRI many times during these weeks.
We have to say it’s highly unusual to get hand-written letters from 17-year-olds, and it makes us really happy to hear it. Thanks for tuning in!
Hidemitsu Miyake (Japan)
Hello!
Over the past few days the temperatures in Hiroshima have regularly been over
30 degrees. I wonder whether we are going to experience a heat wave as we did
last year. Please accept this report of my reception of your station, I hope
you will find it of interest.
Thanks
for your letter, it is just wonderful! I feel closer to your country now.
As
daylight hours have been getting longer I find myself stopping by somewhere on
the way home from the office more often than not.
The
school uniform has changed from the winter one to the summer one. It’s getting
hotter these days.
Your
letters are always an inspiration to us, Hidemitsu. It is always a joy when we
read your name on the envelope. Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer!
***
From
Japan, Yoshio Anda sent us a reception report and enclosed a video. We’ve taken
a snapshot to share with the rest of you.
***
Mikio
Kohara (Japan) sent us a report in August, also saying:
Summer
festivals and fireworks displays are held in various parts of Japan from the
end of July to August. Many of these events started as Obon event. Obon is
one of the Buddhist events. In Buddhism, it is believed that the spirits of
family ancestors come back to this world during the Obon period between July
and August, and a series of events take place to commemorate them. And, Obon is
regarded as one of the most important family occasions of the year in Japan.
Although Obon is not an official holiday, many offices, shops and restaurants
are temporarily closed for business during this period. Due to this measure,
many employees can easily plan and go back to their hometowns for family
gatherings and visit a family grave. Recently, there are people who go on
overseas trips because it is a summer vacation. This year, it will be closed
from August 11th to 16th, 17th for Obon. But, now, Typhoon No. 7 is moving
north in the Pacific Ocean, and there is a high possibility that it will
continue to move north with a strong wind area, making landfall on the Kii
Peninsula on the morning of the 15th, and approaching Osaka and Kansai area.
The maximum instantaneous wind speed is expected to be 40 to 60 meters, so I am
worried that there will be damage in various places. Due to the typhoon, trains
and planes will be suspended, and highways will be closed, which will have a
great impact on the ability of people returning to their hometowns to return
home for Obon.
It’s
very interesting to learn about Obon, Mikio. Sorry to hear the typhoon is
giving the population trouble. It’s never easy when faced with such extreme
phenomena, although many in your region have grown accustomed to them.
***
Early
in August Mohamad Haidir Hasim (Malaysia) wrote the following message:
Hello
and greetings to Radio International Romania.
Firstly,
I would like to introduce myself. I am Mohamad Haidir Hasim from Pulau Pinang,
Malaysia. I recently got involved in the hobby of listening to shortwave radio
broadcasts, particularly in March. Sometimes, I can hear Radio International
Romania’s broadcasts from my home in Pulau Pinang and also in my hometown in
Selangor. Although Malaysia and Romania are separated by more than 8000km, when
I hear broadcasts from Radio International Romania, I feel like Malaysia and Romania
are close to each other. I also want to share with you about the community of
shortwave radio listeners in Malaysia, which has a group on the social media
platform Facebook. The name of our Facebook group or community is Short
Wave and AM Listening Malaysia, where we share the broadcasts we manage
to receive, including those from Radio International Romania. I hope Radio
International Romania can provide moral support to our community so that we can
remain loyal listeners to your broadcasts and other radios. I wish Radio
International Romania to continue and even thrive and become even better. Radio
International Romania is my favorite radio station, and I will strive to listen
to your broadcasts. In conclusion, thank you for broadcasting happiness, truth,
and enjoyment to us throughout the existence of Radio International Romania.
Our
listener was very happy to pick up our station and sent us a snapshot of the
receiver he used.
Thank
you for this very nice message, Mohamad, we are happy to learn RRI means a lot
to you and your community.
***
From
the Netherlands, Peter Reuderink sent us a message describing reception
conditions for August. Here is what he adds:
I
am 61 years old, and started listening to shortwave radio 44 years ago when I
was 17. What made me listen then still makes me listen today. There is no
better way to get a feel for culture, politics and what goes on in a country
than listening to their radio programs. On the basis of your news bulletin, I
concluded that Romania prioritizes government expenses, national culture,
Romanian contribution to security and safety in NATO and EU… and I applaud
Romania for that! Wish that was as high on the agenda in The Netherlands.
Dear
Peter, we’re glad to have you in our community of listeners. SW listeners such
as yourself are hard to find these days, as most have switched to online
listening in the digital era. Thanks for staying loyal to our station for such
a long time.
***
Here
is also what Alan Gale (England) wrote to us earlier this month:
Romania’s
month of ‘Oven’ seems to have really lived up to its name, but things have been
very different here, and after the warm and unusually dry months of April, May
and June, the months of July and August so far have been very cool and wet,
with July being the wettest month on record ever, with nearly 300% of the
annual rainfall. This was all down to the position of the Gulf Stream, which also
caused the high temperatures in southern Europe, but I’m not complaining, as I
do not like the heat, and don’t think I could have stood the temperatures that
have been seen in Romania this year. I hope things are a little cooler now and
feeling a lot more comfortable/
Dear
Alan, temperatures have indeed been unusually high of late, all the more with
July being declared the hottest month in history. Let’s hope we won’t get too
many heatwaves this August.
***
To
give just one of the many examples of receivers our listeners use to pick up
our station, here is the equipment Saleem Akhtar (Pakistan) uses to tune in to
our programmes.
***
As
always, we get a variety of posts on our Facebook page from listeners
commenting on our programmes. From Pakistan, Muhammad Aqeel Bashir wrote: The programs are always
well-produced and informative, and they provide me with a valuable source of
entertainment and education. I appreciate the wide variety of programs that
Radio Romania offers. I appreciate the timely and informative posts that Radio
Romania shares on Facebook. I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with
other Romanians and people interested in Romania through Radio Romania’s
programs. Radio Romania’s Facebook posts are a great way to stay connected with
Romania, even if I’m not able to visit in person. Thank you, Radio Romania, for
providing such a valuable service! Keep up the good work!
Muhammad
Saleem Akhtar also wrote briefly Keep up the good work!
***
It’s
now time to mention some of our listeners who took the time to send reports,
feedbacks or comments regarding our broadcasts. Many thanks to Tomasz Kotas
(Poland), Sam Loh (Malaysia), Stig Hartvig Nielsen (Denmark), Tapan Basak
(India), Jaouad Saber (Morocco), Najim Uddin (India), Malik Allah Bachaya
(Pakistan), Rob den Boer (the Netherlands), Vicențiu Tudor (Canada), Anand Mohan Bain (India), Teruhiko
Kachi (Japan), Albert Ewing (USA), Toshiki Tsuboi (Japan), Riski Rosianto
(Indonesia), Madhab Chandra Sagour (India), Philippe Schaetti (Germany),
Etienne Sertyn (Belgium), Bruce Lee (Australia), Rajarshi Roy (India), Marc
Soens (Belgium), Siddhartha Bhattacharjee (India), Christer Brunström (Sweden),
Francis Lawlor (Ireland), Ratan Kumar Paul (India), Chris Malboeuf (Canada), Eddy
Prabowo (Indonesia), Timofeyev Uhra (Kazakhstan), Ciro Ciaramella (Italy), Michael
Naven (USA), Rafael Gustavo Grajeda Rosado (Mexico), Simon Rudd (United
Kingdom), Scott Josenhans (USA), Fachri Ilyas (Indonesia), Kevin Ryan (USA), Zidong
Wang (Beijing), Tarun Sethi (India), Taylor Fosha (USA), Hans Verner Lollike
(Denmark), Sakae Onozawa (Japan), Viet Anh Pham (Vietnam), Joandric Ávila
Fernández (Costa Rica), Hiromichi Kinoshita
(Japan), Ding Lu (China), Shin Makino (Japan), Srihadet Kraikupt (Thailand).
73!
