BC-DX 789 05 Jan 2007 Private Verwendung der Meldun

English 17835 17 0730-0830 17,18SE,27-29
Urdu 15100 19 0830-1104 17,18SE,27-29
Urdu 17835 17 0830-1104 17,18SE,27-29
Urdu 7530 40 1700-1900 17,18SE,27-29
Urdu 9380 32 1700-1900 17,18SE,27-29
CIS & Russia
Turki 5050 59 1330-1400 39NE,40
Dari 5050 59 1515-1545 39NE,40
Russian 9395 32 1415-1445 29,30E
Pushto 6235 48 0500-0545 39E,40
(Iftikhar Hussain Malik, Engineering Manager, Frequency Management Cell,
PBC, 303 Peshwar Road, Rawalpindi-PAK, Oct 24)
LISTENERSHIP OF RADIO PAKISTAN FOREIGN LANGUAGE BROADCASTS ON SHORTWAVE.
Radio Pakistan in its external services has been broadcasting programmes
in foreign languages since 1949. With regard to the number of languages in
which the external service broadcasts the programmes, Pakistan has a
ranking of top 15 broadcasters among the state broadcasters (exclusive of
the Missionary stations).
But the listenership of the Radio Pakistan external services has dwindled
for various reasons and in case of some languages presently there is no
listenership at all. It makes us wonder for the logic of continuing such
broadcasts.
At present the external service is using a 100 kW transmitter for nearly
all of its external services. The transmitter was installed in 1968 and is
showing the signs of ageing. The signals are weak and the transmissions
are irregular. Language-wise review is as follows
Arabic: Programme format is News of Five minute duration, News Comment,
Arabic and Pakistani Music. The transmission is broadcast on only one
frequency i.e 6235. The transmission time is appropriate, i.e. from 1815
to 1900 UT. In most of the Arabic speaking countries the local time is 9
pm which is prime time for radio broadcasts.
Since the programme content is below average there is no particular
listenership. The news bulletin is of no real significance to any Arab
listener as it lacks any news of interest for the Arab World. This service
is just a formality.
Some improvement might occur after installation of planned new 100 kW
transmitters and improvement of programme content. Otherwise in its
present shape, it is just a waste of time. I have not heard any listener
mail for this service since long.
However, for DXers interested in monitoring challenging stations, it could
be of interest. Its signals mostly remain within the Middle East,
Mediterranean and some parts of Egypt.
Bengali Service: 9340, 9350 kHz. The service is broadcast twice, i.e. in
the morning and the evening. The total duration is of 1.30 hours. This is
perhaps the only transmission which comprises some informative programmes
about Pakistan as compared to usual stuff of external services of Radio
Pakistan.
The Bengali Service had some listenership in the past. Recently the
reduction of one more frequency has further curtailed the listenership.
Previously in case of reception problems, the listeners could tune the
other frequency.
One segment of listeners in Bangladesh was of those who had good memories