By: Yusuf M Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The installation of the new Radio Hargeisa transmitter is a success.
This was revealed by Mr. Don Jensen who added that Listeners in Japan, India and Europe are beginning To hear Radio Hargeisa on a frequency of 7,120 kHz, with generally good signals For tests noted at various times between 1500 UTC (universal time) and 1900 UTC hours (6 to 10 pm Somaliland time)
Mr. Don Jensen a retired American journalist who further revealed that the station, which has been noted since Monday, is yet to be received in the US conveyed this information to Somalilandsun via email messages that included a taped transmission with audible soft Somali music.
According to Don who is a professional Ham radio buff, he has been able to receive the Radio Hargeisa test signal through VIA A DUTCH RADIO RECEIVER that has enable him to hear Somali instrumental music of which he was kind to record and avail the Somalilandsun.
The transmissions are possible by a recently installed 100Kw Radio Transmitter, which is currently on test, and accessible at the 7,120 kHz frequency, said Don, “Through this frequency the signal is fairly strong in Japan and the Netherlands”
The American ham radio operator further informed that there is also a considerable interference from ham transmissions since the 7,120 kHz frequency used by Radio Hargeisa is in the middle of the amateur radio (ham radio) band.
As the new transmitter has been reported to have worldwide transmission capabilities Mr. Don Jensen is presently engaged in the search for a signal through his own radio at his home in the US city of Wisconsin.
He says that desired band is not yet open in his location “since it is broad daylight here while it is early evening (7:30 pm) your time-Somaliland”
This transmission confirmation is welcome news for ministry of information engineers who are in-charge of the testing following the departure of the 13 Chinese engineers who were responsible for installing the transmitter and antennae purchased from the China.
It is also welcome news for residents of Somaliland since the new transmitter will certainly enhance Radio Hargeisa broadcast transmissions nationwide as opposed to status where transmissions are audible within a Hargeisa only.
Mr. Don Jensen who has been in constant communication with Somalilandsun since the site posted the first article about the new transmitter is interested in advancing the cause of Somaliland especially in the USA where he reported that most people cannot distinguish between the peaceful Somaliland and the failed state of Somalia.
Said he, “Am sure Radio Hargeisa transmissions worldwide will considerably improve the knowledge of ordinary Americans on your country”
Brief biography: Don Jensen.
I worked as a newspaper journalist for 34 years. Before that, I worked in both Television, briefly, and FM radio for several years. I have continued as an occasional freelancer
In radio news after my retirement from the newspaper.
I have been an enthusiastic shortwave listener since I was 11 years old. As a freelance writer, even during my newspaper career,
I edited national radio magazines and wrote regular monthly columns about shortwave radio.
I was the founder and first and executive director of a national organization of shortwave listeners, the Association of North American Radio Clubs (ANARC).
I was a contributor to programs for Radio Canada International and Swiss Radio – both radio services that have since left the air.
I am married, with two grown sons. I live in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a city of 100,000, located on the west shore of Lake Michigan about 60 miles north of Chicago.
Further Radio Hargeisa Transmission comments by Don Jensen
I do want to stress though, that to my knowledge, so far Radio Hargeisa has NOT been heard in North America yet, although I know it has been received on a number of occasions with Somali music and test announcements/identifications in Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand and in Europe. It is likely it will be heard in the US during the 1500-1900 UTC (6 to 10 pm Somaliland time) period in the WINTER months. I believe it would be heard in the US NOW DURING a morning transmission, 0300 to 0500 UTC (6 to 8 am, Somaliland time). I say this because signals from Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea are often herd during the 0300+ UTC period here in the north central US.
Using, via the internet, a remote SW receiver in the Netherlands, a few minutes ago,
I could hear the carrier (no audio programming, merely an empty radio wave)
Of a transmitter, on the air briefly, then off, then on, then off, over a period of a few
Minutes, using, remotely tuning that Dutch receiver. I cannot know, since no programming was heard, if it was really Radio Hargeisa. However, also using the remote Dutch radio, I did hear Somali music at a good level, but no announcements, in a brief tuning yesterday about 9 pm Somaliland time yesterday, Thursday. I suspect that that was, indeed, Radio Hargeisa. Again, NOT from the US but remotely from a Dutch receiver.
