By: Yusuf Mohamed Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Radio Hargeisa continues to be heard in the USA, Europe and Far East.
According to Don Jensen of Kenosha (Wisconsin) USA which is 100 km north of Chicago RH broadcast are continuously audible on shortwave frequency 7120 KHz again in the United States as noted here in the north central part of America.
Mr. Jensen informs that reception is available once the new transmitter is turned on at 6:27 a.m. Hargeisa time (GMT+3) or (0327 UTC)) but programming does not start until 6:38 a.m. Hargeisa time (0338 UTC) with very enjoyable Somali music.
The first announcement is usually heard at 6:44 a.m. Hargeisa time (0344 UTC), with Identifications for Radio Hargeisa and mentions of Somaliland clearly heard. You may
The signal began to fade. You can hear that there was some static interference with a rainstorm in this area, but the signal is strong.
The retired US journalist who has continuously kept the nation update on RH transmissions worldwide through Somalilandsun said that regular email communication with typical listeners from California to New York, across the US, who has found the RH broadcasts, even on rather simple battery-powered radios using no more than the receiver’s built-in “whip” or rod antenna. Any listener, including the many Somaliland expatriates now living in places like Minneapolis (state of Minnesota) – only about 400 km from Don’s home in Kenosha Wisconsin could hear the signals from their homeland.
Don further added that one friend who is a RH listener in eastern U.S. Said to, “If they (Radio Hargeisa) continue at these power levels, this is a fairly easy catch in east coast North America at 0330 UTC.”
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“I am so happy to have been able to be of some assistance in spreading the word about the new operations of Radio Hargeisa,” Says Jensen
On the European front, the signals continue in increasing strength with broadcasts heard without any static.
Mr. Andy Lawendel, Milan, and Northern Italy who says he followed the Mogadishu president selection on Radio Hargeisa informed this
Said he, “It’s really good to know, from your own excellent coverage and from
Radio Hargeisa resuming its activities, the situation in Somaliland now
Allows for a regular output of news and commentaries”
According to Mr. Lawendel, Currently, several shortwave transmissions
Can be monitored from Countries in the Horn’s Region of Africa, in the
49 and 41 meters shortwave band, at that’s really rewarding for both,
Radio hobbyist and a professional journalist and reader deeply interested in getting to the very background of events. So thanks to the Institutions and fellow journalist making it possible
The journalist based in Italy says that he and friends are anxiously awaiting full time content in English and other more accessible languages thus make the station more even more interesting and instructive).
Mr. Andy Lawendel, Milan, Northern Italy can be found at http://www.radiopassioni.it
In response to a question by Somalilandsun on whether the Radio Hargeisa broadcasts signal is only available to Ham operators Mr. Don Jensen was kind enough to enlighten on the difference between a Ham operator and other listeners
QUOTE “You asked about hams, or amateur radio operators. Actually, a ham, and I believe Mr. Suleiman (technical director ministry of information) may be a ham radio operator himself, is one who not only has a radio receiver, but a low powered transmitter, which allow him to have conversations, both sending and receiving, with other hams. In most countries, the governments as being technically proficient enough to accomplish such radio connections with other hams license them.
Though I once, was a licensed ham, with my government assigned call letters KN4ISC that ended some decades ago. In time that is more recent, I have been what am termed a shortwave listener (or SWL). Listeners, of course, require no licenses, and I have allowed my ham license to expire. Now, and for some years, I have only listened to broadcasting stations such as Radio Hargeisa, for their program content and for the challenge of hearing distant stations that broadcast programs. I especially enjoy music of other lands, and I surely enjoy Somali music. Thus, it is possible to enjoy programs even without always understanding the spoken words that accompany musical programs. To be a shortwave listener, it does help to have a high quality radio receiver, but if the signals are strong enough, it surely is possible to hear stations with a rather simple battery operated radio. In fact, this morning, one acquaintance of mine mentioned in an email to me that he listened to Radio Hargeisa with quite nice signals on such a battery powered portable using nothing more than its built-in whip type antenna.
So, most of the people with whom I have contact via email around the world an here in the US, are those like myself, who enjoy learning about other countries via shortwave radio broadcasts.
Now some hams also are interested in that as well (in addition to their own radio conversations with other hams) So far, I would think that Radio Hargeisa’s listeners would be mostly Shortwave Listeners (SWLs) with some additional amateur radio operators (Hams) mixed in with that audience.
Another potential audience should be Somalis now living in the US and Canada, such as the rather substantial Somali diaspora population in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota Area.
