"It's not true I had nothing on, I had the radio on" - Marilyn Monroe
46 years ago Radio Sofia, the international service of Bulgaria, was one of the first shortwave programs I regularly listened to in the evening. Radio Sofia, now renamed to Radio Bulgaria, terminated their shortwave service in 2012. But the powerful 270 kW transmitter from Vidin on 576 kHz with the BNR Horizont program is an easy catch though. And fortunately they still issue traditional QSL cards:
I sent my report to reception.report@bnr.bg and received my QSL 3 months later.
KSKO is definitely not one of the typical broadcasters on shortwave. The program of this public local station from McGrath, Alaska is broadcast across Europe every Friday 21-22h UTC with 50 kW via Spaceline in Kostinbrod, Bulgaria.
The program is their regular program, with local sponsors, quiz, music and DJ. The only thing which is different is greeting their European audience. And why do they do this? Well, as they said themselves in the show: “Just because…”. But I do suspect that the alaskaradionerd email address of verie signer Paul Walker explains a lot. Thank you Paul for offering European radio enthusiasts to familiarize themselves with Alaska Public Radio KSKO!
There are 9 active NDBs in Bulgaria. During the CLE299 event I was able to receive 7 of them. Mr. Kostadinov, Deputy Director Operational Systems was so kind to sent me an email confirming my reception of:
GNA-284 Gorna
BOZ-312 Bozhurishte
DWN-350 Devnya for Varna
KMN-399 Burgas/Kamenar
PDV-450 Plovdiv
WAK-490 Vakarel
PD-537 Plovdiv
Despite the distance, which is between 1719 and 1958 km from my home QTH, I receive these beacons on an almost daily basis. But on the other hand I did not yet receive the remaining two: BD-297 and BU-321…
Two weeks after sending my report I received an email with a QSL letter for Varna Radio, call sign LZW, broadcasting a DSC message on 16804.5 kHz. I sent my report to varnaradio@bgports.bg .
It is always interesting to see how coastal radio and GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) monitoring is organized. From what I’ve seen it is usually an integrated part of the Coast Guard, which is either integrated in a Department of Transport or in the National Navy. In the case of Varna Radio however the station is embedded in the National Port Authority: Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Co.
The signature of the QSL was attached in a separate picture:
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