Havana, Cuba
6000 kHz (AM)
250 kW
Directional antenna to North America
Directional antenna to North America
Monitored on the Global Tuners receiver in Vero Beach, Florida
at 0359 (UTC)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 (UTC)
SINPO: 45455
More than thirty years after listening to my first shortwave broadcast, I am gratified to hear one international broadcaster still targeting North America, in English, and during standard nighttime listening hours: Radio Havana Cuba.
RHC is always consistently available at 6000 kHz from 0100 to 0500 UTC, dinnertime to bedtime throughout the United States. The strength of the reception was helped by operating a Global Tuners receiver in Florida, only 336 miles (541 km) from the transmitter site.
There is no interference on this frequency (not true of the parallel frequency of 6050 kHz). There is no fading and only minor static, though I was surprised that I had to increase the volume on my laptop.
RHC is always consistently available at 6000 kHz from 0100 to 0500 UTC, dinnertime to bedtime throughout the United States. The strength of the reception was helped by operating a Global Tuners receiver in Florida, only 336 miles (541 km) from the transmitter site.
There is no interference on this frequency (not true of the parallel frequency of 6050 kHz). There is no fading and only minor static, though I was surprised that I had to increase the volume on my laptop.
RHC kicked off the program with international news, focusing on the United Nations and key issues of Libya and Palestine. There was also discussion of the "Cuban Five". RHC interspersed the news with music and sports, and also a pitch to listen to RHC on Real Audio (which was certainly not available when I first tuned a shortwave receiver in the late 1970's).
Even though the transmission occurred after midnight UTC and Caribbean time (meaning Tuesday morning), the male announcer (who had no recognizable accent in English) indicated "Monday night's program."
Even though the transmission occurred after midnight UTC and Caribbean time (meaning Tuesday morning), the male announcer (who had no recognizable accent in English) indicated "Monday night's program."
A short clip of the transmission with station ID can be accessed here.
(May need to increase the volume control on your computer.)
(May need to increase the volume control on your computer.)
Here is a virtual screenshot of the receiver (actually an ICOM PCR-1000
with a Stepp IR vertical or discone antenna) from Global Tuners (click to enlarge):
with a Stepp IR vertical or discone antenna) from Global Tuners (click to enlarge):
Here is a map showing the distance from transmitter to receiver (click to enlarge):
I sent a request for a QSL via U.S. mail on September 27, 2011.
I will post it here as soon as it arrives.
I sent a request for a QSL via U.S. mail on September 27, 2011.
I will post it here as soon as it arrives.
.
