Trends in tropical bands broadcasting 2017

by Anker Petersen, editor of the Domestic Broadcasting Survey

Since DSWCI published its first Tropical Bands Survey in 1973, I have registered which stations are active, based upon loggings from our members and other DX-ers around the world. Here is an updated status where Clandestine and Pirate stations not are included.

During the past year the previous trend, that Tropical shortwave stations slowly disappear, continued throughout the world. The reason is, that other media get higher priority, than keeping elderly shortwave transmitters alive. This year we had a big loss of 24 frequencies compared to last year’s total of 138, particularly because the Australian Northern Territories and several South American stations ceased broadcasting.

Here are some domestic broadcasting stations on the Tropical Bands, which have closed down during the past year:

kHz kW Station Country Last log

2325 50 VL8T, Tennant Creek, NT Australia JAN17

2485 50 VL8K, Katherine, NT Australia JAN17

4409,8 0,5 R Eco, Reyes, Beni, Balliván Bolivia FEB16

4451,2 1 R Santa Ana, S. A.del Yacuma Bolivia JAN16

4750 20 RRI Makassar, Sulawesi Indonesia MAY16

4754,9 10 R Imaculada Conceição, MS Brazil FEB16

4755,5 1 The Cross R, Pohnpei Micronesia MAY15

4760 1 ELWA, Monrovia Liberia JUN15

4780 50 R Djibouti, Dorale Djibouti FEB15

4795,9 3 R Lipez, Uyuni, Potosi Bolivia AUG16

4825 10 R Canção Nova, SP Brazil FEB16

4835 50 VL8A, Alice Springs, NT Australia JAN17

4880 50 AIR, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh India MAR16

4885 5 R Dif. Acreana, Rio Branco,AC Brazil FEB16

4895 10 Mongolian R, Murun Mongolia JAN15

4910 50 VL8T, Tennant Creek, NT Australia JAN17

4914,9 10 R Dif. Macapá, Macapá, AP Brazil NOV15

4940 1 R San Antonio, Villa Atalaya Peru JUL15

4990 50 AIR, Itanagar, Arunachal Pr. India SEP15

5010 ? Voice of China Jamming China MAR16

5010 100 R Taiwan Int., Kouhu Taiwan MAR16

5025 50 VL8K, Katherine, NT Australia JAN17

5035,1 5 R Rio Mar, Manaus, AM Brazil JUL16

5460 ? R Bolivar, Bolivar, La Libertad Peru FEB16