SIBC Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation Instructions

Shortwave Report
SOLOMON ISLANDS
BROADCASTING
CORPORATION

dxguides.info

Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation

The following logs and reports are of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC). The compilation starts from January 2022 and follows the station’s progress up to the current date for its broadcasts on shortwave. These are obviously only a small selection of reports, mostly from Glenn Hauser’s World of Radio IO Group, but hopefully enough to create a timeline that follows SIBC’s activity as time goes by.
Compiled by Tony Rogers (email: dxguides@gmail.com) and updated to 9 October 2023.

2022
Thursday 3 March 2022

• 5020 kHz, 3 March, 0722, JBA carrier maybe trace of music in splash from 5025 Cuba; presumed SIBC, first trace of it here in some weeks. Believe SW had been silent. Equivalent to 5040 JBA carrier presumed Vanuatu. On Jan 31, Bryan Clark reported to WOR iog: “I have been in dialogue with Martin Hadlow who has been the WRTH collaborator for Solomon Islands. At my request he has been in touch with SIBC and he has just advised: “Have had a response from the SIBC in Honiara. Their MW transmitter is on and working OK. The problem is with the Japanese manufactured transmitter on shortwave. (I think the one transmitter runs both 5020 and 9545 frequencies). The SIBC technical team is getting advice from the Japanese manufacturer. The equipment came back on-air briefly a few days ago, but is off again now. They are working as hard as they can to get it fixed.” Regards, Bryan, Mangawhai, Northland, New Zealand”. Ron Howard’s last report on this from California: “Also no signal from SIBC (5020, nor on 9545) on Feb 7, from 0825+. Ron”. (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR iog)

Friday 4 March 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 4 March, 1022. Thanks to Glenn for noticing their reactivation after a considerable silence; better audio level than heard in the past, but still unreadable. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Thursday 10 March 2022

• 9545 kHz, SIBC, 10 March, 0445, strong carrier but no audio at all detected; still on at 0541, but not at 0616. Checking 5020 kHz, from 0616+, but no carrier heard thru last check at 0816. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Friday 18 March 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 18 March, 0832, another day with wonderful audio level; reminds me of my reception from years ago. At 0812, several clear “Voice of the nation” IDs; 0832-0858, in English with public service educational program for students about health; balanced diet, exercise regularly, quit smoking, reduce alcohol use (for college students?), wash and dry hands, available resources via newspapers, TV, radio, etc.; 1104, news in English; played a lot of nice island music. Very pleasant to have audio levels that at times were semi-rea-dable, with various amounts of adjacent Cuban QRM. A vast improvement from their long standing low modulation broadcasting! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Monday 21 March 2022

• 5020 kHz, 21 March, 1517, “island music” S5-S7 into BC remote, got to be SIBC running all-night; still past 1600 with no ID break; next check 1627 faded to JBA, carrier offset -2v Hz. WRTH and Aoki show SIBC break at 12001900; EiBi 1203-1900 except irr. music at 1203-1500 only. LSR at re-mote approx. 1445. This is well after Ron Howard’s usual monitoring span until 1300 or so; he commonly hears it as much as 6 hours earlier over full darkness path (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR iog)

Tuesday 29 March 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 29 March 2022, 0840, heard with normal audio (no transmitter noise); checked at 0910 to find transmitter noise was back again, mixing with very faint program audio; still later after 0940+ (thru last checked at 1040), was only able to hear the strong SIBC transmitter noise. Clearly a serious problem! Interesting article from RNZ (posted late March 24): https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/463957/china-solomon-islandssecurity-agreement-leaked-on-social-media “A draft security cooperation agreement could allow China to deploy police and miltary personnnel in Solomon Islands to protect its citizens and projects. The Australian government is expressing anxiety about the leaked security agreement. The draft official document lays down a framework which could permit Beijing to deploy forces to protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in Solomon Islands … The document also contains some concerning provisions which allow China to send ships to the Solomon’s ‘according to its needs’ …” (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Tuesday 5 April 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 5 April, 1409, with extended broadcast; from 1409 till tuned out at 1445, with non-stop pop music; never any announcers; poor reception. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Friday 29 April 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 29 April,1322, non-stop island music (pop & EZL songs); no announcements at all; started out very poor and came up to be almost fair. 1316 UTC was my local sunrise! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Wednesday 25 May 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 25 May, 1245, playing nice island songs till cut off about 1245. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Monday 6 June 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 6 June, 1320, extended broadcast; still on the air with pop songs; very low modulation. Question – When was the last time SIBC was heard on 9545 kHz.? Is it ever in use now? (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Tuesday 28 June 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 28 June, 1157, “Devotional” and prayer in English; ID in English and cut off a few seconds into the National Anthem (1201*). So it seems they are closing with the use of a timer! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 17 July 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 17 Juy, 1130, usual format of music, evening devotional (Bible text and prayer in English), ID and NA; 1202, immediately into non-stop variety of music (Cat Stevens – “Morning Has Broken,” etc.); still heard at 1342; well above normal reception. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Wednesday 17 August 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 17 August, 1159. Recently they have been running past their usual 1200. Yesterday (16 August), heard their National Anthem 1159-1200 and then immediately started non-stop songs till cut off at 1305 UT. So every day is a different cut off time. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Saturday 20 August 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 20 August, 0911, better than normal due to the wonderful absence of Cuba on 5025; pop songs (Toni Braxton – “Un-Break My Heart,” etc.); 0915-0930, sounded like preaching (unreadable); more pop songs and commercial announcements (mobile service, etc.); 1001, calliope music intro to the news. So nice to find Cuba off the air! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 28 August 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 28 August, heard from tune-in at 1310 to still on the air past 1505+; long segments of non-stop religious songs in English, followed by long segments of religious songs in Pijin; this is their usual Sunday format when they run their extended broadcast past their normal sign off (1200*); no announcements, so must be SIBC programming and not the relay of Wantok FM, which has announcements. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Saturday 17 September 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 17 Sept., National Anthem 1200-1202; then non-stop pop songs. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Saturday 1 October 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 1 October, 0757, better than usual due to continued absence of Cuba on 5025 (0757-0923). (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Saturday 22 October 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 22 October, 1018-1058; beautiful program of island songs; 1059, “Voice of the Nation” ID; intro calliope music, then news in English; 1105, mid-way through the news with ID; “You are listening to news from the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation . . .”; with the continued silence of Cuba on 5025 (absent again today!), I am now able to hear bits and pieces from the announcers and am able to really enjoy their island music, even with the QRN (static). Brief audio attached. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Tuesday 8 November 2022

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 8 November, 0937, well above the norm, with Cuba (5025) off the air today; 1158, in English with evening devotional ending with “Let’s pray”; usual ID/freq. in English, NA ending at 1201; extended broadcast today, so right into mostly very nice island music/songs, but also played Don McLean – “American Pie” and Belinda Carlisle – “Heaven Is A Place On Earth.” Very good audio level! [9 Nov this was unusable!] (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

2023
Monday 2 January 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 January, from 0900, English. Weak/fair on Rutorua SDR, NZ. (Ivo Ivanov/SWLDX-Bulgaria)

Monday 13 January 2023

• 5020 kHz, 13 January at 0722, just barely audible carrier, no doubt SIBC in 5025 Cuba sideband, boding well for the imminent 5045 test from Norfolk Island. (Glenn Hauser, OK, WOR iog)

Friday 27 January 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 27 January, this one running late today as very good carrier noted at 1310, though no audio.
  Checked 5020 via Brisbane KiwiSDR and indeed, Honiara confirmed still on the air with local rap mx. (Ralph Perry, IL, NASWA Flashsheet via GH WOR iog)

Sunday 26 February 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 26 February, 0901+; clearly silent today; also no-show on 9545. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Monday 27 February 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 27 February. Back on the air today. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Friday 17 March 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 17 March, 1213+. Running well past their normal 1200*; playing non-stop pop songs; still on at 1335. Last year, on 23 September, SIBC had a special 70th anniversary broadcast and indicated reception reports would be verified with a special SIBC e-QSL card, but I never received one, nor have I seen any reports of it being issued to anyone! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 23 April 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 23 April, 1203-1209*. Sunday religious non-stop songs till cut off. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Monday 1 May 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 1 May, 0919-0922 male and female talk seems in dialect. Fair to good. (Lucio Otavio Bobrowiec, Brazil, WOR iog)

Friday 5 May 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 5 May, 1211-1227*. Running past their usual sign off; non-stop pop songs. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Tuesday 16 May 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 16 May, 0936-0943 Island music, male English talks “… Makira … celebration just like …”, at 0939 return of Island music. Very good, from 0940 as a local station, readable. (Lucio Otavio Bobrowiec, Brazil, WOR iog)

Sunday 2 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 July, greatly extended Sunday broadcast of religious music, long after their usual closing time of about 1200; random checking from 1206+ and still on after 1340+. This is not uncommon for a Sunday! At 0945 no Cuba on 5025; later at 1105 heard with good carrier strength, but very weak audio. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 9 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 9 July, from 0910+ and found still off the air past 1152+; “loadshedding” power outage? But back again on 10 and 11 July. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Thursday 20 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 20 July, tune-in at 1102 to news in English, followed by a mix of modern Polynesian-type songs and presenter chat, Devotional with Pastor Philip (Emmanuel?) at 1154, closing announcement at 1201, followed by National Anthem, but no sign-off …, continued with non-stop music – still going beyond 1800; reception good at first on this SDR, deteriorating a little as time went by, but always audible (matched the SIBC live stream); had a break from listening at 1805 and by retune at 1915 was back into normal programming, so presume sign-on was at 1900, even though it didn’t really sign-off! (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR in Queensland, Australia)

Friday 21 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 21 July, tune-in at 1100 to news and reports in English, ID by newsreader “You are listening to the news from the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, SIBC, in Honiara”, end of news at 1112 and then a programme of late-night dedication songs with a presenter in Pidgin, Devotional at 1155, closing announcement at 1201 “You have been listening to the Solomon Island Broadcasting Corporation, SIBC. We’ve been transmitting on 50-20 kHz in the 60 metre-band on our shortwave frequency, 96.3 MHz on the FM frequency, and live streaming on sibconline.com.sb. We are now closing down for today but will resume transmissions tomorrow morning at 6 o’clock. Until then, from all of us at SIBC, goodnight”, National Anthem and straight into a station promo, followed by non-stop music right the way through to the start of Saturday’s programmes at 1953 (see below). (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR in Queensland, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 21 July, start of Saturday’s programmes at 1953 with various PSA’s in Pidgin (starting with one for saving and storing water), then presenter with opening announcements, followed by local tunes “to keep you entertained”, then more PSA’s until “7 o’clock” time check at 2002 and “Good Morning, this is English news from SIBC”. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia and matched to SIBC online stream)

Saturday 22 July 2023

• Checked 5020 kHz at 1800 to see if SIBC was on prior to the start of its scheduled Sunday broadcast, but nothing heard to indicate it had stayed on-air like the last two days. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 22 July, transmitter switched on at 2007 and programme immediately faded-in (with either an announcement or a PSA, reception not really clear enough, and online stream was showing as off-air to check), music followed, but too weak to distinguish speech at this time. Didn’t follow after 2020. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Sunday 23 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 23 July, tune-in at 1103 (just after Radio Vanuatu signed-off) to news in English, from 1110 presenter chat and music. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 24 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 24 July, transmitter switched on at 2008, PSA/announcements, music etc; didn’t follow it tonight so no further details to add. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Tuesday 25 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 25 July, brief check at 1110 to presenter chat and music; gone by 1201 recheck. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 26 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 26 July, quick check at 1935 to news report in English; some kind of interference on the lower sideband. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday/Friday 27/28 July 2023

• No reports seen

Saturday 29 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 29 July, 1206 to past 1410+, 29 July. No jamming today; heard well past the normal 1200* closing; all non-stop island songs, except at 1231 heard a definite announcer, so suspect was SIBC programming and not a Wantok FM relay; mostly poor reception; propagation seemed less than ideal today. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 30 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 30 July, another day of extended broadcasting; 1228-1245 & 1323 till still on the air after 1335+; non-stop religious songs, mostly in English; much better propagation today. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)
• Seemingly no trace of SIBC on 5020 kHz at 2230, 30 July, on the Brisbane KiwiSDR; Radio Vanuatu was still audible and would have expected at least a weak signal or a trace on the SDR waterfall for SIBC, but neither. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 31 July 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 31 July, tune-in at 1108 (just after listening to Radio Vanuatu through to sign-off), end of SIBC news, various styles of music and presenter chatting in a mix of Pidgin and English (with lots of “tangkyu tumas” meaning “thank you” in Pidgin – see entry in the Radio Vanuatu guide for 25 June 2023, same meaning in Bislama), time check for “sixteen minutes past ten”, PSA’s, promos, closing announcement and “goodnight” at 1159, National Anthem, and then straight into back-to-back music. However, checked again at 1245 and SIBC had gone by then. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 31 July, not sure when the transmitter came on but it was active with PSA’s at 1928 (wasn’t on at 1910 when I last checked), ID’s as “Voice of the Nation” and news in English at 1930; good reception despite some (utility?) noise. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Tuesday 1 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 1 August, with another extended broadcast; 1207-1255; non-stop pop and C&W songs; U.S.A.
  For Africa – “We Are the World,” Procol Harum – “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” Randy Travis – “Forever And Ever, Amen,” Kris Kristofferson – “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” etc.; another day of above average reception. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 1 August, tune-in at 1255 to back-to-back music until abruptly cut at 1328. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 2 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 August with another day with greatly extended broadcast; 1240-1300 and still on after 1355+; C&W and pop songs; The Allman Brothers Band – “Ramblin’ Man,” etc.; I enjoy these extended programs as the reception after their normal closing time of 1200*, is so much better for me, as today my local sunrise was at 1314. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 August, tune-in at 1345 to back-to-back songs, which ran right through their night to the start of Thursday morning’s normal programmes at 1900; began with some kind of native instrumental IS, opening ID and National Anthem, then into the day’s broadcast; utility interference present but SIBC still well heard on the Brisbane SDR. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday 3 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 3 August, tune-in to devotion with a local pastor in English (similar to Radio Vanuatu’s Evening Devotion), followed by closing announcement at 1159, National Anthem, and after a brief pause into back-to-back music; checked again at 1440 but had gone by then, so not on continuously overnight like yesterday. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 4 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 4 August, yet another day with greatly extended broadcast; since SI Independence Day (7 July), seems to me this is now routinely heard well past their former 1200* closing; today tuned in at 1236, till still on the air past 1405+; non-stop songs (island pop songs, American C&W, etc.); started out poor, but improved to almost fair. My local sunrise was at 1316 UT. Enjoyable listening here even with summertime QRN (static)! (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 4 August, tune-in at 1630 to back-to-back songs, so presumably this had run from 1200 to this point, continued until the start of Saturday’s broadcast day at 1900; a lot of utility-type interference on this Brisbane SDR but still easy to follow SIBC. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Saturday 5 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 5 August, tune-in at 1158 just as closing announcement was ending, followed by National Anthem, then immediately into back-to-back songs, which continued through to the opening announcement and the start of Sunday’s programmes at 1900. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 5 August, continued with their new expanded schedule; randomly 1243 to past 1420+ UT; mostly pop island songs,except at 1400, played the song by Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”; almost fair reception. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

Sunday 6 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 6 August, tune-in at 1155 to devotional talk, closing announcement at 1202, National Anthem, then transmitter immediately switched off. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 6 August, transmitter switched on at 1906 and about a minute later programme began with a devotional talk already in progress. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 7 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 7 August, tune-in at 1150 to presenter in Pidgin reading greetings and messages from listeners, song, promo, closing announcement at 1204, National Anthem, briefly went into a song but then transmitter switched off at 1206 (the live stream continued with back-to-back songs). (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• Checked 5020 kHz at 2100, 7 August, but SIBC not on air. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Tuesday 8 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 8 August, tune-in at 0825 to find them on air, chat in Pidgin; much weaker than Radio Vanuatu on 7260. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 8 August, very brief check at 2030 to confirm that they were on air. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 9 August 2023

• Tuned-in at 1105, 9 August, for a check on SIBC but only a strong carrier here, no audio; live stream was active so presume this was a transmitter fault. Did a recheck at 1220, after the usual sign-off time of 1200, and no carrier present (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 11 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 11 August, tune-in at 1108 to news in English, then music, announcements and devotion, closing annoucement and National Anthem at 1200, then into back-to-back music (same as live stream) until transmitter went off at 1209. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Saturday 12 August 2023

• Tuned-in at 2230 on 12 August for a quick check but no sign of SIBC at this time on 5020 kHz. Also checked 9545 kHz for good measure, but again no trace. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 16 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 16 August, tune-in at 0925 to devotional talk in English, talk, UB40 song; checked again at 1445, 1730 and 1855 and found them still on air (overnight in the Solomon Islands) with back-to-back songs until the opening announcement, ID and National Anthem at 1900 for the start of Thursday’s programming. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 18 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 18 August, tune-in at 1330 to back-to-back songs, so again with an extended overnight service; checked again at 1600 and 1730 and still on air. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

New Zealand government hands over new standby generator to SIBC

• By Fredrick Kusu, 22 August 2023 – https://www.sibconline.com.sb/new-zealand-government-hands-over-newstandby-generator-to-sibc/. The New Zealand government today handed over a standby generator to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC). The generator will ensure SIBC’s transmission and services via its medium and short wave frequencies remain operational even when there is a power outage. Speaking at a brief handing over ceremony, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Jonathan Schwass said the donation marks another milestone in the partnership between New Zealand and SIBC. He said it is important for SIBC to have an uninterruptible power supply during broadcasting. “Given the power outage we are having at the moment, it is really important to have an uninterruptible power supply for SIBC broadcast.” “That’s not just the matter of ensuring the listening pleasure of Solomon Islanders.” “It is also a matter of guaranteeing the flow of essentials to the scattered Islands and the communities of this country especially in times of natural disasters and during crises like COVID-19,’’ Commissioner Schwass said. He added Aotearoa New Zealand is very pleased to be able to help SIBC to keep functioning well as its medium and shortwave transmitters are really a life-line for the whole country. Meanwhile, Chair of the SIBC Board Dr William Parairato admitted that most of SIBC’s studio equipment have overstayed their useful lives and the only option is to seek assistance from overseas, including the New Zealand government. He thanked the New Zealand government for recognizing the important role of the public service broadcaster (SIBC) to inform, educate and entertain its population. “ An organization like SIBC cannot do without a standby generator. Listeners don’t want to be disturbed when the main power goes off.” The function of a standby generator is critical especially during times of natural disasters that affect the main power supply. SIBC needs to continue broadcasting important information during cyclones or a time of tsunami,” Dr Parairato said. He said SIBC continues to strengthen its relationship with New Zealand through Radio New Zealand Pacific. “SIBC continues with its relationship with New Zealand through Radio New Zealand in the areas of news, current affairs and technical training,” he added. He assured of SIBC’s commitment to strengthening the relationship with New Zealand. (thanks to Sheldon Harvey of the Canadian International DX Club who included this story in the CIDX Messenger, details of which were subsequently shared by Glenn Hauser, WOR iog)

Tuesday 22 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 22 August, tune-in at 1140 to songs, presenter chat, PSA’s etc, through to closing announcement at 1200, which was cut off before the end when the transmitter was switched abruptly off, so no National Anthem played today. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday 24 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 24 August, tune-in at 1635 to back-to-back songs, so presume had been overnight since its usual closing time of 1200; severe utility interference coming from the lower side of the frequency. Recheck at 1850 and back-to-back music still continuing until the opening announcement for Friday’s broadcast at 1901. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 25 August 2023

• Tuned-in to 5020 kHz at 1430, 25 August, but no SIBC today on extended schedule. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Saturday 26 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 26 August, tune-in at 1145 to songs, followed by evening devotion, closing announcement and National Anthem, with transmitter going off immediately after at 1200. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 26 August, transmitter switched on at 1919 with audio phased in about a minute later; good reception with a little utiulity QRM on the lower side; devotional talk, followed by hymn, then news in Pidgin (as the announcer said) at 1930. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 28 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 28 August, transmitter switched on at 1855 with music in progress until start of Tuesday’s broadcast at 1901 with ID, opening announcement and National Anthem; fair but still with utility QRM on the lower side. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 30 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 30 August, tune-in at 2015 to talk in Pidgin but reception fading at this time in Brisbane. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday 31 August 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 31 August, tune-in at 1157 to devotional talk, then closing announcement, song, and National Anthem, off at 1102. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 31 August, tune-in at 1858 ready for sign-on, but nothing on air until it suddenly sprung to life at 1921 with a song already in progress, followed by programme promo, psa’s, ID, and more music. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 1 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 1 September, tune-in at 1155 to presenter chat and greetings, songs, closing announcement at 1203, National Anthem and then straight into back-to-back songs which continued overnight (as it was in the Solomon Islands) until the start of Saturday’s normal programming at 1900. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Saturday 2 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 September 2023, running well past their usual 1200*! Heavy QRM 1305-1405. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 2 September 2023, tune-in at 1530 to find them again with back-to-back songs during the Solomon Islands overnight period. Continued through to the start of Sunday’s broadcast just after 1900. Good reception noted in Brisbane, although there was again some kind of utility QRM noticeable. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Sunday 3 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 3 September, tune-in at 1530 to again find them with overnight back-to-back songs through to the start of Monday’s broadcast at just after 1900. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 4 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 4 September, tune-in at 1155 to last 10 minutes of Monday’s broadcast, including a promo for the Pacific Games, closing announcement and National Anthem at 1210, then straight into back-to-back songs.
  However, it was off air when checked at 1430. But surprisingly noted back at 1830 with back-to-back songs in progress through to the start of Tuesday’s broadcast at 1900, so obviously resumed sometime between 1430 and 1830. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 6 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, 6 September, checked at 1330 but nothing heard at this time. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 6 September, quick check at 1930 and confirmed on air, as expected. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday 7 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 7 September, tune-in at 1545 and found them with extended schedule of back-to-back songs.
  (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 11 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 11 September, tune-in at 0750 to normal evening programming. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 11 September, tune-in again at 1605 and found them with extended schedule of back-to-back songs. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Tuesday 12 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 12 September, tune-in at 0830 to normal evening programming. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 13 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 13 September, quick check at 1820 to find them on air with back-to-back songs, so assume they had been on since 1200 with an overnight service. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Friday 14 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 15 September, tune-in at 1220 and found them with back-to-back songs beyond their usual sign-off time of 1200. Also checked again at 1830 and still going, so appears to be a complete overnight broadcast between 1200 and 1900. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)
• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 15 September, sign-on at 1900 to Saturday’s broadcast, including National Anthem and presenter introducing the day’s programmes etc, the morning devotion. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 20 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 20 September, tune-in at 1855 but no back-to-back songs today, clear until the transmitter was switched on at 1903 ready for the sign-on of Thursday’s broadcast; opening aqnnouncement, ID etc followed. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Thursday 21 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 21 September, tune-in at 1158 to the end of evening devotion, followed by closing announcements and National Anthem, then into back-to-back songs at 1201; recheck at 1315 but had gone by then. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane  KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 25 September 2023

• Checked 5020 kHz (and 9545 kHz) at 1130 but no trace of SIBC (usually on air with normal programmes until 1200). Not really paid much attention to them over the past few days but they may have been missing on one or two other occasions when they would have been be expected to be on air. Further checks needed. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Wednesday 27 September 2023

• 5020 kHz, SIBC, 27 September, tune-in at 1115 to music and late night dedications, psa’s, ads; checked after 1200 and noted them continuing past the end of the normal broadcast day with back-to-back music again. Gone by 1415. (Tony Rogers using the Brisbane KiwiSDR, Australia)

Monday 9 October 2023

• SIBC (5020 and 9545 kHz) was off the air today, 9 October. (Ron Howard, CA, WOR iog)

References

• DX GUIDES
• China-Solomon Islands security agreement leaked on social media | RNZ News
• New Zealand government hands over new standby generator to SIBC - Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)  >>

Download This Manual (PDF format)

Download this manual  >>