QSLing Andorra … The Hard Way

(Reprinted from the November 1980 issue of the DX Probe, the predecessor to DX Chicago)

It was probably my most original (and expensive) way to QSL a radio station… But when I walked into the offices of Radio Andorra, I was glad that I brought along my reception notes of one of their broadcasts that I monitored in Chicago.

During October, my wife and I vacationed in France and Spain. When we were driving from Bordeaux, France to Barcelona, Spain, we had to cross the Pyrenees Mountains, and hence, had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Radio Andorra; one of the more difficult European stations to log in the Chicago area.

Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe, with terrain reminiscent of Rocky Mountain National Park, and a two-lane road to get from one end of the country to the other.

Halfway from the French border (at the north) to the Spanish border (at the south) lies the small village of Encamp, in a valley with no mountains on each side. The Radio Andorra transmitter is here, in a castle-like stone building, complete with turrets, from the 1920’s. A small sign identifies the building, which is otherwise hidden from the street by large trees.

We rang the bell and were answered by a friendly fellow who spoke no English – only Spanish (Andorrans speak two languages: Spanish and French). This person turned out to be the transmitter engineer. My wife acted as interpreter and soon we were taken on a tour of the facility; viewing the old and new Brown Boveri transmitters. Through a large window at the back of the building, we saw the new log-periodic antenna that is permanently aimed at Scandinavia. Transmission lines left the building, traveling up the steep mountain slope on pylon to the two towers overlooking the valley. These are the two towers depicted on Radio Andorra’s QSL, and both are used exclusively for medium wave broadcasting. Andorra’s transmissions on 6215 kHz use the old transmitter and dipole combination, which is capable of 10 kW. The new transmitter and log-periodic systems produce 50 to 60 kW on 6220 kHz and 15305 kHz.

Station engineer, Miguel Castillano wasn’t surprised to learn that I had heard Radio Andorra in the States – because he’d seen many reception reports for it from all parts of the world, and is a DXer himself. He asked about my receiver and antenna combination, and then showed me the Hammarlund HQ-180 that he and others use for off-the-air monitoring, as well as for their own DXing. After the tour, we drove toward Radio Andorra’s offices and studios, which are located at Andorra-La-Vella, the largest city in this small land.

Andorra-La-Vella is located approximately seven kilometers south of Encamp. Once we arrived there, finding Radio Andorra’s building became a feat in itself – for it is nearly unmarked and practically invisible from the street. After an hour of misinterpreting directions, we finally located Radio Andorra’s headquarters - a white, three story building. Inside, were busy clerical staff, announcers and operators. A man came down the stairs and introduced himself as Jean-Louis Marquet, the technical director of the station. Fortunately, the transmitter engineer had phoned ahead and said we were coming, so Marquet was expecting us. He invited as upstairs to his office – a room lined with shelves of technical books and the 1980 Worl Radio TV Handbook. We had an interesting conversation about DXing – interesting because he said listeners, and their reception reports, are an essential element of radio Andorra’s operation. As Marquet explained, every letter and reception report Radio Andorra receives – and it receives about three a day – is photocopied and sent to various sponsors, including Adventist World Radio, World Music Radio, and before its contract expired, Radio Scandinavia.

I saw a file of 25 reception reports that were awaiting response. Most were from France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway – but there was one from Australia (figure that one out!). Another report was postmarked from St. Paul, Minnesota. Marquet then advised me that Radio Andorra saves all letters it receives …

Unfortunately, my report wasn’t there

But because I brought my program details along with me, Marquet quickly fixed that situation. After checking my program details, he immediately issued me a QSL card.

Marquet also advised me that the old 6215 kHz frequency was to be dropped soon, because it involved the old transmitter and dipole antenna. In its place, 6220 kHz and 15305 kHz are to be used. Finally, he recommended trying the 15305 kHz frequency for best reception in the Chicago area – especially between 0915 and 1015 GMT.