.jpg)
Discover the world through your radio receiver.
Bangladesh occupies an interesting geographical position for shortwave listeners. Situated in South Asia, it offers opportunities to receive international broadcasts from different parts of Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Whether you are using a basic portable shortwave receiver or an advanced communications receiver, international broadcasting offers a fascinating listening experience.
This guide explains how to get started, where to find broadcast schedules, what equipment to use, and how to improve your chances of receiving distant stations from Bangladesh.
1. Why is Bangladesh an interesting location for DXing?
Bangladesh is located in a region where international shortwave broadcasts from several geographical directions can potentially be received.
Depending on the frequency, transmission path, time, and propagation conditions, listeners may hear stations transmitting from:
East and Southeast Asia.
South and Central Asia.
The Middle East.
Europe.
Africa.
Australia and the Pacific region.
The actual reception possibilities change with propagation conditions and transmitter antenna patterns. A station's published target area does not necessarily define the only area where its signal can be heard.
For DXers, this creates opportunities to experiment with different frequencies, listening times, and antenna arrangements.
Rajshahi, Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Sylhet, and other parts of Bangladesh may experience different local interference conditions. Even within the same city, reception can vary considerably between an indoor listening location and a quieter outdoor antenna site.
2. Choose the right listening method
There are several ways to enjoy international radio broadcasting from Bangladesh.
A. Shortwave radio reception
Traditional shortwave listening remains one of the most rewarding methods for DXers.
A suitable shortwave receiver can receive international transmissions directly from the air without an internet connection.
This is particularly interesting because reception depends on actual radio propagation, transmitter conditions, antenna performance, and the listening environment.
You can experience fading, changing signal strength, interference, and the satisfaction of identifying a distant broadcaster.
For serious DXing, direct reception is the preferred method because it allows you to document genuine over-the-air reception.
B. Internet radio and official station websites
Many international broadcasters provide live audio streams, program archives, podcasts, and on-demand services.
These are useful when:
A shortwave transmission is unavailable in your area.
You want to listen to a particular program at a convenient time.
You want to compare program content with a shortwave reception.
You are travelling without a suitable radio receiver.
However, internet streaming is not the same as shortwave DXing. It does not demonstrate that a broadcaster's radio signal reached your location.
A good DXer can use both methods, but should clearly distinguish internet listening from actual radio reception.
C. WebSDR and remote radio receivers
WebSDR services allow users to control compatible radio receivers located in other parts of the world through an internet browser.
They are useful for studying propagation, identifying signals, comparing reception across different locations, and exploring frequencies that may not be accessible with your own equipment.
Some remote receivers provide access to HF bands and international broadcasting frequencies.
Remember that listening through a receiver located abroad is not a reception report from Bangladesh. Always identify the actual receiving location when documenting such listening.
3. Selecting a suitable shortwave receiver
A good receiver makes the listening experience more enjoyable, but expensive equipment is not essential when starting.
Look for the following features:
Frequency coverage: The receiver should cover the international HF shortwave broadcasting bands.
Sensitivity: Good sensitivity helps detect weaker signals.
Selectivity: Selectivity is important when two or more stations are operating close to one another.
Frequency stability: A stable receiver makes it easier to monitor a station without frequent retuning.
Digital frequency display: Accurate frequency indication helps identify stations and maintain listening logs.
External antenna connection: This is particularly useful when experimenting with outdoor or active antennas.
Portable receivers are convenient for beginners. Communications receivers and SDR systems offer additional control and analysis features for more experienced listeners.
4. Choosing the right antenna
The antenna is one of the most important parts of a shortwave listening station.
A receiver's built-in telescopic antenna can receive many strong international broadcasters. However, an external antenna may improve reception under suitable conditions.
Some commonly used options include:
Telescopic antenna: Convenient for portable listening and strong local or international signals.
Long-wire antenna: A simple wire antenna can provide useful HF reception when properly installed and matched to the receiver.
Active loop antenna: Compact active loops can be useful where space is limited. Their performance depends on design, placement, receiver compatibility, and the local noise environment.
Passive loop antenna: Properly designed passive loops can offer useful directional and noise-reduction characteristics.
SDR antennas: SDR users can experiment with different antenna arrangements according to the receiver's input requirements.
Do not assume that a longer antenna always produces better reception. It may also collect more electrical noise or overload a sensitive receiver.
For many urban listeners, reducing local interference is just as important as improving antenna performance.
5. Find the latest international broadcast schedules
A frequency schedule is the starting point for planned shortwave listening.
International broadcasters publish schedules showing their transmission times, languages, frequencies, target areas, and sometimes transmitter locations and power.
Several useful resources are available to DXers.
HFCC: High Frequency Coordination Conference
The HFCC B26 schedule provides coordinated operational transmission information submitted by participating broadcasters and frequency management organizations.
It is particularly useful for checking current international transmission arrangements.
EiBi Shortwave Schedules
The EiBi database is a widely used resource among shortwave listeners. It provides schedules in time and frequency order, along with downloadable data.
ABCDX Shortwave Frequency Guide
The ABCDX Shortwave Frequency Guide B26 offers searchable shortwave schedules using several data sources, including EiBi, AOKI, HFCC, ITU, and other available sources.
Broadcasters' official websites
Always check the broadcaster's own schedule whenever possible. Official program pages and frequency announcements are important sources for confirming language services and transmission changes.
No schedule database is perfect. Frequencies can change, transmissions may be cancelled, and published information may not always reflect actual on-air conditions.
Treat schedules as listening guides, not proof that a station is currently transmitting.
6. Understand UTC and Bangladesh Standard Time
International broadcasters normally publish their shortwave schedules in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Bangladesh uses Bangladesh Standard Time (BST), which is UTC+6.
To convert UTC into Bangladesh local time, simply add six hours.
| UTC | Bangladesh time |
|---|---|
| 0000 | 0600 |
| 0300 | 0900 |
| 0600 | 1200 |
| 0900 | 1500 |
| 1200 | 1800 |
| 1500 | 2100 |
| 1600 | 2200 |
| 1800 | 0000 next day |
| 2000 | 0200 next day |
For example, a station broadcasting from 1600 to 1630 UTC can be monitored in Bangladesh from 2200 to 2230 local time.
Always check the date when converting broadcasts that cross midnight.
A dedicated UTC clock beside your radio is particularly useful for serious DXing.
7. When should you listen?
There is no single best listening time for every shortwave station.
Different frequencies perform differently according to the ionosphere, solar activity, season, transmission path, and time of day.
As a general starting point:
Early morning: Lower shortwave frequencies may provide useful opportunities for international reception, depending on the path and conditions.
Daytime: Higher frequencies may be more effective for some distant paths, particularly when the ionosphere supports their propagation.
Evening: The 31-, 41-, and 49-metre broadcasting bands are useful starting points for exploring international broadcasts.
Late night: Lower HF frequencies may provide additional listening opportunities, although atmospheric and local electrical noise can be significant.
These are general listening suggestions, not fixed propagation rules. The best approach is to consult current schedules and experiment with different bands.
8. Reduce local electrical interference
One of the major challenges for shortwave listeners in urban Bangladesh is electrical noise.
Modern electrical equipment can produce unwanted radio-frequency interference.
Common sources include:
LED lighting and low-quality lighting drivers.
Switching power supplies.
Mobile phone chargers.
Computer equipment.
Television sets.
Inverters and other electrical devices.
Poorly shielded electronic equipment.
If you notice persistent noise, try the following:
Switch off nearby electrical devices one at a time.
Move the receiver away from computers and power supplies.
Test reception in another room or outdoors.
Compare the telescopic antenna with an external antenna.
Use suitable common-mode noise suppression where necessary.
Keep antenna feed lines away from noisy electrical wiring.
An electrically quiet listening location can sometimes outperform a much more expensive receiver used in a noisy environment.
9. A practical listening routine for Bangladeshi DXers
A regular listening routine helps develop experience and improves the quality of reception records.
Here is a suggested approach:
Before listening
Check the latest frequency schedule.
Select a station transmitting towards South or Southeast Asia.
Note its frequency, language, and transmission time.
Convert UTC to Bangladesh local time.
Prepare your receiver and antenna.
During listening
Tune slightly before the scheduled start.
Confirm the station identification.
Listen for program details.
Observe signal strength, interference, noise, and fading.
Record the actual reception conditions.
After listening
Compare the received signal with the published schedule.
Record your receiver and antenna details.
Assign an honest SINPO rating.
Save your listening log.
Prepare a reception report if appropriate.
10. Explore international broadcasters
There is no shortage of broadcasters and radio services worth exploring.
Depending on their current transmission arrangements, DXers can investigate services such as:
Voice of Vietnam.
Voice of Mongolia.
Radio Taiwan International.
China Radio International.
All India Radio's external services.
Radio Romania International.
Radio Prague International.
Radio New Zealand Pacific.
Radio Exterior de España.
Adventist World Radio.
This is a list of broadcasters worth following, not a claim that all currently transmit to Bangladesh on shortwave. Check their latest official schedules and actual on-air activity before planning a listening session.
Many of these broadcasters also provide internet listening and program archives.
11. From listening to becoming a DXer
Receiving an international station is only the beginning.
A DXer develops the habit of identifying stations, comparing frequencies, monitoring propagation, recording program details, and communicating with broadcasters.
You can gradually build your own listening archive, submit reception reports, collect QSL cards, and exchange information with radio enthusiasts around the world.
Joining a listeners' club or DX association can also make the hobby more rewarding.
At Wave Surfers' Association Bangladesh, we encourage listeners to share their experiences, discuss equipment, exchange reliable frequency information, and contribute to the preservation of radio heritage.
The world is only a frequency away
International radio listening from Bangladesh offers a remarkable opportunity to explore the world without leaving home.
A modest receiver can introduce you to distant broadcasters, unfamiliar languages, music, international affairs, and the cultural diversity of different nations.
The most important requirements are curiosity, patience, accurate information, and a willingness to experiment.
Switch on your receiver, check the frequency, and let the airwaves guide your next discovery.
Listen from Bangladesh. Discover the world. Connect through radio.
Explore the Airwaves. Preserve Radio Heritage.
