DX LISTENING DIGEST 11-36, September 7, 2011 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2011 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WORLD OF RADIO 1581 HEADLINES: DX and station news about: Albania, Botswana, Canada, China, Cyprus Turkish, Diego Garcia, Europe, Germany, Guam, India, Indonesia, Ireland non, Iran, Israel, Korea, Libya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mexico, Mozambique non, North America, Peru, Portugal, Taiwan non, Tajikistan, UK non, USA SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1581, September 8-14, 2011 Thu 0330 WRMI 9955 [confirmed on webcast] Thu 1500 WRMI 9955 Thu 2100 WRMI 9955 [confirmed, not jammed] Thu 2100 WTWW 9479 [confirmed] Thu 2130 WBCQ 7415 [confirmed] Fri 0330 WWRB 5051 [to move to 3195??] Fri 0500 WRMI 9955 Fri 1430 WRMI 9955 Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 Sat 1500 WRMI 9955 Sat 1730 WRMI 9955 Sun 0400 WTWW 5755 Sun 0800 WRMI 9955 Sun 1530 WRMI 9955 Sun 1730 WRMI 9955 Mon 0300v WBCQ 5110v-CUSB Mon 1130 WRMI 9955 Mon 1530 WRMI 9955 Mon 2130 WRMI 9955 Tue 1530 WRMI 9955 Wed 1530 WRMI 9955 Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html or http://schedule.worldofradio.org or http://sked.worldofradio.org For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://193.42.152.193/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN: http://www.wrn.org/wrn-listeners/world-of-radio/ http://www.wrn.org/listeners/world-of-radio/rss/09:00:00UTC/English/541 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location, and say something about why you want to join. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** AFGHANISTAN. There has been no official SW service from Afghanistan since October 2001; at that time the national broadcaster was the Taleban-run Radio Voice of Shari`ah (formerly Radio Afghanistan) which could be heard on 7085v kHz. I was listening to the station`s English service on the afternoon of 8 October 2001 when, at 1610 UT, it suddenly went silent: the very moment when the Kabul transmitter site was destroyed in a US bombing raid. The new transmitter is being reported on 6102 kHz by DXers in Asia, Russia and Central Europe but is difficult to hear in the UK at the moment. It should start to propagate better here by September with the onset of autumnal conditions. The transmitter is a 100 kW Thomson at Yakatut to the east of Kabul; it was financed by India (Dave Kenny, DX News, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) 6102, 1527 12 Aug, R. Afghanistan, Kabul. Song, 1531, ID ``This is Radio Afghanistan - broadcasting on 6100 kHz in the 49 metre band, now the news``. News from Iran, USA, etc. (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, HF Logbook, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) 6102, 5/9 1610-1631*, Radio Afghanistan, talks and songs, Urdu, YL final ID and sign-off at 1631 weak, better in USB (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN. REBUILDING OF THE RADIO AFGHANISTAN Here are some photos of the Radio Afghanistan antenna mast and the towers in Kabul, district Yakatut in process of construction (coordinates 34- 32- 23.59N and 69-12-41.82E). I suppose that by the end of construction the biggest tower started to to look a bit strange (you can compare it with the second image on #1932). Are these masts and the tower just for the MW only or for the SW as well (6102 kHz) [Yakatut - Kabul, R. Afganistan. 1] [Yakatut - Kabul, R. Afganistan. 2] [Yakatut - Kabul, R. afganistan. 3] [Yakatut - Kabul, R. Afganistan. 4] [Yakatut - Kabul, R. Afganistan. 5 60m tower] [Yakatut - Kabul, R. Afganistan. 6] (Lev Lytovchenko, Canada, Sept 1, shortwavesites yg via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. US ARMY RADIO STATION IN AFGHANISTAN: PASHTO BALLADS, CALL-IN, JOKES, AND ARMY'S NARRATIVE. --- Posted: 06 Sep 2011 Washington Post, 24 Aug 2011, Kevin Sieff: "DJ Abed Lawang is one of the biggest names on the airwaves, known for playing hit Pashto ballads, telling jokes and hosting a popular call-in show about farming practices. But there’s one key fact the disc jockey has never told his listeners: He is broadcasting from a studio on a U.S. Army base, delivering messages written by American military officers. He is one of more than 20 radio DJs in Paktika province, and dozens more across the country, who are engaged in what the U.S. military considers a crucial operation: persuading residents in an area dominated by insurgents to embrace Afghan and NATO forces. In practice, that means he has to pause between Pakistani love songs and pas­sages from the Koran to read about the heroism of Afghan and American armies, as well as the destruction wreaked by insurgents. The commentary is not always well received; he uses the pseudonym to protect himself... . The radio campaign has been a boon to the U.S. war effort, enabling the Army to advance its own narrative after successful operations or destructive Taliban attacks. ... 'We hear the station’s messages about the Afghan government and ISAF achievements. It is sometimes good information, but many people here assume [Light FM] is run by Americans. It doesn’t seem independent,' said Ali Mohammad Nazari, 20, a Sharana resident." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 15320, 7/9 1107, Radio Mashaal, via Thailand to Afghanistan, rep. [?] in Pashtu, reports, fair // 15360 15680, 7/9 1126, Radio Free Afghanistan, via Thailand, rep. in Dari, talks mentioning continuously "Afghanistan", fair. At 1130 change of speaker and language with reports, mentioning also Pakistan (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. US CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER EXAMINES THE FUTURE OF SHORTWAVE RADIO Since the dawn of wireless communications, international broadcasters, including the Voice of America, have used shortwave radio to communicate with the world. While many broadcasters now are switching to other technology to get their broadcasts out, privately funded religious organizations in the United States still are devoted to shortwave. VOA's Jerome Socolovsky visited a Christian broadcaster near Nashville, Tennessee. VIDEO STREAM on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyFbqnI_VIE DOWNLOAD VIDEO [18.8 MB]: http://bbgvoa.edgeboss.net/download/bbgvoa/kickapps/videos/1630501.mp4 (via Dragan Lekic, Serbia, dxldyg via DXLD) Nice reception of KNLS Alaska this am, 11870 kHz. Hi Everyone, Nice reception of Alaska this am here on Anglesey. KNLS coming in at good strength and clear at 10 UT. Full IDs "Welcome to the Saturday edition of the English hour from the top of the world; this is your New Life Station, KNLS, Anchor Point, Alaska" This is what I heard; Please excuse me fiddling with the mode setting at the very beginning. I`ve also cut out 50 secs of the interval music after the first station ID, "This is Alaska calling...." http://www.box.net/shared/2mx2cdpquglcmdngeos8 (Mark Davies, Anglesey, Wales, Sept 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. Dear Drita! What happened? I can’t for some time hear the German service, neither on 1458 kHz, nor on 7465 kHz. Best wishes (Hans Verner Lollike, DENMARK, Sept 3, to and via Drita Çiço, R. Tirana, DXLD) I am really sorry that we have no shortwave broadcasts for many days now, with the Shijak station still off the air. Please can you let me know when the broadcasts are expected to resume. Hope you are having a pleasant summer. Kind regards, (Alan Holder, UK, Sept 1, to and via Drita Çiço, R. Tirana, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Previously missing from the unofficial R. Tirana webcast, rechecked UT Sept 2 at 0331 instead of silence, the English service is underway! with opening frequency schedule; unfortunately I `tuned in` too late to tell if Klara had corrected 13640 to 13735 for the 1845 and 2000 transmissions, which are still off the air, anyway. Yes, 7425, the 0330 frequency, is still absent too. Heard features alternating with music including at 0347 `Around Albania` about two tourist villages in the south. Ended at 0400 and back to silent streaming. Christian Milling in Germany, who was involved in setting up the stream with Radio 700, tells us: ``Hi, what I can confirm from checking the RT stream are the following languages on the Webcast. All programs are now recorded and uploaded to the webserver (sorry for the non-translation in the feed, but my knowledge of Turkish and Serbian is rather low...) 1545-1600 Greek http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/gr/al/tirana/tirana.php 1800-1830 German http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/de/al/tirana/tirana.php 1830-1900 Turkish http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/tr/al/tirana/tirana.php 1900-1930 French http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/fr/al/tirana/tirana.php 2015-2030 Serbian http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/rs/al/tirana/tirana.php 0330-0400 English http://www.radio700.info/podcasts/en/al/tirana/tirana.php The Greek Service consists only of an announcement and music non stop. Unfortunately I can't hear the Italian programs online. Obviously they are transmitted via the second audiochannel that is connected to the transmitter sites, so here no recording possible. It seems that the Webcast is fed to Fllakë Transmitter 2 programs and Shijak Transmitter 1 programs, except for Italian and some of the English broadcasts. During the day the webcast seems to carry the domestic service of Radio Tirana 1.`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checked the webcast at 1900: Italian on Aug 29 and Sept 2, French on Aug 30, 31, Sept 1 (Jean-Michel Aubier, France, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Webcast, Sept 3 at 0330, R. Tirana is indeed still announcing 13640 instead of 13735 for the English Mon-Sat at 1845 and 2000; 13640 with an interference problem was replaced months ago. Moot anyhow, no SW at all on the air currently (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [non]. Dear Drita, I thought you would like to know that I found Radio Tirana's 30 minute German programme last night. It was on the air from 1800 to 1830 UT on 6005 kHz. The signal was fair level here and there was moderate interference from Radio Bulgaria on 6000 kHz. At 1830 "Radio 700" programming started. I am guessing that Radio 700 (a private station in Germany) was relaying your German programme for Europe. Do you know about this already? At least your German listeners have the chance to hear Radio Tirana, now that the Shijak station is off the air. I will check again over the next few nights to see if the relay continues. Best wishes, (Alan Holder Isle of Wight (Queen Victoria's home area - additional info by Drita), UK, via Drita Çiço, R. Tirana, Sept 2, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Drita, I hope you are fine and enjoy the summer. In Germany we renamed the seasons: spring, crap, autumn and winter... According the relay on 6005 kc/s: yes, it'll continue until the Shijak transmitter are back again, as proposed to Astrit Ibro, as a little help between friends. I could imagine to do this for other languages like French or English too. Regards and good luck fixing the faulty parts, (Christian Milling, Radio 700, via Drita, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Radio Tirana Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2011 10:00 AM Subject: announcement Pershendetje Drita, Uroj te jesh mire. Te lutem ma shpernda kete adresen e re te radio tirana english pasi adresen e pare dikush ma ka mbyllur dhe nuk e di pse. Me shkruajne degjuesit dhe me thone te kam derguar e-mail. Komunikimi yne ketej e tutje do te jete ne kete adrese. Faleminderit, Klara Saliu, English section (via Drita Çiço, DS LISTENING DIGEST) New email address for Radio Tirana English Program: Radio Tirana radiotiranaenglish @ live.com (Drita Çiço, Monitoring & High Frequency (Short Wave) Manager since 1981 & 2005 - at present, RADIO TIRANA, Sept 6, ibid.) Dear Drita Çiço, I have noticed for the last few weeks that Radio Tirana has not been broadcasting on shortwave in English. The English broadcasts in the afternoon and evening are well received here and I enjoy listening to your programmes. I hope this is just a temporary problem with your shortwave transmitters. Please reassure me that Radio Tirana will resume broadcasting in English on shortwave as soon as possible. I await your reply. Thank you. Yours sincerely (Harry Brooks, North East England, UK, via Drita, DXLD) Dear Mr Harry Brooks, It is understandable your worry about Radio Tirana English Program on Short Waves. As far as I know, it is said there is a temporary technical problem at our Shijak R-station since by the end of July. But, there are voices that there are plans to move to the radio internet or so. By the way, I greet you with the following Albanian song on the internet at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SBYugk3xpU Anjeza Shahini & Dren Abazi (English Sub) - Ti dhe une TOP FEST 8 or in English: "You and me" Have a nice evening, and stay tune on short wave. We would hope to come back soon again (Drita Çiço, Mrs., Electronic Engineer, RTSH- Monitoring & HF Manager, since 1981 & from 2005 - at present, RADIO TIRANA, ibid.) 7425, Sept 6 at 0352, R. Tirana is still silent; ditto 13625 at 1430; what`s the problem, exactly? We hope they are not allowing SW to peter out with a whimper (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Tirana: The studio to transmitter audiolink is defective. New equipment is ordered and shall arrive and be installed in the next weeks (Christian Milling, Funkhaus Euskirchen, Germany, Sept 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13625, Sept 7 at 1430: still nothing from R. Tirana. But Christian Milling of Funkhaus Euskirchen, Germany informed us after yesterday`s query: ``Hi Glenn, Tirana: The studio to transmitter audiolink is defective. New equipment is ordered and shall arrive and be installed in the next weeks`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGUILLA. 11775, Sept 1 at 1245, tune-in to dead air; could it be a pregnant pause by DGS while he puffs a deadly cigar? No, after a while, gospel music interlude ``Kick Yo Feet`` audio cuts on and off and on and off, etc., then PMS starts talking about Labor Day weekend without cutouts. CB still has its problems, but has remained on the air whenever checked last several days, also 6090 at night (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, LRA36 still missing at the end of another week, checked Friday Sept 2 at 1301; and 1404, when weak carriers from other stations could be detected on 15470, 15480 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. X-band logs: 1610, R Guabiyú, Gregorio de Laferrere, Argentina; SS ad mentioning establishment in “Gregorio de Laferrere”, songs; mixed presumed Caribbean Beacon, Gpks, 0400 11/7 mah (Martin Hall, Clashmore, Sutherland, Scotland, Perseus SDR, RPA-1 preamp, beverage: 400m at 231 degrees, terminated. Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1610, Radio Guabiyú, Gregorio de Lafferrere, Buenos Aires; SS nice music, ads and anns; thanks to Henrik Klemetz for his help to ID this station; personal first, 232/3, 0200 14/7 MvA (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands. Perseus, AOR7030plus; KAZ antennas at 35, 70, 160, 250, 290 and 340 degrees, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1610, R Guabiyú, Gregorio de Laferrere, Argentina; “Espacio Publicitario” then La Matanza government announcement, commercial for Rutatlántica travel company. All match Guabiyú’s web stream but no ID during these 12 minutes of advertisements/announcements, then back to accordion music. W[eak], 0300 14/7 AB (Andrew Brade, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK, AOR AR 7030 plus and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook phased array 290 , 305m beverage at 220 . Recording on Sony MZ-NH1 minidisc + Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1610, Radio Guabiyú, Gregorio de Laferrere BA; three tone chime, “Guabiyú” OM/YL announcements promos & later accordion with vocals music; thanks to Mauricio Molano Sánchez; likely station status as pirate, W 0300 14/7 BD (Barry Davies, Carlisle, Cumbria. Perseus, 3.7m x 10.0m Flag + FLG100 amp, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1620, Radio AM 16-20, Mar del Plata, Argentina; SS program, Argentine music, ID, 232, 0316 14/7 MvA (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands. Perseus, AOR7030plus; KAZ antennas at 35, 70, 160, 250, 290 and 340 degrees, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1620, AM 1620, Mar del Plata, Argentina; “AM 16-20, AM Nuevo, 20(?) Mar del Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina”, F 0330 22/7 PC (Paul Crankshaw, Troon, Ayrshire. Perseus SDR, Flag antenna, RPA-1 pre-amp, MFJ-1025 Phaser (modified), Sept MW News via DXLD) 1620, AM1620, Mar del Plata, Argentina; music including “Macarena”, followed by “AM 16-20 AM Nuevo”; at 0330, “AM 16-20 AM Nuevo desde Mar del Plata, provincia de Buenos Aires, República Argentina”, F, 0309 27/7 AB (Andrew Brade, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK, AOR AR 7030 plus and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook phased array 290 , 305m beverage at 220 . Recording on Sony MZ-NH1 minidisc + Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1620, AM1620, Mar del Plata, Argentina; YL with full ID at 2359 UT. Personal First, Wk, 2355 22/8 SW (Steve Whitt, High Catton East Yorkshire; AOR7030+ and dual K9AY antennae, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1630, Radio AM Restauración, Hurlingham, Argentina; religious content, Argentine NA then ad for Muebles Cuyita, a furniture business in Cd Tesei matching similar ad on station web stream. W 0307 7/7 AB 1630, Radio Melody, San José, Argentina; a new, and unlisted anywhere, Argentine X-band station. F 0330 27/7 AB Programme format was music and chat with an ID after the NA at 0303 and again at 0330 “Desde la cuna de la colonización entrerriana, transmite Radio Melody, LRM 991, San José, Entre Ríos, Argentina”. The location and some of the words were clear to me, but the word Melody was not. Neither was it clear to HK, but his patient research came up with Melody from the “991” clue. The station was heard, but without ID, in Sweden by Hasse Mattisson, a week earlier. Thanks to Henrik for his assistance in solving this riddle; personal first (Andrew Brade, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK, AOR AR 7030 plus and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook phased array 290 , 305m beverage at 220 . Recording on Sony MZ-NH1 minidisc + Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1640, Kalikanto Radio, Distrito Chamaca, Provincia de Chumbivilcas, Argentina, 322, 0307 27/6 MvA (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands. Perseus, AOR7030plus; KAZ antennas at 35, 70, 160, 250, 290 and 340 degrees, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1640, Radio Kalikanto; Peruvian music ID “Kalikante” weak, 222, 0327 23/7 MDe (Maurits van Driessche, Zele, Belgium. Perseus and R&S EK07/D2, Supper Kaz 275 and 75 , MFJ 1026, 2 x preamp 20 dB, DBX 1215, Edirol UA-25EX (new, works great), Sept MW News via DXLD) [see also PERU!] 1690, Cristo La Solución, San Justo (presumed); non-stop light religious songs; actual 1689.969 kHz, Gpks 0400 11/7 mah (Martin Hall, Clashmore, Sutherland, Scotland, Perseus SDR, RPA-1 preamp, beverage: 400m at 231 degrees, terminated. Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1690, CLS, Cristo La Solución, San Justo, Argentina; Spanish religioius song, male ann giving website; thanks to Henrik Klemetz for his help to ID this station; personal first. 242 0317 14/7 MvA (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands. Perseus, AOR7030plus; KAZ antennas at 35, 70, 160, 250, 290 and 340 degrees, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1700, Fantástico, Once, Buenos Aires; songs, Spanish web ID, Gpks 0358 11/7 mah (Martin Hall, Clashmore, Sutherland, Scotland, Perseus SDR, RPA-1 preamp, beverage: 400m at 231 degrees, terminated. Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) 1700, R Fantástico, Buenos Aires; Spanish, no toth ID; “Fantástico”, music, 252 0204 14/7 MvA (Max van Arnhem, Hoenderloo, The Netherlands. Perseus, AOR7030plus; KAZ antennas at 35, 70, 160, 250, 290 and 340 degrees, Sept MW News via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 11710.43, RAE, 0156 end of program in Portuguese. 0056- 0100 tinkly 8 note IS with occasional "RAE, Argentina" IDs by M. 5+1 time ticks, then usual fanfare music theme with Spanish ID by W and M, then multi-lingual IDs. Into what sounded like Japanese program to 0157. 0157-0200 same IS routine. Time ticks, and fanfare/ID routine. 0202 M with date and 3 nx headlines. "Unlimited sounds on the International Service of the Argentine radio". M and W host chatter and program rundown. Talk about a Cumbia artist then music. Fairly decent with a very subtle drift. (9 August) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) 15344.21 31.8 2010 RAE hade ett specialprogram "Anecdotes de tango" i vilket man på franska berättade just anekdoter från genres spännande historia och dessutom spelades mängder av stilig tangomusik. En fröjd för örat. Dessutom var Marocko inte igång vilket ledde till mycket god mottagning. 4 CB 15344.21, 8.31 2010, RAE had a special program "Anecdotes of the tango" where they in French were telling just anecdotes from the genre's exciting history and also played lots of nice tango music. A delight to the ear. In addition, Morocco was not on, which led to very good reception. 4 CB (Christer Brunström, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. COLVIN'S TIME ON AIR CUT IN ABC RADIO REVAMP - National News - National - General - Nambucca Guardian News Some information on upcoming changes to ABC's Radio National that may interest you. http://www.nambuccaguardian.com.au/news/national/national/general/colvins-time-on-air-cut-in-abc-radio-revamp/2278568.aspx "Big Ideas" is an interesting potpourri - that development looks like a plus to me (Rich Cuff, PA, Sept 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Colvin's time on air cut in ABC radio revamp TIM DICK, 02 Sep, 2011 12:00 AM IF YOU like Fran Kelly's Breakfast show, there will be more of her. But if you like Mark Colvin, you'll need to listen carefully, as you'll have PM for half as long as you do now, at least on Radio National's draft schedule for next year. PM will still get an hour on local radio, and Colvin said on Twitter shortly before he started his program last night: ''We would always prefer to have more airtime, but the choice is Radio National's. It's their station - we provide a service.'' If you like specialist programs like the Law Report, they will be shifted to the early evening, alongside the resurrected media and religion shows axed by previous management, and before a new two-hour drive show at 6pm. The review is against repeats and in favour of being live when listeners expect it to be, but if you like broadcasting's immovable elder, Phillip Adams, do not fret. While the deckchairs on the ABC's ship of brainy listening are moved all around him, his Late Night Live will remain repeated in the afternoons, making the show neither late night nor live. Gone from the schedule entirely is Artworks on Sunday and Australia Talks during the week, while the daily Book Show becomes longer and adds arts to its purview. Big Ideas goes four nights a week, and a bunch of other programs are renovated and moved around as part of the station's bid to ''reinvigorate itself''. The station manager, Michael Mason, said in a note to staff: ''We are here to help nurture the intellectual and cultural life of this country, to be a vital part of the contemporary Australian conversation.'' Radio National should ''never chase a mass market'', but its ability to keep broadcasting thinking, ideas and debate would be limited if ''we fail to attract the next generation of 40+ listeners.'' In part, the revamp is a concession to modern reality: many are still on the way to work when the specialist programs kick in at 8.30 am, when they want news, and many do not leave for home until well after PM ends at 6 pm. But little is simple when you change anything on Radio National, and Mr Mason and a committee is busy consulting staff for the next three weeks (via DXLD) Thanks for passing this on, Rich. Yeah, I would agree with your assessment. Colvin is a fine journalist, but PM in its present form does seem to be a bit too long. The resurrection of the weekly media and religion review shows is certainly a big plus too. Keeping Adams right where he is is a comfort as well. This does not have the odor of retrenchment at all. Rather, it appears to be a sincere effort at matching the network to perceived public needs and preferences. Radio National is one of only two networks globally (BBC Radio 4 being the other) that caters to the more intellectually curious listener. (If that sounds elitist, you will get no apology from me on that score!) We could use more, but cannot afford the lose one (John Figliozzi, NY, ibid.) Parts of CBC Radio One, RTE Radio 1, Radio NZ National, and even our beloved NPR/PRI dyad would qualify too, but those are all a cut below IMHO (Rich Cuff, PA, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. 2368.5, R. Symban, 1007 strong enough to hear and differentiate music and talk, but that's about it. Nice to get some audio though. A lot of thunderstorm static crashes. (14 August) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) 2368.5, R. Symban, 1154-1202*, September 4. Songs in Greek; still abbreviated schedule (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 8176-USB, VMC, *1300-1306* Aug 31. Weather and marine warnings for northern, eastern, and southern coastal waters, including Tasmania; off at 1206 with "end of transmission from VMC..." Good signal // 6507 (fair/QRM) and 12365 (good). (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 11387-USB, Sept 4 at 1333, YL with flight weather, ID as ``Australian VOLMET, out`` and off; didn`t hear much, unsure if robotic, also QRM from various ute noises. This reference http://www.dxinfocentre.com/volmet.htm shows AXQ421, Brisbane, on the hour and half-hour, presumably 24 hours, u.o.s.; alternating in this order every 5 minutes with Calcutta [sic], Bangkok [sic], Karachi, Singapore, Bombay [sic], but the middle three are not 24h (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. IS DIGITAL RADIO A FLOP? WA Today, Australia 5, September 2011 Is talk of a digital switchover premature? After several false starts, digital radio finally launched in Australia in mid-2009. It hasn’t had the same high profile media coverage as digital television, in part because there’s been no looming cut-off date for digital radio to encourage people to upgrade. Considering this, it’s little surprise that take-up has been slow. Like digital television, digital radio has initially been hampered by reception issues along with the expense of new digital-capable gear - although both are slowly improving. Another complication is the fact that digital radio is currently metro-centric and there’s still debate as to the best way to expand to cover the rest of the country. At least digital radio has delivered on the promise of extra digital- only content, as you can see at digitalradioplus.com.au. We already have a wide range of digital-only radio stations, whereas it took digital television many years to fulfill such promises. We’ve also seen digital car radios hit the shelves, which should help boost take- up. A story in yesterday’s paper "Listeners give digital radio a poor reception" paints a pretty grim picture of Australian digital radio. Two years after its introduction, digital radio accounts for just 7.6 per cent of radio listening time in Australia, according to figures from Commercial Radio Australia. Looking at previous reports, it seems digital radio take-up is neck and neck with internet radio. With talk of the NBN and improved mobile broadband networks, some people would argue that digital radio may have missed the boat. Such predictions tend to miss the mark, as they're generally made by tech-savvy early adopters who fail to appreciate that they're in a minority. What really caught my eye in yesterday’s story was talk of a cut-off date for Australian analogue radio broadcasts from Commercial Radio Australia chief executive Joan Warner. “Our view is that there would have to be 80 per cent or upwards of listening to DAB+ for the industry to agree to switch off analog. My personal view is that getting to 80 per cent will take another five to seven years,” Warner said. I think that’s the first time I’ve seen the industry put forward a rough timetable for an Australian digital radio switchover. It sounds quite optimistic to me, especially considering we waited ten years for the digital TV switchover to start. I think five or even seven years from now you’d see a much greater backlash against a digital radio switchover than there was against the digital TV switchover. Most people own more radios than televisions and they tend to hang on to them for much longer. There’s also the fact that your average radio can’t be upgraded with a simple set-top box. The thought of throwing away every radio they own and starting again isn’t going to go down well with Australian consumers. I’ve got nothing against digital radio, but I always imagined it would be a sleeper technology - existing side-by-side with analogue radio and given time to slowly mature. Do you think talk of a digital radio switchover by the end of the decade is premature? Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/digital-life/computers/blogs/gadgets-on-the-go/is-digital-radio-a-flop-20110905-1jtdu.html#ixzz1X40wYQam (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) POOR REACH AND PRODUCT QUALITY MAKE LISTENERS TUNE OUT OF DIGITAL Two years after its introduction, digital radio accounts for just 7.6 per cent of radio listening time in Australia, according to figures from Commercial Radio Australia. And most of that figure is believed to comprise the digital simulcast of existing radio stations. Nielsen and Commercial Radio Australia do not release the ratings figures of digital-only stations, but advertisers believe they are ”minuscule”. Read more from the Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/poor-reach-and-product-quality-make-listeners-tune-out-of-digital-20110903-1jreg.html (September 3rd, 2011 - 16:36 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) 4 Comments on “Australia: Poor reach and product quality make listeners tune out of digital” #1 Richard Hunt on Sep 4th, 2011 at 10:53 There is a fuller version of the article in the Melbourne Age: http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/listeners-give-digital-radio-a-poor-reception-20110903-1jrcg.html #2 Pete Path on Sep 4th, 2011 at 17:31 It is strange that FM radio (developed in the 1930s) sounds better than a lot of digital radio (DAB, DVB-T) developed in our days! #3 ruud on Sep 5th, 2011 at 13:34 Has not got to do with technique, but with people. Everywhere there are bad people around; in the digital radio industry it is the guys that want to squeeze as many channels and data in one multiplex. To make more money. This cannot be done with FM, but in the digital area there is a wide open field for actions to deprive the audience of quality, and just wait until they are gonna charge you for everything that now is for free. #4 Nigel Holmes on Sep 7th, 2011 at 07:47 “… strange that FM radio … sounds better than a lot of digital radio…” Not so strange. Many Australian commercial broadcasters with FM outlets run 32 kbs on DAB+. Even the bastions of “fine music” like ABC FM & MBS FM run 64-80 kbs on their DAB+ outlets. It boils down to affording a “presence”, or preferably several, rather thsn offering listeners the true potential of the medium. Just another example of the big con - tell the punters they’re getting a better service often enough & the dears will believe it. Same story with our miserable digital TV stations. SBS shovels the same fare simultaneously into 3 SD channels & an HD channel for much of the day. It’s called variety & it must be good because it’s digital dammit… (Media Network blog comments via DXLD) ** BAHAMAS. Good signal from the Bahamas yesterday around 0500 UT. http://www.box.net/shared/vqgrpy13rl6i3khl8d79 Best wishes (Barry :-) Davies, UK, Sept 2, MWCircle yg via DXLD) 1540, ZNS 0940-1100 with reports of hurricane approaching, also noted on 810 ZNS, Both strong signals, professional low key ZNS messages to reassure. [Wilkner and Ken Walters on FaceBook] (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) no dates Re 11-35: ``The current address of the studio is : Harcourt (Rusty) Bethel Dr. ,(see pic 12). The address is the former 3rd Terrace, which is associated with the Tx site of the 1540kHz Station ZNS-1 (WRTH 2010). But it's not true.`` What do you mean? I don't see such address given in WRTH 2010. 73, (Mauno Ritola, WRTH, shortwavesites yg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Mauno, You're right the WRTH 2010 doesn't give you the direct address, but send you to http://www.znsbahamas.com where you can read NOW the new and old addresses - "Rusty" and the 3rd Terrace. Regards. (Lev, ibid.) ** BAHRAIN. 9745, R. Bahrain, 2204-2257, Nothing but nonstop Arabic vocals and Arabic music. Jammed in LSB. Clearer in USB. Another co- channel station came on at 2230 and was equal to slightly stronger after 2237. R. Romania International came on at 2257 and wiped it out. May have had this earlier at 1934 heavily jammed then as well. (27 August) 9745, R. Bahrain heard on again with jammer at 0006. Arabic music. Definitely USB +carrier. (2 Sept.) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) ** BELARUS. Awoken by neighbour`s antics 0045 UT. On with the radio! Belarussian station coming in very well on 6070 kHz 0230 UT (20 dB peak, no interference) playing contemporary jazz & pop mx with English lyrics. Russian sounding YL presenter. ID at 0300 followed by what sounded like a national anthem. Sank back into noise just after and I sank back into bed. Hams literally having a field day on 80 meters. All /Ps yelling "CQ contest!" (Ian David Evans, UK, Sept 4, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) 6070 Belaruskaye Radio 1 0000-2400 1234567 Belarussian 5 kW ND Brest BLR 02354E5218N (Aoki via DXLD) ** BELIZE. 96.5 MHz, KREM FM, Belize City. 1356 September 5, 2011. Just happened to punch on the Sangean PR-D5 portable, which was set to this channel for some reason. Loud signal with non-Jahmaykan Caribe- accented guy in the middle of a spot for an event at the Tropicana Lounge, mentioning a long list of rappers and house DJ's appearing "on Independence eve." Independence Day would be September 21 per Wiki. Then, a commercial for Maya Island Air ("... so get ready Belize"). They, per their website, being a small commuter that flies to remote towns throughout Belize, and to Cancún (Mexico), San Pedro Sula and Roatán (Honduras), and la Aurora (Guatemala). And had one plane slide off the runway upon attempted takeoff in 2007 per Wiki. A couple of other local store ads and into rap format songs. Per their website, they consistently treat KREM in all capital letters, with the WRTVH erring as Krem. This may be my last log of KREM FM on 96.5. I note that there is an application for another one of those Radio Assist Ministry, Inc. FM translators in Largo, FL pending, though it's been open for an awfully long time, so maybe there's still hope: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=146778 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 3309.97, R. Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba, 0831-0841, Spanish; S/on in progress; M & W announcers with brief talks between ballads; poor-fair; 9/5 (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4716.63, Radio Yura, Yura noted 1020 to 1035 on 1 September, seems regular from 0100 to 0230 (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5952.37, R. Pio Doce, *1033-1048 Aug 24. Popped on at 1033 with an announcement about an upcoming live broadcast from somewhere on August 30; mentioned "municipio de Llallagua" and Oruro; M announcer continued with talk, taking several phone calls from correspondents; many IDs. Fairly good signal until 1045, then began deteriorating (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100- foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA: R Kawsachun Coca. Also found this information on the web: Desde el trópico de Cochabamba, cuna de las luchas bolivianas por una patria digna, transmite: FM. 99.7, AM. 740, OC. 6075. Radio Kawsachun Coca voz de la Revolución Democrática y Cultural. Carretera a Cochabamba - Santa Cruz Km: 182 LAUCA-EÑE / SHINAHOTA. TEL.- 44135860, E-MAIL - rkc_radionacional@hotmail.com /Thomas Nilsson ----------- Official website for the station is http://www.kawsachuncoca.com/ They also have a live audio stream but unfortunately offline most of the time. /TN (Thomas Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4 via DXLD) KAWSACHUN COCA TRANSMITIENDO EN VIVO DESDE LE TRÓPICO DE COCHABAMBA RADIOEMISORA EN EL TRÓPICO COCHABAMBINO En el trópico de Cochabamba, en el municipio de Shinahota se encuentra la Radioemisora “Kawsachun Coca”, radio que emite su señal desde hace dos años atrás, Renacer pudo conversar con su Director, el periodista José Luis Colque Giménez, quien nos dio los pormenores de esta emisora. ¿Cómo surge la radio? “Kawsachun coca”, es el eslogan que durante los años 80 ha sido el grito de revolución de miles de cocaleros productores en el trópico cochabambino; hubo pérdida de vidas en confrontaciones en los gobiernos de Paz Zamora, Hugo Banzer y también en el de Sánchez de Lozada, cuando se pretendía erradicar de manera forzosa y aún habiendo lo que es el desarrollo alternativo, que según declaraciones de los propios dirigentes no alcanzó los objetivos para los cuales fue trazado. Es así que este grito libertario se consolida dos años atrás en una emisora. ¿Por qué una radioemisora? La primera emisora que salió del trópico, como voz del trópico, fue “Radio Soberanía” ubicada en Chipiriri, radio fundada por el presidente Morales, en ese entonces dirigente cocalero y también por la Federación del Trópico Cochabambino. Una vez conocido el alcance y la importancia de contar con un medio de comunicación alternativo, porque era la voz oficial de los cocaleros, y había otra voz, “Horizonte” lo que era la voz de la Embajada Norteamericana, lograron entender que deberían contar con una emisora de las seis federaciones del trópico, a así que se consolida dos años atrás Radio Kawsachun Coca. ¿Quién administra la radio? La administración de la radio tiene un Directorio, que esta conformado por miembros de las seis federaciones del trópico, habiendo una dirección administrativa, otra financiera y otra periodística logística. ¿Qué infraestructura tiene la radio? Exactamente dos meses atrás recontaba solamente cos ambientes en planta baja, en los que de manera improvisada se hizo una sala de locución-emisión y una sala que servía como secretaría y también grabación. Justamente el martes 22 de febrero, martes de challa, el presidente Morales hizo un programa desde las seis de la mañana hasta casi el medio día desde Radio Kawsachun coca para todo el país, oportunidad en la que también se challó el edifico de tres plantas con varios bloques, para en un futuro contar con un canal de televisión. En este momento ocupamos el segundo piso que es destinado a la radio, en cada piso contamos con cinco espacios, que en este caso sirve para la sala de redacción, sala de emisión y también para los equipos de AM y honda [sic] corta, de manera que en cuanto a infraestructura se tiene los espacios. En cuanto al equipo técnico, tenemos lo necesario micrófonos, computadoras para los periodistas con el software adecuado para las grabaciones que luego son emitidas en el noticiero central. ¿Quién financia la radio? En la primera etapa se contó con el financiamiento de la Embajada de Venezuela, justamente con la instalación de las RPO`s, las radios alternativas populares en todo el país, y en Cochabamba “Kawsachun coca” se consideró una afiliada a las RPO´s; se recibió un equipamiento básico. Posteriormente a eso, gracias al programa Evo Cumple, se hizo el edificio, con el cual contamos ahora, el resto el equipamiento, viene de aportes de los miembros de los distintos sindicatos y federaciones del trópico cochabambino. Mensualmente hacen una porte cada miembro y es de esa manera que se sostiene la radio, pero también para esta gestión se tiene el desafió de buscar un auto sostenimiento con el tema de la publicidad, mejorar la calidad de los programas para que la radio pueda sustentarse sola y no depender de los aportes de los propios cocaleros del trópico. ¿En la actualidad tienen publicidad? En este momento tenemos contrato con el Gobierno, el ministerio de Educación, la Dirección Nacional de Comunicaciones, también el Ministerio de Salud y la Prefectura Cochabambina que se sumo este año, y proyectos del trópico cochabambino. Publicidad en si, solo algunas ferreterías, la venta de antenas parabólicas, algunos avisos comunitarios, y ENTEL que en esta etapa de surgimiento está apoyando a la radio. ¿Cuál es la programación de la radio? La programación comienza a las 4:30 de la mañana hasta las 23:00 hrs. [0830-0300 UT]. La misma fue trabajada por hermanos cubanos que estuvieron en el trópico por más de cuatro meses, hicieron un estudio. Además de una propuesta alternativa de una programación ideal, estamos en la etapa de análisis y puesta en vigencia de las propuestas trabajadas por ellos, con la participación de los propios trabajadores de Kawsachun coca. Se tiene programas exclusivamente en quechua; también tenemos el programa en la madrugada el programa “Despierta Conmigo”, programa bilingüe, una novela de producción nacional, Informativo en quechua, enlace con la red Patria Nueva, programas especializados periodísticos, que eran trabajados en Cochabamba, también producciones con la radio “Soberanía” de Chipiriri en quechua, y un programa variado en quechua y castellano por la inmigración de gente de Oruro, La Paz y Cochabamba. ¿Por qué se eligió el municipio de Shinahota para montar la radio? Fue una decisión de los ejecutivos; en Shinahota se encuentra el conocido “gallinero”, que fue la primera sede revolucionaria de donde surgieron los grupos de choque de cocaleros para confrontar la arremetida de las fuerzas policiales y militares que mataron mucha gente, con la intención de erradicar la hoja de coca en el Chapare, y sobretodo erradicar el liderazgo de Evo Morales Ayma junto a los cocaleros, que ya defendía la vida, los derechos humanos y la defensa de la hoja sagrada de coca. Es por eso que se decide tener un monumento histórico, como es el medio de comunicación, justamente en el lugar donde se planificaron movilizaciones y marchas, estamos a una cuadra del “gallinero”, lugar donde el presidente Morales realizaba ampliados, y donde se planificaba el surgimiento de una nueva etapa para Bolivia. Kawsachun Coca se puede sintonizar en AM 740, y onda corta 6075, y está en proyecto la implementación de una señal satelital. La radio con base en el trópico cochabambino, tiene corresponsales en la ciudad de La Paz y Cochabamba, y en un futuro en Santa Cruz. “Nuestro compromiso es con el pueblo, informar de forma objetiva, aunque haya amenazas para amedrentarnos, pero seguimos adelante con la cabeza en alto”, afirma Nelson Colque, corresponsal de Kawsachun coca en Cochabamba. Texto y Foto: Carlos Martínez P. (From http://www.renacerbol.com.ar/edicion174/bolivia07.htm via SW Bulletin Sept 4, via DXLD) Cf UNIDENTIFIED 6075+ this or not?? ** BOLIVIA. 6154,92 1.9 2310 R Fides BOL är inte läsbar alltför ofta, dock denna gång. Prat. AN 6154.92, 01.09 2310, R. Fides is not readable too often; however, this time. Talk. AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOTSWANA. Radio Botswana. 621, Selebi Phikwi. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0312-0327 Afro music. Started good, but deteriorated to poor by 0325, so I moved on to 1215 from Mahalapye, 0337-0340. This was in SeTswana with afro music, followed by OM introducing Michael Jackson's ? "Not Alone". Fair. Jo'burg sunrise 0425 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOTSWANA [and non]. WikiLeaks: BOTSWANA INVITED US TROOPS TO GUARD VOA TRANSMITTERS Botswana invited the United States to send troops to guard a transmission station used by the Voice of America’s Studio 7 to broadcast into Zimbabwe, leaked diplomatic cables show. Botswana’s Defence, Justice and Security Minister Ramadeluka Seretse is said to have made the extraordinary request in July 2008 over concerns that Zimbabwe would try to take out the controversial transmitters operated by the International Broadcasting Bureau. Read more from newzimbabwe.com http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-5999-Botswana+invited+American+troops/news.aspx (September 7th, 2011 - 10:44 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4885, Sept 3 at 0522, Brazilian music, poor vs noise level, CODAR. Probably R. Clube do Pará, traditionally one of the best 24h signals from Brazil, first time audible here in months. I lament my lack of DX logs below 5 MHz, as my line noise level is horrific; must get OG&E on the case, if they haven`t all been deployed to the east coast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 10000, PPE Time Station. Heard easily under WWV at this QTH on 03 September 2011 at 0040 UT. Female voice saying Observatório Nacional, then time, then three pips before the minute followed by a pip every ten seconds during the minute. Heard best in USB mode. I know, I know, nothing special, but it's been a slow week. 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall, Pennsylvania, USA, WinRadio G303e, 100m longwire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 15189.970, R. Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte MG, 24 hours in Portuguese, poor S=5 signal, but very tiny at 0623 UT \\ 6010.018 kHz, Aug 31 (Wolfgang Büschel, Aug 31, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Res: Radio digital no Brasil volta a estaca zero. Olá Michel, Paschoal, Estive neste encontro em Brasília. O representante da ANATEL afirmou textualmente que não é possível digitalizar as OM com as atuais tecnologias e que o simulcast analógico/digital é inviável. O representante do Mackenzie defendeu junto com um colega do CPqD um sistema brasileiro de rádio digital, tal como foi feito com o SBTVD. Há uma forte tendência pelo abandono das OM com a migração para o VHF, mas o MINICOM encontrou uma série de entraves legais, o que foi questionado por alguns radiodifusores. O Michel Penneroux (DRM) disse que São Paulo é uma das cidades mais ruidosas do mundo e é justamente isso que me preocupa. Outro detalhe: as OC/OT foram citadas várias vezes como algo importante para a realidade brasileira e a ANATEL pediu que elas não sejam apartadas do processo de digitalização, o que foi confirmado pela representante do MINICOM, apesar das limitações da Portaria 290 (Flávio PY2ZX Archangelo, Brasil, 3 Sept, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Amigos da lista: Acabei de ouvir na Jovem Pan que o Ministério das Comunicações anunciou que irá recomeçar "do zero" a idéia do rádio digital no Brasil. Os motivos alegados são os que nós já sabemos e discutimos aqui na lista: Depois de vários testes com os dois sistemas, chegou-se a conclusão de que as deficiências que foram constatadas acabam inviabilizando por enquanto a adoção de um sistema pelo Brasil. Foi tambem mencionado o atual panorama da digitalização do rádio nos EUA, onde, segundo a própria reportagem da JP, está ocorrendo um recuo, pois as emissoras de FM americanas estão estagnadas com a digitalização e há um notável desinteresse tanto por parte dos radiodifusores como pelos ouvintes. E mais, as emissoras de AM americanas estão abandonando mesmo o sistema, devido aos problemas de interferências causados nas transmissões analógicas e diminuição do alcance das rádios quando operam em digital. Por estas e outras, o atual ministro das comunicações, Paulo Bernardo, informou no debate que ocorreu nesta quinta feira sobre o assunto, que serão repensados os conceitos e tecnologias do rádio digital e que a idéia é iniciar novos testes e pensar em outros formatos, inclusive aquele que pleiteia o uso da faixa ocupada pela TV analógica para alocar canais onde seriam então irradiados os programas das emissoras digitais. Eu particularmente espero que, com isto as nossas bandas de radio analogicas sejam deixadas em paz. A cultura AM já liberou os canais adjacentes que ela atrapalhava, falta agora a Bandeirantes fazer o mesmo e deixar em paz os 730 e os 750 kHz para fazermos DX! Um abraço a todos e boas escutas! (Michel Viani - Osasco - SP, ibid.) Michel; Na verdade só adiaram a decisão; a migração para o sistema digital é inevitável, não há como o rádio ficar fora do processo natural da evolução tecnológica como já ocorreu com a televisão e a telefonia. Numa edição passada da Fenarcom, assisti uma palestra do jornalista Geraldo Nunes que falou a respeito da atual baixíssima audiência das rádios de AM que se traduz em falta de anunciantes, e a tendência é que isso piore na medida que a tecnologia do AM permaneça como está, parada no tempo e no espaço. Acredito que se o rádio AM não evoluir será engolido por outras tecnologias como já vem ocorrendo com o rádio pela internet, pois hoje com um celular plugado na internet pode-se escutar milhares de emissoras do mundo inteiro e não há como concorrer com isso, nem como ignorar a tecnologia que está aí a nossa disposição. Como saudosistas e amantes do rádio que somos ficamos tristes ao ver o que está acontecendo, por outro lado não podemos ficar fora desse processo de evolução que as comunicações vem atravessando, seria como continuarmos utilizando um celular analógico como aqueles antigos “tijolosâ€? que a Motorola fabricou no passado e que hoje viraram peças de museu, portanto que venha a tecnologia! É provável que esta minha opinião seja única nesta lista, mas expressa aquilo que eu penso e desejo com relação a este assunto que, polêmico, sempre volta à pauta. 73´s a todos e bom final de semana! (Paschoal F. Fideli, São Paulo - SP, ibid.) Paschoal, Veja, a notícia veiculada pela Jovem Pan não diz que o rádio digital não será implantado no Brasil e sim justamente que será adiado. Ocorre que na gestão anterior do Ministério das Comunicações, havia um cronograma para o rádio digital, no qual estavam previstos os testes que tem sido feitos ao longo dos anos pelas emissoras, onde o governo pretendia definir qual o sistema de rádio digital que seria adotado no Brasil e após esta definição seria implantado o sistema. Neste cronograma, já estaríamos apartir de agora adotando o rádio digital no Brasil. Nesta reunião que ocorreu na quinta feira, chegou-se a conclusão que os testes não foram suficientes para a definir um sistema e, pelo contrário, geraram inúmeras dúvidas com relação à eficiência dos sistemas até agora testados. Além disso, a questão de que as outras mídias já estão digitalizadas e o rádio não, não significa que o Brasil deva adotar um sistema na marra, mesmo porque está provado que em outros países que adotaram o rádio digital, o processo está passando por dificuldades. Melhor exemplo disso são os EUA, detentores do IBOC, tecnologia esta que era a preferida para ser adotada no Brasil e que lá não está tendo o resultado esperado. Muitas emissoras não estão ligando para a digitalização, as emissoras que estão em funcionamento queixam-se de que o alcance não é satisfatório, os ouvintes de emissoras do interior queixam-se de interferências causadas pelo sinal digital das emissoras potentes e os receptores não estão sendo comercializados em escala tão representativa como deveria estar ocorrendo. No caso da Televisão, a digitalização ocorreu com rapidez, pois o próprio sistema de TV é complexo por si só, sendo analógico ou digital e de qualquer forma, investir alto para se ter uma ótima imagem sem mudanças significativas de alcance, acabam representando avanço para o sistema como um todo. No caso do rádio, a simplicidade de operação, tanto na transmissão quanto na recepção é o seu grande diferencial. E o digital, até o momento, tem ido na contramão dessa idéia. Por isso não tem dado tão certo. Lembre-se de que ainda não fizeram receptores digitais capazes de funcionar muitas horas com baixo consumo de corrente, o que significa uma pedra no sapato para a idéia um simples rádio portátil funcionando com pilhas... Com relação às AM's, o próprio governo começou a admitir a possibilidade de testar outras faixas de transmissão para alocação das emissoras que atualmente operam em Ondas Médias. Uma das propostas mencionadas na notícia que eu escutei hoje trata justamente da migração das emissoras do AM para faixas de frequencia que atualmente abrigam os canais analógicos de TV. Esta mudança, que já foi anteriormente sugerida por engenheiros de telecomunicaçõ es, segundo a proposta, seria interessante para que as emissoras pudessem emitir utilizando canais mais adequados à transmissão multicast, onde vários programas são transmitidos ao mesmo tempo pela mesma emissora. Em AM esta possibilidade é menor, pois a banda passante utilizada pelas AMs atualmente é de 10 kHz e no modo digital, algo em torno entre 20 e 30 kHz, o que limita esta operação. Dessa forma, talvez fosse mesmo interessante abandonar a idéia de digitalizar o AM (ondas Médias) e migrar as emissoras para outra faixa. É justamente por isso que os testes vão continuar pleiteando outras formas de transmissão também, como esta que eu citei. Dessa forma, segundo a notícia, o que o governo quer é testar melhor e pesquisar melhor as opções de rádio digital que existem atualmente e definir até um sistema brasileiro, independente, que mescle um pouco de cada tecnologia e melhor se adapte ao Brasil, como aconteceu com a TV, que foi digitalizada e este processo está sendo assimilado normalmente com bons resultados. Por outro lado, uma questão deixa os radiodifusores americanos apreensivos, com razão e provavelmente deve estar assolando os brasileiros também e esta questão está justamente ligada a viabilidade de se digitalizar mesmo o rádio. Ocorre que atualmente, com a evolução tecnológica das novas mídias que aí estão, um novo modelo de difusão sonora digital pode muito bem surgir deste meio e acabar canibalizando o rádio digital de vez, ou seja, mudando o conceito de transmissão de áudio, de broadcast. Temos tantas tecnologias chegando aí, como a 3G (nos EUA 4G), os receptores capazes de se conectar com as redes de dados e captar o áudio das emissoras que difundem áudio pela Internet no mundo todo... E por aí vai. E novas tecnologias estão cada vez mais presentes no mundo. Você não precisa de um rádio convencional para ouvir uma emissora qualquer no mundo. Se ela tiver o áudio disponibilizado na Internet e você dispor de um dispositivo capaz de converter isso você estará ouvindo qualquer emissora. Aí é que está a questão: Com estas tecnologias, será que compensa investir somas enormes de dinheiro em sistemas digitais para ser transmitido via "rádio" como ocorre no analógico, sendo que com muito menor investimento pode se disponibilizar o áudio por mídias já digitais??? E aí todos ficam com a pulga atrás da orelha. Nem AM, nem FM, nem Ondas Curtas, pode ser que o rádio mude totalmente sua maneira de ser difundido nos próximos anos. Se alguém tem dúvida disso, basta ver o que aconteceu com os discos de vinil: De uns 20 anos prá cá, milhões de pessoas jogaram fora seus discos de vinil e toca-discos e gastaram milhões comprando CD's e toca CD"s. E hoje, como isto está? Estão virando peça de museu, pois agora o armazenamento está sendo feito de maneira virtual e digitalmente não é mais necessário todo o aparato do "disco digital" como eram anunciados no final dos anos 80. Ironicamente, os colecionadores que conservaram seus discos de vinil hoje estão dando risada, pois ocorreu um retorno, mesmo que em baixa escala, de pessoas interessadas em ter suas músicas "palpáveis" em vinil e temos lojas especializadas em discos e também em toca-discos modernos para vinil. E artistas gravando e vinil... Lógico que isso é em escala "colecionável", mas o que quero dizer é que tanto fizeram para digitalizar o disco e hoje existem sistemas digitais de armazenamento musical que engoliram o CD. Por isso, tanto aqui no Brasil, como no resto do mundo, a digitalização do rádio "como o conhecemos" ainda é uma icógnita... Enquanto isso, o que temos a fazer é aproveitar o maravilhoso mundo do rádio analógico, com todos os seus ruídos e faddings, pois o rádio só tem graça mesmo desta forma. Um abraco a todos e boas escutas! (Michel Viani - Osasco - Sao Paulo - Brasil, http://www.transglobe.com.br Membro do DX Clube do Brasil DXCB - 30 ANOS DE DEDICAÇÃO AO RÁDIO http://www.ondascurtas.com http://www.dxcb.blog.br radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** CAMEROON [non]. 11975, Sawtu Linjila - Voice of the Gospel, via Issoudun [FRANCE], 1832-1858, Aug 22, mainly talk program in Fulani with short pieces of instrumental music, 34443-33443-23432. QRM by Albanian service of VOIRI on 11980 (Nobuya Kato, Fujisawa-city, Kanagawa, Japan, visiting Bulgaria, DSWCI DX Window Sept 6 via DXLD) No mention of Cameroon in the DSWCI item, but grouped under C for ``Clandestine and other target broadcasts``. This is considered a `target broadcast` starting the sexion combined with Clandestines in WRTH 2011, page 501. But is it really worthy of such special treatment, as there are countless religious broadcasts targeted at one country or a small target area, by dint of the language used? E.g., AWR has a Ghana service, produced there and address there, but transmitted from Austria, as in DXLD 11-16, but not singled out as a such a target broadcast; why not? We have filed it under GHANA [non] just to give that country some undeserved entries (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CBC RADIO ONE RELEASES FALL LINEUP --- Press release from http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/cbc-radio-one=-releases-fall-lineup/1000568783/ DAILY NEWS Sep 6, 2011 4:25 PM - 0 comments 2011-09-06 CBC Radio One launches a new season of returning favourites and special 75th Anniversary programming. For the first time, fall listeners will get a taste of the satirical comedy that rocked the summer, as This is That joins CBC Radio One's fall schedule. "CBC Radio One enjoys such a huge following in this country because we reach people with the programming they want, the way that they want it - compelling, Canadian and on multiple platforms," says Chris Boyce, Executive Director, Radio and Audio, English Services. "This year, during CBC's 75th anniversary on the airwaves, we expect even more Canadians to join the millions who already make CBC Radio One part of their day." Highlights of the CBC Radio One Fall season: This is That (Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m.), the completely improvised and consistently hilarious satirical program continues in the fall with 16 brand new episodes. Hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring explore such topics as a Prairie Halloween, why NASCAR is coming to Vancouver, and the blood sport of Beaver Fighting. This is That doesn't just talk about the issues, it fabricates them. Q with host Jian Ghomeshi (weekdays at 10 a.m./10:30 a.m. NT and 10 p.m./10:30 p.m. NT) launches this week with a broadcast exclusive with the Icelandic pop queen Bj=F6rk, as she prepares to launch her much- anticipated new album, and a rare interview with 1960s Canadian folk legends Ian and Sylvia Tyson. Q's exceptional guest list for the fall includes Michael Ondaatje, Roger Ebert, Don McKellar and Sarah Polley. Host Anna Maria Tremonti launches the 10th season of The Current (weekdays at 8:30 a.m./9:00 a.m. NT) with its new feature project entitled Game Changer -- the stories of the people, inventions and ideas that have changed the world. In the first week, Anna Maria speaks with internationally-renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky, whose epic landscapes capture the game-changing impact human activity has had on the planet. The following week, The Current travels to Calgary to explore 40 years of Progressive Conservative governments in Alberta, with conversations with former Alberta Premier Lougheed, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and former Senator Ron Ghitter. Host Brent Bambury is back with the second season of DAY 6 (Saturdays at 10 a.m./10:30 a.m. NT and Sundays at 1 a.m.) on September 10, 2011, providing listeners a fresh perspective on the week that was in news, current affairs, pop culture, the net, lifestyle and leisure. DAY 6 starts the season with its newest series Deep Sixed, presenting provocative arguments and counter-positions on six things that are potentially on their way out - among them, RIM, Rock =91n Roll and the Euro. Listeners can have their say by voting on the most likely thing to disappear this year. Radio One's current affairs and news programs, including As It Happens, The House, World At Six and World Report, continue to offer listeners a comprehensive look at what's happening in the world and here at home. Listeners can tune in to returning programs - among them The Sunday Edition; Quirks & Quarks; The Debaters; Ideas; White Coat, Black Art; and Spark - whose fantastic line up ranges from science and technology to arts, entertainment and comedy. The best in literary can always be found with The Next Chapter and Writers & Company. From now until November 2, 2011, Radio One will feature special programming celebrating CBC's 75th anniversary (via Dan Say, alt.radio.networks.cbc via Mike Cooper, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** CANADA. CKAC 730 will change format --- I just heard a moment ago on CKAC 730 a canned message from the president of Cogeco Diffusion, owner of CKAC that there will be a format change effective from next Tuesday at 04:30 AM, DST. CKAC sports will become "Radio Circulation 730" (Traffic Radio 730). The sport programming including the Montreal Canadians games will be transfer over the 98.5 FM frequency, already a talk radio owned by Cogeco Diffusion. They also stated that their web site will continue to emphasize sports. The use of this format may be adequate for now since there is currently a known traffic chaos in Montreal due to many road repairs and major construction sites but I don't believe in a long term profitability and in my opinion, unfortunately this is the beginning of the end of CKAC-AM. http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/on-september-6-ckac-becomes-radio-circulation-730-montreals-first-dedicated-traffic-1556827.htm (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, Canada http://www.quebecdx.com Sept 3, IRCA via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) Cogeco, of course, had applied for 690 and 940 to be traffic stations, but CRTC nixed that, at least inviting other applicants (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) CKAC 730 Montreal - change of format --- I don't think that it was mentioned yet, but last week it was confirmed that CKAC 730 Montreal will change its format from French speaking sports to French speaking traffic and weather reports. It supposed to be done next Tuesday. Lots of station jobs lost in that move (Jeff F. Brulotte, Sept 3, IRCA via DXLD) This is sad news indeed. CKAC is one of the great French stations in Quebec. I QSL'd them from Seward AK back in 1965 (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, KGED QSL Manager, ibid.) One wonders why a 50 kW powerhouse is needed for this? Basically a waste of a freq. 73 KAZ, sorry for those who are losing their jobs and who enjoyed this long time great French station (Neil Kazaross, IL, ABDX via DXLD) Actually, what makes CKAC so well-known is that it's the world's first French speaking radio station. It is also interesting to read that in 1922, the station was transmitting with 2000w which is a considerable amount of power for that time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKAC http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listings_and_histories/radio/histories.php?id=495&historyID=246 (Sylvain Naud, ibid.) News : Sports out and all-traffic in on Montreal's CKAC-AM | Radio-I http://www.radio-info.com/news/sports-out-and-all-traffic-in-on-montreals-ckac-am Monday, September 5, 2011 --- Montreal's only French-language all- sports radio station will vanish as of 4:30am Tuesday, just in time for the morning rush hour. That is when Cogeco's CKAC-AM "Sports" (730) becomes "Radio Circulation," Montreal's only all-traffic and weather radio station in either language. The new format, which will receive $1.5 million in government funding, will also come with another cost. Several of Cogeco's competitors, including Astral Media, have filed opposition to the government funding plan and format change. The CRTC will hold a public hearing on the matter, scheduled for October 17, says the Montreal Gazette. In order to accommodate the all-traffic & weather format, Cogeco will move the Canadian Football League Montreal Alouettes and the NHL's Montreal Canadians broadcasts to sister-station CHMP-FM (98.5), where some of the CKAC talk hosts and on-air staff will also find a new home. Cogeco has withdrawn its earlier application to create a French all-traffic station at 690, but will continue with its plans for an English-language traffic outlet at 940. (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) LIST OF APPLICANTS FOR MONTREAL 690/940 A list of applications to be heard at an October 17 hearing was released today. For 690: - Dufferin Communications, for a French-language LGBT-oriented station. - CKGM, to move from 990 to 690. (English-language all-sports. I'd be a bit surprised if they change the language of 690.) - A numbered corporation, for a French news/talk station. For 940: - Multimedia CMR, for the same English traffic information station originally proposed. - An English news/talk station, same numbered corporation as applied for a French station on 690. As I think you saw here, Multimedia CMR has already flipped their CKAC-730 to the French traffic information they'd proposed for 690 (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM66, Sept 7, NRC-AM via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) Thanks for the info, Doug. Having worked in the business world for the past 40 years, I admit that I was not familiar with the term "numbered corporation", but for anyone interested, Wikipedia (search "numbered company") has a good explanation of this nuance applicable primarily to Canada and Australia. 73 de (Joe, KJ8O, Troy MI, Miller, ibid.) Note the last sentence in the Wikipedia article -- from what I've read, these numbered companies are often subsidiaries of something much better-known (and more normally-named!) – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View, TN EM, ibid.) ** CANADA. Canadian DXers will know that tonight is the final regular news broadcast of veteran news anchorman, Lloyd Robertson. Robertson is considered to be "Canada's Walter Cronkite." Here's a link to a letter he wrote to Canadians. It's on the CTV site: http://www.ctv.ca/lloyd/ (Richard McVicar, AB2FN, On the outskirts of Navarino, New York, Sept 1, WTFDA via DXLD) ** CANADA. CANADIAN DIGITAL TV TRANSITION --- Yesterday, September 1 was the deadline for networks (except for the CBC) to abandon their analogue transmitters in certain and switch over to digital. In Saskatchewan, 8 transmitters were mandated to go digital or go silent, all in Regina and Saskatoon. The CBC planned to discontinue broadcasting their signals in Saskatoon rather than convert. With the year extension granted them, we'll see in a year if it happens. In Regina, the four transmitters were switched over: CKCK-TV Channel 2 (CTV) switched over approx. 12:05 AM August 31. Moved to channel 8 but displayed as CKCK 2-1 on my TV. Broadcasting in 1080i, local programming & commercials are displayed as 4:3 like on analogue TV's. Most network programs are in 16:9 format. CBKT Channel 9 (CBC) switched over sometime after 12:01 AM September 1. Stayed on channel 9, displays 9-3 on the "tube". Broadcasting in 720p, looks like most programming is broadcast in 16:9 format. CBKFT Channel 13 (Radio-Canada French) also switched over September 1. Stayed on Channel 13, displays 13-90 on the screen. Don't watch this channel enough but looks like programming is 720p 16:9. CFRE-TV (Global) Channel 11 was the early bird, they switched over around August 10. Staying on channel 11, they are broadcasting two signals: 1st channel is "11-1 CFRE-HD", 1080i 16:9 for network programming and 4:3 local newscasts. 2nd channel is "11-2" broadcasting in SD 480i, both identical programming but one is HD and the other SD. http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/info_sht/bdt14.htm if you want more info. Anybody else note changes this week? Some places like Toronto, Calgary, and others had digital for awhile (Terry Keyowski, Regina, Saskatchewan, Sept 2, AMFMTVDX mailing list via DXLD) ** CANADA. Splitting CFGC2/CIII2 via Es --- On the Perseus, I can finally see the carriers for both CFGC-2 and CIII-2. I had to go down to the Zoom level of 0.782 kHz span to split them. Tonight, CIII-2 measured in at 55.259.993, while CFGC-2 (the weaker carrier) is at 55.259.984. The nominal measured value for CIII-2 is 55.260.00. I don't profess accuracy better than 10 Hz, but the bottom line is that CFGC-2 is 9 Hz lower than CIII-2. Unfortunately I doubt this will help anyone during an E-skip opening. I was hoping for a bigger difference to make ID easier. Well, at least now we know just how close together they are. -- (William R Hepburn (VEM3ONT22) Grimsby ON CAN 43 10 59.5 -79 33 34.3 DX PIX : http://dxinfocentre.com/hepburn/ AUTOLOG : http://dxinfocentre.com/hepburn/logs/dxtv.htm Sept 4, WTFDA via DXLD) ** CANADA. TEEN RADIO PIRATE GIVEN 15 MONTHS PROBATION Threatened on-air personalities after equipment seized By Andrew Seymour, Ottawa Citizen September 2, 2011 A "petulant" teenaged radio pirate who threw a tantrum and threatened Ottawa radio personalities has been placed on 15 months probation. The now 15-year-old had set up a radio station out of his home using transmitting equipment he purchased with money from an inheritance and began broadcasting without a license. When Industry Canada shut him down and seized his equipment after repeated warnings in January 2010, he threatened and harassed one of the agency's investigators, a judge found. Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Teen+radio+pirate+given+months+probation/5343578/story.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** CANADA [non]. Keith now has a Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Perron Keith Perron (born December 19, 1970) is a Canadian expatriate international broadcaster currently based in Taiwan. Born and raised in Montreal, Perron entered the broadcasting profession at the age of 17 with local station CKUT. By the early 1990s he was an announcer and producer at Radio Canada International. He left RCI in 1991 as a result of cutbacks at the service and, after two years of freelancing for Radio Netherlands and other services, moved to Cuba in 1993 where he worked at Radio Havana Cuba hosting the service's English programming to North America and Europe as well as a weekly jazz show. He also freelanced for other international broadcasters such as Monitor Radio International and Radio Deutsche Welle. Moving to Vancouver in 1998, Perron worked at radio station CHMB producing their international programming before being hired by China Radio International in Beijing in 2001 and hosted Realtime China, a half-hour programme of news about China produced for radio stationsi in the United States. In 2005, he moved to Beijing Radio International and, in 2007, moved to Taiwan in order to host a daily jazz programme on the domestic Central Broadcasting System. In 2009, Perron founded PCJ Media/Radio and relaunched and continues to broadcast the venerable Happy Station show which had been the world's longest running shortwave radio programme until it was cancelled by Radio Netherlands in 1995. He also produces and presents the internationally syndicated Jazz For The Asking, and a weekly media program called Media Network Plus which is co-produced with Canadian based broadcaster Paulette MacQuarrie and which is broadcast on the World Radio Network. He continues to freelance for Central Radio and for various other radio stations in the Asian market as well as host and perform in an annual 6 episode variety music series on NHK television in Japan. In February 2011, Perron announced that PCJ Media would be launching a new shortwave radio service broadcasting in five languages and aimed at Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Asia Pacific in order to fill a void left by the recently announced termination or reduction of shortwave service to those areas by the BBC World Service and Voice of America (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. Thomas Nilsson: En av de mycket sällsynta rapporterna som skickats från denna ända av Skåne har resulterat i ett mail från R. ICDI, Boali på en rapport på 3390. v/s Josue Mbami. Han utlovar QSL-kort per post inom nån månad. Kul med detta svar, jag var nog en av de första att höra stationen på denna QRG som numera inte är i drift längre. Thomas Nilsson: One of the very rare reports sent from this end of Skåne (most southern province of Sweden) has resulted in an email from R. ICDI, Boali on a report on 3390 kHz. v/s Josue Mbami. He promised QSL cards by mail within about a month. Very special with this reply; I was probably one of the first to hear the station on this QRG which is not in operation anymore (Thomas Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4 via DXLD) ** CHINA. 4805 20.8 1945 CRI Shijiazhuang. Min OID i förra SWB har nu fått sin förklaring, visade sig vara en IMD produkt som uppstår i sändarna: (2xF1-F2)! Rätt häftigt att den hörs ända hit!: Från Mauno Ritola: ”Managed to ID it tonight: it's difference lower spur of CRI Shijiazhuang site on 7235 kHz in Cantonese and 6020 kHz in Albanian. Both audios heard there.” Tack Mauno! AN 4805, 08/20 1945, CRI Shijiazhuang. My unID from last SWB has now got its explanation. It is an IMD product that origins in the transmitters: (2xF1-F2)! Pretty cool to hear it all the way here!: From Mauno Ritola: "Managed to ID it tonight: it's difference lower spur of CRI Shijiazhuang site on 7235 kHz in Cantonese and 6020 kHz in Albanian. Both audios heard there. "Thanks Mauno! AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Or as we call it, a leapfrog; usually these are close together, but in this case from the 7 to the 6 to the 4 MHz band (gh, ibid.) ** CHINA. 4950, V. of Pujiang, 1142-1215+ Aug 30. Pop music, chatty M&W hosts; 5+1 pips at 1200, then talk or news segment; noted later (1226) with vocal music. Fair/good and // 3280 (poor) and 9705 (poor with band noise). (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7245-7275, Sept 1 at 1227, OTH radar pulses, presumed from here, vs heavy QRM from various broadcasters and hams. More of the same sound at 7335-7355. Both may have extended further if not blocked by QRM (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA (INNER MONGOLIA). 7269.98, Nei Menggu PBS, 1230-1303 Aug 25. Sort of a "Mongolian Opera," i.e. man with semi-dramatic readings, occasionally breaking into droning "song," accompanied by stringed instrument. 5+1 pips at 1300, then into talk or news in presumed Mongolian. Has been good past few days. QRM-free until *1259 of AIR Chennai. Seems to a smidgeon off-frequency (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) smidgin? ** CHINA. September 1, 2011 Firedrake Log. I was only able to listen from 1130 to 1230 today. 7970, Weak 1225 13970, Strong 1143 (nothing lower) and 1227 14400, Good 1227 14720, Good-Strong 1144 and Strong 1228 Nothing Higher either time frame, Good DX (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 1, before 1300: 7970, good at 1230 13970, very good at 1250; none in the 10s, 11s, 12s 14400, poor at 1251 14720, very good at 1250; none in the 15s, 16s, 17s by 1257 After 1300: 17170, poor at 1327 with flutter // others 15520, very poor at 1359-1400* 15430, very poor at 1311, het 15432; poor at 1323 // 15280; none 16s 15280, fair at 1307 plus noise jamming 14720, very good at 1323 // 11560 [as were they all]; music had an abrupt edit to `ramshorn` at 1323 13970, poor at 1322 12025, poor at 1319 about level with CNR1 jamming; no others in 12s 11560, very good at 1320 // 12025. Unusual spot for FD, and no sign of anything else; Aoki shows only YFR, Hu Wei, Taiwan in English 13-15! 11560 was even inbooming on the breakfast table radio with whip only (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Here is today's Firedrake log (Sept 2); note the strong signal on 18180 1030-1100 10300, Weak 1052. No other Firedrake frequencies heard During this segment band sweeps were 7900-18000 1100-1130: I was Not listening for Firedrake 1130-1200 10300, Fair 1151 (Nothing heard lower) 12600, Strong 1152 13920, Good 1152 14400, Strong 1153 14720, Strong 1153 15670, Good 1155 15900, Good 1155 16100, Weak 1155 During this segment band sweeps were 7900-18000 1200-1230 10300, Good 1220 (Nothing heard lower) 12270, Strong 1221 13920, Fair 1222 14720, Strong 1222 15900, Good 1223 16980, Fair 1224 18180, Good 1225 (Nothing heard higher) During this segment band sweeps were 7900-22000 1230-1300 10300, Fair 1257 (Nothing heard lower) 12270, Good 1257 13920, Good 1258 14720, Strong 1258 15900, Good 1255 18180, Strong 1256 (Nothing heard higher) During this segment band sweeps were 7900-22000 1300-1330 13920, Weak 1317 (nothing heard lower) 15280, Good 1318 15900, Strong 1318 16100, Weak 1319 16980, Weak 1319 18180, Strong, caught sign on at 1314 (Nothing heard higher) During this segment band sweeps were 7900-22000 1330-1400 10300, Weak 1337. (Nothing heard lower) 13130, Good 1339 13920, Weak-Fair 1339 15900, Strong 1341 16100, JBA-Weak 1341 16980, JBA 1342 17170, Strong 1342 18180, Good-Strong 1336 (Nothing heard higher) During this segment band sweeps were 7900-22000 Good DX (Steve Handler, Chicago IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 2 at 1212 on 18180, 16980, 16100, 15900, 14720, 12270 (Tim Bucknall, Mobile in North Staffordshire, Icom IC-7000 + "Modulator" CB whip, harmonics yg via DXLD) Not harmonix (gh) Firedrake September 2, before 1300: 7970, very poor with flutter at 1240 10300, very good at 1246 12270, very good at 1247 13920, fair at 1247 14720, very good at 1250 15565, poor at 1252, het on the hi side 15900, very good at 1250 16100, JBA at 1259 16980, JBA at 1257 18180, very poor at 1258; no 17170 Before 1330: 7970, JBA at 1325 Before 1400: 18180, good at 1351 with flutter; Steve Handler getting it too in IL 17170, good at 1351 = 18180; none in the 16s now 15900, very good at 1353 15525, JBA at 1354 15430, good at 1354; none in the 14s 13920, open carrier at 1356 with flutter, JBA? Or maybe not FD 13130, very good at 1356 with flutter; none in the 12s 10300, good at 1359 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sept 2: Firedrake on 18180, 16980, 16100, 15900, 14720, 12270 (Tim Bucknall, Mobile in North Staffordshire, Icom IC-7000 + "Modulator" CB whip, 1401 UT Sept 2, harmonics yg via DXLD) September 3, 2011 Firedrake Logs from Steve Handler 1150-1200 Band searches yielded No Firedrake frequency from 7500-23000 1220-1226 Band searches yielded No Firedrake frequency from 7500-23000 During 1233-1240 Band search 7500-22000 found 10300, Fair 1233 12600, Strong 1234 13130, Good 1234 13970, Fair 1235 14400, Weak-Fair 1235 14900, Fair 1235 Nothing higher Why could I not hear Firedrake on all of my previous band checks? Was this a local issue or did others notice the same thing? Good Dx (Steve Handler, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Unfortunately, that day I did not start until 1230. Now I am usually DXing Mexico on MW from before 1200 until 1230 or so (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) [and non]. Firedrake Sept 3, in the ChiCom noon hour: 16100, JBA at 0456, while CRI Kashgar VG and fluttery in Russian on 15445, 15665 After 1230: 7970, very poor at 1231 10300, very good at 1236 12600, good at 1238 13130, fair at 1239 13970, JBA at 1240 14400, JBA at 1241 16100, very poor at 1243 16980, JBA at 1242, slightly better than the 14 and 13 18180, JBA at 1244 Before 1400: 12025, JBA at 1352 under CNR1 jamming 12270, very good at 1352 12500, very good at 1351 12980, very good at 1351 13970, poor at 1350 13920, poor at 1350, weaker than 13970 15430, fair at 1344 mixed with noise, Chinese 15555, very poor at 1344 16100, fair at 1347 17170, good at 1349 with flutter; none in the 18s, 14s (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Here is my Firedrake Log for September 4, 2011. All loggings were made using multiple band checks from 7500 to 22000 kHz 7970, JBA 1144 10300, Fair 1145 12270, Strong 1148 13920, Fair 1148 (Nothing higher heard in use by Firedrake) 10300, JBA 1223 (Nothing lower heard in use by Firedrake) 12270, Strong with s/on on 1224 preceeded by carrier with no audio 13920, Strong 1225 14700, Strong 1226 15900, Weak 1227 (Nothing higher heard in use by Firedrake) 12270, Fair 1255 with het (Nothing lower heard in use by Firedrake) 13920, Strong 1256 14700, Strong 1257 15900, Good 1258 (Nothing higher heard in use by Firedrake) Additional Sept 4th Firedrake Loggings from Steve Handler 12500, Weak 1448 13970, JBA 1448 Good DX (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 4, before 1300: 16100, poor at 1251; none higher 15900, fair-good at 1254 15565, JBA at 1253 vs 15562 het 14700, fair at 1254 13920, fair at 1254 12270, poor at 1256 10300, poor at 1256 After 1300: 7445, poor at 1305, SAH with something. Unusual here; normally it`s CNR1 jamming vs Chinese from R. Taiwan International (and CNR8 Beijing in Mongolian also scheduled this hour on 7445) 15280, very poor at 1315 vs het 15283 15900, good with flutter at 1313 16100, JBA at 1315 1330-1400: 12270, fair at 1330 13920, poor at 1351 15900, good at 1354 with heavy flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 5, before 1200: 7970, fair with flutter at 1145 13920, poor with flutter at 1149 14700, poor with flutter at 1150 15900, fair at 1150 Circa 1230: 15900, fair at 1228 10300, good with flutter at 1235 No others found 7-19 MHz After 1300: 15280, very poor at 1310 vs 15283 het (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) September 5, 2011: 1310-1323 GMT several band sweeps and No Firedrake frequencies found in use. Band conditions may not be good. CRI, CNR and R Australia frequencies are not their normal robust selves (Steve Handler, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, During my 1230-1300 Checks and 1315-1330 band checks I found No Firedrake frequencies in use. I checked 7900-18200 and found nothing. CNR-1 jamming was heard loud and clear. Very unusual. Have you heard Firedrake this morning? (Steve Handler, Sept 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non] 9355, 5/9 1804, Radio Free Asia, Mariana Isl. (presumed) talking in Chinese with strong QRM from Chinese Firedrake with music jamming the channel (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 6, before 1300: None found at 1240-1247, 10300 up; and not on 7970 earlier either; hi- latitude paths are degraded, with CRI and CNR1 jammers weakened Before 1400: 12270, poor at 1350 14700, very poor at 1353 15430, JBA at 1356, het on hi side 15900, JBA at 1354 No 10300, none in the 13s, 16s before 1400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, As I mentioned in my earlier email this morning, during my 1230-1300 band checks and 1315-1330 band checks I found No Firedrake frequencies in use. I checked 7900-18200 and found nothing. I was able to hear CNR-1 jamming loud and clear including 11990, 12025 and 13830. When I did my band check starting at 1350 Firedrake was heard on the three frequencies listed below. I heard nothing above 14700. Interesting. 12270, Good 1350 to 1400 s/off 12980, Fair 1351 14700, Weak 1352 Good DX (Steve Handler, Sept 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. 15670, 7/9 1123, Chinese Firedrake jamming a station (Voice of Free Asia? [sic]), very strong with usual terrible music (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 10300, Firedragon music station. Sept. 7, 1030. Only fair, but the only one heard at this session. None of the other "usual suspects" appearing (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Sept 7, Hammarlund HQ-200, Drake R-8, Panasonic RF-2200, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, Palomar Loop, ABDX via DXLD) Firedrake: only band checked once today 7900-18200: 10300, JBA 1141 12270, Good 1148 Good DX (Steve Handler, IL, Sept 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake Sept 7, before 1200: 7970, very poor at 1142. Did not do a full bandscan in this segment. Circa 1230: 10300, good at 1222 No others up to 18 MHz by 1228; propagation conditions degraded. After 1300: 15430, JBA at 1306 with het on hi side, no doubt the jumpy V. of Tibet via Tajikistan, which current Aoki shows on 15442 at this time. Aoki is often updated every day, but as of Sept 7 it`s still headed: ``A11 Shortwave Frequency list August 26, 2011 2100UTC`` at http://www.geocities.jp/binewsjp/userlist1.txt so Aoki must be on a break (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. This morning, the 5th of September, I tuned across the 21 MHz band between 0630 and 0700 UT and found 8 parallel CNR transmissions audible at varying strengths on 21530, 21535, 21565, 21645, 21690, 21720, 21775 and 21820. I assume these were intended to jam RFA transmissions in Chinese and Tibetan, but I could not hear them. There was more than one transmitter on 21690, but I could not tell what the second one might have been (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 9600, Sept 1 at 1237, a CRI interview catches my ear, sounds like Al Gore, talking about American radio, then on to other topix focusing on US/China relations and interdependency, // 9760, 11980, 13645, 13790. He was a two-term US senator. Finally outro before hourtop as having been Gordon (Golden?) Brown on `Voices From Other Lands`. Maybe the name is wrong as I don`t find any such person in US Senate archives, by general Googling, nor on the CRIEnglish website, which does not yet have anything about the latest VFOL. 9600 and 11980 site is Kunming, 13645 Kashgar, 13790 Wulumuchi, both EAST TURKISTAN. Re: `Voices from Other Lands` guest on CRI in my previous report, Rich Cuff helps out with a likely suggestion: ``Might it have been ex- senator Gordon Smith? He was a two-term senator [from Oregon] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/12/AR2011021202489.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_H._Smith He's president of the NAB, which leads me to think he was the contact``. Maybe will eventually be added here: http://english.cri.cn/08webcast/voices.htm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) My suspicions confirmed... http://english.cri.cn/8706/2011/09/01/2422s656244.htm and http://english.cri.cn/cribb/programs/voices.htm Have a good Labor Day holiday, Glenn! (Rich Cuff, Sept 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. 5066.338, 4/9 1803, tentative Radio Candip, Congo, talks music, poor (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also UNIDENTIFIED ** CUBA. 1000, Radio Artemisa, Artemisa. 1552 September 5, 2011. A bit taken back when tuning in to the Noticiero Nacional de Radio theme followed by a reverbed NNdR ID by female. I quickly tuned to Rebelde, but no NNdR in parallel, which is normally fed local 1:00-1:30 pm. Turns out it was just a promo for NNdR on Radio Artemisa, and then quickly back to a kiddie radio play, but followed by more quick breaks ("la radio más moderna") and a minute or so later, one for something fútbol involving Paraguay. Final part of the program had cute horsey and rooster SFX, then female canned, "Transmite Radio Artemisa, emisora provincial" at 1600. Quick live male announcer chatter, and into Cuban tropical pop vocals. Fair. 1020, Radio Artemisa, Bahía Honda, Pinar del Río. 1558 September 5, 2011. Parallel and stronger than 1000 kHz channel. 1220, Radio Caribe, Isla de la Juventud. 1059 September 5, 2011. Male reading new items punctuated by pulsing synthesizer SFX. Good, with presumed XEB under with anthem from 1100 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. RHC, 5040, full/data ``Old Fort`` QSL card, in 462 days. Also received a personal letter, actually typed on a typewriter, information on two different RHC contests that ended on March 31, 2011. Also received a station booklet. V/s Rosario Lafita Fernández, Head of the Correspondence Department. The personal letter was dated October 29, 2010. The original envelope was stamped February 26, 2010. The stamped envelope was placed in another envelope – no date stamps. I guess the letter got caught up in the postal spat between the US and Cuba (Kivell, FL, QSL Report, Sept NASWA Journal via DXLD) 5040, Sept 4 at 0509, RHC on late in Spanish, so 5025 R. Rebelde still has its companion (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 9240, Numbers Station at 1025 Wednesday August 3, Spanish female with 5-digit groups. Sign-off with ``final, final, final`` at 1042 with carrier remaining on without audio until 1048. ENIGMA designation for this station is V02A. These broadcasts have been reported to apparently be originated from the Cuban Dirección General de Inteligencia (DGI) and broadcast via SW transmitters in Cuba. This frequency has a regular schedule Wednesdays at 1000 GMT and the audio portion lasting 42 minutes, 20 seconds. Also heard 1037-1042 Wednesday August 10, woman broadcasting sequence of five-digit numbers in Spanish. Audio ended at 1042 with the sign off, ``final final final``. Altho audio ended, the carrier continued until at least 1044 when I stopped listening. The same station with same format also heard Wednesday June 8, 2011 (Steve Handler, IL, Sept NASWA Journal via DXLD) 9240, Aug. 24, 1010. Spanish language numbers broadcast. VG signal, weak modulation. (Barton-AZ) 9240, Sep. 7, 1010. Spanish language "Cuban Lady" numbers broadcast. Fair signal, weak modulation. Off at 1040, but unID ute with loud "Braaaaaap" heard on the channel after transmitter went down (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Sept 7, Hammarlund HQ-200, Drake R-8, Panasonic RF-2200, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, Palomar Loop, ABDX via DXLD) ** CUBA. 13740, China Radio International (via relay), Sept. 5, 1510. Have been hearing loud QRM that sounded like that from someone turning on older type TV set [horizontal sweep settling in??]. Bandscan showed the same thing on 13820, clobbering station to the point it was unidentifiable. QRM stopped at 1520, resumed after BOH. Maybe problem coming from neighbors? Phoned DXer Frank Mezek, a few miles away in Sun City, AZ, and he was hearing the same thing and played it into the telephone. So it couldn`t be local QRM from next door neighbor here. Cuban transmitter troubles? (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Sept 7, Hammarlund HQ-200, Drake R-8, Panasonic RF-2200, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, Palomar Loop, ABDX via DXLD) This Cuban transmitter has had `troubles` forever, also some other CRI relay and RHC`s own frequencies. But 13820 is jamming vs R. Martí, quite different. Tune in 13740 about 1350 and listen to all the garbage coming out of its ``unmodulated`` carrier before CRI (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. 12000, Sept 6 at 0516, lite pulse jamming against nothing, where it is `needed` only at 23-24 (Tue-Sat -01) for VOA Spanish. Also heavier pulse jamming, at least two transmitters overlapping, on 7365, Sept 6 at 0521, while 7405 was usual wall-of-noise against R. Martí. 7365 jamming is `needed` only at 00-03 vs RM. 17865, Sept 7 at 1300, pulsing from the DentroCuban Jamming Command is no match for the DRM noise just above it; third harmonic of 5955 transmitter vs Radio República which at this hour should be on 9965 instead, always jammed in the daytime. Then found roughly equivalent signals from two more third harmonix of Cuban jammers: 17670 at 1302, which is 3 x 5890, used by VOA Spanish only at 23-24 (Tue-Sat -01); and on 18090, 3 x 6030 vs R. Martí which just closed at 1300. Way to go, incompetent DCJC, as countless Cubans go hungry while you waste precious electricity. 12000 at 1309 Sept 7 with more needless jamming, a fundamental, vs non-VOA also ``needed`` only in evenings; at this time could not hear second harmonix of the above third harmonix, i.e. 12060, 11910, 11780 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS. 17460-17485, Sept 4 at 1355, OTH radar pulses, presumed from here, QRMing Spanish SSB 2-way on 17474. 15055-15080, Sept 7 at 1308, OTH radar pulsing, presumed from here, poor and fortunately just missing India weakie on 15050 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS TURKISH. 6150.037, Tentative, Radio Bayrak program from northern Cyprus. Nice signal in low modulation, noted from 0230 UT, - increased signal in Europe, when heard during this hour til 0306 UT Sept 2. S=8 signal strength checked on various remote SDR units in Europe. Measuring procedure tone at 0300 UT, probably time signal on the hour (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) Re 6150v unID: Hi Martien, I think it was R. Bayrak. I had it closer to 6150.04 kHz. I checked it here at various times and also via remote receivers, but could never get readable audio. Today it was off, but now suddenly came back on the air at 1849, as can be seen below. The last time I heard from Bayrak was in June, when they said that the antenna system for 6150 kHz is being repaired and partly renewed, but the damage is bigger than anticipated. I asked now if they have returned to air, but got no reply. Unfortunately seems that the repair didn't help at al. /73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, SW Bulletin Sept 4 via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) 6150.038, 24.8 0227, unID, Heard several nights but extremely weak. The carrier is there but only fragments of the music could be heard. According to comments by Mauno Ritola in AN’s tip this could be R. Bayrak. The antenna direction for best reception was pointing in 120o indicating a possible Near East station. TN (Thomas Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** DIEGO GARCIA. Re GUAM: ``Hi Glenn, Have not kept an accurate day- to-day log, but certainly AFN Guam has recently been off the air more than they have been on. Same is true of AFN Diego Garcia (4319-USB). Needs more checking. Ron, Monterey, CA`` (WORLD OF RADIO 1581) Re: AFN Diego Garcia (4319-USB). After complaints of A-DX ng reader, I checked Diego Garcia channels every day, BUT: Yes, at least a week or more, no signals of 12759usb and 4319usb heard here. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 3, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AFN Diego Garcia is off air for more than a month now. Here's a response received on 29th Aug for a query posted on their website: "Yours is the first report we've received of a possible shortwave outage on Diego Garcia. By copy of this I am forwarding your email to the Defense Media Activity Field Operations Office. I will send you an update as soon as I hear from them. Thanks for bringing this to our attention." Regards (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Sept 4, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) ** DJIBOUTI. 4780, Radio Djibouti, *0302:25-0303*, sign on with National Anthem but abruptly pulled plug after about 30 seconds. Poor to fair. Irregular. Sept 3 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. República Dominicana: Crece audiencia de inglés por 102.5 FM --- Richard Vaughan, fundador de los cursos de Inglés de Vaughan. FUENTE EXTERNA 4 Septiembre 2011, 9:16 PM Fundador. Richard Vaughan vino al país para presentar Vaughan Radio Escrito por: JORGE RAMOS C. Cada día son más los dominicanos que se suman a la audiencia de 102.5 FM, frecuencia que desde hace unos meses es una escuela de enseñanza del idioma inglés las 24 horas (Vaughan Radio). Richard Vaughan, fundador de este novedoso sistema gratuito para aprender la lengua más importante del mundo, estuvo de visita por República Dominicana, donde presentó formalmente la programación de la emisora 102.5 FM, desde la cual un grupo de profesores enseña de manera gratuita el idioma inglés. El comunicador explicó que la institución que dirige con sede en España, instaló por primera vez fuera de su territorio una emisora de radio con lo que procura la expansión para beneficiar al público. Dijo que la alianza con la emisora 102.5, ha tenido un gran éxito y esperan que continúe creciendo. “Este método fue concebido como una apuesta segura para aprender inglés de forma distendida, eficaz y amena, es la primera emisora que ofrece una programación bilingüe en castellano e inglés”. Richard Vaughan es profesor, locutor y presentador de televisión oriundo de Houston, Estados Unidos y se asentó en España en 1972, donde fundó, en 1977 el moderno Vaughan Systems. Las claves 1. El método Vaughan Es uno de los mejores y más cómodos para aprender Inglés. 2. Aporte a la ciudadanía La estación 102.5 FM se dedica durante las 24 horas del día a la enseñanza gratuita del idioma inglés. FUENTE: http://bit.ly/qf3vo9 (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Confirmação recebida - Radio Oriental, Tena / Ecuador 4781 kHz v. - Radio Oriental, Tena/Napo, Ecuador. Recebido PPC assinado e carimbado + carta confirmatória + cartão de visitas, 1 ano e 10 meses (cerca de 150 dias depois do 1º fp). Obs: pelo teor da carta, fica claro que eles não receberam meu primeiro IR. V/S: Luís Enrique Espín e Diana Espín Velin IR enviado por carta. QTH: Radio Oriental - Av. Jumandy, nº 536, Casilla 260 - Tena - Napo - Ecuador http://www.qsl.net/yb0rmi/ecuador/oriental.htm Visualização em breve no http://pqslfabricio.blogspot.com/ 73 (Fabricio Andrade Silva, PP5002SWL, Tubarão, SC, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, 2030 1 Aug, R. Africa, multilingual IDs, English, SIO 333 (Nigel Reid, Middlesex, HF Logbook, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Once again I have to question this. Had been missing since May and yet to see any definite logs. Yes, an ``ID`` should be definite by definition, but I don`t think this station ever did multilingual IDs, having no need for anything but English as in all the programming it broadcast. There have been, however, multilingual (or at least not just Portuguese) IDs reported from R. Inconfidência, Brasil upon occasion, the only other station known to be on 15190 at that hour. If it really was R. Africa, must have been a one-off reactivation with unusual programming. We are still lacking any status info from R. Africa`s controller, Pan American Broadcasting in California (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. 7180.0, Voice of Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, S=8-9 at 0437 UT Sept 2. Horn of Africa music. Accompanied by white noise sound jammer from Ethiopia. 7175.0, Voice of Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, S=7-8 at 0415 UT Sept 3. Lute and Horn of Africa music. 7205.0, V of Broad Masses 1 (Dimtsi Hafash), from Asmara Selae Daro, S=8 at 0420 UT Sept 3 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) 9830.03, Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, 0304-0315, vernacular talk. Horn of Africa music. Fair. // 7174.99 - good. No other //s heard. Sept 3. (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) ** ETHIOPIA. Unless I missed an update somewhere [that it could be something else?], Radio Ethiopia is booming in at my QTH on 9705 at 0410 UT. Lively East African pop music at the moment (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, Eton E1-XM, A/D DX Sloper, UT Sept 4, NASWA yg via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. 15360, 5/9 1720, Voice of Asena, clandestine to Ethiopia, long talks like politics, good (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. New station ESAT Radio in Amharic: 1500-1600 NF 15790 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, ex 15730 from Sep. 5 1700-1800 NF 15760 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, ex 15750 from Sep. 5 Also test transmissions till August 31: 1500-1530 on 15790 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF // 15730 1730-1800 on 15770 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF // 15750 Also test transmissions from Sep. 1-4: 1500-1600 on 15710*KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF // 15730 1700-1800 on 15760 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF // 15750 * THIS IS NOT RADIO MIRAYA FM in English/Arabic!!!! 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, Sept 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also PRIDNESTROVYE; UNIDENTIFIED ** EUROPE. Laser Hot Hits --- 6940 has moved to 6920 with 4015 still regular. 73's. (Gary Drew, South Herts., England, Sept 3, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That's interesting, Gary. I heard a station that I tentatively identified as Laser on 6940 from 0554 till 0657 UT on Friday 3 September. Do you know when they changed frequency to 6920? Thanks (Bryan Clark, Mangawhai - New Zealand, ibid.) 2011-08-23 6940-18.55 Strong Signal Sinpo 54444. http://irishpaulsradioblog.blogspot.com/ 2011-08-26 6940,0 - LHH - 33333 - Laser effects 22.25utc http://alfalima.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10785 2011-08-27 6940 LHH 19.16- 34333 E http://pirateradiolog.blogspot.com/ 2011-08-28 6940,00 1755 LHH, E, ballad, pops 24322 http://franjadx.blogspot.com/ 2011-08-31 6940 kHz 1635utc 33433 http://www.achimbrueckner.de/freeradio/audio/logsoffair/frlogs2011/082011.php 2011-09-01 6940 kHz 09utc 34433 http://www.achimbrueckner.de/freeradio/audio/logsoffair/frlogs2011/092011.php 2011-09-01 6940kcs, 19.00hrs, SINPO 25232 ( Pop music ) http://carolineteam.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-02 6940 kHz 08 utc 34433 http://www.achimbrueckner.de/freeradio/audio/logsoffair/frlogs2011/092011.php 2011-09-02 [6920: R Trans Europe 2137 UTC, SINPO 25332 http://pjk-frlogs.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-02 [6920,000 2139 R Trans Europe Q4] http://lhu-dx-log.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-03 6940: LHH @ 0910. Good signal. SINPO 44433. http://www.shortwavedx.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~change~~~~~~6940 kHz ===> 6920 kHz between 09utc / 18utc ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2011-09-03 6920: LHH @ 1810. SINPO 54444 New frequency http://www.shortwavedx.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-03 6920 kHz 18utc LHH 23322 http://www.achimbrueckner.de/freeradio/audio/logsoffair/frlogs2011/092011.php 2011-09-03 6919,975 1910utc LHH http://lhu-dx-log.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-03 6920 LHH 19.39- 45333 E http://pirateradiolog.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-04 6920: LHH @ 0800. SINPO 34333. http://www.shortwavedx.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-04 6920 LHH 19.02- 45444 E http://pirateradiolog.blogspot.com/ 2011-09-04 6920 kHz, Laser Hot Hits is on 6920khz@2040utc 24322. http://www.achimbrueckner.de/freeradio/php/wordpress/?p=22844 =============================================== 73+55 (Roger2, Germany, ibid.) It seems LHH moved again, this time to 6945; unless the station I'm receiving right now is not Laser at all! As usual, 4015 (also audible) remains on albeit with a different program. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, 2229 UT Sept 6, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, that's right. Yesterday evening (2011-09-06) LHH broadcast definitely on 6945 kHz. I could receive the channel with 35333. At the moment I can hear the LHH program only on 4015 kHz with O = 2 to 3 (compared to 5910 kHz Alcaraván-Radio currently with the same signal strength; but the conditions at 80+40meters are currently not good. On 6945 kHz I can see now only a weak carrier. QTH Germany, Saxony- Anhalt, Halle/S. / Grundig S650+HDSDR2.1 / Dipol for the 40mB. 73+55 (roger2, Sept 7, ibid.) Laser Hot Hits has moved from 6920 kHz to 6945 kHz at tune in 2030 UT. Good signal at this QTH (Russ, North Ferriby, Cummings, Sept 6, BDXC- UK yg via DXLD) It surely seems 6945 does "contain" LHH - they were heard there this morning in the UK acc. to a report I've just received. Conditions may be adverse, but at 2158 UT yesterday, the rating was 45433! Not all the time this good, of course, but at best. No other similar station audible on that segment. The strongest signal usually comes from Atlantic R, IRL, on 6960, when they're on and not just sending an empty carrier. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Sept 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Audible about an hour ago, ID simply as "Laser International", but it's surely the very same station we're talking about. Rated about the same as yesterday. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, 1857 UT Sept 7, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) So we have both just now heard the same station. I was doing tests to further improve the radio reception (mixer, etc.) so I needed a station with a weaker signal. But you can also see clear the QRM of data-channels: http://www.rhci-online.de/6945kHzLHH.gif (I also heard the "Laser International" - announcement...) 73+55 (roger2, 1921 UT, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) ** EUROPE. Reflections Europe now uses just two frequencies for weekly Sunday broadcasts of religious programmes: 6295 and 12255 kHz. The 3910 kHz channel formerly used is no longer announced and has not been heard for many months (tho it still appears in brackets on their website http://www.reflectionseurope.com and QSL card). 12255, which usually skips over my location, was heard with a surprisingly good signal around 1600 UT 14 Aug. Schedule is Sundays ``3pm to 10:30pm British Time`` [14-2130 UT] according to QSL. Reflections Europe uses frequencies originally used by Radio Fax http://www.radiofax.org from Ireland from 1988 (Alan Pennington, Caversham, Berkshire, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Radio Waves International will operate under the name of WCS World Communication Service and will repl[a]y the WTC911's program we did in 2002 just one year after the trajedy of 9/11. Most of the other program will be composed of patriotic songs. We will do a special QSL card to confirm to all your reports. We will operate around 6395 kHz from 48 mb. On September 24th weekend we will join the FRC France Radio Club meeting in CALAIS with some offshores personalities. more details at http://www.offshoreechos.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Now listen to us on the net via http://www.pirateradionetwork.com/ RADIO WAVES INTERNATIONAL http://go.to/rwi Country music show, French service, Rock City & Pirate memories the sounds on short-waves around the world "on the highway to freedom" Peter HILLS & Philippe " The terrible twins" For review and airplay send your promos to : RADIO WAVES INTERNATIONAL BP 130 92504 RUEIL Cedex FRANCE Attention: for UPS or Fedex mail ask us for a special delivery address (via Roberto Scaglione, shortwave yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) a cold drop? (gh, DXLD) ** EUROPE. 21800, 14 August at 1048, SW Radio Malta, oldies nice music, jingle ID add[ress?], English, SINPO 35533 (Zdenek Elias, Czech Republic, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Pirate previously reported on 6937 in May and June, really from Malta? (gh, DXLD) ** FINLAND. Good reception from SWR Finland tonight on both 6170 and 11720 kHz at 2121 UT [Fri Sept 2, monthly], both S7-8 signals with 6170 kHz suffering less side splatter (Russ, North Ferriby, UK, Cummings, AOR 7030+, 60 ft long wire, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Thanks to reminder from Russ Cummings that Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Virrat Finland were on air this weekend, heard them on off-channel 11689.9 kHz half an hour before they closed down this evening (3 Sept) at 2022 UT. Parallel 6170 audible but weaker and with co-channel interference at this time. Recording of English ID on 11689.9 at: http://www.box.net/shared/53uunpkvu70940bzj7d7 (Alan Pennington, Caversham, UK, AOR 7030+ / longwire, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. DRM tests via GUIANA FRENCH: q.v. ** GEORGIA. IDs "Apsua Radio" & "Radio Respubliki Abkhazii" in Abkhazian & Russian heard 0658-0810var UT on 9535 kHz on 22, 24 and 26 Aug, resptively Mon, Wed & Fri. Russian from 0800 UT, Avto Radio from approx 0808 UT (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 1, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. 3995: Reception reports with return postage are requested to: HCJB, VozAndes Media, Casilla 17-17-691, Quito, Ecuador or deutsch @ andenstimme.org You can also send reports online to receive an e-QSL at: http://hcjb.de/index.php?id=111 HCJB-UK can be contacted at 131 Grattan Road, Bradford BD1 2HS info @ hcjbglobal.org.uk (Observations by Dave Kenny, see also http://www.classicbroadcast.de/news.html DX News, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** GERMANY. 6190, 0450 20 Aug, Deutschlandfunk, Berlin, shipping forecast and coastal station reports in German, 0459 ID, 0500 blocked by strong CRI [Sackville] in English, SIO 443 (Alan Pennington, UK, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** GERMANY. 9479.935 kHz log MV Baltic Radio, Sept 4th, 2011. MV Baltic Radio is on the air this Sunday the 4th of September 2011. MVBR Schedule: 0900 to 1000 UT on 6140 kHz, 100 kW, Wertachtal, Quadrant non-dir antenna 0900 to 1000 UT on 9480 kHz, 1 kW, tx Goehren Germany. 1200 to 1300 UT on 9585 kHz, 100 kW with a Test Transmission. {Latter probably also 100 kW at M&B Wertachtal} Log: 0900 UT Sept 4th on 6140 kHz via Wertachtal 100 kW non-dir Quadrant antenna, Powerhouse to Central Europe target. Measured exact on 9479.935 kHz at 0905 UT Sept 4th, TX Goehren, south of Schwerin in M.V. province, Germany. Signal characteristic precedence towards azimuth at {South}West-{North}East. Weak on nearby Netherlands and Germany target, typical for 31 mb antenna on close-up range. But strong signal measured on remote SDR unit at Paris France S=9+10dBm, S=9 in England, S=9 in Finland, S=7 on Atlantic coast line in CT-USA, S=7 in Ireland, S=3 in Steiermark Austria, not audible in Athens Greece. 9585 kHz, MV Baltic Radio test transmission at 12-13 UT, Sept 4. Observed good signal in most European places. Mentioned David Bowie album at 1250 UT, "Heroes" 1977 album of West Berlin era. Talk also on "Radio Day in Erkrath", phone number given at 1254-1255 UT, close-down at approx 1256 UT. S=8-9 in England, S=5-6 in Moscow, S=6 in Italy, S=8 in Eastern Germany, S=9+20dBm on Austrian-Hungarian border. Address M.V. Baltic Radio, Seestrasse 17, D-19089 Goehren, Germany 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) MV Baltic Radio to CeEu: 0900-1000 on 6140 WER 100 kW / non-dir 1st Sun (44544) 0900-1000 on 9480 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg Sept. 4 (24432) 1200-1300 on 9585 WER 100 kW / non-dir Sept. 4 (55544) (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Some MBR changes: Bible Voice Broadcasting Network (BVBN) in Luri from Sep. 4: 0400-0430 on 9410 WER 100 kW / 105 deg to IRN/IRQ Sat-Mon Internal name - MSM in English, please check on Sep. 18: 0900-1000 on 6045 WER 100 kW / non-dir to WeEu 3rd Sun, new from Aug. 21. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, Sept 5, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Luri is on Eibi`s language abbr. list as in Iran, no further info: http://www.susi-und-strolch.de/eibi/readme.txt But this would be a new language on SW, nowhere in his present listings; wiki says Lori represents a `continuum` between Persian and Kurdish; more than 4 megaspeakers of its quadridialects a dekayear ago, but enough to be worth Christianizing, only one million being the lower limit (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. AUSTRIA/FRENCH GUIANA/FRANCE/GERMANY MEDIA BROADCAST GmbH (formerly T-SYSTEMS - DTK) A-11 period (27/03/2011 - 30/10/2011) A-11 operational DTK schedule of September 1st 2011. Times are in UT frq star-stop ciraf loc pow azi type day from-to broadc 5930 0000-0057 12, 14 GUF 500 215 146 1234567 1306-291011 YFR 5930 1700-1900 28E,29 W WER 250 45 205 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 5940 0030-0230 40 WER 250 105 215 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 5945 0700-0730 27,28N WER 100 300 215 1 2703-291011 BVB 5945 0700-0745 27,28N WER 100 300 215 7 2703-291011 BVB 5945 1100-1115 27,28 WER 250 ND 926 1 2703-291011 MWA 5955 0558-0800 27,28 NAU 500 210 216 1234567 2508-291011 RNW 5955 0800-1000 27,28 WER 500 ND 930 23456 2703-291011 RNW 5955 0800-1000 27,28 NAU 500 210 146 1 7 2507-291011 RNW 5955 1459-1657 27,28 NAU 500 210 146 1234567 2507-291011 RNW 6040 1600-1630 28E WER 250 135 215 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 6040 1630-1930 40 WER 250 105 215 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 6045 0900-1000 27E, 28 WER 100 ND 926 1 2108-291011 MSM 6045 0900-1000 27E,28 WER 100 ND 926 1 2703-291011 HLR* 6055 1030-1100 27,28 WER 125 ND 926 1 7 2703-291011 EMG 6060 1500-1700 28E,29W WER 125 60 215 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 6065 0300-0330 48 WER 250 135 215 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 6065 0400-0430 28E WER 100 120 201 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 6095 0230-0330 40 WER 250 105 215 1234567 2903-291011 IBB 6105 0645-0750 27 NAU 100 285 146 1 2508-301011 TWR 6105 0700-0750 27 NAU 100 285 146 23456 2508-301011 TWR 6105 0715-0750 27 NAU 100 285 146 7 2508-301011 TWR 6105 1700-1800 28E,29W WER 250 60 207 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 6115 2000-2200 37,38W WER 250 210 215 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 6120 0759-1000 27S,37N WER 500 255 215 23456 2703-291011 RNW 6130 1800-1815 28,29 NAU 100 69 216 56 2703-291011 BVB 6130 1800-1830 28,29 NAU 100 69 216 3 2703-291011 BVB 6130 1800-1900 28,29 NAU 100 69 216 1 2703-291011 BVB 6130 1815-1845 28,29 NAU 100 69 216 7 2703-291011 BVB 6140 0900-1000 27,28 WER 100 ND 926 1 2703-291011 MVB 6140 1300-1400 28 NAU 100 126 156 1 2703-291011 MVB 7215 1400-1430 28-30 WER 100 60 207 3456 2703-301011 TWR 7215 1400-1430 28-30 WER 100 60 207 2 2703-301011 TWR 7215 1400-1500 28-30 WER 100 60 207 1 7 2703-301011 TWR 7230 1900-1930 39N WER 250 105 215 1234567 0907-291011 FEB 7280 0230-0400 40 WER 250 105 215 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 7310 0300-0330 39S WER 125 120 201 1234567 2703-291011 BVB 7360 2200-0057 12,13,15 GUF 500 170 151 1234567 1306-291011 YFR 7375 0100-0300 2,3,4,6,7,WER 100 315 215 1234567 0709-291011 HRT 7375 0300-0500 2,3,6,7W,1WER 100 325 215 1234567 0709-291011 HRT 7375 2200-0300 11,12,13,1WER 100 240 215 1234567 0709-291011 HRT 7375 2300-0100 6,7,8,9,10WER 100 300 215 1234567 0709-291011 HRT 7405 0030-0115 41 WER 250 90 217 1234567 0309-291011 BVB 7420 2200-2300 37,38W WER 250 210 215 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9410 0400-0430 39NE, 40 WER 100 105 205 12 7 1908-291011 BVB 9430 1800-1900 39,4 NAU 250 125 216 7 2703-291011 BVB 9430 1815-1845 39,4 NAU 250 125 216 1 2703-291011 BVB 9440 1529-1600 28 WER 100 105 201 7 2703-301011 TWR 9440 1529-1600 29S,39N WER 100 90 217 23456 2703-301011 TWR 9445 0030-0130 40E,41NW WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-291011 GFA 9470 1900-2100 38E,39 WER 250 120 217 1234567 0407-291011 AWR 9505 0300-0330 48 WER 250 135 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9515 1930-2000 37,38 NAU 250 150 216 1 0108-291011 PAB 9515 1930-2030 37,38 NAU 250 150 216 7 2703-291011 PAB 9520 2330-0030 41NE,43S,4WER 250 75 217 1234567 2703-291011 GFA 9585 1800-1900 28E,29 WER 100 75 201 7 2408-291011 CHW 9590 1900-2000 37E,38 WER 250 150 201 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9595 2000-2100 46E,47,52NNAU 500 180 216 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9600 1900-1930 47,48 WER 250 150 217 1234567 0407-291011 IBB 9610 0530-0600 46SE WER 100 180 217 23456 1106-291011 RMI 9610 1900-2200 46,47,52 WER 500 180 217 1234567 0906-291011 YFR 9620 2200-2300 38,39,40 WER 500 135 217 1234567 0604-291011 NHK 9655 1400-1500 18,27,28 MOS 100 275 805 1234567 0807-291011 TOM 9675 1630-1700 47,48 WER 250 150 217 23456 2703-291011 IBB 9715 2100-2200 46E,47,52NNAU 500 180 216 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9735 0200-0500 6-8,10,11 GUF 250 320 158 1234567 2703-301011 VOR 9735 0500-0515 39,4 WER 250 105 205 6 2703-291011 BVB 9740 1600-1700 19, 29,30 WER 250 60 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 9760 1630-1800 40 WER 250 105 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 9765 1900-1930 37,38W WER 100 210 216 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9765 1930-2000 37,38W WER 100 210 216 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9765 2000-2030 37,38W WER 100 210 216 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9780 1700-1800 40E,41NW NAU 250 90 216 1234567 0707-291011 IBB 9790 0900-1000 28W NAU 100 185 216 1 0409-301011 AWR 9805 1900-2000 29,3 WER 250 60 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 9810 0000-0200 12,14,16 GUF 250 195 153 1234567 2703-301011 VOR 9810 2030-2100 46,47 NAU 250 190 216 23456 2604-291011 IBB 9815 0300-0330 47,48 NAU 250 160 216 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 9815 0330-0400 48 WER 250 135 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9815 1800-1830 47,48 WER 250 150 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 9830 1600-1630 28E WER 100 120 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 9830 2000-2030 46E,47W WER 100 180 217 1234567 0906-301011 AWR 9895 0459-0557 28S WER 500 120 201 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 9895 0559-0659 27S,28SW,3NAU 500 220 146 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 9895 0800-1000 27S,28SW NAU 500 220 146 17 2703-291011 RNW 9895 1459-1559 27S,28SW,3NAU 500 220 146 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 9925 1800-1900 57 WER 500 165 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9935 2200-2300 12, 14 GUF 500 215 146 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 9935 2300-2357 12, 14 GUF 500 215 146 1234567 1306-291011 YFR 11605 2200-2400 12,13,15 GUF 250 180 153 1234567 2703-301011 VOR 11640 1400-1500 39N,40 WER 250 105 217 1234567 2007-291011 IBB 11670 1730-1800 37,38W WER 100 210 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 11695 1500-1530 29,3 WER 250 60 216 7 2703-291011 EMG 11755 2030-2100 46SE,47W WER 100 180 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 11810 0500-0530 37,38,46N,NAU 125 185 146 1234567 0906-291011 BVB 11810 1500-1600 29SE WER 250 90 216 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 11840 1900-2000 37,46 NAU 500 205 216 1234567 0806-291011 YFR 11855 1800-1815 39,4 WER 100 105 216 7 2408-291011 BVB 11855 1800-1830 39,4 WER 100 105 216 2 4 6 2408-291011 BVB 11855 1800-1900 39,4 WER 100 105 216 3 5 2408-291011 BVB 11855 1830-1900 39,4 WER 100 105 216 1 2408-291011 BVB 11885 1700-1759 39 ISS 250 110 216 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 11905 1730-1800 48 NAU 250 140 217 23456 0906-291011 IBB 11905 1800-1900 48 NAU 250 140 217 1234567 0906-291011 IBB 11925 1800-1900 48 WER 250 150 217 1234567 0906-291011 IBB 11925 1900-1930 48 WER 250 150 217 23456 0906-291011 IBB 11940 1500-1530 30S WER 250 75 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 11945 1930-2000 46SE WER 100 180 217 1234567 0806-291011 RMI 11955 1800-1900 37E,38 WER 250 150 201 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 11960 1700-1800 39,4 WER 100 120 201 7 1707-291011 BVB 11960 1730-1800 39,4 WER 100 120 201 1 1707-291011 BVB 11975 1830-1900 46S,47SE ISS 500 167 217 1234567 2703-291011 LWF 11980 0700-0800 37,38W WER 100 210 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 11980 0800-0830 37,38W WER 100 210 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 11995 1600-1630 47E,48 WER 500 135 217 1 1506-291011 RMI# 12010 0800-0830 37,38W WER 100 210 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 12010 0830-0900 37,38W WER 100 210 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 12015 1630-1700 47,48 WER 250 150 217 23456 2408-291011 IBB 12050 0400-0600 38E,39 WER 250 120 217 1234567 0407-291011 AWR 12080 1500-1600 46,47,52,5WER 250 180 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 12140 1530-1730 39,4 WER 100 105 217 1234567 2703-291011 BVB 13570 1500-1600 39N,40W WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 13580 1700-1720 39,4 ISS 250 115 217 23 56 2703-291011 BVB 13580 1700-1735 39,4 ISS 250 115 217 4 2703-291011 BVB 13590 1530-1815 39,4 WER 100 120 217 1 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1545-1600 39,4 WER 100 120 217 2 4 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1545-1615 39,4 WER 100 120 217 6 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1545-1620 39,4 WER 100 120 217 3 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1545-1645 39,4 WER 100 120 217 5 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1545-1700 39,4 WER 100 120 217 7 2408-291011 BVB 13590 1700-1800 39,4 WER 100 120 217 3 2408-291011 BVB 13600 1615-1700 39,4 WER 100 120 217 2 4 6 2408-291011 BVB 13600 1700-1730 39S NAU 125 130 218 1234567 2703-291011 BVB 13615 1400-1500 30S WER 250 75 216 1234567 0206-291011 IBB 13615 1600-1700 40 NAU 500 95 218 1234567 2507-291011 YFR 13620 0527-0557 47,48W NAU 500 156 218 1234567 1807-291011 PNW 13630 1532-1547 39,4 ISS 250 91 211 1 3005-291011 BVB 13645 1600-1700 39 WER 250 120 217 1234567 2405-291011 YFR 13700 1459-1557 28S,39W WER 500 120 217 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 13710 1100-1130 19,20,21,2NAU 250 30 218 7 2703-291011 EMG 13720 1630-1730 47,48 WER 100 165 217 1234567 2408-291011 BVB 13730 0459-0557 47,48W WER 250 150 217 1234567 1807-291011 PNW% 13730 1400-1500 30S,40N WER 250 75 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 13740 1500-1515 41,49NW WER 250 90 217 1 0407-291011 BVB 13740 1700-1800 40 NAU 500 95 218 1234567 0707-291011 YFR 13740 1900-1930 37,38,46N,WER 125 180 217 1234567 0806-291011 BVB 13745 1600-1700 29SE WER 250 90 217 1234567 2804-291011 IBB 13750 1800-1900 46SE WER 500 180 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 13790 1500-1558 41SE ISS 500 85 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 13810 1500-1531 28,29W,38EWER 100 120 217 1234567 2408-291011 TOM 13810 1531-1600 28,29W,38ENAU 100 130 218 1234567 2408-291011 TOM 13810 1600-1800 38S,39S,47ISS 100 131 206 2 5 2703-291011 BVB 13810 1600-1830 38S,39S,47ISS 100 131 206 1 6 2703-291011 BVB 13810 1630-1800 38S,39S,47ISS 100 131 206 34 2703-291011 BVB 13810 1630-1830 38S,39S,47ISS 100 131 206 7 2703-291011 BVB 13830 1630-1700 47,48 NAU 250 150 218 23456 0407-291011 IBB 13830 1700-1758 38E,39S,48ISS 100 126 216 1 4 2703-291011 SBO 13840 1700-1800 37,38 WER 100 180 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 13870 1730-1800 48 NAU 250 140 218 23456 2703-291011 IBB 13870 1800-1900 48 NAU 250 140 218 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 13870 1900-1930 48 NAU 250 140 218 23456 2703-291011 IBB 15110 1530-1600 40 WER 250 105 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 15155 1730-1800 48 WER 250 135 217 1234567 0906-291011 AWR 15160 1600-1700 48 NAU 500 140 218 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 15205 1400-1430 41 NAU 100 95 218 1 2408-291011 PAB 15205 1415-1430 41 NAU 100 95 218 234567 2408-291011 PAB 15205 1430-1445 41 ISS 250 83 217 1 2703-291011 PAB 15205 1900-1930 46S NAU 100 200 218 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 15205 1930-2000 46SE,47W WER 250 180 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 15215 1530-1629 40E,41NW ISS 250 86 217 1234567 2703-291011 GFA 15255 1500-1529 41N ISS 250 90 217 1234567 3005-301011 AWR 15255 1530-1600 41N ISS 250 75 217 1234567 3005-301011 AWR 15260 1900-2000 37,38W NAU 100 215 218 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 15275 1515-1530 40,41 ISS 100 90 217 7 0904-291011 BVB 15275 1515-1559 40,41 ISS 100 90 217 6 0508-291011 BVB 15275 1530-1559 40,41 ISS 100 90 217 45 0508-291011 BVB 15320 1300-1330 42,43W WER 250 75 217 23456 2703-291011 AWR 15320 1300-1330 42,43W WER 250 75 217 1 7 2703-291011 AWR 15320 1330-1500 42,43W WER 250 75 217 1234567 2703-291011 AWR 15350 1230-1500 41 WER 250 90 217 1234567 2405-291011 GFA 15360 1500-1530 41N NAU 250 85 218 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 15360 1530-1559 41N ISS 250 80 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 15380 1430-1630 40 WER 250 105 217 1234567 2405-291011 IBB 15380 1700-1800 39N,40 WER 250 105 217 1234567 0707-291011 IBB 15390 1330-1530 41NE,43S,4WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-291011 GFA 15410 1700-1715 48SW ISS 250 140 217 7 0307-291011 ABA 15445 1700-1900 38,39,40 WER 250 135 217 1234567 2405-291011 NHK 15495 1500-1559 41E ISS 500 85 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 15495 1759-1957 48SW,52E,5WER 500 150 217 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 15565 1400-1459 41E ISS 500 83 216 1 7 2506-291011 YFR 15565 1400-1500 41E NAU 500 90 218 23456 2506-291011 YFR 15565 1500-1600 29SE WER 250 90 217 1234567 2605-291011 IBB 15650 1400-1700 30S WER 250 75 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 15670 1400-1600 41 NAU 500 95 218 1234567 2507-291011 YFR 15680 1230-1330 40 WER 250 90 217 1234567 2405-291011 IBB 15690 1400-1459 41S ISS 500 90 217 1234567 2703-291011 YFR 15710 1659-1727 47,52N WER 500 180 217 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 15715 0400-0900 40E,41NW WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-291011 IBB 15720 1529-1627 47,48W WER 500 150 217 1234567 1807-291011 PNW 15720 1659-1727 47E,48,52ENAU 500 155 218 1234567 2703-291011 RNW 15750 1600-1700 47,48 WER 500 150 217 1234567 1807-291011 YFR 17485 1500-1600 38 WER 100 165 217 1234567 0807-291011 TOM 17495 1400-1430 41 NAU 250 95 217 1 0409-291011 BVB* 17495 1430-1500 41 NAU 250 95 218 7 2506-291011 BVB 17495 1430-1500 41 NAU 250 95 217 1 0409-291011 BVB 17535 0900-1000 38,39 WER 100 135 217 6 2703-291011 BVB 17535 1200-1230 41NE WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 17535 1230-1300 41NE WER 250 90 217 1234567 2703-301011 AWR 17575 1630-1700 48 ISS 250 130 217 1234567 3005-301011 AWR 17580 1300-1500 41E WER 500 90 216 1234567 0907-291011 YFR 17750 1400-1500 39N,40 WER 250 120 217 1234567 2806-291011 IBB 17800 1400-1559 41S ISS 500 90 217 1234567 0207-291011 YFR 17820 1630-1700 52 WER 250 180 217 6 2907-291011 IBB *) 1st Sunday of the month Day 1 = Sunday ... Day 7 = Saturday No 75 mb frequency registration anymore, YFR ceased EaEUR sce on 3975. List of Broadcasters which are using MEDIA BROADCAST technical equipment ABA Radiyo Y'Abaganda (Ababaka) AWR Adventist World Radio BVB High Adventure Gospel - Bible Voice Broadcasting CHW Christliche Wissenschaft CVC Christian Vision - deleted DVB Democratic Voice of Burma EFD Ethiopeans For Democracy ELF Eritrean Liberation Front EMG Evangelische Missionsgemeinden in Deutschland FEB Feba Radio UK GFA Gospel for Asia HCJ Voice of the Andes - deleted HLR Hamburger Lokalradio HRT Hrvratska Radio Televizija IBB International Broadcasting Bureau LWF Lutheran World Federation MBR MEDIA BROADCAST (ex Deutsche Telekom, DTK) MSM internal name MVB Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Baltic Radio MWA Missionswerk Arche NHK Nippon Hoso Kyokai PAB Pan Am Broadcasting PNW% {"Press Now". wb.} RHU Radio Huriyo (Xoriyo) - deleted RMI Radio Miami International RMI# [Voice of Oromo Liberation Front] RNW Radio Netherlands World Service RRP Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie - deleted RTR Radio Traumland (Belgium) - deleted SBO Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo, Voice of Oromo Liberation. TOM The Overcomer Ministry TWR Trans World Radio VOR Voice of Russia WRN World Radio Network - deleted YFR WYFR Family Radio Michael Puetz MEDIA BROADCAST GmbH Order Management & Backoffice Josef-Lammerting-Allee 8-10 D-50933 Cologne, Germany Please send your inquiries and reception reports to: E-Mail: % "Press Now" Witte Kruislaan 55 1217 AM Hilversum The Netherlands T +31 35 62 54 300 website E-mail (MBR, Sept 1, transformed by Michael Bethge-D WWDXC via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 5 via DXLD) ** GERMANY [non]. 15275, Sept 2 at 1253 weak signal in French, with some noise jamming which normally accompanies Firedrake jamming of V. of Tibet around here, but neither of those. Collateral victim anyway is DW at 12-13, 250 kW, 170 degrees to W Africa via Woofferton UK (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. PICTURE ALBUM OF GREECE TRANSMITTING STATION Here's the URL for photos of the IBB Greece Transmitting Station. As you will see, I was using an early digital camera that had very low resolution by today's standards. https://picasaweb.google.com/118053668880107446079/VoiceOfAmericaKavalaGreeceTransmittingStation# The album is best viewed using the site's slide show mode with the browser set to full screen. The slide show defaults to a three second hang time. You'll probably need to up that a bit to read the captions. In case you're not familiar with picasaweb, you can make that adjustment by hovering the cursor over the bottom of the screen until the control bar comes up and hitting its plus sign a few times. Move the cursor away from center to make the control bar disappear. I was there from '97 to '02, first as Transmitting Station Supervisor, and then for the final three years as Deputy Station Manager. Best, (Charles Lewis, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Similar cuts [to PORTUGAL, q.v.] are affecting part of the Greek shortwave services as well. In particular, the shortwave service of ERT3, based on Thessaloniki is about to cease operation, after a decision of the government, as part of the financial reform of the Public Broadcaster. [1] In that case though, there has already been a response by the station’s target group, a big organisation of the Greek Diaspora. In their statement [2], they argue that there is a big part of the audience, mainly old Greeks living abroad, that do not have the technological background to use multimedia and the internet, which are offered as a replacement. [1] http://www.thegreekradio.com/node/2840 [2] http://www.thegreekradio.com/node/2849 (Ell. Arthrografos, http://www.thegreekradio.com/taxonomy/term/266 on Aug 31st, 2011 at 21:39, MN blog comment via DXLD) ** GREECE. 6210, ERT Voice of Greece from Avlis in Greek, now and then reported the Intermodulation between 15630 kHz minus 9420, observed at 0310 UT Sept 2. Sure not Lingala or Swahili of R. Kahuzi (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Sept 2, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) ** GREECE. unID in Filipino, 11645 kHz um 0920 UT ... SINPO 45444, Berichte und Musik, noch keine ID gehoert. Ingrid meint, das sei Radio Kaibigan, ein Programm von / fuer Filipinos in Griechenland, das ueber die Frequenzen von Radio Filia ausgestrahlt wird. Es wurde eine Telefonnummer genannt: 210 6000 325, man vergleiche dazu die Nummer der filipinischen Botschaft in Athen: 210 6721 883 (Guenter Lorenz, Germany, A-DX Sept 3 via BC-DX via DXLD) So lautet der Wochenend Plan. Muss bei ERT und Filia nicht unbedingt der Wirklichkeit entsprechen. SATURDAY 666 AM FM 106.7 [excerpt] UT Program 0800-0900 (Alternating) Bangladesh or Praxis Humanitarian Organization 0900-1000 Radio Kaibigan (Program By The Filipino Community) 1000-1100 Program By The Pakistani and Indian Communities 1100-1200 Georgian Program (John Babbis, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 12, via BC-DX Sept 3 via DXLD) ** GUAM. 5765-USB, can`t trace AFN Sept 3 [not 4 as typoed in original report] at 1226 avoiding as best I can WTWW 5755, nor several previous mornings. Is AFN off again? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Have not kept an accurate day-to-day log, but certainly AFN Guam has recently been off the air more than they have been on. Same is true of AFN Diego Garcia (4319-USB). Needs more checking (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, Sept 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5765-USB, Sept 4 at 1246, AFN is back, detectable with W&W discussion, but not // NPR delayed on KOSU 91.7 with a different W&W interview. Ron Howard says it has been absent more than present recently (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5765-USB, AFN. Nice to find them back on the air for two consecutive days. September 4 at 1206 was audio feed of NBC TV; at 1338 found CBS TV audio with Charles Osgood. No AFN Diego Garcia heard. September 5 heard at 1221; fair or better reception. Still no AFN DG (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5765-USB, Sept 6 at 1230, weak but readable signal from AFN has Matt Lauer re-opening NBC-TV `Today` show on the half hour, mentioning Al Roker, chat with co-hosts, etc. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. 11750, Sept 4 at 2158, heard a bit of talk with good signal, not enough to decide on the language before cut off the air abruptly at 2159*. HFCC shows it was KSDA in Chinese due northwest. KSDA uses 11750 only at 21-22 and 1300-1330 (Sun -1400) (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. KTWR Guam testing in DRM mode --- More tests from KTWR http://ktwrdrm.blogspot.com/2011/09/content-server-test.html (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) WTFK? 9910, so watch out for DRM noise around there. Item dated Sept 2 (gh) 9905-9910-9915, Sept 4 at 1307 DRM noise. Nothing in HFCC except KTWR analog at 1100-1230 in Chinese, which we have often heard, with a continuous het, jamming? Assume this is also KTWR testing DRM, as in this item from their DRM blog pointed out by Alokesh Gupta: http://ktwrdrm.blogspot.com/2011/09/content-server-test.html which shows 9910 as their DRM frequency without any exact schedule. [and non]. 9905-9910-9915, Sept 6 at 1238, DRM noise already on from presumed KTWR which has posted that it is testing its new DRM transmitter on 9910; previously heard DRM after 1300. Maybe started at 1230 when analog service in Chinese ends. They`d better quit by 1315 when AIR, another diehard DRM enthusiast, starts its Dari service in analog on 9910 (tho registered from 1300). But DRM noise still there at 1317, plus het heard underneath the noise, which I was also getting against KTWR Chinese 9910 before they started the DRM tests, but now AIR faces this double-whammy. 9910, Sept 7 at 1221, Chinese with less than 1 kHz constant het on hi side, KTWR vs jamming? Need to hear if KTWR cuts to DRM test at 1230, but missed rechecking today (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. Más potencia y mejor antena en Radio Verdad. Estimado Sr. Hauser. Acabo de recibir respuesta por parte del Sr. Édgar Madrid de Radio Verdad (Guatemala) respecto a mi reporte de recepción: "Gracias, Ingeniero González Ahumada, por su buen reporte. Sí, estamos transmitiendo con 650 watts de potencia, [p]ero con una antena muy efectiva." Atte: (Ing. Civ. Israel González Ahumada, M.I., Yucatán, Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4055, Radio Verdad, in Spanish, Sept. 6, 0528 tune-in to 0544 a continuous medley of choruses by a children’s choir, 0544 an adult choir singing hymns till 0552, then into many announcements, numerous IDs, address, frequencies, xylophone music, all part of closing of the broadcast, 0558 announcement in Japanese, 0600 national anthem. Fair down to poor (Harold Sellers, Vernon, British Columbia, Listening from my car with the Eton E1 and Sony AN1 active antenna, Editor of World English Survey and Target Listening, available at http://www.odxa.on.ca dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PayPal for RV --- YOU CAN DEPOSIT YOUR OFFERING FOR RADIO TRUTH ALREADY THROUGH PayPal. DO IT THROUGH THE FOLLOWING e-mail: radio.verdad.em @ gmail.com U.S.A. Agent for Donations: ELENA PALMA If you deposit a donation for Radio Truth, tell us immediately to our regular e-mail: radioverdad5 @ yahoo.com DO NOT FORGET TO WRITE YOUR REGULAR MAIL ADDRESS. ¿Did you know that Radio Truth is THOROUGHLY NON PROFIT? Nobody pays any money for any program here, but, the expenses are GIGANTIC (Dr. Édgar Madrid, Radio Verdad, Sept 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 96.5 MHz, unidentified. 1400 September 5, 2011. Trading places wih Krem FM, Belize. Long ad string, mention of "gobierno Departamento Guatemala" into another spot mentioning Guatemala, then a Little Caesars spot! Spanish dance music format. Suspect "Atmósfera 96.5" Guatemala City, but didn't get to the live stream from their site until after it faded out and didn't return (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUIANA FRENCH. UNIDENTIFIED. 17875-17880-17885, Sept 1 at 1325, DRM noise. Nothing whatsoever on 17880 or 17875 is on the supposedly ``always up-to-date`` DRM DX schedule at http://www.drm-dx.de/ dated July 19! Furthermore there are no posts about this in the linked DRM Software Radio Fora. Nor in http://groups.yahoo.com/group/drmna/messages We have sporadically heard DRM noise centered on 17880 before, but HFCC shows nothing either, just 17875 at 13-20, 150 kW, 320 degrees from GUF, plus 17-21 at 165 degrees. I made sure what I am getting is on 17880, not 17875. I was anticipating something like this because of a Media Network blog item of Aug 30, ``Digital radio seminar in Brazil`` today only: ``The Brazilian Ministry of Communication has organised a high-level one-day seminar on Digital Radio on 1 September 2011 in the capital Brasília. The main objective of this event is to have an extensive discussion with various segments of society about digital radio, which includes what criteria should be used for the adoption of a digital standard with emphasis on the practical implications for broadcasters and the industry. [. . .] Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) is one of the systems under discussion and the chair of the DRM Consortium Ruxandra Obreja will be present in the meetings along with the Commercial Committee chair Michel Penneroux, Alex Zink, vice-chair of the Association and vice-chair of the DRM Technical Committee, and Jose Maria Matias of the University of Mexico, involved in the recent DRM30 and DRM+ trials conducted by DRM in Brazil.`` So I bet it is really Montsinéry with a DRM demo for this meeting, not publicized for ordinary listeners, and on the 165 rather than 320 degree antenna. 17875-17880-17885, Sept 2 at 1403, weak DRM is here again today. Alokesh Gupta forwards this from the drmna yg confirming my suspicions, but why for a fortnight if the digital meeting in Brasília was only on Sept 1? ``From Thursday 01 September to Thursday 15 September 2011 included, new transmissions from Montsinéry (French Guiana) to Brazil: 13.00 to 16.00 UTC P = 150 kW DRM Freq = 17880 kHz Az : 165 DRM Parameters: B mode Bandwidth = 10 kHz MSC= 64 QAM CR = CR0.6 Audio encoding = AAC + SBR Program = RFI _L2 (only music). RFI and TDF logos will be transmitted as data content. Wishing you good reception. Sorry for late notice. Regards. Jacques GRUSON F6AJW`` 17875-17880-17885, Sept 7 at 1300 found DRM noise already roaring, but gone at 1402 recheck. The TDF test to Brasília is supposedly running 13-16 until Sept 15 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. 7125, Sept 5 at 0539, RTG on earlier than usual, poor signal with hilife music, checked after finding MAURITANIA, q.v., absent from 7245. FWIW, WRTH 2011 shows sign-on times via FM as 0555 weekdays, 0800 Sundays, with 7125 irregular (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. 3290, Voice of Guyana, 0925 Oldies ballads into Caribbean music, 30 August [Wilkner and XM-Cedar Key] 3290, Voice of Guyana, 0850 evening morning [sic] for last fortnight to 1030 fade out in Florida [South Florida Group] (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. SW BROADCASTING STATIONS IN INDIA GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING RAJYA SABHA QUESTION NO 2845 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2011 SHORT WAVE BROADCASTING STATIONS. 2845 SHRI BALAVANT ALIAS BAL APTE Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state :- (a) the names of Short Wave broadcasting stations in the country and the details of such stations established in each year of the last three years and current year, State-wise; (b) the name of such stations which are more than three years old, State-wise; (c) whether Government proposes to increase their broadcasting capacity; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) if not, the reason therefor ? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (DR. S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN) (a) At present, 28 Short Wave Broadcasting centres of All India Radio are functioning in the country. No new SW centres / stations have been set up during the last three years and the current year. The state- wise details of the existing AIR SW stations are given in Annexure. (b) All the 28 SW AIR centers are more than 3 years old. (c) Yes, Sir. (d) The following Transmitters are being digitalized during 11th Plan: No. Station Power Nos. Remarks ------------------------------------------------------ 1. Delhi 100 kW 2 Replacement by same power DRM transmitter 2. Aligarh 250 kW 2 3. Bangalore 500 kW 1 4. Delhi 250 kW 2 Conversion to digital mode. 5. Aligarh 250 kW 2 (e) Does not arise. ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2845 FOR ANSWER ON 29.08.2011 List of SW Broadcasting Centres S. No. Stations STATES Nos. of SW Tx. Power Remark ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. HYDERABAD ANDHRA PRADESH 1 50 KW 2. ITANAGAR ARUNANCHAL PRADESH 1 50 KW 3. GUWAHATI ASSAM 2 50 KW 50 KW 4. DELHI DELHI 15 50 KW ( 6 nos.) 100 KW (2nos.) 250 kW (7 nos.) 5. PANAJI GOA 2 250 KW 250 KW 6. SHIMLA HIMANCHAL PRADESH 1 50 KW 7. JAMMU JAMMU & KASHMIR 1 50 KW This is an old transmitter shifted from Kingsway Camp, Delhi. 8. LEH JAMMU & KASHMIR 1 10 KW 9. SRINAGAR JAMMU & KASHMIR 1 50 KW 10. RANCHI JHARKHAND 1 50 KW 11. BANGALORE KARNATAKA 6 500 KW (6 nos.) 12. THRUVANANTHAPURAM KERALA 1 50 KW 13. BHOPAL MADHYA PRADESH 1 50 KW 14. MUMBAI MAHARASHTRA 2 100 KW 50 KW 15. IMPHAL MANIPUR 1 50 KW 16. SHILLONG MEGHALAYA 1 50 KW 17. AIZAWAL MIZORAM 1 10 KW 18. KOHIMA NAGALAND 1 50 KW 19. JEYPORE ORISSA 1 50 KW 20. JAIPUR RAJASTHAN 1 50 KW 21. GANGTOK SIKKIM 1 10 KW 22. CHENNAI TAMILNADU 2 50 KW 100 KW 23. PORT BLAIR UNION TERRITORIES (A & N ISLAND) 1 10 KW 24. ALIGARH UTTAR PRADESH 4 250 KW (4 nos.) 25. GORAKHPUR UTTAR PRADESH 1 50 KW 26. LUCKNOW UTTAR PRADESH 1 50 KW 27. KOLKATA WEST BENGAL 1 50 KW 28. KURSEONG WEST BENGAL 1 50 KW Total Transmitters 54 nos. http://164.100.47.4/newrsquestion/ShowQn.aspx (via Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Sept 3, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. DEFUNCT CONDITION OF AIR RANCHI GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING RAJYA SABHA QUESTION NO 2852 ANSWERED ON 29.08.2011 DEFUNCT CONDITION OF AIR RANCHI 2852 SHRI PARIMAL NATHWANI Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state :- (a) whether it is a fact that All India Radio, Ranchi has been working as a defunct unit for more than a year; (b) whether it is also a fact that the station does not have whole time Director for the last 6 years and the post of Additional Director is also vacant since last year; (c) whether two transmitters installed at the station have not been in proper working conditions for a long time because of being more than 40 years old; and (d) whether the above facts are affecting people living in the interior forests and villages by devoiding them of information? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (DR. S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN) (a) No Sir. The station is broadcasting three transmissions every day. The total transmission hours on week days are 14 hours 35 minutes and on Sunday it is for 16 hours 20 minutes. (b) Yes Sir, The post of Station Director (SD) is vacant since 31.07.2006 & the post of Assistant Station Director (ASD) is vacant since 21.01.2011 due to extreme shortage of staff in the network. (c) No, Sir. AIR programmes (Primary Channel) from Ranchi are being broadcast simultaneously on 100 kW Medium Wave (MW) Transmitter (549 kHz) as well as on 50 kW Short Wave (SW) Transmitter (4960 / 5985 kHz). The existing 100 kW MW transmitter at AIR Ranchi was commissioned on 15.08.87 and has served its useful life of more than 20 years. This transmitter is now being replaced by new Digital (DRM) transmitter and the new MW Transmitter is likely to be commissioned by March 2013. The 50 kW SW transmitter was commissioned on 24.09.1999 and is not working since 2006 due to malfunctioning in the Control circuit. Efforts are being made to restore the transmitter. However, the same service is available on Medium Wave transmitter throughout the Jharkhand State. In addition to an existing 6 kW FM (Vividh Bharati) transmitter a 10 kW 2nd FM Channel is also being setup at AIR, Ranchi in 11th Plan which is likely to be commissioned by March 2012. To further strengthen the station, the schemes for Digitalization of Studios, Networking and Connectivity, and Start of News- on- Phone service are also under implementation. (d) No, Sir. The Ranchi station of All India Radio is providing information to all its listeners of the region by relaying National News Bulletin for 2 hours 20 minutes and originating Regional News Bulletin for 20 minutes every day. Besides, it is broadcasting News from Districts for 5 minutes every day, Employment News of 5 minutes for 4 days per week and Radio Newsreel of 15 minutes per week to inform all the listeners of the region. http://164.100.47.4/newrsquestion/ShowQn.aspx (via Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Sept 3, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. 4820.75, AIR Kolkata. On September 3 and 4, while checking for the // of 6050 (PBS Xizang Chinese Service) I found this off frequency again. Normally Kolkata is on 4820.0. 4970, AIR Shillong, 1350-1400, September 4. In English with the first Sunday of the month program “Legal Advice” explaining legal issues and court procedures; 1400 local ID; poor. 9425, AIR Bengaluru - National Channel, 1445-1458, September 5. “Vividha” program in English with Mondays “Earth Beat” show; jointly produced by AIR and RNW; item about building transportation tunnels underground instead of the usual roads above ground; fair. “Earth Beat” is announced as being on every “fortnight” (2 weeks) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 5010, AIR Thiru'puram, 1237-1253 Sep 2. Talks in presumed Hindi by M&W; items separated by flute music bridges. Signal was "fair minus" today, which is better than usual here (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDIA. 15075, Sept 6 at 0340 past 0400, very poor to JBA broadcaster with flutter, surely as in HFCC, AIR via Bengaluru site, 500 kW at 300 degrees, and another 500 kW at 240 degrees, in Hindi. Not much left of the megawatt by the time it gets here! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also GUAM [and non], KTWR DRM collision on 9910; and IRAN [and non], collision on 11620 ** INDIA. Re 11-35: ``7270, AIR Chennai. Happened to catch the AIR IS at 1259, August 29; weak (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is supposed to be a daytime = morning frequency only, 0130-0430 per WRTH 2011 (gh, DXLD)`` Hi Glenn, Per http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/ which is an excellent source for information about Indian stations: 7270 100 kW Chennai 0000-0045 Tamil 0045-0115 Sinhala (Sri Lanka) 0130-0430 HS 1000-1100 English 1115-1215 Tamil 1300-1500 Sinhala (Sri Lanka) Also per John Wilkins, posted Sept 1 to cumbredxyg: ** INDIA. 7270, AIR Chennai, *1259 Aug 25. IS commencing at 1259, followed by ??. Very poor under NMPBS (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) John of course is correct. PBS Nei Menggu (Mongolian Service) has recently been heard very well on 7270. Outstanding reception now that Sarawak seems to have permanently closed down operations here and on 5030 (Ron Howard, dxldyg via DXLD) ``AIR Chennai`` should mean domestic service program origination; if the same site/frequency for external service, should be ``AIR, via Chennai`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is one of the rare cases in which the same transmitter is used for both home and foreign service, so in WRTH you have to check also in the International Radio section. In the bargraph guide they all can be seen straight away (Mauno Ritola, Finland, WRTH, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) There are several: 3945 - Gorakhpur 0130-0230 Nepali (Nepal), 0230-0300 HS, 1330-1430 Nepali (Nepal), 1430-1735 Urdu (Pakistan) 4860 - Delhi (Kingsway) 0025-0440, 1220-1330 HS, 1330-1430 Nepali (Nepal), 1430-1930 Urdu (Pakistan) 7250 - Gorakhpur 0700-0800 Nepali (Nepal), 0830-1130 Urdu (Pakistan), 1130-1140 HS 7340 - Mumbai 0015-0430 Urdu, 0830-1130 Urdu, 1130-1140 HS, 1230-1500 Sindhi, 1500-1600 Baluchi (Pakistan) 7370 - Delhi (Kingsway) 0030-0040 HS, 0100-0200 Sindhi (Pakistan), 1550-1615/1630/1700/1730v 1730-1740/1830 HS 7420 - Guwahati 0130-0230 Nepali, 0230-0300 HS, 0300-0430 Bangla, 0700-0800 Nepali, 0800-1100 Bangla, 1215-1330 Tibetan, 1330-1430 Nepali, 1445-1515 Bangla,1515-1600 HS,1600-1730 Bangla, 1730-1740 HS 9575 - Delhi (Kingsway) 1215-1330 Tibetan (Tibet), 1330- 1630/1700/1730v, 1730-1740 HS 9595 - Delhi (Kingsway) 0700-0800 Nepali (Nepal), 0810-0830 HS, 0830- 1130 Urdu (Pakistan), 1130-1140 HS 11620 - Delhi (Khampur) 0830-1130 Urdu (Pakistan), 1130-1140 HS, 1330- 1500 English (E SE Asia) 11710 - Delhi (Kingsway) 1115-1140 HS, 1215-1315 Burmese (Myanmar) (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, ibid.) ** INDIA. New website of AIR Shimla --- Elated to share this great news from AIR Shimla with dx_india subscribers. Regards, Alokesh -------- Dear Alokesh, Hi! You may asked your fellow listeners & DXers to monitor AIR Shimla and I will send them confirmation. We are about to launch website of AIR Shimla and that is http://www.airshimla.com It will be uploaded in a week time. -------- AIR Shimla has promised to send confirmations, please send your reception reports to : email : shimla @ air.org.in OR Director (Engg.), All India Radio, Chaura Maidan, Shimla Himachal Pradesh 171004 India SW schedule at: http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/loc.htm regards (Alokesh Gupta, Sept 6, dx_india yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) Viz.: #27 Shimla (1x50 kW) 4965 50 0025-0200, 1235v-1730(Sat, Sun 1741) 6020 ,, 0215-0410, 0700 (Sun 0415-1000)-0930 1130-1230 (via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR EXTENDED BROADCASTS FOR CRICKET TODAY The running commentary of Cricket Match between India & England being played in England will be relayed by many stations on SW (4 MHz frequencies) and MW as follows: 1230 to around 2100 UT or till end of play. 6 Sept 2011 i.e. Today 9 Sept 2011 16 Sept 2011 Most AIR stations usually sign off around 1745 UT. So the extended transmissions till 2100 will provide some interesting reception. On SW the following stations are usually there, but look out for other channels also. 4810 Bhopal 4910 Jaipur 5010 Thiruvanthapuram (till 1730?) 5040 Jeypore 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Raj Bhavan Road, Hyderabad 500082, India, Sept 6, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDIA. ALL INDIA RADIO SPECIAL TRANSMISSION FOR "MAHALAYA" Date : 27th Sept, 2011 (Tuesday) Time : 2230 UTC 26th Sept (0400 IST, 27th Sept) to 0015 UTC 27th Sept (0545 IST, 27th Sept) "Mahalaya" is a special two hour tranmission consisting of Sanskrit recitation & music orated by Late Shri Birendra Krishna Bhadra. All India Radio has been broadcasting this program since early 1930s. Count down of Indian festival of Durga Puja starts from the day of Mahalaya. During last couple of years following AIR channels were noted carrying special Mahalaya transmission: SW 4760 - Port Blair 4820 - Kolkata 4835 - Gangtok 4880 - Lucknow 4895 - Kurseong 4940 - Guwahati 4965 - Shimla MW 603 - Ajmer 621 - Patna A 648 - Indore A 657 - Kolkata A 666 - New Delhi B 675 - Chattarpur 711 - Siliguri 729 - Guwahati A 747 - Lucknow A 756 - Jagdalpur 774 - Shimla 801 - Jabalpur 810 - Rajkot A 819 - New Delhi A 846 - Ahmedabad A 909 - Gorakhpur 918 - Suratgarh 954 - Nazibabad 981 - Raipur 1008 - Kolkata B 1026 - Allahabad A 1044 - Mumbai A 1125 - Tezpur 1179 - Rewa 1242 - Varanasi 1260 - Ambikapur 1314 - Bhuj 1386 - Gwalior 1395 - Bikaner 1404 - Gangtok 1476 - Jaipur A 1584 - Mathura 1593 - Bhopal A Private FM channel Big FM also carried this special on 92.7 MHz during 2009. Related links : Mahalaya: Invoking the Mother Goddess A Once-a-Year Popular Radio Program http://hinduism.about.com/cs/audiomusic/a/aa092003a.htm Mahalaya - Birendrakrishna Bhadra http://calcuttaglobalchat.net/calcuttablog/mahalaya/ Mahalaya - Audio & Video http://www.durgapuja-images.com/2008/09/mahalaya-listen-download-online-watch.html ---- (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, India, dx_india yg via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Kang Guru Indonesia - KGI --- Hi Glenn, http://www.kangguru.org/kgi_latest_news.html contains the Kang Guru Indonesia (KGI) updated news, which includes an email from me. They now have an extensive website dealing with their many activities throughout Indonesia. Also note KGI has some videos, such as their recent visit to RRI Sabang http://www.kangguru.org/travel/kgitravel2011_sabang_padang.htm#sabang_video (Ron Howard, CA, Sept 4, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. QSL: RRI Ternate 3345 kHz replied in about a day to a Google-translated Indonesian report with MP3. The QSL was a frequency- specific Word document in Indonesian from Naser Latumpo, Kasi Teknik (Engineer) and Hari Sudaryanto, Kepala Stasiun (Station Manager). They sounded thrilled by my reception; at least that's how the English translation came across. Also included photos of station and local attractions, station history, and other information. Report was sent to multimedia45 at yahoo.com, which I found on their website http://www.rriternate.co.id (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4749.95, RRI Makassar 1231-1245+ Aug 31. Program of vocal music, hosted by M. Fair (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9525-, Sept 5 at 1313, VOI is fair with flutter peaking S9+22, but you wouldn`t know it by listening, as it`s undermodulated, during `Today in History` about a plane crash; also IADs of up to five seconds at a time; 1316 onto next talk about the University of Indonesia. Reception seems to be gradually improving. 9525-, Sept 6 at 1321, VOI English, very poor with Commentary, 1324 mentions ``Exotic Indonesia`` so they are still doing that on Tuesdays, tentatively the RRI Bajarmasin guy`s voice then heard (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 9524.96, Voice of Indonesia, 1301, September 6. Tuesday’s “Exotic Indonesia” program in English; starts with chatting between Jakarta and Banjarmasin; into the news with items being given from both places; today was fairly rare with decent audio; often the Banjarmasin audio level is very low (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. Shut out As a resident of Canada, I'm blocked from access to CBS radio stations in the U.S. This is particularly annoying since I'm just across the river from Detroit, home to all-news station WWJ (950-AM). While over- the-air reception is excellent, it would be handy to have this station (and several other CBS stations) available on my computer. I've read something about using proxies to avoid this issue but am not really sure how this works. Any guidance would be appreciated (Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also blocked from certain US stations here in the UK; it`s really annoying, e.g. used to listen to WINS1010 quite often (Mike Terry, England, ibid.) The USG promotes/provides? proxy servers so repressed ChiCom netizens can access news from abroad, as in some detail last DXLD under INTERNATIONAL INTERNET, but that`s OK (gh, DXLD) Two questions here: First - the idea works by fooling the sending station (CBS in this case) into thinking you are a legitimate listener within its area. The reason is its a case of "broadcast rights". Although you can pick up an off air signal, maybe even less than a mile away, technically you are not allowed access to US web based copyrighted material in Canada. (Specifically CBS, AOL and Yahoo made a conscious decision to restrict access to their radio output - many other stations have not.) Secondly - Don`t ask for help in acquiring illegal software on an international open forum such as this. It won`t be forthcoming (Keith, UK, ibid.) Keith, Harry wasn’t asking for illegal software. Proxy software is not illegal in the US or Canada nor is its use. Like many other legal products, it can be used for legitimate or illegitimate purposes. Those “illegitimate” purposes include people in Burma and China who evade censorship through use of proxy software. There are some excellent explanations of proxy software online including Wikipedia. Use to access program streams blocked to your country can be found by a Google search (Rob de Santos, ibid.) The original question was framed to indicate it was to be used for an illegal purpose - i.e. the listening of certain US stations, online, that have been deliberately blocked to people outside the US. Sorry - I did say "Don`t ask for help in acquiring illegal software", where as what I should have said was "Don`t ask for help in acquiring software for illegal purposes", i.e. slightly rephrased. I also indicated it would not be a good thing for this (or any other) egroup to be seen to promote such activity (KEITH, ibid.) Here in the USA, we are sometimes blocked from access to UK stations (Five Live Extra for example) for the same reasons. One alternative way around it is to use the free software SDR-Radio Console and then look at the list of remote radios you can listen to and choose a receiver near a city that has the station you desire (Andy O`Brien, ex-UK, NY, ibid.) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Studio DX in TV --- Grazie ad un accordo con l'emittente Jolly Sat, oltretutto al momento inattiva, Challenger è tornata ad occupare la sua storica posizione SKY 922 (Roberto Scaglione http://www.studiodx.net Sept 5, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Once again this is very short on details, but seems to indicate that Challenger Radio, the MW 1566 in Roma, is now carried on this TV satellite, which theoretically could mean that whenever IRRS is filling time on 1566 with WORLD OF RADIO [see 11-35], we would be there too (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [and non]. 11620, Sept 6 at 1306 solo singing by OM, not Qur`an but somewhat reverent-sounding, seems S Asian language. 1310 cut to news theme and YL speaking, mentions kHz, with CCI music underneath; 1314 Pakistan mentioned, 1315 music and different sounding talk, flutter. I expected All India Radio to be here, but Aoki shows it`s a collision with VIRI: 11620 1300-1427 IRN VO ISLAMIC REP. IRAN Urdu Kamalabad 1-7 11620 1215-1315 IND ALL INDIA RADIO Burmese Delhi Kham 1-7 11620 1330-1500 IND ALL INDIA RADIO English Delhi Kham 1-7 AIR probably leaves the transmitter on during the break with Tibetan or something not appearing on schedules (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND [non]. GAA ALL IRELAND HURLING AND FOOTBALL FINALS ON RTÉ RADIO --- RTÉ Radio Worldwide RTÉ is Ireland's national Public Service Broadcaster, serving the public by telling the stories of Ireland's relationship with itself and with the rest of the world. Updated Information --- All Ireland Finals 2011 Coverage RTÉ RADIO ASKS THOSE AT HOME TO HELP IN BRINGING THE GAA ALL IRELAND FINALS TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WORLWIDE RTÉ Radio will broadcast the GAA All Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday, 4 September and the All Ireland Football Final on Sunday, 18 September on all wavelengths and via the internet to Irish people and communities around the world. RTÉ is asking on those with relatives or friends abroad to let them know that this coverage is available and to invite them to the biggest party in Ireland's sporting calendar. • Ireland: At home, audiences can listen as usual to the GAA finals on RTÉ Radio 1 FM and on Longwave 252. • Britain: Across most of Britain, listeners can receive our coverage on Long Wave 252. In addition RTÉ Radio 1 is available on the UK free to air satellite platform Freesat on channel 750. • Worldwide: Across the world, the match commentaries will be available online at http://www.rte.ie/radio1 • Shortwave to Africa: In Africa, where many Irish people live and work, often in relative isolation with poor communications, RTÉ is providing special transmissions on shortwave radio. See details below. • Satellite Radio: Across the world, the match commentaries will be available on satellite radios on WRN2, channel 328 • Note: For those living in Ireland, who wish to get details of the shortwave frequencies to friends or family living abroad, RTÉ is providing a special phone text service. Listeners text the word "shortwave" to 51101 and they will receive a short text message with the shortwave frequencies. These texts are charged at standard rates. SHORTWAVE FREQUENCIES FOR AFRICA Both Finals throw in at 3.30 pm Irish Time [1430 UT] Coverage area Frequencies -- Time (Irish) [UT +1, tho west of Paris] Southern Africa 7480 kHz 2pm to 6pm [1300-1700 UT; sites????] East Africa 17880 kHz 2pm to 6pm West Africa 17500 kHz 2pm to 6pm These services are part of RTÉ's continued commitment to Irish people overseas and, over the years, has proven especially popular with those in geographically or technically isolated areas. In addition to RTÉ Radio broadcasts, RTÉ will also broadcast the All Ireland Finals on RTÉ One Television. Don't forget also the extensive and dynamic online offering from http://www.rte.ie/sport http://www.rte.ie/radio/worldwide.html Irish Time is UT +1. Regards (Harry Brooks, North East England, UK, Sept 2, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So that`s 1300-1700 UT, same on all three for a change. Sites? Oh, oh, 17880 clashes! with the Sept 1-15 DRM special from GUIANA FRENCH to Brasil at 13-16 as in my recent report, and schedule via Alokesh. DRM noise was JBA for me on Sept 3. TDF does not bother to register its DRM broadcasts with HFCC! Latest TDF schedule at http://hfcc.org/data/schedbyfmo.php?seas=A11&fmor=TDF only shows usual 17875 and not specified as DRM! 17500 should be clear, and only ACI on 17495 eastward from Nauen or France at 1345-1500 on Sundays. If WRN is handling these RTÉ specials, not in HFCC either. Tnx to Harry Brooks in North East England for alerting DXLD yg members two days in advance to the annual SW specials from RTÉ, Sunday Sept 4, the GAA All-Ireland Hurling Finals, to reach isolated Irishpersons in Africa depending on SW: 1300-1700 UT on 17880 to E Africa, 17500 to W Africa and 7480 to S Africa. Sites not specified, but likely Meyerton, SOUTH AFRICA, meaning that 17500 should carry on best to NAm. However, we had to warn that 17880 would collide with another special no one bothered to register with HFCC or clear directly with other broadcasters: DRM test from Guiana French to Brasil on 17875-17880-17885, Sept 1-15 at 1300-1600. Might not be a problem in E African target, but as expected here, Sept 4 at 1300 and later, DRM was way atop any traces of analog talk on 17880. DRM totally dominant at 1358. 17500 at 1300 had very poor signal with talk in sport-like urgency as if it were something important, and only got weaker, often interrupted by ``bronx-cheers`` utility such as at 1357, otherwise JBA. As also expected, the third frequency 7480 would not propagate here at all, checked anyway at 1304 in WWCR 7490 splatter. Ireland will have another such special Sunday Sept 18, the All-Ireland Football Final on the same frequencies at the same times. These might be of more interest if there were SW direct from Ireland, and also not just silly ballgames. RTÉ does have a daily news relay via South Africa at 1930-2030 on 5840, inaudible of course in North America; often reported to have ragged starts and ends typical of Meyerton, with other stations or programs around the edges (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also RTE Radio on Sep.4: 1300-1700 on 7480 no signal in BUL 1300-1700 on 17500 (45433) 1300-1700 on 17880 very poor reception in BUL+co-ch CRI Fr til 1400 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, 1422 UT Sept 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess like in previous years SW outlets coming from Meyerton AFS relay site? 17500 kHz was very strong on remote SDR rx unit in the Netherlands, like a sidelobe outlet from Babcock transmitting site in U. K. S=9+20dBm in HOL and S=9+10dBm U.K., S=9+5dBm in Moscow. 17880 kHz was always the weaker outlet today, on various rx monitoring places like Moscow, USA, England, Germany, Paris, Austria, Italy. S=7-8 in the Netherlands. At 1345 UT Sept 4th an archive report in English on Hurling finals history. vy73 wolfgang df5sx (Büschel, Sept 4, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re RTÉ special Sept 4 only: East Africa 17880 kHz 2pm to 6pm [13-17 UT] {bad selection on 16 mb, CRI Bamako-MLI in French to all Africa, also co-channel 13-14 UT. 16 mb probably via Meyerton-AFS site, as in 2008-2010y (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX Sept 3 via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. 15850, Galei Tzahal, Lod, 1500-1532, Aug 22, short talk program, presumably news including reports, then music program continued from 1504 including short ann in Hebrew, 25332. The reception was disturbed by heavy noise and deep fading. Also audible on // 9235 with weak signal, but after 1530 the reception condition on this frequency became better than that on 15850 (Nobuya Kato, Fujisawa-city, Kanagawa, Japan, visiting Bulgaria [for EDXC], DSWCI DX Window Sept 6 via DXLD) 9235, 5/9 1748, Galei Zahal, Israel, songs, fair // 15850 15850, 4/9 1826, Galei Zahal, songs, this evening really pleasant signal (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. 15760, Sept 6 at 1355 tone test catches my ear, but right off and into the majestic Kol Israel trumpet and drum IS, which used to portend broadcasts in English and several other languages, but now they think only Persians are worth reaching on SW. (If I were a BBC Proms presenter, I might call it ``mighty``.). HFCC shows due east from Israel at 1400-1630, while the winter timing per WRTH was 1500-1630. That must mean Israel if not Iran is still on DST. Yes, per http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2011.html Iran All locations Tuesday, March 22 [to] Thursday, September 22 Israel All locations Friday, April 1 [to] Sunday, October 2 WRTH Update in May showed it`s really less than a sesquihour, (so the 1400-1630 overall registration covers shifts for both DST and ST): ``Revised Complete Schedule Persian Days Area kHz 1400-1500 daily ME 13850isr, 15760isr 1500-1525 daily ME 13850isr, 15760isr`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. 15610, checking IRRS again Sept 1 whether it would bring us KQED or BS: 1259 Aïda theme, very quick ``IRRS Signing on`` and right into BS. Not even a request for reception reports. Next few minutes there is a raucous mix of music and Bible citations, sounding like a mistake, but that`s what BS sends out before coming on to announce he is on 15610 plus several other frequencies including 9980 which is not really on the air until an hour later via WWCR, and he is speaking to the entire world --- what an ego this wacko has to feed. 1358:50 cut off BS as he was about to give his Walterboro P O Box number, and now we get the full IRRS contact info for special QSL as WEWN starts to mix in the Queen of Heaven. Poor reception thruout, eastward via ROMANIA. 15610, Sept 2 at 1259, ``Triumphal March from Aïda`` opening theme of IRRS via ROMANIA, marred by cutting off a few sex just before it finished, then resumed with simple ``IRRS shortwave in Milan, signing on``, dead air, then fade up and joining in progress, Brother Scare, who continued for rest of hour at a couple chex; so another day without defaulting to KQED programming. 15610, Sat Sept 3 at 1257 tune-in to M&W discussion in American English; IRRS via Tiganeshti, ROMANIA must have been turned on early with tail of something else, but 1258:40 cut to Aïda, 1300:10 quick IRRS sign-on ID, dead air, until, until --- 1300:55 KQED Radio ID, discussion about upcoming cultural events in the Bay Area, including Ensemble Paralelle with the opera Wozzeck; Exploratorium; a new play, etc. 1307 outro as ``The Do List`` with David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle; see http://www.kqed.org/radio/programs/thedolist/ However, nothing about Wozzeck now but we find by searching the KQED Events Calendar that Wozzeck was performing January 30, 2010, so apparently a very old podcast we are hearing. Followed by jazzed-up `Star Spangled Banner` but not to the extent of Jimi`s. Poor signal at outset with deep fades, but getting a little better. 1312.5, into discussion of several of the week`s ``under-reported news stories``; 1317 mentions program is `Between the Lines``; 1322 from Blair Mountain WV, to cellphone hazards; 1340 ending show, with 203 area code, originates in Connecticut, and website. Found this to be the August 19, 2011 edition: http://www.btlonline.org/2011/110819-btl.html but KQED is not listed as a station carrying it. Then PSAs and songs. (I break away for another Firedrake scan.) 1354 discussion of aging and Alzheimer`s with Susan Jacoby, author of `The New Old Age`` on `Listeners` Forum`. Cut off at 1358.5 for IRRS sign-off and WEWN ethereally heavenly sign-on QRM. So it pays to keep checking this hour of IRRS, as once again they have replaced Brother Scare with KQED or other noncommercial US public radio programming. Is it a satellite mixup? I looked for KQED in Lyngsat`s listing of free radio USA, not there. Maybe it involves instead mixed up web feeds to Milano and/or Tiganeshti (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I believe I recall reading or hearing earlier this year, that somehow IRRS had appropriated The California Report, which originates at KQED/88.5 MHz in San Francisco. The program is not heard in Los Angeles, where we already know everything there is to know (GREG HARDISON, playdx yg via DXLD) Via ROMANIA. 15610, IRRS, 1259-1400*, tune-in to IRRS theme music. IRRS ID at 1300. English program at 1301 about local concerts and plays in the San Fancisco, California area. Mentions of San Francisco Chronicle. “Between the Lines” program at 1312 with reviews of recent news items including woman in Afganistan, Palistinian-Israel relations, mountaintop coal mining and possible cancer from cell phones. Promos on how to save money, AIDS, foster parents. Some lite music. Folk music. “Writers Voice” program at 1353 about the elderly, but program abruptly cutoff at 1359 followed by IRRS ID and contact information. Fair but mixing with WEWN at their 1359 sign on. Once again, no Overcomer Ministry with Brother Stair. Sept 3 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX Listening Digest) 15610, looking for IRRS via ROMANIA, Sept 4 at 1259 but nothing audible; 1304 I can make out Brother Scare, came on late? And also at a few chex later in hour, so no KQED et al. today. 15610, IRRS via Tiganeshti, ROMANIA, Sept 5 at 1308 is running Brother Scare instead of KQED, so promptly tuned out. 15610, Sept 6 at 1259 IRRS ``Aïda`` theme which always runs a bit past hourtop, quick sign-on, pause and into Brother Scare, still going at quick recheck 1356, so no KQED today either. 15610, Sept 7 at 1313, JBA but sounds like Brother Scare, so no loss today with poor propagation from IRRS via ROMANIA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. Re 11-34: New transmissions in Arabic from NEXUS-IBA IRRS Shortwave: [Saturdays only] Tiganesti site 300 kW. 11910 Arab Woman Today from Amman, http://arabwomantoday.com Listen to recording today Sept 2 at 1400-1415 UT: Signal strength: S=7-8 in Sri Lanka S=9+10dB in U.K. S=9+15dB in HOL and in Germany. vy73 (Wolfy Büschel, to Tarek Zeidan, via DXLD) ** JAPAN. 9750, Sept 2 at 1242, ``My Love Is Here to Stay``, is it Eartha Kitt or Diana Ross? Anyhow, more great eclectic music courtesy NHK Japanese service, 1244 YL DJ announcement. This is 300 kW, 290 degrees from Yamata at 07-17 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. Wefax station JMH 13988.5 kHz sent QSL letter and F/D QSL certificate in 2 weeks for surface report with printout of one of their fax transmissions. Returned the $1 I had enclosed. No v/s, letter came from Information and Telecommunications Division, Forecast Dept., Japan Meteorological Agency, Ote-machi 1-3-4 Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8122 (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JUAN FERNANDEZ. Para Los Amigos de Chile: si alguno puede aportar alguna frecuencia que esté operativa para captar alguna comunicación del operativo cercano a la Isla Juan Fernández, agradezco. Saludos (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, Sept 4, condiglist yg via DXLD) Ernesto y amigos: En la frecuencia de 10024 USB están los contactos aéreos entre el continente y la Isla Juan Fernández. 2220 UT. En vuelo de la Isla al continente, avión Fach "Judas" con arribo a la quinta región de Valparaíso. Fotos en vivo de Juan Fernández http://www.aipchile.gob.cl/camara/show/id/41 http://www.aipchile.gob.cl/camara/show/id/13 http://www.dgac.gob.cl/portal/page?_pageid=242,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL (ce3BBC, Hugo López C., Casilla 9570, Correo Central http://www.qrz.com/db/ce3bbc ibid.) Más frec Ernesto: Centro de control oceánico en USB 10024 8864 6649 kHz SAR en USB: 3286 8364 13286. Se opera sólo de día. (ce3BBC, Hugo López C., ibid.) Gracias Hugo por la info! Ojo, Ernesto que en esta QRG podrás escuchar varias estaciones de Aeropuertos. Entre ellos creo que está Ezeiza (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, ibid.) [and non] El que persevera triunfa, ja ja, LEAN --- Desde hace dos días que estoy monitoreando la frecuencia de 10024 KHz USB, acabo de captar a la aeronave "Barrabàs" de la FACH [Chilean Air Force] comunicàndose con "Urano" a 82 millas de la Isla Robinsòn Crusoè; informan su posición a Urano y nivel de vuelo. Si alguien quiere el audio se lo envio (Ernesto Paulero, Argentina, ``Sept 5 4:43 PM`` [= 1943 UT?], condiglist yg via DXLD) Sigo Captando FACH --- ahora Barrabas esta a 22 millas de Isla Robinson Crusoe (Paulero, 2205 UT Sept 5, ibid.) JF where there just was a plane crash, high-profile passengers aboard: http://www.santiagotimes.cl/chile/other/22385-chilean-air-force-plane-crashes-in-juan-fernandez-with-21-aboard (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KASHMIR [non]. 3975, Pakistan , Azad Kashmir Radio, Islamabad. September 04, 0042-0050, Urdu/Kashmiri (listed) music probably local Folk, short Qur`an, male and female talks, back Qur`an. 35533, 73’s (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KENYA [and non]. IN KENYA, CONTROVERSY OVER DIGITAL TV DISTRIBUTION CONTRACT TO CHINESE COMPANY. Posted: 03 Sep 2011 Africa-Asia Confidential, August 2011: "In Kenya, Chinese companies have landed a couple of deals but not without riling the local private sector and attracting criticism around issues of national security issues. Pan African Network Group, a Chinese company, won a lucrative bid to distribute digital TV signals across Kenya last month. Of at least six bidders, only Pan African Network Group qualified, according to Francis Wangusi, the head of broadcasting at the state-run Communications Commission of Kenya. James Rege, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy, Communications and Information, said that he would launch an investigation to determine why local companies did not qualify for the bid. Rege said that the awarding of the licence to a foreign company, one from a country prone to censorship, had opened Kenya to sabotage. The Nation Media Group and Royal Media Services lost an appeal on the contract to the Communications Commission of Kenya. The Kenyan controversy followed the accusations in mid-June of pro-democracy Ethiopian Satellite Television. The company accused Beijing of supplying technology, training and technical assistance to allow the authorities in Addis Ababa to block short-wave radio and satellite transmissions." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 3960, KCBS Pyongyang , Kanggye. September, 01 0932- 0939 male in Korean talks, elation music. As usual, short and sudden appearance; at its brief peak 35523, 73’s (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 11710, VOK, Sept. 5, 1600, DPRK coming on with French service, but English service audio and ID heard clearly underneath of it at TOH, then more muddled after that. Not sure how this happens, first noted after a headsup from Frank Mezek. Am hearing a second carrier that I can "zero-beat" with BFO down to 11709.35 (Rick Barton, El Mirage, Arizona, Sept 7, Hammarlund HQ-200, Drake R-8, Panasonic RF-2200, outdoor slinky, 70' Inverted-L wire, 100' random wire, Palomar Loop, ABDX via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. The Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or IRIB broadcasting, is another silent entity. I used to hear from them all the time, but now not much. Oh well, there’s always North Korea. I don’t think their government has found out about my involvement with Amnesty International as a national coordinator (my focus is the Koreas), or even what I’ve written in AI correspondence about their customs officials soldering radios so that people can’t tune into foreign radio stations. They still send “Happy New Year” cards to me every year (they don’t celebrate religious holidays) as well as other neat stuff, like magazines, propaganda newspapers and even little lapel pins which I’ve turned into earrings! I guess they haven’t figured out yet what we’re all about. I’d like to know if people are filing reception reports, and if so, what they are getting back, whether QSL cards, or just email responses. In the meantime – 73. Sue --- BTW I am now on Twitter as @suehickey, so tweet me at your convenience! (Sue Hickey, CIDX Forum, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. RECORDINGS FROM PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA It's taken me a little while to start sorting out my radio captures following my recent trip this month to North Korea due to a busy time back here in Australia. I have edited some files so anyone interested can hear what the FM band in Pyongyang sounds like. From my room on the 32nd floor of the Yanggakdo Hotel right in the downtown overlooking the Taedong River I found 14 FM radio outlets across the band though only 2 different programs were heard across these frequencies. The TV audio from Channel R-5 on 99.75 MHz was not present. Here is a photo of my listening post, receiver and loop antenna: https://files.me.com/markwilliamfahey/p0kp4h 105.2 carried Pyongyang FM Pangsong which opened each morning with a few minutes of test tone, an interval signal and then the 6AM time signal. 106.5 Carried another service which was parallel on 89.2, 91.2, 92.9, 93.3, 93.9, 94.5, 96.7, 97.3, 97.7, 98.1, 99.6 and 101.8 I hope someone can help me identify the 106.5 station/service name. Here are some samples of the recordings I made of the two stations: 105.2 Pyongyang FM Pangsong, Interval Signal and Station Opening - 5 minutes (8MB File) https://files.me.com/markwilliamfahey/8f3g6u.mp3 105.2 Pyongyang FM Pangsong, Test Tone, Interval Signal and Station Opening and first 2.5 Hours of Programming (231MB File) https://files.me.com/markwilliamfahey/gzchnq.mp3 106.5 Pyongyang, Interval Signal and Station Opening (9MB File) https://files.me.com/markwilliamfahey/44fqrf.mp3 106.5 Pyongyang FM, Interval Signal and Station Opening and first 1.4 Hours of Programming (109MB File) https://files.me.com/markwilliamfahey/2xe61z.mp3 I will eventually write up a full article for my website, but in the meantime I hope anyone interested enjoys the samples above. If you want to have a look at the photos I took in the DPRK you can view the best 622 of the over 4000 photos I took here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32265037@N08/sets/72157627375852761 Cheers, (Mark Fahey, Sydney, Australia, Sept 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Mark, 106.5 MHz is Pyongyang Broadcasting Station-Pyongyang Pansong. I can confirm an announcement of "Pyongyang Pansong imnida" by a male voice after IS of your file. // 657, 855, 6250, 6400 kHz (S. Hasegawa, Japan, ibid.) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. 6135, Shiokaze/Sea Breeze, *1330, September 4. The N. Korean jamming was already on before their sign on; in Korean. September 5 also jammed at 1403; in Japanese (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. From South to North in Korean heard as follows on Aug 24th: 6230 kHz same type noise jammer which was used in Bulgaria before 90s and same as on 6518 kHz now but different type jammers were on 6600 kHz, without jammers on 3480 and 4450 kHz. Heavy sound jammers were on 3012 [sic, should be 3912 --- gh], 3985 and 6348 kHz - all at 1645-1655 UT (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 1, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. 4450, Voice of the People. What happened to the Korean Nat. Dem. Front (N. Korea) that was heard here in the past mixing with VOP? Off the air September 4 (1318-1326 + 1344) and 5 (1241-1248), leaving VOP in sole possession of this frequency; fair with patriotic singing and in Korean. 4450, Voice of the People. 1219, September 6. Continues without the QRM of Korean Nat. Dem. Front (N. Korea) (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN. IRAN/IRAQ: Both Voices of Kurdistan were noted at 1520 UT - one on 3929 kHz and another on 4870 kHz with different programs. The close/downs were: on 3929-3930 kHz at 1534 UT and on 4870-4871 kHz at 1527 UT - all on Aug 24th. On Aug 18th at 0240 UT they were on 3930 and on 3970 \\ 4881 kHz (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 1, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) 3929.53, 0230-0250, CLANDESTINE, 02.09, R Voice of Kurdistan, via Salaimaniya, Northern Iraq, Kurdish talk about Kurdistan, Kurdish music on flute, 45344, First jammed from *0247 3975.04, 0240-0250, CLANDESTINE, 02.09, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, via Salah Al-Din, Northern Iraq, Kurdish talk by man and woman, jammed, 22332 [not to be confused with Azad KASHMIR Radio; see KASHMIR and UNIDENTIFIED] 4869.90, 0245-0255, CLANDESTINE, 02.09, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, via Salah Al-Din, Northern Iraq, Kurdish talk about Kurdistan by man and woman, weak jamming + CODAR QRM, 33333 (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark on an AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non?]. 4885, 0315 2 Aug, V. of Iranian Kurdistan, Kurdish with Iranian jamming, SIO 222. Was on 4870 at 0329 (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, Bulgaria, Tropical Bands Logbook, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Denge Mezopotamya in Kurdish from Sep. 4: 1600-1800 NF 7540*SMF 300 kW / 129 deg to WeAS, ex 11530 1800-2000 on 7540*SMF 300 kW / 129 deg to WeAS, no change * not on new 7460. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7460 would have interfered with 7465 R. Tirana if on the air. So before 1600 presumably remains on day channel 11530 (gh, DXLD) ** KUWAIT [and non]. 21540, Sept 1 at 1315, R. Kuwait is the SSOB of the moment, better than 21505, 21610, 21780 with Arabic song well atop Spain underneath, but REE gains and by 1412 is atop 21540 with `Españoles en la Mar` report on Somali piracy (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15540, Radio Kuwait, 2005-2010, English. M announced a program entitled “Behind the Pearl of the Gulf”, a program about Bahrain’s past present and future. M&W presenters with program about the History of the Post Office and Postal service in Bahrain. This was followed by about 38 minutes of music with a number of different songs. Followed by the news, some more songs and then a sign off. There were several IDs between 2050 and 2059 English sign off. Very Good signal. 08/28/11 (Steven Handler, IL, Icom IC-7200, Tecsun PL-660 and Sony ICF-7600 with various dipole and longwire antennas, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) So R. Kuwait is still/regularly broadcasting items from/about Bahrain, how neighborly (gh, DXLD) [and non]. 17550, Sept 6 at 2044, carrier from R. Kuwait Arabic to C&W NAm is JBA, as propagation conditions deteriorate; starting such a hi- latitude path at such a high frequency at 11 pm local time is inadvisable except at midsummer. Still fairly good on 15540, simultaneous English to NAm; that too is bound to deteriorate as we get into winter, while RK continues to pretend it is on 11990. Meanwhile, we had super signal from RHC in Arabic on 17560 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KYRGYZSTAN. On August 29, 2011 at 0018 UT on the frequency 4050 KHz adopted the broadcast of the Radio of Russia through Kyrgyzstan. SINPO 35443. It was also heard (with the worst quality) broadcasting of the Kyrgyz Radio on 4010 and 4795 kHz (Vitaly Lisovsky, Ukraine /"from deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX 4 Sept via DXLD) 4050, Kirgizstan, R. Rossii (presumed), Bishkek. September, 04 0051- 0101 at tune in talks, then music, alternating music and talks. Able to differentiate talks than music only, no details. Primary signal level, 15521 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LESOTHO. 1197 MW transmitter, Family Radio, now relaying LM Radio from Mozambique in daytime: see MOZAMBIQUE [non] ** LIBYA. Voice of Africa was heard intermittently until mid August on its SW frequencies 17725 and 15215 kHz, some days on, most days off. By 13 August there were reports of fighting in the vicinity of Sabrata, the coastal town between Tripoli and the Tunisian border, where the SW transmitters are located. Libyan Radio domestic service was heard on 8500 kHz daytime until 18 August, but not heard since (Dave Kenny observations 1-21 August, DX News, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non?]. Psyop transmissions to Libya were reported in early August on new 9376 and/or 10125 (ex 6877 and 10405) (DX News, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Psy-op attiva --- Ciao, le trasmissioni di guerra psicologica della Nato continuano, adesso sono attive a 10404 khz Usb, segnale molto forte. 73 And HK – (Andrea Borgnino IW0HK - HB9EMK, 1209 UT Sept 4, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Since ``organization`` is feminine, NATO is too, so not ``dello NATO`` (gh, DXLD) ** LIBYA FREE. 1449 kHz, 2204 16 Aug, Voice of Free Libya, Misrata, Presumed news reports, nice ID at 2219 ``Huna Sawt Libya al-Hurra min Misrata`` music, Arabic, SIO 333 (Tony Rogers, Birminham, MW Logbook, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** LIBYA. When discussing the news from Libya at the Reading International Radio Group meeting last Saturday, I noted that the new station of the National Transitional Council just IDs as "Radio Libya". Dave Kenny made the good point that this was presumably the translated name and that in the original Arabic it would be Idhaat Libya, or similar. I had to confess that I wasn't 100 per cent sure, so made a point of checking this with my own ears today and can confirm that even in Arabic (the only language it is using), the station does in fact exactly call itself "Radio Libya". I'm not sure I have heard an Arabic-language station use the word "Radio" in its title before. Also, it was announcing the use of FM, and saying "FM" as we would in English (eff em), not the Arabic equivalent. It has a canned ID announcement that it repeats regularly, which I will get translated. Radio Libya is on 1053 AM, 96.6 FM and the Rascom satellite at 2.8 east (4102 MHz). (Chris Greenway, UK, Sept 5, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So how to say `FM` in Arabic? (gh) See http://de.kingofsat.net/tp.php?tp=5861 It appears that they have switched on the uplink again without any changes to the configuration. All the old program IDs are still in place, and the TV channels now all carry an identical program stream "Libya TV" (click on "zap" for a screenshot). No radio service shown there so far, but of course modulation could well appear on the satellite mux in the same manner. The Ku band transponder on QAF 1R appears to be still off. All the relays on other satellites (Nilesat etc.) should be checked separately. If they did not reemerge it just shows that it was no good idea to shut down the uplink. On the other hand the question is if there is an interest to continue these leases at all. The same of course goes for any foreign radio service on 1251 kHz and/or shortwave (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Kai, Yes, they haven't been running a separate radio channel (i.e. audio only) on the multiplex. They've taken over the TV feeds, and play the audio of "Radio Libya" on the audio track of all the TV channels on 4102, with the video just showing a still of the NTC ("rebel") Libyan flag. Clearly still "work in progress"!! (Chris Greenway, Sept 6, ibid.) ** LIBYA. MISRATA TV USES GADDAFI TRUCK TO BROADCAST A shining white truck sits imposingly behind an building off the combat-blasted main avenue in Libya’s port city of Misrata, a rebel bastion that was besieged for months by loyalist forces. Misrata TV’s outside broadcast unit - once owned by Moamer Gaddafi - is currently the only way the rebel station can air its limited programming. An anonymous one-storey white building, spared in the otherwise stricken zone, is home to Misrata TV, the rebel television channel that broadcasts by satellite to north Africa, southern Europe and the Gulf. For the past two weeks, it has put out four hours of programming a day - edited sequences of stills and moving images on the tempestuous history of the city over six months of uprising. The broadcasts are accompanied by voice-over or music, praising the eternal glory of Misrata and its “thowar” or revolutionary fighters. “We have about 150 people working for us, all volunteers,” says the head of the Misrata media committee, Mohammed Darrat, who wants to create “an information and opinion channel.” For the moment, though, all programmes are recorded. But a studio has already been prepared for live broadcasts, targeted within four weeks. The three-camera facility boasts a backdrop in the green, black and red colours of the revolution. But for the moment it is the enormous outside broadcast vehicle, its satellite antenna pointing to the sky, that relays Misrata TV’s output. Mr Darrat revealed some of the story behind the vehicle. ”Gaddafi used this truck to make broadcasts when he was constantly on the move in order not to be taken. Our men took it in battle,” Mr Darrat said, declining to go into specifics. With its fitted carpet, wooden interior, editing suites and multiple screens, the monster of an outside broadcast unit is over-equipped to the extent that it can cause cold sweats among its technicians. Of the station’s output, Darrat said it is independent. But up to a point. Misrata TV broadcasts what it wants “unless we do something illegal, against our culture or our religion, or if we talk about someone who is dead without the family having been informed,” he said. What would be deemed illegal for Libyan journalists since the revolution? ”There is no law. It’s complicated. We are trying to do our best not to hurt but to help the revolution. We are looking for freedom, to improve the media,” added Darrat, who also heads Radio Misrata which played a major role in making the rebels’ views known since March. The people certainly like Misrata TV. ”It shows how we won the battle of Misrata and conquered Zliten,” the nearby town, on August 19, said Idriss Ilglib, who is in his forties. ”They have incredible footage, and a whole lot of it. Everyone in Misrata is supplying them with pictures,” he added. Much of this material has been recorded using the cameras on mobile phones, of poor quality but in some cases remarkable content -showing everything from firefights to destruction, death and celebration to a martial music soundtrack. (Source: AFP)(September 2nd, 2011 - 11:12 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) CNN INTERNATIONAL REPORT CATALOGUES PRO- AND ANTI-GADHAFI LIBYAN TELEVISION CHANNELS. Posted: 05 Sep 2011 CNN, 2 Sept 2011, Nima Elbagir: "Pro- and anti-Gadhafi television channels are popping up across Libya. CNN's Nima Elbagir reports." Video report. http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/09/02/elbagir-gadhafi-tv.cnn?hpt=hp_t2 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. A new Pro Gadaffi TV station on Atlantic Bird 4A Sat 7 Degrees West --- Hello DXers, checking the latest activities in Libya, I noticed today a new TV station broadcasting the latest message by Gadaffi celebrating the 1st of September, The Libyan revolution day. The channel is called Mwkawama, which means Resistance in Arabic; it's transmitting on the Atlantic Bird 4A Satellite, 7 Degrees West, frequency 10911, Vertical. As I'm writing this, they are rebroadcasting a speech by Gadaffi to the Libyans for Eid el Fitr occasion. All the best (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, 1425 UT Sept 2, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Tarek, Yes, it is in effect a clandestine TV station! It is suspected that it is coming from Syria, as it is associated with the Damascus-based anti-US channel Al-Ra'y TV. However, Al-Ra'y's owner, Iraqi businessman Mish'an al-Juburi, says the new station is coming from an outside broadcasting van in Libya. It is also on Eutelsat Atlantic Bird 2 (8 degrees west), 11170 Horizontal. Note to others: In addition to Tarek's transliteration, the name could also be give as Muqawama, Mukawama, etc. (Chris Greenway, UK, ibid.) ** MADAGASCAR. 5010, Radio Madagasikara, 0302-0334 Aug 29. Tuned in to “Amazing Grace” sung by choir followed by a man with long religious talk over instrumental music in presumed Malagasy language. At 0316 a woman announcer spoke accompanied by flute music ending religious programming. ID followed by discussion by man and woman announcers until news at 0330. Poor to fair (Rich D'Angelo, 2216 Burkey Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610, Ten-Tec RX-340, Drake R-8B, Eton E1, Eton E5, Alpha Delta DX Sloper, RF Systems Mini-Windom, Datong FL3, JPS ANC-4, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 5010, R. Madagaskira [sic] (presumed), 0309-0340 Sep 3. A bit of music, then YL talk in presumed Malagasy with mention of "Madagascar"; mostly YL, but occasionally a man put in a comment or two. Fair peaks but slowly deteriorating; still there, weakly, at 0340 (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 4910, R. Madagasikara, 1437-1444, September 6. Very strong in USB, but also heard weak LSB, so calling it unbalanced double side band AM. Ex- 5010 (leaving AIR there in the clear with fair reception). African Hi- Life music and African pop songs; possible ID at 1438; almost fair; clearly // weak 6135.27 (in the clear after Shiokaze's scheduled sign off at 1430). Via long path. Probably just a frequency entering error? 4910, R. Madagasikara continuing to be heard here; ex-5010. Strong in USB compared to the weak LSB reception + AM; September 7 from 0258 to 0310 and also from 1352 to 1424 (long path, which is the better reception). Time will tell if this is just an error in entering the frequency or an actual schedule change (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It also happened a year+ ago as in DXLD 10-34 (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1581):: ``** MADAGASCAR. Aug 19th [2010y] at 1744 noted unID Afro-sounding station on 4910 USB. I guess it's Madagascar off nominal by some mistake. Nothing heard on 5010 at that time (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1527, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Jari, Have heard the same station here only once, around the same time you logged them, on 14 August [2010y]. However, it was in AM mode, not USB. Quite possibly Madagascar, however, the music sounded more "southern African" to my ears. 73s (David Sharp, NSW Australia, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1527, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yep, it's Madagascar. Going on past 1900. Still there at 1913 when writing this. Recheck at 1947; no signal here (Jari, WORLD OF RADIO 1527, ibid.) 4910 USB, Radio Madagasikara, 0350-0400, August 20 [2010y], local African music. Talk in local language. Weak but readable. Nothing heard on 5010. New frequency or punch-up error. Thanks to Jari Savolainen tip (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1527, DX Listening Digest) 5010, R. Madagasikara, Antananarivo. August 21 [2010y], 0305-0315 Malagasy (listed) male and female talks, “Madagascar” alternating short instrumental, choral music. 35333 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil - Sony ICF SW40 - Dipole 18m, 32m, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1527, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Jari, 4910 seem to be the mistransmission of 5010 kHz. Only in Aug. 19, I can't receive it Aug. 20 and 21 [2010y]. Thank you for information. http://bcl2isid2over60.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/files/100820_040000_4910E2Uqd.mp3 by Show in Nagoya at 1900UT on Aug. 19 (S. Hasegawa, Japan, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I rechecked PERSEUS data on 4910 kHz at about 1800 UT for few days. Not a signal for Aug. 14, 15 and 16 [2010y]. I was able to receive broadcast seem to be Madagascar in AM and LSB (not USB) on Aug. 17 and 18. http://bcl2isid2over60.sakura.ne.jp/dl/sound/100819_030800_4910E2Lqd.mp3 at 1810 UT on Aug. 18. de Show (S. Hasegawa, Aug 22, WORLD OF RADIO 1527, ibid.)`` Hi Ron, thanks for a tip. I had some minutes time to sit at the radio Sept. 6 at 1815. On 4910 there was a station in AM mode with weakish modulation. It appeared to be AIR Jaipur with some extended sports program in parallel with 5015. Nothing else could I hear on 4910 at that hour. Also 5010 seemed to be empty. Best 73, (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Everyone, 4910, Radio Madagascar, 1758 UT, 7/9/11 --- YL and OM in "banter" presumed Malagasy. Then ID "Radio Madagscar" @ 21 secs, then audio drop (whilst putting needle on record !) and into African pop music. Recorded in USB signal also in AM nothing on LSB. This is what I heard: http://www.box.net/shared/5xq4hado497ag9bmmezd I wonder if this is to be a regular fixture? (Mark Davies, Anglesey, Wales, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) ** MALAYSIA. Heard on Aug 24th on 9835 kHz at 1747 UT. NHK in Japan playing the song Bohemian Rhapsody, but at 1755 UT the dominated station was (according to the ID) "Radio Malaysia Sarawak" and at 1800 UT "Dua fadi a salom Aleikum" said a man and lady and news in Malay, but on Aug 25th at 1630 UT was noted on 9835 \\ 11665 kHz. On 7295 kHz at 1659 UT a DJ Lady said "Trakssss [Traxx] FM" and at 1700 UT "Good Morning, the News" on Aug 25th (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 1, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) SARAWAK (MALAYSIA) 9835, R. Malaysia Sarawak, Local Sarawak news by W after 1003, ID during news at 1006. 1010 jingle and back to music. Fairly good at this time. Came back later and caught Koran at 1156- 1202, then back to music. RTTY QRM from 9830. (28 August) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) 9835, RTM, 1726 4 Sept, joget song, S3 224x3 with some QRM from 9840 but best on SSB. Also heard on 11665 with QRM by ??? and total signal S9. New tune in 1833 with S7 and 33333 for 9835. Also heard 2140 for 5.9 with S2 max and Hari Raya songs (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. Re: Malaysia – Salam FM on 6050.02v - Hi Glenn, Certainly with the end of Ramadan there has been an unsettled schedule here. September 1 on 6050.02v found Asyik FM programming from tune in at 1222 till end of their program at 1500. There was not the normal switching over to Radio Suara Islam at 1400, but unlike yesterday`s Salam FM programming after 1400, today they just continued with Asyik FM with no breaks at ToH (no 1+1 pips). Today at 1500 (also no 1+1 pips) they switched over to Salam FM programming with many singing IDs and reciting from the Qur'an. Time will tell just what their final schedule will be for the post 1400 time period, but for now this seems like a good chance to hear the not often reported Salam FM (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, More post Ramadan developments: September 3, RTM not heard on 49m band, checking from 1332 to 1444. No 5964.6v Klasik Nasional and no 6050.02v Asyik FM/Salam FM broadcasting today. On 6050 heard clear PBS Xizang/Tibet (Chinese Service) // 4820 (with AIR Kolkata again on 4820.75) and nothing else on 6050. 5030 and 7270v of course continue to be silent. 9835 heard Sarawak FM via Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur, in vernacular with their normal Saturday program of indigenous chanting/singing; not sure about 11665 Wai FM due to very heavy CNR1 jamming, but assume was probably on as usual. 7295 Traxx FM was normal. September 5 at 1216 found both 6050.02v (Asyik FM) and 5964.6 (Klasik Nasional) back on the air as normal. Asyik FM programming ended at 1500 and switched over to "Salam FM" with singing jingles and reciting from the Qur'an. Nice to have them both back again after being off the air for two consecutive days (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. September 7 from 1426 to 1512. 6050.02, Asyik FM till 1500; then switched over to Salam FM with a series of IDs (promo); sudden 1502:04*. MP3 audio of promo at http://www.box.net/shared/sl0qnkda6lae6c81kmty Seems they are experimenting with different scheduling here. Looks as if Radio Suara Islam programming is actually gone. Had always started at 1400. 11665, Wai FM. A rare day indeed to find no CNR1 jamming; two OM DJs with pop songs; segment of non-stop indigenous chanting/singing; Wai FM promo with montage of songs (some in English); MP3 audio http://www.box.net/shared/q263n018h6se80u44gr5 of promo. After 1500 several songs in English (C&W and also Doris Day with “Que Sera Sera”). Very pleasant without CNR1 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 5964.70, Klasik Nasional (presumed), 1252-1320+ Sep 5. Vocal music to ToH, then two pips and presumed news in Bahasa Malaysia to 1309; a mix of music and talk followed. Fair signal but tough copy in the band noise. Back on after a 2-day absence. (Wilkins-CO) 6050.02, Asyik FM (presumed), 1328-1340+ Sep 5. Usual mix of music, talk, and phone calls; seemed mostly talk today. No ID heard but presumed Still running Asyik FM at this time. Fair at best; slightly better than Klasik Nasional on 5964.70. Both stations back after a 2- day hiatus. Wish 5030 and 7270 would return but it looks like they're gone for good. (Wilkins-CO) 7295, Traxx FM, 1300-1335+ Sep 2. Two pips, then M with news to 1309, then a couple of ads or stingers; back to music at 1312, hosted by YL; occasional jingle. All in English. Fairly good signal but marred by ham QRM (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MAURITANIA [and non]. Last night TAs in QC --- Here in Quebec, conditions were quite interesting last night during a DX session I had prior to my sunset (around 2340 UT). There, I've spent most of my time monitoring the sneaking-in Angolan on 1088 kHz from which I had at least some weak audio with man talk. I remember that there wasn't too much action coming from the Middle-East especially on the higher part of the band (except for the 1521 Saudi and maybe Iran 1503 but I don't recall precisely) so I didn't pay too much attention there (missing something else maybe). I didn't go to check LW either. From a few notes along with a 400 kHz Perseus recording, here's a couple of logs here and there, most of them with at least fair audio, beginning with at least a dozen of Spaniards (or Canarians), UK 909, 1053, 1089, 1215, Netherlands 747, Germany 756 & 1422, France 945, 1206, 1242, Iran 963 (mixed with Spain), Algeria 531, 549 & 981, Portugal 1035 playing Beach Boys' "California Girls" and most likely Morocco 1044 buried beneath one of WBZ IBOC sidebands. But the star of the night was beyond doubt, Radio Mauritanie at 783 kHz with a huge signal. This one draw my attention before I had my focus on 1088. Actually, this is my best copy ever: http://www.quebecdx.com/mp3/mauritania_783a.mp3 (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, CAN, rx: Perseus SDR, ant: 230m terminated Beverage @ 88? towards Africa; ant: 110m unterminated Beverage NW-SE; MFJ-1026 w LF mods, Sept 7, IRCA via DXLD) ** MAURITANIA. 7245, Sept 1 at 0545, post-Ramadan IGIM chanting, still on the air earlier than pre-Ramadan. 7245, Sept 3 at 0135, weak Arabish talk so IGIM continues 24-hours, post-Ramadan, why? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Or was it? 7245, 0152 01/09, Voice of Tajik (presumed), Tadjikistan, Tajik, talks OM. 45434 tg [?? He puts tg after every SINPO - for Tony Garcia?] (Antonio Laurentino Garcia, Brasil, PY7024SWL, radioescutas yg via DXLD) Can either of us really tell Arabish from Tajik in poor reception? His was not so poor. V. of Tajik supposedly does not start until 0200 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7245, Radio Mauritanie, Nouakchott, discussion in Arabic, at 0425 UT Sept 3, S=9+10dB (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) 7245, Sept 5 at 0538, no signal from IGIM, so I left a BFO on 7244 and heard the carrier cut on at *0542:40, JIP music. They have finally reverted to pre-Ramadan practice of turning it on sometime before 0600, rather than 24 hours. A few minutes later into characteristic chanting. 7245, Sept 6 at 0343, lo-key YL in Arabish talk, made out a few words such as `professor`, same monolog at 0401 recheck. So IGIM can apparently still run all-night, altho on Sept 5 I caught it cutting on at *0542:40. It`s tough to get a definite ID from this one, but I am sure it was Arabish, not Tajik; too, Tajikistan altho maybe active after 0200 is at a great propagational disadvantage, hi-latitude to here, getting into daytime, and there was no CCI audible (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 53 ESTACIONES CAMBIARÁN DE FRECUENCIA DE AM A FM http://www.deradios.com/nota.php?ID=2530 En las próximas semanas se dará a conocer por parte de la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) la lista de estaciones de Radio de Hermosillo, México que tendrán permiso para migrar de Amplitud Modulada (AM) a Frecuencia Modulada (FM). El delegado de la SCT en Sonora, Luis Serrrato Castell informó que en el caso de la entidad se habla de 53 estaciones de AM, cuyos permisos se evalúan para pasarse a FM, ya que hay que recordar que algunas de ellas ya comparten la dualidad de estaciones. "Según se establece, el concesionario o permisionario deberá iniciar operaciones en la frecuencia de FM en un plazo no mayor de un año, contado a partir de que se notifique el cambio de frecuencia, atendiendo a los parámetros autorizados, esto es, podrá transmitir simultáneamente durante un año en ambas frecuencias", señaló el Delegado. Serán Sonora, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León y Tamaulipas las que en esta ocasión se sumen al cambio, el cual mejorará su calidad, ya que se tiene detectado que en FM se supera por tres veces la calidad auditiva a la AM. En aquellas poblaciones en las que no exista alguna estación de FM, se llevarán a cabo licitaciones para nuevas estaciones, comentó Serrato Castell. (deRadios.com Sept 1 via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Sunrise DX Sept 1, UT: 920, Sept 1 at 1205 mentions ``Hermosillo, la ciudad más bella de México``; yes, it is a pretty little place, i.e. R. Capital, XEHQ again, meanwhile mixing with NA from another XE: 920, Sept 1 at 1205 instrumental NA mixing with XEHQ, 1207 mentions Radio Noticias, Chihuahua2, so Cantú IDs this as: 920 XEQD 920 Noticias Chihuahua, Chih. 1,000 250 The USA QRM is getting worse at sunrise across MW, but 870 remains a nice clear frequency for XETAR, with WWL faded out and nothing much from The Metroplex. Sunrise MW DX Sept 2, UT: 1030, at 1157 UT Sept 2, ``Radio Fórmula 10-30 AM``, then 1158 Mexican NA, so probably had already been programming. Only one in Cantú list is: 1030 XEYC Radio Fórmula Cd. Juárez, Chih. 5,000 500 1130, at 1158 UT Sept 2, ID as ``La H-N``, i.e. per Cantú: 1130 XEHN Ke buena Nogales, Son. 1,000 D 1130, at 1158 UT Sept 2 overtaking the above, ``La Poderosa FM [algo] y 11-30 AM, . . . Sinaloa``, both in KWKH null, so this one is: 1130 XEMOS La Poderosa + FM 94.1 Los Mochis, Sin. 1,000 250 Doesn`t seem powerful to me! 980, at 1158 UT Sept 2, mentions ``Mexicano de la Radio``, 9-80 AM, announcer Marco Campos, then conversing with a YL. I suspect that the slogan was fully ``Instituto Mexicano de la Radio``, i.e. the government group including notably XEB-1220 and XERF-1570. Cantú frequency list unfortunately does not show ownerships or affiliations, but the IMER website http://www.imer.gob.mx/ has a dropdown list of Emisoras, not all of them including frequency, but I spot one match with Cantú`s 980 roster: ``La FQ, Cananea, Sonora`` which goes to: http://www.lafq.imer.gob.mx/ which Cantú lists as: 980 XEFQ La Voz de la Cd. del Cobre Cananea, Son. 2,500 500 990, at 1202 Sept 2, long multi-verse choral NA past 1203 but losing to QRM; at 1205 Spanish music to ``Somos la -- [algo]`` could well be another station, then to Elvis` ``All Shook Up``. 900, at 1207 Sept 2, numerous ads with addresses at various kilómetros on ``Carretera a Álvaro Obregón``. This Googles right to Cuauhtémoc, Chihua2, so Cantú has it: 900 XEDT La Reina Cd. Cuauhtémoc, Chih. 5,000 1,500 I couldn`t find a place called Álvaro Obregón in any of my atlases, but Google maps locates it as a colonia due north of Cuauhtémoc on highway 5. 870, at 1210 Sept 2, low-key YL DJ, quite a relief from the super-hype on so many commercial stations, plus no QRM, with birthday greetings, time as 6:11, into a polca, of course from: 870 XETAR La Voz de la Sierra Tarahumara Guachochi, Chih. 10,000 D 880, at 1212 Sept 2, US béisbol homerun statistics, including some player for ``Los Metropolitanos de Nueva York`` --- ``Mets`` is just too hard to pronounce in Spanish! Beyond that, no clues; could be US or Mexican. Only US SS in new NRC AM Log around here is KJOJ in Conroe TX, near Houston, but supposed to be AC format. Of the nine Mexicans on 880 there are at most four possibilities at this hour. Maybe XEV, R. Fórmula, Chihua2? Sunrise MW DX Sept 3; the lowest frequencies generally fade out first, so today I start tuning at band-bottom: 550, at 1154 UT Sept 3, TC 5:54 en Tapachula(? sounded like), 23 grados. Per Cantú, no Chiapans, but likely this one: 550 XEZK Poder 55 Tepatitlan de Morelos, Jal. 2,500 1,000, if not: 550 XETNC Radio Nayarit Tepic, Nay. 2,500 150 710, at 1157 UT Sept 3, DJ giving his work sked as he starts a shift, also on other stations in the group, 3 pm on R. Lobo, elsewhen on R. Sabrosita. 1202 full ID as XEDP, La Ranchera de Cuauhtémoc, claiming 7500 watts contrary to WRTH and to Cantú: 710 XEDP La Ranchera Cd. Cuauhtémoc, Chih. 7,000 100 880, at 1158 Sept 3, federal and Estado de Coahuila PSAs, ergo: 880 XETC 880 AM Torreón, Coah. 10,000 1,000 660, at 1201 Sept 3, many local announcements about Ciudad Delicias so 660 XEACB Radio 660, La Tremenda Cd. Delicias, Chih. 3,000 1,000 870, at 1204 Sept 3, rustic music, then M&W alternating with detailed sign-on for XETAR including e-mail address, schedule 6 am to 6 pm; 6:03 TC, YL DJ begins her show for 3 de setiembre from: 870 XETAR La Voz de la Sierra Tarahumara Guachochi, Chih. 10,000 D BTW, the town used to be spelt Guachóchic, requiring an accent on O 610, at 1208 Sept 3, TC for 5:09, 1.5 Hz SAH mixing with KCSP Kansas City which is gaining. Timezone means it has to be a relog of: 610 XEGS La Ley Guasave, Sin. 1,000 500 770, at 1211 Sept 3, poor signal with Los 40 Principales singing ID: 770 XEREV Los 40 Principales + FM 104.3 Los Mochis, Sin. 5,000 100 1300, at 1216 Sept 3, in QRM mentions Puente Internacional, which I have traversed between Ciudad Juárez/El Paso, and XEP: 1300 XEP Radio 13 Cd. Juárez, Chih. 38,000 200 Note refined power level, odd 38 kW vs. nominal as in WRTH 50 kW During evening thunderstorm, external antennas disconnected, so a chance to do some MW monitoring on the DX-398 with internal antenna, which is my usual setup at sunrise: 770, UT Sept 4 at 0244, plug for ``Grupo Fórmula, en todo el país, y Estados Unidos``, dominating frequency. Cantú shows: 770 XEACH Radio Fórmula Primer Cadena Monterrey, N.L. 25,000 1,000 Sounds more like 25 kW than one to me 880, Sept 4 at 1159 UT, network ID only for 970, XERFR in the DF, Grupo Fórmula. As usual, their only outlet on 880 is per Cantú: 880 XEV Radio Fórmula Chihuahua, Chih. 5,000 250 1040, Sept 4 at 1213 UT, slogan as ``Vega(?), la Número Uno,`` funny song ``Qué guapo soy, que bárbaro``; 1216 TC for 5:20 ``en La Once, la Número Uno``. Once again it`s this; not sure about the Vega reference: 1040 XEGYS La Primera + FM 90.1 Guaymas, Son. 5,000 250 Sunrise DX Sept 5; skipping repeats of several recently logged signals on 610, 650, 770: 540, Sept 5 at 1203 Mexican NA, and ID as XETX, ``La Ranchera de [something], 5000 watts, Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Grupo G-M Radio``, then into quick spoken prayer with familiar pronoun tú, and seeming hymn. Cantú shows lower power: 540 XETX La Ranchera de Paquimé Nuevo Casas Grandes, Chih. 1,000 250 5 kW or 1 kW, a nice catch, I think as I continue to be amazed that XEWA SLP is not a problem on 540 with its listed 150 kW day and night; I think that must really be QRP. 710, Sept 5 at 1206, ``Noticias 7-10``, W&M, starting with efemérides items, not exactly news. I assume, but am not positive this was a program on ``XEDP, La Ranchera de Cuauhtémoc`` which I had heard but not relogged with equally good signal 4 minutes earlier, full ID claiming 7,500 watts 830, Sept 5 at 1201, `La Grande de Sinaloa``, 6:02 time, noticias: 830 XEVQ La Grande de Sinaloa Culiacán, Sin. 5,000 1,000 920, Sept 5 at 1159, ID mentions 104.1 y 920, ``Nueva Nueva``, so: 920 XECQ La Nueva Ranchera + FM 104.1 Culiacán, Sin. 5,000 500 990, ``Radio Éxitos, 9-90 AM, La Mejor``, is not a Mexican but a Metropolexan: see U S A: KFCD 1040, Sept 5 at 1218, ``La Once, número uno, la primera`` also mentions 90.1 FM. I think I finally get it, Once = two firsts, 1 and 1 as in the slogan! 1040 XEGYS La Primera + FM 90.1 Guaymas, Son. 5,000 250 Sunrise DX Sept 6, UT: 980, Sept 6 at 1208, IMER mentioned, so I thought it must be the only IMER station on 980, XEFQ in Cananea, Sonora, as recently logged; quite dominating frequency next few minutes, and I don`t think two stations were overlapping, but after opening ``Servicio Nacional de Noticias``, gave timecheck for 7:09 while it`s 5:09 in Sonora. Network feed from DF? Locutor Mario Campos, informally previewing stories to be covered. Then mentions ``Estéreo Vida, 93 FM``, gave two 8-digit phone numbers, and an 800 number, Twitter. 1212 over to YL with national weather summary, timecheck as 7:13. 1214 losing out to KMBZ. Now it looks like I was getting this per Cantú: 980 XETU Estereo Vida + FM 99.3 Tampico, Tamps. 10,000 1,000 so would they carry news from government`s IMER? Or maybe just a PSA. 1000, Sept 6 at 1204, NA ends and ID as ``La Rancherita``, Ciudad Juárez, so per Cantú this is: 1000 XEFV La Rancherita Cd. Juárez, Chih. 1,000 D For some time I have been hearing Mexican under KTOK, so glad to pull this ID. There are four other possibilities in N/W Mexico. KTOK is hard to null; other OKC groundwavers have sharper nulls such as 930 and 890, why? 1180, Sept 6 at 1200 ID mentioned ``Romántica`` and only one listed in Cantú, also most likely target area is: 1180 XEDCH La Romántica Cd. Delicias, Chih. 5,000 1,500 Sunrise MW DX Sept 7; Heard NA on numerous frequencies around 1200 UT, but only caught one definite ID. It`s always a cat-and-mouse game, as they often fade out before the NA is finished, and you never know whether it will be a short, or long version with the same melody repeated over and over until abrupt ending. 640, Sept 7 at 1201 after NA, ID as XEJUA, 5000 watts, Milenio, Ciudad Juárez, and other sign-on data such as street address. Soon faded and I was hearing KFI with not much signal yet from nulled nearby WWLS OK. Cantú shows: ``640 XEJUA Milenio TV (audio del canal) Cd. Juárez, Chih. 5,000 D`` So he says it`s carrying soundtrack of this TV channel now! As recently as WRTH 2011, it was ``Radio Recuerdo, Canal 640`` Milenio is mainly a newspaper, but website http://www.milenio.com includes live audio and video. I`ve not heard of it being TV on the air; maybe just pay cable as implied in their contact info listing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. I got a new one for me tonight on my Grundig G5 Naked and Confirmed on my Grundig G8, 1610 Radio Chapingo, XEUACH. SINPO is 4,4,3,4,3. 73, (Kevin Raper, KJ4HYD, CE WCKI WQIZ WLTQ, 0131 UT Sept 1, ABDX via DXLD) You can distiniguish this Kevin from the other Kevin in the ABDX group, Redding, who spells (and says?) it `nekkid``. Still eludes me; 1610 ought to be a relatively clear frequency, but suffers from KATZ 1600 IBOC (gh, OK, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Mexican state anthems: Going to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzgN8yQUf2M I see lots of other state anthems served up on the right. If time ever permits, I'll have to find the best of and compile a single list (Terry Krueger, FL, Sept 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See 11-35 ** MEXICO. 1390, XETY, Tecoman, Colima, 0530 UTC, 9/5/11, fair sig at best playing mostly pop music. Frequent "Los Cuarenta Principales" IDs. // online stream. 760, XEEB, Ciudad Obregon, CH, 0603 UT, 9/5/11, again this logging was tnx to a tip from Richard Allen. Talk about some good timing. Within seconds after tuning in this station, a male announcer gave a full call letter ID which was 100% copiable. No sign at all of XEABC or XEES which are two of the more 'regulars' here (Kirk Allen, Ponca City OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As Glenn noted a few weeks ago, our sunrise DX window has really been good for hearing the Mexican MW stations. A few recent XE loggings are below and logged on the tiny Sony T-615. These are all new stations for my Oklahoma MW log. [starting with above two] 920, XEQD, Chihuahua, CH, 1200 UT, 9/3/11, Two XEs here playing the NA near the TOH. Despite their slogans that mention "Radio Noticias", they were playing mostly playing back to back pop music songs, many of which were old US/British pops from the 1970s. I heard a full "XEQD de Radio Noticias" ID right after their NA. Also noted a mention of "Radio Noticias en Cadena." 790, XEGAJ, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 1200 UT, 8/28/11, all-talk format with many "Grupo Fórmula" network IDs. A local M announcer broke in with call letter ID and mentions of "Escuchas Primera Cadena en 9-70 kilohertz, Radio Fórmula." A quick TC mentioning "en Jalisco" and back to network programming. Very good signal until rapid fade out 1230 UT. 1540, XESTN, Monterrey, NL, 0430 UTC, 8/27/11, with an all-talk format, they were discussing all kinds of topics (wish I knew exactly WHAT they were). Taking phone calls at times. Heard a few "Radio Red" IDs and a full call letter ID at 0450. // their online stream. 1480, XEHM, Ciudad Delicias, CH, 0820 UT, 8/27/11, mostly playing pop styled music. Long ad strings with many mentionos of Chihuahua. Noted several "La HM Radio" IDs. One station promo mentioned "Su emisora en Chihuahua". 680, XEORO, Guasave, Sinaloa, 1115-1205 UT, 8/24/11, mostly back to back music. Played a variety of songs from ranchera to Brasilian sounding música de amor with instrumental guitars. Numerous "La Mera Jefa" slogans heard. Full ID with call letters at 1155. After 1200 they were all talk until fade out. Heard mentions of "noticias en punto" during this time. 920, XECQ, Culiacán, Sinaloa, 1133-1153 UT, 8/23/11, ad strings, bandera music, and station promos/IDs heard until a US station (not sure who) went to day power and wiped everyone else out. IDs/slogans heard were: "La Nueva Nueva", "La Ranchera AM", and "La Ranchera Culiacán." I also noted one call letter ID with a heavy echo. G signal during their peaks. Good DX to all and 73 for now (Kirk Allen, Ponca City, OK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 890, MÉXICO, XEBY Radio Fórmula, Tuxpán, Veracruz. 1100- 1120 September 4, 2011. This one has been teasing me for a couple of weeks on my local sunrise, with the national anthem at 1100, followed by a state anthem. Decent enough signal today to confirm the latter anthem is Veracruz, though a much snappier choral version than here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuhBwfhQeaM followed by call letters and slogan at 1105, another Radio Fórmula ID at 1115. Dominating over Radio Progreso today, for a change. A decent catch if really the listed 1000/250 watts. No other Veracruz stations on 890 in Fred Cantú's online list (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tuxpan? ** MEXICO. 90 AÑOS DE RADIO EN MEXICO --- LA RADIO MEXICANA [excerpt; original will not copy; says only four border stations, all FM, have implemented IBOC. Can anyone think of an equivalent English saying to ``a lot of noise, not many nuts``?] TRANSMISIONES FRONTERIZAS Y ya que hablamos de radio digital, resulta que con base en los lineamientos, de mayo de 2008, para la adopción voluntaria del estándar IBOC en la frontera norte, solo 25 radiodifusoras solicitaron permiso para llevar a cabo transmisiones digitales y de estas únicamente cuatro las iniciaron: la XHFG (Pulsar 107.3), de Tijuana, el 23 de febrero de 2009; la XHNK (Extasis Digital 99.3), de Nuevo Laredo, el 17 de enero de 2011; la XHGU (Romance 105.9) y la XHH (Magia Digital 100.7), ambas de Ciudad Juárez, el 8 de marzo de 2011. Esto es, <>. Los lineamientos fueron un fracaso, si se considera el universo de radiodifusoras fronterizas y las que finalmente lanzaron sus señales digitales. Los datos anteriores fueron obtenidos en una solicitud via la ley de transparencia. FUENTE: 90 años de radio en México - El Universal - Columnas http://bit.ly/mODdFl (Via Yimber Gaviria, Colombia, DXLD) ** MOROCCO. 15341.138, 7/9 1112, RTV Marocaine, Arabic songs, very good (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOZAMBIQUE. Radio Mozambique Emissora Provincial Niassa. 1260 Lichinga. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0340-0343 Afro music, YL singing. Poor. Radio Mozambique Emissora Provincial Manica. 1026 Chimoio. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0332-0334 End of music to OM talking in portugese, mentioned "Pemba". Fair. Radio Mozambique Delegação de Beira. 873 Sofala (Beira). 2011/08/29 Monday. 0328-0329 Women and kids singing and clapping hands. Poor. Radio Mozambique Emissora Interprovincial Maputo & Gaza. 1008 Maputo. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0331-0332 Afro music. Fair. Radio Mozambique Emissora Nacional. 1206 Inhambane. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0335-0337 Afro music. Fair. Radio Mozambique Emissora Provincial Tete. 963 Tete. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0329-0331 OM singing in unidentified afro language. Fair. Radio Mozambique Emissora Provincial Gaza. 810 Xai-Xai. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0327-0328 Unidentified language, OM talking, but not portugese for a change. Fair. Jo'burg sunrise 0425 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOZAMBIQUE {and non]. LM RADIO AVAILABLE ON AIRWAVES IN THE FREE STATE --- Media Update, Southern Africa, 5 September 2011 http://mediaupdate.co.za/?IDStory=41031 LM Radio, Mozambique’s English language music radio station which hit the airwaves in October 2010 can now be heard in Lesotho and the Free State Province. LM Radio’s programmes are music led with a minimal amount of talk. The music style recalls Lifetime Memories, no matter what the age - with popular, happy, sing-a-along, feel good music, designed to uplift and entertain the listener. Presentation style is relaxed and intimate, like a familiar friend. Songs range in era from the sixties to present day. The chat is mainly about music, lifestyle, travel, health and interesting topics. The target market is 35 years plus with an LSM 8 -10. LM Radio broadcasts 24 hours a day on FM to listeners in Maputo and surrounding areas, on free to air satellite and Internet streaming via http://www.lmradio.net The big news is that LM Radio can now be received on 1197 AM (Medium Wave) within 200 km of Maseru, Lesotho during daylight hours. The official launch date is 1 October 2011 but test transmissions are currently being broadcast. LM Radio has signed a long-term agreement with the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS) to rent airtime on the 1197 kHz Medium Wave (AM) transmitter located near Maseru. In terms of the agreement, LM Radio’s programmes will be carried on the 1197 AM transmitter during the hours 07:00 to 17:00, 7 days a week. LM Radio presenters include some very familiar household names including: Brian Oxley, Tinky Pringle, Reg de Beer, Peter de Nobrega, Dave Simons, Nick Megens, Anne Williams plus of course the station`s founder and breakfast show host Chris Turner. Initial transmission coverage is expected to reach Maseru, Bloemfontein, Welkom, Kroonstad, Virginia, Winburg, Ficksburg, Caledon, Ventersburg, Bethulie, Colesberg, Bethlehem and Aliwal North. Listen live online: http://www.lmradio.co.mz and click on the listen live button (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) No sign of it on 1197 mw on South Africa Global Tuners at 0820 UT (Tony Magon, Australia, ibid.) Hi Glenn, These are presumably local times (UT + 2), or they would be stomping on Harold's toes. I wonder what he thinks about sharing the transmitter with a popular music station? ``Thank you for calling and sharing and shall we take our next caller`` (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Is there some political, regulatory or business reason this English- language service is still operating out of Maputo, instead of directly in South Africa? (gh, DXLD) Ramblings on LM Radio --- Hi Glenn, I wonder why LM Radio chose to transmit on 1197 kHz from Lesotho, with its very limited (population- wise at least) daytime coverage. As it is described in their press release, it would seem to consist mainly of isolated farming communities, a few mining towns, and one or two largish towns such as Bloemfontein (that description should bring down a hail of abuse from the Free State locals). Quite how well a self-professed english- language station will fit in there remains to be seen; as the "Lonely Planet" guide to South Africa says, the Free State is an "Afrikaner heartland". Contrast that with Gauteng; although the smallest province in South Africa it is the most densely populated and includes both Pretoria and Johannesburg. The population is over ten million and includes more than 40% of the country's white population. It accounts for 65% of the entire country's GDP, and about 25% of the GDP of the African continent! And whilst Afrikaans is extensively spoken in Pretoria (so is English), English is more common in Jo'burg. Does anyone know if the old "702 Talk Radio" Medium Wave (MW) transmitter at Ga-Rankuwa (north of Pretoria) is still sitting idle ? A recent check of Sentech's website showed it still registered to 702, but in fact 702 were prohibited from using it after they got their FM licence some years ago, and in so doing lost a huge chunk of their listeners. That MW transmitter covered the whole of Gauteng, and beyond, during the day, and at night it could be heard in Cape Town more than 900 miles away, especially on car radios. Coupled with 702's sister station "567 Cape Talk" on MW in Cape Town, which largely broadcasts identical content with one or two breakaways each day, a massive part of the country was covered (the opposite also occurs; 567, still on MW, can occasionally be heard in Jo'burg at night, but not well). Now of course 702 is limited to local FM coverage in Jo'burg, and in Pretoria which has its own relay on another FM frequency. The rural communities which it used to serve were just tossed aside, unless they have access to satellite or broadband internet (which the bulk of the population doesn't). All of that is academic, since LM Radio will apparently only be available during daylight hours when Family Radio is off-air. That is a missed opportunity. Using the old 702 transmitter, if it is still there, might have enabled 24 hour broadcasting with widespread good- quality coverage at night (good-quality at least according to those many rural, and some not so rural, listeners who complained to 702 about the changeover; why does a station that only broadcasts music over the weekends, and spends the rest of the week on talk, need to be on FM anyway? My guess would be pure ego on the part of the owners and management). Even if the Maseru 1197 transmitter should ever become available at night, although the range will increase, quality will likely be unpredictable. I have reviewed my B10 and A11 logs for night time reception, in Gauteng, of Family Radio from the same Maseru 1197 transmitter. They show a few "good", many "fair": and a lot of "poor". Most of the more affluent South Africans are so irrationally besotted with digital technology that I suspect very few who can afford better will tolerate "fair" or "poor", and will use satellite or internet. Medium wave from Maseru will become the realm of the poor, and it is debatable how much the content (as described) will appeal to that group. Especially with such an apparently racially-unrepresentative list of "household names" as presenters. Whoever they are, their names sound exclusively "white" and, unless there are special laws here for radio stations, I suspect that might fall foul of South Africa's labour laws. I am not making a political point here; merely suggesting that the majority of the potential local MW audience might find the choice of presenters unacceptable. Time will tell. And maybe the few who are left will fit in with the station's self-proclaimed target audience of "35 years plus with an LSM of 8-10", whatever that means in English. Personally, I think LM Radio could probably have achieved a much larger audience, not that I begrudge the Free State audience their privilege. LM Radio must have researched this before signing the deal with Maseru. Maybe there are perfectly sound financial, legal, future- planning, transmitter-unavailability or other reasons why they took this approach. But I'm only a listener, albeit one who was brought up listening to the real LM Radio of the 1960's. The one which supplied its listeners with tiny self-adhesive yellow triangles to mark the correct position on analogue tuning dials. How times have changed, both politically and technologically! (Bill Bingham, RSA, Sept 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Whatever became of the Orangeness of Free State? ** NETHERLANDS [non]. 9650, Sept 2 at 1327, under music from CRI English via CANADA, talk in Indonesian until cut off at 1328*. No doubt the IBB Tinang, PHILIPPINES relay at 1300-1327 in Dutch stayed on one minute more with this bonus of RNW Indonesian; too bad it`s no longer English. Altho it`s possible the entire transmission was in Indonesian by mistake (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. KBC RADIO TO BROADCAST ON SHORTWAVE FROM 30 OCT Dutch-based KBC Radio has published the following information: “The Mighty KBC will start broadcasting on shortwave on 30-10-2011 Saturday and Sunday between 1100–1600 UT. There is a good chance that we will use our new frequency during weekdays as well in the future. Within a few weeks we will announce our new frequency.” (September 7th, 2011 - 13:27 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via J L Burke, DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. QSL: Auckland Volmet, 6679 sent F/D e-mail reply in 10 days for surface report with MP3 & $1. Also sent signed and stamped hard copy of the QSL message via mail. v/s Tim Halpin. Address: Airways New Zealand Limited, ZKAK Auckland Radio, Fred Ladd Way, Auckland International Airport (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 6035, June 15 at 0620, R. Nigeria, Abuja, music program in English, SINPO 43434 (Dzever Ishenge, Benue State, Nigeria, Kchibo KK979, telescopic + longwire, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) Unfortunately here is one Nigerian who isn`t online, and neither is the WDXC log editor, accounting for long delays in publishing his logs, and we also get Contact by p-mail. I was thinking that Abuja had been reported once before, maybe by him, on this unlisted frequency, but can`t find it now. RNW via VATICAN is also on 6035 during this hour, maybe obscuring it further away. Can anyone else hear any trace of it? Maybe the transmitter which was heard, weakly on 7275, 7350 and then back to 7275 a year ago tho WRTH lists as 100 kW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 15120, V. of Nigeria with English OM talk re banking and religious beliefs (was this somehow related to the terrorist car bombing this week?) that either because of his heavy accent or my sleepiness really didn’t make a whole lot of sense. ID at :51 and starting to fade up to better quality signal 3+44+4+4 but there was a low pitch rumble/whine and a HF het still (started out at 23+4+4+3 and was often hard to understand). YL vocal song “360” to ToH and then ID and YL read English news after t/c as “7 AM here in Nigeria, 6 hours GMT” and drums. Mention of Goodluck Johnathan’s (doesn't he have one of the best names in politics today?) talk re terrorism control after the bombing, etc. and continuing with Weekend Magazine programming. Closed down English at 0700 with a stirring rendition of a ‘slogan’ / jingle sun by a YL chorus: “Nigeria: good people, Great Country” and mention by YL announcer that they would be back at 0900 with more English, and mention they also broadcast in Hausa, French, etc. Into French at 0702. 0547-0705 28/Aug (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MI, MARE Tipsheet 2 Sept via DXLD) [and non]. 15120, Sept 3 is another good night for VON reception, 0456 undermodulated YL with ID in passing, program summary, including what will be on 9690 later, 0501 into headlines by same announcer instead of OM as last time. Atop Chinese radio war on 15120. Would have expected more from China, as had big signals in Russian on 15445 and 15665, but those are both via Kashgar, EAST TURKISTAN (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15120, 4/9 1818, Voice of Nigeria, in English, cultural reports about Yoruba, very good (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. RADIO HIT BY STRIKE 5/9/11 Lagos - Workers in Lagos State government media organisations, yesterday, put the premises under lock and key as they began a three- day warning strike over failure of the government to implement the N18,000 minimum wage structure for its workers. The warning strike was backed by the Lagos State chapters of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, and Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU. Workers of the Lagos State Television, LTV, and Radio Lagos, barricaded the entrances into the two stations as early as 7am. They said that the strike became necessary because the state government had refused to fulfill its own part of the agreement on the implementation, accusing the government of "discrimination against us." One of the protesting workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "The airwaves would be shut down for three days to press home our demand, following which further action would be decided. The state government has continuously reneged on its promise to implement the wage, which it had begun to implement with our other colleagues in the same civil service. Why is our own different? "The strike is against the marginalisation of media workers in the state, who have not benefited from the minimum wage paid to other state workers since January. We can't understand why the government decided to shut us out of the new wage structure and why, after so many assurances, they refused to implement the new wage for media workers." The state Acting Chairman of the NUJ, Mr. Deji Elumoye, who led the demonstration, said NUJ took the decision at an earlier congress to back the strike following a deadlock on the matter (via Steve Whitt, MW Circle yg via DXLD) Does that also affect the external service Voice of Nigeria? Of course not worth mentioning in domestic media (gh, DXLD) 15120, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu. September 05, 1857-1900 outside male in English talks, studio female “Nigeria”, alternating instrumental music, male talks. 1900 sign off, 34433. 73’s (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTH AMERICA. 6960-USB, Sept 3 at 0516, big pirate signal at S9+12, rock music with heavy modulation. No carrier at all, so tuning is touchy especially with the FRG-7 BFO which drifts a bit when first engaged. Professional-sounding DJ with XFM ID, live timechex and song info breaks: 0522, ``22 after 5 UTC``. G-mail address, ``This is the power of X``, then ``Get Up, Stand Up`` song for gay rights. 0527, 27>5 TC, says shifting gears to Urban Astronaut, inviting requests by e-mail. M. Manson coming up, listen on the web at http://xfmlive.com then techno. 0535 Plasmatix; still going past 0614. XFM has been reported a lot lately by others. Er, shouldn`t this be ``XUSB``? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS. QSL - RFA 9455 sent Tokyo Hamfair card in 6 days for e-mail report + MP3 to qsl at rfa.org (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [and non]. 780, UT Sept 4 at 0237 steady open carrier from direxion of Stillwater, no doubt 250-watt daytimer KSPI, illegally making fast SAH of approx. 12 Hz with mutually-nullable WBBM. Could not however detect the usual +/- 4 kHz spurs from KSPI; perhaps they appear only while modulating? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 960, KGWA Enid, my local, Sunday Sept 4 first noticed around 1200 UT that it was dead air, with some hum; still at 1221. At 1229, what I thought had been some weak station underneath was realized axually to be just-barely-modulation from KGWA itself since it was absolutely steady. Risked turning up the volume: something about a camp in Abilene, Civil War history. Is no one paying attention at Williams Broadcasting? Still the same at 1237. Or, is no one at Williams Broadcasting? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. 1640, Sept 1 at 1217 UT, Faith 1640, supposedly an Enid station, KFXY, but ad for OCCC, and OKC traffic report by Connie Carson. Is she doing this from a studio in OKC, or Enid? Or anywhere? KFXY, unusually direxional for an X-bander, just happens to have a major lobe toward OKC. BTW, notably undermodulated, as it has been for some time now, I have been intending to outpoint. 1640 has been on the air ten years already, so about time for some significant transmitter problem (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Re 11-35: All three major OKC TV stations carried a live news conference on the fires at noon = 1700 UT Sept 1, even KOCO which deleted noon news months ago. They have it ``contained to an 18- square-mile area``, working on hotspots; depends on whether wind kicks flareups again. Meanwhile there were plenty of shots of raging fires, live or recorded? Next news briefing at 5 pm = 2200 UT. I expect these stations are streaming plenty about the wildfires for those who can`t get them on TV. Heavy wildfire coverage continued on KFOR, KOCO and KWTV the afternoon of Sept 1, but they all condescended to go back to network news at 2230 UT, all on main channels; NBC at least had a report from OKC. CBS focused on Fort Worth where they own a station, KTVT. Scott Pelley intoned those call letters strangely, stressing the V instead of the final -T (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3205.0, Radio Sandaun, West Sepik, 1000 to 1100 fades up with good signal, 1 September [Wilkner and XM-Cedar Key] 5960, Radio Fly, 1020 fading up to 1110 best signal 1 September, 27 September [sic] Same (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) 5960, R. Fly, 1241-1315 Aug 17. Usual program of English pops with few announcements. Fair signal. 3915 is still off (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. 570, ZP15, LV del Amambay, Pedro Juan Caballero; clear Spanish ID, “Ésta es Radio Primera do Marzo, 780 AM, la primera … de Paraguay … comunicaciones integrado por … Radio Canal 100 …” before disappearing into the mix with a list of network stations, seemingly // 780 kHz; this must be ZP15 (rather than ZP39), since it carries a programme called “Página 780 AM” between 0000 and 0400 local time, according to the station website, and also carries another programme ‘Contacto con 1º de Marzo 780 AM’ at two other times during the week; personal first. Fpk [fair peaks] 0358 11/7 mah (Martin Hall, Clashmore, Sutherland, Scotland, Perseus SDR, RPA-1 preamp, beverage: 400m at 231 degrees, terminated. Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) Amambay sounds familiar; think it used to be on SW (gh) ** PERU. 1440, Radio Solar, Espinar, Perú; peculiar music and ID “Radio Solar en 1440 kHz AM”. This station is not listed in WRTH and was on a frequency of 1440.26 kHz. HK assisted with the ID and commented that the station had been logged in April by Fredrik Dourén and Torolf Johnsson but identified thanks to three people, one in Borås, Sweden (HK), the other one in Lima (I assume Alfredo Cañote), and the third one in Sicuani (Cusco)!”; personal first F 0206 6/8 AB (Andrew Brade, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK, AOR AR 7030 plus and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook phased array 290 , 305m beverage at 220 . Recording on Sony MZ-NH1 minidisc + Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) ** PERU. 1640, Radio Calitano, Chumbivilcas, Perú; formerly Onda Cero, this station identified as Calitano phonetically, but definitiely not “Kalikanto” [as in ARGENTINA, q.v.]. This requires further investigation, but is a personal first. F 0201 6/8 AB (Andrew Brade, Holme-on-Spalding Moor, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK, AOR AR 7030 plus and Perseus SDR, Wellbrook phased array 290 , 305m beverage at 220 . Recording on Sony MZ-NH1 minidisc + Total Recorder, Sept MW News via DXLD) ** PERU. MW LIMA PERU con links 540 Inca http://www.radioinca.com.pe 560 Oriente http://www.radiooriente.com/LAORIGINAL/index.php 580 María http://www.radiomariaperu.org/ 600 Cora http://radiocora.pe 620 Ovación http://ovacion.pe/Radio 640 Del Pacifico http://www.grupopacifico.org/radio.html 660 Inolvidable 700 Integridad http://radiointegridad.blogspot.com 730 RPP http://www.rpp.com.pe/ 760 Mar http://www.radiomar.com.pe 780 Victoria http://www.radiovictoria.pe 820 Libertad http://www.radiolibertad.com.pe 850 Nacional http://www.radionacional.com.pe 880 Unión http://www.radiolibertad.com.pe 900 Felicidad AM http://www.felicidad.com.pe/radioenvivo.html 930 Moderna http://www.modernaradiopapa.com 960 Panamericana http://www.radiopanamericana.com 990 Latina http://www.radiolatina.com.pe 1010 Cielo http://www.radiocielo.pe 1040 Metropolitana http://www.metropolitanaradioperuana.com/index.html 1060 Exito http://www.radio-exito.com 1080 La Luz http://www.radiolaluz.com 1110 Feliz http://www.radiofelizperu.com 1130 Bacan http://www.radiobacan.com 1160 Onda Cero http://www.ondacero.com.pe 1180 NSE Radio http://www.nseradio.com 1200 Cadena http://www.cadenaradio1200.com 1220 Radio Fé http://radiofe1220.com 1250 Miraflores http://radiomiraflores.net 1300 Comas http://www.radiocomas.com 1320 La Crónica http://www.radionacional.com.pe 1340 Alegría 1360 Nueva Q http://www.radionuevaq.com.pe 1380 Nuevo Tiempo http://www.nuevotiempo.org.pe/radio.html 1400 Callao http://www.radiocallao.com 1420 San Isidro 1440 Imperial II 1470 Amor 1500 Santa Rosa http://www.radiosantarosa.com.pe 1530 Milenia http://www.radiomilenia.com 1550 Independencia http://www.radioindependenciadelperu.com 1570 Bethel http://www.bethelradio.fm/index.php 1590 Agricultura http://www.laperuanisima.com (DXSPACEMASTER, ALFREDO BENJAMIN CAÑOTE BUENO, Lima, Perú, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 3329.53, Ondas del Huallaga, Huánuco 0920 to 0950 om en español, music mix with CHU notched on 746Pro, good audio. Tnx John Herkimer [Wilkner] 3360, 0800 to 1000 with strong carrier but no usable audio, 27, 28, 29 August [Wilkner and XM-Cedar Key]. 6173.864, Radio Tawantinsuyo, Cusco 2350 to 0000 lost, 29 August, tnx Don Jensen. 73s de (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 3360, Radio JPJ (Jesús Párraga Jiménez), 0824 definite music here from this new OA. 0826 what sounded like a jingle with last syllable in last word repeating like an echo. Into lively pop-like music sounding like Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated"!! Another rock song and 0833 another brief echo jingle. Definitely "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor at 0837-0840, then echo jingle again but local QRM taking over. 0844 same jingle as at 0826. Stronger audio at 0850 with jingle just before "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" remake by Cyndi Lauper. Dance remake of "Bette Davis Eyes" at 0858 going to 0900, and into next Dance song. "Sweet Child O Mine" by Guns N Roses at 0917. Sounded like more Tropical LA Pops at 0955. Gradually faded but still audible at 1007. The jingles heard on the website match up pretty well with what I heard. It would have been much easier if not for the horrendous QRN. (11 August) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) 3360, presumed Radio JPJ, Lima, 0710-0733 Spanish; continuous Andean flavored music; weak under band noise; this is the earliest I've ever checked for this one; several days checks around 0900 turn up nothing at my locale; 8/31 (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3360 31.8 0345 Radio JPJ Lima PRU gick väldigt bra denna tid. Ända upp till S5 och ovanligt bra mod till den mx som spelades. Den 1.9 gick dom hyfsat redan 23.30z AN 3360, 08/31 0345, Radio JPJ, Lima was very good at this time. Up to S5 and unusually good modulation of the music played. On Sept 1 also good reception already at 2330z AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4850,756 1.9 2320 R Genesis PRU gick faktiskt att få fram ljud ifrån trots störningen där. Sång/prat. AN 4850.756, 1.9 2320, R Génesis; actually it was possible to get audio despite the disturbance there. Vocals / speech. AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Har kollat denna frekvens många gånger och nån gång då och då finns stationen där men sällan går det att få fram nån audio. Den är svår. TN Have checked this frequency many times and some time, now and then the station is there but seldom you get any audio. It is a difficult station to catch. TN (Thomas Nilsson, ibid.) ** PERU. RADIO TROPICAL, 50 AÑOS AL SERVICIO DE LA SOCIEDAD SANMARTINENSE Tarapoto. Radio Tropical cumple 50 años al servicio de la región San Martín y desde esta tribuna deseamos que sean 50 más. Tropical fue el sueño de Juan Pablo Mori que se hizo realidad un 2 de setiembre de 1961, pero antes de estar en el espectro de la radiodifusión, Tropical estaba en todas las esquinas de Tarapoto bajo la señal de altoparlantes. El gerente de la radio Luis Mori Reátegui, recordó anécdotas tropicalinas, como el incendio que se produjo el 5 de enero de 1979, quemando casi la totalidad de equipos, y que Ricardo Mori salvó un torna mesa; «el incendio fue en la madrugada y Tropical salió nuevamente en la mañana del día siguiente, esta vez en las instalaciones de la parroquia de Tarapoto, que gentilmente fue ofrecida por el párroco Ignacio Zumárraga. En la década de los 80, Tropical realiza cambios en su programación creando programas de música rock con la conducción de Pedro Arévalo Velásquez, además de los programas noticiosos siempre con la conducción de Eduardo Gonzales, quien en 1991 deja la posta a Ramón Amaringo, luego ingresa Hely Flores en dupla con el «Puma» Rodriguez, tomando la posta el extinto Darwin Pinchi haciendo dupla con Enith Fasanando, y últimamente Luís Felipe Morey; cabe destacar que Gonzales Inga retornó a Tropical para el programa «Actualidades del Mediodía». Estos últimos tiempos se consolida Tribuna Libre, como el programa más escuchado de la radiodifusión tarapotina. También salen del recuerdo programas como «Café con Música», «Los Panchos y sus invitados», «Primera Plana», «Cancionero azteca» y «Golazo Deportes», que retornó a la programación. Tropical ya dejó atrás las frecuencias onda media, onda corta y amplitud modulada [sic], ahora con su señal 99.1 de la FM, y 102.3 en el Alto Mayo, llega a todo el mundo por internet. (Julio Quevedo Bardález) RADIO TROPICAL. 50 años FUENTE: http://bit.ly/nhzygZ (via Yimber Gaviría, Colombia, Sept 2, DXLD) WTFK on SW? (gh, DXLD) Cómo olvidarla, Amigos DX! Emitían en los 4935 kHz. 73 (DXSPACEMASTER, ALFREDO BENJAMIN CAÑOTE BUENO, Lima, Perú, condiglist yg via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 15190, PBS, 1859 Heard again with usual promo/ID announcement by M with both R. Pilipinas and PBS IDs, followed by long list of network stations by M and W. Best heard since 30 May, but still not as good. Heavy fast QSB. (21 August) 15190, PBS Went off in mid-song at 1930 today. No usual ID announcements. Did hear the ID before at 1913+. Getting some local static-like QRM, and also from 15205 slop, and co-channel Inconfidência 15189.97. (27 August) 15190, PBS, *1730 caught s/on with ID announcements to start, full ID with sked, ID jingle, then into music at 1732. (28 August) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) ** POLAND. INTERVIEW WITH HEAD OF POLISH RADIO EXTERNAL SERVICE The launch of the Economic Forum in Krynica two decades ago coincided with a reorientation of the Polish Radio External Service toward Poland’s eastern neighbors. Next to the existing Polish, English and German services, broadcasts in Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian were introduced, along with a dedicated service for Polish communities in the East. In an interview with The Warsaw Voice, Marek Cajzner, head of the Polish Radio External Service, describes the station’s mission as building bridges with Eastern European nations with a view to helping forge business contacts. Read the interview: http://www.warsawvoice.pl/WVpage/pages/article.php/23894/article (September 3rd, 2011 - 11:03 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) At http://www.thenews.pl the English-language portal of Polskie Radio, I did not find a section devoted to news about Belarus. After a search, the most recent news item about Belarus was from 25 August. Mr. Cajzner's responses position the Polish Radio External Service as both a provider of news and a public diplomacy instrument to promote Poland. A look at thenews.pl, however, reveals a serious news site, with no hint of a public diplomacy mission. Promoting Poland as a "good partner for business," etc., is probably best accomplished by 60-second television ads on foreign channels, not by an entire radio station. These ads would ideally be commissioned by a Polish public diplomacy agency, not by a news organization. See also Polska: "the official promotional website of the Republic of Poland." http://en.poland.gov.pl/ (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** POLAND [non]. AUSTRIA/NORWAY/UAE/U.K. Polskie Radio Warsaw A-11 BC schedule 27 March to 30 Oct 2011. mos=ORS Moosbrunn via BAB-Babcock ENGLISH 1200-1259 11675mos 11980wof 1700-1759 7265kvi-drm 9770mos POLISH 1030-1059 11790mos 15265wof 1530-1629 11640skn 2100-2159 6155skn 7245wof GERMAN 1130-1159 9435wof 9610wof 1530-1559 9495rmp 1930-1959 6035skn 6135wof-drm RUSSIAN 1100-1129 15265wof 15460wof 1300-1329 15480wof 17860uae 1430-1459 11760wof 1800-1829 11730wof 1900-1929 15155skn BELARUSS. 1330-1429 11955rmp 15480rmp 1630-1659 11760rmp UKRAINIAN 1430-1459 15500wof 1500-1529 13730rmp 15265wof 1830-1859 11730rmp 15155wof 1900-1929 11730wof HEBREW 1800-1829 11865skn (BAB/PRW A-11, August 28 vi BC-DX Sept 3 via DXLD) Any changes now?? Victor in Sri Lanka asked for the file. See-saw changes: PRW services transmitter locations from U.K. change every 2nd week according to HFCC listing, -- sharing between WOF and RMP and v.v. It's hard to follow the present TX usage. 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. Re 11-35: RTP: there is ``every reason`` to suspend shortwave Moral of story, when appealing to a broadcaster to remain on shortwave, use snail mail; sending an email proves to the broadcaster the listener can hear them via the internet (Paul, New Zealand, HCDX via DXLD) An individual or group of activists or hobbyists can never reverse a trend such as this. Overall, SW broadcasters are leaving the air because the bulk of listeners can be convinced to assume the bulk of the technical investment; the computer, the power, the broadband internet connection. In reality, the overall global cost is higher to broadcast to blocks of individuals via the internet when you factor in the above expenditures. That said, this is the trend now - the individual pays for everything. The upside for the rest of us is: With the bulk of the semi-Megawatt SW broadcasters eliminated, we can concentrate on actual DX; 300W flea power broadcasters from here, there and everywhere. (Colin Newell is the editor and creator of Coffeecrew.com, DXer.ca and BobHarris.com Amateur Radio VA7WWV - Victoria B.C. Canada | Twitter.com/coffeecrew, ibid.) And the same day this report came out the Portuguese government announced further budget cuts, so it looks like RDPi is most likely finished on SW. Not a priority when a country is drowning in debt. VOA is facing the same situation, if U.S. federal spending is brought under control. Tough economic realities, and SW is not immune (Steve Luce, Houston, Texas, Sept 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) John Figliozzi on Sep 2nd, 2011 at 14:27: Well, I will miss them. Already do. RDPi (along with VoG) was a great source for exotic music on shortwave evenings in North America. I know this was not its raison d’etre and a budget to provide me a little pleasurable music at night is indefensible domestically. I also know I can get this via the internet stream if I want. But it’s not quite the same thing and a little sad that there’s one more piece of evidence that a medium that served us all so well for so long is slipping into obscurity and antiquity (Media Network blog comment via DXLD) As we could say in Portuguese, the arguments voiced by the RTP against the country's own HF service, are like a mere act of hiding something from the Sun with a sieve. Fools, and only fools can genuinely accept this; and fools alone would ask for a sieve instead of using a proper tool. In other words, cutting some of the RTP expenses where the domestic listener / tax payer doesn't notice (countries that have an overseas service share the very same the situation) is only too appealing not to implement. In good reason, I do suspect the whole process got a new momentum after rumours that a new cabinet would study the privatization of parts of the RTP, so if you put the pieces together, you'll easily end up realising such an administration would be only too eager to show less expenses to the a new government that expresses this idea and, again, suppressing what's poorly known in domestic terms is the simplest, albeit foolish, option. Instead, cuts should be done elsewhere within the RTP itself, surely starting in many aspects that are not even related to radio &/or TV, e.g. the administration itself, and why not the head of the board of directors himself to start with? I'm confident he does deserve to be given the boot. The ignorant in any government, here or abroad, will only tend to find similar arguments no less appealing, if cutting expenses is in the order of the day... for cutting [unnecessary] waste is perhaps not that appealing, if it means reducing privileges, govern. jobs and other amenities kept for years on end at the expense of the tax payer who's ultimately called upon to save the mess "engineered" by governments through more &/or heavier taxes as it is the case right now. For instance, in the USA - a country whose public debt is no less worrying that those of certain other countries, but which, as I said in an earlier comment here in DXDL yg, is something the American public tend to ignore in different ways -, a similar argument re. HF used the word "sunset." I recall that was the word I read here in DXLD yg. The question was not addressed properly, "sunset" is only too mild an expression; why not being straightforward about this and call it a severe consideration to gradually cut the huge expense the American taxpayers have in their backs in order to keep the VoA and the [political] "treats" like RFA, RFE/RL (to name only a few of the many other overseas channels) running solely for political reasons that matter the US politics alone. I strongly believe the public stations should preserve their own overseas services, but not as heavily as it has been done to this date as cuts elsewhere would probably do the trick. DW is one of the most recent examples; why not keep a reduced operation instead? The same could be said about former services like those of Norway, Finland, etc., even if the languages of these countries have not the same weight as others do on a worldwide scale. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, PORTUGAL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) PORTUGUESE GOVERNMENT SHEDS LIGHT ON MEDIA SHAKE-UP PLANS Minister Miguel Relvas has this week detailed outlines of the Portuguese government’s plans for the future of state-financed media companies to the Commission of Ethics, Citizenship and Communication. Prior to meeting the commission Mr Relvas, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, had already told journalists that the government would pre- pay €225 million in debts owed by the state-owned broadcaster RTP in 2012 within the framework of preparations for privatisation. Furthermore, he said that the future of local channels RTP Madeira and RTP Azores was “not possible” at a joint annual cost of €24.7 million with immediate plans to cut back broadcast time to four hours daily. Minister Relvas told the commission directly that RTP’s international channel was also currently under review and should count on the “involvement of private operators.” However, the plans were met by opposition from some commission members. Opposition Socialist member, Inês de Medeiros stressed the importance of independent public service broadcasting and that the plan to privatise one of RTP’s two national channels ran counter to trends across Europe. However, with a clear emphasis on the financial reality following the EU/IMF bailout of Portugal, Mr Relvas informed the commission he had asked RTP both to rethink its €2 million contract with the Euronews channel and “to find synergies” with national news agency Lusa, particularly in terms of international bureaus. Both entities are included in the coalition government’s privatisation programme. (Source: TPN/Lusa via theportugalnews.com)(September 2nd, 2011 - 10:38 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) O QUE SE ESCONDE POR DETRÀS DO ENCERRAMENTO DA RDP INTERNACIONAL. A venda de terrenos de emissor de onda curta "é capaz de tapar o buraco total" da RTP. O provedor do Ouvinte da RTP disse hoje que uma eventual alienação dos terrenos onde se situa o emissor de onda curta "é bem capaz, se houver interesses imobiliários, de tapar o buraco" financeiro do grupo RTP. "É natural que chegue para compensar o passivo todo. Daí que se compreende que o interesse económico se sobreponha e vá para além dos interesses políticos e da comunidade portuguesa de emigrantes", declarou Mário Figueiredo aos deputados da Comissão de Ética, Cidadania e Comunicação, onde foi ouvido. O emissor de onda curta situa-se próximo de Pegões, freguesia do concelho do Montijo. Fonte: Site RTP - http://tinyurl.com/3gxof4l (João Costa, Portugal 2 Sept, radioescutas yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) WHAT LIES BEHIND THE CLOSURE OF THE RDP INTERNACIONAL The sale of land for short-wave transmitter "is able to plug the complete hole" of the RTP. The RTP listeners` ombudsman said today that an eventual sale of land which runs alongside the short-wave transmitter "is quite capable, if there are real estate interests, to plug the hole" financially of the RTP group. "It's natural to get around to offset the liabilities. Hence it is understandable that economic interests overlap and go beyond the political interests of the community of Portuguese emigrants," declared Mario Figueiredo to members of the Ethics, Citizenship and Communication Commission where it was heard. The shortwave transmitter is located near Pegões, parish of the county of Montijo. Source: RTP - http://tinyurl.com/3gxof4l (Joao Costa, Portugal Sept 2, radioescutas yg, translated by Google, refined by Glenn Hauser, for WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, One of the possible reasons why RDPi's HF site, CEU/CEOC at São Gabriel, might close was the [halted] plan for the new airport for Lisbon, which would be built in grounds currently used by the military. See 1st photo, "CEU_imediações" (=surroundings). An airport that close to a strong RF field could be a recipe for serious disaster. For that [technical] reason alone, there were other plans for CEU/CEOC. I am afraid I cannot go into details about that, though it would certainly amaze many. Perhaps I'm able to disclose this some day in the future. Using photo "CEU-RDPi-RTP", then open Google Earth and explore around GC 38º 47' 05.28" N 08º 41' 40.24" W. Now, if you use that same photo and check Google Earth, you may find the tx site is actually surrounded by rural areas, certainly not urban ones, so the economic interests mentioned by RTP/radio Ombudsman would perhaps be real, only if law could simply turn rural property into land where one might make some development which on the other hand is only too appealing for those in that business. Frankly, that is not the same that happened elsewhere up north: some 29 km to the north of São Gabriel, at Glória do Ribatejo, the former RARET [RL/RFE, later VoA too] site, was finally allowed to be developed under the name of Herdade de Nossa Senhora da Glória; see http://maps.google.pt/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&t=h&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=118111094998459816941.000485b12bceb29c52ad4 That actually belongs to some developer in the north of the country after the whole site was bought from the state. RL/RFE was established in grounds that, unfortunately, were put at their disposal by the Portuguese State. I am still to find out whether the thing started, is under construction or was simply halted by the new owners. All I know for now is that the antenna towers were removed and the buildings left as they were. The geographical situation of the Glória site cannot be compared to that of our RDPi as the former is simply next to Glória do Ribatejo, with existing houses very near the tx site perimeter and others being built in the course of the years. The perimeter is roughly in the shape of a triangle with one of the corners near Glória's centre and one side along houses SW of the small town. See 3rd photo. Ultimately, I hope that homonymous of me, as one might call it, minister M. Relvas, and the cabinet he belongs to, decide to use some good sense and cut expenses on the right departments, and then order the RTP to reactivate RDPi-R.Portugal on HF. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Sept 6, dxldyg [where the attachments are available] via DX LISTENING DIGEST LOS TRABAJADORES DE RADIO DIFUSION PORTUGUESA SE OPONEN AL CIERRE DE LA ONDA CORTA Y EXIGEN APLICACION DE LA LEY ---- 06/09/2011 [sic:] Comité de Trabajadores (CT) de la RTP, dijo que el objetivo final de “fin definitivo” a las transmisiones de onda corta de la RDP Internacional contradice lo que está escrito en la ley y la Constitución. “La ley exige que se emite de onda corta. Es la Ley de Radio y de la Constitución que la emisión de onda corta, debe ser emitida por el operador público “, dijo un miembro de los miembros de RTP CT de la Comisión de Ética, Ciudadanía y Comunicación, cita lusa. miedo de que lo que está en vigor no es el estudio para evaluar el servicio, que, dicen, sería legítimo y cayó dentro de la ley, sino más bien una “final” de la misma. TC de la empresa pública se vio en la suspensión del Parlamento sobre las emisiones de onda corta RDP Internacional. Los trabajadores fueron escuchados después de la hierba ministro Miguel, quien asistió a la Comisión de Ética de la mañana, el proveedor escucha de las antenas de la RTP, Figueiredo Mario, y el presidente de la junta directiva de la empresa, Guilherme Costa. La suspensión de onda corta las transmisiones de la RDP ha sido autorizada por una decisión del ex ministro de Asuntos Parlamentarios, Jorge Lacão. En la radio, onda corta corresponde a la transmisión que cubre una distancia mayor. RTP anunció en mayo decidió suspender temporalmente, a partir del 1 de junio RDP Internacional de las emisiones de onda corta, citando a reducir el número de oyentes y la necesidad de reducir los costos (pysnnoticias via GRA blog via Sept 6 via DXLD) Arnaldo: Qué traducción tan horrenda del artículo habéis hecho, ¿Nadie ha dedicado unos minutos a editar el articulo? Saludos (Tomás Méndez, Spain, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) ** PRIDNESTROVYE [and non]. A-11 Schedule of WRN UT zone FMO TX Beam kW From date To date Broadcaster 'For new organization' 6225 1430-1530 44 WRN Alma Ata 132 100 27-May-29-Oct-2011 15540 1430-1500 48 WRN Grigoriopol 160 300 27-Mar-29-Oct-2011 15730 1500-1600 48 WRN Grigoriopol 170 300 25-Aug-29-Oct-2011 5810 1530-1730 40 WRN Grigoriopol 100 100 27-Mar-27-Oct-2011 17590 1530-1600 48 WRN Grigoriopol 160 300 20-May-29-Oct-2011 15750 1700-1800 48 WRN Grigoriopol 170 300 25-Aug-29-Oct-2011 (HFCC, WRN entry Sep 1 via BC-DX Sept 3 via DXLD) What services??? These are just registrations: 6225: Democratic Voice of Burma 15540: reserve for Radio Xoriyo (now 1530-1600 on 17590) 15730: Radio Esat tests 5810: Radio Eagle of Iran (KRIHT) currently 1600-1700 UT only (its days vary) 17590: Radio Xoriyo 15750: Radio Esat tests ESAT = Ethiopian Satellite Television, from outside, which has been jammed; also has a radio service at least on web (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also UNIDENTIFIED in the 15s ** ROMANIA. 13800, Sept 2 at 2051, rap music in Spanish, what`s this, Sawa, Farda? No, RRI, of course, with its eclectic, unpredictable music. 2052 `Practical Guide` talk in English about bus fares in Bucharest. 2055 frequencies for next English broadcasts, IS and off. Modulation excellent, signal very good, nothing comparable direct from Europe at this hour. 17600, Sept 4 at 1317, ``Typewriter Song`` by Leroy Anderson, complete with end-of-carriage bells, inexplicable to the kiddies, so I bet an RRI mailbag segment had just ended; into bit of rock music, Chinese announcement, classical. Poor but facilitated by absence of Spain from 17595 on Sundays, a detail missing from their HFCC registrations (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Tnx to Glenn Hauser tip, DXLD 11-35, pointing out my earlier log listing "Monchegorsk" is most likely Petro-K, with a nice greyline to NH, as my version of GeoClock & these most recent parallels from Arman, both indicate: 5930, R. Rossii, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky 0925-0932 Russian; M announcer with talk; W over piano music at 0930 then back to M; fair; // 5940 (fair) & 7320 (poor)-Arman; 9/1 (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. [Re telling apart the two sites on 5930:] To check 5930 kHz program content at 09-10 UT slot is very easy, due of powerful signals TO COMPARE on 7320 and 5940 via Russian FE site [Magadan] Arman Radujnyi. See my recentlog of Aug 27: Radio Rossii domestic program in Russian, noted in Pacific night around 0950 UT Aug 27 on 7320 and 5940 kHz both [Magadan] Arman Radujnyi relay site, in Russian Far East Siberia, and 5930 kHz via Yelizovo Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky. Nice old Russian saloon music of the movies in 20ties and 30ties era in past century (wb, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Aug 27) 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 6155, 5/9 1633, Radio Russia, DRM, label "DRM RUVR 1A", German, classic music, audio only sometimes (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 15510, Sept 1 at 1256, classical music with hum, so VOR Pashto service is modulating today (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. In addition to these [see CHINA], I was surprised to find Voice of Russia on 21790 peaking at fair to good strength, but also fading into oblivion from time to time. I assume this is a recent change from 15405 - perhaps from today the 5th or even Sunday the 4th when the band was closed here - as "the 19 metre band" was still being announced for Australia. One of the GFC's September changes. I could not hear 15405. The HFCC registers 21790 from March, but I don't think it has been operating until now [RUS VOR GFC]: 15405 0500 0900 55,59 K/A 250 180 1234567 270311 291011 D 21790 0600 0900 44,50,54,55,59 IRK 250 152 1234567 270311 301011 D My guess is that I was hearing it off the back of their antenna at 332 degrees (Noel R. Green (NW England), dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Buryatia -------------- On August 30, had to 6195 kHz with 2230-2300 GTRK Buryatia. SINPO - 34443. Sent report. Now got a reply from Moses ?.?. that they have no QSL (Alexander Golovikhin, Toliatti, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX 4 sept via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. The new DX program – RADIOPANORAMA. In Russian. The author and presenter of Vadim Alekseyev, Moscow. I invite all of you to the new, but at the same time and the previous program. Magazine about the radio and other means of communication, will be aired from September 3 to the following schedule (time - UT). On the waves of the WRN (World radio network) : Saturday – 1116, Saturday – 1946, Sunday – 0646, Monday – 0316. Take these broadcasts can be: - in Moscow and Moscow region MW 738 kHz, in Europe, the European part of Russia, the Middle East and North Africa - satellite Hot Bird 13 degrees c. d., The Channel No. 94, 12,597 GGz, vertical polarization, the name of the digital channel WRN Russkij, - on the Internet online site http://wrn.ru section Where and How to Listen to Us. In the air of the Stavropol Radio 26: Sunday – 1630, Monday – 2130, Thursday – 0630. Take these broadcasts can be: - on Internet online site http://radio26.net tab Direct Broadcasting; - participants of the NokiaKlub - can use the application NokiaRadio, for listen to the flow you need to select Radio 26 Stavropol; - in the network KeyHoleTV - using he needs serious operation Ifon and Ipad (now in the name of the the station is written characters, but in the nearest future it is planned to supplement the the Latin script). Every one of you, dear listeners and fans of radio, can take part in the our program and share their interesting information: - by e - mail to letters @ wrn.ru - at 24-hour answerphone, the number of 95 06 738, code of Moscow 495; - in Skype - id wrn-russia. Welcome to the wave Radiopanorama! information from the DXportal: http://dxing.ru/ (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia /"deneb-radio-dx" via RusDX 4 Sept via DXLD) ** RWANDA. Radio Rwanda. 6055 Kigali. 2011/09/02 Friday. 0320-0335 KinyaRwanda. YL talking and afro music. Id at 0333 "Radio Rwanda". Fair at first, with co-channel QRM in spanish (surprisingly from Radio Exterior de Espana in Noblejas, targetted towards N. America). QRM gone by 0330, leaving Rwanda loud and clear. Jo'burg sunrise 0420 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAO TOME. VOA, 4960, partial/data card in 43 days via email report. The QSL card, ``Maintenance Riggers Climb Tower`` has the frequency of 4960; however, I think it should have been the 15580 data. The 4960 data has a range form 10/31/10 to 03/26/11. Time 0400-0500. Altho I have sent reports for 4960, the report referenced above was the only one that I mailed directly to the ST site. In addition, the return address on the brown envelope has the typical Washington DC address. The return mail on the Belgium Postal Meter is P O Box 3168, 1934 EMC, Brucargo, Belgium. I also received a VOA calendar, program schedule, listener questionnaire and a ``Through the Lens Photo Package``. Somewhat confusing (Kivell, FL, QSL Report, Sept NASWA Journal via DXLD) See also GREECE, linx to photos of São Tomé site and scenes ** SAUDI ARABIA. 17729.975, BSKSA Riyadh, 1st Arabic program observed at 0725 UT Aug 31. 295 degrees outlet, S=9+10dB Arabic singer. And the difference on 310 degr outlet on \\ even 17740 kHz, S=9+25dB. 17895 kHz even frequency BSKSA Holy Quran program morning prayer, S=7- 8. \\ 15379.977 kHz powerful prayer signal, S=9+20dB at 310 degrees. 17570, BSKSA Holy Quran program prayer at 1140 UT Aug 31, at 70 degrees towards ME/SAs. \\ much stronger S=9+20dB signal at same time on 17614.973 kHz at 1150 UT Aug 31, at 100 degrees at SE Asia/Malaysia/Indonesia/Philippines (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. BBC WS relay. 3255 Meyerton. 2011/08/29 Monday. 0244- 0244. False start; on for a few secs only, but clearly BBC WS although poor. Started properly at *0254, listened until 0312. YL reporting, but almost unreadable, very poor. Returned to it from 0345-0350, found Egyptian music, followed by YL's talking about Angola and its leader, dos Santos, who is now the longest serving (dictating?) leader in Africa. He has been running the place for 32 years. I think I'll blame him for my never being able to get Angola on MW, whilst Mozambique (even northern) is all over the band. Good from 0345-0350. Jo'burg sunrise 0425 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. Radio Okapi 11690 sent paper QSL in 2 weeks for report to Fondation Hirondelle. Unreadable v/s. F/D except for transmitter site (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Yes, REE Noblejas 15585 kHz at 1418 UT Aug 28th has two symmetric sideband splatter on 15558 to 15579 and 15593 to 15614 kHz Noted on various remote SDR receivers in Holland, Germany and Austria. (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) 6055, REE, 9/6 0156 UT - First heard at 0146 with what sounded like a long documentary piece read in Spanish by male. Much Oriental music underneath, and heard several mentions of "Tibet", "Korea", and "Szechuan". A clear "Radio Exterior de España" ID was noted at 0156 after the conclusion of the program. An astonishingly loud signal throughout -- was this really coming from Noblejas (as the 2010 WRTH suggests) and not Cariari de Poroci? (Rick Dau, South Omaha, Nebraska, Kenwood R-5000, ABDX via DXLD) It`s Pococí. Yes, direct. More so than any other European now, especially with Portugal proto-kaput on SW, Spain is willing and able to put super signals direct from Spain deep into North America. Other such signals are 17595 in the mornings, 15110 afternoons here. Besides high power and obviously high-gain antenna systems, it has a geographical advantage at the SW corner of the continent, closer and with a lower-latitude path to us. According to the not always accurate REE program grid at http://www.rtve.es/radio/radio-exterior/programacion/ this program was `Travesías`, segunda edición, UT Tue-Fri at 01-02: http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/travesias/ Presentado por: Maria Alvarez de Eulate y Marta Fajardo "Travesías" es un viaje sin rumbo fijo; cada día nos ponemos en camino para dirigirnos a destinos de los cinco continentes y a través de diferentes historias, conocer lo que allí se cuece. Si os quereis unir a nuestro periplo diario arrancamos a las 18.05 hora española de lunes a viernes. También nos podeis escuchar aquí. BLOG: http://blogs.rtve.es/travesias/posts En Facebook: travesías.rne with 563 previous programs audio-archived! (Glenn Hauser, OK, ibid.) ** SRI LANKA. 9770.207, Odd signal in English language at 0220 UT Sept 1. SLBC Ekala fair S=6 signal. Local female singer from the island at 0226-0229 U. (Wolfgang Büschel, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 1, dxldyg via DXLD) SLBC: Namaste India (Hindi & English) program missing last night on 11905 kHz at around 1530 UT. However 11750 monitored in Sinhala at that time in which they were also heard mentioning about Namaste India. Thanking you, Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, http://www.niar.org cell: 91 94416 96043, UT Sept 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11750, 4/9 1829-1830* Sri Lanka BC, song, talk, abrupt signal off at 1830 (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 7200, SRTC, *0235-0410, sign on with Arabic talk. Qur`an at 0241-0249. Local tribal music. Indigenous vocals. Poor to fair with occasional HAM QRM. Sept 3 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, PA, USA, Icom IC-7600, two 100 foot longwires, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SURINAME. 4990, Radio Apintie, Paramaribo 0900 to 1000 noted with decent signal on 27, 28 and with om vocal at 0950 on 30 August (Bob Wilkner, NRD 535D - Drake R8 - Icom 746Pro modified, Pompano Beach, South Florida, US Sept 3, condiglist yg via DXLD) 4990, Suriname, R. Apintie, Paramaribo. August 29, 0845-0857 male in non stop Dutch talks, soft female choral like religious music. Brazilian 4985 was off, some fades, at peak 35433 (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4990.00, 0215-0225, 02.09, R Apintie, Paramaribo, Dutch talk and music, 15221. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark on an AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) 4990, Radio Apintie, 0937-0945, 03-September-2011, in Dutch. Male announcer w/several commercials then religious talk, fair signal (Ed Wlodarski, N2ED, New Jersey, Ten Tec RX340 & 100 Ft Long Wire, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 4989.98, R. Apintie, A strange mixture of songs after 0907. Carnival like song, fast version of presumed NA, then M with mention of Apintie, and W with spiritual talk. 0918 M again mentioning FM stereo and Internet. Strong but very low modulation. (4 Sept.) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) 4990, R. Apintie, Paramaribo, 0846-0902 M announcer with lengthy talk in listed Dutch; "canned" announcer into choral music at 0855; percussion/bongos at 0858 into talk over music; ID at ToH followed by presumed ad string; weak but clear; best logged here in some time; 9/5 (Scott R. Barbour Jr. Intervale, N.H. USA, NRD-545, MLB-1, 200' Beverages, 60m dipole, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWAZILAND [and non]. 15360, Sept 3 at 1401, heavy CCI with fast SAH, South Asian song mixing with RHC. It`s TWR at 1400-1415 only, daily at 43 degrees in Urdu, the only ``TWR India`` broadcast via Manzini, and you have to find it under India [sic] in WRTH/Update. We are way, way, offbeam and offtarget for such good reception, were it not for RHC in the way, unknown to HFCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA. 9330, 5/9 1757-1758*, Radio Damascus, talks YL Russian, short music, fair, low modulation sign-off at 1759 9330, *1800 5/9, Radio Damascus, signal on after 2 minutes off, start of broadcast in German, fair, low modulation (Giampiero Bernardini, Milan city, Italy, with Collins 51S-1, Perseus, RFSpace SDR-14 and a T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN [non]. 5950, RTI relay via WYFR is totally SNAFU, Sept 2: at 0552 I hear talk in French! Then some rock music, 0555 more M&M conversing in French, 0556 rock song in English, 0559, French again, mentions fréquences but cut off before any given. Just before 0600 we heard a few words of RTI ID in Spanish mixing with WYFR ID in English. 0600 switch to RTI English giving part of their SW schedule, on 7445. 0600:38 ends a timesignal, and switch to sign-on of RTI Spanish service, news for 1 September. 5950 is supposed to carry English at 05-06, Spanish at 06-07. I assume they were totally screwed up in Taipei, playing out the wrong program, French which is scheduled only at 19-20 and never via YFR. Around 0600 I can imagine them madly pushing buttons trying to get the proper Spanish recording on air, and finally succeeded. 5950, Sept 3 at 0520, RTI managed to broadcast the proper language via WYFR, English, W&M conversing, instead of French last night (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN. 2321,933 30.8 1730 OID igen! God signal men med ”murrigt” ljud gjorde det svårt att få ID. S/off 19.01. Efter en del mail mellan mig och Mauno Ritola så kom han med lösningen: ”I am certain, that this is the 2nd prgr. of Tajik Radio. It was a programme of birthday wishes and "muzyka po zayavkam", i.e. music requests. I changed from Perseus to AOR and could get better audio, but it was still rather distorted. At 1859 here is the closing ID in probable Tajik, sounds like mentioning Dushanbe.” /Mauno Ritola. De sänder på 1160,967 och jag hörde alltså 2a övertonen! Tack Mauno! AN 2321.933, 30.8 1730, unID again! Good signal but the "unclear" audio made it difficult to get the ID. S/off 1901. After some emails between me and Mauno Ritola he came with the solution: "I am certain that this is the 2nd program of Tajik Radio. It was a program of birthday wishes and "muzyka po zayavkam", i.e. music requests. I changed from Perseus to AOR and could get better audio, but it was still rather distorted. At 1859 here is the closing ID in probable Tajik, sounds like mentioning Dushanbe."/ Mauno Ritola. Their fundamental is on 1160.967 and thus I heard the 2nd harmonic! Thanks Mauno! AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 2321.939, 2.9 1840, unID with good strength and language sounding like coming from Eastern Russia. This day no distortion in audio. Probably Dushanbe just as Mauno Ritola suggests. Closedown at 1859. Tajik Radio uses three networks, TR1 = Radio Tajikistan National Network and TR2 = The Voice of Dushanbe (Sado-i Dushanbe). TR3 is only on FM. Three languages are used, Tajik, Uzbek and Russian. I set my Perseus to record this one on Sept 3 but forgot to reverse the antenna for Asian direction instead of the normal CA direction, so the signal was barely audible! I will check this one again tonight for a definite ID. TN (Thomas Nilsson, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) ** TAJIKISTAN. 02.09.2011, 1200-1300, 7245 KHz - "the Voice of Tajikistan" in Arabic, SINPO=34443. 1259 handed to the announcement in English, and at 1300 began to transfer to English. In 1301 on the frequency joined a strong signal China Natinal Radio-2 and all scored (Vladimir Kovalenko, Tomsk, Receiver - "Aikom-8500", the antenna wire length of 40 m./ "open_dx" via RusDX 4 Sept via DXLD) see MAURITANIA ** TAJIKISTAN. 11500, Sept 5 at 1232, open carrier with hum, flutter peaking S9+12, so Dushanbé is back to wasting watts instead of relaying V. of Russia in English as scheduled. 11500, Sept 6 at 1240, flutter, hummy signal has some undermodulation in English, so VOR lux out today, rather than no modulation out of Dushanbé. 11500, Sept 7 at 1223, poor signal, open carrier with hum instead of VOR English relay; 1311 improved to fair signal, still no modulation in silent Hindi (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAJIKISTAN [and non]. Read US embassy report about 800 kW MW IBB Sender 972 kHz {Thomcast unit built up by IBB Ismaning Germany engineers}, as well as a single 250 kW SW unit in Orzu Tajikistan (Wikileaks report), TJK-US negotiations held in Jan 2007. Download of this big data file takes 20 minutes dowload time in Germany: Cryptome : 7-zip condensed file, 360 MB big. (BC-DX Sept 3 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. 6765.02, Bangkok Meteo, 1249-1300+ Aug 31. IS at 1249, then automated voice with English weather, followed by presumed Thai and Khmer segments (not automated). Fair and // 8743-USB, also fair (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** THAILAND. QSL: RFE/RL Russian service via Udorn 17730, replied in 7 minutes to e-mail report+MP3 direct to site, thanking me for report and saying the QSL was on its way. Card arrived 12 days later. Report was sent to manager_thailand at tha.ibb.gov (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 17760, Sept 5 at 1152, BBCWS about football, fluttery but readable signal on this 25 degree USward beam from Nakhon Sawan at 09- 12, just before sunrise here and sunset there, so it`s rather graylinish (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET. 6050, PBS Xizang (Chinese Service), 1332 on September 3 and 1152, 1230 and 1311 on September 4. Normally this frequency is covered by a fairly strong Malaysia, which was absent for two days; // 4820; both equally fair. 4905, PBS Xizang via Lhasa, checking from 1200 to 1419 on September 6. A rare day with no RTTY; fair; // 4920. RTTY QRM was back the next day. It was while checking back and forth between these two frequencies that I happen to come across Madagascar on its new 4910 (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET [non]. Voice of Tibet from Dushanbe Yangi Yul 1330-1400 UT on 15287 kHz, Tsching-Bumm Firedrake jammer on 15285 kHz (Wolfgang Büschel, Aug 28, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Sept 3 via DXLD) See also CHINA: Firedrake logs which are prompted by this, offset-frequencies (gh) Lunedì 29 agosto 2011, 1219 - 15542 kHz, VOICE OF TIBET - Yangi Yul (Tajikistan), Tibetano, reportages OM/YL, Segnale buono-sufficiente, Firedrake on 15545 but very low. Venerdì 2 settembre 2011, 1250 - 15567 kHz, VOICE OF TIBET - Yangi Yul (Tajikistan), Tibetano, tk OM, Segnale sufficiente, Jamming not heard. (Luca Botto Fiora, G.C. 09E13 - 44N21, Rapallo (Genova) - Italia, playdx yg via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. REPRESSION SEPARATES TIBETAN REGIONS FROM THE REST OF CHINA http://www.voanews.com/tibetan-english/news/Repression-separates-Tibetan-regions-from-the-rest-of-China-129069298.html (Windows Media) Kunleng invites Jamphel Monlam, TCHRD, Dharamsala, and Rinchen Tashi, China analyst, ICT, Washington, DC, to discuss the crackdowns, restrictions, detentions and quasi legal actions that have taken place throughout Tibetan areas in recent weeks. Kunleng TV is simulcast on television via satellite, on shortwave radio, and via the Internet in real time. Tune in every Wednesday and Friday at 1400-1500 UT, 10:00 pm to 11:00 pm Lhasa time. From Tibet and China Call toll-free 108888 AT&T 866 837 5159. From elsewhere US at 1-202-619-3774 (Tell the operator to reverse the charges and we will pay for the call.) Or send your name and phone number in advance so we can contact you during the show. If you are not able to join us in person please send your questions to us via fax or E-mail to: tibetanTV @ voanews.com or Fax: 1-202-382-5596 (via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DXLD) ** TUNISIA [and non]. 7275, no signal at 0505 Sept 4 from one our regulars often listened to as a lullaby; supposed to be on from 0400v to 0626*. Earlier I noticed it on 9725. Not sure if 12005 (scheduled to 0510) was still on as higher-band propagation is declining. 7295, Algeria via France was still in well as a substitute, mostly Qur`aning. As was 7245, Mauritania with non-chanting music now. In keeping with our policy of referring to Arabic-speaking stations by proper Arabic names, or acronymized, instead of French or something, Radio Tunisienne is really per WRTH 2010 page 368: ``Idha`atu-l- Wataniya at-Tunisiya`` = IWT. 7275, Sept 5 at 0538, whew, IWT is back after missing 24.5 hours earlier, music and Arabic talk (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. 15370, another Saturday, Sept 3, so what does the BBCWS relay via Meyerton, SOUTH AFRICA have on this week? At 1401 check, it`s in French! This is the hour supposedly in Somali, as we were also hearing French in July, further discussed in early August DXLDs (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC WORLD SERVICE LAUNCHES LIFELINE BROADCASTS FOR DROUGHT- AFFECTED IN HORN OF AFRICA Date: 01.09.2011 Category: World Service Thursday 01 Sep 2011 Press Release BBC World Service has launched special radio broadcasts to serve the Somali-speaking population affected by famine and drought in the Horn of Africa. The purpose of the daily 15-minute radio programmes by BBC Somali is to help people to make informed decisions that may help them survive the famine. At 14.15 local time (11.15 GMT) every day, Gurmad (Rescue) on BBC Somali delivers special news bulletins, practical information and expert advice for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It will also reach those who have stayed in their home towns and villages. Editor of BBC Somali, Yusuf Garaad Omar, comments: "We have been covering the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa since it started to unfold, and our reporters were overwhelmed with questions and suggestions on relief aid - or lack of it. So we decided to devote a special programme to address these issues, and as a majority of those affected are Somali-speakers, it was also obvious that BBC Somali is the right channel to reach these people. We hope that timely, up-to-date information, provided by experts, about issues these people are facing every day, will help them survive this crisis. We will do our best to maintain the supply of such knowledge to all those who are in need of it." Particularly aimed at the refugees in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Yemen, as well as IDPs in Mogadishu and other locations in Somalia, the lifeline broadcasts bring a wealth of information on how to get access to food aid and health services, on safety on the roads, advice on legal matters, nutrition, water and sanitation. News bulletins with the latest on the relief efforts and humanitarian situation are followed by interviews and reports by the BBC's correspondents across the region. Along with giving listeners a platform to share their experiences, a special slot in the programme channels their questions to aid workers, doctors and authorities. Gurmad also informs the Somali diaspora, who are willing to contribute to the international relief effort, about the type of need required as well as on where and how the assistance is distributed. Available on shortwave and BBC FM relays across the Horn of Africa, Gurmad is also rebroadcast by the BBC's partner radio stations: Kenya's Star FM, whose network covers Dadaab refugee camp and Mogadishu; Shabelle FM in Mogadishu, Somalia; and the private Somali network, SBC. Gurmad also features on a special index on http://bbcsomali.com in text and audio. BBC World Service Publicity (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) WTFK? Geez. 15530 and 17780 both via CYPRUS at 1100-1130 (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U K. BBC Receiving Station Crowsley Park - January 1985 - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rD36-CHwUQ A short film of BBC Monitoring Station, Crowsley Park (Mark Palmer, BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) ** U K. Re 11-35: Hardly anything new: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/14/ofcom_gps_jam_email_alert/ And of course it's not OFCOM jamming GPS but MoD jamming selected GPS frequencies. OFCOM limits itself to allowing you to subscribe to a mailing list to be notified in advance, if you are a civilian using GPS: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/subscribe/gpsjamming.htm 73s (Andy Lawendel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC PROMS DISRUPTED BY PROTESTS Fot the very first time in history of the BBC Proms festival, on September 1, 2011 it has been disrupted by protesters (pro-Palestinian protesters have disrupted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra's performance at the BBC Proms concert in London's Royal Albert). You can download these 2 videos from BBC News: BBC Proms disrupted by protests - First report [mp4 video, 23.6 MB; 2min 12s]: http://news.downloads.bbc.co.uk.edgesuite.net/mps_h264_hi/public/news/entertainment/773000/773303_h264_1500k.mp4 BBC Proms disrupted by protests - Second report [flv video, 7.6 MB; 2min 1s]: http://flashuhe5.streamuk.com/bbcViewer/channels/streams/4c247b02-2757-102f-82cc-001aa0073023.flv Also, in this E-Mail, you may access BBC Radio 3 recordings, as attachments. Description of 3 audio attachments in this E-Mail: You can hear at the end of the musical piece how the protesters talk and sing loud: BBC R 3 110901 1940:16-1941:59bst.wma The protesters are yelling and the orchestra could not start to play: BBC R 3 110901 1944:43-1946:27bst.wma After the pause, the protesters are yelling and the orchestra could not start to play: BBC R 3 110901 2039:01-2040:46bst.wma If you prefer one download, here is a ZIP file with all of 3 audio recordings [1.8 MB]: http://www.mediafire.com/?x69mxmf69oq9a8f (Dragan Lekic, Serbia, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) BBC did not make this broadcast available as listen-again for a week, but instead put up an edited version starting Sept 7: About this event --- BBC Statement 1 Sept 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/whats-on/2011/september-01/73 We regret that as a result of sustained audience disruption within the concert hall which affected the ability to hear the music, tonight’s Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Prom was taken off air. The invitation to the Orchestra was a purely musical one, offering the opportunity to hear this fine Orchestra in conductor Zubin Metha’s 75th year, so we are disappointed that BBC Radio 3 audiences were not able to enjoy the full performance. BBC Radio 3 broadcast recordings of the same music, however the performance continued in the hall. Throughout the concert approximately 30 people were removed by security which had been increased in anticipation of the prospect of disturbances. Zubin Mehta returned to the Proms with an orchestra he has been conducting for 50 years and which awarded him the title of Music Director for Life in 1981. Read more on this story at the BBC news website http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14756736 We broadcast part of the concert on Wednesday 7 September at 2.30pm. Listen now until 14 September http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01463b3 (via DXLD) ** U K. STEAM FAIR FM - PIRATE RADIO PROGRAMME SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER Re: Below is a full list of the September RSLs (updates the list in Sept. Communication) : [Restricted Service Licences] Blandford, Dorset 87.9 Steam Fair FM - 27 Aug-5 Sep - Great Dorset Steam Thanks for this, Dave/Alan. I've highlighted my favourite RSL, which is doing a grand job from Wessex as I type. Listening this morning, as my brother returned from a 24-hour visit to the show where several of his friends are exhibiting a stationary engine again, I was delighted to hear of this programme tomorrow night: "Pirate Radio" on Steam Fair FM 21.00-23.00 GMT Sunday 4th September. Http://www.steamfairfm.com for the live stream. Steam Fair FM is definitely my "favourite" RSL, and I look forward to its appearance every year whether as a visitor to the show or, as is the case this year just as a listener at home via the internet. Steam Fair FM do an excellent job of capturing the "colour" of the show, while providing a very useful service of information to both exhibitors and visitors through the week long event. And, best of all for us anoraks, they provide one of the best music mixes around, complete with their own bespoke jingles from PAMS which are so evocative of the sixties offshore stations. "Remember, this golden classic" (go on, you're humming it to yourself even now!) reworked as "Remember this sixties classic" is just one example. There are more clips on their website. I decided not to go to the fair in person this year- too much walking for my current level of fitness!- but my brother has just returned from a 24-hour visit, camping on site overnight. He reports that he was able to hear an identifiable signal from the station at Fleet Services on the M3- a good 65 miles from the massive steam fair site, actually located at Tarrant Hinton which is about 6 miles east of Blandford.We have heard the station a good many miles from the site in previous years, but I think this was a record. Finally, as an aside, Tarrant Hinton is just a few miles from the now seemingly doomed Rampisham HF transmitting station. Oh how are the mighty fallen - but not, at least, at Steam Fair FM! (Mark Savage, Sept 3, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. Can anyone solve this riddle? No easy answers are to be found on various DX forums. Where does the RAF Volmet on 5450 transmit from? I have two possibilities. Either somewhere outside Witney - or from the giant antenna farm at Inskip. Or some other site? Can anyone help? 73's Dan Goldfarb, Brentwood, England, Sep 5, via BDXC-UK yg via DXLD) Thanks to Tony (also Mike Terry and Martin Peters) for confirming the TX site is now RAF St Eval (Dave Kenny, ibid.) Viz.: The original site was at RAF Chelveston just off the A45 in Wellingborough but on closure it was transferred to RAF St Eval down in Cornwall. Frequencies: 4.70, 5.45, 11.233 MHz. The use of 4.235 was discontinued at the time of the transfer. Mode: USB, Call Sign: "RAF VOLMET" Co-ordinates: 50.475575823464 / -5.001509785652 An old, (sorry bad quality), recording can be downloaded from: http://www.mediafire.com/?od9pwcmzuk94fjk Hope this helps (Tony Boreham, ibid.) ** U K [non]. The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) has launched a new radio website. http://www.bfbs.com/radio The site gives listeners the latest news from the three main military radio services and the 11 local radio stations, including BFBS Afghanistan. Visitors to the site can listen live to the UK DAB schedule, BFBS Radio 2, BFBS Gurkha and programming from BFBS Germany, BFBS Northern Ireland and BFBS Falkland Islands. (Source: Coventry Telegraph)(September 6th, 2011 - 16:12 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** U K. THE DIGITAL REBELLION --- By Paul Revoir 29th July 2011 Radio revolution threatened as analogue sets outsell DABs three to one Digital radio switchover plans are facing a new crisis after it was revealed that three analogue sets are still being sold for every one which has the new technology. With millions continuing to buy traditional sets the ‘aspirational’ target of 2015 to move all major stations off FM and AM and on to digital looks even more unlikely. The true scale of public apathy emerged in a report from communications regulator Ofcom which revealed that only 1.9 million digital radios were sold in the year to the end of March 2011. This compares with 6.6million analogue sets. Digital now represents just 22 per cent of those radios sold, despite a massive marketing push by ministers, the BBC and commercial radio. Critics yesterday praised the report for ‘shining a light on a shambles’ and said the sales figures showed that any hope of hitting the 2015 date was now ‘dead in the water’. Digital sales were down from 2.1 million in 2009 and then dropped to 1.9 million last year and were flat again this year. The report also found that fewer than 1 per cent of vehicles are fitted with a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) radio. And 51 per cent of those without the new technology were not likely to purchase a DAB set in the next 12 months. In any event, the report revealed that only an estimated 66 per cent of UK households can get local digital radio services. The technology has failed to grip the public’s imagination as the shift to digital TV did, and there is opposition from FM loyalists who cannot see the point of moving the major stations off the analogue service. Many of those who were unlikely to buy a digital radio said they felt there was ‘no need’. Many were happy with the current service, others blamed the cost or poor reception and some said they could access radio through their digital TV. The lack of interest comes despite the fact that the average price paid for a DAB radio set has been dropping in recent years. It is now £78. But the report did suggest that more than a third of adults now have DAB sets, which was up 5 percentage points on the previous year. The Government has said a decision on switchover can only be made once 50 per cent of listening is via digital. The Ofcom report puts it at 26.5 per cent. DAB coverage must also be comparable to FM, and locally reach 90 per cent of the population on all major roads. The country’s fourth largest radio operator, the UKRD Group, welcomed the report for ‘shining the light on a shambles’ and urged the Government to drop the 2015 switchover target date ‘before it makes a complete fool of itself’. A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: ‘The Government has always been clear that switchover cannot be imposed on an unwilling public.’ A spokesman for Digital Radio UK, the organisation overseeing the process, said: ‘In the past year there has been positive growth in household digital radio penetration from 33 per cent to 38.2 per cent. The report shows that digital radio sales are increasing as a proportion of all radio sales.’ Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020020/Radio-revolution-threatenedanalogue-sets-outsell-DABs-one.html#ixzz1TVjl48Sy (via Sept Mediumwave News via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. http://afrtsarchive.blogspot.com/ Yup, it’s what you think it is, the best of all your favorite AFRTS radio stations over the years, including Vietnam, Korea and Germany (lou josephs, on Sep 6th, 2011 at 18:56, Media Network blog comments via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** U S A. VOICE OF AMERICA'S ROLE IN INTERNET AGE http://www.npr.org/2011/09/03/140163727/voice-of-americas-role-in-internet-age September 3, 2011 Listen to the Story - Weekend Edition Saturday [4 min 43 sec] Host Scott Simon speaks with David Ensor, who took over directorship of Voice of America last month. A longtime journalist for NPR, CNN and ABC News, his most recent post was in Afghanistan, where he was director for communications and public diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. SCOTT SIMON, host: The Voice of America has a weekly audience of 123 million people around the world. Its highly-regarded news and music programs are heard in 44 different languages, from Afan Oromo and Bosnian to Uzbek and Vietnamese. But in this day of the Internet and social media, and a time of shrinking budgets, what interest does the United States have in spending $200 million on a government broadcast service when there are so many sources of information and entertainment available around the world? We're joined in our studios now by the new head of the Voice of America, David Ensor, who was a correspondent for ABC, CNN, even NPR. Most recently, he was director of communications and public diplomacy for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Mr. Director, thanks for being with us. DAVID ENSOR: Scott, thank you so much for having me here. SIMON: I wanted to read a quote to you that New York Times had earlier this summer. They said, quote, "Digital technology risk turning these services" - and they meant VOA, Radio Martí, Radio Sawa in the Middle East - "turning these services into relics of a bygone era when dissidents in closed societies huddled over their transistor radios for scraps of information from the West. Now, dissidents these days we know get a lot of news from Facebook and Twitter, so is the Voice of America still necessary? ENSOR: It's still very necessary and it's on Facebook and Twitter. And in fact, the dissidents you're speaking of in many of the countries that you just mentioned are tuning in to us through those media. There are lots of new platforms now. The ways that humans communicate with each other are diversifying and changing rapidly. Some people think if a golden era when Voice of America was on shortwave radio and there were the huddled masses listening and then looking for the secret police to knock on the door and hide the radio. That's not where we're at now. SIMON: Well then let me come at you from the other direction, because next month the VOA plans to end all radio and TV broadcasts in Mandarin and Cantonese. There's been some criticism of that. The Californian congressman Dana Rohrabacher says it looks like we're succumbing to the wants of the communist Chinese. Now, particularly in a society where Internet communication is so tightly suppressed, isn't there still a lot to be said for those shortwave services? ENSOR: We had to look at them on a case-by-case basis. Our data shows, for example, that shortwave is still a very good way to reach quite a bit of Africa. It's still probably one of the best ways to reach the North Korean population. It has become far less effective in China. My personal feeling is that China's one of the most important places for us to reach, and some of these new platforms that you're talking about - social media, satellite television - are where we need to be headed in China. SIMON: I was very moved when I was reading up for this interview to read the first words that the Voice of America ever broadcast. Are you familiar with those? ENSOR: I'm not. SIMON: February 1, 1942 - obviously, early days of World War II for this country - they played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and said today and every day from now on, we will be with you from America to talk about the war. The news may be good or bad for us. We will always tell you the truth. ENSOR: We're still doing that. And we need to do more of it. And what I want to try to help my colleagues to do is get more people out doing more reporting from stories. We've done some very good stuff out of Libya recently. We're telling the story of the drought in the Horn of Africa, which frankly the commercial networks are not covering very well. It's a story that needs to be told. And, by the way, on September 6th, we'll start some special broadcasting. This is kind of surge broadcasting, if you will, where we're going to use the frequencies of one of our sister stations and start broadcasting information that's useful to the refugees. Tell them about where to find shelter, food, medical help and so forth, try to help the NGOs that are working with the starving people of the Horn of Africa to sort of organize things better and help people know what's going on. SIMON: You expect calls for cutbacks? ENSOR: At VOA? SIMON: Yeah. ENSOR: I think the whole federal government is going to have to look closely at its budgets. I don't think we're immune. The United States has got a serious economic problem and the government has to do - and we are going to do - more on less. But trying to make a virtue out of it, when you have to cut the budget a bit, you can also make change at the same time. We mentioned shortwave radio. You know, it is less and less useful, and there's a certain amount of money being spent on it that should move quickly, and I will try to accelerate that process, into, you know, new media, into Internet sites that are mobile device- friendly, into satellite television broadcasts that can reach in some of these countries. So, we're working on that hard. SIMON: David Ensor, new director of the Voice of America. Thanks so much. ENSOR: It's a pleasure. Copyright © 2011 National Public Radio®. All rights reserved. No quotes from the materials contained herein may be used in any media without attribution to National Public Radio. This transcript is provided for personal, noncommercial use only, pursuant to our Terms of Use. Any other use requires NPR's prior permission. Visit our permissions page for further information. [referenced on WORLD OF RADIO 1581] NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio. Comments: david swerdloff (davearlington) wrote: I have not worked for VOA for several years. But I would like to assure skeptics that nearly all the people I worked alongside were very careful to live up to the Charter -- which was really captured by those first words broadcast during WWII on VOA. Nearly everyone was focused on telling the truth - warts and all - about the world and our country. I helped to host and produce daily programs specifically about America that followed a similar format to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered (longer reports, features and interviews). We tried each day to be honest about the challenges within the USA, and how they were or were not being addressed. We were not shills for the government or corporations, no matter what some of the comments below might argue. And, I suspect, much of the same attitude still prevails -- even as my former colleagues try to reach people largely through new media. That being said, I wish Mr. Ensor had known the early history of VOA. Martha Hyde (Ratcatcher) wrote: ...They may also be only using publicly available computers to avoid being tracked. Furthermore, their own English is not good enough to formulate comments themselves, so they copy and paste comments by someone else that sound something like what they would say in response. They may also be using Google Translate, which itself may be a poor performer of that task for the foreign language in question. (I do not know if Google Translate is available for translating into English from all foreign languages.) There must be a whole other world for young people from these countries, who hear about the Arab Spring, and see what others can say about their own countries, and these "spam" comments may be reflecting that reality. We have seen that there are thousands of voices desperate to be heard in this new e-global world, that could not be heard when Radio-Free Europe and Voice of America was established. It would be great if our news reporters were to ask if people are doing as I describe in many of these countries, but obviously, the person interviewed is often not in a position to speak freely. Martha Hyde (Ratcatcher) wrote: ...There is no reliability of getting that response at a blog or other "comment-able" forum on the web, nor are these comments causing any denial-of-service attack. Obviously they are not advertising the company whose URL is associated with their email address because it doesn't exist. In fact, I got a comment from someone who worked at a company offering pills for male reproductive organs who thought my blog was too "spammy", because I allowed many such comments as I described. This "spammy" comment provoked my wondering "Is spam in the eye of the beholder?". I wonder if the people whose comments are filtered by my blogsite prover as spam are from any kind of Western, freely democratic country, or if they are just young people who have no safe access to the internet at home. They may fear being found out that they are visiting websites where opinions are freely given, so they make up a name, a valid but temporary email address, and a company website to gain entry to the comment section (even though providing a URL is not required) -- all to be taken seriously. The different comments from the same fake URL may actually be the same person who makes up new names and email addresses for every comment.... Martha Hyde (Ratcatcher) wrote: David Ensor is right to say that now dissidents have a lot of other avenues for communicating with the outside world. That is also true for those not necessarily dissident, but just wanting to "join the rest of the world" when they live in countries where they feel they just cannot speak out at all or feel too isolated. I have seen comments classified as "spam" by my blog server which I strongly suspect are not "spam" simply because the filters assume conditions as we see in Western free democracies. Yes, these commenters claim to have websites that do not exist and there are a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes in them. Furthermore, when you do a search on the website provided, you see a lot of other people under other names with the same website and exactly the same or very much similar comments on other blogs. Many of these comments are more substantive than just "I love your website", or "I agree". Thus I have to take what they say seriously, even if it is often difficult to interpret. However, to call them spam begs a question. Spam implies that the person wants a response of some kind... beth aaron (bethaaron) wrote: VOA what is your intent? To push western consumerism to all the so called "developing" nations so we can then say, the world runs on Dunkin, which, if translated, really means the world rund on chemical additives, processed sugar and caffine? Now that's some billing. beth aaron (bethaaron) wrote: TRUTH AND LIBERTY!!! Where are you? Liberty of corporations to sell toxic food made in labs! Liberty to demolish any environmental regulations that might curb increases in respiratory diseases in children, lung diseases in every age group, asthma! Liberty to pay taxes that are used to bail out multi-national banks that use every loophole to lend money so people can have "The American Dream," even if they can't pay it back and call it a free market system? American Gd!!!! Gd weeps at what this nations ethics, values, consumerism, commodity driven destruction of HIS CREATION is doing by our systematic RAPE of Mother Earth. Truth! The TRUTH is that we are at war for energy, war to take over the global food system, forcing genetically modified poisonous seeds, "TERMINATOR" seeds, what an evil name for Gds gift to humankind, down the throats of other nations...Truth, we sicken our own infants in the womb with thousands of carcinogens approved and legalized by the FDA, a corrupt, industry friendly, TAX fuded agency that protects drug companies, approves toxic food additives, and food from science labs. Got ADD/ADHD, Immunological disorders? Frumpy Demon (LudicrousMeanie) wrote: This makes so proud I have to thump the pecs of my red, white and blue American heart. The brilliant voice of America proclaiming the righteous truth of liberty for all the world to hear. New media is the new weapon of choice and will blaze a new path in the tradition of Kenneth Tomlinson. Thank our lucky American God for the brave souls like Scott Simon who combat the proliferation of Islamic extremist philosophy. Make those insurgents confess their crimes on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks to stalwart American Patriots like Michael McManus, Armstrong Williams, Maggie Gallagher, Jeff Gannon, Karen Ryan and Scott Simon, the VOA now can bravely speak it's name to it's own people. Hallelujah! (all via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DXLD) Mr. Ensor's main challenge will be to keep VOA relevant during a new era of content overabundance, rather than the content scarcity of previous decades. During the interview, Mr. Ensor says that on 6 September, VOA will begin special broadcasts with information for Somalia refugees. His reference to working with a "sister station" suggests use of the Radio Sawa medium wave relay at Djibouti. See previous post about similar broadcasts of BBC Somali (Kim Andrew Elliott, kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** U S A. AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE BBG FIREWALL IS TO PROTECT US INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING FROM THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION. Posted: 01 Sep 2011 Heritage Foundation, 31 Aug 2011, Helle Dale: "The U.S. should work with the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make international broadcasting part of an integrated government-wide U.S. counterterrorism communications strategy. The firewall established by the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 between State and BBG to ensure editorial independence for the broadcasters has turned into a detriment in terms of resource allocation and lack of congressional oversight." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) I think the Heritage Foundation misses the Soviet Union. The USSR provided a large, easy-to-hit adversarial target. The Soviet Union also established central planning, which is what the Heritage Foundation would like to employ to "integrate" the content US international broadcasting. Instead of market based international broadcasting, which provides the audience with the credible news they are seeking, a central committee for the coordination of content would determine what the audience should listen to. Except that the audience will tune elsewhere (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A [and non]. BBG SEEKS PROPOSAL FOR VOA SOCIAL NETWORKING STUDIES IN LAGOS, JAKARTA, AND - EVEN THOUGH VOA NO LONGER HAS ARABIC - CAIRO. Posted: 05 Sep 2011 FedBizOpps.gov, 29 July 2011: "The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) Governors [sic: meaning the BBG governors responsible for the IBB?] requires a contractor to conduct a social networking study of the following markets: Lagos, Nigeria, Cairo, Egypt, and Jakarta, Indonesia. The Broadcasting Board of Governors operates the Voice of America (VOA) is a U.S.-based, publicly funded international broadcaster dedicated to providing objective news and information to audiences in under-served media environments around the world. While traditionally focused on delivering its content via broadcast media, VOA is moving aggressively to expand distribution via new media platforms. In particular, recognizing the explosive growth of social networking around the world, VOA is interesting in exploring how this phenomenon can best be used to supplement and enhance its traditional methods of content distribution. To succeed in this effort, VOA requires a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of exactly how web and mobile-based social networking contributes to the flow of information in key markets." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Cairo? VOA no longer broadcasts in Arabic. Arabic has been turned over to Alhurra and Radio Sawa. The report of such a study should say this, but probably won't: In the shortwave era, VOA had 120 million listeners. With the advent of social media, VOA will have 120 million competitors. Going back to shortwave is not the answer (too late now, anyway). But what is the answer in this new age of overabundant content sources? What will elevate US international broadcasting to more than a spit in the ocean? As a first step: the entities of US international broadcasting must quit competing with each other. It is time to consolidate their resources and talents. By the way, I'm responsible for VOA audience research in Indonesia. This is the first I've heard about the Jakarta study. One of the reasons I curate news about international broadcasting from the house where I live is to find out what is going on inside the building where I work (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) ** U S A. VOA en RadioWorld --- Excelente artículo de la actualidad de La Voz de América (VOA) en la edición digital de RadioWorld, entrando a http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/newbay/rwla_201109/index.php#/0 (Rubén G. Margenet, Argentina, Sept 7, condiglist yg via DXLD) Starts on page 1, an illustrated visit to Greenville, translated from English you may have already seen (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 15976 approx., Sept 1 at 1831, very distorted FMy spur with no carrier spreading 15970-15982 in Spanish. First thought is CVC, which has previously put a nasty spur in the 16`s, but no match to Chile 17680. Talking about Cuba and Venezuela, but RHC is nowhere on the air at this hour. So third choice is Radio Martí --- yes, matches 13820, which is 2156 kHz lower, so spur from Greenville --- but could be from one of the two other RM frequencies, 11930 or 9565. Can`t figure out any formula to account for 15976 mixing with RM or any other Greenville frequency (and there aren`t any active after 17820 VOA Portuguese closed at 1830). Recheck at 1955, still going, and significantly, continues after 2000 when GB turns 13820 off and over to Sackville, which is initially inaudible under the jamming, weaker than GB had been. Noticed that the spur is nicely centered in between RTTY on 15960 and 15990, not bothering them. An hour later at 2058 I still hear 15976, and enough of // RM on 13820 to confirm that it`s now out of synch, being routed thru Sackville. The two remaining GB channels with RM, 11930 and 9565, are scheduled until 2400*. I am listening to 15976 again at 2358 and it seems to stop at 2358:30* a bit before the fundamentals do? Hard to tell vs jamming when they really go off. So that`s inconclusive. Meanwhile I had notified GB of the problem, no doubt caused or exacerbated by Irene which blew the entire plant off the air for a biday. So is it from the 9565 or 11930 transmitter? Sept 2 at 1400 I could tell that 11930 had started up as scheduled, under the jamming, a trihour before 9565, but no 15976 audible yet. Checking again at 1656, still no spur, nor even after 9565 had started up at 1700. So it may have been fixed in the meantime. R. Martí was weak, but the daytime-absorbed jamming was weaker, so I heard them promoting a special broadcast Thursday Sept 8 at 8 pm --- I surely hope it`s Pres. Obama`s much-anticipated speech to a joint session of Congress, rather than a silly ballgame, which usually appear on weekends (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 15145, very poor Sept 4 at 1326, Khmer talk mentioning Washington several times, so suspect IBB; cut off at 1329 without a VOA closing. Yes, HFCC shows 15145, 1230-1330, 250 kW, 73 degrees in Khmer via Iranawila, SRI LANKA, and Aoki refines it as RFA rather than VOA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also unID 21650 etc. ** U S A. WORLD OF RADIO 1580: not ready in time for 0330 UT Thursday on WRMI, so first airing at 1500 on 9955. Further opportunities: Thursday 2101 on WTWW 9479, and WRMI 9955; Thursday 2130 on WBCQ 7415. WWRB website says from Sept 1 they are on `winter`! schedule using 3215 and 3195, which I think implies that 5051 will no longer be in use. For WOR UT Friday 0330v check 3195 if not heard on 5051. More WRMI airings: Friday 1430, Saturday 0800, 1500, 1730, Sunday 0800, 1530, 1730. WTWW, UT Sunday 0400 on 5755. WBCQ, UT Monday 0300v on 5110v-CUSB (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1580 monitoring: at 2100 UT Thursday Sept 1, confirmed on WTWW 9479 and starting later in the minute on WRMI 9955, not jammed but weak here. Also confirmed at 0330 UT Friday Sept 2 on WWRB still on 5051. Their `winter` switch to 3215/3195 as of Sept 1 has not happened yet, nothing from WWRB on either frequency earlier in evening. At 0500 UT Friday Sept 2, confirmed on WRMI webcast, starting shortly after ACB Radio Mainstream webcast, which repeats 2-hourly thru 2330 Fridays, via http://www.acbradio.org/mainstream (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 12100, Sept 4 at 0455 I notice WTWW-3 is still going in Portuguese Bible-reading; vanished at 0459:30* when I was not listening closely, but don`t think there was a sign-off. It returns circa 1300v in Arabic (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9330, Sept 1 at 1233 weak carrier, can`t make out any modulation, WBCQ or completely off uncovering another? But there is nothing else except Syria registered, tho never known active before 1600. Anyhow, by 1407, 9330 is WBCQ modulating about Solomon. 9330, Sept 5 at 0537 no signal from WBCQ (instead of reduced carrier and no modulation); tho 9370 WTJC was in as usual, along with propagation from France, 9535 Algeria relay. Next check at 1317, 9330 back on as usual with distorted music on CUSB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 17510, Sept 4 at 1302 while checking for IRELAND [non] on 17500, found huge buzzing carrier here with frying sound. Next check at 1318, 17510 was off, but I have little doubt it was a tuneup/test from WHRI, which does occupy 17510 later on Sundays: 1408 VG with screaming gospel huxter. But not any more if we may believe HFCC registrations showing WHRI 17510 expires Sept 4: had been Sat/Sun 1400-1500 at 57 degrees, Mon-Sat 1500-1600 at 87 degrees. But that doesn`t mean it was even really on the air all those hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 9265 WINB 2250 4 Sept, delirious man shouting! (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmm, I would put it more politely as ``screaming gospel huxter`` -- let`s check their posted program schedule to see who it might be? That was Sunday: ``Terry Blalock``, oh yeah, him again (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WWCR 3215 sent F/D QSL card in 7 months. V/s Cathy, Program Director, apologized for long delay, saying she'd found a stack of unanswered reports on someone else's desk (Bruce Portzer, WA, Sept 5, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15825, Sept 5 at 1224, WWCR is inbooming instead of inaudible, tnx to sporadic E activity (there was an opening yesterday evening I totally missed over eastern USA, reaching FM), with gospel huxter, splattering 15800-15840, and also matching modulation spikes circa 15670 vs the Chinese radio war. (Today by 1430, there is more Es on the 50 MHz DX Sherlock map all over central USA.) Recheck at 1252, `Ask WWCR` in progress, saying that they did test 17580 twice in the 21-24 UT period with the `spare` WWCR-4 transmitter, received no reports except from their own monitoring, got into Slovakia, Germany, western USA, excellent results, and ``may work it into the mix later``. 9350 after 21 is beginning to weaken and may replace it with 5070 soon; also will be using 3195 [which WWRB also says it is using, but really not yet]. Since I had missed the first half, I listened online to the `latest` edition, #346 for Aug 27-Sept 9, but it wasn`t the same! Discussed upcoming HFCC and said this edition might run 3 weeks instead of 2 as they would be away at the conference disrupting usual scheduling. Said ``two Mondays ago in the early evening hours``, CR-1 was down with a blown switch, so they substituted the spare CR-4 transmitter for it and did not lose any airtime. 15825, Sept 6 at 2017, WWCR is once again enhanced by off-season sporadic E on HF to VG signal of S9+22+, which also audiblizes the matching modulation spike field approx. 15620-15705 peaking 15670, and a slightly weaker one 15480-15530, fortunately barely missing Kuwait, the only decent signal in the area, on 15540. However, this time I could not hear the +/- 15.6 kHz spur carriers circa 15810 and 15840, altho splash outward from 15825 was reaching that far. And still I don`t find spike fields to match on the high side which if exactly mirroring would range 15945-16030 and 16120-16170. Of course, WWCR-1 really ought to be occupying no more than 15820-15830 max (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 17690, Sept 1 at 1827, ümlauty talk in Türkish mentioning Germany. HFCC reveals it`s YFR at 17-19, 250 kW, 102 degrees via BaBCock, Woofferton UK (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 11175-USB, Sept 3 at 0506, Andrews AFB, Maryland, SE of Washington DC, with coded message in military fonetix: 6CPZWFYIZ6ZSUN2NKY6RMKYNRMHIJZUGOSFSZLIOM4 Finished with, `This completes [something]. . .42 characters, Andrews, Out`` And indeed there were 42. Just for fun, I Googled on that and, would you believe, no hits. But there will be now (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 580, UT Sunday at 1207, President Obama`s weekly `media` address on need for Congress to pass transportation bill ASAP upon reconvening. 1209 segué to Home Depot ad with no outro, no doubt our daytime dominator WIBW Topeka, doing its duty by broadcasting the president, but in the Sunday morning ghetto for as small an audience as possible some 22 hours after original availability. Checking program schedule at http://580wibw.com/programs.html this is listed as 7:00-7:15 am Sundays, tho he never runs more than 5 minutes. WIBW is not so bad with the only obvious far-right wacko on its lineup being Glenn Beck, partly because of its dual identity as sports talk and regular talk (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 910, Sept 3 at 1246 UT, Latin mass stix out, whence? Surely not KVIS Miamuh OK, not Catholic. EWTN affiliate list http://www.ewtn.com/radio/amfm.asp has only one on 910, Guadalupe Radio Network, KATH Dallas-Fort Worth. http://grnonline.info/ And its program schedule confirms daily mass from EWTN [also on WEWN SW, unchecked] at 7-8 am = 12-13 UT; Sundays for a sesquihour: http://grnonline.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64&Itemid=70 KATH is really licensed to Frisco TX, 1000/500 watts. What a great call, ``KATH-olik`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. MEXICO [non]. 990, at 1220 UT Sept 2, most of the Mexicans have faded out, but still a strong dominant signal here and hard to null, with SS ballad, 1222 ``Radio Éxitos`` singing ID, then more upbeat ballad by YL or kid with a big voice; 1226 ``El Amor --- Radio Éxitos 9-90 AM, La Mejor``. 1230 a more extensive ID/promo just lacking the needed details: ``Radio Éxitos 9-90 AM``, something about not saying any dirty words. Next song romantic, including refrain/lyrix ``se va muriendo, quiero vivir``, ``en mi casa, en mi alma, hay un sitio para ti``. Major suspect is The Metroplex outlet hijacked several years ago from Wichita Falls, now KFCD, COL Farmersville TX. New NRC-AM Log still shows it as Spanish religion, but Googling on slogan and frequency gets hits on KFCD including Wikipedia with this update note: ``On june 4 2011 Till Today Is Broadcasting Spanish Hits 70" 80" Called Radio Exitos 990 Recuerdos y Mas`` (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1060, Sept 2 at 1158 UT, Spanish gospel music, ID ``La I-H- N``; I had previously learned to avoid this one as non-Mexican, but for the record this season: it`s really KIJN, 10 kW daytimer in Farwell TX, panhandle next to NM; as in In Jesus` Name (or In His Name?). Guess what, this is well before local sunrise, as it`s a few minutes before sunrise even here in Enid far to the east of it. FCC AM Query has no pre-sunrise authority info, but NRC AM Log 2011-2012 shows psra of 3 watts. I don`t think so. (Date is correct; omitted from yesterday`s log). Also hearing Spanish gospel music on 1060, Sept 3 at 1247, still some skywave, after not hearing KKOB on 770 from 1245 when it is supposed to switch to non-direxional day pattern. Should start showing later in September. 1060, UT Sept 4 at 0259, Spanish song mentioning `pecados` = sins, making me suspect it`s the gospel huxter in TX also heard before sunrise: yes, at 0301 UT, in QRM caught ``Farwell`` mentioned in ID. So KIJN is Doing God`s Work illegally at night, as FCC AM Query confirms it`s licensed strictly as a 10 kW daytimer: http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=4931 And the SR/SS times for it converted to UT are: September 1230-0100 October 1300-0015 November 1330-2345 December 1345-2345 Anything beyond that is `cheating`. 1060, Sept 6 at 1201, Spanish ID for KIJN, Farwell, Tejas. Cf my previous report, Wayne Heinen, editor of the new NRC AM Log, 2011- 2012, just out (see http://www.nrcdxas.org/catalog/books/index1.html for ordering info; highly recommended!) points out that pre-sunrise and post-sunset authorizations are not found via FCC AM Query pages, but instead ``via FCC`s CDBS site. Using the CDBS station search: http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_sear.htm Go to Details on the station`s search form. Then View Correspondence Folder. This link will show the PSRA and PSSA documents for the station if any exist." If you follow these, you get a pdf that lists KIJN`s PSRA at: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=3821 which shows they may use up to 3.0 watts starting at 6 am CST/CDT yearound, except in June a hefty 6.0 watts (since sunrises are earliest, and the ``limiting station``, XEEP can tolerate ``twice`` as much QRM!). KIJN is also very fortunate to be just barely in the CDT zone, as if licensed to Texico NM just across the border they could not sign on their ``three watts`` until 1200 UT summer, 1300 winter. KIJN also has a PSSA at http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=1857 showing they may also use 3.0 watts for two hours after official sunset yearound, which in Sept means 0100-0300 UT. My last log was just after 0300, but maybe they were about to sign off. Currently they should not be on the air even with 3 watts between 0300 and 1100 UT, but Wayne says, ``KIJN has been running all-night for quite a while with no authorization that I can find.`` The fact remains that when I hear them in the PSRA or PSSA periods, they can`t possibly be running only three watts. I have read that it`s difficult-to-impossible to power down many transmitters to that level even if they wanted to, so it could be the full 10 kW, or anywhere between that and some reasonably audible lower power at this distance. A longer discussion of this, with the complete PSRA/PSSA tables for KIJN will be in DXLD 11-36 (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, from page ix of the new 32nd edition of the NRC AM Log: "Beginning this year a proofing of the PSRA and PSSA in the FCC`s CDBS has begun. We have added codes for LSRA `Limited Sun Rise Authority` and LSSA `Limited Sunset Authority`. These indicate where the station has an Authority but it is limited in the number of months out of the year that it has been authorized. This is done to protect other stations on the channel from interference during these periods. Those wishing to find the exact Authority can review the documents at the FCC`s CDBS site. Using the CDBS station search: http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_sear.htm Go to Details on the station`s search form. then View Correspondence Folder. This link will show the PSRA and PSSA documents for the station if any exist." If you follow KIJN for these you get a pdf listing the following at: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=3821 ********************************************************************** NOTICE OF PARAMETERS FOR OPERATION UNDER PRE-SUNRISE AUTHORITY (PSRA) FEBRUARY 27, 2007 (Post this letter with your current authorization ) ********************************************************************** Pursuant to Section 73.99 of FCC Rules and Regulations, Pre-Sunrise operation (PSRA) is permitted in accordance with the parameters listed below. The powers listed below are maximum values that may not be exceeded. However, operation at any power not in excess of those listed is permissible. ********************************************************************** FACILITY ID: 4931 CALCULATIONS BASED ON: CALL: KIJN CITY: FARWELL STATE: TX LICENSED FACILITY ANTENNA: DAYTIME FREQUENCY: 1060 KHZ BL-19970114AB MONTH START CONVERSION NOMINAL LIMITING TIME FACTOR POWER-WATTS STATION JANUARY 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP FEBRUARY 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP MARCH (STD.) 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP MARCH (ADV.) 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP APRIL 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP MAY 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP JUNE 6:00 0.0244 6.0 XEEP JULY 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP AUGUST 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP SEPTEMBER 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP OCTOBER 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP NOVEMBER (ADV.) 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP NOVEMBER (STD.) 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP DECEMBER 6:00 0.0173 3.0 XEEP And: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=1857 REVISED PARAMETERS FOR OPERATION UNDER POST-SUNSET AUTHORITY (PSSA) FEBRUARY 28, 2007 (Post this letter with your current authorization ) THIS AUTHORIZATION SUPERSEDES ANY PREVIOUS POST-SUNSET AUTHORITY ********************************************************************** Post-Sunset operation as set forth below is authorized. These values may not be exceeded, but operation at lower power is permitted. ********************************************************************** FACILITY ID: 4931 CALCULATIONS BASED ON: CALL: KIJN CITY: FARWELL STATE: TX LICENSED FACILITY ANTENNA: DAYTIME FREQUENCY: 1060 KHZ BL-19970114AB ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | MONTH | TIME | POWER | CONV. | | MONTH | TIME | POWER | CONV. | | | PERIOD | WATTS | FACTOR| | PERIOD | WATTS | FACTOR | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | JAN | 6:00- 7:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | JULY | 9:00-10:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 7:00- 8:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | |10:00-11:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | FEB | 6:30- 7:30| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | AUG | 8:45- 9:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 7:30- 8:30| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 9:45-10:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | MAR | 7:00- 8:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | SEP | 8:00- 9:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(STD.) 8:00- 9:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 9:00-10:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(TIME) | | | | | | | | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | MAR | 8:00- 9:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | OCT | 7:15- 8:15| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(ADV.) 9:00-10:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 8:15- 9:15| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(TIME) | | | | | | | | | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | APR | 8:30- 9:30| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | NOV | 6:45- 7:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 9:30-10:30| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(ADV.) 7:45- 8:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | | | | | (TIME) | | | | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | MAY | 8:45- 9:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | NOV | 5:45- 6:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 9:45-10:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |(STD.) 6:45- 7:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | | | | |(TIME) | | | | |------------------------------------- ------------------------------- | JUN | 9:00-10:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | DEC | 5:45- 6:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | |10:00-11:00| 3.0 | 0.0173 | | | 6:45- 7:45| 3.0 | 0.0173 | |--------------------------------------------------------------------- --(All times listed are PM local time) [copied and reformatted by gh] AM Query is not where psra & pssa info is found. You are very correct that KIJN has been running all-night for quite a while with no authorization that I can find. Hope this will allow you to find these elusive buggers in the future (Wayne Heinen, CO, editor of NRC AM Log, Sept 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx, Wayne. So that means they are authorized 3 watts starting at 6 am CST/CDT, i.e. 1200/1100 UT, except 6 watts in June (because of earliest sunrises), and also 3 watts during the specified pm CST/CDT hours after sunset. The conversion factor has to do with how to achieve the authorized power with input to the full-power transmitter. I don`t know why there are two different one-hour time periods in the evening shown, but what it amounts to is that they have two hours (only) after official sunset times (0100 UT = 8:00 pm CDT in September) to remain on the air, with 3 watts. So currently they should not be on the air at all between 0300 and 1100 UT; my log above shows I just happened to hear them just past 0300, but I don`t know if they were about to close down, with all the QRM. The fact remains that when I hear them in the PSRA or PSSA period, they can`t possibly be running only three watts. I have read that it`s difficult-to-impossible to power down many transmitters to that level even if they wanted to, so it could be the full 10 kW, or anywhere between there and some reasonably audible lower power at this distance (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. AFTER 57 YEARS, WTMP-AM [sic] Faces New Future Without Familiar Voices --- By Eric Deggans, Times TV/Media Critic In Print: Friday, September 2, 2011 WTMP-AM's 57-year tradition of serving as the voice of Tampa's black community may end today, as new managers take over the programming, fire the old staff and start a new format. The new programming may not begin until after Labor Day next week. But the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show — one of the most popular programs among black listeners nationwide — and The Michael Baisden Show will no longer air on WTMP. [. . .] http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/article1189220.ece [. . .] The station's AM signal at 1150 (along with a weaker FM broadcast at 96.1) also was difficult to hear in many parts of the Tampa Bay area. Outgoing local sales manager Angela Brewton estimated about a dozen full- and part-time staffers will lose jobs in the change (via Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, DXLD) SEPTEMBER 01, 2011 --- WTMP-AM [sic] MAY END 57-YEAR HISTORY AS VOICE OF TAMPA'S BLACK COMMUNITY AT 6 P.M. FRIDAY [1150 kHz] http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/wtmp-am-may-end-57-year-history-voice-tampas-black-community-6-pm-friday Tampa radio station WTMP-AM's 57-year tradition of serving as the voice of the local black community may end Friday, as new managers take over the programming, firing the staff and starting a new format. The new programming for WTMP (heard at 1150 on AM and 96.1 FM) may not begin until after Labor Day next week. But the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show — one of the most popular programs among black listeners nationwide — and The Michael Baisden Show will no longer air on WTMP. An executive behind the change would not confirm or deny rumors that the station will transition to a Spanish-language format at 6 p.m. Friday. But former staffers and fans are left feeling as if Tampa’s black community has lost its biggest broadcast institution — just four years after a struggle over debt wrested control of WTMP from the black- owned, family-run media company who had operated it for 10 years. “It’s like a death in the family,” said Alex Jordann, 53, the station’s former program director, who was raised in Tampa and returned to work for the station last year. “It was a voice for the black community...a station I grew up listening to that inspired me to get into radio. It’s Tampa without the A’s.” (See a detailed St. Pete Times story on WTMP's legal and financial issues by clicking here) http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/how-hedge-fund-deal-cost-minority-owners-their-control-of-wtmp-in-tampa/1086601 Starting Friday, WTMP will be programmed by Davidson Media Group, a company with 32 stations in 12 markets known largely for Hispanic- centered radio. WTMP has been at the center of a complex and heated legal battle since 2007, when difficulties in repaying a $20-million loan from a New York hedge fund led the Florida-based Cherry brothers to lose control of nine radio stations owned by their Tama Broadcasting Inc., including the Tampa station. In 2008, Texas-based Scott Savage was appointed as a receiver in control of Tama’s broadcast licenses by the hedge fund. Savage said Davidson Media will pay to run the programing on WTMP, selling advertising on the station and pocketing any profits. His hope is that a successful run by Davidson would improve the station’s value enough for a sale which could repay the loanholder, now known as Fortress Investment Group. “We decided to change our direction to a format that is going to generate more listeners in the next couple of years,” said Savage, who wouldn’t say what the new format might be and didn’t know when Davidson Media might implement it. “(WTMP) is competing against FM stations that have a much better signal and are owned by the likes of Clear Channel and CBS Radio,” he added, referencing CBS’s rap-focused WLLD-FM (94.1) and Clear Channel’s urban station WBTP-FM (95.7). “We did everything we could to compete as basically an insolvent company.” But Charles W. Cherry II, the former vice president and general counsel for Tama, accused the hedge fund and its managers of destroying in just a few years what took them a decade to build. “They replaced us with some money-driven outsiders who have no tie to the community,” said Cherry, whose family still owns the black- centered, statewide Florida Courier newspaper along with the Daytona Times and radio stations in Daytona Beach and Greenville, S.C. “If they knew how to run a radio station, they wouldn’t need to change the format.” Cherry, whose younger brother Glenn served as general manager for WTMP, said they are still appealing court decisions and pursuing complaints with federal officials. He saw their fate as part of a larger pattern of Wall Street financiers taking ownership of radio stations from small, often-black-owned companies and running them with skeleton crews to minimize expenses before selling them off. Once known for organizing cleanup campaigns in housing projects and sponsoring community events, WTMP in recent years relied on syndicated shows from Joyner and Baisden with a lack of local flavor. The station’s AM signal (along with a weaker FM broadcast at 96.1), also was difficult to hear in many part of the Tampa Bay area. Outgoing local sales manager Angela Brewton estimated about a dozen full and part-time staffers will lose jobs in the change. As some hope another radio company may pick up Joyner or Baisden and continue the format — Cox Radio has a strong urban station in Orlando which already airs Joyner, WCFB-FM — fans mourn the loss of WTMP’s over half-century legacy of addressing Tampa’s black community. “WTMP as we know it now, is gone,” said Jarvis El-Amin, co-host and producer of Honest Opinion, a talk show discussing community issues which aired on Saturday mornings. “Now we don’t have an urban radio station for adults. The community loses. The politicians lose. Everybody loses.” (via Brock Whaley, HI for DXLD) WTMP 1150 Egypt Lake, FL --- Noted mid-morning today (Sept. 3) with tropicale vocals and I confirm the slogan is "la Bahía". Apparently teasing for gear-up Monday, as no commercials, a couple of long, dead open carriers heard today. Also, long, canned legal start ID's (mentioning the puny FM signal way, way north of Tampa first, oddly) such as at 2337. FM signal is around 4-5 seconds ahead of AM. None of the music segues, gaps between, as in cheap canned audio. Maybe they flipped yesterday -- I didn't think to check -- but I did hit their website mid-day at the office, and it was simply a "WTMP under construction" placeholder. This appears to confirm the flip was yesterday, and it's an LMA: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/new-programmer-confirms-switch-spanish-language-format-wtmp-am-now-called-la-bahia So, I wonder who's under them a little while after post-sunset enhancement (between those long gaps between songs) with a Braves game (mention of Chipper Jones). I don't see any obvious format standouts, but a flagship flipping to a game (and it might not be Braves) is not unusual. Being that the Braves are playing Los Angeles, that means it's likely either a GA or north FL station, and I see no likely possibilities here. And that signal is gone by 0000Z (8 pm local). ************************************************************** "It's hard to decide if TV makes morons out of everyone, or if it mirrors Americans who really are morons to begin with. " ~ Martin Mull ************************************************************** (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W; Florida Low Power Radio Stations: http://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1150, FLORIDA, WTMP. Egypt Lake. This long-time Urban Contemporary format station has flipped to Spanish. Noted mid-morning September 3 with tropical vocals and the slogan "la Bahía". Apparently teasing for gear-up Monday, as no commercials, also a couple of dead air periods heard today. Long, canned Spanish ID's (mentioning the puny FM signal way, way north of Tampa first, oddly). FM signal is around 4-5 seconds ahead of AM. None of the music segues and with gaps between. Maybe they flipped yesterday -- I didn't think to check -- but I did hit their website mid-day at the office, and it was simply a "WTMP under construction" placeholder. This appears to confirm the flip was yesterday, and it's an LMA: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/new-programmer-confirms-switch-spanish-language-format-wtmp-am-now-called-la-bahia 1150, GEORGIA, WJEM, Valdosta. 2350 September 4, 2011. Presume the one, audible between long gaps between songs on local WTMP, with a Braves game (mention of Chipper Jones). No ID, but they are an ESPN affiliate, and doubt WSNW, Walhalla at 370 watts despite being a Braves affiliate station. Gerry Bishop in the FL panhandle confirms he's heard Braves games from WJEM previously (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WVLZ-1180 AND WKCE-1120 ON WITH HS FOOTBALL Co-owned daytimers WVLZ-1180 Knoxville TN and WKCE-1120 Maryville TN are again on at night with HS football games. They're actually running ads in the newspapers plugging their weekly coverage on both stations, listing dates and teams through early December. 1120 is Bearden Bulldogs vs. William Blount Governors; 1180 is Alcoa Tornadoes vs. Loudon Redskins Don't confuse WVLZ-1180 with daytimer WZQZ Trion GA; they're also on with HS FB and often burying WVLZ here (Steve Francis, Alcoa, Tennessee, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) Steve, I am guessing that both stations will be continuing to run after-hours then. Even more curious, as I happened to do an archive search of the Daily Times (the paper serving Blount County TN and the communities of Alcoa and Maryville) is that high schools signed agreements with those stations to be their official voice with the knowledge that they were licensed as daytimers. An oddity that I discovered regarding radio coverage for TN sports is that schools designate one (and only one) station to carry their games ostensibly due to limited room in school pressboxes. Needless to say, as I found out while in Alcoa/Maryville last week is that not all stations were happy with this. WBCR (am 1470) as an example is running little blurbs blasting school officials for their perceived being locked out in the assignment process; apparently, they were shocked that Alcoa High went with a licensed daytimer rather than them when WBCR lost out to AM 1400 WGAP for Maryville games. Kind of crazy, and I wonder if eventually 1120/1180 will be hearing from the FCC for this rather obvious breach of their licensing authority (Mike Pietruk, IRCA via DXLD) Thanks for this info, Mike! I think I found that archived article by Googling "daily times" and "radio station barred." My favorite part is "Officials are aware the radio stations must cease operations at night, and they're not overly concerned about it." According to a newspaper ad day before yesterday, 1120/1180 have now lined up SPONSORS for the night broadcasts (Steve Francis, Alcoa, Tennessee, ibid.) ** U S A. 1190, Sept 3 at 1214 UT, ad for ``1190 The Fan`` and other stations in group looking for a sales rep. That leads to KREB in Bentonville AR, http://1190thefan.com/ (Glenn Hauser, Enid OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1480, open carrier, UT Sunday Sept 4 at 1224, loops for my groundwave semi-local in Wichita, KQAM, which is supposedly 24 hours. 1232 recheck, now modulating a gospel huxter who proclaimed it`s almost 2010 near the end of 2009. Wonder if he`s dead by now like PPP, DGS, or as good as dead like `Tony Alámo`, Harold Camping (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re 11-35: 1510+, Sept 1 at 0544, KCTE Independence MO is *still* putting a wavering het against 1510.0 stations, for at least the fifth night in a row, instead of zero-beating *and* turning off the transmitter at night like it is required to do by license. 1510+, Sept 6 at 1224, sports talk with het from off-frequency KCTE Independence MO. I need to recheck in the nightmiddle whether this daytimer is still on the air then as they had been for a week. 1510, Sept 7 at 0522 check, no het, so daytimer KCTE Independence MO has quit broadcasting at night; someone else had sports talk amid CCI. Some 6.5 hours later, the wavering het on 1510.8 or so was back, affirming that KCTE is still off-frequency, in the daytime at least (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RE: 1510. Just another example of the poor state of AM broadcasting nowadays. See my post about WTHQ 750 in this section. http://www.wtfda.info/showthread.php?5089-Wthq-750 FWIW: WTHQ is running properly, lately, but it won't last. You can bet the ranch on it. It's is back to Right Wing programming, again. WTHQ's sister station (owned by the same duct-tape & fence-wire outfit) WRIK-FM 98.3 Metropolis, IL (tx at Golo, KY, 5 miles south of me) hasn't had any tower lights since early in the Summer. A year or two ago KMAL 1470 Malden, MO was 700 cycles off frequency, and ran this way for a week or so, before someone finally took a screwdriver to it and got it back on frequency. Several years ago I listened to a 1/4 kW religious station (I forget who it was, now. I'm gettin' old) from somewhere down in MS, for better part of a week before I finally heard an ID. The sad truth is, the FCC is too busy, selling RF spectrum it doesn't own, to be bothered with enforcement action. 73, (Ed NN2E, Benton KY, Owner / Operator - Murphy's Law Test Site & Thunderstorm Proving Grounds, WTFDA AM Forum via DXLD) ** U S A. I was listening to Spanish religion on 1540 and found it to be coming from KXEL! At least I assume this to be the case - I heard programming from the Ministerio Vida Victoriosa whose website mentions broadcasts on KXEL, as does the KXEL website itself, although KXEL make no mention that the broadcast is in Spanish. 73 (Andrew Brade, UK, Sept 2, MWCircle yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) KXEL was running a Brother Stair programme at 0300. What time did you hear the Spanish, Andrew? (Paul Crankshaw, ibid.) In the half hour before 0500 [UT]. Their schedule says Bro. Stair 10.00-11.00 and Alfredo Galván 11.30-12.00 [CDT]. I heard the start and end of the programme at 0430 and 0500 (Andrew Brade, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, ibid.) KXEL program schedule shows `Galvan Revivals`, 7 nights a week at that time (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) ** U S A. MINNESOTA PIRATE ON 1650 KHZ BUSTED IN JULY http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-308327A1.html Oh, and on 1620 and 1630: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-308328A1.html And 1620 in Richmond Hill, NY http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-309312A1.html (via Terry Krueger, Sept 1, DXLD) ** U S A. Re 11-35: New transmitter site 1660 KRZI Waco --- Pretty big improvement over Houston! (Bruce Carter, Sept 2, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. X-band ESPN radio --- Gente, fíjense un detalle, en el pequeño DXcamp que hicimos en el aeropuerto de Cinco Saltos (Provincia de Rio Negro, Argentina) tuvimos muy buena escucha de la ESPN radio en 1700 kHz; lo curioso era el horario 07:50 Hs LU, prácticamente de día donde estábamos, la distancia era enorme, pero transitando en la llamada ``Zona gris``? Aquí el video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mogME3omiNU (Jose Kucher, Sept 6, condiglist yg via DXLD) ¿Cuántos saltos habrá dado la onda en 1700 Khz para llegar a Cinco Saltos? ¿No es fina la pregunta? Admito que haya una "zona gris". Pero yo también tengo mía: ¡Es mi materia gris! Con 3/4 litro de Ampakama me voy lúcido a dormir. Hasta mañana! RGM (Ruben Guillermo Margenet, ibid.) A aprox 1500 km por salto, imagino bastantes, jaja; un provechito a tu salud (Hic) JK (Kucher, ibid.) They never mention call or location, just a yanqui other than usual KVNS Brownsville; must be KBGG, Des Moines IA, at 1050 UT (gh) ** U S A. FIRE DESTROYS RADIO STATION STUDIOS The Hutchinson News, Kansas, September 3, 2011 http://www.firefightingnews.com/article-us.cfm?articleID=100439 An early morning fire Friday destroyed the downtown Hutchinson studios of radio stations KSKU, KXKU, KNZS and KWHK and caused smoke damage to Sparks Music and the Wiley Building, which were on opposite sides of the radio stations at 106 N. Main. Sparks Music and the soda fountain at Fraese Drug Store in the Wiley building were closed, but Downtown Development Director Jim Seitnater said other businesses in the 100 block of North Main would be opening Friday despite the inconvenience of the block being closed to traffic and parking. Fire fighters remained on the scene as smoke occasionally wafted from the roof, and Hutchinson Fire Department Inspector Loyal Peevyhouse said they were awaiting heavy equipment that would be used to begin tearing the building down. Peevyhouse said the fire was reported at about 2:30 a.m. The first unit immediately called for other units to assist. Firefighters began attacking the fire through the front and rear doors until they noticed that the roof, which was supported by steel beams, was starting to come down. "Then they had to back out and go to a defensive fire," he said. "They put up the aerial and started squirting water on the roof and spraying hoses through the front and back doors." The last employee of the stations had gone home between 10 and 11 p.m. Thursday, and the stations were playing automated programming until the fire knocked them off the air. Cliff Shank, owner of the radio stations, said he had been told that firefighters found the back door broken open and that the fire might be arson. However, Peevyhouse said the fire wasn't being classified as arson at this point and was simply under investigation. The back door, he said, had burned away, although the frame and hinges were intact and would be examined to determine if the door had been open. Shank said firefighters had been able to pull some of the computers that held the station's music and commercial library out of the fire, but he didn't know yet whether they had been damaged by the heat. Shank said his business was well insured and that he plans to rebuild on the site. In the meantime, he said, he is looking into the possibility of setting up a temporary studio in the Wiley Building, but it would be at least two weeks and possibly a month before the four stations get back on the air. The stations broadcast from four towers scattered around Reno County but that the Main Street studio was the hub for all four and what went out on the air. The company that owns all four stations is Ad Astra Per Aspera Broadcasting, which pays homage to the state motto of "To the stars through difficulty." "And we have some difficulty right now," Shank said (via Mike Terry, UK, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO D.J. IN CATSKILLS OFFERED A LIFELINE DURING THE STORM - NYTimes http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/nyregion/radio-dj-in-catskills-offered-a-lifeline-during-the-storm.html WINDHAM, N.Y. — In these days of smartphones and social media, a small-town radio D.J. like Big Jay Fink may seem like an improbable source of emergency information. But as the banks gave way and the power went down across wide swaths of the Catskill Mountains during Tropical Storm Irene, Mr. Fink served as a lifeline for thousands of people who were cut off from just about all forms of communication and information. As floodwaters rose on the morning of Aug. 28, Mr. Fink interrupted the regular Sunday programming on WRIP-FM (97.9); instead of a classic Casey Kasem countdown, listeners found Mr. Fink — beginning what would be a 13-hour on-air marathon. He calmly fielded calls from people trapped by the surging waters and doled out information on makeshift shelters. For many of the 49,000 people spread out over the 650-odd square miles that make up Greene County, Mr. Fink became the voice of the storm. “The worst of it was the calls from Prattsville; people saying, ‘I am on the roof of my trailer,’ and asking where their rescue was,” he said. Mr. Fink, 54, is an old-school radio guy who got his start at a university radio station. He was supposed to be on vacation when the storm hit; he could not afford to go anywhere, so he opted to just hang out at the radio station, which operates out of an old bowling alley not far from Windham’s main street. On Saturday night, as the storm began to rain down, a friend dropped off a cot so Mr. Fink would be near the microphone if things took a turn for the worse. On Sunday morning, as the water kept rising, he began breaking into the station’s programs, giving updates throughout “Direct Connection,” a Christian radio show, and the Casey Kasem program. About 9 a.m., power and a number of the region’s cellphone towers were knocked out, leaving thousands without any way of communicating. WRIP’s backup generator kicked in, and the phone, an old-fashioned land line, started ringing. It has not stopped since. For days Mr. Fink, who was soon joined by his colleague Joe Loverro, played matchmaker, soothing stranded residents, taking down numbers to relay to rescue workers and passing on information about makeshift shelters and closed roads. The two personalities and other WRIP employees guided listeners through the arrival of the National Guard, carrying emergency supplies, to towns like Prattsville, and kept people apprised of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s trip on Wednesday to that community, which was devastated by the storm. People listened, first from radios powered by batteries or generators, and later from their cars as they drove around to survey the damage, which may top $1 billion in New York alone, Mr. Cuomo has estimated. “I don’t know any emergency numbers, and I really would love to know if anybody can tell me what is happening in Hensonville,” one frantic caller, Joan, said that Sunday. “My son I know is in his house, probably on the second floor, and the neighbors are in their house and I don’t know any number.” Mr. Fink’s apartment is above a garage near the banks of the Batavia Kill, which overflowed and flooded much of downtown Windham. He said that on Sunday night, he fed his cat and rented a room nearby on higher ground. Mr. Fink typically takes listeners through the day “playing the mountaintop’s best music mix, on ‘Midday in the Mountains.’ ” And even during the peak of the storm’s damage, Mr. Fink would play music between listeners’ calls, giving him time to try to find out what stranded residents could not. He said he was careful in the music he selected. “I didn’t want sad songs; I didn’t want happy songs,” he said. “I wanted songs about being together.” He played tunes like Rick Springfield’s “Jesse’s Girl”; “Hold On,” by Michael Bublé; and the Four Seasons hit “December, 1963” (it begins with the lyrics “Oh what a night”). This is not the first time people have recently turned to radio in times of disaster. After Hurricane Katrina, two radio stations temporarily combined operations, becoming the United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans. Nor is radio the only conduit for information; in the Catskills, the Web site Watershed Post, which provides news on the region, started a live blog, connecting residents and concerned New Yorkers alike searching for information. But there is no doubt that Mr. Fink and WRIP — named after Rip Van Winkle, the Washington Irving character whose home was in the Catskills — served a need. “This is just what we do,” he said. “We are not a big operation, but we are here, and right now that is what matters.” (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. 96.5, FLORIDA, W243AK, Bradenton. 1713 September 5, 2011. This one dominating the channel with modern and Southern black gospel, occasional national ads such as State Farm and General Steel. Finally, one commercial break with a promo for a local show, "... on PRAISE 1590 and 96.5 FM." So, it's a WRXB translator and in perfect parallel to 1590 WRXB, St. Pete Beach, both listed in the FCC dB as owned by Polnet Communications, Ltd. I wasn't aware of this translator, at least the audio source (though the translator has been on active status FCC file since May, 2000). Weak on the PR-D5, when placed in just the right spot in the room. Looks like owner Ed Edwards lives in Sarasota. His profile (typowz included) cut-and-pasted from the WRXB website: ED EDWARDS IS A VETERAN BROADCASTER HAVING SPENT OVER 35 YEARS IN THE RADIO & TELEVISION INDUSTRY IN BOTH MANAGEMENT AND "ON AIR" POSITIONS. ED SPENT FROM 1975 TO 1987 IN THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY MARKET WORKING AT VARIOUS STATIONS INCLUDING WNBC. ED MOVED TO THE TAMPA BAY AREA IN AUGUST OF 1987 AND WAS APPOINTED OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AT 1280 AM RADIO IN SARASOTA. ED CONTINUED TO WORK AT VARIOUS STATIONS IN THE AREA, PRIMARILY AS EITHER GENERAL MANAGER OR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS NORMALLY ASSISTING NEW OWNERSHIP WITH FORMAT CHANGES. ED WAS ALSO AN ANNOUNCER FOR SEVEN YEARS FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALLS CHICAGO WHITE SOX AND THEN SEVEN YEARS FOR THE CINCINNATI REDS WHILE ALSO DOING FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAY BY PLAY DURING THE OFF SEASON. ED’s VOICE CAN BE HEARD ON I.D.’s, LINERS,AND COMMERCIALS ON NUMEROUS STATIONS ACROSS THE USA. ED CAME TO WRXB ON FEBRUARY 1 ST 2011 AS GENERAL MANAGER. OUTSIDE OF BROADCASTING, ED IS AN ACCOMPLISHED BASEBALL COACH POSTING A CAREER RECORD OF 442 WINS INCLUDING THE 2003 AAU FLORIDA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. IN ADDITION,ED IS KNOWN AS "AN EXPERT" ON THE JFK ASSASSINATION AND SPEAKS AND BROADCASTS LIVE FROM DEALEY PLAZA DALLAS, TEXAS ON THE ANNIVERSARY EACH NOVEMBER 22ND. AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BOOK ON THE SUBJECT. ED IS SINGLE AND LIVES IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, Florida Low Power Radio Stations: http://sites.google.com/site/floridadxn/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. IS BROADCAST TV DOOMED? The NAB is running radio and TV ads for http://thefutureoftv.org/ (Larry Russell, MI, MARE Tipsheet 2 Sept via DXLD) The gist of this (if you drill down to find facts, which are few and far between in the site!) is the NAB is worried about proposals to 'repack' TV into channels 2-30 and re-allocate 31-51 to the highest bidder in a 'spectrum auction'. I hadn't heard about that yet, and I wonder how far along the plans are. Did the 'repacking' from 68 channels to 51 work so well that they FCC wants to try again, and see if they can't make some more money? Stay tuned for details as they say. My 'first blush' take on all this? I'm of two minds. First off, the NAB has overstated the case quite a bit. They are clearly down-playing the significance of what this means financially to the fat cats who run local TV stations, implying the 'greedy' phone companies are somehow worse for the public than the 'generous and altruistic' TV stations who provide everything for free. Yeah, right. This site REALLY twists my lime, so to speak, in that it treats people like simpletons and ignores the real issues. The real problem I see is Congress 'buying into' something that has annoyed me no end when I see it. There is a very LARGE minority of radio and TV people who are profoundly pessimistic about broadcast media. They tend to 'drag down' any discussion of what works in radio/TV and frequently make statements that make you question "so WHY are you in radio/TV in the first place?' These folks have so strongly downplayed the significance of over-the- air media, that it is no wonder the FCC is thinking it is OK to auction it off to the highest bidder. The folks who use it now don't value it so what the heck. In short, the broadcast media has done this to themselves, and now they are squealing like the proverbial stuck pig. The practical problem? So long as people spend time in places that cannot be easily wired, (and so long as there are those of us who refuse to pay for media) there will be a place for broadcast media. Those who don't 'get' that may make things sound dire, however, there is hope provided you find those people and slap them silly until they stop spreading toxic slander! You have your assignment -- now go out there and start slapping! :) -kvz (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MI, MARE Tipsheet 2 Sept via DXLD) ** U S A. Sadly we must pass along news of the passing of a dear friend of the radio hobby. Those who have attended any of the Winter SWL Festivals in the past will certainly remember Gerry Kercher. We pass along our condolences to his family and friends. [obit] GERALD FREDERICK KERCHER Waterford, CT - On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 21, 2011, Gerald Frederick Kercher slipped the surly bonds of earth, put out his hand, and touched the face of God. He died at home in Quaker Hill as he wished. Gerald, the third of three sons of Erwin W. and Amanda (Muck) Kercher, was born on June 9, 1924, in Cass City, Mich. He graduated from Cass City High School in 1942 and married his high school sweetheart, Frances Elizabeth Koepfgen, in 1945 at the "Little Church Around the Corner" in New York City. She died in 1993. Gerald's interests were many and varied. From his first job after high school as a coal passer on the Great Lakes Steamship Cygnus to enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Gerald's love of his country was surpassed only by the love for his family. During World War II, Gerald flew the B26 Martin Marauder In European and North African campaigns, as a member of the 320th Bomb Group. He was especially proud of his service during the Berlin Air Lift when he dropped thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies to the German people. Following World War II, Gerald served as the base legal officer in Munich, Germany. Over the next 20 years, the Air Force took Gerald to Texas, Saudi Arabia, Pennsylvania, and back to Germany where he served as an agent in the Office of Special Investigation, working with Belgium and Luxemburg police. He completed his career at bases in Massachusetts and New York. Just prior to his retirement from the Air Force in 1965, Gerald flew C-123 cargo planes, ferrying personnel and cargo to Vietnam. He retired as a major and began a very different 20-year career as a commodities broker in New London, working for Goodbody & Co., which later merged with Merrill Lynch. In his retirement, Gerald volunteered enthusiastically for Southeastern Hospice for 18 years, stopping only in the past few weeks. He was also a tutor for Literacy Volunteers and volunteered his driving services for the American Red Cross and the local food pantry. He served as a delightful toastmaster for the First Wednesday Club and was known for his recitations and spirited singing. He was an enthusiastic member of Shortwave Radio International [???], attending their many conferences with special friends around the world. He was a life long Detroit Tigers fan and died happily knowing that his team was in first place. Devoted to his faith, Gerald was a member of the Safe Harbor Assembly of God Church in Uncasville. Left behind to cherish his memory are his six children and their families, Susan and Abraham Chamie, Philip and Jet Kercher, Andrew and Wendy Kercher, Matthew Kercher, Amanda Kercher and David Weinraub, and Caroline and Craig Thurston. He was very proud of his 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He joins in heaven a dear granddaughter, Kathryn Frances Kercher (Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) Gerald Kercher was once a contributor to Review of International Broadcasting, but we had not heard from him in a number of years (gh) ** U S A. SPECIAL EVENT AMATEUR RADIO STATIONS MARK TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 --- H.A.D.A.R.S By Keith September 1, 2011 The ARRL reports that in remembrance of those who died in the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, several Amateur Radio Special Event Stations are being planned. The Pentagon Amateur Radio Club, K4AF, will be on the air 7 AM-9 PM Saturday, September 10 (1100-0100 UT, Saturday, September 10 through Sunday, September 11). Active operating frequencies will be posted during event on the K4AF website. This Special Event is to honor all those lost on September 11, 2001, with special remembrance of the 184 people who lost their lives at the Pentagon and on board American Airlines Flight 77. The Blair Amateur Radio Society, W3PN, will be operating N3U/FLT93 from September 8-15 in memoriam of United Flight 93 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This year’s activity will take place during tenth anniversary and the Memorial Dedication for the Victims of United Flight 93. To receive a QSL card, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Blair Amateur Radio Society, W3PN, 112 E Wopsononock Ave, Altoona, PA 16601. The Northeast Wireless Radio Club, N2WC, will be on the air Sunday, September 11 from 12 noon until 6 PM EDT (1700-2300 UT [sic, misconverted]). NWRC members will be operating in the General class bands on Phone, CW and Digital; please check the clusters for frequency updates. You can receive a Special Event QSL card when you send a $2 donation to Northeast Wireless Radio Club, 213-37 39th Avenue, Suite 175, Bayside, NY 11361. The Kings County Repeater Association, KC2RA, will be on the air 9 AM- 5 PM EDT (1300-2100 UT) on Saturday, September 10. Look for KC2RA on 7.250 and 14.295 MHz, as well as EchoLink node 132967 (KC2LEB-R) and the KC2RA repeater at 146.430 (CTCSS 136.5). KC2RA members will be offering a special QSL card for the event. To receive a card, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to KC2RA 9/11 Memorial Event, PO Box 280288, Brooklyn, NY 11228-0288. The Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club, W2SBL, will be on the air September 10-11 on the following frequencies: 3.911, 7.240, 14.070 and 50.135 MHz, as well as D-STAR REF10C. STARC members will read the name of a person killed in the attacks with every QSO. A Special Event QSL card is available when you send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club, W2SBL, One Motorola Plaza, B- 13, Holtsville, NY 11742. The dates, times and frequencies of these Special Event Stations are listed as they were reported to the ARRL, and as such are subject to change. This list will be updated as more Special Event Stations notify ARRL HQ of their plans. We recommend that you bookmark this page and check back periodically for any additions. For a listing of all Special Event Stations, please see the ARRL Special Event Stations web page. It is understood that these hams were among those who died in the 9/11 attack: Broadcast Engineers at World Trade Center 1: Steven Jacobson N2SJ, WPIX TV William Steckman WA2ACW, WNBC TV Gerard "Rod" Coppola KA2KET, WNET TV Workers in the Twin Towers: Bob Cirri KA2OTD, Port Authority Policeman Michael Jacobs AA1GO, Employee at WTC Winston Grant KA2DRF, Employee at WTC Winston A. Grant, KA2DRF [er, same as above minus the middle initial] 9/11 http://www.ab9il.net/new-york/tv-september11.html http://www.necrat.us/nyc911.html http://hadars.webs.com/apps/blog/?page=2 (via Mike Terry, UK, Sept 6, dxldyg via DXLD) ** VANUATU. 3945, R. Vanuatu, Port Vila. September 01, 0922-0932 slow island music, female “listen R. Vanuatu”, male “program; weekend”. 35533, (Lúcio Otávio Bobrowiec, Embu SP Brasil, SW40 - Dipoles and Longwire, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [non]. SPECIAL BROADCAST FROM DX PROGRAM "ANTENA DX" TROUGH SHORTWAVE AND FM --- THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL QSL CARD TO ALL THE CORRECT RECEPTION REPORTS During the month of August I was presenting the DX program called "Antena DX", which is originally produced by my collegue Víctor Gutiérrez from studios of the Panamanian FM radio station "La Chispa Estéreo 87.9 FM", in Tortí, and which is rebroadcast through Radio Truth in Guatemala, as well as available on the web page "Programas DX" on http://www.programasdx.com Víctor asked me to produce it during the month of August and I wanted to do it. It has been a pleasure to me to produce a radio program for the first time. I have been shortwave listener since many years and I have contributed as DX correspondent for HCJB Ecuador and currently I produce a short-five-minutes radio program together with the International DXers Friendship Club, CDXA Internacional. This short program is about history of radio. I think every time I listen to radio or I produce something for radio I learn new things. Producing "Antena DX" has been a beautiful experience as well. And of course, it was a good decision I make to accept the invitation from Víctor to produce his radio program for this time. Thank you as well for the contributors of the program around the world and I also thank the listeners. Next Sunday the 04th will be my last appearance as presenter of the program. So, for this reason I want to send you a special QSL card as a souvenir because of the time I have been in front of the mic recording this. To receive this QSL card the rules are very simple: what you just have to do is tune in the program on La Chista Estéreo 87.9 FM, if you live in Panamá or through Radio Truth on 4055 kHz. As you know or maybe you may not know, Radio Truth broadcasts from the Central American Republic of Guatemala. There will be two broadcasts from WRMI Radio Miami International on 9955. As you can see, there are many chances to tune the program and to receive this special QSL card as a souvenir to commemorate the last Antena DX edition from Venezuela. It's very important for you to know that there will be not e-QSL cards. Reports might correspond for shortwave or FM broadcasts only. Please don't send us reception reports through Internet. To send your reports, please endorse your envelopes by writing the postal address indicated below. If you want to send us International Reply Coupons, IRC, or any contribution into American dollars it will be very appreciated in the way to cover shipping costs. If you also want to send us cassette recordings or MP3 CD recordings about the reception of our broadcast in your local area we will be very happy to receive those. To send your letters and reception reports you can write to the following postal address: Antena DX c/o Leonardo Santiago Las Agujas, Pueblo Llano Estado Mérida C.P. 5124 Venezuela. The QSL cards will be sent from the month of October when I return from my vacation to keep my classes in the University of The Andes. Thanks for your attention and best 73s!! Leonardo Santiago, Venezuela ANTENA DX SPECIAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE • On La Chispa Estereo 87.9 FM, next Sunday the 11th at 08.15 am and 07.25 pm local time. • Via Radio Truth the program will be broadcast next Saturday the 10th at 0200 UT on 4055. This station broadcast from Guatemala and it is very well reported from Europe as well as from both Japan and Indonesia. • Via WRMI Radio Miami International the program will be broadcast on 9955. On Monday the 06th at 1130 UT and on Friday the 08th at 0300 UT. We wish you good reception and we hope to receive reception reports from many countries!! (Leonardo Santiago, Sept 2, playdx yg via DXLD) Days of month or days of week are wrong! Monday = Sept 5, Friday = Sept 9. Sept 6 = Tuesday, Sept 8 = Thursday; you figure it out?? If really on Monday at 1130, pre-empts WORLD OF RADIO, vs jamming. O, here`s the Spanish version (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) • Finalmente, estaremos emitiendo vía WRMI Radio Miami Internacional por los 9955 kHz como sigue: el próximo día lunes 06 a las 1130 UT y el jueves 08 a las 0300 UT (esta última equivale al día miércoles 07 a las 10.30 pm hora de Venezuela). (Santiago, op. cit.) So he`s still mixed up about the 1130 broadcast but the 0300 means UT Thursday, not Friday (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: Yes, there were some errors in their news releases. Here is the broadcast schedule of the special Antena DX via WRMI: UT Monday, September 5 at 1130 UT Thursday, September 8 at 0300 And we are adding a third transmission UT Wednesday September 7 at 1130. This special program will pre-empt World of Radio, Frecuencia al Dia and Wavescan this week (Jeff White, WRMI, Sept 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear friends: There was a mistake about the second broadcast schedule about the special transmission of the Spanish language program "Antena DX" through WRMI Radio Miami International. THE RIGHT DATE FOR THE SECOND TRANSMISSION OF THE PROGRAM WILL BE ON THURSDAY THE 08TH AT 0300 UT. The rest of the schedule has not problems. I hope you enjoy the program. There will be a beautiful music section at the end of the program. So, it doesn't matter if you don't understand Spanish very well because you'll enjoy music anyways. I'm so sorry for the mistake. And please share this new information with your friends. Thanks to Mr. Akayabashi in Japan and Mr. Gupta in India for the full publication of the previous information. Thanks as well to all of you who have shared this with your partners and dx friends around the world. Again, thank you so much in advance. PD. If you listen to the program and you decide to send us your report, even though when the reports will be accepted through the postal mail only, don't forget to send us your e-mail address anyways, please, and the name of your dx club, or the electronic address of your dx blog if you have one. Thanks! Sincerely yours, (Leonardo Santiago, Venezuela, playdx yg via DXLD) Anyhow, publicized in advance correctly in the dxldyg ** VIETNAM [non]. Wikileaks contain reports of US embassy Hanoi regarding evangelical Hmong ministry broadcasts via FEBA PHL to Lao Cai province in the border region with China. WIRKUNG RELIGIOESER RADIOSENDER IN VIETNAM (Botschaftsberichte Wikileaks) Wie aus Presse, Funk und Fernsehen bekannt sein duerfte, wurden in diesen Tage die kompletten, d. h. unredigierten, Berichte von amerikanischen Botschaften und Konsulaten ("diplomatic cables") bekannt, die bisher nur in bearbeiteten Auszuegen bekannt waren. Es handelt sich um eine 1.7 GB grosse Textdatei (reiner Text) mit insgesamt fast 34 Millionen Zeilen. Ich habe das Dokument gestern neugierhalber heruntergeladen und nach dem Begriff "shortwave" durchsucht. Man erfaehrt dabei, dass die Kurzwelle in einigen Teile der Welt nach wie vor eine grosse Rolle spielt; zu nennen sind hier u. a. Myanmar (Burma), Nordkorea und Westafrika. Bemerkenswert ist ein Bericht der amerikanischen Botschaft Hanoi aus dem Mai 2006 ueber die Reise einer Botschaftsdelegation in die noerdliche Provinz Lao Cai. Zweck der Reise war die Sammlung von Informationen zur Religionsfreiheit. Die amerikanischen Diplomaten erhielten von oertlichen Offiziellen (also staatlichen Stellen, keine Kirchenangehoerigen) Auskuenfte darueber, wie sich unter der (in Vietnam verfolgten) Minderheit der Hmong der christliche Glaube ausbreiten konnte. Offenbar war dies das Resultat von christlichen Sendungen aus den Philippinen (hierbei muss es sich wohl um die FEBA handeln) Ende der 80er, Anfang der 90er Jahre, also zu einer Zeit, als das Land noch weitaus verschlossener war als heute. Woertlich heisst es in dem Bericht (die Dokumente sind durchweg in Grossbuchstaben geschrieben): Why are the H'mong Becoming Protestants? - 20. (SBU) During the descent from San Ma Sao village, the provincial and district officials were in a much more open mood and gave Poloff a history of Protestantism in the region. According to Cap, H'mong villagers in the north first learned about evangelical Christianity through shortwave radio broadcasts originating in the Philippines in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Local officials did not notice H'mong Protestantism until 1993, by which time it had become a widespread phenomenon in the border region with China. Demnach haben also die Kurzwellensendungen eine erhebliche Wirkung entfaltet (Wolfgang Thiele-D, A-DX Sept 2 via BC-DX 3 Sept via DXLD) Geez, the Hmong must have been so suggestible; or maybe they were overwhelmed that anyone took an interest in their language (gh, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. ZNBC1. 5915 Lusaka. 2011/09/01 Thursday. 1625-1630 Afro music. Fair - poor. Jo'burg sunset 1556. ZNBC2 (6165) and ZNBC1 (5915) Lusaka. 2011/09/02 Friday. From 0352 to 0355 found ZNBC2 on 6165 talking about local politics, then football. Unusually good this morning. Prompted by good reception of ZNBC2, went back down the band to check ZNBC1 on 5915. From 0355-0406 found perfect interference-free and fade-free Afro music with announcements in Kaonde. ID at 0401 "Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation", followed by news ? in Kaonde. Excellent. Targetted to Southern Africa (EiBi). Jo'burg sunrise 0420 (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. Hi Glenn, My long spiel about Zanzibar might lend some support to Graham's log reported in DXLD 11-33, especially since sunrise is now about 30 minutes earlier than when he logged it in Cape Town at 0505 on 3rd August. FWIW, Cape Town sunrise is about 45 minutes behind Jo'burg. Tanzania, Radio Tanzania Zanzibar, 6015, Dole. 2011/09/02 Friday. 0257-0308. Usually when I sit on this frequency around 0300 I hear them sign on, but today there is nothing. I like to hear this station. Although reception is seldom good, and I can't understand a word because it is never in English, it always brings back memories of an idyllic childhood holiday there almost a lifetime ago. Just nothing there today. Jo'burg sunrise 0420. Tried again next day, 2011/09/03 Saturday. *0258-0455, Yes, Zanzibar is back! I wonder what happened to them yesterday? Anthem followed by time pips at 0300, and ID "Zanzibar". OM with greeting in Swahili, then Kor`an to 0307. Back to OM, he goes into a monologue mentioning "Tanzania". At 0317 brief Indian-style music, then a second monologue by another OM talking in an echoey room (quite audible). He mentions "Islam" and "Zanzibar". More Indian-style music at 0331 followed by ID "Zanzibar" and another long monologue by yet another OM; he mentioned "Dar es Salaam". More IDs at 0344 then OMs and YLs with more conversational presentation and pre-recorded inserts / interviews, sounds like a current affairs programme with several mentions of "Tanzania" and "Zanzibar". Time pips at 0400 with id "Tanzania Zanzibar", followed by news; mainly local with lots of mentions of "Zanzibar" and a couple of "Sudan". Contradicting my comment yesterday, reception is very good at 0300, deteriorating to good by 0330. According to http://www.timeanddate.com sunrise in Zanzibar today is at 0323, so it's already daylight there. Continued to deteriorate rapidly, just fair by 0340, will start getting light here soon. Dawn underway here by 0350, deterioration continues. Briefly improved to good once again at 0356, then the decline continued. By 0410 increasing atmospheric noise and deep fades make it almost unreadable at times. Adjacent channel QRM, presumably CRI via Sackville, necessitates use of narrow passband. Daylight here by 0415, sunrise at 0419, so we now have a (just) daylight path to Zanzibar. Although Zanzibar is still there at 0430 it is almost entirely unreadable. By 0450 it is gone, leaving only the echoes of distant childhood memories (Bill Bingham, RSA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Bill, Thank you for such a detailed report of Zanzibar. Always interesting to get first hand information from a listener much closer to them than I am. You motivated me to head out to my local beach here in central California to try and duplicate your reception. My local sunset was at 0234; while as you indicate Zanzibar sunrise was 0323. Highlights are as follow for September 4 reception on 6015: 0254 Transmitter on. *0258-0300 Usual Xylophone or marimba sounding IS. 0300 Adjacent QRM --- indistinct. 0301 YL talking. 0301-0307 Reciting from the Qur`an. 0307-0330 Monologue by OM (0315 brief break in monologue). 0330-0340 YL talking. 0340-0342 Qur`an or Islamic singing/chanting. After 0344 mostly lost to adjacent QRM, QRN and faded down. This was not my best reception of them, but confident it was Zanzibar. Their format is very consistent. Thanks again Bill for all your informative reports from South Africa! (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, USA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6015, Radio Tanzania Zanzibar. Interesting to note that Bill Bingham (South Africa) found them off the air on September 2. Checking from 0304 to 0400 on September 7, I also found them noticeably absent (Ron Howard, Asilomar State Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. See BOTSWANA UNIDENTIFIED. 700, 1106 September 5, 2011. Suspect Radio la Poderosa, Managua (the one the WRTVH consistently refuses to list), strong and alone on the channel with female gospel monologue, mentioning nombre, palabra, Israel etc. Into vocal 1114, female back at 1117 mentioning, "... en la voz de la..." (suspect just a passing phrase or program title). Rapidly faded and gone by 1120. If the one, it may still be 1100-ish sign-on as per my loggings last year (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, Abridged list of junk: JRC NRD-535; ICOM IC-R75; Hammarlund HQ-180A; Aqua Guide 705 Radio Direction Finder; Sangean PR-D5; Sony ICF-7600GR; GE SuperRadio III; RadioShack DX-399; 1 X roof dipole; 1 X in-room random wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 990, Sept 5 at 1212, talk in English about the history of Fort Osage, dominating frequency at the moment, certainly not SS KFCD in TX. There is no 990 in OK, but the closest to Osage country is KRMO in Cassville, SW Missouri. Supposedly has `Hot Country Music` until 1245 weekdays, but probably a brief feature: http://www.krmo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=66 Fort Osage is/was axually in NW Missouri near Independence where there are no 990s (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1610, Sept 6 at 0346, low-level CCI but brief surge of one signal with gospel huxter in English, not // 5935, so not Anguilla. Canadian? This ought to be a prime DX frequency with no US stations except TIS on it, but difficult here tnx to IBOC from KATZ- 1600 St Louis; Hallelujah! I still haven`t logged XEUACH (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 4779.85, 0210-0218, ???, 02.09, with Spanish talk, very weak audio, 13221 (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark on an AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5066.34 weak carrier here around 0344 UT on 3 Sep. Is Bunia / La Voix du Peuple still here? Have not seen any logs of this station for a while (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Referred him to DXLD 11-33 with four July-August logs close to same frequency, but all in the Eurafrican evening. See also CONGO DR in this issue (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6075.74, Instrumental elevator music at 0917. Didn't hear much more than that. Splatter from 6090. (5 Sept.) 73 (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6075,72v 16.8 2330 OID stn hördes här första gången hos mig den 16.8 De spelade mx i LA stil med kort prat emellan. Mycket svårt att få fram talet tydligt men om en inspelning från 27.8 säger Henrik Klemetz: ”Kl 01.04 är det mycket troligt att hon säger ”Radio Kawsachun Coca” mycket snabbt. Ingenting annat kan jag säkert uppfatta, mer än att det låter som spanska. Det är fö ganska speciellt att det är en kvinnlig hallåa denna gång”. Efter detta har vi båda tyckt att, då en man talar, påminner det lite om PP! Men tidsangivelserna är helt klart på spanska. Jag har ännu inte lyckats få fram en inspelning där talet är klart hörbart och ID-bart. Tack HK! AN 6075.72v, 16.8 2330, unID station heard this the first time at my place on Aug 16. They played music in LA style with short talks between. Very difficult to hear the speech clearly but in a recording from Aug 27 Henrik Klemetz says: "At 1:04, it is very likely that she says" Radio Kawsachun Coca "very quickly. I can’t with certainty understand more than that it sounds like Spanish. It is a little special that it is a female announcer this time”. After this, we both felt that, when a man speaks, it reminds a bit of Portuguese! But time statements are clearly in Spanish. I have not yet succeeded in producing a recording where speech is clearly audible and identifiable. HK, thanks for your help! AN (Arne Nilsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6075.726, 31.8 0218, unID. Still no luck getting a definite ID on this on this one having very low modulated speech. The music is easier to hear. Unfortunately the station has mostly music and very seldom any announcements. Henrik Klemetz has listened to several recordings where I managed to record some of the weak talk but unfortunately he couldn’t find any ID’s in those recordings. Many thanks for your efforts, Henrik. I had set my Perseus for recording this one also on Sept 1 & 2, but nothing there. Today, Sept 3, my recording was set for start already at 2345z. The station was there but rather weak. China switched on their 6075 transmitter at 2356 for one hour broadcast. Monitoring the unID revealed a much earlier cd than before, this night already at 0029! Unfortunately their webstream was offline also this day so not possible to check for parallels. TN (Thomas Nilson, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 4 via DXLD) Henrik Klemetz continues to research this one, and now seems more like it is an unknown Brazilian (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 6104.74, Definite carrier here at 1003. Too weak and heavy QRM from 6105 Asian. Thought I did hear music though. I hesitate to suggest the Mexican Candela FM. (4 Sept.) (Dave Valko, NRD-535D and T2FD antenna, Dunlo, PA, USA, HCDX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 6925.4, Sept 3 at 0518 weak music on AM, some pirate, no comparison to the signal on 6960-USB so I stayed with that, see NORTH AMERICA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9300, Sept 3 at 1232, intriguing big hum on small signal again, the kind of thing one would expect from Cairo, but no broadcaster listed on this frequency in HFCC, Aoki or EiBi (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 9568.4, Sept 1 at 1409 carrier making het with 9570. Suspected Ethiopia longpath, as there was no het closer to its nominal 9560 which had a weak signal from something, probably KSDA, while 9570 was probably KBSWR (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11435.0, Sept 2 at 0604, huge S9+25 open carrier, then variety of digital noises on and off, slight fading; far stronger than any SWBC signal on 25m. Suspect something out of Cuba associated with spy-number transmissions. {If RHC had forgotten to close down 11760 at 0500, bet it would have rivalled.} Yes, here`s an old log searched on UDXF yg: ``11435.0 kHz am Cuban SK01. Huge carrier +40dB 06:26:11UTC (2010-10- 01) (allenk on StarChat#wunclub) These are the loggings from the NSA logbot on several IRC channels. They are listed by Freq, Mode, Comment, UTC time, nickname, QTH and IRC channel`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Nothing heard of big broadcaster on 11500 today Sep 2. At 1300-1400 UT slot, only very tiny peak noted on various European SDR units as well as on Victor's unit in Colombo, thanks Victor. 11499.974 kHz, which probably seems a SOH Taiwan tiny tx unit. 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 14640, unID, very poor carrier and traces of audio, presumed 2 x 7320, 1240 UT Sept 2 (Tim Bucknall, Mobile in North Staffordshire, Icom IC-7000 + "Modulator" CB whip, harmonics yg via DXLD) 7320 would be Magadan/Arman/Okhotsk until 1300 (gh) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. 15283, quite odd frequency, RFA?? 1319 5 Sept with talks in Tibetan. There is QRM from 15280 with Firedrake and buzzing audio. Both signals with max S7 (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Don`t you consult Aoki? RFA doesn`t vary to split frequencies, but it`s a hallmark of V. of Tibet, currently shown in Aoki as: 15282 1301-1330 TJK * VOICE OF TIBET Tib Dushanbe-Ya 1-7 15283 1401-1430 TJK * VOICE OF TIBET Tib Dushanbe-Ya 1-7 (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 15419-USB, Sept 6 at 1356, caught a snatch of Spanish 2- way, I think, another intruder frequency, with BFO het from weak broadcast on 15420 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. New transmissions in Tigrigna or Amharic or Oromo: 1500-1600 on 15730 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF 1700-1800 on 15750 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF Also test transmissions: 1500-1530 on 15790 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, Aug. 30/31 // 15730 1530-1600 on 15710 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, Sep. 2 // 15730 1700-1800 on 15760 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, Sep. 2 // 15750 1730-1800 on 15770 KCH 300 kW / 170 deg to EaAF, Aug 30 only // 15750 Radio Xoriyo Ogadenia in Somali (tent.): 1530-1600 on 17590 KCH 300 kW / 160 deg to EaAF Mon/Fri, but heard only on Friday. 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also ETHIOPIA [non]; PRIDNESTROVYE UNIDENTIFIED. 18255, 3 x 6085, long monologue OM, sounded Spanish. Pips at toth, very poor 1200 UT Sept 2 (Tim Bucknall, Mobile in North Staffordshire, Icom IC-7000 + "Modulator" CB whip, harmonics yg via DXLD) No idea (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 21650, 21605, 21740 & 21785 VOA Chinese best audible in NFM mode. No idea which is the Fundamental, maybe 21650? Sign-off with Yankee Doodle 1100 UT, carrier off 1103 Sept 2 (Tim Bucknall, Mobile in North Staffordshire, Icom IC-7000 + "Modulator" CB whip, harmonics yg via DXLD) Well, skipping 21695, they are 45 kHz apart, none listed in HFCC. The midpoint would be 21695, anything there? HFCC does have 21695 as 0900- 1100, 250 kW, 349 degrees from Tinang, PHILIPPINES (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) unID on 21695, didn't get time to ID (Tim, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. I'm hearing a harmonic/spur/fat-finger of some broadcaster on 24910 kHz. The signal is fairly weak here, fading in and out, but I think I'm hearing some Spanish language talking in- between the music. I am hearing the signal right now, Sat Sep 3, 2244 UT and would be interested to know if anyone else is hearing it. -- All rights reversed (Rik Van Riel, harmonics yg via DXLD) Rik, Nothing when checked an hour later. 24910 does not work out to be harmonic of any likely SWBC fundamental. 24910 is now of course in a ham band. Are you still in New Hampshire? 73, (Glenn Hauser, OK, ibid.) Indeed, the signal went off at the top of the hour. I am still in NH, and I suspect it'll be some broadcast spur, but not sure of what (Rik, ibid.) Looked for it next day Sept 4 after 2200, but nothing (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. [Besides 96.5 BELIZE, and GUATEMALA, q.v.:] A few other Spanish Central Americans, all unidentified: 87.5 (on the PR-D5, maybe really 87.75 analog TV 6 audio), possibly Honduran, with male seemingly Christian talk, mention of Honduras at 1413; 89.3 Mexi-tubas vocals at 1416; 90.1 ad string into romántica and "Let It Rain On Me" androgynous Cher-like processed dance vocal at 1507; 90.9 Mexi-tunes at 1401. The opening was pretty much gone by 1540 (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Mr Hauser, Thank you so much for your work producing World of Radio. I enclose a small check to support the program. I love the program and listen to it multiple times during the week. Keep up the good work!!! I sent a signal report to WRMI verifying weak reception of your show. They sent a nice QSL card that referred to World of Radio. This reception was out of the ordinary for me in northern New York because I am not able to receive their signals regularly. The only stations I am able to receive that broadcast your program are WTWW, WBCQ, and formerly WWCR. I use a Grundig S350DL with an indoor long wire antenna in my office. Sincerely (Jason F. Poplaski, KB3SAR, Watertown NY, August 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST 11-34, WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ B11 HFCC/ASBU Conference, DALLAS, TEXAS, SEPT 12-16, 2011 Conference Sponsors: Continental Electronics and the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters Conference Dates: Monday-Friday, Sept. 12-16, 2011 http://www.hfcc.org/B11.phtml (via DXLD) MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN DX COUNCIL IN BULGARIA Radio Bulgaria, By Rossitsa Petcova, 29 August 2011 The annual meeting of the European DX council has been taking place since 1967 when the organization was set up. Driven by their love for radio listening and their passion for DXing and sharing new worlds, several enthusiasts decided to embark on a more large-scale initiative. In the 1950s and 1960s, national DX-Clubs appeared in a few European countries. Many people listened to domestic and foreign broadcasts on long, medium and shortwave. At that time, broadcasting on FM, TV and via satellite or the Internet did not exist! So the hobby of listening to far-away radio stations (DX-ing) mainly on short waves was thriving. In 1965, Ellmann Ellingsen of the DX-listeners Club of Norway got the vision to establish a cross-national DX-organisation to improve the cooperation between DX-Clubs in Europe. At the inaugural meeting on June 3rd-4th, 1967, DX-leaders from Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden met to discuss and agree upon the foundation of the EDXC. The central venue was the private house of Anker Petersen in Skovlunde near Copenhagen, who also attended the meeting in Bulgaria. Presently, members of the EDXC can become DX Clubs and organizations but also individual DXers from Europe. So, some of them did arrive in Bulgaria for this year’s annual meeting that took place in the small picturesque town of Melnik at the foothill of the Pirin Mountain, famous for its beautiful old-time architecture and good wine cellars. You have certainly heard more about it in our programs. Why was Melnik chosen to become the venue of this DX forum? Has DXing nowadays become a hobby of old-fashioned ladies and gentlemen? And how has Bulgaria changed from the 1980s until present day? More on this and other radio related issues from the secretary general of the EDXcouncil, Mr. Tibor Szilagyi, in his special interview taken during the visit of DXers to Radio Bulgaria’s foreign service in Sofia. We were really lucky to have such a large group of DXers and short- wave radio listeners as our guests here, in Sofia. And we hope that more of you will be coming here, either to Melnik, Plovdiv, the Black sea coast, or anywhere in Bulgaria. Here we would like to thank once again Mr. Tibor Szilagyi and all members of the EDX Council for having chosen Bulgaria as their venue and for visiting us. We also thank everyone else on the group - Anker Petersen from Denmark, Engineer Harald Süss from Austria, Toshimichi Ohtake and Nobuya Kato from Japan, Gerald Kercher and Craig Thorston from the US, George Brown from Scotland, Dave Kenny from the UK, Alexander Beryozkin and Alexey Kulakov from Russia, Harald Gabler from Germany, and the 29 DXers from Finland, including the youngest in the group, Jan-Mikael Nurmela who is only 22, Tapio Kalmi, Pekka Rasanen, Herni Ekman, Jarmo Patala and everyone else. We all believe that the medium of radio might seem to be an old- fashioned hobby nowadays given the enormous competition of all types of electronic gadgets. Nevertheless, there is nothing that could replace the thrill and enjoyment of listening to your favorite radio station! Keep writing to us, keep sending us your reception reports, opinions, and musical requests! You could write to us at english@bnr. bg, or send letters by regular mail to: Sofia 1040, Dragan Tsankov Blvd 4, Radio Bulgaria. http://bnr.bg/sites/en/Lifestyle/DX/Pages/MeetingoftheEuropeanDXCouncilinBulgaria.aspx (There is also an audio of an interview with Tibor and photo here) (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) DXERS MEET AT KOLKATA Veteran & newbies join for a DX meet at Kolkata, read the story here : http://idxci.blogspot.com/2011/09/putting-dx-army-together-kolkata.html (Alokesh Gupta, VU3BSE, New Delhi, Sept 4, dx_sasia yg via DXLD) Includes several photos to go with familiar names (gh, DXLD) NEW DOCUMENTARY FILM INCLUDES SCENE FROM SHORTWAVE LISTENERS CONVENTION Posted: 01 Sep 2011 Movie Reviews by Dusty, 20 Aug 2011: "Resurrect Dead is not a flesh- eating zombie flick. It’s more of a film-noir documentary that follows a team of average citizens using their noodles to solve a mystery. The Toynbee Tiles started appearing in the early 80's. Most people ignored and walked over them without a thought. They appeared most densely in the Philadelphia area, but they have been spotted all over the East coast. If that's not enough to pique your interest, there are also Tiles in South America. ... The mystery leads our fearless sleuths to places where skepticism is a must. They find themselves at a short wave radio convention where they are following a lead. There is a scene here that is completely unrelated to the Tiles. A presenter at the convention gives a speech and demonstration of thought transference via short wave radio. ... The apparatus was a foil pie plate that he wore like a hat, with an antennae on top, or bottom depending on how you wish to view the pie plate." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) -- The shortwave radio convention was the 2006 Winter SWL Fest, near Philadelphia. The thought transfer session was tongue-in-cheek. I was at the event, but in another room at the time, trying to coax reception out of receivers at the Digital Radio Mondiale exhibit. See also http://www.resurrectdead.com (Kim Andrew Elliott, ibid.) WORLD OF HOROLOGY See also ISRAEL [and non] +++++++++++++++++ Time [STANDARD, AND SHIFTED] ---- Southgate August 30, 2011 Time zones and standard time do not concern the average citizen but they have considerable importance to some organisations (such as airlines and communications providers) and some individuals (such as radio amateurs.) From antiquity time was determined by each community, based on the sun reaching its zenith at noon. So over a country such as Britain, there was a multiplicity of times. This was probably of no particular importance until the advent of the railways. Railway operators found scheduling of trips and timetabling was a nightmare. Consequently each railway company set their own time. The implementation of this was possible through the telegraph that came on the scene at an opportune time. Ultimately London time was adopted as he standard for Britain although it was not until 1880 that this was enshrined in legislation. Other countries adopted the principle of standard time, particularly as their railway networks developed. This revealed another problem when the railway networks extended over long distances east and west. So the concept of time zones was developed, to cover the sun’s apparent movement of fifteen degrees each hour. The zones were manipulated by each country that determined what time zone should be observed and where boundaries would be placed when a country embraced more than one time zone. The early circumnavigating mariners discovered that on arrival at their port of origin that their calculation of the date was one day adrift. This had to be taken into consideration in allocating time zone boundaries. So, the International Date Line was created along longitudes of low population in the central Pacific and therefore less likely to be a problem. As the British were the instigators of the standardization of time, the longitude at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich was adopted as the global time standard. Hence Greenwich Mean Time, GMT. After a century of its adoption GMT is no longer the global standard and Universal Time Coordinated UTC has taken its place. There is no practical difference between GMT and UTC apart from a few nanoseconds. Another aspect of how communities adjust their use of standard time is Daylight Saving, or Summer Time, when Clocks are advanced an hour to give more daylight in the evening. This has sociological influence and some commentators allege that it reduces the expenditure of energy. However this allegation has not been proved. How Summer Time is implemented is something of a can of worms that will be explained in a later article Interesting articles on time can be found on our web site at http://www.fistsdownunder.org//-%20New%20Folder/Standard%20Time.html Our thanks to Fists Down Under for this item http://www.fistsdownunder.org/ http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2011/time.htm (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- IBOC see also MEXICO; BRAZIL +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FIRST KIA VEHICLES TO OFFER HD RADIO(TM) TECHNOLOGY ARE NOW AVAILABLE press release Sept. 6, 2011, 4:15 p.m. EDT HD Radio(TM) Technology is offered on 2012 model year Optima, Sorento, Sportage and Soul . . . http://www.marketwatch.com/story/first-kia-vehicles-to-offer-hd-radiotm-technology-are-now-available-2011-09-06 (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DRM See also BRAZIL; CUBA; GUAM; GUIANA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FRENCH; INDIA; IRELAND; POLAND; RUSSIA MSway receivers interview http://drmna.bcdx.org/wp/?p=856#more-856 (via Benn Kobb, Aug 31, DXLD) Re: [drmna] New DRMNA post: MSway Receiver Interview Thanks for the link. The consumer version appears to be as useless as all that have come before it -- there is no provision to let the user tune manually to a frequency -- which is ESSENTIAL in the unreliable world of shortwave. This company has apparently NOT learned anything from the failures of the recent past Morphy-Richards, the incredibly horrid UniWave (which lasted about a month or two on the market) that I unfortunately own, etc. If you have any contact with this company, please tell them to put "manual tune in 5 kHz increments on shortwave" and "manual tune in 9/10 kHz increments on AM" into the radio's firmware! The manual tune must also be able to go "up-and down" (Byung Jay, male, Redford MI, Aug 31, drmna yg via DXLD) Fraunhofer Launches MultimediaPlayer to Deliver Unprecedented Digital Radio Offerings --- Press Release 30.08.2011 http://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/pr/presse/2011/august/multimedia.jsp (via Alokesh Gupta dxldyg and gh, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING --- DAB See AUSTRALIA; U K ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ SO WHEN YOUR NEIGHBOR'S XAVB2602 INTERFERES WITH YOUR SHORTWAVE RECEPTION, TURN ON YOUR VACUUM CLEANER AND HAIR DRYER. Posted: 01 Sep 2011 Netgear press release, 31 Aug 2011: "Netgear, Inc., a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, today introduced the Powerline AV+ 200 Nano Dual-port Set (XAVB2602)... The Powerline Nano Dual-port Set features a tiny adapter that plugs into any electrical outlet and provides two Ethernet ports for connecting Internet-enabled devices such as TVs, PCs, Blu-ray(TM) players and video game consoles to home networks. Powerline networking, which makes connections through a home's existing electric wiring, is ideal for reaching rooms beyond the range of WiFi signals, without the cost and complication of installing Ethernet cables. ... Interference from devices that emit electrical noise, such as vacuum cleaners and hair dryers, may adversely affect performance. Powerline devices may interfere with devices such as lighting systems that have a dimmer switch, short wave radios, or other powerline devices that do not follow the HomePlug Powerline Alliance standard." (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) BPL TAKES TO THE SEAS Broadband by Powerline (BPL) networking technology (aka PLT) has a reputation for causing widespread interference to radio reception. Now there are plans to install them at sea. London-based company Gentay Ltd has announced Broadband by Powerline (BPL) networking technology devices for use on vessels. Further details at http://www.gentay.co.uk/ (Southgate September 4, 2011 via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ RE: POWER LINE NOISE, BULBS I've been converting house lights to CFLs and LEDs. For low light applications, the LED bulbs [Lights of America or whatever at walmart] work well. For CFLs I've been using name brands like Phillips rather than 'bargain brands'. My experience with the CFLs is that they radiate RFI about 4 to 6 feet then go quiet. The only place where this caused trouble was a fixture 3 feet from my Zenith ZTO H500. I replaced that CFL with an LED and all was well. The other CFLs some 10 or so feet away cause no RFI to this vintage tube tradio at all. Now, I haven't tried CFLs in table lamps at home, but they sure cause grief in hotel rooms. Which has me wondering if the ground wire used in ceiling fixtures etc. assists. Or, maybe hotels just use cheapo CFLs and the premium priced ones I insist on [sounds like a 1950s ad for tubes :)] are way better, aka use quality capacitors to zap out RFI rather than no capacitors or poor quality ones that fizzel out fast. I was treated much like Bob by Maritime Electric (ME). From the books on RFI I have read, ME could save themselves a small fortune by cooperating in the way Bruce W. experienced. By contrast, ME treated me like a small child: ME knew better, had investigated and determined there to be no interference in my neighbourhood. End of subject. "Today's RFI is tomorrow's power outage" is my motto. I've got so that I can now predict ME power outages in our neighbourhood. When I hear new buzzing, fizzling sounds on my noble army of DX receivers, an outage usually follows within a couple days. I hope the two grocery stores that recently lost a fortune of food here in Stratford [and ended up closing for the better part of a business day] after ME had some old equipment blow up will put some good old fashioned legal heat on ME. Outages in winter storms are understandable, but most of ME's outages are in good weather and, it seems, due to old equipment they are too cheap to replace. In the old days of AM radio and over the air TV, RFI complaints were followed up to some extent. AM radio is extinct in PEI, and 99.9% of the population is either on cable, fibre or a large pizza sized dish. DXers and Hams are the only reporters left. Show us some respect, ME (Phil Rafuse, VY2PR, Stratford PE Canada, ABDX via DXLD) FCC AFFIRMS DENIAL OF CB DXING PETITION http://www.eham.net/articles/2342 (via Terry Krueger, FL, DXLD) A LOT OF PERSEUS SDRS FOR SALE Has anyone else noticed the very large number of Perseus SDRs for sale on eBay of late? I'm always curious on the why's and wherefore's of this phenomenon. Have people tired of the Perseus? Have they moved on to other SDRs? By coincidence, I noticed a very professional user manual (in English) for the WinRadio Excalibur Pro which was recently introduced. I don't have an Excalibur, nor have any plans to purchase one anytime soon, but perhaps having some of these niceties would benefit the Perseus user. Seems to me that looking here, there, and everywhere for information on some of the finer points of Perseus use is problematic, and if anything, may scare people away from purchasing the Perseus, or push them to move onto a device that has the proper documentation for the beginner to intermediate user. My guess that the softening of Perseus SDR prices on the used market is directly attributable to the very attractive introductory price of the Excalibur. No plans, yet, on my part to part with either of my two Perseii, however! (/Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC (Copied from perseus_SDR@yahoogroups.com via SW Bulletin Sept 4 via DXLD) Hi Walt, Excalibur and other competition might be a factor. However I think the main reason is RF SMOG pollution in most cities. This pollution is a direct result of not enforcing the EMC compatibility laws. Every day I buy some new gadget I need to go on a RFI noise hunt in the house. What shocks me is that leading international brands, that have numerous compliance and other EMC approval ticks on them are the worst performers. Their EMC compliance labels are totally fraudulent and well above most standards. If you want evidence, just tune most of the online Perseus receivers. Only a handful have an acceptable noise floors, and most have horrendous noise floors that make them unusable. Except for very short skip conditions like that on 40 or 80 meters you cant hear much. Some of the big broadcasters can punch through this noise not the weak signals. So with all this noise you can never have weak signal reception. Why would you bother spending money on something just to listen to very bad noise? The days of low noise reception even in residential areas even with under ground power lines is impossible because of the hash from things like Plasma TV's. Policy makers know that they destroying the shortwave spectrum because they assume that engineering filters and EMC compliance is hard and expensive. All that they have done is fall victim to the lobbying by big business who are just as happy polluting the environment as they are at polluting the RF spectrum and everything else that they touch. They also at the same time creating a unbalanced playing field for those who must obey these laws in their daily business activities. The big winners are the Chinese companies who place fake compliance stickers on all their products. We in the West are a bunch of idiots when it comes to things like fair trade with place like China and Asia. There is a solution to this problem with good engineering practice and standards. However we need politicians that will first enforce the existing laws and then tighten them up. Then can we blame the Chinese only? No we have people who sell receivers who also supply power supply jammers in the same box. When you jam yourself with a crap power supply, can you blame the Chinese when you yourself have the same stupidity and foresight? (/John, ibid.) It may be simply statistics. With thousands of Perseus sold, if 1% of the users changes his mind, you have tens of radios on the market. The remaining 99% is not changing of place... /73 - (Marco IK1ODO, ibid.) Hello John, Your statement regarding improper EMC measures on consumer products stands. However, I believe that many problems are due to a failing antenna installation. With proper measures, like using a separate radio ground for the antenna with no connection to the mains earth, things are not as bad as it seems. I also found that when using an E-field probe, you can benefit from the shielding that many houses provide for the E-field. In my case this shielding is 32 dB at a frequency of 400 kHz. As a result local noise in the E-field will be contained within the house. The antenna is mounted only 6 meter from the house. The shield of the coax is connected to an earth stake, which prevents the noise from within the house to travel to the antenna. Over the years, I have installed all types of energy saving lamps and computer gadgets and so far the only issue encountered is a minor problem with the switching power supply of my Samsung NC10. You are welcome to visit my PERSEUS on-line (/Roelof Bakker, pa0rdt Middelburg, Netherlands, ibid.) I had some big noise problems near 3.9 MHz, and after some investigation I finally found the cause of this noise. It was a faulty USB cable, the one connected to the Perseus. After I check with a ohm meter I discover it had not a good shielding or ground. I bought home a HQ type of USB cable with double shielding, gold plated connectors and ferrite cores on both ends. The drop in background noise was big, specially in the 3.9 MHz region, about 14db drop in noise. Overall it is now less noise on most frequency's. Also I ground all antennas to an earth stake near the masts and a second stake near the radio. I have also put multiple snap together type of ferrite choke cores on all coax cables and rotator cable entering the house. So now the noise situation is much better than when I first bought the Perseus. It's not just a very good radio but also an analysis tool. It may be worthwhile to check out these USB cables. Just because the cable looks good from the outside, it doesn't mean it has to be good inside. /73, (Peter, ibid.) REVIEW OF THE ALINCO DX-R8T TABLETOP SHORTWAVE RECEIVER Last year, when I saw the announcement that a new tabletop radio --- the Alinco DX-R8T --- was about to hit the market, I almost fell out of my chair. A new tabletop on the market? Could it be true? Over the past few years, many long-time manufacturers have dropped out of the shortwave tabletop market, while newer, smaller manufacturers have been popping up in the SDR (Software Defined Radio) market. SDRs are great–a lot of performance for the price–but to listen to the radio, you have to turn on your computer, launch a program, and typically, do things to isolate any noise your computer may generate. A tabletop, on the other hand, simply requires that you turn it on: instantly, it’s there, awaiting tuning. Obviously, I was eager to try out the DX-R8T. Fortunately, the good folks at GRE America (the US distributor for Alinco) kindly loaned me one of their receivers to review for SWLing.com. . . http://swling.com/blog/2011/09/alinco-dx-r8t-review/ To visit “The SWLing Post”, please go to http://swling.com/blog/ Unfortunately the author of the article is not mentioned (Don Moman, Technical Talks, Sept CIDX Messenger via DXLD) The CCrane "CCGozo" Saw this on the Herculodge http://herculodge.typepad.com/herculodge/ blog this morning: New Radio Alert: C.C. GOZO Scheduled for October 1 Sale Thanks, See picture and info: http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/ccgozo.aspx Anybody know anything about the radio other than what's on the website?? 73 & Good DX'ing, (Stephen H. Ponder, N5WBI, Houston, Texas, USA - EL29kn, Sept 6, NRC-AM via DXLD) Says now expected Oct 21, but price will go up for orders after Oct 1. It`s AM/FM only (gh, DXLD) FCC ISSUES DRAFT PEA The FCC has released a draft document concerning the effects of broadcast towers on migratory birds. The doc is entitled, "Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Antenna Structure Registration Program," or "Draft PEA" for short. It is 148 pages in length. Comments are due October 3, 2011. The following article by Doug Lung gives an overview of the document and provides a link to the 148 page masterpiece. Slowly, we are all drowning in Washington verbiage. http://tvtechnology.com/article/123988 FCC NEWS o A general freeze is impacting TV Channel 51: http://www.commlawcenter.com/2011/08/by-scott-r-flick-the.html http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1428A1.doc o Deborah McAdams on the pending loss of TV Channel 51 -- "It's clear at this point that the wireless industry will stop at nothing to eliminate broadcasting." http://www.televisionbroadcast.com/article/123834 o More info on the upcoming November 9 nationwide EAS test: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1444A1.doc o FCC Chairman Genachowski announces elimination of 83 outdated rules: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-309224A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1432A1.doc o While eliminating the Fairness Doctrine from the FCC rules (re the above story), the Commission also eliminated the "Final RF Link" rule to the delight of many: http://tinyurl.com/FinalLinkIsHistory o Digital Low Power Television rules are now in effect: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1446A1.doc o Comment deadline extended in LPFM/FM Translator rule making due to Hurricane Irene. Comments due 9/6/2011. Reply Comments due 9/20/2011: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1467A1.doc o Devices on display this month at the FCC's Technology Experience Center include a "cell tower in a suitcase" designed to allow first responders and disaster recovery personnel to connect to cell phones by connecting to satellites for voice and data: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-309379A1.doc FCC ENFORCEMENT WATCH o Willie Walton has been cited for operating a pirate broadcast station on 1610 kHz in Santa Clarita, CA. The FCC noted both field strength and antenna violations in its Notice of Unlicensed Operation: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-309212A1.html o Esteven J. Gutierrez has tentatively been fined $25,000 for operating on a frequency licensed to the Las Vegas, New Mexico, Police Department (159.150 MHz) without authorization, and other matters. This case report reads like a good crime novel. Congratulations to the San Diego FCC field office for a job well done: http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2011/DA-11-1475A1.html o Radio World's Paul McLane in an editorial on pirate broadcasting: http://radioworld.com/article/no-rules-no-community/24241 NEWS HELICOPTERS MAY EVENTUALLY BE AUGMENTED OR REPLACED BY REMOTE- CONTROLLED DRONES Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are making their way into the commercial sector. Consider the following miniature quad-copters and hex-copters. These are anything but toys. Quad-copters and hex-copters use gyro stabilization (to keep the aircraft level), yaw-axis stabilization (to keep the 'copter from spinning in the horizontal plane), a high-resolution camera mounted in an image stabilization pod, computer control, GPS navigation, secure RF links and a robust power source. It's great to see engineers compressing so much advanced technology into very small and lightweight aircraft that will make their way into the civilian sector. http://tinyurl.com/VideoQuadcopter http://tinyurl.com/VideoHexcptr http://www.aeryon.com/ http://tinyurl.com/RoboCopterProgress o Paul Sakrison points out that there is a Website for posting copper/precious metals thefts: http://www.scraptheftalert.com/ HEATHKIT TO SELL KITS AGAIN Heathkit is reentering the kit business with consumer products. According to their Website, "We will be releasing Garage Parking Assistant kit (GPA-100) in late September and soon after the Wireless Swimming Pool Monitor kit will be available." The Garage Parking Assistant kit lets you build your own system that uses ultrasonic sound waves to locate your car as it enters the garage. LED lights mounted on the wall indicate when the car is in the perfect spot for parking. http://www.heathkit.com/ (all: CGC Communicator Sept 5 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) THE RETURN OF HEATHKIT http://www.arrl.org/news/surfin-got-heathkits Surfin’: Got Heathkits? TAGS: amateur radio, amateur radio operators, dummy load, great news, heathkit, radio kits, Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU blog 09/02/2011 By Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU Contributing Editor This week, Surfin’ celebrates Heathkit’s reentry into the kit business. This story was buried by all the coverage of the East Coast earthquake and hurricane last week, so in case you missed it, Heathkit is back in the business of producing kits. Here are a few pertinent quotes from the news article that appeared here last weekend. “A notice on the Heathkit website announces that the venerable kit manufacturer -- well-known to all Amateur Radio operators of a certain age -- will be reentering the kit business in late August.” Heathkit “is actively looking for kit suggestions” and their website has great news in that regard. “Based on your input, we are looking at developing Amateur Radio kits. Our goal is to have kits available by the end of year.” It is hard to believe that almost 20 years have passed since the Heathkit exited the kit business. I cut my teeth building Heathkits and it was a sad day when they pulled the plug. I had absolutely zero soldering skills when I built my first Heathkit, the HR-10B ham receiver, yet I managed to build the receiver by following their excellent step-by-step instructions. It popped a fuse when I powered it up the first time, but nothing smoked. Cold solder joints were the culprit and some skilled soldering quickly brought the receiver to life. I had better luck out of the box with my second kit, the DX-60B ham transmitter, which worked the first time I powered it. And with that success, there was no stopping me. Soon a collection of Heathkit ham radio equipment soon filled my ham shack shelves and a series of Heathkit AM-FM receivers were the centerpieces of my HiFi component system. These were complicated kits, but the kit instructions were so good that even a dummy load like me could build them successfully. So I look forward to the new Heathkit radio kits. I would love to build something again that worked. Until next time, keep on surfin’! Editor’s note: Stan Horzepa, WA1LOU, built Aurora monster kits before he built Heathkits. To contact Stan, send e-mail or add comments to the WA1LOU blog (via R Smith, DXLD) Has the company still been in business meanwhile making something else? Hard to imagine non-kits with that name (gh, DXLD) IRCs HARD TO GET, POST OFFICE MAY GO UNDER Item of interest to US-based DXer's and QSL hounds Dear All, I saw this in the New York Times, courtesy of rotten.com, and I have to say it has me completely shocked. It seems the US Post Office is essentially bankrupt, and if it defaults on a payment this month (as expected), it may have to close for the winter! http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/05/business/in-internet-age-postal-service-struggles-to-stay-solvent-and-relevant.html?_r=1 And after all the advertisements on TV stating that they were solely supported by the sale of stamps, without any funding from the federal government. The Postmaster General and Congress are in an emergency meeting tomorrow to decide what to do about the situation. Since Homeland Security is involved with this somehow, I expect any solution to incorporate a right to rifle our mail without warrants and at will. This may really be a push for email QSLs and eQSL.cc services! Another interesting experience I had the other day was attempting to purchase IRCs. No one in the Lehigh County, Pennsylvania had them except the Main Post Office. They are now at $2.10 each, and they only had 19 of them. Initially the guy tried to sell me IRCs that had been redeemed, as he did not know what they were, until corrected by an employee with more tenure. They wound up not being able to sell those 19 to me at all, because they could not get the sales code to work in their computers! I finally wound up buying them online from shop.usps.com and they should arrive tomorrow. So this is what we've come to! Time to privatize, like the Deutsche Post and the Austrian Mail. Service and customer satisfaction soared after they privatized. Our postal employees are mostly grumpy and unhelpful/unfriendly to boot, at least around here. If they actually had to compete for business and earn a living, it might change their whole attitude. Tomorrow's emergency session should prove interesting! 73 (Al Muick, Whitehall, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania USA, Sept 5, HCDX via DXLD) I don't know what your source of information is, Albert. Maybe statistics from the mentioned companies themselves. The German post was privatized in 1994. Although the old system was a reason for jokes as long as it existed, I would be happy to get it back. You will hardly find well trained (well paid) employees outside of the few main post office stations, in all these small agencies which are now part of bakeries or flower shops. Expanded opening hours? Forget it, a shop may be opened, while the post agency in it stays closed because their contract does not require (and the payment does not allow) a better customer service. A second counter opened because of demand? Better avoid these places before Easter or Xmas. IRCs are unknown there, too. It is still better than no post office at all, agreed. But don't expect more from privatization. vy 73, (Willi Passmann, Germany, http://www.radio-portal.org/sdr.html SDR-Special http://www.4shared.com/dir/5567845/166a39bd/sharing.html Perseus Databases - Third Party Software Guide & more, HCDX via DXLD) As you can see, we must define ``radio equipment`` very broadly, including accessories like IRCs! (gh, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SOLAR-ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEP 2 - 8, 2011 Activity level: mostly very low to low Radio flux (10.7 cm): a fluctuation in the range 115-90 f.u. Flares: weak (4-12/day), middle (0-1/period) Relative sunspot number: in the range 80-110 Astronomical Institute, Solar Dept., Ondrejov, Czech Republic e-mail: sunwatch(at) asu.cas.cz (RWC Prague) ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period Sep 2 to Sep 8. quiet: Sep 2 to Sep 8 quiet to unsettled: Sep 4 unsettled: Sep 3 active: 0 minor storm: 0 major storm: 0 severe storm: 0 Geomagnetic activity summary: geomagnetic field was quiet from Aug 26 to Aug 31. RWC Prague, Geophysical Institute Prague, Geomagnetic Dept, Czech Republic e-mail: geom(at)ig.cas. cz ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period of one solar rotation Geomagnetic field during the following solar rotation should be: quiet: Sep 7, 9, 13 - 14, 16 - 17, 21, 27 - 28 mostly quiet: Sep 5 - 6, 8, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 quiet to unsettled: Sep 2, 4, 10 - 12, 19, 23, 25 quiet to active: Sep 19 quiet to minor storm: - quiet to major storm: Sep 3 mostly unsettled: - unsettled to active: - unsettled to minor storm: - active to minor storm: - active to major storm: - minor to major storm: - Survey: quiet: Aug 30 - 31 mostly quiet: Aug 25, 27 - 28 quiet to unsettled: Aug 26, 29 quiet to active: Aug 23 - 24 quiet to minor storm: - quiet to major storm: - mostly unsettled: - unsettled to active: - unsettled to minor storm: - active to minor storm: - active to major storm: - minor to major storm: - Notices: High probability of changes in solar wind which may caused changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected about Sep 3, (8 - 10,) 11 (- 12), 18 - 19, 24. Days in brackets refer to a lower probability of possible activity enhancements depending on previous development on the Sun. F. K. Janda (OK1HH), Czech Propagation Interested Group e-mail: ok1hh(at)rsys.cz (via Dario Monferini, Sept 1, playdx yg via DXLD) SOLAR-ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEP 9 - 15, 2011 Activity level: mostly low to moderate Radio flux (10.7 cm): a fluctuation in the range 95-120 f.u. Flares: weak (3-10/day), middle (1-3/period), large (0-2/period) Relative sunspot number: in the range 80-100 Astronomical Institute, Solar Dept., Ondrejov, Czech Republic e-mail: sunwatch(at)asu.cas.cz (RWC Prague) Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period Sep 9 to Sep 15, 2011 quiet: Sep 14 and 15 quiet to unsettled: Sep 13 unsettled: Sep 12 active: Sep 11 minor storm: Sep 9 and 10 major storm: 0 severe storm: 0 Geomagnetic activity summary: geomagnetic field was quiet on Sep 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7, unsettled on Sep 3 and 4. RWC Prague, Geophysical Institute Prague, Geomagnetic Dept, Czech Republic e-mail: geom(at)ig.cas.cz Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period of one solar rotation Geomagnetic field during the following solar rotation should be: quiet: Sep 15 - 18, 27 - 28 mostly quiet: Sep 13 - 14, 26, 29 quiet to unsettled: Sep 19, 24 - 25 quiet to active: Sep 11 - 12, Oct 4 - 5 quiet to minor storm: Sep 9, 20 quiet to major storm: - mostly unsettled: - unsettled to active: Sep 21 - 23, 30, Oct 1 - 3 unsettled to minor storm: Sep 10 active to minor storm: - active to major storm: - minor to major storm: - Survey: quiet: Aug 31, Sep 1 mostly quiet: Sep 6 quiet to unsettled: Sep 2, 4 - 5, 7 quiet to active: - quiet to minor storm: - quiet to major storm: - mostly unsettled: Sep 3 unsettled to active: - unsettled to minor storm: - active to minor storm: - active to major storm: - minor to major storm: - Notices: High probability of changes in solar wind which may caused changes in magnetosphere and ionosphere is expected about Sep 9 - 12, 18 - 19, 24, 29, Oct 1. Days in brackets refer to a lower probability of possible activity enhancements depending on previous development on the Sun. F. K. Janda (OK1HH), Czech Propagation Interested Group e-mail: ok1hh(at)rsys.cz (via DXLD) NVIS PROPAGATION PREDIXIONS FOR MIAMI, ANYWAY Utah State University has a Space Weather Center web site, where they have been posting frequency availability related to communications with the National Hurricane Center in Miami. You can see current and projected NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) coverage across the Eastern Seaboard, as well as worldwide propagation maps for 75, 40 and 20 meters centered on Miami. Take a look at http://spaceweather.usu.edu/htm/emergency-hf-communication-hurricane-irene (QST de W1AW, Propagation Forecast Bulletin 35 ARLP035, From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA September 2, 2011, To all radio amateurs via Dave Raycroft, ODXA yg via DXLD WHEN IS MAXIMUM D-LAYER ABSORPTION? ... so that absolutely NO skywave is possible on the AM BCB?? For example, let's say a signal on 1700 kHz is strong enough (as the skywave reaches the lower limit of the D-layer for its first hop) to spontaneously inflict severe enough RF burns to require immediate advanced medical intervention for survival. At approximately what time of the day, year, solar cycle would it be absolutely impossible to detect any trace of that QRSS CW, PSK5 or other efficient-mode signal, no matter WHAT sophisticated radio + antenna setup you're using in an area at least 12,000 miles from the nearest power grid or thunderstorm activity?? Or if it never absorbs that much, how close does it get and when? I've sometimes noticed traces of mid morning/afternoon skywave (at least 3 hours after sunrise / 3 hours before sunset) using my portable radio and loop antenna even in March/April and September/October or thereabouts. I've especially noticed this with 1670 KHPY fading in and out, sometimes even within a couple hours of noon and within a couple months of the summer solstice.? Considering that I'd guess a sophisticated receiver+antenna setup is probably at least 100-120 dB more sensitive than my PL-606 and Select-A-Tenna, I wonder if they can get skywave all day even in summer (even if it's extremely weak)? (Stephen Airy, Sept 5, IRCA mailing list via DXLD) Anywhere around the summer solstice at midday (1 pm Daylight time). But because sunrise and sunset are not equidistant from noon, and the differences in length of day are minimal at that time of year, one would be safe suggesting a couple of hours around midday anytime between June 15 and June 26 (Russ Edmunds, 15 mi NNW of Philadelphia, ibid.) SUMMARY: X-Ray Event exceeded X1 (R3) Space Weather Message Code: SUMX01 Serial Number: 71 Issue Time: 2011 Sep 06 2247 UTC SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded X1 Begin Time: 2011 Sep 06 2212 UTC Maximum Time: 2011 Sep 06 2220 UTC End Time: 2011 Sep 06 2224 UTC X-ray Class: X2.1 Optical Class: 2b Location: N14W18 NOAA Scale: R3 - Strong NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales (SWPC 2247 UT Sept 6 via DXLD) SUMMARY: X-Ray Event exceeded X1 (R3) Space Weather Message Code: SUMX01 Serial Number: 72 Issue Time: 2011 Sep 07 2254 UTC SUMMARY: X-ray Event exceeded X1 Begin Time: 2011 Sep 07 2232 UTC Maximum Time: 2011 Sep 07 2238 UTC End Time: 2011 Sep 07 2244 UTC X-ray Class: X1.8 Optical Class: 3b Location: N14W28 NOAA Scale: R3 - Strong NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions can be found at http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/NOAAscales (SWPC 2244 UT Sept 7 via DXLD) Geomagnetic field activity began the week at generally quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active and minor storm periods at high latitudes due to a negative polarity coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS). Activity decreased to mostly quiet levels for 30 August - 02 September. Activity increased to quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active periods at high latitudes for 03 - 04 September. An isolated major storm period occurred at high latitudes during 03/0900 - 1200 UTC. Solar wind data indicated a solar sector boundary crossing on 02 September at about 1000 UTC, and a co-rotating interaction region on 03 September at about 0100 UTC followed by a negative polarity CH HSS. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 7 SEPTEMBER-3 OCTOBER 2011 Solar activity is expected to be low with M-class activity likely and a slight chance for X-class activity through 11 September when Region 1283 rotates off the disk. A decrease to very low to low levels is expected from 12 - 17 September. An increase to low to moderate levels is expected as old Regions 1286 and 1283 return and transit the disk from 18 September through the remainder of the forecast period. A slight chance for proton events is expected at geosynchronous orbit until 12 September. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels 07 - 08 September, followed by normal to moderate levels for 09 - 12 September. High levels are expected 13 - 14 September, followed by another decrease to normal to moderate levels for 15 - 28 September. High levels resume 29 - 30 September. Normal to moderate levels are expected 01 - 03 October. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels through 09 September. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels 10 - 13 September with the arrival of a coronal mass ejection coupled with a CH HSS. Mostly quiet levels will prevail from 14 - 29 September. An increase to unsettled is expected 30 September - 01 October due to another recurrent CH HSS. Quiet levels will predominate for 02 - 03 October. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2011 Sep 06 2004 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2011-09-06 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2011 Sep 07 115 5 2 2011 Sep 08 110 5 2 2011 Sep 09 105 5 2 2011 Sep 10 100 18 4 2011 Sep 11 100 15 3 2011 Sep 12 100 10 3 2011 Sep 13 100 8 3 2011 Sep 14 100 5 2 2011 Sep 15 100 5 2 2011 Sep 16 103 5 2 2011 Sep 17 103 5 2 2011 Sep 18 105 7 2 2011 Sep 19 105 7 2 2011 Sep 20 105 5 2 2011 Sep 21 105 5 2 2011 Sep 22 105 5 2 2011 Sep 23 103 5 2 2011 Sep 24 100 7 2 2011 Sep 25 100 7 2 2011 Sep 26 100 5 2 2011 Sep 27 105 5 2 2011 Sep 28 110 5 2 2011 Sep 29 110 5 2 2011 Sep 30 110 10 3 2011 Oct 01 110 8 3 2011 Oct 02 110 5 2 2011 Oct 03 110 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1581, DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Happy Labor Day! --- On Labor Day - To the August Body assembled: Labor Day is much more than a three day weekend. Its more than the family gathering at one of the members house for steaks, burgers, dogs, and cold ones. Its more than the football game on the television and radio. Its a celebration of the common American workers, and the unions that created the holiday in New York in 1886. Our great great grandparents, great grandparents and grandparents have given us much and on Labor Day we salute them for what they have done for us and what working America does for us today. Thank you to all the workers and unionists like American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Radio Association, Communication Workers of America, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Transportation Communications International Union and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers who put their lives on the line to give us things like lunch breaks, 8 hour days, vacation time, sick days, unemployment insurance, workmens compensation, retirement plans, good pay, health insurance, job safety programs, and more. Many were jailed and some even killed to give this legacy to us. We salute them for making our lives better than they had. God bless all the working men and women of this nation, they are what makes this country as magnificent as it is. Its not the government or the corporations that make us great, it is the working men and women of this nation. Happy Labor Day! May we continue to be strong workers and leaders of the nation as our great grandparents were. Labor Vincit Omnia! 73 (Kevin Redding, Crump, TN, Sept 5, ABDX via DXLD) Well said; except it`s Labor Omnia Vincit, as every Okie should know (gh, Enid, DXLD) ###