DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-119, October 1, 2007 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 2007 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 NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1375 Tue 1030 WRMI 9955 Tue 1530 WRMI 7385 Wed 0730 WRMI 9955 Wed 2300 WBCQ 18910-CLSB or 17495-CLSB WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL SCHEDULE: 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 For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN NOW AVAILABLE: http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/podcast.php OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Sigue con emisiones irregulares la emisora para Afganistán, Radio Solh en 17700 [via UK], hoy 30 de septiembre por ejemplo no se encuentra la emisión, el viernes pasado estaba emitiendo sin problemas (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Solh, 17700 via Rampisham UK, Oct 1 at 1459 had a break in transmission of a few seconds. This timing is suspicious, just when a transmitter or antenna switch might be made, in the middle of the 12- 18 UT broadcast, tho none is scheduled. Afterwards, seemed to be a bit weaker, but there would be no reason to change azimuth (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. ANTÁRTIDA, LRA 36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, 15476, 1958-2008, 28-09, locutor, identificación: "Aquí están las últimas noticias en Radio Arcángel San Gabriel", locutora, noticias de Argentina y del mundo. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, escucha realizada en casco urbano de Lugo, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600G, Antena de cable, 8 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. (feeder) 13363.5, (LSB mode), LS4 Radio Continental via LTA (//590 kHz), 1125+, September 23, Spanish, Program: "Por la gente", 44444 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 15345.11, R. Nacional, 2350-0033, Sept 30/Oct 1, OM with hyperactive live fútbol coverage, YL with many brief IDs (R.N., "Radio Nacional en Santa Cruz" [location of the game?] and "Fútbol Nacional"), ToH 5+1 pips, 0010 changed to relay of LRA-14, distinct IDs for "Radio Nacional de Santa Fe" (both spoken and singing station jingle IDs), pop/rock/folk songs, BoH pips, fair to good (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. 6035, *0000-0100 29-09, BBS, Sangaygang. Dzongkha announcement, horn music, Buddhist monks intoning, instrumental music and songs 35333 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) So it is holding up a little later as sun is rising later there (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6134.8a, R. Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, 0025-0101*, 1 Oct. tune-in to Spanish & possibly Aymara vocals, canned promo at 0048: "Santa Cruz.. por la radio.. en compañía (contigo?)..", more Spanish romantic ballads to fanfare/full AM/SW/FM ID at 0057: "6,135.. onda corta.. Radio Santa Cruz desde Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia." Flute bridge/back to closing "Radio Santa Cruz concluye..." and then another full ID (less the FM frequency) with street address/POB#, completed closing with a neat group vocal station promo song. Mentioned R. Santa Cruz and how nice it is to listen to the station (or something similar). Signal actually improved from tune-in to sign- off (Dan Sheedy, Encinitas, CA, R75/Kiwa & Par EF102040 @ 30', dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6080.1, R. Novas de Paz, Curitiba PR, 2200-2207, 22 Sep, station address announcement, religious program; 32431, Adjacent QRM de DRM signal 6085 + DW 6075 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 11780, Rádio Nacional da Amazônia, Brasília, 2025-2037, 20- 09, locutor, portugués, comentarios. 34333. (Méndez) 11784.7, Rádio Guaíba, Porto Alegre, 2143-2151, 29-09, locutor, portugués, comentarios de fútbol, equipo "Gremio". 24322. (Méndez) 11804.8, Radio Globo, Rio de Janeiro, 2002-2012, 29-09, portugués, locutor, identificación: "Radio Globo, Rio de Janeiro", comentarios de fútbol, equipo "Botafogo". 24322. (Méndez) 11815, Radio Brasil Central, Goiânia, 0850-0908, 30-09, programa de canciones brasileñas. Identificación por locutor: "Onda média, 1270 kHz, 50 kW, onda tropical, 60 metros, 4985 kHz, 6 kW, onda curta, 25 metros, 11815 kHz, 7.5 kW, Radio Brasil Central, Goiânia, Goiás". Excelente señal. 45444 (Méndez) 11829.9, Rádio Anhanguera, Goiânia, 1926-1937, 29-09, locutor, portugués, comentarios. 23222 (Méndez) 11915, Rádio Gaúcha, Porto Alegre, 2045-2110, 29-09, locutor, portugués, comentarios de fútbol "Gremio de Porto Alegre". Interferencia de Arabia, con programa en árabe en la misma frecuencia. 23322 (Méndez) 11925, Rádio Bandeirantes, São Paulo, 1940-1950, 29-09, fútbol: "Campeonato brasileiro", identificación: "Rádio Bandeirantes, transmitimos em onda média, 840 kHz, ondas curtas, 49 metros, 6090 kHz. 31 metros, 9645 kHz, 25 metros, 11925 kHz`` (Manuel Méndez, escuchas realizadas en Friol, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. 9490, *2330-0030*, Clandestine, 28/29-09, Democratic Voice of Burma, via Wertachtal, Germany. Burmese announcement after opening tune, news, 0015 Kachim (as listed) announcement, news, musical interlude, comments, closed with a western pop song 35232 AP- DNK 11945, 1345-1355, Singapore, 28-09, BBC, via Kranji. Burmese interview by a woman of two men in studio about the situation in Myanmar and the death of a Japanese Cameraman, a statement in English was translated, 45434, heard // 7135 which was disturbed by noise (jamming ?), (32332) AP-DNK 13675, 1245-1255 fade out, Northern Marianas, 28-09, R Free Asia, via Tinian. Burmese phone interview, noise on frequency (jamming ?) 13321, not audible here on // 9320 and 9455. AP-DNK 15480 *1430-1510, Clandestine, 28-09, Democratic Voice of Burma, via Gavar, Armenia. Burmese announcement after a song about Myanmar, news, 55454, but not heard on // 17625. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** CANADA. SO? So far we have run across three CBC localities using the catch-phrase, ``So --``, Nova Scotia, Montreal and Saskatchewan. How can this be so? Are there so many more? Apparently this has nothing to do with alliteration, as in the cases of Calgary, Edmonton, so? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. 6160, CKZU/CBC Radio One via Vancouver/Richmond, on Oct 1 heard IDs at both 0159 & 0259 that mentioned AM 690 from Vancouver and FM 89.9 from Parry Sound, plus CBC Radio One IDs. Fair to good (Ron Howard, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. SINTONIA INTERNACIONAL ((( NUEVO PROGRAMA DESDE CHILE ))) Estimados amigos/as: Estamos de enhorabuena: el amigo y diexista Daniel Bustos Aravena nos trae un nuevo programa dedicado al mundo de las comunicaciones y al diexismo, se trata de "Sintonía Internacional". Se irradia a través de Radio Imperio, 99.9 FM desde Chile y se emite los sábados de 20:00 a 20:30 hora de Chile (0000 a 0030 UT domingo [pronto 2300-2330 sábados – gh]). En este primer programa Daniel Bustos hace un recorrido a través de sus años dedicados al mundo de las comunicaciones y al diexismo y los beneficios y amigos que obtuvo con ello, lo complementa con varias grabaciones de espacios radiales muy interesantes. También realiza una entrevista a Hernán Grandón Parra, director de la emisora Radio Imperio 99.9 FM. No se pierdan este programa semanal de "Sintonía Internacional" Dirección web de la emisora: http://www.radioimperio.com/ Si no ha tenido oportunidad de escucharlo a través de la radio, lo puede hacer cualquier día y a cualquier hora en: http://es.geocities.com/programas_dx/sintoniaint.htm También en Programa DX está disponible: http://es.geocities.com/programasdx/ Cordiales 73, Un cordial saludo (José Bueno, Córdoba, España, Oct 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL AND FLUFF PROGRAMMING --- A few years ago, I recall comparing the programs of CRI favorably with those of the BBC or Radio Netherlands. That is certainly not the case today. First, the news. While the world news has been dominated by the situation in Myanmar (or Burma -- just what is the politically correct name these days?), on CRI at 1000 UT on September 29th and 1100 on the 30th, there was no mention of the situation in Rangoon (Yangon). This is curious, in that a main point in much of the news from domestic TV and foreign radio (Australia, DW, RN, and BBC) was the important role that China plays in the situation, economically and politically. Now to general programming. The seemingly ubiquitous “China Drive” is terrible. (The title alone implies a disastrous American influence on transportation expectations of middle class Chinese). It follows a pattern of “fluff” programming that is as vacuous as Vanna White. This is a type of program “perfected” to the point of near complete irrelevance by such stations as Radio Japan, Radio Korea, and Radio Taiwan International. (Curiously, all Asian Rim countries). As an infrequent, weekly feature, fluff works well (I would put the old “His and Hers” program with Jerry and Dody Cowan on Radio Netherlands in the 70s into that category. How’s that for nostalgia?). However a daily dose is too much. A male and female, chatting back and forth over the weather or beach holiday interspersed with bubble gum music --- who cares? The local FM bands are full of this baloney. On a public broadcaster, I would expect something better. China certainly has a very important role to play in coming decades with issues of development, political development, but even more important, energy use, global warming, abuse of the Mekong River, and the limits of environmental constraints. If CRI is really interested in getting its message out, just what is the message? A China expecting to live like affluent suburban Americans and Europeans? If they really want to “reach” the short wave enthusiast, or more generally and more importantly listeners on the Internet or rebroadcasts, they need better news and better programs than “China Drive.” They could do far better than emulate the worst of the fluff as heard every day on domestic commercial AM and FM. Give us some programs with some relevance and substance (Roger Chambers, Utica, New York, Sept 30, ODXA yg via DXLD) Right on! Except that if we got less fluff we might get more propaganda! The lack of news about Burma is a telling indication that ``news value`` is not what determines that which gets covered on the CRI air. China`s involvement means LESS coverage of controversial news (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bravo, Glenn! Bottom line is --- China can't be trusted, in ANY situation! Please see my commentary on "China's Broken Promises" on my NEW Olympic Games blog! http://www.gamesvision.blogspot.com (Maryanne Kehoe, GA, ibid.) [and non] An interesting take from Roger Chambers in the ODXA group... I would add that I believe "China Drive" airs primarily on the domestic FM service serving Beijing -- branded "Easy FM". As such, it serves the needs of the traditional vacuous (love that word) FM listener. It is only within the past few months that this program -- which I believe used to exist as "RealTime Beijing" -- began gracing the SW lineup. I agree with Roger that Radio Japan has perfected this type of bland programming, with the annoying "A Song For You" stuffed between two news segments. Deutsche Welle strayed into this fluff-laden turf with their midday program, "Update Europe", which has since (thankfully) left the airwaves. I will say that CRI produces some interesting feature programming, but -- since China remains a society still with controlled media -- CRI should be viewed skeptically as a source of unbiased news. Shame on us for expecting anything different (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) ** CHINA. 7270, Nei Menngu PBS, 1049-1102, Sept 25, vernacular. OM and YL with talk and musical bits. 5 pips at ToH followed by presumed ID and news. Poor (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB-1,200' Beverages, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. Clandestina. 11765, Xi Wang Zhi Sheng, SOH, 1610-1615, escuchada el 30 de septiembre en chino, locutora con entrevista a invitado, se aprecia fuerte interferencia de jammer china, Firedrake jamming, SINPO 43433. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. 21455 USB, HCJB, La Voz de los Andes, 1420-1500, 30-09. Estupendo programa especial sobre las elecciones constituyentes que se celebraban este domingo en Ecuador. "Son las nueve con 29 minutos, estamos viendo como discurre la jornada electoral. Ya hace un rato que abrieron los colegios electorales". "Las elecciones y los resultados en la antesala de la Asamblea Constituyente en la Voz de los Andes". Conexion con corresponsales que informan como se desarrolla el proceso en distintas partes del país. Información desde Guayabamba. 24322. (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, Escucha realizada en Friol, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It`s October, the traditional month for best reception on 13 m, so keep an ear on that band, at least in the daytime (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. V. of Meselná Deliná, Eritrean clandestine, in Tigrinya, which we found last week scheduled M-F 1800-1830 on new 17690 via WHRA, confirmed Monday Oct 1, loud and clear from 1800, altho the audio was a bit choppy as if on a defective internet feed. Noel Green and Jari Savolainen in Europe confirm it is no longer heard at 1700 on 7335, but instead CRI (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Clandestina para Eritrea. 17690, V. of Delina, 1804-1826, escuchada el 1 de Octubre probablemente en tigrilla, locutor con presentación y constantes identificaciones, locutora con comentarios, locutor con comentarios y música de fondo, segmento de música pop local, SINPO 45444. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 1700-1730, V. of Delina, Eritrean cland still on 7335? From Beijing, this is China Radio International (in English) was all I could hear at 1700. Actually scheduled via BEI too! No trace of any other on the frequency. 11765 also checked but seems a clear channel. 73 (Noel R. Green, England, ibid.) ** ETHIOPIA. Re 7-118: "Yes, this is what I meant (5970 and 5980 and 6180 that time). When I recorded the station on 5970, after 1 minute it signed off, then I tuned to 5980 to continue the recording (Zacharias Liangas, ibid.)" Still confusing to me. really three transmitters in // or shifting quickly? Never heard that there in Mekele should be a third transmitter. But you never know, of course. 73s (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Please note that our broadcast of the Voice of Oromia Independence Saturdays at 1700-1730 UT will change from 15650 to 9820 kHz as of November 3 for the winter broadcast period (Jeff White, RMI, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GABON. 9580, Afrique #1, 2200-2258*, 9/29/07. News/talk in French until 2220, then Afropop until signoff with clear ID/pips at 2258. Good quality audio, improving in recent weeks. Has been mixing in English jingles and occasionally soul music (e.g. James Brown) in recent weeks along with clearer transmissions closer to 'prime time'. This used to be listed as the Central Africa slot, but apparently 1800-2300 is becoming the best time slot for interested American listeners (Credit missing, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Radio Deutsche Welle (Voice of Germany) has announced that it now broadcasts in English from 00 to 01 hours only on two frequencies: 7245 and 15595 kHz via transmitters in Sri Lanka and Komsomolsk-na-Amure, Russia (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Sept 28 via DXLD) Maybe, but the B-07 schedule shows three: 7265, 9785, 15595. Do they really announce, verbally, transmitter sites? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Re JAPAN, below: With the ex-Axis Powers finally ceasing to talk to each other in their own languages, we may conclude that WW II is really, really over. Of course, DW dropped Italian and Japanese long ago, if it ever had them (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Yes, they had. WRTH 1995 shows a Japanese broadcast 1100-1130, via Angarsk (site a.k.a. Irkutsk) on 5925, via Trincomalee on 9640 plus 11825, via Malta (which got two curtains for such long-distance services to optimize the use of this site) on 11735 plus 13790 and via either Wertachtal, Jülich and/or Nauen on 7105, 9665 and 11795 (hm, 41 metres at local noon?). The same edition shows Italian 2230-2300 from a German site on 6115 and from Sines on 7285. I still remember listening to the latter one, booming into Germany as well, with the distinctive modulation of the old Marconi transmitters which sounded noticeably different from the current Thomson gear. Actually Italian was amongst the foreign language services taken over from Deutschlandfunk by Deutsche Welle a few years after 1990. Deutschlandfunk used no shortwave for Italian but 1539 (Mainflingen, now used by Evangeliums-Rundfunk) instead. The editors did not like to change to Deutsche Welle, not only because the working conditions at Deutschlandfunk were better but also because they foresaw that it would just be the beginning of the end. Shortly after 1995 Italian had been taken off shortwave, in favour of a future-proof satellite service. Did Italian last for much longer on satellite? Of course not! Btw, RBI broadcast in Italian, too, using shortwave and 1359 (Berlin- Köpenick, now off and silent). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. THIS IS ON GLENN HAUSER'S WEB SITE worldofradio.com FOR SEPTEMBER 18: ``Radiophonikos Statmos Makedonias from Thessaloniki with news in English is reported on 9935 kHz at 1155 hours. According to an announcement, the program is aired also on 9420, 729, 792, 666, 954, 927, 981, 1044, 1008, 1278 and 1512 kHz (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Sept 14 via DXLD)`` (John Babbis, to Mauno Ritola, et al., via DXLD) Strange, I couldn't hear the English news at all today at 1155 UT, just Greek? Best regards, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Sept 20, via Babbis, DXLD) Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias never makes it to this side of the ocean until just before 2000 UT. Perhaps it is only a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday weekend deal at 1155 UT. Reqards, (John Babbis, Maryland, ibid.) I asked RSM and they tell me that the English newscasts at 1157 have been cancelled until the end of this year. Best regards (Mauno Ritola, Sept 30, ibid.) Glenn: I wonder why Radiophonikos Stathmos Makedonias canceled the English broadcast until the end of the year; did they run out of money to pay for a translator or announcer? Regards, (John Babbis, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: I tuned in to the "Greek In Style" program on Voice of Greece which is on at 2305 UT Sunday to 0005 UT Monday on the frequencies of 7475 and 9420 in this area with SINPO's of 55555. This time, Adrianna was doing the introductions in English with lively Greek love song recordings (John Babbis, Silver Spring MD, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4052.5, Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, 0437-0558*, 30-09, canciones y comentarios religiosos en español. A las 0500 programa en inglés "Spiritual Songs", identificación en inglés a las 0556 "Radio Verdad, Chiquimula, Guatemala, Central América". Himno y cierre a las 0558. 25322 (Manuel Méndez, escuchas realizadas en Friol, Spain, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. I was listening at exactly the same time to R. Verdad, 4052.5, Sept 30 at 0555 already playing national anthem, horrible version by shrill off-key children`s choir, many stanzas, off at 0559* without further announcement. This is a beautiful piece of music I hate to hear ruined. Seek out a professional version of it with a great tenor or professional choir. One can Google up many versions of it; Here`s a midi with the lyrix displayed: http://mi-guatemala.tripod.com/Himno.html In fact, I love many Latin American national anthems, notably Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, tho seldom get to hear any of them any more on SW; except Mexico, every midnight local on every MW & SW station (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. 7355, WHRI, World Harvest Radio - 0547-0556 - 28-Sep-07 - SINPO 45444 - English. Woman talking about confidence, then announcing LeSEA Broadcasting ministries and transmitter sites, an ongoing project to maintain the antennas at KWHR (Hawaii) that need replacement parts. Work could cost USD 50,000. 0603 re-check it was off (Élmer Escoto, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Sony ICF-SW7600GR, 8 m random wire connected to telescoping antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII [and non]. Re: Richard E. Wood has died --- It was the photo of Wood, in a 1970's Communications Handbook, sitting in front of his Squires Sanders, SPR-4 and Galaxy R-530, that contributed to my early intense interest in SW (Dan Robinson, VOA Congressional Correspondent, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It was very thoughtful of you to dedicate so much space on Dr. Wood's passing so that DXers could share their memories and thoughts. Seeing that he didn't have any survivors and probably no extensive obituary will be published in any mainstream press, it was certainly important that the tributes to him be circulated through DXLD among those who really appreciated his work and dedication (Marty Delfín, Spain, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OBIT ** INDIA [and non]. Hearing AIR Vividh Bharati Service on 9870 (ex 10330) via Bangalore, beginning at 1245. I halfway expected to find some interference from China Radio Int. at 1300 as EiBi shows them sked in English to Asia 1300-1600. But no trace of them heard here. 30 Sept. 2007 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) VBS transmission shift from B'lore --- I tried to tune in the new frequency but did not hear VBS. Radio Austria international was on strongly. The earlier 10330 kHz , B' lore, 500 kW had no interference any time and had clear reception most of the time. Thanks, (Ranjan Kumar, Eastern USA, dx_india via DXLD) No time given; Austria is on 9870 only at 0030-0200, plus Prague to NAm at 0230-0330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [and non]. Re: JAMMING OF TRANSMISSION OF RADIO PAKISTAN LAHORE 630 KHZ BY INDIA FROM 1330 TO 1400 Hi Glenn, as published in DXLD 7-114 September 20, 2007, and your comments in DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-115, September 23, 2007, here are the facts : Aslam Javaid is trying to prove the point that Indian Govt is jamming the transmission of PBC Lahore Punjabi Darbar programme due to that fact that the transmission consists of well researched talks and commentaries. You can judge how well researched these programs are from this newspaper report: http://www.newkerala.com/oct.php?action=fullnews&id=3706 Regarding jamming, during last one week I didn`t find any jamming during 1330-1400 UT; muffled audio is due to transmitter problem, and B'desh Betaar Dhaka was noted as weak co-channel in background with perfect audio. Here are some audio files for 630 kHz recorded between 1330-1400 UT: http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1336utc_23sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1350utc_23sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1343utc_24sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1314utc_29sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1331utc_29sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbs_630_1323utc_29sept2007.mp3 http://alokeshgupta.googlepages.com/pbc_630_1355utc_29sept2007.mp3 Most of the program consists of short commentaries (Pakistan Govt Propaganda) alongwith Gurbani (prayers) & short plays (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. Radio Voice of Indonesia has announced that it now broadcasts a program in English from 2230 to 2330 hours on 9525 kHz (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Sept 28 via DXLD) Really? I thought this occurred on one date only, caused by earthquake disruption (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. 6110, 28.9 2000, RAI International med historiens sista sändning på svenska eftersom alla kortvågssändningar läggs ned den 1 oktober. Inte heller denna gång hade man några nyheter på svenska utan enbart förinspelade annonseringar. Den 27.9 lyssnade jag på det danska programmet där man i förbigående nämnde att kortvågssändningarna upphör den 1 oktober. Så tydligen försvinner nu det välbekanta fågelkvittret från kortvågsbanden. CB (Christer Brunström, Sweden, SW Bulletin Sept 30 via DXLD) 11875 kHz, RAI, at 2048 UT with Nightingale IS, into chimes and orchestral theme, ID in Italian, livelier orchestral theme, ID and into news in Portuguese. SINPO 33222. September 29th. This may be the last time heard here as they are due to cease shortwave operations on the 30th. As their programs were not much, I seldom tuned in RAI purposefully, but occasionally came across them by accident in one of their 20 odd languages broadcast. I would guess that with the exception of some of their (longer) Italian music programs, RAI was one of the least listened to short wave broadcasters due to their short broadcasts (20 minutes), boring programming (remember the “Dead Lady?)”, and generally unreliable signal. I wonder if things would have been better if they had focused on a credible program service in fewer major languages, such as Spain, Prague, or Radio Netherlands do presently? (Roger Chambers, Utica, New York, Grundig YB 400PE with a random long wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Este 30/09, escuché en el Buzón de Radio Japón (11895 kHz/0500 UT), que la NHK dejará de usar la frecuencia de 11970 kHz, en sus transmisiones a Europa. De hecho, al dejar inactivo ese canal hacia el Viejo Continente, quedarán virtualmente eliminadas las emisiones de la radio pública nipona hacia dicho lugar del orbe. Lamentable noticia. La medida tendrá efecto a partir del 1ero. de octubre. 73s y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, Estado Vargas, VENEZUELA P.D. Luego de un buen período con mi receptor JRC dañado, al fin vuelvo a escuchar la onda corta, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ADIÓS A LA RAI INTERNACIONAL; EL 30 DE SEP FUE LA ÚLTIMA EMISIÓN. Saludos cordiales. ITALIA. Ayer domingo 30 de septiembre pude escuchar la última emisión en Onda Corta de RAI Internacional en su servicio en español, a las 2110 comenzó su habitual sintonía y su habitual identificación, “RAI, radio televisión italiana”, “RAI Internacional, programa en castellano para Europa”, “Diario desde Italia, el informativo de RAI Internacional”. Tras saludar un locutor comienza con los titulares del programa, comienza con noticias nacionales, luego el siguiente anuncio: “Les recordamos amigos oyentes que están ustedes escuchando el informativo de RAI Internacional; avisamos también a nuestros oyentes, que este será el último noticiario en lengua española por que a partir de mañana todos los noticiarios en lengua extranjera cesarán de la RAI Internacional”. Luego continua con noticias internacionales y la sección de deportes, el programa finaliza con esta despedida, “Avisamos a nuestros oyentes que acaban de escuchar el último noticiario de la RAI en lengua española, así después de 75 años de compañía, a partir de mañana todos los noticiarios en lengua extranjera cesarán. Gracias por su ayuda y por su escucha, amigos oyentes, desde Roma, muy buenas noches”. Para finalizar, la última despedida “Hemos transmitido, diario desde Italia, el informativo de RAI Internacional”. Los últimos minutos estuvo amenizado por un segmento musical. Se puede escuchar la última emisión en Onda Corta en: http://jmromero782004.podomatic.com/# 73 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ciao, oggi ho provare a fare qualche ascolto sulle frequenze di Rai Int. 6140, 0730, programma it. in onda - Satelradio 15380, 1833, In onda ma con interruzioni anche di 1 minuto (andava via la portante): hanno tramesso le notizie dall'italia, poi un brano musicale, poi l'annuncio delle interruzione delle trasmissioni e poi il silenzio; fino alle 1905 UT. Veramente un bell'addio :-( 73 And IW0HK (Andrea Borgnino IW0HK, Sept 30, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Right now at 1840 they are still on air with Polish on 6130. At 1805 I thought that Prato Smeraldo had already shut down since no German came on, only Wertachtal with VOA Persian was on 6040 and no significant signal at all on 9845. Probably this 1805 transmission was not scheduled for Sundays; some lists suggests that the 1415 release in German was Mon-Sat only but it had been broadcast today (at least via Hotbird, it got also recorded for the audio-on-demand), closing with the remark "I hope you will keep us in good memory", and it was obvious that it was a moving moment for the announcer (another one added two days ago to the announcement of the imminent closure "so it will be over after working here for 17 years"). Well, I saw a comment by somebody who has nothing to do with the shortwave scene and apparently used to listen via either Hotbird or the Internet: "What a pity, so we will again be left with news from Italy in the way they are selected and filtered by our German media." So I don't agree with comments that it was an entirely useless service that goes away tonight. No doubt, it was not more than a paltry read- out of news, but certainly still of use for those who are interested in what is going on in Italy. [Later:] Tonight RAI International broadcast also the Slovak and Polish programmes on 5970 until 2225, i.e. into Oct 1 local time. And now Notturno Italiano from RAI International (explicitly announced) is again on 900, probably also 567 and 657 and, most noteworthy, also on 6060. At 2300 they one more time included a German segment in the news, and it started with the announcement "we would like to inform you that as of the beginning of the new week the news in German will be cancelled from this programme". Btw, no Notturno Italiano but another program (Radio Uno?) on 846. So what's going on? Could it be that they scrap all foreign language services but continue Italian also on shortwave? What I saw so far did not make that really clear, if a machine translation can make anything clear at all (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) RAI domestic service still on SW / RAI International on the web --- Notturno Italiano heard on the 1st of October in German at 0005 UT on 6060 kHz. The french segment didn't follow at 0006 UT (but it is wasn't the first time). RAI International in Somali heard on the web at rtsp://live.media.rai.it/broadcast/international.rm at 0530 UT. Regards (JM Aubier, France, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also all Rai Rome Italian language hour at 1700-1800 UT on 6 frequencies missing totally today. 6060, No Notturno Italiano noted on Oct 1st at 2200 UT (\\ Milano 900 kHz). Only VoA Khmer via Tinang-PHL noted with time announcement and ID, S=7 signal strength in Germany. Another poor signal co-channel underneath, seemingly RRS Yakutsk? 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Oct 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ciao Rai International: la fine --- David de Jong writes: Yesterday after 72 years the international shortwave broadcasts of Italy closed down. Rai International ceased its shortwave broadcasts, and ceased broadcasting in 25 languages. This news doesn’t seem to have had much attention within Italy. Only some specialised websites about (international) radio broadcasts mentioned it, alongside a couple of items in a very few newspapers. Even Rai International’s website didn’t mention the end, and on the broadcast itself it was only mentioned on the end of the newscast. In some comments it was mentioned that, from the country where Marconi came from, it is painful to consider that information in languages other than Italian is not available anymore. As a result of the end of these broadcast, the broadcasts of English, French and German news within Italy during the programme ‘Notturno Italiano’ on the mediumwave frequencies of Rai Radio 1 have also ceased. However Rai continues to produce German programming including news, thanks to the special status of the Alto Adige region (Sudtirol) where Rai Sender Bozen, which recently also became available on the Internet, is active. The Italian language radio programmes of Rai International continue on satellite, Internet and some relays on FM in Canada, Australia and the United States. These broadcasts are mostly relays of Rai Radio 1, Rai Radio 2 and Rai Radio 3. Rai International focuses more on its television activities. Rumours suggest that a Spanish language TV news programme might re-appear. In parliament Riccardo Pedrizzi, a member of the right wing opposition party Alleanza Nazionale, has asked the government to explain the ceasing of the foreign and shortwave broadcasts. Pedrizzi opposes the end of shortwave broadcasts and the total end of foreign language radio broadcasts of Rai International. “The decision seems to be in total contradiction to the obligation deriving from the convention which was signed at the end of July,” according to Pedrizzi. In this convention, Pedrizzi recalls, it is mentioned that foreign citizens interested or potentially interested in Italy and its values, culture, way of life, creativity and products should be targeted, which in the opinion of the Alleanza Nazionale politician should mean an increase of efforts instead of closing down. Pedrizzi asked the government if it is correct that the current convention between government and Rai/Rai International allows the closing of the broadcasts, and what initiatives the government will take in this matter. According to Pedrizzi this situation is in contradiction with the international role Italy wants to play in the world (October 1st, 2007 - 14:01 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD) A mostly unceremonious end to 77 years of international radio from Italy (updated). The international radio broadcasts of RAI Italy have ended. But the pre-programmed RAI multilingual stream is still playing the usual opening announcements, e.g. Hungarian at 1935. But instead of the news, we hear bland instrumental music as filler. David de Jong provides a good summary of the closure of RAI shortwave broadcasts at Radio Netherlands Media Network, 1 October 2007. David says that the news in English, French, and German on RAI's "Notturno Italiano" has also ended. However, the RAI International Onde Medie page still lists those three language for "Notturno Italiano." I think David is correct, but perhaps someone in Europe could listen at 2303, 0003, 0103, 0203, or 0303 UT on 567, 657, or 900 kHz, to see if non- Italian news survives. RAI's elimination of international shortwave broadcasts did get a brief mention by Italian newspaper columnist Ieri Ernesto Galli della Loggia, as mentiond by Andrea Lawendel in Radiopassionae, 30 September 2007. See also Hard Core DX, 28 September 2007, and Millecanali, 27 September 2007. See Kim's updated farewell to RAI international radio, with audio excerpts. See previous post about same subject. Posted: 01 Oct 2007 (http://www.kimandrewelliott.com/index.php?id=2416 for linx, via DXLD) NUCCIO FAVA: 'ERRORE STRATEGICO CHIUDERE ONDE CORTE' "E' grave che nel silenzio generalizzato, anche della Rai, si voglia smantellare uno straordinario mezzo quali le onde corte vanto dell'Italia e del genio di Marconi. La chiusura degli impianti determinera' la soppressione dei notiziari con i quali la Rai, da oltre 70 anni, fa giungere in tutti i continenti la voce dell'Italia in ventisette lingue diverse, compreso l'italiano". Lo afferma Nuccio Fava, presidente dell'Associazione dei Giornalisti Europei, per il quale "le trasmissioni nella nostra lingua resterebbero solo su internet e sul satellite, mezzi che non tutti dispongono specialmente nelle aree in via di sviluppo e che agevolano interventi di eventuale censura nei paesi dove non c'e' liberta' di stampa. Desta peraltro preoccupazione - aggiunge - il grave problema del futuro professionale di quanti alle onde corte di Rai International prestano la loro opera. E' inoltre da rilevare che la dismissione degli impianti precludera' all'azienda la possibilita' di utilizzo delle onde corte in digitale. Altri enti radiotelevisivi (BBC, Radio Vaticana ed emittenti di vari paesi europei) si guardano bene dal rinunziare a queste tecnologie che costituiscono un valido mezzo organico e strategico nei moderni sistemi della comunicazione", conclude Fava (ITALPRESS via Roberto Scaglione, Sicily, Sept 29, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. NHK Warido, R. Japan, final one-hour broadcast to NAm at 0500 on 6110 via Canada, Sept 30: tune-in at 0545 during World Interactive. Quite a lot of QRM from off-frequency CVC Chile, and seemingly a third station, probably Colombia Marfil/Conciencia leapfrog, one of them producing a low het and the other a slightly higher one. Of course, Sackville itself could be off-frequency as verified on various other transmissions, but did not try to measure it. The QRM with music was especially annoying as beating against NHK it made the music off-pitch. Unfortunately, NHK is sticking with this situation in the new schedule reduced to 0500-0530 only, still on 6110 via Canada! Don`t they get any reception reports complaining of the QRM?? We have been wondering if World Interactive will survive the October 1 cuts, as no English transmission will be longer than 30 minutes and some will be only 20 minutes. Apparently it will, because the YL & YL hosts were chatting, asking for e-mail input, and next week`s program would include the regular World of Haiku feature (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) more from gh below RADIO JAPAN (LAST TX IN ITALIAN) DATE: 30-09-2007 TIME: 0530-0545 UT FREQUENCY: 11970 KHz SIGNAL: GOOD WITH QSB LANGUAGE: ITALIAN PROGRAM: NEWS & FAREWELL TX: via GABON This is the last transmission in Italian language of Radio Japan. The transmission with a short gallery of QSLs, schedules and "Radio Japan News" of 1976 is available at http://swli05639fr.blogspot.com/ 73's Francesco Cecconi, HCDX via DXLD) This used to propagate well to CNAm, but not lately with rock-bottom solar flux & MUFs (gh, DXLD) 11970, 30.9 0545, Radio Japan med sista programmet på svenska från Tokyo. Kjell Israelsson, Christer Brunström, Henrik Klemetz och Erik Køie intervjuades och samtliga medlemmar av den skandinaviska redaktionen kom med en sista hälsning till oss lyssnare i Norden. Även redaktionerna på tyska, italienska och malaysiska läggs ner den 30 september. CB (Christer Brunström, Sweden, SW Bulletin via DXLD) Re: NHK World Radio Japan in German farewell program --- Anchored by a Japanese lady who said that she's the only one who has not left yet. They presented a fairytale about the minister who discovered the force of the pictures and thus no longer wants to listen but only to watch anymore. Really great, I can't remember any farewell programme with such an excellent allusion to the policy of the respective station. And this fairytale of course hits the nail on the head also in regard of RAI International. We already saw quite a number of international broadcasters scrapping their German services, but I think it never before happened at two stations at once, i.e. on the same day. I tend to be a cynic, too, but not to the extend that I would start to seriously guess who will be the next one, although I'm sure that more are to follow, rather sooner than later (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) With the ex-Axis Powers finally ceasing to talk to each other in their own languages, we may conclude that WW II is really, really over. Of course, DW dropped Italian and Japanese long ago, if it ever had them (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Monitored NHK World R. Japan`s new broadcast in English via Sackville 11705, Monday Oct 1: Carrier did not come on until a few sex before 1400 allowing just a bit of the R. Japan IS, which fortunately has not been abolished. 1400 timesignal and immediately into news with vapid, forgettable theme --- no sign-on, opening greeting. Newscaster spoke slowly and distinctly, but still hard to understand him because of heavy accent. Is R. Japan unable to hire native speakers of e.g. English, or is this a deliberate policy to maintain Japanese flavour in their broadcasts?? If so, it is too successful. One of the stories was about a ``seaside bomber in NW Pakistan`` -- oh, that must be ``suicide``! The break in the middle of the news to announce frequencies has been abolished, so we are on our own to find out what they are. I am surprised some consultant did not convince them much earlier that the frequency info totally interrupted the flow of the news. ``A Song for You`` music break after the news is also gone! But they only have 29 minutes now to work with, so less time for fluff. 1410, Pop Spot Japan(?), something about integration, but the YL`s heavy accent prevented me from understanding the title. Interviewed someone about Burma from Sophia University who spoke much better English, altho I think his name was Japanese. The Asian news roundup quoting items from other stations, a useful service, is also abolished, but a sub-segment of the program at 1416 had a report from Radio Australia, interviewing a sorghum (?) sister about catering. At end caught the correct subtitle ``Challenges of Integration``, and into music bit, a song about hummingbirds and rainbows, but it was cut off after a sesquiminute for the program`s closing theme, along with which the hostess gave seasonal greeting for autumn in the NH, spring in the SH. Transmission cut off at 1429* without any formal sign-off. Later I looked for new program info on the NHK website and found that the show I was hearing must have been ``What`s Up Japan``, and the current sub-topic is Challenges of Integration, per: http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/onairradio_e.html [From here below, my interspersed comments are in brackets: Besides the news, there are only three distinctive programs left in English on Radio Japan! Times here carefully changed from JST to UT, by subtracting 9 hours, if you don`t mind! ---] ``What's Up Japan`` M-F 0510, repeated at 0910, 1210, 1320, 1410, 2200, 2400 [since this is a 20-minute show, therefore the 20-minute transmissions at 2200 and 2400 omit the news] {I suspect this is because their newsroom is no longer staffed 24 hours; 7 and 9 am local = too early} This program features current topics in politics, economics, sport and other fields in Japan and across Asia, giving insight into the world of Japan and Asia now. It will also be presented in 16 languages on Radio Japan Focus at various broadcasting times, dependent on the language service. Oct 1 Mon The Challenges of Integration(4)Immigrant Women: Australia Oct 2 Tue The Challenges of Integration(4)Immigrant Women: Sweden Oct 3 Wed The Challenges of Integration(4)Immigrant Women: Canada Oct 4 Thu The Challenges of Integration(4)Immigrant Women: Netherlands Oct 5 Fri The Challenges of Integration(4)Immigrant Women: Japan ``World Interactive`` Sat 0510-0600 UT [sic; surely means 0510-0530 now], repeated: Sat 1010, 1710, Sun 0010, 0310, 1110, 1510, Mon 0110 [NOTE: most of these must be WRONG, at hours when NO ENGLISH is now scheduled: 0110, 0310, 1010, 1110, 1510, 1710!! and 0010 would not fit for a 20-minute broadcast starting at 0000] A mailbag show connecting listeners from around the world to NHK World. Each week we introduce mail from our listeners, as well as have phone interviews with them. We also periodically feature foreign guests to share their experiences living in Japan. The show offers DX information, Haiku lessons, and a Japanese culture segment twice a month -- giving you a look into present day Japan, and Japan of the past. ``Pop Up Japan`` Sat 0530-0550 UT, Repeated: 1030, 1430, 1730, Sun 0030, 0130 [NOTE: all these times must be WRONG, as there are no longer any English broadcasts scheduled in the second half of hours, except the late-starting 1310 until 1340! One would assume this should fill weekend times not occupied by World Interactive? The logical setup would be for W.I. to be on all the `Sat` broadcasts, without extending into Sun & Mon as previously, and PUJ to be on all the `Sun` broadcasts, but who knows?] On Pop Up Japan, Pakkun Makkun will introduce a line-up of specially selected J-Pop tunes, interspersed with their own sharp brand of comedy. The show will also look at some unique elements of Japanese culture such as animation, the Akihabara scene, and the latest Tokyo fashions. You can send requests for your favorite songs via the program website. http://www.nhk.or.jp/popupjapan/ [Try to make sense out of that. Thus the published R. Japan program schedule is FUBAR. We should still be thankful that there is any English (sort of), left on the air at all] (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA. NETHERLANDS [non]. Hi Glenn. Because of noise from neighbors, woke up this morning abruptly at around 3 am (0100 UT) and tuned into The Mighty KBC blasting in on 6255. I was surprised by reception because this sounded like a local medium wave station with hardly any fading. SIO 544. Music included songs by REO Speedwagon, Barry Manilow, Phil Collins and European songs such as Irish folk music. Their motto "rocking over the ocean." The announcer, who broke into Dutch at times, gave address in Ede, Holland said that KBC was affiliated with KPO import and said that he would have more info about streaming in the coming minutes --- which I never heard because I fell back to sleep at around 0140. According to their web site http://www.kbcradio.eu they are using 100 kW at 259 degrees. Are you guys getting them over there on your side of the Atlantic? They're also using sex to sell shortwave on this web site. There is an attractive babe modeling what looks like will be a version of the current Roadstar TRA 2350P shortwave receiver, which they plan on selling under their brand name KP-O WR-2001, for 79.95 euros. In Madrid, the Roadstar sells for 59.95 euros (around $84.52 @ current 1 euro = $1.41). Website also says they have plans next year to be on the air daily on shortwave (Marty Delfín, Madrid, Spain, Sony ICF-77 telescopic antenna, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is the UT-Sunday-only broadcast to NAm. Yes, it makes it over here quite well tho I have not tried in the last few weeks. Leggy, not breasty; includes announcement: ``Next year we will be on the air with a daily programme of one hour on shortwave`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MADEIRA [non]. RDPI, 15560, best signal direct from Europe on 19m, Sunday Sept 30 at 1354 with Abraço da Madeira show, interrupted briefly for QSY announcement upcoming at hourtop, 12020 to 11905; phone call from Canada, 1400 news break. This is for the diaspora from Madeira, which seems to be more than you would expect from such a small island, scheduled 1211-1400 on Sundays (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 9599.4, R. UNAM, 2315-0006, Sept 29. Strong, clear signal with classical instrumental music. No ID/announcements. Het from 9600- RHC carrier at 2345 then splatter at *0000 (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB-1,200' Beverages, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Unam, 9599+, Oct 1 at 1419 with Spanish talk rather than classical music, noticeably stronger than RA on 9590 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Hi all, I was just up on the Fred Cantú site, and despite the fact that the Sonora page is a hodge podge, I couldn't readily find any references to the city of hermocillo, but I did find XEDM [1580], and they are calling themselves Noticias DM, and I wonder if they are 24 hours, and if there is a listen link anywhere? I tried to go to their link, but their site is down, and I wonder how often Fred Cantú updates his site? I'm just curious as to how x e d m sounds today, verses 35 years ago or more, when their quality was horrid (Marty Rimpau, CA, Sept 30, IRCA via DXLD) Well, Hermosillo (note spelling) is there in alphabetical order with all the other cities under Sonora: http://www.mexicoradiotv.com/listsono.htm Says XEDM is now ``Radio Inteligente``, that audio is available 8 am to 2 pm only; but if you go to the audio page http://www.radiointeligente.info/ it now says 8 am to 8 pm local time. But the imbedded wm player wouldn`t run at 1740 UT Sunday (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Fred Cantú does very well on his updates for most of the states in México, but for Sonora, Coahuila, Baja California Sur particularly, he is weaker. There is, unfortunately, no single authoritative source that I have found that doesn't have areas where it is weak. I've tried to encourage more western U.S. DX'ers to monitor Mexican stations and keep us updated on slogans, etc. Cantú is probably the only observer of the Mexican radio scene who digs regularly for audio links. XEDM used to be dominant in the west; I heard them regularly from the Texas Panhandle in the '60s, 24/7, but they appear to be much weaker now. I'm very close to KGAF-1580, Gainesville TX, which is surprisingly hard to null for 250 watts, and haven't heard XEDM here north of Dallas/Fort Worth, but when I'm in Arizona, I can still hear them. They were, indeed, the last time I heard them, "Noticias DM," but Medios Publicitarios Mexicanos, the quarterly rate card publication from México, shows their schedule as 6 a.m. to midnight, local time (GMT -7). (John Callarman, Krum Texas, IRCA via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 12085, Voice of Mongolia, Khonkhor, 1035-1100*, 23 Sep, Mongolian, talks & songs; 35433 but deteriorating. It's been very rare to have such a SINPO rating on this frequency at this late time (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Caught the last few minutes of RNZI Mailbox, which runs less than 20 minutes now, Mon Oct 1 until 1350 on 6095. Adrian Sainsbury announced a couple of schedule changes, presumably referring to analog tho not specified: 15720 starting an hour earlier at *1950 instead of *2050 (but a few seconds later he said it starts at *2000 now). 9615 extended an hour, past 0700, now 0500-0800, times rounded off. These new changes are reflected in the schedule viewed at 1742 UT Oct 1 at http://www.rnzi.com/pages/listen.php even tho that schedule supposedly went into effect 24 August (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also WORLD OF HOROLOGY ** NIGERIA. 4770, awfully muffled and distorted talk, 0552 Sept 30; could not be sure of the language. Are they trying to outdo VON? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Glenn, Saw your query about my Enid-1640 logging in the new DXLD 7-118. Yes, the ID I heard was "KNID game of the week," so I just assumed it was the new call for 1640. Maybe the game was simulcast on FM or an announcer blunder --- maybe he thought it was going out on FM?? Their signal was easily dominant on the channel. In looking over my log for last year, I see it normally is co-equal to WTNI in Biloxi, so I think it's a good bet they were on day power (Harry Helms W5HLH, Smithville, TX EL19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Radio Pakistan broadcasts news in English in the emission in Assamese from 0045 to 0115 hours on 9340 kHz; from 0730 to 0830 hours and from 11 to 1105 hours on 15100 and 17835 kHz; from 16 to 1614 hours on 9380 kHz, irregularly on 4790, 5027, 5080, 11550 and 11570 kHz, the latter being used most of all (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Sept 28 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. 5055 and 5085 kHz Radio Pakistan Islamabad Shortwave transmitter API-2 100 kW: Off Air Hi Glenn, It was reported by Mr. Noel R. Green from N.W. England that the Islamabad shortwave transmitter API-2 100 kW is off air. Since it is still mentioned on Radio Pakistan website that API-2 is being used for broadcasts 0045 to 1700 UT with intervening intervals at 5055 and 5860, I tried to confirm the factual position by monitoring the designated frequencies during the whole week 25-29th September 2007 but found no trace of the transmitter or the broadcast. So the Home Service on shortwave from Islamabad station is now not available. The broadcast from this transmitter was primarily beamed for domestic audience. So finally we can confirm that the information on Radio Pakistan website about its API-2 operation status in not correct. Other DXers may not waste time in tracing the said broadcasts or transmitter at 5055 and 5860 kHz. The said transmitter was installed in 1968 and was RCA; reportedly the transmitting valves and spares were not available. Due to the same reason the RCA 50 kW transmitter installed at Karachi, i.e. APK-2 and APK-3, installed in 1948 are being dismantled and replaced with 100 kW transmitter. And for Mr. Noel Green I would like to inform that the transmission on 48 mb after 0400 UT is very difficult to monitor in summer season in South Asia. It is very rare that any broadcasters transmit after 0400 UT [9 am local in Pak] on this band. A lot of propagation problems are faced. The situation will improve in Late October with the arrival of winter. Then I will be in a position to confirm broadcast of Pushto Service at the new time, i.e. 0500 UT and well you also know if the transmitter is API-3, then it is the most difficult and irregular shortwave transmitter of Radio Pakistan. Regards, (Aslam Javaid, 136/H Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also INDIA [and non]; Aaj TV: see U S A ** PERU. [in reply to José Elías about tecnocumbias, dirty dancing] Amigo José Elías: Gracias por tus palabras de emoción hacia mi país; es cierto que se escucha con mucha frecuencia la tecnocumbia en las emisoras. Él que escribe es Pablo Alfredo Albornoz Rojas; laboro en la municipal de la provincia de Pachitea, específicamente en Radio Municipal, la cual contamos con onda corta 3173 kHz, en la banda tropical de 90 metros. En estos momentos nos encontramamos con baja potencia en la señal. En los inicios recepcionamos cartas de muchos amigos del mundo como de Arnaldo Slaen de Argentina, Vashek Korinek desde Sud África, el amigo Andrez de Alemania, entre muchos más, las cuales di respuesta a algunos. Simplemente por la economía que no pude enviar; ya lo haré los tengo presente. Además fueron ellos quienes despertaron mi mente para dedicarme a este apasionante afición que es el dieximos; claro que tengo pocos años, tengo mucho que aprender, pero gracias a ustedes que ya tienen mucha experiencia. Estoy seguro que será así. Te envio mi dirección postal: (Pablo Alfredo Albornoz Rojas, Jirón Tacna 385, Panao-Pachitea, Región Huánuco, Perú, noticiasdx yg via DXLD) ** PERU. 5014.4v, R. Altura, 1015-1041 30 Sept. Beautiful huayño music and program host with many comunicados and TCs, and mentions of Santa Ana, Pampa, ?? Castro, Peru, Selva, etc. More comunicados at 1024 with ID as "...los estudios de R. Altura...". Another ID at 1040. Very nice signal. M announcer voice audio a bit distorted. Frequency drifting down almost 100 Hz in 15 minutes from 5014.45 at 1015 tune-in to 5014.36 at 1030. Started fading by 1035, and barely a carrier by 1100 (Dave Valko, Dunlo Pa, HCDX via DXLD) ** PERU. Looking up the QRM to Japan on 6110, in the Aoki list I was surprised to find this entry: 6110 R. Intern. del Peru 0900-1600 1234567 Spanish 1 ND San Pablo PRU 07459W0745 Inter 6110 R. Intern. del Peru 2000-0200 1234567 Spanish 1 ND San Pablo PRU 07459W0745 Inter No such station is listed anywhere else, not even in the archive section of LA DX SW Logs http://home.tele2.it/MCDXT/LASWLOGS.htm and I have no recollexion of it. Has anyone? Another imaginary item left over from ILG? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAINT HELENA. In order to mark its 40th anniversary, Radio St. Helena will broadcast a special program most likely on the jubilee date December 25 and on the usual frequency of 11092.5 kHz USB. During this year the station had only two test transmissions, two hours long each (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Sept 28 via DXLD) Only 2? A lot more than usual (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) RADIO ST. HELENA: Radio Station was officially opened on 25th December 1967 by the Governor of the time, Sir John Field. The station is registered with the International Registration Frequency Board in London as the ST HELENA GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING STATION, but is referred to as Radio St. Helena here on the island. . . http://www.sthelena.se/history/rsth.txt Beginning of a long history of the station. Strangely, never mentions the ZD7- callsign shown on their QSL card (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. RSI, 6080, Oct 1 at 1340 going from an amusing report on untrustworthy taxi drivers in Singapore to the Burma situation; fair (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND [and non]. Tentative R. Thailand B07 English, Udorn u.o.s. 0000-0030 9680 SAf 256 0030-0100 12095 E&CNAm 6 0030-0100 5890 NAm 190 Greenville 0200-0230 5890 NAm 190 Greenville 0200-0230 15275 W&CNAm 38 0530-0600 11730 Eu 324 1230-1300 9810 As/Au 132 1400-1430 9725 As/Au 132 1900-2000 9805 NEu 329 2030-2045 9535 W&CEu 321 Of note are the new direct-from-Thailand frequencies to NAm, 12095 and 15275, to supplement (or eventually replace?) Greenville and ex-Delano on 5890. A 12095 trans-polar shot to ENAm thru the Arctic night is particularly daring and it will be interesting to see how well it work if implemented (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {NOTE: in December we received a response to this from VOT, and then another response from Mike Barraclough, editor, World DX Club. They appear after the original entry. In rare cases where something like this is added to an old DXLD issue, it appears in braces --- gh} ** TURKEY. She has left VOT --- "She" was the lady announcer at the Voice of Turkey English Service. She has moved to Television. I am not sure of her first name, and I do not want to know her family name. She has a husband and a grown-up son. You can see her on a special QSL card of the English Section of the VOT. This card is still available for a reception report, and your report need not include the program. Live From Turkey. In the photo: the man with the card is a guest. The man with the tie is Osman Erkan, head of the English Section. The youngster is Daventry, he sounds older than he is, and he is now in England. The two men are announcers, and they are highly qualified. She has a sharp voice. She was hired two or three years ago together with a younger lady who has a sweet voice. These two were supposed to divide the announcing work between them. Instead, they conspired a conspiracy. Sweet Voice went to France where she got married and enjoyed a long long honeymoon, while Sharp Voice did all the announcing all by herself, seven days a week. Then Sharp Voice went to Australia and Sweet Voice returned the favour. All this was without the approval of Osman Erkan, and he refused to pitch in, and he was one very angry Turk, for he had, no reserve, When Sharp Voice returned. Sweet Voice was fired, but Sharp Voice was kept on, because her husband is a very powerful man in Turkey. That is why I do not want to know his name. Now we come to the Live From Turkey program. I spoke on that program very often, for twenty minutes at a stretch. The VOT did not know what I was going to talk about. Freedom of speech in Turkey is no greater than it is in Israel or in Britain or in the USA. To become an announcer at the VOT you must pass a security investigation. Yet I was allowed to say anything I thought fit. I had this great privilege because She wanted me to have it, and her powerful husband backed her up. For my part, I was afraid of causing harm. I spoke without a script and I didn't trust myself and this made me wooden at times. I felt I had duties to Israel and to Turkey. But I was good radio. People enjoyed the program - and learned too. Now She is gone the Live From Turkey program still exists, but I doubt outsiders will be allowed to talk at length on it. The Voice of Turkey is no worse than any other radio station, but it will be less interesting than it was. Their DX program will continue. The difference between the DX program and the Letterbox program is, on the DX program the receiving equipment is mentioned. The DX program 'will include DX news if somebody sends DXnews to the VOT (David Crystal, Israel, Oct World DX Club Contact via DXLD) {follow-up material inserted Dec 7, 2007:} {** TURKEY. Hello, I am Seref Isler and I am writing to you on behalf of the English Desk of the TRT Voice of Turkey, broadcasting from Ankara, Turkey. We recently came across the DX LISTENING DIGEST 7-119 October 1, 2007. In the section under Turkey, we saw that David Crystal of Israel wrote an entry about us. Last night we picked up on this and even mentioned it on air. The entry shocked us to say the least. Except for a few factual points regarding names, the entry was a fiction of Mr. Crystal's imagination. We saw him as a loyal listener of ours, until we started to realise that in his mind he was starting to believe that he was working in our station with us. It is hard to assemble the words to express how incorrect that information was. None of us are married to influential people or spies. None of us have a son, actually all of us are single. Mr. Crystal's comments would make a good script for a soap opera; however, in this case it interferes with our work as his entry shouldn't represent the voice of our legitimate listeners. If you could delete it, we would be very grateful. Thanks (Seref Isler, TRT, Dec 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST)} {Apparently Crystal lost touch with reality. Since the item originally from WDXC Contact, has been posted for more than two months, I thought it would be better to insert this objection as well as publishing it now (Glenn Hauser, DXLD 7-147, Dec 5, 2007)} {** TURKEY. Re 7-147: David referred to one specific announcer who he says has now left the Voice of Turkey English Desk and gone to television. He said she had a husband and a grown up son. He also said that she was kept on, at the time one of her colleagues was fired, "because her husband is a very powerful man in Turkey". He made no mention of any of the other staff at the English desk being married, or having children, or knowing influential people. He never used the word spies. If the specific announcer referred to has not left the English Service please name her and say so, it would seem obvious to me that it is someone who David has spoken to quite regularly, probably both on and off air. "Mr. Crystal's comments would make a good script for a soap opera; however, in this case it interferes with our work as his entry shouldn't represent the voice of our legitimate listeners." David's views were represented solely as his views not as the views of any other listener. How are you defining legitimate listener? If I wish to make a comment about a Voice of Turkey programme I might listen to are you suggesting that I should refrain from doing so until I get approval from Ankara in case it "interferes with your work"? "If you could delete it, we would be very grateful. Thanks" In the UK we have freedom of expression unlike Turkey: http://www.rsf.org/country-53.php3?id_mot=101&Valider=OK http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5173576.stm I'd actually dispute David's point where he says "Freedom of speech is no greater in Turkey than it is ... in Britain or in USA" (Don't know enough about Israeli restrictions). He was quite complimentary about the access the lady, who he says has now left the station, gave him to the Live from Turkey programme. He concluded by saying "The Voice of Turkey is no worse than any other radio station but it will be less interesting than it was." Even if some of his facts are wrong, which anyone is welcome to challenge, that it is his legitimate opinion and he has every right to express it and have it published (Mike Barraclough, World DX Club, Dec 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST)} {end of material inserted Dec 6, 2007} ** U K. BBC Radio 1 marked its 40th anniversary on Sunday with special programming, including a non-stop mix of samples and jingles ("Traffic News From Radio 1") in the one-hour program "The A-Z of Radio 1." Great stuff. I wonder if it will be available on demand? (Mike Cooper, GA, Sep 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I preferred the Radio 4 anniversary shows, [BST], which surely are on demand: 19:15 4 at Forty --- Eddie Mair presents a celebration of 40 years of Radio 4 and its gradual transformation from a rather old-fashioned service to a cornerstone of British radio. Guests include Liz Forgan, Miranda Sawyer, Sarfraz Manzoor, Jeremy Hardy and Ian Peacock. Four controllers discuss the pleasures and pains of running one of the world's leading speech radio networks. 21:00 Radio 4, This Is Your Life --- Stephen Fry and Matt Lucas host an irreverent romp through Radio 4's broadcasting history, recorded in front of an audience in the Radio Theatre. Featured performers include Sue Perkins, Michael Fenton Stevens, Dave Lamb and Richie Webb. 21:45 The Most Valuable Notes in History --- An exploration of the sonic wallpaper of everyday life, mini-melodies such as the Windows Startup notes, the Intel Inside chimes and Channel 4's original four- note fanfare (BBC Radio 4 What`s On for Sept 30 via DXLD) BBC radio stations celebrate 40th anniversary Sun Sep 30, 2007 5:28pm BST LONDON (Reuters) - BBC radio stations 1, 2, 3 and 4 celebrated their 40th anniversary on Sunday by broadcasting a series of special programmes as some of the corporation's former disc jockeys made a nostalgic return to the airwaves. The BBC launched Radios 1 and 2 on September 30, 1967 as a replacement for the Light Programme, while the Third Programme became Radio 3 and the Home Service was renamed Radio 4. Sunday's celebrations for Radio 1 included the outspoken Chris Moyles, who has called himself the saviour of the station, co-hosting the breakfast show with Tony Blackburn, who launched Radio 1 in 1967. A two-hour documentary "Keeping it Peel" pays tribute to the veteran broadcaster, who championed new music trends like punk, before his death three years ago. Radio 1 has enjoyed a renaissance since managers dropped many older presenters in the 1990s. "Radio 1 is still seen as the best radio station in the world," former disc jockey Bruno Brookes told BBC News 24. "It's a brand that isn't going to go away - it's got a great future." Radio 2 broadcast Kenny Everett's first show for the station while DJs Smashie and Nicey -- the comic creation of Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse -- will host an edition of Pick of the Pops playing hits from 40 years ago. The show is a tribute to DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman who originally presented the show. [Radio 3: not worth mentioning?] On Radio 4 comedian Matthew Lucas and actor Stephen Fry will host a spoof edition of "This is Your Life" telling the history of the station, with contributions from broadcasters John Humphrys, Sue Lawley, Jonathan Dimbleby and Barry Cryer (via Zacharias Liangas, DXLD) ** U S A. VOA'S BEYOND THE HEADLINES, MORNING EDITION DEBUTS Washington, D.C., October 1, 2007 - The Voice of America (VOA) launched Beyond the Headlines, Morning Edition today. The half-hour morning program airs on Aaj TV in Pakistan daily at 8:30 a.m. "Beyond the Headlines, Morning Edition is a newsmagazine that shows Pakistanis the mosaic of real people that is America," said VOA Director Danforth Austin. "In a conversational style, our hosts Aisha Khalid and Kokab Farshori cover everything from the latest in U.S and Pakistani news to health and technology to entertainment." VOA's Urdu Service broadcasts 12 hours a day of news and information to millions of Pakistanis and other Urdu speakers on Radio Aap ki Dunyaa. The radio program is distributed by medium wave at 972 kHz, digital audio satellite, the Internet and a three-hour shortwave broadcast. [WTFK??] Aaj TV is one of the most viewed Urdu language channels in South Asia. With just over two and a half years in operation, Aaj's award winning news coverage and current affairs and entertainment programs have won them a global following. A part of South Asia's leading media group, Business Recorder Group, Aaj TV was the first private satellite television channel to broadcast from within Pakistan. Satellite Parameters to receive Aaj TV transmission: Satellite: AsiaSat 3S Frequency: 3750 Vertical Symbol Rate: 28212 or 2821 FEC: 3/4 Aaj TV's transmission is also available at http://www.jumptv.com/en/channel/aajtv/ More information about VOA's Urdu Service is available at http://www.voanews.com/urdu/ For more information, call the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 203- 4959 or e-mail publicaffairs @ voa.gov (George MacKenzie, IBB Pubaffs, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Save the IBB Delano shortwave transmitting station? Bill introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota) would not allow the Broadcasting Board of Governors "to cease, degrade, or in any manner limit the quality or reach of any of its broadcasting activities, including from the Delano Transmitting Station in Delano, California." http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-3598 GovTrack.us. Posted: 30 Sep 2007 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) Full text: Voice of Freedom Act of 2007 (Introduced in House) HR 3598 IH 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3598 --- To prohibit the cessation, degradation, or limitation of broadcasting activities by the Broadcasting Board of Governors. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 19, 2007 Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A BILL --- To prohibit the cessation, degradation, or limitation of broadcasting activities by the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Voice of Freedom Act of 2007'. SEC. 2. PROHIBITION ON CESSATION, DEGRADATION, OR LIMITATION OF BROADCASTING ACTIVITIES. (a) In General- Except as provided in subsection (b), the Broadcasting Board of Governors may not cease, degrade, or in any manner limit the quality or reach of any of its broadcasting activities, including from the Delano Transmitting Station in Delano, California. (b) Exception- The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply in the case of a subsequent Act of Congress that provides for such cessation, degradation, or limitation (via DXLD) That`s it? (gh) ** U S A. 6110, Voz de América, 0120-0140, escuchada el 1 de octubre en español a locutora en programa musical, temas pop de los 90, canción de U2, Cuña de ID, locutor con cuña, programa “El reto del Medio Ambiente”, “Buenas noches América fin de semana”, SINPO 45343. DX MIX NEWS # 483: SPANISH 0030-0200 9560 9885 11815 1100-1230 7370 9535 13790 Web de la VOA: http://www.voanews.com/english/about/frequenciesAtoZ_s.cfm SPANISH 0030-0200 6110 9560 9885 1100-1230 7370 9535 13790 --- 73 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Oct 1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Further phasing out of Delano, which was the site on 11815 replaced by 6110. But 6110 is Greenville which you should hear much better in Spain. 9560 should still be Delano; 9885 Greenville (Glenn, ibid.) En efecto Glenn, la escucho muy bien; sin embargo las otras dos frecuencias no he conseguido captarlas. Ya escuché hace unos diez días esta misma frecuencia al final de su emisión, no conseguí identificar la emisora, fueron unos minutos y cortaron emisión antes de tiempo. No es normal que esté a estas horas con la radio, pero la gripe trae estas cosas, te despiertas a altas horas de la madrugada y no consigues coger el sueño. 73 JM (José Miguel Romero, ibid.) ** U S A. 7455 - WEWN Birmingham, AL - 0618-0622 - 28-Sep-07 - SINPO 55555 - Spanish. Incredibly good signal, perfect SINPO. Receiving phone-ins, listeners greeting their families, then Catholic music. The program is called "Faith became song" (Élmer Escoto, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Sony ICF-SW7600GR, 8 m random wire connected to telescoping antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So much for my concern about co-channel RTTY. Here, the WEWN signal is rather weak, and the RTTY is usually audible mixing. WEWN can blow it away in the target area, but I should think the poor RTTY station – never found out what it is --- would be complaining. I think RTTY mode is somewhat robust against co-channel QRM, but this is ridiculous (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. EVEN THE SHOUTERS ARE BARELY HEARD ON AM RADIO THESE DAYS By Marc Fisher, Washington Post Staff Writer Sunday, September 30, 2007; M04 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092800385_pf.html The newest radio station in town launched this month with a lineup consisting mainly of shows that have already been soundly rejected by Washington listeners. When 3WT, the talk station replacing Washington Post Radio on 1500 AM and 107.7 FM, announced plans to feature syndicated talk show hosts Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Stephanie Miller and Randi Rhodes, the only novelty was the mix of conservative and liberal shows on the same station. All four of those programs have aired on other Washington stations, and all failed to attract an appreciable audience. There aren't many new ideas on Washington's ailing AM dial, where audiences are growing older and smaller and more and more stations are renting out their airtime to foreign-language broadcasters, religious groups or the infomercial industry. AM radio, the birthplace of the medium, was the core of the business until FM radio became standard equipment in cars in the late 1970s. Since then, the superior sound quality of FM and the dominance of music as the primary entertainment format in commercial radio have steadily diminished AM's attraction. In coming years, with digital radio offering the promise of much- improved sound quality, AM may become more attractive -- if Americans start buying the new HD radios that the industry is pushing. But for now, AM is in a pickle, especially in Washington. Unlike most big cities, this market never had any of the booming, 50,000-watt stations whose signals could be heard for hundreds of miles around. And while listeners in most cities continued to keep buttons on their car radios set to AM stations if only to listen to baseball and football games, Washington for many years had no baseball team, and its football broadcasts were on the FM dial. Sports, all-news and talk programming continue to draw large audiences to the AM band in most big cities, but not in Washington, where even the most popular AM station, WMAL, draws fewer than 4 percent of all listeners, according to Arbitron ratings. Like a shopping mall whose department store tenant leaves, Washington's AM band took a hit when all-news WTOP moved its programming over to FM last year. "That whole audience had no reason to go to AM anymore," says Jim Farley, WTOP vice president of news and programming. "Strong competition is what makes for healthy AM stations." That's why WMAL, the talk station that is the only Washington AM outlet to show up regularly in the Top 10 of Arbitron's ratings, wanted Washington Post Radio to succeed, according to station President Chris Berry. And Berry now wishes the new 3WT well "because the more people are sampling on the AM dial, the better it is for those of us who own real estate there." WMAL (630 AM), once the station with the strongest local programming, now airs local shows only in the morning; the rest of the day is filled with syndicated conservative talkers such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. But though WMAL has cornered the market on conservative talk, other AM formats that do well in other cities struggle here. Sports talk WTEM (980) hasn't been able to break into the top ranks of local stations, the Redskins' trio of weak-signaled AM and FM stations have made almost no impact in the ratings, all-news is on FM now and political talk stations other than WMAL routinely fail to win listeners. Clear Channel's two political talk stations, conservative WTNT (570 AM) and liberal WWRC (1260 AM), suffer from weak signals and near- flatline ratings. Bill Hess, who runs the company's AM properties, including WTEM, believes local programming is important to a sports station, but not necessarily for a political talk format. "It comes down to having entertaining personalities," he says. "Any talk show on either the right or the left that is too stridently ideological without being entertaining is a problem." O'Reilly and Beck, who are most widely known for their cable TV talk shows, may win larger audiences now that their shows will be on a station with a strong signal and a long history of presenting political fare. Bonneville, which owns 3WT, plans to seek O'Reilly and Beck's TV fans by advertising the new radio programs on the hosts' TV shows on Fox and CNN Headline News, respectively. (The station also has a local morning show with David Burd and Jessica Doyle, who are holdovers from Washington Post Radio.) But AM radio's future may well be in a different kind of information programming, a far more specialized approach. Bonneville is making money from its Federal News Radio (1050 AM), which features programs aimed at federal workers. Several low-powered local stations are paying the bills by renting out airtime to people who want to reach Korean, Vietnamese, Latino, Ethiopian and other immigrants. "The future of AM may be one of specialized niches," says Farley, who sees inspiration in a new channel that XM satellite radio is launching that is devoted entirely to presidential politics. In its home town of Salt Lake City, Bonneville, which is owned by the Mormon Church, is experimenting with a format devoted entirely to Mormon news and Christian music (via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) Mr. Fisher is apparently misinformed. While it is true that DC has not had a Class A uni-directional clear channel station, WTOP [sic] 1500 is heard all up and down the Eastern Seaboard at night. In fact it puts out more than 50 kW ERP to the East. It just doesn't put out much to the West. When I lived in Germany in the 1980's. WTOP was the only regular US station there, it was that powerful (Bill Harms, Elkridge MD, ibid.) It puts enough toward the west to cause problems for WLQV-1500 [Detroit] many nights, even up at Metro Airport, which is only about seven miles west of WLQV's tx. So, if you can get around WLQV, they're also a common, listenable visitor into the Great Lakes by night as well (Eric Berger, MI, ibid.) I have heard them at high noon on a good winter day at this QTH, Warwick RI (Norbert Here, ibid.) ** U S A. For years the Doctor Demento show was a must on my Sunday listening schedule. I lost track and many stations have dropped the program because they do not like shows that do not conform to their rigid formats. I have recently discovered a web site that has links to three radio stations that stream the good doctor's weekly radio program of demented novelty tunes and parodies of popular songs. Enjoy if you are so inclined: http://krellan.com/demento/ (Joe Buch, DE, Oct 1, swprograms via DXLD) We provided this link years ago in DXLD, but not checked lately. The stations we last had it on apparently have quit. Now listed: Sun 1200-1400 UT WLVQ http://www.qfm96.com Mon 0200-0400 UT KRDE http://www.krde.com Mon 0210-0410 UT KEGR http://www.kegrfm.com (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Joe, somewhat from the same vein is "Crazy College", which airs locally on WDIY-FM and Newark, DE's WVUD. We have this odd tradition in eastern PA that trick-or-treating is "legislated" as the last Friday in October (no matter when Halloween actually falls), and I have that edition of Crazy College loudly amplified when the young would-be gremlins and goblins come begging for treats on that Friday evening --- it wonderfully fits the mood. See http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Library/3056/ Not too many websites pay homage to Charles Lane, best known as Homer Bedloe on Petticoat Junction (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprograms via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [non]. Re 7-118: Glenn: No sign of Venezuela this morning on 11680 at 1500. Voice of Turkey coming through loud and strong. This was a very bad frequency for this broadcast anyway as VOT made reception of Radio National sketchy from time to time. Yesterday heard news by women with strong Spanish accent followed by commentary about relations between Venezuela and other countries (including economic ties now with Iran). No ID in English or IS heard yesterday. After English commentary, went into jingle with regular Radio National ID in Spanish and then off. Best Regards, (Tom Sliva, NYC, Sunday Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Let`s keep checking for it weekdays, as they may not have had a transmitter available on Sundays with all the other stuff they are doing, such as the weekly Esperanto broadcast, and Aló, Presidente. Or maybe because of QRM they will move to another frequency (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checking Tom Sliva`s report of RNV CI via Cuba at yet another unscheduled time, which he heard on Sept 29 but not 30: Monday Oct 1 at 1450, 11680 had a weak signal from VOT with Turkish pop music. *1501 carrier from Cuba overrode it completely at S9+20, so TurQRM not a problem here, scheduled until 1530. At 1502 joined RNV Spanish program already in progress, with program summary, efemérides for Sept 28, so playing back the Friday show. Gave e-mail of internacional @ rnv.gov.ve and website http://www.rnv.gov.ve Or is it .gob. as spelt in Spanish? They`ve got that covered, as if you enter the website with .gob it converts to .gov Listened for a few minutes but no English, nor at 1530 recheck (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Just tried 1181 kHz on the newly refurbished Drake R8 and the 1 kHz het is there, but yikes, it`s weak (Phil, VY2PR, Rafuse, Stratford PEI Canada, 0219 UT Oct 1, ABDX via DXLD) I quickly check it every night or three and find the same results. Have not yet found it missing (Glenn Hauser, OK, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 7-118: ``MADAGASCAR?? 5011.5V, .... Drifting down continuously. Madagascar on all night?? Have they been off frequency lately?? Haven't heard any sign of it since (Dave Valko, PA, HCDX via DXLD)`` Not heard drifting for a long time, and Malagasy is not close to Swahili (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6370, 0012+, Sept 30, English. OM preaching the Gospel to congregation. Fair (Scott R. Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, R8, R75, NIR10, MLB-1,200' Beverages, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) No sign here this evening at 0035+, October 1. 73/Liz (Cameron, MI, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 7-118: ``UNKNOWNIA: 7660, UNID. 1503-1528*. 01 Sept 07. Continuous Afropop music with some in French and some in vernacular. Off without announcements. Fair (Joe Wood, TN, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) semi-harmonic of 15320? No, no fit there (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)`` Certainly typo, details fit for 17660, or did Moyabi technicians confuse that? (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ah, yes. Well, 7660 would probably not propagate (gh, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hi Glenn: Thanks for all of the great information that you provide! A very valuable service. 73, (Mike Beu KD5DSQ, Austin, Texas, with a donation via PayPal) WORLD OF HOROLOGY +++++++++++++++++ Re 7-118: RNZI off air on 30th Sept for Antenna Maintenance Daylight saving actually started at 3AM on Sunday 30th September or if you like at 1500 UTC on Saturday 29th September (Paul, NZ, HCDX via DXLD) Paul (which Paul are you?), I was going by timeanddate.com which has a handy table of DST dates. Not to quibble, but the NZ government says otherwise at http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Daylight-Saving-Index?OpenDocument ``Daylight Saving [sic] Time --- From this year, Daylight Saving will run for a period of 27 weeks. It now commences from the last Sunday in September, when 2.00am becomes 3.00am, and ends on the first Sunday in April the following year, when 3.00am becomes 2.00am. Daylight Saving will commence on Sunday 30 September 2007 (when clocks are put forward one hour), and end on 6 April 2008, (when clocks are put back one hour).`` So it started at 1400 UT Saturday, i.e. at 2 am local time Sunday, clox were reset to read 3 am. Perhaps you can answer this: does ``NZST`` on the RNZI notice mean NZ Standard Time, or NZ Summer Time? 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) I'm the one in Christchurch NZ. Yep, 2 am goes to 3 am and 3 am reverts to 2 am. At least we got off to a good start; the beginning of DST is usually marked by a wet, cold southerly change. This time it was fine and 22C (Paul, ibid.) Hi Glenn, You are correct. Daylight savings [sic] in New Zealand changed this year from 24 weeks to 27 weeks as of this morning Sunday 30th when 2 a.m became 3 a.m as you rightly point out. I've always taken NZST to mean NZ Standard Time and NZDT to mean NZ Daylight Savings Time (Mark Nicholls, NZ, ibid.) [uk-radio-listeners] DIGITAL RADIO WON'T GIVE YOU THE PIP(S) Worth a chuckle; the same logic applies, obviously, to audio streaming (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) Viz.: In these days when TV stations are being accused of fixing phone-ins etc. Did you realise the so-called GMT pips have been faked since 1990? --- By Juliette Garside Telegraph.co.uk It is the sound by which generations of radio listeners have set their watches but now the traditional BBC pips, marking the end of each hour, are to fall out of time. Technological progress is to blame. The pips, originally generated from a clock at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, will no longer be accurate because the hi-tech digital broadcasting system being adopted in Britain has a time lag. Sound takes two seconds longer to reach a digital radio than a traditional analogue set. The delay is caused by the time it takes to encode the signal before transmission, but also by the time each radio takes to decode the signal. Only about one in five UK households has a digital radio set but the process of switching off the analogue TV signal begins in two weeks and radio is expected to follow suit. Networks have yet to work out how to broadcast the correct time on digital. Transmitting the pips two seconds early would require a certain amount of creative licence, while the time lag varies between radio sets, with some picking up the signal only 1.5 seconds late. The pips, broadcast since 1924, helped to spread the use of Greenwich Mean Time around the world. They feature on both Radio 4 and the World Service. The Greenwich pips have, however, been "faked" since 1990. When the Royal Observatory relocated from Sussex to the Canary Islands, the BBC made its own pips based on an atomic clock at Broadcasting House (via Martin Rosen, Sept 30, uk-listeners, via Cuff, ibid.) Another argument for analog SW timesignals, where the delays are negligible at the speed of light (gh, DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING QRDRM: see BRAZIL ++++++++++++++++++++ KFYI HD 540-550-560 PHOENIX QSLs The announced dates for this have passed, or because of the sporadic nature of transmissions, have they been extended? Interesting experiment, but I bet Kevin did not get a single verifiable report. By skywave, anyway. Wrong? 73, (Glenn Hauser, Sept 30, ABDX via DXLD) The date has passed and there were ZERO skywave receptions to my knowledge. I have problems receiving them at 21 miles and if I turn the loop, KFYI loses lock (Kevin Redding, AZ, ibid.) THE NIGHT THE TVS GO OUT --- WITH EDUCATION EFFORTS DISJOINTED, VIEWERS COULD BE SURPRISED WHEN ANALOG SIGNALS END By Kim Hart Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, September 29, 2007; D01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/28/AR2007092801769_pf.html The industry has tried to get the word out, but many consumers still aren't getting the message: In a year and a half, millions of television screens could go dark. Not the fancy high-definition TVs or those connected to cable or satellite. But the 70 million sets relying on rooftop or "rabbit ears" antennas will end up showing nothing but snow. Broadcasters will stop sending analog signals and move to all-digital programming on Feb. 17, 2009. After that, antenna TV watchers will need a special converter box to watch their sitcoms and newscasts. But many consumers have no idea that this change is coming, and members of Congress are voicing concern over the lack of cooperation between federal agencies and the entertainment industry. The political static comes as broadcasters, retailers, cable operators and regulators clash over how to educate consumers about the change. Sales of digital television sets have nearly tripled since 2005, and the Consumer Electronics Association expects annual sales to top $26 billion this year. With the holiday season approaching, government officials in charge of managing the transition to digital TV say that they're severely underprepared and that they worry that the biggest electronics retailers are misinformed. "If we don't do a better job of planning, we'll have one of the biggest outrages Congress has ever seen," Federal Communications Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein told the Senate Special Committee on Aging last week. "This is a huge market opportunity, but also an opportunity for a huge disaster." Nearly all TV stations air analog and digital programming. But at midnight Feb. 17, 2009, stations will drop the analog signals that have been standard since the dawn of broadcast television in the 1930s. The switch of such a mainstream technology is unprecedented, and it's the biggest change for the broadcast industry since the advent of color television. The benefit is that digital technology uses airwaves more efficiently, which means the move will free up some radio spectrum for wireless and public-safety communications. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 granted broadcasters free airwaves to carry digital signals with the understanding that once all programming went digital, the old analog airwaves would be put to other use. Huge corporate interests are now riding on the transition. Broadcasters hope to lure viewers with crisper, sharper pictures and more stations. TV manufacturers and retailers hope to reap bigger profits if consumers opt to buy new televisions instead of modifying their old sets with converter boxes. Cable and satellite TV providers hope to sign new customers by marketing themselves as an alternative to either the converter or a new television. But regulators fear that a fragmented or misleading education campaign could leave millions of viewers in the dark. Hard-to-reach demographics like elderly, rural or non-English-speaking viewers are at the highest risk of losing the over-the-air signals they rely on for weather, news and emergency information, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office. "There is no one in charge, and that is cause for concern," said Mark L. Goldstein, director of physical infrastructure issues for the GAO. "There is no comprehensive planning effort, and no one is assessing what gaps exist." Goldstein said the FCC should take the lead in guiding the transition but noted that "there seems to be some confusion" between the FCC chairman, Kevin J. Martin, and other commissioners about the extent of the agency's responsibilities in educating the public. Adelstein acknowledged that the FCC's outreach efforts have been "lackluster at best" and said "there has been a lack of leadership and resources" put toward implementing ideas. The FCC has asked for $20 million for consumer education. The FCC is also considering requiring retailers, manufacturers and service providers to educate consumers. The commission also ruled this month that cable operators must carry broadcasters' analog signals for three years after the transition, so the 40 million basic, non-digital cable subscribers will still receive broadcast channels. Congress allocated $1.5 billion to the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration to provide coupons for consumers to purchase digital-to-analog converter boxes. Starting in January, each household can request up to two $40 coupons toward a converter box. Consumer education has been extensive but disjointed. The NTIA received $5 million for its consumer-education campaign. The FCC launched a Web site, http://DTV.gov The DTV Transition Coalition, made up of about 120 public, private and nonprofit groups, is trying to coordinate outreach efforts. And cable operators, broadcasters and the Consumer Electronics Association are beginning to air multimillion- dollar ad campaigns. In addition, the FCC and the NTIA both held education workshops this week. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, this week introduced a bill that would require the two agencies to partner with industry groups on education. But some lawmakers and consumer advocates say that each campaign carries a different message, further confusing consumers. A survey last month by the Association of Public Television Stations showed that 51 percent of Americans are still unaware of the transition. "Congress is in essence expecting the industry players to fund the campaign themselves," said Carol Mattey, director of telecommunications regulatory consulting at Deloitte & Touche. "Any kind of mandate involves costs and affects the bottom line." Broadcasters stand to lose the most from an ill-informed audience, Mattey said. If viewers wake up next winter to a blank TV screen, broadcasters run the risk of losing advertising dollars. "The last thing we want is some sort of consumer revolt in 2009 due to lack of information," said Dennis Wharton, spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters. "Our very business model is at stake here, and we only have one chance to get this transition right." The NAB estimates that 15 million households have secondary sets that rely on over-the-air signals. Although TV manufacturers no longer produce analog sets, some retailers are still selling them without warning consumers of their short life expectancy. The FCC issued citations to several hundred stores with potential fines totaling more than $3 million for failing to comply. In stores run by top retailers like Best Buy and Target, many sales associates provided "incorrect and misleading information" about the digital transition, often telling consumers their only option is to buy a new TV set, according to a survey of Northern Virginia stores by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The finger-pointing could get nasty if the transition doesn't go smoothly, especially since the cut-over date is just after the presidential election, Mattey said. "Will one party be blaming the other for dropping the ball?" (c) 2007 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ WANTED! Reward Offered by W3CAU A reward of 500 Microfarads is offered for information leading to the arrest of Hop-A-Long Capacity. This unrectified criminal escaped from a western primary cell where he had been clamped in ions awaiting the gauss chamber. He is charged with the induction of an 18 turn coil named Milly Henry who was found choked and robbed of valuable jouls. He is armed with a carbon rod and is a potential killer. Capacity is also charged with driving D.C. Motor over the Wheatstone Bridge and refusing the band pass. If encountered, he may offer series of resistance. The Electromotive Force spent the night searching for him in a magnetic field, where he had gone to earth. They had no success and believed he had returned ohm via a short circuit. He was last seen riding a kilocycle with his friend Eddy Current who was playing a harmonic and singing ohm on the range. 73 de Charlie, W3CAU (via R. Bulgaria DX Program Sept 28 via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SOLAR-ACTIVITY FORECAST FOR THE PERIOD SEP 28 - OCT 4, 2007 http://www.asu.cas.cz/~sunwatch/070928.html Activity level: predominantly very low Radio flux (10.7 cm): a fluctuation in the range 64-74 f.u. Flares: weak (0-4/day) Relative sunspot number: in the range 0-30 Astronomical Institute, Solar Dept., Ondrejov, Czech Republic e-mail: sunwatch(at)asu.cas.cz (RWC Prague) _________________________________________________________________ Geomagnetic activity forecast for the period Sep 28 to Oct 4, 2007 quiet: Oct 1 quiet to unsettled: Oct 4 unsettled: Sep 28 and 30, Oct 2 and 3 unsettled to active: Sep 29 active: 0 minor storm: 0 major storm: 0 severe storm: 0 Geomagnetic activity summary: geomagnetic field was quiet on Sep 26, quiet to unsettled on Sep 25, unsettled from Sep 20 to 24. 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 unsettled to active: Sep 30, Oct 2-3, 18-20, (21) active to disturbed: Sep 28-29, Oct 4, 17 quiet: Oct (1,) 5-7, (8-10,) 11-16, 22 Survey: quiet on: Sep 19, 26 quiet to unsettled on: Sep 21-22, 25 quiet to disturbed on: Sep 20 mostly unsettled on: Sep 23-24 Notice: Days in brackets refer to a lower probability of possible solar activity enhancements depending on previous developments on the sun. F. K. Janda, OK1HH, Czech Propagation Interested Group e-mail: franta.janda(at)quick.cz (via DXLD) ###