DX LISTENING DIGEST 9-031, April 8, 2009 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 2009 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 SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1455, April 8-14 Wed 1530 WRMI 9955 Wed 1900 WBCQ 7415 Thu 0530 WRMI 9955 Thu 1900 WBCQ 7415 Fri 0000 WBCQ 5110-CUSB Area 51 Fri 0100 WRMI 9955 Fri 1130 WRMI 9955 Fri 1900 WBCQ 7415 Fri 1930 IPAR/IRRS/NEXUS/IBA 7290 Fri 2030 WWCR1 15825 [or 2029] Sat 0800 WRMI 9955 Sat 0800 IPAR/IRRS/NEXUS/IBA 9510 [except first Sat] Sat 1630 WWCR3 12160 Sun 0230 WWCR3 5070 Sun 0630 WWCR1 3215 Sun 0800 WRMI 9955 Sun 1515 WRMI 9955 Mon 0500 WRMI 9955 Mon 2200 WBCQ 7415 Tue 1100 WRMI 9955 Tue 1530 WRMI 9955 Tue 1900 WBCQ 7415 Wed 0500 WRMI 9955 [or new 1456] Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html or http://schedule.worldofradio.org or http://sked.worldofradio.org For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS VIA WRN NOW AVAILABLE: http://podcast.worldofradio.org or http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/podcast.php OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD, which seems to be coming out less frequently? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our yg without delay. When applying, please identify yourself with your real name and location. Those who do not, unless I recognize them, will be prompted once to do so and no action will be taken otherwise. Here`s where to sign up http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ ** AFGHANISTAN. Re 9-030, Khost 621 kHz: I am told by reliable sources that the Khost medium wave system is nearly complete (Glenn Hauser, April 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 7425, Radio Tirana at 0145, signing-on, frequencies announcement. Very good Apr. 4. 13640, Radio Tirana at 2002 ID, news, Fair Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Both in English, to be assumed? ** ANDORRA. RADIO ANDORRA, EL SERIAL INTERMINABLE Actualizado 07-04-2009 09:36 CET http://www.soitu.es/participacion/2009/04/07/u/lordjerome_1239089799.html 70 años después de su creación por Jacques Trémoulet, la legendaria emisora pirenaica que informó libremente durante la II Guerra Mundial cierra el penúltimo capítulo de su historia con la cesión, por parte del Estado español, de sus edificios, instalaciones y también sus deudas al Principado de Andorra. Un convenio firmado en castellano y catalán por los ministros de Exteriores de ambos Estados, traspasa la titularidad de España al Principado, para que éste se haga cargo de los bienes y edificios de Radio Andorra y los destine “al Patrimonio nacional y a finalidades de interés público, con vistas a su gestión con fines de carácter cultural y de interés público y sin ánimo de lucro.” Fundada poco antes del estallido de la II Guerra Mundial, esta emisora fue la única de Europa que no estuvo sometida a censura. Sin embargo, su permanente independencia le causó no pocos problemas con las autoridades francesas después de la guerra. En medio de continuos problemas administrativos y de competencia desleal –el Estado francés llegó a montar otra emisora para silenciarla- Radio Andorra resistió hasta que el Principado obtuvo las competencias en materia radiofónica y ordenó su cierre en 1981.Desde entonces, los herederos de Jacques Trémoulet han peleado en los tribunales contra las tres partes: Francia, España y Andorra. El convenio firmado por Miguel Ángel Moratinos y Meritxell Mateu obliga a Andorra a hacerse cargo de las deudas y avales de la emisora y del resultado de los pleitos, y a compartir las plusvalías en caso de que se produjeran. Historia de la emisora en la Wikipedia. Biografía (en francés) de Jacques Trémoulet Convenio firmado entre España y Andorra en el Boe (pdf) (via José Miguel Romero, dxldyg via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476, 1850 06/04, LRA36, R Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, SS YL talk, varios tangos, vinheta com a mx da emissora, ID e condições meteorológicas, 35433. Vídeo disponível em: http://www.amantesdoradio.com.br Um forte 73 e boas escutas! (PU2LZB, RENATO ULIANA, Grid Locator: GG66rn, Guarulhos-SP, Radio Shack DX394 + Antena 5/8 de onda para PX, radioescutas yg via DXLD) 15476, 1935-2023 April 6, LRA36, heard again, with only YL announcer, some kind of chronology followed by those very nice romantic ballads they usually present! Weak, but improving with time (José Pedro Turner, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ANTARTIDA, 15476, LRA 36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Esperanza, 1948-2013, 07-04, canciones latinoamericanas, canción "Yo vendo unos ojos negros", a las 1958 identificación por locutor: "De Esperanza al mundo, por LRA 36 Radio Arcángel San Gabriel", luego comentario por locutora sobre erupción de volcanes y luego más canciones y comentarios. Señal buena entre las 1950 y 1957, luego se deterioró. Bastante fading. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 8 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Help! 1620, R. AM 16-20 (presumed), Mar del Plata, 2214- 2231, 01 Apr, Castilian, program about the Malvinas [Falklands] War; 45343. Also good the following day at about the same UT. Could any of our Argentine friends be in position to confirm whether the program I heard matches the station? 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA [non]. 15345, Arabic music ending abruptly at 2159:50 April 6, open carrier for a few sex and off, an undignified and rude conclusion to this transmission from MOROCCO. Before it went off, no sign of a het from Argentina, and afterwards no trace of a carrier from it in the vicinity, so I wonder if RAE is off again? Has anyone heard them on 11711v lately either, such as English to NAm at 0200- 0300 Tue-Sat? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, Rayén Braun from the German program of RAE Buenos Aires said in her shows that 15345 is off the air since at least about a week now. Best regards, (Christian Milling, April 7, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DXLD) Yes, some days ago, the German service editor from RAE reported about the transmitter fault. 73 wolfy (Wolfgang Büschel, April 7, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Additional Info: RAE Buenos Aires should be back on air since today according to Rayen Braun. (Milling, 2139 UT, ibid.) [and non]. Christian Milling tipped me that RAE was supposed to be back on the air April 7, so I was standing by on 15345 at 2157: Morocco inbooming with music and Arabic announcement, could detect no het or anything else, but during few sex of open carrier before 2200* could indeed hear a few notes of the RAE IS! And then a very weak and fluttery signal in the clear; seems to be very close to 15345.0, so no wonder it was not hetting Morocco for a change. Music for a few minutes, then talk, but too weak to copy. Should be starting Spanish after the German hour. RAE also detectable on 11711, April 8 at 0203 with very poor signal, leisurely English introduxion by M&W, bits of music per usual format (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11710, 08/04, no início eu ia logar como UNID, com modulação lá em baixo e forte zumbido na portadora, áudio não discernível, as 0306 UT o áudio deu uma melhorada e ouvi a ID pela YL, S=4, (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia - Brasil, Degen 1103, Antena Dipolo de 16 metros e balum 4:1 em toroide. Direção Leste/Oeste, HCDX via DXLD) Are you sure it was 11710? I was hearing it an hour earlier very close to 11711 where it is usually varying (gh, DXLD) A RAE eu a sintonizei em 11710 kHz, mas realmente pode ser em 11711 ou proximidades; o Degen não tem como precisar a frequência com 1 ou 2 kHz para mais ou para menos com o sinal da emissora forte. 73 boas escutas (Jorge Freitas, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11710.76, RAE 0122, Apr 09, 2009. Spanish ID's with surprisingly good signal of S-9 in the clear. Modulation could have been better but certainly understandable. I know there was some question lately of their existence on SW, either on the 19 or 25 meter band frequency. I remember being so excited to hear them back in the early 80's as an early teenager (Steve Price, Johnstown, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9690.0, 1935-1953 8/4 Radio Argentina al Exterior - Tentativa, General Pacheco (Buenos Aires) ARGENTINA - Italian (IT) falas de OM 23332 (embora o tempo de escuta tenha sido razoável, não consegui uma confirmação visto que precisei dar atenção a uma outra tarefa. Na verdade, penso até que nem deveria ter logado esta escuta, mas tem sido coisa tão rara que não resisti. Fica o registro que consta da lista EiBi e Passport 2009). (Antonio Laurentino Garcia, PR7BCP, Escutas realizadas em Camboinha/Cabedelo-PB, Rádio: IC - R1500 - Antena: vertical (5,2m rad. 3X5-7-10), HCDX via DXLD) Even in Brasil it may be more likely to get RRI which is in Romanian on this frequency during that hour, 300 kW, 285 degrees. But if it was really in Italian, must be RAE (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 2310, VL8A, Alice Springs NT, 2055-2135*, 03 Apr, infos, music, announcements, ABC news jingle at 2130, news; 35332; \\ 2325 VL8T only, even after 2100. 2325, VL8T, Tennant Creek NT, 212-2115, 02 Apr, ABC news; 15331; better on 03 Apr at 2100. 2485, VL8K, Katherine NT, 1913-1924, 02 Apr, talks; 15331, no better at 2100, but found better on 03 Apr at 2100. 4835, VL8A, Alice Springs NT, 2133-2158, 02 Apr, cf. \\ 4910, 5025, transmitter off 2138-2141, then \\ 4910 only, songs; 34433, CODAR QRM. 4910, VL8T, Tennant Creek NT, 2132-2156, 02 Apr, news, weather, program announcements, songs; 35433, QRM de INDIA with IS at 2144; \\ 4835 only at 2140 onwards. 5025, VL8K, Katherine NT, 2135-2157, 02 Apr, cf. \\ 4835, 4910 till 2140, chatter, songs, phone-ins; 34433, QRM de CUBA, and to avoid being stronger the K9AY was used instead of the 270º [CeAm-AUS] Beverage. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHRAIN. 6010, 0110-0120 06.04, R Bahrain, Abu Hayan, English announcement, English pop music, 33333, QRM R Sweden in Swedish, via Sackville. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. Bangladesh Betar refurbished website with lot of info: http://www.betar.org.bd Bangladesh Betar Ext Sce on 7250 kHz in A09 1315 - 1345 UTC Nepali Nepal 1400 - 1430 UTC Urdu Pakistan 1515 - 1545 UTC Hindi India 1600 - 1630 UTC Arabic Middle East 1630 - 1700 UTC Bangla Middle East 1745 - 1815 UTC English Europe (V.O.Islam) 1915 - 2000 UTC Bangla Europe Hindi 1515-1545 is unusable because of strong cochannel interference from Nepali Sce of CRI (Supratik Sanatani, West Bengal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Schedule above is missing the two main English broadcasts which are listed separately on the Bangladesh Beta web site, i.e. 1230-1300 English to South Asia on 7250 1815-1900 English to Europe on 7250. 73s (Dave Kenny, ibid.) ** BELARUS. 7210, Radio Belarus at 2122, woman mentioned Minsk, seemed to be a news magazine or current events type of program. Poor-fair, ARO QRM Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** BENIN [and non]. 1566, TWR, Parakou, 2133-2149, 01 Apr, French, religious propaganda program, infos on post address in the Ivory Coast, Vernacular program at 2204; 55444. At the same time on this very channel: AIR, Nagpur, 2134-2206, English, newscast till 2140, Indian songs; 34422, QRM de BEN+G BBC R. Bristol & Somerset Sound, Taunton, 2135-2208, oldies, news + weather forecast up to Sunday, 05 Apr, more oldies; 34422, QRM de BEN. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. DigiWorkz guides BBS towards digital future http://www.apb-news.com/news/213-digiworkz-guides-bbs-towards-digital-future.html SINGAPORE - In small but careful steps, Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is showing its determination to trek the digital path. To further explore Bhutan's prospects in digital broadcasting, BBS sent five of its broadcast engineers to Singapore to attend two DigiWorkz courses from last March 2-6. After a four-day refresher course on broadcast fundamentals and satellite communications at DigiWorkz facilities in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, a group tour of StarHub Cable Vision and ST Teleport on the last day capped the learning programme. "It was relevant and it updated our knowledge on digital broadcasting," said Dorji, a member of the BBS team who took part in the courses. He further described the learning activities under DigiWorkz as "fruitful" and felt that they had gained a better idea of the prospects for BBS. "We are hopeful that Bhutan will go into full-digital transmission. We are looking forward to this," added Dorji, who was recently promoted to head one of the regional bureaus of BBS. Aside from receiving updates on the digital trend worldwide, the participants were given a glimpse of their country's future in the event that BBS makes a firm commitment to go into the digital domain. "We now have an idea of what's in store for the future of Bhutan," said Tashi, another DigiWorkz training participant who has been working with BBS for 15 years as an engineer. Dhendup, a BBS project engineer, noted the relevance of the DigiWorkz courses to his country's fledgling satellite broadcasting operations. Bhutan's nationwide satellite-TV service started in February 2006. According to its website, the launch "is the most important event in the history of electronic media in Bhutan". For radio, it was only in August 2007 that a 100kW short-wave transmitter with digital radio mondale (DRM) capability was commissioned (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dxldyg via DXLD) But so far they have had enough sense(?) to keep running it in AM: 6035, Bhutan Broadcasting Service, Sangaygang, 0007-0030, Mar 08, Dzongkha announcement, melodious music and songs. Despite several reports and follow ups, until now no answer from them! 24432 (Kaj Bredahl Jorgensen, Greve, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) 6035, Bhutan BC Service, Sangaygang, 0013-0024, Dzongha, chanting (most likely a prayer); 24432. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 4409.8, R. Eco, Reyes, 2301-2314, 01 Apr, Castilian, ID, songs; 25441. 4451, R. Stª Ana, Stª Ana del Yacuma, 2303-2313, 01 Apr, Castilian, infos, Indian tunes; 25331. 4699.4, R. San Miguel, Riberalta, 2309-2321, 01 Apr, Castilian, Indian tunes, advertisements 6 infos; 35332, bad audio. 4716.7, R. Yura, Yura, 2311-2319, 01 Apr, Quechua, talks, seemingly infos, Indian music; 35332. 4796.4, R. Lipez [sic; isn`t it Lípez? Guess you did not really hear that name or ID? --- gh] (ex-R. Mallku), Uyuni, 2320-2327, 01 Apr, Aymara, talks, songs & Indian tunes; 33432, adjacent QRM de CHINA 4800. 4865, R. Logos, Stª Cruz de la Sierra, 2307-2315, 31 Mar, Castilian, announcements, religious propaganda program; 24331, QRM de Brazil +CODAR. 5952.5, R. Pío XII, Siglo XX, 2210-2223, 02 Apr, Quechua, addresses by several local mayors, 34433, adjacent QRM. 6155.2, R. Fides, La Paz, 2235-..., 31 Mar, Castilian, announcements & infos, advertisements; 22441, adjacent QRM. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6170, 07/04 2133, R Cultura, desde São Paulo, com 7.5 kW, música clássica, pela primeira vez ouvida por aqui, apesar do sinal muito ruim, confirmação da escuta através do site http://www2.tvcultura.com.br/radiofm/radiofm.asx 25222 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia - Brasil, Degen 1103, Antena Dipolo de 16 metros e balum 4:1 em toroide. Direção Leste / Oeste, HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Free Radio, CidadeOldies From: "Radio SW" Hello Friend, Our new scheme is emissions. Are on the air every day on the frequency 7695 kHz: QTR: from 1800 to 2100 UT QTR: from 0500 to 1100 UT Equipaments: * Transmitter valve of 50 Watts and stage transistorized modulator of 60 Watts. * Amplitude Modulation in with 100% modulation. * Half-wave dipole antenna ROE 1:1. fed with coaxial cables of 75 Omhs. Transmitter: (VFO Geloso 6c4, 6au6, 6k6, tube) with one 807 tube RF power. Antenna: dipole V invertido, cable coaxial 75 ohms. modulator: transitor amplifier ibrape M150 de 50watts RMS http://www.cidadeoldies.blogspot.com (Radio Cidade Oldies, April 7, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) There is nothing about Brasil in this message, nor that I can see on the website, but altho the mail came from Netherlands, the site is in Portuguese, and this was previously reported months ago as a pirate in Brasil. An additional frequency is displayed, 13920. I don`t recall anyone ever managing to get 7695 in NAm, but we are reminded to try. From the website: ``Quem Somos --- Radio Cidade Oldies A OLDIESRADIO 7695 CIDADE é uma estaçõa [sic] experimental sem fins lucrativos. A progamação é voltada ao flash back, Com Muita músicas dos velhos e bons tempos e pequenos trechos de gravações de progamas de radio, Audios e comerciais antigos radio e tv. O nosso Público Alvo é atingir .. Dexistas e pessoas amantes das ondas curtas.. Visualizar meu perfil completo The OLDIESRADIO 7695 CIDADE is a experimental station nonprofit. The program is dedicated to Oldies and history recordings of radio programs, audio and former radio and TV commercial. Our Audience is achieved .. Dexistas people and lovers of short waves.`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Caro Amigo, peço desculpas pela a demora, estamos enviando uma versão online em formato pdf de nosso QSL pelo seu informe. Grato pela anteção. Informamos que nao estamos enviando QSL´s via correio convercional.. 73s (OldiesRadio from their .nl address via AzevedoJ Caros amigos, Recebi o E-QSL da escuta que fiz da emissora clandestina, Rádio Cidade Oldies, o que mostrou que mesmo não estando enviando QSLs por via postal, eles se preocupam em confirmar as escutas recebidas. O E-QSL veio junto com a menssagem seguinte. Um abraço, (Adalberto Marques de Azevedo, Barbacena - MG - Brasil, radioescutas yg via DXLD) And another: ** BRASIL. Subject: Nova Estação nas Ondas Curtas! Tuesday, April 07, 2009 8:55 PM Olá, venho informar que no dia 4 de abril entrou no ar a mais nova Radio Livre no Brasil, Emitindo com baixa Potencia somente 15 Watts mais é suficiente para ser ouvida pelos amigos DXistas que estao num raio de 800 km com receptores dotados de boas antenas. nossa emissao esta indo ao ar sempre apartir das 15 horas e vai ate as 10 da manha do dia seguinte na frequencia de 8004 KHz. Grato pela anteção, 73 [unsigned] Ouvido hoje dia 08-04-09: 8004 kHz às 1347 UT, Tx musica – Cazuza e Nx zero. E as 1354 UT uma msg que não consegui identificar. Com SIMPO de 34343. Forte Fading no momento da recepção. Deu até pra ouvir alguns sons de mensagens de erro característicos do Windows XP, sendo assim ele está usando computador com algum player de musica. Receptor usado: Kenwood R5000, Antena: Dipolo Bobinada (Anderson Assis de Oliveira, Itaúna- Minas Gerais, radioescutas yg via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 1220, R. Globo, Rio de Janº RJ, 2238-2247, 03 Apr, "A Voz do Brasil", end of Jornal do Senado, other reports; 43443, adjacent QRM. This was simply R. Globo's best outlet as the \\ HF ones were very poor. At this time, eastern SAm stations are already taking the lead upon NAm. 6105, R. Cultura Filadélfia, Foz do Iguaçu PR, 2144-2202, 03 Apr, religious propaganda program, music, no Voz do Brasil national news magazine at 2200; 33442, QRM de CHINA. 9581.6, R. Globo, Rio de Janº RJ, 2148-2203, 01 Apr, IPDA preacher; 24432, adjacent QRM. [see 1220] 9645.3, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 2150-2206, 01 Apr, infos, football news at 2200, no Voz do Brasil; 33432, adjacent QRM. 9665, R. Marumby, Florianópolis SC, 2151-2208, 01 Apr, religious propaganda program "A Voz Missionária", A Voz do Brasil at 2200; 34432, adjacent QRM. 9818.9, R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, 2152-2222, 02 Apr, music program "Saudade" or so it seemed, ID + frequencies, advertisements, Portuguese music program "Caravela do Fado" at 2200; 33432, adjacent QRM de CHINA (presumed), yet almost unnoticed during several minutes. 11925.2, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, 2030-2054, 02 Apr, football match report Portuguesa vs. Santos, ads; 45444. 11925.2 ditto, 1440-1458, 05 Apr, reports on football matches, related infos; 23441, adjacent QRM. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) plus many other Brazilian logs in the dxldyg ** BRAZIL. 11815, 08/04, R Brasil Central, desde Goiânia GO, com 7.5 kW, seu azimute é de 360, ou seja, norte verdadeiro de Goiânia, mas mesmo assim foi sintonizada na Austrália, programa de música sertaneja de raiz, as 0301 UT ID completa com bela vinheta e com anúncio de todas as freqs, realmente um orgulho de Rádio e meus parabéns aos colegas Goianos, 45444 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia - Brasil, Degen 1103, Antena Dipolo de 16 metros e balum 4:1 em toroide. Direção Leste/Oeste, HCDX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4877.59, Rádio Difusora Roraima, Boa Vista possibly the one at 2330 to 2338 as a reactivation. Any Brasil DXers have this one now? Thanks! 73s de (Bob Wilkner, Florida, April 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Robert, We knew that the radio broadcaster in Roraima was active on 4875v kHz, because I heard in janeiro/2009 and you also heard (presumed) in March 2009. But now that your hearing, confirmed that she is really active. Congratulations ... because of issuing a more active Tropical Wave, always makes us happy. A big hug, (Adalberto Marques de Azevedo, Barbacena - MG - Brasil, DX Clube do Brasil, via Wilkner, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hello Adalberto, Unfortunately my log is too weak to properly identify the station as Roraima for certain. :( Best of 73s (Bob Wilkner, ibid.) Hello Robert, I hear very well in janeiro/2009; after that no one else had any LOG, only their (presumend). I tried to contact them by e-mail but not reply. When you have opportunity, monitoring it, it will be important to confirm that it is active, Best 73 (Adalberto, ibid.) Here`s the March log, etc.: Rádio Roraima, provavelmente confirmada no ar. 4877.67, Unidentified, 1015 to 1030 19 March. This close to the Brasil station inactive for over a year (Robert Wilkner - Pompano Beach, Florida, USA - Drake R8, NRD 535D (HCDX), via @tividade DX April 5 via DXLD) Esta emissão captada pelo Robert Wilkner, muito provavelmente se refere á Rádio Roraima, de Boa Vista-RR, emissora que tem sido muito pouco captada, sendo que a escuta anterior a esta fui eu que consegui, em 08 de janeiro passado, com muita clareza e a possibilidade de identificação completa pois ouvi o identify da emissora (Adalberto Marques de Azevedo, @tividade DX April 5 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL – A Rádio Difusora, de Poços de Caldas (MG), pretende vender a sua estação de ondas tropicais que até algum tempo estava no ar em 4945 kHz. A informação foi repassada pelo diretor da emissora, Rogério Cioffi, a Sarmento Campos, do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), a quem também pediu sugestão de como poderia se desfazer da freqüência. Caso não consiga efetuar a venda, a diretoria da emissora pretende alugar tal canal a interessados que devem enviar o áudio até Poços de Caldas por meio de algum link ou por streaming na Internet. Os interessados devem entrar em contato com o diretor pelo telefone: 55 35 3722.1530 ou pelo e-mail: rcioffi @ casasertaneja.com.br BRASIL – Uma monitoria feita em 5 de abril mostrou que algumas emissoras brasileiras permanecem inativas em ondas curtas. Uma delas é a Rádio Guaíba, de Porto Alegre (RS), em 11785 kHz, em 25 metros. Outra, é a Super Rede Boa Vontade, de Porto Alegre (RS), em 11895 kHz, em 25 metros. BRASIL – A Rádio 9 de Julho, de São Paulo (SP), está fora de freqüência há algum tempo. Em Jacutinga (RS), Oséias Fantinelli captou a emissora, em 4 de abril, às 0030, no Tempo Universal, em 9818 kHz, ao invés de 9820 kHz. Naquele momento, Édson Natali apresentava o programa Espaço Alternativo (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX April 5 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 9645.28, R. Bandeirantes, São Paulo SP, Apr 4 2225-0005 5 Apr, In the clear with Portuguese monologue, sounded sports related, until 2318 UT when likely RVA Philippines turned on 9645 transmitter causing a strong het on LSB until 2357. In the clear again and slightly improved with Bandeirantes mention right after the top of the hour. 9818.916 (presumed), R. 9 de Julho, São Paulo SP, Apr 4, 2225-0052 - initially very poor signal with just snippets of Latin ballads. Improving after 0000 UT, two male speakers in Portuguese with chatter. Local QRN spoiling the signal (Brandon Jordan - Memphis, TN, USA, Perseus, Wellbrook ALA100, April 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. 11685, April 6 at 1345 some exotic music followed by Burmese talk, with its typical rising inflexion at the end of sentences. Bothered by RTTY from 11687.5. This is Democratic Voice of Burma via T8BZ {oops, make that T8WH}, PALAU (a.k.a. KHBN), 100 kW due west, at 1300-1400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BURMA [non]. Just logged into Livestation for a little BBCWS listening, and whaddya know, the Democratic Voice of Burma's TV channel is now on there. Livestation's website says "Livestation, which streams live global news over broadband, has expanded its remit in order to help broadcast the voices of those living in areas where freedom of expression is suppressed or limited." No word yet as to it's availability in the country itself; in an interview with MIT's Technology Review in 2007 John Palfrey of Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet & Society said the the junta there heavily filters in internet, but that some are able to bypass the filters using proxy servers. See http://www.livestation.com/news/57-livestation__broadcasting_minority_voices-1000000057 and http://www.technologyreview.com/infotech/19474/?a=f (Joe Durso in Louisville, KY, April 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. RCI CUTS --- It seems the slumbering RCI Action Committee is awakening, if only to refer us to Facebook and Twitter. From April CIDX Messenger, I researched some linx and added them (Glenn Hauser, April 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wojtek Gwiazda, producer/presenter at Radio Canada International, supplies us, through his Facebook page, with the following resources for information on the impact of CBC cuts, particularly as they relate to Radio Canada International. For those interested in following the action on Facebook, there’s now a Facebook group for the RCI Action Committee - yes it’s still alive. You’ll have access to archival information, as well as the latest developments at RCI. This is just starting, so give us a bit of time to get things up on line, but don’t hesitate to get the discussion going. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=61392551483 Radio Canada International Action Committee (RCI Action Committee) http://www.geocities.com/rciaction/ Formed to protect the international broadcasting mandate and funding of Radio Canada International (RCI). The RCI Action Committee is an inter-union committee, supported primarily by the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (SCRC), which represents most of RCI’s employees. The Committee started in 1991 as the Coalition to Restore Full RCI Funding to fight cuts that reduced the budget, staff and language services in half, and reduced original RCI programming by three quarters. We continue to fight for the idea that Canada’s Voice to the World must be protected and maintained, and build on its tradition of Canadian journalism of more than 60 years. RCI Action Committee (RCI_Action) on Twitter http://twitter.com/rci_action Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. The latest on the situation at Radio Canada International, including the elimination of the Ukrainian and Cantonese services, as well as cuts in the news and programming. You don’t have to have a twitter account to see the information. Another source of news on the CBC and cuts. The Tea Makers http://teamakers.blogspot.com Inside the CBC blog is one other way of keeping track of what’s going on. InsideTheCBC.com Source: http://www.insidethecbc.com Heritage Minister James Moore confirmed today that the CBC would be receiving the $60 million in annual funding that it has received each year since 2001 (CIDX MESSENGER via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DXLD) ``the slumbering RCI Action Committee`` It seems to me that "slumbering" does not adequately describe the circumstances, in light of this: http://www.geocities.com/rciaction/SuspensionRadioCanadaInternational2008.html (Kai Ludwig, Germany, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) We're getting all the details together about the full impact of the cuts on Radio Canada International. In the short term we'll outline what appears to be happening. I say short term, because it will take weeks for the domino effect to really show the exact impact, plus there are financial decisions the Canadian government has to approve for the cuts not to increase (that's right - increase!) (RCI Action Committee via Facebook, April 2) The Ukrainian Service has been eliminated as of March 28-29, 2009. Ukrainian Canadian Congress condemns closure. The weekly half hour Cantonese program has been cut as well (RCI Action Committee via Facebook, undated) Some of you have also been asking about the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program, which the Minister approved last Friday. About 780 of you are eligible for it, so I won't get into the details here, but you can find out more here. And, if you're eligible, you can also expect to receive a personalized information package in the mail (Office of CBC president Hubert Lacroix in memo to staff via The Tea Makers, April 1) Across CBC, Radio-Canada, and Radio Canada International a lot of soul searching, as the retirement offers sent, job bumping will follow (RCI Action Committee via Twitter, April 5) (all via Kai Ludwig, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CANADÁ. O programa dominical Castor Mensajero, emitindo em espanhol pela Rádio Canadá Internacional, possui um segmento chamado Espacio DX. Apesar de terem feito uma excelente vinheta de identificação do segmento, na edição de 5 de abril, os apresentadores não falaram de dexismo. Eles apresentaram uma receita de um prato feito com frango (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX April 5 via DXLD) Well, one can`t DX without food --- Castor Mensajero is better translated as ``Messenger Beaver`` than Message Beaver (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. 6070, CFRX at 2131 with PSA about high water levels in rivers and streams, ad for home building company. 2132 Toronto traffic report. Weak Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) QTH is not that far from Toronto, but too far for groundwave and too close for much skywave, apparently (gh) ** CANADA. Ethel Williamson on AM 740 11 am-1 pm :: Dale Goldhawk Fights Back -- For You Wednesday: 102-year-old ham radio operator Mrs. Ethel Williamson talks about her book, A light on the Sea Way. Actually it's A Light on the Seaway. Mrs. Williamson was the wife of the lighthouse keeper in Port Weller at the north end of the Welland Canal until its operations were automated (as are most if not all Great Lakes lighthouses now). She spoke at the Grade 8 graduation ceremony at my school (Port Weller Public School), the year after I graduated in 1975; at the time I thought she was really old (well, I was 14 --- everyone was old). There was an article in the local paper when she turned 100. Good on her for reaching 102! That`s AM 740 in Toronto...11 am-1 pm EDT. [1505?-1700 UT April 8] Also audible at http://www.am740.ca http://zoomers.ca/profiles/blogs/this-week-on-am740-april-6-to (Fred Waterer, Ont., April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. If you hear a strange language on 530 kHz: CIAO full program schedule is on the website: http://www.am530.ca/programschedule.htm (Barry McLarnon, Ont., ABDX via DXLD) ** CANARY ISLANDS [non]. MPAIAC: La Nueva Voz de Canarias Libre. En Internet --- Saludos cordiales, reactivada en Internet este nuevo proyecto de la antigua emisora Clandestina "La Voz de Canarias Libre", se puede escuchar a Antonio Cubillo el dirigente del grupo independentista MPAIAC. La Nueva Voz de Canarias Libre. http://canariasinsurgente.typepad.com/almacen/2009/03/la-nueva-voz-de-canarias-libre.html Radio Canarias Libre Podcast * / Radio Canarias Libre.- La Voz de Canarias Libre, que desde Radio Argel supuso el motor propagandístico del MPAIAC, ha sido refundada a través de Internet por medio de podcast, bajo el nombre La Nueva Voz de Canarias Libre. El secretario general del MPAIAC, el abogado Antonio Cubillo, junto con otros colaboradores, ha puesto en funcionamiento un servicio de radio por Internet. Se trata esta vez de “una tribuna a la libertad” puesta al servicio del navegante para contrarrestar “las duras trabas” que ponen los medios de comunicación convencionales a la causa independentista. La Voz de Canarias Libre, supuso en el siglo XX un soplo de aire fresco a los canarios, que además de “sometidos al yugo de la metrópoli” se encontraban asfixiados por la vorágine franquista. Es ahora, cuando nuestros compatriotas, iluminados bajo el color de la esperanza del año libertador 2010, fijado por las Naciones Unidas como fecha máxima para descolonizar los últimos territorios, pueden escuchar la realidad de este archipiélago africano. Es un proyecto en el que se han invertido muchos recursos y que nace para quedarse. La Nueva Voz de Canarias Libre, como medio de comunicación independiente, responderá a los ataques de los enemigos de la patria canaria con fuerza, marcará un antes y un después en la historia con la publicación de exclusivas informativas, desde políticos corruptos pasando por los atentados contra el patrimonio cultural canario, hasta la exaltación de los valores de nuestro noble pueblo. Además es un medio participativo con el navegante, pues cada programa de radio puede ser descargado, gratuitamente, en su PC, o escucharlo o­n-line, además de facilitar la posibilidad de contribuir a la causa patriótica con comentarios y opiniones libres. * Sintoniza Radio Canarias Libre: http://www.lanuevavozdecanariaslibre.tk/ (via José Miguel Romero, April 8, dxldyg via DXLD) ** CHAD. 6165, RD Nationale Tchadienne, Gredia, 1512-1920, 03 Apr, Vernacular, talks, French at 1900, music progoram suddenly replaced by news at 1907; 25432, QRM in the evening only. Still no trace of them on 4905. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6165.00, RNT N'Djamena, 0428-0437, April 07, IS, band played NA, French opening ID, TC, frequency announcement and program preview. Strong, easily overriding co-channel ZNBC which was still noted in the clear at 0419 check. Unfortunately Croatian Radio appeared at 0458 ruining Chad completely (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO. 4319 usb, AFN, Diogo Garcia, BIOT, 2252-2309, 01 Apr, infos, NPR ID, ad for Hawaii, AFN ID, news at 2300; 33342, adjacent utility QRM. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) mostly filed under DIEGO GARCIA elseissues ** CHILE. Santiago closing? Hi Andrew, I note that you have been reducing Santiago transmissions step by step, and that Portuguese on SW is to be eliminated at the end of April. I wonder if this also applies to Spanish -- and thus whether you are going to close down the Calera de Tango facility completely? Have the transmitters reached the end of their useful life? (Sound fine to me as far as modulation and reliability.) Is CVC selling the site? Thanks for any info you can provide about what is in store. Regards, (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO, to Andrew Flynn, Christian Vision, via DXLD) Hi Glenn, good to hear from you. We don't have any plans to close Calera de Tango. The global economic situation has forced CVC, in common with other international broadcasters, to seek cost efficiencies in its operating budget. In particular we have been hit hard by recent increases in the cost of power, and unfavourable exchange rates. Clearly budget savings can be made by cutting transmission hours at the times and (and places) fewest people are listening. Nonetheless shortwave remains an important medium for CVC to reach its audiences across the world, and we remain hopeful that DRM will also become useful in the future to reach certain targets. I've been following the recent gossip about the site in DXLD, so now is a good opportunity to set the record straight on a few points. Firstly, when we took over the site in late 1996, none of the transmitters were close to working since the site had fallen into total disrepair since its closure as Radio Nacional. We had 6 transmitters operational by the time of our launch (as Voz Cristiana) in 1998. The remaining 2 transmitters were up by 2000. All 8 are still used in service, although, obviously, not concurrently. Several have now been converted to operate DRM. Regarding the comments on the photos - especially http://www.cvclavoz.cl/im/im12.jpg The sticker on Tx2 - left over from the RN days? I hate to shatter the nostalgia but nothing so romantic I'm afraid. It's a safety sticker pointing out the location of the nearest fire extinguisher. The bottles in front of the transmitters indeed contain distilled water, for topping up the cooling system - correct analysis by Jerry Lenamon. I hope this helps. Regards, (Andrew Flynn, Director, International Broadcasting Christian Vision The Pavilion Manor Drive Coleshill West Midlands B46 1DL United Kingdom Direct: +44 (0)1675 435502 Tel: +44 (0)1675 435500 Fax: +44 (0)1675 435501 Mob: +44 (0)7881 908425 April 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ZAMBIA ** CHINA. 3900, Hulun Buir PBS, Hailar, 2118-2136, 04 Apr, Mandarin, orchestral music (western pieces), jingle + ID at 2130, talks, presumably news; 35332. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 6065, CNR-2/China Business Radio, 1345-1400, April 8. “English Evening” program; very interesting segment of “Studio Classroom Worldwide” about the explorer Mike Horn and his adventures in his “Pangaea” sailboat; // 6155, 7245 (best reception), 7265, 7335, 7375 and 9820. They have complied with the new regulations and have abandoned 7130, 7140 and 7150; “English Evening” ID by Timothy before ToH pips (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Re What`s up with VOS, 9-030: I can receive Voice of Strait Day and Evening service at 0000-1200 UT News Channel 9505 kHz Entertainment Channel 7280 kHz Amoy Channel 6115 kHz NDXC Monitoring Group is investigating night service at 1200-1700, but cannot discover it. (S. Hasegawa, NDXC, April 6, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thank you Sei-ichi, Appreciate your feedback. Until April 1, it was possible for me to enjoy the Voice of Strait daily from about 1300 to 1530 on their three lower frequencies, so I hope they have not dropped the 1200 to 1700 time period, but have simply changed frequencies for some reason (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, USA, April 6, ibid.) Then confirmed at the same frequency on 9505, 7280 and 6115 continued by monitoring from 1200 to 1700 in night service of V of Strait. But, interference is terrible. de Hiroshi (S. Hasegawa, 1321 UT April 8, ibid.) ** CHINA. 9890, CNR-8, 1429 + 1441, April 6. Assume in scheduled Kazakh; mostly talking with some music; good reception; // 9645 (good), 9630 (fair) and 9420 (poor). Seems they must have dropped 7120 from their schedule (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 9845 with huge signal in very lively Chinese, CNR1? April 6 at 1325 and // slightly weaker 9985. Guess what? China is not scheduled on either frequency, but VOA Mandarin is, via Tinang, PHILIPPINES and Tinian, NMI, respectively, // 6110, 11785, 11805, 11990 and 12040 per VOA A09 schedule. VOA totally inaudible here under this massive jamming; like a spoiled child, the ChiCom screams on the same frequencies, to prevent America from getting one word into Chinese ears. What a loss of face! Aren`t Chinese supposed to be hospitable? If the jamming is so effective way over here, how much worse can it be in China itself? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CNR1 jamming observed April 7: at 1310 on 9605 vs BBC Singapore, // strongest 9845 vs IBB Tinang; at 1415 coloratura singer has her art degraded by being turned into a jammer, on 11805 and 12040 vs IBB Tinang. Only on 12040 could I hear some audio from the victim too, all except 9605 being VOA in Mandarin. China does not even pretend to register any of these frequencies for its own services, ``coincidentally`` blocking Western voices. Just wait: some list-logger will report these as BBC or VOA rather than what is really being heard, ChiCom jamming. Meanwhile, the other kind of ChiCom jamming, Firedrake, was well heard at 1411 on 9000 against Sound of Hope, but nothing on 9300, 8400 or anywhere from 8000 to 8999 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 6010, tentatively LV de la [sic] Conciencia at 0044 when I caught woman announcing, in English, what I think was ``Colombia Today``. Then into songs. Return of announcer was then in Spanish. Was I hearing things or does this station sometimes carry an English- language program, which I just happened to hear the end of? Weak in QRM, Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. 7365 with DCJC jamming pulses, 0600 April 7, interfering with WHRI preacher in English, tsk2, instead of R. Martí, as Greenville is on this frequency only between 2300 and 0400 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Re times for En Contacto, 9-030: Gracias Glenn: En su sitio está desfasado: http://www.radiohc.cu/espanol/programacion.htm Ya está corregido en Programas DX (José Bueno, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non non]. 6180, 5/4 0019 Radio República, Clandestine, politics Spanish, good. Rx: Drake SPR-4 & Icom R71E, ant: T2FD, Ciao (Giampiero Bernardini, Milano, Italy, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ahá: R. R. has not been on 49m for several months, but 6180 happens to be an RHC frequency per their sked http://www.radiohc.cu/espanol/frecuencia/frecuencias-espanol.htm from 0000 // 11760, 11690, 9600, 6140, 6060, 6000, 5965; are you sure it was R.R.? Checked as soon as I saw this, at 2315 April 6, but nothing on 6180 yet, while R.R. was VG atop jamming on 9545; nothing but jamming on 9810. No, I am afraid that is not República on 6180, at least not on UT April 7 when I check at 0000 as RHC is opening on 6180, and still at 0019 // 6140, etc. No sign of República; not the only station to talk about Cuban politics in Spanish! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. 4780, Heard after some days absent, in Arabic, at 1720-1750 UT April 6, with some lovely traditional songs, 34343 (José Pedro Turner, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Re 9-030: Radio El Buen Pastor is back on 4814.94! Had Brasil there a month ago. 4805 Peru heard same time. Dave Valko log was a tip off. Radio El Buen Pastor is back on 4814.94 and may be blocking the Brasil station, Radio Difusora de Londrina, here in southeast Florida. 73s (Bob Wilkner, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 6050, HCJB at 0342, carrying slowly-spoken English program about ministry to children in Uganda. At 0345 into Spanish language. Poor Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Spotlight program, also on many other stations including WRMI now (gh) ** EGYPT. EGITO – A programação em português da Rádio Cairo pode ser captada, entre 2215 e 2330, no Tempo Universal, em 9360 kHz, em 31 metros. Alguns programações podem ser alcançados na Internet, à la carte, acessando http://www.ertu.org/br/brasileiro_pro.html Em 5 de abril, a emissora foi captada, em Porto Alegre (RS), às 2225, no Tempo Universal, quando foi ao ar o programa Esporte na Semana, com informações sobre a Copa do Mundo da África do Sul. A vinheta de identificação do programa dizia o seguinte: “Rádio Cairo apresenta o programa Esporte na Semana, programa que vai ao ar todos os domingos, redigido por Nádia Fausi e apresentado por Aiman Ardrarmant (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX April 5 via DXLD) 7540, UNIDENTIFIED. 0030–0115, 04/05/09. OM in Spanish? over Arabic- sounding music until 0100, then NA/time pips followed by YL in undecipherable language, OM at 0115. Poor, under QSB/QRN (Jay Golden, Rochester, NY, R7A, 50' longwire, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 7540, Radio Cairo at 0207 with opening prayers in Arabic and then interpreted into English. Fair Apr. 4. 11590, Radio Cairo at 2325, woman with ID. Very low modulation, so most of the time you have no idea what they are saying. Fair Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Saludos cordiales, hoy 7 de abril estoy escuchando a Radio Cairo en 6255 y 6270 a las 17:53 UTC, probablemente en urdu, servicio no listados ni en EiBi A-09 ni en Aoki, ¿nueva emisión?, ¿emisión accidental? (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6270 is certainly scheduled for Urdu at 1600-1800; it`s not been clear what is supposed to be on 6255 before Italian at 1800, if it is really on the air as early as 1500. So the two were definitely //? See http://www.bclnews.it/a09schedules/cairo.htm --- 6255 1500-2245 ABS 250 315 Ge,Fr,En 6270 1600-1800 ABZ 250 90 Urdu (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, BATA, Radio Africa at 1905 ending program by Zion Fellowship. Into Christ Gospel broadcast, with Reverend Hicks. Good, muffled audio Apr. 3. 15190, Radio Africa at 2144, preacher. At 2145 into Hope for Today program. Fair Apr. 3 HTS 5005, BATA, Radio Nacional at 2300 with national anthem at sign-off, off at 2301. Weak under QRM Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) 15190, R. Africa, good signal at 2200 April 6 with choir incongruously singing OLTOB – Xmas carol O Little Town of Bethlehem, then preacher with a tinge of a British accent in Xmas greetings to ``this station`` and an Xmas sermon. Well, it probably takes that long to ship tapes from Cupertino to Bata by surface mail. Tony Alamo usually is on at this hour, but they must have been running late. Alamo, who claims to be too old and infirm to have sex with minors, was in progress when rechecked at 2232 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5005, R. Nacional, noted at 1850-1915 UT April 6 with African songs program. Very weak signal. 2433 2/1 (José Pedro Turner, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5005, RNGE/"R. Bata", Bata, 2152-2212, 02 Apr, Vernacular, African pops, Castilian for communiqués at 2205; 55444 but overmodulated. 6250, RNGE/"R. Malabo", Malabo, 2201-2235, 02 Apr, Castilian, Mexican folk songs in program "Así Canta Latinoamérica"; 54444, adjacent utility QRM. 5005 ditto, 1910-1941, 03 Apr, French, African pops program; 45444 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. (?) 7175, Voice of the Broad Masses (presumed), Asmara, 1837-1940, 31 Mar, Vernacular, talks, football infos, Horn of Africa songs, Arabic songs; 45433. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7175, Voice of Broad Masses 2, Asmara, 1845-1900, escuchada el 6 de abril con emisión de música folklórica local; según el nuevo listado de Aoki anuncia fin de emisión a las 1800 UT en somalí, locutor con comentarios, nuevo segmento musical y locutora con comentarios probablemente en árabe, SINPO 34433 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [non]. 15350, Voice of Asena, via Samara, Russia (presumed), 1730-1800, Mo/We/Fr, Tigrinya, ex 9610. Broker TDP. (Alokesh Gupta, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) Heard 1740-1758*, Mar 30, Tigrinya talk, Horn of Africa songs, 1758 abrupt s/off in mid sentence, 44434 QRM 15345 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, ibid.) ** ETHIOPIA. 7110, R. Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 1634-, 01 Apr, Vernacular, talks, music, IDs; 45444. 7165, R. Ethiopia, Geja Jawe, 1645-1800*, 29 Mar, English, pops, address info, French at 1700, news, music, mostly African pops, address info too; 24432, amateur QRM. 9704.2, R. Ethiopia, Geja Dera, 2045-2100*, 02 Apr, vernacular, music, few talks, news headline, ID + announcements, national anthem; 55444. (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ETIOPÍA, 7110, Radio Etiopía, Addis Ababa, 1930-1935, escuchada el 6 de abril en amárico con emisión de música folklórica local, locutora con comentarios, “...program..”, SINPO 34443. 7165, Radio Etiopía, Addis Ababa, 1757-1800, escuchada el 6 de abril en francés a locutora con comentarios en final de programa, SINPO 34433. 7165, Radio Etiopía, Addis Ababa, 1800-1809, escuchada el 6 de abril, probablemente en somalí, sintonía, locutor con presentación y posible identificación, anuncia frecuencias, boletín de noticias, referencias a la “Democracia”, SINPO 34433 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. ALEMANIA, 13820, V. Dem. Eritrea-Ethiopian, Nauen, 1709-1720, escuchada el 8 de abril en amárico a locutor con comentarios y segmento musical, creo que aparece en esta frecuencia la VO Oromo Liberatión escapando del jamer, ya que se llegan a escuchar las dos emisoras hasta que irrumpe a las 1712 la extraña señal jammer atorando las dos emisiones, a las 1714 paso a 13830 y la señal ha desaparecido y escucho música africana; intuyo otro cambio de frecuencia de la emisora V. of Oromo Liberation, a las 1716 aparece la extraña señal otra vez desapareciendo de 13820, a las 1718 reaparece el jammer, SINPO 24432. 13830, V. of Oromo Liberation, Juelich, 1704-1709, escuchada el 8 de abril en oromo a locutor y locutora con comentarios, a las 1709 irrumpe señal no ID atorando la emisión, ¿Jamming?, referencias a Oromo, SINPO 24442. RUSIA, 15350, Radio Asena, Samara, 1730-1734, escuchada el 8 de abril en tigrilla, sintonía, ID, locutora con presentación, comentarios, SINPO 24442 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 5980.00, 2045-2059* Saturday 04.04, Scandinavian Weekend R, Virrat, English ID and postal address, two IRCs for QSL; Finnish talk and pop music, closed with music by Sibelius. Not heard at other times or frequencies that weekend 35343 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** FRANCE. 702, China R International, Col de la Madonne (not "Madone", it's an open unrounded vowel, not a closed one) relay, 1250- ..., 04 Apr, Mandarin, talks; 35333. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. INDUSTRIAL ACTION RFI --- This affected the 1600-1700 UT English language broadcast on 15605 and // 17605 which targets Africa that I received today (April 7th). The entire broadcast was filled with music only. On the RFI website http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/pages/001/accueil.asp a brief headline, "Industrial action RFI / Broadcast and internet services" is posted and states: "Due to industrial action we cannot bring you a full programme of our regularly scheduled radio news and features or our regular RFI website content through 5 GMT on 8 April. Please excuse the inconvenience." (Bill Hodges, Atlanta, GA, Kenwood R-2000, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GAMBIA. 648, GRTS, Bonto, 1907-1918, 31 Mar, Vernacular, news (?); 23441, QRM de Spain. Much stronger at 2230+, also with program in vernacular. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 6005.00, 2045-2105 29.03, R 700, Kall-Krekel German announcement, German and English lovesongs - now also late evenings! 54544. 6140.00, *0900-1000* Sunday 05.04, R Mecklenburg- Vorpommern, Baltic R, via Wertachtal German/English IDs, German talk, English talk about Schwerin and its castles, pop songs 55545 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) ** GERMANY. DIGITAL RADIO GIVEN GREEN LIGHT IN GERMANY At a meeting on 25th March, the German Commission of broadcasting policies (Rundfunkkommission), headed by Mr. Stadlmeier announced its decision by all 16 Lander to approve a nationwide multiplex able to transmit between 10 and 15 radio stations. Deutschland Radio, the national public radio broadcaster of Germany, will have access to one third of the national digital network capacity, and two thirds will be made available to private radio operators, which allows them to broadcast national radio services for the first time. The BNetzA, the frequency authority of Germany, now has the task of assigning frequencies and choosing the network operator for the planned large single frequency network. The national digital channels will be supplemented by two or three multiplexes in each of the 16 regions to provide regional and local radio from public service ARD stations and private broadcasters. ARD stations in each region will also be allowed to broadcast an additional digital only service to add to their five existing programmes in each area. Between 30 and 40 digital radio stations will become available in every region of Germany, offering a mix of local and nationwide, private and public radio stations. Quentin Howard, President of WorldDMB, said, "This decision is great news for digital radio in Germany and for the whole of Europe. The largest countries in Europe - Germany, France and the UK - have all committed to the same family of digital radio standards, making it easier for other countries to follow suit. Digital radios will become even cheaper and more readily available, and with new models able to work in any country the barriers to a universal digital radio system for the whole of Europe have been removed." DAB+ is an updated version of DAB, used in Switzerland today and by Australia for their digital radio services which launch later this summer. In addition to DAB+, German broadcasters may continue with existing DAB services and could introduce DMB at some future stage. New digital radios able to receive DAB, DAB+ and DMB are in production now and will become available during 2009, in time for the launch of Germany's new services. (Source : EBU via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, dxldyg via DXLD) ** GREECE. ERT S.A.: THE VOICE OF GREECE A09 SHORT WAVE TRANSMISSION SCHEDULE Effective from 29/03/09 to 25/10/09 (Add 3 Hours for Time in Greece) Time (UTC) Freq Freq Freq Language -------------------------------------------- EUROPE 0000 0400 9420 7475 Greek, #English 0400 0500 9420 *7475 7450 Greek 0500 0600 9420 *7450 Greek 0600 1000 9420 15630 Greek, #English 1100 2300 9420*15630 Greek 2300 2400 9420 7475 Greek Foreign Language Transmissions (Radio Filia) 0500 0600 11645 Albanian 0600 0700 11645 English 0700 0800 11645 French 0800 0900 11645 Spanish 0900 0930 11645 German 0930 1000 11645 Russian TASHKENT 1100 1300 9420 Greek MIDDLE EAST, INDIAN OCEAN, AUSTRALIA 0000 0400*15650 Greek, #English 2300 2400 15650 Greek AMERICA, ATLANTIC OCEAN 0000 0400 9420 7475 Greek, #English 0400 0600 9420 7450 Greek 1700 2300 9420*15630 Greek 2300 2400 9420 7475 Greek SOUTH AMERICA, PANAMA ZONE, NW AFRICA 0000 0200 7475 Greek, #English 1700 2300*15630 Greek 2300 2400 7475 Greek #Greek in Style (English): 0905 1000 Sunday; 0005 0105 Monday *Transmission ends 10 minutes earlier BREAK: Every day 1000 1100 UTC; Every Tuesday 0800 1200 UTC ERT S.A. MACEDONIA STATION EUROPE 1100 1650 9935 Greek 1700 2250 7450 Greek Telephones: (+30)-210 606 6895-96, (+30)-210 606 6297-98, (+30)-210 606 6398. Fax: (+30)-210 606 6309. Studio: (+30)-210 606 6439 (John Babbis, Silver Spring, MD, for DXLD) ** GREENLAND. 3815-USB, 2107-2111* 06.04, KNR, Tasiilaq Danish news, e.g. "... 100 km nord for...", 2109 KNR news jingle and closed with a Greenlandic pop song. Strong signal one hour earlier (in UT) due to Greenlandic Summertime. 33333. QRM whistling tone (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) You mean a ham pursing lips, or a het? ** GUINEA-Conakry. 7125, R. Guinée, Sonfonya, 1834-1900*, 31 Mar, vernacular, African songs; 45433. They either s/off or the transmitter went off because of failure as I found them active again at 2100+ when the signal was poorer. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Re 9-030: ``AIR A09 PG (Scanned copy) --- Now all of you access the original scanned copy of All India Radios' Home Service and External Service programme schedule in the following link. http://adxc.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/air-external-service-a09/ http://adxc.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/air-a09-pdf/ (Jaisakthivel, Chennai, April 3, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` Thanks, but unfortunately these are NOT programme schedules. There are extensive lists of AM, FM and SW frequencies in the domestic services, but except for news times, NO times or specifically named programs, in English, and as far as I can tell not in Hindi either. Is there any such thing as a real PROGRAM schedule from AIR, at least external services in English, and preferably for all programming, showing the exact times when programs with specific names are on the air? AIR must have such schedules in order to run radio networks, but are they for internal use only, not available to the poor listeners? 73, (Glenn Hauser, April 6, ibid.) Dear Glenn, We too ask them for long time, but there is no action in this. But ADDX Kurier published the AIR programme details in their magazine. May be they check it on AIR regularly?! Please see the attach file for the details. 73's (Jaisakthivel, ibid.) Viz.: A jpg of a brief clipping, saying this in UT, put by gh into order: 1800, 1900, 2100, 2200, 2300, News and Commentary 1830, For Youth 1910, Mainly for Tourists 1920, Instrumental Music - Indian Soloists 1930, Commentary 2045, Press Review 2120, For Youth 2130, Film Songs 2215, Mainly for Tourists 2225, Film Tune 2245, Devotional Music Except for news, obviously applies to only one day of the week, probably Saturday, judging from adjacent item about WOR on WRN to Eurasia at 0900 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR National Channel from Bengaluru, 9425, Wednesday April 8 at 1454 with lecture in English, interspersed with music, but too weak and fluttery to outmake much. 1457 YL gave produxion credit in outroduxion; 1459 still talk in English and I imagined I heard something like ``National Commission for Women`` mentioned. 1500 music, pause, ID in English and into Hindi. I wonder if the Times of India or any other major newspaper in English carries specific *program* schedules from AIR, since none seem to be available from AIR itself. 9425 seems to have regular English talks beyond news on our half-hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 9445, All India Radio at 2042 on suddenly in perhaps Hindi with man and child. 2045 woman with announcements and then man in English with ID and frequencies, followed by press review. Fair Apr. 4 9445, AIR at 2200 with ID ``This is the General Overseas Service of All India Radio`` and news. Good Apr. 3. 11715, (GOA), All India Radio at 2201, woman with news. // 9445 and 11620, Fair Apr. 4 9705, (GOA), All India Radio at 2244 with IS, 2245 s/on with ID, frequencies. Good Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) GOA site per http://www.qsl.net/vu2jos/sw/freq.htm altho other listings show 11715 as Delhi (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA. 4970, AIR Shillong, 1322-1335, April 6. Back on the air today. Scholastic program with students being verbally given a question in English with multiple choice answers, students picking the correct answer; 1333 back to the studio; "This is the North Eastern Service of All India Radio broadcasting from Shillong on 60.36 meters on shortwave, corresponding to 4,970 kHz."; sports news in assume Hindi; fair. 5050, AIR Aizawl, 1513-1517, April 6. Distinctive network programming (// 9425) in assume Hindi, with ads till the start of the news; heard underneath Guangxi FBS (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) also see SIKKIM ** INDONESIA. 9525, Voice of Indonesia, Cimanggis, 1040-1058, 02 Apr, English (poor one, I'd say), interviews, chatter, music; 45444. 9680, RRI, Cimanggis, 1047-1126, 02 Apr, Indonesian, talks phone-ins, newscast at 1100; 35434, but deteriorating. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9525, Voice of Indonesia at 1201 with Japanese programming ending and several IDs in Japanese, 1202 woman with repeated announcement in English of Indonesian programming coming up. Good Apr. 4. 15150, RRI Jakarta at 1244 with gamelan music. Poor Apr. 4 9525, Voice of Indonesia at 1302 with English ID, ``Voice of Indonesia, being the first, being the best``, into song. 1304 multi- lingual IDs. ``Voice of Indonesia, The Sound of Dignity.`` 1305 program lineup, news. Fair Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Are you sure about 15150? That`s normally used only for VOI external service, but not at this hour. So not // 9525 or 9680? Beware; Iran`s lengthy Arabic service is on 15150 at 0530-1630, 500 kW, 295 degrees from Sirjan (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9525, VOI with rather interesting programming, Tue April 7 at 1340, a `live` interview (in English!) with some OM at RRI Banjarmasin, promoting tourism there. This was by way of introducing a pre-produced feature, with rustic music and YL talking about the Banjari ethnic group, going back to 2500 BCE; at 1348 to OM on the local language, which is sort of a mix between Malayan and Javanese; there are two major dialects. One of them is a lingua franca in E, S and C Kalimantan, but not in W Kalimantan where Malayan is. One of the dialects also has only three vowels, i, u and a, forcing foreign words to be reworked, such as ``local`` becomes ``luku``; there has been a lot of intermarriage with the Dayaks, to confuse matters further. To be continued next week, about the Banjari kingdom; back to bookender with previous introducer, 1354 playing a song from Jakarta. Good signal with some hum and fading until *1357 CRI prélude on 9525 producing fast rippling SAH with off-frequency VOI (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. RRI`s clear access to 9680 after 1300 was short-lived. On April 8 at 1338 the Chinese were back radiowarring with each other and blocking RRI, mainly evidenced by a SAH of 4.4 Hz. VOI English on 9525, April 8 at 1340 with language lesson, fair and in the clear; blocked as usual during 1400 hour by CRI in Russian; 1503 recheck, 9525 in clear again re-opening English with news headlines, as always frustratingly offcut in abrupt late (early?) closedown of transmitter at 1505*. During the final minute I was hearing some chirp/pulses of one per second, traces of which were still there after VOI was off; stray CODAR, or my TV set? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9524.98, April 8, 1502 ID in English for VOI, with upcoming program schedule for “Today in History”, “Let`s Speak Bahasa Indonesia” and “Music Corner”; started with the news in English which was cut off suddenly at 1505. Cannot say I noticed any noise other than their usual transmitter hum (Ron Howard, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. GERMAN HAMS BOUNCE SIGNALS OFF VENUS On March 25, 2009, a group of German hams bounced radio signals off the surface of Venus, marking the first time Amateur Radio operators have sent and received signals directed to another planet. The team's transmitter generated about 6 kW CW @ 2.4 GHz, the signal traveled about 100 million kilometers and had a round trip delay of about five minutes. The Earth-Venus-Earth ("EVE") experiment was repeated on March 26 for several hours with "good echoes" from Venus. Morse code was used to transmit the well-known 'HI' signature (four dots followed by two dots). All things considered, this is a landmark accomplishment for ham radio operators. [page halfway down:] http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter/09/0403/ (via CGC Communicator April 6 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) OK, but professional hi-power radar has been doing this longtime (gh) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. Help celebrate Radio Caroline's 45th birthday this Easter by joining us for four days of great celebratory programmes. There'll be some great prizes to give away during our latest Support Group membership drive (see below), some special programmes and guests too. This will be a chance for you to hear Radio Caroline in all her glory and soak up the special atmosphere of our birthday. We may be 45 years old, but we're certainly not too old to Rock N Roll! The broadcast starts at 7 a.m. [0600 UT] on Friday 10th April and ends at midnight on Easter Monday - so join us for some of it or all of it! Easter Programme Schedule will be published soon. http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. Timor Challenger Ross Revenge --- By Alan Beech http://www.rossrevenge.co.uk/boatthatrocked/boatthatrocked.htm Starring in the film "The Boat That Rocked is the "The Timor Challenger" was formally registered as "De Hoop" and prior to the film had a brief venture into offshore radio, as described in the 1975 encyclopaedia of watery wireless, "Offshore Radio" by Gerry Bishop (ISBN 0 904603 00 8). To quote Gerry's words: "It must be emphasised that this vessel is not an offshore station in the "pirate" sense. the Hospital Church vessel 'De Hoop', 1106 tons gross, 390 tons net, was built in 1964 by NV Schps. Gerb. Pot-Bolnes and is 208 feet long. The purpose of the ship is to serve as a mother- ship to the fishing fleets, supplying medical, technical and spiritual aid, if and when required. Financed by private donations, churches, factories, shipowners, etc., the ship is at sea three weeks out of every four keeping a continuous watch on the international calling frequency, 2182 Khz, accepting calls in Dutch, English, German and French. On 2201 Khz, weather reports and general messages are transmitted and received as 0645-0655, 0830-0840, 1015-1025, 1245- 1255, 1615-1625, 1845-1855 and 2030-2040. On 2316Khz, 0730-0740, 1030- 1040, 1315-1325, 1630-1640 and 1930-1940. Dutch language church services are broadcast from the chapel onboard on 2316 kHz on Sundays at 0930-1030 and 1745-1830 and on Wednesdays at 1830-1900." So, although not a true offshore broadcast station, the ship broadcast non marine traffic (i.e. church services) using marine frequencies, without an appropriate licence. How remarkable that this ship was chartered 35 years later to star as a '60s pirate ship (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Re NEW OFFSHORE RADIO DOCUMENTARY From The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame web site http://www.offshoreradio.co.uk/ which was updated yesterday: During April all the UK radio stations owned by the GMG group are carrying a two part documentary called When Pirates Ruled The Airwaves. It is presented by Bill Nighy, star of The Boat That Rocked and includes contributions from Tony Prince, Tony Blackburn, Charlie Wolf, Johnnie Walker, Dick Palmer, Roger Day and Paul Burnett among others. Part 1 concentrates on the birth of the offshore stations up until about 1966 while part 2 talks about 67, into the seventies, eighties and beyond. The six Smooth Radio stations, Real Radio Yorkshire and Real Radio Wales will transmit the programmes at 1 pm on Saturdays 4th and 11th April. They will run on Real Radio Scotland, Real Radio NW and Real Radio NE on Sundays 5th and 12th April at 5pm and on Rock Radio at 1pm on Sundays 5th and 12th April. (All times BST 1 hour ahead of UTC) (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Part One of the documentary When Pirates Ruled the Airwaves is now available for listen again or download in two separate files. Covers the radio scene before the offshore pirates and ends with the shooting of Reg Calvert. Much of the documentary consists of recent interviews with Tony Prince, Paul Burnett, Roger Day, Johnnie Walker, Dick Palmer, Emperor Rosko and Tony Blackburn so some fresh perspectives of the era. Part Two will talk about 1967, into the 70's, 80's and beyond. http://www.smoothradiolondon.co.uk/presenters-shows/smooth-documentaries-gfl6/listen-again-smooth-documentaries/ycnjzzsg/ (Mike Barraclough, April 7, dxldyg via DXLD) Thanks Mike, I really enjoyed those. The programme sets out very clearly all the cultural and technological changes that made 1964 such an important year for British teenagers, this was a unique situation in post-war Britain. For me the most telling comment was by Tony Blackburn about Radio London: "It was the best radio station we have ever had in this country, including what we have now". I agree with that quote regarding music radio, Radio London was the best, fantastic (Mike Terry, Bournemouth, ibid.) ** ITALY. EARTHQUAKE IN ABRUZZO --- Unfortunatly this disaster is quite common in Italy. The area of L'Aquila http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/ and the town of L'Aquila has been disastered today at 0145 UT. The local station Radio L'Aquila 1 on 93.5 MHz is the ONLY local station in L'Aquila, it has got the building totally destroyed, the WEB is just offering no stop music automated : http://www.rl1.it/ and news bulletin last produced the past Friday !!!! 03 April. Il 6 aprile 2009, alle ore 3:32 un terremoto stimato in un magnitudo di 6.3 della Scala Richter e tra 8 e 9 di distruzione sulla Scala Mercalli, con epicentro vicino la città de L'Aquila, scuote il centro Italia. Alcuni edifici crollano e molti altri rimangono lesionati, tra gli altri risultano crollati: una parte della Casa dello Studente, l'edificio della Prefettura, l'hotel "Duca degli Abruzzi", la cupola della Chiesa delle Anime Sante. Si contano numerose vittime http://www.ducadegliabruzzi.com/ This hotel has totally collapsed !!!!!!!!! Our deep condolences to the people effected by this desaster! (Dario Monferini, Milano, April 6, bclnews.it yg via DXLD) Ciao a tutti, un secondo servizio dedicato ai radioamatori e il terremoto questa sera al Tg1 delle 20.00, ecco il video: http://www.rai.tv/dl/RaiTV/programmi/media/ContentItem-fc6a0cbd-7c7e-4662-a845-339733242547.html 73 de (IW0HK Andrea Borgnino IW0HK - HB9EMK, ibid.) Attention All Amateurs... Emergency Frequencies Declared for Italian Earthquake --- ARRL April 6 2009 An earthquake that registered between 5.8 and 6.3 magnitude struck L'Aquila, the capital of Italy's Abruzzo region, about 65 miles northeast of Rome, early Monday morning. News reports say the quake has killed more than 90 people, with at least 50,000 left homeless. According to cluster spots, 7045 and 3640 kHz are being used as emergency frequencies, so please keep these frequencies clear. http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8873 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Oggetto: EMERGENZA TERREMOTO IN ABRUZZO Terremoto Abruzzo. Tutte le informazioni per gli aiuti dal sito http://www.rainews24.it (via Dario Monferini, April 9, DXLD) ** JAPAN [and non]. 11705, NHKWNRJ still colliding with itself in A- 09, pre-echo audible under Sackville in English at 1414 April 7, as they also run Yamata with same program on 11705 for Asia, but unsynchronized. Fortunately this is not a problem every day, depending on propagation. It was not noticeable the previous morning, but it is bound to be worse and worse the further west in NAm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 7140, P`yongyang BC Station, Kanggye, 0934-1010, 04 Apr, Kor[e]an, talks; 15331; nearly lost at 1015. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [and non]. 9665 at 1418 April 7, lo het, so suspect KCBS is off-frequency again. However, could be the collider, either Iran or Mongolia, so further digging needed by those in a better position to ID who else is really on 9665 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA: WEWN QRMing VOK 9335 9665 KCBS, again April 8 at 1338, piano and soprano no doubt in paean to Kim like all NK programming, and with that intriguing lo het revealing something else on frequency, which I hope those in Eurasia will outcheck, maybe Mongolia or Iran. 9335, VOK English at 1300 to NAm no contest against huge WEWN 9340, April 8 around 1340 check, but VOK in the clear for repeat at 1500, anthem, and 1502 re-opening English; by now the VOK signal is too weak anyway on a poor day for propagation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Heard KCBS on 9665.18v, 1338-1344, April 8, with music program; audio mushy and with a hum (would not call it a het); // 3959.75; signal much too strong to detect anything on 9665.0. Even during this short time period noted a slight drifting downward (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. A09 Broadcasts to North Korea: Apr. 6 JCI: Furusato no Kaze 1333-1358 9585(Japanese) via TWN 1430-1500 11825(Japanese) via DRW 1600-1630 9780(Japanese) via TWN JCI: Nippon no Kaze 1500-1530 13725(Korean) via DRW 1530-1556 9965(Korean) via PLW 1700-1730 9820(Korean) via TWN JSR: Shiokaze 1400-1430 6120(Japanese/Korean/English/Chinese) via YAM 2030-2100 6045(Japanese/Korean/English/Chinese) via YAM Radio Free North Korea 1100-1200 7460 via TAC 1400-1600 9985 via TAC 1900-2100 7530 via ERV ORNK: Open Radio for North Korea 1300-1400 11640 via TAC 2100-2200 7510 via ERV RFC: Radio Free Chosun 1200-1300 11560 via ERV 1230-1300 12085 via TAC 1545-1615 11570 via ERV 2000-2100 7490 via TAC CMI: Voice of Wilderness 1300-1400 11680 via ERV 2000-2100 Sunday 7410 via WER North Korea Reform Radio 1300-1330 9965 via TWN 1330-1400 11560 via DB VOF: Voice of Free Radio 1600-1630 7520 via TAC de Hiroshi (S. Hasegawa, NDXC, Apr 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LAOS. 6130, LNR, 1420-1435, April 6. “Hi, I am Max”, “Hello, my name is Kathy”, “Welcome to New Dynamic English”; lesson “Do You Speak Spanish” with guest Maria Alvarez; moderate QRM from Xizang PBS/Tibet (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. 6070, ELWA, Monrovia, 2255-2302*, 31 Mar, English, African songs, talks, religious songs in English, s/off announcements, national anthem (?); 24422, adjacent QRM, then CVC 6070 via CHILE at 2300. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA. Updated summer A-09 of Sitkunai Relays: 0630-0728 on 9770 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg WeEu IRIB Italian 1430-1528 on 6145 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg EaEu IRIB Russian 1730-1828 on 6180 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg WeEu IRIB German 1830-2028 on 5945 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg WeEu IRIB French/English 2030-2228 on 6055 SIT 100 kW / 259 deg WeEu IRIB Spanish +KBC Radio English [2130-] 0100-0158 on 9490 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg EaAs Radio Free Asia Uighur 0200-0258 on 6110 SIT 100 kW / 310 deg NoAm KBC Radio English Sun 0300-0358 on 9635 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg CeAs R. Liberty Tatar Bashkir 0500-0558 on 9635 SIT 100 kW / 079 deg CeAs R. Liberty Tatar Bashkir (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, April 6 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. Radio Madagascar's webpage is not on line tonight--or at least I cannot view it. Last time I saw it a few months ago and from what I could make out in Malagasy, it was updated last October 2008 and then before that, in 2004. Here is the link: http://takelaka.dts.mg/radmad/ All I get is the "can not display webpage". Can anyone else try the site? Thanks (Steve Price, Johnstown, PA, April 5, odxayg via DXLD) The Internet Archive "wayback machine" http://www.archive.org has its last snapshot as August 21, 2007, which shows an update date of January 16, 2004. The Wayback Machine has no updates posted for 2008; doesn' t mean there were none, it just means it doesn't have them. BTW if you aren't familiar with the Internet Archive, it can be a very helpful reference source for older versions of websites. The current website gives me a "network timeout" error (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, ibid) ** MADAGASCAR [non]. Radio Mada Internationale on the Web Radio Mada Internationale, the clandestine shortwave station supporting the deposed president of Madgascar Marc Ravalomanana, also has a website at http://radiomada-int.blogspot.com/ and a YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/radiomada The website contains audio files of the station’s broadcasts. As far as I can see, the station doesn’t as yet have its own logo (April 7th, 2009 - 16:10 UTC by Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog via DXLD) SITE? 5895, Radio Mada tried for this one today at listed 1700 sign on via a remote receiver in South Africa and heard absolutely nothing. Is anyone still hearing this station that is targeting Madagascar? (Hans Johnson, Apr 8, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) I haven't heard it at all! 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) ** MALAYSIA. 6049.61, R. Suara Islam/Voice of Islam via RTM; 1532- 1544, April 6 (Mon.). "Malaysia" jingle; in vernacular; “Radio Suara Islam, Kuala Lumpur”; regular Monday educational segment, today featuring “Universiti Putra Malaysia, U-P-M”; this university had its origins back with the School of Agriculture founded by “John Scott”; played nice selection of songs; good reception (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. 7284.9, R. Mali, Kati, 1124-1312, 28 Mar, Malian songs, frequency announcements in French... QRM de POLAND via GERMANY 1130- 1200. Wrong HF frequency announcement at 1201, Vernacular, music, French for newscast at 1300 when very poor as observed in Lisbon. 7284.9 ditto, 1102-1228, 03 Apr, Vernacular, talks, tribal songs, same at 1200+; 34443, co-channel QRM; \\ 9635 very good. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. 7245, R. Mauritanie, Nouakchott, 1101-1225, 03 Apr, Arabic, newscast, vernacular at noon, talks; 45444. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONACO [non]. Hello Glenn, About RMC on 216 kHz from Roumoules, France. Yes, RMC was off the air on March 31st and April 1st. When I advice that RMC wasn't on the air, I phoned to RMC in Paris, to know what happens as FM, satellite & Internet worked well. The answer was: "I don't know!". After that, I phone to the transmitter site of Monte Carlo Radiodiffusion in Roumoules. The manager said that RMC management in Paris, ask to stop the transmitter for 48 hours. Maybe it would return on Wednesday April 2nd. On Tuesday, morning anchor man Jean Jacques Bourdin, told that the transmitter was off for maintenance (it was not true), as many listeners called the station. When on Wednesday morning at 0300 UT, RMC came back on the air. I phoned again to Roumoules, to have more news. The same manager told me that it was a "test" from RMC to know if there are still people who listen to 216 kHz. As they received complaints, the frequency is still in use. If no complaints were received the transmitter was off for good. The same man confirmed to me that the power is 1400 kW day time and reduced to 900 kW at night. The frequency of 1467 kHz (from Roumoules) has never been off, because it is used by TWR who have money to pay. Regards from France, (Christian Ghibaudo, April 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST; also via Dario Monferini) ** MOROCCO. 15345, RTV Marocaine at 2055 in Arabic with traditional music. 2100 woman with probable news. Muffled audio. Fair Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) ** MOROCCO [and non]. 15345, Arabic music ending abruptly at 2159:50 April 6, open carrier for a few sex and off, an undignified and rude conclusion to this transmission from RTM. Before it went off, no sign of a het from Argentina, and afterwards no trace of a carrier from it in the vicinity, so I wonder if RAE is off again? Has anyone heard them on 11711v lately either, such as English to NAm at 0200-0300 Tue- Sat? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. AN EX-BROADCASTER'S MEMORIES OF RADIO NEDERLAND WERELDOMROEP In the late 1970s: "I had a job reading news on the Dutch World Service in Hilversum, just out of Amsterdam. It was a curious place. No one worked very hard. A large numbers of the translators and editorial staff were receiving help in alcohol-abuse programmes. On the news-reading night shift, I was woken in my little overnight room by an old man every couple of hours to go upstairs to read the five- minute bulletin to East Africa or West Africa or Central America or the eastern United States. Who actually listened, I had no idea. If it was Dutch expatriates, why would they listen to English broadcasts? In those days there were people around the world who were shortwave freaks. They would write to say they heard you on such and such megacycles, but no mention was ever made of what you said." Paul Holmes, The New Zealand Herald, 5 April 2009. Posted: 08 Apr 2009 (kimandrewellioitt.com via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. 11660, FRANCE, Radio Netherlands relay at 1918 with story about internet piracy. // 9480 via UAE very weak, 15535 via Germany also weak. Very good Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) RNW via Tinang, PHILIPPINES, 9650, definitely Dutch underneath CRI via Sackville in English, April 6 at 1309. Greatest QRM level yet heard to CRI, and no doubt worsens in western N America. Was still hearing it slightly past scheduled 1327*. Another instance of the hyped HFCC collision-detexion system failing to flag, each from different continents to widely divergent target areas --- but there you are (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Happy Station Show for April 9th UTC (April 8th EDT) --- 0100 to 0155 UT/GMT: This program will feature our listeners corner as well as many letters from around the world. Plus a lot more music. :):) 1500 to 1555: This program is very special as my special guest will be Frank Ifield. Many of you will know this name as he had a number of hits in the 60s and 70s. Also for special Happy Station shows the opening of the show will be something many of you may remember from the open house shows from the 70s also may of you may also have a copy of this song that was sent out to listeners as a 7" record. Can you guess? All times are in UT/GMT: Times 0100 to 0155 South and North America with Happy Station 2 from 1500 to 1555 UT North America and in some parts of Western Europe. Frequency: 9955 KHZ, 31 METERS Also keep your recorded messages coming! PLEASE MAKE SURE THEY ARE THE FOLLOWING FORMATS: MP3 (best) WAV (best, but too large) Quicktime (best) Other formats can be sent by snail mail. They are: CDR Mini Disk Standard Cassette Reel to Reel (record at 7 1/2) The two shortwave radios I'm giving away at the month of June are: Sangean ATS-909 (first prize) Sangean ATS-606a (second prize) But to enter you must send in you reception reports by mail in return you will receive the Happy Station QSL Card. 73, (Keith Perron, Happy Station Show (via Alokesh Gupta, dxldyg via DXLD) Glenn: Just a note to let you know I heard DCJC bubblejamming on 9955 at 0144 during Tonight's "Happy Station" show. It pulsed for a sesquisecond or two then subsided as I think they were too late coming on after the Anti-Castro show came on earlier in the night. I heard my music request at 0140 and thereabouts UT. Good Signal now at 0149 on 9955. Thanks for the great info you provide. 73's, (Noble West, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. 3935, ZLXA R Reading Service, Levín. The last special broadcast for DX-ers on Mar 20-22 was NOT broadcast! (Tried in vain e.g. by Atkins, Berg, Bredahl Jorgensen, Cássio, Maroti, Petersen, Ritola, Salmaniw, Savolainen and Wilkner, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) "This morning (Mar 19) I turned on 3935 SW, as a test for the coming weekend. I regret to inform that the valves are so low, no audio (sound ) was produced. The transmitter has been switched off again. The weekend special transmission will NOT proceed as we had planned. Perhaps it may happen in the future, if someone wants to donate some valves. I also hear radio propagation around 3 megahertz is very poor at the moment anyway. Regards, Steve" (Steve Jepson, Technical Officer for NZRRS, via Kelvin Brayshaw, QSL Manager, ZLXA, Levín [sic], New Zealand, Mar 27, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) It sure would have been nice to make this public to the DX world ahead of the canceled broadcast! Leaves a bad taste (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 4770, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 1507-, 05 Apr, carrier detected, nothing else; 15341. 6089.85, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 2224-, 02 Apr, vernacular, talks, references to the Kor`an; 54444, QRM de AIA+B. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) = ANTIGUA, BRASIL ** NIGERIA [non]. 15215, Aso R, via Samara, Russia (presumed), scheduled Apr-Oct: 1600-1630, Mo-Fr, Hausa, ex 15180. Broker TDP. (Alokesh Gupta, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) Heard *1600-1610, Monday Mar 30, Hausa talk and reports, 25333 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, ibid.) ** OKLAHOMA. KRMG BEGINS SIMULCASTING ON FM 102.3 FM Tulsa news radio station KRMG can now be heard on the FM side of the dial. But it means the end for another radio station. Dan Lawrie, Cox Radio Tulsa vice President and Market Manager, made the announcement this afternoon. "During times like these, Tulsans are hungry for the latest news and information," Lawrie says. "And adding KRMG to the FM dial will allow more of our community to conveniently access breaking news, up to the minute weather and traffic, and America's leading talk radio hosts." Talkback: KRMG Radio will be broadcast on the FM side of the dial at 102.3, which was the home of Spirit 102.3 FM, which played contemporary Christian music. Lawrie says despite Spirit 102.3 FM being off broadcast radio, listeners can still access it on the Internet. "We want to thank our loyal Spirit 102.3 FM listeners for three great years on the air," Lawrie said. "And, we hope many of you will continue to listen to the station at http://www.spirit1023.com while at home or work." Cox Radio owns KRMG, K95.5 FM, Star 103.3, Mix 96 and KKCM-FM in Tulsa. (from KTUL.com (Tulsa, OK) dated 3/18/09 via Dale Park, HI, IRCA DX Monitor April 11 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. World of Horology - The Pakistani cabinet today (8 April) decided to adopt summer time (GMT+6) on 15 April (Chris Greenway, England, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Like the sun rises in the west (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. 5014.4, 5/4 0035, Radio Altura, long talks, songs; weak, fading, poor/fair. rx: Drake SPR-4 & Icom R71E. ant: T2FD. Ciao (Giampiero Bernardini, Milano, Italia, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENIN DIGEST) New [sic], 5014.33 0225-0243* 05.04, R. Altura, Cerro de Pasco (presumed), Spanish animated talk, one Huayno sung by a woman, more talk mentioning Pasco, abrupt s/off in mid sentence. Has been off the air since August 2008! Seems reactivated with a good transmitter; 34333, weak CWQRM (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DXLD) ** PERU. 4746.9, R. Huanta 2000, Huanta, 2314-2324, 01 Apr, Castilian & Quechua, talks on aiding private business; 34433, CODAR QRM. 4774.9, R. Tarma, Tarma, 2316-2325, 01 Apr, Castilian, advertisements; 33432, CODAR QRM. 4950, R. Madre de Dios, Ptº Maldonado, 2208-2220, 04 Apr, Castilian, songs; 25331. 4955, R. Cultural Amauta, Huanta, 2210-2225, 04 Apr, Castilian, ID+FM frequency announcements, Indian songs; 45333. 4991, R. Manantial, Chilca, 2214-226, 04 Apr, Quechua, talks; 34332, adjacent QRM de BRASIL 4985 as usual. 6019.4, R. Victoria, Lima, 2214-2225, 02 Apr, Castilian, religious propaganda program from IPDA announcing a certain Brazilian preacher - the "one & only pastor David Miranda!"; 24432, adjacent QRM; \\ 9720. 9720, ditto, 2218-2227, 02 Apr, cf. \\ 6019.4; 25432. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9719.99v, R. Victoria, Lima, April 4 2225-0052 5 April, typical La Voz de la Liberación programming, very excited preaching with lots of yelling. Improving greatly toward 0000 UT, leaving the preaching at 2356 for studio announcement, back to preaching then a longer studio break at 0003 with male announcer with clear Radio Victoria mention and many La Voz de la Liberación mentions. Back to preaching at 0019. Fair to good peaks after 0000, slowly drifted down 4 Hz to 9179.986 kHz by 0052 tune-out. [and non]. Other observations here: notable carrier on 9720.0 leaving the air precisely at RVA Philippines listed 2357 sign-off. Another much weaker carrier appeared there at 0000, possibly CNR 2. UnID station logging on at 2352 on 9719.94 and drifting around a few Hz, weak but strengthening by 0052 tune-out. No idea who this could be? (Brandon Jordan - Memphis, TN, USA, Perseus, Wellbrook ALA100, April 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Somebody has the latest FEBC Manila schedule at disposal? 7405, Noted an English discussion on religious matter of Genesis a.s.o. between 1700 and 1800 UT. But latest available FEBC schedule shows Chinese 7405 kHz til 1630 UT only. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe something else? I have heard FEBC `Chinese` broadcasts before with lots of English Bible discussion in them, such as 9430 in DXLD 8- 133: ``FEBC, 9430, VG signal with unpublicized bilingual broadcast, Dec 29 at 1453 OM in American English talking about grace, another tenuous theological concept, alternating with YL in Chinese, presumably consecutive translation. Bocaue, 100 kW at 345 degrees, but could have been aimed right at US.`` Did you listen for the entire hour and hear no Chinese at all? It could still show as ``Chinese`` on the FEBC schedule (gh, DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. RDPi - Rádio Portugal HF/SW schedule A09 (starting on 29th March, 2009) All programmes in Portuguese. However, during very rare circumstances (in particular, within sport events), some interviews in Spanish may be not translated to Portuguese. Time (UTC) - Frequency - QRG (kHz) - meter band (m) - kW - Azimuth (degrees º) Monday to Friday: EUROPE 0500 0800 7240 kHz 41m 300 kW 45º 0645 0800 11850 kHz 25m 250 kW 55º via Sines 0800 1200 12020 kHz 25m 300 kW 45º 1600 1900 11905 kHz 25m 300 kW 45º 1900 2300 * 9820 kHz 31m 300 kW 45º MIDDLE EAST / INDIA 1300 1500 15770 kHz 19m 100 kW 81,5º AFRICA (S Tomé e Príncipe/ Angola / Mozambique) 1000 1200 15180 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1600 1900 15170 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1900 2300 *11945 kHz 25m 300 kW 144º NORTH AMERICA USA & CANADA 1200 2000 *15560 kHz 19m 300 kW 300º 2000 2300 *13755 kHz 22m 300 kW 300º 2300 0200 9715 kHz 31m 300 kW 300º VENEZUELA 2300 0200 11630 kHz 25m 100 kW 261,5º BRAZIL / CAPE VERDE / GUINEA BISSAU 1000 1200 15575 kHz 19m 300 kW 226º 1600 1900 21655 kHz 13m 300 kW 226º 1900 2000 *21655 kHz 13m 300 kW 226º 2000 2300 *15295 kHz 19m 300 kW 226º BRAZIL 2300 0200 15295 kHz 19m 300 kW 226º Saturday & Sunday: EUROPE 0700 1355 12020 kHz 25m 300 kW 45º 0830 1000 11995 kHz 25m 90 kW 45º via Sines DRM 1400 1900 11905 kHz 25m 300 kW 45º 1900 2000 9820 kHz 31m 300 kW 45º 2000 2300 * 9820 kHz 31m 300 kW 45º AFRICA (S Tomé e Príncipe/ Angola / Mozambique) 0700 1000 15160 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1000 1400 15180 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1400 1600 15470 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1600 2000 15170 kHz 19m 300 kW 144º 1900 2300 *11945 kHz 25m 300 kW 144º NORTH AMERICA USA & CANADA 1200 2000 15560 kHz 19m 300 kW 300º 2000 2300 *13755 kHz 22m 300 kW 300º BRAZIL / CAPE VERDE / GUINEA BISSAU 0700 1000 12000 kHz 25m 300 kW 226º 1000 2000 21655 kHz 13m 300 kW 226º 2000 2300 *15295 kHz 19m 300 kW 226º (*) - special transmissions DRM broadcast, via Pro-Funk GmbH / DW, Sines, Portugal - only on weekends, 0830-1000 UT targeting Europe. For more information, including program list & schedules, please visit their website at http://www.rtp.pt (available only in Portuguese). RDPi schedule & programme list are already available at http://tv1.rtp.pt/EPG/radio/epg-dia.php?canal=5&ac=d&sem=e SW/HF Centers: CEOC, São Gabriel (near Lisbon): 4 x 300 kW, 4 x 100 kW (spare txs), except Pro-Funk GmbH - 250 kW analog transmissions; 90 kW digital DRM broadcasts Sines, Portugal Best regards & 73, Good luck! (Luís Carvalho, Portugal, March 26, dxldyg, tidied up by Glenn Hauser for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Detail list on http://tv1.rtp.pt/canais-radio/rdpi/distribuicao.php?canal=5 Para informações complementares: Tel.: +351 21 382 02 26 Fax: +351 21 382 00 98 E-mail: gabinete.tecnologias @ rtp.pt Address: RTP - Rádio e Televisão de Portuguesa SA Direcção de Engenharia e Tecnologias Gabinete de Tecnologias de Transmissão e Difusão Av. Marechal Gomes da Costa, 37, 1ºA 1849 - 030 Lisboa (via Jaisakthivel, Chennai, India, April 6, http://www.adxc.wordpress.com dxldyg via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL [and non]. 15770, April 8 at 1349 was only hearing RDPI, tho WYFR in Spanish is scheduled until 1400, then its own Portuguese. Propagation was poor, but a bit better from Europe than Florida at this hour. At 1400, RDPI timesignal and time check as usual mentioning an hour earlier in Madeira. 1454 recheck, WYFR Portuguese was totally dominant, with RDPI barely audible underneath. Also of curious interest, when I intuned at 1349 there was an open carrier on the side at 15768. It lasted almost until 1400, and then came back on. Nothing was audible on 15560, which is RDPI`s NAm frequency, but guaranteed on the air this early only on weekends, otherwise reserved for `special` transmissions. 15770 is for ME/India (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA [and non]. Previously I was wondering if RRI is still on 9580 for English to NAm at 0000-0100, as I could not hear it mixing almost equally with Serbia, but April 8 at 0048 check, RRI was definitely still audible underneath IRS and // 6135. We are awaiting Serbia`s shift to 9675 which is supposed to happen by April 15 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SERBIA [non] ** RUSSIA. 7200, haunting music interrupted by W&M speaking Russian, April 6 at 0543. Presumed Yakutsk as scheduled 1900-1500, 250 kW at 45 degrees for remote Siberia but also rather USward. The transmitter which used to be motor-boating, so I checked with BFO. It is still slightly unstable, but not noticeable in AM mode. And presumably the same one I still hear around 1230, encroaching on the worldwide hamband (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Re: Updated summer A-09 of Radio Rossii in Russian to WeEu: 0400-0800 on 12070 MSK 250 kW / 265 deg 0820-1300 on 13665 MSK 250 kW / 265 deg 1320-1700 on 9410 MSK 250 kW / 265 deg <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 1720-2100 NF 7220 MSK 250 kW / 265 deg, ex 9410/7420 Thanks for this new frequency info from Vasily Gulyaev, Astrakhan, - Russia (R BULGARIA DX MIX News, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Mar 30) Heard on March 29th and today April 6th Radio Rossii is on 9470, 1325- 1500 (maybe and later?) and not on 9410 (Rumen Pankov, via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) Hi dear Rumen, okay, 9470 1330-1700 27,28 MSK 250 kW 265 degrees is correct. That seems to be a PUNCHING number fault of Ivo [or his secretary] 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTEING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 9850, VOR English news of Italian quake aftermath at 1401 April 7, running 2 seconds ahead of 15605, sites supposedly Samara and Moskva respectively; so why does Samara get the audio so far ahead of Moscow? At 1405:30 went to press review, 1408 to News and Views (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non]. Voice of Russia on 1323, Tuesday 7 April 2009 --- At 1856 German language heard followed by close of German broadcast and into French at 1900. ID sounded like "Voix de la Russie". Good reception. Regards (Harry Brooks, North East England, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) via Wachenbrunn, GERMANY ** SERBIA [non]. 9580, BOSNIA, International Radio Serbia at 0100 with s/on, ID, news by woman. Very good until China came on at 0001 [sic, must mean 0101] and then buried, Apr. 4 6190, BOSNIA, International Radio Serbia at 2359 with musical IS, 0000 fanfare, woman with ID and news. Very good Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) ?? 6190 is B-08 frequency, altho we had suggested they go back to it temporarily awaiting resolution of the collision with Romania on 9580. Is the 6190 log here 23 hours later than the 9580 log? (gh, DXLD) Checking at 0000 and again at 0019 April 7, IRS is very strong on 9580, and I cannot be sure RRI is there any more underneath it. Could RRI have moved already to avoid the conflict? RRI audible with fair signal on 6135. Schedule on website still shows 9580 and 6135: http://www.rri.ro/art.shtml?lang=1&sec=20&art=20011 I had not been checking the 9580 collision every evening, but Harold Sellers also recently reported Serbia back on B-08 frequency 6190 at one time, 9580 at another. IRS is expected to move the 0000-0130 transmission to 9675 by April 15 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIERRA LEONE. RADIO EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR NEW SHORTWAVE STATION IN AFRICA Dr. R.M. Ako of Jewels of God International recently sent the following appeal to the NASB: "We recently received a license to operate a not for profit private SW radio station in West Africa and would appreciate assistance by way of donations of new/used equipment or contacts to purchase used but serviceable equipment. All relevant broadcast equipment are needed and their donations would be much appreciated. We are looking at a 10 kW SW transmitter to transmit in the 10 kHz bandwidth. Our e-mail address is: jewelsofgodinternational@gmail.com Thanks in anticipation of required assistance (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) And you won`t even say in what country? (gh, DXLD) According to one website this shortwave license was issued for Sierra Leone (Jari Savolainen, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIKKIM. 4835, AIR Gangtok (presumed), 1341-1355, April 6. Outstanding Indian reception today. Heard with a weak signal in assume Hindi and with subcontinent songs. Not often this makes it above threshold level (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. Summer A-09 of NEXUS-IBA IRRS Shortwave, RSO 150 kW: 0430-0530 5990 / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf EGR/IPAR English Mon-Thu 0800-0900 9510 / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf JOY German/Music 1st Sat 0800-0900 9510 / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf WOR/DXPL 2nd/3rd/4th Sat 0930-1200 9510 / non-dir Eu/ME/NoAf EGR/IPAR English Sun 1500-1800 15650 / 160 deg EaAf/Sudan MIR English/Arabic Daily 1800-2100 7290 / 060 deg Eu/ME/NoAf EGR/IPAR English Fri-Sun DXPL=DX Party Line 15 min. + Music 15 min.; JOY=Radio Joystick; EGR/IPAR=European Gospel Radio+International Public Access Radio; MIR=Miraya FM Radio; WOR=World of Radio 30 min (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, April 6 via DXLD) WOR ALSO Fri 1930 on 7290 (gh) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. 9541.5 making a good het against China on 9540, April 6 at 1331. Could not separate any audio, but on this frequency surely it`s Solomons with their overnight BBCWS relay. Fortunately, no DentroCuban jamming audible from 9545 at this hour. BTW, since I am not competing against anyone, not trying to rack up a country count, Solomons already heard and verified sesquidecades ago, I make no apologies for such presumed loggings, which people are free to take or leave. Those who wish to take it may find this a useful tip and be able to pull some audio; and I am also documenting the behavior of stations which may be of historical interest later (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALILAND. RADIO HARGEISA GOES GLOBAL http://somalilandpress.com/3966/radio-hargeisa-goes-global Hargeisa, Saturday 4 April 2009 (Somalilandpress) - Hargeisa Radio; the national radio of Somaliland, has made the quantum leap to become the latest radio station to hit the airwaves of most East African nations such as Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Radio Hargeisa was the first Somali speaking radio, established in 1948, but the first broadcasting began in December 1951. However in 1988, it was destroyed by Siyad Bare's forces, the last Somali dictator. For the past year, it has been under going some major improvements to its services and reception. On Monday, Somaliland students in Yemen were able to listen to Radio Hargeisa for the first time in many years, while on Wednesday it hit the airwaves of Japan for the first time on 7145 kHz at 1759 UT. On Friday, Somaliland students studying in neighbouring countries were able to listen to Radio Hargeisa. Radio Hargeisa broadcasts Somali music, news and other current affairs. It mainly broadcasts in Somali language. Now Radio Hargeisa will bring back the beloved old school Somali mixtapes - time to dust off your old radios and enjoy your beloved radio again; Radio Hargeisa, the voice of Somaliland. Source: Somalilandpress (via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, April 6, DXLD) 7145.03, 1830-1900* 02.04, R Hargeisa, Somali talk, weak with HAM QRM, 22222 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, in Skovlunde on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) SOMALIA, 7145, R. Hargeisa, Hargeisa, Somaliland, 1840-1900*, 31 Mar, Somali, talks, Horn of Africa music, ID at 1843, songs; 45433. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) SOMALIA, 7145, R. Hargeysa, 1645 8 April, with talks by a couple, echoed. Mentions of sobar, rehaba, Ibrahim, Hausa, with some short pieces of music in between. A hymn at 1659, 1700 with man IDing as Hargeisha , and Somalia. S9, 44534 (Zacharias Liangas, Thessaloniki, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 7285, Radio Sonder Grense, 0500-0509, April 07, Afrikaans news mentioned ANC and Italian earthquake. Takes over from 3320, clear NF replacing 7185, but RTT [TUNISIA] 7275 at S9+40 is a bit of a nuisance (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What about Mali q.v. on 7285; any daytime overlap?? (gh, DXLD) ** SPAIN. 9665, REE at 1934 starting a new program, Madrid Diary, a reporter`s stories and experiences in the city. // 11620 very good. Good Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) In Radio Corner, Saturday at 2100 UT on 9650 kHz, Paula Sand(?) said that REE again will be sending out QSLs! Radio Corner is repeated today, Monday, in their 19 UT broadcast (usually around 1925) on 9665 kHz. 73, (Erik Koie, Copenhagen, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) And 11620 to Africa, weekdays only (gh) ** SUDAN. 7200, Sudan R and TV Corporation, Omdurman, heard at 1706- 1945, Mar 07 and 29, Arabic talks, ann also // internet at: http://www.sudanradio.info/media/ and mention of "Bin Laden", Arabic greeting, 34443 (Jose Miguel Romero, Spain and Dieter Sommer, Eisleben, Germany, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) A merged report, so who really heard what when? (gh, DXLD) 7200, SRTVC, Al-Haitahab, 1845-1906, 31 Mar, Arabic, talks, newscast at 1900; 43432, adjacent QRM until 2000, then nil. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, Radio Omdurman, Ara Al Fitahab, 1935-1939, escuchada el 6 de abril en árabe a locutora con comentarios dando paso a corresponsal, referencias a Darfur y gritos de “Salam”, SINPO 23442 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 7200, SRTC, Mar 31, *0237-0245 - Call to Prayer, male Arabic speaker at 0241 with "Huna Omdurman" and talk. Back to Qur`anic recitations at 0244. Group of US hams were meeting on the frequency, one commented "Well, the Middle Eastern terrorists are now terrorizing our frequency!" when Sudan sign-on, and "they don't know how to tell time either", perhaps referring to the earlier than listed 0300 sign- on. They vacated frequency in favor of 7195 kHz. Has anyone had in recent luck in QSLing this one? (Brandon Jordan - Memphis, TN, USA, Receivers: Perseus, WinRadio G313e, RFSpace SDR-IQ, Antennae: Wellbrook ALA100 + ALA330S, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Note to US ham: 1) Sudan is not in the Middle East; 2) don`t throw `terrorists`` around so loosely! (gh, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. Radio Dabanga, 11500 kHz on April 5th, at about 1700 UT until sign-off at 1727, in Arabic (not sure about the language). Very good signal, SIO=445 to 555, some QSB, clean channel, absolutely no QRM. Transmitter QTH Germany? Many ID's and jingles ("Raaadio Dabangaaa") - you just cannot miss them. Only a weak carrier detected on 22 metres (13730) using CW mode (and SpectrumLab), that could be Dabanga, too. 73 de (Matti Ponkamo, Naantali, Finland (KP10AK18), IC- 718, Drake R4-C, dipole, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11500 is Madagascar; 13730 Wertachtal, 1530-1727 (gh, DXLD) Thanks Glenn. I supposed wrong when I followed my instinct (against all knowledge found). I'll correct my logs. The really amazing signal strength here gave me the thought that the 11500 QTH would be Wertachtal, too. 73 de (Matti Ponkamo, Naantali, Finland, ibid.) I don`t know how far you are from Wertachtal, but a lot of Europe is in skip zone, depending on time and frequency, while faraway Madagascar has no such problem in Europe, and really gets out, also to N America (gh, DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Taiwan Chu Yuyeh Kuangpo Tientai (Taiwan Area Fishery Radio Station) via RTI. 0800-0900 Wed only 15290 kHz Cantonese 0900-1000 Wed only 11550 kHz Cantonese opening Ann: http://ndxc.org/aoki/binews/ai/frs-20090408-0800_15290.mp3 de Hiroshi (S. Hasegawa, NDXC, April 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TANZANIA. 1377, R. Free Africa, Mwanza. 2145-2156, 31 Mar, Swahili, African pops; 22441, QRM de France. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also ZANZIBAR, always separately ** THAILAND. 7260, R. Thailand, Udon Thani, 1100-, 03 Apr, ID & announcement in English, Vietnamese program 1100, talks; 15432. Fade/out shortly afterwards. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Thailand, 9455, bothered by WWRB spur on 9453 [see USA], April 7 at 1314, as after Japanese quarter-hour, RT goes into English for continuity announcement, chime IS and off for a few sex, back on with chimes, stronger signal and in English introducing Mandarin, which is unjammed! The 250 kW IBB transmitter at Udorn is changing azimuth from 54 to 30 degrees, which is closer to our direxion in CNAm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15275, 08/04 0011, TAILANDIA, English, desde Udon Thani, com 250 kW (antiga informação da Nagoya B08), azimute 38 (também da Nagoya B08) se os colegas forem na localização da cidade de Udon Thani verão que está a nordeste da Tailândia e fronteira com o Laos, essa tx está dirigida para leste da China e Japão, OM e YL apresentam nx, as 0012 UT ID, às 0029 abrupta interrupção da transmissão enquanto a YL terminava a ID; voltando à freq às 0204 sinal com uma perda da propagação em P=3, parecia nx por YL e OM, 35343 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia - Brasil, Degen 1103, Antena Dipolo de 16 metros e balum 4:1 em toroide. Direção Leste/Oeste, HCDX via DXLD) So 15275 was in use at 0000 but cut off at 0030 when another English broadcast starts (or rather continuation of the 0000 hour). By `voltando` I assume Jorge means that he returned to 15275 at 0204, rather than that the station returned to that frequency? The question is when 15275 really came back on between 0030 and 0200. It may have just gone off briefly at 0030 for scheduled antenna change from E to W NAm, 0030-0200; and at 0200 back to the East (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Em 15275 a Rádio Tailândia (eu esqueci de colocar o nome da emissora no log) foi ouvida em inglês a primeira vez às 0011 UT. Às 0029 a transmissão foi cortada abruptamente enquanto a YL divulgava a ID. Na verdade já era o final da transmissão, apenas cortaram antes dos segundos finais para a YL divulgar toda a ID, e-mails e outras informações concludentes. Mais tarde às 0204 eu voltei à frequência e estava na outra transmissão em inglês que se inicia às 0200 segundo a EIBI A09 e a YL transmitia notícias e a propagação estava com um nível menor que a da transmissão das 0011. Sim Glenn, nesse horário pode ter havido uma mudança na direção, o que acarretou numa diminuição da propagação. Mais uma vez muito obrigado por analisar o meu log e me passar informações complementares. 73 boas escutas (Jorge Freitas, ibid.) ** TIBET. CHINA, 4905, PBS Xizang, Lhasa, noted in (listed) Kham, at 1745-1755 UT April 6, with usual music program, fair reception; //4920 somewhat better (José Pedro Turner, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET. 6010, CNR-11 (Tibetan Service), 1430-1500, April 8. “Holy Tibet” English program; starts with the usual canned ID: "China National Radio”, “China National Radio”, “Welcome to our English program from Tibet”; several IDs for the “Holy Tibet” program; segment “Eyes On Tibet”; interesting coverage of the March 28, 2009 celebration to mark Tibet's first Serfs Emancipation Day; CCTV 9 coverage at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/28/content_11088017.htm Audio here consistently better than reception via PBS Xizang 6200 (Ron Howard, Asilomar Beach, CA, Etón E1, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) CHINA, 7125, Xizang PBS, Lhasa, Tibet, 2105-2121, 03 Apr, Tibetan, orchestral music, talks; 34433, QRM de GUINEA; \\ 4905, 4920, 5240, 6130 (the worst of them all), 6200. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. Updated summer A-09 schedule for Voice of Turkey: ALBANIAN 0600-0625 on 9700, cancelled 1130-1155 on 11875, cancelled ARABIC 0900-0955 on 11690 11750, ex 0900-1055 for A-08 1400-1455 on 9540 15285, ex 0900-1055 for A-08 AZERI 0700-0755 on 11730 1530-1625 on 9530 BULGARIAN 1100-1125 on 7210 CHINESE 1100-1155 on 15240 DARI 1500-1525 on 11765 ENGLISH 0300-0355 on 5975 6165 7325 SAC 250 kW / 277 deg 1230-1325 on 15450 15520 1830-1925 on 9785 2030-2125 on 7205 2200-2255 on 9830 FRENCH 1930-2025 on 5980 9535 GEORGIAN 1000-1055 on 9655, ex 0700-0755 on 9760 for A-08 GERMAN 1130-1225 on 13760 1730-1825 on 11835 GREEK 1030-1055 on 9840, cancelled 1430-1455 on 7310, cancelled ITALIAN 1630-1655 on 9610 JAPANESE 2000-2055 on 9635, cancelled KAZAKH 1330-1355 on 11880, ex 1500-1525 on 9690 for A-08 KYRGYZ 1330-1355 on 11835, cancelled MACEDONIAN 0800-0825 on 11820, cancelled PASHTO 1530-1555 on 11765 PERSIAN 0830-0955 on 11795 1500-1555 on 9760, ex 1230-1325 on 11940 for A-08 RUSSIAN 1300-1355 on 11965 SPANISH 0100-0155 on 9770 9870, second frequency-additional 1630-1725 on 11930 TATAR 1000-1025 on 13770, ex 1500-1525 on 9855 for A-08 TURKISH 0000-0155 on 7260 0400-0555 on 6040 11980 0600-0855 on 11750 11955 13635 0900-1255 on 11955 13635 1300-1555 on 9840 + 9460 from Aug.2 1600-2055 on 5960 + 9460 from Aug.2 TURKMEN 1200-1225 on 11825, ex 1400-1425 on 11935 for A-08 URDU 1200-1255 on 13710 UYGHUR 0200-0255 on 9510 1400-1455 on 15180, new transmission UZBEK 1030-1055 on 15280, ex 1200-1225 on 11795 for A-08 1600-1625 on 11765 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, April 6 via DXLD) I count 21 languages left; will VOT have cut their annoying overused multi-lingual ID to reflect this, which Seref admits is just a filler he plays also because he likes the music on it? If each transmission had 1 or 2 minutes to spare, the announcers could slow down noticeably and enunciate better, mumble less, significantly increasing readability for native English hearers (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9830, Voice of Turkey at 2238 with travelogue of region of Turkey to 2239, then Turkish pop music. Very good Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) VOT, 9830 to NAm, fair signal at 2212 Monday April 6, and no RTTY QRM audible as someone else has reported on this transmission. The RTTY is more pervasive here in our mornings. I thought they might have a special on Pres. Obama`s visit to Turkey, but just regular program about Turkey`s relations with Russia, which I guess is ``Diplomacy Platform`` per the schedule folder (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKMENISTAN. 5015.00, 2325-0145 05-06.04, Türkmen R, Asgabat. Turkmen folksongs by choir of men, nearly fading out, but coming back with a sports program, splashes from R Rebelde 5025. 24232; New Peruvian was not on the air! (Anker Petersen, Denmark, on my AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, via Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) Not on the air, so you are sure you could get it any time? ** UGANDA. 4976, R. Uganda, Kampala, 1940-1956, 04 Apr, English, interview with a Zimbabwean singer; 45333, muffled audio. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. I apologise for the incorrect info which I gave some time ago about the schedule of Radio Ukraine International: > English > 1400-1500 - only by Internet should read: 1400-1500 - only by satellite (Internet stream carries Ukrainian program at that time, as well as SW does) Thanks to Olexandr Yegorov for this correction. -- 73! (Serghey Nikishin, Moscow, Russia, April 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBCWS' style and presentation in the 80's et al. --- I suppose they stopped sounding "British"? What did they really change, and why? Maybe it was their intros to certain programs, or the musical themes, or those famous intros that we wish would have gone on forever? (I miss the days of the 9-minute news bulletins, Radio Newsreel, Big Ben on the half-hour, etc.) Somehow, the way the Beeb sounds now has fallen into the trap of today's technology (rebroadcasting, internet etc.) and that's why things have changed, such as the 5-minute news bulletins instead of the 9-minute ones used until the mid-90's or so (Joe Hanlon, NJ, April 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. I find the BBCWS in English on 15245.00 at 1600z for an hour. I can't find this frequency on their web site or on any English Schedule postings. Any idea where the transmitter is and where the signal in beamed to? Thanks (Gary W. Froemming, CTC, Certified Travel Counselor, Glendale, Arizona, USA, WB7CAG / W7GWF, 33.5601N / 112.1841W, Grid Square: DM33vn74vk, HCDX via DXLD) 15245 Woofferton England is scheduled for BBC Russian at this hour. Check against the other Russians on 9635CYP, 11845CYP, 13690RMP at 16-17 UT slot. Beamed at 82 degrees towards Ukraine, Caucasus, Georgia, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan [Russia zone 29]. 9635 1400-1700 .mtwtf. BBC Cyprus 250 359 Russian RUSS HR 4/2/0.5 9635 1600-1730 s.....s BBC Cyprus 250 359 Russian RUSS HR 4/2/0.5 11845 1400-1700 .mtwtf. BBC Cyprus 250 7 Russian RUSS HR 4/2/0.5 11845 1600-1730 s.....s BBC Cyprus 250 7 Russian RUSS HR 4/2/0.5 12085 1630-1633 s...... BBC Moscow 250 117 Russian C AS HR 4/4/1 12085 1630-1700 ......s BBC Moscow 250 117 Russian C AS HR 4/4/1 12085 1633-1700 s...... BBC Moscow 250 117 Russian C AS HR 4/4/1 13690 1400-1700 .mtwtf. BBC Rampisham 250 47 Russian RUSS HR 4/4/0.5 13690 1600-1700 s.....s BBC Rampisham 250 47 Russian RUSS HR 4/4/0.5 13800 1700-1730 s.....s BBC Rampisham 500 47 Russian RUSS HR 4/4/0.5 15245 1400-1700 .mtwtf. BBC Woofferton 300 82 Russian RUSS HR 4/4/1 S12 15245 1600-1730 s.....s BBC Woofferton 300 82 Russian RUSS HR 4/4/1 S12 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) ** U K. BBC Proms 2009: leading musicians join young talent for biggest ever Proms, Friday 17 July-Saturday 12 September – http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/04_april/08/proms.shtml (BBC Press Office release via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** U K. BBC America : Given up on news? I looked for BBC World and their coverage of the Italian earthquake the other morning at 7 AM (eastern), no BBC World news carried any more. The only news I could see in my TV's guide was their Americanized news in the evening. When did BBC America give up providing news in the mornings? So much for the BBC's statements a few years ago in response to requests that they provide an outlet in the USA for BBC World. Back then they claimed their USA market was a priority but they would provide news via BBC America rather than suffer the costs of providing a 24 hour BBC World outlet for the USA. Now we have nothing other than 30 minutes carried by a local PBS station (Andy O`Brien, K3UK, April 8, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. SPECIAL VOA PROGRAMS WILL SHOWCASE OBAMA TOWN HALL IN TURKEY Listen & watch live on TV, radio, Internet Washington, D.C., April 6, 2009 - Tomorrow Voice of America will carry special programs on its worldwide network featuring President Barack Obama's student town hall meeting in Istanbul, Turkey. During the town hall meeting, "Listening: Global Issues of Concern to Students, and How the United States Can Participate for a Better World," President Obama will engage in a discussion with an expected 100 Turkish and international exchange students. "This is a great opportunity to share with our audience an event that exemplifies President Obama's outreach efforts to the international community," said VOA Director Danforth Austin. VOA's English Service will broadcast the entire event live - scheduled for tomorrow at 0920 UTC (5:20 a.m. EDT) - on radio, television and the Internet. In addition, VOA Turkish will offer an extended television special with town hall highlights, and many of VOA's 43 other language services will carry it live, or feature portions of the event and reaction. VOA's Baris Ornarli from the Turkish Service, who is on assignment in Istanbul, will co-host an extended evening program on Tuesday with affiliate program TGRT Live, featuring interviews and interactive segments with VOA studios in Washington, D.C. TGRT Live is carried by TGRT Haber TV, the fourth leading national TV news network in Turkey. VOA Turkish will also feature a number of special programs on its affiliate radio stations in Turkey, Cyprus and Kosovo, and on the Internet at www.VOANews.com/Turkish. VOA's English language programs are available on an extensive worldwide media network, reaching an audience of over 134 million. The town hall will also be available live and on demand on its website, www.VOANews.com. President Obama is visiting Turkey April 6-7 after accepting an invitation from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations, a United Nations initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and increasing understanding between cultures and religions (VOA press release April 6 via DXLD) ** U S A. VOA LAUNCHES NEW HOME PAGE News, special features now more prominent Washington, D.C., April 6, 2009 - VOANews.com has revamped its home page to give news a more central role on the page. "One-third of the people who visit the site said they wanted more news on the landing page," said Michael Messinger, VOA Internet director. "The idea is to provide people with the news they want - which is the reason they come to VOANews.com - and to offer the best user experience possible." While the home page retains many of its current special features, including links to all of VOA's 45 language services, it improves navigation to the various features that allow people to access VOA on different platforms. It also prominently displays links to interactive features, including podcasts, RSS feeds, mobile services, and links to the T2A web chat and unique video footage. In addition, the new page makes it easier to visit VOA's pages on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, where 25 VOA language services have individual channels in addition to the main VOA Video channel, YouTube.com/VOAVideo. VOANews.com had 117 million visits in 2008, with many of the visitors accessing the site at least once a day (VOA press release April 6 via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. Transmission Updates --- OCB Gets New Transmitter During the last week of February, the new 100 kW medium wave Harris Broadcast System transmitter was successfully installed at the Marathon Transmitting Station, replacing two older Continental - model transmitters that had been in use since 1985. Training on the new transmitter was also conducted for several technical staff. This complicated installation project was completed solely with an OCB in-house workforce, saving several thousands of dollars. [R. Martí] Talks Continue to get back on the air in Azeribaijan [sic] While authorities operating the Baku Metro system have removed advertisements promoting VOA satellite and Internet from trains, efforts are ongoing to obtain alternate methods of placing VOA and RFE/RL programs in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. In Azerbaijan, efforts are continuing on the crafting of an “intergovernmental agreement,” which the authorities say could put VOA and RFE/RL back on the air. Potential affiliates have been identified in Kyrgystan. Tibetan Kunleng TV Increases Replays into Tibet In order to maximize viewership inside Tibet, VOA Tibetan’s popular twice-weekly live Kunleng TV program is now being repeated 14 times on AsiaSat3. The replays will help diffuse efforts by the Chinese government to catch Tibetans viewing the Kunleng TV program and allow viewers in small villages and institutions to organize group viewings (BBG Highlights, March 2009 via Clara Listensprechen, DXLD) ** U S A. IN PAKISTAN, THE VOICE OF AMERICA SPEAKS PASHTO The New York Times April 6, 2009 --- Letter To the Editor: In "Radio-Free Swat Valley" (Op-Ed, March 30), Douglas J. Feith and Justin Polin call on the United States government to communicate quickly and effectively with millions of Pashto speakers in Pakistan along the Afghanistan border. That's what Voice of America, financed by the American government, has been doing daily since September 2006 with its popular Deewa Radio. Deewa, with 13 staff members in Washington and 23 stringers throughout Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas, covers local, national and international news and engages with its listeners seven days a week. Mr. Feith and Mr. Polin say it was a "costly failing" that the American government could not communicate with Pashtuns after the March 5 bombing of the shrine of Rahman Baba, a revered Sufi poet. Actually, Deewa had three reporters at the scene, devoted cultural shows to Rahman Baba's poetry and interviewed Pashtun literary figures condemning the bombing. Besides Deewa, V.O.A. has a popular Urdu service, which reaches nearly 12 percent of Urdu-speaking adults in Pakistan by television or radio. V.O.A. and its sister station, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, also broadcast in Dari and Pashto to Afghanistan. Danforth Austin Director, Voice of America Washington, March 30, 2009 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Follow-ups to 9-030 report: Re: WWCR with Country music mix I slipped over there (5935 AM) and heard the country music in the background of the (Ms) Scott sermon. I can hear a slight hum also mixing with the broadcast. The music must be bleeding over from another feed and the crosstalk between feeds is being heard OTA on 5935 (which is 40 over S9 in Southeastern AR) -- -- (Fritze H Prentice Jr, KC5KBV, Star City, AR, EM43aw http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com 0044 UT April 6, HCDX via DXLD) Yes, it's too obvious: it comes from WWCR-1, listen to the same music (if you can stand it) on 7465 kHz. Very strong, too. 73, (Eike Bierwirth, Boulder, CO, USA, ibid.) Who first reported this Hi, regarding the audio mixing between the 4 transmitters of WWCR, I just got this reply from the station. 73, (Eike Bierwirth, April 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Thank you very much for your detailed report concerning the mixing of program audio between WWCR's transmitters. I appreciate your taking time to investigate the situation so throughly. We are working to correct this problem as quickly as possible and appreciate your report. Sincerely, (Phil Patton, C.E., WWCR, via Eike, ibid.) ** U S A. We`ve got you surrounded! WEWN on new 9340 in A-09 prevents one from listening to VOK 9335, English to North America at 1300. Not only is there heavy splash from 9340, April 7 at 1309, but WEWN has spur peaks plus and minus 10 to 9330 and 9350, at the moment straying from the usual anti-choice rhetoric to discussing aid to earthquake victims in a country of similar nominal religious persuasion. Catholix vs Commies! (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Name Change for WEWN --- Glen Tapley reports that the official name of EWTN's shortwave station is now EWTN Shortwave Radio (WEWN). (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) ** U S A. WWRB spurs reappear when the fundamental 9385 builds up in strength. Still weakish on 9385 around 1300 April 6 and no spurs detectable, but by 1335, 9385 was inbooming and there was Brother Scare on 9317.1 and matching 9452.9, the latter QRMing Thailand on new 9455. What a dirty transmitter WWRB is operating on 9385! Still putting out spurs, April 7 at 1312 as the fundamental signal strength is building up, this time quite close to 9317 hetting 9320, which is RFA Tinian in Burmese; and 9453 vs R. Thailand [q.v.] on 9455. But also: At 1407, 9385 also putting out buzz spurs à la Saudi Arabia, worst peaks 9375 and 9395, but extending 15 kHz to bother WTJC 9370, and to 9400 on the hi side. The frying sound also perceptible on 9385 itself. Rechecking the other 9317 and 9453 spurs at 1410, Brother Scare is relatively readable without the buzz, whoopee! (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi! 7 April 2009, 0227 UT: Brother Stair heard on 3145 kHz. Not registered in the FCC list http://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/neg/hf_web/A09FCC01.TXT Whence? WWRB? The program is parallel to WWRB's 5745 kHz where the audio is somewhat crumbled, hardly intelligible although S=5. Good audio on 3145, with also S=5, some fading. WWRB is on 3185 as scheduled with different programming. 3145 carries a different ministry from 0230 UT, still parallel to 5745. Nothing on 6890 (other scheduled WWRB frequency at this time). Yet another ministry on 5050, very strong, but weakly in the background you can hear the audio of 3185 mixed in! Btw, the guy on 3185 just declared the "shortwave martial law". In August 2009 food will be rationed in the USA, roadblocks everywhere, guns will be confiscated, banking system and internet traffic shut down. Tony Blair becomes EU president. Juan Carlos revives the Roman Empire. And he will be the antichrist! Shortwave is fun! 73, (Eike Bierwirth, Boulder, CO, USA, Rx: Perseus, 100 ft wire antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Eike, WWRB had BS on 3145 in B-08 as reported several times in DXLD, filling the gap between 3215 and 3185 so BS could be on continuously, but I am not sure of the exact span now with DST shifts, and it seems to be a bit more complex with the other frequencies (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) And WWRB 3145 closed down at 0400 UTC, along with 5050 and 5745. 73 (Eike Bierwirth, CO, April 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Please note the following changes (effective 10 April 2009) to the WYFR A-2009 Frequency Schedule. Del 15215 kHz 160 degrees zone 16 0100-0400 UTC Add 7570 kHz 160 degrees zone 16 0100-0300 UTC Add 9985 kHz 160 degrees zone 16 0300-0400 UTC (WYFR April 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [non]. 9865, at 1400 April 7, YFR theme, but much harsher modulation than we hear from Okeechobee, opening in English with Psalm 29:1-2, introducing Brother Camping`s Open Forum. So whence is this? Petropavlovsk-Kamchatka, 200 kW, 263 degrees but plenty of signal over here in CNAm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. PHOTOS OF THE 106.1 MHZ PIRATE STATIONS IN SAN DIEGO The 106.1 MHz San Diego pirate mentioned in last week's CGC Communicator apparently used two transmitter sites. The first location was 3075 El Cajon Blvd. (first two photos, note the two- bay antenna), then the station was relocated to 3020 Monroe Ave. (remaining photos, note the four bay antenna). The pirate is now off the air. We understand that the antenna on El Cajon Blvd. has been removed and the coax to the antenna on Monroe Avenue has been cut. http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/San_Diego_Pirate.htm (CGC Communicator April 6 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. KARN 920 Little Rock Arkansas which has had a news/talk format since about 1980 has flipped to sports talk as of this morning. At 8:19am, the station was airing local ads, and on-air imaging as "The Sports Animal 920". Those AM listeners expecting their fix of conservative talk radio and local news in metro Little Rock AR will have to dial up the FM dial. The AM talk station has been simulcast since 1995 on several Little Rock area rim-shots, the current one being KARN-FM Sheridan AR on 102.9 (since 2004). As of today, the AM Dial in Little Rock AR consists of only Sports Talk, Religion, and Hispanic programming. -- - - (Fritze H Prentice Jr, KC5KBV, Star City, AR EM43aw, http://tvdxseark.blogspot.com April 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FlooDX again? Apparently the Red River may reach a second crest in Fargo, ND. I've an email off to KFGO to find out if they will operate non- directional again at night. I'll let you know what their response is. [Later;] Here is the response from Brad Wilson at KFGO regarding switching to non-directional again: "Only if an emergency state is declared. 50/50 chance. They keep changing the 2nd river crest. We will know more after this weekend." (Steve Lare, MI, April 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KFGO is the 790 station which normally at night throws almost all its power due north (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. SCHEDULED TIS BROADCAST: GantDaily.com posted this on 4/5: "CLEARFIELD PennDOT is working in partnership with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to advise motorists of a controlled burn, scheduled to take place sometime between April 6 and May 8 in the State College area." The frequency to be used will be 1640 kHz. Link: http://www.gantdaily.com/news/43/ARTICLE/47924/2009-04-05.html (Mike Hardester - Jacksonville, NC, April 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Tentative WCTN-950 MD DX Test tomorrow night Keep your fingers crossed. Details at: http://www.dxtests.info/2009/04/tentative-wctn-950-potomac-cabin-john.html This just in to DXTest.info from Chris at WCTN! TENTATIVE Date: Friday (late Thursday night), April 10, 2009. Time: Midnight - 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 0400 - 0430 UT. Mode of Operation: TBA. "I'm thinking about scheduling one here outside of Washington DC. Just wanted to let you know. It will probably be tomorrow evening from Midnight to 12:30 eastern time. I'll have more tomorrow. Thanks! Chris" Many thanks to Chris for contacting us regarding this tentative test! Full details will be posted as they are received (via Brandon Jordan, TN, April 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. World Focus, the weekdaily newsmagazine carried here on OETA OKLA at 2100-2130 UT just before BBCWN, on April 7 had David Brancaccio sub-hosting, surprise. Lead story about Pres. Obama in Turkey, said that was his last stop, no mention of dropping in on Iraq afterwards. So just how old is this show when we get to see it? BBCWN at 2130 did lead with Obama-in-Iraq. With that caveat, WF is well- done, rounding up correspondent reports from various foreign broadcasters, e.g. ABC Australia, even Al Jazeera (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** URUGUAY. Radio Sarandí Sport ha recibido aprobación a su plan de usar SSB reactivando la onda corta que tiene asignada en 49m, 6045, segun me ha comunicado su encargado técnico, Sr. Gustavo Cirino hoy. Le he solicitado me comunique a su vez cuando se espera su salida al aire, tipo de equipo y antena a usar, potencia real y le agadecí por su información. Ha sido honroso para mi que ésta persona me haya consultado sobre la realidad del uso del SSB en radiodifusión de Onda Corta, y te agradezco Glenn la ayuda recibida de ti oportunamente. (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, April 7, WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 4965, Radio Christian Voice at 2250 with man excitedly preaching about Jesus, and songs. Poor Apr. 3 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) Presumably English? Apparently in his logs if no language is specified, English is assumed (gh, DXLD) 4965, 1825-1845 UT April 6, CVC Voice Africa, Lusaka, with fair signal, and NOT in English. YL announcer with several afro-pop songs. I've sent an e-mail asking about this but it keeps bouncing back (José Pedro Turner, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4965, CVC, Lusaka, 1941-1957, 04 Apr, English, interview during some religious propaganda program; 44343, adjacent utility QRM (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Andrew, Many thanks for explaining things [about CHILE]. People are also hearing African language on 4965, but having no luck getting any reply or info from CVC Zambia. Perhaps you could also help us with that --- when is English on the schedule now and what are the other languages at what times on that frequency? Thanks, (Glenn to Andrew Flynn, UK, CVI, via DXLD) Hi again Glen[n], I was able to get the schedule for you - new to me as well. Radio Christian Voice 6065 and 4965 kHz from Zambia is mostly given over to four local languages now - Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja and Lozi. Schedule attached - I can't say if the time shown is Central African Time (CAT - UT + 2 hrs) or UT, but suspect CAT. There is English being aired too. It's not clear since everything is colour coded, but I guess that if a language isn't written explicitly with a programme in the schedule, then it's English. Radio Christian Voice in English is also on FM in 4 cities in Zambia. Hope that helps again. Regards (Andrew Flynn, DXLD) Yes, thanks! The .xls schedule grid is indeed color-coded for the four languages above, and altho many of the program titles are shown in English, those are in the respective colored blox. Only a few blox are explicitly English in a fifth color: Basics of the Bible, daily 0000-0200 [2200-2400 UT] News Week in All, Sunday 1800-1900 [1600-1700 UT] Unfortunately the schedule comes out rather jumbled when we try to convert it to text, but anyhow, a lot of it is in those four African languages. The schedule starts with 0600 at the top, which makes it more likely to be local time than UT (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 5915, ZNBC, Lusaka, 1933-, 31 Mar, vernacular, talks; 23431, adjacent QRM de SLOVAKIA + VATICAN. Much better at 2100+, with less adjacent QRM. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA, 11735, R. Tanzania, Dole, Zanzibar, 1655-1716, 04 Apr, Swahili, 1655-1716, 04 Apr, talks, ID, TS, news; 54444, QRM de ROMANIA; weak & rippled audio 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. 4831, Golos Rossii, site? 2117-2136, 02 Apr, Russian, music, chimes + ID, talks, Russian songs; 24432, het with MONGOLIA 4830, CODAR QRM. External mixing spur? 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Armavir Tbilisskaya, Russia, V of Russia: 1089 kHz 1200 kW + 4831 kHz = 5920 kHz. Carlos, and symmetrically on 7009 kHz too ? 5920 2000-2200 to zone 37 ARM 200 kW 280 degrees, in former A-08 as Sp 2000-2100 UT, Port 2100-2200 UT (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) I didn't check any parallel R. Rossii outlet, but was pretty much convinced "4831" might be an external mixing spur, viz. the result you mention, so could not find the other symmetrical spur on 7009 unless I'd scan that range which I didn't at that time. 73, (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. 6210, UNID (Greek pirate?), 1914-2046, 03 Apr, Greek music, talks; 24432 and deteriorating; het with 6209.8 - COD? 73 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Greek on 6210: 15630 minus 9420 VOG! COD = Kahuzi, Congo DR (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 7168 NO ID, 2156-2159, escuchada el 5 de abril en inglés a locutor y locutora con comentarios, ¿señal fantasma?, se corta emisión a las 2159, SINPO 24422 (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena Radio Master A-108, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I received the UnID at 1811s/off which interfered with R. Ethiopia on 7165, after Xizang PBS (7170 kHz) s/off at 1800 on Apr. 7. Possibly VOBM Eritrea? (S. Hasegawa, NDXC, ibid.) Me tiene intrigado el tema, en el día de ayer estuve escuchando en 7170 una emisora que no acabé de indentificar, en principio pensé que se trataba de PBS Xizang, pero el idioma y la música no me pareció asiatica, más bien africana, pero tuve muchas dudas en comentarlo, ya que la señal era pobre, es probable que lo que escuché fuera VOBM Eritrea, ¿pero en inglés?. Seguiremos a la escucha. 73 (José Miguel Romero, ibid.) 7 April VOBME was on 7165 together with R Ethiopia at tune-in around 1725. Apparently VOBME was carrying some clandestine program, because there was severe white noise jammer also on the channel. At 1730 jammer stopped and both R Ethiopia in French and VOBME in Arabic were audible. Sometime around 1810 VOBME jumped to it's "nominal" 7175. I heard nothing on 7168, but I was not paying much attention to that frequency. 73, (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, ibid.) Thanks Jari, I was not able to confirm it in a side splatter of Xizang PBS until 1800 (S. Hasegawa, Japan, ibid.) Please note that José Miguel heard his station at 2156-2159*, so I don't think it had anything to do with ETH-ERI battle. I could detect a very weak drifting signal around 7165 kHz and it signed off again at 2159. No chance for audio here. I uploaded a screenshot (7168.jpg) of it in the files section. Could it be Voice of Korea spurious once more? 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 9885, open carrier, and intermittent tone tests, April 7 at 1320. Something about to start at 1330? No, still on just with carrier; gone at 1357 recheck. Typical behavior of IBB Greenville, which has a break on 9885 between 1300 and 1600, but why are all these tone tests needed? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Mystery Logging: 11655 at 1800, man saying Radio Ibrahim dot com and then off. Fair Apr. 4 (Harold Sellers, Shadow Lake DX Camp, near Stouffville, Ontario, Eton E-1 and 150 ft northeast wire, ODXA yg via DXLD) I googled radio ibrahim dot com and came up with http://na.radioibrahim.com that shows shortwave transmission to the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and North Africa but not, reportedly, on 11655 (Mark Coady, Editor, Your Reports/Listening In Magazine, ibid.) Radio Ibrahim has been reported in DXLD before. It`s one of the IBRA Radio services based in Sweden, in this case 11655 1730-1800 via Woofferton, 114 degrees. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid) UNIDENTIFIED. 15100, 08/04 0124, COREIA DO NORTE, R Voice of Korea, presumida, em mandarim, desde Kujang, com 200 kW, (a nova EIBI A09 informa como sendo em francês, mas eu a ouvi em claro idioma mandarim ou chinês), OM e YL Talk, trechos de mx típica, 25332 (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia - Brasil, Degen 1103, Antena Dipolo de 16 metros e balum 4:1 em toroide. Direção Leste/Oeste, HCDX via DXLD) CRI is also scheduled on 15100 at 2300-0200 in Cantonese, Hakka and 0100 Amoy. Are you sure it was Mandarin? Anyhow that`s more likely than VOK which is in French (gh, DXLD) Sim, em 15100 kHz o idioma pode ser qualquer um desses mencionado por você, menos o francês que definitivamente não era. Glenn, Em 15100 kHz a R Voice of Korea eu a identifiquei como “presumida” pela semelhança das transmissões, músicas e a informação da EIBI, mas realmente pode ser a CRI. Vou voltar a ouvir e confirmo. 73 boas escutas (Jorge Freitas, SWL1023B, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ Aoki list A09 (Excel zip file) provisional version http://www.m2.mediacat.ne.jp/~binews/bia09.zip (S. Hasegawa, NDXC, April 6, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) EiBi A09 not ready yet but... Glenn, and others, the schedules are not completed yet, essentially CRI, most of VoR, and Radio Australia still missing. Looking for these schedules! Anybody? However, I put the preliminary and INCOMPLETE version online: Sorted by frequency: http://www.eibispace.de/dx/freq-a09.txt Sorted by UTC: http://www.eibispace.de/dx/bc-a09.txt Perseus users can copy this file in the Perseus directory: http://www.eibispace.de/dx/eibi.txt I know it's incomplete, but that what IS in there, should be fine to my best knowledge, otherwise PLEASE LET ME KNOW :) 73 (Eike Bierwirth, CO, April 7, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) `OFFICIAL` STATION LISTS, USA, CANADA, MEXICO The FCC data that Radio-Locator uses is 100% accurate - for the purpose for which it's intended. The reason there's Canadian (or Latin American) data in the FCC database at all is not because the FCC cares - or makes any effort to determine - what's actually on the air in any of those nations. It's there only to let FCC licensees within the US know what they have to protect internationally when they file their applications. Under international treaty, Canada enjoys (and makes full use of) the right to protect certain allocations even if they're not in active use by Canadian stations. So even though there's no longer a 530 in Alberta, and probably never will be again, the FCC has to treat the station as though it's still there. (The FCC, in turn, keeps some nonexistent applications on the books in places like northern Maine to protect its own turf on the AM dial, and Mexico does the same thing on its end, which is why there are hundreds of facility records labeled "XENVA" - "Nueva" - that show up on the FCC database near the US border.) From the FCC's point of view, there's no particular reason to update the Canadian records to note that the stations themselves are gone, nor to update callsigns when they change, since that's all just placeholder data anyway. (Same deal in the Canadian database, which is full of outdated callsign info for US stations, since they just need to know what facilities to protect, not what the current calls are.) The problem comes when a site like Radio-Locator tries to use that data for a purpose for which it was never intended - i.e., as the backbone for what purports to be an accurate listing of what's really on the air. At the very least, I'd like to see Radio-Locator append a note to its Canadian listings indicating that they're sourced from data not meant for that purpose. There are several sources that try to do a better job with more appropriate data sources. One, of course, is Barry's AMBC at his http://topazdesigns.com site. The other is RECNet.com http://www.recnet.com/cdbs/fmq.php which offers an option in its searches to use either the FCC or the Canadian database. s (Scott Fybush, ABDX via DXLD) This is the n-th time Scott has had to explain this on one DX list or another; are we making any progress in learning such things? (gh) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ A DANE IN SENEGAMBIA Dear friends, April 01, 2009 I am back from a DX-pedition to The Gambia and Senegal - my countries visited no. 74 and 75 - and even on this date that is not an April fool's joke! With the original Danish travel company Spies, I booked a roundtrip passing Banjul (The Gambia), and in Senegal by bus to: Toubakouta, Saly, Dakar, Saint-Louis and Kaolack. Thus with my portable Sangean ATS 909 receiver I had a good opportunity to check conditions on SW, MW and FM in that part of West Africa during the few available times in our hectic and very interesting tourist programme. My conclusions are: Several years ago, Senegal has left SW and MW and is now concentrating on extensive government and private FM radiostations which propagate very well in this flat country. The same is the case for the more poor The Gambia which still uses MW and also government and private FM-stations. Please have a look at my few SW- loggings below. The only audible local MW-station was Gambia R and TV Services on 648 kHz. But during the dark hours a lot of stations filled the band from far-away, using the build-in ferrit antenna. I heard seven MW-stations on the Canary Islands, no less than 28 stations in mainland Spain, one in Portugal, one on Madeira and a few ones in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Nigeria. On FM I heard with my build-in Whip antenna no less than 105 transmitters not only from Senegal and The Gambia, but also amazingly several stable signals in Portuguese from Cape Verde Islands (5 stations) and Mauritania (2 stations). The number of audible FM-stations were in Banjul: 10, Toubakouta: 31, Saly: 53, Dakar: 55, Saint-Louis: 29 and Kaolack: 41! We have now entered the A09 period and with that the end of SW broadcasting in the 7100-7200 spectrum, a frequency range now allocated exclusively on a worldwide basis for the Radio Amateurs (HAM). A loyal nation like India has just moved away from this range to higher frequencies as described below. However, a few nations are still violating the ITU regulations and can still be found here, free of broadcast-QRM, but probably with intensive HAM-QRM (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window April 1 via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ATLANTA, GA DXERS GROUP FORMING Note to Atlanta, GA area SWLs: a Yahoo group, AtlantaSWL, has been formed to facilitate the formation of an area meeting, etc. Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/atlantaswl/?yguid=230518484 and join if you're interested in building a hobby group in the North Georgia area (Frank M. Howell, skywavesmw yg, UK, April 5, via Greg Hardison, CA, DXLD) LAST CALL FOR REGISTRATION FOR 2009 NASB-DRM USA ANNUAL MEETINGS You can still register for the 2009 NASB-DRM USA annual meetings in Nashville, Tennessee on May 7 and 8. Anyone interested in or involved in shortwave radio is welcome to attend. The meetings will take place at the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Nashville. Registration is completely free of charge; you only need to pay your own travel and lodging expenses. If you plan to attend and have not already done so, please notify NASB Secretary-Treasurer Dan Elyea that you will be attending. His e-mail is: fsiyfr @ okeechobee.com Here is the latest tentative agenda for the meetings: Thursday, May 7, 2009 – DRM USA Annual Meeting 9:00 am – Opening of DRM USA Annual Meeting in the Holiday Inn Express Amphitheater. Welcome remarks from World Christian Broadcasting, WWCR and DRM USA officers. The Amphitheater meeting room is sponsored by TCI International. 9:05 am - The Latest Developments in Digital Radio Mondiale – Adil Mina of Continental Electronics and the DRM Consortium will report on what is happening with DRM around the globe. 9:30 am – WinDRM: Amateur Radio's DRM Evolution - One of amateur radio's digital voice and image transfer modes was derived from DRM's Dream receiver/transmitter software. Mel Whitten, who holds amateur radio callsign K0PFX, will talk about how these amateur modes were developed, how they are used and the transmitting and receiving equipment used. 10:00 am – A Profile of Ten-Tec - the Tennessee company that makes HF radios for amateurs and shortwave listeners. The Ten-Tec RX-320D was one of the first DRM software-capable receivers on the market. The speaker will be Gary Barbour. 10:30 am - Coffee Break, sponsored by Media Broadcast 11:00 am – Question and Answer Session with NASB Attorney Edward Bailey 11:30 pm - Lunch, sponsored by World Christian Broadcasting and WWCR, in The Nashville Room at Jack's Bar-B-Que, 416 Broadway, next to the Ryman Auditorium. The buffet-style menu will include Tennessee pork shoulder, smoked turkey, barbecue sauce, barbecue baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, cornbread and buns, chocolate fudge pie and beverage (tea or fountain drinks). 1:30 pm - Bus leaves hotel for Sightseeing Tour, sponsored by TCI International, visiting WWCR studio/transmitter site and World Christian Broadcasting headquarters in Franklin. 6:00 pm - Dinner at Stoveworks restaurant, sponsored by VT Communications. Stoveworks offers authentic Southern cooking served with down home style in a historic setting at The Factory in Franklin. The menu will include a choice of one of three main dishes (pork tenderloin with red plum sauce; creamed chicken breast in a mushroom sherry cream sauce with cornbread; or seafood hot brown with white fish, shrimp and crabmeat in a creamy cheese sauce with Parmesan topping), plus Stoveworks hot spoon rolls, cranberry congealed salad, squash casserole, green beans, fruit cobbler and your choice of beverage (water, tea, fruit tea, coffee, Coke, Sprite or canned drinks). Vegetarians may substitute vegetarian burritos for the main dish (burritos with mushrooms, onions, cheddar jack cheese, spinach, tomatoes and artichoke hearts with homemade salsa, sour cream and guacamole). 9:00 pm - Bus returns to the Holiday Inn Express. The rest of the evening is free to explore The District. Friday, May 8, 2009 – NASB Annual Meeting 9:00 am – Opening of NASB Annual Meeting in the Holiday Inn Express Amphitheater. Welcome remarks from NASB officers. The Amphitheater meeting room is sponsored by TCI International. 9:15 am - Panel Discussion: The State of Shortwave Listening and Broadcasting in Europe. Panelists will include Michael Murray, former Secretary General of the European DX Council. 9:45 am – Sports Programming on Shortwave – Independent producer Bruce Baskin will tell about his experiences with World Cricket Today and World Baseball Today on shortwave. 9:55 am – Update on Digital Aurora Radio Technologies DRM project in Alaska by Don Messer 10:15 am – New Technologies from Galcom International – an update on Galcom's new suitcase-sized transmitter and the possibility of a low- cost DRM receiver. 10:30 am - Coffee Break, sponsored by Continental Electronics 11:00 am – Madagascar World Voice, African shortwave project of World Christian Broadcasting 11:30 am – Kintronics and its involvement in HF broadcasting, by Tom King, President, Kintronics Labs of Bristol, Tennessee 12:00 pm – Lunch, sponsored by Thomson Broadcast & Multimedia, at Big River Grille, 111 Broadway. The menu will be a Southern Buffet including greenhouse salad with dressing, assorted breads, chicken fried chicken with country gravy, white cheddar mashed potatoes, creamy coleslaw, assorted bite-size desserts, and unlimited coffee, tea and fountain sodas. 2:00 pm - NASB Business Meeting, including plans for next year's annual meeting in Canada 4:00 pm - NASB Business Meeting ends, conference ends. Brief closed meeting of the NASB Board. Hotel Reservation Details The Holiday Inn Express at 920 Broadway in downtown Nashville is accepting reservations for hotel rooms during the 2009 NASB Annual Meeting. The rate is $125.00 per room for single or double occupancy (plus local taxes). You can guarantee your reservation with a credit card, and your reservation can be canceled without penalty until three days prior to arrival. To make your reservation, call toll-free (in the U.S.) +1-888-465-4329, and be sure to mention that you are part of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters meeting in order to get the special conference rate. The group code is NAS (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) Tunis HFCC/ASBU Meetings Tunis Hosts HFCC/ASBU B09 Conference Report from NASB delegate Jeff White The spotlight was on Arab shortwave broadcasters at the A09 HFCC/ASBU frequency coordination conference in Tunisia February 2-6. The meeting was hosted by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) which is headquartered in Tunis. The opening ceremony took place Monday, February 2 at the new ASBU headquarters building in downtown Tunis, and featured an address by Tunisia's Minister of Information and Communications Technology about the country's program to modernize its domestic and international broadcast structure, and Tunisia's commitment to the ASBU, which is the union of public and private radio, TV and satellite broadcasters from throughout the Arab world. For the rest of the week-long conference, delegates met at a large hotel called the Alhambra (designed to resemble the famous Alhambra Palace in Spain) in the popular beachside resort of Hammamet, some 65 kilometers south of Tunis. Even thought temperatures were in the low 60's Fahrenheit and the Mediterranean Sea too cold to swim in at this time of year, it was still a scenic location. A record attendance of approximately 130 delegates came from around 55 Frequency Management Organizations from 40-some countries around the world. Fittingly for the host and location, there were a large number of delegates from the Middle East and North Africa. Countries like Syria, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Oman were represented, as well as Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and several others. Even the Palestine Broadcasting Corp. attended as observers, since they are considering starting an international shortwave service within a year or so. A few broadcasters from other parts of Africa participated, such as South Africa's Sentech. As usual, the main job of the HFCC/ASBU Conference was to input frequency selections for the coming broadcast season -- the A09 season, which begins March 29 and ends October 25, 2009. A new more sophisticated collision identification program was used to determine potential frequency collisions, and the delegates spent the week working out these interference problems with each other, constantly updating schedules through a complex Internet and Intranet system. The vast majority of the world's shortwave schedules are coordinated at the HFCC/ASBU meetings, avoiding problems for stations and listeners alike during the upcoming frequency season. Also as usual, there was a lot of cultural entertainment and sightseeing during the week. On Wednesday night, the ASBU invited all delegates and their spouses to a six-course Tunisian dinner which took place underneath a large Moroccan-style tent, complete with live performances of Arabic music and dancing. It was quite an experience. And on Friday afternoon, when the conference officially ended, the ASBU provided a bus tour of Tunis for delegates. After passing through miles and miles of olive farms and vineyards en route to Tunis, the tour visited the fabulous Bardo Museum, which is filled with Roman mosaics and sculptures unearthed in Tunisia, as well as Islamic mosaics that were made after the Romans left and Islam became the predominant religion in the country. It is interesting to note that while Roman mosaics and statues featured their gods and other famous personages and animals, Islamic art prohibited representations of human beings and animals. Therefore, Islamic mosaics use geometric patterns and are amazingly beautiful. The next stop on the tour was the Roman ruins of Carthage, just outside of Tunis. The group visited the Roman baths of Antonine and a Roman theatre which has been restored and now hosts the annual Carthage Music Festival, with performances as diverse as Stevie Wonder, Shakira and many singers from the Arab world. The final stop on the tour was the upper-class surburb of Sidi Bou Said, a pleasant seaside village where all of the buildings are painted in striking blue and white. At the final plenary session on Thursday afternoon, special thanks were given to Abdelrahim Suleiman and Bassil Zoubi of the ASBU for all of their hard work preparing the conference in Tunis and Hammamet. And the NASB was given an opportunity to invite ASBU and HFCC delegates to the B09 seasonal conference that will take place in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on August 17-21. More information about the upcoming conference can be found at http://myatt.net/p/PWP-hfccb09 Eighty-four persons pre-registered for the Punta Cana conference before the end of the meeting in Hammamet. ----- Opening Remarks of HFCC Chairman Oldrich Cip at the HFCC/ASBU A09 Conference Good morning ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, distinguished guests! First - on behalf of all of us here - I would like to thank the high-level guests for coming over to our Opening Ceremony, namely His Excellency Mr. Rafaa Dkhil, Minister of Information and Communication Technologies of Tunisia; and Mr. Salah Eddine Maaoui, Director General of the Arab States Broadcasting Union, for his opening words. There would be no conference in Tunis without the support of those two bodies. I would like to thank very much too our colleagues and friends in the ASBU management, Mr. Abdelrahim Suleiman and Mr. Bassil Zoubi, who have been the moving force behind the Tunis Conference project. We are here in the newly constructed headquarters of the Arab States Broadcasting Union and I would like to devote at least a part of the opening remarks to the history of ties between the two so-called regional co-ordination groups, HFCC and ASBU. As it has already been said, the date of the present conference is also important since the association between the ASBU and the HFCC started almost exactly ten years ago. In fact the decision on the part of the ASBU in 1998 to join the HFCC provided a basis for a global system that has been developed during the past decade. In the early 1990s a special task group of the International Telecommunication Union studied the methods and procedures of an informal co-ordination group active outside the ITU that later became known as the HFCC. The task group came to a conclusion that informal co-ordination was the magic formula for the successful frequency planning of shortwave broadcasting. The World Radio Conference in 1997 created a new Article of International Radio Regulations. An extensive and complex co-ordination among the so-called regional groups was expected originally since Article 12 of the Regulations foresaw the creation of a number of groups around the world. Luckily enough the need for coordination among those separate groups just did not emerge. The HFCC and ASBU have worked together from the start. Methods improved in the meantime, and another smaller group in the Asia- Pacific area that we helped establish agreed to use the common database as well. It is now completely clear that the frequencies of some, mainly smaller stations in Africa or South America that are still outside the co-ordination process could be incorporated easily into one, single database. There is also no great need for the creation of more groups. A global database is now in place on the HFCC website for every season and we all keep updating it even between the seasonal conferences. A newly improved method of detection of frequency incompatibilities has just been developed. Yet there is not enough space in the spectrum especially below 10 MHz, and sometimes it is extremely difficult to find a suitable frequency. That is why I would like to recall in this context that the history of more than 60 years of failed attempts at frequency planning - before the introduction of our co-ordination - is still a warning memento to us. The spectrum has always been limited, but all big ITU shortwave broadcasting conferences before our time failed due to inflated frequency requirements. We have come a long way from the confusion of huge and disproportionate frequency submissions of those unsuccessful conferences. Most of the requirements in our databases are real and genuine, and "wooden" or "paper" frequencies can be detected more easily than in the past. We took up this problem with only relatively few frequency managers who still keep making such submissions, during the last Moscow B08 Conference and we are going to carry on with those discussions in Tunis as well. But there is also a positive item about the HF spectrum usage on the agenda. Literally for decades there was a problem with the 7 MHz band allocation to broadcasting since we were not permitted to use it for transmissions from, within, or to, the World Region 2 - i.e. North and South America. This was difficult, especially during the epochs of low sunspot activity. A small improvement came about as a result of an ITU world conference in1992 but the new 50 kHz segment for this region was officially endorsed for use in 2007 only. A more important change comes into force with the start-date of the A09 schedule we are going to co- ordinate here in Tunis: Another fifty kilohertz will become available for Region 2 up to 7400 kHz and further up to 7450 kHz in the rest of the globe. At the same time the lower part of the present 7 MHz broadcast band has to be vacated for amateur radio. In addition, broadcasting in the ASBU countries in a defined part of the band needs to be co-ordinated with the so-called fixed service. The upcoming changes after March 29th 2009 are quite complex and Geoff Spells and other Steering Board members have tried hard to make them more transparent in a document which is on the HFCC website. We believe that it is worthwhile to make good use of the new spectrum changes. Coming back to the conference preparation, the big attendance we have here in Tunis is record breaking for an HFCC/ASBU event only. As you may have noticed in the hotel conference room in Hammamet, our team had a bit of a problem with space since the number of participants have greatly exceeded the original expectations. This is in fact encouraging since some colleagues had to leave our association in the recent couple of years. We have new participants from Bahrain in the ASBU group and a renewed attendance from Algeria. WRN (or the World Radio Network of London) have come to Tunis as new applicants for membership. We have new associate members in the Russian Federation and an application for associate membership from Radio Sweden. We have been working with Vladislav [Cip] for a couple of days together with the ASBU team at the Alhambra Thalasspa hotel in Hammamet. Let me thank all of them for their work on the Conference preparation. I wish us all a good and successful Conference. ----- Message to HFCC/ASBU Members --- from Oldrich Cip, Chairman Dear Colleagues: The HFCC/ASBU Steering Board have agreed to remind you again about important changes in the 7 MHz spectrum from March 29th 2009, the start of the A09 season. We would like to point out in particular that there are still some requirements left in the range 7100-7200 kHz which became an amateur band after that date. It is quite essential to continue to work on moving these requirements to the new 7 MHz broadcasting band. Any frequency management organizations with operational requirements in this band at the start of the A09 season are likely to get complaints from the Amateur service. As we informed you already prior and during the A09 Tunis Conference, there is a detailed explanation of the 7 MHz spectrum changes on the HFCC website: http://www.hfcc.org/pro/A09-7MHz-changes.pdf (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: see BHUTAN; CHILE; PORTUGAL; CONVENTIONS & ++++++++++++++++++++ CONFERENCES. DAB: GERMANY RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ LONGER ANTENNAS WITH A PORTABLE? BEWARE... There's an item in the '2009' Passport issue, reviewing the Grundig G5 that I own (p. 73) that might be of interest to those who wish to try longer antennas on any portable SW receiver: "Superior sensitivity, low circuit noise. Superior dynamic range for compact portable, so suitable with outdoor wire antennas." Yes, the G5 itself does include a 30-ft. wire antenna you connect to the radio's external antenna jack, which does work quite well with weak-signal reception. But beware if you want to use longer lengths: I talked to someone at Universal Radio last week and he told me that using wire antennas over 40 ft. could result in your portable being desensitized -- reduction in weak-signal reception due to damage to the radio's circuitry -- if used over time. Overloading of the radio is also possible. So be careful and think twice before trying out those real long antennas with a small pocket SW radio (Joe Hanlon, NJ, April 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WILL OCEANOGRAPHIC RADAR SYSTEM THREATEN HF BROADCAST SPECTRUM? On February 18, Tom Lucey of the FCC's International Bureau advised the NASB of the following: "The FCC's WRC-11 Advisory Committee, see http://www.fcc.gov/ib/wrc-11 in Informal Working Group 1, has under its consideration WRC-11 Agenda Item 1.15 'to consider possible allocations in the range 3-50 MHz to the radiolocation service for oceanographic radar applications, taking into account the results of ITU-R studies, in accordance with Resolution 612 (WRC-07).' These allocations will be used for the operation of oceanographic radars that monitor the sea surface for wave heights, currents and tracking of large objects. Marcus Wolf, one of the FCC representatives on this issue, has expressed to me the need for the presence of the HF Broadcasting community in IWG-1 on this issue." The NASB immediately got to work researching this issue. Glen Tapley of WEWN sent the following initial report: "Reading from the ITU Radiocommunication Study Groups paper-Annex 29 to Document 5B/175-E dated 19 November 2008, it looks as if the WRC-11 agenda item 1.15 was established with the understanding that the spectrum would be allocated on a shared basis. Reallocation of spectrum from an existing allocated radio service to the radiolocation services is not the intent. Under 2/1.15/4 Analysis of the results of studies, "Sharing with the broadcasting service in bands 4.5 MHz, 9MHz, 13 MHz, 16 MHz, and 27 MHz, all bands +/- 1 MHz except the 27 MHz which is +/- 3 MHz." The agenda information and results are listed as TBD, so, as we know, the item is yet to be resolved. This is where we can be involved, gaining information and making our voices known to the WRC-11 advisory committee. "Global oceanographic stations, including those along the U.S. east and west coasts as well as the Florida coast, will be using 50 watts to radiate frequencies in order to monitor the ocean surface and then measure the scattered waves which come back (Bragg’s Scattering). Apparently, this will assist in wave heights, currents, and the tracking of large objects. Climate change, pollution, and ship safety are the goals of the studies. These radars have been in use for the past 30 years on a non-interference experimental basis. Now they want to study the permanence of spectrum allocation. Under study are the types of antenna, the possibility of utilizing directional antennae, limiting spurious and out-of-band emission, and to limit the emission bandwidth to the necessary bandwidth. Also being studied is the possible re-use of sharing common spectrum by multiple oceanographic radar stations. The thought is that if the sweeps to the ocean surface is time staggered, a single frequency could be used by multiple radar stations. While a typical operation of the HF bandwidth is 5 kHz, the oceanographic stations will require signal bandwidth of 150 kHz to sweep. "How exactly this will effect us is still a question to be answered. At this point, there are still too many TBDs without conclusions and this study is to determine just what effect it will have on HF broadcasters and other HF users. We should keep pulse with what’s going on and try to get immediate information as it becomes available." On March 3, Glen Tapley provided the following update, based on his discussions with Marcus Wolfe of the FCC and David Franc of NOAA, who is co-heading the WRC 11 study: "The study group has divided the HF frequency bands into three distinct categories: Category A includes fixed, mobile, and radio astronomy. This is their preferred bands to study for usable radar frequencies. Category B includes amateur and broadcasting. David said they would prefer not to use these frequencies due to broadcasting, but all frequencies within, while not totally ruled out are problematic due to sharing with amateur and HF broadcasters. Category C, maritime and aeronautical, will not be studied. "The frequencies within the fixed service frequencies of 5.060-5.450 are primarily the frequencies we will have some concern about. The other is fixed service frequencies to be looked at by the study, including 12.100- 12.230. David pointed out that there will be an initial 100 radar stations along the United States coasts and 200 globally with an expected increase of 5% over a five year period leading to an eventual 800 systems operating on 50 watts each. That is a lot of radar stations; however, spaced correctly, these radar stations use ground waves which can utilize common frequencies." Glen suggests reviewing the following web page for a general explanation of HF radar stations: http://sampit.geol.sc.edu/radar.html The chief engineer of NASB member station KTWR on Guam indicated that the radar system could affect two frequencies that the station uses to reach China, and that it could also affect KSDA, KHBN, WWCR and the IBB. Two meetings were scheduled in Washington for March 17 and 19 to deal with the oceanographic radar system's desires for spectrum space. The NASB contracted with well-known technical expert Dr. Don Messer (formerly of the IBB and the DRM Consortium), who also represented us in hearings regarding the official U.S. position on proposed changes to the HF broadcast spectrum at the most recent World Radiocommunication Conference. Dr. Messer attended both meetings on behalf of the NASB, and he sent the following report: "Both the IWG-1 and USWP5B meetings were calm; that is, no controversies concerning Agenda Item 1.15 on ocean characteristics radars trying to muscle in somewhere in various segments of the 3 - 50 MHz spectral region (Agenda Item 1.15). "1. IWG-1 -- the official industry advisory unit to the FCC on WRC-11 matters dealing with maritime, aeronautical and radar services: The short document has been approved. It will be a part of the "approved documents" package that will be presented at the parent organization (WAC) soon by the IWG-1 chair. The document notes that it will be best to stay away from the Broadcasting and Amateur bands below 30 MHz as a part of a "US Preliminary View". That's clearly OK for us. Nevertheless, when the sharing studies get earnestly underway, here and in Geneva, it will be impossible to avoid sharing studies clear across the spectral range. For now, the good news is that the US will be on record initially as saying: "look elsewhere". "2. USWP5B - the US preparation group for meetings of the ITU-R's WP5B: WP5B has the WRC-11 responsibility to prepare technical studies on Agenda Item 1.15, as well as several other agenda items. The March meeting rapidly considered around 35 documents, of which 6 were related to AI 1.15. The content of these documents will be absorbed appropriately into US input documents for the May meeting in Geneva. So far, no problems. There will be at least one more meeting before the US delegation shoves off for Geneva." So that is the latest on the oceanographic radar situation as far as potential effects on U.S. shortwave broadcasters. The NASB will stay on top of the situation and will keep members advised (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) EARS TO OUR WORLD At the Winter SWL Festival, we were pleased to learn about a fairly new organization operating out of North Carolina called “Ears to Our World”. The Executive Director, Thomas Witherspoon, was in attendance with a display introducing the organization to those in attendance. The ultimate purpose of the group is to help distribute self-powered shortwave radios to classrooms around the world in developing countries. Thomas’ stories of the impact they are having in many parts of the world was inspiring and heart-warming. Please take the time to visit the Ears to Our World webpage at http://www.earstoourworld.org We sincerely hope that by featuring the organization we can help to support their excellent work. About Us: In the past ten years, individuals throughout the world have experienced a revolution that has been deemed the “Information Economy.” Ground-breaking advances in communications and networking technology instantaneously connect people with information and media across the planet. In many countries, access to this network has almost become a basic human right. Unfortunately, much of the world does not have the communications infrastructure to support access to the world wide web and other dynamic media sources such as digital television, wireless networks and even telephone. Once more, political instability can undermine even the written word. For many people living in poverty, radio is still the best and most effective way to receive life-supporting information. However, even radios --- a technology many of us now take for granted --- are out of reach for those who live on less than $1.00 US per day. Ears To Our World (ETOW) is a grass-roots, humanitarian organization that specializes in the distribution of medium and shortwave radio technologies to connect media broadcasters with individuals in the developing world. More specifically, our mission is to enable children and their support networks in the most remote, impoverished parts of the world to receive educational programming, local and international news, emergency information and music through the use of radio receivers. Our focus will be on classrooms, but our reach will encompass other community facilities (from cover feature in April CIDX Messenger via DXLD) I am glad to note that evangelizing is *not* mentioned as one of their objectives; beware the gospel huxters who may try to co-opt this noble effort (gh, DXLD) STOP THE CAPS Those who believe that we'll all be getting our radio over the web within a few years might note that it's not just the RIAA sticking roadblocks in the way of streaming radio lately. My hometown of Rochester is one of four markets where Time Warner is planning to "test market" some pretty low monthly caps on what was previously unlimited data transfer via its Roadrunner service. Suck down more than 5 GB a month? Congratulations...you'll get to pay punitive overage fees, if this plan goes through. (Check out http://www.stopthecap.com to see how riled up people here are getting.) The idea, of course, is to discourage TW customers from watching video over the web, and to make sure they order pay-per-view cable instead - but there are all sorts of unintended consequences. (For instance, we have one of the largest deaf communities in the country here, and they communicate mostly through live video chat these days. Think they're happy about paying extra for all the bandwidth THAT consumes?) At least for now, all the wireless providers I know of have some sort of cap, usually a fairly low one, on even their "unlimited" monthly usage plans. If the expectation is that people will use streaming audio as casually as they now use broadcast radio, they can't be thinking about whether another 20 minutes of listening will raise their bill by a dollar. s (Scott Fybush, ABDX via DXLD) WIND TURBINES vs TV SIGNALS Glenn, Re 9-030, windmills: The U.S. Dept. of Energy published a study of TV interference from windmills at least 10 or 15 years ago, and we've used it as a reference in several studies we have done. There is also a good document on this in the BBC series of engineering documents available from their website. (I can't quote the references for these from memory, unfortunately, and I am out of town on a field project.) (Ben Dawson, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ COASTAL DUCTING ON VHF Re 9-030, ducting: When I was about 8 or 9 (which makes it late 1940's) my father and I visited a friend of his who was a radio amateur living near Seaside, OR. He had a 6 meter antenna, and had built a kit TV set, and I remember (clearly!) seeing the (snowy!) video from channel 2 LA, the only channel 2 on the west coast at the time, propagated by ducting. (I don't know exactly when this was in the W6XAO/KTSL?/KNXT or the Hollywood Hills/Mt. Wilson chronology of channel 2, but I do remember that when I visited my grandfather, Benjamin Sr., in Pasadena when I was about 12, just after the TV freeze was lifted, all the LA TV's were at Mt. Wilson.) A classic reference, "Radio Wave Propagation" by Burrows and Atwood, has a discussion and some early (WWII era) measurements of west coast ducting (Ben Dawson, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe, but 2 is the TV channel least subject to ducting, compared to higher VHF and UHF, and the most subject to sporadic E; Seaside is far enough from LA for the latter, about 850 miles, and furthermore, the direct path from Mt Wilson to Seaside is not coastal at all, unless there are bends, but entirely overland, as far east almost to Lake Tahoe. I wonder if in those early years the difference between those propagation modes was as obvious as it is to us today. As for regular tropo, while it occurs along California`s central valley, it`s unknown over such distances up almost to Washington (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) True enough, ducting is normally over direct and not angular paths, but the effect as described to me (and others) along the Pacific Coast is more reliable than sporadic E. Hard to know, and, of course, long enough ago to now be difficult to evaluate. But other long distance ducting effects have been reported in the coast region west of the Cascade/Sierra Nevada for years, including paths that would not necessarily seem reasonable. I have always thought that I have benefited from being an engineer on the west coast, because the entire coastal region has anomalous propagation conditions from time to time from VLF through microwave, so nothing unusual elsewhere in the world is a big surprise (Ben Dawson, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) THE WORLD ATLAS OF GROUND CONDUCTIVITY http://www.qsl.net/on4baa/mirror/antennas/index.html#gnd_conduct Important for HF antenna modelling is to know the conductivity of your soil. In literature you can find some ways to measure ground conductivity yourself. Nevertheless, it is a always bit of a hassle having to construct a measuring apparatus just for using it once or twice. Moreover, the area of land that most influences the radiation pattern is at about 10? away from your antenna, i.e. often not accessible for measurements. I am by no means trying to discourage ground conductivity measurements, but being practical, I know that most people (including myself) prefer to spend their time on other things. For people like us, the CCIR (now ITU-R) published quite some time ago Recommendation 832, containing a detailed world atlas of ground conductivities. The maps are for VLF and MF frequencies, though the MF maps still remain useful for the lower HF frequencies. An example MF conductivity map of my home country Belgium is shown below. Click here or on the map below to download the World Atlas of Ground Conductivity in PDF(4MB) to see a map of your country or region. http://www.qsl.net/on4baa/mirror/antennas/VLF%20&%20MF%20Conductivity%20Atlas.pdf Please remember that this file is for personal use only. Commercial and professional users should obtain a copy of the more recent ITU Digitized World Map (IDWM). (or http://tinyurl.com/ckjonf via Phil Rafuse, PEI, ABDX via DXLD) GEOMAGNETIC SUMMARY FEBRUARY 11 2009 THROUGH APRIL 7 2009 Tabulated from email status daily. Date Flux A K Space Wx February 11 68 2 1 no storms 12 70 4 2 no storms 13 70 2 0 no storms 14 70 2 1 no storms 15 70 18 3 no storms 16 70 10 2 no storms 17 70 3 1 no storms 18 71 1 1 no storms 19 70 2 1 no storms 20 69 1 0 no storms 21 69 3 3 no storms 22 71 3 1 no storms 23 70 5 1 no storms 24 71 4 2 no storms 25 71 7 1 no storms 26 71 3 1 no storms 27 70 2 1 no storms 28 69 9 1 no storms March 1 71 5 1 no storms 2 71 5 1 no storms 3 69 0 0 no storms 4 69 5 2 no storms 5 70 7 2 no storms 6 69 2 0 no storms 7 69 1 1 no storms 8 69 1 0 no storms 9 69 7 1 no storms 10 68 0 0 no storms 11 69 2 1 no storms 12 69 2 2 no storms 13 69 7 3 no storms 14 68 17 2 minor 15 69 8 2 no storms 16 68 10 1 no storms 17 69 5 0 no storms 18 69 3 1 no storms 19 68 1 1 no storms 20 69 4 2 no storms 21 69 5 2 no storms 22 70 7 2 no storms 23 69 4 1 no storms 24 68 3 1 no storms 25 69 8 2 no storms 26 69 13 1 no storms 27 69 9 1 no storms 28 72 3 2 no storms 29 71 2 1 no storms 30 71 3 1 no storms 31 71 5 1 no storms April 1 71 3 1 no storms 2 71 3 1 no storms 3 71 1 0 no storms 4 71 1 2 no storms 5 70 1 1 no storms 6 70 3 1 no storms 7 69 3 1 no storms (compiled by Phil Bytheway, IRCA DX Monitor April 11 via DXLD Geomagnetic field activity was at mostly quiet levels throughout the summary period. ACE solar wind observations showed frequent minor variations in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). IMF Bz varied in the + 5 to -5 nT range while IMF Bt ranged from 1 - 5 nT. Solar wind velocities ranged from 249 - 441 km/sec during the period. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 08 APRIL - 04 MAY 2009 Solar activity is expected to be very low. No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to increase to high levels during 10-14 April. Normal flux levels are expected during the rest of the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at mostly quiet levels through 08 April. Activity is expected to increase to unsettled to active levels during 09 - 10 April due to a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream. Activity is expected to decrease to quiet levels during 11 - 19 April. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels during 21 - 22 April. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 23 April - 04 May. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2009 Apr 07 1922 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Weather Prediction Center # Product description and SWPC contact on the Web # http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2009 Apr 07 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2009 Apr 08 70 8 3 2009 Apr 09 70 15 4 2009 Apr 10 70 8 3 2009 Apr 11 70 5 2 2009 Apr 12 70 5 2 2009 Apr 13 70 5 2 2009 Apr 14 70 5 2 2009 Apr 15 70 5 2 2009 Apr 16 70 5 2 2009 Apr 17 70 5 2 2009 Apr 18 70 5 2 2009 Apr 19 70 5 2 2009 Apr 20 70 5 2 2009 Apr 21 70 8 3 2009 Apr 22 70 8 3 2009 Apr 23 72 5 2 2009 Apr 24 72 5 2 2009 Apr 25 72 5 2 2009 Apr 26 72 5 2 2009 Apr 27 72 5 2 2009 Apr 28 72 5 2 2009 Apr 29 72 5 2 2009 Apr 30 70 8 3 2009 May 01 70 5 2 2009 May 02 70 5 2 2009 May 03 70 5 2 2009 May 04 70 5 2 (SWPC via WORLD OF RADIO 1455, DXLD) COMMENTARY ++++++++++ SHORTWAVE – MY VIEW --- by Keith Perron Guest commentary for the NASB Newsletter (your responses are welcome) My very first job on shortwave radio was around 19 years ago when I did some replacement work for Radio Canada International’s English language service to Asia. During that time I have seen so many changes, but not always for the best. Since around 1991 all of us have seen shortwave broadcasters drop frequencies, cut back on programming and reduce broadcast hours. The question that many of us who work in this medium and listen is: Is this the right way to go? Yes, it’s true that since the internet took off, broadcasters such as the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands and others now have another means of distribution and can attract a different audience that normally would not listen on shortwave. But! To cut off an audience of hundreds of thousands, or I would even go as far to say millions of people who have shortwave radios and are regular listeners, is very short sighted. Myself and many others are asking why, why, why? What’s going on? I think we need to examine when all this started happening. In the early 90s just after the collapse of Communism in Europe, stations started to think how to get listeners to listen. This is around the same time many managers of SW stations started to retire. The new generation of managers (I should also state not all) are just that: managers. Many of them know nothing or little about radio -- let alone shortwave -- to be able to create programs for an international audience that wants to tune in. It’s almost like when lawyers and accountants took over the music industry. Many of the new generation of station managers think that switching off shortwave and relaying on internet and satellite is the way to go. A few years ago I was at a radio conference in Tokyo, Japan and the director of a well-known station – sorry, I won’t mention any names -- said that shortwave is dead. During the question and answer period of his speech, I had a number of questions I wanted to shoot off. My first question was "Have you ever listened to shortwave or do you even own a shortwave radio?" His answer was "No!" And he’s running a shortwave station? My second question was "How do you know people don’t listen to shortwave?" Well, this was when I could not believe my ears. He said that recently he and a number of other directors from Radio Blablabla went to the US, Canada, Australia and some countries in Africa and found no one listened to shortwave, let alone radio. This led me to my third question: "Where exactly did you go?" His reply: New York, Boston, LA, Brisbane, etc., etc., etc. That’s when I and a few others in the room started to giggle. I then said, "Wait a min. Did you go anywhere without a 4 or 5 star hotel? Did you go anywhere in the US or Canada which is not a big city?" He said "No!" He then added they could get a much larger audience by having programs relayed on local FM and AM stations. My reply to him was "That’s great! But when do your programs air?" This is when he seemed a bit shocked, as I was well prepared and started to list off some relays. I said yes, your station Radio Bla bla bla is on local radio in Canada on the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Would you like to know the time? 4 am. Radio Sweden is also on the CBC at 2:30 am. Oh, your program is also on NPR in Burlington, Vermont at 5:30 am; Seattle, Washington on Sundays at 11 pm. And I went on and on and on. I said yes, the domestic relays are good, but you have no control over when local stations put you on air, whereas before people could listen on any number of frequencies at almost any time. And you’re bringing in a new audience? Who? It was at that point he said he needed to run to another appointment. Another point is content. In the last 15 years or so it seems that all shortwave stations do is news and more news, all trying -- I say TRYING -- to be like a mini BBC or VOA. After a while if you tune in you will find that the majority of the news put out by the small to medium international broadcasters is all the same. If I want to find out what’s going on in my corner of the world I tune to the BBC. Why would I listen to Radio Bla bla bla for an hour to hear the same thing that’s being broadcast by the BBC? If I tune to stations like Radio France, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands or Radio Canada International, I want to hear something different. Like a good program about music, culture or something silly. I strongly believe that if SW wants to catch an audience, stations need to do something different. People at one time did and still do tune in for interesting content, interesting personalities, but now it’s nothing more than generic McDonald’s for the ears. It’s no wonder people don’t tune in as much. My next point is budget. Yes we have seen budgets at stations cut, but maybe it’s time to not cut back on programming, but rather to look at the way you do programs. Radio Canada International, which has had severe cut backs since the early 90s, could be a case in point. RCI, like some other international broadcasters, have so much overhead it’s not funny. At RCI you have in-studio technicians. What luxury. In almost every station I’ve worked at as an announcer/producer you did your own technical work. And now with the new studio technology it’s even easier than it was 10 years ago when tape and LP's were still widely used. When I was at China Radio International, I used to produce and present a daily 30-minute current affairs program called Real-Time China. How many people helped me? Zero! I would set up interviews, research, write, edit and transmit the program to master control for broadcast to North America and Europe. But yet stations like RCI and others have people that do these things for the producers and presenters. I mean really, what luxury! So when cuts are made, where is it? First programming, then frequencies and third staff. Then what do you have? Programs no one hears or let alone listens to! Something that many programmers and managers don’t think of is how important SW is even to a region like North America. Do any of them know how many people tuned in during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? From what I’ve been able to find out, SW was the only way to hear news, as many of the local stations had no power or were knocked off air when their transmitter sites were damaged. During the 2005 tsunami, which devastated Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and Maldives with almost 300,000 people killed, shortwave was the only way to send and receive information. In 2006 an earthquake off the coast of Taiwan damaged an underwater fiber optic cable which made internet traffic come to a snail`s pace. I remember for almost 2 months trying to listen to radio online, but it was impossible. But guess what? My radio worked. During the earthquake in China that killed nearly 70,000 people in Sichuan Province, SW was also the only way to keep local people informed and to inform relief workers who were in the region. I could continue to give more examples. Let’s move to China. Some stations feel that maybe shortwave to the People’s Republic is not a good idea because of the amount of jamming done by Chinese authorities with FIREDRAKE. This is silly. I lived in Beijing for over 8 years and never had a problem to tune in. Yes, it’s true that frequencies directed to China were jammed, but all I had to do was tune to a frequency for let's say Africa or Eastern Europe, and had no problem to listen. This is the magic of shortwave. You can have a program directed only to Europe or somewhere else, but you can also listen in a different region as the signal is bouncing around. Try listening to online radio in China from VOA! BLOCKED! Radio Canada International, BLOCKED! And the station websites which are not blocked from RFI, DW, RN or Radio Sweden can’t be listened to online because of the Great Firewall Of China which slows down everything so much it can take up to an hour -- sometimes more -- for a program to be downloaded. So finally. Is shortwave dead? No! Stations, managers and programmers just need to stop thinking of the internet and domestic relays as new toys. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it, improve it. My feeling is that over the next 10 years or hopefully less, the stations, people and governments that have cut shortwave will wake up and say "What have we done?" Yes it’s true that nowadays there is much more competition with the 300 TV channels that are delivered to our homes, or we can just click and listen to our favorite program. But radio and shortwave is still the most economical medium. To end, I would like to say to every international broadcaster: Produce interesting programs that will make people want to listen on shortwave. Yes, music does not sound that great on SW, but if you have good radio personalities and interesting programs people will listen. Promote shortwave as a very economical means to reach millions of people. Look into how to improve your shortwave signal instead of just cutting it. And do something for all the loyal shortwave listeners that are now cut off and have no other way to tune in anymore. Bring back the respect we all once had. Editor's Note: An audio version of this commentary running about 11 minutes is available as an mp3 file upon request from info@wrmi.net (April NASB Newsletter via DXLD) TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING ++++++++++++++++++++++++ THOUGHTS ON BILL O'REILLY AND SQUEAKY THE CHICAGO MOUSE By Roger Ebert http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090407/COMMENTARY/904079997 To: Bill O'Reilly From: Roger Ebert Dear Bill: Thanks for including the Chicago Sun-Times on your exclusive list of newspapers on your "Hall of Shame." To be in an O'Reilly Hall of Fame would be a cruel blow to any newspaper. It would place us in the favor of a man who turns red and starts screaming when anyone disagrees with him. My grade-school teacher, wise Sister Nathan, would have called in your parents and recommended counseling with Father Hogben. Yes, the Sun-Times is liberal, having recently endorsed our first Democrat for President since LBJ. We were founded by Marshall Field one week before Pearl Harbor to provide a liberal voice in Chicago to counter the Tribune, which opposed an American war against Hitler. I'm sure you would have sided with the Trib at the time. I understand you believe one of the Sun-Times misdemeanors was dropping your syndicated column. My editor informs me that "very few" readers complained about the disappearance of your column, adding, "many more complained about Nancy." I know I did. That was the famous Ernie Bushmiller comic strip in which Sluggo explained that "wow" was "mom" spelled upside-down. Your column ran in our paper while it was owned by the right-wing polemicists Conrad Black (Baron Black of Coldharbour) and David Radler. We dropped it to save a little money after they looted the paper of millions. Now you call for an advertising boycott. It is unusual to observe a journalist cheering for a newspaper to fail. At present the Sun-Times has no bank debt, but labors under the weight of millions of dollars in tax penalties incurred by Lord Black, who is serving an eight-year stretch for mail fraud and obstruction of justice. We also had to pay for his legal expenses. There is a major difference between Conrad Black and you: Lord Black is a much better writer and thinker, and authored a respected biography about Roosevelt, who we were founded to defend. That newspapers continue to run your column is a mystery to me, since it is composed of knee-jerk frothings and ravings. If I were an editor searching for a conservative, I wouldn't choose a mad dog. My recommendation: The admirable Charles Krauthammer. Bill, I am concerned that you have been losing touch with reality recently. Did you really say you are more powerful than any politician? That reminds me of the famous story about Squeaky the Chicago Mouse. It seems that Squeaky was floating on his back along the Chicago River one day. Approaching the Michigan Avenue lift bridge, he called out: Raise the bridge! I have an erection! (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ###