DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-133, August 27, 2002 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.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 HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 43, week of August 21: BROADCASTS ON WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 BROADCASTS ON RFPI: Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445, 15038.6; webcasts also Tue 1900, Wed 1300 (ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/worx43.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/worx43.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/worx43.html EDITOR`s NOTE: Our main site is back in business, including DXLD 2-132 posted in its usual place WORLD OF RADIO ON WJIE -- monitored Tue Aug 27 at 1200-1229 on 7490; more under USA WORLD OF RADIO ON SPECTRUM RADIO 558, LONDON Glen[n], Thought this item from WRN might interest you; listeners in London & SE England can now here WRN via Spectrum Radio on 558 kHz including World of Radio - this could bring you many more listeners!! Regards, (Richmond Lancaster, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Sat 0800 UT, 0900 BST] Dear Listener, Welcome to a new edition of the WRN Newsletter update with information on programme highlights on WRN's English language networks. If you enjoy the programmes you hear on WRN, then please write, email or fax the relevant broadcaster with your comments and remember to tell them where your heard their programmes! By the way. if you live in the Greater London area, you can temporarily listen to WRN via Spectrum Radio on 558 kHz AM during morning hours. Over the upcoming weeks, Spectrum Radio relays WRN Mondays to Fridays from 0700 to 1300 local time in London, and on the weekend from 0700 to 1200 hours. This service is in addition to the permanent overnight service with WRN programmes on Spectrum Radio. We'd be happy to hear from you whenever you have questions, suggestions or critical remarks. Please send us an email to email@wrn.org or a letter or postcard to World Radio Network, PO Box 1212, London SW8 2ZF, UK. You can also reach us via fax at +44 207 896 9007 or via telephone at +44 20 7896 9010.(WRN via Lancaster, DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. US station in Afghanistan on 864 and 6100 kHz The US radio operation in Afghanistan is currently using 864 kHz (5 kW) and 6100 kHz (1 kW), reports the Charlotte Observer. The station is run by the 8th Psychological Operations Battalion from Kandahar. The studio operates from a truck, concealed under a tent in a US military base. It operates 18 hours a day in Pashtun and Dari. The purpose of the station is to gain popular support for the government of President Hamid Karzai and for the ongoing US hunt for members of al-Qaida and the Taliban. The 8th Psychological Operations Battalion is a subordinate unit of the 4th Psychological Operations Group. The Battalion, stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, is the functional broadcasting and loudspeaker component of the Group. It took over the broadcasts in March 2002, when EC-130E aircraft of the 193rd Special Operations Wing used in the Commando Solo II operation headed home (DXing.info, August 19, 2002 via DXLD) see also NEPAL for 6100! During last couple of days I've heard an unID station (best reception 1630-1700) here. Radio Nepal (\\ 5005) signs-off around 1545 and usually two stations remain on this frequency. The other I presume is Pyongyang. Finally Aug 26, the reception was better and the unID station had similar format that 8700U has. Lots of local music with short announcements by male and female. Those announcements I heard were probably in Dari. Maybe someone in that part of the world could check 6100 and possibly tell what kind of id this station (if it's Kandahar) uses. At 1700 VOA starts on 6105 and destroys my reception on 6100 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Aug 26, DXing.info via DXLD) Station not yet identified but most probably Psyops Kandahar, Afghanistan heard Aug 26 at 1630-1700 on 6100. Details at http://www.dxing.info/community Asia postings. 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Aug 24, 1522 UT, 6100 something (3rd) extremely weak under Korean domestic programn (Korean songs) and unID ?China: Male talk in what is looking like Dari or Pushtu. Korea's signal S6..S7 here, supposed Afghanistan (-10-20dB). Sure, it's worthy. Unfortunately \\ 864 check is impossible here. Korea s-off as late as 1800 (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, BC-DX Aug 24 via DXLD) Korea actually Nepal on new? q.v. 6100 in Ukraine: empty till 1430 Malaysia in Burmese 1430-1530, gradual fading in (S7 at 1520, 23232, splatter from faulty Belarus` 6080). At 1528, just as Malaysia went off, faint traces of 2-3 stations which turned to be Korea and ?Afghanistan (the same like day before: a lot of Afgani songs, man taling, comments with "Afghanistan" mentions frequently) Both: 22232. ?AFG was lost after 1700, KRE hardly traced till s-off 1800 (under heavy +VOA/Russ pressure). Nepal not logged (may be s.off before 1400, then no chances here at all). (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, Aug 26, BC-DX via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. AFGHAN RADIO BROADCASTS NEW GOOD EVENING AFGHANISTAN PROGRAMME | Text of report by Afghan radio on 21 August A new one-hour programme called Good Evening Afghanistan has been added to the daily broadcasts of Radio Afghanistan. Commenting on this, esteemed Gholam Hasan Hazrati, head of broadcasts of Radio Afghanistan, said: [Hazrati] Radio Afghanistan, as a major information, educational and cultural institution, is pleased that parallel to other positive cultural transformations in the country is presenting a new one-hour programme with the name of Good Evening Afghanistan. Dear listeners of Radio Afghanistan can listen to this programme, which include information, entertainment, news, a special programme for young people, music, sport, and weather reports daily from 1800 to 1900 hours [1330 to 1430 gmt] on medium and FM frequencies. Source: Radio Afghanistan, Kabul, in Dari 1600 gmt 21 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) AFGHAN RADIO KABUL CHANGES TIME SCHEDULE FOR PASHTO, DARI NEWS | Text of report by Afghan radio on 24 August [Here is an] announcement from Radio Afghanistan's department for broadcasting: Taking into consideration the seasonal changes as from tomorrow night [25 Aug], the scheduled 1930 hours [1500 gmt] Pashto news will be broadcast at 1900 hours [1430 gmt] and the scheduled 2030 hours [1600 gmt] Dari news will be broadcast at 2000 hours [1530 gmt]. Source: Radio Afghanistan, Kabul, in Pashto 1500 gmt 24 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. TELECOMMUNICATIONS IMPROVING Afghan Communications Minister Masum Stanakzai oversaw the 10 August opening of a mobile-telephone center in Herat, according to Mashhad radio. Locals will now be able to contact foreign countries via mobile phone. This is a notable development because, according to a November 2001 study by Pyramid Research, the Afghan analogue telephone network suffered extensive damage in the fighting of October and November. Pyramid also noted that the country's surviving wireless network covered only Kabul and Kandahar. Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), a joint venture with the government, began providing mobile- telephone service in Kabul in May. It was established in 1999 as a legal alternative to an American firm that could no longer work in Afghanistan due to sanctions. AWCC intends to provide mobile services for Mazar-i-Sharif, Jalalabad, and Kandahar, as well as Kabul and Herat. Ericsson, the Swedish mobile-telephone maker, operates a system for the United Nations in Kabul, the "Financial Times" reported on 23 July. AWCC also owns the equipment being used in Kabul's first Internet cafe, according to a 2 August report from the Afghan News Network. Located in the Intercontinental Hotel, the cafe charges $5 an hour for use of one of its 11 terminals. Administrators use NetNanny to block offensive websites, chat and news groups, and to monitor online activity. There are other developments in Afghan telecommunications. Kabul's Radio Afghanistan reported that under a 7 August protocol signed by the Ministry of Communications and the "U.S. Development Program" (presumably USAID), the United States will connect Kabul's underground cable network, restore machinery and equipment, and supply 75-kilowatt generators and a 5,000-line digital telephone system for Kandahar. The United States will restore communication links between the capital and Badghis, Helmand, Kapisa, Bamian, Kondoz, and Maydan Wardak provinces. The Unted States also will train personnel at the Ministry of Communications. ("RFE/RL Iran Report," 19 August via RFE/RL Media Matters Aug 23 via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN. VOICES OF CONTENTION ON RISE OVER AFGHANISTAN'S AIRWAVES Officials Disagree on Role of Western Values in Creation of Free Press By Pamela Constable, Washington Post Foreign Service Friday, August 23, 2002; Page A18 KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 22 -- As the Afghan government begins to build a modern, state-run television and radio system after five years of neglect and rigid control under the Taliban, officials are grappling with how to define a free press in a country that has never known one. To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51516-2002Aug22.html (via Kraig Krist, VA, DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. Here's a hot tip if you've ever wanted to hear Antarctica. Get on 14243 upper sideband at 0100-0230Z and listen for KC4AAC, Skip, at Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula. Had him fair to good on a longwire with many hams trying to get through the pile-up. Sounds like he gets on the air for an hour or so each day. Get it while it's hot! I know it's not BCB, but Antarctica is not available on MW, and it IS DX! (Art Peterson, Richmond, CA, IRCA Aug 23 via DXLD) Yes, they are on many nights with good signals. Sometimes when the band sounds gone they are still loud. Also KC4AAA is at the South Pole station and KC4USV is McMurdo station. You can QSL most if not all of the Antarctica stations via K1IED. 73 (Craig N0BSA, ibid.) Craig, I remember hearing one of the QSOs mention hearing Skip at "AAA". Now I understand what he meant. Do AAA and USV also use 14243? If not, where? This was really an exciting catch for me. Saw AAC reported for the day before on QRZ's DX Cluster, so I decided to give it a try and was greatly rewarded for the effort! 73, (Art Peterson, ibid.) I listen and am a ham also. 14243 about 0100 many days for AAC; usually around the weekend at about 0500 for Antarctics on 14243, that is USV and sometimes AAA. Occasionally they will both be on and one usually goes to 260. Also try 21275 at 1700 most days. There is an Antarctic net there most of the time. Hope this helps you (Steve KG6GJM, ibid.) ** ARGENTINA. HIMNO NACIONAL OBLIGATORIO Todos los canales de TV y Radios del pais con licencia deberán iniciar sus transmisiones diarias con la emisión del Himno Nacional Argentino. Aquellas difusoras que operen en forma continuada durante las 24 horas tendrán que poner al aire la canción patria a la cero hora. Se trata de una obligación emanada de la Ley 25636 sancionada el 1 de agosto y promulgada por el Poder Ejecutivo Nacional (RTA via deRadio.com via Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Conexión Digital Aug 25 via DXLD) Like a number of other countries, especially Latin American ** ARGENTINA. RAE, Radiodifusion Argentina al Exterior, has now the following NEW e-mail address: rae@radionacional.gov.ar The others continue in use camposrae@fibertel.com.ar and barrera@arg.sicoar.com LRA1 R Nacional Buenos Aires, has now the following NEW e-mail addresses: info@radionacional.gov.ar direccion@radionacional.gov.ar artistica@radionacional.gov.ar operativa@radionacional.gov.ar noticias@radionacional.gov.ar am870@radionacional.gov.ar (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, BC-DX Aug 24 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. RA preview for August 30: 2305 UT Fri.: LINGUA FRANCA - about language. This week: Lexicographer Bruce Moore on the story of the Australian National Dictionary, as told by its editor, Bill Ramson. Ten years in the making, and first published in our bicentennial year, 1988, the Australian National Dictionary is a dictionary of some 10,000 Australianisms, compiled - like the Oxford English Dictionary - on historical principles. That is, the meaning of each Australian addition to the English language is illustrated by dated and referenced quotations. Some 60,000 in all, these provide 'fleeting images' that may be profoundly illuminating, says Bill Ramson. Bruce Moore explains how, in Lexical Images, Bill Ramson guides us through the Australian National Dictionary, showing us what it reveals about Australian culture and history. [Transcript available] (John Figliozzi`s previews, swprograms via DXLD) And repeated UT Sat 0530 ** AUSTRALIA. BROADCAST BAND NEWS Staff of Brisbane Commercial AM'er 4BH are in shock still after what appears to have been a deliberate attack on the radio station's twin broadcasting towers at Wynnum West. 4BH broadcasts on 882 kHz and although now a DMG music station is probably better known from its "glory days" as the Queensland Key Station of the Macquarie Broadcasting Network. Police are investigating an incident just before 9 o'clock Monday Aug 19 which saw both broadcasting towers have their guys cut with what appears to have been bolt cutters, which sent them crashing to the ground, putting the radio station off air, and coming to rest just meters away from a caravan park. The broadcast industry in Brisbane rallied around; SWITCH AM, a public community access station at Long Pocket on 1053 kHz has gone "off air", donating their transmission facility to the Commercial station. 4BH was back on air just 27 hrs later at just some 800 watts, instead of their 5 kW, using a retuned 1053 transmitter and tower, retuned thanks to Radio TAB engineering staff winding some 11 heavy duty inductors. This incident is unprecedented and has ramifications for all commercial radio broadcasters and the Commercial Broadcasters Industry Association has said "While it is hoped that this situation will not occur again it may be advisable for stations to review, and where necessary, upgrade security arrangements at their transmission facilities". This is the same site which saw thieves using bolt cutters gain entry to steal some 2 dozen satellite dishes belonging to Radio TAB early in the year. Allegedly the 4BH studios in suburban Stones Corner were fired upon recently, at least one bullet penetrating an office. It has not been disclosed whether the 3 incidents are related (Q-news Aug 25 via Robin L. Harwood, Norwood, Tasmania, DXLD) John, I cannot tell from this distance, being 1100 miles away from Brisbane. However I do have friends there and also a technical director of a local station here in the city. It does seem it was a random act of destruction as no political demands were made or any other admissions of responsibility. 4BH is an easy listening format station on 882 and is part of the British-backed DMG network. However my local contact reminded me about 10 to 15 years back there was a gang on the mainland, which systematically used to steal operating two-way radio systems including those of the Police and emergency services. Even low-powered broadcast FM relays were taken. Several offenders were eventually caught and were students at a prestigious Melbourne technical facility. Some did have ham licenses but they were revoked upon conviction. Here in Tasmania, only recently solar-power panels of a local ham repeater were stolen from a mountain peak at 4,000 feet and on another occasion the entire 2 meter repeater was taken. The culprits were never apprehended. If I hear anything I shall report it here (Robin VK7RH, swprograms via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. See FINLAND. Also current RVI Radio World audio ondemand has FV remotely reporting on EDXC, and he is only supposed to be away for a couple of weeks. Get well! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Hola amigos; las escuchas de este fin de semana algo afectadas por la explosión solar del sábado. Sony ICF 2010 Antena Hilo Largo del 15 metros. 4845.3, R. ONDAS TROPICAIS. Manaos. 0152-0201* Agosto 18. Música con boleros en español, luego a las 0158 cierre "...Boa noite, amigos da amazônia legal, a Radiodifusora Cultura Ondas Tropicais ZYF 278 en 4845 kHz na faixa de 60 metros en Manaus, Amazonas - - - máxima programação diária, obrigado pela sua audiência; amanhã estaremos juntos novamente pela graça de Deus; boa noite Manáus, boa noite Amazonas, boa noite Brasil..." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CANADA. http://thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1026144565457&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News Aug. 25, 2002. 01:00 AM IT'S OVER AND OUT FOR THE CBC TOWER By Elaine Carey, Staff Reporter [020825_tower.jpg] PHOTOS BY RON BULL/TORONTO STAR ALL DONE: It took all of 3 seconds to pull down the rest of the tower using cables. The iron legs of the tower had been cut earlier into three sections. It took only 3 1/2 seconds yesterday to wipe out one of the most important Canadian cultural landmarks of the last half-century. The original CBC-TV tower at Jarvis and Carleton Sts. the "Eiffel on Jarvis" as one newspaper dubbed it was the site of the first Canadian television signals that went out over the airwaves nearly 50 years ago on Sept. 8, 1952. For the next 24 years, all the programs and entertainers that dominated the Canadian airwaves were beamed from there. Hockey Night in Canada, Wayne and Shuster, Mr. Dressup, Front Page Challenge all emanated from this orange and white tower. "I felt, watching it fall, how simple it is to knock down and take away such extraordinary creativity," said Tony Ross, 73, a retired executive producer of CBC television drama. "It was like coming to the funeral of a beloved friend sad at first, but not sad because of that friend's many achievements." Its demise began in 1976, when the CBC moved its signals to the spanking new CN Tower. Production carried on in the old radio building on Jarvis St. until 1993, when all the CBC staff moved to new quarters on Front St. For nine years, the land stood in limbo. But yesterday, the tower was pulled down by Murray Demolition to make way for the future bigger and better training facilities for the National Ballet School and a condominium complex called Radio City. "I think the community realizes we are revitalizing the site we've received a lot of support," said Lewis Poplak of Context Development Inc., which is building two residential towers and a row of townhouses on its share of the site. "But there is a bit of sadness. A piece of broadcast history came down today." (via Daniel Say, Aug 25, DXLD) ** CHILE. 6009.7, RADIO PARINACOTA. Putre, 0940-1002 Agosto 18. "...bienvenidos a la primera radio de Chile. Radio Parinacota es la radio positiva, es la radio del cambio, es la radio de la comunidad y la gente quiere cada día más... Radio Parinacota, lo mejor de la radio..." Luego a las 1000 "...Radio Parinacota, 94.5 FM, son las 6 de la mañana..." (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CHINA. RADIO STATION BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN JAPAN, CHINA [by] Yasushi Kato BEIJING -- "July's chart topper is Wang Feng's 'In the Rain."' At a China Radio International (Radio Beijing) studio with just two microphones, a recording of the Japanese program "Music Airline" introducing popular Chinese songs was under way... http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=feature&id=300 (via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 4975, ONDAS DEL ORTEGUAZA. Florencia. 2240-2304* Agosto 19. Con bastante irregularidad se escucha esta emisora colombiana tan sólo en el horario de 2230-2300 transmitiendo un programa evangélico llamado Sendas Apostólicas; no escuchada en ningún otro horario. "...Ondas del Orteguaza de Todelar, potencia, experiencia y calidad al servicio de la región..." A las 2301 ID: "...Desde Florencia, Caquetá, ésta es la internacional Ondas del Orteguaza, 1160 AM HJAV, frecuencia de onda corta 4975, HJQA con el sonido del nuevo milenio, Todelar está en todas partes..." luego fuera del aire con corte abrupto (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6060.08, LV de tu Conciencia, 0537 Aug 22, solid S7-9 signal with mostly EZL Latins and very brief anmts by a male, without ID. Frustrating, as this is obviously them. At same time, UNAMSIL is also hrd with weak audio made inaudible by loud static crashes at same level as last night. At 0555 there is an English ID, but I can't quite make out one word. It's: "This is the Voice of . . . transmitting on 6060 shortwave for Colombia and the world. You're listening to the Alcarvan Radio System." Then into Spanish talk for the following 27 mins. SP ID at 0622. Noted the same Spanish ID the following day at 0422, so this seems like a good time to check. No joy, though, at 0522 on Aug 23. Frequency has drifted up tonight to 6060.13 (Volodya Salmaniw, Victoria BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Must be The Voice of Your Conscience, translated (gh, DXLD) 6060.10, La Voz de tu Conciencia, English ID hrd at 0925 after noting that Walt Salmaniw hrd one: "This is the Voice of Your Conscience, transmitting on 6060 SW to Colombia and the world. You are listening to the Alcaravan Radio System." Everything else in Spanish. Good signal. To recap on this one, it starts coming in around 0400 most days, with Spain on 6055 and WYFR on 6065. WYFR closes at 0445, and that clears things out on the topside. Recption is then decent on USB. Spain closes at 0600, leaving Conciencia in the clear until 0900, with just the slightest trace of the Brazilian which varies slightly around 6060.12. Argentina signs on 6060 weekdays at 0900, causing a het and some interference; they are off Sats, which is thus the best day for Conciencia at this hour. Conciencia is dominant even with Argentina there, however, and improves slightly as Argentina weakens. Conciencia is then pretty decent until it too starts weakening around 1015 (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer Aug 24 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** CYPRUS [non]. Re V. of Forgiveness, DXLD 2-132: via FEBA Seychelles site (Wolfgang Büschel, BC-DX Aug 27 via DXLD) ** DENMARK. The Danish Broadcasting Corporation canceled most of its news programming August 19, after about 1200 journalists when on strike. The action against Denmark`s public radio and television broadcaster was announced last week when members of the Danish Union of Journalists voted to reject a proposal for a new wage system. All news programs have been canceled on the broadcaster`s two TV channels. News continues on its four radio channels, but in shorter versions (AP via SCDX/MediaScan Aug 21 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB broadcasts to India are scheduled to end at the end of this year, from their location in Ecuador. They will be picked up by their facility in Kununurra, Australia. 73s (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Amigos: Traten de escuchar el programa DX de HCJB, durante la emision en portugues, los dias domingos UT a las 0100 en 11920 y 12020 kHz, el que se repite los domingos a las 1730 en 15295 kHz. Alli podran escuchar las colaboraciones y participacion del amigo brasileño Celio Romais. 73's y 55`s (Arnaldo Leonel Slaen, C1000WAL Buenos Aires, Conexión Digital via DXLD) That may mean it actually contain DX news Como parte do projeto de valorização dos programas dexistas em língua portuguesa, apoiado pela Coordenação do DXCB, estou colaborando com boletim, gravado em Porto Alegre, no programa DX-HCJB. Vai ao ar, nos sábados, às 0830, em 9745 kHz. Nos domingos, às 0100, em 11920 e 12020 kHz. Também, no domingo, às 1730, em 15295 kHz. Confira! (Célio Romais, @tividade DX via DXLD) Valorização == making them worthwhile ** EUROPE. 15784.84 khz, Sensation AM, es una nueva pirata europea, escuchada en Estados Unidos a 2139+, el 17 Agosto, con música tecno y otras. La misma cerro su transmision a las 2200*, de acuerdo a otro informe. Se identificaba como "Sensation AM from Western Europe", e- mail: sensationam@h... [truncated] SINPO: 24332. QTH: Box 1136, 06201 Merseberg, Alemania. (George Maroti y John Herkimer, USA, en DXplorer via Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** FINLAND. As expected, YLE has today confirmed plans to axe shortwave transmissions in foreign languages except for the Russian service. See the original news item from June at http://www.dxing.info/news/2002_06.dx#yle YLE Administrative Council confirmed today that YLE will concentrate on serving Finns living abroad so that shortwave broadcasts in Finnish and Swedish will continue. Transmissions in English, German and French will end. News production in English for both TV and radio will continue at YLE24, the 24-hour news channel of YLE, but news in English will only be seen domestically on TV and heard on Capital FM. These news are produced by a team of four journalists who started at YLE24 in June. The Council argued that broadcasts in Russian have a significant meaning for the Russian-speaking audience both outside and inside Finland, and should therefore continue. Due to the cutbacks, Radio Finland is currently negotiating about laying off seven journalists who have produced programming in English, German and French. [Later] Just received a message from Mr. Juhani Niinistö, Head of International Radio at YLE, with some more details: "The Administrative Council of YLE has decided (August 26th) to close down international radio services in English, German and French. Services for Finnish nationals abroad in Finnish and Swedish will continue unchanged. Broadcasts in Russian will continue as well. The decision will reduce the annual transmitter hour volume of YLE Radio Finland from (2002) 46422 to 45122 hours. YLE will continue domestic relays of international broadcasting on its FM (and DAB) frequencies in Finland. These include today stations such as ABC Australia, BBC, NPR, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, Radio France Inteternationale, China Radio International, CBC, Danish Radio, Radio Vaticana, RNE Todo Noticias, SABC, and others. News in English for domestic radio and TV in Finland will continue to be produced by YLE24. Programming in English has been produced by YLE in 1939-1957 and again from 1967. German aired 1939-1945 and again from 1985, French 1939- 1957 and again from 1987-. Since 1999 YLE international radio production in English, German and French has been produced with mainly domestic listening in mind. Broadcast time were changed to serve domestic prime time listening, mainly mornings. International distribution continued both on short wave and on satellites - though the volume was greatly reduced from earlier levels. The English half hour, for example, has been airing in three half hour beamings (was 11 reruns/beamngs in the early 90s). The closing dates for the services have not been decided." (Mika Mäkeläinen, Aug 26, DXing.info via DXLD) ** FINLAND. The EDXC Conference 2002 was held last weekend in Yyteri, Pori, Finland and judging from the feedback the meeting was a big success. The weathers were gorgeous, the Yyteri national park area absolutely magnificent and the programme with its several specialities worked. The www-pages of the meeting will be available up to 20th of September at http://www.sdxl.org/edxc/edxc2002 Altogether 130 dxers, shortwave listeners and representatives of international radio stations attended the meeting. Over 20 of them also joined the visit to Tallinn, Estonia. The only sad thing of this conference was that in Tallinn our friend from Radio Vlaanderen International, Mr. Frans Vossen injured his knee badly and he had to stay a couple of days at a hospital in Tallinn, before he was last Wednesday transported to Brussels. A bigger surgery operation is needed, and this has probably taken place today. So Frans will be off the air for maybe a couple of months. We wish him a good recovery. As the chairman of the organizing committee I want to thank all organizers, programme presenters and all attendees for making the Yyteri meeting unforgettable. 73 (Risto Vahakainu, FDXA via swprograms via DXLD) ** FINLAND. 11720-LSB, Scandanavian Weekend Radio via Virrat heard 6 April 2002 at 1359-1406. SINPO=12211. QSL#286 + personal note, v/s "Frank" + T-shirt offer + 10 stickers + tourist information received in 123 days from Suomi, Finland. Responding to my mail DX Report + audio tape + $2 + Play Cowboy brochure (George Glotzbach, Santa Fe NM, Cumbre DX Aug 22 via DXLD) ** GEORGIA. R. Georgia in German 0700-0730 11805 Aug 25 (not at 0600 UT as in published schedule). (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX via DXLD) Wonder if any or all the other times, including English also an hour off; station confusion about DST conversion?? (gh, DXLD) ** GERMANY. DAB: see UK [non] ** GUYANA. GBC Georgetown confirmed today my reception report dated 16 Dec 98 by letter signed by S. Goodman, Chief Engineer. This station was in no hurry to answer (770d after f/up, 1348d in total). 73, (Enzio Gehrig, Denia / Spain, Aug 26, hard-coe-dx via DXLD) ** HAITI. 840, 4VEH, 0000-0400 24 Aug, Haitian kreyol gospel programming all evening, fair peaks through much stronger "W" Santa Clara; one semi-readable "katwa ve e ash" YL ID around 0130 during promo for some kind of conference, but really clinched at 0358 with the traditional "Amazing Grace" organ-chime IS. Been a while, glad to hear it again. Am not aware of any other Haitian MWers making it out of the country these days (David Crawford, Titusville FL , Corazón DX via DXLD) ** ITALY. 7306U khz, Radio Europe, estuvo en el aire el pasado fin de semana desde las 2100-2200*, utilizando un transmisor de 500 watts con un programa especial producido en ocasión del 50 Aniversario del JSWC (Japan Short Wave Club). Su operador dice textualmente: "... a las 2200 la frecuencia será destruida por Dios en persona via Radio Vaticana con 1200 KW...", por eso finalizan sus emisiones a las 2200* (Radio Europe, en SW-Pirates, via Enrique A. Wembagher, Conexión Digital via DXLD) No tanto ** JAPAN. Detailed description in English about Japanese amateurs` campaign against PLC, presented by Dr. Cosy Muto (JH5ESM) of the JARL Technical Board on Electrical Environment at "HAM FAIR 2002" held in Tokyo on August 24/25, can be downloaded from http://www.qsl.net/jh5esm/JARLcampaignPLCe.pdf At "HAM FAIR 2002", 50th anniversary convention of Japan Shortwave Club, founded in July, 1952, was also held. 3 founder members lectured on DXing in the '50s. Participants were surprised to know that the late Mr. Arne Skoog was the 4th member of the club! (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Aug 27, BC-DX via DXLD) I was also member for a while (gh, DXLD) ** KAZAKHSTAN [non]. PAPER REPORTS NEW OPPOSITION RADIO BROADCASTING TO KAZAKHSTAN FROM ABROAD | The following is the text of a report entitled: "A ghost radio" by Kazakh newspaper Vremya on 20 August "Hello, you are listening to Dat Radio" which is for the independent residents of independent Kazakhstan. This is how a mysterious radio station with a bright political hue starts broadcasting at 0800 hours [0100 gmt] every morning. The radio that has the name of the former opposition newspaper has emerged from nowhere. Judging from the fact that the station is broadcasting on short wave its office is located abroad. The Dat radio station broadcasts on 31m shortwave. Its programmes can be heard on the Internet in real time and recorded. The programmes of unidentified authors are aired between 0800 and 0900 hours [0100-0200 gmt] and between 2200 and 2300 hours [1500-1600 gmt]. Programmes are based on open analytical materials about the political situation in the country and the names and surnames of high-ranking officials are also mentioned during the programmes. The opposition parties do not take responsibility for the radical project. According to representatives of the Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan [RPPK] and the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, they have nothing to do with the new radio station. In the corridors of political power, they say that Dat Radio is nothing but another trick of the former prime minister, Akezhan Kazhegeldin [who is the RPPK leader and is now living abroad]. Source: Vremya, Almaty, in Russian 20 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** KAZAKHSTAN [non]. GHOST RADIO. A new, independent radio station, DAT, is on the air for a few hours a day, but the Almaty paper "Vremya" claimed the station is "taken seriously in the corridors of power," according to "The Voice of Democracy" of 21 August. The regime may see DAT as a threat to its efforts to control public access to information, but the "ghost radio" station lies outside Kazakhstan's borders, broadcasting via short wave (31m) and on the Internet. "Vremya" reported that DAT focuses on the Kazakh political situation and publicizes the names of corrupt high-ranking officials. The station takes its name from an opposition newspaper that was closed down by the government for publishing news that displeased it. http://www.vremya.ru http://news.bbc.co.uk http://datradio.com (Catherine Cosman, editor, RFE/RL Media Matters Aug 23 via DXLD) R DAT, 9775 kHz, at 1536-1555 (carrier off 1600 only), Aug 24, Russian programming, 2(=S2-S8)5333, lots of static, so no QRM, adjacent or co- channel. What I could detect was a sudden splash seconds prior to 1600: BBC-Cyprus 9780 opening in Serbian, but Yemen was detectable underneath it in the silence between the TS and opening announcements over the BBC, which merely consisted on very brief news headlines (Carlos Goncalves, Portugal, BC-DX via DXLD) 9775, R. DAT, at 0110 Aug 22, checked this and heard what I believe was them at good level mixing with co-channel VOA. Mostly language talks by man with brief organ-sounding music breaks between items, then more talk. No ID heard but ments of Kazakhstan, "Democratic" (or similar). Format continued until I tuned out 0130 (John Herkimer, NY, DXplorer via BC-DX via DXLD) ** LATVIA/USA. RFE MOVE TO RIGA TO BE DECIDED SOON | Excerpt from report in English by Baltic news agency BNS Riga, 21 August: Radio Free Europe said it would decide in the coming two months whether it would move to Riga. Representatives of Radio Free Europe and Latvia's National Radio and Television Council (NRTVC) in meeting Wednesday [21 August] discussed possibilities to ensure radio's operations in Latvia, acquiring of frequency and broadcasting in foreign languages, said the NRTVC deputy chairwoman. Daina Kezbere told BNS the radio officials "gathered information" from the council about technical matters like frequency acquisition procedure, satellite broadcasting. The NRTVC told the radio's officials that Radio Free Europe will be able to broadcast in foreign languages because the broadcasting will not be in Latvia but will be broadcasting abroad which is not subject to restrictions for the use of foreign languages. The radio officials meanwhile said they were satisfied with location of Latvia's public television LTV on Zakusala island in Riga but said the offered premises were insufficient as they will provide enough space for just 200 out of the radio's total staff of 700. They also said it is unclear how the radio's tight security measures would be able to "co-habit with others from security point of view,"," said Kezbere. The NRTVC also said Latvia does not have legislation regulating Internet media - programmes of the Radio Free Europe can be listened to also in the Internet. On Thursday the radio officials will meet the Riga city council leadership and Prime Minister Andris Berzins. The premier in mid-May offered Radio Free Europe to move to Riga after a respective proposal was floated by Uldis Grava, the former employee of Radio Free Europe who at present is LTV director general. The premier sees the proposal as a gain for Latvia's prestige and economy as well as for the multi-storey building of LTV in Zakusala, which is not fully inhabited... Source: BNS news agency, Tallinn, in English 1133 gmt 21 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) RADIO FREE EUROPE SHOULD BE SAFE IN RIGA - AUTHORITIES | Excerpt from report in English by Baltic news agency BNS Riga, 26 August: The Latvian law enforcement authorities said they are ready to undertake responsibility for the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty security against possible terrorist acts if the radio decides to move its headquarters to Riga. Latvian Interior Minister Mareks Seglins, Latvian Interpol office deputy chief Edgars Strautmanis and Security Police chief Janis Reiniks told BNS the Radio Free Europe should be safe in the Latvian capital... Latvian premier in mid-May offered the Radio Free Europe to move to Riga after a respective proposal was floated by Uldis Grava, the former employee of Radio Free Europe who at present is the public Latvian Television (LTV) director-general. The radio officials said they were satisfied with location of LTV building on Zakusala island in Riga but said the offered premises were insufficient as they will provide enough space for just 200 out of the radio's total staff of 700. The question of relocation of Radio Free Europe from its present building in the centre of Prague soared after 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States as the Czech government said it was not sure it could guarantee the radio's security. Source: BNS news agency, Tallinn, in English 0628 gmt 26 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** LATVIA. See UK [non] for R. Festival reports ** LEBANON. BROADCASTING CONFUSION IN LEBANON Broadcasting in Lebanon is in a state of confusion in the run-up to the government's mid-September deadline for broadcasters to conform to the 1994 media law. In the past eight years, a number of radio and TV stations that were already operating before the law was passed have simply continued broadcasting. But on 11 July this year, the government decided to crack down on these stations, and passed a series of measures designed to bring them into line. These include applying for a licence, and paying fees to the Information Ministry. The problem is that the new measures do not specifically exempt Christian and Muslim broadcasters, even though they were exempted from the licence requirement in 1996 by a decision of the Cabinet. Officials at two Christian stations, Tele-Lumière and Sawt al-Mahabba (Radio Voice of Charity), say they will not apply for a licence unless the 1994 media law is amended to include a special section regulating religious stations. Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports that officials from the Catholic Information Center met on Tuesday, in the presence of two legal experts, to discuss developments. They decided that as long as the media law does not include a section regulating religious media, the two Catholic stations "cannot apply" for a licence. They decided to press MPs working on a new media bill to include a religious section in the new law, which can be used as a basis for deciding the legal status of the stations. According to Father Abdo Abu Kasm, the head of the Catholic Information Center, the stations cannot afford the annual fees paid by commercial stations. Kasm's claim is disputed by the Head of the National Audiovisual Media Council, Abdel-Hadi Mahfouz, who described the attitude of the religious stations as a ‘rebellion'. According to Mahfouz, stations that choose not to apply for a licence to avoid paying fees can broadcast their specialised programmes through state-run Tele-Liban and Radio-Liban. However, they would then no longer be regarded as independent entities. At the same time, the government has denied that the religious broadcasters will be forced off the air if the situation remains unresolved by the deadline. So it remains to be seen what will happen (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 21 August 2002 via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. Hola amigos, El sábado en la noche de 2320-0002* a través de los 5470 Khz pude escuchar una emisora identificándose como Radio Veritas, con música y sonidos típicamente africanos y mencionando Monrovia y Liberia. Revisé tanto el WRTH y el PWBR pero en ninguno menciona esta frecuencia; además según estos la Radio Veritas desde Liberia ésta(ba?) inactiva. Aunque esto es fuera de mi escucha regular me parece interesante reportarla, ya que la señal era muy fuerte; además alguien tiene mayor información sobre esta emisora? (Rafael Rodríguez R., Colombia, Aug 26, Conexión Digital via DXLD) RADIO VERITAS EXTENDS AIRTIME According to as report in Monrovian Newspaper The News, the Catholic owned Radio Veritas yesterday (22 August) began a new broadcast season on both FM and shortwave. The station has also increased its broadcast from 12 to 18 hours a day. The most recently reported frequencies are 3450 and 5470 kHz. (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 23 August 2002 via DXLD) 5469.96, have been listening since 2230 Aug 26; mediocre signal but improving, definitely English, definite mention of Liberia at 2245. Taking phone calls, giving tel. no of (I think) 227697, heard studio side of telephone conversations, listener side very low. Talking about politicians, elections. 2253, it's them: two R Veritas IDs, mention of 5470 SW, religious promo. (One of the announcers comes through very well, other speakers so-so.) Into religious talk, Lord's Prayer 2259, ID with 5470 freq ancd again, into light vocals. Program stopped 2302, carrier off (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer via BC-DX via DXLD) ** MALI. RTVM 9634.45 kHz at 1600 Aug 24 putting a very weak signal and under severe adjacent QRM. 11960 was inaudible. R Mali this evening, and still as I compile this, fair on 5995 kHz but a terrible mess on 4835, where I cannot even adequately measure the QRG due to what's been on for days now - RTTY QRM; the always poorer 4783v kHz outlet cannot be tracked down due to utility; only a faint broadcast signal is heard, probably not from Bamako, but then today's been adverse re. conditions as lots of static is present. R. Bamako noted extremely weak this late afternoon, i.e. 25 Aug prior to 1800, on both 31 and 41 mb where they were only detectable when zero-beating the QRGs, but 41 mb was a little bit better, just enough to hear they were airing some football match report. At 1800, they appeared on 4834.4 kHz, initially 25342, though improving fast and without being molested by the adjacent utility. Stn* which was already present, to a point that, at 1900, reception was very good; the \\ 5995 kHz outlet also s-on 1800, rated 24231 with a minor adjacent QRM level de Ethiopia 5990, but the main problem was on 5995 itself, a Chinese that was a mess with what appeared to be tiny signals perceived underneath. Speaking of "underneath", just prior to 1800, R Australia's 10 kW Brandon site could be heard s-off with the IS. Like yesterday, 24 Aug, Bamako 11960 kHz was again inaudible, this time observed prior to its s-off schedule too, i.e. 1800. *) Does any one know which RTTY stn is on 4834.23 kHz (i.e. if I could measure its QRG correctly)? (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX Aug 24-25 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. "AL INSTANTE"... TE ENTERASTE Decía yo que hace años que no cambiaban las series informativas en el dial nacional, y por ello quiero mencionar que ha llegado a la capital mexicana uno más de los pocos, poquísimos programas fuereños para ser transmitidos en el ombligo del mundo; me refiero al noticiario ``Al instante``, con Guillermo Garduño, que se transmite también desde la semana pasada a través del 830 de AM Radio Capital. Sí, sí, ya sé que yo aquí he dicho hasta el cansancio que no entiendo o no entendía el nacimiento de Radio Capital, antes frecuencia donde se transmitía Estadio W de índole deportiva, pero, bueno, ya he ido entendiendo un poco más de por qué una emisora musical se atreve a decirse: ``Radio Capital, el hogar de la verdad``... Y ¿sabe por qué es? Pues porque esta emisora, cuyo origen de señal viene de Toluca, del 1040 de AM, es parte del grupo radiofónico MAC. ¡Pero qué es eso de Grupo MAC! Sencillo: es un grupo de emisoras de la ciudad capital del estado de México que pertenece al señor Luis Maccise Uribe, socio reciente de la familia Ibarra de Grupo ACIR, pero que ha ido trabajando mucho en la fortificación del sistema mexiquense de noticias. ¿Cómo les quedó el ojo? Es decir, cómo nos quedó la oreja ahora que es más claro quién se quedó con la bolita del 830 de AM, que si bien no volverá a ser la XELA buena música, ni volverá a ser administrada por la familia Fernández de Grupo Imagen, sí está transformándose en una emisora que inserta preventivos para hablar del abuso, de la violencia intrasocial y hasta acerca de la inseguridad pública (La ventana ciega-Claudia Segura (8/21/2002) ``Hoy por hoy`` y ``Al instante`` la radio noticiosa ¿cambia? via Héctor García Bojorge, Conexión Digital via DXLD) The 830 facility in DF has changed again, from sportstalk Estadio W to Radio Capital, but still not back to classical XELA (gh, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Found a new link from a Finnish website "KOMEX" that has list of Mexican BCB stations with slogans/power/location: http://www.pp.clinet.fi/~ejh/radio/komex1.htm 73's Steven Wiseblood, AB5GP, Boca Chica Beach, TX, Corazón DX Aug 26 via DXLD) ** NEPAL. Radio Nepal heard on 6100 // 5005 Aug 25 and 26. Both frequencies signed off at about 1545 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) During the past few days noted R Nepal is testing 6100 (still unannounced) only in the afternoon but from this morning 25th Aug they've started the morning service as well on 6100 kHz at 2345 hrs onwards. But both 5005 and the new 6100 kHz are closing at 1545 (some days a minute later). They've extended the MW transmission till 1815 while SW is closing at 1545. They've revised the English News timings which are now at 0215, 0815, 1415 and 1745 hrs - all 10 minute duration. The last one at 1745 is only available on MW (Alok Dasgupta, Kolkata, India, Aug 25, BC-DX via DXLD) I can't remember who in India it was that reported Nepal on 6100 kHz for daytime broadcast. I need to give him credit for it. Checked it and found them very much there around 1200, much better signal than on 5005 which was in \\ 25/8/2002. Should propagate to WCNA. Guy? Malaysia s-on around 1300 on 6100 and it should be a mess then (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Aug 26 via BC-DX via DXLD) Another new occupant of 6100: See AFGHANISTAN ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. NBC PRIVATIZATION CALLED OFF Radio Australia reports that the Director General of Papua New Guinea's National Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Kristoffa Ninkama, has announced that the proposed privatization plan has been called off. Dr. Ninkama said that NBC is the only means of information for much of the country - where a commercial service may not be viable - and it is important that it remain a government entity (RN Media Network 26 August 2002 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. Dear Mr Glenn Hauser: To keep you advised on our ongoing tests, from Radio América: Transmissions continue, 24 hours per day, on 7300 and on 7737 kHz. The frequency 7300 remains beamed toward Buenos Aires. The frequency 7737 is beamed at 4 degrees, from Magnetic North. We have had excellent results from the tests, on these frequencies, in our primary coverage region. I noted in your column that Señor Tony Jones affirms that our tests are non-existent. I would invite Señor Jones to stop by Radio América, in Ñemby, at his convenience, to tour the new transmitter site, as our guest of honour! Señor Jones may reach us at (Asunción telephone) 960 228, or 964 100. Thus far, we have received DX reports, for the 7 MHz frequencies from Argentina, Bolívia, Brasil, Paraguay, Canada and Norway. For the 15 MHz test, we received one, extremely correct report, from Germany. We are continuing to fine-tune and strengthen the equipment. The antenna for 7737 has been rebuilt. With best regards from Paraguay. (Adán Mur, Technical Advisor, Radiodifusión América, Asunción, Paraguay, ramerica@rieder.net.py Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 9504.91, Radio Tacna, Tacna. 1046-1120 August 24. Spanish transmission. Commentary about Peru and CEPAL organization. Check time: "Son las 5 de la mañana con 50 minutos". Weather report: "repasamos el pronóstico regional..."; greetings: "saludos a toda nuestra audiencia que nos escucha...". Commentary about the relations Peru-Chile. Commentary about President Toledo. News from CNN in Spanish at 1102 UT. ID and ann.: "Vamos a la pausa aquí, en Radio Tacna". Local ads.: "Banco de materiales", "Colgate Palmolive", "Moviestar Plus", etc. Program: "La noticia en Tacna". Complete ID as: Por el pasado glorioso de nuestra tierra, por una patria próspera... y por el sueño de nuestros antepasados... es Radio Tacna, transmitiendo en el mes de su... aniversario de la emisora y en el mes de la reincorporación de Tacna a la integridad nacional". 33433 with QRM from Radio Record, São Paulo, Brazil, on 9505 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Next August 28 is the 62nd anniversary of R. Tacna. This station is active on SW these days. Reception reports to: Ing. Alfonso Caceres Contreras scaceres@viabcp.com (Arnaldo Leonel Slaen, Argentina, DXplorer Aug 25 via BC-DX viax DXLD) ** PERU. 6140.9, CPN RADIO. Arequipa. 2302-2325. Agosto 17. "...CPN en Chimbote le informa mejor..." "...Desde Lima para todo el Perú y el mundo, CPN Radio, Cadena Peruana de Noticias se complace en presentar el servicio informativo; el más completo equipo periodístico con la información al instante desde el lugar de los hechos..." mencionan la pagina web en http://www.cpnradio.com.pe 6895.4, RADIO SAN MIGUEL DE EL FAIQUE. El Faique, 2350-0010 Agosto 19. Música peruana en el programa Sentimiento Popular, anuncios de Comercial Sánchez, Transportes San José, Mueblería Moyobamba. "...a esta hora compartiendo la sintonía de la Radio San Miguel de El Faique la grande..." Notada con buena señal, libre de la interferencia de RTTY y emisiones ilegales (Rafael Rodríguez R., Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. Philippine Radio Network Celebrates 50th Anniversary RMN Networks, formerly the Radio Mindanao Network, celebrates its 50th anniversary on 28 August. The network was founded by Henry R. Canoy, who opened radio station DXCC in Cagayan de Oro on 28 August 1952. Canoy and a friend built their first transmitter using instructions in amateur radio manuals, but they couldn't get it to work, so they sought the help of two engineers from the Far East Broadcasting Company. The FEBC donated two transformers to get the transmitter on the air. The new station, however, was unlicenced. But its popularity, together with the help of a member of parliament, secured DXCC a 25- year licence. Canoy opened stations in other parts of Mindanao, and named it the Radio Mindanao network. He had no ambitions to broadcast elsewhere, but was eventually persuaded to expand the network nationally, and it now has more than 50 radio and TV stations across the country. This week, the founding chairman is being honoured by his family and friends in simple ceremonies to be held in Cagayan de Oro. (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 26 August 2002 via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. A short time ago I joyfully informed you RRI in English at 0700-0800 UT was on 21480 kHz. They were not there during the last three days. Today, 14 August, I identified RRI in English on 21530, as per schedule. There is a strong station in Greek on 21530. 21480 is empty. What a shame! Best wishes (David Crystal, 19125 Israel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SIERRA LEONE. R. UNAMSIL: I tried them around 0615 Aug 21 and was surprised at the signal, mostly rap music with talk in language interspersed. Went into English at 0625 and presented a UN program that reviewed international events on this date during past years, rock music in background. English program preview before continuing in English at 0632 with another announcer whose voice was more muffled, and going out by 0700. Static, but still pretty decent, tho never did get explicit ID. Conciencia good at 6060.08 as well at that time, strong signal, good audio. UNAMSIL there tonight as well, 0400 Aug 22, not quite as good level as last night, and QRMed, but should improve. I would put freq at 6137.83 (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. There will be a special daily transmission from Meyerton Radio Station (Bloemendal). This is from Channel Africa to inform people about the events etc. at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This conference will be in Sandton just north of Johannesburg, South Africa. It will be daily from 1100 to 1500 UT on three transmitters. From Monday 26 August to Friday 30 August and from Monday 2 September to Thursday 5 September. 1 = 21765 kHz 328 2 = 17725 kHZ 19 3 = 11720 kHz 5 Regards, (André du Toit, http://home.mweb.co.za/an/andre46 via GRDXC via John Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD) Nothing audible here Aug 27 around 1400 on 21765, and 17725 had heavy adjacent splash (gh, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I suspect much of the programming will be available on-demand. There was a 12-part prep series dating back to this past February through August that is available on-demand from the Channel Africa website. It's a good series. Separately, I noted the following text on the Channel Africa website: "Dear listeners, over the past few weeks we have been engaging in a new format of programming on a trial basis. We now offer you more in depth features on a variety of topics. "If you have any comment on our new format, we would like to hear from you. Write to Channel Africa P.O. Box 91313, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa" I haven't been to the Channel Africa website in quite a while. It looks like there's a lot of programming available in addition to what goes out over shortwave. Main web page URL: http://www.channelafrica.org/index.html Shortwave schedule: http://www.channelafrica.org/schedule.html What is nice is that on-demand audio is available sorted by date and time of broadcasts (just like RNW does) as well as by program -- as the BBC and DW do. Nice to get it both ways (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA Aug 24, ibid.) [I guess this be the same event under slightly different name:] Radio Earth Summit Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) has launched its own radio station and Web site http://www.radioearthsummit.org/ called Radio Earth Summit. Radio Earth Summit is primarily focused on gathering stories from people who have been affected by the activities of multinational corporations. FoEI is uploading new interviews to the website all the time during the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. In addition, the site will be streaming a half-hour radio programme every hour on the hour. Every evening at 1900 UT, starting from Monday 26 August 26th, the Radio Earth Summit programme is being broadcast via the WorldSpace AfriStar satellite on WSSD Radio and local community radio stations. This signal will be picked up by selected terrestrial broadcasters, who will then utilise and relay WSSD Radio's signal via their own local and international FM, shortwave and mediumwave networks (RN Media Network Aug 26 via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. 4902, SLBC Ekala, 1945 Aug 22, presumed full moon service with chanting. Fair-good signal (Paul Ormandy, Oamaru, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Indeed 22nd Aug was a Full Moon day. It is the sabbath of the Buddhists. It is also a public holiday. Bars, cinemas and shops are closed on this day. 4902 was booming in this night. By the way the English transmission on 4940 is back on the air after repairs to the transmitter (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Aug 23 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- We're happy to announce that Anne Sseruwagi has been appointed as the new head of Radio Sweden, replacing Finn Norgren, who is working on a development project in Rwanda. Our new boss comes from Swedish Public Radio's Finnish service Sisuradio. JAN STENBECK Swedish media mogul Jan Stenbeck died Monday of a heart attack at the age of 59. After inheriting his father`s steel and forestry empires, in the late 80´s Stenbeck started to take on former Scandinavian public monopolies in broadcasting and telecommunications, as well as developing new Internet and broadband services. I've often referred to Stenbeck as a Rupert Murdoch wannabe, but Stenbeck was a far bigger fish in the Scandinavian pond than Murdoch is in the global ocean. Murdoch just owns media companies, albeit very large and powerful ones (and operates some pretty poor websites). Stenbeck's empire embraces several of Scandinavia's most popular satellite TV stations, one of the region's two digital satellite subscription services, key radio networks, Sweden's third largest cable network, a major Internet Service Provider and one of Sweden's most important broadband networks as well as a significant web portal, Sweden's second largest telephone company, and one of the country's three GSM operators. Add to that a large share in the country's only terrestrial commercial TV channel, TV4, other broadcasting interests in the Baltic region, and the international chain of "Metro" free newspapers, and there's a lot of synergy there, and unlike some, Stenbeck used that synergy advantageously. For example, one of his radio stations (Metro FM 101.9) has just relaunched in a request-only format. But to make a request you have to find the number of the song you want (either in the newspaper "Metro" or on the Metro website) and then send an SMS (which costs 50 cents, and since the group owns a GSM operator revenue is earned there as well). So the station earns money for requests off its existing play list for the music that it has to fill the time with anyway. In an earlier example of forward-thinking synergy, when the Internet boom had just started, you could surf the web using TV3's teletext service, by making a phone call where an automatic voice directed you to a particular teletext page. You could tab between links on the page and choose the one you wanted using telephone tones. The idea never caught on, and is totally out of date now, but it was a great idea. Right now all the pundits and politicians are saying the usual nice things about Jan Stenbeck, about how progressive-thinking he was, and how he took on the public monopolies. According to former employees, there was a dark side as well. Stenbeck was a very hands-on employer, and many of his underlings have complained about their treatment. Pundits here say he introduced an "American" style of management, which for Swedes means strict hierarchy, absolute obedience, and a quickness to fire employees that staggered this consensus-driven nation. Stenbeck's recent take-over of the business newspaper "Finanstidning" and subsequent firing of much of its staff as he merged it with another of his publications caused an uproar among both employees and the Swedish Journalists Federation. Tuesday's e-mail newsletter from that new entity, "Finans-Vision", is a eulogy to Jan Stenbeck. There's a slideshow of photos from his life at: http://www.finansvision.com/bilder/bildspel2.GIF Despite Stenbeck's death his Swedish entry in the America`s Cup yacht race, Victory Challenge, continues. This might be partially because the boat´s main sponsor, Stenbeck´s TV3, has bought the television rights for the race in 10 countries, including the Scandinavian region. The pundits also say without Stenbeck his empire's finances are shakey, and predict that some parts may have to be sold off. Is this a golden opportunity for Rupert and News Corp to buy their way into Scandinavia? (George Wood, SCDX/MediaScan Aug 21 via DXLD) ** SYRIA [non]. 12085/12115/9950. 9950.0, 0338- Aug 21, Sout Al Watan. Solid S7 signal with Arabic vocals and instrumentals. A presumed logging. In the clear except for a lot of atmospheric noise tonight. Badly faded to just readable at 0356 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 12115, Sout al Watan at *1500-1530*. Noted with transmitter on at 1452 with modulated carrier. Abrupt sign-on with patriotic song, sign-on comments in Arabic by male and female speakers, interspersed with the same patriotic song. Into Kor`an reading (10 mins long due to Friday's Holy Day to Muslims). Then a selection of rustic string and drum vocal music to abrupt s-off with no annts at 1530. Signal was solid, strong and a full s8 at times. 12085 - a stn heard here as early as 1448 in Arabic but not \\ with 12115 (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, DXplorer Aug 23 via BC-DX via DXLD) Today Aug 21, Syria was back on 12085 before 1500 too. The clandestine came on with open carrier about 1445 and caused a SAH with Syria. Syria went off just after 1500 and the clandestine started its program around 1501, maybe starting late in order to allow for Syria to clear the frequency? The first five mins of the program consisted of a filler song, before they ran the usual Watani Habibi with announcements interspersed (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX via DXLD) Syria 12085 is heard again today Aug 23 with the daytime Arabic sce. The buzz noise seems to have gone from the audio, but audio level is still very low. It does seem more than coincidence that this one goes off and then the clandestine takes over the frequency. Watan is obviously not a Syrian transmitter - unless it's one we don't know about. Could it be a form of "black propaganda" - i.e., seeming to be a clandestine, but actually not, or having some hidden meaning that we haven`t yet understood?? 12115 is currently carrier only at 1457 and peaking to 7, dropping down below 3. It has started about 10 secs before the hour - and I note that 12085 has also done so before Syria went off c1501:30. Signal level on this one is peaking occasionally to 6 and also dropping below 3 (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX via DXLD) I couldn`t positively ID the signal heard c0830 today on 12085 as Syria. If it was them, the signal was much weaker than previously. However, it was noted on air at 1435 at S7 but with low audio. Syria is definitely on air this morning on 12085 and S7 to 9+ at c0650. I could hardly hear any audio, but the background noise makes ID certain - and it is still around S7 at 0800 (Noel R. Green-UK, Aug 25-27, BC- DX via DXLD) ** TIBET. 9490, China Tibet People's B/C Co. "Holy Tibet" b/c, full- data paper QSL with stamp and info ltr, postcard of Lhasa, sked of the CH and Tibetan svcs; in 32 days. Address on return envelope: "Holy Tibet" China Tibet People's B/C Co., Lhasa, 850000 PRC. V/S Tsering Yuzen, Tibetan Svc. It's up on DXplorer Sight & Sound (Ed Kusalik, Alberta, DXplorer via BC-DX via DXLD) V. of Holy Tibet in English was heard here Aug 20 at 1630 on 4905, 4920, 5240, 6130 and 7185 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. We will soon have worldwide TV in good quality over the net! Have a look at the live feed for BBC World at http://www.lyngsat.com/livetv/United-Kingdom.shtml It's much much better than the BBC's own very poor QuickTime feed (Mike Terry, UK, BDXC-UK Aug 25 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. LATVIA, 5935 kHz um 1929 UT Tourist R Riga / R Festival 2002: Musik von Brian Ferry, Marianne Faithful, um 2003 UT Danksagung an Jene die diese Programme erwoeglichen (u.a. KRUPS TV, Latvia Telecom), danach ein Programm mit dem Namen "Media Zone" oder "Media Zoom". (Patrick Robic, Austria, A-DX, Aug 24 via BC-DX via DXLD) Media Zoo! i.e. Tiergarten (gh, DXLD) 5935, R Festival, at 2152-2202*, I checked at 2130 for this and found a weak carrier. When I rechecked at 2152 it was already in at nice level. Caught the end of pop mx progr (Cher, Pointer Sisters), canned announcement 2159 featuring little kid giving ID, then British- accented announcer with IDs, program announcements for next day`s broadcast, E-mail address, mentions of R. Caroline, etc., but a little tough getting all the details. Off 2202* in mid-song ("We Built This City" by Jefferson Starship). They are on again today (Sunday). (John Herkimer, NY, DXplorer Aug 24 via BC-DX via DXLD) 5935, Tourist R. Riga was heard at 1952 Aug 24 with SIO 422 (Q + R Rossii), at 2112 SIO 444 but maybe not so perfect audio, close-down at 2205. Some music, IDs, Laser 558 mentioned. tomorrow at 17 BST (or UT?). festival@mediazoo.co.uk (Igor ibid. [sic], hardcore dx Aug 24 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** U K [non]. "Bible Voice Broadcasting Network" -- To keep the chronicle complete some notes about yet another gospel huxter who recently appeared on the airwaves: Yesterday (Aug 25) the 11645 transmission was preceded by MCCBN run-up tones of about 760 Hz; probably Tbilisskaya is the origin of the signal. On the contrary, 7425 crash-started at 1758. Probably the transmissions are Merlin services, including but not limited to Russian sites. I found no further information about the organizations behind the "Bible Voice Broadcasting Network" so far; the http://www.biblevoice.org URL obvious from the reported mail address strangely redirects to the site of an Internet service provider http://www.netgates.co.uk (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CANADA [sic]. 7430 High Adventure Canada. 1700-1815 Aug 21. Good with Russian/Amharic and English language programming. Different from High Adventure US who broadcast via Juelich (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I just tuned 7430 and a carrier appeared at 1655 and started on/off tones - Russian like - but these were very high tones. Signal peaking to 7 or 8 but with static bursts. At c1759:45 music started and a man in English gave an ID followed by another language which I don`t recognise. After more announcements in this language there was a talk ... Mr. Christian? seemed to be mentioned a number of times. Maybe the "Mr" was another word! At conclusion of this programme 1727 an address in Ethiopia was given, so I assume Amharic was the language - I didn`t know the country had moved into the Mideast! Another programme has started at 1730 - I'm not sure if this is in Amharic also. The music heard at 1733 is very much like what we hear from that area. I believe I've heard tones like these before. 7430 concluded with English Monday (26/8) night. I checked at 1805 and it closed as listed at 1815. Reception was spoiled here by static noise - and I noted there was rapid type 'fading' characteristics at this same time. I think a Russian/CIS site would be on a higher frequency??? But to E and W Europe 7425 and 11645, 1800 and 2000 look OK for Russia?? (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 26 via DXLD) ** U K O G B A N I [non]. SATELLITE TRACKER FINDS GOOSE IN FREEZER A goose fitted with a £3,000 electronic transmitter to chart its migration is tracked 4,500 miles by satellite - to an Eskimo hunter's freezer.... http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/2216858.stm It could have been worse, Glenn. The eskimo could have cooked the goose with the transmitter attached (Tom McNiff, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Hi Glenn, concerning ´´Digital radio uses the same frequencies as 405-line TV did [???? Like 45 MHz? or Band I, III in general? I think not -- gh]´´ This statement is indeed correct insofar as no 625 line VHF transmitters were inaugurated in the UK after the final shut-down of 405 lines in the eighties (contrary in France the Canal Plus Pay TV service now uses the VHF range formerly occupied by 819 lines transmitters). Herewith DAB is in the UK the only broadcast service in the space elsewhere still occupied by TV transmitters, and all DAB services use the Band III there, not the elsewhere popular L-Band which is quite insufficient if more than a mere local coverage is demanded. By the way, in May also the range between 1467.5 and 1497 MHz was allocated to terrestrial Eureka-147 services in Europe. The very same frequency range is in use by Worldspace. An interesting constellation, isn't it? As far as I know some DAB services in the UK use quite low bitrates, so the audio quality will of course not really satisfy in these cases. On the contrary here in Germany most (but not all) programs are carried with 192 kbit/s. Of course this is of no value when the studio signal is distorted and heavily compressed. And a comment from a broadcast engineer: DAB offers in the UK at least a variety of programming, but who will buy a DAB set here in Germany where all it has to offer are Deutschlandfunk, Deutschlandradio Berlin and a handful of crap? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RADIO SAWA: ALL DRESSED UP WITH NOWHERE TO GO by Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada http://electronicIntifada.net/features/articles/020820ali.shtml (Amman, 20 August 2002) -- Since my last visit to Jordan a few months ago, the United States government has launched its new effort to win the hearts and minds of the people of the Arab world, an FM radio station called "Radio Sawa" (Radio Together). At first it seemed that this station was blaring from every radio. My rental car had it preset, and the throbbing beats of Britney Spears could be heard emerging from more than a few taxis. Sawa is now heard on FM stations in five Arab capitals, all except Amman, in the Gulf region. Radio Sawa is deceptively innocuous. About 53 minutes of each hour it broadcasts cheap Arabic and Western pop, the rest of the time divided between one short news bulletins at quarter to and one longer one at quarter past each hour. On August 18, I listened alternately to the BBC and Sawa throughout the day and took notes about how they covered the news. First thing in the morning, the BBC led with news of a report from the Palestinian Ministry of Health documenting a one hundred and twenty five percent increase in child malnutrition in the occupied territories since Israeli began its siege and repression. Sawa led with news that an Israeli "special unit" had arrested Hamas members. Saying nothing about the health report, Sawa made only a vague reference to calls by Palestinian officials for the international community to intervene to "relieve the humanitarian and security situation affecting the Palestinian territories." For much of the day Sawa seemed to be concerned with damage control for the U.S. campaign against Iraq, prominently featuring denials by unnamed Israeli officials that Israel was trying to goad the U.S. into attacking Baghdad. In the evening, the BBC and Sawa both reported on the visit to the region of the UN special envoy for humanitarian affairs, Catherine Pertini. While the BBC quoted Pertini as expressing deep concern about the grave situation, Sawa quoted her only as describing announced Israeli measures to relieve the plight of the besieged population as "encouraging." The BBC highlighted a new report from the World Bank that put the number of Palestinians living in extreme poverty at over fifty percent. Sawa said nothing about that but repeatedly included an upbeat item about a planned meeting between Israel's defense minister and the new Palestinian interior minister. Sawa did report that three Palestinians had been injured in an Israeli "operation" in Khan Yunis, but only the BBC bothered to add that these were civilians, one of them a sixteen year-old girl. In a late night bulletin, Sawa led with news that Jaweed Ghusein the former director of the Palestine National Fund had gone into exile in London from Gaza, and had told Israeli newspapers that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat had diverted millions of dollars meant for the Palestinian people into his personal bank accounts. Only the BBC however mentioned that the same newspaper reports claimed that Ghusein had been spirited out of Gaza in a joint operation of Israeli, Jordanian and British intelligence, and that Ghusein had himself been accused since 1991 (before the Palestinian Authority even existed) of embezzling more than six million dollars from PLO funds. Sawa did include news items that undermine declared U.S. policy, for example that the German Chancellor strongly opposes a U.S. attack on Iraq. Perhaps adding such information, which is in any case well-known to everyone here, helps boost the credibility of the station as an "objective" whole, making it a bit easier to sell the largely sanitized version of the news that Sawa offers. While just about everyone knows that the U.S. government is behind Sawa, there is something very furtive about the whole affair. Unlike the BBC Arabic Service, or Radio Monte Carlo (the Arabic broadcasts of French radio), both of which have been available here on FM for several years, Radio Sawa's news bulletins do not identify the station's sponsor or where it is broadcasting from. Its anchors do not provide their names. This gives it an exceptionally sterile and anonymous quality that is in complete contrast to its competitors. Occasionally, however, listeners are directed to Sawa's highly uninformative website (radiosawa.com) whose three short paragraphs of text in English and Arabic perhaps tell you all you really need to know, among which: "Radio Sawa is a service of U.S. International Broadcasting, which is operated and funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an agency of the U.S. Government. The BBG serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters." The site also explains that: "In reporting the news, Radio Sawa is committed to being accurate, objective and comprehensive." Sawa shows a bit more sophistication than the sledgehammer propaganda of the old Voice of America only to the extent that there is no sign of the crude State Department "editorials" in which people are informed of why this leader is a pariah, or that country a "rogue" state and why America has their best interests at heart. Sawa's approach is not to tell outright lies, but to subtly distort the news through careful selection and omission. "One of the guiding principles of Radio Sawa" according to its website, "is that the long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly in Arabic with the people of the Middle East by radio," and that "Radio Sawa seeks to win the attention and respect of its listeners." Yet it is clear that the United States does not have much to say in Arabic, and scarcely more respect for its audience. Sawa is up against the BBC Arabic service, which provides detailed and authoritative news, analysis and interviews presented by friendly, but occasionally tough interviewers (who actually have names and personalities), as well as features, music, English-teaching and programs about everything from public health to local events in just about every corner of the Arab world and beyond. Radio Monte Carlo also provides high quality news and discussion, lots of pop music, and while managing to sound a little 'younger' than the BBC still comes off as a serious effort. Both the BBC and Radio Monte Carlo have lots of audience participation, taking calls and reading letters from listeners --- and responding on air --- to questions from all over the region. Sawa's news bulletins and endless nightclub throb come off as the radio equivalent of invading soldiers handing out chocolate to children in a newly captured territory. Its sound is not unlike the mass produced commercial FM radio that has replaced local programming in almost every US city, the difference being that there are no commercials (which after a brief time listening to Sawa you actually start to miss), and it is in Arabic. Underpinning Radio Sawa is the common American belief that people in the Arab world harbor resentment towards the United States because they are simply misled, do not understand their own interests and are too obtuse to realize that their views towards American policy are simply wrong. Its bland format and lack of content leave no room for an actual exploration of people's views and the creation of a dialogue between the United States and the people it wants to influence. While better communication between the U.S. and the Arab world is badly needed, it should be based on actually changing approaches to problems, and resolving key issues, not simply trying to sell the same old policies in a package of pop music. What people in the Arab world need is sophisticated insight into the United States as a country, the diversity of its people, and the complexity of its culture and politics. Americans need the same about the Arab world. Sawa, providing none of that, is a quick fix solution to a deep and worsening problem, that will ultimately prove disappointing to its creators. Most people I have talked to agree that its nice to have the music, but that the news is a bit of a joke. A few are more concerned worrying that while Sawa may seem vacuous today, once it lulls its audience into seeing it as harmless, or even objective, the dose of distortion and spin will be gradually increased. But given the information saturation from other, far more informative radio stations, newspapers and satellite television, Sawa would have to pull off a miracle to do anything more than confirm the impression that when the United States is not being a bully it is just patronizing. If the United States government thinks it is going to make people in the Arab world believe that its unconditional support for the Sharon government, and its threatened invasion of Iraq are really good for them just because Americans have learned to speak Arabic, then it is dreaming. If, however, the U.S. intention was to provide light entertainment to people as they ride in taxis, then it has come up with a sure fire scheme for success (via DXLD) Radio Sawa: John Ydstie talks with Burt Kleinman, a consultant for Voice of America's Radio Sawa. VOA cancelled their staid, mostly talk format in the Middle East and replaced it with Radio Sawa, a mix of Western and Arabic music and news. Kleinman and his colleagues used American marketing techniques to gauge what listeners want to hear. Kleinman says Radio Sawa, which began in March, has been a great success. (5:30) http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20020821.atc.17.ram (NPR All Things Considered Aug 21 via gh, DXLD) FEEDBACK FROM WASHINGTON Bernard H. Kamenske, formerly Chief of the VOA News Division, wasn't happy with my editorial about the similarities between VOA Europe and Radio Sawa. Because one of our slogans at Radio Netherlands is "all shades of opinion", we've published Mr. Kamenske's comments in full. If you haven't read the editorial, it's at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/editorial.html or you can go direct to Mr. Kamesnke's response at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/response020823.html (Andy Sennitt, Media Network Newsletter Aug 23 via DXLD) ** U S A. WJIE: I'm heading down to this station early local on Aug 23 to try and get 7490 back on the air and getting 13595 restored and ready to go - if and when! (Larry Baysinger, KY, Aug 22, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Checking out 7490 again, Aug 26 at 2205 UT, I found a good carrier, surely more than the usual 100 watt exciter, but could not make out any audio amid considerable QRN. Perhaps Larry Baysinger is testing higher power as planned. Same but much better before and after 0500 UT Aug 27; traces of modulation may have been crosstalk. Another check at 1222 UT found modulation by: World of Radio 1144 (not the current Extra 43), which evidently started at 1200, a different time than previously, since it ended at 1229. If they are on a 6-hour rotation, the other M-F nominal times would now be 0600 and 1800 if not 0000. Followed by ID with slogan ``Where Jesus is exalted``, address spelling out L-O-U-I-S-V-I-L-L-E, and 1230 into Doc Burkhart`s unnamed(?) mailbag/promotional show, which he said `this week` had been reduced from 30 to 15 minutes. But it was taped long ago since he spoke of plans by the end of July to add 13595. Said what they really need, besides prayers, is a new 100 kW transmitter. For the moment, Baysinger has got this one working pretty well, obviously a considerable number of kW rather than W. Modulation is pretty good but slightly distorted, and tends to clip on the occasional peak. Mentioned that one program they were still carrying from the former owners, off WJCR-FM, is Prayerlines – no exact times ever given. 1245 into a Mon-Sat show, Rockin` (or Rock in?) Victory. There was co- channel from the DVR USB transmitter throughout, in Japanese, and its pitch was slightly off as WJIE is slightly low in frequency, less than 100 Hz (gh, OK, DXLD) Greetings Mr. Hauser- Hearing a very strong unmodulated carrier tonight 8/27 at 2350-0030Z on 7490 kHz, WJIE's somewhat dormant frequency. Signal is very strong, ranging from S9 to 10 dB/S9 on a Satellit 800 & ham dipole antenna here in metro Detroit area. If this is indeed WJIE, WOR has found a good home, signal wise. It's rivaling WBCQ, whose 7415 signal is the strongest on my SW dial. 73s (Ben Loveless, Michigan, WB9FJO -- also WPE9JLQ back in the late 60s; I did enjoy my pseudo-call sign as a young SWL back then, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. This is from today's CSM from the August 26, 2002 edition - http://www.csmonitor.com/2002/0826/p08s03-comv.html DIGITAL BY (FEDERAL) DEMAND The Federal Communications Commission has decided it can't wait for a digital television market to develop according to laws of supply and demand. It'll step in and mandate one instead. The FCC's recent decision to require a digital tuner in every new TV set by 2007 does just that. Consumers in the years ahead will supposedly have no choice but to purchase some means of receiving digital signals - versus the analog signals currently used for most broadcasts. The FCC's aggressiveness in this matter reflects the federal government's determination to push broadcasting into the digital age. In 1997, Congress passed a law requiring that all broadcast signals be converted to digital by 2006. All stations were to have begun at least some digital broadcasting by May 1, 2002. Most missed that deadline. Broadcasters balk at a hefty investment in digital if most viewers can't receive the programming. Hence the FCC's prod on the receiving end. Higher prices for digital sets - TV makers say the tuners will cost an extra $100 or more - could cause a consumer backlash. But the FCC and broadcasters confidently assert increased availability and demand will soon shrink prices. Why all the rush? First, lawmakers view the onset of digital TV as opening new economic realms, such as interactive TV. Second, and maybe most important, the federal government wants to get its hand on the big chunk of spectrum now used by analog signals. Digital signals use much less of the spectrum. The freed-up air space will be auctioned by the government, bringing in considerable revenue. But will the lure of clearer pictures and interactive capabilities move the public to reinvest in television? The FCC's move is designed to give people little choice. Still, it's hardly certain that American consumers can simply be herded into fulfilling the government's digital dream (via Hart Larry, NRC FMTV via DXLD) ** U S A. LESS THAN ONE-THIRD OF TV STATIONS TRANSMITTING DIGITAL SIGNALS | Text of press release by New York-based market and technology information firm SCRI Research International dated 27 August According to SCRI's 2002-2007 DTV Migration Trends Report - TV Stations Report, only 28.6 per cent of US TV stations are already transmitting a DTV [digital TV] signal. This is in line with current NAB estimates - as of August 2002, according to the NAB, there are only 461 full power television stations on the air with a digital signal serving 136 of the 210 markets in the US. According to PBS, 76 of those (still) are non-commercial. Almost three-quarters of the commercial broadcasters that were supposed to be offering a digital signal by 1 May 2002 failed to make the deadline. The delay is a further indication that the federally mandated transition to digital broadcasting will take longer than the planners had expected in the mid-1990s. But the missed deadline comes as no surprise. Hundreds of stations have been filing requests for extensions recently, citing a variety of financial and technical reasons. By the end of 2002, SCRI data shows that 42.9 per cent of stations will be transmitting a DTV signal, by 2004, the number reaches 69 per cent. For more information on SCRI's 2001-2002 Broadcast/Pro Video Product Reports, go to: http://www.scri.com/sc_reprt.html or contact info@scri.com Source: SCRI Research International press release, New York, in English 27 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC TO INVESTIGATE NEW YORK RADIO SEX INCIDENT Entertainment - Reuters/Variety Industry Thu Aug 22, 2:10 PM ET By Jeremy Pelofsky WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal regulators will investigate complaints about a radio broadcast of a man and a woman having sex in New York's Saint Patrick's Cathedral, a Federal Communications Commission spokesman said on Thursday. The FCC has received scores of complaints about the broadcast, which was part of a contest sponsored by the WNEW-FM afternoon program "Opie and Anthony." The hosts had challenged listeners to have sex in various public places. Loretta Lynn Harper, of Alexandria, Virginia, and Brian Florence, of Quantico, Virginia, were arrested last Thursday on charges of obscenity and public lewdness inside St. Patrick's Cathedral. Their attorney has said they were not having sex in the New York City landmark. Also arrested was Paul Mercurio, a radio producer who allegedly was positioned near the couple and relaying the stunt to the radio station via mobile phone. FCC Chairman Michael Powell ordered an immediate investigation, agency spokesman David Fiske told Reuters. The station could face a fine or revocation of its license if the agency finds that the station broke federal indecency laws that bar the broadcast of obscene material and limit the airing of indecent material that contains sexual or excretory references in a patently offensive manner. "If these complaints and press accounts prove true, this commission should consider the strongest enforcement action possible against this station, up to and including revocation of the station's license," FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said in a statement earlier this week. As part of the radio show contest, six couples were given a list of 54 risky locations to have sex in New York, police said. For example, a couple having sex in a church would win 25 points, while sex in Rockefeller Center was worth 30 points. The live talk show has been suspended, and the program will run repeat broadcasts indefinitely, according to the station's owner. Infinity Broadcasting, a unit of Viacom Inc. "WNEW and Infinity Broadcasting do not in any way condone the actions that took place last week," said Infinity spokesman Dana McClintock. "No new Opie and Anthony shows will be broadcast, while the matter is reviewed." The station's general manager and the program director also were suspended, he said. In court on Wednesday, Judge Analisa Torres ordered the couple to return on Oct. 2, when they will learn whether they have been indicted by a grand jury (via yahoonews, via Artie Bigley, DXLD) RADIO STATION DUMPS SHOCK JOCKS By LARRY McSHANE NEW YORK (AP) - Opie and Anthony are over and out. The New York-based shock jocks, criticized by Catholic groups for broadcasting a live account of a couple allegedly having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral, had their nationally syndicated show canceled Thursday. ``Based on recent events, the Opie and Anthony Show has been canceled, and will be replaced by other programming beginning Friday,'' WNEW-FM said in a statement. The station, owned by Infinity Broadcasting, offered no further comment. The pair had been pulled off the airwaves Monday, three days after the stunt was aired. The cancellation was announced shortly after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell directed the agency's enforcement bureau to investigate the broadcast. The FCC had been flooded with hundreds of complaints about the show. The decision to sack the shock jocks and their highly rated afternoon drive-time talk show was hailed by William Donohue, head of the 350,000-member Catholic League. ``I'm delighted with the results,'' said Donohue. ``I'm very, very happy. It is an example of corporate responsibility in an age of corporate irresponsibility.'' Donohue said his group would back off its call for the FCC to pull WNEW's broadcast license and fine Infinity. ``It's over,'' he said. ``I'm satisfied.'' The cancellation came one day after the Virginia couple suspected of the sex stunt appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on charges of public lewdness. Brian Florence, 37, of Quantico, Va., and Loretta Lynn Harper, 35, of Alexandria, Va., were due back in court Oct. 2. The couple's lawyer has said they were just simulating sex inside the landmark Manhattan cathedral. The couple was arrested Aug. 15 after they allegedly had sex in a cathedral vestibule just a few feet from worshippers, police said. The radio show's stunt was part of a regular feature where couples could earn points and win a trip for having sex in risky places. Charges of acting in concert were still pending against Opie and Anthony producer Paul Mercurio, 42, who provided a running account of the encounter via cell phone. The Opie and Anthony show was nationally syndicated in 17 markets outside New York City, including Cleveland, Dallas, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. It was the second firing in four years for Greg ``Opie'' Hughes and Anthony Cumia. The pair was canned in 1998 by a Massachusetts station after announcing on April Fool's Day that Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino was killed in a car crash. (08/23/02 06:56 EDT via AOL Canada News via Fred Waterer, DXLD) NET NEWS as of THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2002 Updated at 2:06p (PT) Flash! WNEW/NEW YORK and OPIE AND ANTHONY have parted ways. A short statement was released: "Based on recent events, THE OPIE AND ANTHONY SHOW has been cancelled, and will be replaced by other programming beginning tomorrow." Inside word is that O&A are under contract for the next two years to INFINITY, but are off the air for the forseeable future. This is all a ripple effect of the OPIE AND ANTHONY sex in the church stunt. The O&A cancellation will affect stations like WCKG/CHICAGO, KYNG/DALLAS, WYSP/PHILADELPHIA, WBCN/BOSTON, WJFK/WASHINGTON, WXTM/CLEVELAND, KISW/SEATTLE, KXOA/SACRAMENTO, WBUF/BUFFALO and a number of other WESTWOOD ONE affiliates who carried the show. No word on what programming will be carried on WNEW, or what WESTWOOD ONE will be offering affiliates. Just this morning, INFINITY appointed acting GMs to sit in for the suspended FM Talker WNEW/NEW YORK VP/GM KEN STEVENS in the wake of the OPIE AND ANTHONY sex in the church stunt. GSM GARY BLUM takes the temporary reins at WNEW and ALAN LEINWALD does the same at WJFK/WASHINGTON where KEN is also GM. INFINITY RADIO Pres./Programming ANDY SCHUON is acting PD at WNEW (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. WHEN ANTENNA FARMS START CROPPING UP NEAR HOMES, RESIDENTS SQUAWK http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/08/23/NB84616.DTL About Marin Emergency Radio Authority system on 460 MHz band (via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD) ** U S A. KPIG SINGS A NEW SONG: PAY TO PLAY BY WEB WATCH Watsonville, Calif.-based KPIG-FM, one of the oldest and most popular Internet broadcasters, is back online after a month of Web-radio silence. But fans will have to open their wallets to listen: The station's live feed is available only through Real Networks' $5.95-a- month RealOne RadioPass service. To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56015-2002Aug24.html (via Tom McNiff, DXLD) That`s nice; but I never listened to it when it was free. What`s so special about KPIG? (gh, DXLD) Glenn, This article appeared in today`s La Crosse Tribune. It pretty much rehashes what's been said before. INTERNET RADIO FEES THREATEN COLLEGE BROADCASTERS SAN DIEGO (AP) - The signal from San Diego State University's KCR station is so weak it can barely be heard on campus - if at all. Yet for the past six years, its eclectic programming has reached the entire world. "The Internet has been a vital part of our broadcasting," said Rachel Bradley, 23, a graduate student and the station's general manager. "It seems to be our lifeline to be an actual, viable radio station." KCR and many other college stations fear they'll have to give up their newfound "antenna" by year's end because of new webcasting fees. For listeners, this could mean being cut off from most of the nation's 1,300 college radio stations, which operate on small budgets and play music not heard on commercial radio. In June, the U.S. Copyright Office issued rates for royalties that webcasters must pay music labels and musicians for sound recordings. The minimum is $500 a year, but fees are retroactive to 1998, and many college stations simply can't afford the assessments of at least $2,000. "Within days I was receiving e-mails from radio stations saying, 'We're going down. You can add another station to your list'," said Will Robedee, vice chairman of Collegiate Broadcasters Inc. Stations that already have halted or suspended webcasting include University of California-Los Angeles Radio, KBVR at Oregon State University and New York University's WNYU. "We didn't want to be liable for any of these huge fees that would cripple us or threaten our existence," said Gabriel Mousesyan, an economics student and general manager of WNYU, which killed its 4-year-old webcast in April. (Monday, August 26, 2002, La Crosse Tribune, via Daniel Sampson, WI, Prime Time Shortwave, DXLD) ** U S A. COLLEGES HALT RADIO BROADCASTS ON INTERNET BY RYAN E. SMITH, [Toledo] BLADE STAFF WRITER Terry Teagarden at the University of Toledo likes to think of radio broadcasts over the Internet as a great equalizer. "You go from the signal which carries four to eight miles away [for UT] to the possibility of being able to webcast across the world," said the coordinator of student media. "That’s something that certainly would be very attractive to us." Financially, though, such options no longer may be viable for small, noncommercial stations. The University of Toledo and a number of other colleges are no longer broadcasting online, fearing that new national fee and reporting regulations could price them out of the business... http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73108938631453&Avis=TO&Dato=20020820&Kategori=NEWS21&Lopenr=108200039&Ref=AR (via Artie Bigley, OH, DXLD) Mentions a WFAL-AM 1610 at Bowling Green State University; carrier current? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. 1630, KNAX, Ft. Worth, TX, 1103-1130+ Aug 20 with Spanish religion, "Radio Ayo" slogans, which I think is actually "A y O" (Alpha y Omega) said as a single word. Easily over KKWY which is just 90 miles from here (John Wilkins, CO, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** U S A. I've been in contact with a rep from Ibiquity about their 1700 kHz test transmitter (WI2XAM) in Warren NJ. It will operate intermittently as needed and probably not at night. It is 50 watts into a 35 foot transformer matched antenna with 4 ground radials. They indicated that correct reception reports would be acknowledged. Reports should be sent to: Russ Mundschenk, Ibiquity Digital, 8865 Stanford Blvd., Suite 202, Columbia, MD 21045 (Patrick Griffith, CBT, Westminster, CO, Aug 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [cf my previous 12090 item -- gh] 12090: Another log at 1430:00-1445:00 UT now DAILY. The same 15 min "tape" every day with pop/rock in Chinese (I guess). No words. Strongly supposed China's test for efficiency of new type of music jammer (may be to replace their wild "Dragon" which is now common on most of RFA/VOA Mandarin outlets (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, Aug 26, BC-DX via DXLD) Since Aug 19 daily from 1430-1445 on 12090 playing only heavy-metal songs in unID language (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Aug 26, BC-DX via DXLD) ###