DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-153, October 3, 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 1150: FIRST AIRINGS ON WWCR: Thu 2030 on 15825, Sat 0600, Sun 0230 on 5070 FIRST AIRINGS ON RFPI: Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0000, 0600 on 7445, 15039 AIRINGS ON WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800; North America Sun 1400 NEXT AIRING ON WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 ONDEMAND http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html [from Fri] (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1150.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1150.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1150.html [from Thu] WORLD OF RADIO IN AUSTRALIA. Hi Glenn, thought I'd let you know about World of radio 1149. I heard it over RFPI COSTA RICA on 7445 kHz at 0700 UT (1700 LOCAL) [Wednesday] using AM, nice clear frequency, signal a little fluttery but listenable. Also, WJIE Louisville KY has steadily improved its signal into Australia, and usually audible from 0900 UT (1900 LOCAL) on 7490, not quite as strong as KTBN 7505 which booms in here, but nevertheless now fully audible. Your show heard at 1200 UT, Suffering USB interference from Russia, which is a shame! If I tune to say around 7487 and use the filter I can separate it a bit. I have detected signal from WJIE very strong at times and marginally fair at other times, and the other night, very strong with no audio? Could they be testing a new transmitter at all? All the best Glenn (Tim Gaynor, Dxers Calling, Oxenford Q, Australia, Oct 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Bill, We run WOR every weekday morning at 8 AM eastern and each evening at 11 PM Eastern. We also air it at various times in our schedule as filler, so it may be heard at times other than these. Thanks for your assistance! Doc Burkhart" (via Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 0300 UT is news to me. Could not confirm it Oct 3 due to extremely poor reception; Norway should also be on 7490 then; WOR 1149 very good (except for DVR in Japanese) at 1200. I tried LSB on the ATS-909, but VOR could still be heard, tho much weaker than USB (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS Many thanks to Bill Brady for taking over the job of updating the WOR site DX program listing. New Oct edition is now posted at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html ** AFGHANISTAN. ------------- CRW 117 Extra October 1, 2002 INFORMATION RADIO PROGRAMMING CHANGES By Takuya Hirayama, CRW Japan Bureau on assignment in Kabul [Oct 1] Information Radio continues to be monitored in Kabul on 8700 kHz AM and 864 kHz. 6100 kHz, which European monitors continue to report despite a lack of a definitive identification or noted parallel frequency, has not been heard. The station's programming, CRW can confirm, has undergone tremendous changes since re-launching from Bagram Air Force Base. Morning broadcasts (*? - 0630 GMT) include popular Afghan music with announcements in Dari and Pashto approximately every twenty minutes. The generic announcement is "Now you will listen to (name of singer) singing (title of song)." Station ID is currently (Dari) "In radyio-i mau'lumati" and (Pashto) "Da radyio mau'lumati." Occasional public service announcements on behalf of the U.S. military and Afghan transitional government are also broadcast in the morning, however, not as often as previously done. One such announcement on behalf of the transitional government explains the importance of polio vaccination for children, and advises residents to go to public health centers for more information. Between 0630 and approximately 1930 GMT Information Radio broadcasts only music and does not seem to identify. In fact, no announcements have been noted. The station's programming does not appear to be prerecorded. In fact, technical glitches are often heard. For example, the transmission sometimes breaks for periods of ten minutes or more and then returns without any announcements. Music also skips from time to time, indicating that the station uses both cassettes and CDs. During a September 13 broadcast, for example, a CD skipped for over a minute before the song was switched. The station also broadcast two songs simultaneously on September 17. On occasion, music is switched in the middle of a song. Technical issues of this nature are, in fact, common here so it is unlikely that it "turns off" its listeners. Reception of 864 kHz here in Kabul is fair during the day and becomes unstable after sunset. The transmission is not heard after 2300 Kabul time (1930 GMT). 8700 kHz is received a bit better than 864 kHz, however, but its sign-off time seems at this time to be earlier than the medium wave frequency. Gauging the effectiveness of Information Radio among Afghans is difficult but it is clear among people we have spoken to that the station is no longer paid much attention to in Kabul. It is possible and perhaps probable that its impact is greater in Kandahar and the Afghan countryside (Clandestine Radio Watch Extra Oct 2 via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) ** AFRICA. 1 OCT GOOD AFRICA PROPAGATION On 1 Oct around 1700 while scanning the 60 mb I noted that all Asian signals were extremely weak. Later the Africans on 60 and 49 mb started booming in. Between 1730 and 2215 I heard most of the "regular" and some "not so regular" stations on these bands. The regulars (did not wait for IDs of all these, but based on freq/language/program style etc., they were these) logged were: 4770 R Nigeria Kaduna 4783 Rdif Mali Bamako 4820 R Botswana, Sebele 4835 Rdif Mali Bamako 4845 R Mauritanie, Nouakchott 4915 R Ghana and KBC Kenya 4950 RN Angola 4965 CV Lusaka, Zambia 4976 R Uganda 5010 RTM Madagascar 5025 ORTB Parakou, Benin 5026 R Uganda 5030 R Burkina 5050 R Tanzania 5985 R Congo, Brazzaville 5990 R Ethiopia 5995 Rdif Mali, Bamako 6055 R Rwanda 6210 R Fana, Ethiopia 6265 ZNBC Lusaka, Zambia 6350 V of the Tigray Revolution, Ethiopia 6940 R Fana, Ethiopia Unfortunately no R Okapi heard on any of its frequencies. Also 90 mb Africans were weak. And some interesting stations, I paid more attention to: [see CHAD, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, LIBERIA, NIGERIA, SUDAN, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE] (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. I am fairly certain I logged Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Antarctica, 15475 from 2030 to 2125z (sign off) today October 2, 2002. Poor to fair signals peaking S5 with no QRM. Several quick mentions of "Radio Nacional" in Spanish although the audio was rather hard to understand. This was followed by a still weaker station opening up at 2130z in Dutch. I posted a short composite .wav file at http://members.aol.com/j999w/DX (340k) for anyone interested. 73! (John WB9UAI Milwaukee, WI USA R71a, 55 ft vertical, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Yes, I hear a full `R. Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel`` ID (gh, DXLD) ** BENIN. Re previous report about `synchronization` of Cotonou and R. Parakou at 2000-2100 LT daily: presumably means the same news programme will be heard in parallel on 7210 and 5025 respectively at 1900-2000 UT (Tony Rogers, Oct BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** CANADA. CHALMERS NAMED HEAD OF CBC RADIO Jane Chalmers, a veteran CBC journalist, regional director and manager, replaces the retiring Alex Frame as the new vice-president for CBC Radio, network president Robert Rabinovitch announced today. The appointment will be effective Nov. 1 upon Frame's departure after 40 years with the public broadcaster. Chalmers said there are plans to "bring about improved programming while further building upon and strengthening our relationship with our listening audience." In a statement Rabinovitch said Chalmers has been "tireless in her pursuit of greater regional reflection and service on all our English networks." Just last year Chalmers had been named director of current affairs and weekly programs for CBC-TV. http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1026145675230&call_page=TS_News&call_pageid=968332188492&call_pagepath=News/News (via Ivan Grishin and Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) A follow-up on the retirement of Alex Frame, as I mentioned on "IRR" last Sunday (Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** CHAD. 6165, RNT, N`Djamena, 1 Oct at 2000 in French. First almost buried by Croatia, but later was strongest station at times on this frequency. Announced "Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne". Audio a bit distorted (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Recent reactivation reported may refer to this, not 4904.5! ** CYPRUS. I am shocked that Hauser, who is pretty knowledgeable, is so ignorant about antennas. Moving the frequency of an AM array 9 kHz is just a retuning job - changing the adjustment of inductors and capacitors a small amount. Tower height has next to nothing to do with it, within reason. Well designed AM antenna systems operate with towers that range from around 1/6 or 1/7 wavelength all the way up to about 0.55 wavelength, and height can be selected for coverage reasons, impedance reasons, or just the height limits of the local political jurisdiction. He should buy a good elementary textbook, like the recently reprinted "Radio-Electronic Transmission Fundamentals" by Whitfield Griffith, published by Noble (originally by McGraw-Hill). (ISBN 1-884932-13-4) Ben Dawson in an email (3/10-2002) (Ydun Ritz` Medium Wave News Oct 3 via DXLD) Guess my tongue not clearly visible in cheek; however, I have never claimed to be especially knowledgeable about transmitting antennas. So thinking 5/8 wavelength be preferred is also incorrect? (gh, DXLD) ** ECUADOR [and non]. The director of the engineering center for HCJB in Elkhart, Indiana, David Prosheznik, was back on the show. He told listeners that the center has around 45 people working there, including employees, volunteer ham operators, missionaries and other support staff. The center builds transmitters for HCJB and other religious broadcasters, but also does a lot of research and development. They have a department for HF/shortwave that makes 100-kW transmitters. Although those use a similar basic design, they're also looking at DRM, or Digital Radio Mondiale, for the future. They're building one of the first exciters for a digital transmitter for DRM Europe, and the Harris company is planning to use it. They're trying it on AM first, and then modifying it for shortwave use, which makes the design more complex. The HC-100 transmitter design, such as is being sent to the new HCJB transmitter site in Australia, will have to be modified a lot for digital shortwave use. Also at the engineering center, they have designed suitcase-sized FM transmitters for use in isolated areas of the world. They also have an automation system that many of HCJB's partner stations use; this design is going to be modified because it is getting outdated, and it will be replaced with something called "Aerial," which is a server-based unit that should be ready for HCJB and its partners within a year. They're also nearly complete on a new low-power shortwave transmitter design. This will be 1-kW and solid state, and is small enough to transport easily. There is one operating in Liberia at ELWA, another in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Bukavu, and one in Peru that should be on the air soon if it isn't already. HCJB's partner ministries operate in nearly 100 countries, and one has put in an FM station in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. There may be a new shortwave transmitter going there, too. The Papua New Guinea government wants FM translators all over the country, and the shortwave transmitter will be used to feed the translators. There are 25 partners in Africa alone. HCJB trains the partners in how to run equipment, create programs and everything else they need to run things on their own; however, the stations are independent and not owned or run by HCJB. The Elkhart center also builds antennas for AM, shortwave and FM, and can use engineers who can design them, people who can design and test circuit boards or transmitters, and others with similar technical skills. Those who might be interested in volunteering or paid positions may find out more on the Web at: http://hcjb.org. Check the Information section on the website, and one can also send an e-mail from the website. The postal address: HCJB Engineering Center ** 2830 South 17th Street ** Elkhart IN 46517 ** U.S.A. The phone number: +1 574 970 4252 HCJB is offering a QSL from the past with a photo of the cubical quad antenna invented many years ago by HCJB engineers. It is available for the asking to anyone who sends an accurate reception report. Reports may be sent to: DX Partyline ** HCJB ** Casilla 17-17-691 ** Quito **Ecuador. E-mailed reports may go to: dxpl@hcjb.org.ec (HCJB DX Partyline Sept 28, notes by Marie Lamb for Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ECUADOR/PERU. Don Glenn, estas líneas sólo para una aclaración: el noticiero Gamavisión es retransmitido por La Voz del Napo, no por la Radio LV del Destino como erróneamente se registra en el DXLD 2-152 (Rafael Rodríguez, Colombia, Oct 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EL SALVADOR. Re what time was I checking for R. Imperial? Around 2000-2100 UT (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Oct 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 6249.4, R. Nacional, Malabo, 1 Oct at 2050 in Spanish. Announced "R Nacional" (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 01/Oct/02. YLE Radio Finland. Programmes in English, French and German are no longer being produced by YLE. The programs died a month earlier than had been announced. I find this rather sad; for years Radio Finland in English produced a program only insomniacs would have enjoyed, but in the last several month that all changed. The feature programs really did a good job of telling about Finland. Not Sweden, not Denmark. Elizabeth Moulton was really top notch. I wonder which station will pick her up? (Larry Nebron, CA, WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Then checked 15400 at 1248 Oct 3 and found English still running as usual, Elizabeth Moulton hosting Finland This Morning. What made you think it had stopped already? She closed with usual advisory that English would be going off at end of October. I suppose we will still be able to get local English productions via webcast? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It was delisted from WRN (Larry Mebron, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Indeed: News Items 2002 01/Oct/02. YLE Radio Finland. Programmes in English, French and German are no longer being produced by YLE (WRN Website via DXLD) Interesting that YLE will continue to produce English language programming for domestic radio and TV, so says the YLE website at http://www.yle.fi/rfinland/en_etusivu.shtml It looks like this "YLE24" news airs for a few minutes at the bottom of the hour. They were supposed to have used some of their last days to suggest other sources (primarily web-based) for Finnish news and information. Regrettably they didn't post any of these sources at their website. First Norway, then Finland... everything I have seen indicates Radio Sweden doesn't plan to bail out on shortwave anytime soon (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprograms via DXLD) And before that, Denmark ** FRANCE. I sent an e-mail (in English) to Télédiffusion de France (TDF) asking if 25775 mysterious English/French programs are transmitted via their facilities. As I said earlier, one telephone number mentioned in the English program was a pre-1996 TDF number. I also said in my message to TDF that 25775 was heard in USA, too. Below is a reply from Mr. Penneroux of TDF. He says the analog transmissions on 26 MHz are from Rennes. Maybe someone translates this word by word in English. Thanks to Ari Kilponen for preliminary translation. If someone who speaks French, wants to ask Mr Penneroux more details about these transmissions, I can give his e-mail address. ``oui, ce sont les essais en 26 MHz effectués en analogique depuis Rennes. Il y a également des réceptions aux USA. çà promet, il faudra faire attention quand on passera DRM. MP. 10/02 11:36 TDF- International`` 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, Oct 2, WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. R. K`ekchí, 4845, Sept 28 0145-0258*, presumed with local religious music, marimba, lite instrumental music. K`ekchí talk. No ID heard. Sign-off with NA. Weak. Must use ECSS-LSB due to Brazil`s R. Cultura on 4845.24. R. Verdad, 4052.47, Sept 28 0045-0505*, variety of religious organ music, lite organ music, choral music, marimba music, lite instrumental music. IDs, Spanish announcements, very little talk. English ID announcements with address, asking for reports at 0221 and 0303, 0321. Sign-off with national anthem. Weak but in the clear. Fading up to fair to good levels at times (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So not yet with full English preacher at 0415? ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. There's a bit of activity on 10780 kHz with radio checks for the impending shuttle launch. Most of it is a bit low in level here but someone else may have better luck (Nick Gibbs, location unknown, 1300 UT Oct 2, ARDXC via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) Hurricane pushed launch back to no earlier than Monday Oct 7 (NASA website Oct 2 via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Hurricane Lili: see U S A ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non?]. RADIO CAROLINE NOT INVOLVED IN MYSTERY SHORTWAVE RELAY A mystery shortwave transmitter that was heard for several days carrying the programmes of Radio Caroline, apparently relayed from its Astra satellite service, has nothing to do with the UK-based commercial station. That's according to Caroline boss Peter Moore, who is as mystified as anyone else about the source of the signal on 7140 kHz which was heard in north west Europe on several occasions during the daytime over the past week. Although quite weak and obviousy low powered, the signal was monitored in Hilversum over several hours when the frequency was absolutely stable on 7140.0 kHz with good modulation. So far, nobody has claimed responsibility for the broadcasts (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 2 October 2002 via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non?]. Radio Caroline was noted with fair to good signal on September 30th on 7140 kHz from tune in at 0830 till the signals were wiped out by Voice of Turkey in Bulgarian at 1330 UTC. Signal strength was a bit stronger than Laser Hot Hits from Ireland on 6219 and 7465, so if the origin of the transmitter is somewhere in Northern Europe it isn't likely to be more than a few hundred Watts. On October 1st (checking at 0500-1400) and October 2nd (checking at 0500-1200) absolutely nothing of Radio Caroline was heard on 7140 kHz (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, Oct 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Caroline: I heard this one here in Sweden last Sunday around 0900 UTC. The signal here was very strong, almost as a local station, and the frequency exact 7140 (Claes Olsson, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Just an idea - since the signal was strongest in NW Europe, what about a new frequency tested in Riga (ex-5935)? They are familiar with the Caroline satellite feed from earlier relays and their SW antennas have a beam of 250 resp. 300 degrees. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Vilnius, Lithuania, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 1593 kHz: At 2130 UT 2nd Oct Radio Caroline from Ireland is silent AND Egypt is on extended schedule. Egypt normally observed signing off around 2100 is still dominating frequency. 73s (Steve Whitt, UK, MWC via Stig Hartvig Nielsen, DXLD) Apparently also the low power relay on 1593 kHz of Radio Caroline is off air. One may speculate that the [7140] signals are - or were - originating from the same site in Cork, Ireland ?? (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran again heard in Bulgaria: 0830-1157 in Farsi on 15084v (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 1 via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Re inquiry on Middle East Channel: Some info is found: http://israelradio.org/tv.htm The IBA's website also mentions (besides the satellite info mentioned on the israelradio.org site), in Hebrew, that it is available on cable in Israel on "Arutzei Zahav" (Golden Channels) on channel 100 and "Matav Digital" on channel 100 on Tevel on channel 810 and on Yes (DBS in Israel) on channel 169 (Doni Rosenzweig, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non?]. B02 operational schedule from IRRS-Shortwave to Europe Dear all, Please find below IRRS-Shortwave operational schedule for the B02 effective on Oct. 27, 2002. Reception reports may be sent to: reports@nexus.org, or by mail to: IRRS-Shortwave, PO Box 10980, I- 20110 Milan, Italy. Since the advent of automatic monitoring stations reception reports are still welcome, but we rather encourage listeners to send **comments** related to content in the current programming. Letters may be sent to addresses you hear on the air, or to the above email address for a prompter reply. Listeners letters and comments (rather than mere DX reports!) are extremely important to help us improving the quality of our broadcasts, and show NEXUS-IBA members that there is an interest in our Shortwave transmissions, helping every Shortwave station to remain on the air! Please also check our 24 hrs MP3 live streams in parallel with our Shortwave broadcasts at http://mp3.nexus.org Thank You for your co-operation and very best 73 from Milano, Ron Live audio at http://mp3.nexus.org Schedules also available at http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules B02 (winter 2002) operational schedule for IRRS-Shortwave, operated by NEXUS-International Broadcasting Association, based in Milan, Italy, effective 27 October, 2002 - 30 March, 2003: 13840 0630-0730 UT Mon-Fri ITU Zones: 18-19,27-29,37-39 10 kW A3A/A3 13840 0900-1400 UT Sat&Sun ITU zones: 18-19,27-30,37-39 10 kW A3A/A3 -- Ron Norton, NEXUS-IBA support, PO Box 11028, 20110 Milano, Italy e-mail : ron@nexus.org (via Cumbre DX via DXLD) Ron, Could you please confirm whether or not your 13840 transmissions are emanating from your facility in Milano or from somewhere else? Thanks, (Glenn Hauser to Ron, NEXUS) Hi Glen[n], It's some time since I heard from you. Hope you're doing well. Ron passed this to me for proper answer. IRRS-Shortwave is owned and operated by NEXUS-International Broadcasting Association, based in Milano, Italy. 90% of our programs are coming from members of NEXUS-IBA, who are located in countries (mostly) outside Italy. NEXUS-IBA started IRRS-Shortwave operations in November 1988, and our transmitter(s) are located in the outskirts of Milano, in the north of Italy. The current situation in our part of the world clearly shows both a steady decrease in interest in Shortwave broadcasting from our members, as well as listeners, compared to the 1988-1995 period (also confirmed by the closure of most SW services beamed to Europe and N America), and very high operational costs in Italy, mainly due to extremely high licence fees, and very restrictive "environmental" laws, that specify very low limits of electro-magnetic field (emf) around transmitters. You may have heard the situation regarding Vatican Radio and the cancellation of the AWR project for a new station in the NE of Italy (Argenta), that are strictly related to the latter. All the above has contributed to the acceleration of our projects to improve existing agreements with other stations; to improve the audio delivery chain with the use of our proprietary technology named "WorldDirecrtor" http://www.worlddirector.net and http://mp3.nexus.org in order to be able to distribute our members' programs to other transmitter sites located outside the country technically and cost- effectively. NEXUS-IBA is by no means funded by Government or by advertising, so we may continue to exists only until we are able to provide competitive relay services to our member broadcasters and program producers. Our charter clearly states that all our efforts must be put in this direction, and we have no resources to be on the air with programs directly produced by ourselves. NEXUS-IBA has more than 40 years experience in the field, and has provided consulting services to other foreign broadcasting organizations and member stations. Co-operation agreements have been signed with a number of foreign broadcasting organizations during the past years. Although we may not currently disclose any additional information at this regard, we are working to transfer and expand our transmitting facilities outside of Italy, and tests have already began from multiple locations without making a lot of "noise". In the next few months our offer will include transmitting powers up to 500 kW, and we will be able to cover much better such areas where shortwave reception is still quite popular, such as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. Our commitment to cover Europe will remain as far as there will be listeners and our members confirm their interest in reaching them. You may have heard of our pioneer use of A3A modulation, with which we provide a signal comparable to a 25 kW conventional AM transmitter, even if our power is only 10 kW. Over the years this has contributed to keep operating costs down, and at the same time provide optimum coverage of our target area. With higher powers up to 500 kW, with a like-wise use of modulation, upgrading transmitters to A3A (reduced Carrier USB) and CCM (Carrier Controlled Modulation), as well as a full digital audio chain, we will be able to provide a signal that is one of the most effective and most competitive on the market. And would DRM convince millions of listeners in the world to upgrade their receivers ... we may also upgrade our transmitters ;-) Since then, stay tuned. We will be keeping you updated with some more information as they become available for public disclosure. Take care, Best 73s. Alfredo -- Alfredo E. Cotroneo, CEO, NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association PO Box 11028, 20110, Milano, Italy email: alfredo@nexus.org ph: +39-335-214 614 (try first)/+39-02-266 6971 fax: +39-02-706 38151 (via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So Alfredo is saying they may be using an outside relay, now or in future, but nothing specific about 13840 now (gh, DXLD) ** IVORY COAST. COTE D'IVOIRE: RFI, BBC WORLD SERVICE STILL UNHEARD ON FM -- As of 1030 gmt on 2 October, the FM broadcasts of Radio France Internationale in French on 97.6 MHz, BBC World Service on 94.3 MHz, and Libreville Africa No 1 on 91.1 MHz remained unheard. These stations became unheard at 1530 gmt on 22 September. RFI is available via WorldSpace, and London BBC via shortwave on 15400 kHz with good reception. Libreville Africa No 1 is heard via shortwave with fair reception on the following frequencies: 17630 kHz, 15475 kHz, and 9580 kHz. Source: BBC Monitoring research 2 Oct 02 (via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) ** JAMAICA [and non]. ANNOUNCER STOOD BY HIS ACCENT Dwight Whylie, who has died at the age of 66, was one of the first black radio announcers at the CBC, starting out reading radio newscasts in 1977. He earlier had worked at the BBC in London, England, where he was also the first black staff announcer. In his native Jamaica, he had been a morning man on local radio, and he ended his career as chairman of Jamaica's Broadcasting Commission... http://www.nationalpost.com/national/story.html?id=A86E947F-C200-4A99-8B37-8A1A2D934D83 (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** JAMAICA. BBC 104 FM LAUNCHES IN JAMAICA ON MONDAY The BBC's new 24-hour radio service in Jamaica will launch on Monday 7 October. In April 2002 the Jamaican Government amended the Broadcasting and Radio Rediffusion Act to allow the granting of a non exclusive special broadcasting licence to the BBC. The new station will carry BBC World Service programming, including the Caribbean Report, on FM 104 MHz. There are no plans to carry locally produced programmes. The BBC is paying a one-off amount of US$3,500 and an annual fee of US$2,500 for the six-year licence. In 1997 the government sold the assets of its own public broadcasting service to the commercial broadcaster Radio Jamaica. Currently, Radio Jamaica and five other commercial stations in the country carry portions of the BBC's output (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 2 October 2002 via DXLD) Is it really 104.0, or an odd frequency rounded off as in North American practise? FM DXers want to know (gh, DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 5100, R. Liberia, 1 Oct at 2130 with Liberian news in English, announcing "Liberian Communication Network" (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBERIA. The High Adventure SW transmitter is on a boat from Lagos to Monrovia and should be there within a few weeks (Doc Burkhart, WJIE, 1230 UT Oct 3 via gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Per discussion last spring, when DST started late, was supposed to go off DST Sept 29, to UT minus 6 in most of the country; but checking 9705 XERMX Oct 2 at 1400 there was Antena Radio summary in English, which was the summer time scheduling with 5 hour difference on their summer pdf grid; so not changed yet? No sign of 11770 at this time; before 1400 they were playing children`s music in Spanish. Indeed, the time change has *not* been made: checking the R. Centro webcast at 1719 UT Oct 2, timecheck was for 12:16. So have they decided to wait until Oct 27 like the USA? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes: see http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=155 (Glenn Hauser, Oct 3, DXLD) ** MYANMAR. Re unID in DXLD 2-152: 2 Oct at 1515 on 5040.6 I heard a station with some kind of lesson in SE Asian language. The female teacher used some phrases in English. Signal was not strong, so I didn't understand what was the subject. This sounded exactly similar what I used to hear on Myanmar frequency 4725 some months ago. A change of frequency or some other station with similar programming? On 4725 nothing was heard at the same time. Audio on 5040.6 went off at 1537 and carrier off at 1541 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 6050, R. Nigeria, Ibadan, 1 Oct at 2140 with religious program "Voice of Lord" in English. Announced "R. Nigeria Ibadan, Station with Salvation". Before sign-off at about 2146 said they'll be back next morning at 5.25 and mentioned only 49 mb frequency. 6089.9, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 1 Oct at 1959 in local lang (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 4769.94, Radio Nigeria; Kaduna, Oct. 1, 2246-2259*, Unusually strong signal for them, sometimes up to S9+20. Been ages since I last heard them this strong. Instrumental music (sounded like Kenny G.), English announcement and ID by male at 2253 UT. Different announcer then, with several IDs and a news summary (and a sneeze, followed by "excuse me" :-)). Then S/off announcement with mention of frequencies, followed by National Anthem. Carrier off shortly afterwards. Not the best audio in the world, but all in all very listenable (except for the Anthem, which was very distorted). (Mark Veldhuis, Netherlands, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. The other day on the way to the grocery store, we noticed that KLGB-LP 94.3, which has been on the air for months, unbeknownst to christiancommunitybroadcasting.com, had a new tower up, but still topped by their minuscule one-element vertical antenna. It finally made the local newspaper. All faiths??? Yeah, sure, as long as they are Christian, or even Protestant. Seven more frequencies for Enid? I don`t think so (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NEWEST RADIO STATION OPEN TO ALL FAITHS by Scott Fitzgerald, staff writer [See http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5564732&BRD=175&PAG=461&dept_id=414652&rfi=6 for the photo captioned below, which did not make it into print, unduly impressive shot up into the clouds] An 85-foot radio tower is steadied by an OG&E Electric Services hoist Tuesday afternoon at Covenant Life Worship Center, 1551 N. Van Buren. (Staff Photo by BRODY SCHMIDT) Like the efforts from many who helped get an 85-foot broadcast tower erected Tuesday, Covenant Life Worship Center wants to open its new radio station to all faiths. Pastor Thom Cunningham said he would like to see local church singers, pastors and preachers use Enid's newest access to commercial radio - KLGB-LP at 94.3 FM. The station's format is Christian and is broadcast 24 hours daily. "We're not interested in beating anyone up or getting up on the soapbox and thumping Bibles. We just want to bless people. We look forward to blessing the community," Cunningham said. The project has been in the works for approximately 18 months, shortly after Federal Communications Commission officials announced seven more frequencies had been added to Enid's radio band. "We were granted the first construction permit," said Cunningham, who received general radio operator certification about seven years ago after attending technical school in Tulsa. Funded through the congregation and individual donations, KLGB is operating under the government format for low-power stations that stipulates programming must be educational in format. The nonprofit station must be locally owned and operated. All labor and equipment to get the station operating has been given free-of-charge. OG&E Electric Services donated manpower Tuesday to hoist the steel tower constructed in Canada, Cunningham said. The broadcast span for the 100-watt station is 20 miles, although Cunningham received a telephone call from someone in Hennessey on Tuesday who reported faint reception. About 900 songs are currently programmed on software for continuous play, with public announcements broadcast every 15 minutes. Cunningham said he has sent letters to church pastors throughout Enid to state what KLGB's mission is and to invite their participation. Covenant Life Worship Center, a nondenominational church with a congregation that averages about 30 worshippers every Sunday, has been located at 1551 N. Van Buren since 1996 (©Enid News & Eagle 2002 October 2 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. R. América: When I checked for them this morning (Oct 1) around 1000 UT, all I could detect was a carrier. The carrier was very weak, so I had them around 7301.12-7301.15 kHz. Never had any audio though. By 1030 the carrier was gone. Still, this was the closest I ever came to hearing them (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) See http://www.dxing.info/profiles/paraguay_america.dx for the following article with illustrations: Radio América, Asunción, by Adán Mur Radiodifusión América is a cultural, educational broadcast group, based in Asunción, Paraguay. Programs produced in our Ñemby studios go out locally on medium wave, wordwide on the Internet, by cassette tapes, and now experimentally also on shortwave. There are two groups of ancestors for Radiodifusión América: The programming is the brainchild of Pastor José Holowaty of KGEI - La Voz de la Amistad. Pastor Holowaty was director of this San Francisco, California-based station, for many years. He specialises in Bible teaching, and is a noted expert in classical music. The high quality and originality of our programs result from the careful direction and tutelage of Pastor José Holowaty. From the technical side of things, Radio América descends from an experimental station, born in the city of San Juan Bautista, Misiones. An ironmonger, known as Peso Justo (Mr Honest Weights), assembled a transmitter from a valve audio amplifier, and wound inductors on bamboo, just after World War II. This station, with the name of Radio América, reached the six or eight receivers existing within a few city blocks of the transmitter. Señor Peso Justo worked hard to increase the range, and, with time, the station could be heard out in the countryside, in the direction of Pilar. The Radio América of Señor Peso Justo specialised in public announcements, for which he charged a small fee. For example, the radio would announce that "Señor X should go, as quickly as possible, to Pilar, as his mother was ill". Señor Peso Justo also broadcast the names of persons with delinquent accounts in local businesses. This served to deter bad financial conduct in the region. Interspersed with these announcements was Paraguayan Polka music. Radio América became an officially recognised station, with the assignment of the ZP20 callsign. Later on, ZP20 was moved to Villeta, alongside the Paraguay River. It continued to specialise in the same programming, along with Paraguayan Polka and Mexican Ranchero music. Radio América became very popular with listeners in Paraguay. Storm destroyed the tower In Villeta, the station was owned by the local Police Commissioner. He installed the station in the hen house of his farm, located on high ground, between Villeta and Ypané. A Korean technician constructed a new transmitter, using 833-type valves. This required a supply of 3000 volts to the anodes. They also constructed a new tower, over 100 meters tall. A severe storm destroyed most of this tower. There was no money available to rebuild it. The Police Commissioner appealed for permission to move ZP20 to his property, in Ñemby, which is much closer to Asunción. Radio América was reconstructed, in Ñemby, with what was left of the damaged tower, and the 833-type valve transmitter. Ñemby is much better protected against storms, owing to the surrounding hills. With time, Radio América became the cultural/educational station that it is today. The old valve transmitter was replaced by a PDM transmitter, using mosfets. The audio and energy systems have been completely rebuilt. ZP20 Radio América serves the metropolitan region of Asunción from Ñemby. It uses 1 kW of power, on 1480 kHz, feeding a quarter-wave tower. Our new transmitter site is located near Villeta, 37 kilometers downriver from central Asunción. There are three transmitters, all constructed here in Paraguay. The new transmitters are solid-state, and use Class A amplification, in order to assure maximum audio quality. Owing to the irregular energy supply out in the countryside, our new transmitters operate from battery banks. They are recharged, using heavy-duty rectifiers. Two of the transmitters operate on HF and one on MF. Each has a theoretical power output of 2.4 kW. 7 MHz ideal for broadcasting Here in Paraguay, frequencies above 9 MHz tend to overshoot the target areas. Frequencies below 7 MHz tend to propagate only out to 500 kilometers during the daytime. Thus, we use the 41 meter band, from empirical observation, and from computer-generated propagational forecasts. This choice also allows us to maintain the same frequencies, day and night. Many receivers available in South America have shortwave bands. However, the majority tune only from 2 to 12 MHz. Therefore, 7 MHz is located right in the middle of the dial, for most radio sets. At Villeta, we have four antennas. One is for the medium waves, and is 125 meters tall. It is equipped with 18 kilometers of buried radials, one for every two circular degrees. This antenna has a theoretical gain of 8.84 dBi, is omnidirectional, with vertical take-off angles of from 3 to 27 degrees above the horizon. We have, as well, a large Corner Reflector antenna. This is beamed at 184 degrees, from Magnetic North. The antenna is 82 meters long, on three sides, and is 26 metres tall. There is a theoretical gain of 25 dBi. The horizontal beamwidth is 22.5 degrees, with vertical take-off angles of 3 to 27 degrees above the horizon. There are two 5/8-ths wavelength radiators, using the backside of the Corner Reflector, to serve 4 degrees from Magnetic North. These antennas have a theoretical gain of 8,84 dBi, a horizontal beamwidth of 45 degrees, and vertical take-off angles of 3 to 27 degrees above the horizon. Radiodifusión América is testing, from Villeta, on frequencies of 7300 and 7385 kHz, in 41 meters, and on 1610 kHz, in the medium waves. From Ñemby, regular programs continue on 1480 kHz. All four frequencies are normally on the air 24 hours, seven days a week. The Villeta transmitter site is connected with the Ñemby studios, via PCM radio link. Shortwave frequencies are changed from time to time, so be sure to check the DXing.info Community for the latest information. For instance, we plan to replace 7385 kHz with 9980 kHz shortly. And when you hear us, don't forget to send us your reception reports, they are most welcome and correct reports will be verified. Radio América Frequencies: 1480, 1610, 7300, 7385 / 9980 kHz Address: Casilla de Correo 2220, Asunción, Paraguay Fax: +595 21 963 149 Email: ramerica@rieder.net.py Published October 1, 2002 (DXing.info via WORLD OF RADIO 1150, DXLD) According to recent e-mails from R. América, Paraguay to Arnaldo Slaen, they plan to transmit on 9980 kHz. I've detected a carrier around 9980.3 kHz since I tuned in at 0945 UT, October 3. Anyone getting audio out of this one? (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hi George, Have weak carrier on 9981.47 at 1000. I am listening the the Hurricane Emergency Net on 3873 lsb at the moment but will keep checking this! (Bob Wilkner, FL, ibid.) It looks like the carrier is drifting. At 1056, I've got them around 9980.6 kHz (George Maroti, NY, Oct 3, Cumbre DX via DXLD) En un correo electrónico recibido hace un rato, Adán Mur, de Radio América, me confirma que la emisora abandonó los 7300 khz para emplear ahora los 7385 khz con antenas dirigidas a Buenos Aires. Hace segundos escribí a la emisora para que me digan en qué horarios estarán testeando en esta nueva frecuencia. Saludos (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Oct 2, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Viz.: Estimado Señor Arnaldo L. Slaen: Para avisar a Usted que hemos mejorado las características técnicas de la frecuencia 7385 KHZ, banda de 41 metros, lo mejor para servir a la región de Buenos Aires. Por motivo de interferencias, hemos dejado de transmitir en la frecuencia de los 7300 KHZ. Esperamos agregar la frecuencia de 9980 KHZ, en el futuro cercano. Sus reportes de sintonía serán muy bienvenidos. Con saludos desde el Paraguay (Adán Mur, Radiodifusión América, Asunción, Paraguay (via Slaen, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Che! Arnaldo... Holowaty se cambió de bando o están alquilando tiempo de transmisión a los mormones. Yo me carteé durante muchos años con José y el estaba al frente de KGEI, una emisora cristiana de tipo denominacional bautista. ¡Que mezcolanza! ¿No? (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, ibid.) ** PERU. R. Unión, 6115v, Sept 21 0850-0900+, presumed with a very strong, very distorted FMing signal. Too distorted to even identify language. A week later, Sept 28, 6114.66, again presumed. Somewhat better signal 0650-0800+. Much more readable but still with some distortion. Latin American music, Spanish, ballads, Spanish talk, but no ID heard (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see ECUADOR ** POLAND. Re airtime sale for 1503 kHz: there seems to be a misunderstanding about this frequency. There doesn't exist a single MW transmitter in Poland anymore except for the Koszecin (Czestochowa) site in the south of Poland with 450kW on 1080 kHz (and two independent 0.1 kW community radios). All other sites were completely dismantled and the land was sold. The old 1503 kHz site with 300kW in Tychowo near Szczecin was closed in the 1990s. I assume that TPSA was offering airtime on 1080 kHz instead (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Oct 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. POLISH CARDINAL TACKLES RADICAL RADIO Tuesday, 1 October, 2002, 10:15 GMT 11:15 UK By Nicholas Walton - BBC News Warsaw A decree banning the offices of a radical Catholic radio station from operating in the Polish capital, Warsaw, has come into effect. The decree was issued by the head of the Polish Catholic Church, Cardinal Jozef Glemp, and will restrict the station from raising funds. It is being seen as an attempt by the church to end the growing influence of radical Catholicism in Poland. Radio Maryja is one of the success stories of post- communist Poland. Founded by Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, the station began broadcasting nationwide in 1993. It says it is now listened to by well over 10% of adult Poles. But as well as being successful, it is controversial. Its mixture of prayers, masses and hymns is underpinned by Polish nationalism and strong opposition to the European Union. It also has strong connections with a right-wing Catholic political party, the League of Polish Families, which has 38 seats in the country's parliament. Critics say both the radio station and party cross the line into xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Radio Maryja's extremist and eurosceptic message is at odds with the one the church is now trying to put across. In August, Pope John Paul ended his visit to Poland by urging the country to strengthen its links with Europe. Commentators say the church is also concerned about losing its position of influence in Poland, and is keen to win over Radio Maryja's millions of listeners. Instead, it hopes they will tune their receivers into the Church's official station, Radio Jozef (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 198 kHz at Irkutsk (more correctly Angarsk) not operational since 6 June 2001 due to damage to the antenna. It will not be repaired and the transmitting site is being dismantled (Irkutsk DX Circle http://www.icc.ru/radio via Steve Whitt, via MWC via Oct BDXC- UK Communication via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. MEDIA IN SOMALI CAPITAL DISRUPTED BY STRIKE AGAINST NEW MEDIA LAW Observations by BBC Monitoring confirm international news agency reports that the operations by various media outlets in the Somali capital Mogadishu have been disrupted on 2 October by a journalists' strike. The strike is in protest against new media legislation approved by the parliament of the transitional government on 28 September. Mogadishu's leading independent radio station, HornAfrik, was off the air on the morning of 2 October and its web site was not updated. However, another local FM radio station, STN (Somali Telemedia Network) was heard with its usual main morning news bulletin (7 a.m. local time, 0400 gmt) on the 2nd. The bulletin made no mention of the strike. The web sites of various Mogadishu newspapers such as Ayaamaha and Xog-Ogaal were noted not to have been updated on the morning of 2 October. Mogadishu-based Radio Banaadir had reported on 29 September that members of various media outlets met after the passage of the law by parliament and had condemned the new regulations. They had resolved to stop covering any reports on the transitional government and parliament and to "go on strike on Wednesday [2 October] in protest against the attack on the free press". Source: BBC Monitoring research 2 Oct 02 (via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. B2002 Transmissions Schedule Dear Glenn, Here is the B2002 transmissions schedule from Meyerton Transmitting Station, South Africa. Kind regards, Millingo Nkosi, Transmission Planning, Sentech (Pty) Ltd Private Bag X06, Honeydew 2040, SOUTH AFRICA Tel: +27 11 471 4489 Fax:+27 11 471 4754 SHORTWAVE TRANSMISSIONS FROM MEYERTON, SOUTH AFRICA EFFECTIVE FROM 27 OCTOBER 2002 TO 29 MARCH 2003 CHANNEL AFRICA Time UTC kHz Language 0300-0325 9685 Swahili 0300-0330 9525 English 0330-0355 9525 French 0400-0430 5955 English 0430-0455 5955 Portuguese 0430-0455 3345 Portuguese 0430-0455 9525 French 0500-0530 11710 English 0530-0555 11710 Portuguese 0600-0630 15215 English 0630-0655 15215 Portuguese 1300-1455 21760 English * 1300-1455 17725 English * 1300-1455 11710 English * 1500-1525 17780 Swahili 1500-1530 17725 English 1530-1555 17725 French 1600-1630 9525 English 1600-1630 17860 Swahili 1630-1655 17860 French 1630-1655 9525 Portuguese 1630-1655 3345 Portuguese 1700-1730 17870 English 1730-1755 17870 Portuguese 1800-1830 17870 English 1830-1855 17870 French * Saturdays and Sundays only BBC Time UTC kHz Language 0300-0330 11865 Swahili 0300-0700 11765 English 0300-0500 3255 English 0300-0500 6190 English 0400-0430 15400 Swahili 0430-0500 3390 Portuguese 0430-0500 6135 Portuguese 0430-0500 7205 Portuguese 0500-1700 6190 English 0500-1700 11940 English 0530-0600 15400 Kirundi * 0700-0730 17695 French 1500-1530 21490 English 1530-1615 21490 Swahili 1615-1700 21490 Kirundi/Eng/Swah 1700-2200 3255 English 1700-2200 6190 English 1700-1900 15420 English 1730-1745 3390 English 1730-1745 7230 English 1730-1745 9525 English 1745-1800 7230 Swahili 1800-1830 7230 French 2030-2100 3390 Portuguese 2030-2100 6135 Portuguese 2030-2100 7205 Portuguese * Saturdays and Sundays RADIO VERITAS PRODUCTIONS Time UTC kHz Language 1000-1100 7240 English 1600-1900 3230 English UNITED NATIONS RADIO Time UTC kHz Language 1700-1715 7170 French * 1700-1720 21535 French/Port* 1725-1745 7170 Port/English * *Monday to Friday ADVENTIST WORLD RADIO Time UTC kHz Language 0400-0430 9650 English 0400-0430 12080 Swahili 0430-0500 12080 English 0500-0530 5960 English 0500-0530 11970 Yoruba 0500-0530 9875 French 0500-0530 6015 English 0530-0600 15225 Ibo 0530-0600 15345 English 0600-0630 15225 Hausa 0600-0630 15345 English 1700-1730 12130 Swahili 1730-1800 12130 Maasai 1800-1830 5960 English 1800-1900 11985 English 1800-1830 6095 English 1900-1930 17695 Fulfulde 1930-2000 15255 Hausa 1930-2000 17695 Ibo 2000-2030 15295 English 2000-2030 17695 French 2000-2030 12105 French 2030-2100 12105 Yoruba 2030-2100 15295 English TRANS WORLD RADIO Time UTC kHz Days Lang. 0330-0345 7215 34 Sidamo 0330-0345 7215 5 7 Amharic 0600-0615 11640 1234567 English 1600-1630 9680 1234567 Kirundi 1625-1655 9660 12345 Somali 1645-1700 9930 123 Oromo 1645-1700 9930 45 Kambaata 1645-1700 9930 67 Hadiya 1657-1712 9660 1234567 Juba 1700-1730 9930 1234567 Amharic 1703-1718 7265 1234567 Sena 1718-1733 7265 1234567 Yao 1730-1800 9930 12345 Oromo 1733-1748 7265 2 7 Yao 1830-1900 9720 1234567 Bambara 1830-1900 9510 1234567 Fulfulde 1830-1900 9460 1234567 Hausa 1900-1930 9510 1234567 Yoruba 1900-1945 9720 1234 67 French 1900-1930 9720 5 Songhai 1900-1930 9460 1234567 Kanuri 1930-1945 9720 5 Moore 1930-1945 9510 123456 Nupe 1930-1945 9510 7 Ewe 1945-2000 9510 12345 Twi 1945-2000 9510 6 Ewe 1945-2015 9510 7 Igbo Day 1 = Monday, Day 2 = Tuesday ... FAMILY RADIO Time UTC kHz Language 1900-2100 3230 English RADIO FRANCE INTERNATIONAL Time UTC kHz Language 0257-0359 7135 French RADIO SONDER GRENSE Time UTC kHz Language 0500-0700 7185 Afrikaans 0700-1700 9650 Afrikaans 1700-0500 3320 Afrikaans RADIO VLAANDEREN INTERNATIONAL Time UTC kHz Language 0600-0630 17730 Dutch 1100-1200 21630 Dutch* 1200-1230 21630 Dutch * Sundays SOUTH AFRICAN RADIO LEAGUE Time UTC kHz Language 0800-0900 9750 English * 0800-0900 21560 English * 1800-1900 3215 English ** * Sundays ** Mondays RADIO ECCLESIA Time UTC kHz Language 1900-2000 7205 Portuguese (SENTECH, Oct 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 7200, SNBC Omdurman, 1 Oct at 1820. In Arabic. Sudanese music, mentioning often Khartum. Later some speeches about Sudan. No ID heard as Iran signed on at 1857 with music (Hebrew program) and Yugoslavia a bit later with interval signal and then Spanish. So, tentative as ID missing (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: The last edition of "Nordic Report" focuses on corporate climate Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Network Europe" Sunday: "In Touch With Stockholm" takes up questions from listeners about retina transplants, Nordic international broadcasting, and a fairy tale Coming up next week most of the Nobel Prizes will be announced, and we'll be covering them here on Radio Sweden. The Medicine Prize comes on Monday, Physics on Tuesday, Chemistry and Economics on Wednesday, and the Peace Prize on Friday. The Literature Prize is always announced on a Thursday, but the Swedish Academy hasn't announced the date yet. If it isn't next Thursday, it will probably be the following week (SCDX/MediaScan Oct 2 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. http://www.cbs.org.tw/english/index.htm English Service (09/27) Starting from October 27 to March 31, RTI English programs targeted at Europe from 2200 to 2300 UT will be changed to 9355 kHz. Frequencies for other areas and times remain unchanged. (09/26) CBS-Radio Taipei International will bring you live coverage of the ROC National Day celebrations on October 10. (more) (09/26) Good news for our many listeners in South Asia and Africa: RTI is opening new mailboxes in India and Senegal! (more) (via Daniel Say, BC, DXLD) ** THAILAND. Verie signer and address for BBCWS relay is: Miss Puangtip O, BBC Asia Relay Station, P O Box 20, Muang, Nakhon Sawan 6000, Thailand (Chris Stacey, East Sussex, Oct BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** TURKEY. B-02 schedule for Voice of Turkey October 27, 2002 - March 29, 2003: ALBANIAN 1230-1325 11910 ARABIC 1000-1155 15105 15245 1500-1655 6120# 15195 ||||| ex 9505#for B-01 AZERI 0800-0925 11835 17755# ||||| ex 15505#for B-01 1500-1555 5965 BOSNIAN 1900-1955 5990 BULGARIAN 1430-1525 7140 CHINESE 1200-1255 15320 ||||| ex 17715 for B-01 CROATIAN 1700-1725 9595 ENGLISH 0400-0450 6020 7240 1330-1420 17690 17815 1930-2020 9890 ||||| ex 7125 for B-01 2130-2220 9525 2300-2350 6020# 9655 ||||| ex 9830#for B-01 FRENCH 2030-2125 6050 9715# ||||| ex 6140#for B-01 GERMAN 1230-1325 21530 1830-1925 9745 GEORGIAN 0800-0855 11690 GREEK 1130-1225 7295# 11855 ||||| ex 9630#for B-01 1530-1625 6015 ||||| ex 6195 for B-01 HUNGARIAN 1030-1125 17565 KAZAKH 1600-1655 7295 KYRGYZ 1700-1755 6095 MACEDONIAN 0900-0955 11895 PERSIAN 0930-1025 11795 17690 1330-1455 11705 ROMANIAN 1030-1125 11930 RUSSIAN 1400-1455 11980 1800-1855 6135 SERBIAN 1430-1455 11935 SPANISH 1730-1755 11690 TATAR 1900-1955 5955 TURKISH 0500-0755 17690 0500-0955 11925 17570 0500-1655 11955 0800-1655 15350 0800-2155 9460 1000-1255 21715 1100-1555 17860 Friday only 1300-1655 13615 ||||| ex 17745 for B-01 1700-2255 5980 9560 1700-0455 6120 1800-2255 6185 2200-0755 9460 2300-0455 7300 TURKMEN 1630-1725 5965 ||||| ex 9545 for B-01 URDU 1300-1355 17715 UZBEK 0200-0255 7115 1800-1855 5955 73 from (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 1 via DXLD) ** U A E. DUBAI: TV CHANNEL IN ENGLISH 'TENTATIVELY' BEGUN BROADCASTING | Text of report in English by UAE news agency WAM web site Dubai, 2 October: Dubai Television announced here today that its English Language Channel (Channel 33) has tentatively began broadcasting via Nilesat, ahead of full transmission scheduled to coincide with the UAE national day celebrations on December 2. [Channel 33 is broadcast on 11785 MHz, vertical polarisation in digital format, via Nilesat at 7 degrees west]. The tentative broadcasting which will cover the Arab world, will run for four hours daily but will be increased to 12 hours after December 2, said Ahmed Saeed Al Qohoud, General Director of Dubai TV during a press conference. The decision to broadcast via the satellite was based on studies which showed that the channel would be received by millions of viewers around the world, said Al Qohoud, adding that the decision was also encouraged by the public response to two live programmes ran recently by the channel to ascertain the views of its spectators as to which programmes they would like to see on the channel. He pointed out that Channel 33, which was the first in the Middle East to broadcast its entire programmes in English to an English speaking audience has achieved a tremendous success due to the variety of its programmes. The channel is expected to reach out to a wider audience with the expansion of its service in December, noted Al Qohoud. "Our assessment shows that there are more than 20 million English speaking foreigners residing permanently in the Middle East and North Africa. This is in addition to tourists and Arab viewers themselves," he said, adding that this is so strong an audience to be ignored. Source: WAM news agency web site, Abu Dhabi, in English 1 Oct 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. Hemel Hospital Radio: I am about six miles from the hospital, and get a good signal on 1350, but a parallel VHF signal on 48525 is much stronger, 24 hours; narrowband FM, sound clipped. No delay between AM and FM. I think it is coming from the hospital. SIO 555, heard since Dec 2001 (Brett Rowland, Studham, Bedfordshire, Oct BDXC- UK Communication via DXLD) Probably the studio to transmitter link (Andy King, Beyond The Horizon ed., ibid.) ** U K [non]. RUSSIA: BVBN noted Sep. 28/29 with new schedule on 7425: Sat 1800-1830 in Polish and 1830-1900 in English, ex 1800-1900 in Russian Sun 1800-1845 in English and 1845-1900 in Russian, ex 1800-1900 in Russian (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Oct 1 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. BBC TAILORS ITS NEWS BROADCAST Television* Expansion into the U.S. continues with a Washington-based program for its cable channel and PBS. By ELIZABETH JENSEN, TIMES STAFF WRITER, October 2 2002 NEW YORK -- It's still the "BBC World News," but now it's coming to U.S. viewers from Washington, not just London. The British Broadcasting Corp., having quietly expanded distribution of its nightly newscasts to almost the entire United States, last week started tailoring the programs to American viewers in a bid to attract an even wider audience.... http://www.calendarlive.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug=cl%2Det%2Djensen2oct02 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. HURRICANE WEBCAST OPTIONS Hello Glenn, I have done some webcast research in preparation for the arrival soon of the now-serious Hurricane Lili. The eye of the storm is presently forecast to come ashore Thursday midway between New Orleans and the Louisiana/Texas border, sometime between 1700 and 2000 UT. For those out of the range of 870 WWL New Orleans, I offer these webcast options: There are no major cities in the direct path other than New Orleans, and the present projection shows the worst of it missing New Orleans by perhaps 100 miles. There are no webcasting stations in the storms direct path. Here are some stations immediately adjacent to the path: KOGT AM : http://www.kogt.com/index.htm A smalltown country AM at 1600 right on the TX/LA border. Town is being evacuated but they will stay on air. Distorted feed. Texas State Network affiliate. Webcast: http://www.kogt.com/KOGTLIVE.asx WQYZ FM: http://www.wqyz.com/ Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi, oldies, webcast at http://www.wqyz.com/livebroadcast.asx not immediately sure if station is of local origination or satellite delivered, sounded bland enough to be the latter. WJZD FM: http://www.wjzd.com/ Long Beach, Mississippi, A small, down home R&B / blues format, "JZ 94.5", again right on the Atlantic coast, webcast at http://www.wjzd.com/wjzd.asx nice sound. Relaxed female DJ seemingly unconcerned about coming onslaught when I checked an hour ago. Other options: http://www.wwoz.org/ New Orleans Jazz/Community FM http://www.wrbh.org/ New Orleans Radio Reading Service News/talk stations in Houston area do not stream. The tiny number of number of other streaming stations in southern Louisiana are all satellite delivered American Family religious stations w/ no local content. (There oughta be a law, no?) Beaumont TX news talk is Clear Channel - owned, no streaming allowed by company edict. Some New Orleans / French Quarter webcams at: http://www.comfm.com/webcam/list/?c=us&s=la 8 cameras, updated evry 20 sec and archived, actually pretty good New Orleans weather radio: http://www.nola.com/weatherradio/popup1 Strike probability map http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/natural_disasters/hurricanes/tracker/200 2/strike_lili.html Louisiana coastal radar via Intellicast http://www.intellicast.com/Local/USLocalWide.asp?loc=uslact18169&seg=LocalWeather&prodgrp=RadarImagery&product=RegionalRadar&prodnav=none&pid=none Louisiana coastal radar via NWS http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf?/weather/doppler/neworleans_doppler_ref_long.html That's all for now. Should be an interesting day (Tom Roche- Atlanta, Oct 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This was posted immediately early UT Thu at Anomaly Alert With Lili as a Cat 4 hurricane now, I'm sure there will be a few stations tending to hurricane duties. So who shall we hear that we didn`t hear during Tropical storm Isidore --- stay tuned! Follow the tropics at www.wgai560am.com/hurricane.html (Bob Carter Operations/Engineering WGAI-NewsRadio 560 AM Stereo, amfmtvdx et al. via DXLD) My latest observational comments and forecast on category 4 Hurricane Lili can be found at: FMCI 2002 FL Region Daily Tropical Discussion: http://www.kn4lf.com/sub/fmci5.htm I also am also involved with the Hurricane Watch Net on 14325 kc. Their website is at: http://www.hwn.org 73, (Thomas Giella, KN4LF, amfmtvdx via DXLD) ** U S A. WEBCASTERS, MUSIC BIZ WEAVING A ROYALTY DEAL Radio By DAVID HINCKLEY DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER A wave of cautious optimism spread through the Internet radio community yesterday about a possible deal with the music business that could enable most Webcasters to survive. Under a Library of Congress decision this summer, anyone streaming music on the Internet must start paying royalties as of Oct. 20, both for new music and music played back to 1998. While the Recording Industry Association of America calls the royalties modest - and has asked that they be raised - the trade newsletter RAIN has estimated they would put 95% of all Webcasters out of business, because most generate little or no revenue. But Tuesday, Rep. James Sensebrenner (R-Wis.) withdrew legislation delaying the royalty date by six months, saying both sides "have assured me they will reach a comprehensive agreement by [tomorrow] that will be fair to Webcasters, record companies and recording artists, as well as provide the economic certainty and stability necessary for Webcasters large and small to succeed." Paul Maloney of RAIN says the RIAA and Webcasters have been negotiating all week and there is some movement toward a system based on a percentage of Webcasters' revenues. That's what Webcasters have been seeking all along, saying they don't mind paying royalties, but they can't pay more than they take in. The new royalty rate for commercial Webcasters would be 0.07 cents per song per listener, with a $500 minimum annual payment for small operations. Webcasting is still in its infancy, with a small audience. But the hope is that as it becomes easier to receive Webcasts on computers, it will become a niche alternative to commercial radio. "That's why you don't want to put it out of business now," says Tom Taylor, editor of the trade sheet Inside Radio. "You would kill the goose before it has a chance to lay any eggs at all." A royalty system based on percentage of revenue would give the RIAA a much stronger incentive to help Webcasting flourish. (NY Daily News Oct 3 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. RIAA SUES RADIO STATIONS FOR GIVING AWAY FREE MUSIC http://www.theonion.com/ The Onion.com 10/2 LOS ANGELES --- The Recording Industry Association of America filed a $7.1 billion lawsuit against the nation's radio stations Monday, accusing them of freely distributing copyrighted music. "It's criminal," RIAA president Hilary Rosen said. "Anyone at any time can simply turn on a radio and hear a copyrighted song. Making matters worse, these radio stations often play the best, catchiest song off the album over and over until people get sick of it. Where is the incentive for people to go out and buy the album?" According to Rosen, the radio stations acquire copies of RIAA artists' CDs and then broadcast them using a special transmitter, making it possible for anyone with a compatible radio-wave receiver to listen to the songs. "These radio stations are extremely popular," Rosen said. "They flagrantly string our songs together in 'uninterrupted music blocks' of up to 70 minutes in length, broadcasting nearly one CD's worth of product without a break, and they actually have the gall to allow businesses to advertise between songs. It's bad enough that they're giving away our music for free, but they're actually making a profit off this scheme." RIAA attorney Russell Frackman said the lawsuit is intended to protect the artists. "If this radio trend continues, it will severely damage a musician's ability to earn a living off his music," Frackman said. "[Metallica drummer] Lars Ulrich stopped in the other day wondering why his last royalty check was so small, and I didn't know what to say. How do you tell a man who's devoted his whole life to his music that someone is able to just give it away for free? That pirates are taking away his right to support himself with his craft?" For the record companies and the RIAA, one of the most disturbing aspects of the radio-station broadcasts is that anyone with a receiver and an analog tape recorder can record the music and play it back at will. "I've heard reports that children as young as 8 tape radio broadcasts for their own personal use," Rosen said. "They listen to a channel that has a limited rotation of only the most popular songs-commonly called 'Top 40' stations-then hit the 'record' button when they hear the opening strains of the song they want. And how much are they paying for these songs? A big fat zip." Continued Rosen: "According to our research, there is one of these Top 40 stations in every major city in the country. This has to be stopped before the music industry's entire economic infrastructure collapses." Especially distressing to the RIAA are radio stations' "all-request hours," when listeners call in to ask radio announcers, or "disc jockeys," to play a certain song. "What's the point of putting out a new Ja Rule or Sum 41 album if people can just call up and hear any song off the album that they want?" Frackman asked. "In some instances, these stations actually have the nerve to let the caller 'dedicate' his act of thievery to a friend or lover. Could you imagine a bank letting somebody rob its vaults and then allowing the thief to thank his girlfriend Tricia and the whole gang down at Bumpy's?" Defenders of radio-based music distribution insist that the relatively poor sound quality of radio broadcasts negates the record companies' charges. "Radio doesn't have the same sound quality as a CD," said Paul "Cubby" Bryant, music director of New York radio station Z100, one of the nation's largest distributors of free music and a defendant in the suit. "Real music lovers will still buy CDs. If anything, we're exposing people to music they might not otherwise hear. These record companies should be thanking us, not suing us." Outraged by the RIAA suit, many radio listeners are threatening to boycott the record companies. "All these companies care about is profits," said Amy Legrand, 21, an avid Jacksonville, FL, radio user who surreptitiously records up to 10 songs a day off the radio. "Top 40 radio is taking the power out of the hands of the Ahmet Erteguns of the world and bringing it back to the people of Clear Channel and Infinity Broadcasting. It's about time somebody finally stood up to those record-company fascists." (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. I expect some may already know about this site - it is absolutely incredible for jingle lovers - a whole stack of pages full of mp3 American radio jingles. I was not allowed to put mp3s on my site and then real audio caused the site to be deleted - how do people do this! http://www.560.com/html/pams_series_38.html (Keith Knight --- Interested in radio try http://wirelesswaffle.Ocatch.com BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U S A. WLW: THE NATION'S STATION Fascinating extract from "Radio: The Roots of Broadcasting" a superb US site at http://inventors.about.com much more there and many photographs. Radio station WLW has a history as colorful and varied as any in the United States. It is unique in that it was the only station ever granted authority to broadcast with 500 kW. The station actually began with 20 watts of power as a hobby of Powel Crosley, Jr. The first license for WLW was granted by the Department of Commerce in 1922. Crosley was authorized to broadcast on a wavelength of 360 meters with a power of 50W, three evenings a week. Growth of the station was continuous. It operated at various frequencies and power levels until, in 1927, WLW was assigned to 700 kHz at 50 kW and remained there. Operation at 50 kW commenced on October 4, 1928. The transmitter was located in Mason, OH. The station could be heard as far away as Jacksonville, FL and Washington, D.C. The super-power era of WLW began in 1934. The contract for construction of the enormous transmitter was awarded to RCA in February 1933. Tests on the unit began on January 15, 1934. The cost of the transmitter and associated equipment was approximately $400,000, not much today, but a staggering sum in the middle of the Great Depression. At 9:02 p.m. on May second, programming was commenced with full 500 kW of power. The super-power operation was designed to be experimental, but Crosley managed to renew the license every 6 months until 1939. The call sign W8XO was occasionally used during test periods, but the regular call sign of WLW was used for programming. "Immense" is the only way to describe the WLW facility. The antenna reached a height (including the flagpole at the top) of 831-feet. The antenna rested on a single ceramic insulator that supported the combined force of 135 tons of steel and 400 tons exerted by the guys. The tower was guyed with eight 1 7/8-inch cables anchored 375-feet from the base of the antenna. The main antenna was augmented by a directional tower designed to protect CFRB, Toronto, when the station was using 500kW at night. The directional system was unique in that it was the first designed to achieve both horizontal directivity and vertical-angle suppression. A spray pond in front of the building provided cooling for the system, moving 512 gallons of water per minute. Through a heat exchanger, the water then cooled 200 gallons of distilled water in a closed system that cooled the transmitting tubes. The transmitter consumed an entire building. Modulation transformers weighing 37,000 pounds each were installed in the basement. Three plate transformers, a rectifier filter reactor, and a modulation reactor were installed outside the building. The "exciter" for the transmitter produced 50 kW of RF power! A motor-generator was used to provide 125V dc for control circuits. The station had its own power substation. While operating at 500 kW, the transmitter consumed 15,450,000 kWh per year. The facility was equipped with a complete machine shop because station personnel had to build much of the ancillary hardware they needed. Equipment included gas, arc and spot welders, a metal lathe, milling machine, engraving machine, sander, drill press, metal brake, table saw and other equipment. A wide variety of electrical components were also on hand. WLW operated at 500 kW until March 1, 1939, when the FCC ordered the station to reduce power to 50 kW. The station returned to super-power operation a few times during World War II for government research. The days when WLW could boast to being "the nation's station," were, however, in the past (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. Shortwave "health" programs are always promoting colloidal silver (Fred Waterer, DX LISTENING DIGEST): CANDIDATE'S SKIN BLUE AFTER DRINK The Associated Press GREAT FALLS, Mont. (AP) - Montana's Libertarian candidate for Senate has turned blue from drinking a silver solution that he believed would protect him from disease. Stan Jones,a 63-year-old business consultant and part-time college instructor, said he started taking colloidal silver in 1999 for fear that Y2K disruptions might lead to a shortage of antibiotics. He made his own concoction by electrically charging a couple of silver wires in a glass of water. His skin began turning blue-gray a year ago. ``People ask me if it's permanent and if I'm dead,'' he said. ``I tell them I'm practicing for Halloween.'' He does not take the supplement any longer, but the skin condition, called argyria, is permanent. The condition is generally not serious. Colloidal silver dietary supplements are marketed widely as an anti- bacterial agent or immune-system booster, but some consider it quackery. Jones is one of three candidates seeking to unseat Democratic Sen. Max Baucus in November. The others are Republican state Sen. Mike Taylor and Green Party candidate Bob Kelleher. 10/02/02 17:26 EDT (AOL Canada via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** U S A. LA Times Commentary 10/1 Bode to Turner: Buy CNN back and save it http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-oe-bode1oct01.story COMMENTARY --- CNN Is Anything but Mickey Mouse TED TURNER HAS TO SAVE THE NETWORK FROM BEING SWALLOWED BY DISNEY By KEN BODE, a professor of broadcast journalism at Northwestern University, moderator of PBS' "Washington Week in Review" from 1994 to 1999. October 1 2002 Let's not bury the lead. It is time for Ted Turner to take some of the $2 billion that the money magazines say he has and buy back CNN, endow it and have it run as the all-news channel it was conceived to be. CNN is once again being shopped around. In previous iterations there was a prospective merger with CBS News or a takeover by NBC. This time the rumor is that AOL Time Warner will spin off CNN and allow it to be absorbed by Walt Disney Co. and merged with ABC News, the stepchild news division owned by Disney. When Turner initially agreed to sell CNN to Time-Warner, Time's chief executive, Gerald Levin, called CNN the "jewel in the crown." It turned out that Levin didn't know what he was buying. All he knew was that CNN had worldwide reach. That it was the network that every U.S. newsroom tuned to; that it was the one Boris Yeltsin kept on in his office, Fidel Castro in his kitchen and Saddam Hussein in his bunkers. When President Clinton fired cruise missiles at Baghdad (in response to Iraq's attempt to assassinate former President Bush), the White House had to call CNN President Tom Johnson to ask what had been hit. For working reporters in both companies, the Time-CNN merger seemed to promise a natural symbiosis. Two strong news organizations with worldwide reach -- one television, one print -- was a merger that appeared to add value to both. Then the culture clash set in. A team of Time executives paid a visit to CNN's Washington bureau to examine the new acquisition. They found veteran correspondent Bruce Morton in his office, and the joshing began. When one of the blue suits from Time mentioned that they couldn't wait for the day when they only had to write 150 words, Morton replied, "And we at CNN can't wait for the day we only have to do it once a week." On the Time side, once the bean counters and executives began to understand the vicissitudes of cable television and the competitiveness of the ratings cycle, the joshing soon turned sour. One executive complained that Time sends out more Christmas cards than CNN has viewers. On the CNN side, there was a feeling that the new owners had no appreciation for what they did, which was cover real news, worldwide, at less cost than anyplace else in television. The culture clash morphed into a form of tissue rejection. Driving to work one day, I heard the news that AOL had bought Time Warner. Does NPR have it backward, I thought? Time must have bought AOL. Even at the time of the stratospheric rise of the dot-coms, was it fathomable that an Internet start-up could purchase a worldwide publishing conglomerate like Time Warner? But it was true, and CNN was a small part of the deal, albeit advertised once again as a priceless part of the package. Now, like the rest of the Nasdaq overachievers, AOL's stock is tanking, and the geniuses are looking to unload CNN. If the plan to merge CNN with ABC News goes through, CNN will become a tiny slice of the enormous Disney pie. Disney is one of those enterprises with a huge CEO salary and ailing market prospects. The last time Disney share prices plummeted, company executives traveled to Washington to explain to the ABC News bureau why it would have to sacrifice jobs to the corporate bottom line. Next time, it could be CNN producers and correspondents whose jobs are on the line. The core value of CNN is not duplicated anywhere else in television news. It is the network the world turns to when there is real news to cover, especially foreign news. ABC, NBC and CBS already have responded to budget constraints by closing down foreign bureaux. If there is a major labor demonstration in Paris, all the footage on those networks looks the same because they all buy it from independent contractors in Europe. CNN has news crews and correspondents on the ground, reporting from 31 bureaux around the world. Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather could gather for a quiet breakfast in the coffee shop of the Baghdad Hilton and no one would notice. If they were joined by Christiane Amanpour, there would be 100 autograph seekers in five minutes. If ABC News and CNN are merged, it will be a major step toward that great nirvana to which we seem to be heading when all television news looks the same. Competition used to be considered a healthy thing in journalism, but with this deal, there would be less of it. Disney's accountants would quickly find cost savings by closing competitive CNN-ABC bureaus in Beijing, London, Moscow and perhaps even Washington. Ted Koppel and "Nightline" would find a new home at CNN. Then, when Disney stock slides again, the rest of CNN's overseas bureaus would be on the chopping block. In the entertainment-based corporate culture of Disney, news has no particular value except what it contributes to the bottom line. Where are you, Ted Turner? CNN is the most important of the many things you created. Buy it back. Then, if President Bush decides to blow up the Baghdad Hilton, at least your old network will still be around to cover the war. Copyright 2002 Los Angeles Times (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO KILLED THE RADIO STAR --- By Todd Spencer Consolidation has resulted in 10,000 layoffs, the demise of a beloved trade magazine, and a decline in programming quality. But industry execs are fat and happy.... http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2002/10/01/nab/index.html (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. Letter from Washington: THE CHAIRMAN, by NICHOLAS LEMANN He's the other Powell, and no one is sure what he's up to... Issue of 2002-10-07 Posted 2002-09-30 http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?021007fa_fact [Long profile of Michael Powell, FCC Chairman] (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. Dear Glenn, I read, with interest, Harold Frodge's log of 25950AM KPM556 in DXLD 2-150. I noted the same reggae style music on 9/25 2059-0004 and 9/26 1624-1728; although I heard an ID for KGON. The IDs are not given with any regularity or schedule, as noted by Mr. Frodge. Correspondence with Bob Montgomery and Mark Mohrmann provided info of "Cue" stations, including those that use this frequency. Entercom Communications of Portland, Oregon has 6 stations that use 25950, one being KGON. The info is over 1 year old, however. I sent an e-mail to KGON regarding reception but have yet to receive a reply. I will definitely scan these higher frequencies again in the future! (Scott R. Barbour Jr., NH, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA English news program Sept 28 0025-0040+ on 5930, weak; I assume spur of 5995? (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. BUT WILL THEY TUNE IN? By Tara Sonenshine, Originally published September 24, 2002 WASHINGTON -- It seems so simple, so obvious. If only we could use the power of television and the exponential reach of satellite technology to broadcast our ideals to the Arab and Muslim worlds, maybe they would like us, understand us, believe us. It's an idea motivating some in the U.S. government to contemplate spending millions of dollars to build an Arab language satellite TV network that can reach viewers in Arab and Muslim countries with a more positive view of America. But before we spend upward of $60 million to beam American-made ideas into the Arab and Muslim world, let's ask a fundamental question: Will it work? Other governments are already experimenting with satellite networks throughout the Middle East. In Israel, the state-run Israel Broadcasting Authority has started a new Middle East Channel, an Arabic-English international satellite network that will operate throughout the Middle East and Europe to win over regional public opinion, which has grown increasingly hostile toward Israel. At the same time, Arab League governments are preparing to spend up to $22 million on their own satellite television channel, with English and Hebrew-speaking services, in hopes of changing public opinion about the Arab world. The problem with these expensive, high-tech satellite plans is that they fail to take into account certain fundamental media realities that limit how much governments can change hearts and minds. First, there is the problem of credibility. Government-sponsored information is often met with resentment and suspicion. Citizens differentiate between propaganda and objective information. Second, government satellite television channels will face stiff competition from existing private channels that operate throughout the region -- CNN, MSNBC, Middle Eastern Broadcasting, al-Jazeera and a host of other news outlets. Last, regional satellite networks don't provide the kind of local news and information that many citizens want about their own neighborhoods and communities. A better alternative to building large, expensive satellite systems is to strengthen local, independent media outlets in the Arab and Muslim worlds. It is the local media that most influence "the street" and where views of the world can shape public perception. Rather than engage in a full-fledged global satellite competition, akin to an arms race, in which countries simply beam government propaganda at each other, let's devote resources to supporting indigenous news outlets with fact-based, objective reporting. History is full of examples of the power of local media to change societies. In the 1980s, when Congress began to give modest amounts of foreign aid to develop independent media in the former Soviet Union, the results were astonishing. Hundreds, then thousands, of independent broadcasters and media professionals developed, creating a multiplicity of voices and a vibrant and open media able to withstand even current challenges to its independence. Independent media made the critical difference in Yugoslavia, where the power of local independent radio stations such as B92 helped overthrow the dictatorship of President Slobodan Milosevich. The critical challenge facing the U.S. government is how to change local media in countries that spew hatred of America and the West on their evening news. We need to create a diversity of opinion as well as the ethics and standards of good reporting. We need to provide professional journalism training and legal advice and assistance on how to build strong independent information systems. We need media exchange programs and journalism training that come not directly from the U.S. government but through qualified nonprofit organizations that have credibility in the region. And we need to start pressuring Arab and Muslim governments to expend resources on opening their own media, not building expensive propaganda systems that perpetuate misperceptions about the West. This is not to suggest that there is not a role for government media. Overseas broadcasts such as Voice of America or Radio Free Liberty can be a lifeline to people who live in closed societies. But as we contemplate the expenditure of enormous resources on international television networks and channels with content generated by our government, we must ask ourselves some questions: Who's on the other end of the remote? How will they receive our message? And is it better to create change from within rather than beam from outside? Tara Sonenshine is former editorial producer for ABC News' Nightline and served on the National Security Council in the Clinton administration. Ms. Sonenshine is a consultant for Internews, which is (surprise surprise) "a nonprofit organization that promotes independent media worldwide." http://www.sunspot.net/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.media24sep24.story Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun Op-Ed (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) Media Advisory -- WEST COAST NEWS CONFERENCE ON RADIO SAWA Washington, D.C., October 02, 2002 The Broadcasting Board of Governors http://www.bbg.gov the federal agency that supervises all non-military U.S. international broadcasting, will hold a news conference to unveil for the first time on the West Coast the story behind its music-driven Middle East Radio Network, known as Radio Sawa http://www.radiosawa.com The Arabic- language news and music station has attracted huge audiences across the region. Governors will also discuss worldwide broadcasting initiatives for the 21st Century in Central Asia (including Afghanistan and Iran), Asia, Africa, and Eastern and Central Europe. Speakers: Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, Chairman, BBG Norman J. Pattiz, BBG member, Chairman and founder of Westwood One Mouafac Harb, News Editor, Radio Sawa What: News Conference Where: 9875 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, California 90210 -- Santa Monica Room When: Wednesday, October 9, 2002 - 8:30 a.m. Local Contact: Joan Mower 202.213.8205 (mobile) 310.274.7772 (Hotel) (BBG Press release Oct 2 via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. FIGHTING NET CENSORSHIP ABROAD, By Mitch Wagner Washington lawmakers are considering legislation that would allocate $100 million to thwart Internet censorship by authoritarian regimes. Rep. Chris Cox (R-Calif.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would establish an Office of Global Internet Freedom to foster development of censorship-busting technology for users in countries including China and Saudi Arabia. The bill would allocate $50 million each for 2003 and 2004. The office would be part of the International Broadcasting Bureau, which provides engineering and administration for the Voice of America, Radio and TV Martí (Office of Cuba Broadcasting), and other electronic media aimed at viewers in authoritarian countries.... http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,55530,00.html (Wired News via Kim Elliott, DXLD) Also see: BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL BILL STOPS INTERNET JAMMING House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox (R-CA) and House International Relations Committee Ranking Member Tom Lantos (D-CA) introduced legislation today to counter Internet jamming and blocking around the world.... http://policy.house.gov/html/news_release.cfm?id=111 (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) which in turn links to: TEAR DOWN THIS FIREWALL, Thursday, September 19, 2002 http://policy.house.gov/html/news_item.cfm?id=112 (via gh, DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 6165, ZNBC Lusaka, 1 Oct at 2150 in English. This one popped up at times when Croatia and Chad faded down. Closed down around 2200 after NA. Transmitter was left on for some minutes with test tone, same thing on 6265. Both transmitters went off almost simultaneously around 2205 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. 5975, ZBC Harare, 1 Oct at 2100 in local language with DJ and African music. Announcing "National FM" which seems to be relayed on this frequency. 6045 was empty at this time, other days I have heard "R Zimbabwe" ID there (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6715U still alive: I was curious to know if this station is still alive. So on Wednesday, 2 Oct at 1953 I tuned to 6715U and there it was. Having same distorted audio at times as earlier, but no question, same station. Korean language religious program. Haven't seen any reports of its origin so far (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ MOTOROLA CLAIMS ANALOGUE RADIO BREAKTHROUGH From http://www.ananova.com Motorola has developed new technology to raise the quality of analogue radio broadcasts. It says its Symphony Chipset will allow listeners to near-digital quality broadcasts on the old AM and FM frequencies. The technology promises less static and fading, extended listening range and improved clarity and volume. The innovation rests with the use of software algorithms in receivers to improve the radio signal. Motorola expects partner manufacturers to begin selling first radios using the technology by Christmas 2003. Analogue radio uses electronic waves in their original form. Digital transforms the wave into a stream of binary code that can be tuned, filtered and improved by software. Motorola's innovation is to replace analogue frequency tuning circuitry in receivers with software. Until now broadcasters have needed to acquire new digital broadcasting equipment to offer improved services. Story filed: 09:24 Wednesday 2nd October 2002 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 02 - 28 October 2002 Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate for most of the forecast period due to the growth and development of Region 134 and the return of old Region 105/114 complex. There is a chance of a greater than 10 MeV proton event during the forecast period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geo-synchronous orbit may reach event threshold on 11-13 October due to coronal hole effects. The geomagnetic field is expected to be quiet to unsettled for most of the forecast period. On 09-10 October, a recurring coronal hole in the southern hemisphere is expected to reach a geo-effective position and may result in active conditions. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2002 Oct 01 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2002 Oct 01 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2002 Oct 02 140 15 3 2002 Oct 03 145 10 3 2002 Oct 04 145 8 3 2002 Oct 05 150 8 3 2002 Oct 06 160 8 3 2002 Oct 07 175 10 3 2002 Oct 08 185 12 3 2002 Oct 09 190 15 3 2002 Oct 10 190 12 3 2002 Oct 11 190 8 3 2002 Oct 12 185 8 3 2002 Oct 13 185 8 3 2002 Oct 14 185 10 3 2002 Oct 15 175 10 3 2002 Oct 16 165 10 3 2002 Oct 17 155 10 3 2002 Oct 18 150 10 3 2002 Oct 19 150 10 3 2002 Oct 20 155 8 3 2002 Oct 21 160 8 3 2002 Oct 22 155 8 3 2002 Oct 23 150 5 2 2002 Oct 24 150 5 2 2002 Oct 25 150 5 2 2002 Oct 26 145 8 3 2002 Oct 27 140 12 3 2002 Oct 28 140 10 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via World of Radio 1150, DXLD) ###