DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-181, November 20, 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 1157: WBCQ: Wed 2300 on 7415, 17495-CUSB; Mon 0515 on 7415 WWCR: Thu 2130 9475, Sat 0700, Sun 0330 5070, Sun 0730 3210, Wed 1030 9475 RFPI: Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0000, 0600, Mon 0030, 0630, Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445 and/or 15039 WJIE: M-F 1300, daily 0400; Sun 0630, Mon 0700, Tue 0630 or 0700, 7490 WRN: Rest of world Sat 0900; Europe Sun 0530; North America Sun 1500 ONDEMAND http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html [from Fri] [From early UT Thu:] [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1157h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1157h.ram [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1157.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1157.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1157.html [from later Thu] WORLD OF RADIO STREAMING Glenn, I noted that you were asking for comments about your audio quality versus file size in WOR #1156. My comments apply to the streaming realaudio versions, but would presumably apply to the download versions as well. I will preface my remarks by saying that I have a high speed (ADSL) internet connection, SB Live soundcard, and decent speakers. This is typical of many listeners, I would think. I tested WOR #1156 (high, 44kbps), #1156(low, 21kbps), and #1155(low, 16kbps) by alternately playing the introduction of each version several times, and comparing them for overall audio quality. I found that there is a huge increase in quality from 16kbps (#1155, low) to 21kbps (#1156, low). The difference in overall quality is very marked. There is not, however, a corresponding increase in quality from 21kpbs (#1156, low) to 44kbps (#1156, high). I note a slightly more deep resonance to your sonorous voice, and somewhat more definition in the high end (on the essess,effs, etc). So, my conclusion is that the jump from 16kbps (#1155, low) to 21kbps (#1156, low), is most assuredly worthwhile, whereas the jump from 21kbps (#1156, low) to 44kbps (#1156, high) is not. 73's and good listening, (Shaun Merrigan, Alberta, Nov 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Dear Glenn, First of all, many thanks for extremely interesting listening digests! (Robertas Pogorelis, (currently in Kaunas, Lithuania), Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA Info vom Direktor des Internationalen Dienstes von R Tirana, Herrn Astrit Ibro. Ich habe Ihre Prospekte [Unterlagen] einmal schnell gelesen und dabei habe ich festgestellt, dass einige Informationen alt und nicht mehr gueltig sind. Wie Sie ja geschrieben habe, ergaenze ich diese Information, in der Hoffnung, dass die richtige Publikation fuer die beiden Seiten wichtig und hilfsreich sein kann. Die Kontaktadressen sind falsch. Sie sollen wie folgt formuliert werden: RTSH - Radio-Televizioni Shqiptar ist der oeffentlich-rechtliche Sender in Albanien Intendant: Artur Zheji, TV-Direktor: Agron Cobani Radio-Direktor: Xhelil Aliu Technischer Direktor: Irfan Mandia Direktor fuer Auslandsbeziehungen: Frau Mira Blushi Was Radio Tirana International anbetrifft, gebe ich Ihnen eine ausfuehrliche Information, weil ich selber dieses Programm leite. Radio Tirana International "Ismail Qemali"-Strasse 11 Tirana - Albanien Direktor: Astrit Ibro Tel: +355 4 22 32 39 E-Mail: aibro@a... [truncated] Radio Tirana International sendet taeglich, von Montag bis Samstag in sieben Fremdsprachen: UTC Deutsch 1830-1900 auf 1458 kHz und 7185 kHz Franzoesisch 2000-2030 auf 7210 kHz Italienisch 1900-1930 auf 7240 kHz Griechisch 1815-1830 auf 6130 kHz Tuerkisch 1800-1815 auf 6130 kHz Serbisch 2215-2230 auf 6135 kHz und 1215 kHz. Englisch - fuer England 1945-2000 auf 7210 und 9510 kHz 2230-2300 auf 7130 und 9540 kHz. fuer die USA 0245-0300 auf 6115 und 7160 kHz 0330-0400 auf 6115 und 7160 kHz. Diese Angaben sind fuer die Winterzeit gueltig. Die albanische Lokalzeit ist mit dem deutschen bzw. oesterreichischen Zeit identisch. Die Sendezeiten werden laut der mitteleuropaeischen Zeit gegeben. Radio Tirana International sendet auch auf Albanisch fuer Europa und Nordamerika. Die Sendezeiten sind fuer Europa 0900-1000 7110 und 1395 kHz 1500-1800 7270 und 1215 kHz 2130-2300 7295 und 1458 kHz fuer Nordamerika 0000-0300 7270 kHz 0300-0430 7270 kHz. Lieber Herr Suess, ich hoffe, dass ich mit diesen Informationen ein wenig helfen kann. Ich wuerde mich sehr freuen, wenn diese Verbesserungen auch im Handbuch dokumentiert werden. Ich danke Ihnen fuer Ihre Muehe im voraus und verbleibe Mit herzlichen Gruessen, (Astrit Ibro, Albanien, Nov 12 via Harald Suess, Austria, A-DX Nov 12/16 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. Re an item last July: ``Cabe señalar que otras estaciones que operaban en esta parte del dial, actualmente se han mudado de frecuencia. Ellas son: 1470 / Radio M.E.C. (Caseros) - Ex 1710 KHz 1580 / Radio Restauración (Hurlingham) - Ex 1650 KHz 1600 / Radio Luz del Mundo (Rafael Calzada) - Ex 1610 KHz (Marcelo Cornachioni, Argentina, Conexión Digital July 21 via DXLD)`` RADIO MEC (CASEROS) TRANSMITE EN 1580 KHZ Y NO EN 1470 KHZ (Radio MEC, Nov 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Aqui el esquema completo de emisiones de la RAE, Radiodifusión Argentina al exterior, válido para su período B-02 hasta el 30/03/2003 UT 1000-1200 JAPONES 11710 LEJANO ORIENTE 1200-1400 ESPAÑOL 15345 AMERICA 1800-1900 INGLES 9690 15345 EUROPA 1900-2000 ITALIANO 9690 15345 EUROPA 2000-2100 FRANCES 9690 15345 EUROPA-N.AFRICA 2100-2200 ALEMAN 9690 15345 EUROPA-N.AFRICA 2200-2300 ESPAÑOL 6060 11710-15345 EUROPA-N.AFRICA 2300-2400 ESPAÑOL 6060 11710-15345 AMERICA- EUROPA 0000-0200 PORTUGUES 11710 AMERICA 0200-0300 INGLES 11710 AMERICA 0300-0400 FRANCES 11710 AMERICA Las emisiones son de lunes a viernes. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Nov 20, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. CONFUSION AT RADIO AUSTRALIA Confirmation of the confusion at Radio Australia is provided by the announcement at approx. 2359 UTC of frequency changes about to occur. Frequencies announced as leaving are 15415 15230 11695 17715 but 13620 via Darwin also closes at that time. Frequencies announced as coming on are 15415 (different beam heading) 15240 but also starting at 0000 UTC are 17580 and, via Darwin 17775. The latter usually takes a minute or two to appear. Frequencies announced as continuing are 9660 12080 17795 21740 but 21740 does not continue as it changes at 0000 UTC to 21725. The announcer almost every day is Roger Broadbent who is Programme Coordinator, English Service according to a letter he wrote to me on June 28th last. I have sent emails to Roger broadbent.roger@abc.net.au drawing his attention to these errors and omissions but after many weeks, the errors continue. One wonders if anyone really cares about these things! (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. UNUSUAL NARROWCASTING In Australia we have a number of radio stations that I suspect are unknown by 99% of the population. I can receive at least 10 stations on various frequencies from 151.45 to 152.35 MHz using the NBFM (narrow band frequency modulation) mode, the same as used by most radio amateurs on the 2 metre band. All stations are in languages other than English such as Greek, Arabic, Cantonese and Hindi. Incidentally the second largest Greek speaking city in the world is Melbourne. Identifying these stations is easy by entering the frequency in the online database of the Australian Communications Authority at http://www.aca.gov.au They all seem to be 50 watts yet I hear them very clearly 170 KM from Melbourne where those in the state of Victoria are located (Morrison Hoyle, Victoria, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. HF BROADCASTING LICENCING Glenn, These extracts from current regulations issued by the Australian Communications Authority may be of interest, concerning Australian HF broadcasting licencing. As at November 13, 2002, there is no record of any licence having been issued for operations on 2368.5 kHz, within the category of "HF Domestic Service Station". Regards (Bob Padula, Australia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ============================================================ High Frequency (HF) Broadcasting Stations HF broadcasting describes the operation of broadcasting services designed to provide either a domestic service within Australia and its territories, or an overseas service, in the HF bands. In December 2000, the Radiocommunications Services Act 1992 and the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, were amended to enable non-national broadcasters to provide an HF broadcasting service. The legislative changes were specifically designed so that HF international broadcasters should undergo a vetting process involving both the ABA and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The successful outcome of this vetting process would be an International Broadcasting Licence (IBL) issued under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. The ACA has developed three licensing options in the Broadcasting licence type to accommodate HF broadcasting. HF Overseas (IBL) Service Station This broadcasting licensing option accommodates the operation, in the frequency range 5.9 MHz to 26.1 MHz, of HF Overseas (IBL) Service station(s), operated by non-national broadcasters for the purpose of providing international broadcasting services. An International Broadcasting Licence (IBL) must be in force authorising the operation of the international broadcasting service. HF Overseas Service Station This broadcasting licensing option accommodates the operation of HF Overseas Service station(s) in the frequency range 5.9 MHz to 26.1 MHz for the purpose of providing broadcasting services to overseas locations. This licensing option is used only to authorise HF Overseas Service station(s) operated by national broadcasting services (that is, the ABC and the SBS) and other ‘exempt broadcasting’ services (as defined in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992). Holding an IBL is not a requirement of this licensing option. HF Domestic Service Station This broadcasting licensing option accommodates the operation of HF Domestic Service station(s) in the frequency range 2.3 MHz to 26.1 MHz, within Australia and its territories. An IBL may be required if the broadcasting service is targeted to a significant extent to audiences outside Australia. That would require the potential licensee to be also licensed under the appropriate overseas licensing option. Spectrum Use International High Frequency Broadcasting uses the frequency range 5.9 MHz to 26.1 MHz (see Table 1). Frequency assignment within this frequency range is subject to the provision of Article S12 of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations. In addition, assignments in bands shared with non-broadcasting services must be coordinated by the ACA. Table 1 – Bands that may be used for HF International Broadcasting Frequency Range Shared Bands (kHz) Frequency Range Non shared Bands (kHz) 5 900 – 5 950 5 950 – 6 200 7 300 – 7 350 7 100 – 7 300 9 400 – 9 500 9 500 – 9 900 11 600 – 11 650 11 650 – 12 050 12 050 – 12 100 13 600 – 13 800 13 570 – 13600 15 100 – 15 600 13 800 – 13 870 17 550 – 17 900 15 600 – 15 800 21 450 – 21 850 17 480 – 17 550 25 670 – 26 100 18 900 – 19 020 – For more detailed information see the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan. Domestic HF broadcasting services may, in addition, use the frequency range indicated in Table 2. Services operating in these bands are not subject to Article S12 of the ITU Radio Regulations, although they are subject to frequency coordination by the ACA. Table 2 – Bands that may be used for HF Domestic Broadcasting Frequency Range (kHz) 2 300 – 2 495 3 200 – 3 400 3 950 – 4 000 4 750 – 4 995 5 005 – 5 060 International Broadcasting Licence (IBL) Broadcasters must hold an IBL in respect of each international broadcasting service, before the relevant transmitter licence (apparatus licence) will be issued. Applications for IBLs must be made to the ABA. (end of extract) (via Bob Padula, Australia, DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. R. Bangladesh, Dacca, noted Nov 18 on 7185 parallel 9550 with English 1845, Bangla 1920. Terrible modulation on 7185 - almost unintelligible! (Bob Padula, Mont Albert, Victoria, Australia, Nov 19, EDXP E-Net via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. BRUSSELS 1043 covering for RADIO WORLD because of the program host injuring himself; he and the program will return on December 8th (Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It was reported on Sunday November 17, 2002 on RVI's Brussels 1043 that Radio World would be returning December 8, 2002. I wonder if anyone else has enjoyed 'Music from Flanders' using the Windows Media Player at 96 kbs on RVI's newly remodeled web page. Paul Rans sounds much better in near FM quality (Larry Nebron, California, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BHUTAN. We also used the first Camp night in order to listen to the Bhutan Broadcasting Service signing on at 0100 UT on 6035. Bhutan was a new radio country for the most of the participants. We heard flutes, drums and monk singing and had the impression to be in a buddhist monastery. Due to the local sunrise in the Himalaya the station faded out at around 0130 UT. Also in this case I can offer a mp3 audio clip (215 KB). 6035, Bhutan BS, Thimpu, November 15th, 0100-0125, Dzongha, s/on, anthem, announcement by OM, slow music with flutes and drums until 0115 followed by songs; SINPO 22322 (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) 6035.00, Bhutan Broadcasting Service, Thimpu; *0100-0125, Nov 19, bagpipes-like sign-on theme, national anthem and OM talks, then local music till the fadeout. Weak to Fair (Giampaolo Galassi, Italy, NRD 515, Eska, mod 60m LW, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** BURUNDI. NEW RADIO STATION BEGINS TRANSMISSION | Text of report by Radio Burundi on 18 November A new radio has joined the media landscape. Radio Isanganiro began broadcasting programmes today at 1100 [local time]. The radio joins several others, which have been operating. Radio Isanganiro director said the radio would promote dialogue between all Burundians without regard to their social class, adding that special emphasis would be put on various activities in favour of the restoration of peace in our country. This would be done through contribution by everyone, including Burundians in the diaspora, wherever they are. Source: Radio Burundi, Bujumbura, in French 1800 gmt 18 Nov 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK??!! See DXLD 2-138: it was awaiting a *SHORTWAVE* frequency ** BURUNDI [non]. BURUNDI REBEL GROUPS REPORTEDLY SET UP RADIO STATION IN EASTERN DRCONGO | Excerpt from report by Burundi news agency ABP on 19 November Grassroots administration officials in Rumonge Commune (southwest Burundi), meeting under the chairmanship of their administrator Maj Antoine Bashirahishize on Monday 18 November 2002, said reports reaching them from the Ubwari peninsula in [eastern] DRCongo indicated that rebels from the FDD [Forces for the Defence of Democracy] and FNL-Palipehutu [National Liberation Forces-Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People] have set up a radio station in the area. The sources said that fishermen approaching the Ubwari peninsula had picked up the signal of the station, which transmits on Thursdays and Saturdays at a time that has not yet been established. The officials at the same time said the rebels in Ubwari were recruiting in some areas of Rumonge Commune as well as in the communes of Bugarama, Muhuta and Kabezi in Bujumbura-Rural Province (in west). The recruits are dispatched to the peninsula, particularly to the Rubomo, Karira and Mwayenga areas, to undergo military training... Source: ABP news agency, Bujumbura, in French 1955 gmt 19 Nov 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. Un cordial saludo desde Beijing. Ahora te enviamos el nuevo horario del invierno, esperamos que sea de tu agrado. Para España Hora UTC Frecuencias 21:00-22:00 6020 y 9640 22:00-23:00 6020, 11690 y 9640 Para America Latina 23:00-24:00 11880 y 11650 00:00-01:00 11720, 11880, 15120 y 5990 01:00-02:00 17720 y 9665 02:00-03:00 13685 y 17720 03:00-04:00 9560 y 9660 Atentamente, (Sección de Español, Radio Internacional de China, Nov 20, GRDXC via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6011.10, La Voz De Tu Conciencia, 0910-0934 Nov 17. ID given at 0910 "La Voz De Tu Conciencia". Programming was in Spanish. Male gives apparent commentary with many mentions of Iraq. At 0929, slow instrumental music is played, almost like "funeral" music. Ended at 0934. Next selection was much more lively with the piano featured. SINPO 43343. Strong signal at S9. Intermittent "woodpecker" QRM on adjacent 6010 (Dave Palitsch, Averill Park, NY, Nov 20, NRD535D and 300 ft. longwire, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CONGO DR. 11690, R Okapi, sent another reply from Georges Schleger, VE2EK, Communications Officer, Head of Technical Services, R. Okapi, MONUC, in two days, confirming my report and indicating it will be forwarded to Hirondelle Foundation for a QSL-card. His E-mail notes that the station operates at 10 kW with a yagi 3-element antenna pointed to the east at 80 degrees from Kinshasa. He included pictures of himself at the transmitter and a nice shot of the antenna system. Georges can be reached at scheger@u... [truncated] (Rich D`Angelo, PA, DX-plorer Nov 17 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** FRANCE. A TIS station or network exists on 107.7 to cover many French motorways. The main purpose is to increase safety. The choice of a single frequency enables continuous program reception without drivers having to retune their radios, although RDS systems can make the retuning to the same network or program service automatic. Coverage is limited to a narrow area centered on the roadway itself. There is also a system to provide FM coverage in the Channel Tunnel, linking France and England. To provide information on specific routes, the broadcasts are divided into zones, with the motorist only hearing what applies to the area he or she is driving through. Most of the stations are 200 watts and utilize highly directional antennas (Nov FMedia! via DXLD) ** INDIA. New Delhi: Indian Airlines air hostesses are being trained by All India Radio experts to make more melodious and pleasing in- flight announcements. A five day voice culture training for cabin crew of the national carrier is underway in the staff training institute of AIR at Kingsway Camp here to train mid-carrier air hostesses in correct dictation and appropriate delivery. Personnel of Indian Railways and Indira Gandhi Open University will be the next to be trained (Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad, 19 Nov 2002 via Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J, dx_india via DXLD) ** INDIA. Ref: 0215-0300 Pushtu, 0300-0345 Dari This morning I noticed spurious signals of the above mentioned AIR External service on 10000 kHz. I have identified it as spurious of 9845 kHz. Although 9910 is also used then in parallel, there was a short time when the 9845 transmitter was off and then the 10000 khz spurious also went off. 9910 continued then. There are many reports from Europe etc. that AIR is heard on 10000 and 10050 kHz etc. at other times as reported earlier in this reflector (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J, Nov 18, dx_india via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. I cannot find any pattern in VOI's freq usage. They sometimes seem to be off air altogether on SW (for example today Sunday 17 Nov 0030-0400). My impression is that they are especially likely to be off air at weekends, but I haven't really checked carefully. I don't know what happens to their small FM transmitter in Jakarta 89.0 MHz when the SW transmitters are off. Until around August 2002 the morning transmission at 0030-0400 was usually on two frequencies in \\ (9525 and 11785), but since then I have only heard them on 9525 at those times (Alan Davies, Surabaya, Indonesia, BC-DX Nov 17 via DXLD) Hello Mr. Hauser- Regarding VOI changing frequencies, I heard them Nov 13 on 11785 kHz at 2020Z with English to Europe, with music and web site address (almost no English content or schedule information on it). Fair SIO 232 signal, but faded out completely by 2030Z. 73s (Ben Loveless, WB9FJO, Michigan, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Las QSLes de esta emisora suelen ser muy bonitas. Además, la política QSL de la radio es generosa y los tipos muy amables, ya que tienen abundante material para los oyentes. Un abrazo (Arnaldo Slaen, Nov 18, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. MOLDOVA? 7460, Payam-e-Doost R (Presumed) 0224 Nov 19 with test tones and start of program at 0230. Talk by woman in Farsi, easy music. No ID I could get due to strong splatter, but matched to audio on website. Had been reported to be using 7465 for new 0230- 0315, but that frequency is blocked here by Overcomer via WWCR. Radio International, a clandestine directed to Iran, was reported to be using 7460 at *0230. A look at their website doesn't mention 7460 at 0230, just the well-established 7490 broadcast. The Baha`i site still lists 7465. My guess is that the report of Radio International here mixed them up with the Baha`i and that the latter is using 7460 instead of listed 7465. Site presumed on tones and the fact that they have been using Moldova (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. IRAQ REPORTEDLY RESUMES BROADCASTS TO MOJAHEDIN-E KHALQ Text of unattributed report entitled: "Mujahidin-e Khalq return to forefront of Iraqi-Iranian discord", published by London-based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat on 19 November Baghdad, Al-Sharq al-Awsat - The Iraqi authorities have resumed Persian radio and television broadcasting dedicated to the Iranian opposition organization, Mojahedin-e Khalq. The Iraqi television - the main channel - dedicates one hour of its morning broadcasting to the Iranian programme, in addition to nightly broadcasting. Monitors have noticed that the return of the organization's activities to the media forefront comes in response to the Iranian support of political Shi'i organizations, which have joined an alliance against the Iraqi government. It is known that the Mojahedin-e Khalq have well-armed military camps in eastern and northeastern Iraq. In the meantime, there are armed Iraqi opposition organizations in Iran. The Iraqi and Iranian sides had earlier agreed to curb opposition activities in both countries against one another. Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, in Arabic 19 Nov 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. This is one of George Bush`s favourite targets to turn into smouldering ruins. The URL http://www.iraqtv.ws/ is a waste of time to visit as nothing is really operational other than the photo gallery of Saddam Hussein (Dr John Barnard, AB, Signals Unlimited, Nov CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. A website broadcasters can go to find out the latest on any war which might develop in Iraq, http://www.iraqjournal.org promises regular updated print, audio and video reports. ``All of the content is available free for use by noncommercial grassroots news organizations.`` Commercial organizations are asked to send an e-mail to request permission. All users are requested to credit ``iraqjournal.org`` in broadcast or print, reports the National Federation of Community Broadcasters (Nov FMedia! via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Auf 1566 kHz kam R Mesopotamia via Kuwait mit O=3 durch, Nachrichten in arabischer Sprache und ID "I'dahat Wadi Rafidayn". (Stefan Dombrowki, Germany, A-DX Nov 17 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** IRELAND. MYSTERY OF IRISH RADIO HISTORY - 2ND SHORTWAVE ERA This is now the fifth episode in our search for information on the radio scene in Ireland and this time we take a look at the shortwave scene under the title, ``The Second Shortwave Era``. As mentioned in previous editions of Wavescan, a small 1.5 kW shortwave transmitter was installed with the high powered mediumwave transmitter near Athlone in Ireland This unit began test transmissions in the early part of the year 1939 and it was on the air intermittently until it was closed three years later at the end of the year 1941 due to war time exigencies. Three years later again, this transmitter was re-activated as an interim shortwave service pending the installation and activation of a large 100 kW unit, also co-sited with the other units at the transmitter site near Athlone. Again, this low powered transmitter was on the air somewhat intermittently with a program relay from the mediumwave service, usually a short broadcast consisting of a news bulletin and information about local events. This radio programming from Ireland was heard on occasions in various countries of Europe, in North America, and in the South Pacific. On one occasion a soldier on duty on an island in the western Pacific happened to tune in to this exotic little shortwave station on the other side of the globe. That was in the year 1945. After nine years of on-air service during this second spate of activity, making twelve years altogether, this little transmitter was finally switched off for the last time, some time during the year 1953. The Irish government decided to divert funding originally intended for the shortwave service into other projects within Ireland itself. Now, at the same time as the low power unit was in service on an interim basis, a large 100 kW unit was under installation at the same location. Installation began in 1948 and on air test transmissions were conducted in 1953. At this stage, due to uncertainty regarding the future, the transmitter was simply warmed up weekly, just to keep it serviceable. However, this unit was also switched of for the last time, at the end of the same year, 1953. During both the first era and the second era of the low power unit, QSL letters were issued to listeners in Europe, the United States and the South Pacific. At least one listener claims that he heard the large 100 kW unit and he received a QSL letter in acknowledgment. This historic QSL letter is now lodged in the Hocken Library in Dunedin, New Zealand, as part of the QSL collection of the New Zealand Radio DX League (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan Nov 10 via DXLD) ** IRELAND. THE MYSTERY OF IRISH RADIO HISTORY - MODERN ERA As we mentioned in Wavescan last week, the Irish shortwave service was switched off for ever at the end of the year 1953. It had begun as an experimental service using a small 1.5 kW shortwave transmitter located at Athlone in the year 1939 and it was on the air spasmodically for brief news broadcasts over a period of 15 years. Along with the low powered unit, the usage of the high powered 100 kW unit at the same location was also terminated. This transmitter was on the air with no more than a few test transmissions in the early 1950`s. Some eight years later, Ireland was on the air shortwave again for a series of special broadcasts beamed to Irish troops on service in the Congo in Africa. The frequency in use for these broadcasts in 1961 was 17544 kHz. Then 20 years later again, broadcasts from a pirate station, Radio Dublin International appeared on the shortwave dial, in 1980. Initially this was a very low powered unit at just 40 watts, though later the power was increased to 800 watts. Radio Dublin had found a loophole in the law and it was able to continue broadcasting on shortwave for many years. The current era of shortwave broadcasting from Ireland began in the year 1996 when Mid West Radio presented a series of broadcasts to the world in honor of St Patrick`s Day. This event proved so popular that a regular service on shortwave was subsequently introduced using a 100 kW transmitter located at Julich in Germany. The official government radio service, RTE, Radio Television Eire, introduced a similar shortwave service in 1997 with occasional broadcasts followed later with a regular schedule. RTE was on the air at first from a 100 kW unit at WWCR in Nashville USA for coverage of the Americas, Africa and the Pacific, and then later from Merlin BBC facilities. It was also somewhere around the year 1997 that UCB, United Christian Broadcasters, launched their own shortwave service, with a 1 kW transmitter on the air from probably somewhere near the border with Northern Ireland. QSL cards for the UCB broadcasts were issued from their headquarters in the Midlands in England (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan Nov 17 via DXLD) ** ITALY. 5020, RAI Rome, November 16th, 1920-1930, English, music, clear ID and closedown at 1930; probably spurious; attention: it's not SIBC!!! SINPO 24322 (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) This is the only transmission that fits; there is no English at that hour: 1910-1930 6130 7240 Serbian. Mixing product 1110 kHz apart, i.e., 7240 minus 1110 equals 6130 minus 1110 equals 5020! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. GUAM/JAPAN JSWC 50th anniversary program. Dear Sirs, The special broadcast in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of JPN Short Wave Club (JSWC) will be held as follows: Station: Adventist World R from Agat, Guam Language: Japanese and English Date, time and frequencies: 15 Dec 2002 / 2100 UTC / 11960 11980 16 Dec 2002 / 1300 UTC / 11755 11980 Program host: Masaru Kawagoe Guest: Toshimichi Ohtake (JSWC member). Program contents: Since our club's special broadcasts have already taken place 3 times by the Japanese service of AWR so far, we have received many reception reports for the second broadcast on 19 August from all over the world. So this time, these reports will be introduced during the regular Monday program by Mr. Kawagoe, with a guest Toshimichi Ohtake, a senior member of JSWC. It is a special bi-lingual, an approximately 20-minute-long program just after the opening ID at 2100/1300 UT. A special QSL card from JSWC will be issued for correct reception reports sent to: Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC), 50th Anniversary Committee, P. O. Box 138, Yokohama Port, 231-8691 Japan. Please write your report in English and enclose 1 IRC or U.S. 1 dollar bill. Source of information: Toshimichi Ohtake, a member of JSWC. We hope your continuous support of our club activities in the future. With kind regards, (Nobuya Kato-JPN, A volunteer staff of JSWC 50th anniversary project e-mail: jswc50@p... [truncated] Nov 1, BC-DX via DXLD) ** JORDAN. 11690, Radio Jordan, 1718-1723 17 Nov [Sunday]. Woman announces "If you have tuned in for the first time... this is Radio Jordan. Letters from listeners followed along with reception reports. SINPO 44554. Signal very strong at S+20/9 but the usual QRM RTTY interference a nuisance (Dave Palitsch, Averill Park, NY, Nov 20, NRD535D and 300 ft. longwire, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** LAOS [non]. KFCA-LP, *104.5, Fresno CA, is on the air with Hmong programming. It covers only the south half of town, so arrangements have been made for KSJC *91.5 Fresno to carry the programming at no cost on SCS 92 kHz. People who live in other neighborhoods will have to get the program via SCS (Nov FMedia! via DXLD) ** LEBANON [non]. FPM Radio 11515 kHz 22 Nov from The Daily Star, Lebanon: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/20_11_02/art28.asp 20 Nov 02: AOUN TO BEGIN RADIO BROADCASTS TO COUNTRY The France-based Rally for Lebanon, part of the Free Patriotic Movement of former Army Commander Michel Aoun, has announced the start of radio broadcasts on Nov. 22. The initial trial broadcast is to begin between 6-7 pm Beirut time on short wavelength 11515. It will include an address by Aoun, in exile in France for the past 11 years. The broadcast will also feature songs, news bulletins and a wide range of political and economic programs. The statement urged listeners to provide feedback about reception in Lebanon and the Middle East as a whole. Rally for Lebanon can be contacted by e-mail at fpmradio@yahoo.com or http://www.radio@tayyar.org (Item ends) (6-7 pm Beirut time = 1600-1700 UT. Nothing listed for 11515 on HFCC and it`s close to the 11510 registered for V of Russia via Armavir 1700-2000 and 11520 registered for TDP via Samara 1600-1800 UT. Is this a TDP relay?? Didn't High Adventure used to use 11515 from Lebanon some years ago??) The home page of the FPM website: http://www.tayyar.org/contenu/PagePrincipale.php and the page below: http://www.tayyar.org/files/revuedepresse/AR/assafir_radio201102.htm both contain Arabic items mentioning the 11515 frequency (but unfortunately I can't translate them.) The only English item on the site I can see about the station asks for name suggestions: The FPM Radio Station on November 22, 2002 - Fellow Lebanese and supporters, The Free Patriotic Movement will be launching its Radio Station on November 22nd. You are kindly asked to send us your suggestions about the best name that fits the station before November 20th on: tayyar_org@hotmail.com (Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK, Caversham, UK, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LITHUANIA. The Sitkunai transmitting centre has been conducting test transmissions on 1557 kHz in cooperation with R Baltic Waves on 14 and 15 Nov at 1900-2000, using a 150 kW transmitter with omnidirectional antenna (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, BC-DX Nov 16 via DXLD) WTFK in earlier item ** MAURITANIA. Too bad that 24-hour 4845 for Ramadan must clash with the Guatemalan, which is pretty much on top here, in various checks 0000-0200+ Nov 20, but messing it up quite a bit with slight varying het and modulation. Wonder when K`ekchí closes; Petersen had them as late as 0205. Mauritania in the clear at 0630 check; due to its high power and westerly location, this one can hold up quite late past 0800 approaching 0900 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Having finally found out when it is scheduled, I have been trying to reacquaint myself with RMI`s DXperience. Tue Nov 19 at 2330 reception seemed promising, altho it was far from ideal: modulation level on 9705 seemed to improve after Antena Radio Summary finished; 11770 continues to be lowly and more distortedly modulated. The first 17 minutes dealt with a topic that for me, was passé 35 years ago, the SINPO code (pronounced with a long I). Then some reception reporters were to be acknowledged, but I didn`t catch any names. Final subject was something about DRM and the people involved in that. Aside from being a yawner, it was still hard to follow, with the soft-spoken announcer, and increasing QRM on 9705 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. 12085, Voice of Mongolia, 1028-1031. At 1028 YL provides the address for reception reports in English. At 1029 program ends but faint music is heard in the background. At 1030 a new program commences at reduced power or change in directionality, or both. SINPO 35443. Strong signal S+20/9, but poor audio quality...garbled sounding (Dave Palitsch, Averill Park, NY, Nov 20, NRD535D and 300 ft. longwire, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. 5985.8, R Myanmar, Yangon, November 16th, 1450-1530, English, report about Buddhist ceremonies and festivals; ID: "This is Myanmar Radio", news in English at 1515; SINPO 33423 (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Greetings to the good folks there at Radio Netherlands! As a long-time and frequent listener, I'm confused by the recent changes to your "Week Ahead" announcement block that follows "Sincerely Yours" on Sundays. I always listen to that to get the details of the next several days' programming, and I appreciate that you air this info. Several times in the past, I had considered writing to ask that you make sure you leave enough time for that feature so that it would contain details on all 5 of the upcoming programs: "Research File", "Euroquest", "Music 52-15", "The Good Life", and especially the Documentary. But I never did because I figured that you tried and sometimes the time just got away from you; the same thing happens to me with time disappearing when I don't expect it to, after all. But in recent weeks, there has been a drastic change in this timeslot, and it is distressing. Instead of the usual "Week Ahead" descriptions on all 5 of those programs, there has been just one or two, and then an explicitly-announced "Music Fill" item. Please stop this and return to the previous "Week Ahead" format. We want the information that conveys, and a couple minutes of music is of no particular value, even if it sounds nice. Thank you for your attention in this matter. I hope this has been just a brief aberration and things return to the way they were. Regards, (William Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri USA, letter to rnw.nl, cc to DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND/PORTUGAL. A bad clash collision on 11675 at 0705-0800 UT, when RDP Lisbon has a 0600-0800 UT service at 310 degrees towards WNAm, Mon-Fri only, and RNZI Rangitaiki appears from 0705 UT co- channel (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Nov 14, BC-DX via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. FMakings: Selected FCC applications: Tuttle (move from Tishomingo) KTSH 99.7 10500 h,v; 52m (Nov FMedia! via DXLD) So only 10 kW ERP instead of the usual 100; that will diminish QRM to KNID-99.7, as previously feared (gh, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. KOKB, 1580 Blackwell, which has been paired with KOKP, 1020 Perry for some time, heard IDing at 2000 UT Nov 19 as ``Double Talk``. Guess that means a right-wing lineup (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. KWCO, 1560, Chickasha is silent. Had been classic hits (Nov FMedia! via DXLD) Indeed it is, checked Nov 19. Calls originally stood for Women`s College of Oklahoma, but was commercial (gh, Enid, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. The era of Dr. Gene Scott`s exclusive access to ch 32 in Enid seems over. Sunday night we found an auction back on the channel, and Tuesday Nov 19 at 2030 UT check, a poster mystic-taped to a tan background says ``KXOK -LP Enid / Live From Magoo`s / 120 E. Broadway``. We`d never heard of it but the place asserts to provide News Papers [sic], Magazines, Stationary [sic], Baseball Cards, Coffee, etc.... This is right next to the entrance to the Broadway Tower, 114 E. Broadway, atop which the KXOK transmitter and antenna are found. Music accompanying this fascinating picture is, what else, The Rocket, KUAL-LP 104.7. Oh, oh, at recheck 0145 UT Nov 20, both signals are off, air 32 and cable 18. The website http://www.kxok.tv featuring long outdated August primary elexion survey lasted thru most of DGS` tenure; now that he`s gone, DGS and a link to his own website appears. Oh oh oh, final check at 1850 UT Nov 20 finds DGS is back, at least part of the time; BTW, after a couple of weeks with no legal IDs, KXOK-LP added a permanent ID bug at the lower left when DGS is on (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What do I see when I tune into [cable] channel 18? Stuffed animals looking at me depressed on a table full of junk with signs reading 'Magoo's' with phone numbers and KXOK-LP covering them everywhere. Has that Crater-Face Theologian Dr. Gene Scott been taken off? That was horrible TV but this...this is worse. I don`t know how that is possible but those fine programmers at TV32 really try to top themselves. Listening to the 'Rocket' while looking at this fine array of 'not-quite-junk-auction-stuff' really gives good reason to debate suicide! Talk about nightmare fuel. Enid TV is sooo depressing. TV32 is now the Magoo Channel, 'ALL MAGOO, ALL THE TIME!' Some more programming for the public of Enid I guess? What genius devised this idea? I got sick of seeing that ugly old religious guy all the time, always in the same shot, but now I am starting to long for something that resembles a show. You know, actual moving cameras, not static, music a la soundtrack, actors and personalities, and possibly plots would be nice. Ignore local TV! Boycott it since it fails to uphold community standards. ALL MAGOO, ALL THE TIME! *snicker* *snicker* (Glen the Man [NOT gh], Nov 17, Enid Alternative yahoogroup via DXLD) It went from MTV2 to the Auction to a half-way decent TV station when it wasn't America One (being more than semi-biased, I preferred the local stuff to America One) to the Auction to the Gene Scott Channel and now back to the Auction. I think it will probably remain an Auction channel for awhile. I have heard so many different things about the future of KXOK from various different people that I don't know what is the truth anymore except what I experienced, and what I now see. Only time will tell (- Wappy, ibid.) It is not so much a matter of turning the channel simply because one does not like it, it a matter of local importance that these channels improve for the betterment of all. KXOK has failed to pull through and make itself an actual TV station. Now it is MagooTV...or a cheaper auction than before. It even makes Bid 'N Buy look good! At least they have bid screens and a lot of stuff to sell. The Magoo/Rocket auction does not. It looks to me like a scam, an attempt to fund someone's lifestyle and debts, not a useful and beneficial service for the community. I might be a cynic but I think it is right. You know it`s bad when even the Dr. Gene Scott satellite channel looks more interesting than the table full of junk that passes for items to sell. 18 is an embarrassment to Enid (Glen the Man, Nov 19, ibid.) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. [HCDX] DX-Camp Bavaria, November 2002 Hello to all, once again the DX-Camp Bavaria took place from November 14th to 18th 2002. As usual Beverage antennas were installed into all relevant DX directions up to 300m. I would like to emphasize some highlights: Already the first day of the Camp enabled a special DX experience on 3220 kHz at around 1950 UTC. Radio Morobe, a local station from Papua New Guinea, was audible on the Asia Beverage with sensational signal strength (S=9). On the following days the station was not to be heard any more. Sound file (mp3, 140 KB) available on demand. The enthusiasts of Pacific-DX sometimes can observe strange music pieces like German folksongs etc. played by PNG stations and others of the region. And R New Ireland starts its program on 3905 at 1930 with the melody of a well known German song ("Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus"). 3220, R. Morobe, Lae, November 14th, 1950-2005,English/Pidgin, pop songs from the BeeGees ("Words"), national anthem, ID: "Morobe calling, Radio Morobe..."; news in E at 2000, fantastic signal partly with S=9, SINPO 44434 3905, R. New Ireland, Kavieng, November 14th, 1935-1950, English, south sea music presented by YL, ID, SINPO 34423 (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. All HF broadcasts are in Portuguese; one RDPI broadcast is locally relayed in Tetum for Timor, called "Timor Loro Sae", and it's currently the sole foreign language broadcast aired by R. Portugal (Carlos de Assunção Gonçalves, Portugal, Nov 10, BC-DX via DXLD) See also NEW ZEALAND ** RHODES. GREECE [Rhodes] USCGC Courier, which for many years served as a floating radio station for the VOA. There is interesting material about the Courier on the Internet. Have a look at Fred's Place http://www.fredsplace.org/reunion/cutter/0820.shtml and Jack's Joint http://www.jacksjoint.com/greece.htm for information about Courier crew members. And http://www.geocities.com/grampanewell/ for some nice pictures of the Courier and environs (pages 1-3). Kim Elliott conducted an interesting "Communications World" program about VOA history on February 23, 2002 which can be found at http://www.trsc.com/cw/cw_20020223.html The RealAudio version contains (at 8:55) a brief early audio report about the Courier. There is also a nice picture of a Courier patch at this URL (Jerry Berg, MA, DX-plorer Nov 17 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. The programmes for the Circassian minority in the Near East, produced by the regional state bc companies GTRK "Adygeya" in Maykop (Adygeya) and GTRK "Kabbalkteradio" in Nalchik (Kabardino- Balkariya) seem to be broadcast now on 6005 kHz (Tbilisskoye 100 kW, 190 ) from 1800-1900, after the end of the Voice of Russia broadcasts to that region. The languages used seem to be Adygei, Kabarda (both are belong to the Circassian language group), Arabic and Turkish. However, the exact schedule and language usage is rather unclear. Has anybody monitored these broadcasts? A good website about the background of the Circassians in the Near East can be found at: http://hobobob%d0%b8%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%82%d0%b0%d0%bc%d0%b6%d0%b5.chat.ru/~abazapress/cbacken.htm 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Very interesting, but it doesn`t make clear why there is such opposition to repatriation. And can anyone explain why some URLs get converted to a whole bunch of percentage signs? (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Radio Samorodinka 3921 kHz v. V/s: Leo S. Shishkin Director. He speaks FLUENTLY English. QTH: Samorodinka, P.O.BOX 898, Moscow. Don't write Radio on the letter or he will be deported in SIBERIA !!!!!! (Dxer Anker Petersen, Danish Short Wave Club International, Dx-Window n 185) via Play DX 1164 - August 26, 2002. Nobody is being deported to Siberia nowadays, but if any proof is still needed that this is a pirate station - the reaction of Mr. Sishkin [sic] shows most clearly that his broadcasting activities are illegal (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS [and non]. Important information for all Pacific- enthusiasts: all DXers who hear something on 5020 at around 1915 UT should strictly avoid to send a reception report to Honiara. SIBC is not active on shortwave at present. What we heard here was the less exotic RAI from Rome, obviously a mixing product(spurious). (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) For explanation see ITALY Bisher nur Traeger-DX moeglich auf 5020 gegen 1900 UT. Fraglich ist, ob die Station ueberhaupt QRV ist. Wer haeufiger die "Pacific News" von RNZI (abends auf 15265) hoert, erfaehrt einiges ueber erhebliche Unruhen in diesem Staat. [und die schlechten wirtschaftlichen Verhaeltnisse ... wb] (Michael Schnitzer-D, A-DX Nov 12 via BC-DX...) I noticed last night (14 Nov) that SIBC Honiara was missing again from 5020 kHz. It is 1000 UT on Saturday 16 Nov and they are still absent. 5020 Solomon Isls. Sunday Nov 17, 0905 UT, they still ain't there! Today (18 Nov) they are back, their usual strong signal around 0900 UT (NWDXC via BC-DX via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from UK to SUDAN: 21550, Sowt Al Qarn. Clear again for the last half of its 1330-1430 broadcast; Voz Cristiana is now signing off at 1400. Same woman in Arabic with Ramadan greetings and comment on Sudan. English IDs as broadcasting to Somalia, Kenya, and Uganda. Signed off at 1430 but once again, no contact details at sign off. This one is just Mondays and Fridays at this time (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: In "HeartBeat" we meet the "Brain Lady", men and women DO think differently, and children need dangerous playgrounds Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Studio 49" Sunday: In "Sounds Nordic" young choreographers are not afraid to let go of what's cool and new, join two Swedish bands on tour, and take we a trip down memory lane with our surprise guest (George Wood, SCDX/MediaScan Nov 20 via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Radio Kinnekulle, Götene, a Swedish community (närradio) station on FM, located south of Lake Vänern, will be on the air on medium wave during the first week in December, starting December 1st, celebrating the station's 20th anniversary. Frequency: 1584 kHz, schedule: 0800-2000 UT, power: 200 W. A special medium wave program will be aired every day at 1600-1700 UT (Tore Larsson, ARC, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Earlier, frequency was uncertain ** TIBET. Lhasa noted at 2315 UT [Nov 18] in Tibetan, fair signal with heavy flutter on 7385 kHz, fading after 2340, \\ 5240 & 4905 weak. Also all three frequencies about equal and weak at 1115 with "Holy Tibet" program in English. Barely heard on 9490, which may be too high for the propagation path now (Icom R75, 80 foot Windom w/tuner.) 73, (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9490, "Holy Tibet" (English program), China Tibet PBC: "Me too." B&W Xerox copy of the George Maroti ppc with full-data (except power) penned in, station stamp applied; also sent form letter, sked, postcard view of Lhasa with handwritten greeting on back. Photocopied V/S's are Tsering Deky (ltr), hostess of the prgm, and Tse Ring Yuzen (ppc), their "president." Nice stamps on envelope. In 5 weeks for CD recording. Previously verified via Beijing only, so am pleased to get this direct reply. I had a direct reply from an English speaker at the station in 1992, but, despite multiple reports, nothing that could be called a QSL (Jerry Berg, MA, DX-plorer Nov 17 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** TOGO. Is anyone still hearing Lomé reactivated on 5047, which made such an impact last week? Whenever I check, WWRB-5050 is in the way, and can`t find a carrier on 5047 (Glenn Hauser, OK, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) TOGO reactivated its transmitter on 5047 kHz. Heard 19 Nov at 2230 UT in French (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia) AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. R. Tunis continues to emit a strong spur on 7190, 35 kHz down from the nominal carrier of 7225, noted Nov-18 1915, Arabic. Parallel with 12005. Unfortunately, PWBR 2003 shows 7190 as a real outlet! Regards (Bob Padula, Mont Albert, Victoria, Australia, Nov 19, EDXP E-Net via DXLD) ** TURKEY. Re 6900, Meteorology: I have only noted activity on this frequency during Ramadan. As I indicated, this is only a presumed reception, due to my inability to understand the language. Perhaps special Ramadan programming is aired on this transmitter at a time much earlier in the day then the normal operating hours of the weather service. I wouldn't know because the long distance skip is terminated by D layer absorption by around 0630-0700. Perhaps one of your readers could clear this up for us. 73, (David Hodgson, TN, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. PICTURES ON THE WIRELESS From http://www.thetimes.co.uk November 19, 2002 By Margaret Reynolds (I am going to an evening with Libby on Friday night in New Milton and will get my copy of her book about radio autographed; it`s highly recommended - Mike Terry) Speech radio has been a long affair for Libby Purves, one of its best- known presenters. Our correspondent savours her memories IT'S IMPOSSIBLE to shut your ears. Sound penetrates the body and enters in to make you see, taste, smell, feel. Human speech, above all, has this power. Apart from our mother's heartbeat and the pulse of her blood, her voice must be the first thing that we hear. Growing up, we soon become attuned to the hard tone that comes with self- defence, the too-loudness that goes with uncertainty, the wistful fading of regret, the catch in the voice that tells of tears held back, the husky swallow of desire. Desire, pain, loss, terror, delight, justification: these are the subjects of the best speech radio. Or if not the subjects, the tools and the substance, toned by the magic of immediacy, the simplicity of one person with a microphone, and the judgment of editing, into an aural feast - or cocktail, lesson, titillation, joke, tease, debate, quarrel, hymn. It depends on what you are listening to. The best pictures are on radio, but so is ingratiating sense, lingering scent, pungent taste. It may be that Radio 4 is the closest most of us will ever come to a synaesethetic experience. Even a quick glance at a Sunday schedule finds that it offers worship, farming, reminiscence and revelation (Desert Island Discs), jokes and games, food, the shipping forecast, gardening, history (This Sceptr'd Isle) and financial advice (Money Box). BBC speech radio is like nothing else in the world, though it is admired and imitated in many countries. A combination of an intellectual tradition, a public service remit and the freedom to experiment handed down from the early days in the 1920s and 1930s meant that it has developed a format and style that would be impossible in these days of commercial constraint and market-led programming. Radio is cheap to make, accessible and free to the consumer. You can do something else while you listen, even while it takes you to strange places and into close contact with strangers. Or else it takes you to friends, as the newsreaders, the presenters and announcers come into your home and into your life. Libby Purves is one of those Radio 4 voices. She has now published her memoirs of life on the air, Radio: a True Love Story. For nearly 20 years she has presented Midweek on Wednesday morning, as well as numerous documentaries. Before that, for three and a half memorable years from the age of 28, she was a presenter on the flagship news programme Today. When she resigned, a disgruntled listener wrote: "How could you walk out on us with Christmas barely a month away?" He was probably the same man who wrote to complained about "that vicious chit" when she was appointed. His conversion isn't surprising. Purves was made for radio, as radio was made for her. She knows how to tell a good story. Like the one about her Radio Oxford days when the cleaner had to fit the hoovering in around the Home Choice selections - "a Schumann lied - two minutes, 25 seconds - dusting only, Brenda". Or there's the late night occasion at the World Service when admiration for a beautiful studio manager, working at her patchwork in quiet intervals, prompted a Latin American broadcaster to make a contribution to her quilt. He tiptoed up to the speakers during a live broadcast and cut off each of their ties just below the knot. But, delightful though they are, these behind-the-microphone stories aren't the best part of Purves's work. She knows how to explain what happens with the magic of radio. In this book you will be treated to a succession of those radio moments when you find yourself shouting back, or singing along, or bursting into tears, or still sitting in the car, unable to go to your appointment, because you have to hear the end of the programme. Purves and radio went through a rough patch in the 1990s. Now she is more hopeful. Audience figures are better than they are for television. There is a less dictatorial management tone; programme- makers are being encouraged to be creative again. Like the "true love story" of the subtitle, Purves's affair with radio is funny, tender, sad, disturbing, voyeuristic. She may be furious with the betrayal of her young passion, but she wants this relationship to continue. Hers is a peculiarly intimate partnership, but speech radio has any number of lovers. In her early days, doing sound effects for drama, she was congratulated on her "good bedsprings". "I sometimes think the secret of happiness is not having much ambition," she concludes. At the end she decides that the best programme-makers are those who are willing to be "joyfully obsessed" with their subject, whether it be urine, stethoscopes, Palestine, poems, truffles, stair rods or Bertrand Russell. Well that's what dedicated radio listeners are: obsessed and joyful, ready to let radio make us see, taste, smell... (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K. RADIO INDUSTRY LIES IN WAIT FOR PIRATES From The Guardian, Julia Day, Tuesday November 19, 2002 The country's commercial radio companies are preparing to pounce on two pirate radio broadcasters as part of a crackdown on illegal broadcasting. The Commercial Radio Companies Association has instructed lawyers to swing in to action if the pair, who have been running an illegal station in the Black Country town of Dudley, are found guilty of illegal broadcasting in a forthcoming court case. London law firm Eversheds is waiting for the result of a magistrates hearing involving the two, who cannot be named at this stage for legal reasons. The pair have already been convicted once of illegal broadcasting, and if convicted a second time, CRCA intends to start legal proceedings against them that could result in an injunction against them making any future illegal broadcasts. The move comes after CRCA won a landmark case last year against Paul Hutchings, the owner of Walsall-based Magic FM. The case set a precedent by winning an injunction against Hutchings based on causing public nuisance. If the injunction is breached, the offender will immediately be in contempt of court and could be sent straight to prison. The measure is much more severe than the seizing of equipment and small fines - of around £200 - handed out by magistrates courts to pirates which mean they are usually back in business soon after. "Pirate broadcasting still has an air of glamour about it, but the reality is quite different," said Phil Sherrell of Eversheds, who led the case against Mr Hutchings and is working on the new case. "These people deliberately flout the law, moving locations regularly to avoid detection and endangering people's lives. "We are delighted to work with the CRCA in taking action where the criminal system has failed," Mr Sherrell added. Pirate radio was glamourised by the success of the now legendary Radio Caroline in the 60s - which started DJs including John Peel and Tony Blackburn on their path to fame - and modern, now legal, stations such as Kiss and Sunrise Radio. But the pirates pose a serious threat to emergency services, aircraft and legal stations, according to CRCA. Just last month a jet coming in to land at Heathrow had instructions from ground control drowned out by a garage music pirate station. Paul Brown, the chairman and chief executive of CRCA, said the organisation was happy to reinforce the work of the Radiocommunications Agency, whose job it is to find and fine pirates. "There is a limit to what the government and the Radiocommunications Agency can do, and we are happy to reinforce their work," he said. (via Mike Terry, DXLD) If the pirates had any sense, they would make damn sure their frequency choices could not possibly be accused of endangering human life (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. I understand WIBW will go full time Dec. 2. So can you confirm that your final broadcast will be until 5:30 pm Friday Nov. 29????? I am disappointed not to find a word about this on your website. (If there is something, please give me the exact URL.) And not to have had a reply to my previous inquiry about plans for some audio/FM? service to replace KKSU. Regards, (Glenn Hauser, Enid, to KKSU, via DXLD) Thank you for your message, Glenn. Yes, KKSU will leave the ether at 5:29:30p [2329:30 UT] on November 27th --- that was confirmed by the FCC only last week, so the web-site has not yet been updated to reflect it. We have spend the last several weeks visiting with stations to have our materials aired on them --- our first contacts have been ag- oriented, but we are now visiting with other stations about other subject-area programs. We had hoped to announce some agreements by now, but it may be the first of the year before we have such partnerships established and have stations' permission to promote the developments. We are also exploring broadcast possibilities --- frankly, our mission is statewide, and standard FM stations would provide us only a local presence and have narrow (and expired) application windows. But we are exploring options, most of which we know will be long-term in nature. Thanks for the inquiry. KKSU will leave the air in 10 days, but we will be working more closely than ever before with other broadcast partners in the state --- and who knows but what we'll be back on the air sometime in the future with expanded services. Thanks again. Larry * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Larry Jackson * * Station Manager * * KKSU-AM 580 voice (785) 532-5851 * * McCain Auditorium Room #20 fax (785) 532-5709 * * Kansas State University ljackson@oznet.ksu.edu * * Manhattan, KS 66506-4701 * * * * http://www.kksu.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Larry, Glad to hear you have been working on alternatives. Just to be absolutely sure, you did mean Wednesday Nov 27, and not Friday Nov 29? I suppose you would be taking Thanksgiving off anyway? Cap Journal story said WIBW would go fulltime as of Monday Dec. 2, but looks like it will really be Thursday Nov 28. Correct? I hope you will be doing something special on your final day, like a history of KSAC/KKSU/and whatever the other call was. And that you have some archive audio. Hopefully beyond what your webpage says. If so, please let me know in advance with exact time. Best wishes, (Glenn Hauser, Enid, to Larry Jackson, via DXLD) Exactly. They get the 28th from the share-time agreement, and we traditionally have given WIBW the following Friday since KKSU employees are state employees and WIBW has access to Big 12 football coverage for that day. We'd agreed to let them have the 29th several months ago, so we honored that, meaning that because of the rest of the month falls on a weekend, our last day on-air is the 27th. Former KKSUer Ralph Titus is working on a 2-hour-plus retrospective based on the one he did for us for our 75th anniversary in 1999. It will likely air at 2p or 2:30p [2000 or 2030 UT] on that Wednesday (the 27th) (Larry Jackson, KKSU, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And by Nov 20, this is on the homepage of http://www.kksu.com : KKSU-AM will permanently leave the air at 5:29:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th, 2002. Thank you for supporting KKSU during its nearly 78 years of broadcasting from Kansas State University. News regarding radio services from K-State Research and Extension will appear on this site in the near future (via gh, DXLD) ** U S A. CHARLES JACO FIRED FROM KMOX --- BY DIANE TOROIAN Charles Jaco, veteran personality at radio news-talk powerhouse KMOX, was fired Monday. KMOX general manager Karen Carroll sent a memo to the staff Monday saying Jaco had been dismissed for "gross misconduct." The memo did not elaborate. Station officials did not return calls, and Jaco declined to comment. Wade Baughman, staff counsel for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Jaco's representative in contract negotiations, also did not speak about the circumstances surrounding Jaco's dismissal. Jaco's contract with KMOX expires in September, but it is unclear whether he will be paid through then. An act of "gross misconduct," a standard term in media contracts, allows broadcasters to terminate contracts. Jaco learned he had been fired on his first day back from a two-week vacation. During his seven years at KMOX, Jaco established himself as a sharp reporter and tough interviewer. He also gained a reputation for his acerbic exchanges with listeners he considered foolish - a trait one insider suggested may have contributed to Jaco's dismissal. Ratings would not appear to be a factor. Jaco started an evening current events show in February, but because Cardinals baseball pre- empted his show on many nights, it is difficult to ascertain the show's true performance. He also has spent much of the past year filing in-depth reports for the station. Ratings for Jaco's previous afternoon show had waned, although he still outperformed competing programs. Jaco covered the Persian Gulf War for CNN, has written three books and has won more than three dozen journalism awards, including the Peabody Award. He is pursuing a doctorate in international politics and relations and is writing a book about the oil industry. Radio personality J.C. Corcoran commented: "What message is the supposed news-talk leader sending when, on the brink of war, they take out the one person who can speak from experience, the one person who has been there and knows the Middle East like the back of his hand." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** U S A. WNVR-1030 Vernon Hill, IL is running day power with Ethnic programming (Polish?). Gave EE ID at TOH for // WRKL and WLIM, along with WNVR. Doing good against nulled WBZ (Perry Crabill, W3HQX Winchester, VA, ``11:04 PM`` Nov 18, NRC-AM via DXLD) Get this while you can. They are basically a super local to me and have been very abusive lately. I have a day off tomorrow and a threatening email or two is going out. i.e., threatening to tell the FCC and reminding them that they've been fined before. 73 (Neil Kazaross, KAZ, Nov 19, NRC-AM via DXLD) This station used to be on overnight apparently in violation FCC rules about a year ago. Few months back they stopped their overnight operations. At the same time I also noticed that couple months ago they dismantled their antenna tower next to the Arrowhead Pet Cemetery in Vernon Hills, Illinois, so they now must be operating exclusively from their 4 tower site in Crystal Lake, Illinois (Christos Rigas, Wood Dale, Illinois, ibid.) Am I to understand you heard WNVR in VA? (Mark Manuelian, Engineering Manager, WBZ Radio MManuelian@cbs.com (via Bruce Conti, ibid.) ** U S A. FCC PROPOSES FIRST-EVER FINE FOR RF RADIATION EXPOSURE The total fine against A-O Broadcasting's KTMN/Cloudcroft, NM is $28,000, but a good chunk of that --- $10,000 --- is for radio frequency radiation violations. The commission says KTMN's transmitter, which is mounted on an observation tower that's also used by the U.S. Forest Service to monitor wildfires, was installed lower on the tower than authorized by the station's license. At that location, FCC measurements show, operation of the transmitter at only 40% of its authorized power exceeds the FCC's RFR exposure limits by more than 300% on the observation tower and in surrounding areas accessible to the public. FCC agents also found A-O had not complied with special RFR operating conditions set forth in its license. If that wasn't enough, the FCC is also fining the station $8,000 for failure to install EAS equipment, $7,000 for not maintaining a main studio, and another $3,000 for failing to have an adequate transmission system control in place. A-O has 30 days to pay or appeal (radioandrecords.com Nov 19 via Brock Whaley, DXLD) This is at a very high elevation already; I suppose they figured they didn`t need to put it at the very top of the tower (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. KQWB, 1660, West Fargo ND is cited as an AM expanded band success story. It moved from the more crowded 1550 kHz frequency. Its transmitter is actually on the MN side of the border, near Moorhead. Because of a complex five-tower array, it was decided to turn off the 1550 channel and build just one tower for the 10 kW day and 1 kW night operation on 1660. With a new stereo transmitter, the sound is great, and it now runs local sports for cities that were in the nighttime nulls on the old frequency. The format is nostalgia, with its ratings said to be about the same as when it was on 1550. With more reliable equipment in use, ``the sailing appears to be clear for a station that had been facing financial disaster from engineering expenses,`` writes consulting engineer Mark Persons in Radio World (Nov FMedia! [sic] via DXLD) ** U S A. THINK TANK REPORT SAYS DEREGULATION HURTS RADIO By CRAIG HAVIGHURST, Staff Writer http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/02/11/25442764.shtml?Element_ID=25442764 The 1996 Telecommunication Act has failed to achieve any of its goals of enhancing competition, diversity and localism on radio, according to a new national study by an artist- and consumer-oriented think tank. The report was immediately challenged by the radio industry, which said parts of it were biased. According to the Washington-based Future of Music Coalition, ''deregulation has damaged radio as a public resource.'' The group says radio profitability has been studied extensively since 1996 but that the Federal Communications Commission's mandate to regulate radio in the ''public interest'' has not been carefully investigated. Consolidation of the radio industry is a widely recognized result of deregulation, but the coalition study clarifies how far it has gone. Two companies, Clear Channel Communications and Viacom, control 42% of listeners and 45% of industry revenue, they say. While 4,000 small companies account for one-third of radio revenue, 10 companies account for the rest. ''Oligopolies,'' defined as four companies serving over 50% of the audience, control most radio markets and 28 of 30 music formats, said study author Peter DiCola. ''We have less competition than before deregulation, not more,'' he said yesterday in a telephone press conference. The study also attempts to repudiate broadcasters' assertion that the Telecom Act led to greater diversity of programming. Radio ''formats'' did proliferate in recent years, but the study found extensive overlap of specific songs across formats. ''Formats with different names have similar playlists,'' the study says. Country was one of three formats (besides smooth jazz and contemporary Christian) to have no overlap with other formats in the sample week from August 2001 investigated by the coalition. The study sparked a quick and fierce reaction from the National Association of Broadcasters. Radio, it said in a statement, is far less consolidated than other entertainment media, from record and movie companies to cable providers. The broadcasters group also called a survey of 500 individuals on the state of radio biased. That survey, a core part of the study, produced ambiguous results. The music coalition's legislative director, Michael Bracy, said yesterday that radio programming marginalized older demographics. But the survey found that people under 30 are least likely to hear the music they most enjoy on the radio. Seventy percent of respondents said they listen to FM commercial radio more or the same as they did five years ago. The survey asked if respondents favored policies to stem consolidation, ban radio promotion that let record labels financially influence programming or encourage local music on the air and found considerable support for each. ''When given the opportunity to think outside the limitations of commercial radio now, they can imagine something better,'' said study author Kristin Thomson. Local music professionals had not had time yesterday to fully assess the 145-page study, but Belmont University assistant music business professor James Elliott said the recent sale of Nashville's The Phoenix, a locally focused and eclectic station, was evidence of the dominant trends in radio today. ''This study should get some attention. It's well-documented,'' he said (Nashville Tennessean Nov 19 via Charles Gossett Jr., DXLD) ** U S A. FMC ISSUES DAMNING REPORT ON RADIO-BIZ CONSOLIDATION From http://www.billboard.com A new report from the Future of Music Coalition (FMC) concludes that consolidation of the U.S. radio industry in the last decade has led to decreased competition, less diversity of programming, and unsatisfied listeners. The report -- which the FMC filed yesterday (Nov. 18) with the Federal Communications Commission for possible inclusion in its ongoing review of station ownership rules -- has riled the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which claims that the study's methodology is flawed and its assertions are "myths." The report analyzed current industry data compiled from Billboard sister magazine Airplay Monitor and other trade publications. It concludes that the U.S. radio industry is an "oligarchy," with every territory dominated by four companies with market share of 70% or more. It found that 10 companies control two-thirds of both listeners and revenues nationwide; of those, Clear Channel Communications and Viacom control 42% of listeners and 45% of revenues. It also finds that in 28 of the 30 major markets, four companies or less control more than 50% of listeners. Meanwhile, the report found "considerable format homogeneity," with "playlist overlap between supposedly distinct formats" of as much as 76%. As a result of shrinking playlists, it says, the five major record companies have limited their promotion efforts, creating "a double bottleneck" for artists that makes it more difficult for them to secure airplay. The FMC also conducted a survey of 500 radio listeners. It found that 80% support action to prevent further consolidation and want less repetition of songs and playlists with more variety. About 68% of respondents say they support Congressional involvement to curb the use of indie promoters who pay fees to have product they represent considered for airplay. A NAB statement says the survey results contradict the positive responses of 3,000 listeners in a recent poll conducted by Arbitron/Edison Research Service. As previously reported, the FMC's third annual policy summit will be held Jan. 5-7, 2003, on the campus of Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown University. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) and Rep. Howard Berman (D- Calif.) will give keynote speeches during the event, which will also feature as panelists Fugazi principal/Dischord Records co-founder Ian MacKaye, musician Patti Smith, and California State Senator Kevin Murray. -- Bill Holland, Washington, D.C. (via Mike Terry, UK, DXLD) I always like an intellectual challenge. Take the imaginary town of Podunk, Oklahoma. It had five radio stations all broadcasting some form of country music. Now don't laugh. Unless you have driven cross country and tried to find something other than country music on the car radio, you don't know how many towns there were with that situation. Along comes Clear Channel Communications. They buy up three of the five stations. Clear Channel knows it is counterproductive to compete with yourself. So they change the format of two of the three stations they now own -- presto, instant diversification. Now the article goes on to argue that because the formats are too finely tuned to really be considered diversification, the example above is irrelevant. Returning to my hypothetical example, lets say that Clear Channel decided to make one station classic country and another alternative acoustic music. To some ears looking to hear Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms that would not be diversification. To ears raised on Hank Williams Senior, Tammy Whinette, or Gordon Lightfoot it would be diversification. The answer is in the ear of the beholder. There is a real life example in Nashville, TN. Gaylord Communications decided to make WSM-AM a classic country format so it would not compete with the FM outlet that plays the country equivalent of top 40 pop. It is hard to argue that the present situation is not more diverse than it was before the switch. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, swprograms Nov 20 via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ I applaud the FMC for its efforts, but it is up against the most powerful interest group in America --- the NAB. The amount of legalized corruption dispensed by this den of thieves (perhaps a bit strong, but it gets the point across) ensures that it has both Congress and the FCC in its hip pocket. When's the last time, either of these guardians of public telecommunications voted against the NAB? Only in what is now our truly Orwellian world, can anyone hope to argue with a straight face that greater concentration of control in broadcasting leads to greater diversity in ideas and programming. Yet, that's exactly what the NAB, Congress and the FCC say every time they approve another merger or eliminate another regulation designed to prevent them. And the game is not just limited to the NAB --- the NCTA is in on it too. It just happened again this week with Comcast and AT&T. The loser is the ordinary citizen and small businessperson in telecom. And, by the way, it's the NAB that truly has the credibility of Miss Cleo (John Figliozzi, NY, Nov 19, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. CBS to drop news on O&O channel 62 Detroit and co-owned UPN affiliate on channel 50. All news staff blown out. This......is C.B.S. (Brock Whaley, GA, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) more in next issue ** U S A. CABLE --- Cable operator Comcast Corp. on November 13 won approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to buy rival AT&T Broadband for $30.5 billion, creating a pay television giant with about 27 million subscribers. The agency voted 3 to 1 to let Comcast, the No. 3 U.S. cable company, acquire AT&T Broadband, the nation's No. 1 cable TV operator, saying the deal would not pose harm to consumers in any market and would promote the rollout of high-speed Internet service. The new entity will be called AT&T Comcast. The companies have argued the deal's economies of scale will allow them to upgrade their systems faster as well as speed the rollout of digital television signals, high-speed Internet access and competing telephone service. The approval came despite the vociferous opposition of consumer groups, who argued the combined company would lead to higher prices and dominate the market, taking 40 percent of the cable market and 30 percent of the pay television market. Kenneth Ferree, chief of the FCC's media bureau, which led the review of the deal, said the FCC "found nothing in the record to suggest that this proposed combination would likely result in higher rates." The lone Democrat on the panel, Commissioner Michael Copps, voted against the deal, arguing it, among other things, would create opportunities for the newly created company to abuse market power over programming (Reuters via SCDX/MediaScan Nov 20 via DXLD) ** U S A. I thought there was something strange when I heard a WINB ID at 0330 a few nights ago on 9320. That usage is missing from the FCC schedule in DXLD 2-180, the only entry being: 9320 1600 0100 WGTG 50 90 [sic] WINB is supposed to be on 12160 at 2300-0600, and 13570 at 1000-2300, per FCC. However, from http://www.winb.com – Basic Frequency Schedule (EST) Sign on 9320 kHz @ 6:00 AM [1100 UT] Change to 13570 kHz @ 8:00 AM [1300 UT] Change to 12160 kHz @ 7:00 PM [0000 UT] While there I scanned thru the program schedule, and again could not find anything recognizably secular; it`s dated October 20, and here we are 3.5 weeks post-DST, but UT/ET time conversions are still displayed 4 hours apart. Compensating for this, it appears WINB is actually off the air from 0430 to 1100 weekdays (depending on the unspecified length of the 0400 program), off 0430?-1130 UT Sat, off 0600?-1200 UT Sun (Glenn Hauser, OK, Nov 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WRMI, 15725, noted with nice unannounced classical flute music at 1415 Nov 20. After 1500, some strange piano piece with narration by a woman. Rechecking the program schedule on http://wrmi.net dated October 29, I see that `MUSIC` is now shown during long hours on this frequency: M-F 1400-1600 [but we have also heard Prague bonus relays at times], Sat 1300-2300, Sun 1500-2100. Even tho it`s no doubt fill to protect the frequency, and the time would be sold if it could be, WRMI is providing a fine public service by doing this, as long as it stays classical (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. In a Christian Science Monitor "live event," this Q to an A from CSM's Africa correspondent: "Helmut/Germany: Would it be of help to deliver shortwave radios to Africa and support more shortwave radio programs? Danna Harman: Yes. I think short wave radios are a very good idea. Don't forget batteries :)" http://www.csmonitor.com/monitortalk/events/transcripts/111402chat_har man.html Interesting, given that the Christian Science church is selling off its shortwave assets (Kim Elliott, DC, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. All Gospel for Asia transmissions via DTK T-systems Wertachtal, reduced power of 250 kW. kHz UTC zones degr antenna 15680 1430-1530 41,43,49 75 217 15425 1530-1630 40,41 90 217 11680 2330-0030 41,43,49 75 217 11680 0030-0130 40,41 90 217 9490 0030-0130 40,41 90 217 9765 2300-0030 41,43,49 75 217 (BC-DX Nov 19 via DXLD) ** VANUATU. Always of interest for European DXers is Radio Vanuatu, which can be heard at present under good conditions in the morning from 0600 to approximately 0710 UT on 7260. This station ran best on the 220 -Beverage, i.e. reception via long path. 7260.1, R Vanuatu, Malapoa, November 16th, 0605-0705, English/Bislama, religious program in English until 0625 followed by Bislama program, ID: "Radio Vanuatu, Malapoa", instead of the well known yellow bird one could hear drums only as interval signal, soft pop music and a Christmas song in November ("Silent Night, Holy Night"), fade out at around 0705; SINPO 23322 (Michael Schnitzer, DX Camp Bavaria, 45 km northeast of Nuremberg, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Es afirmativa, en estos momentos tengo sintonizada a Radio Táchira en los 4830 kHz con un programa de música venezolana y en cuanto a Ecos del Torbes, acabo de llamar para la emisora. Hablé con el operador de audio Daniel Vásquez y me informó que sí, que actualmente a las 1200 UT estaban trabajando con la frecuencia 9760 kHz [sic; quiere decir 9640 como abajo???] hasta las 1300 y que desde las 1300 conectaban con los 4980 y apagaban 9640. Espero que esta información sea de su agrado. Lo que le informo de Ecos del Torbes, como le dije anteriormente, me lo dijo el señor Daniel Vásquez, Operador de studios a esta hora de la mañana. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Nov 17, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. La siguiente información me acaba de llegar desde Caracas, via Jairo Martinez. y la paso a todos ustedes. Haré todo lo posible por conseguir estos sonidos y ponerlos a la orden de todos. Quiero recordarles que la otra emisora lleva por nombre Radio Libertad. Radio Dignidad transmite 24 horas desde la Plaza Altamira. Frecuencia 90.7 FM - Tiene mas potencia que la anterior pero aun es debil. Atte: (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Venezuela, Nov 15, Noticias DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. FW: Topband: Signal on 1907.2 For the past several days I have been hearing a moderately strong hum-modulated carrier on 1907.2 kHz. It is inaudible during the day and there is fading on the signal, so it is apparently not spurious radiation from some local consumer electronic junk. Early this evening, I thought I could hear faint broadcast audio beneath the hum, so it could be a spur from a BC station. Has anyone else heard this signal? (source lost in forwarding, via Chuck Hutton, NRC-AM via DXLD) It is definitely a BC station parasitic, and it is strong but appears to be at least a few hundred miles from me because directivity is very good on both verticals and beverages. As near as I can tell it is between 330 and 345 degrees true from my location. I'm about 30 miles north of Macon just west of I-75. From my place that would inside a line running approximately NNW east of Nashville and Minneapolis and west of Chicago. If anyone else can give a direction, e-mail me and maybe we can find them. I have always been able to get an audio match between the spurious and a BC station in the BC band, but that can several take hours without eliminating possible choices. 73, (Tom W8JI W8JI@contesting.com Topband mailing list http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband via Chuck Hutton, NRC-AM via DXLD) The 1907.2 fades in and out of the noise here in Austin. It appears to be in the direction of Chicago. On the peaks some weak audio can be detected, but not enough for any clues (Alan WA5DJU Schreier, Austin TX, Nov. 17, ibid.) I doubt my DX-398 would be a great help here. However if you read this carefully, this is greatly interesting. W8JI is seeming to say that, no matter what station is causing the spur, he can find the matching original signal somewhere in the Am band. By extension this seems to say that he can hear _any_ station - within the same skip range as the spur is - when desired. ("...have always been able to get an audio match"... ) Now I concede that, if he has a large network of beverages in all directions in a sort of hub-and-spoke arrangement, and can choose one at will, this may well be possible. If so this would make a great inspirational article for DX news at the least. Who says hams alone can have all the fun, hi. I have an old verie letter from, if I recall right, Fredericksburg VA on 1230 who said that RCA in Rocky Point NY could frequency-check them "any time after dark". Maybe that's what they did. When I was at ITT WorldCom in the 80's they still did f/c (using a Rohde and Schwartz synthesizer to zero beat the signal) but only on some daytime local signals that had no phase shift from fading. The old RCA RP site had many rhombics, but I don't think they had much in LF-MF antennas. Whatever MF they did, come to think, would have been at the Riverhead site which was still referred to generally as Rocky Point, some 30 miles west. I think Riverhead closed some time earlier than RP? (Bob Foxworth, FL, ibid.) Tom Rauch (W8JI) indeed has an array of Beverages that would make any of us drool. They've made him one of the most successful 160 meter operators. I don't recall exactly what his setup is, but he does have a web page with some interesting writeups on Beverages that might give more info. As for Riverhead, it closed in 1978. I don't know how active it was in the years and decades before its closure. Rocky Point was essentially unused by the end of the 40's, and towers were slowly removed until the last tower was taken down in 1977. As best I know, there were only rhombics at RP (a bunch of them) and only Beverages at Riverhead although I'm not that much of an expert at all. There are people who know the history of the sites very well and I'm sure a web search will find that stuff easily (Chuck Hutton, WA, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Some help needed with identifying two tropical band stations, both audible between 2300 and 0010 UT on 3345 kHz. I listened to them in the USB mode. One of them (stronger) was continuously playing Pacific-style music - I presume this was a regional service of RRI Indonesia (Ternate). The weaker station (at times getting stronger) was presumably relaying "USA Radio Network". I heard a reference to "Radio New Zealand" and "Australian media" at 2325, then "you are listening to USA Radio Sports". Some US advertisements at 2340 with the mention of Las Vegas. At 0010 - Ron Froster's(?) program "More Good Time Rock'n'Roll". Please note that I listened to it in USB (sounded much better than in normal AM). What station was this? Many thanks for any help (Robertas Pogorelis, (currently in Kaunas, Lithuania), Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ?? Suspect a mixing product, but of what? No US stations known to use 3345; may be a bit late for Ternate, too. Nearby Belarus` has USB transmitters like that (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. At 1115 till past 1130 UT, had audio on 4630. Male and female announcer in Spanish but the noise level too high and the signal too weak to get much from it. S4 signal level here. I am wondering if R. Soledad re-activated (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, USA, Nov 19, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 4630.81, BOLIVIA * R 11 de Octubre, Cobija [0025-0056*](30.81-32.5) Apr 99 4632.5, PERU R Soledad, Parcoy (4510-4689) [varies widely; no date gh] (Pertinent entries in Mark Mohrmann`s LA-DX archive, via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. An interesting UNID was heard on 9685.91 kHz this morning (Nov 16) at 0434-0456+ (since 0456 I've lost their signal, seems went off). At 0435 lengthy Afgani-type song. Since around 0450 till 'off' M talk with dozens of mentions of "Baluchistani". No other countries been mentioned. Language - Persian or very similar. On my guess: an clandestine. Signal weak, SIO 242 (Vlad Titarev, Ukraine, DXplorer Nov 16 via BC-DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 11610, Merlin testing for new Clandestine from Kvitsøy, Norway towards the Middle East, Nov 19, *1914-1930* Non stop fanfare. 23433. QRM Kol Israel 11605 (QSA 4) (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING Ham radio / amateur radio, shortwave, CB, DSP software Just wanted to make you aware of my website for radio audio DSP for improved signal reception among other things. How about adding a link to your site? http://www.eSoftAnywhere.com (Konrad Byers, Nov 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 20 November - 16 December Solar activity is expected to be low to moderate. Region 198 is expected to present M-class potential until it rotates beyond the west limb on 29 November. Region 191 is due to return to visible disk on 04 December and is expected to present M-class potential through the rest of the period. There is a slight chance of a greater than 10 MeV proton event during the forecast period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geo-synchronous orbit is expected to reach event threshold on 22-27 November and again on 02-07 December due to coronal hole effects. The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to active levels with isolated minor storm conditions possible. Active to minor storm conditions are possible on 20-23 November and again on 29 November - 02 December due to a recurring coronal holes. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2002 Nov 19 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 Nov 19 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2002 Nov 20 175 12 3 2002 Nov 21 170 12 3 2002 Nov 22 165 15 3 2002 Nov 23 165 20 4 2002 Nov 24 165 15 3 2002 Nov 25 165 10 3 2002 Nov 26 165 10 3 2002 Nov 27 170 12 3 2002 Nov 28 170 12 3 2002 Nov 29 170 12 3 2002 Nov 30 170 15 3 2002 Dec 01 175 15 3 2002 Dec 02 175 15 3 2002 Dec 03 180 12 3 2002 Dec 04 185 10 3 2002 Dec 05 185 10 3 2002 Dec 06 185 10 3 2002 Dec 07 185 12 3 2002 Dec 08 180 12 3 2002 Dec 09 180 10 3 2002 Dec 10 180 12 3 2002 Dec 11 185 12 3 2002 Dec 12 195 12 3 2002 Dec 13 195 10 3 2002 Dec 14 185 10 3 2002 Dec 15 180 10 3 2002 Dec 16 180 10 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio Nov 20 via WORLD OF RADIO 1157, DXLD) #