DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-204, December 28, 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 1162: [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162h.ram [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1162.html WBCQ: Mon 0545 7415 WWCR: Sun 0330 5070, Sun 0730 3210, Wed 1030 9475 RFPI: Sun 0000, 0600, 1200, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700, 1300 7445 and/or 15039 WJIE: M-F 1300, daily 0400 -- maybe; Sun 0630, Mon 0700, Tue 0630 7490 WRN: rest of world Sat 0900, Eu only Sun 0530, NAm Sun 1500 ONDEMAND: http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html OKLAHOMA BROADCASTING NEWS #8 has finally been updated Dec. 27 with material from DXLD since late September. http://www.worldofradio.com/oklahoma.html At the end of 2002 this file will be closed, renamed oklahoma8.html and a 2003 file started as oklahoma.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL I hope you like the Passport book I sent you. I thoroughly enjoy DXLD (Chris Hambly, Australia) Hi Glen[n], HCJB on their DX Partyline program this week gave you congratulations on completing DXLD #200. It was a very warm mention of your work (Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, Dec 28) Well... thanks, but I usually put out about 200 editions per year (gh) ** ANTARCTICA. THE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN TRIP Northern hemisphere winter gets a lot of people thinking about heading south. Some, though will travel as far south as anyone can get on this planet. Yes, once again it`s summer at the South Pole. While several countries claim pie-shaped wedges of Antarctica, international treaties ensure that research stations remain the primary activities, regardless of whether or not military staff them. Short wave utility radio, also known as high frequency (HF), was once the lifeline back to the inhabited world, though now most routine traffic moves via satellite. Remaining HF capability is used by several countries and agencies to contact low-flying planes and field parties on the ground. Some 10- kilowatt bases are still in use, as maintained by technicians who make the trip south every year. In past seasons, many aircraft on Antarctic runs have used the appropriate callsign of ``ICE`` plus a number. United States stations are often reached by flights from New Zealand. Another ``cold`` radio is NNN0ICE, the Military Affiliate Radio System station at McMurdo. Look for them just above and below the 20-meter amateur band. This is also the season for the US Coast Guard`s Operation Deep Freeze. The icebreaker/cutter Polar Sea is making the six-month supply run this year, carrying two Coast Guard helicopters. These are for ice scouting and final deliveries to such isolated spots as Amundsen/ Scott Station, within sight of the South Pole. In the past, Deep Freeze has used Coast Guard net frequencies of 4426/4134, 6501/6200, 8764/8240, and 13089/12242 kilohertz (kHz), all upper-sideband voice (USB). The first frequency of each duplex pair is the coastal station, while cutters transmit on the second. The US National Science Foundation, which operates many of these research outposts, uses the primary Oceanic Data Facility (ODF) frequencies of 8998 and 11553 kHz USB. These also attract some other countries and agencies. In the past, Antarctic activity has also been logged on such frequencies as 4067, 4125, 4242, 7665, 8867, 11255, 11558, and 13385 kHz USB. Australia once operated a large HF network on 5400 kHz, linking Antarctic operations to Sydney. It`s now largely dismantled, but still used in a few places for specific ground-to-air contact. Interestingly, the Australian Bureau Of Meteorology (BOM) operates VLM, a 1000- watt radiofacsimile (FAX) transmitter at lonely Casey Station. Assigned frequency is 7470 kHz, or 7468.1 for USB reception. Polar weather charts are transmitted continuously. With its historic callsign (once used by Radio Australia), and general remoteness, VLM would be a very nice catch (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, Jan MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) VLM was most recently ABC Queensland SW ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. Greetings to all on the EDXP E-NET. Thanks for everyone's contributions. I trust you have all had a good Christmas. HCJB World Radio's new transmitter site in Kununurra is nearing its start date, which has been rescheduled to January 5, 2003. On the DX Partyline this weekend, I will interview Dennis Adams of HCJB Australia to get a first-hand report on the final preparations. Dennis will also tell us the planned frequencies and broadcast times, as well as contact information for your Reception Reports. Current transmissions in English to the South Pacific from Quito (Pifo) will end once Kununurra goes on-line. Thankfully the DX Partyline will continue from the new site! Thank you, and I look forward to your company this weekend on the program. 73 and a Happy 2003! (Allen Graham, HCJB Quito, Dec 27, EDXP via DXLD) Target for first transmitter is Jan. 5. Reports with IRC may go to HCJB-Australia, GPO Box 691, Melbourne, Australia, 3000. Or to: office@hcjb.org.au (Dennis Adams, HCJB-Ecuador DX Partyline Dec 29 via gh, DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. 4880, Bangladesh Betar (presumed), 1231-1301 27 Dec, Nice subcontinental music, 1232-1240 M in local Asian lang. with presumed news with mentions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kabul, and Iraq. 1240 different M with brief announcements weakly, then into subcontinental music with M talk and vocals as part of the song. More very weak talk by M again. More music at 1250. Beautiful flutes and vocals towards Top of Hour. M announcer again weakly with possible ID but couldn't be 100% certain. Into presumed news by M (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 7184.98, Bangladesh Betar, 1226 28 Dec., OC with slight buzz, getting the same thing on 9550. *1227 start of IS. Audio level dropped to almost nil at 1228 and frequency jumped down 10 Hz. 1229 lively instrumental music followed by M announcer almost inaudible. W announcer at 1231 a little stronger but still unreadable. 9550 is always blocked (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** BHUTAN. If one cannot sleep as a DXer it makes sense to get up from the bed and to tune in to the frequency 6035 kHz. Last night I could observe here the Bhutan BS with sensational signal strength of partly S=9+10. Unfortunately there was some interference caused by a power station on 6040. 6035, BBS Timphu, December 27th, 0110-0145, Dzongha, Bhutanese songs, international news 0130-0135, QRM 6040; SINPO partly 43423. The station is active on SW only Monday to Friday, signing on at 0100 UT. The signal decreases after 0130 due to the local sunrise in Bhutan. A Happy New Year to all (Michael Schnitzer, Hassfurt, Germany, hard- core-dx via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 11815, Radio Brasil Central, 0800 Dec 25, Identification: "Radio Brasil Central, programa especial do Natal, em onda média, onda curta, 11815 kHz e onda tropical, 4985 kHz." SINPO 34333. Also on 4985 kHz (24222). (Manuel Méndez, Spain, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Has this one been otherwise inactive on 25m? (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 4925.05, R. Educação Rural, *0952-1000, 28 Dec. While listening to presumed R. Internacional on 4929.93, got slopover QRM from this signing on, so immediately tuned down. Nice canned ID with QTH at sign-on, followed by ID, promo by M, canned announcement, then another with "Brasil" repeated echo-like at the end. 0954-0958 Choral ZY NA. Repeated "Brasil" again by M and ID/promo again, jingle, live M with TC, then what was probably a long canned ID news intro announcement with jingles, then presumed news by M and W. Very nice strong and clear signal. Easy (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA: RADIO STATION IN NORTH "TO TEST BROADCAST IN JANUARY" The Phnom Penh newspaper Reaksmei Kampuchea, a pro-government publication, carries in its 20 December issue a report on progress in the construction of the road linking the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to the historic temple of Preah Vihear on the Cambodia-Thai border. Among other things, the report notes that: "An official at the Phnom Penh City office also disclosed that the 10-kW radio station being built in Preah Vihear Province by Phnom Penh City is almost completed and can test broadcast in January 2003. Once the road construction is completed, there are plans to build schools and health centres along the road, starting from Tbeng Meanchey to Preah Vihear temple." Source: Reaksmei Kampuchea, Phnom Penh, in Cambodian 27 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK? What even is the band? ** CANADA. On January 8, 2003, radio station CHWO AM 740 - Prime Time Radio will be celebrating its second anniversary. Originally on 1250 kHz from 1956, it moved to 740 kHz in 2001 when [after] the CBC left for the FM dial. To commemorate this birthday, the station and the Ontario DX Association will be issuing a special QSL for reports made on January 8, 2003 only. To received the special 2nd Anniversary CHWO AM 740 QSL card: *Station must be heard on January 8, 2003 from 0000 to 2359 (EST) *Time you heard the transmission (local or UTC); *Program Material (at least 10 minutes of specific program material heard: i.e., name of announcer, commercials heard, news items etc.); *Signal/Sound Report, (a general overview of how well you heard the signal at your location and the sound quality of the program). *Mention of the type of equipment and antenna you were using to hear the signal is helpful information as well. All reception reports and comments for the station may be sent to: Brian Smith QSL Manager for AM740 Box 161, Willowdale Stn A, Toronto, Ontario Canada M2N 5S8 or email to am740@rogers.com Thank you and good listening, Brian Smith am740@rogers.com Ontario DX Association http://www.odxa.on.ca Reception Report Manager for CHWO AM 740 http://www.odxa.on.ca/chwo.html YahooGroup Moderator for AM740 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AM740 PS - CHWO will be conducting a DX test in late January or early February. Details to follow (Brian Smith, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CHINA. R. Fujian is reactive with one hour transmission. The schedule is followed: 4975 2256-2321, 0955-1032, 5040 2245-2324, 0945- 1035. The transmitter is turned on/off abruptly without any announcement; duration also varies. One notice to repeat is that CNR-5, CNR-6 Taiwan service shut down all shortwave service; MW service still works. CNR-5 0055-0615, 0955-0005 549, 765; CNR-6 2055-0105, 0355-1805 (stop tx on Wed 0605-0955) 684, 909, 927, 1089 (Miller Liu, Taiwan, Dec 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA. CROATIAN RADIO TO START BROADCASTING 24-HOUR PROGRAMME FOR DIASPORA | Text of report by Croatian TV on 22 December [Announcer] Croatian radio will start broadcasting a 24-hour programme called Voice of Croatia soon, which is intended for Croatians outside their homeland and national minorities in Croatia. So far this programme has been broadcast for two hours every day. Besides the introduction of the 24-hour programme, another novelty is digital technology. News and other programmes will also be broadcast in English, Spanish, German and French. [Unidentified report] Croatian radio broadcasts around 230 hours of programme on a daily basis. Programmes of interest to immigrants, minorities, tourists and all those in Europe and the world who wish to learn something about events in Croatia will be selected out of this rich production. According to the Law on the HRT [Croatian Radio and TV], Croatian radio is obliged to produce a programme for the diaspora and the minorities and the government will finance this project from the state budget. [Domagoj Versic, editor of Croatian radio's International Programme] We now spend 4m kunas on this programme annually and according to our calculations we will be spending 12.5m kunas on the 24-hour programme. Therefore, it is not too much money for such an ambitious, but very realistic programme. [Reporter] The programme will be broadcast on the satellite for Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand on short wave and certainly on the Internet for the entire world. The digitalization will help improve the quality of reception. Preparations have been going on for a sesquiyear and the experimental broadcasting will begin in April. The 24-hour programme of Voice of Croatia will be launched on the Day of Radio and TV, 15 May 2003. The government has already earmarked finances for this major media project in the budget. Source: HRT1 TV, Zagreb, in Croatian 1830 gmt 22 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** DENMARK. RADIO LUXEMBOURG PROGRAMME ON DANISH RADIO On New Year's Eve it will be 10 years since the English service of Radio Luxembourg very sadly was silenced. This anniversary will be celebrated by the national Danish pubcaster DR P4 on New Year's Eve from 2315-0400 UT. Usually the AM transmitters of DR are closed down at night - but not so on the night before New Year's Day. P4 will be carried on MW 1062 kHz from Kalundborg (250 kW) all night long - and so listeners in Northern Europe, most of Western Europe and parts of Central Europe should be able to pick up this programme, which will be hosted by Allan Krautwald and Florian Fastina. Most of the programme will obviously be in Danish but most of it will consist of music well known from Radio Luxembourg, jingles etc. Besides - there'll be a couple of interviews in English with a.o. Tony Prince and Benny Brown. Read more here: http://www.radionyt.com and http://www.radionyt.com/artikel/default.asp?id=5732 The long wave transmitter at Kalundborg will also be on the air through the night before New Year's Day. On 243 kHz (300 kW) the youth channel P3 will be audible from 0000 UT. It may also be of interest to someone that P3 will be celebrating its 40 year anniversary on New Year's Day. There's a story (in Danish) about P3 here: http://www.radionyt.com/artikel/default.asp?id=5747 and there'll be a couple of special programmes on this anniversary on New Year's Day. Probably only on FM - but you may try http://dr.dk/nav/netplayer/player.asp?station=2 where streaming of P3 is available. Best 73s, (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, Dec 20, MW-DX yahoogroup via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** DJIBOUTI. According to an article on DeepikaGlobal.com, Djibouti has been promised by the US government "$2 million to renovate state- run Radio Djibouti, along with $100,000 in annual rent, in exchange for a strategic transmission station the United States is building for the Voice of America just outside the capital. The targeted audience: Yemen and the southern regions of Saudi Arabia --- rich recruiting grounds for al-Qaida and home to more than half the Sept. 11 hijackers." Ref article: http://www.deepikaglobal.com/ENG4_sub.asp?ccode=ENG4&newscode=21353 Anyone heard if this will be a SW transmitter site? (Ulis Fleming, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Djibouti has been planned for a long time as a new MW relay site, more likely now for R. Sawa than plain old VOA. I`ve seen nothing about SW from there (Glenn, ibid.) Last June, BBG asked for bids for both AM and a 50 kW SW here for RTV Djibouti. See http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2002/06-June/26-Jun-2002/FBO-00098287.htm (Hans Johnson, ibid.) Viz.: FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JUNE 26, 2002 FBO #0206 SOLICITATION NOTICE 58 -- MW and HF Transmitters Notice Date 6/24/2002 Notice Type Solicitation Notice Contracting Office Broadcasting Board of Governors, Associate Director for Management, Office of Contracts (M/CON), 330 C Street, SW, Room 2500, Washington, DC, 20237 ZIP Code 20237 Solicitation Number Reference-Number-B004-280007 Response Due 8/15/2002 Archive Date 11/30/2002 Point of Contact Kristine Muschette Hicks, Contracting Officer, Phone 202-401-5827, Fax 202-260-0855, - Herman Shaw, Contracting Officer , Phone 202-205-- 8412, Fax 202-260-0855, E-Mail Address kmhicks@ibb.gov, hshaw@ibb.gov Description The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) has an anticipated requirement for a Contractor to supply two (2) 40 kW medium wave (MW) amplitude modulated and one (1) 50 kW high frequency (HF) transmitters including facility renovations at the Dorale Transmitting Station that is owned and operated by Radio-Television de Djibouti in the Republic of Djibouti, East Africa. The station is not owned or controlled by the BBG or by the US Government. Please note that only limited information on existing conditions is available. Interested offerors are advised that this anticipated requirement shall include the fabrication, supply and installation of two 40 kW medium wave (MW) amplitude modulated transmitters (1170 kHz and 1539 kHz) and one 50 kW high frequency (HF) transmitter; integration of the new transmitters with the existing single tower MW antenna and HF log periodic antenna; and, the removal and disposal of existing transmitters and obsolete building equipment. This requirement shall also include a complete facilities renovation with new waterproof roofing, replacement of electrical and water supply systems, refurbishment of generators, painting, and replacement of plumbing fixtures, doors and air conditioning equipment. The Dorale station is located on the coast about 10 km west of Djibouti City. It is expected that potential bidders will be required to visit the station before submitting a proposal. An offeror will need demonstrated experience in successful supply and installation MW and HF transmitters systems including work in remote locations with difficult logistics and extreme weather conditions. It is expected that the Request for Proposal (RFP) solicitation for this anticipated negotiated firm-fixed price (FFP) procurement will be issued on or about October 1, 2002, with a proposal due date of forty-five (45) calendar days after the RFP issue date. Interested offerors may make arrangements for a site visit at their expense by contacting Mr. Walter Borys in Washington, DC at 202-205-8052. This public notice is not a RFP, IFB, or RFQ. Place of Performance Address: Dorale Station, 10 km West of Djibouti City, Country: Djibouti (via DXLD) ** GEORGIA. After several presumed and tentative loggings, I am very pleased to positively ID this one. 11805, Georgian Radio, Tbilisi, 0631-0701 12/26. English service with IS, ID "This is Georgia" and announcer mentioning "Tbilisi". Complete schedule was read, then the news with items on NATO, Serbia and terrorism. "...in the studio from Tbilisi, the Republic of Georgia" at end of news. Russian dance/folk music until 0701 when German service began. Poor, fluttery signal (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. How are things by now? Only 30 percent of the power is back, and no one is being given preferential treatment: http://www.guampdn.com/news/stories/20021228/topstories/657846.html (Guam Pacific Daily News Dec 28 via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4779.98, R. Coatán, 28 Dec. 0203-0210, Lively LA Pop song, 0205 Rock song for a minute, then M announcer with talk and ID. First time the ute wasn't here and was hoping this was R. Satélite. So, is Satélite still here/on the air?? Coatán weak with 4781 HC QRM (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW AND AUCTIONS HAVE THROWN RADIO BROADCASTING UP FOR GRABS; STATUS OF CATHOLIC RADIO IN CAPITAL & NATIONAL NETWORK by Victor Hugo Aguilar Martínez, Director of Fundación para La Paz y Reconciliación, of the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala. CRU Editor`s Note - I asked Señor Victor Hugo Aguilar some information on a number of Guatemalan Catholic radio stations, including those operated by the Fundación para La Paz y Reconciliación, of which Señor Aguilar es the director. In answering those questions, he provided interesting background on the telecommunications situation in Guatemala. His report deserves publication. Guatemala City, Dec 15 (special)— First I have to ask pardon for the delay in answering your e-mail in regard to some doubts over the radio stations of Guatemala. I have delayed in virtue of the fact that there are some situations that are still not clear in regard to broadcasting in Guatemala because of the implementation of the General Telecommunications Act that appeared in 1996 and which we can say nullified the previous law although it seems that they wanted to leave or allow to continue to be applicable some aspects of that law. but their application is considered very controversial. All this creates an atmosphere of doubt whether there exists a true legislation over stations or frequencies for radio stations, especially in the FM band. Now that there is little or no interest in AM because applications for AM or almost zero, I hope to clear up for you some points. If they are not clear, please advise me and I will try to make them simpler. To get going. 1. Before 1996, the government conceded radio frequencies in its manner, specially if it were a mass medium that ought to be controlled given the situation of the civil war that existed between the army and the guerrillas. Thus on licensing a person the use of a frequency, they assigned some call letters that began with TG, which signified Telecomunicaciones Guatemala, and then other letters that indicated the name of the station which was registered from the moment of licensing. Today frequencies are obtained by means of auctions and the nature of radio broadcasting itself of no importance. That which is important is the money that one may have to buy a frequency on auction. In this way it is easy to change the name of a radio station from night to morning now that you can sell, lease, give or do what you want with your frequency, at least for the 15 years that the right of usufruct is valid. Thus, under my criteria, one cannot oblige some (the old ones) to identify themselves and the others no (the new ones obtained in auction now that the law is such there is no need of general observance, which is the basis of all law). In regard to your specific questions, I will now answer them: Radio 940 AM is property of the institution named ``Catholic Events`` whose director is Señor Orlando Coronado. This station has had various names but the latest that it uses is Radio Paz and its call letters use TGTL that means ``Telecomunicaciones Guatemala Traigo la Voz`` which was the first name used for this station. For a better understanding we can make the following division or separation. We will call Catholic radio stations those whose frequencies were assigned to a diocese, that is to say, these are diocesan radio stations and thus the property of the Church and, of course, their programming is Catholic. Other stations are private property but with Catholic programming (which supposedly ought to have the authorization of the bishop responsible for the region in which they broadcast). Well, then, Guatemala is divided geographically into departments, and in the Department of Guatemala City in which the Archdiocese of Guatemala is located, there is no station that is owned by the Church but all of these are of private property, whether the owners be individuals or groups of laymen or ecclesiastical organizations. For example, Radio Paz belongs to a Catholic group named Eventos Católicos. It is supposed that they broadcast with the approval of the Archbishop of Guatemala, but this I cannot guarantee that every one of them has this relationship (of approval). My relation is directly with the diocesan stations, that is to say, the Catholic Church, and that are found broadcasting in the rural areas of our Republic. Among the private stations with Catholic programming, such as Radio Paz, I can mention Radio María FM (which belongs to a group of Italian laymen named Asunción de María) and that have representation in Guatemala. There is Radio María AM which calls itself La Voz de la Familia, which belongs to the Ingeniero Arturo López and which operates on the frequency 1600 AM but now has a repeater on 1615 AM in the zone of the Departamento of Sololá, specifically from Santa Lucía Utaltlán. But I do not know if he has legal authorization to do it. His identification is TGML and he has no website. The frequency 107.9 FM belongs to a Church station which carries the name Stéreo Gerardi in honor of Bishop Juan Gerardi, assassinated a few years ago in Guatemala, a murder which involved a priest as possibly responsible for the same. This station does not have call letters because it was acquired in an auction. I have been made to understand that they have asked the regulating agency of frequencies in Guatemala, the Superintendencia of Telecomunicaciones that they be assigned call letters but, as of today, they have not been assigned them. I repeat, for me this is unnecessary in the system, form, or method of assigning frequencies, Thus it was that Radio Sololá, the same institution responsible for managing its operations took the decision to change the frequency from 96.9 to 88.7 MHz because on 96.9 FM they had a great deal of interference from other stations. Thus it is that they are now on 88.7 FM and identify still with the call letters TGIZ. Let me take this opportunity to tell you that in regard to satellite linking of our diocesan stations across Guatemala, things are going well. All that is lacking is that the donator of our funds approves our using these funds in a different area, that is to say, he gave it to us for one thing and we would like to spend them in another. If he approves the change we are ready to begin buying and installing the transmitting equipment and the 16 receivers (Dec 30 Catholic Radio Update, Dec 28 via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. EL LARGO CAMINO PARA LAS VOCES LIBRES A fines del 2000, representantes de las radios Comunitarias entregaron al presidente del Congreso de la república la Ley de Medios de Comunicación Comunitaria A pesar del arduo trabajo para llegar a ella, la presentación al Congreso de la ley fue sólo un acto político ya que el organismo no le dio el curso debido. En Febrero de 2001 las distintas coordinadoras de Emisoras Comunitarias tomaron la decisión de conformar el Consejo Guatemalteco de Comunicación Comunitaria con el cual se da un importante paso. Unos meses después esta vez desde la Presidencia se promueve la articulación de una propuesta de reglamento para las radios comunitarias sin que se haya hacho consulta alguna a las propias radios interesadas. Con este acto se desconoce una vez más el esfuerzo realizado por las radios comunitarias, el Estado asume una actitud paternalista de las entidades que se agruparon para trabajar esta propuesta. Pero la lucha continua. Se vuelve a presentar una nueva propuesta de ley y frente a la indiferencia de las autoridades se inicia una campaña para recolectar firmas en apoyo a las radios comunitarias. Más de 40,000 voluntades manifiestan su apoyo a la aprobación de la ley que se encuentra en el congreso. La acción obligó al presidente de la comisión de comunicaciones a precipitar la convocatoria a una reunión con otros sectores relacionados con los medios de comunicación A pesar de todos estos esfuerzos las radios comunitarias de Guatemala no tienen otra opción que seguir trabajando desde la ilegalidad con los peligros que esto significa. No obstante a las amenazas en contra del proceso de democratizar el acceso a la comunicación las radios comunitarias siguen creciendo en las comunidades fortaleciendo la capacidad organizativa de los pueblos (Agencia Informativa Pulsar via Arnaldo Slaen, Dec 28, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** HAITI. RADIO STATION CHIEF SURVIVES APPARENT MURDER ATTEMPT Press Freedom 26 December 2002 HAITI Reporters Without Borders said today it was outraged at an apparent attempt on Christmas Day to kill the head of Radio Haiti Inter, Michèle Montas, in which one of her bodyguards was shot dead. "The attackers wanted to eliminate the person who is fighting for the arrest and punishment of the killers in 2000 of her journalist husband Jean Dominique, Haiti's best-known journalist," said Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Robert Ménard. Ménard expressed his "great admiration" for the "courage and determination" of Montas in her nearly three-year battle and assured her of his "total support" in the wake of what he called a "despicable and cowardly action." He also expressed his condolences to the family of her bodyguard, Maxime Séide, who was shot and killed in the attack. Montas was one of five journalists from around the world shortlisted for this year's Reporters Without Borders / Fondation de France Prize in recognition of her fight against impunity in the murder of her husband, the head of Radio Haiti Inter, who was shot dead in the station's courtyard on 3 April 2000. Reporters Without Borders called on the authorities to thoroughly investigate the latest attack and asked that key people in the enquiry into the Dominique murder be given special protection, especially Bernard Saint-Vil, the investigating judge, and the state prosecutor, Josué Pierre-Louis. Two armed men appeared at the gates of Montas' house in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, in the late afternoon of 25 December a few minutes after she had arrived home after a Christmas lunch with family members. They threatened her security guards who immediately shut the gates. One of the guards ran to the house to get a gun. The attackers then fired at the second guard, Séide, fatally wounding him before fleeing. Montas said the attackers had intended to kill her. The two men were on foot, she said, and had probably waited near her house for her to arrive. She said she had, unusually, asked her driver to take a different route back to the house that day. The attack came a few days before Judge Saint-Vil is expected to announce completion of his enquiry into Dominique's murder, which has been hampered by many obstacles. The outspoken Dominique, Haiti's best-known journalist and political commentator, criticised all sides, whether supporters of the former Duvalier family dictatorship, ex-military figures, member of the country's wealthy families or, not long before his death, those he suspected in the ruling Fanmi Lavalas party of President Jean- Bertrand Aristide of having turned the party away from its original principles. The murder investigation was assigned in September 2000 to Judge Claudy Gassant after his predecessor, Judge Jean-Sénat Fleury, had resigned after receiving threats. Gassant fled to the United States after his mandate expired on 3 January 2002 and was not immediately renewed by Aristide. He had been repeatedly harassed after naming an Aristide supporter and former army major, Sen. Dany Toussaint, as the man responsible for Dominique's death. Since July, the investigation has been in the hands of Judge Saint-Vil, who has resumed questioning people and said his enquiry may be formally completed by the end of the year. The case file will then go to prosecutor Pierre-Louis, who will have five days to ask for any further information from the judge. After that, the completion announcement, with names of people to be arrested or charged, will be made public. Régis Bourgeat -- Despacho Américas / Americas desk Reporters sans frontières, 5, rue Geoffroy-Marie, 75009 Paris - France tél. : +33 (0) 1 44 83 84 68 fax : +33 (0) 1 45 23 11 51 e-mail : ameriques@rsf.org / americas@rsf.org (via Georges Lessard, CAJ-list via Ricky Leong, DXLD) This was trilingual, but I resisted the temptation to include French and Spanish versions (gh) ** HUNGARY. HUNGARIAN DUNA TV STARTS BROADCASTING TO NORTH AMERICA | Text of report by Hungarian Duna TV on 25 December Pope John Paul II blessed our television 10 years ago, when the satellite broadcasting of Duna TV started. After a decade, we can safely say that the television has become the television of Hungarians all over the world. At dawn today, Duna TV started to transmit its programmes oversees eight hours a day. For the time being, it covers the North American continent. Hopefully, our programmes will soon be available to Hungarians in the southern hemisphere as well. Source: Duna TV satellite service, Budapest, in Hungarian 1700 gmt 25 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK?? Not to mention any other details! One has the impression such presumably satellite services on obscure transponders have an unrealistic expectation of audience in North America, undoubtedly minuscule, but it must play well back home (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR Domestic Service. Recent morning logs from 1430 to 1600 include 4940 Guwahati fair (// with stronger freqs), 7140, 7255, 9910, 10330 Delhi going from fair to very good. The Delhi stations are strongest after sunrise on the California coast (David Norcross, CA, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. NEW YEAR'S EVE ON THE WEB Several years ago Kim Elliott, former host of Communications World on the Voice of America spent his New Years Eve listening to how the world celebrated using shortwave radio. Lou Josephs adapted the idea for the Internet, and has assembled a list of Webcasters and Webcams that will usher in the New Year 2003. This is a great way see what Webcasting has to offer. More than 4,900 TV and radio stations worldwide are Webcasting. Lou has picked out some of the best ones. http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/newyear021227.html (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Dec 27 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM SATELLITE RADIO GETS NEW FINANCING, STOCK JUMPS --- REUTERS December 23, 2002 WASHINGTON - XM Satellite Radio Inc., a satellite radio broadcaster, on Monday said it reached financing agreements totaling $450 million that should provide the cash needed until its operations reach break- even. XM stock jumped more than 10 percent following the news. The Washington-based company said the package includes $200 million from a sale of notes convertible into common stock at $3.18 a share, and a small concurrent stock sale. Also, General Motors Co., which is installing XM radios in 25 different 2003 vehicle lines, has agreed to $250 million in payment deferrals and related credit facilities through 2006, XM said. "With this financing package, we believe we have achieved full funding through cash flow break-even," XM President and Chief Executive Hugh Panero said in a statement. XM and rival Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (SIRI.O) have struggled to remain viable as the market for the capital-intensive satellite radio industry ramps up. Both XM and Sirius have lost money as they try to attract subscribers. Sirius said in November it was preparing for bankruptcy if debtholders did not approve a restructuring that included a debt-for-equity swap. XM shares were up 39 cents, or 13 percent, at $3.39 on Nasdaq in early trade. Sirius shares were up 1 cent at 55 cents, also on Nasdaq. In addition to the financing package, XM said it will start an offer on Tuesday to exchange its $325 million of outstanding 14 percent senior secured notes due 2010 for new 14 percent senior secured discount notes due 2009, warrants and cash. Based on sales to date and projections through the end of the year, XM said it expects to have more than 350,000 radios sold and ready for activation by Dec. 31, either through retailers or automakers. The actual year-end activated subscriber total is expected to be 340,000 to 350,000. XM also said it expects to add two new directors: Steven Hicks, the chairman of Click Radio, who has 33 years of experience in the radio and broadcasting media industry, and Thomas Elliott, executive vice president of automobile operations with Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s (7267.T) U.S. operations (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. ARUTZ-7 RAID UNCLEAR From http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=36141 26 December 2002 The circumstances surrounding yesterday's raid on Arutz-7's ship are still unclear. Arutz-7 officials have not been able to determine why the raid was conducted, nor why it happened specifically yesterday. Israel Police and Communications Ministry personnel raided the Eretz HaTzvi broadcasting ship of Arutz-7 Israel National Radio yesterday, halting the station's signal for over an hour and warning the captain not to resume broadcasting. Nothing was taken or damaged. Arutz-7 broadcasts from outside of Israel's territorial waters because privately-owned radio stations are prohibited from airing nationwide. A law duly passed by the Knesset granting Arutz-7 a broadcasting license was recently nullified by the Supreme Court. Communications Minister Ruby Rivlin of the Likud said he was "furious" at the timing of the raid, and other right-wing politicians railed against what some called "political persecution." A spokesman for Public Security Minister Uzi Landau, who oversees the Israel Police, told Arutz-7 that he did not know of the raid in advance, and that the Communications Ministry initiated it a while ago. The Communications Ministry says the raid was a result of Elections Committee head Hon. Michael Cheshin's call to ensure that unlicensed stations do not broadcast election propaganda. Cheshin himself said he was not involved. Arutz-7 announced in response that it is more careful not to allow its interviewers and interviewees to speak on behalf of specific parties than are Israel's public stations. ARUTZ-7 issued this announcement following the raid: "For 15 years, the State Prosecution and the police have waged a campaign to harm Arutz-7 by "hitting us in our pockets." On two previous occasions, police have smashed and confiscated our state-of- the-art broadcasting equipment, under the pretext that the station's broadcasts are against Israeli law. No court has ever ruled that this is the case, but Arutz-7 has had to pay top lawyers' fees in order to defend itself against these allegations. Police raids like the one today on our broadcasting ship are aimed solely at portraying the station as illegal, thus bringing about an immediate decrease in advertising income. "The Prime Minister, Communications Minister, and Public Security (Police) Minister all denied prior knowledge of and involvement in today's attempt to silence Israel's only radio voice opposing the establishment of Palestinian state. How, then, did it happen? Raids of this sort happen under right-wing governments because extremist left elements control key government institutions, including the police, the State Prosecution, the courts, and the Israel Broadcasting Authority. They are largely behind the systematic attempts to financially cripple and harm the lone nationalist voice on Israel's airwaves. We turn to our listeners and internet readers to fight this trend in whatever legitimate manner is available. Please speak out, write letters and faxes, and support the station in its continual struggle to survive these blows against our right to champion the Jewish Nation's right to the Land of Israel." (via Mike Terry, DXLD) From Mike Brand 26 December 2002: From today`s Haaretz Newspaper :: Election committee to hear petition against pirate radio station Arutz Sheva The chairman of the Central Election Committee (CEC), Justice Mishael Cheshin, will today hear a petition asking him to issue a restraining order against pirate radio stations Arutz Sheva, prohibiting it from broadcasting until after the January 28 elections. The petition, filed by Keshev (The Center for the Protection of Democracy in Israel) and The Israel Religious Action Center, who claimed that Arutz Sheva is broadcasting election propaganda in flagrant breech of the election law. They also claim that the station's election broadcasts violate the concept of media evenhandedness, since they give unfair preference to the Likud, National Religious Party, the National Union and Herut. (Gideon Alon) (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** IRELAND. We heard a number of Irish church services on 27 and 28 Dec. in the European afternoon, ca. 1300-1500 UT. Locations unknown. The reception was best in Finland. I copied a couple of them here in Holland as well. 27-12 ----- 27105 27185 26965 27305 (a wedding); 28- 12 ----- 27295 27025 27030 26805 27315 (a wedding) 27395 (3 different services at the same time, one was a wedding) (via Ary (from the Netherlands) in the WUN group via Hans Johnson, Dec 28, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. More Arutz-7: see INTERNATIONAL WATERS above ** ITALY. In the fall of 1988, a new shortwave radio station took to the airwaves of Europe. It started as a vision only six months before, and was operational in record time, thanks to the enthusiasm of its founders and a measure of good luck. This was a private station, with an independent, eclectic, experimental message – something distinctly different from the classic international broadcasters of the Cold War era. It’s a story of broadcasting success against all odds, and how what started out as a gamble has made European broadcasting history. Bob Zanotti, formerly of Swiss Radio International, was a co-founder of the station, and has now decided to tell the story. WELCOME TO NEXUS-IRRS --- By Bob Zanotti In 1988 a new shortwave radio station took to the airwaves in Europe after being conceived a mere 6 months before. Its two adventurous founders set out to create something quite different from traditional Cold War broadcasting.... Alfredo Cotroneo was the front man for the Italian Radio Relay Service, but few folks knew that his partner was Bob Zanotti of Swiss Radio International. This is the first time the full story has been told. Part 1 gets us on the air: Part 2 will tell about keeping an independent shortwave station going – an entirely different matter! (January MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** JAPAN. Kunitoshi Hishikawa, Japan, sent me the URL for Year End Hitparade 2002: http://cgi2.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/new/image/02kohaku.pdf The following schedule for the 53rd "Year End Hitparade", which will LIVE broadcast in Japanese on 31 Dec 2002 at 1030-1545 UT. To: Southeast Asia 1030-1600 11815 Yamata To: Asian Continent 1030-1600 9750 Yamata [Acc to the PDF file, seemingly the live coverage broadcast occurs only on the Asian Continent and SEAsia services. Broadcast time shifts to a recording at 1500-1930 UT to the following targets, except Sackville 11705 kHz relay still at 1300-1500 UT, see below, ed.] To: Southwest Asia 1500-1700 12045 Yamata (instead of Ekala?) 1700-1930 11700 Yamata To: North America 1300-1730 11705 Sackville-CAN (extended) 1500-1930 9835 Yamata (extended) To: Central America 1500-1930 9535 Yamata (extended) To: South America 1500-1930 9835 Yamata (extended) 1500-1930 21600 Montsinery-GUF To: Oceania 1500-1930 7140 Yamata (extended) To: East Europe 1500-1800 9750 Rampisham-UK (extended) 62 degr 1800-1930 9565 Woofferton-UK (extended) 75 degr To: South Europe 1500-1900 6175 Skelton-UK (extended) 150 degr 1900-1930 6010 Skelton-UK 150 degr To: Middle East and North Africa 1500-1930 11880 Ekala-CLN (extended) To: C Africa 1500-1700 21630 Ascension 1700-1930 15165 Ascension To: S Africa 1500-1930 15355 Montsinery-GAB (Kunitoshi Hishikawa, Japan, via BC-DX, Christoph Ratzer-AUT OE2CRM did do the transform job, thanks (via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** LATVIA. See UK ** LUXEMBOURG [non]. See DENMARK ** MEXICO. 9705, Radio Mexico Int`l, Christmas eve programming. Dead air between languages. English at 0445 rather, and continued for much longer than a half an hour. Call in or interview show was quite audible; by 05 this was coming in like a local! almost 55555. 11770 was good, but the modulation has a problem, sound is sloppy. This was markedly better here than as reported by Terry Krueger in TOCOBAGA DX #67 via DXLD. Perhaps their beam is towards the western US? (David Norcross, California, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I`ve noticed occasional much better signals than usual from XERMX, but tend to blame it on propagation (gh, DXLD) ** MEXICO. MEXICAN TV STATION ACCUSED OF ARMED RAID OF RIVAL TV AZTECA ACCUSED OF ARMED RAID OF RIVAL Federal prosecutors are investigating claims a rival television station took over another channel using private armed guards wearing ski masks. Mexican broadcaster TV Azteca took over the facilities of CNI Channel 40 in the early hours of the morning. CNI Channel 40 said the men in black uniforms stormed the station's transmission facilities before dawn, holding channel employees for several hours and taking over the channel's signal. The frequency is now carrying programs of Channel 13, TV Azteca's flagship station. Televisora del Valle de Mexico, or TVM, holds the license for CNI Channel 40, a UHF station broadcast in Mexico City and distributed on regional cable TV systems. CNI Channel 40 said its lawyers have already filed charges against TV Azteca, calling the takeover an "unprecedented abuse in the history of Mexican television." TV Azteca confirmed it took over the facilities, but it denied using violence and said it was "exercising its rights and in full compliance with the law." It adds it has evidence on video that it took over the facilities peacefully. Manuel Feregrino, news editor at CNI Channel 40, said: "They retained the IDs of our staff, their addresses were taken, and they were told that their families could be in danger." TV Azteca and CNI Channel 40 entered a strategic alliance in 1998, with the two evenly sharing earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for programming and advertising sales. The partnership fell into dispute in 2000, when TVM owner Javier Moreno Valle pulled out and alleged that the agreements weren't valid. He was expelled from TV Azteca's board soon afterward. TV Azteca said last week the International Court of Arbitration upheld the company's right to buy 51 percent of TVM. Story filed: 09:30 Saturday 28th December 2002 via http://www.ananova.com (via Pete Costello, DXLD) The wild, wild South ** MEXICO. MEXICAN DJ HOPES PLAYING 2,001 SONGS IN A ROW WILL LAND HIM IN RECORD BOOKS MONTERREY, México (AP) - A Monterrey disc jockey played 2,001 corridos - traditional, sometimes controversial, ranch songs - back-to-back last month, hoping to earn a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. Ricardo Escobedo, director of the AM station Radio Regiomontana, wants to set a record for broadcasting the longest radio show and the longest radio program in which no song was played twice. Guinness record book officials are investigating whether he qualifies, said Escobedo, who played 2,001 corridos in a row between Nov. 14-21 without leaving his microphone or playing any song twice. "I didn't feel tired during the broadcast, because I was very busy, but my throat hurt a lot afterward," the 34-year-old said Tuesday. He managed the feat, he said, by attacking the station's music collection alphabetically according to song title. Corridos are traditional northern Mexican ranch songs that often tell stories of betrayal, lost love, homesickness and the settling of scores over money or women. Los Tigres del Norte and other artists have given such songs commercial legitimacy in recent years. The Canadian Press, 2002 12/27/2002 12:30 EST (AOL Canada News via Fred Waterer, Dec 27, DXLD) I believe the word is Regiomontana, not Regiomontaña as some might think, correcto? (gh) ** MONGOLIA [and non]. Hello everyone and the best of the season to you all, I've been in Germany since March and as a result my international radio listening has been mainly focused on hearing the BBC! I'm back at home for Xmas and New Year and am re-exploring my clunky old computer and Worldspace receiver, both gathering dust for the last 10 months. While catching up on a few messages here I've also got BBC Radio 4's "A world in your ear" on (also available on the web I'm sure), which selects and plays choice features from broadcasters (and a number of international broadcasters) from around the world. [repeats Sun 2000] This week they talked to an Aussie journalist working at the Voice of Mongolia. Speaking about the station, he said that VoM's 'devoted listeners' consisted of Radio HAMs who struggle through the interference (in particular Radio Damascus) to hear the station, write to the station, receive their postcard and then go on to the next station. While the journalist's comment maybe a little tongue-in- cheek, I do wonder if this is really what many broadcasters think of their audience - that the only ones listening to the station don't actually listen for the programming and only listen the once for the QSL. Accurate or not it's energised me to write to the various international broadcasters I listen to regularly (for their programming of course) and to make sure they know that their hard work is appreciated. Peace and good listening to one and all, (Daniel Atkinson, England / Germany, Dec 27, swprograms via DXLD) - home of the internet's first SW FAQ (perhaps) http://www.eurobahn.co.uk ** NICARAGUA. 600, YNLD, Radio Ya, Managua DEC 27 0546 - caught a "Ya" mention during break in meringue music block by man; possible mention of "seis cientos" but too poor to be exactly sure. Anyway, country nr. 19 !! and obviously new catch. I hope to find some time to encode some of the tape made on 600 kHz last night into real-audio too! 73 and good DX, (Bogdan Alexandru Chiochiu, QC, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Bogdan has been going after LA MW DX quite successfully from Montreal, tnx to auroral condx. However, since ``ya`` is a common word in Spanish, meaning `already`, I would be hesitant to claim a definite ID based on the above. Merengue not exactly typical of Nicaragua, either. Good riddance, anyway, CFCF! 600 is thought to be the best chance for Nicaragua in North America (gh, DXLD) ** NORWAY. Today I discovered that Radio Norway carries a program from BBC WS (European Branch) during the first half hour (0500-0530 on 7465 and 7490 kHz). Before, they used to carry their internal radio service (Alexander Egorov, Kiev, Ukraine via Active_DX, 12/27/02 via Sergei Sosedkin, DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3290, NBC Radio Central, Boroko was audible on Dec. 24th & 25th 2002 between 1155-1400* with a weak signal carrying Karai National Service. In addition to that, I have noted an unidentified station (Radio Milne Bay, Voice of Kula, Alotau) on 3365 kHz at around 1930 UT. No sign of other stations from PNG (Jari Korhonen, Kitee, Finland, Dec 27, dxing.info via DXLD) ** POLAND [and non]. The German Enigma Cipher Machine - History of Solving http://www.enigmahistory.org/enigma.html (via Frank Parisot, France, Dec 13, DXLD) ** QATAR. AL-JAZEERA BROADCASTS IN ENGLISH From http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,865365,00.html Ewen MacAskill, Friday December 27, 2002, The Guardian The Arabic satellite television station al-Jazeera, demonised in parts of Washington for its coverage of Osama bin Laden and the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, has begun experimental broadcasts using English subtitles in the US to try to expand its influence and revenues. A spokesman for al-Jazeera, which is based in Qatar and is popular throughout the Arab world, confirmed yesterday that the broadcasts using English subtitles have begun in the US. The move is aimed at finding new sources of revenue but staff believe that they have a mission to provide the context to Middle East stories they argue is often missing from Western media reports. The chief editor, Ibrahim Hilal, told the Christian Science Monitor that "the historical context is missing" in coverage of the Israel- Palestinian conflict and other stories. He cited, as an example, stories about the Iraq crisis that fail to carry a reminder that Saddam Hussein, was armed by the West in the 1980s. The channel is available in the US on subscription by satellite and cable but, until now, it has only been in Arabic. An hour-long phone-in programme, dealing with religion, is now being broadcast in Arabic, with English subtitles. If successful, the range of programmes with English subtitles will be increased (via Mike Terry, DXLD) Subtitles certainly help, but won`t cut it. From previous publicity I was expecting some programing audible in English. Perhaps later, after this first step. Since most of the staff started with BBC in Britain, there should be plenty of fluent English-speakers (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. FIRST HUNGARIAN-LANGUAGE RELIGIOUS RADIO STATION LAUNCHED IN ROMANIA | Text of report by Hungarian radio on 24 December [Presenter] Hungarians living in Kolozsvar can now listen to another Hungarian-language radio. Janos Moszkovics reports on the first day of the religious radio: [Moszkovics] The first Hungarian-language, Transylvanian religious and community radio started its broadcasting at 1100 hours local time today, that is, it has been on air for more than one hour in Kolozsvar [Cluj-Napoca, in western Romania] and its region. Agnus Radio, owned by the Transylvanian Reformed Church diocese, started with a pre-Christmas programme, lasting till 1500 hours [local time] this afternoon on 88.3 MHz. Tomorrow, it will broadcast a magazine programme between 0300 hours at dawn and 0800 hours in the morning. It will include a religious service, in addition to interviews, news and music, Attila Sebesi Karen [phonetic], the secular editor-in-chief of Agnus Radio, has told the Hungarian Kossuth Radio [this station]. He added that one-third of the daily eight-hour programme will be about religious topics, while in two-thirds of its broadcasting time it will transmit secular public service programmes to all generations. The religious programmes will include Reformed Church, Catholic, Unitarian and Evangelical programmes and, for three hours a week, the Romanian Orthodox Church will also be involved, since this denomination has no radio station yet. The basic principle of Agnus Radio, which is operated by only 15 staff members, editors, reporters and technical staff, is to supplement regional public service radio programmes. Therefore, at the end of the daily programmes, listeners will be advised to switch over to the Hungarian programme of Kolozsvar Radio, which will also keep its usual religious programme, which was launched in 1990 by the same Kolozsvar- based pastor, Laszlo Adorjani, who dreamt, planned and now directs the first Transylvanian community radio station, Agnus Radio. Source: Hungarian Radio, Budapest, in Hungarian 1100 gmt 24 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. PRESIDENT ANSWERS PUBLIC'S QUESTIONS President Putin on 19 December answered questions from the public in a live appearance broadcast over national television, radio, and the Internet, Russian news agencies reported. In a two-hour session, Putin answered 51 questions covering many aspects of domestic and foreign policy, as well as questions about his personal preferences, Interfax reported. The event was announced about two weeks in advance and in the interim the presidential administration received 1.2 million questions, from which advisers chose the ones they deemed most topical. Asked about the possibility of restoring the Russian monarchy, Putin said this is not desirable because Russia has not yet firmly established a multiparty democracy. "It is true that monarchies complying with democratic norms exist in countries like Britain, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain, but in Russia I cannot imagine how [democratic] executive authority could be formed," Putin said. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 19 December via RFE/RL Media Matters Dec 27 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. LOCAL RUSSIAN TV COMPANY SEIZED IN FAR EAST | Text of report by Russian Ekho Moskvy radio on 27 December [Presenter] The Novaya Volna [English: New Wave] TV company in Vladivostok was seized today. We learnt of this from the deputy general director of the TV company, Yevgeniya Golodova: [Golodova] People who are controlled by legal structures and the [Maritime] Territory's administration arrived at the building of the Novaya Volna TV company. They entered together with police and people unofficially representing a certain Vladimir Nikolayev who at the moment wants to run for mayor and in the State Duma election. They told us roughly the following - today former deputy governor [Yevgeniy] Krasnov was killed, and what happened to him will happen to you if you don't leave the building in five minutes. We have been surrounded by a group from Mr (?Arzhanov), the police and Nikolayev's people. We are staying in the building. We tried to contact the governor's assistant. He told us he would need a report on the situation, because the people who came did not act in his name. But we hope that Sergey Mikhaylovich will sort the situation out. They contacted us and said they would come in two hours time' and the situation would be sorted out somehow. [Presenter] Yevgeniya Golodova links the seizure with a property dispute to do with the TV company. We have just learnt that armed persons have burst into the TV company's building. The journalists fear that they may be arrested. We will be following events. Source: Ekho Moskvy radio, Moscow, in Russian 1000 gmt 27 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) TV AND RADIO COMPANY'S OFFICE IN FAR EASTERN CITY STORMED BY POLICE | Text of report by Russian news agency Ekho Moskvy on 27 December: [No dateline, as received] The building of the Novaya Volna [Russ: new wave] television and radio company has been seized in Vladivostok, the company's deputy managing director, Yevgeniya Golubeva, has told Ekho Moskvy radio. At 1630 local time [0630 gmt] on 27 December people "in charge of the legal departments of the Maritime Territory administration" as well as people "unofficially representing Vladimir Nikolayev who is trying to run for the mayor of Vladivostok and for the State Duma" and accompanied by policemen appeared at the Novaya Volna with threats, Golubeva said. "They told us approximately the following: you have heard what happened to Krasnov (former deputy governor of Maritime Territory, who was killed in Vladivostok today). A similar thing will happen to you if you do not vacate the building in the next five minutes, Golubeva went on to say, quoting the raiders. She added that threats had been issued against the founders of Novaya Volna, Konstantin Tolstosheyin and Sergey Gubich. The building was cordoned off. The company's staff have no intention of leaving their office, Golubeva said. She added that the people who had made their way inside the building "had been brandishing the name of the governor" of Maritime Territory, Sergey Darkin. The company's staff contacted the governor's aide and he promised to inform Darkin of the incident. "We hope that the governor does not know what is happening and will clear up the controversy," Golubeva said. She said the raid may be linked to a business dispute surrounding the Novaya Volna television and radio company. In the summer of 2002, the founder of the Novaya Volna media holding, Oleg Sedinko, was killed in Vladivostok. His share in the company was bought up by Tolstosheyin and Gubich. A dispute between them and the late director's deputy, Oksana Rybalko, broke out. Later there came reports that armed people had stormed the company's office. The journalists fear that they may be arrested. [In a further report at 1108 gmt, the same agency quoted Golubeva as saying that riot policemen had stormed the Novaya Volna offices and were preventing the company's staff from leaving the building. She added that journalists had been lined up facing a wall with guns pointed at them. A TV camera and tapes had been seized from them. In the meantime, the Vladivostok main interior directorate denied reports that the Novaya Volna building had been seized. They explained that there had been a dispute about who should be guarding the building and the police were currently looking into the matter.] Source: Ekho Moskvy news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1014 gmt 27 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) The wild, wild, East (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. Regarding site of VOR on 7125: The 1600-1900 transmission to Central Europe is from Yekaterinburg as stated in the HFCC. I believe the transmission listed as 2300-0600 is from the Moldova site, although I have not confirmed this for the current period. Since this frequency must not be used for transmissions to the Americas, the Russians report a more distant site (that would interfere less across the Atlantic) and a target area (CIRAF zone 17 = Iceland) that would be legal (Olle Alm, Sweden, 26 Dec, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Marcelo sends a view of his QSL which does say Kishinyov, Moldova on 7125 at 0400-0417 Oct. 17 (thus A-02 season in case that make a difference) (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. Hi Glenn, I hope you enjoyed the holidays. So here some words on the 7125 matter. Yes, HFCC contradicts Voice of Russia, but it is quite obvious that the planning of the actual transmitter operation takes place more or less independently, they just put some suitable parameters in the HFCC file, like, why bother? Just see the power levels noted down for the other 7125 operations: The Popovka site near Krasny Bor, usually listed as St. Petersburg, has 200 kW transmitters, hence actual power levels are 200, 400 and 800 kW, respectively, but never 250 kW. And a Popovka transmission on 7125 not exists at all, this registration is a mere placeholder. Contrary Yekaterinburg uses 7125 (VoR German), but 240 kW? No way, they have 100 kW transmitters and operate them mostly if not always in pairs, so 200 kW are true spot. Once there used to be Russian shortwave transmitters rated at 120 kW (this design is still in use in China, once they got the blueprints and built such rigs, too), but I am not aware of any such ancient transmitter still in use in Russia. And just as a reminder, Serpukhov which probably still appears in the HFCC file is a non-existing site, just one of the ghosts from the old days. The German service of Voice of Russia received enquiries about transmitter sites quite frequently. This forced them to put a site table on their website. When looking at http://www.vor.ru/German/Liste/liste.html you will find various contradictions with the HFCC data. To make it short: Monitoring observations strongly suggests that the VoR list indeed reflects the true situation. Why not, they should know what they pay for! Conclusion: It should be true that 7125 after 0000 originates together with 7180 from Grigoriopol`, just as it always used to be. Best regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA. QSL: Radio Hargeisa, 7530 kHz in 3 weeks. Letter, including 1 USD, sent to addres in Germany: Konsularishe Vertretung Somaliland, DJ6SI, Baldur Drobnica, Zedernweg 6, D-50127 Bergheim, Germany. Letter poststamped in Czech Republic (Claes Olsson, Norrköping, SWEDEN, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. COLOMBO ASKED TO EXPLAIN BROADCAST EQUIPMENT TO LTTE The Sri Lankan government is under pressure to explain how high powered radio equipment was dispatched to the Tamil guerrillas in northern Sri Lanka. Buddhist monks were the latest group to join opposition political parties to protest against the Sri Lankan government for handing over the radio equipment. The government has declared that it would give a full explanation about providing the guerrillas with radio equipment. Gulf News learns that the Norwegians want the Sri Lankan government to fully explain the position leading to the import of the equipment. According to diplomatic sources, Norway has taken the position that the equipment had been imported from Norway on the request of the government and Oslo had no interest in providing the broadcasting equipment. The equipment is expected to be used to boost the transmissions of the guerrilla's clandestine radio Voice of the Tigers. Buddhist monks on Monday called on President Chandrika Kumaratunga to use her powers to expel the Norwegian Ambassador in Colombo, Jon Westborg for providing the equipment to the guerrillas. The monks on Monday held a protest opposite the Norwegian embassy in Colombo, burnt down two flags of Norway and then proceeded to the President's office to hand over a petition calling for the expulsion of the Norwegian Ambassador. The Ambassador left for Oslo for urgent talks with his government, while the embassy has been avoiding answering questions regarding the equipment. A team of Security Forces communications experts, backed by representatives from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation had studied the technical specifications before they were dispatched. They were of the view that the equipment would enable the LTTE to only broadcast on the FM frequency to a limited area, but other technical sources said their transmissions could be heavily enhanced through boosters to reach areas outside Sri Lanka. The cleared equipment included an FM transmitter, backup transmitter, MPX Clipper Generator, FM antennas, headphone, patch panel, loudspeaker, microphone, microphone holder, MD recorder, CD player, cables, antenna cables and RDS audio. Meanwhile, the Marxist JVP (People's Liberation Front) has called on President Chandrika Kumaratunge to hold an inquiry into the transportation of radio equipment to the LTTE with the assistance of the Norwegian ambassador on the grounds that a diplomatic mission has no right to interfere in the internal matters of the country. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that an Independent Commission should be appointed to look into the matter. "The diplomat has gone beyond his call of duty. He has all the right to get down any equipment for him or the embassy but he has no right to get it down for a 'terrorist' organisation. We call on the president to hold an inquiry and take action against the ambassador," he said. The JVP states that the transaction was done illegally despite the government claiming that it was done through the proper channels. "Why was the equipment ordered by the ambassador to be sent to the LTTE," Silva said. "We feel that this was done under cover but when it was highlighted, the government came out saying there was nothing illegal," Silva said. With thanks to GULF NEWS (via D. Prabakaran, lecturer, N. L. Polytechnic, Mettupalayam, India, bcdxnet via Cumbre DX via DXLD) SRI LANKA JUSTIFIES RADIO EQUIPMENT IMPORT By V.S. Sambandan COLOMBO. DEC. 27. The Sri Lankan Government today justified the import of radio broadcasting equipment for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as part of the "positive developments" towards "permanent peace'', and termed the Norwegian "assistance'' as an "important contribution'' to the "peace process''. In a seven-page statement, the Government today sought to answer the queries posed by the Opposition parties on issues relating to the legality of the import and the role played by Norway. The LTTE, the Government said, had applied for licence on October 18 and described it as "an important step in the LTTE's transformation into a political grouping within the mainstream of the Sri Lankan political system''. The statement also reproduced a "specific request by the LTTE'' for licence. Signed by the secretary general of the LTTE's peace secretariat, Puleedevan, the letter had said: "the need for broadcasting services has become all the more important today to strengthen the peace initiatives undertaken by both the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE.'' The Government has interpreted the Tigers' application for licence as "the willingness of the LTTE to submit themselves to the authority of the Government in this manner is a 180 degree change from that which prevailed in the earlier period when the LTTE ran an unauthorised and illegal radio operation termed the Voice of Tigers'' (VoT). There was a bitter controversy most of this month, with the Opposition attacking Norway's role. What essentially should have been a direct political issue between the Government and the Opposition took an external turn on two fronts. The Opposition's charge against Norway and apprehensions over whether the LTTE's transmissions would reach the Indian shores. According to the Government's statement, the Norwegian involvement was initiated by it to resolve an impasse over a request by the LTTE for duty-waiver. The Tigers, the Government said, had asked for duty exemption as the import was "for a purpose associated with the peace process''. However, the Government could not grant the exemption "since no exemptions on duty of VAT were being permitted''. There is no clear explanation as to whether the duty was subsequently paid, or who paid it, but the statement said the Norwegian Government had agreed to finance the setting up of "institutional mechanisms to take forward the peace process'' with an assistance of over "Rs. 12 million as an initial contribution'' for the Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), commonly referred to as the Peace Secretariat. The Government pointed out that the Norwegian contribution to the SCOPP could be "utilised for reimbursement to the Ministry of Finance for any loss of revenue, if required''. Moreover, Norway's role was that of a "consignee'' under the understanding that the "goods would be immediately taken over by the SCOPP'', the statement said. (via D. Prabakaran, lecturer, N. L. Polytechnic, Mettupalayam, India, bcdxnet via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Glen[n]: I notice some message for you. New Star Broadcasting Station is going to equip with spare new antenna and transmitter, so all number message from Taiwan is ceased. 11430, 8300, 9725, 15388, 13750 remains silent for months (Miller Liu, Taiwan, Dec 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Last reported Nov 8 at 1410-1419* on 9725 in DXLD 2-197 ** THAILAND [and non]. World Scout Jamboree to include Amateur Radio activity: The 20th World Scout Jamboree http://www.worldscoutjamboree20.org in Thailand from December 28, 2002, to January 7, 2003, will include Amateur Radio operation from E20AJ at the Jamboree site. E20AJ will use World Scout frequencies http://www.home.zonnet.nl/worldscout/Jota/frequencies.htm The station will be operational for the duration of the Jamboree, 24 hours a day, on SSB, CW, SSTV and packet on 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10 and 2 meters. Three HF stations will be in operation. QSL E20AJ via HB9AOF or via the Thailand QSL bureau. GB2COS will be a special Scout station on the air from Chester, England, January 4-5. Activity will be on most HF bands, and GB2COS operators will attempt to contact E20AJ at the World Jamboree in Thailand. QSL GB2COS via G7BQY (some info from The Daily DX via ARRL Letter Dec 27 via DXLD) ** U K/LATVIA. It might be of interest read the statement below (via laserradio mailing list) by the producers of the Laser Radio transmissions via Latvia, regarding the legal status of their operations (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) From: laser_radio no_reply@yahoogroups.com Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 23:09:03 -0000 Subject: [laserradio] Re: Digest Number 34 To answer the questions regarding Laser Radio: a) We are NOT connected to the pirate station which operates from Eire and calls itself 'Laser HotHits'. b) We are NOT a 'Pirate' - We hold a broadcasting licence issued by the Radio Authority and more importantly, we are fully authorised for our shortwave transmissions by the Broadcasting council in Latvia. We are a Free Radio station which has gone to the trouble and expense of ensuring we conform to the laws of both the UK and Latvia. We also hold the copyright for the term 'Laser Radio' in the UK (and Latvia) and have done so since the mid-80's. The ultimate corporate owner of 'Laser Radio' is Laser Radio Limited. Hope this helps clarify some of the mystery ! To learn more about the station and our plans for the future - keep listening! (Via Bernd Trutenau, DXLD) [Re 5935 logging as Dec 23:] Yes, it was the 22nd....now waiting for the next chance on the 29th. See what happens when you have too many events happening all at once (Xmas gatherings, concerts and family/ friends over, etc., etc.) (Edward Kusalik, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RADIO FARDA FLOODED WITH EMAILS SUPPORTING THE NEW PERSIAN- LANGUAGE STATION Washington, DC., December 27, 2002--Washington, D.C., Dec. 27, 2002 More than 1,000 people, most of them inside Iran, have emailed Radio Farda http://www.radiofarda.com in its first week of broadcasting, expressing thanks and support for the new Persian-language station. "You are famous among Iranians – every body is whispering of Farda," wrote one listener. "God Bless America," wrote another. "I have to say that Radio Farda is very professional and it is about time to show the world that we can produce a serious radio that is like their radios," said one email. "I think also that this is the more effective way to reach Iranian youth and people. I am very proud of you and wish you the best." Added a college professor inside Iran: "We love your radio. You have saved us from being bored. We listen to your radio whenever we can. I am a college professor. The most drivers who drive between two towns … they all listen to your radio. We all love you." ... (BBG Press Release Dec 27 via DXLD) More R. Farda fan-mail, strangely enough all in English and seemingly unedited: http://www.bbg.gov/_bbg_news.cfm?articleID=56&mode=general (BBC Press site Dec 27 via DXLD) ** U S A. VOA Language/Frequency Schedule: http://www.voa.gov/allsked.cfm (Chuck Bolland, FL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. COMMENTARY: TEN YEARS OLD AND NOBODY NOTICED Saturday, December 28th, WEWN Global Catholic Radio/Radio Católica Mundial marked its tenth birthday. It was on this day, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, in 1992 that Mother Angelica inaugurated her technically first-class shortwave operation to spread the Word of God Become Flesh and the Catholic Faith to the world. Financed by a wealthy Dutch couple, WEWN embarked on its mission using three 500,000-watt transmitters located in Irondale, Alabama, south of Birmingham, on a 24-hour schedule to North America and much of the world in English, Latin America in Spanish, and Europe in various languages. It was the developed world`s first full-service Catholic international shortwave station. It has continued to be so. HVJ Radio Vaticano broadcasts in dozens of languages around the world; it is the voice of the Holy Father and must be all things to all races and countries. Consequently, the longest program is barely an hour, because the antennas must be re- directed and the transmitter frequency changed to reach yet another part of the world. DZN Radio Veritas Asia is indeed a remarkable service, too; it broadcasts almost around the clock to the underdeveloped world of Asia in 17 languages; few of its programs are an hour length because it, too, with much less resources than HVJ Radio Vaticano, must be all things to all people. WEWN continues what it set out to do. At first, it merely rebroadcast the sound track of EWTN television programs, much like KTBN shortwave in Salt Lake City does with its network. The commercial American radio networks tried to do the same during the twilight years of network radio and the dawning of television. Such efforts didn`t work then and they do not work now. WEWN quickly realized that radio is not just sound, it is a different medium with its own demands and requirements. Mother Angelica hired a good group of professionals to make something of the radio station, and they have, and they have done it well. WEWN is an inestimable asset to the Church. The station is the only Catholic voice available in English and Spanish in many parts of the world, even where those languages are spoken. This is as true for the United States and Canada as elsewhere. Comparatively few U.S. cities have Catholic radio stations; those who do not have EWTN television or need portability will have some luck at certain times of the day and night in getting its powerful broadcasts. Not all will; I have never been able to get it during the daytime on my inexpensive shortwave radio, the kind most people have, and I assume they have the same reception problem. But we can get it sometimes, and it is a relief in a shortwave world of endless news, government spin, and half-educated ministers thundering out alleged Biblical prophecies about what is going to happen. Without WEWN, many of us in many places in the world would have no Catholic radio. Many places in Latin America are isolated; many Latin Americans live in rural areas, far more than in North America and Europe. For them, WEWN Radio Católica Mundial is the sole Catholic voice on the shortwave bands. In other countries, such as Argentina, almost all Catholic stations are comparatively low-powered FM stations that seldom get outside their cities of license. Again, WEWN is the sole available voice for many. Thank you, Mother Angelica. And thanks to the dozens of professional people at WEWN who give us that radio. Happy Birthday, WEWN! (—Michael Dorner, editor, Dec 30 Catholic Radio Update, via DXLD) In Louisiana, Mike must be in the skip zone of the higher daytime frequencies. A bit further away here, WEWN is a blasting presence on all its frequencies, and for too many kHz either side of them. It`s still Dec 28 here and we have now noticed! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hi Glenn. The DIA TIS (WPDI548) is indeed on 540. Although it uses a larger than normal ground mount antenna, it is still rated at 10 watts. I suspect that it might actually have a little higher ERP due to the antenna but the license data doesn't seem to reflect that. The CO Dept of Transportation station on 530 (WPLX284) is a 10 watt transmitter. But it has a licensed ERP of 40 watts due to the gain factor provided by the use of a 49 foot Valcom top-loaded antenna. That station covers the entire Denver metro area which is about 30 miles wide by 30 miles long. It replaced a number of smaller 10 watt stations, all on 530, that were located at every major roadway into the Denver metro area. Those have all been removed. So Denver has first adjacent channel TIS stations! They are located 16 miles apart. Happy holidays! (Patrick Griffith, CBT, Westminster, CO, USA, Dec 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. The first thing I do after logging a new station is to do a search on Google to see if the station has a web page. Many stations don't have one and 99% of those that do have ones as bland and faceless as the station formats; Newstalk, Sportstalk, etc. Once in a while a web page comes along that has had many hours dedicated to its creation. Today I hit a real winner and I wanted to share it with the list. This morning around local sunrise here in the NC mountains, I was listening to a bluegrass gospel style station with a real down home feel with its ads and announcer. When it IDed, it turned out to be WMIK 560 in Middlesboro, KY. Although they faded out in about 15 minutes, I've been visiting the web site off and on all day long when I get a break from family duties. http://www.angelfire.com/ky2/cumberlandgapbc/index-original-page.html The opening shot of "Big MIK", an old RCA ribbon mike with the WMIK call plate on top, told me that this was not going to be an ordinary web site. This is the main page for the history of the Cumberland Gap Broadcasting Company. There is no link back to it from the above WMIK page. http://www.angelfire.com/ky2/cumberlandgapbc/ Reading the history of CGBC and studying the pictures gave me a feeling for the pride Middlesboro must've had when WMIK signed on in 1948. Imagine the isolation of a community deep in the hills of the coal country of southeastern Kentucky in these post war years that finally has their very own radio station. You can get a strong sense of the pride Middlesboro had in this station from the beginning and which lasts till today. My major in college was history, besides being a photographer, and sites like this really suck me in. I hope some of you will find it as interesting as I do. The picture of "Big MIK" is well worth your time. (Rick kf4ar Robinson, NRC-AM via DXLD) Excellent! That web site was a real slice of post-war little town America. The picture of downtown Middlesboro in the 50's was so full of flavor I'd have paid money for a print of it. I think I clicked on all of the links and looked at the whole thing. It was like reading a book or seeing a movie. Sorry it had to end. How many stories like this will be told in the future with the corporatization of radio? (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) To view some really kewl pictures, go to http://www.angelfire.com/ky2/cumberlandgapbc/index9.html At the top of the page Vice-President Richard M. Nixon dedicates the new Cumberland Gap Historical Park in 1959. WMIK was there to cover the event. Not only is this site a nostalgia trip to the 1940s and 50s, but a throwback to web surfing in 1995. Back in the days when most web pages were homemade do-it-yourself affairs. These guys didn't even bother to spend a few bucks for a domain name such as wmik.com or cumberlandgapbroadcasting.org 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, ibid.) I found a delightful website for a station where I worked when I came out of the Army in 1958, KPAN, Hereford, Texas. Chip Formby, current owner/operator, is the son of Clint Formby, a topnotch, local radio operator, who served a stint or two on the NAB Board. See: http://www.kpanradio.com/ Another Texas station that continues the dying tradition of local radio is KBEC-1390, Waxahachie. See: http://www.kbec.com/ (John Callarman, Krum TX, Dec 28, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Anyone going to CES [Consumer Electronics Show] in Las Vegas next month (I believe it's from 1/9-12)? Aren't the first IBOC consumer sets supposed to debut then? (Harry Helms, NRC-AM via DXLD) Kenwood is supposed to be showing their IBOC car radio. It should be available at high-end auto sound retailers summer 2003. Like any other chip-set, once Texas Instruments ramps up production, IBOC should be no more expensive than any other type of receiver. The number of options will determine final cost, whether it's just a simple Walkman- type or one with full display, memory, etc. No different than the wide range of models and prices available today (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, Dec 25, NRC-AM via DXLD) To be exact, TI's current solution is based on their TMS320C6000 family of DSP's, and is not a "chip set". They don't say exactly which of the many members of the family they are using, so the unit cost (in lots of 1000) could be anywhere from maybe $10 to $50. If people stay with the DSP approach to provide flexibility until real deployment of IBOC generates all the tweaks, you can expect to see (and this is just a guess) maybe $5 to $10 (based on very large volumes) of extra IBOC silicon cost per radio. When things finalize (unless the wheels come off of IBOC first!), expect a custom chip with cost of approximately half that of the DSP, and perhaps a little less. I don't expect to ever see IBOC in cheap portables, mainly for price reasons and somewhat because there will always be a bit of additional power draw. It will be an extra feature in the mid and upper end of receivers, as I see it in my crystal ball (Chuck Hutton, WA, ibid.) IMO, IBOC will be a debacle of incredible proportions and a stake through the heart of AM radio in many areas. I can just imagine the scan function on a car radio when IBOC gets going. . . . . those radios will be stopping on noise instead of stations. I can't fathom why so many otherwise intelligent broadcasting professionals have bought into this crap. 73, (Harry Helms, CA, Dec 27-28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Anything that informs the public is probably a better route than writing to your representatives in Congress and the Senate. Write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper informing readers about IBOC and other issues that may end what remains of local radio. Write letters to the editors of the national radio and science magazines; Pop'Com, Monitoring Times, Pop'Science, etc. Call local and national radio talk shows. I'm sure the topic would be welcomed on Coast-to- Coast AM or during open forum on the WBZ Steve LeVeille Broadcast. It might even interest Rush Limbaugh in terms of government mishandling. Call or write to the local TV news consumer reporter. The real problem right now is what little is known by the public. Only radio-heads like us seem to know what's going on. Your representatives could care less about losing a vote or two to DXers, but if it receives coverage in the local media then the issue might become more of a concern. Carry on. Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, Dec 27, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. On January 6, the Steve LeVeille Broadcast on WBZ Newsradio 1030, 12 - 5 a.m. will be about old-time radio shows. The in-studio guest will be the announcer from The Lone Ranger radio show (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH Dec 25, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Special MW DX Test: Monday, December 30, 2002 - WMRO-1560, Gallatin, TN - 1:00-1:30am EST [0600-0630 UT]. Arranged by DX- midAmerica (Lynn Hollerman, IRCA, via amfmtvdx via DXLD) ** U S A. Just heard from Bob Janney, CE of WBBR [1130 NYC]: His transmitter site is flooded and he can't get to three of his four towers! As a result, the downtime tonight and tomorrow night is CANCELLED. He expects to reschedule on the weekend of January 10-11, and will let us all know as soon as he knows for sure. Thanks to Bob for keeping us DXers in mind! -s (Scott Fybush, NY, NRC-AM Dec 27 via DXLD) ** U S A. NYC YULE LOG BROADCAST BURNS UP RATINGS .c The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) - The Yule Log - a TV broadcast of logs burning in Gracie Mansion's fireplace to a Christmas carol soundtrack - burned up the ratings this year. The uninterrupted two-hour Christmas morning broadcast of the ``Yule Log Christmas Special,'' a holiday tradition for fireplace-less New Yorkers, returned to the air in 2001 after a 12-year hiatus. Wednesday's showing, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., boasted 284,012 viewing households, a 26 percent boost in viewership compared with last year, WPIX Channel 11 said. It smoked the 1 p.m. airing of the 1951 classic film version of Charles Dickens' ``A Christmas Carol,'' starring Alistair Sim as Ebenezer Scrooge, by 29,000 households. The rather bizarre Christmas tradition also burned up the airwaves every year from 1966 to 1989. During the Yule Log's absence, WPIX, the local affiliate of the WB, was bombarded with letters and calls from viewers asking for the broadcast to be brought back. For its triumphant return, the Yule Log tape was digitally remastered, but the soundtrack, including ``Joy to the World'' and ``Winter Wonderland,'' was left unchanged. On the Net: See the Yule Log at: http://www.wb11.com 12/27/02 15:31 EST (AOL Canada news Dec 27, via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** ZANZIBAR. Hi Glenn, Just few moments ago I was happy to hear SAUTI YA TANZANIA = V. of Tanzania, Dole on 11734.1 kHz with very nice Tanzanian music till 20 UT. After that music format was suddenly changed to Zanzibarian. To my ears it very much sounded like Arabian. We all know the history of the Island of Zanzibar, I suppose. Nice reception of SAUTI YA TANZANIA, Dole on 11734.1 kHz around 1930 UT. It`s bitterly cold, -12 degrees below zero (about 10 F?) here in SW Finland. Up in Lappland even +30! To the all readers I wish a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2003! 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Dec 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ INSIDE THE SHADOW GOVERNMENT Here's the web site for my latest book: http://www.the-shadow-government.com 73, (Harry Helms, CA, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INTERNATIONAL LISTENER International listener is back and Ed Mayberry has resurrected his site at the following url:- http://home.houston.rr.com/edmayberry/International%20Listener%20Shortwave%20Radio%20Stations.htm or this one for ease: http://home.houston.rr.com/edmayberry/index.html and we welcome him back after that awful flood of last year!! There are also other links on the site as well for the Shortwave enthusiast! 73 (Tim Gaynor, DXers Calling Audiosend, Australia, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DIGITAL TV What do I like about DTV? From a standard TV viewers point of view, I'm curious regarding the possibilities of a clearer sharper picture. I don't like the wide screen aspect ratio, or the high price tag. So, for normal TV viewing, I'm mildly interested, but would generally prefer to stay with my trusty Blaupunkt 70cm colour TV. From a DXer`s point of view, DTV is the worst thing to happen in over 50 years of VHF/UHF DX. It's worse than any nightmare about all low band analog TV switching to UHF. In short, if DTV completely takes over, I'm out of here. I know DXers such as Jeff Kadet are doing very well with DTV DX. However, Jeff already does very well with analog long-haul tropo TV DX. And look at what Jeff uses for these long-haul DTV catches. How many US TV DXers are prepared to use a 7ft parabolic dish, masthead low noise GaAsfet UHF preamp, mounted on a high tower? 400-600 mile tropo is relatively common for several US TV DXers. This is partly because of your relatively flat terrain. In Australia, due to our undulating terrain, being able to watch weak pictures via tropo, at 400 miles, is very rare. We do well when we can watch 250 mile pictures. So, do you think we (Australian TV DXers) are going to bother with 100-200 mile DTV DX, which will only happen a few times every summer? None of us will. For these reasons, most Australian DXers concentrate on ionospheric propagation modes, i.e. Es, F2, TEP, and MS, etc. DTV will make all these modes obsolete. Frequency measurements. How many of you appreciate the advantage of determining if a video carrier is on -10, 0, or +10 kHz offset? This is a big help in identifying Es or tropo TV DX. And taking it to further extremes, precision frequency measurement is very useful for identifying 'poor quality' F2, multi-Es, or TEP low TV DX. With DTV, all the above methods of freq measurement will be obsolete. Any high quality scanner will only give you digital hash. How boring! I was brought up in the old school of crystal sets and MW/SW radios. I started listening to MW DX when I was 5. No one encouraged me to do it. No one was really interested. But it was the appeal of a noisy signal, which faded up from nowhere, that got my attention. With DTV, it's either there or it's not. No fading pictures, no analog reception techniques such as freq measurement, bandwidth reduction, no 2,000 mile Es catches, no EME TV DX, no international TV DX, etc, etc. During the late 1970s, when I really started to get serious in TV DX, I was fully aware of the fantastic medium of international satellite TV reception. I was amazed that my local TV stations was able to relay strong pictures from the US. But did this make me want to start satellite TV? Of course not! Satellite TV is not DX, and never will be. It's like getting cable TV, and nothing more. If I ever bought a satellite TV receive system it would only be for entertainment purposes. Similar to my cable TV service. Apart from destroying all of what I love about TV DX, digital TV, like satellite TV, is something completely alien to my interests. Why is there an intense push for DTV from the regulating authorities, when there is obviously no real compelling interest worldwide for a systems changeover? Because they know that most viewers are quite happy to stay with the current analog TV sets. They know that most viewers are not interested in digital TV, hence the only way to make them interested, is if the authorities force viewers to buy digital TV sets and subsequently switch off all analog TV. I only know one person who is interested in digital TV. He can certainly afford $7,000 for a new DTV. Also, he has over $30,000 worth of audio-visual equipment. Everyone else I know is not the slightest bit interested in DTV. Many of them only buy secondhand 10- 15 year old TV sets. Many viewers are content with mediocre picture quality, indoor antennas, and secondhand TV sets. The other minority group is much more demanding: they are easily prepared to spend $15,000+ on home theatre and other audio-visual high-end gear. I think DTV and analog TV should both operate, thus giving viewers a choice without forcing them into any one system. This would cater for both the connoisseur and average TV viewer. If DTV is fully introduced, this will have a devastating effect on analog DX-TV. Hopefully the current negative worldwide attitude to DTV, will greatly extend analogue. I predict that when DTV, IBOC, etc. starts to take hold, DX club membership will gradually reduce. I'm pleased that we are not going to use the IBOC system. Also, most countries around us, including New Zealand, have no immediate plans for DTV. So far, we continue to enjoy analog TV DX. In over thousands of years of man's history, only a few thousand DXers have been privileged to experience analog TV DX from the late 1940s up until now. Assuming DTV completely takes over by 2020, that's only 70 years! I used to take every summer Es season for granted. It was all I knew since I was 14. Now that analog TV is threatened by DTV, my appreciation for analog has never been higher. Sometimes we take things for granted that they will always be there until it's too late. Regards, (Todd Emslie, Sydney, Australia, Dec 27, WTFDA via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ This is the weekend edition of DXers Unlimited amigos, and YES, the fact is that the year 2002 has proven to be a unique one regarding solar cycle 23... We still have to wait for a few more days, but doing some basic mathematics shows that the data won't change much when the daily solar flux figures for the last few days of 2002 are included... Now, standby for NEWS, here is what has happened, again results won't be final until next week, but the fact is that average daily sunspot number for the calendar year 2002 so far is 178.3. This contrasts with 170.3 for 2001, 173 for 2000 and 136.3 for 1999, which is surprising, since the peak of the cycle was expected to be a couple of years ago. A very interesting finding by all standards, something that Cuban scientists engaged in solar research had already warned me about, explaining that the September of 2002 record breaking month was a really important finding. Now, something also very interesting has happened, during the past few days solar activity has dropped significantly, so we may see rather low daytime maximum useable frequencies for the period between Monday and about the 6th of January. Holographic observations of the far side of the Sun show two rather large sunspot groups, that will surely increase the daily sunspot count when they rotate into view... Sí amigos, yes my friends, oui mes amis!! Solar cycle continues to puzzle scientists among other reasons because this particular cycle is the one best studied so far!!! (Arnie Coro, RHC DXUL Dec 28-29 via Bob Chandler, ODXA via DXLD) ###