DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-205, December 31, 2002 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@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 1163, low version is already available: [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162.ram [High version from Wed or Thu:] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1162h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1162.html [from Wed or Thu] WBCQ: Wed 2300 7415, 17495-CUSB, Mon 0545 7415 WWCR: Thu 2130 9475, Sat 0700, Sun 0330 5070, Sun 0730 3210, Wed 1030 9475 RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0730, 1330, 1800, 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 [from Fri] ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. AFEGANISTÃO VIA NORUEGA. 18940 *1327-1627* NOR 15-12 Norkring, Kvitsøy No voice! It should have been a satellite relay of R Afghanistan from Kabul, but the link did not work! 1327- 1330 Kvitsøy relayed the NRK programme, 1330 for 3 seconds the signature from R Denmark and then a pause for 45 seconds while searching for the link broadcast from Kabul. In lack of better the pre-recorded interval signal from R Afghanistan was played for three hours: 1331-1627. 34434 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) This is the rule rather than exception ** ANGOLA. 4950, Radio Nacional 0407 Dec 30 with nice reception. Many IDs with what sounded like a news program till 0415, then music (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. Hola Glenn... Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. En la frecuencia de 15820 kHz he escuchado ya dos emisoras argentinas. En una oportunidad pude oir a Radio Continental. En dos fechas, el 14/12, Radio Diez con el espacio ``Fiebre del Sábado``, con un reporte informativo a las 00 UT. Anunciaba la frecuencia de 710 kHz en Bs. As. También captada el 29/12, a las 0345, con noticias a las 0400. Identificaba como ``La emisora más potente de Argentina``. Las dos escuchas fueron en Upper Side Band. Saludos de Año Nuevo. 73´s y DX... (Adán González, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 6214.93, 26.12 2215, Radio Baluarte, very nice -- completely without any disturbances (Laser Hot Hits on 6219 was very weak) with a Portuguese program, full ID in Spanish at 2300. QSA 3. SHN (= Stig Hartvig Nielsen in Denmark, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) So still active ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB-OZ: Per DXPL interview on Dec 28, Kununurra is now scheduled to officially commence on Sun, Jan 5, 0700 to the S. Pacific, 1230 to Asia, and they expect to do test transmissions as needed during the preceding week with a test program that they have prepared. From Jan 5, they will broadcast to the S. Pacific at 0700- 1200 on 11755, and to Asia at 1230-1430 on 15130 and 1430-1730 on 15135. On Mons and Sats they will also test to Ethiopia at 1800-1830 at 15430. On the S. Pac beam, programming will include some elements of their current programming plus promoting Australia and the region, including regional music for first half-hour each week night, tourism show "The Right Destinations" at 0800 week nights, Sat "Country [music] Down Under," Sun "Sunday Night Alive" talk. DXPL will also be carried over the Kununurra site. [WHEN??] On the Asia beam, weeknights at 1445 they will present "Radio Classroom" (English as a second language). Studio-transmitter link in Australia is ISDN line now, later (when they install a second transmitter) it will be via satellite; Quito and Colorado Springs programming reach Australia via .mp3 files over the Internet. No QSL-card developed yet; will do so during the next couple of months. However, they are interested in rpts, which should be sent to: HCJB-Australia, GPO Box 691B, Melbourne, Australia 3000; please include an IRC or other return postage. They can also be reached by E-mail to office@hcjb.org.au (DXPL via Jerry Berg) For a bit more about Dennis Adams, see http://www.sb.org.au/church/inservice.htm (DX-plorer via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. R. Canção Nova, 4824.96, Dec 22 0010-, Portuguese religious music, sermon, weak. \\ 9674.97, 6105. All frequencies slightly unstable with a very slight wobble (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. A partir de 1º de janeiro de 2003, a rádio Gazeta, de São Paulo (SP), passará a transmitir a programação da rede Canção Nova de rádios. A Gazeta está, em ondas curtas, nas freqüências de 5955, 9685 e 15325 kHz. As informações foram publicadas pelo jornal Folha de São Paulo, pela jornalista Laura Mattos (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 31 via DXLD) Wait a minute! This was supposed to be changing *from* evangelical *to* student/educational programming Jan. 1, per previous reports, mentioned in my SW Year in Review. No longer so? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BRASIL - A Rádio Gaúcha de Porto Alegre disponibiliza seu sinal de seis formas diferentes e pode ser sintonizada em real time em todo o mundo. As ondas médias, em 600 kHz, funcionam 24 horas por dia; as ondas curtas em duas frequências - 11.915 e 6020 khz - estão no ar das 0800 às 0300; o áudio da Rádio Gaúcha pode ser captado também pelo Canal 300 da Sky e na internet no endereço http://www.clicrbs.com.br e também através do sinal codificado enviado via satélite para suas 111 afiliadas distribuídas em 9 estados brasileiros. A Rádio Gaúcha, no dia primeiro de janeiro do ano que vem, estará cobrindo, ao vivo, a partir das 1500, as posses dos governadores eleitos em outubro e também, direto de Brasília, a posse do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. As informações são de Valter Gonçalves dos Santos, coordenador da Rede Gaúcha Sat. [as the accent should make clear, it`s pronounced ga-OO-shuh, but even gringos try to make it Spanish, even after `hearing` it... –gh] BRASIL - Conforme o boletim No Ar - RTM, segue o trabalho de instalação do novo transmissor da rádio Transmundial no município de Santa Maria (RS). As chuvas dos últimos dias têm dificultado as obras. O transmissor veio, de navio, de Atlanta, Estados Unidos. A expectativa é de que, com os novos equipamentos, a Transmundial passe a ser escutada, em ondas curtas, em dois terços do território brasileiro. Eis as freqüências da emissora: 5965, 9530 e 11735 kHz. Endereço para correspondência: Caixa Postal 18.300, CEP: 04626-970, São Paulo (SP). (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 31 via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA. US PROTESTS CAMBODIAN RADIO BAN The United States has protested to the Cambodian government over its decision to ban Phom Penh FM station Beehive Radio from carrying programmes of the Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA). Deputy State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said the decision would deprive Cambodian listeners of balanced and fair news reporting. Beehive Radio started broadcasting VOA and RFA programming on September 23. The ban follows US condemnation of political violence in Cambodia ahead of next July's elections (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 31 December 2002 via DXLD) ** CANADA. VANISHING CANADIANS: While doing research on an upcoming MT column, I arrived at a rather shocking statistic... Over the last few years, at least *19%* of the AM stations in Canada have moved to FM. (the figure is certainly somewhat higher; since stations often change callsigns when they move to FM, it's sometimes difficult to tell whether there's an FM station associated with a deleted AM.) Nearly *ONE-QUARTER* of all Canadian AM stations have gone silent - either by moving to FM, or by going off the air completely - in the last five years or so. Six more recent grants in December: CJCI-620 BC => 97.3 CFVM-1220 QC => 99.9 CKTK-1230 BC => 97.7 CJLS-1340 NS => 95.5 CBZ-970 NB => 99.5 CKSA-1080 AB => 95.9 There has been one application to resurrect an AM frequency, in Abbotsford BC. Aboriginal Voices Radio, recently granted an FM station in Vancouver, has applied to use the old CFSR-850 transmitter as a relay facility. CRTC Notice indicates CFSR's owners (now on 107.1 FM...) have promised to allow them to use the AM transmitter *without charge* for several years (Doug Smith, TN, NRC-AM via WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) ** CANARY ISLANDS. 6715-usb, Full Gospel Las Palmas Church, 2252-2309 Dec 27, male preacher with sermon followed by religious vocals. Amazing signal for only 100 watts (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC. It`s New Year`s Eve and I have just heard Radio Centrafrique reactivated on 5035 at 2015 with the end of the news in french. Then I heard what sounded like the national anthem but they stayed on with African Music. Signal is fair and on its nominal frequency. Happy new year, (Stuart Austin, Blackpool, England, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. JIANGSU PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S RADIO STATION CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY From http://www.yangtse.com/gb/content/2002-12/30/content_603764.htm (12/30 13:19) Yesterday afternoon, Jiangsu Provincial People's Radio Station held a grand celebration for its 50th anniversary. Hui Liangyu, member the Politic Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and secretary of Jiangsu Party Committee, gave written instructions on the work report of Jiangsu Radio Station and expressed his sincere congratulations for its 50th anniversary. Xu Guangchun, vice minister of the Ministry of Propaganda of the Communist Party of China and director general of China Broadcast Television Bureau, Liang Baohua, assistant secretary of Jiangsu Provincial Committee of CPC and acting governor of Jiangsu Province, both sent the congratulatory messages and letters. Also present at the celebration were Chen Huanyou, Ren Yanshen, Zhang Taolin as well as the staff of Jiangsu Provincial People's Radio Station. Since its foundation half of a century ago, Jiangsu Provincial People's Radio Station has been growing rapidly. Now it boasts not only of News Channel, Economics Channel, Art Channel, Music Channel, "Sound of Jinling" Station, Communication Broadcast Network, Health Times and Commerce 937, but also a daily broadcasting time reaching 140 hours. With the advancement of broadcasting technologies, Jiangsu Provincial People's Radio Station has become a public media with the most audience and influence in Jiangsu (By Guo Lili, Xue Yingdan) (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6959.98 (Harmonic?) UNID "Todelar", unknown QTH (Colombia). Dec 2002 - 1117 UT. With "Noticiero TODELAR de Bogotá". 1159.99 and 869.99 are two possible fundamentals but my guess is a harmonic on 1160 from "Ondas del Orteguaza" in Florencia (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 29, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Exactly, as previously IDed by Rodríguez (gh) ** COLOMBIA. Esta interesante nota llego enviada por el colega José Alba Z. REVOLCÓN EN LA RADIODIFUSORA NACIONAL DE COLOMBIA DEJA POR FUERA A UN IMPORTANTE GRUPO DE REALIZADORES Hace pocos días los directivos de la Radiodifusora Nacional de Colombia reunieron a un grupo de programadores de la cadena para informarles que sus contratos de trabajo no iban más. Fue un encuentro tenso en el que, además, hicieron saber que la intención era cambiar la cara de la estación y modernizarla, para lo cual pidieron consejo a los presentes. "No es posible que esto esté pasando -se dijeron dos programadores al oído-. No saben lo que van a hacer con las emisoras y quieren que nosotros les hagamos la tarea". Acto seguido algunos de los presentes emprendieron la retirada. La finalización de los contratos no pasaría de ser anecdótica si no fuera porque se trata apenas de la punta del iceberg. La disolución del dream team de programadores de la Radiodifusora Nacional (un grupo conformado por Daniel Casas, Moncho Viñas, Ángel Perea, César Pagano, Álvaro el profe González, Eduardo Arias, Juan Carlos Garay, Ana Karime Piñeres y Roberto Aroldi, entre otros), precipitó la salida de su directora, Silvia Motta, quien estaba adelantando una labor de rescate del archivo clásico colombiano que reposa en viejas cintas de carrete. "En general, lo que está pasando en la Radiodifusora Nacional y en Inravisión es lo mismo que ocurre en toda empresa deficitaria: si no hay plata para pagar la nómina, menos la hay para contratistas", asegura Juan Montoya, subdirector comercial de Inravisión y encargado de la Radiodifusora. La disolución del dream team precipitó la salida de su directora, Silvia Motta, quien adelantaba una labor de rescate del archivo clásico colombiano. Según el funcionario, lo que está ocurriendo es normal cuando empieza a desarrollarse un plan de contingencia. Dentro del nuevo modelo, finalizan las franjas pregrabadas y entra programación en vivo. Algunos de los antiguos contratistas fueron vinculados de tiempo completo y, según los directivos de la radio, aunque se perdió en especialización se ganará en interactividad. Dentro de los primeros problemas registrados están las constantes repeticiones en las llamadas frecuencia clásica de FM y frecuencia joven dedicada al rock. "Quienes quedaron de planta no estaban acostumbrados a trabajar en vivo los fines de semana -asegura Montoya- Por eso la necesidad de tomar pregrabados y repetirlos". Los directivos de la radiodifusora esperan recursos por 1.800 millones de pesos del Ministerio de Comunicaciones, con los que buscan encender la red en su totalidad, pues hoy por hoy de las 44 frecuencias asignadas cinco están fuera del aire y otras 14 han sido invadidas por radiofrecuencias piratas, incluida una de una empresa de taxis. Por lo pronto, los más afectados por la situación de la cadena son los oyentes. Creen que la salida del grupo de programadores, uno de los mejores que haya tenido cadena alguna en Colombia en los últimos tiempos, representa una baja sensible más allá de datos y planes estratégicos. Pero la crisis, como dicen, no respeta pinta y la Radiodifusora Nacional no ha sido la excepción (via Arnaldo Slaen, Dec 30, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Faro del Caribe has been off for a few days on both 60 and 31 mb. This one just can't seem to stay on (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Dec 30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CYPRUS TURKISH. CHIPRE. 6150, 0015-0215 20-12, Bayrak Int., Yeni Iskele, Northern Cyprus. English British pop songs, 0030 ID: "Bayrak International" by male and more pop songs, 0056 short announcement by female, QRM Deutsche Welle 6145 *0100-0145* & *0200-0230. My BC- country no. 234 heard according to the EDXC Radio Countries List ! Until 0100: 43433 AP- DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) Congrats; at that level, the new ones are scarce (gh, DXLD) What's going on? I'm hearing the same Supremes song, 'Baby Love' at 2202 today on 6150. Do these folks keep playing the same stuff over and over again or what?! Had to pull out all the stops today to get reception with the R7 and the 200' wire, had the agc off also which helps (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. Dear Glenn, In one of the last bulletins, you asked if the broadcasting station of Djibouti intended to broadcast the programs of the Voice of America could emit on short waves. According to the Djiboutienne agency of press, it would be only about a broadcasting station medium waves of 600 kW. A broadcasting station short waves for the moment is not mentioned (Bernard Chenal, France, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That [planned new transmitters] belong only to the local RTV Djibouti service, replacing old 20 kW units on 1539 and 1170 kHz. And US will give away a SW transmitter unit and antenna too. Former French Somaliland and Rep. of Djibouti used always 4780 kHz channel in the past. R Sawa should use 1431 kHz channel with 600 kW of power [Thales- Thomcast?]; BBG asked for bids already in May 2001! 73 de wb (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, I was referring to the lack of SW planned here by IBB (gh) ** ECUADOR. R. Centro, 3289.89, Dec 25 1035-1110+ Spanish talk, ads, promos. Andean vocals. No sign of Guyana, q.v. R. Oriental, 4781.36, Dec 25 1025-1110+, Spanish announcements, many IDs, Andean vocals. Good; no sign of Coatán on 4780 this morning (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. I have now tested my MFJ-1025/Phaser and it seems very good at phasing away interference, especially on lower SW bands. It functions on the upper MW band but needs modification to cover also the lower MW band. It is amazing to almost completely remove Radio Cristal here in Quito on 1380 kHz, it is located only a short distance from my QTH, and instead be able to listen to the Colombians on that frequency (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 29, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) see COLOMBIA, PERU, VENEZUELA ** EL SALVADOR. R. Imperial, 17835.35, Dec 25 0010-0050+, Spanish ballads, camp music, Spanish announcements. Many IDs at 0019, 0020, 0024 with good, clean audio. Good signal at times but some fading in and out with occasional deep fades (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Deutsche Welle cutbacks. EDXP has learned in an unconfirmed report that Deutsche Welle plans to abandon all English services to Australia, effective from March 31, 2003 (Bob Padula, EDXP Dec 29 via Joe Hanlon, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) In reply to Joe Hanlon's info about the possible closure of the English service of DW to Australia etc., I have not heard anything but I would not be surprised if it were to be true; services from shortwave broadcasters are being cut all over the world and I don't think it is from the lack of communication or feedback from listeners. I just think it has to do with rich greedy governments finding ways of cutting costs and not caring about anyone or anything. Just the same, shortwave listeners should not wait until a closure threat becomes obvious before they start writing to a broadcaster to let them know they are out there listening to and supporting the station and its programmes. The more letters (or emails) that are sent to broadcasters even if it is just to say hello and thanks for the great programmes or to say that you enjoyed this or that programme, please keep up the great work, this will be supporting the broadcaster to no end. If however, you hardly ever write to say I listen to your programmes or you only write to send a reception report and demand a QSL card (as well as half the station) then this station or its financial supporters will say that the feedback to this service or area is dwindling and so we will now cut this service down or out. Listening to Mailbag Asia on DW in English, it is very rare indeed that I hear ANY letters, cards or emails from anyone in Australia and this is just not good enough. DW has some great programmes and we should all be listening every now and then and then write to them and tell them so and how much you enjoyed this programme, even if you only do this once a month! It is the old saying, use it or lose it. DW probably thinks that no-one in good old Oz does not listen to them on shortwave anymore and they would probably be write! Best wishes to all! (Michael Stevenson, Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia., Dec 30, EDXP via DXLD) ** GERMANY. I start to become curious what will happen with 6085. Right now (1200 UT on Dec 30) the transmitter is still on. Of course I will keep an ear on it (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bayerischer Rundfunk supposed to close down Dec 31 (gh) Later: Bayerischer Rundfunk stated on Dec 23 that 6085 will not be taken off air "for the time being", but a reduction of power and/or airtime in order to reduce the transmission costs is possible. In future 6085 will carry B5 aktuell between 6 AM and midnight (0500-2300 UT in winter). This via the German ADDX listeners club, original item enclosed. I would say it remains unclear whether or not the transmitter will be switched off between 2300 and 0500 from New Years Day. During this time B5 aktuell produces no own programming but instead relays MDR info from Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk at Halle, on FM and so far on shortwave, too. Until now 6085 carried a special arrangement of Bayern 1, Bayern2Radio and B5 aktuell programming, now they will reduce it to a mere B5 aktuell, making a special feed for the shortwave transmitter unnecessary but also the outlet less interesting. The original statement mentions a "preparation for DRM", so it appears to be an educated guess that they now hesitate from taking 6085 off air in order to prevent a permanent loss of this frequency. Keep in mind that BCE, the engineering branch of RTL, considers to use 6090 again. Trouble is, Ismaning 6085 and Junglinster 6090 cannot coexist when running DRM mode. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [A-DX] BR Muenchen Zum BR erreichte mich heute folgende Meldung via Klaus Hüsgen: Der BR teilte mit Datum 23.12.2002 mit, dass die zum 31.12. geplante Abschaltung der Kurzwelle 6085 kHz vorerst noch nicht erfolgt. Der BR behält sich allerdings vor, geeignete Maßnahmen zu ergreifen, um die derzeitigen Kosten zu verringern (u.a. Leistungsreduzierung und Sendezeitverkürzung), um die Umstellung auf eine digitale Kurzwellenausstrahlung (DRM) vorzubereiten. Auf der Kurzwelle 6085 kHz wird zukünftig von 0600-2400 Uhr Ortszeit [0500- 2300 UT] das Programm B5 Aktuell ausgestrahlt. Weitere Informationen hierzu kann man bei der Technischen Redaktion des BR unter 089-5900- 2433 oder der in Deutschland kostenfreien Servicenummer 0800-8181081 erfragen. Soweit der BR via Klaus Hüsgen. Gruß Michael (ADDX Kurier via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Perhaps of interest this news item about German TV [external service to USA]: A news magazine reported a ZDF threat to withdraw from the German TV project, stating that it had no future when the lack in success continues. ZDF denied this report. Acc. the news magazine German TV has a mere 3,000 subscribers at present while 70,000 are necessary to be cost-effective: (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ZDF DEMENTIERT BERICHT ÜBER AUSSTIEGSDROHUNG BEI GERMAN TV Mainz - Das ZDF hat einem Bericht widersprochen, wonach Intendant Markus Schächter mit einem Ausstieg aus dem öffentlich- rechtlichen Auslandsfernsehen German TV gedroht habe. Zwar laufe der Vertrieb in den USA noch nicht wie gewünscht, Schächter sei mit der inhaltlichen Entwicklung des Programms jedoch zufrieden, sagte eine ZDF-Sprecher am Sonntag (29.12.2002) auf Anfrage. Das Nachrichtenmagazin "Focus" hatte vorab berichtet, dass Schächter mit einem Ausstieg aus German TV gedroht habe und den Sender bei anhaltender Erfolglosigkeit für "nicht zukunftsfähig" halte. Der Auslandskanal German TV war im März gestartet. Über den Sender können Fernsehzuschauer in den USA rund um die Uhr eine Auswahl aus dem deutschen öffentlich-rechtlichen Programm empfangen. ZDF und ARD steuern je 40 Prozent zu dem Programm bei, die Deutsche Welle trägt 20 Prozent. Deutschsprachige Zuschauer können bei German TV unter anderem Sendungen wie "Tagesschau", "heute journal" oder Talk-Shows sehen. Damit das Programm schwarze Zahlen schreiben kann, müssten nach Angaben der Betreiber rund 70 000 Abonnenten gewonnen werden. Derzeit gibt es laut "Focus" nur 3000 zahlende Zuschauer. Zum Start von German TV war als Ziel ausgegeben worden, dass der Sender in spätestens sieben Jahren schwarze Zahlen schreibt. Das Programm wird per Satellit übertragen. Eine Einspeisung in das Kabelnetz würde die Reichweite deutlich erhöhen. (dpa 12:11) (Stand vom 29.12.2002) (via Kai Ludwig, Dec 30, DXLD) ** GUAM. Hi Marie... Thanks for the returned Christmas card. I hope you enjoyed it with your family. As for myself it was here on the island I sometimes call Gilligan's Island. It's still a good place and despite the island's lack of water and power, things are slowly starting to get back to normal. I spent my time traveling around this big rock seeing some of the sights but there is not a whole lot to see since the typhoon. Many are homeless, as I have been told about 3000 have no place but tents. The FEMA organization is some help but it's often better to just go with the flow of family, as they give only to those who have a real need (if you got bucks in the bank, forget the handout from FEMA). My friend KF6ILA was without power for almost 15 to 20 days, and he lives on the Naval station close to our ship. Power lines (concrete type) were down everywhere, and those beautiful palms were torn to threads. Only a few hams were able to get messages out, like NH7C and KH2JU, who must have had God on their side as many around had no power for almost 4 weeks. As you well know there are 3 big shortwave transmitters here, AWR, KTWR and from what I been told, Baragetta [Barrigada? -- gh]. The others were spared but the latter was very much destroyed. Many towers are now lying half up and down on the ground. It's a shame to see the ruins. Well, my ship is helping a lot as we have a big freezer on board and we were supplying blocks of ice to the Navy, Air Force and hospitals. Well, take care my friend an may you have a great new year. P.S.: If you have Yahoo or Hotmail Messenger you can reach me through chat mail at n6hpx_du1@yahoo.com or n6hpx_du1@hotmail.com Please forward if you want to the SWL group (Larry Fields, N6HPX/du1 via Marie Lamb, swl, via DXLD) Has anyone heard anything outta Guam since this last Super Typhoon? I listened for Danny, KH2JU, off and on to no joy. The ARRL report few days back said that several hams were operational? I thought most of us had moved off the island by now! Danny was the only one I knew on HF left over there. Anyone? And the HF site at Barrigada was Gov't. Haven't tried listening to AWR or the other one... Later, (Todd KH2TJ/6, Dec 31, swl via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4779.98, Radio Coatán continues with strong signal 1200-1230. ID by om at 1228 as Radio Coatán, this over marimba music. 1200-1210 om recited long list of names over non Guatemalan music, time check at 1215. Enchanting trio at 1230 29 December (Bob Wilkner, FL, NRD 535D, Noise Reducing antenna, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Dave- [re previous issue] I was listening at this precise time and heard a Radio Coatán ID at 0207. They remained on the air until sign off at about 0230. Their time check at 20 past sounded as if they said "23" to me. I was getting UTE QRM from 4778 and QRM from Oriental on 4781.3 so I used LSB to make it readable but couldn't shake a strong het. After sign off, the het remained for more than 5 minutes until tune out, so not sure if Satélite is under this or not. 73s- (John Sgrulletta, Mahopac, NY, USA, Cumbre DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) R. Coatán, 4780, Dec 15 1032-1045+ tune-in to NA. Spanish sign-on announcements with IDs at 1034 and into Spanish religious programming; poor-weak. R. K`ekchí, 4845, Dec 15 0245-0312* religious music, lite instrumental music, religious talk in local language. Sign-off with long NA; good (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4845, Radio K'ekchí has been off for a few days (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Dec 30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** GUYANA. No sign of Guyana on either 3290 or 5950 for the past several weeks (Brian Alexander, PA, Dec 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See ECUADOR instead ** HONDURAS. 3250 nf, R. Luz y Vida, 1115-1140 with "Mañanitas Cristianas," sermon in English/Spanish, ID 1129 (Newman, IN 11/29, NASWA Flashsheet Dec 28 via DXLD) What`s new about it? (gh) ** INDIA. Friends, Yesterday 29th December 2002, most stations of AIR signed on at around 4.00 am IST (2230 UT) on MW & SW i.e. two hours earlier than usual, to bring the cricket commentary India vs New Zealand. Several stations of AIR will have extended schedules on the night of 31st December 2002 to welcome the New Year. These will be heard past 1830 UT (i.e. Midnight Indian Standard Time). Look out for stations especially on 3 and 4 MHz and of course MW. Happy New Year to all dx_india members & readers! (Jose Jacob, India, dx_india Dec 30 via DXLD) Later: Here is the schedule of the One Day International Cricket matches between India and New Zealand being played at New Zealand. 1 Jan 2003 at Christchurch (Day & Night match) from 0050 UTC 4 Jan 2003 at Queenstown from 2300 UTC ? 8 Jan 2003 at Wellington (Day & Night match) from 0050 UTC 11 Jan 2003 at Auckland (Day & Night match) from 0050 UTC 14 Jan 2003 at Hamilton (Day & Night match) from 0050 UTC AIR Home Service stations on MW and SW (3 & 4 MHz frequencies) will bring the running commentary of these matches and is noted sign on even at 2230 UTC (4.00 am Indian Time) i.e. about 2 hours earlier than normal which gives some interesting catches. Happy New Year! (Jose Jacob, India, DX_INDIA via DXLD) ** INDIA. 1536 UT checking for the 1530 English news on 12/31, heard the following, all parallel: 4760 Leh (assumed) - good. I assume this is not likely Port Blair 4775 Imphal - fair to good 4850 Kohima - heavy QRM de China 4920 Chennai - heavy QRM de China 4970 Shillong - very weak 5040 Jeypore - fair to good No site IDs; all locations assumed. Alternating man and woman with English news items. 1540 woman ID "This is All India Radio", and also at 1545. After 1545 end of English news, //s included 4760, 4775, 4970, 5040. Heard woman "This is Delhi" at 1600, signals disappeared shortly after. Other above listed 60mb frequencies were mostly audible but not //. 10330 Delhi heard during this time, not //. The 60 mb again faded in shortly after California sunrise. I looked for English at 1430 on 3945, 4850, 5050, 6085 but heard nothing from India. Has anyone logged these? Jose Jacob: can you confirm if there is English at this time, and if so, what frequencie(s)? (David Norcross, California, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 6071.478, 24.12 1240, RRI Jayapura on extended time with Christmas music. Sometimes heard but usually closes earlier. Very lousy audio when the studio mike is used while taped music sounds OK. Drifting in frequency circa 6 Hz up and down. SA (= Stig Adolfsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. V. of Indonesia, 11784.86, Dec 22 2000-2100, English news, commentary, ID, 2030 Mailbag program. Sked, address, local music. 2057 brief news summary. Fair-good; no parallels heard (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. Happy New Year! For those looking to ring in the festivities hourly as they approach our area of the world, maybe this link will be of some interest... http://www.live-radio.net/info.shtml It's not shortwave....but it looks interesting! (John Figliozzi Halfmoon, NY (USA), Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. Here's a "tradition" I try to follow each year. I spend part of my New Year's Eve day tracking the celebrations as they happen on my shortwave radio, and also the various webcams and radio audio feeds over the internet. Lou Josephs has put together a list of sites to follow should you like to travel the path of the World's New Year's celebrations over the web. Overall info and software to watch and listen (via RNW's media network site): http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/newyear021227.html From the International Dateline to Mauritius http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/newyear021227a.html From Iran to American Samoa: http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/newyear021227b.html Bookmark Lou's work and tune your radios and click your mice, party hats are optional, but not the fun! Happy New Year x 24 !!!! (Pete Costello, NJ, swltalk via DXLD) [Join the SWLTALK group for live DX talk in the #swl channel on the StarChat IRC network... http://www.starchat.net/servers.htm ] _______________________________________________ SWLtalk mailing list http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/swltalk Pete's reminder is very worthwhile for a fun time with the radio and computer. In my opinion it is certainly better than dealing with the drunks on the road and the rip-off prices charged at restaurants, clubs and hotels. While it is true that Lou Josephs mirrors his New Year's Eve pages on the RNW Web site (below), when push comes to shove and each hour is nigh, Lou may be able to only make instant updates only on his own site as the hours of December 31 tick away here in the USA. I'd recommend also bookmarking his own Web site of http://www.ibcworks.net/ to get the latest details. Last year, as I recall, Lou and I stuffed a dozen or so Asian and African adds into the pages as little as 30 minutes before the top of an hour. Regards, and Happy New Year Year to all (Tom Sundstrom, Contributing Editor, Radio Netherlands Media Network, swltalk Dec 30 via DXLD) [links to the above were posted on our MONITORING CALENDAR well before Dec 31] I haven`t had as much time as I would like to follow the New Year, but a few observations: NHK with its usual excited talk and music on 11705 via Canada, but after 1400 pretty bad co-channel with something in English, I guess VOA Philippines. At 2255 or so DW webcast in German had a speech by the Chancellor, and at 2300 a polite, restrained announcement about the time and the New Year. A glimpse of the festivities in Berlin on CNN added a lot. At the same time I was listening to Spain, with a lot more excitement on 15110, which they evidently kept on the air a few minutes late past 2300. BTW, what was the very strong but noisy open carrier, on 15120 until about 2323? Scheduling in BBC On Air did not indicate anything special, but checked 12095 at 2350 and World Today was on talking about the imminent Jahrwechsel, and not to be missed were the full chimes of Big Ben after the Greenwich timesignal, when 2003 REALLY began. Tried R. Atlântida, Açores webcast, before 0100 but it kept stopping, and was out at the moment of the New Year there. The newscaster afterwards had a really heavy Portuguese accent (but what could you expect)? I guess WWV will be in order at 0600 UT, midnight here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. Decision in next few days about Arutz 7 From Mike Brand 29 December 2002 From today's Haaretz newspaper ELECTION PANEL ASKS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF ARUTZ SHEVA BROADCASTS The chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Justice Mishael Cheshin, on Thursday asked pirate radio station Arutz Sheva to provide him with transcripts of its broadcasts and video recordings of the various opinion pieces aired on the station in the past month. Cheshin asked for the material after hearing a petition submitted Thursday by Keshev (The Center for the Protection of Democracy in Israel) and The Israel Religious Action Center, who want the station closed down until January 29 for broadcasting election propaganda in flagrant breech of the election law. The petition also claims 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. Arutz Sheva's legal representative, attorney Dan Sela, presented Cheshin with a list of 15 political figures from left-wing parties, all of whom have been interviewed on the station recently. According to Sela, the list proves that Arutz Sheva gives equal airtime to all the political parties (via radioanoraksuk yahoogroup via Mike Terry, DXLD) Extract from http://www.haaretzdaily.com/ Monday, December 30, 2002 ...Earlier Monday, the commission prohibited right-wing radio station Arutz Sheva from broadcasting right-wing elections propaganda until after the January 28 national elections. Commission head High Court Justice Mishael Cheshin accepted the claim of the Center for Progressive Judaism that Arutz Sheva was illegally broadcasting election propaganda... (via Mike Terry, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Vanmorgen gehoord, 28 December: 5650, Voice of the Mojahed (presumed), local music, male about Iraq, Iran but signal drowned by heavy jamming and hopping to 5640 (0431), 5630 (0433), 5650 (0434), 5630 (0435), 5640 (0437), 5630 (0440), 5650 (0441), 5620 (0443) etcetera. Groeten, (Piet Pijpers, Netherlands, Dec 28, Benelux DX Club via DXLD) N5290.4 1649-1832* CLA Voice of Mojahed 1, Iraq Farsi 5350 is now jumping down to 5290 to avoid strong Iranian bubble jamming. Political talks, folksongs. Heard // 5650v 25333 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX Dec 29 via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. NEW RADIO STATION BEAMED TO SOUTH AZERBAIJAN The online newspaper Baku Today, quoting the press service of SANAM [Southern Azerbaijan National Awakening Movement], says that the first independent radio of Southern Azerbaijanis, "Voice of South Azerbaijan Radio", will start broadcasting programmes directed towards South Azerbaijan in the first week of January. The programmes will be broadcast twice a week, says the report. SANAM is one of the largest opposition groups in Iran. An estimated 16 million Azeris live in Iran, about twice as many as in Azerbaijan itself. A station of the same name was active in 1996-1998, and was the subject of an investigative report by Clandestine Radio Watch: http://www.qsl.net/yb0rmi/vosa.htm [suggesting a possible link to Israel]. It's not yet clear if there's a link between the two (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 31 December 2002 via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. ESTADOS UNIDOS (COMANDO SOLO). New 11292.0, 1454-1550 21-12. Command Solo flying near Iraq Arabic. New transmission short talks and Arab music. *1517 QRM Russian utility conversations and more noise. Heard again 20-12 1610-1700 in AM-mode Arabic songs and talks. // 9715 was completely covered by DW Wertachtal (2 x 500 kW) in Russian. 25333 AP- DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. (Earlier today) A few days ago there was a violent storm and some of the antennas as Yavne fell down. This has severly affected transmissions and on Reshet Hei there has generally been only one or two frequencies operating only via the old antennas at the east side of station. I do not think that any of the curtains there are working. At 2000 UTC only 11605 has been working for the past few days but tonight they will operate instead on 7525 kHz. --- (Later today) There seems to have been a change of plan today and 2000 utc was on 11605 and 9435. They are trying to use old, dormant antennas (Daniel Rosenzweig, Dec 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) STORM DAMAGE IN ISRAEL Dear all, In Israel we had wind storm that damaged 4 of our curtains and for the time being we are not on the air with all of the transmissions and the rest are with log periodic. The Main problem is with the low frequency curtains combined with the deep winter and the low SSN we almost had no options so...... the 1730 utc is as usual the 2000 utc the 6280 is off the air so we have 11605 9435 that soon will be changed to 7525 and we changed the program of the 9345 instead of Hebrew between 2000-2100 we have English, French, Spanish. Two of the curtains are total loss and we have to buy new. The third will be fixed at mid February (the earth has to be dry). Wishing you all the best and a happy new year 2003, îùä àåøï-îî"ã ùéãåø àú"ï åàú"ã àâó øùúåú çèéáú äðãñä åúëðåï (Moshe Oren, ISRAEL- Frequency manager, BEZEQ-engineering&planning division Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. Due to a recent transmitter upgrade at IRRS-Shortwave, we are selling a lot of two identical 5/10 kW communication transmitters model Siemens S42043-S305-A1, suitable for classes of emission A1, A2, F1, F4 and F6 (telegraphy) and for classes A3, A3A, A3J and A3B (AM Medium Wave, SSB, AM reduced carrier). These transmitters are modern, compact and rugged for operation even on a mobile truck (check weight and dimensions). Both transmitters are in good working order, and have been in operation so far at IRRS-Shortwave http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules IRRS used both transmitters for continued operation, employing one transmitter full time, and the second as a spare in case maintenance was needed. A set of spare parts, including antenna dischargers, antenna cable, and various electronics and used tubes are also available. 20% discount if sold to a non commercial organization for non commercial use. Private sale, exempt from VAT. Proceedings from the sale of these transmitters will help, in part, sponsoring the continuation of NEXUS-IBA activities, and the continuation of our Shortwave transmissions. Please check: http://www.nexus.org/IPAR/txsale.htm for all details including price. Please inquire to sales@nexus.org. Thanks. - (Ron Norton, NEXUS-IBA support, PO Box 11028, 20110 Milano, Italy e-mail : ron@nexus.org Dec 30, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Be nice to know what the `upgrade` consists of --- no transmitters at all near Milano, and buying time elsewhere? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** KASHMIR. 4830 INDIA. Apparently the new R. Kashmir, Jammu: I started listening at 0020 Dec 22, Táchira presumed the LA that was dominant, but there was a good size het as well, the two just slightly out of phase. I didn't hear it on the first listen, but in reviewing the tape there is definitely the AIR IS twice at 0024, and what I think was their usual startup sequence at 0025. This was followed by some subcontinental horn-type music, and at 0030 a woman started talking, but it was muffled so I couldn't make out much. Still mixing after a half-hour or so. Other Indians were just so-so; this should be better on another night, but was better than expected even this time (Jerry Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet Dec 28 via DXLD) INDIA. N4830 *0023-0215 IND 18 & 20-12 AIR Jammu Kashmiri/Hundi. New fq by 50 kW transmitter, AIR tune, 0025 ID: "Yeh Radio Kashmir", song, Vernacular news and talks, Indian songs and instrumental music. Still testing and not every day. Also heard 19-12 1625-1742*. Always disturbed by a tone from a strong utility carrier on 4831.67! 34444 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** KENYA. EMBATTLED STATE BROADCASTER BOWS TO CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT | Text of report by Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation web site on 31 December All major TV stations transmitted the inauguration [on 30 December] of Mr Mwai Kibaki as president live from Uhuru Park. Nation TV, KTN and Citizen [all Nairobi-based private TV stations] were allowed to use the public-funded Kenya Broadcasting Corporation [KBC] feed signals at 12.15 p.m. The live broadcast was authorized by the permanent secretary for tourism and information, Ms Esther Koimmet. The Nation TV and radio managed to give blow-by-blow account of the happenings from [the] location. However, the Nation FM radio had hired outside broadcast van from East FM station, which comes with a frequency. Nation Broadcasting Division Managing Director Cyrille Nabutola said he had been negotiating with Ms Koimmet and KBC chief Caxton Munywoki since Sunday [29 December], who had told him that it [the feed] would cost at least 1m shillings [about 8,000 pounds]. But Mr Nabutola said he was surprised when Ms Koimmet called to inform him that the transmission would be free. "It was a very good gesture and we are very pleased," he said. KBC has for decades been known for its slanted news coverage of national events and heavy leaning on KANU [former ruling Kenya Africa National Union]. It changed dramatically and praised Narc [National Rainbow Coalition] and Mr Kibaki as it used to praise Mr Daniel arap Moi and KANU. Yesterday it changed tune in its coverage of the enthronement. It was not lost on public broadcaster's audience that all of a sudden the new ruling party, which it had been referring to as "the so-called Narc" throughout the campaign period, had become a respected party. Rare clips of President-elect Kibaki's moments of glory on the road to the top were splashed by KBC, whose skewed policy has been criticized even by the Electoral Commission of Kenya. Source: Daily Nation web site, Nairobi, in English 31 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) Evidently KBC desires to remain a government mouthpiece, whatever that may be; perhaps the concept of `public` broadcasting is unknown to them (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. I sent a reception report to the Voice of Korea (North, not South) in May, got a package from them in July and I guess they haven't forgotten about me, or are trying to establish relations. I received a postcard today from VOK with four male gymnasts on front and on the back was typed a "A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" Wonder if I'm being watched by CSIS? (Canadian equivalent of CIA). Canada Customs has already opened and searched some of my mail from other SW stations, including Iran and a box I received from DW. They even charged me for "handling"! Anyone else get any mail recently from VOK? I mailed another reception report last week to Pyongyang; interesting to see what I'll get. The broadcast was very clear for a change (Monday 23 Dec 1503; 11710 kHz; SIO 444; started with a choir singing what I think was the "Internationale" followed by the usual Great Leader propaganda stuff) 73, (Sue Hickey, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada, Dec 30, GRDXC via DXLD) 9335 kHz, Voice of Korea. Received QSL card, postcard, P`yongyang Times newspaper, Korea Today magazine, report form, personal letter and a separate letter announcing one of those poetry and song writing competitions in two months for English report and tape recording (Richard Lam, Singapore, Dec 30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KYRGYZSTAN. QUIRGUISTÃO. 4050, 0250-0335, 11-12, Krasnaya Rechka, Biskek (tentative) Kyrgyz(?) nonstop pop music, ID "Hit Music Shortwave", fade out at the same time as Bishkek 4010. 34444 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. LEGISLADORES CRITICAN A TV AZTECA --- Un grupo de parlamentarios mexicanos pidieron al gobierno de Vicente Fox que intervenga para frenar las acciones abusivas que habria cometido la cadena TV Azteca al apoderarse, el viernes 27, de las instalaciones de la emisora independiente, CNI Canal 40, recurriendo a guardias de seguridad armados (Ambas noticias, extraidas de El Mercurio, Chile, 30/12 via Gabriel Iván Barrera, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. 4725, Myanmar Broadcasting System, 1120-1200 Dec 30. Initially noted music until 1129, then woman talks in Oriental Language for a few minutes. At 1142 signal improved from poor to fair and music followed until the hour. On the hour, believe the broadcast was switched to another language. The signal quickly faded away subsequently. Checked for the broadcast on December 31, at 1100, but it was nil heard (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Strong here in Auckland: R. Myanmar, 4725 // 5040.6 at 1222 with pipe music and vocals, windscreen wiper on 5040 frequency, by 1240, 4725 gone but 5040.6 still going strong. Happy new year to all (David Norrie, AOR7030, Auckland, NZ, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NICARAGUA. Hello Glenn! Actually, the only Nicaraguan more or less regularly reported by DXers out there in north-eastern and east coast is YNN Radio Nicaragua on 620. However, semi-local WVMT in Vermont is just 100 kilometers or so from me, in the VT border and they beam NORTH to protect stations in RI et al on 620, so with the radio and its directional antenna beamed north-south, I can null WVMT easily, but I will completely null the much weaker Nicaraguan, so for me 600 is the best bet for logging Nicaragua, but other DXers that have a local or semi-local on 620 who beams east-west or that don't have anything at all on this frequency (aside from distant domestics) might try there. Yes, I logged Cuba on 620, but only during 2 minutes of open carrier on WVMT when no program was carried. I also heard a Spanish preacher way behind WVMT believed to be // 600 back in December 2000, but that's it. Another Nicaraguan that has been reported 2 or 3 times recently is Radio Sandino on 740, but CKAC [730] does away with that again. To be more clear, 620 is your best chance to log Nicaragua unless you have a strong station on it (Bogdan Chiochiu, QC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And a previous report: ODXA's Mediumwave Notebook -- April 1999 edited by Werner Funkenhauser ...Also, prowling around 600 kHz one night, I heard a distinctive "Ya! Ya! Ya! Ya!" slogan which sounded like a break between two pop Spanish songs, badly chopped up among other Spanish and assorted jumble. This may have been YNLD R. Ya in Managua, Nicaragua. I remember Robert Ross first reporting a Spanish station using a slogan that sounded like "Yacht!" years ago. It wasn't long after the Sandinistas were kicked out of power in Nicaragua. What he actually heard was R. Ya (Radio Now) run by some Sandinistas who before the communists ouster, commandeered equipment destined for R. Nicaragua. With new equipment, they operated on 600.1 kHz where they were easy to hear. As the story goes, they were the top station in Managua. Eventually R. Ya settled down on 600 kHz, and it's been years since I heard it (via Bogdan Chiochiu, DXLD) ** PERU. 2090.32 harmonic // MW 1045.16 kHz, unID LA, unknown QTH (Perú). Dec 2002 - 1030 UT. Heard sometimes both on fundamental and on second harmonic, I don`t have any more details. Nothing special to report more than "Frecuencia B" on 2662 kHz --- where "B" probably stands for "bendición" which means "blessing". UNID "Frecuencia" from last SWB now located in Chiclayo! 2662.69v Radio Frecuencia B, Chiclayo, el departamento de Lambayeque (Perú). Dec 17 2002 - 1040 UT. Heard with very good strength and excellent audio quality both mornings and evenings. Every morning the program "Nuevo Amanaecer". Varies in frequwncy +/- 2 kHz. Always a religious touch, talks a lot about "Jehová", but also some profane popular music. Sometimes hard to separate B/D/V but at one time the station gave ID as "Frecuencia B Beta, una señal de bendición" so there is no doubt. I can`t find any listed neither on SW nor on MW, so maybe a new station --- but I leave that to our member Thord Knutsson/TK at the WRTH staff to check out. Info from "Ventanaperú": Provincia de Chiclayo, cuya capital es Chiclayo. Sus distritos son: Chiclayo, Chongoyape, Eten, Puerto de Eten, José Leonardo Ortiz, Lagunas, La Victoria, Monsefú, Nueva Arica, Oyotún, Picsi, Pimentel, Reque, Santa Rosa, Saña; con una población total de 625,183 hab. 5637.24, Radio Perú, San Ignacio, el departamento de Cajamarca. Dec 18 2002 - 1120 UT. A funny station, seems to activate once a year but only for some very a few days. "Esta es Perú la radio, la grande de San Ignacio" ID by the DJ on duty but also have their recorded fantastic ID: "Ésta es la señal de más alta calidad, Perú su radio..." etc. Announces both 97.7 and 5635. [via WORLD OF RADIO 1163] Info from "Ventanaperú": Provincia de San Ignacio, cuya capital es San Ignacio. Sus distritos son: Chirinos, Huarango, La Coipa, Namballe, San Ignacio, San José de Lourdes, Tabaconas; con una población total de 111,070 hab. (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 29, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** QATAR. AL-JAZEERA TO LAUNCH ENGLISH WEB SITE Qatar-based Arabic news channel Al-Jazeera has announced that it will start an English-language Web site In February 2003. Joanne Tucker, managing editor of the site, told journalists that the news coverage will be tailored to a Western audience. In addition to the Web site, Al-Jazeera is also planning to offer English voice-over translations of its Arabic news channel by mid-2003, as a precursor to launching a separate English news channel in late 2003 or early 2004. According to Tucker, these plans were already in place well before Sept. 11, 2001. Al-Jazeera is already carried on the Sky TV package in the UK, and can also be seen in the US via the Dish satellite network (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 30 December 2002 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 11975, "Kamchatka Rybatskaya," fishermen's prrogram produced by GTRK Kamchatka and (per RUS-DX) transmitted from Yelizovo site near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky: Surprised to hear it at *0000- 0100* Dec 29 (sked Sun only). Signal strength low but decent, plus QSB, and improved very slightly after 0030, and no significant QRM. Several IDs noted, including a "Kamchatka Rybatskaya" at the opening, also several other mentions of Kamchatka during the hour. Program was mainly an interview of one woman by another, but also many RS vocals and what seemed to be occasional anmts or promos by a woman talking over light music. At the end there were four bells, ID mentioning Kamchatka, and off. First time for me, and surprised to hear it (Jerry Berg, MA, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. CLANDESTINE from NORWAY? to SAUDI ARABIA. Checking 9930 and 7590 from 1843 to 1902 Dec 30, untraced on both channels. Did hear a bubble jammer on 9930. Checked their website which mentions 9925, but nothing I could hear there either. Anyone hearing them? (Hans Johnson, Cumbre DX, Javaradio Sweden, via DXLD) Voice of Al Islah presumed the one on 9925 at 1955 check Dec 31, continuous talk apart from occasional audio breaks, good signal with bubble jamming way underneath (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9925 here at 2021 is blocked by bubble jammer, Al-Islah audible at 30% or so. Cheers, (Paul Ormandy, NZ, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. SOLOMONS BROADCASTER REFUSES TO CARRY CYCLONE WARNINGS UNTIL BILLS ARE PAID | Excerpt from report by Radio New Zealand International on 27 December The director of Solomon Islands Emergency and Disaster Management Office says the country's broadcasting service has prohibited him from issuing cyclone warnings because of outstanding bills. Lottie Yates says the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation or SIBC, will not allow his office to use its radio service because of outstanding bills for a public awareness campaign on disaster management conducted last year. While Vanuatu is the prime target, Cyclone Zoe is forecast to strike part of the Santa Cruz group, south of Solomon Islands at midnight Saturday [28 December] with gustily winds of up to 260 km per hour. Santa Cruz is home to some 1200 people. Mr Yates says the SIBC is not cooperating with the Disaster Management Office and that it is putting the lives of those affected at risk. [Yates] The government has not paid the SIBC 12,000 dollars. As a result of that, SIBC is not allowing us to give out any warning until we pay up to 12,000 dollars. We are trying to contact the eastern part of the Solomon Islands to get just what we can get on information on weather on that side. Conditions are very bad. [End of recording] Mr Yates says the Meteorological Office is struggling to get cyclone information and that it is close to shutting down because of a lack of funds. Meanwhile the manager for the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation says everybody should pay for its services even in matters of national emergency. Johnson Honimae says that while it is the country's public broadcaster, the government must pay for SIBC services such as cyclone advisory warnings or approach them to make payment arrangements... Mr Honimae says the SIBC will broadcast weather updates for free but if the disaster office wants to issue cyclone warnings then it has to pay. [Honimae] We are having to survive on sponsored programmes and advertising. That is the only way that we have survived. We have been able to get this thing going because we are charging everybody for everything but there is no free lunch in this country. The [Disaster] Management Office knows about this bill even before the cyclone season. Now when they need it they come crawling or start to criticize us. We are not going to back down to carry warning messages. I wish I could do it for free but I can't get my fuel for free, I can't get my telephones for free. I think the commercial consideration overrides the public service consideration. Source: Radio New Zealand International, Wellington, in English 0800 gmt 27 Dec 02 (via BBCM via WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) First things first 5019.9, SIBC: Per Wright in ARDXC, SI was hit by cyclone today, but station was heard as usual, carrying BBC at 1300 (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Dec 30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I am not aware of any cyclone hitting Honiara; actually the Solomons are generally outside the cyclone belt and rarely sees a good blow. Last was Namu in 1986, I think. Zoe (06P) was headed towards northern Vanuatu a few days ago and was peaking cat 5 so I had my suitcase packed (there is quite a lot of commercial activity in Santo) but did a 90 degree turn in accordance with predictions and tracked down between Vanuatu and Fiji, now just a fresh breeze http://www.npmoc.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/sh0603.gif 73s gd dx de (Sam Dellit VK4ZSS, Dec 30, ARDXC via DXLD) Radio Australia has been providing good coverage of the Solomon Islands cyclone aftermath: see the 'Pacific Beat' page at http://abc.net.au/ra/pacbeat/focus/PacBeatFocus_755950.htm The main concerns are for the far-flung islands of Tikopia and Anuta which are several hundred kilometres from Honiara. Australia has provided fuel for the Royal Solomon Islands Police patrol boat Auki which is due to leave Honiara shortly to visit the islands from which there has been no radio contact since Zoe hit. Some 1300 people live in the area. As for comments on the non-response to DX reports and requests for information from SIBC, a quick dose of reality: the country has been in a state of deep political and economic crisis for a few years now. It is a tribute to the determination and commitment of the SIBC staff that the radio station remains on the air at all. The interests of overseas radio hobbyists are probably at the bottom of the list of priorities, although I know from having met SIBC's general manager in Honiara last year that reception reports from afar are received with great interest. This is all sadly a great change from a couple of decades ago. SIBC was one of my first 'tropical band' reception reports, and I was delighted to get a full-detail QSL from them within a matter of just days. Cheers (Matt Francis, DC, Dec 30, ARDXC via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. RULING PARTY WELCOMES STATE BROADCASTER'S MOVE TO DROP CNN | Text of article by Eric Ntabazalila: "SABC has plan to dump CNN for Arab network" published by South African newspaper The Star on 30 December The ANC [Africa National Congress] has welcomed the SA Broadcasting Corporation's intention to drop CNN for Al-Jazeera, the Qatar-based Persian Gulf news network. Al-Jazeera is well known for broadcasting videotaped messages from Usamah Bin-Ladin. The Democratic Alliance opposes the corporation's move. SABC spokesperson Ihron Rensburg said yesterday: "The key objective is to provide our audience with a range of perspectives and news events. No decision has been taken yet. It's not going to happen tomorrow." ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said: "The SABC has got a right to make its own choices. We can only interpret this planned action... [newspaper ellipsis] as diversity of news and exposing South Africans to events happening in other parts of world." The Democratic Alliance's Dene Smuts asked the public broadcaster to consult the public before taking the decision. "I don't think South Africans would have much interest in seeing their television licence fees spent on the Arab world's answer to CNN. "Al-Jazeera was the first attempt to give the Arab world a broader view, but that view is far from the free-speech-oriented-service that South Africans are entitled to." Source: The Star, Johannesburg, in English 30 Dec 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA/NORWAY. SRI LANKAN PRESIDENT CONCERNED AT NORWAY'S SUPPORT FOR LTTE The Sunday Times of Sri Lanka reports that the country's president, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, will write to Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Bondevik to convey her serious concerns at the role played by the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo in helping Tamil Tiger guerrillas acquire new equipment for the Voice of Tigers radio station. The President is apparently concerned that the embassy's role in acting as a consignee for the LTTE cargo has cast serious doubt on Norway's impartiality as a peace facilitator. She is concerned at the security implications for Sri Lanka and her neighbours, especially India. India has already protested at the upgrading of the station. President Kumaratunga is also expected to demand a full explanation from Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Last week the government admitted that it had approved the shipment of the radio equipment, and has even issued an official licence to Voice of Tigers (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 30 December 2002 via DXLD) ** TURKEY. 6900.08, 27.12 1600, Tentatively Meteoroloji Sesi Radyosu from Ankara, broadcasting non-stop Turkish music. QSA 2. SHN (= Stig Hartvig Nielsen, in Denmark, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. R. Uganda, 4975.97, Dec 15 *0300-, sign-on with local drums, NA and English sign-on announcements with ID. Local religious music at 0302. Abruptly off at 0304. Technical problems? Came back on air at 0313; fair (Brian Alexander, PA, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4975.97, Radio Uganda 0410 Dec 25, News in English, commercials, mentions of Uganda, "Jingle Bells" at 0415, ID at 0418 (Ralph Brandi, AOR AR-7030 Plus, 250-foot mini-Beverage, Tinton Falls, NJ, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Glenn, Following is from Alexander Yegorov of RUI. Here is a new schedule: Radio Ukraine International B02 tentative schedule (01 January - 30 March 2003) Frequency; Time UTC; Tx Site; Azimuth; Target Area 5905 2200-0100 Kharkiv 290 W. Europe 7240 1800-2200 Kharkiv 290 W. Europe 7375 0000-0500 Mykolaiv 314 N. America 7420 0400-0800 Kharkiv 290 W. Europe 9610 0100-0400 Kharkiv 055 Russia (Tyumen) 9610 1400-1800 Kharkiv 055 Russia (Tyumen) 17760 0800-1400 Kharkiv 277 W. Europe The output of all SW txs is 100 kW except on 7375 kHz where it is 1000 kW. Transmission schedules in various languages are as follows: GERMAN (one hour): at 1800 & 2100 on 7240 kHz; at 0000 on 5905 kHz. ENGLISH (one hour): at 2200 on 5905 kHz; at 0100 on 7375 & 9610 kHz; at 0400 on 7375 & 7420 kHz; at 1200 on 17760 kHz. UKRAINIAN programmes are transmitted on all frequencies and at all times except for the time reserved for German and English programmes, as shown above. ROMANIAN (half an hour long): at 1800, 2030, 2200 on 657 kHz MW Chernivtsi, 25 kW. 73, (-.. . Kraig Krist, VA, Dec 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checked 7375 at 0427 Jan 1, and very, very poor; of course, propagation is poor at the moment (gh, OK, DXLD) ** U A E. RAS AL KHAIMAH RADIO RINGS THE CHANGES Ras Al Khaimah Radio is about to switch on a new transmitter. Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid bin Saqr Al Qasimi has already officially opened the new station at Al Jazerah Al Hamrah, but it will not come into operation until 11 January. Ras Al Khaimah Radio will be off the air on 9 and 10 January. The move to a new transmitter location was necessary due to concerns for the health of girls at a school near the old site. The 200 kW transmitter operates on 1152 kHz. At the inauguration ceremony, the Crown Prince revealed that broadcasting hours will be increased to almost 22 per day, but the station will no longer broadcast non-Arabic programmes such as Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam. Sheikh Khalid said he will personally chair the weekly meetings of the board and implement new ideas. "I will dedicate one day a week to spend at Ras Al Khaimah Radio to monitor programmes," he said (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 31 December 2002 via DXLD) The rest of the story: Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday 30th December 2002, Dear DX friends, There is a radio station called Radio Asia in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates, that has been broadcasting in Malayalam language from 11 am to 4 pm local time (UTC +4) on 1152 kHz medium wave. The station has now announced that it will broadcast in Malayalam 24 hours a day beginning at 6 am on 1st January 2003 on 1575 medium wave. It claims that it will be the first radio station in the world to broadcast in this language round the clock (P. Sreevalsan Nair, dx_india via DXLD) ** U S A. New Year`s Day: In addition to Talk to America, I am preparing a program that will be broadcast on VOA News Now between 1400 and 1500 UT. This will include interviews with Juhani Niinistö of YLE Radio Finland, Jonathan Marks of Radio Netherlands, Jean Larin of Radio Canada International, Jean-Gabriel Manguy of Radio Australia, and Barry Langridge, head of the Middle East/Africa section of BBC World Service. Also: Glenn Hauser's look back at international broadcasting in 2002 (Kim Elliott, swprograms via DXLD) I understand that my review will also be on the 1700 Jan 1 Talk to America, perhaps in two parts and more of the total report, which will afterwards be available in text and audio at http://worldofradio.com (gh) ** U S A. VOICE OF AMERICA SEEKS LOWER PROFILE Wes Vernon, NewsMax.com Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002 Editor`s note: See NewsMax.com`s previous articles on Voice of America: http://www.newsmax.com/cgi-bin/htsearch?words=Voice+of+America+VOA&x=109&y=16 WASHINGTON --- Voice of America is now distancing itself from its own broadcast operations in the Middle East and their teeny-bopper formats on Radio SAWA and Radio FARDA. The latter is a new service aimed specifically at Iran, and was scheduled to begin operations Wednesday. In a memo dated Dec. 18, a copy of which was obtained by NewsMax.com, the edict reads: ``Subject: No VOA sign-on before SAWA or FARDA programs. Stations please note that the VOA sign-on announcement should not — repeat should not - be played prior to programs of Radio SAWA or Radio FARDA.`` One can only speculate as to why the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) has taken this step. It comes at a time of great controversy over VOA`s increasing emphasis on hit music of the likes of Britney Spears, Eminem, Whitney Houston and the Backstreet Boys. This Farda format has replaced the broadcasts of serious policy discussions that were encouraging dissidents living under the hated, iron-fisted Iranian dictatorship. In an op-ed piece Monday in the Wall Street Journal, retiring Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., chastised the BBG for shutting down Radio Azadi (Persian for freedom), which he said had delivered 11 hours (10 hours, according to BBG) of news and serious discussion in a country where freedom is suppressed at every turn. The BBG, in a response to a similar article by Jackson Diehl in the Washington Post that same day, argues that the new Radio Farda (Persian for tomorrow) will increase news and substantive content ``from 180 minutes on Radio Azadi to 315 minutes daily on [the new] Radio Farda.`` ``They`re not counting all the discussions, the round-tables and the call-in shows and all these policy discussions that they [Radio Azadi] did,`` Helms spokesman Lester Munson told NewsMax.com. ``They`d get people from Iran to call in and say, `I`m outraged at this,` or whatever. They`re not counting that as news. Radio Azadi was all talk. It was providing a forum for discussions ... It had much more of a basis in the policy issues of the day. Radio Farda is a completely different format. That`s the essential reality.`` Translation: From serious discussion in a country living under the jackboot, VOA transmits pop music interspersed during most of the time with nothing more than headline news. BBG`s response to Diehl is that the new service increases broadcast time from 10 to 21 hours a day. Three hundred fifteen minutes for news and substantive matters each day means five hours and 25 minutes out of 21 hours would be devoted to ``news and substantive content.`` All the other 15 hours and 35 minutes are for pop music. It appears that during many hours of the broadcast day, Radio Farda is mimicking the familiar ``Top 40`` format. Many veteran broadcasters do not regard this as serious public affairs programming, even with a few minutes of news each hour. In commercial radio in the U.S., that shortchanging of news led to the creation of all-news radio and later to cable television news, 24/7. It is ``niche broadcasting`` based partly on the premise that ``variety`` programming no longer attracts the loyal audience that it previously did. In an e-mail to NewsMax, BBG Chairman Kenneth Tomlinson explains that news on Radio Farda ``will be five to ten minutes on top of the hour — with thirty minutes news shows prime time in morning and evening.`` Pending the hiring of additional staff, he says, ``we will be doing two thirty minute affairs shows each week.`` There is more. In a future installment, NewsMax.com will discuss the case of a dissident, condemned to death, who rots in jail. His fate prompted Helms to weigh in on this issue during these last days before his retirement Jan. 3 http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/12/18/202012.shtml (via Jilly Dybka, NASWA Flashsheet Dec 28 via WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) ** U S A. Hello from New Zealand. I have been hearing Radio Farda on 12015 and 15290 at 0400 and on 17675 at 0730, all via Kavala at good level. Radio Farda now has a website up and running at http://www:radiofarda.com By going to their home page and clicking on #10 you will then get their schedule. By going to http://www.monitor.ibb.gov and clicking on language you will then be able to determine which site each broadcast is from by checking times against Farsi broadcasts. Radio Farda have advised that they will e-mail verifications for reports sent to comments@radiofarda.com Hope this helps someone. Regards, (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, Dec 29, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Just a quick list of the Radio Farda transmissions audible here in South Wales today:- Freq UT Transmitter Location SIO 9585 0030 Radio Farda, Briech, Morocco 343 9515 0040 Radio Farda, Biblis, Germany 131 9795 0050 Radio Farda, Lamperheim, Germany 141 17675 0720 Radio Farda, Kavala, Greece 151 17675 0730 Radio Farda, Briech, Morocco 253 15290 0745 Radio Farda, Kavala, Greece 243 9585 0748 Radio Farda, Lamperheim, Germany 333 21475 0800 Radio Farda, Irana Wila, Sri Lanka 333 13680 0805 Radio Farda, Kavala, Greece 242 13680 1450 Radio Farda, Lamperheim, Germany 243 15410 1455 Radio Farda, Woofferton, UK 232 9435 1515 Radio Farda, Kavala, Greece 131 11845 1700 Radio Farda, Irana Wila, Sri Lanka 343 11985 1903 Radio Farda, Lamperheim, Germany 343 11960 1906 Radio Farda, Kavala, Greece 142 9785 2010 Radio Farda, Udon Thani, Thailand 131 (Graham Powell, Wales, Dec 29, Editor of the Online DX Logbook http://www.shortwave.org.uk DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA IN FARSI: A-OKAY Tuesday, December 31, 2002; Page A16 The Dec. 27 letter from the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees at the Voice of America suggesting that "plans are afoot" for Radio Farda to replace VOA's Farsi Service is false. As we have informed the members of VOA's Farsi Service, we are so proud of the work they have done on their short-wave radio (and television) broadcasts that we plan to improve and expand them, not replace them. The VOA demonstrates every day to the world its belief in the values of democracy and freedom of speech. We hold in equally high regard the value of accuracy (DAVID S. JACKSON, Director, Voice of America, Washington, © 2002 The Washington Post Company Dec 31 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING CORPORATION ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF ``STOCK TALK LIVE'' RADIO SHOW TO SHORTWAVE RADIO Story Filed: Monday, December 30, 2002 8:01 AM EST SANTA MARIA, Calif., Dec 30, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- International Broadcasting Corporation (OTCBB:IBCS) is pleased to announce that its "Stock Talk LIVE" radio show will be broadcast on shortwave radio starting in January, 2003. "Stock Talk LIVE" will be broadcast each and every stock market day from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (EST) on shortwave radio station WRMI, frequency 15.725 MHz. WRMI, based in Miami, Florida, broadcasts a powerful signal that reaches the United States as well as the Caribbean and Central and South America. A collateral effect of shortwave broadcasting is that the signals can actually reach all over the world as they bounce off of the ionosphere. Traditional AM and FM signals do not work like this. About Shortwave Radio Between 1920 and 1950, shortwave listening was very popular, with most of the home radio sets including shortwave bands. As television replaced radio as the prime information source and FM Stereo radio became popular, shortwave radio fell by the wayside. According to recent information, Shortwave radio is regaining popularity, especially in the United States. Grundig, a German Radio company that is the market leader in shortwave radio sales, said its U.S. business had increased by 500% in 2001 http://www.freep.com/money/tech/mwend6--20011106.htm Shortwave Radios can be purchased at Radio Shack as well as ordered online http://www.grundigradio.net/ According to Merlin Communications, which operates the BBC's worldwide transmitter sites, "latest research shows that shortwave radio listeners are growing globally, with shortwave penetration at its highest in the developing countries. That is not to say that shortwave is not having an impact in the Western world. Recent surveys revealed that in 1999, 97% of regular business travelers listened to international shortwave." The increase in the shortwave audience, says Merlin, is "spelt out dramatically by just one factory in China that is frantically producing 300,000 shortwave radio sets per month just to support demand. Grundig in America report growth each year on their sales of shortwave receivers. There are at least 600 million shortwave radio sets worldwide." Daryn P. Fleming, President of IBCS says, "We are excited about the continued ramp up of our IBC Radio http://www.ibcradio.com/ Network and the expansion of our `Stock Talk LIVE' radio show to the airwaves via shortwave radio. Religious broadcasters have built empires and worldwide audiences via shortwave radio. We feel we can do the same with our message of prosperity. Our message is clear and powerful – the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking and savvy investors make money trading stocks of tiny companies neglected by the major media." Darrell Nether, Vice President of IBCS says, "`Stock Talk LIVE' is a `grass roots' show where we take our message directly to the people rather than through media middlemen and the typical `red tape' involved in taking a show to the national level. Owning our own radio network and expanding to shortwave radio enables us to accomplish this mission without the time, expense and bureaucracy involved in traditional radio syndication." About Stock Talk LIVE Stock Talk LIVE is believed to be the very first LIVE radio talk show focused exclusively on continuous coverage of micro-cap stocks each and every stock market day from opening bell to the close. The show is exciting and stimulating and, most importantly, has featured many stocks that have moved up in excess of 100% in the short term. The show is fully interactive, taking emails and phone calls from the listeners. The LIVE show is "on the air" during stock market hours 9:30 AM to 4 PM EST [1430-2100 UT]. The show is also rebroadcast after market hours. About International Broadcasting Corporation International Broadcasting Corporation is a developmental stage company that endeavors to develop successful publishing, media, and broadcasting related businesses and ventures. The Company is focused on developing and providing online information and entertainment content through three units -- IBC News Network http://www.ibcnn.com/ IBC Radio http://www.ibcradio.com/ and IBC Entertainment Group http://www.cultmoviesonline.com/ The IBC Entertainment Group was launched in August of 2002, following the acquisition of an on-demand, streaming online movie website called Cult Movies Online. For more information about IBCS and all of the different services, visit the corporate website at http://www.ibcmedia.com/ [standard stock disclaimer] (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) That explains why WRMI has been filling with music at 1400-1600 weekdays, but a pity to lose a rare classical block on SW. Starting WHEN in January? If this be hugely successful for IBC, perhaps they are a prospect for even buying the whole station; WRMI still for sale, asking only $650K (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Checking WWCR`s new hardcopy program guide as of 01 January, for `specialist` programs, we find little change, but these of note: WORLD OF RADIO, no changes as frequently shown atop DXLD MUNDO RADIAL by gh, Wed 2200-2215, Fri 2215-2230 9475 ASK WWCR, Fri 1045 9475, Fri 2130 9475, Sat 0945 5070, Sun 0045 3210, Sun 0315 5070, Sun 1115 15825, Sun 1830 12160, Wed (1,4,5) 1815 15825 TECHNOLOGY HOUR, UT Sat 0300-0400 3210, Sun 0600-0700 5070 SPECTRUM, live, Sun 0400-0500 5070 CYBERLINE, live, Sun 0505-0600 5070 OLD RECORD SHOP, Mon 1030-1100 9475, Sun 1430 15825 KEN`S COUNTRY CLASSICS, Sun 2030-2100 12160 ROCK THE UNIVERSE, Sat 1205-1300 5070, Sun 0905-1000 3210, Sun 1305- 1400 12160 MUSICAL MEMORIES, Tue 1330-1400 15825, Sat 1900-1930 12160 [gospel?] WORLD WIDE COUNTRY RADIO, M-F 1400-1500 15825, Sat 2000-2100 12160, Sun 0900-1000 5070, Sun 1000-1100 9475 MUSIC AND DANCING, Thu 2100-2130 9475 MUSICA Y DANZAS, Mon 2200-2230 9475, Wed 2215-2245 9475 GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO, UT Sat 0400-0500 3210 UNSHACKLED, M-F 1930-2000 12160 A VIEW FROM EUROPE, Sat 1210-1215 15825, Sun 1110-1115 5070, Sun 1810- 1815 12160 PRESIDENTIAL RADIO ADDRESS, DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE, Sat 2130-2145 9475 LATIN CATHOLIC MASS, Sun 1700-1730 15825 THIS WEEK IN AMERICANA, Sun 0705-0800 5070 AMERICA`S GREATEST HEROES, Sun 1605-1700 12160 (Glenn Hauser, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. While World of Radio is definitely the best DX/radio-related radio program on the air, we also like listening to some of the others. Looking at the DX-programs list, we see that "Wavescan" is on 27 times on UT Sat & Sun only, and "DXing with Cumbre" is on 18 times on UT Sat, Sun, Mon and 1 on UT Friday. How about these programs' presenters spread these out better during the week? Let's take 5 or 6 of these airings and sprinkle them throughout the mid-week, preferably in the 0500 UT time range. That would help let a new audience be exposed to them. Regards, and good DX in 2003! 73, (Will Martin, MO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not a bad idea, since those two shows don`t deal much with breaking news. On the other hand, I encourage WOR outlets to run it mostly Wednesday-Saturday when it`s freshest, but won`t turn down later repeats if we can`t do better (gh) ** U S A [non]. I tuned into AFN on 873 kHz via Frankfurt at around 0100 UT this morning, expecting to find Oldies Radio. Instead, I found the feed of news and short snippets which was in exact parallel to 6458.5 kHz USB. I don't know how long ago this schedule change took place, or if it was only a one-off (PAUL DAVID, Wembley Park, UK, Dec 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WMRO test CANCELLED. I talked to Scott this AM and he sends this on. ``SWMBO rules here! Powell, Anyway, please post this to AM/NRC list: The DX test I was planning to do tonite has been canceled. I might do it tomorrow nite, but I need to wait & see if my wife is coming home from visiting the grandkids on tomorrow. The 31st is our wedding anniversary and I've been told no playing radio on NYE! Will let ya know on tomorrow.`` He'll let me know. SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed) rules over a DX test, you know! He said he might run it tomorrow and he IS on this list (Powell E. Way, Dec 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) So se moved it 24 hours later on MONITORING REMINDERS; not sure, but I don`t think it ran then either (gh) ** U S A. Speaking of small-town radio, Go to: http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/state/4828977.htm for a look at small-market radio in Texas. (Bill Hale in Fort Worth, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Thought you guys might want to see a couple posts to the radio-tech list...... Ray says "IBOC helps" but doesn't say when and to whom under what conditions. No mention of any IBOC hurt. Not very much of a post. It basically says "We're IBOC. We're here to help." (Chuck Hutton, Dec 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) From: "Tom Ray" tomray@wor710.com To: radio-tech@broadcast.net Subject: Re: [RT] IBOC Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 11:07:35 -0500 You obviously don't have an AM station that is struggling and losing listeners....and not getting new listeners because AM is perceived as a low fidelity medium good for only talk and sports. And young kids? Unless they listen to a sports team on the air, they don't know the AM band exists. AM needs help. IBOC helps. And to those opposed, consider this. We put up a class B FM, get 50 or so miles from the transmitter and can no longer hear the station. We think nothing of it. But if you can't hear an AM outside it's coverage area, well, the world is coming to an end. Why? Can you sell outside your coverage area? We in AM have been clamoring for equity with FM for a long time. It looks like this equity may come with a coverage area comparable to FM. While the system is not perfect, it is coming, and sitting on the sidelines stomping our feet and proclaiming "IBOC sucks" isn't going to help the situation. Thomas R. Ray, III, CSRE Corporate Director of Engineering Buckley Broadcasting/WOR Radio New York 212-642-4462 fax: 212-921-4751 Date: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 11:32:49 -0600 From: Mike McCarthy towers@mre.com Subject: Re: [RT] IBOC Reply-To: radio-tech@broadcast.net With all due respect Tom, the goals of some AM's are not the same as WOR's or Buckley's. Some actively do have marketable coverage beyond market peer FM's and WANT to keep that coverage for a variety of reasons...and reasons which should be irrelevant to this discussion. For a distant station to cause harmful erosion to existing real and present "local station" coverage is patently unfair and wrong...FM coverage comparisons not withstanding since only a handful of AM's will even come close to matching FM coverage when all is said and done. Yours being one of them. When you look at the coverage footprints of AM's, only the 10 KW and greater signals (depending on the pattern, conductivity and channel) will have a chance at meeting Class B-1/C-3 FM coverages. Only 50's will match Class B and C stations to the FM's 1mV. So where does that leave the remaining 70% of the AM stations? Where is the "parity" here? Have you done any in-building penetration tests to see if the digital signal fares any better than analog inside a building... office...warehouse...high-rise? As for sitting on the sidelines, not me. If a client comes to me and says he wants it--make it play, I'll put it in and leave them with a written statement that it is done against my educated judgement. But I'm right now advising them to wait and see what happens with the first round of adopters and the resultant slew of complaints to the FCC which no doubt will come when some stations come to find they've had their interference free 1mV daytime coverage shrunk by 50% (or more). MM (via NRC AM Dec 29 via DXLD) ** U S A. From RAIN: Dear Mike, The U.S. Copyright Office and Library of Congress on Tuesday published the terms of the Small Webcaster Settlement Act in the Federal Register, the final step in making the terms of the deal available to all eligible small webcasters. The new law makes all copyrighted music available to webcasters with revenues under $1.25 million. The eligible webcasters would pay a percentage of revenues or expenses. There's more in today's issue of "RAIN: Radio And Internet Newsletter," online now at http://www.kurthanson.com (Paul Maloney, RAIN editor, Dec 30, via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. List of 812 LW beacons heard in California: http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/swl/2002-December/004042.html (Phil Atchley, swl Dec 29 via DXLD) ** VANUATU. 7260, 1030-1100, 16-12 R. Vanuatu, Emten Lagoon (tentative), Bislama (tentative), animated interview, splashes from SWRf 7265 and from *1100 also QRM from 7255. 23333 AP-DNK (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. The oldie "Ecos del Torbes" on 4980 seems to be off the air which is a pity (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 29, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. Tuning around this morning I came across the Voice of Tanzania, Zanzibar with the transmitter at Dole on 11734 at 2050 UT broadcasting African pop music, Swahili announcement by YL and OM with closing and National Anthem at 2059 with s/off right on 2100, slightly low level audio with slight distortion but readable (not that I can understand Swahili!) SIO 353. Dated December 30th UT time or 7:50 am local summer time on December 31st in eastern Australia. I was rather excited to hear this one considering the time of year (middle of summer with maximum daylight and early sunrise) as it is not the easiest country on shortwave to hear and the power is supposed to be only 50 kW (Michael Stevenson, Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia, Sangean ATS-909 with outdoor 15 metre longwire, EDXP via DXLD) ** ZIMBZBWE [non]. CLANDESTINE from MADAGASCAR to ZIMBABWE, 7120, Voice of the People, 0328 open carrier. Clear channel today and a better signal. Short tone at 0329, then return to dead air. 0330 man with ID's in English as well as postal and email addresses. Interview with a musician, it may have been Thomas Mapfumo, and playing of Zimbabwean music. This program was also in English, a bit of a blessing since when I have listened in the past they were broadcasting mostly in vernaculars. Interview continued through 0400, when I tuned out (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Dec 30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ In keeping with IL style, this item has every line centered, tho it may not display that way for you (gh) INTERNATIONAL LISTENER IS BACK! First appearing in magazine form in the 1970's, International Listener was published as a monthly 40-page program guide for English-language broadcasts. That magazine became a web site on January 22nd, 1999, helping listeners easily access audio from these stations through their computer. The site disappeared when Tropical Storm Allison flooded my home with five feet of water in June 2001 (the hit counter stopped at 49838). But now International Listener has been redesigned. The main page loads much more quickly. You can immediately click to live streaming or on-demand audio from international shortwave broadcasters by using a drop-down menu on this opening page. Click on the International Listener Shortwave Radio Stations page for links to the home pages of shortwave radio stations around the world. There are some more drop-down menus with on-demand shortwave programs. Since blind and partially-sighted viewers say they cannot use drop- down menus, there are regular links to shortwave webcasts. As with the original site, there's a new edition of the International Listener Shortwave News each month--a roundup of items gleaned from radio station web sites and shortwave news sources from around the world. The January 2003 edition of Shortwave News has Part One of International Listener's exclusive look inside the BBC World Service in Bush House (this page will be posted on New Year's Day). Find searchable shortwave schedules by clicking to International Listener Shortwave Links, as well as listening clubs, audio archives and receiver manufacturers. BBC World Service schedules from DigiGuide are available by clicking on the BBC logo. Also, you can be transported to a webcast of shows from the Golden Age of radio. International Listener News Organizations leads to news agencies and the news outlets of broadcasting networks from around the globe. A news ticker links to worldwide news, sports and shortwave news. There are U. S. and British newspapers, as well as a special section of UK comics and magazines. There's a searchable weather database from the Weather Channel. There are London and UK radio stations with webcast links at International Listener British Radio, and webcasts are a click away on a drop-down menu. You'll find DigiGuide schedules of the national UK networks. Other interesting sites from Great Britain are included. London's current weather conditions and forecast are available from the Weather Channel. Check International Listener Television for links to launch TV webcasts and playbacks of individual television programs, plus DigiGuide British TV schedules. Some favorite UK program links are featured. Shortwave club publications, magazines and books are described in the International Listener Library. Throughout this web site, there is a 24-hour clock that displays the time in GMT. The Google search engine is featured throughout the site, and links to other popular search engines are provided. There are still some sections of the site being tweaked, but I think it's ready for use. I'd appreciate it if you could help me spread the word. I've linked to you site, and I'd like you to link to mine (or update the link to me so it works again). The main URL is http://www.internationallistener.com. That's a re- direct of http://home.houston.rr.com/edmayberry. Thanks to all who have sent words of encouragement over the long months that my family and I have been rebuilding since the flood. (Ed Mayberry, TX, Dec 29, WORLD OF RADIO 1163, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MONDE REBELLES -GUERRES CIVILES ET VIOLENCES POLITIQUES -L'ECYCLOPÉDIE DES CONFLITS I want to indicate that there is in France a book which reçense for several years all the secret movements in the world. It is updated about every 3 years. For those that understand naturally French it is about a reference book. The title in French is: Monde Rebelles - guerres civiles et violences politiques -L'ecyclopédie des conflits ("Rebel Worlds" civil wars and political violence - The encyclopedia of conflicts (Publishing: Editions Michalon Paris). The book makes 1561 pages and costs 33,53 euros. The classification makes leave country. Publishing: Editions Michalon, 18 rue du Dragon, 75006 Paris (ISBN 2-94186-091) Codes bar: 0 7682841 860913 (Bernard Chenal, France, Dec 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ NEW JAVARADIO IN BETA TEST Hi! New javaradio in beta test at: http://www.javaradiofrance.com Coverage: 100 kHz to 1300 MHz with all mode. Situation: based at Orly (just near Paris). Online: 24/24. Free access, just give a nickname and your location to connect on server. Troubleshooting? Send a message to jean-marc.cera@wanadoo.fr (via rec.radio.shortwave via SW Bulletin Dec 29 via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ DXers Unlimited's Year End edition for 31 December 2002 and 1 January 2003, By Arnie Coro, radio amateur CO2KK Hi amigos FELICIDADES !!! Congratulations and Happy New Year to all DXers Unlimited's listeners and readers around the world. I am Arnie Coro, radio amateur CO2KK your friend here in Havana, where the weather is simply gorgeous with temperature around 25 degrees Centigrade and relative humidity of 70 percent... Beautiful blue sky as I was writing the script of the program just a few minutes after local noon Tuesday... AND HERE IS ITEM ONE: Scientists are wondering what has happened 93 million miles away from Earth, as the Sun has just reached a standstill of sorts, with the sunspot count reaching a record low of just 44, the lowest in several years... As a matter of fact during the past few days we have seen the daily solar flux going down at a very fast rate; just 6 days ago we had a daily sunspot count of 77 and the latest optical observation done Tuesday morning here in Havana, showed a still lower than 40 sunspot count. So, expect the daytime maximum useable frequencies to go DOWN below 25 megaHertz even on the best North to South propagation paths (via Bob Chandler, ODXA via DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 01 - 27 JANUARY 2003 Solar activity is expected to persist at very low to low levels until about 07 January, when formerly productive active regions (including, among others, old regions 224 and 226 described above) are expected to return to the visible disk over the course of the following four days. Moderate flare activity may be possible for the subsequent two-week period (through 23 January), depending on the characteristics of the expected returning regions. Low to moderate activity is possible for the remainder of the forecast period. There is a slight chance of a greater than 10 MeV proton event during the latter half of the forecast period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geo- synchronous orbit is expected to reach event threshold on 04 January, 16-17 January, and 23-25 January, in response to recurrent high speed stream effects. The geomagnetic field is expected to be in the range of quiet to active levels for most of the forecast period. Active conditions are possible on 04 January, due to expected effects from a compact, trans- equatorial coronal hole. Periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity are possible on 15-16 January and 22-24 January, due to the expected influence of recurrent coronal holes. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2002 Dec 31 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2002 Dec 31 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Jan 01 115 10 3 2003 Jan 02 115 10 3 2003 Jan 03 120 10 3 2003 Jan 04 120 15 3 2003 Jan 05 120 12 3 2003 Jan 06 125 8 3 2003 Jan 07 135 8 3 2003 Jan 08 145 8 3 2003 Jan 09 155 8 3 2003 Jan 10 160 8 3 2003 Jan 11 165 8 3 2003 Jan 12 165 8 3 2003 Jan 13 170 8 3 2003 Jan 14 175 8 3 2003 Jan 15 170 15 3 2003 Jan 16 165 12 3 2003 Jan 17 165 10 3 2003 Jan 18 160 10 3 2003 Jan 19 155 15 3 2003 Jan 20 155 12 3 2003 Jan 21 145 12 3 2003 Jan 22 135 15 3 2003 Jan 23 125 30 5 2003 Jan 24 120 15 3 2003 Jan 25 115 10 3 2003 Jan 26 115 12 3 2003 Jan 27 115 12 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio Dec 31 via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###