DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-013, January 23, 2003 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/dxldta03.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid2.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 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1166: WWCR: Sat 0700, Sun 0330 5070, 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 on 15039 and/or 7445 WBCQ: Mon 0545 7415 WJIE: M-F 1300 on 7490... WRN: Rest of world Sat 0900; Eu only Sun 0530; NAm Sun 1500 WRN ONDEMAND from Friday: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1166.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1166.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1166h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1166h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1166.html WORLD OF RADIO ON WMQM, 1600, 50 kW, MEMPHIS TN: Saturdays 10:30 am CST = 1630 UT (Adam Lock, WMQM) [week delay] UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL As a longtime SW listener, I find the WORLD OF RADIO program an invaluable asset. With the various times and frequencies being used, I always find at least one broadcast weekly that`s convenient to hear. I find the information to always be accurate and up to date (R. F. Gero, Pittsburgh PA, Jan 18) Along with a verifiable reception report for WOR on WJIE and WWCR, but I`ll have to disappoint him as no QSLs exist nor are offered (gh) ** AFGHANISTAN/UK. BBC WORLD SERVICE IS AFGHANS' FAVOURITE RADIO STATION - SURVEY | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 20 January An unprecedented 82 per cent of Afghans surveyed in the capital Kabul listen to BBC World Service broadcasts in Persian and Pashto every week, according to the first media survey in that country since the Taleban left power in 2001. The survey, conducted by independent market researchers last month, showed that BBC World Service is the leading broadcaster in the Afghan capital, beating all local and international broadcasters on both radio and television. It is an unprecedented level of market penetration for an international broadcaster. Since the fall of the Taleban, access to newspapers, television and local radio has been growing and market competition has increased. In Kabul, several new newspapers have started up. Afghans are now able to watch television, which was banned by the Taleban. In an extra boost to the BBC, the survey found that BBC World - the international television news and information channel - is the leading international television broadcaster in Kabul, with 15 per cent of the weekly television audience. "These survey results are excellent," said Baqer Moin, head of the BBC's Persian and Pashto language services. "The results confirm many anecdotal reports which reached us even during the Taleban days which indicated that BBC World Service is Afghanistan's favourite radio station. "Even more importantly, this survey confirms that BBC World Service is respected and trusted by Afghans for its objectivity and accuracy," he adds. "This is a great boost as we start to extend our FM transmissions to other cities over the next few months." The survey is the first independent research to be conducted for BBC World Service in Afghanistan since the Taleban fell in 2001. The survey showed: - There was almost universal awareness of BBC World Service - 98 per cent in Kabul - 82 per cent of all Afghans in Kabul listen to the BBC World Service, mainly on the new 88.9 [MHz] FM frequency which began in June 2002 - 44 per cent of BBC listeners in Kabul listen to Pashto broadcasts - 40 per cent of BBC listeners in Kabul listen to Persian broadcasts - 19 per cent of BBC listeners in Kabul listen to both Pashto and Persian broadcasts - 91 per cent of Afghans in the survey said they turn to the radio for news - 88 per cent of Afghans in the capital perceive BBC World Service as a high-quality, trusted source of relevant information The survey shows that Afghans are very interested in Afghan affairs and regional events and have a greater interest in international affairs than people in most other regions of the world. Four out of 10 Afghans say that they are very interested in events in neighbouring countries. Afghan's hunger for news has been stimulated by 23 years of war, a heavily censored domestic media and interest in the current transitional phase of government in the country. Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 20 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. RAE - Radiodifusion Argentina al Exterior Periodo A-03 30/03/03 al 26/10/03 Frecuencias: 6060, 9690, 11710 & 15345 khz Lunes a Viernes (dias local) Horas UT 1000-1200 Japones 11710 Lejano Oriente 1200-1400 Español 15345 America (incluido microprograma de lenguas aborigenes)* 1800-1900 Ingles 9690 15345 Europa 1900-2000 Italiano 9690 15345 Europa 2000-2100 Frances 9690 15345 Europa-N.Africa 2100-2200 Aleman 9690 15345 Europa-N.Africa 2200-2300 Español 6060 11710-15345 Europa-N.Africa 2300-2400 Español 6060 11710-15345 America- Europa (incluido microprograma de lenguas aborigenes)* 0000-0200 Portugues 11710 America 0200-0300 Ingles 11710 America 0300-0400 Frances 11710 America Sabados solamente: 2000-2200 6060, 11710 & 15345 khz * No confirmado aun! Telefono/Fax RAE: 54-11-43256368 Email: rae@r... [truncated] Politica QSLs: Actualmente se requieren 2 IRCs para una respuesta debido a la falta de presupuesto. V = QSL. *Direccion postal: RAE --- RADIODIFUSION ARGENTINA AL EXTERIOR, Casilla 555, C1000WAF Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Jan 23, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ARMENIA. Yes, even though the official Voice of Armenia schedule was created 20 December 2002 and is supposed to be a "new" one, they are still using 9960 instead of 11625 kHz. Please note that they list the German broadcast 2020-2040 also on 11625, not 15270 as written in my first posting. However, also this broadcast goes out on 9960 kHz. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I just checked Voice of Armenia in French, German and English: As always throughout 2000-2100 on 9960 and 4810 (first one certainly 500/1000 kW), neither 11625 nor 15270 are in use. Just reasonable, at least 19 metres would be a quite silly choice during winter nights (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) La Voz de Armenia, en español, 0330-0345, en 9965 (Adán González, Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Jan 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA/ECUADOR. No signal on Jan. 19/20 for English to SAs of HCJB Australia: 1230-1730 on 15480 KNX 100 kW / 307 degrees (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) Because it was delayed again until Jan. 26 --- maybe. Note KNX is apparently the new abbr. for Kununurra, not to be confused with Los Angeles (gh, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. The morning schedule of MW 1170 noted as follows: 0200(?)-0400 VOR Sodruzhestvo, 0400-0500 VOR English, 0500-0700 BR1. BR1 high power also on 7170 until 0700 (Olle Alm, Sweden, 22 Jan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BR1 relay to Western Europe with 150 kW: 0500-0700 on 7170, 1000-1200 on 11960, 1400-1700 on 7105, 1700-1800 on 7255, 2000-2200 on 7105; acc. to Sergei Alekseichik, Belarus` in active_dx, 19 Jan. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Ola Paulo, Gostaria de lhe informar que no momento a Radio Nacional OC está operando em 31 metros na freqüência 9665 khz e 25 metros em 11.780 khz, pois o transmissor de 49 metros está em manutenção e quanto ao [phone number, toll free?] 0800 617273 o seu funcionamento é de 05:00hs às 18:00hs, porém a Embratel está com problemas para colocar o serviço em busca automática, ou seja quando uma das três linhas telefonicas está ocupada não está sendo repassada para as outras linhas e sim colocando esta mensagem. Agradecemos a audiência e a mensagem, esclarecendo que todas as sugestões serão sempre bem vindas. (Valmira Almeida, Chefe da Divisão de Ondas Curtas via Paulo Miled, Jan 23, radioescutas via DXLD) ** CANADA. Hi Glenn, You were wondering how accurate the times listed for "Imagination Theatre" in DXLD 3-011 [USA] actually are. The only ones I can comment on are those listed for CJAD-800 (Sundays 4 AM & 7 PM), and those are OK. CJAD does, though, occasionally do additional runs of "IT" as a fill-in, e.g. perhaps on one of those rare Saturday evenings in hockey season when the Canadiens aren't playing. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, Jan 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. BUILDER FINDS UNLIKELY ALLIES IN BATTLE WITH BUREAUCRATS -- - DEVELOPMENT ON CBC PARKING LOT STALLED AS BOROUGH AND PLANNERS DEMAND CHANGES By Mary Lamey, The Gazette, Thursday, January 23, 2003 The battle over a proposed condominium project has made unlikely allies of community groups in Montreal's Centre-Sud neighbourhood and the project's developer, Groupe le Versant. They are squared off against bureaucrats in the city's planning department and elected officials in the downtown borough of Ville Marie who have been holding up the project since the fall. The dispute has also pitted the borough against the CBC and has reached the office of CBC president Robert Rabinovitch... http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/story.asp?id=3CA22855-3342-4B8E-88EF-47EF900A74FE (via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** CANARY ISLANDS. I had a good log today, 22 January 2003 of the Full Gospel Las Palmas Church on 6715 kHz USB from 2110 to 2136 UT. The usual gospel singing, and a presumed preacher. A good signal, and building till s/off at 2136, going a bit past their scheduled Wednesday s/off of 2130 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. VISTA ONLINE BLURB 4.0 January 2003 Saturday the 18th of January presented George Bush with a dilemma of sorts as millions of anti-war protesters rallied in cities big and small internationally, calling for a halt to George's polices and a return to sanity. Meanwhile, I sat in the Radio for Peace studios listening to a four-hour long live broadcast feed from Pacifica Radio of coverage from the massive anti-war protest in Washington DC, of which RFPI was relaying on shortwave. I was caught up with the passion and enthusiasm of the movement and the up swell of people to end war on the planet. A new realization has presented itself, a realization that regardless of the media being owned by corporate interest and lead around by top government officials cheerleading into war, people are becoming aware worldwide and are speaking out against such archaic mechanisms as war. During my school years I witnessed first hand the build up of the anti-war movement during the Vietnam War (funny we always call it the Vietnam war not United States/Vietnam War). The peace movement was slow in building momentum and only when a massive loss of life on both sides had been inflicted did it achieve an order of strength to turn the war machine aside. Today's anti-war movement has started with considerably more energy and is more widespread than in the past -- a sign of a good start. RFPI's staff had our own peace rally to attend; after the Pacifica broadcast was finished we all loaded into the RFPI minibus and headed off to San José, lending support to our Costa Rican brothers and sisters who had gathered in the city center at the Plaza de la Cultura. About five hundred people were in attendance carrying signs and giving speeches, while a group of musicians playing Andean music entertained a crowd of cheering, passionate people standing in a large circle. As I edged up to peer into the circle I was nudged and greeted by a "Hi Daddy" by my 14-year-old daughter Joanna, her Costa Rican boyfriend in tow. Surprised, I asked, "How did you get here?!" She replied, "By bus of course." And with a smile replacing my expression of surprise, we both reached out and gave each other a huge hug amidst the glow of the event. My thoughts drifted back to an earlier anti-war protest and a young 15-year-old boy who had ridden his bicycle, listening wide-eyed to the hopes and dreams of his generation to end war. It was an experience that would change his life, later providing him the courage to propose the creation of a radio station dedicated to peace. In Peace, James Latham CONTACT AND FUNDING As always, we would like to remind our listeners and supporters of our contact information where you can send us comments about VISTA Online, our programming or the radio in general. You can send us an email at: info@rfpi.org Or, you can send us 'snail mail' at our US mailing address: RFPI, Box 3165, Newburg, OR 97132, USA If you are interested in becoming a member, or in making a donation, send us an email at info@rfpi.org or log onto our website to find out how at http://www.rfpi.org. That's all for this edition. We look forward to contacting you again in the next few weeks (RFPI-Vista mailing list Jan 22 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Very good reception here in Bulgaria for Radio Havana Cuba in Spanish on Jan. 19: 1200-1400 on 15230 (55444)!!!. No signal on parallel frequencies: 6000 totally blocked by Radio Singapore International in Mandarin Ch 9550 totally blocked by Radio Bangladesh Betar in English and Nepali 11760 totally blocked by BBC WS in English and CRI in English (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) Well, hardly intended for Europe (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. Hola Glenn, saludos... -Radio Habana Cuba fue captada el pasado 19/01 (sábado local), en 6180kHz, a las 0310UTC, en idioma español, en vez de la nueva 6195kHz. Así se mantuvo el 20/01 (domingo local) y cambió de nuevo a 6195kHz el 21/01 (lunes local). En 6180kHz interfiere bastante a la Voz de Vietnam en 6175 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now that Amazônia has evacuated 6180, RHC ought to keep on there, not 6195. AAMOF, RHC heard on 6180 at 1402 Jan 23 with IS, ID, but reception too poor to make out the announced frequencies. Or maybe not, as see BRAZIL above, they say their 6180 is just off for maintenance (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. Aquí van más noticias... Luego de una pausa bastante prolongada, pueden escucharse de nuevo las emisiones disidentes hacia Cuba, en 9955. Captada el 19/01 a las 00 y 0200. Se identificaba como "La Voz de los Trabajadores por el sindicalismo independiente en Cuba". (Adán González, Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Jan 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRMI, of course ** ETHIOPIA [non]. CLANDESTINE/ETHIOPIA VO Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity 11840 Nice n/d hand-written letter from the POB 88675 Los Angeles,CA address in 46 ds for SASE (used). v/s Solomon G/S. Letter apologizes for late response, not sure what "SASE" means, though it was used for reply. Also notes that "we know acknowledgement of your successful recepiton of our transmission is important. However, we are not sure if this letter will serve that purpose. Please let us know if we need to do anything else". I'm sure a prepared card and polite QSL explanation would generate a reply. Does anyone know what "G/S" stands for? (Scott R Barbour Jr, Intervale,N.H., WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DX LISTENING DIGEST) General Secretary? (Hans Johnson, Cumbre DX vi9a DXLD) ** FRANCE. 1557, France Info, Nice, Jan 21 0435-0705 - thanks to a tip from Barry in Ottawa on NRC's "dxtip" alert, I found this one with a man and woman talking over an extended period. Some fading, but at times quite strong. I was unsuccessful in trying to match the France Info web cast with this broadcast; the two seemed different (different, not delayed). No ID heard, although for the first two hours I was mistakenly listening for a Radio Bleue ID, so I'll have to listen to the tape I made. UK's Medium Wave News (JAN 2003) states that this transmitter is to go silent in the next few weeks, and will be replaced at a new site, the former Radio Monte Carlo site at Fontbonne. Not sure if my reception precedes or follows those "few weeks". [non] Weak audio was also heard during this time on 1503 (Spain presumed), 1512 (Belgium presumed), 1584 (Spain presumed). (Jim Renfrew, NY, Drake R8, longwires, Quantum Phaser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Dr Hansjörg Biener and others reports that today at noon also the Nürnberg-based Megaradio transmitter was switched on. This is 1 kW on 945, the channel already in use at Munich. During darkness the transmitter has a reach of about 10 km (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. Up until now, there have been several claims made by various sources that DW would be shutting down its broadcasts to N. America this spring. DW would not deny or confirm this directly, until now. Below is an email to me which confirms the closure of this service to N. America. I hope you will take the time to write DW and express your concerns to them, as well as any other shortwave broadcaster you value. Aside from losing a great news resource in DW, I also fear is now that the biggest SW broadcasters from Europe, the BBC and DW, have stopped broadcasts to N. America, it will be very easy for smaller countries (e.g. Austria) to drop their service to us. Here is the webpage for emailing DW: http://www.dw-world.de/english/0,3367,266_K,00.html (Broadw, ODXA via DXLD) CONFIRMED: DW TO N. AMERICA ENDS IN APRIL Hi Glenn... I got this in my email today. Sad news indeed. Let's hope people start writing and put some pressure on (Matt L. in New York, Jan 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ======================================= From : "margot forbes" Margot.Forbes@dw-world.de Subject : English to North America I acknowledge receipt of your e-mail and can inform you that we will no longer be broadcasting per shortwave to your part of the world after the end of March. I have no exact details as yet but do know that we have many rebroadcasters in N. America and the Pacific - as well as satellite possibilities. I am sure something is being worked out to improve the satellite situation - not forgetting Internet! As you are probably aware, our budget has been slashed time and time again - by the German Government - leaving us with the problem of what we can cut down on. Shortwave frequencies are particularly expensive and the decision has been made to cancel some frequencies. I will make a note of your e-mail address and, as soon as I know anything definite about this, I will get in touch with you and let you know. Thanking you for your interest - and hoping you are in a position to "tune in" to us by some means, I remain, (Margot Forbes, DEUTSCHE WELLE ENGLISH SERVICE, via Matt, WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DW ENGLISH SERVICE FACELIFT, SHORTWAVE CUTS | Text of press release in English by Deutsche Welle on 21 January The English Service of Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's international broadcaster, will experience the biggest facelift in its 40-year history with the start of summer time on 30 March 2003. There will be a substantial increase in the number of daily news bulletins from 13 to 24. "News on the hour every hour will be our visiting card," says Uta Thofern, Head of the English Service. "Newslink", the flagship current affairs programme, will be broadcast round the clock in the form of special editions tailored to meet the requirements of different audiences around the world. This means there will be three live editions of "Newslink" for the Asia-Pacific Region, two for Africa, with repeats, two for North America and two for Europe every weekday. Uta Thofern: "They will highlight not only top world, European and German stories but also news and developments in the respective target regions. In future we will be able to cover breaking stories faster and in greater depth than ever before." Changes will also be made to the feature programming with an increased emphasis on rebroadcasting successful programmes such as "Arts on the Air", "Living in Germany" and "Inspired Minds". The same applies to "Money Talks" or the science programme "Spectrum". "Africa Kaleidoscope", the weekly programme for and about Africa, will tackle the latest stories and developments. And last but not least there will be two new 30-minute programmes for Asia and Africa. This means that "development" will finally get a weekly slot and more attention will be paid to the environment. "In future our team of feature editors will have more time to devote to their successful cooperation with organizations like German Technical Cooperation, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and UNESCO," Thofern says. To date DW Radio's English Service has broadcast to all of its target audiences via the shortwave. As of 30 March 2003 this policy will change. In future Deutsche Welle will take into account the conditions prevailing on individual media markets and respond to new technical developments in the most appropriate fashion. DW also plans to introduce digital shortwave transmissions to East Asia and Europe, with analogue shortwave transmissions to Asia and Africa continuing for the foreseeable future. However, shortwave broadcasts to the highly developed media markets of North America and Australia and New Zealand will be terminated. Instead, DW will focus on expanding the number of radio stations, like Canadian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC News Radio, who rebroadcast DW Radio's programmes successfully. Listeners in those regions will of course still be able to hear us via satellite or by means of our Internet page at http://www.dw-world.de/English Source: Deutsche Welle press release, Cologne, in English 21 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Notice how they downplay to the last graf shutting off SW to North America, Australia and New Zealand! Always spinning, the wrong way. As I remarked on WOR a few weeks ago, but I think not yet here: Why this all-or-nothing shortwave approach?? Let`s face it, the three half-sesquihours in English to North America, mostly duplicated, on 5 or 6 frequencies each from as many relay sites, is overkill. We could make do with two, or even one broadcast, on perhaps two or three frequencies, like so many other SW stations. Look how well R. Netherlands has done for decades with only two frequencies per broadcast via Bonaire! The cut could back to that level, retain their audience and save a bunch of DM --- oops, Euri (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wolfgang Büschel forwarded Craig Seager`s remarks in last DXLD to Margot and got this reply: Subject: Re: DW stellt Englischdienst für Australien und America ein. Hello Mr. Buschel, I am afraid Mr. Sieger [sic] is not entirely wrong. This is the information we are sending to interested listeners of DW English language radio programmes: "Many thanks for your interest in our programmes. In answer to your question about the future of DW-English language shortwave programmes to North America and the Pacific region, I would like to inform you that, to date DW-Radio's English Service has broadcast to all of its target audiences via the shortwave but, as of 30th March 2003, this policy will change. In future Deutsche Welle will take into account the conditions prevailing on individual media markets and respond to new technical developments in the most appropriate fashion. DW plans to introduce digital shortwave transmissions to East Asia and Europe with analogue shortwave transmissions to Asia and Africa continuing for the foreseeable future. However, shortwave broadcasts to the highly developed media markets of North America and Australia and New Zealand will be terminated. Instead, DW will focus on expanding the number of radio stations, like Canadian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC News Radio, who rebroadcast DW-Radio's programmes successfully. Listeners in those regions will of course still be able to hear us via satellite or by means of our Internet page at http://www.dw-world.de/English If you would like to be informed about the facelift the English Service of Deutsche Welle (DW) will be experiencing with the start of summer time on 30th March 2003, just send an e-mail to: margot.forbes@dw-world.de - referring to: A Facelift for Radio Broadcasts in English and I will be pleased to send you the relevant information." Regards, Margot Forbes, DEUTSCHE WELLE ENGLISH SERVICE Tel.: +49 221 389 4144 Fax: +49 221 389 4155 E-mail: margot.forbes@dw-world.de Website: http://www.dw-world.de (via Büschel, DXLD) While, someday, unplugging analog shortwave is the right way to go, I still argue it's two years too early. In the case of Deutsche Welle, it seems silly that one of the streams earmarked elsewhere couldn't instead by directed to us in North America -- couldn't Africa or Asia live with two fewer frequencies for one hour a day? Or, perhaps DW should arrange for airtime targeting the Americas from a lower-cost, lower-power transmitter site closer to us. I would think 100 kW from WWCR is cheaper than 250 kW from Antigua -- assuming DW could find broadcasters willing to rent time from Antigua (Richard Cuff, PA, swprograms via DXLD) Relay exchanges, if they exist much any more, could put this reduction in transmissions on a nasty downward spiral. As each broadcaster pulls out, the reciprocal broadcaster's use of a facility, I would think, is also at risk. My impression is that many countries have privatized (outsourced) their transmission facilities, making the transmission costs a real cost, whereas before they weren't. Relays agreements, even if they still exist, would now be a line item open to scrutiny to a bean counter, whereas before they wouldn't have been. Purchase of time from Merlin, etc., would clearly be a transfer of funds to an entity not of your own country, not benefiting your own people through jobs, etc.... A sliding slope, maybe, of things to come (Kevin Anderson, Dubuque, Iowa, Jan 23, swprograms via DXLD) Fine, make the cuts. But don't pretend you won't lose listeners because of your extensive network of rebroadcasters. If DW is on any FM or AM stations in the US (I'm not sure what other rebroadcasters they mean -- unless there are some public TV stations that have them as a Second Audio Program?) it's not readily apparent from their web site. (There is a page explaining how wonderful the English service will be after the summer time change, tho they neglect to mention that the programming changes will be accompanied by the cutoff of NAm service. Though I spose I can't blame them for not wanting to rain on their own parade.) (Kyle Barger, Jan 23, swprograms via DXLD) BBCWS, DW, Swiss R. I., and YLE have fallen short. We listeners feel shortchanged because the decision making process has not been laid out to us -- perhaps because it frankly hasn't been thought through... and the broadcasters don't want us to know how capricious their decisionmaking process really was. I am not too surprised by all this. Germany's economy is in bad shape -- with higher unemployment, lower GDP growth prospects, and a higher (percentage) budget deficit than we face in the USA. The bleeding had to be stopped, and this was perceived as one way to do it. I will miss easy access to DW via shortwave. DW was one of the first broadcasters I listened regularly to when I first became interested in shortwave in the 1960s, and I latched onto DW again when my shortwave interest reawakened in the late 1980s. I am cautiously hopeful that some of the Pacific service (0800 UT?) [0900 on 6160, 9690] will remain, because that was the most audible service here in Pennsylvania aside from the 01/03/05 service (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprograms via DXLD) How expensive is it really to run these shortwave transmitters and antenna farms? I can understand how [not] transmitting shortwave would save money, but it seems like it might be a pittance compared to the larger costs of generating English programming in the first place. But then again how much programming costs would there be for a 45 minute radio broadcast each day? Maybe the costs of transmitter time really does outweigh the programming costs in this case. I have no real context to compare against, nor did I when BBCWS did their changes. Working for a educational institution that is involved in "budget health adjustments" (a fancy way to not say you are in a fiscal problem), I can respect what DW is dealing with. All too often the cuts easily identified, however, amount to a pittance and do little to change things. It is only when substantial changes in how one does business are identified does the real savings/efficiencies come out, other than just laying off people and making everyone work harder. Can some of you folks who actually work for an international broadcaster relay some costs? It would sure help me put things in perspective... Waiting for this nightmare to end... (Kevin Anderson, Jan 23, swprograms via DXLD) [And re Daniel Say`s remarks about cutting German language instead:] That`s only as he sees it; Amongst other aims, the Deutsche Welle law of 1954 as public external service broadcaster is not aimed to 85 millions inland, but to bring European culture to at least 30 million Germans outside our frontier as foreign workers, students and holiday makers annually, and to another figure of approx. 120 million foreigners worldwide who understand the German language. 700 millions EURO cost the DW service annually; and is a much better investment than the German army for example. I would wish the 15.000 Americans plus their relatives serving here at AAFES-Europe in Stuttgart had access to such a fine public broadcasting service like DW or BBC doing for decades (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY/PORTUGAL: During the HFCC meeting in Johannesburg Deutsche Welle will provide a DRM Test in English on February 3 and 4, 2003: 0900-1355 on 25800 SIN 250 kW / 145 deg to SAf 0900-1200 on 21820 SIN 250 kW / 145 deg to SAf ||||| (Alternative) 1200-1355 on 21735 SIN 250 kW / 145 deg to SAf ||||| (Alternative) (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) SIN = Sines ** GRENADA. STRIKING MEDIA WORKERS MARCH THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL | Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) news agency on 21 January St George's, Grenada: As an industrial impasse at the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) entered its second week, the militant Technical and Allied Workers Union (TAWU) on Tuesday [21 January] stepped up pressure on the media company to accede to its demands. Around midday Tuesday, about 20 unionized workers marched through the streets of the capital, chanting and singing and bearing placards with anti-GBN slogans. The demonstration was to be followed by a picket of GBN's compound later in the day and a meeting of all union shop stewards scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time. On Tuesday, Union activists also visited various workplaces across the country explaining TAWU's position in the dispute, as TAWU's General President Chester Humphrey served notice that the union was preparing for a general call out of its membership in support of the media workers. The stepped-up action follows a breakdown in negotiations at the level of the Labour Department. Labour Minister Lawrence Joseph, who intervened in the dispute over a week ago, has so far failed in his many attempts to broker a settlement. Among a series of recommendations proposed by the minister is for the union to call off its protests, which were launched on 7 January after GBN began issuing letters of retrenchment to 10 employees. The minister has further requested that the company withdraw letters of dismissal subsequently issued to all workers involved in the recent protest action, while the union agrees that the protesting workers would not be paid for the time off the job, except for those workers who were issued with retrenchment letters on 7 January and subsequently dismissed. Humphrey said the union was willing to accept the minister's recommendations but described as "repugnant" and "dehumanizing", a proposal by the company to send 10 workers on paid leave, while talks were scheduled to continue between the two sides on a policy of retrenchment. "We would be aiding and abetting in the subversion of the collective agreement, if we succumb to that," he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) [this news agency]. Company officials were unavailable Tuesday for comment on the matter. GBN is 60 per cent owned by the Trinidad-based Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) and 40 per cent owned by the Grenada government. Source: Caribbean Media Corporation news agency, Bridgetown, in English 2112 gmt 21 Jan 03 ** GUAM. Some changes for KTWR Agaña in Mandarin Chinese: 7455 100 kW / 320 deg 1100-1700 (ex 1100-1615) ||||| extended 12130 100 kW / 305 deg 1530-1700 (ex 0915-1615) ||||| retimed (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. La Voz de Indonesia retoma la frecuencia de 15150 de manera irregular. Escuchada el 19/01 a las 2030, en inglés. SINPO 4/4 (Adán Gonzálex, Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Jan 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET/TERRORISM. AL-QA'IDAH RESTORES INTERNET SITE, JIHAD ONLINE TO FOLLOW SUIT - ARABIC PAPER | Text of report from Cairo by Muhamad Salah published by London-based newspaper Al-Hayat on 19 January It appears that Al-Qa'idah organization has regained its "electronic" health, having succeeded in returning to the Internet, despite the sustained American offensive on its web site. The "Islamic Studies and Research Centre" site, that carries the name of "Al-Nida", has reappeared for all, after breaking through the American siege. It has resumed distributing the organization's statements and the speeches, interviews and addresses by its leaders, led by Usamah Bin Ladin and Ayman al-Zawahiri, who has had the biggest share of the site's volume. The book "Allegiance and dissociation are a copied faith without existence" [Arabic: Al-wala' wa al-bara' aqidah manqulah wa waqi' mafqud] has taken centre stage on the site's main page, which devotes a section for presenting the book in full. Al-Hayat provided a review last Tuesday [14 January] of the details and chapters of Al-Zawahiri's new book. It published excerpts in which the Egyptian Jihad group's leader who has become the number two man in Al-Qa'idah organization stressed his determination to continue operations against the Americans everywhere. "Al-Nida" site has been the target of American electronic attacks that have knocked it off the web about 20 times. But those in charge of the site have succeeded in refloating it every time by using a new server, the address of which contains no words indicating that it belonged to Al-Qa'idah or Islamists. The material disseminated by "Al-Nida" after its resumption has not been without threats to the Americans and incitement to the Muslims to "jihad against the infidel Crusaders". Naturally, a place is dedicated for all the audio messages of Bin- Ladin and Al-Zawahiri and their videotapes, plus statements by the organization in which it claimed responsibility for operations carried out over the past months. The site also contains a news bulletin and a follow-up to events in the Afghanistan arena, plus articles and analyses, some by American writers, on the confrontation between the United States and the Muslims in the world. American investigators had questioned officials at the Malaysian Image System [as transliterated] after it became known that fundamentalists had made a contract with it to disseminate "Al-Nida" site via its network. But the company's officials denied any connection with the material contained in the site. Investigations carried out some weeks ago established that Al-Qa'idah had used other firms in Caracas and Bangkok, succeeding each time in restoring the site after it was hacked. Fundamentalist sources say that specialists in electronic warfare at the US intelligence apparatus (CIA) have resorted to a trick to discourage visitations to "Al-Nida". They created sites having the same name but containing old material issued by the organization, without updating them. The aim is to discourage people from looking for the site. The sources said Jihad Online site would also return to the web within days to further fuel the electronic struggle between the two sides. Jihad Online had disappeared from the web after the Americans hunted it down following its dissemination, during the Id al-Fitr feast [festival marking the end of Ramadan], of an audio message by Sulayman Abu-Ghayth, Al-Qa'idah's spokesman. Source: Al-Hayat, London, in Arabic 19 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Voice of Southern Azerbaijan presumed the one on 9375 January 23rd, 1627 tune in carrier, 1631 announcement by man in Middle Eastern language with many mentions of Azerbaijan, democratia and a frequency announced in MHz, "Azerbaijan sud(?) radyosu" heard, then into commentaries and interviews with occasional musical bridges or music underneath, cut off mid sentence at 1700. Fair strength and steady signal, tinny modulation and some transmitter hum but easily readable (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, Jan 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. Con pocas espectativas le escribí a esta emisora que, no siendo clandestina, está dentro de aquellas difíciles de establecer contacto, por lo menos a mi me ha pasado; le había escrito otras veces sin éxito. En mi opinion, son de aquellos países donde se juntan una serie de cosas que hacen difícil llegar. Por un lado el correo, que no siempre llega; depende mucho del país desde donde se envía el reporte. Esta QSL está escrita en inglés y a mano. En forma personalizada, agradece el reporte y envía saludos, informa de los distintos idiomas en que transmite por los 11.787 KHz: Inglés, Alemán, Francés, Turco y Árabe, de 1900 a 2000 UT en el primer programa y de 0100 a 0200 UT en el segundo programa. Firma Jamila y se despide diciendo que me considera más que un nuevo oyente, un nuevo amigo. La tarjeta está ilustrada en los dos lados, con un mapa del país y con dibujos de su cultura, en color. La confirmación corresponde al dia 7 de julio del año pasado, a la hora 1945 UT. Les envié el informe el dia 18 de agosto y me llegó su carta el dia 10 de diciembre. La dirección es la misma que la de Radio Bagdag: Salihiya, P. O. BOX 8145, Baghdad, IRAQ. (``Goncidani, location unknown, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Hey Glenn, DoD yesterday said that all press briefings will now be broadcast via Commando Solo. This makes me want to DX those old "dollar thirties". (Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, Jan 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: COMMANDO SOLO TO BROADCAST PENTAGON BRIEFINGS TO IRAQ By Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2003 -- The citizens of Iraq received a taste of democracy in action as the news briefing today by Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard Myers was broadcast via Commando Solo aircraft to Baghdad. Rumsfeld, speaking at the Foreign Press Center here, said the department is doing this "because the truth matters." He said the Iraqi people should know and hear the truth. U.S. Central Command used Commando Solo II aircraft to broadcast into Afghanistan at the start of operations in that nation. Commando Solo aircraft are modified C-130s capable of broadcasting radio and television on a real time basis. The aircraft are part of the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. They are based at the Harrisburg International Airport. DoD officials will say only that the crews are operating "somewhere in the Gulf." Rumsfeld said broadcasting the news briefings shows democracy and freedom at work. Public officials in democracies are held accountable and must explain their actions to the people, he said. "Every week, General Myers and I stand in the Pentagon in front of independent journalists -- professionals -- and . try to answer their questions," Rumsfeld said. "Some of the questions are tough, many are insightful and all add to the information available to the American people and the people of the world." Rumsfeld said that once the reporters leave the studio they do not fear for their lives. "They know that they and their families will not be threatened and that no one will be beaten or punished." Truth matters in a democracy, he said, it is the foundation of justice. He contrasted that with Saddam Hussein's regime, which, he said, is built on "terror, intimidation and lies." In 1991, Hussein agreed to give up his weapons of mass destruction. "For more than a decade, his regime has refused to live up to his promises," Rumsfeld said. "Instead, it has fed the world a steady diet of untruths and deceptions." (via Mike Terry, and Kim Elliott, DXLD) BTW, VOA enhanced its reputation Jan 23 with a TALK TO AMERICA on the anti-war movement (gh, DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Received a vaguely worded eQSL for my report to the clandestine station Radio al-Mustaqbal (The Future), which apparently transmits from Kuwait using 50 kW of power. I heard the station on 1575 kHz. The following response came from Iraqi National Accord, the opposition group behind the station, from email address wifaq_ina@hotmail.com ``dear Mika Makelainen many thanks for your e mail in 16-1-2003 we would like to inform you that Al-Mustaqbal radio station usually broadcasts on the frequency 1575 - 1580 khz 0f (m.w) sometime a broadcast jamming may occur to it creating by baghdad radio station , running by Saddam's regime. we try to protect our broadcast which is the broadcast of the iraqi opposition from such interferences. Many thanks again and we hope that you won't stop writing to us best regards al - mustaqbal broadcast (via Mika Mäkeläinen, Finland, Jan 23, dxing.info via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Re tests to Australia: Craig, Thanks for the tip off on this one. Noted here last night (22/1) on 15655, 15640 and 17545 all in English at 1125. 15655 went off at 1134 after a closing announcement in Yiddish (or similar language) and some Israeli pop music. The other frequencies sign off around 1130. All channels noted at fair level with a bit of echo on the signals (possibly indicating some multipath reception). (Rob VK3BVW Wagner, Melbourne, Australia, FRG100, Sangean 909, Icom ham IC701 transceiver Dipoles and longwires, Jan 22, EDXP via DXLD) Thanks for the feedback Rob. The tests will continue until Sunday on 15 MHz and then further tests will commence on 17 MHz. A possible test frequency is 17525 1100-1130 (Craig Tyson, ibid.) Greetings to all from Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia, Listened to Kol Israel at 1100 on 15655, they were in French till 1115 then English, reception was fair with no QRM, quite understandable, 15640 was poor to fair, not as strong as 15655 (Michael Stevenson, Sangean ATS-909 with outdoor antenna 15 metres (did not have the old Sony fired up last night), EDXP via DXLD) À noter que le 22 janvier, la réception dans le centre de la France sur cette fréquence destinée à l'Australie était aussi bonne, voire meilleure que sur 15640 et 17545, longueurs d'ondes utilisées pour l'Europe (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Another update on the royalties fight: http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=252059 (Ha`aretz via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. Dear Sirs, Thank you very much for your daily support of our club activities. The special broadcast in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC) was scheduled on 15/16 December 2002 from Adventist World Radio, Guam, but unfortunately it was not held due to the heavy damage to the transmitters caused by a typhoon hit on the island in the beginning of last December. The Japanese broadcast of AWR was resumed a few weeks ago, and according to the AWR Reverend Masaru Kawagoe, the program will be on the air as follows. Station: Adventist World Radio from Agat, Guam Language: Japanese and English Date, time and frequencies: 25 January 2002 / 2100 UTC / 11960, 11980 kHz 26 January 2002 / 1300 UTC / 11755, 11980 kHz Program host: Masaru Kawagoe Guest: Toshimichi Ohtake (JSWC member) Program contents: Since our club`s special broadcasts have already taken place 3 times by the Japanese service of AWR in 2002, we have received many reception reports for the second broadcast on 19 August 2002 from all over the world. So this time, these reports will be introduced during the regular program by the Reverend Kawagoe, with a guest Toshimichi Ohtake, a senior member of JSWC. It is a special bi-lingual, an approximately 20 minutes-long program just after the opening ID at 2100/ 1300 UTC. A special QSL card from JSWC will be issued for correct reception reports sent to: Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC), 50th Anniversary Committee, P.O.Box 138, Yokohama Port, 231-8691 Japan. Please write your report in English and enclose 1 IRC or U.S. 1 dollar bill. Source of information: Masaru Kawagoe, AWR / Toshimichi Ohtake, a member of JSWC. It may be the final opportunity for you to get our special QSL card, so please do not miss to receive the program and send us your reception report !! Finally, we would like to express our deep gratitude to all of you who have heard our club's messages, as well as the broadcasters kindly cooperated to convey them in last year, 2002. And we hope your continuous support of our club activities in the future as well. With kind regards, (Nobuya Kato, A volunteer staff of JSWC 50th anniversary project e-mail: jsw-@par.odn.ne.jp [truncated] 22 January 2003 (via Johno Wright, ARDXC via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. U S A (non): Some changes for Radio Free Asia in Korean effective from Jan. 15: 1400-1500 NF 13625, ex 13790 \\ 5855 7475 12000 1500-1600 on 13625 ||||| additional transmission \\ ? 1600-1700 on 13625 ||||| additional transmission \\ ? 73 from (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. 2390, Radio Huayacocotla, 2348 YL giving religious dedications between segments of music, constant mention of "El Salvador" in the religious sense, telephone numbers, numerous mentions of "Santa Cruz", 0005 YL and OM time checks, 0035 mention of a string of radio stations and "Santo Domingo, República Dominicana" for program. Clear ID as Radio Huayacocotla by OM 0041. Deep fading at times but overall good signal. NRD 535D R 75 R 7 Noise reducing antenna (Robert Wilkner, Pompano Beach, Florida, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non]. He notado que aqui en la ciudad de México, la señal de Radio Mil 6010, está completamente interferida por un zumbido o ruido desde las 0100 hasta las 500 UT aprox. también he podido escuchar que parte de esta interferencia es por una emisora religiosa (Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Jan 22, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Bien podría ser la interferencia de LV de tu Conciencia de Colombia; es la única religiosa en español que opera en dicha frecuencia. Aquí, lamentablemente, es dificilísima la escucha de Radio Mil; nos interfiere la Radio Inconfidência de Brasil. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, ibid.) Amigos, por aquí en Italia LV de tu Conciencia es la muy regular, en los 6010.9v. Desde esta "pequeña" diferencia el silbido que escucha Héctor. Saludos (Francisco Luis Clemente, ibid.) ** PAKISTAN. RADIO TO BE MADE "MORE PEOPLE FRIENDLY" Islamabad, 21 January: The Minister for Information and Media Development, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, has highlighted the need for making Radio Pakistan a more friendly and effective mode of information, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported. In an address to the officers and staff of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation [PBC] Shiekh Rashid Ahmed said, young blood having fresh ideas, coupled with the capabilities to meet the challenges in the field, should be part of the production centre at Radio Pakistan. Radio Pakistan should be made more people friendly as far as information and entertainment is concerned. An effort should be made for radio to attain the status of an all time companion, equally among the rural and urban population. APP also reported, that it is a false impression that TV has a bigger audience, and added that radio is still more effective and commands a larger listenership. It was announced that Radio Pakistan will make arrangements to upgrade it's Islamabad station to become a 24-hour broadcaster, and that existing budget allocations for programming within the news-sector would be doubled. Speaking live earlier at the FM 101 Studios, he said that his ministry is dedicating effort into making this channel more effective. Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said, he was impressed with the performance of the FM broadcasts, and there was a need to have more dedicated FM channels in other parts of the country as well. The minister was informed that PBC owned a chain of 25 Radio Stations in almost every corner of the country. The FM services catered for around 96.5 per cent of the total population. The chain of FM-101 channels which were introduced initially in three cities: Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore has now been extended to eight cities including Quetta, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Sialkot and Peshawar. By 2010, he said, 22 more cities would be having the FM-101 network, the news agency reported. Source: Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1143 gmt 21 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. 6324.4, R. L.V. DEL DESTINO. Nueva Cajamarca. 1030-1045 Enero 23. Música con el Comunero de los Andes, enviando saludos a varios lugares. "5 de la mañana con 45 minutos, el saludo cordial a los amigos campesinos que a esta hora ya están en la sintonía de su radio amiga, La Voz del Destino..." (Rafael Rodríguez, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. FEBC. On 17th December I had the great pleasure of taking part in a prayer meeting and meal with David and Jan Bayliss, Australian workers with FEBC Manila, when they visited Adelaide for a few days. David is working on the digitalisation of FEBC's program production. Jan takes care of the mail in the English Language Department. Although there are no English programs from Manila at present, a lot of mail is still received from English-speaking listeners. Jan deals with reception reports, so if you have any problems in that respect, contact her. Jan said that she sends out QSLs for correct reports. If you haven't received QSLs for your reports, it is quite possible that the reports didn't even reach the station, so try again after a reasonable wait (Robert Chester, Cheltenham, South Australia, Jan 21, EDXP via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. Frequency changes for RDP International Radio Portugal effective from Jan. 13: to Europe Mon-Fri 1700-2000 NF 11740* LIS 100 kW / 052 deg, ex 11800 1700-2000 NF 11960# LIS 300 kW / 045 deg, ex 13585 * co-ch Radio Liberty in Turkmen till 1800 and AWR in Arabic 1800-1900 # co-ch VOA in Arabic 1800-1900 and Radio Farda in Persian 1900-2000 to Europe Sat/Sun 1500-1758 NF 11775* LIS 100 kW / 052 deg, ex 13790 1500-1758 NF 11960 LIS 300 kW / 045 deg, ex 13660 * co-ch SLBC in Sinhala from 1610 and VOA in Portuguese from 1700 1800-2000 NF 9655* LIS 100 kW / 052 deg, ex 13790 1800-2400 NF 9880# LIS 300 kW / 045 deg, ex 13660 * co-ch VOA in Russian # co-ch Radio Kuwait in Arabic till 2130 to Brasil Sat/Sun 2000-2100 NF 11905* LIS 100 kW / 215 deg, ex 21655 *co-ch VOA in Arabic till 2100 and Radio Tashkent in German/English (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DXLD) Incredibly incompetent frequency management! (gh, DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO. Sunday, February 2, 2003 - WBMJ-1190, San Juan, PR and WIVV-1370, Vieques, PR will conduct a DX test from 12:00-2:00 am AST (11:00 pm-1 am EST) [0400-0600 UT]. This test will be run simultaneously on both stations. At 11:59 pm AST, the stations will come out of a youth program - "Life on the Edge" - and then run a minute of DX information, including Morse code IDs. Then the stations will return to their regular programming from the Moody Broadcasting Network. The same procedure will be repeated at 12:59 am AST and 1:59 am AST. WBMJ will be broadcasting at 5 kW; WIVV at 1 kW. Reception reports (with return postage) may be sent to: Bert Johnson Operations Manager WBMJ Radio/WIVV Radio P.O. Box 367000 San Juan, PR 00936-7000 E-MAIL: bjohnson@cem-wbmj.org (Arranged for the IRCA CPC) (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. SA`UDI ARABIA/UK: SA`UDI OPPOSITION SAWT AL- ISLAH RADIO OBSERVED ACTIVE Between 15 and 21 January 2003, the Sa`udi opposition's Voice of Reform [Sawt al-Islah], the radio of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), was observed on both shortwave and satellite. The Movement is an anti-Sa`udi organization based in London. Sawt al-Islah broadcasts on both satellite and shortwave. Although the satellite feed is 24 hours daily the shortwave feed has only been heard on 9925 kHz between 1830 and 2130 gmt. When heard the shortwave feed is in parallel with the satellite feed. On satellite it is observed in digital format with good reception via Hotbird 6, at 13 degrees east, frequency 11.096 MHz, horizontal polarization. The satellite feed has also been noted off the air on occasion. Announcements indicate that on shortwave it broadcasts from 2200 to 0000 Sa`udi Arabian time (1900-2100 gmt) and that it can be heard on 7590 kHz. Checks on this frequency have proved negative. Programming Programmes last about five hours and are repeated throughout the 24- hour broadcasting day. They consist of talks and discussions, all critical of the Sa`udi regime and ruling family. Dr Sa'd al-Faqih, the head and spokesman of the movement, holds long discussions on subjects related to Sa`udi Arabia. The topic of discussion on 20/21 January lasts for around two hours and deals with the issue of the pilgrimage to Mecca. It is entitled: "The Sa`udi government's performance during the hajj season." It argues that the Sa`udi government fails to organize the hajj and serve the pilgrims in an efficient way. Al-Faqih says: "Our regime lives on misinformation and lies. When you expose this misinformation and these lies you will expose the schism between the regime and religion. You will demonstrate the regime's lies on the issue of implementing Islamic law, on implementing the Koran and the Prophet's tradition, and on the issue of monotheism. If we demonstrate that this regime is ruling by polytheism and infidelism and that it fights Islam, we will expose the regime and break this psychological barrier." Al-Faqih also answers listeners' questions. Programming also include readings from the international press on Sa`udi Arabia and remarks by prominent commentators on Sa`udi affairs. The only music heard on 20/21 January was a two-minute, religious song at the end of the programmes lamenting the state of affairs in Sa`udi Arabia and the Islamic world. Programmes and discussions are interrupted to accommodate a 10-12 minute news and press review. Slogans are occasionally heard promoting Sawt al-Islah. "The Voice of the Islamic Movement for Reform is a necessary step to break the unjustified barrier of fear that the rulers planted in people's hearts. Any participation by you is a continuation of efforts towards removing this barrier." In remarks he made during one of his discussions at 1055 gmt on 21 January, Al-Faqih describes the Sa`udi regime as "the ugliest regime" in the world in terms of its "racial discrimination," in humiliating the citizens, and in "considering the House of Sa`ud super-humans and the people slaves and servants". Announcements The radio carries the following announcements at the end of its programmes: "This is the Voice of Reform, the radio of the Islamic Movement for Reform [al-harakah al-islamiyah li al-islah]" and "the Islamic Movement for Reform is your arm by which you can effect some changes. Contribute whatever you can to save the country from the plot that is in store for it." It also announces the following contact details: Tel + 44 208 4520303, Fax: + 44 208 4520808 and E mail: radio@islah.org The Movement's web sites are located at http://www.miraserve.com and http://www.islah.org Both have Arabic and English versions. According to Al-Jazeera television, the station was launched at 1900 gmt on 7 December 2002. [Note: The Movement calls itself in Arabic "al-harakah al-islamiyah li al-islah" [The Islamic Movement for Reform], with the word Islamic describing the Movement rather than the reform. However, in English it identifies itself as the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia.] Source: BBC Monitoring research 21 Jan 03 (via WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES. David Bayliss [see PHILIPPINES] reported that FEBA Seychelles will be closing during 2003. The main reasons for closing are: (1) The antennae have come to the end of their useful life and it is too expensive to replace them. Also, housing is encroaching on the antenna site, bringing with it some concerns about electro-magnetic radiation from the antennae. (2) Power and licence costs are extremely high. It is felt that the wisest use of supporters' money is to close the station completely and buy time on the facilities of other broadcasters. It is anticipated that most of the transfer will take place by the end of June 2003, depending on arrangements with suitable stations. David said that the BBC is also finding it very expensive to stay in the Seychelles, so it seems that they will close their station, but no timeframe is known for that. I haven't heard anything definite about the BBC closing. However, I suggest that if you haven't yet QSLed FEBA and the BBC Seychelles, then send some reports now. This may be your last opportunity to QSL SW broadcasts from the Seychelles (Robert Chester, Cheltenham, South Australia, Jan 21, EDXP via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: The "S-Files" looks at religion in the Viking Age Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: In "Studio 49" the future of the monarchy and gay and lesbian adoptions Sunday: Another chance to hear "Sounds Nordic" on a new Swedish web portal, Eurovision Song Contest hopefuls, and Therese Grankvist (SCDX/MediaScan Jan 22 vias DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. There have been various reports in the last time about a speech program on 4050 kHz when usually the "Hit shortwave" program was heard at other times. If any reader of this mailing list has or will make a recording of this speech program, I would be glad to receive a short excerpt of it for further analysis, especially as far as the language is concerned. The timeslot in question has been especially 0300-0330 and 1730-. Thank you very much. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Vilnius, Lithuania, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U K [non?]. Hello! Looks like BBC seriously plan to serve North America on short wave, using the DRM standard. At least, transmissions are on the air 2 h/day now in 49 mb. More details later on (Magnus Wiberg, Jan 19, dxing.info via Henrik Klemetz, DXLD) Hello (again)! The frequency should be 6010 kHz at 00-01 and 04-05 UT. Anybody who heard it ? (Magnus, Jan 20, ibid.) Magnus is the frequency manager at R. Sweden. I expect these are just more DRM limited-span tests. Could this be Sackville? They also use 6010 for relaying RN in Dutch (analog) between those times (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. GERMANY: Bible Voice Broadcasting Network/BVBN/ via Wertachtal, 250 kW / 120 degrees: 1900-1930 Thu on 9470 in new language - Arabic, ex in English (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. New additional transmission for Voice of America in Kurdish from Jan. 15: 1800-1900 on 6115 BIB 100 kW / 105 deg, 11805 and 12030 MOR 250 kW / 075 deg (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, Jan 22 via WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DXLD) BIB = Biblis, Germany; MOR = Morocco ** U S A [non]. 3985 RFE/RL testing via ? 0519-0533/0552-0601*01/22 Russian. Continuous talks with piano music between items. Ham QRM too much by 0533. Re-check at 0552 to a clear signal with OM talk and field reports, music between items. Solid "Radio Svoboda" ID, announcement at s/off. Fair/poor (Scott Barbour, Jr., NH, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A. Hi! To the WWCR web-site maintainers: Why, oh why did you change the PDF-format schedule pages from the previous fine four-page format to the new 8-page design? Some of your listeners use public- access computers, like I do here at the local library to access your web site. Some of these have to PAY for each page printed! (Luckily, the city libraries here print for free, but the county ones charge per-page.) You had a nice, compact 4-page format before, economically putting the maximum data on each page. Your new format is wasteful and no improvement. Please return to the 4-page format or at least offer it as an alternative to the new 8-page layout. (Even if you don't have to pay per-page, why waste paper? Who would want to have to shuffle through 8 pages when 4 would suffice?) (Will Martin, Saint Louis, Missouri, Jan 21, cc to DXLD) ** U S A. Joe, I haven't heard the WHRI Angel 2 transmissions on 13760 or 5745 in about a week. Has something changed, is something wrong, or is it likely just my conditions (Donald Wilson, North Hollywood, CA, to Joe Brashier, WHRI via DXLD) Donald, Angel 2 is down for repairs. We hope to have it up soon. Many of your evening programs from 6PM to 10PM Eastern time have been temporarily moved to 7.580 MHz [WHRA]. (Joe Brashier WHRI, Jan 20, via Donald Wilson, DXLD) ** U S A. 1670, KHPY CA, Moreno Valley 1/16 1956 [EST?] noted with Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" totally alone in KNRO's null. 1959:30 gave ID and made the announcement that this was their first day of broadcasting. Also noted that they would be dropping power at 2000 and to tune back at 7 am PST for return to full power. Went to and ad for "Penny Saver" and at 2001 singing ID "KHPY Moreno Valley 1670," into an oldies song I didn't know. Easily nulled from KNRO. Cut power at 2002 but signal remained good for a few minutes more before lessening, still alone in KNRO null at 2008. Thought it would be harder to dig out from KNRO (Donald K. Kaskey, San Francisco CA, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** U S A. 1710, Lubavicher Radio (presumed) -- Site unknown. Jan 19, 0150 [UT?] Music and talk in most likely in either Yiddish and/or Hebrew, similar music. SIO=111 Note: this station comes in equally weakly at my home also. There is Lubavich community approx. 12 miles from my home and will see if I can narrow their QTH using a portable receiver on an upcoming Saturday night (Joe Miller, Troy Michigan and/or Brighton State Park Michigan using a Grundig Satellit 800 Receiver, Cumbre DX via DXLD) NY City, unless there is more than one of these (gh) ** U S A. TRUCKIN' BOZO RADIO NETWORK AFFILIATES 570 KLAC Los Angeles, CA 630 KFXD Boise, ID 700 KWLW North Salt Lake City, UT 700 WLW Cincinnati, OH 1030 KTWO Casper, WY 1040 WHO Des Moines, IA 1130 KWKH Shreveport, LA 1170 WWVA Wheeling, WV 1180 WHAM Rochester, NY 1230 WTKG Grand Rapids, MI 1350 KTDD San Bernardino, CA (Art Blair (Boss Bozo), Folsom, CA, Jan 23, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. Listening to WBEN 930 this afternoon, it was announced that WWKB (formerly WKBW) clear channel 1520 in Buffalo is going back to the future.... Danny Nevereth (sp?) in mornings...Hank Nevins (sp?) afternoons and Joey Reynolds over night. I presume its going back to a music station. I wonder if the apparent success of AM 740 has had anything to do with this. Similarities: 50 kW clear channel, presumably older music, great DJs from the past. And KB was heard over a large area of the East Coast. Coincidence? The new format begins Monday morning Jan 27, 2003. KB was getting killed in the ratings last time I looked. It will be interesting to monitor what effect the format change will have on their ratings. (Fred Waterer, Ont., Jan 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC PREPARING TO OVERHAUL TELECOM, MEDIA RULES From The Washington Post "If All Proposals Are Enacted, Major Firms in Field Will Be Less Regulated and More Free to Expand." By Jonathan Krim, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, January 3, 2003 Over the next few months, a single federal agency will begin to fundamentally alter the nation's communications and mass-media landscape, rewriting a broad swath of rules that affect the choices consumers have for getting online and the variety of television and radio programming they watch and hear. If all of the changes being reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission are enacted as proposed, major telecommunications and media corporations will be less regulated, and more free to grow, than at any time in decades. The rules in question govern how much telephone companies need to open their lines to competitors for local phone and high-speed Internet service, set restrictions on how many TV and radio stations can be owned by one company, and determine whether a company can own both newspapers and TV stations that serve the same community. FCC officials say they expect to begin making decisions as early as February, after more than a year of intense debate and lobbying over sharply different visions of the best way to spur growth and competition in the country's information economy. Opponents of the proposed rules fear that, taken together, they ultimately could lead to a few powerful conglomerates controlling the flow of electronic information, from programming of television and radio news and entertainment to owning the pipes that connect people to the Internet. Those pushing for the changes argue that the old rules fail to account for emerging technologies that can provide a wealth of diverse information and means of communication. Burdensome regulation has stunted their deployment -- particularly of high-speed Internet access -- these people say, and this in turn has hampered recovery of the battered technology sector. "We've teed up a lot," said Michael J. Copps, one of two commission Democrats. "It's high noon at the FCC." With the stakes high, the corporate owners of three of the nation's major TV networks came together yesterday to call on the FCC to abolish its ownership rules. Viacom Inc., which owns CBS and the Paramount movie studio, joined with News Corp., owner of the Fox TV network and the 20th Century Fox studio, and NBC/Telemundo in arguing that the regulations are no longer needed given the "wealth of media available to virtually all Americans." Proposed rules often are modified through negotiations among the commission's five members, and FCC officials insist that final decisions have not been made. But analysts are increasingly convinced that, for the most part, the deregulatory agenda of Chairman Michael K. Powell will prevail, marking a definitive turn from the policies of the FCC during the Clinton administration. Powell and Republican commissioners Kevin J. Martin and Kathleen Q. Abernathy have a 3 to 2 majority, and while they don't always vote in lock step, they are in general philosophical agreement that less regulation is beneficial. Meanwhile, Powell's most powerful and ardent critic, Sen. Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.), lost control of the Senate Commerce Committee when the Republicans won a Senate majority last month. At one hearing last summer, Hollings all but called Powell a shill for big business in general and the large regional telephone companies in particular. Although the FCC is an independent agency, Congress controls its purse strings. Taking over the Commerce Committee is Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who championed Powell's nomination to the commission in 1997 and who shares his deregulatory instinct. McCain has promised hearings on several of the issues the FCC is grappling with. "The political environment has shifted significantly," said Nancy Kaplan, a Bethesda-based telecommunications consultant. "We'll see just how strong Powell really is." The commission's existing regulatory regime also has been under attack by the courts, which have issued key rulings challenging the commission's requirements on the sharing of telephone networks and its limits on media concentration. In an interview, Powell rejected the notion that he seeks mindless deregulation, or that the contemplated changes would necessarily shift the media and telecommunications balance in dramatic fashion. "No industry is so fraught with impassioned histrionics as this one," he said. Congress requires the commission to review many of its rules every two years, Powell said, and to toss out those that cannot be justified as providing benefit. But Powell said he is determined to keep the Internet relatively free from the decades-old, tightly regulated framework of local telephone service. He also disparages claims that changing FCC rules will mean open season for consolidation that will stifle competition. "That assumes that the antitrust division takes a pill and goes to sleep," said Powell, who once worked in that Justice Department division. He added that the FCC will continue to evaluate mergers to determine whether they are in the public interest. He cited the agency's recent rejection of the proposed buyout of Hughes Electronics Corp.'s DirecTV by satellite competitor EchoStar Communications Corp. as one example. But industry experts, consumer groups and several major technology companies aren't convinced. "The most important thing the Powell commission will do is eliminate all the rules that proactively prevent telecommunications and media companies from entering new lines of business," said Blair Levin, an FCC official in the Clinton administration who now analyzes regulatory policy for the investment firm Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. "We are clearly going to have a lot of consolidation. The question is, is the nature of technology such that we can still get the vibrant competition that you would want?" Paul Misener, vice president of global public policy for Amazon.com Inc., who also worked at the FCC, said it is "an operating assumption" in his industry that there will be fewer Internet access providers in the future. Misener said the direction the FCC is headed creates the likelihood that while consumers will have a choice between high-speed Internet technologies -- via cable or souped-up telephone service known as DSL -- there will be only one or two Internet providers within each technology. That prospect has Amazon, Microsoft Corp. and a coalition of other technology companies worried that those gatekeepers could prevent users from looking at certain content. © 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. NYC REBUILDS WITH A NEW TV TOWER IN NEW JERSEY A broadcast tower almost a half mile high to replace the structure lost when terrorists felled New York's World Trade Center could rise across the Hudson river in New Jersey. This, as an alliance made up of eleven broadcasters release a report as to why they favor proposed site in Bayonne over one in Jersey City. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more: -- In a 17-page letter to New Jersey's environmental commissioner, the broadcasting alliance says the new tower would restore quality television reception for about three quarters of a million people in the metropolitan area. This is especially important to the region`s poor and elderly who cannot afford to pay for cable or satellite reception. And the alliance called the Bayonne site far superior in terms of size, security, environmental concerns, cost and construction timetables. And the group`s president, Edward Grebow said the $200 million project would also be a boon to construction workers in the region. He also noted that the city of Bayonne wants to make the tower a central element in plan to transform the location into an area of offices, homes, stores and marinas. In addition to its television antenna system, the alliance suggests that the structure might also be used for scientific studies. This could include long term investigations into weather, climate and air pollution. If constructed the new tower would not only become the world's tallest free-standing structure. It would also be the worlds tallest broadcast tower built at near sea level. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, reporting. -- While New Jersey has the support of the region`s broadcasters, other locations are still believed to be under consideration by local politicians and community leaders (ARNewsline from listener reports Jan 17 via DXLD) ** U S A. BROCHURES DEFAME MLK, JR. Reporter: Andy Schroeder Owensboro, KY January 21 -- White power leaflets are turning up on Owensboro doorsteps, delivering scathing criticism of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It's not really clear who is behind the fliers. The brochures entitled "The Beast as Saint" began showing up stuffed in doors and mail boxes Monday. The 30-paragraph pamphlet targets the slain civil rights leader --- calling him a communist, plagiarizer and sexual degenerate. It's turned up on the doorsteps of mostly white families and appears to be totally unsolicited. The text of the hand-out comes from a white power radio show called American Dissident Voices. The pamphlet directs readers to a web site for the Aryan group known as the National Alliance. Did it stir up racial sentiment in Owensboro? The response so far seems to be no . "They just sneakily slide it under your door and hope that you read it and join their cause---but they didn't get anyone to join it here," Richard Thomson said. "It's not really worth mentioning," Rev. Larry Lewis said. "It's not worth the paper it's printed on." Whoever distributed these won't likely face any charges. This sort of speech is protected by the First Amendment and there is no city ordinance prohibiting its solicitation in Owensboro. The best advice that's out there...if you don't like it, put it in the trash (WTVW FOX 7 News, Evansville IN, Jan 22, via Ulis Fleming, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Radio Amazonas muy variable en frecuencia, para demostrarlo sólo 2 días: el 18/01, estaba en 4939.8 y el 19/01 en 4939.6 (Adán Gonzálex, Catia la Mar, Venezuela, Jan 21, WORLD OF RADIO 1166, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. OPPOSITION, SUPPORTERS OF CHAVEZ FIGHT IT OUT ON THE INTERNET In Venezuela, the explosion of cyberspace as a centre for political confrontation began in 2001, according to researcher Morelis Gonzalo Vega, a Venezuelan newspaper has reported. Rapid dissemination of information is one advantage of the Internet but hacking into the web sites of one's opponents is also a way of putting that means of information out of action (the Venezuelan Ministry of Defence web site has been out of action since 8 December 2002 since it suffered an attack by hackers) or disfiguring it to provide false information. The following is the text of a report by Froilan Fernández published by El Nacional web site on 22 January; subheadings as published: One of the flagships of the opposition on the Internet is called Comacates.com [group of military commanders, majors, captains and lieutenants], a forum with up-to-the-minute updates on incidents related to the six-week-old strike. Meanwhile, on an opposing navigation channel [i.e. web site], the Revolutionary People's Assembly, the tanker Aporrea.org anchors with frequent dispatches in favour of the government and against "the squalid ones [a general derogatory term for the opposition] and the carmoníacos [a derogatory term for supporters of Pedro Carmona, who was declared interim president in the short-lived coup of 11 April 2002 and is now in exile in Colombia]." An examination of political propaganda sites similar to these, of which there are now more than 100, including e-mail forums, reveals new forms of political activity and the development of advanced expertise among webmasters and hackers, which guarantees continuous operation and neutralizes computer attacks by opposing groups. The explosion of cyberspace as a centre for political confrontation began in 2001, according to researcher Morelis Gonzalo Vega, who gave a presentation on the subject at the 1st On-line Congress of the CyberSociety Observatory, held on the Internet last September. Gonzalo Vega concurs with sociologist Tulio Alvarez that most ventures are personal initiatives, begun by cyberactivists who decide to provide a service to the groups to which they belong. Fernando Núñez Noda, a technology columnist and manager of ContenidoDigital.com, says that the political activism of the future will develop on the Internet. "What is most striking about the web is its effectiveness as a vehicle for political information," Nunez Noda says. A political activist, he says, can distribute a crucial document in a matter of minutes to thousands of people, each of whom can then re-send it to everyone in his address books with one click. This effective flow of information follows Metcalfe's Law to a tee, says Núñez Noda: "The effectiveness of a network grows exponentially according to the number of nodes or members of the network." A byte war The impassioned proclamations for or against the government are accompanied by two kinds of attacks: those meant to put enemy sites out of service and intelligence and counter-intelligence operations. In the archives of Aprorrea.org there are records of various incidents of attacks on government web pages, several of which occurred in mid- December. One description reads: "(08/12/02) The Ministry of Defence http://www.minidefensa.gov.ve page was hacked, presumably by computer terrorists from the opposition. We demand a rapid investigation as well as sanctions against those responsible." There are similar descriptions of "disfiguring" attacks (replacement of the original content with propaganda material) on pages belonging to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Venezolana de Television [state- owned television station], the Foreign Ministry and the National Assembly. The Ministry of Defence web site is inactive and one sees the following message there: "This site is being updated and is out of service." We find a notorious case of disinformation in the attack on the New York Bolivarian Circle [CBNY] web site, managed by Juan Carlos Medina. This web site was hosted on the free MSN server but an opposition hacker managed to get the administrator's password, which then prevented Medina from ever accessing his own web site again. The site now displays an apocryphal letter from Medina in which he renounces Chavism. Later, Medina created another site for the CBNY. Look who is sending messages Although anti-government web sites have been immune to attacks from hackers who sympathize with the government, such hackers have been very productive in infiltrating forums and sending misinformation that at first glance appears to have been sent by well-known members of the opposition or the media. Globovisión, Venevisión and El Nacional, among others, have made it clear to their audiences that they do not send e-mail messages. A recent example of this tactic: A message on a Globovisión letterhead, entitled "Survey makes politicians tremble," describes an alleged poll by the PolitikaPerú site on current voting preferences among Venezuelans. "The data provided by the famous survey service has made the directors of the [opposition] Democratic Coordinating Board change their strategy every time President Hugo Chávez's image improves in the study." E-mail political forums are more numerous than web sites dedicated to the subject, says Morelis Gonzalo Vega mgonzalo@cantv.net "Sometimes, updates of web sites occur at a furious pace and there are repetitions of contributions from multiple users. E-mail discussion lists allow calmer processing of information and, in this sense, they are more effective." Regarding the heated tones used on political web sites, Gonzalo Vega points out that "oral expression predominates there". He feels that the extreme language may be used to "release energy" and, in his opinion, serves as a catharsis for activists. Sources Núñez Noda, Fernando. Conspiracy on the Web. Published in the daily Tal Cual from 24 April to 29 May 2002. http://www.contenidodigital.com/articulos/tc-politica.htm Gonzalo Vega, Morelis. Cyberpolitics in Action: Venezuela is Also Fighting a Battle on the Web. 1st Online Congress of the CyberSociety Observatory. 9-22 September 2002. http://cibersociedad.rediris.es/congreso/com/ms/g14gonzalo.htm The following is a short list of the most prominent political sites. In the documents listed above, as well as on some of the following sites, more exhaustive lists of links may be found. Pro-government sites: Aporrea.org: http://www.aporrea.org Anti-squalid ones sites: http://www.antiescualidos.com Sovereignty: http://www.soberania.info Alternative media portal: http://www.geocities.com/pmavl/ National Forum: http://www.foronacional.gov.ve Rebelion.org: http://www.rebelion.org Pro-opposition sites: Democratic Coordinating Board: http://www.coordinadorademocratica The Firefly: http://www.gusanodelaluz.com We Want to Choose [Spanish: Queremos Elegir; a civil association] : http://www.queremoselegir.org Civic Alliance: http://www.alianzacivica.com Justice First: http://www.primerojusticia.net Comacates: http://www.comacates.com Democratic Military Officers [Spanish: Militares democráticos] (bilingual): http://www.militaresdemocraticos.com Sailing in turbulent waters If we take a step back from the current political situation, says Fernando Núñez Noda fnunez@contenidodigital.com we can see that political activity on the web allows accelerated democratization by providing access to information. "The ethical use of political information on the web will bear fruit for those who handle it properly." Núñez Noda points out that there is a considerable gap between the traditional parties, which have not been able to master the new tools, and the newest groups that do make intensive use of the new technologies. Some examples of effective cyberactivists, according to Núñez Noda, are: Justice First, Project Venezuela, Minister Felipe Pérez Martí and Elías Jaua. Some prototypes, according to Gonzalo Vega, are: Aporrea.org (pro- government) and The Firefly (opposition). Disfigured pages The most common attack on a web site is the so-called disfiguration, i.e. replacing content with offensive or propagandist information against the site. Every time someone asks to view a specific web page, there is an exchange of codes between the computer requesting the page and the site which hosts it. The everyday user does not see these codes but there are freely accessible tools on the Internet with which more advanced users can identify all the components running the web site: its operating system, the software handling the contents of the web page or the e-mail server, among others. Once the web site's technology platform has been identified, the hacker attempts systematically to gain control of the site through the known vulnerabilities of each of its systems. There are hundreds of security holes which a meticulous webmaster can close if he kept up to date on the updates continually published by software companies as the problems are made public. Also, configuring a web site is a complex process, in which any carelessness or inexact combination of certain parameters can inadvertently create a "back door" for hackers, who constantly monitor a set of sites in order to detect their weak points. Administrators also use tools to establish records of access. This software informs the administrator when there is an attempt to gain access to key archives, which are those that are generally the target of malicious attacks. "Disfiguring web pages is not the only goal of hackers," says Jose Blanco Oliver, manager of MonitoreoWeb.com There are also attacks, he says, against DNS [Domain Name Server] servers which control web page addresses. An attack against a DNS server can take users requesting a specific web page to another that contains offensive or pornographic content. "The original web page is not affected but the user is taken to another site every time he wants to access the site that has been attacked, which also means that there has been a failure on the part of the administrators." Source: El Nacional web site, Caracas, in Spanish 22 Jan 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. John probably a sub-harmonic of 32.24 [sic] MHz. Some of these baby monitors operate up there or on 27145 or 27095. Probably it is extremely close to where you are (Robin VK7RH Harwood, Tasmania, swl via DXLD) Heard on 16620, so double that is 33240 – does that fit for baby monitors, or the third multiple as previously suggested? (gh) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ WHAT A DIFFERENCE A RADIO MAKES, by Bruce Atchison We sure have it good here in North America. Even our prisoners have a standard of living far higher than many third world people. Our pampered convicts would cringe if they suddenly were transferred to a prison such as the one in Kabwe, Zambia. Through a program sponsored by a religious rights organization called Voice Of The Martyrs, I received an address of a Christian inmate and contacted him. Geoffrey Sakala was very surprised and delighted when I wrote and even offered to send him a few things to ease his time in jail. Geoffrey and I have been corresponding for almost a year and he's told me a lot about his daily experiences. For example, the cell he's in is only 3 by 2 meters. The single window is a very small opening near the ceiling which is not much better than an air vent. He shares the cell with 5 other men due to the shortage of space in the Zambian prison system. There's no toilet in the cell so the men must use a chamber pot. No toiletries are provided and very little food is served to them. They have no TVs or radios and receive no news papers. In a certain catalog, I spotted a dynamo-equipped and solar-powered radio which needs no batteries. A minute of cranking charges up the radio's built-in battery and it plays for hours. Since it wasn't very expensive, I bought it and shipped it off to Geoffrey, along with some toiletries and a bunch of magazines. Months later, Geoffrey wrote and was so happy to get the receiver. In his most recent aerogramme, Geoffrey said that he now can learn what's going on in the outside world. Since batteries cost as much as a month's wages for some people, this little AM/FM receiver is like a window for my pen pal and his cell mates. Everybody admired the radio and Geoffrey was so happy to receive it. When I think of all the electronic gadgetry I have to entertain myself with, Geoffrey's experience has put things into perspective. Even when I was a child and received my first 6 transistor pocket radio, I still had plenty of other things to keep me amused. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that this relatively inexpensive gift from Canada has made such a difference in the life of an African prisoner. Yours in Christ's service, Bruce Atchison. ve6xtc@telusplanet.net http://gideon.www2.50megs.com http://help-for-you.com (DX LISTENING DIGEST) STAPLES CLOSING OUT GRUNDIG PORTABLES Some Staples office supply stores have placed two of their Grundig receivers on clearance. Both sell for $37.50 where available. The two models are the Yacht Boy 300PE (SKU 477139) and the Porsche-designed G-2000A (SKU 466981). You may need to ask a store manager or associate to search the stock room for remaining models. They are usually locked in a glass case with digital cameras, but many employees know little about the radios, so customers may have to ask an employee to check their store computer and stockroom for remaining radios. Neither is a stellar performer, but they are nice travel portables and might be a fine gift for those new to the hobby (Philip Dampier, NY, Jan 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) GRUNDIG YB400PE After 9½ years of service, several trips to the Kripalu Center and other yoga retreats, and a pilgrimage to India, my 1993 Panasonic RFB- 45 virtually died. One day it was working fine; I was listening to Imus on WFAN in the morning, but at lunch hour I tried to listen to Jim Rome on WGR-550 and found the tuning had completely conked out. (Since CHUM axed the sports, I've been taking my DX rig to work, just to listen to Rome!) Since the cost to have it fixed would be almost as much as a new radio, I chose the latter option. Yesterday I got a Grundig Yacht Boy 400 PE, for $CDN195 at Bay-Bloor Radio, a long- established electronics shop in downtown Toronto at -- DUH!! -- the corner of Bay and Bloor streets. The YB400PE is slightly larger and maybe an ounce or two heftier than the RFB-45, and takes 6 AA batteries, not 4. The jury is still out on battery life. I haven't done any serious DXing on it yet, but so far I like it. It's got some features the RFB-45 didn't have, like a clock display that doesn't disappear when the radio is turned on, 40 pre- sets (RFB-45 had only 18) and a dial light. Of course for serious AM DXing, it won't beat my trusty old 1978 RF-2200 that's been pulling in DX since the Carter administration. What's with the stupid name "Yacht Boy"? Why don't they call it a "Yacht Girl", given the typical male predilection for slapping feminine monickers on cars, boats, and other machinery. Hopefully this YB400PE will pick up as much good karma as my RFB-45 did. Maybe I will take it with me on another Indian pilgrimage, to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, later this decade! 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, Jan 23, hard-core-dx via DXLD) THE HUNT FOR RFI Unjamming a coast harbor. A team of engineers tracked down three rogue television antennas guilty of jamming GPS for months. Link to article in GPS World: http://www.gpsworld.com/gpsworld/content/contentDetail.jsp?id=43404 (via Craig Seufert, NH, swprograms via DXLD) From the article: "Source-2 varied in frequency and level. While on top of the L1 frequency, it had a level of 2106 dBm." 2106 dBm is an ungodly amount of power. An oscillator of the magnitude stated would have consumed enough power to melt the entire California power grid. I hope this paper is not representative of the quality of education being dispensed at the US Navy Post Graduate School. Unfortunately, the authors presented their credentials at the end of the article and four of them should know better. It doesn't say much for the technical prowess of the editor of GPS World either (Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ SEATTLE GET-TOGETHER PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND Bruce Portzer sends word: "Hello Everyone-- It's time for my annual DX Get-together. This year it will be on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 2 p.m. Here's a chance to meet other radio listeners and talk about hobby stuff - medium wave, SWBC, utility, TV/FM, or whatever flavor of listening you like to do. "Feel free to bring stuff like receivers, QSL cards, antennas, and other paraphernalia to show off or demonstrate. Please bring a potluck snack or something to drink. At dinner time, we'll pass the hat around and order some pizzas. "My address is 6546 19th Avenue N.E. in Seattle. It's not hard to find, since the streets are numbered and parallel around here. But if you need directions, let me know. "If you have questions or want to RSVP, my phone number is 206-522- 2521. See you there. (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) THE 16TH ANNUAL WINTER SWL FEST The 16th annual Winter SWL Fest in Kulpsville, PA, is scheduled for March 7-8, 2003. With forums on shortwave, mediumwave, pirates, and—of course -- longwave, the gathering attracts DXers from all over North and South America, and frequently Europe as well. The Winter SWL Fest is sponsored by our sister organization, the North American Shortwave Association (NASWA). For details, visit: http://www.swlfest.com (via Mike Terry, DXLD) 2003 IRCA CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT The 2003 International Radio Club of America convention will be held on June 27-29 at the Best Western Merry Manor Inn, 700 Main Street, South Portland, Maine 04106. Phone number for reservations is 207-774- 6151. Mention the IRCA convention rate of $69 per night. This rate is good for your entire stay during or beyond the convention. The hotel is located near shopping, restaurants, radio stations, tourist attractions, the Portland Jetport, Greyhound bus station, Amtrak, and much more. Registration fee is $35, payable to host Mike Sanburn, KG6LJU. We will be officially welcoming the radio club "Decalcomania" as well. Their website is http://www.anarc.org/decal/ On the agenda are activities including station tours, the official business meeting, prize drawings, a guest speaker, the Saturday night Banquet, with the famous Auction following! The hotel can be viewed at http://www.seenewengland.com/merrymanor Tourist info can be found at http://www.visitportland.com If you've been to one of our conventions in the past, or if you are a first-timer, this is an event that is not to be missed. It is the 40th annual IRCA convention, but it is the first time that it has ever been held in New England. Specific questions can be directed to Mike Sanburn at mikesanburn@hotmail.com or P.O. Box 1256, Bellflower CA 90707-1256 (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) WRC 03 Glenn, Updating the story in EDXP-WBM 280, Venezuela has pulled out of hosting WRC-03. It will now be held in Geneva. See http://www.itu.ch/ Regards (Bob Padula, Ausralia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) EDXC CONFERENCE 2003 Dear Friends, our member club Rhein Main Radio Club has confirmed the EDXC Conference as planned in Germany on August 15th to 17th, 2003. On the newly designed http://www.edxc.org web portal you can find general information, the preliminary agenda and the registration form both in English and in German. Just point at the "Special Sections" menu on the left side of the first page. You will be guided to the Conference 2003 section. The Conference location Königstein is about 15 km North from Frankfurt, in and you find how to get there at www.ktckoenigstein.de The center hosts Congress and Meetings of European banking associations. The place is in very good conditions, with nicely equipped Rooms in a gree[n?] environment enriched by Sauna, Swimmingpool, Billard and every technical equipment.. The EDXC Conference 2003 in Germany is organized by RMRC e.V. in Co-operation with ADDX, AGDX, EAWRC, SWLXS and other DX clubs with the friendly assistance of Bosch Enterprises. The EDXC Conference is a unique opportunity to meet annually the specialists of long distance radio listening from everywhere in Europe. The Conference is the traditional workshop for exchanging experiences and finding new trends and looking at the future of dxing. After focusing on traditional dxing, this year`s conference concentrates on the future of the hobby as well as of Short Wave, Tropical Bands, FM-DX and Free Radio. See you in Germany, 73's (Luigi Cobisi, edxc sg (via Mike Terry, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ GEOMAGNETIC INDICES Phil Bytheway - Seattle WA - phil_tekno@yahoo.com Geomagnetic Summary December 31 2002 through January 20 2003 Tabulated from email status daily Date Flux A K SA Forecast GM Forecast Etc. 12/31 115 6 1 no storms no storms 1 1/ 1 115 8 2 no storms no storms 6 2 118 8 2 no storms no storms 6 3 138 15 3 no storms no storms 7 4 143 12 2 no storms no storms 5 5 148 6 2 no storms no storms 6 6 162 6 2 no storms no storms 7 7 163 8 2 minor minor 6 8 174 6 1 minor minor 6 9 183 5 2 minor minor 6 10 185 12 3 no storms minor 8 11 189 9 3 no storms minor 7 12 173 10 3 no storms minor 7 13 172 8 2 no storms no storms 7 14 164 9 1 no storms no storms 6 15 150 6 2 no storms no storms 6 16 145 5 1 no storms no storms 7 17 142 9 2 no storms no storms 5 18 137 13 3 no storms no storms 7 19 130 17 3 no storms no storms 6 1/20 138 16 2 minor no storms 6 ****************************************************************** (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ###