DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-055, April 1, 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 later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3d.html HTML version of late March issues: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3c.html HTML version of early February issues: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3b.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1175: RFPI: Wed 0700 on 7445 WWCR: Wed 1030 9475 WJIE: Wed, Thu 1300 on 7490 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1175.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1175.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1175h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1175h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1175.html WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1176: Wed 2300 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2130 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1300 on WJIE 7490 (maybe) WORLD OF RADIO etc. SCHEDULES UPDATED FOR THE WEEK OF CONFUSION http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html [above now also has upcoming schedule effective April 6] http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html NEW APRIL EDITION OF NETS TO YOU: http://www.worldofradio.com/nets2you.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Hallo Glenn, Please don't bother about stupid criticisms, you are doing the usual perfect work for all the hobbyists of the world (Dario Monferini, DX editor, PLAYDX) ** AFRICA. Sorry to tell to you this WEB doesn't work.... http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist/ (Dario Monferini, DX editor, PLAYDX, Mar 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re Africa list, last issue: sorry, the server seems to be down today. hope they'll manage soon (Thorsten Hallmann, Germany, Mar 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. RADIO TIRANA BROADCASTS - III CHANNEL FOREIGN LANGAUAGES for the Summer Season a 03 (30 March 2003 == 25 October 2003) [sure hope you`re running nonproportional font --- gh] ============================================================== Nr.|Language|Destinat.|Time-UTC |Tx/Pwr-kW |Frq-khz|Wave|Beam| | | | |Cerrik/100| 9520 | 31 | 310| | | |1845-1900|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Shijak/100| 7210 | 41 | 310| | | England |………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | | |Shijak/100| 7130 | 41 | 310| | | |2130-2200|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Cerrik/100| 9540 | 31 | 305| 1.|English |………………………|………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | | |Cerrik/100| 6115 | 49 | 305| | | |0145-0200|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Cerrik/100| 7160 | 41 | 305| | | U.S.A. |………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | | |Cerrik/100| 6115 | 49 | 305| | | |0230-0300|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Cerrik/100| 7160 | 41 | 305| ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 2.|French | France |1900-1930|Shijak/100| 7210 | 41 | 310| ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 3.| | | |Cerrik/100| 9570 | 31 | 350| |German | Germany |1730-1800|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Fllake/500| 1458 |206 | 338| ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 4.|Italian | Italy |1800-1830|Cerrik/100| 7240 | 41 | ND | ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 5.| | Serbia- | |Shijak/100| 6135 | 49 | ND | |Serbian |Montenegr|2115-2130|Fllake/500| 1215 |247 | ND | ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 6.|Greek | Greece |1715-1730|Cerrik/100| 6130 | 49 | ND | ===|========|=========|=========|==========|=======|====|====| 7.|Turkish | Turkey |1700-1715|Cerrik/100| 6130 | 49 | ND | ============================================================== Note: Programs in foreign languages will be prepared and broadcasted only for six first days of week (Monday to Saturday), while Sunday will be off. PROGRAM OF RADIO TIRANA BROADCASTS - III CHANNEL IN ALBANIAN LANGAUGE for the Summer Season a 03 (30 March 2003 == 25 October 2003) Nr.|Language|Destinat.|Time-UTC |Tx/Pwr-kW |Frq-khz|Wave|Beam| | | | |Cerrik/100| 7110 | 41 | ND | | | |0800-0900|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Fllake/500| 1395 |215 | 33 | | | |………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | |1400-1700|Cerrik/100| 7270 | 41 | ND | 1. |Albanian| Europe |………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | | |Cerrik/100| 7295 | 41 |350 | | | |2030-2200|----------|-------|----|----| | | | |Fllake/500| 1458 |206 |338 | | |………………………|………………………|…………………………|…………………|…………|…………| | | North |2300-0200|Cerrik/100| 7270 | 41 |305 | | |America |---------|----------|-------|----|----| | | |0200-0330|Cerrik/100| 7270 | 41 |305 | Albanian Winter Time=UTC + 1 Albanian Summer Time=UTC + 2 Transmitter sites of Radio Tirana are located on: Cerrik A: 40 N 59'47" 19 E 59'57,9" (40.9963888888) (19.9994166667) each transmission: 2 x 50 kW Shijak: 41 N 19'53,5" 19 E 33'8,6" (41.3315277777) (19.5523888888) each transmission: 2 x50 kW Fllake 41 N 22'11" 19 E 30'17" (41.3697222222) (19.5047222222) each transmission: 1x 500 kW Radio Tirana House is located in the center of the capital Tirana at: 41 N 19'24,3" 19 E 50' (41.3234166667) (19.8333333333) (((rtsh))) rtsh - Radiotelevizioni Shqiptar (Albanian Radiotelevision) TVSH - Televizioni Shqiptar (Albanian Televizion) ``Lek DUKAGJINI`` Street, Tirane, SH Q I P E R I (A L B A N I A) SATELLITE BROADCASTS Programme: TVSH Language: Albanian Time(UTC): 1400–End of TVSH Program (approxim. 23.00 UTC) Satellite EUTELSAT W2 16 East Polarization: Vertical Frequency: 12656.5 MHz Coverage: please see: http://www.eutelsat.com/fr/satellites/16e_popd.html Symbol/Rate: 4883 KSYMB/s FEC: ½ REPUBLIKA E SHQIPERISE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA (((rtsh))) RADIOTELEVIZIONI SHQIPTAR GENERAL DIRECTORATE Technical Directory ``Lek DUKAGJINI`` Street Tirana – ALBANIA Tel/Fax : ++355 4 223650 CIRAF: 28c (Drita Cico, ALR, April 1, via Alokesh Gupta, April 2, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Voice International has launched a new monthly e-mail newsletter --- On Air. It comes as an attachment in PDF version. A printed version is also available on request. Request your copy at: voice@voice.com.au HCJB-Australia is announcing a new post box address in New Delhi: The Voice of the Great Southland, P.O. Box 9149, Patparganj, New Delhi 110091 India. Indian listeners can now save some postage costs!! Regds, (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. This information comes from David Martin & Matt Cook via Topica MWOZ forum. 1467 ex Sport 927 translator in Mildura has become a part of the Easy Listening network //1071 Bendigo etc. 1359 ex Old Gold 1359 is now carrying the Sport 927 program. Possibly Old Gold has sold to Sport 927 who in turn sold 1467 to EZL? Will Old Gold ever QSL......... ? (David Martin) Easy Listening is AMI, who buy the content from SCB. The 1467 licence has been owned by AMI since 3MA (DMG) stopped using it. They just decided to change the content. Old Gold was/is owned by an independent investor, and was managed by a local community media organisation. I imagine the ownership is still the same, but I'm guessing it's now managed by DMG who used to manage Sport 1467. Will Old Gold ever QSL? Have you tried hotfm@hotfm.org.au ? Old Gold is the same people as Hot FM (and 3ML, occasional event FM, a presently unused XBand licence, and a newspaper for that matter). (Matt Cook via David Onley, DXLD) To subscribe to MW Australia Forum. Send blank email to: mwoz-subscribe@topica.com ** BELARUS? Hi Glenn, do you know if this is the interval signal for Radio Belarus`? http://jill.jazzkeyboard.com/radio/belarus.wma (Jilly Dybka, TN, KF4ZEO, Mar 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sorry, I would not recognize that one if I could hear it clearly, and the whine was pretty bad. I can put that in next issue, and/or has someone else identified it by now? (Glenn to Jilly) Yes -- that would be great -- it's on 7210 kHz 11/23/02 at 0200 UT Thanks (Jilly Dybka, ibid.) ** CANADA. CKWX-1130 80 YEARS OLD Today marks the 80th anniversary of CKWX AM 1130 Vancouver. After on air "testing", Arthur J. "Sparks" Holstead and William Hanlon were granted a licence to operate 10 watt CFDC in Nanaimo on April 1, 1923. In 1927 the station moved to Vancouver, and then changed call letters to CKWX. On August 15, 1957 CKWX became Vancouver's first 50,000 watt station on a new clear channel frequency of 1130 kHz. After programming Top 40 in the late 50s and early 60s, CKWX moved to MOR/talk, becoming "Supercountry" in March 1973. In February 1996, it adopted its current programming of 24 hour news, as "News 1130" (from Northwest Broadcasters, April 1 via Eric Flodén, BC, IRCA via DXLD) I recall as a teen calling up C-FUN and telling them that today was their 50th anniversary! (It was, per the list I was using from the BBG (pre-CRTC).) They did not know, and sadly, decided NOT to reward me heavily for my timely news tip (Eric Flodén, BC, IRCA via DXLD) ** CHINA. Hard on the heels of the TRT questionnaire popping through the letterbox [cf. TURKEY] came a 'Survey of Listeners to the English Service' of China Radio, another answers required sheet in questionnaire box-chart format. This one with no less than 29 questions on a double sided half A2 sheet. Personal stuff again, occupation, education, qualification, age from under 9 upwards in eight age bands. This might have been better asked in three bands as 'do you drink milk, coke or beer'. Of course if none it would be hard to fix an age. A feature about this sheet is a reception box which has every CRI frequency preprinted in continental sequence with space alongside to tick good, fair, poor etc. Likewise there's a box for programs and another for announcers (names preprinted). Like filling in a SINPO box. Surveys received at CRI with a pre-May 31st postmark will go into the hat for a random draw for a number of winners. The question again is "Are CRI also testing the water prior to deciding on making cuts?". A word about the current edition of the 'The Messenger'. It states that CRI received a record 1,175,096 letters and e-mails last year to all language services. This is the Year of the Sheep; a full blown feature article appears on page 2 and there's news of an issue of Sheep stamps. There are Winter Games, Forestry and musical features and a couple of personnel profiles. Notwithstanding the claim that they have an abundance of writers the Mail Bag column is a mere shadow of those of the past. Nevertheless the 8 cram-packed pages of the bi-monthly Messenger contain much to attract all who have interest in the Orient (CHRISTOPHER J WILLIAMS, April World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) ** CHINA. China Radio International in English to Af: 1600-1657 on NF 11900* (unregistered in A-03), ex 9870 \\ 9565 *strong co-channel Radio Bulgaria in German to WEu from 1630 (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, April 1 via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. Strong signal with non stop Chinese instrumental music at 2230 UT April 1 on 6285. What is it jamming? Strong signal also for WYFR on 6300 from Taiwan (Roberto Scaglione - South Italy, hard-core-dx via DXLD) http://www.bclnews.it ** COLOMBIA. No hay señales de vida de Radio Melodía en 6140 kHz. Saludos (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. On 1 Apr at 1800 R. Gabon in French on 4777. On 1 Apr at 1805 R. Congo, Brazzaville in French on 4765. (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. PURA VIDA! NEW PROGRAM! (60 minutes) Pura Vida! is aimed towards our German listeners who are interested in Latin America as well as Latin American immigrants who are living in Europe and looking for information about their home countries. Half of the program will be in German and the other thirty minutes in Spanish. The program aims to provide news from Latin America as well as interviews and features about issues concerning Central America that have an impact on the rest of the world. In cooperation with other radio projects such as Onda in Berlin, Germany http://www.npla.de the hosts seek out interesting people and stories from within Costa Rica. Pura Vida! is produced by two German volunteers in the studios of RFPI in Costa Rica. Sun: 1600- Topics: Segment 1 (German): Opinions and Feelings from Latin America on the Iraq War. Features interviews with correspondents in Mexico, Brazil and Dominican Republic, impressions from a anti-war-demonstration in Mexico and interviews with Eduardo Galeanos and the Ecuadorian sociologist Felipe Burbano. Produced in cooperation with Onda, http://www.npla.de (30:00 minutes) Segment 2 (Spanish): Reflections on the anti-war demonstration in San José, Costa Rica on 20, March 2003 (20:00 minutes) E-mail contact: info@rfpi.org (RFPI Weekly Update week ending April 5 via DXLD) Word too late for this week; indeed heard in German at 0415 UT Mon check, when propagation to Germany should be best, tho a bit early by the local clock. The other repeats would be Sun 2200, Mon 1000, neither very promising whilst on 7 MHz only (gh, DXLD) RFPI Putting good signals into the UK from at least 0600 on 7445 (Mike Barraclough, April World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** CROATIA [non]. Croatian Radio returned to 9925 (ex-7285) for the two North American releases via DTK-Jülich at 01-03 (to the East) and 03-05 (to the West); other frequencies used in B02 remain the same (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, Mar 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So also 9925 at 2300-0100 to SAm ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba escuchada en los 9495 kHz con su servicio en español, a la 0152 UT, el 30/03. Señal débil. Sólo ha sido oída ese día (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Hi guys, while your all busy with tuning the war and new frequencies. I`ve been Quito-watching. I hear HCJB with musical mailbag from 0600 to 0630 on new 9860 ex 5965, (Suns) with fair signals. I`m not sure if it`s Pifo or the Euro relay. Their web site will verify this, I guess. Midweek Studio 9 can be heard at this time. No sign of 15185 for their 2000/2200 release, but I`ve only checked on one day (Don Rhodes, Vic., Mar 31, EDXP via DXLD) 9860 is Pifo; big signal here after 0600, as if the NAm service were continuing (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. Looked for R. Cairo`s new English to NAm frequency 11725 on Mar 30, but conditions too bad. Mar 31 checking at 2256, found a weak tone test, of exactly same pitch as 9990, where English presumably ended at 2245. Some music, very low modulation, heard on 11725 after 2300, but severely squeezed by much stronger adjacents, Spanish on 11720, RFE on 11730. 9990 stayed on and started some extremely distorted Portuguese(?) at 2300, seemingly joined in progress, but was off at 2307 recheck. Portuguese is supposed to be on 11790 at 2215-2330, all per sked in DXLD 3-040. Finally checked 11780 ex-9475 at 0200-0330; as expected, Amazônia is still on then with usual big signal, but now at 0225 April 2, something mixing with it in English, presumably Cairo. Signal levels about equal, and if Cairo`s modulation were up to par, they might have a fighting chance. But why fight? Are they on top further east? Cairo progressively lost out to Brasília over the next hour; Amazônia went off at 0340*, too late. Adjacent Martí + jamming on 11775 doesn`t help either. What a sloppy operation Cairo runs. But that`s nothing new (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio El Cairo: Captada con señal regular por los 11790 kHz. Esta emisora egipcia, desafortunadamente durante años tiene un serio problema que no han podido corregir. Se trata de su modulación, la cual es muy pobre. No sé si se trata de su emisor ó de sus micrófonos de estudio, aunque me inclino por la segunda opción, ya que el problema solamente lo he detectado con el Servicio en Castellano y no en lo demás idiomas. Presentaron un programa deportivo en voz de una locutora. SINPO: 33333. 26/03/2003 (Jorge García Rangel, Venezuela, Mar 31, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** EGYPT. Radio Cairo con nuevo esquema a partir del 1ero de abril. En español, de 0045-0200 UT, por los 11790, 11780 y la nueva frecuencia de 31 metros de 11755 kHz (sic). Lo más seguro es que sea un error de la locutora y se trate de los 9755 kHz (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EL SALVADOR. 17835.16, R. Imperial in Spanish, 2308-0300 3/28, Contemporary Christian music with Spanish vocals. Various music styles, including rock 'n' roll. Their modulation has greatly improved, at least on the music selections. However, the audio is distorted when the studio microphone is used. Time checks by a YL at 0039 and 0043, with frequent pre-recorded IDs for their MW outlet. Signal was best between 0000-0058, with SINPO of 34433. NHK interval signal causes QRM at 0058. Still audible at 0300, but much weaker, and with QRM from what sounds like another station in Spanish on 17835 (George Maroti, NY, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) mystery harmonic? [non]. Gone are the days of hearing R. Imperial on 17835v, at least in the 2200 hour. RCI in French there now Mar 31, tho not especially strong here, probably beamed south, but doesn`t take much to block. What can you expect --- R. Imperial was not represented at Sandton, thus does not exist to the HFCC club (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GABON. On 1 Apr at 1800 R. Gabon in French on 4777. On 1 Apr at 1805 R. Congo, Brazzaville in French on 4765. (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. I listened to the LAST English from DW to Australia/Pac (29/3) and expected to hear some sort of announcement. Nothing was mentioned about this being the last English program on short-wave. Monitors have been asked to try for some of the Asian services in English (Don Rhodes, Yarra Glen, Vic., EDXP via DXLD) ** GERMANY. The following can be found on the DW website, trying to put a positive spin on ceasing English to NA, Australia and NZ. A FACELIFT FOR RADIO BROADCASTS IN ENGLISH The English Service of Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's international broadcaster has substanitally improved its programming. The changes were made on 30 March 2003 with the start of summer time in Germany. "News every hour is now our visiting card," says Uta Thofern, Head of the English Service. The English Service now airs 24 news bulletins a day instead of the previous 13. Newslink, the flagship current affairs program, is now broadcast round the clock on weekdays in the form of special editions tailored to meet the requirements of different audiences around the world. There are now three live editions of Newslink for the Asia-Pacific Region, two for Africa, and three for North America and Europe every weekday, with repeats. They highlight not only top world, European and German stories but also news and developments in the respective target regions. "We are now able to cover breaking stories faster and in greater depth than ever before," says Uta Thofern. Changes have also been made to feature programming with an increased emphasis on rebroadcasting successful programs such as Arts on the Air, Living in Germany and Inspired Minds. The same applies to Money Talks or the science program Spectrum. Africa Kaleidoscope, the weekly program for and about Africa, tackles the latest stories and developments and has a sister program, Asia This Week. That means two new 30-minute programs for Africa and Asia. Moreover, development issues have been given a weekly slot with the new half-hour program World in Progress. More attention is being paid to the environment with Man and Environment extended to 30 minutes weekly. "Our team of feature editors now has more time to devote to their successful co- operation with organizations like German Technical Co-operation, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and UNESCO," Thofern says. "And we have a new highlight in our arts coverage with Europe on Stage, a weekly 15 minute program." To date DW-RADIO's English Service has broadcast to all of its target audiences via shortwave. Deutsche Welle has now taken the conditions prevailing on individual media markets into account and has terminated short wave transmissions to North America, Australia and New Zealand (via Art Preis, Ont., Mar 31, swprograms via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Yesterday, I received some information from Radio Deutsche Welle about some special programming that will mark the 50th anniversary of the station: Â On 30 April/1 May, Living in Germany will feature general information about DW, including: their goals, those who make the programs, how Germans see their international broadcaster, and their plans for the future. Â On 28/29 April, Insight will be broadcasting information on the history of DW. Â On 29/30 April, Arts on the Air will be featuring information about the cultural scene at the time when DW was born. Â On 27/28 April, Mailbag will feature stories and memories, associated with DW, from listeners. Â On 1/2 May, Cool will be broadcasting information about young people's reactions to DW. Â On 2/3 May, Spectrum will look at the history of radio (since 1953 at least) from a technical point of view. Of course, times and frequencies for all these programmes are available at http://www.dw-world.de/ 73 (from Cornwall, England, Henry Brice, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. DW Monitoring: March 31 0000-0100 UT -- 7130 kHz. (Trincomalee 250 kW) putting in a good (S9+), listenable, if somewhat shaky signal here. SINPO-54334. QRM from occasional ham stations and some static crashes. 9505 (Trincomale) and 9825 (Wertachtal) not heard as frequencies are occupied by other stations. Program of news and mailbag program. (Signal arriving here from over the northern auroral zone as beam is 345 degrees, which places it eventually right on or near Chicago. At this time of year, it is also riding the day/night grayline terminator, more or less. As season progresses toward summer here, it is unlikely that reception on this frequency will be possible in NA.) [On the Sony SW-07 with whip antenna, SINPO=34333] March 31 0400-0500 UT -- 11945 is again quite good (a solid S9+ on the meter). SINPO=45534. 7225 kHz. has a noisy signal, though measured signal strength is just short of 11945's. (43333--some ham QRM chatter and about an S9 signal, for the most part). Both signals suffer tonight from short, shallow fading.) 15410 is inaudible. Program content: News followed by "Mailbag". (Both audible frequencies originate from Kigali and use 250 kW. 11945 is beamed 30 degrees to the Mideast and East Africa. 7225 is listed as non- directional to the same region.) [On the Sony SW-07 with whip only, 11945 gave comparable results. 7225 was inaudible.] March 31: 0500-0600 UT -- 9700 (via Kigali, 250 kW) with fair signal (S3-S7). (SINPO-34333). Signal weakens over time. Very weak, barely readable signal on 12045. 11925, 13755 and 15410 inaudible. Program: News, Inquiring Minds and music. 9700, Kigali using non-directional antenna to east and central Africa, according to DW-supplied info. [No signal received with Sony SW07 and whip antenna.] March 31 0600-0700 UT -- Best frequency at this hour is 9780 (via Sines, 250 kW to West Africa) with fair signal (S3-S5). (SINPO- 35333). 6140 (via Juelich, 100 kW to Europe) was audible, but (atmospheric) noise level was very high (SINPO-35232). 17860 (via Kigali, 250 kW to West Africa) was weak (S2-S3/SINPO-25332). Program: News and Mailbag program. [No listenable signal received with Sony SW07 and whip antenna.] March 31 1000-1100 UT and 1100-1200 UT -- Nothing heard here; perhaps west coast can hear these transmissions to Asia, but it would be 3 and 4 am there. April 1 0400-0500 UT -- In contrast to the last two days, 7225 has the better signal today (S9+/SINPO=44333). 11945 is notably weaker S3-S5 on the meter). SINPO=35232. 15410 (Wertachtal with 500 kW beamed 135 degrees to the Mideast and East Africa) is again inaudible. Program content: News, Newslink followed by "Insight". (Both audible frequencies originate from Kigali and use 250 kW. 11945 is beamed 30 degrees to the Mideast and East Africa. 7225 is listed as non-directional to the same region.) [On the Sony SW-07 with whip only, 7225 yielded a SINPO=34333. 11945 was inaudible--the reverse situation of the previous night.] April 1 0500-0600 UT -- 9700 (via Kigali, 250 kW) again tonight with a fair signal (S3-S7), but in the clear and offering comfortable listening. (SINPO-34444). Appears to be holding up better tonight than previous nights. Very weak, barely readable signals on 12045, 13755 and 15410. Program: News, Newslink. 9700, Kigali using non- directional antenna to east and central Africa, according to DW- supplied info. [9700 detected with Sony SW07 and whip antenna, but signal too weak to be of any use.] April 1 0600-0700 UT -- Best frequencies at this hour is 9780 (via Sines, 250 kW to West Africa) (S3-S5/35333) and 17860 (via Kigali, 250 kW to West Africa) (S3-S5/SINPO-35433), both with fair signals. 6140 and 15275 barely audible. Program: News and Newslink monitored. [No listenable signal received with Sony SW07 and whip antenna.] April 2 0000-0100 UT -- 7130 kHz (Trincomalee 250 kW) putting in a good signal on the meter (S9+), but the audio is shallow and there is considerable noise perhaps due to reception coming over the pole. SINPO-54233. QRM, again, from occasional ham stations and static crashes. 9505 (Trincomale) and 9825 (Wertachtal) were at least heard tonight, but just barely and under other stations. Program of news, Newslink and a program called "World in Progress", I believe. (Signal arriving here from over the northern auroral zone as beam is 345 degrees, which places it eventually right on or near Chicago. At this time of year, it is also riding the day/night grayline terminator, more or less. As season progresses toward summer here, it is unlikely that reception on this frequency will be possible in NA.) [Was not able to test using the Sony SW-07 this time.] (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY (near Albany), Lowe HF-150 stack, A/D Sloper antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [non]. RUSSIA: Deutsche Welle in Chinese, via Komsomol`sk, was noted here on 15605 kHz with a good signal at 2335 on April 1. It's interesting to note that this is the same frequency and transmitter used for the new English transmission to East Asia at 22- 23... should be worth a try in Eastern North America if propagation allows for any reception from the Russian Far East (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Right now (1025 March 31) Jülich 6140 is again running DRM, so this indeed appears to be a permanent switch. And Wilsdruff 1431 is still on. (Impossible to check the other Megaradio transmitters here in the office.) Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) At 0805 April 1, Jülich 6140 was running in AM with Deutsche Welle English as usual. Meanwhile I was told that 6140 is supposed to run in DRM for six hours a day or something like that. It remains to be seen whether certain times for DRM operation will be established or the switches will occur more or less irregular. Berlin-Britz 6190 was yesterday on until I lost reception around 1900. Today there was at 0645 a faint carrier on 6190 which could have been anything. At 0805 I could not trace any signal on 6190, but 6005 was very weak at this time, so I cannot say for sure if the plug was really pulled in the meantime. And: Megaradio is still on mediumwave, at least on 1431 right now (0900). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Next update at 1939 UT: 6140 kHz --- There are designated times for DRM operation: 1000-1300 and 1600-1900, see http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/drm_latest.html 6190 kHz --- No further knowledge so far. Dieter Leupold quoted the senior engineer of the Berlin-Britz site, in case you wonder how trustworthy his ROI report was. Megaradio --- The transmitters are still on but apparently the webhoster lost his patience: The server 195.30.254.131 belonging to http://www.megaradio.net and http://www.megaradio.de is unreachable while http://www.megaradio.com now connects to broken parts of a Microsoft presence (``Vielen Dank, dass Sie Microsoft® Windows NT® 4.0 Option Pack installiert haben``´). Posters in a bulletin board refer to http://infoworld.shinewelt.de/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1 for a statement on this matter, but the links on this page only lead to an unreachable server too (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. WOLFGANG BUESCHEL sends in some research he has done on German external service transmission sites. The Oosterlog transmitter site, near Bremen on Germany`s Northsea coast, was a very special German radio installation. It was first erected for private commercial radio transmissions to England, rented through the British firm Air Time Limited, before World War Two started, similar to the Radio Luxembourg 232 kHz outlet. A large directional antenna farm was built at the site, capable of using any frequency in the range 400 to 1030 kHz. The purpose of the station was changed in World War Two to a Nazi propaganda mediumwave station towards England. There were two transmission current beam masts 150 metres high, four reflector masts 120 metres high and four additional 120 metre high director masts. The site was used for BBC transmissions on 1295 after World War Two which were then moved to Crowborough, later replaced by the current Orfordness transmissions. The site was dismantled by NWDR Hamburg, the public broadcaster, in 1949/50 and simultaneously NWDR erected maritime radio equipment. German Foreign service transmissions started from Oosterlog using a small 20 kw unit on August 1st 1950, main target was the Soviet zone of Germany to boost the NWDR 971 medium wave programme to the East. The British zone military commander gave a licence for a fuller German external service and tests started from Oosterlog on December 24th 1952 to five continents at three hours each with 20 kw using the 16, 19, 25 or 41 metre bands. Deutsche Welle was inaugurated and started from the site on May 3rd 1953 with two 20 kw units. The Max Planck Institute planned a new shortwave centre and the Julich site was built up and started with 100kw units on April 1st 1956. The two 20 kw units were moved from Oosterlog to Juelich in 1959. A medium wave outlet of Deutschlandfunk towards Scandinavia, Benelux and Great Britain was planned from 1964 by Deutsche Bundespost, now Deutsche Telekom. Test broadcasts on 1268 kHz were first observed in May and June 1967 from reserve units at Koenigslutter and Mainflingen. From August 4th 1967 these were from new 300 kw units at the Neumunster Ehdnorf site. Correspondence with Funkschau magazine in July 1967 revealed that Deutsche Bundespost asked the hobby press to keep the matter confidential due to the co-channel station at Novisad, Yugoslavia. Officially Deutschlandfunk from Neumunster started with 2 300 kw transmitters, 600 kw in total, on October 24th 1967. The two antenna masts were screened towards Yugoslavia at 140 degrees. Foreign services on medium wave had started already in 1963 via Mainflingen 1538 but Benelux, UK and Scandinavian services were moved to the 1268 transmitter from January 1968. // MIKE BARRACLOUGH adds "I can remember well the start of Deutschlandfunk English programmes on 1268 kHz; reception of them varied throughout the year in the UK as they were transmitted in the early evenings. At times they were well received; however in some months the Novi Sad transmitters caused interference problems. I have a red yellow and black Deutschlandfunk pennant in my collection; they sent a number to the World DX Club to distribute to members when the 1268 service first started. World DX Club¹s first editor, Alan Thompson, started a fortnightly DX programme on their English service in 1969 which ran for many years." (April World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) ** GREECE. Voice of Greece ``Orientations`` programme in English heard 0930-1000 March 31st on 12105 and 15630. Sunday only ``It`s All Greek to Me`` heard March 30th 1800-1900 on 9420 15630 [should also be Delano 17705 but I didn`t check yet --- gh], English news and features programme 1830-1900 heard on 12110 (Mike Barraclough, UK, WDXC Contact via DXLD) ** HAITI. (Cont'd) I have been informed directly from Port-au-Prince that R. Haïti Inter stopped its (AM and FM) broadcasts on Saturday February 22. On March 21 examining magistrate Bernard Saint Vil submitted his "final" report on the assassination of Jean L. Dominique, the station's owner - with "no revelations", according to journalist associations. Moreover, no charges were laid against Senator Dany Toussaint, previously held responsible by the former magistrate on this case, Judge Claudy Gassant, presently in the US. Several people are being held in prison on charges related to the killing of Dominique and his bodyguard, Jean Claude Louissaint, but no light has been formally shed on those who masterminded the shooting, which took place in Pétion-Ville, a mostly residential town on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince on April 3, 2000. Dominique's widow, Michèle Montas, announced she would be appealing the report's findings, otherwise the process is likely to open in April. Mrs. Montas declared that for the time being, due to the threats received, the station would not resume its broadcasts (Victor C. Jaar, QC, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. WORLDSPACE NEWS I note that the RBC (Rohit Broadcasting Corporation) channel is now carrying a continuous announcement saying that RBC is no longer on AfriStar. In just the last few days, the Radio Sawa channel (AfriStar east beam) has at last got a proper display ID --- SAWA. Up till now the display ID had been PKONE ever since I first spotted it almost three months ago. However, the coded channels PKTWO, PKTHREE and PKFOUR are still there on AfriStar east with no further clues to their real identity. One can`t help wondering if they may also be US government broadcasts. The Radio Sawa audio is still rather poor -- sounds as if they are using a very low bit-rate. [probably four different R. Sawa versions --- gh] NPR is currently uncoded. I heard them announcing that this was just for the month of March, after which they would go back to being encoded. They said existing subscribers (I wonder how many there are of those) would have their subscription period extended by a month as compensation (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, April BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) For more on satellite television monitoring, see Loren Cox`s report below under IRAQ and non ** IRAN. MEDIA BEHAVIOUR 2300 GMT 31 MAR - 0600 GMT 1 APR 03 Iranian radio's external service broadcast two commentaries after its 0030 gmt news bulletin. As it has been the case with the broadcast media, both commentaries took a hardline view of the US-UK war on Iraq and, unlike the reformist press which have been criticizing Tehran's passive and pro-Iraqi stance, praised Iran's current stance. The first commentary dismissed Powell's recent remarks on Iran as yet another "old-time baseless claim", but noted "certain objectives" behind its repetition. The second, while acknowledging the "harm inflicted by Saddam on Iran-Iraq relations", highlighted the common elements of the two neighbouring Islamic states, and called on the US and the UK to respect the lives of civilians and religious sites, particularly the towns where Shi'i imams are buried. Iranian radio's first morning bulletin of news, lasting five minutes, at 0230 gmt, was dominated again by factual war reports, in particular reports on differences among US officials, prolongation of the war, global anti-war demonstrations, and the Iraqi civilian casualties. Reporting the death of seven Iraqi civilians, the radio said: "The American military claimed that the civilians had ignored their command to stop and fired on them. The American news sources failed to mention that the victims were women and children." The detailed news bulletin at 0330 gmt was dominated by foreign agency reports on the war, including an Al-Jazeera report on George Bush senior joining the critics of the war, and asking his son to halt the war. Neither of the two domestic radio morning bulletins mentioned the report on a vehicle crashing into the gates of the British embassy. There were no commentaries after the 0330 gmt bulletin. Two-minute factual news summaries on "the latest developments in Iraq" were broadcast at 0430, 0530. The 0530 bulletin cited a Pentagon report that Saddam's family members intend to leave the country. The radio noted that the report was part of the "continuing psychological war by America against Iraq". (BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. New clandestine via Norway - Voice of Iran in Persian: 1800-2057 on 7525 (55555) via KVI 200 kW / 120 deg to ME, not \\ on 11575 1630-1830 via ISS 500 kW / 090 deg !!!!! [FRANCE] (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, April 1 via DXLD) ** IRAN [non] Questions on End of Iraqi-based Clandestines Re: ``IRAN [non]. Iraq: After UK troops took the R&TV building in Basra today afternoon, some of the clandestine stations stopped their broadcasts: Voices of Mojahed Revolution and Comm. Party of Iran on 3880, 4380 kHz (V. of Revolution last time heard today at 0230-0330 in Kurdish). KOMALA on 3930, 4615. Iranian Kurdistan 3975. Radio Kurdistan on 4140 vary (Mar 27). (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Mar 28 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD)`` This is confusing; can you guys clarify? Voice of Mojahed Revolution, I haven't heard of this station, does he mean Voice of the Iranian Revolution? and Comm. Party of Iraq, Voice of Iranian Communist Party? KOMALA, Voice of Komala, yes? Iranian Kurdistan, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, yes? Radio Kurdistan is the station of the Kurdish Socialist Democratic Party; isn't this party in opposition to the government of Iraq? If so, why would it be coming from Basra instead of a site in Iraqi Kurdistan? (Johnson) ``IRAN [non]. IRAQ-IRAN. The Voice of Mudjahidin of the People which spreads programs towards Iran has it seems stopped emitting . . . . (machine translation via Bernard Chenal, France, March 29, fixed up a bit by gh for DXLD)`` Still a confusing item, seems to refer to Voice of the Mojahed. Better website is http://www.mojahedin.org/Pages/seda/index.html where I couldn't get their audio files to play just now (Hans Johnson, LA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Heard an interesting item at the end of Monday`s The Current on CBC Radio One; apparently this blogger is well known, but I had not heard about him: Baghdad Blogger While the world has been watching bombs fall on Baghdad, a growing community of people on the internet has been following a different Baghdad story ... the story of Salam Pax. Salam is the author of a web diary called 'Where is Raed?' Over the past few months the Baghdad-based writer has posted updates on his website about the build-up to war and the beginning of the bombing campaign. And they powerful eyewitness account or an act of the imagination? We may never know, for the author of those words is apparently missing. No new writing has appeared on the website since Monday March 24th. The mystery of his whereabouts ... and the greater mystery of his identity ... have created a frenzy of speculation on- line. Technology journalist Paul Boutin has been following this drama from the beginning. He was in New York. You can find out more about Salam Pax's weblog http://www.dearraed.blogspot.com Listen to The Current: Part 3 audio link at http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/2003/200303/20030331.html BTW, it`s usually frustrating trying to listen to CBC Radio One morning programs, getting one server alert after another, trying station after station, especially in the initial Atlantic zone feed (when the show is also on RCI), and must try +1/2/3/4 hours later or go back to the archive as above; see also USA Sawa (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ [and non]. INVENTOR ANGRY OVER IRAQ RADIO CAMPAIGN By Dominic White and Adam Jay (Filed: 31/03/2003) Trevor Baylis, creator of the clockwork radio, expressed outrage yesterday that American forces have been using his invention in Iraq to "spread propaganda". Mr Baylis, whose wind-up invention was originally used to spread awareness of HIV in South Africa, said he was dismayed to hear that.... http://www.dailytelegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2003/03/31/cnradio31.xml&sSheet=/money/2003/03/31/ixfrontcity.html (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. March 27th: The Times reported that 3000 wind up radios had been smuggled into Basra and tuned into an Arabic speaking station broadcasting coalition messages. A further 5000 were said to be on their way. March 31st: The Radio 4 Today programme carried a feature on the Royal Marine¹s psyop unit. They interviewed Lt. Colonel Colin Mason who is running Radio Nahrein (spelling?) on 100.4 to Basra. They broadcast pop music and messages reassuring the population that the troops are not going to go away, as in 1991, and that humanitarian aid is available and is only being held up by the Republican Guard. Colin is deputy chairman of Choice FM in civilian life (from a chronology by Mike Barraclough, April World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** IRAQ. BBC Radio 4's "Today" programme today (31st March) had an item called "Good Morning Iraq" about the British PsyOps operation in southern Iraq, Radio Nahrain. You can hear an on-demand recording of this item at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/listen/listen.shtml If you visit the website after the 31st, you will need to use the "Search the Sound Archive" feature to find the clip. Regards, (Dave Kernick, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The individual clip file was not (yet?) found. I then spot checked every few minutes in the entire half hour programme, and still did not find it. Must be quite brief. How far into the show is it? (Glenn Hauser) It was about 50 minutes into the two hour programme (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, It's actually a 3-hour programme, but there's a link to the specific "Good Morning Iraq" item in the "Today's Choice Clips" column. However, the bad news is that it doesn't work! I've informed them so hopefully they'll fix it soon (perhaps it'll fix itself when it goes into their archive tomorrow), but if I have to I can probably obtain a recording elsewhere. Regards, (Dave Kernick, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re my recent e-mail about the "Good Morning Iraq" item on BBC Radio 4: Sorry guys, I now find that the audio file is not accessible on their website due to a dud link - they have been informed. It may be accessible anyway when it rotates into their on-demand archive tomorrow, let me know if you're still having problems with it after tomorrow (Dave Kernick, UK, Mar 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ [non]. 9715, Information Radio, 0150 Mar 31, talk in Arabic by OM and YL, many mentions of Iraq, occasionally cutting to Arabic- language music, full ID as "Radiyo al Ma`ulumat" at 0218; mixing with Radio Portugal until 0200, then suffering from splash from Tunisia on 9720 after 0200; signal strength poor, about 50% intelligibility; first time I've heard them since the war started; first time since the war started that solar flux is above 150; seems to be in AM- compatible USB (USB + carrier, LSB suppressed) (Ralph Brandi, Tinton Falls, New Jersey, USA AOR AR-7030 Plus, 250-foot mini-Beverage, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** IRAQ. OF FEAR AND TRUST --- The tricky task of a `psy-ops` campaign is to both scare the enemy --- and gain his trust By Brian Braiker NEWSWEEK WEB EXCLUSIVE March 26 ``To avoid destruction, follow Coalition guidelines,`` reads one of the approximately 20 million leaflets dropped on Iraq in recent weeks. ``Display White Flags On Vehicles … Personnel Must Gather in Groups a Minimum of One Kilometer Away From Their Vehicles … [Do] Not Approach Coalition Forces.`` http://www.msnbc.com/news/891263.asp?0cv=KB20 (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. MIND OVER MATERIEL IN THE BATTLE TO SWAY IRAQIS, DID THE U.S. MILITARY PSYCH ITSELF OUT? By Joel Achenbach Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, March 29, 2003; Page C01 Dan Kuehl believes in psyops. He's a professor at the National Defense University, at Fort McNair, and he's an expert in psyops, or psychological operations, a subset of information operations, also known as information warfare. He knows that psyops is a highly evolved, technologically sophisticated variant of what was known, in more primitive times, as propaganda. That doesn't mean that it involves lying. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45206-2003Mar28.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) BTW, for those unfamiliar with names in English, Jilly is almost certainly a woman. ``Jack and Jill``, being the quintessential boy and girl (gh) ** IRAQ [and non]. NEW PSY-OPS FREQUENCIES SUGGEST EMERGENCE OF NORTHERN FRONT - CRW analysis The Clandestine Radio Watch e-mail newsletter on 31 March published the following analysis by its correspondent Nick Grace: New frequencies used by US and allied propaganda radio programmes airing against Baghdad suggest an aggressive campaign is in the works to "soften" the regime's presence in and around northern Iraq - leading to the opening of the northern front. The two stations, Information Radio, which is broadcast from the airborne EC-130E Commando Solo aircraft and produced by US and British special forces, and Voice of the Iraqi People, which began broadcasting in 1991 from Saudi transmitters and has been tied to US and Saudi intelligence, began pumping out psy-op messages in the 4 MHz range late last week. Although the 4 MHz frequency range is not known to be used by Iraq state-run radio, it is notable for its extensive use by opposition radio stations based in Iraqi Kurdistan: 3900 kHz Voice of the Iraqi People (Iraqi Communist Party) [1700-1800 gmt] 3975 kHz Voice of Iranian Kurdistan (Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan) [0300-0500 gmt] 4025 kHz Voice of the People of Kurdistan (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) [0300-0400?, 1600-1800 gmt] 4025 kHz Voice of the Liberation of Iraq ("Iraqi opposition") [1830- 2030 gmt] 4085 kHz Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan (Kurdistan Democratic Party) [1900- 2200 gmt] 4140.6 kHz Radio Kurdistan (Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party) [0300-0500 gmt] 4175.8 kHz Voice of Independence (Kurdistan Conservative Party) [1700-1800? gmt] 4245.2 kHz Voice of Kurdistan Toilers (Kurdistan Toilers Party) [0300- 0500? gmt] 4380.9 kHz Voice of Communist Party of Iran (Komala) [1700-1800? gmt] 4615 kHz Voice of Komala (Revolutionary Organization of Toilers of Iranian Kurdistan) [1700- 1900? gmt] Source: Monitoring between November 2002 and March 2003 Information Radio, veteran Egyptian monitor Tarek Zeidan noted on DXing.info on 28 March, has begun using 4500 kHz around approximately 1800 gmt. The Voice of the Iraqi People was also heard the same day on 4785 kHz at 1900 gmt. The majority of coalition psy-op broadcasts have focused on southern Iraq since the US began airing Information Radio in December 2002. The sudden use of 4 MHz by the two stations coincides with the arrival of 1,200 paratroopers from the US Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade on 26 and 27 March. The troops, according to military officials interviewed by the Associated Press, are tasked with securing oil fields in Mosul and Kirkuk, coordinating paramilitary activities conducted by Kurdish rebels, and opening the drive to Tikrit - where the bulk of Saddam Husayn's notoriously loyal Republican Guard units are believed to have positioned. Small US Special Forces A-Teams have long been active in Northern Iraq to train Kurdish peshmerga forces and are believed to be jointly running a station called Voice of the Liberation of Iraq with the CIA. The station, which launched on 21 February, is allegedly broadcast by the "Iraqi opposition" from Sulaymaniyah via the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's Voice of the People of Kurdistan. A high-level source in the Iraqi opposition based in Sulaymaniyah, however, has repeatedly told Clandestine Radio Watch that "no one here seem to know" about the broadcasts. The Voice of the Liberation of Iraq's programming is consistent with messages broadcast by Information Radio - with two major exceptions. It broadcasts in both Arabic and Kurdish, and only broadcasts patriotic martial music during its daily two-hour broadcast. Its programming, in fact, is highly reminiscent of the CIA's Operation Sherwood, which applied intense pressure on Guatemala's leftist government in 1954 through radio broadcasts representing a notional (fictitious) guerrilla group. The existence and nature of the station suggests that Washington seeks to create the perception of a united Kurdish-Arab force that, with coalition assistance, will lead the march into Tikrit and Baghdad. The Voice of the Iraqi People, of which little attention has been paid to recently by radio monitors, is also clearly playing a role in the conflict. Begun in March 1991 following the Gulf War, the station's cover was blown by the New York Times when it was reported to broadcast from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a staff of 40 journalists. It has broadcast regularly since then on 5897, 9563, 9750 and 11710 kHz. Achraf Chaabane reports that the Voice of the Iraqi People also blankets Iraq with similar psy-op messages that are broadcast from Information Radio and Voice of the Liberation of Iraq targeting the regime's armed forces. "Act now," the announcers urge enlisted conscripts. "Leave your military units... There is no time delay... The dictator, Saddam, is the cause of all of your problems." The degree of coordination between the Voice of the Iraqi People and coalition pro-democratic propaganda had previously been unknown. Its sudden use of 4785 kHz leaves little doubt that the station is also participating closely in the "shock and awe" campaign over the airwaves - especially now with the emergence of the northern front. While radio is beginning to be used extensively against the regime's positions in northern Iraq, psy-op television broadcasts are increasingly hijacking Baghdad TV's channel. The TV interference, according to Brig-Gen Vincent Brooks during a Central Command press conference on 28 March, is a method of "disrupting command and control. Jamming is only one of them, and we use that when we believe it's appropriate." The Japanese newspaper Asahi reported on 29 March that Arabic- language messages over soothing music and videos of "non-Arab announcers" reading anti-Saddam statements "from the allied forces" have been seen regularly. "Iraq will enjoy freedom after the end of the war," one interruption promised. "You can choose YOUR government freely..." Another message, according to the report, said that "US troops have already arrived in Baghdad... Shi'i Muslims started uprising to topple Saddam regime." Said another: "Our attack is to liberate the people of Iraq... We solely target military facilities... Iraqis will enjoy prosperity in the future." Commando Solo's television capabilities are no secret since it has broadcast psy-op TV programs for Serbia in 1999 and Panama in 1989. More recently, the Chicago Tribune alleges, it inserted a still image cartoon that depicted Saddam Husayn and his children as rats over Baghdad TV in February. Psy-op programming in southern Iraq, meanwhile, has undergone changes. Central Command revealed on 28 March that the coalition now broadcasts television programming that can be received throughout southern Iraq and even Baghdad. In addition, it was officially announced that British psy-op troops broadcast an AM radio station from Umm Qasr. According to DXing.info's Mika Makelainen, reporting from Doha, the British psy-op program actually broadcasts from Commando Solo and targets remaining elements of the regime's military in Basra on MW and FM. To date, Commando Solo's Information Radio broadcasts have yet to begin Kurdish-language broadcasts. With the sudden launch of programming adjacent to Kurdish opposition radio stations it is likely that Kurdish announcements for civilian listeners will commence on the new 4 MHz frequency once hostilities have spiked. (via BBCM Mar 31 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. MEDIA BEHAVIOUR ROUND-UP 1630 GMT 1 APR 03 On the night of 31 March-1 April Iraq Satellite Channel was observed to broadcast all night on Hot Bird at 13 degrees east, Arabsat at 26 degrees east and Nilesat at 7 degrees west , with occasional interruptions in the signal, showing its normal blend of repeated news conferences: songs, concerts and poems in praise of Saddam Husayn; military march pasts; scenes of Saddam meeting the people and images of war. This is the first time in a week that the signal has not faded or gone off the air overnight. The channel continues to be observed by BBC Monitoring as of the time of writing. Republic of Iraq Television, the domestic service, has not been observed by BBC Monitoring since 1500 gmt on 24 March. However, BBC correspondents and international news agencies reported from Baghdad that Iraqi state TV had read out a statement on the morning of 1 April from President Saddam Husayn. Republic of Iraq Radio was observed on 909 kHz from 0615 gmt on 1 April and was traced on 603 kHz, but remains unheard on other known frequencies. Voice of Youth remains unheard on all recently used frequencies. US-run Information Radio continues to be heard using 693 and 756 kHz mediumwave, 4500 and 9715 kHz shortwave and has been continuing past the previous sign-off time of 2000 gmt. Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan was heard broadcasting US-led forces' messages to the Kurdish people in English and Arabic on 4085 kHz on 31 March (BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. From Media Behaviour 2000 UT April 1 to 0010 UT April 2: Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service overwhelmed from 2010 by Sanaa Republic of Yemen radio on 909 kHz. The radio station remains unheard on the known medium-wave frequencies of 558, 603, 693, 846, 963, 1044 kHz and known short-wave frequencies of 11788, 9750, 11765, and 15230 kHz. Source: BBC Monitoring research in Arabic 1 Apr 03 (via DXLD) Known? Those last few non-heard ones are new to me. We are also not hearing Iraq on countless other frequencies ;-) (gh, DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. US-RUN RADIO FREE IRAQ EXPANDS BROADCASTS | Text of report by Czech newspaper Hospodarske noviny on 26 March headlined "We do not transmit American propaganda to Iraq, [Radio] Free Europe claims" Prague - Latest news from the battle front near the southern Iraqi city of Al-Nasiriyah, an International Red Cross statement on water supplies to Basra, a statement by Iraqi government officials about the Ango-American dream about an easy war having been shattered, Russia's warnings against global repercussions of the Iraqi war - news items like these were beamed to the war zone from Prague-based Radio Free Europe [RFE] yesterday. Since the war started, RFE has been broadcasting to Iraq for 12 hours a day. Editors of the Iraqi service have added a night shift and a day shift and did away with morning repeats of programmes from the previous evening. "Reporters who are now in Baghdad confirmed to us that the signal is clear and strong ," says David Newton, director of the Iraqi service. Newton had served as US diplomat for 36 years, 22 of them in the Middle East. In the eighties he was US ambassador to Iraq. Is the American side using RFE for propaganda against Saddam Husayn? RFE spokesperson Sonia Winter denies this categorically. "Our mission is to broadcast news and disseminate information that is objective, balanced, and complete. Interfering in our broadcasts with the aim of influencing their contents is inadmissible and illegal. Only our editors, reporters, and the RFE management decide what goes on air and they do so on the basis of strictly defined principles of professional journalism," Winter said. To see the operation of the news service with one's own eyes is not possible these days. Chief of the Iraqi service Newton concedes through the spokesperson that this is partly for security reasons. "Many of our reporters broadcast under a pseudonym. They do not want the press to write about them, they refused to grant interviews even before the war. Moreover, in the present circumstances we are under great pressure. We are ourselves in a journalistic state of war," he says. The Arabic and English-language transcripts of all news that RFE broadcasts to Iraq can be found on the http://www.rferl.org website. It is evident from these texts that Iraq and its supporters receive adequate space to convey their positions. RFE broadcasts to Iraq in Arabic, yet for the daily 30-minute news bulletin it also translates the news into Kurdish. Moreover, its editors also broadcast two hours a day to England for the Iraqi minority in exile. "We do occasionally get feedback from our listeners, especially from Kurdistan in northern Iraq. However, for understandable reasons we cannot systematically monitor how many people listen to our broadcasts and whether their number is growing or declining," says Newton. A total of 11 editors work for the Iraqi service in Prague. The radio has a network of correspondents in the capitals of countries neighbouring on Iraq, in western Europe, and in the United States. It now also has six collaborators in northern Iraq (via BBCM Mar 31 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. RADIO DRAWS IMAGE OF WAR THAT'S WORTH 1,000 TV SHOTS Kenneth LaFave, The Arizona Republic, Mar. 29, 2003 12:00 AM What's the best way to follow a war? That's a trick question, because the answer is right in front of you --- isn't it? The best way to follow a war is to read about it, in newsy detail, followed by more reading, this time analytical. But we're talking broadcast media here, and the vote must be for radio or television. Mine is for radio because, while on TV you can see things blow up, on radio you can, if you listen carefully, be transported to the periphery of the explosions. On CBS radio, one reporter noted that in certain parts of Baghdad the air-raid sirens have been knocked out. When attack is imminent, Muslim clerics position themselves high in their minarets and incant warnings to the people. That's an eerie mental picture worth a thousand night-vision shots on TV. There's been some talk of this war being the first "designed for TV," but I'm not so sure. The first for television was certainly Vietnam, though it wasn't designed that way. This does seem to be the first war designed for a phalanx of armchair generals to discuss ad nauseam on many cable TV networks. One reader said she thought TV news anchors and commentators tend to treat the war with a sports attitude she finds offensive - a kind of "Now the Seventh Cavalry has the ball on the Iraqi 30-yard line" approach. Well, as was once said of the Brits, "Empire was won on the playing fields of Eton." Another reader said listening to war reports on radio was superior to seeing them on TV because she could take hearing about bombs going off, but did not wish to watch them actually do their damage. • Tony Femino, formerly of KTAR-AM (620) [Phoenix AZ] and now of Oxford University, has signed on to cover European reaction to the war for his old station. As Femino travels Europe with his Oxford diplomatic studies group, he will file reports to be heard on KTAR on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/arizonaliving/articles/0329media29.html 73 (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. During the United States invasion of Iraq, there have been numerous press accounts that USA clandestine transmitters at first rebroadcast pirate relays of licensed Iraq stations, subsequently replaced by clandestine versions of those same Iraq stations once the licensed transmitters were destroyed by USA bombs. As has always been the case, the US government is opposed to unlicensed broadcasting, unless the government itself is doing the broadcasting. This has been the essence of clandestine radio broadcasting for many years (George Zeller, OH, Clandestine Profile, April A*C*E* via gh, DXLD) More from GZ under U S A ** IRAQ [and non]. Shall wring me a rune from this werriable werre? By Loren Cox, exclusive to DXLD Had anticipated viewing a version of the Iraq activity via the Iraq Satellite Channel on Telstar 5 (Ku/digital), but it went down shortly after hostilities began. Before it went away altogether, programming would be interrupted with color bars, the programming being the usual paeans of praise for the Black Knight of Araby (as I dubbed S H in 1991), scenes of the populace exhibiting patriotic fervor and news in Arabic (no English: ISC usually had a news bulletin in English around 2200 UT). For some time ISC audio had been weak and distorted. While the channel was down a ``TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES`` chyron was on the screen. Tho` the satellite channel was down, Iraq TV remained on the air in Iraq (being accessed by other Arabic and western networks.). But today (3/25), when I checked around 2215 UT, I noted that ISC was back up with good video (no sparklies as there had been, indicating that a weak analog signal was being uplinked), and improved audio. But the transmission was exhibiting freeze-frames and `tiling`, and periods of digital dropout that increased in duration. (The problem wasn`t in my receiver, the little green light indicating the downlink I was receiving was still radiating.) The channel returned with the same type of programming featuring S H and scenes of patriotic fervor, but also with scenes from around the world of war protesters and news being read by men in uniform. Virtually every television network, both foreign and domestic, is providing at least considerable partial time coverage of this ``werriable werre`` -- the ultimate in ``reality TV`` provided by those ``embedded`` reporters with their videophones. And wasn`t it clever of the Pentagon to make them a part of the action instead of what they are supposed to be: observers of the action attached to no particular military unit, such an attachment presumably becoming emotional with an attendant loss of objectivity --- a reporter identifying with the object of his reportage. Reality TV? But: ``Humankind cannot bear very much reality`` (T.S. Eliot) --- at least the American portion thereof? I mean --- what if they saw the incident of apparent execution of members of a U.S. military maintenance unit as they were seen on Iraqi and Aljezeera television? (note: I spell Aljezeera as it appears on their transmissions) --- I having seen and taped the grim footage from Aj/ --- no doubt available on the internet, but the American networks won`t touch it, or only slightly, CNN showing the bodies strewn on what was apparently a Bagdad morgue floor but without closeups of the individuals. Also shown was interrogation of five captives, one a woman, a bit of which has been shown on the U.S. networks. Unfortunately, I don`t have 24 hour access to Aj/, receiving it part time on another Arabic language channel, ART LATINO on PANAMSAT 9 (C/D). Aj/ has two channels on P 9 (C/D), one NTSC and one PAL, but both encrypted (available by subscription). Despite the Administration`s unhappiness with Aj/, it doesn`t appear to me, of itself, to have a dedicated agenda. Is an operation like Aj/ any less an example of ``free & independent media`` than is NBCCBSABCCNNMSNBCFOX? In some ways, despite cultural differences it may reflect, it may be even more so? --- certainly no less so. Aj/ has an English language service available via the internet; already attacked by hackers. Of all the channels/networks, foreign and domestic I`ve been viewing for war coverage, my vote for the best would be BBC WORLD (PANAMSAT 9 [C/D]), normally encrypted, but FTA [free to air] since the beginning of the war. Two audio channels run, one for TV audio while the other is carrying BBC WORLD SERVICE radio. For DBS subscribers in the U.S. (DISH Network), who receive BBC AMERICA, BBC WORLD can be viewed on that channel. By 0200 UT March 27, I see that BBC AMERICA is not carrying BBC WORLD; gone back to their generally innocuous programming. Besides Aj/ another Arabic language channel providing excellent war coverage is ABU DHABI TV from the UAE (Telstar 5 [Ku/D]. In watching the U.S. networks you`ve no doubt seen footage provided by Aj/ and ABU DHABI TV (e.g., the fireworks over Bagdad). Also on Telstar 5 (Ku/D), providing 24 hour war coverage is NILE TV INTERNATIONAL, with programming in English, French, Hebrew and Arabic. Other international channels providing considerable war coverage include CCTV 4 (Chinese) and CCTV 9 (English) ---quite good from what I`ve seen --- and DEUTSCHE WELLE TV (in English, Spanish and German) --- both channels on PANAMSAT 9 (C/D). Another channel that definitely should be watched in regard to the war is FREE SPEECH TV, available on the DISH Network, Ch. 9415. ST is now carrying both hours of Paciica`s ``Democracy Now``. FSTV is providing needed perspectives and information about the war and what it`s all about that you won`t hear on the commercial networks and PBS. For radio coverage of the war there`s no competition for the BBCWS. Play on patriotism/inculcate bloodlust in the American heart --- the role of so much of the American media, working not only for ratings but as the handmaiden of an Administation agenda framed by certain intellects, the objective of which is a Pax Americana ---``pre- emptive`` wars being required to achieve that --- a subset of the Pax being Israeli preeminence in the Middle East? To keep with this essentially ``Neocon`` program MSNBC had to fire Phil Donahue, his ``libeal`` views being not only an embarrassment in time of war but costing them viewers. Tho` I like Phil and many of his views, I never cared or his style. (To be a ``liberal`` just isn`t patriotic; not to care for Mr. Bush just isn`t patriotic.) MSNBC, to outfox Fox in appealing to the hard right has employed the obscenity who calls himself Michael Savage. (Interestingly, Savage`s book, `The Savage Nation`, and rambunctious leftist Michael Moore`s book `Stupid White Men`, are two and three on the New York times best seller list. What sort of split in the American mind does that indicate? Moore was a guest on Donahue`s program, as was the unreformed old liberal (must be in his 90s now) and one of my alltime favorite people, Studs Terkel.) Old Ezra Pound once said: ``Was are started by men who couldn`t put up a good hen roost.`` Addendum 3/27: Despite a second bombing of the Iraq television facility, Iraq television remains on the air, tho` reportedly with a ``shaky`` signal. The ISC was absent for most of yesterday on the Telstar 5 feed, disappearing altogether after episodes of digital dropout; however, this morning it was back up with no ``tiling`` or dropout. At 1300 UT there was a newscast delivered by a man in uniform. Oops --- just as I was watching an instant of ``tiling``: at the moment a man in uniform interviewing other men in uniform, evidently anxious for the fight. In regard to what we`re really finding out with all of this unprecedented television coverage with scenes of Bagdad fireworks and videophoning with firefights in progress: someone has quoted Eric Sevareid`s remark: ` `There are times when one word is wroth a thousand pictures.`` (Turn off the TV and try BBCWS radio.) Can we say: The ruling class has finally gotten the war it has wanted? But will the rewards it expects really be there? We who lived thru most of the 20th century observed the U.S. leave that century as the world`s only ``superpower``; but will those who live thru most of the present century see its decline & fall? (Those parallels with Rome.) Pax Universalis / (Loren Cox, Jr., Lexington KY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. AS TROOPS POISED OUTSIDE BAGHDAD, CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES READY FOR PROSELYTIZING, "HUMANITARIAN" INVASION Will Bibles And Praying Be Linked To Food, Assistance? Christian "relief" agencies have announced that they are stockpiling food, water and other humanitarian assistance to help refugees and other victims of war in Iraq. That news, however, has many Muslims wary or outraged, and even worries some Evangelical organizations that their fellow missionaries may mix religion and material help in an effort to proselytize Iraqi citizens. At the center of this emerging controversy is Franklin Graham, son of prominent evangelist Billy Graham, who heads the North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse. Graham's organization is poised on the Jordanian border where, according to news reports, truckloads of emergency supplies and equipment can be moved into Iraq "in a matter of hours." The younger Graham told reporters that he is waiting for clearance from U.S.military authorities, and is also prepared to deal with a possible influx of refugees. In an interview published last week on Beliefnet.com, Graham was cagey about charges that he and other Christian relief planners would exploit the dire situation in Iraq to promote sectarian religion. "We realize we're in an Arab country and we just can't go out a preach. I believe as we work, God will always give us opportunities to tell others about his Son.: "We are there to reach out to love them and to save them, and as a Christian, I do this in the name of Jesus Christ," added Graham. Ibrahim Hooper of the Washington, D.C.-based Council on American- Islamic Relations, though, raised questions about Christian missionaries exploiting human tragedy and using a superficial "humanitarian" relief effort to push their religion. "They go after them when they're most vulnerable and hope they can get them to leave their faith," Hooper opined. "It's a very despicable practice." Hooper also warned that permitting a flood of eager Christian relief works and preachers into a devastated Iraq with plans to convert the population to Jesus worship could result in "a public relations disaster" for the Bush administration. "They are coming into a situation where vulnerable people don't have food, shelter or clothing," he added. Graham was in spin-control mode after his initial announcement that he and others were planning massive aid programs in Iraq. He told USA TODAY, "I would not take advantage of these people in their hour of tragedy to force them or coerce them to make them Christian converts. I don't do that at any time." But a statement from Samaritan's Purse International Projects Director, Ken Isaacs, was less reassuring. "We go where we have the opportunity to meet needs," he told Newhouse News Service. "We do not deny the name of Christ. We believe in sharing him in deed and word. We'll be who we are." At the offices of the National Association of Evangelicals, there is concern over Graham's plan for a conversion-cum-relief operation sweeping into post-war Iraq. "Evangelicals need to be sensitive to the circumstances of this country and its people," warned Richard Cizik, vice president for governmental affairs for NEA. "If we are perceived as opportunists we only hurt our cause. If this is seen as religious freedom for Iraq by way of gunboat diplomacy, is that right? I don't think so. If that's the perception, we lose." Problems Mixing Relief Work, Sectarian Proselytizing But like other Christian "relief" groups, though, Graham's organization has previously exploited political and humanitarian crises to advance a hard-shell Christian agenda. In his 1995 autobiography, "Rebel With A Cause," Graham boasted how he managed to flood the Persian Gulf region with Arabic-language Christian tracts and Bibles in anticipation of Operation Desert Storm. Hooper charges that this is part of a "deceitful track record," and violated Saudi Law. At the time, Saudi Arabia was a major staging point for U.S. military planners. Samaritan's Purse reportedly ignored repeated complaints from both military authorities and the International Red Cross. In 2001, Graham's organization received $50,000 from the U.S. Agency for International Development "for the purchase and distribution of emergency supplies." The agency also provided another $202,069 for Samaritan's Purse to construct "temporary shelters" in El Salvador for those may homeless by an earthquake that ravaged the region. A press release dated March 7, 2001 from the AID headquarters in Washington noted "that representatives of Samaritan's Purse preceded instructional demonstrations on the use of shelter materials and the construction of model shelters with a half hour of prayer and teaching. As part of these sessions, participants were offered religious pamphlets." While Graham and AID denied pressuring stricken residents to change their religious beliefs or accept Evangelical teachings, a story appearing in the New York Times on March 5, 2001 told a different account. One villager declared, "They said a lot, but the principle thing was God and that earthly things do not matter." An unidentified relief worker who had worked for several years in El Salvador described the Samaritan's Purse mission in language that seemed to anticipate present day concerns about the group. "They are hitting these people when they are most vulnerable. It may not be pressure, but it sure is taking advantage of a period in people's life when they will do anything like that to get a house." Graham's organization also managed to offend local Roman Catholics who saw the newly-arrived religious aid workers as interlopers. Times reporter David Gonzalez noted that over 150 people had been converted to Protestant Evangelicalism, mostly thanks to the efforts of aggressive local church which served as Graham's base of operations. "The seeking of converts has been a sore point among El Salvador's Roman Catholic majority," noted Gonzalez. "In recent weeks, local clergy members said, relations between the two groups have again been rocky, because some local evangelical groups have conditioned aid on accepting their religion." "We are a Christian organization and second an aid organization," declared Dr. Paul Chiles, Samaritan's director of projects in El Salvador. "We can't really separate the two. We really believe Jesus Christ told us to do relief work." Some are pointing to Graham's record on tolerating other religious beliefs as evidence that Samaritan's Purse has a defined and blunt conversion agenda. Just two months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the younger Graham described Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion" on an NBC interview. And last year, in his book "The Name," Graham wrote: "The God of Islam is not the God of the Christian faith." "The two are different as lightness and darkness," Graham added. Baptists Joining "Conversion Invasion"? Another group anxious to move into post-war Iraq is the Southern Baptist Convention. Newhouse News reports that SBC relief operations are ready in Jordan to receive refugees, and that another organization, Baptist Men, is promising to send volunteers if necessary. The Baptist involvement may also fuel concerns over religious sectarianism. At last year's SBC convention in St. Louis, former denominational president Rev. Jerry Vines told the delegates that the Islamic deity was not the same as the Christian God. "And I will tell you Allah is not Jehovah, either. Jehovah's not going to turn you into a terrorist," Vines declared. Mark O'Keefe, a writer with Newhouse News, observed that these statements "created a problem for President Bush, who has called Islam a 'religion of peace.' " "Bush, an evangelical Christian himself, has close ties to both Franklin Graham, who gave a prayer at his inauguration and Southern Baptists, who are among his most loyal political supporters," added O'Keefe. One SBC official, Sam Porter of the Baptist General Convention in Oklahoma, described the planned operation to move religious aid workers into Iraq as "not just a great opportunity to do humanitarian work but to share God's love ... We understand that the individual people of Iraq have done nothing to hurt us. We want to help them to have true freedom in Jesus Christ." At SBC's International Mission Board in Richmond, Virginia, spokesperson Mark Kelley said, "Conversations about spiritual things will come about as people ask about our faith. But it's not going to be like what you might see in other countries where there's a preaching service held outside clinics and things like that." Leaders of several mainline Protestant denomination are nervous about Graham, fearing that exuberant Evangelicals will fuel tension between Iraq's Muslim community and small groups of Christians that have been tolerated for years even under the Saddham Hussein dictatorship. In fact, the Baghdad regime has been surprisingly tolerant of endemic Christian groups, and even cracked down on anti-Christian riots in the fall of 2002. Following a 1978 Shiite uprising, Hussein told delegates of the ruling Bathist Party that they should "oppose the institutionalization of religion in the state and society ... Let us return to the roots of our religion, glorifying them -- but not introduce it into politics." (Following the Gulf War, Hussein increasingly began playing the "religious card," embarking on a government funded "faith-campaign" that included mandatory studies of the Kor`an in public schools, banning alcohol in restaurants, and building the world's largest mosque). The Graham-Bush Connection As son of Billy Graham -- the evangelist dubbed "Preacher to the Presidents" -- Franklin inherited a mantle of political connections when he began taking over his father's ministry several years ago. Indeed, the younger Graham gave the invocation during the inaugural ceremony for President George W. Bush, and is "wired" into the faith-conscious White House operations staff. Graham has also been barnstorming the nation building support for Mr. Bush's efforts at regime change in Iraq. Last month, during a visit to Raleigh, N.C. Graham told reporters that "This is a time for all of us to support our president ... This is serious business." Last week, Graham appeared on CNN with anchor Paula Zahn and said: "I certainly don't want to speak for my father, but I know he has spoken with this president (Bush) in the last couple of days and has prayed with him, and all of us are praying especially for our president right now. The contact between Franklin Graham/Samaritan's Purse and the Bush administration, though, are about things other than prayer. One Islamic web site http://khilafah.com reports that Graham himself "is in daily contact with Bush Administration agencies in Amman, Jordan" about plans for relief work. Graham reported is dismissing Muslim concerns, and the perception that many in the Middle East and elsewhere see the current war as a "crusade" against Islam. "We don't work for the U.S. Government, so we don't get our permission from them," Graham said. ** (American Atheists Newsletter April 1 via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. SHORTWAVE RADIO: BROADCASTS FROM ABROAD GIVE DIFFERING LOOKS AT THE WAR http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_e39893bf83bf402a0001.html (via Andy Sennitt, Mike Cooper, DXLD) Local angle SWL, plugs PWBR, appends somewhat outdated ME schedules (gh) ** ISRAEL. RESHET ALEPH RETURNS BUT NOT IN ENGLISH As of Wednesday, Israel's Reshet Aleph will stop being "the silent channel", waiting for emergency announcements. It will still be silent after 1715 GMT and during the Sabbath. However the English programs at 0600, 1015, 1645 and 2100 GMT will continue to be on REQA. The 1900 English program continues on Reshet Heh. This is according to an announcement at the end of the 1645 program (Joel Rubin, NY, Apr 1, swprograms via DXLD) ** JAPAN. There might be a lot of debate on whether ``Live 365`` is real radio or not, and I am someone who definitely prefers the signals that travel through the aether than the ones that travel through my impossibly slow dialup connection via a 56K modem. However, there are a handful of internet stations that remain true to the sprit of shortwave and free radio. Of these Radio LavaLamp, broadcasting through Live 365.com is, in my opinion, way ahead of the curve. Radio LavaLamp`s web page proclaims the station ``Community Internet Radio Japan``. My experience is that Radio LavaLamp is more of a global community station, akin to the spirit of Radio For Peace International. Radio LavaLamp programming is run in 8 hour cycles and changes often enough to create a diverse line-up. Dan Roberts` weekly Shortwave Report can usually be found on the menu, featuring news from international broadcasters. I`ve also heard Glenn Hauser`s WORLD OF RADIO on Radio LavaLamp. Between the Lines, an alternative news program is often part of the mix, as is UN Calling Asia. CFMU`s excellent educational program for homeschooled students called Radio Free School is also heard on the station. Occasionally, there are original Radio LavaLamp productions including the outstanding Voice of the Mystics featuring spiritual poetry such as Robert Bly`s readings of Sufi mystic Kabir. Entrancing music is a major part of the Radio LavaLamp listening experience. Ambient, trance, goa, and world rhythms are prominent. Pirate radio listeners may be interested in the enigmatic ``Purple Nucleus of Creation`` which is frequently relayed via Radio LavaLamp. The Purple Nucleus of Creation has been head on shortwave and is the only pirate station I know of that offers QSL verifications for internet listening reports! Radio LavaLamp`s program diversity has made an internet radio believer out of me. You may contact Radio LavaLamp at radiolavalamp@hotmail.com or visit their website at http://www.rinku.zaq.ne.jp/bkaec205/index.html for more information (Frederick Moe, Random Transmissions, April A*C*E via gh, DXLD) ** KASHMIR [non]. The schedule of Radio Sadayee Kashmir remains unchanged in the new broadcasting period. It is noted as follows: 0230-0330 6100 0730-0830 9890 1430-1530 6100 The first 40 minutes programs are in Urdu followed by 20 minutes in another language. ===== 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, dx_india via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. U.S. ACTIVIST PLANS TO SMUGGLE THOUSANDS OF RADIOS INTO RECLUSIVE NORTH KOREA A Korean-American human rights activist hopes to lift the veil of silence that hangs over the communist nation. Rev. Douglas Shin plans to send thousands of tiny, solar-powered radios into North Korea so that people can listen to foreign stations, such as Washington-based Radio Free Asia or Voice of America. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/03/30/international0206EST0440.DTL (via Jill Dybka, TN, DXLD) Since he`s a Rev., why don`t they mention that gospel huxters are itching to get into NK on SW? (gh, DXLD) No one ever points out that until a very few years ago, SW radio needed to be smuggled into the so-called democracy of South Korea, where SWLing was illegal (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. March 26th: Edwin Southwell heard a segment in English, 2027 on 4085, presumably Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, telling the people of Iraq that Saddam¹s time is up, urging them to stay away from military targets, etc. Kurdish from 2031 but English segment again 2125 to 2130 then Kurdish to 2200 off. English segment heard again 1825 and 2025 the next day. SINPO 44544, best on USB (Mike Barraclough, World DX Club Contact via DXLD) See also IRAQ An 8-minute audio clip of Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan addressing the Iraqi military and general population in English ("Soldiers of Iraq, among you are Sadaam's evil henchmen") can be heard on the Interval Signals Archive website at http://www.intervalsignals.net (follow the IRAQ link in the left-hand column), as recorded from 4085 kHz at 1540 31st March 2003. Regards, (Dave Kernick, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN. VOICE OF IRAQI KURDISTAN AIRS US-LED FORCES' APPEALS IN ENGLISH The Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan was observed by BBC Monitoring broadcasting appeals in English to "the Kurdish people of Iraq" on 31 March. The station has been heard in the past broadcasting in Sorani Kurdish and Arabic. It broadcasts in support of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP from Salah al-Din in Iraqi Kurdistan on mediumwave, shortwave and FM. The broadcast below was heard on 4085 kHz shortwave. The 9-minutes of English, heard already in progress, consisted of warnings to citizens to stay away from Iraqi military installations and US-led forces troops. The radio appealed for there to be no reprisals against Iraqi POWs and said the Geneva Convention must be observed. The broadcast also said that Saddam Husayn stood in the way of liberty and that US-led forces were there to help the people of Iraq. Following is the text of announcements in English and Arabic on Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan radio on 31 March; subheadings inserted editorially [Short interlude of military music followed by announcer in English] Soldiers of Iraq. Among you are Saddam's evil henchmen. Officers from the hated special security officers of [words indistinct] Saddam's continued rule. They stand between you and freedom. They represent everything that you despise, while you pursue safety and security for you family they pursue terror and violence. "Saddam's rule is coming to an end" While you pursue freedom they pursue oppression. While you look to the future of Iraq, an Iraq free from the bonds of Saddam, they look to the past. A past without freedom, without security, without safety and without hope. Saddam's rule is coming to an end and with it the reins of the special security office. These oppressors stand between you and a new Iraq. They have been given a choice. They can choose to support you in your pursuit of liberty, peace and justice or they can choose to remain loyal to Saddam and his evil ways. That time is running out. [Short interlude of military music]. Iraqi military "... demand money for the removal of these weapons" Saddam Husayn's influence over the Iraqi military continues to endanger the lives of Iraqi citizens. Reports indicate that since October 2002, members of the Iraqi military have been extorting money from the citizens of Iraq. Iraqi military [words indistinct] strong military weapons and equipment next to the homes of civilians. They then demand money for the removal of these weapons. The people living in these areas have had no choice but to pay, for fear that their neighbourhood may becomes a battlefield. Placing equipment near hospitals, mosques and schools is against Geneva Convention rules Civilian homes are not the only places being imperilled by Saddam's regime. The regime continues in the practice of hiding weapons in and around mosques, hospital and schools. These treacherous acts are illegal under international law that Iraq signed. Article 51 of the Geneva Convention specifically forbids shielding military targets by moving them into densely populated areas or deliberately moving civilians near such targets. The coalition understands that the Iraqi people fear for their safety. If [word indistinct] type of weapons are placed in areas populated by civilians. Intentionally using civilians as human shields is an abhorrent act and only encourages the probability of civilian casualties. The coalition may have to destroy military targets near civilian areas to prevent a greater loss of life. When weapons are placed in close proximity to civilian areas the prospect for collateral damage is very real. Do not allow your families to suffer such a fate. Stay away from the Iraqi military and its weapons. [Short interlude of military music]. "Coalition forces are here to help you" Kurdish people of Iraq. The world has united in a common cause. These nations have formed a coalition with the purpose of removing Saddam and his brutal regime from power. Saddam has oppressed and exploited the Iraqi people for years and must be removed from power. Coalition forces are not here to harm you. Coalition forces are here to help you. In order to ensure your safety the coalition have set up a list of guideline to help keep you and hour family safe. Safety guidelines While these guidelines may be an inconvenience, please realize that they are for your own safety and as we do not wish to harm innocent people: For your own safety please stay away from potential targets. Avoid travelling or working near oil fields. Do not drive at night. Keep far away from military and its [word indistinct] buildings used to house military equipment. It is not safe for you to be near any of these buildings or areas. Also for your safety, please stay away from coalition soldiers. While these soldiers are not here to harm you, these soldiers are trained to defend themselves and their equipment. Do not attempt to interfere with coalition forces' operations. If you attempt to interfere with coalition military operations these forces will see you not as a civilian but as a threat and a target. Remain in place, ensure the safety of your family and loved ones. Please share this message with your friends and neighbours. Our goal is to remove Saddam and his brutal regime from power with minimal inconvenience to the people of Iraq. "Do not engage in revenge..." Kurdish people of Iraq. The armies of Saddam are falling. All across Iraq, [words indistinct] of the coalition have been scattered and destroyed. Soon Saddam's brutal regime of terror and oppression will be at its end. Although these soldiers may have frustrated the Kurdish population in the past, this does not give you the right to mistreat them upon their defeat. Do not engage in revenge attacks or violence against defeated Iraqi units. Although you may hold a personal vendetta against these soldiers, they are your fellow countrymen acting under the orders of Saddam. Coalition forces will not tolerate retribution or acts of violence against Iraqi soldiers or Iraqi Arab civilians. Vigilante attackers will be apprehended and held accountable for their actions. No mistreatment of prisoners or war will be tolerated. POWs to be treated in accordance with Geneva Convention All prisoners of war are to be treated in accordance with the Geneva Convention rules. Prisoners are to be properly fed, given clean water and medical personnel should attend to their medical needs. Iraq was once a respected leader of the Arab world. Other nations see the Iraqis as intelligent educated people. Do not let these nations see you resort to [word indistinct] violence. Help rebuild Iraq to the stature it once held. Arabic programme 1550 gmt: [Interlude of military music followed by a female Arabic- language announcer]: This is the Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan. Dear citizens [words indistinct] in the Iraqi army, we give you the warmest welcome. Following is a selection of statements issued by the international alliance forces on how to deal with the current circumstances in our homeland Iraq... Source: Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, Salah-al-Din, in English and Arabic 1541 gmt 31 Mar 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. ADVISORY: SUMMER TIME IN IRAQI KURDISTAN BEGINS ON FRIDAY 4 APRIL Summer time in Iraqi Kurdistan will begin at 0001 on Friday 4 April, according to a Kurdistan regional government statement published by Kurdistan Democratic Party newspaper Brayati on 1 April. Source: Brayati, Arbil, in Sorani Kurdish 1 Apr 03. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 1 Apr 03 (via DXLD) But not in IRAQ???? UT+4? ** LEBANON [non]. RUSSIA: Voice of Liberty in Arabic via Samara 200 kW / 224 degrees effective from March 30: 1600-1700 NF 11520 (55555), ex 11515 for B-03 (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, April 1 via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 7270, RTVM 1249-1301+ Mar 29 with monotone singing; M announcer at 1255 in language, then song with a Latin beat; 1300 one pip, then guy says "Berita nasional dari radio satu Kuala Lumpur..." and into apparent news in Bahasa Malaysia with mentions of Iraq. Good signal with ham QRM, // 4895 (fair) and 6050.05 (poor). (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot random wire. Cumbre DX via DXLD) I should have researched the site keys in the 3-053 schedule: KAJ = Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur; the others are all in East Malaysia: MIR = Miri, Sarawak; SIB = Sibu, Sarawak; STA = Stapok near Kuching, Sarawak; TUA = Tuaran, Sabah. Per WRTH 2003. 7270 above is Kuching despite the KL relay (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALTA [non]. Voice of the Mediterranean, Sunday only English heard 0800-0900 on 9605 via Rome March 30th, 9605 also now used for the 1730-1800 Monday to Saturday English broadcast. English also heard 1900-2000 on 12060 via Russian transmitters, this service is not broadcast on Fridays (Mike Barraclough, UK, World DX Club Contact via DXLD) CONTINUED AS 3-056!!