DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-069, April 18, 2003
        edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com

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NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1178:
WJIE: Sat 0930, Sun 0200, 1030, 1630, M-F 0730 on 7445 and/or 13595
WWCR: Sat 0600, Sun 0230 5070, 0730 3210, Wed 0930 9475
RFPI: Sat 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1200, 1830 on 7445
WRN: rest of world Sat 0800, Europe Sun 0530, North America Sun 1400

WRN ONDEMAND 
http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 
OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html
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       (Summary)  http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1178.html 

WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL 
BROADCAST SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE APRIL 17, 2003 -- CORREXION

Hi Glenn; Just getting ready to go to Don Moman's for another weekend 
DXpedition and was updating the DX program guide. You might want to 
have a look at the recent skeds that you posted. I suspect either 
station or freq is wrong here. 
Thu 2000 COM RFPI 7490 ? 
Fri 0200 COM RFPI 7490 ? 
Fri 0800 COM RFPI 7490 ? 
Fri 1400 COM RFPI 7490 ?
73 (Mickey Delmage, AB, April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Oops, of course should be 7445, with COM only on RFPI! Random tuners 
around the 7.4 MHz band are likely to find us thanks to predominant 
use of that by three of our stations! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** ALASKA. Threatened with huge budget cuts, five public stations in 
the Panhandle have consolidated their staffs and budgets. The deal 
was brokered by long-time KCAW *104.7 Sitka manager Rich McClear, who 
founded KAXE *91.7 Grand Rapids MN before moving to Alaska. The 
consolidation enabled the five stations to keep their local 
programming. This includes the accordion playing of Alice McChesney, 
a senior citizen who rows into town in her boat to play polkas on 
KCAW every Friday. ``It`s a Sitka program, she`s a Sitka person. It`s 
the kind of public radio programming you can`t get off the Internet. 
It`s why Raven Radio raises over $100,000 a year in listener 
support,`` said McClear. The other four stations coöperating are KTOO 
*104.3 Juneau, KRBD *105.9 Ketchikan, KFSK *100.9 Petersburg, and 
KSTK *101.7 Wrangell.

Going it alone [sic], however, is KHNS *102.3 Haines, which chose to 
join a looser six-station consortium, known as Community Radio of 
Alaska. It was ``a much better way to go,`` said KHNS general manager 
John Hedrick. The stations independently produce a morning newscast, 
Alaska Edition, and pool funds for specific projects. They`ll also do 
things like flying a transmitter part to Galena to help translator 
K261AS *100.1 (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD) 

In case you are wondering why none of these noncommercial stations 
are below 92 MHz, they all date from the days when the lower part of 
88-108 was not available for broadcasting in AK. Only one of them is 
known to webcast, per PublicRadioFan.com listings, KTOO. Elsewhere in 
the state, the only public radio webcasters are two in Anchorage and 
two in Fairbanx (gh, DXLD)

** ALASKA [non]. More federal funds sought for research
   Special to The Range 
A New Mexico senator is seeking $4.5 million in federal money to 
continue support for landmine detection research by Raton company 
Stolar Horizon Inc. 

In addition, Domenici is seeking a $4 million increase in the Air 
Force's Space Technology High Frequency Active Aurora Research 
Project (HAARP) to support research on an Electromagnetic Wave 
Gradiometer instrument for detecting and characterizing underground 
facilities. This project involves the Air Force Research Laboratory 
Space Vehicles Directorate based at Kirtland Air Force Base in 
Albuquerque, as well as the capabilities of Stolar Horizon. 
http://www.ratonrange.com/RATONRANGE/sites/RATONRANGE/0303edition/myarticles582548.asp?P=582548&S=318&PubID=9305 
(via Jilly Dybka, DXLD)

** ANTARCTICA [International continent]. ANTARTIDA ARGENTINA: 15476, 
LRA36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Base Antártica Esperanza, 
1910-1930 April 17. Spanish. Local folk songs and national rock. 
Short news. The speaker read an article from "El Liberal" newspaper, 
edited in Santiago del Estero province, about Termas de Rio Hondo. 
After, talk about Tandil, a touristic town 350 km to south from 
Buenos Aires. Complete ID as: "Transmite en español para el mundo 
LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, desde Base Esperanza, 
Antártida Argentina, República Argentina, en su frecuencia de 15476 
khz, en la banda de 19 metros... si queires comunicarte con 
nosotros... o al correo electrónico LRA36@infovia.com.ar ". Weather 
report: "los datos del tiempo en la Base son: Temperatura 1 décima 
[meaning +0.1 C?], viento calmo, visibilidad de 20 km y cielo 
parcialmente nublado...", 44433 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, hard-core-
dx via DXLD) 

** ARGENTINA. 6215, Radio Baluarte, Puerto Iguazú, 2305-2315, April 
17. Portuguese. Religious program conduced by male. He read a Bible 
text. After, talk with different listeners. 34433 (Arnaldo Slaen, 
Argentina, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Tri-state area pirate

** ARGENTINA [and non]. Back from my South America trip: The trip 
went pretty much to plan, hitting parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and
Chile: Buenos Aires-Montevideo-Usuhia at the southern tip of Terra 
Del Fuego-Rio Gallegos-Punta Arenas-Porto Montt-Bariloche-Santiago. 
Montevideo and Bariloche were my two favorite places. Chile was 
expensive and boring - a big disappointment.

It was actually enjoyable to watch TV again down there as there were 
tons of new cable channels I had never seen before, and very few 
commercials. Live TV is still alive and well although TV Chile's is 
pretty boring and they have too much of it.

"Crónica" out of Bs As reminds me of the National Enquirer. It's an 
all-news channel but they like to show the sensational like dead 
bodies hanging and people's faces after acid attacks. They keep the 
images on the screen for minutes instead of seconds!

I don't know what Argentina's hang-up is, but everybody running for 
major public office appeared to be an actor. Argentina is also hung-
up on American oldies which is pretty funny since hardly anybody 
knows English. It's played everywhere.

Most American TV shows and movies have only Spanish subtitles, which 
is a good way to lean the language. But some shows are important 
enough to actually dub the voices in Spanish: Southpark (hard to 
believe but true), Simpsons, Three Stooges but minus about half the 
sound effects, Tellytubbies, Addams Family, The Fugitive, 
Untouchables.

I can count on one hand the number of stores selling outside TV 
antennas. Almost everybody either has cable, or a small satellite 
dish.

I didn't do much DXing except for 5-10-15 MHz time signals and 
Falkland Islands on 530 kHz on the Sony SW-100. I also brought along 
an Archos 20GB Multimedia Jukebox/hard drive and taped about 10 hours 
of local AM and FM stations playing interesting music.

I visited Felipe, CE3SAD in Santiago who is a very active 6M DXer (I 
still need Chile!). Felipe is also into FM DXing and played me some 
tapes of Colombia received by TE. He also told me about a Brazilian 
FM DXer who heard a station in French one time with his antenna 
pointed EAST. I forget if this was by Es or tropo, or what, but it 
sounds like Africa on FM to me. http://www.oldtvguides.com/DXPhotos/
73, (Jeff Kadet, Macomb, IL, April 11, WTFDA via DXLD)

** BAHRAIN. Noted in DXLD 3-067 Dave Kernick`s info about Bahrain 
being again on shortwave. Well, I had to check this (of course :)
and on 18 Apr at 1559 under VOR interval signal there was an Arabic 
speaking station on 9745. At 1600 VOR had ID in French and then it 
closed down, leaving the Arabic speaker alone on the frequency. At 
1605 there was an announcement sounding like "Idha`tul Bahrain" and 
then into Arabic music. At 1611 again announcement "Bahrain toqqadim" 
and female with some topic items with music bridges imposed with 
Morse sound effects. Mode is AM with suppressed lower side band, as 
Dave said. Decent signal here (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, 
April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA. New Toronto stations  

OTTAWA-GATINEAU --- Residents of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will 
soon be able to tune into new voices on the radio dial. In decisions 
issued today April 17), the Canadian Radio-television and 
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has licensed four new radio 
stations to serve Toronto and surrounding areas. These new stations 
have up to two years to begin operating

In this decision, the Commission approves the application by Father 
Hernan Astudillo, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated as 
San Lorenzo Latin American Community Centre (San Lorenzo) for a new 
Type B community AM radio station in Toronto, Ontario to broadcast 
ethnic programming at 1610 kHz. The new station will direct its 
programming primarily to the Spanish-speaking community, which has 
origins in many different countries, and will also provide 
programming in Italian, in Portuguese and in Tagalog as well as 
ethnic programming in English and French.

For its part, BAF Audio Visual Inc., the licensee of the low-power,
unprotected radio station CHEV Toronto currently licensed to operate 
at 1610 kHz with a transmitter power of 99 watts, opposed San 
Lorenzo's proposal to use 1610 kHz. The intervener stated that it 
intended to file an application with the Commission in the near 
future for a power increase and asked San Lorenzo to seek another AM 
frequency for its proposed station.

In reply to BAF Audio Visual Inc., San Lorenzo pointed out that CHEV 
is a low-power, unprotected service and noted that in the station's 
original licensing decision, New low-power AM radio programming 
undertaking, Decision CRTC 97-514, 27 August 1997, the Commission had 
advised that the licensee would have to select another frequency for 
the operation of this service should optimum utilization of the 
broadcasting spectrum so require. San Lorenzo also stated that the 
Department of Industry (the Department) has indicated that there are 
still other AM frequencies available in the GTA.

In view of the foregoing, the Commission finds that the proposed 
station, which will be the first ethnic community radio station in 
Canada [sic --- really??? ---gh], will contribute to the attainment 
of the objectives set out in the Call as well as in the Ethnic Policy 
and Community Radio Policy. Accordingly, the Commission approves the 
application by San Lorenzo for a broadcasting licence to operate a 
Type B community AM radio programming undertaking to broadcast ethnic 
programming in Toronto at 1610 kHz with a transmitter power of 1,000 
watts, day and night. 

(Excerpts from CRTC decisions, with key details limited to the item 
on X-Band station, which should be of most interest to wider 
audience, from Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

Today the CRTC approved two new FM stations for Toronto, as well as a 
digital station (stand alone using the Eureka system) an an AM 
station. The new AM station will be on 1610 with 1kW both day and 
night: 
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-117.htm 
This station will broadcast in a variety of languages including 
Spanish. CHEV-1610 was told to find another frequency if they indend 
to resume operations. Was this station ever actually on the air 
beyond the testing phase? The application for a station on 1650 was 
not granted. 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, Apr 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) 

Yep. I logged them a couple of years back when they were broadcasting 
a local OHL hockey game from Brampton. I know they were on the air 
several other times as well broadcasting local sporting events. 
Pretty sporadic operation --- nothing regular. Got a nice QSL from 
them as well (Robert S. Ross VA3SW, London, Ontario CANADA N6A 5K1, 
ibid) 

The Toronto Star and The Globe & Mail both reported on April 18 that 
the CRTC has granted radio licences to four new stations:

101.3 FM Canadian Multicultural Radio (for SE Asian community).
105.1 FM La Cooperative radiophonique (francophone)
1610 AM San Lorenzo Latin American Community Centre.
Transitional Digital Radio, channel 2 (around 1,450 MHz) Sur Sagar 
Radio Inc. (South Asian communities). (Saul Chernos, With thanks to 
John Grimley for posting this on the ODXA e-list, WTFDA via DXLD) 

Two were granted yesterday:

101.3/440w: CMR for a South Asian ethnic station.
105.1/???: La Coopérative radiophonique de Toronto for a French-
language community station. This was an alternative frequency to 
their original request for 91.7. CHOW-FM Welland objected to 91.7 so 
the alternative frequency was adopted, but full technical approval 
for 105.1 (and thus a power level) has not yet been obtained.

Since the CMR station will "bounce" CHIN-1-FM from their 101.3 
frequency, they were approved to move to 91.9 and increase power to 
35 watts. This increase will make CHIN-1-FM a Class A station, immune 
from "bumping".

Also granted was a new mostly-Spanish-language station on 1610 AM, 
and a second South Asian station that will broadcast *only* in Eureka 
digital. It's the first digital-only radio station I know of in -- 
well, really in the world (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View 
(Nashville), TN EM66, April 18, WTFDA via DXLD)

CHEV has been silent for more than a decade, and is presumed dead.
The CRTC vetoed a proposed move of CHIN from 1540 to 1570.
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-119.htm
 
Elder Engineering Inc. (Elder) filed an opposing intervention, on
behalf of CMR and Canadian Thamil Broadcasting Corporation, another
competing applicant for 101.3 MHz. According to the intervener, the 
most efficient solution for Radio 1540 would be to replace CHIN-1-FM 
with an AM transmitter that would operate at 1570 kHz, with a daytime 
transmitter power of 100 watts and a night-time transmitter power of 
150 watts, and be located at the transmitter site currently used by 
the Greater Toronto Airports Authority to operate CFYZ Toronto at 
Pearson International Airport. The intervener considered that the 
proposed AM transmitter could share one of CFYZ's two AM towers and 
transmit in a non-directional radiation mode.

As an alternative solution, Elder suggested that Radio 1540 change 
the frequency of the originating station, CHIN, from 1540 kHz to 1570 
kHz, increase its night-time transmitter power to 50,000 watts, and 
share Fairchild Radio (Toronto) Ltd.'s antenna system for CHKT 
Toronto, which currently operates at 1430 kHz at Toronto Island. 
Elder claimed that there is presently no station operating at 1570 
kHz in either Ontario or Quebec and that both CHKT and CHIN could 
operate at 50,000 watts at Toronto Island.

The intervener submitted that, in addition, this option would result 
in substantial savings in each station's leasing costs and reduce the 
radio frequency (RF) radiation exposure levels experienced at Toronto 
Island from CHIN's current operation at 1540 kHz. 73 (via Mike 
Brooker, Toronto, ON, April 18, NRC-AM via DXLD)

It hasn't been quite that long - I logged them on November 20, 1998. 
I have a noisy audio clip that begins with part of Tom Cochrane's 
"Life is a Highway", a CHEV ID, and then goes into an interview with 
NDP leader Howard Hampton about his hockey playing days.  Now that's 
"CanCon". :-) (Barry McLarnon, ON, ibid.)
 
Yes...You're correct Barry...I logged them not too long ago as well 
as I stated in my Earlier post. Even got them QSL'd... They are not 
as dead as Mike reports.... Regards (Robert S. Ross, VA3SW, London, 
Ontario, ibid.) 

It may not be exactly 10 years since the CHEV left the air, but Mike 
is right. The CHEV is a complete write-off. It hasn't been on-air for 
*several YEARS*. It's safe to say it is gone. Kaput. Only a new
application for a new licence could offer a faint glimmer for a 
revival. The station clearly didn't survive. It crashed and burned. 
And, I think we've now seen the last round of Toronto AM-FM 
applications, at least for a good while (Saul Chernos, ibid.)

Did anyone else read the following clause in CHIN-1540's application 
to move their FM relayer to 91.9?: 

The intervener considered that the proposed AM transmitter could 
share one of CFYZ's two AM towers and transmit in a non-directional 
radiation mode. 

("the intervener" was a competing applicant for 91.9, who wanted CHIN 
to use an AM relayer on 1570 instead) 

If CFYZ-1280 has two towers, does that mean it went directional with 
the recent power increase? (Doug Smith, TN, ibid.)
 
What power increase ? Also, I feel that CFYZ should be listed in the 
NRC log since at a previous 99 watts it certainly isn't a classic TIS 
and I've had it here in IL a few times. The first time I logged it, I 
initially was unaware of it since it wasn't in the log. 73 KAZ (Neil 
Kazaross, IL, ibid.)

** CANADA. New channel 2 in Alberta: CITV-TV-1 in Red Deer, Alberta 
has applied to move from channel 10 to channel 2. They'll run 15.9kw 
on the new channel. In the process the station will also be 
transferred to the CBC, and will presumably become a relayer of 
either CBXT-5 Edmonton or CBRT-9 Calgary.

Also part of this move will have CKRD-6 Red Deer disaffiliate from 
the CBC and become an independent station similar to CHCH-11 Hamilton  
(Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, Apr 12, WTFDA 
via DXLD)

** CANADA. In time for the Es season, I've totally revamped my 
Canadian TV stations list. To help ID DX, the stations are now listed 
on one page in order of 1) Channel 2) Network 3) Offset. BTW, the 
trend towards no local IDs continues, as I've noticed more regional 
CBC, TVA & TQS stations doing this. The CBC acquisiton of the former 
CJFB, CKBI, CKOS, CFCL, CJIC, CKNC & CHNB stations will also tend to 
hinder IDing Canadian stations. Good luck! The new list can be found 
at: http://members.rogers.com/tvdx1/tv-can.htm

DX Web Site: http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/
TR Fcst Maps : http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/tropo.html 
(Bill Hepburn, ON, April 7, WTFDA via DXLD)

** CANADA. Recommended: "CBC'S HOME DELIVERY HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO ON NET"  
   Click here to read this story online:
   http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0418/p25s01-stin.html
   Byline:  Jim Regan csmonitor.com  Date: 04/18/2003

A few years ago, we were expecting to be watching TV-quality video 
over the Internet by now. Some networks were even worried about 
websites "repeating" their signals without authorization and helping 
untold thousands of surfers bypass cable and satellite charges. Well, 
for the most part, the images are still no bigger than a playing 
card, and streaming feeds spend as much time buffering as streaming 
but help may be on the way. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has 
been running a little experiment in getting around bandwidth 
limitations and putting high quality "television" on your desktop. 
Welcome to CBC Home Delivery.

Home Delivery is an experiment in delivering content as a multimedia 
magazine that downloads to your hard drive in a single large file, 
rather than as smaller independent segments or streaming files. The 
trial project ends April 21. (The Home Delivery website estimates 
that each issue takes 30 minutes to download over a high speed modem, 
but 25-30 hours on a dial-up connection. You'll also need to have 
about 500 MB of free hard drive space.)

Using a piece of software developed by a company called BackWeb, Home 
Delivery subscribers "transparently" receive a package of weekly 
highlights from CBC's radio, television and new media productions.

"Transparently" in this case refers to the unique manner in which the 
magazine is delivered. The BackWeb application is smart enough to use 
your Internet connection when you're not - pausing the download while 
you're surfing or checking your e-mail, and starting up again 
whenever the connection is free. When the entire file has been 
collected onto your hard drive, the application lets you know, and 
you can then view the magazine at your convenience, without worries 
about connection speed or web traffic. Dated content remains 
available - via more traditional methods - in an onsite archive, and 
an archived sample issue is available for visitors curious about the 
kind of programs offered.

The sample issue (a collection of one radio and two video pieces from 
the broadcast networks, and four web interactives) effectively 
illustrates what the Web could do if bandwidth wasn't a limitation. 
Opening with animated introductions to the three feature pieces, the 
choice of "A Life Sentenced" (a documentary about a wrongful 
conviction) reveals a full-screen image and movie insert along with 
introductory text and music. Viewing the documentary itself (also 
full screen, though not television quality) should only be limited by 
the computer's graphics rendering speed. Clearly, audio-only features 
don't gain as much from the advantages of being downloaded ahead of 
time, but listening to a program online completely free of the 
interruptions caused by a slow feed definitely has its attractions.

As each week's magazine is replaced by a new issue, the previous 
content is placed into the archives. Contents of past editions are no 
longer available as a package download, but are accessed 
individually. (Due to the fact that BackWeb doesn't have a Macintosh 
version of its software, Mac users can only access Home Delivery's 
content piece by piece through the archives.)

The bad news is that, even though it's possible to download a weekly 
edition while you're not using the modem for more immediate 
requirements, each magazine is still a huge file, as mentioned above, 
so if your Internet account includes surcharges for exceeding certain 
hourly limits, it may still be beyond practical limits.

But my largest complaint is the lack of publicity about what must 
have been a major production. I only learned about Home Delivery by 
sheer chance a few days ago. With luck, the April 21 edition will be 
left in its single-download form indefinitely so latecomers can still 
try the all-in-one experiment for themselves. With more luck, the 
trial might be promoted to a permanent addition to CBC's online 
offerings.

CBC Home Delivery can be found at 
http://www.cbchomedelivery.com/index.cfm

Jim Regan is a graphics artist and writer who lives in Halifax, Nova 
Scotia. (c) Copyright 2003 The Christian Science Monitor.  All rights 
reserved (via Jim Moats, DXLD) He should read DXLD where this was 
mentioned weeks ago (gh) 

** CAYMAN ISLANDS. My upcoming ZF operation --- 6 meters

Just got my reservations for my next trip to the Caymans. I will be 
down May 31 to June 8, right in the thick of the E-skip season. I 
expect to be very active on 6 when I am not diving, band permitting, 
albeit QRP, under my Cayman call, ZF2PB. Will also be on 10 and 20, I 
expect. My signal should be wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. 5 watts from my 
Yaesu 817 and wires. But, that should get me to NA OK. If you're a 
ham, especially in the Eastern part of the US, keep an eye out for me 
on 50.110 +/-. Really looking forward to this.

I was down there a month or so ago. I listened quite a bit, as I was 
only there for the weekend, I didn't have room for Ham gear in my 
carry-on. Listened mostly to 99.9 (Z99), which isn't bad for a small 
market station -- very American sounding. Vibe FM (98.9) was a bit 
confused-sounding; they are not quite sure what their format is. Also 
listened to Rooster on 101.9 -- a bit bland, mostly automated, but 
the music is about right.

No AM in Georgetown, btw.

In any event, Cayman radio is a lot better than Belize radio, to 
which I was subjected during Christmas. P-U!... darn near 
unlistenable, which is a shame as the national station was really the 
ONLY media available on Ambergis Cay. But, I digress...

I saw a couple of FM broadcast towers. They're short, with about a 
half dozen bays. I wouldn't think they were much higher than 100 
feet. I don't suppose, though, there is much use in a big signal on a 
small island; it just gives the hurricanes a bigger target and feeds 
the fish.

As for TV, I really didn't watch too much. There are a couple of 
local cable stations, but I did not catch any local broadcast TV. 
Satellite was mostly Miami, and PBS came from -- of all places -- 
Detroit. Will try to get a better feel for it in June (Peter Baskind, 
J.D., LL.M./AG4KI, Germantown, TN/EM55, 901-624-5295, Mar 12, WTFDA 
via DXLD)

Found my Cayman Islands notes from April 2001.

 89.9 Radio Cayman 1, Grand Cayman - 3,000 watts
 91.9 Radio Cayman 2, Cayman Brac - 250 watts
 93.9 Radio Cayman 1, Cayman Brac - 250 watts
 97.7 "Heaven 97 FM," Grand Cayman - the guy who answered the phone 
      said "we have a little tiny transmitter, I'm sure it's not over 
      5,000 watts"
 99.9 "Z-99.9," Grand Cayman - "about 10-11,000 watts, depending on 
      what we run the transmitter at"
101.1 ICCI (International College of the Cayman Islands), Grand 
      Cayman - weaker than the others, I estimate 1,000 watts (unable 
      to reach them on phone)
105.3 Radio Cayman 2, Grand Cayman - 5,000 watts

In addition to the obvious skip targets, you guys in Florida should 
watch for the Caymans during tropo openings. On 4/14-4/15/01, I had a 
huge opening from Grand Cayman to virtually all of South Florida, as 
far north as Tampa (620 miles) and Milton (875 miles). On other 
nights, there were Jamaicans all over the dial, and a few Cubans, so 
if there's no definitive list of FM stations for those countries I 
can try to fill in some blanks. And I'll be attempting to update all 
this two-year-old info when I'm there in a couple of weeks (Eric 
Fader, Briarcliff Manor, NY, Mar 25, WTFDA via DXLD)

** CHINA [non]. CRI via Lithuania 1557: On 18 Apr at 1825 CRI in 
Russian on 1557 via Lithuania (listed as 1900-2000 in DXLD 3-067). 
Rather fading signal here, not a powerhouse. Good audio anyway.
Later at 1900 Russian continues and at 2000 in Polish as scheduled
(Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** CROATIA [non]. V. of Croatia had a brief feature about the 
station`s second anniversary, at 0114-0116 UT April 18, on 9925 via 
Germany, thanks to a tip from Joe Hanlon. They say that from April 
28, will expand to a 24-hour service with many new programs and 
features. No further details. Are they talking about shortwave in 
particular? Still mostly Croatian language? Who knows? (Glenn Hauser, 
OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CYPRUS TURKISH. Dear All, Check out this web site 
http://www.thechandlersincyprus.com --- especially look at 17th April 
2003. Can you believe they have had over 9000 hits. It`s better than 
Eastenders. OK, well nearly! Love (Denise Phillips, R. Bayrak, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.:

Well it was only a week late (we were bumped for a much better 
looking travel writer) but today was our media event. We turned up at 
the radio station half an hour before the show was due to go out 
armed with CD's and scribbled play list. Security met us at the 
entrance and escorted us directly to the studio (strangely bypassing 
the green room and makeup). Denise was running the whole program by 
herself from a console that looked like a flight deck. She gave a 
quick rundown on how things would go, the most important being total 
quite while the red light was on because the mike's were live. This 
was fine except the red light was behind us and my first attempt to 
see if it was still on resulted in the swivel chair I was sitting on 
squeaking like a stepped on cat! Ooop's, sorry. The show went well, 
Denise was great at putting us at ease and the 45 minutes flew by. 
We'll never know how it sounded though because the recording 
equipment at the station is broken and our mate Anne-Marie forgot to 
record it!

And ultimately this link has a shot of Denise in the studio:
http://www.thechandlersincyprus.com/photos/radioangel.htm
(Bri & Lil`s Adventure in Cyprus via DXLD)

** GHANA, 4915, Radio Ghana, 2138-2202, April 16, Classical music 
program with male, in English, between selections with titles and 
composer. Drums and pips at 2200 followed by TC/ID, "It's 10 o'clock, 
this is Radio Ghana, here is ..(announcers name)..with the news". As 
was recently reported, nothing heard on 3366 during this time (Scott 
R Barbour Jr, NH-USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** GREECE. Hi Glenn, German heard very seldom from FONI TIS HELLADAS 
or the the Voice of Greece. That´s was the case 1330 UT. Frequency 
15650 kHz and program "nachrichten" = news. SIO 454. 73 (Jouko 
Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Apr 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** GUATEMALA. Radio K'ekchí, April 18, 0219-0250 UT; traditional 
guitar/vocal group music with occasional announcements; Spanish and 
probably K'ekchí language; SINPO 42232; static, but relatively strong 
and pleasant listening (good reception here on 60 meters tonight), 
then began fading with additional noise and interference at 0238; 
ICOM R71A with 114-foot inverted-L (John Sandin, Merriam, KS, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** GUINEA-BISSAU. Guinea-Bissau: Magistrate to decide fate of 
country's radio service | Text of report by Radio France 
Internationale on 14 April 

A court in Bissau has designated Marcos Indami [phonetic] as the 
judge that will preside over the matter between Radio Bombolom FM's 
management and the Guinean-Bissau government. About two months ago, 
the Secretariat of State for Information ordered the closure of the 
radio service. 

Aguinaldo Rebelo, Radio Bombolom FM's chief executive officer, told 
our correspondent today that he was confident that the service would 
resume transmission shortly, provided that the News Media Law was 
upheld. The law states that the closure of any news media outlet is 
the prerogative of a magistrate. Rebelo says he does not know when 
the magistrate will announce his verdict, adding that the government 
could be ordered to compensate the service for the moral, 
professional, and financial losses incurred by Radio Bombolom FM. 

With early parliamentary elections scheduled for 6 June 2003, there 
has been renewed pressure to reopen the radio service not only 
domestically but internationally. The UN Security Council has 
recommended the reopening of Radio Bombolom so as to allow for a 
broad political debate ahead of the elections. Source: Radio France 
Internationale, Paris, in Portuguese 1700 gmt 14 Apr 03 (via BBCM via 
DXLD)

** HONDURAS. Hi Glenn and WOR readers, Is Radio Litoral (La Ceiba) 
really transmitting with 0.5 kW as shown in the '03 WRTH? Despite my 
unfavourable location (central French Alps), I heard this low-power 
station these 3 last mornings with decent SIO (243) whereas no other 
station of this area was audible (except Costa-Rica on 5029 with 20 
kW)... quite surprising. Receiver was JRC 545 + Wellbrook ALA-100 
loop antenna (Patrick, French Alps, surrounded by high mountains :-( 
April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** HONG KONG. Glenn, Regarding questions about transmissions of RTHK 
3940, I just checked the race website, http://www.sanfernandorace.com  
The race was cancelled at the last minute due to SARS concerns (Scott 
R. Barbour, Jr., NH, April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

San Fernando Race CANCELLED  
   
Got up this morning at an ungodly hour to try and monitor the weather 
transmission for this Hong Kong based race at the reported time of 
1003 on 3940.  Nothing at all heard on the west coast.  With all the 
SARS scares going on, especially in Hong Kong, I checked out the 
RHKYC site and found the following announcement: 

sailing/downloads/sanfernandorace/lnotice1.htm L-Notice #1 

RACE CANCELLED 

The San Fernando Race has been cancelled following an eleventh hour 
decision by the authorities in La Unión to refuse entry to the fleet 
due to worries about SARS. An alternative course will be set for 
entrants, to be confirmed at the Skippers' Briefing, Wed 16th April. 

For further information, please contact Ailsa Angus on 2239 0362 or 
e-mail aangus@rhkyc.org.hk ++++++++++++++++++++ Read the entire 
notice at: http://www.rhkyc.org.hk/sanfernandorace.htm 
I guess that means no point in checking for the next few mornings! 
(Walt Salmaniw, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Well, they speak of an alternative route, so maybe that will be 
happening quickly, and needing the weather broadcasts anyway (gh) 

** INDONESIA. 4753.44, Makassar, Sulawesi 1125-1150 blasting in with 
variety of music and announcements by om in language (Bob Wilkner, 
FL, R-75, Noise reducing antenna, Apr 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRAN: MEDIA BEHAVIOUR 18 APRIL 2003, 2130 GMT 

The Iranian media continued their normal behaviour on 18 April. 
However, there were a number of noteworthy points about the Iranian 
media coverage. 

A. Iranian media coverage of the situation in Iraq: 
1. The Iranian media continued to refer to the UK and US as 
"occupiers", "invaders" and "aggressors". 
2. The Iranian web site, Baztab, carried a report saying that 
"American spies" had tried to assassinate a leader of the Supreme 
Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim in the 
city of Al-Kut on Thursday, 17 April. 
3. The Iranian Students' News Agency, ISNA, published the text of the 
letter which Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim wrote to Iran's supreme leader, 
Ayatollah Ali Khamene'i, thanking him for encouraging Iranians to 
help Iraq. 
3. The Iranian radio reported on its 1630 gmt bulletin that Abd al-
Aziz al-Hakim had said that many Iraqis wished to establish an 
Islamic state in Iraq. 
4. On its 1630 gmt bulletin, the Iranian radio reported on the 
Friday-prayers in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities. According to the 
report, anti-American demonstrations had been held after Friday-
prayers. 
5. The Iranian radio had a commentary after the 1630 gmt bulletin on 
the demonstrations held in Iraq. The commentator said that the 
presence of US troops, as well as the appointment of General J. 
Garner, had caused the demonstrations. 
6. The Iranian radio also had a commentary on the meeting of Iraq's 
neighbours in Riyadh on its 1630 gmt bulletin. The commentary also 
included an interview with former Iranian official and regional 
affairs commentator, Sabah Zangeneh. Zangeneh argued that the 
conference was aimed at providing assistance to the Iraqi people to 
enable them to determine their own destiny and prepare the ground for 
the withdrawal of "the occupiers" from Iraq. 

B. Friday-prayers and other issues 
1. The Iranian radio broadcast the Friday-prayers live at 0803 gmt. 
Today, the Tehran Friday-prayer leader was Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-
Kashani. He sharply criticized US policy towards Iraq, arguing that 
it was formulated by "the Zionists". Emami-Kashani predicted that 
like all other great civilizations, the American civilization would 
also decline, adding that "the Zionists" were responsible for the 
decline of the US. 
2. The television's programmes were normal today with the exception 
that, being the Army Day, IRTV1's domestic news bulletins were 
lengthier, showing clips of the military parade. Also, without prior 
announcement, President Mohammad Khatami's speech was broadcast by 
IRTV1 at 1723 gmt along with part of the parade. This broadcast 
lasted until 1754 gmt. The foreign news sections of the news focused 
on demonstrations after Friday prayers in some Iraqi cities during 
which anti-US slogans were chanted. Source: BBC Monitoring research 
in English 18 Apr 03 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** IRAQ. Hello from Hilversum, The military activity in Iraq may have 
subsided, but this is just the start of a period of intense media 
activity. Over the past couple of days we've learned that an 
embryonic post-Saddam radio and TV service has already started. In 
Baghdad, we understand the radio schedule to be 1700-2100 UT on 1170 
kHz. There are also reports of a 20 kW radio transmitter at Umm Qasr 
that can cover "all of Iraq". We haven't found out the frequency of 
this one yet. It's much harder to get information now that many of 
the war correspondents have been withdrawn. You'll find all the 
week's developments in our dossier at 
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/iraq030319.html

We will continue to monitor the situation and post updates over the 
Easter weekend in our Weblog at http://radio.weblogs.com/0121781/

Different directions

The war in Iraq has brought into a sharp focus a trend that I have 
been noticing for some time: an increasing polarisation of much of 
the world's media. Are we really becoming less tolerant of other 
peoples' opinions, or has the war in Iraq temporarily deprived us of 
our normal ability to see the other person's point of view?
http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/media030418.html  (Andy 
Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Apr 18, Radio Netherlands via DXLD)

** IRAQ. IRAQI KURDISH PAPER REPORTS GROWING DEMAND FOR SATELLITE 
EQUIPMENT | Text of report by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) 
newspaper Brayati on 16 April 

For many years this brave nation has been living under coercion, 
suppression and occupation by the dictatorial regime in Iraq, which 
used all the methods and means in the country over the 35 years of 
Saddam's rule to misinform the people and keep them ignorant of all 
the news and events in the outside world, all for the purpose of 
covering up the abominable atrocities of the dictatorial regime. We 
can see that the citizens throughout Iraq have been deprived of the 
minimum freedom and of their rights. 

Now, after the victory of Operation Iraqi Freedom, we can see a free
country and a free people at the apex of their delight. People are 
expected to live happily and prosperously in a democratic country, 
and expect that all their needs to be addressed. With this in mind, 
Brayati visited the covered market in Arbil to probe into only one 
source of the people's thirst for knowledge, the growth of the 
satellite equipment market. 

There are many buyers 

We entered the market and visited several shops that sell satellite 
equipment to assess the demand for this device. 

When Mam [uncle] Salih, seller of videos, and owner of Handren shop, 
spoke about the selling of satellite apparatuses, he said with 
delight: "Currently, a large number of people come to the markets 
daily to buy satellite equipment. The majority of those people come 
to Arbil from outside, particularly from Kirkuk, Mosul and Baghdad, 
as well as from the south to buy satellite apparatus." 

Why are people so eager to purchase satellite equipment? 

Undoubtedly, all the demand for satellite equipment by the people has 
had an obvious impact on the rise in the price of the equipment. 
However, this has not slowed down trade in the market because the 
people who have been living for so many years under the tyrannical 
regime, were deprived of any knowledge or information about the 
outside world and the developments and progress that has been 
achieved. This ignorance and blackout is the main factor behind their 
eagerness. That is why anyone who can afford to buy the equipment 
considers the satellite as one of the most important necessities of 
life. 

From this perspective, when we talk about the rise in the price of 
the equipment, Mam Salih told us, "Formerly, the price of the (ACC) 
[as published] Satellite was 83 dollars, whereas now it is 140 
dollars. Also, the Logix brand was sold for 105 dollars, but now it 
is 160 dollars. On the whole, the other brands have also appreciated 
at the same rates." 

The rise in prices 

When the owner of Khoshnaw shop, Salih Hamad Amin talked about the 
satellite market, he said: "Prior to the war, we had a very slow 
market. Actually, sometimes we would not even sell anything for some 
days. This was because the majority of the people in those regions 
under the control of the regional government already owned satellite 
equipment. In this respect, the people in all the provinces under the 
control of the dictatorial regime had been deprived of this kind of 
equipment. 

Subsequently, when the dictatorial regime collapsed and this country 
was fully liberated, the price of satellite equipment went up, 
because previously the wholesalers had been displaying a lot of this 
equipment in their shop windows, but they could not sell them. 
However, now that there is a great demand for them, and the 
wholesalers have pushed the prices up. Consequently, we are also 
forced to sell them at a higher price. However, I do not expect the 
high price and cost of satellite equipment will last long." 

A craftsman talks about satellite installation 

We met a technician, Rizgar, who installs the equipment at homes and 
other places. He said: "I have been going Mosul and Kirkuk to install 
satellite equipment. If I work steadily, I will not be idle for even 
a single hour. People in those cities purchase satellite equipment at 
a very high cost. It goes without saying, formerly we used to install 
satellite equipment in Arbil at a certain price, however the price is 
relatively higher nowadays. This is as far as our job is concerned, 
but regarding the rise in the price of the equipment, I believe the 
reason is that now the equipment is brought in by smugglers more than 
before." 

(In a dispatch headlined "Iraqis rush for forbidden fruit", Reuters 
news agency reported from Baghdad on 17 April that a satellite dish 
and equipment were selling for 300 dollars per set in the capital, "a 
small fortune for most in Iraq, where a civil servant might earn the 
equivalent of just 10 dollars a month, topped up by cash from second 
or third jobs". Possessing a dish under the former Iraqi government 
was punishable by a fine of around 150 dollars or even a six-month 
prison sentence, although in recent years Iraqis said such equipment 
was usually only confiscated, the Reuters report added.] 
Source: BBC Monitoring research 18 Apr 03 (via DXLD)

** IRAQ. IRAQIS RUSH FOR FORBIDDEN FRUIT SATELLITE DISHES  
   By Edmund Blair

BAGHDAD, April 17 - He used to sell them out of sight because 
possessing one was a criminal offence, but now Jassem al-Saadi's 
Baghdad shop is crowded with people wanting a satellite dish.

``I sold 30 yesterday and about 100 today. Maybe I'll sell 500
tomorrow,'' said a grinning Saadi on Thursday as he counted a wad of 
$100 bills and a few smaller notes.

A dish and equipment sells for $300 a set, a small fortune for most
in Iraq, where a civil servant might earn the equivalent of just $10 
a month, topped up by cash from second or third jobs.

But, such is the premium for uncensored information and entertainment
in Iraq as it emerges from 24 years of iron-fist rule under Saddam 
Hussein, that dozens of people are ready to shell out their savings.

State television had little going for it, according to most Iraqis,
because it was dominated by programmes heaping praise on their ex-
president.

Some censored satellite television was re-broadcast locally, but
programmes were often interrupted when the subject touched on Iraq.

Now, a selection of Arab and Western television channels are at the
fingertips of wealthy Iraqis -- CNN, al-Jazeera, the BBC and even 
Lebanese movie channels.

And on Wednesday, U.S. forces started broadcasting television from
Baghdad airport. Using frequencies once used by Saddam's state media, 
the new Arabic network is called Nahwa Al-Hurrieh or ''Towards 
Freedom'' and features U.S. and British programmes.

A specially modified plane called ''Commando Solo'' is also flying
over Iraq broadcasting both television and radio for several hours a 
day.

Possessing a dish under the toppled Iraqi government was punishable
by a fine of around $150 and even a six-month prison sentence. But in 
recent years, Iraqis said such equipment was usually only 
confiscated.

Yet, for many Iraqis, owning a dish now is a worthless luxury, for
electricity has been cut across the country.

But a few people from the wealthier classes have generators, while
some residential areas have hooked up to generators looted from 
nearby government buildings.

Buoyed by sales of satellite television equipment, Saadi is eyeing
the satellite phone market. ''They should come today,'' he said.

Saadi may well find a healthy turnover in these items too, which were
also banned under Saddam. The telephone network has broken down, and 
many Iraqis are desperate to call relatives abroad, where many Iraqis 
live after fleeing an Iraq crippled by war and U.N. sanctions.

Some of those gathered outside Saadi's shop were simply marvelling at
the new found freedom but had no cash to buy one.

''God willing, the price will become less and I will be able to
afford it,'' said 31-year-old Mehdi Kadhim.

A few other electrical shops also opened on Thursday along the same
line of shops, but many on the street remain shuttered up. Saadi's 
store was by far the most popular.

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=focusIraqNews&storyID=2585713 
  Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. (via Mike Terry, Jilly Dybka, DXLD)

** IRAQ [and non]. MEDIA BEHAVIOUR ROUND-UP 1600 GMT 18 APR 03 
[excerpts]

A radio station in Arabic identifying itself as the Iraq Media 
Network has been observed by BBC Monitoring on 1170 kHz, a frequency 
not previously used by Republic of Iraq Radio. Other announcements 
included one for "The Voice of New Iraq". The US newspaper Wall 
Street Journal had reported on 16 April that the USA was sponsoring a 
new AM radio station in Iraq called the Voice of the New Iraq. The 
new station marked the birth of the Iraq Media Network, which would 
eventually include newspapers and TV stations run by returning Iraqi 
exiles, the report added. 

A station in Arabic identifying itself as Radio Voice of the 
Mujahidin was monitored on 720 kHz on 17 April. The station's 
programming suggests it is affiliated with the Tehran-based Supreme 
Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, SCIRI. The frequency 720 
kHz is one of several used by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting 
for external broadcasts. 

The US/UK airborne TV service Towards Freedom and the UK-run Radio 
Nahrain near Basra are also on the air. On 16 April, US forces 
started broadcasting Towards Freedom TV programmes from Baghdad 
airport (in addition to the existing airborne transmissions lasting 
five hours a day from US Commando Solo aircraft flying over Iraq), 
Reuters news agency reported. US Information Radio continues to be 
heard by BBC Monitoring. 

Abu Dhabi TV on 18 April broadcast what it said was footage of Saddam 
Husayn being greeted by crowds in Baghdad's Al-Azamiyah district on 9 
April, the day the capital fell to US forces, as well as his "last 
speech" it said had not previously been broadcast. 

The following is a round-up of BBC Monitoring's media observations on 
Iraq and related reports for the 24-hour period up to 1600 gmt on 18 
April: 

NEW BROADCASTS TARGETING IRAQ 

Iraq Media Network 

A radio station broadcasting in Arabic was observed by BBC Monitoring 
on 1170 kHz from tune-in at 1640 gmt on 17 April. Programme content 
was mostly music with occasional announcements, typically translating 
as "You are still listening to the Iraq Media Network, on 1170 kHz 
mediumwave". Other announcements included one for "The Voice of New 
Iraq". 

The US newspaper Wall Street Journal reported on 16 April that the 
USA was sponsoring a new AM radio station in Iraq called the Voice of 
the New Iraq. The new station marked the birth of the Iraq Media 
Network, which would eventually include newspapers and TV stations 
run by returning Iraqi exiles, the report added. 

VOICE OF THE MUJAHIDIN PICTURE BULLETIN 1530 GMT 17 APRIL 2003 

A radio station calling itself "Voice of the Mujahidin" [sawt al-
mujahidin] was observed by BBC Monitoring on 720 kHz at 1410 gmt on 
17 April. The station's programming suggests it is affiliated with 
the Tehran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, 
SCIRI. The frequency 720 kHz is one of several used by Islamic 
Republic of Iran Broadcasting IRIB for external broadcasts. 

1. Religious song. 
2. Female presenter: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the 
Merciful and from whom we seek assistance. She greets listeners and 
identify the radio station as "idha'at sawt al-mujahidin": Voice of 
the Mujahidin, and starts reading news in brief: 
a. Formation of popular committee made up of equal proportions of 
Kurds, Arabs and Turkomans to administer Kirkuk. 
b. Three US soldiers killed while searching ammunition depot in 
southern Baghdad. 
c. Kirkuk oil wells will resume production in two weeks under 
American supervision. 
d. US Forces Central Command denies recruiting any Iraqi as governor 
or administrative official in Iraq. 
e. Iraqi citizens find 25 political prisoners in northern Baghdad. 
f. UAE Al-Bayan newspaper says Iraq will be divided by the Americans 
into five security regions. 
g. American press leaks news saying Iraq military governor Gen Garner 
will recruit 30 Iraqis as advisers. 
h. British newspaper The Independent asks Bush 27 questions 
including: where are the weapons of mass destruction, where is Saddam 
and where is the liberation of Iraq. 
i. US forces says they reduced their planes in Iraq and will increase 
ground forces. 
j. Oil industry workers in northern Basra return to their jobs. 
k. WHO delegation arrives in Iraq to evaluate Iraqi hospitals medical 
needs. 
l. Ahmad Chalabi says Americans will remain in Iraq for at least two 
years. 
m. Forces of Iraqi National Congress arrive in Baghdad. 
n. Reports from Kurdistan Democratic Party say Al-Barzani aims to 
rule Iraq. 
o. US forces say they found Iraqi Scud missiles in residential areas. 
p. Zionist Rabbis ask the Jewish soldiers to pray in western 
Euphrates as it is part of the sacred land. 
3. Programme on Afghanistan. The programme speaks on the Afghans' 
resistance to US forces' presence in Afghanistan. It adds that time 
limits set by the Americans to develop Afghanistan have failed. 
[Reception becomes worthless]. 
4. Interview with member of Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in 
Iraq, Ibrahim Hamudi, on freedom after Saddam and the American 
presence. 
5. Holy Koran. 
6. Female presenter announces that it is time for sunset prayers and 
presents call for prayers. 
"Voice of the Mujahidin" radio highlights remarks by Iran's 
Khamene'i, SCIRI leader 

At 1624 gmt, the radio was observed to identify itself as "Voice of 
the Mujahidin, the radio of freedom, the radio of the truth. Our 
esteemed listeners everywhere, our programmes come to you on 90.1 MHz 
FM and on 720 kHz mediumwave." 
The radio then carried a patriotic Islamic song. The song said in 
part: "Our stones will be from hell and our faith will restore to us 
our land, the land of Palestine. The rights will be restored to their 
owners, the territory belongs to the sincere." 
The radio carried the following four-minute news summary at 1627 gmt: 
1. The Islamic revolution in Iran under the leadership of his 
eminence Ali Khamene'i, may God preserve him, considers solving the 
Iraqi people's problems a humanitarian duty [word indistinct]. 
2. [word indistinct] the Islamic revolution in Iraq, His Eminence 
[word indistinct] Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim issues a statement 
on the [word indistinct] Imam Husayn, peace be upon him. He calls for 
[word indistinct]. 
3. The US-British coalition forces clash with a number of Iraqis in 
north and southern Iraq. A number of people were killed and injured 
and hundreds were arrested. 
4. The US (?colonialists) [word indistinct] military base in the 
suburbs of Al-Kut city for fear of the Shi'is who call for 
establishing [word indistinct] Islamic system in Iraq. 
5. Barzan al-Tirkrit, the brother of the tyrant Saddam, as been 
caught by the US forces. 
6. Losses of the US forces that are occupying Iraq rise to 125 dead 
and 495 wounded. 
7. Baghdad residents demonstrate against the return to work of the 
Saddam regime's police. 
8. The US forces find a Saddamist detention centre in a Baghdad 
suburb housing 25 political prisoners. 
9. More Iraqis are returning from the city of [name indistinct] to 
the Baghdad capital. 
10. The name of al-Zahra [Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet 
Muhammad and wife of his cousin Ali] was given to a hospital in the 
city of Al-Kut that was named after the tyrant Saddam. 
11. The EU asks the United Nations to play a key role on Iraq. 
12. Syrian foreign minister affirms that his country will not allow 
any weapons inspection work in Syria. 
13. The Islamic Republic of Iran and Lebanon stress the need for the 
evacuation of the occupation forces from Iraq. 
14. A Palestinian was martyred by Zionist bullets in Tulkarm [word 
indistinct] in the occupied Gaza Strip. 
15. [Word indistinct] arrived in Moscow [word indistinct]. 
The radio then carried a five-minute talk on the popular welcome that 
Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim, one of the leaders of the Iran-based Supreme 
Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI] received upon his 
return to Al-Kut from Iran. The welcome expresses the real feelings 
of the Iraqi people. These leaders merge with the people. They do not 
have guards and protectors like the tyrants. Iraqi people will oppose 
the "hirelings, liars, hypocrites, and traitors." "O people of the 
two rivers [Iraq]. Enough bitterness and defeats. Let us not continue 
to alienate our rights and with them ourselves. Let us stop being 
slain and skinned like sheep and to die unsung and unlamented." It 
also said: "Today is your day. Let us enhance our determination and 
raise our voice and prove that we exist." 
The talk was followed by a patriotic song. Mostly indistinct talks 
about the Iraqi situation were also aired. 
The Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, SCIRI, which 
is led by Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, operated a radio station called 
Voice of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Arabic: sawt al-thawrah al-
islamiyah fi al-iraq), which was observed intermittently in the 1980s 
and 1990s on frequencies used by the Iranian radio's Arabic service. 
This radio has not been observed by BBC Monitoring in recent years. 
The SCIRI web site http://www.majlesaala.com on 17 April carried a 
number of news reports that were almost identical to the above news 
items. 

OTHER BROADCASTS TARGETING IRAQ 

Voice of the Liberation of Iraq, a station believed to have hitherto 
been operated jointly by various Iraqi opposition groups in 
Sulaymaniyah, was monitored from 0400-1100 gmt on 18 April on the 
mediumwave frequency of 657 kHz, formerly used by Republic of Iraq 
Radio's Kurdish service. Unidentified Kurdish programming observed on 
the same frequency of 657 kHz at 1830 gmt on 17 April. 

Al-Mustaqbal (The Future), the radio of the Iraqi National Accord, 
was observed at 1100 gmt on 17 April on 1575 kHz kHz, carrying its 
usual programming, rather than continuous music. The broadcast 
finished at 1400 gmt. 

SCIRI / Voice of Rebellious Iraq -- This station, broadcasting in 
Arabic, identified from tune-in at 2045 gmt on 17 April on 711 kHz. 
Source: BBC Monitoring research 18 Apr 03 (via DXLD)

** IRAQ. IRAQI TV, RADIO BROADCASTS TO BE RESUMED SOON | Text of 
report by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Khabat on 
18 April 

Informed sources in Baghdad have reported that the information 
adviser at the US Defence Department, Robert Reily [as 
transliterated], has begun his responsibilities of overseeing the 
resumption of Iraqi TV broadcasting. The sources added that TV 
broadcasting was expected to begin in Baghdad within two to three 
weeks. Meanwhile work is under way to get regular radio broadcasting 
started within a week. Source: Khabat, Arbil, in Arabic 18 Apr 03 
(via BBCM via DXLD)

** IRAQ [non]. I managed to get V. of Mujahidin on 720 kHz at 1635 UT 
with QRM from the BBC Arabic. There was an analysis about the current 
situation in Iraq saying that they replaced Saddam with gardener... 
followed by a man shouting in a very high tone, "My Dear Iraqi 
Brothers... Fight those unbelievers, fight the Americans... ALLAH 
AKBAR." Followed by a patriotic song, then an ID ``Huna Idha`at 
Sout Al Mujahidin``, followed by a sort of chanting song with no 
music --- as they don't play musical hits - just like IRIB's Arabic 
section - followed by an OM welcoming the listeners and wishing them 
that they enjoy the next program which was called the "religious 
fellowship" very hard to translate that. Mainly religious talk about 
who was Iraq ruled from a religious point of view followed by another 
patriotic song.

1700 UT ID and the detailed news, the Friday prayer in Baghdad 
followed by a demo.

1705 till 1715 had to run and record the latest shots of Saddam 
Hussein walking in Baghdad taken on 9/4/03 aired by Abu Dhabi TV and 
followed by the last speech by Saddam which didn't have the chance to 
go on the air on Baghdad radio (exclusive Abu Dhabi TV). Great stuff 
really.

1716 news commentary about thousands of people prayed the Friday 
prayers in Karba'laa and al-Najaf, criticizing that the Media didn't 
show the Friday prayers in these shiite cities. Don't those who 
represent 70% of the Iraqi people shedding some media light on them?

Followed by a another chanting sad song for the shiite. Same chanting 
I used to hear in the Arabic section of IRIB with an ID ``Dear 
listeners, you are listening to V. of Mujahideen`` around 1720 UT. 
Contentious chanting till 1727 ID ``Huna Idha`at sout al mujahideen`` 
followed by the well known patriotic song ALLAH AKBAR (BTW it's now 
the national anthem of Libya. But originally it's an Egyptian song 
released during the British, French and Israeli attack on Egypt 1956 
known as Suez crisis).

1730 an ID and then a news brief , mainly about the situation in Iraq 
and some world news related to it. Fading. But anyway, typically 
Iranian style beamed to the Iraqi Shiite. More to come after some 
more observations. All the best from Cairo, (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, 
Egypt, 18/4/03 1740 UT, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRAQ [non]. TRANS WORLD RADIO AIRS SPECIAL PROGRAMS TO LISTENERS 
IN IRAQ 

CARY, NC, April 17, 2003 -- As military activity shifts from combat 
to restoring order in war-ravaged Iraq, international Christian 
broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) has been airing a series of 
special Arabic and Farsi language programs designed to offer 
spiritual encouragement and biblical perspective to listeners in Iraq 
and the surrounding region 
http://www.gospelcom.net/twr/news/nr.php?nr=59 
(via Jill Dybka, TN, DXLD)

CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER TRANS WORLD RADIO TARGETS IRAQ | Text of report 
in English by Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 18 April 

International Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) is airing 
a series of special Arabic and Farsi-language programmes designed to 
offer spiritual encouragement and biblical perspective to listeners 
in Iraq and the surrounding region. 

The daily 15-minute broadcasts, which began in March just prior to 
the commencement of the war in Iraq, air on mediumwave 1233 kHz from 
Cyprus. There are estimated to be 700,000 Christians in Iraq. 
In addition to the special broadcasts, TWR's Arabic department has 
recorded interviews with pastors and Christian leaders of the Arabic 
world regarding the situation in the Middle East and has inserted 
these at the beginning of programmes airing from Cyprus. The 
interviews allow local believers to present a Christian perspective 
and have a voice amidst a multitude of perspectives. Several other 
Arabic producers have also interrupted current programming and have 
addressed issues of interest during this time of anxiety. 
TWR broadcasts on 1233 kHz beamed to Iraq are on the air at 0200-
0230, 1925-2100 (Sat/Sun 2115) UT. (via BBCM via DXLD)

** ISRAEL [non]. FRANCE: JEWISH WORLDWIDE TV NETWORK TO LAUNCH IN 
OCTOBER - Egyptian report | Text of report in English by Egyptian 
news agency MENA 

Paris, 18 April: French magazine L'Express revealed that the month of 
October will see the birth of the first English/French CNN-like 
round-the-clock Jewish worldwide TV network which will be financed by 
a number of Jewish businessmen. 

The initiative to launch this news network, whose name is translated 
in English as "Life", is floated by a senior French businessman and 
to be financed by some Jewish businessmen including David Rothschild, 
owner of the Rothschild Bank. 

Life is not going to address only the Jews of the diaspora but will 
also address the world at large as it will be transmitted on four 
satellites to cover nearly the European continent, the Middle East, 
the United States and Canada, said L'Express. 

The French-language magazine said Life, which can be transmitted in 
more languages at a later period, will present nearly 36 news 
bulletins, reports and programmes to be broadcast by 40 reporters 
spread all over the globe. The network's budget will hit 30m euros 
annually and will include in its staff some senior Jewish reporters 
and journalists. Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1035 gmt 
18 Apr 03 (via BBCM via DXLD)

** KYRGYZSTAN. 4050, Hit Shortwave, Apr 14 *1451-1501 35433 English, 
1451 s/on and ID. 1453 ID. Pops music (Kouji Hashimoto, Yamanashi, 
Japan, Japan Premium, via DXLD)

** LEBANON [non]. 11520, V. of Liberty, Apr 11 1610-1625, 35333, 
Arabic talk and Arabic music. ID at 1620. Also Apr 12 1608-1618 34433 
Arabic, Talk. ID at 1613 and 1617 (Kouji Hashimoto, Yamanashi, Japan, 
Japan Premium, via DXLD)

** NETHERLANDS [non]. Radio Netherlands Schedule change from 20 April 

The transmission in Dutch at 1330-1425 UTC via Krasnodar on 17525 kHz 
will be cancelled. If you want to log Radio Netherlands via 
Krasnodar, you'll need to check the final transmission tomorrow! 
(Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Apr 18, Radio Netherlands via 
DXLD)

** NEW ZEALAND. As from Sunday 20th, RNZI will replace 11825 by 11820 
kHz in the 0506-0705 UT portion, due of co-channel interference of 
VoA Tangier-MRC, latter towards Europe in Albanian and Serbian. 
11825 0500-0530 VOA E ALBA MOR 59 degrees 
11825 0530-0600 VOA E SERB MOR 59 
BUT, Karel Honzik in Czech Republic heard RNZI this morning (Apr 18) 
already on 11820 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Apr 17/18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** NORWAY. The decision to shut down all R. Norway International 
(NRK) operations due to budget cuts affects the 1.2 megawatt 
transmitter on Kvitsøy Island, 1314 kHz. This is to be switched off, 
along with four shortwave transmitters at Kvitsøy and Sveiø. The two 
sites employed a staff of 18. ``At the remote Kvitsøy Island, the 
station is a very vital employer, and a closedown will have great 
impact on the community. This is extremely unfortunate for 
transatlantic DXers. Not only was 1314 kHz the single station from 
Norway in the logbooks for most, it was a beacon for northern 
latitude DX conditions in general,`` writes Bruce Conti, ``Broadcast 
Technology`` column, Popular Communications magazine (Feb-Mar-Apr 
FMedia! via DXLD)

** PERU, 4748v, Radio San Francisco Solano, 2357-0008, April 16, 
Spanish music at tune-in, block of IDs and announcements with phone 
number and several mentions of "cristiano" and "Santa María". 
Religious talks followed by what sounded like a radio drama? Poor 
with propagation QRN and QRM chatter (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH-USA, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST) 

** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO. R. ``Yugoslavia``, English to NAm at 0100 on 
9580 is either off, not propagating, or went to another frequency? 
Haven`t heard it several days., A poor frequency choice what with CRI 
English occupying same (Bob Thomas, CT, Apr 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** SWAZILAND. INFORMATION MINISTER NTSHANGASE DENIES MUZZLING PRESS | 
Text of report by Radio Swaziland on 17 April 

The minister for public service and information, Abednigo Ntshangase, 
has flatly refuted allegations that he has muzzled the press. 
Ntshangase says the media has a responsibility to educate, entertain, 
and inform the public. He says as the minister responsible for the 
press, he has no intention of standing between the nation and the 
press, and interfering with the nation's right to knowledge. He says 
the nation deserves to be informed and he has no intention now or 
ever to dictate terms to the press. 

He, however, clarified that media houses under government control 
must be supportive of government's initiatives and not be seen to be 
fighting government. The minister was speaking at the launching of 
the Media Complaints Commission, where he congratulated the 
journalists and all stakeholders for taking the challenge and 
formulating a self-regulatory constitution. Ntshangase said the media 
had an important role to play towards the alleviation of poverty and 
other problems facing the country, the region and the world. Source: 
Radio Swaziland, Mbabane, in English 1700 gmt 17 Apr 03 (via BBCM via 
DXLD)

** SYRIA [non]. 12120, Arab R., Apr 13 1527-1530* 45333. Arabic, 
Talk. ID at 1528. Music. 1530 s/off. // 12085 (Kouji Hashimoto, 
Yamanashi, Japan, Japan Premium, via DXLD)

** TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS. "Super Power 1020" April 19, 2003, 1020 
kHz, 0020-0100 UT. Taking a break of monitoring RUI, I thought I'd 
hear what was happening in Pittsburgh. Tuning to 1020 I was surprised 
to hear music from the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's played. Male 
announcer said "From Montego Bay to Tampa Bay...coming on 
strong...good evening". Several mentions of "Super Power 1020" and 
something about transmitter testing. Positive mention of Turks & 
Caicos at 0053 UT. Deep fades, mixing with KDKA at times and 
completely gone at times. 73, (-.. . Kraig, KG4LAC Krist, VA, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

"Superpower 1020", Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, playing motown music 
and making periodic announcements about testing their transmitter, 
blowing away KDKA here tonight at 0100 UTC. unID Spanish underneath.
Later review of my recording revealed the unID to be R. Calendario, 
Maracaibo. The Grand Turk station is Caribbean Christian Radio. 
That's two new 1020 loggings for me in the space of a couple of 
minutes. Many other LAs being heard here tonight. If you've declared 
the DX season to be over already, you're missing out on some good 
stuff! (Barry McLarnon, Ottawa ON, UT April 19, NRC AM via DXLD)

WRTH 2003 already has this slogan for Caribbean Christian Radio,
nominal 20 kW direxional, but thought to use only 5 kW, so it doesn`t 
take much to qualify as ``Super Power`` on T&C. Is it just
propagation conditions or a real power increase? (Glenn Hauser, DX
LISTENING DIGEST) 

** U K. BBCWS is resuming some semblance of normal more balanced 
programming as of Sat Apr 19, judging from the website daily 
programme listings, but still heavy on news and not so many features 
as before. Some staples have come back at new times, e.g. Play of the 
Week, Sat 1730 to Eu, 2101 to Am, etc. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** U K. Subject: [uk-radio-listeners] Five Live Bust up

Hi All, Did anyone catch the row between Victoria Derbyshire and 
Nicky Campbell on Five Live last Friday, 28 March. Only just seen 
this in last Saturday's Daily Mail and thought you all might be 
interested.

RADIO STAR RETREATS IN TEARS OVER 5 LIVE'S 'BATTLE OF THE EGOS'
Charlie Bain

FOR three hours every morning they keep listeners up to date with
the latest war news from Iraq.

But behind the scenes on the Radio 5 Live breakfast show, another
conflict has been simmering between the two ambitious presenters
Nicky Campbell and Victoria Derbyshire.

The show has been described by insiders as a 'battle of two egos'
with both presenters trying to outdo each other.

Yesterday, shortly before 8am, the tension boiled over as Miss
Derbyshire made a hurried, tearful exit on air.

The two presenters had apparently had a 'frank discussion'
off-air about who should interview Home Secretary David Blunkett
in a live chat from Greece.

Miss Derbyshire won but after the interview was apparently chided
by Mr Campbell, who implied that she could have done better.
Minutes later the pair had to start the 8am news bulletin,
delivering alternate headlines.

But it was all too much for Miss Derbyshire.
Her voice cracking, she apologised to listeners, burst into tears
and had to ask Mr Campbell to take over.

'Up to 120,000 more American troops are heading for the Gulf,'
she said, 'to reinforce the 90,000 already there ... I'm sorry
can you carry on.' A confident Mr Campbell replied: 'By all means
I will, no problems at all.'

Five minutes later, after Mr Campbell had finished the news on
his own, Miss Derbyshire returned.

She was asked in an abrupt manner: 'You've sorted yourself out,
everything all right?' She mumbled an acknowledgement and the
pair carried on with the programme.

BBC insiders said yesterday that it had been 'only a matter of
time' before the couple, who have been fronting the flagship show
since January, fell out.

Officially, both presenters have equal billing on the show, but
in the imageobsessed world of broadcasting, sharing sometimes
isn't enough.

Miss Derbyshire, 34, has seen her profile rise rapidly in recent
years.

She used to present the 5 Live breakfast show with Julian
Worricker before Mr Campbell arrived on the scene and also
co-hosts Channel 4's Sport Talk show on Saturday mornings.

Last year it emerged that she was dating BBC radio executive Mark
Sandell, married to her fellow presenter Fi Glover for two years.

Miss Glover, 33, who used to host 5 Live's evening show and has
her own three-hour slot after the Breakfast programme, was said
to be 'utterly heartbroken' over the split.

Mr Campbell, 41, took over the BBC1 consumer affairs series
Watchdog from Anne Robinson and used to present 5 Live's morning
current affairs programme before moving to the breakfast slot.

Known for his abrasive, no-nonsense style, his previous jobs
include presenting ITV's Wheel of Fortune gameshow and fronting
the network's Thursday Night Live debate programme.

Last night a BBC spokesman played down the spat between the two
presenters and blamed it on Miss Derbyshire being under the
weather.

'Victoria hadn't been feeling well all morning,' the spokesman
said.

'She went outside to get a glass of water and some fresh air and
was back on after five minutes.

'As far as I know, nothing untoward happened between her and
Nicky'. Copyright 2003 Associated Newspapers Ltd. (Via David Russell, 
Apr 4, uk-radio-listeners yahoogroup via Paul David, DXLD)

For those of us sad and voyeuristic enough to follow this saga, 
here's the latest instalment courtesy of Digital Spy.

FIVE LIVE PRESENTERS ARGUE ON AIR
17:33 BST, Friday 4th April 2003 -- by Jason Crawley

BBC Radio Five Live presenters Nicky Campbell and Fi Glover have been
involved in a terse on-air exchange about an incident in which 
Campbell allegedly reduced his breakfast co-presenter to tears.

The row occurred during the handover between the station's breakfast 
and morning shows, when Campbell told Glover that she was "sounding 
emotional" and asked if she wanted to ease the cough in her throat by 
taking a break. Glover replied that she did not want him to make 
another woman cry, which Campbell asked to be retracted before 
telling Glover not to believe everything she read in the Daily Mail.

"You should know that more than most," he added in reference to the
articles featured in the newspaper about Glover's private life. The 
discussion concerned an incident in which Victoria Derbyshire, Five
Live's breakfast co-presenter, left a broadcast in tears after 
allegedly being castigated by Campbell for her poor performance in 
interviewing Home Secretary David Blunkett.

However, Derbyshire told listeners this morning that Campbell was not 
to blame for the incident, which was reported in the Daily Mail last 
Saturday. 

A BBC spokeswoman has played down the row between Glover and 
Campbell, commenting: "It was nothing more than an in-joke between 
the teams. It's light-hearted banter and nothing more serious than 
that.". http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/mailer/display.php?id=10842
(via Dave Williams, uk-radio-listeners yahoogroup via Paul David, 
DXLD) Whew

** U S A. Here`s a good portrait of Marie Lamb in her real job as 
Chief Announcer at WAER: http://www.waer.org/images/Marie940.jpg
(via gh, DXLD)

** U S A. I have heard WYFR`s Harold Camping`s ``Open Forum`` 
program, M-F 8:30 pm EDT. In Philadelphia, it is available on WKDN 
*106.9 Camden NJ. There, Camping often cuts short callers who speak 
in favor of the Seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday), and he rails at 
churches that allow women to get up and speak when men are present.

I spoke to Harold`s daughter, Marie Camping, who works with Family 
Radio translators in South Dakota. I asked if there have been mass 
firings at Family Stations among employees who refused o quit their 
churches. She said it is a matter of individual conscience, and there 
have been no firings over that issue (Bruce Elving, Feb-Mar-Apr 
FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. Re Floridians on 1610 and 1640:

"KQV" is not new; it has been active for over a year, at least, and 
is indeed a pirate. Please reference my page where this has been 
listed for months. I too can hear them occasionally here in 
Clearwater during local nights.

1610 (TIS) "WKQV," Parkland; recently reported as having moved to a 
fishing camp near Coral Springs, but quickly confirmed as dis-
information. Uses a wire off of a 40-foot tower. Very professional, 
good studio equipment, includes "Payphone Call Challenge" with give-
away prizes. First noted in March, 2002 by T. Simon, airing "KQV" 
Oldies format, with 50s-60s jingles that apparently came from KQV in 
Pittsburgh, and playing stuff like the Tornadoes' "Telstar", with 
recorded announcement giving 954 area code (Broward County) number. 
Signal was quite good in Boca. With all the micros down this way, 
it's still a rarity to find one on the AM band. 

As for 1640 "WNPG," this one is new to me. Could it be related to or 
the same as the unlicensed "La Primerísima 16-40" (again, look at my 
page)? I see their URL is now dead. I have not been by the old 
offices/studio recently, but it was inactive last time I checked.

1640 (LPR) "La Primerisima 1640 A-M" http://www.primerisima893.com/ 
Tampa; November, 2002 update: not active upon a check in the parking 
lot. The banner has been replaced with a new one, touting "1490 La 
Primerísima, Brádenton, Pura Salsa." This is advertising licensed 
WWPR, 1490 kHz, which has switched from pop oldies to essentially the 
same format as 1640 carried: salsa and tropical music, minimal 
Spanish announcers. As for 1640: it is (was?) a low power operation 
emitting from the Arena Plaza at 3434 W. Columbus (Columbus at 
Himes). The clean signal covers a small area with nonstop Latin 
music. According to their web site, which was initially located in 
March, 2001, "La Primerísima, la que te lo que te gusta en vivo en el 
Internet las 24 horas al día sin Internet" with pure salsa format. 
The web site includes photos of studio equipment, a custom logo van, 
signs and store front. Original banner sign was on the guard rail of 
the second floor, in front of the office of the primarily web 
design/hosting company. The antenna is mounted on an approximately 
40-foot support, attached to the back of the building (Terry Krueger, 
Tocobaga DX, April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Lady Bird Johnson, now 90, and family sell the remainder of 
their broadcast properties in Austin TX, or at least a controlling 
50.1 percent interest, for $105 million. Those include KLBJ-FM 93.7 
and five other stations, to Emmis Communications of Indianapolis. 
Emmis could not pass up an opportunity to become ``a major player in 
an exceptional growth market,`` said Jeff Smulyan, Emmis chairperson. 
Mrs. Johnson started the businesd in 1942 with $17,500 in inheritance 
money while hrr husband was a member of Congress (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! 
via DXLD)

** U S A. Is LPFM "Alive and Well" or in Need of an Autopsy? Here is 
a link to two important and though-provoking feature articles on the 
future of LPFM ... with different conclusions: 
http://www.ccbroadcasters.com/lpfmfuture.htm  (John Broomall, 
Christian Community Broadcasters Mar 19, WTFDA via DXLD)

** U S A. CA San Diego WN3XFL 94.7 --- experimental station, Global 
Radio, Inc. No parameters announced; won`t be in the FM Atlas. This 
was for a station to operate during the recent Super Bowl. An 
inspection of the grant shows that the applicant had requested to use 
six frequencies in conjunction with the SB: 89.1, 92.9, 93.7, 96.9, 
104.1 and 106.9, and that the FCC permitted it to use two, 93.7 and 
96.9. ``Event broadcasting stations`` such a these are not ordinarily 
permitted by the Commission, ``so it is unclear why the FCC made an 
exception in this case. It is also unclear why the Commission allowed 
operations to occur on channels (93.7 and 96.9 MHz) that were second 
adjacent to existing San Diego County FM stations on 93.3, 94.1, 96.5 
and 97.3 MHz. Are second adjacent concerns no longer important? The 
Global grant is disturbing in that it comes on the heels of an 
unrelated case where an alleged pirate operator was issued 
experimental authority by the Commission, and the added facts that 
the San Diego application described herein was not publicly announced 
until AFTER the Super Bowl, and a copy of the grant was only 
available in paper form, making it difficult to review. In short, the 
whole experimental grant process needs to be revised and brought into 
the daylight so we can all see what is being proposed, and have an 
opportunity to comment --- long before a grant is issued.

Finally, there`s word that Global`s SB operations allegedly took 
place on all six frequencies requested, not just the two that were 
granted. The FCC has indicated that it is investigating. At least the 
call sign of the San Diego operation is easy to remember. WN3XFL, 
``and just happens to rhyme with NFL. We understand that an 
experimental FM system was also authorized at the New Orleans Super 
Bowl in 2002, so a pattern is emerging,`` reports an Internet source 
(Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. CA Baker KHRQ 94.9, KHDR 96.9. They`re both part of Howard 
Anderson`s Highway Radio network in eastern California. The stations 
are programmed for an itinerant market of commuters from Los Angeles 
to Nevada. ``The Drive`` is for younger travelers, while stations 
like KHSY 98.9 and KRXV 98.1 and ``Highway Country`` KHWZ 100.1, KIXW 
107.3 are for older listeners (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. CO Fort Collins KRFC *88.9, testing with rock/folk, country 
and ``variety``. It has about 100 active volunteers taking care of 
programming, construxion and other concerns. KRFC returns community 
radio to the city, lost in 1995 when KCSU *90.5 was turned over to 
students at Colorado State University. KRFC represents the 
culmination of nearly nine years of work by a handful of volunteers 
to win a coveted FM license from the FCC (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via 
DXLD)

** U S A. MA Glouster WBOQ 104.9 mj [MOE/jazz], dropping classical 
and ``W-Bach.`` It`s a family sale, with Todd Tanger, Alexander`s 
grandson, and Woody`s son, buying it for $5.8 million. His uncle, 
Doug Tanger,  owned WBOQ in the 1980s. Todd`s company is called 
Westport Communications (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. NY Schenectady WMHT-FM *89.1 is still classical music, but 
the station wants to solidify that image by being self-supporting in 
three years. It has abandoned most of is non-classical programming. 
Christopher Wienk is the new director of radio, who comes from an 
unnamed public radio station in Baltimore. He said, ``I do believe 
that this music belongs on the radio for anybody who can turn on the 
radio, even in the poorest communities. If you`re not able to focus 
on your strengths, you`ll make it a weakness eventually.`` He 
admitted that to some extent the station had strayed from its core 
mission and alienated some listeners. He wants the music to appeal to 
people who have not listened much, as well as o hard-core devotees. 
WMHT-FM has about 9000 subscribers, while rival WAMC *90.3 has 30,000 
members (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. Re American Family Association (AFA), fined for illegal 
operation of KBKC 90.1 Moberly MO:

These people and many of their ilk, are legally monopolizing spectrum 
in a manner never intended. The sooner some of their devious schemes 
are unearthed and their bulging bank accounts barraged with fines, 
the greater the chance of making them toe the line. I`d like to see 
them go away, but that`s probably to much to wish (Tom, Nashville, 
Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. OR Portland KBOO *90.7 --- the FCC rescinds a $7000 fine 
for indecency, regarding the song ``Your Revolution`` by Sarah Jones. 
The FCC recognized the song to be a statement that addresses racism 
and sexism, and ``not something intended to be prurient.`` The FCC 
did admit it was ``a very close case.`` After the original FCC 
action, Jones launched an angry website called 
``YourRevolutionIsbanned.com``. Jones had assistance from People for 
the American Way as well as the American Civil Liberties Union (Feb-
Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. Small noncommercial stations not receiving Corporation for 
Public Broadcasting funding are wanting in on Internet streaming --- 
at a lower rate. Earlier, CPB-funded stations received from the 
Librarian of Congress concessions in royalty fees. Many of the other 
types of stations have turned off their websites, and others plan to 
follow, said Will Robedee, general manager of Rice University`s KTRU 
*91.7 Houston. They`d like the same lower rates their more opulent 
brethren enjoy. Robedee would like to see a nominal flat fee for the 
smaller noncommercial stations. To raise awareness of his cause he 
has created a website, ``Save Our Streams`` at 
http://www.rice.edu/cb/sos (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. Some salaries in public radio, as researched by the 
Philadelphia Inquirer: Bob Edwards, host of NPR`s Morning Edition, 
$229,754; Scott Simon, host of Weekend Edition Saturday, $172,604. 
David Brancaccio, host of PRI`s Marketplace, $153,259. But Terry 
Gross, host of Fresh Air earned just $85,000. But Gross told he 
Inquirer that she just got a ``substantial`` raise (Feb-Mar-Apr 
FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. The driving force behind tyring to line up liberal radio 
talk show hosts is Jon Sinton, 48, former Atlanta market radio 
consultant. It could prove to be a tough assignment, with only Al 
Franken mentioned as possible on-air talent. Franken has to his 
credit time spent on Saturday Night Live and a best-selling book, 
Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot. There is a $10 million war chest 
toward creating such a network, with Democrats such as Chicago`s 
Sheldon and Anita Drobny contributing much of the money. The network 
would air about 14 hours a day (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

** U S A. ``ENHANCED SSB`` BANDWIDTHS ``EXTREMELY INCONSIDERATE`` 

FCC SAYS The FCC has sent advisory notices to four enthusiasts of 
what`s become known as ``enhanced SSB`` -- the practice of engineering 
transmitted single-sideband audio to approach broadcast quality. 
Letters went out earlier this month to amateurs in Illinois, Florida 
and New Jersey who are aficionados of enhanced SSB, also known as 
``upper wideband`` and ``lower wideband.`` 

``The Commission has received numerous complaints regarding the 
operation of your station,`` FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth 
wrote Paul Christensen, W9AC, John Anning, NU9N, Anthony Latin, 
W4NSG, and Sareno Salerno, W2ONV, on April 3. Hollingsworth said 
complaints to the FCC alleged that the bandwidths of the stations` 
enhanced SSB emissions were ``wider than necessary and contrary to 
good engineering practice.`` 

``Wideband overly-processed audio, especially when coupled with the 
high intermodulation levels of certain amplifiers, results in the use 
of bandwidths extremely inconsiderate of other operators,`` 
Hollingsworth said. Such transmissions may violate FCC rules and may 
be at odds with what Hollingsworth described as ``the expectation 
that the Amateur Service be largely self-regulated.`` 

Occupying more bandwidth than necessary in a heavily used amateur 
band, Hollingsworth wrote, not only could generate ill will among 
operators but lead to petitions asking the FCC to establish bandwidth 
limits for amateur emissions. At present, the FCC imposes no specific 
bandwidth limits on various amateur modes. Hollingsworth cited 
§97.307(a) of the Amateur Service rules that requires the signal of 
an amateur station not occupy ``more bandwidth than necessary for the 
information rate and emission type being transmitted, in accordance 
with good amateur practice.`` 

Some amateurs have complained that enhanced SSB signals can take up 8 
kHz or more of spectrum, cause splatter and unnecessarily interfere 
with other stations. ``The Amateur Service is not a substitute for 
the Broadcast Service,`` Hollingsworth said, ``and the frequencies 
allocated to the Amateur Service were not allocated for a `broadcast 
quality` audio emission or sound.`` Hollingsworth suggested the 
enhanced SSBers operate when the bands are less busy or on bands that 
are not heavily used. The many complaints the FCC has been getting--
20 or so per week-- leads to the conclusion that the stations` 
enhanced SSB operation is having ``a negative impact`` on the Amateur 
Service, Hollingsworth said. He requested that the four amateurs 
``fully review the rules`` and make sure their stations conform to 
them (ARRL Letter April 18 via John Norfolk, DXLD)

** VENEZUELA. Reference Venevisión (ch 4 Caracas). Virtually al 
Venezuela TV stations utilise directional transmission antenna 
patterns which in the case of Caracas have been designed to NOT 
radiate very much power to the north. Why? The transmitter locations 
are essentially located at mountain sites on the north coast and the 
people live to the east, south and west; why "waste" signal out to 
sea? Thus in addition to co-channel interference from Miami/Cuba et 
al on the first hop into USA they also suffer by having unknown but 
not very much power in the northerly direction. And there are I 
believe several channel 4 secondary transmitters for Venevision as 
well - which means the same programming as on Caracas will also be on 
other channel 4 relays simultaneously (i.e. Valencia at 20 kW, Puerto 
Cabello at 20 kW). Channel 2 Maracaibo is also directional coverage 
as is channel 3 Barcelona (Robert Cooper, New Zealand, April 13, 
WTFDA via DXLD)

** VENEZUELA, 4940, Radio Amazonas (presumed), 0045-0112, April 17, 
Live music program featuring a male artist who spoke with the 
audience during selections. No IDs or announcements noted (Scott R 
Barbour Jr, NH-USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 
 
** WALES [non]. Hi Glenn, Almost a week ago last Saturday I heard 
WALES RADIO INTERNATIONAL via RAMPISHMAM on 17845 kHz closing down 12 
UTC. Nice programme about cooking and Irish soda bread. I love to 
cook. jenny@wri.cymru.net 

Unfortunately she did not reply me on my enthusiasm on good food. 
More info found in Passport. Maybe she´s one of those women to hate 
cooking. Mine Tuire is not!!! You should try http://www.wri.cymru.net 
73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, April 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RECEIVER NEWS
+++++++++++++

``TAPING`` TVDX WITH DVD RECORDER

Hi guys.. I thought I'd pass on some musings on recording DX on my 
new DVD video recorder. For the past 14 years I've been taping my DX 
on a JVC HR-D630U VCR --- and more recently I added a Samsung SV-
5000W "World TV Signal Rx" VCR as well. I guess you all know too well 
the shortcomings of videotaping DX.

I just recently broke down and bought a Panasonic DMR-E30 DVD Video 
Recorder. I thought I'd snag one before motion picture copyright 
restrictions potentially handicap decks like this. This unit 
basically replaces the VCR as it has an NTSC tuner and uses DVD-RAM 
disks --- which are rewritable 100,000 times (vs. 1,000 times for 
DVD-RW) and can be recorded and erased on the fly just like a video-
cassette can.

DVD-RAM is awesome. You can record programs and then trim them down 
to size. This means that you can record a lengthy DX session, and 
then trim it later to only include the DX bits (IDs, etc) saving 
space. With 2 edits, you can even trim down one DX session that has 2 
separate DXworthy bits and only keep them. Amazing! You can divide 
programs in half if you want (though you can't combine any). Editing 
is easy as pie as there are different speeds varying from frame by 
frame to 100 X speed. The speed search is a big plus. And the search 
is absolutely stable - there's no jumping/sync bars/etc. After 
editing, you can give the program a name for later reference. All 
programs are listed on a menu so you can go straight to your exact DX 
catch later on. If your whole DX recording had no DX and was 
pointless, then you can simply erase it. Imagine recording an hour's 
worth of meteor scatter DX, then reviewing all of it in only 36 
seconds --- and then editing and only keeping the one 10-second MS 
burst that occurred. Awesome! (I think I used that word already, 
doh!)

Each DVD-RAM disk is the size of a standard DVD disk. There are 4 
taping speeds. Standard speed is 2 hours/disk. Others are 1 hour, 4 
hours & 6 hours. I find SP is great for DX. Record format is MPEG-2. 
Each disk costs about US $7. There are also DVD-RAM cartridges that 
have twice as much recording time. Cost of the DVD video recorder was 
US $550. I haven't seen any DVD-RAM drives on computers (though I 
suppose there are some) - so this DVD-RAM stuff is relatively new.

There are a few odd effects found when recording DX digitally. Ghosty 
pictures will show weird tears in the video as will some very weak 
signals, but signals stay synced, and at least they record! And 
usually in colour! In fact, the tuner has colour snow. I tried 
dubbing my smeary Venezuela F2 DX from videotape and it managed to 
record on DVD looking almost identical in quality.

The tuner isn't too bad at all - average sensitivity, although it's 
output has obviously gone through an analog->digital processor (as do 
the video inputs). This causes the above-mentioned tears in weak 
video at times. The tuner shows moderate & strong channels instantly 
but hiccups on weaker channels, but they do eventually show up. Not 
that big a deal since it still does a better job than the VCRs I've 
owned. I'll use the main TV for scanning for DX, then the DVD tuner 
for recording. The tuner apparently has no AFC which is a big plus 
for adjacent channels - selectivity is average but no AFC makes it 
seem better. Blue screen is defeatable in the menu, so the snow and 
hiss come in in all their glory. You can also record both the main 
stereo audio and SAP, if there is a SAP channel. Too bad the tuner 
doesn't have XDS. Beggars can't be choosers, though.

I'm hooked! I'll be recording all of my DX tapes onto DVDs now to 
save them before the tapes deteriorate. Now if only there was some DX 
to record (Bill Hepburn, Brampton, ON, April 18, WTFDA via DXLD)

CELLPHONE RADIO

The Finnish cellphone maker Nokia has announced a way you can hear FM 
between conversations. The new ``FM Radio Headset`` includes a 
digital tuner and stereo earpieces. It`s expected to be available 
after this month, and fits the Nokia 6100 phone. It draws current 
from the existing cellphone battery, which of course is chargeable. 

H20 FM RADIO

And there`s been other companies claiming to make a radio that works 
under water, or when you swim. The latest is an FM radio built into a 
snorkel, about $130 from Aqua Sphere (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

SMART WATCHES

To be sold this fall include Microsoft`s SPOT, which uses ``FM radio 
waves`` (SCS) [subcarriers] to receive ``up-to-date sports scores, 
news, e-mail and other digital messages`` (57 kHz?). They`re to be 
sold under the Fossil and Citizen watch Co. brands. Earlier, Seiko 
discontinued its messaging watches using SCS at 57 kHz. The new 
Microsoft venture hopes to be in 100 markets initially, and is 
working with Clear Channel, Entercom, Greater Media and Rogers 
Communications (Feb-Mar-Apr FMedia! via DXLD)

PUBLICATIONS
++++++++++++

FM SUBCARRIERS

The May, 2003 issue of Popular communications has an article by me on 
the history of FM subcarrier broadcasts. For a preview go to 
http://www.popular-communications.com/Submarines.html

FM ATLAS

On a personal note, the 19th edition FM Atlas was mailed to the 
printer in Benton Harbor MI, April 1. Later that day I was thrown 
into the hospital for three days of tests. I lost 9.5 kg of water 
weight, and have to watch my intake of salt. I face an operation May 
1 for colon cancer (Bruce F. Elving, Ph.D., Esko, MN, Feb-Mar-Apr 
FMedia! via DXLD)

As we immediately ordered the new FM Atlas for $23 postpaid we wished 
Brucey well on his upcoming operation. His website
http://members.aol.com/fmatlas/home.html as of April 18 had not been 
updated to mention FM Atlas XIX, but no doubt the ordering info 
remains correct:
 
All products can be ordered on VISA or MasterCard by phone (218) 879-
7676, toll-fee at 1-800-605-2219, FAX at (218) 879-8333. Or mail to 
"FM Atlas," PO Box 336, Esko MN 55733-0336, USA. Tell us what you 
think of this web page, and E-mail your orders to FmAtlas@aol.com 
(Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

F2 TV PHOTO WEBSITE

check out the F2 TV photos from this european website!
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Lot/2941/f2/f2.htm
73's and gud dx. (Steve AB5GP Wiseblood, Boca Chica Beach, Texas, 
WTFDA via DXLD)

SPACE ENVIRONMENT CENTER FACES FINANCIAL CRISIS
Ernie Hildner, Director

SEC finds itself in an extremely difficult financial situation as 
this issue of User Notes goes to press. While we have always been 
reluctant to discuss our financial trials with our customers (we do 
the best we can with the money we are given), this time is different. 
The President signed the omnibus appropriation bill Feb. 20. Until 
then, we were instructed to spend at last years`s funding until the 
appropriation was received. Without explanation, and even though the 
House and Senate had agreed to fund SEC 2000 levels, Congress` last-
minute Conference Report, and the bill ultimately passed and signed 
cut SEC`s appropriation severely. Result is that, 40 percent of the 
way through the fiscal year, SEC is short by more than a third of 
what we expected to have this year. To restore funds to last year`s 
level, we need about $3.1 M more money than was appropriated.

Mathematically, we would have to shutter SEC in April and send 
everyone home without pay for the rest of the year. This is not going 
to happen. Yet we are between the rock of insufficient funds and he 
hard place of needing to pay our staff.

NOAA and SEC continue to pursue a clear fix to this problem, but it 
has not  yet been found. In the deliberations and budget cutting, we 
perceive that a proper appreciation for the vital work that we do is 
absent or inadequate. Inexplicably, the budget cutters don`t share 
our view of the value of the work we do. We are hoping that, in 
addition to what we can do, our customers will be able to testify to 
the usefulness of space weather services and the help SEC gives to 
industries and vendors alike.

It is also important to mention that this creates a problem that 
extends into future years: if the FY 03 appropriation problem is not 
fixed, then the baseline for FY 04 most likely gets reset to the new, 
lower FY 03 appropriated level and our problem continues in upcoming 
budgets.

SEC may be unable to be as strong a partner with you in our space 
weather activities in the remainder of this year, and perhaps, in the 
next. We will drastically reduce travel, and some staff simply may 
not be at work for some fraction of the time. Nonetheless, we are 
determined that Space Weather Week will be held as planned May 19-22 
(April SEC User Notes via DXLD)  ###