DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-079, May 8, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1181: RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0730/0900, 1330/1500, 1730, 2330 7445 15039 WWCR: Sat 0600, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WJIE: Sat 0930, Sun 1030, 1630 7490 13595 WBCQ: Mon 0445 7415 WRN ONDEMAND from Fri: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1181.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1181.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1181h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1181h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1181.html WORLD OF RADIO ON WJIE: Altho we have not been told of any changes, the current program schedule at http://www.wjiesw.com/schedule.htm no longer shows WOR M-F 0730 UT, nor Sun 0200, with only three remaining times: Sat 0930, Sun 1030, 1630, on 7490, and maybe 13595. WJIE Update now shows only at 0915 on Sunday, and there is no news at http://www.wjiesw.com/NewsUpdate.htm WJIE has been inaudible lately on 7490 as well as 13595 (gh, May 8) WOR/COM/MR SCHEDULE http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html and MASTER TIME SCHEDULE http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html have been updated May 8 with latest WJIE and RFPI changes UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Hi Glenn, Let me add my name to the list of people who appreciate what you do. It's interesting to note that much of the positive feedback comes from people who themselves either contribute to, or compile, DX and SWL information. Many of those who complain about your religious/ political comments never show up as active contributors to DXLD or any other publication I have seen. I think the criticism you've been getting is symptomatic of the change I perceive in the west generally, and particularly in the US. People are less willing to tolerate the expression of opinions with which they strongly disagree. We at Radio Netherlands have been getting some stick recently for allowing people opposed to the war in Iraq to explain their position. I don't always agree with your opinions, but one thing I can say is that in all the years I have known you, you've been absolutely consistent in your views, and I respect that. There's so much hypocrisy about now, especially amongst politicians and their spin doctors, that it's refreshing to see someone who does not feel a need to be "politically correct" in order to gain cheap popularity. Glenn, carry on doing what you're doing. Your personal contribution to SWLing and DXing over many years has been immense. Don't let the "here today, gone tomorrow" brigade put you off! 73, (Andy Sennitt (writing in a personal capacity), Netherlands) ** ALASKA. ALASKA FROM THE LOWER 48 STATES Craig Healy, http://www.am-dx.com For years one of the most difficult DX catches from the continental US has been the state of Alaska. It's not for a lack of stations, as there are some high power stations there. Much of the difficulty is in the far Northern location, and the difficult propagation from north to south. Over the years, it has been observed that AM skywave signals are enhanced along the sunrise/sunset terminator line. This is called greyline DX. Some amazing catches have been had this way, such as India from the northeast US by a very senior DXer some years back. Alaska at dawn in late Spring and early Summer may be possible. I can guess that there are several reasons why this hasn't ever been really investigated. First, sunrise DX is nowhere near as popular as sunset DX. Most people listen in the evening and nighttime. Second, is that the "DX Season" is often considered over by March or April. Yet, the ionosphere isn't as season-sensitive as commonly believed. Last reason is Spring and Summer are thunderstorm seasons. Noise in summer is much worse than Winter. However, noise is least at dawn and may be no worse than wintertime. For the northeastern US, the propagation path also goes across the Auroral Zone. It will be hit and miss to catch a good path through there. You never know until you try, and to my knowledge few have bothered, dismissing the idea without ever researching it first hand. Here's the plan: Starting in late Spring, the dawn greyline does a pivot over the city of Anchorage, AK and swings over the whole US. This happens in June and early July in the eastern US. The western US has this beginning earlier, in mid-May. This greyline is probably the best chance to hear this difficult state. Here are a series of GeoClock graphics showing the terminator as it swings across the US. Starting in late May, I will be recording 750 kHz from about 4:30 am to 5:30 am EDT in Providence. The equipment will be somewhat limited, with a Drake R7A and only a sloping longwire aimed Northwest. We shall see.... Here is a list of Anchorage stations: 550 KTZN 5kw U1 590 KHAR 5kw U1 650 KENI 50kw U1 700 KBYR 10kw U1 750 KFQD 50kw U1 1080 KUDO 10kw U1 Of these, KFQD would be a good choice in the Northeast. WSB could be nulled as it's at 90 degrees (roughly) to the bearing toward Anchorage. (see website for pix) At dawn in Providence, RI at 4:50 am EDT June 14th. Note the nice greyline from Anchorage to Providence. Same view from Pittsburgh, PA at 5:30 am EDT June 14th. And from Chicago, IL at 5:00 am CDT June 14th. From Denver, CO at 5:15 am MDT June 7th. Note the earlier date as you approach the west coast. And from Los Angeles, CA at 5:35 am PDT May 14th. Note that this is earlier in Spring as you go further west. The addition of a mostly saltwater path, and shorter distance makes it easier from the west coast. Alaska is heard fairly frequently in the Pacific Northwest (IRCA Soft DX Monitor May 10 via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) ** ANGOLA. Material on early broadcasting in Angola and old stations... look into the following site: http://www.terravista.pt/bilene/1647/Angola/AngolaRadio.htm Many photographs and data on the "rádio clubes", etc. (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 1700, 0938 17/4, R. Restauración, "BA, Argentina" Relaying BBC in Spanish (Stu Forsyth, Wellington, New Zealand, IRCA Soft DX Monitor May 10 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 11710 from 0202 UT in English with web addresses, e-mail and postal addresses. SINPO 33333, just poor enough to not be able to totally copy. By 0222 with tangos, SINPO 23222 (Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, May 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. A secret Chinese policeman working in China monitoring overseas shortwave radio broadcasts into China was in Brisbane. He came to visit the broadcast centre and during the visit admitted to staff who he was and that after listening so much to Voice that he wanted to give his life to Jesus. He accepted Jesus into his heart while in the studios on the Sunshine Coast. [caption:] Meet Mario Klauzer from the Cox Transmitter site. Mario is one of Voice’s longest service staff members. He has been with us for 3 years now, however has been at the Cox Transmitter site for over 30 years; some say he was there when Captain Cook passed by. Well done, Mario, we appreciate your work (April On Air, Voice International newsletter via Alokesh Gupta, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Just found this on Aus. radio. broadcast. thought it was interesting ----------- From: Liron Lightwood Subject: Re: Pirate Radio Sydney Newsgroups: aus.radio.broadcast Date: 2003-04-13 23:53:58 PST [sic] I'm amazed that there hasn't been much pirate radio activity in Australia, given how much you hear about in other countries. I mean in the 80's there was so much empty-ish space on the FM band, no community stations, not as many commercial stations on FM! There were some pirate radio stations over the years here in Melbourne, but I only know about the ones I've heard myself. I'm really surprised that I haven't heard anything in the media about this. The main station I heard in the 80's was Radio Uranus. They started off on transmitting from a boat on Port Philip Bay in December 1986 (you could hear the boat engine in the background when they spoke between songs). I heard two test transmissions on December 14 in the evening and December 21 in the afternoon, they were preparing for their major test transmission on December 24, but unfortunately I went on holidays to the Gold Coast on that day so I didn't hear how their major broadcast went. One of the dialogs I remember from that transmission went something like: First guy: "This is radio, so you can't swear" Second guy: "Oh, you mean like ..." All was quiet for the next few years until November 18 1989 when I heard a test tone near 93.9 at 4PM for an hour. At first, I thought it was 93.9 BAY FM Geelong preparing for a launch. But on Sunday November 19, after another hour of test tones from 4 to 5 PM, they announced that they were Radio Uranus on 93.7! They were back! This time it seems they were going for the big time. During the test transmission, they said that they were using a 10 kW transmitter located in Kinglake. In the inner-southern suburbs of Melbourne they came in with a medium level signal similar to 3RPP. During the transmission, they played various songs of a mainstream variety (but not pop) and talked in between. They also crossed over to someone in their 'Stereo Cruiser' which was located on St. Kilda Rd. near the Arts Centre. They said that the first person to come there would get a free ice-cream. They used a 2-way radio for the link. The test transmission started at 4 PM. The transmission proper started at 5 pm. By 8:30 or 9:30 they were raided (by the sounds of it) by the authorities within seconds they were off the air. I'm really surprised I didn't hear anything about them on radio or TV. The next and last pirate radio transmission I heard was on December 30 1992 by a station calling themselves 3PPP. They must have been located around South Yarra or Richmond, but this is just a hunch. They were on the air late at night but I didn't hear the end of their transmission. Liron Lightwood ---------------------------------- I did it in Brisbane off and on for about 2-1/2 years --- with not to much problems from the authorities, running 40 watts and a couple of half wave dipoles --- and some bad automation methods. My ID was "Brisbane`s only pirate radio station, Kickass FM" God, I had some fun djs ------------------------------------------------- From: SOMEONE WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE!!!! Subject: Re: Pirate Radio Sydney Newsgroups: aus.radio.broadcast Date: 2003-04-14 04:14:06 PST [sic] Only FM pirate I ever noted was Radio Zeiras(sp?) from the southern suburbs of Sydney back in the early 80s. Greek programming, and quite well heard down near Waterfall. Otherwise CBN on shortwave, and occasionally a very low powered FM transmitter. There was also one in Tassie for a while a few years back on shortwave but don't know of any other operations. Sit in London on a weekend evening and the band is full of FM pirates. Richard --------------------------------------- From: Another famous name Subject: Re: Pirate Radio Sydney Newsgroups: aus.radio.broadcast Date: 2003-04-14 06:25:26 PST [sic] There was a pirate from Melbourne on 1611 kHz which operated around Xmas or New years eve back in the mid to late 1980's. Rock solid signal at night across Victoria. DM ---------------------------------------- From: Central FM Subject: Re: Pirate Radio Sydney Newsgroups: aus.radio.broadcast Date: 2003-04-15 05:00:35 PST [sic] Don`t forget the gold coast's central fm 106.5 busted after almost 18 months. Lost all interest in it now. ------------------------------- Message 12 in thread From: Matthew Cook Subject: Re: Pirate Radio Sydney Date: 2003-04-16 04:53:27 PST [sic] I read very recently on a radio email list about a "Tex FM" operating on 99.7 in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. I'd like to credit the author, but I can't remember who it was :-( (all via Jem Cullen, May 5, ARDXC via DXLD) There was also Pox FM in Melbourne a bit before my time (David Martin, ibid.) I recall both of those. Radio Uranus used to operate mobile from the top of Mt Dandenong. They got busted when they gave out phone numbers I believe. Geez, that was years ago. POX Fm... Mmmmh, I think this started way before on 27 MHz. Interesting (Dave Onley, ibid.) Recall hearing a pirate in 1972/73 in Sydney. Apparently it was run by an east European migrant for his own amusement and was just playing music from the Yugoslavian area, I think. As I remember the ID was R. Belgrano [Belgrade?] or similar and was located down around Marrickville area. I had no idea what it was till I read about the station's closure by the police in the paper. Must have had reasonable power as I heard it on the North side of the Harbour. Cheers, (John Schache, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. GROUP TO STUDY DIGITAL RADIO Selina Mitchell MAY 06, 2003 NEARLY two years after the Federal Government announced it would set up digital radio technology to Australia, it will establish a study group to report on options for its introduction. . . http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,6385757%5E15333%5E%5Enbv%5E15306-15321,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** BAHAMAS. FM DX (EDT) 5-6 Es! 1805, 104.5, ZNS-FM BAHAMAS, New Providence, Nassau, international news program in English with tropical/Caribbean accents, matches their online schedule for "World News" 1800-1830, nothing outside of ZNS-FM matches what I heard, 1151 miles, NEW! COUNTRY #3. Yamaha T-80 tuner (modified IF filters), non directional FM antenna I figure the area of ionization was near Georgetown, SC, which was not far from severe thunderstorm activity. If the ion cloud could have floated northwest I would have probably started getting Florida as well, but that was not the case. I almost missed this one because of the lack of stations in the Bahamas and I did not have many clues that anything was going on until I saw the storm activity on the Weather Channel. At that point I thought maybe I could get the Bahamas. Of course, the only station I knew of from memory was the one on 104.5 MHz. Later on I put this list together: 89.9 Spanish Wells - "Splash 89.9 FM" variety 94.9 ??? - "More 94.9 FM" adult R&B/talk 96.1 Freeport - "Cool FM" 97.5 New Providence, Nassau - "Love 97 FM" AC 100.3 Nassau - "Jamz FM" R&B/hip-hop/local 102.9 ??? - "Island FM" island music/AC 104.5 New Providence, Nassau - (ZNS-FM) "Power 104.5 FM" variety 107.1 Nassau - (ZNS-1) Religious? 107.9 Nassau - (ZNS-2) Religious? I probably could have heard that one on 100.3 if I had known about it; of course I did scan when ZNS-FM faded and did not catch anything else that was unusual, it might have been too late at that point. Good DX! (Michael Procop, Bedford, Ohio (Cleveland), AMFMTVDX mailing list via DXLD) ** BIAFRA [non]. 12125, Voice of Biafra International, full-data E- mail reply from V/S Chima Osondu for Oct 2001 postal report and a couple of postal and E-mail follow-ups. This came from biafrafoundation.com on the same day as my latest E-follow-up, which I sent separately to biafrafoundation@yahoo.com and oguchi@mbay.net (apparently it is the first address that worked). (Jerry Berg, MA, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** BOTSWANA. RADIO BOTSWANA VETERANS RETIRE 08 MAY, 2003 Two of Radio Botswana's long serving officers, Moreri Gabakgore and Mpolokeng Thebe, have retired after serving the station for a combined period of 66 years. . . http://www.gov.bw/cgi-bin/news.cgi?d=20030508&i=Radio_Botswana_veterans_retire (via Jill Dybka, MSIS, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. PV2AA - PRESS RELEASE N. 03 EE ------------------------------------------------- Hello friends, New LABRE/SP DXpedition to: COMPRIDA ISLAND, IOTA SA 024 - DIB 021, STATE OF SAO PAULO - BRAZIL Callsign: PV2AA (Papa Victor 2 Alfa Alfa) Date: 17 and 18 may 2003 QRGs: From 2 to 160 meters. Modes: CW, SSB and FM Operators: Luiz Eduardo Tresso, PU2OCZ Martins de Oliveria Nunes, PY2HN Flávio Aurélio Braggion ARChangelo, PY2ZX QSL via PY2AA (for SWLs too) Bureaux or Direct to: P. O. Box 22, São Paulo - SP - Brazil - CEP 01059-970 LABRE/SP - DX AND EDUCATION LABRE (Liga Amadorística Brasileira de Radio Emissão) is the Brazilian league devoted to ham radio. LABRE/SP is the São Paulo`s league organization, one of the most active in the country. LABRE/SP made some expeditions in the past, as PS2V first operation at Vitória Island and support others as PS0S to Saint Peter and Saint Paul Rocks. In PY2AA headquarters station, LABRE/SP now going to receive its first DXCC Award. The station was heard in many contests with special callsigns PU2A, PQ2A, etc. The main objective of PV2AA Comprida Island Expedition is the educational approach, with University - Ham integration. Teachers and students of journalism from UNICID (Universidade Cidade de São Paulo) will be following the expeditionaries, making one institutional video, interviews, and stay more closed with basic ham radio DX activities. UNICID made recent statements with LABRE/SP for co-producing the QTC Magazine, the national wide LABRE magazine. The Radioamateurs of Japy, an active group of São Paulo, also support the PV2AA journey. The station will be active on Manchester Mineira CW Contest, promoted by CWJF. COMPRIDA ISLAND - THE WINDLAND The "Comprida Island" is the longer island on São Paulo´s shore, with 74 km of continuous beach. The island located in the middle of Iguape- Paranaguá Lagoon Complex (covering south São Paulo and north Paraná), one important refugee for undersea life and migratory birds (4th position in migratory species diversity on South America). Duo to its environmental influence, the Education, Science and Culture Nations Organization (UNESCO) includes it in the Planet's life Reserve. In Comprida Island live 8.000 residents that grows up to 400.000 as floating population in summer time, looking for tourism activities. The cultural and sports entertainment performed in Ilha Comprida are influenced by its environment. The folk set great store by the typical fisherman art. The Cinema and theater festivals, performed annually, show environmental themes. Adventure sports such as rallies, motorcross, marathon, windcar and traditional fishing are other attractions. Many actions by local government and partners promote the development with ecological perspective. Universities are making there some pioneer projects such as cloning bromeliads, the controlled production of Mytella mussel, and traditional reforestation. FOR MORE INFORMATIONS # CHECK LABRE/SP http://www.labre-sp.org # SEND E-MAIL TO labresp@labre-sp.org RELATED INFO: + UNICID http://www.unicid.br + LABRE Brazil http://www.labre.org + CWJF http://www.powerline.com.br/cwjf + Radioamateurs of Japy http://www.japy.kit.net + Comprida Island http://www.rgt.matrix.com.br/ilhacomp + State of São Paulo http://www.saopaulo.sp.gov.br/ + Federative Republic of Brazil http://www.brasil.gov.br FELL FREE TO SPREAD THIS E-MAIL WE HOPE FIND YOUR STATION ON THE PILE UP! PSE SPOT US WHEN HEAR OUR SIGNALS FROM THE WINDLAND! ====================================================== ||||| LABRE SAO PAULO - PY2AA ||||| R. Dr. Miguel Vieira Ferreira, 345 A, Tatuape, Sao Paulo - SP - Brasil CEP 03071-080. Tel (11) 293-4996, 293-2060, FAX (11) 294-1047. Letters also to P. O. Box 22, Sao Paulo - SP - Brasil - CEP 01059-970 Web site: http://www.labre-sp.org E-mail: labresp@labre-sp.org ====================================================== (Flávio ARChangelo, py2zx@50mhz.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CHWO TEST - One last time For those who are recording the song "Nobody Does It Better" by Carly Simon for Fred, the April 30th test was off a bit in timing plus there were a few storms that night making the recording useless. So the station will play it one more time on May 14th between 9:15 and 10:00 pm EDT. I will narrow down the time sooner to the event but it will be in that time frame. Thanks. (Brian Smith - CHWO / AM 740, May 6, NRC- AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. A good source of how DAB is available here in Vancouver (15 stations, each broadcasting from 2 locations), as well as info on other cities in Canada, and a link to the industry http://www.digitalradio.ca/ Go to: http://members.shaw.ca/nwbroadcasters/digitalradio.htm Me? I can't be bothered, as MW radio meets my needs just fine without spending CDN$350* for DAB reception. The ONLY exception is in the downtown core, where reception of ONE of the locals (CKNW-980) suffers ef Vancouver *less $50 if the special promotion is still on (Eric Floden, BC, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. "SAVE THE MALES" CREDO, FOUND ON MOJO-640'S WEB SITE http://www.mojoradio.com/station/mojo_creed.cfm I'm not making this up, folks, or forwarding an old urban legend. 73 (Mike Brooker Toronto, ON, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CROATIA. CROATIAN RADIO TO START 24-HOUR BROADCASTS FOR DIASPORA | Text of report in English by Croatian news agency HINA Zagreb, 7 May: On Croatian Radio and Television Day, 15 May, Croatian Radio will begin broadcasting a 24-hour programme for Croatian emigrants. The programme will be called "The Voice of the Homeland". The programme is intended for Croats outside the homeland but also for the international public. It will be broadcast on short and medium wave and via satellite signals. The programme will be available on the Internet too. The programme will air in Croatian, English and Spanish. Source: HINA news agency, Zagreb, in English 1708 gmt 7 May 03 (via BBCM via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) Details, especially on SW??? (gh, DXLD) **CUBA. U.S. ACTION AFTER CUBA CRACKDOWN DEBATED -- FLORIDA REACTION A CONCERN FOR '04 --- BY TIM JOHNSON Posted on Mon, May. 05, 2003 WASHINGTON - The Bush administration has compiled several options -- ranging from mild action to confrontation -- in reaction to Cuba's recent offensive to smash the pro-democracy forces on the island… [article touches briefly on broadcasting:] Some observers say they expect the White House to announce action to overcome jamming of U.S.- operated Radio and TV Martí, issue a resounding call for regime change of Cuba's ''cynical tyrant'' and impose a lengthy review for any application for trade and travel to the island. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/5787046.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** DENMARK. After only a week the Danish Minister of Culture personally answered the letter of protest from the DSWCI, mentioned in DX-Window no. 218. Mr. Brian Mikkelsen confirmed that R Denmark has a public service obligation to serve Danes abroad with programmes and information. He wrote this can be done by shortwave broadcasts, satellite relays of domestic radio- and TV programmes from Danmarks Radio, on-line broadcasts through the Internet and by a special newsservice on telephone. The shortwave service will as a minimum continue throughout 2003. It has not yet come to a decision as to how long thereafter it will continue. A planned meeting on May 06 between the Board of R Denmark and its Directory was cancelled due to political discrepancies (Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** DENMARK. 6290, World Music R, Central Jutland, Apr 27, heard well in the evening for the first time (Erik Køie, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) Not on the air Apr 28-May 06 (Anker Petersen, ibid.) So the beginning of WMR`s own transmissions direct from Denmark, previously previewed here (gh, DXLD) ** DIEGO GARCIA. The station in Diego García still exists (Trish Huizinga, OIC, AFN Keflavik [see ICELAND] via Jarmo Patala, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But on SW? ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Radio Amanecer International, 6025, 0009-0032, May 7, Spanish. Continuos choral style ballads, Male with nice, clear ID at 0020. Fair with propagation fades, QRM (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA [non]. 5925, Voice of Democratic Eritrea, full-data paper QSL card, good veri statement, handstamp, personal note about listening at 1600 Local Time Saturday. V/S appears to be same as name in envelope return address, i.e. Neguse Tseggon. Reported to and received from P.O. Box 1946, 65409 Russelsheim, Germany. Also says 100 kw, 130 degrees, non-directional to Europe on Sat. In 2 weeks for CD report (Jerry Berg, MA, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Noticed some frequency changes on TDP's website. Voice of Ethiopian Medhin: 1800-1900 7520; 1830-1930 12120 Amharic (both only on Sunday) (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 5980, Scandinavian Weekend R, Villat, 2310-2315, May 02, Finnish pop music disturbed by BBC 5975 and R Liberty 5985. 23322 6170, Scandinavian Weekend R, Villat, 0640-0820, May 03, Finnish talk and Finnish pop music, 24222 // 11690 slightly better under Voice of Turkey: 33333 11720, Scandinavian Weekend R, Villat, 1050-1255, May 03, Finnish pop music under a distorted Voice of Arabs, Cairo, 23222 (Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) Does anyone hear them further away, as Anker seems to every month? (gh) ** FRANCE [non]. Subject: [vhf-dx] PHENOMENON ON 144300 Hello all. To those interested in the study of estrange propagation phenomenon, there is one that I have been following for 3 years. Radio France International has a transmitter in Montsinéry, French Guiana, and every day between 0100 and 0200 UT they Broadcast the first 30 minutes in Spanish and the last 30 minutes in French for Central/South America and the Caribbean on 9800 and 11665 kHz from that location; see the RFI schedule at the end of this message. Now to the point, as you all know the hours between 0000 and 0300 UT are specially good for TEP [trans-equatorial propagation] between stations located on the northern tip of South America and the Caribbean and stations located south of Magnetic Equator; also this is a good time for F2 backscatter. For the last 3 years I have been listening to RFI on 144300 from 0100 to 0200 UT following their schedule. The signal received is in AM and the signal strength may vary from any were between S1 to S9+20 dB; the received signal has a distinct path since it is received with the antenna to the south. This has been checked when the signal is weak (S1 To S4); under those conditions by turning the beam 30 degrees away from the south the signal is totally lost. This signal is not an harmonic of the HF frequencies. For 9800 the 15th harmonic will be 147000, and for 11665 12th harmonic is 139980, and none of this frequencies are close to 144300; at one point I thought that the signal could be received via the intermediate frequencies of the radio, but during the study I have been using 3 different transceivers and various antennas with the same result, as for the Intermediate frequencies below are the ones for each radio: Radio 1 Model: Icom IC-275H, 1st IF: 10.750 MHz, 2nd IF: 455 kHz Radio 2 Model: Kenwood TS-711A, 1st IF: 30.265 MHz, 2nd IF: 10.695 MHz Radio 3 Model: Yaesu FT-847, 1st IF: 45.125 MHz, 2nd IF: 455 kHz I don't know if this phenomenon can be observed elsewhere, but if anyone is interested to receive this signal (if present in your area) you will need a 144 MHz radio capable of receiving SSB, and a directional antenna that can be directed to the south; just tune your radio to 144300 on USB and then with the VFO move down on frequency until the AM carrier can be heard, the move up toward 144300 until you hear the voices/music been broadcasted. If we are in the presence of a propagating phenomenon such as backscatter, perhaps stations in northern Brasil, could also pick this signal. If so we can try to figure out together how and why is this happening on 144300. If anyone is interested on this phenomenon, please let me know. I also have audio files of this signal where a heavy 60 Hz noise can be heard. This 60 hertz noise disappears at 0200 when RFI ends its broadcast, so it is mixed with the RFI signal or part of it. Radio France International Schedule: Capter RFI [excerpt] 01.00 - 01.30 Guy 31 m 9800 Espagnol 01.00 - 01.30 Guy 25 m 11665 Espagnol 01.30 - 02.00 Guy 31 m 9800 Français 01.30 - 02.00 Guy 25 m 11665 Français Guy : diffusé à partir de Montsinéry (Guyane) 73/DX (Jose M. Valdés R. (Joe) YV5LIX, vhf-dx list May 4 via Flávio Archangelo, radioescutas via DXLD) Subject: [vhfskip] Radio France International. Hello all. Some of you wrote to me in private not to long ago to ask me if, as I reported back in 2001, I was still receiving Radio France International 144.300 MHz AM; well the answer is yes, this signal is back again this year, I have been receiving it for two weeks now just the same as in 2001, and as then, in April/May and beaming South from Venezuela (180 degrees). 10 31 15 N 66 52 30 W, Grid: FK60NM RX1: Icom IC-275H RX2: Icom IC- 706MKIIG RX3: Kenwood TS-711A. Antenna: 1 horizontally polarized 6 elements Quad. http://www.yv5lix.org.ve 73/DX (Jose M. Valdés R. (Joe) YV5LIX, vhfskip yahoogroup May 6 via Tim Bucknall, harmonics yahoogroup via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) ** GERMANY. GERMANY: PAPER URGES DEUTSCHE WELLE REFORMS | Excerpt from report by German newspaper Die Welt web site on 5 May; subheadings added editorially The official birthday is actually in early May. But because of the move of Deutsche Welle from Cologne to the Schuermann building in Bonn, the broadcasting corporation will celebrate its 50th anniversary only in late June... Deutsche Welle has always been considered a trifle in the system of Germany's public broadcasting corporations (ARD). Since May 1953, it has been broadcasting abroad on shortwave, not just in German, but in dozens of foreign languages. But only those living abroad a good deal were really familiar with Deutsche Welle, since until the breakthrough of satellite television in the early 1990s, it offered the only possibility abroad to get direct information about Germany. Changes in broadcasting environment All this, however, has changed radically over the past few years, not only because of satellite programmes, but also because of the Internet. If you work for a German company in Beijing or Sao Paulo these days, you do not have to search laboriously for a shortwave programme on various wavelengths - you read ARD news on the Internet and listen to their programmes as "real audio" directly over your computer. The German radio programme of Deutsche Welle, its most expensive radio segment anyhow, has become obsolete. To relocate it to Bonn in an expensive operation - the whole affair will probably cost more than 1bn euros - and is a slap in taxpayers' faces. After all, it is the taxpayers and their payments of the hefty radio license fees that enable more than a dozen public television programmes and more than 50 public radio programmes to survive. The fact that Deutsche Welle is prevented from broadcasting any of these as its own programmes is due to a legal "original sin" committed by its founders. In the early 1960s, it was legally removed from the system of public broadcasting corporations and subordinated to the Interior Ministry, with a budget of its own... But Deutsche Welle is used to being run by people for whom journalism is not a speciality, since only a handful of its directors were journalists themselves... Dieter Weirich, until the mid-1980s the media policy spokesman of the Christian Democratic Union, succeeded in transforming the former breakfast television part of Berlin station RIAS in the early 1990s into Deutsche Welle's foreign television segment. This put Germany on the television map outside Europe: only viewers in Europe are able to watch the wide variety of ARD programmes, while all those living in North or South America, in Africa, or in Asia just have Deutsche Welle to fall back on. Importance of foreign language programmes This is what makes up Deutsche Welle's great importance, plus the fact that it broadcasts its radio programmes in nearly 30 foreign languages and its television programmes also in English and Spanish. For somewhat over a year now, it has provided a television segment for Afghanistan that is broadcast in the national languages of Pashto and Dari. This model has now been used when deciding to subtitle Deutsche Welle's television programmes in Arabic. This opens up undreamed of opportunities for foreign language programmes and their use of the Internet and digital shortwave options. The annual budget of 277m euros will only make this possible when priorities are more clearly defined in the future; that is, more television programmes and more foreign language services, plus the right to use public broadcasting programmes free of charge. When talks start now about license fee increases for the public broadcasting sector, the artificial removal of Deutsche Welle from the system should be openly addressed. License fees must also be used to finance foreign broadcasting programmes, at least their German segment. The old subdivision into home and foreign services has meanwhile become entirely wrong, ever since there has been satellite transmission and the Internet. BBC viewed as role model The BBC must be a model for the future - its World Service is part of the overall programme on offer. The BBC has become an export hit for the British; after all, their most important broadcasting language is the world language of English. Its foreign language programmes enjoy not only appreciation worldwide, but also the support of the political elites. Deutsche Welle has mostly had to painfully do without such support. Nevertheless, thousands of editors have presented good programmes over the past 50 years - something they may be proud of. Germany owes them a debt of gratitude. Source: Die Welt web site, Berlin, in German 5 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** GERMANY. NDR Mediumwave facilities at Hamburg-Moorfleet (972 kHz): http://www.wiechern.privat.t-online.de/hamburg.htm See pictures # 2, 3, 4 and 5, the first photo on this page shows the FM/TV mast. 702 is aired by a tiny wire antenna on the FM/TV mast at Flensburg-Engelsby. See penultimate picture at http://www.wiechern.privat.t-online.de/schlesholst.htm URL of homepage with navigation frame: http://www.wiechern.privat.t-online.de/ (Kai Ludwig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREENLAND. 3815, Kalaalit Nunaata Radioa, Tasiilaq is going to have special broadcasts in SSB on May 15-18 (Massimo Cerveglieri, Italy, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) When? Why? ** HAWAII. 620, KIPA, Hilo et al. noted off by Chuck Boehnke of Kea'au per post to local bulletin board on 3/30. As of 4/16, all 3 transmitters on 620 appear to be off. Per call to station 4/15, station is on the process of replacing at least one of the transmitters. But, the receptionist didn't believe me with I said that relay station KKON-790 is still on, airing an open carrier (5P-HI) (Dale Park, Honolulu, May 10 IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) 3 transmitters? Boosters in different locations? The uninitiated personnel at radio stations tend to believe: if you can`t hear anything, it`s not on the air! (gh, DXLD) 620, Hilo, KIPA. Noted off by Chuck Boehnke per post to local bulletin board on 3/30. As of 4/16, all three transmitters on 620 (Hilo, Ke'ahole Int. Airport and Na'alehu) appear to be off. Per call to station 4/15 station is in the process of replacing at least one of their transmitters, but the receptionist didn't believe me when I said that relay station KKON-790 is still on, but airing an OC. At the time of shutdown KIPA mostly carried ABC's AC oldies service out of KMEO-FM Dallas (5P-HI) (Dale Park, elsewhere in same Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** ICELAND. AFRTS via Reykjavik, 13855U, 1916-1927, May 6, English. Phone in program, "Car Talk, brought to you by NPR and Pep Boys". ID as "This is NPR with Car Talk on the AFRTV Network". Poor with deep fades and unidentified French language QRM (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re AFN: The following frequencies for "new services" have been coördinated in the HFCC for the A03 season: To the North Atlantic with 20 kW beamed 200 degrees on 7590 at 2100-0800, 13855 at 0500-1830 and 15620 at 0700-1800. The transmitter location is listed as "Reykjavík", but both the actual location and power are subject to confirmation. Earlier tests with AFRTS were reported to have originated from the Grindavík US Navy site in the SW of the country. Since a couple of years, Icelandic PTT authorities have been using the services of a foreign consultant [Bernd Friedewald] to coordinate the Icelandic SW frequencies at the HFCC, and in A03 this consult has requested the data to be excluded from the public version. Therefore, no Icelandic frequencies (neither RUV nor the "new services") are shown in the public version of the A03 HFCC schedule. The AFRTS shortwave transmitters are carrying AFN's so-called "Interruptible Voice Channel (IVC)". Frequency info (without the new Iceland frequencies so far) and program schedule can be found at: http://myafn.dodmedia.osd.mil/radio/shortwave (Bernd Trutenau in DXplorer via DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) On their illegal frequency of 3903 they verified me with a QSL-card 14 months ago. I used their address in the WRTH: U.S. Naval Base, 235 Keflavikurflugvollur, Iceland. Acc. to the WRTH 2003 their e-mail address is: keflavik@mediacen.navy.mil (Anker Petersen in DXplorer, via DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) Thanks to Anker for the information about the Keflavík mail and email addresses. I'd guess you have a reasonable chance of a reply from there: say 50%, on the evidence I know about. That is, Anker has got a reply/QSL from there, and (from exactly the same coördinates) I have not. Good luck, y'all. Cheers, (John Campbell in DXplorer, via DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) Congratulations on being able to pick up the AFRTS programs you described. It's true, we do broadcast the signal on shortwave from a location in Grindavík, Iceland. The signal comes to us from American Forces Radio and Television Service in California. We shortwave it now --- a new thing --- because we want ships nearby to hear it. I am the officer-in-charge of a radio and television station here. We have Navy and Air Force assigned, as well as Icelandic civilians. We broadcast only two radio stations from this location, but have around 11 cable radio stations that are received in homes and work centers on the base. The programming comes to us from California, but we insert local identifiers and command information (wear your seatbelt, follow the speed limit, go to college...). Today, it's 06 degrees Celsius or 43 degrees Fahrenheit. It's mostly cloudy, but the sun is bright and, as you know, the days are longer and longer this time of year. The tulips are about to bloom and the daffodils have been in bloom for about three weeks now. For your information, my husband and two daughters are stationed here with me and we love it here. It's clean, safe and beautiful. We do miss the trees of home, though. Sigh. It's nice to hear from you. I've received reports from Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Canada. I'm sure I'll hear from more countries as time passes. Thanks for writing. Trish Huizinga (via Jarmo Patala, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR Delhi is now identifying some of its Home Service channels as Rajadhani Channel and Indraprasta Channel. They are is not the National Channel and Vividh Bharathi [sic]. They are still there. It seems Rajadhani Channel is of English programs channel and Indraprasta of Hindi programs channel (on MW it is 666 and 819). Earlier they used to say Delhi A, Delhi B etc.) (Jose Jacob to DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** INDIA. 5010, AIR Thiruvanathapuram, Since Apr 29 has restarted its evening broadcast on 5010. (Earlier it was available only on MW 1161). The schedule is 1115 ( Su 1130)-1735. Reports on their SW transmissions may be sent to Mr. Radha Krishna Menon, Station Engineer at the following email: tvm_airtvpm@sancharnet.in (This station also operates on 7290). Mornings they are on this frequency at 0020-0215 (Jose Jacob, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. RRI Wamena? a touch under 4870 kHz with abrupt sign on 2020 to 2100 fadeout on May 6th with Indonesian pop songs and announcement by a YL. Typical greyline propagation, I think (Stuart Austin, Blackpool, England, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. EIGHTY YEARS OF RADIO IN INDONESIA That's a long time. In actual reality though, the beginnings of wireless communication in Indonesia go way back even further than that, to about 90 years. This is the story. In the era just before the beginning of World War 1, two spark wireless stations were established in the Dutch East Indies for navy communication. This was in the days before internationally recognized callsigns were in general usage and one of these stations, located at Sabang (sa-BUNG), was on the air in Morse Code under the irregular callsign SAB. Immediately after the end of the war, there were four such stations in the Dutch East Indies, and these were all designated with callsigns in the new PK series as: PKA Sabang PKB Weltevreden (VELT-e-FRAID-en) PKC Sitoebondo (SIT-a-BON-doe) PKD Koepang (KOE-PUNG) Soon afterwards, the Dutch government in Batavia, now known as Jakarta, announced that a monster-sized wireless station, using Telefunken arc equipment, was under installation at Malabar, near Bandoeng. The date for the official opening of this station was set at May 5, 1923, exactly 80 years ago last Monday. However, a tropical lightning strike destroyed some of the wireless equipment and the auspicious day was postponed until repairs were completed. This massive 3.5 megawatt wireless station was established for communication with the home office in Holland. However at this stage, spark wireless transmitters were becoming obsolete and valve, or tube, transmitters were soon afterwards installed at this same location on the island of Java. The first radio broadcasting station in the territories of Indonesia was installed in Batavia in mid 1925 under the callsign BRX. Other broadcasting stations began to sprout throughout the Dutch East Indies and many of these were amalgamated into the newly-formed government NIROM network in 1934. Shortwave broadcasting in the Dutch East Indies began in 1928 as a dual effort on the part of smaller local radio stations and the large communication stations. In Batavia, the first on shortwave was station JFC. The main communication station at Bandoeng began to relay broadcast programming on shortwave for the benefit of listeners throughout Indonesia, and as well as in Australia, other countries in Asia, and also back in Holland itself. Over the years, a large number of stations appeared on the shortwave dial, mostly in the tropical shortwave bands. These stations were on the air with callsigns in the P series and also the more recent YD series. Radio Batavia, under the Bandoeng callsign PLE, conducted weekly music broadcasts on 15.93 metres, and transmitter callsigns PLE PLW & PMB took part in the famous round-the-world relay in June 1930, and again two years later. These transmitters were frequently on the air also as intermediate stations for the relay of broadcasts from London & Holland to Australia & New Zealand. It was at this stage that a large transmitter was installed at Bandoeng for communication traffic and broadcast programming. It was listed at 80 kW at the time, though it is likely that we would rate it at 50 kW these days. In the decisive year 1942, on March 7 to be specific, at the end of its broadcast day, Radio Batavia Bandoeng was heard in Australia with this announcement: "This is Radio Bandoeng closing down. God save the Queen. Goodbye everyone until better times come." The frequency in use at the time was 15150 kHz. A month later, this same transmitter returned to the air with programming beamed towards Australia and New Zealand under new callsigns, such as JBC & ABC. The callsign JBC indicated Japanese Broadcasting Company, and ABC was a callsign for clandestine programming that mimicked Radio Australia. In this pre-war era, the big shortwave stations in the Dutch East Indies, and several of the smaller stations also, were recognised as good verifiers. The QSL cards from the communication stations were usually in the form of typed postcards in English, though the most famous card at this era was the NIROM certificate which listed complete details, including callsign. For those who can look back that far, Indonesia may be remembering this week its 80 years of international wireless and radio communication (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan May 11 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL. Just in case you want to know what time it is in Turkmenistan: http://www.timeticker.com/ (via Tom McNiff, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. THE LONG ARM OF LONGHORN By Michelle Delio 02:00 AM May. 08, 2003 PT The Long Arm of Longhorn Microsoft sends a mixed message as it introduces the successor to Windows XP. The new OS is designed to make sharing multimedia files easy -- but its digital rights management features restrict how those same files can be used. By Michelle Delio. No one, not even Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates, seems to know whether Microsoft's next operating system will be a blessing or a curse. Content producers probably will love it -- digital rights management will be built right in. Hardware developers remain unsure: The OS boasts tons of spiffy new entertainment features that could encourage consumers to upgrade, but will users be spooked by all that rights management stuff? The successor to Windows XP, currently known as Longhorn and on display this week at the 12th annual Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, is intended to run on compatible hardware. The operating system and hardware will, in theory, work together to secure a computer and its contents from any tampering -- either by outsiders or, perhaps, even the owner of the computer. . . Story location: http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,58748,00.html (via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Voice of Southern Azerbaijan still active, noted May 8th 1543 tune in on 9375, talk with many mentions of Azerbaijan, local music, more talk and abrupt off mid sentence 1557. Fair strength on clear channel. (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ [non]. New in the IBB schedule at http://sds.his.com:4000/fmds_z/schedules/cur_freqsked.txt is 1170 kHz carrying Radio Farda 24h from Dhabayya, UAE. This will probably wipe out reception of the Iraqi transmitter at Umm Qasr on the same frequency (Andy Sennitt, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Oops? RADIO FARDA ON 1170 KHZ FROM UAE From today, the IBB's Radio Farda service to Iran is broadcasting 24 hours a day on a new mediumwave frequency, 1170 kHz, from Dhabayya in the UAE. I was monitoring Radio Farda on shortwave yesterday and noticed bubble jamming on 13680 kHz, but not on parallel 21530 kHz. That was probably due to propagation. It will be interesting to see if they try to jam 1170, especially as it's also the frequency used for the Iraq Media Network/Radio Iraq broadcasts from Umm Qasr. That transmitter is apparently only 20 kW and the signal is weak in most of Iraq, though they advertise it as a "nationwide" service. The fact that the Iraqis are complaining about the lack of a decent radio service, and the availability of high power mediumwave facilities that could get a decent signal to them, does make me wonder about the US government's priorities when it comes to the rebuilding of Iraq and other issues affecting the Middle East (Andy Sennitt, Holland, May 8, RN blog via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Information Radio: I heard it on 4500 at 1725-2200* on Apr 20, 22, 23, 23, 26 and 29. But it was Off Apr 30 and May 02! Instead it was heard on 9715 at 2014-2135 after normal s/off time (after DW signed off in Russian 2000* and BBC -2014*). ID: ``Idha`at Radio al- Ma`ulumat``, 34433. From *2100 QRM from IBB Holzkirchen in Russian. I wonder if it was the Commando Solo flight, normally used on 4500, that had succeeded the ordinary 9715 flight with a late broadcast? (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 7 via DXLD) ** IRAQ. THE BAGHDAD BLOGGER IS BACK! Ralph Brandi reports: "Salam Pax is back with a new post containing all the stuff he would have posted during the war if he had had electricity and a net connection." So much for all the rumours. http://dear_raed.blogspot.com/ Here's a media-related extract: 23 April The "Iraqi Media Network" started broadcasting yesterday. Nothing to go crazy about, they are apparently recording one single hour and broadcasting it for 24 hours. They are using it for announcements by the coalition forces mainly, beside the coalition radio station "information radio". They have brought Ahmad al-Rikabi from (Radio Free Iraq/Radio Free Europe). Yesterday also, the Iraqi media people (journalists, TV and radio people) were demonstrating in front of the Meridian Hotel asking for their jobs back, wait in line, we all are (via Nethjerlands Media Network May 7 via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) ``Salam Pax`` must be a pseudonym play on words both meaning Peace, but also on Salman Pak, the Iraqi city/transmitter site? (gh, DXLD) ** IRAQ. NEW TV CHANNEL TO START "LATER THIS MONTH" An article published by the Christian Science Monitor (CSM) News Service quotes US officials as saying that a new nationwide Iraqi television channel will start up later this month. It will be run, as is Radio Iraq, by previously exiled Iraqi journalists along with reporters recruited from within the country. Radio Iraq is currently beamed "nationwide" on 1170 kHz from a transmitter in Umm Qasr, but its signal is weak. CSM reporter Danna Harman has tracked down Radio Iraq's Baghdad HQ, which turns out to be in what was Saddam's main palace (Media Network May 7 via DXLD) Viz.: ** IRAQ. ANALYSIS: THE BATTLE FOR IRAQI HEARTS AND MINDS - AND EARS Copyright © 2003 Christian Science Monitor Service This story was published Tuesday, May 6th, 2003 By DANNA HARMAN, Christian Science Monitor http://www.tri-cityherald.com/24hour/world/story/880231p-6135134c.html BAGHDAD, Iraq (CSM) - "Ask not what your country can do for you..." crackles the baritone voice from the transistor radio, in Arabic with a slight Midwestern twang, "...but what you can do for your country." It's "Colonel George" an Iraqi-born Marine, presumably a John F. Kennedy fan, and a special guest on the Voice of the New Iraq, a U.S.- run station in town. "That's a nice way to put it," notes an elderly Iraqi woman, Harbia Ismayel, as "George" goes on to admonish Iraqis to "...sweep the street in front of your homes ... bring your children back to school and ... remember, above all, that it is you yourselves that need to take responsibility for building the new Iraq." Ismayel shakes her head, and like those standing with her outside the annex of the former Iraqi TV and Radio building downtown, waits and wonders if and when she can go back to work. "Nice. Nice. But what about America's responsibilities?" they demand. "Electricity, security, work, and salaries. It is all fake promises. Just words." As the United States winds down its military campaign in the region and turns to winning the hearts and minds of millions of suspicious and angry people, both in Iraq as elsewhere in the Arab world, radio and television are among its favored tools. Radio Iraq, as it's known, made its debut two weeks ago, and like the U.S.-based pan-Arab station Radio Sawa before it - is intended to entertain, as well to explain the U.S. agenda in the region and, well, spread a little pro-American cheer. But so far, it seems that while the tunes are appreciated, the jury is still out on the U.S. message. For many, it is all "just words." The buildings which once housed Iraq's three state-run radio stations and two TV channels are no more. Bombed by the U.S. and then looted by the neighbors, the only thing that remains of the archives of Saddam Hussein speeches or the canned applause tapes are ripped cassette ribbons tangled in the debris. At the spared annex building Tuesday, as U.S. tanks rumbled by, employees loitered waiting for information or instructions while the former station directors met upstairs to hatch a comeback plan. All the radio and TV equipment - cameras, receivers, mics, monitors, vehicles - was destroyed during the war, as was the infrastructure of the station's former employer - the ministry of information. "How exactly we are to get back on our feet is totally unclear," says Bassam Sami Abdel Wahab, a director at one of the national radio stations for the past 23 years. His last day at work was the day the Americans attacked Baghdad. He left a song - "nationalistic and patriotic, but I can't remember which," he says - playing on the sound system even as he locked the door behind him. Now, he would like to get back to work - and is even ready to join Radio Iraq if asked - but he knows the adjustment will be hard. "I have 23 years of experience in filling orders on what news to broadcast," he admits. "I am a little weak on editorial decision making." In the absence of any authoritative voice speaking to the public in Iraq, Radio Iraq, beamed nationwide from a transmitter in Umm Qasr, has come to fill that gap. Its signal is weak and it repeats shows mercilessly, complain listeners, but tuning in is practically the only way to find out which schools are open or where various ministry workers should report to work. Radio Iraq warns children not to pick up unexploded ordnance, encourages policemen to put on their uniforms and get back to work, and begs for patience as the electricity lines fail to get repaired - and all this in between playing traditional Iraqi songs and running long interviews with "George." The station is being set up by Robert Reilly, a former Voice of America director, and is paid for by the Pentagon. "We are the voice of the new Iraq. We are the foundation of the new national station. We would like to create free Iraqi radio and TV stations and that's where we're heading," says Ahmad al Rikaby, Radio Iraq's director of news. Prior to this job, he was the London bureau chief at Radio Free Iraq, a U.S.-funded operation. U.S. officials say a new nationwide Iraqi television channel and an independent newspaper - both to be run, as is Radio Iraq, by previously exiled Iraqi journalists along with reporters recruited from within the country - will start up later this month. A regional forerunner of Radio Iraq (but separately run) is Radio Sawa - a $30 million effort to bring young Middle East listeners 24 hours of U.S. programming a day. Radio Sawa (Arabic for "together") began this year, is produced out of Washington, and reaches tens of millions of listeners throughout this region. It is the most popular station in Amman, Jordan, and a hit from the West Bank to Cairo to Kuwait City. Alternating between top Arabic and English hits, Sawa hooks listeners, especially young ones, and then sandwiches in such programs as "The Free Zone," a weekly discussion of democracy and human rights in the region and "Ask the World Now," a show in which listeners can pose questions to U.S. policymakers. Brief news flashes every half hour present an array of stories about the region - all carefully crafted from a U.S. viewpoint - and clarify the current U.S. polices in Iraq. Radio Sawa plans to custom-tailor its programs to specific Arab countries and regions. Baghdad residents interviewed say they've heard of Radio Sawa, but can only catch it late at night. There are many Arab leaders who do not like Radio Sawa, but the days of jamming short-wave broadcasts from the outside world are over and little can be done to stifle the flow of information though modern technology. Nonetheless, the establishments in many Middle Eastern countries believe the U.S. will see little gain for its efforts. "Chances are the Arab youth will ... take the U.S. sound and discard the U.S. agenda," argued an editorial in Egypt's Al Ahram newspaper last week. "We are no dummies and can see through these messages," says Abdel Wahab, the out-of-work radio director. "It would be better if real Iraqis - the ones who live here, suffer with the people and know what they want - like me - were in charge. But I don't think the Americans are interested in that." "Some of the things Radio Iraq and Radio Sawa have to say are interesting," he continues, "...but we would prefer a balance. We don't mind being in dialogue with the Americans. We just don't want to be treated like fools - told that we are being helped by the Americans when we can see with our own eyes the mess they are creating." It's the end of the day at the old TV and Radio building in Baghdad and people are drifting home with no news about their return to work. Someone has tacked up a sign on the brick wall beside the building calling on all former employees to gather this coming Saturday for a coordination meeting - to create a union, an exercise prohibited under the former regime. Meanwhile, "George" is winding up his hour-long interview - to be repeated twice again during the day - and reminding Iraqis how much they actually have in common with Americans. "I am keen to meet up with my Iraqi relatives in Baghdad. I have never seen them, but I am sure we will immediately hug and kiss, for today we have common goals and common dreams." he says, wistfully, forgetting the word for 'common' and using the English instead. "A saalam aleikum," he concludes - may peace be with you. "And with you," replies Ismayel to her transistor radio. She steps over some rubble and begins her long walk home (via Tri-City Herald, WA, via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQI MEDIA BACK TO LIFE | Text of report by Lebanese LBC Sat TV on 6 May Iraqi media are still trying to revive themselves and come to grips with the extent of the change in freedoms in the country. In spite of this, dozens of new newspapers have appeared on the shelves of the Iraqi news stands while private radio a television stations have begun broadcasting. [Muhammad al-Qabbani, reporter] In spite of going through successive crises and periods of suffering, the Iraqi media are trying to pick up the pieces and come to terms with their complex problems. After having been supervised and told to tow the line, politically, intellectually, and not allowed to cross even the yellow line, let alone the red line, during the Ba'th Party rule, today they is suffering from material and technical scarcity. [Dr Ali Al-Nashmi, editor of Baghdad newspaper] One cannot understand what is happening today without being aware of what happened in the past, because the present is the result of the past. Thirty-five years of repression and frustration and lack of freedom of _expression have taken their toll. That is why, now that the regime has fallen, numerous currents have emerged seeking to express themselves in the name of democracy. [End of Al-Nashim] [Al-Qabbani] The publishing houses, the rotary press workshops as well as the buildings of television and radio and the Information Ministry have all been completely destroyed, thus paralysed and rendered unable to continue their work. They are still subjected to looting and being set on fire. What is emerging today in terms of press, radio and TV, is still at the initial stage. Over a dozen of new newspapers have appeared. Some radio and TV stations also began broadcasting a few days ago. Baghdad Radio is, for instance, no more than a small room in a public park and its resting area consists of a table and some chairs in the open air. As for its staff which is just over 20 people, they lack resources, funding and means of transport. [Unidentified journalist] The major problem is the lack of protection of this equipment. The other problem is not knowing which side one could turn to. As you can see, our radio is an independent Iraqi radio. It broadcasts songs and appeals to Iraqi people to preserve peace and stability in the country. [End of unidentified journalist] [Al-Qabbani] The [new] Iraqi media have not taken shape yet. So many things are still unclear, a fact that makes their future uncertain. It seems that this initial stage of the [new] Iraqi media is going through many crises. They are facing problems to which there are no solutions in the near future. Source: LBC Sat TV, Beirut, in Arabic 1800 gmt 6 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. RFE/RL VIEWS EMERGENCE OF DIVERSE, PLURALISTIC MEDIA | Text of report by Zamira Eshanova headlined "Iraq: After 30 years, news options begin to grow and diversify", published on Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty web site on 6 May 2003 After three decades of one-party, one-man rule, which held the country's mass media under tight control, Iraq is now forging a new path towards a more diverse and pluralistic media. Nearly every day, new newspaper and radio broadcast options appear. RFE/RL correspondent Zamira Eshanova reports from Baghdad on how Iraqis get their news - and how much faith they put in it. Baghdad, 6 May 2003 (RFE/RL): When the US-led war in Iraq wiped out the country's telecommunications structures, Iraqis turned to a more traditional source of information: rumours. Now, however, news services are beginning to come back to fill the information vacuum. More and more Iraqis say they are tuning into Iran-based Al-Alam ("The World") TV, Qatar's Al-Jazeera or the US- based Radio Sawa, which is transmitted by coalition forces from the Baghdad airport. Baghdad has more than a half-dozen newspapers published by a range of political, ethnic and religious groups. Capital residents can choose between "Future," published by the Iraqi National Accord; "Conference," put out by the Iraqi National Congress; the Iraqi communists' "Road to the People"; and the London-based "Al-Zaman" ("Times"). Some of the papers are distributed for free; others sell for between 250-750 dinars (approximately 0.07-0.20 US dollars). The number of newspapers and other sources of news are increasing on a daily basis. But many Iraqis say they often leave a lot to be desired, in terms of content and quality. In particular, residents say they need better, more objective information about the unfolding developments in postwar Iraq. Some say they feel they are at the centre of an ideological battle between the polarized pro-American and anti-American worlds. Valid is a 42-year-old clerk in Baghdad's Al-Hamra hotel. He said he was able to watch some Western coverage of the war and its aftermath on international channels like CNN. He said he was surprised and disappointed by what he considered a biased approach towards Iraq and its people. He believes the frequent Western reports on incidents of looting in Iraq are being organized by Americans for propaganda purposes. "[Americans] opened these buildings and said 'Come and take everything.' And when [Iraqis] took everything, [the international media] showed to the world that Iraqi people are thieves. Iraqi people are not Ali Babas [thieves]. Why didn't [the media] go to the church to show to the world that Iraqi people go to the church to pray when they were bombing? Why they don't go to the mosques where [Muslims] pray to God to save them from this?" Valid asked. Valid said that before the war, Iraqis were considered by many in the world to be terrorists, because of the reputation of their leader, Saddam Husayn. Now, he added, the image of Iraqis has changed, but not necessarily for the better. "Due to this media coverage," he said, "[people] say we are all thieves and criminals." Hikmet is a 35-year-old oil engineer who used to work in Baghdad for a Russian company. Like Valid, he is critical of the media's coverage of the war - but his complaints are directed at Al-Alam. He believes the Iranian channel is spreading anti-American propaganda and taking advantage of Iraq's Shi'i majority to advance the agenda of its own religious regime. "They are not showing the reality [of] what's happening in Iraq, no. When they show you things [they want] to tell the world that Americans are bad and not giving freedom to Iraqi people, and [that] it's better to stick with Iran and Iran will provide Iraqi people with freedom," Hikmet said. Al-Alam broadcasts into Baghdad from a powerful transmitter from about 150 km away, just over the Iran-Iraq border. The station, which broadcasts in Arabic and is said to be operated by the Iranian government, is the only foreign channel that can be viewed by Iraqis without a satellite dish. That has sent its viewership soaring among ordinary Iraqis, who cannot afford the 200-dollar cost of a satellite dish and receiver. During the Saddam Husayn era, Iraqis were forbidden to buy satellite dishes and ownership of one was enough to earn a prison sentence. Today, there is a boom of satellite dish sales among Baghdad residents rich enough to acquire one. Muhammad, who can afford both a satellite dish and a generator, said he stays tuned all day to Arabic news channels like Al-Jazeera, Lebanese Television Channel (LTC) or the United Arab Emirates' Abu Dhabi. Even so, he - like the others - said he is not satisfied with the coverage of the situation in Iraq. "This is my country and I can see what is going on. Some of [the Arab channels] show some of it, but not as I can see what is going on. Things are getting worse every day and today is much better than tomorrow," Muhammad said. Still, ordinary Iraqis are riveted by the foreign broadcasts, whether or not they like what they see. After years of Husayn-era state television - which offered a mind-numbing diet of military parades and views of the president presiding over official meetings, interspersed with concerts and melodramas - the foreign stations mesmerize viewers with their fast-paced news coverage and technical expertise. That leaves the television battle for Iraqi hearts and minds, a key priority for the US civil administration, now almost entirely in the hands of foreign news organizations, most of which are unfriendly to US policy in Iraq. US civil administrator Jay Garner has not said publicly when state television will be back on the air, but the task is complicated by the need to hire new staff and repair transmission towers hit by US bombers. Washington's sole foray into Iraqi television so far was during the war, when the Pentagon used a modified cargo plane - dubbed Commando Solo - to circle high over the country and beam down some five hours of evening television programming as well as radio broadcasts. The US is now pushing ahead with plans to create a nationwide television channel, an AM radio channel and an independent newspaper for Iraq. All will be run by previously exiled Iraqis along with journalists recruited from within the country. The US-taxpayer-funded project is the handiwork of the Indigenous Media Project, an offshoot of the Pentagon's Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance, which is run by Garner. For the majority of ordinary Iraqis with no access to television, new radio stations such as Iraqi News Net[work] and Radio Sawa - both transmitted from the Baghdad airport by coalition forces - are for now the only sources of news and information. Fans of these new radio programmes say they like the Arabic and international pop broadcasts. But they are less enthusiastic about the news content. One listener, Salim, said the difficulty of day-to-day life in postwar Iraq is never reflected in the coalition broadcasts, which want to portray the country in a rosy hue. "There is nothing true [in their news]," he said. "We hear: 'Wait, Iraqis, you will get humanitarian aid.' Where is this aid? They say: 'Go to schools.' But to which schools, if some of them are destroyed?" Many Iraqis say their country's long-standing media censorship and isolation from international news have left them hungry for objective and unbiased news. With every new newspaper or radio station, they say they hope to find the coverage they were deprived of for so long. Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty web site, Prague, in English 6 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. FOCUS ON THE CORPORATION by Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman http://eatthestate.org/07-18/FocusOnCorporation.htm Grace News The US government last week launched its Arabic language satellite TV news station for Muslim Iraq. It is being produced in a studio--Grace Digital Media--controlled by fundamentalist Christians who are rabidly pro-Israel. That's Grace as in "by the Grace of God." Grace Digital Media is controlled by a fundamentalist Christian millionaire, Cheryl Reagan, who last year wrested control of Federal News Service, a transcription news service, from its former owner, Cortes Randell. Randell says he met Reagan at a prayer meeting, brought her in as an investor in Federal News Service, and then she forced him out of his own company. Grace Digital Media and Federal News Service are housed in a downtown Washington, DC office building, along with Grace News Network. When you call the number for Grace News Network, you get a person answering "Grace Digital Media/Federal News Service." According to its web site, Grace News Network is "dedicated to transmitting the evidence of God's presence in the world today." "Grace News Network will be reporting the current secular news, along with aggressive proclamations that will 'change the news' to reflect the Kingdom of God and its purposes," GNN proclaims. The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), the US government agency producing the television news broadcasts for Iraq, likes to say it is the BBC of the USA. BBG runs Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, and Radio Sawa--Arabic language radio for the Middle East. "Our mission is clear," BBG's Joan Mower told us. "To broadcast accurate and objective news about the United States and the world. We don't do propaganda, leafleting --- we are like the BBC in that respect." Well, then why hook up with Grace? BBG's Joan Mower said that Grace Digital Media is a mainstream production house used by all kinds of mainstream news organizations. "Grace will have nothing to do with the editorial side of the news broadcast," she said. "They are renting us equipment, space, studio. The Grace personnel we use include technicians, production people but no editorial people." But Mower said she couldn't get us a copy of the contract between BBG and Grace Digital media. Nor could she say how Grace Digital was chosen as the production studio. Grace News Network proclaims that it will be a "unique tool in the Lord's ministry plan for the world." "Grace News Network provides networking links and portals to various ministries and news services that will be of benefit to every Christian believer and seeker of truth," according to the company's mission statement. The CEO of Grace News Network is Thorne Auchter. It's the same Thorne Auchter who began the dismantling of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under Presidents Reagan and George Bush I. Auchter did not return our calls seeking comment for this story. While it's unclear whether Grace News Network actually produces any news, it has produced a documentary movie titled "Israel: Divine Destiny" which it showed at the National Press Club in September 2002. The film is about "Israel's destiny and the United States' role in that destiny," according to Grace News Network. Grace News said that it could not make a copy of the film available to us at this time, since it is now undergoing post-production editing. Nor could it provide a transcript. The mainstream media has documented strong and growing ties between right-wing Republican Christian fundamentalists and right-wing Sharonist Israeli expansionists. This alliance is personified in Ralph Reed's Stand Up for Israel, a group formed to "mobilize Christians and other people of faith to support the State of Israel." President Bush has very strong ties to fundamentalist Christians, most notably Franklin Graham, the son of Rev. Billy Graham. Last week, Franklin Graham delivered a Good Friday message at the Pentagon, despite an uproar over his previous slander of Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion." Don Wagner, a professor of religion and director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at North Park University, an evangelical Christian college in Chicago, has written extensively about what he calls Christian Zionism, whose leaders he identifies as, among others, Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Gary Bauer, and Franklin Graham. "Christian Zionists have historically pointed to Genesis 12:3 - I will bless those who bless you. And the one who curses you, I will curse," Dr. Wagner said. "They have interpreted this to mean that individuals and nations who support the state of Israel will be blessed by God. It has come to mean political, economic, and moral support, often uncritically rendered to the state of Israel." Grace News Network seems to fit the mold. Joan Mower says that BBG is currently producing and transmitting six hours of news into Iraq including a dubbed version of the daily evening news from ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS, plus three hours of original news programming from BBG. BBG says it sees no problem in having Grace produce the evening news broadcast for Iraq. Given the brewing anti-American revolt through all sectors of Iraqi society, maybe it should reconsider. We called Grace Digital Media to speak with Cheryl Reagan. Her secretary told us that she has been away in extended vacation for more than a month--in Israel. When will she back? we asked. No one knows, the secretary said. Russell Mokhiber is editor of the Washington, D.C.-based Corporate Crime Reporter. Robert Weissman is editor of the Washington, D.C.- based Multinational Monitor. They are co-authors of Corporate Predators; Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press; see http://www.corporatepredators.org To subscribe to weekly corp-focus e- mail service, send an e-mail message to listproc@essential.org with the following all in one line: subscribe corp-focus 'your name' (no period). (c) Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non?]. Hi Mauno, about V. of Iraq Liberation. I checked them on 6/5/03 around 1730 UT and there was nothing on; you said you got them on 5/5/03, right? Strange. Were they with the usual output like you get them loud and clear?? Or weaker?? Furthermore yesterday 6/5/03 Information Radio was not on 4500 kHz! as well ??? So that makes me wonder?? Got a report from my friend Mika saying that he hasn't heard them for sometime though!? These are not Q to be answered of course. I'm thinking out loud :) Anyway will keep an ear on these 2 stations; hopefully I'd hear something new (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, May 7, to Mauno Ritola, Finland, cc to DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. UNIDENTIFIED RADIO URGES IRAQI PEOPLE NOT TO ATTACK US-LED FORCES An unidentified radio station was observed by BBC Monitoring fading in at 1650 gmt on 6 May on 909 kHz, a frequency (believed to be from a transmitter in Baghdad) that had been used by Republic of Iraq Radio before the fall of the Saddam Husayn regime. At 1655 gmt, the radio was heard to carry what appeared to be an appeal urging the Iraqi people not to clash with the US-led forces and threatening that violators "will be arrested and will face criminal charges". The appeal also urged "Iraqi citizens to go to work". Source: BBC Monitoring research 6 May 03 (via DXLD) ** ITALY. Radio Tre pirate transmitter? 6275.16 seems back after about 1 week off. At 1910 with music program mixed with many station IDs and at half/TOHs with ads. Signal 44433 with sporadic FDM Stream on 6280 and 2100? with Mossad spy station on 6260. Sharp audio (Zacharias Liangas, May 7th, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. Frequency changes for Radio Korea International: NF 6150, ex 6480 1800-1900 in French; 1900-2000 in Arabic NF 7150, ex 7550 1600-1700 in French; 1700-1900 in Korean 1900-2000 in Arabic; 2000-2100 in Russian (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 7 via DXLD) Hmm, an in-band trend; but are these still direct, or relays now? (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. KURDISH MUSIC ON NEWLY ESTABLISHED US RADIO 08/05/2003 KurdishMedia.com - By Bryar Mariwani http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=3851 London (KurdishMedia.com) 08 May 2003: Radio Sawa, the service of U.S. International Broadcasting, operated and funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an agency of the U.S. Government, has started broadcasting Kurdish music. Radio Sawa, the service of U.S. International Broadcasting, operated and funded by the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an agency of the U.S. Government, has started broadcasting Kurdish music. The Radio broadcasts Arabic and Kurdish music around the clock with news bulletins every half an hour. The aim of the broadcasts is stated to be serving the "long-range interests of the United States by communicating directly in Arabic with the peoples of the Middle East by radio." Kurdish songs can be requested by emailing Radio Sawa on: comments@radiosawa.com Frequencies of the Radio can be found on its website: http://www.radiosawa.com (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** LEBANON [non]. Noticed some frequencychanges on TDP's website. Sawt Lubnan Al-Houriya 1600-1700 11645 Arabic (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RUSSIA: Frequency change for Voice of Liberty in Arabic via SAM 250 kW / 224 degrees : 1600-1700 NF 11645 (55555), ex 11520 (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 7 via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. 5964.97, Radio Malaysia, Kajang. This station has improved its modulation and signal, heard well here at 1930 past 2000 with "Radio Satu" ids and taking what sounded like quiz contestants by telephone in between segued light music tracks. "Radio Malaysia" jingle followed by time check and news at 2000 (Paul Ormandy, ZL4TFX, EchoLink Node 87378, Host of The South Pacific DX Report http://radiodx.com May 8 DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALDIVES. During my recent trip to my native place near Cochin in South India, I monitored extensively stations from Sri Lanka & Maldives and here are my latest observations. Voice of Maldives: 1449 kHz. 0030-1745. English is noted at 1300-1400 starting with news. At 1311 to 1321 Islamic prayers heard. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, ATOJ, Hyderabad 500082, India, May 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 1320, at 0630, XEJP, Track 1320, Mexico City, Mexico, Regular IDs, including Radio A and Track 1320 (Stu Forsyth, Wellington, New Zealand, IRCA Soft DX Monitor May 10 via DXLD) Pronounced in English? ** MEXICO. Re previous report of X-band monitoring: All dates/times mentioned in my reports are Eastern Local Time for US/Canadian stations and GMT for all others (Tim Hall Chula Vista, CA, amfmtvdx May 7 via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. More on Dutch pirate radio clampdown: From http://www.europemedia.net/shownews.asp?ArticleID=16201 06/05/2003 Agentschap Telecom, the Dutch government agency responsible for radio-frequency planning, management and enforcement, has closed down 68 illegal radio stations in the Netherlands to date. Launched in March and expected to last a year, 'Project Etherflits' is the agency's attempt at fighting radio pirates, mostly located in the north and east of the country. In the beginning, the agency only reacted to complaints of bad radio reception caused by interference from these stations. However, it has now started a concerted effort to track and close them down. The pirates, who see a connection (which the agency denies) between the agency's actions and the forthcoming (commercial) radio frequency allocation, are furious at the agency's strict enforcement of the law and its severe fines. First-time offenders are made to pay E1,100. Subsequent ones can expect a E2,250 fine and confiscation of their equipment. Pirates are organising protests in cyberspace and the physical world. They have set up a website [WTUK?] to give vent to their anger and plan counter actions. One such action, a demonstration, is planned for Saturday in The Hague, to which several prominent Dutch politicians have been invited (via Kim Elliott, Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. Here`s another version of the RNZ/I funding story, which just missed last issue: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2454338a11,00.html (via David Ricquish, NZ, DXLD) and: ** NEW ZEALAND. RADIO NEW ZEALAND PERKS UP AFTER CASH INJECTION John Drinnan http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=5855&cid=1&cname=Media Radio New Zealand said it would improve core services after Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey announced $2.6 million of extra annual funding for the next four years. The topup will avert what many staff saw as an emerging financial crisis at the public broadcaster amid strained relations with the government. The money for core services is part of a $13.98 million package, which includes funding for Radio New Zealand to add to its FM coverage. Baseline funding will increase from $22.4 million to the new $25 million a year. RNZ spokesman John Barr said a top priority would be the restoration of a RNZ journalist post left vacant through most of this year because of cost-cutting. The vacancy has left the South Island covered by three full-time RNZ journalists in the South Island but none south of Christchurch. Among staff there will be close scrutiny of how much of the money for core services will be put into news ­ an area that a Deloitte Touche Ross report at the start of the year reported understaffing and low morale ­ and whether some will go into into features programming established by chief executive Sharon Crosbie. Journalist relations with senior management have become embittered. Last month the Dominion Post reported that managing editor of RNZ News Lynne Snowdon provided documents to the RNZ board, under the Protected Disclosures or "Whistleblowers" Act, that questioned budget practices at RNZ. The board found there was "no serious wrongdoing" as specified in the act. However it is understood Ms Snowdon has since referred her complaint to the Ombudsman. Ms Snowdon has been on sick leave from RNZ for four months. 08-May-2003 (National Business Review May 8 via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** NIGERIA, Voice of Nigeria, 15120, 1759-1818, May 06, English. End of program, "60 Minutes" at tune-in. ID, announcer with news headlines, Financial news program, "Broadstreet" followed by historical program, "Builders of Africa". Strong, clear signal (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NORWAY. Some deleted frequencies for Radio Norway and Radio Denmark effective April 7 with azimuths: 0400-0455 7490 KVI 250 kW / 110 1700-1755 15705 KVI 250 kW / 145(*) 0500-0555 13800 KVI 250 kW / 165 1800-1855 13800 KVI 250 kW / 035 0600-0655 9590 SVE 250 kW / 195 1900-1955 7490 SVE 250 kW / 180 0700-0755 7180 KVI 250 kW / 165 2000-2100 9510 KVI 250 kW / 065(*) * Sunday only NORWAY: Some stations via Norway transmitters: 0400-0800 11530 KVI 250 kW / 110 Daily Voice of Mezopotamiya in Kurdish 1400-1658 18940 KVI 250 kW / 090 Sun Radio Afghanistan in Pashto/Dari 1430-1728 18940 KVI 250 kW / 090 Mon-Sat Radio Afghanistan in Pashto/Dari 1630-1715 13800 KVI 250 kW / 095 Mon-Sat Radio Anternacional in Persian 1700-1758 7560 KVI 250 kW / 110 Sun Voice of Komala in Kurdish/Persian 1730-1758 9990 KVI 250 kW / 140 Sun Voice of Eritrean People in Tigrina 1800-1828 7530*SVE 250 kW / 160 Sun Voice of Eritrean People in Tigrina 1800-2000 7525 KVI 250 kW / 095 Mon-Sat Radio Sedoye Yaran in Persian 1800-2000 15705#KVI 250 kW / 125 Daily Voice of Reform in Arabic 2000-2100 7520 KVI 250 kW / 140 Sun Voice of Ethiopia English WS * no transmission on April 27 and May 4, 2003 # new frequency effective May 4 (ex 12025) (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, May 7 via WORLD OF RADIO 1181, DXLD) [Continued as 3-080!]