DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-130, July 22, 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/dxldtd3g.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 1191: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330, 7445 15039 WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1191.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1191.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1191h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1191h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1191.html First airings of WORLD OF RADIO 1192: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1930 on RFPI 15039 Sun 0030 on WINB 12160 JULY DXLD HTML ARCHIVE is now available thru 3-129, incorporating correxions, cross-references, hotlinx: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3g.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS You might be interested to see the latest newsletter from the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR) at http://www.airmedia.org Click through on the links to AIRSPACE. I was one of several people queried about their favorite on-line listening posts. Your site was on my list. All the best, (Sue Schardt) viz: Glenn Hauser's World of Radio -- Legendary in short-wave radio circles. A place of extreme obscurity with mostly snoozy listening where I occasionally hear, among other things, tape recorded and sent in by Glenn's members holding microphones up to their shortwave radios to demonstrate the strength of the local SW signal (Sue Schardt, Airspace, Summer 2003) SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Glenn, I've been listening to WOR since it first came on WRNO. For quite a few years, I've been listening to WOR on WWCR Sun 0230. Other than a couple of weeks ago, when I listened on WINB Sun 0030, I can't think of another broadcast I've listened to except Sun 0230. (If I miss a week, I listen on WRN's On-Demand service.) I've always enjoyed WOR, and really appreciate all the work you put into DXLD (Joel Hermann, KKIA/KAYL AM-FM, Storm Lake, IA) Dear Mr. Hauser: I am Bruce Weiss, a 40 year old blind "WOR" listener for many years primarily on SW on WWCR UT Sunday at 0230. Here in Richmond VA, the broadcast provides the best reception. Your show is excellent. I use a Grundig Yachtboy 400 receiver with the wire antenna included (Bruce Weiss, Richmond VA) Dear Glenn, I do listen to you every week on Saturday morning on WRN via WorldSpace Afristar satellite system. Keep up the good work. I find this program very informative. Regards, (Richard Prinsloo, Johannesburg, South Africa) Here`s a cool way to start the issue from the editor`s oven at 43C: ** ANTARCTICA. Antarctica (Argentine Territory), 15476 kHz, LRA Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, full data "LRA 36" card, in 7 weeks via Gabriel Iván Barrera, 15 months total, no v/s, station stamp, received booklet on (2002) 50th anniversary of Base Esperanza Argentine Antarctica, sticker from 870 MW LRA1 Radio Nacional Buenos Aires and personal note from Gabriel in part explaining the economic crisis in Argentina and how that is impacting QSLing Argentine stations. Booklet in part depicts two very nice Argentine commemorative stamps of Argentine Antarctica/Base Esperanza (one of each on envelope). I would like to personally thank Gabriel Iván Barrera for his intervention; without his kind assistance, this QSL would not have been possible. 5 kw into Rhombic antenna (Joe Talbot, AB, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15476 kHz, LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, Mon-Fri *1800- 2100*, probably will have a special transmission on night Aug 27 2003 (Aug 28 acc UT around 0100) during the night. In this transmission, they will talk about radio and DX according to my request to my contact friend there. This transmission will be concreted with informations supplied by mine and with the special collaboration of my friend Arnaldo Slaen. I am waiting for a final confirmation of this requirement (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, July 20, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA [and non]. [A thread started by NRC`s Question of the Week] Best vacation; we've had a bunch of great ones since we retired but the most outstanding one is the trip we took to Chile, the Falkland Islands and Antarctica several years ago. In Chile, managed to visit the Atacama desert in the north and Patagonia in the far south before the Antarctica portion. We were able to land at a number of places in Antarctica and saw lots of interesting wildlife. AM DXing was most interesting from there, too. We were there in the middle of their summer and not a station was to be heard day or (the short) night (John Sampson, July 19, NRC-AM via DXLD) I've always wanted to spend some time in Antarctica, interested in assisting with scientific work, backpacking, and MW DXing using full- size Beverages (Bruce Conti, NH, ibid.) When we were there, we visited Palmer Station (a US research station) for a couple of hours. They had several long antennas, but not long enough for a Beverage, strung at various places. I asked about them but no one we talked to knew any specifics, other than they were for some sort of long range communications test. I've also seen (but don't remember details) where the US researchers have something like internships available for extended stays down there (John Sampson, ibid.) If anyone is REALLY serious, the U.S. staffing for Antarctica is handled by Antarctic Support Associates (a private firm) on behalf of the National Science Foundation. Commitments start at just 6 months (over winter) and they have quite a communications infrastructure. Be the first on your block to use an Antarctic Beverage antenna (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) I spent some time at McMurdo in the southern hemisphere summer of 1979 while I was in the U.S. Coast Guard. We conducted space and atmospheric weather research, plus some iceberg surveys. The whole time I was there the MW broadcast band was dead and a lot of the time so were HF frequencies, thanks to the radio aurora oval. To winter over you have to pass a rigorous psychological test similar to the U.S. Navy submariner service, due to the isolation, boredom and cramped living quarters. A bright spot mentally for hams is the HF station. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, ibid.) Florida Space & Atmospheric Weather Institute: http://www.kn4lf.com/fsawi.htm KN4LF Daily Solar Space Weather & Geomagnetic Data Archive: http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf5.htm I wonder if any MW signals would make it during winter? Perhaps a Beverage would catch any low angle signals that sneak under the auroral dome. I'm sure that I could survive the six months isolation, especially if I could bring my DX cats. However I'm probably too old at this point to meet the physical and psychological standards, even though I'm not crazy, just insane (and a mediumwave DXer)... (Bruce Conti, Nashua NH, http://members.aol.com/baconti/bamlog.htm ibid.) Yes, some MF signals would make it under the aurora oval due to low arrival angle. Of course it would vary from hour to hour (Thomas Giella, KN4LF, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB changes via Kunnunura (KNX) effective from July 21: SPac 0800-1200 English NF 11750* 050 kW/120 deg, ex 0700-1200 on 11770 1800-2030 English NF 11765# 050 kW/120 deg, new additional txion SoAs 0100-0130 Urdu NF 15420 075 kW/307 deg, new txion in new lang 0130-0330 English NF 15420 075 kW/307 deg, new additional txion 1230-1700 English NF 15390@ 075 kW/307 deg, ex 1230-1730 on 15480 1700-1730 Urdu NF 15405 075 kW/307 deg, new txion in new lang * co-ch 0800-0855 Voice of Turkey in Turkish # co-ch 1800-1827 VOIROI/IRIB in German @ co-ch 1230-1256 RRI in Romanian (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, July 21 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. ABC SAYS IRAQ COVERAGE "VINDICATED" AFTER PROBE | Text of report by Radio Australia on 21 July Radio Australia's parent body, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, has delivered its response to Communications Minister Richard Alston's complaints alleging biased and anti-American coverage during the Iraq war. Stephanie Kennedy reports the ABC upheld two of Senator Alston's complaints and rejected 66 others. [Kennedy] Last month, Senator Alston made 68 complaints about the ABC's current affairs programme "AM". The minister believed the programme's coverage of the Iraq war had been biased and anti- American. The 68 cases were referred to the ABC's Complaints Review Executive, an independent office. It upheld two of Senator's Alston's complaints and rejected 66, and it also rejected the inference contained in the minister's complaint that the ABC's coverage was biased. The ABC's managing director, Russell Balding, says he is satisfied with both the process and outcome of the investigation, adding the "AM" programme and its staff have been vindicated. Mr Balding says the ABC's war coverage was second to none and he stands firmly behind the ABC's programmes. The minister's office says Senator Alston will now examine the findings before commenting. Source: Radio Australia, Melbourne, in English 0300 gmt 21 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) AUSTRALIAN RADIO ADMITS TO SARCASM BUT DENIES BIAS IN IRAQ WAR COVERAGE http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030721/wl_mideast_afp/australia_iraq_media_030721043105 (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ABC SENDS ALSTON PACKING ON BIAS By Matt Price July 22, 2003 THE ABC has delivered a humiliating rebuff to Communications Minister Richard Alston, with an internal inquiry clearing the broadcaster of bias while claiming he lacks understanding of news reporting and the ABC charter. . . http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,6790952%255E2702,00.html (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** BENIN. 7210, R. Diff. du Benin (presumed) 2250-2255* July 19. Pop vocal music in French. Abrupt disappearance at 2255. Very tentative reception, but follows their usual habit of an abrupt non-signoff at the end of their transmission. Poor signal with much QRN and QSB (SINPO 24222). (Jim Evans, TN, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Hi Jim, Cotonou on 7210.3 is coming fairly good here in Italy right now at 2140 UT. The reception is slightly clearer on USB, although 7210 is free. No T/S at TOH, but just a short ID at 2210 after a long interview over the origins and the effects of the colonial system in Africa. Then back to back both western-style music and afropops. It was gone at recheck at 2303. Too many statics, alas, to afford a good recording. Thanks for the tip, I always overlook those few Africans in the 41 mb. Ciao (Renato Bruni, http://www.faiallo.splinder.it ibid.) ** BRAZIL. A Rádio Verdes Florestas é emissora brasileira que emite, pela freqüência de 4865 kHz, entre 1030 e 1400 e, após breve intervalo, entre 2100 e 0300. Os estúdios estão situados no seguinte endereço: Rua Mário Lobão, 81, CEP: 69980-000, Cruzeiro do Sul (AC). Os transmissores estão situados na Estrada do Aeroporto, no quilômetro 2, no bairro Nossa Senhora das Graças, naquele Município. Os telefones da emissora são os seguintes: +55 68 322 3309 e +55 68 322 2634. E- mail: florestas@nauanet.com.br. As informações são do biólogo Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), em mais um trabalho voluntário em prol do dexismo brasileiro! A Rádio Clube do Pará transmite, em ondas curtas, pela freqüência de 4885 kHz. Desde Tefé (AM), Paulo Roberto e Souza indica sítio com resumo da história da emissora: http://www.radioclubedopara.com.br/i_historia.htm. A Rádio Difusora Acreana, que transmite pela freqüência de 4885 kHz, enviou farto material de divulgação ao colega Oséias Fantinelli, de Jacutinga (RS). Além de convidar Fantinelli para visitar Rio Branco, o apresentador Antônio Fiori disse que "nasceu no estado do Rio Grande do Sul e reside há 30 anos na Amazônia". Entre o material enviado, destaque para revista com a história da emissora (all: Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD) See also SAO TOME ** CANADA. Federal Cabinet ministers have upheld a broadcast licence issued to a new multicultural radio station in Toronto despite allegations it has ties to the Tamil Tigers terrorist group. http://www.nationalpost.com/national/story.html?id=B21E5D01-3C9F-45E7-BDF0-3FF1B65E92C7 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** CHINA. O Departamento de Espanhol da Rádio Internacional da China enviou mensagem a todos seus ouvintes pedindo comentários a respeito de um possível aumento em suas transmissões. Deixaria de emitir apenas 30 minutos e passaria a levar ao ar uma hora de programação, em cada emissão que faz (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD) ** CONGO DR. RADIO CANDIP IN BUNIA HEARD ON SHORTWAVE 21 JULY Radio Candip, broadcasting from the town of Bunia in northeastern DRCongo, was heard on its usual shortwave frequency (5066.3 kHz) on 21 July. This is the first time the station has been heard since 8 July. The French news agency AFP reported on 9 July that the station had been closed down by the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) because of a dispute over airtime access. Source: BBC Monitoring research 21 Jul 03 (via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. 11815, REE, 2019-2021 July 13, SINPO=55544. Programa en español. Fortísima señal, entrevistando a un músico español, tocando música del entrevistado. Los "bigotes" de ésta emisión se perciben aún sobre los 11825 kHz (¡!)(Elmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 2000 UT, Radio Havana, Cuba, 11760 kHz in English with news, sports, etc. and ongoing (Robert Thompson, TX, swl at qth.net via DXLD) What now? English not supposed to be until 2030-2130, and indeed when I checked July 22 at 2017 it was in French (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. CUBAN JAMMING DEMANDS A FIRM RESPONSE By Stephen Johnson, WebMemo #319 July 22, 2003 For nearly four decades, Cuba has maintained sophisticated electronic intelligence-gathering and offensive capabilities, which range from tapping U.S. phone conversations to jamming radio communications signals and launching computer viruses. To date, U.S. decision-makers have done little more than work around them, since they were never considered serious threats. Washington should reconsider that stance in light of the following events: . . . http://www.heritage.org/Research/LatinAmerica/wm319.cfm (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 4781.4, Radio Oriental, Tena, 1040+, July 20, Spanish. Music program conducted by female. TC: "son las 5 de la mañana con 40 minutos en el territorio continental", Announcement and ID as: "al mundo entero les cantamos con amor desde Oriental", 35443. Past weekend I was in General Lavalle, 259 km south-east from Buenos Aires, with my dear friends Nicolás Eramo and his son: Nicolás Jr., Marcelo Cornachioni and Norberto Pugliese. General Lavalle is a very small town over Ria de Ajo, near the Argentina Sea ("Mar Argentino"). We were in two rooms for fisherman but we could make two antennas in the hotel`s garden. 73's & 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. 6210, Radio Fana full data card received in 5 months for a compact disc of my reception and $1. Address on QSL card "Near Black Lion Hospital in front of Sweden Embassy." (Jill Dybka TN, NASWA Flashsheet July 20 via DXLD) ** FIJI [and non]. ZJV, Fiji Broadcasting Co. QSL, from 1937, nicely illustrated, so one hardly needs to buy the original: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2940962052&category=697 And VPD, when it was run by AWA: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2941170517&category=697 And this week`s RVi Radio World has some old recordings of Fiji, plus multilingual IDs from KATB-570 Guam, KMTH Radio 92, Midway, which Frans admits he had never heard of before, and KLEI, K-Lei, Kailua, Island Radio Magic, Hawaii, via http://www.rvi.be/rvi_master/uk/radio_world/index.html Next week: more Pacific islands to visit. The files should only be up for one week at a time (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. If you ever had a sticker from NDR, you probably saw Antje; she was there in various poses and formats. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) http://www.faz.com/IN/INtemplates/efaz/docmain.asp?doc={CAE20BEF-937D-4F4D-B5D5-D3CEE2B9FF7D}&rub={F1B72E86-3783-11D4-A3AA-009027BA22E4}# ANTJE THE WALRUS DIES [unfortunately, not illustrated] After 20 years as the nationally recognized mascot of NDR, the regional broadcaster in northern Germany, Antje the walrus died in her sleep on Thursday morning. Officials said the cause of death was old age: Antje, 27, was one of the oldest known walruses in the world and the star attraction at Hagenbeck's Tierpark zoo in Hamburg, where she had lived since 1976. Adults and kids gathered at the zoo to pay homage to Antje, who will be stuffed and placed in the city's Zoological Museum. ak July 18 (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** GERMANY. The Kiel-based Power Radio has been probably closed down. Both URLs http://www.power-radio.de and http://www.power612.de only contain a "this website is not available at present" message and some vague reports indicates that the Kiel-Kronshagen transmitter (612 daytimer, 0400-1700 only) was yesterday on but with an open carrier only. No more recent observations available so far (Kai Ludwig, July 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Since July 19 all foreign language programming of Deutsche Welle originates from their new headquarters at Bonn. Only the German service still broadcasts from the skyscraper at Cologne already abandoned by the majority of the staff by now. The previous live studio of the German service was already dismantled; at present the programming originates from one of the small studios with only one announcer booth previously used by the foreign language sections. The final switch-over to Bonn is still scheduled for August 4 at 0900 UT as previously reported. It is understood that the skyscraper will be handed over to the municipal authorities of Cologne; any decisions about the fate of the building will be in their responsibility. Some measures against the asbestos contamination were already taken, so it appears that there is a chance for this impressive landmark to remain, contrary to the belief of some jokers who already say that Deutschlandfunk programming should be taped when the Deutsche Welle building will be blown up. (Deutschlandfunk broadcasts from another skyscraper beneath the Deutsche Welle building, so ...) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREENLAND [non]. Re DXLD 3-128, DXing from Greenland: He is Borge Haagensen, VE7VB, and at the end of 2000 I made 3 programs in Danish about his experiences at a.o. places Station Nord, and with many more audio clips than heard on CBC, which also resulted in a web site with his extraordinary photos --- unfortunately, in Danish only. The first photo is Borge in the short wave studio (click to enlarge): http://www1.dr.dk/pubs/nyheder/html/programmer/kortboelge/peary.jhtml 73, (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4052, R. Verdad, 0313-0340 July 9, SINPO=55444. Música de órgano, himnos. Excelente señal y audio. 0326 invitación en español e inglés a los oyentes para enviar sus informes de recepción, ofreciendo verificarlos. Dirección: Apartado Postal 5, Chiquimula, Guatemala. 1210 July 20 AUSENTE, la frecuencia está libre (Elmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. Hello there, Glenn. I have checked both 1430 and 2860 kHz several times during the past week, regarding the Radio Cultura affair, but I couldn't hear anything there. Sorry, can't help here! 2200, HRVA Radio Tiempo, San Pedro Sula, 1821- July 13, SINPO=45554. Frecuencia harmónica (2 x 1100 kHz) con programación local, anuncios comerciales, música popular. 4820 Voz Evangélica 1222 July 20 AUSENTE 4832 R. Litoral 1223 July 20 AUSENTE (Elmer Escoto, Honduras, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. R. Litoral, 4832.0, partial data card, 3 page letter in Spanish, progrma schedule in 10 months. Verie signer: Mario Eduardo Bonifacio Castillo, Gerente. They broadcast daily 1100-1600, 2200-0500 UT. Mainly in Spanish; other languages are: Miskito 2200-2400 daily, Garifuna 0000-0200 daily, English 0400-0500 weekends (Takeshi Sejimo, Komoro city, Nagano, Japan, Radio Nuevo Mundo July 8 via DXLD) Reproduced letterhead/card says: Radio Litoral, HRLW, 4830 kHz, Un Ministerio de la Misión Comunión Cristiana de Honduras, Apdo. 888, La Ceiba, Atlántida; radiolitoral@psinet.hn Tel.: 504-441 5973. The program schedule shows the English hour consists of: 10:00 pm Música en Inglés; 10:30 pm Searchlight. In Spanish, there is nothing resembling a newscast or anything to do with current events; but then this is another station absolutely preoccupied with an imaginary afterworld (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONG KONG. HONG KONG RADIO STATION'S LICENCE RENEWAL IN DOUBT | Text of report by Radio TV Hong Kong audio web site on 22 July The Executive Council has held talks on the renewal of a licence for Commercial Radio. The commerce secretary, Henry Tang, will brief the media on the outcome this afternoon. Executive councillor Tsang Yok- sing said the government would handle the licence renewal in a reasonable manner. The issue has raised concerns after the Broadcasting Authority warned the station's outspoken programme host Albert Cheng about unfair treatment of two officials during his shows. Pro-democracy politicians said the warnings amounted to censorship and feared the government might link them to the station's licence renewal. Source: RTHK Radio 3 audio web site, Hong Kong, in English 0600 gmt 22 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) HONG KONG STATION TO REMAIN ON AIR DESPITE CONTROVERSIAL TALK SHOW HOST | Text of report by Radio TV Hong Kong audio web site on 22 July The Executive Council has agreed to renew the licence of Commercial Radio for another 12 years. But there will be a mid-term review in six years. There was speculation that the radio station would only get between three and five years, after the Broadcasting Authority received complaints about the station's controversial talk show host, Albert Cheng. Source: RTHK Radio 3 audio web site, Hong Kong, in English 0800 gmt 22 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ICELAND. Our Dutch friend's DX report reminded me about Iceland being a DX possibility. Here is a link to a staton list: http://www.tvradioworld.com/region3/isl/Radio_TV_On_Internet.asp If we can't get TA FM DX, maybe MA (Mid-Atlantic) FM DX is a better shot (Curtis Sadowski, July 20, WTFDA via DXLD This is an incomplete list... FM 95.7 and Blygjan 98.9 are missing for Reykjavík (two you can listen to on line). (Matt Sittel, NE, ibid.) ** KOREA NORTH. To prepare for U.S. psychological warfare through Radio Free Asia, the communist North is strengthening education for its people by mobilizing Korean War veterans as instructors, the report said. . . http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200307/kt2003072215232611990.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) Since everyone in NK has been brainwashed since infancy, what more preparation could they possibly need? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** LIBERIA. SHELLING KILLS 20 IN SINGLE EXPLOSION; PRIVATE RADIO STATION DAMAGED | Text of report by Italian-based Missionary Service News Agency (Misna) web site on 21 July With the rebels from LURD (Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy) pursuing their relentless offensive on the Liberian capital Monrovia, the Mamba Point neighbourhood was the target of shelling last night. The building which houses Radio Veritas, the Catholic radio station, was partially destroyed by two heavy artillery shells. Ecclesiastical sources told Misna that this happened on Saturday [19 July]. The neighbourhood, in which embassies and humanitarian organizations are located, was shelled heavily. A massive explosion in a Freemasons hall in which people were taking refuge killed 20. "The number of victims is certainly great in the Mamba Point neighbourhood. Bodies litter the streets," a local priest who spoke on condition of anonymity told Misna. With the rebels trying to take the presidential palace which is being defended by loyalist forces, the head of state, Charles Taylor, clearly affirmed his position: "To all our men and women under arms: I say that I will not leave the country - that I will not move a millimetre - until an international peacekeeping force arrives. I am not doing this for the sake of power, which I intend to relinquish ... [ellipsis as received] I am doing this because the rebels have no respect for human life." Source: Misna news agency web site, Rome, in French 21 Jul 03(via BBCM via DXLD) I was afraid that this would happen again. I think it is the third time that RV was destroyed (Mike Dorner, LA, of Catholic Radio Update, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. Los colegas de Radio Canadá Internacional y Radio Nederland estamos ofreciendo una QSL especial por haber grabado y difundido de forma conjunta un programa único de contacto con el oyente: "Contestación a la Correspondencia" de RCI y "Cartas@RNW.nl". Si bien los programas vía Canadá ya se difundieron (el domingo 6), los oyentes tienen una última oportunidad de escuchar uno de los programas especiales a través de Radio Nederland y ganarse una QSL especial. Más info: http://www.rnw.nl/sp/toolbar/cartas@r... [truncated]. El programa de "Contestación a la Correspondencia y Cartas@RNW.nl" se difunde este miércoles 23 de julio, por onda corta hacia Sudamérica a eso de las 0000 UT por 15315, 11720 y 9895 kHz. Hacia Norte y Centroamérica a las 0200 UT por 6165 y 9845 kHz (Jaime Báguena, RN, July 22 via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. The RadLon test via 1008: see UK [non] ** OKLAHOMA. DTV TABLE OF ALLOTMENTS, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. Proposed Amendment of the DTV Table of Allotments for this community. (Dkt No. 00-104). Action by: Chief, Video Division, Media Bureau. Comments Due: 09/08/2003. Reply Comments Due: 09/23/2003. Adopted: 07/11/2003 by FNPRM. (DA No. 03-2283). MB http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2283A1.doc http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2283A1.pdf http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2283A1.txt (via Fred Vobbe, NRC FMTV via DXLD) KAUT-43 wants its DT channel to be changed from 42 to 40 with 1000 kW at 475 m. Why??? (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. En El Comercio, de Lima se informa que Panamericana suspendió sus transmisiones a las 12:05 p.m. Administración Delgado Parker presentó acción de amparo y denunció a funcionarios del MTC. Hubo lágrimas al momento de desconectar la señal. . . http://www.elcomercioperu.com.pe/Noticias/html/2003-07-18/Lima0030829.html (via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** PERU. 5020, NO IDENTIFICADA, 0042+ July 13, SINPO=22422. Cumbias, anuncios de la hora "7 de la noce con 46 minutos", anuncios comerciales, varias menciones de Chachapoyas. Se escucha un poco mejor por 5019 kHz. Al regresar a ésta frecuencia a las 0110 UT estaban transmitiendo un rezo del rosario: "Cuarto misterio, presentación de Jesús en el templo" y los incesantes "Dios te Salve María" y "Padre Nuestro". El QRM proviene de 5025 kHz donde emite la cubana Radio Rebelde. ¿Qué emisora es ésta peruana? (Elmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Horizonte, Chachapoyas (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. Re: `Reyna` de la Selva: No comenté el dato anterior en su momento (DXLD #2171, Nov. 2/02), pero hace exactamente un año recibí un correo electrónico del señor José David Reina, Gerente General de la empresa `Radio y TV Reina de la Selva`. Al firmar no indica su segundo apellido pero creo que es Noriega. En algún momento mandaron imprimir una tarjeta QSL muy escasa en donde se lee `Reina de la Selva`. Una reproducción de la misma apareció hace varios años en una revista diexista española. Allí un colega español relató las impresiones de su visita a la emisora, la cual la describía un tanto despectivamente como ``cutre`` (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Entonces parece no deletrearse REYNA como dije, sino es un apellido, no sólo la palabra que significa Queen. En 2-171 fue Alfredo Cañote que deletrea el nombre Reyna, sin discutirlo (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. Proud of some of your QSLs? Those must pale in comparison to the CERTIFICADO DE VISITA that Takayuki Inoue Nozaki displays, issued January 6, 1995 [sic] by Radio ``Nor Andina``, Jr. José Gálvez 602, Celendín, which I here retype: ``Hacemos constar que el día domingo 7 de octubre del año 2001 [sic], fuimos honrados con la presencia de nuestro amigo oyente de Tokio, Japón, TAKAYUKI INOUE NOZAKI, quien en forma heróica y placentera viene recorriendo diferentes lugares de la República del Perú, con el propósito de estudiadr diferentes medios de comunicación. Como muestra de gran reconocimiento y agradecimiento a la vez nos permitió elogiar la buena labor en esta estación radial, RADIO NOR ANDINA Empresa Individual de Responsibilidad Limitada Agradecemos infinitamente su gentil visita, deseándole siempre éxitos en sus labores y asimismo mantener su sintonía en onda corta de los 4460 kHz en la banda tropical de 65 metros. Desde Celendín, el cielo azul del Edén, en la Provincia del mismo nombre, Departamento de Cajamarca en la República del Perú, le emitimos el presente certificado como un gran recuerdo para usted, nuestro amigo oyente de Japón, a quien siempre lo recordaremos con el mayor deseo de manterer nuestra amistad international. Muy atentatmente, Miguel Alcántara Guevara, Gerente-Proprietario`` This accompanies a lengthy article by TIN about the station, which in fact he visited twice, in 1995 and 2001, accounting for the mixup in dates. Next time I drop in on a radio station, I think I shall ask for just such a certificate. The wording could hardly be improved upon (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PHILIPPINES. Glenn, Transmissions from Poro on MW are from the Harris DX-1000 on 1143, and from the Continental ("CEMCO") on 1170, running about 700+ kW last time I heard. Lots of spare parts from Rasom (Thailand) were sent to Poro to help keep it running until the site change takes place. According to my lists of CEMCO transmitters (I have them dated 7/10/72, 3/77, 1/79, 8/90, and 11/90 and I think they stopped at that point, after acquiring Collins' transmitter product line from Rockwell), the model 105B and (1/2)105B transmitters all went to VOA, so the one at Poro is the last one still operating. It is shown as having been delivered in 1954. So when it finally goes out of service (probably next year when the new Poro site is commissioned) it will have been in operation for 50 years (Ben Dawson, WA, July 20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More exactly the IBB online schedule says that the 1143 transmissions were shifted from PHP B to PHP A from 11 July and then PHP B started on 1170 on 19 July. This seems to mean that the still fully operational CEMCO transmitter from 1953 has been brought back in full service on 1143, while the Harris DX1000 unit from 1995 is now serving on 1170 (Olle Alm, Sweden, 21 July, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, thanks that Bernd Trutenau discovered the unID station on 1170 kHz --- as from Poro-PHL, given in the latest IBB frequency and language online list. 1170 kHz which came on air on July 9th, test at approx 1200-1700 UT. First, I thought coming from well known Udorn Thani Shortwave site in Thailand. Olle Alm in an e-mail of July 11: The long range BBG plans included a second high power MW transmitter in Thailand. Is that what they are now preparing for? "1000 kW for the Thailand (Udorn) Transmitting Station". (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX July 11) On July 11, I asked also Alan Davies to monitor this new service, but he was away, travelling on Indian subcontinent ... What do you mean? What's your opinion? How is the 1170 kHz channel occupied in SE Asia, like in INS or THA ? (wb) "In the IBB sched, 1143 kHz is still listed 1100-1230 and 1330-1800 at 332 deg and 1300-1330 at 262 deg towards VTN. 1143 kHz is listed for PHP transmitter A and 1170 for PHP transmitter B, but I'm not sure of the significance of that. The two are not scheduled to be on air simultaneously (Alan Davies, Delhi-IND, July 21)" Hi, here are some more links with background material: http://home.att.net/~philsite/wallace-1b.htm (note: text "U.S and RP sign $3.3 Million Land Lease Deal" refers to 2002) for comprehensive reconstruction projects (incl. new transmitter building) at the site in connection with the handing-over of the IBB ground to the Philippine state some years ago and subsequent lease by IBB: http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2002/08-August/09-Aug-2002/FBO-00134923.htm and another one: http://www.hatdaw.com/papers/dawson.pdf 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Base Turnover To The Philippines United States turned over the Voice of America facilities to RP The Voice of America (VOA) facilities in La Union and Baguio City was recently turned over to the Philippine government through the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), the lead agency spearheading the conversion of former baselands. US Ambassador Thomas Hubbard and BCDA Chairman Rogelio L. Singson signed an agreement during the turnover ceremonies held in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union on October 15. The VOA facilities in Poro Point covers 102 hectares, and the turnover will facilitate and enhance its development as a freeport and special economic zone complete with tourism and commercial facilities. The VOA property in John Hay, Baguio City, which covers 30 hectares, has also been turned over to BCDA. John Hay's development as a world- class eco-tourism destination, complementing Poro Point's tourism and commercial facilities is envisioned to make Northern Luzon the ideal tourist and business location. In a lease back agreement between BCDA and the US Embassy, the International Broadcasting Bureau, which runs the VOA broadcast, will leave its remaining facilities, including the powerplant, for use by BCDA as payment for three years' stay in a 13- hectare area to continue its operations in China and Vietnam. The bureau also has the option to lease some ten hectares as permanent site in Poro Point if they wish to continue to operate in the area. The turnover closes the 1963 agreement that allowed the US to set up and operate radio broadcasting facilities in the former Wallace Air Station, now known as Poro Point, and the former Camp John Hay (from the Wallace site linked above, via gh, DXLD; not sure what year this refers to) International Broadcasting Bureau (Philippines Station) Tinang: Barangay Tinang, Concepcion, Tarlac Tel: (045) 982-0254 / 982-0255 / 982-3442 / 982-3443 Fax: (045) 982-1402 Poro: Poro Point, San Fernando, La Union Tel: (072) 888-2747 / 888-2773 / 888-5003 / 888- 5121 Fax: (072) 888-51 33 The Philippines Transmitting Station (PTS) is a large and complex International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) overseas facility. The mission of this Station is to transmit Voice of America (VOA) programs. Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS), and Radio Liberty (RL) to selected target areas. These programs are fed from the main IBB studios in Washington D.C. via satellite. No programs other than PBS are originated in-country. The transmitted programs are broadcast to listening audiences in China, the USSR, East Asia, Southwest Pacific, Africa, and South Asia in as many as 13 languages using both short and medium wave frequency bands. The Philippines Transmitting Station has long been a part of the Philippine scene--having begun broadcasting from a transmitting station located at Malolos, Bulacan shortly after World War II. That facility was subsequently granted to the Government of the Philippines in 1969 after the construction of the Tinang facility. The Station is staffed by six (6) American Foreign Service and one (1) PIT personnel, assigned on a rotational basis. PTS is also a significant contributor to the local economy, employing 100 direct hire and 8 contract technical and administrative personnel. In addition, a significant number of personnel of numerous diverse skills derive their employment from various services and maintenance contracts throughout our two facilities. The Management and Administrative offices are located at the 2,400 acre Tinang Transmitter facility located 85 miles north of Manila near Concepcion, Tarlac. The Tinang Transmitter Plant includes twelve 250,000-watt and three 50,000-watt transmitters with 31 large, high-gain curtain antennas suspended between towers 400 to 500 feet high. Commercial power is used to run all equipment and is obtained from a 230,000-volt highline through our own 20-megawett power substation. Construction of a standby 8,000,000-watt power generating plant was completed in 1995. The Poro Transmitter Plant in La Union Province, 180 miles north of Manila, has a one million-watt medium wave transmitter, and one (1) MW 3-pattern array antenna. Power can be generated at the Poro Power Plant with an installed capacity of 6,000 kilowatts, however commercial power is currently utilized. All of the Station facilities are linked via satellite circuits for program distribution. Telephone, satellite, and VHF radio form the communications network. A small business office is manned at least once a month at the US Embassy's Manila Annex Building on Roxas Boulevard. Last Update :: 05/21/2003 (from http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwh3027.html via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXLD) 1170 has apparently been tested occasionally from Poro since a longer time, see e.g. http://www.hatdaw.com/papers/lockwood.pdf (February 2003): HF and MW (AM Radio) Experience: International Broadcasting Bureau, Poro Point, Philippines: MW Antenna Frequency Change: For this project, Mr. Lockwood performed all of the antenna computer modeling analyses in the field that were used in the tuneup of the revised antenna pattern. This project, with the operation of one antenna pattern of the Poro site on 1170 kHz rather than the 1143 kHz normal operation of the station required substantial analytical activity at the site. This efficient design and adjustment activity took place in a few days. He also assisted the Poro station staff in re-tuning the antenna monitor equipment, and in putting the station's former MW transmitter back into operation on the revised frequency for the tests. Bruce Portzer's Pacific Asian Log http://www.qsl.net/n7ecj lists 1170 from Poro with occasional tests at 800 kWd already in the March 2003 edition (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The other link above leads to a 9-page CV for Ben Dawson, who has been involved in lots of fascinating projects, including:- Hatfield & Dawson Consulting Engineers Benjamin F. Dawson, P.E., Electrical Engineer / President Poro MW Antenna Frequency Change: Prepared preliminary design, made all field changes, and supervised measurements to implement frequency change for antenna pattern to allow tests on 1170 kHz. Poro Allocation Studies for Operation on 1170 kHz and Udorn Medium Wave Radiation Study (Allocation Analysis): Prepared analysis of the allocation conditions based on both national and ITU frequency allotment regulations (Geneva '75 Agreement standards), and prepared report showing allowable radiation for each site on this frequency. (via gh) [Transmitter swap on 1143 and 1170 suggested by Alm] That seems indeed the case, and it was this old transmitter that was used for the tests on 1170 in earlier months: [as in Lockwood above] (Bernd Trutenau, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, Since I am still providing design data to IBB for the new antenna/transmitter site down the road from the existing one, I'll ask somebody which transmitter is now on which frequency. I'll be surprised if they have swapped them this soon, however (Ben Dawson, July 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BTW, 1143 used to shift unpredictably to 1147.5, presumably to avoid Chicom jamming and\or the Taiwan station, tho this is not likely to appear in IBB schedules. Does this still happen? (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. UKRAINE. 7434.64 (drifting), R. Krishna Loka, 0132-0200 July 9, frequency was drifting steadily: 7434.90 at 0147, 7435.00 at 0157. Initially programing was as Anker described some time ago, English talk about meditation with translation into Russian (I presume); then at 0133 was Indian-style Hari Krishna music interspersed with serene talks, ID at 0158. This is supposed to be a 150-watt station, but it seemed a lot stronger. At times it was very clear. Does anyone know more precisely where this station is located? (Jean Burnell-NL [sic], DXplorer via DXLD) Recent reports in DXLD have it in Orël, Russia; I thought Burnell moved to NS, or was he back in NL on a DXpedition? (gh, DXLD) ** SAO TOME. Heard VOA "Daybreak Africa" program from São Tomé relay at 0530Z July 19 on 7290 kHz with SIO 333 reception (Grundig Sat. 800, 40M dipole). (Ben Loveless WB9FJO, Michigan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) O clima de instabilidade política em São Tomé e Príncipe também foi pauta na Rádio Nacional, de Brasília (DF). Nesta semana, a emissora conversou com um locutor de emissora daquele país. A informação é do sítio Comunique-se e foi publicada em http://www.radiobase.blogger.com.br/ (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD) Glenn, I didn't see this piece when it first appeared in The New Yorker last October, but it could be interesting to you as a backgrounder on US relations with São Tomé. From the Archives: http://www.newyorker.com/archive/content/?030728fr_archive02 (73- Bill Westenhaver, QC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 15170, BSKSA, 0302-0305 July 20, SINPO=45444 en Árabe. Hombre habla y luego de una pausa comienzan los cantos coránicos. Buena señal y audio fuerte y claro (Elmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, a nice soporific in UT-4, -5 (gh) ** SAUDI ARABIA. SAUDI RADIO AND TV GO GLOBAL Molouk Y. Ba-Isa -- Arab News Staff If you`re abroad this summer and feeling homesick, download Saudi TV and radio over the Internet. Minister of Culture and Information, Dr. Fouad Ibn Abdul-Salam Al-Farsi, announced that Saudi radio has started an experimental transmission over the world wide web. Dr. Al-Farsi said the Kingdom`s Internet offerings will include the general radio program, the second-channel radio program, the Holy Qur`an radio program, the European radio program in English and French, the music radio program, Urdu radio program and other radio programs in various languages. The transmission of these programs can be downloaded through http://saudiradio.net For computers using browsers displaying English language only, go directly to http://saudiradio.net/indexen.php At the same website, beta transmission of Saudi television has also begun. In tests by Arab News, the radio programs were clearly audible even using a dial-up Internet connection. However, over dial-up, video streaming of the TV channels was disappointing. A broadband connection is highly advised to watch the TV programs. Even then, don’t expect much. The image that appears on the screen is small --- really only suitable for close up, one-on-one viewing (Arab News Compunet 22 July 2003 via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]: Freq changes for FEBA Radio: 1200-1230 Daily TIBETAN 15355 DHA 250 085 deg, ex 15525 DHA, re-ex 15605 SAM 1515-1530 Daily NUER 12125 MEY 250 007 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1530-1545 Daily DINKA 12125 MEY 250 007 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1545-1600 Daily MAKONDE 12125 MEY 250 032 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1600-1630 Thu-Sun AMHARIC 12125 MEY 250 019 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1600-1630 Mon-Wed GURAGENA 12125 MEY 250 019 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1630-1700 Daily AMHARIC 12125 MEY 250 019 deg, ex 12070 MEY, re-ex 11885 MEY 1700-1730 Daily OROMO 6180 DHA 250 230 deg, ex 9590 DHA Fri/Sun (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, July 21 via DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. 9600, R. Singapore Int`l, 1300-1332 July 20. Five-minute news summary at 1300, then YL hosting a program of sultry Latin tunes, including "Babalu" by Desi Arnaz; no Celia Cruz tunes noted; news again at 1330. Checked back at 1359 to hear closing announcement for 9600; guy also said "You can continue to listen to programs from Mediacorp Radio on 6150 kHz". Good signal on 9600; 6150 had faded out (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot randomwire, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. EXILES IN GERMANY REPORTEDLY TO LAUNCH SHORTWAVE STATION | Text of report by Ugandan newspaper The Monitor web site on 18 July Ugandan exiles living in Germany plan to launch a radio station. Mr Godfrey Elum Ayoo said in a statement on Wednesday [16 July] that Radio Rhino International-Africa (RRIA) would help overcome the [ruling National Resistance] Movement's control of the free and independent press in Uganda. "RRIA is a declaration of an airwave campaign in the liberation, protection and promotion of the freedoms of _expression and the rights to information by the press, mass media and the people of Uganda," Ayoo said in an e-mailed statement. Ayoo said that the shortwave radio station would be based in Köln, Germany. The radio would broadcast in English on daily events throughout Africa. The station would go on air next month, Ayoo said. Ayoo has been living in exile since 1986 when the Movement captured state power. Source: The Monitor web site, Kampala, in English 18 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. The early BBC Prom on Monday July 21 provided a better webcast (with video) than previously, running at 75.0 kbps, which allowed somewhat less jerky video and acceptable audio. During the interval, Charles Hazelwood was back, but only wearing a plain light-blue denim shirt! Perhaps my bringing it up first thing upon turning on the computer, when plenty of memory was available, had something to do with the faster SureStream? And the playbacks at 1300 UT --- at least on Tue July 22, the repeat of Saturday night was the original tape complete with ambiance, not re-announced in the studio as last year. On July 22, Hazelwood was wearing a light blue checked shirt, even tho his interval interwiewee violin soloist was in white tie (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC VERSUS BRITISH GOVERNMENT -- 21/07/2003 20:27 - (SA) London --- For all its carefully-won reputation around the world as a model of probity and fairness, over the decades the BBC has managed to annoy British governments of pretty much every political persuasion... http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1390672,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) AS BLAIR'S SUPPORT FALLS, BACKERS BLAME BBC --- By Glenn Frankel, Washington Post Foreign Service, Tuesday, July 22, 2003; Page A11 LONDON, July 21 -- Supporters of Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is facing the worst political crisis of his six years in office following the apparent suicide of a senior government weapons expert, today sought to shift the blame for the controversy to the BBC. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25249-2003Jul21?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Comment --- DON'T ATTACK THE BBC - YOU CAN'T WIN The British public won't forgive such shameless scapegoating John Tusa, Tuesday July 22, 2003, The Guardian You can always tell how big a hole a prime minister or government is in by the vehemence of their onslaught on the BBC. Judging by the passion now being aimed at the corporation, from the chairman, Gavyn Davies, downwards, the government feels it is in a bigger hole than it dares to admit even to itself. As a displacement activity, a diversion from finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, it can't be beaten. But a quick look back at similar instances of attacking the usual scapegoats suggests that the policy doesn't work and the public doesn't believe that the BBC is responsible for whatever situation the government has put the country in. Scapegoating the BBC did not work when the then head of BBC current affairs, Dick Francis, observed that Argentinian mothers grieved over lost sons as much as their counterparts in Plymouth. Nor did it work when Peter Snow, on Newsnight, noting that the late-breaking account of fighting in the Falklands was often more accurately reported from Buenos Aires sources, uttered the immortal caveat: "Now, the British - if they are to be believed..." Both Snow and Francis were assaulted under the general banner of "Whose side are you on?" As was Kate Adie in her reporting of the US air strikes on Libya, savagely attacked by Norman Tebbit. During the first Gulf war, the Saudi government regularly lobbied the Foreign Office to curb the broadcasts of the BBC Arabic Service -which they alleged was biased towards Saddam Hussein, and staffed overwhelmingly by Palestinians, who carried a nasty sneering innuendo in their voices to indicate the broadcasters did not accept the "impartial" BBC line. I commissioned independent research, seen only by myself and senior colleagues, which comprehensively disproved every allegation of bias. We were backed by the director general, Michael Checkland, and the governors. Similarly, Gavyn Davies and the current director general, Greg Dyke, have rightly stood fast and supported their journalists. What must be infuriating for Downing Street news manipulators, for that is what they are, is that they still expect the BBC to be different after all these years. "We appointed Gavyn Davies! Isn't his wife Gordon Brown's political aide? Isn't Greg a party supporter? Don't these people know we can snuff out the BBC charter next time round?" What Downing Street seems incapable of realising is that independence is so bred in the bone at the BBC that capitulating to governmental pressure would not only be impossible, but it would be wrong for everyone at the BBC, and for the national culture too, and ultimately for governments of every stripe. What is so transparent is Downing Street's opportunistic assault on Today's Andrew Gilligan. The veteran Gavin Hewitt and the academic Susan Watts of Newsnight are out of the firing line. As journalists they are held to be beyond reproach. Gilligan is more controversial, or some say more risky - and the sound of colleagues running to volunteer unattributable doubts about his qualities is not a pretty sight. Because the point is that if Gilligan were wholly wrong, it would not alter the substantive charge against the government in the slightest - though it would leave his career in tatters. Nor would it undermine BBC journalism as a whole one jot. Gilligan might consider saying: "OK, as Kelly's friend Tom Mangold has said, my source thought the government dossier was a bit 'hyperbolic'. I changed 'hyperbolic' to 'sexier'. My choice, and my responsibility. But does it alter the story? And is using more lurid language a hanging matter?" Of course, the Campbell/Gilligan row is far more than a "Whose side are you on?" row. It is a "Did the government mislead the country?" question, one where reputations and careers can be lost, and no doubt will be. But even if Gilligan were to be found seriously at fault, it would not prove the government was right about going to war on its endlessly repeated claims that Saddam Hussein had ready-to-use weapons of mass destruction. Pursuing Gilligan, and the BBC, deals with none of the real issues still waiting to be answered. It's as if Tony Blair and Alastair Campbell know that some political heads will roll after Lord Hutton reports. To preserve their self- esteem, they will continue their BBC quarrel to ensure that BBC heads roll too as part of the general carnage. But the public may wonder whether such wilful damage to one of the country's main independent sources of news and culture isn't too high a price to pay to salve some politicians' hurt feelings. John Tusa is managing director of the Barbican centre and was MD of the BBC World Service from 1986-92. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 (via Daniel Say, DXLD) ** UK [non]. Updated schedule for BVBN via VT Merlin Comm. and DTK T- systems: ME 13710 WER 250 kW / 120 deg 1900-1930 Thu Arabic 1900-2000 Fri-Sun English 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg 1515-1800 Sat/Sun English 1530-1700 Mon/Tue English 1530-1730 Thu English 1530-1800 Wed/Fri English 1700-1745 Tue Russian 15750 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg 1615-1730 Mon-Fri Arabic 1700-1800 Sat/Sun English 17595 JUL 100 kW / 135 deg 0845-1015 Fri Arabic EaAf 13810 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg 1630-1700 Fri-Tue Amharic 1630-1730 Wed/Thu Amharic CeAf 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg 1900-1915 Mon-Thu English 1900-1930 Fri/Sun English 1900-2000 Sat English EaEu 5970 JUL 100 kW / 060 deg 1800-1815 Mon/Wed-Fri English 1815-1830 Mon/Wed-Fri Russian 1830-1845 Mon/Wed-Fri English 1800-1815 Tue English 1815-1830 Tue English or French 1830-1845 Tue English 5970 WER 125 kW / 060 deg 1800-1845 Sat Russian 1845-1900 Sat English 1800-1830 Sun English 1830-1900 Sun Russian 1900-1930 Sun English WeEu 5975 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg 0700-0750 Mon-Fri English 0700-0815 Sat/Sun English SoAs 7210 DHA 250 kW / 085 deg 0030-0100 Daily Bengali 9610 DHA 250 kW / 090 deg 0200-0230 Daily Hindi 11805 ??? ??? kW / ??? deg 0200-0230 Sat/Sun English 15600 WER 250 kW / 090 deg 0130-0200 Mon-Sat Hindi 17540 TAC 200 kW / 131 deg 0200-0230 Sat English 0230-0245 Sat Hindi 0245-0300 Sat English or French 0230-0330 Sun English/Hindi 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg 1530-1600 Mon/Thu/Fri English 1600-1615 Mon/Thu/Fri Hindi 1530-1600 Tue Urdu 1600-1615 Tue Hindi 1530-1615 Wed Hindi/English/Hindi 73 from (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, July 21 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. Re Radio London tests on Flevo 1008 kHz: Radlon Media testing 1008 kHz --- A test transmission from Flevo on 1008 kHz was observed here in Hilversum as of 0900 UT this morning. The transmission ended abruptly at 0925. Officially, the next test is scheduled for Tuesday 22 July at 1100 in preparation for the transmissions of commercial broadcaster Radlon Media, which plans to broadcast to the UK. The test will be made using the directional pattern previously used for Dutch public network Radio 1, but will be made at the full power of 400 kW (Radio 1 used 180 kW). A low power test was already conducted on Friday afternoon, according to radio.nl. Listen to the test: http://www.omroep.nl/cgi-bin/streams?/rnw/medianetwork/radlon030721.rm The address for reception reports is Radlon Media Limited, PO Box 7336, Frinton-on-Sea, CO13 0WZ, UK. Tel: +44 1255 67622. For listeners in Europe the address is Radlon Media, PO Box 11122, 3505 BC Utrecht, The Netherlands. Quality Radio, the Dutch partner of Radlon, is also busy preparing the other mediumwave frequencies it won in May. Radio 10 FM is currently using 1395 kHz with reduced power. Transmission provider Nozema is carrying out maintenance on the antenna for 828 kHz, while a new radio ship has to be found for 1224 kHz, since the Communicator has been sold to a new owner in the UK and is now undergoing repairs in Ijmuiden (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 21 July 2003 via DXLD) I hope the programmes --- if they ever start --- are better than the rubbish on their test CD. It's full of very dated American drop-ins that may have been funny 30 years ago, but haven't stood the test of time. These all came off the various jingle collections that Ray Anderson produced in years gone by. I hope this isn't the sort of stuff they're planning to broadcast. Or, as John McEnroe would put it, "you can't be serious!" Andy Sennitt • 7/22/03; 3:59:08 AM It's about 35dB over S9 here on my NRD-525 here in Hilversum :-) Actually the part of the test I'm listening to at the moment has better music, and they just played an original Big L jingle! But they are ruining the effect by playing totally inappropriate drop-ins that had no place in the original Big L programmes and, IMHO, should have no place on this one! It sounds very self-indulgent. Andy Sennitt • 7/22/03; 4:32:28 AM I'm sorry to say that today's test confirmed my worst fears. When they issued a press release that spells the name of the transmitter site two different ways, both of them wrong, and gives incorrect technical information (claiming the direction pattern is NE/SW), I was not optimistic. Andy Sennitt • 7/22/03; 7:42:46 AM BTW there's a lot of misinformation floating around on some UK media forums. 747 kHz is *not* Radio 1, which is now only on FM, but Radio 747 (formerly Radio 5), a network with an audience share of 0.8%. And since 1 July it has been moved from Flevo to Lopik, from where it transmits omnidirectionally with a power of 60 kW. The permitted transmitter power was reduced from the original 120 kW because a lot of new homes have been built near the Lopik transmitter site in recent years. The fact that some people in the UK report that 747 was actually stronger than 1008 today is down to the lower frequency used, but mainly I suspect because most of the power on 1008 was being directed back into The Netherlands. Why they didn't use a single vertical mast for this test is beyond my comprehension: it's what we expected them to do. The words foot and shooting spring to mind :-) (Andy Sennitt • 7/22/03; 8:58:50 AM, all from Media Network blog via DXLD; last item also via Kai Ludwig) 1008 khz not well received in most of UK Initial reports from the UK on today's tests by Radlon via Flevo 1008 kHz are not encouraging. The tests, which were carried out with a power of 400 kW, were heard with poor signal strength in the London area, and not at all in major cities further north such as Sheffield. This may have something to do with the antenna pattern used, which was actually directional away from the UK! Media Network expects further tests to be carried out using different configurations in the coming weeks (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 22 July 2003 via DXLD) The 1008 KHz tests from Flevo are a cracking signal over East Yorkshire. Second strongest signal on the MW in Scarborough, and about 3 mV/M in Hull, though the audio is not as strong as I would have set it! (Paul Rusling, July 22, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Radio London tests received well here in Bedford on communications receiver and also on domestic radios. Good choice of music. Look forward to full time broadcasts (Colin Ferris, ibid.) Here in Caversham (45 miles west of London) reception of the Radlon test was very good on communications receiver with external aerials, but unfortunately it was very weak or non-existent on reasonably sensitive hifi tuner, domestic portables and car radio. Even at full power, 1008 kHz is very much weaker in the daytime than 747 or 675 kHz from Holland here. Don't forget reports (on domestic receivers, hifi tuners etc) are wanted by Radlon at this email address: bigl@r... [truncated] (Alan Pennington, Caversham UK, BDXC-UK July 22 via DXLD) ** U S A. IBB stuff: PHILIPPINES, SAO TOME ** U S A. Note in the Spanish item in 3-129 about WRMI being jammed by Cuba: CONIC is calling for the US government to increase the power of WRMI (an unlikely scenario, unless WRMI itself wants to pay for a 500 kW transmitter) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re question posed in DXLD 3-129, "Can anyone explain how Pennsylvania Dutch relates to the Low German, or Plautdietsch, dialect currently broadcast over HCJB to Mennonite groups around the world? (Michael W. Enos, Tallmadge, OH, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST)"... The term currently used, "Pennsylvania Dutch", is not accurate and that is the key to understanding. As per the website of the Pennsylvania Dutch Welcome Center http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml "Although Lancaster Amish are Pennsylvania Dutch, all Pennsylvania Dutch are not Amish. The Pennsylvania Dutch are natives of Central Pennsylvania, particularly Lancaster and its surrounding counties. Unlike the Amish, they are not all one religion. Instead, their common bond is a mainly German background (Pennsylvania Dutch is actually Pennsylvania Deutsch, or German)." However, they speak High German, not Low German, and that is a major difference. You'll see from the website why broadcasts would be aired to Mennonite groups per se, but not why the switch in languages/ dialects. For more information on the acceptance of the term 'Pennsylvania Dutch' versus the long forgotten 'Pennsylvania Deutsch', see Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.'s web page at http://www.kerchner.com/padutch.htm (Bill Matthews, OH, July 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re: WMLK plans ** U S A. Sept. 16 is the application deadline for rural public TV stations to apply for aid to put their digital signals on the air. The Agriculture Department is making $15 million available, according to a press release. http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/07/0258.htm APTS sought the aid as part of a strategy to find federal money beyond the CPB appropriation, as President John Lawson wrote in a commentary http://www.current.org/funding/funding0309federal.html this spring. (Current, posted at 9:48 AM EST July 22, via DXLD) ** U S A. INTERESTING CENTRAL ILLINOIS TV HISTORY SITE Hi Folks, Doug Quick, the newscaster at WICD ch. 15 Champaign IL is the local historian for Central Illinois broadcasting. He has a detailed TV history page at: http://www.soltec.net/~rdmlq/CentralIllinoisTVHistory.html I thought those few history buffs in the group might find this of interest (Curtis Sadowski, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. About 1 AM today Tuesday (OK last night) I noticed TV atation WIFR Ch 23 Rockford back on the air. A few hours before (when I turned on the TV at about 11PM) I seen color bars with CBS audio (letterman). Then shortly after before 1 Am the video appeared as well (with a blasted info-merical). I'm on cable here and the picture is OK but a bit of snow (but not bad), so as can be expected it appears that a alternative site / tower is in use ?? (Dave Zantow, Janesville WI to Tim Noonan, via DXLD) This was the station whose tower was felled by storm Yes, It's indeed low power. I wonder what tower height they are using....? http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/399307.html more pictures: http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/379652.html (Tim Noonan? Via Dave Zantow, DXLD) Viz.: Low Power Signal Established from WIFR --- Rockford --- Andy Gannon It's been over two weeks since powerful winds leveled 23 WIFR's 731- foot tower. we are happy to report we are now able to transmit our signal over the air to many of our viewers who are not subscribers to Insight Communications Cable. Depending on where you live in the stateline area, that signal may be a little fuzzier than what you are accustomed to. We ask that you email 23 WIFR at talkto23@wifr.com and describe your picture and tell us where you live. Our engineers will do whatever they can to try to enhance the signal. The construction of a permanent tower is still a few months away. We thank you for your patience while we were not able to transmit an over-the-air signal (via Dave Zantow, WI, DXLD) ** U S A. WTOP'S NEWS/TRAFFIC MAKES RATINGS MUSIC By Paul Farhi, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, July 22 All-news radio station WTOP likes to tweak its Washington area rivals by promoting itself as the station that "doesn't play songs." Annoying? Maybe. But not playing songs just paid off handsomely for WTOP. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25807-2003Jul21?language=printer (via Tom McNiff, Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. NEW RADIO STATION SEEKS SEED MONEY --- By Michael Keating PORTSMOUTH --- Tom Bergeron is known to millions as the host of "Hollywood Squares" and "America’s Funniest Home Videos." But to thousands of Seacoast residents, he is also known as one of the great former disc jockeys at WHEB-FM 100.3, where he spun records from 1980 to 1983. Bergeron, who lives part of the year in Lee, was one of about 25 people who attended a "Coming Out" party/news conference at The Press Room on Friday morning, where board members of WSCA-FM discussed their plans to raise funds so that the new low-power 100-watt community radio station can begin broadcasting . . . http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07192003/news/40216.htm (Portsmouth NH Herald July 19 via Arite Bigley, DXLD) Also see DXLD 3- 124 ** U S A. In VERMONT, the Radio Free Brattleboro gang are back in the studio --- but not on the airwaves, just yet. After being silenced by the FCC a few weeks back, RFB has resumed broadcasting some of its shows on its Web site, http://www.rfb.fm while it seeks a new way to get its signals out to the locals (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch July 21 via DXLD) ** U S A. THE FCC UNDER FIRE --- THE COMMISSION'S CONTROVERSIAL LOOSENING OF MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES MEETS STEADILY RISING OPPOSITION By VIVECA NOVAK, Sunday, Jul. 20, 2003 Populist outrage is threatening to undo a controversial effort by the FCC to loosen restraints on media megaliths. In the Senate last week, seven Republicans joined 28 Democrats to schedule a rare "resolution of disapproval" to overturn new FCC rules that would let companies like News Corp. and Viacom expand their media holdings in local markets. Then in the House, defecting Republicans fueled a 40-to-25 committee vote to reverse part of the FCC's action. Now it appears that the chief architect of those rules, FCC chairman Michael Powell, may not stick around for the fight. According to industry sources, the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell has told confidants he'd like to leave by fall, and three of his four top staff members are putting out job feelers. (Powell has denied he's leaving soon.) His most likely replacement, sources say, is either Rebecca Klein, who is head of the Texas public-utility commission and was on the staff of Governor George W. Bush, or FCC commissioner Kevin Martin, who helped the Bush team count votes in Florida in 2000. Powell rammed through the new rules --- allowing a single company to own TV stations that reach up to 45% of the national market, an increase from the old 35% cap, and lifting the ban on a company's owning both a newspaper and a TV station in the same market --- on a party-line vote in June. But groups as disparate as the National Organization for Women and the National Rifle Association are decrying the move. In a new Pew Research poll, respondents most familiar with the FCC's action opposed it by roughly 10 to 1. Still, it has the support of key g.o.p. leaders, and President Bush has threatened to veto any bill overturning it. Republicans who are breaking ranks on the issue face growing party pressure. On the morning of the vote, Congressman Zach Wamp, a Republican from Tennessee who voted to kill the FCC plan, spotted House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Billy Tauzin, who backs it. "I kind of ducked to the left," he said, "went around a column and down three flights of stairs." --- With reporting by Eric Roston From the Jul. 28, 2003 issue of TIME magazine (via Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. REVISITING LOW POWER FINALLY, A BAD WEEK FOR BIG MEDIA IN WASHINGTON Geov Parrish, WorkingForChange.com, 07.21.03 http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=15320 For the first time in memory, this past week has been a bad one in Washington, D.C. for enormous broadcast conglomerates. The massive media ownership deregulation pushed through the FCC last month by Republican chairman Michael Powell generated a remarkable amount of resistance from a burgeoning, and relatively new, media democracy movement. Deregulation opponents had vowed to override the FCC by taking the fight to the Republican-controlled Congress. It seemed like a futile notion, but Wednesday, the powerful, Republican- run House Appropriations Committee panel took the first step toward doing exactly that, voting 40-25 to block the portion of the FCC's decision that expanded from 35% to 45% the percentage of national TV households one company's stations could reach. The vote wouldn't affect other portions of the FCC decision, and it would still need to be reconciled with a Senate bill; the White House has vowed to veto the House move. Nonetheless, even if it goes no farther -- and it will - - the House vote is an important measure of just how widespread dissatisfaction with corporate control of America's media has become, and that such dissatisfaction transcends usual ideological labels. But beyond the headlines, another development on the media democracy front last week may have far greater long-term implications for the ability of ordinary people to be heard on the airwaves. Before Dubya came to power and Michael Powell assumed the FCC's reins, the media democracy movement that is now bedeviling him cut its teeth on another FCC fight -- Low Power FM (LPFM). A 1999 decision by the FCC, when it was under Democratic control, created a vast new category of non-commercial, low power FM stations. The stations were to be locally run, with a radius of about 2-3 miles, and promised to give access to the airwaves to thousands of community, church, and activist groups across the country. It never happened -- at least, not as originally envisioned by the FCC. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and National Public Radio mobilized Congress to effectively gut the program by passing as law a more stringent set of technical requirements. The NAB/NPR bill eliminated over 80% of the proposed stations, including most of the ones in larger cities and towns. Commercial broadcasters, as well as NPR, claimed (despite the FCC's claims to the contrary) that the FCC's original criteria would create unacceptable interference to existing stations. Congress bought the idea, and as a result, while some Low Power FM stations are now broadcasting, and many others are in the pipeline, only one open frequency for a low power station is available in any of the country's top 50 markets -- as opposed to over a dozen each that would have been available in some cities under the original proposal. That was three years ago. Last week, however, results came back in from a technical study that Congress ordered as part of its legislation, a study intended to determine definitively whether the original, more lax FCC guidelines would in fact pose a threat to existing stations. The verdict: almost never. The study, farmed out by the FCC to Mitre Corp., conducted field research and also asked for listener feedback, using the relatively poor-quality analog receivers common in many households rather than the much higher-quality receivers the FCC had originally used to determine interference levels. The researchers still found almost no problems, either from complaining listeners or from their own field readings. In the mostly rural areas where it's been available, the volume of applications for LPFM facilities has far exceeded the FCC's expectations, proving that there's an enormous demand for such voices. The FCC, of course, is now in different, more business-friendly hands, and is probably disinclined to revisit the previous commission's proposal. And in the intervening three years, big media corporations as well as NPR affiliates have rushed to install new translators that would now block some possible LPFM frequencies in larger cities. But the upshot is that media activists now have the data to go back to the FCC and to Congress demanding both that the LPFM program be expanded to its original scope and that a moratorium be placed on new translator applications until the LPFM question is re-examined. More broadly, for years the NAB, as the lobbying arm of the country's largest media conglomerates, has had free run of Capitol Hill; it has been among the most effective of the trade lobbying groups, with "triumphs" like the appalling Telecommunications Act of 1996 to its credit. Its LPFM reversal in 2000 was another such triumph -- but now, media activists and other broadcast lobby opponents can use the LPFM example to discredit the piteous cries of well-heeled lobbyists. The damage that LPFM would supposedly cause to broadcasters simply didn't exist, and the case for re-instating the original proposal is overwhelming. Now, with any luck, a powerful new form of community and neighborhood broadcasting can be made available to the vast majority of the country's people. For over 70 years, publicly owned airwaves have been leased out essentially at no charge to a broadcast industry increasingly dominated by a handful of homogenous (and often dreadfully idiotic) voices. For the last quarter- century, radio and television have gotten farther and farther away from the notion of local programming, local ownership, and community service. Finally, the trend may be reversing (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) OPENING UP THE AIRWAVES --- By Glenn Harlan Reynolds 7/22/03 A while back, I challenged FCC Chairman Michael Powell to stand up for free expression on the Internet. Now, undeterred by the lack of any visible response, I'm going to go that one better, and challenge him to stand up for free expression on the radio. Because as things stand now, the FCC is a major barrier to free speech, and the only justification for its position has just been exploded. How big a barrier? This big. . . http://www.techcentralstation.com/1051/techwrapper.jsp?PID=1051-250&CID=1051-072203B (via Harry Helms W7HLH Las Vegas, NV DM26, and Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. 7/20/2003 --- 99-25: REC Files Emergency Motion An effort to put the dismissed applications back on the table. REC has filed an "Emergency Motion To Reinstate Applications" in an effort to temporarily reverse the Commission's decision on March 17, 2003 to dismiss hundreds of LPFM applications because they were "deadlocked" and unable to file major changes because they were short spaced on the third-adjacent channel. These applicants filed prior to the rule being changed as a result of congressional action. REC is asking to temporarily reinstate these applications so the outcome of the comments on the MITRE report as well as any subsequent congressional action and eventual rulemaking. On March 24, one week after the dismiisals; REC, along with several other stakeholders filed a Petition for Reconsideration via the FCC's "9-11" e-mail filing process, which has never worked properly since it's inception. REC has also involved the Office of the Inspector General of the FCC in on this proceeding due to the previous issues of trying to use the e-mail filing process. REC's motion should appear in ECFS under MM Docket 99-25 on Monday. 7/21/2003 --- REC releases LPFM rankings by population Where does your LPFM rank? Today, REC Networks has released a listing of 630 LPFM stations and permits and the approximate populations that they serve. Our listing uses the same census tract data that is used on our LPFM search and FM query tools. Tracts are counted if either the service (60dBu) or the fringe (53dBu) contours cross the Census Bureau's designated coordinates for the tract. An LPFM station's population may actually be more than the values shown in this report. A copy of this report can be found at http://www.recnet.com/LPFM_Census_Ranking.xls in Excel spreadsheet format. What if my station does not show up? This will happen if the Census Bureau does not have a designated Census Tract within 8 km of the station. Why do I appear twice? Possibly because you have an amendment that moves your station to another location that affects your population change. The determine which one is your current statistic, check the FM Query. 7/17/2003 --- First LPFM to give way for a full power FM station also some additional FCC housecleaning in SoCal. This week's FCC LPFM activity in the dismissal department includes the first LPFM forced off the air to make way for a full power station and the FCC does a little "housecleaning" while they are at it. In Taylors, SC, the license to cover for WFBP-LP has been denied due to a recent short-spacing by Greenville-Spartanbug broadcaster WGVC. Who originally asked for in MM Docket 01-110 to downgrade WGVC, which was originally licensed to Newberry from a Class C3 to A and then move it to Simpsonville. WGVC later counterproposed their own proposal and made the Simpsonville allotment a higher rated Class C3. WGVC is on the first adjacent channel to WFBP-LP. WFBP is short spaced by 48km to WGVC. There is no other channel that WFBP-LP can move to. More information about this story is at: http://www.ccbroadcasters.com/brandnewstory.htm To see a channel report for this station, see: http://www.recnet.com/cgi-bin/lpfm/lpfm8.cgi?r=chanrpt&input_type=dec&lat_dec=34.911&lon_dec=82.3521&cha=291&sta_class=L1 Unfortunately, the LPFM service is secondary. LPFM stations must give way for full power stations that are new, move their transmitter or increase their power. LP-100 stations are protected from translators on their co-channel and first adjacent channel. In Southern Calfiornia, two "junk" applications in Los Angeles and Lennox that have been sitting for years on KRTH's first adjacent channel have finally been dismissed. There is still one additional application that still needs to be dismissed there. An LPFM application in Banning that is short spaced to a drop-in over in Hemet has also been dismissed this week. We are still waiting for some controversial applications in the Tucson area to be dismissed. These applications are holding up a local tribe from getting their construction permit. (Since this story was published, the FCC did some additional housecleaning on Friday and Monday. Looks like the FCC is trying to clean up the database before the upcoming MX window.) (REC via DXLD) ** U S A. New (?) TIS in Albuquerque I was in ABQ a few days ago, and heard a TIS on 1640 that I hadn`t heard before. It`s IDing with the call sign KOB20. The announcement says it`s operated by the Sandia Labs Emergency Operations Center, and they are giving information about traffic through construction zones on the Lab. I don`t see this one listed on the FCC TIS query page, though (Mike Westfall, Los Álamos NM, July 21, NRC-AM via DXLD) As a station belonging to a branch of the federal government, it may not need a license from the FCC (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66 http://www.w9wi.com ibid.) It`s KOP20 1640 kHz, it has been on the air for a number of years. They also give weather and closings due to weather, changes in Kirtland AFB gate closings, changes in base alert status. I have even heard DOE meetings broadcast, including when big shots from Washington are here (Evan WB5HAM Newlon, Albuquerque, ibid.) ** U S A. My first IBOC experience --- I am in the midst of a brief visit to New York, writing from an internet cafe on 42nd St. near Times Square. No attempt to DX, but I heard the incredible IBOC slop on either side of WOR-710. A horrid SWOOOOSHHHHH noise, much worse than the conventional slop from, say, WCBS-880. I'm still convinced IBOC will die a swift, unlamented death. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, July 21, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. WHERE TIMING TRULY IS EVERYTHING --- INTERNET, CELL PHONES RELY ON MASTER CLOCK'S PRECISION --- By Monte Reel, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, July 22, 2003; Page B01 Harold Chadsey spends his days helping determine the official time observed by the U.S. Department of Defense and, as a result, the rest of the country. He is working to develop clocks accurate to a few hundred trillionths of a second. He monitors the temperature around some of his more delicate pieces of timekeeping equipment because he fears even a half-degree swing might throw them out of whack. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A25431-2003Jul21?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Are you aware of any single side band frequencies equivalent to the Air force "MARS" network for the army, navy/marine or the coast guard to 13.927, 7.635.5, and 4.577? I have not been able to find any. I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience. Sincerely yours, (Bruce Weiss, Richmond VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Who can help, and what is the significance of the frequencies mentioned? (gh, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. EN VENEZUELA EXISTE PLENA LIBERTAD... Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. En Venezuela, como nunca antes en 40 años, el derecho a manifestar y a mostrar oposición está plenamente vigente. Si usted está en desacuerdo con el proceso revolucionario, puede hacer uso de su legítimo derecho a disentir. Lo que sí no está permitido en Venezuela -ni en ningún país del mundo- es la propaganda de guerra en los medios de comunicación masivos, ni la incitación a la rebelión militar, ni la apología a la destrucción o eliminación del gobierno a través de métodos no democráticos. Es precisamente la vía ilegal (la de la propaganda de guerra), la que medios privados de comunicación y oposición --- en gran mayoría --- han utilizado para lograr un cambio drástico en el panorama político venezolano. De allí, los feroces ataques a --- por ejemplo --- la Ley de Responsabilidad Social de Radio y TV (Radio and TV law). Lamentablemente, muchos "opositores" en su delirium trémens, hablan de dictadura y de vía hacia el ¿comunismo?, y claman por la inmediata llegada de los "marines" estadounidenses como fórmula mágica para solucionar los problemas de Venezuela. ¿Qué país quieren este tipo de personas? Es una interrogante que ni los mismos "oposicionistas" saben explicar. Las diferencias en las democracias se confrotan en la discusión seria y en las urnas electorales. Que esperen hasta el término del mandato del presidente Chávez y demuestren esa "so-called" mayoría que afirman tener. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A medida que se acerca el 19 de Agosto, fecha que según la Constitución (Auspiciada por el mismo Chávez) se deberá el iniciar el proceso del Referedum Revocatorio, el miedo del régimen al mismo se hace cada vez más evidente. Las Declaraciones del mismo Comandante del Ejército Jorge García Carneiro el pasado domingo, donde expresa "que aquí no habrá ningún referendum", demuestra el total desconocimiento de lo firmado en la Mesa de Negociación y Acuerdos (OEA, Gobierno y Oposición) donde se comprometian las partes a realizar el referendum revocatorio como única solución a la actual crisis política que vive Venezuela desde hace más de un año. Chávez no tiene escapatoria y él lo sabe; por ello trata de intimidar a toda costa a los medios que no le son afectos, para así acallar el clamor de nuestro pueblo por salir de este gobierno de manera pacífica y democrática a través de los votos. ¿Cuál es el miedo --- entonces Chávez si cree que tiene la mayoría? Después del 19 de Agosto, si Chávez persiste en no realizar el referendum demostrará ante el mundo su actitud autoritaria y perderá su legetimidad de origen como Presidente de la República. De allí en adelante vale todo! (Jorge García Rangel, Barinas, Venezuela, July 22, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VIETNAM. A quick check of the morning domestic services of Voice of Vietnam today confirmed that five frequencies are in use at the 2200 sign-on: 9530 7210 5925 6020 and 5975. 9530 is co-channel with the Brazilian 6020 is co-channel with RN-Bonaire 5975 is co-channel with BBC-Antigua and China Nationmal Radio 5925 is clear 7210 is clear The morning Hmong Service is noted at *2200 on 5035 and 6165, but co- channel on 6165 with China National Radio and Chad. Regards! (Bob Padula, Mont Albert, Victoria, Australia. Receivers: DR49, FRG8800, ATS808A. Dipoles: 5 MHz, 12 MHz, July 20, EDXP via DXLD) ** UNIDENTIFIED. 1680: Uma escuta meio intrigante. Um sinal telegráfico que vinha e sumia alternadamente, mas que se identificou por V7B. Alternava-se com sinais telegráficos ZO. Aqui vai um pedido de auxilio aos que leem esta informação para nos informar, se souberem, de que se trata (Rudolf W. Grimm, São Bernardo, SP - Brasil, http://www.radioways.cjb.net @tividade DX July 20 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. INDIA. 5075, All India Radio (presumed) 0230-0300/ July 20, SINPO=35333. Idioma desconocido. Dos hombres hablando rápidamente, no pude discernir ninguna ID a 0230. Luego de un silencio comienza una mujer quien varias veces menciona "Kaashmer". 0242 música inconfundiblemente hindú. La señal va mejorando: 0243 SINPO=45544. Repetidas menciones de la palabra "Bahârâtâ", "Afgânistâa", "Pakîstann"... aparentemente son titulares de noticias. 0300 Otra mujer habla y el tranmisor sale del aire (Elmer Escoto, Honduras, DX LISTENING DIGEST) HFCC A-03 and SW Guide do not list India or anything else on 5075. Last year we had several reports of V. of Pujiang, Shanghai, China on that frequency, but at that hour would not propagate. For that matter, 0830 local is a bit late for India too (gh, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ Dear Colleagues, to Mexico, Station Juelich can offer DRM transmissions on 12080 kHz from 0015 to 0100 UT (1915-2000 local time) starting UT July 31 until August 3. Program will be Deutsche Welle English. Feedback would be appreciated. Best regards, Guenter Hirte, Deutsche Telekom, T-Systems, Juelich phone: +49 2461 697310 fax: +49 2461 697372 e-mail: guenter.hirte@t-systems.com (via Jeff White, DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ TCI --- A DIELECTRIC COMPANY TCI, which became part of Dielectric in 2001, has supplied antennas to many of the US shortwave broadcasters. Dielectric is the largest antenna supplier in the world. They cover the frequency range from MF to UHF. They install and service antennas, as well as manufacturing them. Dielectric started out in 1942. They have provided 70% of all the TV transmitting antennas in the USA. SPX, a Fortune 500 company that began in 1911 as the ``Standard Piston Ring Company,`` acquired Dielectric in 1998. Dielectric consists of five companies with about 800 employees: Dielectric (antennas, transmission lines, switches, combiners/filters, power splitters) Brookstone Telecom (cellsite construction, antenna and line installation, microwave installation, base station installation, equipment rental) Central Tower (manufactures and installs towers in the USA, provides inspection and maintenance services) Flash Technology (aviation obstruction lighting systems, monitoring of tower sites for power outages and lighting outages, repair and preventative maintenance for tower sites) TCI (largest supplier in the world of HF and MF antenna systems) TCI has done projects in 106 countries. In fact, 80% of TCI`s business is outside the USA. By way of contrast, 90% of Dielectric`s business is inside the USA. TCI sells much in the way of HF antenna systems, transmission lines, balanced line and coaxial switches, and baluns to shortwave broadcasters, the military, and to government entities. TCI has made over 60 MF installations at the 600 kw level, and several dozen in the 1-2 megawatt range. TCI also provides surveillance systems that acquire, listen to, and locate most kinds of wireless transmissions. These systems find application in spectrum monitoring and management, and in government and military intelligence. Dielectric features the world`s broadest antenna product line. And they install what they sell. They can design, fabricate, and install antenna systems. Installation services range from technical consulting, to supervision of a local crew, to full turnkey jobs. (Ron Wilenski, summary report of presentation at the NASB 2003 Annual Meeting in Aug NASB Newsletter, July 16 via DXLD) PRIVACY ALERT AS CORDLESS CONVERSATIONS FALL PREY TO GOSSIP SCANNERS By Sue Lowe July 18 2003 Cordless phone users watch out --- your more geeky neighbours may be listening in. Equipment available for $250 from electronic stores is allowing nosey neighbours to eavesdrop on their street's cordless phone conversations. The radio scanners are popular with radio enthusiasts who can legally tap into police and emergency services radio communication, but possibly more fun on a quiet day is to illegally tap into the local gossip. Elizabeth, a Herald reader who asked not to be identified, said she recently had problems picking up her email. She phoned her internet provider's help desk and was asked for her name, date of birth, address, phone number, username and password, all of which she provided over her cordless phone. "When I had finished the call, I received another call from a person who lives close by to tell me that everything I had said he had heard over a radio scanner. He told me that anyone within a fair distance who was on a scanner could have gained all the information necessary to access all of my internet activities," she said. She immediately phoned her provider and changed her passwords using an ordinary phone. Perry Lanham, an avid scanner user and member of the aus.radio.scanner internet newsgroup, said he bought his device to listen to aircraft communications and CB radio. "I believe that there are many people that purchase these radio scanners for listening to their neighbours private phone conversations, simply because they can," he said. "Anyone could do it. They just need to know what frequency, and away they go. Almost every standard scanner is capable of picking up cordless phone transmission." The Australian Communications Authority said the scanners were not covered by existing legislation when used to listen to radio communication. However, all forms of eavesdropping on phone conversations is illegal under the 1979 Telecommunications Interception Act. A spokesman for the Commonwealth Bank said phone banking would not be affected, as all transactions are driven by keypad entries, rather than spoken details. Panasonic, one of the leading cordless phone providers, said it does include a warning in their manuals, saying that "appropriately tuned radio equipment and other cordless phone systems in close proximity may be used to monitor and possibly interrupt conversations". Mr Lanham's advice to cordless phone buyers was to avoid the older analog phones and buy a more secure digital, spread spectrum phone. This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/17/1058035138857.html (via Rob Williams, DXLD) Surprise PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ THE SHORTWAVE GUIDE Don't judge a book by its cover. Read Mika Palo's in-depth assessment of the latest edition of this guide to shortwave broadcasts: http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/booklist/html/swguide.html (Media Network . (22-07-03) via DXLD) "BROADBAND RECEIVING ANTENNA MATCHING" New technical article: I have published a new on-line technical article. The PDF version of the article can be accessed at http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/bev/bb_antenna_matching.pdf Zipped Word DOC version is at http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/bev/bb_antenna_matching_doc.zip If you have any trouble loading these, use the links on my RF Circuits Page http://www.qsl.net/wa1ion/index.html (Mark Connelly, WA1ION - Billerica, MA, USA, July 18, NRC-AM via DXLD) SURF'S UP: OVER THE AIRWAVES By Kurt Blumenau Sunday, July 20, 2003 Milford (MA) Daily News If the Internet had never been invented, we probably would have gotten big into shortwave radio. One technology is cutting-edge, the other is old-school, but they're not that far apart in some ways. Shortwave radio fans, just like Internet surfers, have a window on the world from the comfort of their own den. And, like Internet users, they can never be entirely sure the person on the other end is who they claim to be (not until they get a station verification card in the mail, anyway.) This week, then, Surf's Up tunes in to shortwave radio. Check out what we dialed up: (mentions shortwave related websites, alas omitting worldofradio.com ) http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/local_regional/colblumenau07202003.htm (via Kim Elliott, Artie Bigley, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SPACE WEATHER: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS ***Now Accepting Submissions*** Bookmark this page... the first journal devoted to the emerging field of space weather begins publication in fall 2003. Whether you are an engineer, systems designer, scientist, or forecaster, Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications will be a valuable source of information. This online publication will contain: peer-reviewed articles presenting the latest engineering and science research in the field; up-to-date news and feature articles on government agency initiatives worldwide and space weather activities of the commercial sector; and an exchange of ideas in letters and opinion articles. About the Editor Louis J. Lanzerotti, consulting physicist at Lucent Technologies' Bell Laboratories and distinguished research professor at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, has been named Editor of the publication. Lanzerotti will work with an international Editorial Advisory Board of distinguished scientists and engineers. More information If you're interested in contributing to Space Weather, see the author guidelines. Manuscripts can be submitted online at http://spaceweather-submit.agu.org/ Read the 8 April 2003 Eos article . [104kb PDF] [hotlinks on site] Subscribe Online access to Space Weather will be FREE for 2003 [but not 2004+]. A quarterly magazine digest will be available free upon request beginning fall 2003. To receive information about subscribing to Space Weather or to receive the FREE print magazine, please send an email to: spaceweather@agu.org. Please include your name, title, organization, and email address. http://www.agu.org/journals/sw/ (via SEC User Notes 41, July 2003 via DXLD) THE HIGH LATITUDE IONOSPHERE AND ITS EFFECTS ON RADIO PROPAGATION by R. D. Hunsucker, J. K. Hargreaves, October 2002, Cambridge University Press, 617 pp. Here`s what the publisher says about this great addition to the Space Weather field: The physical properties of the ionized layer in the Earth`s upper atmosphere enable us to use it to support an increasing range of communications applications. This book presents a modern treatment of the physics and phenomena of the high latitude upper atmosphere and the morphology of radio propagation in the auroral and polar regions. Chapters cover the basics of radio propagation and the use of radio techniques in ionospheric studies. This book includes many examples of the behavior of quiet and disturbed high latitude HF propagation (SEC User Notes 41, July 2003 via DXLD) SAME SUN. DIFFERENT VIEWS Long considered a constant, the sun is under new scrutiny as scientists discover that small changes in solar output may lead to significant changes in Earth's climate patterns. . . [illustrated] http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0717/p12s02-stss.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ###