DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-137, August 1, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.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 1193: WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 -- nominal times subject to delay, on 7445 and maybe new experimental 15115 ex-15039 WINB: Sat 0031 12160 WJIE: Sun 1630 13595 7490 [or #1179] WBCQ: Mon 0445 [or 0415?] 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1193.html NETS TO YOU August 1 edition by John Norfolk: http://www.worldofradio.com/nets2you.html ** AUSTRALIA. We are having some difficulties with one of our antennas and both the Chatback and Your Voice programmes have been affected. We will remain off air for a few more days yet but hopefully we will resume transmission again sometime next week on 13685 and 13665 kHz. We thank you for your patience and hope you will be able to join us again soon for these two shows. When Your Voice returns, I will be asking the Big Question:- "Who do you think Jesus is?" If you would like to answer this Big Question, simply email me at:- Yourvoice@voice.com.au I hope to hear from you again soon. Be Well & God Bless, Fee --- Fiona Cameron, Your Voice Presenter / Producer Tel: +61 (0)7 5477 1555 Fax: +61 (0)7 5477 1727 http://www.VOICE.com.au yourvoice@VOICE.com.au fionacameron@VOICE.com.au (via Alokesh Gupta, India, July 31, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. Weird interference to 9580: see UNIDENTIFIED below ** BOPHUTHATSWANA. RADIO BOP CLOSES DOWN The former South African homeland broadcaster, Radio Bop, closed down on Thursday. The Cabinet decided in May that the station, located in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana, should be closed because of high running costs. Chief executive of the South African Broadacsting Corporation, Peter Matlare, said in a statement that the closure was a last resort. "Every attempt was made over a number of years to keep the broadcaster open, but its losses of R8 million a month showed it was not sustainable. Bop's losses have already cost the corporation some R120 million to date." Matlare said the station had been a breeding ground for broadcasting talent. "Many of its alumni are now household names across the country." Radio Bop broadcast from a 100 kW mediumwave transmitter at Ga-Rakuwa on 540 kHz (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 1 August 2003 via DXLD) ** BOUGAINVILLE. Hello and greetings from Meekamui Government hardliners in Solomon Islands [Honiara]. Francis Ona still remains the wild card in the eyes of the P.N.G Government and their surporters and funders. We are still fighting for the self determination or Independance with not going through step by step, meaning Atonomy or State Government than Independance. We believe that through the system of going to step by step will not get anyway or at last we will go back to P.N.G. Therefore, our stand is anybody or Government wants to negotiate with us must negotiate Independance no more no less. The Radio Independance Meekamui is back on air again after been out of air for sometime. I bring across the parts in tthe middle of last month, it is very clear here in the Solomons. Clive Porabou, on behalf of the Meekamui hardliners (via M. Watts, Australia, Jul 19, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) sic; source? personal correspondence? (gh) ** CANADA. Canada is celebrating a civic holiday on Monday and so 9.625 MHz will likely carry the full CBC Radio One schedule. (Seems like the Canadians have more holidays than they have things to celebrate so they just call it "Civic Holiday." That means everybody gets a day off with pay for no reason at all. Apparently it once was called Simcoe Day. I am curious to know why it was changed.) (Joe Buch, DE, swprograms via DXLD) ** CANADA. My favourite programme from the present would be "The Maple Leaf Mailbag" from RADIO CANADA INTER-NATIONAL. The presenter, Ian Jones, puts together a packed half hour every week. Every week "The Burning Question" where a listeners question is answered in depth often including opinions from experts to explain the answer. Also every week, "Canada Calling" where Ian telephones a listener and asks about his or her radio listening. A bonus segment is the president of the Canadian DX Club, Sheldon Harvey, every fortnight answering DX questions. Whilst "Canada Today" is the flagship programme for RCI the Maple Leaf Mailbag has an excellent website with archived programmes and a pen pal service which make it a favourite of all RCI listeners. Ian never fails to deal with questions regarding RCI programming, regularly following up with interviews with the presenters in question. There is always an air that RCI does care about its listeners from the Maple Leaf Mailbag. All these reasons make "The Maple Leaf Mailbag" my favourite programme. JM (2414) (Jonathan Murphy, Aug World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) see also SWITZERLAND ** CANARY ISLANDS. Yoido Full Gospel Church: On 30 July (Wednesday) at 2008 UT on 6715U, Korean preaching heard with fair summer reception here in Finland. 73 (Jari Savolainen, dxing.info via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. Dear friends, I inform you that International China Radio [sic] (CRI) from Tuesday 5th August 2003, will start a substantial amplification of its Italian language transmissions that will pass from 30 to 60 minutes. During all month of August the programs of the half hour will be repeated. From September the next, a new transmission has been preannounced, interesting for the radiolisteners. I remember that CRI transmits daily for two times: At 1800 UT on 9,945 and 11,850 kHz; At 2030 on 9,965 and 11,810 kHz. The Italian section in CRI will appreciate your comments and suggestions to the postal address: Radio Cina Internazionale, Red. Italiana, p.o. Box 4216, CRI 37, 100040 PECHINO (CHINA). E-mail: criita@sina.com For adjournments on the situated website of CRI : please visit : http://www.cri.com.cn. Thanks (Alfredo Gallerati - IK7JGI, hard-core- dx via DXLD) More and more CRI languages are having their airtime doubled (gh) And the English service of RTI has a survey on its website to reduce English programming to one hour a day. Shereen Wang should never have left (Daniel Say, swprograms via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. World Falun Dafa Radio Although here in the center of North America KWHR on 9930 is weak by 1500 UT and there's usually a lot of noise, the similarity between the program World Harvest Radio refers to as "Dafa Hao" and World Falun Dafa Radio led me to again check the WFDR website: http://www.falundafaradio.org/ It now lists the 9930 broadcasts along with those on 9625 and 5925. Although poor reception has made IDs difficult to understand (today, Sunday, 27 July, is the first time I was able to hear the entire 1500 to 1558 broadcast), two things made me suspect World Falun Dafa Radio. The formats are similar --- mostly a woman talking, often with instrumental music in the background. And "Falun Dafa Hao" (Falun Dafa is good) is often mentioned in Falun Dafa literature and on their websites. Perhaps World Harvest Radio's desire to keep a low profile on their broadcast of a Falun Gong program has led them to simply list it as Dafa Hao (W. Craighead, KS, Jul 27, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. STATEMENT FROM RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL, 31 JULY Radio For Peace International has approached the University for Peace Council members to propose a meeting with the Radio For Peace International Board of Directors to seek a peaceful resolution so both organizations can continue with their important work. We are awaiting their response. Radio For Peace International's mission has not changed in the last 16 years during which time we have been broadcasting harmoniously alongside the University for Peace, an organization also dedicated to peace. As we have never experienced any problems with the previous five administrations that presided over the University for Peace over the last 16 years until the current administration headed by Maurice Strong, it begs the following question: how has the mission of the University for Peace changed to such a degree that it now claims that "Current activities at RFPI are inconsistent with the international emphasis currently being developed by the University." Tico Times, July 25th 2003. Maurice Strong wears many hats. He is a billionaire businessman, who is Senior Advisor to the United Nations, former senior advisor to the President of the World Bank, and a director of the World Economic Forum Foundation, whose stated aim is to promote entrepreneurship in the global public interest. Today there appears to be a conflict of ideology between RFPI´s unchanged philosophy and the latest University for Peace administration. The programming on the RFPI airwaves takes a critical look at globalization and its social consequences. Doubt and confusion have been caused by the letter to Radio For Peace International delivered by an official of the University, asking RFPI to vacate the building that it owns (built by RFPI listener donations) in two weeks time on August 4, 2003. The letter is signed not by the Rector of the University for Peace but by a lawyer who does not indicate who he represents or who authorized him to send such a letter. No resolution from the University for Peace Council has been presented as confirmation that this has the sanction of the University's Council members, even though two individuals from the University have indicated that a Council resolution is the basis for this action. Also this letter does not constitute an eviction, as it does not come from any Costa Rican or international authority. On August 4th, on the supposed deadline given to RFPI to vacate the buildings it built and owns, Radio For Peace International plans to remain in their building, peacefully conducting business as usual and continuing attempts to negotiate with the University. Our peace radio station calls on the University to act in a manner befitting a fellow peace organization and on the University for Peace Council members to meet with our Board of Directors (from http://www.rfpi.org via DXLD) RFPI tried a new in-band frequency, 15115, first noted by Tim Hendel around 1600 UT July 31, and by gh after 1630. Fair, about like 15039 was this time of day, weakish and fading. Unfortunately, IBB has various broadcasts northeastward from Morocco on 15115, weak here but enough to disrupt RFPI after 1700; and from 1900 to 2300, smashed by REE Spain on 15110. After that in the evening, 15115 OK for RFPI, except for some adjacent from Nigeria on 15120 until 2305, and by China via Cuba 0002-0100. RFPI was still on 15115 when rechecked Aug 1 at 1245, about equal level to HCJB which still uses this frequency only at 1100-1300, when I advise RFPI to turn it off if they keep it. But then RFPI disappeared a bit later Friday morning. I understand there was a brown-out causing some more damage to the ailing transmitter, so problems like that may knock it off rather than hostile action. But keep checking 15115 for a comeback, or the other frequencies I suggested, 15190 (after BBC closes), or maybe 15175. Meanwhile, 7445 is still running, fading in when checked at 2320 Aug 1. I don`t see another story about RFPI at the Tico Times yet, but the previous story now has this permanent URL: http://www.ticotimes.net/dailyarchive/2003_07/Week4/07_24_03.htm#story_one (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 6105, Universidad de Costa Rica (Cf. DX-Window no. 224). I suspect they are not using their SW outlet on a daily bases. A while ago I tried for them day after day, but most of the time not even a carrier was noted. On other days, reception was quite good at s/off 0600 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** CUBA. IS CUBA JAMMING U.S. BROADCASTS TO IRAN? Satellite television signals that bring American programming to Iran are being blocked, allegedly by Cuba. Roxana Saberi reports on how that's affected the dissident community in Iran. . . http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=DAY&showDate=31-Jul-2003&segNum=10&mediaPref=RM (NPR Day to Day July 31 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR [and non]. I happened to be driving around just before 2000 UT Thursday July 31, so tuned in 15825 on the DC-777. Fortunately, the short skip was working allowing WWCR to be heard quite well, but with some deep fades. I wanted to be ready to confirm half an hour later that the correct WOR 1193 was aired. Promptly at 2000, DX Partyline started as scheduled, but instead of being the final repeat of last week`s show, it was the first airing of this week`s ``first weekend in August`` show! So DXPL has been produced early enough to get to WWCR in time for this airtime; may we count on this? BTW, I see on their moved webpage the wrong frequency given, 15390, for the Tue 0830 Australia broadcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. IT'S BIKINITIME ON SWR Times in schedule Finnish Summertime (UTC+3H) Hello! It's Hot hot hot... on studios of Scandinavian Weekend Radio this weekend! Programmes coming irrespective of weather our DJ's and studiogirls are with or without bikinis there! Listen and enjoy summersounds coming from north! So programmes starting at 21 hours UT today Friday 1st August. And frequencies are wellknown 11690, 11720 or 5980, 5990 and 6170 kHz. Programmeschedule here (times are Finnish Summertime UTC +3 hours): 00-01 Tune-up show by Esa 01-02 Science corner by Esa. Latest news from NASA. 02-04 Tricky Trev Show 04-06 SWR Jukebox by Esa 06-08 Radio Demo 08-09 Virrat Tänään dj Häkä 09-11 Progressive rock and other strange things by Esa. 11-12 RarioJaskalla on asiaa. Keskustelua mm. kesän enneistä ja tulevista leireistä. 12-13 Radio related songs by Esa 13-15 Studiossa RarioJaska ja Peeveli 15-17 Tricky Trev Show 17-19 Program information not available 19-20 Kantoaaltoa Suomirokilla höystettynä by Esa 20-21 Saunan lämmitessä dj Häkä 21-23 Radio Demo 23-24 Closing seremony by Häkä Our web-pages: http://www.swradio.net Stay tuned! (Alpo Heinonen, Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Aug 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Una guatemalteca en 4052.47 kHz: Radio Verdad. Emisora evangélica que anunciaba un apartado postal para recibir donaciones de los oyentes. Programas religiosos. Captada el 29/07, a las 0441 UT. SINPO 45333. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. AFRTS 13855-USB: On Jul 17 at 0525 is was completely faded out. No signal at 1745 on Jul 26. According to Danish press reports, the USA intends to close Keflavik Air Base, because of the no-longer existing Soviet air threat towards NATO, but the Government on Iceland do not agree on such a closure! I have visited that large, but lonely Air Base twice and all the local population depend on that (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** INDIA. HAMstrung! by Radhika Sachdev Can you imagine chatting for hours with a German student whom you have never met and probably never will, over a radio link, swapping information on the latest courses available in his university, admission procedure, visa formalities -- all free-of-cost? The communication will take place not over an ISD line, which can cost you the moon but, a wireless link established over the amateur radio bandwidth. All this and more is possible, if you are a member of the world's most fun loving, scientific club of three million licensed 'HAM' operators. Unfortunately, in India, their strength is only 20,000. . . http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/674_322989,00310004.htm (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 6067.63, RRI Jayapura (presumed), 1045-1115 July 31. Initially noted a carrier here without any audio present. At 1100, theme music followed by comments from a woman probably in Indonesian language. Signal was always threshold during period (Bolland Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nom. 6070 ** IRAQ. IRAQI MEDIA NETWORK TV CONTENT SURVEY | Survey of the Iraqi Media Network [IMN] carried out between 16 and 30 July The Iraqi Media Network has replaced the former Iraqi Information Ministry - which was led by Comical Ali, Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf - and which was dissolved by Paul Bremer. The Iraqi Media Network is operated by the USA through the Coalition Provisional Authority [CPA]. The Iraqi Media Network TV targets Iraq and the Iraqis and broadcasts via terrestrial and satellite transmissions for the lucky Iraqis with a dish. The Iraqi Media Network TV broadcasts from Al-Sahliyah transmission tower in Baghdad and plans also to broadcast from Arbil in the north and the port of Umm-Qasr in the south. The TV news bulletins try to depict an image of Iraq returning to normal with the resumption of services, such as postal service or the reopening of entertainment facilities such as a zoo. The TV highlights the US contribution to the refurbishment of hospitals. One news item said that the coalition contributed with a budget of 230m dollars for this purpose. The TV regularly broadcasts news and press releases of the Iraqi Governing Council. The TV generally starts at 0600 gmt with a picture of the Iraqi flag then readings from the Holy Koran. The TV then presents prayers with pictures of nature and rivers in the background. After this the TV shows a programme for children. The TV continues with a typical day's programming containing documentaries and films, including a large number of Egyptian films and soaps. [Typical afternoon and evening programming as follows]: 1500 Egyptian song 1504 Second episode of Iraqi soap. 1546 Songs 1600 News: 0026 News headlines. [a minute-by-minute, or rather video counter reading log snipped] Towards Freedom TV signed off with the following announcement: "With this programme, our programmes for today come to an end. Dear viewers, we have presented these programmes to you from Towards Freedom TV from London. May peace be upon you. Goodbye. This was followed by the following caption: "Towards freedom: Daily programme in Arabic produced in London and transmitted to Iraq. This broadcast lasts one hour [2300 to 0000 gmt] and is composed of news and information issued by the international coalition working with the Iraqis for the reconstruction of the country". Closing announcement by Towards Freedom TV presenter. When closing, the TV shows a caption with the email of Towards Freedom TV: (al-hurriah@world-television.com) 0000 Iraqi Media Network TV programmes for 16 July closing with readings from the Koran [Current programming from Towards Freedom TV is broadcast just before the close of Iraqi Media Network signal on 11105 MHz, Horizontal Polarization, Eutelsat W1 at 10 degrees east, thus sharing the TV channel]. Observations about the Iraqi Media Network TV: Amateurish presentation: On one occasion, instead of having the studio presenter presenting the programmes to come, she just appears, without saying anything for a second, then the TV presents the call for prayers and at the end she appears again and presents programmes. In the news, the TV tries to portray a good US image. It wants to show that the troops are in Iraq to help the Iraqi people and are working with them, not against them. In the news, they broadcast an item showing a visit by US troops to an orphanage. The TV showed video pictures of US soldiers holding Iraqi children and interacting and playing with them. In another instance, the TV showed Iraqi police working alongside US troops and saying that both forces worked together to ensure security for the Iraqis. The TV also focuses on "good" things done by the Americans, such as helping the refurbishment of damaged installations, particularly in the field of oil. The TV also highlighted in a news item the help given to hospitals. In news bulletins, the TV carries interviews with US soldiers; however, the trend seems to be changing as the TV over time seems to rely less on interviews with US soldiers and instead gives the floor to Iraqis to air their views about problems facing them in their daily lives. At times, in news bulletins, the TV tries to put forward a balanced view by airing the views of those who are for and against US and coalition measures, such as random searches at checkpoints. One unusual and striking observation is that the TV carried one evening the same news bulletin, word for word, as the news bulletin of the day before. Thus, one can say that the TV updating of the news is quite poor. The TV wants to remind people and shock them by showing regularly programmes with gruesome pictures of atrocities committed by Saddam's regime. In comparison, Towards Freedom TV is better presented, as the TV presenter presents the one-hour long programme, listing items included and sticks to the order presented. The TV also relies on interviews with various experts and officials. Iraqi Media Network TV screens many entertainment programmes such as songs, programmes on Iraqi music, plays, films, mostly Egyptian, but also some American ones with Arabic subtitles. On 19 July, the TV relayed after the 1600 gmt news bulletin Bremer's address to the Iraqi people. It is worth mentioning that on several occasions there were losses of signal of varying duration. Radio A radio station identifying itself as the "Iraqi Media Network" is on air daily on 1026 kHz and 98.3 MHz. The radio has identified itself as follows: "You are listening to the Iraqi Media Network on 1170 KHz mediumwave." [Please note this frequency has changed and the radio is now using the two above-mentioned frequencies, i.e. 1026 KHz and 98.3 MHz. The radio was also broadcasting on satellite but this has now stopped, with only terrestrial transmission remaining. Recently it has been using the following ID: "Dear listeners, you are with the Iraqi Media Network from Baghdad. Greetings to you". It is worth mentioning that the reception of the radio is often worthless in parts. The radio, like the TV, carries many entertainment programmes such as songs, programmes on music and plays. The radio also focuses on security and reconstruction and reminds listeners of the atrocities and violations of human rights committed by the former Iraqi regime against the Iraqi people and issues related to Iraq's Governing Council. In addition to the TV and the radio, the Iraqi Media Network publishes an Arabic weekly newspaper, Al-Sabah [The Morning], produced in Baghdad. The first issue of Al-Sabah was published on 17 May. [Headlines of Al-Sabah on 31 July were as follows]: Governing Council elects presidential structure and approves statute, nine members will preside over a monthly rotating presidency...Flights between Kurdistan and Europe...USA welcomes Japan's decision to send troops to Iraq...Iraqis begin era of mobile phones...Electricity expected to be distributed throughout Iraq...UAE denies appointing Al- Sahhaf to any post in its institutions...Pentagon: Unconfirmed speculations about Saddam's arrest. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 31 Jul 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ. PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY HAM LICENSING INFORMATION AVAILABLE Information on obtaining permission to operate Amateur Radio in Iraq now is available on the ARRL Web site, thanks to Assistant Affiliate MARS Coordinator for Europe (and ARRL Life Member) Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN, of the radio licensing management office. Applicants must obtain permission to operate from Iraq through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Coalition Provisional Authority, which has been issuing amateur licenses. Applicants must have a valid Amateur Radio license issued by their home country and must complete and forward an application form with a copy of their Amateur Radio license. Details are on the Regulatory Information Branch page [at] http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/recip-info_i.html#yi US amateurs on military duty in Iraq need more than simply the permission of their commanding officer. See the guidance ``US Military, Civilians and Their Dependants Under the Jurisdiction of the US Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA)`` on the ARRL Web site [at] http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/SOFA.html (ARRL July 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISLE OF MAN. Manx Radio 1368 has expanded to 24 hours a day. They also now have separate programmes on AM/FM Monday to Friday 0630-0700, 1630-1700, Saturday 1100-1700 and Sunday 1800-2100. The Sunday programmes are sponsored religious ones. (Jack Fitzsimons via John Williams, Medium Wave Circle, via Mike Barraclough, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) the times you quoted in DXLD 3-136 for Sunday religious were local (Barraclough, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KASHMIR [non]. Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom, 5102, 1350-1430*, Jul 28, now strong signal on this frequency with English program at 1400-1411. English ID at 1400 (Wakisaka in DX Window Jul 29, 2003 via CDX-ML via CRW via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. RKI OPENS SPECIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY WEB SITE Radio Korea International, the overseas service of the Korean Broadcasting System, is opening a special Internet web site to mark the 50th anniversary of RKI on August 15, 2003. Since first transmitting its inauguratory signals as the Voice of Free Korea on August 15, 1953, RKI has been serving as Korea's external broadcaster for the past half century, proudly fulfilling its mission to bring Korea to the rest of the world. The web site will feature the yesterday, today and tomorrow of RKI, its vision for another half century of broadcasting excellence, and congratulatory messages from dignitaries from home and abroad and worldwide listeners. Regds, (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. NORTH KOREA ENDS RADIO BROADCASTS TO SOUTH AS "NEW CHAPTER" OPENS The North Korean-run Voice of National Salvation, a clandestine pro- communist radio station broadcasting to South Korea, announced on 31 July that it was ending its broadcasts to South Korea, adding that "a new chapter of reconciliation and unity has opened between the North and South". The station carried the following announcement at 0700 gmt, repeated at 1000 gmt: "Notice conveyed to people from all walks of life who enjoy listening to the Voice of National Salvation. Notice conveyed to people from all walks of life who enjoy listening to the Voice of National Salvation. [sentence repeated twice, as heard] "Since the day that it made its first step as the Voice of the Revolutionary Party for Reunification [t'ongilhyongmyongdang moksori pangsong], our Voice of National Salvation broadcast has been faithful to its mission as a disseminator of truth [chilliui chonp'aja], correspondent of change [pyonhyogui p'abyonggun] and a mouthpiece of the people [minjungui taebyonja] amidst all your special affection and active support over the past 30-odd years. "Our Voice of National Salvation combines (?its voice) together with the hearty cheers that all of you cry out by being fascinated by great leader [widaehan suryong] Comrade Kim Il-song's image as a peerless great man and the respected and beloved Comrade Kim Chong-il's image as a heaven-sent brilliant commander. We have also kept pace with the swift flow meandering toward a plaza of independence, democracy and reunification. "Our nation is now welcoming the 15 June era of reunification in which the fellow countrymen will become one under Great General Kim Chong- il's military-first politics based on love for the country and people. "A new chapter of reconciliation and unity has opened between the North and South in full swing under the milestone of reunification that General Kim Chong-il provided, and the song `We are One' sung by all the fellow countrymen is calling the 70 million people to create a reunified fatherland while shaking all of Korea. "At such an overwhelming time of rapid change, the North side, on the occasion of the 15 August Independence Day, proposed to stop all broadcasts that slander the other party at the 11th North-South ministerial talks. "This historic proposal by the North side is a proposal based on the love for the country and people, which reflects the fellow countrymen's aspiration to achieve reunification by the united efforts of our nation as soon as possible by ending mistrust and confrontation between the North and South and by further promoting reconciliation, unity, exchange and cooperation. "The Editorial Bureau [p'yonjipkuk] of the Voice of National Salvation, while extending full support to as well as fully sympathizing with the North's proposal, in response to such a proposal, inform all you that we will actively and totally end [chudongjoguro chonmyon chungjehage toemul] our broadcast starting 1 August. "From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our thanks to all of you who gave unsparing support to our broadcast and earnestly enjoyed listening to it and wish that greater results are seen in the future struggle. "Good-bye everyone." [Since 1970, the North Korean-run Voice of National Salvation carried anti-South Korean broadcasts almost around the clock. The radio station favoured the reunification of Korea from the North Korean point of view. North Korea maintained that the station was based in South Korea, but Seoul said it was located in Haeju, a city close to the border with South Korea. On 29 July, the Voice of National Salvation announced that it would stop airing anti-Seoul propaganda broadcasts from Friday 1 August. South Korea also broadcasts to the North, but Seoul says the content is mostly information about the South rather than criticism about the North. The South Korean-run Voice of the People radio station is believed to broadcast on shortwave from transmitters in South Korea, although it claims in its announcements to broadcast from Pyongyang. This station has been on the air since 1986.] Source: BBC Monitoring research 31 Jul 03 (via DXLD) Voice of National Salvation does appear to be off as they said they would do. See below article for the reason why perhaps. Untraced on 3480, 4120, 4450, and 4557 when checking at 1240. But: Stations from South Korea to North Korea continue. Voice of the People was heard on 3912 and 6600 at 1245. Echo of Hope was heard on 3985 and 6348. Both stations were jammed (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 1, Cumbre DX via DXLD)) North Korea announced it would stop airing the anti-South Korean broadcast ``Voice of National Salvation`` beginning Friday (Aug. 1), ending a 33-year run that began in 1970. The North previously claimed that the pro-communist radio station was based in Seoul, with few believing the assertion. During inter-Korean ministerial talks earlier this month, the North proposed that the two Koreas stop airing propaganda broadcasts, including loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, beginning August 15. The unconditional halt of propaganda radio broadcasts is interpreted as a significant step by the North toward inter-Korean rapprochement. At the same time, the North's recent move appears designed to prompt the South to follow suit, a unification official said. Pyongyang also allowed the entry of Seoul buses to Gaeseong for the second round of working-level economic talks on Tuesday. It was the first time that a South Korean delegation crossed the border without requiring clearance procedures or vehicle transfer. After returning to Seoul later the same day, the mission reentered Gaeseong via the same route. Pyeongyang also indicated on Wednesday it is ready to accept the multilateral talks format to settle the ongoing nuclear dispute once the survival of its regime is guaranteed, giving in to international demands for a multilateral settlement. ``If this matter is fundamentally resolved, we are not too bothered about the format of talks, about whether they will be bilateral or multilateral talks,`` an Australian broadcast company quoted North Korean Foreign Affairs spokesman So Chol as saying. Launched in 1970, the Voice of National Salvation has found an audience with a number of South Korean dissidents during past military governments. But as South Korea became a democracy, the North's broadcast has lost much of its intended propaganda effect in the South. Meanwhile, analysts in Seoul point out the North is seeking more effective propaganda tools, scrapping the old-fashioned media. According to the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korean authorities recently instructed their propaganda machine to make full use of the Internet to appeal to the youth. Source: http://www.korea.net via Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) The Voice of National Salvation announced on 30th of July 2003 that they would stop their transmission from August 1and has just stopped their audio modulation at 24:05 JST(=KST) on July 31, or 00:05 August 1 as I just confirmed. They normally broadcast until 02:00 JST. They insisted that this broadcast was from their friends in South Korea, but finally they admitted this from North. They started their broadcast in June 1967 and the air time at the end of July 2003 was 11.5 hours in Korean language and 30 minutes in English. The last transmission at 24:00 JST as I monitored were on 1053, 3480, 4120, 4450 and 4557 KHz (Toshi Ohtake, JSWC, Japan, via GIB, Argentina, DXplorer, via BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 4760, ELWA, Monrovia, 2015-2055, Jul 23, 24 and 26, English religious programmes, hymns, 24232 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non?]. This is a comunicado by German zapatista support groups on Radio Insurgente, the radio station of the zapatista movement in chiapas planning to broadcast on SW. If anybody wants to translate this: it's worth doing so as it's a piece of best zapatista humour. Unterstützt "Radio Insurgente - die Stimme der EZLN"! - Aufruf an alle Chiapas-Solidaritätsgruppen & Interessierten in Europa - Seit dem Aufstand der EZLN am 1. Januar 1994 blicken nicht nur viele MexikanerInnen, sondern auch Teile der Weltöffentlichkeit nach Chiapas. Die Zapatistas haben die Welt verändert. Sie haben in Millionen von Köpfen neue Hoffnung geweckt, neue Vorstellungen von Demokratie, Gerechtigkeit und Würde entwickelt. In ihrem Geist haben sich auch in der gesamten westlichen Welt unzählige neue Gruppen und Bewegungen zusammengefunden. Die ZapatistInnen aus dem mexikanischen Chiapas gehören zu den BegründerInnen des Widerstands gegen den Neoliberalismus. Ende Juli 2003 hat Subcomandante Marcos in einem Communiqué angekündigt, dass demnächst mit "Radio Insurgente - die Stimme der EZLN" ein zapatistisches Kurzwellenradio auf Sendung gehen wird. Es wird auf dem gesamten amerikanischen Kontinent zu empfangen sein, und mit ein bisschen Glück auch in Europa. Eine Frequenz wurde bisher noch nicht bekanntgegeben. Gerüchten zufolge soll Radio Insurgente demnächst auch über Internet gehört werden können. Marcos wörtlich: "Der Sup wird eine einstündige Musiksendung machen, die wie es geboten ist, im Morgengrauen gesendet werden wird. Nein, der Sup wird nicht etwa singen, sondern er wird Musik, Märchen und Erzählungen vorstellen. Das Programm `Durito DeeJay' startet vorerst noch nicht, weil der Käfer sich noch mit Schleifchen schmückt und außerdem keinen Vertrag unterzeichnet (Er will es unter 24 Stunden täglich nicht machen)." Marcos fordert die mexikanische und internationale Zivilgesellschaft in dem Communiqué auf, sich für den 8., 9. und 10. August 2003 nichts vorzunehmen. Ob damit nur der Start des neuen intergalaktischen Radios gemeint ist oder die EZLN noch weitere Überraschungen plant, darf spekuliert werden. Gleichzeitig warnt der Subcomandante vor einer Anspannung der militärischen Lage: "Vor allem im Hochland in den Gemeinden Chenalhó, Pantelhó und Cancuc entfalten Paramilitärs fieberhafte Aktivitäten, die auf einen bevorstehenden Angriff hindeuten. Die Militär- und Polizeigarnisonen in dieser Gegend haben sich völlig abgeschottet, sicherlich um später sagen zu können, sie hätten nichts gehört. Die Stimmung ist dieselbe wie kurz vor dem Massaker von Acteal, als 45 Männer, Frauen und Kinder mit exzessiver Grausamkeit von Paramilitärs ermordet wurden." Es scheint also geboten zu sein, die Weiterentwicklung der Situation vor Ort auch aus Europa mit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit zu verfolgen und schon rechtzeitig über hiesige Medien und das Internet deutlich zu machen, dass die Augen der Weltöffentlichkeit wieder einmal auf Chiapas gerichtet sind. Seit zwei Jahren betreibt die EZLN-Basis bereits ein eigenes Radio in Chiapas. "Radio Insurgente - La voz de los sin voz" sendet auf UKW von mehreren Standorten aus 12 Stunden täglich, von 6 bis 18 Uhr. Täglich werden Nachrichten nicht nur auf spanisch, sondern auch in verschiedenen Indígena-Sprachen gesendet. Alle Programme werden in mindestens drei Sprachen übersetzt, sei es zur Gesundheitserziehung, zu den eigenen Traditionen, Hörspiele oder Hintergrundinformationen zu den Forderungen der EZLN und den aktuellen Strategien der Aufstandsbekämpfung. Radio Insurgente ist damit in der ganzen Gegend der einzige Sender, der auch von dem Großteil der lokalen Bevölkerung verstanden wird, dessen Spanischkenntnisse unzureichend sind. Damit ist Radio Insurgente für die Menschen in Chiapas ein einzigartiges Fenster zur Welt, das den Blick auf andere Kämpfe und Konflikte eröffnet. Und es ist eine Waffe: Wie manche der vielen täglich eingehenden Hörerwünsche und Zuschriften beweisen, wird Radio Insurgente auch von Soldaten und Paramilitärs gehört. Zuweilen wendet sich das Radio deshalb direkt an diese Hörer, um sie zu demoralisieren oder sie zum desertieren aufzufordern. Die Studios von Radio Insurgente werden hauptsächlich von Frauen betrieben. Sie haben im Umgang mit der Technik neues Selbstvertrauen erworben, und genießen als Radiosprecherinnen in der gesamten Gegend großes Ansehen. Sie haben auch dafür gesorgt, dass Themen wie die Gleichberechtigung von Mädchen und Jungs, Gewalt gegen Frauen oder geteilte Verantwortung in der Kindererziehung und Hausarbeit im Radioprogramm angesprochen werden. Die Botschaft der ZapatistInnen ist im entwickelten Norden des Planeten wesentlich schneller angekommen als in Chiapas selbst. Dort ist der soziale Fortschritt zwar deutlich spürbar, aber langsam. Das Medium Radio kann diesen Lernprozess erheblich beschleunigen. Deshalb sind vier weitere Radiosender geplant, um einen Großteil von Chiapas mit einem Programm abzudecken, das die zapatistische Politik zur eigenen Basis zurückträgt und den konstanten Belagerungszustand unterläuft. Die ZapatistInnen haben sich dieses Radio erkämpft. Gegen die Soldaten, aber auch gegen Lehrer, die ihnen als Kinder nichts beigebracht haben und gegen Machtverhältnisse, die Indígenas wie sie allenfalls als Arbeitstiere existieren lassen. Sie machen ihr eigenes Programm, und sie betreiben und warten ihre eigenen Sendeanlagen. Was sie in ihrer derzeitigen Lage nicht selbst machen können, ist Geld erwirtschaften, um weitere Studiotechnik und Sendeanlagen finanzieren zu können. Und sie sind darauf angewiesen, dass die internationale Öffentlichkeit sie weiterhin kritisch solidarisch begleitet und dadurch vor militärischen oder paramilitärischen Angriffen schützt. ***** Hier seid deshalb Ihr gefragt! ***** * Bitte verbreitet diesen Aufruf in allen Publikationen, die ihr erreichen könnt! * Schreibt, falls die Lage sich weiter verschärfen sollte, Emails an die mexikanische und die chiapanekische Regierung! * Bitte spendet und helft damit, das Radionetzwerk weiter auszubauen! * Wir garantieren, dass Euer Geld ans Ziel kommt. Richtet eure Überweisung an: Nachrichtenpool Lateinamerika e.V., Konto Nummer 162 641 08, Postbank Berlin Bankleitzahl 100 100 10, Verwendungszweck: "Spende Radio Chiapas" (via Thorsten Hallmann, Muenster, Absurdocratistan, DXLD) There was a similar announcement about ten years ago that turned out to be a QSL hoax (G. Zeller, USA Jul 31, 2003 in DXplorer-ML via CRW via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. MOLDOVAN-ROMANIAN DICTIONARY PUBLISHED IN CHISINAU A 19,000-word, 340-page Moldovan-Romanian dictionary authored by Vasile Stati went on sale in Chisinau on 24 July, Flux reported. Stati is also the author of the "History of Moldova," published in Chisinau last year. In his introduction to the dictionary, the author harshly attacks Romanian authorities, including Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, for claiming that Moldovan and Romanian are one and the same language. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 25 Julyvia RFE/RL Media Matters August 1 via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. HAM-PIANIST WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE IN MARATHON RUN Concert pianist and cancer survivor Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, is well ahead of schedule in his Celebrate Life Run http://www.celebrateliferun.com/ from Tulsa to Chicago to benefit cancer research. Berkofsky reached Chicago July 27 with a final goal of Zion, Illinois. His initial schedule had called for him to complete his cross-country jog on August 11. ``What a beautiful view, and what a wonderful sense of accomplishment,`` he said of running to the shore of Lake Michigan. Berkofsky has some 35 miles left to finish up the trip and perform a grand finale concert in Chicago as well as a private encore performance in Zion. ``Maybe,`` he mused in his journal, ``there will be a chance to add a few more miles (up to Wisconsin and back?).`` This week, he needs to get in some practice time for the two concerts. Berkofsky, who`s been carrying ham radio along on his run, reports he`s met hundreds of amateurs along his route, and he set a daily record of 23.1 miles on July 16. ``Went through the wall, as runners would say,`` he told ARRL. ``Could have continued even longer had it not gotten dark!`` He`s still planning on an August arrival in Zion and hopes some local hams can run along or spot him during the last few miles. Berkofsky`s QSL manager, Murray Green, K3BEQ, says he talked to him via EchoLink through the Chicago WA9ORC 146.760 and the Washington, DC, KD3VR 146.610 repeaters as he got into the Windy City. ``I cannot begin to tell you about the many e-mails I have received from hams along the approximately 700-mile route who stated how much they enjoyed meeting Martin, listening to his many experiences and piano concert performances along the way,`` Green said. ``I was also impressed with how many hams helped Martin in providing directions, places to sleep, eat and, in general, took him under their wing from town to town. It says a lot of good things about the ham fraternity.`` (ARRL July 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALESTINE. WEST BANK AND GAZA/USA: PNA DENIES LEASING AIRWAVES TO US BROADCASTER | Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA on 30 July Ramallah, 30 July: The Palestinian information ministry denied on Wednesday that Sawa, the Arabic service of Voice of America, had leased a radio wave from the Palestinian [National] Authority. The US broadcaster leased the wave from a Palestinian local radio in contravention of Palestinian regulations in force, the ministry said. "The Palestinian radio waves and frequencies are deemed a national wealth that cannot be used or leased by anyone," said Hani al-Masri, the ministry's director general of publications. Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1827 gmt 30 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. Tentative. There was better than usual reception of the religious broadcaster using a frequency which seemed close to 6020.2 today [Aug. 1st] at 0630 tune in. There were many Portuguese 'sounding' words, but I couldn`t recognise what the whole language was. Maybe a mix of Portuguese and Spanish as reported elsewhere? No ID was heard before the signal faded --- just a long exhortation from a male with some music in the background. I could also hear a similar sounding transmission on 9720 below a stronger Radio Rossii broadcast. An offset frequency was not being used as far as I could tell. My guess is that the station is Radio Victoria from Lima. Regards from (Noel R. Green [Blackpool, UK], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 9581, PBS, Marulas, Valenzuela, 0700-0917*, July 11, active again while the English programme from Tibet that day was off the air. Programme in Filipino and English with ID: ``PBS, DZRB Radio Ng Bayen``. 45544. It was also heard when BBC signed off 0100, Jul 12 with 25432 // 576 MW (Roland Schulze, Philippines, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO [non]. Glenn, I thought you might get a kick out of this. http://mywpages.comcast.net/billqsl/cards/afn_puerto_rico_npr_7507.jpg I guess the guy thinks I am a DXer. What do you think? (Bill Harms, MD, DX Listening Digest) Rather snide reply from Jeff Rosenberg, NPR Worldwide, indicating they are interested in program listeners, not DXers, but keep the r.p. as donation (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest) Viz.: PUERTO RICO, Roosevelt Roads, AFN Relay. 7507 Received a p/d Letter (no freq or time) in 14 days from National Public Radio (NPR), 635 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20001-3753. V/s Jeff Rosenberg, Director, NPR Worldwide. Mr. Rosenburg stated that "As we do not own nor operate a transmitter, we do not issue QSL cards. Our interest is exclusively in the programming and the impact we can have with the content of the shows." He astutely concluded that I since could pick up the station in high quality FM audio simultaneously on a local station I must be more interested in picking up distant stations than in the actual content of the programming. NASWA Country Number 165 (Bill Harms, Elkridge, MD, USA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. My friend Alexander Beryozkin (he is a well known Russian DXer from St. Petersburg too) just informed me that Russian International Radio is a joint project of our Voice of Russia and our Russkoye Radio (latest one is a world's biggest FM network including more that 700 local FM transmitters here in Russia and in the CIS). It seems RMR (the Russian abbreviation) is our local broadcasting project for an International audience. No information about their postal/e- mail addresses yet (Mikhail Timofeyev via Dxplorer via DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** SAO TOME & PRINCIPE. While President Fradique de Menezes was in Nigeria, many press agencies reported that there was military coup d`état in São Tomé and Príncipe at 0300 on Jul 16, led by major Fernando ``Cobo`` Pereira, the commander of the Armed Forces Training Centre. The rebels took control of Government buildings, State TV and Radio, the Central Bank and the International Airport with some shooting in the streets of the capital, but without casualties. Major Pereira made a speech on national radio ordering all members of the government and parliament to report to police stations. The Prime Minister Maria das Neves, National Assembly President Dionisio Dias, Defence Minister Fernando Daqua, Natural Resources Minister Rafael Branco, Health Minister Claudina Cruz and Justice Minister Justino Veiga, as well as about 30 lawmakers out of the 55 who sit in Parliament, were seized and detained in military barracks. Mr Branco is considered a key member of the government as he handles the important oil portfolio. . . On Jul 23, after negotiations with Western and African diplomats, the coup leader accepted to release the politicians. He also accepted the return of the President to his office, but not the ministers whom he regards as corrupt and useless. New democratic elections will be held as agreed upon (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) TROTS ** SOMALIA [non]. 'A COMMUNITY EVENT': Radio program is a hit with Somalis --- Greg Bluestein - Staff, Wednesday, July 30, 2003 Every Saturday afternoon, about 50 people pack the Dunkin' Donuts on Memorial Drive in Clarkston, intently listening to the radio. From 2 to 4 p.m., the transplanted Somalis in the eatery have their ears tuned to what Dunkin' Donuts clerk Ali Gani calls "a community event" --- one of three weekly broadcasts of Sagal Radio Services (SRS), Atlanta's Somali language radio station. The station, based near Decatur, caters to the 4,000 or so Somali refugees resettled in the metro area after fleeing the civil war in their homeland. "People want to hear good news --- such as there's a government," quipped SRS director Hussien Mohamed. The radio program is staffed by volunteers and student interns. It runs only six hours a week on a noncommercial radio station, WATB-AM (1420). SRS was born when Mohamed, who works at the Atlanta affiliate of the international aid group World Relief, saw that his fellow Somalis lacked a basic understanding of the United States. "The people didn't know minor things," he said. So in 1998, Mohamed and a few volunteers started the program "Sagal," named after the Somali word for sunset. "They may not know English, may have no money, and most have never rented an apartment or set up utility bills," said Lexi Malkin, an SRS intern. "It's already hard enough to do all this. If you don't speak English, it's even harder." Shows have featured information on fire safety and health specials on SARS and West Nile virus. Volunteer correspondents in Somalia and Brussels, Belgium, keep listeners updated on international news. Malkin and three other Emory University students are working with SRS this summer. They're also trying to find sponsors. The $30,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development that funds the program is in the second year of its potential three-year term. Mohamed plans to add more broadcasts of English lessons, pending funding. He's also planning more shows dealing with American culture, like the one that aired before the Fourth of July this year warning listeners not to fear the booming fireworks. "They might have thought a war had started," he said. (c) 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Mike Cooper, Atlanta, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 17630, 1622-1700*, August 1, Tuned in to hear continuous music in a variety of styles and languages; Horn of Africa music with chorus and drums, ballads in unidentified language and English ballad with YL singing about "Hallelujah, home across the sea". At 1630 "tinny" sounding strings (guitar?) were noted. I believe this was a test loop as music at the end of the hour (1630) sounded very similar to the end of the 1700 hour. Abruptly off at 1700 with no ID or announcements. I quickly tuned to 17660 for 1700 sign-on and heard the same "tinny" strings followed by the same ballad as followed on 17630. Does anyone have anymore info as to where this comes from other than the US government OTI / Education Development Center? 73, (Scott R Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SITE? 17630, EDC service for Sudan, 1600-1700, local music, no talk. Switched to 17660 at 1700 same music, no breaks, fade by 1725. Keep playing the same song by a woman about every 10 minutes or so, otherwise seemed like different songs. Fair reception, clear channels (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN--Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: Feature on ice cream Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Network Europe" Sunday: Minorities in Sweden and debate over sports in "In Touch With Stockholm" (SCDX/MediaScan July 30 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY 2003/8/1 I-wei J. Chang, TAIPEI, Taiwan, Special to The China Post http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/detail.asp?onNews=1&GRP=D&id=19955 Central Broadcasting Station's Radio Taiwan International (CBS/RTI) yesterday celebrated 75 years of broadcasting the voice of the Republic of China (ROC) to the rest of the world, spanning major historical developments from its founding in mainland China in 1928 to its present location in Taiwan today. Founded on July 31, 1928 by the Republican government based in Nanjing, CBS followed the government to Hankou and Chongqing during the Anti-Japanese Resistance campaign, and back to Nanjing after the end of World War II. At the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, CBS moved with the Kuomintang to Taiwan. CBS was known to the U.S. as the "Voice of Free China" during much of the Cold War. The broadcasting system began relaying its news to mainland China as early as the 1950s, and was "an important entity in creating a breakthrough in the cross-strait stalemate," said CBS Chairman Lin Feng-jeng. Lin, a former human rights lawyer who took over the position in July, said that this momentous occasion was "to celebrate the birthday of a national radio that belongs to the 21 million people of Taiwan." President Chen Shui-bian sent a congratulatory message hoping that CBS under Lin would "continue to fulfill its duties as the media ... to monitor government policies in order to build a better Taiwan." Although Lin has received complaints from Taiwan citizens that they cannot hear the programs, Lin pointed out that RTI does not just transmit information, but more importantly, "has taken on the mission to propel an intimate connection between Taiwan and the international community," stated Lin. RTI fulfills President Chen's desires for Taiwan to upgrade its international status by continuing to be "the mouthpiece of democracy, liberty, human rights, and peace," said Lin. At the 75th anniversary celebration, Lin signed three protocols of cooperation with representatives from Burkina Faso, Panama, and Japan to strengthen bilateral ties with counterpart organizations in those countries. CBS is currently a member of several radio broadcasting organizations, including Radio Free Asia, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, D.C.), and Association for International Broadcasting. RTI's worldwide listeners that cross all major continents can tune in to its various news, educational, arts, and entertainment prorams by shortwave radio, the Internet (www.cbs.org.tw), and AM/FM radio. Much of its English programs are done through shortwave radio. RTI broadcasts in Mandarin, five other dialects ¡X Taiwanese, Hakka, Cantonese, Tibetan, and Mongolian ¡X as well as 12 other languages to its global audience: English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Burmese. It has daily programs that introduce the multifaceted nature of Taiwan to the rest of the world, including "Discover Taiwan," "Formosa Outlook," "Let's Learn Chinese," "News Talk," and "Taiwan Today." (via Ulis R. Fleming, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) See also CHINA ** UGANDA [and non]. Missionssenderexperte Dr. Hansjörg Biener bewertet die Mitteilung kritisch: ``In den vergangenen drei Jahrzehnten hat High Adventure Ministries mehrfach Senderpläne aufgelegt, die nie verwirklicht wurden. Solche Senderpläne sind natürlich immer ein guter Anlass für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Spendensammlung. Wenn es nur um Sendungen ginge, könnte High Adventure angesichts der weltweiten Verfügbarkeit von Kurzwellensendezeit von zahlreichen Standorten aus jederzeit mit Sendeblöcken für West- oder Ostafrika bzw. den Nahen Osten beginnen. So hat FEBA-Radio erst kürzlich seine Kurzwellenstation auf den Seychellen aufgegeben und kauft je nach Zielgebiet Sendezeit an verschiedenen Standorten`` (Dr Hansjörg Biener, NTT Aktuell August 2003 via DXLD) ** U K. BBC EMBROILED IN BITTER DISPUTE OVER IMPARTIALITY By ALAN COWELL, New York Times LONDON -- Its tones, by tradition, are measured, and its voice untainted by partisan hectoring. Indeed, the nicknames by which Britons have come to know their public service broadcaster seem to evoke demure respectability: the Beeb or just Auntie. But in recent weeks the British Broadcasting Corp., arguably the best-known public broadcaster, has been embroiled in one of the most bitter rows of its 81-year history, pitting its sense of independence and impartiality against a government that has accused it of misreporting why Britain joined the United States in the war against Iraq. . . http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/atlanta_world/0703/31bbc.html (via Artie Bigley, Don Thornton, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U K. WORLD SERVICE HEAD AFFIRMS BBC INDEPENDENCE, SAYS NO PLANS FOR ARABIC TV Director of BBC World Service Mark Byford has said that the recent controversies with the British and Israeli governments confirm BBC journalistic accuracy and independence. In an interview with London- based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Byford said that the BBC faced regular pressure from many sources, not just governments, but that its main concern was not to succumb to this pressure. He said that the BBC currently had no clear plans to launch an Arabic television channel, but that it would in future be defining a strategy for reaching the Middle East audience. Asked if the BBC would broadcast a tape from the former Iraqi president, Byford replied that it would be broadcast only if editors were convinced of its authenticity after careful examination. The following is an excerpt from the interview with the director of the BBC World Service by Khalid Mahmud in Cairo, date not stated, entitled "'The BBC stands firm despite pressure from governments,' says head of BBC World Service"; published by London- based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat on 25 July; subheadings inserted editorially: [Mahmud] Let us start with the controversy surrounding the report on Israeli nuclear weapons. [Byford] It was part of a series of reports, broadcast within a programme called "Correspondent". Editorially speaking, it is part of BBC journalism and in conformity with the mission of the corporation. [Mahmud] But the Israelis were angered by the report. How did you deal with this situation? [Byford] Naturally, there was an angry Israeli reaction to what we did. But this programme was already broadcast last March. It is part of our journalistic and broadcasting mission. It was broadcast throughout the world, not only to the Middle East. BBC-British government relations [Mahmud] Can you explain to our readers the current crisis between the BBC and the British government? [Byford] The origin of this crisis is the BBC's coverage of the issue concerning the evidence put forward by the British government with regard to the alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. It goes back to last September and then later, to last May. [Passage omitted] [Mahmud] Did you deliberately broadcast this report? [Byford] We were just carrying out our duty. [Mahmud] What was the reaction of your listeners and viewers to this crisis? [Byford] Well, I do not know the reaction of the viewers and listeners around the world. However, I can tell you that they attach a great importance to the integrity of the BBC, its accuracy and objectivity. This is something of which we are very proud. However, the Board of Governors, which is the main council that manages the BBC, has confirmed that our coverage was fair, objective and accurate. Pressure on BBC [Mahmud] Is it difficult for you to resist such pressure? [Byford] The issue is not limited to the British government. In my capacity as the official in charge of the international operation of the BBC, I can tell you that we are subjected to pressure from governments all over the world. However, the pressure does not only come from governments. There are also lobbies involved. But the bottom line is for us to stand firm and to be always accurate, balanced and objective on a journalistic level. Our main concern is not to give way to any sort of pressure. The independence of our journalistic work and its impact are the main reasons why the listener or the recipient tunes in to the BBC. [Passage omitted] Plans for the Middle East [Mahmud] Are you planning to launch an Arabic television channel? [Byford] We do not have any defined plan with regard to this matter. Clearly, we have a strong broadcasting service. In fact, the coverage we are providing has gone beyond all expectations in terms of responding to the demands [of listeners and viewers]. We have BBC World, which is an English-language channel. Therefore, we are present in the three media [radio, television and Internet]. However, we will think in the future of a strategy for the Middle East, about the best way to get to the biggest number of recipients, listeners and viewers whom we would like to reach. Naturally, we have to admit that the importance of television is on the increase, as it has become an essential medium for conveying information in all parts of the Arab world. But we do not have any clear plan for the time being. Naturally, the situation depends on the means available. [Mahmud] Are you subjected to pressure from Arab governments because of the nature of your programmes and the material you broadcast? [Byford] I said that we are sometimes subjected to all sorts of pressure, not only from governments. Besides, it is not limited to a particular region of the world. Nor does it occur every day. It can be the case regarding a news item or coverage, but what matters to us is to offer to the world a reliable and truthful news service in a fair and objective manner. We recognize that we need to have roots here, and this is why, for instance, we expanded our presence here, in Cairo. However, I believe that our main mission is to continue offering news coverage based on objectivity and fairness. Let me tell you that what is interesting in Iraq is that (toppled President) Saddam Husayn used to listen to the BBC Arabic Service. In fact, the entire Iraqi people tune in to the BBC. Saddam tape [Mahmud] What would you do if you received an audiotape from the toppled Iraqi president? [Byford] We would not broadcast it straight away. We would examine it and if we believed that it was a genuine one and if we were convinced that it came from him, then we would air it. But we would carefully think about it first, and if we were certain that it was in fact the voice of Saddam Husayn, then we would broadcast it. However, we would need to be sure and certain, because it is a very important matter. During the war on Iraq, we used to air Saddam's statements and speeches. The bottom line is to check. Imagine that you sent me an audiotape with a sticker saying, "From Saddam". Naturally, we would not easily believe it. Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, in Arabic 25 Jul 03 p 11 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. NON-BELIEVERS ABANDON LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent Tuesday July 29 2003, The Guardian The National Secular Society has abandoned an attempt to make the BBC invite humanists on to Thought for the Day, the three-minute slot on Radio 4's Today programme. The society yesterday announced it had given up a legal challenge to the policy of using only religious speakers, while the BBC's governors also published their rejection of the secularists' complaint of unfair discrimination. It ends a year-long wrangle after the society had claimed its right to propose speakers when the producer of Thought for the Day's sought more challenging contributors. The slot, shortly before the 8am news bulletin, is the most high-profile pulpit in daily broadcasting. It remains controversial by being reserved for speakers from faith groups, whose views are delivered without questioning. Any attempt to introduce different speakers, or drop old ones, achieves publicity, with the BBC most recently firmly telling contributors it had not treated Lavinia Byrne shabbily, as she claimed after being taken off the programme. In an email to regular contributors, seen by the Guardian, producer Christine Morgan said Ms Byrne, a former nun, "simply ceased to meet the slot's exacting standards at a time when we are making way for some sharper and more fluent voices". But not secularists. The governors declared that, "taken as a whole", BBC Radio 4's output provided balance and a fair opportunity for those not holding religious views to express their opinions; the balance of programming allowed them to disseminate their points of view. Last year the society achieved more publicity than for some time when it demanded the slot accommodate non-believers. It wrote to the governors and then initiated legal action under human rights legislation. In an earlier response from Glenwyn Benson, former head of factual programming, the society was told: "A short religious slot...on an issue of the day from a religious perspective cannot be considered discriminatory, as speakers from a non-religious perspective have ample opportunities to have their voices heard at other times and places in the BBC's schedules." As the slot is meant to be non-polemical, some Thought for the Day contributors have argued secularists would have difficulty speaking for three minutes without attacking religion, since that is their main raison d'être. In a letter to the BBC's lawyers dropping the case "due to difficulties in funding further steps in the litigation", the society's lawyers claimed the corporation's decision was defective, arguing: "The governors should have considered whether the decision and policy were the right ones, not whether they were reasonable." Keith Porteous Wood, the society's director, said: "They have decided to perpetuate discrimination against the non-religious in a way that they would not against another minority. "It is as if the BBC considers that non-religious ethical views are of much less validity than those given each day on Thought for the Day." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** UK. CHARIOTS OF FIRE SPECIAL ON BBC RADIO The British public radio station BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special on the ``Chariots of Fire`` movie, next Sunday August 3 at 11.15 local British time [1015 UT]. As we all know, Vangelis won an Oscar for its music, and since this film is said to owe much or even most of its success and fame to the ground breaking film score, it is inevitable that the topic of music comes up in the conversation. The BBC brought together producer David Puttnam, screenwriter Colin Welland, director Hugh Hudson and actors Nigel Havers and Ben Cross to reminisce about the making of the movie. For anyone who's interested, BBC Radio 4 can be listened to online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 Thanks to Stephen Cairns for the BBC tip (http://www.elsew.com a web site dedicated to the music of the Greek composer Vangelis, via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. ENFORCEMENT OF A DIFFERENT KIND: AMATEUR RADIO HELPS HUNT HAM WHO KILLED MICHIGAN COP Hams in Michigan were called on to help track down a cop killer after what should have been a routine arrest became a gruesome homicide scene. It happened on July 6th. Amateur Radio Newsline`s David Black, KB4KCH, is here with the rest of the story: Never in Michigan`s ham radio history has there been a case like Scott Woodring`s. It began July 6th. That`s when Woodring, KC8JNG, a member of the Christian Identity movement and described as a survivalist, shot and killed a Michigan state police officer. It happened while Woodring was being arrested for solicitation of a minor. A stand-off ensues and lasts nearly a day. During a law enforcement shift change, Woodring manages to escape, triggering an extensive manhunt throughout western lower Michigan. That`s when ham radio operators became involved, since it was suspected that Woodring had been using amateur radio equipment to communicate with other members of his group. James Wades, WB8SIW, is Michigan`s RACES Officer and Section Emergency Coordinator: Wades: ``I directed the EC for Newago Co. to establish an intercept operation in the area and monitor seldom used frequencies in and about the VHF 2 meter band. And, additionally, we sent out a broadcast announcement to selected areas to selected area RACES members throughout Michigan, essentially asking them to listen for conversations between Mr. Woodring and whomever else he might speak with.`` That paid off. A ham in Holton, Michigan reported monitoring Woodring and another operator talking on the air. The intercept was reported to state police they then asked government agencies including the FCC to provide direction finding assistance to find Woodring. But it was a Friday night and police couldn`t get any response from the federal agencies. So Wades says investigators turned to radio amateurs for help: Wades: ``We deployed amateur radio teams from several counties in the area, and had pretty much a continuous radio direction finding occurring throughout the weekend, with teams from from Kent, Ottawa and Musquogen Counties. We also had teams on standby in Kalamazoo County as well as the Civil Air Patrol team ``which weren`t utilized, but it was reassuring to know that they were there.`` Hams and the police knew the general area where Woodring was believed to be hiding. Wades says it was an eyewitness who ultimately led to Woodring being found: Wades: ``Mr. Woodring was discovered through a tip from a citizen who saw him essentially taking shelter in a non working vehicle. When Michigan state police officers approached, he leveled an assault rifle at them and he was subsequently shot to death when he refused to comply with orders or lower the rifle.`` Wades says police were hesitant at first to work with radio amateurs. But he says the hams` efforts made a powerful and positive impact with law enforcement agencies. Wades: ``When all was said and done the feedback has been incredibly positive. Tremendously good comments about the professionalism and the skills of the radio amateurs involved. And basically I think that they were somewhat ``almost shocked at the capabilities and the skill level of our ARES and RACES members in Michigan, which, of course was highly complimentary.`` Around 40 radio amateurs took part in the effort to help find Woodring. Wades says the hams involved coordinated their work with police carefully, even establishing a dress code for hams reporting on scene with investigators. The professionalism Michigan hams showed has given law officers a new appreciation for the kind of help radio amateurs can provide when it`s needed. From Birmingham Alabama, I`m David Black, KB4KCH, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline. In all, RACES members provided 494 staff-hours to the man hunt. Most of this was contributed during the 36-hour period when radio direction finding activities to locate Woodring were being conducted. (ARNewsline(tm) from lead provided at http://www.qrz.com August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. Alex Chadwick is keeping an online diary http://slate.msn.com/id/2086123/entry/2086165/ for Slate about the launch of Day to Day, the new NPR newsmag that is being produced in partnership with ... Slate. Smell the synergy! Revelation: Chadwick made an intern cry. Who knew he was such a meanie? http://slate.msn.com/id/2086123/entry/2086276/ (Current July 31 via DXLD) ** U S A. During some sporadic E openings lately, I have noticed semi- local KFOR-TV OKC channel 4 get snowy, which is a sign of DTV interference, but whence? I see in http://dxworld.com/tvfmlog.html that Pat Dyer has also noticed this on his local KMOL-4 San Antonio; another poster, Jeff Kadet? refers to http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp as the current NAB list of DTVs on the air. Yecch, it`s in order by market size, but an awful lot of entries, many of which, I suspect are not yet actually in use. Looking thru the entire list I find only three DTV on channel 4, all of which would be quite possible by sporadic E skip distance here: WHP (analog 21), Harrisburg PA WDKY (analog 56), Lexington KY WMAZ (analog 13), Macon GA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ARGELIA, 7460, Radio Nacional de la República Arabe Saharaui, 2025, Música árabe, cánticos religiosos. 24322. (Julio 29). (Manuel Méndez Reinante, costa de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500, Grundig Yacht Boy 400, Sony ICF 7600 G, Antena de Cable, 8 metros, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 4910, ZNBC, Lusaka. After many reports during many years now I received a QSL card after 4 weeks. V/s: Patrick Nkula, e-mail: pnkula@yahoo.com Website: www.znbc.co.zm Patrick asks to try also 6165 (Max Van Arnhem, Netherlands, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. 4880, SW Radio Africa. On Jul 18 arrived after 9 days a full data paper QSL-card (except for transmitter location), and the information below. I sent my report in a letter to P. O. Box 243, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 4WA, UK with an IRC. V/S: S. Surrey. They wrote: ``Short Wave Radio Africa broadcasts from London, and transmits to Zimbabwe via satellite and short wave at 4880 kHz on 60 m band. The signal is also streamed on the internet to the Diaspora, and archived for 2 weeks on our website http://www.swradioafrica.com The station began as a result of the Zimbabwe government`s refusal to allow independent broadcasting, which had earlier been given approval by the country`s Supreme Court. Whilst the legal battle continues, the station was set up in London, to broadcast 3 hours each evening. Its mission is to present news in a balanced form without the addition of propaganda, to give the people of Zimbabwe a platform to have their say without interference and to assist in the promotion of democracy and human rights. It has a large and loyal following, especially in the rural parts of the country, and amongst the opposition party members. It began in November 2001 and employs eight ex Zimbabweans, all of whom have been stripped of their Zimbabwean citizenship by Mugabe, the self imposed president. The station is non commercial. Transmission by shortwave from a transmitter in southern Africa is normally on 6145 kHz, but moves to 4880 kHz during the June-September period. The hugely popular website is updated with news of Zimbabwe, daily, and hosts chatroom, discussion group, feedback, sound archives and provides links to many other Zimbabwe-related sites.`` (Ekblom, Ishii and Petersen, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) I usually send an e-mail or a postcard with ``Thank you for the QSL`` to the station, and in this case an e-mail arrived back from ``simon`` at tech2@swradioafrica.com with the text: ``Dear Mr Petersen, I thank you for your interest in our station, and also for publishing the brief overview. Any additional spotlight that can be directed at the gross human rights abuses that are happening all the time in Zimbabwe is most welcome. We urge your members to visit our website from time to time and to encourage others in positions of influence to do so too. Zimbabwe is in a man-made crisis.`` Then followed some anti-South Africa comments which give me doubts that they book airtime from Meyerton (Anker Petersen, Denmark, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 4765, Brisbane or Honiara? I have noticed a strong open carrier on 4765 for 24 hours now. Any clues with this. Could it be something to do with Solomon Islands situation? Is Broadcast Australia conducting tests on this shortwave frequency?? Cheers (Chris Martin, Brisbane, Australia, August 1, ARDXC via DXLD) More and more lately I have been hearing interference (I suppose data transmissions) to regular SW broadcast signals that are comfortably inside the allocated broadcast bands. What is going on with this? Why would some data-transmitting organization that could use any frequency anywhere in the spectrum choose to transmit co-channel with an international broadcaster? I don't mean jamming -- these are sporadic signals that don't prevent listening but just annoy the listener. Examples: During the North American night, say 0700 UT on to 1000, when I am awake, I often tune R. Australia. Especially on 9580 kHz there are these periodic tones that come and go and irregular intervals. It seems an unmodulated solid tone, not a data burst. Luckily, they don't seem as prevalent later in the morning when 9580 has a good strong signal into here (central US) and I am listening to some of their programming more intently. (I'm usually trying to fall back asleep at 3 AM! :-) R. Netherlands on 9785 kHz, the transmission that begins at 0930 UT: There's some data-burst signals that either last continually during this transmission or come and go. I suppose it is some RTTY-type signal. Who is this and why are they there? Does the Netherlands have a secret-service agency that could send an agent and blow up whomever is doing this transmitting? (I always felt that the BBC should get the British government to send an SAS squad to destroy transmitters that interfered with BBC transmissions; that was back when I thought they cared about their SW-listening audience. :-) There's also interference heard during the morning-Eastern-US RN transmission on 5965 kHz. That's weak and fading enough already here in the mid-US that the added noise is particularly annoying. (I always felt that RN picked the wrong formerly-BBC frequency to take over for thius transmission; they'd have been far better off keeping 15220 kHz instead!) This, too, is data-burst crud, I think. Anybody else have their "favorite" in-band interference to report and gripe about? I can understand the out-of-band broadcasters getting this interference to their signals, like the aviation-weather SSB that hits RFPI now and then. It is what you have to put up with to operate outside the allocated broadcast bands. But who, what, and why this inside-broadcast-band garbage? Irritated, (Will Martin, MO, July 30, swprograms via DXLD) I do not know what receiver you are using but if it`s a single conversion cheapie, you might be experiencing image interference from out-of-band stations. Assuming that is not the problem, I will make one more suggestion. The military and other US federal agencies use a technique called ALE. That stands for Automatic Link Establishment. Transmitters jump frequency periodically announcing their presence on a frequency in some obscure digital mode. If nobody calls them, they move on. Like the 800 pound gorilla, the US government lies down anywhere it wants to. Sure the FCC has jurisdiction over SW broadcast frequencies in theory. The FCC's enforcement of this dividing line is no better and probably worse than the FCC's enforcement of any other provison of the Communication's Act. Civil servants especially do not want to pick a fight with another US government agency. [Later:] I listened to R. Australia at 0900 this morning and the reported interference was heard. It is definitely not an image problem in your radio. The signal sounds like it could be an ALE marker. I am no expert on such matters and you will probably have better luck identifying the signal type if you check the folks at WUN who specialize in utility interception. The interference weakened here as the sky brightened so I conclude the emitter is southeast of my QTH in Delaware. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, ibid.) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ I'm getting the interference here, too. Really quite annoying. With the sunspot cycle and geomagnetic instability added in, it is really making listening to RA difficult at the moment (Rob de Santos, Columbus, Ohio USA, Chairman of the Board, Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA), ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ [Followup to UNIDENTIFIED above:] This morning I watched a movie on one of the pay channels called, "The Recruit" a pretty good spook picture starring Al Pachino with all the plot twists one would expect from one of those old Robert Ludlum spy novels. A central focus of the story was a computer virus the CIA had developed which would propagate via the power lines throughout an entire country via the interconnected power grid to screw up every electronic device connected to that grid. Sound familiar? Are you reminded of the current Broadband via Power Line (BPL) discussion? Could BPL just be a cover for some sinister plot by the spooks? I have read that the Echelon system does a good job of monitoring the Internet, wired and wireless telephone, and international satellite traffic, but I have never read that Echelon has a good ear for the HF frequencies. Knowledge that Echelon exists will naturally force the bad guys to use channels that Echelon does not monitor. What if coded messages are being sent to bad-guy operatives in the USA via unencrypted shortwave broadcasts? Could BPL simply be a way for the FCC, acting on behalf of Homeland Security, to covertly jam the ability of anyone to access foreign broadcasts or contact people outside the country via HF radio? Could the government have found a covert way to finally defeat all those mysterious numbers stations that may be relaying messages to bad-guy operatives? Could BPL simply be a distributed jamming system which the government is encouraging private industry to build? Could the power companies be unknowing dupes of the US Government, investing big bucks of their own money in a project the administration could never get past the green-eye-shaded watchdogs in the Congress? Has the US Government found a way to covertly censor what we can hear on shortwave without treading on the constitution? Now what did I do with those Lithium pills? ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, Buch, DE, swprograms July 31 via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ The Recruit: Quickest 2-1/2 hours I ever spent. It's on DVD and I highly recommend it. Incidentally, the mock-up of the front gate of the Warrenton Training Center was uncanny, although I understand none of it was actually filmed here in Virginia. Well --- that's not too far fetched. Power companies have had a user- directed power regulation system for years. The system would monitor your power consumption and automatically brown out your house during preselected time periods. Meant primarily as a power savings device, it was promoted as a way that you could lower your power bills by simply participating in the program. The medium used to transmit the control signals was via the same power lines. Take the concept one step further: One facet of Information Operations is the ability to disrupt the infrastructure (e.g., power grid) of an entire country. Hmmmm (Mark J. Fine, Remington, Virginia, USA, ibid.) THE FIGHT FOR OUR SPECTRUM: HAM RADIO VS. BPL If you think that the term Broadband Over Powerlines and its acronym BPL will never affect you, guess again. BPL could effectively spell the end to ham radio as we know it. This, if it is ever approved by the FCC and popularized across our nation. Just how real is the challenge to the survival of the Amateur Radio Service? ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, gave some graphic details at last weeks Fort Tuthill Hamfest in Arizona based on test data collected by Ed Hare, W1RFI, of the ARRL Lab: Goddard: ``If you are an engineer, anywhere from 33 to 63 decibels increase in the noise level that you will see at your receiver due to BPL run in the power lines in your neighborhood. If you are into S- Meter readings, that`s somewhere between an S-6 and 10 over S-9.`` For those unaware, Broadband over Powerlines is a scheme to give consumers and businesses high speed Internet connections using the existing power distribution grid. This would put the power providers in the position of also being broadband internet providers as well. The problem is that powerlines are not shielded. They will act as much like giant antennas as they will a closed carrier of the broadband connection. In other words, whatever is on the power lines will be radiated and heard by your ham band receiver. And Art Goddard says that the Broadband Over Powerline signals will occupy the spectrum from 2 through 80 MHz, meaning every band from 75 meters through 6 meters will be affected. According to Goddard, BPL has the backing of the White House which views the increased use of unlicensed devices as being good for the US economy. He also notes that the FCC ``which is supposed to be neutral and regulating in the public interest, is`` in this case -- acting like cheerleaders for the proposed service. Goddard says that this is an issue that the ARRL is keeping a very close eye on. He also indicates that the League may soon be asking ham radio operators to lend their voice in opposition to BPL. (ARNewsline(tm) August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) I don't know how they are about this in Canada, but in the U.S. the FCC has been clamping down on power line leaks (as I pointed out in my comments on the BPL proceeding...) If you visit http://www.arrl.org and click on any of the news stories related to FCC enforcement letters, you'll find the text of what they've sent to various electricity utilities. If you're having trouble getting satisfaction from the cable operator, I'd try writing a polite letter detailing your problem. Send it to the Department of Communications, with copies to the CRTC and the cable operator. (if someone in the States is trying the same thing, send it to the nearest FCC Field Office instead & don't worry about copying the CRTC!) Be sure the letter *says* who you're sending copies to - you want the utility to *know* the regulators are about to get involved. If this is strong enough to interfere with any of your locals I would consider sending a copy to the station too. I know when I've had problems with my telephone service, this kind of letter got *instant* results - and both the company and the government contacting me to be certain I was satisfied (Doug Smith, TN, NRC-AM via DXLD) Re: FCC/ARRL & Power Company QRM The ARRL as well as the FCC are both paper tigers when it comes to resolving amateur/SWL power line QRN complaints. Here in my area we have TECO. Two plus years ago I developed a severe powerline QRN problem after several lightning strikes to local pole mounted lightning arrestors, aging hardware and increasing current load due to more customers. At one time TECO employed one very good RFI investigator with all the latest equipment. He came out quickly identified all of my problems but that's where the good news ended. No repairs were attempted for two plus years and eventually I had to drop out of the MARS radio program and then move away from an otherwise excellent radio QTH. Another local ham radio friend experienced similar but even worse problems also to no avail. As members of the ARRL my friend and I contacted the in house ARRL RFI guy who promptly began communicating with the power company and the FCC. The ARRL was stonewalled in communicating with key lower level TECO personnel and ended up dealing directly with the company CEO. To make a very long story short, the CEO flat out lied to the ARRL and the FCC, saying that they were on top of the problem and repairs were being made. As I said this went on for two plus years and eventually the CEO just blatantly defied the FCC and stopped communicating with the ARRL, FCC and my friend and I. Bottom line is that the QRN problems still exist for my friend and even the ARRL and FCC no longer respond to my friend. Also during the 2 year nightmare TECO fired their expert RFI guy for doing his job and replaced him with a nobody with no training knowledge or initiative. The original RFI guy has also disappeared off of the face of the Earth and we fear that he may be wearing cement shoes. Also during the two plus year period of battling the power company my friend and I suffered many strange power failures, surges, polarity changes, etc. that caused damage to our appliances and homes. We suspect that the strange goings on was the power company intentionally causing us problems. Kind of a look what we can do to you for complaining. When the ARRL and FCC came to realize that this very wealthy power company had good attorneys representing them and had no intention of fixing anything and could afford to pay any FCC levied fines due to inaction, the ARRL and FCC just gave up. By the way TECO lost a lot of money in the Enron scandal and has since laid off the majority of its work force including meter readers, billing clerks, engineers, linemen, etc. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, NRC-AM via DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ This was released today: " *Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 29879* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov DA 03- 2550 Released: July 29, 2003 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DISMISSES SAFETY CAST CORPORATION APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR EXPERIMENTAL RADIO STATION File No. 0183-EX-ST-2003 On April 18, 2003, Safety Cast Corporation filed an application for Special Temporary Authority (STA) in the Experimental Radio Service (File No. 0183-EX-ST-2003). By its experimentation, Safety Cast seeks to test its technology that, it states, uses ``an extremely low power, non-commercial, mobile transmitter that will broadcast `All Hazard` alerts, Amber Alerts, and/or emergency `alert` messages from authorized public entity vehicles (Police, Fire/Rescue, etc.).`` By Public Notice, DA 03-2109, released June 30, 2003, this application was given ``permit-but-disclose`` status under the Commission`s ex parte rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq., and comment was sought, with initial comments due July 30, 2003. By letter dated July 29, 2003, the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) dismissed the Safety Cast application without prejudice to the applicant`s right to file an application (Form 309) with the Media Bureau pursuant to Part 74 of the Commission`s rules. As a result, comment is no longer being sought on this application. By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology 1" I *think* this just means the proposal is *temporarily* dead. I seem to recall an action a few years back where it was decided applications for experimental broadcast stations (as opposed to experimental stations in other services) were to be considered by the Media Bureau - so the Safety Cast application basically was filed with the wrong department & must be refiled. – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66 http://www.w9wi.com July 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ DUTCH RESISTANCE MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM ALLAN CUMMINGS (who writes via Mike Barraclough) recently went to the Dutch resistance museum in Amsterdam mentioned in June Contact and found it a very enjoyable visit. The museum is located at Plantage Kerklaan 61. 1018 CX Amsterdam close to Amsterdam Zoo. Wartime radio broadcasts by Queen Wilhelmina, Max Blokzeil, Adolf Hitler and Josef Goebbels may be heard and there are examples of concealed radios the populace used as the Nazis forced them to hand in their sets and loop aerials used to null out German jamming of resistance broadcasts. The museum website is http://www.verzetsmuseum.org (August World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) BLETCHLEY PARK, UK Bletchley Park has a special event on the 16th and 17th August called Wireless Waves around Bletchley. The event celebrates the importance of the Y Service in relation to Bletchley Park during the Second World War. Bletchley Park was provided with information by a number of wireless receiving operations whose prime role it was to intercept the enemy's radio communications. "Wireless Waves around Bletchley" will commemorate the significance of the Y Stations and explain their contribution to the war effort. This special event will feature: A special display of Y stations and spy sets in the Mansion which will explain the use of the information supplied from Y Stations. Vintage radios and comm-unications equipment will also be on display dating from wartime to the present day. A temporary radio station will be in operation outside. Special lectures on both days: John Pether will speak on "The History of the Y Service from WWI" and David White, curator of the Diplomatic Wireless Hut, will talk about the "Secret Intelligence Service and their communications". A German Field radio station will be set up on Faulkner Green by Bletchley Park's German re enactment group. The Diplomatic Wireless Service Museum in Hut 1 will open for viewing. You can see original wireless and landline communications equipment as used at Bletchley Park during World War II. The wireless stations received and transmitted secret Bletchley Park ULTRA and diplomatic messages to our overseas outposts and bases. Bletchley Park is situated only 200 yards walk from Bletchley Rail Station with frequent services to Euston, Birmingham and Bedford and is just off the M1 Junction 13 or 14. The core heritage site covers 30 acres. It is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For full details telephone 01908 640404 or visit the website http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk (Mike Barraclough, Aug World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) That Final Item: WHERE RECORD SPEEDS CAME FROM And finally this week, ever wonder why the first successful disk phonograph records ran at 78 revolutions per minute? Well, a posting to one of the audiofile remailers explains it this way. Up until the 1920's recordings were made at a variety of speeds from 75 rpm to 84 rpm, and sometimes outside this range. The minimum acceptable speed was governed by the quality of the sound from the innermost grooves of the record. By trial and error this speed was found to be around 78 to 80 rpm. The speed of records is based on the American electricity AC standard of 60 hertz. When engineers wanted to standardize the speed of recording equipment in the studios they started using synchronous electric motors. These are motors that are locked on to the 60 hertz power and run at precisely 3600 rpm. If you use simple gear ratios then 3600 divided by 46 is 78.26 rpm. And all other phonograph record speeds came from the same source as well. 3600 divided by 80 gave us the popular 45 rpm record that helped to make the rock and roll revolution. 3600 divided by 108 is responsible for the L-P 33 1/3 rpm record and divided by 216 made the somewhat rare 16 2/3 rpm disks. Of course most vinyl albums have been replaced by digital compact disks, but the history of grooved disks is an interesting one and now you know how it all came about. (via: The Hi-Fi Remailer via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ CUMBRE DX PROPAGATION REPORT Two short M class flares have been noted in the past week, one on each Jul 29 & 30. Conditions were fairly quiet for the first few days of the week; however a coronal hole windstream started to cause activity in the earth's geomagnetic field from around Jul 26. This has led to occasional active storm levels at high latitudes. This current activity is now declining and expected to finish in the next day or so. Conditions should then be fairly quiet before a possible increase in activity on Aug 7. A new sunspot area may be coming visible on the solar disk, preliminary indications are that it could be quite a complex region. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, August 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ###