DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-166, September 15, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser 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/dxldtd3i.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 EXTRA 44: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times often delayed] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WINB: Thu 0130 9320 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 WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 44 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx44h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx44h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/worx44.html WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 44 (low version available from 0440 UT Sept 15): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx44.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx44.rm UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Glenn, when I posted the brief RFCI item to Cumbre I had that nag like I should have been sending it somewhere else, too. Glad that all I heard was well covered by others. Keep up the great work. Much appreciated here, though I sure don't let you know that very often, and that's my fault. 73s (Gerry Bishop, FL) DXLD broke the RFCI story, but I notice a lot of DXers reporting it haven`t had the courtesy to acknowledge this. Even stranger, RFCI appears to be of utterly no interest e.g. in the swl at qth.net list, and in BC-DX. As usual, all reports below under MEXICO [non] (gh) ** ALASKA [non] Re: HARRP connection with NE power blackout, see http://zapatopi.net/afdb.html (Chuck Albertson, Seattle, Wash., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. 9520 kHz, from 1845 UT Sept 15 with sign on orchestral theme, ID in English, music, program notes, and news. SINPO 43333 (barely fair due to poor modulation, only occasional word easily understood). Drake SW8 with whip antenna (Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. HUNDREDS RALLY FOR ABC 15sep03 HUNDREDS of people rallied in Sydney yesterday to support the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, arguing a lack of government funding threatened its independence and programming. . . http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,7265441%255E911,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** BAHRAIN. 2003-09-14. Dear Friends: A couple of hours ago I returned from a DX Camp in Chascomus with my friends Arnaldo Slaen, Enrique Wembagher and Marcelo Cornacchioni here the result: 9745, Radio Bahrain, Abu Ayan, 1912 -1925, Sep 13, Arabic, Comments and music by man and female announcer, mention Bahrain several times, ID"....Radio Bahrain...", 23322. Location: Chascomus 120 km SW from Buenos Aires Receivers: Sony ICF 2010 Antenna: Longwire 25 m (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELARUS`. Hello Mr. Hauser --- Enjoyed QRM free, SIO 444 reception of Radio Minsk English program Sept. 15 at 0200 UT on 7210 kHz. Usually too much amateur QRM during the week, but hams must turn in early Sunday night. 73s (Ben Loveless, WB9FJO, Michigan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. A Radio Bulgarie Internationale, on ne semble pas trop croire au retour des émission de 60 minutes à la place de celles qui durent actuellement une demi-heure. La Compagnie Nationale des Télécommunications (BTK) qui assure la diffusion des émissions en ondes courtes et qui est propriétaire des émetteurs, est en passe d'être privatisée et on ignore les tarifs qui seront demandés pour ce service et si la radio pourra payer. En revanche, la radio nationale bulgare et Radio Bulgarie Internationale débuteront dans quelques jours les tests du futur site Internet qui ouvrira prochainement. Les auditeurs pourront y trouver - dans l'ensemble des langues de diffusion - les informations ainsi que des sujets qui auront été diffusés sur les ondes (Radio Bulgarie Internationale - 13 septembre 2003) (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** BURKINA FASO. 5030 kHz, Radio Burkina, in French from 2233 past 2320 UT Sept 15; music (light Afropop), male announcer, guitar in Sahel style, 2250: drums interval signal, more talk, tentative "CRTM", more drums at 2258. More Sahel style flute music and regional guitar. 2312: drums, then tin drums or another mallet instrument, Sahel style flute (interval signal?), and clear ID of Radio Burkina at 2316. Pretty good signal, overall 32122, frequent static crashes, generally poor with fair peaks. Drake SW8 with whip in Utica, New York (Roger Chambers, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Canada, CFVP, 6030, Sept. 13th, 2315, Burton Cummings "These Eyes", Elton John "Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road", Om with tx on Calgary restaurant, equal to co-frequency Radio Marti and sidekick. Fair (Joe Talbot, Alberta, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Re: ITU LW/MW COORDINATION SURVEY http://www.itu.int/ITU-R/publications/brific-ter/index.html See "GE75_110" in the file list (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, MWDX Sept 9 via DXLD) Interesting is also the new Chinese 600 kW stations on 1197, 1422 and 1539 kHz all three at Kashgar-Western Xinjiang. Daytime at 140 degrees towards Tibet, nighttime towards AFG, PAK, UZB, TJK, IRN etc., so seemingly foreign broadcast sce ?? (Wolfgang Büschel, Sept 13, BC-DX via DXLD) Since the data of all three entries for Kashi [Kashgar], China are identical I suspect that only one transmitter is planned and that the Chinese want to have a choice of frequencies. Analysis: Location: Kashi in SW Xinjiang province. The coördinates correspond to a location some distance SW of Kashi. Frequencies: 1197, 1422, 1539. Transmitter power: 600 kW. Directional: Day and night, different patterns. Daytime pattern: Main lobe 140 deg, 6000 kW ERP, backlobe 320 deg 1500 kW ERP. The main lobe covers a chain of towns in SW Xinjiang. Nighttime pattern: Main lobe 200 deg, 3000 kW ERP, backlobe 20 deg 750 kW ERP. Power at 320 degrees (towards Europe) approx. 40 kW ERP. The main lobe covers Pakistan, NW India and eastern Afghanistan and obviously is intended for external services to these areas (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX Sept 14 via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI`s 16th anniversary is upon us. Normally a special Fiesta on the Air is broadcast; last year it was Sept 16, or early UT 17th, but I have heard nothing about one this year. Under the present circumstances, I expect it would be untenable, as callers would want to know what`s going on, and RFPI is gagged from discussing the situation. But tune in 7445 anyway, in case they mark the occasion in some low-key manner (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: Hi Glenn, we are planning an open house on Sunday [Sept 21] and we are not sure yet how we will do on-air broadcasting tomorrow [Sept 16], things are just so crazy here at the moment. We will try to do something; hopefully on Sunday we will have live broadcasting of the open house (Naomi Fowler, RFPI, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY AND RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL`S 16TH BIRTHDAY PARTY Come to our celebration of 16 years of global progressive broadcasting! See the work of this unique voice on shortwave! Visit the ONLY voice of the United Nations in the hemisphere! Participate in the birthday broadcast! Peace! Human Rights! Environment! Social Justice! Marginalized voices! Corporate crime watch! Sunday, September 21, 2003 CR: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. USA: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Bring your lunch and a bit extra! Bring your friends! USA: Call 800-493-5718 AND GO LIVE ON THE AIRWAVES UPEACE RFPI El Rodeo (from an RFPI poster, via DXLD) Strange USA time ** CUBA. D'après le dernier horaire de la station, Radio Havane Cuba a pratiquement supprimé ses émissions à destinations de l'Europe. Les seules qui demeurent sont celles en portugais entre 2000 et 2030 TU sur 17750 et celles en espagnol entre 2100 et 2300, toujours sur 17750. Les émissions en français à 2000 et à 2100 TU [11760] sont dirigées vers "New York" (horaire de Radio Havane Cuba via Gilles Garnier - 09 septembre 2003) NDR: curieusement, ces émissions vers "New York" coïncident avec une réception nettement améliorée en Europe. Il faut certainement voir plutôt dans ce mieux la mise en place des nouveaux émetteurs (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** CUBA. See 3-156 about the dishes going up in easternmost Cuba, suspected for ``jamming`` Radio Martí. I have been intending to add some comments. It is extremely unusual to install satellite dishes high up on water tanks, less so on existing tall buildings. This combination of factors makes it seem that the Cubans are planning to hit satellites over the Atlantic or very far eastward, very close to the horizon as viewed from Cuba. Perhaps someone more familiar with satellite mechanics can point out some likely candidates, perhaps including those targeting Iran, already jammed by Cuba. Are the upcoming TV Martí direct satellite broadcasts from such eastern geostationary orbits? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Re 3-159, obit for Tigrid: In case you wonder about the non-Czech name of Mr. Tigrid - of course 'Tigrid' was his pseudonym. The story is, that, while still a boy at school, he was never able to speak correctly the name of the Iraqi river 'Tigris' .. thus he later choose such a name later as his pseudonym (M. Schöch, Germany, Sep 8, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 6025: On Sept. 8 , "Quisqueyanos", the Dominican National Anthem, clearly heard at 0358 (mixing with R. Budapest in Spanish, followed by its IS and multilingual ID's). Although not noted here before, the signal could well be R. Amancecer in Santo Domingo at sign-off. By the way, Quisqueya is the country's historical (aboriginal) name, used mostly in literature or for political and cultural purposes (Victor C. Jaar, Québec, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** EL SALVADOR. YSDA, 17833.9, Sept. 13th, 2250, OM calling soccer game, just audible below slop from RCI (via Japan) in French on 17835. Poor (Joe Talbot, Alberta, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Swedish spoken in Finland is MUCH different from that spoken in Sweden. The Finnish Swedish has a totally different intonation, just like in Finnish, not that "singing" sound like in Swedish Swedish, but always stress on the first syllable. There are also some differences in vocabulary but the most important difference is the sound (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Sept 10, BC-DX Sept 15 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. It seems the residents close to the Holzkirchen station are determined to be rid of it. Just check out this: http://www.sender-freies-oberland.de/e_index.htm The IBB will maybe have to look around for another relay site to make up for its loss. Well, I think the capacity at BIB, LAM, JUL and WER (the T-Systems facilities can be certainly included in view of the cooperation arrangement with IBB Germany) could be sufficient, so probably HOL will be closed and nobody will note due to a smooth move of all transmissions to other sites, like it was done when PALS was closed down. Probably HOL is meanwhile considered as really unnecessary, namely because only antennas for bearings between 30 and 70 degrees or so are available, allowing transmissions into the FSU and multi-hop transmissions into target areas behind... The 4 x 250 kW date from c1981 so may be worth while installing elsewhere? Certainly yes, like it was done with the mediumwave rig which is of similar age and design (Kai Ludwig, Germany, BC-DX Sept 11 via DXLD) Nach Zeitungsmeldungen von Anfang September 2003 soll das fuer die Sendeanlagen des Auslandsrundfunks der USA zustaendige International Broadcasting Bureau zugesagt haben, seine Kurzwellenstation im bayerischen Oberland spaetestens im Juni 2005 aufzugeben. Auf der seit 1951 betriebenen Station Holzkirchen, deren Schliessung von der Buergerinitiative Sender Freies Oberland http://www.sender-freies-oberland.de seit Jahren gefordert wird, sind noch vier 250 kW-Kurzwellensender im Einsatz. Die Mittelwelle wurde bereits 2001 aufgegeben, der Sender steht inzwischen in Kuwait. 1994 war das Sendeende fuer 1995 angekuendigt worden, hatte dann wegen des Jugoslawien-Krieges doch nicht stattgefunden. Nach Angaben des Buergermeisters Josef Huber kostet der Abbruch eine halbe Million Euro. Das Auswaertige Amt habe bereits angefragt, ob die Gemeinde einen Teil der entstehenden Kosten uebernehmen werde. Die Gemeinde Valley moechte das 142 Hektar grossen Gelaende von der Bundesvermoegensverwaltung kaufen und einen Golfplatz samt Golfhotel darauf errichten. Schon drei Investoren haetten sich fuer das Golfplatz-Projekt beworben (newspaper Muenchner Merkur 2.9.2003, von Dr. Hansjoerg Biener ergaenzt; ntt via BC-DX via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Had a look into the GE75_110.pdf file (MW File). The new entry private station Frankfurt/Main 1080 kHz G.C. 08E39 50N08 95 metres high, 5 kW day 7.8 dB, 0.5 night. But compared this entry with the AFN and HR transmitter site coördinates; the installation will only fit to the tall Frankfurt Bockenheim Telecommunications tower of Deutsche Telekom, next to the European Central Bank building and Frankfurt Fair location. I see the antenna pattern of IBB Cape Greco CYP has maxima at 120 NE and 230 degrees to NAf?? (wb, Sept 13) [see also under CHINA, ed.] The new entry private station Frankfurt/Main 1080 kHz G.C. 08E39 50N08 95 metres high, 5 kW day 7.8 dB, 0.5 night. KL: Yes, enquiries are still to be made, but it appears that the idea is now indeed to place a mediumwave transmitter at the Ginnheim telcom tower (which, by the way, will likely become the home of two new FM outlets soon), with a simple antenna wire installation like at Geyer, Regensburg Ziegetsberg, Muenchen Blutenburgstrasse etc. Background: First LPR put 1080 on tender for daytime operation only because a nighttime operation with 500 watts was considered as useless. But any broadcaster away from the notorious Megaradio stated that this limitation to daylight hours would be unacceptable. And so obviously the new plan is to place the transmitter inmidst the city to allow a sufficient nighttime service even with the 500 watts limit. Weisskirchen is too far away for that and obviously for this reason out of the race (Kai Ludwig, Germany, BC-DX Sept 12 via DXLD) ** HUNGARY. Radio Budapest fue captada en los 3974.99 kHz, SINPO 2/2, a las 0330 UT, con el programa DX, el lunes 15/09. El programa DX sale todos los domingos (lunes universales). 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 250 kW, Spanish to Europe, per SW Guide (gh, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. RRI Jakarta was heard on 15175 at 0900+. This seems to be a move from either 15125 or 15150, where only VOIRI is heard. The signal is only weak at my location, and the HS programme carried is not known (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Sept 10 via DXLD) Why not a mixing product if both 15125 and 15150 are on at the time? (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. SOME ADVISE 'EVERYWHERE INTERNET AUDIO' NEW ECONOMY By DON TAPSCOTT The music industry, hurt by a decline in CD sales and the continued free swapping of files on the Internet, took the drastic action last week of filing more than 250 lawsuits against consumers. But whatever catharsis record executives and their lawyers may feel, the courts cannot solve the music industry's fundamental problem. Nor does the answer lie in getting people to pay for each music file they download from the Internet. Instead of clinging to late-20th-century distribution technologies, like the digital disk and the downloaded file, the music business should move into the 21st century with a revamped business model using innovative technology, several industry experts say. They want the music industry to do unto the file-swapping services what the services did unto the music companies - eclipse them with better technology and superior customer convenience. Their vision might be called "everywhere Internet audio.'' . . . http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/15/technology/15neco.html?ex=1064203200&en=0be85bfc39b4ef2e&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. SATELLITE RADIO IS FINALLY ON THE BEAM 09/12/03 WAYNE THOMPSON About a century ago, Reginald Fessenden, a Canadian engineer, figured out a way to transmit something more useful than Marconi's telegraph code. In 1900, he transmitted his voice for about a mile. Four years later, he discovered amplitude modulation (AM). . . http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1063281617240920.xml (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Hurricane Isabel: see USA this time ** IRAN. Il y a quelques semaines (cf information du 17 juillet), la Voix de la République Islamique d'Iran avait envoyé un courrier électronique à plusieurs auditeurs, indiquant que les techniciens souhaitaient arrêter les émissions en ondes courtes. Dans l'émission du courrier des auditeurs du 6 septembre, il a été dit qu'il "n'était plus question" d'arrêter les ondes courtes... Cela tend à confirmer que cette information était bidon et que la station, bien mal inspirée ce jour là, avait peut-être voulu augmenter le nombre de lettres qu'elle reçoit (et qui ne semble pas très important). Il ne se passe d'ailleurs plus une semaine sans que l'on reçoive des courriers électroniques de Téhéran pour nous demander notre avis sur divers sujets (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Subject: Soldiers and Shortwave Some in the U.S. military in Iraq apparently have resorted to buying equipment for themselves to augment their survivability. Since the article mentioned a ``shortwave radio`` of undisclosed manufacture, I`ve included a link to the article. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=34575 An excerpt follows. [omitted; last two paragraphs from below] Regards (``Soliloquy``, rec.radio.shortwave September 14 via John Norfolk, DXLD) The complete article: IN THE MILITARY --- SANTA HELPING UNCLE SAM IN TERROR WAR Reports detail how soldiers shell out own money for gear Posted: September 13, 2003 1:00 a.m. Eastern © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com Among the lessons learned from Operation Iraqi Freedom is that U.S. troops not only valiantly served their country, but they also dug into their own pockets to do so. The Pentagon`s draft report of the conflict details how soldiers spent their own money to get better field radios, extra ammunition carriers and commercial backpacks to replace undersized rucksacks, according to Scripps Howard News Service. An internal Army report similarly documented the trend among ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. U.S. and Romanian soldiers from Khandahar Army Airfield provide medical and dental care for Afghani citizens in Dah Masazo Kalay, Afghanistan. ``There were a lot of reports of that prior to the war, people would go out and buy their own gear,`` Patrick Garrett, a defense analyst with GlobalSecurity.org, told the news service. ``The Army ran out of desert camo boots, and a lot of soldiers were being issued regular black combat boots. Soldiers decided that wasn`t for them, so they paid for new boots with their own money.`` Scripps Howard interviewed Senior Airman Joe Harvey, who is based at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, about the personal financial cost of deployment. Harvey said the Air Force provides most aspects of the uniform, including four sets of combat and dress uniforms and provides an annual clothing allowance of $200 to cover all other expenses. ``Of course with all the wear and tear [the uniforms] don`t always last that long,`` Harvey said. ``Now with some of the units if you rip a pair of bdu`s [battle dress uniforms] they will give you a new pair. But for the most part you are responsible for buying any new uniform you need except for boots.`` Beyond basic apparel, soldiers also scrounged for equipment to help them do their duty. Last year, Marine Sgt. Mike Corcoran put $2,000 night-vision goggles, a global positioning system and a short-wave radio on the Christmas wish-list he sent home to his mother. The news service reports Santa didn`t disappoint but sent Corcoran, who has since left the Marines, everything he asked for. The short- wave radio wound up providing intelligence on enemy fighters. (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. FUTURE KI ENGLISH CHANGES Staffers at Israel Radio say, that in 'mid October', the Kol Israel English broadcasts will be moved to the REQA network instead of Reshet Alef. The English radio news would broadcast at the following local Israel times: 0630-0645, 1245-1300, 1900-1915 Those of you listen in Israel (whether a resident or just visiting), please mail Mr. Barel and let him know what you think of the time changes and how local reception of REQA compares to Reshet Alef. Mr. Yosef Barel, IBA Director General IBA House Jaffa Road Jerusalem REQA is available on the following frequencies - so you can listen and find out how reception is in the area you are in, even if you don't understand the Russian or Amharic that REQA is currently broadcasting: Akko 1575 AM (MW) Yavne 954 AM (MW) Upper Galilee 94.4 FM Haifa 93.7 FM Tel Aviv 101.2 FM Jerusalem 101.3 FM Beer Sheva 107.3 FM Of course, if the local times change, it would impact shortwave and web broadcasts as well. Since these are domestic broadcasts, the primary concern is the domestic audience. Thanks (Doni Rosenzweig, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KI - Persian.../ Radio Kol Chai --- An article regarding Israel President Moshe Katzav's address to Iranians on Israel Radio's Persian service. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,96339,00.html "Israel Radio reaches more than 1 million listeners in Iran and can be heard over the radios of shopkeepers in Tehran's markets, said Amir, who translated for Katsav." This URL was mentioned on radiointel.com ==== Radio Kol Chai will be adding a DAILY 1 hour timeslot in English. It will broadcast newsmagazines & Hasidic Pop/Rock Radio shows during the course of the week. Kol Chai http://kolchai.moreshet.co.il (it's a Hebrew site)(via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) See also 3-161 ** LAOS [non]. I heard Hmong Lao Radio today. Signal of 15555 [reported new Taiwan relay testing] was not arrival. 17540 was good, heard regional music and announcement by man (Gaku Iwata, Japan, BC-DX Sept 12, via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 4760, ELWA Radio, 2137-2206, 10/09, English, music at tune-in, long talk re "Liberian Bible Association", recorded speech by OM regarding UN and Liberia's reconstruction, announcements at 2201 followed by Afropops. Fair with propagational fades (Scott Barbour, NH, NASWA Flashshsheet via DXLD) ** LUXEMBOURG. AFAIK, RTL 1440 kHz is sending since last Monday with 1200 kilowatts up to 10 am CEST with its regular German program and additional regional informations for listeners in North-Rhine- Westfalia (e.g. weather-forecast, traffic-informations). I do not know if this is in view of future DRM-broadcasts, but actually I don't think so. I've heard this program in Frankfurt/Main with a very strong signal (0=4) and precisely at 10 am CEST the transmission power was lowered down to the usual daily 300 kW and RTL was barely audible (Heinz Hermann, Germany, A-DX Sept 13 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non]. CLANDESTINE, 15045.0, Radio Free Cascadia Int`l, Sep 13/14, Good signals here in the northeast on these 2 nights: Sep 13, 0112-0131, English talk on the climate of extreme violence for women in maquiladoras in northern Mexico, 0130 ID "You are listening to Radio Free Cascadia..." into Spanish program "Voces de Libertad", recheck at 0200 with Spanish talk but signal much weaker and gone by 0204. Sep 14, 0209-0238*, 2 Zapatista speeches recorded live at a rally on Aug 9, each immediately followed by an in-studio English translation. 0238 ID "You are listening to Radio Free Cascadia International broadcasting from North America behind (?enemy?) [nead]lines...", followed by apparent sign-off. Very good signal with deep fades. Hopefully this isn't the last we've heard from them on SW (Mark Mohrmann, VT, DX LISTENING DIGESET) 15045 CLANDESTINE (Mexico?). R. Free Cascadia International, heard at various times, poor with ID and E-mail and postal addresses at 0058 Sep 12, better that afternoon at 2150-2245, "peace" programming, IDs, mention of frequency, Cancun, rock music; also at 2025 Sep 13 with full ID by woman, earlier read a report from a listener in China and said would send him and other reporters a QSL. Audio varied from barely perceptible to good, carrier usually fairly decent. Announced would be on Sep 10-14; P.O. Box 703, Eugene, OR 97440 (Jerry Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 2148-2230+, 2300-2314, 0114-0140, Sep 12, vocal followed by ID and frequency announcement by a man in English. A woman followed with a long Spanish language talk. After a protest song, a woman gave the ID: "You are listening to Radio Free Cascadia International on 15,045 kilohertz." She read an article from a website. Retune around 2300 to hear a man talking in English about terrorism. Around 0114 an interview about woman being abused in labor force in Mexico. At 0131 "program Voice de Libertad" began hosted by a man. Poor to fair (at peaks) with very deep fades. However, seemed to be much steadier signal around 0115 although still deep fades. Location? Seems very political in nature and presumably illegal so is "clandestine" the appropriate home or is "pirate" the correct classification? (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) They referred to themselves on air as ``clandestine`` (gh, DXLD) USA (?), Radio Free Cascadia, 15045, Sept. 13th, 1920+, in most of the day at various levels, excellent signal for 15-25 minute periods, then fading below noise. IDs in Spanish and English, 0015 in with Spanish/ English program, solid signal, 100% copy with very good audio, theme from gang 80's movie, anti-establishment song, talk on situations in Central/South America, by 0032 fade out, copy down to zero. Great programming! This frequency used by 80's pirates. Excellent to Very Poor (Joe Talbot, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. N: 52-16-18 W: 113-48-46. Grid: DO32cg. Rx: Rockwell Collins HF-2050. JRC NRD 535D Kiwa/ Universal Radio Mods. Antennas: 7 Slinky - 92'(28m). 14'(4.26m) x 29'(8.83m) Flag. T2FD Centered On 90m (3300 kHz). 65'(20m) Coil Loaded Sloper. MFJ 1026 With Vertical. 64' (19.5m) Trylon Tower. DX LISTENING DIGEST) Se escuchó con señal pobre por acá durante casi todos los días de transmisión. Incluso no llegó demasiado bien a Chascomus. Parece una interesante experiencia comunicacional. Para el que lo precise, colegas de los Estados Unidos han informado un QTH electrónico y otro postal. Yo escuché solamente un ratito las transmisiones y con muy pobre recepción. Por momentos, apenas distinguía que se hablaba en inglés. Las transmisiones duraban muchas horas y, por lo que pude ver, estaban teñidas de informalidad, por lo cual es muy lógico que se haya identificado de muchas maneras distintas. Habrá manera de conseguir la QSL? No será fácil. Vi que tiene un QTH electrónico e incluso hay por allí una dirección en los EEUU. 73's (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Sept 15, Conexión Digital via DXLD) The original website and e-mail were restored on Sept. 14. For posterity, here`s the posted Spanish version, of website, sic: Un Transmisíon Especial de Radío Cascadia Libre In English [link] email RCLI: rfci@riseup.net RFCI P.O. Box 703 Eugene, OR 97440 EEUU RCLI transmitiremos en la banda onda corta mundial a Mexico, CentroAmerica y SudAmerica de 10 a 14 de Septiembre. Transmitiremos en solidaridad con miles de personas protestando la Organizacion Mundial Comercial (OMC) en Cancún, México, la gente indigena del mundo, y todos los que resistan la represíon y la dominancía global por las corporacíones, gobiernos, y las varias organizacíones capitalistas como la OMC. RCLI retransmitiremos un stream de audío de Cancún y programará en Español y Ingles, incluyendo reportajes en vivo desde Cancún, noticias, comentarios, y la musíca de la revolucíon de las Americas. Dirigiremos la emisíon hacia a México y estarán escuchado en Cuba, Colombía, Ecuador, Brazil, y otras nacíones de America Latina y los EEUU. RCLI es una accíon directa de resistancía y solidaridad. Modulamos el aíre tan librementa como respiramos; luchamos contra los que reclaman control de los elementos naturales, la gente, las plantas y los animales de la Tierra. El Programa de Emisión 12:00 del mediodía - 12:00 de la medianoche en Cancun, México (1700- 0500 UTC [GMT]) en frecuencia 15045 kilohertz. (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Muchos DXistas han captado Radio Free Cascadia en 15045 pero parece que solamente yo haya tenido esta identificación: "Radio Rebelde - Radio Libre Internacional". Pueden escuchar una grabación de "Radio Rebelde" 15045.00 kHz en esta página(SWB): http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ (Björn Malm, Ecuador, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Björn Malm`s recording is actually available now, and it says, ``Está escuchando radio rebelde, Radio Libre International Cascade...`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola Björn, También logré escuchar su identificación que das; lo que es seguro, el locutor (que escuché), su idioma materno no es el español; pude escuchar la identificación que das, ``Radio Rebelde Libre Cascadia``, o a veces diciendo Cascade [Caskeid], en vez de Cascadia, y hasta su identificación en inglés Radio Free Cascadia International (Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Anotem: Em 13 de setembro passado (no Brasil), ou 14 de setembro (UTC), sintonizei a partir de 0146 UTC - em 15045 kHz ( SINPO = 2 4 2 2 2 ) - a emissora pertencente ao movimento 'zapatista' (Chiapas, no México). Ao menos dava a entender que se tratava de uma emissora 'zapatista'... A emissora estava transmitindo uma espécie de festa ou assembléia (talvez como contraponto à 'festa' da OMC que estava transcorrendo em Cancún)... ...vinha alguém e tomava o microfone (talvez em uma tribuna armada em campo aberto) e fazia seu discurso. Após discurso, muitos aplausos e 'palavras de ordem'. Ouvi discursos em inglês-americano (com sotaque europeu) de jovens que faziam apologia ao movimento 'zapatista', ao socialismo, contra o capitalismo e criticavam o governo mexicano (chamando os políticos mexicanos de 'gangsters', etc.) Em seqüência, outro vinha e fazia seu discurso. Ouvi discursos em espanhol, igualmente. O teor era o mesmo, sempre criticando o capitalismo e definindo os políticos mexicanos como 'bandidos', etc. Alguém mais ouviu? 73s (Ricardo, Atibaia, SP, SONY 7600G (antena telescópica), radioescutas Sept 15 via DXLD) Notes from my monitoring of RFCI, 15045, on its last day, Sept 14: tune-in at 2005 UT as they were saying they do have plans for future transmissions, but can`t divulge yet. Then a mailbag, reading a number of reception reports, seemingly in full, including some names I hadn`t heard of before, and some I had: Richard A. D`Angelo, Gabriel Iván Barrera, Tomaszko, Jerry Berg --- who didn`t miss an opportunity to plug his book. At 2040-2044 made some statements in solidarity with Radio for Peace International, who are having problems in Costa Rica, and who, RFCI believes, would not mind the use of 15045 at the moment. But RFCI is ``in no way connected with RFPI``. When I retuned at 2115 the signal was gone. Had something happened? I stayed tuned, and finally at 2252 the carrier and a noise came back on, at programming resumed with music at 2254; 2255 ID, and said they had dropped carrier because an aerial vehicle was checking them out, ``and you might hear us go down if it comes back``. But the big news was that the ``Cancún talks have collapsed``, causing great celebration. [BTW, that`s one subject of NPR`s Talk of the Nation on Tuesday.] At 2304 Spanish ID and lema repeated; 2344 anti-FCC free-speech song in English by the Yeasty(?) Girls; 2315 greetings to everyone, WTO meeting collapsed; 2318 Spanish ID as ``Radio Libre International Cascade``, news; 2324 ID and lema again; 2333 English ID; 2340 woman talks about ``fires to the wires`` despite ``aerial infiltration from the rear`` (or something like that, in my scribbled notes); and another FCC song, but off-mike and hard to follow. 2348 ``jubilant here at the collapse of WTO ministerial meetings``. . . After this I was otherwise occupied, but again tonight fade-out was around 0330 UT Sept 15. BTW, early on, RFCI apparently revised their slogan from ``behind enemy lines`` to ``behind enemy headlines``. Apparently a group of people had a great time pulling this off, and gave us however briefly, a much-needed alternative to corporate media. See also TESTIMONIAL at top (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. Die Stimme Nigerias http://www.voiceofnigeria.org wechselte am 27./28.08.2003 von 15120 kHz auf ihre seit den achtziger Jahren nicht mehr genutzte 16-Meterfrequenz 17800 kHz. Die Ausstrahlungen leiden jedoch unter technischen Mängeln. Gehört wurde die Frequenz morgens gegen 6.30, 8.45 und abends 21.45 bis zum Sendesschluss 23.00 Uhr in Englisch. (D. Kenny 28./29.8., C. Seager, R. Trotto, J. Wilkins 28.8., N. R.Green, D. Valko 29.8. via W. Büschel BCDX) Der Frequenzeinsatz ist recht wechselhaft und entspricht kaum den von der Station selbst gemachten Angaben; weitere mögliche Kanäle sind 7255 kHz, die am regelmäßigsten genutzte Frequenz, 9690 und 11770 kHz. Vor 20 Jahren setzte die Voice of Nigeria 7255, 9690, 11770, 15120 und 17800 kHz ein. Damals gab es auch deutsche Sendungen. Da die 1979 in Betrieb genommenen fünf 500 kW-Sender wegen fehlender Wartung nur wenige Jahre überlebten, wurde ab Mitte der achtziger Jahre ein Notbetrieb auf 7255 kHz aufrechterhalten. Für die Auslandssendungen aus Nigeria wurden 1996 drei neue 250 kW-Sender in den Dienst gestellt. Seit 2001 wurde immer wieder die Wiederaufnahme auch deutscher Sendungen angekündigt (Dr. Hj. Biener, ntt aktuell Sept 14 via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. 1520, KOMA, Oklahoma City - 9/14 0546 [EDT] - Good, no trace of WKBW and even was barely over the IBOC from WSAI! First for me in South Carolina. In the truck at almost Newberry, SC (PEW-SC) (Powell E. Way III, W4OPW, NRC-AM via DXLD) Considering the way KOMA was bombing in all night last night and into this morning, I have to wonder if they stayed on day pattern? Normally, they are in around sunset, then die out and with IBOC coming up, 1520 turns into a mess. Of course, I had that het on Friday night, so I've been closely monitoring 1520 every since (Adam Myrow, Memphis TN, ibid.) If they don't I'd NEVER hear them; I CAN hear WWKB or WKBW or whatever the calls are, but they are not listenable. Other than that I didn't really try (Powell, ibid.) KOMA has "forgotten" to switch pattern before. (I think I posted about it one time last year) I can normally hear them at night anyhow in the mix, but they are tremendous when they don't switch. I notice that more stations "forget" to switch on Fri and Sat night (even when running normal programming). Do they get more advertising revenue on weekend nights (when they likely have more listeners)? In KOMA's case I expect their signal can reach more listeners on ND than on their DA beamed out over the plains to the west coast. I notice that some stations (KOAQ 690 for example) seem too strong for listed night power when they run some Sat. Night Oldies show or other presumably popular and decent dollar syndicated weekly program. (I'm not convinced that KOAQ doesn't cheat commonly, but they can really roll in on Sat Nights). 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, Barrington IL, ibid.) This morning, OBVIOUSLY KOMA was cheating and it was actually listenable, except when WSAI's IBOC was on. The radio in the Ranger has severe RFI problems, I expect it's coming from the fuel pump. Note that Ford has a recall bulletin on the Explorer, but MY Ranger has a 4 cylinder where in the Explorer it's the 4.0 V-6. I'll check on that and see if the bulletin works on the 2.3 I-4 (Powell E. Way, III, ibid.) ** PORTUGAL. [Besides OMAN reported recently on 13640], beware of co- channel RDP Lisbon 0700-1345 UT, only Sat/Sun in Portuguese. And latter has two very strong spurious signals symmetrically on 13473.5 and 13806.5 kHz. RDP 15525 kHz at 1600-1900 Mon-Fri has also two spurs on 15358.5 and 15691.5 kHz, at a level of S=9 +30 dB and more ... Sept 14 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You told RDP about the spurs weeks ago, and still not fixed? (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. RUSSIA/BELARUS Voice of Russia, Russian service now has already four programs: 1. Worldwide Service (feature program "DX Club" of Pavel Mikhailov) 0100-0300, 1200-1400, 1500-1600, 1700-1800, 1900-2100 UTC (VOR, Ru WS) 2. Commonwealth: 1300-1900, 2100-? (VOR, Ru CW). 3. Russian International Radio (RIR): 2000-2100 on 5985 (from 1900), 7260, 9405; 1400-1500 on 17705 etc. On MW 0100-0300, 1200-1400, 1700- 1800, 1900-2100 (VOR, Ru RI) 4. Evangelic Readings: 1500-1600 Mo, Tu, Th, Su on 612 (Moscow), 1170 (Belarus`); 2000-2100 daily 612 (Moscow), 1089 (Krasnodar). (VOR, Ru- ER) On 1170 kHz: on Sept 6th (Sat) 1500-1600 "Kala Aturaya" Radio (seems to be from Belarus` --- at 1557 UT s-on stronger IS of Voice of Russia from Krasnodar (Tbilisskoye) and 1600-1800 V. of Russia in Arabic was dominating (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX Sep 10 via DXLD) + TATARSTAN ** SOMALIA. Radio Galkayo --- Hello, Try to hear our new frequency 7.335 MHz. We use 800 Watts from 7.15 am till 10.30 am local time. 0415 to 0730 UT. 100 Watts from 1 to 3.30 am [sic] local time. 1000 to 1230 UT because our generator is faulty and there is no town electricity in our afternoon. We are back on 800 Watts from 7 pm to 8.55 pm local. 1600 to 1755 UT. These short wave transmissions are also broadcast on 89.6 MHz FM. Regards, Sam Voron at Radio Galkayo, 700 km north of Mogadishu (S. Voron, Somalia, Sep 9, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) Geez, CHU gets creamed again! (gh, DXLD) Radio Galkayo needs the following if anyone is coming to Somalia or able to send by DHL courier. 1. Radio Galkayo is expecting a small standby 5KVA generator but we also need a 16 to 20KVA 220 Volt AC diesel generator to replace our current one. Currently we can not broadcast on high power in the afternoons or when the main town power fails during its normal available time in the morning and evening. 2. There are no double cassette decks without problems here. THREE would help. These are used in both studio program production and in the transmitter room. A second studio room is now available but we have no equipment to put in it hence there is a big daily demand on the one studio program production room and the faulty equipment there. 3. Audio Mixers are showing problems and THREE would help. Regards, Sam Voron at Radio Galkayo, 700 km north of Mogadishu (S. Voron, Sep 9, 2003 via M. Watts, Australia for CRW via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. SABC STAFF BATTLE LOOMS, 11/09/2003 22:02 - (SA) Pretoria - Employees of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are unhappy about the latest salary increases for top management after the broadcaster showed a loss of R32.4m over the past financial year. . . http://www.finance24.co.za/Finance/Companies/0,,1518-24_1415228,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. UNIDENTIFIED: Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. El 15/09, a las 0247 UT, en los 3320 kHz, pude captar una estación en holandés. Transmitía una tema de Katrina and the Waves, titulado "Walking on Sunshine", un clásico de los 80. Presentadores con música en inglés y holandés. Parecía una radio juvenil-adulto contemporáneo. Noticias a las 0400, menciones de Cancún, la Policía de Los Angeles y el Referendum en Suecia. Más pop y rock. Ninguna identificación comprensible. ¿Holanda? ¿Suriname? SINPO 2/2. Se desvanecía poco a poco hasta desaparecer a las 0430 (Adán González, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be R. Sonder Grense, Afrikaans service of SABC, 100 kW toward NW Cape (gh, DXLD) ** SPAIN. 25 mb distorted spurious - Morning 25 mb log. Today I was successful to investigate the annoying distortion signals in the 25 mb in our band log span of 0600-0700 UT. Noblejas Spain is the Evil One. REE both on air on 11890 kHz 98 degrees towards ME/NE/East Africa, and 12035 kHz 60 degrees, latter to continental Europe. There is a single mixture of both on 12180 kHz, -- but not on 11745. And there are FOUR distorted signals, like small FM signals, 89.5 kHz and 179 kHz away. Symmetrically on 11711, 11802, 11978, 12069 kHz. 11890 close at 06.55:33 UT, and following that, the five unwanted signals disappear also. 73 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN/MADAGASCAR/NETHERLANDS [non]. B-03 of Teracom Schweden tentative schedule. New is time exchange between RNW Madagascar and Radio Sweden, Hoerby 5955 kHz etc. Very complicated schedule. 5955 0600-0700 RNW via Hoerby-SWE, 350 kW 230 deg log periodic to Canary Islands. 12160 0100-0130 R Sweden via MDG to India, 50 kW, 50 deg (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Sept 12, BC-DX via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Radio Taiwan Int'l from Taipei Taiwan heard tonight with steady signal on 9956.113 kHz rather than scheduled 9955 kHz with Spanish programming at 2130 UT (Graham Powell, UK, BC-DX Sept 13 via DXLD) ** TATARSTAN [non]. RUSSIA. 11665, Voice of Tatarstan via Samara, *0355-0415 Sep 8, tuned in to open carrier at 0355 with IS followed by ID by a man in Tatar, another IS and woman with ID in Russian. After sign on announcements, there was a segment of instrumental music followed by a woman talking in Russian. Later some classical music and more talks. Fair with deep fades (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet Sept 14 via DXLD) RUSSIA: RADIO VATANYM OFFERS TATAR ENTERTAINMENT IN MOSCOW By Sophie Lambroschini Radio Vatanym is Moscow's first Turkic-language radio, broadcasting for the Russian capital's 840,000-strong Turkic-language speakers. RFE/RL speaks with the radio's general director, Ravil Rustiamov. Moscow, 11 September 2003 (RFE/RL) Indeed, you can hear Tatar music on the radio in Moscow! For many of the Russian capital's 840,000 Turkic-speaking inhabitants -- mainly Tatars and Bashkirs -- Radio Vatanym sounds like a home away from home, according to Ravil Rustiamov, the founder and director of the Russian capital's first community-oriented radio station. Radio Vatanym -- or "homeland" in Tatar -- went on the air in June after winning an AM license (1098) with an entertainment radio concept -- mostly music in both Tatar and Russian. Rustiamov says the mix of music and talk is a success with listeners, if phone calls are anything to go by. "They call, order songs, congratulate friends and family," he said. "They say 'hi' to each other, to their acquaintances. Apparently, people phone one another and say, 'Listen to the radio.' Sometimes the elderly, grannies, older men call in and cry, reminisce about their life stories." Indeed, ethnic radio is a largely untapped niche on the Moscow radio market, says Andrey Alekhverdov, editor in chief of the Foundation for Independent Radio Broadcasting, a nongovernmental organization that promotes independent radio. While RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service is available on shortwave and the Internet, and Radio Druzhba gives many of the former Soviet Union's ethnic groups air time, these stations cater more to those who are looking for news, not entertainment. Radio Vatanym, on the contrary, is putting its money on music and interactive radio and is already doing well financially. Rustiamov: "There are already some advertisements now, from shops that are owned by the Tatar, the Bashkir diaspora. When I opened a station in Tatarstan, for a year I was running it myself. It didn't bring in anything. And now [after] two months, it brings in money. It's not making [a profit], of course, but we're about to break even." Radio Vatanym is ready to broadcast just about anything -- from recipes to daily sermons by the chairman of Russia's Council of Muftis, Ravil Gainutdin. But Rustiamov says his station will stay away from politics. "We have to stay commercial," Rustiamov keeps repeating during an interview, as if it were a protective mantra from the pressures of political lobbies. Rustiamov knows what he fears. In May 2002, he was shot in the head by unknown assailants while in Moscow to file an appeal with the Russian Supreme Court against a decision in which his previous radio station, Radio Dulkin, lost its broadcast license to the influential Tatar-American Investments and Finance (TAIF) group. One of the heads of TAIF was Radik Shaimiev, son of Tatar President Mintimer Shaimiev. Rustiamov suggests the incident may have been connected to the 2000 presidential elections in Tatarstan, during which Rustiamov says he gave air time to Ravkat Altynbaiev, one of Shaimiev's opponents. Today, Altynbaiev is number two in the pro-Kremlin Life party. Rustiamov claims Kremlin support was key in his winning a broadcasting license for Radio Vatanym, even interpreting this initial success as an approbative nod for developing a whole network of local Tatar stations. Among Radio Vatanym's founders are Renat Akchurin, former President Boris Yeltsin's surgeon, as well as his brother Rassim, who is head of a Moscow Tatar organization. Rustiamov says he does not want to be perceived as an opposition radio station, either to Shaimiev or to the Kremlin. So far, he says, there has not been any pressure. Political parties such as Life and the People's Party are paying for air time and Rustiamov says that "whoever is ready to pay will get time, including the authorities in Tatarstan." While Rustiamov concedes that his station has no ambition to speak for any group in particular, he says it can play an important role in strengthening ties in the Tatar community and promoting Tatar culture outside of Tatarstan: "If there's no radio, then why sing? Just to sell a cassette? But radio is like an explosion -- if there's a good song, they'll play it on the radio. But without radio, there's no way out. You're a talented Tatar who can express his culture, but without radio and television you don't stand a chance." Rustiamov says his "next steps" are putting Radio Vatanym on the Internet, going to FM in Moscow, and getting frequencies in cities with compact Tatar and Bashkir communities, such as Yekaterinburg, Perm, Tyumen, and Nizhni Novgorod. Going even further, Rustiamov explains that ethnic radio must develop further if Russia's many ethnic groups -- dominated by Slav and Orthodox culture -- are to continue living in peace. Non-Russians need to feel that Russia is just as much their home: "It's painful for a Tatar who's living in his homeland, say in Orenburg, and his family has lived there, say, since the times of Khan Baty. But there's nothing showing that simply their language has a right to exist -- no radio, no TV. Everything is imported [from Tatarstan]. Or you have to buy a [Tatar] music cassette. But that's like living in the 19th century! So a radio [has] to appear, saying, 'Use your language' or else assimilation [will continue] and [our] people will die out." In fact, Rustiamov claims he has had a hard time finding Tatar-speaking radio hosts in Moscow. "To get radio hosts with fluent Tatar," he says, "I had to fly them in from places like Kazan and Nizhni Novgorod." (c) 1995-2003 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc., All Rights Reserved (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. Da mein Fax an die von Radio Rhino International angegebene Tel.-Nr. nicht funktionierte, weil offenbar kein Geraet angeschlossen war, schickte ich meinen Bericht direkt per E-Mail an die Telekom Juelich, mit der Bitte um Weiterleitung und erfuhr folgendes: Forwarded message : On 2003-09-08 Ralf Weyl said: =vielen Dank fur den Empfangsbericht. =Radio Rhino International ist ein Service von Allerweltshaus Koln e.V. =Wir werden ihn an unseren Kunden weiterleiten. =Grusse aus Juelich =Ralf Weyl Im "Ankuendigungsprogramm" wurde zwar nur auf Uganda eingegangen, auch, dass in der ersten regulaeren Sendung zwei Uganda interviewt werden, die aus politischen Gruenden das Land verliessen, aber ich stimme auch der Meinung von Wolfgang zu, dass man sich erst einmal die regulaeren Programme etwas naeher anhoeren sollte, bevor man diese Sendungen als Clandestine einstuft. Es wurde in dem Programm, das ich empfing, mehrmals als Stationskennung "Radio Rhino International Africa", nicht aber "Radio Rhino International Uganda" genannt (J. Thiel, Germany Sep 8, 2003 in A-DX via CRW via DXLD) 17555, Radio Rhino International, 1500 - 1503, Sep 13, English, Comments and music, IDs "You are listening to Radio Rhino International" " This is Voice of Freedom and Democracy", 24322, (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, Location: Chascomus 120 Km SW from Buenos Aires; Receiver: Sony ICF 2010; Antenna: Longwire 25 mts, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17555, Radio Rhino International Africa, 1501, Sep 14, giving contact details, & ID, Poor signal with severe side band splash from Voice Int. Mandarin program SINPO - 23332 (Swopan Charoborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still no signal to speak of here (gh, OK) CLANDESTINE (Uganda). 17555, R. Rhino Int`l Africa (via DTK), two-day E-mail reply for E-mail report including RealAudio clip. Sent 3 page personal letter on RRIA letterhead as Word attachment. V/S Godfrey Ayoo, who first got the idea for RRIA three years ago. He is 41 years old, married with two kids, and considers himself a Ugandan exile, living in Cologne for 4-1/2 years. Comments at length about the situation in Uganda, and suggests checking out http://www.radiorhino.org http://www.upcparty.net and http://www.dpuganda.org for more on the topic. Does not indicate his exact position with RRIA, but appears to be in charge. Says he will also reply to me by postal mail. Interesting. Rerported to mail@radiorhino.org --- reply received from flok15@intertech.de (Jerry Berg, MA, Dxplorer via BC-DX via DXLD) ** U S A. Radio Free Cascadia International: all material about this in previous and current issues is filed under MEXICO [non] ** U S A. From this week`s 'On the Media' --- Voice of America We are often reminded of the privileges we enjoy as Americans, but here's one thing we can't do on native soil - tune in the Voice of America. The U.S. government radio station that was created as a propaganda tool during World War II is prohibited from broadcasting at home. Lifetime VOA staffer Alan Heil has compiled a comprehensive history of the network in a new book, and he joins Brooke to discuss it. . . http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=realimpact/wnyc/raotm/otm091203h.ra (via Larry Nebron, DXLD) Includes ``An Ode to Spe-cial Eng-lish`` (gh) ** U S A. BOOK REVIEW: VOICE OF AMERICA A HISTORY, BY ALAN L. HEIL, JR Reviewed by Richard A. D`Angelo Published by Columbia University Press ISBN: 0-231-12674-3 540 Pages This book is impressive! Based on preliminary information and the official press release describing the Voice of America, A History, I immediately recognized that this is a very comprehensive work would quickly become a ``must read`` for any/all shortwave radio listeners and historians. Once I obtained a copy, it was apparent that Voice of America, A History by Alan L. Heil, Jr. lived up to the early excitement. For avid fans of international shortwave broadcasting, radio historians, political junkies and Voice of America aficionados, the Voice of America, A History is required reading. As a first job, Alan L. Heil, Jr. Was employed as a journalist for the Newark Evening News in New Jersey in the mid-1950`s. The author worked for the Voice of America (``VOA`` or ``the Voice``) from 1962 until he retired in 1998 where he was able to observe the VOA closely. He held various positions at the Voice, including foreign correspondent, chief of News and Current Affairs, and deputy director of programs. Also, Heil has testify before Congress on issues pertaining to the VOA. His remarkable career puts him in a very unique position to chronicle the Voice`s remarkable transformation from a fledgling shortwave propaganda organ during World War II to a global multimedia giant encompassing radio, the Internet, and 1,500 affiliated radio and television stations across the globe. The Voice of America is the United States` largest publicly funded broadcasting network, reaching more than 90 million people worldwide in over fifty languages. In attempting to be a first class news organization, the Voice faced obstacles unique to an organization that stands, as former director John Chancellor once observed, ``at the crossroads of journalism and diplomacy.`` It was for this reason that many people perceived the Voice as an instrument of American propaganda. However, as a thirty-six year veteran of VOA and its numerous policy wars, Heil firmly believes that the Voice has always sought to deliver accurate, objective, and comprehensive news of the highest journalistic standard, news that reflected America`s diversity and vitality, and that presents not only U.S. policies but also critical debate about those policies. The book recounts numerous stories of the VOA trying ``to get it right`` under the watchful eyes of career and political diplomats and the United States Information Agency trying to help shape the news. Using transcripts of radio broadcasts and numerous personal anecdotes, Heil provides a front-row seat to the greatest events of the past sixty years, from the Cold War and Vietnam to Watergate and the Lewinsky scandals, from Neil Armstrong`s first steps on the moon to ethnic strife in the Balkans and Rwanda, and from the outbreak of HIV/AIDS to the terrorist attacks on September, 11, 2001. Also, Heil relates the story of a perennially underfunded organization struggling against the political pressures, congressional investigations, massive reorganizations, and leadership purges that have attempted to shape and control VOA programming. The book captures the spirit of the Voice of America and its dedicated journalists, engineers and staff over more than 60 years. Blending perspectives of scores of professional international broadcasters and the loyal listeners, the book takes us through the good and bad years at the VOA since its founding in 1942, some seventy-nine days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Voice of America is often perceived as America`s official international broadcasting organization but, as the author notes, it is also America`s town crier to the world. The book tells the story of America`s Voice as seen through the eyes of the author. It explores the creation of the VOA Charter, which helped establish editorial independence although there have been significant battles over the years to maintain that independence. Heil approaches his subject by examining the many facets of the Voice`s history, focusing primarily on events that spanned the period from the 1960s forward. He begins by examining how the VOA witnessed and covered the dramatic developments in China in 1989 surrounding Tiananmen Square. Included in the discussion was the heroic announcement about the tragic events leading to Chinese army troops firing on the demonstrators by a Radio Beijing announcer in the English Service that ultimately lead to his arrest and ``re- education.`` High drama with a broadcasters behind the scenes perspective. The author takes us through the early years as the VOA struggled to get it right. The first dozen years, the Voice merely survived before being morphed into an international broadcaster struggling to build a solid reputation. The Cuban missile crisis was an interesting time with the Voice coverage providing the bad news while the policy dominated Radio Swan providing imaginary success stories consistent with the existing US Government policies about the Bay of Pigs invasion. Some of the interesting programming discussion featured a favorite of mine, Music USA hosted by jazz-world icon Willis Conover. The program was launched as the Voice was moved to Washington in 1954. During a career that spanned more than four decades, Conover built a huge following overseas with his mellow voice, simple syntax and slow delivery. Before his death in 1966, he recorded more than 10,000 programs. A good portion of Chapter 13, entitled Music: The Universal Language, is about the impact Conover had on the VOA listening public. The medium of shortwave radio was the primary communications vehicle for the Voice of America in the early days. Chapter 5 is devoted to the Voice`s engineers at its remote shortwave relay stations around the world. The interesting story of losing Liberia but gaining São Tomé as a relay site is disclosed including the technical issues surrounding the development of such a location. Serious shortwave listeners will appreciate the problems and the solutions of providing reliable service to Africa. Two pivotal years in VOA history are discussed in Chapter 10. The first, 1969, was the year of Neil Armstrong`s famous walk on the moon. More people listened to this event live through VOA than any other station thanks, in part, to relay feeds of the Voice by other international broadcasters. Twenty years later, 1989, would prove the value of the VOA once again as coverage of the cascading events in Eastern Europe, highlighted with the collapse of the Berlin wall, again signified the importance of the Voice of America. Finally, Heil examines the challenges facing the Voice of America in advancing the free flow of information around the world. He places a high priority on rebuilding the newsroom staff, which declined from 62 to 49 between 1999 and 2001, because audience research indicates that accurate, reliable news are important factors in building listenership among international broadcasters. He discusses the decline of shortwave in Europe, Japan, Australia, the Middle East and most of the Americas because of technology. Nevertheless, he strongly believes that shortwave radio ``will remain dominant for some years to come in Africa and in areas of East, South and Central Asia.`` He calls for more money if international broadcasters are to meet the demand for news and information noting that shortwave and medium wave service will continue to be important despite other technologies such as FM, TV and Internet. The Voice of America, A History is far from light reading. It is a very comprehensive and thorough examination of the Voice of America from humble beginnings to an organization seeking and obtaining a reasonable amount of editorial independence. The main text of the book is over 450 pages. There are four separate appendices, the VOA Journalist Code dated April 12, 1995, Key Legislation affecting VOA, Tables and Charts, and Statements by Presidents. Also, there are extensive Notes, a comprehensive Glossary of terms, a wide-ranging Bibliography and a helpful Index. The author takes us through the years with an abundance of stories about the events that shaped America`s international broadcasting voice. This recently released, in-depth history of the VOA from its founding until its sixtieth anniversary is a vivid portrait of the people who made it great, depicting a news network that has overcome enormous challenges to steadfastly and faithfully report the most important news stories of our time. Columbia University Press publishes the 540 page, hardcover Voice of America, A History. The book measures 1.40 x 9.18 x 6.34 inches and has a cover price of US$37.50 or £26.00. It is available from Amazon.com and Borders for the cover price. Barnes and Noble carries the book for US$30.00 but you need to add extra for shipping and taxes. After reading Voice of America, A History by Alan L. Heil, Jr. the reader walks away with a better appreciation of the issues that international broadcasters face in delivering their message and the tools utilized to carry out that mission. Reaching millions of people of diverse ethnic, cultural, language and religious backgrounds is a very complex situation to deal with in any case. However, put that combination of complications into the caldron of the international stage while under a political microscope at home and you have a fascinating read. Alan Heil witnessed a lot of history during his tenure at the Voice of America and his ability to relate what he saw and experienced in this book makes for interesting reading. I can highly recommend getting a copy of Heil`s Voice of America, A History. If you have an interest in the Voice of America as a station, or the shortwave broadcasting industry, you will enjoy Heil`s perspective accumulated during his long international broadcasting career. This book belongs in the personal library of all international shortwave broadcasting radio enthusiasts. Thank you Richard A. D`Angelo for a review on the type of book that I`m sure, would be of interest to ALL our readers out there in Radioland. Richard A. D`Angelo is well known for his book reviews and radio articles. Richard writes a lot of feature articles about shortwave stations. These appear in NASWA and the World DX Club. Reading is ``Brain food``, to quote a line or two from Richard ``I learned a lot by reading about others in my formative years. If we don`t pass it on, what good are we doing?`` Hear hear! Ed. (Sept CQ SW News via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Thales announced today (Sept 12) it has recently been selected to deliver new antennas for a series of highly challenging radio broadcast projects in the Near East. Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG/VOA), USA, awarded Thales Broadcast & Multimedia a turnkey project to provide short wave curtain antennas and extend the existing station in Kuwait. Following the award in 2002 to supply a new 600 kW medium wave transmitter for their Djibouti broadcasting centre, IBB/VOA once again contracted Thales Broadcast & Multimedia to deliver a new antenna system for the station. The 3-tower directional medium wave transmitting antenna will be designed for 1431 kHz and 600 kW transmitter carrier power. Thales scope of delivery includes antenna masts and insulation, ground screen and aerial main and secondary feeders. Thales will deliver and take the new antenna into operation in only 6 months time after definitive contract award. Thales met yet another medium wave challenge for the turnkey project in Abu Dhabi, where the Emirates Media Incorporation (EMI) contracted Thales Broadcast & Multimedia to execute an important turnkey radio broadcasting project. The antennas for this project included 4-mast directional medium wave antenna system with 3 switchable antenna patterns (300?/ 0?/ +60?. The new station is situated only one kilometre away from the existing Dabiyah medium wave station, in service since 1984. This station was already one of the most powerful in the region, with 2 x 1000 kW medium wave transmitters and a 4-mast directional antenna system. All equipment was delivered by Thales. (From a Thales Broadcast & Multimedia press release via Ben Dawson from the IBC in Amsterdam (13/9-2003 via Ydun`s MW news via DXLD) ** U S A. A Changed Man? -- by JEFF NEAL, LONDON, Ky. http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/reader.cfm?si=1&sd=3600 Steve Anderson once defied the government from his home on Elrod- Martin Road in Pulaski County, via a hate-filled short-wave radio program. On Friday before United States Eastern District Judge Danny C. Reeves, Anderson displayed a different side. ``My actions were wrong ... bad wrong,`` Anderson said. ``What I said was very wrong and I apologize for that.`` The 56-year-old former Kentucky Militia colonel was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for the offenses of unlawful possession of a machine gun; using, carrying, brandishing and discharging at firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of unregistered firearms. Anderson added that he`d experienced a ``spirit of revival`` since he was apprehended last year, after spending 13 months on the run as a federal fugitive. ``For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God,`` Anderson said, quoting the Epistle of James. Somerset attorney David Tapp, who represented Anderson, felt his client`s words were heart-felt. ``(Anderson) apologized profusely for his actions,`` said Tapp. ``He is sorry for the things he said on his short-wave radio program, which caused a great deal of alarm, and he is very sorry for his actions in Bell County which led to his imprisonment. ``I think the court accepted his apologies and I think the government accepted them as well,`` Tapp added. ``I believe he is sincere.`` Tapp also said Anderson was pleased with the plea agreement, and the sentencing phase. ``There was one issue in relation to the sentencing guideline provisions that we brought up, and the judge ruled against Mr. Anderson,`` Tapp said. ``But when it came right down to it, we were only talking about three months difference. Mr. Anderson had no problem whatsoever with the government`s position.`` Anderson must also forfeit all weapons seized during the government`s investigation and undergo mental-health treatment. However, Anderson will not have to make restitution for any damages done to a Bell County Sheriff Department`s cruiser during a shoot-out which led to his eventual arrest. Anderson also will not face state charges relating to the Bell County incident. Tapp said Anderson could get some credit for good behavior, but added that in the federal system, his client will have to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence. ``I think things went about as well as they could`ve for Mr. Anderson,`` Tapp said. Anderson, who was expelled from the Kentucky State Militia in April 2001 for being ``too extreme,`` gained international notoriety for his ``United Patriot Radio`` broadcasts. A proponent of Christian Identity, a racist and anti-Semitic religious sect that teaches that whites (``Aryans``) are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel and are God`s chosen people, while Jews are descendants of Satan and non-whites are soulless ``mud peoples``, Anderson became an extremist among extremists. From a clandestine radio station at his heavily fortified home on Elrod-Martin Road, Anderson filled the short-wave airwaves with inflammatory rhetoric against blacks, Jews and immigrants. He also advocated the use of weapons and violence against law enforcement officers. ``Dead men don`t arrest anyone, dead men don`t kick in doors, dead men don`t prosecute anyone … take care of business ... If you`re going to call yourself militia, then be militia,`` he said during a Sept. 2000 broadcast in what was to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. As local and federal lawmen focused their attention on Anderson`s ``compound`` and illegal broadcasts, he became more and more outspoken, at one point making a veiled threat toward a Commonwealth Journal writer. Anderson was such a threat that even the late Pulaski County Sheriff Sam Catron was leery of him. ``If I went to arrest (Anderson), I would not want to do it on his turf,`` Catron once said. ``I think he`s a very dangerous individual.`` On Oct. 14, 2001, Catron`s worst fears about Anderson were confirmed. As Anderson was returning from a white supremacist gathering in North Carolina, he was pulled over by Bell County Sheriff`s Deputy Sheriff Scott Elder. Anderson`s traffic offense was a busted tail light. Elder asked Anderson if he had any weapons, at which point Anderson stepped out of his pickup truck and began peppering Elder`s cruiser with gunfire from his semiautomatic assault weapon. Elder`s 17-year-old girlfriend crouched on the cruiser`s floor miraculously escaping serious injury from more than 20 shots that riddled the vehicle. Elder also escaped uninjured. Anderson later said he thought Elder might overreact and shoot him during the traffic stop, so he fired on the deputy to prevent a chase. Anderson added he could`ve killed Elder because he is ``a crack shot.`` ``I could`ve Swiss-cheesed him,`` Anderson said. Court records indicate Anderson might`ve been on the lookout for terrorists in light of the 9/11 attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. ``The militia is going to be the last line of defense,`` Anderson said. ``You need a gun behind every blade of grass in this country.`` Anderson, a trained survivalist, fled the scene in his pickup, lost police when he drove his truck onto a rugged unpaved road, and managed to escape into the mountains of eastern Kentucky. When authorities found Anderson`s truck the next day, they discovered six pipe bombs and ammunition inside. A small arsenal of weapons and explosives was discovered during a subsequent search of Anderson`s residence including a machine gun, two bombs, a silencer, a sawed-off rifle, and 25 other destructive devices, according to United States Attorney Greg Van Tatenhove. For more than a year, Anderson was able to elude capture despite a nationwide manhunt. His luck ran out last November 22. Acting on a tip following a November 2, 2002, episode of ``America`s Most Wanted`` which televised Anderson`s story, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms arrested Anderson without incident in Cherokee, N.C. Anderson told federal agents he set out with a .45 caliber pistol and a survival pack that included maps, packaged military meals and other food. He said he walked and hitch-hiked his way into North Carolina, living off the land when he needed to. ``Camping ... riverbanks ... fish ... rabbits. It`s easy,`` Anderson said. Tapp said yesterday that Anderson began to change while on the run. ``While he was a fugitive, he actually got involved in doing missionary work,`` Tapp said. ``He did a lot of work for the church and was even a missionary on a Sioux reservation in South Dakota. ``I believe he will continue that type of work during his imprisonment ... he has been doing work of that type during his incarceration,`` Tapp added. Anderson told Reeves he would be a witness for Christ behind bars, ``so whatever you give me, praise God.`` Reeves, who said he believed Anderson was a changed man, agreed to honor Anderson`s request that it be recommended Anderson serve his time at the Talledega Correctional Facility in Alabama. ``Mr. Anderson is interested in that facility`s cabinetry and woodworking programs,`` Tapp explained. Anderson, who has worked as a carpenter and an electrician, thanked Reeves. ``God bless you,`` he said. In exchange for Anderson`s plea, the government did agree to drop one weapons charge that would`ve called for a prison sentence of 30 years to life. The case was prosecuted by Pulaski County native Martin Hatfield, an assistant United States attorney. Story created Monday, September 15, 2003 (Somerset KY Commonwealth Journal via DXLD) ** U S A. Re WYFR B-03 on 6855: Have you noted that WYFR intends to use 6855 via 353 degrees, so not for Europe. Is the 7300-7600 kHz band so full in B-03 that they can't work in there? (Noel R. Green-UK, BC- DX Sept 12 via DXLD) May need to go for lower MUF to E. Canada (gh) ** U S A. PUBLIC TV LEARNS TO DO WITHOUT Programs, Staff Cut As Support Declines --- By Paul Farhi, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, September 15, 2003; Page C01 When a lighting grid blew out this summer at WHUT, the Washington- based public TV station managed to keep its main studio going by rigging up rented lights. But then on Aug. 29, the station's aging transmitter malfunctioned. For most of the past two weeks, WHUT has been unable to relay its signal to local cable operators. Lights or not, it's become a station that's hard to see. The equipment needs to be replaced, but WHUT can't afford it. Howard University, which operates the station, is cutting its budget. "The funds simply don't exist," says Judi Moore Latta, interim general manager of the nation's only public TV station licensed to African Americans. "We're at bare bones as it is." While WHUT's technical difficulties may be extreme, its financial problems would sound uncomfortably familiar to many of the nation's 349 public TV stations. With pledge week donations lagging, corporate contributions flagging and state support drying up, public stations are growing increasingly threadbare. Layoffs are rampant, and cutbacks in local news, public affairs and cultural programming have become commonplace. More than one public TV manager describes the situation as a crisis. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A10749-2003Sep14?language=printer (via Current, and Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** U S A. ECLECTIC SEATTLE RADIO STATION THRIVES WITH BILLIONAIRE PATRON, FANS WORLDWIDE http://www.msnbc.com/news/963631.asp?0cv=BB10 [KEXP, Paul Allen] (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. Am awaiting a response from WSAI, which may be a few weeks, but I'm sure I'm get an answer, about the self-QRM. The post on the NRC list today (9/14), about SSB or passband usage, is also a good thought, but not a factor. It was full AM on both receivers, and I use the passband on the R8 only when trying to dig out a signal from the noise and interference. I ran the 2010 without the sync detector. It remains, for now, a small mystery. I hope the engineering staff at WSAI can determine what the trouble might have been. I've not noticed it since the Sep 7, 0100 UTC, reception. All in all, when we include that now-pesky Wild Adventures Radio [1690] (nobody needs a 10,000 watt TIS, do they?) it's been an interesting week for radio (Gerry Bishop, FL, Sept 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Any chance you were using SSB mode, or maybe passband tuning, to reduce adjacent channel QRM? Although most of the IBOC power is in the "IBAC" sidebands at 10-15 kHz from the carrier, there are also IBOC subcarriers directly under the analog audio at 0-5 kHz. This is the so-called "tertiary" sidebands. They are modulated in phase quadrature to make them a "constant envelope" signal. If you receive using a conventional AM envelope detector and a filter that takes in both sidebands (but not beyond 5 kHz), then in theory the digital signal will be completely inaudible. If you do something to upset the balance between the upper and lower sidebands, then it will become audible. I normally use SSB mode and a 4 kHz filter when I DX, and when I tune to WSAI, the digital noise is very noticeable (Barry McLarnon, Ont., NRC- AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Hi, The best source of info on the hurricane, if it passes through the Washington DC area, is WTOP radio. Click on Listen Live to hear the station in Real Audio or Windows Media Player. http://www.wtop.com/ (Tom McNiff, Burke, VA, USA, Sept 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. "ACTIVATION PLAN FOR NET OPERATIONS" The Hurricane Watch Net plans to begin operations on our net frequency (14.325 MHz) beginning Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 1400 UT. According to recent advisory and track information, Hurricane Isabel will be within 300 miles of projected land fall someplace along the North Carolina coast at that time. Our main operational goals for Wednesday will be two fold, as follows: 1) to make the storm advisory information on a regular basis to those in the affected area of the forecast path of the storm, and 2) to identify and collect a list of stations in the path of the storm who may be available throughout this event for the purpose of reporting local weather measurements and observations to us for conveyance to the forecasters in the National Hurricane Center. It is essential to contain our scope of reporting stations along and closely to the side of the forecast track, and it is important that you remain silent if not in the specified area. Please honor our request that you should not check in to the net unless specifically requested to do so. We will attempt to handle all communications within the capabilities of our own members, and only when required assistance is needed will we ask for your help. While our mission is specifically to provide storm related information into and out of the storm, please understand we are not involved in Health and Welfare traffic. That traffic will be handled by the SATERN net on 14.265 beginning at 1400 UTC on Thursday, and will be in place throughout the duration of this event. We will likely be reporting other emergency frequencies to be set up by local emergency management nets in the affected area. Please monitor 14.325 for that information as it is made available. As a final reminder, please monitor this web site for storm related advisory updates, graphics displays, and other data made available from the National Hurricane Center. Thanks in advance for your support and cooperation during this extremely dangerous storm. Sincerely, Mike Pilgrim, K5MP Manager (Hurricane Watch Net, http://www.hwn.org via John Norfolk, DXLD) Radio HF Internet Newsletter - SPECIAL EDITION September 15, 2003 / le 15 septembre, 2003 Welcome to this special edition of the Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter. Bienvenue a cette edition special de "Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter". I have decided to circulate this special edition to provide you with reference sources pertaining to Hurricane Isabel, currently a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane. It is currently anticipated to hit the eastern Atlantic coast of the United States later this week, most likely somewhere between South Carolina and New Jersey. This information will not only be useful for this particular storm, but for the monitoring and tracking of future hurricanes throughout this and future hurricane seasons. Sheldon Harvey, Prop., Radio H.F. Editor/Publisher, Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter THE RADIO H.F. INTERNET NEWSLETTER SPECIAL EDITION SEPTEMBER 15, 2003 Edited and Distributed by Sheldon Harvey Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada Copyright 2003 Radio H.F. Publications E-MAIL: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com WEB PAGE: http://www.total.net/~radiohf THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE’S NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ This is the official web page of the National Hurricane Center, based in Miami, Florida. This page will provide updated information regularly on the status of all currently active tropical storms and hurricanes. HURRICANE CITY http://www.hurricanecity.com/ This award-winning concept was created by Jim Williams in late 1997. The idea of this site is to allow the visitor to feel close to the storm without feeling the effects, unless you are in the path of the storm. As soon as a city either in the Caribbean, the United States or Central America is within the strike probabilities, the city with the highest probability will be featured. The information provided in the links is information gathered through years of research. Be sure to click on the links for radar, local radio station audio links, web cams, weather observations, emergency information links and photographs, as they pertain to each individual storm. Most uniquely, during major storms, Williams will broadcast his own on-line live programme, from his own studios, updating current developments. HURRICANE ALLEY http://www.hurricanealley.net/ At Hurricane Alley you will find as much information as possible concerning tropical cyclones worldwide. The site provides you with as much information as there is available on the internet about the most awesome of Mother Nature's storms. HURRICANE TRACK http://www.hurricanetrack.com/ In addition to tracking current storms, this site offers a lot of background information into these storms, plus provides numerous links to other sources about hurricanes to be found on the Internet. CENTRAL FLORIDA HURRICANE CENTER 2003 http://flhurricane.com/ This page is all about tracking storms, warning folks, and preventing injuries and deaths that would otherwise be catastrophic. This page is updated as storms form and they are able to track them. It is important to note that the people at this site are not Meteorologists and this is not an official source of information; however they are greatly concerned and interested in these storms. HURRICANE FREQUENCIES http://www.hurricanefrequencies.com/ Created and updated by Bill Snyder, Los Angeles amateur radio operator AA6KC, this page lists high-frequency hurricane season intercepts that have been gleaned from numerous sources. Times and frequencies are subject to frequent change, and are listed for reference only. Check frequently during hurricane season for updates. This is the original Hurricane Frequencies list, published during every hurricane season since 1991. 2003 HURRICANE FREQUENCIES http://www.ominous-valve.com/hurrlist.txt This is a similar H.F. radio frequency listing hurricane related transmission. It is produced and updated by Hugh Stegman, California amateur operator NV6H. THE HURRICANE WATCH NET http://www.hwn.org/ Amateur radio has been serving the National Hurricane Center since 1965. When the network is active, it can be monitored, on shortwave, on 14325 kHz Upper sideband. This group of amateur radio operators exists - to disseminate hurricane advisory information to marine interests, Caribbean Island nations, emergency operating centers, and other interest for the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific as promulgated by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida. - to obtain weather information from reporting stations and observers who are not part of the routine network for the National Weather Service, or the World Meteorological Organization, and forwarding it to the National Hurricane Center. - to function as a backup communication link for the National Hurricane Center, emergency operating centers, the National Weather Service, and other vital interests involved in the protection of life and property before, during and after hurricane events. - to relay initial damage assessments of hurricane damage to the National Hurricane Center. WEATHER MATRIX http://www.weathermatrix.net/ Weather Matrix is a worldwide organization of over 6700 amateur and professional weather enthusiasts -- meteorologists, storm chasers and spotters, and weather observers from all parts of the globe. Founded in 1996, Weather Matrix is the largest online weather community. The site offers many weather related links and information, as well as specific information relating to hurricanes. DISCLAIMER: The content and comments included in the web sites featured in this newsletter are those of the individuals, groups or organizations responsible for each web site. They do not necessarily represent those of the editor, unless specifically noted. TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST OF THIS NEWSLETTER, SIMPLY CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL. THE DISTRIBUTION LIST IS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. RADIO H.F., CANADA'S SPECIALIST IN SHORTWAVE, SCANNING, AMATEUR RADIO, ANTENNAS, ACCESSORIES AND PUBLICATIONS SINCE 1995, BRINGS THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOU, FREE OF CHARGE. CONTACT RADIO H.F. AT: MAILING ADDRESS: RADIO H.F. P.O. Box 67063-Lemoyne St. Lambert, Quebec J4R 2T8 TELEPHONE & FAX: (450) 671-3773 TOLL FREE IN CANADA ONLY: 1-800-463-3773 E-MAIL: radiohf@total.net WEB PAGE: http://www.total.net/~radiohf Previous issues of this newsletter can be found at the following URL: http://www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/index.html ===== Sheldon Harvey Radio H.F. - Canada's specialist in radio communications http://www.total.net/~radiohf President-Canadian International DX Club Canada's national radio monitoring club since 1962 http://www.anarc.org/cidx/ (via DXLD) ** U S A. ARRL 2003 FREQUENCY MEASURING TEST SET FOR NOVEMBER NEWINGTON, CT, September 14, 2003 -- Last year`s resurrected ARRL Frequency Measuring Test (FMT) turned out to be so popular, the League is repeating the event this fall. The 2003 FMT has been scheduled for November 20 (UTC). ``The 2003 FMT attracted 137 participants from across the continental US, Canada, Europe and Hawaii,`` W1AW Station Manager Joe Carcia, NJ1Q, reports. ``They were able to measure the transmission frequencies to within a few parts per million.`` Last year`s FMT results are available on the ARRL Web site. http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt/fmtResults.pdf The 2003 test will be conducted using essentially the same format as last year`s FMT, although transmissions will be longer to give stations more time to make a measurement. An article, ``The ARRL Frequency Measuring Tests by Ward Silver, N0AX, in the October 2002 QST covers the basics. [Article at] http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/fmt/0210051.pdf For more information about the equipment that will be in use at W1AW to generate the test signals, take a look at the W1AW Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station Web page on the ARRL Web site. http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html Additional information about the FMT -- including a list of reference articles and updates to test schedules -- is on the Frequency Measuring Test Web page. http://www.arr.org/w1aw/fmt The 2003 FMT will run November 20 at 0245 UT (that`s November 19 at 9:45 PM EST). It will replace the W1AW phone bulletin normally scheduled in that time slot. ``It is recommended that participants listen to W1AW`s transmissions prior to the event to get an idea on conditions to see which band -- or bands -- will be best for measurement purposes,`` Carcia said. The FMT will begin with a QST from W1AW beginning exactly at 0245 UTC and transmitted simultaneously on four amateur frequencies. The approximate frequencies are 3517 kHz, 7028 kHz, 14051 kHz and 21054 kHz. The test will consist of three 60-second key down transmissions, followed by a series of dits, followed by a station identification. The test will last for approximately 15 minutes and will end with a series of Vs followed by station identification. W1AW will identify before, during and after the transmissions. Submitted FMT reports should include the time of reception, frequency measured and signal report, in addition to name, call sign and location. If possible, participants should submit reports on more than one band. All entrants will be eligible for a Certificate of Participation. Those coming the closest to the measured frequency -- as determined by the ARRL Laboratory -- will be listed in the test report and will also receive special recognition on their certificates. All entries must be postmarked by December 19. Send entries to W1AW/FMT, 225 Main St, Newington CT 06111. The first FMT, held in October 1931, employed three transmitting stations -- W1XP at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, W9XAN at Elgin Observatory in Illinois and W6XK at Don Lee Broadcasting System in Los Angeles -- and drew more than 200 measurement reports. Frequency Measuring Tests subsequently became a staple of the W1AW operating schedule until the increasing technical quality of amateur gear and other factors led to their discontinuation in the 1980s. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. WHAT EXACTLY IS A HAM RADIO? --- By Carol Glassman 9/04/2003 Unless you know a "ham addict" or amateur radios have affected you personally in some way, chances are you know very little about their operations or their operators. . . http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10107919&BRD=2256&PAG=461&dept_id=455823&rfi=6 (Marco Island Sun Times via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** U S A. BLINK...AND IT'S (ALMOST) ALL GONE When the book is written someday on the history of FM radio in NEW YORK (wait -- I am writing that book, come to think of it), an entire chapter might well be devoted to the formats that proved to be the biggest turkeys of all time. And when that chapter is written, there's a new candidate for lead entry: WNEW (102.7) and the first incarnation of "Blink." This strange format, which mixed top 40 currents, 70s and 80s R&B oldies, a pink logo that led to the derisive moniker "Barbie Radio" - and, lest we forget, lots and lots of JLo-related gossip, breathed its last at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon (Sept. 12), when Viacom pulled the plug, sending PD Steve Kingston, morning team Lynda (you-know-who's sister) López and Chris Booker, middayer Tim Virgin, afternooner Allison Stewart, night guy Todd Newton, late-night contest winner Post Midnight and most of the rest of the staff packing. (Anyone who had "five and a half months" in the office pool for how long Blink would last can now collect their prize...) Surprisingly, the "Blink" name remained, at least for the moment, as WNEW morphed into a softish AC station that made no bones about its new target audience: "Music Women Love." (First two songs: "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" and "Uptown Girl.") In a press release that erroneously claimed WNEW-FM signed on in 1967 (it was on beginning in 1958, simulcasting the late WNEW 1130), Viacom said Blink's entertainment reports would continue as part of the new format, which targets women aged 30-44. New airstaff and PD? Stay tuned as the saga of this troubled frequency continues... Elsewhere on the Big Apple dial, Columbia University's WKCR (89.9 New York) has regained a big chunk of the signal it lost on September 11, 2001 when its old World Trade Center transmitter was destroyed. On Friday evening, WKCR activated its new transmitter at 4 Times Square, producing an immediate and dramatic improvement over its temporary signal from a Columbia dormitory building; the signal should get even better in a few months when the new master FM antenna at 4 Times Square is completed. On the AM dial, WOR (710)'s Tom Ray checked in to report that the station has upgraded to Ibiquity's new and (reportedly) much-improved audio codec, samples of which can be heard at WOR's engineering site http://www.wor710.com/Engineering/iboc/worhd.htm And since that doesn't seem to be quite enough to keep Tom completely busy, we'll give him a second link - to the site he's created http://www.kerryforprez.us/ promoting the mock presidential candidacy of his chief engineer "Not John" Kerry Richards. (Somebody confiscate that man's keyboard, will ya?) Vermont Public Radio has call letters now for its newest station: the 88.1 signal in Norwich will be WVPC, and even though VPR and neighboring New Hampshire Public Radio applied for the license jointly, VPR will pay NHPR $250,000 to buy out its interest in the station. WVPC will play classical music, becoming the first link in an eventual second VPR network that will free up the primary network to focus on news and information. (And those reports that VPR is also buying NHPR's WEVN 90.7 in Keene? Pay them no attention; there was apparently a typo somewhere in the FCC process, and WEVN is staying with New Hampshire's system.) September's a beautiful time to visit Vermont --- especially, it seems, if you're an FCC field agent. On the heels of Radio Free Brattleboro's run-ins with the Commission, two agents turned up September 3 at Free Radio Burlington, the 87.9 operation that we first noted in this space July 14. Turns out FRB has been on the air for two years, or so it claims, though it was apparently not broadcasting when the agents paid their call. Thus far, FRB seems to be a little more adept at handling the FCC than its cousins in Brattleboro; the 87.9 signal has remained silent while FRB continues its Webcast and station organizers figure out what to do next (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Sept 15 [excerpts] via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. U.S. X-BAND AT A GLANCE, SEPTEMBER 2003 COMPILED BY TONY KING, GREYTOWN, NEW ZEALAND 1610 CJWI Montreal QUE FF Caribbean music. 1620 WBUB Atmore AL Yet to be heard in US x WPHG & WPNS WDND South Bend IN ESPN Radio 1620 KOZN Bellevue NE ESPN Sport .``The Zone `` WTAW College Station TX 'Newstalk 16-20 WTAW' CBS Nx KBLI Blackfoot ID SS ``Radio Fiesta`` KYIZ Renton WA Urban/R & hip hop KSMH West Sacramento, CA Rel. ``Catholic Radio KSMH `` WDHP Frederikstad, US Virgins BBC WS to 0900. ID at :59 1630 KCJJ Iowa City IA Hot AC /Classic Rock KKWY Fox Farm WY C&W AP nx `` K--W-Y `` KNAX Ft Worth/Dallas TX SS. Radio Vida/Radio Dos Mil Dos. EE ID :58 WTEL Augusta GA 'Newstalk 1630 WTEL' ex-WRDW 1640 WKSH Sussex WI Disney KDZR Lake Oswego OR Disney KDIA Vallejo CA Talk/religious/life issues WTNI Biloxi MS ``News, Talk, AM1640 WTNI `` ABC News KMKZ Enid OK Construction Permit granted. Pwr FCC approved KBJA Sandy UT SS/Radio Unica EE ID on hour 1650 WHKT Portsmouth VA ``AM1650 WHKT Portsmouth, Radio Disney`` KDNZ Cedar Falls IA Talk/Sport ``The Talk Station`` //KCNZ KWHN Fort Smith AR 'Newstalk 1650 KWHN' KBJD Denver CO Talk.``KNUS-2 `` KFOX Torrance CA Korean/EE ID on hour 1660 KTIQ Merced CA Sporting News Network ``The Ticket`` WWRU Elizabeth NJ PP & SS Radio Única/R. Portugal 10 kW WCNZ Marco Is FL ``Newsradio 1660`` AP nx. WQSN Kalamazoo MI Sports/talk ESPN KRZX Waco TX ``Newstalk KRZX`` (off 0600 UT) KQWB West Fargo ND Standards ``Star 1660 is KQWB AM`` CNN news KXOL Brigham City UT ``Oldies Radio `` (60s rock) KXTR Kansas City KS 'Classical 1660' WGIT Canóvanas PRico SS oldies ``El Gigante`` 1670 WRNC Warner Robins GA Urban Gospel ``1670 The Light`` WTDY Madison WI Sports/Talk. ``Talk Radio 1670 `` KHPY Moreno Valley, CA Radio Católica SS (nites) s/off 0800 UT. EE s/off. 9 kW KNRO Redding CA ``Redding's ESPN Radio 1670 KNRO' 1680 WTTM Princeton NJ Ethnic – South Asian WLAA Winter Garden FL SS ``Alma Latina`` ex-WTIR WDSS Ada MI Disney ex-WJNZ KAVT Fresno CA Disney/SS KTFH Seattle WA ``The Bridge, AM 16-80 KTFH Seattle.`` Ethnic off 0700.. KRJO Monroe LA Gospel. ``Rejoice 1680`` 1690 KDDZ Arvada CO Disney KFSG Roseville CA SS rel. and Asian. EE ID on hour WPTX Lexington Park ``Newstalk 1690 WPTX `` CNN News 1700 WJCC Miami Springs FL SS/Rel/ ``Radio Luz `` WEUV Huntsville AL Black Gospel. 1 kW KTBK Sherman TX Sporting News Radio ``Sports Radio 1310 KTCK`` KBGG Des Moines IA ``The new AM 1700 KBGG``. CNN KQXX Brownsville TX ``Oldies Radio 1700 AM`` 880 watts (Sept NZ DX Times via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. The government announced an end to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation monopoly, saying it was soon going to issue broadcasting licences to those willing to venture into the industry... http://allafrica.com/stories/200309110096.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 4025: Hi Glenn: Does anyone know about this station I heard on Sept 14th on 4025 kHz with Arab style non stop music and sign off with out any ID between 0240 to 0300 UT (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES – CHIMBOTE – PERU, cpds1@hotmail.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) A google search on 4025 site:worldofradio.com produces reports of V. of Iraqi Liberation, V. of Iranian Kurdistan, but I think most recently V. of the People of Kurdistan (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. I don't know if this is a spur or actually on the freq: noted on 6320 at 2315 to 2336 French language programming with woman in comments along with jingles etc. Signal was fair Anyone have any ideas? (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, Sept 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Whenever you have something like this, you should look for parallel below 6200; probably a mixing product like two Sackville transmitters (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. PIRATE: 6777.8, 1057-1204, Sep 14, Spanish, Musical program without of IDs, One recording of Piqueteros protest was put on the air, Some audio problems with the audio at begin of this program, the music basically was interpreted by Victor Heredia, Leon Gieco, Alfredo Zitarrosa, Mana, Mercedes Sosa, Jaime Ross, etc, until 1204 the signal was 55555 after this time the signal fade practically, (Nicolás Eramo, Chascomus, 120 km SW from Buenos Aires; Sony ICF 2010, Longwire 25 m, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###