DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-177, October 7, 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/dxldtd3j.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 1201: RFPI: Wed 0730 on 7445; maybe testing on 15115-USB WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html WORLD OF RADIO 1201 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1201h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1201h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1201.html WORLD OF RADIO 1201 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1201.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1201.rm FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1202: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 0130 on WINB 9320 Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Sat 0130 on RFPI 7445 UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Howdy, I like your DX Digest and find it inspiring. I'm using a Grundig Satellit 800 with the built in antenna and am located in Montreal. If you like, here is some of my DX journal for Oct 4th & 5th (Spanner McNeil, Montreal, Canada, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN. TWO NEW RADIO STATIONS OPEN The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has welcomed the recent opening of two new radio stations in Afghanistan - one in Jalalabad and one in Bamyan. Both stations are supported by the non- governmental organization, Internews, with funding from USAID. The radio station in Jalalabad called 'Sharq' which means East, was inaugurated on 30 September. It is expected to be able to reach a potential audience of around 360,000 people within a 35 km range. At the inauguration ceremony the Governor of Nangarhar highlighted the importance of radio stations broadcasting educational and cultural programmes as well as news and other programmes which encourage peace and unity among Afghans. The other new radio station is Radio Bamyan, based in the central highlands (RN Media Network 7 October 2003 via DXLD) WTFK?? ** ANNOBON ISLAND. Annobon Island DXpedition Shut Down Annobon Island lies off the west coast of Africa. See http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/10/07/2/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, October 7, 2003 --- The Annobon Island 3C0V DXpedition ended abruptly October 4. Local officials reportedly ordered the operators to shut down and vacate the tiny, mountainous island in the South Atlantic. The Daily DX reports that at least three of the 3C0V operators have left Annobon -- a part of Equatorial Guinea and located in the Gulf of Guinea off Africa`s west coast -- while one remained at last report. The Daily DX Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, got word of a very brief telephone call October 6 from the DXpedition to pilot station Gaby Mardiros, OD5NJ. ``Gaby received a 10 second phone call from EA5BYP, Elmo [Bernabe], who reported that `the military soldiers allowed only the three operators to go back to Spain,`` McClenny said, adding that it appeared that that Franz Langner, DJ9ZB, Victor Polo, EA5FO, and Vicente Pastor, EA5YN, had been released but that EA5BYP -- the team leader -- would be remaining on the island. McClenny said the telephone call was cut off before Mardiros could obtain additional information. ``I don`t know how the guys were being sent back home (via plane or boat),`` McClenny said. Some initial reports indicated that local authorities had given the DXpeditioners 24 hours to pack up and get off Annobon ``or else,`` McClenny said. The specifics behind the termination of the DXpedition, however are ``still unknown beyond those on the island,`` he said. On October 5, Mardiros announced that 3C0V had ``stopped for some bad reasons and they got a serious warning not to use any of their radios,`` but that the crew was fine. ``Sorry, guys, hope the operators will leave safely from the island,`` he said, adding, ``hope the guys will come back safely.`` The 3C0V operation took to the air September 26. Although struggling with technical, antenna and weather issues, it was expected to remain operational until October 11. The team had managed to log numerous contacts on 20, 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters but had not yet activated the lower bands. Also known as Pagalu, Annobon was the site of the 1999 3C0R DXpedition in which EA5BYP and EA5YN also participated. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 6151.73 kHz, Radio Bosques (PIRATE). Heard thanks to the first message from Nicolás Eramo in DXplorer List on Oct 6, 2003. 0229-0253*+, inside this time, with its own programmes, with music by Mercedes Sosa, Pimpinela and others. At 0232 and 0253 ID as "Usted está sintonizando a Radio Bosques, desde Buenos Aires, en la República Argentina", but at 0233 IDed as "Desde Argentina, ésta es RAL, Radiodifusión Argentina Libre, desde Buenos Aires, República Argentina, Sudamérica". From 0254 began relays of LS5 Radio Rivadavia up to 0321+, ID at 0300 as "En el aire AM630 en Internet Rivadavia.com.ar, en el país para todo el país y el mundo, LS5, somos Radio Rivadavia." In the past years Radio Bosques also broadcasts with the slogan "RAL, Radiodifusion Argentina Libre". SINPO: 35343. Thanks to Nicolás who discover the station on this frequency! (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Oct 6, dxing.info via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA [and non]. Radio Australia External Relays. For B03, RA is scheduled for these overseas relays: 9730 Singapore 2300-2330 Khmer 11550 Taiwan 0900-0930 Indonesian, 2130-2330 Indonesian 12010 Singapore 1300-1430 Mandarin 15110 Taiwan 2330-0000 Vietnamese 17865 Singapore 0500-0600 Khmer and Vietnamese 21615 Marianas Isl (Tinian) 0000-0030 Indonesian 21780 Marianas Isl (Tinian) 0400-0430 Indonesian The planned B03 usage by RA for the Darwin site is: 11750 1400-1600 English 11820 2330-0000 Vietnamese 11885 2130-2330 Indonesian 13620 2200-0000 English 17775 0000-0130 English 17855 0530-0600 Vietnamese 21680 0000-0030, 0400-0430, 0500-0530 Indonesian For the first time, the Shepparton site is listed in B03 for the 22 mb. This is on 13630, 0000-0600, with 100 kW, carrying English transmissions. This site is also listed for a new OOB frequency, 5945, 1100-1500, with the English service to Asia and the Pacific. Other new planned channels for B03 for Shepparton, taking the English service, are 6035 1100-1300, 7220 1600-2130, 7260 1400-1900, 9590 0800-1600 (EDXP Oct 1 via BC-DX Oct 6 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Alguém lembra da Rádio Morimoto, de Ji-Paraná (RO), que emitia em 5025 kHz? Pois o Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), buscou informações sobre a emissora. Em contato com o diretor Joel Nogueira, apurou que faz cinco anos que a Morimoto está fora do ar, em ondas tropicais, por falta de peças e dinheiro. Não há previsão de retorno. Por enquanto, pode ser ouvida apenas em 1130 kHz, em OM. Telefone: +55 69 421-5880. Endereço eletrônico: radiojiparana@bol.com.br BRASIL - Graças ao futebol, em especial ao Palmeiras, é possível ouvir a Rádio Record, de São Paulo (SP), em horário bem adiantado, em 9505 e 6150 kHz. Como os horários dos jogos que envolvem os times da Segunda Divisão do campeonato brasileiro são diferenciados, a emissora estende sua emissão, em ondas curtas, até por volta de 0300, aos domingos. BRASIL - Desde Curiúva (PR), Valdirei Carneiro informa que a Rádio Aparecida, de Aparecida (SP), possui novo cartão QSL de confirmação. Portanto, vale conferir o programa Encontro DX, emitido, nos sábados, às 2200, em 5035, 6135, 9630 e 11855 kHz. A produção e apresentação é de Cassiano Macedo. Contatos com o programa podem ser feitos pelo endereço eletrônico: cassianomac@yahoo.com.br (all: Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 6 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. CQ - CQ - CQ - It is a pleasant sound when we hear it on frequency, Isn`t it? I would like to invite all my Ham friends to be with me this Saturday (Oct. 11) transmitting from 1200 to 1900 GMT, through 10 meters Band on 28.475 MHz from Canção Nova in Brazil. This event is to celebrate the Canção Nova Communication System (TV, Radio and Internet) and for first time there will be a Ham Radio transmitting from its plant. We are discussing about the possibility to have also a webCam (at http://www.cancaonova.com on line and flashes through Canção Nova Radio's frequencies. Full color QSL 100 % pay back. May God gives us a good propagation and nice DX. I want to copy you here! 73/51 PY2TP _________________ We confirm radio reports on the air and 100% QSL back. Program: Além Fronteiras (Beyond Boundaries) Every Saturday: 2200 to 2300 (GMT) AM 1020 khz- SW 49m 6105 kHz -SW 60m 4825 kHz - SW 31m 9675 kHz (Eduardo de Moura, dxing.info via DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. Democratic V. of Burma, B-03 via DTK T-Systems 100 kW: 5945 2330 0030 41,49 205 70 211 1234567 261003 280304 JUL (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC [non]. There was a curious sign in that I didn't quite get all of called "Radio Independent'. It seemed to be in an African dialect and wavering between 3-6 decs on 15544.5 kHz. It was a man giving a speech and then local drum folk music with a steady hum in the background and a very narrow freq. At 19:38 ut it changed in to French with lounge lizard jazz music (Spanner McNeil, Montreal, Canada, Oct 5? DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be R. Ndeke Luka; see recent issues ** CHINA [non]. CRI came in a little staticky on 9570.0 kHz at 1308 UT, Oct. 4th. It was coming in at 5-6 decibels with a constant hiss. It was audible. In the beginning of a report about "Emergency asylum in Northern Beijing for victims of disaster..." the signal suddenly cut out at 13:08 UT (Spanner McNeil, Montreal, Canada, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) via CUBA ** CROATIA [non]. HRT, B-03 via DTK T-Systems 100 kW, Jülich, Germany, again violating Region 2 with 40m broadcasts on the hamband: 7285 2300 0359 55,59,60 204 230 218 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 7285 0000 0359 17 112 300 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 7285 0200 0559 17 119 325 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 9470 0500 0759 55,59,60 202 230 218 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 9470 0600 0959 58,59,60 208 270 218 1234567 261003 280304 JUL (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** CUBA. En el programa "En Contacto" de RHC Radio Habana Cuba emitido el pasado domingo 5 de octubre, Malena Negrín -- única conductora ese día -- anunció que la ausencia de su esposo y compañero en la realización del mencionado programa se debe a una ulcera gástrica que le obliga a un mes de reposo. Para contactarse con Manolo de la Rosa pueden utilizar el correo electrónico: jsantana@r... [truncated]. Saludos cordiales de (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Oct 6, Noticias DX via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. Eritrean clandestines. I'm confused. The following stations have been reported in the *1700-1800* time frame on various days, on 15670[from Germany] and/or 12120[from Russia] kHz: Voice of Oromo Liberation Voice of Democratic Eritrea Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo Sagalee Oromiyaa Tigrean Int'l Solidarity for Justice & Democracy Are all of these different, or are they the same "station" being reported to lists under different names? Can someone clarify the Eritrean clandestine scene on SW? (John Wilkins, CO, Dxplorer Oct 3) There are four stations in question which all have been heard here in Denmark this summer: 12120 kHz Voice of Oromiyaa, via Samara-RUS Mon/Thur 1730-1700 Oromo, ID: "Radio Sagalee Oromiyaa". Broker TDP. Seems inactive now. 12120 kHz Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy, via Juelich-GER Suns 1700-1800 Tigrinya, ID: "Radio Fathi". Broker DTK. 15670 kHz Voice of Democratic Eritrea, via Juelich-GER Mon/Thur 1700- 1730 Tigrinya, ID's: "Ezi nay Eritrea fenewe Demtsi eyu" and "Demtsi Democrasiyawit Eritrea". Broker: DTK. 15670 kHz Voice of Oromo Liberation, via Juelich-GER Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun 1700-1730 Oromo, ID: "Toon Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo", 1730-1800 Amharic. Broker DTK. Thus its ID is one of the "stations" you asked about (Anker Petersen-DEN, Oct 3) Actually none of these are real "stations", just regular "programs" produced by different organisations or groups (usually based in Western Europe or USA). Each of them has a different backing. Note that some are aimed at Ethiopia, others at Eritrea, again others at both Eritrea, Ethiopia and neighbouring countries (like those dealing with the Oromoyaa region). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer Oct 3) Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy, via Juelich Tue/Fri 1630-1700 UT 15670 kHz as "Radio Huryio" program. SunTueWedFri 1700-1759 UT 15670 kHz as SBO "Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo" In B03 season from Oct 26th: 9820 1630-1659 38,47,48 140deg 36=Tue/Fri 261003 280304 JUL 100 TIS 9820 1700-1759 38,39,48 140 1346=SuTuWeFr 261003 280304 JUL 100 SBO 12120 Samara-RUS 250 kW 188 deg: 1700-1800 Sats Dejen Radio Tigrinya 1700-1800 Suns Radio Solidarity Tigrinya 1730-1800 Mon/Thur Radio Sagalee Oromiyaa Oromo 1830-1930 Sun Voice of Ethiopia Medhin Amharic (Wolfgang Büschel, df5sx, Oct 4) I don't know what DTK actually airs under the label "Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy" (TISJD), but the website of TISJD mentions only Radio Solidarity via TDP 12120 kHz as "its" broadcast: http://www.tisjd.net/main.htm -- Radio Solidarity TISJD broadcasts globally via short wave and the Internet. It seeks to transform information about EEBC decision and committed to exposing the secrecy and deceit of Meles regime to destroy Ethiopia. We believe Radio Solidarity is key to political struggle where radio continues to be the prime source of information for majority of Ethiopians. We are committed to continue our work in broadening the spectrum of voices available to the Ethiopian community of listeners, to expanding content, input, exchange of ideas and perspectives, and to facilitating dialogue on more equal terms Real Audio files: http://www.tisjd.net/realaudio/audio.htm 25 Meter Band 12120 kHz Sundays 8-9 pm Ethiopian time. Radio "Huryio" (Xoriyo) which you mention is reported to be produced by the Ogaden National Liberation Front. Maybe TISJD was the organisation that arranged/booked the Xoriyo broadcasts via DTK, but TISJD doesn't seem to be the producer of Radio Xoriyo to me (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer Oct 4, via BC-DX Oct 6 via DXLD) ** ERITREA & ETHIOPIA [nons]. Hello, the Version 01 of DTK schedule just arrived in .pdf format. I think an editor "trouble" occured with the 'hidden broadcasts' via Juelich site, in this B03 file. The various DTK schedules which sent out during the year n e v e r contain the various East African [vailed] entries, like in B02 [sic]: TIS - Tigrean International Solidarity for Justice and Democracy, Tigre --- 1630-1700 Tue/Fri 9820 JUL Radio Suthid (x15530, x15275, x15670) V of Ethiopian Salvation (Medehin R), Amharic 1600-1700 Thu/Sun EAf (x15670) 9820 JUL R V of the Dem Path of Ethioian Unity, Amharic 0700-0800 Sun (x21550) 17655 JUL V of the Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity, Amharic 1830-1930 Wed (x15565, x11840) 7220 JUL V of Democratic Eritrea, Tigrigna, E Af 1500-1530 Sat Tigre 5925 JUL 1530-1600 Sat Arabic 5925 JUL 1700-1730 Mon/Thu Tigre 9820 JUL 1730-1800 Mon/Thu Ar[x15670]9820 JUL Sudanese Arabic: 'Idaatu Sawt Demokratiya Eritrea' R Rainbow (Kestedamena R), Amharic 0900-1000 Sat 6180 JUL 1900-1959 Fri (x15565) 11840 JUL UPDATES - Some personal comments: According to DTK Juelich transmissions in previous seasons, the entries with short call 'DTK', could be attached to the calls, given BELOW. 9820 1630 1659 38,47,48 209 140 216 36 261003 280304 JUL 100 TIS 9820 1600 1659 47,48 209 140 216 15 261003 280304 JUL 100 VES 17655 0700 0759 38,47,48 106 145 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 100 DPE 7220 1830 1929 47,48 210 140 216 4 261003 280304 JUL 100 DPE 5925 1500 1559 27,28 402 ND 976 7 261003 280304 JUL 100 VDE 9820 1700 1759 38,39,48 209 140 216 25 261003 280304 JUL 100 VDE 6180 0900 0959 27,28 402 ND 976 7 011103 280304 JUL 100 RRK 11840 1900 1959 47,48 106 145 217 6 011103 280304 JUL 100 RRK 1=Sunday ... 7=Saturday TIS - Tigrean Internat Solidarity for Justice and Democracy Radio Suthid. VES - Voice of Ethiopian Salvation, Medehin Radio DPE - Radio Voice of the Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity VDE - Voice of Democratic Eritrea Sudanese Arabic: 'Idaatu Sawt Demokratiya Eritrea' RRK - Radio Rainbow, Kestedamena Radio. (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ETHIOPIA: more below ** ESTONIA [non]. Pirates logged include: 03.10.2003 3916 21.45- R. Natalie, Estonian mx. ID E.Est.Rus. 34322 3916 23.45- R. Express, techno mx. DX pr. in Rus. ID E.Rus. 33332 04.10.2003 3916 22.35- R. Natalie, Est. mx. 7 birthday. ID Rus. E.Est. 33242 05.10.2003 3916 20.45- R. Natalie, Est. mx. ID Rus. E.Est. address. 23232/1 (Valentin Jershov, Estonia, Oct 6, via Dario Monferini, Italy, BCLNews.it via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. 11803.3v, R. Ethiopia 1359-1431 10/7. Xylophone-like IS, opening anmt, then 3 chimes (although it was 5 PM in Ethiopia) and into apparent news in AR. After 1410, a mix of talks and nice HoA music. Had drifted up to 11803.34 by 1430. Was // to 9561.16, which had drifted downward slightly by 1430. Both freqs good to 1430 but deteriorated afterward (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R- 8. 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. SBO Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo, B-03 via DTK Germany, 100 kW Julich: 9820 1700 1759 38,39,48 209 140 216 1346 261003 280304 (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. R. Cultural --- I asked Wayne Berger, Chief Engineer, if they were still on shortwave [3300 and 5955]: Both frequencies are QRT. Electricity is very expensive and there are very few listeners on shortwave nowdays (Hans Johnson, Oct 7, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDIA. The following Morning Services of AIR External Services has been temporarily suspended from YESTERDAY 5 Oct 2003: 1. Burmese : 0100-0130 9950 11870 13630 2. Tibetan : 0130-0200 9565 11900 13700 The evening services in these languages will continue. How come The Economic Times reported on Oct 2, 2003 itself that Burmese transmissions were dropped and that there were no response from listeners etc. about it? = 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J, Oct 6, dx_india via DXLD) ** ITALY. Regarding the IRRS test: An overlap of 20 and 100 kW transmissions would be interesting; as far as I know such an overlap can cause problems when occurring within one transmitter site (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. Realizando el monitoreo mensual de NHK Radio Japón descubro que la siempre efectiva frecuencia de 21600 Khz utilizada a través de Montsinery-Guayana Francesa desde las 1700 a las 1800 UTC en idioma japonés con dirección a Sudamérica está inactiva. En contacto con NHK-Monitoring Section (info@intl.nhk.or.jp) y solicitadas las explicaciones aún no he recibido respuesta. Saludos cordiales de (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Oct 6, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Hoy martes 7 de octubre es el Día de la Virgen de Rosario por lo tanto es feriado aquí y, aunque yo no soy católico, es muy bienvenido para mí este día no laborable... hi!. A las 1700 UT se reactivó NHK Radio Japón con su transmisión en japonés para Sudamérica en 21600 con excelente calidad de recepción similar a emisora local. De acuerdo al calendario sugerido por la NHK- Monitoring Section para todos sus monitores en el mundo, 3, 4, 5 y 6 de octubre fueron los días previstos para la realización de los reportes. El viernes 3 de octubre yo no pude monitorear los 21600 Khz por razones de trabajo, entonces comencé a partir del 4 hasta hoy 7 de octubre inclusive cuando compruebo que Radio Japón vuelve a transmitir en esa frecuencia. De modo que yo puedo asegurar la total inactividad de NHK durante los tres últimos días fijados por la Monitoring Section. Como me resulta sugestivo que Radio Japón reactive sus transmisiones habituales en 21600 Khz después de silenciarse durante los días previstos para monitorearla, sin ánimo de polemizar, yo me pegunto ¿Será este un recurso de la NHK Monitoring Section para medir la veracidad de los informes remitidos por los monitores en Sudamérica?... ¿Qué piensan ustedes? (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. I have a recording of the Radio Seagull programme starting on 9290 last Saturday at 1000: http://kailudwig.bei.t-online.de/seagull.mp3 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [and non]. LASERRADIO.NET PLANS TO RESTRUCTURE, CHANGE NAME LaserRadio.net, which recently commenced weekly relays of the Dutch Internet station Radio Seagull on 9290 kHz at 1000-1500 on Saturdays, says is planning to restructure. A statement on its mailing list says: "With the re-commencement of our operations on the shortwave band as a relay broadcast service provider, we are planning some major changes in the operational structure of our organisation. Included within the new package will be a change of our operational name. LaserRadio.net will shortly be adopting a familiar and well known operational name which reflects more fully our broadcasting mission. Additionally we are developing a studio broadcast centre in Riga, the Capital of Latvia. This facility will enable our staff to present regular and 'live' programming via shortwave and the Internet. Further details will be announced on our website and on this newsgroup when all the preparatory work has been completed." (© Radio Netherlands Media Network Oct 7 via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA [non]. T-Systems Julich B-03 still shows R. Vilnius, but we know it`s only a standby/backup to the non non transmitter: 6120 0000 0100 7,8,9 105 295 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 100 LRT+ (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** LUXEMBOURG. Special Transmissions from Radio Luxembourg. For B03, the Junglinster facility is scheduled for occasional test broadcasts on as "as required basis" to Europe, using 250 kW. These are listed on 5990 2000-0100, and 6095 0600-0000. These tests will take relays of various Domestic Service broadcasts (EDXP Oct 1 via BC-DX via DXLD) Also RTL DRM tests Tue-Sun 0800-1600 UT with reduced power of approx. 35 kW, non-dir, various languages, RTL program and music, ed., see http://www.drm-dx.de (BC-DX Oct 6 via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 7260: see UNIDENTIFIED ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. RNW: When speaking about transmitter sites the first question is where RNW will use the airtime on German transmitters, provided that the airtime exchange with Deutsche Welle continues at all. And I am curious if Nozema will mind about the situation that the Flevo site will be not so busy anymore (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. In case you are unaware of this, NZ Summer Time starts at 1400 UT this Saturday, Oct 4th, 02.00 am NZ time (Barry Hartley- NZL, BC-DX Oct 2 via DXLD) ** NORWAY. Esquema en idioma noruego de la Radio Nacional de Noruega (NRK), vigente desde el 26/10/2003 al 31/12/2003: 1200-1230 11615, 12070, 13800, 18950 1300-1330 9590, 11610, 13800, 17550 1400-1430 13800, 17735 1500-1530 13800, 15735, 17525 1600-1630 7490, 13800, 15705 1700-1730 7490, 9980x, 13800x, 18950 1800-1830 7490, 15735 1900-1930 7490, 13800 2000-2030 7490, 9980 2100-2130 7490, 7560 2200-2230 7465, 7560* 2300-2330 7390, 7465*, 7490, 7560 0000-0030 7490, 7560 0100-0130 7560, 9945 0200-0230 7490, 7560, 9590 0400-0430 7465, 7490, 7560 0500-0530 7490 0600-0630 5945, 13800 0700-0730 7180, 9590 0800-0830 11975, 13800* 0900-0930 11975, 13800*, 18950 1000-1030 13800, 21765* 1100-1130 13800, 21755 Nota: (*) Frecuencias con destino a Sudamérica. (x) Solo de Lunes a Sábados. QTH: NRK, R. Norway International, N-0340 Oslo 3, Noruega. E-mail: info@n... / radionorway@n... [truncateds] Web: http://www.nrk.no/radionorway (Wolfgang Bueschel, Alemania, Conexión Digital Oct 4 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. NUEVO PROGRAMA EN RADIO NACIONAL DEL PARAGUAY ``Gala nacional'' es el nuevo programa que presentará el 2 de octubre próximo Radio Nacional del Paraguay. Dicho espacio será emitido una vez a la semana, de 20:00 a 22:00. La conducción estará a cargo de Chony Calderón y José Martínez, la dirección musical será de José Félix Orrego y la dirección general de Alberto de Luque. El programa difundirá los temas del cancionero paraguayo. En la primera transmisión estarán como invitados los integrantes del grupo Generación de Villarrica, que realizarán una gira artística como invitados especiales de importantes universidades de los Estados Unidos. Además de pasar la discografía de Alberto de Luque y Los Amigos, integrado por Carlos Agustín, César Romero, Víctor Simón, José Félix Orrego, Necho Orrego y Beby Orrego, se escucharán en cada emisión interpretaciones en vivo de consagrados invitados. Asimismo se contará con la presencia de personalidades del ámbito cultural, artístico, político y deportivo del país. Según los responsables del espacio, el programa podrá ser sintonizado en los cinco continentes a través de la onda corta internacional de la emisora (Diario ABC color Digital, Paraguay, http://www.abc.com.py/articulos.php?fec=2003-09-28&pid=70512&sec=9, oct 1, especial para Miscelaneas via Conexión Digital Oct 4 via DXLD) That would be 9737v, but inactive for quite a while, I think. Has anybody heard it lately? Program in question would be at 0000 UT Fri, if still on UT -4 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non]. V. of Russia relays via Germany, B-03, 100 kW Jülich: 5995 0200 0300 39,40 105 100 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 5995 0300 0400 39,40 105 100 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 9555 1500 1600 39,40 102 115 217 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 5975 2000 2200 39,40 211 110 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 5965 2000 2200 39,40 111 105 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 6170 2100 2200 39,40 105 115 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 6175 2300 2400 39,40 105 100 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** SENEGAL. FRENCH EXTERNAL RADIO PROTESTS CORRESPONDENT'S EXPULSION FROM SENEGAL The Radio France Internationale correspondent in Sénégal has been served with an expulsion order by the Senegalese authorities, the radio's editor-in-chief, Jerome Bouvier, announced on Tuesday evening. Mr Bouvier told the radio that the correspondent, Sophie Malibeaux, was arrested on Tuesday morning in the southern town of Ziguinchor while covering a meeting of the separatist MFDC, Movement of Democratic Forces in Casamance, and taken to the capital, Dakar, in the afternoon. "We have just heard that our colleague has been served with an expulsion order which takes effect this evening, Tuesday 7 October 2003," Mr Bouvier said. "In these circumstances RFI's news and current affairs directorate and all its editorial staff wish to express their amazement that such a measure has been taken without any reason being given," he added. "They also regret that the climate of confidence which has always surrounded the work of RFI's journalists in Senegal should have been thus jeopardized." "RFI expresses its strongest protest and insistently - insistently - asks the Senegalese authorities this evening to reconsider their decision," Jerome Bouvier concluded. Source: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 1830 gmt 7 Oct 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA [and non]. B-03 Schedule: Trans World Radio Schedule: 26 Oct 2003 to 27 March 2004 Amharic 0330-0345 5 7 Ethiopia 7215 1700-1730 1234567 Ethiopia 9930 Bambara 1830-1900 1234567 Ivory Coast 9720 English 0600-0615 1234567 Nigeria 11640 Ewe 1930-1945 67 Ghana 9510 French 1900-1945 1234 67 Ivory Coast 9720 Fulfulde 1830-1900 1234567 Sahel 9510 Hadiya 1645-1700 67 Ethiopia 9930 Hausa 1830-1900 1234567 Nigeria 9695 Igbo 1945-2000 6 Nigeria 9510 1945-2015 7 Nigeria 9510 Juba 1657-1712 123456 Sudan 9660 Kambaata 1645-1700 45 Ethiopia 9930 Kanuri 1900-1915 1234567 Nigeria 9695 KiRundi 1600-1630 1234567 Burundi 9675 Moore 1930-1945 5 Mali 9720 Oromo 1645-1700 123 Ethiopia 9930 1730-1800 12345 Ethiopia 9930 Sena(FEBA) 1703-1718 1234567 Mozambique 7265 Sidamo 0330-0345 34 Ethiopia 7215 Somali 1625-1640 67 Somali 9660 1625-1655 12345 Somali 9660 Songhai 1900-1930 5 Burkina Faso 9720 1945-2000 7 Burkina Faso 9720 Twi 1930-1945 12345 Nigeria 9510 Yao (FEBA) 1718-1733 1234567 Mozambique 7265 1733-1748 2 5 7 Mozambique 7265 Yoruba 1900-1930 1234567 Nigeria 9510 Days: 1 = Monday ... 7 = Sunday [via Dr Hansjoerg Biener via Wolfgang Bueschel via Alan Roe, DXLD] ** SOUTH AMERICA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. - Con supo placer informo que al fin escuché a la pirata sudamericana, Radio Cochiguaz, en la frecuencia de 6950 kHz, a las 0132 UT, el domingo 05-10, con un locutor que hablaba una lengua extrañísima, a veces parecía alemán y otras veces árabe. Colocaba baladas y música muy rara. Identificación de Radio Cochiguaz a la 0157 UT, con el tema de fondo "El Condor Pasa" en instrumental. Bastante estática. No más audio luego de las 0200UTC. Transmisión en LSB. 73's y buen DX... (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWAZILAND. TWR B-03 Schedule: 26 Oct 2003 to 27 March 2004 Bemba 1700-1715 6 Zambia 6130 Chewa 0400-0430 1234567 Malawi 6100 0430-0500 12345 Malawi 6100 1600-1630 1234567 Malawi 6130 1630-1700 1234567 Malawi 6130 1700-1715 12345 Malawi 6130 Chokwe 1820-1835 1234567 Angola 6130 English 0430-0500 12345 South Africa 4775 0430-0630 12345 Southern Africa 6120 0500-0630 67 Southern Africa 6120 0500-0900 1234567 Southern Africa 7205 0500-0900 1234567 Central Africa 9500 1700-2030 1234567 Southern 1170 1730-1900 1234567 East Africa 9500 1730-2045 1234567 South Africa 3200 Fiote 1905-1920 5 Angola 6130 French 1935-1950 1234567 D R Congo 9525 1950-2005 6 D R Congo 9525 1950-2020 7 D R Congo 9525 German 0400-0430 12345 South Africa 4775 0400-0430 12345 South Africa 6120 0400-0500 67 South Africa 4775 0400-0500 67 South Africa 6120 KiKongo 1850-1905 234567 Angola 6130 Kimbundu 1950-2005 1234567 Angola 6130 Kimwani 1747-1802 7 East Africa 9475 1802-1817 6 East Africa 9475 Lingala 1905-1935 1234567 D R Congo 9525 Lomwe 0340-0355 1234567 Mozambique 4775 1525-1555 1234567 N Mozambique 7315 Luchazi 1905-1920 3 Angola 6130 Lunyaneka 1905-1920 67 Angola 6130 Luvale 1850-1905 1 Angola 6130 Makua 1455-1510 6 N Mozambique 7315 1510-1525 1234567 N Mozambique 7315 Malagasy 1440-1510 12345 Madagascar 9585 1510-1555 1234567 Madagascar 9585 Ndau 0330-0345 1234567 Zimbabwe 3240 1645-1700 1234567 " 4760 Ndebele 0300-0315 6 Zimbabwe 3200 0300-0330 12345 7 Zimbabwe 3200 1600-1630 1234567 Zimbabwe 6070 Pedi 1700-1715 3 7 South Africa 3200 Portuguese 1440-1455 6 Mozambique 7315 1440-1510 12345 7 Mozambique 7315 1630-1645 1 4 6 Mozambique 4760 1905-1920 12 4 Angola 6130 1920-1950 1234567 Angola 6130 2005-2235 7 Angola 6130 Shangaan 1600-1630 67 Mozambique 4760 1630-1645 23 5 " 4760 Shona 0300-0330 1234567 Zimbabwe 3240 1545-1600 567 Zimbabwe 6070 1630-1700 1234567 Zimbabwe 6070 SiSwati 1600-1630 1234567 Swaziland 1170 Sotho 1700-1715 1 5 South Africa 3200 Swahili 0300-0345 1234567 East Africa 7240 1702-1717 12 4567 East Africa 9475 1717-1747 1234567 East Africa 9475 1747-1802 6 East Africa 9475 1747-1817 12345 East Africa 9475 Tshwa 1600-1630 12345 Mozambique 4760 1630-1645 7 Mozambique 4760 Tswana 1700-1715 2 4 6 South Africa 3200 Umbunbu [sic] 1750-1820 12345 Angola 6130 1835-1850 1234567 Angola 6130 Urdu 1400-1415 1234567 Pakistan 15330 Zulu 1630-1700 1234567 Swaziland 1170 [via Dr Hansjoerg Biener via Wolfgang Bueschel via Alan Roe, DXLD] Look at some languages, you have not even heard of, and shed a tear for those ethnic groups, only gospel huxters care to broadcast to (gh) ** TAIWAN. RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL HOSTS DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYMPOSIUM -- News Release Oct. 2. 2003 The 2003 Taipei Digital Broadcasting Seminar took place at Radio Taiwan International's Taipei headquarter from September 29th to October 1st. A seven-point final statement reached after a hot debate at the end of the symposium urges the government to initiate the roadmap for speeding up the development of digital broadcasting in Taiwan, to modify the broadcasting regulations and to bring up investment-incentive policies that would be helpful for the success of the industry. More than 200 attendants were present at the event, they include local broadcasters, manufacturers, service providers, scholars, government regulators and those who are interested in the developments and challenges of digital broadcasting industry. Chairman Lin Feng-jen of RTI said at the opening ceremony, " Radio Taiwan International attempts to be the pioneer of digital broadcasting in Taiwan and shall made all efforts to help integrate related sectors to facilitate the process leads to digital life." Minister without portfolio of Executive Yuan Dr. Tsay Ching-yen and Minister of Government Information Office Mr. Huang Hwei-chen both gave confidence-boost speeches and proclaimed the importance of pushing digital broadcasting forward to match the 2008 Challenge National Development Plan, a project proposed by the Executive Yuan in May 2002 to improve living standards and the business and investment climate in Taiwan over a six-year course. Mr. Josef Troxler of Thales B&M AG, Mr. Peter Gordon of VT Merlin Communications and Mr. Johannes Noack of TELEFUNKEN introduced DRM and talked about challenges it will face. Peter Gordon also offered a Q&A session. Mr. Bernhard Baurngartner of Hirschmann Solutions, Mr. Hartmut Schaefer, Mr. Stefan Berger of ROHDE & SCHWARZ and Prof. The- nan Chang of TATUNG University talked about DAB and related issues. Mr. Donald Spragg and Mr. Steven J. Spradlin of Harris gave a review and comparison of three terrestrial digital radio systems. Mr. Jack Chang of PC-Radio Corp. talked about the media streaming platform solution. Mr. Jia-huei Wu, Deputy Director General of The Directorate General of Telecommunications talked about digital broadcasting regulations and said "The government will be glad to see the public radios to get more involved in digital broadcasting." Dr. Johnson Hun of Chief Secretary of Digital Audio Broadcasting Committee Taiwan talked about the status of digital broadcasting in Taiwan. Dr. Hun said, "The idea is to make Taiwan the center of digital broadcasting manufacturing industry." ROHDE & SCHWARZ used its MA6050 500W DAB transmitter shipped to Taipei earlier to transmit at half power to live demonstrate DAB Data transmission at the symposium. Mr. Peter Gordon displayed a DRM software receiver and the Coding Technologies production-ready world band DRM radio. Taiwan-based GyroSignal Technology showcased its newest Gyro-1114 DAB/FM/RDS Receiver Module, and live demonstrate two types of Gyro loaded DAB radios and a DAB LED display panel. PC-Radio Corp. demonstrated its DAB IP tunneling system D-IPTUS, which is the solution to broadcast streaming services and r-commerce applications on DAB through a live transmission of a MPEG-4 video from a Hirschmann 100 mw transmitter exciter at the symposium. Minton Optic Industry displayed its Audio Avanti 5.1 DAB home theatre system with surround audio effects and Elansat displayed its pocket DAB/FM receiver. RTI, one of the leading broadcasters of Taiwan's island-wide DAB test launch in 2000, tries to get together at the symposium the people who know the digital broadcasting well to press greater involvement from all sectors in Taiwan so as to bring the exciting digital life to more people. The DAB signal now covers almost all the populated area of Taiwan. The digital broadcasting related regulations are to be scrutinized by the Legislative Yuan by end of 2003. Taiwan's inaugural launch of DAB is expected to happen by early 2004 (via Michael Bethge, WWDXC via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Re: ```R. Era via R. Dniprovska Khvyla, Zaproizhia, 11980, 1000 Sept 21 News, jingle ``Radio Era``, songs by request, Ukrainian, Sio 242 (Robertas Petraitas, Lithuania, HF Logbook, Oct BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD)``` This should read "R. Era via UR1 via R. Dniprovska Khvyla". Ukrainian Radio 1 includes prgr's produced by the commercial broadcaster Radio ERA (see WRTH 2003, pg. 361). 11980 has been relaying UR1 so far (i.e. including R. ERA programming); its own programs haven't been reported yet (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Era on 11980 kHz via Radio Dniprovska Khvylya (100 watts, Zaporizhia) noted at 0950 on Sept 21. Heard program of Ukrainian news, concert on listener's request, etc. Era Radio na Promine meaning Era Radio in Promin's programme; Promin' - 2nd program of Ukrainian National Radio. Announced address: Era Radio na Promine vul. Khreschatyk 26 01001Kyiv, Ukraine (Robert Petraitis, Lithuania, BC-DX Oct 5 via DXLD) ** U K. Treasure i-land The largest vault of TV and radio programmes in the world is on the verge of being put online by the BBC. But there are problems, reports Dominic Timms, Monday October 6, 2003, The Guardian It is the biggest library of its kind in the world and it was built with your hard-earned money. But for years all you could access was what the chief librarian and a few of his cohorts decided to make available on the day. You could, of course, copy what you liked and take it away, but if you didn't turn up on time bang went your chance. Welcome to the BBC archive, a "treasure trove" in the words of Greg Dyke, that thanks to broadband (and one expects the BBC's upcoming 2006 charter renewal) is on the verge of being unlocked for the first time. At the recent IBC, the annual broadcast tech-fest in Amsterdam, the BBC's new media chief Ashley Highfield presented a technology pilot that, if successful, could enable viewers to download some of the 1.5m TV programmes and 750,000 radio shows hitherto buried in the BBC archive. "The project is in its early stages but for us it 's a very exciting idea. How it will work and how we deal with rights issues, technical issues and aspects like digitisation is up to the pilot," he says. To enable viewers to download their favourite programmes, both archive and current, Highfield says the BBC is developing a new internet media player or IMP. Similar to its award-winning radio player which lets internet users listen to shows such as the Today programme at 6 pm rather than 6 am,the IMP will enable viewers to record programmes "Tivo style " on the hard disks in their computers or set-top boxes. Sitting on top of this will be a super EPG or electronic programme guide - think digital Radio Times writ large - that is being designed for TV content but which could eventually develop into a navigation tool for all BBC content. Though Highfield says the pilot is distinct from the creative archive, announced by Greg Dyke in Edinburgh in August, it doesn't take much to see where the two might link. The IMP will enable users to download programmes initially up to a week old, whereas the creative archive will enable them to use much older clips from programmes for their own use. "At the moment we haven 't linked these concepts, but clearly with an internet media player that goes back in time it's not a giant leap to see how they might integrate," Highfield says. To overcome the enormous bandwidth costs associated with delivering both current and archive programmes online, Highfield says the BBC is exploring the use of "legitimate" file sharing or peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Made a household name by Napster, P2P networks typically use individual users 'PCs to store and forward content rather than the more expensive route of squirting them over the internet from a bank of central servers."P2P will enable us to defray our distribution costs and make downloading quicker for the consumer," says Highfield. The key question is how much of its archive the BBC will eventually put online. Reports following Dyke's Edinburgh address celebrated the prospect of being able to access the BBC's entire TV output going back to 1936 and radio back to 1922, not to mention the current output of eight TV channels, 10 radio networks and 43 languages of news output online. Sadly that is unlikely to be the case. For one thing, the BBC simply doesn't have a complete archive going all the way back to that famous broadcast from Alexandra Palace. Before videotape arrived in the 1960s, all TV shows were transmitted live. The Sunday Night Play, for example, a staple of postwar weekend viewing, was repeated on Thursday nights but that meant reassembling the cast and crew to re-enact the whole process live. Even when videotape arrived it could only be edited with scissors and was often re-used after each show, wiping out what was on it before. Then there is the cost of digitising the library, most of which is still in analogue form - 40% of the archive, for instance, is still on film. Three-and-a-half years ago the BBC began a formal preservation process for its archive of old video formats, but as the head of that archive process, Adam Lee, explains, that is a totally different process to digitising. "Preservation is about transferring old and fragile formats to digital tape. The ideal end state would be to have it all stored as digital files on a server, but the cost of that is still prohibitive." Moreover programmes that enjoy an international following, such as Teletubbies and comedies like Monty Python, are already earning BBC Worldwide a tidy sum that would be wiped out overnight if they were put online. But the real stumbling block isn't to do with technical difficulties, costs, expected demand or threats to Worldwide's bottom line. The real issues are legal. The BBC doesn't own the rights to all its programmes and clearing the legal minefield of rights and residuals paid to actors for repeat showings of programmes will be a mammoth task. Highfield says it took the corporation about a year just to clear the rights to stream week-old radio shows. "We are under no illusion that this isn't a challenge," he says. Even using just those programmes in which it holds the rights may throw up legal challenges from contributors or crew who may have agreed rights deals for television broadcast but not for inclusion in an archive. Legal experts point to the Tasini case in the US where the New York Times was successfully sued in the supreme court by freelance journalists after the paper licensed their work to the database Lexis/Nexus. The journalists successfully argued they had given the company a licence for their work to be published in the paper and on its website online but not as part of a separate archive. Apart from regulation there are issues over the licence fee and whether it will be necessary to pay for watching clips on a laptop, and whether overseas users, who don't pay the licence fee, will have to pay to access the archive. Thinking through all these issues, as the BBC says it is, will take time and resources. While it's giving no hints of a possible launch date, the chances of anything appearing before charter renewal in 2006 are slim. Even when it does launch, the archive will only provide clips from its factual and learning programmes, before expanding to include other content. But the BBC has a mandate under its charter to make all its programmes available to as many people as possible, and it would be a shame if it only opened up one or two sections of its impressive library. After all, licence-fee payers funded the programmes in the first place and they have a right to see them when and where they want. MediaGuardian.co.uk © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 (via Dan Say, DXLD) ** U S A. Duane Whittingham (N9SSN) - Producer, Tom and Darryl Radio Shows & Saturday Morning Confusion, Heard on C-Band Analog Satellite (W0KIE) - GE7-CH5-7.5 MHz WTND-LP Macomb 106.3, WQNA FM, WBCQ 7415 kHz & the Internet. Heard Fridays 9pm ET, Sundays 12am ET and Tuesdays 1am ET. An Independent Freeform Eclectic Radio Show. http://www.tomanddarryl.org http://www.wtnd.us (via NRC FMTV via DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Pan American Broadcasting, gospel broker, B-03 via T- Systems, DTK Jülich, 100 kW: 9435 0045 0100 41 208 90 218 1 261003 280304 JUL 9495 0130 0145 41 208 90 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 13605 1400 1430 39,40 110 100 217 17 261003 280304 JUL 13605 1430 1445 39,40 110 100 217 17 261003 280304 JUL 13605 1445 1500 39,40 110 100 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 12015 1500 1515 39,40 107 115 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 12015 1500 1515 39,40 110 100 217 47 261003 280304 JUL 12015 1515 1530 39,40 110 100 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 12015 1530 1545 39,40 110 100 217 1 261003 280304 JUL 12015 1545 1600 39,40 110 100 217 1 261003 280304 JUL (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. R. Africa International, Methodist from New York, B-03 via DTK T-Systems, Germany, 100 kW: 9815 0400 0559 46,47,52,53 304 160 217 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 11690 0600 0800 37,46 304 190 217 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 13820 1700 1859 38,48,53 305 145 217 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 11735 1700 1859 46,47,52,53 306 160 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL ** U S A [non]. AWR B-03: http://www.awr.org/listener-services-program- schedule%20winter%202004.html (via BclNews.it Oct 7 via DXLD) Including English portion: 0200-0330 7230 Moosbrunn, Austria 0500-0530 5960 Meyerton, South Africa 0500-0530 6015 Meyerton, South Africa 0530-0630 15345 Meyerton, South Africa 0600-0630 15345 Meyerton, South Africa 0630-0700 9840 Jülich, Germany (Monday-Thursday, Saturday only) 0830-0900 9660 Moosbrunn, Austria 0830-0930 17670 Moosbrunn, Austria 1000-1030 11705 Agat, Guam 1000-1100 11900 Agat, Guam 1200-1230 15135 Abu Dhabi, UAE 1330-1400 9860 Abu Dhabi, UAE 1330-1400 15235 Abu Dhabi, UAE 1330-1400 15660 Agat, Guam (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday only) 1330-1400 11755 Agat, Guam 1530-1600 15225 Abu Dhabi, UAE 1600-1700 15495 Agat, Guam 1600-1700 15495 Agat, Guam 1630-1700 11980 Agat, Guam 1700-1730 11560 Agat, Guam 1730-1800 9385 Agat, Guam 1800-1830 5960 Meyerton, South Africa 1800-1830 7265 Meyerton, South Africa 1800-1900 11985 Meyerton, South Africa 1930-2000 11845 Jülich, Germany (Monday-Thursday, Saturday only) 2000-2100 15295 Meyerton, South Africa 2000-2100 15295 Meyerton, South Africa 2100-2200 9660 Moosbrunn, Austria 2130-2200 11980 Agat, Guam 2130-2200 12010 Agat, Guam (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday only) (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. A VISIT TO KVOH --- Part 1: Transmitter Site By Doug Robertson, KCA6XO The day was very foggy at the California coast, but 40 minutes later, at the Radio Shack parking lot in Newbury Park where Phil Bartlett and I had agreed to meet, the fog and haze had started to dissipate. We opted to take my truck with greater ground clearance which would be helpful on the mountain road ahead. Phil had been there before and had arranged with his friend, Ernest García, a staff engineer at the transmitter site, to give me a long awaited tour of the KVOH transmitter and antenna atop Chatsworth Peak. This visit was in September, 1994. KVOH, the Voice of Hope, is our Ventura County`s only international shortwave broadcast station. We would also visit the studios and offices of the station before this Saturday was over. Our journey took us briefly on the busy Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) to the Moorpark Freeway 23, then east on the 118 San Fernando (now Ronald Reagan) Freeway to the Kuehner Drive offramp. Each freeway brought us generally higher in elevation, working our way to the eastern end of the county. The old historic Santa Susana Pass Road is a two lane climb to Box Canyon Road, a twisting switchback southwesterly toward the ocean and even more steeply climbing. ``This is the canyon that always burns,`` said Phil rather ominously. The ghost of Krista Venta, a bizarre cult leader of ``The Fountain of the World`` commune once established here, is said to still haunt the canyon. Wallace Beery once established a movie studio here on Studio Road and the remains of Corriganville, a cowboy movie set, are not a park at the base of the pass. Slowing now by an old Corrugated metal water tower, the unmarked transmitter site entrance road was nearly hidden and I had to make a cautious, near 180 degree turn at Phil`s direction to start the final climb through a private gate of the unmarked road up the mountain side. This billy-goat trail of a car`s width or less was long ago carved up the steep western slope of the 705 meter mountain. In low gear and minimum speed, I concentrated on the frequent switchbacks, avoiding the eroded gullies in the outer fringe of this vertical challenge to truck and Man. No guard rails protected us from a spectacular, surely fatal tumble had we lost traction or made any driving error. Only a foot or two in some of the eroded spots separated us from the chasm`s edge. Straining all the way, we finally surfaced at the top right next to the transmitter building. My relief was obvious, and Ernest came out to greet and congratulate us. The peak is not all that high, at 2,313 feet, but it is very steep and sheer on the way up or down. The view atop was utterly spectacular, but more of that later. About 7.7 acres of the flat top of the mountain are leased by KVOH, and most of that was taken up by the directional, log periodic transmitter antenna. Comprised of a logarithmic progression of links strung between two 150 foot tower poles in a descending, roughly triangular array, with the lower blunt point aimed 100 degrees true heading at the target audience of Cuba, the effect of all that wire, the guying, and the insulated supports was awesome. The base of the array was just out of our overhead reach, and the effect of standing under 1,500,000 Watts of effective radiated power (ERP) was almost overwhelming. There was a silence in the rarefied atmosphere high up there on this windless day. Imposing, and serene in the early morning mist below the peak, was this man-made giant transmitting antenna. I immediately rued not thinking to bring a camera. Ernest broke my reverie with his favorite demonstration. He had gone back into the shack to get a fluorescent lamp tube, and there, under the antenna, gave us a light show modulated at the audio rate of the carrier, faintly visible in the now bright sunshine above the fog and haze that lay far below. The morning broadcast was on 17795 kHz with the easy listening music and the announcer`s Spanish clearly visible in the magic light show held in Ernest`s hand. Back in the little office, we shared the donuts Phil had brought his friend with coffee and got acquainted. They had pointed out to me both a ham antenna on the north tower as well as the microwave dish link aimed at the KVOH studio back in the City of Simi Valley far to the northwest below. Ernest had been monitoring a 20 meter net on a Yaesu FT-767. Born in the Dominican Republic, he came to America with his mother when he was 12. Now 50 (in 1994), he recalled building his first crystal set in his country. He was told he needed a galena (lead sulphide) crystal and a magnet upon which to wind very fine wire; both items presented a challenge to find. He could only get one station, and only one person could hear it at a time through the earphones, so he was soon commissioned to build like sets for all his relatives. As he related his beginnings in radio, I was reminded of the similar scratch-built crystal set I made in 1942 in Minnesota when nine and how I got the lifelong radio bug. Ernest (N6LQ) and Phil (K6UJO) are licensed Amateur Radio Operators and neighbors in Newbury Park and usually work 2 meters mobile. Ernest likes the part-time work at the site for the solitude it offers, but he clearly enjoyed our company on this eventful day. We go through the heavy door that has blocked most of the transmitter`s transformer hum. I am shown an elderly 50,000 watt RCA BTH100F transmitter, serial number 3, made under license by Marconi in Italy. The entire history of the transmitter is unknown, but it had been used by HCJB in Quito, Ecuador, before being installed here on the mountain in 1985. When something breaks, repair is complicated by the metric threads of everything. I can relate; finding 3 millimeter bolt threads in the top bows of my Alfa Romeo Spider. We talk over the dull roar of 50,000 watts operated non-linear class C with 45 degrees phase separation each channel, in what Phil, my patient tutor, calls the Ampliphase process. The Lissajous figures on the small oscilloscope face simplify the explanation, as Phil sketches the circuit and shows the phase shifts alternately, while illustrating how distortion is controlled. I learn the 50,000 watt transmitter really operates as two, with one exciter and a combiner. With 14.5 dB gain in the huge log periodic array outside, the 50,000 Watt rating becomes 1,500,000 Watts of ERP. The antenna puts out a 21 degree beam width. The half-power beam width covers Africa and much of South America from this site. Ernest is quick to show me the power meters, and explains they have recently incorporated a dynamic carrier control (DCC) process, where the power drops dramatically during little or no carrier program modulation. DCC is a means of making amplitude modulation more efficient by reducing the energy consumption of the transmitter without degrading performance. When modulation is low, the amount of carrier power required to transmit the AM signal is less than when modulation is high. DCC controls the carrier power dynamically as modulation changes according to a three function curve developed by Asea Brown Boveri and is described in their publication CH-E 3.10814.1E. The carrier level is adjusted as a function of the audio level in a three region curve. In region III, the carrier is dropped in direct proportion to the audio input so that the transmitter is 100% modulated. In region II, the carrier is kept at the same level so that, if the modulation stayed in this region, it would act as a standard AM transmitter. The carrier is increased in Region 1 so that co-channel interference is less evident during low level audio. According to Ernest, the savings on the station`s electric bill have already been ``tremendous.`` Averaged over long periods of transmission time, reductions of 40% to 50% in power consumption are achieved. I have been able to log KVOH on my DX-302 and FRG-8800 on 9785 and 17775 kHz ``behind`` the antenna about 34 miles away on the coast, but both Phil and Ernest live in mountain shadows of the site. 9785 will be abandoned and permanently changed to 7415 on 31 October 1994. (Alas, nothing is permanent: 7415 is in 2003 now 9975 kHz). George Jacobs is the station`s frequency and propagation consultant. ``He`s everybody`s consultant,`` exhorts Ernest, with a quick, respectful grin. Showing me the guts of the dual transmitter, it takes much of Ernest`s strength to heft a spare output tube. There are four Machlett ML669A`s rated at 10,000 Watts each. The rebuilt price (in 1994) of one of these babies is $8,000, something to keep in mind when listening to our reliable solid state short wave receivers, and to consider as to how these private stations are financially supported. I am interested in the way their transmitter frequencies are established and am shown an ADRET 3300 frequency synthesizer. Set by the engineer to the transmitter frequency required, it has a range from 300 Hz to 50 MHz. Per FCC frequency requirements, the amplified transmitter output frequency is tapped and monitored on a Philips PM6662 frequency counter. The output was within 3 Hz or less of KVOH`s carrier while I watched. Very good, indeed! The inside workings of the shack impress me as much as the antenna and outside mountain vistas. Back outside and out of the din, I am in absolute awe of the forever view to the southeast from the antenna base`s aimpoint. The Chatsworth Reservoir is far below us to the right, and the entire San Fernando valley with the Los Angeles basin well beyond. I make a mental note to return again on a clearer day, and pause as I realize I still have to drive Phil and me down that terror of a mountain road. The exact location coordinates of the site are 34 deg 15 min 23 sec N, and 118 deg 38 min 29 sec W. Ernest fills me with continuous friendly trivia that establishes one can get used to such superlative perspectives. The owner of this mountain who leases to top to KVOH climbs the 150 foot poles without a safety belt to replace the red aircraft clearance lights when they burn out. One would have to make an invited trip to the site yourself to appreciate the view from the portable outhouse perched on the mesa edge. The ``throne`` takes on an entirely new meaning at this lofty place. From various parts of the 118 Freeway below, only the two tall poles are visible to mark the antenna, because of the distance involved. On a clear night, the two red clearance light may be seen blinking their warning to aircraft from parts of that freeway. I am certain most commuters pass by on 118 daily without ever realizing the presence of a shortwave transmitter far above, or the fact these lights mark the KVOH site. Ernest gets on the phone and speaks Spanish to the morning studio announcer about our impending visit. The announcer speaks no English and will be off duty after we arrive past noon, so is instructed to brief Pat Kowalick, the afternoon announcer, of our planned visit. The microwave receiver on the mountain is a MOD 8601A STL operating in the 900 MHz band. KVOH has a backup telephone line from the studio to the transmitter in case of a microwave link failure. The one-foot microwave wavelength can be modulated by raindrops during rare Southern California showers, causing a flutter modulation in the audio signal. This fact was to me a unique new source of QRM. I know Ernest has enjoyed our visit, inviting me to return. ``Come back tomorrow,`` he says, as Phil and I buckle up for the precarious trip down. A Visit to the KVOH Studio --- by Doug Robertson, KCA6XO, Oxnard, CA This is part two (somewhat condensed) of a report of a 1994 visit of Doug Robertson and Bill Bartlett, K6UJO, to the KVOH transmitter site and studio. In September, 1994, after returning down the mountain transmitter site road to its Box Canyon Road intersection, Bill Bartlett and I reversed our morning drive and turned westward on the 118 Freeway to the First Street offramp 23 which becomes Enchanted Way. The KVOH studio building is located at 990 Enchanted Way, Suite 101, overlooking the freeway ramps in Simi Valley, CA. The building is large and of modern purpose-built construction with the microwave dish link to the transmitter site on the roof. We entered the imposing lobby and were graciously met there by Pat Kowalick, who was expecting us. To the left of the lobby are the control room and sound studios. The control room has windows to the parking lot and I mused that could be a distraction, with the control console, microphone, vu meters, mixers, decks, and turntable all in front of the windows. Sound studios for productions and recording of interviews, etc. were adjacent. I noted an AMPEX 600 series 10 inch tape deck cart, identical to the one I had when I worked at the Naval Missile Center`s Bioacoustics Branch, in one of the sound studios. Good equipment, indeed. Pat`s afternoon program on 17,775 kHz was partly recorded, so he had an opportunity to episodically discuss with us his background and the aims of the station`s broadcasts. He received his degree in broadcast communications from Cal State Northridge while working part time in the campus radio station. A Christian with noble goals, his work at KVOH was a natural career placement. For each program he would select a theme, say from the Bible, and build a words and music production around it. Pat called it ``Christian radio for non-Christians.`` He provided us with an undated KVOH broadcast rate schedule that showed the King of Hope middle east station on 6280, the Wings of Hope Russia station on 11530 summer and 9960 winter, the Voice of Hope China on 9830, the Voice of Hope, India/Indonesia on 9965, 17630, and 15395, and the Voice of Hope Americas on 17775. The booklet further sorted out languages available, transmitter costs by time week, times year, in 15, 30, and 60 minute blocks, and country coverage by transmitter sites. The China and India/Indonesia coverage is from the Palau transmitter. Some middle east coverage by MW and FM was also being offered in 1994. Pat would pause to give required station IDs on the hour and half- hour, effortlessly, it seemed, on exact time without skipping a beat - the mark of a seasoned pro. He provided us with copies of the Radio Ministries founder George Otis` soft bound book ``Voice of Hope.`` This is a good read on the founding of a Christian radio station in Lebanon in the 1979-1981 period, the King of Hope shortwave station with call letters KING, that broadcast in many languages. Otis, a dynamic Protestant evangelist who underwent a dramatic conversion in the mid 1960s, had been general manager of Learjet, Inc., in Santa Monica. His familiarity with high tech and his entrepreneurial spirit helped build the Voice of Hope into a $3 million ministry, through generous supporter donations and fees paid by other ministries who want their programs aired globally. Otis` office rooms are decorated with many photos of him with Pat Boone, Ronald Reagan, and Israeli leaders Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Rabin. The idea for the broadcast ministry grew out of tours George and Virginia Otis led to Israel in the 1970s. Together, Otis` stations claimed they reached more than 200 countries in nearly 20 languages in 1994. In 1986, KVOH signed on the air to bring the Christian Gospel to Spanish speaking peoples of Cuba, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Otis` book was copyrighted in 1983 and details the planning of the KVOH station in the epilogue titled ``What Next?`` Key to this undertaking, of course, was finding a suitable Southern California mountain top transmitter site and moneys to build and equip the new station. In 1994, a full array of programs could be heard in 73 countries and KVOH was claimed to be the most listened to station in many Latin communities. We returned to the lobby, where the station`s managing director`s office was seen through a glass wall. The other offices were through a locked door at the lobby`s end on this Saturday afternoon as Pat was the only employee in the building. A fascinating look at the station`s overseas listener small radios was provided us. KVOH buys these and ``thousands`` have been mailed to foreign listeners in the target audiences. Housed in a blue plastic case 2.5`` by 3.5`` by 2`` and powered by a 3 volt DC solar panel that tilts 45o or 90o on detents, the only control is a off-lo-hi volume control switch. No tuning, two frequency crystal controlled in a simple pocket presentation, there is an antenna jack with 6 feet of wire and a headset jack. Phil picked up one and turned it on in the lobby. Pat`s afternoon program on 17775 was loud and clear on the built in speaker. Ever curious, Phil disconnected the solar cell. The radio continued to play. ``Hmm, must have some sort of storage device,`` he said. The KVOH receivers were obtained (1994) from GALCOM, Hamilton, Ontario, for $4.00 each. It had been a marvelous experience for us to visit both KVOH sites. We were shown wonderful hospitality. We departed on a high note and wish to thank all who made our experience possible. Note: Subsequent to this 1994 visit, the King of Hope facilities in Lebanon were destroyed in a terrorist raid. They were listed through year 2000 schedule publications, but not for 2001. References: ``Voice of Hope`` by George Otis, Special High Adventure Edition, High Adventure Ministries, Van Nuys, 214 p., illustr. 1983 ``Global Gospel`` by Maja Beckstrom, Oxnard Star Newspaper, June 1, 1996. (SW Center, NASWA Journal, Sept-Oct, via editor Jerry Lineback, DXLD) ** U S A. Ham Radio to be Part of Constitution/Cassin Young ``Turnaround Cruise`` NEWINGTON, CT, Oct 6, 2003 -- Amateur Radio special event stations will be a part of the biennial ``Turnaround Cruise`` Saturday, October 11 in Boston Harbor. Two famous ships -- the USS Constitution (``Old Ironsides``) and the USS Cassin Young -- will traverse Boston Harbor, exchanging cannon salutes with the fort on Castle Island. The ships then will meet with the guided missile destroyer USS Chaffee and head back to the Old Boston Navy Yard Pier. Special event station N1S will operate from onboard the Constitution, WW2DD will be on the air from the Cassin Young, KS4E and KF6MLK will operate from the USS Chaffee and N1B will operate from a kiosk on the pier. Members of the USS Cassin Young and USS Salem radio clubs will staff both the shipboard and shoreside stations. ``We will have a PA system connected to the radios, so that visitors on the pier can hear what is going on,`` said Bob Callahan, W1QWT, of the USS Cassin Young Radio Club. ``We will be on 40, 20, 17, 10 and 2 meters. There will also be a receiver tuned to the Boston Pilot Coast Guard frequency.`` Callahan -- who was sworn into the US Navy onboard the USS Constitution in 1968 -- said the general public is encouraged to attend. As its ham radio call sign suggests, the USS Cassin Young is a World War II-era destroyer, now a museum ship, berthed in the Old Boston Navy Yard at the same pier as the USS Constitution. The USS Chaffee will arrive in Boston Harbor to accompany the USS Constitution -- America`s oldest commissioned warship. Amateur operations will start around 1230 UT (8:30 AM EDT). Shipboard operations will end around 1700 UT (1 PM EDT), Callahan said. Boston Navy Yard Station N1B will remain on the air until approximately 1900 UTC (3 PM). Operators aboard the USS Chaffee plan to remain on the air while the vessel is at anchor. The stations will operate on or near 7.260, 14.260, 18.160 and 28.360 MHz on SSB as well as on or near 7.290 and 29.120 MHz on AM and 14.039 MHz for CW. On 2 meter FM, operation will be on 146.52 MHz simplex and on the 145.39 repeater in Scituate, Massachusetts. As time permits, operators may access some Boston repeaters as well. Situation reports will air on 18.16 MHz SSB and 146.52 MHz FM every half hour, Callahan said. W1QWT is the QSL manager for N1S and N1B, while K1RMC is the QSL manager for WW2DD. All QSL requests require an SASE. For this event only, any QSLs for operators aboard the USS Chaffee should go to W1QWT, who will forward them to the proper FPO address. For additional information and updates, visit the USS Cassin Young Radio Club Web site http://www.qsl.net/ww2dd Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. CAN'T LEAD FROM BEHIND! By Larry Van Horn, N5FPW Monitoring Times Assistant Editor . . .Over the last year many radio hobbyists, current and former MARS members, and others have watched closely the on-the-air activities of all three DoD MARS programs. The purpose of conducting this monitoring surveillance was to see if the Army IG report had any effect in making the MARS programs more effective in the accomplishment of their primary mission. To quote one member of the MARS program, "In the opinion of many of the individuals who monitored and watched the successes or failures of MARS during the past year, little has improved, and disaster after disaster, emergency after emergency, MARS has done little to show progress in corrective action to maintain the readiness of MARS for its primary mission." . . . http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/mtclosing.html ("Closing Comments" Editorial Monitoring Times® October 2003 via DXLD) ** U S A. WD2XXM (presumed), Frederick, Maryland (also presumed), 1670. Heard here 1745-1830 EDT (2145-2245 UT) 10/6 with rock solid signal which looped roughly to the NW of my QTH. Frederick is about 35 miles to the WNW of here. The "audio" was digital white noise and blew away 1660. I could null out enough of the splash on 1680 to hear New Jersey. The signal disappeared at exactly 1830 EDT (2230 UT) 10/6 leaving presumed WRNC in the clear. It is interesting that the station which did the digital tests several years ago was also on 1670. Coincidence? This is a probably the experimental station licensed to iBiquity Digital Corporation, Columbia, Maryland. See the following URL http://www.ibiquity.com/contact/index.htm This station was also heard by DXers in April this year. I heard the same company broadcast an FM station, WD2XAB, using Digital from Columbia, Maryland on 93.5 in June 1998 (Bill Harms - Elkridge, MD, NRD-525 with a K9AY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I heard the new Chicago MW station WRLL 1690 testing this afternoon. I'm attaching a short MP3 file with a "top of the hour" ID. Good daytime signal here in Janesville. Regards, (David Zantow, N9EWO, Janesville, WI, Oct 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Probably on WOR 1202 Yes, I heard WRLL as I drove home in my CR-V (~9 PM) tonight, in Middleton. Thought it might be them - heard an Elvis song - a big ole' hunka hunka love - then a promo by Uncle Lar and Lil Tommy announcing "We're baaaaaack!!". Uncle Lar mentioned some of the highlights "...aaaaaaaand Animal Stories". Not real strong on my car radio, but in the right place at the right time they're easily picked out (Jim Hermanson, UT Oct 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WRLL 1690 is on the air --- sounds like full power. First heard them around 3:15 PM CDT from work at Morris, Ill. Good signal at 60 miles. Solid signal here at home at 4:10PM. ID as Berwyn.- Chicago. Playing oldies - heavy with Elvis. Larry Lujak gave a short announcement (Tom Jasinski, Shorewood, IL, Oct 7, NRC-AM via DXLD) Playing tons of Sinatra and some Elvis and other stuff. Occasional theme songs from 50's shows and and occasional song from an old commercial. Much of what they play sounds more like NOS to me dating back to early 50's. No commericals yet and the only call ID's heard were with legal ID at 1601 and 1702 CDT. The Real Oldies 1690 slogan is used during breaks which occur every few songs. Later: My new local, Oldies 1690 Berrwyn/ Chicago dropped to nite power as it should. This should be a very easy catch for most of you if you try for it via SSS near or SRS preferable near the end of this month when they will be more darkness when they are on day power 73 KAZ, 37 miles NW of WRLL (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) Ydun, Glenn, The FCC this afternoon issued "limited program test authority" allowing commencement of normal programming operation by the Berwyn, Illinois station, WRLL, 1690. The antenna system is diplexed with the 1390 Chicago station WGCI (Ben Dawson, WA, Oct. 7, 2003, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FOLK SITE MADE IN OHIO, OFFERED TO WORLD OF FANS Originally published in Current, Sept. 22, 2003, By Steve Behrens Starting this month, WKSU-FM has begun repurposing the time-tested folk-music service that it produces for northeastern Ohio to create what it hopes will be a world-class folk-music webcast. Folk Alley http://www.folkalley.com will outshine other folk-music sites on the Web because it has the musical consistency and professional hosting of Jim Blum, WKSU’s longtime folk deejay, says Eric Nuzum, program director. It has the same mix of singer-songwriter cuts, rootsy Americana, Celtic, star folkies and world music that Blum chooses for WKSU’s weekend evenings. Blum’s Sunday-night shows from the past 14 months provide the core of Folk Alley. . . http://www.current.org/stream/stream0317folk.html (Current via DXLD) ** U S A. 15 US SPANISH-LANGUAGE RADIO STATIONS TO CHANGE HANDS Miami-based Radio Única Communications Corp. has agreed to sell its 15 Spanish-language radio stations to New York-based Multicultural Radio Broadcasting Inc. for about $150 million. The transaction, subject to approval by a bankruptcy court, is part of a "prepackaged bankruptcy," said a statement from Radio Única. The firm plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy at the end of the month. The deal should be completed by the second quarter of next year, and the stations will continue broadcasting in the meantime. The new owner, Multicultural Radio, already operates 34 stations in the United States, with broadcasts in languages such as Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Russian and Spanish (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 7 October 2003 via DXLD) Radio Única is selling its 15-station group to Arthur Liu's Multicultural Radio for $150 million. Multicultural gets a fourth and fifth station in New York, WWRU 1660 Jersey City NJ and WJDM 1530 Elizabeth NJ (though WJDM is LMA'd out with Spanish religion); a sixth station in Los Angeles, KBLA 1580 Santa Monica CA; a second and third station in Miami, WNMA 1210 and WJCC 1700 Miami Springs FL; as well as KAHZ 1360 Hurst/Dallas/Fort Worth TX, KZDC 1250 San Antonio TX, WNTD 950 Chicago, KIDR 740 Phoenix AZ, KVJY 840 Pharr/Brownsville TX, KWRU 940 Fresno CA, KATD 990 Pittsburg/Sacramento CA, KIQI 1010 San Francisco CA, KQTL 1210 Sahuarita/Tucson AZ and KXYZ 1320 Houston TX. From the news at 100000watts.com Does this spell the end for Radio Única? Honestly I think these stations are a bargain at that price! Comments and opinions welcome (Neil Kazaross, Oct 7, NRC-AM via DXLD) Única only sold the stations, not the network, to Liu. Given the horrible results of the net, whoever gets it will probably buy pieces like the long-term sports packages. It would surprise me if there is a Única a year from now, as the concept was defective from the get-go. Considering that the stations are all AM and most do not cover the entire MSA (Metro Survey Area), the came out with a pretty good price. Liu is in a unique position to convert bad signals to good revenues by using his model, which is brokering to the smaller ethnic communities. Except for the Fresno station, none of the stations cover the entire market day and night. A number, like KBLA, don't do it in the daytime, either (David F. Gleason, ibid.) ** VENEZUELA. GLOBOVISIÓN UTILIZA FRECUENCIAS DE MANERA ILEGAL PARA SUS MICROONDAS Hola Glenn, saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA El pasado día viernes una delegación de CONATEL hizo acto de presencia en las instalaciones del canal "informativo", Globovisión, ubicado en la Alta Florida, Caracas. La causa del hecho: Globovisión ha venido utilizando frecuencias de manera ilegal para sus enlaces de microondas. Sí señores y esa es una práctica muy en boga en los distintos canales comerciales del país. Así como evaden millones de bolívares en impuestos (y luego hablan de libertad de expresión y de integridad), también los canales comerciales de televisión han quebrantado el Reglamento de Telecomunicaciones al emitir propaganda de guerra y manipular la información para provocar confusión y caos en el país, entre otras cosas. Lamentablemente para ellos, no lo han logrado. Globovisión es la punta de lanza de la desestabilización mediática vernacular; un canal que en vez de informar oportuna y objetivamente, monta "shows" de quinta categoría con cosas tan elementales y lógicas como el decomiso de equipos utilizados sin la permisología correspondiente. Y eso fue lo que ocurrió el pasado viernes, que muy lejos de ser la clausura del canal fue la confiscación de aparatos de microondas. Por supuesto, no faltaron los "opinadores sin oficio" y "defensores del libertinaje de expresión", quienes enseguida pusieron el grito en el cielo y dijeron que el gobierno "castro-comunista" de Chávez añoraba cerrar Globovisión. Habría que preguntarle a los "intelectuales" de la oposición desesperada el significado de esa terminología tan manoseada por ellos denominada alegremente como "castro-comunismo". De verdad que para decir tamaña barbaridad hay que ser bien iletrado. Y es allí donde toda esa clase de oposición demuestra su inmensa ignorancia. Entonces, ¿cómo no van a armar un escándalo por las microondas? Si tan sólo desean el mínimo pretexto para ir a "llorar" a la Sociedad "Intergaláctica" de Prensa y a la AIR, y gritar que en Venezuela no hay libertad de expresión o que Chávez es Milosevic (¡!). Son tan ignorantes (o manipuladores), que las microondas ilegales terminaron siendo casi el cierre de Globovisión, en todos los titulares y notas "informativas" del día viernes...¿no es eso desinformación? Si, por ejemplo, en Estados Unidos usted usa ilegalmente una frecuencia, usted luego no puede "patalear" y reclamar "derechos". Usted está violando la ley y debe asumir las consecuencias de ello. No creo que la FCC dude en sancionar a alguien por hacer mella en las leyes federales de comunicaciones. ¿Verdad Glenn? Si en un supuesto caso Globovisión llegara a ser cerrada, eso no sería ningún atentado a la libertad de expresión. Eso sería la reivindicación del derecho a la información de millones de venezolanos. ¿Y por qué? Veamos. Desde diciembre pasado reposan en CONATEL miles de denuncias apoyadas en videos y grabaciones, de cientos de violaciones a la Ley de Telecomunicaciones vigente por parte de Globovisión y de otros canales comerciales, las cuales conllevarían (si son aplicadas) a la revocación definitiva de las concesiones de (al menos) los 4 principales canales de televisión del país. Pregunta: en esta encrucijada, ¿no es lógico que la histeria se apodere del colectivo comunicacional privado? Sería muy raro lo contrario. Por todos los puntos antes expuestos y como comunicador social que soy, reitero una vez más el total clima de libertad de expresión en el marco del proceso revolucionario bolivariano. Duélale a quien le duela, sea aquí o en Japón. Me llama la atención de que sea precisamente, Alberto Federico Ravell, presidente de Globovisión, quien esté hablando de "violaciones a la libertad de expresión". Este personaje tuvo una activa participación en el GOLPE DE ESTADO FASCISTA del 11 de abril de 2002 y nos negó el derecho a la información a todos los venezolanos en el "blackout" del 11, 12 y 13 de abril de ese mismo año. Otras perlas: el mismo día del GOLPE DE ESTADO, Alberto Federico Ravell llamó por teléfono a la entonces Primera Dama, Marisabel Rodríguez y le dijo que ella podía estar tranquila, que "el problema era con Chávez". ¿Un presidente de un canal de noticias haciendo ese tipo de comentarios? Otra de Alberto Federico Ravell: durante el sabotaje petrolero de diciembre y enero pasados, ante la pregunta de un periodista del canal estatal, el señor "libertad de expresión" se abalanzó sobre el reportero y lo agredió verbalmente. Me imagino que así actúa el "intachable" Ravell cuando sus asalariados no hacen lo que él quiere. Saludos, (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Oct 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It seems to me that both sides are being very disingenuous about the Globovisión affair. Yes, technically the microwave links may have been unauthorized --- but surely the Chavistas were looking for any excuse to crack down on the station, with unnecessary roughness. On the other hand, putting those off the air has apparently not impeded the network`s actual broadcasts (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) VENEZUELAN EMBASSY REPLIES TO US STATEMENTS ON ACTION AGAINST GLOBOVISION TV | Text of report in English by Venezuelan pro- government VENews web site on 7 October Venezuela's Washington Embassy has issued an official statement on concerns expressed by US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher on the legal confiscation by Venezuela's Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (Conatel) of several microwave transmission equipment (ENG units) which were used illegally by 24/7 TV news channel Globovisión. According to Boucher, the US State Department is "very worried" about President Chávez' attempts to the silence news channel. He said "freedom of expression is an essential feature of democracy". Conatel had swooped last Friday [3 October] to seize microwave ENG equipment used by Globovisión without regulatory permission on the 7 and 11 GHz bands. Clearly, the seizure does not impair the TV station's ability to broadcast, since it has remained on-air throughout the seizure operation and continues to broadcast today without interruption. Put in simple terms: Conatel acted after Globovisión refused repeated requests to comply with routine applications to request legal authorization to transmit on the microwave bands. Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Human Rights Commission president Jose Zalaqquet is reported as saying that he is gathering further information after issuing a temporary injunction ordering the return of the confiscated equipment to Globovisión in the immediate aftermath of the Conatel seizure. He says the injunction was issued as a preventive measure in view of allegations of human rights violations. OAS Secretary-General César Gaviria had also issued a statement within just hours of the incident stating that legalities surrounding the seizure of Globovisión's illegal equipment should be cleared up as soon as possible, so that it may "in no way be interpreted as obstructing or diminishing freedom of expression". The Venezuelan embassy's response to Boucher's critique is as follows: "The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela wishes to remind the State Department's spokesman Richard Boucher, and the United States general public, that the government of Venezuela is, and has always been, respectful of the constitution, the law and freedom of expression in our country. The measure taken against Globovisión has to do with their illegal use of the radio electrical spectrum. This procedure follows the law and can be compared to the similar procedures normally carried out by the Federal Communications Commission in the United States against illegal broadcasters. The government of Venezuela has respected freedom of _expression at all times, even when some private media took an active role in the failed coup d'état of April 2002 and the attempted effort to paralyze our economy December-January 2003. With regard to the concerns expressed by Mr Boucher, we would like to assert that the rule of law prevails in Venezuela, as proven by the recent decisions taken by the Supreme Court and the National Electoral Council on the referendum processes. It is important to notice that exaggerated and biased reactions with inaccurate information could stimulate violence in our country. This is something we should avoid at all cost." It should, however, be noted that US and OAS statements on the Globovisión issue are in sharp contrast with their patent lack of action last July, when opposition Caracas Metropolitan Mayor Alfredo Pena ordered the confiscation of all of community TV station Catia TVe's broadcast and production equipment. At the time, there were no official statements from Mr Gaviria, the OAS or US officials against the mayor's actions effectively crippling Catia TVe which serves working-class areas of western Caracas. It is also noted that the frequency of negative comments about the Venezuelan government by US officials has significantly increased over the last few months. The United States of America was quick to support Dictator-for-a-Day Pedro Carmona after the April 2002 coup d'état against President Hugo Chávez and US Ambassador to Venezuela, Charles S. Shapiro paid a visit to Carmona at the Miraflores Presidential Palace just as Carmona issued a decree abolishing Venezuela's constitution, dismissing all state governors and dissolving both the National Assembly (AN) and the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ). The US and Venezuelan print and broadcast media's support of the coup d'état against Chávez is already well charted. Source: VENews web site in English 7 Oct 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ALGERIA, 1550 kHz, Polisario Front, Tindouf, noticed today Oct 6th 0650-0758* \\ to 7460 kHz, airing Arabic program with talks, news 0700 and tunes; both channels s/off without any announcement, and the Rabuni transmitter for 7460 kHz had its carrier still on at around 0930! 55444 for the MW channel, 35343 for the SW channel. I was trying 7460 this morning before moving to their NEW MW [evening, ed.] off-channel outlet (on the "opposite side" of the band, on ?00 kHz) I discovered on Oct 3rd 2229-2300* at 54444, but today they were back on 1550 kHz, possibly a freq for mornings only, I don't know. On Oct 3rd, the former freq had its Moroccan jammer station active though... meaning they probably didn't discover Tindouf's new frequency yet, which is equal to the frequency of station WDHP American Virgin Islands. Station Frederiksted, USVI, minus 920 kHz. I'm sorry for being rather devious about this, but I'd like to observe the situation and see for how long the new channel remains without jamming (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX Oct 6) (later) Polisario Front's MW frequency mornings seems to the old one only, 1550 kHz, \\ to 7460, but today 7 Oct they're \\ on 3 freqs: the new one (??? kHz), the old one (1550 kHz) and at least on 7460 kHz too. No jamming heard mornings, and no jamming detected this evening either (this applies to all 3 frequencies). In view of this, maybe ??? is even via some other (RTA too?) site. At any rate, I can receive them both at equal QSA levels via the K9AY aerial. RTA Djelfa (that's nearly 250 km south of Algiers) is listed with 50/25 kW, but it's too far from the intended target area (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, --- all BC-DX Oct 7 via DXLD) Morocco is listed with a 600 kW transmitter on the presumed adjacent frequency in Laayoune, Western Sahara, heard by North American DXers for years (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. MYSTERY TRANSMISSION - At 2230 UT on 09/39/03 [sic!] I came across continuous music on 5104 kHz. Many of you may recall the type of music that accompanied older animated cartoons. This is what this music sounded like. There were no announcements, just one tune after another. I listened well over 35 minutes. A few days later, 10/01/03, at 0023, I discovered a religious broadcast exactly on the same frequency. I surmise the transmissions were from the same station and the reason for the music was perhaps for transmission checking and/or adjustment purposes (Don Schimmel, Radio Intrigue at dxing.com Oct 1 via DXLD) Would you believe WBCQ? But that`s on 5105 (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. Pirate? 6500.000 KC AM. 0100-0200 UT Oct 7. SIO 443. Broadcast in English, playing oldies, many mentions of QSLing. Carrier was zero beat on 6500.000 KC AM. Audio level was very low though. Missed ID every time due to a lot of QSB (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. For two days I have been hearing an unidentified station using 7260. On Oct. 5th it was traced c1535 at weak strength playing non-de-script music with occasional announcements using a language I could not recognise. It was covered by VOA via Udorn making a crash start at 1600 with their Hindi programme. On Oct. 6th there were traces of "something" on 7260 before 1500, but after that hour I could again hear music - sounding like 'dreamy' SE Asian pop music we sometimes find on stations from that area and intro by a woman. A man and woman were heard talking at 1519 and then the music continued as before. The signal was again weak and splash came from AIR 7255 [til 1545] and SWDR 7265. The VOA again blocked the frequency from 1600 [active until 1700]. I re-tuned 7260 c1728 and found what seemed to be the same station with a slightly better signal. The language sounded "something like" Arabic at tune in, then music followed and varied from Indian like to Middle Eastern like. Iran came on frequency at 1750 and started Russian at 1800. I don't find anything listed for 7260 at 1500 or 1730. Can anyone identify this signal? 73s, (Noel R. Green [north-west England], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) From many years there is an unidentified station in mandarin on 7260. Also ILGradio reports this signal just like an unidentified station (Roberto Scaglione, Italy, ibid.) Hi Noel et al, it seems to be Mongolian Radio // 4895 and 4830. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) I can confirm that 7260 kHz is part of the frequency reshuffle and SW network reconstruction that is taking place in Mongolia at the moment. Mongolia has registered 7260 with the ITU for Ulaanbaatar 50 kW (2100- 0800). Note - this is the registration data, the actual usage might be different. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania ibid.) MONGOLIA. 25 Sep, 2155-2205: discovered that Mongolian Radio transmits two domestic programs in SW: the 1st goes on 4865 and 4895, the second can be heard on 4830 and 7260 kHz. I think both started at 2100 (open_dx - Feodor Brazhnikov, Irkutsk, Russia via Signal Oct 7 via DXLD) Re the station using 7260. Thanks to comments from Mauno Ritola, Bernd Trutenau and others, this does seem to be Mongolia until 1600, when VOA Hindi takes over the frequency. It was traced today from before 1430 but only became "usable" after about 1500. However, when the VOA dropped carrier after Hindi at 1700, 7260 seemed clear. But a station appeared at c1801 without opening procedure. A woman was reading the news - according to several references made - and the language appeared to be Arabic, but "accented". The news finished at 1715 and a man accompanied by some martial music was heard followed by chanting or singing at 1725 followed by more songs until around 1748 when a discussion started. Iran blocked the frequency at 1755. So, my apologies - there are actually two stations, not one. 73s (Noel R. Green, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) This observation fits in with some of Noel's observations of the unidentified station on 7260 kHz, but not of course the "Indian/Middle Eastern" bit. I currently regularly hear Mongolian National Radio sign on at 2200 on 7260, 4830, 4895 kHz, haven't checked this in the afternoons yet (Dave Kernick, UK, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ DRM is moving steadily ahead, to eventually replace DSB AM for international HF broadcasting. At the time of writing, 18 broadcasters are using DRM, some with regular services, others on a test basis. These broadcasters have recently entered the DRM arena, and this is the latest available schedule: Vatican Radio: 1955-2030 on 9800 to NAm via Sackville, English CRI: 0000-0059 on 9755 to NAm via Sackville, English Radio Sweden: 2230-2300 on 9800 to NAm in English The other broadcasters are: Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, BBC, RTL, VOA, Christian Voice, Radio Farda, RCI, RFA, Radio Sawaa, biteXpress Campus Radio (Erlangen), TDF, and Campus Radio (Nuremberg). You may be interested to check these channels, all with 24-hr DRM programming: 15822.5 biteXpress Campus Radio, Erlangen, Germany, German 25765 TDF Radio, Rennes, France, French 26000 Campus Radio, Nuremberg, Germany, German The only DRM service specifically to Australia (A03) is Radio Netherlands, via the Bonaire relay, 0430-0530 Sa/Su, English, with 10 kW, azimuth 230 degrees Here is the official transmission plan for regular DRM broadcasts B03: 5975 0915-1305 Juelich (Germany) DTK, to Eu 5975 1305-1500 Juelich (Germany) DTK, to Eu 7320 1000-1500 Rampisham (UK) MER, to Eu 9410 1100-1300 Rampisham (UK) MER, to Eu 9760 1100-1300 Juelich (Germany) DTK, to Eu 9800 2100-0100 Sackville (Canada), RCI, to NAm 15715 0900-1330 Juelich (Germany) DTK, to Eu 21735 1130-1300 Juelich (Germany) DTK, to India DTK=Deutsche Telekom MER=Merlin RCI=Radio Canada International Note that some channels carry services from various broadcasters. Other DRM transmissions will be available on an as-required test basis, and the actual operating schedule is developed during the season. There are also DRM test broadcasts on mediumwave from several transmitters in Germany, as the technology is also being assessed and developed for MF broadcasting. VT MERLIN DEVELOPMENTS Two 500 kW HF Marconi transmitters at Rampisham, SW England, have been converted to DRM, which provide daily DRM services for several international broadcasters. Work is in progress for the conversion of a third 500 kW HF Marconi transmitter at the same site (AIB via EDXP Oct 1 via BC-DX Oct 6 via DXLD) see also TAIWAN B-03 DRM in the T-Systems DTK schedule, all 100 kW Julich: frq start stop ciraf ant azi type day from to loc ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5975 0915 1305 28 406 60 106 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 5975 1305 1455 28 406 60/290 106 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 9760 1100 1300 27,37 308 220 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 15715 0900 1330 18,28 308 20 216 1234567 261003 280304 JUL 21735 1130 1300 41 207 90 218 1234567 261003 280304 JUL (DTK B-03 as of 17.09 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Geomagnetic activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels. Activity early in the period, 29 September – 02 October was at quiet to unsettled levels. One period of isolated minor storm conditions was observed on 03 October in connection with the elevated solar wind speed. One period of isolated active conditions were observed on 04 – 05 October. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 08 OCTOBER - 03 NOVEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from very low to low levels with a chance of isolated M-class events. Region 471 may keep activity levels somewhat enhanced with isolated M-class events possible. Region 464 is due to return to visible disk on 15 October and may have the potential for isolated M-class activity. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels 07 – 09 October and again on 17 – 26 October. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. Residual coronal hole effects are expected on 08 October and could produce active to isolated minor storm levels. A large coronal hole is due to return on 14 – 22 October and is expected to produce major storm levels. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Oct 07 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Oct 07 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Oct 08 110 15 3 2003 Oct 09 105 10 3 2003 Oct 10 105 10 3 2003 Oct 11 105 10 3 2003 Oct 12 100 10 3 2003 Oct 13 105 30 5 2003 Oct 14 105 40 6 2003 Oct 15 110 35 6 2003 Oct 16 112 30 5 2003 Oct 17 112 25 5 2003 Oct 18 120 20 4 2003 Oct 19 125 20 4 2003 Oct 20 125 15 3 2003 Oct 21 130 30 5 2003 Oct 22 130 25 5 2003 Oct 23 130 20 4 2003 Oct 24 130 10 3 2003 Oct 25 135 10 3 2003 Oct 26 135 10 3 2003 Oct 27 130 10 3 2003 Oct 28 135 10 3 2003 Oct 29 125 10 3 2003 Oct 30 120 15 3 2003 Oct 31 120 10 3 2003 Nov 01 110 10 3 2003 Nov 02 110 10 3 2003 Nov 03 110 10 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1202, DXLD) ###