DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-073, April 30, 2004 edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits For restrixions and searchable 2004 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO EXTRA 47 [= COM 04-02]: Sat 0800 on WRN1 to Europe, Africa, Asia, Pacific Sat 0855 on WNQM Nashville 1300 Sat 1030 on WWCR 5070 Sat 1830 on WPKN Bridgeport, 89.5, webcast http://www.wpkn.org Sat 2030 on WWCR 12160 Sat 2030 on WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sat 2100 on DKOS usually, http://www.live365.com/stations/steve_cole Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 on WBCA 9330-CLSB Sun 0630 on WWCR 3210 Sun 1000 on WRN1 to North America, webcast; also KSFC 91.9 Spokane WA, and WDWN 89.1 Auburn NY; maybe KTRU 91.7 Houston TX, each with webcasts Sun 1900 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 Sun 2000 on RNI webcast, http://www.11L-rni.com Mon 0100 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 on WSUI 910, webcast http://wsui.uiowa.edu [last week`s 1228] Mon 0430 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Wed 0930 on WWCR 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 Extra 47 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx47hh.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/worx47h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0402.html WORLD OF RADIO Extra 47 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0402.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/com0402.rm WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL ON SIU EDWARDSVILLE WEB RADIO -- New Schedule for Web Radio --- SIUE Glenn, Web Radio will be running World of Radio on weekdays at various times (it will be in the rotation in our automation system) for the three-week break. World of Radio will be moving to Fridays at 1430 UT (0930 CDT), followed by alternating COM/MR at 1500 UT (1000 CDT). (E. B. Stevenson, Web Radio, April 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NETS TO YOU, MAY UPDATE: http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html ** BELARUS. Voice of Russia has expanded the lease of the transmitter in Sasnovy on 1170 from 9 to 15 hours/daily. Most of the additional time was assigned to VOR's Russian-language channel "Russkoye Mezhdunarodnoye Radio". The transmitter is leased with a power of 700 kW and a directional antenna with a beam of 244 degrees. For maintenance, the transmitter is off every 1st, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 0600 to 1300 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, April 24, MWC via DXLD) ** BELGIUM [non]. The weekly transmission of Maeva FM International Saturdays on 6015 was extended by one hour to 1200-1500. Transmitter: Jülich, Germany (100 kW) (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Apr 24, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** BELGIUM [non]. TDPradio (dance music mix) is now also broadcast towards North America every Saturday 1600-1700 on 11900 (Sackville). (Source: TDP online schedule & http://baseportal.com/baseportal/drmdx/main via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LSITENING DIGEST) It's on now AT 1615 playing electronica music. Really strong signal and high SNR (28dB). (Mark J. Fine, Remington, Virginia, USA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. "Latest (1 SW) Recordings" 30/4 Listen to this recording at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com My unID 6366.80 = Radio Senado, Brasília 5990.30 Radio Senado, Brasília(Brazil) 88kb 1000 UTC 04/2004. This morning Friday I had Radio Senado, Brasília on 5990.30 kHz with the same ID as my unID here below on 6366.80 kHz at 1000 UT. What I do not know is if 6366.80 is a spur from 5990 kHz or harmonic from mediumwave. 30/Abr/2004 13:54, Saludos Cordiales desde "La Mitad del Mundo"! (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. La onda corta de Chile excepto la emisora religiosa Voz Cristiana, ha tenido altas y bajas, más que la propagación del éter, un vacío de actividad en difundir la programación cultural chilena. Muchos años atrás existió La Voz de Chile, la cual tenía en Europa y España gran sintonía; con los receptores Hammarlund de comunicaciones se podía entretener al público. Desafortunadamente, los fondos para la Voz de Chile mermaron y desapareció en WRTH 1965 con todas sus instalaciones ubicadas en una bodega de Santiago [sic]. Radio Cooperativa tuvo dos frecuencias de onda corta en 31 y 25 metros, con 1970 cerrando por costo, y es que hacer emisiones siempre y cuando significan un contacto con oyentes del exterior, por ejemplo la falta de un club de oyentes y difusión diexista. Hoy con la existencia de emisoras online en realaudio los programas diexistas llegan a todo el mundo; mi promoción DX con una emisora comunitaria en 107.3 MHz contamos con equipo computador nuevo además de renovar cada cierto tiempo página web. Nuevo horario: 1800-2000 LT, 2200-2400 UT [used to be on third Monday of month; still? Check http://www.radioprimera.cl/ May 3 and 17] El caso personal de Radio Esperanza de Temuco, acerca de no aceptar verificar emisiones con tarjeta QSl, supone motivo, discriminatorio de los evangélicos con una cerrada crítica a lo que ellos denominaron ``depresión mental``. La QSL online de Primera es próximamente previo acuerdo con el Sr. Cansino son postales de Chile con 2 IRC, datos como correo electrónico de nombre y dirección de cualquier parte de programas en audio digital las 24 horas en todo país y la dirección es Radio Primera Online, Pasaje Sendero 788, Señor Hernán Carrasco Estay, Población San Rafael, Comuna Recoleta, Santiago de CHILE, Sudamérica. Atentamente, su colega diexista, CE5524V, AER-España lista socio (Saúl Vergara V., April 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I tried to add some punxuation but still not all of this makes sense (gh) ** CHINA. INNER MONGOLIA PUBLIC RADIO AVAILABLE ONLINE The two main radio services provided by Nei Menggu (Inner Mongolia) Radio are available via live audio streams from their web site at http://www.nmrb.cn The two services on stream are the main programmes in Mandarin and Mongolian respectively, which broadcast terrestrially on shortwave, mediumwave and FM with the following schedule: Mandarin 2150-1605 gmt on 675 kHz mediumwave, 89.0 MHz FM 2150-0115 gmt on 4000, 4620, 6045 kHz shortwave 0120-0900 gmt on 7105, 7165, 9520 kHz shortwave 0905-1605 gmt on 4000, 4620, 6045 kHz shortwave 0600-0850 gmt Tuesday: Off air for maintenance Mongolian 2150-1605 gmt on 1458 kHz mediumwave, 95.9 MHz FM 2150-0040 gmt on 4525, 4785, 6195 kHz shortwave 0045-0800 gmt on 7210, 9750 kHz shortwave 0045-0830 gmt on 7270 kHz shortwave 0805-1605 gmt on 4785, 6195 kHz shortwave 0835-1605 gmt on 4525 kHz shortwave 0600-0850 gmt Tuesday: Off air for maintenance Both services and two others are also available on the following satellites: AsiaSat 2 at 100.5 degrees East on 3830 MHz, horizontal polarization; Apstar 1A at 134 degrees East on 3758 MHz, horizontal polarization. Inner Mongolia Radio is the public broadcaster for Nei Menggu Autonomous Region, a multi-ethnic region on China's northern border, contiguous with Russia and Mongolia. Source: BBC Monitoring research 29 Apr 04 (via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. 4919.28 // 4869.28 China R. Int'l 0310-0340+ 4/21, noted here in English with weak signal readable on USB and AM, but nothing on LSB. These were // to strong 9690 (via Spain?). Also noted something on 4934.28, couldn't tell in this was also CRI. Receiver malfunction? Or transmitter problems? And why is everything ending in .28? Maybe someone can explain the math to me (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Well, rounding off we have 4920 and 4870; double each of those and you get 9840 and 9740, which are 50 and 100 kHz away from 9690. Not that that explains it (gh, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Saludos colegas diexistas. Espero se encuentren muy bien. La Voz de Tu Conciencia se está escuchando en los 6010 kHz a las 2210 UT; tienen programación musical llanera, con saludos a los oyentes del programa. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Arnaldo Coro me informa que Radio Rebelde ya está en el aire en los 5025 kHz con un nuevo transmisor y su sistema de antena de banda tropical, destinados a dar cobertura total al archipiélago cubano, pero que naturalmente se puede escuchar a gran distancia también durante los horarios nocturnos. Además, informa que Radio Habana Cuba continuará emitiendo hacia América del Sur por los 15230 de 0000 a 0500 y también entre las 1100 y las 1500 y en su tercer horario entre las 2100 y las 2300. Se transmite además una hora en portugués con dos bloques de media hora que se repiten en 15230 desde las 2300 a las 2400. La transmisión en 9600 de Radio Habana Cuba va de 0000 a 0500. Arnaldo Coro me cuenta finalmente que próximamente se van a instalar nuevas antenas tipo cortina y dipolo, y cuando se comiencen a probar, diseñaran una QSL Especial para los oyentes que reporten las transmisiones con estas antenas, además, – informa - que en los estudios de Radio Habana Cuba se van a llevar importantes cambios tecnológicos para celebrar el próximo 1º de Mayo, el 43 Aniversario de Radio Habana Cuba (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, RN Radio Enlace April 23 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Cuba Launches ETV Network --- Glenn, This appeared in the New Orleans Vocero News http://voceronews.com 23 de Abril a 7 de Mayo 2004 NEW CUBAN TV CHANNEL BEGINS BROADCASTING Havana -- Cuba's fourth television channel went on the air over the weekend, kicking off programming with coverage of the second-ever National Olympics, inaugurated by President Fidel Castro. It is Cuba's second educational channel. During its first two weeks on the air, Canal Educativo 2 will cover the athletic games, in which 11,000 athletes from more than 32 countries and 2,000 Cubans will participate, the Juventud Rebelde newspaper reported. The channel's signal will reach all the provincial capitals, except those of Santiago de Cuba and the Isle of Youth. Following the athletic event, the station "will continue to broadcast experimental programs with educational goals," the daily reported. --EFE. The translation is Vocero's, not mine (Mike Dorner, LA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Arnaldo Coro Antich has mentioned this a few times; as I recall the new net is all or mostly on UHF --- if it happens to block some TV Martí channels, what a lovely coincidence! ``Cuba, último territorio esclavo en América --- Patria o suerte, ¡pensaremos!`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. To see and hear better --- Radio and television transmission equipment being upgraded --- Fourth national TV channel enters trial phase --- BY LILLIAM [sic] RIERA --- Granma International staff writer http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/abril/lun26/17transmi-i.html A thoroughgoing process of renovation and modernization for radio and television transmission has propitiated the initiation of Cuba`s fourth national television channel (Education Channel 2), which entered a trial phase with the airing of the 2nd Olympiad of Cuban Sports on April 18. Investments made will enable an excellent level of quality and reliability, affirmed Julio Antonio González García, general director of the Cuban Radio Communication and Diffusion Enterprise (RADIOCUBA). González reports that ``this year, 22 television transmitters with Japanese technology (Toshiba) and four Chinese ones were contracted, which are to replace old equipment being used by Cubavisión (CV) and Tele Rebelde (TR) in 12 provincial capitals.`` Also purchased were ``digital radiolinks,`` used to link together of the 28 TV centers associated with these transformations to the national fiber optic technology, which sends the signal from Havana to the rest of the country. Also included is French NEXTREAM technology for coding and decoding of TV signals. González affirmed that all of this would benefit the continuing development via television of the Revolution`s programs related to education and an increased general integral culture. In September of last year, he said, the first Education Channel (CE) was already offering services to more than 85% of the country`s population. The transformation of this medium began in 2001 with the development of that third channel, which at the time could only be seen in the capital and Habana province. In those centers where the CE was installed transmission antennas were changed, the capacity of energy supply was enlarged, air conditioning fitted and emergency plants established, as well as various civil works, González explained. He added that when that third channel was set into motion, approximately 28 transmitters with 100 watt and 20 Kilowatt potency were installed throughout the country. The technology used was TMT (Italian), NEC (Japanese) and BTESA (Spanish). For CE2, the equipment is Toshiba, NEC and BTESA, he added. RADIO SIGNAL QUALITY WILL IMPROVE BY CHANGEOVER TO FM But the transformations being carried out are not exclusive to television. The development of FM (modulated frequency) service for radio stations is having a large impact. González reported that ``by the end of 2004, the country will have a total of 148 FM transmitters, the majority with 1 Kilowatt of power,`` mainly destined for local stations such as Radio Enciclopedia and Radio Musical Nacional (CMBF). FM services were not on the same level as medium wave and television. In 2001, only 82 transmitters existed --- the majority of very low frequency --- in the entire country. However, ``in 2002, that figure grew by 18, in 2003, 20 more were installed and this year, a further 28 should be installed,`` he said. NEW TRANSMITTERS WILL ALLOW RADIO HABANA CUBA TO RECOUP AUDIENCE With respect to short wave (a basically international radio service), Justo Moreno García, technical director of RADIOCUBA, announced that this year, six transmitters located in international transmission center No. 1 in Bauta --- west of the capital --- are being automated. This will allow Radio Habana Cuba (RHC) to recover the spaces that this station had lost in diverse regions of the Americas where its signal used to reach. In this same center, a seventh transmitter is being installed for Radio Rebelde, and an antenna system is being assembled. Moreno said that credits granted to Cuba by China for telecommunications that allowed work on the installation in Bauta to begin in 2003. The credit for $200 million was granted to the Cuban Electronics group by China`s Import and Export Bank (EXIMBAK) via an agreement signed during President Jiang Zemin`s visit to Cuba. It has mainly been used to improve short and medium wave radio services. On a tour of the Bauta installation with Juan Carlos Pérez Pérez, its director, Granma International was able to corroborate the total change in technology in situ. Pérez2 especially emphasized that ``of the 45 days anticipated, we were able to reduce service problems to two or three.`` As an interesting fact, Pérez2 commented that it was precisely from there, and on RHC waves, that the program Aló Presidente, produced in Venezuela, is transmitted throughout Venezuela, live and direct via the national television channel. Moreno informed that work is also underway in international transmission centers No. 2 in Bejucal and No. 3 Titán in Quivicán. The situation in those centers and the one in Bauta had been critical, he admitted: the equipment was ``very old and inefficient,`` and the antenna systems and buildings were ``very deteriorated.`` During the second semester of 2004, 20 new medium wave transmitters with digital technology will be installed, substituting the old and inefficient Czech TESLA equipment, Moreno reported. Those will add to the 17 that have already been installed, which provide services in 12 totally remodeled centers. Likewise, he added, 10 installations will be restored, the majority of them in the eastern provinces of Holguín, Granma and Guantánamo. These transformations will facilitate ``a better quality signal, greater stability in services, improvement in the coverage areas of these centers and an increased level of energy efficiency,`` he affirmed. Work was needed to reverse the accumulated ``profound deterioration`` in the transmission networks of television and short and medium wave and FM radio, further affected by the disappearance of socialism in the Eastern European bloc. Added to that was the collapse of 14 radio towers and 4 TV towers in the wake of Hurricane Mitchell; RADIOCUBA was one of the enterprises in the country most affected by that hurricane (via Brock Whaley, DXLD) "Low in frequency?" I think they mean low in power (Brock Whaley, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR [and non]. Once again, HCJB is doing some special broadcasts to mark an anniversary of its Japanese service: May 1 at 0900-0930 on 11750 via Australia; 1130-1230 on 95XX from Quito; 1300- 1330 on 15405 via Australia. A special QSL will be available (HCJB DX Partyline April 24, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. Hi, starting 00.00 on 30/4/04, Egypt is UT + 3. All the best guys (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA. V. of Tigray Revolution on 5500 can be heard regularly here in Europe in the late afternoon, but // 6350 is much tougher due to QRM. Radio Ethiopia on 9704/5 is often quite strong in the afternoons 1600-1900 (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. What was assumed to be Mustaqbal heard on air on offset 15370.1 at 0650 on April 29 with a fairly good signal. HFCC registration lists Meyerton. Playing typical Horn of Africa music and song with announcements in Somali. A brief English announcement before close down mentioned "a programme in Somali produced by - - education department - - ". Closed down at 0700. 73s from (Noel R. Green [NW England], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** EUROPE. ANALYSIS: FROM THE 33RD TO THE 59TH PARALLEL - 10 NEWCOMERS TO THE EU | Text of editorial analysis by John Robertson of BBC Monitoring Media Services on 29 April Apart from nine new languages and a potential viewing and listening audience of some 75 million people, what do the EU's new member-states bring to the media table when they join on 1 May? With some exceptions, all the new members can claim to enjoy freedom of expression. Only Hungary, where there have been allegations of political influence from the government on the media, and the Czech Republic, where the media are not always considered editorially independent, cannot fully claim to be part of this club. Baltic Trio The three Baltic countries - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia - all underwent a post-communist transitional period inasmuch as a free market system allowed for an explosion of media. The media environment scenarios in each of the three countries following their independence in the early 1990s were very similar. Rapid expansion was followed by a gradual stabilization and then a drop-off in numbers as regulation took hold and competition ensured the weaker companies fell by the wayside. Nonetheless, the three countries can boast some 31 national dailies, 12 national terrestrial TV stations, 15 satellite TV broadcasters and 65 radio broadcasters, some of which are public, as well as a plethora of internet outlets. Poland Poland is the largest of the candidate countries to apply for membership, and the sheer amount of Polish media reflects this. Poland has the largest broadcasting market in Eastern and Central Europe. Although state-owned TVP enjoys the lion's share of the indigenous audience, up to one quarter of Poles also watch foreign TV channels. Radio has become less important as a source of information and entertainment. That said, there are over 200 stations on the air. Although fewer than 30 per cent of Poles read any newspaper, there are some 300 local and regional papers to choose from. Polish Radio also operates an external service on mediumwave and shortwave. Central Europe Travelling south to the central European states of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, a thriving media environment exists. The Czech Republic, the largest and most populous of the three countries, boasts eight national daily newspapers which sell over one million copies daily. Mlada Fronta Dnes, the largest Czech newspaper, reaches over 1.3m readers per day. There are two public TV stations which operate terrestrially and from satellite, and more than 70 private radio stations. Though press freedom is protected by a charter of basic rights, the Czech media are not always considered editorially independent, according to international media watchdogs. Both Slovakia and Slovenia have an open, diverse and free media scene. All the major dailies in both countries are privately owned. A total of nine terrestrial and 15 satellite TV channels are available in Slovakia and Slovenia. Hungary The media scene in Hungary, as with many post-communist countries, is to an extent still defined by the inherited ideas of decades of communist rule and influence. Thus there remains competition between the private broadcast media and the state-run radio and TV organizations. The two most popular publications - Nepszabadsag and Magyar Hirlap - are both owned by foreign companies, Germany's Bertelsmann Group and the Swiss Ringier Group respectively. With 10 national and 24 local dailies to choose from, Hungarians certainly have a broad field of written media at their disposal. At least 18 of these publications are owned by the German firms Axel Springer, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung and Funk GmbH. Malta From the cold waters of the Baltic to the warmer seas in the Western Mediterranean, the island of Malta, which for 160 years was under British rule until its independence in 1964, presents an interesting media landscape. From the introduction of radio in 1935 by British- owned Rediffusion Ltd to the heady days of the Internet and satellite broadcasting, Malta has it all. Interestingly, the state, political parties and the Catholic Church own most of the radio and or TV stations. A poll conducted in 2002 showed that 78 per cent of Maltese followed those radio stations and 69 per cent between 7 p.m. and midnight spent their time viewing those broadcasters, with only one per cent of their viewing time spent on private and satellite broadcasters. Not surprisingly, most of the island's written media have strong political affiliations. Italian TV channels continue to be popular, with around 28 per cent of the population stating that they watch those channels. Cyprus Since 1974 the island of Cyprus has been divided into two: a Turkish- held area in the north, and Greek Cypriots in the south. In 1983 the Turkish-held area declared itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. This continues to be a stumbling block for complete island accession to the EU next month - currently only the south of the island will join the EU in May. The Cypriot media mirror the island's political divide, with each side operating its own press and broadcasting outlets. Each side of the division has eight national dailies. This gives the Turkish-held north of the island one of the highest concentrations of written media anywhere in the world. It is mainland Turkish newspapers that sell best on the island, namely Sabah and Hurriyet, which have a daily circulation of 13,000 between them. Because of its proximity to the Middle East, Cyprus is also host to a plethora of international media organizations including the BBC, US networks like ABC and NBC, and news agencies such as Associated Press, Reuters, UPI, Agence France-Presse, Tass and Xinhua. Since 1975 the island has grown into a major centre for the publication of numerous Arab and Russian magazines and newspapers. The way ahead No doubt the new members' media will enjoy competition as well as support from the original members of the EU. Some titles and stations will close down, only to be replaced by new aspiring companies and media outlets. Digitization already exists in that many of the countries use digital transponders for their satellite broadcasts. Will they use DRM or DAB as the new way ahead for radio transmission? This remains to be seen, but will more than likely mirror initiatives taken by other EU members. In the meantime, welcome aboard! Source: BBC Monitoring research 29 Apr 04 (via DXLD) ** FINLAND. 1st of May transmission of SWR Programschedule for 1st of May 2004 transmission of SWR. "It's 1st of May --- Partytime of all listeners in the world" TIME (local [= UT +3]) Program 00-02 Trickys "Music for Lovers" a mixture of music for the early hours. 02-08 SWR crew 08-09 Kantoaaltoa suomirokilla höystettynä by Esa 09-10 HÄKÄShow SoulTrain by Häkä 10-11 Progressive rock and other strange things by Esa 11-12 WRR - World Radio Roulette by Madman 12-14 Lauantailuotain Toimittajana Pena-setä Magneettikuvaus: -Haastattelussa Radiologian ja yleislääketieteen erikoislääkäri Veikko Tervo. -Toisen tunnin aiheena aikuisiän diabetes, asiasta kertoo lääketieteen lisensiaatti Nina Penttilä. 14-15 Free Radio News by Esa 15-16 Lauantailuotain Toimittajana Pena-setä Juttua mm. Suomenlinnan panimosta. 16-17 Pasin ja Kimmon rokkituokio. 17-18 Trickys "Trance hour" plus an reveiw of the IP International Confrence held in Virrat last week. 18-19 Trickys Party Time plus news on the "Cheerypickers Renuion" taking place in May. 19-20 Science corner by Esa. Latest science news from Nasa. 20-23 Saunaa lämmittäessä, SWR crew 23-24 Closing ceremony by Dj Häkä FREQUENCY SCHEDULE (SUMMER 04 SCH) TIME (local [subtract 3 for UT]) Frequency 48 m 00-08 5980 08-14 6170 14-20 5980 20-21 5990 21-24 5980 25 metriä 00-01 11690 01-08 11720 08-16 11690 16-22 11720 22-24 11690 (Alpo Heinonen, Scandinavian Weekend Radio via BCLNews.it via DXLD) ** FRANCE. 25 MHz observations: see PROPAGATION below ** GABON. R. Africa No. 1 has been heard on 15475 from *1600 to 1655* only on some occasions. 17630 is still 0700-1600. However it is not long ago that I heard 15475 later in the evening (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [non]. Altho appearing in the latest schedule compiled by John Babbis, at its regular time of Sat 1600 UT on 17705 via Delano, et al., ``Hellenes Around the World``, the only real chance for North Americans to hear V. of Greece in English, was once again preëmpted by stupid ballgame from ERA Sport April 24 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 21 April 2004, 3300.00, Radio Cultural, Guatemala City, 1050 to 1110 numerous IDs by OM, very strong signal (Bob Wilkner, FL, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 3300 still coming in at 1206, nice signal. My guess is that this is a short term reactivation just to check out the transmitter and make sure it is still running fine. Might be worth checking 5955 over the next few days to see if their low-power transmitter is also on (Hans Johnson, Naples FL, ibid.) ** HONG KONG. QSL fax from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club for their April 9, 2004 weather broadcast on 8749.00 kHz at 1833 HKT [1033 UT]. Broadcast was for boats participating in the 2004 China Sea Yacht Race. Report sent via e-mail April 10. Full detail fax received April 21. Signed by Ailsa Angus, Sailing Manager (Gary Froemming, AZ, hcdx Apr 23 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. REPORT ON INDONESIA --- Hello, below are several logs made in Litohoron, Greece, from Holy Thursday to this Wednesday 14th. Again several days of vacations. Usage: Degen 1102 with its built in antenna, fully deployed (sometimes it produces better reception than its 5 m plugged in wire) 15125, RRI Jakarta, 1230 April 11 with pop songs, 1240 with phone ins and reports, 1245 with songs, 1253 with ID then SCI and 1300* Again heard on 13th 1230 with news program and songs, SCI before TOH. At TOH 1300 sign off. 15150, Voice of Indonesia: Station has been heard nearly every day at times between 1730 and 2100* Signal levels on dates logged were 11.4.2004 15150 1900 44434 just little on carrier buzz 2000 44433 stronger fading 12.4.2004 15150 1829 44434 13.4.2004 15150 1739 44433 only carrier! 15.4.2004 15150 1723 43433 S9 max kroncong songs (Thessaloniki at time of writing) Programming: 1700 Spanish, 1800 German, 1900 French, 2000 English. Their other frequencies on 9525 and 11785 were not audible. Sporadic audio clips in English with the email and web page of the station even in other language programs (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, April 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. I checked 15500 here at 1400 today and heard nothing of the "Coalition Maritime Forces" broadcast. I was listening in USB mode as I thought that was a possibility. Nothing heard other than the presumed Chinese station on 15500 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, April 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I just checked the A04 HFCC database and I see that a "new organization," not otherwise named, is shown for 15500 at 1400-1700 (Rampisham, 105 degrees, 500 kw) and 6125 (Dhabbaya, 315 degrees, 250 kw) at 0200-0400. The times match generally if not exactly, and the beams would seem about right. Interesting. Relayed "stations" come and go. Maybe this is planned but not yet started (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer Apr 24, via BC-DX via DXLD) This service appears in the Merlin A04 schedule as "Radio for Peace" with quite a comprehensive schedule [as previously in DXLD]: 6125 0200 0400 smtwtfs Dhabbaya 250 315 RADIO FOR PEACE ME 9575 0100 0200 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 105 RADIO FOR PEACE ME 9815 1700 1830 smtwtfs Dhabbaya 250 45 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 9845 0030 0200 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 15170 0800 1100 smtwtfs Dhabbaya 250 45 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 15360 1100 1200 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 15500 1400 1700 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 105 RADIO FOR PEACE ME 17720 1400 1500 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 17780 0600 0800 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 17855 1600 1700 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS 17895 1500 1600 smtwtfs Rampisham 500 85 RADIO FOR PEACE CAS (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer 24 April via BC-DX via DXLD) MIDDLE EAST: COALITION BEGINS SHORTWAVE SERVICE FOR MARINERS | Text of report by Radio Netherlands web site on 27 April The Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) in Bahrain has announced that Coalition maritime broadcasts began shortwave HF [high frequency] radio broadcasts on 15 April, disseminating "popular regional and international music" as well as information in Arabic, Farsi[Persian], Hindi, Pashtu, Urdu, and English. The information portions will provide listeners methods to continue assisting Coalition maritime forces in identifying and reporting terrorist activity conducted at sea. Mariners can listen to the morning broadcast between the hours of 0300-0800 gmt on 6125 kHz and the evening broadcast between 1400-1900 gmt on 15500 kHz. One of two handbills pictured on the MARLO web site mentions broadcasts on "Radio One", though it's not clear if this refers to shortwave. An e-mail message to the contact address on the MARLO Web site was returned as undeliverable. The mission of the MARLO is to facilitate the exchange of information between the United States Navy and the commercial shipping community in the US Central Command's area of responsibility. MARLO operates as a conduit for information focused on safety of shipping and is committed to assisting the commercial shipping community. Source: Radio Netherlands web site, Hilversum, in English 1320 gmt 27 Apr 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) COALITION BEGINS LOW-POWER SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS AT SEA DXing.info has received confirmation that the U.S.-led coalition indeed began shortwave broadcasts in mid-April, as previously announced by the U.S. Navy Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO). "I have spoken with coalition officials, and the broadcasts did indeed commence on 15 April," says Liaison Officer Ken Gazzaway of MARLO in Bahrain. The purpose of the broadcasts is to urge listeners to report terrorist activity conducted at sea. Transmissions originate from vessels operating in the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea. Low transmitter power --- currently only 250 watts --- explains why DXers have not been able to monitor the transmissions. "We have received confirmation from listeners in the Mediterranean area that they have received the transmissions, but because of the propagation of the transmissions skip zones are inevitable," Gazzaway explains. Negotiations are underway to transfer the transmissions to Merlin Communications out of the United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom, but no final agreement has been reached. This would greatly increase transmitter power and improve reception quality. The morning broadcast is at 0300-0800 UT on 6125 kHz, and the evening broadcast at 1400-1900 on 15500 kHz. About 90 % of the broadcasts are regional music. There are periodic announcements in Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Pashtu, Urdu, and English that explain how listeners can contact the coalition if they have any information to report on suspected terrorist activity. The announcements also detail the Rewards for Justice program. Under the program, the U.S. offers rewards for information that prevents or favorably resolves acts of terrorism against the U.S. The mission of the Maritime Liaison Office (MARLO) is to facilitate the exchange of information between the U.S. Navy and the commercial shipping community in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility. MARLO operates as a conduit for information focused on safety of shipping and is committed to assisting the commercial shipping community. A MARLO announcement about shortwave broadcasts was first spotted by Jeff Weston on BDXC- UK. Naval transmitters were used for coalition broadcasts already during the Iraq war, when DXing.info was the first to publish details of this operation in the article US steps up propaganda war (DXing.info, April 29, 2004 via Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via DXLD) So site is now BAHRAIN?? ** ISRAEL. The IBA has created a new website, meant as the portal to their individual radio station websites (as described by the webmaster): http://www.kolisrael.org.il/ Currently, it is only in Hebrew. At this point, there isn't much more there, besides what is on the http://www.iba.org.il website. Besides the links to the radio stations, it has the history of the various networks, the domestic frequencies and a few other things. The IBA website is remaining. The website also mentions that a REKA Website coming soon. REKA is the immigrant's station. I don't remember if I mentioned this before, but Reshet Alef, the First Network, is now broadcasting 24 hours a day domestically (Doni Rosenzweig, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. 50th anniversary of the Arabic section of NHK! On 29th of April, the Arabic section of NHK will have a special transmission commemorating the 50th anniversary of the kickoff of the Arabic section of NHK-Radio Japan. The program will be live at 0400 UT on 17780 (via Ekala, Sri Lanka). The program will be an interview with two Egyptian listeners - one of them is me - both of the listeners will be in a studio in Radio Cairo with a telephone link with the on air studio in Tokyo. Mainly it will be a talk about the history of tuning in to the Arabic section of NHK which started in for me in 1989 and the main breakthrough when they assigned me to monitor Radio Baghdad after 2/8/90 when Iraq invaded Kuwait and the and the Gulf War (or Operation Desert Storm - Liberation of Kuwait) (Tarek Zeidan, Egypt, April 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [Later:] Hi Glenn, well, just got back from the live transmission of the special program of the 50th anniversary of the Arabic section of NHK. It was live on 17780 kHz and in the meantime it was on the Voice of the Arabs radio station from Cairo on 621 kHz as a cooperation between both radio stations. It was hosted by one announcer from V. of Arabs, Mr. Samir Elsheekh (ex-announcer of NHK's Arabic section) and Ms. Kareema Al Samny, the host of the Arabic version of Easy Japanese program on the Arabic section of NHK, with two listeners from Egypt. One of them was me and the other was a very dedicated listener called Mohammed Alsayed. And of course Ms. Yamazaki was the lady who was directing the show from Cairo and taking care of the technical affairs with Tokyo. The celebration of 50th anniversary of the Arabic section of NHK is going to be for more 2 days 30/4/04 and 1/5/04 both with special programs and a special QSL Card. You can get a picture of that special QSL card on: http://www.nhk.or.jp/arabic/index.html the Arabic Section of NHK transmits 3 times a day as follows: 0400~0430 UT on 17780 0700~0730 UT on 15220 1100~1115 UT on 17595 with a special news mainly about the latest actions in Iraq. All the best Glenn (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA [and non]. Following the relay of R. Geronimo (Shortwave) via the high power Latvian [100 kW on 9290] on 21 February, the station was contacted by Chris Bent, who is a presenter on Radio Seagull and also runs a tribute website to the original MW 1970`s Radio Geronimo. Chris informed the station that he had legally registered the name Radio Geronimo at Companies House, and intended to use the name to broadcast on possibly SW and MW in future. Therefore Radio Geronimo (Shortwave), which has operated for 13 years under that name, will close. There may be one more relay via JRRI [Jolly Roger Radio International] in Ireland to come which will be a repeat of the programme presented by Antipodean Dave Miller on the Latvia relay. Geronimo (Shortwave) would not wish to contravene Chris Bent`s legal use of the name and add to the confusion which has already occurred with several listeners contacting the wrong Geronimo folowing the Latvia relay. The team behind Radio Geronimo (Shortwave) will re-launch in the near future under a brand new name, with a new format and e-mail address. It is likely that the Ostra Porten address will still be used. The operator of Geronimo, Chris Watson, is currently relocating to a different part of Europe and as soon as he is settled, direct transmissions will start, accompanied by some relays via Holland and possibly Latvia again. Watch out for more info as soon as the details have been finalised. In the meantime, Radio Geronimo (Shortwave) can still be contacted at radiogeronimo @ hotmail.com (Dave Scott on behalf of Chris Watson via SRS News Web via Radio Without Licence, April World DX Club Contact, via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non?]. Ray Merrall has spent a lot of his time listening to Libya, and it is apparently on air via 11890 & 7425 between about 1800 and off at 2200. But transmissions are not continuous, and break from time to time. I note that monitors say both come via Libya direct, but has anyone really verified this is true? It does seem likely that these two USB senders are Libyan based --- maybe utility transmitters? Have you been able to hear the station yourself? (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Apr 27 via DXLD) 11890usb heard here in the 1200-1300 slot; lower sideband is NOT fully suppressed! There is 10-20% LSB mode portion left of the signal noted. But sideband splash from the IBB powerhouses. LJB via France 21675 and 21695 at 1300-1400 UT, both are very, very poor at my place, due of dead zone. S=1 just over threshold (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 27, BC-DX via DXLD) ** MALAYSIA. ISLAMIC RADIO STATION AVAILABLE ONLINE Ikim FM, an Islamic radio station, is available with a live audio stream on the Internet from their web site at http://www.ikim.gov.my The station broadcasts in Malaysian, English and Arabic, including news bulletins in English at 0300-0315 gmt and 1000-1030 gmt Monday to Friday. Ikim FM (Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia/Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia) broadcasts from studios in Kuala Lumpur, and is on the air round the clock on 11 FM frequencies throughout Malaysia. It was launched on 3 July 1992, with the aim of promoting understanding of Islamic values. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 27 Apr 04 (via DXLD) ** MALI. Radio Mali 4835/9634 seems to have very weak modulation. Totally unreadable though strong signal on 31m at 0800 (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONACO [non]. New longwave country logged: Monte Carlo --- I believe the transmitter is in France, but RMC heard April 25, 0230- 0330 GMT on 216 kHz. Male and Female in French, no music or sounders heard. Fair to good, over/under the powerhouse CLB beacon in Carolina Beach. First time heard. Other LW TA's on 183, 234 also in, but France 162 not noted at all. Quiet conditions on the band considering it was in the 80's today, and it's April. It's still a thrill to hear a station for the first time! (Brock Whaley, GA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. Voice of Nigeria good signal in English at 0650 on 15120 April 27th and 28th having not been heard for some days presumably due to the electricity problem (Mike Barraclough, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, after a long time again my usual observations: VON quite irregular: The Voice of Nigeria is not following their schedule at the moment: For example: On Wednesday regular programming on 15120 stopped at 0700, non-stop music until early evening. On Thursday partly regular programming but no news or live announcement, closing down with Nat. Anthem at the end of "moving on" at 1100. Did not return, 11770 also absent. Friday: On with old programming in the morning, absent at 1000, restarting with French News Service on 11770 at 1800, off at 1900, later on 191x-2000 English on 15120, going on like this until April 28th. The days before the crash it seemed that modulation and audio quality have been improved and somewhat harmonized. There is a change of antenna on 15120 at 1100 (to southern Africa afterwards) and now another one at 1500, resulting in a significantly improved signal here in the late afternoon, though it's not the antenna used for the "European" service. (Back to normal programming on April 29th (afternoon)!) (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA [and non]. 1240 UT, 15120 kHz, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu with English Service (11-20 UT). Nice to hear them this early in sunny afternoon hours. Hi Glenn, While writing this message, I´m listening to a CD "Fortaleza Especial" recorded by Hannu Perttula in Fortaleza. Hannu is an Editor- in-Chief of Radiomaailma (Radioworld) magazine of the Finnish DX Association. 16 IDs from local MW-stations. Absolutely, my favourite is track number 4 RÁDIO UIRAPURU 760 kHz. It`s springtime here in Finland. Upper bands are finally open. So I´m enjoying the sunshine and pretty warm weather (+15) with my Sony 7600G in our rowhouse apartment´s backyard. It`s now the eve of VAPPU, the First of May or Labour Day. This really is the Finnish Spring Carneval! 73`s and Happy Vappu! (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Following up on some discussion whether KPSU 91.7 Goodwell OK at Panhandle State University is active, I passed thru the area April 29, and around 2000 UT did hear a station on 91.7, rock music, USCG PSA, news about music piracy; tho no ID was caught I am sure it must have been KPSU. Also, Woodward`s only AM station KSIW now IDs as ``Oldies 1450`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. R. Victoria, 9720.05, April 17 0700-0800+, Spanish ads, talk, 0705 ``La Voz de Liberación`` program with sermon. I see this program is listed for R. Victoria. Fair. Better on \\ 6020.22. I will presume this is R. Victoria even though I did not hear a real ID. R. La Poderosa, 6536.09, April 18 0110-0136* OA folk music, Spanish announcements, 0130 ID, abrupt sign-off. Fair reception at times but occasionally very poor due to ute QRM (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Estimados amigos: El siguiente es el saludo final del Departamento de Português da RRI Radio Rumania Internacional que recibí ayer 30 de abril de 2004. Mucha tristeza se siente cuando se cierra un servicio de onda corta que durante tantos años supo acompañar a miles de oyentes, como en este caso, de habla portuguesa. Pero ni la indiferencia ni la impotencia debe invadirnos... Las emisoras seguirán perdiendo sus frecuencias en la onda corta pero nosotros no perderemos el derecho de seguir protestando y así logremos salvar un solo servicio, la protesta igualmente tendrá sentido. Saludos! Rubén Guillermo Margenet margenet @ arnet.com.ar ----- Original Message ----- From: "Seccao Portuguesa RRI" port@rri.ro Sent: Friday, April 30, 2004 11:43 AM Subject: agradecimento Prezado Amigo, Esperamos que desfrute de saúde, de paz e prosperidade juntamente com a sua família. Nunca pensámos que iriamos escrever uma tal carta de despedida. E do seu conhecimento que o Departamento de Português da RRI deixou de funcionar. Nesse sentido, queremos agradecer a si a solidariedade manifestada com os nossos programas. Ficará, se quiser, com os programas da R.R.I. em espanhol. Se um dia o Departamento de Português estiver novamente no ar, esperamos que o será em condições de sintonia de qualidade internacional. Auguramos a si muita saúde, felicidade, paz e prosperidade e muitos '73! Já com saudade, seus amigos do ex-Departamento de Português da RRI. ----- Secção Portuguesa - Radio Romenia Internacional (via Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, May 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA. PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA COMMITTEE SUPPORTS RADIO SLOVAKIA INTERNATIONAL Date: Thu 16:24 Topic: News & Media --- From: http://www.slovensko.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1194 [RSI] Members of the parliamentary Media Committee have expressed their disagreement with cancellation of the short wave broadcasting of Radio Slovakia International. This broadcasting has been endangered due to insufficient financial means. ``I will speak to ministers and try to bring arguments explaining the importance of sustaining short wave broadcasting of Radio Slovakia International``, said Slovak Radio director general Jaroslav Reznik. He was speaking after the Parliamentary Media Committee had decided not to cancel the short wave broadcasting as of July 1. MPs active in the Media Committee are now asking the Culture and the Finance Ministers to secure financing to the international service of the Slovak Radio. According to the director of the Slovak Radio, short wave broadcasting is the most effective way to promote Slovakia abroad. That is why it should be retained. The vice chairman of the Media Committee defined the possible cancellation of this international service as absurd during the time of Slovakia`s EU entry. SDKU MP Tomas Galbavy, however, thinks that there are many other ways to promote this country abroad. Nevertheless, his party colleague Eva Rusnakova says that Slovak ex- pats consider this radio service important. Last year, Radio Slovakia International received over SKK 71 million including 46 million allocated for the short wave transmitters. Unlike previous years, the Slovak Radio does not have its own budgetary chapter, which used to include means for Radio Slovakia International. According to a new law this service should be financed by a state order. According to the director general of Slovak Radio, the situation in neighbouring countries shows that when the state is interested in such a service, it allocates the money into the budget of the Foreign Ministry. Today there are about 150 000 listeners of Radio Slovakia International worldwide. If the Slovak Radio stopped its international broadcast on short waves, there would be about 20 000 left to tune in via the Internet and satellite receivers (via Ulis R. Fleming, Mike Terry, April 29, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SYRIA. R. Damascus, 13609.98, April 17 2008-2211*. Fairly good signal for a change with low noise conditions for most of this reception period. 2008 opening English announcements with ID, preview of upcoming programs. 2010 news, features, Arabic music. 2104 news again, 2105 short NA. 2106 Arabic music. 2111 NA again, 2112 Arabic music, 2113 English ID and news, more Arabic music. Best signal I have heard from these guys in a while but still had a slight hum in audio. Modulation could be a little stronger. BUT signal started to deteriorate after 2120 with modulation appearing to get weaker and stronger, hum in audio. The audio was very distorted and breaking up after 2205 (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 13610, R. Damascus, Apr 24, 2128-2135. Arabic pop music. 2130 "Damascus Radio presents" in English by man. Program consisted of commentary about Iraq as an illustration of "U.S. invasion of other countries". Good signal at 2128 with low audio (SINPO 33333), deteriorating quickly after 2133. No parallel noted (Jim Evans, TN, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** TANZANIA. Radio Tanzania Daressalam 5050 is definitely active. Heard in the late afternoon. Nothing heard from Zanzibar recently (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, http://africa.coolfreepage.com/africalist April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TOGO. QSL from Radio Lomé, Togo. I just received a QSL verification from Radio Lomé, for report of 20th January 2004 on 5047 kHz. Very glad with this, being chasing this for a while. A very special thanks to Yao Mensah, my DXing friend in Togo, for making this possible. The return address on the envelope was BP 434, Lomé, Togo (Emmanuel Ezeani, Nigeria, April 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. US GOVERNMENT SOLICITING SHORTWAVE EXPERTISE FOR PSYOPS The US government is soliciting technical, administrative, and operational support for the shortwave element of its psychological operations, run by US Special Operations Command. The procurement is open to full open competition, and all proposals from responsible sources will be fully considered. The requirement is to conduct shortwave broadcasting transmission of informational news for coverage over wide area via shortwave for the Joint Psychological Operations Support Element (JPSE) for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The contract may be expanded to allow for operation in support of other DoD and United States Government Agencies. The principal function is to support special operations forces to carry out assigned missions. The offeror shall provide technical, administrative, and operational support. This contract is specifically for dissemination via shortwave broadcast media. The areas covered include providing subject matter expertise and operational support for; broadcast and engineering expertise; broadcast project management; scheduling and frequency management support; global reach and resource; support development of operational concepts, guidance and implementation documents; administrative support to programme initiatives. Full text of solicitation: http://www.fbodaily.com/archive/2004/04-April/29-Apr-2004/FBO-00573918.htm # posted by Andy @ 09:48 UT http://medianetwork.blogspot.com (28 April 2004) (via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. UNION OBTAINS DOCUMENT THE AGENCY REFUSED TO PROVIDE Dateline: Washington, 04/29/04. The Union, through legal means, requested a copy of the Broadcasting Board of Governors' Global Vision 2010 (a document that they said the reorganization was based on). The Agency refused to provide it to the Union claiming that it was only in draft form. The Union managed to obtain a copy through other channels. The document, though sketchy, confirms what employees had suspected for a long time. The BBG wants to privatize, although they do say it will be "limited de-federalization". The BBG's supposed need to "de- federalize" is based on their specious claim that with VOA it is forced to manage according to "burdensome government rules". The document also cites the need to combine with the private sector and uses the supposed "successes" of the new broadcasts to the Middle East as models. The GBV 2010 also establishes in writing what had been widely believed by many to be a major goal of the BBG - conversion of the VOA to TV. "Anticipating the shift from radio to TV and the Internet in large parts of our audience's world, we must develop television as the premiere, and the internet as the companion, instrument of America's international broadcasting effort[.]" UNION FILES GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE AGENCY FOR FAILURE TO BARGAIN Dateline: Washington, 04/20/04. AFGE Local 1812 filed a grievance against the Broadcasting Board of Governors for its refusal to bargain over the Reorganization of the Voice of America radio with Worldnet television. In its grievance the Union is seeking among other things: That a reasonable amount of time be extended to the Union's negotiation team to prepare and commence reorganization negotiations. That the Agency bargain in good faith over the valid proposals submitted by the Union concerning the reorganization. That the Agency halt the reorganization and revert to the status quo. That the Agency post a notice to all employees informing them that it violated the law by not negotiating with the Union over the reorganization of Worldnet TV and VOA radio; and that the notice be signed by Mary Rasmussen, the Union bargaining team members' supervisors and the Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors. The Union also seeks all other remedies allowed by law including all legal fees and costs incurred by the Union in pursuing this grievance. The step one grievance was submitted to James P. Hagan, I.B.B. Chief of Labor Relations yesterday. He has until Monday, May 1st to respond (both: AFGE Local 1812 via DXLD) ** U S A. A program note: WBCQ now has one of the best and complete collections of the Jean Shepherd program. Also, WBCQ is one of the only radio stations airing the show. Thru Michael Ketter's Complex Variables Studio, each Shepherd program is restored and assembled for completeness, including period commercials. It has become a very popular show on WBCQ - The Planet. Airtimes are: Mondays 5-6pm Eastern [2100-2200 UT] on 7415 and Sunday evenings 6-7 pm Eastern [2200-2300 UT] on 5105. Cheers, (Allan Weiner, April 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WBCQ RADIO PACKAGE DEALS Spring specials at WBCQ feature low, low prices for BULK AIRTIME on WBCQ's 50,000 watt shortwave transmitters. Now your organization or group can get your programming on the air for a fraction of the cost of other media services. Contact WBCQ RADIO today for more information and to book time. Allan H. Weiner WBCQ RADIO 97 High Street Kennebunk, ME (Maine) 04043 USA Office: 1-207-985-7547 Main Studio/Transmitter Site: 1-207-538-9180 eMail: wbcq @ gwi.net 7.415 Frequency 1:00 AM - 6:00 AM Eastern 7 days - 5 hours Daily PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $3,000 7.415 Frequency 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern 7 days - 10 hours Daily PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $5,000 9.330 Frequency 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Eastern 7 days - 8 hours Daily PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $3,000 17.495 Frequency Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern - 10 hours Daily PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $1,000 Sat. OR Sun. PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $1,500 Sat. AND Sun. 5.105 Frequency New York, New England Coverage Special 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM - 7 days - 8 hours Daily PRICE PER MONTH FLAT RATE: $2,750 (Allan Weiner, 4/26/2004, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WBCQ RADIO REVISION 2- PACKAGE DEALS ADDITION -------------- Frequency 5105 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Eastern - daily 7 days $600 Monthly - Bulk Rate ----------------------------------------------------------------- WBCQ SUPER SPRING OVERNIGHT SPECIAL Frequency Price Per Month Flat Rate 7.415 1:00 AM - 6:00 AM Eastern 7 days 5 hours Daily $3,000 monthly ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OTHER TIMES HAVE BEEN SOLD (Allan Weiner, WBCQ, April 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I suppose selling large blocks like this will mostly be to gospel huxters, and will wipe out some times WOR has been filling, such as Sat 2030 on 17495 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. BROADCASTER'S OWN 'POLITICAL AGENDA' PLAYS PART IN NIGHTLINE SNUB --- By Timothy Karr, MediaChannel.org http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/affalert187.shtml NEW YORK, April 29, 2004 -- Sinclair Broadcast Group on Thursday ordered its eight ABC affiliates to pre-empt Friday's "Nightline" broadcast of the reading of the names of US military personnel killed in Iraq, saying the program is "motivated by a political agenda designed to undermine the efforts of the United States in Iraq." MediaChannel.org has learned that the political leanings of Sinclair executives also may have played a part in the company's decision to block the popular ABC news program. In 2004, 98 percent of Sinclair's political contributions have gone to GOP candidates. In a fax to press Thursday, the Baltimore-based media company, whose holdings include 62 local TV stations, said that by airing Friday's Nightline program, "ABC is disguising political statements as news content." During the ABC News broadcast, anchorman Ted Koppel will read aloud the names of more than 500 U.S. service men or women who have lost their lives in the war, as a corresponding photo appears on the screen along with that person's name, military branch, rank and age. In an emailed statement, ABC News "respectfully disagreed" with Sinclair's view of the program saying that Nightline "is dedicated to thoughtful and balanced coverage and reports on the events shaping our world with neither fear nor favor -- as our audience expects, deserves, and rightly demands." If the Sinclair Broadcasting Group's track record of political contributions is any indication, executives at the media group have allowed their own political agenda to dictate the decision to bar the program from airing. According to The Center for Responsive Politics, an organization devoted to tracking political contributions by individuals, PACs and corporations, Sinclair executives give overwhelmingly to Republican causes and candidates. Of the top twenty TV and Radio companies to make political contributions in 2004, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, is among the most conservative, giving 98 percent of its $65,434 in political contributions to GOP candidates. By comparison, Clear Channel Communications, the notoriously conservative radio colossus run by President Bush's longtime Texas cronies Tom and Steve Hicks has given only 75 percent of its 2004 contributions to Republicans; Democratic candidates have received the remaining 25 percent of Clear Channel's political largesse. MediaChannel has contacted Sinclair CEO and President David Smith for comment on the company's political track record. Smith has yet to reply. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Smith personally gave $2,000, the maximum individual contribution, to President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. John Dunbar of the nonpartisan Center for Public Integrity said, "I fell out of my chair when I read Sinclair's statement." Dunbar, whose organization monitors and reports upon the influence of money over politics, considers Koppel's reporting to be politically moderate. "Based on what Sinclair did, it's impossible not to see where their political interests lie," he said. The broadcasting giant reported first quarter preliminary results for net broadcast revenues reached $158.3 million. The Q1 increase over last year -- about $4 million more than the company expected -- came in part from $1.3 million in additional political advertising revenues in key election states such as Ohio, Florida, West Virginia, Illinois and Maine, where Sinclair owns stations. -- Timothy Karr is Executive Director of MediaChannel.org © MediaChannel.org, 2004. All rights reserved (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. Action Alerts Tuesday, April 27, 2004 --- CAIR renews call for radio host's firing --- Jay Severin says U.S. Muslims 'fifth column', 'kill them' CAIR today renewed its call for the firing of a Boston-area radio talk show host after a newspaper report showed that his anti-Muslim remarks were even more offensive than first thought. CAIR made its original demand last Friday after receiving a complaint from a concerned listener who said WTKK-FM http://www.969fmtalk.com host Jay Severin urged the killing of American Muslims. Quotes from a tape of the actual program obtained by the Boston Globe show that Severin called Muslims a "fifth column"* in America and seemed to confirm the report that he wanted them killed. (WTKK denied CAIR's request for a tape of the program.) . . . http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?id=167&page=AA (via Fred Waterer, Ont., DXLD) While this may well be a legitimate complaint, CAIR --- Council on American-Islamic Relations --- is less than forthcoming on its website about who finances the organization (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. AIR AMERICA RADIO HITS TURBULENCE ON TAKEOFF By Teresa Wiltz Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, April 28, 2004; Page C01 It has been a tumultuous inaugural month for Air America Radio, the liberal network that bills itself as the antidote to all things conservative. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48096-2004Apr27?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Observations about New Mexico radio: April 21 on I-40, near Tucumcari, the KENW-89.5 translator is still on 104.5. The 105.5 translator of KHFM-95.5 at Conchas Lake is audible with classical music along I-40 for a while west of Tucum near Newkirk. Near Santa Rosa, the HAR on 1610 is still very much active, but only with brief generic message as previously quoted, nothing specific about detours, etc., at least not when we were in range (several bridges on I-40 west of Santa Rosa are being replaced). The KANW 91.9 translator in Santa Rosa (whether or not it may have individual calls now as in FM Atlas) was missing, as has often been the case. None of the listed LPFM in Santa Rosa on 103.1, 106.1 and 107.1 could be heard either. Santa Rosa`s only real FM station on 95.9, KSSR, IDs as ``The Lion, Eastern New Mexico`s Number One Radio station``, playing classic rock // 1340. Later we checked out back issues from March of the weekly Santa Rosa News, each carrying a display ad for the stations, with a partial schedule showing a very mixed format; how would Bruce Elving classify this? Presumably refers to weekdays; used to and probably still does carry a lot of syndicated music shows on weekends, such as American Top 40, etc. MDT = UT -6. 6-12 noon, Classic Rock 1 pm, Old School 2 pm, Spanish 4 pm, Oldies 6 pm, Country 8 pm, Rap & R&B (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. USA: CLASSICAL MUSIC RADIO NETWORK PLANNED | Text of report by Radio Netherlands web site on 30 April WQXR, the classical music station of the New York Times, announced this week that it's negotiating with ABC Radio to set up a national classical radio network in the US, aimed especially at markets without a commercial classical station. Programming would be produced by WQXR independent of its current programming. Tom Bartunek, president and general manager of WQXR, say that many classical listeners have been disenfranchised, and the current economics of local radio ownership make it difficult for the middle and small-market stations to establish the format on their own. If the negotiations are successful, the new network will begin broadcasting early in 2005. Source: Radio Netherlands web site, Hilversum, in English 1430 gmt 30 Apr 04 (via BBCM via DXLD) The more the merrier, but there are already three or four classical music `networks` available by satellite --- which are non-commercial. The point of this one from WQXR is that it would be commercial. Lots of luck (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. V. of Vietnam, 12019.88, April 17 1000-1010+ English ID, news commentary, // 9839.95, both fair (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL +++++++++++++++++++++++ Los activos oyentes del mundo no pueden vivir sin recibir tus preciosos enformativos. Muchos buenos deseos y felicidades a granillos! (Dario Monferini, PLAYDX ITALIA, http://www.playdx.com) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ A-04 SCHEDULES AT WRTH WRTH are pleased to announce that A04 season broadcasting schedules are now available for free download at our webite http://www.wrth.com This link will take you to file: http://www.wrth.com/WRTHA04WEB.pdf You will need the free Adobe acrobat reader to open this file. The 62 page (215k) file contains the latest broadcasting schedules for over 200 International, Foreign Service and Target broadcasters. The format is the same as WRTH and includes transmitter sites and languages for each broadcaster. Regards, Sean D. Gilbert International Editor - WRTH (World Radio TV Handbook) Email: sean.gilbert @ wrth.com Web: http://www.wrth.com Fax: +44 (0) 709 2332287 WRTH - THE Directory of Global Broadcasting (via Steve Whitt, MWC, April 26, via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ ALLAN GRAHAM VISIT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA The DX Party Line Visits Southern California!!!!!! REMINDER........ Allan Graham, host of the DX Partry Line will be visiting SWLers in Southern California on May 1st, a Saturday at the HQ of the ASWLC at the address of 16182 Ballad Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92649. Contact person is Stewart MacKenzie - 714-846-1685. The public is welcomed to attend the meeting --- bring along your cameras for photo shoots. The gathering starts at 12 noon. The WX folks are promising us a Great Sunny Beach Day!!! See You All Here Soon!!! (Stewart - WDX6AA - MacKenzie, DX LISTENING DIGEST) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ US NTIA SUPPORTS POSITION OF SHORTWAVE USERS ON BPL The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration has released its report on Broadband over Powerlines (BPL). The report comes out in favour of the position adopted by the international broadcasters and the North American Shortwave Association, representing shortwave listeners. The report says: "HF radio is a very practical means of communicating directly with the people of other nations because of the extensive availability of inexpensive broadcast receivers. The BBG's global radio network, the Voice of America (VOA), consists primarily of two powerful HF transmitter sites (located in California and Virginia). [sic. The Greenville site is actually in North Carolina, not Virginia]. "While the intended receivers of the VOA's transmissions generally are abroad there are numerous broadcasting receivers owned and operated by foreign citizens and government personnel in the United States that could be susceptible to BPL interference because of proximity to power lines. Protecting other administrations' broadcasting is critical because of reciprocity. The current ITU-R B-03, Seasonal Broadcasting Schedule, shows multiple administrations broadcasting to the United States for every timeframe within a 24-hour period." Thanks to Joe Buch and Rich Cuff for drawing our attention to this. You can read the full NTIA report here: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fccfilings/2004/bpl/index.html NASWA's comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: http://www.anarc.org/naswa/bpl/nprm_comments.html # posted by Andy @ 17:38 UT April 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) NEWSLINE: VARIOUS BPL ITEMS APRIL 30 A Very Important Note: We urge all readers of this report to also download the audio version of this report at http://www.arnewsline.org/quincy and listen to it. Please pay special attention to the words of ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and the urgency in his voice as he discusses the latest developments in the fight to keep Broadband Over Powerline technology from encroaching into the Amateur Service bands. There is no way to express in print the very grave nature of this situation. Only by listening for yourself can you truly understand the extreme gravity of the circumstances that our service faces if BPL is introduced nationwide. The ARNewsline Production Team THE BPL FIGHT: PRES BUSH VS. PRES HAYNIE AND THE ARRL The ARRL and its president has expressed what they call deep concerns about a speech by United States President George Bush, one where the leader of the free world says that standards need to be changed to encourage the delivery of Internet access using Broadband Over Powerline technology. Amateur Radio Newsline`s Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, is here with more: In the boldest and most dramatic move yet in the BPL debate, the ARRL`s president Jim Haynie W5JBP, directly appealed to President Bush to abandon his support for BPL technology. Haynie says Bush`s speech last week during the American Association of Community Colleges convention in Minneapolis prompted him to action. In that speech, President Bush stated directly: ``... power lines can be used for broadband technology. So the technical standards need to be changed to encourage that.`` ``I faxed a letter to the White House because I wanted to make sure they got it and we followed it up again with the regular U.S. Mail,`` Haynie says. ``And, it`ll be curious to see what kind of reaction that we get. I think, like I said, it`s ill-advised. ``It`s so much hype that the broadband industry has been putting out and I`m sorry to say it looks like the president has been suckered into it a little bit.`` Haynie says amateur radio has reached a defining moment in its history and he is issuing a call to arms. ``This is the time that amateur radio is going to have to pull together and speak with one big voice,`` Haynie says. ``And, on our website, we put the contact information and I want everybody to go there and look at it http://www.arrl.org and you can write the president, you can write your congressman, you can write your senators you can call `em. ``Anything like that is helpful because amateur radio has been around for a lot of years and I`d hate to see it end based on a technology like this that any engineer worth their salt would be able to say, `Well, this sounds fun but it`s just not going to work.` `` Haynie says he wasn`t blind-sided by President Bush`s remarks, but has questions about his fellow Texan`s true understanding of the issue. ``If you go back and read his speech he made in New Mexico, I think it was Albuquerque, he alluded to broadband then just as a general term,`` Haynie says. ``Since that time, the actual term broadband over power line has come into his speech and I know he doesn`t write his own speeches, other people do.`` Haynie says its likely Bush administration advisers believe BPL is an issue that may have some mileage. ``This is an election year and anything that would seemingly stimulate the economy and create jobs is going to be a real political football and this has just got caught up in it,`` Haynie says. Haynie says he is now working with the ARRL`s Washington staff to arrange a personal meeting with President Bush to lay out the issue for him. And Haynie says he`s hopeful that if Bush sees the damaging effect BPL has on radio spectrum --- occupied not by just amateur radio --- but police, fire, and government services - he may reconsider. Haynie says he`ll also go in with the findings of the National Telecommunications and Information Agency - the president`s own advisory arm on radio frequency spectrum management - to make his case. ``When you get into the actual and engineering report, there`s some good stuff there,`` Haynie says. ``And I`m glad to see it. I`m also glad to see that they corroborated a lot of stuff that we said in our data. ``And, it gives us more credibility because NTIA has quoted ARRL in there a number of times in this report. But some of their measurements were even more - for lack of a better word - devastating to the industry than ours. They`re talking as much as 200 meters. That`s a long way!`` Haynie says BPL threatens the future of amateur radio as we know it and it`s time to step up and be counted: ``I`ve been a ham for 32 years, 33 years or something like that and this is the worst, most difficult situation I`ve ever seen amateur radio in,`` Haynie says. ``And I think whether you`re interested in licensing restructuring or you`re interested in somebody not identifying every 10 minutes on 75 meters or whatever the case, that all pales. It is insignificant to this particular issue. ``So we need to set all these differences aside in the amateur radio community and come together. This is the time.`` For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I`m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V, in Philadelphia. Since before the first test installations went into operation, the ARRL has been warning the public about the potential for massive radio disruption to vital radio communications that BPL has the potential to cause. More information is on line daily at the ARRL website at http://www.arrl.org (ARNewsline(tm) April 30 via John Norfolk, dxld yahoogroups, DXLD) THE BPL FIGHT: NTIA RELEASES ITS BPL IMPACT REPORT The National Telecommunications and Information Administration has issued its long-awaited report on the interference potential of Broadband over Power Lines. Despite a generally-glowing news release, the report itself identifies significant interference risks from BPL and concludes that the methods currently used for measuring BPL noise levels are inadequate and that more study is needed on such areas as ionospheric propagation of BPL signals. The full report may be downloaded, either in full or chapter by chapter,from the NTIA website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/new.html (CQ via ARNewsline(tm) April 30 via John Norfolk, dxld yahoogroups, DXLD) THE BPL FIGHT: NC POWER COMPANY MAKE INTERFERENCE CLAIMS Meantime, a North Carolina power company says that the interference coming from its BPL system is not harmful to ham radio operations. As reported last week, Progress Energy claims it has solved almost all of the problems to the Amateur bands created by its test installation near the city of Raleigh. But local hams have a different view. Newsline`s Gary Pearce, KN4AQ, takes an in-depth look at the claims being made by Progress Energy and what the ham radio community has to say: The FCC has received its first reply from a BPL system operator to a complaint about BPL interference. Progress Energy, which operates three BPL trials near Raleigh, North Carolina, says that they are in full compliance with Part 15. Their letter attempts to set a mark for ``harmful interference`` to home stations, and makes a claim that BPL doesn`t cause harmful interference to mobiles because they drive by so quickly. When the Progress Energy trial began in January, Amperion, the equipment vendor, set the hardware up with signals on the overhead lines that covered the 10 and 12 meter ham bands, and most of the spectrum in between. The signals appear as a series of carriers, 1.1 kHz apart, covering 6 MHz of spectrum for each 2000 feet of power line. Hams complained to the FCC, and Amperion moved the spectrum used. They attempted to operate in spectrum between the 20 and 15-meter bands, with a notch blocking BPL signals across the 17-meter band. They missed the mark a little, with BPL signals starting at 14.3 MHz, 50 kHz inside the 20-meter band. And while the notch at 17 meters did reduce the signal strength, the BPL carriers were still audible, and might be heard by home stations for a block or two, if there were any hams living in the trial area… but there are no hams living there. In addition, the BPL signals don`t end with a ``brick wall`` filter at the edge of their spectrum block. They trail off slowly. And those ``fringe`` signals were still falling inside several ham bands, again expected to be audible to a ham within a block or two of the power line. After giving Amperion time to correct the apparent errors, hams complained again to the FCC. The result was a meeting between Raleigh hams and a Progress Energy engineer in the trial area on April 6th to review the complaint and the spectrum used. Bill Godwin, the Progress Energy engineer, had arranged to be able to talk to an Amperion technician to make adjustments to the spectrum used in real time – but, the technician was a no-show on the telephone. On April 13th, hams checked the spectrum used again, and still no changes had been made. On April 20th, Len Anthony, Regulatory Affairs attorney for Progress Energy, sent e-mail to the James Burtle, Chief of the FCC`s Experimental Licensing Division, claiming that after moving the BPL signals off the ham bands, their system ``is not causing any harmful interference and is in full compliance with the FCC`s Part 15 rules.`` Referring to the April 6th observation with Bill Godwin, Anthony says, ``These tests revealed a small level of interference at the fringes of certain frequencies. Since that time, further modifications have been made to address this fringe interference. It is Progress Energy`s position and interpretation of the FCC`s rules with regard to `harmful interference` that any interference that may still exist is not `harmful` as that term is defined by the FCC`s rules. This level of interference does not seriously degrade ham radio operation or transmissions or cause repeated interruptions. Importantly`` he continues, ``since Progress Energy can make modifications to completely eliminate any interference with fixed ham operators, the only impact of any kind upon ham operations is upon mobile operators.`` As for mobiles, Anthony continues, ``Given that any interference experienced by a mobile operator only occurs within close proximity to the BPL facilities, such interference would be very short lived. Thus, Progress Energy is not causing any harmful interference and is in full compliance with the FCC`s Part 15 rules.`` An observation of the trial area on April 21st, the day after the e- mail was sent to the FCC, revealed that there had been no changes to the spectrum used. The overhead line was still emitting a full- strength signal on the top 50 kHz of the 20 meter band; signals were still audible in the notch at 17 meters, and the ``fringe`` carriers were still encroaching on the bottom 50 kHz or so of the 15 meter band. This is the first claim by a BPL operator that weak BPL signals do not create ``harmful`` interference by the FCC`s definition, interference that ``seriously degrades, obstructs or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service.`` Ham operators, of course, routinely tune through quiet spectrum looking for weak signals, and a series of carriers one kHz apart covering the band might be considered to seriously degrade, obstruct or repeatedly interrupt that activity. And a mobile driving 35 miles per hour along a BPL-carrying power line can be in the interference zone for a minute or more – and much longer in stop-and-go traffic, waiting at signal lights, or stopping in a driveway or parking lot. Frank Lynch W4FAL, an ARRL Technical Specialist for North Carolina who has been concentrating on the Progress Energy BPL trial, says that he will be filing another complaint with the FCC, responding to the Progress Energy e-mail. He also says that hams are not opposed to BPL per se, just the interference it causes. And he notes that it should be easy to clear up interference in a small trial area. It`s BPL signals buzzing around every power line in town that have him worried. Reporting for Newsline, this is Gary Pearce KN4AQ in Raleigh, North Carolina. Once the new interference complaint is filed it will be up to the FCC to investigate it and to take whatever action it deems necessary. (ARNewsline(tm) April 30, KN4AQ via John Norfolk, dxld yahoogroups, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ WHEN THERE'S NOT MUCH BEING HEARD, 25 PLUS Signals at these frequencies are now so sparse that it takes two to three months to accumulate enough material for a one-page write-up. Propagation, which was sporadic in December and January, has worsened and the Radio France International signal on 25.820 MHz - the only big broadcaster still at work in the 11-metre band - was audible here, faintly, on just one day in March the 15th. Earlier, better conditions on 9th Feb brought in traces of the 1-watt narrow-FM tourist information signal from La Rochelle, in western France. My last hearing of the telltale hiss of the DRM trial on 25.675 MHz from Rennes, in NW France, was on 6th Jan. I'm assuming that these tests, which lasted over a year, are now finished. Since the New Year I've only tuned upon one audible trans-Atlantic "free" CB signal, from Dave in southern England. Over the years, I've become quite familiar with his voice, often on 26.040 MHz. I'm still being starved of my former DXing bread-and-butter, the North American TV studio monitoring signals found between 26.0 and 26.47 MHz. Nearly all of these were rated at 1 Watt, intended for in-studio work or for short-range outdoor transmission. From 1990 to 2003 - that is from before one sunspot high, right through the sunspot low to beyond the next sunspot high - these signals were audible here on as many as 30 to 40 days a year. Now they've gone and I don't know why. Remembrance of things past The last time I wrote for 25+ I mentioned doing no radio listening in the first three weeks of October. A family event had taken me to the UK - so I added on a week's vacation in France. I headed for the Alps and, apart from a day for shopping in Lyon and another for exploring Grenoble, spent my time in revisiting the ski resort town of Villard-de- Lans. October is very out of season, so nearly all the hotels were shut. A 3 to 4 km walk south of the town and some way up the hillside, there's a flattish area called le Balcon de Villard and that's where the cable car run up the Côte 2000 ski-slope starts from. From 1992 to 1998, Radio Neige ran a 30-watt transmitter there. The roof of the ski-slope office still sports a couple of satellite dishes but the 11m harsh weather whip antenna is gone. One antenna that wasn't there on previous visits, a ground plane type, looked like it might be for the 50 to 80 MHz range. A maintenance crew was already preparing the adjacent cable car run. With neither radio nor camera, I hung around for over an hour, keeping below the snow line, and spied on the local bird-life. And all those years ago, the radio service piped through the now absent antenna was that of Radio Nostalgie (Alan Roberts, QC, 25 Plus, April CIDX Messenger via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) SIDC WEEKLY BULLETIN :Issued: 2004 Apr 26 1939 UTC :Product: documentation at http://sidc.oma.be/products/bul #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # SIDC Weekly bulletin on Solar and Geomagnetic activity # #--------------------------------------------------------------------# WEEK 173 from 2004 Apr 19 SOLAR ACTIVITY: --------------- Four M-flares were collectively produced by the 3 active regions that one after the other dominated the space weather during the period. The beginning of the period was dominated by Catania sunspot group 08 (NOAA AR 596) culminating with an M1.2 flare on Thursday, April 22. After that Catania sunspot group 12 (NOAA AR 597), already at the West limb at that time, started an impressive firework of more than 10 C- flares, an M1.5 flare (11h50 UT) and an M1.1 flare (21h12 UT) both on Saturday, April 24. By the time Catania sunspot group 12 rotated over the west limb, a new active region (NOAA AR 599) took the lead with an M2.2 flare on Sunday, April 25 (05h37 UT). There were no proton events nor halo CMEs during the period. SOHO entered Emergency-Sun-Reacquisition (safe mode) on April 21, and again on April 23. This spurious events were tiggered by the \'Fine Sun Pointing Attitude Anomaly Detector\'. No EIT, LASCO or MDI data were available for the remaining part of the period. GEOMAGNETISM: ------------- The K index as measured in Wingst (G) indicate quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp=2) for most of the period. The only time with a persistent deviation was on April 23 with K_Wingst=3-4 and K_p up to 5. The solar wind speed increased over the period from 350 km/s on Monday, April 19 till 550 km/s on Sunday, April 25. A coronal hole signature was observed on April 20 late (near midnight). ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DAILY INDICES DATE RC 10CM Ak BKG M X 2004 Apr 19 108 113 008 B1.7 0 0 2004 Apr 20 088 111 006 B1.4 0 0 2004 Apr 21 088 113 008 B1.2 0 0 2004 Apr 22 104 117 008 B2.0 1 0 2004 Apr 23 078 115 018 B4.4 2 0 2004 Apr 24 /// 112 010 B4.4 0 0 2004 Apr 25 /// 107 013 B2.0 1 0 # RC : Sunspot index from Catania Observatory (Italy) # 10cm: 10.7 cm radioflux (DRAO, Canada) # Ak : Ak Index Wingst (Germany) # BKG : Background GOES X-ray level (NOAA, USA) # M,X : Number of X-ray flares in M and X class, see below (NOAA, USA) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTICEABLE EVENTS DAY BEGIN MAX END LOC XRAY OP 10CM TYPE Cat NOAA NOTE 22 0203 0219 0224 S09E19 M1.2 SF 08 0596 24 1141 1150 1152 S08W90 M1.5 12 0597 24 2102 2112 2114 S08W83 M1.1 SF 150 12 0597 25 0502 0537 0542 N15E36 M2.2 0599 #--------------------------------------------------------------------# # Solar Influences Data analysis Center - RWC Belgium # # Royal Observatory of Belgium # # Fax : 32 (0) 2 373 0 224 # # Tel.: 32 (0) 2 373 0 491 # # For more information, see http://sidc.oma.be (via Jim Moats, April 26, DXLD) The geomagnetic field ranged from quiet to active levels. The period began on 19 – 22 April with quiet to unsettled conditions. Early on 23 April, activity increased to active to isolated minor storm levels as a result of the coronal hole high-speed stream. The period ended on 24 – 25 April with predominately quiet to unsettled levels with a few periods of isolated active conditions. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 28 APRIL - 24 MAY 2004 Solar activity levels are expected to range from very low to moderate for the forecast period. Isolated moderate activity is possible from Regions 596 and 599 and from returning old Region 597. No greater than 10 MeV proton events are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels from 03 – 07 May, 15 – 16 May and 21 – 24 May due to recurrent coronal hole high-speed streams The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to minor storm levels. Active to isolated minor storm levels are expected on 02 – 05 May and 20 – 22 May due to returning coronal hole high-speed streams. A weaker coronal hole is due to return to a geo-effective position on 14 –15 May with unsettled to active conditions expected. Otherwise, the geomagnetic field will be at mostly quiet to unsettled levels. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2004 Apr 27 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 2004 Apr 27 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2004 Apr 28 95 8 3 2004 Apr 29 90 8 3 2004 Apr 30 90 10 3 2004 May 01 90 10 3 2004 May 02 90 15 3 2004 May 03 90 20 4 2004 May 04 85 20 4 2004 May 05 85 15 3 2004 May 06 90 12 3 2004 May 07 90 8 3 2004 May 08 90 5 2 2004 May 09 90 5 2 2004 May 10 90 5 2 2004 May 11 90 5 2 2004 May 12 95 5 2 2004 May 13 95 8 3 2004 May 14 95 15 3 2004 May 15 95 10 3 2004 May 16 90 8 3 2004 May 17 85 5 2 2004 May 18 90 5 2 2004 May 19 90 8 3 2004 May 20 85 15 3 2004 May 21 85 20 4 2004 May 22 85 15 3 2004 May 23 85 12 3 2004 May 24 85 8 3 (from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD) ###