DX LISTENING DIGEST 4-091, June 10, 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 1233: Thu 2000 on RFPI, http://www.rfpi.org + 4-hourly thru Fri 1600 [maybe] Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com Fri 2300 on Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 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 2000 on WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sat 2030 on WBCQ 17495-CUSB Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 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 [previous 1232] Mon 0430 on WBCQ 7415, webcast http://wbcq.us Mon 1600 on WBCQ after-hours http://wbcq.com repeated weekdaily Wed 0930 on WWCR 9475 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: 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 1233 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1233h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1233h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1233.html [soon] WORLD OF RADIO 1233 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1233.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1233.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1233 in MP3, the true shortwave sound of 7415: (stream) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_06-09-04.m3u (d`load) http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_06-09-04.mp3 New CONTINENT OF MEDIA 04-04 from DXing.com: (stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0404.ram (download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0404.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0404.html DXLD YAHOOGROUP: Why wait for DXLD? A lot more info, not all of it appearing in DXLD later, is posted at our new yg. Here`s where to sign up. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dxld/ (Glenn Hauser, May 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA [and non]. FRENCH BROADCAST CONCESSION ENDS IN FIASCO Story buried? Back in January the Argentine government revoked Thales Spectrum's US$500 million concession to run Argentina's radio spectrum for broadcast TV, radio and other services after the French defense electronics company allegedly failed to meet 75% of the contract obligations. The task for regulating the airwaves will revert to the state. The deal goes back to 1997 when Argentina was one of the first countries in the world to privatise spectrum management. The contract was for 15 years. Wonder why it took them so long to discover 75% was wrong?? And why has it gone soooo quiet? --- posted by Jonathan Marks @ 11:02:52 PM (Critical Distance blog sometime in May via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. I really do not care if somebody else believes whether or not I heard a specific radio station that I'm convinced that I have picked up. I have no need to "prove" this to a scientific certainty. It's MY hobby; it's my sense of accomplishment and enjoyment, and that's all I care about. So, there is no particular compulsion for me to collect and venerate a document that I can show to other people. No Good Deed Goes Unpunished I made an exception, a few weeks ago. After intensive effort, over a period of weeks, I finally believed that I may have received a certain low-powered shortwave station in Australia (with a listed output of only a few hundred watts, actually stronger than stations I am sure I have received from Japan and Indonesia.) I won't identify the station because of what subsequently happened. I used the Internet to trace the appropriate authority at the station, and emailed my inquiries and tentative report of some of the barely-heard transmission, which was too faint to secure a clearly audible ID. I assumed that the station would rarely hear from California listeners, and would appreciate the potential reception inquiry. What I got back by email shocked me. The manager wrote a pretty ambiguous reply, not corroborating the specifics of my reported details of the programming, apparently feeling as uncertain about my alleged reception as I had felt about it (or not wanting to take the time to determine the critical detail about simulcasting that I was particularly interested to know about); but worse, his reply was immediately followed by a lengthy text block of legalese that WARNED me, in lugubrious lawyer-talk, about not disclosing BY ANY MEANS, or republishing in any venue, the contents of this particular email message, under threat of all kinds of complicated and formidable Australian laws. So I could not even quote ANY PART of the reply to anybody else; presumably I could not even SHOW them the message. This forbidding warning was signed with the corporate imprimatur of the organization, which had a formidable name that seemed much more important and "connected" to the Australian governmental infrastructure than I had suspected. I found this extremely intimidating, worrying, and discouraging --- my first QSL inquiry in forty years, and this is what I get back in reply! The impression I received was that the information as to whether or not I heard this station was a secret; and what shocked me was that the station was merely a little local broadcaster that put on vernacular programming to local citizens: service to the community and environs. However, because the station was absorbed into the corporate envelope of a much larger organization -- possibly connected with the Australian government and IT security infrastructure -- the company felt the need to attach this legal warning as "boilerplate" to all its communiqués. I probably could, with impunity, ignore it in a reasonable, pragmatic manner: but I won't. I'll obey it. But I don't appreciate it at all. I was really deeply offended and annoyed by this treatment of a distant amateur radio buff's friendly attempt to communicate with a fellow broadcaster. So --- the heck with it. If this is the future of our world of communications, in which even the most innocent of inquiries is funneled into some kind of corporate-government-security nightmare scenario of scary legalism, then I want nothing to do with it. I have better things to worry about that this nonsense (Steve Waldee, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. PARLIAMENTARY ENQUIRY URGES BOOST FOR RADIO AUSTRALIA The Australian reports that a parliamentary inquiry into Australia's relationship with Indonesia is urging increased funding for Radio Australia so it can resume full-scale shortwave broadcasting to Indonesia. Seven years ago, federal budget cuts resulted in the controversial closure of the Darwin shortwave site, forcing Radio Australia to stop broadcasts to Indonesia and downgrade coverage to other parts of Asia. The transmitters were later sold, and the site leased to the Christian evangelical broadcaster Voice International. Radio Australia now leases 10 hours a day of airtime from Voice International, which says that it has the capacity to offer much more airtime at competitive rates. Radio Australia says that in the 1970s and '80s, its Indonesian audience was estimated at 20 million and is now down to about 5.4 million. Read the full story http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9795919%255E7582,00.html # posted by Andy @ 15:12 UT June 9 (Media Network blog; and via Kim Elliott, Bob Padula, WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. 7185, Bangladesh Betar 1235-1248 6/8. English news by M; 1240 YL with ID "This is the External Service of Bangladesh Betar" and into sub-continental music. Good signal w/spotty ARO QRM (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Radio Illimani wants recordings! --- Radio Illimani is back on 6025 kHz with good reception, heard by many DX-ers, since June 1st. In an email illimani @ comunicacion.gov.bo the director says: En efecto, la señal que Ud. captó es de nuestra emisora que desde el pasado 1º de junio, repuso su transmisor antiguo de 10 Kw de potencia, gracias a la cooperación del gobierno de Canadá, luego de más de 2 años en que estuvo fuera del aire. Si pudiera enviar una grabación sobre su recepción, sería de gran ayuda para nosotros, y quiero contarle que esta es una nueva gestión administrativa de los medios estatales de comunicación social. --- Sr. José Luis Almanza, DIRECTOR GENERAL, RADIO ILLIMANI, La Paz, Bolivia Best regards (Jan Edh, Hudiksvall, Sweden (DX-ing in Fredriksfors), June 8, dxing.info via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) 6025, Radio Illimani, 2301, Noticias de Bolivia, música española y sudamericana. 24322. (Junio 9). (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, noticias DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. É boa a temporada, no Brasil, para a sintonia de emissoras bolivianas na faixa de 49 metros. Em 6080 kHz, tem aparecido o sinal da Rádio San Gabriel, que emite desde La Paz. Foi captada, pelo colunista, em 5 de junho, às 0123, com programação para a população indígena (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX June 7 via DXLD) You`d think any time would be a good time for reception of Bolivia next door in Brasil (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Radio San Miguel, en los 4905.07 kHz, a las 0006 UT, con un noticiero. SINPO 3/2. 09/06. Jamás he conocido una radio que varíe taaaaaanto de frecuencia. 73s y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Country not mentioned, but I assume this refers to the Bolivian nominal 4930, Riberalta (gh) ** BOLIVIA. NI RADIOS, NI TV, NI RELOJES PÚBLICOS UTILIZAN LA HORA OFICIAL DE BOLIVIA Por ley, Canal 7 TVB y la Radio Illimani deberían difundir la Hora Oficial boliviana, pero la norma no se cumple. El Observatorio Santa Ana de Tarija es el encargado oficial de brindar el dato. ``Cinco, cuatro, tres, dos, uno...`` La voz del locutor de radio retumbaba en la sala de la familia Suárez, mientras ésta aguardaba por la tía Sonia, que bajaba a toda prisa los escalones desde un segundo piso de la casa para dar la bienvenida al año nuevo. Entonces se oyó la explosión de cohetillos y petardos y las copas de champagne para el brindis se alzaron. Sin embargo, segundos más tarde, los Suárez captaron otra estación y en ella el DJ apenas empezaba la cuenta regresiva. Así, el 31 de diciembre de 2002 fue una de tantas oportunidades en que se pudo constatar que, a la hora de ajustar relojes, los bolivianos hacen de todo, menos tomar en cuenta la hora oficial. Por ley, hace 10 años, el encargado de emitir el dato exacto es el Observatorio Astronómico de Tarija que, desde la capitalización de Entel (1995), se quedó sin apoyo técnico para transmitir la información horaria al país. Según una consulta realizada por este diario en La Paz, muchos creen que la hora oficial de Bolivia se obtiene llamando a la Señorita Hora (discando el 117), un servicio de Cotel. Pero lo cierto es que esta información no es exacta, pues tiene 10 segundos de retraso con relación al Observatorio. Varias de las personas consultadas coincidieron en que, desde que este servicio se paga hace más de seis meses usan estaciones de radio, como Panamericana, Illimani y Radio Fides, para ajustar la hora de sus relojes. La estatal Radio Illimani tiene 19 segundos de adelanto con respecto a la hora oficial. Según uno de sus operadores, recogen el dato de Unicom (Unidad de Comunicación del Gobierno). Una funcionaria de esa repartición, consultada sobre la fuente de información para sincronizar sus relojes, no supo responder. Los locutores del programa ``El Panamericano deportivo``, que se emite a las 19.00 en Radio Panamericana, brindan la hora con casi dos minutos de atraso. Uno de los operadores, al ser consultado sobre el origen del dato sostuvo que éste aparece en una de las computadoras de la emisora. La hora que Radio Fides comparte es la más cercana a la oficial, ya que varía apenas con un segundo de demora. Según un trabajador de aquella emisora, ésta se origina en un satélite al que están conectados. ``Son las 20 horas con 26 minutos, ha llegado el momento de despedirnos``, anunciaba el jueves un locutor de Radio Erbol, cuando la Hora Oficial boliviana marcaba las 20 horas con 28 minutos. El canal estatal (7) muestra la hora en un costado de la pantalla, pero ésta no es la oficial. Uno de los trabajadores de ese medio informó que se basan en la hora del Planetario Max Schreier de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) de La Paz. Pero el Planetario no brinda el servicio. ``Captamos una señal internacional de radio y, por otra parte, del satélite. Verificamos la señal cada noche``, explicó Rubber Muñoz, técnico de investigación del Planetario de La Paz. Un día después, otro funcionario de Televisión Boliviana aseguró que la hora que difunden es la del Observatorio de Tarija. ``Por lo menos hace tres años que no llaman de canal 7 ni de Radio Illimani para preguntar la hora oficial``, desmintió Rodolfo Zalles, director del Observatorio de Tarija, quien recalcó que esta situación sería la ideal. Por su parte, varios peatones confiesan que se guían por los relojes gigantes, ubicados en diferentes puntos de la ciudad, como el de la Pérez Velasco, que sólo tienen unos segundos de atraso. En la Av. Mariscal Santa Cruz se levanta el reloj de Cotel, que tiene casi cuatro minutos de demora. También hay otro digital, en la misma avenida, propiedad de la Alcaldía, que difiere por segundos con el dato exacto. El reloj del Congreso, en la Plaza Murillo, lleva seis minutos de retraso. ``Todos los relojes necesitan mantenimiento``, arguye Luis Antezana, director de Servicios Técnicos del Senado, quien anunció que ese equipo está en reparación y que podría funcionar otra vez en una semana. El mismo, sin embargo, no está sincronizado con la hora oficial del Observatorio de Tarija, sino con el dato de Radio Fides. El reloj con que trabaja el Aeropuerto Internacional de El Alto, con el que se controla la llegada y salida de las aeronaves, tampoco señala la hora exacta, unos segundos marcan la diferencia. Luis Osorio, jefe de la terminal aérea, explica que utilizan la hora aeronáutica. En suma, ninguno de los relojes públicos de la ciudad de La Paz, ni los de las radioemisoras, ni canales de televisión ni siquiera los medios estatales marcan la Hora Oficial del país. (Esta interesante nota fue extraída de la edición del 09 de Junio de La Razón, Bolivia) ===== (via Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Lots of problems getting correct timesignals in Bolivia. Guess they never heard of WWV; but then it is a matter of national pride for each country to produce its own ``official time`` ! (gh, DXLD) then: ** BRAZIL. A notável Rádio Relógio Federal, do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), que emite pela freqüência de 4905 kHz, em 60 metros, agora faz parte do Sistema Graça de Comunicação, pertencente à Igreja Internacional da Graça, cujo líder espiritual é o ``Missionário R. R. Soares``. Em alguns horários, a emissora entra em cadeia com a programação da Nossa Rádio FM 89,3 MHz, do mesmo grupo. Conforme o sítio da entidade na Internet http://www.ongrace.com o Missionário Romildo Ribeiro Soares é natural de Muniz Freire (ES) e iniciou a vida espiritual, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ), em 1968. (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX June 7 via DXLD) What a mis-match, originally a station specializing in time checks, and they still use that name? (gh, DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. NEW FREQUENCY FOR DEMOCRATIC VOICE OF BURMA --- To avoid adjacent-channel interference from China Radio International, the frequency of the Democratic Voice of Burma transmission via the Radio Netherlands Madagascar relay station at 1430-1530 UT is changing tomorrow, 11th June. Will be on 17625 kHz instead of 17495 kHz. # posted by Andy @ 13:59 UT June 10 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** CANADA. CBZ 970, Fredericton's second-to-last AM signal is about to go dark. They announced on-air this afternoon that they would be pulling the plug on their AM signal on June 22. At that time their shift to 99.5 FM will be complete (Brent Taylor, Doaktown/Fredericton, NB, June 8?, NRC-AM via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** CANADA. Boas novas desde o Canadá! O programa Canadá Direto, produzido e apresentado pelo jornalista brasileiro Hector Vilar, vai ser reprisado em mais duas oportunidades. Nas sextas-feiras, continua sendo emitido às 2000 UTC, em 15255 e 17765 kHz. A novidade é a repetição, nos sábados e domingos, às 2330 UTC, em 11825 e 15455 kHz, logo após a transmissão em espanhol. É a partir de 25 de junho. O programa conta, ainda, com os trabalhos jornalísticos de Chris Medeiros. As informações são de Leônidas dos Santos Nascimento, desde São João Evangelista (MG). (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX June 7 via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** CHINA. Very strong signals of China Radio International (CRI) in English noted this morning (9 JUNE 2004) on 17490 and 17650 kHz. Both frequencies have been already reported (17490 testing since last days of May), now it seems like regular operation of both transmitters. Great signals of S9 + 30 dB here in the middle of Europe while listening between 0410-0930 UT. From 0800 they relay CRI 91.5 FM (Beijing) and often mention this frequency (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030, 30 m LW, June 9, hard-core-dx via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) Here are some new frequencies of the new CRI English service "from Beijing for China, Africa and North America" (it seems all transmitters are powerful 500/600 ones): 0400-1500 17490, 17650 1500-1600 9795, 13640, 17490, 17650 1600-1700 7250, 9795, 11670, 11940, 13640, 13730, 17490, 17650 1700-1900 11670, 11940, 12080, 13730, 13830, 15150 1900-2000 9430, 11940, 12015, 12080, 13760 2000-2100 7295, 9430, 12015, 12080, 13760 2100-2200 9430, 12080 (Mikhail Timofeyev, Russia, June 9, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CUBA. Getting set to jam the Martí broadcasts from planes: INSTALA EL GOBIERNO NUEVAS ANTENAS EN EDIFICIOS ALTOS DE LA HABANA. TOMADO DE LA EDICION "CUBANET", LUNES 7 DE JUNIO DEL 2004 POLITICA / Instala el gobierno nuevas antenas en edificios altos de La Habana - CubaNet News - Noticias de Cuba / Cuba News ============================================================= LA HABANA, 3 de junio, Ariel Delgado Covarrubias http://www.cubanet.org Un inusitado movimiento de personal trabajando en las azoteas de algunos de los edificios más altos de esta ciudad ha levantado la curiosidad de los vecinos. Y han aparecido nuevas antenas cuya utilización sólo los especialistas podrían conocer. Pero en los momentos que vive el país en espera de las anunciadas transmisiones de Radio y Tele Martí a través de un avión especial volando sobre el territorio norteamericano, surgen especulaciones y comentarios. "Seguro que son antenas para reforzar las interferencias a Radio Martí", aseguró Lidia, ama de casa que espera el momento del inicio de las transmisiones anunciadas con verdadero interés. "A lo mejor ya se están preparando para lo que viene, vamos a ver qué pasa", afirmó. "No te puedo asegurar que sean antenas interferidoras", manifestó Raúl, un joven que estudió unos años en un instituto de electrónica en esta capital. "Pero lo cierto es que no podemos descartar que la respuesta del gobierno sea aumentar los niveles de interferencia y así burlar las emisiones provenientes del avión, más lejano y con ello con menos posibilidades". "Si las cosas siguen así, por lo menos en el Vedado no vamos a tener problemas con los rayos, pues con tantas antenas en los edificios altos cualquier nubarrón se descarga a través de ellas", explicó, entre jocoso y serio el viejo Andrés, que vive en la zona hace más de medio siglo. Lo que nadie duda es que por la parte del gobierno alguna respuesta habrá. Unos creen que con el referido avión la señal podrá llegar a los telerreceptores, pero otros temen que se pueda repetir la historia de años atrás, cuando se inauguró TV Martí, y el gobierno impidió su recepción en los hogares cubanos, mediante potentes interferencias. Esta información ha sido transmitida por teléfono, ya que el gobierno de Cuba controla el acceso a Internet. CubaNet no reclama exclusividad de sus colaboradores, y autoriza la reproducción de este material, siempre que se le reconozca como fuente. Cordiales 73's (via Oscar de Céspedes, Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** CUBA. "RADIO RELOJ" programm was easily heard with S=3-4 on RHC's Bauta site on 9655 around 0700-0800 UT June 10. Lots of Cuban news at 0700, and many IDs of R. Reloj. So an early Cuban morning outlet, seems new in my eyes, or is a one-day-only operation by the Bauta engineers? (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This often happens after RHC closes at 0700, unpredictably, for reasons unknown, and not published on official schedules (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DEUTSCHES REICH [non]. It's better to burn out, than to fade away [ kooks ] Hal Turner has faded away (or should that be burned out?) his online presence, radio network, and web sites, due to a lack of financial support from the various extremist kooks and hatemongers who had supported him in the past. Thanks to Google's cache, I have saved for posterity the announcement from the now offline turnerradionetwork.com home page. The cache of the halturnershow.com home page reminds us of the reason for this collapse... [From Google's cache] THE TURNER RADIO NETWORK WILL CEASE ALL OPERATIONS ON MONDAY, MAY 31, 2004. All programs presently airing on TRN were advised last week that they must find other broadcasting alternatives. All web sites being hosted by my hosting service "PrivateWebHosting.org" were advised last week they need to find other hosting services. This web site will go offline as well. I have to take these steps because of several occurrences that have made the future of this endeavor untenable. Last month, the program "YAHWEH's TRUTH with Pastor James Wickstrom" ended its broadcasts for lack of listener support. Another program, "Think Tank with Paul Gellar" also ended over financial issues facing that show. The loss of those two shows was, thankfully, made up by the addition of a new show, "FREE AMERICAN with Clay Douglas." Revenue from that show replaced the revenue lost from the other two shows departing. Sadly, Clay Douglas was involved in a terrible motorcycle crash two weeks ago, and it became clear that he would be out of commission for at least a year as a result. The loss of this show sealed the fate of TRN. Only about 50 people ever subscribed to the $0.50 cent a day subscription feed, which was far below the 255 subscribers I had when I implemented a subscription system 18 months ago. So, like before, my ability to rely on listeners to sustain this effort proved to be useless because the majority of free audio feed listeners choose to parasite rather than participate. A number of pro-white groups said they were going to advertise on TRN, but not one of them ever made good on their promise. Solicitation of other shows to be broadcast of TRN was not successful because the majority of those shows already had very bad experience with internet broadcasting. Each and every one of them told me that "most internet listeners are the cheapest, most self-centered slobs who could not be relied upon to buy products offered for sale on the net!" One host went so far as to tell me that "internet listeners seem to feel that because the internet is mostly free, that they somehow have a right to listen and not do anything in return!" I will not ask for donations to sustain this endeavor and I certainly will not waste more of my personal funds to keep this going. I have ordered the disconnect of the telephone lines serving this network. Those lines will be turned off on June 1. I have resigned my membership in all organizations related to this endeavor. As of May 31, 2004, I will once again become a private citizen and will no longer be a "public figure." I thank all of you who helped this effort over the last four years. I am grateful to all the broadcasters who used my service and to all the web sites that used my site hosting services. I wish all of you a fond farewell -- Hal Turner Posted by cosmik at June 3, 2004 09:08 AM (via RFMA via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** FINLAND. RADIO FINLAND MAY BE SHUTTING SHORTWAVE AND MEDIUMWAVE TRANSMITTERS ALTOGETHER Details at http://www.dxing.info/news/index.dx#finland Get it while you can - and post your comments here (Mika Mäkeläinen, Palo Alto CA, June 9, dxing.info via DXLD) Viz.: Radio Finland, the external service of the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), may decide to close down its service on the shortwave and mediumwave bands. This would leave external service programming available only via satellite and on the Internet. The aim would be to cut expenses. Currently distribution costs for Radio Finland total 3.4 million euros annually. YLE Administrative Council is expected to decide the fate of shortwave later this year. In 2002 (see DXing.info news in June and September 2002 as well as a history of the cuts in the DXing.info Community) Radio Finland closed down its services in English, German and French, while Finnish, Swedish and Russian programming continued on shortwave as well as for Northern Europe also on the mediumwave band. A source at YLE tells DXing.info that possible lobbying from the part of DXers would only reduce the chances of remaining on the air, because the only justification for shortwave is to serve expatriate Finns, who number about 250.000. A decision to cut shortwave would become easier if the station is viewed as serving primarily a fringe audience of radio hobbyists (DXing.info, June 9, 2004 via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) A point I have made over and over again for the past several decades, often to the irritation of DXers. But still people insist on write-in campaigns which only serve to convince the broadcasters that the people listening are not the ones they want to reach. I'm glad that this point has been made, especially by a broadcaster and Web site in a country where DXing remains a popular hobby (Andy Sennitt, June 10, dxldyg via DXLD) Ah, then, we hobbyists should all write to YLE urging them to close it down, so they will not close it down in order to spite us! Actually, the only language they use any more I can sort of understand is Latin (gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) {YLE denies: 4-094} ** HONDURAS. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Llevo muchas semanas sin poder captar HRMI, en 3340 kHz. ¿Inactiva? Al menos en las noches brilla por su ausencia (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HUNGARY. Magyar Katolikus Rádió (MKR) has been granted a license for transmitters with the following characteristics: Lakihegy 810 (12 kW), Szolnok 1341 (135 kW), Siofók 1341 (150 kW). This transmitter network is leased from Antenna Hungária (AH), the national Hungarian transmitter network operator. As published earlier, MKR started via Szolnok 1341 on 30 May 2004, this transmitter was installed in 1949 and was used by Magyar Rádió until some few years ago. There is currently no operational transmitter available at the sites Lakihegy for 12kW and Siofók for 150kW, therefore AH will soon announce a tender for acquiring new transmitters. The new equipment is due to be installed until spring 2005. (Info: Antenna Hungária) (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. Re 6200-6525 range: As a matter of fact, all these B03 transmissions from Russia mentioned (both with DW on 6225 and Radio Studio on 6235) were in advance coordinated with the HFCC. The current A04 HFCC schedule shows various coordinated transmissions in the range 6200 to 6240 originating from transmitters in Albania (TWR), China, Czech Republic, Iran, Monaco (TWR), Pakistan (regional), Poland, Egypt, Russia (R. Vatican). DW is no longer among the users (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) So HFCC condones broadcasters encroaching on the `exclusive` maritime band, as pioneered by euro-pirates. Is HFCC not answerable to any higher international authority? ITU doesn`t care? Some other encroachers above 6200: 6205 1300-1500 43,44,49,54 TCH 500 194 RUS VAT GFC 6210 1225-1300 31,32 NVS 100 78 RUS VAT GFC 6225 2000-2130 38-40 ARM 500 188 RUS DWL GFC 6235 usage was arranged later, via St. Petersburg/Kaliningrad office. This was not coordinated at the HFCC conference in February 2004. Anatoli Titov is the guy responsible for frequency registrations at HFCC since Soviet days. He is responsible for the assignment and international coordination of Russian frequencies in these bands. He is no longer involved in the actual operation of the transmitters. He must be in his 60s and about ready for pension. Website: http://www.grfc.ru/ The correct full name is GENERAL RADIO FREQUENCY CENTRE, a subdivision of the (national) State Radio Frequency Service (established in 2000). Formerly known as MCBN: Main Centre for Control of Broadcasting Networks. Mr. Anatoly Titov's current official position is (as supplied by GRFC): State Radio Frequency Service; General Radio Frequency Centre; Division for SW, MW, LW broadcasting; Head of Division. Contact info: a_titov @ vor.ru Mr. Anatoli T. Titov, tel +70952983302 fax +70959567546 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. Re FriendShipRadio: A well chosen frequency ;) 13865 is used by Icelandic Radio for transmissions to Europe at 1755-1825. (Before any speculations appear: there is no link between Iceland and these alleged "FriendShipRadio" transmissions). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, This message appears on the Web site of Anoraks UK: http://www.anoraknation.com/messages/18117.html "Quoting a previous Mike Terry contribution:- "An update from Glenn Hauser's highly respected DXLD bulletin. June 8, 2004 "They are winding him up. Highly respected or not, he's being played as a sucker." FWIW, this seems to be a silly, childish dispute between different factions of the "free radio" fraternity in the UK, which are using DXLD and other publications to discredit each other to pursue wind-ups and personal vendettas. I personally believe DXLD should not allow itself to be used for this. I have good contacts amongst those who know exactly what's going on in the radio business in this part of the world, both offshore and onshore, and if there were a shred of truth in this story we would be pursuing it. 73, (Andy Sennitt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I already explained why I am not putting my imprimatur on everything published in DXLD. It is the responsibility of the source to be accurate, and in many cases if I know it is not, I correct it or at least challenge it. I don`t purport to know what is going on in the Euro pirate radio scene, nor do I care much, and don`t go out of my way try to cover that. I do know that there are scads of land-based pirates reported every month e.g. in BDXC-UK Communication, mostly in the 48 meter band. How can one know that one is *not* operating on 17475, or 13865, before checking it? If no one reports anything on 13865 this weekend as supposedly scheduled, I will conclude FSR does not exist (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FriendShipRadio, hoax or not? --- There seems no doubt, this is a hoax (Mike Terry, UK, June 9, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from FRANCE to IRAN, KRSI untraced when checking 16 mb during the 1600 hour June 10. Not on 17510 or 17525, nor could I find them elsewhere. Is anyone still hearing them? (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** IRAQ. BAGHDAD'S FAVOURITE RADIO STATION GIVES RESIDENTS A VOICE Michael Howard in Baghdad, Thursday June 10, 2004, The Guardian From a modest family house somewhere in a western Baghdad suburb, Radio Dijla is fighting crime, saving lives, and treating the emotional traumas of lovesick teenagers. Unthinkable during the Saddam era, this is Iraq's first talk radio station. It is only a small commercial channel that has sprung up in the maelstrom of the capital, but has already struck a chord with residents. Up to 18,000 callers a day try to contact the station - it only answers a fraction of that number - and it has become Baghdad's favourite. "This is a new concept for Iraq, and the Arab world, and fills a yawning gap," says Ahmad al-Rikabi, Radio Dijla's founder, who was head of the US-funded Iraqi Media Network but resigned citing frustration at interference and bureaucracy. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1235168,00.html (via Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DXLD) WTFK?? ** MAURITIUS. 1575, 1620 UT 23/5, BBC Relay, Forest Side with interview - good (South African Karoo Dxpedition 23-26 May 2004. Usual location at Vaalkloof, 200 km NE of Cape Town. Attended by Vince Stevens & Gary Deacon, MW-DX via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Re: KSBI 52 OKC developing I believe At Home is a FamilyNet show; WLLA-64 also has it at the same time (11 AM E). (Keith K. Smith, Lansing, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Program schedule of CRN 4960, starting with Sunday; subtract 10 hours for UT; lots of Vatican and EWTN stuff, yawn: http://www.catholicpng.org.pg/crn/Sunday.html (via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. Sudan Radio Service (SRS, the US-funded and Nairobi- based operation broadcasting via UK transmitters) now has a web site - http://www.sudanradio.org It offers access to audio files of the daily broadcasts. These are currently on SW as follows: 0300-0500 on 11665 0500-0600 on 15325 1500-1800 on 17660 (repeat of the 0300-0600 broadcast) (Chris Greenway, Kenya, June 9, WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Their TOP NEWS page doesn`t size properly, cutting off the right edge no matter what (gh, IE 6.0, DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND [non]. Switzerland (via Germany?) [no, GUIANA FRENCH] 15220 heard often with the same pop music you can hear in ANY local area on AM or FM (what a waste!) followed their 2030 UT German news on 6/8/04 with Swiss folk music at 2050-2100 when French news began (also on weaker 13795 & 13645). SRI began its downhill slide when the refined folks in Bern tired of playing their country music after their formerly interesting programs. They used to be so good, I once visited them there and met correspondent Persedona Parsons, saw the Barengraben in pretty Bern and the sights of other towns and the mountains. Dropping shortwave indicates that perhaps these days they don't have an interest in visitors either (Wells Perkins - New Jersey, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. 6765U, Bangkok Meteo, 1207-1222 6/9. Weather in English, ID as "Bangkok Meteorological Service," IS, then wx in Thai; sequence repeated at 1218. Fair signal and deteriorating (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) ** U K [non]. Dear Short Wave Listeners and Radio Enthusiasts. I am announcing a change of frequency for Radio Ezra. As some of you may be aware the frequency 17490 kHz was also used by China Radio International on the broadcast date of 6th June 2004 - Radio Ezra's first broadcast of the new series. I understand that CRI are not registered to use this frequency and a complaint has been issued by Radio Ezra to their Board of Directors. In the meantime Radio Ezra has changed frequency to 17590 kHz commencing Sunday 13th June 2004. Times remain the same: 0900-0930 UT 17590 kHz each Sunday using 100 kW from Krasnodar, Russia, targeted to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. John D. Hill (Station Owner) Radio Ezra http://www.radioezra.com PO Box 674, Stockton on Tees, TS18 3WR, UNITED KINGDOM Fax: +44 1642 887546 info @ radioezra.com (via Dan Sampson, Silvain Domen, dxldyg via DXLD) Radio Ezra comes from the Jewish sect which does not follow the Talmud (rabbinical commentaries and rulings) but only the Hebrew Bible? (Joel Rubin, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. VOA, 15410.520, Morocco? It's really unusual for the VOA to be off this much (frequency measured and compared to WWV 15000.000) heard on May 28, 2004 with "Africa World Tonight" at 2025 UT. The next day at 1822 on 15409.997 and dead on .000 when checked for several days following (Wells Perkins - New Jersey, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. HOW THE US GOVERNMENT'S ARAB TV NETWORK CAN ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY --- Opinion by Kim Andrew Elliott, 9 June 2004 Al Hurra, the controversial new US government funded Arabic language television channel, may be the best means for the United States to ensure that Arab audiences are accurately informed about its policies and operations in the Middle East. Television is the most popular medium for news in the Middle East, and Al Hurra reaches the entire region via satellite. Al Hurra will succeed only if it establishes its credibility during this critical early phase of its existence. Because people tune to foreign news broadcasts in large numbers only in countries where the domestic media are government controlled, credibility is the essential ingredient of successful international broadcasting. . . http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/us040609.html (Media Network via DXLD) ** U S A. LeSEA ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF SHORTWAVE RADIO STATION WSHB LeSEA Broadcasting is pleased to announce their purchase of the Christian Science Publishing Society's shortwave station WSHB. Located in Cypress Creek, South Carolina, WSHB is considered to be one of the premier shortwave facilities in the world. This great signal covers South America, Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, the Middle East, most of Africa, and Australasia. WSHB will provide World Harvest Radio with a potential listening audience of millions daily. WSHB will join the existing World Harvest Radio family of stations consisting of five shortwave stations called Angels covering South America, Central America, North America, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Two of the stations, Angel One covering Central and South America and Angel Two covering Europe and Western Russia, will be added to WSHB's signal. WSHB was completed in 1989 and consists of two 250,000-watt transmitters on a 380- acre tract of land. The addition of WSHB is a giant leap for World Harvest Radio adding millions of people around the world under the scope of LeSEA Broadcasting. President of LeSEA Broadcasting Peter Sumrall stated, "With the addition of WSHB we are moving from great coverage from our Angel system to spectacular coverage. World Harvest Radio will have a higher quality of transmitter resulting in a clearer signal in locations we currently reach, and will include the addition of remote areas which were not reachable by us before." It is with great excitement and anticipation that LeSEA Broadcasting heads into this new era of World Harvest Radio offering the highest quality service of its kind. Now more than ever, the goal of LeSEA's founder Dr. Lester Sumrall to reach a million people for Christ every day is becoming a reality. As Dr. Sumrall once said, "I am assured that this ministry will continue in the second generation, and I pray in the third as well, if Jesus tarries. We will experience success in our efforts to reach those million souls for Christ every day, if we continue to carry the same vision and consecration." For more information about World Harvest Radio and WSHB go to http://www.whr.org (via Sean Traverse, June 9, DXLD) Reading between the lines here, apparently WSHB will be renamed WHRI and the Indiana facility will be decomissioned --- I think (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. La Voz de la NASB (Asociacion Nacional de Radiodifusoras de Onda Corta de los EEUU) transmitirá un programa especial este domingo, 13 de junio en español por primera vez. En el programa, Jeff White tendrá una entrevista con Cristina Del Razo, ex-directora de Radio Mexico Internacional, sobre el cierre de transmisiones de la emisora que ocurrió el primero de junio. La Voz de la NASB se transmite via WRMI en Miami UTC domingo a las 0230-0300 en 7385 kHz hacia Norteamerica, y a las 0930-1000 en 9955 kHz hacia America Latina. El programa también sale en forma digital DRM UTC domingo a las 1230-1300 en 9565 kHz via las facilidades de Merlin Comunicaciones en Inglaterra. La transmision en DRM es para oyentes en Europa. La Voz de la NASB tendrá dos programas más en español los domingos 20 y 27 de junio, según el mismo horario arriba. El programa de junio 20 tendrá una entrevista con Pancho Rodriguez, presentador del popular programa DXista "Frecuencia RM" de la Voz de Rusia; y entrevistas en portugués con personal de Radio Internacional de China realizadas por Cassiano Macedo, productor del programa "Encontro DX" de la emisora brasileña Radio Aparecida. El programa del 27 de junio ofrecerá muestras de programas en español de Radio Trans Mundial. La Voz de la NASB ofrece una tarjeta QSL para informes sobre estas transmisiones. Los informes se pueden enviar a La Voz de la NASB, Apartado Postal 526852, Miami, Florida 33152, EUA, o por correo electrónico a: info@wrmi.net (Jeff White, NASB/WRMI, June 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: Yes, it's the same interview with Cristina but perhaps longer. I don't think they used the whole thing on Radio Enlace. Yes, VoNASB is only Spanish (well, with a bit of Portuguese) for the next three weeks, then will return to English. There were a couple of reruns lately, which we had to do because the original broadcasts in DRM had technical problems on Merlin's end. So they had never been broadcast in DRM. In order to keep the schedule the same on both WRMI and Merlin, we repeated the shows on WRMI as well. I can now tell you that when the DRM transmissions to Europe end on July 18, we have decided to broadcast in DRM to North America via RCI- Sackville, 1700-1730 UT Saturday on 11900. Start date has not been set yet. More details soon (Jeff White, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. South African Karoo Dxpedition 23-26 May 2004. Usual location at Vaalkloof, 200 km NE of Cape Town. Attended by Vince Stevens & Gary Deacon. Rxers: Drake R8A, Icom R70 & FRG-7; 3 unterminated Beverages of between 250 & 400 metres in length at bearings of 336 (Mag N), 311 and 286 degrees; 12V Batteries used as there is no mains. Times in UTC. [x-band portion only here] 1620 0406 26/5 USA WTAW, College Station w id - poor under WDHP 1630 0352 26/5 USA UNIDENTIFIED w msg - v.poor 1630 0546 25/5 UNID in SS - very weak. 1640 0336 24/5 USA UNIDENTIFIED w talk - very poor. 1650 0503 25/5 USA WHKT, Portsmouth VA Radio Disney with id and ann. - poor 1650 0520 25/5 USA UNID w Coast to Coast AM //1700 under WHKT, very poor. 1650 0332 26/5 USA KDNZ Cedar Falls IA w nx & ID which could have been KCNZ as that is their sister stn whom they relay at times - poor and only briefly heard. 1660 0413 26/5 USA WWRU, Elizabeth NJ with id - fair 1660 0500 26/5 USA WCNZ , Marco Island FL w news - fair 1670 0505 26/5 USA WNWR, Dry Branch GA w id and ph-in - poor 1680 0501 26/5 USA UNIDENTIFIED w news - v.poor 1690 0324 26/5 USA WRLL, Berwyn IL with oldies mx, id @ 0502 - poor 1700 0517 25/5 USA KVNS (ex KQXX), Brownsville TX with "Coast To Coast" phone-in pr most consistent of of the USA X-Banders heard every morning - fair with good peaks The X-band open to Australia in the evenings and the Americas in the mornings. (Thanks to Gary for compiling these logs - I just added a few of the UNID's..) (Vincent Stevens, 13 St.James Street, Oakdale, Bellville, 7530, Rep of South Africa, MWC via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO SILENCE --- HOW NPR PURGED CLASSICAL MUSIC FROM ITS AIRWAVES. by Andrew Ferguson, From the June 14, 2004 issue: 06/14/2004, Volume 009, Issue 38 IF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF BLACKSMITHS AND BUGGYWHIP MANUFACTURERS had held a convention in 1910, in those last sullen moments before the Horseless Carriage put them all out of business, then this is what it must have felt like -- the same forced cheerfulness laid over the same defeated air, the same stiff upper lip at the prospect of the inescapable end. Outside the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort, on the Florida coast near Tampa Bay, the beach was streaked with wind and black thunderheads stacked up along the horizon. Inside the hotel, members of the Association of Music Personnel in Public Radio had gathered for their 42nd annual convention. These are the programmers who play what remains of classical music on America's noncommercial radio stations. They milled about the Citrus Room, and ducked in and out of the Mangrove Room, and stepped hopefully toward the Manatee Room, where, in the manner of all such trade conventions, a space had been set aside for interested tradesmen to hawk their wares to this select professional audience. It was nearly empty. . . http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/184uadtr.asp (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) From my point of view, a classical enthusiast, this very long item is quite depressing. Just last night, Galactic Voyager (space, electronic, new age, world music --- not exactly classical) on KCSN 88.5 started containing outright commercials, UT Wed 0400-0700 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. RE: TX/NM/AZ/OK TV/FM station news Thanks for the interesting station news. Glenn Hauser wrote: 4, KTFL, local station with FJ(?) network; The network is FN for Family Net. 13, Spanish novela, the network with a triangle in a triangle bug That would be Telefutura. [Later:] After thinking about it a few minutes, I think I've also seen a "FJ" lower right lately on KTFL-4, rather than FN. [Later2:] In checking the "FN" website, I think the logo has an odd-looking "FN" in that circle (Danny Oglethorpe, Shreveport, LA, WTFDA via DXLD) I was in Flagstaff a couple of weeks ago. The KNAZ logo is still the same, as far as I can tell. KMOH-6 Kingman AZ is also listed on their ID slide (apparently a 100% satellite). They do their own 30-minute news at 6 and 10 (or I guess that would be 35 minutes at 10 pm!), typical small-town fare, no bells and whistles ("just the facts, ma'am") with KPNX-12 simulcast news at other times. IIRC there are 5-minute drop-ins during the TODAY show, couldn't swear to it (David Austin, Columbia SC, WTFDA via DXLD) Both stations are satellites of KPNX 12 in Phoenix. I'm curious, though. You said that they do their own newscasts; do they show their own top-of-the-hour IDs too? Perhaps I should throw the "12" logo in with the "2", if that's what DXers see/notice more often. "End of message. End of transmission." (Ryan Grabow, Massapequa, Long Island, New York, http://www.egrabow.com/dx/ Logo Gallery: http://www.egrabow.com/gallery/ WTFDA via DXLD) {More about this: 4-097} ** U S A. STUDENT RADIO STATION GETS FCC REPRIEVE By Natalie Singer, Seattle Times Eastside bureau Mercer Island High School's radio station, one of the few student stations left in the country, narrowly avoided extinction this week after a Federal Communications Commission ruling that gave away their frequency was suspended. The school learned of the reprieve yesterday, two weeks after the FCC granted permission for a commercial radio station in The Dalles, Ore., which shares the same 104.5 FM frequency, to take over the local signal. The Mercer Island station, KMIH, began fighting for its place on the dial two years ago, when the FCC accepted the Oregon station's application to move its license to Covington, WA... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2001952843_radio10e.html (via Artie Bigley, Brock Whaley, DXLD) FCC SETS ASIDE CONTROVERSIAL FM ALLOTMENT DECISION A sigh of relief for a Seattle area high school An order was released today by the FCC that sets aside a decision made a few days ago that would move a rural Oregon station into Seattle metropolitan area. The FCC gives no reason for its decision. After it was done, the docket included a couple of counterproposals as well as the original petitioner, Mid-Columbia Broadcasting filing an amended proposal which even included proposed making changes of allotments in Canada. The most controversial portion of the proposal would have resulted in the displacement of KMIH-FM, a small Class-D station licensed to the Merrit* Island School District. If Mid-Columbia was allowed to move their station KMCQ(FM) from The Dalles, OR to Covington, WA, a bedroom community in Seattle, it would put a high powered radio station on 104.5, the same frequency that KMIH broadcasts on. {*It`s Mercer Island as in previous item and subsequent REC correxion} KMIH is a Class-D station. Class D stations are considered "secondary". This means that a full power station can displace them. LPFM and translator stations are also considered secondary. The situation has also caught the attention of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) who sits on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Also sitting on this committee is John McCain (R-AZ), who is introducing legislation to repeal the Radio Broadcasting Protection Act, that placed a third adjacent channel restriction on LPFM stations. ReclaimTheMedia.org reprts that under the Cantwell proposal, some "super powered" Class-D secondary stations would receive primary status as a Class A station. Information on McCain's proposed LPFM legislation can be found at: http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=04/06/04/7762931 More information on the Cantwell story can be found at: http://www.reclaimthemedia.org/stories.php?story=04/05/28/9693201 More information about FM Table of Allotments proceedings can be found at REC Networks: http://www.recnet.com/allotments/ (from REC Networks June 8 via DXLD) ** U S A. McCAIN, LEAHY SEEK MORE LOW-POWER FM STATIONS http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A16780-2004Jun4.html By Frank Ahrens Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, June 5, 2004; Page E02 Two powerful senators are trying to open the airwaves for community radio stations, aiming to erase restrictions that prevent their rollout in urban areas. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a bill yesterday to lift what they call unnecessary measures designed to prevent signal interference with other FM stations. Known as "low-power FM stations," the tiny community stations usually have a range of about 3.5 miles. Authorized in 2000, the noncommercial stations are designed to serve highly localized communities. A number are up and running in less-populated areas, including one in Maryland's Calvert County. Nationwide, more than 200 such stations are on the air. If the McCain-Leahy bill is enacted, as many as 1,000 more could be licensed, community-radio advocates estimate. Low-power advocates have pushed hard to bring the stations into urban, often-poorer areas, saying that is where they are most needed But their introduction into urban locations -- where the FM band is crowded with commercial frequencies -- is opposed by National Public Radio and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the trade group of commercial radio stations, each of which maintains the low- power signals will interfere with existing FM stations. At the urging of commercial broadcasters, Congress in 2000 imposed limits on the licensing of low-power stations, which the McCain-Leahy bill would eradicate. "After spending almost two years and over $2 million, an independent study revealed what the [Federal Communications Commission] and community groups have said all along: Low-power FM radio will do no harm to other broadcasters," McCain said in a statement issued yesterday. The study cited by McCain -- a 2003 report on the likelihood of low-power radio interference prepared by Mitre Corp., a nonprofit technical research firm -- concluded community radio stations would not interfere with larger commercial stations. In February, the FCC told Congress no additional interference studies are needed. The NAB disagrees. "It is unfortunate Sen. McCain is relying on the deeply flawed Mitre study in supporting the authorization of more low-power FM stations," NAB President Edward O. Fritts said in a written statement. "Local radio listeners should not be subjected to the inevitable interference that would result from shoe-horning more stations onto an already overcrowded radio dial." More than 3,400 community groups have applied for low-power licenses. Church groups account for about 40 percent of all granted licenses, the largest group of low-power broadcasters, according to the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. © 2004 The Washington Post Company (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. MEDIA BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON OVER-THE-AIR BROADCAST TELEVISION VIEWERS --- DA 04-1497 May 27, 2004 MB Docket No. 04-210 Comment Date: July 12, 2004 --- Reply Comment Date: August 5, 2004 Section 309(j)(14) of the Communications Act sets forth the conditions under which analog television broadcasting will end in the United States. Those conditions could be met as early as December 31, 2006, although the statute provides for extensions of that date if certain marketplace criteria have not been satisfied. As contemplated by Section 309(j)(14), up to 15 percent of television households in a given market could lose television service altogether if they rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasting and have analog-only sets when the transition ends. In the remaining households, analog sets that are not connected to a pay television service could lose service as well. In this Public Notice, we seek comment on options for minimizing the disruption to consumers when the switch-over to digital broadcasting occurs. We are primarily concerned with those households that rely exclusively on over-the-air broadcasting for their television service, but we seek comment more broadly on minimizing the impact on all consumers. First, we seek comment on the identity of those consumers that rely on over-the-air television broadcasting and why they do not subscribe to a pay television service. Second, we seek comment on potential options for minimizing the impact on these and other consumers when broadcasters are operating solely in digital. Given the statutory directives and the nature of the potential solutions, we anticipate that the data submitted will be used primarily to help formulate possible recommendations to Congress. The Commission may, however, take other steps as appropriate. Over-the-Air Television Viewers We seek quantitative data on consumers who watch over-the-air broadcast television, including: (1) The number of households that rely solely on over-the-air broadcasting (``over-the-air households``) for their television service; (2) The number of households that subscribe to a multi-channel video service provider (`MVPD`) and have one or more television sets that rely on over-the-air broadcast service; (3) The number of analog-only television sets in use by the households identified in (1) and (2), above; (4) The number of digital television receivers in use in the households identified in (1) and (2), above, that are capable of receiving over-the-air digital broadcast television signals; (5) The demographic characteristics of over-the-air households, including age, race or ethnicity, and education and income levels; (6) The geographic characteristics of over-the-air households, including urban/rural and regional disparities; (7) Data on why over-the-air households do not subscribe to an MVPD service, including specific data on: (a) the number of over-the-air households that would like to subscribe but cannot afford it, (b) the number of over-the-air households that could afford to subscribe to an MVPD service but choose not to, and (c) the number of over-the-air households that would like to subscribe and could afford it but their MVPD service of choice is not available in their community (e.g., no cable system or no satellite provider with local-into-local service). Options for Addressing Analog-Only Television Sets We also seek comment on options for addressing the potential disruption to consumers with analog-only television sets when the transition is complete. As an initial matter, we seek comment on the extent to which market forces can be expected to deal with this problem – e.g., consumers voluntarily buying digital-to-analog converter boxes before the end of the transition, cable or satellite providers that carry all of the local digital broadcast stations connecting additional sets in subscribers` homes to their networks, and broadcasters, wireless auction winners or others voluntarily subsidizing or deploying converter boxes in order to accelerate the transition. If marketplace forces alone cannot be counted on to address this issue, can and should the affected industries be required to take steps to minimize the potential for consumer disruption? If government action is warranted, we seek comment on the nature and scope of such involvement. Should the government subsidize consumers’ purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes, or should it procure and distribute the equipment itself? In either event, what minimum technical capabilities should the converter boxes have? What do converter boxes cost today and what are they expected to cost in the future? If a subsidy is appropriate, we seek comment on the type and amount of subsidy that should be considered. For instance, we seek comment on whether the subsidy should be in the form of a tax credit, a refundable tax credit, or a voucher. We also seek comment on whether the subsidy should be available for consumers who wish to purchase a digital television set in lieu of a digital-to-analog converter, or for those who wish to purchase a multi-channel video service from providers that carry all the local digital broadcast signals. We seek comment on the scope of any potential government action. Who would qualify for the government subsidy or other program? If the subsidy or other program is means-tested, what test should be used? We also seek comment on the number of devices that the government should subsidize. For instance, is one digital-to-analog converter box per household sufficient, or should the government subsidize the conversion of additional analog-only sets in consumers` homes? Should the government subsidize conversion equipment for over-the-air households that have at least one digital receiver and one or more analog-only sets? Should the government subsidize conversion equipment for MVPD subscribers who receive all the local digital broadcast signals on the television(s) hooked up to the pay service, but who have one or more analog-only sets not hooked up to the pay service? Finally, we seek comment on how a government program would be financed and administered. For instance, in bands where we intend to auction new licenses for spectrum freed up by the digital conversion, we seek comment on whether, under Section 309 and our precedent, we could require as a condition of the license that auction winners pay for conversion of analog-only equipment as part of a mandatory band- clearing mechanism. We note that in other auctioned bands, we have required new entrants to bear the costs to retune existing equipment to new bands or replace such equipment. We also seek comment on whether a government subsidy program could be financed directly through auction revenues, spectrum license fees, or other funding mechanisms, although we note that some of these options would require legislation. Procedural Matters Comments should be filed on or before July 12, 2004 and reply comments should be filed by August 5, 2004. Comments and reply comments may be filed using the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (``ECFS``) or by filing paper copies. See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 Fed. Reg 24121 (1998). All comments should reference MB Docket No. 04-210. Comments filed through the ECFS can be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html Generally, only one copy of an electronic submission must be filed. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket or rulemaking number. Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail. To get filing instructions for e-mail comments, commenters should send an e-mail to ec-@fcc.gov [truncated] and should include the following words in the body of the message, ``get form.`` Parties who choose to file by paper must file an original and four copies of each filing. Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. The Commission’s contractor, Natek, Inc., will receive hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission`s Secretary at 236 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Suite 110, Washington, D.C. 20002. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S. Postal Service first-class mail, Express Mail, and Priority Mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission. In addition parties should serve a copy of each filing via e-mail or one paper copy to John Berresford, Suite 3-A662, Media Bureau, FCC, 445 12th St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. Comments, reply comments, and other submissions will be available for public inspection during regular business hours in the FCC Reference Center, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, S.W., CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. These documents also will be available electronically from the Commission’s Electronic Comment Filing System. Documents are available electronically in ASCII text, Word 97, and Adobe Acrobat. Copies of filings in this proceeding may be obtained from Qualex International, Portals II, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room, CY-B402, Washington, D.C., 20554, telephone (202) 863- 2893, facsimile (202) 863-2898, or via e-mail at quale-@aol.com [truncated by topica] To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc-@fcc.gov [truncated] or call the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0531 (voice), 202- 418-7365 (TTY). For further information contact Rick Chessen, Media Bureau at (202) 418-7200. By the Chief, Media Bureau. FCC (via Kevin Redding, May 28, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. CLEAR CHANNEL REACHES INDECENCY SETTLEMENT -- Wed Jun 9 WASHINGTON - The Federal Communications Commission has reached a nearly $2 million settlement with Clear Channel Communications to resolve a number of indecency complaints that include shock jock Howard Stern, according to published reports. The agreement, which could be announced as early as Wednesday, would settle fines proposed by the agency for sexually explicit remarks Stern made in an April 2003 broadcast. The agreement also would cover any and all outstanding listener complaints lodged against Clear Channel, including dozens of cases that haven't even been reviewed yet, according to reports in Wednesday editions of The Washington Post and The New York Times. Telephone calls to several FCC officials late Tuesday were not returned. The settlement, estimated at about $1.75 million, would be the largest ever negotiated by the FCC and a broadcaster, the newspapers said. It would be on top of a $755,000 fine that Clear Channel agreed to pay earlier this year for graphic discussions about sex and drugs aired on the "Bubba the Love Sponge" program. Clear Channel fired DJ Todd Clem over the incident. San Antonio-based Clear Channel, the nation's largest owner of radio stations, also canned Stern from six of its 1,200-plus stations after the FCC proposed fines of $495,000 for his April show. As part of its stepped-up enforcement of indecency regulations, the commission for the first time cited a broadcaster for multiple violations in a single broadcast rather than simply issuing a single fine for an entire show. The maximum fine for breaking indecency laws is $27,500 for each violation, but the House has voted to raise the cap to $500,000 and to require the FCC to consider revoking a broadcaster's license after three indecency violations. Similar legislation is pending in the Senate. Federal law bars radio stations and over-the-air television channels from airing references to sexual and excretory functions between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children may be tuning in. The rules do not apply to cable and satellite channels or satellite radio (source? via Bill Hale, TX, June 9, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Eric Idle's FCC Song [ broadcast media | rants ] This little ditty I found on Usenet yesterday summarizes what I feel about the current administration, which shall go down as one of the most miserable failures of an American presidency in the last hundred and fifty years. You may download this song directly from the Monty Python site http://www.pythononline.com/plugs/idle/FCCSong.mp3 or from a mirror site http://macartisan.typepad.com/fccsong.mp3 (RFMA June 1 via DXLD) Language advisory ** U S A. I am in total agreement with your remarks about Reagan coverage. The Reagan presidency was the beginning of the triumph of style over substance that has now reached a bloody pinnacle in the current U.S. presidency (Mike Cooper, GA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn: -- As usual, you have hit the nail on the head --- this time, re Ronald Reagan (DXLD #90). Radio Havana Cuba's newscast on June 8 mentioned Noam Chomsky's review of the Reagan coverage, as he (Chomsky) called it, "a dramatic rewriting of History". And, who can forget Iran-Contra?? Right on, GH! P.S.: "Drug tests" -- Can you imagine a prospective employer asking for a bottle of your piss, anytime prior to 1981?? "Fawn Hall"- Saw her once in the ABC Studios, sans makeup....NOT impressive at all! Give me Jessica Hahn or Donna Rice any day!! (-- GREG HARDISON, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Appreciate those who may disagree with me holding their tongues. I was busy doing WORLD OF RADIO at its usual time, when the State Funeral was taking place; how inconsiderate of them. When I was finished around 0000 UT I scanned local FM and AM on the car radio, when Acting VP Dick Cheney was delivering his eulogy, and to my great surprise here in Far Right Republican Oklahoma, did not find a single FM station covering it --- business (or entertainment) as usual, and only one AM, KRMG 740 Tulsa. This was when all the major TV networks were wall-to-wall (well, except for tornado warnings in OK). The commentator (from ABC Radio?) made the point that the State Funeral was in honor of the Presidency, not Reagan in particular. Sure (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. NÃO IDENTIFICADA --- 1710, 01/06 0110, UNID (TENT Relay Voice of America ??, QTH Florida ??), tx em SS, px da R. Marti sobre Dia da "recordación" dos "caídos" nas guerras, com dois historiadores sobre as guerras do sec. XX. 0130 UTC nx abt visita do Presidente G. W. Bush ao Cemitério de Arlington. 34333 (Renato Dutra, Rio Grande (RS), Brasil, Philips AE 3625 digital, loop experimental núcleo ferrite/ar, @tividade DX June 7 via DXLD) Here we go again: most likely receiver-produced image of 6030: 1710 x 3 = 5130. 5130 + (2 x 450 IF) = 6030 (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. LOCATION? - 4815U AFRTS 1140-1218+ 6/9. Usual AFRTS programming here // 5765U, 6350U and 12133.5U. Have not seen this freq reported before. Good signal well after local sunrise here (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge CO, Cumbre DX via WORLD OF RADIO 1233, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Cland, 4912, V. of National Salvation, 1805, Talks by OM and YL. Signal S9, strong QRM in both bands, 32322 (Liangas, June 6th 2004, Retziki THS Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Zacharias, V. of National Salvation (North to South Korea) no longer exists, and they never used 4912, so I wonder what you really heard? Oh, I`ll bet you meant 3912, which is (was?) V. of the People, South to North Korea? Please be more careful (Glenn) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL +++++++++++++++++++++++ Glenn, I guess you're on vacation, but we're not doing religion or politics on the [WTFDA] list this week ;) Anyway, I suppose you were referring to definition #1 or #3. Otherwise, fascinating report! huck ster (P) Pronunciation Key (hkstr) n. 1. One who sells wares or provisions in the street; a peddler or hawker. 2. One who uses aggressive, showy, and sometimes devious methods to promote or sell a product. 3. Informal. One who writes advertising copy, especially for radio or television. Glenn Hauser wrote: ``Around Woodward I was getting a gospel huxter on 91.7 as I was hoping to start pulling in KOSU Stillwater, but nothing is listed. Seems to me there used to be a satellator or translator in Laverne, but it`s not in the current or previous FM Atlas (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)`` (Lenny Goldberg, Ashland, OR, WTFDA via DXLD) Axually, I tend to consider all proselytizing, however mild, as gospel-huxtering, since it is trying to sell a phony product under false pretenses (gh, DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ NTIA CLAIMS BPL COULD HELP ALLEVIATE POWER LINE NOISE http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/06/09/2/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 9, 2004 --- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration`s comments in the BPL Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) more clearly reveal the political face of an agency eager and determined to sell the technology`s viability, no matter what its own scientists have concluded. The NTIA is the principal White House adviser on telecommunications policy and administers federal government radio spectrum. Its largely scientific Phase 1 report, which clearly established BPL`s interference potential, already is part of the proceeding. The agency`s formal comments, filed June 4, take pains to depict the technology not only as workable but desirable to all--provided that BPL operators and utilities are willing to jump through additional NTIA-recommended hoops. At one point, the NTIA calls BPL ``a win-win proposition,`` claiming that its widespread deployment could lead to a reduction in power line noise. ``Substitution of BPL emissions for the strong, much wider-bandwidth power line noise emissions will broadly reduce risks of interference to radiocommunications,`` the agency asserts. The NTIA says it`s measured power line noise levels that are higher than the proposed BPL emission limits. Existing power line noise poses ``greater local interference risks`` than BPL would. But that prediction came with a qualification: ``This is not to say that NTIA expects there will be a net, nationwide reduction of interference risks; instead, NTIA believes there will be at least partial offsetting of the interference risks posed by BPL.`` The NTIA claims that reduction of strong power line noise ``is a basic technical requirement`` for acceptable BPL performance at the field strength limits the FCC has proposed and the NTIA has endorsed. Widespread BPL deployment, the agency goes on to say, also would provide an improved mechanism for utilities to detect and diagnose electrical grid failures and problems. Nowhere does NTIA acknowledge that power line noise interference to licensed radio services already contravenes FCC Part 15 rules regulating unintentional radiators--the same rules that apply to power line carrier and BPL systems. The ARRL assists the FCC in dealing with hundreds of power line noise complaints from amateurs each year. The agency does come close to recommending a limit on BPL signal power to compensate for variations in power line noise, however. ``Because radio noise on power lines can vary by upwards of 20 dB throughout a day,`` the comments said, ``a rule should require adjustment of BPL signal power to preclude unnecessarily high levels of radiated emissions.`` The NTIA said that while it`s still evaluating the potential of BPL power control to reduce interference risk, ``it is obvious that reducing Access BPL emissions by about 20 dB (a factor of 100) when noise is at relatively low levels will substantially reduce interference risks.`` NTIA Smells a Rat? Addressing BPL`s interference potential is a persistent theme throughout the agency`s remarks, and sometimes its stance verges on the overly defensive. Early on, NTIA raised the specter of coax- munching rodents with an over-the-top example of ``suspected`` versus genuine interference: Poor reception chalked up to BPL could turn out to be a pest-control issue, the agency suggested in a footnote. ``For example, rodents sometimes chew coaxial cables or twin-lead transmission lines and cause significant reductions or complete loss of the desired signal power that should reach the receiver,`` the NTIA said. ``In many other cases, interference is realized but not caused by the suspected device.`` Additional Hoops To reduce interference risks from the technology, the NTIA comments recommend ``several new BPL rule elements`` to augment the FCC`s proposals. ``These rules also help ensure that interference from BPL systems would be eliminated expeditiously with little effort needed on the part of any radio operator,`` the NTIA predicted. Its recommendations, the agency says, shift emphasis away from eliminating interference and toward preventing it--something it says BPL operators have a strong incentive to do. FCC Chairman Michael Powell surfs the `net via a BPL-provided Internet connection in a home in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Progress Energy is conducting a BPL field trial in the neighborhood. ``NTIA believes that BPL operators, as the parties responsible for eliminating harmful interference, will voluntarily implement equipment, organizational elements, and installation and operating practices that prevent interference and facilitate interference mitigation,`` the agency`s comments state. ``Market appeal of BPL could quickly evaporate if BPL systems were to endemically cause interference and have to be shut down with operating authorizations swiftly revoked if necessary.`` The NTIA recommends the FCC make its proposed BPL deployment notification requirements retroactive. BPL operators ``should be required to notify of planned deployments at least 30 days in advance of implementation and to consider the coordination data they receive regarding local radio receiver operations in order to prevent interference,`` its comments say. According to the NTIA, such advance notification would give ``local radio receiver operators`` a chance to inform BPL operators of potential interference situations. To make it possible for radio operators to diagnose suspected BPL interference, BPL operators should provide sufficient details of the BPL emission to enable identification using a spectrum analyzer. The NTIA says it`s still considering the idea of a BPL system identifier that a conventional radio receiver could detect. The NTIA also recommends that the FCC apply its more stringent certification, rather than verification, procedures, to authorize BPL systems. ``Because Access BPL systems pose relatively high interference risks, certification rather than verification should be required,`` the NTIA advised. Certification would require independent testing, as opposed to having a BPL operator merely attest that its system complies with FCC rules. Key Phase 2 Study Findings Included As Acting NTIA Administrator Michael Gallagher indicated in May (see ``NTIA Head Tips Hand on Agency`s Additional BPL Findings``), the comments include some key findings of his agency`s pending Phase 2 BPL study, set for release later this year. The Phase 2 study will provide ``additional guidance`` on contending with BPL interference issues, but the NTIA says it doesn`t want the FCC to hold up the proceeding until the report`s release. Its comments urge the Commission to ``promptly adopt effective technical rules`` to enable BPL development and implementation. The FCC has extended the reply comment deadline to June 22 to allow stakeholders time to review the NTIA`s comments. The agency`s Phase 2 study will, among other things, assess interference risks due to aggregation (ie, total emissions from multiple BPL systems) and ionospheric propagation of interfering signals from BPL systems. The NTIA says it`s determined that BPL aggregation and ionospheric propagation ``is not a potential near- term problem.`` The NTIA predicts that hundreds of thousands and ultimately millions of BPL devices could be deployed under the rules the FCC is expected to adopt before ionospheric propagation and aggregate BPL emissions become a serious interference issue. The Phase 2 study also will evaluate the effectiveness of proposed Part 15 measurement techniques. The NTIA`s comments include the study`s recommendation for a ``height-correction factor`` of 5 dB to BPL measurements made at a height of 1 meter. The NTIA has acknowledged that peak field strength from a BPL device can be as much as 20 dB higher than the peak measured at a height of 1 meter under current Part 15 rules. Because the peak does not occur consistently at a particular distance from a BPL device, peak field strength must be determined by tracking the entire power line, the NTIA advises. The NTIA also suggests coordination areas in which a designated authority would coordinate all planned BPL deployment. It also wants to exclude certain specific bands and frequencies and geographical areas to protect critical federal government systems. The agency further proposes that BPL rules provide for prompt response to complaints of suspected interference. Shutting down the system, however, would be a last resort, in the NTIA`s view. The NTIA said its ``refinements`` to the FCC-proposed BPL rules ``will fully alleviate the concerns of all parties`` to the BPL proceeding. It left the door open to further study of various technical issues. ``Moreover, these rules create an environment in which BPL proponents can properly gauge investment risks and fulfill the protection requirements of radio communications,`` the comments conclude. The NTIA`s comments in ET Docket 04-37 are available on the NTIA Web site. For additional information, visit the ``Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) and Amateur Radio``page on the ARRL Web site. To support the League`s efforts in this area, visit the ARRL`s secure BPL Web site. Copyright © 2004, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (via John Norfolk, dxldyahoogroup via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL This kind of development is good news for those who want to put digital radio on the air.... PORTLAND, Ore. — A four-year skunk works effort at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston has cut the size of an antenna by as much as one-third for any frequency from the kHz to the GHz range. Using conventional components the four-part antenna design cancels out normal inductive loading, thereby linearizing the energy radiation along its mast and enabling the smaller size. "The DLM [distributed load monopole] antenna is based on a lot of things that currently exist," said the researcher who invented the smaller antenna, Robert Vincent of the university's physics department, "but I've been able to put a combination of them together to create a revolutionary way of building antennas. It uses basically a helix plus a load coil." The patent-pending design could transform every antenna-from the GHz models for cell phones to the giant, KHz AM antennas that stud the high ground of metropolitan areas-Vincent said. For cellphones, for example, Vincent said he has a completely planar design that is less than a third the size of today's cellphone antennas. And those 300-foot tall antennas for the 900-KHz AM band that dominate skylines would have to be only 80 feet high, with no compromise in performance, using Vincent's design, he said. "With my technique, I reduce the inductive loading that is normally required to resonate the antenna by as much as 75 percent . . . by utilizing the distributed capacitance around the antenna," he explained. "I looked at all the different approaches used to make antennas smaller, and there seemed to be good and bad aspects" to each, Vincent said. "A helix antenna is normally known to be a core radiator, because the current profile drops off rapidly; they are just an inductor, and inductance does not like to see changes in current, so it's going to buck that. "What I found was that for any smaller antenna, if you place a load coil in the middle you can normalize and make the current through the helix unity; that is, you can maximize it and linearize it," he added. Vincent has verified designs from 1.8 MHz to 200 MHz by measuring and characterizing the behavior of his DLM antenna compared with a normal quarter-wave antenna of the same frequency. He found that many of the disadvantages of traditional antennas were not problems for the much lighter inductive loading in a DLM. To check his theory, Vincent analyzed and compared the current profiles, output power and a score of other standard tests for measuring antenna performance. All measurements were in reference to comparative measurements made on a quarter-wave vertical antenna for the same frequency, on the same ground system and same power input. "I was able to increase the current profile of the antenna over a quarter-wave by as much as two to 2.5 times," said Vincent. "The technology is completely scalable: Take the component values and divide them by two, and you get twice the frequency; take all the component values and multiply them by two, and you are at half the frequency," said Vincent. Vincent said he is moving up into the GHz bands for use with cellphones and radio-frequency ID equipment. A problem in the past has been that as components are downsized, they become too small to utilize standard antenna materials. At 1 GHz, for example, the helix is only eight-thousandths of an inch in diameter and requires more than 100 turns of wire. "So I came up with a new way of developing a helix for high frequencies that is a fully planar design; it's a two-dimensional helix," said Vincent. With the new helix design, Vincent has built a prototype 7-GHz antenna that he claims is indistinguishable from a quarter-wave antenna in all but its size. "Because the new design is completely planar, we could crank these out using thin-film technologies," Vincent said (via Jonathan Marks, June 9, Critical Distance blog via DXLD) INTRIGUING THE PHYSICISTS, RADIO BUFF SHRINKS AN ANTENNA By IAN AUSTEN NY Times June 10, 2004 WHAT'S NEXT WHILE a lifetime in ham radio played a role, it was love that ultimately led Rob Vincent to develop what he says is a way to make antennas significantly smaller but still efficient. "About 1995 I had met a sweetheart and we fell in love," Mr. Vincent, now 60, recalled. "I went to live with her, but the only problem was that she lived on this postage stamp of a yard in a congested neighborhood." The real estate owned by Carolyn Hardie, the woman Mr. Vincent later married, was an issue because his amateur radio interests had turned toward frequencies in the 160-meter band. That band is close to broadcast AM radio. And, like an AM station, operating on it requires a tall antenna - in Mr. Vincent's case, one that is 140 feet high. Aesthetic and zoning questions aside, the 50-by-100 foot lot was not big enough to accommodate the guy wires needed to stabilize a tower that high. So Mr. Vincent, a technician with the University of Rhode Island's physics department, began thinking about ways to make antennas smaller. The end result is a system that he claims can produce antennas that are one-third to one-ninth as high as normally required. He has spoken to other ham operators in over 80 countries on the 160- meter band through his relatively new, self-supported backyard tower, which is one-third of the conventional minimum size. Mr. Vincent said his improvements were not just applicable to ham radio towers. They could be used to either further shrink the tiny antennas in cellphones, he said, or boost their efficiency. Small yet efficient antennas have long been a goal for radio researchers, said R. Dean Straw, the senior assistant technical editor for the American Radio Relay League, an association of amateur operators. "The holy grail is an antenna the size of a grain of salt that produces big signals," he said. Generally the size of antennas increases with the wavelength of the frequencies they are transmitting or receiving. While there are several formulas for determining optimum height, the height of most antennas is one-quarter to one-half the wavelength. At 140 feet, for instance, Mr. Vincent's ham tower would have been slightly higher than one-quarter of the wavelength of 160 meters, which is equal to 525 feet. Smaller antennas can be used, but with a trade-off. "When you get below a quarter-wavelength, efficiency drops off dramatically," Mr. Vincent said. Before arriving at the university in the early 1990's in a still- unfulfilled quest to complete his undergraduate degree, Mr. Vincent spent about 30 years in radio-related engineering jobs, mostly with a radar division of Raytheon. But his tinkering with antennas dates back to when he obtained his first amateur radio license at the age of 14. "I've always had a natural understanding of radio - maybe it's from a prior life," Mr. Vincent said. "But in those early days I could not fathom how an antenna worked." The relationship between antenna height and efficiency was so well established that he initially kept his antenna-shrinking work a secret. Mr. Vincent also acknowledged that he had relatively little idea of what might work when he began the project. "When I started out to do this it was 10 percent theory and 90 percent black magic," he said. After reviewing much of the literature, Mr. Vincent started designing antennas with special simulation software on a personal computer. From the most promising of those virtual designs, he ran tests using antennas that were about 18 inches high and fashioned from copper- covered Plexiglas rods. One model seemed particularly successful until it lost its signal during a high-powered broadcast test. When Mr. Vincent went outside, he found only a lump of molten metal and plastic. Gradually, he said, potential areas of improvement became apparent. He began confiding in some friends from the ham radio world and faculty members in the physics department. One friend allowed Mr. Vincent to build a 46-foot-high experimental antenna at his country home, which includes a salt marsh. Saltwater is an antenna builder's dream. By providing a highly conductive base for the antenna, the water improves reception. The big prototype improved upon conventional designs in many ways. But one crucial one involved the placement of devices known as load coils along its length. Load coils are commonly used in cellphone antennas to alter their current patterns. Conventional broadcast antennas, Mr. Vincent said, generally have a lot of current at the bottom and very little if any at the top. With his design, current is more evenly distributed. To avoid suggestions that saltwater, not his design, was the magic, another 46-foot prototype followed, built on rock. It offered 80 to 100 percent of the efficiency of an antenna three times its size. About three years ago, the University of Rhode Island became interested enough in Mr. Vincent's work that it gave him office space. After a review by engineering and physics professors, it began the process of patenting and selling the technology. Mr. Vincent has turned over all his rights to the university. "We've seen test data from Rob Vincent and it sure is attractive," said Quentin Turtle, the director of industry research and technology transfer for the university. Mr. Straw of the radio relay league said he was impressed with Mr. Vincent's work ethic. "But I remain somewhat skeptical,'' he said. "I'd like to see some validated field test measurements." Mr. Vincent said he was aware that would-be buyers of his technology would demand better test results, although measuring the efficiency of antennas is difficult. But given the scrutiny his project has received to date, he said he was confident that his antennas would pass muster. "I'm part of the technical staff to a whole bunch of Ph.D's," he said. "You can't fool these people." (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/10/technology/circuits/10next.html?ex=1087444800\&en=9d4f5a24e0cab6f6&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE (via Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DXLD) Is this for real? (gh, DXLD) CATCH A WAVE WITH A BAIT OF GERMANIUM DUANE FISCHER, W8DBF/WPE8CXO, FLINT, MICHIGAN, USA If you enjoy listening to short-wave stations in faraway lands, then push that digital set aside, raid the radio parts junkbox and build a simple crystal set. They are easy to build, cost almost nothing and are more fun than you can imagine. This is 'REAL' radio! If any of you would like the plans to the set I used to log the stations listed below, all of which I have verified by QSL, please contact me. This is a basic crystal set with a few enhancements. The coil is wound on a piece of PVC tubing, the chassis is a 6X4X.5 piece of White Pine. The front panel is a piece of polished scrap aluminum. The coil uses a two position switch to select frequency ranges of from 7.8-10.6 MHz and 9.0-15.6 MHz. Two NPN germanium transistors are used. One serves as an RF amp and the other as the detector and AF amp for the headphones. There is a variable pot to control the amount of RF gain. Tuning is accomplished by a single gang variable capacitor. Plug the 2K high impedance headphones in, connect a longwire antenna and an earth ground. Enjoy! Because local MW stations often interfere, use inductive coupling. Coil a piece of insulated wire around the antenna wire. The more turns the better. Connect one end of the coiled wire to the antenna terminal. This will greatly reduce, often eliminate, local MW interference. If you want some excitement, build one and catch a wave! [caps sic] BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. BELGIUM CALLING. ENGLISH. DECEMBER 8, 2003 ON 9590 KHZ AT 0500-0527 UTC. RST 333. SENT RECEPTION REPORT BY E-MAIL. I RECEIVED A QSL BY MAIL ON DECEMBER 18TH! MY FIRST SW STATION VERIFIED WITH A CRYSTAL RECEIVER! READ PART OF MY LETTER ON THE AIR AND SENT IT OUT IN THEIR E-MAIL NEWSLETTER. [via Bonaire] IRELAND RTE: GERMANY TRANSMITTER. ENGLISH. 9850 KHZ AT 1800-1830 UTC ON DECEMBER 9TH AND 12TH, 2003. REQUESTED LISTENER COMMENTS AND RECEPTION REPORTS. GAVE THEIR ADDRESS. RST 343. [No, they only used Merlin transmitters --- gh] SWISS RADIO INTERNATIONAL: BERNE, SWITZERLAND. ITALIAN. 9755 KHZ AT 1730-1800 UTC ON DECEMBER 9, 2003. RST 333. E-MAILED DECEMBER 18TH. SENT ANOTHER ON APRIL 12, 2004 RECEIVED AN E-MAIL REPLY ON APRIL 13TH SAYING A QSL WAS BEING MAILED OUT THIS WEEK. WEWN: ALABAMA. CATHOLIC BROADCAST. ENGLISH. 13615 KHZ AT 1800 UTC, DR. RAY WITH CALL IN PROGRAM. KEPT FLIRTING WITH SOME YOUNG TEENAGER NAMED MARGARET. DECEMBER 8, 2003. RST 444. RESENT LOST REPORT ON APRIL 20TH. GLEN THE ENGINEER ACKNOWLEDGED GETTING IT AND WILL QSL. CRI: CHINA RADIO INTERNATIONAL. ENGLISH. 9755 KHZ AT 0400-0430 UTC. DECEMBER 9, 2003. FRENCH GUIANA RELAY. RST 333. E-MAILED DECEMBER 18TH. HEARD ON 9755 KHZ ON DECEMBER 26TH AT 0528 UTC. RST: 343. WISHED EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AT SIGN OFF. PROGRAM WAS LIFE IN CHINA, GAVE E-MAIL ADDRESSES, SIGNED OFF AT 0554. THEN WENT TO A LESSON IN CHINESE. I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL SAYING THEY LOST MY REPORT, SO I SENT ANOTHER ONE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED GETTING IT AND SAID A QSL HAD BEEN MAILED. IT ARRIVED ON MARCH 13TH. WYFR: OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA. FAMILY LIFE RADIO. SPANISH. 9680 KHZ AT 0550-0610 UTC. DECEMBER 11, 2003. RST 333. XTAL SET. RECEIVED QSL CARD ON DECEMBER 29, 2003. RADIO MARTI: VOA FROM FLORIDA TO CUBA. SPANISH. ON 13820 KHZ. 1715 UTC. DECEMBER 12, 2003. RST: 343. SENT E-MAIL REPORT ON JANUARY 3, 2003. VERIFIED OUT OF DELANO. [site is Delano or Greenville, not Florida] WWV: BOULDER, COLORADO. ON 10 MHZ AT 0033 UTC. DECEMBER 18, 2003. RST: 222 RECEIVED QSL ON JANUARY 20, 2004. RADIO NETHERLANDS: HILVERSUM, HOLLAND. ENGLISH. ON 9845 KHZ, 0015-0057 UTC. SIGN OFF. DECEMBER 18, 2003. RST: 333. RECEIVED QSL ON MAY 18, 2004 [via Bonaire] RADIO NETHERLANDS: MADAGASCAR RELAY. SPANISH. ON 9895 KHZ AT 0300 UTC. NEWS AND ID. DECEMBER 18, 2003. RST: 232. RECEIVED QSL ON MAY 18, 2004 RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL: ENGLISH. ON 9680 KHZ AT 0350 UTC. ID AT 0400. WYFR RELAY SITE. DECEMBER 18, 2003. RST: 343. RECEIVED ENVELOPE ON MAY 12, 2004 WITH ALL SORTS OF TRINKETS, AND QSL CARD. THE NEW PROGRAM SCHEDULE WAS THERE. IT WAS MAILED ON MARCH 5TH. TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO GET THERE! HCJB: QUITO, ECUADOR. SPANISH. ON 9745 AT 0430 UTC. CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND MAN TALKING ABOUT THE NATIVITY. RST: 333. DECEMBER 19TH. SENT ON JANUARY 3, 2003 ACKNOWLEDGED GETTING REPORT. RADIO DEUTSCHE WELLE: GERMANY. KNOWN AS: DW RADIO. ENGLISH. JANUARY 7, 2003. ON 9545 KHZ AT 0400 UTC. NEWS. ID AS "RADIO DW". BEAMED TO AFRICA FROM THE RWANDA SITE. RST: 333 SENT E-MAIL REPORT ON JANUARY 22, 2004 I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL ON JANUARY 26TH FROM MARGOT FORBES, SAYING THAT PART OF MY LETTER WOULD BE READ DURING THE MAILBAG PROGRAM ON SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8TH. THEY ARE MAILING ME A SCHEDULE AND FORWARDING MY REPORT TO THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT. I COULD NOT HEAR THE BROADCASTS THAT DAY, I TRIED THREE TIMES. RECEIVED AN ENVELOPE ON FEBRUARY 10TH. A HAT, STICKERS, SCHEDULE AND LETTER, BUT NO QSL CARD. RECEIVED QSL CARD ON FEBRUARY 24TH. IT MENTIONS HEARD ON A CRYSTAL SET. VOR: VOICE OF RUSSIA. ENGLISH. JANUARY 7, 2003. ON 7345 KHZ AT 0425 UTC. MUSIC. ASKED FOR COMMENTS ON THE PROGRAM, GAVE E-MAIL ADDRESS AND WEB SITE. SWITCHED TO NEWS AT 0430 AND THEN BACK TO MUSIC. RST: 333. SENT E-MAIL REPORT ON JANUARY 22, 2004 RADIO EXTERIOR DE ESPANA: MADRID, SPAIN. JANUARY 18, 2004. ON 6055 KHZ AT 0001 UTC. ENGLISH. NEWS. RST: 343. DETAILS ON TAPE. SENT E-MAIL REPORT ON JANUARY 22, 2004 RADIO HABANA: HAVANA, CUBA: FEBRUARY 25, 2004 ON 9820 KHZ FROM 0315- 0359 UTC. ENGLISH. PROGRAM CALLED "VIEWPOINT" WITH FEMALE ANNOUNCER. NEWS, SPORTS AND DX'ERS UNLIMITED WITH ARNIE CORO AT 0345 UTC. RST: 222. DETAILS ON TAPE. SENT E-MAIL REPORT ON FEBRUARY 25TH. ARNIE HAND WROTE THE QSL CARD! (Duane Fischer, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###