DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-063, April 10, 2005 Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING 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 2005 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 1270: Mon 0230 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [1269] Mon 0430 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 0900 WOR R. Lavalamp Mon 0900 WOR WRMI 9955 Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 0600 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 Tue 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Wed 0930 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours MORE info including audio links: http://worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL] WORLD OF RADIO 1270 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1270h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1270h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1270 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1270.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1270.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1270.html WORLD OF RADIO 1270 in true shortwave sound Alex`s mp3: ALEX`S RADIO DX PROGRAMMING ARCHIVE Hi Glenn, Just a quick note about my DX programs page. I bought time on a new server giving me more bandwidth for faster downloads and fewer streaming drop outs. You have to change the April 6th link to your show`s mp3 link from http://www.piratearchive.com/media/worldofradio_04-06-05 mp3 and m3u to http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_04-06-05.mp3 and http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_04-06-05.m3u So http://www.dxprograms.net will be known as Alex's Radio DX Programming Archive. I would also like to thank you for all the support you've given me and my site via World of Radio. I really do appreciate your interest and promotion of the site as my numbers are growing every week. Take care 73 (Alex Draper, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS: Updated again April 10. We are confident this is very complete and accurate! http://worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 15500, Internews R, Kabul, via Rampisham, *1300- 1325, Apr 05, Pashto ID's: "Da Salaam Watandara Radyo-dah", news and interviews about Afghanistan, Kabul and Taleban, short musical interludes, 35434. New frequency ex 13650 ex 17720 ex 15195 ex 17700! They will probably change to Dari at 1345. Scheduled by HFCC for A05 by USA via VT Merlin Communications Ltd. on 15500 daily at *1300-1430* broadcasting from Rampisham, UK with 500 kW on 95 degrees towards CIRAF Zone 40 (Iran and Afghanistan). So this is not the Coalition Forces/Information Radio although they used this frequency last summer (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DXplorer Apr 5 via BC- DX via DXLD) ** ALBANIA. Here are some early observations on the reception of Radio Tirana in the new season. Reception conditions have been quite variable, so some observations may not be fully representative. Also please note that the frequency offset of about 9 Hz is still there and causes a fluttery signal when there is another station on the same frequency. 1845-1900 English. 7210 kHz: Good signal strength, but background interference from an unidentified station, which closes at 1900. Because of the interference the reception quality was only moderate (3 on a scale from 0 to five). 6115 kHz: Rather weak signal, strong interference from co-channel Belarus and noise from the sides. The reception on this frequency is not usable at my location. 2130-2200 English 7120 kHz: CRI is back here with a super strong signal and a programme in Hungarian. I can only hear traces of Radio Tirana in the background. 1901-1930 French 9520 kHz: As last year there is moderate to strong co-channel interference from Radio Liberty at my location. Wednesday evening this was the "only" interference, but Thursday evening I also had very much noise from CRI on 9515. 1801-1829 German 6130 kHz: Good or very good signal strength but strong co-channel interference from equally strong RAI (Italy). Not listenable. Try moving to 5875 kHz, and you will have excellent reception! 1901-1930 Italian 7240 kHz: Moderate signal. Background interference and noise from 7235 kHz. Not listenable. 2015-2030 Serbian 6205 kHz: Rather good signal and no particular interference. 2030-2200 Albanian 6205 kHz: Rather good signal, no particular interference (Olle Alm, Sweden, via [?] R Tirana Apr 1, BCDX April 9 via DXLD) ** ASIA [non]. It looks as though the period of using the SWL fest QSL will be extended to April 30 as our next QSL (for EDXC 2005) is not ready yet (A.J. Janitschek of Radio Free Asia, NASWA Flashsheet April 10 via DXLD) Originally to be used only thru March (gh) ** AUSTRALIA. Just noticed this comment in Glenn Hauser's latest DXLD ----- ``R. Australia`s frequency management is handled by Bernd Friedewald, who refuses to allow it to appear in the public version of the HFCC schedules`` ------ Why wouldn`t R. OZ allow HFCC to publish their sked info? I use the HFCC -ILG and PTSW dbases extensively as my listening DXing guide and am surprised that R Australia`s info is incomplete at best. Or have I got it wrong. 73 de (Jem Cullen, ARDXC via DXLD) ** BELGIUM [non]. Re. http://www.maeva6015.com ``It includes a number of photos of the Deutsche Telekom Jülich SW site´´ ... that can be found when firing up Google's image search. It was in early December 2002 when I made the pictures with the foggy weather. The photo on the start page shows one of the curtain walls from the place where a track crosses it. On the news page a detail from one of the fixed LP antennas, and on the Foto page the station entrance where we did not ring since no visit was arranged. So I think I have to return to Jülich one day (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 9187 / 9193 kHz, Radio Virgen de Remedios, Tupiza, Potosí. Entró muy bien el jueves 24 de marzo, entre las 2000 a 0000 UT, transmitiendo el recordatorio del Viernes Santo. La calidad del audio es excelente. Tristemente, no todos están contentos con la transmisión. Entre las 20 y 21 horas, algunos usuarios utilitarios de la frecuencia, de banda lateral, comenzaron a chiflar, gritar y producir muchos ruidos molestos. El sábado 26 de marzo la transmisión entra bien, a las 1200 UT, pero la frecuencia se bajó, un poco. En vez de los 9193, se encuentra en los 9187. La portadora entró y salió, varias veces, Puede ser que tengan dificultades energéticas. Correo Electrónico: radiovirgenderemedios @ hotmail.com )(Adán Mur, Paraguay, Conexión Digital April 9 via DXLD) WRTH 2005 had it testing on 5500 and 5945; LA-DX says last June and July on 5500 and 5945.2v (gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. SPECIAL EVENT PREFIXES. At the request of Radio Amateurs of Canada, Industry Canada has authorized all Canadian radio amateurs to use special event prefixes for the month of May, 2005, to mark the opening of the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on May 8th, coincident with the 60th anniversary of VE Day. The official opening of the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the national capital of Canada, on May 8th, coincides with the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day --- VE Day --- which, on May 8, 1945, officially ended the Second World War in Europe. The year 2005 has been declared ``The Year of the Veteran`` by the Canadian government in recognition and commemoration of the determination, service and sacrifice of Canada`s WW II veterans. Canadian radio amateurs are authorized to use the following special event prefixes during the period May 1-31st, 2005, inclusive: * CF for VA stations * CI0 for VY0 stations * CG for VE stations * CI1 for VY1 stations * CH for VO stations * CI2 for VY2 stations (KB8NW\OPDX April 11\ BARF-80 via rec.radio.amateur.misc via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6139.8, Radio Líder, 0552-0600 April 10, Roberto Carlos's songs in Spanish. At 0556 identification, male voice: "Radio Líder". Other Spanish songs. At 0600, like all days, Radio Líder is blocked by Deustche Welle, with program in English on 6140. 24322. 5910, Marfil Estéreo, 0601-0700, songs in Spanish, nice Colombian songs. Identification: "Marfil Estéreo". Poor signal but without interference. 24222. April 10 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I checked out these two about an hour earlier, same results. How fortunate that 6140 is a clear frequency not used by behemoths until 0600; but --- see CUBA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CROATIA [non]. I was looking at the HRT sched via Jülich after something about their English programmes appeared in DXLD, and I see that 9925 is via 230 deg at 2200-0300, via 300deg at 2300-0300 and via 325deg at 0100-0500. Are these transmissions via THREE senders - anyone know? It's a system used by the BBC for many years, but not many other broadcasters - I'm trying hard to think of just one other - don't seem to use it (Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 4 via DXLD) They have been running overlapping transmissions like these via Jülich for several seasons now. So between 01 and 03 there must be three different transmitters and antennas on the same frequency (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Item four: YES, we tested 11760 kiloHertz with one of the new antennas at the Bauta site, and it seems to be working very well indeed. Now the tower crews are giving the finishing touches of the first of the new antennas, an omnidirectional 9 to 12 MHz quadrant, that so far has shown excellent characteristics during the tests. Be on the lookout for our upcoming antenna tests, between 15 and 20 hours UT, and remember that reports of our test broadcasts on 11760, 11800, 12000, 9550, 9505, 6000, 6060, 6140 and 6180 kiloHertz will be most appreciated and a special QSL card will be sent to those reporting the tests (Radio Habana Cuba Dxers Unlimited weekend edition for 9-10 April 2005 By Arnie Coro radio amateur CO2KK, via ODXA via DXLD) Note he mentions 6140, where RHC was reported recently instead of Rebelde. How are we supposed to know just when each frequency is testing new antenna? (gh, DXLD) ** CUBA. Hace pocos días escuché Radio Rebelde 5025.01 kHz; era una transmisión en francés(!). No me acuerdo notando francés en Radio Rebelde antes. No tuve ID pero estuvieron hablando todo el tiempo sobre Cuba y demás en la frecuencia de 5025.01 donde Rebelde normalmente está. 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, April 10, condiglist via DXLD) Hola Bjoern, A ¿qué hora? Talvez intercambiado con la línea de programacion de RHC. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Gracias Glenn, no me acuerdo la hora pero voy a quedarme en la frecuencia más tiempo la próxima vez. 73s (Björn, ibid.) ** CUBA [and non]. EL C-130: AMENAZA VOLANTE February 26, 2005 Por Joaquín Oramas, Granma Internacional Aunque más conocido en Cuba desde que figura públicamente en las medidas dictadas por la Administración de Bush en complicidad con la mafia de Miami, el avión militar C-130, acumula una negra historia de conflictos bélicos a lo largo de más de cuatro décadas. La Fuerza Aérea de Estados Unidos desarrolló sus especificaciones originales de diseño hace más de medio siglo. Esta es la aeronave que, en peligrosa provocación anunció el Mandatario de EE.UU., sería utilizada volando cerca de las aguas territoriales cubanas como elemento de transmisión para que las señales de la mal llamada Televisión Martí lleguen con facilidad a la Isla. Estados Unidos ha gastado ya 100 millones de dólares en programas de TV Martí que nadie ve en Cuba, declaró sobre el asunto Robert Barry, quien ayudó a crear ese medio dirigido a Cuba. Sobre la maniobra del Gobierno de Bush advirtió que neutralizar señales de televisión requiere sólo de una pequeña fracción del poder que se necesita para transmitirla. El plan de Washington de realizar la transmisión de TV Martí desde un avión C-130 especialmente equipado costaría 70 millones de dólares sin incluir costos de mantenimiento ni de la tripulación. Se trata de uno de los aviones más utilizados por las Fuerzas Armadas norteamericanas, ya sea por el ejército, la aviación o marina. Ha participado en prácticamente todos los conflictos bélicos que se han sucedido en el mundo desde que comenzó su producción en los años 50 del siglo pasado, demostrando en todos que sus cualidades bélicas siguen intactas cualquiera que sea el modelo utilizado. Es uno de los aviones que permanecen en la sombra, eclipsado por otros modernos. Quizás sea así porque Estados Unidos lo utiliza en operaciones especiales y secretas como ocurrió en la reciente agresión a Iraq, el ataque a Afganistán y la guerra del Golfo. Pero su historia va más allá en el tiempo, pues los C-130 presentan una larga hoja de servicios en la agresión a Vietnam, tanto en la transportación de personal como en los vuelos sobre territorio sudvietnamita para el lanzamiento de materiales químicos que destruyeron extensos territorios con cultivos agrícolas, cría de ganado vacuno y áreas boscosas, que todavía presentan las huellas de los agentes letales lanzados por la aviación norteamericana. Durante la guerra, la mitad de las selvas de Vietnam del Sur fue regada con 72 millones de litros del Agente Naranja, que afectaron 1,5 millones de hectáreas, casi el 10% del territorio vietnamita. Aviones C-130 y de otros tipos, junto a helicópteros, volando a unos 500 metros del suelo regaban como promedio 250 litros de desfoliante por hectárea. Fueron decenas de miles las víctimas con malformaciones, cáncer y otros padecimientos producto de esos inhumanos ataques. A la pregunta ¿qué avión reúne todas estas características?, Sería difícil encontrarle otra respuesta que no fuera: el Lockheed C-130 Hércules. Cuba ha denunciado la peligrosidad del uso del avión C-130 en los supuestos fines de aseguramiento de transmisión de la señal de la llamada Televisión Martí pues constituye una grave amenaza para la seguridad de la Isla. Según algunos especialistas, este avión volaría escoltado por dos veloces cazas en las proximidades de las aguas territoriales cubanas. Qué pasaría si el aeroplano sufriera un accidente o cualquier otra situación peligrosa. El C-130 podría ser el Maine del siglo XXI. Recuerden que el hundimiento del acorazado Maine, en 1898, fue la razón que esgrimió, en ese año, EE.UU. para intervenir en la guerra cubana contra España y enviar tropas a la isla de Cuba cuando la colonia española y sus ejércitos estaban prácticamente derrotados por el Ejército Libertador mambí. La intervención de Estados Unidos en la Guerra por la Independencia de Cuba concluyó con la ocupación del país para imponer una libertad condicionada bajo el grillete de la Enmienda Platt, apéndice de la Constitución cubana impuesta por el gobernador Leonardo Wood como condición para la retirada de las tropas de EE.UU. y el establecimiento de la República de Cuba. El apéndice constitucional permitía la intervención militar norteamericana cuando Washington determinara si se pueden afectar sus intereses en la Isla. La agresión en repuesta a "incidentes", algunos de misterioso origen, es una vieja treta de Washington. Así ocurrió en el Golfo de Tonkin en Vietnam, hecho por el que la potencia del Norte inició su agresión al país asiático. En 1940 el bombardeo japonés a Pearl Harbour originó la intervención de EE. UU. en la Segunda Guerra Mundial. No olvidemos que el C-130 hoy es el caballo de tiro de casi todos los organismos militares de los países aliados de Washington, entre éstos Israel, en su opresión al pueblo palestino. El historial de este avión, unido a sus ventajas, hace que sea insustituible en muchas partes del mundo en operaciones militares y en casos de desastres. Seguramente lo veremos seguir volando durante mucho tiempo, ya sea en conflictos bélicos o en tiempos de paz como amenaza volante. UN AVION PARA LA GUERRA AC-130: El Hércules fue elegido para ser uno de los aviones cañoneros más curiosos de la historia, a usarse durante la guerra de Vietnam. Es la nave aérea con cañones más poderosos del mundo, ya que porta piezas de 105 mm. DC-130: Se utiliza para lanzar vehículos teleguiados, conocidos como zánganos, que se usaron tanto para misiones de reconocimiento en Vietnam como para pruebas de intercepción de blancos con misiles. EC-130: Sirven como sistemas voladores de interferencia de comunicaciones y reconocimiento electrónico. HC-130: Con una gran protuberancia redondeada sobre el fuselaje, que lleva un sistema especial de comunicaciones, es la versión de salvamento del Hércules. Pueden aprovisionar de combustible en vuelo a ciertos helicópteros. MC-130: Se dedica al apoyo de las fuerzas especiales, infiltrando y exfiltrando agentes, aprovechando sus capacidades de aterrizaje y despegue en terrenos cortos y accidentados. LC-130H: Opera desde el aeropuerto de Schenectady, y lo usa el 109º Grupo de Transporte Táctico de la Guardia Aérea de Nueva York. Tiene tren de aterrizaje con esquíes que le permiten operar en el Artico. WC-130: Su misión, tanto en los escuadrones de reserva como regulares, es el reconocimiento de las condiciones meteorológicas. USOS DEL C-130 A lo largo de su vasta carrera, el Hércules ha participado en muchas situaciones de conflictos bélicos de diversa intensidad. Para ilustrar basta con algunos ejemplos: Asedio de Khe Sanh, Vietnam, 1968, junto con los C-123 fueron usados para abastecer la base de EE.UU., aterrizando y despegando bajo fuego vietnamita. Sin embargo, cuando el 10 de febrero un C-130 que descargaba combustible fue alcanzado por un proyectil y estalló, se suspendieron los aterrizajes. El C-130 de la Lockheed tiene una historia que comienza por los años 50. La Fuerza Aérea de los Estados Unidos a través de la división de operaciones necesitaba un avión que fuera capaz de llevar 37 800 libras de carga útil durante 950 millas y regresar sin detenerse a su base. Se necesitaba una máquina para reabastecer tropas en zona de combate, que bajara con facilidad a los 1 000 pies para entregar las provisiones a las tropas y que fuera rápido en aterrizar y despegar. También se requería la capacidad de transportar tropas para llevar 92 infantes equipados y armados o 64 paracaidistas. La Fuerza Aérea toma la decisión a través del departamento logístico, el cual coincidió con operaciones en la cantidad de carga, 37 mil libras, con 1 700 millas de autonomía. Aunque la experiencia de Lockheed no estaba centrada precisamente en el avión que se pedía, ganó la licitación concurso con un diseño que superó al requerido en primera instancia. Por motivos logísticos durante la Guerra de Corea, se concibió este nuevo avión de transporte, que convocaba a operar en terrenos no preparados, transportar con facilidad grandes cargas y hacerlo con relativa alta velocidad. Muy pocos aviones podrían superar la versatilidad de este tipo de aeroplano en operaciones de carga con muchas funciones. Existen varias versiones del C-130. Como avión ambulancia en tiempo de guerra o catástrofe este avión puede servir para evacuaciones médicas y transportar 74 literas para pacientes (Trabajadores Digital, Cuba, via C. Morales-ARG Feb 26, 2005 in Lista ConDig-ML via CRW via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. While I admire their surveillance, it seems that most nations the BBCM might find suspicious are delivering unashamed propaganda anyways. It's like listening to Radio Havana here in the states to get the "inside scoop" on what Castro might be "thinking today"! (Bryan Cain, OH, dxldyg via DXLD) see UK for BBCM story That reminds me, even I was somewhat taken aback by a PSA I happened to hear on XEEP R. Educación webcast, UT April 10 at 0059 just before a broadcast of the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional --- which does not appear every week despite the schedule grid. The announcer talked matter-of-factly about an upcoming anti-American rally in Mexico City in support of Castro`s Cuba, using the usual dentrocuban buzzwords, such as imperialismo norteamericano. It might be argued that Pres. Fox is practicing ``imperialismo mexicano`` by insisting that Mexicans be allowed to enter the US illegally without consequences (Glenn Hauser, Oclajoma, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DEUTSCHES REICH. [continued from ITALY]. The Radiocorriere magazine of 1943 also had a column with "Radio programs of Allied Nations" (there was just one: Germany). I must say that Nazi German programs were not as much political and military as one might expect: there were many concerts, Strauss music, news and sports. By the way, while Italian stations closed down at 2330, German programs continued well into the night. And this is the complete list of frequencies: Alps 886[Graz Dobl] Hamburg 904[Moorfleet] Berlin 841[Tegel] Boehmen 1113[Prague II 60 kW] Bremen 758[Norden Osterloog] Breslau 950 Danube 922 [Brno Dobrochov/Dobrochau] Koeln/Cologne 658[Langenberg] Koenigsberg 1031[Heilsberg] Munich 740[Ismaning] Stuttgart 574[Muehlacker] all 100 kW, plus Deutschlandsender 191 kHz longwave, 150 kW[Herzberg] Leipzig 785, 120[Wiederau] Vienna 592, 120[Bisamberg] Vistula (Poland) 224 longwave, 120 Brno Protectorate 1158, 32kW Prague Protectorate 638 kHz, 120 kW. And every evening there was a light and dance music programme at 2015- 2200 relayed by the stations of Alps and Vistula plus Belgrade on [686 kHz] 437.3 metres and Luxembourg on longwave [232 kHz] 1293 metres. I presume this is the program where the famous Lili Marlene song was first broadcast (The Radiocorriere magazine of 1943; via Stefano Valianti, Italy, in BDXC-UK "Communication magazine" Apr 2005 via BC- DX via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. Voice of Peace and Democracy of Eritrea not heard on either 5500 or 6350 when checking on a Monday. This program had previously been heard at *0315 weekdays. I did hear 6350 with open carrier at 0349 and both channels on the air with the interval signal of Voice of the Tigray Revolution at 0356. So the transmitters are fine, they just didn't carry the program today at a time it has been previously on. Needs more work to see if this is now off or if the schedule has been changed. (via DX Tuner in Europe) (Hans Johnson, Mar 14, 2005 in Jihad-DX via CRW via DXLD) ** FAROE ISLANDS. Re Akraberg 531 on air: I can hear it but here in Finland it sounds much weaker than before. How is it elsewhere? 73, (Mauno Ritola, April 10, mwdx yg via DXLD) Much weaker than normal in Arctic Norway, even with a 450-m beverage pointing towards the target. -- From (the world's northernmost DX-er, Bjarne Mjelde, Berlevag, Arctic Norway, http://www.kongsfjord.no blog: http://mjelde.blogspot.com ibid.) Re ´´2) 1758 kHz is definitively mediumwave.´´ --- In German the frequency range above the mediumwave broadcasting band and shortwave is called Grenzwelle, i.e. borderwave. Seems to be a smart way to deal with the issue that per definition anything up to 3 MHz is mediumwave, but ... (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GABON. Re. ´´Summer A-05 for Africa No. 1 via TDF's txs:´´ --- I understand that the Moyabi transmitters are still owned by Africa No. 1, although some kind of contract with TDF is certainly in force. By the way, Africa No. 1 is missing from the Astra satellite system already for some time now, but they still mention Astra on their website. So it remains to be seen whether or not they left Astra definitely (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. See BELGIUM [non] ** GREECE. ERT via Kavala: [9375] 240 degree main lobe is rather towards Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, than Florida! 355 degree direction to Iceland, Greenland, Alaska, but Washington direction would be narrowed to approx. 305 degrees. As I pointed out in B-04 season already, there is lack of a 310 degree antenna at IBB Kavalla site; strangely, ERA German service is put out at 1330 UT on 208 degree antenna at zones 37, 38, 46-48, 52, 53, like towards 37 Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia 38 Libya, Egypt 46 W. Africa 47 Central Africa 48 E. Africa 52 Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Angola 53 Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malagasy (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX via DXLD) ** GREECE. Re 5-062: European stations are of course still on 666 kHz, including Greece. However, prior to 23rd November 1978 when a new European medium-wave plan was introduced, the frequency was indeed 665 kHz. But even though the change to 666 kHz took place over 26 years ago, nobody in Athens has got around to telling the announcers or correcting the frequency on the schedules! 73s (Dave Kenny, (BDXC-UK), DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [non]. Caught another unexpected English segment on V. of Greece, 17705 via Delano, Sunday April 10 at 2036, an interview about microsurgery, but 2 minutes later back into Greek. There did not appear to be any consecutive translation, and I don`t know how long before 2036 it had started (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAITI [non]. Someone at IBB must have been reading 5-062, because by Sunday April 10 (not checked Saturday April 9), VOA Creole had made its DST shift a week late, ending the clash with NHK at 2200 on 11895 which I had still noted on April 8. Found it on 21555 at 2108 UT as well as 11895, but not in sync, with 11895 leading. The third frequency, 13725, was synchronized with 11895. The 2100 instead of 2200 time has yet to appear at http://www.voanews.com/english/about/frequenciesAtoZ_c.cfm The strange thing is, per HFCC A-05, 11895 and 21555 (at 2200) were supposed to be Delano, and 13725 Greenville; since 11895 and 21555 are now synchro instead of 13725 and 11895, I wonder if 11895 was moved to Greenville along with the one-hour shift. Apparently it is really of some importance to keep this broadcast at 5 rather than 6 pm, Haitian time. You`re welcome (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN [non]. New clandestine for Iran, 1600-1645 UT via Moldova on 7490, 500 kW, 116 degrees, Sedaye Jambushi Iran e-Farda, not to be confused with our R. Farda (World of Radio 1270, from Observer, Bulgaria, via BC-DX via DXLD) New Iranian clandestine? or did I miss it? --- CLANDESTINE (Iran) UNID 7490 on Apr 8 (Fri) 1630 I tuned in to a station ongoing program which mentioned a lot of US newspapers in Farsi (USA Journal, Washington Times, Washington Post, etc) into 1631 mentioning 'Melatt-e Iran', so first thought this was just a new frequency, even more so when once again I heard 'Seday-e Melatt-e Iran'. Song, then another ID, this time 'In seday-e (Domete??) Irana Khargar, seday-e Melatt-e Iran, seday-e (longer sentence)'. Once again same ID before sign off at - 1645* Fair. New workers' station, it seems? No address or other clue, perhaps at sign-on? Anything in HFCC? Now, who knows Persian? (Finn Krone, Denmark, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 8 via DXLD) FEB = FEBA Radio: ask the FEBA UK Headquarters frequency management! 7490 1600-1645 39,40 KCH 500 116 MDA FEB GFC (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) CLANDESTINE (Iran) Seda-ye Jambushi Iran e Farda (via Moldova 500 kW) very strong Apr 9 from sign-on 1600-1645 UT sign-off. Gave web-address as http://www.sosiran.com and e-mail as hasteh @ sosiran.com Run by the Iran of Tomorrow Movement, 17328 Ventura Blvd. #209, Encino, CA 91316, USA. Certainly seems like a clandestine kind of operation. E.g. says 'Volunteers: Iran of Tomorrow Movement is looking for volunteers dedicated to the cause of Democracy in Iran. If you are in full agreement with IOTM's Mission, Vision and Plan, Please fill out the form below and fax it to 818-474-7229. We will get back to you as soon as possible. bla bla - into "Cells (Hasteh): NOTE: DO NOT SEND US ANY PRIVATE INFORMATION SUCH AS YOUR REAL NAME, PHONE NUMBER, ETC. To register a 1-5 person cell, please send the following information to Hasteh @ sosiran.com " You can choose between English French and German (Finn Krone, Denmark, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 8 via DXLD) More here: http://www.activistchat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2078&sid=211365f36506854369dee47b62fca0a8 Iran of Tomorrow Movement Inc. (IOTM) is a Not-For-Profit 501c(4) organization. Board of Trustees: Dr. Taghi Alereza Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kiumars Zarrabi Treasurer and Member of the Board, Dr. Ramin Etebar Secretary and Member of the Board. Executive Officers: Dr. Iman Foroutan Executive Director; Advisors Dr. Massood Mashouf, Ms. Eshrat Salimi, Mr. Ali G. (Setade Mobarezane Dakhele Keshvar) (via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer Apr 9 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** IRELAND. RTE TESTING OUT ORBAN OPTIMOD 9200 ON 252 LONG WAVE 31 March 2005 --- RTE are testing a new Optimod 9200 with version 3 software on 252 Long Wave over the next days/weeks and are looking for reception reports which can be sent via http://www.rte.ie (Digital Spy). 4 March 2005 --- RTE are currently using 300 kW daytime 100 kW nighttime on 252; they've just added a new Optimod audio processor, so the audio is now much louder which should help with DXing the station outside Europe. It sounds much better and should greatly improve reception of RTE Radio 1 in the UK (Paul Strickland, Longwave Message Board) From: http://www.orban.com/orban/products/radio/am/9200_overview.html Digital Audio Processor for AM OPTIMOD-AM 9200 combines the stability and programmability of digital with the well-known benefits of the OPTIMOD sound. With OPTIMOD, news has more crisp presence, sports has more natural ambience, and music jumps out with more bass punch and high-end sparkle. A single less- more control lets you adjust processing without complex tweaking of parameters, and the 9200 can automatically switch your presets in sync with dayparts or special events (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) I have just been listening to one of my favourite Sunday morning programmes of Irish music and song via RTE on air Sundays at 0705-0755 UT and via 252 LW. The quality of the audio was exceptionally good and clear and superior to that heard via 567 MW, which always sounds "muffled" to my ears - even after the recent overhaul. Another commendable point is that the audio is not splashing unduly onto adjacent frequencies as it once did in the days of Atlantic 252. I assume that some other type of audio processing was in use which caused that to occur. Reception of Kalundborg 243 and whatever appeared on 261 was completely spoiled - but not now. However, I note that power has been reduced to 'only' 300 kW and this allows the Algerian signal to appear below that of RTE at times, even at my location in daytime, so it may be more of a problem further east and south of me. 73s (Noel R. Green [NW England], April 10, ibid.) ** ITALY. SOUTHERN EUROPEAN REPORT with Stefano Valianti [HISTORIC WW II Media of THIRD REICH in 1943y] Some 62 years ago ... that is Italian Radio in April 1943. Still a little more than three months before the fall of Il Duce Benito Mussolini as head of the Italian Government, and two years before Italy is completely liberated from Nazi-Fascism by American and Commonwealth troops. Radio in April 1943 is that of a country at war. There were many transmissions of "news to the homeland" and "news from the homeland". The former was broadcast on "all existing medium waves" and consisted of reports from soldiers still fighting or hospitalised in occupied territories. The latter (news from Italy) was broadcast on short waves and targeted to the police forces in Italian African territories [now Libya and Somaliland, wb.] (daily at 1850-1905 on 25.40 and 19.61 metres), to Italian civilians in Italian East Africa at 1905-2000 on the same wavelengths. Four broadcasts were aimed at maritime workers in East Asia (daily 1525-1530 on 15.31 and 19.38 metres), Middle East (daily 1555-1600 on 25.40 and 19.38), South America (daily at 0250-0255 on 30.74, 29.04 and 19.61) and - most surprising of all - Ireland (on 19.61 metres, the first day of each month at 1245-1250: with five minutes monthly, this must be the tiniest international service ever broadcast). Also the home services were those of a country at war. There were two programs, "A" and "B", but for many hours a day they were simulcasting. Programme "A" was on 1140[Trieste], 1059[Bari], 814[Milan], 713[Rome] and 527[? Ljubljana/Krajn now Slovenia] kHz, though from 2030 1140 was used for external services. "B" was on 1357[Genoa, Milan, Torino], 1303[Bologna, Naples?], 1222[Venice], 610[Florence] and 536[Sardegna, Bolzano] kHz, with 1357 also used for external services (The Radiocorriere magazine of 1943; via Stefano Valianti, Italy, in BDXC-UK "Communication magazine" Apr 2005 via BC-DX via DXLD) Continued at DEUTSCHES REICH ** JAPAN [and non]. "Hello from Tokyo" is broadcast as follows during the A05 period: Sa 0510-0600 6110 5975 7230 15195 17810 21755. Sa 1010-1100 6120 9695 11730 17585 17720 21755. Sa 1710-1800 9535 11970 15355. Su 0010-0100 6145. Su 0310-0400 21610. Su 1110-1200 6120 9695 11730. Su 1510-1600 6190 7200 9505 11730. Mo 0110-0200 5960 11860 11935 15345 17560 17810 17825 17845 (NHK R Japan via Anker Petersen-DEN, dswci DXW Apr 9 via BCDX via DXLD) ** LATVIA [and non]. RTI, 9290, checked about 2255 UT April 9 --- just a very weak and fadey signal here with a little audio, but that was on a portable in the yard (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Apenas unos segundos pude escuchar a RTI via Latvia en 9290 con muy aceptable recepción hasta que cerró abruptamente a las 2305 UT después de emitir un conocido tema de Phil Collins. Gracias por tus datos (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, Noticias DX via DXLD) Hola Rubén, hoy domingo habrá oportunidad de escuchar RTI de nuevo desde las 1800 hasta las 2300 en la misma frecuencia vía Latvia, 9290. Antes, entre las 1300 y las 1700 estará en el aire Radio Marabú y entre las 1700 y las 1800 Radio Joystick (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España, Noticias DX via DXLD) See also UK [and non]; SLOVAKIA [and non] 9290, Radio RTI, 1755-1830, Apr 9th. A wild live broadcast from some pub in the Republic of Czech. A lot of music and occasional chaos. A lot of static but I checked back in around 2200 and a lot clearer. Fair to poor (David Turnick, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) 9290, R. Tetras Int`l (RTI) (via Ulbroka), heard with fair signal at 1930 Apr 9, first ID at 1934, but soon it was bothered by persistent and very strong noise blasts of some type. These ended at 1945, and the signal built. Much DJ patter, old and new pops, reading of E-mails which they invited to studio @ rti.fm all English. Noise blasts resumed later, but not as bad as at first. HQ is in the UK, studio in Slovakia; see http://www.rti.fm/ The signal got stronger, and was quite good by 2100. This program closed at 2203, and then 9290 carried R. Caroline programming http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/ (Jerry Berg, MA, ibid.) RTI Apr 9 on 9290: The reported ID loop started only at 1735. But from 1730 to 1735 Radio Tatry programming was relayed: http://www.radioeins.de/_/meta/sendungen/apparat/050409_a3.ram The Poprad-based Radio Tatry is the ´´owner´´ of the 94.2 outlet in Slovakia (cf. WRTH 2005, page 350). Most likely this was the very first shortwave relay of a commercial station from Slovakia ever. At about 1805 an opening speech for RTI was aired in a faulty outside broadcast: http://www.radioeins.de/_/meta/sendungen/apparat/050409_a4.ram As for the announced satellite transmissions via Eurobird 1: They are like 1350 kHz a no-show so far. The only possible sign of life on the transponder in question (11.623 GHz) is an unID audio PID (2351 if I am correct) which carries a music loop of about two minutes duration. Perhaps that's the slot to watch out Enclosed two screenshots with all radio programs that can be currently found on the Eurobird transponder announced by RTI, and a recording of the mysterious music loop. Once again for this time good night, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA [non]. At 1359 April 10, Big-Benghazi chimes on 21675 via France; hmmm: everyclock outside London who wants to mark the quarter hour by 4 chimes, the half hour by 8, the half-sesquihour by 12, and the hour by 16, should each come up with a different tune to do it. Is that too much to ask? Even Enid has a Big-Ben clone (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Noticed last night during one of my infrequent DX sessions that the Mexican on 1700 (don't know the call) appeared to be simulcasting XEPRS (1090). Had a horrible Fox Sports Network show on a bit after 1 AM (Pacific Time) and "IDed" occasionally as "the Mighty 1090". There also was an interesting anti-Satellite radio ad on the station; basically stating that satellite was unregulated and referring to Opie and Anthony on one of the Satellite programmers and Howard Stern on the other as unregulated examples of (to paraphrase) "undesirability". Shortly after that ad, it was interesting to observe that they had an intro to the Fox "program" that would rival any utterance from either O&A or Stern. So, at least last night, it appears that the Mexican on is relaying XEPRS with Fox Sports (John Sampson, April 8, ABDX via DXLD) XEPE-1700 is leased by XEPRS-1090. The change started gradually about 3 weeks ago. They started by running some "overflow" programming (when XEPRS had a schedule conflict with 2 sporting events) and "stunting" with various Mexican songs played over and over again the rest of the time. They even started using a "pantera" slogan and panther sound effects even though they must have known they would only have that identity for a few days. The guy who runs XEPE and several other stations in town is "unique"... The past few days, they have been running almost entirely // XEPRS-1090. The reason for this move was that East [San Diego] County residents were complaining that they could not hear the Padres games well on XEPRS, whose 50 kW signal is oriented more or less north-south. 73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA, April 8, ABDX via DXLD) The MIGHTY 1090, the flagship radio station for the San Diego Padres, will simulcast all 162 Padres games on ``One Seven Hundred AM`` XEPE, at 1700 AM. ``We soon will debut an innovative format on One Seven Hundred AM, and we felt what better way to acquaint San Diegans with this new station than to carry the Padres," said John Lynch, CEO of the Broadcast Company of the Americas, the parent company for the MIGHTY 1090 and One Seven Hundred AM. ``The station's final facility is still being built out, but should end up having complete coverage of San Diego County. The One Seven Hundred signal falls in the new expanded band and as a result is free from much adjacent channel interference." Said Lynch. The simulcast began, without incident, when the Padres opened the season in Colorado on Monday (SDRadio.net April 6 via DXLD) see also CUBA [non] ** MEXICO [and non]. JAIME BONILLA'S 105.7 MHZ STATION GRANTED CROSS- BORDER PERMIT --- Jaime Bonilla (dba Quetzal Bilingual Communications, Inc.) has been granted 90-day Special Temporary Authority (STA) to ship audio program material across the U.S./Mexican border to his 105.7 MHz station XHBCE (presumably still broadcasting from Cerro Bola about 17 miles SSW of Tecate). The authority became effective on April 1, 2005 and is heavily conditioned. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-257947A1.pdf (CGC Communicator April 8 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) ** MOZAMBIQUE. Another version of 7135 item from which dates were not deleted: MOZAMBIQUE (probably) 7135, R Terra Verde, 1100-1800, Mar 28, 29 and 30. . . (Vaclav Korinek, RSA, Mar 30, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Re ´´Someone in Europe recently pointed out that RN`s African service from Bonaire on 17810 puts a usable signal into Europe. Instead of fiddling with unsatisfactory MW relays, RN should deliberately broadcast to Europe from Bonaire, with a suitable antenna (gh)´´ --- In fact they already did this, but in DRM, with their DRMized modest power transmitter of course. Apparently it is out of use now altogether, probably since the antennas are occupied by the now even busier AM rigs. And indeed I am familiar with the quite good 16 and 13 metre signals from Bonaire in the early evening already for a decade now. Speaking about goofed-up mediumwave relays: One would assume that the feed to the Sölvesborg transmitter originates from Sveriges Radio at Stockholm. SR master control is not staffed at night? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. There was a typical severe storm moving northeast south of the OKC metro area April 10, not bad enough to warrant continuous coverage in my opinion, but KFOR-4, KOCO-5 and KSBI-52 all went ahead and did so anyway, from around 6 p.m. (2300 UT) onward, with KFOR pseudo-meteorologist Mike Morgan and his buddies making sure that they mentioned as often as possible all the new technology at their command, such as their south OKC million watt radar which, had it been in use on May 3, 1999, would have been blown away by the Mother of Tornados which struck the area that day. KWTV-9 was carrying the Masters Golf tournament (breaking into sports programming, no matter how stupid the ball game, is a no-no for all local stations, especially if it`s OU) so they did not begin continuous coverage until much later, around 7 p.m. or so. Checking around 7:37 p.m. (UT April 11 0037) WKY 930 was the only radio station, AM or FM, with TV audio, in this case from Channel 9, but the audio was about ten seconds behind the TV coverage. KSBI was the first to drop out, with regular programming when I checked before 8 p.m.; a few minutes later KWTV and KOCO both went back to network; KFOR finally followed around 8:07 most likely due to darkness (their chopper had to return to base). Two hours wasted (John Norfolk, OKCOK, dxldyg via DXLD) Well not for long, with tornado WARNINGS soon to follow by 8:30; fortunately, I was able to pull in KOTV-6 Tulsa for most of 60 Minutes (running almost an hour late due to silly golf games (gh) ** OKLAHOMA. FCC SEEKING INPUT ON RADIO STATION SHUFFLE Listeners Asked To Speak Up POSTED: 5:15 pm CDT April 9, 2005 UPDATED: 5:21 pm CDT April 9, 2005 OKLAHOMA CITY -- The public's input about a proposed radio station shuffle that would affect Wilburton, Okemah and McAlester is being sought by the Federal Communications Commission. The new owners of five radio stations in southeastern Oklahoma have filed a request to build a new radio tower 13.3 miles south of Okemah. The community of license for radio station KESC-FM would change from Wilburton to Okemah under the proposal . . . http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/4363761/detail.html (via Ken Kopp, KS, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. John Erling Out at KRMG? All Access has a help wanted ad for a new morning show on KRMG.... Someone who can "drive the bus" for the next decade. I'm sure they've filled it and the posting is to keep them EEO compliant, but the $350,000 a year question is, where is he headed or is he retiring?? (MediaMogul, April 10, Radio-info OK board via DXLD) I read in the Oklahoman last week that he will stay on in a PR role of sorts for Cox/KRMG appearently. But will not be on air daily anymore (FridayNightInTheBigTown, ibid.) I would think that Erling could take the pressure. I mean this is by far the most significant challenge that Cox has ever face on the AM side, but the man seems to fear nothing from the times I've met him. You would think that he would fight it out. Could it be that because of KFAQ, billings are down and they have to make up for the high dollar amount that he requires?? (MediaMogul, April 10, ibid.) ** PORTUGAL. RDPI again noted with \\ silly ballgame coverage in Portuguese on 15555 and 15560, Sunday April 10 around 2045. The audio on 15555 was considerably degraded compared to 15560. One is Sines, the other Pegões, but the audio was synchronized. As per previous discussion, some RDPI broadcasts via Sines were routed via satellite and involved digital encoding/delays of up to 4 seconds but obviously not in this case, a good idea, to avoid disturbing echoes on adjacent overlapping frequencies on wideband receivers (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Here`s another RDPI pair 5 kHz apart. I suppose in such cases one will always be Sines and the other Pegões: (gh) RDP I noted was using 12000 on Sunday (not on listed 11995). (Noel R. Green-UK, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 4 via DXLD) 11995 0830-1000 27,28 SIN 250 55 Sat/Sun PORTUGUESE POR RDP 12000 0700-1000 12-15,46 LIS 300 226 Sat/Sun PORTUGUESE POR RDP On Sat/Sun both channels are used for Portuguese? Noel, I guess you heard the Brazil service on 12 MHz even! (wb, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 4, ibid.) A report to RDP International at the address in WRTH, Apartado 1011, 1001 Lisboa Codex, was returned undelivered. I then used the street address in the front section, Av. Marechal Gomes da Costa 37, 1849-030 Lisboa, and got a reply in 3 weeks (Allen Dean, in WDXC-UK April Contact magazine, Apr 3 via BC-DX v ia DXLD) see: "Apartado 1011, 1001 Lisboa Codex" doesn't functioning Postbox anymore ??? Or doesn't work the Portuguese postal sce at this moment? and sent the mail back to original sender? (wb) It seems the "apartado" or "caixa postal" (P O Box) is no longer used, so no wonder the mail was returned. Still, I find it strange, as announcing a box is easier than mentioning a street name (avenue, actually)! On the other hand, since the programs are in Portuguese, it's really no problem reading a street name, etc. Their current address is the same as that of the RTP because they merged into RTP-R. e TV de Portugal... and that avenue is quite near my street too! Contactos: Morada: Av. Marechal Gomes da Costa, no. 37, 1849-030 Lisboa, Portugal. Telef: 00 351 213 820 000 Fax: 00 351 213 820 165 E-mail: Geral rdpinternacional @ rdp.pt Abraco de Domingo abraco.domingo @ rdp.pt Clube da Amizade clube.amizade @ rdp.pt (via Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 4 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. BART NOT VOLGA --- By DON KAPLAN WHO knew Homer Simpson spoke Russian. A Moscow court spent several days watching episodes of "The Simpsons" before rejecting claims the show is "morally degenerate" and could lead kids to drugs and violence. The court dismissed the lawsuit brought against a Russian TV station by a man who claimed the long-running comedy and another Fox animated series, "The Family Guy," had gotten his 6-year-old son interested in drugs and prompted him to call his mother a "toad." Igor Smykov sued the station for about $12,000 after claiming that the two shows promoted violence, drug use and homosexuality. He claimed that his son, Konstantin, asked him what cocaine was and then insulted his mother soon after watching episodes of the two shows. The ruling came just weeks after Russian politicians said they wanted to introduce legislation that would brand "The Simpsons" as adult-only programming after a government report blamed the series for corrupting Russian school children. If the legislation were to pass, Russian TV stations could be fined for airing "The Simpsons" during parts of the day when children are likely to watching television (NY Post via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Re: ´´Have been hearing VOR in French quite well on 15455 ... 15455 1500 2100 27,28N,37 ARM 500 290´´ --- This is exactly the Tbilisskaya outlet I recently wrote about; the powerhouse used for RM/VOR German over many years. ´´The world`s most powerful transmitter ever built, according to Radio Voice of Russia, with a power of probably 5,000 kilowatts will no longer be serviced and maintained after May 1 this year.´´ --- Probably VLF? I think there used to be a longwave broadcasting transmitter at Samara, but ´´only´´ 1200 kW or so, run on 171 kHz and shut down years before the demise of Radio-1. As far as I recall this was a really ancient transmitter. Olle should have the full story I think (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SLOVAKIA [and non]. Eric Wiltsher's new radio project! Tune in To Tatras ================= This weekend sees the launch of RTI - the new International Radio service headed by Eric Wiltsher and backed by business man - Jan Telensky. The Pan - European station will have its heart in Poprad - Slovakia but will have satellite broadcasters supplying programmes from the UK with local output in affiliated stations in Central Europe. The service will be available from this Saturday (09/04) from 7.30 PM Central European Time (UK 6.30) [1730 UT] and will be available on various platforms - * Online at - http://www.rti.fm * Satellite via Sky Digital - The Eurobird Satellite - 28 East 11.623H 27500 2/3 * Radio 1350AM - Baltics, Scandinavia, Germany tune your radio to 1350AM [don`t forget 9290!!!!!!!! -gh] * Radio Riga FM - T.B.A. * Radio 94.2FM - in Slovakia RTI hope to launch a DRM shortwave service late in the year. On the technical side of things Eric explains how RTI will work - Historically, radio groups were forced to drag presenters to central studios. In turn network radio stations were forced to use out-dated systems to connect stations just a few kilometres apart. In 2005 RTI bring you radio of the future, TODAY! All the international programmes and commercials are sent to the RTI Master Control Centre using the latest computer technology. Presenters no longer need to travel to a central studio - they simply make the shows in their nearest/home studio and connect to the RTI Master Control Centre. Poprad, SLOVAKIA, receives its network feed from the RTI Master Control Centre using our latest computer technology. Via the Radio Tatry FM transmitter - the RTI Network broadcasts are available in southern Slovakia for reception in cars, at work and at home. At pre-arranged times of the day Radio Tatry will generate it's own local programming, broadcast in Slovakian, which will be aired via the Radio Tatry FM transmitter. Riga, LATVIA, also receives its network feed from the RTI Master Control Centre again using the very latest computer technology. The Medium Wave (AM) service of RTI will cover Scandinavia, The Baltics and down towards central Europe - at night the signal carries even further across Europe. The 1350 AM service from Riga will broadcast RTI Network programmes 24/7. The local AM service in Riga (945 AM), covering central Latvia, broadcasts local Latvian programming combined with RTI network programming. Riga is also home to the RTI shortwave service which will be transformed into a digital service this Autumn. Once the shortwave service has been upgraded to digital, known as DRM, listeners across Europe will receive RTI network programmes in FM mono quality. At certain times of the day this service will also be receivable in the USA and as far east as Japan. The Shortwave/DRM service also receives its programming directly from the RTI Master Control Centre. London Switching centre - InformationTV Again the RTI Master Control Centre sends a computer based signal which in this case is received by InformationTV switching centre in London iTV then combines the signal for inclusion with the signals of the Eurobird satellite. This satellite covers ALL of Europe and beyond. It ca be received on both Sky Digibox receivers as well as European satellite receivers providing the dish is facing 28 degrees east. -iTV also combines the RTI Network signal for reception vie the Internet using the Windows Media Player system (WMP). WMP technology is supplied with around 95% of the worlds computers. Access to the RTI Internet service is via http://www.rti.fm (via Dave, BDXC-UK via DXLD) see also LATVIA; UK ** SOMALIA [non]. *1731-1800* Apr 2: Noted a very strong carrier at 1725 with 800 hertz tones (marker for a Russian transmitter). Dead air till 1731, s/on in mid-sentence with opening talks and upbeat music played in the background. Short Kor`an verse at 1732, news in what sounded like Amharic, refs. to Somalia. At 1744 what sounded like a live speech event, with male announcer giving a microphone b/c (you could hear the microphone being handled), many voices in the background, shouting, yelling. At 1756. ". . . R. . Horyaal . . . Horyaal . . ."(yelled by the crowd), 1758 short HoA music, few comments, then back to live or taped event. At 1759, short music selection, but again cut in sentence, off with carrier off few seconds later. I noted no address or contact information during this broadcast. Initially, the audio was a bit muffled, but midway through the copy was near perfect, with a nice S7-8 signal. Checking their web site http://www.halganews.com my attention was cut by the key word, "Halgan." There was a R. Halgan, an anti-Somalian clandestine with transmitters in Ethiopia, on the air mid-80s (1987 when I heard them). According to what was written on their QSL, it was the Voice of the Somalian Opposition "SSDF" and "SNM," establishing Somalia as a democratic state. The card was signed by a A. Rashid A'sed, and the contact office at that time was a P. O. Box 1686 in Addis Abba, Ethiopia. Wondering if this organization developed into this movement now (Ed Kusalik, Alberta, DXplorer Apr 3 via BC-DX via DXLD) The website of R Horyaal states 12130, but if it has moved there (no trace) we have no chance to hear them because of AWR. Their web-site reported this development on Mar 24: quote SL Minister Of Information Orders Arrest of Horyaal Radio Reporter, Calls Horyaal A Clandestine Radio Horyaal Radio reporter Mr. Ahmed Saleban Dhuhul has been arrested this afternoon on the orders of the Ministry of Information. Mr Dhuhul was employed part time as a reporter by the Government's own Radio Hargeisa The reporter's arrest followed a letter from the Ministry of Information in which the Deputy Minister informed relevant authorities of Mr. Dhuhul's dismissal from his job together with female reporter who was also employed part time by Radio Hargeisa. In the same letter the minister called Radio Horyaal of being an illegal clandestine radio. Radio Horyaal Management dismissed the Minister's statement. In response to the minister's statement, the management released the following: 1. Horyaal Radio is not a Clandestine Radio. It uses an officially registered frequency and a company that is fully licensed to operate under the International Telecommunications Union. It operates in Europe and has a right to broadcast from there and conforms to international standards of broadcasting. 2. It does not operate on Somaliland soil, therefore, does not need a license from Somaliland authorities. 3. Journalists in their own soil have the right to work for overseas, licensed broadcasters who are using registered frequencies. They were not working for a clandestine organization, but a legal organization broadcasting under international regulations. unquote (Finn Krone, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window April 6 via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. Today at 1359 Bro. Stair said on air that he will ´´before the end of this month´´ made a decision concerning his transmissions via WWCR and the T-Systems facilities, probably to reduce or even entirely cut them: http://www.radioeins.de/_/meta/sendungen/apparat/050409_a1.ram His mention of ´´five hundred thousand watts´´ is correct, aside from the site for this being Wertachtal rather than Jülich; 6110 1359-1559 is indeed run at 500 kW, as only non-DW transmission if I do not miss something (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 15748, SLBC, Ekala, 1458-1535*, Apr 02, noted off channel in English, local tunes, ID, newscast 1500, western songs, religious programme, IS, anthem; 44433, co-channel QRM from UNID playing Indian-type music; // 9770(55433) (Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD) I also heard this at the same time on April 7 as in 5-061, but no co- channel QRM; why would anyone else want to operate on 15748, and block this service? Those nasty Tamil Tigers? (gh, DXLD) ** SYRIA. Looking for new 9330 from Damascus, a couple of checks April 9 around 2330 and 2415, found WBCQ quite strong on LSB, but could not detect any Syria on USB, just a bit of WBCQ bleeding thru. Where signals are close to equal, WBCQ obviously at a disadvantage against this DSB station. We should insist Damascus run on USB only here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. Re: VOT got a new director some weeks ago, Miss Ingan Asena, [sp?], formerly chief of German section Ufuk Gecim ist seit dem 8. Maerz Redaktionschefin - German Service. Engin ist zur Leiterin der Fremdspachenabteilung ernannt worden. Sie hat Rafet Esit abgeloest. Rafet Bey ist der Vize-Direktor des Auslandsdienstes und Osman Dilekci Direktor des Auslandsdienstes (via Benno DG1EA, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 5 via DXLD) Neue Chefin der Auslandsdienste ist ENGIN ASENA, vorher Leiterin der deutschen Redaktion. Engin ist Tuerkin. Neue Leiterin der deutschen Redaktion ist nun UFUK GECIM. Ich bin seit dem 8. Maerz Redaktionschefin. Engin ist zur Leiterin der Fremdspachenabteilung ernannt worden. Sie hat Rafet Esit abgeloest. Rafet Bey ist der Vize-Direktor des Auslandsdienstes und Osman Dilekci Direktor des Auslandsdienstes (Ufuk Gecim-TUR TRT, via Benno Klink-D DG1EA, wwdxc BC-DX Apr 5, ibid.) Ja, die Engin Asena ist jetzt Leiterin der Fremdsprachenabteilungen und die Dr. Ufuk Gecim ist neue Leiterin der deutschen Abteilung (Joe Leyder-LUX, A-DX Apr 5, ibid.) Re Turkey in Spanish: Hola Raúl: Los turcos, deseosos de entrar en la UE, tienen por lo visto mucho interés en que su escuálido servicio lo puedan oír en primer lugar los españoles, pues por parte de España es posible que consigan algún apoyo para sus aspiraciones. Lo que digan los panas latinos no les importa gran cosa en este momento. - Claro, éstas no son sino meras especulaciones mías. I am saying that the Turks wish to join the EU and so their primary target is Spain from where some official support might be expected. Latin American opinion is of little consequence in this context. - These are mere conjectures though. Cordial saludo (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. Emirates R, Dubai seems to have ceased using SW since the start of A05 period on Mar 27! (Noel Green and Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window April 6 via DXLD) Familiar frequencies are still in HFCC A05 but labelled OLD A04 (gh) ** U K. Bushlog -- BBC Bush House photo archive --- A fascinating collection of bits and pieces (articles from London Calling and newspapers) compiled by former staff members. As an active listener at the time, it really is a "where are they now?" blog. http://www.richardsonmedia.co.uk/Bushlog.html posted by Jonathan Marks @ 4/10/2005 08:28:37 AM (Critical Distance BV blog via DXLD) ** U K. BBC World Service and BBC Monitoring --- Sunday, April 10 2005 There is a fascinating collection of assorted BBC World Service publicity material and personal photographs and documents from c1950- 2000 at http://www.richardsonmedia.co.uk/Bushlog.html I found this article about BBC Monitoring: From "Voice for the World" booklet, published by BBC World Service, 1988. http://www.richardsonmedia.co.uk/Bushlog_general_2.htm LISTENING TO OTHERS British national newspapers love to carry exclusive stories - and to boast about them. If BBC Monitoring were a national newspaper, the rest of Fleet Street would be in a constant state of envy. Whether it is Mr Gorbachev appealing for calm in the Armenian disturbances, the shooting down of an Afghan airline by Mujahedin rebels, a coup in Burundi, or the release of an Ulster nurse by Sudanese guerrillas, it is the monitoring service which broke the news to the world. The examples are random and relate only to the recent past. BBC Monitoring has quietly sustained that kind of record since its inception just before World War Two. It has many milestones in its history, announcing the news that is flashed around the world: Hitler's death in 1945; Nasser's nationalisation of the Suez Canal and the Hungarian uprising in 1956; the end of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962; the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968; the declaration of martial law in Poland 13 years later. Set up at the government's request to listen to the output of the world's radio stations, BBC Monitoring is based at Caversham Park in the Berkshire countryside, as it has been since 1943. Its receiving aerials and satellite dishes are sited four miles away at Crowsley Park. In 1947, the service and its American equivalent, the Foreign Broadcasting Information Service, reached a formal agreement for the complete exchange of monitored material. Effectively, the BBC and the Americans divide the world between them, the BBC concentrating on Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with a unit in Kenya. At its wartime peak, BBC Monitoring needed 1,000 people, Today it has half that number, which includes a substantial number of multilingual monitors who can switch from language to language as the need arises. The service's workload is staggering. Monitors, operating shifts around the clock, listen to some 200 hours of broadcasting a day in about 35 languages from some 50 countries. Another 300 hours of monitoring is provided daily by about 25 news agencies. Altogether, with the American input, news and information from about 130 countries is handled. It all adds up to 3/4-miIlion words, which have to be sifted by editorial staff who produce a 24-hour newsfile and a printed summary of world broadcasts. The daily newsfile of up to 12,000 words, is teleprinted to consumers in the BBC, other news organisations and government departments. When martial law was declared in Poland in 1981; 16 international news agencies and newspapers and radio stations in Europe, Asia and the USA subscribed to the Polish file. Other 'best-sellers' have been broadcasts from Argentina during the Falklands War, Afghanistan since Soviet intervention and Iran, particularly during the US hostage crisis. The summary of world broadcasts - based on the same information as the newsfile but in greater detail - runs to 100,000 words a day. It is published six days a week in four parts covering the USSR; East Europe; the Far East; and the Middle East, Africa and Latin America Thousands of copies are printed and posted daily or dispatched electronically to subscribers all over the world including Nexis, the world's biggest database in Dayton, Ohio. To meet the constant increase in broadcasting output, a £16 million five-year modernisation plan began in 1985, underwritten by the government. It included a major building programme, extensive engineering improvements at Crowsley Park, and the computerisation of the service. Two of four 11-metre satellite dishes agreed under the plan have been installed. These are steerable and are powerful enough to access signals from satellite television transmissions. 'The trend is towards TV as the prime source of information,' says Eric Bowman, the General Manager of BBC Monitoring. 'We see about 40 different channels, but at the moment we're only watching Soviet and Libyan TV on a regular basis. We won't have our full TV set-up until early 1989.' That is when the main-frame computer, linked to an electronic storage and distribution system with 180 visual display units, is expected to come into service. 'It will simplify transmission and editing and speed things up,' says Eric Bowman. 'In the meantime it's people and typewriters as usual.' (via HCDX via DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Glenn, Two unrelated observations. First a postscript to the report of a visit to Rampisham. Although the BBC's original motto was "Nation Shall Speak Peace Unto Nation" it was dropped during World War II (although this has always been officially denied) because it was self-evident that nations were doing anything but. The "alternative" motto (as it was described by the BBC at the time) was "Quaecunque" which was the beginning of a Latin quotation that translates as "Whatsoever things are holy, whatsoever things are good". The editor of "Radio Times" tried to get official confirmation of which motto to use, and having failed to get any sense out of his bosses, dropped the motto altogether from the paper's masthead! Secondly a thought about Radio Tatras International and its policy on QSLs. I'm rather surprised that Eric Wiltsher - who is probably best known here for conducting a weekly programme about radio - should launch a radio station that relies on a variety of relays from assorted transmitters around the world and then publicly decry the amateurs whose reception reports ought to be of particular value to him. I guess the truth is that he has such a small setup that he knows he couldn't cope with the business of acknowledging reports. I know I often get behind with the sending out of QSLs, but in the fullness of time all reports to Radio Six International do get a QSL card. Ironically - since we plan to use 9290 from Ulbroka at some point soon - the reception reports on the first broadcasts from RTI that have appeared on various internet chat forums are of particular use to us!! Regards (TONY CURRIE, Radio Six International, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA Creole timeshift better late than never: see HAITI [non] ** U S A [non]. MOROCCO, I'm receiving the VOA's African service via Briech, Morocco, on 15410.53 kHz with a sports program, "The Sunny Side of Sports", which just ended at 1830, and into "The World of Music" with Rita Rochelle. Odd to hear VOA so badly off frequency (Ralph Brandi, NY, DXplorer Apr 8 via BC-DX via DXLD) Even so, probably the best afternoon frequency in ENAm too close to Greenville 15445 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. An edited extract from P. J. O'Rourke's book, "Peace Kills: America's Fun New Imperialism". Mr. O'Rourke was, in past years, the house conservative for the Rolling Stone. IIRC there was also a section about something like "Why Americans Hate Europe" which you may be able to find with Google. I love that phrase "Trick or Treaties" for traditional manipulative European diplomacy (Joel Rubin, NY, swprograms via DXLD) Viz.: WHY AMERICANS HATE FOREIGN POLICY, By P J O'Rourke (Filed: 18/09/2004) Frankly, nothing concerning foreign policy ever occurred to me until the middle of the last decade. I'd been writing about foreign countries and foreign affairs and foreigners for years. But you can own dogs all your life and not have "dog policy". You have rules, yes - Get off the couch! - and training, sure. We want the dumb creatures to be well behaved and friendly. So we feed foreigners, take care of them, give them treats, and, when absolutely necessary, whack them with a rolled-up newspaper. . . http://www.opinion.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2004/09/18/do1801.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2004/09/18/ixopinion.html (via Joel Rubin, swprograms via DXLD) A real fun read! (gh) ** U S A. A QUARTERLY REPORT FROM BUSH-CHENEY MEDIA ENTERPRISES By Norman Solomon Jordan Times, April 7, 2005 http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2005%20Opinion%20Editorials/April/7%20o/A%20quarterly%20report%20from%20Bush-Cheney%20media%20enterprises%20By%20Norman%20Solomon.htm The first quarter of 2005 brought significant media dividends for the Bush-Cheney limited liability corporation. Stakeholders received windfalls as mainstream news outlets deferred to consolidation of power from the November election. A rollout of new "democracy" branding -- kicked off by the State of the Union product relaunch -- yielded at least temporary gains in psychological market share. For instance, repackaging of images in the Middle East implemented makeovers for several client governments. Actual democratic threats, inimical to Bush-Cheney LLC interests, remain low. Our major domestic financial goal, the privatisation of Social Security, is out of reach for the next several quarters. However, in view of the magnitude of potential profits, this massive effort will continue. More problematic, in retrospect, was the March expenditure of political capital in the Schiavo feeding-tube gambit. Returns on media investment, as gauged by opinion poll data, have been disappointing. However, base earnings are likely to accrue to beneficial levels due to high volume from Christian fundamentalist buy-ins. Some media damage is inevitable, like the March 30 New York Times op-ed article by John Danforth [until recently US ambassador to the United Nations], claiming that the Republican Party "has gone so far in adopting a sectarian agenda that it has become the political extension of a religious movement". But such refined GOP sensibilities are not a big part of our base. In fact, the further melding of religious and patriotic symbolism augurs well for investors. With the cross in one hand and the dollar bill in the other, this limited liability corporation is moving forward to advance the interests of its various constituencies. Unfortunately, the first quarter closed with a looming personnel problem on Capitol Hill. On balance, as indicated by a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, the House majority leader's baggage has approached the tipping point. Tom DeLay may need to be dumped before the fourth quarter. On cable television, satisfactory trends continue. At MSNBC, the process of imitating Fox News Channel is apparently secure. Other good news: The benign junk quotient on prime-time CNN continues to rise, with a welcome boost from the Michael Jackson trial. Overall, the ambient TV trajectory is edging towards our target: "No journalism is good journalism." Negative impacts of the Armstrong Williams "payola" scandal continue to dissipate. Our in-house audit of the cost/benefit ratio indicates that such payments to media pundits amount to a short-term plus but long-term minus. In general, crass payoffs are inappropriate and unnecessary to curry favour with sycophant columnists. Less problematic are the "video news releases" skewered by The New York Times. Taxpayer funding for some of our PR operations is a significant enhancement of perception management, and little ground need be given in this area. (If the Times were as scrupulous in avoiding stories we plant as it urges TV news departments to be with our videos, many of the paper's articles wouldn't exist.) Blow-over anticipated by end of third quarter. Regarding the Iraq war: Despite occasional barbs from "the liberal media", they are largely taking cues from weak-kneed Democrats in Congress who ignore the significant opposition to the war that exists at grassroots as measured by opinion polling. With many stakeholders in Bush-Cheney LLC still receiving major financial benefits from war- related contracts, the status quo remains lucrative while the political hazards appear to be manageable over the next few quarters. As in the past eight quarters, the spectacle of US servicemen and servicewomen in harm's way must be utilised to deflect criticism of the policies that put them in harm's way. CEO Bush will continue his Jimmy Stewart imitations during appearances with soldiers and their families, while CFO Cheney will further develop his persona of stern and slightly avuncular paternalism. On the talk-radio front, the emergence of Air America as a liberal network, while troubling, does not currently threaten the airwave dominance of B-C LLC clients. Our proprietary echo chambers -- with such booming amplifiers as Rush Limbaugh, the Weekly Standard, the Washington Times, the New York Post, Fox News Channel and the Wall Street Journal's editorial page -- provide a steady barrage of media blasts unmatched by anything the left-of-centre can possibly offer. Cautionary note: The interests of the Bush-Cheney limited liability corporation remain vulnerable to realisation by a majority of the population that their financial interests and long-term security are being undermined by our policies. The writer's latest book, "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death", will be published in the United States in early summer. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. DEEP DIVISIONS IN WASHINGTON OVER US PUBLIC DIPLOMACY STRATEGY In Washington, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has sharply criticised the Bush administration's track record on boosting its image abroad. In a recent report to Congress, the GAO said that "Despite US efforts to better inform, engage and influence foreign audiences, recent polling data show that anti-Americanism is spreading and deepening around the world." The GAO recommended that "the director of the Office of Global Communications (OGC) fully implement the role mandated for the office in the President's executive order (of Jan. 21, 2003), including facilitating the development of a national communications strategy." Unfortunately, the White House has confirmed that the OGC no longer exists, even though it is still displayed on the White House website. Its two top officials departed several weeks ago to join the private sector. The National Security Council is to assume its responsibilities. Read the report from Washington by Inter Press Service. http://allafrica.com/stories/200504100003.html # posted by Andy @ 16:06 UT April 10 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** U S A. AMERICAN TV'S INFORMATION GAP CREATES A NEW WORLD OF DANGER James Robinson talks to veteran CBS correspondent Tom Fenton on the blinkering of US news by corporate bosses. . . http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,6903,1455870,00.html (via Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DXLD) I personally have not relied on the American Broadcast Media for over 30 years. Shortwave has been my main source, supplemented now by the Internet. Actually, I have not watched practically at all in the last 10 years. I stopped after CNN's phony "open discussion" they put on in Columbus, Ohio several years back with their plants in the audience that were called on to ask the already approved questions. I refer to CNN as the CIA News Network. I must say that even local media is a bit of a joke. There is the occasional story that warns the public of bad food or such that is valuable, but the rest is just canned quips approved "on high". Here in America, we have the illusion of a free press these days. I am not into illusions (Michael C. McCarty, ibid.) ** U S A. Brother Scare about to quit WWCR? See SOUTH CAROLINA [non] ** U S A. Very strong signal on 11920, April 10 at 2109 with Word of Life broadcast from Tullahoma TN; at 2116 proved to be \\ 9320, so both must be WWRB. Checking WWRB website http://www.wwrb.org we find the user-unfriendly schedules are outdated and incomplete. This program appears Sundays at 2200 on 12172, which apparently has now shifted to 2100 on 11920. No mention of 9320 found at all. The FCC link to A05 schedules at http://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/neg/hf_web/seasons.html which nonsensically shows as http://www.fcc.gov/ib/sand/neg/hf_web/B04FCC01.TXT rather than A05, still goes nowhere, not even if you change B04 to A05, and try changing final number beyond 1 for versions 2, 3, and 4. A search of the HFCC A-05 does not find `WRB` on any frequency lower than 11920! Because they are out-of-band? And only two other listings, neither of which we are currently hearing, and one of which has always been 2 kHz higher in reality; all are 1234567 and 270305 to 301005: 11920 1700 2300 4,9 WRB 65 45 D USA WRB FCC 12170 1600 2200 4,5,9,18,27,28,37 WRB 65 45 D USA WRB FCC 15250 1600 2200 37,38,46-48 WRB 65 90 D USA WRB FCC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KIMF --- R.I.P. Per George Jacobs, they have turned in their construction permit so they will not be building a SW station here anytime soon. This was a station that had been slated for construction in the western state of New Mexico. [Piñón] WRNO --- Also per George Jacobs, they are still waiting on their antenna tuner. He also stated - He says that the FCC has granted them temporary operating authorization through April 15th, so he anticipates that they will be on by then. He also stated that this is a new 50 kW transmitter they have installed WRMI --- 7385 heard throughout the day here. I'm only about 80 miles west of them as the crow flies. Good signal, Christian Media Network programming. Ex 15725 (Hans Johnson, Naples FL, Mar 7, Jihad-DX via DSWCI SW News via DXLD) And WRN on weekends ** U S A. 530, FLORIDA AIRSPACE --- Radio Martí (via EC-130 Commando Solo); shortly after arriving home from MacDill AFB's AirFest 2005, where Commando Solo was not present, I though about checking 530 (after reading elsewhere that the new budget included continued airborne funding). Haven't heard them since August or September, 2005. Lo-and-behold, rocking in local level at 2225+ GMT 9 April, no jamming or Rebelde co-channel audible up here, just Martí alone with baseball coverage, parallel jammed 6030, etc. Still going strong an hour later, but by 2355, deep under Radio Visión Cristiana. I don't have the energy to return to AirFest today -- but have to wonder if instead of heading back to PA last night, possibly they stopped at MacDill and are on static display today. Had I known they would return to the airwaves last night, I might have gone to AirFest today instead. [see also CUBA [and non]!] 87.9 MHz, FLORIDA, green Chevrolet Suburban, FL lic. plate G55 YJV; 1215+ GMT 9 April, while deadlocked on S. Dale Mabry a couple of miles north of the MacDill AFB entrance (AirFest 2005), I happened upon 87.9 while scanning, the audio coincidentally parallel to the vehicle next to me with a couple of pre-teen girls in the back seats with a presumed iPOD FM transmitter. Good frequency selection indicates at least one of the girls has a future in pirate radio. Audible for about 100-feet. True DX, huh? 100.3 MHz, FLORIDA WRUM, Orlando; this one noted usually local level in Tampa, 1200+ April 9, blending of Spanish Urban/rap hybrid and a few more tropical current songs, some all-English commercials mixed in with Spanish ones. "Rumba 100 punto 3" slogan often. This is the Clear Channel station that flipped from Oldies in February as part of the "Hispanic Initiative" sweeping through several Markets this year. (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. ABC NEWS TO RELAUNCH DIGITAL OPERATION Monday April 04, 2005 5:58pm NEW YORK (AP) - ABC News said Monday would relaunch its 24-hour digital news operation on television in July and continue to make "ABC News Now" available through the Internet and wireless devices. The network started "ABC News Now" at the political conventions last summer and continued it through January, before pausing to decide whether or not to go ahead. It was available in a little more than 6 million of the nation's nearly 110 million television homes. For the first time, the 10 ABC-owned stations will contribute local programming to the service, which ABC News President David Westin said would distinguish it from other national news providers. ABC News will work to get other affiliated local stations involved, he said. Westin described "ABC News Now," with its multiple platforms, as a generation beyond traditional cable news outlets. ABC considered starting its own cable news station a decade ago, when Fox New Channel and MSNBC began, but decided it was too costly. "We need to have news available to our audience whenever they want it, however they want it," he said. ABC will offer up to 50 hours of video on demand per month. So far, one of ABC's most popular pieces of video on demand was Ashlee Simpson's halftime performance at the Orange Bowl. "ABC News Now," available in about 30 million homes over the Internet, offers hourly news updates and continuous coverage of breaking news events. It will have a variety of short programs, like the business show "Money Matters" around the opening and closing bells of the New York Stock Exchange and "Politics Live" with Sam Donaldson and Chris Cuomo. But for the most part, it will rerun other ABC News programming. The participating ABC-owned stations are in New York; Los Angeles; Chicago; San Francisco; Philadelphia; Houston; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Toledo, Ohio; Flint, Mich.; and Fresno, Calif. Written By DAVID BAUDER (via Paul Armani, CO, DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. 6045.0, R Zimbabwe, Gweru, was heard here after 2300 at Easter (Vaclav Korinek, RSA, DSWCI DX Window April 6 via DXLD) Also heard 0050-0257, Apr 05, very few announcements in Vernacular, mostly non-stop Afropop - maybe celebrating that the Zanu-PF Party (supporting President Robert Mugabe) "won" the parlamentary election on Mar 31? It has obviously replaced 3306 at least during the late night. Strong signal on an empty channel, but some splashes from 6055. It became weaker after 0230 and from *0257 totally covered by RFI, Issoudun signing on (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window April 6 via DXLD) Also presumed heard 0330-0429, Mar 31, African Vernacular, pop songs, drums on top of hour, in the clear when co-channel RFI is off, 23332 (Martien Groot, Holland, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Wonder what the ``beehive`` sound on 11740 at 2112 UT April 10 was. Either some kind of jamming, or very maladjusted transmitter. I could hear some audio underneath with considerable fading. Likely suspects, from HFCC A-05: 11740 2000 2200 43,44 TIN 500 295 1234567 270305 291005 D USA IBB IBB [RFA Mandarin] 11740 2100 2400 42,43 BEI 50 283 1234567 270305 301005 D CHN CRI RTC Not to mention: 11740 1800 2300 46-48 RIY 500 270 1234567 270305 301005 D ARABIC ARS ARS ARS 9 HOLY Q (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ KEEP ON COMMENTING Glenn, Ref. Marty Delfín's comments in 5-061: As far as I'm concerned, please feel free to continue airing your views. It's your web site! Actually, I would sometimes welcome more pithy comments by you on some of the postings you use. This does not mean that I agree with all that you say. Your position on DST is logical but lacks pragmatism. If something works, why bother too much if it's illogical? Britain had "double summer time" (GMT+2) during WWII, and many would welcome that again. The Nazis didn't believe in summer time and forced all of Europe from the Pyrenees to the Volga to be on GMT+1, so that must be something in DST's favour. On the Pope's death, it was certainly a world news event of importance, but I agree that it was often covered excessively and uncritically. We used to have a constitutional principle in this country that "The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of England" but the UK government ordered flags on its own buildings to be flown at half-mast last Friday --- I found that rather disturbing (Chris Greenway, UK, April 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ DX TESTS AND PRECISION FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT I've been pondering an idea which I'd like to share for comments. In the USA various clubs (NRC & IRCA) arrange test transmissions from MW stations to see how far DXers can hear them. Usually special audio is transmitted. This is designed to be distinct or unusual. Sometimes morse code is used because it can cut through interference. Often it is music or speech. I was thinking that with appropriate audio modulation anyone with Spec Lab ought to be able to "see" the station no matter how many other stations are causing interference on the same frequency. When we look at a signal using Spec Lab we only see the carrier because it is a continuous coherent signal. We don't normally see the sidebands. Though some stations radiate sidebands caused by 50/60Hz mains hum and these are visible. And here is the clue to what I'm about to suggest. Perhaps a DX test should include a ultra-stable audio tone of precise frequency A1A modulated with very slow message or just the callsign. This would be in addition to "normal" morse sent at normal speeds using an audio tone of say 400 or 800 Hz. The precision audio tone will appear as audio sidebands above and below the station's carrier frequency. Since many monitors use a Spec Lab view of 50 Hz; +25 and -25 Hz around the nominal carrier I would suggest a tone frequency of around 20 Hz but avoiding anything that could be related to 50/60 Hz mains power. Does anyone know if studio equipment and transmitters would allow such a low frequency through the audio chain? I would propose that the character rate of the morse message be slower than 1 word per minute (hand-sent morse is often around 10 wpm) again with precise timing. However it cannot be too slow to permit reception of a message in, say a 10 minute opening. That suggests 1wpm and a repeating message of 10 words max. I think that a dot = 1 second and a dash = 3 seconds would work. The message should be secret so that it makes it a little harder for someone to cheat & pretend they heard the station. All other information such as the broadcast time, the modulation frequencies and the dot/dash timing should be widely publicised in advance. A few questions though cross my mind. What is the lowest modulation frequency likely to get through the station's studio & transmitter audio chain? Can audio be recorded onto a CD or minidisc with sufficient frequency stability to ensure that the trace does not drift all over the spectrum lab screen? [I think so, especially if we use the lowest possible frequency. i.e. if we used a 22 Hz tone it ought to remain accurate to +/-1 Hz. What do people think? Would it work? (Steve Whitt, UK, April 9, MWC via DXLD) Steve, It's a very interesting idea and I see no reason why it shouldn't work. I don't know what the LF cut-off would be for most MW stations, but I don't normally see much below about 40 Hz. Maybe this reflects a requirement of the studio/transmission chain or simply that there is no point wasting energy down there as the average transistor radio couldn't reproduce it. I don't, however, see a problem with using a higher modulation frequency. Although I normally use a window of -25 to +25 Hz for finding carriers around a nominal frequency, it would be no problem to extend this and see even the 400 or 800 Hz CW if one knew to look for it. It might however be unacceptable in terms of local co-channel interference given the need for long dots and dashes, so perhaps a very low frequency would be less disruptive. One advantage of using a slightly higher frequency is that it would take it further away from any other offset carriers. It would help, of course, if any station doing a test like this had a low or, at least, known offset so people would know exactly where to look for the sideband. Whatever the modulation frequency, the sideband will always be weaker than the carrier so an inability to see the CW won't mean that the carrier can't be seen. Typically 40-50% of the transmitted energy is in the carrier, so the sideband will have no more than 25-30%, probably less. A CD recording of the slow morse should be more than stable enough. As I understand it, the Sony/Philips standard specifies an absolute minimum stability of +/- 1000 ppm (known as Level 2) for cheap and nasty models while professional and audiophile models aim for Level 1 which is within +/- 50 ppm. So even the worst case should be well within 1 Hz at the frequencies that we're talking about. As you say, the message needs to be sent in slow Morse so that it can be read visually (especially for people like me who don't read Morse). It would be interesting to see if it could be received as audio too and also if it could be seen by applying a spectrum analyser directly to the audio output of a receiver that is not de-tuned. Another option would be for a sequence of slightly different tones to produce a staircase effect - obviously this wouldn't make it so easy to include a message but may be easier to spot visually especially if there are other carriers around. Definitely worth a go if any station is willing. Regards, (Jack Weber, UK, ibid.) WILL DIGITAL KILL THE RADIO STAR? By WILL RODGERS Apr 10, 2005 TAMPA - Every day, Katie Swegle can be found with plugs in her ears and white wires dangling down to a credit-card shaped gadget clipped to her waistband. The iPod mini, a $200 digital music player from Apple Computer Inc., is a constant companion of the 19-year-old University of Tampa sophomore. ``With the iPod you have control over what you're listening to,'' she said, briefly unplugging from the small, white music device she purchased a month ago. ``It's just so convenient.'' Swegle's iPod mini has a 4-gigabyte storage capacity, holding up to about 1,000 songs. She has 400 of her favorite tunes digitized and at her fingertips --- at any time of the day. Swegle is among a growing legion of people 12 to 24 years old who have those in the commercial broadcast radio industry a bit edgy. If the young people are taking in tunes from a digital music player, they're not listening to local broadcast radio stations. . . http://money.tbo.com/money/MGBWB45GC7E.html (via Terry Krueger, DXLD) DRE INSTEAD OF IBOC? Digital Radio Express (DRE) promises to create multiple program streams on FM stations using subcarriers on existing analog transmitter equipment (no IBOC required), and their approach is sure to "get plenty of attention at NAB" according to Radio World. "FMeXtra" receivers will be produced by Rikei Corp. of Japan. Company VP Derek Kumar will give a paper on the subject on Sunday, April 17, as part of the "HD Radio Technology" session in the Broadcast Engineering Conference. DRE will be demonstrating FMeXtra at the Armstrong Transmitter booth (N1415) and the Bext booth (N2111). It will be interesting to see if Radio World's enthusiasm pans out. http://www.rwonline.com/rwsp/one.php?id=52 http://www.dreinc.com (CGC Communicator April 8 via Kevin Redding, ABDX via DXLD) CROSSED FIELD ANTENNAS RE: Egypt, CFA, ship, Isle of Man 279 --- I don't think this was an April Fool joke as other data on this same website would appear not to reflect fairly recent happenings which suggests that it has been there for sometime. In fact if it were a joke I am sure by now the author would not have been able to resist a "Ha-ha, gotya" message. An interesting point is that the amateur radio fraternity, many of whom would have most to gain by possessing an non resonant oversized wine glass in their back garden, appear not conducted experiments with it. I understand that some of the most sophisticated professional directional broadcast antennas owe their origins to people doing low powered experiments using bamboo sticks, copper wire and string. Once the concept is discovered, science tends to move in, find out why it works and then how it can be improved. Generally speaking, antennas that are good for transmission are okay for reception too, so I wonder if some BDXC members will be the proud owners of a magnificent new electronic cup shaped feature, surrounded an array tulips and daffodils, in their back garden? 73's (Andy Cadier, UK, April 9, BDXC-UK via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ SOLAR ACTIVITY UPDATE; EARLY SPORADIC E SEASON Solar activity is oscillating from low to very low. Sunspot number by optical observations is around 55, and the solar flux hovering in the 80's, and the geomagnetic disturbance indicator is at a very low figure, around 4 units. And here now is item one: SPORADIC E layer propagation expected to peak during solar minimum years according to scientists, and they seem to be right on target, as the early start of the spring-summer E skip season is showing us. More about the still very much unknown about mysterious sporadic E layer formation later in today's show. This is Radio Havana Cuba, the name of the show is Dxers Unlimited and here is item one in detail. Absolutely fascinating, a challenge, a thrill, unpredictable, goes from zero to 60 dB over S9 in seconds --- all these descriptions fully apply to Sporadic E layer propagation, and I may add a few more, like there is not yet a single, solid, scientifically based explanation for it. In other words, no one seems to know what causes Sporadic E layer highly ionized clouds, that have sent back to Earth radio signals on frequencies as high as TV channel 13 in the Americas, stations that operate between 210 and 216 MHz, and also ham radio signals on the 220 MHz band. Many TV viewers, with their TV sets connected to antennas and not to cable systems, have seen Sporadic E signals at one time or the other. Even with the rabbit ears dipole antenna connected indoors, sometimes E skip signals on TV channels 2, 3 and 4 are so strong, that you may see and hear a program that is broadcast from fifteen hundred miles away for a couple of minutes or even for several hours [1500 miles is very rare; typical distances 600-1300 miles, peaking at 950 --- gh]. The mysterious E skip signals appear and disappear suddenly, you see signals from stations in a city, and ten minutes later you are watching a station from a city located 300 miles away from the first one. Radio amateurs have used Sporadic E layer skip for many years, mainly on the 10 and 6 meter bands, but signals from frequencies as low as 14 MHz, the 20 meter band, and as high as 220 MHz, the one and a quarter meter-band will also propagate from the heavily ionized E layer located at altitudes between about 90 and 150 kilometers above the Earth, but more often found in a narrow slot between 100 and 120 kilometers above the surface of our planet. Why am I talking here today about Sporadic E? Well to answer your question, the fact is that during solar minimum years sporadic E events seem to be more frequent and last longer, and documented studies show that the first signs of this increase in E skip probabilities show up as an early start of the spring-summer season. Typically the sporadic E season of the Northern Hemisphere starts sometime in very late April or early May, but when we see openings happening in late March and early April, as we had during 1963, 1964 and 1965 solar minimum years, its time to have those TV DXing antennas up and ready, and for radio amateurs, especially for 6 meter band operators it's time to start monitoring the calling frequencies, 50.110 for very long range, and 50.125 for shorter range contacts. With even a simple half wave dipole wire antenna, and about 10 Watts on SSB or CW, you can work lots of stations when the magic band, 50 MHz open up via sporadic E!!! So amigos, if you enjoy TV DXing, FM broadcast band DXing, 10 meters and 6 meters band amateur radio activities --- Get ready for what well may be a record breaking Sporadic E season, with great chances of unique double and triple hop openings that may bring DX stations from very far away distances!!! Now, as always at the end of the show, here is Arnie Coro's DXers Unlimited HF plus low band VHF propagation update and forecast. Solar flux hovering around 80 units, with the A index, the planetary geomagnetic disturbance indicator at a nice and low 4 units, the effective sunspot number, that is the number that you must use for running your propagation forecasting software, is around 30, well in agreement with the forecasts made by solar scientists for this stage of the solar cycle. Expect possible 6 meter band and low band TV DX during the rest of the weekend and next week --- but, don't expect higher than 25 MHz maximum useable frequencies even on the most favorable paths [??? 6m is 50 MHz, lowband TV up to 88 MHz --- gh] (Radio Habana Cuba Dxers Unlimited weekend edition for 9-10 April 2005 By Arnie Coro radio amateur CO2KK, via ODXA via DXLD) ###