DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-070, April 30, 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 1272: Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0830 WOR WRN1 to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP Sun 0830 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0830 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0830 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0830 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1100 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 1200 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1500 WOR R. Lavalamp Sun 1730 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] Sun 1730 WOR WRN1 to North America Sun 1900 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sun 2000 WOR RNI Mon 0230 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0330 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 [1271] Mon 0430 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 0900 WOR R. Lavalamp Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 0600 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5, WPKM Montauk NY 88.7 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 1272 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1272h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1272h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1272 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1272.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1272.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1272.html WORLD OF RADIO 1272 in true shortwave sound of Alex`s mp3: (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_04-27-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_04-27-05.mp3 DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS, May 1: http://worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html NETS TO YOU, May edition: http://www.w4uvh.net/nets2you.html [soons] ** ALAND ISLANDS. "Åland 603" heard today 1315 UT even with Sony 7600G worldband receiver with pretty good reception. Still testing with continuous music. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, SW of FINLAND, April 29, dxing.info via DXLD) ** ALASKA. 9615, 1505-, KNLS, Apr 24. Presumed logging in Mandarin, with male preaching. S9 + 10 signal. Faint machinery type noise in background. Not sure what to make of that. Brief musical bridge at 1508. IS at 1700, now co-channel with listed BBC, Cyprus, with the latter fading up to almost same level. 9615, 1325-, KNLS, Apr 28. Only fair reception of their English hour, with major splashes from CNR2 on 9620 (is it only me, or is it that the Chinese transmitters are pretty bad at splattering 5 or more kHz away?). Much improved on recheck at 1340 with an S7 signal, but still spoiled by splatter (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But from May 1 this English is to shift to 1200. I too heard some English on 9615 in the 1300 UT hour April 29 (gh, DXLD) ** ANGOLA. STATE RADIO TO RETAIN MEDIUMWAVE BROADCAST MONOPOLY Deputy Social Communication Minister Miguel de Carvalho has said "the draft media bill will once again be publicly debated so as to permit a wider input from the country's media associations", the Angolan Catholic Church station Radio Ecclesia reported on 29 April. Speaking on Radio Nacional de Angola on 28 April, De Carvalho said "the aim is to see to it that media associations that did not take part in the first series of debates on the draft bill would do so now". He said "the law governing the media would be liberalized so as to permit the establishment of privately owned FM stations and news agencies". De Carvalho stressed that "Radio Nacional de Angola would continue to have a monopoly of mediumwave transmissions". Source: Radio Ecclesia web site, Luanda, in Portuguese 29 Apr 05(via BBCM via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Engineers begin installing new DRM compatible SW transmitters at Radio Australia's Brandon, Queensland site next week. Warm regards (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, http://www.radioheritage.net HCDX via DXLD) Hmm, only 10 kW units there so far (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Re: ``Noticed RA with news in English at 1400 April 26 on 9625, running a good second behind 9590; per EiBi, 9625 is Darwin, evidently fed by 3 or so satellite hops`` --- Certainly only a single satellite link, but with coding/decoding causing an additional delay. Even a couple of seconds are not uncommon in complex modes (like DVB multiplexes). All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. Austrian Radio on 9870 at 0145 April 10, missing Mozart manuscript, postbox program, letters from India and New York, "That's all from Vienna. This is Joanna King [?]", then multi-lingual ID over Strauss waltz, excellent clear signal (Eric Bryan, WA, April 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BIAFRA [non]. V. of Biafra International, 7380, *2059-2159* April 23. Sign-on with English ID and frequency announcement, then local music. 2103 another ID, religious music; 2109 religious message. Many IDs between 2100-2110. 2111 English news about corruption in Nigeria. 2155 closing ID announcements. 2156 local music to 2159*. Saturday only; poor in T-storm static (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Has been Wednesdays too; not any more? (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Latest Recordings 28/4: New! 4498.12, R. Estambul, Depto Beni --- Quito 28/4 2005 *** Friday edition: Must be a new Bolivian station but you are welcome to correct me if I´m wrong. Some weeks ago I reported to the mailing lists an unID station on 4498.12 kHz with 100% Méxican music and I presumed it was some harmonic from 1500 kHz. But I was totally wrong. This Thursday night I first made a recording of Radio Ecos (Bolivia) on 4409.79 kHz, I have never heard them stronger. Some minutes later I was listening to the station on 4498.12 kHz and was very lucky to get an ID: Radio Estambul. I´m not 100% sure of the station`s QTH. "Estambul" is a city but what I´m asking is if "Estambul" also could be a part of the city "Guayaramerín"? The DJ says they are transmitting on 4496 kHz. Comments, photos and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com 73s (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 4905, 28/04 0130, R. Anhanguera, Araguaína/TO, transmissão de futebol local, ann "Padaria Araguaína" 33443. Se não me engano a emissora de Araguaína estava inativa há um certo tempo. Receptor: Sony ICF-SW7600G; Antena: Longwire 100 metros. 73 (Ivan Dias - Sorocaba/SP, condig list via DXLD) ** BURKINA FASO. RTV Burkina, 5030.01, 2340-2359* April 23, variety of Afro-pops, French ballads, French announcements. Sign-off with NA. Poor in noisy conditions (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. RCI`s ``Building the Future`` 60th anniversary essay/illustration contest concluded a month ago, and the winners have been announced in a non-text press release. Guess what? The grand prize winners are both from Quebec, and so are almost all of the finalists --- just one from outside Canada, the Philippines?! This raises questions about how the contest was organized, promoted, and judged. For RCI, of all stations, should not a broad international participation be expected, or that even domestic Canadians be ineligible?? I assume the announcement will appear shortly on the RCI website http://www.rcinet.ca Check the upper right corner of the home page (Glenn Hauser, April 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Lévis, April 28, 2005 - The jury for the "Building the Future Now!" contest, organized by Développement International Desjardins (DID) and Radio Canada International (RCI), is pleased to announce the names of the two grand prize winners. Held between January 31 and March 25, this international contest was organized to mark the 60th anniversary of Radio Canada International and the International Year of Microcredit. Some 400 entrants from 40 countries submitted their essays and illustrations in answer to the difficult question... "What can we do in 2005 to build a fairer more prosperous, more equitable world?" (via Denis Pellerin, RCI press, via DXLD) 40 countries? But the judges (in Quebec) decided almost all the best ones were --- from Quebec. Was each entry judged without knowing whence it came, nor the name of the entrant? BTW, I notice there is someone on the RCI staff named Desjardins --- perhaps just a coincidence, a common name? Was this promoted amongst schools in Quebec or by other means so people who are not even SWLs would know about it and participate? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Contrary to the previous observation, at 1405 UT April 30, for Vinyl Café, all three RCI frequencies were synchronized: 17800, 13655 and 9515. Wonder why one of them was delayed before? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Hi Glenn. I appreciate your clarifying in 5-069, dealing with CBC Radio 1 NQ service. I enjoy lots their Saturday Night Blues Special at 0300 but I have to struggle with two things. 1) CBC R1 is sending us not even their back lobe with those 346 degrees. 2) Terrible splatter comes from adjacent 9620 REE. Regardless those drawbacks, sometimes their signal is audible and pleasant. Will CBC R1 change someday their azimuth to the South, for this unique show? As you use reply yourself...Of course not!!! (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. While WGN 720 in Chicago was off I was able to hear CHTN Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada playing oldies at 4:30 AM EDT. Later, about 5:15 AM EDT I could hear someone else on the frequency with seemingly a talk format but could not pull them out. WGN came back up on the frequency at 5:50 AM EDT with station ID saying it was conducting a transmitter test and then resumed programming at 6:00 AM EDT. 30 April 2005 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Add four hours for UT (gh) Here in Central Illinois with WGN off, 720 is REALLY quiet. I had a couple of things fade up from time to time, a weak bit of sports talk, and also someone playing oldies (that one was in with 'Splish, Splash' and other songs). Other than that, it's just been lightning crackles and bleed over from WOR AM 710 New York. I recorded WGN signing off, which was interesting --- the announcer said that in the event of an emergency or breaking news, they'd come back on the air immediately. [Later:] Well, I've gotta give them credit, WGN sounds like WGN even during a transmitter test. A few minutes before they were scheduled back they came on with an open carrier, then they had a precise, expertly given announcement by their usual evening announcer "This is a transmitter test on 720 Kilohertz of WGN Chicago". Then back into an open carrier until right before 5 when the same announcer signed the station back on, with that well modulated, precise (though leisurely) sound that makes WGN different than all other stations. BTW, that oldies station I had earlier while WGN was off seems to have been CHTN at Charlottetown, P.E.I. It's the only oldies station on 720 in North America that I can find. Here's a link to them: http://www.chtn.pe.ca/ This one runs 7.5 KW at night, and is 1313 miles away from my reception point of Paxton, Illinois (Curtis Sadowski, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. Reminder re CJML-580 Winnipeg --- Just a reminder that temporary special events station CJML-580 in Winnipeg will be on for two weeks starting May 1st commemorating VE Day (Victory in Europe) ending that phase of WW2. Format will be memories and events of the war as well as the immediate pre-war and post war periods, including music and guest appearances from surviving Winnipeg radio personalities of the time. Calls stand for Come Journey Down Memory Lane. I had surmised that they might use CKY's old 50 kW transmitter and facilities but Shawn Axelrod has found out that they will only be running 99 watts so it will probably take quite a combination of luck and skill to hear them at any distance (Morris Sorensen, Winnipeg MB, April 28, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Hi Glenn. I admit not paying much attention to some North zone South American stations, maybe they are too close to Costa Rica, so altho is part of our hobby, I´m not considering them as real DX, at least in my case. But I just heard last night, 0600, Radio Líder on 6140 completely alone, pure clear channel, like local, with a sentimental ballads format including José José with El Amor Acaba (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, April 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR [non]. 11690, Radio Okapi (via Meyerton) Full data Fondation Hirondelle QSL Card in 24 days, direct from Switzerland, in 24 days v/s: illegible (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SOUTH AFRICA ** CUBA. It must depend on propagation, whether northerly or southerly paths are favored, if not variations in power levels: April 29 at 2330, 13680 relay of Venezuela in Spanish was about equal level with CRI relay via Canada in English. However, all other Habana frequencies checked were in parallel for a long-winded by nonFidel speech, about - -- Venezuela and Chavismo. Not only 11875, 11800, 11760, 9600, 6060, 6000 [slightly echoey compared to the others] (and Rebelde 5025), which are supposed to be in Spanish at this hour, but also on 17705 which is supposed to be in Guaraní, 15230 which is supposed to be in Portuguese, and 9550 which is supposed to be in English! I guess it was a very special occasion to blow away several scheduled language services for even more parallel Spanish frequencies. This info based on EiBi A-05, which however, misses 5025 altogether, and does not show 6060 on this early (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. El pasado 30/04, Radio Habana Cuba transmitía en 17705 kHz, a la 0136 UT, con SINPO 55444, la intervención de Chávez en el Teatro Karl Marx, de La Habana. Histórico discurso de Chávez acerca de la integración latinoamericana. ¿Es común que RHC haga eso a tan nocturnas horas? 73s y buen DX (Adán González, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That explains it ** DJIBOUTI. RTD, 4780, *0300-0327+ April 24, sign-on with local instrumental music, announcements in vernacular. 0302 Kor`an. 0310 vern talk. 0322 Horn of Africa music. Poor-fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. 15190, 1825-, Radio Africa, Apr 24. Finally caught this one with American Baptist style preaching. Poor to fair with deep fades. Obliterated by Philippines at 1730 (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. YLE RADIO FINLAND SCHEDULE 27 MARCH TO 31 OCTOBER Finnish 0245-0315 7185 9625 0245-0800 558 0400-0500 9740 11995 0400-2125 6120 0500-2100 11755 0600-0730 9560 0600-0800 15135 17675(sa,su)(0630-) 0830-0925 17655 0900-1900 558 1000-1048 17710 17695 1100-1200 21800 1200-1300 9595(1255-) 13715 1200-1350 9705(1300-) 15400 1400-1500 9705 1500-1600 13665(-1540) 17730 1600-1700 13645 1700-1743 15165 1800-1845 15335 1945-2125 558 9760(2100-) 2130-2125* 963 (*sic) 2130-2300 6120 9715(2200) 2130-0200 558 Local stations relays on 963 kHz 0330-0400: Ylen aikainen 0400-0450: Mo - Turun Radio, Tu - Tampereen Radio, Wd - Oulu Radio, Th - Ylen aikainen, Fr - Etela-Karjalan Radio, Sa - Radio Savo 0600-0630: Su - Iskelmaradio 0725-0800: Mo - Etela-Karjalan Radio, Tu - Lahden Radio, Wd - Radio Keski-Suomi, Th - Tampereen Radio, Fr-Satakunnan Radio 0800-0900: Mo - Pohjanmaan Radio, Tu - Radio Perameri, Wd - Kymenlaakson Radio, Th - Radio Hame, Fr - Radio Keski-Pohjanmaa 0915-0945: Mo-Fr - Ylen aikainen 1000-1100: Mo - Radio Savo, Tu - Pohjois-Karjalan Radio, Wd - Etela-Savon Radio, Th - Kainuun Radio, Fr - Lapin Radio 1300-1400: Mo - Ylen aikainen, Tu - Ylen lantinen, Wd - Oulu Radio, Th - Ita-Uusimaa, Fr - Turun Radio 1410-1425: Mo-Fr - YleX Aamu 1500-1600: Su - Iskelmaradio 1700-1800: Mo-Fr - Radio Suomi 2300-2400: YleX & YleQ Special Finnish 0855 17665, 558 1255 9595 1555 13665 17730 1855 11755 6120 963 1945 558 2255 9715 Swedish 0405-0500 Su 6120, 9740, 11995 0630-0655 Su 17675 0935-0945 17655 1048-1058 17710, 17695 1100-1200 Su 13710 1235-1300 Sa 15400, 13715 1300-1700 9630 1350-1400 15400, 9705 1540-1555 13665, 17730 1630-1700 Su 9630 1643-1657 13645 1743-1757 15165 2125-2130 9760, 6120, 558, 963 2250-2259 9715 Local Radio relay on 9630 kHz 1315-1400: Mo - radio Aboland, Tu - Radio Vastnyland, Wd - Radio Osterbotten, Th - Radio Mellannyland, Fr - Radio Ostnyland 1600-1700: Radio Vega. Latin 0950 Su 11755, 6120 1145 Su 13710 1355 Su 15400 Russian 0200-0245 558 0815-0855 558, 17695 (0800-0815 on 558 kHz: BBC in Russian) 0900-1100 Sa 9600 1215-1255 9595 1900-1945 558 [via Sergey Kolesov via Alan Roe, World DX Club via DXLD] ** FRANCE. See TOGO [and non] ** GAMBIA [non]. The new clandestine to Gambia heard here testing on 9430 at 2000 27 April. Very weak here. Crash start at 2000, so seemingly not via a TDP brokered Russian site. I could hear mentions of 'Gambia' and what seemed to be 'democratia' or 'democratic' in the announcements. station went off at 2015 after a brief bit of African music (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, WORLD OF RADIO 1272, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 27 Apr checked this new target broadcast Save The Gambia Democracy Project on 9430. At 1956 strong carrier appeared and at 2000 into an interview in English about STGDP. A bit of music at the end and pulled the plug around 2015. No ID at all. S9+10dB signal here (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg, WORLD OF RADIO 1272, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 9430, "Gambia Democratic Project", *2000-2015*, Apr. 27, English, Test transmission crash-start at 2000 with interview in progress between 2 OM re formation, mission of the "Gambian Democratic Project" and hopes for the Gambian 2006 election. Calliope-like music over interview at 2014, then music only until 2015*. No ID given. Fair, best listening in USB. Thanks Nick Grace-CRW for the tip. Any ideas on transmitter site? (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GEORGIA. REPUBLIC OF ABKHAZIA RADIO OBSERVED ON SECOND SHORTWAVE FREQUENCY BBC Monitoring has observed Republic of Abkhazia Radio operating on 9534.75 kHz shortwave, in parallel with its long-used frequency of 9494.75 kHz. This was heard on both frequencies from 0158 gmt on 29 April 2005, opening with orchestral music followed by an interval signal and identification announcement. The station has been on the air since 1992, broadcasting from Sukhumi, capital of Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia where a separatist movement has fought for independence since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Using transmitters on mediumwave 1350 kHz and shortwave it broadcasts programmes in Abkhaz, Georgian and Russian, and when not carrying its own programmes relays Radio Russia or public radios from the neighbouring Russian North Caucasus region. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 29 Apr 05 (via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. To follow-up on an earlier item: The council of Hessischer Rundfunk now finally approved the closure of hr-klassik as suggested by the management. hr-klassik will cease to exist on Obtober 1. To compensate hr2 will in future contain at least seven hours a day of classical music, of course on the expense of other programming. By the way: Sveriges Radio laments about the two percent market share of P2? Makes me wonder what they would say about the zero-point- something figures the now Deutschlandradio Kultur has also in areas with sufficient FM coverage. And re your note back in 5-065: ´´DW in English ... A bit later, the ``Cool`` show was all about drag kings; the announcer-couple try to sound spontaneous but it`s obviously all scripted.´´ --- Reminds me on the ´´Roughly Speaking´´ programme RN aired some time ago. I have to qualify my observations in as far as I heard only a single show. Anyway this one also contained announcements meant to sound like spontaneous conversation of young people, and the paper rustled very loud, as German saying goes. Would it be too unconventional to just not script such conversation-like talks in detail? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. Glenn, rather a busy week with this wealth of QSL verifications that have come in. Just wonder what my mail person thought, with all the mail that I got this week. My mailbox is just a 4" x 4" cubical, so daily checking is a must. But, it's that re- cycling bin (beside my postal outlet) that makes me somewhat nervous, especially if the mail is placed in the wrong cubical. Canada Post`s newest policy is that if the address is not correct, the correspondence is sent back to the sender, no exceptions --- mmmmm, makes one wonder, why the increase in follow-ups lately???? 11835, VOA/IBB English BC via Lampertheim. Full data 'Morocco Transmitter Site' (with site) along with VOA Schedule, Magnetic Sticker, Pens in a Large Brown Envelope. All in 54 days; v/s: J. Brant. Via Deutsche Welle the following sites where verified with full data QSL Cards, with schedules, for French, German and English Broadcasts. Reply in 26 days. a) 15410 via Bonaire, Neth. Antilles. 'Schwerin Castle' card b) 11690 via Sackville, Canada. 'Berlin' card. c) 11840, 21840 via Kigali, Rwanda. 'Berlin / Gates' & '1953-2000 DW Anniversary' card d) 9890, 11865, 17715 via Sines, Portugal 'Curtain/Tower of DW' & 'Sines Transmitter' & 'Special Kiev BC' card e) 21820 via Wertachtal, Germany "DTK-Telekom Studio' card f) 15135 via Tchita, Russia 'Stuttgart' card v/s: Horst Schotz, Transmission Management (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. 7430, Radio Filia (via Kavala) Full data ERT 'Prince of the Lillies' Series One QSL Card, with everything except for the name of the station. Also sent domestic and external schedule, plus tourist information brochure for Macedonia, all in 36 days (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [non]. Unfortunately, some of the program titles in John Babbis` schedule are rather generic and unenlightening, but I have noticed that VOG plays an awful lot of wonderful Greek music, roughly between 1800 and 2200 UT when I often tune to 17705 via Delano, superstrong here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I am listening to the Megalh Paraskevvbh [sic --- I think he is putting in etas as h`s --- gh] services on The Voice of Greece, SINPO 55555 on 17.705 MHz. from Delano (there is a clicking off and on every so often -- perhaps caused in the satellite transmission) (John Babbis, MD, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I have been noticing this too. Annoying as they usually come during the music I enjoy so much, but the drop-outs are not as lengthy as they were on BBC via Guiana French (gh, DXLD) ** INDIA. On 30 Apr at 1654 noted an AIR station on 3220 with AIR Saturday Night musical program, parallels 3315, 4910, 5010 etc. Nothing heard on AIR Shimla usual 3323 frequency. Close down around 1741 after news relay, didn't catch local ID. Shimla now here, or just a temporary frequency change? (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. THANKS TO AIR, 'RAG CHEWING' HAS BECOME CLAMOROUS AFFAIR FOR HAM OPERATORS --- Friday April 29 Kerala The All India Radio (AIR) Thiruvananthapuram station, which is authorised to use 5010 and 7290 khz in the 60 and 41-metre band respectively for its domestic Malayalam service, regularly trespasses into the ham frequencies band, which is segmented between 7000 and 7100 kHz. The station is transmitting errant and spurious signals, thereby hampering and interrupting exclusive frequencies of ham radio operators in the country. The noise has forced several ham amateurs in India to pull down the big switch. "Several ham radio frequency bandwidths are affected as a result of the spurious emission. It causes extreme interference to our radio communication and we have changed several of our ham net programmes to other bandwidths and different time schedule," said Manohar Arasu, monitoring systems co-ordinator of Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI), who goes by the call sign VU2UR. The corrupted bandwidths located till now are 7002, 7026, 7050, 7074, 7098 kHz. There are also unwanted emissions on bands 7121, 7314 and 7362 kHz, which do not belong to the hams. "These bandwidths can even belong to radio services used for aviation communication, navigation, telephone services etc. The overpowering signals from the AIR station just elbow-in and interrupt our audio. This may not cost much for ham radios, but radio signals for aviation and navigation, if mangled, will lead to a disaster," said P.B.Sam Kumar, who has a call sign VU3MGU. As per the rules charted in the International Radio Regulations, it is clearly stated that no unwanted emission should be allowed to trespass into the frequency allotted to ham operators. If any such cases arise, it should be rectified as early as possible, or the transmission must be stopped. "We had sent letters to Thiruvananthapuram AIR station for restricting their emissions. But nothing has been done so far. Their spectrum analyser showed no harmonics (a type of emission) was their reply. But in the first place, I had never told them of any harmonics at all. AIR is violating the rules framed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)", said Manohar Arasu. Top officials at the AIR Station, Thiruvananthapuram, are willing to solve the problem, provided the ham club co-operate. But the broadcast major has been ham-fisted in locating the erring line. The department has not changed its working frequency for several years. "We had even summoned the Wireless & Planning Commission (WPC) in vain, to detect the emission. We are willing to hold discussion with members of the ham clubs regarding this. If worked together we will be able to find a permanent solution to the whole problem," said AIR- Thiruvananthapuram station engineer K. V. Ramachandran. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20050428111932&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0 (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Why do they call frequencies ``bandwidths`` or ``bands`` ?. Obviously these are not harmonics but spurs, plus and minus multiples of 24 kHz from 7290, relatively common type of problem with malfunxioning transmitters; don`t AIR realise this? (gh, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Good day all, Voice of Indonesia 9525 kHz is thundering in here at 1850 April 30 in German. Should hold up for English hour at 2000 UT. 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada, Rx: Collins HF- 2050, Ant: KLM 7-30 MHz Log Periodic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. Re: ´´Remind us exactly where this launching platform is in the rather untiny Pacific´´ --- Exactly on the equator, at 154 degrees West. And floating means that this is no fixed installation. See http://www.sea-launch.com http://www.energia.ru/english/energia/sea-launch/sea-launch.html And while checking this out I literally got lost in footage of Soyuz (and Progress) launches and docking maneuvres: http://www.energia.ru/english/energia/archive/video.html The video of Soyuz TMA-6 docking just two weeks ago starts with a fascinating view of the ISS (first seen as glaring, overexposed object, later the same again after a TV lens switch from tele to standard) rising over the horizon in the dusk. And the coverage of the TMA-6 start gives a good impression of the situation to sit in the craft and wait for lift-off. And a bunch of articles about radio in space craft I still have to check out: http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/radioind/radioin1.htm Elsewhere on this website there is a mention of shortwave broadcast transmitters apparently used for communications on the first Soyuz flights: http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/Vjezna/Vjezna.htm All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also KUWAIT ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. COALITION MARITIME RADIO ONE ON 9133 KHZ I just got a mail from Matthew Wilson (se below) with interesting new information about the broadcasts from Coalition Maritime Radio One, broadcasting from ships(?) somewhere outside Bahrain. "From: Matthew.Wilson @ me.navy.mil Subject: COALITION MARITIME RADIO ONE Broadcast ``To Whom it may concern, During the last year we have received QSL's from all of you receiving this email. We thank you very much for you time. We have made a number of changes in our programming and broadcast set-up. We now broadcast primarily on 6125 and 9133 kHz but will be using 15500 again soon. If you might be interested we would like to know if you are still able to receive our broadcast. If I can answer any questions for you please let me know. Thank you for your time. Matthew Wilson, Chief Warrant Officer, United States Navy" It looks like they are very interested to know about the reception from us DX-ers. As I remember it, they are only using USB. Best regards (Jan Edh, Hudiksvall, Sweden, (DX-ing in Fredriksfors), April 28, dxing.info via DXLD) Great info Jan! MARLO questionnaire at http://www.me.navy.mil/marlo/advisorybulletins%5CAdvisories%2005%5CMARLO%20Advisory%2005-05%20Questionnaire.doc does mention 9133, but their latest advisories at http://www.me.navy.mil/marlo/products.HTM keep repeating schedule as 6125 kHz 0300 – 1400 (GMT), 15500 kHz 1400 – 0300 (GMT) A brief check on 28 Apr at 1535 showed no such signal on 6125/ 9133/ 15500. Worth monitoring further. 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, ibid.) Coalition Maritime Radio One is coming in with mostly music from the middle east and from "India" on 9133 kHz USB this evening. Heard from 1700-1830 and the programme continues. Identification in several languages, including English. Gave the frequencies 6125, 9133 and 15500 kHz (Stefan Björn, Nybro, SE Sweden, DX-er since 1970, Equipment: ICOM R-75 - K9AY antenna, Hamcalls: SM7RTQ / 7S7Q, ibid.) ** ISRAEL. Kol Israel on 15640 at 1900 April 26, woman with news, 3 traffic accidents, weather report, Putin visit, very good lately, daily here, on this frequency, very good signal (Eric Bryan, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. We are announcing a new test transmission via IRRS-Shortwave to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, on: Saturday April 30, 2005 on: 15725 between 0600-0700 UT (0800-0900 CET). During this time slot we will be airing news and information in English, followed by Radio for Peace in Spanish and Arabic (0630-0700 UT). Transmissions will continue as every Sat on 15725 kHz from 0700 to 1400 UT with Radio Mi Amigo. If you are tuning from far away countries, this will be a unique opportunity to tune into IRRS- Shortwave. Radio for Peace will also be re-broadcasted at the following times during a series of test transmissions: Sunday May 1, 2005 13840 kHz at 0800-0830 UT (20 kW) 5775 kHz at 1900-1930 UT (100 kW) Monday May 2, 2005 5775 kHz at 2100-2130 UT (20 kW) Reception reports are especially appreciated at reports @ nexus.org Thank You. 73, - Ron Norton, NEXUS-IBA support, PO Box 11028, 20110 Milano, Italy e-mail : ron@nexus.org (via Noticias DX via dxldyg via DXLD) ** JAPAN. 12035, RCI via Yamata. Full data 60th Anniversary Multi- colored Card, with stickers, schedule in 12 days. V/s: Bill Westenhaver (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KUWAIT. Re ``The project to install a fourth IBB SW transmitter here is proceeding. It will be one of the deactivated units moved from Biblis, Germany.´´ --- Actually Holzkirchen. Or did they dismantle equipment at Biblis recently? At least Biblis transmissions are still scheduled ... All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. We're back this Sunday, May 1st between 12 and 1400 UT via Latvia on 9290 kHz shortwave with 100 kW. You'll find details of the broadcast, the music we'll be playing and how our other project is progressing at http://www.europaradiointernational.co.uk We hope you'll be listening. Regards (Alan Day, ERI, April 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Beware of being blasted by an ID when clicking on that. See also RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM 1st of MAY Relays on 9290 kHz FRS Holland --- 0752 - 1155 ut Europa Radio -- 1200 - 1400 ut Pipeline Radio - 1400 - 1700 ut Good Listening 73s (Tom Taylor, April 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Radio Insurgente, the Voice of the EZLN comment in its program dated on April 22, that for a time, in its SW program they will not broadcast the usual news from Chiapas, because a restructuring inside Radio Insurgente. Heard this information via its Internet web site. Unfortunately, no trace on 6.0 MHz as they inform in its web site (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Japan Premium via DXLD) La clandestina, Radio Insurgente, La Voz del EZLN, comentó en su programa del pasado 22 de Abril escuchado a través de Internet, que por un tiempo en su programa de onda corta ellos no transmitirán las usuales noticias de Chiapas debido a una re-estructuración dentro de Radio Insurgente. La emisora dice emitir en los 6.0 megahertz, pero hasta ahora no ha podido ser escuchada. Hay quienes opinan que tienen un transmisor de muy baja potencia o sencillamente, esto no es real, pues nadie los ha escuchado hasta el momento (Gabriel Iván Barrera, RN Radio Enlace April 29-May 1 via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. Inesperado cambio de frecuencia -- Radio Nederland Tenemos buenas noticias para los amigos oyentes que nos sintonizan en el sur de Sudamérica. Debido a la pobre recepción de la frecuencia de 11900 kHz (25 metros) vía Ascensión, Radio Nederland ha decidido realizar un inesperado cambio de frecuencia. Desde el domingo 1 de mayo nos podrán captar por la nueva frecuencia de 5995 kHz (49 metros). Según los cálculos y previsiones de propagación en la ruta radial Ascensión-Sudamérica, la recepción por los 11900 kHz debería ser óptima. Pero por el contrario no ha sido así. Curiosamente se nos informa que la emisión en español por dicha frecuencia se escucha de forma nítida en el Asia! Los caprichos de la onda corta siguen sorprendiendo a nuestros ingenieros. En resumen, a partir del domingo primero de mayo nuestros oyentes en Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, el sur de Brasil y eventualmente en Bolivia nos podrán captar por la nueva frecuencia de 5995 kHz (49 metros), señal originada desde el centro emisor de la compañía Merlin en la isla de Ascensión, entre las cero y las dos horas Tiempo Universal. A la misma hora emitimos desde Flevo, Holanda por los 9895 kHz hacia el norte de Sudamérica (aunque la señal puede seguir llegando bien hasta el sur de Sudamérica). La otra frecuencia habitual de los 15315 kHz, aunque sigue siendo operada desde Bonaire Antillas Neerlandesas con potencia reducida, no es en estos momentos óptima para cubrir el Sur de Sudamérica. Esperamos con sumo interés sus informes de escucha que son verificados con ocho modelos distintos de tarjetas QSL. ESQUEMA VIGENTE DEL 1 MAYO HASTA 30 OCTUBRE 2005 11.00-11.27 UTC Caribe/Cuba/Florida B 6165 kHz 11.30-11.57 UTC Sudamérica (norte) B 6165 kHz 12.00-12.27 UTC Sudamérica (noroeste) B 9895 kHz Centroamérica/México B 9715 kHz 23.00-23.57 UTC Sudamérica (sur) F 9895 kHz 00.00-01.57 UTC Sudamérica (sur) A 5995 kHz Sudamérica (norte) F 9895, B 15315 kHz 02.00-02.57 UTC Centroamérica/Caribe F 7325 kHz México/Caribe B 9590 kHz Centroamérica B 6165 kHz 03.00-03.57 UTC Centroamérica/Caribe B 6190 kHz (Jaime Báguena, Director Artístico, Depto. Latinoamericano, Radio Nederland Werledomroep http://www.informarn.nl April 29, Noticias DX via DXLD) see also GERMANY ** NEW ZEALAND [and non]. RNZI is a regular in Costa Rica from 0200 on 15720, with their lone transmitter, defeating more (apparently) powerful Radio Australia´s outlets, most of the time. They even keep coming with good signals after the 0500 change to 11820. BTW, RA is coming on clear and strong until 0000 when they leave the air on 21740 (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, April 30, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I was trying to listen to one of my favorite programs on Radio New Zealand (Int'l), In Touch with New Zealand with Wayne Mowat. Seems RNZI is off the air tonight on 15720 kHz. (it's just past 0300 UTC). They have been off for a while. RNZI website indicates they are on the air on 15720 kHz. If you can't trust a website, who can you trust --- yeah right! 73 (Mick Delmage, Sherwood Park, AB, UT April 29, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Mick, I have just phoned RNZI and the person who answered advised me that it is for the regular monthly maintenance. Apparently they normal go off air for approx 4-5 hours once a month, usually on a Thursday (NZ time) . But for reasons he is unaware of they have taken the transmitter off air today Friday (NZ time). The person also advised that the maintenance was usually during the Wayne Mowat show. Hope that helps Regards (Mark Nicholls, Wellington, Editor New Zealand DX Times, New Zealand Radio DX League, ibid.) DRM tests on MW: below [Later:] I have now received some more information about the RNZI maintenance outage a few days ago. The following was received from RNZI Quote The transmitter was taken off for urgent maintenance Friday which took much longer than expected. We try to arrange maintenance to happen between 2230-0500 UT but in this case service was not restored until 0745. I am told we can expect more "Maintenance" as construction work at Rangitaiki accelerates to accommodate the second transmitter. As I was not in the office there was no one to alert the web site that we were off air. Unquote More details about their planned 2nd Transmitter/DRM etc can be found at http://www.rnzi.com/pages/technical.php Regards (Mark Nicholls, Editor, New Zealand DX Times, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM tests on MW: see DRM section below ** NORTH AMERICA. PIRATE (USA), 6857AM, Crystal Ship via Belfast [NY maildrop]. Full data B-48 QSL card, with Information Letter, Pirate Pennant, and FCC Wanted Poster, all via Belfast. Reply in 35 days. v/s: The Poet (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of NOAA, 6925U, 04/24 2217-2228* Apparently new station. Programing mainly a relay of NOAA weather radio for New Jersey and for Kansas City. Claimed to be the official shortwave voice of NOAA Weather Radio. At close editorialized that the Iraqi civilization was useless, and that it should be blown off the face of the earth. Gave no address, but asked people to post logs "in the usual locations." SIO 242 (George Zeller, OH, Free Radio Weekly via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. 9737.0, 0338-, Radio Nacional, Apr 23. Still on at this late hour. Carrier is strong, but very undermodulated, with EZL Spanish vocals and talk. I'm using either USB, or LSB with Notch to follow this one --- lots of splash from adjacent channels --- mostly 9735, but from 9745 as well. Transmitter cut out at 0358 in mid sentence with the same low level Spanish talk. Never did hear any IDs (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Summer A-05 schedule of Radio Romania International (*via Saftitza 50 kW): ARABIC 0730-0756 9770 11875 11980 15340 1500-1556 9595 11745 11970 15240 AROMANIAN 1600-1626 7135* 1800-1826 7235* 2000-2026 6175* CHINESE 0500-0526 15445 17740 1400-1426 15225 17810 ENGLISH 0100-0156 6040 9690 11820 15430 0400-0456 9780 11820 15140 17860 0630-0656 9655 11830 1300-1356 11830 15105 1800-1856 9635 11830 2130-2156 7165 9535 9645 11940 2300-2356 6140 7265 9645 11940 FRENCH 0200-0256 6135 9715 0600-0626 7220 9655 1100-1156 11830 15250 15380 17740 1700-1756 9535 11765 2100-2126 7255 9585 GERMAN 0700-0726 7225 9790 1200-1256 9515 11775 1900-1956 7165 9590 ITALIAN 1630-1656 7135* 1830-1856 7130* 2030-2056 6045* ROMANAIN 0800-0856 Sun 11970 15270 15370 17805 0900-0956 Sun 15430 15450 17770 17860 1000-1056 Sun 11830 15250 15380 17740 1200-1256 9750 11920 1400-1456 9760 11965 1600-1656 9690 11960 1700-1756 9765 11865 1800-1856 9625 11765 2000-2056 9515 11925 RUSSIAN 0530-0556 7285 9555 1430-1456 9690 11955 1600-1656 7120 9680 SERBIAN 1530-1556 7135* 1730-1756 7240* 1930-1956 6110* SPANISH 0000-0056 9760 11935 11970 15140 0300-0356 9700 9775 11725 11970 2000-2056 11940 15465 2200-2256 11940 15255 UKRAINIAN 1500-1526 7210* 1700-1726 7240* 1900-1926 7175* (Observer, Bulgaria, April 29, via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Re ``Center frequency is via Serpukhov transmitter on 12070 kHz.`` --- The old story: No shortwave broadcast transmitters at Serpukov exist. With Taldom not being the origin of this frequency the actual site has to be either Lesnoy or Kurovskaya, and somehow I associate this outlet with Kurovskaya. The audio quality on 12070 also leaves something to be desired. All the best, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAMOA. SBC-1 Apia are currently using reduced power on 540, running just 8kW in an attempt to save money and reduce power costs. FM network currently under construction for SBC (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, http://www.radioheritage.net HCDX via DXLD) ** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO [non]. 9580 at 0428 April 28, dead carrier to about 0432, when woman in English suddenly appeared with news already in progress, ID about 0435, news continued to about 0440, speech muffled, broadcast this time suffering from VOA interference on 9575 (VOA stronger), transmission pretty much unusable, just recognize the occasional word (Eric Bryan, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. SIBC Honiara are currently using half power on 5020, running just 6 instead of usual 12 kW. Coverage of outer provinces is reported to be unaffected. Money saving exercise because of high costs of fuel (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, http://www.radioheritage.net HCDX via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. SENTECH via Meyerton. The following were verified with two full data verification letters, with specific transmitter / power / coördinate information, along with a schedule. Reply in 24 days. a) 7120 BBC 250 kw Brown Bovert Transmitter b) 11690 Radio Okapi 500 kw Telefunken Transmitter c) 9660 TWR 500 kw Telefunken Transmitter d) 12125 FEBA Radio 250 kw Brown Boveri Transmitter v/s Kathy Otto (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. Brother Scare: see USA -- WWCR ** TOGO. http://www.radiolome.tg/template.php?pg=webradio# Glenn, Have you had any luck with this web cast?? (Artie Bigley, OH, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No, it kept trying to load but never connected. I suppose BBCM actually got it to work at some point before publishing the item (gh, DXLD) ** TOGO [and non]. FRENCH RADIO ANNOUNCES CUT IN FM FREQUENCIES, [but not] SHORTWAVE BROADCASTS | Text of report by Radio France Internationale on 27 April We wish to announce that in Togo, RFI's FM lines have been cut off, but you may receive or find our entire newscasts and programmes, either live or later, at our http://www.rfi.fr internet site and on shortwave in the mornings and evenings on 9790 kHz 31 meter band and on 15300 kHz 19 meter band. Source: Radio France Internationale, Paris, in French 1830 gmt 27 Apr 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) RFI SUSPENDUE EN FM AU TOGO "POUR PROTÉGER LA COHÉSION NATIONALE" [28/04 - 18h58] Radio France Internationale (RFI) est suspendue depuis plus de 36 heures au Togo "pour préserver la cohésion nationale", a declaré jeudi le ministre togolais de la Communication, Pitang Tchalla. "Nous avons voulu signaler notre mecontentement", a souligné au cours d'une conférence de presse M. Tchalla, qui répondait `a une question sur la suspension de RFI en modulation de fréquence (FM). "Un gouvernement, quel qu'il soit, a la responsabilité du maintien de l'ordre public et le devoir de protéger la population et la cohésion nationale", a-t-il justifié. Le ministre s'exprimait devant la presse internationale notamment pour faire part de son "mecontentement et l'émotion du gouvernement togolais" sur la couverture médiatique de l'élection présidentielle du 24 avril et les violences qui ont suivi, en particulier depuis la proclamation des résultats mardi donnant le candidat du pouvoir Fauré Gnassingbe vainqueur. "Certains journalistes internationaux ne respectent pas les règles de la déontologie et ont choisi de prendre parti. Les derapages sanglants dont nous avons été les témoins sont dus en partie `a ceux-l`a", a-t-il accusé. "Nous esperons que nos confrères, puisque ce sont quand même nos confrères, en tireront les conséquences. Ils n'ont pas de leçons à nous donner en matière de liberté d'expression et de liberté de la presse", a ajouté M. Tchalla, précisant que le gouvernement togolais "essaie de construire une democratie responsable". Source : AFP (transcript of Actu Live? via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. R. Rhino International, 17870, *1500-1530* April 22, English news about Uganda politics, 1513 ID. Some Afro-pop music but mostly constant English talk about politics in Uganda. Mon-Fri only. Weak, poor in high noise level. Weak co-channel QRM from VOA at their *1529 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UNITED KINGDOM. 15495, UN Radio via Skelton/Merlin Communications. Usual Full data UN Radio card with specific transmitter information, in 9 months, 5 months after sending follow-up postal report (Edward Kusalik, Coaldale Alberta, Canada, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hello, Glenn: Although I am Christian, or maybe because I am Christian, I despise religious hucksters, on SW or elsewhere. That said, I did find Scott kind of fascinating in a disgusting way with his denunciations and harangues of staff and faithful gullible followers. And his music choices were hard to find on the airwaves nowadays as well, and sometimes also mildly fascinating. His actual "Bible teaching" and pyramid junk were just plain boring. All that said, I want to thank you for your Monitoring Times piece about his demise. I think his moving on has been underreported. There is probably a book waiting to be written about that fascinating jerk, but at least you have done the biggest piece I have seen on him. I have even fewer compliments for the miserable (not my brother) Brother Stair, who unfortunately seems to continue to prosper, but who is nowhere near as interesting to me. In fact, he kind of makes Scott look good, but I digress. Continuing thanks for sharing your SW expertise. Regards, (Andy Ooms, Pine, AZ, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Plans for what become of Dr Gene Scott`s ministry after his death were made as much as ten years ago. His widow Melissa has been well-trained as the successor pastor, and has been approved by the board of directors. A large tape library is well-catalogued. She has the talent and training to continue it, but obviously has a different style and charisma than DGS. She`s pulling the well-greased piece of machinery into line. She can be heard live on the Sunday morning church service, but the broadcasts will rely predominantly on his old tapes. Another dead pastor who remains extremely successful is Lester Roloff, who landed his plane upside down. Even more so, perhaps J. Vernon McGee. Others did not plan sufficiently for their afterlife; some collapse completely, others keep going thanks to good planning and heirs carrying on. As for Brother Stair on WWCR: we still haven`t heard from him on exactly what he wants to do, but this should be reflected in the new program schedule online around May 1. We have so much demand for airtime from ministries using other stations which have no audience, that we could fill up two more transmitters; for now WWCR-4 will be taking on lots of new programs instead of Stair (George McClintock, TN, WWCR, April 28, gist of commenhts to gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not stated, but I assume B.S. was getting a considerable discount for all that airtime (originally 24h on #4 plus several more hours duplicated on #1 or #3), while the same number of hours could be sold for quite a bit more if broken up among lots of clients (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The May 1 WWCR program guide is already up, and it shows that Bro Stair-way to Heaven isn`t gone completely from transmitter 4, but Scriptures For America, of all programs, is now scheduled ``live`` for 48 hours straight Saturday and Sunday. Jesus! From the WWCR Program Guide: WWCR-4 PROGRAM GUIDE-MONDAY THRU FRIDAY 0500 12:00A- 7:00A The Overcomer Ministry (L) R. G. Stair 1200 7:00A-10:00A The Power Hour (L) Joyce Riley 1500 10:00A-11:00A The Overcomer Ministry (L) R. G. Stair 1600 11:00A- 2:00P Info Wars (L) Alex Jones 1900 2:00P- 3:00P Robby Noel Show (L) Robby Noel 2000 3:00P- 4:00P Dead Line Live (L Jack Blood 2100 4:00P- 5:00P The Overcomer Ministry (L) R. G. Stair 2200 5:00P- 6:00P Radio Liberty (L) Stan Montieth 2300 6:00P- 7:00P The Jack McLamb Show (L) Jack McLamb 0000 7:00P- 8:00P Discount Gold & Silver (L) Melody Cedarstrom 0100 8:00P- 9:00P Scriptures For America (L) Pete Peters 0200 9:00P-10:00P Lyon Magnetic Design (L) Jackie Lyon 0300 10:00P-12:00A The Jeff Rense Show (L) Jeff Rense WWCR-4 PROGRAM GUIDE-SATURDAY/SUNDAY 0000 12:00A-12:00A Scriptures For America (L) Pete Peters Guide: (L)=Live (via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. Summer A-05 for World Harvest Radio: WHRI Angel 1 0000-0300 9515 Tue-Sat 0000-0500 7315 Sun/Mon 0300-0500 5835 Tue-Sat 0500-0900 7315 0900-1200 9495 1200-1400 15285 Mon-Fri 1200-1400 11785 Sat/Sun 1400-2400 15285 WHRI Angel 2 0000-0300 7490 0300-0800 7465 0800-1200 7520 1200-1500 9840 1500-1700 12020 1700-2200 15785 2200-2400 9495 Mon-Sat (ex 15120) 2200-2400 9840 Sun KWHR Angel 3 0100-0600 17510 0600-0900 13700 0900-1100 9930 1100-1800 11555 KWHR Angel 4 0500-1000 9510 WHRA Angel 5 0100-0500 5850 0500-0700 7490 1200-1500 15310 1500-1900 17640 1900-2100 15665 2100-2300 11765 2300-0100 7520 (Observer, Bulgaria, April 29, via DXLD) ** U S A. Re AFRTS-Key West, 10 kHz off. Carrier frequency would be 5445, not 5455. I later heard back from Jen that her receiver probably needs recalibrating. Listed on website as 5446.5 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. The sked for the annual Armed Forces Day military/amateur crossband tests is on the ARRL website http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/af-day/AF-Day-2005-SKED.pdf This year it is 14-15 May. I`ve been listening since 1997 and this year I`ve noted for the first time there are no Coast Guard participants (Bill Wilkins, Springfield MO, April 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Minuteman project along Arizona/Sonora border promotes ham radio: http://www.civilhomelanddefense.com/html/radio_operators_needed.html (via Bryan, swbasics yg via DXLD) BTW, ever notice how this is ALWAYS, on US media at least, referred to as the Arizona/Mexico border? Looks, Arizona and Sonora are both states, equivalent entities. USA and Mexico are both countries, equivalents at the next higher level. Why isn`t this obvious? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Lots of great programming in May on Harvard station WHRB webcasts. Orgy season is back: http://www.whrb.org/pg/MayJun2005.html This and other updates are in MONITORING REMINDERS CALENDAR http://worldofradio.com/calendar.html 73, (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. ===== DX TEST ALERT ==================== WODI-1230 kHz in Brookneal, VA will conduct a DX test as part of their transmitter maintenance this coming Saturday night. WODI has tested in the past and is very DX friendly! Our best DX Test season in recent memory continues... ======================================= WODI 1230 kHz Brookneal, VA DX Test Date(s): May 1, 2005 (Late Saturday-Sunday Morning) Time: Midnight EDT (0400 UT)-Until ?? Modes of Operation: 1 kW Programming: Morse Code ID's-Voice Announcements & "other interesting material". Notes: No word yet on how long the test will run...look for an update before the test. We've also forwarded the famous NRC Sweep Tones to WODI, and hope they will have time to insert them into the test. There will be a live call in portion of the DX test. Listeners who are hearing the test are invited to call 1-434-376-9634. Reception reports should go to: dave @ wodiradio.com All standard mail reports should go to: WODI Radio, 1230 Radio Road, Brookneal, VA 24528 Thanks to Dave Marthouse and the staff of WODI for arranging this test! Join us on IRC at #mwdx to try for this one in real time. 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, IRCA-NRC Broadcast Test Coordinator, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. MW transmitter sites on Google Maps Glenn, Since Google has associated satellite imagery with their Google Maps service, it is interesting to look up radio broadcast transmitter sites across the U.S. The larger ones can be clearly visible in the satellite images with their towers. I randomly looked up some large (50 kW), predominent medium wave stations around my area (Atlanta) and across the U.S. and linked them below. An interesting project that uses Google Maps. KYW 1060 kHz - Philadelphia, PA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.103456,-75.248387&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en KDKA 1020 kHz - Pittsburgh, PA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.560150,-79.953969&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WSB 750 kHz - Atlanta, GA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.844146,-84.253517&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WCNN 680 kHz - North Atlanta, GA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.961380,-84.263742&spn=0.009720,0.012510&t=k&hl=en WGST 640 kHz - Atlanta, GA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.762800,-84.458266&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WWL 870 kHz - New Orleans, LA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.837537,-90.132147&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WBZ 1030 kHz - Boston, MA http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.279392,-70.875871&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WOR 710 kHz - New York, NY http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.791743,-74.093857&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WEPN 1050 kHz - New York, NY http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.807750,-74.069502&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en WCBS 880 kHz - New York, NY http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.859560,-73.785210&spn=0.004860,0.006255&t=k&hl=en (Harry Smith, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I looked at WWL, but just one tower appears as a circle from directly above, apparently (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. I was off list for a week while away from Krum, so I do not know if anyone has noticed the terrible whirring sounds on 610 and 630 that awaited my return. It's been consistent, constant, during the daylight hours at home and on the car radio at every location I've checked in and around Denton County. If this is IBOC, it's the first on AM in Dallas/Fort Worth, and I can now understand the fuss and furor. If it's not IBOC, we've got some new kind of QRN-mental woe to worry about (John Callarman, Krum TX, April 29, NRC-AM via DXLD) Yep, the FCC database shows that KMKI [620 Plano TX] has notified them of digital operation. Other stations that have recently gone over to the dark side include WTAG-580, KBSU-730, WHAS-840, WFLA-970 and KFAB- 1110. They don't show a notification from KEX yet. Except for KBSU, all of these stations are owned by Clear Channel. If it weren't for the big spending by Clear Channel and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, IBAC would be DOA, at least on the AM side. My tally of active AM IBAC stations now stands at 51: http://topazdesigns.com/iboc/station-list.html (Barry McLarnon, VE3JF Ottawa, ON, ibid.) ** U S A. WHAS is confirmed running IBOC (4/30 0335 EDT). I hear the typical burbling sound on 840 (LSB/USB) and hash on both 830 and 850. What ironic is that I heard a CC Crane Radio ad while listening to WHAS (Bill Harms, Elkridge, Maryland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WUOT TO BE FIRST RADIO STATION IN EAST TENNESSEE TO BROADCAST HD RADIO™ WHEN IT MOVES TO NEW TOWER http://www.wuot.org/h/Transmitter_Move_0405.html WUOT will complete a four-year project next week when the station moves its main transmitter from the WBIR-TV tower site to the Richland tower site and converts to HD Radio™. The move will begin Tuesday, May 3, and is expected to be completed within 10 days. During the move and digital conversion, WUOT will broadcast from a smaller-wattage, auxiliary transmitter, which primarily will serve listeners in Knox County. However, due to the lower power output and elevation, it is likely that other important service areas will lose WUOT's signal during the transition. Listeners in areas not reached by WUOT's temporary broadcast signal may listen online. "This is a major undertaking," said WUOT Director Regina Dean. "Not only are we moving our four-component, five-ton transmitter, Harris Corporation staff will converting it to the first HD Radio signal in the region. We're proud to be one of the first stations to bring this new technology to our listeners. It will allow WUOT to provide more and better service to this community, so we ask our listeners to be patient as we literally dismantle, relocate and re-install our transmitter." HD Radio is the next generation of radio and is a method of transmitting audio and data. In addition to providing improved audio quality, HD Radio will provide on-screen information and a second audio channel for additional programming when the technology is fully operational. WUOT received a $75,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to assist in converting its main transmitter to HD Radio. During last spring's on-air fundraiser, WUOT listeners provided an additional $55,000 to help match the federal grant. The move to the new tower is the result of a multi-year project begun in 2001 when the University of Tennessee entered into a land-tower lease with Richland Towers-Knoxville LLC that grants WUOT free tower space for the next 60 years. Once the main transmitter is moved to the Richland tower, WUOT will re-install its original, refurbished transmitter at the WBIR-TV site, resulting in a full-power backup. "Once all the pieces come together, WUOT will be able to provide our listeners with a reliable digital and analog signal for years to come," Dean said. (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. CHRISTIAN RADIO PLAN DOUBTED AFTER PERMITS SOLD FOR OVER $800,000 By Paul Davidson USA TODAY 04/26/2005 - Updated 09:34 PM ET Page 3B http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/money/20050427/b_translators27.art.htm Clark Parrish says he's trying to spread the gospel. His critics say he's breaking the law to turn a quick buck. The conflict has become one of the oddest imbroglios the Federal Communications Commission has faced in recent years. Since 2003, Parrish, a radio engineer, and two partners have received FCC permits to build an eye-popping 1,026 "translator" radio stations nationwide. A translator rebroadcasts the signal of a full-power station to reach communities outside the station's normal service area. Parrish says he wants to retransmit non-profit Christian radio stations across the USA. "You can pick up a station and rebroadcast it, and it could be a positive influence on people's lives - that's what this is about," Parrish, 47, says in a soothing radio-voice baritone. But a coalition of religious and public-interest groups contends that Parrish's companies are illegally exploiting licenses by selling them almost as quickly as they acquire them. Though Parrish's companies got the permits free, they've sold or given away about 85 of them to other broadcasters, both religious and secular, for more than $800,000. And they've signaled plans to unload hundreds of other stations. Critics are crying foul, and the FCC is investigating the claims against Parrish. "This was nothing but a scheme to traffic in commission licenses," says Harold Feld of the Media Access Project, which is representing the coalition before the FCC. "To let people come in under false cover, get a valuable federal asset and resell it for a tidy profit is just wrong." Feld says the practice is especially harmful because the translators occupy valuable channels that could be used by non-profit low-power radio stations to offer locally oriented content. Congress is considering a bill to nearly double the maximum number of low-power stations across the country. Parrish rejects any notion that he's tried to make money unjustly. He says his group simply shed permits that it realized it couldn't use. "I have noticed a pervasive attitude in radio from some that says, 'I've got mine; now let's block everybody else,' " Parrish says. "I think there is a hint of sour grapes." After granting 3,500 translator permits over the past two years, the FCC has imposed a six-month freeze on 8,000 pending applications. Meanwhile, the agency will try to determine whether low-power stations should be given priority for broadcast licenses. The saga began in March 2003. That's when the FCC opened a one-week window for companies to apply for translator licenses. Parrish and his two partners, operating three companies in Twin Falls, Idaho, sought about 4,000 translators - 30% of the total applications. They ended up withdrawing applications that would have forced them to bid against other broadcasters. But Parrish and his partners wound up with 1,026 permits that no one else wanted and that they could get for free. Then they started peddling some of them. One church, Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, paid the Idaho group $314,000 for 22 translator licenses to extend its Christian station in Okeechobee around the state. Carl Mims, who runs that station, says the purchase saved him the trouble of applying for licenses he might not have gotten. The rules on translator stations are unclear. An FCC requirement that a broadcaster must operate a station for some period before selling it was lifted in the early 1980s. But Feld says the law still bars "trafficking" in permits. Applicants must "genuinely intend to provide service," Feld contends. The FCC's investigation may look into whether Parrish's group was selling many of his station permits just for profit. Parrish argues that the 85 sales make up "just a little tiny fraction" of his companies' total permits. "You kind of adjust your plans as you go along," he says. He adds that his companies also gave away permits, traded some and acquired others. Feld says that argument is belied by the group's aggressive sales tactics. At a religious broadcasters' convention in February, a newsletter said Parrish's companies were "making available for acquisition hundreds of these FM translator station construction permits" to Christian broadcasters. There's also debate about how much, if any, profit Parrish earned. He says the companies spent "millions" in legal and engineering fees to file the 4,000 applications, though he wouldn't be specific. Feld contends the figure is likely far lower. Parrish says his primary goal has always been to spread the Christian faith, not make money. He became interested in religious radio while working as a repairman in an electronics store in his hometown of Marathon, Fla. At first, he started taping a Christian radio station's broadcasts and sharing them with friends. He later became an engineer for KAWZ, a Christian radio station in Twin Falls. By building nearly 400 satellite-fed translators around the USA, he helped turn the enterprise into a national radio network. Parrish left in 2000 to work as an electronics contractor. But while attending church one day, he says, he was inspired by a sermon to "get off the dime, and go forward with Christian radio in a major way. I want to see people grow in the world and get blessed." Soon afterward, he learned that the FCC would be doling out translator licenses and realized he "knew more about translators than most." So far, Parrish says, his group has built just one translator antenna - in Rexburg, Idaho - as it completes engineering work on other stations. But some observers are wary. "The idea of him brokering these things seems to be beyond the pale," says Frank Wright, president of the National Religious Broadcasters Association. Parrish insists his group plans to launch most of the stations itself. One broadcaster, the American Family Association, confirmed that it has agreed to let Parrish's companies retransmit all 180 of its Christian stations. "I'm confident he has intentions to build a network," says AFA general counsel Patrick Vaughn (via Ray T. Mahorney, DXLD) ** U S A. From #5-069: "Now why is there room for ONLY ONE `progressive` talkshow at a time in The Nation`s Biggest Radio Market?" [KTLK 1150] This actually marks an improved opportunity for Progressive Talk in Los Angeles. Up until this move, Morning Sedition was tape-delayed for Morning Drive airplay. Now, both MS and Stephanie's show will air LIVE in L.A., increasing the odds of listener participation and involvement. Glenn's question here is aimed much more toward the market in general (and IS a valid question), but the aforementioned programming move is certainly in the best interest of KTLK/1150 and its listeners. By the way, an excellent non-commercial Progressive alternative airs in L.A. at 1 PM PT on Fridays, in the form of veteran talker Michael Benner on KPFK/90.7 (Greg Hardison, CA, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WANR OFF THE AIR BRIEFLY ON TWO DAYS By ANDY GRAY Tribune Chronicle WARREN - Incidents Wednesday and Thursday turned WANR-AM into an off- the-Air America affiliate. The downtown radio station was unable to broadcast its regular programming for several hours both days. Station manager Tim Continenza said a person known to management and one or more accomplices entered the studio on Courthouse Square after 9 a.m. Wednesday. . . http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/news/story/0429202005_new07wanr29.asp (via Jim Moats, DXLD) ** U S A. ROCK MUSIC DOING BETTER THAN SPRINGER By Rick Bird, Post staff reporter http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050429/NEWS01/504290340 Jerry Springer may be a king of all media, but not in his adopted hometown just yet. Springer's new talk show on WCKY-AM (1530) was barely a blip on the ratings radar in the winter Arbitron ratings book released Thursday covering the January-to-March listening period. It is the first ratings glimpse at how Springer's show and the new liberal talk format is doing in the Greater Cincinnati market. Springer's 9 a.m.-noon show, which debuted in January, drew a mere 1.6 share among total listeners, ranking just 15th in the time period among area radio shows out of 30 stations rated. Still, it was the most listened to show on WCKY during the period, which may not be saying much, as the station limped off to a slow start with its new liberal talk format. Cincinnati Clear Channel owners switched the station to a progressive talk format in January, dropping its oldies music programming. In total listeners, WCKY had a 1.0 share and ranked 19th in the market. In fact, that is what the station scored in the fall rating period when it was an oldies' station - and it is actually down from a 1.3 share in the same listening period a year ago. Clearly, the talk format, which also features the liberal Air America programming from Al Franken (noon- 3 p.m.) and "progressive populist" Ed Schultz, syndicated by Democracy Radio, in afternoon drive (3 -6 p.m.) did not take the city by storm. "The radio station isn't performing as good as I'd like to see it," said Darryl Parks, operations manager for Clear Channel's four Cincinnati AM stations (WCKY, WKRC, WLW, WSAI). "But it's the first (ratings) book and you have to wait a good six months to get a real trend on it. I'm not discouraged by it. AM audiences take a long time to build." Perennial news/talk leader WLW again led the ratings pack in total audience with a 9.9 share. That was down from the last fall ratings period, but up from a year ago. Conservative talk station WKRC came back to Earth falling to eighth place among total listeners after finishing second last fall, then its highest share ever. The station's conservative talk flamethrowers - Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity - saw a drop in audience, as well. Also, the local morning show of Jerry Thomas and Craig Kopp fell from 4th to 8th place. Many observers say the station benefited last fall from the high interest in the presidential election. If there was a trend in the latest ratings book it is that rock is back. Country music, too. Several contemporary music stations saw an increase in ratings after a year of decline. Such rock-based FMs as WEBN, WKFS, WMOJ, WGRR, WKRQ all experienced audience gains. Competing country stations WUBE and WYGY both saw listener growth. One of the most stunning gains among FM stations came from WMOJ, which bills itself as "jammin' oldies," playing party hits from the '70s and '80's. Among the sought-after 25-54 listeners, it saw its highest share ever, jumping to an overall third in the market up from 7th in the fall ratings period. The biggest drop among music-based FMs was seen at R&B/hip hop station WIZF, which fell to 9th in the market among total listeners after finished third in the fall and was then first among younger listeners. In the 18-34 demographic, WEBN soared back in the lead with a 13.4 share followed by WKFS (10.8) and WIZF (7.6). WEBN had slipped to third in the younger demographic over the past year - it's lowest ratings in the demo in almost 20 years. In the important morning drive listening period, WLW's Jim Scott was a clear winner with his highest share in a year, almost doubling the nearest competitor. Scott drew a 11.9 share among total listeners followed by WEBN's Dawn Patrol with a 6.5 and The Fox's Bob and Tom with a 6.1 As for the flat rating's performance of the new liberal talk station, radio observers caution it's too early to make a judgment based on one rating period covering two-and-a-half months. "It takes time," Parks said. "It took 10 years for WKRC to find an audience. An AM station is like a battleship where it takes a long time to turn around. Changing an FM station can be more like a speed boat." Springer's show was picked up April 1 nationwide by the Air America network on nearly 50 of its affiliates. After just three weeks it is too soon to get a reading on how his show is faring nationwide. Overall, the new liberal talk format is the fastest growing one in the country, going from zero stations a year ago to some 80 now featuring a liberal talk blend. There are now two providers of liberal talk programming: Air America, which offers 24/7 news/talk, and Democracy Radio which syndicates Schultz and the Stephanie Miller show (not carried here). Nationwide, the ratings news is mixed for the format, generally doing better on the West coast than it does in other regions. Clear Channel, which owns and syndicates Limbaugh's show, has been the main proponent of liberal talk, switching some 20 AM stations it owns to the format in the last year. In many cases, they have been troubled AM outlets, often the weak third or fourth AM outlet the company owns in some markets. Parks says the jury is still out on the format both here and nationwide. But he said radio shows are often a fluid, changing format. Parks said Springer seems committed to making his show work. "It's like anybody's job in life. Jerry has a new challenge and he wants to do this and make it work. It started in January. What it will be in July are different things. A year from now it will be different," Parks said. Already, Springer's show has changed. Disappearing from the air after two months is Springer's long-time friend and sidekick Jene Galvin, who was initially an on-air presence. Parks said Galvin now works behind the scenes on the show. Copyright 2005, The Post (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Scenario within a couple years if not sooner: CC dumps all the progressive formats, saying they had their chance, we told you so (gh) ** U S A. IT'S D-DAY FOR DST --- HOUSE PLANNING TO TAKE A FINAL VOTE AT 11:15 A.M. April 28 http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050428/NEWS02/504280462 (via Steven Cline, IN, DXLD) [Later:] Glenn, Well, here we go. I guess you can go into your copies of WRTH and Passport and scratch out any reference to Indiana being UT -5 year round. About the only thing left after this is it will be up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to determine which time zone Indiana will be in, leaving the boundary as it is with a few counties in the Central time zone, or putting all but a few southeastern counties in Central, leaving the remainder in Eastern to stay in sync with Louisville and Cincinnati. Or maybe a third choice that I haven't thought of. I'll keep you posted (Steve Cline, Indianapolis, IN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DST A DONE DEAL --- House passes daylight-saving [sic] time bill Dramatic vote, cheering cap 3-decade fight; state will sync up with nation next April Good call: A stunned Rep. Gerald Torr, R-Carmel, speaks with Gov. Mitch Daniels after the House passed the bill making daylight-saving time mandatory in Indiana. Torr is the author of the bill. -- Adriane Jaeckle / The Star [caption] By Mary Beth Schneider and Kevin Corcoran Daylight-saving [sic thruout] time is coming to all of Indiana for the first time in more than 30 years. In a history-making drama, the Indiana House voted 51-46 late Thursday to pass the controversial issue, which has dominated the legislature, coffee shops and kitchen tables for four months. Gov. Mitch Daniels, who made passage of the time change one of his top economic priorities, will sign the bill soon so that on April 2, 2006, Hoosiers will join people in 47 other states in turning their clocks ahead one hour. The climactic vote at 11:36 p.m. came after a half-hour of emotional testimony, in which lawmakers on both sides of the debate brushed away tears. They had fought about the issue all session. Some argued the changes are needed to boost Indiana in a global economy and erase the state's backward image. Others called it an unnecessary intrusion in Hoosiers' lives. . . http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050429/NEWS02/504290498 (via Steven Cline, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [non]. Checking for RNV`s 2300 UT relay via Cuba April 28, I found it loud & clear on 11760, starting with the IS at 2259; then checked 13680, and could barely detect it // under CRI via Canada in English --- so the collision is still there but at least on this occasion not at equal levels as it had been before. April 29 at 2330, however 13680 was back to about an equal level mixture, and 11760 was RHC! see CUBA The 2000 relay of RNV via Cuba was confirmed Sat April 30 on 13680 and 9550 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. 4739.8, R. TV Son La, Apr 21 1148-1205, 45433-44333. Vietnamese, IS, Opening music, ID and opening announce, Talk (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. Radio Zimbabwe, 6045, is broadcast from Gweru which is located in central Zimbabwe. There are no studios at this Shortwave transmitter site location. The studio for Radio Zimbabwe, which only programmes in Shona and Ndebele languages (no English) is located in Harare at Mbare Studios. These studios are a small operation with the Mbare studio's programming going then onto the main ZBC studio in Harare at Pockets Hill, Highlands (approximately 8 km away) before being aired on local FM stations nation wide through the government telecoms network TELONE or then relayed on to the Shortwave facility at Gweru for broadcast from there (approximately 200 km distant from Harare). Radio Zimbabwe can be heard 24 hours on FM throughout Zimbabwe,or rather should I say where there is FM coverage. It also carries commercials, so even the state likes to cash in, it seems. Recently daytime reception has been good, although the audio is often lost or intermittently breaks up. Night time reception is moderate or mostly off air. 73 (David Pringle-Wood, Harare, Zimbabwe, April 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. UNDISCLOSED COUNTRY --- "Meanwhile we have commenced carrier-only tests with our own transmitter." http://www.europaradiointernational.co.uk [SW? MW?] (via Bernd Trutenau-LTU, April 28, dxldyg via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Glenn, I have been hearing a reasonably strong carrier on 6071.45 for the last month or so. Unfortunately, it's not strong enough for the audio to be heard. I was thinking it might be RRI Jayapura, Indonesia? However, the last time I logged Jayapura (over a year ago), it was on 6068. Has anyone gotten Jayapura lately that you can recall? I'd try Google and Worldofradio, but haven't had too much success with Google lately. Thanks (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISENING DIGEST) Chuck, I found this from late 2002, so it shows station is capable of varying to where you heard them. I don`t recall any recent loggings. (Glenn to Chuck, via DXLD) ``** INDONESIA. 6071.478, 24.12 1240, RRI Jayapura on extended time with Christmas music. Sometimes heard but usually closes earlier. Very lousy audio when the studio mike is used while taped music sounds OK. Drifting in frequency circa 6 Hz up and down. SA (= Stig Adolfsson, Sweden, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-205)`` ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ END OF THE CROCODILE DX HUNTER Read Craig Edwards' blood curdling account of the end of the crocodile DX hunter at: http://www.dxing.info/dxpeditions/townsville_2005_02.dx (John Plimmer, Montagu, Western Cape Province, South Africa, mwdx yg via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ CURRENT SW SCHEDULES BY LANGUAGE Hey man, I was wondering if you could direct me to a list of frequencies which tell me where and when to tune my shortwave radio to catch Arabic music. I really like the Arabic music and any music that sounds similar to that. You know, desert muzik. So can you help me out man? (Bogues, Seminole, TX, April 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don`t know of any listing about Arabic music, but here is a site that sorts current SW schedules by language, which should help a lot: http://www.addx.de/Hfpdat/plaene.php Regards, (Glenn Hauser, to Bogues, via DXLD) Thank you very much. I listen to your show all the time and knew you would have a starting point for me. Thanks again (Bogues, ibid.) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ ``SHORTWAVE IS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCING A RESURGENCE`` It's strange but true, so what do we base our findings on? Mainly on the research carried out by the Mighty Merlin Communications, they that operate transmitters across the World on behalf of the BBC. This is what they had to say: "Shortwave radio listeners are growing globally, with shortwave penetration at its highest in the developing countries. That is not to say that shortwave is not having an impact in the Western world. Recent surveys revealed that 97% of regular business travellers listened to international shortwave." This increase in the shortwave audience, according to Merlin, is "spelt out dramatically by just one factory in China that is frantically producing 300,000 shortwave radio sets per month just to support demand. Grundig in America report growth each year on their sales of shortwave receivers. There are at least 600 million shortwave radio sets worldwide." In France, according to a Merlin survey, 70% of households with radio have access to shortwave. In Slovakia, the figure is 77%. "What is most interesting," according to Merlin, "is the growth over the last 10 years in shortwave usage by business travellers, diplomats, aid workers and others who move about the world as a result of their jobs. This change has occurred because of the portability of new sets and the simplicity of their use. Modern synthesized sets, which have the facility of actually entering the precise frequency number, made shortwave easy for everyone. People learned to pre-tune their sets, forgetting about kHz, MHz and wavebands. The new sets went in pockets, handbags and briefcases. Now sets weigh as little as 220 grams and are easily available and affordable." Teledifusion de France, which operates Radio France International's extensive shortwave transmitter network, says that "an estimated 2.5 billion people tune in to programmes broadcast on shortwave, and about a billion receivers pick up shortwave transmissions. At any given moment, over 200 million receivers are tuned in to shortwave broadcasts. Shortwave remains the only means of reaching a broad audience anywhere in the world, via a simple portable radio that can be bought for around $25. Listeners include expatriates, business travellers, tourists, or simply people who want to hear programmes in a language other than their own or who want to open a new window on the world. It doesn't matter where you are in the World, with shortwave you can always be in touch with Europa Radio International and you can't do that with the Internet or Sky satellite can you? There's always someone who will want to use the PC or watch the latest episode of the Simpsons. So get yourself a decent receiver, preferably with digital readout, check out our front page for the next transmission dates and times and come over and join us, there's a whole New World to explore. Write to us c/o PO Box 299, Kent CT5 2YA, UK E-mail to admin @ europaradiointernational.co.uk http://www.europaradiointernational.co.uk/shortwave.htm (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) There now. Take THAT BBC and BBG! Doesn't someone have to be mistaken at best or flat out lying at worst? The BBC's stated "research" and Merlin both can't be right (John Figliozzi, ibid.) Yes, Europa Radio International by selectively using a 5 year old article they found on the internet. I thought only civil servants composing dossiers for politicians on weapons of mass destruction did that. ``Recent surveys revealed that 97% of regular business travellers listened to international shortwave." The original sentence in Merlin`s article read "Recent surveys of regular business travellers revealed that in 1999, 97% of regular business travellers listened to shortwave." Europa Radio international has used a 2000 article selectively (Mike Barraclough, UK, ibid.) Like Mike Barraclough, I'm also sceptical of Europa Radio International's claims. Over the years I have regularly checked to see what SW radios are sold in airport duty-free shops, an obvious place for the business traveller to buy one. Twenty years (perhaps even 10 years) ago these shops had a good range of such radios - various manufacturers, a variety of prices. These days, at Heathrow, you'll find probably just one or two in each shop if you're lucky, and they tend to be the cheaper models. And they have very low visibility in these shops, which are now crowded out with products that didn't exist at all 20 years ago: digital cameras, video cams, iPods, mini-disc players, mobile phones, lap tops, etc. In some Heathrow shops there are now more DAB radios on sale than conventional ones. Strange but true. I know a few regular travellers who are not radio hobbyists. Few if any carry a SW radio. They expect to be able to watch CNN or BBC World or Sky News in their hotel room at their destination, or keep in touch via the Internet. They MIGHT take a small FM radio with them. Sorry, but although I'm an SW fan, I know that aside from in certain specific parts of the world (e.g. SOME parts of Africa) it's a dying medium (Chris Greenway, UK, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Following a sponsored link from google, I discovered that the consumer electronics giant Best Buy is now offering several world band receivers for sale. Most of them are only available from their web site and consist of several Eton/Grundig models and a couple from Sangean (Matt C, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO SHACK SETTLES IN PHONE SERVICE 'SLAMMING' CASE By LOUIS HAU, Times Staff Writer Published April 25, 2005 Link: http://www.saintpetersburgtimes.com/2005/04/25/Business/Radio_Shack_settles_i.shtml It sounds like an unlikely sales pitch: "Buy anything in our store and for no extra charge, we'll change your long-distance carrier to Sprint without your knowledge! Act now!" Yet that's what state Attorney General Charlie Crist said was happening at numerous electronics stores in Florida when he reached a $2.4-million settlement in May with Sprint Corp. Crist said customers were being tricked into signing what looked like a sales receipt but was a letter of authorization switching their long-distance service to Sprint. Such practices are known in the industry as "slamming." Last month, Crist quietly reached a settlement with Radio Shack Corp. for the alleged involvement of some of its stores. Under the deal, Radio Shack, which is a vendor of Sprint phone services, admitted no wrongdoing and agreed for two years to honor requests from the attorney general for documents and interviews with Radio Shack officers and employees without the need for subpoenas. The settlement requires Radio Shack to conduct internal quarterly audits of its Florida stores that sign up the most customers to Sprint long-distance service. In addition, the company agreed to make $200,000 in donations to Florida International University and the University Area Community Development Corp. The company agreed to pay $50,000 to a fund managed by the attorney general's office for the reimbursement of slamming victims who have not been reimbursed. (via Dave Zantow N9EWO Janesville, WI DXLD) Re: RADIO SHACK GETS A NEW NAME InterTan, the licensee of the Radio Shack name in Canada, got bought up by Circuit City, a major competitor to Radio Shack in the US, who hold the actual rights to the name. The lawsuit was about terminating the licensing arrangement to use the Radio Shack name in Canada, which had until 2010 to run out. Because Radio Shack in the US is based in Fort Worth, and the licensing agreement would have been signed there, that gives the Texas court jurisdiction in this case (Mark Coady, ODXA via DXLD) PHASING OUT IBOC Of course, a digital sideband can be phase-nulled just like any other signal. The problem is that, having done that, you can't do anything about the other interfering signals, such as a digital sideband from another station, or a pest AM station on the channel of interest. Thank you, Barry. Yes I agree, that once I have nulled the digital sideband, I am left with very little choice of what's under it on that frequency. It's a lot like using a loop antenna to null out loud power line noise. You get what you get when you null out the noise you don't want. I am having some success though by using the alternate sideband method. I understand the MFJ noise phasing unit works much better on MW (especially with modifications), but I am using an of the shelf JPS unit, followed by a tunable MW pre-amp to recover MW losses from the JPS. Using WSB-750 as an example, I place a simple tunable L/C circuit between a one meter "noise" antenna and the noise input of the JPS. I peak this noise L/C to 740. I then use another L/C circuit peaked at 760 on the antenna input to the JPS. I then adjust the JPS for the lowest IBOC noise and tweak both outboard L/C circuits. Using my longwire, I am stuck with the no directionality on 760 as you would expect, but the "hash" noise is greatly reduced. I have also used a loop as an antenna in the same configuration, but that gets a little tricky as I move the loop through 180 degrees. It also requires six knobs to peak or null: The loop. The two L/C circuits, the two JPS controls, and the peaking the preamp. It's not 100% perfect, but it really does help with the noise. (after about 10 minutes spent on tuning all this, lol) I am no expert, I'm just having some home brew DX fun. I thank everyone on the list for their expert advice 73 (Brock WH6SZ Whaley, Lilburn, GA, NRC-AM via DXLD) DRM +++ DRM IN THE PACIFIC AND NZ TESTS ON 657/662 KHZ Hi everyone, Some more information on the New Zealand DRM tests using the AM Network/Southern Star 657 MW transmitter at Titahi Bay over the past 3 days. Chris Mackerell here in Wellington has very accurately recorded a lot of what's been going on via several MW chat groups. In this region, every MW station has a usable bandwidth of 18 kHz, so for 657, it means they can (within certain parameters) broadcast a signal that extends from 648-666. DRM is about 'fitting in' a number of additional signals depending on how the 18 kHz is carved up for different standards such as data, voice only, and music, and whether you want mono, partial stereo or full stereo and whether you wish to simply simulcast on analog/DRM. The tests have juggled around different uses such as 657 in analog, and 661.5 in DRM (shown on most DRM receivers as 662), using 657 in analog and 652.5 (briefly) in DRM, and, both yesterday and today, a world first with the DRM signal extending the full 18 kHz bandwidth to deliver full stereo. The DRM power used yesterday was 1.25 kW and at times this afternoon was powered at 10 kW DRM whilst mobile testing took place of signal degradation at a distance from Titahi Bay - in the Wairarapa [over the Rimutakas hill range about 40 km north of Wellington, and about 30 km from Titahi Bay]. The signal clearly dropped out at times on the Rimutaka Hill Road, gaining as much as 10 db when at the summit, in fact, very similar to FM reception. Yesterday, the signals were tested for reception within the 'concrete canyon' of central Wellington's highrise building district where they performed well. The program feeds have been mostly Southern Star, although yesterday, output from a series of CD's in Radio NZ House was carried by a Telecom link to the transmitter and covered a range of musical genres as well as voice. With direct links to the transmitter and several professional DRM receivers, it was possible to hear the original CD quality in the room, AM quality (analog) and DRM quality during simulcasting tests and make instant quality comparisons. This afternoon, the full DRM signal relayed RNZ's Concert FM for a short while, and then EZL music was inserted at the transmitter site. The DRM tests are allowing observations relating to such things as robustness of the signal, maintaining same coverage as AM but using a lower DRM power consumption at the transmitter, quality of bandwidth used for DRM such as 4.5, 9 and 18 kHz, effect on the 657 analog reception when in simulcast mode, effect on 648 and 666 kHz stations and a heap of other stuff. The effect of running 10 kW DRM power is a bit like having a 200 kW analog signal being broadcast, so not only do you get full stereo, but your coverage area remains much the same as that achieved by the original analog signal. Well, that's the theory. I'll be presenting a radio heritage documentary on the DRM tests and DRM in the Pacific over RNZI in June, with major excerpts from the symposium, in particular speakers Andy Giefer from Deutsche Welle, Lindsay Cornell (BBC) and a number of other speakers including the ABU. The Radio Heritage Foundation was kindly hosted by RNZI and RNZ to ensure that the heritage aspects of the event were recorded, as the shift to the digital era in radio broadcasting is in danger of under reporting and preservation worldwide. In this case, the full 18 kHz bandwidth DRM transmissions are a world first, as in Europe they're restricted to 9 kHz. Pacific radio heritage in the making. There are many issues I'll attempt to cover in the documentary, and in comments at http://www.radioheritage.net in the coming weeks. As a MW DXer, I'm also interested in seeing how the DRM 'hiss' can be reduced or eliminated, and the imperative, in my view, will probably come from adjoining and co-channel stations who see their coverage areas being threatened and a commercial cost as a result. There seems no doubt that day/night switching will also be a key issue. One option is to reduce the number of DRM channels at night (say from 2 or 3 to just 1)and reduce DRM power at night because of skywave issues. The quality of receivers also impacts on 'hiss', because most (estimated 95%) of tuners have narrow bandwidth sensitivity only, with mainly older valve sets having the greater bandwidth we DXers demand. From discussions with a variety of broadcasters, it also became apparent that the value of 'on the spot' monitoring by 'ordinary listeners' of signals and DRM interference, is going to take on more importance. Yes folks, DX reports will become wanted again by the technical people. In fact, leaving DRM aside, reception reports for specific tests and/or frequencies and 'comparison' rating of reception of a number of AM transmitters in a defined area will clearly be welcomed. It may be 'DXing to order', but offers some interesting opportunities for MW DX around the Pacific. Watch the usual chat groups and e-DX publications and http://www.radioheritage.net for more details in coming months. Warm regards (David Ricquish, Radio Heritage Foundation, Wellington, New Zealand, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The problem with DRM is that the QRM is solid, it doesn't waver like music or speech, it's more akin to applause which also causes a solid assault on the eardrums! If you could hear the audio generated as we did hundreds of kms away, you'd also wonder what a band full of DRM audio would sound like. At the moment, it is easily possible to hear DX stations 1kHz away from an NZer, if that same NZer carried DRM, I seriously doubt that would be possible (Paul Ormandy, greylinedx via DXLD) see also AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND above PROPAGATION +++++++++++ I know this is not real "hard-core" DX-ing, but it was simply fun to make this quick bandscan of 13 meter band April 29 1245-1305 UT. There´s once again life in upper bands after long and exhausting dark winter. So I got excited and made these observations. Here´s a list of stations heard: 21505 BSKSA Riyadh in Arabic 21540 REE Madrid (Noblejas) // 21570 kHz 21580 RFI Issoudun in French 21600 BSKSA Riyadh in Arabic (14 UTC in French) 21610 REE Madrid (Noblejas) to the ME // 21540- and 21570 kHz. 21620 RFI Issoudun in French to Africa with 500 kW of power //21580 21640 BSKSA 1 Riyadh in Arabic 21660 BBC in Mandarin via Nakhon Sawan, Thailand went off at 13 UTC 21675 R Jamahiriya via France // 21695 kHz. 21685 RFI Issoudun in French to Africa // 21580- and 21620 kHz. 21760 RFI via Meyerton in French with other RFI outlets. This offered the best and strongest signal. I enjoyed warm spring weather (+14) in the backyard with my Sony 7600G and a five meter reel antenna. My sources of information were EiBi and Passport. Many RFI and REE frequencies and even two frequencies of Libya via France. First blue anemones are flowering and today I saw the first bee. Spring has finally arrived and upper bands are open! Have a happy First of May! 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, April 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I usually scan 13m around this time too, and on April 28 found the only audible signal was 21760 until 1300* Cut off after music and timesignal, no ID, so I had to look it up. New rule: all stations must give a full ID at sign-on and sign-off (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AURORA ALERT Earth is expected to run into a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun on May 1st and 2nd. Watch for auroras and DXers watch for possible auroral conditions (Mark Coady, Chair, Light Pollution Awarness Committee, Peterborough Astronomical Association, ODXA via DXLD) ###