DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-084, May 20, 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 1274: Fri 0200 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream [repeated 2-hourly thru 2400] Fri 2105 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Fri 2300 WOR Studio X, Momigno, Italy 1584 87.35 96.55 105.55 Sat 0800 WOR WRN1 to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1030 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0330 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0730 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 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 1200 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 1300 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 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 [Extra 56] Mon 0430 WOR WBCQ 7415 Mon 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Tue 0600 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 [also WPKM Montauk LINY 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 1274 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1274h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1274h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1274 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1274.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1274.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1274.html WORLD OF RADIO 1274 in true shortwave sound of Alex`s mp3: Keep checking http://www.dxprograms.net ** AFGHANISTAN. HERAT UNIVERSITY RADIO ADDS DARI, ENGLISH NEWS The Herat-based radio Sada-ye Jawan (Voice of Youth) has added daily news bulletins in English and Dari. Broadcasting on 92.3 MHz FM from the Faculty of Journalism at Herat University, the station celebrated its first anniversary on 16 May 2005. Voice of Youth was launched with the aid of 70,000 US dollars donated by Sayara Organization, previously known as the Media Action International. According to reports carried on Herat television, around 30 students produce the station output and contribute to the programmes, the directors and employees of the radio are made up of both teachers and students. According to a report carried in the Etefaq-e Eslam newspaper on 16 May 05, Voice of Youth is now known as one of the most effective media outlets in Herat. The report goes on to say that most educated people and journalists believe that the Sada-ye Jawan Radio has managed to attract many listeners from different social strata of Herat. During an address at the first-birthday ceremony, Mohammadollah Afzali, a lecturer at Herat Literature Faculty, said "As a government official, I admit that Sada-ye Jawan has been more effective than other local and government radios to date in Herat", Etefaq-e Eslam reported. Voice of Youth broadcasts are split into two daily transmissions, 0230 - 0730 gmt and 0930 - 1430 gmt. During the early morning transmission programming is mainly music and radio drama. The later transmission has broadcast educational programmes and news in Pashto. The daily newscasts are as follows: English news 1030 - 1045 gmt, Dari news 1130 - 1145 and Pashto 1230 - 1245 gmt. There is a second Dari newscast broadcast 1330 - 1345 gmt. Voice of Youth has also announced plans to begin news in Arabic in the near future. The Bakhtar Information Agency reported that the university radio covers an area of approximately 25 sq. km.. Source: BBC Monitoring research 18 May 05 (via DXLD) ** ALASKA. KNLS, fair during Chinese hour May 19 at 1322 check on 9615 // 9795, slightly stronger on the latter, both in the clear; if you really want to hear English, bits are interspersed with consecutive translation. By 1400, losing out to atmospheric noise, but 9795 audible with IS and opening in English, still colliding with but slightly stronger here than RFI in Vietnamese via Japan (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH [non]. Dear DXer, Radio Veritas Asia Bengali Service is going to air a special programme on the birth anniversarry of The rebel poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam. The name of the programme is "Vakti Sangite Nazrul" (Nazrul in Gospel Song). This program will be aired on 25 May at 1400-1427 UT on 11875 and 26 May at 0030-0100 on 11770. Happy Tuning (Md. Salahuddin Dolar, President, Global Radio Fan Club, Vill. + P.O. Chaumahani, P.S. Motihar, Rajshahi-6000, Bangladesh, E-mail: msdolar @ yahoo.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. *** Wednesday edition: *** Recording of 4409.80 Radio Eco, Reyes, Beni (Bolivia) This is the first time I have identified Radio Eco, Reyes-Beni on 4409.80 kHz - and I have tried doing it for 8 years!. The station is often audible but always weak signal. Enjoy my recording with "Mensajes" and a fine ID. Comments, photos and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com (Björn Malm, May 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 5926.8, Radiodifusora Minería, Oruro, 2350-0003*, Apr 28 and May 10, Spanish ID, closing ann, signed off with the original soundtrack from the movie "Bridge over River Kwai", 24232 (Jean-Pierre Penaud, France in PLAY-DX and Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 6135, Radio Santa Cruz, 0048, 10-05, Música y comentarios, locutor. Music and comments, male voice. 24322. 0957, 10-05, Canciones en español, locutor y locutora, identificación. Spanish songs, male and female voices. ID: "Buenos días amigos, deseamos que se levanten con ganas de trabajar. La radio es el medio de integración en nuestra región. Radio Santa Cruz, nuestra radio es una buena compañía en su trabajo". 34333. 0100, 12-05, Identification: "Radio Santa Cruz transmite en la banda de 49 metros, 6135 kHz onda corta". Canción de cierre y cierre a las 0107. Closedown song [so not the national anthem?] and closed down at 0107. 2320, 15-05, Transmisión partidos de fútbol campeonato boliviano, partido de fútbol del equipo local "Blooming". Bolivian soccer transmission, local team "Blooming, Identification: ``Radio Santa Cruz". "Radio Cadena deportiva, la más importante del páis". "Radio Cadena deportiva, líder en transmisiones". 24322 variando a 34333. Radio Santa Cruz es la estación que mejor se escuchaba en la República Dominicana, y creo que en España es también la más fácil de sintonizar. Comprobé que comienza sus emisones todos los días a las 0900 y finaliza unos minutos más tarde de la 0100. Algo interferida por Radio Líder de Colombia en 6140. Radio Santa Cruz is the best heard station in the Dominican Republic, like in Spain. Open programs at 0900 all days and closed down few minutes past 0100 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España-Spain, DSWCI-3627, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m. wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in the bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Radio Globo made it here to Maryland with fairly good signal in WTAM's null. Heard a rapid fire male with presumed sports talk and numerous Radio Globo IDs. This is the URL for the audio clip. - http://69.36.166.108/DXclips/01100-20050519-2043-Radio-Globo.mp3 Thanks for Bruce Conti for the tip (Bill Harms, Elkridge, Maryland, 0100 UT May 20, NRC-AM via DXLD) 1100 kHz ** CANADA. Discussion in English on 6160, at 1318 May 19, presumably CKZU, but too little signal in too much noise. It so happens that there is currently a one-hour break in VOA Tinang usage of 6160 in English at 1300-1400, so if propagation and noise level permit, a good day time to check for CKZU (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. More Fun Facts About Canadian AMs --- I was curious about the similarities and differences of AM formats in Canada versus those in the US, so I worked up some stats. As before, if multiple formats were listed (other than news/talk), I took the first one to be dominant and ignored the others. Music is still a big factor on the Canadian AM scene, led by the AC and country formats. Talk and sports formats are significantly less popular than in the US. Perhaps the most dramatic difference between the two countries is the almost total absence of religion/gospel as a full time format in Canada, though quite a few stations do carry some religious programming. Here's the comparison: Format Canada USA AC 24.3% 4.6% Country 23.4% 12.7% Variety 13.0% 2.2% (including "full service") Oldies 12.1% 7.3% News/talk 10.5% 16.2% Ethnic 4.6% 2.0% Standards 2.9% 6.9% Sports 2.9% 8.6% Talk 2.5% 7.0% News 2.1% 2.6% Religion 0.8% 8.3% (17.1% with gospel included) Other 0.8% 1.3% Some formats not found on Canadian AMs at all (and therefore not listed here): Spanish (except for CHHA-1610), gospel, urban, business news, pre-teen (Barry McLarnon VE3JF Ottawa, ON, NRC-AM via DXLD) Re: ``Soon PEI might have zero ... 720 and 630 want to move to FM...`` Well, I'm going to miss CHTN-720. Before WOR went IBOC, I could get CHTN-720 all day long on a car radio. One summer day around 12 noon my wife and I were sitting in the car along the banks of the Cape Cod Canal listening to "Island Weather" from CHTN. My wife was amazed that an AM signal could travel that far (465 miles) in broad daylight and be heard with near-local quality on a car radio! Goodbye Old Friend! (Marc DeLorenzo, Cape Cod, MA, NRC-AM via DXLD) Not so fast... unless Saul knows something I don't (and he might, if this info came from where I think it did), neither CHTN 720 nor CFCY 630 has actually filed an application to move to FM. Yet! s (Scott Fybush, NRC-AM via DXLD) I'm told there was a story in the Charlottetown Guardian newspaper about 630 and 720 being among applicants for a move to FM. Hasn't been formally gazetted by the CRTC, but there is a call for applications for this PEI city (Saul Chernos, ibid.) ** CANADA. CHRISTIAN RADIO PLANNED FOR MONTREAL By Joel Coppieters ChristianWeek http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/na.cgi?nationalupdates/050519radio OFFICIAL approval seems to be the last major hurdle for what could become Montreal's first French Christian radio station. Communications Media Evangelique, a local consortium of business, broadcast and ministry professionals, has already resolved many of the technical issues, found an appropriate site and used temporary frequencies to run trial broadcasts. An impressive application package is currently being reviewed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The station has reserved the call letters CKZW and is being considered for the powerful low frequency of 650. "We see this as one of the next major thrusts forward in an ongoing chain reaction," said Andre Joly, president of the consortium and prime mover of the project. Joly has 40 years of broadcast experience as a reporter for CJRC in Ottawa and is infectiously enthusic about the project. "We have seen it happen in many other areas of the Christian world," Joly explained. "Christian radio often brings an impetus -- a focal point -- and an energy that gets the ball rolling for other outreach projects [such as] print media, video, gospel music concerts . . . with increased collaboration between churches, all working together to effectively communicate the gospel to the masses." Joly said he believes this project is long overdue for the Montreal area. Radio has been used in French Canada as an outreach tool for some time, but mostly in remote areas. From the very early radio efforts in northwestern Quebec by Ron Heron and Quebecois evangelist Gaston Jolin with L'Heure de la Bonne Nouvelle to dozens of other local churches and groups, the efforts were focused in small population centers and dependent on commercial radio stations. Even evangelist Fernand Saint-Louis' first attempts in 1963 to bring the gospel to Montreal radio waves with his program La Foi Vivifiante involved purchasing airtime on commercial stations. And even now scheduling remains at the mercy of available time and "objectionable" content can lead to listener complaints that result in being bumped to middle of the night or removed from the air altogether. Though it is secularism rather than opposing religious viewpoints that motivates opposition now, similar complaints have already limited Joly's previous efforts on commercial stations. This makes a dedicated Christian station vital to maintaining any control in getting the message out. Connie Billiter and her husband Terry have been managing a Christian radio station out of Champlain, New York for more than 18 years. "From the very beginning at WCHP," she says, "we had a heart for French Canadians and we wanted to use our proximity to the Montreal area as a tool to encourage churches there." Montreal area churches and ministries have little trouble filling more than two hours of each broadcast day with French teaching and outreach on WCHP. Since WCHP is essentially talk radio and CKZW's proposed focus is gospel music as an outreach tool and drawing card, the two ministries don't compete and in fact regularly compare notes and share resources, and even a key broadcast engineer. Joly says the the CRTC approval process could be done within a month or two, but might well stretch out to over a year if public consultations take place (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** CHINA. 3900, Hulunbei'er PBS, Hailar, fade in 1310-1340, Apr 28, announcements alternating by woman and man. Not exactly a Chinese powerhouse on a good morning for DX. This is one of the harder Chinese regionals to hear. 24532 (Bruce Churchill, Fallbrook CA, Dxplorer via DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 5910, Marfil Estereo, 0123, 11-05, ID "Usted está escuchando 88.8, siempre con la mejor música". Canciones y comentarios sobre el día de la madre en Puerto Rico. Songs and comments about mother's day in Puerto Rico. 45444. Durante el resto de los días de mi estancia en la R.D. no la he vuelto a escuchar. Últimamente está muchos días inactiva. Lo mismo comprobando antes en España. During my stay in the D. R. I don't hear it again. Seems to be inactive a lot of days in the recent time. No other stations [than this, 6010, 6035 and 6140] seem to be active at present time in Colombia in the short wave bands. No parece haber otras emisoras activas por el momento en Colombia en la onda corta (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España-Spain, DSWCI-3627, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m. wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in the bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Hi Glenn, You mentioned something about a hijacker being on the RHC staff. I do recall something about that but my recollection is a bit dim. Do you have his name? (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) "Langston Wright" = pseudonym. If you search DXLD on that you should find previous discussion of him. 73, (Glenn to Steve, via DXLD) ** CUBA. Surprising RHC doesn`t produce more mixing products with strong new transmitters and antennas adjacent geographically and frequencially; however, one was heard fairly weak but clear on 11720, May 20 at 1255, a mix of 11800 and 11760. I don`t think this was receiver-produced since it was still audible with attenuation, and on two different receivers. And still there at 1330 recheck. May have been one to match on 11840, but too much slop from jammer and Martí on 11845 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. 5025, Radio Rebelde, 0828, 10-05, programa "Por Cuba a esta hora". 55555. 9505, Radio Rebelde, 1100, 11-05, programa "Haciendo Radio" "Desde este momento quedan activadas nuestros transmisiores para el Caribe en 9595 [sic – means 9505 as above? Wasn`t this on 9600 before? --- gh] y 6140, son las 7 de la mañana; Radio Rebelde es desde este momento más internacional, estamos juntos haciendo radio a través de todas las frecuencias de onda corta, media y F.M., seguimos juntos haciendo radio". 34333. El programa "Haciendo Radio comienza a las 0900 y termina a las 1300. "Haciendo Radio" program begins at 0900 and finishes at 1300. Also on 5025 44444. Not heard on 6140, channel busy with Radio Lider (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España-Spain, DSWCI-3627, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m. wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in the bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) May 19 at 1245 check 9505 indeed with ``Haciendo Radio`` mention, but down in the noise (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Every clip I've heard is canned, different fragments over the same canned fan club marching music. They continue in parallel as I type at 1840 GMT (2:40 pm local) --- one of the longest coördinated radio events in ages. 530 is truly massive now -- it was loud-and-clear at 1 p.m. on the putrid AM side of the card radio during my run to Publix -- and of course I was caught in a rain cloud upon the exit. The Che Factor Punishment for dogging Arnie Coro, Fidel, etc. on his radio signals for the past four decades. Rechecked 530 kHz from 2010 GMT (1610 local), and the anti-US street rally networks relay is over. However, 530 is now NOT parallel the Rebelde or Progreso network. So far, it's lots of current Cuban popular and rock vocals, male DJ briefly at 2019 with no ID. "Rebelde FM" net feed, or something brand new? 530 was always parallel stock MW Rebelde until now. I'll keep an ear on this as long as I have the time to listen today. The signal remains HUGE (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, May 17, Latin mwdx via DXLD) All morning through current (18 May, 1645 GMT), 530 continues loud and with the Radio Cadena Habana audio in place of Rebelde (Terry L Krueger Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OK, it's Radio Cadena Habana audio on 530. They dumped into an "Ésta es Radio Cadena Habana" by man at 1630:30, then into baseball pregame coverage. Confirmed a live feed, parallel 1080 as I type (Terry Krueger, FL, Latin mwdx yg via DXLD) What's happening with RVC while all this is going on? I haven't seen anyone mention them. I would suspect that they would be severely impacted. (RVC has been heard here several times and is no sloucher in the power department). (Pete Taylor, Tacoma, ibid.) From Denver I haven't heard the Cuban as far as I know. RVC is an almost nightly visitor with a whopper of a signal there. Here in Socorro I believe I'm hearing them very faintly in the background of whatever it is I'm hearing on 530. Right now, at 1640 local, I'm about to depart Socorro for the 50 mile trip to the Very Large Array radio telescope. I expect to be returning to Socorro after dark this evening. I'll see how 530 sounds in the desert west of here (Patrick Griffith, N0NNK visiting Socorro NM, ibid.) Socorro pirate: see U S A Listened for the past 30 minutes and the frequency belongs to RVC in central Florida. No sign of any QRM underneath (Jerry Kiefer, Port Orange, FL, 0133 UT May 19, ibid.) Cadena Habana still on 530 --- As first reported by T. Krueger yesterday, 530 is now strong with R. Cadena Habana. In strict adherence to tradición, audio is just awful, overdriven, distorted. Could IBOC be of assistance? R. Guamá good for a change on 1000. 1020 is usual good while 990 silent. Duking it out with Cadena on 1090 as is standard practice. Cadena good as ever on 1080 but still off 1100. In manner of those rubber gophers you smash with oversize plastic mallets at Chuck e Cheeses, Cadena 1120 has today popped up with strong and only mildly distorted signal. As for 980 COCO? Still victorious over 970 digi- plop. -Z.- (Paul Vincent Zecchino, Manasoviet Key, FL, 18 1616Z MAY 05 BT IRCA via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Radio Amanecer is the only active short wave station in the Dominican Republic. No trace of Radio Cristal on 5010 and Radio Villa-Cima on 4960 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España-Spain, DSWCI-3627, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in the bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Ecuador is one of those Latin American countries susceptible to the popular coup. This spring the streets rang to the sound of demonstrations, and the fall of a third President in 8 years. Lucio Gutiérrez tried to derail his critics, claiming their protests and a general strike had failed. But his voice was drowned out by those heard over "La Luna." The revolution wasn't televised, but it was broadcast and shaped by the radio station. And as Jennifer Moore found out, it sounded like this: Listen to Jennifer's dispatch http://www.cbc.ca/dispatches/audio/050518_morel.ram (CBC Dispatches May 18 via gh, DXLD) With clips of La Luna (gh) ** ECUADOR. 4814.99, R. El Buen Pastor, Saraguro, 0140-0200, May 10 and 15, Spanish, lovely LA-music, IDs, frequency announcement, heard most nights in Florida with 22222, in Denmark 24221 (Bjarke Vestesen, Denmark, visiting Sanibel Island, FL, U.S.A., and Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** EL SALVADOR. Hola Glenn: en El Salvador estamos en espera del arribo del huracán o tormenta Adrián; las frecuencias a monitorear son en la banda de 40m 7090 y 7075 kHz. Aunque la principal banda de los aficionados salvadoreños es 2m con varias repetidoras. Mi modem está fuera de uso y escribo esto desde el teléfono celular. Saludos (Humberto Molina, San Salvador, El Salvador, 0414 UT May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST via dxldyg via DXLD) Espero que no sufran daños! (gh to Humberto) The Hurricane Watch Net is currently active on 14325 for Hurricane Adrian http://www.hwn.org/ (via John Norfolk 2022 UT May 19 and Steve Lare, 2016 UT May 19, dxldyg via DXLD) However, the Net Was Not Active when checked at 1511 UT May 20. Adrian had become a mere Tropical Depression entering Honduras. Flooding could still be a big problem (gh) ** ERITREA. 7100, VoBME, Asmara with Horn of Africa songs. 33333 at 1600 May 17-18 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GEORGIA. 9494.7v, Abkhaz State Radio, Soxum noted in Russian, commentary, romantic songs of the 70s and 80s. 22222 at 1400-1630 UT (latter signoff time??) May 17-19 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Overnight operation of Rohrdorf 666 kHz will cease as of June 1st. The exact s/on and s/off times are not determined yet. Freiburg 828 kHz and Baden-Baden 1485 kHz are already on air only Mon- Fri 0300-2100 and Sat/Sun 0500-2100 (one hour later in winter of course) anymore. Cf. http://www.swr.de/frequenzen/hinweise/index.html Bernhard Weiskopf reports that the 711 kHz transmitter at Heidelberg, shut down in 2004, has already been demolished. Only the small transmitter building still exists (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GOA [and non]. INDIA, 7115, AIR Goa in Persian, powerhouse signal 55555 at 1615 UT May 17. All GRC, TUR, IRN, PAK, INS and IND stations are heard very loud here across the Mediterranean Sea on their back lobe too (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Two pirates observed in 2100-2200 UT range May 17: 1629.5 kHz S=2-3 mentioned Larissa twice; and 1619.2 kHz S=2-3 too around 2120 UT (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors MONTHLY REPORT OF A C T I V I T I E S audits, inspections, testimony, and special activities August 2004 --- Office of International Broadcasting Inspection of the International Broadcasting Bureau`s Transmitting Station in Greece (IBO-I-04-05) The International Broadcasting Bureau`s (IBB) Greece Transmitting Station, with sites in Kavala and Rhodes, is well managed. With a transmitter availability rate of 99.92 percent in December 2003, it is meeting its mission to provide shortwave and mediumwave broadcasts to primary target areas in Europe, Russia, Africa, the Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and Tibet. It transmits over 237 hours a day in 33 languages for Radio Free Asia, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America, Middle East Radio Network, and the Greek government`s Elliniki Radiofonia Tileorasi. The station faces an impending crisis in its workforce. Of the 92 Foreign Service nationals (FSN) at the two sites as of January 2004, over half were at least 50 years old; many key managerial personnel are scheduled to retire in the next few years. The station needs to train new people, but IBB announced a hiring freeze through FY 2004. The Office of Inspector General recommended that IBB continue to support the station with innovative ways to address its need for human resources. After the OIG site visit, IBB reported that it would consider using a buildings-and-grounds maintenance contract to hire "fill-in" employees for critical positions affected by the IBB worldwide FSN hiring freeze. The transmitting station property is leased from the Greek government. Over the years, local citizens have populated one area of the Kavala leased land with various beach structures and a church. An American supervisor estimated that the encroached area is about 11 percent of the total, with an apportioned lease cost of populated one area of the Kavala leased land with various beach structures and a church. An American supervisor estimated that the encroached area is about 11 percent of the total, with an apportioned lease cost of over $46,000 annually. IBB is concerned about the safety of the area and possible liability issues. OIG recommended that IBB modify its land lease agreement with the Greek government, returning the encroached area to the government and seeking a guarantee from the government to maintain the integrity of the remaining portion of the lease. IBB said that it would address this issue in 2007, when the lease came up for renewal, but OIG believes that some interim action is necessary. The station manager identified improvements needed in the station’s information technology infrastructure. The station is now about 80 percent finished with planned upgrades. The station`s computer management specialist learns new technology on the job, with assistance from the station manager. After the OIG inspection, he attended a week-long specialized training class. OIG agreed with the high priority of providing appropriate training to the computer management specialist. (from http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/37473.pdf via JOHN BABBIS, Silver Spring, MD, DXLD) see also THAILAND ** GUATEMALA. 4799.79, R. Buenas Nuevas, San Sebastian, 0200-0232*, May 08 and 11, Spanish, LA-music, IDs and announcements, Indian vernacular talk, 0230 marimba, 33333 in Florida, 24232 in Denmark (Bjarke Vestesen, Denmark, visiting Sanibel Island, FL, U.S.A., and Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) Also heard in Pennsylvania 0220-0335, May 12, non-stop music programming; mainly soft vocals. Usually noted on 4799.8. Nothing on the frequency the following evening. Poor to fair signal (Rich D'Angelo, PA, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 3500, UNID Pirate?, 1000-1300, May 05, unauthorized relay of a FM station from Sulawesi in Bahasa Indonesia, announcing "Pro Tiga ... Sulawesi", popular Indonesian and international music. It has been active for some days. Please HELP! 4869.98, RRI Wamena, 1215-1315, May 01, 04 and 05. It is on the air some evenings (local time), but it is not regular! Bahasa Indonesia ID: "Programa Satu Radio Republik Indonesia Wamena." Phone-in program with popular and international music, weak signals, but good audio! 15150, Voice of Indonesia, *0800, May 04 and 05, English // 9525. However 11785 was announced, but not heard (Roland Schulze, Philippines, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. VOI, 9525, not as strong as usual May 20, as high- latitude paths were attenuated, K=5 at 1200, as well as at 0600 and 0900, but still fair signal at 1259 ID in Japanese, with ``P O Box``, even tho no Japanese is scheduled anywhere near this time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. XM FM retransmitters in cars: see RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM below ** IRELAND. Glenn, The following is an e-mail I sent to RTE re the situation regarding the impact on RTE broadcasts by Worldspace's decision to start charging subscriptions for their services. I will forward any reply I receive. Could you please ask any others out there that would like to see RTE return to short wave to e-mail their comments to hearus @ rte.ie The more pressure they receive from around the world the better I should think. Thanks, Paul Dear Sir/Madam, The recent decision by Worldspace to charge subscriptions to allow listeners hear RTE on satellite clearly shows how wrong RTE were in closing down its shortwave broadcasts last year. This decision will greatly reduce access to RTE broadcasts worldwide for both people of Irish heritage and interested foreigners considerably to the point where I would question its economic sense. There are thousands of Irish abroad - missionaries, governmental and non-governmental aid workers, Irish troops on UN duty, Irish passport holders, business people, both expats and those on business visits. Recent years has seen Ireland develop into an multi-cultural society where interests in Ireland and all things Irish were never so popular. Thousands of non-nationals/non-EU now attend Irish Universities and English language schools. Daily programmes on shortwave radio can prepare these people to understand the country they are about to come to and following their return, help them keep in touch with events back in Ireland. When RTE closed down their shortwave broadcasts they increased their feed to WRN's North American Service to four hours. I see that in the meantime this has been reduced to two hours again less than a year later! Also Worldspace does not broadcast to South America. In Argentina alone there are 400,000 people of Irish heritage and a strong connection with the home country. According to RTE's own website RTE is not received in Australia (I may be mistaken on this though), another country with thousands of Irish. I for one grew up abroad in the 1960's and 70's and with many other Irish expats felt saddened that we didn't have access to Irish radio. We relied on BBC WS, a great station, but at times would have liked the world to hear the Irish perspective on things - like the Northern Ireland troubles etc. For years Ireland closed itself off from the world even if it exported its people by the thousands annually . Now at least we are a proud international focused country, pity we cannot have our presence felt on shortwave. Shortwave radio is the most democratic, accessible and cheapest way to keep in touch with the world. I travel abroad very regularly and always bring my shortwave travel radio and was delighted to pick up the half hour programme when it was broadcast. Now I must try to keep in touch by listening to foreign stations again! Please, please bring back the shortwave broadcasts even if it means reducing or dropping your feed to Worldspace!! Yours faithfully, Paul Guckian, Clarecastle, Co Clare (cc to DXLD) [Later:] Glenn, Interesting initial response from RTE to my e-mail. For the first time RTE are not stating that satellite radio is the only answer!! Maybe I am wrong but there may be some light at the end of the tunnel? As regards RTE paying the subscriptions. it is only for missionaries in Africa; what about other Irish expats and others that may be interested in listening? Kind regards, (Paul Guckian, Ireland, May 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Paul, Many thanks for your letter, I will pass it to the people who make the decisions and sign the cheques. We are looking at how to serve the world listeners, and it is not easy. The satellite was a good alternative but as you observe not in every area, and to make matters worse it now has been made a subscription service by the providers, NOT by RTE. The Internet serves the world, but again probably not ideal for long time listening sessions, and also network congeston may make connections unreliable. Thanks, Sean. (RTE, via Paul Guckian, Co. Clare, DXLD) ** IRELAND. Stations on 549 and 846 kHz to be licensed? TWO ADDITIONAL MW FREQUENCIES MAY BE USED IN IRELAND Ireland's Commission for Communications Regulation has published its Response to the Consultation on a Strategy for Management of the Radio Spectrum. Among the things in the document is a status report on two mediumwave frequencies that may be available for use in Ireland. The Commission says: Twelve respondents to the consultation brought up the issue of reassigning two medium wave frequencies, originally allocated to the Russian Federation, to Ireland for the establishment of Christian broadcast services. ComReg is aware of this issue and had been working thorough the ITU with a view to coordinating these two frequencies (549 kHz and 846 kHz) for use in Ireland. This work is being carried out in accordance with the treaty covering the use of this spectrum. The current status after more than two years of effort is as follows: . Co-ordination for use of the frequency of 846 kHz in Ireland is complete. Due to the nature of radiowave propagation at these frequencies, this frequency is not usable above 300 watts in Ireland in order to avoid harmful interference to the service area of a cochannel transmitter located in Rome. It is doubtful if use of this frequency, at such a low power, is of any practical use in Ireland. . Co-ordination for use of the frequency of 549 kHz in Ireland is reaching a conclusion. Current indications are that the frequency may be usable below 40 000 watts in order to avoid harmful interference to the service area of a co-channel transmitter located in Spain. Once co-ordination and reassignment is completed these two frequencies will be made available for licensing by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). (Media Network weblog 17 May, via BDXC-UK via DXLD) BDXC-UK Moderator note: both of these frequencies have been used by unlicensed stations in Ireland for many years: 846 kHz by Radio North, based in Co Donegal; 549 kHz by Christian broadcaster UCB from Co Monaghan. Does this report mean that these two stations might be legalised? (Dave Kenny, ibid.) Regarding 549 kHz, back in March I spoke to Graham Wilson, a UCB engineer in Stoke, who confirmed the relay of UCB via Co Monaghan is unauthorised by UCB in Stoke. If the ITU reassign 549kHz to ComReg, will that give ComReg & UCB the power to end the unauthorised rebroadcast of UCB in Ireland? (Martin Cowin, ibid.) ** ISRAEL. FACES FORWARD: Radio Riddler Delights (and Stumps) Israeli Listeners --- By Dina Kraft, May 20, 2005 The clock in the wood-paneled radio booth counts down the minutes to 8 a.m. The intro music is cued, and Dan Chamizer is once again on the air. He's got another clue for his listeners from all across Israel who are desperate to solve his latest riddle. After several days, the prize has climbed to $23,000. None of the thousands who call Israel Radio each day --- or the tens of thousands who send answers in the form of text messages from their cellular phones --- has come up with the correct answer. His riddles, which are broadcast daily, are based on mind-bending twists of free association, using verbal and sometimes visual clues. The answers are always two words. Since he went on air two months ago, the previously flagging ratings of the morning news show on which he appears have soared to record-breaking levels. Because of his popular puzzles, Chamizer has entered Israeli slang: his name is now shorthand for a "stumper." When Israelis encounter a seemingly impossible question, they call it a "chamizer." . . . http://www.forward.com/articles/3191 (via Joel Rubin, swprograms via DXLD) I wonder what network and time this is on. Can it be heard on shortwave or on the internet on Reshet Bet? (Rubin, ibid.) Customarily in Hebrew only, I assume (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. On the next edition of MediaLine Radio: * More information from the world of nano-technology. * An interview with Allan McGuirl of Galcom International that will hopefully get to the bottom of a number of planned ShortWave projects. * An episode of The Jack Benny Program from 1941. This edition airs Saturday 21/28 May at 1930 UT on 5775 kHz and at http://mp3.nexus.org Additional airings are at 1330 UT at http://mp3.nexus.org also on Saturday. For more information, please visit http://www.nexus.org/radio.htm (Henry Brice, May 19, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** ITALY. 6195, RAI, Prato Smeraldo, *0625-1140, May 09 and 17, new relay of HS programs in Italian maybe for the Italian troops in the Balkans, reports, ads, 1000 ID: "Qui RAI International", ex 9670, 45444 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD). There are no programs for Italian troops in the Balkans or anywhere. On 6195 RAI International only relays HS (mainly Radio 1) and --- at 1000 UT --- its programme is "Giornale dall'Italia" and others. Here in Florence I am not able to listen to 6195 but I can count with my satellite receiver and could check the web page of RAI International http://www.international.rai.it By the way in the Balkans (city of Pec, Bosnia) Italian Army has established a multilingual station (operating on FM 96.9 and 93.5) since 1999. Programs are locally made in languages of different international troops operating in the area as well as in local languages. It is not like AFN broadcasting only for the troops, but a part of the peace-enforcing mission, therefore open to local people. You can find information on the Italian army website at: http://www.esercito.difesa.it/root/chisiamo/radio_west.asp Unfortunately it is only in Italian but interesting anyway. The first time Italian army experimented operating a FM station was during a mission in Somalia back in 1993 (Radio Ibis). Radio West is widely known in Italy and last year it was made even a film (with the same title "Radio West"). (Luigi Cobisi, Italy, May 17, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) see also SICILY ** JAPAN. R. Japan celebrates its 50 Years anniversary on Jun 01, 2005. In the DX-program within "Hello from Tokyo" the following weekend (Jun 04-06), Toshimishi Ohtake from the Japan SW Club will be in the studio. Toshi is also a member of the DSWCI. Furthermore three more members of the DSWCI are expected to participate in the programme by phone, so tune in! In addition to normal QSLing from R Japan, the Japan Shortwave Club (JSWC) will issue its own QSL to correct reports to be sent to: JSWC, P. O. Box 29, Sendai Central, 980-8691, Japan. Your enclosure of 1 IRC or $1.00 US bill will be appreciated (Toshimishi Ohtake, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) "Hello from Tokyo" is broadcast as follows during the A05 period Sa 0510-0600 on 6110 5975 7230 15195 17810 21755 Sa 1010-1100 on 6120 9695 11730 17585 17720 21755 Sa 1710-1800 on 9535 11970 15355 Su 0010-0100 on 6145 Su 0310-0400 on 21610 Su 1110-1200 on 6120 9695 11730 Su 1510-1600 on 6190 7200 9505 11730 Mo 0110-0200 on 5960 11860 11935 15345 17560 17810 17825 17845 (R Japan via DSWCI Ed Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. 3980.4, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, Al-Sulaymaniyah, 0245-0255, May 08, Kurdish talk by man about Iranian Kurdistan, short musical interlude, woman talking, 35333 weak jammer was on 3970; heard // 4870.1 (jump from 4860) which was jammed (32332). (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) 4850, Voice of Iranian Kurdistan, 0151-0203, May 07, Kurdish songs non-stop warming up to the sign-on hymn at 0200 and usual Kurdish ID "Aira dengi Kurdestana Irana". Very weak at first, but picked up a bit up to the hour. This is ex 4860 and one hour earlier than the *0250 reg in DBS. In fact a very quick ID also at 0158 (Finn Krone, Aversi, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) If you read the DBS-7 carefully, you will notice that the morning programme is "¤ 0250v-0430". On page two is explained that: "¤ : One hour earlier during local Summer (DST)." It is local Summer in the Middle East now, so the DBS-7 correctly mentions the sign on time as 0150v.! Readers of the DBS will get more use of it, if they also read the explanation of signs on page 2! (DSWCI Ed). On May 08 at 0245-0255 I heard it on 4870.1 and on May 11 at 0213-0217 on 4869.1, both being jammed. On May 15 at 0151-0155 it was on 4865.0, but not yet being jammed, 34343 // 3970.6 (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** LATVIA. 9290. From June 2005 onwards European Music R. plans to broadcast as follows via Ulbroka: 1/ Transmissions will be every 2 months. 2/ Late June + August (Sat Nights) 1 hour. 3/ October- December Sunday Afternoons at 1500-1700 (Tom Taylor, EMR, UK, May 04, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** MALI. Tentative, 7284.4v. RTM Bamako is silent on 9635 and 11960 this year, heard an unID carrier and some Sahel type music at 1620 UT, het by R Tashkent co-channel even 7285. 21221. May 17-18 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [and non]. BC Border Blaster Busted!!! (Long - but worth it) This is from Robert Gonsett's outstanding "CGC Communicator" newsletter, and may help explain why some of us have been hearing those new Tijuana-area signals much louder in southern California (and beyond) than we should be. And better yet --- the PDFs have nifty tower pictures!!! It's a lengthy download, but well worth it to see just how much happens across the border and doesn't get busted right away! s MAJOR OFFENSIVE AGAINST BONILLA'S CROSS-BORDER AUTHORITIES A major offensive has been launched on the Section 325(c) cross-border program transmission authorities associated with Jaime Bonilla's XHBCE-FM, 105.7 MHz, in Baja California North. By using an airplane and flying to the coordinates published for XHBCE's Class B operation, nothing but wild brush and grass were found. There were no power lines, roads or trails serving the site, and a picture was provided to demonstrate that point. Further, there was "no physical evidence to suggest that a transmitter was ever built there" or anywhere nearby (a search was made). Thus, it is claimed, the transmitter site that XHBCE has reportedly been using all these months does not exist, so all 325(c) requests relative to that site constitute fraud. The real XHBCE transmitter was discovered on Cerro Bola mountain 10 miles away and at a much higher elevation than the authorized Class B site. A number of technical questions have arisen regarding the facilities found there. But there is more. Mr. Bonilla's XEKTT, 1700 kHz, should be using two towers of equal height, but two towers of "grossly unequal height" were found instead, calling into question the nighttime radiation pattern of that station. XESDD, 1030 kHz, should be using a three-tower directional antenna array to beam its signal away from the U.S. both day and night, but was photographed using one tower (presumably omni-directional) instead. And XESS, 620 kHz, should have been sharing that same three tower array to protect the U.S. full time, but XESS' transmitter had mysteriously migrated 21 miles closer to the U.S. and was discovered at the XEKTT site, virtually right on the U.S./Mexican border, without the required three tower array. To see and read more, open the two pdf documents below. The first doc contains an Engineering Statement with colored photographs of the numerous alleged technical transgressions; the second doc is a copy of the complete legal and engineering package filed with the FCC as a formal complaint (the engineering photos did not reproduce properly in this, the only pdf doc available to us at this time, hence the separate posting of the Engineering Statement). There is much more to this story, probably one of the biggest stories to break in the local broadcast community in years. From this one 325(c) case, a number of legal actions may follow including demands for massive power rollbacks at some or all of the Bonilla properties, and retractions of all 325(c) permits. Keep in mind that the charges made so far are only allegations and that the Bonilla organization needs to be given an opportunity to respond. There may be mitigating technical factors at work or special agreements between the U.S. and Mexico of which we are unaware. Our experience indicates that there are many fully compliant broadcast facilities in Mexico and that this case - if the allegations hold - is not representative of the Mexican broadcast industry as a whole, and should not reflect negatively on the many fine people in Mexico who strive for excellence. Engineering Statement alone (1 mega byte in size): http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/baja_engr.pdf Complete Petition to Deny (sans photos, 2 mega bytes in size): http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/pet_to_deny.pdf (via Scott Fybush, NRC-AM via DXLD) Actually the photos are there in the latter, but mostly dark blobs (gh, DXLD) I am astonished that it has taken so long for the FCC (or the Mexican equivalent) to come up with the idea to simply inspect the location(s) for nearly a year. A missing transmitter is a pretty obvious out-of- place parameter on an inspection. All of his AM stations are still pumping out full juice tonight. 105.7 trops here really clear during marine layer days (Darwin, ABDX via DXLD) It was not the FCC that did this but the California station victimized by the 105.7 QRM (gh, DXLD) While this is politically incorrect to say, it's true: the really astonishing thing about Mexico is its level of corruption, all the way from Los Pinos to beat cops shaking down motorists and street vendors. I'd bet my life that certain SCT functionaries, all frequent recipients of gratuities from Sr. Bonilla, have long known about the "missing" transmitter, its true location, and true output power (Harry Helms, W5HLH Wimberley, TX EM00 ABDX via DXLD) I'm afraid you're right. Shortly after KURS came on an employee reported to the FCC that Mr. Bonilla told him not to drop down to night power. Between that and all kinds of other problems he was fined $25,000 but talked the FCC out of it. I think he cooked his books and showed them to the FCC saying he couldn't afford to pay it. Unfortunately he has benefited from someone else's misfortune. KURS diplexes off KSON. Before a good portion of the top of that tower blew away in a storm last December --- see http://beradio.com/currents/radio_KSON_010305 and http://earthsignals.com/add_CGC/KSON.htm That tower was 168.2 degrees electrical height on 1040. Guess what it is now; almost exactly 90 degrees; your basic quarter wavelength. I wouldn't be surprised if KURS is fudging with their power. Before the tower damage they had always been stronger than KSON (a graveyarder with 1 kW fulltime) during the day. KURS is supposed to be 370 watts days and 63 watts at night. A diplexed station with one third of the host's power shouldn't get out better than the host. I haven't compared them since; my local 1250 is more heavily modulated after changing from news/talk to music and KSON is a tough one now. This is a must read for California and Southwestern DX'ers. Several years ago XEKTT descended upon 550 without authorization. When US stations on 550 filed interference complaints with the FCC they moved to 560; once again without authorization. Eventually the FCC and their Mexican equivalent agreed that XEKTT would move to 1700, XESDD to 1030 and XESS to 620. The Mexican government's broadcast authorities have not been very cooperative. I have never believed for one second that XEKTT, XESDD, and XESS are operating from their authorized sites using their authorized power output, antennas and directional patterns. Their signals are much stronger than they should be. In my opinion Mr. Bonilla will say anything he thinks the FCC wants to hear regardless of its truthfulness. For awhile he got everything he wanted from the FCC. I think they have finally figured out what is happening with Mr. Bonilla's stations and that this will take a very long time to resolve (Dennis Gibson, CA, ABDX via DXLD) Dennis, This does not surprise me. I would guess that 1700 is running 10 KW ND 24/7. They are pretty strong up here at night. 620/1030 are blocked so I have not heard either of them so far. But 1700 is strong enough. It would not surprise me to find out from 1610-1700 to have border blasters in the future running 10 KW ND (At least). This I am sure will cause a lot of trouble to US broadcasters, but IBOC will QRM the Mexicans too. 73s, (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, IRCA via DXLD) ** MEXICO. On 6010, ``entrevista`` in Spanish at 1242 May 19. This late, it must be XEOI rather than Colombia, and further listening produced some Mexican clues, such as ``Secretaría de Gobernación`` tho no actual R. Mil ID or jingle. Good modulation; if only they had more power. 50 kW would be nice. Running about 10 over 9, but that`s not enough with the summer static level. Actually a little better at 1316 recheck, before fading (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MOLDOVA. 5910, R. DMR, Maiac noted in English, Mons at 1615 UT, May 16, "RUS-GEO message", 35333 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. CAMBIO DE FRECUENCIAS --- Otro inesperado cambio de frecuencias, esta vez para nuestra audiencia que nos sintoniza por la onda corta en Norteamérica (este), Centroamérica y el área de Caribe. Este próximo lunes 23 de mayo (es decir martes día 24 UTC), a las 0200 UT, la frecuencia de 6165 kHz vía Bonaire pasará a difundirse directamente desde Flevo, Holanda por los 9890 kHz (31 metros). A esa hora seguiremos utilizando las frecuencias de 7325 y 9590 kHz. A las 0300 UT, la frecuencia de 6190 kHz vía Bonaire también será reemplazada por la de 9890 kHz. Resumiendo: a partir del lunes 23 (en Centroamérica y México), emplearemos la nueva frecuencia de 9890 kHz, entre 0200 y las 0400 UTC. Esperamos con sumo interés sus informes de escucha que son verificados con ocho modelos distintos de tarjetas QSL. ESQUEMA VIGENTE DEL 24 MAYO (UTC) HASTA 30 OCTUBRE 2005 1100-1127 Caribe/Cuba/Florida B 6165 1130-1157 Sudamérica (norte) B 6165 1200-1227 Sudamérica (noroeste) B 9895 Centroamérica/México B 9715 2300-2357 Sudamérica (sur) F 9895 0000-0157 Sudamérica (sur) A 5995 Sudamérica (norte) F 9895, B 15315 0200-0357 Centroamérica/Caribe F 9890 0200-0257 Centroamérica/Caribe F 7325 México/Caribe B 9590 (Jaime Báguena, Director Artístico, Depto. Latinoamericano, Radio Nederland Wereldomroep http://www.informarn.nl May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be because the 50-kW Bonaire transmitter on 6165 and 6190 has been down for some time, as per complaints here. Why wait a few more days? (gh, DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. 3935, ZLXA Reading Radio, 0815-0935, mixture of man and woman announcers (mostly man) with more musical pieces than I have heard before --- 0840 female vocals and march music by band, Scotch ballad sung by a male/female duet 0928. Time pips and woman announcer 0900-0904, best ever signal level 24343. Unusual flutter on signal, but audio was quite good (Bruce Churchill, Fallbrook CA, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) Date? Could that have been on May 15 when the K was 9 at that hour and other extraordinary propagation was reported? (gh, DXLD) ** NORTHERN MARIANAS. ROME RESEARCH TO CONTINUE RELAYS OF VOA AND RFA FROM MARIANAS --- Contract of $10.3 million from International Broadcasting Bureau to provide information technology support, operations and associated services at the Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station (REKTS) on Saipan and Tinian, in the Northern Mariana Islands. Parent company PAR Technology press release, 19 May 2005. Shortwave facility transmits VOA and RFA to East Asia. The late Robert Kamosa was IBB Director of Engineering. Saipan site was originally (1982) commercial KYOI, beamed to Japan, later World Service of the Christian Science Monitor. http://www.partech.com/pti/showpr.cfm?thispr=407 (kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Confirmed Frosty Troy`s Oklahoma Observer political commentary at new time on KOSU, Friday 1235:30 UT May 20. But now it only lasts 3:30 until 1239, formerly at least 5 minutes at 1230. I think that NPR has now inserted a mandatory break in Morning Edition (weekdays) at :40 past the hour to match what happens on other NPR talkshows. So that makes an optional cutaway at 1235-1240, like on weekends. The repeat is scheduled Fridays at 2144, and I believe this also starts on the half-minute (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. 9340.4, R. Pakistan, Islamabad in Russian at 1415-1445 UT May 17-18, faulty transmitter, signs on and off, audio breaks, but much better on 11585 kHz, 34322 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3290, R. Central, Boroko, 1100-1201*, May 02. This transmitter is active again. Last time I heard it was in December 2003! Relay of NBC Port Moresby on 4890, 1120 own regional programme in Vernaculars. Closing announcement in English: "National Radio Kundu Service . . . Radio Central in Papua New Guinea. We will be back tomorrow morning. . . Good Night, God bless." Then Vernacular and at exactly 1200 one bell sound and a short piece of instrumental National Anthem. On May 05, 1000-1201*, they carried their own program in Vernaculars. Weak signal with fading at times and static noise (Roland Schulze, Philippines, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) 4960, CRN, Vanimo, 1348-1410 fading fast, Apr 28, non-stop devotional/ praise instruments and vocals. Pronounced flutter fading, with occasional RTTY that takes out signal for 10-30 seconds, 34533 (Bruce Churchill, Fallbrook CA, Dxplorer via DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO. 990, Radio Isla, 2234, 10-05, Identification: "Radio Isla, Puerto Rico". "Radio Isla tiene la última palabra, pégala Puerto Rico". 45444. No aparece en WRTH 2005. En esa frecuencia aparece Radio Mil, Mayagüez. Probablemente se trate de la misma emisora. This station not appears in WRTH 2005. On this frequency appears Radio Mil, Mayagüez. Probably is the same station (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España- Spain, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m. wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in my bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. DW wrong switch? May 18 1030 on 7370 instead of Deutsche Welle Chinese program (1030-1055) transmitted via Vladivostok as sked I heard Russian talk between OM and 2 YL. One of YL several times mentioning "spasiba". 1051 YL and also following OM IDing "Narodnoye Radio". 1052 Russian song by male. 1055 OM said "Muzica Programa Narodnoye Radio". Carrier still on up to 1056 (Ashar, Depok, Indonesia, HCDX via DXLD) Our Radio? What program is that? (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Re: KABARDINO-BALKAR RADIO OBSERVED ON SHORTWAVE --- I checked 1089 kHz yesterday past 1730 and it did NOT carry Kabardino- Balkar Radio (which signed on on 7325 kHz) but Russian International Radio. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, May 20, dxldyg via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. 15380 / 21495 --- Buzzy ARS faulty transmitter noted at 6-9 UT on 15380. And later that day (May 17th and 19th) on 21495 UT at 9-12 UT (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I still hear that buzz on 11740 during the 2100 hour (gh, OK, May 18, ibid.) ** SCOTLAND [non]. Here's news of additional frequencies, transmitters and broadcasts from our little station in June 2005, as we celebrate 42 years since our launch on June 6th 1963. PS: I notice some time back you mentioned Mark Goodier - he's currently hosting our MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR feature on the Beatles on Tuesdays at 0005 GMT on 5105 kHz. Regards always (TONY CURRIE, DX LISTENING DIGEST) News from radio six international NEW FREQUENCIES AND TRANSMITTERS FOR NEW SHOW Scotland’s independent international station continues to develop and from June 4th launches a new Saturday transmission aimed at listeners across Europe. Tony Currie will host SATURDAY SOUNDS with a mixture of unsigned bands, guests, record reviews and listeners’ letters. The show will come live from Glasgow between 0600 and 0700 GMT and will be repeated twice later in the day for listeners in other timezones. Details are:- 0600 – 0700 GMT on 15725 kHz (20 kW) from Milan, Italy; on 9290 kHz (100 kW) from Ulbroka, Latvia, on 88.2 MHz in stereo from Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand, and on our 24-hour webfeed at http://www.radiosix.com 1500 – 1600 GMT on the web feed only 2300 – 0000 GMT on 5105 kHz (50 kW) from Monticello, Maine, USA and on the web feed. Our complete transmission schedule for June 2005 (with all times in GMT) is:- 0000 – 2359 (Daily) Web feed 0000 – 0300 (Sat/Sun) 88.2 MHz stereo (Tawa, New Zealand) 0000 – 0100 (Daily) 5105 kHz (Monticello, USA) 0100 – 0200 (Sun/Mon) 5105 kHz (Monticello, USA) 0600 – 0700 (Sat) 15725 kHz (Milan, Italy); 9290 kHz (Ulbroka, Latvia) and 88.2 MHz (Tawa, New Zealand) 0700 – 0800 (2nd Sun) 13840 kHz (Milan, Italy) 0830 – 0930 (2nd Sat) 13840 kHz (Milan, Italy) 1900 – 2000 (2nd Thu) 5775 kHz (Milan, Italy) 2300 – 0000 (Daily) 5105 kHz (Monticello, USA) Further details from TONY CURRIE, Programme Director – tony @ radiosix.com RADIO SIX INTERNATIONAL, PO Box 600, Glasgow G41 5SH, Scotland (Currie, May 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So what becomes of Radio for Peace, clandestine for Western Sahara, which IRRS had been running Sat 0600-0700 on 15725?? (gh, DXLD) ** SICILY. Onda lunga di Caltanissetta (189 kHz) --- Ciao a tutti, stamattina dopo aver letto qualche notizia su internet e aver ricevuto varie email che chiedevano lumi sul il trasmettitore onda lunga di Caltanissetta (189 kHz) ho chiamato i colleghi di Raiway siciliani che mi hanno confermato che l'impianto e' purtroppo "spento". E' stato acceso per qualche giorno per consentire una serie di misure riguardanti i valori di campo elettromagnetico da parte dell'Arpa regionale, finite le misure e' stato tutto spento e non ci sono progetti per riaccenderlo. Questa ad oggi e' la situazione, Saluti, (Andrea Borgnino IW0HK, http://www.mediasuk.org/iw0hk http://www.mediasuk.org/archive bclnews.it via DXLD) ** SUDAN. 5895, R. Peace, Nuba Mountains, 0317-0322*, May 13, Arabic talk to 0322 carrier off on clear frequency. It was missing on May 14, no ID but cannot be anything else, fair (Martien Groot, Schoorl, Netherlands, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Note: Trans World Broadcasting Ministry (TWBM) was founded in Taiwan in 1955 by a group of local ministers and brothers in Christ. TWBM is registered as a nonprofit organization, and is licensed for production of radio and television programs. As its ministry developed, TWBM established an office in California (USA) in November 1998, and is also registered as a California nonprofit religious corporation (via Bob Padula, May 15, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. Office of Inspector General U.S. Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors MONTHLY REPORT OF A C T I V I T I E S audits, inspections, testimony, and special activities August 2004 --- Office of International Broadcasting Inspection of Broadcasting Board of Governors` Operations in Thailand (IBO-I-04-06) There are four major entities of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in Thailand: the Thailand Transmitting Station, the Regional Office of Marketing and Program Placement, the Voice of America (VOA), and Radio Free Asia (RFA). OIG found that they do not formally coordinate, nor do they believe there is a need for such coordination. The Thailand Transmitting Station is clearly the largest establishment, has the most extensively trained and experienced staff, and is the best managed of the four major BBG entities in Thailand. The initial agreements for the Thailand Transmitting Station, which date back to 1965, involved the broadcasting of VOA programming. Since RFA began broadcasting from points outside of Thailand in September 1996, the Royal Thai government has shown no interest in amending these agreements to include broadcasting of RFA programming, although Embassy Bangkok has pursued the matter occasionally with senior members of the Thai government. Although there have been a series of bilateral agreements relating to the Thailand Transmitting Station over the years and subsequent amendments, OIG could find no evidence that Embassy Bangkok ever formally received permission from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by way of an exchange of diplomatic notes or other amendment, allowing the U.S. government to broadcast Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) programs from the Udorn transmitter plant. Those broadcasts, nevertheless, began in 1995 and continue with the inclusion of Radio Farda programs. OIG found that the VOA Bangkok News Bureau and the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB) Asia Regional Office of Marketing and Program Placement both need to improve their management controls regarding their separation of duties, and VOA also needs to improve its documentation. IBB Washington also has a role to play in ensuring a positive internal control environment. IBB is working to address these issues (from http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/37473.pdf via JOHN BABBIS, Silver Spring, MD, DXLD) See also GREECE ** TUNISIA. All RTT Sfax SW Arabic broadcasts now one hour earlier, than in WRTH Spring PDF update. Please inform Mauno in FIN. Except the changes: 1300-1600 UT 11950, 1600-2300 7190, 1300-1500 11730 UT. 963 kHz mediumwave --- All entries in WRTH Updater are correct, except foreign language sections start with a xx.00-xx.03 newscast in French, followed by short music song, and foreign languages start at about xx.06-xx.59 hrs. Ge at 0806, En 1206, It 1306, Sp 1806, French 0300- 2258 UT (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, May 17-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. 243 longwave. An unID continuous interval signal noted in 1645-1700 UT range May 17/19. Gong, harp, piano tones IS over and over again, S=2, into Turkish announcement at 1700 UT. Seemingly Erzurum site (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. OWNER OF SATIRICAL MAGAZINE STANDS TRIAL FOR DERIDING TURKISH PREMIER | Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia Ankara, 17 May: The Basic Civil Court in Ankara has started on Tuesday [17 May] hearing the lawsuit filed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan against the satirical weekly Penguen with the request of a compensation of nearly 28,600 dollars. Prime Minister Erdogan is accusing Erdil Yasaroglu, owner of the weekly, of publicly humiliating him by publishing drawings of his face attached to a frog, a camel, a monkey, a snake, a duck and an elephant, and seeking a compensation of nearly 28,600 dollars. Yasaroglu's lawyers submitted a written defence to the court in response to allegations in the complaint. The defence says: "For years, many politicians in the world and in Turkey have been portrayed in the forms of animals and they have laughed at them. However, Erdogan has not shown the same kind of tolerance." "If the court rules that Prime Minister Erdogan's individual rights are violated because of the drawings, its decision contradicts the level of development of art in modern and democratic societies. The drawings did not equate Mr Erdogan with those animals. Those drawings were published in order to show solidarity with cartoonist Musa Kart who was sued by Prime Minister Erdogan on the pretext that he was humiliated by a cartoon which portrayed him as a cat entangled in a ball of wool," the defence noted. The hearing was adjourned until 5 July to allow Prime Minister Erdogan's lawyers to examine the written defence and prepare a response. Penguen published the drawings on its front cover on 24 February 2005. Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 1041 gmt 17 May 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. BBC WEATHER REPORTING SPARKS COMPLAINTS --- By JILL LAWLESS http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2005/05/19/1047026-ap.html LONDON (AP) - "The weather is like the government," wrote the English humorist Jerome K. Jerome. "Always in the wrong." The British Broadcasting Corp. is discovering the truth of that aphorism. In a nation whose fickle skies make weather forecasts required viewing, Britain's national broadcaster proudly launched a new high- tech report this week - and sailed into a storm of protest. Too confusing, said some viewers about the "virtual reality" graphics used several times a day on the BBC's domestic channels and BBC World international service. Too English, thundered a Scottish nationalist politician. Some viewers said the new graphics were too drab, others that they were too flashy. "I really don't need a second-rate Playstation game telling me the weather," wrote Paul Dixon, one of hundreds of disgruntled viewers who posted complaints on the BBC website. "I want to look at my little spot of England, see a bright yellow sun or a fluffy white cloud, have a look at what the wind and pressure is doing and I'm sorted." Another viewer complained about the graphics' rendering of Britain in a palette of browns. "Our green and pleasant land has been turned to mud," sniffed John Midwinter on the BBC site. The new 3D graphics, developed by New Zealand's Meteorological Service, replace the cartoonish yellow suns and stylized storm clouds the BBC used for 20 years with computer-generated imagery designed to be more fluid and realistic. The camera sweeps over the country, beneath dark rain clouds and through showers of virtual-reality rain. "The new system will introduce more realism, movement and clarity to the forecasts," said the BBC's lead weather presenter, Helen Young. "For the first time, viewers will be able to see the sun shine and the rain fall on the weather map. Complex weather situations will be much clearer for the audience." Many viewers begged to differ. By Tuesday, the BBC said it had received 240 phone calls opposing the new format, and eight supporting it. Many others wrote to the website or national newspapers to express their dismay. "Where are the isobars and fronts? What about wind speed and direction?" asked viewer Dominic Horne on the BBC website. "And why lose the tried and tested weather symbols? This seems to be dumbing down of the worst order." Some saw a political bias. Angus MacNeil, a Scottish National Party legislator for the remote Western Isles, said the graphics, which show Britain from the south, made Scotland look far smaller than it is, and rendered his constituency almost invisible. He urged Scots to complain to the BBC and tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the broadcaster to reconsider. "We are well used to changeable weather, but this map is a change too far," MacNeil said. "The BBC needs to rethink their daft distorted map. They need to see Scotland as it is." The BBC's commercial rival, ITV, allowed itself a moment of schadenfreude. Program director Nigel Pickard told The Times newspaper that the broadcaster had rejected the New Zealand software because "excessive use of 3D graphics just left the viewer confused." This is the BBC's second weather disaster in as many months. Last month, producers of BBC television's Newsnight program decided to replace the show's daily stock market and currency roundup with a weather report. Many viewers were appalled. The show's gruff presenter, Jeremy Paxman, also seemed unimpressed, delivering increasingly terse forecasts such as: "It's April. What do you expect?" The forecast was dropped after 10 days. - On the Net: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather (via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** U K [non]. Hello from Hilversum, Last week I wrote an article in which I queried whether the new UK-based commercial station Big L - Radio London would be able to establish a clear identity. In case you missed it, it's here: http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/media/mna050512.html?view=Standard The project did not get off to the best of starts, as a technical fault put the mediumwave transmitter here in the Netherlands off the air for two and a half days. But now that the signal on 1395 kHz is on the air, I have to say that the quality of the station's output has exceeded my expectations by a considerable amount. It's early days, but the programme at 0700-1100 UT presented by Mike Read, who has worked on a host of stations including the BBC and Radio Luxembourg, is exceptionally good, and better than most of the stuff I've heard from other UK stations. So good luck to them. I still wonder about the long term viability of the project, but it's always great to her radio presented by people who love radio, not just the sound of their own voice (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter May 19 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. /UKRAINE: BBC OPENS NEW MONITORING BUREAU IN KIEV | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 19 May The BBC opened its new Monitoring Bureau in Kiev on Wednesday 19 May 2005. The ceremony was attended by President Victor Yuschenko, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, and Terry Wogan, the BBC's host at the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in the Ukrainian capital. Equipped with the latest state of the art technology, the BBC's Monitoring Bureau in Kiev will deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the Ukraine and its affairs for all its outlets worldwide. It will also be home to the BBC's Ukraine correspondent, Helen Fawkes. Chris Westcott, director of BBC Monitoring, says: "BBC Monitoring's new office in Kiev confirms our commitment to being the best source of global reporting from the world's media. "Its fully digital multimedia capability enables BBC Monitoring to report on media in the Ukraine and the surrounding region - which, as recent events have shown, is of critical geo-political significance." Maciek Bernatt-Reszczynski, head of BBC Ukrainian Service, says: "The new Kiev bureau gives BBC journalists covering the Ukraine a sophisticated and modern environment to satisfy the high demand for quality across a range of BBC outlets in dozens of languages across the world. "There are DVDs to record video as well as access to online dictionaries - as, following the Orange Revolution, the workload has increased as the new government sets about introducing much needed reforms." Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 19 May 05 (via DXLD) ** U S A. Radio: The lost voice of America May 15, 2005 4:53pm Europe Intelligence Wire Since its launch after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Voice of America has always been a slightly uneasy hybrid: an instrument of American diplomacy, but with a mandate to serve as a "consistently reliable and authoritative source of news". That mission has grown immeasurably more complicated under President George W Bush, whose administration has shown particular zeal for information control - especially in the Middle East. That makes supporters of VoA nervous. "Political interference in programming decisions, thought to be a thing of the past, has returned," Sanford Unger, a former director of VoA, writes in the May issue of Foreign Affairs and Columbia Journalism Review. Unger details cutbacks to international bureaux and English language broadcast schedules, and accuses VoA's director, David Jackson, who was appointed by Bush, of putting pressure on staff to produce "positive" stories from Iraq, and play down reports of bombings and kidnappings. Staff at VoA tell a similar story, describing Jackson as an obsessive monitor of content who scrubbed pictures of US PoWs from the station website during the Iraq war, and who earlier this year warned reporters off a story about the administration's practice of circulating video packages disguised as news. By last July, the station nearly had a mutiny after 450 of its 1,000 staff signed a petition accusing the broadcaster's governing board of presiding over VoA's slow death. Jackson rejects the charges of political interference. In his view, the turmoil was the product of growing pains - not internal censorship - as VoA struggled to adapt to a more crowded media market. "People aren't all sitting huddled around their shortwave radios any more. They have more choice, and we have to compete in that environment," he says. Just not in the Middle East, ground zero in America's propaganda wars, where it appears there is no room for VoA. In 2002, the broadcaster's board of governors scrapped the VoA's Arabic service, replacing it with a pop-music led channel called Radio Sawa. Last year, Washington poured $62m into a television channel called al-Hurra (Free One), based in the Virginia suburbs of Washington DC. The prime mover behind both networks is Norman Pattiz, founder of the Westwood One commercial radio giant. He believes Radio Sawa is the best counter to the "hate speak" on radio and television and the influence of al-Jazeera in the Middle East. Radio Sawa claims an audience of 20 million, mainly between the ages of 18 and 28, for a mixed format of western and Arabic pop music. Media analysts are highly sceptical, noting that few listeners tune in to Radio Sawa for the news. And VoA is increasingly viewed in Washington as an orphan of the cold war. "It is seen in many circles as a dinosaur, and not worth revamping or ratcheting up," says Nancy Snow, an analyst of media and propaganda at California State University, Fullerton. "But that does not mean it should be shelved because we are now in the war on terror." Suzanne Goldenberg. Copyright (c) 2005 The Guardian. (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) See also GREECE, NORTHERN MARIANAS, THAILAND ** U S A. It must be dark in New York? `Djever notice how the three half-hour (er 21-minute) newscasts on NBC, CBS and ABC TV refer to darkness, or at least impending darkness, in their very titles? Here it is 5:30 pm, the Sun is beating down as much as 3 hours before sunset, and we have the NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, and ABC`S WORLD NEWS TONIGHT?! At least at CBS, it`s only EVENING NEWS. To make matters worse, just like his predecessor, Brian Williams, who feels he has to punch every word to force us to listen, introduces every story with ``. . .tonight. . .`` They must have kept the same writers, or mandatory stylebook. Harry Shearer often made fun of Brokaw, by editing all his ``tonights`` from one show together in a row. No, as a matter of fact it is NOT night in New York, either, this time of year, especially with this DST nonsense making everything happen an hour earlier than it really should. Even in the dead of winter, in this part of the country, 5:30 pm is more like EVENING than NIGHT, but then the Central (not to mention the Mountain) Zone is so far beyond the Hudson as to be off the radar of the NY anchors, native Centralians that most of them may be. So why is NIGHTness so important to these shows? Maybe they are to be taken more seriously than something airing in the DAY? I`m not fooled (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. CPB MOVES SPARK TENSIONS IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING Media by David Folkenflik Morning Edition, May 20, 2005 The chairman of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting -- which supports PBS, NPR member stations and some programs -- says there's need for more on-air balance between liberal and conservative views. The appointment of two CPB ombudsmen and content analysis of a PBS news program have caused concerns about political interference among public broadcasters. [audio link via:] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4659805 (NPR via DXLD) ** U S A. WBUR-FM TUNES IN A MANAGER SHAKEUP: CHANGES FOLLOW TOP EXEC'S OCTOBER EXIT By Greg Gatlin Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - Updated: 08:33 AM EST A management shakeup yesterday at WBUR-FM (90.9) was largely the handiwork of independent consultants brought in last year to examine the Boston University-owned public radio station's operations. . . http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=83567 (via Sheldon Harvey, DXLD) ** U S A. More on June 11 Armstrong broadcast This is interesting; your scanner won't be much use in trying to hear the 42.8 MHz Armstrong memorial signal: http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=7127 (Harry Helms W5HLH Wimberley, TX EM00 http://futureofradio.typepad.com/ ABDX via DXLD) i.e. full plus/minus 75 kHz deviation ** U S A. KMJ, 580, in Fresno, CA is now pumping out 50 kW of lovely IBOC to splatter four more channels of the BCB (Darwin Thousand Oaks, CA, 0919 UT May 19, ABDX via DXLD) By ``now`` do you include the middle of the night when you posted this? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. I'm at NM Tech in Socorro this week for a Homeland Security bomb tech class. For the past 2 nights I've noticed an odd unID on 530 playing a very strange mix of everything from techno-pop, to C&W, to full orchestra, to reggae, and even some SS. A few minutes ago they played a 4 minute song backwards. I have listened to almost 3 hours of this with no IDs or announcements heard. The signal is generally strong and solid but occasionally fades under the noise. It also fades away when I approach a building. It doesn't really sound local. I have driven about 5 miles north and 5 miles south with no noticeable change in the signal. Any ideas? (Pat Griffith, N0NNK, Socorro NM, stock AM- FM in a 2005 Jeep Cherokee, May 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) How about the new Cuban that is very strong in Florida??? There are occasional Radio Habana Cuba ID's (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) It`s Radio Cadena Habana, not the same; more on that under CUBA above (gh) Well, I've not heard that one here in Los Álamos. Is this a nighttime signal? The only thing I've got on 530 are the RVC monster, and occasionally the Alameda at I-25 TIS in ABQ. I'll have to give a listen (Mike Westfall, Lost Almost NM, ibid.) Yes, this is a night time signal. Just checked at local noon and no sign of it. Does mostly EE music fit the format for the Cuban? They played 3 in a row by Bob Marley last night including "Jammin" and the original "I Shot the Sheriff". But the mix is a little bit of every format you can think of. There is about 2 seconds of pause between each song so it sounds automated (Pat Griffith, N0NNK, Socorro, NM, May 18, ibid.) The unID I've been hearing on 530 does appear to be local and is probably a pirate. I can hear them about 5 miles in any direction from Socorro. But as soon as I get beyond that distance they are covered by splatter from the XE on 540. I did hear the 530 ID tonight as Radio One. They stated they were playing the Essential Mix World Tour. Tonight they were highlighting techno-pop music from China. I'm guessing that the station is just south of the Wal-Mart in Socorro. That is where the signal is the clearest. I drove around the area for a while but could not spot an antenna (Patrick Griffith, N0NNK Socorro NM 0516 UT May 19, ibid.) Patrick, If you can DF the signal, by any chance is it coming from the south of you? About 1.2 miles south is AIM Alternative High School at 904 Spring St. Perhaps an "experimental station" operated by students? Hi (Mike Hardester, NC, ibid.) My 530 unID was on the air all day today. This is the first time I have heard it during the day. I did a little DF work after class this afternoon and managed to locate the transmitter. The signal is coming from a small yellow house on 2nd Street just north of Otero Street and directly behind Raks Hardware here in Socorro. The house has a 10 foot satellite dish in the yard, a 50 foot tower, and numerous VHF and UHF antennas on the roof and tower. The tower also supports a horizontal V style wire antenna with two 40 foot legs running from the tower to the far corners of the roof. This is probably the AM antenna. There are no street numbers on the house and no mailbox visible from the street. My guess is that the station is running about 10 watts and that the antenna is not well matched to the transmitter. There were numerous Radio One IDs this afternoon including some professional sounding jingles. The music is still 15 to 30 minute long selections of techno- pop identified as the Essentials Mix. The 2 and 3 note "interval signals" are still being broadcast over top of the music at irregular intervals (Patrick Griffith, N0NNK on location in Socorro NM, 0117 UT May 20, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. 5025, R Tashkent, Toshkent [sic, alternative spelling/transliteration?], *1934-2000, May 17, Interval signal, 1935 German ID, announcement // 11905 (heard with 54554), news starting with 2 minutes about the international Press Conference today, attended by President Islam Karimov, which concluded: "We have now stabilized the situation!". 1942 music and talk about an exhibition on oil and gas in Uzbekistan, folkmusic, 54544 (Anker Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window May 18 via DXLD) ** VANUATU. Radio Vanuatu is noted here in Melbourne during our local mornings and evenings on its former channel of 3945. 7260 is no longer heard at any time, as at May 19 (Bob Padula, dxing.info via DXLD) ** VATICAN. VATICAN RADIO ELECTROMAGNETIC SMOG WITHIN LIMITS http://www.speroforum.com/blog/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=130 Yesterday afternoon a joint communiqué was released from the bilateral commission between the Holy See and Italy studying the question of the quantity of electromagnetic smog allegedly emitted by Vatican Radio at its transmitting station outside of Rome at Santa Maria di Galeria. The commission had met on May 16 to seek a solution linked to the problems of the intensity of these emissions. The communiqué stated that "the commission examined the results of the measuring done in recent months by Italian experts of the National Agency for the Protection of the Environment, by the regional agency for Lazio and by the Ministry of Communications, and ascertained that, in all sites observed, the levels of emission were maintained in conformity with the quality control objectives indicated by the DPCM (Decree of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers) of July 8, 2003, and thus the continuation of commitments reciprocally assumed with the Accord of June 8, 2001." The monitoring of emissions will continue and new tests will be done in September and October. As to a definitive solution to the problem of the intensity of electromagnetic waves produced at the Santa Maria installation, the commission noted with pleasure the work underway to adapt or convert several of the radio's medium and short wave transmitters to terrestrial digital technology which, once finished, would allow Vatican Radio to broadcast its programs with a lower emission power and with a better broadcast quality. Posted 5/19/2005 @ 7:59 AM (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. 4939.5, Radio Amazonas, 1002, 11-05, canciones, songs, 24322. 0905, 12-05, Himno Nacional, apertura transmisión. National Anthem, open transmission at this time. Identification. 34333. 0920, 13-05, Identification: "Radio Amazonas lo dice todo primero, 5 horas y 26 minutos, Radio Amazonas lo dice todo primero, 5 horas y 27 minutos, Radio Amazonas no tiene rival". "Para todo el mundo Radio Amazonas". "Seguimos en sintonía total, Radio Amazonas, La Voz del Pueblo". 34333. Radio Amazonas abre su programación todos los días sobre las 0910 horas. Radio Amazonas open tramsmission at 0910 all days. Radio Amazonas parece ser la única emisora venezola en onda corta en este momento. Observatorio Naval Cagigal, en 5000 inactivo durante mi estancia en la R. D. Radio Amazonas seems to be the only active station from Venezuela in short wave. Observatorio Naval Cagigal, on 5000 inactive during my stay in the Dominican Republic (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, España-Spain, DSWCI-3627, Grundig YB 400, antena de cable 5 metros, 5m. wire antenna. Escuchas realizadas en la habitación del hotel en Punta Cana, República Dominicana. Logs in the bedroom's hotel, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ALGERIA, 7460, RASD Tindouf noted here at 2140 and at 0600 UT, but signal strength much less compared to past years signals. No signal on reported 700 kHz. A carrier whistle observed around 2145 and at 0620 UT on 1545.8 May 17th, and 1545.2 kHz at May 18-19 (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also SCOTLAND [non] ** ZIMBABWE. ZIM SPIES GET NEW TOYS FROM CHINA Tuesday, 17 May, 2005 http://www.journalism.co.za/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2446&CAMSSID=895c09ec44d131ed981a56d7c3145c15 China is supplying Zimbabwe`s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) with new high-tech equipment which will boost its capacity to monitor people and Internet traffic and jam radio signals, reports Gugulethu Ziyaphapha. Senior secret service officers confirmed the acquisition to journalism.co.za, speaking on condition of anonymity. They said CIO officers have been receiving training from Chinese technicians on how to install, operate and maintain the equipment. They said the equipment would be used to target journalists working for the foreign press, opposition party members, human rights activists and other influential individuals or organizations. ``We are not only targeting opposition members but including some suspicious and wayward Zanu (PF) members. Who knows? We may still be having some Jonathans among us,`` said one of the two officers, referring to the sacked former Information Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo. The spies said President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party no longer trusted its own after some senior party members were jailed for espionage. ``The upgraded Chinese software will replace the outdated Soviet gadgets that we have,`` said one of the intelligence officers. It is also understood that the CIO will target the private press. The UK-based Short Wave Radio Africa is already being jammed, and the officers confirmed the CIO was behind this. A worker at a Harare internet café said some men who only identified themselves as from the ``President`s Office`` were warning internet users not to open news websites by CNN, BBC and SW Radio because they spread ``anti Zimbabwe propaganda``. ``They told our clients that they would get into trouble if they are caught opening those sites by some of their colleagues`` said the Internet Café employee. Short Wave Radio founder Gerry Jackson who recently won an international award for courage in journalism told The Scotsman that ``Mugabe will do anything to stop the truth being heard in Zimbabwe``. (via kimandrewelliott.com via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9605, heavy faulty transmitter splatter, I guess from Asia, occurred on May 17-18, in 9597-9624 kHz range, at 1600-1800 UT (Wolfgang Bueschel, mobile, touring Balearic Islands, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE 2005 IRCA/DECALCOMANIA CONVENTION will be held on Thu. Aug. 25 through Sat. Aug 27, 2005 at the Days Inn, 1111 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim CA 92805 (1 block North of Disneyland) http://www.the.daysinn.com/anaheim04986 Phone number for reservations is 714- 533-8830 (request the special $49 room rate.) Registration fee (not including banquet) is $25 payable to Mike Sanburn, PO Box 1256, Bellflower CA 90707-1256 - mikesanburn @ hotmail.com Activities will include station tours, business meeting, auction, and banquet --- view menu at http://www.jagerhaus.net Should have lots of stickers and airchecks. Looking forward to seeing everybody. Here's the list of websites for sites in the area of this year's convention: http://www.disneyland.com http://www.downtowndisney.com http://www.knotts.com http://www.universalstudioshollywood.com http://www.sixflags.com http://www.movielandwaxmuseum.com http://www.seaworld.com http://www.medievaltimes.com http://www.catalinaexpress.com http://www.irvinemuseum.org http://www.visitorangecounty.net http://www.planesoffame.org (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) REPORT FROM THE EDXC CONFERENCE 2005 [illustrated] Please read my report with photos on direct link: http://www.dswci.org/specials/conferences/edxc2005/edxc2005.html (Anker Petersen via Dario Monferini, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DSWCI 50th ANNIVERSARY AGM, May 4-7, 2006 The DSWCI reaches 50. In 2006 we can celebrate the 50 years Jubilee of our Club. At the Annual General Meeting in 2004, it was decided to have this celebration in connection with our Annual General Meeting. Later on it has been decided by our Board that this will be held during four days on the 4th to 7th of May 2006 at the beach resort of Vejers near the westernmost point of Denmark. We have reserved the Scout camp Vardeborg which offers many, but primitive accomodation facilities. But it also offers excellent noise- free DX-conditions with nearly no limits for drawing antennas in the sand dunes along the North Sea. A limited number of better accomodation is available at the two small hotels in that village. Furthermore there is a nearby camping site and possibilities of renting bungalows. We are right now preparing a large programme of activities which include: * A DX-Camp at Vardeborg from Thursday afternoon throughout till Sunday morning. * A cultural tour on the Friday to the town of Varde including an Danish painting exhibition. * Various historical exhibitions and publications about the DSWCI are planned. * The Annual General Meeting Saturday morning. * Some of the founders and old-timers will be invited. * Various DX-related lectures Saturday afternoon * Special DX-broadcasts. * A Jubilee Dinner Saturday evening. More details, including participation fee, later on. Also non-member DX-ers and broadcasters are welcome. Please make your own reservations of accommodation at: http://www.klithjem.dk http://www.vejers.dk http://www.vejersstrandcamping.dk http://www.vejers.com See you there ! Best 73, The DSWCI Board (Anker Petersen via Dario Monferini, DXLD) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ NEW PICS FROM BAVARIAN DX-CAMP Hello, here there are some new pics from the camp. I recommend a special view on the antenna distribution system, which seems to be the final version (I hope so). http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/Fotogalerie.htm vy 73 (Michael Schnitzer, Germany, HCDX via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ THEPAPERBOY.COM This edition of 'Website Wanderings' features a website that's off- topic as far as radio related links go but very interesting nonetheless. It features links to on-line newspapers from all around the world. Give it a try - I think up to date news on today's world events from news sources OTHER than our own can be very informative and from a comparative standpoint, stimulating. You can find it at: http://www.thepaperboy.com.au/welcome.html (Raymond Bauernhuber, IRCA Soft DX Monitor May 14 via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ Kenwood R-1000 Greetings, fellow-listees, Back in the eighties, Peter Jennings, the Canadian, was stationed in London for ABC TV news. Every nightly broadcast carried his televised contributions. These were the days before he took over the anchor desk of ABC Evening News. On the broadcast set, to the side of his left shoulder on a table behind him, there used to be a familiar piece of hardware. I recognized it as a Kenwood R-1000, and wrote him once to confirm. His editor replied that 1) Peter was too busy to reply, 2) that I was very observant, and 3) it was, indeed, a Trio-Kenwood R-1000. The result of that incident was that the R-1000 was moved or removed quickly (Bill Wildes, Homewood, Alabama, HCDX via DXLD) So was it just a prop, and/or product placement which expired? (gh) Back in the 80's I saw a documentary on television about the CIA, codebreaking, intelligence etc., and the agent depicted was shown using a Kenwood R-1000. Verry good radio (Brad Wall, HCDX via DXLD) SIRIUS IN LIEU OF REAL DX Was driving home from work this morning listening to CIBH 88.5 (Parksville) and a really strong signal on 88.3 appeared out of nowhere. Es? Not a chance! I recognized the sound right away (digital compression sounds very different than a broadcast station and also lower volume) --- a car with Sirius satellite radio had just stopped at the light besides me. I listened to it for several miles; how powerful are those little transmitters that come with satellite radio? They seem really strong, I only lost the signal once the guy was down quite a ways from me! (Steven Durocher, Canada? May 19, WTFDA via DXLD) I've had this happen several times - all on one of my better DX frequencies - 95.3 ! Never was able to determine if it was Sirius, Xm or simply rebroadcasting CD's thru an FM transmitter (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) The XM FM modulator is good for at least a couple hundred feet. No doubt a good DX radio would be able to pick it up at a much greater distance. Now if one were to add a real antenna to it, and mounted up in the clear, I'd bet it would be good for a significant distance, maybe a mile or so. Certainly enough to cause the Part 15 rules enforcers fits. If you're driving anywhere near my XM, the Magic Number is 107.7 (Craig Healy, Providence, RI, ibid.) Well now - I understand the Canadian Govt has decided that Sirius et al are/will be "illegal" in Canada. An entire new border crossing search routine coming but from what you say, it will be pretty quick - the border cop guys can simply listen on their FM portable for signs or "leakage"! (Bob Cooper in New Zealand, ibid.) I stepped into that particular cow patty last week on my "Future of Radio" blog, although it does seem Canada could indeed "criminalize" Sirius (and XM) if it desired: http://futureofradio.typepad.com/the_future_of_radio/2005/05/more_on_canada_.html Of course, whether Sirius will be around long enough to be made illegal is another question! ;-) (Harry Helms W5HLH Wimberley, TX EM00, ibid.) Latest I read is that they will reach an agreement with Canadian partners --- the CRTC will approve of one, some or all services, and in exchange the approved service(s) will add a few channels with Canadian content. And if they added my favorite stations (which are hopelessely out of reach on the other side of the Rockies) I'd be first in line to subscribe. I wouldn't even whine about the audio quality :) (BTW, that was not a shot at Sirius or other digital services, just an observation --- I can always tell when digital compression is used, even when it's on a broadcast station. For example when I lived in Drummondville, 97.3 (forgot the call letters) in Victoriaville used some kind of digital storage for their music, and I could always tell the difference when switched.) (Steven Durocher, Canada, ibid.) DTV VIA SPORADIC E IMHO, it is easy to spot DTV snow on Es signals. I first reported seeing snow (from WKYC-DT) mixed with Great Lakes area stations via Es in June of 2000. My experience with DTV receivers is limited, but I don't think DTV signals decode as easily via Es as they do via tropo...even when the snow is in control and covers all signs of other (analog) DX (Danny, Shreveport, LA Oglethorpe, WTFDA via DXLD) DT snow is easy to spot UNLESS it's on a truly "open" channel. I've yet to see the difference. My last 100 or so DTV catches have been logged by seeing "snow" on the analog TV where it "shouldn't be" (Greg Barker, Greensburg IN (54mi NW of Cinn. Ohio), ibid.) ###