DX LISTENING DIGEST 5-185, October 26, 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 For latest updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.html AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1291: Days and times here are strictly UT. Wed 2200 WOR WBCQ 7415 [first airing of each edition] Wed 2300 WOR WBCQ 17495-CUSB Thu 0900 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Thu 1800 WOR KLC Thu 2030 WOR WWCR 15825 Thu 2200 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Thu 2330 WOR R. Veronica 106.5 Fri 0000 WOR WTND-LP 106.3 Macomb IL Fri 0200 WOR ACBRadio Mainstream [repeated 2-hourly thru 2400] Fri 1600 WOR WBCQ after hours Fri 2000 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru Sat 1600] Fri 2000 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sat 0400 WOR VoiceCorps Reading Service, WOSU-FM subcarrier, cable Sat 0800 WOR WRN to Eu, Au, NZ, WorldSpace AfriStar, AsiaStar Sat 0855 WOR WNQM Nashville TN 1300 Sat 1000 WOR WPKN Bridgeport CT 89.5 & WPKM Montauk LINY 88.7 Sat 1600 WOR R. Veronica 106.5 Sat 1730 WOR WRN to North America [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sat 2100 WOR WRMI 7385 [may still be off the air] Sun 0000 WOR Radio Studio X 1584 http://www.radiostudiox.it/ Sun 0230 WOR WWCR 5070 Sun 0300 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0600 WOR World FM, Tawa, Wellington, New Zealand 88.2 Sun 0630 WOR WWCR 3210 [Standard time goes into effect in North America] Sun 0730 WOR WWCR 3210 Sun 0930 WOR WRMI 7385 [from WRN] [maybe still off air] Sun 0930 WOR WRN to North America, also WLIO-TV Lima OH SAP [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sun 0930 WOR KSFC Spokane WA 91.9 Sun 0930 WOR WXPR Rhinelander WI 91.7 91.9 100.9 Sun 0930 WOR WDWN Auburn NY 89.1 [unconfirmed] Sun 0930 WOR KTRU Houston TX 91.7 [occasional] Sun 1400 WOR KRFP-LP Moscow ID 92.5 Sun 1500 WOR WRMI 7385 [maybe still off air] Sun 1830 WOR WRN1 to North America [including Sirius Satellite Radio channel 140] Sun 2000 WOR RNI Mon 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0430 WOR WSUI Iowa City IA 910 Mon 0515 WOR WBCQ 7415 [may shift to 0500?] Mon 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours Mon 1900 WOR RFPI [repeated 4-hourly thru Tue 1500] Tue 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours Wed 0030 WOR WBCQ 7415 [usually but temporary] Wed 0100 WOR CJOY INTERNET RADIO plug-in required Wed 1030 WOR WWCR 9985 Wed 1700 WOR WBCQ after hours Latest edition of this schedule version, with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html or http://wor.worldofradio.org WORLD OF RADIO 1291 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1291h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1291h.rm WORLD OF RADIO 1291 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1291.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1291.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1291.html WORLD OF RADIO 1291 in true SW sound of Alex`s mp3 [anticipated]: (stream) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_10-26-05.m3u (download) http://www.dxprograms.net/worldofradio_10-26-05.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO 1291 downloads in studio-quality mp3: (high) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1291h.mp3 (low) http://www.obriensweb.com/wor1291.mp3 WORLD OF RADIO PODCAST: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml (currently: 1285, 1286, 1287, 1288, Extra 61, 1289, Extra 62, 1290, soon 1291) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. RADIO SOLH, documentación encontrada en internet. Fotografias de Christian Quick y Aykut Tavsel en su viaje a Jabal Saraj en Junio del 2002. Radio Solh http://www.internews.org/regions/afghanistan/afghanistan_jabal_saraj.htm Trip to Radio Solh, Voice of Peace, in Jabal Saraj (June 2002). In June, Christian Quick and Aykut Tavsel traveled to Jabal Saraj to install a desktop computer with digital editing and recording software at Radio Solh ("Voice of Peace"). These are photos taken by Christian Quick on the trip to and in Jabal Good Morning Jabal Saraj! --- Galeria de fotos de Christopher Grabowski Published: May 13, 2004 IRINnews.org http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=39444&SelectRegion=Central_Asia&SelectCountry=AFGHANISTAN Zakia Zaki presents a youth radio programme on Radio Solh - with help from local children (via José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi, please note that this Radio Solh is a community radio station on FM (set up in 2001), not be to confused with the U.S. Army operated PsyOps station Radio Solh on shortwave. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) I listen to the latter almost every morning sometime between 1300 and 1600 for the music, on 17700, but I am afraid it will QSY for B-05. My psy is being opped and I don`t even know it. And would it be too much to ask for each station to have a distinct, unique and not duplicated name? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING) ** AZERBAIJAN. MEDIA GUIDE OCTOBER 2005 Over 2,000 candidates will be contesting 125 seats in the Azerbaijani parliament on 6 November 2005. A divided and frustrated opposition has fought on the streets and in the media for the right to express itself. There is no evidence of centralized control of media outlets in Azerbaijan but there are several centres of influence and groupings of media sources close to politicians and civil servants. Political pressure on printed media has varied. In 2004 it appeared to be on the decrease but the media has since attracted the attention of government and other forces alike. There is relatively low circulation of newspapers and a small number of independent papers. Domestic TV audiences are large and the press has only a limited impact. However, the printed word has until recently been the only means by which the opposition could express itself. Television TV is the most popular mass medium in Azerbaijan. Although controlled by various means, it is probably the most influential. Pro-government commercial stations and the state channel have mainly been seen by media observers as mouthpieces for allies of the Aliyev government. However the TV scene is changing: One newcomer is the long-planned public service TV station ITV, which has yet to establish a track record on independent reporting. Also in its infancy is Azadliq (Freedom) TV, available via Internet and satellite with former head of the RFE/RL Azerbaijani service Mirza Xazar and prominent journalist Ilqar Alfioglu on the staff. Azadliq TV is said to be owned by the leader of the opposition Democratic Party and former parliament speaker in exile, Rasul Quliyev. The channel went on the air in September 2005 right before the parliamentary election. Reports variously place the studios in Israel or Germany. Changes have also been seen at the commercial channel ANS TV. There are 4 Azerbaijani commercial TV stations based in Baku which are also relayed across Azerbaijan. These are mostly entertainment based but carry news and current affairs programming to varying degrees. Though owned privately, commercial TV stations are believed to be close to government officials. Media Holding, of which Lider TV is part, is reportedly owned by Adalat Aliyev, President Ilham Aliyev's cousin. ATV is said to be supported by the head of the presidential administration, Ramiz Mehdiyev. ANS, which is viewed as the most liberal of the TV channels, is close to the now arrested Farhad Aliyev, former economic development minister. The channel was observed to support him when he lashed out against monopolies in the country. The Azerbaijani government has never succeeded in maintaining full control over the station despite numerous efforts. The authorities know the station enjoys enormous support and it is now treated as more or less an independent source. The company enjoys foreign support too, in particular that of US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Reno Harnish, who has expressed his satisfaction with the company's election broadcast policy. It appears to have achieved a measure of balance. ANS has a particularly strong position on Nagornyy Karabakh and Armenia, although no media outlet could pursue a different policy, which would be seen as against the national interest. The brother of owner Vahid Mustafayev was killed in the Karabakh war and Vahid himself was a war correspondent. ANS may well be under political and financial pressure before and after the election, but is in quite a strong position to practise some independent reporting. One state TV station from Turkey and some commercial channels are available in Baku. Azerbaijani speakers can understand the Turkish language. In some areas near the national borders, broadcasts from an external Iranian channel, state TV from Armenia and the Nagornyy Karabakh station can be received. These signals are a combination of the normal overspill of TV signals and the careful placing of TV transmitters, some with directional signals, in border areas. They have all been the subject of criticism by the Azerbaijani government or the loyal private media. Russian national TV programmes are relayed terrestrially in Azerbaijan, though they have been interrupted in the past for non- payment of bills. Some officials and media have called for them to be curbed in the past, accusing them of bias in their coverage of Azerbaijani issues. There is a pay or "cable" TV offering in Baku using uses encrypted microwave signals. A handful of local TV stations started operations outside the law in Azerbaijan as long ago as 1998. Legal moves and direct closure resulted in some cases but in early 2002, five regional television stations in Azerbaijan were awarded broadcast licences and others appear to have been legitimized. None of the stations carry controversial or overtly political programming. According to a local media expert the local authorities have the ability to exert influence on their local TV station through local taxes and legislation. During the 2003 presidential elections, regional stations did carry more reports on the opposition than national TV, but they received cautions over this coverage. One state TV channel - AzTV1 One Public TV channel - ITV - started in 2005 Four commercial domestic TV stations - ANS, Lider, Space, ATV (Azad Azarbaycan) Three Turkish TV channels - Kanal D, TRT 1 (state), STV Xazar (Samanyolu) Two Russian TV channels - ORT and RTR Sixteen regional/local TV stations Azadliq TV - satellite and Internet only - started in 2005 Gunaz (Guney Azerbaijan) - USA-based for Southern Azerbaijan, the Azeri-speaking areas of northwestern Iran. Started in 2005. Public television channel In July 2005, the OSCE's representative on media freedom, Miklos Haraszti, visited Baku to review arrangements for the proposed new public service TV in advance of the election. The station did make it to the air in September 2005. Haraszti was unhappy that AzTV1 was still in government hands and said: "It is not possible for state television to co-exist in the country with public television. Channel One should be public." Public TV effectively took the place and technical facilities of the second state channel. It is still early days and some observers are adopting a wait-and-see policy. The editor-in-chief of the Gun newspaper, Arif Aliyev, said he hoped that ITV would be a platform for views right across the political spectrum. A common criticism is that the new station simply doesn't have enough professional journalists who have worked at an independent source. ITV relies heavily on young journalists with little experience. A member of the Azerbaijan Press Council, Zeynal Mammadli, said: "The programmes feel amateurish," when IWPR [Institute for War and Peace Reporting] interviewed him after the first few days of broadcasting. "The news is presented in the spirit of Soviet totalitarianism. It's a provincial model of television which does not merit the name 'public television'." With the parliamentary election now fast approaching, the role of pro- government media will be under the international spotlight. ITV boss Ismayil Omarov has already said that candidates seeking airtime will be charged a cheap rate. But Mammadli is dubious that airtime will be made available to all political parties on an equal basis and with equal treatment and presentation during the run-up to the election. Omarov told IWPR that the channel was already broadcasting reports on opposition party events, adding: "The charge that we are a pro- government channel simply has no basis in reality. The fact that we are financed out of the state budget does not mean we are a propaganda machine for the current governing party. Press Freedom of speech in Azerbaijan is guaranteed by the constitution and the media are theoretically free. But intimidation and violence against journalists and media outlets critical of the government occur periodically. A new media law introduced in March 2002 removed the need for publications to be licensed by the state. The press in Azerbaijan has in the recent past found itself under pressure from a combination of government officials, official instruments of authority, ad-hoc groupings, academic institutions and even other media sources which are sympathetic to particular elements of the ruling elite. Individual titles can be affiliated to individuals or political groupings and there is often no distinction made between political opposition and journalism. Pro-opposition sources lack as much balance as the state organs and lay themselves open to inevitable legal or official challenges. There are only a handful of balanced independent press sources. The content of sources, even state-backed media, can reflect the power struggles which would otherwise not be so apparent. Pressure on the press Following a clampdown in the lead-up to and the aftermath of the October 2003 elections the Azerbaijani press appeared to be under less pressure during the first half 2004 than it had been for some time. During 2003 there had been some 300 incidents involving violence and intimidation of journalists and printing works that had been producing almost 100 titles had been subject to constant pressure and fines totalled 325,000 US dollars. Control of newspapers takes many forms. Foreign companies operating in Azerbaijan and indigenous advertisers avoid and distance themselves from even the popular opposition press for promotion of their products or services. This could be to avoid funding such media and to prevent any such business associations being seen by high-ranking officials. In early 2004 the dominance of TV and the relatively low circulation and readership of newspapers suggested that the press might be being regarded more as minor irritation than a target for those wishing to control media content. There have been suggestions that government money and efforts were being redirected to TV rather than supporting the more independent papers in order to encourage them to undermine the opposition. Pressure has taken many forms: There was a rising incidence some certain media outlets being denied attendance at official press briefings. The rising price of newsprint was said by some sources to be engineered. There have been fines to be paid for increasing levels of litigation. There have been reports of intimidation of newspaper kiosks and vendors by unidentified persons. There have been reports of threats to journalists, debts to the state-owned printing presses and harassment of the only printing house prepared to print opposition publications. A downturn in circulation has resulted. Sarq newspaper experienced a three-fold drop in circulation down to 3,500 in March 2004. This was partially due to price increases in a poor country but the public appeared reluctant to be seen to buying opposition titles. The November 2004 closure of the Yeni Musavat newspaper provoked condemnation from independent media observers and groupings and an expression of concern by the Council of Europe. It had been stifled by a series of fines. This followed a court verdict jailing its editor for five years for "disturbing public order" during the October 2003 election protests. As 2004 closed, the sale of independent and opposition paper on the Baku metro was stopped. Similar concerns surround the Qaya distribution company which was established in 1994 from a former state company. It has been under some considerable pressure: out of 22 news- stands, 12 have been removed in Baku and seven news-stands have been removed in Naxcivan, Quba and Balakan. Observers concluded that 2004 had been a particularly bad year for the Azerbaijani press but 2005 proved to be no better: The editor of opposition magazine Monitor Elmar Huseynov was murdered in Baku and the focus of international media watchdogs turned to Baku and the pressure of foreign governments was brought to bear. Whatever the intended effect, the murder in March 2005 of Elmar Huseynov, editor of an opposition magazine, brought Azerbaijan more attention. The international community was concerned by the degree of media control and intimidation which had been reported by media watchdogs for years. After Elmar Huseynov's death, his Monitor magazine closed. Another newspaper Huseynov edited, Bakinskiye Vedomosti, is still being published. It is available on the Internet at www.monitorjournal.com and the editor is Elmar's widow Rusana Huseynova. Following Monitor's closure, its reporter Eynulla Fatullayev founded in April Russian- language Realnyy Azerbaydzhan http://www.realazer.com also available in English newspaper and its Azeri version Gundalik Azarbaycan http://www.gunazer.com Main newspapers Opposition: Yeni Musavat; Azadliq; Muxalifat; Baki Xabar; Hurriyyat; Bakinskiye Vedomosti; Realnyy Azerbaydzhan Independent/neutral: Ayna; Ekho; Ekspress; Gun; Zerkalo; Hesabat Pro-government: Xalq Qazeti; Yeni Azarbaycan; Xalq Cabhasi; Olaylar; Movqe; Xural; Uc Noqta; Azarbaycan; Bakinskiy Rabochiy; Respublika; Sarq Radio Radio is mainly an entertainment medium in Azerbaijan. Although there is a lot of radio listening it is a commercial music and advertising medium, not a media space for debate where independent or opposition voices can be heard. There is no history of illegal or clandestine radio operations from within Azerbaijan. There is no history of incisive political reportage, political phone-ins or a heritage of independent speech in Azerbaijan's radio scene. Although there are Baku-based stations, there is no local radio outside the capital. A recent attempt at local radio was made by ANS. It launched Radio Saki in northern Azerbaijan on 1 September 2005. Radio Saki was set up in order "to contribute to the development of democracy and creation of a fair election climate in the run-up to the November 2005 parliamentary election", ANS TV said. However, the National TV and Radio Council told ANS on 20 September to stop the transmission saying the broadcasts were illegal. The head of the council, Nusiravan Maharramli, said it was a separate radio channel and not a Saki studio as ANS claimed and accused ANS of "misleading the public". Whereas the company obtained the right to transmit its programmes to Saki, the studio in this town is operating as a new radio station, which is "a gross violation of the law", Maharramli said in a Turan news agency report. There are therefore only 16 radio services around the country. Almost all radio listening is on FM in Baku. There is some mediumwave listening in more rural areas but local FM relays of the Baku commercial stations have sprung up around the country. There is one main state radio channel. Araz, the second radio channel, may become a public station. Radio is very much in the shadow of TV. Apart from the BBC and RFI, Turkish-backed Burc FM and Antenn 101, all the local private Baku radio stations have local sister TV stations and are music-based. They follow the same reporting pattern as TV and appear to share news resources. The BBC operates a 24-hour station, BBC Baku FM, in the capital and Radio France International and Radio Rossii also have their own dedicated FM relays in Baku and the Abseron peninsula only. Voice of America is relayed by a private broadcast affiliate on FM. The Russian commercial station Europa Plus is popular, it has no local content. USA-funded Radio Liberty, once a powerful force in the region, is only on AM from two locations, one in Baku and one giving wider coverage. The strongest radio signals in Baku from abroad are Iranian external, national and regional stations and Russian and some Middle Eastern stations at night. There is little evidence of listening to stations other than on FM via satellite, medium wave or the Internet and thus non-terrestrial radio appears to have little impact. State radio: Azarbaycan Radiosu Birinci Proqrami (Azeri Radio First Programme) State-owned Radio Araz is defunct; its frequencies have been given to Public Radio, which was expected to start broadcasting in October. Commercial radio stations affiliated to commercial TV: Lider Radio; Space Radio; ANS CHM; Azad Azarbaycan (2 stations) Other local commercial radio stations: Burc FM Turkish-owned with local programming; Antenn 101 Russian: Europa Plus, Radio Rossii, Voice of Russia (shared airtime with Space Radio) Foreign radio: BBC Baku - local programming in Azeri, Russian service, English World Service; RFI (no local programming); Radio Liberty (AM only); IRIB (Iran) in Azeri News Agencies News agencies in Azerbaijan are subject to less intervention from third parties than the more public electronic and print media. This is probably because the stories produced by the news agencies have to be carried by another media outlet before they reach the public. Increasing use of the Internet means that news agencies could deliver content directly, but few do so for free. Some news agencies find that they are not invited to, or welcome at official press briefings. They suffer from restrictions on the amount of information they can get - according to one senior news agency journalist, they find out very little which hasn't been officially sanctioned for release in some way. Even on thematic subjects such as business news and the complex economy, it is difficult to get enough information and news to support a service. News agencies use press releases, official press offices and press services, reading copy from rival news agencies and information from contacts. Not all ministries have press services and those that do, give out little information or only to chosen outlets. There is no direct pressure on the press agencies. AzadInform, APA and AzarTac are close to the authorities. Turan, which is close to the opposition Musavat Party, supported the main opposition candidate in the 2003 presidential election. The biggest problem for news reporting is speculation. Exclusive news stories tend to come from deliberate leaks and are still controlled by senior politicians, a media observer noted. The sources of stories are frequently denied, leaving the press agency without corroboration. There is more pressure brought to bear on the newspapers and the news agencies are pushed aside to an increasing extent. The biggest press agency is Trend with a reduced staff of about 30 people and next is Interfax Azerbaijan, which is well-funded. It gets some financial support from Azpetrol (government-backed fuel retail monopoly). Trend and Turan both get grants from international organizations, this money is largely used to pay staff wages. The only picture agencies active in Azerbaijan are Turan and Reuters. ANS - The ANS group operates a news website in English and Azerbaijani http://www.ans.az as well as a radio and TV station. It also publishes political-economic Hesabat magazine, women's magazine Aysel, men's magazine Elman, celebrity magazine El, children's magazines Elli and Bala Dili. Assa-Irada/Azernews - Assa-Irada in English and Azerbaijani via Azernews at http://www.azernews.net/ Azadinform - independent new agency APA (AZERI-PRESS AGENCY) - independent news agency available on the Internet in Azeri, Russian and English http://www.apa.az Azartac - The Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency, this is the official news agency of Azerbaijan http://www.azertag.com Bilik Dunyasi - independent news agency Caspian News Agency - a Russian independent news agency covering political and economic developments in the Caspian Sea region, Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. Has a focus on energy, international politics and interstate economic relations with stringers in Baku. http://www.caspian.ru Internews - A source of news about the media-political situation in the region. An international non-profit-making organization which supports the development of open media worldwide. http://www.internews.az Trend - independent news agency. In Azeri, English and Russian. A range of files. http://www.trend.az Turan - independent agency close to the opposition Musavat Party reportedly subject to threats and intimidation around October 2003. http://www.turan.az (website under construction) Sarq - independent news agency MPA (MIDIYA-PRESS AGENCY) - independent news agency Mediapress News Agency- pro-government news agency http://mediapress.media-az.com It is part of the Media Holding http://www.media-az.com that comprises Internet newspapers Our Century http://ourcentury.media-az.com and Nash Vek (in Russian) http://nashvek.media-az.com hardcopy paper Bizim Asr (in Azeri) http://bizimasr.media-az.com Lider TV http://lidertv.com Radio Lider http://www.lider.fm and an Internet radio. Interfax -Azerbaijan - independent news agency, formed in mid-2003 by the Russian Interfax group and its partner, Azpetrol, the Azerbaijani petroleum company. Olaylar News Agency - The agency can be accessed on the Internet via the Olaylar newspaper's address http://www.olaylar.net Day.Az - independent news agency available only in Russian on the Internet http://www.day.az Internet Internet cafes abound in Baku but there are fewer in the regions. Access is about one dollar per hour and commercial fixed line and home dial-up Internet access is available. All Internet providers are obliged to connect through the Ministry of Communications. Many observers believe that the Internet traffic of companies, organizations and political figures is monitored. There is no evidence of direct blocking of any web sites, foreign or domestic. There is no notable domestic Internet-only news website for Azerbaijan, though there is a range of news in Azerbaijani from abroad and the websites of other existing media outlets. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 25 Oct 05 (via DXLD) ** CHINA. Many of the CPBS/CNR stations had abandoned their numerical identification (such as CNR-1 and CNR-2) some years ago and adopted station names that are more in line with the character of the station. CNR-1 is now known as Voice of China and is heard on FM in all major cities across China. It also uses 6030, 7504, 9645, and 9800 kHz SW. CNR-2 is now known as China Business Radio and uses 7200, 9064, and 11040 kHz SW. CNR-3 is now Music Radio and is only available on FM 90 MHz in Beijing. CNR-4 is now Metro Radio using FM 101.8 MHz in Beijing (Richard Lam, Jihad DX, via Walter Salmaniw, Coastal Roundtable, via Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, International DX Digest, NRC E-DX News via DXLD) ** CHINA. CRI frequencies monitored at 1250 10/26: English on 17490 (SIO 353), 11980 (454) and 9760 (242); Malay noted with loud signal (555) on 15600 from Kunming with listed 100 kW (per NDXC) which sounded more like 500 kW. Also noted with Indonesian at 1330 on 15135 (343), again with 100 kW from Kunming (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Item two --- our emergency communications networks still operational here, because western Cuba has now entered into the RECOVERY PHASE, and communications are as important now as they were in the middle of the hurricane. Amateur operators here in Cuba were deployed in many places to provide in some instances back up communications to other systems, and in other places, the ham stations were the only way that vitally important information could be conveyed to the civil defense centers (DXers Unlimited's mid week for 25-26 October 2005 By Arnie Coro radio amateur CO2KK, via ODXA via DXLD) ** EGYPT. Hi Glenn, Heard the European Service of Radio Cairo on a different frequency tonight. The English language service for west Europe transmits on 9990 kHz. This evening checked, they were transmitting on 9999 kHz exactly. Don't know of this is a frequency change, or just a mistake. One thing that has always puzzled me, maybe someone can help. The Italian service of Radio Cairo is transmitted on 9988 kHz. Any guesses as to why that "88 kHz" bit? Take care everyone, best regards (Christopher Lewis, England, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) My guesses: 9999 was a mistake, probably back on 9990 later; 9988 may have been required at one point due to an interference complaint on 9990 or slightly higher during the 1800 hour, probably from a non- broadcast transmission (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Possible punchup error at Kafr Silim-Abis transmitter site (250 kW)? Noted R. Cairo in English to Eu at 2230 10/26 on 9999, wiping out WWV, not scheduled 9990 --- excellent signal at ten times WWV's power! (Joe Hanlon, NJ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. EGYPTIAN RADIO & TV UNION (ERTU) BROADCAST ENGINEERING STARTING 31/10/2005 TENTATIVE PROGRAM SCHEDULE (B 0 5) UTC kHz M PROGRAM TARGET AREA 0030-0430 11885 25 ARABIC E N AMERICA 0045-0200 7270 41 SPANISH N AMERICA 0045-0200 11755 25 SPANISH C AMERICA 0045-0200 9415 31 SPANISH S AMERICA 0200-0330 7270 41 ENGLISH N AMERICA 0000-0300 12050 25 GENERAL PROGRAM N AMERICA & EUROPE 0700-1100 15115 19 GENERAL PROGRAM W AFRICA 1015-1215 17775 16 ARABIC M EAST & AFGHANISTAN 1115-1145 15810 19 THAI S E ASIA 1215-1330 17835 16 ENGLISH S ASIA 1145-1230 15810 19 MALAY S E ASIA 1330-1530 15490 19 PERSIAN TADZHIKSTAN [meaning Tajik??] 1230-1400 15810 19 INDONESIAN S E ASIA 1330-1345 17835 16 BENGALI S ASIA 1300-1600 15365 19 ARABIC W AFRICA 1500-1600 13660 22 HINDI S ASIA 1430-1600 15670 19 PASHTO AFGHANISTAN 1800-1900 6170 49 RUSSIAN W RUSSIA 1530-1630 9670 31 UZBEKI UZBEKISTAN 1600-1700 15155 19 AFAR E & C AFRICA 1530-1730 17810 16 SWAHILI C & E AFRICA 1600-1800 13660 19 URDU S ASIA 1600-1800 6230 49 TURKISH TURKEY 1600-1800 9990 31 ALBANIAN ALBANIA 1700-1730 15155 19 SOMALI E & C AFRICA 1630-1830 11785 25 ENGLISH C & S AFRICA 1645-1700 11760 25 SHONA C & S AFRICA 1730-1900 15155 19 AMHARIC E & C AFRICA 1800-1900 9988 31 ITALIAN EUROPE 1800-2100 9645 31 HAUSA W AFRICA 1900-1930 15375 19 WOLOF W AFRICA 1900-2000 9990 31 GERMAN EUROPE 1800-2330 11665 25 VOICE OF THE ARABS C & E AFRICA 1915-2030 15425 19 FULANI W AFRICA 1930-2030 15375 19 BAMBARA W AFRICA 2000-2200 7210 41 ARABIC AUSTRALIA 2000-2115 9990 31 FRENCH EUROPE 2030-2200 15375 19 ENGLISH W AFRICA 2030-2230 9765 19 FRENCH W AFRICA 2100-2200 9645 25 YORUBA W AFRICA 2115-2245 9990 31 ENGLISH EUROPE 2215-2330 11790 25 PORTUGUSE S AMERICA 2300-0030 11885 25 ENGLISH E N AMERICA 2330-0045 9735 31 ARABIC S AMERICA 2330-0045 11755 25 ARABIC S & C AMERICA (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Avlis 3 dead again? 9420 did not come on at 0000 UT and at 0205 it is still dead (John Babbis, Silver Spring, MD, USA, UT Oct 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Dear Friends, AIR Mumbai noted on 7190 instead of 7195 since yesterday 25 Oct 05. The sked is as follows: 0025-0430 0700-1330 1430- 1740 Please note that only 3 more days left for the following AIR stations on 90 meter to change over to 60 meters. 3223 Shimla, 3315 Bhopal, 3390 Gangtok, 3365 Delhi. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, Oct 26, dx_india via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DXLD) Delhi`s NF needed! (gh) ** ITALY. Hello, Just intercepted two messages from IAR (Rome Radio) in Italian and English about closing down all Radio Telegraphy services on October 31st. Frequency 8670 kHz. 73, (Pim Ripken Co- editor Utility Panorama Benelux DX Club Eemnes, The Netherlands, Oct 26, BDXC via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DXLD) ** ITALY [and non]. MediaLine Radio for 22 October 2005 The current edition of MediaLine Radio is now available for download at http://medialineradio.com In this edition: * Blogging * The President of the Canadian Media Guild joins us to talk about the recent lock-out at the CBC, journalistic independence and more in the first part of an in-depth interview. * An episode of Space Patrol from the 1950s. Please note that as well as being available on demand at the website, MediaLine Radio also airs at various times on IRRS-ShortWave http://www.nexus.org/radio.htm and WorldFM http://www.worldfm.co.nz (Henry Brice, Medialine, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. EMR Relay this Sunday 15725 kHz. European Music Radio is on the air this Sunday the 30th of October at 0900 to 1000 UT on 15725 kHz. Remember in the UK the clocks go back to winter time. Good Listening 73s (Tom Taylor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UK?? You mean like almost everywhere in Europe and North America? But UT is UT (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JORDAN. Radio Jordan in English. Tuned in to 11690 at 1633 UT on Tuesday 25 October. Booming in at 20 over 9, blocking any co-channel interference. Popular music with news at 7 pm local time (1700 UT) followed by weather and Press Review and more music. Transmitter off at 1728 UT and then back on about a minute later. Closing announcements at 1731 UT with station ID and announced opening next day at 1400 UT. A couple of 96.3 FM IDs heard. They appear to be back on Standard Time (UT +2). Also tuned in on Wednesday 19 October with good signal (15 over 7). At 1724 UT announced "stay tuned to 96.3 FM, Radio Jordan. Off abruptly at 1726 UT in middle of a musical item; no announcements. Nothing heard from Jordan on Sunday 23 October but there was a weak signal from CRI in French (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENIN DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. RADIO PROGRAMME ON JAPANESE ABDUCTIONS TO REACH NORTH KOREA | Text of report in English by Japanese news agency Kyodo Tokyo, 26 October: A private group investigating suspected North Korean abductions of Japanese citizens said Wednesday [26 October] it will start airing messages on shortwave radio, which reaches North Korea, on Sunday in an effort to collect more information about missing Japanese. The 30-minute radio programme, named "Shiokaze," will be aired - initially in Japanese - for at least a year at a frequency of 5.89 megahertz every day between 11.30 p.m. [local time] and midnight, [1430-1500 UT] members of the Investigation Commission on Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea said at a news conference. Shigeru Yokota, 72, who heads a group of abduction victims' relatives, said, "I want the programme to reach as many people in North Korea as possible and help them provide information on the missing people." Yokota's daughter Megumi was abducted by North Korean agents in 1977 at age 13 and her fate is unclear, although the North has said she is dead. The investigation group wants the programme to help unearth the whereabouts of about 11 Japanese, including Megumi Yokota, who the Japanese government officially says were abducted by North Korea in the late 1970s and early 1980s but are still unaccounted for. It also hopes to gather information on more than 200 other Japanese people who have been missing, whom the investigation commission has seen as possibly being abducted by North Korea. "We want to send messages that we are trying to rescue these people and want to find clues about their fates," Kazuhiro Araki, who heads the investigation commission, told reporters. The programme will air their names, birth dates, when and where and at what age they went missing, as well as their present age. Messages from their families will be also read out. According to the investigation commission, the programme will be aired via a broadcasting facility in a country close to North Korea under a contract with a British broadcasting distribution company. The radio programme can be heard in the Chinese regions bordering North Korea, the northern part of South Korea and across North Korea. Source: Kyodo News Service, Tokyo, in English 1321 gmt 26 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** LATVIA. Relays this weekend on 9290 kHz Sat 29th October Radio Six 0600-0700 UT Sun 30th October Radio Six 1200-1300 UT Good Listening (Tom Taylor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Re 6120, 5-184: Greetings from Monterey, Stewart; I had similar thoughts when I was listening on Oct 11 at 0338-0407 UT and heard a program of LA music on 6120 and considered the possibility of Mexico but was too poor to even report. Checked a number of times since then but never heard the same type of programming again. On Oct 18, I was also listening, from 0325-0403* and noted some music and conversations in Spanish but at 0400 heard mention of `Havana,` plus with the sign-off time of 0403*, I concluded there was a strong case for R. Rebelde. For myself, I agree with Glenn, that we need a positive ID or some other strong indication that this might be Mexico. Let`s keep checking! (Ron Howard, RX340 + T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEPAL. ANALYSIS: NEPALI GOVERNMENT GAGS INDEPENDENT RADIO In February 2005, in a move to assist the fight against Nepal's Maoist rebels, King Gyanendra imposed a direct royal law restricting the media. The law prohibits any criticism of the government and army. In addition, the media was also told not to publish anything about the Maoist insurgents unless the information came from the army. On 9 October, a new media law was announced by the Ministry of Information and Communication in an attempt to force independent stations to abide by February's ruling. The Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) describes the law as "draconian". It affects all privately-owned domestic media, but especially commercial and community radio stations. The director of national broadcaster Radio Nepal, Sailendra Raj Sharma, called for the effective implementation of the law to manage radio broadcasting, which has been witnessing "aberrations and discrepancies". Delay According to a report on http://kantipuronline.com a highly-placed government source said that the law is the same as that passed by the cabinet in mid-May, but was delayed by protests from media rights groups and the FNJ. This law prevents commercial radio stations from broadcasting any political news and information, restricting their coverage to sports news, education, environment and health matters. The FNJ and international watchdogs have angrily opposed the measures, which will affect up to 60 radio stations. News programmes to stop "immediately" After summoning at least a dozen radio representatives from stations based in Kathmandu, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Information and Communications warned of serious consequences if they defied the order. The radio executives replied by telling government officials that they would respond following discussions with other radio station operators. One response has been to challenge the order by filing a petition at the Supreme Court, arguing that the law violates the country's constitution. In a statement issued on 10 October, the FNJ said that the law was a severe blow to press freedom and added that journalists should take a stance against it. On 21 October, in a move to enforce the law, three government officials entered the premises of independent Kantipur FM. They told the management that the station was not complying with the recent law. The station's management said they would need a written order if they were to suspended broadcasting. A few hours later armed police raided the station and removed equipment. Silent protest In a national conference of radio broadcasters to discuss the government action, delegates issued a seven-point plan to defy the new media law. One of the points was to pause all programmes aired by independent stations across Nepal for two minutes at 7 p.m. local time on 23 October. Some stations are finding ways round the restrictions by adding the word "suchanamulak" (information) to their bulletins. Nepal's first community station, Radio Sagarmatha, has now changed the name of its news bulletins to "Suchanamulak Haalchal" and Kantipur FM also renamed bulletins "Suchanamulak Kantipur Diary". Condemnation of the government action is not limited to media groups; politicians from the Nepali Congress, Communist Party and Nepali Congress-Democratic, amongst others, have visited Kantipur FM to express their solidarity with the station. Source: BBC Monitoring research 25 Oct 05 (via DXLD) I repeat, Nepal is ripe for surrogate `clandestine` services from outside on SW. Why isn`t anyone doing that? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. On Target: News for the Winter Season It's really good to be back in touch again. As you can see, we have made some significant changes to the schedule in this season, with a mix of new programming plus the return of an old favourite. Amsterdam Forum moves to Sunday with a one- hour format and a commitment to recording a number of special editions on location in front of invited audiences. There are big changes on Saturday, too, with the introduction of *Saturday Connection*, a new sequence of comment and analysis from Radio Netherlands' correspondents in Europe. Fans of our award winning world current affairs show, Wide Angle, please note that it hasn't disappeared, it's just found a place in Saturday Connection. I know from your correspondence that many of you miss our old listener response programme. Well, we've taken on board your arguments and a brand new Feedback segment is also now a part of the Saturday experience, so please start those letters and e-mails coming! Saturday Connection programme: for North America 1200 9890 Bonaire 1930 and 2030 15315 Bonaire, 15525 Bonaire, 17725 Sackville 0000 0100 0400 6165 Bonaire [UT SUNDAY!] For Africa 1800 6020 Madagascar, 11655 Madagascar, 9895 Flevoland 1930 and 2030 7120 Madagascar, 11655 Madagascar, 9895 Flevoland 17810 Bonaire Asia, Far East, Pacific 1000 7315 Petropavlovsk, 9795 Khabarovsk, 12065 Irkutsk 1400 and 1530 9345 Tashkent, 12080 Madagascar, 15595 Madagascar Mike Shaw, Head of the English Language Service our 24- hour answer line: +31 35 67 24 222 (via Paul Gager, Austria, BDXC UK via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DXLD) I think RNW have forgot Europe and mediumwave frequency (Gager, ibid.) So, goodbye R. Netherlands in Europe. No English to us any longer! 73, (Erik Koie in Copenhagen, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Netherlands B05 Radio Netherlands Winter [sic] Schedule 2005/2006 Valid from 30 Oct 2005 to 25 March 2006 UTC Site kHz Beam kW Service Target 0000-0100 Bonaire 6165 341 250 English N America e 0000-0200 Ascension 11900 245 250 Spanish S America s 0000-0200 Madagascar 9895 265 250 Spanish S America n / Caribbean 0100-0200 Bonaire 6165 335 250 English N America c 0200-0300 Bonaire 6165 290 250 Spanish Mex / Caribbean 0200-0300 Madagascar 9895 280 250 Spanish Mex / C America 0300-0400 Bonaire 6165 290 250 Spanish Mex / Caribbean 0400-0500 Bonaire 6165 335 250 Dutch N America c 0400-0500 Bonaire 5975 290 250 Dutch Mex / C America 0500-0600 Bonaire 6165 320 250 English N America w 0500-0600 Bonaire 11710 230 250 English New Zealand 0600-0700 Bonaire 6165 320 250 Dutch N America w 0600-0700 Bonaire 9625 230 250 Dutch New Zealand 0600-0700 Moscow 5955 260 250 Dutch W Europe 0600-0700 Kaliningrad 6015 245 160 Dutch W Europe 0600-0757 Flevo 7125 123 500 Dutch C + SE Europe 0658-1715(1700 Sa/Su) Flevo 5955 ND 500 Dutch W Europe 0559-0700 Flevo 9895 205 500 Dutch SW Europe 0700-0857 Flevo 9895 127 500 Dutch SE Europe 0700-0757 Horby 6015 190 500 Dutch W + C + E Europe 0700-0800 Bonaire 9625 230 250 Dutch Australia 0759-0857 Flevo 11935 191 500 Dutch S Europe 0759-1500(Sat/Sun) Flevo 9895 191 500 Dutch SW Europe 0800-0857 Flevo 9895 205 500 Dutch S Europe 0857-1559(Sat/Sun) Flevo 9895 205 500 Dutch SW Europe 0900-1100 Horby 6035 190 500 Dutch W+C+E Europe 0900-1557(Sat/Sun) Flevo 13700 191/123 2 x 500 Dutch S & SE Europe 0930-1015(Mon-Sat) Bonaire 6020 110 250 Dutch Surinam 1000-1100 Irkutsk 12065 152 250 English E + SE Asia+ Au 1000-1100 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski 7315 244 250 English Far East 1000-1100 Khabarovsk 9795 218 100 English E Asia 1100-1200 Bonaire 6110 210 250 Spanish S America n [see below] 1100-1130 Bonaire 6165 320 250 Spanish Car/Florida [see below] 1100-1300 Madagascar 17580 085 250 Indonesian Indonesia 1100-1200 Madagascar 21480 085 250 Indonesian Indonesia 1100-1200 Singapore 9795 140 100 Indonesian Indonesia 1200-1300 Bonaire 9890 350 250 English N America e 1200-1300 Madagascar 15565 060 250 Dutch N America e 1200-1300 Madagascar 15640 085 250 Indonesian Indonesia 1200-1300 Singapore 9795 140 250 Indonesian Indonesia 1200-1230 Bonaire 9715 290 250 Spanish C America 1300-1400 Tashkent 12070 131 100 Dutch SE Asia/ W Australia 1300-1400 Madagascar 17815 085 250 Dutch SE Asia 1300-1400 Madagascar 17580 045 250 Dutch South Asia 1300-1400 Petro. Kamchatski 5885 247 250 Dutch FE+ E + SE Asia 1300-1400 Khabarovsk 9940 218 100 Dutch E + SE Asia 1400-1600 Madagascar 15595 050 250 English South Asia 1400-1600 Madagascar 12080 050 250 English South Asia 1400-1600 Tashkent 9345 131 100 English South Asia 1559-1700 Flevo 9895 127/205 500 Dutch SE + SW Europe 1559-1700 Flevo 7175 191 500 Dutch S Europe 1600-1700 Madagascar 13700 320 250 Dutch S Eu + N Africa 1600-1700 Madagascar 13840 360 250 Dutch Middle East 1600-1700 Madagascar 11655 335 250 Dutch Eu + E Africa 1700-1800 Flevo 7105 123 500 Dutch SE Europe 1700-1800 Flevo 6010 191 500 Dutch S Europe 1700-1800 Madagascar 9895 335 250 Dutch SE Eu + E Africa 1700-1800 Madagascar 6020 255 250 Dutch South Africa 1700-1800 Madagascar 11655 320 250 Dutch SW Eu + E Africa 1700-1800(Sat+Sun) Horby 5955 190 500 Dutch W + C + E Europe 1715-1800(Mon-Fri) Horby 5955 190 500 Dutch W + C + E Europe 1800-1900 Madagascar 6020 255 250 English South Africa 1800-2100 Madagascar 11655 305 250 English C + E + W Africa 1800-2000 Flevo 9895 142 500 English East Africa 1900-2100 Madagascar 7120 270 250 English C + S Africa 1900-2100 Bonaire 17810 080 250 English W Africa 1900-2100(Sat/Sun) Bonaire 15525 350 250 English N America e 1900-2100(Sat/Sun) Bonaire 15315 320 250 English N America c 1900-2100(Sat/Sun) Sackville 17725 285 250 English N America w 2000-2100 Flevo 9895 191 500 English West Africa 2100-2300 Dhabayya 6015 315 500 Dutch Europe 2100-2300 Madagascar 9895 305 250 Dutch C + NW Africa 2100-2200 Bonaire 15315 133 250 Dutch Surinam / NE Brazil 2100-2200 Bonaire 17810 080 250 Dutch West Africa 2100-2200 Bonaire 17895 170 250 Dutch S America s 2100-2200 Madagascar 7120 280 250 Dutch Central Africa 2200-2300 Bonaire 15315 185 250 Dutch S America nw 2200-2300 Madagascar 7285 085 250 Indonesian Indonesia 2200-2400 Singapore 6120 140 250 Indonesian Indonesia 2200-2400 Madagascar 9590 075 250 Indonesian Indonesia 2300-2400 Madagascar 9940 085 250 Indonesian Indonesia 2300-2400 Bonaire 15310 170 250 Spanish S America s 2300-2400 Bonaire 6165 341 250 Dutch N America e 2300-2400 Sackville 9525 189 250 Dutch S America n / Caribbean [some of the English above in WORLD OF RADIO 1291] Foreign Relays via Radio Netherlands Facilities 0000-0100 Bonaire 9745 290 250 China R Int Mexico 0000-0158 Bonaire 9545 350 250 D. Welle N America e 0100-0300 Bonaire 11935 170 250 NHK Japan S America 0100-0200 Madagascar 11550 050 250 R Sweden S Asia 0200-0358 Bonaire 6100 320 250 D. Welle N America w 0230-0330 Madagascar 3215 020 50 AWR Madagascar 0400-0500(Sat-Tues) Madagascar 12060 325 250 R. Nile East Africa 0400-0500(Sat-Tues) Madagascar 15320 335 250 R. Nile East Africa 0430-0530 Madagascar 13580 250 R. Sweden Middle East 0500-0600 Madagascar 9845 280 50 Family R. C + S Africa 1000-1200 Bonaire 5905 0 250 D. Welle Caribbean 1130-1140(Mon-Fri) Bonaire 9485 230 250 R. Sweden NZ + AUS + S America n 1130-1157(Sat+Sun) Bonaire 9485 230 250 R. Sweden NZ + AUS + S America n 1200-1300 Bonaire 15190 170 250 BBC S America 1300-1400 Madagascar 15595 060 250 AWR E Asia 1300-1400 Bonaire 12035 350 250 D. Welle N America e 1400-1500 Bonaire 15445 350 250 D. Welle N America e 1400-1429 Madagascar 17550 045 250 V. of Tibet SW Asia 1430-1527 Madagascar 17495 055 250 Dem. V. of Burma SE Asia 1528-1628 Madagascar 3215 055 50 AWR Madagascar 1530-1600 Madagascar 17550 045 250 V. of Tibet SW Asia 1630-1700 Madagascar 3215 020 50 Fiangonana Loterana Malagasy Madagascar 1659-1757 Madagascar 7120 265 50 V of the People Zimbabwe ** see below 1800-1900 Madagascar 11805 320 50 Family R. East Africa 1900-2100 Madagascar 6020 255 50 Family R. East Africa 2000-2100 Madagascar 7420 125 250 R. Sweden Australia 2300-2359 Bonaire 17605 170 250 NHK Japan S America Radio Netherlands in DRM Mode 0700-0800 Flevo DRM 7240 230 40 Dutch SW Europe 0800-1100 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 Dutch C + E Europe 1100-1200 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 English C + E Europe 1200-1257 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 Dutch C + E Europe 1515-1700 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 Dutch C + E Europe 2130-2200 Sackville DRM 9800 268 70 English N America e 2200-2300 Flevo DRM 7330 191 40 Dutch Spain + NW Africa Foreign Relays via Radio Netherlands Facilities in DRM Mode 1300-1330 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 R. Sweden German C + E Europe 1330-1400 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 R. Sweden English C + E Europe 1400-1430 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 RCI C + E Europe 1430-1500 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 RCI C + E Europe 1500-1515 Flevo DRM 7240 123 40 Vatican R. German C + E Europe (Radio Netherland website via Eric Zhou, China, dxldyg via DXLD) late changes just advised to me: 1. Spanish 1100-1230 becomes: 1100-1130 6110 S America n 1130-1200 9715 C America 1200-1230 6110 S America n (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also ZIMBABWE [non] I'm surprised you've not been inundated with posts from Europe yet (or I've mis-read the nightime schedule - It`s just after 07:00 here and I'm still half asleep) ... (Ray Woodward, 10.26.05 - 8:16 am, Media Network blog via DXLD) Perhaps they've received On Target and know about the imminent start of the BSkyB service. It says "by the end of 2005" but we hope it will start sooner than that. It's a bit complicated by Sky's own reshuffling of the EPG (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) So I was not the only one who read it while being half asleep and wondered if he overlooked something. Well, elsewhere a question "where did the mediumwave go to" has been already posted. I would be really interested in a comment about RNW English to Europe, especially in light of the still considerable amount of shortwave airtime for Dutch to Europe, including a new Hörby transmission (0900-1100 on 6035) which strongly reminds me of the old English via Jülich. So in the end 1179 has been used only because no own RNW service on 28 degrees East existed yet, with no audiences in Central Europe in mind anymore, right? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) The mediumwave service on 1179 proved to be unsatisfactory, both the quality of reception and the number of times the automated system in Sweden went into backup mode and played Swedish music. Instead we will be available 24 hours a day on a platform that reaches over 20 million people. For the rest of Europe we're already on Astra 1G. Central Europe has never been the primary target of our English service (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) RNW is also (of course) available 24/7 via the Internet. I'm willing to bet the response to the MF release (whether it be on 1179, 1512, 1386 or 1440) is/would be nowhere near that of the Internet/WRN/Astra 1G/Hotbird releases anyway. The bottom line is you have to put your money where the audience is - as I remember saying when they dropped the lunchtime English to Europe - the audience is on Internet/satellite (at least so far as English from Holland to the UK/RoI is concerned). I expect other external service broadcasters that run 24/7 English services are probably doing similar calculations to those done in Hilversum with regards access to the UK (Ray Woodward, 10.26.05 - 7:26 pm, ibid.) ** OKLAHAOMA. There are a lot of SS in OKC, and ever-growing, but this market lacked a Univisión channel until a few years ago; then a couple of low-power channels became U, and now there is one, per a quarter- page display ad in El Latino American, Oct 22, which says: ``Ahora en el área metropolitana de Oklahoma La Familia UNIVISION OKLAHOMA KUOK-TV en el Canal 36, 312 S. Quadrum Drive, OKC, Tel. (405) 917-1713. Su Noticiero Favorito en UNIVISION OKLAHOMA de lunes a viernes 5:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. [con] Roberto Pazos, Carlos Paredes, Alan Rivera, Juan Homez`` A real macho newsroom, and all of them wearing blue ties, but of different patterns and hues. Doug`s database at http://www.w9wi.com/tvdb/states/ok.htm still has Univisión on channel 11 in Norman, KUOK-CA with less than 2 kW, while 36 is supposedly a 30 kW CP as KCHM-CA for Telefutura, transmitter site in SE OKC N of Moore. KCHM-LP was previously licensed on channel 59 with 20 kW, Telefutura. Univisión also formerly advertised as being on ch 69 which is really KWDW-LP with 6 kW from a transmitter site in north central OKC, also with a CP/STA for channel 48 as 69 must be evacuated (SW of the big antenna farm). So which channels are actually active with which network remains in question, but Univisión Oklahoma is currently advertising only Canal 36. Has Telefutura ever actually been on the air in OKC? Meanwhile Telemundo is for sure on channel 30 as KTUZ, 5000 kW licensed to Shawnee, but transmitter site N of Norman, to be DT on 29 (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALMYRA. KH5, PALMYRA. Kimo Chun, KH7U, and another radio amateur (to be determined), are to go to Palmyra on November 5th for two weeks. They will be conducting the annual maintenance and repairs to the island electronics for "The Nature Conservancy". They are also going to install two BiggIR 6.9 to 54 MHz verticals kindly sponsored by the NCDXF and SteppIR. Another tower is also to be installed. This is another phase in constructing two amateur HF stations on the island. Though access to these stations may be very limited, it is hoped that it will lead to more and regular operations from this rare DX entity. Palmyra is first a privately owned (Cooper Island) scientific research station and wildlife sanctuary (the rest of the islets and surrounding waters.) In their spare time they will try to operate one or two stations on SSB/CW/RTTY. It is not known if operations on 80/160 will be made. It may not be possible to take or erect an antenna on this trip. Look for an update on this later. Please QSL via published QSL Managers for the respective operator or by their direction on the air. KH7U/KH5 is via AH6NF (KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** PERU. 5949.79, Radio Bethel, Arequipa, 2305-2313, October 25, Spanish, News programme. News read by male & female in spanish. National news, ann. & ID as: "Usted esta en sintonia de Radio Bethel...", Ann.: "Usted puede seguirnos en http://www.bethelradio.pe ..." TC: "seis de la tarde con 9 minutos", other ann. as: "a las 6 de la tarde con 11 seguimos con la informacion nacional". I couldn't met the webpage in Google. SINPO: 24432 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DXLD) Probá http://www.bethelradio.com.pe/ 73, (Henrik Klemetz, ibid.) ** PERU. Quito, 26/10 2005 Wednesday edition: 4955.00 unID LA --- Can it be anything else but R.Cultural Amauta, Huanta (Perú)? But I´m wondering because the program format is totally different to, as I know it, the normal format of Cultural Amauta: religious and cultural programs. Telephone and e-mail adress mentioned when the station was closing down 0200 UT: 32 21 53 and rescatehoy @ hotmail.com - I´m not 100% sure if it is "rescatehoy". Quito 26/10 2005 Wednesday 3rd edition: 6536.02, Radio Comercial Huancabamba "La Voz de Rondero" Huancabamba (Perú). New station, at least new owner and new name. What does the name "Rondero" mean, or am I hearing wrong? As you can hear on this recording the name of the owner still is a secret. Is "Señor Rondero" the owner of the Super Market "Centro Comercial" where the interview was coming from? Comments, photos and recordings at: http://www.malm-ecuador.com (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) also further discussion of Bethel ** POLAND. At 1212 on 10/26 Radio Polonia was heard with a very good signal in English [WTFK? Must be 11850] -- there was political commentary and interviews when I checked for it. Yes, a very good result, despite some QRM on both sides -- CRI in Chinese via Sackville 5 kHz up, R. France Int'l in French 5 kHz down. So here's some hope for good reception from Poland during winter mornings (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RWANDA. DW in English at 0500 on 9630, which is longpath, unusual (Chris Hambly, Victoria, Oct 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SEYCHELLES. Thanks to Hans-Dieter Buschau for the info on BBC Oman address for QSL. On my postcard report to Seychelles Relay Station I wrote: Resident Engineer, VT Merlin Communications & Partners LLC, BBC Indian Ocean Relay Station, PO Box 448, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles. 40 days later I got the confirmation letter signed by Albert Quatre, Senior Engineer. On the top part a view on the transmitter site showing "six Marconi 4 band arrays strung across four towers" and "BBC INDIAN OCEAN RELAY STATION" printed by side. Also informed below "The transmitting station was opened and operated by the BBC in 1988, in 1997 as part of BBC transmission privatisation the management of the site was transferred to Merlin Communications, a new company formed by ex BBC staff. The company is now part of VT Group of UK." 73, (Tony Ashar, Depok, Indonesia, Oct 19, HCDX via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. SLBC STAFF PROTEST AGAINST CHAIRMAN Staff at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) have started protests against SLBC Chairman Hudson Samarasinghe. It's being alleged that Mr Samarasinghe yesterday assaulted SLBC news director Raja Katugampola and threatened his life for broadcasting Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa's election campaign news. Mr Samarasinghe was admitted to hospital following the alleged assault. SLBC staff have accused Mr Samarasinghe of creating "terror-work conditions" at the SLBC, and are urging President Kumaratunga to dismiss him with immediate effect. A trade union spokesperson told Colombo Page that the Chairman "tries to introduce dictatorship" in SLBC. The SLFP trade union is angry with Mr Samarasinghe for "crippling" the ruling party presidential candidate’s election campaign. (Source: Colombo Page) # posted by Andy @ 15:28 UT Oct 26 (Media Network blog via DXLD) ** SWEDEN [non]. On the Madagascar/Sweden relay, I don't see the 0500- 0530 transmission to the Middle East mentioned in Radio Sweden's own schedule, though it's in ours. It's apparently a repeat of the 0100, recorded off the satellite and played out again, so maybe nobody in Stockholm even realises it exists :-)\ (Andy Sennitt, RN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC GOVERNORS UNVEIL DETAILED PROPOSALS FOR SERVICE LICENCE | Text of report by press release from BBC on 25 October The BBC Governors have today unveiled the first detailed thinking for two of the major new instruments that will underpin radical changes in the way the BBC is governed. The new Service Licence framework and Public Value Test were first proposed in the BBC's Charter Review submission, Building Public Value, and have since been recognised in the Government's Green Paper as part of its policy to replace the Board of Governors with the BBC Trust. In his foreword to the consultation document BBC Chairman Michael Grade makes clear that it is not for the Board of Governors to determine how the new BBC Trust will operate. However, in order to enable the Trust to establish itself as early as possible as a new and effective governing body, the Governors are seeking views on their proposals from licence-fee payers, commercial broadcasters, media groups, regulators and any organisation with relevant interests. The evidence gathered will be presented to the Trust to assist its members in determining and implementing its working methods early in the new Charter period. The Governors intend that the Public Value Test and the Service Licences will help ensure a more transparent BBC and hence a more accountable BBC. The Public Value Test will provide a consistent and evidence-based framework to inform decisions required of the governing body regarding significant service-related investment proposals from BBC management. The Service Licences will provide clarity to BBC management on what is required from each of the BBC's services, and how their performance will be measured. They will also provide transparency for licence fee payers and the commercial sector on the remit of BBC services, and on their delivery. Michael Grade said: "Both the Public Value Test and Service Licences will make the BBC more transparent. This is much needed and, if achieved, will be of benefit to licence-fee payers, to the commercial organisations that operate within the same markets, and to the BBC itself. "In future the judgements made by the Trust on behalf of licence-fee payers will be informed by evidence which will be published. This new system won't eliminate debate about the BBC's performance and its activities, but it will allow for public scrutiny of how and why decisions were reached. "The test for the new Trust under my chairmanship will be the establishment of a reformed governance structure that is more robust, effective, transparent and consistent in its approach without stifling creativity. That is a challenge I intend to meet." Public Value Test The Governors propose that all major service-related investment proposals will be subject to a Public Value Test to assess the net public value created once measured against market impact. There are two parts to the Public Value Test: The Public Value Assessment (PVA) which measures the public value which would be created by a service The Market Impact Assessment (MIA) which measures the likely impact on existing or potential value created in the wider market as a result of the change. The PVT is a structured, evidence-based, decision-making tool which aids, but does not replace, judgement on the part of the governing body. The consultation document describes the process for both parts of the test and the circumstances in which it is proposed that the tests and/or its component parts should be used. The key points of the analysis carried out by Spectrum Strategy Consultants to assess the robustness of the test is also available on the Governors' website. Service Licences The Government's Green Paper endorsed the Governors' proposal that BBC services should be subject to an operating licence. In the consultation document the Governors suggest a draft template outlining the information each licence might include, together with proposals for the processes the Trust could follow in reviewing performance against the licences, requests from management to change the terms of a licence, consequences for poor performance and so on. The Governors suggest that a Service Licence should contain: \ \ a description of the scope of the licence: including its geographic scope, how it is delivered and accessed by its users. Also a statement covering prohibited activities; \ the service's budget in the first year of the licence, together with a parameter of maximum change; \ a remit which can remain constant for several years. This includes the service's editorial priorities and objectives, its target audience (if the service has one) and its distinctive role within its market; \ details of the service's contribution to each of the BBC's public purposes (or as many as are of relevance); \ conditions which would typically set minimum levels of certain types of output on the service (eg minimum hours of Current Affairs programmes in peaktime); and \ a framework for measuring the performance of the service, including Key Performance Indicators for Reach, Quality, Impact and Value for Money and incorporating the Government's listed characteristics of public service broadcasting. New services would need to be set appropriate targets. The consultation will be open for eight weeks, closing on 16 December. The full consultation document and further details on taking part can be found at http://www.bbcgovernors.co.uk Source: BBC press release, London, in English 25 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. BBCWS B-05, [besides C & SAm frequencies]: Some other possibilities worth trying in North America, with target zones shown in parentheses: 0300-0600 7160as (W. Africa) 0300-0700 11765sa (W. Africa) 0400-0700 6005as (W. Africa) 0500-0600 9410cy (W & S Europe) 0500-0700 6195g (W & S Europe) 0500-0800 9410g (N. Africa) 0600-0700 7160g (W. Africa) 0600-0800 9410g (W & S Europe) 0700-0800 11765as (W. Africa), 17830g (W. & C. Africa) 0700-1500 17640g (N. Africa) 0700-1700 15485g (N. Africa) 0800-2100 17830 (W. & C. Africa) -- 1000-1100 Sat - Sun only 1000-1600 9740sg (far east -- possibly audible USA west coast) 1500-2300 15400as (W. Africa) cy - Cyprus g - United Kingdom (no transmitter specified) sa - South Africa sg - Singapore Not all of these may propagate, of course, but these looked to be the most likely candidates. Other frequencies in wide use globally are 6190, 11940, 15310, 17790, 21470; they're in use somewhere at least 12 hours/day. Unfortunately, with the reduction in shortwave hours to Europe from last March, one can no longer make the same blanket recommendation regarding 6195, 9410, or 12095. If you've seen the frequency / time charts before, you might be interested to know that they're composed in Excel and then converted to images (PDF, GIF) for posting and printing (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) ** U K. ANALYSIS: BBC'S VOICE IN EUROPE BBC News 25 October 2005 The BBC has decided to close eight of its 12 European language services as part of a wider reorganisation of external broadcasting. The BBC's Europe analyst Jan Repa looks at a radio history which began in the 1930s. . . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4375652.stm (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U K. WATCHDOG IFJ WARNS BBC ARABIC TV PLAN MAY DAMAGE GLOBAL REPUTATION | Text of International Federation of Journalists press release on 26 October The International Federation of Journalists today warned that the BBC World Service decision to launch an Arabic television channel could undermine the global reputation of the world's leading public broadcaster. The IFJ says the BBC appears to be following the lead of the United States government which last year committed more than 60m US dollars to launch Al-Hurra, an American-based Arabic satellite television network. Although the station claims to be editorially independent, the explicit intention was to counter the success of satellite channels like Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya and their distinctly Arab perspective in coverage of the Iraq conflict and the Middle East. "We fully support the efforts of BBC journalists to expand the influence of the World Service, which is a trademark of journalistic excellence, but the Arab television channel opens the door to criticism that the brand is being used to strengthen political objectives," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. The new television venture - the BBC Arabic Television Service - is to broadcast 12 hours a day across the Middle East, beginning in 2007, and will be free to anyone with a satellite or cable connection. The BBC's Arabic Service in radio already has reporters in every Arabic- speaking country and draws some 12 million listeners each week. The service will cost 19m pounds a year and will be paid for by the closure of 10 BBC language services, mostly in Europe. Some 218 jobs will go, but there will be 201 new jobs created at the Arabic channel and through other projects. The IFJ welcomes the new jobs that will be created, but says that the BBC World Service, which has an unparalleled reputation for independence, risks losing the confidence of existing viewers and listeners. "The implications of this project will not be lost on the region, where many will think that this is a political manoeuvre," said White. "The US channel Al-Hurra, for example, is undoubtedly professional, but many people switch off because of the perception that it is a mouthpiece for government. The BBC may suffer in the same way." The World Service has an enormous global presence, broadcasting in 43 languages and drawing more than 149 million weekly listeners, and with a reputation for independence that is second to none, says the IFJ, which backs its UK affiliate the National Union of Journalists in strongly opposing any undue political influence in BBC affairs. "The IFJ will strongly support BBC journalists and their union. We are confident they will vigorously resist any attempts at editorial interference," said White. "This is the first line of defence for the World Service and its reputation." For further information contact: +32 2 235 22 07 The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries Source: International Federation of Journalists press release, Brussels, in English 26 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) see also UZBEKISTAN ** U K. UK PRESS DIVIDED OVER BBC WORLD SERVICE PLAN Yesterday's announcement by the BBC World Service of plans to close 10 language services in order to finance a new Arabic TV network has caught the attention of the leader writers in two British newspapers. But they take a very different stance on the subject. The Times, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News International, supports the plan. The paper says that "Communism has collapsed, Eastern Europe is free and Poles, Czechs and Hungarians no longer need the scratchy, whistling short-wave lifeline to freedom." It concludes that "the BBC's decision to switch off ten foreign language radio services and use the £20 million to launch — again — an Arabic television channel is right." The left-of-centre Guardian takes quite a different stance. It says that "the independent media in that region [Eastern Europe] are not so sturdy as optimists suggest, and the future of public broadcasting in particular, according to a recent report, is far from rosy." The Guardian says the blame lies with the government: "The Treasury and Foreign Office penny pinching that has clipped the World Service's wings so often in the past is again at fault. The World Service should not have been forced to make this choice." Times editorial http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,542-1843105,00.html Guardian editorial http://www.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,3604,1600475,00.html (Media Network weblog via Mike Barraclough, uklisteners via Rich Cuff, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) ** U K. BBC GOES ALL OUT TO REACH MIDDLE EAST AUDIENCES --- The BBC is dropping 10 language services to focus on a new Arabic channel to take on Al Jazeera. [review of British press on this, with links] http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1026/dailyUpdate.html (via Fred Waterer, dxldyg via DXLD) ** U S A. BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS BEGIN PROCESS OF CONTRACTING OUT OUR JOBS The BBG announced in a letter to the Union that they were contracting out five English news writing positions. It seems that the Agency is desperate to hire people in Hong Kong, China. In order to justify doing this they are moving employees out of the overnight shift, thus artificially creating a need. According to the information provided to the Union, the Agency is claiming that by having these people in China the Agency will benefit because the overnight shift provides primarily news about Asia. How writing a news story about, oh I don't know, say, Indonesia, in a building in communist China would be any more advantageous than writing the story here in Washington is something the Agency cannot explain. The Agency is using the process known as A-76. This is a process that cannot be contested except by the contractors who are applying for the jobs. Not only that, but the Agency is using the streamlined process. So, folks, if you think the BBG is not going to contract out your job, think again. They are even willing to ship our government jobs to a communist country and over there the Chinese secret services can check out, block and harass VOA employees a lot better than they can here. BBG "Human Capital" Survey Results Tell it Like it Is Recently, management sent around the results of a "Human Capital" satisfaction (or lack thereof) survey of IBB and VOA employees. . . http://www.afge1812.org/index.cfm?PageToWork=Content_Page_2 [much more] (AFGE Local 1812 News & Views Fall 2005 via DXLD) ** U S A. Something else to watch/listen for: Ed Bolton, who produces the "Amos & Andy" programs now on WBCQ every weeknight at 0400 UT, has been announcing at the end of these programs that he hasn't gotten any donations for months now to support the programs, and that he'd be taking them off the air as of the end of October. So if that happens, either "Herald of Truth" may expand to a half-hour (like they are now on WWRB) or shift 15 minutes earlier and 7415 may go off-air at 0415 instead of 0430. Or maybe something completely different may occur --- who knows? 73, (Will Martin, MO, Oct 26, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DXLD) Heard once again the same announcement from Ed Bolton, while waiting for WOR last Sunday evening. Sadly, (for some but not so many) this time seems he really mean it. We have reached a time in history that nobody seems to care about this type of shows, as if you were about to convince today's people how great it was to have Harold Lloyd in the movies. Well, here in Costa Rica, not so long ago Repretel Channel 6 TV was putting that show after noon on the air and guess what? The basic followers were kids, but curiously not happens the same with The Three Stooges. Sometimes Spanky does it a little better. At least "Amos & Andy" will end for good, so different from the tale we have been receiving from Call Israel, announcing their demise from SW every six months for the last three years or so (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, ibid.) ** U S A. URBONO, On the Media --- You asked: "ever mention SW relay? (gh)" --- Of course not! :-S (Ricky Leong, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Just talked to Dan Elyea of WYFR. He says there is no power and no phone at the station. There was considerable damage to the antenna field, but the building held up well (George Thurman, 0215 UT Oct 26, WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC LOOSENS RULES FOR STATIONS HIT BY WILMA The FCC is offering broadcasters affected by HURRICANE WILMA special expedited assistance to help them get back on the air, including expedited handling of STA requests, allowing emergency antennas while waiving the usual 24 hour notice requirement, allowing AM stations to use full daytime power and patterns at night for noncommercial emergency information use, and waiving the notification rules to allow stations to notify the FCC of restricted opertions within 30 days and of intent to remain silent within 60 days. Construction permit deadlines are being extended 90 days in the affected areas (allaccess.com via Brock Whaley, Oct 26, DXLD) ** U S A. Re Legal IDing: Many stations have interpreted the more recent ID requirements which say something to the effect of close to the top of the hour in a natural break in programming to mean that a music sweep does not have to be interrupted by an ID, so they put the ID in the commercial cluster before the sweep starts. which might mean the ID regularly goes at :50 and not around :00. This has been done for more than a decade, and not one station has been written up or sanctioned, so it is the de facto meaning of the rule now. Also, many US Spanish stations ID [only?] in Spanish now. The FCC has not changed the rules, but has seen fit to "allow" this to happen (David Gleason, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC LAUNCHES NEW BROADCAST, OBSCENITY, INDECENCY AND PROFANITY WEB SITE The Federal Communications Commission has launched a new, user- friendly Web site, http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip designed to educate the public about the laws governing the airing of obscene, indecent and profane material and the Commission's enforcement of those laws. The site explains how to file a complaint and what happens to the complaint once the Commission receives it. In addition, for each year dating back to 1993, it provides useful statistics on the Commission's enforcement efforts, including the number of obscenity, indecency and profanity complaints received by the Commission; the number of Notices of Apparent Liability issued by the Commission and the total forfeitures imposed by the Commission. Finally, the site answers frequently asked questions on a wide range of topics ranging from how a consumer can determine the status of a complaint he or she filed to what makes material obscene, indecent or profane. You have received this e-mail because you registered to receive information updates from the Federal Communications Commission when you signed up at our website. Please visit our website at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/contacts/welcome.html (via Bill Smith, IA, DXLD) OIP --- the hot new initialism!! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. WFIL-WNTP Overnight Tonight --- FYI, WNTP 990 Philadelphia is running 5 KW non-directional all night tonight. WFIL 560 Philadelphia is running 1.25 KW non-directional all night tonight. We are doing work on our antenna system. Just wanted to let everyone know. We will be going back to normal operation at sunrise. 73, Rene' Tetro, Chief Engineer Salem Communications - Philadelphia WNTP-AM / WFIL-AM 117 Ridge Pike Lafayette Hill, PA 19444 Phone: 610-828-6965 Extension 41 Fax: 610-828-8879 Websites: http://www.wntp.com and http://www.wfil.com Email: rtetro @ pobox.com (Tetro, Oct 26, dxhub yg via DXLD) ** U S A. The Archive Hour: The Sound of America - the story of NPR. BBC Radio 4. Saturday 29th October: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. BST, 1900-2000 UT Commentator and satirist Joe Queenan takes a look at the past 35 years of American history through the news reports and documentaries produced by NPR- National Public Radio. Subjects covered include international news coverage and national scandals, must-hear features and "Driveaway Moments". Queenan introduces clips from the NPR archive that span 9/11, life as a minister, small town America, the death of a child, the Watergate scandal, working in New York, OJ Simpson, the Iraq War, a tribute to Mary Tyler Moore, Dr Kevorkian and many more. With contributions from the people behind the programmes including Robert Siegel and Susan Stamberg (Radio Times via Mike Barraclough, bdxc-uk via DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN [and non]. UK/UZBEKISTAN: BBCWS SUSPENDS TASHKENT OFFICE OVER SAFETY CONCERNS | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 26 October BBC World Service's office in Tashkent is being suspended and all local staff withdrawn with immediate effect, it was announced Wednesday 26th October. The office will remain closed for at least six months pending a decision on its long term future. "We're doing this because of concerns over security," says BBC World Service Regional Head Behrouz Afagh. "Over the past four months since the unrest in Andijan, BBC staff in Uzbekistan have been subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation which has made it very difficult for them to report on events in the country." In June BBC World Service correspondent Monica Whitlock was forced to leave Tashkent under government pressure. A further six BBC staff members in Uzbekistan have subsequently left the country after threats and harassment from the authorities. Two of them have now been granted refugee status by the United Nations. The decision affects the newsgathering operations of the BBC's Uzbek, Russian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh Services. "BBC World Service remains committed to covering events in Uzbekistan, and its English language correspondents will continue to seek access to the country and to report on events there as and when they are granted visas. "The BBC has been based in Uzbekistan for 10 years. We were the first and remain the only major international broadcaster to operate there. This reflects our deep commitment to Uzbekistan and our desire to report freely and fairly on all aspects of life in this important Central Asian country. We are confident that our reporters in Uzbekistan are operating to the highest standards of impartial and balanced journalism." The BBC has had no response to a letter sent from BBC Deputy Director General Mark Byford to Uzbek President Karimov. The Uzbek ambassador in London, Tukhtapulat Riskiev has declined an invitation to discuss the issue with BBC World Service. He said he was unaware that the BBC was experiencing any problems in Uzbekistan. BBC World Service Regional Head Behrouz Afagh said: "We would welcome firm guarantees from the Uzbek authorities that all BBC staff will be allowed to continue to work without further government condemnation and interference before we will consider re-opening the bureau." Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 26 Oct 05 (via BBCM via DXLD) Full press release at http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/10_october/26/tashkent.shtml (Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZANZIBAR. Hi Glenn, Don't know if this is news or not, but Radio Tanzania Zanzibar has reappeared here on 11734 kHz after a very long absence. It was quite strong on both October 22 and 23 during the mid to late morning hours, beginning around 1700 UT, lasting at a good level for three or four hours. Haven't happened to hear it since, however. Most surprising was a newscast in English at 1800. Best regards, (Ed Tilbury, Anchorage, Alaska, Oct 25, WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 11735, V. of Tanzania-Spice FM relay, 1759-1817, Oct. 25, English/ Swahili-?/ Arabic, Drums at tune-in, YL with English headlines, news re opposition party progress, schools/villages destroyed re Pakistan earthquake and exiled (Nigerian-?) prez trying to return home. News ends at 1810, into VOT program with different announcer in language with presumed news. OM in Arabic at 1816. Only ID noted was "This news is coming to you from Spice FM" at 1805. Poor/fair, best using LSB (Scott R Barbour Jr, Intervale, NH, R75, 200' Beverage antennas, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE. Wonder if David Pringle-Wood in Zimbabwe ever confirmed that 3306 kHz still is on the air making its 2nd harmonic that we hear on 6612 (but nothing on the 3rd one: 9918 kHz?)? 73, (Erik Køie, Denmark, Oct 26, dxldyg via DXLD) Hi Erik, Confirming --- Zimbabwe 3306 can be heard at 1700 this evening 26 Oct, with low signal level - this is the intended frequency for this time and location but a mistuned transmitter is in use. Zimbabwe 6612, second harmonic is heard with strong signal level which propagates abroad. A total mismatching tuning error by Radio Zimbabwe, from Gweru, Central Zimbabwe but at least the DX world get it. This has been so for a few months. 73, (David Pringle-Wood, Zimbabwe, ibid.) So, for our enjoyment, David, please never comment this transmitter mistuning, in case you have a chance, to the engineers there in Zimbabwe. Otherwise, we DXers will lose them forever. That reminds me of the time I worked on the announcers` and newsreaders` staff for Radio Impacto back in the 80s. They had the same problem with the transmitter on 5044. So, DXers all over had a great time logging it around 10088, and what a signal we got! 73s. (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, ibid.) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. Last-minute B-05 change: Voice of the People to Zimbabwe at 1659-1757 will be on 11705 instead of 7120 [via Madagascar] (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via WORLD OF RADIO 1291, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GRAPHIC GAFFES & AUDIBLE ATROCITIES +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ EVIAN FLU That`s how Lou Dobbs, CNN, insists on pronouncing it, confusing the viral threat with bottled water. ``Avian`` is not pronounced the same! He draws out the ``-ahn``. And I have also heard at least one other news/anchor say it that way. The plague is spreading! (Glenn Hauser, OK, Oct, 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you for all the effort you put into providing this useful reading. 73s (Olle Alm, Sweden) DX-PEDITIONS ++++++++++++ Our recent DXpedition: web page Hi all, A week ago me and Alexey Kulinchenko stayed in his summer cottage for some hours, listening to DX stations in SW and MW. In contrast to similar events of 2003 and 2004, I've made some recordings now, using my NEXX NF-350 flash player. You may read the complete log and listen to audio samples at: http://dxsignal.info/read/kad_2005e.htm (People who are Signal bulletin subscribers have already got our logs in the recent bulletin edition. And Glenn did put some of them into his latest digest.) We'll appreciate any help in solving our UNIDs and identifying interfering stations! 73, (Dmitry Mezin, Russia, dxldyg via DXLD) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ 2,000-FOOT TV TOWER MAY PIERCE SKYLINE By Thomas A. Corfman and Blair Kamin, Tribune staff reporters Published October 25, 2005 http://www.chicagotribune.com:/business/chi-0510250157oct25,1,3344329.story?coll=chi-news-hed&vote20150178=1 Imagine this addition to Chicago's fabled skyline: a futuristic, tweezer-shaped broadcast tower looming 2,000 feet over the lakefront as one of the world's tallest structures. The digital age may soon bring this sleek, scissors-like conversation piece to the city, within clear view of the tourists at Navy Pier who will either ooh with awe or laugh with disbelief. To be designed by prominent architect Cesar Pelli, the tower would help redefine Chicago's horizon. Rising above the skyline between the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower, it would usher in a new era of daring, ultramodern architecture for the city. Another sensation would be a proposed Santiago Calatrava-designed skyscraper shaped like a drill bit. The $300 million Pelli tower would function as a platform for local television stations to mount their new high-definition broadcasting antennas. Instead of building a conventional building that reserves roof space for antennas, the developers--J. Paul Beitler and LR Development Co.-- are proposing the lower-cost option of a needle-thin, triple-spired tripod. At the top would be several floors for restaurants and an observation deck, and at the base would be a 400-car garage. The tapered space in between would be largely open, except for six large beams connecting the spires. "It is a very intelligent structure," said Pelli, in a telephone interview from his office in New Haven, Conn. He compared the structure to a ship's mast, saying it will be "a very handsome form next to the water." The proposed broadcast tower, which would be located along Lake Shore Drive between Illinois Street and Grand Avenue, would jump past the CN Tower in Toronto, which at 1,815 feet holds the title as the world's tallest free-standing broadcast tower. But comparing tall structures is complicated, so much so that it can seem the height of absurdity. Not a building For one, the structure could not lay claim to becoming one of the world's tallest buildings because it isn't technically a building--its structure would not be filled with floors as in a conventional skyscraper. Currently, the world's tallest building is the 1,671-foot Taipei 101 in Taiwan, but other superstructures are under development. Among broadcast antennas, the proposed lakefront structure is taller than the CN Tower but would fall short of a guywire-supported radio mast antenna in North Dakota, as well as an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, according to reports. Beitler, president and chief executive of the Chicago-based real estate firm that bears his name, confirmed the broad outlines of the project, which does not yet have city approval. "We are not out to have the tallest building in the world, or the tallest anything," Beitler said. "That's simply silly because somebody will come along and build something taller. There have been a lot of tombstones put up for people who proposed the `tallest.' The problem has always been financeability, and we have financing." The project would be driven by agreements, not yet signed, with local television stations, which are preparing for a shift to exclusively high-definition broadcasting, expected to be required in 2009. Beitler declined to comment on the status of any talks with broadcasters. Local television stations currently broadcast HDTV and traditional analog broadcast signals from the 1,451-foot Sears Tower in the West Loop and the 1,127-foot John Hancock Center on North Michigan Avenue, where they lease space. But television executives have long wanted a third option that they would control, and in the late 1990s even floated a proposal for a free-standing antenna mast that would have been located either in the suburbs or on the West Side. The selling point of the new tower is that high-definition signals need to emanate from the highest, least obstructed point. Still, the new tower is not a done deal. Neighbors overwhelmed In addition to tough negotiations with broadcasters, the latest proposal will likely be an even tougher sell to Streeterville residents, many of whom already feel overwhelmed by new high-rise construction and suffocated by traffic generated by Navy Pier. The proposed site, which is zoned for a 610-foot structure, is just a few blocks north of a riverfront parcel where another developer has proposed a 115-story condominium/hotel to be designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that would also soar to 2,000 feet. As originally proposed in July, the Calatrava tower did not include broadcast facilities. But developer Christopher Carley said he may eventually add broadcast transmission facilities to his project, called Fordham Spire. "As the time goes on, there is going to be more and more demand for these high antennas, not only high definition," said Carley, chairman of Chicago-based Fordham Co. He said he has not had any discussions with local broadcasters, and didn't think the newly proposed broadcast tower would affect his project. Whether the lakefront could accommodate two tall towers so close by would depend on neighborhood residents, who Carley expected would raise several concerns to the broadcast tower. "It's not the height per se," he said. "It's more traffic, density, blocked views and shadows." Beitler said the Planning Department has been briefed on the plans. "I think it would be very dynamic to have two great architects like this put up buildings so close to each other," said Beitler. "I think they are so completely different from each other it would be interesting." The proposed broadcast tower would be on a 41,000-square-foot site owned by a joint venture that includes LR Development, a Chicago luxury residential firm, and JER Partners, a Virginia investment firm. Thomas Weeks, president of LR Development, declined comment. Beitler is a veteran office developer whose projects include the Pelli-designed 181 W. Madison St. and 131 S. Dearborn St. In the late 1980s Beitler and Lee Miglin proposed a "world's tallest" tower for a Loop site, but the deal ended in foreclosure. Beitler's partner, LR Development, also is co-owner of the site that developer Carley would buy for the Calatrava tower. Copyright © 2005, Chicago Tribune (via Steve Rich, Indianapolis, IN, WTFDA via DXLD) TOWERS REACH NEW HEIGHTS October 26, 2005 The new wireless technologies we discuss here will need plenty of infrastructure, such as towers for transmitters and antennas. This article from Daily Wireless describes how the race is on for higher and ever higher towers. http://www.dailywireless.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4852 (Posted on October 26, 2005, Harry Helms, futureofradio blog via DXLD) this page is illustrated SUSPECTED VOYEUR ARRESTED ATOP TV ANTENNA http://www.WBAY.com/Global/story.asp?s=4027662 Broadcasting and railfanning are two of my interests -- it's funny to see them intersect in this way (Ricky Leong, AB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CONTINUING SAGA OF THE B+H WEATHER RADIO Hi, Glenn! This is strange. That Bell+Howell weather radio I've mentioned to you several times over the past months is yet again in the Sportsman's Guide e-mail sale notice. This time it is on "Clearance" at a yet-lower price. What is odd is that, as I said in my last note about this, it has recently been carried under the "Jensen" name at Target and from web sources, at a much higher price. I would think that Sportsman's Guide would *want* to keep undercutting these other places by selling this one for less, as they have been. Ah, well, I'll never understand the motivations of retailers. Here's the latest link: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=227979&pn=1 73, (Will Martin, MO, Oct 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WHO RUNS THE TRANSMITTERS? Re 5-180, WESTERN SAHARA [non] --- "This has been so since the birth of radio". I think in many countries the broadcasting companies themselves operated the transmitters until separate companies were founded. For example YLE in Finland took care of transmitter operation until Digita was founded, BBC before Crown Castle and Merlin/VTC was founded. So they outsourced the operation before the word itself was invented! This happened when private radios began to flourish. But that happened only a couple of decades ago. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, dxldyg via DXLD) Yes, correct about Finland and the UK. But already when you look at your neighbouring countries, it looks different: in Sweden, Norway and Denmark the transmitters were run by the PTT ministries, not the broadcasters. The same in the USSR and all Easteuropean countries, and it has been and still is typically for countries in Africa and Asia as well. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) Bernd, It varies from country to country. It's not true to say that African broadcasters did not operate their own transmitters. In British Africa the public broadcasters followed the BBC model and ran their own transmitters. Most of them still do (Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, etc). South Africa (where the SABC's transmitters were split off into Sentech) is an exception (Chris Greenway, UK, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ ARNIE CORO'S DXERS UNLIMITED EXCLUSIVE AND NOT COPYRIGHTED HF PLUS LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST Now here is item one, a news item. SUNSPOT COUNT is ZERO, yes, you heard it right, an absolutely blank SUN today --- no sunspots, and that of course means very low solar activity. But the K index was a bit on the high side because of a shower of protons reaching the ionosphere coming from a coronal hole. More about HF and low band VHF propagation conditions as always at the end of the program. And now just before QRT, here is Arnie Coro's Dxers Unlimited exclusive and not copyrighted HF plus low band VHF propagation update and forecast. Strange Sporadic E openings across the Gulf of México as Hurricane Wilma was hovering over Yucatán and then moving fast towards Florida may be related to thunderstorm activity. Solar flux very low, just barely above 70 units, the A index was also very low, but the K index at higher latitudes was up to 4 recently due to the effects of the coronal hole. Best daytime frequencies for DX are between 15 and 25 megaHertz, and at night the best DX conditions will be between 6 and 12 megaHertz (DXers Unlimited's mid week for 25- 26 October By Arnie Coro radio amateur CO2KK, via ODXA via DXLD) ###