DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-018, January 28, 2006 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 2006 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html For restrixions and searchable 2005 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid5.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 NEXT SW AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1302: Days and times strictly UT. Sun 0330 WOR WWCR 5070 [start varies 0325-0335] Sun 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Sun 0730 WOR WWCR 3215 Sun 1400 WOR WRMI 7385 Sun 2229 WOR WRMI 7385 Mon 0400 WOR WBCQ 9330-CLSB Mon 0515 WOR WBCQ 7415 Wed 1030 WOR WWCR 9985 Full schedule, including AM, FM, satellite and internet, with hotlinks to station sites and audio: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html WRN ON DEMAND: 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 PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml ** ANTARCTICA. ANTARCTIC ACTIVITY WEEK ---The Worldwide Antarctic Program has announced that the third Antarctic Activity Week will be held from 20 through 26 February. The aim of this annual event is to promote worldwide interest in the Antarctic continent; stations operating from the various Antarctic bases, as well as special event stations from the rest of the world, are expected to take part in the AAW. Announced special calls include 4O3ANT, AT3ANT, II0ANT, II1ANT, II2ANT, II4ANT, II5ANT, II7ANT, II8ANT, IO2MET, IO6ANT, IO8ANT, IO0ANT, IR0ANT, IR1ANT, IR8ANT, IU0ANT, TM0TAF, TM1ANT, TM2ANT, TM3ANT, TM4ANT, TM5ANT, TM6ANT, TM7ANT, TM8ANT, TM8TAF, TM9ANT, TM0ANT, TO2ANT and UE6ANT. QSL via operator's instructions (425 DX News via Dave Raycroft, ODXA via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 6060, Radio Argentina RAE, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18/01, 1005- MA and YL with news; soccer, lottery results, simple TC, comments on program "Primera Nota" with Oscar Rafael Cardozo, weather report: "26 grados, 70% de humedad" (Fernando Viloria - Guacara, Carabobo State - Venezuela, Rx: Icom 720 Transceiver, Antenna: 30 mts sloper, Antenna Coupler: MFJ - 956, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA! Glenn. I'm very upset that in the DX LISTENING DIGEST 6- 014, January 21, you decided to list Tasmania as a separate country from the rest of Australia. This insult has been discovered by myself today, of all days it is Australia Day. Please don't insult our nation. Tasmania is a part of Australia. It is a state of Australia. Not another country. An apology in your digest would be most appropriate on this day, Australia Day (Alex Dobrovich, Devonport, Tasmania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Alex, Sorry you were offended. I certainly did not intend it that way. DXLD should not be taken as the ultimate authority on world political divisions. If you will look it over, you will see a number of other non-country listings separately from the real country, such as OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, KURDISTAN, TATARSTAN, etc. TAS does enjoy a certain geographical separation from the rest of the continent, and that is often enough to declare ``radio country`` status, without any implication of independence. Don`t forget to put ``Australia`` after ``Tasmania`` in your signature :-| 73, (Glenn, Oklahoma, USA, to Alex, via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. Spotted by Christian Kaltenecker: 540/621 at Wavre and 927/1512 at Wolvertem are now on air around the clock, just in order to make additional room heating unnecessary: http://www.fmradio.be/new/nieuws.php?id=37837 I remember that similar room-heating transmissions took place way back in the nineties in Russia, on shortwave and using Radio Mayak as audio, shortly after Mayak had cancelled its shortwave transmissions. The involved sites are no longer active on shortwave today, perhaps closed (and even dismantled?) entirely by now. Some pictures of Wavre: http://www.rtbf.be/rtbf_2000/bin/view_something.cgi?id=0024567_article Isn't this 1952 vintage transmitter for 9970 cute? The second picture shows a mediumwave transmitter I think, since I seem to recall another look for a 250 kW Brown Boveri shortwave transmitter (one of the now unused VRT units in the case of Wavre). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. I wonder if anyone has tried to hear the new R. Logos, on 6165, probably best at *0900, or before 2300? Have seen no reports of it since first publicized Sunday night. Could be it is not on the air at the moment, or its NVIS antenna is too efficient. If anyone has seen a log of it somewhere else, please forward (Glenn Hauser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, I have been sitting on the frequency in the mornings for the last week and haven't heard anything but Oriental Stations and RN (Chuck Bolland, FL, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Hola gente!!!! Espero que anden bien. Yo estoy pasando mis últimos días de vacaciones en Villa Giardino con espectaculares resultados DX. Estoy muchas horas del día y otras tantas de la noche pegado a la radio. Por suerte, mis compañeritas de cabaña no se quejan, así que aprovecho.... Gente, no sé si la reportaron en nuestra Lista o en otras, pero quería comentarles que hoy escuche esta nueva emisora: 5983.7, Radio Cooperativa, 1115-1135 UT, January 26, Spanish/Aymara, Ann. "En transmision experimental, ésta es Radio Cooperativa, desde..., departamento de Oruro, Bolivia", tropical songs, ID by female in SS/Aymara, short ads of Huanuni, 44343. Tengo centenares de logs nuevos para pasar y no sé cuándo lo podré hacer a mi regreso pero en algún momento las reportaré a las Listas. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, ARGENTINA, Jan 26, condiglist via DXLD) La nueva emisora boliviana reportada como Radio Cooperativa, en la frecuencia de 5983.7v, transmite desde la ciudad de Huanuni, en el departamento de Oruro. Excelente recepción entre las 1045 y las 1145 UT de hoy. 73 (Arnaldo Slaen, ARGENTINA, Jan 27, condig list via DXLD) Hola Arnaldo, ¿Se ha esforzado para captar a la otra nueva boliviana que informé hace casi una semana en esta lista, Radio Logos, 6165, Santa Cruz? La hora mejor debe ser las 09 TU, o antes de las 23. Puede ser que actualmente no funciona. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** BOLIVIA. 6155, R. Fides, la Paz, Bolivia, 22/01, 1039- MA in Spanish answering listeners phone calls, greetings to listeners, Andean music. Only ID heard station´s name by listener (Fernando Viloria - Guacara, Carabobo State - Venezuela, Rx: Icom 720 Transceiver, Antenna: 30 mts sloper, Antenna Coupler: MFJ - 956, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. R. Santa Cruz, 6134.8, 0857-0915+ Jan 22, CP music, 0900 ID, Spanish talk. Fair-good signal strength but some adjacent channel splatter (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Those expecting to hear Vinyl Café via RCI at its usual time, Sat Jan 28 at 1505 on 9515, 13655 and 17820, were rudely awakened by a show about Mozart. Seems Radio 2 is running a Mozart Weekend, for obvious reasons, pre-empting most but not all of its regular programming Sat & Sun. Couldn`t Stuart McLean have done a Vinyl on a Mozart theme? Somehow we can`t quite imagine such a crossover. Naturally, RCI is set up to relay Radio 2 at this hour, tho the preceding and following Saturday morning hours come from Radio 1. Fortunately, I see on the CBC online schedules that Radio 1 is still running Vinyl Café at its usual Sunday time after the noon-local news, i.e. starting at 1605 UT, with repeats every hour across the country to 2005 in the PST zone. This would have been a good week to air a repeat --- but there are lots of repeats already, or so it seems. It may be that McLean actually retells some of his favorite stories over and over in `new` performances (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. RE CANADA TECH DATA/FCC DATABASE Glenn, Folks really shouldn't blame the FCC when they actually do something right. The FCC engineering database data and the Industry Canada engineering database data are in complete agreement about the data for CINF (690 Montreal), CINW (940 Montreal) and CBW (990 Winnipeg). And the FCC database for Canadian stations is based entirely on what Canada notifies, which is why there are sometimes duplicate entries, or entries which are in obvious conflict (as in 1350 kHz CKEG Nanaimo/CKCI Parksville, 38.5 km apart and not, we are told, a synchronous pair but just alternative allotments), and other anomalies which are infuriating to those of us who have generate accurate engineering work using the data. The databases show CINF 690 and CINW 940 diplexed into two towers 86 meters in height, separated 125 meters on a bearing 10 degrees true, at the site (45 23 34 x 73 41 55) formerly notified for 600 kHz, CFCF. The towers are only 71 degrees tall at 690. Neither the RJ-81 Agreement or the US/Canada bilateral have a minimum efficiency requirement for any station, Class A or otherwise. And the FCC considers day and night operations with the same antenna pattern and *power* to be DA-1, but with the same antenna pattern and different powers to be DA-2, while other administrations sometimes consider both to be DA-1. Compare KMJ Fresno 580 and WOOD Grand Rapids 1300, which are both operating with facilities licensed since the major changes to the databases in 2000. In both cases the antenna system is the same day and night, but WOOD is classed as DA-2 since it operates with different day and night powers. And yes, the Canadian database shows CBW operating at 46 kW at night. The FCC data is based on Canadian change list #513 dated March 10, 1995 (Ben Dawson, WA, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also USA [non] ** CANADA [non]. Radio-Canada, 1206 kHz! At 0315z, 1206 kHz, France Info began to run a news program from Radio Canada, "Le Journal de Radio Canada" (Jim Renfrew, Byron NY, UT Jan 26, WTFDA-AM via DXLD) ** CEUTA. 1584, RadiOlé, (35 53'N 05 17'W), JAN 27, 0605-0645, Spanish language, didn't seem to be SER - although with web audio delay it's sometimes hard to tell. I suspect RadiOlé, which has a program separate from SER at this time. The RadiOlé web page was not opening, however. The signal was right on 1584.00, but I have frequently noted RadiOlé off-frequency while DXing from Newfoundland. This is one that got away tonight. Too bad, because RadiOlé is from Ceuta, a small Spanish enclave on the northern coast of Africa, and often counted as a separate country. Some years ago, when RadiOlé was frequently off- channel, it was reported that the engineer would have to jump into a small motor boat to cross over to the Moroccan coast to fix it, something he was probably not eager to do on a frequent basis, especially at night (Jim Renfrew, NY, NRC IDXD via DXLD) ** CHINA. 6155, China Business Radio via CNR-2, Jan 26, 1300-1358, time pips (5+1); ``Hello and welcome to English Evening, brought to you by China Business Radio``; ``Tonight`s subject is culture``; pop song, ``That was `Feel The Same Way I Do` by Destiny's Child, here on English Evening``; ``On English Evening, it`s time now for Business News``; 25 minute segment ``Welcome to Studio Classroom On-line``; ``The Thursday evening edition of English Evening`s segment, `Listening to the World,` is brought to us by Radio Canada International``; program ends with ``Tune in tomorrow for the Friday evening edition of English Evening``; songs ``Dance With My Father`` and Beach Boys ``God Only Knows``. Reception was fair. Very enjoyable program! (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, RX340, with T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) English Evening/China Business Radio/CNR-2, on Jan 27, they were well heard on 6065 (better than 6155), from 1300 to 1400, hosted by John and Cynthia. Found a place on-line that has the audio of the whole program for anyone who is interested. Came across John`s Blog, where he gives information about his English Evening program. To me the programming is very good, with a nice mix of different segments that move right along. Have sent an e-mail to John and Cynthia and will have to wait for a response, as I imagine they are out celebrating Chinese New Years this weekend, along with everyone else in the PRC. - - - - - - - - From John`s Blog: http://newchannel.typepad.com/john/2005/04/index.html April 16, 2005, English Evening While I've referred to it peripherally, I haven't specifically mentioned the fact that I've been hosting an evening radio show called English Evening on China Business Radio. It's broadcast every evening from 9 to 10 pm [1300-1400 UT, Ron]. In Beijing, you can listen to it on 96.6 FM, and it's also available in other cities across China. If you can't get it via radio, you can also listen to the last two weeks' programs online here http://www.cnr.cn/wcm/fortune/english/ [and click on the dates in the center of the page (2006/1/27). Ron]. I started doing the show about three weeks ago with Liu Feifei, who also does programs with CCTV. We worked well together and had a great time, but she had to leave the show last week because her other commitments keep her too busy. The new co-host is a woman named Cynthia, who is back in China after many years in Canada. She does a great job and we have fun working together. If you're interested, listen to the show and let us know what you think. You can send us email at englishevening @ cnr.cn or leave a comment on this blog [John’s new Blog address: http://ncjohn.blogchina.com/ --- Ron]. Currently, the format of the show is us talking about various current events, interspersed with popular music and some special features. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, RX340, with T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. COLOMBIA UPGRADING STATE RADIO NETWORK | Text of report: "Radio Nacional begins third network upgrade phase", published by Colombian Office of the President website on 24 January; subheadings as published Bogota, 24 January: The new Radio Nacional is getting ready to launch phase three of the network upgrade programme for AM and FM stations across the country. Gabriel Gómez, assistant manager of radio for the form [?] Colombian National Radio and Television, RTVC, an entity created following the liquidation of Inravisión, explained that after implementing the first two phases, bidding will open in February for the execution of the third phase. "On completion of phase three, we will have 32 stations, including AM and FM. That is our national network. Those stations will cover approximately 80 per cent of the Colombian population," Gómez said. It is estimated that for the years 2004, 2005, and by the end of 2006, around 7 gigapesos will have been invested in upgrading the technical part of the network. First phase Gómez explained that in the first phase, the stations in Uribia, La Guajira; El Rosal, Cundinamarca and Jamundi, in Valle del Cauca were upgraded. The Uribia station, which is 50 kW on the 610 AM frequency, covers a good part of the Caribbean coast. The El Rosal station, 100 kW, 570 AM frequency, is the largest in the network and covers most of the country's interior. "That station functioned for many years with five or six kW and is now working at full capacity," Gómez said. New equipment was purchased for the Jamundi station, 50 kW on the 580 AM frequency, in order to cover Valle del Cauca, northern Cauca, and part of Risaralda. Second phase Contracts have already been awarded and are being executed for the second phase, which is now reaching an end. During this phase, two other AM stations were installed: in Marinilla, Antioquia, and in Sabanagrande, Atlántico. The Marinilla station, with 50 kW on frequency 550, covers central Antioquia. The premises are currently under renovation and will have a transmitter imported from Chile and will begin broadcasting in early February. Installation work was also begun on the station in Sabanagrande, which transmits on frequency 680. This will complete the upgrade of the basic stations in the AM network. Third phase In the third phase, everything related to the FM network will be boosted. They are currently in preliminary negotiations for installing nearly nine stations with reconditioned equipment. The Bogotá stations 99.1 FM and 95.9 FM will be upgraded; improvements will be made to the Simón Bolívar station 99.5 in San Andrés [isla], which has always been on the air, and stations 95.5 in Leticia and 98.3 Mirador, in Putumayo, will be installed again. Bidding for the Mirador station contract was opened during the second phase, but there were no offers. Now, new strategies have been adopted and it will be presented in February as part of the third phase. Source: Colombian Office of the President website, Bogota, in Spanish 24 Jan 06 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CONGO DR. Over the past week I tried to obtain some current information about Radio Kahuzi in the Dem. Rep. of Congo. I sent out email to: besi @ besi.org radiokahuzi @ kivu-online.com and besi @ alltel.net All email bounced back. I also note that their webpage: http://www.besi.org has not been updated since July 2, 2005. I am wondering if Radio Kahuzi is still operational or not? It is currently shown on the BDXC http://www.bdxc.org.uk/ 'Africa on Shortwave' list, operating on 6209.8 which got me interested in the station as a DX target (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, USA, Jan 27, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've checked this rather often during UT afternoons. R. Fana is strong on 6210 here, but at times I've noted a carrier on 6209.7, sometimes a bit higher. No decent audio heard. At times there is also some pirate station on this frequency. I recall I saw recently a logging of R Kahuzi, was it from S-African DXer? I think Chris in Nairobi can tell us if the station is on the air. Or maybe Mauno Ritola has the latest news? Best 73 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, ibid.) Still in November there was a carrier on 6209.7 kHz and it signed off at 1601 which corresponds with the only known (to me) logging of the station by Vashek Korinek of RSA. I checked the frequency today and the carrier wasn't there any more. That's all I know about it. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) Chris is not in Nairobi now (gh) ** CUBA. Commies vs commies! Dentrocubans vs dentrocubans! Around 0030 UT Jan 27, a routine check of RHC 5965 revealed there is STILL light bubble jamming audible underneath --- originally aimed at R. República which used this frequency only briefly more than a month ago (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA [non]. Meanwhile, I also checked 6010 around 0030 UT Jan 27, and heard mostly jamming. I could not be sure the weak Spanish underneath was still R. República, which has repeatedly been asked to clear the frequency for R. Mil, DF --- but it probably was, with poor propagation conditions from Europe; 6055 Spain and 6135 Portugal were still making it, however (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 26 January follow. Solar flux 87 and mid-latitude A-index 24. The mid-latitude K-index at 0000 UTC on 27 January was 4 (52 nT). Space weather for the past 24 hours has been moderate. Geomagnetic storms reaching the G2 level occurred (SEC via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. This article about the new CRo 4 Radio Wave contains a studio photo: http://www.radioszene.de/news/radiowave_200106.htm Point here: One of the old studios, abandoned some years ago when CRo inaugurated an entirely new studio building, has been reactivated for Radio Wave. Of course the DJ set-up is not original, but the console appears to be an old one as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK. Glenn, I suspect you already received a comment from Erik, but anyway: The longwave antenna at Kalundborg is an Alexanderson design, basically consisting of eight cables, running from the transmitter building over two towers and back to ground level. The towers are just 118 metres tall, and it is the basic advantage of this design that no terribly high and herewith expensive masts are necessary. Three pictures of the site are at http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiosender_Kalundborg Presumably the icing broke one of the cables. By now the antenna must have been repaired or at least made operational with a makeshift solution, since 243 is back on air (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I wonder how this design affects directionality, horizontally, vertically, polarity, compared to regular masts and phasing. Is this a common design for LW in Europe; how about MW? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. RT Djibouti, 4780, *0259-0330+ Jan 22, sign-on with local instrumental music. 0300 vernacular talk and local Horn of Africa music. 0301 Kor`an. 0308 talk. 0319 HOA music; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thursday, January 26, 2006, RADIO DJIBOUTI, DATE: 26 - 01 - 2006, TIME: 18.55 - 19.05 UT, FREQUENCY: 4780 KHz, SIGNAL: SUFF. WITH QSB, LANGUAGE: ARABIC, PROGRAM: PRAYER # posted by SWL STATION I0-5639 (Francesco Cecconi, Italy, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We're in the midst of the regular season to catch the best from the African Continent in the 60 mb due to lack of T-storms and other noises from the rainy season in the equatorial region. With a SINPO of 45444, Djibouti 4780 boomed between 0330 and 0445, Jan. 28 as never before and I have to admit this is my first time receiving such a powerful signal, and remarkably from the Horn of Africa with 100 kW. Good occasion to enjoy their vernacular or pop local music when you get a clear reception like this (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Jan 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. The Finnish well-known DX'er Simo S. Soininen is just now in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Simo sent me last night an e-mail where he says he has met Teo Veras. They plan to activate Radio Cristal shortwave transmitter on 5010 kHz next weekend. Listen to 5010 kHz! I'll send more info in the near future. However, it seems that Internet-connections in the Dominican Republic aren't very reliable. This is all I know now after one short e-mail (Jorma Mantyla, Kangasala, Finland, Jan 26, HCDX via DXLD) Last night I received another e-mail form Simo S. Soininen in Santo Domingo. Unfortunately the reactivation of the SW transmitter on 5010 kHz must be cancelled because of energy supply problems (Jorma Mantyla, Kangasala, Finland, Jan 27, ibid.) ** EL SALVADOR? 17838.2, 1723, 24-Jan; Weak het; first time I've gotten even that in many months; Radio Imperial still there? No detectable audio thru 17835 QRM [RCI]. Still there at 1813 but weaker (Harold Frodge, MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) Maybe so this time, as there is no Delano on 17705 to put out spurs like we had a few months ago. But still, beware of other 16m station spurs (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. 1620 UT, 7165 kHz, Radio Ethiopia, playing lots of rock music and went to the news. English. 45554. Ship is still heading north and been a long day out here. 73's from (Larry Fields, n6hpx/mm, Indian Ocean, Jan 26, swl at qth.net via DXLD) 1608 UT, 9560 kHz, Radio Ethiopia, local information and some news, played music between each comment, song in the middle of the nite, 33234. 73's from (Larry Fields, n6hpx/mm, northern tip of Somalia, with French navy ships, Jan 27, swl at qth.net via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. NEW SOMALI RADIO STATION TO OPEN IN ETHIOPIA | Text of report by Ethiopian opposition Radio Freedom audio website on 24 January Announcement of a new Somali radio station as posted on the web site version of a shortwave radio station, (Clandestine) Radio Freedom Voice of the Ogadeni People in Somali: This is to notify all Somali speaking people that a new Somali radio station will be opened. The new radio station, Voice of the Somali People, will start broadcasting on 1 February 2006. Voice of the Somali People will broadcast twice a week - Wednesdays at 1 p.m. east African time, and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. east African time. Voice of the Somali People can be heard on 8037 kHz 41 meter band short wave and 7175 mHz. Source: Radio Freedom, Voice of the Ogadeni People audio website in Somali 24 Jan 06 (via BBCM via DXLD) Another murky announcement. First of all, the Ogaden is a region of Ethiopia, so if it is clandestine on SW, it is probably from somewhere else, thus the [non] I have inserted in the heading. EA time is UT +3 so the UT would be Wed 1000, Sat 1730. 8037 is nowhere near the 41m band; is that correct, do they mean 7037, or were the numbers otherwise jumbled? 7175 milliHertz is nowhere near a SW band, but if they mean 7175 kHz, that would really be in the 41m band. And do they mean both frequencies for both broadcasts, or one each? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Another version of this changes mHz to kHz but other questions remain http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=370962 (via CRW via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Re 6-017, LW Europe --- Hi, I am right now - Jan 27, 10-11 UT making a scanning of the European LW band, just as olD friend Joukko did around 14 UT two days earlier. I also use Herman Boel`s superb EMWG. Thanks Joukko for the idea, and thanks Herman for the list. These are my findings 153, Germany, Deutschlandsfunk, weak to fair. Talk program. 162, France, France Inter 171, Kaliningrad with Radio Rossii // 261 177, Germany, Deutschlandradio Kultur at 1000 coastal weather forecast, then classical music and about Mozart on his 250th anniversary 183, Germany Europe No. 1 189, Nil, absolutely nil [where Iceland might be heard] 198, UK Radio 4 207, Germany, Deutschlandfunk // 6190 altering with Ukraine Ukrainske Radio 216, France, Radio Monte Carlo, ads for Paris Match 225, Poland, Polskie Radio with Abba and commercials 234, Luxembourg, RTL in French 243, Denmark, Danmarks Radio. The mast is repaired, obviously 252, Ireland, RTE 1 261, Russia, Radio Rossii // 261 270, Czech Republic, Ceský Rozhlas 279, Belarus, Belaruskye Radio Not all of them with 100 % ID, but these all normal loggings here. As usual I used my AOR AR7030, but my K9AY doesn't work at the moment, so I used a 30 meter longwire. 73 (from a very wintry western Sweden/ Johan Berglund (outside) Trollhättan, HCDX via DXLD) ** FRANCE [and non]. France & Vietnam. Two stations broadcasting in English can be heard daily from 16 to 1627 hours on one and the same frequency of 9730 kHz: Radio France International and Radio Voice of Vietnam, of course, mutually interfering. Voice of Vietnam can also be heard at the same time on 7280 kHz. The QSL addresses are: Radio France International, Boîte Postale 9516, 75016 Paris, France, and Voice of Vietnam, 45 Ba Trieu, Ha Noi, Vietnam (Rumen Pankov, Sofia, R. Bulgaria DX Jan 27 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) Per EiBi, RFI is via South Africa to southern Africa, and Vietnam is direct to Europe; see also VIETNAM (gh, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Re 6-017, CUBA [non]: I think Jeff believed 7160 to originate from Jülich because he booked 100 kW. It is common practice for years now to throw in Wertachtal or Nauen instead if the transmission cannot be done from Jülich for whatever reason, using 125 kW because no lower power level is specified for the S4005 (Wertachtal) / S4105 (Nauen) transmitters. The new development is that meanwhile various broadcasters use 250 or now also 500 kW via T- Systems, leading to the other two sites from the start (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE [non]. Opening Hellenes Around the World, Sat Jan 28 at 1500 on 9775 via Delano, Katrina greeted loyal listeners John Babbis in Maryland, and Christopher Lewis, ``also in the US`` --- Obviously she has never listened to his DX reports which are not in an American accent, hi (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. AWR with clear and good signal Jan. 27 between 2230 and 2300 in English, with biblical teachings. This gave me a nice hint of the good reception I expect to have for Wavescan this weekend. Curiously, Glenn, you mentioned no reception in OK, as their back lobe (255 degrees) is beaming directly to the North American Continent, and I'm receiving it so well in a more southerly location (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Jan 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I assume you speak of 11655. It was good one week, missing the next; highly variable reception here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 4052.5, Radio Verdad, Chiquimala, Jan 26 0327. Spanish, tune in to the announcer reading a the end of listeners letter from Memphis, TN. Not sure if it was mine as it has been over a year since I have written to them. He then read a few other letters which appeared to be mainly reception reports requesting QSL's and banderines. ID then into back to back vocals. Good signal. 73, (Brandon Jordan, Memphis, TN, http://www.bcdx.org DX LISTENING DIGEST) See PUBLICATIONS ** GUATEMALA. Radio Cultural TGN, Guatemala, lleva bastante tiempo fuera del aire en 3300 kHz y sobre esta inactividad, me informan de la emisora: "respecto a la frecuencia de de onda corta 3300 kHz, le informo que el año que pasó, por causa de la tormenta Stan, la antena de la frecuencia de onda corta se cayó y hay que hacer reparaciones a dicha antena. Lo cual tardará un poco porque a causa de eso hemos tenido problemas en distintos equipos de nuestras repetidoras". También me comunican: "Me permito informarle que apartir de la presente fecha ya estamos las 24 horas en nuestra página de internet http://www.radiocultural.com con todo volumen y donde nos puede sintonizar." Ojalá retornen a la banda de 90 metros, en donde se escuchaba frecuentemente aquí en España, y que la desaparición no sea definitiva, como pasa con tantas y tantas emisoras (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Cultural Radio, TGN, Guatemala, 3300 kHz has been enough time outside the air in 3300 and about this inactivity, they inform to me "with respect to the frequency of short wave 3300 kHz. I inform you that the last year, because of the Stan storm, the antenna of the frequency of short wave fell and is necessary to make repairs to this antenna. Which will take a little because of that we have had problems in different equipment from our repeaters." Also they communicate to me: "I allow myself to inform you that till the present date, we are already the 24 hours on air via Internet in our web site http://www.radiocultural.com and where you can tune in us." (appended computer translation of above, via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4780, R. Cohatán, San Sebastián, Guatemala, 21/01, 0956- religious music (Mexican style), ID as: "Radio Cultural Cohatán, 4780 khz onda corta, desde San Sebastián, Cohatán, Guatemala, Centro América", then MA in vernacular (Fernando Viloria - Guacara, Carabobo State - Venezuela, Rx: Icom 720 Transceiver, Antenna: 30 mts sloper, Antenna Coupler: MFJ - 956, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUINEA. R. Conakry, 7125, 2310-0001* Jan 21-22, French talk, ID, hi-life music. Sign-off with NA. Good until 2350 when partially covered by Russian test tones, and at 0000 Russian programming (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Contrary to reports that AIR has already vacated the 90 metre band, it is still audible in the evening on 3315 and 3365 (Chris (in Islamabad) Greenway, Jan 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3223 kHz AIR, Shimla, 18 Jan 1724-..., talks; 15441. 3315 kHz AIR, Bhopal, 18 Jan 1732-1743*, English, newscast; 25432. 3365 kHz AIR, Khampur, 18 Jan 1734-1815, English, news, music & songs, announcements; 44433. I hope they don't become a permanent absence on the 90 m band (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. Vladimir Kovalenko reports in our Russian open_dx mailing list that he noted Radio Kashmir on 4770 kHz, 25 Jan at 1200 and later. Vladimir presumes this is a move from 4760 kHz (AIR Leh according to handbooks). AIR Leh shared the frequency 4760 kHz with Port Blair, and the latter transmitter was always heard much better, Vladimir says. Is this an official move, or simply a punching error? FYI: Vladimir Kovalenko lives in Tomsk, which is located in the Siberian part of Russia. Thanks in advance for your hints! 73, (Dmitry Mezin, Kazan, Russia, dx_india via DXLD) Please let me add, that on January 23, I definitely heard AIR Leh (Radio Kashmir) here in Denmark on 4760 at 0230-0305 UT when it faded out. First with comments in Kashmiri (?), but at 0245 as scheduled news in English heard // 5040. At 0300 music. My personal opinion is that 4770 might have been a pushing error on Jan 25. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Copenhagen, Denmark, ibid.) Dear Dmitry Mezin, Thanks for your mail. I checked 4770 but could not hear any AIR station. I had checked on 25th January night when the President's adress to the nation was there at around 1400 but did not observe anything unusual. Maybe at 1200 there was some punching error. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, India, dx_india via DXLD) Not first time ** INDIA. Some nice patriotic songs and programming from The General Overseas Service of All India Radio, tuned in at 2140 UT on 1/26, on 9445 via Bangalore. All the Best (Christopher Lewis, England, 1736 UT Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. DX Program ``Radio World`` from All India Radio External Service of All India Radio, Chennai, broadcast the First DX program in the name of ``Vaanoli Ulagam`` (Radio World) in Tamil Language. This is a ten minute program, which is broadcast every Sunday [sometime] between 1115 to 1215 UT. The South East Asia listeners will listen this program on 13710, 15770 and 17810 kHz. In the meantime Sri Lankan listeners will listen on 15050, 17860 short wave and 1053 kHz medium wave. The program is divided into four segments. In the first part, brief description of international radio history; second segment for current DX News. In the third part, DX publications and magazine details will be broadcast, and in the last segment you will get the useful DX website details. Contributions are also welcome. This program is written and presented by Ardic DX Club president and DXers Guide Editor Jaisakthivel. Those who are wanting to get the letter QSL with AIR logo stamp sticker, send the reception report and the program details with the 2 IRC to the following address. Vaanoli Ulagam (Radio World), Thirai Kadal Aadivarum Thamizh Naatham, All India Radio, Kamarajar Salai, Maylapore, Chennai-600 004, Tamil Nadu, India. Note: The next Vaanoli Ulagam (Radio World) will be broadcast on Sunday (29-01-2006 that is tomorrow). In that program British DX Club new book details and the National Institute of Amateur Radio Ham fest- 2006 details also broadcast. +++++++++++++++++++++++ Here is the detail of our club. Name: Ardic DX Club, Publication: "Sarvadesavanoli" Tamil DX Monthly [Annual Subscription Indian Rs 75/- or 5 IRC] "Dxers Guide" Quarterly English DX Magazine [Annual Subscription Indian Rs 45/- or 5 IRC] URL: http://www.dxersguide.blogspot.com Group: http://www.group.yahoo.com/groups/sarvadesavanoli E-Mail: ardicdxclub@yahoo.co.in WEB: http://www.geocities.com/ardicdxclub (Jaisakthivel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now how about as DX program in English on AIR? (gh, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 9680, RRI Jakarta, Jan 25 (Wed.), 1017 caught the end of the KGRE program, asks listeners to write in to their Bali address, song by Men at Work ``Land Down Under``, 1019 Indonesian ID for KGRE, singing jingle, fair. Jan 28, 1015-1023 pop Indonesian songs, M DJ, fair. Where is WYFR which usually dominates here, not that I am complaining about their absence? (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, RX340, with T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL. Information gap --- Communications within the broadcasting industry are often quite poor. When it comes to aid projects, we need an online database of information about who's doing what, where, and how to contact them. . . http://www2.rnw.nl/rnw/en/features/media/mn060126.html?view=Standard (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Jan 26 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. Re 6-017, Google: Some interesting comments and links to others on this story at http://www.pekingduck.org/ including a screenshot of Google`s China site with "Some Search Results were not displayed according to local laws and policies." (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. A small satellite station from the UK transmits a statement which I think is true for many shortwave stations as well, also if they not admit it: [DVB] http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/9913/chill5pf.jpg or http://img371.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chill5pf.jpg (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. Utility logs in kHz and UT, all USB: 1852, 26/01 2010 IPP Palermo Radio, italiano, parte meteo zona Tirreno, 322, FONIA 1876, 26/01 2013 IQN Lampedusa Radio, italiano, parte meteo zona Torino, 333, FONIA 1888 26/01 2015 IPD Civitavecchia Radio, italiano, parte meteo, 333. FONIA 2680 26/01 2019 IDC Cagliari Radio, italiano, parte meteo, 333 FONIA 2719 26/01 2021 IZN Porto Torres Radio, italiano e inglés, 333, FONIA (José Miguel Romero, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. Rai again presents its North American listeners with the squealing transmitter: Sat Jan 28 at 1537 on 21570, much stronger than // 21550 for elsewhere which as far as I could tell did not have a squeal. This was live play-by-play of something, presumably calcio. BTW, if calcio means football, how do you say calcium in Italian? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. According to RAI's Andrea Borgnino, starting in April, RAI will begin its DRM testing phase from former MW location of Milano 2, on 693 kHz. Announced power is 20 kW. 73s (Andy Lawendel, Italy, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. IRRS A'06 --- Dear colleagues, The following is IRRS- Shortwave (ANT) tentative schedule for the period A06 (260306-291006). Please notice that our association will not participate to the HFCC coordination meetings. If you need assistance in coordination with the frequencies listed below, please contact me directly at the numbers or email below. IRRS-Shortwave (Milan, Italy) -- (ANT) : 5775 kHz 1900-2030 UT (2100-2230 CET) Mon to Thu 20 kW - target (1) 5775 kHz 1730-2200 UT (1930-0000 CET) Fri 100 kW - target (1) 5775 kHz 1900-2200 UT (2100-0000 CET) Sun 100 kW - target (1) 5775 kHz 1900-2200 UT (2100-0000 CET) Sat 20 kW - target (1) 13840 kHz 0700-1200 UT (0900-1400 CET) Sat & Sun 20 kW - target (1) 5775 kHz 0500-0600 UT (0700-0800 CET) Mon to Fri 30 kW - target (1) 13840 kHz 0600-1500 UT (0700-1700 CET) Mon to Fri 30 kW - target (1) 5775 kHz 1500-1700 UT (1700-1800 CET) Mon to Fri 30 kW - target (1) 5785 kHz 1900-2200 UT (2100-0000 CET) daily 100 kW - target (1) (1) Europe, North Africa & Middle East (ITU zones 18-19, 27-30, 37-39) Programs will be in: English on all frequencies/times IRRS-Shortwave is owned and operated by NEXUS International Broadcasting Association (NEXUS-IBA). Please check program schedules at http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules/ All programs are also available 24/24 via our streaming services at : http://mp3.nexus.org and http://www.egradio.org/ With best regards and happy coordination from Milano, Alfredo E. Cotroneo, CEO, NEXUS-Int'l Broadcasting Association PO Box 11028, 20110, Milano, Italy email: alfredo @ nexus.org ph: +39-335-214-614 (try first)/+39-02-266-6971 fax: +39-02-706-38151 (via Alokesh Gupta, dxldyg via DXLD) How is anyone supposed to coördinate effectively when you insist on keeping secret the transmitter site? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** JAPAN. NHK WORLD e-GUIDE will be discontinued: (27 Jan-06) The English edition of NHK World's e-guide mail magazine will be discontinued at the end of February due to the posting of fuller schedule details on NHK World's English website since December. We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for subscribing to this service and request your continued patronage of NHK World. (NHK World e-guide, No. 191, Jan. 27, 2006) Best regards, (via MD. AZIZUL ALAM AL-AMIN, RAJSHAHI, BANGLADESH, DXLD) ** KASHMIR. AIR Leh frequency jumps: see INDIA ** KOREA NORTH [non]. JAPAN(non) --- According to Asian Broadcasting Institute, Investigating Commission of Missing Japanese Probably Related to North Korea announced on January 26 that they will begin programs in Korean/English/Chinese in their ``Shiokaze`` broadcast (1400-1500 & 1900-1930 5890 kHz) from the end of January. The Schedules are: Monday (from January 30) 1430-1500, 1900-1930 Korean Tuesday (from January 31) 1430-1500, 1900-1930 English Wednesday (from February 1) 1430-1500, 1900-1930 Chinese Other days and hours Japanese The programs are: Mon-Sat 1400-1430 reading of the letters from bereaved families to the kidnapped persons(in Japanese only) Mon-Sat 1430-1500, 1900-1930, reading of the names and details of the kidnapped persons(in Korean/English/Chinese/Japanese) Sun 1400-1500, 1900-1930, voice messages from bereaved families to the kidnapped persons(in Japanese only) (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. EURONET AND ITS LATVIAN PARTNER SECURE SHORTWAVE BROADCASTING LICENCE --- Via SHORTWAVE in 2006; Wed 27th January 2006 RNI is pleased to announce it has been successful in its licence application for the establishment of a new commercial shortwave radio station located in Latvia. RNI will commence daily shortwave broadcasts when we have completed installation of the necessary technical equipment. Further details will be posted on the RNI website : http://www.rni.fm (via Mike Barraclough, dxldyg via DXLD) What does RNI stand for? Do we know it from any previous operation? Is this really just another time-buying customer for the 9290 transmitter, or actually a totally different, new station? (Glenn, ibid.) See also SLOVAKIA [non] The website has just been updated but I got the old one from Google's cache searching for Euronet, Laser Radio, their programmes on 9290 were quite professional and included media news and interviews; no idea what RNI stands for. They have a Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EuronetRadio/ which is where the information came from but the archives are not public. Text from front page of previous website: Thank you for taking the time to vist Euronet Radio. Euronet Radio has been experimenting with shortwave transmissions targeting the British Isles and continental Europe since 2002. Our initial shortwave broadcasts in 2002 were under the name Laser Radio.net and mainly took place on 5935 kHz from a transmitter located in Latvia. We also undertook broadcasts to North America via the transmitters of our friends at WBCQ in Monticello, Maine. After a change of European frequency to 9290 kHz we also changed the operating name for our shortwave broadcasts to Euronet Radio. During 2005 Euronet Radio submitted a detailed application for the issue of a commercial broadcasting licence which if successful will allow us to operate a regular broadcasting service on shortwave. At this stage we are unable to reveal our intended country of operation; however we anticipate being able to issue a full statement early in the New Year when we expect to learn the results of our application. Once again, Thank you for visiting Euronet Radio and we hope you will make this website a regular stop-over (via Mike Barraclough, ibid.) ** LIBYA [and non]. Sowt Al-amel superb signal here on 17660 from 1320 tune in, identification 1338, music and commentaries. Thanks to Mauno Ritola, Cumbre DX for the tip off (Mike Barraclough, UK, Jan 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales, desde Valencia (España), 17660 Al-amel, 1356-1400, escuchada en árabe, con canto del Cor`án, locutor con comentarios, SINPO 54444, a las 1400 finaliza la emisión. Pueden escuchar un audio del final del programa de la nueva emisora clandestina Al-amel emitiendo en 17660, grabada el 26 de enero entre 1356-1400 UT. Warm greetings, can listen to an audio one of the end of the program of the new clandestine transmitter Al-amel emitting in 17660, recorded the 26 of January between 1356-1400 UT. Valencia DX: http://es.geocities.com/jmromero782004/ (José Miguel Romero, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: http://es.share.geocities.com/jmromero782004/EN028.MP3 Sounds like it is getting jammed by pulsing, but atop it except during fades. Turn volume down toward end to avoid possible speaker damage. So the time originally reported for this by CRW, 1700-1900, was way off, 5 hours off, apparently; hmmm, the difference between EST and UT in the other direxion (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sowt Al-amel not audible at 1411 re-check, jamming on the frequency but weak here (Mike Barraclough, England, ibid.) Hello DXers, after checking the file of Señor José, here's the full ID of the station: "Huna Sout Al Alamal - Dar al Idhaa al Libya filmahgar" = "This is Voice of Hope - home of the Libyan Radio in exile". All the best, guys (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, Jan 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) I noted by accident how at 1136 a carrier came up on 17660. At 1200 programming in Arabic started with apparent prayers. I think this is Sawt Al-Amal, originally reported (as Sowt Al-Amel) with an airtime of 1700-1900 which is implausible for a 16 metre frequency, unless perhaps for Sackville as transmitter site. Could it be that they were on satellite 1700-1900 but are now on shortwave 1200-1400 instead? 17660 is an old Russian favourite, in earlier years around noontime used for Radio Rossii and even earlier (in 1993) for Golos Rossii (the then independent Russian worldservice) and Radio Moscow German. This to express my suspicion concerning the transmitter site. . . Have a nice day, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales, monitorizando hoy a la emisora Al-Amel por los 17660 desde las 1310 hasta 1400, emisión en árabe con segmentos de música arábica y comentarios, recibida con buena señal pero acompañada de ruido, a las 13:15 cuando comienza la emisión de Radio Waaberi vía Jülich en su emisión de los viernes se aprecia fuerte zumbido cómo de portadora, minutos después desaparece y se escucha a ésta emisora, R. Waaberi de fondo. Warm greetings, monitorizando today to the Al-amel transmitter by the 17660 from the 13:10-14:00, emission in Arab with segments of arábica music and commentaries, received with good signal but accompanied by noise, to 13:15 when the radio transmission Waaberi via Jülich in its emission of Fridays begins appreciate strong humming how of carrier, minutes later it disappears and it is listened to this one transmitter, R. Waaberi of bottom (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) That was the computer translation; nice of you to take the trouble, but I`m afraid it is quite inadequate, so for your information, here is how I would render it into idiomatic English: Hi, Monitoring Al-Amel today on 17660 from 1310 to 1400, in Arabic with segments of Arabic music and commentary, received with a good signal, but accompanied by noise; at 1315 when the R. Waaberi Friday broadcast via Jülich begins, one notes a big hum like a carrier. Minutes later it disappears and this station, R. Waaberi is heard in the background (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Hello DXers, sounds like Libya decided not to use only bubble jammers on the frequency of Sout al Amal on 17660 kHz --- but they decided as well to have a station on the same frequency with non-stop Libyan music and songs. I noticed it today 28/1/06 around 1245 UT. It's really difficult to hear Sout al Amal now. Here's my report of yesterday's transmission of that station: Sout Al Amal means Voice of Hope Full ID: ``Sout al-amal, dar al idhaat al libya fil mahjar`` --- Voice of Hope, home of the Libyan radio in exile. Frequency: 17660 kHz Time: sign on *1200 UT till 1400 *) it wasn't audible in Cairo until almost 1235 UT. SINPO 33333 - approaching 43433 in the second hour starting 1300 UT, but starting 1330 there was a heavy QRM from a station called Radio Waaberi in Somali transmitting from Jülich Germany. During that QRM the SINPO code was 42432. So it was really knocking Sout Al-Amal off. 1200 UT, A carrier went on with Several IDs (Sout al Amal - Dar al Idhaat al Libya fil mahjar) Voice of Hope, the Home of the Libyan Radio in Exile. Musical intro, followed by a recitation of the Holy Qur`an, from Sourat al Baqara (jamming started while the Qur`an was on; it was on and off for a while) 1208 UT, A religious song by Samy Yusuf about Prophet Mohammed titled ``Allahom salay ala Mohammed``. Followed by the usual several IDs. 1210 UT, OM talking about an Egyptian Sheikh "Mohammed Metwalaly al Shaarawy" and analyzing one of his speeches about how do people accept injustice, talking about the situation in Libya and the meaning of Watan - Homeland - talking as well about his grandmother and some of her proverbs, how do others ID home? and more talk about the situation in Libya. 1216 UT, OM with an ID followed by a Libyan Song 1222 UT, Several IDs by a YL and an OM followed by a poem read by an OM, then IDs again. 1225 UT, an OM talking about the battle against the Libya regime and the unification of all the opposition powers to drop the current Libyan regime. We have to fight for the future of Libya and the freedom as well, he said. (sounded like that recording was done in a conference for the Libyan opposition parties or something) 1228 UT, several IDs followed by a Libyan song, then an intro of a program with a song by the Libyan well-known Singer Hameed Alshaaeri; an OM talking about the youth in Libya and the drugs spreading among youngsters all over Libya which is affecting the youth there, and the immigration of the Libyan youth to live in other countries. 1245 UT, a YL reading a poem followed by IDs. 1250 UT, a program called Pioneer Libyan women, talking about a Libyan lady called Khadeeja Mohamed Abdalaah and her activities in the Libyan Media. 1300 UT, several IDs again and it turned out to be that, the second hour of the transmission is just a repeat of the first hour. All the best my friends, yours (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, Jan 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales, chequeando Al-amel desde las 1257 a las 1325 por la frecuencia de 17660 desde Valencia (España) se aprecia QRM de música en árabe; la señal de Al-amel es fuerte y se aprecia la música de fondo, aunque a veces la emisora está tapada por la emisión jamming. (José Miguel Romero, Burjasot (Valencia), España, Jan 28, ibid.) Difficult to hear Sout al Amal here as well due to the music jammer at 1345 on 17660 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, USA, Jan 28, ibid.) ** MALAYSIA. 7270, Wai FM (RTM), Jan 28, 0953-1010, DJ with pop songs, ToH singing Wai FM jingle (long version), pop music continues, fair (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, RX340, with T2FD antenna, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Nuevamente hoy viernes 27 de enero pude captar a Radio Insurgente en los 5999.98 kHz; la señal fué mas débil que la registrada hace una semana con un SINPO máximo de 2. La escuché desde las 2100 hasta las 2147 UT, con información, música y comentarios. Saludos, (Julián Santiago Díez de Bonilla, 2154 UT Fri Jan 27, condig list via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. See ZIMBABWE [and non] ** NETHERLANDS ANTILLES. RN 6165 transmitter out of adjustment again, Jan 28 at 0618 as I tried to hear XEPPM 6185 --- RN splattering Dutch up to 6200, and down to 6150 --- probably further if not combated by stronger signals on the low side (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI's revised B05 schedule reads as follows as per http://www.rnzi.com --- UTC kHz Area azimuth 0400-0759 15720 Pacific (+Eur & Midwest USA) 0º 0800-1059 9885 ditto (+Midwest USA) 0º 1100-1259 13840 NW Pacif., Bouganville, PNG, Timor, Asia 325º 1300-1750 9870 NE Pacif., Fiji, Samoa, Cook Is. 35º 1751-1850 11980 Pacific 0º 1851-2235 15720 ditto 0º 2236-0359 17675 ditto 0º So the new frequency replacing 15530 until days ago is 13840, but it's almost entirely blocked by a DRM (?) signal, speaking of which, I wonder what happens when one has a DRM compatible rx and gets two immediately adjacent DRM signals: a complete mess for both? And what does a normal DSB or AM signal do to a DRM signal? Again, it would be a lot nicer, if the playground for these DRM fantasies could be kept well away from the bands. While the supporters of DRM seem to praise its capacities - and one does gain, if the end result is better in every way, including power saving! -, they don't seem to care about or dare to comment on the harm such mode is causing to adjacent frequencies (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Jan 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. Hi Glenn, Voice of Nigeria, being received very nicely here in Norton, on 15120 (1/27) This is the best modulation I have heard from VON in quite some time. All the Best (Christopher Lewis, England, 1736 UT Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. LAUREL: to the clean air breakthrough that resulted from OKC`s WKY Radio eliminating its scurrilous talk format in favor of a Spanish format (Frosty Troy, Observerscope, Oklahoma Observer Jan 25 via DXLD) Spanish does not necessarily mean non-scurrilous talk, but in this case it`s music (gh, DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Re 6-017: The 5027v transmitter (reported as having drifted as high as 5033) is currently around 5024. I can't give a more accurate frequency as I am using a Sony 7600 (which just has an analogue fine-tuning knob to tune between the 5 kHz steps), but it is certainly below 5025. Heard here both morning and evening. (Chris (in Islamabad) Greenway, Jan 26, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now at 1445 it is on 5022.8 kHz variable. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, ibid.) January 27, 1520 UT, I heard R Pakistan on 5023.65 kHz. Most probably Quetta drifting from v5027 kHz. Same Urdu programme noted also on 4790 kHz by Azad Kashmir Radio. 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4385.75, Radio Imperio, Chiclayo, Jan 26 0345. Broadcast of a recording of a religious meeting with monotonous speaker, low audio with echo. Clear "La Voz de Salvacion" ID at 0359 and then back to the religious program. Nice signal. (Jordan-TN) SWAZILAND. 4774.97, TWR, Manzini, Jan 26 0418. Religious program in German, English ID with web site at 0429 then into Insight For Living program. Fair. (Jordan-TN) 73, (Brandon Jordan, Memphis, TN, http://www.bcdx.org DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 3235, Radio Luz y Sonido, Huanuco, 25/01, 0954- MA in Spanish and vernacular with greetings to listeners, Andean music. Only ID heard, station´s name by announcer. 4385, Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 17/01, 1002- Prerecorded religious program "Voz de Salvación", from Iglesia Pentecostal "La Cosecha" with pastor Francisco Córdova Rodríguez. No ID heard today, but other days announcing: "Radio Visión 1350 de la onda modulada", "La nueva Radio Visión". 6120, Radio Unión, Lima, 26/01, 1001- TC + jingle: "Radio Unión 5 de la mañana... Unión la más potente del país". MA in Spanish and vernacular with comment on agricultural issues in program "Tierra fecunda", Greetings to listeners (Fernando Viloria - Guacara, Carabobo State - Venezuela, Rx: Icom 720 Transceiver, Antenna: 30 mts sloper, Antenna Coupler: MFJ - 956, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Was it on exactly 6120? Nominal is 6115 and it is usually varying around 6117 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6120 was the frequency I noted on that day and several weeks before too; I have to check my records to give you the exact date (Fernando Viloria, ibid.) ** RWANDA. R. Rwanda, 6055, 2045-2101* Jan 21, presumed, with local hi-life music, French talk. 2101 time pips and off; fair (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SINGAPORE [non]. I can`t say I`m dying to hear it, especially since AWR does not care whether I, as a North American, can hear Wavescan, but still, it would be nice if someone in South Asia, for example, who gets good reception of it on SW, could put up an audio file each week on some website or in some newsgroup, so anyone in the world may hear it well. Can someone start doing this, especially since it appears AWR itself is not going to make it available on the web? Via Guam, I got fair reception the second Sunday in January, poor the third, and none the fourth. Listening to my barely intelligible tape of the Jan 15 edition, it`s back: uncertainty and contradixion over how to pronounce Padula: one announcer says PAD-you-luh, the next one a few seconds later says Puh- DOO-luh (Glenn Hauser, OK, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also GUAM ** SLOVAKIA. Noticia extraida de la web de RSI: http://www.slovakradio.sk/rsi/ Tercera ronda de selección del nuevo director general de Radio Eslovaquia (SRo) El día de ayer, el Consejo Radial no cerró definitivamente el número de candidatos que pasarán a la tercera ronda de selección del nuevo director general de Radio Eslovaquia (SRo). Dos de los 16 candidatos fueron eliminados. El problema surgió con el antiguo director de SRo, Jaroslav Rezník, quien – en opinión de algunos miembros del consejo – no puede aspirar a esta función nuevamente tras haber ocupado este cargo en dos ocasiones. Lo mismo lo sostienen dos opiniones jurídicas que, sin embargo, son puestas a duda por el Ministerio de Cultura y por algunos de los miembros del consejo. Tras someter a votación la participación de los 14 candidatos que cumplen todos los requisitos, el consejo no llegó a ningún acuerdo en cuanto a Rezník. Ninguna de las partes alcanzó el número de votos necesario. ``El Consejo Radial decidió interrumpir la sesión y se reunirá nuevamente el 1 de febrero a las 12:00 del día para tratar el mismo tema.`` (via José Miguel Romero, Jan 26, dxldyg via DXLD) Specific page URLs are hidden at the RSI site. This story is in the Noticias section of the Spanish page. There is nothing equivalent in English. Why does RSI think English-speakers don`t care about news regarding the station itself? (gh, DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA [non]. LATVIA --- Due to lack of funds at Radio Tatras International, the RTI relays via Kuldiga 1350 (provided by Krebs TV) will end on 1 February (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, mwdx yg via DXLD) RTI streicht Mittelwelle Der slowakisch-britische Privatsender Radio Tatras International wird seine Sendungen auf der lettischen Mittelwellenfrequenz 1350 kHz zum Monatsende einstellen. Auch die geplante Satellitenabstrahlung wurde bislang nicht realisiert. Copyright (c) 2006 by Satelli-LINE Infodienste GmbH, http://www.satnews.de (via Herbert Meixner, ADX via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) I was just told that the SatelliLine report about Radio Tatras International abandoning 1350 kHz by the end of this month is not true. It is impossible to judge the quoted item further, since SatelliLine always leave their sources in the dark, frequently producing rude plagiarisms (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Jan 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOUTH CAROLINA [non]. Dear Christopher, Here is Brother Stair's schedule via IRRS-Shortwave/European Gospel radio: Low power, Mon-Fri only: from 0600-0655 UT on 5775 kHz from 0700-1555 UT on 13840 kHz from 1600-1700 UT on 5775 kHz 100 kW to EU & ME, daily: from 2000-2300 UT on 5785 kHz For more information on our complete schedules and European Gospel radio please check: http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules http://www.egradio.org Best regards, (Alfredo Cotroneo, IRRS, Jan 26 via Christopher Lewis, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Sabbath Jan 28 I checked out Brother Scare, and indeed he is still on WWRB 11915, confirmed at 1544 UT, // 9385. Fortunately the skip was a bit long and the 25m signal was not up to full strength, unlike 32m, which was splattering as high as 9410. Strange that the WWRB version was running about 3 seconds behind ``Jew-lick`` on 13810. Now, why would it take BS that much longer to get from SC to TN than to Germany? I also hear 11915 some weekday afternoons with other gospel huxters (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Utility logs in kHz and UT, all USB: 1755, 26/01 2057 EAO Palma de Mallorca Radio, parte meteo zona Cerdeña y Corcega, "Parte meteorológico, aviso a los navegantes", 433, FONIA 1767, 26/01 2003 EAO Cabo de Gata Radio, "Parte para los navegantes", relación de bollas, en español e inglés, 322. FONIA (José Miguel Romero, Spain, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [and non]. China & Sudan. Between 15 and 1530 hours were heard on 4750 kHz two station sharing the frequency alternatively – from China – Radio Qinghai and from Sudan – Radio Peace. The QSL address for Qinghai Radio is: 81 Xiguan Dajie, Xining, Qinghai 810 008, People`s Republic of China (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Jan 27 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) What do you mean, alternatively? Are they not actually both on at the same time and colliding? Or does one fade down as the other fades up? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. R. Nile, 12060, via Madagascar, *0359-0455* Jan 22, sign-on with local music, English IDs and sked. English news segments alternating with music segments. 0405 Xmas tune by local group. 0410 ``Power of Christ`` religious program with mix of English and vernacular talk. 0420 local music. 0423 another religious program with vernacular and English talk. Sign-off with ``Radio Nile`` jingles and short drum segment. Poor-fair; no sign of // 15320 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TASMANIA [non]. See AUSTRALIA ** TURKEY. Listened to Live from Turkey, Thu Jan 26 at 1350-1421 on VOT, 15155, better than // 11735. Never got a single call. M&W hosts filled with some music, talked about the problem of integrating Turkish immigrants in Germany, plugged their other live broadcast, Tue at 1930 [actually 1950] on 6055; etc. (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA [non]. Checking for the recently-reëxpanded R. Rhino International Africa broadcast to 5 days a week, Thu Jan 26 at 1520, could hear nothing on 17870 via Germany, but some DRM from 17880 Sackville. However, conditions were subnormal (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Solar-terrestrial indices for 25 January follow. Solar flux 89 and mid-latitude A-index 7. The mid-latitude K-index at 1500 UTC on 26 January was 3 (38 nT). No space weather storms were observed for the past 24 hours (SEC via DXLD) ** U K. RE: 6-017, BBC Radio 4 at 0530: fmm18332's only post on Usenet; expect he just keeps switching accounts to post his prejudices online. Anyway he made me search for Zephaniah as I support anyone who refuses royal handouts; the full story is here: http://www.benjaminzephaniah.com/media.html The Guardian story linked to has the poem Bought and Sold from the 2001 Too Black, Too Strong (Mike Barraclough, England, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [non]. The complete (recorded) works of Sir Edward Elgar are being presented as the last `Orgy` of January on WHRB, Harvard University, with stereo mp3 webcast, Friday-Tuesday Jan 27-31 (skipping Saturday, and not continuously) totalling 58 hours. See listings at http://www.whrb.org/pg/JanFeb2006.pdf Sir Edward Elgar, Bart., O.M., K.C.V.O. (1857-1934) is often dismissed as a jingoistic, Blimpish apologist for empire on the strength of his Pomp and Circumstance marches. Astoundingly the music of this greatest of English composers, excepting perhaps the Enigma Variations and sublime Cello Concerto, is rarely performed in this country. Yet it is the noble and seductive work of genius, blending red-blooded passion and subtle grace. WHRB redresses this balance by presenting the entire output of the violinist from Worcestershire who never forgot his humble roots and the fact that his wife was of a higher social status than he, even when he was showered with honours; the concert-goer who, in Bernard Shaw’s anecdote, would grip the arm of his companion so fiercely that you would come out bruised and who once confronted the playwright at a dinner party, spitting out that “Music is written on the skies, and you compare that to a damn’d imitation!”; the apparently outgoing composer who enshrined his deep personal secrets in his scores, frequently naming his themes for friends and lovers, but who, crushed by Lady Elgar’s death, wrote little for the final decade of his life. This Orgy does not restrict itself to British interpreters of Elgar’s work, but presents some of the finest international modern performers, together with fine historical recordings which chill the spine like none other, most importantly, at the end of the Orgy, those helmed by Elgar himself. Dedicated Elgar-lovers will seize this opportunity. To others we quote, as did Elgar at the top of his Second Symphony, this line of Shelley: “Rarely, rarely, com’st thou, Spirit of Delight!” It came to him often, and we hope it will come to you too (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. ALHURRA AND RADIO SAWA REACHING 71 PERCENT OF IRAQIS SPRINGFIELD, Va., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Alhurra TV and Radio Sawa together reach an unduplicated weekly audience of 71 percent of Iraqi adults 15 and older according to an independent survey released today. The survey was conducted nationwide in Iraq during November and December 2005. Radio Sawa alone reached 51 percent of Iraqi adults making it the most listened to radio station in Iraq. Alhurra alone reached 42 percent of Iraqi adults weekly, ranking fifth among the more than 200 satellite and terrestrial TV stations that can be viewed in Iraq. The only four stations with larger weekly TV audiences than Alhurra were Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya, Al-Iraqiya (each with 71 percent weekly reach) and Al- Sharqiya (67 percent weekly reach). The majority of viewers of Alhurra TV and listeners to Radio Sawa considered their news to be reliable. Seventy-three percent of Alhurra's weekly viewers said the news on the channel was reliable and 63 percent of Radio Sawa's weekly listeners said that station's news was reliable. Radio Sawa was also cited as their # 1 source of radio news by 32 percent of respondents in the survey followed by the BBC Arabic Service (13 percent) and Radio Monte Carlo (nine percent.) The audience figures reported today confirmed similar findings in earlier studies done in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. This survey along with other surveys in eleven other countries in the Middle East by research companies such as ACNielsen and Ipsos show that together Alhurra and Radio Sawa have an unduplicated weekly reach of more than 35 million adults. The results are based on over 2,000 face-to-face interviews with randomly selected respondents using internationally accepted standard sampling methods. The margin of error is approximately two percent. This survey was conducted in cooperation with D3 Systems of Vienna, Va., by KA Research Limited, a regional research company operating throughout the Middle East and North Africa, with offices in Iraq, Turkey and Belgium. Alhurra TV is broadcast on the Nilesat and Arabsat satellites, the same satellites used by the major regional Arabic channels. It is also available in Baghdad on Channel 12 and in Basra on Channel 3. Alhurra was launched in February 2004, as an Arabic-language alternative source of news and information. Unlike the all-news networks Al- Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, Alhurra carries a wide range of current affairs programs (covering Iraqi and international news) as well as documentaries and other informational programming on a wide variety of subjects, including health and personal fitness, entertainment news, sports, fashion and science and technology. Alhurra maintains a large news bureau in Baghdad which is both the coordination point for its nationwide network of correspondents and the origination point for interviews and roundtables on issues facing Iraq today. Information about MBN Alhurra is operated by the non-profit corporation "The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc." (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency. The BBG serves oversight and as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters. For more information on Alhurra go to http://www.alhurra.com MBN also operates Radio Sawa which seeks to effectively communicate with the youthful population of Arabic-speakers in the Middle East by providing up-to-date news, information and a mix of Western and Arabic popular music on its 24/7 FM and medium wave radio stations throughout the region. Its secondary target audience is news-seekers of all ages. Radio Sawa is committed to broadcasting accurate, timely and relevant news about the Middle East, the world and the United States, to the highest standards of journalism, as well as the free marketplace of ideas, respect for the intelligence and culture of its audience, and a style that is upbeat, modern and forward-looking. Radio Sawa broadcasts on FM in Iraq in the cities of Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, Nasiriya, Sulimaniya and Erbil. The station can also be heard throughout the country on medium wave (AM). Radio Sawa also broadcasts on FM in Morocco (Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, Meknes, Marrakesh, Agadir and Fes), Jordan (Amman and Ajlun), Palestinian territories (Ramallah), Kuwait (Kuwait City), Bahrain (Manama), Qatar (Doha), U.A.E. (Abu Dhabi and Dubai), and Djibouti. Radio Sawa broadcasts on medium wave (AM) to Egypt, Yemen and Sudan. Radio Sawa streams its programming at its all-news Web site http://www.radiosawa.com Source: The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. CONTACT: Deirdre Kline, Director of Communications of Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc., +1-703-852-9250, or dkline @ alhurra.com Web site: http://www.alhurra.com/ http://www.radiosawa.com/ (via Dave White, DXLD) ** U S A. More of Rod Hembree! Just what we need! On WBCQ 9330-CLSB, had been scheduled weekdays from 1700 the Good Friends Radio Network, but on Thu Jan 26, he was already going at 1517, VG signal, and indeed on CLSB, much earlier than this frequency had been on the air before. This sideband choice is not enough to avoid interfering with P`yongyang on 9335, which will now be harder to hear during its English broadcast which, of course, would be preferable to the manic would-be messiah. After 1530 it was the Radio Weather segment, which he claimed was on WBCQ and WWCR, despite the fact that the name Hembree appears nowhere on the current WWCR program schedule! Gotcha playing outdated tapes again! According to our DX PROGRAMS listing, he is on WHR at a number of times, tho we have also run across him on WINB (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. KJES sounds back to ``normal``, both in strength and modulation, if not sanity, Sat Jan 28 at 1546 on 11715, girl leading responsive outcries in English (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. The station WWL, previously broadcasting from New Orleans, now is being relayed by WHR with programs containing news from URBONO (United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans). The QSL address is: P. O. Box 3777, Memphis, Tennessee, 38173-0777, USA (Rumen Pankov, R. Bulgaria DX Jan 27 via John Norfolk, dxldyg via DXLD) Where have you been, Rumen? This ended in October, as documented on an almost daily basis in DXLD. He obviously picked up the more recent news about QSLs available for this defunct SW service. And WWL still broadcasts from New Orleans (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 6501-USB, NMN Portsmouth VA (presumed); 2321-2330+, 21-Jan; Stephen Hawking voice, North Atlantic marine weather; millibars pronounced "milli-burrs"--that's those little prickly things that stick all over your pants dragging wire thru the woods at a DXpedition (Harold Frodge, MI, MARE Tipsheeet via DXLD) That`s a lot better than ``megabytes`` as WLO pronounces millibars! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. DART: to Clear Channel Communications, which not only has a 1,100 [+] radio station monopoly but has bought up most billboards. They recently refused to rent a billboard urging Wal-mart to treat its employees better (Frosty Troy, Observerscope, Oklahoma Observer Jan 25 via DXLD) ** U S A. Re: Canada Tech Data/FCC Database --- see CANADA [and non] ** U S A [non]. Classic country on 780 --- it is pronounced "Kicks" and it is spelled KIXX. All their promotional stuff show it as KIXX. It is so bad that in the Map of Nova Scotia, where the list the Halifax stations, it is listed as 780 KIXX, along with 920 CJCH etc. [780 = CFDR Dartmouth NS] As I recall, one of the many Newcap stations in Newfoundland goes by KIXX pronounced Kicks as well, although it has real call letters that are revealed on rare occasion. Confusing for the DXer and very confusing for Joe and Jane Public, the local listener. And then, in Frederiction NB there is KHJ which is really CKHJ but goes by KHJ. When they were FM, before they flipped calls to be on AM, they were 93 KHJ [e.g. 93.1 CKHJ]. Cute! So thus, if you hear some K callsign, it just might be a Canadian station playing silly. When I'm made Chair of the CRTC [LOL - better be nice to the Harper Valley PTA GROAN] I'll fix this sillinesss... (Phil Rafuse, PEI, ABDX via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC gets "tough" on one of the Boston X-band pirates --- Of course, there's the little matter of getting Mr. Simon to actually PAY now that he's been ordered to do so --- but still, it's evidence that the FCC's not ignoring the situation completely. One down, 300 to go, right, Bruce Conti? :-) s (Scott Fybush, IRCA via DXLD) Viz.: Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 144 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D. C. 20554 In the Matter of Sylvane Simon, Mattapan, MA ) ) ) ) ) ) ) File Number EB- 04- BS- 067 NAL/ Acct. No. 200532260002 FRN 0013802681 FORFEITURE ORDER Adopted: January 24, 2006 Released: January 26, 2006 By the Regional Director, Northeast Region, Enforcement Bureau: 1. In this Forfeiture Order (? Order?), we issue a monetary forfeiture in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($ 10,000) to Sylvane Simon (? Simon?) for willful and repeated violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (? Act?). 1 Specifically, we find Mr. Simon apparently liable for operating radio transmission equipment without a license on 1640 KHz in Mattapan, MA. 2. On July 26, 2005, the Commission`s Boston Field Office (? Boston Office?) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (? NAL?) in the amount of $10,000 to Simon. Simon has not filed a response to the NAL. Based on the information before us, we affirm the forfeiture. 3. ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503( b) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (? Act?), and Sections 0.111, 0.311 and 1.80( f)( 4) of the Commission`s Rules, Sylvane Simon IS LIABLE FOR A MONETARY FORFEITURE in the amount of $10,000 for willfully and repeatedly violating Section 301 of the Act. 4. Payment of the forfeiture shall be made in the manner provided for in Section 1. 80 of the Rules within thirty (30) days of the release of this Order. If the forfeiture is not paid within the period specified, the case may be referred to the Department of Justice for collection pursuant to Section 504( a) of the Act. Payment of the forfeiture must be made by check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission. The payment must include the NAL/ Acct. No. and FRN No. referenced above. Payment by check or money order may be mailed to Federal Communications Commission, P. O. Box 358340, Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8340. Payment by overnight mail may be sent to Federal Communications Commission DA 06- 144 2 Mellon Bank /LB 358340, 500 Ross Street, Room 1540670, Pittsburgh, PA 15251. Payment by wire transfer may be made to ABA Number 043000261, receiving bank Mellon Bank, and account number 911- 6106. Requests for full payment under an installment plan should be sent to: Associate Managing Director, Financial Operations, 1A625, 445 12th Street, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20554. 5. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order shall be sent by First Class Mail and Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested to Sylvane Simon at his address of record. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION, Russell Monie, Jr. Regional Director, Northeast Region Enforcement Bureau (via Scott Fybush, IRCA via DXLD; cleaned up and footnotes removed by gh) ** U S A. Vermont Public Radio now has two programming streams, the main network on WVPS (107.9) and five other FMs around the state, and more recently the VPR Classical Network, with flagship WNCH 88.1 Norwich VT. VPR is working (with my help as a consultant) to expand the Classical Network service statewide, and it's a reasonable assumption that one of the Middlebury translators will have the Classical Network service as soon as there's a primary signal in the Burlington area that it can relay. (I've probably said more than I should have already, as far as that goes.) The 107.9 signal actually does have some problems, borne out by numerous listener (or would-be listener) complaints around Middlebury. There's some terrain shadowing along the US 7 corridor all the way from Middlebury almost to South Burlington that's been problematic for 107.9 for years. If they could get their antenna even another 100 feet up off the top of Mount Mansfield, it would be a different story, but that's politically impossible. I was up in the region last summer and was trying to listen to WVPS while driving from the Ticonderoga ferry landing up 7 to Burlington, and it was nearly impossible for parts of the trip. Translator fills like this are far from a perfect solution, and they may not turn out to be the final answer in this case. In the meantime, though, it is indeed what VPR feels it has to do to gain an audience...and at least this way the translators are relaying a programming service that originates in Vermont, not in Sacramento or Twin Falls. s (Scott Fybush, NY, Jan 27, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. QSL Mailing addresses for KDZR & KKPZ DX Tests For those who wish to use snail mail to send reception reports for the upcoming KDZR and KKPZ Portland, OR DX Tests, the addresses below are correct: KDZR Radio Disney 3030 SW Moody St., Suite 210 Portland, OR 97201 KKPZ Radio Attn Program Manager 4700 SW Macadam Suite 102 Portland, OR 97239 For e-mail reports of both tests, please send those to: jdwhite @ teleport.com 73, (Les Rayburn, N1LF, NRC/IRCA Broadcast Test Coordinator, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) It was unclear whether these are on Sunday morning or Monday morning, but the latter seems to be the case: Jan 30 (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U S A. COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN ON MSNBC News with an attitude --- and not a rightwingnut, tho I wouldn`t characterize him as leftwing either. This has become a must-see for us every weeknight. If you haven`t tried it, do so. It`s entertaining and informative, and the ONLY cable/network newscast in prime-time, according to TV Guide colorcoding, UT Tue-Sat at 0100-0200, repeated at 0500-0600. You`d hardly realize Keith`s paycheck comes from GE; several layers down, no doubt. He also does a blog, apparently more so when he is on vacation break (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. January 27, 2006 -- Word is that the name of the new network created by the merger of the WB and UPN --- the CW --- does not have long to live. Execs at the new net say there may be a change, despite the insistence of CBS boss Les Moonves that they'd stick with the clumsy name. Already, jokes are flying about "the WC" (short for water closet) and that CW stood for "Could Work" network. The name was created by combining the C from CBS, parent company of the old UPN, and the W from the WB. The new network does not premiere until September so there is time to make a change sometime over the summer, insiders said. Post staff writer (NY Post via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Radio Amazonas Internacional has been heard lately on several frequencies: On 07/01 at 1054 on 4920 with jingle and TC: "Radio Amazonas lo dice todo primero, 6-54 minutos", On 09/01 at 1032 and 17/01 at 1029 in 4892 kHz, with program "La Voz del Pueblo". (Fernando Viloria - Guacara, Carabobo State - Venezuela, Rx: Icom 720 Transceiver, Antenna: 30 mts sloper, Antenna Coupler: MFJ - 956, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Since no country was specified, and this was included with others from Peru, at first I thought this was another Peruvian log, but I assume he is talking about R. Amazonas, Puerto Ayacucho, Venezuela, nominal 4940, right? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. Radio the Voice of Vietnam, German program launched from 1st Jan. 2006, the schedule follows: 1530-1600 UT 7280, 9730 kHz 2130-2200 UT 7280, 9730 kHz Can you hear Radiosender "Voice of Vietnam" in Europe? Therefore, the time schedule for Japanese program , 2130-2200 UT shifted to, from 1st Jan., 2200-2230 UT. Source: 1) Announcement about schedule change in Japanese program. 2) Deutsche Botschaft Hanoi (Hukunaga Mituhiro, Kyushu, Japan, president of JVUDXC, Japan V/UHF DXers Circle, Jan 27, dxing.info via DXLD) Yes, German is a new language for VOV; see also FRANCE (gh) ** ZAMBIA. Good conditions from Africa tonight, 0400 UT Jan. 28 on 4910 with lots of vernacular songs and audible but un-IDed language. No sign this time of regular adjacent Ghana Broadcasting Corp. on 4915, which I guess was off the air as conditions were behaving so good this time (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Jan 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ghana is not scheduled to open on 4915 until 0525; it`s two timezones further west than Zambia (gh, DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. Re 6-017: Why would you say that 6612 is the fundamental? If I recall correctly their fundamental and original frequency is 3306, not 3316 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, swl at qth.net via DXLD) Steve, there was nothing at all on 3306 and yes 3316 was a typo. The 6612 signal on the dxtuners site was well and truly over 9 in Jo'burg (Robin, VK7RH, Norwood, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA, ibid.) ** ZIMBABWE [and non] DUTCH URGED TO ACT ON JAMMING OF R. NETHERLANDS JOHANNESBURG, 26 January (IRIN) - The Dutch government has been urged to take action on the alleged jamming by the Zimbabwe authorities of Radio Netherlands broadcasts to the country. Thijs Berman, a Dutch member of the European parliament, told IRIN that the Zimbabwean government was using jamming equipment to block Voice of the People (VOP) programmes produced in Zimbabwe and broadcast into the country by Radio Netherlands via its relay station in Madagascar. "This is a clear violation of freedom of the press and we have urged the Dutch government to file an official complaint via the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). They have not yet responded and we are disappointed by the lack of action," Berman remarked. Jan Willem Drexhage, head of programme distribution at Radio Netherlands, said the organisation's options were "very limited - we find ourselves in a difficult position and have asked the Madagascar administration to file a complaint and take up the issue with the Zimbabwe government". The Zimbabwean government switched on its Chinese-supplied shortwave jamming equipment to block VOP reception of programming in July 2005, Andy Sennitt, of Radio Netherlands told IRIN. In March last year the BBC monitoring service reported that SW Radio Africa, an independent anti-government station broadcasting from Britain, had also been jammed by Zimbabwean authorities. Zimbabwe's National Security Minister, Dydimus Mutasa, denied the allegations, saying Zimbabwe did not block broadcasting, and "it must be their imagination. If it does happen, it is because the broadcasting is hostile." VOP has been unable to resume operations since police confiscated its equipment and files, and arrested director John Masuku in a December 2005 raid. This week the six-member board of VOP were detained and charged with broadcasting without a license. In December 2005 the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ben Bot, responded to questions in parliament on the willingness of the Dutch government to take action against Zimbabwe's alleged harassment of VOP by saying, "If the situation warrants any action, the Netherlands will ensure that the necessary steps are taken through the European Union." Berman noted that the ITU could not impose sanctions on Zimbabwe, and that a complaint filed by the Dutch "would only be symbolic", and "a way to show the Zimbabwe government that people from outside are watching". 26 Jan 2006 18:28:37 GMT, Source: IRIN http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/1cbc8876d1983230810700cec22f6d88.htm (Reuters Foundation, Alert.net via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 1750 kHz, 1/25 - 0010 to 0019 EST off. Possible follow- up to the station noted 1/20 - 0412 EST with mentions of various highways. This time, noted with talk by a man, and occasional instrumental music. This time, I checked for a // on local stations (910, 1120 off, 1240, 1290, and non-local WHKT-1650), but nothing. Continued poor signal and definite fading. 1/25 - 1650 EST. A carrier is there, but too weak to make out any audio. Will keep checking (Mike Hardester, Jacksonville, NC. (34.47 N ? 77.23 W +/- a couple of nanoseconds) ICOM R-70 - 2 x 75 foot (23 meter) random wires Orientation: E/W and N/S Quantum Phaser and Patience, DX LISTENING DIGEST) For some reason his previous log of this was changed to 1680 kHz in IRCA Soft DX Monitor, but 1750 was correct, as Mike reconfirms for us (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. I heard NPR broadcasting on 4156 kHz, at 1205 UT, SSB. New AFRTS frequency? Does anybody know the location of this transmitter? Thanks (Marcelo Toníolo, Auckland, New Zealand, Jan 27, dxing.info via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 7235. 1/27/06, 1351­1400 (see below), SINPO 14332, in an Asian language. Disco type music, Female announcer, atmospheric rock music, same announcer, 1359 musical bridge to male announcer 1359:30 tone, then ``This is the Voice of America now signing on`` for a program in Korean which swamped the unID signal. No chance for a ToH ID. There was nothing in the talk leading up to the ToH that I could identify locations of names. (Not that my ear for Malay or Indonesian is that good ....) Might this have been Singapore? Different sources show Radio Singapore International in Indonesian until 1400, then Radio Warna in Malay starting at 1400 (EiBi, Passport), ILG shows Radio Warna 1200 ­ 1600. WRTH 2006 isn't in my reference library yet. I've checked 4 local bookstores, and they all show the WRTH 2006 in stock, but none have it on the shelves! One could hope that is a good sign for DX'ing if they are selling (Mark Taylor, Madison, WI, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) You could get WRTH 2006 swiftly and probably cheaper by mailorder from Grove Enterprises or Universal Radio (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) The WRTH 2006 shows Radio Singapore International using 7235 in Malay 0900-1200 and Bahasa Indonesia 1200-1400 and parallel 6120. At 2300- 0900 and 1200-1600 7235 is shown (in the home service section of WRTH) as being in Malay and broadcasting Ria 89.7FM or Warna 94.2FM. At these times the beam is 320 degrees towards Malaysia. There's obviously a conflict of timings of sign-off of RSI and sign-on of the domestic service at 1200/1400. The DSWCI Domestic Broadcasting Survey also shows Radio Warna starting at 1400, as EiBi. To add to any confusion, the VOA sched for Korean lists 7235 at 1300- 1400 and 1400-1500 and in the HFCC as for USA IBB IBB: 7235 1300 1400 44 TIN 250 329 24 226 1234567 301005 250306 D 8500 7235 1400 1500 44 TIN 500 321 8 216 1234567 301005 250306 D 8500 I haven't tried Singapore recently here but it used to be a good signal on 7235 in mid to later afternoon. 73, (Noel R. Green, England, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Once again splatter from 9990 sounding like Arab, to WWCR #3 [9985] while listening to Rock The Universe this Saturday morning between 1300-1330. I suppose this happens all week long, but I have no chance to hear it because I'm reading news at that time for Eco News http://www.radioeco.com (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, Jan 28, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Cairo uses 9990 much later in the day (gh, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ BANDERINES --- BRANDON JORDAN`S PENNANT GALLERY http://www.banderines.org/index.php (via gh, DXLD) Nice collexion & growing as scanning progresses (gh) DIGITAL BROADCASTING ++++++++++++++++++++ EBU EVALUATES DRM The editorial in the latest EBU technical review is entitled spectrum efficiency and is an interesting read, it says in paragraph 8: "So where does this leave the concept of spectrum efficiency? First, we must acknowledge that measuring spectrum efficiency in bit/s/Hz is inadequate and inappropriate. Secondly, we need to extend the definition of spectrum efficiency to take account of other factors, such as transmitter powers, the overall cost of networks and, crucially, the potential for interference to (or from) other services." and goes on to discuss the effect of interference on digital systems from licenced and unlicenced sources and includes this quote on DRM: "One regulator personally told me that the objective of extending the use of broadband access to the Internet was politically far more important than the need to protect old-fashioned AM radio services (especially in the HF bands) – but he was surprised to learn that Digital Radio Mondiale has spent a huge amount of time and money developing a new digital radio system to operate in these bands." The EBU Technical Review editorial is at: http://www.ebu.ch/en/technical/trev/trev_305-editorial.html (Mike Barraclough, DXLD) See also NEW ZEALAND SYNCHONISED DRM TRIAL DURING MORNING HOURS IN EUROPE In order to improve reception during the moring hours, RTL is currently transmitting in SFN mode from 0800 to 0950 UT (0927 at the weekend). This involves transmitters at BCE in Junglinster (Luxembourg) and Deutsche Welle in Sines (Portugal). Synchronisation has been adjusted to cover France in an optimal way. The SFN tests are scheduled to run for a few weeks. The frequency is 5990 kHz. Addendum: Apparently these tests will be Mon-Fri only "for organisational reasons." (Source: DRM Software Radio Forum) Read the Forum thread http://www.drmrx.org/forum/showthread.php?s=50d6f1ba6722af2b62e213327cac6328&postid=24453#post24453 # posted by Andy @ 16:00 UT Jan 28 (Media Network blog via DXLD) If you're interested in results, read the forum thread at http://tinyurl.com/arflz (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) So doesn`t QRM itself? DRM IS ON THE AGENDA IN LAS VEGAS http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=8446 Digital Radio Mondiale front-liners will present how-to seminars for those thinking about DRM implementation; the presentation is called "DRM: The Basics in 90 Minutes." DRM members Continental and Harris will both host the seminars at their respective booths (From Radio World Online 01-27-2006 via John Figliozzi, Swprograms mailing list via DXLD) The other two presentations on DRM Progress in Developing a Capability in the Broadcasting Bands above 25 MHz and Digital Shortwave Reliability Analyzed with Deutsche Welle's DRM Monitoring seem more interesting; hopefully they will be posted online (Mike Barraclough, DXLD) Viz.: TUNIS, PARIS, AND LAS VEGAS! DRM IS ON THE MOVE IN EARLY 2006 Broadcasters will have several opportunities to experience the clarity of DRM for themselves in early 2006. DRM consumer product exhibits and live broadcasts will be featured at Le Radio! in Paris in February, and at the NAB Convention in Las Vegas in April. DRM member ASBU (Arab States Broadcasting Union) will host the consortium`s quarterly board meetings in Tunis, Tunisia on January 30- February 2. DRM at Le Radio!, Paris French, European and international broadcasters will showcase live DRM broadcasts at Le Radio!, France’s largest radio show. The event will take place at the Paris Expo, February 12-15. DRM broadcasts at Le Radio! will come from DRM members RTL Group, Europe 1, Radio France, RFI and TDF, as well as RNT, Littoral AM, Radio Télérama, MCR, CIEL AM, Superloustic, Radio de la Mer and Radio Orient. Live broadcasts will be demonstrated at the DRM stand on multi- standard, DRM-capable consumer radios by Roberts, courtesy of DRM member RadioScape. DRM participates in Le Radio! with the national DRM coalition, DRM France http://www.drmfrance.com DRM France brings together French broadcasters, network operators, retailers and manufacturers involved in DRM implementation. DRM: The Basics in 90 Minutes at NAB, Las Vegas For the first time at NAB, a panel of DRM front-liners will present how-to seminars for broadcasters (and anyone who is thinking about DRM implementation) called DRM: The Basics in 90 Minutes. The seminars will be hosted by DRM members Continental Electronics Corporation and Harris Corporation’s Broadcast Communications Division, and will take place at their NAB exhibit booths. DRM seminars will be held on April 24, 25 and 26. There is no charge to participate, but registration is essential. To book your place, email the DRM Project Office at projectoffice @ drm.org DRM will also be on the agenda at the 60th Annual NAB Broadcast Engineering Conference. Two DRM presentations will be made in the Digital Radio Worldwide session from 10:30 to noon on April 24. The first relates to the use of DRM at higher frequencies, for local and regional broadcasting. This could be of particular interest in regions where FM spectrum is at a premium. DRM Technical Committee Chairman H. Donald Messer, Dr. Eng., will present ”DRM Progress in Developing a Capability in the Broadcasting Bands above 25 MHz”. The second describes some pioneering work on monitoring the performance of digital radio delivered on HF over wide geographical areas. Andy Giefer of DRM member Deutsche Welle will present ``Digital Shortwave Reliability Analysed with Deutsche Welle's DRM Monitoring``. On April 25, John Sykes of the BBC World Service (a DRM member) will present a paper introducing a simple signalling system for AM radio. This system allows existing AM broadcasters to signal their station ID to a new generation of hybrid digital/analog receivers, thus keeping them on the ``digital dial.`` Look for ``An AM Signalling System (AMSS)`` in the Emerging Technologies for Radio session at 1:00-5:00 (Siriol Evans, Director, Press & Communications, DRM, Jan 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) re: Red button & UHF spectrum [UK] The channel numbers were highlighted in the original item which did not come through. Channels 31 to 35, 37, 39, 40, and 63 to 68 are the ones to freed up, that's 14 TV channels of 8 MHz bandwidth each making a total of 112 MHz lost to broadcasting. CH 36 and 38 have never been used in the UK. CH 36 has long been for radar and caused problems for viewers near airports. CH 38 is used for receiving radio astronomy so there are no transmissions in this channel in Europe, except in France much to the annoyance of radio astronomers elsewhere. I don't think Ofcom should be too concerned over signal transfer at UHF, surely it is up to the punter to filter out unwanted ingress. Fortunately most set top boxes these days can output anywhere in the UHF band which should alleviate the problem. Gareth Foster, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ###