DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-151, October 10, 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 NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT SHORTWAVE AIRING OF WORLD OF RADIO 1331 = 11-cubed: Wed 0930 WWCR1 9985 FIRST SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1332: Wed 2200 WBCQ 7415 Wed 2300 WBCQ 18910-CLSB Fri 2030 WWCR1 15825 Latest edition of this schedule version, including AM, FM, satellite and webcasts with hotlinks to station sites and audio, is at: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html For updates see our Anomaly Alert page: http://www.worldofradio.com/anomaly.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 DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS OCT. 10: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html ** AFGHANISTAN. 9345, Solh with marginal signal at max at 1305 Oct 7 with Afghan folk songs. Better sounded with LSB preamp and 16 h antenna but no S indicator still. Same level on Oct 8. Microphonic audio clip at http://zlgr.multiply.com/music/item/2 (Zacharias Liangas, Retziki, THS, Greece, R75, 2 x 16 inv V, 16 m hor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re DXLD 6-150 item Afghanistan 9345: R Peace 9345 is rather regular here in Finland, say after 1200 UT when the channel is clear. N. Korea is not much a problem at that time, usually much weaker than R Peace. When R Netherlands signs on via Tashkent, it usually overrides R Peace, but not always. Later Israel is more a problem. As reported, R Peace has long periods of non-stop Afghan music. At times they have news at the BOH. 73, (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Radio Solh: Always when I have tuned in to this station just after 1300 they have played the very same lovely song in Dari with an Afghan traditional big orchestra accompaniment at 1302- 1307 on 17700. I am getting the impression that they are playing the very same musical selections throughout from day to day and have been doing so for months (Olle Alm, Sweden, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN. ARMY RADIO DJS IN AFGHANISTAN MIX NEWS, MUSIC SANS 'PSY OPS' --- By Scott Peterson. The Christian Science Monitor Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.08.2006 http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/150174 NARAY, AFGHANISTAN — The first words 1st Lt. Daniel Hampton learned in Pashto were ones he had heard time and time again in the remote reaches of eastern Afghanistan: "Mana raka radio," or "Give me one radio." Hampton's Afghanistan "combat" has turned him into something of a disc jockey, running a small radio station that broadcasts from this American firebase into the Kamdesh district of Nuristan, along the Pakistan border — the target of a U.S. counterinsurgency effort to defeat Taliban-led militants. Hampton has handed out about 4,000 small radios, sometimes distributing them while his Afghan journalists report at events such as the openings of a new school, mosque, or women's clinic. It's a rare distinction for a combat arms officer in the U.S. Army's 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry, who has been trained more to win battles than wars of ideas. Once part of what the miliary called psychological operations, or "psy ops," such propaganda exercises are now called "information operations." Senior officers say that distinction matters in this remote area, where they recognize the risk of being seen purely as a mouthpiece of U.S. forces. They — and the Afghan journalists working for the station and a new regional magazine — are trying to gain credibility with their audience by presenting more balanced news content. "People like the music. Everybody has a radio, and they can listen," says Mohamed Iqbal, the 19-year-old translator who launched the station in early June and helped expand it with other journalists. "People walk around like this, holding their radios in their hand, listening," says Iqbal, gesturing with his hands. "They love news." The aim of the radio station is to help win support by publicizing the Army's local development projects. The programming is diverse: Daily progress reports on U.S.-funded projects; the death tolls of insurgents and U.S. soldiers alike; and a mix of popular music that brings in 40request letters a day from local villages. "I want the 'car bomb effect,' " says Lt. Col. Michael Howard, describing his first rule for the radio. "As when a car bomb goes off in Iraq, and everyone knows about it, I want everyone in Nuristan to know that we really are building a road, a water pipeline." Howard says his second rule is: "Just facts. No psy ops," referring to the units that the military has traditionally deployed to spin information aimed at a local population. At ground level, U.S. soldiers and Afghans alike say that "no psy-ops" is the only way they have a chance to be heard in these villages. "It's not just the good stuff," says Hampton of the news decisions. "If we lose a U.S. soldier, we broadcast it. We let them know we are human and are here to help them. What's helping us up here is not the bad guys we're killing, but the facts of what we're doing, coming from these Afghan voices." Even the Taliban are frequent listeners, Hampton says. "The Taliban like it and the music, but they just don't like us," he says Afghans tell him. "We're providing entertainment for both sides." On StarNet: Search a database of U.S. and coalition forces killed or wounded in action at http://go.azstarnet.com/casualties (via Zacharias Liangas, Greece, Oct 9, DXLD) WTFK??? Fix-tuned radios, I wonder? (gh) ** ANGOLA. Re 6-137, new 100 kW MW transmitter: BE has separately advised me today that this transmitter will be operating on 702 kHz (Steve Whitt, UK, Oct 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGUILLA. COURT ORDERS THAT EQUIPMENT BE RETURNED TO LOCAL RADIO STATION | Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation news agency website on 7 October The Valley, Anguilla: High Court judge Janice George-Creque on Friday [6 October] issued a court order in favour of the principal operators of the popular local FM radio station "Heart Beat Radio" for the return of all broadcast equipment removed from its premises sometime between 30 September and 1 October. . . http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/685224/anguilla_court_orders_that_equipment_be_returned_to_local_radio/index.html?souRce=r_technology (via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD) Coincidentally, this station on 107.5 has been DXed by T-E in southern Brazil! –-- see PROPAGATION abottom (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. UZBEKISTAN. Additional transmission for CVC The Voice in Hindi to India: 1700-2100 on 6260 TAC 100 kW / 153 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) ** BELARUS. New evening schedule of Radio Belarus Minsk: 1600-1800 Daily in Belarussian 1800-1900 Daily in German 1900-2100 Daily in English 2100-2300 Daily in Russian on the following frequencies 7105 MNS 250 kW / 255 deg (from 1700) 7390 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 7440 MNS 150 kW / 260 deg Tentative B-06 evening schedule of Radio Belarus Minsk: 1700-1900 Daily in Belarussian 1900-2000 Daily in German 2000-2200 Daily in English 2200-2400 Daily in Russian on the following frequencies 7360 MNS 075 kW / 270 deg 7390 MNS 150 kW / 260 deg 7420 MNS 250 kW / 255 deg (from 1800) (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** BELGIUM [non]. Press Release - Rijkevorsel, October 11, 2006. 3 YEARS TDPRADIO --- TDPradio, the brainchild of Daniël Versmissen (Program Manager) and founded in 2003, is pleased to announce its third birthday which will be celebrated on October 11, 2006. We proudly share with you this important event and want to thank all of you for making it happen. Today, TDPradio is the first and only dance radio station which broadcasts worldwide in DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale). It is recognized as bringing the best audio quality ever delivered in AM [sic] radio. On October 11, 2006, TDPradio will extend its DRM transmissions from 4 to 14 hours, so now you can listen to TDPradio every day in DRM. Join us, experience our high-technology music using the utmost quality standards available in the market. Broadcasts take place daily from 1500 to 1600 UT on 6015 kHz to Europe and from 0000 to 0100 UT on 9790 kHz to Northern America. [Sackville???] Each day a different flavour of dance music is broadcast to suit different tastes and to show the wide variety of dance music styles. You can also listen online 24/7 to our live internet stream. Check out http://www.tdpradio.com for more details about our shows. TDPradio is still looking for DJ talent! Contact our Program Manager Daniël Versmissen for more info: daniel @ tdpradio.com (Ludo Maes, TDP, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Ciao! Interessante analisi "dal punto di vista politico" di quello che sta accadendo in Latino America. Emittenti da monitorare: Radio Pio XII 5952.5; Radio Patria Nueva Illimani 6025; Radio Panamericana 6105. http://www.rebelion.org/dieterich.htm Questo link vi terrà aggiornati ...in caso di cattiva ...propagazione. http://www.rebelion.org/bolivia.htm Heinz Dieterich Steffan is a German political analyst, living in Mexico. Well known for his apologetics, he collaborates with revolutionary media (Dario Monferini, playdx yg via DXLD) Viz.: EL PRIMER GOLPE DE ESTADO CONTRA EVO MORALES ESTÁ PREVISTO PARA ESTE MIÉRCOLES, 11 DE OCTUBRE --- Heinz Dieterich, Rebelión Fuentes confiables del alto gobierno boliviano, que pidieron el anonimato, revelaron que el primer intento de golpe de Estado contra Evo Morales está planeado para este miércoles, 11 de octubre. El uso de francotiradores en la matanza de Huanuni, que causaron siete muertos, indica la participación de los golpistas en los disturbios mineros. Militares chilenos estarían involucrados en la conspiración. . . http://www.rebelion.org/noticia.php?id=38944 (via Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. BRASIL – A Rádio Marumby, de Camboriú (SC), voltou a ser sintonizada pela freqüência de 11750 kHz. Em 30 de setembro, o colunista ouviu a emissora, em Porto Alegre (RS), às 1715, quando era transmitido comentários de ouvinte sobre a missão do grupo Gedeões Missionários da Última Hora. Havia um problema técnico: o áudio da entrevistada era ``metalizado``. BRASIL – A Rádio Gazeta, de São Paulo (SP), voltou a ser como antes! A estação dispensou todos os seus comunicadores e transmite apenas o programa informativo produzido pelos alunos da Fundação Cásper Líbero. Perderam seus espaços na emissora locutores destacados do rádio paulistano como Zé Bétio, Samuel Gonçalves, Regina Ritcher, Oswaldo Bétio, entre outros. Afora o noticiário, a emissora preenche os demais horários com músicas e vinhetas. Em ondas curtas, a Gazeta pode ser captada em 5955, 9685 e 15325 kHz. BRASIL – A Rádio Gazeta, de São Paulo (SP), é a única emissora brasileira que ainda transmite na faixa de 19 metros. Recentemente, em 30 de outubro, foi ouvida, em Porto Alegre (RS), pelo colunista, às 1925, pela freqüência de 15325 kHz, quando irradiava música sertaneja de Bruno & Marroni. BRASIL – Infelizmente já faz um bom tempo em que a Rádio Clube Paranaense, de Curitiba (PR), não é mais captada em 9725 e 11935 kHz. Pelo visto, a nova direção da estação paranaense desistiu de consertar os transmissores usados em tais freqüências. A B2, como também é conhecida, tem seu alcance limitado em ondas curtas, uma vez que mantém ativa apenas a freqüência de 6040 kHz, em 49 metros. BRASIL – O início das emissões da Rádio Guarujá Paulista, de Guarujá (SP), pela nova freqüência de 9715 kHz, em 31 metros, depende apenas de alguns detalhes burocráticos. A direção da estação está tentando resolver as pendengas diretamente com o governo federal, em Brasília (DF). As informações são da apresentadora da emissora, Maria Eli Moura (Célio Romais, Brasil, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) ** BULGARIA. Nos próximos sábados, a programação em espanhol da Rádio Bulgária estará levando ao ar as felicitações que os ouvintes gravaram e remeteram para a emissora por ocasião de seus 70 anos de atividades. A dica é do Leonardo Santiago, de Mérida, na Venezuela (Célio Romais, Brasil, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) WRN DRM: see UK [non] ** CANADA [non]. Re the 01-02 broadcast to India for B06: 5840-Horby, listed in the Teracom-RS schedule, wouldn't be a likely choice for this broadcast; and China would be a better relay site to reach India, along with a higher frequency (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. RCI BECOMES DOMESTIC BROADCASTER More info on RCI changes: I am currently listening to a 60-minute edition of Maple Leaf Mailbag online. The program began with a few listener letters relating to the coming changes at RCI. Here are a few pieces of information gathered from what the program hosts said. (And BTW, the answers seem to relate only to weekday programming, though this wasn't explicitly stated.) Starting with the B06 season, RCI will produce a daily, two-hour omnibus current affairs program. The first hour will be directed to a domestic audience -- new Canadians in Canada. It will not be heard on shortwave but will be available for download on the Internet. There are currently no details about how the program will be distributed within Canada. The second hour will be directed to an international audience and will be on shortwave. The program will be called The Link; it appears Marc Montgomery will be the host (Ricky Leong, Calgary, Oct 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've had all night and all morning to think about this. Heck, I might even have dreamed about it. It could be it's still too early to form an opinion about this, but for now I would say that to have RCI spend its money on domestic broadcasting is a monumental waste of money. We have the rest of the CBC and its multimillion-dollar budget to produce domestic broadcasting. Surely CBC can come up with a few bucks to pay for a program directed at new Canadians so RCI can apply all its resources to make great programs for its world audiences. 73, (Ricky Leong, Calgary, Oct 9, swprograms via DXLD) Could be RCI was faced with: do this or else, your external service is toast (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) An interesting concept -- an international broadcaster creating a program specifically for a domestic audience. I'm trying to think of parallels elsewhere but can't come up with any yet (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) Radio Sweden for one, via the multi-lingual ability of the service. YLE too? (Dan Say, BC, ibid.) There are lots of examples scattered all over the HF spectrum. Commercial and religious stations in the USA masquerade as broadcasting to other countries but their program content clearly targets the domestic USA audience (Joe Buch, DE, ibid.) I was thinking of publicly funded stations, but you're right, Joe - many USA-based SW broadcasters target Toronto and Halifax, but really are targeting Philadelphia and NYC (Richard Cuff, Allentown PA, ibid.) I was thinking about YLE and R. Sweden. I discounted those two because I don't believe either produce programming in their native languages specifically targeting an immigrant audience -- although both services do (did?) relay their international services domestically. This is different -- it's (apparently) an English-language "Welcome to Canada" service. Perhaps, as Glenn posits, that this was a "package deal", or perhaps there is separate CBC funding and it was decided that RCI's more global view made it the appropriate producing organization. We'll see as the month rolls along; no change to the website as of today (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, ibid.) Being a holiday This old (August 17) notice about une version baladodiffusée (podcasting) ----------------------- Radio-Canada International (RCI) lancera une station de radio sur Internet en novembre prochain avec des contenus spécifiques et originaux. La radio, qui diffuse déjà, dans le monde entier, des émissions qui reflètent les réalités de la vie canadienne dans neuf langues et qu'on peut synthoniser sur Sirius (RCI+), veut s'adresser également aux nouveaux arrivants. Cité par le quotidien La Presse, Jean Larin, directeur exécutif de RCI, a souligné que le Canada accueille environ 250 000 immigrants par année et que 57% d'entre eux ne parlent ni l'anglais, ni le français. ------ from the Journal de Montreal [ As RCI is in Montreal the maudits Anglais (Damned English) ignore it quite often. ds ] Linkname: Canok - Techno-Sciences - Radio-Canada International lancera une station de radio en ligne URL: http://www2.canoe.com/techno/nouvelles/archives/2006/08/20060817-090702.html RCI sur Internet par Isabelle Massi La Presse (de Montreal) Le jeudi 17 août 2006 Radio-Canada International (RCI) lancera une station de radio sur Internet en novembre avec des contenus spécifiques et originaux. La radio qui diffuse déjà, dans le monde entier, des émissions qui reflètent les réalités de la vie canadienne dans neuf langues et qu'on peut syntoniser sur Sirius (RCI+) veut s'adresser également aux nouveaux arrivants. «Le Canada accueille environ 250 000 immigrants par année, mentionne Jean Larin, directeur exécutif de RCI. Et 57% parmi eux ne parlent ni anglais ni français.» -------- http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20060817/CPARTS/608170688/1041/CPARTS (via Dan Say, swprograms via DXLD) ** CANADA. Hi folks, I'm planning on doing a bit of an update on the club's involvement as QSL manager for CFRX on the upcoming edition of ODXA Perspectives. As has been reported here, it's been off and on lately (more off recently). According to Steve Canney, the V-P of Engineering for Standard Radio (owners of CFRB-CFRX) is determined to see it return (and stay) on the air, but the current technical glitch is apparently a real head-scratcher. Anyway, does anyone know how many of the other low-power privately run shortwave relays are left in Canada? I know Halifax and Montreal left the air some time ago. Any idea if CFVP Calgary and CKFX Vancouver are still on? I see one piece of data from a web search that suggests Vancouver shut down in 1996 (Greg Schatzmann, ON, Oct 10, ODXA via DXLD) Greg, CFVP is the only one, heard in the last few weeks, tho I can`t say for sure it is on the air today. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** CANADA. PEI STILL ON MEDIUMWAVE --- CHTN 720 kHz finally emerged tonight mixed with WGN IDing as "The New Ocean 100". So both 630 and 720 are still on from PEI as of tonight (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, 0446 UT Oct 8, NRC-AM via DXLD) I had noticed a couple of weeks ago driving between Moncton and Miramichi (on the way to Miscou Island) that CHTN was almost inaudible on the car radio. I had briefly thought that maybe CHTN was already gone. I guess that's why Wade doesn't hear them very well over in Chipman. (You are in Chipman, or near there, right?). (Niel Wolfish, Toronto, ibid.) That's correct Neil, I'm between Chipman and Minto. And right now at sunset 6:12 pm ET Sunday night, both CFCY 630 and CHTN 720 are booming in. Last night for awhile I heard nothing on 720 KHz until WGN faded up then very late CHTN was finally audible. CFCY appeared to be off the air with just an open carrier from 9 pm ET until I noticed they were back at 9:27 pm. They were quite strong going into a commercial break, but there was then no audio. CFBC 930 in Saint John is also a tough catch at night now, I'm usually getting a better signal from WBEN or even CJYQ. And that's on all my antennas or just a portable, no nulling. When I did more DXing in the 80's I don't think that was the case. I think CFBC was always strong day and night. Anyway the PE Islanders are still on tonight, if anyone wants to give them a try. 73 (Wade Smith, Chipman (or pretty close to it), New Brunswick, ibid.) CFBC used to be a horrible pest here in Doaktown, day and night. Now I can barely hear them even when I try hard, which is, well, never. I regret I was unable to get any cooperation from either PEI station for a pre-shutdown DX test. Oh, well. The way things are going, Canada will have no AM signals left soon. My next hope is that CJVA on 810 goes to FM. That would not leave a nice DX window - what with WGY waiting in the wings to be dominant again - but at least it would eliminate an irritant for the Miscou guys at sunset (Brent Taylor Doaktown, NB (26 miles NNW, as the crow flies, from Wade), ibid.) 1450 CHUC ON is also still on (Saul Chernos, ON, Oct 8, ibid.) ** CANADA. Canadian "best bets" [for MW DX] --- Since Atlantic Canada and the New England states haven't been covered that well in these "best-bet" discussions and since I'm closer to those stations than most of the other list-members, here's a run-down: Prince Edward Island: Its two stations CFCY-630 and CHTN-720 are still on, but not for long. CFCY's country is the better received of the two here at night - about even with WPRO on the Flag antenna that nulls west but only slightly reduces co-channel WPRO (a tad west of south at bearing 186 deg.). CHTN has a fair to good day signal at nearby shore sites, but now drops quite a bit at night, presumably because its directional pattern is actually working for a change. This is interesting because it turns 720 into a free-fire zone in the early evening (before WGN fade-up) and all night if a suitably directive antenna is used to knock out WGN. With CHTN's paltry night signal, we can now get TA's (Portugal, Canaries) on 720 along with numerous Latinos (Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, etc.). Newfoundland: CBN-640 usually owns that channel here. It has CBC programming often // CBA-1070 NB. A strong het from Spain-639 is often present during the kind of conditions favoring the Newfies. CHCM-740 and VOCM-590 are both actually stronger signals, but have more interference. At shore sites near here (Rockport, Rowley) with the other 740 competition (WJIB, CHWO) and 590 (WEZE) in a somewhat westerly direction, a cardioid pattern antenna gets the Newfies on those channels loud and in the clear. There are low powered stations in New Brunswick and Quebec on 590 but VOCM generally mows them down. In early evening I get VOAR-1210 before Philadelphia (and/or Venezuela) QRM builds up. CBT-540, CBNA-600, and CBY-990 - also CBC affiliates like 640 - are pretty regular here and are often the channel dominants at the seashore less than an hour's drive time away. A bit less common, but occasionally noted, are CKCM-620, CKGA-650, VOWR-800, and CJYQ-930. At sites such as Rockport or Chatham, they are common. Go several miles west of Boston and they get quite a bit more difficult. Nova Scotia: CKEC-1320 puts a monster signal in here every night. CFDR-780 is also good, usually over WBBM & R. Coro. CJCH-920 is usually over WHJJ & CKNX. CBI-1140 (CBC affiliate) dominates in the early evening before WRVA gets stronger. CHNS-960, soon to go FM, is top dog on that channel here at night. When it goes away, 960 will be quite the shooting gallery here. CJCB-1270 (country) shows up fairly often here, mixing with WTSN-NH. CKAD-1350 (country: AVR network) is often over WOYK-PA & WGPL-VA. New Brunswick: Besides the obvious CBA-1070, I get a very good signal from French- language CJVA on 810. It's often over WGY, especially on any antenna designed to weaken signals from the west: Flag at home, or car-top loop-whip cardioid phased array at the beach. CFBC-930 hasn't been that impressive, though it can be heard during the day behind WGIN-NH at shore sites. The NB stations that used to have monster signals (550 and 700) are long gone. Quebec: Beyond the three big Montrealers (690, 730, 940) there is also CFAV- 1570 which is almost as pesty as that channel's old CKLM. Some say they get CFMB-1280 well, though WFAU/WADO/WEIM/Bermuda is the typical 1280 line-up here in metro-Boston. CJMS dominates 1040 here at night; maybe it could be heard farther west sometimes. CHNC-610 is also good, competing with WGIR, WIOD, WIP, and Latins on that channel. CFAV, CJMS, and CHNC are all in French; CFMB is assorted ethnic (Mark Connelly, WA1ION - Billerica, MA, Oct 9, NRC-AM via DXLD) More like this, about NEW ENGLAND: see U S A ** CANADA. A few days ago, we were discussing CBC sign-on/off videos on television. Well, it appears we will have fewer occasions to see them: http://www3.cbc.ca/sections/newsitem_redux.asp?ID=4415 "This month, CBC Television will introduce a slate of fresh new dramas, comedies and factual entertainment programs to Canadians. Beginning Monday, Oct. 9, CBC Television will move to a 24 hour, seven day-a-week schedule that will make programming available throughout the day for audiences-what they want and when they want it. ..." (Ricky Leong, Calgary, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CBC TV GOING 24/7 effective tomorrow. View the schedule and see for yourself. CBC is also announcing this... http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/schedule/dailySchedule.jsp?network=CBC%20Television&genre=&startDate=2006/10/10&startTime=00:00&endTime=24:00 So tonight is my last chance to DX 5 here. French seems to be exempt: http://www.radio-canada.ca/gh/televisiongenerale/ghHoraires.asp (Saul Chernos, ON, Oct 8, WTFDA via DXLD) On the bright side, sounds like we **might** get some local IDs back??? I'm hoping: ``Finally, we've developed a new program break structure that introduces new elements - including, for the first time, regional content - allowing us to provide promotion for every show on the schedule. In addition, the break strategy will help us to retain viewers and increase the time they spend watching CBC Television, capture channel surfers, create awareness of the entire 24/7 schedule and, ultimately, enhance our brand. You will see the new approach to program breaks beginning on October 9 when the season launches`` (Bill Hepburn, ibid.) Great! Now I have to find another channel that shows color bars to calibrate my sets :-0 (Jeff Kitsko, WTFDA member since 1994, ibid.) ** CANADA. SPECIAL PREFIXES FOR FESSENDEN ANNIVERSARY AGAIN FROM CANADA --- VE3KI has received approval for Canadian amateurs to use special prefixes to mark the 100th anniversary of Reginald Fessenden's first voice broadcast over radio. This authorization will last for two months from December 1, 2006 until January 31, 2007. VE stations can use CG, VA can sign CF, VY stations can use CY, and VO stations can use the CH prefix. (Canadian Amateur Radio Callsign Database at http://www.callsign.ca, Wade Smith, VE9WGS, New Brunswick, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non] 6280, Firedrake ?2303 Oct 6. Nearly clear on the frequency covering for more than 90% a station which seems program in Tibetan. Also on 15330 at 1311 Oct 8, heard Firedrake QRMing a station transmitting in Farsi. 10400 at 1337 with S7 34433 covering another signal (Zacharias Liangas, Retziki, THS, Greece, R75, 2 x 16 inv V, 16 m hor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sonido de la Esperanza y Firedrake Jamming --- Saludos cordiales, escuchas realizadas desde Sacañet en Castellón (España). 10400, Sonido de la Esperanza, 2004-2006, escuchada el 6 de Octubre a locutora probablemente en mandarín con comentarios; irrumpe con fuerza emisión de música china ``Firedrake Jamming``, tema de la Opera China emitiendo en paralelo por 13625 con un SINPO 45444. 10400, Sonido de la Esperanza, 1904-1907, escuchada el 7 de Octubre a locutora con comentarios en idioma Mandarín, a las 1905 se inicia emisión musical de interferencia, ``Firedrake Jamming``, con un SINPO 44444. El 8 de Octubre esta misma emisión musical fue escuchada a las 1710 en las frecuencias de 9525 en paralelo por 13625. El 9 de Octubre la misma música china fue escuchada en la frecuencia de 21705 a las 0817, interfiriendo a VOA en Mandarín (José Miguel Romero, Sacañet (Castellón), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena de hilo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Firedrake check Oct 9 at 1528 found it coming in well on 10400. No Firedrake audible Oct 10 at 1412 check on the usual 18, 14, 13 and 10 MHz frequencies, tho India was inbooming on 10330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No 10400: here`s why: Sound of Hope revised frequencies on Oct 10: 10450, 13970, 14700, 17310. At 1200 parallel SOH audio on 10450, 14700 until 1202 s/off. No SOH audio heard on 13970, 17310. No jamming on 17310 from 1205 and no jamming on 14700 and 13970 from 1305. No SOH audio on 14700 at 1300, while 10450 was again active. After 1405 SOH 10450 was in the clear with no jamming. SOH transmission times seem to be somewhat variable from day to day. BTW, jamming was back on SOH 10450 later in the afternoon (after 1505). I guess the Chinese monitors had a propagation problem and had not heard SOH for a few hours when they ordered the jammer off after 1405 (Olle Alm, Sweden, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos cordiales, cuando son las 1835 estoy escuchando emisión "Firedrake Jamming" en 10450, tras comprobar que no había señal en 10400. Parece ser que Radio Sonido de Esperanza se ha desplazado para intentar evitar tal emisión (José Miguel Romero, Oct 10, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. I heard 15595 on Oct. 7, too; ran across it at 1315 in English with big signal // 17625-Chile where audio was about half- second behind; could it be an error at one of the relay sites or was it coming from China and was a test frequency -- especially since it's been several years since CRI broadcast direct to NAm on the 19mb at this time? Checked next day (10/8) and no sign of CRI on 15595 (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) And another; seems they are showing up on lots of new frequencies, positioning for B-06?: From 0130 I've been listening CRI in English on 9470 kHz with a signal that's very good, albeit fluttery. I could not find this broadcast listed with EiBi, WRTH, or any other source, until I finally found a single entry on CRI's website listing it as a frequency in use from 0100-0200 to Europe. Anyone know where this signal originates? The rapid fading makes me think it's coming here via a high-latitude route. I also noticed the programming was not // 6020 and 9570 to N. America (via Albania). --ms, springfield, mo, usa (Mark Schiefelbein, UT Oct 10, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, Xi`an before 01 in Mongolian, but that`s no proof (gh) 0100-0200 UT is an uncomfortable listening time slot here in Europe. It's also printed out in latest "The MESSENGER" magazine, but in error as '9140' kHz under Europe section. 9470 serving European Russia and CIS states, I would guess coming from Kashi or Urumqi site in western China. A lot of zone 11-14 Latin America target registrations via Kashi at 0100-0200 UT. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, ibid.) ** CROATIA [non]. CROÁCIA – Acostumado a ouvir o programa Croácia Hoy apenas nos sábados e domingos, acompanhei, recentemente, o segmento durante alguns dias da semana. Pude perceber que as atrações são mais diversificadas. Além da apresentação do noticiário, na voz de Mario Ostoich, o Croácia Hoy conta, ainda, com as participações de Milton Arandia e da correspondente em Bruxelas, Verónica Blajo. São duas as emissões que possuem excelente sintonia na América do Sul: às 2230 e às 0230, ambas em 9925 kHz (Célio Romais, Brasil, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. Oyendo Radio Martí (I) Juan González Febles, SOCIEDAD LA HABANA, Cuba - Octubre, http://www.cubanet.org - No caben dudas de que Radio Martí (RM) disfruta de una radio audiencia masiva en Cuba. No obstante, hay algo que debe ser aclarado. No se oye siempre ni a todas horas. A RM se la escucha cuando hay algo de mucho interés ciudadano. Es la referencia necesaria para el momento oportuno. Como la emisora oficial Radio Reloj. . . http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y06/oct06/10a6.htm (via Oscar de Céspedes, FL, condig list via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. EQUADOR – Outubro é o mês do calendário na HCJB – A Voz dos Andes. Quem tem interesse em receber o seu exemplar gratuitamente, basta escrever para: HCJB – A Voz dos Andes, Caixa Postal 16050, CEP: 81611-970, Curitiba (PR). (Célio Romais, Brasil, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) ** EQUATORIAL GUINEA. Religious broadcaster Radio Africa has a new website at http://www.radioafricanetwork.com - quite slick, but rather low on content. "Under construction" are three audio streams, to supplement, or replace(?), their shortwave transmissions on 15190 kHz (Dave Kernick, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Watch out for the SFX which will override whatever you are listening to (gh, DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. DTK T-system change: Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo) from Oct. 2: 1700-1800 on 13830 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily to EaAf in Oromo, ex Tue-Sun (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** FAROE ISLANDS. [Re bumping up power from 100 to 200 kW] ``a behaviour to use 200 kW during certain broadcasts (like sea weather forecasts).`` --- which is correct. Also during their evening news cast. PS: Remember their English show on Tuesday evenings at 19 UT. 73, (Erik Køie, Denmark, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. 11720, SWR, 1710 Oct 7, talks by OM then a Finnish rock song, 1716 again talks by OM -rude voice- then a song. Later I could hear SWR signal S7, rippled due to QRM. You can find a direct to computer (linein) recording on http://zlgr.multiply.com/music/item/2 (Zacharias Liangas, Retziki, THS, Greece, R75, 2 x 16 inv V, 16 m hor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Surprised to hear Finnish on 9705, Oct 10 at 1345. Hmmm, where could that be from? Sure `nuff, // 15400, but an echo apart indicating widely divergent propagation routes. 15400 is aimed at us, but 9705 could be long path, aimed 130 degrees from Pori (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. Appeals on the hobby monitoring scene to maintain ethical principles always make me wonder where the ethical principles of the shortwave transmission business are. A major transmission provider from a country of the European Union routinely provides jamming services for an interested customer. Do they have no scruples anymore? Where is the outcry one would expect from their colleagues??? (This assuming that Sawt al-Amal is an operation that deserves solidarity.) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also LIBYA ** FRANCE. V. of Africa relay was finally audible on 21695, Oct 9 at 1412 in music during English broadcast, and // much stronger 17850, but no trace of an RFI signal in English on 21620 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Checked at 1400 on 10/8 for any sign of RFI on 21620 -- not found so don't expect it to be there anyway; meanwhile Libya via Issoudun was at good level on 21695 with English program (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE [non]. I`ve found RFI`s missing 1400 UT broadcast in English. Not on 21620, but on 6120! Oct 10 at 1407 came across news in English with British accent, sounds rather like 9740 BBCWS but not //. Then, a quick ID for RFI. Fair with no QRM; still going altho weakening at 1441 recheck. Something new? I should have noticed it on previous bandscans if it were there. At this hour it must be a FE relay. Then checking the references we find in EiBi, HFCC and ILG that this hour on 6120 was previously scheduled as RFI in Vietnamese via Yamata, Japan, 300 kW, 235 degrees, so was this a program feed mistake, or may we depend on it from now on? Nothing heard on 7220, which was also listed for this English transmission as a relay via Chita, Russia. As always, RFI`s own website is worse than useless http://www.rfi.fr/langues/statiques/rfi_anglais.asp as not updated since 2005 at latest (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GABON. ANO second harmonic, 19160, Oct 9 was audible poorly with music at 1411, and also at 1517 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I've definitely heard this before 1200. Regards (Tim Bucknall, UK, Oct 9, harmonics yg via DXLD) ANO harmonic 19160, again audible weakly Oct 10 at 1411 check with music and talk in French; could not have IDed it except by // 17630 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Re 6-150, ``?? Do you have to get a license to produce radio programs in Germany, when you are just buying time on someone else`s transmitter?`` It depends on the question if one deals with a(nother) broadcaster or just a transmitter operator. In the first case it is of no interest for the media authorities since the responsibility for the contents lies by the relaying broadcaster anyway. So it was Radio Moscow who got in trouble about ten years ago when they were relaying Universelles Leben also via the Wachenbrunn transmitter; back then they choose to not risk their access to this frequency and took UNL off 1323 by putting English instead of German on during the hours with UNL relays. Otherwise some kind of clearance by a media authority is required, since the company or individual who leases airtime on a T-Systems transmitter becomes a broadcaster on its own. However, this is a rather straightforward process. I do not know how they handle the matter for shortwave transmissions, but I think that T-Systems also takes care of that for their customers. In other cases, i.e. not related to shortwave, the media authorities now issue such things like a "Medienführerschein" ("drivers licence for broadcasting"). They are no "real" licences in as far as no frequencies / transmission capacities will be allocated this way. All this applies to program producers from Germany. To relay foreign clients, T-Systems needs a clearance from the foreign office. Years ago this matter made it into the mainstream press when the foreign minister of that time (Klaus Kinkel) refused to allow Deutsche Telekom relays of Democratic Voice of Burma. Finally he changed his mind, probably also due to the bad press it brought him (like: Kinkel in favour of the Rangoon regime, thus suppressing the Burmese opposition). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Some DTK T-Systems changes: Bible Voice Broadcasting Network (BVBN) from Oct. 4/6: 1515-1600 13840 WER 250 kW / 060 deg Wed SoAs in Hindi, ex 1530-1600 0700-0800 5945 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg Fri WeEu in English, ex 0715-0800 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** GUAM [and non]. Hearing AFN 13362 USB via Guam with a program of pop music at 2040, not in parallel with 7811 USB via Florida. Heard AFN 12759 via Diego Garcia this morning at 1230 in parallel with 7811 USB via Florida. October 8, 2006 (Steve Lare Holland, MI USA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. 13865, Rikisutvarpid, *1404-1435*, 10/6/06, in Icelandic. Listed 1410-1440, but started early with a tone at 1404 in mid- program. No signon/signoff announcements heard - it seems like someone just flips a switch to start the program relay then flips it off a half hour or so later. Abruptly off 1435. Poor with some moderate utility interference (Mark Schiefelbein, MO, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. Iran is jamming broadcasts from Israel to Europe and North America. Oct 9 at 1511, 15760 had a strong het on the high side around 15761, and also some bubble jamming audible in the background, but the KI Persian language broadcast was atop. Hmmm, maybe that`s why they jam it, but it`s aimed 318 degrees toward us, not Iran (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Kol Israel in Farsi is always on 27 and 90 degree antenna azimuth, in B06 winter season on 7420, 9985, 11605, 13850, and 15640. Re 15760, there is an irritation due of Israeli wintertime already in effect in October (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENIG DIGEST) Meaning what, Persian is not supposed to be on 15760 to Eu & NAm? I thought KI had long been running at least one frequency our way including during Persian (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** IRAN [and non]. Concerning the RFE/RL report on Iran in the previous issue of DXLD, it conveniently forgot to mention that there is a long history of pre-Islamic Iranian governments attempting to 'steer public perceptions through media restrictions' and that the pro-US Shah's regime was especially well-known for its intolerance of opposition media (persistent critics ended up in the far-from-gentle hands of the SAVAK secret police, set up with CIA assistance). Of course such a balanced view is inconvenient to those, such as Bush and Blair, who are seeking to 'steer' public opinion against present-day Iran as they prepare to impose sanctions, or even to launch an attack, on Iran. One other thing: the Shah's dictatorship was also planning a nuclear programme before he was toppled in a popular revolution, but you won't hear or read that in the American press! Just thought I should set the record straight (Roger Tidy, UK, Oct 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. 7530, Kol Israel produced a heavily distorted broad band signal today Monday Oct 9th at 0430-0459 UT. Centered on scheduled 7530 kHz, but no real carrier of English + French service noted. Distorted high whistle tone all over the place, 158 kHz wide from 7451 to 7609 kHz. Scheduled 250 kW unit at 330 degrees towards Europe/N America. Distortion noted on three separate receivers, like Sony ICF 2010, AOR 7030, and E1 Radio (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sure, Wolfy, I noticed this while making a regular nighttime check of that sort of erratic schedules from Kol Israel, and it seems 7530 has been defined for Hebrew --- after having English one day but not the next day --- as they have ended DST. But what really impressed me this time was the rich signal I got for English service at 0430 on 11590. I thought it was BBCWS at first hearing because of the heavy British accent of announcer Mike (?) Wise. This frequency is now regular for English, for the last couple of weeks (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. Here is the B06 winter schedule 5915 0400-2215 38,39 50 40 1234567 ARAB 6280 0430-0500 6-10,27,28 300 315 1234567 ENG+FREN 6280 2000-2400 6-10,27,28 300 315 1234567 Engl -heb 6985 1700-2200 6-10,27,28 300 330 1234567 ENG+FREN *******??? [gh] 7420 1500-1600 40 250 90 67 Pers 7420 1500-1630 40 250 90 12345 Pers 7545 1700-0600 6-10,27,28 250 330 1234567 HEBR 9345 1700-0500 6-10,27,28 250 318 1234567 HEBR 9390 1500-1700 6-10,27,28 250 330 1234567 HEBR 9400 1300-1500 6-10,27,28 250 330 1234567 HEBR 9435 1700-1800 28-30 300 341 1234567 yirohu [Yiddish, Romanian, Hungarian] 9435 1830-2000 28-30 300 341 1234567 RUSS 9435 2000-2030 6-10,27,28 300 315 1234567 ENGL 9435 2030-2100 6-10,27,28 300 300 1234567 FREN 9985 1500-1600 40 250 90 67 Pers 9985 1500-1630 40 250 90 12345 Pers 11585 2100-2230 6-10,27,28 100 330 1234567 HEBR 11590 1700-2000 6-10,27,28 100 330 1234567 HEBR 11605 0430-0445 10-12,55,56,58,59300 294 1234567 ENG 11605 1500-1600 40 250 27 67 Pers 11605 1500-1630 40 250 27 12345 Pers 11605 1600-1630 6-10,27,28 300 315 7 Fren 11605 1800-1815 6-10,27,28 300 330 1234567 SPAN 11605 2000-2030 6-10,27,28 300 324 1234567 ENGL 11605 2030-2100 6-10,27,28 300 324 1234567 FREN [and SPANISH??!] 13630 1030-1115 27,28 300 330 1234567 FREN+ENG 13630 1300-1900 6-10,27,28 100 330 1234567 HEBR 13850 1500-1600 40 250 90 67 Pers 13850 1500-1630 40 250 90 12345 Pers 15640 1500-1600 40 250 27 67 Pers 15640 1500-1630 40 250 27 12345 Pers 15640 1600-1630 6-10,27,28 300 315 7 Ladino 15640 1630-1700 6-10,27,28 300 330 1234567 Diff 15640 1900-1930 10-14,27,37 300 264 1234567 H-Mabat [TV news] 15640 2000-2030 52 300 187 1234567 ENGL 15640 2030-2215 10-14,27-37 300 264 1234567 FR+SP+HEB 15760 0001-2355 6-10,27,28 250 330 1234567 HEBR 17535 0600-1500 6-10,27,28 250 330 1234567 HEBR 17600 0430-0445 10-12,55,56,58,59300 294 1234567 ENG (via Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also IRAN [and non]! ** ISRAEL. 6973, Galei Zahal, 1910-1915, escuchada el 7 de Octubre en hebreo con emisión de música pop, SINPO 44343. Lo curioso de esta transmisión es que parecía algo desplazada ya que en realidad se escuchaba mejor en 6970 y 6971 en vez de su frecuencia habitual; desconozco el motivo de ésta circunstancia, pero pude comprobarlo varias veces durante el día (José Miguel Romero, Sacañet (Castellón), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena de hilo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, what was the carrier frequency? (gh, DXLD) ** JAPAN. NHK PICKS FEE REFUSERS FOR COURTS TO GO AFTER --- In light of dwindling revenue and tarnished image, television network will bring unpaying subscribers to court Japan Times Friday, Oct. 6, 2006 http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=54629 NHK Chairman Genichi Hashimoto said Thursday 47 households and one business in Tokyo with unpaid subscription fees ranging from 41,850 yen to 126,360 yen will be pressed for payment through summary courts if they don't settle their bills by Oct. 31. "It's true that people feel it is unfair" because some people pay their fees while others do not, Hashimoto said. The 48 nonpayers, selected at random, have been delinquent for between 30 and 54 months. After the deadline, NHK said it will press its claim in summary courts, which will then issue past- due notices to the nonpayers. If they ignore the court notice, they face possible seizure of their assets. Hashimoto said NHK is considering expanding the number of nonpayers targeted beyond the 48 in Tokyo. Nationwide, the number of nonpayers as of the end of September totaled about 1.12 million, according to NHK. NHK is apparently attempting to make an example out of 48 in the face of dwindling fee revenues. Its income began falling even faster after a number of scandals involving its employees. The ethical and legal woes at the broadcaster include embezzlement of production funds by senior NHK officials, some of which were used for entertainment. In another incident, an NHK reporter was arrested in connection with seven arson attacks on homes in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture in April and May of last year. A law governing NHK's business defines "viewers" as "households and offices with TV sets capable of receiving NHK channels," and obliges them to pay viewer fees. For color terrestrial TV service, the subscription fee is 1,345 yen. No punishment for nonpayment is stipulated in the law. In a separate move to bolster the public broadcaster, the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry plans to introduce a bill next year requiring all TV viewers to pay for NHK service because there are almost no TVs that cannot receive NHK channels. The government is expected to wrap up discussions on the issue by next spring and submit a bill to the Diet. Date Posted: 10/6/2006 (Japan Times, via Day Say, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. MEAGRE MEDIA FOR NORTH KOREANS | Analysis by Ian Liston-Smith of BBC Monitoring on 10 October All the media are controlled by the Korean Workers' Party (as the communist party is known) or, according to some, the "Dear Leader" himself. The regime bombards the population with propaganda and flattering reports about Kim Jong-il and his daily agenda. North Korea's economic hardships or famines are not reported - although the recent nuclear test was widely covered in the nation's media. Radio and TV sets in North Korea are supplied pre-tuned to government stations and radios must be checked and registered with the police. Some North Koreans purchase a second radio set that is not registered, enabling them to listen foreign broadcasts. Reports from refugees say that there are also those who take the risk of opening the preset radios in order to be able to tune into other frequencies. More and more radios are reaching the country, especially to Pyongyang, from the China. Information from refugees also describes a party campaign to check radios at the end of 2003. The head of each party cell in neighbourhoods and villages received instructions to verify the seals on all radios. The authorities designated radios as "new enemies of the regime" on 13 June 2004. One radio network is wired into most residences and workplaces. This carries news and commentary that is considered too sensitive for consumption outside North Korea, such as criticizing economic activities that are inconsistent with national policy. Internet access in North Korea is restricted to a small section of the elite who have received state approval and to 200 or so foreigners living in Pyongyang. The state blocks all foreign websites. Mobile phone use was banned in 2004. Therefore, in the absence of the internet and satellite dishes, the only way for many North Koreans to sidestep the official propaganda is to tune into the Korean-language broadcasts of foreign radio stations. However, North Koreans caught listening to these broadcasts risk harsh punishments, such as forced labour. There are three television channels, all government-controlled. Two of them broadcast only on weekends, the other is on the air only in the evenings. There are relatively few viewers (as few as one television per 100 people), since televisions and other electronic goods are expensive luxury items. At last however, the regime may well be facing a challenge - from a minor technological revolution. Cheap second-hand video recorders smuggled from China can be bought for the equivalent of 30 to 40 dollars as Chinese viewers upgrade to DVD players. This puts ownership of the video recorder within the reach of many households where they are largely used for copying and watching smuggled tapes of South Korean TV soap operas, which in recent years have become major hits in North Korea. These soap operas will compete for audiences with typical government programming, including "Great Workers Party of Korea, Shine all over the World!", "Leading the Final Attack Operation for the Fatherland's Liberation to Victory" and "Immortal Achievement of Brilliantly Embodying the Idea of Down-With-Imperialism Union Through Military- First Revolutionary Leadership". Source: BBC Monitoring research 10 Oct 06 (via DXLD) See also RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM ** LIBYA [and non]. Glenn and Noel: Libya via TDF [FRANCE] noted at 1350 today on 17630, 17640 and 17645, totally wiping out BBC on 17640. They have no shame at all (Olle Alm, Sweden, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 10 Oct: 17630 Sawt Al-amal, 1205 --- Saludos cordiales, cuando son las 1205 Sawt Al-amal en 17630 atorando a África Nº 1, se aprecia fuerte zumbido, SINPO 45353. 73 (José Miguel Romero, Spain, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also FRANCE ** MALAYSIA. UNIDENTIFIED. Glenn, here`s one for Sherlock 'DX' Holmes to figure out --- 6049.65, Unidentified, Oct. 9. 1404-1520+ Seeing what seems to be the station, Suara Islam, reported on this frequency by others, I noted at tune-in with alternate talks (end of a newscast?). This was followed with a partial ID as 'radiyao ..FM' (Suara Islam FM as reported?) The Language appeared to be Malaysian not Indonesian. But every time the female announcer came on she sure made it difficult to hear the ID, as if she was muddling it. This was followed by Qur'an Recitation, for 6 minutes. A commentary followed called (roughly translated) When? (the Problems of Population and Islam). The rest of program was mostly commentaries, interspersed with short musical selections. Topics such as Occupation of Lands, studies and examinations. 1430 One (1) single Time Note, then Relay of Newscast (National) from Central Network for ten minutes. From 1440 to 1448 program of modern music played. 1448 the program featured a UN Report which aired past 1500. At 1501 the female speaker gave schedule of times for these broadcasts, which then went into a some sort of variety program, which aired more like a religious service. The music was more of Middle Eastern flair; interspersed with spiritual type of chanting by gruff-sounding announcer. The signal peaked around 1444 during sunrise enhancement, but by 1520 was slowly fading out. Reception best in LSB with notch. This type of programming sure reflects more like a Indo than a Malaysian, particular with the single note at half past, then into a newscast relay (National). So who could it be (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, CANADA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Why not one of the two Malaysians? (gh) Hi Glenn, Based upon the monitoring of both Alan Davies and myself, I can say with confidence that Edward did in fact hear the RTM program "Suara Islam", via Kajang, near Kuala Lumpur. The frequency is exactly right and the programming format is consistent for them, including the "Nasional" news. My log notes indicate in the past I also heard one time pip, noted at 1630. Seems he just missed the start of the program at 1400, when I usually hear a choral anthem. The YL announcer who is heard during most of the program does sound very young, with a DJ type program. People might have the impression that a religious program called the Voice of Islam would only play very conservative music, but this is not the case. They play a wide variety of music, from pop all the way through to Middle Eastern type music. Alan Davies has monitored this frequency from 0400-0700 recently, when Sibu was also on, and noted that even in Kuching (Sarawak/Malaysia) that the Sibu signal on 6050 was more or less unintelligible because of interference from the Wai FM (RTM) signal on 6049.64. In my experience, during the 1200-1500 time period, I often note a het on a slightly higher frequency from Wai FM/Suara Islam, which could be Sibu, but if Alan has trouble hearing Sibu over there, then I think there is very little chance of us hearing anything other than Wai FM/Suara Islam here, which is consistent with my reception. Hope this helps (Ron Howard, Monterey, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MAURITANIA. A Rádio Mauritânia foi captada, pelo colunista, em Porto Alegre (RS), em oito de outubro, em horário não habitual da emissora: às 0435, pela freqüência de 4845 kHz. É muito provável que a estação de Nouakchott esteja com os transmissores ligados por mais tempo devido ao Ramadã, que é o período do nascer ao pôr do sol em que os muçulmanos se abstêm de comer, beber e fumar (Célio Romais, Brasil, Panorama, @tividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) Glenn, 0400, Monday 10/9, Radio Mauritania has remained on the air since 0300 when I checked 4845. Seems Ramadan transmission is now going effectively for them from this weekend, as you just mention on DXLD 6-150. I have never heard Nouakchott operating at this hour before (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ORTM, 4845, on again UT Monday Oct 9 at 0455 check, an hour earlier than I checked the night before, Arabic talk, VG signal but static crashes, and there was a rumble in the modulation seemingly correlating with audio peaks. Needs some tweaking, and may explain why they were not running 24h for Ramadan earlier. Still going at 0515. Also around this time Oct 10 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Re 690 in Tijuana, XETRA, XEWR or what? XERW are the call letters for the Tijuana outlet. Thanks for writing, see you on the radio (Chris, SDRadio.net Sept 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Chris` http://www.sdradio.net/ has been redesigned to be more user-friendly, no more logging in, etc. (gh) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. Hello George, An important information for you about a new transmission on 17810 from Montsinéry between 1600 and 1730 UT but it is in DRM so wide band noise over 10 kHz for your AM receiver. Your S-Meter reading could be interesting as you have no DRM receiver available. Posted on DRMRX Forum: "Please look at 17810 kHz for RNW DRM test transmission from TDF Montsinéry (French Guiana): 150 kW and 4/4 antenna between 1600 and 1730 UT to the USA. Reports much appreciated." Regards. Jacques GRUSON TDF / Division Radio / Service Ondes Courtes Radio Division / Short Wave Department tel: +33155951553 mobile: +33680115759 fax: +33155952137 Email: jacques.gruson @ tdf.fr (via George Poppin, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess this is because Bonaire`s DRM is still out of order? (gh, DXLD) RNW DRM TRANSMISSIONS FROM TDF MONTSINERY Our DRM transmissions from Bonaire are currently off the air for technical reasons. However, as of today we are broadcasting Radio Netherlands English service in DRM on weekdays only at 1600-1730 UT from TDF Montsinéry (French Guiana), with 150 kW and 4/4 antenna beamed to the USA. This service will remain on the air until the end of the A06 season. Details for the B06 season will be announced later. October 9th, 2006, 19:50 UTC by Andy (Media Network blog via DXLD) WTFK? 17810 per TDF via George Poppin, DX Listening Digest. You have a great lead-in: Brother Scare (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Later corrected to include the frequency (gh) ** OKLAHOMA. KSBI launches newscast --- KSBI (Channel 52, cable 9 [in OKC; 16 in Enid, etc., etc., etc.]) today launched a daily newscast which will air Monday thru Friday at 5:30 PM [2230 UT] Although it is obvious the anchors and the reporters have little or no experience, it is not a bad format. It is rapid fire with very little clowning around or patter. Of course, since buying his own television station, only Brady Brus could keep reporting weather; he is the meteorologist on the newscast. If you have watched it, what is your opinion about the format and the rapid fire of it? If not, I urge you to watch. Personally, I think it has the potential to compete with the other four stations. My is off to Brady and Brenda for developing an alternative that actually could beat the competition (Mranderson, 8:43 pm Oct 9, okctalk.com via DXLD) Yes, and I see it`s scheduled as a full hour. Must catch it sometime, but it`s head-to-head against Lou Dobbs, PBS Newshour, CBS, ABC, NBC news, and then local news (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. IBOC but non IBOC interference --- Glenn, Check around with your reporters and see if you can validate my local observations. 1300 here in Tulsa, runs IBOC on an on and off basis. When in the day mode, the IBOC filters can be heard ringing at 5 kHz. The effect shoots up and down the band +/- 50 kHz. This has to be a case of spectral regrowth. Fact is that this problem is easy to remedy. You just reduce the high frequency component before it hits the IBOC filter. Then the HF energy is low enough that you don`t ``ring the bell`` (anon., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. [So as not to be confused with KFXY-1640 Enid] Overnight I recorded to 1640 to see what was happening here. I heard a weird mix of programming and just one ID. If I was hearing WTNI Biloxi all night it has an odd mix of show that bear no relation to its out of date website. On 1640 I noted: 0000 choir singing through toh - perhaps Don Bosco? 0100 live football 0300 "Sunday Night Football on Westwood One" time out filled with tyre advert, no station ID 0338 Post game report - Sunday night football 0359:30 "Talk radio 1640" 30 second gap then ABC News at 0400 No legal ID 0456 studio discussion about a book then promo for Rev Al Sharpton 0459:30 "16-40 Biloxi" 30 second gap then USA Radio Network News 0507 ESPN sports 0603 ESPN continues fair peak I guess this probably was WTNI with eclectic programming or out of control automation. Or am I confused by more than one signal here? Can anyone shed light on WTNI these days? 73 (Steve Whitt, UK, Oct 9, MWC via DXLD) ** POLAND [non]. Polonia B06 English --- This Tuesday evening Slawek Szefs in his Multimedia announced their new frequencies as of Oct. 29/B06 now using the German T. Systems from different transmitter locations. English: 1300-1400 UT on 5975 and 9525 kHz, 1800-1900 UT on 6015 and 7130 kHz. 73, (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, Denmark, Oct 10, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) They could resume a real North American service now, but not at these times and frequencies! (Glenn, ibid.) ** PORTUGAL. Frequency changes for Deutsche Welle in DRM: 1600-1755 NF 13820 SIN 090 kW / 040 deg, ex 13790 to avoid CRI in Arabic (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. RRI has a 10-page questionnaire (or Chestionar_RRI_2006) for listeners, deadline December 1; it`s in the files of the dxldyg (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** ROMANIA. R. ROMANIA INTERNATIONAL PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2006 Following item received in email from RRI. RRI continues a traditional poll, quite successful among its listeners and Internet users, challenging you to an inciting exercise. We would like you to designate which of the personalities of our time has in 2006 contributed most to the advance of mankind. Based on your options, RRI is going to designate THE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2006 ON RRI. He or she may be a politician, opinion leader, businessperson, Church representative, athlete, celebrated artist, scientist and, why not, an ordinary man or woman, who has achieved something out of the ordinary! As always we expect your reasoned nominations by fax, at 00.4021.319.05.62, or by filling the form on the Internet site, at "Forum", by e-mail at eng @ rri.ro and engl@rri.ro or by snail mail at Bucharest 1, P O Box 111 General Berthelot 60-64, Romania. As usual, we will announce who THE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2006 ON RRI is on our programmes on the first day of next year, January the 1st 2007, and the most interesting motivations accompanying the nominations will be quoted on the programme. We look forward to your response! 73, (via Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, VA, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Frequency changes for Voice of Russia: 1400-1500 Korean on 5900 VLD 200 kW / 210 deg, additional \\ 9640 1400-1600 Farsi NF 5925 SAM 250 kW / 175 deg, ex 5935 \\ 7305 9360 11635 12035 1500-1600 Arabic NF 5935 NVS 500 kW / 240 deg, ex 5925 \\ 7325 11645 12030 15540 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) Voice of Russia in German/French, DRM: 1600-1800 NF 9740 MSK 035 kW / 265 deg, ex 9810 Frequency change for Voice of Russia Commonwealth service: 1400-1900 NF 7285 SAM 250 kW / 280 deg, ex 7440 registered from Sep. 3 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Seems BSKSA has at least two transmitters putting out that awful raspy buzz preventing us from appreciating their recitation of the Holy Qur`an: Oct 9 at 1518, very strong on 15435 as usual, but same buzz also audible along with very weak // 21460. That makes us wonder if it originate before the transmitters, somewhere in the audio feedline. But it doesn`t happen on their other services around this time. Sked below shows these as the two separate Islamic services, but they seemed to be // when I checked, perhaps just for Ramadan. Another question: are there any SW frequencies running overnight now for Ramadan, 2300-0300, like MW 1521? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA. Summer A-06 schedule of B S K S A: 1st General program in Arabic 0600-0855 on 17730* 17740 0900-1155 on 17805* 21705 1200-1455 on 21505* 21640 1700-1755 on 15315 15435* 1800-2255 on 9555 9870 Call of Islam in Arabic 1500-1655 on 15315 15435* Holy Qur`an in Arabic 0300-0555 on 9715 15170 17895 0600-0755 on 9715 15380 17895 0800-0855 on 9715 15380 0900-1155 on 11935 17615 21495 1200-1255 on 15380 17895 21600 1300-1355 on 15380 17895 21460 21600 1400-1455 on 17895 21460 1500-1555 on 13710 21460 1600-1755 on 13710 15205 17560 1800-2255 on 11740 11820 11915* *xxxxx.3 + buzzy audio 2nd program in Arabic 0300-0555 on 9580 9675 0600-0855 on 9675 11855 0900-1655 on 11855 1700-2155 on 9580 External Services: 1700-1755 on 17775 in Bambara 1600-1655 on 15345 in Bengali 0800-0955 on 17785 in French 1400-1555 on 21600 in French 1000-1155 on 21670 in Indonesian 1600-1655 on 9525 in Pashto 1400-1555 on 11745 in Persian 0400-0455 on 17760 in Somali 0500-0555 on 17760 in Swahili 0400-0555 on 15275 in Turkish 1400-1555 on 9730 in Turkmen 1200-1355 on 15345 in Urdu (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA [and non]. New Contacts Page and... We are proud to announce RTI is now *The Station Of The Stars* TM. Also should you need any contacts for RTI they are now all on-line. In addition the key contacts for the station are also on-line on the blog. http://rticontact.blogspot.com/ Best regards (Eric Wiltsher, R. Tatras International, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not on HF ** SRI LANKA. VOA, 12150, Border Crossings show, 1522 Oct 9, with some early white rap music, as the host identified it, and admitted this was pre-recorded for Columbus Day, as he tried to explain that in a politically correct manner. This is Iranawila aimed almost due north toward us, good but with some flutter (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Sudan Radio Service, 17660 via UK, Oct 9 at 1514 with drums and ID in English, 1515 into program about land mines; splatter from 17650 WHRA gospel music (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** THAILAND. Radio Thailand International. Greetings; I am Bruce Atchison, an avid short wave listener. I'm not sure to whom this letter should go so I'm hoping that somebody will be kind enough to forward it to the proper department. I've been enjoying Radio Thailand International's transmissions, via the VOA transmitter, and I'd like to express my thanks for such interesting programming. It costs a lot of money to broadcast via short wave but it's the most cost-effective way to get heard by the most people. I also enjoy the fact that I can listen to short wave practically anywhere. Though many North Americans have some sort of access to the internet, there is something special about hearing a signal which has come from such a long way without wires. I hope that the half hour in English will continue. I enjoy it very much and my wish is that the service will continue. Please keep the English service because it informs us of what is happening in Thailand. People who listen to short wave are always interested in learning more about other cultures. I especially enjoy learning about the news and cultural events since we never hear that sort of thing on local radio unless it's something very bad or unusual. Again please accept my deep appreciation for the Radio Thailand International service. There is a friendly warmth in the English broadcasts which I can't express in words, yet I feel compelled to keep listening. Yours, (Bruce Atchison - author of When a Man Loves a Rabbit. =:3 Radway, Alberta, Canada, to R. Thailand, cc to DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TIBET. Confirmed transmission time of 11950 is 0259-0857 (Olle Alm, Sweden, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. Winter B-06 schedule for Voice of Turkey: ALBANIAN 0700-0725 9765 from Jan. 01 1230-1325 11910 till Dec. 31 ARABIC 1000-1155 13690 13750 1500-1655 6120 15195 AZERI 0800-0855 11835 15160 from Jan. 01 0800-0925 11835 15160 till Dec. 31 1500-1555 5965 BOSNIAN 1430-1455 9525 from Jan. 01 1900-1925 6110 from Jan. 01 1900-1955 6110 till Dec. 31 BULGARIAN 1200-1225 7105 from Jan. 01 1430-1525 7105 till Dec. 31 CHINESE 1200-1255 12050 CROATIAN 1700-1725 7180 ENGLISH 0400-0450 6020 7240 1330-1420 11735 12035 1930-2020 6055 2130-2220 9525 2300-2350 5960 FRENCH 2030-2125 6050 7155 GERMAN 1230-1325 17700 1830-1925 7205 GEORGIAN 0800-0855 9840 GREEK 1130-1155 7295 9840 from Jan. 01 1130-1225 7295 9840 till Dec. 31 1530-1555 6185 from Jan. 01 1530-1625 6185 till Dec. 31 HUNGARIAN 1100-1125 13770 from Jan. 01 1100-1155 13770 till Dec. 31 ITALIAN 1730-1755 6185 KAZAKH 1600-1625 7205 from Jan. 01 1600-1655 7295 till Dec. 31 KYRGHYZ 1430-1455 9655 from Jan. 01 1700-1755 6095 till Dec. 31 MACEDONIAN 0900-0925 11895 from Jan. 01 0900-0955 11895 till Dec. 31 PERSIAN 0930-1025 11795 17690 till Dec. 31 0930-1055 11795 17690 from Jan. 01 1330-1425 9585 from Jan. 01 1330-1455 9585 till Dec. 31 ROMANIAN 1000-1025 9560 from Jan. 01 1030-1125 9560 till Dec. 31 RUSSIAN 1400-1455 11980 1800-1855 6135 SPANISH 0200-0255 9865 from Jan. 01 1730-1825 9780 TATAR 1530-1625 6140 till Dec. 31 1600-1625 6140 from Jan. 01 TURKISH 0200-0355 7180 from Jan. 01 0500-0755 9460 17690 till Dec. 31 0500-0955 11925 till Dec. 31 0800-0955 11925 from Jan. 01 0800-1355 15350 11955 from Jan. 01 0800-1455 15350 till Dec. 31 0800-1655 11955 till Dec. 31 0900-1155 17650 till Dec. 31 1000-1355 17650 from Jan. 01 1400-2155 5980 from Jan. 01 1500-2255 5980 till Dec. 31 1630-1955 9560 from Jan. 01 1630-2155 6080 7250 from Jan. 01 1700-2255 6120 till Dec. 31 1800-2255 9840 till Dec. 31 2300-0155 7300 till Dec. 31 TURKMEN 1500-1525 6065 from Jan. 01 1630-1725 5965 till Dec. 31 URDU 1300-1355 11985 UZBEK 1300-1325 11805 from Jan. 01 1330-1425 11865 till Dec. 31 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE Some DRM changes: World Radio Network, all cancelled 0900-1355 on 13865 SOF 015 kW / 306 deg, Sat/Sun 1400-1555 on 13865 SOF 015 kW / 306 deg, Mon-Fri 1400-1755 on 11540 SOF 015 kW / 306 deg, Sat/Sun 1800-2155 on 5820 SOF 015 kW / 306 deg, Sat/Sun (DX Mix News, Bulgaria Oct 3 via DXLD) I believe those were 50 kW (gh) ** U K [and non]. Some BBC changes: English WS to NoWeAf 0600-0700 NF 11875, ex 9530 Ukrainian - revised schedule 0300-0400 on 9510 9735 11770 Mon-Fri 0400-0500 on 9560 9895 11770 Mon-Fri 1630-1700 on 9535 11740 13670 Daily 1800-1900 on 9795 11845 13745 Mon-Fri (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) ** U K. BBC World Service is to launch a television news and information service in the Farsi (Persian) language for Iran, it was announced today. The service will complement the BBC's existing Persian radio and online services for Iran. The service is expected to launch early in 2008 and will be based in London. It will initially broadcast for eight hours a day, seven days a week, from 17.00 to 01.00 hours – peak viewing time in Iran. It will be freely available to anyone with a satellite dish or cable connection in the region. . . http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/10_october/10/farsi.shtml (BBC Press Release Oct 10 via gh and Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. Voice of America in new language - Thai: 2300-2400 on 7215 9685 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) It`s not new! VOA merely expanded hours due to the coup. And will they now decide not to cancel it at Octend? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) Some VOA changes: English to EaAs/SoEaAs from Sep. 25 0100-0200 NF 9780 MOR 250 kW / 043 deg, ex 9885 Deewa (Light) Radio in Pashto to AFG/PAK border area from Sep. 27 1300-1400 on 11510 IRA 250 kW / 340 deg 1300-1400 on 15645 MOR 250 kW / 055 deg (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) ** U S A. MBN TAPS AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST LARRY REGISTER TO BE VICE PRESIDENT OF NETWORK NEWS FOR ALHURRA AND RADIO SAWA http://www.waff.com/global/story.asp?s=5507663&ClientType=Printable SPRINGFIELD, Va., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Larry Register has been named Vice President of Network News for the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN) the MBN Board announced today. Register will succeed Mouafac Harb, who is stepping down to pursue private media projects. MBN is the non-profit corporation that operates Alhurra television and Radio Sawa. Register will direct and manage the editorial content, and will oversee all news and current affairs programs on the Arabic-language television networks and Radio Sawa. His appointment is effective November 6, 2006. Register has more than 25 years of broadcast news experience, including nine years as CNN's Vice President of Special Projects, during which he covered the Middle East, opened CNN bureaus in Amman and Havana, and produced live reports from North Korea. Register served three years as the Jerusalem Bureau Chief for CNN and was responsible for guiding CNN's coverage in the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Egypt. Most recently Register contributed reports to NBC Nightly News and The Today Show. Last month, Register won an Emmy for Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast for his work on the NBC Nightly News during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Harb leaves after nearly five years, during which he was instrumental in the creation and development of Radio Sawa and the Alhurra television networks. He joined Radio Sawa in 2002, as News Director where he was responsible for all news and current affairs content. In 2003, Harb also became the News Director of Alhurra, the 24-hour Arabic-language news and information satellite television network broadcasting to the Middle East. Harb was subsequently named Executive Vice President of MBN and received the Broadcasting Board of Governors' Superior Accomplishment Award. In addition to recruiting the journalists for Alhurra, Harb was a key member of the team that developed the channel strategy, branding and identity. Harb will continue as a consultant to MBN as he pursues new media opportunities. "Mouafac played a pivotal role in establishing Alhurra and Radio Sawa as sources of objective and accurate news and information in the Middle East. Alhurra and Radio Sawa would not be where they are today if it were not for Mouafac's dedication and leadership," the MBN Board said in its statement. Register will assume Harb's responsibilities as Vice President of Network News. The MBN Board's announcement said, "Larry will be a great asset to Alhurra and Radio Sawa's world class news operation. His extensive broadcasting experience and energy will benefit MBN as it continues to grow as an international news organization. His knowledge of the Middle East and his work at CNN and NBC makes him a perfect choice for MBN." Alhurra broadcasts to 22 countries in the Middle East via Arabsat and Nilesat and throughout Europe on the Hotbird satellite system. Radio Sawa broadcasts on FM in Morocco, Jordan, the Palestinian Territories, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E., Lebanon, Iraq and Djibouti. Radio Sawa broadcasts on medium wave to Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Sudan. Alhurra television and Radio Sawa reach a total unduplicated audience of approximately 35 million adults (15 and over) per week according to surveys from research companies such as ACNielsen. Surveys have also reported that approximately 70 percent of the audience finds Alhurra and Radio Sawa's news to be reliable. 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. CONTACT: Deirdre Kline of MBN, +1-703-852-9250 Web site: http://www.alhurra.com (press release via WAFF via DXLD) ** U S A. WRNO update: WRNO-WW transmitter engineer says they still need some cooling work, the antenna feedline needs to be repaired still and he wants to lower the antenna to the ground for a full inspection and repair. Also the balun is not mounted yet and they want to install a fence around the site. After the antenna, cooling and balun are done, reps from Elcor will fly there for a commissioning of the transmitter and a proof will be done. No ETA. They received an extended STA from the FCC and he is not sure when they will go on the air (Aaron Zawitzky, Oct 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. RUSSIA. New time and frequency for WYFR in Gujarati: 1500-1600 NF 7510*SAM 250 kW / 117 deg, ex 1400-1500 on 12080 SAM 250 kW / 140 deg * strong co-ch KTWR in Korean (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Oct 3 via DXLD) Protties vs Protties! (gh) ** U S A. Tuned into WBCQ 7415 just a bit too late to confirm that WOR 1331 aired OK as scheduled at 0415 UT Monday Oct 9. At 0444 there was already open carrier, and then off. The webstream also had silence, but left it on and at 0448 heard the previous week`s WOR 1330 start playing. A fine way to fill webstream time after-hours (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Derry Brownfield show on both WWCR 12160 and WWRB 12180, Oct 9 at 1527, and absolutely synchronized as they both take the same satellite downlink. WWRB stronger here, but greater frequency, site or time diversity would be a more effective tactic than paying double for these identical transmissions only 20 kHz apart (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Derry Brownfield was one of two main speakers when I hosted the Illinois News Broadcasters Association convention in 1981 in Mt. Vernon, Ill. His down-to-earth sense of humor, 25 years ago, was classic --- but when I heard him on shortwave recently, I was a bit disappointed with his far-right political commentary. Glenn Hauser and Jeff White also did a panel discussion at that convention 25 years ago (Qal R. Mann, Krumudgeon, ABDX via DXLD) Wish I could remember him (gh) ** U S A. KYOL / 1510 STA --- I'm surprised that I haven't seen more reports of KYOL being heard where it normally isn't. The switch 10 days ago to ND at 25% of licensed power should represent about a 19- fold power increase to the east and west of Denver. They are now using only tower #2 of the 4-tower array. Towers 1, 3, and 4 are still up and they bracket tower 2 on the east and west sides. Since they are folded unipoles they are now floating at ground potential. I'm starting to wonder if they are acting as parasitic elements and limiting the east-west radiation more than I had anticipated. As expected, the signal to the north and south has been obviously reduced with the DA turned off and the power reduced (Patrick Griffith, Westminster CO, Oct 8, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. [continued from CANADA] Additional comments on targets for the six New England states - [best bets on MW] MA: WBZ-1030 certainly does best to the west, but going towards Europe, WWZN-1510 and WEEI-850 are the big guns. They both were better than WBZ when I listened from Ireland. WRKO-680, WMKI-1260, WSAR-1480, and WUNR-1600 also get "across the pond" pretty often. WRKO actually cranks maximum RF southeasterly over outer Cape Cod and keeps on going to the extent that it is often heard by South African (!) DXers. It can be heard all day in Bermuda (mixed with WPTF-NC & WAPA-PR). RI: Comments about the feebleness of the state's only 50 kW station (990) are certainly true, since WPRO-630, WSKO-790, WHJJ-920, and WARV-1590 (all running 5 kW) all have superior "get-out-ability". CT: WTIC-1080 is of course the big-gun. WFIF-1500, a daytimer, gets out remarkably well at sign-on and sign-off times: this includes reception in Europe. WICC-600, WDRC-1360, and WPOP-1410 all have the potential for long-haul reception depending on what other interference has to be worked-around. On the other hand, WSNG (Torrington) on 610 doesn't get over its back fence. VT: I think that WDEV-550, WVMT-620, WSYB-1380, and WVAA-1390 are all about equally likely to be heard at considerable distances. NH: I've heard WFEA-1370 strongly as far as the NJ shore at night and it may have "legs" enough to go farther. WGIR-610 is good north and south of Manchester but doesn't show up in DX logs much distance to the west or east. WKBR-1250, especially when it occasionally wanders off channel (e.g. 1249.5), is heard widely (including Europe). WGIN- 930, WTSN-1270, WKBK (ex-WKNE) - 1290, and WDER-1320 are sometimes reported several states away and into Canada. ME: More Maine stations get heard in Europe than at US locations more than 500 miles west. WGAN-560 and WZAN-970 have at least made it westward to ON, PA, and maybe OH. I think WLVP-870 has been heard outside New England a few times. The Maine stations on 1280, 1310, 1370, 1390, 1440, and 1470 are all "slam-dunks" in Europe, but scarce west of the Hudson River. Just before sunset sign-off, WTME-780 seems to have a reasonable reach at least if you can untangle it from co-channel stuff like CFDR and WAVA (Mark Connelly, WA1ION - Billerica, MA, Oct 9, NRC-AM via DXLD) And don't forget WSKW-1160 [Maine]. They've been known to leave the big 10 kW non-directional on after sunset (Barry McLarnon, VE3JF, Ottawa, ON, ibid.) ** U S A. Re 6-150, ``NYC Russian Pirate - 87.7 MHz --- The NYC area (Brooklyn?) Russian pirate that I have reported hearing for a couple of years has a website. The station is called Radio VSE.`` The confusion is eliminated in the comments area in this URL. http://www.nyradioguide.com/cgi-bin/info.cgi/WNYZ-LP BTW, if anyone would want to buy LPTV Channel 6, the owner gave a $15 million price tag to an AM station owner I happen to know (Steve Coletti, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ``Not licensed as an FM station, WNYZ-LP is the audio carrier of a low power TV station, Channel 6.`` But also classifies it as ``UHF``! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. SECAUCUS RELAY STATION SENDS RADIO SIGNALS TO NYC The Hudson Reporter By Mark J. Bonamo October 8 2006 Note: This is part of a weekly series about unusual buildings around Hudson County. Ever see a strange-looking structure and wonder what it was? From North Bergen to Weehawken to Bayonne, you'll soon find out! A whitewashed building sits on Radio Avenue in the north end of Secaucus, surrounded by low-lying wetlands and a series of high- spiraling white and orange antennas. Its juxtaposition next to single-family homes is startling, and the building itself has remained a mystery to residents because it provides no signage explaining its use. As it turns out, the facility is a relay center for a radio station that is headquartered not in Secaucus, but in New York City. WWRL has been broadcasting in the New York area since 1926 at the 1600 AM frequency. . . http://www.hudsonreporter.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17294398&BRD=1291&PAG=461&dept_id=523589&rfi=6 (via Mike Terry, DXLD yg via DXLD) ** URUGUAY. SODRE, NEW NAMES FOR THEIR STATIONS, BUT NOTHING ABOUT SW For the first time in its history, since their foundation in 1929, the radio stations from SODRE will have their own name, logo and defined programming: CX6 - 650 AM is to be named ``Radio Clásica" as it is devoted to classical music. CX 26 - 1050 AM will be named ``Radio Uruguay`` with information and journalistic content. CX38 - 1290 AM is going to be named ``Emisora del Sur`` with their main program being composed of national music in all their genres, with an aperture to the Latin American world, their programs hosted by musicians, players and journalist connected to music. 97.1 FM will be named ``Babel`` and with their relays in the countryside, will be devoted to the promotion of jazz, experimental music, contemporary, fusion and avant-garde. The next step (2007-2009) is territorial expansion, trying to form a National Network of Relays to effectively cover the entire territory, on their assigned FM frequencies. Investment will be made in new AM and FM transmitters, aiming at the technical possibility of including the local participation of the different communities in the country. (translated from their redesigned website http://www.sodre.gub.uy ) Nothing is mentioned about their SW, and word given from its Technical Manager some time ago is that they are at this stage unjustified (for economical and strategic reasons) The three radios are (or will be shortly) webcasted from their website. The launch of this plan will be done tomorrow, Oct 10, by national authorities and the SODRE radio director in a public conference (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Oct 9, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. Frequency change for National Radio of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic: 0600-0800 and 1800-2400 Arabic 1700-1800 Spanish NF 7425, ex 7460 (DX Mix News, Bulgaria, Sept 26 via DXLD) 7425, ALGERIA. Radio Nacional de la República Árabe Saharaui Democrática, 2330-0002*, 10/3/06, in Spanish / Arabic. Instrumental music followed by nice ID followed by news headlines and detailed news. Program appeared to alternate from Arabic to Spanish during this 30 minute window. Music/vocals from 2345. Nice complete ID at 2357: ``Radio Nacional de la República Árabe Saharaui Democrática.`` Talk and alternating music segments until Arabic ID at 0001. Fair (Rich D'Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 3795: Radar chinês (para info via Brazil!) Hello all! I've got this mail re. a certain QRM signal being pumped into some bands: a TWN [sic] radar. The audio clip can be heard via the url below. Has any of you noticed such signal? 73, Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Subject: [QRP-BR] Radar chinês --- Recebi do PY4MAB, Maurício, a seguinte mensgem: "A IARU e o coordenador de monitoramento de sinais da região 2 Bill Zellers, WA4FKI, disse ter recebido de radioamadores a recepção de sinais de radares em faixas destinadas a nós radioamadores. O radioamador VE7BZ de British Columbia disse que recebeu sinais dos radares no dia 1 de outubro de 2006 as 1353 UT na freqüência de 3795 kHz. Este radar aparentemente esta localizado na ilha Hainan na Republica [sic] da China transmitindo sinais das faixas de 160, 80, e 40 metros. Segundo Bill Zellers todas as reportagens de sinal indicaram sinais 40 db´s acima de 9 recebidos principalmente na faixa de 160 metros. Zellers pede a todos os radioamadores por todo o mundo que o ajudem nas reportagens de sinal. Quem receber os sinais nas faixas citadas poderão enviar para: wa4fki @ nc.rr.com No link abaixo você ouvira o som do radar da China recebido por radioamadores Americanos: http://www.arrl.org/news/crawlies/10081/OTH-R-3795-VE7BZ-100106.mp3 Vocês têm notado isso? Luiz - PY1LL (Carlos, CT1GFQ, Fonseca, ARLA cluster via Gonçalves, DXLD) Não, but I hope they realize before filing protests that Hainan is in the PRC, not the ROC (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9697: More 2-way in Spanish inside SWBC band, Oct 10 at 1335 two guys conversing a little more clearly than the ones on 15372, q.v.; some words caught were préstamo, precios, dinero, la marina, so seems to have something to do with maritime trade, legal or not. One of them had lite background noise, didn`t sound like aircraft engine, but maybe water flowing by a boat. Nothing heard after 1344 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, it's a common practice among Caribbean fishermen, mostly between Panamá and México, to spend time in long conversations, which make anyone think if they do that while fishing or are at break time. I can tell that from their accents. Mostly heard on 41 m and in the lower side of the 31 mb (Raúl Saavedra, Costa Rica, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Hello everyone :-) My name is Mike and I live in West Sussex UK. My main interests are Spy Numbers Stations, NDB's and general utilities but more and more I like to tune in distant BC dx stations or find myself asking who is broadcasting on a given frequency. Like 15040, Indian by the sound of it? Best wishes (Mike In West Sussex, On the South Coast of the UK, Oct 8, HCDX via DXLD) Hi Mike, at what time did you hear the 15040 kHz station? I saw a report earlier at 1530. Nothing there today. 73, (Mauno Ritola, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. I have heard the 2-way Spanish again on 15372 SSB, in the middle of the 19m SWBC band, Oct 9 at 1415, again very hard for me to follow, but at one point discussed helping someone; said ``cambio`` for over, and nothing heard after 1421. Could be these guys have a daily schedule around 1400. Would some native speakers please monitor and try to figure out who and where they are and what they are talking about (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 17525, Emisión musical NO ID. Saludos cordiales, el pasado 8 de Octubre pude escuchar a las 0724 por la frecuencia de 17525 una emisión musical no identificada, formada por unas cinco notas que se repetían constantemente. Por esa frecuencia tan sólo transmite Radio Free Asia de 0300-0700. ¿A qué puede deberse esa transmisión? ¿Resquicios de alguna emisión de interferencia? ¿Forma parte de la sintonía de Radio Free Asia? Se puede escuchar un fragmento de dicha grabación en: http://valenciadx.multiply.com/music/item/203 (José Miguel Romero, Sacañet (Castellón), España, Sangean ATS 909, Antena de hilo de siete metros, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) Axually it`s six notes, same ones over and over. FWIW, HFCC has Dushanbe, Tajikistan listed at that time with some Russian service (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Hi all, I hear an unID Chinese speaking station very strongly on 17855 kHz, closing down at 1200 UT with some kind of commercials. What do the lists or you say about this station? 73 from (Björn Fransson, the island of Gotland, Sweden, Oct 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Björn, Looks like China jamming Radio Free Asia in Tibetan, per ILG. Probably the usual CNR-1 program as on countless other frequencies as jammers or not. 73, (Glenn, ibid.) Thanks Glenn, You are surely right! So they have commercials? I never listen to them, so I didn't know for sure. 73 from (Björn, ibid.) Hi Bjoern, 17855 fundamental is RFA Tibetan service program via Kuwait site, 250 kW at 70 degrees, 1100-1200 UT. And various co-channel Chinese jammers (and commercial items...) as always. 73 wb \\ 7470 1100-1400 Ulanbataar MNG 250 230 11590 1200-1400 Kuwait KWT 250 070 13625 1200-1400 Tinian MRA 250 311 13830 1100-1400 Dushanbe Orzu TJK 200 125 15510 1100-1400 Al Dhabbaya UAE 500 075 (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DIGITAL BROADCASTING DRM: BELGIUM; NETHERLANDS; PORTUGAL; RUSSIA; U K ++++++++++++++++++++ RECEPTOR DRM SE RETRASA RECEPTOR SANGEAN DRM-40 --- Hemos recibido un mensaje desde la empresa Sangean-Europe, en la que se indica que el esperado receptor digital SANGEAN DRM-40 no llega al mercado europeo en Octubre, sino que lo hará en Enero 2007. Lástima pero debemos esperar unos meses más..... Este es el mensaje recibido [fecha 5 octubre]: Dear FRANCISCO RUBIO, Thanks for your interest in our DRM radio. We expect to have production in December 2006, so it will be available in Europe in Jan. 2007. Have a nice day, Anke Markusse Sangean Europe bv Ankerkade 20 5928 PL Venlo The Netherlands Tel +31-77-382 9344 Fax +31-77-387 5357 site http://www.sangean.nl (via Francisco Rubio, ASOCIACION DX BARCELONA, noticias dx via DXLD) IBOC STILL NO MATCH FOR AM STEREO PENETRATION IN CARS At this point, IBOC can only *dream* of being as successful as AM Stereo! AM Stereo was approved by the FCC in 1982, and by 1986, 30% of all new cars were sold with AM Stereo-capable radios. IBOC was approved by the FCC in 2002, and by 2006, the amount of all new cars sold with IBOC radios rounds down to zero. Last I heard, the only car which even has HD Radio available as an option is the BMW 7-series, and BMW's radio doesn't even support HD2 channels because its design was finalized before iBiquity published the specs for HD2. Needless to say, sales of new vehicles with AM Stereo receivers -- although far less than its mid-'80s boom -- still continues to greatly outnumber sales of new vehicles with IBOC receivers. And remember, Motorola was able to achieve such significant automotive market share even with three competing AM Stereo systems to deal with. iBiquity has NO competitors (since they bought them all out) and yet is still dragging its arse on the ground! (Kevin Tekel, broadcast @ radiolists.net Oct 9 via Chuck Adkins, OH, DXLD) Tekel is a diehard advocate of AM stereo (gh) RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM +++++++++++++++++++++ THE TWO FACES OF RUMSFELD 2000: director of a company which wins $200m contract to sell nuclear reactors to North Korea 2002: declares North Korea a terrorist state, part of the axis of evil and a target for regime change Randeep Ramesh, Friday May 9, 2003, The Guardian [NOTE DATE, but old news surfaces again, mentioned e.g. on MSNBC Countdown Oct 9, 2006] Donald Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, sat on the board of a company which three years ago sold two light water nuclear reactors to North Korea - a country he now regards as part of the "axis of evil" and which has been targeted for regime change by Washington because of its efforts to build nuclear weapons. Mr Rumsfeld was a non-executive director of ABB, a European engineering giant based in Zurich, when it won a $200m (£125m) contract to provide the design and key components for the reactors. The current defence secretary sat on the board from 1990 to 2001, earning $190,000 a year. He left to join the Bush administration. The reactor deal was part of President Bill Clinton's policy of persuading the North Korean regime to positively engage with the west. The sale of the nuclear technology was a high-profile contract. ABB's then chief executive, Goran Lindahl, visited North Korea in November 1999 to announce ABB's "wide-ranging, long-term cooperation agreement" with the communist government. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/korea/article/0,2763,952289,00.html (via DXLD) This old article might be of some renewed interest in the light of recent news. But why is it under REF? Because ABB was also a shortwave transmitter manufacturer, formerly Brown Boveri. See http://www.abb.com/cawp/seitp161/139fe070d1bd3136c1256deb00529636.aspx There is nothing under radio, shortwave, or transmitters in their current product line. There is a link to their `heritage` brand of Brown Boveri Electric: http://www.abb.com/cawp/seitp161/038d05a57d819a9fc1256deb0051eef8.aspx? but it doesn`t mention transmitters either. You would no doubt find ads for them in old editions of the WRTH, ``BBC``, not to be confused with something in the U K (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ MORE LONG-HAUL TRANS-EQUATORIAL FM DX, CARIBBEAN TO SOUTHERN BRASIL GUADELOUPE 97.00, 0123 03/10 RFO, Basse-Terre, OM/OM, talks, FF 34333 97.00, 0024 04/10 RFO, Basse-Terre, YL/OM, talks, FF 45333 97.00, 2351 05/10 RFO, Basse-Terre, OM, FF ????? 89.8, 0137 03/10 Haute Tension, Basse-Terre, mx caribenha, FF 45333 92.9, 0151 03/10 R. Madras, Basse-Terre, mx caribenha, id OM, FF SANTA LÚCIA 97.3, 0126 03/10 R. St. Lucia, Castries, OM/OM, talks, EE 43343 97.3, 0028 04/10 R. St. Lucia, Castries, YL/OM, nxs, EE 33333 97.3, 2356 05/10 R. St. Lucia, Castries, mx caribenha variada, OM, EE 45444 90.1, 0141 03/10 Joy FM, Castries??, OM, relg, EE 43343 MARTINICA 94.00, 0133 03/10 RFO, Trinité, OM/YL, talks, FF 44333 94.00, 0029 04/10 RFO, Trinité, OM/OM, talks, FF 34333 94.00, 0000 05/10 RFO, Trinité, YL, nxs, FF 45344 94.3, 0134 03/10 RFO, Morne-Rouge, YL/OM, talks, FF 23332 89.3, 0218 03/10 R. Sud Est, QTH??, mx caribenha, FF 33333 97.9, 0223 03/10 NRJ Antilles, QTH??, mx caribenha, OM, FF 25332 106.2, 0005 05/10 R AS, QTH??, mx caribenha, FF 34333 ANGUILLA [see also ANGUILLA far above] 107.5, 0135 03/10 Heartbeat Radio, The Valley, YL, nxs, mx, EE 45333 ANTIGUA 91.9, 0141 03/10 Hitz FM, St. John’s, mx caribenha, EE, QRM da Rádio Escuta - Tarumã/SP - 92.1 MHz 43343 92.5, 0144 03/10 R. Faro del Caribe, QTH??, OM, relg, SS 32332 91.1, 0148 03/10 Observer FM, St. John’s, OM, nxs, EE, QRM Yara FM - Bandeirantes/PR - 88.7 MHz 433333 91.1, 0113 04/10 Observer FM, St. John’s, mx caribenha, EE 34333 91.9, 0134 04/10 Hitz FM, St. John’s, mx caribenha, EE 34333 91.1, 0042 05/10 Observer FM, St. John’s, mx caribenha, OM, EE 45333 91.9, 0048 05/10 Hitz FM, St. John’s, mx caribenha, EE ????? UNID 90.7, 0145 03/10 Unid (BBS - Barbados ou NBC - St Vincent & Grenadines), mx caribenha, OM, EE 43343 90.7, 0145 03/10 Unid (BBS - Barbados ou NBC - St Vincent & Grenadines), OM, mx, EE 35333 92.9, 0136 04/10 Unid (Voice of Barbados - Barbados ou R. Madras - Guadaloupe), mx caribenha, idioma?? 25232 95.7, 0144 04/10 Unid, mx caribenha, EE 33333 (ESCUTAS DE RUBENS FERRAZ PEDROSO, BANDEIRANTES-PR, BRASIL, @ividade DX Oct 8 via DXLD) ST. VINCENT AND GRENADINES --- 90.70, - 01:15 - 04/10/2006 - NBC Rádio - musica mix e comentários - 44333 (ESCUTAS DE ANDRE, LONDRINA-PR, BRASIL, ibid.) ###