DX LISTENING DIGEST 6-186, December 18, 2006
	Incorporating REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING
	edited by Glenn Hauser, http://www.worldofradio.com

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FIRST SHORTWAVE AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1340
Wed 2300 WBCQ  7415
Thu 0000 WBCQ 18910-CLSB
Fri 2130 WWCR1 7465

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http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24

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or http://wor.worldofradio.org
WORLD OF RADIO PODCASTS: www.obriensweb.com/wor.xml

INFORME DX DESDE NORTEAMÉRICA POR GLENN HAUSER, DICIEMBRE 2006 
Escuchar a pedido: 
(corriente) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0612.ram 
(descargar) http://www.w4uvh.net/mr0612.rm 
(texto) http://www.worldofradio.com/mr0612.html

DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS Dec 19: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html

** ANGOLA. 4950, Radio Nacional de Angola, 0526-0543, 17-12, locutor, 
portugués, comentarios. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas 
realizadas en Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 
500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ARGENTINA. 15820 LSB, Radio Continental, Buenos Aires, 1028-1050, 
16-12, locutor, programa: "En la mañana del sábado, La Hora del Campo, 
por Continental hasta las nueve de la mañana". Noticias sobre mercados 
ganaderos y explotación de carne. 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, 
escuchas realizadas en Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig 
Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, 
orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** AUSTRIA. I received a QSL letter from Radio Austria International 
for my e-mail reception report sent on 25 Nov 2006. I heard them on 
7325 kHz. I've attached [sic] two images - the front and back of their 
QSL letter. It was printed so that you could cut the top half of the 
letter and have the photo of Salzburg on the back half that you cut. 
Interesting design. I found their web-based reception report form on 
their website: http://oe1.orf.at/service/international
73, (Steve Ponder N5WBI, Houston TX, Dec 16, ODXA yg via DXLD)

** BOLIVIA. 4650.1, Radio Santa Ana, Santa Ana del Yacuma, 2249-2305, 
16-12, música de flauta, locutor, comentarios en español. Señal muy 
débil. 14321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas realizadas en 
Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF 
SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** BRAZIL. BRASIL – A Rádio Record, de São Paulo (SP), permanece 
inativa pela freqüência de 9505 kHz, em 31 metros. É ouvida apenas em 
6150 kHz, conforme constatou o colunista, em Porto Alegre (Rs), em 16 
de dezembro, às 2246, quando era irradiado o programa Viagem Musical.

BRASIL – É excelente a sintonia da Rádio Congonhas, da cidade mineira 
do mesmo nome, pela freqüência de 4775 kHz, no Sul do Brasil. Foi 
captada, pelo colunista, em 16 de dezembro, às 2211, quando era 
transmitido o programa Alegria Sertaneja. 

BRASIL – A Rádio Globo, do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), está muda mesmo em 
ondas curtas, em 6030 e 11805 kHz. Apenas a co-irmã Rádio Globo, de 
São Paulo (SP), tem tido regular sintonia em 9585 kHz. Em 17 de 
dezembro, o colunista acompanhou o programa Enquanto a Bola não Rola, 
às 1559, com regular sintonia.

BRASIL – Tem regular sintonia, em 6010 kHz, o sinal da Rádio 
Inconfidência, de Belo Horizonte (MG). Foi sintonizada, em Porto
Alegre (RS), pelo colunista, em 16 de dezembro, às 2204, quando ia ao 
ar o programa Tião Moreno (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Dec 17 
via DXLD)

** BULGARIA. EMR Christmas Programme / Next Sunday Night 
On - 5775 kHz
At - 1930-2000 UT Christmas eve
On - 24th of December for 30 minutes

This Programme is a short Transmission from EMR with a new output 
power that will be used for 49 metre Broadcasts on Sunday nights along 
with 5965 kHz. The programmes on 5775 will be different from our 5965 
outlet. Good listening. 73s (Tom Taylor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** CANADA. Re: RCI`s drastic schedule changes --- Someone at RCI did 
not do their homework, or maybe slept through geography class. As I 
walk through Boston, I find a majority of English speakers, a large 
number of Spanish speakers (as in any large US city), a lot of shops 
flying Brazilian flags, and I will probably hear Cantonese, 
Vietnamese, or Haitian Creole at some point. Russian is a long shot. I 
don't know if many of these new arrivals have shortwave radios. French 
only by a few old-timers in places like Woonsocket or Lewiston. 
Arabic? Ukrainian? Not enough to justify cutting English for them to 
New England (Dan Malloy, KA1RDZ, Dec 16, ODXA via DXLD)

I could see how a Russian segment would be useful for broadcasts
targeting Central Europe, given the number of "guest workers" who
probably speak Russian as a second language, but I agree -- at least
south of the border in the USA, Russian doesn't make much sense.

However, if one looks more closely at the technical schedule, the
North American targets for most of these new languages are at bearings
of 268, 270 and 277 degrees from Sackville -- towards Minneapolis, MN,
Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA. Oddly, CIRAF target zones of 7 and 8
are given, but a bearing of 268-277 makes no sense for CIRAF zone 8.
(Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, ibid.)

** CANADA. Season's Greetings from everyone at CBC's "The Age Of 
Persuasion" radio series. We wanted to thank you for listening, we 
hope you're enjoying the show, and wanted to let you know we have a 
lot of great episodes continuing in the New Year. 

And by the way, log on to Terry O'Reilly's new Age of Persuasion blog, 
where listeners can engage in interesting and insightful dialogues 
about advertising and marketing, and further the discussions on the 
actual episodes at greater length.

Just log on at: http://www.oreillyradio.com

Be Safe, have a Merry Christmas and a Great Holiday Season!

PS: Our show times remain 11:30 am Thursday mornings, and an extended 
version airing Saturdays at 4:05 pm (all Toronto times; see CBC.ca for 
schedule in your area) (Lynda Persaud, Pirate Radio, Toronto, Dec 18, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I`ve been listening on Thursday mornings, but you say the Saturday 
afternoon version is extended? How could that be in a 25-minute slot 
compared to an (almost) 30-minute slot? Wonderful show, and I even 
don`t mind *too* much all the stuff recycled from the previous series 
on the present series. Regards, (Glenn Hauser to Lynda, via DXLD)

** CANADA. On Christmas Eve (and perhaps even Christmas Day) I like to 
listen to CHML 900 in Hamilton, Ontario. And if you don’t live within 
reach of CHML, fear not, for CHML streams at http://www.900chml.com/

On Christmas Eve (and a few other times through the holidays) one can 
hear A Paul Reid Christmas. To my mind this program is what theater of 
the mind is all about. For two hours, Paul takes us on a journey to 
Christmas’s past --- evoking the memories, sounds and even the smells 
of Christmas in his youth. Paul Reid was a master story teller 
remembered fondly by those who knew him. Although he has been dead for 
almost a quarter of a century this annual program is his legacy.

Every year CHML gets numerous letters, phone calls and emails, 
enquiring whether the program will continue to be aired. It has become 
a CHML tradition. It is one of mine too. (It also airs on CJAD 
Montreal, another station where Reid worked for many years.)

After Paul’s show is over, virtually all night, one can hear episode 
after episode of Christmas favourites from Jack Benny, The Life of 
Riley, Charlie McCarthy and all the great radio shows of days gone by. 
It’s a real treat if you love these old gems (Fred Waterer, 
Programming Matters, Dec ODXA Listening In via DXLD)

** CANADA. CHWO AM 740 in Toronto, which recently began streaming 
http://www.am740.ca will air some special treats on the Monday before 
Christmas during Brian Peroff’s (live) Flashback show. He always plays 
lots of Christmas gems [0100-0400 UT Tuesday] (Fred Waterer, 
Programming Matters, Dec ODXA Listening In via DXLD)

** CANADA. CKOV-630 Kelowna BC has applied to the CRTC to move to FM
(103.1 MHz, 11 kW, 114.3 metres):
http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/eng/Hearings/2006/n2006-13.htm#15

15. Kelowna, British Columbia Application No. 2006-1105-5

Application by Jim Pattison Broadcast Group Limited Partnership to  
convert radio station CKOV Kelowna from the AM band to the FM band.

The new station would operate on frequency 103.1 MHz (channel 276B) 
with an average effective radiated power of 11,000 watts (maximum 
effective radiated power of 35,000 watts/antenna height of 114.3 
metres).

The applicant proposes a Soft Vocals music format complemented by a
continuation of CKOV’s traditional style of news and information  
programming.

The applicant is requesting permission to simulcast the programming of
the new FM station on CKOV for a period of 3 months from the date of
implementation of the new station.

The applicant is also requesting, pursuant to sections 9(1)(e) and 
24(1) of the Broadcasting Act, the revocation of the licence of CKOV
effective at the end of the simulcast period. 73, (via Deane McIntyre 
VE6BPO, Dec 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA. CRTC, RADIO FIND SAME WAVELENGTH [need a better headline]
   By Grant Robertson, Globe and Mail, 15 December, 2006

Canada's biggest radio networks, fearing their audiences are being 
splintered by new technology such as iPods and Internet broadcasts, 
won a key concession from federal regulators yesterday.

Stations that play pop music, classic rock and other mainstream 
formats won't have to add more domestic music to their play lists, a 
move they argued would handcuff them against unregulated competitors.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission wanted 
to increase the domestic content quotas of Canada's pop music stations 
to 40 per cent. However the federal regulator backed off, saying it 
would keep that level at 35 per cent.

The decision was part of a CRTC review of the radio sector. The 
broadcasters had argued for that quota to be lowered. In a trade-off 
of sorts, the commission said that while it would keep the quotas the 
same for mainstream stations, the industry must contribute more money 
toward developing Canadian artists.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061215.wxr-radio16/BNStory/Business/home 
(via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD)

** CHAD. CHADE: 8873 kHz - N`Djamena Aero. Recebido carta QSL. V/S: 
Luc Rousseaux (Chef de Maintenance). 20 dias. Informe enviado por e-
mail: tchadmet @ asecna.org QTH: BP 70, N’Djamena, Chade (Ivan Dias, 
Sorocaba, SP, @titivade DX via DXLD)

** CHILE [and non]. 6185, CVC La Voz, 0800-0900, 17-12, español, 
programa religioso, curiosa identificación: "Para el DX-ista y el 
internauta, sólo distintas maneras de sintonizarnos, CVC La Voz". A 
partir de las 0830 se fue debilitando la señal, y a partir de las0900 
ya no se escuchaba y empeza a sintonizarse débil Radio Educación. 
24422 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas realizadas en Friol,  7º 
48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, 
Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** COLOMBIA. 5910, Marfil Estereo, Lomalinda, 0647-0850, 17-12, 
canciones llaneras, locutor habitual de La Voz de tu Conciencia con 
comentario religioso: "La Voz de tu Conciencia, desde Colombia para el 
mundo". 34333.

6009.5, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Lomalinda, 0831-0855, 17-12, programa 
religioso con su locutor habitual. En paralelo hoy con 5910. Señal 
débil. 24222 variando a 14221 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas 
realizadas en Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 
500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA. RHC`s weekly Esperanto broadcast, Sunday Dec 17 at 1504 on 
11760 only, mentioned George Bush, so even this must be politicized; 
but then about Prof. Zamenhof, inventor of the language, so it`s 
incestuous too. The speaker slipped at one point, pronouncing 
``Ameriko`` as ``Amériko`` rather than ``Ameríko`` as it is an 
absolute rule that all words including proper nouns must be stressed 
on the penultimate, regardless of the original language. I wasted some 
time hunting around the RHC websites for an Esperanto service page but 
all I found were articles about the five so-called heroes in US 
prisons (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CUBA [and non]. Re 6-185: R. Cadena Habana-530 loud & clear & alone 
on channel 2254-2300 UT with radio drama and clear ID at 2300. Oddly, 
no trace of RVC-530 at this time. Two days ago I heard Cuban R. 
Rebelde-530 // 600 at 2255 UT and, again, no trace of RVC which is 
normally local-like here on the Cape. Interesting (Marc DeLorenzo, 
South Dennis, Cape Cod, MA, Dec 16, IRCA via DXLD)

Marc, Cuba 530 has been dominating for a while now down here. Most 
recently I noticed that RVCI T&C seemed to be missing. A check for 
Radio Martí Commando Solo on Friday turned up nothing but Cuba. 
Previously -- since Cuba cranked up the power on 530 -- they and RVCI 
had been trading places during fades. Tonight with a sports broadcast 
on Cuba 530 // 600 // 1110 and others, nothing could be heard during 
the pauses or fades. Nor is there anything else there with Cuba 530 
nulled using a Quantum Loop. Only other thing on besides Cuba is a het 
from a carrier on 531, origin unknown. I've been checking since about 
2330Z until now at 0220Z, and while it might be conditions, it seems 
possible RVCI isn't on at all. Maybe they're working on cranking the 
reported 40 kW up to the full 100 kW (W. Curt Deegan, Boca Ratón, 
(southeast) Florida, Dec 16-17, IRCA via DXLD)

** CUBA [non]. U.S. BROADCAST EFFORTS IN CUBA WORTH THE COST? RADIO 
AND TV MARTI RECEIVE MAJOR TAXPAYER SUPPORT BUT HAVE A SHRINKING 
AUDIENCE --- TRIBUNE SPECIAL REPORT

By Andrew Zajac, Tribune national correspondent. Tribune foreign 
correspondent Gary Marx contributed to this report from Havana
Published December 14, 2006

MIAMI -- As Cuban President Fidel Castro battles serious illness and 
the nation he has ruled for more than four decades braces for change, 
the taxpayer-financed media outlets that the U.S. government counted 
on to communicate American values to Cuba find themselves invisible or 
ignored on the island.

After 20 years and more than $530 million, the Office of Cuba 
Broadcasting operates a radio station that by the U.S. government's 
own estimates has suffered a precipitous drop in listenership and a 
television station that may never have been seen by anyone in Cuba for 
more than a few minutes at a time. . . [much more]
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0612140145dec14,1,6251140.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
(via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

I am probably one of the more Republican and conservative guys here at 
ABDX, and increasingly over the past 15 years I have become convinced 
that our policy towards Cuba needs to be revamped and in a major way. 
Radio Martí is almost a complete waste of money, IMHO. Also, things 
weren't very much different under the Clinton admin in the 1990's 
towards Cuba once the USSR broke up and their Cuban support stopped. 
With this being almost 2007, I have to wonder what the US government 
knows about Cuba that the average citizen doesn't? I also stress that 
if the US tries some Bay of Pigs type invasion when Castro dies, in 
hopes of "freeing" Cuba, that most of the rest of the world will be 
politically appalled, at the very least. Just my opinion, and hope 
this reply is not out of place here at ABDX. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, 
IL, ABDX via DXLD) 

TV AND RADIO MARTÍ FACE ANOTHER AUDIT --- BY OSCAR CORRAL
 
Inside a heavily guarded, three-story building in an industrial 
section of West Miami-Dade, Radio and TV Martí spent $37 million this 
year to crank out news and entertainment that few Cubans on the 
communist island ever hear or see. U.S. funding has remained generous 
despite Cuba's persistent jamming of TV Martí signals, plummeting 
numbers of listeners for Radio Martí and two federal audits -- in 1999 
and 2003 -- that found a repeated history of cronyism and 
''inappropriate and inadequate'' hiring practices at the Office of 
Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees the operation. OCB has spent $250 
million in the past 10 years to reach Cuban listeners and viewers -- 
by far the largest expenditure per listener or viewer among U.S.-
government financed broadcasts. . .
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/special_packages/5min/16263845.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
(via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

** CUBA [and non]. Saludos amigos y colegas de la radio: Ayer pude 
escuchar en el programa "Cartas @ RN" de Radio Nederland una 
producción especial en conjunto con el programa "El Castor Mensajero" 
de Radio Canadá Internacional en donde se anuncia el regalo de 500 
receptores de onda corta para los oyentes cubanos que escriban y 
envíen una historia sobre la cultura, la historia, la familia, etc., o 
cualquier dato que sirva para destacar la isla como nación en el 
mundo. El plazo se cierra a fines de marzo del 2007. Para más 
información, estar atentos a los anuncios que se publicarán en las 
páginas web de Radio Canadá y Radio Nederland Wereldomroep. 73 (Dino 
Bloíse, FLORIDA, EEUU, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Hola: He escuchado en Radio Nederland programa Cartas@rn que Radio 
Canadá Internacional está preparando un concurso en el que el premio 
son 500 receptores de onda corta, exclusivo para los oyentes cubanos. 
Un concurso independiente de los que tienen en marcha ambas emisoras 
actualmente. Escuchen RCI o visiten las páginas web de ambas emisoras. 
Ahora mi comentario personal: 

Me parece muy bien esos 500 receptores; conozco muy bien las 
dificultades y restricciones que existen para comprarlos, ya que 
pertenezco a una O.N.G. que trabaja precisamente la Solidaridad con 
Cuba. Hay que pagar en "moneda dura", y no todos pueden hacerlo, 
aparte de prácticamente ya no se encuentran en las tiendas. Creo 
precisamente se debería evitar que este gesto derivara en 
implicaciones políticas sobre Cuba; al fin y al cabo, otros países y 
otros pueblos también están necesitados de acceso a la información, 
tanto por razones económicas como políticas. Hagan ustedes mismos su 
propio listado para el próximo concurso. Saludos cordiales, (Tomás 
Méndez, Noticias DX via DXLD) 

Saludos desde Cuba a los amigos listeros. Espero que cuando las bases 
del concurso estén listas las publiquen en esta lista ya que por 
ejemplo yo no tengo acceso a Internet y no puedo escuchar Onda Corta 
hace un tiempo pues no tengo receptor. Att (Ing. Yandys Cervantes 
Rodríguez, ibid.)

** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. As far as I know, Roy Barstow [Cape Cod] and 
Christopher S. Dunne [S Florida] are the only DXers who have received 
channel 4 from Dominican Republic since CERTV took over the station 
from RTV. CERTV has now added a Canal 4 page featuring a color version 
of the logo: http://certvdominicana.com/canal4.html I also added the 
color version of the logo to the "Identifying TV DX from Latin 
America" pages (Danny, Shreveport, LA, Oglethorpe, Dec 16, WTFDA via 
DXLD)

** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Re 6-185: 5009.8, R. Pueblo, I checked the 
sign-on times for this one over the last couple of days, and found 
them popping on in mid-program at *1109 Dec 14, *1101 Dec 15 (Jerry 
Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)

** ECUADOR. HCJB, 11960 in Spanish, still announcing two wrong 
frequencies at 1459 Dec 18, 11760 and 9745, the latter for Mexico 
about to close. Trouble is, 9745 has been replaced by 11960 for this 
season, and the other frequency has never been 11760, but 11690 for 
SAm. La Voz de los Andes thus refers countless obedient listeners to 
Marxist Radio Habana Cuba, or in this case Radio Habana Kubo (Glenn 
Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ECUADOR. Re 6-185: ``at 0033 Dec 15 during geomag storm. VOA // 
11840 was poor with flutter; Equadorial HCJB on 11700 and 11970 were G
with no propagation problems. 13, 15 and 17 MHz were dead.`` Should be 
11960 for HCJB, of course (Glenn Hauser, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** FRANCE. FRANÇA - Os serviços em língua portuguesa da Rádio França 
Internacional para o Brasil e para a África serão fundidos numa mesma
seção. É o que noticiou Adriana Freitas, que pertence ao serviço 
brasileiro daquela emissora. Ela, inclusive, já começou a responder
cartas remetidas para o programa Carta de Paris, que era até agora 
transmitido em ondas curtas para o continente africano. As
informações são do Leônidas dos Santos Nascimento, de São João 
Evangelista (MG), que escuta o serviço brasileiro da RFI apenas
pelo satélite. Ele questiona: o que será feito da programação em 
português da RFI que era emitida em ondas curtas para a África? (Célio 
Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Dec 17 via DXLD)

** GABON [and non]. Re 6-185: I hope I've fully understood what Jose 
Miguel Romero has been writing about - and Glenn commenting upon. I've 
been checking 17 MHz today (Dec. 17) myself around 1445+. Firstly, 
there is no way that 17660 is coming out of Issoudun, France or 
anywhere in the UK. The signal today (as it usually is) is peaking
to 9+ and with very little fading. ANO 17630 however is weaker and 
peaking to S7, and very occasionally rising to 9, but with fading down 
to S2. But 17630 and 17660 would not be covering the same target areas 
- would they?

The strongest signal on the band is VOA in Kurdish via Briech, 
Morocco, (until 1500) and peaking S9+10dB. The two Botswana channels 
on 17715 and 17895 were peaking to S9 while BBC Ascension 17830 was 
weaker and peaking to only about S5. REE 17595 is only S3+. If it is 
ISS on 17725 with a buzz then this was only just moving the S meter. 
There are some other weaker signals on the band which I can't ID - 
though 17555 in Spanish is probably WYFR and peaking to S5. There's no
trace of 19160.

My conclusion is that 17660 is coming from somewhere south of my 
location - if not Gabon then what about Guiana French? 73 (Noel R. 
Green (NW England), Dec 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Re. Afropop jammer: Also remember that ANU on 17630 was off when the 
music jammer was on, because it was apparently the very same 
transmitter, shared with NHK-21820 as well. Transferring this 
"service" to Issoudun presumably involves the configuration of a 
dedicated audio circuit for the "programming". This looks like an 
elaborated approach, but TDF is apparently involved in the operation 
of the Moyabi plant in some way and ANU fed to further distribution to 
France anyway, so it should be no real challenge to make such an 
"arrangement" (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST) 

GABON. Hoy 18 de Diciembre a las 1300 he decidido realizar un chequeo 
con mi Sangean ATS 909 utilizando la antena telescópica. 

En 17630 me encuentro a África Nº 1 con una señal 14321; con antena 
Radio Master A-108 la señal es 35333, locutor con boletín de noticias 
y conexión con corresponsal. 

En 17645, Sawt al-Amal; con antena Radio Master A-108 la señal 45544, 
con antena telescópica la señal 35444. 

En 17660 encuentro la emisora musical afro-pop que con la antena Radio 
Master A-108 la señal es 45444 y con antena telescópica es 35444. 

En 9580 y 19160 no escucha más que ruido, no capto señal alguna. 

Una cosa parece clara, la transmisión musical afro-pop no puede venir 
de los transmisores de Gabón ya que dos de ellos están ocupados por 
África Nº 1; ¿quizás de un tercer transmisor? Compruebo el listado del 
BDXC y veo que desde Moyabi transmite Radio Japan con destino hacia 
Europa y en el horario de transmisión de la emisora afro-pop quedaría 
libre; cabe pensar que pudiera ser desde éste transmisor donde 
transmite la emisora musical. 

Es probable; lo que me pone en duda es que cómo es posible que las 
transmisiones de Radio Japan no se consiguen escuchar desde España 
desde hace más de dos años y la emisora musical se escucha todos los 
días. El servicio de Radio Japón en español hace más de dos años que 
no se ha conseguido escuchar en Valencia, curioso; debe tratarse de 
algún otro transmisor. 

¿Pero cuantos transmisores hay en Gabón funcionando? Ahora bien, ¿hay 
alguna posibilidad que desde Gabón haya un transmisor en 17630 
emitiendo África Nº 1 y al mismo tiempo haya otro transmisor emitiendo 
en 17630 la emisora musical afro-pop? Si se repasan escuchas 
anteriores realizadas por mí, se puede observar que he llegado a 
escuchar en 17630 a África Nº 1, Sawt al-Amal y la emisora afro-pop, 
¿Es posible eso? Se puede transmitir desde el mismo país en la misma 
frecuencia dos emisiones al mismo tiempo. Atentamente (José Miguel 
Romero, Spain, Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Big buzz on 4777 from RTVG, Dec 18 at 0605 check next to Nigeria on 
4770. No modulation audible from 4777 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** GERMANY. Re 6-185: Wertachtal will not go dark at all; it even 
appears that two transmitters from Jülich were already transferred to 
this site in preparation of the Radio Polonia arrangements (100 kW for 
a good price instead of an expensive 500 kW overkill, apparently a 
good concept to tender for a contract, at least they won in this 
case). Only all DW transmissions will cease on New Year's Eve, I 
assume at local midnight = 2300 UT. Anything else will continue. 

The actual question is when Jülich will go dark for the side of T- 
Systems and the remaining transmissions being transferred to 
Wertachtal or in some cases Nauen instead. I assume this will happen 
sometime during 2007, since to my knowledge T-Systems officially 
abandons Jülich by yearend 2007, not as a result of the CVC deal which 
in fact only saved the site from a complete demolition. It is simply 
impossible to run two big shortwave stations with altogether 28 
transmitters without a general customer, by just selling airtime here 
and there. So Jülich has to go, thanks to DW's move to VTC (Kai 
Ludwig, Germany, Dec 17, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** GERMANY. 6045, Non-commercial "Hamburg Local Radio" on air with 
SPECIAL programmes via T-systems Juelich site on 6045 kHz, 100 kW, 
monopole vertical cache antenna, non-dir to Europe.

Reception Reports desired, please include RETURN POSTAGE.

1000-1100 UT December 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th and 31st, 2006.
January 1st, - and from Sun Jan 8th - every Sunday in 2007!

Das nichtkommerzielle Hamburger Lokalradio sendet am 24.12.-26.12. 
sowie 30.12.06-1.1.2007 und danach jeden Sonntag von 1000-1100 UTC auf 
der Kurzwelle 6045 kHz. Ausgestrahlt werden die Sonderprogramme ueber 
einen 100 kW Sender der T-Systems aus Juelich. Fuer die europaweiten 
Sendungen wird eine Quadrant-Antenne benutzt. Empfangsberichte sind 
erwuenscht. Bitte Rueckporto beifuegen.

Hamburger Lokalradio
Kulturzentrum LOLA
21031 Hamburg, Germany

E-mail: redaktion @ hamburger-lokalradio.de

Wir wuenschen ein friedliches Weihnachtsfest und einen guten Rutsch
ins Jahr 2007. Michael Kittner, Stationsleiter HLR (via Dr. Hansjoerg 
Biener-D, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 17 via Wolfgang Büschel, dxldyg via DXLD)

** GREECE. Dear Apodimos: Does The Voice of Greece have a new English-
language musical program starting at about 0010 UT Monday? Propagation 
was poor at that time, nothing was on 9420 and 12105 kHz, and 7475 was 
at SINPO 25332 and starting to fade in and out. I distinctly heard a 
woman announcer in perfect English introducing a song written by 
Hadjidakis from Never on Sunday - "Ta pedia tou Peria." She later 
introduced other Greek songs in English, but by 0025 the program had 
completely faded out. Do you have a new program set up for the North 
American Service at 0000-0500 on 7475 and 9420? (John Babbis, Silver 
Spring MD, Dec 18, to ERT, via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** INDIA. AIR Guwahati, Shimla, and Aizwal --- Dear Dx Friends,

AIR Guwahati: All India Radio Guwahati noted on 4900 kHz from sign on 
and at 0042 UT (Dec 18) heard Assamese talk by a male host and he 
mentions Assam and India, clear station ID also noted for the first 
time. I noted AIR Guwahati on 4900 for the first time on Nov 18 while 
participating in the DSWCI 60 m tropical band monitoring competition. 
Jari Savolainen in Finland and Mike Barraclough of World DX Club also  
reported Guwahati on 4900! As I reported earlier on the basis of 
regular monitoring observations by Mr. Gautam Kumar Sharma and myself, 
AIR Guwahati noted on unannounced frequency 4900 rather than its 
allotted frequency of 4940 kHz. E-mail to spectrum management division 
at New Delhi and to the station on this matter provided no reply so 
far. So I assume this is not a typical error as observed occasionally 
on AIR Networks, instead a possible unannounced test transmission on a 
new frequency. I have no evidence or supportive information rather 
than monitoring observations.

AIR Shimla: All India Radio Shimla today (Dec 18) noted with good 
reception on 4965 kHz. There was strong QRM from Voice Africa [ZAMBIA] 
on this channel. But as winter advances the propagation path seemed to 
be changing and now almost all AIR station providing good-fair 
reception. This leaves AIR Leh (probably this SW station is located in 
the highest altitude than any other in the world!) as the only 
one that currently not being heard in the Southern India.

AIR Aizwal: All India Radio Aizwal noted on 5050 kHz at 0037 UT with 
English News relaying from New Delhi; soon after the news station ID 
by a female host "All India Radio Aizwal`` noted and a programme of 
pop songs followed. Fair reception of this 10 kW station and am 
hearing this station for the first time during 2006. No sign of the 
CPBS station which used to block Aizwal.

A bit of history about Mizoram the home state of AIR Aizwal: Mizoram 
is in the North East corner of India bordering Bangladesh and Myanmar 
with a population of one million. The Mizoram is known as the land of 
Lushai Hills. The state was a part of Assam until 1968 and it was 
declared as a Union Territory under the direct control of Central 
government from 1972. During 1987 the Central government declared 
Mizoram as a new state. The people are of Mongoloid race and belong 
to tribal groups. There are three districts in Mizoram. Almost 60 % of 
the people live in the capital Aizwal district. All India Radio Aizwal 
was commissioned on 31st June 1966 with a 20 kW MW transmitter which 
radiates on 540 kHz. Later a 10 kW SW transmitter was installed for 
covering the whole state and it carries programmes for all the three 
districts. Shortwave is the most effective medium for broadcasting in 
a hilly state like Mizoram (T. R. Rajeesh, Kerala, INDIA, Dec 17, 
dx_india via DXLD)

** INDIA. AIR GOS, 9690, Monday Dec 18 at 1441 with mailbag show 
acknowledging report from one José in San Cristóbal, Táchira, 
Venezuela. M&W hosts end show at 1444 in unison with ``Faithfully 
Yours!``. 1444 into film music programme. F-G signal, about as good as 
this one gets here far from the SE Asian target (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRAN [and non]. Re 6-185, 1205v kHz: Both WRTH 2006, pg. 263 and 
WRTH 2007, pg. 249 say that "Radio Payam" is one of the home service 
channels of IRIB. "Payam" simply means "Message", and there is, of 
course, no connection with the US-based Bayah'i SW station "Payam-e 
Doost" meaning "Message from a Friend". However, both books only give 
1188 as MW frequency for Radio Payam; they list 1026 [1206?] for a 
regional station in Tabriz (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Hi Glenn ! According to the WRTH 2006 (page 263), there´s a home 
service of IRIB called Radio Payam ("message") broadcasting on 1188 
kHz and FM. So no relation with the Bahai-station on SW. 73, (Patrick 
Robic, Austria, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Glenn: As best I know, the long-standing Iranian network "Radio Payam" 
(with a handful of AM and FM outlets) has absolutely no connection 
with the American based (or at least that's what listed on the filed 
forms for satellite distribution) Radio Payam-e-Doost Bahai station. 
Payam's programming is quite distinguishable from Payam-e-Doost and 
Payam ID's frequently, so we should assume Herman has correctly 
differentiated them (Chuck Hutton, MWC via DXLD)

Yes, looks like it's one of IRIB nationwide networks, not a single  
location: http://www.irib.ir/radio/payam/
I believe "payam" means "message". Best, (Andy Lawendel, Italy, ibid.)

That's right. I suppose the "message" name comes from the fact that it 
is dedicated to traffic reports along with music programs. Traffic 
must be truly abysmal if traffic reports is featured as 1 of the 2 
things the station does (Chuck Hutton, ibid.)

Hi Chuck (and Glenn), You are quite right. Radio Payam is indeed a 
part of IRIB, which can be seen in the address section of the EMWG 
where I give an IRIB e-mail address and where you can see that the 
postal address is the same as for IRIB 1. 73, (Herman Boel, ibid.)

** IRAN [non]. 6245, CLANDESTINE (RUSSIA? to IRAN), R. Zamaneh, 1955-
2101*, 12/16/06, in Farsi. Huge signal with variety program, dramatic 
talks by man, comedy sketches with audience laughter, local music, 
some pop vocals, even snatches of "La Marseillaise" at one point. Many 
mentions of Zamaneh. Off abruptly at 2101* in mid-song. Almost S9 at 
close (John Herkimer, NY, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)

** IRAN [non]. Opinion: Radio Free Iran [sic] - Down with music. Up 
with ideas

S Enders Wimbush, senior fellow and director of the Center for Future 
Security Strategies at the Hudson Institute, was director of Radio 
Liberty from 1987 to 1992. In an op Ed about Radio Farda, Wimbush 
argues that ``like most of America`s international broadcasters, the 
station has fallen into the public diplomacy trap of advocating for 
America rather than stimulating debate within the targeted society.``

Wimbush contends that ``To become an effective instrument in the war 
of ideas, Radio Farda should be completely overhauled, not just 
tinkered with.`` Read the editorial [of The Weekly Standard, N.B.] 
http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_19560.shtml
(December 18th, 2006, 12:13 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog) 

** ITALY. RAI Strikes Again --- The Federation of Italian journalists 
announced a 48-hour strike of radio and TV workers for this Monday and 
Tuesday (December 18, 19), the Russian news agency RIAN reports. Just 
like in September and October the Italian electronic media employees 
will be protesting the fact that their contracts have not been renewed
since 2005. Expect some brief announcements and lots of light Italian 
music on all RAI language streams (Sergei Sosedkin, IL? Dec 17, dxldyg 
via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

It's confirmed: the strike is on. RAI's Russian broadcast at 1605 UT 
contained a brief announcement about the labor conflict followed by 
music. Regular programming is to be resumed on December 20 (Sergei 
Sosedkin, IL? Dec 18, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

Ciao a tutti, confermo quello che scrive Roberto e aggiungo un
informazione, nel nuovo contratto di servizo tra Rai e Ministero per 
il 2007/2009 sono spariti ogni riferimento alle trasmissioni in onde 
corte per l'estero. E' vero che queste trasmissioni sono regolamentate 
da un contratto a parte con la presidenza del consiglio dei Ministri 
ma nei precedenti contratti erano sempre citate. Questo direi che non 
e' un bel segnale :-( Saluti, (Andrea Borgnino IW0HK, Dec 18, 
bclnews.it via DXLD)

BROADCAST JOURNALISTS ON STRIKE AGAIN IN ITALY

Italian broadcast journalists went on strike again today to demand the 
renewal of their collective bargaining charter nearly two years after 
it expired in February 2005. Radio and television stations were 
limiting their news bulletins to five-minute segments during the 24-
hour action. Media and print journalists have staged a series of 
strikes since talks broke down in September. The National Federation 
of the Italian Press is demanding greater job security for journalists 
as well as legal recognition of freelancers, while the management side 
stresses the need for flexibility and controlling costs in a 
struggling sector. (Source: AFP) (December 18th, 2006, 09:50 UTC by 
Andy, Media Network blog via DXLD)

** KOREA NORTH [non]. S. KOREAN STUDENT BROADCASTS TO ENTERTAIN N. 
KOREANS 
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200612/200612180021.html
  
Radio broadcasts produced by college students here will be aired in 
North Korea. Open Radio for North Korea announced that it will start 
broadcasting stories of South Korean college students from Monday to 
celebrate the radio station`s first anniversary. They include love 
stories, ballads, useful economic information and short historic 
dramas. 

They were planned and produced by students from Dongguk University, 
Sungshin Women's University, Soongsil University, Chung-Ang 
University, Chongshin University, and Hanyang University, who did 
their best to reflect the characteristics of their institution. 

The first broadcast on Monday is titled ``Getting Really Rich`` and 
offers useful tips on the economy for college students. Lee In-geon, a 
student with Dongguk University Broadcasting System says, "I can't 
believe that a show that was broadcast on campus last semester can be 
heard by North Koreans.`` He adds he is worried that programs 
targeting college students here could seem incomprehensible to people 
in the North. 

"If North Koreans can get access to South Korea's culture step by step 
and we do the same, the two Koreas will be able to become closer 
together,`` he adds. "I'm pleased that we opened the door for that.`` 
Hanyang University Broadcasting System has a music show titled ``The 
Music World of Artists.`` It selects a singer from Korea or abroad 
each time and talks about their music and plays their songs. 

"It`s unbelievable," enthuses Chun Young-don (20), who majors in 
political science in the university. "I feel a sense of responsibility 
now shows we produce will be broadcast in the North, representing the 
culture of college students here.`` Sungshin Women's University is to 
broadcast one-act history plays, and Soongsil University will air a 
program providing useful information for living titled ``Catching Up 
With Robinson Crusoe.`` 

Open Radio for North Korea, opened on Dec. 6 last year, is the first 
private broadcasting station for the North. It offers a range of radio 
programs on South Korea's education, culture and daily lives in every 
corner of North Korea. Tune into 7390 kHz between 11 p.m. and midnight 
(Chosun Ilbo Dec 18 via DXLD) 

7390 Open Radio North Korea 1400-1500 1234567 Korean 100 kW 2 degrees 
Taipei TWN 12124E 2509N ORNK b06 Dec.18- (Aoki via DXLD)

** KURDISTAN [non]. 3878.4, *1520-1540, Clandestine, 12-12, Voice of 
Iranian Revolution, Kurdish IS: Theme from "Schcherazada", ID, 
"Internationale", political talks, 25232 heard // 4365.5 (34444). 
Jamming started *1530 and *1535 respectively (Anker Petersen, 
Skovlunde, Denmark on my AOR AR7030 PLUS with 28 metre antenna, playdx 
yg via DXLD)

** MADEIRA [non]. 15560, PORTUGAL, RDP (Lisbon), *1256, 12/17/06, all 
Portuguese. Music and IDs, NA "A Portuguesa," detailed time and 
frequency announcement for SW and satellite; news at 1300, and at 1310 
into Sunday-only program for Madeirans abroad," Abraço da Madeira," 
apparently produced by the RDP-Antena 1 AM/FM network on Madeira. 
Talk, much music, e-contact info, telcons, music, mentions of Santa 
Bárbara Airlines, many mentions of "Abraço da Madeira," generally 
upbeat programming. News 1300-1310, back to the Madeira program, which 
goes to 1500 per RDP website. Very good signal (beamed to NAm). (Jerry 
Berg, MA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD)

** MEXICO. Who is she? I sure love to listen to this XERF announcer: 
http://www.gentoo.net/audio/XERF-1570-20061216-2001.mp3 
(Mesa Mike, N6KUY, WDX6O Los Alamos, New Mexico (DM65uv) Westfall, Dec 
16, ABDX via DXLD) Come-hither voice (gh)

** MYANMAR. 5040.42 BURMA. R. Myanmar, 1150-1214, 12/16/06, in 
[unknown] language. Fair with woman on top of co-channel ute. One 
vocal song at 1157 then into long talk. Segment by woman with simple 
piano melody repeated throughout (John Herkimer, NY, NASWA Flashsheet 
via DXLD)

** NEPAL. RADIO NEPAL TO BEGIN INTERNET BROADCASTING
   Text of report by Radio Nepal on 18 December

Radio Nepal will be available live on the Internet throughout the 
world from tomorrow. Only the news and several programmes can be 
downloaded at the moment, but from tomorrow, all the programmes will 
be continually fed live round the clock. Listeners of Radio Nepal can 
now listen to Radio Nepal from wherever they are, whether in America 
or Europe. The direct broadcast is being carried out by Radio Nepal 
with cooperation from Worldlink Communications and NITV of Japan.
(Source: Radio Nepal, Kathmandu, in Nepali 1115 gmt 18 Dec 06 via BBC 
Monitoring) December 18th, 2006, 13:11 UTC by Andy, Media Network blog 
via DXLD) So what`s the URL? http://www.radionepal.org/ per MN 
Hitlist, and indeed links to live streaming, news on demand (gh, DXLD)

** NETHERLANDS. Sunday December 17, Radio Netherlands - Vox Humana --- 
A Dutchman Leads the Singing Cossacks
 
Cossacks, with their traditional bearskin caps and sabres, were known
as fearsome warriors who defended the borders of Russia for the Tsars.
In the Netherlands, Cossack troops helped expel Napoleonic forces from
Dutch towns in the early 19th century.
 
There are thousands of written and unwritten Cossack songs and after
the Russian Revolution, the Cossacks were suppressed and their
centuries-old music silenced. But exiled musicians abroad kept the
traditional songs alive until the collapse of the Soviet Union, when
Cossack culture was rehabilitated.

Dutchman Marcel Verhoeff has been at the forefront of Russia's Cossack
revival since the early nineties. He's now chief conductor of the
Choir of the Don Cossacks Russia.
 
(Not a Christmas program per se, but some lovely Church music within
the program) (Fred Waterer, ON, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

Now available on demand: 
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/listenonline/weeklyarchive
I listened to the Real audio version with a somewhat higher rate, but 
it distorted on peaks (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NEW ZEALAND [and non]. I came across some S Asian music on 9895, 
Dec 18 at 1529, but a minute later it was wiped out by DRM starting on 
9890. 9895 must have been Bible Voice Broadcasting in the middle of an 
Hindi hour on Mondays via Wertachtal, and 9885-9890-9895 RNZI as 
currently scheduled, also bothering the relatively strong signal from 
WEWN in Spanish on 9885 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** NORWAY [and non]. Re. DXLD 6-183, ``I should point out that for 
twice the power you get nowhere near twice the coverage, so it 
shouldn`t cost twice as much``. 

That's correct, but from a business point of view is strange 
reasoning. The transmitter operator works out what it actually costs 
to run the transmitter, and then marks up the price to make his 
profit. So the cost of hiring the transmitter is based on actual costs 
at the transmitter site, not on coverage, which in the case of 1314 
kHz varies a great deal according to the time of day, though the fixed 
costs remain the same (Andy Sennitt, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** OKLAHOMA. 1210, KGYN, Guymon OK, at 1605 [MST?] Really good signal 
for being afternoon. Noted there's definitely no [CQUAM] stereo pilot 
anymore. We knew this was going to happen when CCU bought them a year 
or two ago, but the pilot is indeed definitely gone and they may even 
be IBOC (Michael n Wyo Richard, Dec 16, ABDX via DXLD)

** PAKISTAN. 4790.0, *0230-0245, 16-12, R Pakistan, Rawalpindi (10 kW) 
Urdu announcement, folksongs, 15232. Islamabad 4790 (100 kW) signed 
off as scheduled at 0215* and was heard much stronger! (Anker 
Petersen, Skovlunde, Denmark on my AOR AR7030 PLUS with 28 metre 
antenna, playdx yg via DXLD)

** PERU. 4790.2, Radio Visión, Chiclayo, 0627-0840, 17-12, locutor, 
predicaciones, español, "El Señor Jesucristo está con nosotros", 
canciones, identificación "Desde la ciudad de Chiclayo, transmite 
Radio Visión, para Perú y el mundo". 24322 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, 
Spain, escuchas realizadas en Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, 
Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, 
orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** PERU. Estimados Amigos: Aca un pequeño log con la advertencia que 
en 4055 kHz me "topé" con [ran into] una frecuencia espúrea 
"correspondiente" a Radiodifusora Cultural Amauta, Ayacucho, Perú. 
Frecuencia correcta: 4955 kHz. 73 Alfredo

Dear Friends: There` a little log with a special note: "espureous"
qrg of Radiodifusora Cultural Amauta, Ayacucho, Perú. Right QRG: 4955 
Khz 73 Alfredo. Viz.:

Diciembre 15 - 2006, 4055, Espúreo de 4955, Radio Cultural Amauta, 
Huanta, Ayacucho, Perú, Español [no time given among other logs 
including times]

(DXSPACEMASTER, ALFREDO BENJAMIN CAÑOTE BUENO, Lima Perú, TELF: 51-1-
9958-6329 (1300-0100 UT). RADIOS: ICOM IC-R71A, GRUNDIG YB400, SONY 
ICF-7600DS, REALISTIC DX-440. ANTENNAS: SW: RADIO SHACK 20-181. MW: 
CPDS-1 QUAD. NOISE CANCELLER: JPS ANC-4, Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I wrote him back that since this was 900 kHz down, surely it was a 
receiver-produced image and not a transmitted spur; and among his 
receivers, it should not be audible on the Icom. But he replies that 
he does get it on the Icom and he`s sure it is a spur. So I wonder, is 
even the R-71A subject to 2 x 450 kHz IF images? (Glenn Hauser, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Hola Estimado Glenn: Muchas gracias por el consejo amigo! Verifiqué 
con el Icom y también lo encontré; parece como indiqué un problema de 
los amigos ayacuchanos. 73 (Alfredo, DXSPACEMASTER, BENJAMIN CAÑOTE 
BUENO, Lima, Perú, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** POLAND [non]. POLÔNIA – A Rádio Polônia Internacional aumentou 
sensivelmente a abrangência do seu sinal ao emitir via retransmissores
localizados na Alemanha, França e Guiana Francesa. ``É uma lástima que 
não tem nada dirigido ao ocidente``, ressalta Glenn Hauser, em seu 
boletim Mundo Radial. Acrescenta que as emissões em espanhol já não 
existem mais na Rádio Polônia. Sugere as transmissões em esperanto, 
que vão ao ar, via Alemanha, no seguinte esquema: às 1600, em 6050 e 
7285 kHz; às 1730, em 6060 kHz; às 1900, em 7290 kHz (Célio Romais, 
Panorama, @tividade DX Dec 17 via DXLD)

** RUSSIA. Hi all, Russian International Radio on 7125 in Russian 
between 0001 and 0600 UT; anyone have a QTH for that broadcast? 
The Russian ID for my last question is, "RadioKompaniya Golos Rossii" 
if you're interested? (Chuck Bolland, FL, dxldyg via DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

HFCC B06 shows ARM which equates to Armavir. Russian International 
Radio is apparently just an arm (no pun intended) of Voice of Russia 
as they share the same street address in Moscow. Email address is 
rir (at) vor.ru (Steve Lare, Holland, MI USA, ibid.)

However, other sources always located 7125 at Grigoriopol, and I 
assume that this site is still in use here. Usually the input of the 
Russian delegation to the HFCC is one story while it is another story 
what the transmitter operators are in fact doing. I have an impression 
that this results from a combination of old Soviet behaviours (one 
should never forget that the involved people were socialized in and by 
the USSR, and I can see almost daily here in eastern Germany how hard 
to overcome such kind of shaping is, if not on other people then on 
myself) and some kind of "left hand not knowing what the right one is 
doing". The particular case of Grigoriopol outlets being shown as ARM 
could also be connected to the Pridnestrovye situation, but here one 
would need to know what the designation of "KCH" registrations as 
"MDA" is worth (I guess nothing and it is de facto an entirely Russian 
operation).

The TOH ID on Russkoye Mezhdunarodnoye Radio is "radio company Voice 
of Russia presents Russian International Radio". This program is a 
coproduction of VOR with the commercial Russkoye Radio. So far I saw 
no evidence about the location of the continuity studio which is 
probably but not necessarily at the editorial offices. If it's indeed 
at ul. Pyatnitskaya 25 they must have built an entirely new studio 
with commercial-style audio processing, probably designed by or on 
behalf of Russkoye Radio, in any case not related to the recent 
replacement of the old studio facilities there (which still leave me 
wondering what they are now using instead of the fine Oktava mic's 
they previously had, often worked from a considerable distance, 
resulting in the well-known reverb). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.)

** SINGAPORE. 6150, Mediacorp Radio, Singapore, 1454-1600*, 16-12, 
canciones en inglés, locutor, comentarios, inglés, menciona varias 
veces Singapore. A las 1500: "Good evening, eleven o'clock". Múltiples 
identificaciones como: "93.8 Live". A las 1559: "You are listening to 
Mediacorp Radio Singapore, 93.8 FM, 6080 and 6150 kHz in the 49 meter 
band". Cierre alas 1600. 33333. En paralelo con 6080 con peor señal. 
22222 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas realizadas en Friol,  7º 
48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF SW 7600 G,
Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** TURKEY. 15350 kHz channel audio was OKAY at 0800 UT, but when I 
checked at 0905 UT again, same distortion all over the place as on 
December 15th; broadband buzzy spurious from 15301 to 15397 kHz. Btw. 
15350 kHz channel is a little bit O D D frequency, around 15350.05 to 
15350.06 kHz !!!!! Interference of 60 Hertz against CRT CRI Kashi 
China transmission signal on co-channel. regards (W. Bueschel 
Stuttgart Alemanya, Dec 17, to TRT, via DXLD) 

** U K. Droitwich Calling --- Another excellent and well illustrated 
article just added to the bbceng.info site:

In 1989 two ex-Droitwich transmitter engineers, John Phillips and
Peter Mellors were asked to set up a broadcasting exhibition in 
Droitwich as part of the Town's heritage. At that time much of the
transmitting station's original equipment had been scrapped as a 
result of modernisation, but some items were rescued. The centrepiece
of the display is the old transmitter control desk from the 1960-1989 
period, rewired to simulate its original working conditions. A 
recorded commentary and further exhibits illustrate the station's 
history. People with an interest in the subject will find it to be 
well worth a visit. In 1994 John Phillips produced "Droitwich Calling
- The Story of Droitwich Transmitting Station" and I am delighted to 
say that he has contributed it for publication on this web site, 
complete with 18 additional pictures. The result of John's work is a
definitive record of this important transmitting station.
http://www.bbceng.info/Operations/transmitter_ops/Reminiscences/Droitwich/droitwich_calling.htm
(via Mike Barraclough, worlddxclub via DXLD)

** U K. Check out BBC Radio 2 online, on Christmas Day, for a 
Christmas show with a twist. Mark LaMarr (in my opinion one of the 
best presenters anywhere on the BBC --- or elsewhere for that matter) 
hosts Mark LaMarr’s Christmas Business:

``Mark Lamarr treats listeners to some of his favourite Christmas 
tracks with songs from across the musical genres - ska, rock ‘n’ roll, 
blues, soul and more on Christmas Day. Listeners can join in by 
calling in or e-mailing and letting Mark know how their Christmas
Day is going.``
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/christmas/christmas.shtml
(Fred Waterer, Programming Matters, Dec ODXA Listening In via DXLD)

** U K [and non]. The few DAB listeners at Berlin were quite shocked 
during the last days when they discovered that some programs on the 
Digital One ensemble from the UK, transmit at Berlin as a marketing 
stunt (the BBC ensemble was also on during and after IFA 2003 for some 
time until the BBC requested a termination of this relay), went from 
poorish 128 kbps stereo to heroic mono now, just to squeeze in even 
more stuff: 
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/articles/Mono-is-the-new-stereo-on-national-DAB.php 

Note also the link put prominently on the top of this page. Of course 
it describes the situation for the UK, but to my knowledge such 
migration scenarios for Diabolical Audio Broadcasting are under 
consideration here in Germany as well (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 17, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A [and non]. Many of you know how strongly I have felt about 
Morse code as a "requirement" for HF amateur radio licensing. I have 
always said that something that is classified as a requirement, should 
require re-testing maybe every three or five years. Instead an amateur 
radio operator basically required code for one day in their life; that 
being the day they wrote their exam. If they passed, it would be their 
option to never use Morse again a single time in their life, should 
they so desire. What sort of "requirement" is that?
 
Well, we saw Canada, and a number of other countries, gradually start 
to change the requirements. One holdout has been the United States.  
Well, lo and behold, this announcement is being circulated today:
 
FCC to Drop Morse Testing for All Amateur License Classes
--- more details can be found at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/12/15/104/?nc=1
 
Why now, and why has it taken so long? The "Why Now" part of the 
question, I feel, has a very easy answer. The ham population continues 
to age. Pages of dead hams show up in QST magazine each and every 
month. These people are not being replaced with pages of new hams. In 
a world where we have seen more developments in communications in the 
past few years than we have probably seen in decades, amateur radio, 
which for so long was at the forefront of technology, has been 
basically left behind in a cloud of dust.
 
Any of you who have heard me speak at ham club meetings, etc. as many 
as 15 or so years ago heard me pushing for amateur radio to take a 
serious look at itself and realize that it was not going to be a 
growing and repopulating pastime unless something drastic like this 
was done.
 
Unfortunately I think it may already be too late. The second part of 
the question, "Why has it taken so long" is answered quite simply with 
a few words; stubbornness and tradition. For much too long I heard 
amateurs throwing out the phrase "If we had to learn Code, then 
everyone who wants to be a ham will have to. It's a tradition."
 
Well, some traditions are good to keep, but when holding on to them 
threatens the future of the activity in which these traditions are 
based, it's time to let some things go. Amateur radio has been 
stubborn. I think, deep down, groups like ARRL, Radio Amateurs of 
Canada, RSGB, etc. saw what was happening and refused to admit defeat.
 
When amateur radio in Canada changed the regulations with respect to 
Morse code and HF licensing, there was not crush or line-up at the 
gate by people, even those who already had basic licenses, to get on 
HF.
 
Had the dropping of code altogether happened when the code was dropped 
for basic licensing, amateur radio may have seen an even greater 
influx of new people into amateur radio.
 
Now, I honestly think it is too late. Short of handing out free ham 
radios and antennas to members of the public, this change in licensing 
requirements, I feel, isn't going to make a difference.
 
A few short years ago, I went on record saying that I believe that 
within a few years, at least here in Canada, we were on the road to 
virtual total deregulation of amateur radio. The way things were 
changing seemed to almost parallel what took place with CB radio not 
long after it peaked. With the changes now being announced by the FCC, 
we are one major step closer to that becoming a reality.
 
Some will no doubt be shouting about how terrible a thing this 
announcement from the FCC is. Others will applaud it. I personally 
don't think it will make a whole hell of a lot of different. At this 
point in time, I'm afraid it is just too late. It's really kind of 
sad, I think (Sheldon Harvey, VE2SHW, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Another comment: http://pulverblog.pulver.com/archives/006116.html 
(Jeff, via Mike Terry, dxldyg via DXLD)

** U S A. KAIJ`s new website: http://www.kaij.us  Not too much there, 
but there is a live streaming link, pix of transmitter, antenna, and 
this:

``What is KAIJ? --- KAIJ was first licensed in the early 1980s, 
shortly after the FCC reversed a long-standing policy against issuing 
new shortwave licenses to private companies. Operating from Dallas, 
Texas, KAIJ uses a 100,000 transmitter and antenna array to transmit 
around the world. 

Pursuant to its FCC license, KAIJ operates on frequencies of 9480 kHz 
daytime and 5755 kHz nighttime. The FCC license to operate KAIJ is 
held by Two If By Sea Broadcasting Corporation, which is owned by 
experienced broadcaster Mike Parker. Ten year Shortwave veterans 
include, Tammy Bishop as Assistant Program Director and Mildred 
Mendenhall as CD/tape Coordinator. Broadcast experienced, Andy Farmer 
as Head Announcer. Ted Randall, a 30 year radio veteran and shortwave 
enthusiast, as Sales Manager.`` 

Does not mention that the original license was for KCBI, Criswell 
Bible Institute in Dallas. Some familiar names there! People who used 
to work for WWCR. Have they all moved to Dallas? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

** U S A. Checking Global Crisis Watch on WRMI Dec 18 at 0500 on 9955, 
webcast: this edition was dated Dec 11, but at 
http://www.globalcrisiswatch.com/podcasts.php
where we may listen to mp3 files, pretending we are doing podcasts, 
we find that two shows have already been produced since then; but 
there was a long gap since the previous one, Oct 16. And GCW remains 
far estranged from its roots in clandestine radio --- no mention at 
all of ``radio`` in the program summaries since July 10, Radio 
Shabelle (whose website and perhaps itself no longer exists) (Glenn 
Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** U S A [non]. REINO UNIDO VIA ÁUSTRIA [sic] – As emissões em inglês 
da Adventist World Radio têm tido regular sintonia, em Mérida, na
Venezuela, entre 2230 e 2300, pela freqüência de 15320 kHz. Aos 
sábados, vai ao ar o programa Wavescan, com notícias das ondas curtas. 
A constatação é do Leonardo Santiago. As emissões em inglês neste 
horário e canal saem ao ar via retransmissor localizado em Moosbrunn, 
na Áustria (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Dec 17 via DXLD)

Where did you get that info? It`s Guam per sources such as EiBi (gh)

** U S A. Hello Glenn; I was encountering interesting propagation on 
the MW band on Friday night. The most interesting logging by far was 
WOHS-730 in Shelby, NC. Heard from 0350 to 0405 on 12/16 UT. Many 
mentions of Shelby, with an excited call-in contest winner. ID about 
0353. Oldies format with the interesting contrast of late 1970s dance 
music, followed by ``Moon River.`` Listed in Radio-Locator as being 
168 watts ND at night. Signal 32433. Receiver: RME-45 and balanced-
feed 80m dipole (Steven Zimmerman, Milwaukee, WI, Dec 18, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** U S A. Tropo LA to OK at 1255 CST: Hadn`t noticed any DX earlier 
this morning Dec 17, but CCI building up during noon hour on KETA-13, 
same zero offset; making out floater of constant 888 number and 
http://www.lpb.org website, so must be KLTM-13 Monroe LA. Hepburn`s 
map for Sunday is still holding up (Glenn Hauser, Enid, WTFDA via 
DXLD)

** U S A. Holiday programs, webcasting public radio 
   I haven`t searched out so many this year, but here are some

2006 HOLIDAY SPECIAL PAGES:

WAMC [UT -5] [12/20-12/26] http://www.wamc.org/whatsnew.html#gal
NCPR [UT -5] [12/15- 1/1 ]
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/programs/holiday06.html
WUOT [UT -5] [12/12- 1/1 ] 
http://www.wuot.org/h/programming/holidays2006.html
WUOL [UT -5] [12/10- 1/1 ] 
http://www.wuol.org/holiday_programming_2006.htm
WKSU [UT -5] [12/ 4- 1/1 ] 
http://www.wksu.org/features/holidayschedule2006/
KWGS/KWTU [UT -6] [12/10-12/25] http://www.kwgs.org/holiday.html
KCSC [UT -6] [12/20-12/25] 
http://www.kcscfm.com/programs/programs_special.asp
KMUW [UT -6] [12/14- 1/1 ] http://www.kmuw.org/SpecialPrograms.html
KANU [UT -6] [12/17- 1/1 ] 
http://kansaspublicradio.org/events.php?type=KPR
KBYU [UT -7] [12/ 3- 1/1 ] http://classical89.org/specials/
KVPR [UT -8] [12/15-12/31] 
http://www.kvpr.org/images/holidayspecials.pdf
NWPR [UT -8] [12/ 9- 1/1 ]
http://www.nwpr.org/HolidayProgramming/Holiday06.aspx

LAST YEAR`S LINX === NOTE: some of these work for this year, or 
will if obvious changes be made; if year is not specified, 
be sure days of week match 2006, e.g. Xmas on Monday:
http://www.worldofradio.com/holiday5.html
73, (Glenn Hauser, dxldyg via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Re 6-185, Charlie FM 97.1 Portland OR: 
Web-Radio » Call Letters » KY-KZ 
KYCH - 97.1 FM - Portland OR ~ HOT AC - 97.1 Charlie FM ...
(Bruce MacGibbon, Gresham, DX LISTENNG DIGEST)

** VATICAN [and non]. Ran across an interesting interview on WEWN, 
9955, Sunday Dec 17 at 1440 with a British woman from Vatican Radio 
who had had an interesting career, having started by setting up a 
Catholic FM station in Zambia with no experience. Compared the 
different approaches WEWN and VR take to broadcasting. Basic info 
about VR, but did not point out that Fr. Lombardi is also the Pope`s 
own PR man now. She also compared the virtues of different orders, led 
by the Franciscans, of which she is one. At closing 1457, name sounded 
like Sr. Janet Ferns (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

{BTW, in the RCC, does a Mother always outrank a Sister, by 
definition? And a Father outrank a Brother? What about Aunts and
Uncles?}

** VIETNAM [non]. Re 6-185: Degar Voice at *1300: See WRTH 2007, pg. 
511: Degar Voice is Tuesdays on 7125, Thursdays on 7195, Saturdays on 
7115. The same pattern is in use since several years, cf. WRTH 2006, 
pg. 531 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, dxldyg via DX LISTENIING DIGEST) 

Does this somehow avoid jamming? If the shifting is not random, it 
shouldn`t make any difference and therefore be pointless (Glenn 
Hauser, DXLD)

** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. 6215 CLANDESTINE (ALGERIA to ``WESTERN 
SAHARA``). National Radio of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, 
2203, 12/12/06, in Arabic with some Spanish occasionally. First noted 
here at fair level w/usual Western Sahara-related political news. 
Surprised to find them here at 0853 on 12/14 rather weak through 
static and soon fading out just past 0901. Noted again on 12/15 at 
0731 but very weak with QRN (Victor C. Jaar, QC, NASWA Flashsheet via 
DXLD)

ARGELIA, 1550, Radio Nacional República Arabe Saharaui, 2030-2050, 16-
12, árabe, locutora, comentarios. Señal débil. Interferencia de 
Capital Gold en 1548. 22322. En paralelo con 6215, con excelente 
señal. 44444 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, escuchas realizadas en 
Friol,  7º 48' 05'' W, 43º 02' 05'' N, Grundig Satellit 500 y Sony ICF 
SW 7600 G, Antena de cable, 10 metros, orientada WSW, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

Hello DXers, Clandestine: 18/12/06 I picked RSDA on 6215, sign on at 
1700 UT with the national anthem of the Sahrawi Democratic Republic, 
followed by OM and YL giving the frequencies of 1550, 7425 and 700 kHz 
in meter band and kHz, still announcing the ex freq. of 7425 kHz, 
followed by Holy Qur`an recitation, followed by local songs; around 
1730 OM with intro of a program called the "Journey of the Night", 
playing Egyptian and Lebanese music, asking listeners to participate 
in the program followed by another local hit. All the best from 
(Cairo, Egypt, yours, Tarek Zeidan, Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

UNIDENTIFIED LOCATION: based on the monitoring of Mr. Jari Savolainen, 
I confirm that the station heard on 1071 kHz is Idhaat Alnour "the 
Light Radio", the voice of Hizb'Allah from Lebanon. I have been 
following them for the last week or so; they are mainly broadcasting 
live coverage of the political speeches by the opposition parties in 
Lebanon, sometimes the news via Almanar TV, the TV network of 
Hizb'Allah as well. 

The question is, after checking the WRTH 2006 and EMWG, I can see that 
1071 is having two options: Syria 100 kW from Tartus or Iran 100 kW 
from Qom; here in Cairo I have heavy QRM from Idhaat al akhbaar "News 
Radio" from Cairo, but still in the back ground I could hear Idhaat 
Alnour and an Iranian station in Persian! but nothing from Syria on 
that frequency! All the best from (Cairo, Egypt, yours, Tarek Zeidan, 
Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

UNIDENTIFIED. Has the format of 1700 KVNS (Brownsville TX) changed 
recently? Prior to 0800 UT on 1700 there was Latin music, an 
announcement in Spanish and then the Mexican national anthem. At 
around 0820 between Spanish style music pieces an announcement in 
Spanish included "KVNS" Whenever I have heard it before it has been a 
news/talk station (in English). Here's a brief recording where "Ka Vay 
Ennay Essay" is mentioned. http://paulc.mwcircle.org/mex3.mp3 The 
announcer also states "a partir de hoy" "starting from today". Has 
there been a changeover today and are there any Spanish speakers who 
can extract anything more from the recording? (Paul Crankshaw, Troon, 
Scotland, UK, Dec 18, IRCA via DXLD)

Interesting. Rather than a format change, I wonder if this is an 
example of "ethnic brokered" programming. Perhaps KVNS sells "middle 
of the night" air time to a Mexican-American group. I'm just guessing. 
Hopefully someone in (or near) South Texas can provide a definite 
answer (Marc DeLorenzo, South Dennis, MA, ibid.) 

Paul, Halfway into the file I hear them saying ``N-V-S, 17-00 AM``, 
NOT V-N-S. Or it could be something phonetically similar, like NBF, so 
unrelated to KVNS call. Also, I can`t imagine KVNS playing the Mex NA 
at all, nor at the Mexican-mandated time of local midnight when this 
is 2 am in Texas. Points to a PST zone station, so the question should 
be if Cash 1700 has changed format. Or could there now be another 
Mexican somewhere on 1700? 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.)

Interesting... I haven't had a chance to listen to the audio clip, but 
there is (or was?) a network in Mexico called MVS (the Mexicali 
affiliate switched to the XEABC network a year or two ago, and changed 
calls from XEMVS to XEABCA, so I don't actually know if this network 
is still in existence). XEPE-1700 was still running English 
programming during the day yesterday, but I sure wouldn't rule out the 
possibility of them running brokered programming overnight. (Last time 
I checked, they were running CNN headline news overnight). I'll have 
to check on my way home from work tonight to see if they have changed 
formats. The Mexican national anthem at 0800 would seem to fit them. 
73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista CA, ibid.)

I spoke with KVNS moments ago (1-956-973-9202) and was told that as of 
this early a.m., the format was changed to Spanish/Mexican music. Very 
nice catch from across several ponds, BTW. 73, (Gil NN4CW Stacy, Dec 
18, ibid.) 

Brilliant!! Many thanks (Paul Crankshaw, ibid.)

Paul, You aren't one of the fellows on the Guinness Stout TV ad are 
you? ;) I couldn't find the information on a 20th-21st Century 
computer, so I relied on Alexander Graham Bell's 19th Century 
invention and called the phone number listed (Clear Channel) in the 
detailed ownership page of the FCC. Someone in Oklahoma gave me the 
Brownsville number as it isn't listed in the Brownsville directory, at 
least under KVNS. Amazing what one can do (useless) with a lot of time 
on one's hands. ;) 73, (Gil NN4CW Stacy, Savannah, GA, ibid.)

No .....but I'm not averse to the odd pint of the black stuff. I had 
tried one email address of someone at KVNS who had confirmed reception 
reports but I received an automated response saying he was on vacation 
until 01/01/07. I also tried a few email addresses of Brownsville 
Herald reporters but they all bounced! There's still a lot to be said 
for Mr Bell's invention ( born and educated 60 miles from here :-) ). 
(Paul Crankshaw, ibid.)

Possible explanation: the XE NA you heard at 08 was really from XEPE, 
and the recording mentioning NVS was a slipup by the unfamiliar KVNS 
announcer for VNS? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

UNIDENTIFIED. 7543.00 / 7547.00, Asian [pirate?] station. 100% from 
Asia. Noted between 1400 and 1420 UT on odd 7543.00 kHz, but moved at 
1420 UT to 7547.00 kHz, to close-down at 1437. Looks like 
Chinese/Cantonese dialect? And very smooth music like Indonesian south 
sea music songs. (Dec 17) Also on Dec 18th at 1428 to close-down 
1437:00 UT on 7547.00 kHz. Transmitter off at 1437:20 UT. Firedrake 
jamming on 9425 kHz against 'whom' today, at 1200-1300 UT (Wolfgang 
Büschel, Germany, wwdxc BC-DX Dec 17/18, HCDX via DXLD) 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS
++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks for Solstitial financial support to Gerald T. Pollard, NC, who 
sent a check in the mail to Glenn Hauser, P O Box 1684, Enid OK 73702

LANGUAGE LESSONS
++++++++++++++++

"UMLAUT" GERMAN VS FINNISH

Hi Glenn and Kai, Re: which Wikipedia to trust: Let's disregard both 
Wikipedias and trust this instead: 
http://www.tracetech.net/sanat/enfin5.htm
73, (Mauno Ritola, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

2007 FEST CASTING CALL 
    
It's that time of year. It's time to do the planning for the annual 
SWL Winterfest, which is a mere 12 weeks away!

Consequently, we are taking this opportunity to invite one and all to 
be a part of the program on March 7-8-9 at the Inn at Towamencin 
[suburb of Philadelphia PA]. And this one is a very special one -- the 
20th anniversary of The Fest!

As you know, one of the centerpieces of the Fest weekend is our line-
up of informative and entertaining forums. These excellent sessions 
are put together and presented by people just like you -- people with 
a deep and abiding interest in radio and a willingness to share what
they've experienced, learned and know.

So, how about it? Have you a topic that you think Fest participants
will find interesting and would like to present? Tell us about it.

Your role will be to lead a one hour session forum. That means
preparing about a half-hour presentation that leaves plenty of time 
for audience questions and interaction.

And as a gesture of appreciation (and perhaps some measure of small
compensation for your efforts), the Fest will comp your registration
fees if your proposal is accepted by the Organizing Committee for
inclusion in the 2007 program.

Make your suggestion/proposal to John Figliozzi at jfiglio1 @ 
nycap.rr.com  If you have any questions, we'll be happy to discuss 
them with you. And don't hesitate; from personal experience we've 
learned that people tend to unfairly minimize their own abilities in 
this area. We know you'll be great; but you have to let us in on what 
you're thinking! Be a part of the 2007 SWL Winterfest! 73 (Richard 
Cuff, John Figliozzi, 2007 SWL Winterfest Co-Chairs, Dec 17, dxldyg 
via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

RADIO EQUIPMENT FORUM
+++++++++++++++++++++

PHIL'S SW RADIO TUNING TRICKS
http://www.radiointel.com/phil/phils_radio_tuning_tricks.pdf 

PHIL'S 2006 SW RADIO BUYING GUIDE
http://www.radiointel.com/phil/phils_06_buyguide.pdf 
Regds (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, DXLD) Phil who?

GRUNDIG G5: TUNING THE WORLD ON THE BEACH 

On Dec. 16 I took advantage of the unusually warm weather and drove 
out to Sea Isle City, NJ to take a walk on the beach... and try out 
the new Grundig G5 portable that I had purchased at a RadioShack store 
in downtown Philadelphia two weeks earlier.
 
My impressions: the G5 has very good sensitivity with the whip 
antenna, making it a better choice than the Sony ICF-SW7600G (or 'GR).  
If you need something that can receive weak signals and you want to 
listen to good programs while trekking in a park or beach, the G5 is 
just right for you. The G5 can also perform well with the included 
wire antenna, which appears to be longer than the Sony or Sangean 
wind-up antenna (the G5's wire must be about 30 feet in length but I 
have yet to make a measurement on it). I have yet to try out the Sony 
AN-LP1 loop with the G5, just to see how that combination works... 
that loop was a godsend with the '7600G in capturing lots of weak 
signals that the receiver itself could not do with the whip.
 
Aside from sensitivity, the G5 has good selectivity, though some 
powerful stations can splash on stations that are 5 kHz away; with the 
wide/narrow bandwidth selector it can help alleviate this problem, 
though the G5 does not have the synchronous detection mode found on 
the '7600G/GR. SSB performance is fine despite some drawbacks noted in 
the Passport '07' reviews. There are 700 memories, though I don't 
expect to use them much; the G5 has many tuning functions such as a 
tuning dial and up/down scanning functions. And you can use the seven 
quick access buttons, located above the keypads, for quick access to 
seven international broadcast bands (49-16mb) or use the AM button to 
shift all the available SW broadcast bands, including the tropical 
bands.
 
Those are some of the features in the G5; I am satisfied with the 
radio's performance and ease of use, along with the ability to receive 
weak signals, and it turns out that the G5 was a good choice for a 
second portable if I have to use both it and the '7600G in field 
monitoring in a remote location (Joe Hanlon, NJ, Dec 18, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

DIGITAL BROADCASTING
++++++++++++++++++++

Re: DRM DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE AND ITS ONGOING PROBLEMS 

Dxers Unlimited DRM Opinion Poll + answers and comments

Lots of answers coming in from all over the world regarding the 
questions I asked during the most recent mid week edition of Dxers 
Unlimited about DRM , Digital Radio Mondiale... and I will review some 
of them in detail and add some comments from my own tests and detailed 
observations...

Here is now the first part of the results of the opinion poll launched 
here during this past mid week edition of Dxers Unlimited about DRM, 
Digital Radio Mondiale system.

Let's start with the first statistical analysis of the answers so far 
received, all via e-mail, because replies to the poll sent by AIR MAIL 
are going to take a little more time as expected.

Well, so far one hundred and ninety seven e-mail messages received 
from twenty three nations and territories, of which one hundred 
percent, yes, all, each and every one of them were critical of the 
Digital Radio Mondiale system, and to this I must add, that some of 
the messages received contained very angry and well documented 
comments about how the present DRM broadcast transmissions are 
producing heavy interference to standard analog international short 
wave broadcast transmissions, an issue that I think deserves a lot 
more of attention from the Engineering Departments of the stations 
involved in the use of the DRM technology.

Another important fact about the comments coming from listeners from 
five continents is that not a single person has been able to find a 
commercially built working DRM receiver that can pick up those 
broadcasts reliably.

I emphasize reliably, because one of the main objections to the DRM 
technology is precisely that it is not reliable for everyday listening 
because of its characteristic sudden drop outs, when the sound of the 
station you are picking up simply vanishes, and nothing is heard for a 
certain period of time; then listeners explain in their e-mail answers 
to the poll, that the audio suddenly comes back with a plop or click 
sound, and you lose whatever was on the air during the DRM drop out.

Just to give you an idea of how the replies that came in to arnie @ 
rhc.cu read, here is an example

From a listener in the US state of Virginia, who is also a ham radio 
operator:

Arnie, 1. "Have you ever listened to Digital Radio Mondiale, DRM 
broadcast transmissions on short wave?". 

Answer. Yes with receiver, computer and software.

2. "And in case that your answer is yes: again, in case your answer is 
yes, give your impressions about those DRM broadcasts regarding 
quality and reliability of reception."

Terrible and useless. Broadcast was Radio Sweden via Sackville, 
Canada. So many dropouts and signal not locking that program was 
useless. Analog signal from Sackville, Canada is usually very strong.

As we know a digital signal is either received or not. There is 
nothing in between. We need a new Q code for DRM. I propose QRD (as in
crud. Crud is English slang for rubbish). DRM also causes hash to 
analog broadcasts making analog broadcasts often useless. Unsure how 
people will receive DRM broadcasts without affordable receivers.

And he continues by making a comment that I fully agree with, 
regarding the present use of DRM transmissions

If DRM continues, specific out-of-band frequencies should only be used 
for DRM. Signed Kraig, from Virginia

Another answer to the DRM poll came from the United Kingdom, where 
listener Alan has experimented with a very expensive commercial 
version of a receiver that is advertised as fully DRM capable. Alan 
says that he has very carefully evaluated DRM reception from different 
transmitting stations, and notice he makes a very good reference to 
transmitting stations, and not to the program source, something that 
speaks highly about the excellent analytical job Alan has done for 
more than a year now. He comes forward with a one sentence opinion 
that I fully endorse:

Arnie, DRM, Digital Radio Mondiale, is doomed to failure, because it 
the technology is simply not good for short wave broadcasting 
applications. The dropouts, those black holes during the reception of
DRM broadcasts are horrible, making the reception of stations using 
DRM very annoying to say the least.

Now more about DRM, its problems, difficulties and its very bad impact 
on analog short wave broadcasts that are operating legally near the 
frequencies of the DRM transmissions that are generating so much 
unwanted interference, that is certainly producing a lot of problems 
on the international high frequency broadcast bands where DRM 
transmission are taking place on frequencies adjacent to analog 
broadcasts.

According to several senior broadcast engineers that yours truly has 
asked for opinions about DRM, the problems of this technology are 
divided into three main areas:

One: the technical characteristics of the transmitter used for DRM and 
how the actual DRM signal to be broadcast is adjusted to comply with 
the bandwidth regulation in effect on the HF bands 

Two: The lack of "memory", that is according to one of Cuba's most 
prominent broadcast engineers and university telecommunications 
engineering professor Jorge Inclán Artze, who unfortunately passed 
away recently, the DRM technology is fundamentally wrong for short 
wave broadcasting, because those who designed it, according to Inclan 
and I quote from my notes of an interview about this topic "they 
simply forgot that short wave propagation via the ionosphere is 
totally different from the ground wave propagation used by daytime AM 
broadcast band and FM broadcast band stations." 

And Inclán added that the basic idea of digital broadcasting is good, 
but that it must be combined with sophisticated computer hardware and 
software in order to make it a viable and reliable option. He then 
asked his wife Aïda, to draw for me some of his ideas, because Inclán 
had lost his eyesight many years ago. Aïda, also a senior broadcast 
engineer drew a block diagram in which the role of a buffer memory and 
a redundant transmission of signals system were integrated so that the 
extremely annoying dropouts will simply disappear if, and they both 
Inclán and Aïda underscored, if, a time window long enough to 
compensate for deep fading was included in the software that will 
handle this digital broadcasting technology that would be capable of 
dealing with the typical short wave ionospheric propagation 
conditions.

Now amigos, another of the answers to the DRM poll that came from a 
long time listener in the USA... And before reading it, let me add 
that due to the great impact that this topic has had, I will be 
continuing to review it on our upcoming mid week edition, where I 
will also repeat the DRM poll's questions for those of you that have 
now become interested in this controversial topic...

Amigo Randall, from the USA, a long time listener wrote and says: Dear 
Arnie, DRM in its present form simply doesn't work and it is a 
nuisance to analog signals that otherwise could be well heard by 
listeners.

DRM transmissions MUST be entered at the ITU as experimental, and they 
MUST be moved away from the internationally assigned short wave 
broadcast bands until the DRM or other new technology that is better 
are fully compatible with existing 10 kiloHertz wide analog A3 Double 
Side band plus carrier broadcast transmissions.

More about DRM and your opinions that are reaching me here from all 
over the world in upcoming editions of Dxers Unlimited, and if you 
want to send your points of view about DRM, send them to arnie @ 
rhc.cu of VIA AIR MAIL to Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba, Havana, Cuba 
(Coro, ODXA via DXLD) see also NEW ZEALAND

Very good; now how about a survey on the problems caused by jamming?

DIGITAL TV SWITCHOVER IN NETHERLANDS + UK LW/MW/FM RADIO SWITCHOVER 

The switch off of Analogue TV in the Netherlands a couple of days ago 
seems to have generated some public disquiet, see 
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2006/analogue_tv_complaints.htm 
Responses to Ofcoms consultation of the future of Analogue 
Broadcasting in the LW/MW/FM broadcast bands in the UK must be in by 
5pm on Thursday 14th December, see 
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2006/future_of_radio.htm 
73 (Trevor M5AKA Dec 13, monitoring monthly yg via DXLD)

The following poses an interesting question to be answered down the 
road. There are increasing problems in properly disposing of all 
electronic equipment today, and think of the massive junking out of 
many TV's, VCR's etc., which do not have digital tuners in 2009. I 
think that the 2009 deadline will be extended into the indefinite 
future as the general public, which is basically unaware of the 
transition, will scream to Congress to change the FCC ruling (John 
Ebeling, MN, WTFDA via DXLD) 

We are in the minority still on this, but the public is indeed in the 
dark about this, and will not be happy to have to either replace their 
TV's or purchase STB's, and I don't believe for a moment that the 
proposed rebates will cover 100% of the costs, so folks will still be 
out-of-pocket and most of those who are still not aware will see no 
benefits to it at all (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) 

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: most Americans won't 
even notice the transition when it happens. If their TVs are hooked up 
to cable or satellite, as more than 80% of them are, then the 
transition won't affect them. Their TVs and VCRs will work just as 
they always have.

For the other 20% - and the countless kitchen, basement and workshop 
TV sets out there that may be in cable/satellite homes but not hooked 
up to cable or satellite - the PR campaign will get going in earnest 
over the next year or so, complete with discount coupons for free (or 
nearly free) converter boxes that will keep the old sets humming.

The 2009 date is nearly cast in stone at this point. The new occupants 
of the analog channels that are being given up are eager to take 
possession of their spectrum, and in some cases they're not even 
waiting until 2009. Look at all the analog 55s (WLNY, KLDT, etc) that 
have been silenced so Qualcomm can start using the channel for its 
MediaFLO service.

What's more, broadcasters are making their equipment plans now based 
on the end of analog in 2009. Aging analog transmitters are being 
nursed to the finish line, and the odds are pretty good that for a lot 
of smaller stations, if the analog transmitter fails catastrophically 
in late 2007 or 2008, it simply won't be replaced. Those stations 
won't want to see the deadline extended - they'll want to level the 
playing field by making sure everyone else is off analog soon, too.

And as for VCRs, I'll be lucky if any of the eight in my house, all in 
various stages of impending broken-ness, are still running by 2009, 
anyway. For day-to-day use, they've been all but supplanted by my 
DVR/DVD recorder, and the odds are that most of them would have been 
junked by 2009 regardless of the transition. I'll keep ONE around and 
running to play old VHS tapes (and transfer them to DVD), but that's 
it! s (Scott Fybush, NY, WTFDA via DXLD)

20 percent might be a little high. In our surveys, we find about 5-10 
percent use an antenna. The rest have cable or dish, with dish 
reaching a share near cable, even in some suburban areas, although not 
much in the NYC area yet where nearly everyone is cabled. The dishes 
are definitely hurting the local cable systems, that's for sure. The 
rural areas are all dish. No one has antennas for reception out in 
these places anymore and "antenna havens" like Gettysburg PA where 
every house had a tower, a rotor and a big monster on top, are rapidly 
becoming a thing of the past. You do find a few places like that 
scattered in Canada, however (Rick Shaftan, NJ, ibid.)

And this discussion so far also misses (as do many media pieces ) 
those people who are within local contour and can receive OTA 
perfectly without any external antenna - whether it's all their units 
or just some not on cable (Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) 

John raises an interesting question. In some places it's already 
illegal to throw out anything with a picture tube. Even here in 
Pleasant View (pretty much the least environmentally-aware place in 
the USA...) you have to take TV sets down to the main dump at the 
other end of the county, 20 miles away.  

I wonder if people are going to be more angry at the old TV in the 
kids' room not working anymore, or at having to go through a big 
hassle trying to dispose of it! That said, I doubt the deadline will 
be extended. Scott explained why, and I concur.  

It *does* appear to me that this deadline *will not apply to LPTVs*.  
The Commission has said they don't believe Congress' act applies to 
low-power stations -- that they believe they have the discretion to 
set a later expiration. A number of applications have been filed for 
Digital Companion Channels on channels that are currently in use by 
full-power analog stations in the same city, and analog stations that 
are large enough that I don't believe they will go digital-only before 
the deadline. (example: channel 12 in Boulder, Colo. adjacent to 
KBDI-12's Broomfield)  

While the FCC has not yet granted any such applications, they haven't 
immediately dismissed them either. Unlike the applications for Digital 
Companion Channels on channel 37, which have been dismissed.

A LPTV permit has a 3-year lifetime.  

My read of this situation (not confirmed by hard facts) is that these 
LPTVs don't plan to turn on their digital transmitters until 
Switchover Day. (they can't: otherwise they'd cause massive 
interference to the existing analogs. When the analogs go off on 
Switchover Day, the LPTVs can launch their digital companion 
operations.)

Now, they *could* do that and still turn off their low-power analog 
transmitters on Switchover Day. But that situation would be covered by 
a Digital Flash Cut as well (where the station is given permission to 
cut from analog to digital operation on the same channel. Some LPTV 
stations have already done this.)  

And a Flash Cut is not subject to the risk of auction; K07ZZ already 
has rights to channel 7, if they want to switch to digital on that 
channel. If they want to start a Companion Channel operation on 
channel 23, they might have to go to auction if K09AA asks for the 
same thing.  

IOW if you don't intend to keep operating your analog LPTV after 
Switchover Day, it makes no sense to go for a Companion Channel you 
can't use until that date. That tells me the LPTVs that did go for 
such Companion Channels do expect to keep their analogs after 2/17/09.
Nothing is easy...  some things take time (Doug Smith, TN, ibid.)

I was specifically referencing such situations when I referred, 
earlier in this discussion, to the sets in the kitchen or the garage 
that might not be hooked up to cable, even though the rest of the 
house is. Those, too, are indeed part of the 20% figure that's in 
common use (and that Rick thinks, probably correctly, to be a bit 
high.) Not to deny that they exist, and that their needs have to be 
addressed when the transition comes, but there are fewer of them left 
than many of us think. (Being 4300' from my locals, I can get OTA just 
fine on a paper clip, but even so, there's just one set left in the 
house - aside from the DX rig - that's not cabled. That one's in the 
kitchen, and Lisa's been after me for a while to run cable to it, 
which would be a 10-minute job if I ever got around to it.) s (Scott 
Fybush, ibid.)

Did you file a complaint when the legislation about stb's was out for 
review and comment? I did. I'll bet most folks did not, so if you are 
in an area well served by cable, you will NOT be getting any of the 
$40.00 stipend for your stb. At least, that's how it stood this summer 
(Guy in Lockport, NY Falsetti, ibid.) 

As if $40 would cover one anyway! No I didn't file a complaint because 
I, like most people, didn't know about it at the time -- not that 
citizen complaints make a difference on something like this. It's not 
like the industry won't make tons of money from this with all the new 
equipment, and the consumers won't have a choice. Business as usual! 
(Russ Edmunds, WB2BJH, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.)

No, I did not. as I wasn't aware of it at the time. The problem is 
that the FCC now consists of a bunch of politicians who have NO 
technical knowledge and just 'go with the flow'. Any comments from the 
general public are ignored and are a waste of time. I do not have and 
will not have cable. I have 5 TV sets at home which get excellent OTA 
reception and, at my cabin, I have 2 sets. There is no cable in the 
area, and I can't see shelling out $$ for a dish when it is only 
occupied for somewhere around 175 days a year. summer (John Ebeling, 
MN, ibid.)

I'm not sure if what Guy said is correct. Read this:

``Households that receive cable or satellite television service would 
not be eligible even if they have one or more analog-only television 
receivers not connected to such service,`` NTIA said in a notice with 
proposed regulations.

National Cable & Telecommunications Association spokesman Brian Dietz 
said he wouldn`t comment on the NTIA proposal. But the National 
Association of Broadcasters spokesman Dennis Wharton said the trade 
group ``expected that homes relying exclusively on broadcast 
television would be given priority by NTIA when it adopts DTV 
converter-box rules.``

Under the program, each eligible household may apply for two $40 
coupons, which can be used to defray the retail cost of converter 
boxes. The law, however, bans combining two coupons to buy just one 
converter. 

I found the above here: 
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6357350.html?display=Policy

I read it to mean even if your entire town is cabled, but a cable 
isn't running into your house, you're eligible for a voucher or two. 
What Guy seems to say is that if your town has cable, you are out of 
luck (Mike Bugaj, CT, ibid.)

Mike and all, That's pretty much what I read in the summer also, I 
think. There was another link on this list that took you right to the 
page to file your complaint. One of the guys in the club set that up 
(Thank You)! The problem as I see it is how will anybody know if I 
have cable or not, or any other pay-for service? 

Will the FCC demand the customer list from EVERY cable company/Dish 
Network in the USA and cross index it to people putting in for the $40 
voucher? Just how does the FCC intend to do this and not blow the 
budget on their end, leaving only a few million for the taxpayers, not 
the entire 1.7 billion? (I thought the Fed claimed they were going to 
get 5 billion for the freed-up spectrum - where did it all go?) 

So I cancel my cable, get the (2) $40 vouchers, and then get my cable 
back. Do I have to turn in the money? How about people on the Dish and 
the other pay-for services? What about the old guy in the condo, that 
didn't buy cable, but the building is wired? The entire thing is a bad 
idea; either pay everybody or pay nobody. Let's not turn it into 
another branch of the FCC just to manage STB $40 vouchers! This has 
not even begun to be figured out on Capitol Hill yet. And that's why I 
filed a complaint (Guy in Lockport, NY, ibid.) 

As I understand it, you're both right. I don't believe this issue has 
been settled yet. Both ideas have been proposed (among others) but 
neither has seen permanent approval. Indeed, this whole program is 
pretty vague right now (Doug Smith, W9WI Pleasant View (Nashville), 
TN, ibid.)

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

HARMONIC LOGS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

19120, 1112z, Australia. R. Australia, H2 2 x 9560; fundamental was
40 over S9, harmonic was 4 x 3.5, between weak and fair. Dec 12

19420, 0935z, Australia. R. Australia. H2 2 x 9710, some audio, but 
poor in AM-N, beamed to Papua New Guinea in TK, presume Tok Pisin, 
having trouble with the readme.txt file in EIBI; talk about 
abbreviations!! Dec 12

12610, 1230z MA/FA in Mandarin?, AM-N 4 x 3.5, almost 4 x 4, Ute QRM, 
no 6305 kHz, Spur? Not even a carrier on 6305. Don't think it`s 
firedrake, probably from lower down the band.

14610, 1156z, China PRC, CNR1 to Far East, H2 2 x 7305, MA with talk, 
idling fax QRM; 7305 solid, reasonable on 14610. Maybe a connection or 
coincidence with 12610? I'm too stupid to figure it out! Dec 11

14570, 1155z, V. of Vietnam, no audio, Thai service to SE Asia, H2
carrier S3.3, 2 x 7285, keep an eye on this one, should be an easy 
one. Dec 11

23700, 1142z, BSKSA? Saudi Arabia, about the only possibility here, I
think, the buzz on 21295/460, puts in very strong signals at times 
early evenings here. Carrier S3.4, 2 x 11850. Dec 11 oh no audio heard

23270, 1136z, Radio Taiwan International. H2 2 x 11635, to SE Asia, 
S3.5 Carrier, no audio, Dec 11

23900, 0851, PBS Xizang, China PRC, carrier only S3.6, no audio, H2
2 x 11950. Dec 10

23840, 0722z, Singapore, NHK Radio Japan, H2 2 x 11920, Japanese with 
MA/FA 4 x 3.7, almost 4 x 4, beamed to Oceania, quite good in AM, AM-N 
too hard on the ears! TVI QRM. Dec 10

23700, 0720z, India. AIR, 0700-0800z the only possibility, only a 
carrier, service to Nepal, in Nepali, H2 2 x 11850, harmonic varying 
S3.5/4, had the Domestic Service harmonic on 30520 some time back so 
why not this, conditions seem to be holding up quite well, although on 
Arnie Coro's rpt, Cuban optical astronomer said the minimum might be
the end of 2007 or even 2008!!! Dec 10

23480, 0719z, Singapore, NHK, Radio Japan, Japanese to SE Asia, only
a carrier, no audio S3.5, H2 2 x 11740. Dec 10

23390, 0717z. Singapore, BBCWS, H2 2 x 11695, English Program, audio 
at a poor level in AM-N, English to S Asia. Dec 10

22740, 0705z, KOREA, DPRK, Martial Music, what else? 5 x 4 in AM,
0706z in Japanese, H3, 3 x 7580, surprised not to hear H4 on 30320, as 
Koreans on 31 MHz were 5 x 6 at the time, presume military with guard 
tones, not even a hint on 30320, in fact not hearing any at all on 30 
MHz, but keeping an eye on 30720 BBCWS Singapore H2. Dec 10 2006

Sorry about so many carriers, but anyone in Oceania reading this, can 
have a look around; you never know what you`re going to hear!! I'm 
hoping some of those will lift; these geo-storms can be a help and a 
hindrance. 73 (Dave Vitek, Adelaide, South Australia, grid pf95ga, 
Icom R75 and G5RV North/South, harmonics yg via DXLD) 

TIPS FOR RATIONAL LIVING
++++++++++++++++++++++++

MAN OR WOMAN TALKING

I look at a lot of logs in many different DX bulletins to Digest the 
few real newsy ones. One thing that strikes me is that so many loggers 
constantly specify the gender of the announcer. What does this 
accomplish? It might be helpful in getting a QSL if you don`t have any 
more significant details, but why keep telling the rest of us about 
it? OK, so a man made an announcement at xxxx time. Then there was a 
woman`s voice at some other time. So what? It is not significant. What 
would be significant: if a woman`s voice (or a man`s) were never heard 
on a given station. Maybe this happens in some strict Moslem countries 
--- no women allowed. Otherwise, please spare us such unnecessary 
detail? 

And one can`t always be sure which is which just by listening, and that 
could lead to some embarrassing mistakes! Furthermore, there must be a 
few hermaphrodites on the radio, and it`s not fair to force them into 
one gender classification or another based on how they may sound. 
Further2more, it seems to me that a lot of trans-gender people retain 
the vocal characteristics of their original gender. And if we must 
classify everyone as male or female, should we also classify them as gay 
or straight, in or out? Better to drop the whole thing. Thanks (Glenn 
Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###