+++ [same], 2001, 12/16; Robustly Bulbous & Recently Bare Rev. Barbie Rousingly Babbling about John. SIO=3+34- with xmtr hum, pulse QRM & rat-a-tat bursts (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ---, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Wie die SWLing Post berichtet sendet heute gegen 23 Uhr UT wieder eine sehr seltene Station - McMurdo aus der Antarktis:

"Each year, volunteers at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, celebrate the holidays by serenading those at the remote, Antarctic field camps via HF radio. This year, ham radio operators and SWLs around the world are invited to listen in and email listener reports. The broadcast will be on Sunday, December 23, 2300 UT (December 24, 1200 New Zealand Time), on 7995 kHz USB mode."
<https://swling.com/blog/2018/12/tune-in-holiday-serenades-from-mcmurdo-station-antarctica/>

Die Signale werden sicher schwach sein, aber ein Versuch lohnt durchaus! 73 Christoph <http://ratzer.at> <http://remotedx.wordpress.com> (Christoph Ratzer-AUT, A-DX ng Dec 23 via BC-DX Dec 24 via DXLD)

Not going to propagate very far into the 24h summer daytime on 8 MHz; but I make a proforma check for it anyway (gh, DXLD)

QSL contacts for the Antarctic transmission:  
E-Mail w2naf@arrl.net
Nathaniel Frissel, 37 Meade Street Apt 1, West Orange, NJ 07052, USA.
vy73 (Harald Kuhl, bdxc-news iog via DXLD)

PS. Ich werde in den nächsten Tagen nicht in Buenos Aires sein und komme Mitte Januar zurück. Bis dann! :-) (RAEDeutsch mailing list Dec 21, with a ``Forest Friends`` greeting card, via DXLD)

Rayén Braun, the producer of the German programme of RAE, has announced that she will be away from Buenos Aires for about three weeks. This will probably result in the absence of German RAE broadcasts on WRMI Okeechobee (Dr Hansjoerg Biener 21 December 2018, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9395, USA, RAE (via WRMI) at 0203 with “Argentina to the World” with a man with QSL info and program highlights then male folk vocals to 0209 and a man announcing the news was next, then multilingual IDs followed by male pop vocals and the (better late than never) news finally at 0215– Very Good Dec 22 (Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

RADIO FREE ASIA COMMEMORATES YEAR OF THE PIG JANUARY 2019

Radio Free Asia (RFA) announces its 2019 Year of the Pig QSL. Those born in a Pig years are considered energetic, positive thinkers and gentle. They are also focused and when they make up their minds to do something, there is evidently little you can do to stop them. Pigs lead very busy lives and must remember to take breaks in order to rest. Pig years are celebrated every twelfth year. The other Chinese zodiac animals and associated years are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster and Dog. This is RFA’s 69th QSL design and is used to confirm all valid RFA reception reports from January – April 2019

[boilerplate] Created by Congress in 1994 and incorporated in 1996, RFA broadcasts in Burmese, Cantonese, Khmer, Korean to North Korea, Lao, Mandarin (including the Wu dialect), Vietnamese, Tibetan (Uke, Amdo, and Kham), and Uyghur. RFA strives for accuracy, balance, and fairness in its editorial content. As a ‘surrogate’ broadcaster, RFA provides news and commentary specific to each of its target countries, acting as the free press these countries lack. RFA broadcasts only in local languages and dialects, and most of its broadcasts comprise news of specific local interest.

More information about Radio Free Asia, including our current broadcast frequency schedule, is available at http://www.rfa.org. RFA encourages listeners to submit reception reports. Reception reports are valuable to RFA as they help us evaluate the signal strength and quality of our transmissions. RFA confirms all accurate reception reports by mailing a QSL card to the listener. RFA welcomes all reception report submissions at http://techweb.rfa.org (follow the QSL REPORTS link) not only from DX’ers, but also from its general listening audience. Reception reports are also accepted by email at qsl@rfa.org and by mail to: Reception Reports Radio Free Asia 2025 M. Street NW, Suite 300 Washington DC 20036 United States of America (via Rus-DX Dec 23 via DXLD)

Unfortunately, I am not awake an hour later to check WORLD OF RADIO. Nor was I at 0930 when Unique Radio itself should have aired WOR on 5045-LSB this alternate Saturday (but hiatus planned two weeks from now). Now no trace on 5045, but a JBA carrier on 5055, presumably the other Aussie, 4KZ Queensland (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

The name "Atlantic Bird 3" is obsolete already for six years, see https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/stellat-1.htm

This C-band signal requires a large antenna and is primarily a feed to the FM outlet RTBF still has in Kinshasa. Otherwise "RTBF International" is a thing of the past since they in 2009 left both 9925 kHz (just three years after installing a new transmitter) and Hotbird. Only 621 kHz and the C-band feed remained since, and it has been discussed if it is anything else than a Première feed that at times switches to VivaCité. I think there was one programme, 30 minutes a week or so, that indeed went out on "RTBF International" only, but probably not so anymore for some time now.

Actually this is a farce because the primary hindrance to just pulling the plug had nothing to do with international broadcasting: The planned closure was criticized by the 310,000 French living in Flanders, specifically their association APFF.
https://radiovisie.eu/belgie-houdt-definitief-op-te-bestaan-op-am/

And there are signs that the 621 kHz transmitter (also shown in the Radiovisie article) is no longer putting out anything close to 300 kW. It has been reported that in summer, when they for some time left on the carrier during the ten hours overnight break, the signal had been dropped by more than 10 dB over earlier observations. This indicates that hardly more than 20 kW are now in use anymore. (Which would be no problem with such a solid-state transmitter: Just turn off all but one amplifier cabinet and turn off a number of the modules in the remaining one.) (Kai Ludwig, Dec 19, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Dave lives in the same house Chuck did and is more into VHF than HF. I believe Dave still holds the Trans-Atlantic distance record on 2 Meters. He asked me in early October to bring down several boxes of parts when we came which I carried along on-board, as I was planning to visit him anyway.

Some of the pictures are mine, and the night and storm shots are his. I think I'm going to use the tower and stars picture as the desktop on a new laptop (Brian Miller - K9RA / 4 / 8 / 9 (Florida, Michigan, Illinois), Dec 25, DXLD via WOR iog where the pix are visible)

Besides Anguilla, which is usually off, only thing listed at this hour is CNR2 China which is certainly not in Portuguese (gh, DXLD)

[non]. 6090.00, Dec 22 at 0218-0232, one VP signal, S6-S8, talk sounds Spanish by 0227, but can`t be positive. It ought to be Iran as scheduled, and unfortunately there is no // to try to make a match. I`m checking because now we have three reports from two North Americans who think they heard R. Bandeirantes in Portuguese around this time, despite it having quit SW some months ago (and definitely gone from 9645v, 11925v).

Both EiBi and Aoki still list it on 6090 for 24 hours, also 11925, except EiBi skips 9645. What will WRTH 2019 say? The 2018 already had all three of them double-daggered as inactive. Just in! WRTH 2019 has eliminated all three Bandeirantes frequencies (and this year`s is visibly thicker than last years`, yet same number of pages --- slightly heavier stock?)

Adding to my doubts, this 6090 transmitter is right on-frequency. Surely some of our Brazilian readers could easily confirm whether RB ever be around 6090, or ask the station about SW status. Of course, Anguilla is conveniently out of the way now and most of the time (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Glenn, Segundo informações de colegas brasileiros em um grupo do Facebook a escuta em 6090 não é a Rádio Bandeirantes que desativou todos os transmissores de ondas curtas desarmando inclusive as antenas transmissoras. A própria Rádio Bandeirantes em ondas médias em 840 kHz parece que foi desativada e estava transmitindo com baixa potência de uma cidade próxima e hoje tem relatos que ela está totalmente fora do ar em ondas médias, mas o grupo Bandeirantes continua atuando em TV e Rádio FM. Um abraço, (Jorge Freitas, Feira de Santana Bahia 12°14´S 38°58´W - Brasil, Tecsun PL-310ET, Antenna Delta Loop 8,5 meters, Dec 23, WOR iog via DXLD)

Glenn, per info from Brazilian colleagues in an FB group, the log on 6090 is not R. Bandeirantes, which deactivated all its SW transmitters, even dismantling the antennas. RB on MW 840 seems to have been deactivated and was transmitting with low power from a nearby city, and today there are reports that it is totally off the air from MW; but the Bandeirantes group continues active on TV and FM radio (Jorge Freitas, Bahia, translated by gh for WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15190.096 kHz Measured very tiny signal under threshold only on remote Florida US state SDR unit at 1310 UT on Dec 19.

But in Florida and various remote SDR servers in Europe heard stronger co-channel - an unwanted INTERMODULATION signal on 15190.043 kHz S=6-7 in Turkish language, not Portuguese, from TRT Emirler site in Turkey. At 1230-1325 UT on Dec 19, intermodulation mixture of both services

15270.027 kHz TRT German, S=9+35dB strength  
15350.011 kHz TRT Turkish, S=9+35dB strength

difference distance apart of 79.984 kHz at Emirler Turkey center location. Also symmetrically on upper sideband on 15429.995 kHz S=6-7, and hit co-channel AWR Trincomalee Ceylon on 15430.004 kHz at 1304 UT. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Buschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 19 via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Here in Friol, now, at 1327 UT, Radio Inconfidencia, 15190.1 on air without interference and weak signal. Male and female with comments in Portuguese. SINPO 25322 (Mendez, ibid.)

List source: userlistAOKI.txt, file date 2018/12/19 00:01
        kHz: 15190
    UTC/PSN: 0000-2400
    Days/PI: 1234567 (Mo-Su)
   Language: Portuguese
    Station: R. Inconfidencia
    Country: BRA (Brazil)
Transmitter: Belo Horizonte MG
   Latitude: -19.9167 (19S55'00")
  Longitude: -43.9333 (43W55'60")
 Modulation: AM
 Power (kW): 5
     Target: 122
   Distance: 9598 km
    Bearing: 231°
      Notes: ZYE522
    Details: 19 m from Brazil
QTH locator: GH80ab89ax

Rádios em AM em Minas Gerais, Brasil: 880 kHz ZYL275 Rádio
Inconfidência    Belo Horizonte/Contagem  100 kW
Inconfidência AM 880:
http://192.99.227.251:7050/stream

Listing Status:       Stream is currently up but requires registration
                      in the SHOUTcast Directory.
                      Listeners are allowed and the stream will act 
                      like it is private until resolved.
Stream Status:        Stream is up (HE-AAC @ 128 kbps, 24 kHz) with 34
                      of 9999 listeners (33 unique)
Listener Peak:        1001
Avg. Play Time:       6 hours 36 minutes 28 seconds
Stream Name:          AM
Stream Genre(s):      Jornalismo, Esportes, Entrevista, Servico Publico
Stream Website:       http://www.inconfidencia.com.br
Playing Now:          Inconfidência AM 880 - O Gigante do Ar
(via Roger, dxldyg via DXLD)

Not to be confused with another Inconfidência, in Paraná, 840 kHz.

It looks like the name should mean ``inconfidence``, not a common English word, but what does it really imply? Langenscheidt Portuguese dixionary says: disloyalty, infidelity, unfaithfulness. All very negative concepts, so why name radio stations that? There must be something else behind this, some Brazilian could explain (gh, DXLD)

[and non]. Shortwave Radiogram 21-23 December
http://swradiogram.net/post/181294162767/shortwave-radiogram-21-23-december-2018 (Kim Elliott, Dec 21, WOR iog via DXLD)

223 kHz, Dec 19 at 0721, beacon YYW, which is 1000 watts from Armstrong, Ontario. Presumably with a dash but not noted as I was barely awake. Armstrong is almost 48 N/80 W on the Quebec border, near Kirkland Lake and Rouyn-Noranda.

See also USA for seven more beacon logs during this session. All of these were uplooked at http://dxinfocentre.com/ndb.htm (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Can you guess why I decided to quote this item? (gh)

ROMANIA/ITALY, 9510, Radio City will be on air again tomorrow Saturday
  [Dec 22] at 0900-1000 UT via IRRS-Nexus Milano. (Méndez, ibid.)
 
But Radio City is not on air Sat Dec 22 0900-1000 on 9510 -- Now at
same time is unknown program in English EGR or UNRadio (Ivo Ivanov,
0925 UT Dec 22, WOR iog via DXLD)

Mail from the station received yesterday:

"Hello Manuel, Sorry for the late reply! Radio City was on the air tonight as this is the 3rd Friday of the Month, at 19 - 20 GMT on 7290 kHz. Tomorrow you will most likely be able to hear on 9510 kHz a repeat of an old programme picked at random. Best regards Radio City - the Station of the Cars" (via Manuel Mendez, ibid.) See also ROMANIA

Christmas at prisons

A special Christmas Day radio program to the Catalan Political Prisoners will be broadcasted on December 25th. The program has been recorded by a team of volunteers who work at FM radio stations.

The goal is to send Christmas best wishes messages to Catalan Political Prisoners in such important day as accompaniment to them who are on pre-trial detention for more than one year. The program will be broadcast by local radio stations closest to prisons:

Lledoners prison: Ràdio Sant Joan de Vilatorrada 107.9 FM and Ràdio Santpedor 90.0 FM Mas d’Enric prison: Hit103 103.0 FM and 103.3 FM from Valls city. Puig de les Basses prison: Ràdio Vilafant 107.3 FM

Most of Catalonia’s local radio stations will broadcast the program which will be available on the internet as well.

The program will include relatives and friends of the prisoners who will explain how they usually celebrate the Christmas season as well as sixty celebrities to send them warm hugs.

Radio stations web sites:  
Ràdio Sant Joan de Vilatorrada 107.9 FM http://www.radiosantjoan.cat/
Ràdio Santpedor 90.0 FM http://santpedor.net/radio/
Hit103 103.0 FM and 103.3 FM http://hit103.cat/
Ràdio Vilafant 107.3 FM http://www.radiovilafant.net/
Jaume EA3FRB Compte (via Kuhl, DXLD)

Radio Ndarason International via BaBcoCk [sic] Woofferton, Dec.17  
0700-0800 on 13810 WOF 250 kW / 165 deg to WeAf Kanuri, strong signal:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-ndrason-international-via-babcock_18.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 17-18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

[and non]. CNR-1 vs Sound of Hope Xi Wang Zhi Sheng in 31mb on Dec 18
from 0840 on  9920 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/cnr-1-vs-sound-of-hope-xi-wang-zhi_19.html

CNR-1 vs Sound of Hope Xi Wang Zhi Sheng in 25mb on Dec 19  
from 0640 on 11600 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, very good
from 0715 on 11500 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, fair/good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/cnr-1-vs-sound-of-hope-xi-wang-zhi_96.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec. 18-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

CNR-1 vs Sound of Hope Xi Wang Zhi Sheng in 22mb on Dec.24  
from 0830 on 13890 unknown kW / non-dir to EaAs Chinese, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/cnr-1-vs-sound-of-hope-xi-wang-zhi_24.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.23-24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

There are about 23 China stations on 1098, but always assumed to be the one 1-megawatt at Golmud, QH = Ge`ermu in remote west-central China. Same site as on SW 4800 (gh, DXLD)

In here too, Tim (Sylvain Naud, Portneuf, QC, Perseus + 450m / 1475ft Beverage towards Eastern Europe, 2336 UT Dec 24, IRCA via DXLD)

Actually after reviewing my recording more carefully, I found the following segment and I would count it as a Christmas present: https://www.quebecdx.com/mp3/china_1098_20181224_2159.MP3 Merry Christmas to All! (Sylvain Naud, 0127 UT Dec 25, ibid.)

Is that correct? The CRI 6180 relay via CUBA is at 01-03 only. HFCC & Aoki show nothing scheduled on 6180 between 2030 and 2200, except Brasil of course (gh, DXLD)

910, Radio Metropolitana, Villa María, Ciudad Habana. 1103 December 17, 2018. Female "Esta es Radio Metropolitana" into EZL clarinet solo, then traditional Cuban vocals. Open carrier 60-cycle hum seemingly vanished with the ID, as if maybe this one popped on the modulated air at this time (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, FL, NRD-535, IC-R75, longwires, active loop, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

6165, Dec 18 at 0654, this RHC is off, while English on 6100, 6060, 6000 and 5040 are still on. Quite the contrary, earlier at 0116, 6165 was on and 6000 was off. At 0712, only 6000 is still on with another hour of English, and also JBA on x 2 = 12000. Keeping 6000 on for the final hour until 0800 is getting to be a pattern. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

12000, R Havana Cuba in English -- harmonic 2 x 6000? Or is this
intentional? Hard to say, but only slightly weaker than 6000 with
which it was //. Talx re tropical diseases and other medical issues.
  6000 5 4+5 4+4  better modulation than usual
 12000 4 4 4+4 3+
no other 49 metre or 60 metre RHC channels noted. 0735-0740
18/Dec--[12000 is listed in EiBi, but not in Aoki.] (Ken Zichi,
Williamston MI, SDRplay + SDRuno + ANC-4 + FLDigi + randomwire, MARE
Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

Radio Habana Cuba in English in 07-08 UT slot, Dec 18:
0700-0800 on  6000 QVC 250 kW / 010 deg to ENAm English, fair
No signal on other frequencies 6060, 6100 and 6165 via Bauta!
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-habana-cuba-in-english-in-07.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 17-18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

[and non]. 13780v has an oddity offset of minus 33 Hertz today Dec 18.
- - - Log Dec 18 at 1235 to 1305 UT range in Edmonton Alberta remote
SDR site. Checked also in their local Latin American morning sce:  

[per one schedule version, which?? gh]
1200-1400  6150 QVC 250  305 NCAm Spanish {ex 12-15 UT, wb.}
1200-1600  9535 BEJ 100  230 CeAm Spanish
1200-1600  9640 BEJ 050  110 Antill Spanish
1200-1600 11760 BAU 100  n-d NCAm Spanish
1200-1400 11950 BAU 100  340 WNAm Spanish
1200-1500 13780 BEJ 050  135 SoAm Spanish to Brazil / Argentina mix
1200-1600 15140 BAU 100  130 SoAM Spanish to Brazil
1200-1600 15230 QVC 250  160 SoAm Spanish to Buenos Aires Argentina.
1400-1600 13700 BAU 100  315 WNAm Spanish {and various spurs too
monitored [by gh, but not every day --- gh]}

On 6000 kHz on Dec 18, instead of 6150 kHz from Quivican San Felipe TITAN bcast center, S=9+35dB powerful on Edmonton Alberta SDR remote unit. Glenn, ? it's new for me ... how long they are back on 6 MHz even channel?

Others: 9535.001 kHz from Bejucal site, S=9+35dB nice propagation into Canada today.

9640.007 kHz also Bejucal outlet, powerful S=9+45dB.

11760 even fq, Bauta non-directional on air as always. S=9+40dB powerful

11950.001 kHz from Bauta powerhouse S=9+55dB, 12.56 UT and surprisingly two spurious accompanied on

12000.001 kHz S=9+20dB and
symmetrically on  
11900.001 kHz less S=9+15dB,
and adjacent co-channel VoA Tinang the Philippines relay in Chinese on
lower
11899.986 kHz odd fq.

Much surprise odd fq on lower sideband
13779.967 kHz signal from Bauta site, S=9+40dB at 13.00 UT.  

15140even RHC Bauta outlet at 130degr towards Brazil, tremendous S=9+60dB at 1304 UT. re 14997 & 15283 approx.: no spurious signals heard on Dec 18.

15230even RHC Quivican San Felipe TITAN bcast center, S=9+40dB at 160degrees towards Buenos Aires Argentina target at 1308 UT on Dec 18. no spurious signals heard on Dec 18.

13700even kHz RHC Bauta Spanish sce at S=9+35dB strength on remote SDR in Alberta Canada, at 1403 UT on Dec 18.

Log Dec 18 at 1235 to 1305 UT range in Edmonton Alberta remote SDR site [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15230, Dec 18 at 1510, no signal from RHC. Maybe operator looked at posted RHC website sked and realized, OMG, this frequency is supposed to be off?! But it`s on again at 1546 check. Something`s always wrong at RHC, but in this case, is it wrong to be off, or wrong to be on?

15311.665, Dec 19 at 1459, JBA spur from RHC 15140, enough audio to make a match. This one is 171.665 kHz above, so how about below? That calculates to 14968.335, and indeed I find a JBA carrier at approx. 14968.4. I already discovered closer plus/minus ~143 kHz spurs out of 15140 transmitter, and those circa 15283 & 14997 are also audible. Something`s always wrong at RHC. Meanwhile the other RHC fundamental 15230 is also on, nothing to do with these (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9955, Dec 19 at 1906, pulse jamming at VP level, but totally unnecessary as WRMI doesn`t recome on until *2155, but at least it`s running in time to QRM WORLD OF RADIO at 2200. Also pulse jamming against nothing on 9955 at 1534 Dec 20. Just let it run all the time, but ramp it up to wall-of-noise during Radio Libertad 0015-0100 and some other exile spots. Just think how many undernourished Cubans could be fed if the expense of jamming nothing (or rather, anything) were spent on them! Something`s always wrong at the DentroCuban Jamming Command.

13559, Dec 20 at 1536, RHC FM is S9+10 with F# tone, but under-modulated, geez. So I go hunting for others at approx. 70-71 kHz multiples away from source 13700-AM: 13489, 13418, 13630 is S9+10 but suptorted; 13771 louder but distorted; 13841. Also detectable around 13912, 13984, 14055 is S3 with F#, 14126 S2-S3, and 14196 trace vs 20 m hams. Sic the IARUMS on them? Something`s always wrong at RHC.

15311.6, Dec 20 at 1545, weak spur from RHC 15140, and matching 14968.4, i.e. approx. 171.6 kHz above and below. Emboldened, I try for their doubles, and do find a JBA carrier at 14797.8, but not on the plus side which would be 15482.2. The second closer set out of 15140 are audible on 14997 and 15283, but not on double 15426 or 14854. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

BTW, fundamental 15140 is very strong and overmodulated, contributing to the extras. Per Arnie`s original B18 sked, 15140 is Quivicán site until 1600, Bauta after 1600, so these will not be happening after 1600 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

13740, Dec 20 at 1940, RHC Spanish is loud S9+30; surprised to hear this, as on Arnie`s B-18 skeds it does not start until 2200, then Bauta until 0500. In fact at this hour there are no Spanish broadcasts scheduled, or heard elsewhere in quick bandscans, just Kriyol on weaker 15140, S9+10 and undermodulated. Something`s always wrong at RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Maybe 13740 kHz Bauta antenna and feeder equipment test on Dec 20?, when GH reported/heard that seldom time transmission. Nothing today heard on 13740 kHz at 1945 UT.

15140even Creole sce at 1950 UT on Dec 21, S=9+25db signal in remote SDR installation at Detroit MI state in USA.

S=9+35dB on various SDR antennas in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada check. Bauta outlet on 'California antenna' at 340 degrees north-westward azimuth of Cuba island [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15311.66, 15283.06, 14996.96, 14968.36 all approx., Dec 21 at 1420, the now usual weak and squealing, somewhat wobbly spurs out of RHC 15140 transmitter. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

13700 is much weaker than usual and than // 13780, maybe explaining why no FM spurs are audible on the 22m band at 1418 Dec 21.

15700, Dec 21 at 1521, CRI English relay is better modulated than usual. Listening in SSB only, there is a similar squealing sound to the four 15140 spurs above. Very strange effect I have not noticed elsewhere; listening in AM, no squeal tho a slight hum. On my keyboard, the squeal is approx. D to D# above Cmiddle, i.e. circa 300 Hz. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15700 kHz CRI Quivican 250 kW relay transmission, mainlobe at 305 degrees towards CA-US state, Vancouver Isl CAN, Alaska, etc. but both RHC outlets at same time southwards towards 130 / 160 degrees mainlobe azimuth to Argentina / Brazil target.

1200-1600 15140 BAU 100kW 130deg SoAM Spanish  
1200-1600 15230 QVC 250kW 160deg SoAm Spanish
73 wb wwdxc (Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

13740, Dec 21 circa 2030, RHC Spanish is gone again, after being strangely on some 25 hours earlier.

6000, UT Sat Dec 22 at 0011, no signal from RHC, in keeping with the UT Tue-Fri scheduling of the alternative TV simulcast `Mesa Redonda` (not Mon-Thu except in local time). When on, it`s // 11950 only, the other Spanish frequencies mainstream RHC (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9510nf? CRI via Cuba (presumed) reading (translation) of Chinese literature. (in English) with ID/break at :39. This channel not listed in any of the usual sources, but the audio quality and signal strength scream 'Cuba' so .... Abrubtly off at :42. Was this frequency a 'whoops' or was that shutdown an error? I hung in there but nothing reappeared. 4+4+54+3+ (muddy modulation) 1335-1442* 22/Dec SDRplay +SDRuno +ANC-4 +randomwire (Kenneth Vito Zichi, MI, WOR iog via DXLD)

Did you hear it for 67 minutes or 7 minutes, and if the latter, which hour is correct? Such confusion would be less likely if you would always give *full* four-digit times in the body of your reports (I always flesh them out for DXLD, but above is sic). Before 1357 it`s supposed to be on 9570, so could have been a mis-punch for that. I have looked for 9510 several times since with nothing of it (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15140, Dec 22 at 1430, very weak only S3-S4, which explains why tuning down the band I have not hit the spurs around 15311, 15283, nor their mirrors below. 15230 is also weakened, S4-S6 and cuts off at 1431*. Yet the CRI English relay on 15700 is much stronger at S9-S7 altho that too is weaker than usual. What`s the problem? WWV propagation report does not account for this: SF=71, K=0 at 1500 which is nominal for now, and no storms. No FM spurs on 13 MHz band either tho 13700 & 13780 are normal strength. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

6000, Sat Dec 22 at 2311, another unscheduled RHC broadcast, Spanish a bit suptorted, stronger than // 11760. Recheck at 2330 to find dead air and cut off; maybe they realized mistake. Uncovers algo JBA, like CNR Beijing or Xian, both listed. RHC 6000 is not supposed to start until 0200 (meaning 0100) in English, but also 00-01 UT Tue-Fri for Mesa Redonda. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

9535, Dec 23 at 1333, RHC with some hum, at first seemingly slightly off-frequency, but the hum peaks make it hard to pinpoint. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

6150, Sunday Dec 23 at 1340, RHC with Campesina music show, S9+10/20, the only 49mb frequency on now. On Dec 18, Wolfgang Bueschel found 6000 instead. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

13925, 13850, 13775, 13625, 13550, 13475, Dec 23 at 1454, FM spurs out of 13700-AM RHC, approx. 75 kHz intervals, wider than usual. Most readable in FM is 13625; 13850 QRMs 13845 WWCR; 13775 QRMs RHC 13780. All with the F# tone, which is all that can be detected as far down as the trace on 13475. By 1517, 13780 is off but 13700 et al. remain. Something`s always wrong at RHC.

15311, 15283, 14997, 14969, approx., Dec 23 at 1459, the usual weak
distorted spurpairs out of RHC 15140, which itself is somewhat
distorted and overmodulated. See previous report for exact
measurements. Something`s always wrong at RHC.  

15700, Dec 23 at 1517, CRI English relay is missing! Nor found in quick scan anywhere else on 9, 11, 13 or 15 MHz bands supposed to run at 14-16. Something`s always wrong at RadioCuba (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

13820, Dec 21 at 1415, Radio Martí VG on proper frequency with hardly any jamming audible. Still at 1513 check, an hour during which yesterday RM had inexplicably jumped to 13860 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Nothing heard from this station on several KiwiSDRs throughout W Europe and Iceland – checked from 2015 to 2030 on 5825 (Bruce Churchill, ibid.)

Very bad propagation conditions. Nothing here in Lugo, audible via SDR kiwi in Denmark http://oz1bfm.proxy.kiwisdr.com:8073 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, 2059 UT Dec 19, ibid.)

Weak signal in Bulgaria at 2002 UT (Ivo Ivanov, 2127 UT, ibid.)  

Very weak signal of Radio OZ-Viola on Dec 19:
from 2000 on  5825 unknown tx / unknown to WeEu Danish
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/very-weak-signal-of-radio-oz-viola-on.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.19-20, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5825.03, *1959-2045, 19.12, R OZ-Viola, Hilleroed Test, I/S, Danish/English ann, non-stop rhythmic music, 35242, but at 2011-2013 and 2020-2029 QRM a distorted possible Number Station, 32242. I sent R OZ-Viola a reception report by e-mail and received 38 minutes later the attached QSL! Best 73, (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark, heard on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, but with poor reception conditions, wbradio yg via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

It seems Viola is a scantily-clad YL standing next to a fancy radio tower, also impressive in a different way (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5825, Radio OZ-Viola, new test transmission Friday 28/12 at 2000 UTC, in accordance with an email from the station and its website:

"We want to make the next evening test broadcast on Friday 28/12 again
20:00 UTC. Hope better conditions will be with us this time :-)."  
http://www.ozviola.dk/Links.html
(Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Also heard *056[sic]-0650, 19-12, open with Spanish Christmas songs "Villancicos", "Noche de Paz" and others, at 0527 program of local news and advertisements to population "Panorama Nacional", with correspondents, "Por una Guinea mejor", ID "Esta es Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Radio Malabo y Radio Bata con el programa matinal Panorama Nacional", at 0556 "En breve nuestro servicio informativo nacional", health advertisements : "Planificación familiar", at 0600 "Servicio Informativo" news, "Ningún ciudadano de Guinea Ecuatorial debe morir de hambre por falta de cuidado familiar". Good and clear signal, but deteriorated later due to daylight. 35433 but 15321 at 0630 and later (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Logs in Friol, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD)

Radio Bata, 5005, good propagation conditions for this station now, 0527, open at 0506 with Spanish Christmas songs "Villancicos" and now Spanish, news, "Panorama Nacional". 35433 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, Dec 19, WOR iog via DXLD)

5005.02, 0540-0545 20.12, R Dif. Guinea Ecuatorial, Bata (presumed), just weak carrier - no audio, 15131. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark, heard on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, but with poor reception conditions, wbradio yg via DXLD)

5005, Radio Nacional, Bata, 1845-, 20-12, extended program today, usual closing time 1655, male, vernacular comments, mentioned "Guinea Ecuatorial, Malabo", African songs, ID in Spanish "Radio Bata, en su casa, en el trabajo, en la oficina, porque sólo aquí los entretenemos" 15321 (Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Lugo, Tecsun S-8800, cable antenna, 8 meters, WOR iog via DXLD)

Listened from 1444 to 1600 Dec 22. Reception was lousy throughout at my location in Johannesburg, but showed signs of improving as local sunset (1700 UT) approaches. Hopefully the SDR guys did better. Heard talk in Arabic and another language by OM(s?) and YL(s?), also HoA music as expected. Only point of interest was time pips at 1548. Odd! Came on air at 1459, and all just stopped during HoA music at 1557* (Bill Bingham, Jo'burg, RSA. Drake R8E, Sony ICF 2001D. WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Not audible locally here in UK but heard again with a good signal on the TWR South Africa SDR. Opened at 1500 with Horn of Africa music, s/on ID and talks in vernacular (Tigrinya?). ID sounded like "Hababa Radio Samood". Language switched to Arabic at 1520. Arabic ID (as last week) was "Idaat Sawt Alsmood" - or something like that. 73s (Dave Kenny, bdxc-news iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Alsmood, 17545: I have uploaded a recording of the sign-on yesterday at 1500, it includes the opening announcements in presumed Tigrinya. https://app.box.com/s/vcjqovdt4a6h9x5hane6sed59bf0rp7h 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, WOR iog via DXLD)

FRANCE, Idaat Sawt Alsmood/Radio Voice of Stability via TDF Issoudun
on Dec 22:  
1500-1600 on 17545 ISS 150 kW / 122 deg to EaAf
                                Tigrinya/Arabic/Amharic Sat, poor/JBA
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/idaat-sawt-alsmoodradio-voice-of.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.22-23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

S. Kitchen not even on SW via WRN via WRMI? Are you sure? (gh, DXLD)

Glenn, Kai, I confirmed by monitoring WRN and WRMI output (via remote webSDR) in November that the RFI broadcast output does not include any English at weekends, so the feeds taken by WRN at weekends does not include English and so The Sound Kitchen is therefore, regrettably, not aired (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

http://en.rfi.fr/culture/20181110-quiz-back appears to say that this production is not included in the remaining broadcasting output. So unless someone not just takes the regular feed but downloads these particular files for own playout, this programme would indeed be gone also from WRN and WRMI. Of note in the linked edition is also the remark, made about both WRMI and WRN, that "these broadcasters diffuse our programs out of the goodness of their hearts". It is remarkable because WRN Deutsch had to close after most customers had left, and they did so because price and value were in their opinion out of proportion. Now WRN is completely free of charge?? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

I was told that the idea behind allocating such crude split frequencies (it was intended to do this also in other cases) was to make a point that this is just a technical toy and no broadcasting service. Apparently there was a row over this between Bundesnetzagentur and broadcasting regulators, after an attempt by Bundesnetzagentur to allocate a mediumwave frequency for "international broadcasting" resulted in a hefty, later withdrawn fine from the broadcasting regulator (in this case LFM at Düsseldorf, in other context already subject of upfront criticism, up to labelling its former director as "media Stalinist").

It is now planned to get rid of this by introducing a new category called Bagatellrundfunk, "trifle broadcasting". Considered as such will be anything with minuscule audiences, not warranting any regulation for lack of relevance. This move came after regulators lashed out at people who went live on Youtube (this is broadcasting and you need a licence from us!!!!! einself) and found themselves now really considered as evil, of course only towards ordinary people but not towards their protégéés (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Dec 19, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

It went far[th]er than this. The LfM claimed that time they were also responsible of controlling the frequencies of STLs are OB-Van-To-Studio links. Good the legal system works still the right way in Germany (Christian Milling, ibid.)

http://www.channel292.de/s/cc_images/teaserbox_2478832408.jpg
http://shorties.be/pa00news/slow-scan-radio/extra-broadcast-ssr-wednesday-19-december-2100-utc/

Tonight, Wednesday, 19 December, 2100 UT, Slow Scan Radio of last Saturday will be repeated on 7440 kHz. This is especially for listeners that are a longer distance away than is covered by the Saturday show.

Reports are very welcome. If there are enough people liking the extra time slot, I am considering making this into a regular event...."

also theoretisch dies hier:  
http://www.rhci-online.net/radiogram/SW_Radiogram_2018-12-15.htm#SSR_18

Mehr als 3.5 MHz foF2 sind gegen 2100z wohl nicht zu erwarten:  
https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/IONO/rt-iono/realtime/PQ052_foF2.png

Das ergibt eine Skipzone auf der 7440 khz von jenseits 1500 km (otimistisch) pessimistisch: jenseits der 2000 km Entfernung. Sollte es dennoch starke Signale innerhalb von 1000 km geben kann es nur (wieder) sporadic-E sein, und wäre regional sehr begrenzt (roger, Dec 19, WOR iog via DXLD)

Today Saturday, 22 December
0700–1200 UT  6190 kHz. English 0700-0800
1200–1600 UT  9485 kHz. English 1200-1400

Tomorrow Sunday, 23 December
1000–1300 UT  7265 kHz. English 1100-1200
(Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, WOR iog via DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Ergo this week there can be no English broadcast of WORLD OF RADIO, Saturday at 1531 on 9485 (gh, DXLD)

– That would be a resumption after anything, at least all shortwave from Nauen (I have not seen reports about whether or not this also concerned 1548 kHz from Sri Lanka), had been terminated, effective July 16. If so the next question would be about the scale/schedule of such a revived service (Kai Ludwig, Germany, WOR iog via DXLD)

Yes, fair signal here at 1230 UT on 15285 kHz. Videos will be added later today, after 1530. Full winter B-18 schedule is as follows:

GERMANY, Athmeeya Yatrahe Radio is again on air via MBR Nauen
1230-1500 on 15285 NAU 250 kW / 089 deg to SoAs Various Asian langs
1330-1530 on 15235 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs Various Asian langs
1530-1630 on 15150 NAU 250 kW / 099 deg to SoAs Various Asian langs
2330-0030 on  7380 NAU 250 kW / 085 deg to SEAs Various Asian langs
0030-0130 on  7410 NAU 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs Various Asian langs
-- 73! (Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria, ibid.)

All 6 frequencies (6030, 6080, 9570, 9740, 9800, and 11650 kHz) can be heard here in N.B. at 1900 UT. None are powerhouse but perhaps 11650 kHz is the best and this is the one I'm recording here. 9800 kHz has co-channel QRM from VOA from whatever transmitter replaced Tinian for this broadcast. We'll see how reception changes as nightfall approaches (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD)

Special Christmas program  NDR Gruß an Bord

*1900-1914, 24-12:  
 6030 ERV 100 kW / 305 deg to We/Central Europe SINPO 34433
 6080 NAU 125 kW / 250 deg to Northern Atlantic SINPO 45444
 9740 NAU 125 kW / 130 deg to Indian Ocean West SINPO 34433
 9570 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to Indian Ocean East SINPO 45444
 9800 ISS 250 kW / 148 deg to Indian Ocean/SoAf SINPO 44444
11650 ISS 250 kW / 195 deg to Southern Atlantic SINPO 34433

Good Evening & Merry Christmas :-) (Manuel Mendez, Lugo, Spain, Log in Friol, ibid.)

NDR Gruß an Bord 6080 kHz via Nauen is coming in s9 + 10db from its 1900 UT start. Perseus SDR (Personal SDR) - Beverage - Remote QTH Finland (Maakeski). How is the signal faring in the UK and abroad? Via Tasmanian SDR based in Australia 9570 kHz is reading s9 + 10db (Jordan Heyburn, Northern Ireland, 1920 UT, ibid.)

At 1915 here in Alberta: 6030 has only Calgary, 6080 fair, 9570 poor, 9740 good, 9800 audible under a much louder station, 11650 very good. (Don Moman, ibid.)

11650 kHz to the South Atlantic via Issoudun is doing fairly well at 1930 UT here in southwest Michigan. 73, (Andy Robins, Kalamazoo, Michigan USA, ibid.)

Nothing on my local receivers here. 9800 is fair/good, but with VOA Tinang. Using a UK based SDR with the best frequency being 9800 at excellent level, although others noted too. All this at 1943 UT. 73, (Walt in Victoria, BC, Salmaniw, ibid.)

I'm positive I just heard "Hauser" at 1945. Hmm. Lots of mentions, though, of Hamburg and smart phones. Live audience, as there's clapping. Must be reading greetings, I assume (Walt, ibid.)

6080 is the best at remote QTH in Finland (Personal Perseus SDR) - Beverage Ant. I tried to see how signal was in Australia via the Tasmanian SDR hosted on SDR.hu with 9570 noted with a s9 + 10db signal. Best Regards, (Jordan Heyburn, NI, 1950 UT, WOR iog via DXLD)

9570 kHz SIO 343  
6080 kHz SIO 555
in Lytchett Matravers, Poole (David J Morris, UK, 1953 UT, bdxc-news
iog via DXLD)

 6080 - very good  
 6030 - Fair
 9570 - Poor ,QRM from R.Marti
 9740 - very poor
 9800 - Very Good
11650 - Nothing
(Stephen C Wood, E. Dennis, MA, Perseus SDR, 30 x 15 terminated
superloop antenna, hauula7@comcast.net, 2004 UT, WOR iog via DXLD)

RECEPTION IN SÃO BERNARDO SP, BRAZIL: Rx: KiwiSDR (São Bernardo) + Mini Whip Antenna (PA0RDT Standard)

6030 kHz ARMENIA: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Gavar, GG, 24/12 2015. A romantic Christian song, OM/YL: talk, interview, applause. 12421 (RG). Tx to Europe. Strong QRM from a spurious signal from Radio Marumby 6080 kHz on 6029 kHz. Possible reception in USB.

6080 kHz GERMANY: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Nauen, GG 24/12 2000. 'Gruss and Bord', romantic Christmas song, interview. 22542 (RG). Tx to North Atlantic + Europe. Strong QRM from Radio Marumby, Curitiba (on 6080.02 kHz). Better in LSB.

9570 kHz AUSTRIA: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Mossbrunn, GG, 24/12 1945. Interview, 'Frau Kapitän Nikole Landorf (?), Matthias Langendorf, Gruss an Bord...'. 25542 (RG). Tx to Asia + Australia.

9740 kHz GERMANY: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Nauen, GG, 24/12 1931. Interview, ship in Greece, 'Hamburg-Hafen Geburtstag...". 15421 (RG). Tx to Indic Ocean. Listened with a headphone.

9800 kHz FRANCE: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Issoudun, GG, 24/12 1916. A song by YL, applause, "Herzilchen Willkommen...". Song (YL) 'Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht...'. 35553 (RG). Tx to Africa + Antarctica.

11650 kHz FRANCE: NDR Gruss an Bord, via Issoudun, GG, 24/12 1901. News bulletin, ID: "Gruss an Bord, Frau Wiebel", applause. 45554 (RG). Tx to South Atlantic.

(RG - Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo SP, BRAZIL
http://dxways-br.blogspot.com  YouTube Channel: GrimmSBC
Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD)

And the frequencies starting at 2100 UT should be 6145, 6155, 9590, 9650, 9720, 9830 kHz. See Alan Roe's latest list (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD)

NDR Seemannssendung Heute 19-23 UT NDR Hamburg auf Kurzwellen Relay.  

NDR Christmas "Gruss an Bord" or "Greeting abroad" [sic] on Dec 24  

1900-2100 on  6030 ERV 100 kW / 305 deg to We/Central Europe
1900-2100 on  6080 NAU 125 kW / 250 deg to Northern Atlantic
1900-2100 on  9740 NAU 125 kW / 130 deg to Indian Ocean West
1900-2100 on  9570 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to Indian Ocean East
1900-2100 on  9800 ISS 250 kW / 148 deg to Indian Ocean/SoAf
1900-2100 on 11650 ISS 250 kW / 195 deg to Southern Atlantic

2100-2300 on  6145 NAU 125 kW / 250 deg to Northern Atlantic
2100-2300 on  6155 ERV 100 kW / 305 deg to We/Central Europe
2100-2300 on  9590 ISS 250 kW / 148 deg to Indian Ocean/SoAf
2100-2300 on  9650 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to Indian Ocean East
2100-2300 on  9720 NAU 125 kW / 130 deg to Indian Ocean West
2100-2300 on  9830 ISS 250 kW / 195 deg to Southern Atlantic

Zugehört in Nordwest Irland am remote Perseus weit weg von allen Sendern, bestätigt die Signale in Holland, Norddeutschland, Bayern und OE:

6030, 1915 UT MUCH OVERMODULATED, S=9+35dB,
totaler BUZZ "Geld zurueck" laut Warentest,
würde ich bei MBR betreffs GAVAR Armenien ex-USSR TX und Antenne
nicht_Qualität sagen.  
BUZZ strings 150, 300, 450, und 600 Hertz beidseitig zu sehen.
 
6080, excellent Audio, 1917 UT S=9+40dB  
 
9570, backlobe of Near East antenna, S=9+20dB  
 
9740, S=9+40dB immerhin auch backlobe, um 1958 UT leichtes Nebenkanal
QRM von CRI Urumqi in Esperanto, 1930-2027 UT.  
 
9800 der einzige Kanal mit QRM. S=9+25dB um 1920 UT, im Hintergrund
VOA Tinang in Koreanisch. Aber leiser werdend während der ersten
Stunde.  
 
11650, S=9+30dB Signal, befremdlich um 1916 UT ein französisches
Chanson gesungen, der Zusammenhang erschliesst sich mir in einer
deutschen Seemannsendung nicht. 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD)

At 2100 UT, with change of frequencies, only 6145 and 6155 kHz could be heard reasonably well, with 6145 kHz quite good although a bit "buzzy." 9590 kHz not heard. 9650 kHz had QRM likely from Guinea. 9720 kHz, nothing heard and 9830 kHz had RTTY QRM (-- Richard Langley, NB, 2117 UT, WOR iog via DXLD)

There was a break of the ISS transmission on 9800 kHz from 1958:10 UT onwards, TX down, but was back when checked again at 2055 UT.

> 9740 kHz S=9+40dB also some NE/ME backlobe, at 19.58 UT little
> adjacent channel QRM from CRI Urumqi in Esperanto language,
> scheduled 1930-2027 UT.  

CRI Urumqi was on adjacent 9745 kHz.  

6030 kHz covered by co-channel  
CNR Beijing DRM digital data block at 2058 UT.
(Bueschel?, ibid.)

GERMANY  [and not, -- AUSTRIA/ARMENIA/FRANCE]
Today 19-23 UT NDR Hamburg on shortwave Relay.

NDR Christmas "Gruss an Bord" or "Greeting abroad" on Dec 24  

2100-2300 on  6145 NAU 125 kW / 250 deg to Northern Atlantic
2100-2300 on  6155 ERV 100 kW / 305 deg to We/Central Europe
2100-2300 on  9590 ISS 250 kW / 148 deg to Indian Ocean/SoAf
2100-2300 on  9650 MOS 100 kW / 115 deg to Indian Ocean East
2100-2300 on  9720 NAU 125 kW / 130 deg to Indian Ocean West
2100-2300 on  9830 ISS 250 kW / 195 deg to Southern Atlantic

6145, start program with chimes till 2100:08 UT, S=9+40db powerful
signal, excellent  

6155, CJSC Yerevan Gavar relay from Armenia, same BUZZ very bad
distorted audio quality like former 6030 kHz transmission. S=9+35dB at
2103 UT on Dec 24.  

9590, Holy Night chorus at 2101:45 UT start, S=9+15dB on remote SDR in
North Western Ireland Atlantic Ocean coast. Adjacent channel little
sideband splash of 9600 kHz CRI English from Kashgar bcast center.  

9650, S=9+30dB signal, very weak underneath Conakry GUI signal at 2105
UT, Adjacent channel little sideband splash of 9640 kHz CRI Spanish
from Kashgar bcast center.  

9720, S=9+20dB nice signal heard in Ireland.  

9830, S=9+30dB, excellent audio quality transmission.  

73 wb df5sx wwdxc (Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD)  

Using a remote Perseus SDR in Belgium, after 2100, 6145 125 kW from Nauen is strongest. Armenia on 6155 is also strong, but with somewhat muffled audio. The 31 meter frequencies are all heard but not as strong, presumably due to a falling MUF. No luck locally into Victoria, BC. 73 (Walt Salmaniw, WOR iog via DXLD)

All frequencies are currently audible in Maryland, near Washington, DC. All signals are strong, but some are colliding with other stations (Art Delibert, North Bethesda, Maryland, USA, NRD-545, SAL-12 antenna, 2133 UT, HCDX via DXLD)

"Buzziness" on 6145 kHz not noticed using the U. Twente SDR receiver, so I guess, some local effect. P.S. All frequencies for the four-hour broadcast were scheduled for recording using the U. Twente SDR receiver and will report on reception of those later. 2139 (-- Richard Langley, WOR iog via DXLD)

Check in NE/ME target at Doha Qatar / Indian Ocean / East Africa:
At 2130 UT S=9+10dB on both 6145 and 6155{distorted} kHz.  
 
9590, S=9+10dB, slight QRM by 9600 kHz from CRI Kashgar En also
S=9+10dB.
 
9650, S=9+25dB excellent audio quality.
 
9720, S=9+25dB excellent audio quality.
 
9830, weak and tiny S=6-7 up to -87dBm signal strength. Organ music
theme at 2134 UT played. vy73 wb wwdxc (Bueschel, dxldyg via DXLD)

Gruss an Bord audible from Northland Radio NZ KiwiSDR on 9590 ISS from 2143 with “Silent Night” by choir and female announcer. Weak signal (S4-5 on meter) but steady with rapid QSB (Bruce Churchill, WOR iog via DXLD)

After 2200 I can hear the following:  
 6145 (Nauen) SIO 455
 6155 (Armenia) SIO 555 – very poor muffled audio
 9650 (Moosbrunn) SIO 243
 9720 (Nauen) SIO 242
in Caversham, Berks (Dave Kenny, bdxc-news iog via DXLD)

Finally some audio on 9830 into Victoria, BC at poor to fair level. S4 signal only, but clearly // to SDRs in Europe. 9720 is dominated by RHC in English, 9650 is Voice of Korea, 9590 seems to be // to 9830, but very weak. 49 meters not heard (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, 2230, WOR iog via DXLD)

Gruss an Bord faded to inaudible after 2215 on 9590 ISS heard from KiwiSDR at Northland R NZ. Even with 250 KW, this is an 11,600 Mi (18,560 Km) path (Bruce Churchill, 2235 UT, ibid.)

I had a good copy on 9830 at 2215 here in Tulsa. I tried 6030, 9570, 9800 and 11650 as well but had no copy. "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" at 2215, followed by a yl in German (Chris, KC5IIE, Krug, Tulsa, OK, Yaesu FT-1000mp Mk5, Ant: 40m loop, ibid.)

At 2246 in Alberta, 9830 9590 and 6145 all good. Other freqs overpowered by other signals (Don Moman, ibid.)

Brief English segment at 2249 noted. Using 6145 via Belgian SDR. Excellent reception (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.)

Use SDR's in Ireland or England locations instead, the GRAY line is at present east of Newfoundland St. John's on Atlantic Ocean. So, it's real not surprise, that British Colombia on Walter's place the NDR Hamburg signals are so poor on 49 and 31 mb. 73 (wolfie, DXLD)

Nice strong signal on 9650 kHz of Radio Guinée after NDR left the Frequency at 2300 UT. vy73 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, bdxc-news iog via DXLD)

11650, Dec 24 at 1903, it`s time for the annual `Gruss an Bord` special from Norddeutscher Rundfunk, sparkin` around the world via SW, but of the listed frequencies, this is the only one detectable, with a JBA carrier. 9800 is totally blocked by VOA Korean via Philippines. At 1917 I check them via UTwente SDR: 9740 fair with French song `La Vie en Rose`` sung in German; //9800 is VG, slightly distorted tho, and no CCI from PHT. // 11650 is also good.

Unfortunately some other frequencies I reposted to the WOR iog and
checked were wrong, even tho quoted from a post claiming they were
``this year`s``. The correct lineup with sites, from BDXC-UK:
1900-2100 6030-gav 6080-nau 9570-mos 9740-nau 9800-iss 11650-iss
2100-2300 6145-nau 6155-gav 9590-iss 9650-mos 9720-nau  9830-iss
gav = Armenia, nau = Germany, mos = Austria, iss = France

Quick check here after 2100: 9650 probably Guinea, 9720 totally blocked by Cuba (but off at 2115, NDR still not heard); nothing on 9590; 9830 under RTTY but `Stille Nacht` recognized. Their frequency planning could have been better (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

That was probably my fault. I had posted a collated list of special broadcasts on shortwave for the holiday season, however the frequencies posted initially were the original tentative freqs for the 2018 broadcast, and I neglected to update them early on (although later updated re-posts did have the corrected freqs following a prompt to me by Richard Langley). My apologies to all (Alan Roe, Teddington, UK, WOR iog via DXLD)

> re  Their frequency planning could have been better.

I don't agree though, - your statement only for the North America hemisphere target, but was not the main target of this special transmission. All monitoring on Perseus and KIWI_SDR net receivers showed powerful signals in main target zones.

See the azimuth data and target specification in table below. 250 degrees - the most westerly azimuth, when GRAY zone was out of NewFoundland St. Johns. on Atlantic Ocean, mean daytime in Oklahoma US state.

Others 195, 148, 130, and 115 degr azimuth target is most of Atlantic Ocean, SoAM, all Africa, Indian Ocean, NE and ME, South Asia and Indian Ocean target.

But forget the AUDIO AWFUL special Yerevan 305degrees azimuth towards central Europe and Northern Atlantic.

Main monitoring post was located in North Western Ireland at Sligo
on Atlantic coast line. Distance towards
TDF Issoudun  1250 km,
MBR Nauen    1450 km
ORS Moosbrunn 1900 km
CJSC Yerevan GAVAR Armenia 4250 km

Sunspots / Propagation was much better this year on that Dec 26, than in previous years. See below the outstanding signal reports. vy (Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST, with copy to MBR)

Of course I did not expect perfect reception in deep North America, far from any intended target. But surely for covering much of the rest of the world, it would have been inadvisable to choose frequencies which were co-channel to VOA, RHC, Guinea, DRM, RTTY, Calgary(hi), not to mention all the adjacent-interference wb noted.

Picking such frequencies could only be a last resort when there are absolutely no better open frequencies available, not the case as SW usage worldwide is declining. For a once-a-year broadcast, there is one chance to get it right.

Furthermore, altho the special broadcast may overcome QRM in its target zones, it`s not good-neighborly to do that to the stations already on frequencies --- what about the QRM they are suddenly getting from a station which could have avoided them?

Example, GUINEA, whose only SW frequency is 9650, 18 hours a day, and not about to change. Why can`t the rest of the world`s broadcasters give them a break and let them have one frequency to themselves, huh MBR? Saudi Arabia? North Korea? South Africa? 73, (Glenn Hauser, to wb and MBR, via DXLD)

Recordings of the full broadcast as received here in N.B. have been
archived here:  
https://shortwavearchive.com/archive/ndr-gruss-an-bord-december-24-2018
and here:
https://archive.org/details/NDRGrussAnBord11.6506.080MHz24December20181900UTC/NDR-GrussAnBord-11.650%266.080MHz-24December2018-1900UTC.mp3

The recordings I attempted using the U. Twente SDR receiver were not successful, likely because I was trying to (at times) simultaneously record 12 frequencies and subsequently download same. Likely too much for the SDR computer or my computer to handle. Live and learn. (-- Richard Langley, Dec 29, WOR iog via DXLD)

9420, Elliniki Radiofonia (V. of Greece), Avlis, in Greek, 12.22.2018 0750-0812* non stop Greek music and pop songs, man announcement at about 0800, woman ID "Edo Athina, y foni tis Elladas", and some brief announcements, bow and strings local music and choral chants, till few seconds before 0812, then heard some voices in brief on abruptly decreased signal, and s/off some seconds after 0812; heard in AM with aux filter, lite qsb at times, very good /local audio and signal (Gianni Serra, Roma, Italy, JRC NRD 525 receiver; Alpha Delta DX-SWL Sloper-S antenna; RG 8 mini coaxial cable; JPS NIR 12 Noise & Interference Reducer-Dual DSP outboard audio filter; JRC NVA 319 external loudspeaker unit; Sony MDR-101 stereo headphones; DX LISTENING DIGEST)

 576 Alappuzha 200 kW
 630 Thrissur  100 kW
 684 Kozhikode 100 kW
1161 Trivandrum 20 kW
5010 Trivandrum 50 kW

The program will continue till around 1.00 am (1930 UT) plus / minus.

AIR Trivandrum was having extended schedule with special programs for about 1 week now with Xmas songs till around 1125 pm (1755 UT).

AIR Delhi will also have special Xmas programs on 666 kHz past local midnight, 1830 UT. Yours sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad, India, Dec 24, dx_india yg via DXLD)

** ITALY [non], 7780, USA, IBC Radio (via WRMI) at 0100 with IS and a man with ID of “You are listening to IBC – Italian Broadcasting Corporation” and e-mail address and url and a singing ID then a man with program highlights and into “Shortwave Panorama” DX program at 0102 – Fair with heavy fading Dec 18

English sked via WRMI is
Sunday    from 0030 to 0100 on 7730 and
          from 0130 to 0200 on 5950 and 9395;
Tuesday   from 0100 to 0130 on 7780 and
          from 0130 to 0200 on 5850;
Wednesday from 0100 to 0130 on 9955;
Thursday  from 0200 to 0230 on 9955;
Friday    from 0200 to 0230 on 9955 and
          from 0330 to 0400 on 5985 and
Saturday  from 0130 to 0200 on 7780.

Other English broadcasts are from West Germany on
Sunday from 1130 to 1200 on 6005 (via Shortwaveservice) and
Saturday from 1500 to 1530 on 6070 (via Channel 292).
IBC Radio's website is ibcradio.webs.com  
(Mark Coady, Selwyn, Ontario, Kenwood TS440S or Ten-Tec Argonaut II
and 40 and 80 meter off centre-fed dipoles, ODXA iog via DXLD)

But you need an (ironclad) credible Japanese IP address to see / hear this....
https://www.dropbox.com/s/njsx0aha2mnu93j/2018-12-19_Nikkei_1100z.mp3?dl=0

[~ 2min 30s mp3, ~@ 20.00 LT Tokyo,  @ 12.00 LT Berlin,  @ 0600 LT NY]

ID  for Radio Nikkei-2:
http://radiko.jp/#!/live/RN2
https://www.dropbox.com/s/p4j3avxloz6t178/2018-12-19_Nikkei2_ID.mp3?dl=0
ID  between  RIRI/Rush     &     Sabrina Carpenter/Bad Time

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0i7l30mk769v8sk/2018-12-19_Nikkei-1-QRT_1500z.mp3?dl=0
QRT  2400 JST/1500z with ID & QRGs
(roger, Germany, WOR iog via DXLD)

?? 11600 is not a known frequency for KDPR; typo for 11680?? Yes, the YT shows 11680.100 (Glenn Hauser, Dec 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Fair signal of Furusato no Kaze on Dec.21:
1330-1400 on  7295 TSH 300 kW / 352 deg to NEAs Japanese
1330-1400 on  9450 TSH 100 kW / 002 deg to NEAs Japanese
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/fair-signal-of-furusato-no-kaze-via.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

PALAU, Reception of Nippon no Kaze via T8WH Angel 5, Dec.19
1300-1330 on  9965 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Korean, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-nippon-no-kaze-via-t8wh.html

Reception of Furusato no Kaze via T8WH Angel 5, Dec.19
1330-1400 on  9965 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Japanese, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-furusato-no-kaze-via-t8wh.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.18-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

PALAU, Reception of Furusato no Kaze via T8WH Angel 5 on Dec.21
1430-1500 on  9965 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Japanese, good signal
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-furusato-no-kaze-via-t8wh_21.html

Reception of Nippon no Kaze via T8WH Angel 5, Dec.21
1500-1530 on  9975 HBN 100 kW / 345 deg to NEAs Korean, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-nippon-no-kaze-via-t8wh_21.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I sent about ten reports there, but never had an answer. Maybe you need to send about a dozen reports so that there is an answer, the benefit of the music programs is simply awesome !! - music is 60 .. first 70s, Korean and western are not worse than some famous European pirate stations (Ivan Zeleny, Nizhnevartovsk, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx” & “open_dx” via Rus-DX Dec 23 via DXLD)

This is not a good TP morning, as only 3 other carriers were detected lowband. And local sunrise here is 1340, creeping to 1344 at the latest in a biweek, so a few more better chances to observe this. I wonder what the true bearings are of 1566 major lobes as both Japan and China cover large portions of the compass from so close. If centred on Tokyo it would favor Argentina beyond, while the direct path to Enid goes west of Japan as far north as Anchorage (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

11530, Radyo Denge Welat in Kurdish, 12.22.2018 0848-0904, non stop Kurdish chants with instrumental music, woman ID (Radyo Denge Welat) and brief announcement few seconds before 0900, time pips at 0900, man brief announcement and reading news with some music breaks at times, heard in am with aux filter, lite qsb rarely at times, very good /local audio and signal (Gianni Serra, Roma, Italy, JRC NRD 525 receiver; Alpha Delta DX-SWL Sloper-S antenna; RG 8 mini coaxial cable; JPS NIR 12 Noise & Interference Reducer-Dual DSP outboard audio filter; JRC NVA 319 external loudspeaker unit; Sony MDR-101 stereo headphones; DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Reception of MOI Radio Kuwait General Service, Dec.17  
0500-0900 on 15515.0 KBD 250 kW / 059 deg to EaAs Arabic, good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-moi-radio-kuwait-general.html

Very good signal of MOI Radio Kuwait in English in 25/19mb on Dec.17:
0500-0800 on 11969.8 KBD 250 kW / 100 deg to SoAs English AM, instead
                                                  of DRM mode
0500-0800 on 15529.7 KBD 250 kW / 310 deg to WeEu English AM as
                                                  scheduled B-18
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/very-good-signal-of-moi-radio-kuwait-in.html

Reception of MOI Radio Kuwait General Service in 49mb, Dec.18
till 0633 on  5959.8*KBD 250 kW / non-dir to N/ME Arabic, fair to good
*QRM co-ch on 5960.0 ASC 250 kW / 065 deg to WeAf Kanuri R.Ndrason Int
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-moi-radio-kuwait-general_18.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 17-18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

vs JAPAN, Radio Kuwait vs NHK World Radio Japan, Dec.22  
1105-1325 9749.7 KBD 250 kW / 286 deg NEAf Arabic Radio Kuwait Gen.Sce
from 1100 9750.0 YAM 300 kW / 290 deg EaAs Japanese NHK World R.Japan
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-kuwait-vs-nhk-world-radio-japan.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 21-22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

US IBB BBG VoA / RL / RFA bcast center Kuwait relay site is n o t at
Kabd location, rather 43 kilometers distance apart northerly at
al-Dschahra suburb  
29 30 45.59 N 47 40 17.84 E
<https://goo.gl/maps/mEfcyCVssEL2>
Report sent to: <manager_kuwait [at] kuw.ibb.gov>
[selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang
Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

``INDIA/MADAGASCAR. Vielleicht hilft das nächste Mal der 'Abdruck' weiter, mit Hilfe von Ablesekrücken 'Spec_trum_Lab ... Spectran' - und wie sie sich nennen - abzulesen. Ging auch mit dem AOR 7030 oder dem Eton E1 legendär damals vor 15 Jahren.

Der Inder von AIR Chennai Thiruvananthapuram ist seit Jahren stets bei 5009.997 kHz zugange. Wie jetzt um 0113 UT am Dec 19 auch.

Das alte Siemens Wien / R Bremen/SFB Entwicklungshilfe Schätzchen variiert mehr in der Frequenz auf 5010 bzw. 6135 kHz. Madagasikara Ambohidrano ist meist bei 5009.930 ... 931 kHz in letzter Zeit.

Jetzt seit Sendebeginn von Madagasikara um 0200 UT ist die Station wieder auf 5009.932 kHz, gemessen in Delhi, Qatar, Griechenland, Riviera und in Belgien, an der Grasnarbe, aber selbst mit SAM Option ist das Audiosignal zu schwach in Europa.

Wer sagt es denn, SDR Worldwide Server Netz mit der Station in TWR Swaziland hilft weiter, clicke auf http://kiwi.twrafrica.org:8073/ Auf Handschaltung 5010 kHz AMN Am Narrow, Zoome hinein, Audio Volume Handschieber auf S=8 und -79dBm, fair hörbar, mit vielen Malen "Madagasika" genannt, weibliche Stimme. Voila, das funzt gut heute Morgen. 0233 UT Dec 19`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5009.95, 2115-2300 19.12, R Nasionaly Malagasy, Ambohidrano. Extended broadcast in Malagasy, Apropop, Radioplay, 15131 // same frequency heard via KiwiSDR at TWR Africa in AFS, 45444. Best 73, (Anker Petersen, from Skovlunde, Denmark, heard on the AOR AR7030PLUS with 28 metres of longwire, but with poor reception conditions, wbradio yg via DXLD)

Reception of Madagascar World Voice Radio Feda on Dec.20:  
1900-2000 on 11965 MWV 100 kW / 355 deg to N/ME Arabic tx#2, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_21.html

Reception of Madagascar World Voice African Pathways Radio, Dec.20
2000-2100 on 11965 MWV 100 kW / 295 deg to CeAf English tx#3,
                                                weak/fair signal:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_1.html

Reception of Madagascar World Voice The Light of Life, Dec.20
2100-2200 on 11610 MWV 100 kW / 325 deg to WeEu Chinese tx#2, 
                                                weak signal:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_41.html
 (Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

What`s this tx#3? They are never on more than two frequencies at once, and WRTH confirms they have only two. Or do you think the two transmitters are numbered 2 and 3 and not 1? (gh, DXLD)

Madagascar World Voice African Pathways Radio, Dec.21  
1800-1900 on 13670 MWV 100 kW / 310 deg to WeAf English tx#3, good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_22.html

Madagascar World Voice Palavra Alegre on Dec.21:  
2100-2200 on 11965 MWV 100 kW / 265 deg to SoAm Portuguese tx#3, weak
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_46.html

Madagascar World Voice Radio Feda on Dec.21  
2200-2300 on 11790 MWV 100 kW / 325 deg to NoAf Arabic tx#2, fair
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-madagascar-world-voice_54.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 21-22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

and nulling XEETCH, there is S Asian music, no doubt KHSE Wylie (Metroplex) TX, no longer brokered religion in Spanish as in NRC AM Log, and still reported as such by MAREs in November. Radio- locator.com now says it`s ``Radio Caravan`` with Asian format: https://www.radiocaravan.com/ which autolaunches Hindi/Bollywood audio (but English ad at 1814 Dec 22), or choose Telugu instead. Also operates on FM, IBOC and in Houston (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

There is a dispute over rent/lease payments between the program provider in the US and the Mexican licensee. I’m on my phone walking to work or I’d google a link; it’s been all over the broadcast trade publications (Paul Walker, ibid.)

The licensee of this station is a real piece of work --- probably the most brazen rulebreaker I've ever heard of --- on BOTH sides of the border. I can only wonder what the scoundrel is up to now (Tim Hall, ibid.)

It sounds like money is owed; he hasn’t been paid in a a while (Paul Walker, ibid.)

Here's one link:
http://www.insideradio.com/free/report-two-san-diego-stations-off-air-over-lease-dispute/article_ac5ee162-0228-11e9-b104-8f014c270f51.html

XEPRS does seem to be having money problems. Their ratings have tanked, and they have dropped CBS Sports Radio --- Jim Rome, and all play-by-play deals over the past year (with the exception of picking up the Rams to spite the Chargers). Their evening programming (6-9pm) is nothing but "filler" - the 12-3 and 3-6 announcers just shoot the breeze for a half an hour, then they rerun the 3-6 pm show. From 9 pm until 5 or 6 am they run ESPN.

Personally, I won't shed any tears if the bum who owns XEPE-1700 loses a fortune in lease payments. He should have had all his licenses on both sides of the border pulled years ago after all of his cheating and unlicensed frequency changes..

Wikipedia says they are simulcasting XESDD-1030 (that happens occasionally anyway, due to staff incompetence!). I checked my Perseus recording from the other night and it sounded like XESDD and XEPE were airing the same show, but way out of synch. That's odd. 73 (Tim Hall, CA, Dec 20, ibid.)

Currently running local political speeches (in Spanish) // XESDD-1030. Sent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone (Tim Hall, 1816 UT Dec 20, ibid.)

Yesterday's San Diego Reader says the owner of XEPRS-1090 wants to sell the station if he can get $11M for it. The owner of XEPE-1700 and XHPRS-105.7 (how did XEPRS and XHPRS get different owners? The owner of XEPE/XHPRS is a Tijuana politician) says he will return XHPRS to its leased programming as soon as the lease payments are current. He hasn't commented much about XEPE. 73 (Tim Hall, CA, Dec 20, ABDX yg via DXLD)

First on the Mexico Beat: Five Telsusa Station Technical Parameters Revealed

Hiding in the RPC for nearly a week are the first Telsusa stations with tech sheets. Authorized in June and July were these stations:

    XHTMCA/27 Campeche: 49.035 kW from the SPR tower
http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96528_181213175651_1767.pdf
    XHTMCC/25 Ciudad del Carmen: 150 kW from a new tower on Calle 65
http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96531_181213175904_244.pdf
    XHTMYU/27 Valladolid: 80.120 kW from a new tower on Calle 68 in
Valladolid
http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96532_181213175602_5617.pdf
    XHTMYC/24 Mérida: 160.6 kW from the SPR tower in Kanasín
http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96533_181213175750_7214.pdf
    XHTMPT/32 Puebla: 156.88 kW from Cerro Zapotecas (US would list as
109.825 kW, max H power, this station is elliptical)
http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96540_181213175219_3900.pdf

Gargadon tells me there's not much land in Carmen for a tower in that area. The coordinates are less than 400 meters from Televisa.

The Campeche and Yucatán stations were also part of the October assignment of virtual channel 13 to six Telsusa stations. That authorization included Chetumal and Agualeguas, while it did not include the Puebla transmitter that was cleared.

Also first on the Mexico Beat is information on two rather important and high-power shadows for XHICCH-TDT 30, Intermedia in Chihuahua. In Ciudad Delicias, a 25.89 kW ERP transmitter will go on the air. http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96502_181213180840_4665.pdf

The Ciudad Cuauhtémoc shadow is no pushover at 129.78 kW atop Cerro Bola. http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96502_181213181349_6911.pdf

Information on the 140 kW ERP main station was also uploaded. http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/96502_181213180711_4957.pdf

Both are, like the main transmitter in Chihuahua Capital, co-located with Canal Once, though in Cuauhtémoc the ERP disparity is quite a lot (XHCHU-TDT operates at 22.09 kW — comparable to the other TV transmitters in town operating at 23-26 kW, with the exception of low-power XHCTH).

Correction, 19 December 2018: The Puebla site is on Cerro Zapotecas but not the SPR tower. Telsusa will be co-sited with Multimedios, which is to build its own tower on the mountain.

Last edited by Raymie; 12-19-2018 at 04:40 PM. (Raymie Humbert, Phœnix AZ, originally Dec 18, WTFDA Forum via DXLD)

While I was hesitant to believe the SPR actually got seven-letter callsigns authorized...they did. Here's XHSPRPA, for instance: http://rpc.ift.org.mx/rpc/pdfs/44976_181211164658_5163.pdf (Raymie, Dec 19, ibid.)

And now, another hour of music power on X-H-S-P-R-P-A where the alphabet lives! (David Eduardo Gleason, CA, ibid.)

It's a mouthful, but the SPR is trying to increase its profile. It's been a comparatively busy last 12 months for callsign changes in Mexico, between changes at every operating SPR TV transmitter and the XHERG callsign assignment in Nuevo León... I believe aside from things like migration and analog shutoff, this is the single largest callsign change in Mexican broadcasting history (it affected 25 transmitters).

Speaking of which, the fact that public media seems headed for budget cuts https://www.sinembargo.mx/18-12-2018/3512249 is probably not good for the SPR's new stations. The SPR got pretty much none of the money they wanted for new station construction (Raymie, Dec 20, ibid.)

I also understand, from friends in CDMX stations, that the government ad budgets for radio are being considered for significant reduction or even elimination. Broadcasters, through CIRT, have asked for a reduction in taxes on radio and TV, and apparently the new government is going to say that they will consider reducing taxes after the subsidized government radio campaigns are reduced as well.

One person told me they thought this was "teaching a lesson" to special interest groups that were asking for favored treatment by the government: go ahead and ask... but we will end up taking more away from you if you do (Gleason, ibid.)

Yes, there has been quite a bit of hay made about reducing spending on comunicación social. (There's also new legislation coming into force on January 1 that isn't the greatest but is intended to reduce discretionality in this sort of spending.) And the CIRT has made some noise on taxes, which might be because they feel they will lose quite a bit of money from this sort of austerity (Raymie, ibid.)

RTC still has no head after filmmaker Luis Mandoki opted not to take the post, but it did make waves on Friday with a deal struck with the INE
https://politico.mx/minuta-politica/minuta-politica-gobierno-federal/ine-firmar%C3%A1-convenio-con-segob-para-monitorear-tiempos-oficiales/ to use its monitoring infrastructure to verify SEGOB PSA compliance. This should improve the quality of monitoring and generate cost savings for RTC.

There's also a curiosity in Chihuahua Capital. On January 1, Nu9ve will move from XHAUC to XHCHZ 5.2, according to station promos. This will improve Televisa Chihuahua's coverage by more than 160,000 people, primarily in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc (where XHCHZ has a shadow and XHAUC doesn't). It also raises the question of what will happen to XHAUC. XHCHZ 5.2 has been home to Foro TV; we won't get an authorization until after the first of the year, so it remains to be seen if Foro will slide to 5.3 as already is the case on several 5/Nu9ve/Foro transmitters.

XHAUC and XHTX are commonly owned by Telemisión, of the Partida family. XHTX provides Canal 5 programming and, according to the Telemisión/Grupo Param website, http://grupoparam.com/?page_id=600 utilizes Televisa's transmission facilities. XHAUC has its own transmission facilities (Raymie, Dec 22, ibid.)

Two community stations signed on this month—one of them with a previously unreported callsign. Both of them, coincidentally, went on the air December 15.

XHSCAJ-FM 97.5, Optima Radio, https://www.facebook.com/OptimaRadioFM/ broadcasts from Etzatlán, Jalisco to a broadcast area including San Marcos and San Juanito de Escobedo. It went on the air with remarkable celerity: the concession was formally awarded to Comunicación y Cultura de Etzatlán 07, A.C. on December 11. Optima is an ex-pirate that had been broadcasting on 88.9 MHz. The closest station to Etzatlán until now was another community station, XHADM-FM 13 km away in Ahualulco de Mercado (whose coverage contour does not reach Etzatlán); some areas might have received XHRGO-FM from Tala.

XHSCAL-FM 106.7 is La *Monarca de Contepec, https://www.facebook.com/LaMonarcadeConte at Contepec, Michoacán. While their planned musical event couldn't go ahead, they still cut the ribbon on their studio facilities.
https://www.facebook.com/LaMonarcadeConte/photos/pcb.2223801497671907/2223801074338616/?type=3&theater Contepec is a municipality of more than 34,000 in the northeast corner of the state, 30 km from Maravatío and 35 km from Atlacomulco (State of Mexico). The station previously transmitted as a pirate on 94.3 MHz, losing the frequency when XHPMAR-FM started up in Maravatío.

[tagline:] Este programa es público, ajeno a cualquier partido político. Queda prohibido el uso para fines distintos a los establecidos en el programa (Raymie, Dec 24, ibid.)

*Monarca should allude to the millions? of endangered monarch flutterbies who over-winter in Michoacán forests (gh)

``XE2V  
MODESTO "MODE" PERALTA H.
P.O.BOX 147
23000, LA PAZ, B.C.S.
Mexico

I have been a radio amateur since September 1985 as XE2HOE, I have just turned 32, from March 10, 2017, I was authorized XE2V, by the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) I am now transmitting most of my time in cw morse, my New cw key is a begali magnum, give me Christmas, my radio is icom 7700 and my antennas Optibeam OB9-5 5 bands and Mosley SF-204-A 40 m. I am a member of FISTS CW CLUB num.17554 my name in cw is (Mode). 73s

Member of ARRL ID 3100414228  
Diploma WAS # 60867 in CW
Diploma WPX # 3834 in CW``
(Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

1651-1750 NF  7330 RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English
                                           Sun-Fri, ex  5975
1751-1850 on  9780 RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English Sun-Fri
                                           no change
1851-1950 NF 11690 RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English
                                           Sun-Fri, ex  9780
1951-2050 on 13840 RAN 035 kW / 035 deg to Tonga/Samoa English Sun-Fri
                                           no change
??????????? ?? Observer ? 6:02 PM (via DXLD)

7255-, Dec 22 at 0655, VON is on in Hausa? at S9+20/30 but suptorted; wiggle that patchcord! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

FRANCE, Radio Nigeria Kaduna via TDF Issoudun Dec 19
0500-0700 on  7335 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, fair
0700-0900 on 13840 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-radio-nigeria-kaduna-via_19.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.18-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

FRANCE, Radio Nigeria Kaduna via TDF Issoudun Dec 21
0700-0900 on 13840 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, fair  
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-radio-nigeria-kaduna-via_21.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

FRANCE, Radio Nigeria Kaduna via TDF Issoudun Dec 22  
0900-1100 on 17690 ISS 150 kW / 170 deg to WeAf Hausa, very good
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-radio-nigeria-kaduna-via_22.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 21-22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Dandal Kura Radio International via MBR Nauen, Dec.19
0500-0600 on  7315 NAU 125 kW / 185 deg to CeAf Kanuri, good signal:
0600-0700 on  9620 NAU 125 kW / 185 deg to CeAf Kanuri, is inactive!
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-dandal-kura-radio_43.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.18-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Two shortwave radio transmission/antenna farms used by the U.S. Agency for Global Media in Saipan and Tinian were ripped apart by 180 mph winds in October. That’s when Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu ravaged the Northern Mariana island group in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.

Damage to radiating elements of curtain antenna 305L on Tinian
[caption]  

Deemed to be tied with Super Typhoon Mangkhut as “the strongest storm on Earth this year” by NASA’s Earth Observatory, Yutu levelled buildings and electrical infrastructure in this U.S. commonwealth. Power was still unavailable in many areas as of early December, and repairs are expected to take many months.

“Yutu’s eye passed between the two islands of Saipan and Tinian, so the super typhoon scored a direct hit on our two transmission sites,” said Terry Balazs, USAGM director of the Office of Technology, Services and Innovation. “The damage was very extensive at both sites, and, of course, on both of the islands.”

USAGM — until recently named the Broadcasting Board of Governors — uses the Saipan and Tinian sites to broadcast Radio Free Asia and Voice of America multi-language radio programming into China and other Asian nations. Although RFA/VOA shortwave transmissions have been moved to other Pacific Ocean sites for the time being, none offer the range and reach of the Saipan/Tinian sites. Collectively, the two locations are known as the Robert E. Kamosa Transmitting Station or REKTS.

“Both stations were completely wiped out,” wrote William Martin, manager of the USAGM Philippines Transmitting Station, in a text message to long-time “World of Radio” broadcast host and DX Listening Digest editor Glenn Hauser that was shared with Radio World. “Antennas mangled, roofs partially torn off, fence lines flattened. Both sites will be off air a minimum six months, possibly up to a year.”

JAW-DROPPING DAMAGE [caption]  
Damage to antenna counter-weight on Tinian

The extensive and extreme damage suffered at the two REKTS sites are breathtakingly portrayed in USAGM photos. So powerful were the winds that the concrete weight rings that hold down an antenna guy wire anchor were literally shaken to pieces.

Feed and power lines were knocked down everywhere; STL links toppled and curtain-array shortwave antennas (consisting of transmission wire webs strung between support towers) were tangled and torn like unravelling knitted sweaters.

“Every operating curtain-array antenna has been damaged, in a way that they cannot be used,” said Balazs. “The towers are still there, but the curtains and elements have been severely damaged and, in many cases, torn off. So there’s no way in the short term that we’re going to be able to restore broadcasting. We need to send an expert there to assess which antennas can be repaired, and which ones have to be replaced.”

Meanwhile, satellite dishes that downlinked RFA and VOA were either fragmented like china plates dropped on a stone floor or simply “blown away,” he said. “They’re just gone.”

Damage to antenna feed line on Saipan [caption]  

In contrast, the main buildings at both sites “are pretty much intact,” Balazs told Radio World. “The shortwave transmitters inside the building are intact, but some of them have water damage. We have dried them up, but you never know if they’re going to be completely functional until you fire them up again.”

REKTS does have local power, thanks to its own generators, but the main electrical grid that normally feeds the two sites is still offline at this writing.

REKTS staff have been doing whatever repairs are necessary to the two sites’ buildings, plus removing fences knocked down by Yutu’s 180 mph winds and debris blown onto their properties. “Debris from anywhere in the islands seem to have ended up on our sites,” said Balazs.

But repairing the massive curtain arrays in a timely manner is beyond their capacity; they just don’t have enough people or equipment to do the job without substantial outside help.

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

The destruction of REKTS’ shortwave transmitting capability comes at a time when the USAGM has been backing away from shortwave radio broadcasting in general. The big reason is money. For example, the cost of powering the three 100 kW Continental 418E transmitters at the Saipan site alone is astronomical compared to streaming content online. For similar reasons, governments around the globe have either cut back their international radio services — the BBC World Service having ceased shortwave broadcasts to North America — or eliminated them entirely.

Destroyed satellite antenna dish on Saipan [caption]  

“USAGM has made no secret of its desire to shift its investment from shortwave to newer, more fashionable technologies,” said Kim Andrew Elliott, retired VOA audience research analyst and producer of “Shortwave Radiogram,” which broadcasts text and images via analog shortwave stations WRMI in Florida and Space Line in Bulgaria.

“As such, it might be tempted to take this opportunity to close the Northern Mariana shortwave stations, or at least Saipan, the smaller of the two. Still, if the towers at Saipan are still standing and the transmitters still operational, and given the rising potential for crises in East Asia further squeezing the internet, it would be a good idea to keep both stations on the air,” Elliott said.

This view is echoed by Glenn Hauser, another of the world’s most knowledgeable shortwave authorities. Asked if he expect the USAGM to repair these sites given that the agency has publicly discussed closing down REKTS in 2019, Hauser replied, “I doubt it, as the trend has already been away from shortwave toward webcasting.”

Destroyed telephone service tower on Tinian [caption]  

Asked if REKTS was slated for shutdown before Yutu’s onslaught, USAGM’s Balazs replied, “We haven’t made a decision on that.”

Given the uncertain future of the REKTS sites -- whose assets are collectively valued at $7.6 million in the USAGM’s FY 2018 Performance and Accountability Report -- he thinks the most sensible way to handle the repair process would be on an antenna-by-antenna basis, rather than as one big, expensive project.

“When we get the first one fixed, we could use it to resume broadcasting because more than likely the transmitters will be easier to repair,” said Balazs. “As to how far do we would go with the restoration process? Again, that hasn’t been decided yet.”

During Balazs’s 35 years of service, the USAGM and its predecessors “have never faced a station disaster quite like this before,” he said. “We’ve lost antennas and power due to storms over the years, but we’ve never lost the complete capability of a transmission site before. This is really unprecedented.”

REKTS IN AN INCREASINGLY CENSORED WORLD

Before being knocked off-air by Super Typhoon Yutu, REKTS’ Saipan and Tinian shortwave farms played a central role in the USAGM’s radio broadcasts to Asia.

“The HFCC [High Frequency Coordination Conference, the international co-operative group that coordinates shortwave frequency allocations among nations] had 38 daily transmissions registered for Tinian, with eight transmitters; and 10 for Saipan with three transmitters, planned for the B-18 season which began a few days after the typhoon,” said “World of Radio” host Glenn Hauser. These were mostly Radio Free Asia broadcasts to the region from Tinian in Burmese, Tibetan, Mandarin, Korean, Khmer, Uighur, Cantonese. Saipan in Mandarin, Lao and Korean; plus some limited VOA transmissions.

“Tinian was the primary site for RFA to China, although China was already also reached from the west via transmitters in Kuwait — already being upgraded for increased capacity — and Germany,” he added.

To counter Chinese jamming of RFA broadcasts, the REKTS sites transmitted on numerous frequencies at once. Losing REKTS has substantially reduced the number of available frequencies, “so RFA to China has taken a major hit,” said Hauser. But “listeners still have a chance to hear it, if they can get past the jamming.”

Losing REKTS could seriously undercut the USAGM’s ability to reach Asian audiences with an American perspective, said Kim Andrew Elliott.

“To the extent they ever have been, Asian audiences are mostly out of the habit of tuning in shortwave radio broadcasts. They are watching TV and accessing the internet,” Elliott said. “But in most Asian target countries for VOA and RFA, domestic terrestrial relays of its television broadcasts are not allowed. And most television viewers do not have access to the satellites that carry VOA and RFA content.

“As for the internet, China and other countries in the region are finding more and more ways to block internet content. They are also going after circumvention technologies and VPNs. Even savvy internet users in Asia might run out of ways to work around these efforts.”

For this reason, shortwave should remain a component of USAGM’s delivery to Asia, Elliott said. “The direct audiences will not be large, but a few thousand technology enthusiasts can receive content from abroad via shortwave, then pass it on to larger audiences through domestic channels. The VOA Radiogram and Shortwave Radiogram projects have shown that text and images can be transmitted on shortwave, with no special additional equipment needed by broadcasters and requiring only the addition of free software for the audience.” (via DXLD)

Bezieht sich auf Zerstoerungen durch einen Super-Taifun im Oktober Artikel dazu ist aber erst seit 16 Stunden online.

<https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/super-typhoon-devastates-usagm-transmission-sites>

"... Two shortwave radio transmission/antenna farms used by the U.S. Agency for Global Media in Saipan and Tinian were ripped apart by 180 mph winds in October. That's when Category 5 Super Typhoon Yutu ravaged the Northern Mariana island group in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. ..."

"... The destruction of REKTS' shortwave transmitting capability comes at a time when the USAGM has been backing away from shortwave radio broadcasting in general. The big reason is money. For example, the cost of powering the three 100 kW Continental 418E transmitters at the Saipan site alone is astronomical compared to streaming content online. For similar reasons, governments around the globe have either cut back their international radio services - the BBC World Service having ceased shortwave broadcasts to North America - or eliminated them entirely ..."

Kostenabwaegung: "Lohnt" es sich eigentlich noch, einen Grossteil der Uebertragungskosten dafuer einzusetzen, um eine Minderheit von Personen zu erreichen, die nicht "online" sind ?
<https://wearesocial.com/de/blog/2018/01/global-digital-report-2018>

In Asien noch eine 50:50 Situation:  
<https://wearesocial-net.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DIGITAL-IN-2018-003-INTERNET-PENETRATION-MAP-V1.00.png>

aber:  
<https://wearesocial-net.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/DIGITAL-IN-2018-018-MONTHLY-MOBILE-DATA-CONSUMPTION-V1.00.png>

Und da wir gerade im asiatischen Raum sind:  
<https://www.heise.de/tp/features/Russland-und-China-haben-die-Ionosphaere-mit-Radiowellen-erhitzt-4254905.html>
(eine Heise-Meldung von vor 3 Tagen)

"... Die Experimente dienen vermutlich militaerischen Zwecken, China errichtet eine Hochfrequenzanlage wie das amerikanische HAARP am Suedchinesischen Meer." {schon vor einem Jahrzehnt ... wb.} (Roger Thauer-D, A-DX ng Dec 21 via BC-DX Dec 24 via DXLD)

1449.771, makes het with weak 1450 stations, Woodward & Shawnee
1419.883, KCRC audio overwhelms anything from KTJS Hobart  
1389.994, KCRC fundamental is slightly low, and varies?
1360.059, KCRC audio overwhelms anything from KPHN El Dorado KS
1330.177, makes big het with KNSS Wichita which otherwise would be
listenable here

At this time can`t hear hets on 1300 & 1480 but have before, perhaps closer to site on caradio. Separations between these from top to bottom: 29.889, 29.888, 29.935, 29.882. One of them looks too far off, not sure if I miscalculated (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

/CUBA. Radio Sultanate of Oman & Radio Habana Cuba on 15140, Dec.18
from 1400 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg WeEu English R.Sultanate of Oman
from 1500 15140 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg SoAm Spanish Radio Habana Cuba  
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-sultanate-of-oman-radio-habana.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.18-19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
Did Oman go off at 1500? Did Cuba not come on until 1500? (gh, DXLD)

Reception of Radio Sultanate of Oman only in English Dec 19  
1400&1446 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu English, good & distorted
from 1500 15140 QVC 250 kW / 130 deg to SoAm Spanish Radio Habana Cuba
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-radio-sultanate-of-oman.html

Radio Sultanate of Oman vs. Radio Habana Cuba on 15140 kHz, Dec.19:  
1715&1805 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg WeEu Arabic R.Sultanate of Oman
1600-1900 15140 BAU 100 kW / 010 deg ENAm Spanish Radio Habana Cuba:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-sultanate-of-oman-vs-radio-habana.html

Radio Sultanate of Oman vs. Radio Habana Cuba on 15140 kHz, Dec.19:  
1900&2007 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg WeEu Arabic R.Sultanate of Oman
1900-2100 15140 BAU 100 kW / 340 deg WNAm Ar/Cr/En Radio Habana Cuba
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/rsultanate-of-oman-vs-rhabana-cuba-on.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.19-20, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Radio Sultanate of Oman in Arabic, instead of English, Dec.20  
1400-1500 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu Arabic, NOT English:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-sultanate-of-oman-in-arabic.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Radio Sultanate of Oman in Arabic, instead of English, Dec.20  
1400-1452 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu English as scheduled
from 1452 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu Arabic, NOT English:
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-sultanate-of-oman-in-arabic_22.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 21-22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Reception of Radio Sultanate of Oman again in English on Dec.21
from 1400 on 15140 THU 100 kW / 315 deg to WeEu English, instead [OF!]
                                                Arabic Dec.20
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-sultanate-of-oman-again-in.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Am 21.12.2018 um 17:00 schrieb Roger:  
> http://www.part.gov.om/part/FM-General.html
> http://www.part.gov.om/part/FM-English.html
> http://www.part.gov.om/part/FM-QURAN.html
> http://www.part.gov.om/part/FM-YOUTH.html
> http://www.part.gov.om/part/Oman_Sound.html

Korrespondierende rtmp-Streams für vlc/
Videolanplayer:  

rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/general01
48 kbps  mp3    22 kHz Sampling
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/english01
48 kbps  mp3    22 kHz Sampling
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/quran01
48 kbps  mp3    22 kHz Sampling
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/youth01
48 kbps  mp3    22 kHz Sampling
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/sout01
48 kbps  mp3    22 kHz Sampling
 
Oman-TV-Streams auch über RTMP am Port 1935:
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/omantv01
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/omantv02
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/omantv03
rtmp://38.96.148.35:1935/live/omantv04

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vermutetes HTTP-MP3-Streaming im Bereich des 8000er Ports,
und tatsächlich:  
http://38.96.148.35:8000/;
FM English
http://38.96.148.35:8002/;
FM General
http://38.96.148.35:8004/;
FM Quran
http://38.96.148.35:8006/;
FM Youth

Vom Netzwerk empfangen: 157258 Byte  
Server: Ultravox/2.1 SHOUTcast v2.5.0.715/win64
Inhaltstyp: audio/mpeg
Ultravox-Sync.: 1204 Meldungen, 0 Desyncs
Ultravox-Datenmeldung: 0x7000
Ultravox SID/AvgBR/MaxBR: 1/40000/40000
Stream-Name: FM Youth

ID gerade als "Ida - hatu  sha bab"   oder so ähnlich.
(roger, internetradio a-dx, DXLD)

4774.90, R. Tarma in Spanish, 12.17.2018 2312-2327, men chatting (mostly unclear), men unclear announcements with music (clear advertisements in streaming only), other man excited talk, heard in usb, strong qrn, very poor/poor; in // http://www.radios.com.pe/99-3-fm-tarma/ (Gianni Serra, Roma, Italy, JRC NRD 525 receiver; Alpha Delta DX-SWL Sloper-S antenna; RG 8 mini coaxial cable; JPS NIR 12 Noise & Interference Reducer-Dual DSP outboard audio filter; JRC NVA 319 external loudspeaker unit; Sony MDR-101 stereo headphones; DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Reception of IRRS EGR/UNR via RADIOCOM Saftica, Dec.23:
1030-1300 on  9510*SAF 100 kW / 300 deg to WeEu English Sun, weak/fair
* co-ch same  9510 URU 050 kW / non-dir to EaAs Mongolian PBS Xinjiang
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-irrs-egrunr-via-radiocom.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.22-23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

"The militaries have been in a race to control the ionosphere for decades."

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2178214/china-and-russia-band-together-controversial-heating-experiments (via Kim Elliott, KD9XB, Dec 21, WOR iog via DXLD) Viz.:

China and Russia band together on controversial heating experiments to modify the atmosphere

The countries are testing a technology for possible military application, say Chinese scientists involved in the project

Militaries have been in a race to control the ionosphere, which allows radio signals to bounce long distances for communication, for decades

PUBLISHED : Monday,  17 December, 2018, 3:31am
UPDATED :   Tuesday, 18 December, 2018, 2:18pm

Comments: 32  
Stephen Chen
https://www.facebook.com/Stephen.Chen.SCMP

China and Russia have modified an important layer of the atmosphere above Europe to test a controversial technology for possible military application, according to Chinese scientists involved in the project. SCMP Today: Intl Edition

A total of five experiments were carried out in June. One, on June 7, caused physical disturbance over an area as large as 126,000 sq km (49,000 square miles), or about half the size of Britain.

The modified zone, looming more than 500km (310 miles) high over Vasilsursk, a small Russian town in eastern Europe, experienced an electric spike with 10 times more negatively charged subatomic particles than surrounding regions.

In another experiment on June 12, the temperature of thin, ionised gas in high altitude increased more than 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit) because of the particle flux.

The particles, or electrons, were pumped into the sky by Sura, an atmospheric heating facility in Vasilsursk built by the former Soviet Union’s military during the cold war.

[High-power antennas at the Sura atmospheric heating facility in Vasilsursk, Russia, which was built by the former Soviet Union’s military during the cold war. Photo: Handout]

The Sura base fired up an array of high-power antennas and injected a large amount of microwaves into the high atmosphere. The peak power of the high frequency radio waves could reach 260 megawatts, enough to light a small city.

Zhangheng-1, a Chinese electromagnetic surveillance satellite, collected the data from orbit with cutting-edge sensors. The pumping and fly-by required precise coordination to achieve effective measurement.

When Zhangheng approached the target zone, for instance, the sensors would switch to burst mode to analyse samples every half-second, much faster than usual, to increase data resolution.

The results were “satisfactory”, the research team reported in a paper published in the latest issue of the Chinese journal Earth and Planetary Physics.

“The detection of plasma disturbances … provides evidence for likely success of future related experiments,” the researchers said.

Professor Guo Lixin, dean of the school of physics and optoelectronic engineering at Xidian University in Xian and a leading scientist on ionosphere manipulation technology in China, said that the joint experimentation was extremely unusual.

“Such international cooperation is very rare for China,” said Guo, who was not involved in the experiment. “The technology involved is too sensitive.”

[The Zhangheng-1 electromagnetic surveillance satellite is launched. Photo: Handout]

The sun and cosmic rays produce a large amount of free-flying, positively charged atoms known as ions at altitudes from 75km to 1,000km in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The layer, or ionosphere, reflects radio waves like a mirror. The ionosphere allows radio signals to bounce long distances for communication.

The militaries have been in a race to control the ionosphere for decades.

The Sura base in Vasilsursk is believed to be the world’s first large-scale facility built for the purpose. Up and running in 1981, it enabled Soviet scientists to manipulate the sky as an instrument for military operations, such as submarine communication.

High-energy microwaves can pluck the electromagnetic field in ionosphere like fingers playing a harp. This can produce very low-frequency radio signals that can penetrate the ground or water – sometimes to depths of more than 100 metres (328 feet) in the ocean, which made it a possible communication method for submarines.

Changing the ionosphere over enemy territory can also disrupt or cut off their communication with satellites.

We are not playing God. We are not the only country teaming up with the Russians === Chinese researcher involved in the experiment

The US military learned from the Russian experiment and built a much larger facility to conduct similar tests.

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, or HAARP, was established in Gakona, Alaska, in the 1990s with funding from the US military and the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.

The HAARP facility could generate a maximum 1 gigawatt of power, nearly four times that of Sura.

China is now building an even larger and more advanced facility in Sanya, Hainan, with capability to manipulate the ionosphere over the entire South China Sea, according to an earlier report by the South China Morning Post.

There have been concerns that such facilities could be used to modify weather and even create natural disasters, including hurricanes, cyclones and earthquakes.

The ultra-low frequency waves generated by these powerful facilities could even affect the operation of human brains, some critics have said.

But Dr Wang Yalu, an associate researcher with the China Earthquake Administration who took part in the study in June, dismissed such theories.

“We are just doing pure scientific research. If there is anything else involved, I am not informed about this,” she said in an interview.

The earthquake administration was involved because the Zhangheng-1, launched in February, was the first Chinese satellite capable of picking up precursory signals linked to earthquakes. It is operated by the Chinese military and has served both civilian and defence uses.

In the China-Russian experiment, researchers found that even with a small power output of 30MW, the radio beam could create a large abnormal zone. But they also found that the effects dropped sharply after sunrise, as the man-made perturbation easily became lost in the noise created by sunlight.

“We are not playing God. We are not the only country teaming up with the Russians. Other countries have done similar things,” said another researcher who was involved in the project and asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The Sura facility has also conducted joint research with France and the United States, according to papers published in academic journals.

The National Centre for Space Studies, a French government agency under the supervision of the ministries of defence and research, has deployed the micro satellite Demeter to monitor Sura’s radio emissions.

The Defence Meteorological Satellite Programme run by the US Department of Defence also contributed fly-by data in several heating experiments conducted at the Russian site before 2012.

The countries were willing to collaborate in part because many scientific and technical problems remain to be solved, the Chinese researcher said.

Such international cooperation is very rare for China. The technology involved is too sensitive === Professor Guo Lixin

For example, though there is general consensus that human disturbances can cause the irregularities, how they happened and why remains a subject of debate, with different research teams providing varied explanations.

Professor Gong Shuhong, a military communication technology researcher at Xidian University, formerly the Radio School of the Central Military Committee, said he had been closely following the Russia-China heating experiment.

“The energy emitted was too low to trigger a global environmental event,” he said. “Human influence is still very small compared to the power of Mother Nature. But the impact to a small region is possible.”

In theory, a butterfly flapping its wings might be amplified in a sophisticated weather system and cause a storm in a distant location several weeks later.

“Such studies must strictly follow ethical guidelines,” Gong said. “Whatever they do, it must not cause harm to the people living on this planet.” (via DXLD)

The reason for the check was that Ofcom, a British regulator, ruled that the RT channel violated the broadcast rules. The ministry blamed the Russian TV channel for violating broadcasting rules, in particular, biased coverage of events in Ukraine and Syria, as well as cases of poisoning of the Skripale family in Salisbury.

Ofcom has threatened to impose sanctions on RT, which may include measures to ban the replay of programs and include mandatory disclaimers in them, to penalties and license revocation. Sostav.ru
https://www.radioportal.ru/news/mediapravo/roskomnadzor-proverit-kontent-bbc-na-sootvetstvie-rossiyskomu-zakonodatelstvu (via Rus-DX Dec 23 via DXLD)

7355, BBC Kranji relay: In the clear after 1600z M and W in Korean, English language lesson, Good signal until 1630z, then poor-fair with deep fades. No sign of R Marti or Affiliated jammer. Thanks to gawd (Steven Wiseblood, Harlingen TX, outdoor 40' LW, 12/23 times in GMT (z), WOR iog via DXLD)

The SABC has been issued a notice by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), asking the broadcaster to explain why it believes it is not trading recklessly under insolvent circumstances, according to a report by the City Press.

This notice stated that the SABC’s liabilities exceed its assets by R1.8 billion, preventing the public broadcaster from settling its short-term obligations.

Speaking to the City Press, the SABC’s Neo Momodu said the broadcaster has “completely collapsed”, and attributed its financial ruin to irregular spending by previous management – namely former COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“The SABC would like to make it clear that Mr Motsoeneng was the central figure in the complete financial and governance collapse of the corporation which the current executive management is redressing,” Momodu said (via Bill Bingham, Jo'burg, RSA. WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

The Bulgarian DX Blog is also listing special broadcast from Channel Africa on Sunday 23 December as follows (usually Channel Africa only broadcasts Mon-Fri) [as above] (Dave Kenny, bdxc-news iog via DXLD)

Hi, It's not really a Christmas Broadcast, it's a Special Broadcast for elections coverage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Christian Ghibaudo, Nice, France, bdxc-uk iog via DXLD)

For elexions in CONGO DR, which were then postponed, and postponed again, so presumably no such broadcasts (gh, DXLD)

Special broadcast of Channel Africa on Sunday December 23-correxion
0800-1500 on 15170 MEY 250 kW / 355 deg to ECAf English,x 0800-1200

https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/frequency-changes-of-radio-sonder-grense.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)  

Special transmissions from Meyerton on Dec.23 for elections
coverage in the Dem. Rep. of Congo - BUT no signal 0800-1100!
0800-1500 on  7230 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Sun
0800-1500 on 15170 MEY 250 kW / 355 deg to ECAf English Sun
1500-1600 on  7260 MEY 100 kW / 005 deg to SoAf English Sun
1500-1600 on 17770 MEY 250 kW / 355 deg to ECAf Swahili Sun
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/fairgood-signal-of-south-african-radio.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.22-23, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9350, WWCR, Nashville TN; 2158-2202+, 12/15; Bombastically Sermonizing & Blatantly Scabrous Bro. Stair on the coming Jewish Messiah Scaring the Beejeezus out of all who still have foreskin! WWCR break-in ID at 2201:04. S20 peaks, fady; co-ch English QRM; presume studio bleed (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ---, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.40, Dec 18 at 0655, WBCQ is still on with Brother Scare; as feared, apparently replacing 9330+ for 24-hour disservice. (And 3215 WWCR TOMBS is off again after 0600). By daytime 1545 recheck, 9330 still missing and 5130.4 inaudible, but may be beaming into the absorption.

Wolfgang Bueschel reported: ``Log Dec 18 at 1235 to 1305 UT range in Edmonton Alberta remote SDR site: USA, 5130.384 kHz WBCQ wandered to .389 kHz variable, at 1235 UT Dec 18, S=9+25dB, two men talk in English. 7490v WBCQ channel nothing. 9330v WBCQ channel nothing``

Absence of 9330 reminds one to wonder how the Superpower project is coming along, registered to use this frequency only when it may start in a few more months (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9330.111, Dec 23 at 1328, this WBCQ is on again with Brother Scare, S9-S7. Perhaps TimTron has been repairing it while in Monticello? If they can keep it going, presumably backup 5130.4 will not need to be BSing long hours instead.

9395, Dec 23 at 1331, WRMI is S9-S7 of dead air; by 1339 resumed with Brother HyStairical (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation SLBC in 25mb, Dec.23:  
1630-1830 on 11750.0 TRM 125 kW / 345 deg to N/ME Sinhala, very good
1701-1802 on 11834.8 TRM 125 kW / 345 deg to SoAs Tamil, good signal
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-sri-lanka-broadcasting_24.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.23-24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Radio Omdurman Sudan on wrong frequency 9505 kHz on Dec 19:  
from 1900 9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf Arabic, instead [OF!] 7205
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/radio-omdurman-sudan-on-wrong-frequency.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.19-20, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Fair signal of Voice of Africa Sudan Radio, Dec.20
1630-1715 on  9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf French
1715-1800 on  9505 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf English
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/fair-signal-of-voice-of-africa-sudan.html

Good signal of Radio Omdurman Sudan on its frequency 7205 kHz Dec.20
from 1925 on  7205 ALF 100 kW / 210 deg to CeAf Arabic, instead [OF!]
9505 kHz Dec.19
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/good-signal-of-radio-omdurman-sudan-on.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.20-21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Slow MRI cuts down on its broadcast. German Service also moved to broadcast through Bulgaria and reduced transmission time to half an hour. The Spanish service has left the HF since March of this year, and the French left only one hour transmission on Sundays (Dmitry Kutuzov, Ryazan, Russia / "deneb-radio-dx”, ibid.)

R. Thailand WS, for real, with OC at 2359 and into news at 0000 with no IS or announcement other than “Your news, your music, your station. Radio Thailand. FM 88.” Strength for both signals was S9+15 more or less, so earlier signal presumed to be RT. If this is something else you know of, please LMK. Hope you’re doing well. Happy Holidays. Regards. -- tc (Terry Colgan, TX, Every dog deserves a home. Not every home deserves a dog, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Hi Terry, I agree that`s probably what it is. IBB is known for doing advance tuneups like that, e.g. Greenville. Greetings, (Glenn to Terry via DXLD)

11815.699, Dec 18 at 1541, TRT Turkish talk is running off -frequency today, usual good signal.

12035.0, Friday December 21 at 1400, S9-S6, VOT English in `Letterbox`. Host seems to be winging it from axual letters rather than a prepared script. At least two come from Bangladesh, but hard to understand details; he keeps urging people to send reception reports. At 1407 sings for a few seconds? 1408 show ends and into songfill.

11815.0, December 21 at 1414, the other VOT, Turkish music, also S9-S6 but sounds louder; and remarkable coincidence, both are (almost) on- frequency today, rather than one or the other plus ~700 Hz! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5960, Fri Dec 21 at 2330, VOT English to NAm is only poor during `Letterbox`. Reception was much better on the earlier airing for ``W Europe`` at 1400 on 12035! Mark Coady, Ontario, has also been complaining about poor 5960 reception.

I say, perhaps the time has come, during solar-min and dark winter, to go *lower* than the 6 MHz band, for the Europe/NAm circuit! But wait, there are no ISWBC bands lower, except 75m which is denied here in Region 2 by hams all the way up to 4000. How about the 60m so-called ``tropical`` band? I can`t think of any Eurocaster which has ever used it to NAm, and ISWBC stations may not even have a suitable antenna. But wait2, 60m over here is a *fixed*, not broadcast band. But wait3, some US SWBC stations are using it quite successfully anyway, ``out- of-band``. So in that case, why not Eurasia-to-North America on 60m in our evenings? There could also be OOB space just above 4.0 MHz, as pioneered by TGAV, and now increasingly used by pirates who find even <7 MHz unpropagable due to even lower MUFs (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

15190.096 kHz Measured very tiny signal under threshold only on remote Florida US state SDR unit at 1310 UT on Dec 19.

But in Florida and various remote SDR servers in Europe heard stronger co-channel - an unwanted INTERMODULATION signal on 15190.043 kHz S=6-7 in Turkish language, not Portuguese from TRT Emirler site in Turkey. At 12.30-13.25 UT on Dec 19, intermodulation mixture of both services

15270.027 kHz TRT German,  S=9+35dB strength
15350.011 kHz TRT Turkish, S=9+35dB strength

difference distance apart of 79.984 kHz at Emirler Turkey center location.

Also symmetrically on upper sideband on 15429.995 kHz S=6-7, and hit co-channel AWR Trincomalee Ceylon on 15430.004 kHz at 1304 UT. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Buschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Reception of TRT Voice of Turkey on very odd frequency 7245.7 kHz,
Dec.22
1200-1225 on  7245.7 EMR 250 kW / 300 deg to SEEu Bulgarian, instead
                                                  of 7245 Dec 21
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/trt-voice-of-turkey-on-very-odd_22.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec 21-22, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

12035.0, Dec 22 at 1423, VOT English signing off at S9-S7, off at 1425*. 11815.0 (both not off-frequency!), VOT excited Turkish continues in silly ball- or sweat-game, and is quite stronger, S9+10 to S9. Why the disparity? Both are for W Europe. Per HFCC registrations, it ought to be opposite, 12035 with 500 kW, twice the power of 250 kW 11815, azimuths 310 & 305 degrees resp.; different antennas, type 205 on 12035, type 215 on 11815. But they could also be swapping around transmitters and antennas as evidenced by one or the other often +0.7 kHz off (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

TRT Voice of Turkey on very odd frequency 11795.7, Dec.24  
0930-1055 11795.7 EMR 500 kW / 105 deg WeAs Farsi, instead[OF] 11795.0
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/trt-voice-of-turkey-on-very-odd_24.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.23-24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9580.109, Dec 19 at 1531, JBA carrier off-frequency, another atrocity from Egypt or Saudi Arabia? No, HFCC shows it`s NHK Urdu at 1514-1545, 250 kW, 60 degrees via DHA, another site well-known for offfrequenciness. Radio Australia avoided this problem by self- destructing (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

0030-0100 on  7465 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese from Dec.31
0030-0100 on  9740 SNG 250 kW / 330 deg to SEAs Burmese from Dec.31
1500-1600 on  9445 DHA 250 kW / 045 deg to SoAs Urdu, ex SCB 100 kW
1630-1700 on  7485 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese from Dec.30
1630-1700 on  9780 SNG 250 kW / 340 deg to SEAs Burmese from Dec.30
1700-1900 NF  5875 ERV 100 kW / 100 deg to WeAs Dari/Pashto, x 5910
2200-2400 NF  5845 SNG 250 kW / 013 deg to EaAs English WS, ex 5890
??????????? ?? Observer ? 9:58 AM 73! Ivo Ivanov (via DXLD)

The reason for the check was that Ofcom, a British regulator, ruled that the RT channel violated the broadcast rules. The ministry blamed the Russian TV channel for violating broadcasting rules, in particular, biased coverage of events in Ukraine and Syria, as well as cases of poisoning of the Skripale family in Salisbury.

Ofcom has threatened to impose sanctions on RT, which may include measures to ban the replay of programs and include mandatory disclaimers in them, to penalties and license revocation. Sostav.ru
https://www.radioportal.ru/news/mediapravo/roskomnadzor-proverit-kontent-bbc-na-sootvetstvie-rossiyskomu-zakonodatelstvu (via Rus-DX Dec 23 via DXLD)

420 kHz, Dec 19 at 0707, beacon TU, which is 25 watts at Tupelo- Verona, Mississippi

420 kHz, Dec 19 at 0708, beacon PK, which is 25 watts at Olathe - Herbb, Kansas. Mixing with TU, but at different pitches.

395 kHz, Dec 19 at 0710, beacon ULS, which is 25 watts at Ulysses, Kansas

365 kHz, Dec 19 at 0713, beacon AA, which is 100 watts at Fargo - Harwood, North Dakota. I was tuned to 363-USB

353 kHz, Dec 19 at 0714, beacon IN, which is 100 watts at International Falls - Ray, Minnesota

293 kHz, Dec 19 at 0716, beacon FBY, which is 25 watts at Fairbury, Nebraska.

All these on the R75 with 100` E-W longwire. See also CANADA for two more NDB logs during this session (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Thanks for the tip. What's the power. Can be heard via some close-by web rx's (Mauno Ritola, 2355 UT, WOR iog via DXLD)

At 2359, I'm hearing a weak AM signal on the channel via a Perseus remote SDR in Ireland. Not sure for certain it's them, but who else? Better reception from a Belgian SDR, though (using only a Pa0dt antenna). Music with some cochannel beacon marker. 73, (Walt Salmaniw, ibid.)

I've had a signal for the past two or so hours, but I'm a lot closer to the transmitter :) (Chris Smolinski, Westminster, MD USA, 0005 UT Dec 25, ibid.)

Listening to them now with a robotic ID every few minutes, and Christmas carols at 0433 via a Kiwi SDR in Maine (Walt Salmaniw, 0434 UD Dec 25, ibid.)

485.9 kHz, Dec 25 at 0124, JBA carrier, maybe a special Xmas experimental transmission. There are other stronger carriers nearby, perhaps birdies or local devices. Shortly before 1700 UT Dec 24, I reposted this to the WOR iog, from the MARE Tipsheet:

``Paul Dobosz: Upcoming LW Opportunities from today’s ARRL Letter;
 
Fessenden Commemorative Transmission Set for Christmas Eve  
 
As he's done in years past, Brian Justin, WA1ZMS, of Forest,
Virginia, will commemorate what may have been the first radio
broadcast to include speech and music by experimenter Reginald
Fessenden on Christmas Eve 1906. Justin will fire up his vin-
tage-style transmitter operating on 486 kHz under Experimental
license WI2XLQ to mark the 112th anniversary of Fessenden's
accomplishment. Justin will begin his transmission on December
24 at 1700 UTC and continue until December 26 at 1659 UTC.
 
Historic accounts say Fessenden played the violin -- or a recor-
ding of violin music -- and read a brief Bible verse, astounding
radio experimenters and shipboard operators who heard the broad-
cast. For his transmitter in 1906, Fessenden used an ac alterna-
tor modulated by placing carbon microphones in series with the
antenna feed line. Justin's homebuilt station is slightly more
modern, based on a 1921 vacuum-tube master oscillator power
amplifier (MOPA) design, using a UV-202 tube. The transmitter
employs Heising AM modulation, developed by Raymond Heising
during World War I.
 
Send listener reports directly to Brian Justin, WA1ZMS.
(MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)``  

Others were hearing traces of it further east or with remote receivers; likely rather low-powered. Chris Smolinski in Maryland was not too far away, and refined the frequency to 485.9. So if you are reading this before 1659 UT Dec 26, still have a change to hear it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

According to a check of the K3FEF websdr it appears WWV is still up and running on at least 5 MHz. When I looked at NIST's shutdown plan, there aren't too many people designated excepted at the Boulder office. The equipment is on auto-pilot and there won't be anybody immediately nearby if something breaks. If anybody notices something wrong like the transmitter going off the air please notify Megacenter at 1-877-4FPS-411 and they'll hopefully relay something to the right people.

On the good side, I've got plenty of time to catch DX now that I'm on unpaid furlough until further notice. Hopefully I'm not on unpaid furlough too long to be unable to pay the bills. I've also got some "stealth antenna" building to do now that I've got some time (Steven Kellat, alpacaherder, OH, Dec 23, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Dan Robinson? @DanRobinsonDC 14m14 minutes ago Congressional report by @houseforeign says "decentralized digital operations...lack of regular analysis of digital advertising performance...created significant problems at @USAGM networks...including repeated Smith-Mundt violations...other wasteful and ineffective practices.

Dan Robinson? @DanRobinsonDC 24m24 minutes ago Report at http://bit.ly/2rNHKhH finds "failures in management @USAGMgov that led to repeated violations of the Smith-Mundt Act.

Dan Robinson? @DanRobinsonDC 28m28 minutes ago Congressional review http://bit.ly/2rNHKhH finds "repeated violations" of Smith-Mundt Act over two-year period...at mismanaged @USAGMgov (Dan Robinson, DC, 1810 UT Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.:

U.S. Int’l Broadcasting in the Digital Age: Getting Advertising Right Report by Chairman Edward R. Royce

THE PROBLEM:

On July 19, 2018, the New York Times reported that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) bought ads on Facebook that targeted users in the United States. This was a direct violation of section 501 of PL 80-402 of the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act, commonly referred to as Smith-Mundt. The provision prohibits domestic dissemination of content developed by the State Department and U.S.-funded international broadcasting entities. The law is a direct nod to the fundamental importance of a free and independent domestic press to our democracy. It also ensures U.S. backed broadcasters remain focused on their primary mission:

delivering real, timely and accurate news to people around the world who don’t have access to a free press.

Under the law today, U.S. audiences may opt-in to receive content from U.S.-backed international broadcasters online – by following a network on Twitter or Facebook, for example – but these international broadcasters are barred from disseminating content to a domestic audience.

Following the NYT report, a House Foreign Affairs Committee review of U.S. international broadcasters’ advertising on digital media found that Smith-Mundt violations extended beyond RFE/RL. This included a series of Voice of America (VOA) ads that exclusively targeted audiences in Washington, D.C.

The committee’s review of digital media advertising also raised additional concerns about a lack of strategic thinking at networks regarding audience development. Networks should devote more effort to identifying who exactly they want to reach with digital media ads promoting their reporting. The committee also found a lack of network management of digital content, poor internal structure and policy regarding digital media advertising, and ineffective use of taxpayer funds...

https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/US-International-Broadcasting-in-the-Digital-Age-Getting-Advertising-Right.pdf

[much more, 29 pdf pages total, last 17 of which are appendices in various languages] (via DXLD)

Confirmed Tuesday December 18 at 2045 on portable the 2030 on WRMI 7780, poor-fair. Also confirmed Wednesday December 19 at 1058 the 1030 on WRMI 5950, poor (9395 Oldies signal is much better). Next:

2200 UT Wednesday WRMI    9955 to SSE
2200 UT Wednesday WBCQ    7490v to WSW
0930 UT Friday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
0729 UT Saturday  HLR     6190-CUSB Germany to WSW
0930 UT Saturday  Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia [Dec 22]
1200 UT Saturday  Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW
1531 UT Saturday  HLR     9485-CUSB Germany to WSW
1700 UT Saturday  WRN    *5950 via WRMI to WNW [unconfirmed]
2030vUT Saturday  WA0RCR  1860-AM non-direxional
0400vUT Sunday    WA0RCR  1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND
0830 UT Sunday    WRMI    5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW
1130 UT Sunday    HLR     7265-CUSB Germany to WSW
2130 UT Sunday    WRMI    7780 to NE
0230 UT Monday    WRMI    5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW
0400vUT Monday    WBCQ   *5130v Area 51 to WSW
0430 UT Monday    WRMI   *9955 to SSE
0930 UT Monday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
* also webcast

WORLD OF RADIO 1961 monitoring: confirmed Wednesday December 19 after 2200 via portable DX-375, fair with jamming on WRMI 9955, much weaker on WBCQ 7490+. Next:

0930 UT Friday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
0729 UT Saturday  HLR     6190-CUSB Germany to WSW
0930 UT Saturday  Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia [Dec 22]
1200 UT Saturday  Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW
1531 UT Saturday  HLR     9485-CUSB Germany to WSW
1700 UT Saturday  WRN    *5950 via WRMI to WNW [unconfirmed]
2030vUT Saturday  WA0RCR  1860-AM non-direxional
0400vUT Sunday    WA0RCR  1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND
0830 UT Sunday    WRMI    5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW
1130 UT Sunday    HLR     7265-CUSB Germany to WSW
2130 UT Sunday    WRMI    7780 to NE
0230 UT Monday    WRMI    5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW
0400vUT Monday    WBCQ   *5130v Area 51 to WSW
0430 UT Monday    WRMI   *9955 to SSE
0930 UT Monday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
* also webcast

WORLD OF RADIO 1961 monitoring: checking the WRMI 9955 skedgdrid for something else, I spot a NEW airing for WORLD OF RADIO: Saturday 2200! One must be vigilant to detect ASAP any possible additions or deletions. I search the rest of the grids, but no other WOR changes on WRMI [WORLD OF RADIO 1962]

WOR 1961 not confirmed, Sat Dec 22 at 1531 on HLR 9485-CUSB, as inaudible both at home and at UTwente. But apparently pre-empted for holiday? Manuel Méndez, Lugo, Spain, reported:

``GERMANY, Hamburger LokalRadio, Gohren, will be on air this weekend
as follows:
 
Today Saturday, 22 December
0700–1200 UTC  6190 kHz. English 0700-0800
1200–1600 UTC  9485 kHz. English 1200-1400
 
Tomorrow Sunday, 23 December
1000–1300 UTC 7265 kHz. English 1100-1200``

I don`t know where he got that info, as checking the HLR website I don`t see anything but the normal schedule, including English and WOR Saturdays until 1600. Via the WOR HITLIST, there is HLR streaming at http://server1.cityedv.at:9036/192kbps but I suspect it is their domestic service rather than SW programming. At 1525 it`s playing African music, soon announced at 1530 in Castilian as from Malgache on the `Mundofonías` show, world music I used to enjoy on RNE webcast and I think even via REE SW before their drastic cuts. At 1600, HLR stream switched to German, another music show introduced by Thomas Völkner, starting with some Whitney Houston. Thomas was at Radio for Peace International, Costa Rica, and tnx to his involvement with HLR, brought WORLD OF RADIO onto here.

Alan Gale, England, also reports at 1602 UT: ``Hi Glenn, I was finally back home in time to check for World of Radio again today, but not a thing was heard from HLR on 9485 kHz, not even a mouse. If it's being transmitted, then it's going right over the top of me, I'm afraid. Hopefully the skip will improve when the days start to lengthen once again in a few weeks time. 73 for now, Alan``

Confirmed Sat Dec 22 at 2055 the 2030v on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, Wentzville MO, poor in high local noise level, but recognizable on the PL-880 with reelout. Maybe the first time I have managed to hear this broadcast, but now in season for high-MW skywave propagation already. [WORLD OF RADIO 1962]

Next:
2200 UT Saturday  WRMI    9955 to SSE [NEW]
0400vUT Sunday    WA0RCR  1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND
0830 UT Sunday    WRMI    5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW
1130 UT Sunday    HLR     7265-CUSB Germany to WSW
2130 UT Sunday    WRMI    7780 to NE
0230 UT Monday    WRMI    5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW
0400vUT Monday    WBCQ   *5130v Area 51 to WSW
0430 UT Monday    WRMI   *9955 to SSE
0930 UT Monday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
* also webcast

WORLD OF RADIO 1961 monitoring: confirmed surprise NEW time of 2200 Saturday Dec 22 on WRMI 9955, fair and no jamming for a change. Also confirmed UT Sunday Dec 23 starting at 0427 on WA0RCR, 1860-AM, MO, S9+30: should easily be covering eastern half of North America at least. Slight CCI, maybe some LSB ham foolish enough to emit on 1860? Next:

0830 UT Sunday    WRMI    5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW
1130 UT Sunday    HLR     7265-CUSB Germany to WSW
2130 UT Sunday    WRMI    7780 to NE
0230 UT Monday    WRMI    5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW
0400vUT Monday    WBCQ   *5130v Area 51 to WSW
0430 UT Monday    WRMI   *9955 to SSE
0930 UT Monday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
* also webcast

WORLD OF RADIO 1961 monitoring: confirmed by Ivo Ivanov, Bulgaria:
``Reception of World of Radio via HLR on Dec 23  
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-world-of-radio-via-hlr-on_23.html
1131-1200 7265 GOH 001 kW / 230 deg to CeEu English Sun, weak/fair``

Reception of World of Radio#1961 via WRMI Okeechobee tx#1, Dec.23:  
2130-2200 7780 YFR 100 kW / 044 deg to WeEu English Sun, good signal
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/reception-of-world-of-radio1961-via.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.23-24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Also confirmed here Sunday December 23 at 2149 the 2130 on WRMI 7780, very poor. Also confirmed UT Monday December 24 after 0230 on WRMI 5950, good S9+10 but 9395 JBA. Area 51 webcast not funxioning at 0400 UT Monday Dec 24 (tho WBCQ 7490 webcast OK), but WOR confirmed on WBCQ 5130.399, S9+10 at 0413. Confirmed at 0457 Dec 24 the 0430 on WRMI 9955, VG S9+10 and no jamming.

WORLD OF RADIO 1962 contents: Brasil, Cuba, Denmark, Eritrea non, France and non, Germany, Iran, Korea South, Madagascar, México, Oklahoma, Poland non, São Tomé, Sa`udi Arabia, South Africa, South Carolina non, Turkey, UAE, USA; and the propagation outlook

WOR 1962 ready just in time for first airings UT Tuesday December 25: confirmed at 0030 on WRMI 7730, VG. Not confirmed at 0200 Tue Dec 25 on WRMI 9955 because it`s a JBA carrier [yet Cuba is still inbooming on 9640, 9535]; but not on webcast either, replaced by Spanish DX program `Antena DX` as also shown now on the skedgrid --- but WOR has been moved ahead to a new time I did not know about in time to mention on 1962: Monday 2330 on 9955 & 5950. This means I will have to finish produxion an hour earlier if I am to get the newshow on that broadcast. Richard Lemke, Alberta confirms hearing the 2330 on 9955 last repeat of WOR 1961. Skedgrid also shows another surprise WOR addition: Sat 1230 on 9955; that`s during the hour occupied on weekdays by Argentina in Portuguese. Next:

2030 UT Tuesday   WRMI    7780 to NE
0930 UT Wednesday Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
1030 UT Wednesday WRMI    5950 to WNW
2200 UT Wednesday WRMI    9955 to SSE
2200 UT Wednesday WBCQ    7490v to WSW
0930 UT Friday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
0729 UT Saturday  HLR     6190-CUSB Germany to WSW
0930 UT Saturday  Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia [hiatus]
1200 UT Saturday  Unique *9265 via WINB to WSW
1230 UT Saturday  WRMI    9955 to SSE [NEW]
1531 UT Saturday  HLR     9485-CUSB Germany to WSW [not last week]
1700 UT Saturday  WRN    *5950 via WRMI to WNW [unconfirmed]
2030vUT Saturday  WA0RCR  1860-AM non-direxional
2200 UT Saturday  WRMI   *9955 to SSE [NEW]
0400vUT Sunday    WA0RCR  1860-AM [nominal 0415], ND
0830 UT Sunday    WRMI    5850 to NW, 5950 to WNW, 7730 to WNW
1130 UT Sunday    HLR     7265-CUSB Germany to WSW
2130 UT Sunday    WRMI    7780 to NE
0230 UT Monday    WRMI    5950 to WNW, 9395 to NNW
0400vUT Monday    WBCQ   *5130v Area 51 to WSW
0430 UT Monday    WRMI   *9955 to SSE
0930 UT Monday    Unique  5045-LSB low-power NSW Australia
* also webcast; direct linx to these and many others at:

Complete updated WOR sked, all affiliates, satellite, webcast, AM&FM: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.401 unstable fq - variable up to 5130.410 kHz, WBCQ only S=4-5 strength in FL US state remote unit at 0203 UT, but S=9+20 dB signal in Edmonton Alberta Canada remote SDR unit at 0227 UT on Dec 18.

7490v kHz WBCQ nothing around 0205 UT on Dec 18.

9330v kHz WBCQ nothing around 0224 UT on Dec 18 [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 18), DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.4, Dec 18 at 0218, VP WBCQ with TOM, at first another voice, then BS himself, // same subject on 7570 WRMI, but far from synchronized. 9330 off or inaudible, so has WBCQ moved BS to 5130? Had been almost 24/7 on 9330, which 5130 may again become. WBCQ`s own program schedules remain woefully outdated, e.g. still showing WOR at 0030 daily on 9330 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.384 kHz WBCQ wandered to .389 kHz variable, at 1235 UT Dec 18, S=9+25dB, two men talk in English. 7490v and 9330v WBCQ channel nothing. Log Dec 18 at 1235 to 1305 UT range in Edmonton Alberta remote SDR site [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.4, Dec 18 at 2225 check, WBCQ is on here, but nothing on 9330, presumably TOMBS on expanded schedule. Website now has had several days to get it up to date --- of course not! http://overcomerministry.org/radio-schedule/ Nothing about 5130, rather 9330. Is that transmitter broken?

5130.4, Dec 19 at 0237, presumed TOMBS is JBA. Why in the world does WBCQ not get going on 3265, which would propagate much better over winter nights in the sunspot minimum? This new frequency/transmitter tested for only a few days last year, still on their programming page with ``no scheduled transmissions``. But at 0641 check, BS on 5130.4 is up to S9+10. Another check in daytime at 1445 Dec 19: zero on 9330 and 5130 also inaudible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130, WBCQ, 0104-0128 Mark Koernke's radio show "The Intelligence Report" barely heard even with PBT & NR. Gave e-mail address asking for reports. Then discussed different guns on “Weapons Wednesday” episode. Been a long time since I last heard this character. Signal lost at 0128. Poor on 12/20 (Don Hosmer, West Branch MI & afloat on the Adriatic, ICOM IC-7200, CommRadio Cr-1a and/or XHData D-808 radios with G5RV dipoles & W6LVP loop, MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

Koernke, of the Michigan militia not mentioned since 2010! when he was on WINB; see DXLD 10-13 for plenty of background;

``The station with no shame, WINB has also welcomed back to the air,
now that he`s out of prison, militia fanatic Mark Koernke, debited
with inspiring Timothy McVey to bomb Oklahoma City. Poor Mark; I guess
he wasn`t able to keep broadcasting while incarcerated like Bernie
does. Feds have just raided some Michigan militians, not clear whether
related to Koernke (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)
 
Shortwave Broadcaster Mark Koernke
A LOOK AT THE MICHIGAN MILITIA, THEN AND NOW
Posted: 11:00 a.m. March 25, 2010 3 Comments``  

and also 9-059 (Glenn Hauser, 2018, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5130.4, WBCQ with Brother Stairclimber ranting & busting a vein in his neck about people who claim they can't hear him. Now, I don't agree with much of what the Good Brother says, but if there are people who claim they can't hear him on SW, he is most decidedly correct in saying they 'just aren't trying' & 'they have ears but they do not hear.' Frankly, I have a hard time NOT hearing him! This channel is getting more & more off frequency it seems. According to the SDR this is within a few Hz of 5139.4 tonight. This is the ONLY WBCQ channel making it into Michigan at this hour, 7490 was there before with AWWW, but it faded before 2200. 444+43+ 2330-2345 20/Dec (Ken Zichi, Williamston MI, SDRplay + SDRuno + ANC-4 + FLDigi + randomwire, MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

I have been hearing this QRM for a few weeks (but who cares against BS?), yet Aoki/NDXC still hasn`t caught up with it (and BTW, *all* the WBCQ program U-timings in it for 7490 are *wrong* as if it were still summer!)

Not in latest HFCC either, but EiBi now has it! ``7490 2023-2400 CHN China National Radio 1 M CHN`` but no site. Maybe it is really on before 2300 but fortunately not fading in here until later in hour? (EiBi also has *wrong* timings for WBCQ 7490 shows, including WOR Wed at 2100 instead of 2200!) (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

7490+, UT Sat Dec 22 at 0016, WBCQ is fading down into the noise level, S9-S7: prospects bad for AWWW by 0100, so I will listen on L&C webcast. 5130.346 is VP and undermodulated, deeper into noise level adding up to S9 but unusable; and no longer carrying AWWW anyway. 9330+ is still AWOL, WHY?

(7490) webcast, at 0100 the previous hour `FKB` program is upwrapping, as the host announces *two wrong frequencies* and not this one: ``9625`` via WINB and ``5050`` via WWRB! Again Allan is not hosting, instead this week, TimTron, which means it will be a very different show. He`s soon joined by three other guys in Monticello, and AW calls in from DeLand of FLA, lauding how those who winter in Maine keep WBCQ going. TimTron emits a big belch, Allan calls him on it, and Tim denies doing it! Also says he must abstain from alcohol since he`s getting antibiotix against Lyme Disease --- but weed is OK!!

At 0113 Allan remarx that next month they will work on getting 3265 up and running. [WORLD OF RADIO 1962]

Plenty of music breaks, fraxured Xmasmx on YouTube as suggested by a caller; Tron says he was going to get political tonight, but thinx better of it.

Later in hour, Robert goes over 5130 programming including imminent specials (wish he would do this every week): a new Tom Cole Theatre, Monday 24th (forgets the time?), with repeats Tue at 7-8 pm EST [UT - 5]; Fri at 9-10 pm and again one week later. Uncle Bill`s Melting Pot Xmas special, Tue 25th at 8-9 pm EST. Other 5130 shows are now regular: Tue 9-10:30 pm EST Amateur Radio Roundtable; Wed 9-11 pm EST Hal Turner // 7490v; Thursday 7-8 pm EST The Hour of the Time; Friday 7-8 pm EST Analog Telephone Show; 8-9 pm Intelligence Report (also other days). And Area 51 on weekends. He doesn`t say anything about Brother Scare gobbling up (all?) other hours on 5130+; nor why 9330 is gone. Someone points out that 5130 time is available at the bargain rate of $15/hour.

No benedixion, but unlike Allan, TimTron allows this AWWW to run over until 0205 canned sign-off, then a few minutes of dead webair before some music start.

Here`s John Carver`s weekly report on the same:

``Tonight's show started on time but TimTron was the one making comments over the theme song. 7490 is very poor. No sign of anything on 9330 but checking 5130 I find AWWW there with a much better signal. Forties and rain in Maine but it came on top of two feet of snow so everything is bogged down up there. Terri and Robert show up in the studio along with Tom Barna whom they've just rescued after his car got stuck in the muck. Allan and Angela call in at 0109. Allan says he sent Terri and Robert to get the stuck Tom so Tim wouldn't have to do the show alone. He also said that he and TimTron would be working on the 3265 transmitter next month.

Robert announced that there was a new program airing on 5130 Monday evenings at eight to nine. Something to do with live theater.

At 0120 the AWWW program stops in mid-sentence and the regularly scheduled program at that time on 5130 starts in progress. Back to 7490 and they're in the middle of a phone call about fractured Christmas music. Very difficult to copy 7490. Lots of noise, some fading and signal is bouncing between S1 and S3. After the phone call Tom finds the link to the fractured music and plays ten minutes of it over the air. Is merely Christmas carols played on a piano by someone who is pretending not to know how to play a piano. After ten minutes of this Tom found some other Christmas music and continued till about 0150 when Tim did a monologue and then back to music at 0153. Show was off the air at 0204 as was 7490. Unlike last week programming continued on 5130 past 0200. John, Mid-North Indiana`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9330.0, Dec 22 at 2140, this WBCQ is back after several days` absence, with Brother Scare. Seems close to on-frequency but not measured yet. At 2324 I`m ready to do so, and it`s gone again! Next check at 0218 Dec 23, trace of 9330 signal, maybe this, while 7490+ is poor, 5130+ very poor.

7490+, Dec 22 at 2316, now WBCQ is as weak as the CNR1 QRM on 7490.0, working together to produce a LAH. Sked Sat at 2300-0040 Sun is `Good Time Oldies`, a show I haven`t really heard of unknown provenance by someone who must like round numbers: a 100-minute program.

7490.17, Dec 23 at 0413, WBCQ still on in a story narration, poor- fair. I guess during `SW Saturday Night` scheduled until 0500. Is Pirate Joe`s own WHVW 950 Hyde Park NY still off, and anybody know what happened? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

WRMI and WBCQ: See also SOUTH CAROLINA [non]  

``Since November, 2014, Countdown2.Christmas Radio has been a home for those who know the world would be a better place if the Christmas spirit ruled hearts year-round. Broadcasting Christmas music 24 hours a day (every day of the year) via its web site http://c2c.audio --- TuneIn, iTunes, Nobex, iPhone and Android apps (and more), Countdown2.Christmas Radio is proud to extend its reach through shortwave radio on WRMI.

Tune in weekly for a live broadcast with Alan and various other members of the Fahrner family...and join in the Christmas cheer with the likes of Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, and all your other Christmas music favorites! 0000 UTC Monday on 9455 kHz`` --- a long outdated frequency! And I would not assume it`s really on both 5950 & 9395 without confirmation (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9455, WRMI Radio Miami Int’l (presumed); 2201-2211+, 12/15; Supreme Master TV; tuned in to “And now the weather around our beautiful globe” followed by just music, so obviously a TV audio relay; 2206:30 M&W in accented English about various humanitarian projects. SIO=443+ with pulse QRM (Harold Frodge, Midland MI, USA, Drake R8B + 185' RW, --- All logged by my ears, on my receiver, in real time ---, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5850, WRMI again cutting off the first 55 minutes of BSR, but then continuing with SW Radiogram as expected with the usual mix of MFSK text & photos. Items this week were: MFSK32 story and photo about the Space walk to repair mysterious hole in the ISS: into MFSK64: item re the "first" transatlantic radio message, 1901 (maybe) & a cool photo of the kite born antenna (compare with Bulgaria) & this week’s images including a much better quality images that all decoded:

Then back to MFSK32 with Ad/Message/contest announcement in both digi-text, digi photo and audio from Tecsun Radios, Australia:

Then Glenn Hauser's World of Radio #1960 with the usual mix of radio
hobby news including items about Australia's Unique Radio both from
Australia & WINB, The latest from the reactivated Sudan, etc.
5850D.png  
In well, 4+4+4+4+4+ It's beginning to look like this is a schedule
change & not necessarily a 'whoops' but strange that they should
continue to carry the last 5 minutes of Broad Spectrum Radio rather
than starting up with their Ident signal as before. *0755-0900* 16/Dec
(Ken Zichi, Williamston MI, SDRplay + SDRuno + ANC-4 + FLDigi +
randomwire, MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

9395, Dec 20 at 1942-1944 at lest, dead air from WRMI at S9-S7; another feed failure from Walterboro? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9955, Dec 21 at 2353, dead air from WRMI; 2354 hymnfill starts. Scheduled Fri at 23-24 is `La Rosa de Tokio` the historical media show from Argentina, which probably runs shorter than a full hour. It focuses on one particular topic or station each week, sometimes international, often domestic, with plenty of music stretch. Week of Dec 15 subject was ``homenaje a la memoria de Betty Elizalde, insigne locutora de la radio argentina, recientemente fallecida`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

9395, UT Sun Dec 23 at 0402, WRMI with `Your Weekend Show`, VG S9+10, much better than 9955, Bob Biermann reminiscing about decorating family Xmas trees, so a current show or an evergreen? I don`t run across him often so search the WRMI skedgrids on Weekend, but mainly Wknd, to find all these dozen scheduled times:

Sat 07 9395, Sat 09 9395, Sat 10 5950, Sat 12 5950, Sat 18 5950, Sat 21 7780, Sun 04 9395, Sun 18 5950, Sun 21 9395, Sun 23 9395, Mon 04 7730, Mon 07 9395 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

WRMI webcast labeled ``no name`` at http://wrmi.listen.creek.fm/stream carries 9955 programming whenever that transmitter is on the air, but you never know what will be, elsewhen. I had it running to check WOR before 0500 UT Monday Dec 24, and after that last week, it was Supreme Master TV, also has been whatever is on WRN such as Israel. But this week, at 0513 it`s `Viva Miami` Jeff & Thaïs in Spanish about their visit to Jordan for an HFCC conference, which was quite a while ago. Not restricted on the HFCC website: http://www.hfcc.org/hfcc-conferences-list.phtml but has not been updated since B16.

0515 starts another VM Spanish episode about Lisboa, tnx to a new direct 7-hour flight from Miami; but a minute later at 0516 that is cut off to yet another episode, about visiting Praga, also quite a while ago. 0528 *another* VM episode, this one a mailbag in English; and at 0542 `Wavescan` #512 for the week of 12/16 starts playing.

Marathons of these two WRMI produxions, temporarily? keep showing up not only on webcasts: 5950, Dec 25 at 0629, instead of RFI in English, now with the VM Spanish episode about Jordania again.

Checking the webcast during 9955 pause, Dec 25 at 1630, a VM in Spanish citing results of a mini-survey months ago by the DX Clube sem Fronteiras of the most popular presenters and shows, the emphasis on Portuguese and Spanish. Shortly the Jordan VM yet again; 1651 Praga; then on to the same VM in English with mailbag, recorded just after Thanksgiving (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Hi Arthur, I am currently hearing this station as well from Austin, Texas, fair to peaking good at times. I do not no who this may be either! Thanks for the heads up! (James Niven, 2139 UT, ibid.)

I have good copy here as well, S9+ signal using the AFE822x and south facing beverage. Equally good on other antennas (Chris Smolinski, Black Cat Systems, Westminster, MD USA, ibid.)

At 2200, ID for "Supreme Master TV via WRMI." Update: They advise listeners to go to the website for Supreme Master TV; the shortwave audio seems to follow the livestream audio of Supreme Master TV with a delay of several seconds (Delibert? ibid.)

I suspect it’s being relayed via WRMI as they have been airing Supreme Master TV on other freqs (David Goren, HCDX via DXLD)

WRMI registered this frequency today 2100-0900, at 160 deg  (Ivo
Ivanov, HCDX via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

As reported widely in DX groups and by Glenn and others, this is the very strange Supreme Master TV, which has been heard recently on 9455 khz. Anyway, it's not some new 10 KW station in South America. Strangely, SWInfo lists Ecos del Torbes on 4980 with no mention of any other relay (Dan Robinson, Hard-Core-DX mailing list via DXLD)

4980, Dec 25 at 0012, open carrier from new WRMI frequency; if I were picking one, it would not be 5 kHz away from constant RTTY racket on 4985 (but better than head-on RTTY 7455 which WRMI inherited from WYFR). Requires narrow bandwidth and/or LSB tuning. 0105 recheck, now modulating a Jesus sermon in English; 0125 Ernesto y Francisco in Spanish; 0130 romantic music in Spanish; 0159 JBA carrier so WRMI must be off uncovering Urumqi. I later notice that the programs I heard match those scheduled on 9955 for UT Tuesday: 0100 Bible Comm, 0115 F&E Spanish, 0130 Trova Libre.

Presumably the new frequency is still testing with available programing. It had been reported first by Art Delibert, Maryland after 21 UT Dec 24 with `Global Master TV` which has already running from that hour on 9455, and then heard by several others while I was busy with WOR 1962 produxion, but I included news about this before finishing. As of 17 UT Dec 25, 4980 is still *not* on the WRMI transmission grid. Ivo Ivanov said WRMI had just registered it Dec 24 on a 21-09 UT span at 160 degrees. So it remains to be heard how much of the span will be used and with what programming (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 21-24 only

OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHERSW OTHER:

5085, WTWW with mostly Christmas music & lots of ads for ham radio gear & stores, as well as 'call ins' from listeners offering season's greetings, etc. Songs included classics like Andy Williams First Noel & Bing Crosby Do You See What I See?, etc. "Radio for insomniacs" Tony R. has apparently been working on the transmitter because it was again 'up to snuff' and putting out a nice clean, fully 12 kHz wide NICE sounding signal. The Mannheim Steamroller's 'electronic' Carol of the Bells showed it off really nicely! 4+554+4+ THIS close to all 5's -- strong enough to overcome all my local noise, S9+25-30 dB for the most part, occasional fades down to +10 dB. 0730-0800+ 19/Dec (Ken Zichi, Williamston MI, SDRplay + SDRuno + ANC-4 + FLDigi + randomwire, MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

5085, Dec 19 at 1540, WTWW-2 is still S9+20/30 on night frequency with Xmasmx, ``Let It Snow``, cut immediately to hamad.

But Dec 20 at 1528 check, 5085 is off. You never know what Ted will be doing with this. Sometimes it seems that 5085 is running all day and/or all night with Xmasmx.

WHY in the world does Ted and so many other broadcasters think the audience wants to be inundated by Xmasmx all the time during The Season?? Some of the music is great, much of it banal, or even earworms, and all of it is keyed to an imaginary holiday, except for pagans. I would be pleased to hear an occasional carol the rest of the year, and plenty of nonxmasmx in December. (BTW, I notice that some editors will not let me say ``Xmas``.) (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

5085, Dec 21 at 1525, WTWW-2 is on with Xmasmx, S9+20/30, also
audibilizing the parasite spurcarriers about 5072.1 and 5097.9 (Glenn
Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)  

5085 kHz even, Dec 21 at 2040 UT, WTWW-2 is on air with  
orchestra/singer program,
S=9+15dB in remote server at Alberta Canada,
S=9+25dB in remote Detroit MI state installation.
No spurs at this hour propagation [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz
RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 21,
DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Thank you for promoting this broadcast, Manuel - to any WOR readers who saw my post from a few days ago, there has been a change in frequency that I have been promoting in my newsletter. The original frequency of 12160 kHz is now 9350 kHz. This change is final, the time remains unchanged. As expressed above the final schedule is:

Tuesday 2100 UT (4 PM Eastern / 3 PM Central) - 9350 kHz - WWCR 100 kW
- North America & Europe  
DX and SWL reports are appreciated at vorwinfo@gmail.com and will be
verified. Sincerely, (John J. (VORW Radio Int.), WOR iog via DXLD)

17815.007 kHz WHRI Aoki Nagoya Japan list show 'Water of Life Ministry' at 2027 UT on Dec 21. Soul music singer. S=9+35dB strength. [selected SDR options, span 12.5 kHz RBW 15.3 Hertz] (Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx, wwdxc BC-DX TopNews Dec 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Family Broadcasting Corporation, what`s that?? ``Family Broadcasting Corporation (formerly LeSEA Broadcasting Corporation) exists to reach out to the lost across the globe and to provide you and your family with an alternative to viewing secular television programs``. So no more LeSEA; when did that change? Maybe they got tired of having to explain/teach how to spell correctly that strange name. For the historical record, it meant: LEster Sumrall Evangelistic Association (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Re LeSea into Family BC;  
OpenCorporates give the name change date as 5 Sep 2018.
73, (Jari Savolainen, Finland, WOR iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Angel 1 7335 kHz is new frequency 2200-2400 Sat/Sun, ex 9505 kHz  
probably from Dec 2. From March 2 will be again 9505 (Ivo Ivanov, WOR
iog via WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DXLD)

Frequency change of World Harvest Radio Int. WHRI Angel 1 from Dec 2
2200-2400 NF 7335 HRI 250 kW / 047 deg WeEu English Sat/Sun, ex  9505
* co-ch same 7335 BJI 100 kW / 255 deg EaAs Chinese China Nat. Radio-2
https://swldxbulgaria.blogspot.com/2018/12/frequency-change-of-world-harvest-radio.html
(Ivo Ivanov, SWLDXBulgaria News, Dec.23-24, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Heard again with another preacher rambling 0345-0432* with no IDs at all on 12/17, too. FCC wouldn’t like this at all (Don Hosmer, West Branch MI & afloat on the Adriatic, ICOM IC-7200, CommRadio Cr-1a and/or XHData D-808 radios with G5RV dipoles & W6LVP loop, MARE Tipsheet 21 Dec via DXLD)

In case anyone not know this station intimately already: per NRC AM Log, address in Tucson AZ, CoL Marana AZ, U2 5000/390, was SS:Religion as ``Radio Ebeneezer`` [sic] (gh, DXLD)

and nulling XEETCH, there is S Asian music, no doubt KHSE Wylie (Metroplex) TX, no longer brokered religion in Spanish as in NRC AM Log, and still reported as such by MAREs in November. Radio- locator.com now says it`s ``Radio Caravan`` with Asian format: https://www.radiocaravan.com/ which autolaunches Hindi/Bollywood audio (but English ad at 1814 Dec 22), or choose Telugu instead. Also operates on FM, IBOC and in Houston (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1962, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I will try to remember to check when I go out in the car shortly. They were on a few weeks ago when I went to Kansas City and I did a band scan near Limon (CO). Neither 780 (KCEG) nor 890 (KJME) were on as of a few minutes ago. I heard WBBM on 780 quite easily.

(Update sent 12/7/18): I checked again today and 780 and 890 were silent. I checked the FCC DB and found that he requested a silent STA because his landlord at the transmitter site did not renew his lease. I also noticed he has a CP to drop to 3 towers from 6 day and night and reduce night power on 890. 780 remains the same, but he has the silent STA for both stations.(Broadcasting Information, IRCA DX Monitor Dec 22, published Dec 18, via DXLD)

The former KLIM 1120 Limon is now KCRN as of yesterday. It stands for Catholic Radio Network, the owner. They are going to 50 KW daytime only with a two tower array that will give them Front Range coverage from Pueblo to at least Ft Collins. Their new tower site is along Hwy 86 between Limon and Kiowa. I haven't been down there to see if the towers are up yet, but they must be getting close by now. COL (city of license-ye ed) is still Limon (Broadcasting Information, IRCA DX Monitor Dec 22, published Dec 18, via DXLD)

But he doesn`t answer the question if and how well he could hear KLIM while it`s 10 watts! (gh, DXLD)

Meanwhile I am hearing Jim Bohannon`s voice underneath on KQAM, a time I would not expect him, but there he is on the schedule at 6-8 am CT Sundays: http://stecklinecommunications.com/kqam/ (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

But guess what, this is an ``encore`` from the year 2011! They all sound similar, except for different guest artists. One may still listen to either hour or both via:
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/21/675242726/a-paul-winter-solstice-concert-2018-encore-performance

There was a new live performance earlier tonight. And an encore Saturday afternoon (but not in the dark!). The NPR broadcasts are never live, as they obviously involve a lot of post-produxion, and would be very ragged if they attempted to do the same thing live. They are always very careful not to mention the current year, only the ``31st annual`` now that we are in the ``39th annual``.

But when will we ever get to hear the 2017 concert, let alone 2018? I couldn`t find ticket prices, but bet they are plenty. Should I ever find myself in NYC around Winter Solstice, this will be a bucket priority (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Image:  
Laura R. Walker, the head of New York Public Radio, announced she will
leave in March. Credit Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for WQXR Radio

By David W. Chen Dec. 19, 2018

In a move that caught many employees by surprise, Laura R. Walker, the longtime but recently embattled president and chief executive officer of New York Public Radio, announced Wednesday that she would leave her job in March.

Ms. Walker has been a towering figure in public radio and the arts for more than two decades. But accusations last year of harassment and discrimination by hosts cast a harsh glare on her management style, prompting Ms. Walker to acknowledge that she had "prioritized growth, and content and programming, over investment in some of the processes and people."

In her departure memo to staffers, Ms. Walker did not shy away from mentioning what employees have named "The Troubles," saying "it's no secret that this past year has been stressful for the organization." She wrote that she and the station's board of trustees "agreed that the time has come for me to move on." . . . [much more]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/19/nyregion/wnyc-laura-walker-resignation.html (via Mike Cooper, DXLD)

Glenn -  As 2018 comes to a close, we would like to thank you for
taking action to protect federal funding for public media this year.
Together, we achieved significant milestones, including:

    Sending more than 300,000 messages to Congress in support of
    federal funding for public media;
    Adding more than 30,000 new advocates to the Protect My Public
    Media Action Network;
    Securing full federal funding for public media.

Again, thank you, Glenn, for answering our calls to action to protect your stations.

Beginning in January, we must again make the case to Congress for continued, robust federal funding for public media for Fiscal Year 2020.

We will have a new Congress and a renewed opportunity to share why local public radio and television stations are important to Americans of all ages from every community across the country.

Thank you for your participation in this year’s successful effort, and we’re thrilled that we can count on you to act in the future.

We are energized and excited for next year, and we hope you are, too. Wishing you a happy holiday season, (The Protect My Public Media Team, via DXLD)

Goodbye, Jesuits. Vatican Media Get a New Face and New Boss

And this with a Jesuit pope, no less. Vatican Radio will stop broadcasting on shortwave. And “L'Osservatore Romano” will also be absorbed into a single “content hub.” Under the command of Monsignor Dario Viganò

by Sandro Magister  

ROME, October 30, 2016 – Jorge Mario Bergoglio is the first Jesuit in history to sit on the throne of Peter. And yet precisely during his reign the Society of Jesus is at risk of disappearing from the Vatican.

It still has charge of the astronomical observatory. But it has lost command of the press office, the radio network, the television station, the heart of the communication system of the Holy See.

For a few years Fr. Federico Lombardi was at the head of all three of these installations. But one after another they have been taken from him, and no other Jesuit has replaced him.

The new boss of the Vatican media, placed by Pope Francis at the helm
of the newly created secretariat for communication, is the Lombard
monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò, an expert on cinema, as far as can be
imagined from the vision of his predecessor.
*
Vatican Radio is the epicenter of the upheaval. Entrusted since its
birth, in 1931, to the Society of Jesus, it has brought the Church’s
message to the farthest corners of the world.  

With shortwave it could and can be listened to even in the most prohibitive places, in Siberia during the Stalin years as today in North Korea or Saudi Arabia.

It broadcasts in 40 languages, and if it were up to Fr. Lombardi it would do so in a few more. He had even been able to create a program in the Hausa language, for the northern area of Nigeria where Boko Haram is raging, with an additional cost of just 10,000 euro per year. But those who held the purse strings in the Vatican forced him to shut it down for budgetary reasons . . . (via DXLD)

1305 & 1413 are often the best/only ones in the upperband, so whence
most likely? Both Spain by proximity rather than power, multiple Radio
5 synchro transmitters adding up to 75 and 25 kW resp. It`s a bit late
on 1413 for the 500 kW from Pridnestrovye or 600 kW from BBC Oman
(Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Surely WRMI with Argentina relay as scheduled (gh, DXLD)